There is nothing that makes a home look more beautiful than hardwood floors. No matter what species of wood you choose, hardwood floors capture light well and can give a room a warm and welcoming glow. They are the perfect compliment to antique furniture, but they also work well with contemporary decor.
Homeowners who know a bit about remodeling will tell you that you can add value and style to your home when you salvage used wood. Salvaged materials, in general, can give your home a classic look and recycling is one of the best things that you can do for the environment.
Reclaimed hardwood planks are a great option for homeowners on a budget. They often cost only half as much as new planks. Used hardwood can also fit in perfectly with an older home. Although it is rare, you may even be able to find planks that are extinct or not readily available in the United States.
Where to Find Reclaimed Flooring
There are several salvage yards in the Seattle area, where you can find planks of many different varieties. They will often have pictures of the planks as well as prices listed on their websites. Reclaimed wood is very popular, so do not get discouraged if you do not find what you are looking for right away. You can also look for wood on e-commerce sites, but always ask to see a picture or video of the wood before purchasing it. E-commerce sites are not the recommended method of searching for wood planks as it is ideal to see the merchandise up close before buying it.
How to Tell Good Planks from Bad Planks
It is always a good idea to inspect any wood you buy in person. You will want to make sure the flooring is in good condition before you buy it. You may even want to get the opinion of a home contractor or carpenter before shelling out money for new flooring. Make sure that there will be enough wood for the room you are looking to redecorate, because a match may not be so easy to find.
If you are going to have your hardwood floor refinished, the color of the wood should not be too much of a concern. A professional contractor will be able to sand out imperfections and make the wood look as good as new.
Some of the wood you will find will already have been painted. You may want to purchase a lead paint test kit to make sure the planks are free of lead.
The Price
If you are buying wood yourself, you will want to take the time to look for the best price, so be sure to comparison shop. Home Care Contractors can offer a professional opinion of wood that you are considering buying. Also, remember to factor in the cost of transporting the wood from the salvage yard to your home.
Why You Should Hire A Contractor
If you are on a budget, you may have considered installing your own hardwood floors. Unless you are very experienced with carpentry, you may want to think again. Using reclaimed wood often requires sanding. Sanding a hardwood floor requires a skilled hand. If you make mistakes you may end up with an uneven floor. Sanding mistakes can also cause noticeable scratching in the wood.
Our team of professional flooring contractors can make your home look fabulous when they install your reclaimed hardwood floors. We work quickly and efficiently and we can work out a payment plan that is right for you.