Hardwood flooring facts that can change everything

Extended lifespans are one of the most sought-after features in hardwood flooring, but that's only one of many benefits you'll find in this product line. Once you dive into the details and learn more about what's available, you may also find them to be the best fit for your household. Here are some facts that can help make your flooring choice easier, however large or small.

You'll need to make many choices as you move through the process of choosing your perfect materials. For instance, you'll want to select a species type that matches your traffic level. Both solid and engineered wood flooring offers various species types, but solid flooring gives you a wider variety of species than engineered floors.

Another important choice is raw or pre-finished hardwood flooring, as one is likely to serve you better than the other. Raw materials come to you with no finish, stain color, or sealant, while pre-finished materials have everything already in place. Also, with pre-finished materials, you can walk on the floors as soon as the installation is complete, and the finish is often harder than site-finished floors.

You'll make several more decisions before your shopping experience ends, choosing wood floors catering to every need. Ask about various surface textures, such as hand-scraped, vintage, distressed, and wire-brushed, to find out how they can help guard against light scratches and scuffs. Also, choose an installation layout that caters to your unique décor needs, with options like herringbone, chevron, and custom mosaics with borders and inlays.