Considering hardwood floors for your home? You might be feeling overwhelmed, as there are a lot of options and it can be difficult to choose. This quick guide will help you determine which aspects of hardwood flooring are most important to you and narrow down your options! 

Which Aspect is Most Important?

When you think about your new flooring – what is most important to you? If a certain aesthetic is your first priority, your choices will likely be limited to that specific type of wood. However, for most people, durability or budget is the largest priority. 

If budget is your top priority, you’ll want to go for engineered hardwood. It is a more economical option when it comes to hardwood flooring. If you are set on solid hardwood, you’ll want to choose a less expensive species such as Maple or White Oak. 

If durability is most important, you might also want to focus on engineered wood. It is the most durable type of hardwood flooring. 

Choosing the Right Type of Hardwood

When you think of hardwood floors, you are probably picturing solid hardwood. However, pets and children can easily scratch and damage solid hardwood floors. However, if you are someone who likes to regularly switch up your interior design, hardwood floors are much easier to sand and refinish, meaning you are able to customize them a bit more often than you would be other types of hardwood flooring. 

Engineered hardwood is another option. While it is possible to sand this down and refinish it as well, it can be risky and can damage the floor. However, engineered hardwood is much less likely to warp. It is also cheaper and less susceptible to scratches and dents than solid hardwood. 

Selecting the Wood

Whether you choose solid hardwood or engineered hardwood, you’ll have a lot of options when it comes to wood and aesthetics. Maple and White Oak tend to be among the least expensive and the most durable. However, other options include Hickory, Red Oak, Ash, Birch, Black Walnut and Cherry. 

Each species has different benefits and can provide a different aesthetic. They all also come with different price points, so you’ll want to make sure you consider your budget when selecting a wood. 

Checklist for Choosing

To make the choice of hardwood easier, we’ve put together this simple checklist. 

  • Have pets or small kids? Get a harder wood floor species in engineered hardwood. 
  • Size matters – lighter finishes can make a small space feel much larger. 
  • Design choices like the finish and texture can make a big difference when it comes to overall aesthetic – even if it isn’t the initial type of wood you thought you wanted. 
  • Consider different species of hardwood to fit your budget.
  • Be sure to get multiple quotes so you know you’re getting the best deal for your flooring.

Central Mass Hardwood Can Help

There is a lot to consider when it comes to choosing a hardwood floor. Hopefully, this walks you through the basics and helps you get an idea of what you should be considering. If you’re still unsure, the experts at Central Mass Hardwood will be glad to help! We’re the trusted hardwood flooring contractor in the Marlborough MA area, specializing in hardwood installation and refinishing. We’ll be glad to help you choose the right hardwood for your home. We can help you finalize your decision and present the best options for your home. Contact us today by filling out an online form or giving us a call at 508-460-0199 to get started!