Flooring 101

Whether you’re looking to install brand new flooring or revamp your current set, we’ve got tips from the pros to help you decide which options are best for you.

Types of Flooring

Hardwood:

• The most beautiful — a natural product, straight from the tree.
• Varies in price — exotic hardwoods from the Brazil are upwards of $20 a square foot, while mid-range domestic hardwood ranges from $3.95-$4.50 a square foot.

Engineered hardwood:

• Looks the same as hardwood on the surface but the structure is made of multiple layers of wood (usually spruce) and your wood of choice sits on top.
• Less sensitive to moisture than regular wood, so it’s suitable for more places in the home.
• Prices range from $3-$6 square foot.

Laminate:

• The core is made from high-density fiberboard and the surface is a photograph of the wood, or another material.
• It’s very durable and hard wearing (can be up to ten times more durable than a hardwood floor), so it’s highly recommended for heavy-duty environments.
• Good quality laminate flooring ranges in price from $1.50 — $3.50 square foot.

is just worn, there’s no severe damage to the floor.

• You want a new look.

2) Instances when floors cannot be refinished:

• Older wood, typically about 25 years old and up, which has been refinished two or three times.
• When you only want to fix one spot, you need to be prepared to do the