Tips to Choose the Best Plank Flooring for Your Home

Considering installing plank flooring in your home? Here are some of our smart tips that will save you loads of time, money, and turn your home into a designer decorated model home!

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Choosing the best plank flooring for your home may be difficult because you have to consider the cost and size of the house. Most homeowners choose not to use wooden planks because tiles have become a cheaper and even better alternative when flooring your house. However, vinyl wood planks are also like tiles, and you can arrange them on the floor the way tiles are arranged. They also come in so many beautiful shades and tones, making it so easy to find the perfect match! Here are some tips you should definitely consider before plank flooring your home:

Pay Attention to the Species of Wood

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Hardwood species, which are mainly used differ in durability, patterns, and color. There are tons of different types of hardwood flooring options such as oak, maple, and cherry which are among the most common species due to their hardness. Exotic woods like mahogany, and Brazilian cherry isn’t as durable, but are mainly used for their striking appearance. Most of these species are mainly exported from South America especially the Amazon in Brazil and aren’t cost friendly, so make sure to find one that suits your budget.

Choose the Right Color

Hardwoods colors range from blond to black, depending on species and finish. The color of your floor defines the color of other household items like curtains and decorating accessories. We recommend avoding sharp colors like red, as well as dull, lifeless tones. soft brown, and the color of mahogany are popular choices that match a wide range of decorating styles.

Different Floor Hardness

In a household with pets and kids, it’s a good idea to choose the hardest wood species possible. Hard species, such as soft red oak, will withstand wear and tear, while softer species, such as pine, tend to show scratches. The choice between engineered and solid hardwood will most likely be determined by location, subfloor, and preferred installation technique.

[otw_shortcode_quote border_style=”bordered” background_color_class=”otw-pink-background” color=”#ffffff”]BDB Tip: If you’re on the fence, keep in mind that solid hardwood floors can easily get damaged if you have kids and pets. Scratches from a puppy’s claws, dings from your kids accidentally dropping toys and even coloring on the floor are all things that can damage your floors but they can also be fixed. You can sand out your floors and refinish them over and over again, if this is something you would consider doing![/otw_shortcode_quote]

Maintain Your Hardwood Floors

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Whichever you choose, preventive care, polishing, and proper maintenance can keep your floors looking good for years. You also have to keep in mind how much it costs to replace cracked pieces and fix hardwood flooring scratches. Plank flooring is relatively cheap to replace and refurbish if a plank is cracked or damaged. If you have pets, trim their nails to avoid scratches, and place carpet runners in high traffic areas of your home like the entrance and mud room.

The Type of Finishing

95% of commercial hardwoods are pre-finished, so finishing is an important factor that needs to be considered here. Pre-finished are mainly preferred here because they are not difficult to install and are not regularly dusty, also easy to clean.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”#fa5aba” class=”” size=””]Suzy’s Tip: You’ll want to keep in mind that pre-finished woods seem to last a lot longer than site-finished wood. It’s also impossible to refurbish engineered hardwood flooring every time due to the fact that the thickness of the top Vernier differs.[/perfectpullquote]

Choose The Right Texture

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The texture of the wood is an important factor also. You can get hardwood floors that look shiny and new, or you can buy brand new wood that looks like an antique and adds timeworn character to your room. There are several stores where you can purchase plank flooring in the United States. Choosing a good and beautiful texture for your floor would go a long way in informing your visitors about your taste. Finally, if you choose to purchase hardwood floors, you’ll need to pick between solid or engineered.

What kind of experience have you had with hardwood floors? Let us know below!