Hardwood floors will add value to your home, whether you opt for solid or engineered wood. According to a survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors , refinishing your hardwood floors is the top money-back value factor among potential homebuyers, industry professionals, and real estate agents.
In other words, you will recoup the money you paid for quality flooring by selling the house at a higher price. The reason why people love buying houses with hardwood floors is that they are so gorgeous to look at, they last for generations, can be refinished sometimes even more than once, depending on the type ; they are easy to clean, and withstand wear and tear , among other pros.
This type of flooring will not only elevate the appearance of your rooms, it can also help you lower your utility bills. Wood is a material that stores heat and balances the temperature inside your house. It provides a consistent temperature by preventing significant variations. Hardwood floors will not make your house colder. On the contrary, they will make it warmer by retaining the heat that can otherwise escape through a number of other flooring types.
Hardwood floors have a high thermal mass, which means they can first absorb then store heat, making your home cozier. However, there is a list of other factors you need to consider, so make sure that you consult with an HVAC technician to know all the steps you need to take before installation to optimize heat insulation with this type of flooring.
The initial hardwood flooring investment is higher than alternative flooring types, but it will pay off in the long-term by slightly lowering a part of your utility bills. This is definitely a factor to think about before deciding which flooring material works best for you.
Installing your own hardwood floors is an option, but the safest way to go is hiring flooring contractors. Solid hardwood floors, on the other hand, are not as simple.
Enlisting the help of a professional for installation will pay off in the end. This is not a flooring type that you can just glue or staple; rather, it requires knowledge and experience to install properly. The reason why I suggest that you always consult with a professional first is because these are expensive materials that will cost a lot to replace if something goes wrong.
Stapling and gluing sound simple, but the processes are much more complicated than they sound. You may end up spending much more money on new tools that are essential to the installation process. Finally, professionals know a lot about different types of wood, how these materials should be handled, contraction, gaps, how to deal with different unexpected situations, how to handle corners, uneven floors, and much more.
If you have basic knowledge of flooring, and are ready to learn, go ahead and try your hand at installation. This will best equip you to avoid any mishaps. The best way to budget for hardwood flooring is to calculate all the potential costs in advance. That way, there are no surprises. If you know in advance what your budget is, you can best determine what type of hardwood flooring fits within your parameters. And while solid and engineered hardwoods are priced similarly, you can expect to pay more in labor costs for solid hardwood flooring.
You can save even more money by installing engineered hardwoods yourself. However, even if you choose to hire a professional, there are ways to cut costs by doing some of the prep work yourself. Whichever material you choose, hardwood flooring is worth the investment.
It is an attractive and timeless look that will add warmth, beauty, and value to your home. If you have any comments or first-hand experiences with hardwood flooring, please post them below or share your pictures via our social media. Would Hickory hard wood flooring cost approximately the same? Would be more helpful if it listed the cost of different woods and the thickness of the planks. But, trim and molding are measured in linear feet. Just thought you might want to update that!
We recently installed about sq ft of solid oak hardwood flooring in our office. Easiklip is a floating clicklock system that uses an aluminum clip underneath each board to hold the planks together. Because the system is so easy to install with no nails or glue, this makes DIY installation very simple and also makes future repairs possible, quite easily. Two of us were able to complete the job in just 10 hours, with no previous hardwood flooring experience.
The product is aimed at the DIY market and it really is easy to install. Your email address will not be published. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible.
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Are you struggling and frustrated with the floor buying process? Let us help by connecting with one our certified Floor Critic Experts! Understand the difference between value, durability and great looking flooring. Learn which types of flooring will increase the value of your home. Is it time to replace your old floors? Plus, it is the number one flooring option that potential homebuyers are drawn to. What does it cost to install hardwood flooring?
That depends on a few factors. This means that if you have young children or pets, you should consider engineered wood. It is not unusual to see wood flooring throughout the entire home because of its longevity over carpet and tile. If treated well, the life of a wood floor can stretch to over forty years , and even then, it can be sanded, stained, and varnished—significantly cheaper than having it replaced.
To extend your floors durability and longevity, add a coating of a protective seal called a finish. These finishes are usually made of either polyurethanes or prefinished UV-cured urethane, oils, or oil hybrids. If you maintain a hardwood floor properly, it might never need refinishing. A solid wood floor can last from 20 to years without a refinish, depending on its thickness and quality.
Once your wood flooring is installed, the contractor installs trim molding on the base of the wall around the edges to hide any gaps. Even in the uncommon situation where there are no gaps, over time, with contraction and expansion of the wood and slight shifts in the foundation, they will become visible without trim being installed. Before installing new hardwood floors, you may have to remove your current floors if they do not create a proper surface.
The best thing you can do to save money is to shop around. To ensure that you remain within your budget, contact contractors to obtain an installation quote.
Also, ensure that the workspace is ready-to-go when contractors arrive. This means moving furniture and even removing old flooring. You can then purchase wood flooring yourself, pick it up, and bring it home. That way, the flooring company will only need to install the flooring — not supply it or remove your old floor. Last but not least, if you have a tight budget, consider the layout of your design and keep it as simple as possible. As soon as you request bordering or inlaid patterns, you can anticipate significantly higher costs.
When creating your shortlist of contractors, there are a few criteria you can consider that may help set your mind at ease. Look for contractors with some or many of the following boxes checked:. Whether you have recently bought a new home or plan to renovate your current residence, new flooring can make all the difference.
Although it is more expensive than other options on the market, it tends to be the preferred choice. Hardwood flooring is known for its warm, character-rich appearance, versatility, and durability. Also, hardwood floors add value to a home. Get free estimates.
How much will your hardwood floors cost? Hardwood Carpet Vs. Hardwood Tile Vs. Wood Flooring Grades Wood flooring typically comes in 3 different grades. Middle tier — These woods will be hardwood options, which are relatively common, including oak, teak, or American cherry.
Hardwood Flooring Grades Similar to traditional wood, engineered hardwood is offered at varying grades and price points: Lowest tier — This will be your most basic engineered hardwood, consisting of three layers, finished with a top layer of veneer. Middle tier — You can also invest in an upgraded version, which typically includes a five-layer core, finished with a thicker veneer.
Installation costs are generally the same. Highest tier — Top-of-the-line engineered hardwood can have as many as seven layers or more. The top veneer is also significantly thicker, and the layers are often made from exotic woods. Maple Hardwood Flooring This wood is sturdy and much more resistant to dents, making it a great material to use in high-traffic areas. Ash Hardwood Flooring Ash is durable and typically tough to stain hardwood.
Beyond the amount and type of flooring materials needed for your hardwood floor project, a few other factors play a role in how much installation costs. The same is true if you opt for complicated designs, such as a parquet floor or herringbone pattern. And if removing your old floor reveals damage such as rot or mold, additional labor and material costs may be incurred.
Paying a contractor to install your hardwood flooring makes up around half of the overall project cost, according to experts. Most contractors provide free estimates with a complete rundown of hardwood floor installation costs. As you can see, hardwood flooring can be pricey, so reducing installation costs is the goal of many homeowners.
Here are some tips for shaving a few bucks off the total cost of installing hardwood floors:. Choose a cheaper species of wood.
Try a mid-range wood such as maple, bamboo or oak instead of pricier mahogany or teak. Contractors charge a lot for extras like moving furniture or appliances and pulling up old carpet.
Do these things yourself to reduce your overall installation costs. If you have the time and possess basic carpentry skills — including the ability to use tools like sanders and power saws to make precision measurements and cuts — you may be able to install hardwood flooring yourself. Not installing a new floor can be a great way to save money, provided your existing hardwood floors are salvageable. If your floors are just a bit unsightly, it may be possible to refinish them instead of replacing them.
The refinishing process removes gouges and scratches that accumulate after years of wear and tear. Once refinished, hardwood floors tend to have a shiny, smooth surface. In the case of some engineered products, refinishing is not an option at all. Whether or not hardwood floor installation costs are worth it is truly subjective.
If you enjoy the look and beauty of hardwood flooring or if you have damaged flooring in need of replacement, installing hardwood floors can be a great option.
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