Floorcoverings International specializes in providing our clients in and around North Vancouver with the ideal flooring for their home or business.  We offer a wide range of flooring options including carpet, laminate flooring, stone and tile flooring, vinyl flooring, and of course hardwood flooring.  When it comes to choosing hardwood flooring, there are still many options to consider.  Our team at Floorcoverings International represents a highly skilled and experienced group of professionals that can help you choose the right flooring for you needs, but in today’s blog we’re going to take a moment to guide beginners through the many hardwood flooring options available.

Hardwood Flooring North Vancouver

Not all hardwood flooring is created equally.  While most varieties of hardwood flooring are attractive and durable, you want to consider the style and function of a space when choosing your flooring.  One of the key benefits of hardwood is that it fits almost any décor – contemporary designs are just as well-complemented with hardwood flooring as traditional designs.  However, when choosing hardwood flooring for areas exposed to more moisture (think basements and kitchens), you need to take extra care.

Generally, hardwood flooring is available in either finished or unfinished options.  Finished hardwood flooring is sanded and sealed by the manufacturer so it can be installed quickly.  Once installed, there is no need to treat finished hardwood so it’s ready to be used.  On the other hand, unfinished hardwood flooring must be stained and finished before you can walk on it.  Unfinished hardwood is ideal if you are applying a custom stain or you are trying to match existing flooring.  Additionally, unfinished options are generally preferred in the kitchen because when you stain and finish the flooring, the seal applied can prevent water from penetrating seams between floorboards.

At Floorcoverings International, our customers can also choose between solid or engineered hardwood floors.  Solid hardwood is exactly that – it’s manufactured from solid board and usually ranges between 5/8” and 3/4” in thickness.  Solid wood floor coverings are long-lasting and can be refinished multiple times in their lifespan.  However, these floorings are known to respond to changes in humidity and may warp in cold, damp environments.

Engineered hardwood is made from layers of wood sealed together and provides a more versatile option than solid wood.  Because engineered hardwood flooring is constructed from multiple layers, it cannot be refinished as frequently as solid wood options; however, engineered flooring is less susceptible to changes in humidity so they can be applied throughout your home.

Hardwood Flooring North Vancouver

Finally, when choosing hardwood flooring from Floorcoverings International, you can choose from a wide range of types of wood – oak, maple, cherry, bamboo, walnut, ash, and mahogany are just a few of the types of wood floor coverings available.  Harder wood varieties such as oak, maple, and cherry are common choices and they provide great durability and a beautiful aesthetic.  Nevertheless, depending on your personal preference, budget, style, and function, different floorings will suit your needs better.  Let our team at Floorcoverings International help you choose the best hardwood flooring for your home.