Hardwoods are durable and beautiful, and will work with either traditional or contemporary home styles, depending on how they are used. If you’re set on hardwood flooring for your next project, you should weigh the various wood options carefully. Here’s what you should consider to make the right choice:
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Hardness. The harder the wood, the more scratch-resistant it will be, an important consideration in busy households with kids and pets, or with a kitchen remodeling project being done to improve overall home function. To determine how hard a wood is, the Janka Scale is used. The higher the number on the scale, the harder the wood. The scale starts at zero and tops out at 4000. For flooring, a rating of at least 1000 is ideal. Wood species with a 1000+ rating include white and red oak, maple, hickory and Brazilian cherry.
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Color/Grain. In North America, oak is the most popular hardwood chosen for floors because it is durable, resists stains and has a beautiful natural grain — on top of being widely available. Walnut is another popular choice. Though softer than oak, it boasts of a deep brown color that looks great in rooms where darker finishes are desired. The best wood type to choose, however, will depend on your preferred grain and color.
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Plank Width. The wider the planks, the more luxurious hardwood floors look. Standard specifications are widths at four to six inches, so anything bigger than those can help make your living spaces feel more elegant.
Remodeling Done Your Way
As expert bathroom and kitchen remodeling contractors, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Wilmington is serious about providing you with quality materials to guarantee quality results for your project. To learn more about what we have to offer, simply give us a call at (910) 212-5889. Let’s start a conversation today!