Hardwood Flooring in Peoria, IL

Hardwood flooring is known for its natural beauty as well as durability. It is associated with luxury and value because of its rich color and elegance.  And here at Columbia Rug Carpet One Floor & Home, our flooring professionals can help you make an educated purchase. We have access to the latest industry news and exclusive waterproof and pet-friendly hardwood brands to fit your lifestyle. 

Are you considering hardwoods for your space? Here are a few things to consider when purchasing your new floors.

Which Hardwood Flooring Brand is the Most Durable?

We know that hardwood is an investment, so we make sure that you get the greatest quality and value from us. Our exclusive collection, Invincible Hardwood™, is considered to be one of the most durable hard surface floors available. Homeowners in the Peoria area have chosen Invincible Hardwood because of its 50-year guarantee and state-of-the-art finish.

• With Invincible Hardwood’s Intensity Surface Shield™ and Tru-Grain™ sealant, your floor can handle wear, spills, and accidents.
• Another important feature of Invincible Hardwood is the Plankperfect™ milling system. This system uses computerized sawing and laser cutting for a tight tongue and groove fit.
• Finally, water, dust, dirt, allergens, and other particles will not slip between the cracks.

Is Humidity Bad for My Hardwood Floors?

While most wood products can benefit from humidity, there is a specific range of humidity for hardwood floors. The relative humidity of a house with hardwood floors should range from 35% to 60%. During the winter, the air in your home can be dry, leading to gapping between your floorboards as the planks shrink. In humid months, swelling can cause your hardwood planks to buckle and cup.

Protect Your Hardwoods from Humidity

• During installation, it’s a good idea to leave space between the wood planks when we install your floor so that they can naturally expand and shrink.
• A hygrometer can help you maintain your humidity levels.
• Use a humidifier and dehumidifier when appropriate to keep your wood floors in the best possible shape.

What Are the Different Types of Wood Flooring?

When it comes to selecting hardwood floors, there are a variety of choices to compare. Different species of hardwood differ in strength and color, so if you need a floor to stand up to heavy foot traffic or children and pets, choose a more solid type of hardwood. You can even choose between unfinished and finished hardwood for a customized look. The biggest decision with hardwood is choosing between engineered and solid hardwood, both of which have beneficial characteristics such as refinishing.

Solid vs. Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Solid wood floors are the original hardwood option. They have a simple construction in which each plank is made from a single solid piece of premium wood. This includes maple, mahogany, hickory, birch, and oak, among others.

• Solid hardwood is beautiful and can add real estate value to your home. This is in part because the planks are designed to last for decades, or even longer.
• They are usually thick enough that you can refinish them over the years for a brand-new floor.

If you are dealing with a space with a lot of foot traffic or are concerned about humidity warping your solid wood floors, consider engineered planks. Engineered hardwood is made by laminating together 3 to 7 layers of composite wood. The top layer is a real wood veneer, which is why solid and engineered floors look identical from the surface. The sublayers are pressed together in a cross-grain direction.

• Engineered planks are stabilized to prevent swelling in moisture-prone conditions.
• Unlike solid wood, some engineered planks can’t be refinished more than once or twice. However, higher-quality engineered floors have thicker veneers that can be sanded down just as many times as solid wood.

Where Can My Hardwood Be Installed?

Engineered planks can be installed on all levels of your home, including in finished basements.

• These floors are ideal for busy and active households.
• They can withstand the heavy burden of furniture and other appliances without showing a lot of wear and use.

Solid wood is best for homes that see moderate foot traffic.

• If you have pets, keep their nails trimmed so they do not damage the floor. The drawback to solid wood is that it can only be installed in limited areas of your home.
• It’s recommended to stick with dry spaces that are on or above grade, like a bedroom or home office.

Shop Hardwood Flooring Near You - Columbia Rug Carpet One

We are more than your locally-owned flooring retailer. We are a member of one of the largest flooring cooperatives, which gives us an advantage over the big box flooring retailers. We carry name brands such as Mannington and Baroque, as well as our exclusive brands including Rustic River and Invincible Hardwood. That means you can find unique and distinctive products with us for a great price, thanks to our increased buying power as a co-op. We encourage you to browse our online hardwood selection or visit our showroom today!

Caring for Hardwood Flooring   Hardwood floors can last for the life of your home if properly maintained. Here are some must-know tips on keeping your solid or engineered floors looking beautiful.   LEARN MORE