Types of hardwood flooring

Flooring is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when building or renovating your home. It’s a decision that affects not only the aesthetic and monetary value of your home, but also your day-to-day comfort. So, it’s important to understand the different types of flooring available and which type is best for your unique needs.

Hardwood flooring is one of the most popular types of flooring. It’s durable, long-lasting, and beautiful. But did you know there are many different types of hardwood flooring? We’ll explore the different types of hardwood flooring available, their pros and cons, and which type is best for your home.

The Floor Store: Your Bay Area Flooring Authority on Hardwood Flooring

At The Floor Store, we understand that choosing the right flooring can feel like a big decision. With our decades of experience and deep roots in the Bay Area community, we’re here to be your trusted authority on all things flooring, especially when it comes to the timeless beauty and lasting value of hardwood. As a family-owned business with a legacy spanning generations, we’re dedicated to helping you make the right decision for your home, ensuring both quality and lasting satisfaction.

Understanding the Essence of Hardwood: A Timeless Investment

Hardwood flooring has graced homes for centuries, and for good reason. Its inherent beauty, durability, and ability to add warmth and character make it a highly sought-after choice. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, hardwood floors can significantly increase the value of your home, making them a wise investment.

However, “hardwood” isn’t a single entity. It encompasses a diverse range of options, each with its unique characteristics and advantages. Let’s delve into the different types of hardwood flooring you’ll encounter.

The Primary Categories of Hardwood Flooring:

When you visit one of our convenient Bay Area locations, you’ll discover that hardwood flooring generally falls into two main categories: Solid Hardwood and Engineered Hardwood. Understanding the distinction between these two is key to selecting the perfect floor for your lifestyle.

1. Solid Hardwood Flooring: The Classic Choice

Solid hardwood flooring is exactly what it sounds like: a single, solid piece of timber from top to bottom. Each plank is milled from a single species of wood, such as oak, maple, hickory, or cherry.

Pros of Solid Hardwood:

• Exceptional Durability and Longevity: Solid hardwood floors are incredibly durable and can last for generations with proper care. Because they are solid wood throughout, they can be sanded and refinished multiple times over their lifespan, effectively erasing wear and tear and renewing their appearance. This makes them a truly long-term investment.
• Timeless Beauty and Natural Variation: The natural grain patterns, knots, and color variations inherent in solid wood create a unique and authentic look that adds character and warmth to any space. No two planks are exactly alike, offering a truly one-of-a-kind floor.
• Increased Home Value: Solid hardwood floors are highly desirable to homebuyers and are often seen as a significant upgrade, contributing positively to your home’s resale value.
• Acoustic Properties: Solid hardwood can contribute to better acoustics in a room, absorbing some sound and creating a more comfortable living environment.

Cons of Solid Hardwood:

• Susceptibility to Moisture: Solid hardwood is more sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature. Excessive moisture can cause the wood to expand, cup, or buckle, while extreme dryness can lead to shrinking and gapping. For this reason, solid hardwood is generally not recommended for basements or areas prone to high moisture levels.
• Installation Considerations: Solid hardwood typically requires professional installation, as it needs to be nailed or stapled to a subfloor.
• Cost: While a long-term investment, the initial cost of solid hardwood can be higher than other flooring options.

Best For: Living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and other areas above grade with stable humidity levels. If you appreciate the authentic feel and long-term refinishing potential, solid hardwood is an excellent choice.

2. Engineered Hardwood Flooring: The Versatile Innovator

Engineered hardwood flooring is a marvel of modern manufacturing, designed to offer the beauty of hardwood with enhanced stability. Unlike solid hardwood, engineered planks are constructed from multiple layers. The top layer is a thin veneer of real hardwood, while the core layers are typically made from plywood, high-density fiberboard (HDF), or other wood composites.

Pros of Engineered Hardwood:

• Enhanced Stability and Moisture Resistance: The multi-layered construction makes engineered hardwood significantly more stable and less susceptible to expansion and contraction due to changes in humidity. This makes it a more versatile option, suitable for a wider range of environments, including basements (with proper moisture barriers) and areas with fluctuating temperatures.
• Versatile Installation Options: Engineered hardwood can be installed in various ways: glued down, stapled down, or even floated over a subfloor. This flexibility can make installation quicker and sometimes more cost-effective.
• Real Hardwood Aesthetic: With a genuine hardwood top layer, engineered flooring offers the same beautiful appearance as solid hardwood.
• Sustainable Choice: Engineered hardwood often utilizes less of the slower-growing, more valuable hardwood species for its top layer, making it a more environmentally conscious choice in some instances.

Cons of Engineered Hardwood:

• Limited Refinishing Potential: The thickness of the hardwood veneer determines how many times an engineered floor can be sanded and refinished. Thicker veneers offer more refinishing opportunities, while thinner veneers may only allow for one or none.
• Veneer Thickness Varies: It’s crucial to understand the thickness of the wear layer when selecting engineered hardwood, as this directly impacts its longevity and refinishing potential.

Best For: Kitchens, basements, areas with radiant heating, or any space where moisture fluctuations are a concern. If you desire the look of real hardwood with greater stability and versatility, engineered hardwood is an excellent solution.

Beyond the Basics: Other Important Hardwood Considerations

Once you’ve decided between solid and engineered, there are still a few more aspects to consider that will help you personalize your hardwood selection:

• Wood Species: Each wood species (oak, maple, hickory, cherry, walnut, etc.) possesses unique characteristics in terms of hardness (Janka rating), grain pattern, color, and natural variations. Our experts can help you explore the aesthetic and performance differences of each.
• Finish: The finish protects the wood and contributes to its appearance. Options include:
  • Oil-based polyurethane: A durable and common finish that provides a clear, protective layer.
  • Water-based polyurethane: A more environmentally friendly option with a faster drying time.
  • Aluminum oxide: An extremely durable finish often found on prefinished engineered hardwood.
  • Oil finish: Penetrates the wood, enhancing its natural beauty and allowing for easier spot repairs.
• Plank Width and Length: Wider planks can create a more expansive feel, while narrower planks can add a sense of traditional elegance. Longer planks often result in fewer seams and a more streamlined look.
• Edge Style: The way the edges of the planks are cut influences the overall appearance. Options include square edge (creating a seamless look), micro-bevel (a subtle V-groove that helps hide minor subfloor imperfections), and beveled edge (a more pronounced V-groove).
• Texture: Hardwood can come in various textures, from smooth and polished to hand-scraped or wire-brushed, each offering a distinct feel and visual appeal.

The Floor Store Difference: Your Bay Area Flooring Partner

Choosing hardwood flooring is an exciting step in transforming your home. At The Floor Store, we pride ourselves on being Your Bay Area Flooring Authority. Our commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and helpful expertise is evident in everything we do.

• Unmatched Selection: With our long-standing partnerships with major manufacturers like Mohawk and Shaw, we offer an unparalleled selection of hardwood options, ensuring you’ll find the perfect match for your style and budget. We’ve been named Mohawk’s Retailer of the Year sixteen times – a testament to our dedication and strong relationships.
• Expert Guidance: Our team, from our sales professionals to our installers, is continuously trained and possesses the expertise to guide you through every step of the process. We’re here to answer your questions, offer personalized recommendations, and ensure you feel confident in your decision.
• Guaranteed Performance: We stand by the quality of our products and services. Our Diamond Certification customer satisfaction score of 97 out of 100, based on over a thousand verified customer surveys, speaks volumes about our commitment to your satisfaction.
• Convenient Locations: With ten showrooms conveniently located across the Greater Bay Area, from Santa Rosa to San Jose, visiting us is easy. Stop by any of our locations in Richmond, Albany, Concord, Dublin, Fairfield, San Carlos, San Francisco, San Jose, San Rafael, Santa Rosa, or Sunnyvale to explore our vast selection and speak with our knowledgeable team.

Ready to explore the world of hardwood flooring? Visit The Floor Store today! We’re not just selling floors; we’re helping you create the home of your dreams, one beautiful plank at a time.