Solid hardwood flooring is an amazing material that be installed in many spaces in your home. However, they should never be installed in below-grade areas, or any place that offers a humid or moist environment where the temperatures are apt to quickly change. Placing these floors in such a space would cause them to warp, buckle, crack, or even split, leading to expensive repairs or replacement.
In order to avoid this, you can opt for engineered flooring, which features a veneer of solid wood atop a backing material and covered with a protective top coat. It is more easily installed in areas where hardwood is not and can even be refinished at least once in its lifespan.
With solid hardwood floors, you’ll be able to make a variety of choices which create a truly unique flooring experience. The first of these is the type of species you need. As a general rule, the more traffic your household experiences on a regular basis, the harder the species should be to offer maximum durability.
In addition to species, you’ll also get to choose your own stain color and finish options. Stains range in color from clear to very dark and most of them match a wide variety of decor options. Choosing a custom finish, such as distressed, hand scraped, or vintage can even help mask signs of everyday wear and tear.