At some point, a homeowner may need to go through the process of upgrading their flooring. This can be necessary to either repair a home that has suffered extensive flooring damage or to give an older home a fresh, new look. When evaluating the various flooring systems that can be used, it can be useful to consider a few factors about flooring systems that are made of wood.
Consider The Benefits Of Engineered Wood Flooring
There are many different types of wood flooring that a homeowner can choose to have installed, but engineered flooring can be beneficial for several reasons. One of the most noticeable will be this flooring's lower cost when compared to solid planks of traditional hardwood flooring. However, this is not the only benefit that this flooring system can provide. Engineered flooring will be distinctive due to the fact that it is created by sandwiching numerous smaller planks of wood together. This can give the engineered wood flooring more flexibility so that it will be less prone to buckling, shifting or other problems that can occur as hardwood flooring settles.
Understand The Role The Finish Will Play In The Flooring
The finish that you apply to your wood flooring can be another critical aspect of your new floors. Homeowners may assume that the finish is strictly to give the flooring a more polished and attractive look. Yet, the finish can also play a major role in protecting the wood flooring from some common damages. For example, it is common for wood flooring finishes to be able to offer protection against moisture and staining. When you are choosing a finish for your new floors, you will want to also consider the protections that it can offer in addition to the impacts it can have on the look of the flooring.
Protect Wood Flooring That Is Near Windows
The wood floors that are near windows can be especially vulnerable to suffering damage from the ultraviolet rays of light that can enter through the window and shine on the floors. Choosing a finish that is able to protect the floors against ultraviolet light can be the most convenient solution. However, if you have already chosen a finish that does not offer protection against ultraviolet light, your floors may still be vulnerable to bleaching. In these situations, you may avoid the need to replace the finish by applying a film to the windows that can block the ultraviolet light from entering. These films can effectively stop this light from entering while still allowing you to see out the windows with ease.
To learn more, contact a resource like New York Hardwood Floors.