If you’re thinking about getting a new floor in a room or area of your home, you may be asking the question, “Why should I consider a wood floor? What are the benefits of choosing this option?” There’s no beating around the bush – wood flooring is among the more expensive options when considering a new floor covering. But if you’re someone who thinks in terms of quality and lifespan, it’s just simply the way to go.

In terms of a solid wood floor, either factory pre-finished or finished onsite, some of the greatest advantages are as follows:

• It can be sanded and refinished multiple times, significantly increasing the lifespan of your floor

• It can usually be screened and recoated (depending on the cleaning products used) with a new coat of finish any number of times for a fresh look

• It can sustain heavy traffic (unlike carpet for instance, which quickly becomes worn and flattened, and quickly collects dust and dirt)

• An area rug can be put wherever you desire, giving you even more options for your floor

• The variety and availability of wood flooring products are numerous, and there’s guaranteed to be something that suits your taste

• For a site-finished wood floor, stain color and sheen level are custom selected by you – the homeowner

• All of the many available options of wood flooring to choose form add lasting value to your home.

• In our opinion, the warmth and feel of a quality wood floor simply cannot be matched.

Unlike other floor coverings, solid wood is able to be finished on-site. Specifically, the refinishing process is great for giving an existing floor an entirely new look while saving the time and expense of replacement. This can be done either with new unfinished wood installations as well as refinishing of most existing wood floors.

A screen and recoat is the process of adding a new coat of finish to your floor. While it will not eliminate all scratches and imperfections as the full sand and finish process does, it can revive the look of your floor. Note that not all wood floors can be screened and recoated. A floor needs to be evaluated to see if it is a candidate for this process. Though it has its limitations, if your floor is suitable for recoating this can be a great way to refresh your existing floor finish – with a lesser investment of time and money.

A common hardwood flooring is Oak, due to its availability, durability, and reasonable price. But the options are numerous. From exotic hardwoods such as Brazilian Cherry and Mahogany, to Oak, Maple, and Hickory, to softwoods such as Pine and Fir, all with different grains, grades, and appearances suited to different tastes.

A site-finished floor puts you completely in charge of selecting the color and sheen level you desire. As the homeowner, you get to decide what color you want, as well as the sheen level (gloss, semi-gloss, or satin). Even Tung Oil finish affords color and sheen options; we often suggest this option specifically for softwood floors. The opportunity to upgrade to a commercial grade finish is also available.

There’s a general consensus that a wood floor adds value to a home – just ask a Realtor! If you’re ever considering selling your home and want to find ways to increase its value, adding a new wood floor or refinishing your existing is a great way to do so. It’s aesthetically pleasing, easy to maintain, and a focal point of the home.