Choosing the Right Hardwood Flooring: A Guide to Species, Grades, and Finishes

Hardwood flooring is a coveted choice among homeowners for its warmth and natural beauty. However, selecting flooring materials isn’t just about choosing a preferred colour. In this article, we will guide you through the process of how to choose a hardwood floor and the specific features you should be looking out for.

How To Choose The Right Hardwood Floor?

Consider The Wood Species

When choosing hardwood floors, it is important to note that the floor’s appearance can vary between different wood species and different woods will offer different benefits for functionality. For example, oak flooring is a popular choice in North America due to its durability, attractive natural grain, and its ability to take stains very well. If you are looking to install a harder wood and want more durability in your floors, hickory and maple are harder wood species than oak. Other hardwood varieties available in North America in addition to oak, maple, and hickory, are walnut, ash, and cherry.

One question to ask when deciding to choose the right hardwood floor is what kind of look or feel you are trying to achieve. For example, a light oak floor can help create a sleek Scandinavian feel, whereas a dark walnut can evoke a more traditional feel in a room. Consider the colour of the hardwood floors and see how it complements your space. Lighter woods can make a room feel more spacious and darker woods are known to add warmth and elegance.

Select The Grain Of Wood

When choosing hardwood floors, the grain pattern is one of the most important factors. Depending on the way a piece of wood is cut, it will produce a different pattern on the planks of wood and affect the overall look of the floor’s look and texture. There are 3 common methods of cutting wood to achieve certain patterns:

Plain Sawn: This is the most common and most popular. It has traditional wood grain with patterns commonly known as cathedrals.

Rift-Sawn: This type of cut results in a long and consistent grain but no cathedrals.

Quarter-Sawn: This wood is similar to rift-sawn, but it has irregular specs that produce a unique pattern.

In addition, different wood species have unique grain patterns such as straight, curly, wavy, or knotty which can impact the overall appearance of the floor.

Selecting The Type Of Finish

When you are choosing the right hardwood floor, consider that most finishes fall into either of the following categories:

Oil: This penetrates the wood and feels soft and matte. However, this kind of finish can make your floors susceptible to stains and scratches but it is easier to cover up scratches and do on-the-spot touch-ups.

Polyurethane: Applying a polyurethane finish creates a hard topcoat on the wood surface that helps it become more resilient to wear and tear and is especially great for people with children and pets. If polyurethane gets damaged or scratched, you will need to replace a board or buff and refinish an entire section of the floor.

The type of finish that you select will determine how you care for and clean up your hardwood floors and will affect the appearance and maintenance of the flooring.

With extensive industry knowledge and experience guiding us, Smith Bros. Floors can offer you all the help in deciding how to choose a hardwood floor. We use only the best flooring and finishes to deliver a top-quality finished product to suit your specific needs. Contact us today to learn more.

August 1, 2023September 14, 2023

The Benefits Of Hardwood Flooring For Your Home’s Resale Value

One flooring material that is dominating the market these days is hardwood flooring and there are many homeowners and buyers that are opting for this kind of flooring due to the many benefits of hardwood floors. It is a smart investment because hardwood is easy to clean and can last well over 100 years. If you are considering selling your home in the future, you might be looking for ways to increase your home’s resale value and nothing will have as measurable of an effect as replacing your floors. Read ahead to learn more!

Key Advantages Of Hardwood Floors

Strength And Durability

One benefit of hardwood floors is that this flooring won’t easily fade over time and will keep looking its best for many decades with proper care, and its durability is one of the main reasons why homeowners opt to upgrade to hardwood flooring.

Low Maintenance And Easy Cleaning

Another advantage of hardwood floors for many homeowners is the ease of cleaning. Hardwood floors are easy to clean as you can sweep, damp mop, or vacuum to remove any stains, dirt, or debris that is on the floors. One feature that makes hardwood flooring easy to clean and maintain is that they are more stain-resistant than carpets and if you spill anything then all you need to do is wipe it without scrubbing excessively. Routine cleaning and the occasional mopping with a wood cleaner will also keep your hardwood flooring looking beautiful for many years to come.

Can Be Refinished

Unlike carpet or tile, hardwood flooring can be refinished to stain a different colour. It is a benefit to have hardwood flooring because refinishing a hardwood floor would be significantly lower than buying and installing new flooring. If you bought a house and don’t like the colour of the wood floors, you can easily sand off the colour and stain the hardwood floors to a colour that you like without incurring the significant cost of replacing the floors completely.

Healthier Indoor Air

Hardwood flooring’s surface is completely smooth, and this feature makes it easy to remove contaminants with a broom or vacuum. This kind of flooring will allow you to maintain better indoor air quality inside your home when compared to carpet or tile which can accumulate dust, pet dander, and other allergens.

Why Does Hardwood Flooring Increase Your Home’s Resale Value?

Flooring is one of the most important features that create a lasting first impression of your home. It is also an important feature that homebuyers look for when searching for a new house. An advantage of hardwood floors is that they can add value to your home and when it comes to selling your home, many buyers will pay more for a house with such flooring. This is because many homebuyers plan to replace used carpets, and it is one reason why they are willing to pay more for a house that has hardwood floors. When hardwood flooring is already installed, it will eliminate the move-in cost for many buyers and this is what makes hardwood flooring so popular in the real estate market (and will help sell your home faster!).

Hardwood flooring’s timeless beauty and durability make it an excellent long-term investment for your home. Smith Bros. Floors has been operating for over a century and has the know-how and experience to help you find the best hardwood flooring option for your home. Contact us today to learn about all the hardwood flooring options that we offer to find the best fit for you.

July 3, 2023September 14, 2023

Comparing Different Types Of Flooring: Hardwood vs. Laminate vs. Vinyl (LVP)

Your home can see a lot of traffic which means your floors take the brunt of all the action! If you are looking for hard flooring options then hardwood, laminate, and vinyl flooring offer a multitude of options to pick from. The following article addresses the key difference between the three floor types that can help you make a more informed decision when investing in flooring for your home.

Which Is Better? Hardwood vs. Laminate vs. Vinyl

Hardwood vs. Laminate

If you are looking for something more timeless and aesthetically pleasing, then hardwood flooring is better than laminate. However, laminate is a great flooring material for functional settings where practicality is your utmost priority. Laminate is a good option to install in a child’s playroom, in the family den, or in parts of the house where children and pets spend most of their time running around. Hardwood flooring can stain and it can also change colour if exposed to direct sunlight for long periods. On the other hand, laminate is stain-resistant (can be easily wiped) and its colour will not fade in direct sunlight. Laminate is easier to install than hardwood flooring, as most laminate uses click-and-lock assembly which avoids the use of nails or glue. If you are looking for an easy-to-install, practical, and low-maintenance flooring option then laminate is better suited for you than hardwood flooring.

Hardwood vs. Vinyl

Vinyl is scratch-resistant, and its colour does not fade easily when exposed to direct sunlight for long periods. Also, vinyl is waterproof whereas hardwood flooring is not. This makes vinyl a great option to install in washrooms and kitchens where accidental water spills can curl or shrink hardwood floors. In addition, hardwood floors can be resanded every 10 years, and vinyl floors can only be replaced and not repaired. Moreover, hardwood flooring is a renewable resource whereas vinyl flooring is not environmentally-friendly because it is made from PVC resin. Vinyl is a very low-maintenance and durable type of flooring and is increasingly being used in commercial applications for these reasons.

Laminate vs. Vinyl

Laminate and vinyl may seem similar to each other on the surface, and both are easier to install than hardwood flooring. However, there are some differences between the two that can influence your decision. For example, if you want to choose a flooring that is aesthetically pleasing, laminate offers options that are similar to hand-scaped hardwood, stone, and ceramics, among other materials. When it comes to water resistance, vinyl flooring is more water-resistant than laminate. As a matter of fact, all kinds of vinyl flooring are considered waterproof since sheet vinyl, LVT, and LVP are made with waterproof materials. In addition, when comparing laminate and vinyl, vinyl flooring is the easiest to clean and can even be wet mopped, unlike laminate which is not water-resistant and can get damaged by water sitting on it for too long.

Now you know what is the difference between hardwood, laminate and vinyl flooring.

Smith Bros. Floors has been in the flooring business for over a decade, and our expert team has the know-how of all the newest flooring trends! Contact us today. We will help you find the best laminate, hardwood, or vinyl flooring options tailored to your specific needs.

June 5, 2023May 29, 2023

Chevron and Herringbone Flooring Trends

If you’re looking to remodel your floors, it is worth paying attention to current trends because herringbone and chevron patterns are making a comeback this year! These floor patterns can look stunning with solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, or luxury vinyl planks. Read ahead to find out what makes these patterns so unique in comparison to their other flooring counterparts.

Chevron Flooring
The chevron flooring pattern is having a comeback recently and this flooring style can be found in some of the most renowned palaces, manors, and homes. A chevron pattern can be achieved by having planks cut at a 45-degree angle and fitted together directly at a point to make a distinct ‘V’ shape. All types of wood can be cut into chevron flooring patterns. Because of the way in which the pieces are made, the chevron design ultimately brings out the beauty in the wood that it is constructed of. Oak, walnut, and hickory are some popular material choices when one is considering installing chevron-patterned hardwood flooring.

Benefits Of Chevron Flooring

Some of the benefits of chevron flooring include:

Versatility: Chevron flooring improves the look of the furnishings and décor of almost any room. It is elegant enough to install in formal rooms, in modern settings, and in rustic or farmhouse interiors.

Beauty: Chevron flooring is best known for bringing the best out in the wood that it is constructed from, and evokes a timeless and beautiful feeling in any room that it is installed in.

Herringbone Flooring

A herringbone flooring pattern is differentiated by its perfect rectangle pattern, where rectangle blocks are placed in a broken zig-zag pattern in a technique that places one of the plank sides into the end of another. These blocks meet and create a straight line at the point where the ends meet. Herringbone floor patterns give you enough design to break up the monotony in a room, but are not dramatic enough to overwhelm the room. It is considered one of the most popular patterns in the market currently. There are many materials that one can use in making herringbone and chevron floors such as oak, walnut, and other types of timber in addition to options available in luxury vinyl planks. When herringbone flooring patterns are installed in small spaces, the zig-zag pattern makes the room appear bigger by drawing the eye to the width of the room and this creates an optical illusion of more square footage.

Benefits Of Herringbone Flooring

There are many benefits of herringbone flooring patterns which include:

Versatility: Herringbone flooring patterns are timeless yet trendy and can fit in with almost any furniture and décor while complimenting other features of the room instead of stealing the spotlight.

Functionality: The herringbone style is best used in high-traffic areas since this pattern is conducive to long-lasting flooring.

Durability: Herringbone flooring patterns can hold up years longer than other traditional flooring patterns and since the pattern is durable, it can last for decades.

To find a floor that is both durable and modern, Smith Bros. Flooring will help you transform the look of your interiors for many years to come. Our expert flooring team is available to give you useful tips regarding how to maximize the aesthetic appeal of your floor patterns and incorporate it into your interior design project. Contact us today to learn more!

May 1, 2023May 4, 2023

Choosing Environmentally-Friendly Flooring

Environmentally-Friendly Bamboo Flooring

People choose to install environmentally-friendly flooring in their homes when they want to make healthy, smart, and sustainable choices for the planet. If you have allergy sufferers in your home, or young children and pets who spend a lot of time on the floor then an eco-friendly flooring option is something that you should consider too. There are a variety of flooring options available that offer a sustainable and environmentally-friendly foundation for your upcoming home or office project. Read ahead to learn more about the green flooring options available in the market!

What To Look For In Environmentally-Friendly Flooring

In order for the flooring to be sustainable, you will want an option that is made of natural and renewable resources. In fact, you should consider the ethics behind the material – does the manufacturer source their products sustainably? Are recycled materials part of the final product? It is also a good idea to think about the life cycle of the flooring you choose as well. Long-lasting flooring is better for the environment and especially more so if it is biodegradable.

Environmentally-Friendly Flooring Options

Cork

Cork is harvested from the bark (rather than the wood) of the cork oak tree and the bark grows back within three years making it a great renewable resource. Some cork floors are also made from recycled waste such as recycled cork from the wine cork industry. Cork flooring is durable and can resist cracking and indentations and is naturally resistant to mould, mildew, and termites.

This green flooring option is becoming popular with homeowners due to its ease of cleaning, durability, and sustainability. Sweeping and occasional mopping with a damp cloth is all you need to do to keep your cork floors looking great. This flooring material offers unmatched durability when compared to other flooring materials, and small scratches are able to blend into the overall flooring pattern. Once cork floors are sealed with polyurethane, they can continue looking beautiful for many years to come. When properly maintained, cork floors can last 40 years or more.

Hardwood

Similar to cork, hardwood is manufactured from a renewable resource. It has a very low carbon footprint when compared to other flooring materials when it is sourced locally. Hardwood is environmentally friendly while also being durable and long-lasting. Some hardwood floors have been in houses for hundreds of years! Hardwood can be refinished many times which restores its original beauty and extends its lifespan. It is much more eco-friendly than a complete floor replacement, and hardwood is biodegradable and can be recycled to be used in other projects like furniture, and accent walls, and can be burned for fuel. Hardwood flooring is a long-term investment, and the beauty and timeless appeal of hardwood floors are undeniable.

Smith Bros. Floors is family owned and operated and has been in the industry for decades. We take pride in our craftsmanship and use industry-leading flooring and finishes because we want your flooring to last for years to come. We provide impeccable customer service from site visit, to quote, to installation and follow-up. Contact us today to find the perfect floor!

April 1, 2023March 24, 2023

Advice On Hardwood Floor Upkeep

Hardwood floors are undoubtedly a timeless choice for your home but high-traffic areas in the home can get scratched or worn out easily. Seasonal changes can also wreak havoc by exposing your floors to excess water, salt, and dirt from the outside elements. However, the following advice provides tips that can help you ensure your hardwood floors look as good as they were when you first installed them!

Clean Up Spills Immediately

Use a slightly damp cloth or a dry one to immediately wipe up any spills and avoid wet or steam mops. Avoid using string mops on your hardwood floors as these can put excessive moisture on the floor which can cause cupping and long-term damage.

Sweep Or Dust The Floor Daily

Over time, debris can form on hardwood floors. Even if you don’t wear shoes around your home, dust still forms everywhere and can settle into the grain and between floorboards. It is a solid recommendation encouraged by many experts to sweep floors daily.

Vacuum And Clean Weekly

Weekly cleaning and vacuuming ensure that any crumbs and dirt that you may have missed while sweeping don’t scratch your flooring.

It is important to use a cleaner that is made for your floor’s material and look for pH-neutral, nontoxic, and biodegradable formulas to clean hardwood floors. Avoid using water and vinegar, wax cleaners, or soap-based cleaners. When used over time, vinegar and water can dull the floor’s finish, while soap or wax-based cleaners can leave a residue on the floors. When using a hardwood floor cleaner, make sure to always use a washable microfiber pad and avoid steam mops (this will avoid putting heat and excessive water on your floor).

Use Doormats And Carpets

Place a doormat at each entrance of your home so that visitors can wipe their feet as they come in, so you can avoid excess moisture making contact with your hardwood floors. Mats will also trap small debris and rocks that can scratch the wood flooring. In addition, we recommend putting mats in front of the kitchen sink, dishwasher, and other kitchen workstations so that you can protect your floors from water spills, food, detergent, and dropped utensils that can damage the hardwood flooring.

Use Furniture Pads

A good way to avoid scratches on wood floors is to add furniture pads to the legs of your chairs, tables, sofas, and other furniture. In addition, when you use rugs you can protect your floors from regular wear and tear where people and pets walk regularly. Furniture can also leave deep scratches on hardwood floors and using rugs can give you a barrier between furniture and the floor. If you are rearranging furniture or moving a piece to clean underneath it make sure to use furniture sliders. In doing so, when you move things they will protect your floors and avoid causing scratches caused by moving heavy objects directly over the wood floors.

Humidity And Light

Recommended optimal humidity levels are around 45% to protect the floor from cupping and splitting; use a hygrometer (relative humidity indicator) to make sure that the air moisture content is within the recommended range. In addition, avoid exposing your floors to direct sunlight as this can cause the wood to change its colour.

Our team of flooring experts has been in this industry for decades and will offer you the best flooring options for your needs. If you are looking for a hardwood floor that will elevate the mood and appearance of your home then contact Smith Bros Floors today!

March 1, 2023March 23, 2023

2023 Trends in Flooring Design And Materials

Flooring is one of the most important elements in any home and the type of flooring you choose for your home or any interior setting can be a significant mood and comfort enhancer. Bold patterns and neutral colours inspired by nature will be trending in 2023 and if you are planning your next renovation or remodelling project, the following flooring trends will help you to decide the best flooring choice for your home or office.

Natural and Neutral Colours

Homeowners are leaning toward more natural, minimalistic, and neutral floor colours that are versatile enough to complement a variety of living spaces from kitchens to bedrooms. Shades of cream, honey, and white can be used in luxury condos and homes and these shades create a relaxing atmosphere that can be customized to each individual’s preference.

Rustic Textures

Flooring trends are not only about the colour; different textures also have an appeal. Rustic floors can be hand-scraped or wire-brushed to reveal some texture or they can be made from reclaimed material. Rustic flooring has a calming effect on the viewer with its natural texture and surface. Rustic textures can add depth to any room and they work well in lodges, farmhouses, cottages and any interior where a natural appearance and vibe are preferred.

Wide Plank Floors: Hardwood And Laminate

Wide planks allow one to see more of the grain and variation in each piece of wood and this creates a floor that is interesting yet subtle at the same time. It makes an ideal backdrop for commercial spaces and helps to create a homier environment for residential spaces. Wide plank flooring can be sanded smooth for a contemporary look or it can be rustic or reclaimed.

Wide plank laminate flooring is usually used as a substitute for hardwood floors. These planks are manufactured to imitate the look and feel of a solid hardwood board, and laminates can be altered to provide the perfect blend of unique shades and beautiful wood grain patterns.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl floors are available in options that look almost identical to solid hardwood and are water-resistant and their durability has made them a popular choice for many homeowners. Vinyl can be installed in a home office space, the kitchen, or even in bedrooms. Vinyl planks can be manufactured in a variety of different styles and colour choices which makes them a superb substitute for hardwood floors.

Herringbone

Herringbone styles in oak shades are trending in 2023, rather than grey and white tones. White oak is a popular wood species for its versatility and functionality. White oak has creamy undertones and adds a subtle warmth to spaces and it is naturally water-resistant. If you are planning to install flooring for open-plan spaces, use wide planks or oversized herringbone designs. Smaller spaces should use a smaller-sized herringbone in a light shade as it will make the room appear bigger and more spacious.

Solid Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is a timeless classic and still maintains its place in the 2023 flooring trends. It is functional and aesthetically pleasing and when made from solid planks, hardwood floors can be refinished with a new stain colour and sheen as trends evolve. While there are many types of flooring available, very few materials have the lasting durability and popularity of hardwood flooring.

Our flooring experts at Smith Bros Flooring are happy to help you find exciting and new flooring options for your interiors. Contact us today to find your next floor trend.

November 23, 2022January 11, 2023

How to Keep Your Floors Looking Great in Calgary’s Dry Climate

Hardwood flooring adds beauty and warmth to any given space. When you have hardwood floors installed in your home, you will want to ensure that the original hardwood surface and natural beauty of the wood lasts for as long as possible. A great way to maintain hardwood flooring over time is with an appropriate care routine that includes proper maintenance and cleaning steps. Calgary has a dry climate, and the following tips will help ensure your floors continue to look great regardless of the dry environment!

Keep Your Floors Debris-Free with Regular Clean-Up

The outside environment plays a part in our indoor environment. In Calgary, this means due to the dry climate there is dust everywhere, and this inevitably ends up inside our homes. Every day accumulation of debris and dust particles can become damage-causing culprits that can create visible scratches on hardwood flooring when rubbed against the floor. Over time, even tiny particles can cause small scratches on the floor’s surface that become noticeable with accumulated wear on the floor. Hence, it is best that small bits of dirt and debris spend less time on your hardwood floor. The best material for cleaning hardwood flooring daily is a microfiber cloth or mop. Dust-mopping or sweeping the floor is a superb daily maintenance strategy.

In addition, following up on daily care paired with weekly maintenance will ensure the investment in your hardwood flooring pays off in the long run. Weekly maintenance such as vacuuming will help with deep cleaning and accessing hard-to-reach areas, such as underneath furniture and sofas. If you choose to include mopping in your weekly cleaning routine, ensure you use a tool warranted by the flooring manufacturer. As well, it is important to use the least amount of water when using a mop, as extra moisture can become problematic to real wood. It is vital that the floor becomes dry as quickly as possible, and a microfiber cloth can be used to dry any excess moisture.

Ensure Optimal Humidity Levels Inside the Home

Calgary experiences a dry winter with low humidity conditions as low as 5-10%. However, during the summer months, humidity readings are around 50-55%. There is a noticeable variation in seasonal humidity, and these conditions cause hardwood flooring to expand and contract. Wood is hygroscopic, which means that it absorbs and releases moisture depending on the surroundings and its present environment. Dry air can be problematic and damaging for hardwood flooring, as dry air causes the wood to lose moisture and this leads to the wood planks eventually cracking as a result of shrinking. Conversely, high humidity can cause hardwood floors to swell and this results in ‘cupping’, a term used to describe planks that rise above the rest of the wood. Using a good quality humidifier in the home can help lessen the damage to hardwood flooring inside your home. Maintaining an ideal humidity level will reduce movement within the flooring and as a result, reduce damage to hardwood flooring. Experts recommend that the humidity should be maintained as close to 30% as possible all year round.

We are a family-owned and operated business with decades of experience that helps us ensure we offer the best solutions to keep your floors looking great. If you are looking for a beautiful collection of hardwood floors, contact Smith Bros Flooring today!

July 1, 2022June 22, 2022

How Hardwood Flooring Beats Laminate

Flooring is a defining feature of a home. Hardwood flooring is inviting, beautiful and timeless. Laminate flooring (imitation hardwood) creates a look similar to wood. Need help choosing? There are several factors to consider. The following is a comparison of hardwood and laminate flooring to help you decide which is best for your home.

What is hardwood flooring?

Each board of solid hardwood flooring is made from a single piece of hardwood that’s harvested from slow-growing trees. It’s dense and durable. The look depends upon the species of wood and the surface finish chosen. There are many options with different colours, stains and plank sizes.

What is laminate flooring?

Laminate is synthetic flooring. It’s made from melamine resin and fibre board material. It’s comprised of multiple layers, with the top layer featuring an imprinted image of wood that makes it appear similar to that of real wood. The end result is flooring that looks somewhat like hardwood. It’s available in a wide range of styles, patterns and colours.

Which is right for your home?

There are many factors to consider when choosing between hardwood and laminate.

Appearance:

Hardwood flooring’s natural texture and deep colours are beautiful, and appealing to many homeowners. Different types of wood, stains and finishes create an abundance of options.
Laminate often looks like real wood, from a distance. Up close, the imitation is less than perfect.

Size of planks:

Hardwood flooring planks vary from 1” to 3” to 6” to even 24” wide boards!
Laminate planks can vary from less than 5” to 7” or more.

Cost:

Hardwoods that are abundant (oak, maple, ash) are less expensive. More unique species (Brazilian cherry, teak, Brazilian walnut, acacia) have higher prices.
Laminate flooring can be purchased for a fraction of the cost of hardwood.

Durability:

Hardwood can last a lifetime! It does need to be protected from flooding. Scratching and wear mean it will periodically need to be recoated. If damage occurs, the floor can be sanded down and refinished. With proper care and refinishing, solid hardwood floors routinely last 100 years.

Laminate: Laminate flooring is moderately resistant to damage. Once scarred and/or abraded it will need to be replaced as it cannot be refinished or sanded. Laminate floors average about 15 to 25 years of life.

Comfort and Sound:

Hardwood is hard underfoot and a bit noisy under heels and pet toenails.

Laminate is somewhat soft underfoot but the hard plastic surface telegraphs the click of heels and pet toenails.

Water and Heat Resistance:

Hardwood can be damaged by standing water and floods. Too much heat causes boards to shrink and joints to open.

Laminate is water and stain-resistant, but water getting into the joints between planks can cause the edges and the fiberboard core to swell and chip.

Repair:

Hardwood: Small imperfections and damage can be sanded and refinished, allowing it to last for years.

Laminate flooring is not easily repaired. Sometimes individual boards may be replaced but they may not match properly.

Care and Cleaning:

Hardwood floors are simple to keep. Sweep or vacuum and damp mop with wood cleaner. No need to polish and/or wax.

Laminates are also easy. Vacuum or broom. Then damp mop with laminate floor cleaner. No waxing is necessary.

Installation:

Hardwood requires installation by professionals. Solid hardwood needs to be nailed or glued to the substrate.

Laminate is favoured by DIYers as it is easy to install. Planks click together at the edges with no need for fasteners or glue. It floats over a thin layer of foam underlay.

The room in which you intend to install it:

Hardwood is perfect for low-traffic rooms (bedrooms, dining rooms, sitting rooms) but unsuitable for damp rooms (basement, bathroom).

Laminate flooring works well in rooms with a lot of sunlight as it does not fade easily. It’s moisture resistant so works better in bathrooms than hardwood. Laminate flooring is recommended for areas that are regularly used by children and pets.

Resale Value:

Hardwood: Realtors claim that hardwood flooring makes a home easier to sell and helps a house sell quickly. Though the ROI of flooring is difficult to measure, real estate experts estimate that homeowners recover approximately 106% of their costs by installing new hardwood floors in their home before selling.
Laminate: Laminate flooring is well-known for its low maintenance and ability to withstand high amounts of traffic. It’s resistant to staining, indentation and scratches, making it one of the most popular pet and kid-friendly flooring options for homeowners. It’s essentially a hassle-proof flooring option for the modern family. High-quality laminate floor ranks below solid hardwood for resale value but laminate commands a higher resale value than vinyl flooring.

Both hardwood and laminate floors have their merits and pitfalls. Hardwood is more expensive but easier to repair, lasts a long time and boosts resale values. It’s a great investment. Laminate flooring is more affordable, quite durable, is easily installed but repairs often involve redoing the entire floor. Laminate flooring will never pass for real hardwood. Nothing approaches the beauty of an authentic hardwood floor! However, there are situations (pets and kids, damp conditions) in which laminate functions well.

Looking for a selection of beautiful hardwood floors? Contact Smith Bros. Floors, one of Canada’s oldest hardwood flooring companies, family-owned and operated. We use industry-leading flooring and finishes because we want your flooring to last! With a tested crew of installers and finishers and a lifetime guarantee on workmanship and longevity, Smith Bros. quality cannot be beaten! We provide exemplary customer service, from site visit, to quote, to installation and follow-up. Call us at 403-255-7791 for a free consultation.

June 1, 2022May 24, 2022

What are my Colour Options for Hardwood Flooring?

Hardwood flooring is a classic choice with timeless charm. Manufacturers of hardwood floors constantly improve and change their flooring to keep it interesting, trendy, up to date and able to withstand the challenges of modern living. Today’s flooring is not your parent’s wood floors! These floors come in a wide range of styles, sizes, finishes, species and colours. How do you know which hardwood colour options to choose? The following is information about the many choices to help you decide what is best for your home.

Natural and light tones: These classic hues are similar to those found in raw wood and show off the natural characteristics and beauty of the wood. Choosing natural tones sometimes means not using any stain at all. Finish these shades with a clear coat to enhance the appearance of the wood itself and protect it from wear and tear.

White: White tones are a popular design trend and look great in a wide variety of locations. White ash flooring has a natural, subtle variation with dark knot holes visible letting the character of the wood shine. White oak brightens any room, allows for unlimited decorating options, fits any décor and creates a warm, comfortable home.
Blonde wood colour is a versatile choice and goes well with contemporary, traditional and rustic-style homes. It makes a room appear large and open, especially if you use large planks. Choose from oak, maple, bamboo and/or ash.
Honey: Flooring with honey-coloured tones adds warmth and richness to a room. It’s a great alternative to the more traditional golden tones, while still giving you a natural colour palette to work with. This flooring matches most interiors, creating an inviting atmosphere. Honey wood floors are light enough to give you many of the benefits of blonde wood (making your room look larger and more open) while providing the rich warmth that comes from a slightly darker tone. You can find honey wood floors in many popular wood species.
Caramel is a richer, warmer version of blonde wood, ideal for homeowners seeking an option that is easy to maintain and that will complement any décor. It’s the natural tone of many hardwood species and is easily available. Carmel is a classic, timeless hue.

Whitewashed and bleached: These flooring hues have become an increasingly popular hardwood flooring trend due to their clean and modern look. They bring a beachy feel to your home. The light stain enhances the beauty of the natural wood while making the flooring colour more consistent. They help a room feel fresh and modern.

Whitewashed wood is a popular trend. It creates a rustic, farmhouse aesthetic; an artistic worn-out look with the darker wood peeking out from underneath. This flooring is matte and subtle. Whitewashed flooring makes your home look brighter, bigger and more relaxed.
Bleached wood pairs well with casual interior design, adding a light airy feel. It’s a great choice for both modern and farmhouse kitchens. This method works well with white and red oak, with the white oak creating a contemporary look and the red a more traditional style.

Dark wood flooring has been popular among homeowners for centuries. It has a timeless and authentic feel, rich and full of character, making a space feel upscale and luxurious. From deep browns to black hues to dark reddish browns and even shades of grey, dark hardwood floors are elegant and sophisticated.

Browns: Dark brown hardwood flooring brings style and sophistication to your home. It pairs well with light bright interiors and suits most styles of homes, including rustic cottages and modern houses or apartments. It can be elegant, modern, rustic and/or wild, all while bringing warmth to your space.
Black is trendy but can be difficult to maintain as it shows every scratch and speck of dust. Reserve this hue of hardwood flooring for low-traffic areas and homes with no pets or children.
Grey is neutral and goes with any style of décor. It can be dark, light or have blue undertones. It can be highly patterned and textured. This hue hides dust, bumps and scratches and has a calming effect, making it ideal for rooms where you want to relax. Try a dark grey hardwood for a formal dining room or a light hue for a child’s bedroom.
Greige is a combination of grey and beige, yielding a different shade than flat gray. It offers the minimalist feel of gray with the depth of beige. This hardwood hue can be used in any room. The rustic charm of this shade works for modern and contemporary households. Greige adds a fresh look to bedrooms and gives living rooms and entryways a feeling of luxury.
Rich red and red-brown: With a lot of colour variation, these tones become the focal point of a room. Keep the rest of the decor simple and your hardwood floor will give the space a style boost.

Rustic: Reclaimed wood flooring has a natural patina as, over time, wood takes on a dark rich colour, depending on its environment and its use. Rustic flooring offers character that lets you use a wide range of other colours and wood tones in the room.

Hardwood flooring is versatile and comes in a range of styles, sizes, finishes, species, and colours. Wood flooring stains and textures have evolved and can be used to complement any interior design, architectural style, or colour palette. Have fun choosing the best colour(s) of hardwood flooring for your home!

Looking for quality hardwood flooring? Need help determining the best colour and style for your home? Interested in exceptional service and advice? Contact Smith Bros. Floors, one of Canada’s oldest hardwood flooring companies that is family-owned and operated. We use industry-leading flooring and finishes because we want your flooring to last! With a tested crew of installers and finishers and a lifetime guarantee on workmanship and longevity, Smith Bros. quality cannot be beaten! We provide exemplary customer service, from site visit, to quote, to installation and follow-up. Call us at 403-255-7791 for a free consultation.