Don’t be misled by lookalikes! Learn about different types of hardwood floors and how to maintain them.

When you are remodeling or constructing your new home or office, the most important decision you could make is to choose the right kind of hardwood floor. As there is a wide variety of hardwood floors available in the market, you want to choose the type which is appropriate according to your lifestyle

All Flooring USA, we partner with some of the best brands to bring you the products that are not only beautifully designed but made to withstand active lifestyles and busy households.

Construction

Hardwood floor is available in 2 styles of constructions i.e. Solid and Engineered.

Solid

Solid hardwood floor is constructed from the best wood to deliver a  durable and tough domestic floor. The thickness of the planks is normally ¾ inches. It contracts and expands with changes in humidity level, so it is an ideal choice for rooms with controlled humidity and temperature. Most of the time, it is installed above grade, or over approved wooden subfloors. US Floors‘ Natural Bamboo Expressions Corboo, Homerwood’s Weathered Oak-Solid collections, and Lauzon’s Ambiance Collection-Authentik showcase some of the best solid wood floors available in the market.

Engineered

Engineered is an ideal choice for customers who want more choices in colors and textures. It resists contraction and expansion from humidity changes. Available in various widths, colors and sizes, it can be installed on any level in the home. Browse through our Mohawk‘s Pastiche in Oak collection or Lauzon‘s Designer Collection- Line Art to get a feel of it.

Textures

Hardwood floor is available in a variety of textures and styles.

Smooth

Smooth texture results from a very delicate sanding which gives the wood a very silky look. Most of the products featured in the Hardwood flooring section are available in this texture.

Open Grain

 Open Grain hardwood planks have large pores that give the floor a coarser look. When the wood is sawn, the pours are split and give it a dramatic look. The hickory floor in Lauzon’s Emira series or Red Oak floors in Ambiance or Essentials collection features this texture.

Glossy

 Glossy hardwood flooring makes the wood grain patterns stand out and add elegance to your home. If you have small children or pets at home, choosing a glossy hardwood floor is not a very good choice as all the spots and stains on such a floor stand out.

Hand Scraped

 Hand-scraped texture is created either through automated machines or by hand. Using tools like metal gouges, chisels, and hand planes, the wooden floor is given a sophisticated texture. This type of texture is featured in some of the Homestead
series by Lauzon.

Wire Brushed

 This texture is created by rubbing the hardwood floor with steel bristles, opening the grain and removing the softwood at the top of the plank. To appreciate this unique texture, take a look at some of the floors from Urban Loft and Authentik Series by Lauzon.

Tips to Keep Your Hardwood Floor in a Great Shape

The following are some of the tips to take care of your hardwood floor.

Keep the dirt and Sand Out

Taking care of your hardwood floors starts outside the home. Place a doormat at the entrance so that the people can wipe off their feet before they enter their home. Similarly, placing a mat and a chair near the entrance door encourages people to sit down and remove their wet shoes before they enter the house.

Protect your Hardwood floor from Scratches

Put protective pads under your furniture so that if someone drags a chair or a table, it doesn’t scratch your floor. Another good idea is to properly clip the nails of your pets so that they don’t scratch the floor. Similarly, consider installing protective rugs or carpets in high-foot traffic areas so that your floor doesn’t get dented.

Cleaning

Sweep or dust vacuum to remove all the dirt and debris. If your wooden floor is urethane protected, you can occasionally do the damp mopping. Tough stains should be cleaned with a good wooden floor cleaner.

·Maintenance

Hot and humid and damp weather can damage your wooden floor. Ideally, the interior humidity level should be between 45 to 55%.

To keep your wooden floor in a good shape, consider using a dehumidifier and air conditioner. Open up the windows when it is nice and dry outside.

If a wooden floor is installed in your basement, switch on the fan to blow the moist air out.

Key Takeaway

Hardwood floors are a visually appealing and practical investment for your home or business. At All Flooring USA, we have the best warranties and finest products. With appropriate maintenance and care, you can keep your floor in good shape for a long period.