Hardwood floors are beautiful and classic. Well-chosen, they can upgrade your home and increase its market value if you happen to be selling. If you’ve never chosen hardwood flooring before, read on for a few tips to help with your choice. Not all hardwood flooring is created equal, and there’s a lot more involved than just selecting a color you like.
Picking a hardwood flooring color
Take your lifestyle into account when choosing a color. You might like dark finishes, but keep in mind that they’re difficult to keep clean. Dirt shows up easily against dark colors, especially in high or semi-high luster finishes. If you’ve got pets or kids who frequently track in dirt and dust, ask yourself if you’re up for the constant cleaning, or whether you’d prefer a lighter finish after all.
Selecting the hardness of hardwood flooring
Households with pets and kids also want to keep hardness in mind. Pets’ claws and kids’ toys can lead to scratches in the wood, which can be easily sanded out if you’ve got harder wood flooring, like red oak. Are pets’ claws and kids’ toys not a factor? Feel free to choose softer wood, like pine.
Considering hard wood flooring finishes
Most finishes fall into one of two categories: polyurethane and oil. Polyurethane requires less frequent but more difficult maintenance. Oil has a soft, natural and matte feel, but is more susceptible to stains and damage.
If you’re in the market for home improvement needs, Ivy Lea Construction can help. If you’re in the Buffalo area, call us at 716-875-8654 today!
