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FLOORING

Q. We were thinking of installing a wood floor and would like to know if one species is better than another. Is there a difference in hardwoods?

Great question, and the answer is YES! There are dozens of species of wood from which to choose, and they all have unique characteristics that make them special. That said, there is no one right answer as to which floor is better since that depends on whatever you wish to accomplish with your new floor. Let’s say that you wish to apply a stain on your floor to give it color. Northern Red Oak floors are known for readily accepting stains, whereas many others might not accept them as well. Another species, Brazilian Cherry, is known for being exceptionally hard and having a beautiful rich appearance, but because it tends to darken with age, it shows dust easily and might be considered higher maintenance. An American Cherry floor has a wonderful and beautiful look to it, but it dents very easily and hence is known as a very “soft” hardwood, as is pine. Pet owners might be advised to steer clear of softer hardwood species. However, they might appeal to people who want their floor to have a lot of character, charm and patina as it ages. Maple floors have always been popular, but they are harder to stain, so most people leave them natural. In the end, think about your budget, how you want your floors to look and how you will use them, and then talk it over with your flooring contractor. Keep in mind, regardless of the species, all floors will all need to be maintained every several years with a simple buff and coat to keep the finish looking clean and fresh while keeping the floors protected.

ask an expert Ray Horan is the owner of Buff & Coat Hardwood Floor Renewal based in Naperville. Buff & Coat specializes in renewing hardwood floors in one day with a dustless and odorless process. If you have questions you would like answered about your hardwood floors, please call 630-689-3800 or email them to rayhoran@buffandcoat.com .