The Best Wood Flooring for a Dining Room

Dining rooms tend to be a bit more formal than every other room in the home. Usually featuring more ornate tables and chairs, hutches, China cabinets and fancy décor, dining rooms also usually boast nicer flooring as compared with the kitchen and living areas. However, the flooring should also be able to take spills and crumbs, especially if you use your dining room table as your everyday eating area for the family.

Hardwood floors bring class and style to any dining room, plus, depending on the type you choose, they’re durable and easy to clean. However, they can be more expensive than other options such as laminate, tile, stone and carpeting. Keep in mind, though, that quality wood floors that are well maintained should last a lifetime. That means, in the long run they are one of the most cost effective options you can choose.

Here are some tips on choosing the best wood flooring for this most elegant room in your house.

Timeless, Beautiful Look

Solid hardwood is an ideal option for timeless, beautiful looks that flow well with other areas of the home. It also works well in keeping up with the demands of your main-level living areas, as it’s easy to clean and offers a long-lasting durability.

You can also opt for premium protective finishes that can resist scratches, stains and spills. It’s still a good idea to add felt padding on the chair and table legs to help prevent scrapes and gouges.

You can’t go wrong with either prefinished wood flooring, which comes ready to install or unfinished wood flooring, which is sanded and finished on site. Getting prefinished planks, for example, won’t send up dust from sanding or fumes from finishing.

Seasonal Shrinking

Engineered wood floors are another option, especially if you live in high-humidity climates or near the beach. That’s because they are less susceptible to seasonal shrinking and swelling because the layers in the plywood backing have grain going in alternating directions, says Consumer Reports.

Some can be installed right over a concrete subfloor, which isn’t always the case with solid wood, saving you money. That being said, engineered hardwood doesn’t have the longevity that solid wood does over the long haul. Most engineered products can be refinished between one and three times, whereas solid wood can be refinished four to five times.

Species

The species of hardwood you choose will have a lot to do with your personal preferences and the style and décor of the room. Five hardwood species (oak, hickory, maple, cherry and walnut) are the most common for residential dining room flooring.

  • Oak: Available in red and white, highly durable.
  • Walnut: Has deep, rich, chocolate tones and large straight grain patterns for the ultimate in sophistication.
  • Cherry: Warm brown hues and smooth grain pattern make this wood softer than others; great for low-traffic spots, such as bedrooms and formal dining rooms.
  • Hickory: Durable, good for high-traffic areas; best suited to rustic and country styles.
  • Maple: Highly durable choice, with a fine grain pattern and occasional dark streaks and specks that add visual interest.

Contact Designer Wood Flooring in San Antonio

Look to our experts to help you choose the best hardwood flooring for your dining room. Contact us today to make your appointment!