And nor should you! At All Flortec Inc., we’ve been installing hardwood floors in homes and businesses since 1991. That experience has given us a wealth of first-hand knowledge regarding how things can go well (when we perform the installation), along with how things can easily go wrong.
Because there are so many factors to consider when choosing the right hardwood floor, it’s somewhat understandable that plenty of projects end up being less than they could be. This is especially the case when you have a hardwood flooring contractor who doesn’t take the time to invest in their customers in terms of discovering their needs, goals, and aesthetic style.
In a previous blog, what sets our NJ wood flooring company apart from the rest, we highlighted a few of the ways in which we seek to uniquely benefit our customers:
No Gimmicks – We mean what we say and we do what we say we will! On a basic level, that means punctuality, communication, and attention to detail.
Decades of Experience – We combined excellent craftsmanship and skill with high-quality materials and affordable prices in New Jersey and New York.
Outcome-Minded, Process-Focused – It’s not just about how the job turns out, it’s about how the work was performed and how you were treated.
WE LISTEN TO OUR CUSTOMERS
There are plenty more attributes we could list, but there’s one in particular that we’d like to highlight before diving into the tip-providing we’ve promised! It’s that we at All Flortec are committed to taking the time to listen to our clients. We put our experience and industry knowledge to work for you, as we do our very best to blend your aesthetic preferences and ideas with what we know will look great with your home or place of business.
In terms of both process and outcome, this approach to hardwood floor installation yields positive results. We keep communication lines open, empowering our customers to make informed decisions they will be thrilled with for years to come!
Choosing The Right Hardwood Floor Color
Now that we’ve shared a little bit about us as a New Jersey hardwood flooring company, let’s dive into wood flooring as it relates to color choice!
A word of warning: it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options you have. There is a multitude of factors to consider when selecting the right style for you, beyond mere color. Below, we’ll discuss how light/dark floors function with general design, yes, but also how your choice impacts variables many folks fail to consider, including cleaning and maintenance.
Below, we’ll compare dark and light wood flooring before we offer up a few more general tips in part two of this two-part series.
DARK WOOD FLOORING
It’s little wonder that dark wood flooring has been a popular option for a good long while now. The style is versatile, classy, and compatible with a range of fabrics and colors. That said, we are of the opinion that dark floors are ideal for a rustic yet classy aesthetic.
Keep in mind that you have a few different options when it comes to creating the dark floor you desire: you can use a wood species that is naturally dark, or you can use a lighter wood and then stain it to the shade of your preference. The latter option typically represents a more economical choice when compared with the more high-end walnut hardwood floor, among other dark woods.
Potential Concerns: While any kind of hardwood floor can and will gather scratches and dirt over time, such imperfections are more easily visible on dark wood floors. If you have a family (which may or may not include active cats or dogs) that is known to track in their fair share of dirt and debris, it’s worth considering when making your final decision.
If you are considering dark wood, we’d be remiss if we didn’t make a few qualifications in terms when not to choose dark wood. The first is for stand-alone small rooms. Plain and simple, dark wood makes rooms look smaller than they actually are. Enough said on that front. Secondly, we’d dissuade from using dark wood if the boards are intended to be flush with other dark woodwork, such as cabinetry. In our experience, these are situations where it might make more sense to create a contrast between the two woods in use.
LIGHT WOOD FLOORING
Light wood flooring naturally creates positive, bright, clean atmospheres (assuming the rest of the setting is up to snuff, aesthetically speaking!) But one of the most attractive aspects of a light wood floor is that most options go with practically every room design out there. This is particularly true for white finishes (or approaching white). Oak, maple, and ash are three of the most popular types of wood used to create the desirable light palette that is often used as a platform to create an array of looks.
Potential Concerns: It can sometimes be difficult to get to the desired light finish without some significant staining and painting. This isn’t a problem for most of our customers, but it is still something to be aware of while making your decision.
In terms of rooms where we would caution against installing light hardwood flooring, there aren’t as many glaring concerns as there are with dark wood flooring. This is because, as we mentioned above, light wood floors are remarkably versatile. Additionally, light wood floors tend to hide the dust and scratches which naturally accumulate.
Regarding maintenance, it’s all down to using the correct sealer. Irrespective of the amount of dirt that gets tracked in or the stains that gather, applying the right sealer will leave you in good stead for many years to come.
We will save a more detailed conversation regarding sealers for a different blog down the road!
REACH OUT TO US TODAY!
Make sure you keep an eye out for part two of this series, in which we offer up some more general tips about choosing the right color for your home or commercial property. We hope you’ve found today’s blog practical! In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you are ready to discuss your hardwood floor installation, repair, or something else altogether! We’d love to hear from you at All Flortec.