When it comes to flooring, hardwood stands the test of time. Hardwood floors are desired for more than just their classic beauty. When you install hardwood, it will last for decades as long as you care for it. In addition, unlike many other kinds of flooring materials, you can refinish wood, something that will bring your floors back to life after years of wear and tear. If you are planning on hardwood floor installation in your home, here are three things you need to know.
What Works For Your Home
There's more to selecting hardwood than figuring out what looks best in your home. You want to choose hardwood flooring that works with your lifestyle in addition to complementing your home's interior. There are many types of hardwood floors. Popular wood species include oak, hickory, ash, maple, ebony, and more. If you have a lot of foot traffic, you will want to go with a harder variety of hardwood. Whatever option you choose, your hardwood floors need to be able to stand up to daily use in your household.
Professional Installation Is Best
Unless you happen to be a professional hardwood installer, it's best to leave your hardwood floor installation to your remodeling contractor. While it may be tempting to tackle the installation yourself, if you mess up, it will cost you. When you go with professional floor installation, your floors will be placed right the first time. Using a professional installer also saves time, especially if you have a large home. A professional installer will also know whether floating, glue down, or nail down installation is suitable for your hardwood installation.
How Much It Will Cost
There are a few factors that affect the cost of hardwood flooring installation. First, the species of hardwood has a significant impact on the cost of installation. Some species of hardwood can get rather pricey, while others are more affordable. The larger your home and the challenge the installation poses will also affect your bottom line. Accounting for materials and labor, hardwood floor installation will cost between $14 and $32 per square foot.
If hardwood flooring is what you want for your home, there are a few things to consider when installing it. First, you need to determine what type of hardwood works best; there are many options. Second, instead of tackling installation yourself, you will probably want to go with professional hardwood installation. Finally, how much hardwood flooring installation costs will vary depending on factors like hardwood species and the size of your home.
