Hardwood Floors

The elegant look of a hardwood floor can add warmth and character to any room in a home. The natural characteristics of wood add depth and a visual appearance that many other types of floors try to duplicate. As the consumer demand for hardwood floors has grown so has the manufacturer's ability to produce better quality finishes and superior construction techniques. With these advancements wood floors can now be installed throughout the home and over a wide variety of sub-floors.

Only your imagination can limit your choices here. Consider laying your floor on the diagonal to focus the flow within the room. Use a contrasting or complementary color of wood to frame the room, or to create a dramatic focal point. A border or contrasting color can also be used as a transition from an existing floor to a new, non-matching floor in an adjoining room. Another way to achieve transition to a non-matching floor is to run boards in the opposite direction of the existing floor.

Choose your floor to coordinate with the style you like. Whether your home is

traditional, country or contemporary, wood floors can make a statement. For traditional or country/colonial décors, a wide-width board is an appropriate choice. Narrow-width boards are more likely to be used in a contemporary setting. Darker woods can have a more formal look, while lighter floors such as natural or whitewashed tones lend themselves to more casual styles.

If your room is small, select a lighter color to make the room appear large. Rich, darker tones will adsorb available light and create a warmer, more intimate environment in a larger room.

Be sure to choose a color to either coordinate or contrast with your current furnishings and cabinetry. If your cabinets are brown-toned, stay with a brown-toned wood floor rather than a flooring with red or gray tones. For contrast, white cabinets look great with virtually any wood floor.

The size of your windows, the direction they face, and whether the rooms have incandescent or fluorescent light all contribute to the appearance of your floor. Always view your wood selection in the same lighting as what will be used in your home.

Your wood floor is a secure choice, both as a long-lasting investment in your home and as a reflection of your decorating style. You can use wood throughout your home to create continuity and to visually expand your interior décor.

Edge Style helps establish the character of your floor. A square edge means boards fit flush against each other for a smooth, traditional look. A full bevel edge or micro bevel edge creates an angled effect where boards meet, for a more hand-crafted look.

Gloss Level should be matched to the traffic you anticipate for your floor. High gloss finish is appropriate for low traffic rooms, such as dining rooms, living rooms, and bedrooms. Semi gloss finish is ideal for moderate traffic areas such as family rooms. Satin finish is suitable for high traffic areas including kitchens and dens.

Species. The appearance of your floor will depend on the specie of tree from which it is made. Each specie has its own identifying grain pattern, like a fingerprint or signature. The pronounced grain of oak, for instance, would never be mistaken for the more subtle grain of maple.

Always be aware that some flooring is not recommended for below grade installations. Check with your sales person to see if the floor your interested in will function well in a below grade setting.