Why hardwood flooring is still so popular

 
Homeowners who already have hardwood flooring in their homes can tell you, they are not likely to switch to another floor covering. There are many reasons for this, each as unique as the homes they represent. One thing is certain. There’s something for everyone in this flooring material, and you owe it to yourself to find out all about it.

DeSitter Flooring has a history of matching homeowners to a floor covering that is perfect for all their needs. We’re sure we can do the same for you. You can stop by either of our showrooms, in both Glen Ellyn and LaGrange, IL, where a flooring professional will be standing by to assist you. We proudly service the areas of Western Springs, Glen Ellyn, LaGrange, Wheaton, Hinsdale, and Burr Ridge, and we look forward to the opportunity to serve you as well.
 


A few facts about hardwood flooring

 
You might think all hardwoods are the same, but you actually have two major choices. The first is solid hardwood flooring, which is one piece of solid wood throughout. The other is engineered flooring, which consists of a backing material topped with a veneer of real wood. With both of these types of flooring, you have species choices as well, both domestic and exotic, with more choices in solid wood.

Your specific needs will go a long way in determining the type of species you choose. For instance, if your home experiences a high level of traffic, you will want to go with a species that is very hard, so that it won’t become prematurely worn. Lower traffic levels allow for softer woods. Be sure to tell your flooring professional exactly what your traffic levels are in the rooms you need to refloor.

Another choice you’ll have to make is what type of finish you’ll want on your hardwood floors.Some of those choices include brushed, hand-scraped, distressed, high gloss, matte and semi-gloss. Finishes such as brushed and hand-scraped can help to hide many signs of everyday wear and tear including scratches, scuffs and dings, while finishes like high gloss are often used where heavy traffic isn’t usually an issue.

Hardwood flooring is also popular because it can be refinished. Solid wood can be refinished several times over the course of its lifespan, while engineered wood can be refinished at least once, and maybe twice, if thick enough.
 
 
 
 

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Types of Hardwood Flooring

 
All it takes to prepare and be more confident in your choice of flooring is a basic understanding of the different kinds of wood flooring products. Essentially, flooring comes either as a solid piece of wood or in engineered strips and planks. It also comes in a great variety of wood species, all of which have different characteristics, visual textures, hardness, durability and colors. Deciding which hardwood flooring will best suit your house, room or space depends on many different factors, including the type of subfloor and its exact location in your home.

Solid Wood

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Produced from the finest exotic and indigenous hardwoods, solid wood floors consist – as the name suggests – of a single ¾ inch-thick solid piece of wood. DeSitter Flooring offers flooring in a selection of hardwoods, including white oak, hickory, maple, red oak, American cherry and Brazilian cherry. These are all available in several widths, depending on your exact needs. It is important for all home-owners to understand that solid hardwood floors are unfortunately vulnerable to temperature changes and humidity, which can cause them to expand, contract, crack and warp.

As such, it is recommended that this kind of flooring only be installed over approved wooden subfloors, above grade (ground level), and they must be stapled or nailed down. One of the great benefits of solid wood flooring is that it can be recoated and refinished again and again.

Engineered Wood

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Engineered wood flooring is manufactured through the lamination of several hardwood layers, forming planks. These planks can then be stapled down, glued to or floated over a great number of different subfloor varieties, including dry concrete slabs, wood and certain kinds of existing San Diego flooring. Engineered hardwood floors are generally recommended for rooms that are built beneath ground level, where humidity levels would warp solid wood flooring.

Their cross-ply construction essentially restricts the degree to which this flooring can expand and contract, making it safe for installation on any level in the home, even in typically moist basements. Engineered hardwood flooring is available in both long strips and planks, which can be custom-built for thickness and width. They come in many different widths, thickness and colors in both exotic and North American hardwoods.

 

Exotic Wood Species

 
With the vast network of ocean-going trade vessels servicing all the continents of the world, there is literally no limit to the species of hardwood trees one can have placed in their homes. DeSitter Flooring boasts a collection of hardwood that includes some of the finest exotic trees from around the globe. This flooring offers many visually striking and totally unique aesthetics that are distinctly different from any of the hardwood species North America has to offer. It's important for you to note that many of these exotic species are photosensitive, and the San Diego flooring may change color over time.

Importance of Room Level and Subfloor Types

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One of the most essential determining factors for flooring type is the level of the floor on which it is to be installed. Solid wood flooring should never be used beneath ground level due to the effects of humidity, which can cause it to warp and crack. Engineered hardwood floors can be used in just about every level of the home, including those that fall beneath ground level. If you want your flooring to last you a lifetime, these floors perform better in humidity-controlled environments.

Another important factor to take into account is the material from which your subfloor is made. Is it wood or is it concrete? Engineered hardwood flooring is ideally placed over a concrete subfloor. Alternatively, it can be used for remodeling projects, in which case this San Diego flooring can simply be floated directly over the existing floor – such as vinyl. This negates the need for all the mess and costs associated with ripping up an old floor.

If you would like to learn more about the types of hardwood offered at DeSitter Flooring, we welcome you to contact us today at , (630) 225-7222 or complete the form on the "Contact Us" page. Here, a representative of our team will be able to answer any questions that you may have - It's that easy!

 
 
 
Hardwood flooring in Glen Ellyn, IL from DeSitter Flooring
 
 

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