Hardwood Flooring: Types, Benefits, and Maintenance Tips

When it comes to enhancing the beauty, value, and comfort of your home, few improvements make as significant an impact as installing high-quality hardwood flooring. At Orange Cat Flooring, we’ve helped countless homeowners improve their spaces with the timeless elegance of hardwood. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about hardwood flooring—from the various types available to maintenance tips that will keep your floors looking stunning for decades to come.

Why Choose Hardwood Flooring for Your Home?

Hardwood flooring has remained a popular choice among homeowners for centuries, and for good reason. Here’s why hardwood continues to be a top contender when it comes to flooring options:

Timeless Appeal

Unlike trendy flooring materials that can quickly become dated, hardwood floors offer classic beauty that transcends passing fads. Whether your home features traditional, contemporary, or transitional design elements, hardwood flooring provides a versatile foundation that complements virtually any interior style.

Exceptional Durability

Quality hardwood floors from Orange Cat Flooring are built to last. With proper care and maintenance, your hardwood flooring can remain beautiful and functional for generations. Many historic homes still showcase their original hardwood floors after more than a century of use!

Improved Home Value

Hardwood flooring consistently ranks among the top home improvements for return on investment. Real estate experts agree that homes with hardwood floors typically sell faster and at higher prices than comparable homes with other flooring types. When you choose Orange Cat Flooring to install hardwood in your home, you’re not just enhancing your living space—you’re making a smart investment in your property’s value.

Better Indoor Air Quality

Unlike carpeting, which can trap allergens, dust, and other particulates, hardwood flooring doesn’t harbor these irritants. This makes hardwood an excellent choice for families with allergy sufferers or anyone concerned about maintaining healthy indoor air quality.

Easy Maintenance

While hardwood requires some care to maintain its beauty, it’s generally easier to clean and maintain than many alternative flooring options. A simple sweeping and occasional mopping are typically all that’s needed to keep your hardwood floors looking their best.

Popular Hardwood Flooring Types

At Orange Cat Flooring, we offer a wide range of hardwood flooring options to suit every taste, lifestyle, and budget. Here’s a closer look at some of the most popular varieties we install:

Solid Hardwood

Solid hardwood flooring is exactly what it sounds like—planks milled from a single piece of wood. Typically measuring ¾ inch thick, solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished multiple times throughout its lifetime, allowing you to refresh the appearance of your floors whenever necessary.

Pros of Solid Hardwood:

• Can be refinished multiple times
• Excellent longevity (100+ years with proper care)
• Increases home value
• Available in many species, colors, and finishes

Cons of Solid Hardwood:

• More susceptible to moisture damage
• Not recommended for below-grade installations (basements)
• Higher initial cost than some alternatives

Engineered Hardwood

Engineered hardwood consists of a layer of genuine hardwood bonded to multiple layers of high-quality plywood. This construction creates a flooring product that offers the beauty of real wood with enhanced stability and versatility.

Pros of Engineered Hardwood:

• Better resistance to moisture and humidity
• Suitable for installation in basements and over concrete slabs
• Available in wide planks that might not be feasible with solid wood
• Often more affordable than solid hardwood

Cons of Engineered Hardwood:

• Can only be refinished a limited number of times (or not at all, depending on the thickness of the top layer)
• Typically has a shorter lifespan than solid hardwood

Popular Wood Species

The species of wood you choose for your flooring significantly impacts both appearance and performance. Here are some of the most popular options we offer at Orange Cat Flooring:

Oak (Red and White)

Oak remains the most popular choice for hardwood flooring in North America, prized for its durability and distinctive grain pattern. Red oak offers warm, reddish-brown tones, while white oak features more golden and grayish hues. Both varieties score around 1300 on the Janka hardness scale, making them suitable for high-traffic areas.

Maple

With its fine, consistent grain and exceptional hardness (1450 on the Janka scale), maple provides a clean, contemporary look that works beautifully in modern interiors. Though typically light in color, maple can be stained to achieve a variety of finishes.

Hickory

For homeowners seeking maximum durability, hickory is hard to beat. With a Janka rating of 1820, it’s one of the hardest domestic wood species. Hickory features dramatic grain patterns and significant color variation, creating floors with distinctive character.

Cherry

Though softer than oak or maple (950 on the Janka scale), cherry is valued for its rich, reddish-brown color that deepens beautifully with age. Cherry flooring creates a warm, elegant atmosphere.

Walnut

With its chocolate-brown tones and straight grain, walnut offers sophisticated beauty. Though relatively soft (1010 on the Janka scale), walnut’s rich color naturally hides minor dents and scratches.

Exotic Species

For those seeking something truly unique, we also offer exotic hardwood species like Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba), Tigerwood, and Brazilian Walnut (Ipe). These species typically offer exceptional hardness and distinctive coloration.

Hardwood Flooring Styles and Finishes

Beyond the type of wood, various style elements contribute to the overall look of your hardwood floors:

Plank Width

• Traditional strip flooring (2¼” to 3″ wide)
• Plank flooring (3″ to 8″ wide)
• Wide plank flooring (8″+ wide)

Wider planks create a more rustic, casual feel and can make spaces appear larger, while narrower strips offer a more traditional, formal appearance.

Edge Treatments

• Square (creates a seamless look)
• Beveled (features a V-groove between planks)
• Micro-beveled (subtle version of a beveled edge)
• Distressed (hand-scraped, wire-brushed, or otherwise textured)

Finish Options

• Site-finished (sanded and finished after installation)
• Pre-finished (finished at the factory)

Site-finishing allows for complete customization of color and sheen, while pre-finished floors offer convenience and immediate usability after installation.

The Hardwood Flooring Installation Process with Orange Cat Flooring

When you choose Orange Cat Flooring for your hardwood installation, you can expect a smooth, professional process from start to finish:

1. Consultation and Measurement

Our design consultants will meet with you to discuss your preferences, lifestyle needs, and budget. We’ll take detailed measurements of your space and help you select the perfect hardwood for your home.

2. Preparation

Before installation day, we recommend removing all furniture from the area. Our team will handle the removal of existing flooring materials. We’ll also ensure that your subfloor is clean, dry, and level—crucial factors for a successful hardwood installation.

3. Acclimation

Quality hardwood installation requires proper acclimation. We’ll deliver your flooring materials several days before installation, allowing the wood to adjust to your home’s temperature and humidity levels.

4. Installation

Our skilled craftsmen will install your hardwood flooring with meticulous attention to detail. Depending on the size of your project and the type of flooring selected, installation typically takes 2-5 days.

5. Finishing (for site-finished floors)

If you’ve chosen site-finished hardwood, our team will sand, stain, and apply multiple coats of protective finish after installation. This process adds several days to the project timeline but offers unparalleled customization.

6. Final Inspection

Once installation is complete, our project manager will conduct a thorough inspection and walkthrough with you to ensure your complete satisfaction.

Maintaining Your Hardwood Floors: Tips from Orange Cat Flooring Experts

Proper maintenance is essential for preserving the beauty and longevity of your hardwood floors. Here are our expert recommendations:

Daily Maintenance

• Sweep or vacuum regularly to prevent scratches from dirt and debris
• Use a microfiber dust mop or a vacuum with a floor-brush attachment
• Wipe up spills immediately to prevent water damage
• Use felt pads under furniture legs to prevent scratches

Weekly/Monthly Maintenance

• Clean with a hardwood-specific cleaner (avoid all-purpose cleaners, which can damage the finish)
• Use a slightly damp (never wet) mop
• Avoid steam cleaners, which can cause warping
• Refresh high-traffic areas with a hardwood refresher product as needed

Seasonal Maintenance

• Maintain indoor humidity between 35-55% using humidifiers or dehumidifiers as needed
• Check for and repair any loose boards, squeaks, or finish wear
• Consider recoating the finish every 3-5 years to protect the wood

Long-Term Care

• Refinish solid hardwood floors every 7-10 years, or when visible wear extends through the finish to the wood
• Consider professional deep cleaning annually

Common Hardwood Flooring Concerns and Solutions

Scratches and Dents

Minor scratches in the finish can often be addressed with touch-up kits matched to your floor’s finish. For deeper scratches or dents, professional repair may be necessary. At Orange Cat Flooring, we offer repair services for all types of hardwood flooring.

Fading

All wood changes color over time due to exposure to light. To minimize uneven fading, occasionally reposition area rugs and furniture. UV-protective window treatments can also help prevent excessive fading.

Gaps Between Boards

Some seasonal expansion and contraction is normal with solid hardwood floors. However, excessive or persistent gaps may indicate humidity issues or installation problems. Our service team can assess and address these concerns.

Cupping or Crowning

These conditions occur when wood absorbs moisture unevenly. If you notice these issues, contact Orange Cat Flooring immediately—addressing the underlying moisture problem is essential before any repairs can be made.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hardwood Flooring

How long will my hardwood floors last?

With proper care, solid hardwood floors can last 100+ years, while quality engineered hardwood typically lasts 30-50 years.

Can hardwood flooring be installed in kitchens and bathrooms?

Engineered hardwood can work well in kitchens with proper precautions against water damage. For bathrooms, we typically recommend alternative waterproof options like luxury vinyl or tile, though some engineered products are designed specifically for bathroom use.

What’s the most durable type of hardwood flooring for a busy household with pets and children?

For active households, we recommend harder species like hickory or maple with a factory-applied aluminum oxide finish. Distressed or hand-scraped finishes also help hide minor wear more effectively.

How soon can we walk on newly installed hardwood floors?

Pre-finished hardwood can be walked on immediately after installation. For site-finished floors, you’ll need to wait until the finish is completely cured, which typically takes 24-72 hours depending on the product used.

Does Orange Cat Flooring offer environmentally friendly hardwood options?

Yes! We carry a variety of sustainably harvested hardwoods certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), as well as reclaimed wood options that give new life to salvaged materials.

Transform Your Home with Orange Cat Flooring

With its timeless beauty, exceptional durability, and undeniable value, hardwood flooring remains one of the best investments you can make in your home. At Orange Cat Flooring, we’re committed to helping you find the perfect hardwood solution for your space and providing flawless installation that will stand the test of time.

Ready to explore how hardwood flooring can transform your home? Contact Orange Cat Flooring today to schedule your free consultation. Our experienced design team will help you navigate the many options available and find the perfect hardwood flooring to complement your lifestyle, aesthetic preferences, and budget.

Visit our showroom to view our extensive collection of hardwood samples, or schedule an in-home consultation for personalized service and expert advice. Discover why homeowners throughout the region have trusted Orange Cat Flooring for all their hardwood flooring needs.