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Did you know that wood floors can do more than make your home look impressive? According to the National Realtor Association’s 2022 Impact Remodeling Report, wood floors provide one of the best returns.
As a homeowner or property investor, hardwood flooring can help you make money. Selling a home with hardwood flooring can increase your listing price and attract potential buyers. As an investor, you can charge more for luxurious, yet durable flooring in your properties.
Keep reading below to discover which wood floor planks would complement your home!
Start With Assessing Your Floor
Your current condition is one of the first things to consider when looking at wood floor planks. Not only will your dimensions influence the price of your project, but they can also impact its appearance.
Identifying the room’s overall dimensions is essential when replacing flooring. The size of a room can play a significant role in determining which plank designs will best suit your interior design. For example, wider planks look best in larger spaces, whereas thin planks are recommended for tighter areas.
Take a further look to ensure you feel confident with your numbers!
Record Measurements
There’s nothing worse than investing in a home improvement project, only to discover your plan won’t come to fruition. With the wrong measurements, you’ll waste money and some stores may not accept returns on custom items.
Before you head to the store or look at online options, you must take measurements. Even if you feel confident with your measurements the first time, it’s always worth double-checking yourself.
Measuring tape is recommended for rooms since it can extend from most walls. As you record the measurements, identify which room and location you are measuring. Organization can prevent confusion when numbers are involved, and you won’t have to question your notes.
Prep Your Floors
Regardless of your involvement with a flooring project, some preparation must be considered. Putting away decor and furniture will help expedite the project and help you get accurate measurements.
If you’re planning to replace carpeting with wood planks, you may have additional work. Some floor installation companies will cover the removal, or you may have to hire a contractor.
Obstacles can drastically delay a project, so it helps to prepare before an installation team arrives. You and the contractors can avoid frustration once all the barriers are removed.
Manage Your Schedule
Do you like to be around contractors while they work on a project? Or do you prefer to step away until the job is done?
Schedules often get overlooked with home improvement projects, and you don’t want to get caught off guard without floors. After scheduling your installation, talk to your contractor about which option would make the most sense.
School and work, along with holidays, can have the largest impact on projects. If you want to avoid obstacles during stressful periods, hold off on installing your planks until it fits into your schedule.
Depending on the size of your upgrade, new flooring can be installed within a day or take several weeks. Talk to each contractor about their timelines to ensure they won’t clash with yours. If they are working on multiple bids, it could further extend your completion date.
Consider Your Options
Since hardwood floor designs have increased over the years, you must compare options. Depending on which wood and stain you select, you can impact the home’s appearance.
Whether you’re looking for real wooden planks or vinyl alternatives, there’s a lot to discover. Some of the most common selections are mentioned below!
Oak
Oak is arguably the most common wood used for flooring. Oak sustainable wood planks are durable and offer a refreshing look in the home.
Red oak is best for people who want to add a warm touch to their interior design. This type of oak has a red hue and undertone, with excellent grain details.
White oak is commonly found in modern homes with white and gray accents. The cooler oak complements spaces with its grayish undertones, but it also pairs well with other stains on furniture.
What makes oak flooring so popular, however, is its reasonable price.
Rustic
Natural and defective wood can shine in the right rooms. Even with burns and unique shapes and colors, you can complement other features of a home without overwhelming the space.
Consider installing rustic wood floor planks in your home if your interior design is one of the following:
- Modern
- Farmhouse
- Industrial
- Shabby Chic
- French Country
Rustic wood adds a new element to homes and can create depth in rooms. If you want to add a special touch to your home, this is an excellent style of flooring. The best part about rustic wood is that you can find planks with old stains that create contrast in a simple space.
Hickory
Not all wood is created equally, and hickory puts many of its competitors to the test. Hickory is an excellent choice since it’s hard and resistant to wear and tear.
With a distinct and attractive grain, you’ll impress guests and enjoy the beauty of your home. Many people install hickory wood planks in high-traffic areas because of their durability and stains. Even with people and furniture moving around, you won’t see an impact on the planks as quickly as you would with alternative wood selections.
If you’re interested in hickory flooring, check out this COREtec waterproof vinyl plank. This beautiful hickory flooring is ideal for those with a tight budget, but it also comes with benefits. You’ll get the beauty of a hickory stain, yet the durability of vinyl.
Engineered Wood Flooring
A World Economic Forum survey found that more than 85% of respondents want the world to become more sustainable. If you want to avoid using natural resources and tearing down trees, engineered wood is a great option.
Engineered wood flooring comes in diverse styles and can be custom-made because of its origins. With more control over the creation, you can select the exact grain and stain you want for your floors.
Typically, engineered wood comes in thinner planks, but you won’t have to worry about durability. The connection points increase the strength between the panels and prevent gaps.
Walnut
Traditional and Brazilian walnut flooring are the most popular options in homes. Although this might be a “softer” wood, it can create a striking contrast in the home.
Black American Walnut is a desirable option since it comes in dark shades that add depth to any space. If you plan to use American Walnut, avoid installing it in heavy-traffic locations since it isn’t as durable.
This is the best choice for making your home appear luxurious and warm. The best part about walnut planks is that they’re easy to clean. Your home will look and smell cleaner than ever, making it a great investment.
Teak
You don’t want to overlook teak if you prioritize quality over price. Teak wood flooring is one of the strongest options because of its unique grain structure.
Natural oils and the grain increase durability and create a water-resistant floor. Teak wood is often placed in high-traffic rooms that need a focal point. The beautiful stains and grains add depth to the rooms and work well near the entrances of the home.
Another feature you’ll get with teak floor planks is that they won’t rot. Wood rot stems from fungi growing within the tissues of wood, which can be difficult to identify. If you don’t want to question the stability of your floors, you can trust teak planks.
Maple
If you’re looking for a unique wood for your floors, maple is an excellent selection. Surprisingly, maple is nearly as popular as oak, but it’s found in far fewer homes.
Maple typically features shades of red and brown, creating a warm atmosphere in the home. Although the planks can sometimes have a wavy grain, maple typically is straight.
Part of what makes maple less common is that it costs more than oak. For a more affordable option, you can find various luxury vinyl planks featuring maple grains.
Bring Your Project to Life
You must confidently determine which style of wood planks you want to move forward with. To bring your project to fruition, you’ll need help from contractors and must know how to maintain the planks.
Since large renovations, like floor replacements, can disrupt daily life, you don’t want to extend your project timeline. Creating a plan alongside a contractor will ensure you get what you pay for and envision.
Take a look at how you can make your plans happen below.
Hire a Reputable Team
Unless you have experience installing hardwood floors, leave the project to the professionals. A flooring team can quickly complete the project so you can resume life and put things back in their place.
Research local companies and ask for recommendations from reliable sources. Reviews are a great way to discover more about a company.
Not only can you get a look at photos of their previous work, but you can also read comments. These comments act as testimonials and can provide useful details about pricing and quality of work.
Find Inspiration
If you have yet to find an answer for your floor, you can find inspiration in a few places. Viewing the architecture of other homes and browsing online can help you find an answer.
Many people use Pinterest or social media to learn more about wood floors and take a closer look. Videos and photos can offer perspective and help you find ways to incorporate an idea into your interior design.
Take the time to consider your preferences over grain styles and stains. You can turn an everyday project into a massive home upgrade with new floor planks.
Decorate Your Space
If you want to give your home a refreshing look, new wood floors will get the job done. They are clean and won’t look worn around the edges, so you can decorate how you want. Some people feel stuck placing rugs in certain locations to cover old wood, but you won’t have to deal with this problem any longer.
No matter what stain and wood you select, you can decorate with a variety of materials. Different wood stains can complement your flooring, especially if you invest in a rustic design.
Clean and Maintain Your Planks
With regular cleaning and maintenance, you can get your money’s worth from wooden floors. While some people constantly replace carpeting and tiles, you can trust that your planks won’t fail.
The best way to clean wood floors is by vacuuming and sweeping as needed. A damp mop or cloth can be used to wipe the floors, but you should avoid using harsh chemicals. Liquid wood floor cleaners can help remove dirt while leaving a gloss and fresh aroma behind.
If you notice moisture accumulating around your wood floors, you must get repairs. Other damage to the home could be impacting your floors, and you don’t want to discover issues after installing new planks.
Caring for your floors will impact their appearance and strength over time. Preserving an impeccable stain only takes a few moments.
Improve Your Home With Fresh Wood Floor Planks
Wood floor planks can be tricky to install if you don’t have a plan. Your home can get an affordable upgrade with endless benefits when you work with a contracting team.
Aside from getting a refreshing look on the inside, sustainable wood planks offer durability and beauty. Take a look around your home to identify which size and type of wood would complement your interior. You can turn your home into a luxurious escape with this transforming project.
Choice Home Warranty George Foreman in 2024
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