Walnut Flooring vs Oak Flooring for Your Dream Home
The fragile state of our economy has caused a lot of homeowners to reassess their plans to sell their house and move up to something more in line with their dream home. While things seem to be starting to stabilize and the real estate market is showing signs of movement, many Americans have decided to stay where they are and create the home they want through upgrades and remodeling.
While redoing the kitchen with new appliances, cabinets and countertops, installing that Jacuzzi tub in the master bath or converting the basement into a media room will always top many lists, probably the most popular place to start is the flooring. Watching them install a wall-sized high-definition television will certainly generate a lot of excitement, but there is very little that will add more long term value to your home than ripping out those carpets and installing hardwood floors.
There is a major difference that needs to be considered when making the decision for wood flooring. When you’re picking out that new refrigerator or TV, you know that thee is a limit as to how long it will last and that you will be replacing it with a newer and better model in a few years. That is not usually the case with wood floors. Because of this, it’s very important to choose a type of wood that will complement your preference in décor and match your lifestyle.
The denser varieties such as oak and walnut hardwood flooring are much better suited to families with active lifestyles. While oak has a higher hardness rating than American Walnut, the Brazilian Walnut tree produces the densest wood available for flooring. Beyond durability, each type of hardwood has a different character and the color variations are considerable.
Whether you choose the classic, warm glow of an oak floor or the vibrant richness of walnut or another of the hardwoods is a choice that only you can make. For those who intend to create the home they plan to stay in for perhaps the rest of their lives, this is no small decision. The best advice is to find examples close to what you are considering. Never make your choice based on a color chart or even a sample. Always see how it lays out in a room.
With research and patience, your hardwood floor upgrade may be the best investment you ever make in your home.