It is easy to see why hardwood flooring is so popular. There are more than enough reasons for choosing it for your home. It’s extremely durable, long lasting, elegant, has a classic appeal to it, and offers unparalleled warmth. But there are still many things to consider before you choose solid wood flooring. Here are 4 mistakes that need to be avoided when choosing hardwood flooring for your home.
1. Not considering moisture
Moisture is a crucial factor to be checked before choosing solid wood flooring. There should be a perfect balance. It should neither be high nor be low.
The installer must be experienced enough to handle the wood carefully depending on the percentage of moisture it has. If the wood is left out in the heat for a long time (not in controlled climate), it will develop gaps between boards in winter. So make sure to get the wood checked by experts before you purchase it.
It is also recommended to install the boards immediately, without keeping them out in the open or in environment with uncontrolled temperature or moisture.
2. Poor racking
It takes keen observation and some experience to learn how to rack the floor. Once you will learn how to do it, you will come across poor racking jobs everywhere you go. It is so common but most people are unable to notice it because of lack of knowledge.
So make sure that the racks are properly aligned in your home. When the floor is racked correctly, you will not notice any spot. So it is important to seek professional help when choosing your hardwood floors.
Some of the errors that should be avoided include:
- H-joints – h-joints occur when the end joints are lined up with a single row between them.
- End joints being too close – make sure that the gap between the end joints of adjacent rows is a minimum of 3 times the width of the floor.
3. You forget about your pets
Many homeowners would jump to a decision about installing new hardwood flooring. If you have pets, make sure to keep this point in mind when choosing your new flooring.
Pets can cause regular damage to wooden flooring. Scratches and dings are commonplace. You will have to be more careful with your pets when you install hardwood floors.
The nails will have to be paired regularly and any spills must be cleaned immediately. If this seems like a daunting task, it is recommended to choose another flooring option.
You will also have to use mats to keep food/water bowls on the floor to prevent any spills from coming in contact with wood.
4. Furniture rearrangement
Before you choose hardwood flooring, keep in mind that installing wooden floor will require rearranging your furniture from time to time. This is essential because wood becomes lighter when exposed to sun for long time. Moving furniture and rugs will help in maintaining its even color.
This factor should be of concern if your home’s interior receives lot of sunlight!
Besides, also keep in mind that the effect of light varies from one timber species to another. Furniture and rug rearrangement will be required every few months to ensure even color shift.
It is interesting to note that most homeowners don't consider these simple but serious points before choosing hardwood flooring. They start realizing the related issues only when they have installed the flooring.
Hardwood flooring is an expensive investment. So make sure to consider all your current and future needs and limitations before choosing it. There is no denying about its benefits and longevity, but it will be better to know about all the factors before you install wooden floors.
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