Hardwood Floors - 7 Tips For Selecting Perfect Flooring

DESIGN STYLES

With thousands of colors and styles to select from today it can seem like a daunting task to make the right flooring choice. To narrow the field down it is recommended that you select a flooring style that complements your overall interior design style. Nothing will look worse that a glaring clash of styles, so make sure your new flooring complements your existing (of planned) interior design.

SITUATIONAL FACTORS

Almost every install will have physical or functional requirements that will further narrow down the scope and selection of an appropriate hardwood or laminate flooring system. Here is a brief summary of factors to consider:

FLOOR TRAFFIC EXPECTATIONS

The quantity and type of traffic you expect on your floors will impact the flooring material you can choose. Laminates offer high durability, as well as wood species that have high "hardness rankings" on the Janka scale. Softer woods are generally not a good selection for high traffic areas.

SUB FLOORING

The quality of any new hardwood flooring installation can only be as good as the subfloor underneath. For the best outcomes, the subfloor should be dry, stable, and level. Concrete subfloors generally are only acceptable for laminate installations, but you should be mindful of installing a quality underlayment the provides an appropriate moisture barrier as well as good sound installation. Poor laminate installations will sound very hollow when walking on it.

HUMIDITY AND TEMPERATURE

To prevent warping and cupping of floors make sure there is adequate ventilation and regulated temperatures thought the year. Laminates work best in areas that experience higher humidity levels.

INSTALLATION

The time and cost of installation is an often overlooked factor in floor selection decisions. Glueless click-style floating laminate floor systems can be a weekend project for experienced do-it-yourselfers, and can save a lot of installation labor. Other flooring installation methods are generally more complex and will require professional installation in most cases.

WARRANTY

Making a successful claim under a flooring warranty often requires that you can demonstrate the product was installed exactly as per the manufactures recommendations and that the damage is not a product of wear and tear or poor workmanship. Hiring a professional installer and dealing with a large brand name product that has an established track record is your best protection.

If you need more help you can read our full article series on selecting hardwood floors to create the perfect hardwood flooring solution to match your interior space.

S.A. Smith is a freelance writer, contributor, and editor of the Laminate Flooring Zone resource site which offers helpful article, tips, and resources on wood flooring solutions.

---

Save Time & Money Doing Your Own Basic Electric Wiring

Hiring a professional electrician can be very expensive and is... Read More

Spring Home Projects in Northern New England

As I sit on a plane in route from Chicago... Read More

What is Injection Waterproofing?

Injection waterproofing is often used to fill and seal cracks... Read More

Removing Your Old Sliding Glass Door

Last week I explained how to measure your existing sliding... Read More

Stair Railings Styles

The stair railing at home is more than a simple... Read More

How To Clean Your Air Conditioner Like A Pro

Jack Frost is nipping at our nose and Santa Clause... Read More

Materials For Building Window Shutters

Shopping for window shutters can become confusing because of the... Read More

Bathroom Wall Cabinets ? Create Extra Space with a Touch of Style!

Is your bathroom looking cluttered? How about fitting new bathroom... Read More

Buy Area Rugs on the Web? What a Site!

After spending hundreds of dollars on your favorite Picasso print,... Read More

A Well Chosen Bathroom Vanity Will Make Your Bathroom Look Great!

A bathroom vanity is the centerpiece of your bathroom. Regardless... Read More

Got Attic Mold? Lets Talk Energy Conservation!

It happens to countless homeowners around the end of the... Read More

Add A Room To Your Home With A Patio Awning

Do you need a patio awning for your lovely patio... Read More

Clearing the Air on What to Look for in an Air Purifier

If you are dedicated to improving the indoor air quality... Read More

Ceiling Fans ? That Dont Require The Ceiling

The trend in remodeling homes is to expand the outdoor... Read More

Beginning Interior Design

Beginning interior design is a challenging, exciting adventure that one... Read More

Easy To Follow Tips For Keeping Energy Costs Down

When it comes to cooling our homes and businesses, the... Read More

Faux Fireplace, on the Cheap!

Does the coming winter chill remind you how much you... Read More

Home Sweet Home

All of us live in houses but how many of... Read More

Planning Your In-Wall Speaker System

So you've finally decided to get your favorite music throughout... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - Agricultural Plots of Land for Sale - The Latest Mug Punter Scam?

The first part of most years brings a flurry of... Read More

The Right Bathroom Light Fixture Will Brighten Up Your Bathroom

A bathroom light fixture may be just what the doctor... Read More

Dual Pane Window Glass Repair

For the past few weeks, I have been explaining how... Read More

Kitchen Remodeling Guide

A kitchen can make or ruin a family life. A... Read More

Hammocks Create a Stress Free Zone

Stress is all around us, from the office to the... Read More

Building Your Own Home

Most people think building their own home involves vast knowledge... Read More

Choosing A New Floor

Is it time to give that tired kitchen floor a... Read More

Chiminea ? Buy It for the Versatility of Enjoying Both Fireplace and Grill!

I recently visited friends who served me a dinner of... Read More

FAQs About Using Stone In Your Home

1. Q. IS NATURAL STONE A GOOD CHOICE FOR HOME... Read More

Log Homes - Is a Log Home In Your Future?

Many people dream about a log home in their future... Read More

The Organized Move: Preparing Your Home for the Publics Eye

(This is the first in a series of three articles... Read More

Vintage Labels on Marble Tiles

It's refreshing to note that gone are the days that... Read More

How to Design a Lighting Plan

You are doing a remodel and know that you want... Read More

Heart of the Home

It started with my need for a new mixer. OK.... Read More