When it comes to home remodeling, upgrading your flooring can add warmth, comfort, and value to your property. Hardwood flooring is a popular choice thanks to its natural beauty and longevity. If you're considering hardwood flooring as a home improvement project, here's a quick guide to review. 

What Are the Different Types of Hardwood Flooring?

Hardwood flooring can be created from a variety of wood species. Classic types include domestic wood varieties such as red oak, white ash, black cherry, and pine. Each of these types can be stained in a variety of tones with unique grain patterns. When you're looking for an even more luxurious floor, exotic woods, such as Australian cypress or Brazilian redwood are highly coveted for their warm colors and hardness. When you're looking for a rustic aesthetic and floors that look beautifully aged, distressed options such as hand-scraped white oak and hickory are the ways to go. 

What Are the Finishing Options?

When buying your materials, you'll have the option of choosing factory or site-finished planks. When finished in the factory, you'll purchase wood that's already coated and sealed to protect the material from moisture, scratches, and stains. In contrast, site-finished hardwood flooring is sealed on-site by your highly skilled contractor. This option provides you with added control over the final aesthetic as well as a more even, cohesive finish. That said, curing can take a few days and you may need to stay away from your home while your floors dry.

How Do You Maintain It?

As a general rule of thumb, well-maintained hardwood flooring can last anywhere from 50 to 100 years. To maximize the life span of this material, clean up spills immediately, place area rugs in high-traffic areas, and always use furniture pads to reduce the risk of chairs and tables leaving scratches. Vacuum your floors on a weekly basis to remove dirt and debris. Once a month, use a wood cleaning product to protect and shine the surface. Contractors encourage homeowners to plan for refinishing and resealing every three to five years, depending on when the surface starts to lose its luster. 

If you're looking for an experienced home remodeling contractor that can do it all, from installing hardwood flooring to emergency restoration, Reliable Restorations is the team to call. Based in Northampton, PA, this home improvement company has served clients across Northhampton County for over two decades. To discuss your needs, call today at (610) 972-2506. For more information on their comprehensive services and commitment to customer satisfaction, visit their website.