Real estate surveys have found that for most prospective homeowners, hardwood floors are one of their top preferences. Wood flooring never goes out of style and can actually increase your home's property value. When it comes time to replace your flooring, hardwood floors are a high-quality, luxurious option and they are a whole lot easier to maintain - likely lasting you for years and years. It's hard to overstate the enduring warmth and beauty of hardwood flooring underfoot when it comes to home design and decor -- hardwood flooring literally goes with any style of decor from Mid-Century Modern to Shabby Chic. Additionally, hardwood floors are perfect for every lifestyle because they are tough, long-wearing, and can stand up to foot traffic, pets, and kids. For quality hardwood flooring installation, some of the best companies include Home Depot, Lowe's, and Sears. Check out these most frequently asked questions to learn more.
Like most flooring installers, The Home Depot uses a variety of calculations to arrive at a cost per square foot. For example, for engineered hardwood flooring, the costs include $3.50 for installation, $2.40 for materials, and .50 for underlayment, totaling $6.40 per square foot.
Engineered hardwood consists of multiple layers, with a top layer of 100% natural wood, it less likely to shift, expand, or contract, so it's a great option over concrete or in conditions with moisture. Solid hardwood is exactly that - each plank is milled from a single piece of wood.
The modern alternative to solid wood is available in natural woods such as hickory, birch, oak, or maple. The most common way to install engineered wood involves clicking the panels together over the subfloor, rather than gluing. This is preferable over tile, cement, or radiant heat.
Many studies have shown hardwood flooring to be a superior choice over carpeting and tile for interior environments. Hardwood has embossing, grout lines, or fibers no fibers that can trap allergens such as dust, pollen, and animal dander. They are the flooring of choice for better indoor air quality.
Lowe's offer the Lowe's Advantage Project Financing option for projects that cost more than $2,000, if you ask for it at the time you purchase your hardwood flooring and installation. They offer 36, 60, and 84 monthly payment plans at rates between 3.99% APR and 7.99% APR until paid in full.
No matter whether you have solid hardwood or engineered hardwood flooring, the method to clean them is the same. The first step is to sweep your floors daily with a soft cloth dustmop. Mop the floors with a commercial wood-cleaning product, like Murphy's Oil Soap, then damp-mop with clear water and let dry.
Yes, many people are surprised to learn that Sears also offers professional flooring installation services. Not only do they provide quality installation, but they also offer free at-home consultations with a Sears expert who can help you choose the flooring that's right for your home and budget.
There is a species of wood for every taste. Red oak is the standards, but Ipe and Brazilian are the hardest, while hickory, maple, oak, and acacia fall somewhere in the middle. The least durable is pine, but it's the wood of choice for many country homes.