Choosing the perfect wood flooring in your Belclaire home

Wood flooring can be a great way to give your Belclaire home a polished and classic look while adding to its value. Not only is it durable and hypoallergenic, solid wood floors can be refinished over and over again. However, with so many varieties, it can be difficult to choose the right wood floors for your home.

We researched some of the most important factors to consider when choosing your hardwood flooring:

Board width
Wood floors can come in narrow strips, wide planks, parquet squares and, more recently, squares and rectangles. More traditional, strips give the illusion of more space, planks create a more rustic look and parquet floors suit formal spaces with their distinctive geometric design.

Wood species
Different types of wood vary in durability, grain patterns and color. Oak, maple and cherry are the most common choices because of how hard and durable they are. Exotic species like mahogany and Brazilian cherry are less durable but are striking in appearance.

Textures
Depending on your preference, you can find hardwood floors that are glossy or others with an antique finish. Distressed and hand-scraped hardwood floors will disguise heavy use and give the floor timeworn character from day one.

Hardness
For busy homes with pets and kids, it’s wise to choose a hard wood species that will withstand wear and tear. Softer species like pine tend to show scratches. Remember, scratches from the puppy’s claws or child’s toy on solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished over and over.

Whatever you decide on, proper care and preventative maintenance can keep your wood floors looking great for years.