Hardwood flooring is one of the best ways to improve your home. This versatile and long-lasting enhancement works with any décor or lifestyle. To be sure that your floor meets all of your expectations, it is a good idea to have a few questions answered before you begin. For your convenience, we have compiled the following list of the most crucial concerns.

1. Which room are you working on?

Opening the front door to see the natural beauty of solid hardwood floors can be captivating. It establishes the mood of a warm, welcoming environment and is therefore very popular for foyers and formal living rooms where guests are entertained. Hardwood flooring can be used in just about any room in the house but it is not recommended in closed areas that experience great fluctuation in humidity such as laundry rooms and full bathrooms.

2. How do you want the room to look?

For older generations, a solid wood floor consists of one unified color across the floor which could be as light as blonde or as dark as a mahogany brown. Today this is referred to as traditional wood flooring and, although it is still very popular, it represents a small portion of the options available. Depending on the look you are trying to create, you may want to explore a wide range of colors, a patterned effect, or a range of textures. The possibilities are endless.

3. What is the current flooring?

Not long ago it was impossible to install hardwood floors on top of concrete because there was no way to secure the boards to the concrete. Now, with engineered hardwood floors, you can glue the flooring directly to a concrete floor. Engineered wood is made up of several layers of wood lain perpendicular in sequence with a thick top layer of solid hardwood. It is actually very strong and does not react to climatic changes like solid hardwood might. Once it is installed, it is virtually indistinguishable from a traditional hardwood floor.

4. Refinish or Replace?

If you have hardwood flooring in your home that is stained or otherwise damaged, you may be able to repair sections of it instead of replacing the entire floor. Sanding down the finish and staining the wood may also be preferable to replacement. The main advantage of replacement is that it takes less time and effort. Refinishing a hardwood floor is very labor-intensive and the fumes are very strong. The family may be displaced for several days. The best hardwood flooring available is arguably pre-finished and can be installed in a day or two without any fumes.

5. What is the climate?

Because wood is a natural element, it swells and contract with changes in the humidity and temperature. If these changes are significant, it can result in gaps between the floor boards. In extreme cases, these changes can cause the wood to crack, split and even bow. The experts at MacDonald Hardwoods can help you select the best wood for your climate.

6. Do you have pets?

If you have pets, there is no better choice for your flooring than hardwood floors. They are easy to clean and durable. Surface scratches will vanish when a new coat of polyurethane is added. In addition, it is possible to make scratches less noticeable with certain tones or textures. No matter what you choose, a hardwood floor holds its value far better than any other option, especially in the home of an animal lover.

7. What is your budget?

There are several costs to consider when installing hardwood flooring. The first question that needs to be answered concerns the square footage of the room.  This will determine how much wood you need to purchase. Another important question concerns the installation. MacDonald Hardwoods provides free training and technical support to any flooring customers who wish to install it themselves.