Hardwood flooring is often equated to the older homes of the Midwest and the East Coast. Much of their structural design reflects a timeless, strong, resilient and traditional time period.
Here in the wild, wild Southwest our architecture is newer and more modern, usually portraying a ranch-style or adobe/stucco look, with geometric designs and clean lines.
Even though Arizona is one of the younger states in the union, we still reach for a little tradition every now and again. Our climate has always stretched builders and architects to think outside of the box as they try to create aesthetic appeal in a design that can also combat the heat, dust and low humidity of the desert.
Tile was, and still is, a very popular flooring choice for Phoenix and Scottsdale homeowners. But hardwood flooring has been springing up in more and more homes and is becoming a much more popular choice. Even though we live in the desert, we too can enjoy the beautiful sheen of hardwood flooring.
When installing hardwood floors in the dry, hot climates, here are 4 tips to keep in mind so that your investment will stay beautiful for many years to come.
1. Types of Wood – Wood does not all have the same destiny. Some are much softer than others and can get more easily damaged by dust and moisture. So talk to your installer about the right type of wood for your flooring and install a wood that isn’t too soft for your needs.
2. Proper Sealant – The 3 most important things to remember when you choose to install hardwood floor are, seal it, seal it, seal it. Hardwood floors, no matter what climate you are living in, need to be protected. Properly sealing your hardwood floors when they are new and periodically throughout the years is the most important thing you can do for a hardwood floor.
3. Humidity Issues – “Yes, it might be 132° outside, but at least it’s a dry heat.” Everyone who spends any amount of time in Arizona is bound to hear a Phoenix or Scottsdale homeowner say that, it is how Phoenicians get through the summer. Our lack of humidity in Arizona might make June and July bearable, but it is very hard on our hardwood floors. Properly sealing your hardwood floors will help with this, but you might want to look into getting a humidifier for the rooms where the wood floor gets installed, to bring a little more moisture to the interior air.
4. Texture – This point is important for homeowner who own pets. Pet traffic can take a toll on hardwood floors but by choosing darker colors and a more rustic topical finish it can help to mask the little daily traffic marks.
There are few flooring choices that are as luxurious and alluring as hardwood floors. They are becoming more and more affordable and can be adapted to beautify the interiors of any home in any region. If you have your heart and mind set on hardwood floors, contact me and I can get you in touch with one of my design consultants who can help get you started and walk you through the process of installing beautiful wood flooring into your project or home.
Contact me for all your real estate needs at 602-531-0435 or email Jeff@arizonasrealty.com
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