Wood Flooring: 7 Frequently Asked Questions Answered

Wood Flooring: 7 Frequently Asked Questions Answered

Are you looking to install wood flooring in your Toronto home?

Installing a new floor or replacing an existing one is a big investment. It’s also a room’s foundation, with the power to inspire its overall aesthetic while also having to stand up to daily wear and tear.

Wood flooring is much sought after, owing to its elegant, timeless, and authentic appearance. As a consumer, you should be well-informed before deciding on the right option for your home.

To that end, we answer some common questions about wood flooring in Toronto.

7 Frequently Asked Questions About Wood Flooring 

 

Keep reading to find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about wood flooring.

1. Why should I install wood flooring in my home?

Wooden flooring is a durable option for most rooms, including bedrooms, dining rooms, and living rooms. When looked after properly, it can last a lifetime while standing up to daily use. Additionally, it creates a warm and inviting appeal.

Wood adds a luxurious look to any space and increases your property’s resale value. Moreover, you can decorate your room as you wish since most decor accents complement wooden flooring.

2. Should I choose engineered or solid wood?

This depends on where you’re looking to install it. Since both are made using real wood they are reliably eco-friendly materials.

While engineered wood flooring is made with real wood, it’s typically manufactured with several layers of veneers. This wood can either be of the same or a different species. The grains of the different layers run perpendicular, making them appear cohesive and dimensionally stable. So, the wood doesn’t expand and contract as much as solid wood when temperature or humidity levels fluctuate.

The wood can either be pasted on top of a concrete subfloor or stapled or nailed to a wooden one. It can be sandpapered and refinished but might not be able to be re-done the same number of times as solid wood.

Solid wood flooring is made with solid wood pieces ranging between ¾” and 5/16” thick. It’s most suitable for aboveground rooms, though some homeowners prefer installing them in basements as well. It can be sanded or refinished as many times as may be required. This material is suitable for bedrooms, family/living rooms, dining rooms, and even powder rooms and kitchens.

3. Is wooden flooring suitable for homes with pets?

Generally, wood flooring is durable and easy to maintain, making it suitable for homes with pets. However, it can sustain scratches and dents so it’s a good idea to keep your pet’s nails trimmed. Alternatively, you can choose a harder wood that stands up well to your furry friends.

In terms of finish, it’s best to opt for a distressed or rustic style to camouflage wear and tear. Then again, you could also choose wood flooring with a lower gloss in a lighter colour to hide the marks even better.

4. What’s the difference between unfinished and prefinished wood flooring?

Made using raw wood, unfinished wood flooring requires a protective coating to prevent daily wear and tear. To combat this issue, wood flooring oil is typically applied before the material is ready to walk on. Unfinished wood flooring offers the advantage of adding various colour stains to create a surface finish to match your décor and preferences.

By contrast, the factory finish is applied to prefinished flooring when the product is purchased. There’s no need to have it sanded or refinished, making it popular as it doesn’t give off the distinct smell that sanding and finishing can.

5. Why should I acclimate the material?

Both hard and soft varieties of natural wood flooring should be acclimated as its moisture content needs to adjust to the conditions of the room it will be installed in. For this, the cartons with the wood packaged inside them need to be kept open, ideally in the room where it’s to be installed. Five to seven days need to elapse before they can be used.

Engineered wood doesn’t need to be acclimated and can instead be installed upon delivery.

6. How can I prevent wooden floors from fading?

Wood flooring changes over time due to sun exposure and foot traffic. The best way to keep it from fading is to periodically move the rugs and furniture and limit sun exposure by investing in high-quality window treatments.

7. Should I opt for a shiny or a non-shiny finish?

Which do you prefer?

Wood flooring with a glossy finish will have a shiny surface and reflect light the best. A semi-gloss finish will reflect some light and offer very little shine. You can also choose a satin or matte finish which offers the least amount of shine and reflects very little light.

One major advantage of wood flooring without much sheen is that small scratches and dents won’t be so visible.

Choosing a flooring material for your home is an important decision and not one to be made in haste. Hopefully, these questions and answers help you figure out whether or not wood is a suitable flooring material for your property. If you still have questions, feel free to contact us. We’ll get back to you shortly.