Hardwood flooring remains the outstanding choice in all flooring categories. Remarkable in its character and graining, hardwoods are being replicated today more than any other time in the history of flooring in wood-look composite and even tile floors. Perhaps, this is the draw for builders choosing all different styles of hardwood when completing their spec homes. Read on as we define the beauty of real hardwood floors.
At Home With Hardwoods
One of our recent projects was working directly with local contractor RK Builders, Inc. to provide and install this stunning selection throughout their spec home in Paso Robles. We suspect their selection of lighter greige tones that beautifully contrasted with the black accents, was the key to selling this home before completion!
From New Builds To Remodels
With 85,000 views on our Google business page, this King City home’s transformation is truly remarkable thanks to the beauty of the hardwood flooring, and all of the customer’s choices in bringing all the beautiful finishes together. Many thanks to our local general contractor, Tom Salcido of King City, California, for selecting Knight’s to provide and install these beautiful hardwood floors.
Which Wood Is Right For You?
Selecting the right hardwood floor for your home or office, you need to consider the hardness factor. The ‘Jenka Test’ measures the resistance to denting and wear, thus giving you a good range of which wood will work best for you.
If you’ve ever watched HGTV’s home remodel shows, you know that many 50-year-plus solid hardwood floors are uncovered under layers of carpet and linoleum, and refinished to their original beauty. Truly, an amazing find! With proper maintenance, your hardwood flooring may just outlast you!
The Other Hardwood
Coming in with a 1,300 to 1,400 rating on the Jenka scale is Bamboo Flooring. You may be surprised to learn that many types are harder than oak floors, but not all bamboo floors are alike. To achieve longevity in your bamboo floor, you’ll want to look for a solid or engineered strand woven bamboo.
Naturally eco-friendly and sustainable, bamboo flooring has a unique look.
Solid or Engineered?
Decisions . . . Decisions . . . Decisions . . .
Are you still contemplating which type of hardwood floor will work best for you?
Meet the decision maker!
For homes that are built on a concrete slab, engineered hardwood floors should be your first choice as they are easier to install and are designed to perform on concrete slabs.
Of course, if you have your heart set on a solid hardwood floor and you also have a concrete slab, you’ll need to have a subfloor built over the concrete slab - it’s doable!
For those of you that have a subfloor foundation - lucky you! A solid hardwood floor is a great choice that with proper maintenance will become your forever floor. To rest on your final decision please consider your desired plank width, you may want to consider an engineered hardwood which has more stability in wider widths.
Through body color
It’s ‘True’! Weathered, rustic, and aged the color goes throughout the surface layer in our Hallmark Hardwoods True collection of engineered flooring.
Photo: Lemon Grass Oak
To see the entire collection, click the pic or visit our showroom.
Defining & Designing Hardwood Floors
One of the things we love most about hardwood floors are all of the design elements that come into being! In spaces where you want a focal point, installing the hardwood in a pattern paints a pretty picture. Consider the combination of tile and hardwood in entryways, and take your design to the next level by designing custom area rugs. Carry that look through to the stairway and hallway. Yes, you still have decisions to make, but these are the enjoyable ones!
First: Choose pattern, placement, and the direction you want to run your hardwood.
A Home’s First Impression Is The Entryway
The flooring is the first thing you see when entering a home. It is the first impression, and a wonderful opportunity to take advantage of designing a grand entrance. The selections you make here should carry throughout your home for the ultimate effect. To see our designer’s tips, please click on any of the above pics.
Stair-Spiration
The stairs are the design element you don’t want to miss out on! Creating custom stair runners not only protects the hardwood in this high-traffic area but brings richness to your overall interior design theme. Design tip: Go bold with unexpected carpet patterns, and carry that look throughout your home with coordinating hallway runners and area rugs. The selections are endless!
Area Rugs, The Final Touch
When living on hardwood floors, one of the best ways to define your spaces is with custom area rugs. We know, you love the look of your floors so much that you are hesitant to cover them up. We get it, but have a look! The area rugs actually complement and bring out the natural beauty of your hardwood floors. It’s time to put on your interior design hat and join our design team as we take you on a room-by-room walkthrough featuring custom area rugs.
Do you Have Questions???
We Have The Answers!
To bring out the beauty of your hardwoods, always contrast the colorways - lighter hardwoods to darker cabinets and vis a versa.
For selections with random lengths, know your lengths. Some plank sizes are too short (12 inches) and will also come with too many shorter lengths.
When installing a hardwood pattern, know that you’ll need to order about 10% extra and that you will have waste. Many manufacturers now provide prefabricated patterns in engineered hardwood flooring that will save you on labor, time, and materials.
Please know that larger dogs and hardwoods are not the best together. Their claws will scratch your floors.
For shorter lead times, buy MADE IN THE USA products
Always, always, always work with a reputable flooring company! You’ve taken your time and money to invest in a quality floor and need to be rewarded with a professional installation. Consider this: professional hardwood installers are true craftsmen in their trade.