It’s hard to imagine a city more unique than Coeur d’Alene ID, especially when it comes to our climate. From days to seasons, our weather changes pretty drastically on the regular. How does this impact your flooring?
If you prefer the natural beauty of hardwood planks, you might be disappointed to learn that traditional hardwood planks are not match for our climate. However, there are several alternatives that offer the beauty of hardwood with performance better suited for our climate. We’ll briefly discuss our top choices here.
The Challenge with Traditional Solid Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring has traditionally been built with sold wood planks. While this practice preserves the natural beauty, it also makes solid hardwood floors susceptible to the same challenges that wood faces in nature.
For example, wood naturally expands when wet. This can be caused by spills or increases in humidity (such as the higher humidity levels during winter). It can also occur when snow is tracked into the home and allowed to melt.
Conversely, dry air causes wood to contract.
While these changes pose no problem in nature, they can prove detrimental when your floors have been precisely fitted into your home. When panels contract, spills and debris can easily reach the subfloor. When hardwood floors expand, they bulge from their intended placement. Expansion gaps are often used to remedy this problem, but they often cause other challenges of their own.
Still, hardwood floors do offer a unique style that perfectly compliments the culture of Coeur d’Alene. And, fortunately, there are many options suitable for our crazy climate.
Engineered Hardwood
If you still prefer authentic wood floors, engineered hardwood flooring is the best choice for Coeur d-Alene. While engineered planks are still composed of wood, they feature a layered design rather than a solid build. As a result, they are more resistant to changes resulting from fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels.
Luxury Vinyl Plank
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) floors have come a long way in recent years. They are completely waterproof, making them suitable for installation in any room, including basements. LVP floors also maintain their size and shape regardless of temperature or humidity changes.
Porcelain Tile Flooring
If you want the wood look in more extreme applications, it’s hard to beat porcelain. These tiles can also be designed to perfectly mimic hardwood visuals, but are suitable for basements, kitchens, and bathrooms. Porcelain is also frost resistant, making it a great choice for outdoor applications, even during our crazy winter months. It’s a popular choice for commercial installations as well. While porcelain typically has a higher initial cost, its long-term value is often unmatched.
Learn More
Flooring is an important investment that shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you’re ready to make an informed choice for your home, visit Carpet Warehouse & ColorTile today!
