Without question, one of the most popular and worthwhile ways to enhance the appearance of your home is the addition of hardwood flooring. Traditional hardwood flooring offers a distinguished look combined with long-term durability that simply cannot be matched by other types of floor coverings.
Whether you’re looking to install hardwood floors or restore your existing hardwood floors — Total Restore has the expertise and experience to achieve the look you’ve been dreaming of. Our team will work alongside you to select the best hardwood flooring options to match your personal tastes.
Hardwood Flooring vs Alternatives
Hardwood Flooring
Traditional hardwood flooring is typically milled from a single piece of wood, usually ¾ of an inch thick. Commonly used for shared areas of the main floor, hardwood flooring remains highly desired for its elegant appearance, rich character, and long-lasting durability. Examples of hardwoods include hickory, chestnut, cherry, birch, bamboo, oak, red oak, pine, teak, walnut, cork, and other exotic woods.
Even if your heart is set on traditional hardwood, there are a few factors that you should consider. First, it has a strong tendency to absorb moisture which makes it a poor choice for humid/damp environments. Additionally, consider how susceptible hardwood is to scratches and wear; if you have pets with sharp nails or have a particularly high-traffic area, it might be best to consider an alternative to hardwood flooring.
Engineered Hardwood
Rapidly growing in popularity, engineered hardwood has a variety of advantages and benefits compared to traditional hardwood; it looks very similar to conventional hardwood with added durability. Engineered hardwood is composed of three to five layers of hardwood which are stacked cross-grain and bonded together with heat and pressure.
This specialized process uses less wood altogether, helping it be a more environmentally friendly choice for your home. It’s also better suited for areas within your home or office that are exposed to humidity. Remember that no flooring option is perfect. Engineered hardwood has a thin veneer at the top, meaning that it can only be sanded a few times; refinishing should only be handled by a trained professional to prevent damage. Large dogs with sharp nails can also damage this thin veneer as well.
Vinyl Plank
In addition to being the most affordable option of this group, vinyl plank flooring has a variety of extra advantages over traditional and engineered hardwood. Since it’s completely waterproof, it’s an excellent option for a room such as your basement and can easily be cleaned with a wet/steam mop. It is also the most resistant to heavy foot traffic and scratches from pets. The main drawback of vinyl plank is the fact that it cannot be refinished and must be completely replaced if damaged. It has the lowest lifespan of the three types of flooring that we’ve covered (2-20 years compared to 20-100 years for hardwood).
Choose Total Restore for Hardwood Flooring Installation or Refinishing
Although it’s possible to refinish or install hardwood flooring by yourself, it’s a very time-consuming process with very little room for error. Each flooring option is different and presents its own unique challenges and risks. Whether you need your existing hardwood floor refinished or are looking for complete flooring installation — call the experts at Total Restore.
Our team will work alongside you to determine the best flooring options for your home or office while carefully considering your individual tastes and budget concerns. We’re here to help turn your vision into a reality!