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Choosing Hardwood Flooring
Choosing Hardwood Flooring – A Complete Hardwood Flooring Selection Guide
The Most Important Decision in Selecting Hardwood Floors Is Finding the Right Color
SCV Floorsmith Can Help You Select the Right Color
- When choosing hardwood floors and selecting the right color of hardwood floor, room size, texture of the walls, furniture, and ceiling heights should be your main considerations.
- Be careful of darker colors, which can make a room look smaller and make the room feel gloomy and dense.
- While darker shades usually translate into a more formal look, they also bring out the warmth in other elements of décor.
- Light-colored walls and light-colored floors are recommended for rooms with low ceilings.
- A matte finish with natural color hardwood will conceal scratches the best.
- Remember that the color of your floor should not match (or be identical to) the color of your furniture or walls. Go with colors that contrast and complement each other.
- Get ideas from photos in interior design magazines and use virtual decorating software for inspiration. Most importantly, visit us at our SCV Floorsmith showroom in Naperville. Take advantage of taking home a sample to help you choose hardwood flooring that fits your space. While photos and virtual decorator tools give a general idea, nothing informs your decision better than seeing the floor color on-site, in natural light.
- Natural unstained wood or traditional shades of brown will give you a classic look. Chestnut or walnut stains achieve the same effect.
- In modern homes, popular choices for hardwood flooring installation include dark and black tones.
- Bold and deep colors, such as various shades of red (think natural Jatoba or Santos Mahogany, or oak and ash stained in similar colors), add character to offices, public interiors, and other spaces where large open space makes flooring a central element of décor.
The Second Most Important Factor in How to Select the Best Hardwood Flooring: The Right Options
- Board width can come in narrow strips (less than 3 inches), giving a more traditional look and the illusion of more space in a room. A wider plank (more than 3 inches) offers a rustic appearance.
- Wood species vary in durability, grain patterns, and color. Naperville’s hardwood flooring installation industry often uses oak, maple, and cherry. For a more striking appearance, consider exotic woods like mahogany and Brazilian cherry.
- Colors can run the gamut from blond to black, depending on species and finish.
- Texture for hardwood floors can be new and shiny or offered in distressed or hand-scraped looks that disguise heavy use over time.
- Hardness is crucial for households with pets and young kids. It is a good idea to consider species such as red oak, which withstands wear and tear. Avoid softer species such as pine, as it tends to show scratches.
- Most engineered floors are pre-finished. These factory-applied finishes generally have longer warranties as they are longer-lasting and more durable than site-applied finishes. Some homeowners prefer site-finished floors due to the wider selection of stain colors and the opportunity to hone the surface and even out imperfections after the boards are in place. Boards are also easier to repair if damaged. Urethanes are the most common type of finish in the hardwood flooring selection guide.
The Third Most Important Factor: The Little Things That Make a Difference
- Hardwood floors can be installed in any room except full baths or laundry rooms.
- Hardwood floors are the most popular choice for installation in main living areas; avoid installing in full bathrooms or laundry rooms.
- Hardwood floors can be delicate. Please keep your pets’ nails trimmed to avoid scratching. Also, since the floors are hard, lay a mat for your dog to lie down comfortably.
- Clean spills immediately, and place a mat under water dishes.
- Underlayment products provide a base for the floor, limit noise, and add insulation. Cushioned materials such as cork and foam are ideal beneath floating floors. Vinyl- and plastic-lined underlayment works best in moisture-prone areas. Manufacturers offer many options featuring a variety of benefits and price points.
We will listen to your needs and help guide you in how to choose hardwood flooring that’s right for your space.
Call us at 630-333-0925 to set up a free estimate. Same-day appointments available!