Hardwood flooring has been around for centuries, and it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. There are a number of reasons that hardwood has endured, so let’s explore the pros and cons of what it can offer.
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There are many benefits of hardwood flooring. They are beautiful and classic. With proper maintenance, they can last for decades. They’re tough against foot traffic and fairly easy to maintain with the right steps. Even heavy furnishings are alright on hardwood flooring if pads and protection are put into place.
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When it comes to hardwood flooring, there is an area where it seems to lack in comparison with some of the other flooring materials, and that is in the world of color. It is a common misconception, based on uninformed opinions about what is and what is not available. Luckily for those who live in the Nashville/Middle Tennessee area, the color of your hardwood flooring is just another thing you won’t have to worry about when working with the professionals at Ozburn-Hessey. Making sure you find a color or shade that matches everything in your home or business is one of the things that sets us apart, and once you see how many colors are actually available to you, the problem might change to having too many options. And that is before getting into what a nice finish will do for an otherwise boring or drab looking piece of wood.
Make a Statement with Hardwood Floor Colors
Just as you wouldn’t just throw on something before leaving the house without thinking about how that might affect the people around you, a choice in hardwood floor colors is a great way to make a statement about your home or business. Bright colors say something different than a darker wood, which in turn communicates a different feeling than lighter woods and grays.
For example, a dark wood, such as walnut, is going to give the impression of a classic elegance, while also making whatever room it is in look smaller. It is perfect for any room that might be a touch too large or open, as it tends to make rooms cozier and more intimate. The opposite is also true: using a light wood, such as pine or a lighter shade of cherry, will open things up and give the room a brighter, more inviting feel. Color is just another thing you need to take into account when selecting your floors, and the way it interacts with the material and cut of the plank is only going to enhance that perception.
Hardwood Floor Installation: Cleaning Up the Edges
What color floor you have is also going to affect the perceived cleanliness of your home. Because dirt and animal hair are more likely to show up on a lighter wood floor, a bright option is probably not suited for an area that receives a lot of foot traffic. Similarly, since most hardwood flooring options are treated with a surfacing coat to make them appear darker than they really are, scratches, scuffs, and nicks are going to show up with a greater degree of visibility, since the lighter shade beneath will shine through.
It is true that the range of colors available with hardwood is not as extreme, especially when compared with commercial carpeting, vinyl plank flooring, or laminate plank flooring. That does not mean you are only stuck with the basic browns and greys, however, as any professional with the Ozburn-Hessey Company will be able to inform you. Picking out the perfect color is just one of the services we provide, which includes hardwood flooring installation done right the first time. If you are thinking about getting a new floor but don’t know what you want it to say, then make sure to check in with the professionals here at Ozburn-Hessey first.
Find the best match for your furnishings. Choose the color of hardwood flooring to make your rooms cozier and more welcoming.
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Read MoreChanging Colors, Keeping the Floor
It can be very easy to become attached to the floor you already have. Due to the fact that the weather does not change as much in Nashville and the mid-Tennessee area as it does in other parts of the country, hardwoods do not undergo that added stress, meaning they last a lot longer. However, that does not mean you are never going to want to change the flooring in your home or business. If you have hardwoods, then you might think there is nothing you can do, like if you have a pine floor with a golden shine, and you would prefer something a lot darker and more elegant. It’s true, the most direct way to solve that situation would be to tear up the old flooring and lay down a rich oak hardwood flooring, something the professionals here at Ozburn-Hessey would be happy to do, as they are the best when it comes to hardwood flooring installation. However, there are other options, especially if you have fallen in love with the way the floor feels under your feet or the character it displays. The easiest way to change this situation is to sand down the old surface, and finish it with new hardwood floor colors.
What are the Extremes?
As might be expected, it is always going to be easier to go from light to dark. You will not be able to go from a darker tone to a brighter one unless you employ bleaching techniques, which are not recommended because they can damage the wood. The lightest you will possibly achieve is the base, natural color of the wood, which might be different from the color you are used to seeing, depending on the number of times the wood has been resurfaced already. But after you have accounted for that limitation, the only thing stopping you from getting as dark as you want is your own limitations. However, keep in mind that if one of the things you like about your current flooring is the character, and all of the nicks and dents that entails, you run the risk of losing that with a muddy, too-dark finish.
How Long Will it Take?
The length of the process really depends on a couple of things. The first, of course, is the amount of time you are willing to put into the project. For example, if you have a lot of time to devote, then you can knock the whole thing off your list in about a week. If this is something you will be able to work on only during the weekends, then it could take as long as a month. The other thing that will determine the length of the project is the type of polyurethane used. There are two types, one that is water-based and one that is oil-based. The oil-based polyurethane is the one that looks better and lasts longer, but on the flipside, it takes longer for the finish to set.
Just remember, regardless of what kind of surface you decide to put down, the first thing to do is sand down the hardwood until you have a fresh, smooth new layer. After that, you are free to apply the polyurethane of your choice. Of course, if this all seems like a whole bunch of work, the professionals here at Ozburn-Hessey are happy to install something new, perhaps a nice commercial carpet, with the right amount of care.
Do you wish to change office or home floor? Get experts to do it. Many types of hardwood and carpeted flooring cleaning solutions are available.
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