These days, more and more homeowners utilize the dining room as a more formal area than any other room in the house. In the dining room, people use more ornate tables and chairs and have more elegant décor, including a China cabinet or a hutch to enhance the dining room’s overall aesthetics, especially when compared to the informal eating area in the kitchen. However, because of the nature of the dining room, the floors need to be able to handle crumbs and spills, particularly if you use the dining room for everyday eating. As hardwood floors often offer class and style to a dining room, depending on which type you get, they can prove to be easy to clean and maintain as well as be very durable. Though they can be a little more pricy than other options, for many, the investment is well worth it. If you properly maintain and care for your hardwood floors, in any room, it can last a lifetime. Making them, in the long-run, a cost-effective option. Today, we at Mike’s Custom Flooring would like to further elaborate on wood floors in your dining room.

Solid Hardwood Floors are Timeless

Providing an easy flow with the transition from other floors, solid hardwood floors is an optimal option for the dining room as it delivers a classic, yet gorgeous look. As mentioned, it is easy to clean and maintain and works well to keep up with the demand of your main-level living areas. With the help of premium protective finishes, the floor can resist stains, spills, and scratches. However, it is recommended to add felt padding to the legs of the chairs and table for added preventative measures that help avoid gouges and scratches from sliding around. Either option, prefinished, or the wood floor that is ready to install, or unfinished, which is where the wood planks that are sanded and finished after installation, work well in a dining room. However, most prefer the prefinished to avoid the finishing fumes from impacting the house and occupants.

Does Engineered Wood Flooring Shrink?

For those that live in more humid areas, or near the beach, can benefit from engineered wood floors. According to research, because the layers in the plywood backing have grain going in alternating directions, the engineered floors are less susceptible to seasonal shrinking and swelling. In some cases, the engineered wood saves additional cost as it can be installed on a concrete subfloor, which isn’t always an option with solid wood flooring. Although, the engineered wood doesn’t last as long, this option can be refinished a few times where solid hardwood floors can be refinished more.

What Type of Wood Species is Best for Dining Room Flooring?

A lot of the species will dictate the overall look and style you prefer when you select the options. Common hardwood species include oak, hickory, maple, cherry and walnut for dining room options.
Cherry: Great for low-traffic spots, formal dining rooms and even bedrooms, smooth grain pattern make this wood softer than others and the warm hues are stunning.
Hickory: Beautiful for rustic and country styles, this option is a durable option, best for high-traffic areas.
Maple: With visual interests, the fine grain pattern and occasional dark streaks are remarkable and offers high durability.
Oak: High durable and available in white and red.
Walnut: For an extreme sophisticated look, the deep rich, chocolate tones and large straight grain patterns are ideal.

Hardwood Floor Installation, Repairs, Refinishing & More in Charles Town & Eastern Panhandle of Berkeley & Jefferson Counties in WV | Winchester & Frederick County | Round Hill & Loudoun County | Berryville & Clarke County | Herndon & Fairfax County VA

Ultimately, when you install your wood flooring in the dining room, quality matters, and you need the experts of Mike’s Custom Flooring to ensure the wood floor is installed efficiently. Call us today for your consultation.