See what we mean? The same type of wood floor might look perfect in one space, but in another, not so much. Our team can certainly help you narrow down the best options for your space, but for now, let’s look at four key considerations when choosing your wood floors.

1. Overall Look and Style

If you’re designing the interior from scratch, what kind of design style are you looking for? Are you leaning toward modern/trendy or traditional/timeless? If you’re installing the floors into an already-decorated space, what type of furnishings and wall coverings do you have? As a general rule of thumb, darker floors tend to create a rich, elegant or sophisticated vibe, while lighter floors exude a more casual or modern feel. Beyond that, you want to select a flooring style that matches or complements your existing décor, or at least won’t clash with it.

2. Expected Use or Wear-and-Tear

The next consideration is this: how much durability do you need from your wood floors? Are you installing the flooring in an area that’s going to see a lot of foot traffic? Will there be small children and/or pets? If your new floors need to stand up to a lot of abuse, a harder wood like oak, maple or hickory will be more resistant to scrapes and scratches. If it’s just you living in the home and you tend to have a light touch, you can probably get away with a softer wood like pine or walnut. Another tip: Distressed or hand scraped wood floors can mask scratches and scrapes quite well.

3. General Maintenance and Upkeep Habits

Certain types of wood floors require a bit more attention than others to keep them looking their best. High-polished dark floors, for example, will show dust and dirt more easily than lighter woods or textured finishes. If you don’t mind keeping up with the housework, you’ll probably enjoy a polished, elegant look for your wood floors. If you prefer more casual living habits, look for colors and finishes that are lower maintenance.

4. Lighting

A fourth consideration, one that often goes overlooked, is the available lighting of the room. Dark hardwoods placed in rooms with plenty of natural light can look quite elegant, especially if they’re offsetting light colored furnishings or décor. On the other hand, if dark floors are placed in dark spaces, they can make the room look downright bleak. In most cases, the “offset approach” can work quite well—choose dark woods for light spaces, and light woods for dark spaces. And if you want to create an extra sunny, almost beach house-type of look—try placing light woods in light spaces.

We know it’s a lot to think about, but if you take the time to look at these different factors and really evaluate which type of wood flooring might look best in your space, you’ll be happier with your choices overall. Of course, our team is more than happy to talk you through your options and let you view samples to help you make a qualified decision. Give Renaissance a call today at 918-298-4477.

The post 4 Things to Consider When Selecting Your Wood Floors appeared first on Renaissance Hardwood Floors.

There’s no clear-cut answer here, but let’s compare some different types of prefinished flooring so you can make an informed decision.

Types of Prefinished Flooring

As if things weren’t confusing enough, prefinished flooring can actually refer to a number of different types of floors, all of which are made a bit differently. So let’s start by talking about the differences between them, and some pros and cons of each.

Engineered wood flooring

Engineered flooring is made of real wood, but unlike solid hardwood it consists of multiple thin layers of wood bonded with an adhesive under intense heat and pressure. The top layer is usually a hardware veneer prefinished to a certain color, stain and finish, and often coated with a protective layer.

• The Pros: Engineered flooring is often stronger than hardwood, and it is often less susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity.
• The Cons: Because of the thin hardwood top layer, engineered flooring cannot be sanded or refinished—it can only be replaced. It also can be a lower quality than solid wood, and when installed it often doesn’t resemble hardwood the way we wish.

Laminate wood flooring

Laminate flooring consists of composite pressed wood with a laminate finish made to resemble solid wood.

• The Pros: Laminate flooring is considerably less expensive than solid wood or even engineered wood. It’s easy to install, easy to clean, moisture resistant and generally durable.
• The Cons: Laminate flooring rarely fools the eye—it doesn’t look like hardwood flooring and generally looks “cheaper.” Also, it can’t be refinished or resurfaced, and it’s more difficult to repair if it gets damaged.

Prefinished hardwood flooring

Unlike the other options, this flooring consists of actual solid hardwood that has just been pre-stained and coated before installing. It often comes with beveled edges or grooves that allow the planks to interlock, making them easy to install.

• The Pros: Prefinished hardwood installs quickly and easily with very little down-time. You can often walk on the floor the same day it’s installed, and it has a more authentic look and feel because it’s actual solid wood.
• The Cons: Prefinished hardwood may be more expensive than unfinished wood planks, and occasionally the bevels leave unsightly gaps between the planks. Also, because the flooring is prefinished to a specific dye lot, it’s difficult or impossible to color match if planks need to be replaced.

Should You Choose Solid Hardwood or Prefinished Wood?

When it comes to overall quality, there is no true substitute for solid hardwood flooring. Although it can take time to install and generates some dust during the sanding and finishing process, solid wood adds sophistication and class to any space. You can repair and refinish it numerous times, and when properly cared for, it can last a lifetime. Prefinished wood can offer more convenience up front and may be less expensive, but the trade-off is that if the floor gets damaged, you’ll have to replace the entire floor because the planks can’t be refinished or color-matched.

To Sum Up…

Prefinished wood flooring may be a good option if you have limited time, a limited budget, are especially sensitive to dust or expect a lot of wear-and-tear on your floors. Solid wood flooring is a better option for overall appearance, durability and timelessness.

At Renaissance Hardwood Flooring, we are happy to install either solid hardwood or prefinished flooring depending on your needs, budget and preferences. To learn more about all your options, give us a call at 918-298-4477.

The post Prefinished Flooring or Solid Hardwood? Some Pros and Cons appeared first on Renaissance Hardwood Floors.