The Benefits of Hardwood Flooring

Beautiful and long-lasting, hardwood floors make an elegant choice for nearly any room in your home. When choosing hardwood, the color, character, and construction type are the important factors to consider.

Hardwood has been a staple in American homes for centuries, and for good reason. There is a warmth and authenticity to real wood that is hard to replicate, and once you have it in your home, it is hard to imagine going back to anything else.

Color

Hardwood runs the full spectrum, from light and airy species like maple and ash to the deep, rich tones of walnut and hickory. The color you land on will do a lot to set the tone of your space, so it is worth taking your time with it. Bring home some samples. Look at them in different lighting. Live with them for a day or two before you decide. It sounds like a small thing but it makes a real difference.

Character

This is the part that people do not always think about until they are standing in someone else's home and notice how alive the floor looks. Real wood has knots, grain variation, and natural markings that give it personality. Some species are pretty clean and consistent. Others are full of character. Neither is better than the other, it just comes down to the look you are going for and the feel you want in your home.

Construction

Solid hardwood is milled from a single piece of wood and can be refinished over and over again across its lifetime. That is a big deal for longevity. Engineered hardwood has a real wood layer on top bonded to a plywood core, which makes it more dimensionally stable and a better fit for areas with moisture or temperature swings. If you are putting flooring in a basement or a home with radiant heat, engineered is usually the smarter call.

We carry both at Nantahala, and if you are not sure which direction makes sense for your home, come in and talk to us. That is what we are here for. Stop by the showroom at 301 Depot St in Franklin, North Carolina and see what we offer.