Hardwood flooring remains one of the best options for home flooring. For homeowners who want to add beauty, style, value, and comfort to their home, the choice primarily falls on solid hardwood flooring.
What is solid hardwood flooring?
When we talk about hardwood floors, we generally think of solid wood floors. The plank is usually ¾” thick and 2¼”, 3¼”, and 4¼” wide, made from a single piece of hardwood and comes in pre-finished or unfinished style. For wider planks, it is suggested to use engineered flooring as it is more stable and less likely to warp with changes in temperature and humidity. You can also find 1½”, 1¾”, 2″, 2½”, 2¾” flooring on special order or in unfinished wood to make repairs on an old floor where some slats need to be replaced. The most commonly used wood species for solid wood floors are red oak, white oak, and maple.
Whether you’re looking for something in a common area or a classic dining room, solid hardwood floors will offer elegance and durability that will last a lifetime. These floors are quite resistant but do require special care.
This type of flooring is generally installed in low-traffic areas, such as dining rooms or living rooms, bedrooms, playrooms, hallways, and focuses on a rich and clean finish that will ensure your floor is the focal point of any room. With a variety of colors and woods available on the Canadian market, solid wood flooring is the perfect choice for those seeking luxury and elegance in their home. Of course, solid wood floors continue to be considered the ultimate in flooring options for homes here in Canada.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Solid Hardwood Flooring
Solid hardwood floors are a lifetime investment that can be sanded and refinished several times during their existence, which enhances their appeal and longevity. In fact, some solid wood floors in Montreal that are over 100 years old are still in good condition.
However, solid wood floors are sensitive to moisture and it is not recommended to install them in areas where the potential for moisture is high, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens, and even basements. It’s well known that hardwood and water don’t mix well.
The main issue with solid hardwood flooring is that it contracts and expands depending on the humidity in your home. In winter, when it’s drier, solid hardwood floors will contract. Whereas in spring or summer, when there’s more moisture in the air, the hardwood expands. This is also precisely why it’s important to respect the spaces (expansion joint) at the edge of the walls that allow the floor to expand as needed.
When installing a solid hardwood floor, it’s important to have sufficient experience to leave enough space for the natural expansion and contraction of solid hardwood, and don’t forget to acclimate your solid hardwood floors before installation.
