Hardwood Buyers Guide
*Newly installed hardwood in a brand new kitchen with white cabinets.
The Selection Process
Are you having a hard time choosing the perfect hardwood for your home? Look no further, we are here to help! We have compiled all the different options available for hardwood to help you narrow down your selection and navigate through this process. There are several key factors to consider in order to ensure that you make the best choice for your space. By taking all these factors into consideration, you can make an informed decision that enhances the beauty and functionality of your space with hardwood flooring.
Solid vs. Engineered Hardwood
When shopping for your new floors, it is important to know that hardwood comes in both solid and engineered forms. Solid hardwood is made from a single piece of natural wood. Each plank is milled from a single piece of timber, making it highly durable and capable of being sanded and refinished multiple times. Solid hardwood is known for its timeless beauty and can last for decades if properly maintained. However, it is sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature, which can cause it to expand or contract. Engineered hardwood, on the other hand, is made from layers of wood, with a real hardwood veneer on top and a plywood or high-density fiberboard core. It's more stable and resistant to humidity than solid hardwood, making it suitable for various environments. Engineered hardwood looks like real wood, can be installed in multiple ways, is generally more affordable, and can sometimes be refinished depending on the thickness of the veneer thickness.
Solid hardwood is a great option if you are looking for something in your home that can be refinished multiple times within its lifetime. Meanwhile, engineered hardwood offers a wider selection of finishes, plank width, plank length, and is generally more affordable. Take a look at the physical difference between a solid and engineered hardwood plank, displayed in the image below.
* A plank of solid wood (left) next to a plank of engineered wood (right) (Palma, 2023).
Wood Species
There are numerous wood species used in hardwood flooring, each offering distinct characteristics and aesthetic qualities that can significantly impact the overall look and feel of a space. Hardwood options like oak and maple are particularly popular for their exceptional durability and rich grain patterns that add depth and beauty. Oak, available in both red and white varieties, is well-known for its remarkable strength and versatility, making it a favored choice among homeowners. Meanwhile, maple is often chosen for its fine, uniform grain and light, airy color that can brighten up any room. Other species, such as hickory, are highly valued for their striking color variations and impressive hardness, which makes them particularly suitable for high-traffic areas that demand resilience. On the softer side, pine brings a rustic charm to interiors with its warm tones and distinctive knots, adding character and warmth. Each wood species not only contributes to the visual appeal of a given space but also plays a crucial role in influencing the flooring's performance, durability, and maintenance requirements over time.
It is important to consider all factors when selecting a wood species. Some may prefer to go with a modern yet durable white oak, while others may want to go for something a little more eccentric, like hickory or maple. The beauty of hardwood is that not one single plank is like another and that the selection of hardwood offered is so vast, suitable for everybody’s personal style.
*From left to right; front entry with oak floors installed; dining room and kitchen with large dining table in the middle with hickory installed.
Budget
When planning for hardwood flooring, establishing a realistic budget is crucial. Hardwood offers a range of options, from affordable engineered wood to higher-end solid hardwood, each varying in cost and installation expenses. Key factors to consider include the type of wood, finish choices, quality, and square footage required. It's essential to account for additional costs such as underlayment, trim, and labor, which can influence the overall budget. By thoroughly assessing these elements, you can make informed decisions that align with both your design vision and financial constraints. Establishing a budget early in the selection process can help narrow down your choices and ensure you find the right flooring within your financial means.
Plank Widths
When considering hardwood flooring, plank width plays a significant role in the overall aesthetic and feel of a space. Wider planks, typically ranging from 5 to 7 inches, create a more open and contemporary look, while narrower planks, usually around 2 to 4 inches, offer a traditional and classic appearance. The choice of plank width can also influence the perception of room size; wider planks often make a room appear larger, whereas narrower planks can add a sense of coziness. Additionally, plank width affects installation and maintenance considerations; wider planks may require a more stable subfloor to prevent warping. Ultimately, the ideal width depends on personal style, the size of the room, and the desired ambiance.
Care and Maintenance
Hardwood requires more maintenance than other floors like LVP or laminates. Here are some tips and tricks to help you care for your hardwood!
Dusting daily is recommended to help prevent scratches. Dusting removes dirt from the floor, so it isn’t dragged on the wood when people walk around.
Using microfiber cloths help draw up more dust and allergens, you can also sweep or dry mop. Be sure to use soft bristles, if sweeping.
Vacuuming weekly with a hardwood safe vacuum is recommended to get all debris off the floor.
You can do occasional mopping with a specific wood cleaner used to treat stains that is made specifically for your floors finish, be careful not to use water or steam.
Wipe up any spills right away and don’t let liquid sit as moisture can warp hardwood.
*Child spills milk onto table which pours over onto the hardwood floor.
Additional Tips
Hardwood requires upkeep to keep your floors looking beautiful for the years to come. Taking care of your hardwood is an investment. Here are some tips to help keep your floors lasting for decades.
Always put pads underneath heavy furniture, especially when moving furniture.
Place rugs at all entrances to collect moisture and dirt, to keep it from being tracked into the home.
Trim your pet’s nails often.
Maintain a well balanced humidity throughout your home.
Contact Us
We hope you are one step closer to finding your floors and creating the space of your dreams. We now encourage you to reach out to our team, in this valuable step you will continue to the explore the possibilities of hardwood flooring backed by our knowledgeable staff. We can provide insights into the various types of hardwood available, including their benefits, maintenance requirements, and design suitability. Whether you're considering traditional options or more contemporary finishes, we are here to help you make an informed decision. We invite you to contact us to discuss your specific needs and preferences, ensuring you find the perfect hardwood solution for your home or business. In addition, we highly recommend taking the time to visit one of our showrooms, located in Kent and Bellevue, to browse through our wide variety of hardwood selections. We look forward to speaking with you soon!
Palma, Ryan. Solid wood next to engineered wood. 3 Apr. 2023. Sustainable Lumber Co. , https://www.sustainablelumberco.com/2023/04/the-pros-and-cons-of-engineered-and-solid-wood-floors/. Accessed 5 Sept. 2024.
What is Pet Proof Carpet?
Find what carpet is best for you and your pet!
Do you have pets but still love the feeling of a soft comfy carpet underneath your feet in your home? Well don’t worry! You can still have a beautiful carpet installed, all you need to do is make sure your carpet is pet proof. The best pet proof carpet is something that is stain resistant, long lasting, and easy to clean.
*A lady sitting and petting her puppy that is sitting on the carpet
Stain Resistance
Stain resistance is definitely needed with pets especially if your pet makes a mess dragging in dirt or has an accident. You want something with stain resistance so it keeps the liquid or mess from penetrating into the fibers. For stain resistance the best kinds of carpets are ones that are solution dyed or have a built in soil protection. Solution dyed carpet means the dye is part of the carpet fiber itself instead of the carpet being dyed just on top. The color is in the fiber, meaning the color won’t fade, wear off, or stain. The process for solution dyed carpet consists of extrusion, twisting, heat setting, tufting, and lastly coating.
Extrusion: A pellet is melted into a solution, then it is drawn into strands of a single ply fiber. The polymer is naturally stain resistant.
Twisting: Two single ply fibers are twisted together, this increases the durability and allows for many fiber color combinations.
Heat Setting: Heat is applied to lock the twist in place, this increases longevity by helping prevent unraveling.
Tufting: The yarn is tufted via needles into the primary backing. Here you can adjust pile height, density, weight, and create patterns and loops.
Coating: A secondary backing is attached to the primary backing by using a thin, smooth layer of latex. This reinforces stability and ensures easy installation. Carpet Technology
Built in soil protection means that the carpet has a protection inside the fibers that doesn’t let spills absorb into the carpet preventing stains. Our Mohawk Silk SmartStrand has built in permanent Nanolock protection in its Triexta fibers. Nanolock SmartStrand has no dye sites which makes it impossible for spills to stick to the fiber. Which means it’s very tough for spills to turn into stains. Then most of Shaw’s carpets including Anderson Tuftex are treated with R2X® Stain and Soil Repellent. This repellant is permanent as well and does not wear off. The unique application process allows for the fiber to have total coverage, it chemically bonds with every single fiber.
* From left to right; a puppy sitting in front of a chair. A lady sitting and petting her puppy while the puppy is sitting in its bed.
Easy to clean
With pets it’s inevitable that spills, messes, and accidents will occur. You might want to consider something low pile which is usually easier to vacuum and clean. Getting something with texture or a speckled look will also really help camouflage any mess. Getting a lower pile, low maintenance carpet will save you time cleaning that you can instead spend cuddling your animal friend!
Tips for cleaning your carpet so it lasts you for years to come are:
Always care for accidents and spills right away by absorbing it with a damp white absorbent towel.
Do not apply any heat or hot water when cleaning.
Only utilize Carpet and Rug Institute Seal of Approval spot cleaners.
If you have any stains caused by markers, have professionals get rid of them.
Vacuum often with a Carpet and Rug Institute Seal of Approval vacuum.
Get your carpet professionally cleaned with hot water extraction every 1-1.5 years to pull out soil and residues. Which in turn prolongs the life of your carpet.
Have mats in your home to catch outside dirt before it’s tracked inside. Care and Maintenance
Long Lasting and Durable
When you have a pet you want to make sure the carpet you have installed in your home is durable. You want it to be tough enough to withstand wear and tear from your pets. Wear and tear can include pets scratching the carpet, running, or rough housing. Selecting a high performance carpet is key! Dreamweavers carpet with its 2 ply fibers twisted together and heat applied are very durable and long lasting. Shaw's Anso High performance fiber is also very strong as well! Low pile carpet is also less likely to be damaged by your pets nails snagging on the carpet. Closed and short loops are the only loops you would want to consider. Longer loops can get snagged easily. With pets you also can get a carpet pad underneath with a moisture barrier.
A pad with a moisture barrier also helps prevent moisture from soaking through to the flooring or subfloor underneath your carpet. Which helps prevent mold or rotting. With no moisture barrier there is also the risk of having recurring stains. This happens when liquid trapped under the carpet sometimes immersed into the carpet backing is very difficult to clean out. If you have a moisture barrier pad under your carpet you shouldn’t have to worry about it!
Ending Notes
We hope these tips help you decide which carpet is best and most pet friendly for your home. If you have any questions or still need help deciding which carpet is best and pet proof please contact us! We are always happy to help you make the best choice for you and your furry friends!
Hardwood vs. Luxury Vinyl Plank
A detailed guide to help you decide!
* From left to right; A living room with Hardwood floors. A living room with Luxury Vinyl Plank floors.
When it comes to flooring, the choices can feel endless! Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) and Hardwood flooring have different pros and cons, which oftentimes makes the decision challenging. If you are on the fence deciding which product is best for you, look no further, we are here to help. We have compiled a list of differences as well as pros and cons, which is key in making the best choice for you and your lifestyle.
Aesthetic Appeal: What is your style?
Hardwood is timeless and brings warmth to a room. It never goes out of style, though it has been around for hundreds of years. Hardwood flooring has that look and feel that is very hard to compete with. No one plank is ever the same, so don’t try playing matching pairs with your planks. Hardwood has plenty of beautiful choices, regardless of if you favor a timeless White Oak or a unique Hickory.
* From left to right; A bedroom with White Oak Hardwood floors. A kitchen with Hickory Hardwood floors.
On the other hand, LVP has advanced significantly recently. LVP is known to have textures and patterns that look just like real wood. LVP can also be embossed in register, meaning that the texture follows the exact pattern of the real wood. LVP also is available in many more unique shade options than hardwood. So don’t worry if your teenage daughter wants to do black LVP in her room, we have that here!
Cost Analysis: What is your budget?
LVP costs a lot less than real hardwood. So if you are looking for a low cost budget option LVP is a great choice. LVP can be printed to mimic any kind of wood. So whether you go with a LVP that looks more exotic or conventional, you can be expecting to pay around the same price. So even if you have a more unique or eccentric style, fear not! There are hundreds of options to choose from that won’t break the bank.
Hardwood on the other hand can cost a pretty penny. Price depends on thickness, plank width, and other factors. Though hardwood does have the longest life span which makes it an ideal long term investment. Hardwood can be also refinished which makes it worth the price in the long run. Refinishing basically means sanding and then applying a new coat of stain, offering a brand new fresh finish to your floors.
Durability and Maintenance Face-off: Who does your home consist of?
Does your home consist of a few active kids as well as some animal friends? Then LVP might be the way to go. LVP is 100% waterproof, as well as scratch and dent resistant. There is no need to worry if your kids spill some lemonade on the floor while preparing for their lemonade stand or if your puppy has an accident during potty training. You can rest assured your floors will be just fine after a quick clean up.
* From left to right; A child coloring. A child playing and making a mess on the LVP floors. A kitten walking on LVP floors.
In contrast, Hardwood is more prone to scratches, dents, or damage from moisture. Though dents, dings, and scratches do add character and a rustic appeal. There are also ways to choose a hardwood that might be a bit more scratch resistant than others. Generally a wood that scores higher on the Janka Hardness scale and a thicker wear layer are stronger. Also if you go with a Urethane with Aluminum Oxide finish it is considered more protected. Lastly, you can choose a distressed or wire brushed textured hardwood to more easily camouflage any scratches.(Garrison Collection, n.d.). Hardwood floors are known to last for years on end. Hardwood floors can also be refinished to help with scratches. Refinishing can be done approximately every 10 years. Engineered can be refinished 1-2 times, depending on the thickness, and Solid can be refinished multiple times. Comparable with LVP, once hardwood is damaged, it needs to be replaced.
Maintenance: How much effort do you want to put in?
LVP is a piece of cake to take care of. To clean you can sweep or vacuum any number of times, mop with a very small amount of warm water, and/or wash with a non-abrasive cleaner containing no minerals that doesn’t need to be rinsed. Also make sure to never pull hefty furniture and instead lift or use sliders. Super easy!
On the other hand hardwood is a bit more high maintenance. Dusting daily is recommended to help prevent scratches. Dusting removes dirt from the floor, so it isn’t dragged on the wood when people walk around. Using microfiber helps draw up more dust and allergens. You can also sweep or dry mop. If sweeping, make sure to use a broom with soft bristles. Vacuuming weekly with a hardwood safe vacuum is recommended to get all debris off the floor,. You can do occasional mopping with a specific wood cleaner used to treat stains that is made specifically for your floors finish, be careful not to use water or steam on your floors as it can be dangerous to them!
Resale: Are you looking to resell your home one day?
If you are looking to resell, hardwood floors could be the winner! Hardwood can greatly increase the value of your home. According to remodeling expert Alex Biyevetskiynew, wood floors can raise the sales price of your home as much as 2.5% when done right! (Evans, 2017). Even if you aren't looking to resell then rest assured you will still benefit from some beautiful new hardwood floors. According to the National Association of Realtors Research Group 90% of people that have installed new wood flooring have a greater desire to be home since completing their project. (Yun et al., 2022)
On the contrary, there aren’t specific statistics showing ROI (Return On Investment) for LVP. USA Today says in a survey of 1558 people, 12.2% would choose LVP and 48% would choose hardwood. (Sandford, 2024). Although, in a starter home, buyers might look for an option like LVP, since it is resistant and is good for a home with kids and pets. Hardwood, especially expensive hardwood, might be less preferred because it is more likely to be damaged. When thinking of reselling, LVP is not as likely to be seen as an asset, but many potential buyers will be drawn to the advantages (Lincolnberg Master Builder, 2022).
Still not sure on whether to go with LVP or Hardwood?
Don’t worry, you are in great hands! Our team of professionals at David’s Flooring has years of experience in helping our customers choose the right flooring! Contact us and we will gladly help you choose the best fit for you. We offer free in-home estimates where we can bring you samples and do a consultation while answering all your questions. You can also visit our website David's Flooring of Seattle LLC to see the brands we carry for both LVP and Hardwood. We cannot wait to help you find your dream floors!