5 Factors to Consider When Choosing Hardwood Flooring
Whether you are thinking of having hardwood flooring fitted throughout your home or just in one key room such as the kitchen or bathroom, there is no denying that this is a decision that requires careful planning and consideration.
Any new flooring will impact your home’s overall look, but with hardwood flooring, this is magnified even more as it’s not exactly a subtle option, now is it?
That being said, when used correctly, hardwood flooring can completely transform the overall look and feel of your home, whether it is a modern or traditional property.
Not sure where to begin when choosing hardwood flooring for your home?
Keep reading to find out the top five things that you need to consider getting the most out of this flexible and fabulous flooring option.
1. Footfall
One of the most important aspects of choosing any flooring for your home is the flow of traffic in the room you intend to lay hardwood floors. For example, if you are planning to have hardwood flooring throughout the whole of the downstairs of your home, including the hallway and kitchen, you will need flooring that is designed to be fairly resistant to wear and tear.
If you are not sure which type of hardwood flooring to choose from your home, why not ask your local flooring suppliers for advice?
2. Room size
When choosing the shade for your hardwood flooring, it can be a good idea to think about the size of the room you intend the flooring to go in. As a general rule, lighter shades work best for smaller rooms with less access to natural light, whereas larger spaces can accommodate darker hues.
A darker floor is also a good option if you are looking to create a cosy atmosphere.
3. Style
As with any design choice for your home, you need to think about your property’s overall style. Ensure that you consider all interior elements of your home, including the furniture, trim work, light fixtures, and any other design features that need to match your chosen hardwood flooring.
More traditional homes tend to suit a combination of darker and lighter styles, whereas modern homes favour a light wood.
4. Lifestyle
Another factor when choosing hardwood flooring for your home is your and your family’s lifestyle. For example, if you have pets or young children, you need to choose durable flooring, easy to clean and stain resistant.
However, if you can be more careful when it comes to walking on your floors, you can safely opt for real wood floors without fear of scratches or damage.
5. Installation
The ease of installation will depend on the type of subfloor you already have in your home. Most properties have plywood, particle boards, or concrete slabs underneath their flooring.
If you have a plywood subfloor, you can install either solid or engineered hardwood floors. However, if you have a particleboard subfloor, you will need to replace it with plywood before fitting either solid or engineered hardwood flooring.
For homes with concrete slabs, if you want to add solid wood floors, you will need to install plywood first.