Hardwood flooring can completely transform a room’s look and feel. However, with so many styles and species to choose from, selecting the right one can be overwhelming. To help you narrow down your options, here are five of the most popular styles.
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Traditional Solid Wood Flooring
Solid hardwood flooring has long been the gold standard for residential homes. Made from planks of solid wood sourced from a single tree species, it is highly valued for its natural beauty, durability, and timeless elegance.
Traditional solid wood floors typically feature a tongue-and-groove construction that interlocks each plank together. Popular species choices include oak, maple, walnut, and exotic woods like Brazilian cherry. The planks can be left unfinished to display the wood’s natural grain and colour variations or finished with stains and protective coatings.
This versatile flooring style complements rustic and contemporary design schemes. Traditional solid wood flooring offers a refined, classic look suitable for any room in your home.
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Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Engineered hardwood flooring has a plywood or high-density fiberboard core layered with a solid wood top veneer. This construction makes engineered floors more dimensionally stable than solid wood, limiting expansion and contraction from humidity changes.
Engineered wood floors can better withstand moisture and are suitable for basements and over-concrete installations. The plywood core also allows for unique visuals, such as wide planks. Popular veneer species are the same as solid woods.
With easier installation and maintenance, engineered floors are a great option if you want the appearance of solid wood with added versatility. They provide a seamless look that’s hard to distinguish from traditional solid wood flooring.
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Distressed or Hand-Scraped Hardwood
Distressed and hand-scraped hardwood floors are manually textured to replicate a timeworn, vintage appearance. Methods like chiselling, scraping, and wire brushing intentionally damage the wood’s surface to create an antiqued character. Faux nail holes, worm holes, and varying stain colours add to the rustic effect.
This worn, imperfect look works well in farmhouses, cottages, and industrial spaces. Distressed or hand-scraped floors add visual interest and charm. The textured surface also helps hide small scratches and dents over time.
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Exotic Hardwood Flooring
Exotic species like Brazilian walnut, Brazilian cherry, and sustainably sourced tropical woods offer unique, eye-catching grain patterns and rich colours. Because of their limited supply, exotic woods are more expensive than domestic options.
Exotic wood flooring’s stunning figure and variation can become a focal point. These rare, luxurious floors make a dramatic statement and instantly upgrade the look of any room. Filling knots and small holes during installation ensures the most flawless, polished appearance.
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Reclaimed or Salvaged Hardwood
Reclaimed and salvaged hardwoods are sourced from old barns, factories, and structures instead of new trees. Each reclaimed floor is rich in history and tells the unique story of its origins.
Old nail holes, stains, markings, and weathering add to the character and create one-of-a-kind patinas. Popular reclaimed species include pine, oak, and hickory sourced from old cottages, boxcars, and wine barrels.
Sustainably produced, reclaimed wood flooring is the ultimate eco-friendly choice. The rich patinas, varied textures, and uncommon dimensions create unmatched rustic charm perfect for farmhouse, lodge, or craftsman designs.
Finding the Best Hardwood Flooring in Winnipeg
Hardwood floors are an exceptional choice for elegance, versatility, and lasting value. Avalanche Flooring offers Winnipeg’s top hardwood flooring options and provides expert advice on finding the perfect hardwood for your home. Our experienced flooring installers in Winnipeg will help you select a style that perfectly matches your taste and lifestyle needs. Contact us today!
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