Top 10 Questions To Ask about Hardwood Flooring
Being an informed consumer can be one of the most beneficial things for you, especially when it comes to making large purchases. Researching and asking questions will provide you with the knowledge you need to make the right flooring choice for you and your lifestyle. When it comes to floors there are so many options out there: colours, finishes, materials, width, source, stains, etc. It can be overwhelming with the amount of choice out there and you may not even know where to start if you have not been able to ask the right questions to help narrow down your options.
With that in mind, here are 10 questions you need to be asking about flooring before you make a major purchase.
#1 Which type of flooring is right for me?
Why you should ask this question: the kind of environment you plan to install these floors in will dictate the kind of flooring you purchase. Rooms prone to dampness or humidity should not have solid hardwood floors installed, and should have engineered or another wood alternative purchased.
#2 Which wood species should I choose?
Why you should ask this question: the species you select will determine how your floor, and home, looks when all is said and done. Do you want the space to feel open and fresh, or cozy and traditional? Determining the end look and feel you want and then working backwards will help you to select the right species of flooring.
#3 Should I get factory finished, or site finished?
Why you should ask this question: it is pretty easy to measure and then calculate square footage of your room but when it comes to installing flooring you will need to account for waste. The floors are not cut to your custom corners or fireplace jut outs and so on. As a general rule you will need to order about 10% more than your square footage so that it can be cut and sized properly when it is being installed. This will also account for any boards that may be not exactly perfect, so you will still have enough even if one board is not quite straight.
#4 My room is 10’ x 10’, how much material do I really need?
Why you should ask this question: it is pretty easy to measure and then calculate square footage of your room but when it comes to installing flooring you will need to account for waste. The floors are not cut to your custom corners or fireplace jut outs and so on. As a general rule you will need to order about 10% more than your square footage so that it can be cut and sized properly when it is being installed. This will also account for any boards that may be not exactly perfect, so you will still have enough even if one board is not quite straight.
#5 What kind of finish is right for me?
Why you should ask this question: this question is purely based on preference and lifestyle. If you decide to go with site finished floors, you can actually have any finish that you want, but if you go with factory finished you are limited to what is already made. As a general rule, the more matte you finish is the less it will show scratches, nicks and dirt.