How to Choose the Best Hardwood Flooring for Your Home: Your Comprehensive Guide

Choosing new hardwood flooring for your home is an exciting project! But with so many options on the market, it can also feel overwhelming. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to find the perfect hardwood floors for your space and style.

Determine Your Budget

Hardwood flooring costs range widely, from $3 per square foot for cheaper woods installed DIY-style, up to $13 per square foot or more for premium woods professionally installed. Set your budget upfront so you can narrow your options effectively.

Some things that affect the overall cost include:

• Type of wood - Rare and exotic woods are more expensive than common domestic woods.

• Plank width - Wide plank floors 5" or more cost more than standard 2 1⁄4" strip floors.

• Distressed or hand-scraped look – These specialized finishes cost more.

• Installation – Professional installation will add $3-5 per square foot versus DIY.

• Location – Prices are higher in some regions.

Decide on the Type of Wood

Once you know your budget, it’s time to select the type of wood. Here are some top options:

Oak

An extremely popular choice, oak is durable, affordable, and has a classic look. Red oak is the least expensive type. White oak has a more distinctive grain. Both work well in traditional or contemporary homes.

Maple

Prized for its smooth, uniform appearance, hardness, and versatility to stain or paint. It has a clean, contemporary look. The main downside is that it shows wear and scuffs more easily than oak.

Cherry

Cherry has a rich, warm reddish-brown tone. It adds a traditional elegance to homes. The wood darkens and takes on a patina over time. Keep in mind it is softer than oak or maple.

Walnut

Extremely hard and durable, walnut has a deep, chocolate brown color with flowing grain patterns. It has a luxurious, upscale look but comes with a higher price tag.

Exotic Woods

Imported exotic woods like Brazilian cherry, tigerwood, or teak offer unique grain patterns and colors. They create dramatic, contemporary floors but are quite expensive.

Choose a Plank Width

Hardwood flooring planks come in various widths. The options include:

• Standard strip flooring – Planks are 2 1⁄4" wide

• Wide plank flooring – Planks 5" or wider

• Mixed width planks – A combination of standard and wide planks

Wider planks create a dramatic, spacious effect but cost more. They also show imperfections like dents or scratches more than narrow strips. Consider your budget, traffic, and the room size when deciding on plank width.

Determine Your Preferred Grain Patterns and Color Tones

Study the different wood grain patterns and stain color options. Do you want pronounced, varied graining or a more uniform, subdued effect? Light, natural wood tones or dramatic dark stains?

Many dealers have samples you can take home. View the samples in your space at different times of day. This helps envision how the floors will look in your lighting.

Evaluate the Differences Between Solid and Engineered Hardwood

There are two main construction types when shopping for hardwood floors:

Solid Hardwood – Milled from a single piece of wood. The planks can be sanded and refinished many times over the years. Solid floors are sensitive to moisture and may gape or cup with improper humidity levels.

Engineered Hardwood – Constructed with a top layer of solid wood over a plywood core. The planks are more stable and resistant to moisture damage. However, the wood veneer layer is thinner, so may only be sanded and refinished once or twice.

Both types have pros and cons. Consider your climate, budget, and installation over concrete or radiant heat when deciding between solid or engineered floors.

Determine Any Special Finishes

There are a few special finishing techniques that change the look and cost of the wood:

Distressed Floors – The planks are artificially aged by hand scraping, indenting, wire brushing, or chiseling the surface. This imparts an antique, rustic character.

Hand-Scraped – The floor is scraped after installation for a worn, vintage appearance. This brings out the natural grain patterns.

Brushed – Wire-brushed to accentuate the grain. It creates soft, distinctive markings versus the sharper edges of hand-scraping.

Extra Matte Finish – An extremely low-gloss finish helps hide scratches and scuffs. It is great for family homes.

Figure Out Radiant Heat Compatibility

If you have radiant floor heating, the hardwood flooring must be rated for radiant heat use. The planks are engineered to withstand the drying effects of the heating system without shrinking or gapping.

The manufacturer’s stats will indicate if the product is approved over radiant heat. Follow their specifications for proper installation.

Using flooring not approved for radiant heat risks possible damage and voiding the product warranty.

Consider DIY or Hire a Professional

Installing hardwood flooring requires expertise to ensure proper subfloor prep, moisture testing, layout, cuts, transitions, and finish work. Hiring a qualified professional generally produces the best long-term results.

DIY installation can save on labor costs but has risks. If you don’t have the necessary skills, the floor may have gaps, cracks, buckling, and other problems down the road. Many products must be installed by a professional to uphold the warranty.

Assess your skill level carefully. The cost of repairs later may outweigh initial savings on DIY work.

Allow for an Acclimation Period

Acclimation is an important but often overlooked step. The hardwood flooring must adjust to your home’s temperature and humidity for 5-7 days before installation. Stack the sealed boxes flat, spaced out in the area to be installed. Open the ends of the boxes but keep the flooring protected.

Rushing ahead without acclimation can mean gapping, cracks, and board distortion over time. Take the time upfront to let your floors adjust to the environment.

Pick a Reputable Retailer or Flooring Professional

Shop at a retailer that allows you to view product samples in-store and provides all technical specifications. Get quotes from at least 3 qualified flooring contractors. Ask for and check their licensing, insurance, training credentials, and references from recent jobs. Verify that they will handle securing any required permits.

Carefully review all warranty documentation before purchasing products or signing a contract. Ensure you understand what is and is not covered under the warranties. Never pay 100% upfront. Stick to scheduling progress payments based on pre-agreed milestones.

Choosing new hardwood flooring for your home is exciting! By assessing your budget, preferred wood type, style, and installation considerations, you can narrow down the possibilities to find your perfect floor. Do your homework to work with reputable retailers and experienced installers. Follow all preparation and installation guidelines carefully. With some thoughtful planning during the selection process, you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful new floors that will last for years to come.