When it comes to installing hardwood floors there are many designs and materials to choose from. Hardwood floors can change the whole feel of your home. Hardwood floors can add value to your home. When choosing your hardwood floor you first need to decide on the wood you would like. Red oak, white oak, walnut, maple, American cherry, ash and birch are among the most popular woods used today. Each type of wood and design has a different price point so let’s dive in.
Red oak stains easily and lacks blotching problems. Red oak does have a strong grain appearance so you will want to consider this before purchasing. Red oak flooring is used more in contemporary homes. Red oak has also been know to be very durable. When it comes to pricing red oak is among the cheapest of the wood floors. On average it costs $6.50 per square foot for installation.
White oak is another popular hardwood flooring choice. White oak flooring goes with most decor. White oak flooring is hard to dent and is perfect for homes with children. Installation of white oak has proven to be the easiest to install. The cost of installation is anywhere from $5.00 to $6.00 a square foot.
If your wanting darker wood floors than walnut is the way to go. Walnut floors are resistant to moisture making them a popular choice in high humidity areas. Walnut floors offer a richer feeling to your home and have been used for centuries. The cost to install walnut floors is around $8.00 per square foot.
American cherry is a softer looking wood. Most people describe American cherry as being light red in color. American cherry is considered to be the most desirable hard wood floor on the market. The average cost for installation is $9.00 per square foot.
The final wood we will review is the ash wood. Ash wood offer a low maintenance option. Ash wood is easy to work with and takes stain very easy. Ash wood has less swelling and shrinkage. The average cost for ash wood installation is around $7.00 per square foot.
No matter what flooring you choose you will not be disappointed. Hardwood floors raise the resale value of your home and are easy to care for.