Understanding Hardwood Options for Your Home

Hardwood is one of the more popular forms of flooring since they increase the market value of a property while also beautifying it. However, when selecting and installing hardwood flooring, other factors include type, species, size, pricing, and brand. This article will teach you all there is to know about hardwood options so you can make the best decision for your house.

What Is Hardwood Flooring?

Bamboo, oak, and teak are just a few of the wood species that may be used to make hardwood flooring. All hardwood flooring is stained to bring out their rich colour and texture and sealed to prevent nicks and other damage, regardless of the species.

Hardwood floors are categorised as soft, medium, or hard, although even the softest hardwood is quite durable. Even the toughest species tend to exhibit signs of deterioration over time.

You may refinish a hardwood floor to restore it to its former appearance rather than having to replace it, as you would with other flooring options. Refinishing hardwood is less expensive than buying and installing a new one.

Types of Hardwood

There are two types of hardwood in Brisbane available: solid and engineered. Engineered flooring comprises layers of wood, generally at right angles, whereas solid flooring is made up of a single species. When deciding between solid and engineered flooring, consider the following criteria.

Solid flooring may be refinished numerous times; however, engineered flooring can only withstand refinishing two or three times, depending on the thickness of the hardwood layer. As a result, solid flooring can outlast engineered flooring over several decades.

Engineered flooring has a wider range of applications than solid flooring. Solid flooring must be fastened or stapled to a subfloor and should not be laid below the grade, such as in basements, owing to humidity swings. Engineered flooring can be floated over different surfaces, bonded to concrete, or affixed to a subfloor.

Solid flooring costs somewhat more than engineered flooring, but the difference is usually insignificant.

Pick the Right Size

Another crucial factor to consider is the size of the board. Although narrow ones are less costly, many individuals prefer the look of broader boards with fewer seams. The same concept holds true for shorter and longer boards.

The more expensive per square foot a board is, and the more extra flooring you’ll need to ensure it fits your space, the wider and longer it is. A good rule of thumb is to buy 10% extra square footage than you need. However, this might vary based on the room’s form.