Hardwood in itself is a very general category. You get to implement your own preferences when it comes to the actual style, and there are several from which to choose. A popular option is solid wood as it’s able to adapt to your home’s relative humidity by expanding and contracting. To accommodate, a gap is left between the floor and wall concealed by base molding.
You could also choose to implement engineered hardwood. This option allows you to reduce your carbon footprint as the core is made from recycled wood fiber. It differs from products featuring a plywood core as it’s denser, greener, and harder. However, because of its increased stability, this type of flooring is not able to expand and contract with seasonal changes.
Once you have decided on the style, plank length, and width, it’s time to consider the type of flooring you wish to implement. There are many types of wood available, and the best one depends on other aspects of the room.
A hardwood flooring professional can help you narrow down your options, and you can often take home a sample to use to compare against aspects such as paneling and cabinetry. Some of the wood types you could consider include:
- Oak
- Bamboo
- Maple
- Hand-scraped