Hardwood Floors – the Basics

Hardwood floors can create a warm, inviting, and elegant atmosphere in a new or remodeled home. Hardwood floors are durable and with the variety of finishes available can be easy to maintain.

Wood flooring is available in strips, planks and tiles, and can be either solid or laminated. Most hardwood floors are made of hardwoods like maple, cherry, or oak, although other softer woods like pine are also used. Strips and tiles have tongue-and-groove joints for secure laying. Rough planking, or boards up to one foot wide, is rarely used because wide boards are more susceptible to curling and cupping. The term hardwood applies to varieties of wood flooring that are made entirely of wood (laminate is compressed fiberboard topped with a visual of wood, stone or another design printed on paper). Genuine hardwood is real wood.

There are two basic types of hardwood floors: solid and engineered. Solid hardwood is 100% solid wood which is normally nailed or stapled to a wooden subfloor. Most are 3/4"
thick, although some manufacturers also offer a thinner material that is 5/16" thick.

Engineered hardwood is also 100% wood. It is manufactured by permanently bonding together multiple layers of solid wood in a cross-ply construction. Engineered hardwood, typically 3/8" thick, is designed to have superior strength and moisture/humidity resistance. Engineered flooring can be installed over wood, concrete, or an existing floor. And, just like solid hardwood, most engineered hardwood floors can be refinished if needed.

What are some of the advantages of hardwood floors? Here are just a few:
• Hardwood floors boost a home’s resale value and last the life of the home. Hardwood floors can last hundreds of years – some of the floors in Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home, are original to the house. Carpet tends to be replaced three to six times before most solid wood floors need repair. Wood floors cost less over the long term and add value to a home.
• Hardwood floors offer a natural beauty, warmth, and design appeal.
• Hardwood floors are the easiest floor material to maintain and require fewer chemicals to clean. Hardwood floors can be cleaned in less time than it takes to vacuum, scrub, or shampoo carpet, for example. Hardwood floors also don’t trap dust and fumes.
• Hardwood floors are energy-efficient. To get the same insulation qualities of one inch of wood you’d need fifteen inches of concrete.
• Finishes can be easily repaired or reapplied.
• Hardwood floors have a small amount of “give” to them and therefore are easier on your joints. Many doctors recommend hardwood floors over stone or tile to make it easier on legs and feet.
• Hardwood floors are a great choice for people with allergies. Hardwood floors don’t trap dust or fumes and aren’t a haven for dust mites or mold. The American Lung Association maintains that hardwood floors improve home air quality.

Hardwood floors come in a wide variety of styles, colors, and materials. Unfinished hardwood floors typically require professional installation – after the floor is installed it must be sanded and sealed. Prefinished hardwood floors are suitable for do-it-yourself homeowners because once it is installed the floor is ready to be used.

A number of manufacturers produce hardwood floors. Some of the best brands are Mirage Hardwood, Bruce Hardwood Flooring, Kahrs Hardwood Floors, Anderson Hardwood Floors, Hartco Wood Floors, Harris-Tarkett Wood Floors, Pinnacle Wood Floors, Robbins Hardwood, Sheoga Hardwoods, and Award Hardwood.

In general unfinished hardwood flooring materials are cheaper to buy, but the overall cost can be higher than prefinished hardwood floors due to labor installation costs. Prices vary widely depending on the species of wood, the grade, and the installation type. Cheaper grades of hardwood flooring found at home centers like Lowe’s or Home Depot can cost less than $2 per square foot, while more expensive specialty woods can cost well over $10 per square foot.

Installation costs can also vary, but in general you can expect to pay around $3 per square foot for gluing or nailing hardwood floors, and another $1 to $2 per square foot for finishing. There are a number of outlets for buying hardwood floors, so make sure you shop around, and if you use a contractor, get recommendations from friends and ask to talk to previous customers – and if you can, see examples of the contractor’s previous work.

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