Hardwood and Almost Hardwood

Hardwood: Nothing beats a beautifully restored, antique hardwood floor for a traditional, elegant look. Hardwood is tremendously versatile in its decorative ability. It can look ancient and sophisticated or super-modern and cool. It all depends on two things, the type of wood and the finish. You can have a pine floor, stained to look dark and daring, or a high glossed new maple floor that will look fresh and warm at the same time. Even an old country home with bare old barn-board flooring can be refinished to look stylish and chic. The possibilities are almost limitless, if you have the resources.

One of the deterrents to putting hardwood throughout your home is the cost. Laying hardwood is a rare skill and you can expect to pay a great deal to have somebody come in and do it, not to mention the price of the material itself. On the other hand, many older homes already have beautiful hardwood floors hidden just below a wall-to-wall carpet, or one that is exposed but is looking worse-for wear. As long as your hardwood is not completely worn down to the exposed wood, you should be able to refurbish it yourself. It's a great project for the do-it-yourselfer.

If you can't afford to put in or redo hardwood floors, or if you want the look but need a surface that is slightly more durable, there are several other options that are almost hardwood, but may be a bit more practical and a lot more affordable. Here are a few:

Pergo: I'm a huge Pergo fan - it is the type of flooring that I currently have in my own home. This Swedish company makes laminate floors that look like hardwood (from a distance) but are affordable and extremely durable. Perfect for any room in your house, be it living, dining, kitchen or bathroom! You can wipe them clean easily, they are not damaged by water and they will stand up to the test of children and pets. They are even easily installed. Available in a multitude of colours and textures there is a Pergo floor perfect for any living space. Check out the super cool Pergo website for more info. You can even pick and choose colours and see how they will work with your own décor!

Hardboard is an inexpensive type of flooring, however, may not be the most durable, particularly in room where it is likely to get wet. Made from softwood pulp, it is a form of sheet board that can be laid directly over a sub floor. Use it on it's own, or as a surface below another type of flooring, such as carpet.

Chipboard is slightly more durable and thicker than hardboard and can have an attractive, warm look for a rather reasonable price. It's easily laid and comes in large sheets, but you have to be sure to seal it promptly as it will not survive spills or messes and will become badly stained.
Source: HGTV.ca

Posted by David Shieh- Abbotsford Real Estate Agent Landmark Realty Corp.