Hardwood flooring is a classic that’s always worth considering. Adding natural beauty and distinction to all types of settings, hardwood is made to stand the test of time. At Martin’s Carpet One Floor & Home you’ll encounter stunning hardwood options for a full range of budgets and needs.
Proudly serving greater Lancaster County, including the communities of Wyomissing and Denver, PA, we’re your trusted destination for all types of solid and engineered hardwood options, including beautiful selections by Armstrong. Are you thinking of installing a new hardwood floor sometime soon? Here are some things to keep in mind as you navigate your selections.
What’s your signature style? Regardless of your answer, we promise there’s a hardwood to match. Hardwood flooring is offered up in a wide range of finishes, species, shades, and sizes everything from weathered, vintage charm to sleek, glossy modern.
Hardwood flooring is made using many different types of woods, with each tree species offering varying levels of hardness. Hardwood flooring can be either domestic or exotic. Domestic species, such as pine and oak, tend to be most popular. Exotic species, like mahogany, add an air of luxury and distinction.
Solid hardwood and engineered hardwood are similar in appearance but perform quite differently. Made from single, solid hunks of natural wood, solid hardwood is the original way to enjoy hardwood flooring. If situated and installed properly, solid hardwood has incredible staying power as it can be refinished over and over again. However, solid hardwood shouldn’t be exposed to frequent moisture and it can never be used below grade.
Engineered hardwood, comprised of up to seven layers of natural woods and resins, is a denser flooring that’s a lot more forgiving. Engineered planks are much less likely to shrink or expand with the changing seasons. They can be used below grade and can manage a fair degree of moisture.
Hardwood flooring is pretty hard to resist, with its many stunning attributes and its sheer ability to add both value and visual interest. If installed in the right setting, your hardwood floor can last for a number of decades. However, it’s very important to keep your home’s interior climate in mind before making any permanent installation. The level of water in the air, referred to as “relative humidity,” should be monitored before and after you install hardwood. The reasons for this: a higher humidity level will cause your hardwood planks to swell up, while a lower humidity level can actually shrink those planks. Both can cause unsightly damages, such as cracking and gapping, as time marches on. Using tools like humidifiers and hydrometers are great ways to keep your relative humidity on course for a healthy floor. Ideally, you’ll want to keep your room at around 42% humidity. Running an air conditioner during the hotter seasons will help you greatly with this.
We recommend you select your hardwood carefully, paying careful attention to your space’s typical activity level and relative humidity. As a rule, hardwood flooring should best be avoided in the bathroom or kitchen and performs best in quiet, dry settings. Engineered hardwood products do offer a fair degree of flexibility if one has small children or pets in the home.
We’re proud to be part of North America’s largest cooperative of independently owned and operated flooring stores. Offering up an expansive inventory of hardwood brands, our store is always your first and last stop when it’s time for an upgrade on your floors. For more information on our hardwood options, or to speak with one of our flooring advisors, please visit us soon.
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Caring for Hardwood
Hardwood is relatively easy to care for, once you have the proper cleaning supplies. Learn more about how to care for your hardwood. LEARN MORE |