True Hardwood
Considering this Timeless Flooring Choice
When it comes to flooring, there are so many factors to consider. Is your home a high-traffic space filled with children, pets, gatherings, and get-togethers? Perhaps your home is a quieter space of rest, intimate dining, and ambient evenings reading by the fire? Often, a home is a combination of these, including spaces for gatherings and play as well as quiet, study, or restfulness. Your flooring choice adds a lot to the feel, function, and aesthetic of these varying spaces.
If you’re building a new house or looking to upgrade the flooring in your current home, there are several flooring choices to consider. Often, True Hardwood is the initial go-to choice for homeowners due to the warmth, character, and sustainability of organic wood. While it is undeniably beautiful, it isn’t the right fit for every room or every lifestyle.
Advantages to True Hardwood
True Hardwood has some unique advantages to consider. To begin with, a well-maintained, solid hardwood floor can last upwards of 100 years. Because of its very nature, True Hardwood can be sanded and refinished multiple times to give it new life without the hassle or cost of complete replacement. Additionally, you’d have the option to adjust the color palette and feel of your home through re-staining during that refinishing process.
Another thing to consider is that True Hardwood is one of the few home improvements or features that consistently provides a high return on investment. Most home buyers see True Hardwood as a sign of quality and permanent value.
Finally, True Hardwood does not trap dust, pollen, or pet dander, thereby naturally sustaining increased air quality. Compared to carpets or some synthetic glues found in alternative flooring choices, True Hardwood is a natural, non-toxic choice that supports a healthier indoor environment.
The Cons of Hardwood
No flooring option is without its disadvantages. Though True Hardwood is a timeless, solid flooring choice, it is important to consider the disadvantages of this option.
True Hardwood is moisture sensitive. By its very nature, it is a porous material that expands and contracts with humidity and can be prone to cupping or warping. As this is the case, this material is generally not recommended for use in bathrooms or basements.
Though there is a variety of choices of True Hardwood that spans a range of density and hardness, every species of hardwood is susceptible to damage caused by pet claws, heavy furniture, or high-traffic use. Significantly damaged hardwood can be difficult to replace.
Additionally, True Hardwood typically has a high initial cost. Due to raw material prices, the need for specialized labor, and some installation requirements, True Hardwood is an expensive upfront investment.
Installation Methods
Installing solid hardwood is labor-intensive and requires professional knowledge and expertise to ensure the material remains covered by warranty and stays looking beautiful for years to come.
The most traditional method of installation is nailing the planks down to a wooden subfloor using a flooring nailer or stapler, running the material perpendicular to the floor joists. This provides the most solid feel underfoot.
Thinner hardwood planking can be fastened with pneumatic staples, often a faster installation similar to nailing.
In all cases, it is important to have a moisture barrier between the subfloor and your hardwood. Often, this is a moisture-retardant paper, but in some cases, a liquid-applied roll-on moisture barrier is required. This may be determined by the material width, manufacturer warranty requirements, and subfloor type, like concrete. Additionally, it is absolutely essential that a subfloor is perfectly level.
Plank Flooring Alternatives to Consider
Ultimately, you may decide that True Hardwood isn’t quite right for your budget or lifestyle. Fortunately, there are modern alternatives that offer a similar aesthetic with different functional benefits.
One common alternative is Engineered Hardwood. This material features a real wood veneer over a stable plywood core. Because it offers better moisture resistance than True Hardwood, Engineered Hardwood can be installed more confidently in basements and bathrooms. However, because it is a veneered product, its refinishability is limited.
A popular choice is LVP, also known as Luxury Vinyl Plank. This material is 100% synthetic, completely waterproof, and comes in a variety of looks that beautifully mimic wood grain. It may not have the same added home value as hardwood, but significant benefits include simplified installation and the material can be more easily replaced in case of damage, such as scratches or gouges, that can occur with pets or when moving furniture.
Laminate is another common flooring choice for planking material. It is a synthetic flooring with a high-definition photographic wood layer that is highly scratch-resistant. In most cases, it is also a budget-friendly alternative to True Hardwood. However, unlike hardwood, laminate usually feels and sounds less solid, and is typically susceptible to water damage at the seams.
The Final Flooring Decision
Of course, there are other flooring options to consider for your home or other spaces. Tile is a traditional, waterproof choice desirable in bathrooms and laundry rooms. Carpets may be a preferred choice for bedrooms and other living spaces. In the end, Idell Construction wants to help you achieve your dreams in creating a comfortable, welcoming, and lasting space for you and your family. Reach out today to see how we can help you.