If you’re in search of a flooring option that will never go out of style, you cannot go wrong with hardwood floors. Abatiello Design Center has experienced professional installers on staff, and our design specialists can help you choose the best look for your home. When it comes to wood flooring in Vermont, no one offers a greater wealth of expertise and quality craftsmanship.
Find your perfect hardwood floors with Abatiello Design Center
Engineered Wood Floors vs. Solid Hardwood Floors
A top consideration for installing hardwood floors is choosing between engineered hardwood and solid wood.
Solid Wood
Engineered Wood
Appearance
Solid Wood
Solid wood floors, as you might expect, are constructed from solid wood planks that are 100% hardwood. Therefore, they can be stripped and refinished again and again to last a lifetime.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood floors have a hardwood veneer on the top and bottom of each plank with a core of several layers of plywood configured in a crisscross pattern. This adds exceptional stability and moisture resistance along with a wider range of design potential. With engineered floors, you’ll be able to explore the use of exotic wood species, color effects, and wider plank sizes.
Lifespan
Solid Wood
Solid hardwood typically lasts at least 30 years and as much as 100 years, since it can be sanded down and refinished several times.
Engineered Wood
Engineered hardwood flooring generally lasts 20 to 30 years.
Water and Heat Resistance
Solid Wood
Solid hardwood is not recommended for installation against concrete slabs, since humidity migrating through the concrete can cause solid hardwood to swell and warp.
Engineered Wood
Engineered hardwood has slightly better performance in humid locations since its plywood construction makes it more stable and less susceptible to warping. If installation against a concrete subfloor is necessary, engineered hardwood is the choice.
Care and Cleaning
Both types of flooring are relatively easy to care for, requiring simple sweeping and cleaning with an approved wood cleaner. Avoid using water or steam to clean any wood floor.
Durability and Maintenance
Solid Wood
Solid hardwood is slightly superior here, since it can be sanded down and refinished several times over its lifespan.
Engineered Wood
Engineered hardwood can be refinished once, or at most twice, before the surface hardwood layer is exhausted.
Resale Value
Solid Wood
In appearance, solid hardwood is not noticeably different from engineered hardwood, but real estate professionals and potential home buyers may place a premium on a solid hardwood floor for its greater longevity.
Engineered Wood
Engineered hardwood flooring will rarely be a turn-off to prospective buyers, though they may recognize that these floors have a shorter lifespan.
Interested in learning about the benefits of wood floors? Call our Vermont office (802) 773-6300 or schedule a consultation.
While the upfront costs of hardwood flooring are higher than other flooring options, there are many benefits that can make hardwood a worthwhile investment.
Wide range of design potential
Hardwood flooring offers a wide range of design potential with varying wood types, stains, and plank sizes, so you can truly adapt it to any interior design motif.
Resale value of your home
Installing wood floors can add lasting value to your home, so you will see positive returns if you ever decide to sell your house or properties one day in the future.
Sustainable and renewable resource
Hardwood is also easy to maintain, and it’s a sustainable, renewable resource that capture the beauty so you can feel good about featuring it in your home.
Interested in learning about the benefits of wood floors? Call our Vermont office today to schedule a consultation.
There are several wood species that lend themselves well to flooring. However, any type of hardwood flooring will require professional installation to ensure an even floor surface that’s ready to stand the test of time. Here’s a closer look at some of the most popular choices we install.
Hickory
Hickory is a classic choice for wood flooring that requires minimal maintenance and is among the most water-resistant options. Hickory floors range from brown to reddish-beige and include distinctive grain patterns with knots and mineral streaks.
Very hard, strong, stiff and heavy level of density
1,880 Hardness Rating
Moderately coarse open grain pattern
Maple
Maple is among the hardest wood species, so it’s a natural choice for durable wood floors. Maple floors are lighter in color with a white to reddish-brown hue, and they offer a subtle grain pattern that’s ideal for larger rooms.
Hard, heavy and strong level of density
1,450 Hardness Rating
Uniform texture with generally straight grain pattern
Oak
Both red oak and white oak are classic choices for wood floors. Red oak is slightly lighter in color with a reddish tint, and white oak is a rich medium brown. Both feature medium to heavy graining patterns and are highly resistant to scratches and scuffs.
Very hard, strong and heavy level of density
1,360 Hardness Rating
Uneven texture with generally straight grain pattern
Walnut
Walnut is another softer hardwood that may be more prone to scratching, but it offers an undeniably beautiful aesthetic thanks to its rich brown hue and heavy graining patterns.
Fairly light weight level of density
1,010 Hardness Rating
Medium texture with dramatic grain pattern
Cherry
Cherry floors only get better with age, as they’re known for a deepening tone that takes on a rich red tone after a few years. Cherry wood is softer than other hardwoods, but it can still stand up to daily wear and tear in the average home.
Medium weight, hard, stiff and strong level of density
995 Hardness Rating
Smooth and closed grain pattern
Why choose Abatiello Design Center for your hardwood flooring installation?
Vermont's based
We are locally-owned and known throughout Vermont for an exceptional variety of hardwood flooring options.
Professional installers
We also have professional installers on staff, to ensure an even floor surface that’s ready to stand the test of time.
Quality craftsmanship
We offers a great wealth of expertise and quality craftsmanship of hardwood flooring service.
Free consultation
Call us at (802) 773- 6300 to schedule an in-home design consultation and get a free estimate for your project.
Interested in learning more? Find out what more Vermont’s preferred flooring company can help you with.
Find your perfect hardwood floors with Abatiello Design Center. Call us today at (802) 773-6300 to schedule an in-home design consultation or stop by our showroom to explore your options.