Certainly, large numbers of residents are drawn to wood flooring—the aspect of it being naturally elegant and venerable, hard-wearing, and versatile. However, choosing the right type of wood flooring for each room in your home ultimately boils down to careful considerations regarding moisture levels, foot traffic, and stylistic preferences. Getting to know what each type of wood flooring is like, and how it best matches with the specific requirements of each room, will help you make expert decisions bringing comfort and beauty into the whole house.
Before we jump to recommendations for individual sawmills, let’s learn a bit about the three main types of wood flooring: solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, and laminate. They all come with some of the benefits and shortcomings that make them beneficial for particular applications.
Solid hardwood flooring is made from a single piece of quality wood, which hence can be sanded and refinished many times due to its durability; as such, it is authentic. Additionally, solid hardwood is humbly susceptible to moisture and temperature variations, limiting its application in high-humidity areas.
Engineered hardwood flooring is made of plywood or high-density fiberboard core bonded with actual wood veneer. This makes it relatively warm and unaffected by temperature and moisture fluctuations, unlike solid hardwood. That makes it accommodating, flexible, and versatile in centers such as kitchens or basements.
Laminate Flooring is a take at wood with a high-resolution image layer applied to a heavy-bonded core. It offers a cheap alternative to real wood, with very low maintenance and is particularly suited for high-traffic areas or homes with pets and children.
Choosing Wood Flooring for Each Room
Each room within your home has different demands as dictated by its use, level of traffic, and extent of exposure to moisture. Let’s explore the best wood flooring options for various spaces.
Living Room
Unquestionably, the sitting room is the heart of the home, the landing place of the whole family, and where many guests are entertained. It is the area in the home that would best suit the installation of either solid hardwood or engineered hardwood due to its classic texture and toughness. Consider a toned-down color like walnut or mahogany to bring out a calming look for this area. For a lighter, more open look, use lighter colors such as oak or maple. The addition of a big area rug can cover the flooring without decreasing comfort.
Bedroom
Bedrooms represent a private space, and comfort is key here. This is an appropriate place for solid hardwood floors or engineered wood flooring with a smooth finish. Wide planks of light-colored ash or white oak can be used to achieve a calm and spacious look. In bedrooms, there may not be much traffic, so the wear and tear on the flooring is also less, which makes solid hardwood a good long-term investment.
Kitchen
Kitchens are one of the most heavily trafficked rooms and are susceptible to spills, heat, and moisture. This is where engineered hardwood is best, as it is moisture-tolerant and can tolerate temperature adjustments. Consider a protective finish that will protect against scratches and stains. When taking safety into account, you might even look at wood floors with a texture or matte finish to reduce the slipping hazard.
Bathroom
The high degree of moisture exposure in bathrooms is a big challenge for wooden floors. Solid hardwood is not ideal, but engineered hardwood with a water-resistant finish may be installed with extra caution in half baths or powder rooms with a similar injunction. For complete bathrooms, consider waterproof laminate options that look like wood without the risk of water damage. Ensure great ventilation and use bath mats to reduce the wood floors’ exposure to moisture.
Basement
One of the places where there is a potential for moisture, and therefore, engineered hardwood is much more practical than solid hardwood, is the basement. The layered construction of engineered hardwood doesn’t warp and swell in humid conditions. If you are installing wood flooring in a basement, adding a vapor barrier is necessary to protect against moisture seeping up from the subfloor. Adding lighter tones brightens the darker ambiance that you will often encounter in a basement.
High-Traffic Areas
Hallways, entryways, and the children’s playrooms typically have great footfalls; thus, much-needed considerations for the flooring are durability. Laminate flooring can offer brilliant solutions in such cases. For both practical and stylish solutions in busy households, laminate makes the most cost-effective option while being incombustible. Additionally, the textured finish will not reveal scratches and is another source of grip.
Conclusion
Decide the perfect wood flooring for every single room in your home all with the balance of functionality, style, and budget. The homeowner will need only to be aware of the demands for those spaces and the peculiarities of every wooden flooring option in the world in order to turn any dwelling into a set of pretty rooms. Be it the classic charm of solid hardwood, the versatility of engineered wood, or the practicality of laminate flooring, perfect selection will ensure comfort and house value for years. Visit Power Dekor Floors and see for yourself the many designs of prime quality engineered hardwood floors that will bring so much beauty and elegance to your home.