The Long-Term Benefits of Hardwood Flooring in Gainesville, FL

Your floors are a significant investment that will affect your home for decades. Hardwood and engineered hardwood flooring offer durability, longevity, and low maintenance. Our local wood floor installers detail the long-term benefits of hardwood flooring, providing you with ample information for when making your next flooring decision.

Durability

Daily use is unavoidable. Floors take a beating, especially in high-traffic areas. Luckily, hardwood floors are able to withstand heavy use from humans and pets.

Thanks to its tight grain structure, wood is able to withstand drops, scrapes, spills and other damage. Small nicks and scratches can blend in with the grain’s natural pattern.

The Janka scale, a force-measurement test, measures the hardness of wood and other materials. The higher the rating, the more durable a piece of wood is. Hickory grades out toughest, with maple and oak following closely behind. A softer wood, such as walnut, may dent more easily.

For those looking to minimize damage to their floors, especially those with pets and children, hickory is a premier choice.

Longevity

Wood flooring is a premium feature that homebuyers actively seek, boosting your property value and giving your space everlasting beauty.

Engineered hardwood lasts 25-50 years, depending on the thickness of the top hardwood veneer layer. The thicker the veneer layer, the longer your floors will last. Oak, maple, and hickory endure for lifetimes, withstanding over 100 years.

Because of its toughness, hickory is used in high-traffic areas of the home, such as walkways and kitchens. Red and white oak are best suited for bedrooms and living rooms. Walnut is typically avoided in heavily traveled areas because of its low toughness.

Engineered flooring is especially useful in kitchens and basements due to the protective top veneer, boasting strong protection against natural elements.

Low Maintenance

Typically paired with a synthetic finishing coat, wood provides strong strain and moisture resistance. Wood flooring allows for less allergens to accumulate in your home, keeping you and your family healthy.

Dust, dirt, grime and other pollutants are easily removed from wood flooring with minimal effort. Spills are easily cleaned. Occasional vacuuming, mopping and sweeping will keep your hardwood floors tidy. While companies sell specialty wood cleaners, water and soap is all that is required.

Versatility

Wood flooring is timeless. Offering different woods, stains and finishes, hardwood satisfies any look you’re going for, including classic, modern, rustic, and industrial.

Hickory, known for its rustic look, ranges from a reddish-brown to a cream tint. Oak is offered in red and white colors, catering to classic or modern styles. For a contemporary expression, maple displays reddish or golden undertones, but stains worse than oak or hickory.

Interested in a sophisticated look? Walnut showcases a rich-chocolate brown color that is sure to turn heads.

When the time comes, refinishing breathes new life into worn floors, restoring their original luster. This process is repeatable, keeping floors looking pristine for decades.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hardwood Flooring

What are my options for hardwood flooring in Gainesville, FL?

Common hardwood flooring selections include hickory, maple, white oak, red oak, walnut, and engineered wood.

Are hardwood floors good for Florida homes?

Hardwood floors look ageless, last a lifetime, and are hassle-free, making them a superb selection for Florida homes.

What is the best flooring for humidity in Florida?

Due to Florida’s climate, many homeowners opt for engineered hardwood because of its strong stability. Engineered hardwood lasts 25-50 years and reacts to Florida’s hot humidity better than solid wood choices.

Scheduling Hardwood Flooring Installation

Locally owned and armed with years of experience, our team at Straight Edge Tile & Flooring provides answers to questions about your next flooring project. Contact our hardwood floor installers today to request a free estimate.