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Selecting the perfect hardwood flooring for your home demands careful consideration of your overall theme, installation requirements and your budget.

You need to be familiar with the different styles of hardwood flooring so you can make an informed choice between products. You will save money by selecting the correct hardwood flooring for your project and the result will be something you can be proud of and enjoy for many years.

Wood Planks

Hardwood flooring styles over about 4” wide are considered planks. Typical widths range from 4” to 6” although you can get planks up to 12” wide. The problem with going too wide is that there is more expansion and contraction across the grain with the wider planks and you can end up with gaps between the planks.

Engineered Hardwood

Engineered flooring is made of layers of wood laminated in alternating grains, like plywood, so it’s very stable for floors. This is the best choice of hardwood flooring if the flooring is being laid on concrete or in the basement since it won’t expand with the higher moisture levels. It has a thin veneer or wear layer of actual hardwood on top so it can only be refinished a limited number of times.

Reclaimed Wood

Reclaimed wood flooring is one of the hottest trends right now. The reclaimed wood comes from railroad trestles, old barns or logs that had sunk during their delivery trips down river. Recycling the wood is environmentally friendly, but it also gives you wood with incredible character and a unique history. Reclaimed wood is a perfect complement to a rustic or log cabin design.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is not really hardwood but instead a picture of hardwood laminated onto man-made material. One of the most inexpensive types of flooring and generally the easiest to put in yourself, very good quality laminate flooring is durable and scratch-resistant for pet owners. Often available as a floating floor where the laminate strips click together for fast installation.

By carefully considering your budget along with the distinctive appeal of each of these styles of hardwood flooring, you can find the perfect fit for you to establish the overall look and feel of your home.

For more information about hardwood flooring or to learn about choices for cabin flooring, visit Log Cabin Connection.

Brian Gabriel is a licensed contractor, mechanical engineer and log home builder in the mountains of western North Carolina. He is the author and designer of the website Log Cabin Connection, created to offer advice, tips, ideas and resources related to log cabins.

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