Hardwood Flooring Calgary

Hardwood Flooring Calgary

Hardwood flooring has a very distinct look, and its versatility can make it look modern or classic, depending on the space and decor. It is one of the top options when it comes to refinishing a floor, and is popular with older and younger homeowners alike for a variety of reasons.

Calgary loves its hardwood floors, and today’s design trends are no exception. Due to the design, well-known reliability, and durability, this flooring is a perfect modern option for home renovations and flooring projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Hardwood Flooring?

Hardwood flooring is a popular option when finishing the floor of your home. It consists of planks of wood that are sanded, stained, and sealed with polyurethane. It is then installed in the floor of the space, being very popular for living rooms, bedrooms, or dining areas.

Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is a flooring option that is harvested from slow-growing trees such as oak or bamboo. Due to this slow growth, the wood is strong and dense, greatly suited to refinishing and installation. This also means that these types of floors last long and require less maintenance. Each species of tree has a different hardness and durability, and this may also affect the cost of installing this hardwood flooring.

Softwood Flooring

There is also something called softwood flooring. Softwood flooring uses materials that are sourced from trees such as cedar, pine, and fir. These trees grow quickly, making them readily available for home projects. However, since they grow quickly, this rapid growth means that the wood harvested from these trees is less dense, therefore less durable. For this reason, it is also more difficult to refinish softwood. That being said, softwood is often considered to be the more eco-friendly option, since it is more renewable and readily available. 

Why Use Hardwood Flooring?

Hardwood flooring is a fantastic choice for a number of reasons. These range from its versatility and aesthetic value to its strength and its durability. 

Aesthetics

Hardwood has a particular look and feel, so for those who love the classic look, or for those who lean towards green and eco-design, hardwood is an aesthetically pleasing choice. Every plank will have its own individual pattern of whorls and details, so the flooring is unique and truly one of a kind. Plus, there are so many choices, from the species of wood to the finish, so you can customize your hardwood flooring based on your preferences in characteristics, grain, and colour. Hardwood has much more personality than other flooring options, especially as it wears in over the years.

Durability

Unlike carpet, for example, hardwood floors are not so easily damaged or stained. The hardness of the wood can be taken into consideration when installing new flooring so that if you expect that your floors will take more of a beating, you and your contractor can plan accordingly. The flooring will also be sealed and coated with polyurethane, which protects it from stains, grime, and spills. Hardwood is designed to withstand heavy traffic in the home, so for those with pets or busy families, hardwood is a perfect choice!

Day to Day

Hardwood floors do have some give underfoot, so they are not too rigid or uncomfortable to walk or stand on. Sometimes, hardwood is installed over joists to make it a softer surface. You should be sure to have it installed over some sort of insulating layer, not directly over the concrete, for maximum comfort. Hardwood is also a material that retains a fairly even temperature year-round. It can be made compatible with an underfloor heating system if you would like to further heat your space as well. 

How much on average does it cost to install 1000 square feet of hardwood floors?

In the average Canadian home, it will cost about $10,500 to install 1000 square feet of hardwood floor. It is important to factor in both the cost of materials and the cost of labor when you are budgeting.

What is a good price for hardwood floors?

A good price depends on what kind of wood you are planning to use and where you are installing it. Typically, $4-$6 per square foot is a good price, while more expensive wood– such as wood that is exotic, distressed, or scraped– runs closer to $8-$12 per square foot.

What is the difference between finished and unfinished hardwood?

Finished hardwood has been finished in a factory. This means that it has already been sanded, stained, and coated with polyurethane. Unfinished hardwood, however, is raw wood that must be finished after it is installed in the home.

Can You Put Heated Floors Under Hardwood?

Yes, you can put heated floors under hardwood. Radiant heating or electric heating will work with hardwood and give you a comfortable heated floor. Typically we recommend engineered wood which has been specifically designed with increased stability and less of a response to the change in temperature.

Great Alternatives – All of the other floorings that we primarily do are great options for in-floor heating. This includes tile flooring, Luxury Vinyl Plank and Laminate.

Things to Consider with Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood is a great flooring option, not only when it comes to aesthetics, but in day-to-day life, too. However, as with any flooring option, there are also some important things to consider when deciding if hardwood is right for you.

Humidity

Ahh, Calgary…your humidity. If you live here you know, the fluctuations can be significant. In the winter especially it can be very dry. Wood is a natural material and as such will respond to the changes in temperature and humidity. Especially the softer woods. Humidity control and balance in your home is a good practice in general, but it is also something to pay attention to with a hardwood floor.

Your Bedrock Construction installer can help you make sure that you are set up for a long-lasting floor.

Noise

Hardwood can be a noisy flooring option, much more so than carpet, which muffles and absorbs sound. In fact, hardwood is great for increasing the acoustics of a space, as soft furnishings and flooring options muffle noise more. You may also experience noise issues such as squeaks with the smooth wood surface. If noise is a concern in your space, then maybe hardwood is not for you.

However, this can be avoided by installing some sort of underlayers such as foam or cork to help pad the hardwood.

Cost

Hardwood is a fairly expensive flooring option, but the look and durability are part of the reason why. There are different tiers of cost, so you should be able to fit hardwood flooring installation into most budgets. Of course, you do get what you pay for.

The more exotic, unusual, or denser woods are on the higher end of the price spectrum, and the more common and less durable woods are more affordable. It is also important to note that regardless of the species of wood you decide on, it will still likely outlast a floor made of carpet or cork. Hardwood boasts that type of longevity.

When planning your floor installation, be sure to examine your options and their cost– for example, there may be a way that you can get the look of a more expensive, out-of-budget wood with a particular stain instead.

Alternatives – There are some great alternatives to hardwood flooring if the budget is tight. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is a great option that is cost-effective, looks incredible, waterproof, and very durable.