Bringing beauty and value to every space, hardwood flooring is always in style. At Modern Carpet One Floor & Home of Lanham, Maryland, we love hardwood just as much as you do and can help you find the perfect solid or engineered hardwood options to update your home or business. Hardwood flooring has an extensive tradition of increasing curb appeal and adding a touch of luxury. That being said, understanding the different types of hardwood flooring, and the correct way to install them will go a long way in ensuring your long-term goals. Here’s a quick and concise guide to hardwood flooring.

Hardwood Styles

From classical to contemporary, there are thousands of different hardwood products. Modern hardwood is designed to integrate with all types of décor motifs. Whether you prefer wide and rustic planks or sleek and streamlined boards, there’s a hardwood option that’s the perfect match in all your favorite finishes, stains, and colors.

Types of Wood

Hardwood flooring can be manufactured from many different species of trees. Hardwood can be either domestic or exotic. Some of the most popular domestic options include pine and oak; exotic choices include mahogany and teak. One important thing to bear in mind: each wood species has different degrees of hardness, so it’s critical you choose one that meets your performance goals.

• Solid vs. Engineered Hardwoods: Solid hardwood and engineered hardwood are nearly impossible to tell apart upon a glance. Despite this fact, there are some significant distinctions to consider.

• Solid Hardwood Flooring: Solid hardwood is hardwood in its traditional form. With each plank consisting of one single, solid hunk of wood, solid hardwood can be refinished repeatedly. Solid hardwood has its limits, though. It cannot be installed below grade.

• Engineered Hardwood Flooring: Engineered hardwood, a newer alternative, is constructed using up to seven layers of hardwood, plywood, and natural resins. The result is a denser, more durable floor that can manage heavier use. It can be installed below grade and tends to be more affordable.

• Where to Install Hardwood Flooring: Hardwood flooring should never be used in a kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room. This type of flooring fares best in dry, quieter rooms. Engineered options offer up additional flexibility. Choose engineered flooring for a finished basement.

How Does Humidity Affect Hardwood Flooring?

Hardwood flooring is always a luxurious addition to your home or business, but finding the right products to suit your style, site, and functional needs takes careful thought. With hazy and humid summers, along with freezing winters in our region, the selection of new flooring should always be handled carefully. As the seasonal climate shifts, so will your flooring challenges. Relative humidity, which is the name for the water vapor levels in your home’s air, poses an ongoing presence that can strain your floors over time. For instance, a relative humidity level that’s too high will result in swollen floor planks that will ultimately warp and crack. On the other hand, you don’t want your relative humidity level to fall too low either, since the result can often be shrinking planks. To avoid any potential flooring flaws, we recommend maintaining a relative humidity level that’s a consistent 42 percent. Using tools like hydrometers and humidistats is the easiest way to accomplish this, while insulated drapes, dehumidifiers, and air conditioners can also help.

Our Hardwood Selection

Modern Carpet & Flooring is proud to be a member of Carpet One Floor & Home. We’re an independently owned and operated member of the world’s largest flooring cooperative, giving us an unmatched variety of brands and purchasing power. To learn more about our latest hardwood flooring options or browse our product displays, please visit us at our showroom or check out our selection of hardwood flooring online.