How to select the best hardwood flooring for your home or office

No doubt about it. Hardwood flooring is beautiful, warm, and classic.
The gorgeous undertones themselves are enough to make anyone say, "Wow!" There's so much from which to choose it's easy to get distracted by the beauty, but you do need to think about some things first.
Tampa Flooring Gallery & Tampa Contract Floors would love to tell you more and show you samples of our hardwood flooring in Tampa.
We’re family-owned with over 125 years of experience and can help you bring your vision to life. Following is a little guide to help you find the best wood floors.

How are solid hardwood flooring and engineered hardwood flooring different?

Solid hardwood flooring is, as the name implies, one slab throughout the thickness. The other construction is engineered hardwood flooring. That is the only difference—and it’s this that makes engineered flooring more stable and better able to handle water—making it a popular choice for hardwood flooring in Tampa.

At the top of engineered flooring is a slice of wood species where you’ll see knots, grains, swirls, and undertones. Underneath are three or more layers of genuine wood combined with a little resin. These layers are placed in a crosswise position. With engineered flooring, there is more flexibility since it can be installed in some higher-than-normal moisture areas where solid isn’t recommended.

Both types add value to your home and can be sanded and refinished. Solid has a tongue-and-groove installation, which is then nailed or glued. Engineered also offers the floating floor technique. Pieces click together like a tongue and groove to form a mat. Then, it becomes a loose lay—just hovering over the existing subfloor with no staples, nails, or adhesive needed.

Thickness is also something important to note for both types. This determines how many times, either solid or engineered, can be sanded and refinished. The thicker, the better. The ideal for solid is ¾-inch, and engineered ranges from ⅝ to ½-inch.

Hardwood flooring is a matter of style

Light and airy? Contemporary? Traditional? There are many domestic and exotic species from which to choose, but these five are the most commonly selected: oak, maple, cherry, walnut, and hickory. Keep in mind that there's both red oak and white oak, so ask your flooring pro about the difference.

Consider plank size. Currently, wider planks are trending. They tend to be more traditional, and the extra space means you see more knots and grains. Narrow planks are more contemporary and tend to be better for smaller spaces.

For more information about hardwood flooring, visit the Tampa Flooring Gallery & Tampa Contract Floors showroom in Tampa, FL. We serve the entire greater Tampa area and don’t forget to ask about our estimates.