Wood flooring is a timeless and classic choice for many homeowners. It provides warmth and coziness, and it’s relatively inexpensive to install.
They’re beautiful, and you can install them in any room. The only area you should avoid installing wood is kitchens or basements as they need special consideration due to their wet nature.
But with so many types available, it can be challenging to decide which one best suits your needs or tastes. To help you narrow down the best type of wood flooring, we have compiled some of the best wood floors on the market today.
Read on to learn.
Solid Unfinished Planks
Solid unfinished planks are best for those who want a sleek, modern look. They can be stained to create the desired color or left natural with an oil-based sealant.
They provide a very durable and low-maintenance flooring option because there is no need for any extra polyurethane coats that might wear down over time, as is common with other types of wood floors.
However, they don’t come with a protective finish. So, it’s best to seal them before installation. Unfortunately, this adds an extra step and expense.
Solid unfinished planks are also susceptible to cracking as they dry out over time or after prolonged exposure to moisture from spills or floods.
Solid Prefinished Planks
Solid prefinished planks are large solid wood planks that have been sanded and sealed. They offer a floor with no seams, which means it’s less likely to split or require refinishing in the future.
An additional sealant coating on top of the finish coat adds extra wear protection. Most modern finishes typically feature coats designed for wear resistance.
Solid prefinished planks are best for those who want a uniform surface. Unlike tongue and groove boards, solid floors have no visible seams. You may also like this type of floor if you’re looking to cover lots of space quickly because you can lay them in long strips with little effort.
The best type of wood flooring for you will depend on your lifestyle. If you have pets at home, these would be best as pet hair does not adhere well to this surface.
This popular type can be installed quickly over concrete slabs without any special equipment such as glue-down installation or moisture barrier needed underlayment like plywood panels often do. Don’t use these types in areas that will see high moisture levels, such as bathrooms or kitchens.
However, one downside is that these types of wood might experience excessive shrinking or expansion. This happens due to natural movement inherent in wood as it adjusts from dryness changes over time. This might result in unsightly gaps between your new floor and old baseboards.
Another drawback is that there’s no way to adjust the length once installed. If you make any mistakes during installation (such as unlevel surfaces), you’ll need to replace the whole section.
If you’re concerned about these drawbacks, you can choose to go with site-finished hardwood from Nydree Flooring.
Reclaimed Hardwood Planks
Reclaimed hardwood planks are a type of flooring made from reclaimed wood. This means the wood was once used for another project.
The reclaimed hardwood planks are materials salvaged from old buildings such as warehouses, factories, or barns. The flooring’s history is apparent through its unique markings and variations in color. Reclaimed timber contains rich textures that will add a special touch of elegance to your home’s interior design.
Reclaimed hardwood planks are the best type of wood flooring for the living room if you’re looking for that rustic look. They also come in different colors, so it’s easy to find the best one for your space and style.
In addition to the variety of color options, you can install reclaimed wood flooring with or without an underlayment. It all depends on how much cushion you want underneath your feet when walking around on them.
Reclaimed hardwood planks require less maintenance than other types of wood flooring, such as kiln-dried oak floors, because there is no need to coat them periodically to maintain their appearance.
Reclaimed hardwood planks are an environmentally friendly choice for those looking to install sustainable and reclaimed products in their home. However, there is a downside: this product can be costly to purchase or install, especially if installed in your entire house. For example, salvaged red oak would cost $14 per linear foot, while prefinished engineered planks can cost as little as $0.60 per square foot.
Hand-Scraped Planks
Hand-scraped wood flooring comes from a variety of exotic hardwoods. The best type of wood for this kind of flooring are the ones that come closest to the heartwood color and have no knots or burls.
The best thing about these floors is that you can sand them by hand, which provides an extremely smooth finish with deep grains in every plank. They’re good at hiding scratches because you can just rub them out without needing to replace any boards.
The best type of wood flooring for high traffic areas is a more durable hardwood. However, hand-scraped planks are not as durable because they have an open grain that heavy objects and chemicals can damage.
Engineered Wood Flooring
Engineered wood flooring is a mixture of particleboard and hardwood. The best types of engineered wood are 75% – 85% hardwood, with the remainder being either plywood or MDF board.
This type of floor will look good for a long time, and you can sand it down to make it look like real wood after years of heavy use. It’s also more resistant to wear than other varieties. It has no glue between its layers, so there is less chance of water damage from spills.
Engineered wood flooring is an excellent choice if you’re looking for an eco-friendly option. However, the best type of engineered wood flooring may not offer the same longevity as solid hardwood or laminate.
The best way to make your decision about which type of engineered wood flooring meets your needs and preferences best would be by doing some research on reviews from previous customers.
What’s the Best Type of Wood Flooring for You?
The best type of wood flooring comes down to your personal preferences, what kind of lifestyle you lead and where in the world you live. There are many different types of wood floors available on the market today that come with their benefits and drawbacks.
This article is a great starting point to learn about different types of wood floors for your home. Check out our blog for more informative articles.