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The start of August means Summer will soon be over and another back to school season will soon be upon us. But just as kids get ready for another school year, homeowners can also go back to school themselves. With kids back in class, homeowners can take some time to learn something new about home improvements. One aspect of home improvement that can provide a great look, but also a great return on investment is new hardwood floors. And, as hardwood has become more and more popular, surfacing options have increased to offer homeowners even more choices, including a wide variety of exotic colors and textures, to select for their homes. But before you go ripping out that carpet or tile, you should educate yourself on the different hardwood flooring options on the market today.
Many flooring experts and flooring companies will walk homeowners through the process, even if the homeowners are not quite sure what they want. For example, Lumber Liquidators, the largest independent retailer of flooring in the United States, enjoys helping customers during this learning stage. At Lumber Liquidators, we are always happy to help people find the floor that is right for them, said Tom Sullivan, founder and chairman of Lumber Liquidators.
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood floors are known for their beauty and durability, and provide the look of luxury, making them perfect for any room of the home and a much more attractive choice than carpet. Because solid hardwood can be re-sanded over and over, it can last for 100 years, much longer than any carpeted floor. Plus, solid hardwood is easy to clean and maintain making it a good flooring choice for allergy sufferers.
Bamboo
With the growing interest in environmentally friendly, renewable products, bamboo flooring has become a popular option for homeowners. Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth making it an ecologically sound choice in flooring. Bamboo is actually a grass and has an extensive root system that creates new bamboo shoots and requires no replanting. The bamboo that Lumber Liquidators uses in its floors is at least four years old, thereby increasing hardness. Bamboo floors create a naturally beautiful, eco-friendly product to provide a feeling of luxury in any home.
Cork
Cork flooring is another option for those who want renewable materials in their home. It is durable, acoustical and an insulator making it a great option for those high-traffic areas of your home. Cork flooring comes from harvesting the outer bark of the Cork Oak tree and is considered a renewable product because the same tree can be harvested numerous times. Cork is also a great choice for bathrooms and basements as it has a natural resistance to mold and deals well in high-moisture areas.
Engineered
Engineered hardwood floors make an excellent choice over concrete sub-floors, radiant heat or areas with high moisture. Engineered hardwood floors are usually offered in glue-down or nail-down and handscraped/antique options. Engineered hardwood flooring is produced by adhering a layer of real hardwood to a plywood backing or MDF. Since it is bonded together, this type of flooring is less likely to be affected by changes in humidity, making it perfect for areas with high moisture such as bathrooms and basements.
Laminate
Laminate flooring is durable and low-maintenance, making it a good choice for those high-traffic rooms. They are also nice for the homeowner on a budget. These floors mimic the look of hardwood at a more reasonable price. Laminate flooring is typically constructed with a high-density fiber board core, sandwiched between a melamine laminate backing, high-quality photographic paper with an image of wood and a ceramic finish, abrasion-resistant laminate top. Laminate floors are often available in multiple widths.
By doing your research on the different types of hardwood floors and how they would work in your home, youll be well on your way to getting an A in home improvements.
To learn more about hardwood flooring, visit your local Lumber Liquidators store, or visit www.lumberliquidators.com.
article at HomeRenovationGuide.com