For premium natural beauty and incredible resale value for your home, nothing compares to the gorgeous texture and timeless durability of hardwood flooring. In fact, realtors stated in the National Wood Flooring Association’s 2017 Remodeling Impact Report that installing new wood floors in the home recovers sellers an amazing 91 percent of their investment. You will also have the opportunity to re-sand and refinish genuine wood floors multiple times, restoring their luster if your active family creates a few scratches and nicks over the years. Which type of hardwood will be the best for your energetic bunch? Here are some great hardwood factors to consider!
Durability and Hardness
Without a doubt, you will prize the durability that allows hardwood floors to handle the adventures inside your home. The hardness factor will vary among wood species, which means that some species are more durable than others and therefore a better fit for families. Hickory is one of the hardest domestic wood species, followed by domestic maple and oak. Both Brazilian Walnut and Brazilian Cherry are exotic species that will offer tremendous hardness. Softer species that will not offer as much durability include pine, Douglas Fir, and American Walnut and Cherry. You can search the Interior Images hardwood products page for the species that will offer the level of durability you’re looking for.
Style
A hardwood floor will inevitably receive some scratches over the decades, but the style you purchase can help your home look blemish-free for longer. Think about choosing hardwood styles with a high degree of graining if you are concerned with scratches and dents. Hickory and Red oak are two outstanding examples of species that will help camouflage imperfections, and hickory offers wider color variation. You can also explore our hardwood inspiration gallery for ideas of using light-colored hardwood floors that hide scratches well. Natural, airy shades are not only in style, but they are also a great fit for a home with kids!
Maintenance
When it comes to hardwood flooring in a home with kids, a more low-maintenance floor is always better. Brazilian Walnut, for example, not only requires little treatment but is more resistant to both moisture and pet damage. Matte and satin finishes not only mask scratches and dents, but they are also easier to maintain and clean. If you choose lighter hardwoods to hide scratches, you can always refinish them later on with a darker stain. When you do refinish your hardwood floors to give them a new life, using high-grade polyurethane coats will help create greater protection for your hardwood.
Affordability
If you want hardwood flooring in your home but also want to be mindful of your spending, some species will offer a valuable combination of durability and affordability. Oak not only offers tremendous durability but is less expensive than many hardwood options. Hickory will also serve your home admirably while presenting a more budget-friendly price point. Typically, domestic hardwoods will be easier on your home budget than exotic hardwoods.
Once you have the hardwood floors that you love, adding area rugs will make all the difference in supporting an active family that will produce spills, wear-and-tear, and general mess-making. You can search our ’ for the size, shape, visual, and rug construction that will fit your home needs. Then, visit the Interior Images showroom in Finksburg, MD for all of the outstanding products and helpful information we have to offer!
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