Hardwood how much

Being aware of the differences within each category allows you to select less-expensive options that work for you.

You may be able to refinish a worn-looking hardwood floor. This least-expensive option works best if you know you'll like the look of your current floor after it has been sanded and a fresh coat or two of finish has been applied. Solid hardwood can be refinished multiple times; engineered wood can be refinished fewer times. Most homeowners start shopping with appearance in mind: What color and shade would look best? Lovers of light-colored floors think of most basketball courts might prefer woods such as ash or maple.

Fans of medium-shade floors might favor hickory or oak. Aficionados of dark-colored floors think of the paneling in men's clubs in old movies might choose mahogany or walnut. Each species will have its own price range, with oak and hickory often at the lower end and mahogany at the higher end. The appearance of the wood's grain, which comes from the way the wood is cut at the sawmill, affects price.

Do you want the grain to run across the board, in wavelike patterns? That is a "plain-sawn" cut and is the least expensive.

Do you want the grain to run in lines down the length of the boards? Then you want a "quarter-sawn" or "rift-sawn" cut, which are more expensive than plain-sawn. Wood floors are graded by their physical characteristics. Planks are graded "clear" if they have uniform color and lack knots and wormholes.

A "select" grade goes to the natural look: wood with color variations, knots and mineral streaks. A "No. Generally speaking, wood graded clear is more expensive per square foot than select, and select is more expensive than common grades. You may find exceptions, especially during sales.

Once you've chosen the look you want, it's time to decide between solid wood and engineered hardwood. Solid wood is what it sounds like — the board or plank is cut straight from the tree. Available in the most popular species, including maple, hickory, and oak, you will also find different finishes, such as matte, semi-gloss, or gloss. Based on the number of engineered wood flooring options available today, you benefit from greater flexibility in regards to pricing and where you can install the wood.

In some cases, homeowners install engineered hardwood below ground level without any worry. Once again, this is possible because engineered hardwood offers greater heat and moisture resistance than solid woods. It can also be used in places that traditional hardwoods are not typically used, such as in the kitchen, in basements, or in high-humidity summer homes. To help guide your decision, here are some of the commonly used and requested solid hardwood species.

A softwood, pine isn't the best option when pets are in the house, as it can scratch and dent more easily than some of the other woods available. However, the appearance of pine is stunning, offering warm tones that range of beige to amber, vintage charm, and rustic knots throughout. This wood is sturdy and much more resistant to dents, making it a great material to use in high-traffic areas.

The only downside is that it can be harder to work with which is why professional assistance is recommended. The coloration ranges from white to a light red tone. Ash is durable and typically tough to stain hardwood. Its coloration ranges from soft tan to pale gray with a bold grain like oak.

Heartwood Ash varies from light tan to dark brown. Bamboo hardwood comes in a wide variety of colors with interesting patterns. Although it's not a real hardwood, it shares many characteristics such as water resistance, durability, and styles.

Hickory is a durable wood that embodies fantastic grain patterns with many color variations. Oak hardwood contains rich detailing and deep patterns and earth tones. Red Oak has a narrow but visible grain in reddish earth tones. This wood comes in many different exotic brownish shades with a distinctive grain. Whether you prefer bamboo or red oak, traditional hardwood costs less than engineered wood types. Remember, engineered wood flooring offers increased durability and higher moisture resistance.

This means that if you have young children or pets, you should consider engineered wood. It is not unusual to see wood flooring throughout the entire home because of its longevity over carpet and tile. If treated well, the life of a wood floor can stretch to over forty years , and even then, it can be sanded, stained, and varnished—significantly cheaper than having it replaced.

To extend your floors durability and longevity, add a coating of a protective seal called a finish. These finishes are usually made of either polyurethanes or prefinished UV-cured urethane, oils, or oil hybrids. If you maintain a hardwood floor properly, it might never need refinishing. In conjunction with this, demand for materials and construction jobs has skyrocketed.

As a result, material prices may be higher than those reported in this article, and lead times may be longer than usual for both labor and materials. In general, hardwood flooring is the most expensive material when it comes to flooring installation cost per square foot. However, these price points are rare, and most tile flooring installations will be considerably cheaper than hardwood.

The good news? Another great option is to shop around and consider searching for a warehouse that can sell you the flooring at wholesale prices. Padding is laid underneath the carpet for additional support and to absorb any spills that might occur. It often comes in three- or four-price points, from the most basic, contractor-grade offering to premium padding that feels similar to an upscale foam mattress.

Tile installations require the underlayment to prevent cracking from uneven surfaces, and hardwood installations rely on underlayment for a smooth installation surface, and to cut down on noise.

Still, others might expect you to do it yourself or hire a different company to handle it. Be sure to check with your flooring contractor to determine what costs you may be facing for the disposal and removal of your existing flooring. This is particularly the case with hardwood flooring, where you may need extra wood to install on stairs, as well as quarter rounds, nose molding, trim and other pieces.

While it may be cheaper to order materials yourself, a lack of knowledge when it comes to ordering the right parts and estimating extras could derail your project. Assuming the materials and labor costs listed above, the average cost to install flooring in a square-foot living space is:.

Solid hardwood flooring is all wood. This means it can be sanded and refinished many times. Most engineered wood only measures a few millimeters of real wood that can be refinished, and under that is plywood. Finding professional hardwood flooring installers who know how to install hardwood floors correctly is worth it. Installing a hardwood floor goes beyond measuring and gluing or nailing down floorboards.

A professional will know the correct installation technique, how to allow for adjustments for humidity and temperature, and whether to use a vapor barrier. They also have the skills to install custom patterns and exotic hardwoods as well as manipulate around features, such as fireplaces, closets, and counters.

Consider these questions to learn what type of hardwood flooring you need and how to estimate hardwood flooring cost. Installing hardwood flooring can be expensive and the additional costs associated with installation can quickly add up. One way to save money is to install the cheapest flooring option, but there are other ways to save money without compromising on the quality and style of wood flooring you really want.

Asking a hardwood flooring professional the right questions can help minimize miscommunication, save money, and get the desired results. Here are some questions to ask about hardwood flooring cost. Deciding on hardwood flooring and keeping the overall hardwood flooring cost down can be a daunting process. Here are some frequently asked questions about hardwood flooring cost to help guide you in your decision.

Some prefinished hardwood floors come with a year warranty. With regular care, a solid wood floor can last twice that long. The average warranty on engineered wood floors ranges from 10 to 30 years. Dust or sweep hardwood floors daily, vacuum weekly to avoid scratches, and use wood cleaner monthly to keep floors shiny.

Disclosure: BobVila. You agree that BobVila. All rights reserved. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. When shopping around for hardwood flooring, knowing the different options and how they affect the price will help keep your budget on track.

Need to replace your hardwood floors? It's probably best to call in a pro. Get free, no-commitment project estimates from licensed experts near you. Find a Pro. Worry-free hardwood floor installation. Pros do it right the first time. Maybe it's time for new hardwood floors. Knowledgeable experts at the ready. Leave your hardwood floors to the pros. Installing wood floors in your home? Find licensed flooring experts in your area and get free, no-commitment estimates for your project. Find Pros Now.

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