Beauty and durability come naturally to hardwood floors. Not only are you adding a luxurious feel to your home, but you are also adding value. Have you been wondering where you can find hardwood flooring nearby? Jims Carpet One Floor & Home in Fort Dodge, Iowa, is all about adding value to your home through flooring. We have the professionals on staff to help you pick out the best hardwood floor for your home that fits your design needs and budget.

Hardwood is a time-tested durable flooring solution for your home. It is known to add value to your home not only with its unmatched characteristics but also its long-lasting reputation. With hardwood flooring, you can transform a plain space into one that is elegant, warm, and inviting. Hardwood can handle a lot of everyday challenges that you throw at it, and as long as you keep a regular cleaning schedule you can expect your floors to last their life expectancy.

What are the Different Types of Hardwood?

Not all hardwood flooring is the same. It comes in different styles and different species. Today’s popular wood looks include traditional styles as well a rustic style, which emphasizes hardwood’s natural character. The different styles of hardwood are characterized by features such as plank length and width, wood grains, color, shine, and even texture. The different hardwood options include maple, cherry, oak, and birch, among others.

How Does Humidity Affect Hardwood?

Since wood is naturally porous, it absorbs moisture, which leads to the planks swelling and warping in wet conditions. During the dry winter months, hardwood planks can shrink and become brittle. This may cause cracks and splintering. It will also create gapping between the floor boards, which is an issue because dirt, grime, and debris can then get lodged between the planks.

When it comes to keeping your wood floors beautiful, we recommend using a humidifier in the winter. This will help condition the wood and keep it subtle and strong. In the summer, you can use a dehumidifier to help keep your indoor air moisture levels between 35-55%. This is particularly important in basements, crawl spaces, and anywhere that you experience above-normal levels of moisture and humidity. Moisture barriers, which are a protective layer that blocks water seeping up through the subfloor from impacting your wood floors, are also useful in these spaces.

Is Solid or Engineered Hardwood Better?

When it comes to selecting hardwood floors, there are a variety of choices to compare. Different species of hardwood differ in strength and color, so if you need a floor to stand up to heavy foot traffic or children and pets, choose something like an engineered hardwood that is more stable. You can even choose between unfinished and finished hardwood for a customized look. There are only two different hardwood constructions available which are solid and engineered.

Solid hardwood is considered the original hardwood option. Its simple construction allows the natural characteristics of wood to stick out. Solid hardwood adds value and elegance to any room it is installed in. Engineered hardwood features a modern construction which is made up of multiple wood layers pressed together in cross-grain directions. This type of construction allows engineered hardwood to resist the natural tendency of hardwood to expand and contract, and also makes the planks more stable.

Hardwood Installation

Installing a hardwood floor in your home is an investment, but it’s definitely worth it. Hardwood floors are durable and last a long time when properly taken care of. Keep your hardwood floors away from areas with high moisture and humidity. Instead, have them installed in bedrooms or living rooms. Be sure to regularly clean them, not only will they look better, but they will also keep their sheen for longer. Solid hardwood performs best in dry, cool climates, but adjustments can be made to install hardwood in areas with some moisture. They perform best in bedrooms, living rooms, home offices, and dining rooms. You can install engineered wood planks on all levels of your home and can even withstand areas with moisture like basements and kitchens. If you have an active household with children and pets running around, engineered planks are your best option if you are looking for a long-lasting durable floor.

Hardwood Flooring Near Me

We are your locally owned and operated flooring resource. As a member of the Carpet One Floor & Home cooperative, we are able to compete with the big box stores and deliver name brand flooring at exceptional values. We also supply our own exclusive brands like Rustic River™, Invincible™, and Voyager™. To learn more about hardwood, contact Jims Carpet One Floor & Home in Fort Dodge, IA, or browse our hardwood selection online now! 

Choosing the Best Hardwood   Choosing the right hardwood floor depends on the needs of the room you are installing it in. If your room sees a lot of traffic, then you may want an option that is sturdy and stable.     LEARN MORE