Did you know new hardwood floors can add up to 2.5 percent to the value of your home? Not only that, but many buyers today all but expect hardwood floors in high end or custom homes.
You might be considering hardwood flooring for your new home or renovation project. An engineered wood floor is a popular choice.
You want to make sure your floors are done right. To that end, you want to be sure you’re choosing the highest quality wood flooring for your home. These five tips will help you do just that.
1. Double-Check the Lengths of Your Engineered Wood Floor
The first thing you want to do when you’re selecting engineered wood is check the lengths. Most people understand the plank width is quite important when it comes to flooring.
Have you thought about the plank lengths? All the dimensions have an impact on how the flooring will look in your home.
Generally speaking, you’ll want to select planks that are at least two feet in length. Anything shorter will look like patchwork, especially in larger rooms with high ceilings. Lengths from 24″ to 120″ can ensure the floor has a natural flow.
2. Consider the Species for Your Floor
Another consideration in picking the right hardwood flooring is the species. Different species have different qualities. One species might offer certain advantages, depending on the room or even the climate you live in. White Oak for instance readily takes a custom stain color.
Hickory, for example, is moisture sensitive but wears well. It’s a great choice for high-traffic areas or rooms that experience paw traffic. Black walnut is another durable species that looks gorgeous in almost any setting.
3. Select Unfinished Flooring to Create the Perfect Match
It used to be that you could only buy engineered hardwood that was pre-finished. Today, you can buy unfinished planks for your wood floor.
Why is an unfinished flooring such a good option? It allows you to control the finish more. You can get the perfect match for the cabinetry in your kitchen.
4. Look for a High-Quality Core
You will never see the underside of your engineered wood floor, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important. In fact, the plywood core is one of the key factors in determining the quality of wood flooring.
The highest quality hardwood flooring uses a multi-layer hardwood ply. Lower quality flooring uses block board, which tends to be less stable and less reliable.
Always ask what’s at the heart of any flooring before you buy.
5. Steer Clear of Thin Planks
Another thing you’ll want to consider for your hardwood floor is the thickness of the planks.
Generally speaking, plank thickness indicates the quality of the flooring itself. High-quality flooring has much thicker planks. The lower the quality, the thinner the plank.
Why is the thickness of planks such a good indicator of flooring quality? Thinner planks tend to have thin wear layers. As your floor wears, these layers get worn down. When it comes time to redo the floors, you’ll often find you need to replace the floor.
Thicker planks have better wear layers, meaning they can be refinished instead.
Get Your Flooring Project Started
If you’re considering an engineered wood floor for your home, keep these five factors in mind. They’ll help you find the highest quality flooring.
Wondering how much a hardwood floor will cost you? Get in touch with our team to get an estimate on your next project.