Hardwood Flooring Types

Hardwood flooring is a favorite choice for most of the homeowners. The style and elegance of hardwood floors stand out from other flooring options. They also provide warmth and richness to the house. The major advantages of hardwood flooring are eco-friendly product and less accumulation of dust and allergens. Hence, hardwood floors are ultimate options for people having asthma or other allergy related health problems. If you are planning for home remodeling, you can consider hardwood flooring. You can select hardwood floor from a wide range of stains and finishes as per your personal preference. Let's discuss in brief about the various hardwood flooring types.

Types of Hardwood Flooring

Even though hardwood floors are more expensive in comparison to other flooring options, the durability and increased home value is worth spending the price. With proper hardwood floor care, you can retain the classy look for several years. Hardwood flooring is ideal for any room, except bathrooms since they are damaged with frequent exposure to water. Like any home improvement project, proper planning is the thumb rule for successful implementation. Considering this, selection of the type of hardwood floor should be done carefully. Following are hardwood flooring types based on the wood species, treatment procedure, floor type and floor style:

Wood Species
Among the various types of wood that make up hardwood flooring, oak and maple are in the top preferred list. Other hardwood flooring options that make up to the popularity list include pine, fir, birch, cherry, cinnamon and walnut. Each of the wood species have their own advantages and disadvantages. You can seek advice from the local plumber about the preferable wood species for hardwood flooring.

Treatment Procedures
Based on the treatment procedure before and after installation, hardwood flooring can be of two types, viz. unfinished and pre-finished. The former type requires sanding and finishing of the hardwood flooring after installation, whereas in case of the latter type, the treatment procedures are not required after installation. With pre-finished hardwood flooring, sanding and finishing of the wood is done by the manufacturer.

Hardwood Floor Types
In general, there are three types of hardwood flooring, namely, solid, engineered and acrylic impregnated. Solid hardwood flooring is made from solid blocks of wood, which is then cut according to specific dimensions. In case of engineered hardwood flooring, three to five layers of wooden and plastic sheets are adhered together to increase strength. Regarding acrylic impregnated hardwood flooring, sealant and color are inculcated throughout the wood, thus making a uniform finish.

Hardwood Floor Styles
Speaking about the styles of hardwood flooring, the varieties are strip, plank and parquet. In strip style, the wood planks are available in specific width, but with thickness. On the contrary, plank hardwood flooring comes with set thickness and variable widths. Regarding parquet style, geometrical shaped wood pieces are joined to create a unique pattern.

Once you decide the type of hardwood floor that you want to install, then laying them can be accomplished with correct measurement and basic carpentry skills. While fixing them, make sure you consider sound and heat insulation for better comfort level. You can check for modern hardwood flooring types with such additional features. Select the color of the hardwood floor, so that it complements the room accessories and furniture. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for hardwood floor installation to create a rich texture and beautiful flooring surface.