Choosing Hardwood For Your Home
There are some key factors to consider when choosing the type of hardwood you’d like in your home:
- Solid hardwood is 100% wood
- Engineered hardwood has a veneer of hardwood laminated on to a softer wood core. Its cross-ply construction allows for installation in a range of conditions and better dimensional stability
The design team at Interiors & Textiles can help you understand whether solid or engineered hardwood is right for your home and your lifestyle.
Other factors to consider are:
- Type – There is variance in the hardness of wood and therefore different varieties are appropriate for different areas of your home. For example, in a high traffic area or a heavily used room, you will want a hardwood with extra durability that can withstand such use over time.
- Color – Color has a big influence on the look of your home and getting the color right depends on the wood’s natural color and grain as well as the stain you choose. The lighting in your home also plays a role in how the wood appears, so it’s important to factor that in as well.
- Width – The width of the hardwood plank is a design detail that has a dramatic influence on the look and feel of your floor. Wider widths complement large rooms but can overwhelm a smaller area. Selecting the right width that works with the style and architecture of your home is an important design element that you will want to consider.
- Finish – Many flooring manufacturers offer extra tough urethane finishes which help the hardwood floor stand up to heavy use and foot traffic. These finishes also allow the wood to maintain its luster without wax and refinishing.
- Edging – The way the edges and ends of the boards are cut defines the edge detail. The options are: square, beveled and micro-beveled, and eased. Each has a way of defining the individual boards and will create a different look.
Our design team will provide expert guidance to help you choose the right floor for your home and then arrange for the expert installation of your new hardwood flooring. Call 650-493-1700 for an appointment and visit our showroom in Palo Alto to see the plethora of hardwood floor samples.
