Trends in Engineered Hardwood Flooring
You have decided you are definitely going to install new floors, and you have even decided that you are going with engineered flooring. Now what finish and stain are you going with? What kind of wood are you going to select? As you review the variety of stains and finishes it is still important to consider how your floors will appear to a potential buyer of your home. You may not be thinking about selling right now, or maybe you know that you will be living in your home for a very long time so that really isn’t a big deal for you. Either way selecting a finish that is something you like as well as something that is trendy and current so the compliments on your home are endless.
Floors: Distressed
About 10 years ago, hand scraped, contoured floors, or the distressed look, were incredibly popular but they have actually started to take a back seat in popularity to the softer wire brushed look. This wire brushed look actually does not show aging or wear as quickly so it is a little more appealing to those who have young children or pets running around.
What is it made of?
You know the look of the floor you want, but do you know the kind of wood material you are going to select for your floors? Any kind of oak, red or white, has remained a strong contender amongst engineered hardwood flooring. If you do decide to go for the distressed or rustic look, hickory is a great choice to accomplish this. Maple and birch used to be very popular in only their natural finished look but they are still used in homes, or rooms, to achieve an open and fresh look although they are now more popular with an added finish.
Factory or Onsite Finish?
There is a divide as to whether it is better to get factory finished flooring, or better to have onsite finishing? There are benefits to both, but it ultimately depends on what you want. The prefinished variety has been the undisputed choice in the past, and 2016 is not looking any different. Onsite finishing can be a little more costly but it can also give you a truly custom floor because the professionals can finish it to exactly your preference.
Plank length and width
It has become increasingly popular to have longer planks in your flooring. With a longer plank, it opens up your room, but it also makes it so much easier to install the flooring throughout an entire level of your home. If you decide to install the same flooring in multiple rooms, longer planks makes it feel as though your home is much more brought together and modern.
Further, wider planks have taken a dramatic rise in popularity. Plank width can be ordered up to 12” wide, and the great thing about this is that wide planks do not have to be installed in a big space to look right. In fact, wide plank installation makes your space look bigger and more open.
Pro Tip: if you are sold on the look of a wide plank it is probably better to order a longer plank because if you use short, wide planks you may get what is known as the checkerboard look and less like a modern, fresh finished floor.
