Category Archives: Uncategorized

Modern living room with beige sectional sofa.

Living Room Flooring Ideas

Are you looking to update your living room floors? When you’re choosing living room flooring, you’ll want to match the style of your room design and choose a material that’s durable and low-maintenance. Hardwood floors are always a great choice because they’re affordable but also provide long lasting beauty. But when it comes to hardwood flooring, there are many options to choose from.

Living Room Flooring Ideas in the Washington Metropolitan Area

It’s not always easy to make a decision or come up with an idea that works. Luckily, Elegant Floor Service has some living room flooring ideas that may help get you started. Continue reading or call us for living room floor installation in Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia.

Solid Hardwood Floor vs. Engineered Hardwood Floor

When comparing living room flooring ideas, the first thing you should do is choose between solid and engineered hardwood flooring, taking into account the location of your living room, the people who will use the space most, and the look you want to achieve.

Solid hardwood flooring has the following benefits:

  • It can be refinished multiple times, making it a long-term investment.
  • It’s available in both prefinished and unfinished options.
  • It’s available in a wide variety of styles and species.

Whether you choose solid or engineered hardwood floors for your living room flooring, you have a great deal of flexibility in terms of style. However, solid hardwood flooring consists of only a single slab of wood, making it susceptible to shrinking, expanding, or warping with the humidity. It’s also not ideal for below grade living rooms because it cannot be installed over a concrete subfloor.

Unlike solid hardwood floors, engineered hardwood flooring consists of thin layers of wood placed in different directions and bonded together, preventing warping when there’s humidity. Engineered hardwood flooring is also known for its durability and can be sanded and refinished multiple times.

Choosing Materials for Living Room Flooring

Another important factor to take into account is the material you want for your living room flooring. When you’re choosing materials, take note that not all types of flooring come in both engineered and solid options.

Oak hardwood flooring is a popular choice because it’s durable, flexible, and low-maintenance. It comes in both engineered and solid options, as well as a variety of grades, classes, and colors, including Honey, Butterscotch, and Cherry.

Ash hardwood floors are also popular because they’re dent resistant and can make your living room look more spacious. Ash hardwood flooring typically comes in black, brown, or white colors.

Known for its ability to add a light, inviting feeling to the room, maple hardwood flooring is also known for its durability. Like oak hardwood floors, maple hardwood floors are easy to clean and available in many different grades and style options. However, both ash and maple are nonporous, meaning these types of living room floors won’t respond well to dark stains.

Living Room Floor Installation in DC, MD, & VA

Whether you have a living room flooring idea of your own or need help coming up with one, Elegant Floor Service can help. We provide living room floor installation, repair, refinishing, and restoration services in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, providing guidance to our clients throughout the entire process. Contact us for a free estimate on living room floor installation.

Stone Floor Restoration in Washington Metropolitan Area

Restoring Hardwood Floors

Have your hardwood floors lost their shine? If your floors are looking dull, it may be time to consider hardwood floor restoration—which can rejuvenate your floors and help protect them from future damage. But sometimes it can be difficult to decide if you need restoration, repairs, refinishing, or a replacement. We’ve outlined some tips that can help you determine the best times for hardwood floor restoration so you can keep your floors in good condition for as long as possible.

How to Keep Your Hardwood Floors Clean

In order to save you money and avoid more complex hardwood floor repairs in the future, it’s important to keep your hardwood floors clean. This way, you will only need to restore hardwood floors when it’s necessary—and you should be able to avoid getting a replacement or intricate repairs. Here are some tips that can help you keep your hardwood floors clean:

  • Avoid wearing shoes on  your hardwood floors
  • Vacuum your floors regularly to remove dirt and dust
  • Use a vinegar mix to mop your floors

If you keep your hardwood floors clean, it can reveal any scratches, stains, or discoloration you may have. Just make sure to regularly check for any of these issues so that you can have your floors restored before there’s any further damage.

When to Restore Hardwood Flooring

If you’ve had your floors for a long time, they’ve probably been through some wear and tear. But do they just need to be cleaned or do you need hardwood floor restoration? If your floors have minor surface scratches, they probably just need to be cleaned and polished—but if your problems are more significant you may need to restore your hardwood floors.

The first thing you should do to determine the appropriate course of action is assess any existing damage. Look out for the following warning signs that can indicate you need to restore your hardwood floors:

  • Your floor has severe scratches that penetrate the surface
  • Your floor is worn down due to heavy traffic
  • You want to change the color
  • You want to change the sheen

If you notice any of these problems or want to make an aesthetic change, it’s probably necessary to restore your hardwood floors. However, if you have more extensive damage or want to make a drastic change—your floors are heavily worn, can’t be sanded, or you want a completely new flooring species—you probably need to install a new wood floor. A professional hardwood flooring company can help you assess the extent of your damage and provide the best treatment accordingly.

Schedule Hardwood Floor Restoration in MD, DC, or VA

Have you noticed any significant scratches on your floor? If so, it’s important to contact a professional flooring company that’s experienced in restoring hardwood floors and will use the best techniques and equipment in the market to treat your home. Elegant Floor Service can help! Call us today for hardwood floor restoration in Maryland, Washington, DC, or Virginia and bring the shine back to your floors.

Luxury Vinyl Plank Floor in Washington Metropolitan Area

Dark Wood Flooring

When you’re comparing wood flooring options, dark wood flooring can be an excellent choice that adds luxury to both modern and traditional room designs. With its elegant style, dark wood floors create one-of-a-kind depth and richness perfect for a sophisticated home. Though they tend to require more sweeping or vacuuming than their lighter counterparts, dark wood floors have the ability to transform the look and feel of your home—making them well worth the extra effort.

Keep reading to learn more or contact Elegant Floor Service to install dark wood flooring in Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia.

Benefits of Dark Wood Flooring

There are many benefits to having dark hardwood floors. Dark wood flooring:

  • Has a luxurious style
  • Can enhance the grain of your wood
  • Can hide dirt well
  • Resists fading

At the same time, it’s also important to note that dark wood floors can often make dust, pet hair, or scratches more visible. Low gloss levels or a satin finish can counteract this effect, hiding any wear and tear and helping your floors absorb any light in the room. Higher gloss levels, on the other hand, can reflect light—making any dust more noticeable and regular maintenance necessary.

As you choose the type of dark wood flooring you like, keep in mind that a naturally dark species will work much better than a light colored wood stained dark—especially because many types of wood do not accept staining well. You may also want to install dark wood flooring in rooms that have light colored furniture or walls, as the contrast can add to the visual appeal of the material and enhance the overall design of the room.

Types of Dark Wood Flooring

It seems as though there are endless wood flooring options when it comes to dark wood floors. Some popular varieties include:

Though some of these materials also come in lighter tones, the dark wood varieties tend to be especially popular. As you examine these different styles, remember to consider the durability and thickness of each material as well. Our experienced flooring experts can help you with the selection process and provide recommendations based on your style, functionality, maintenance, and budget requirements.

Installing Dark Wood Floors in Washington, DC, Maryland, & Virginia

Once you’ve decided to add dark wood floors to your home, it’s time to find a wood flooring company in the DC area that can expertly install or refinish your floors accordingly. Elegant Floor Service can help! If you’re looking for dark wood flooring in Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia, we can guide you through all aspects of the selection and installation process—and even continue to provide wood floor restoration as your floors age. Contact us today!

Kitchen Flooring in Washington Metropolitan Area

Comprehensive Guide to Hardwood Flooring Costs

When you’re choosing wood flooring for your home, cost tends to be an important factor. Of course, you have to weigh the initial installation price against other factors—like how long your floors will last and how much ongoing maintenance will cost in the future. This differs depending on what type of wood you choose, whether it’s engineered or solid, and whether it’s unfinished or finished. It’s also important to consider how much value your floors are adding to your home; they may be expensive to install, but worthwhile depending on their potential overall value.

We’ve broken down the average wood flooring cost below, taking these factors into account, to help you make an informed decision.

Cost of Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood floors are often somewhat expensive, though this can vary somewhat depending on the grains, styles, and finishes you choose, among other things. But because they tend to be durable, long-lasting, and create an elegant, refined look, they’re a worthwhile investment.

The cost of hardwood flooring is determined based on:

  • The cost of the wood per square foot
  • The costs of labor
  • The cost of materials and delivery

With these prices combined, your wood flooring cost can range from $7.97 to $9.91 per square foot. Keep in mind that this is an average figure—it can cost up to $16 dollars or as little as $6, depending on the flooring company you choose. It’s also important to note that this does not usually include a contractor fee or sales tax, but it does include expenses for cleanup and site preparation.

Be sure to ask your local flooring company for more specific details concerning the cost of hardwood flooring for your home and any wood floor specials they may have.

Is the Cost of Hardwood Flooring Worth It?

So your wood flooring cost can range anywhere from $6 to $16, depending on the quality of the product you use and the quality of the work your flooring company does. But what does that number really mean? Is the cost of hardwood flooring worth it?

The answer is yes! Of course, this depends on your tastes, budget requirements, and the price of the wood you choose, among other things. Overall, there are many benefits to hardwood flooring, including:

  • Its durability
  • Its range of styles, woods, colors, and finishes
  • Its engineered and solid options
  • Its aesthetic appeal
  • Its ability to add value to your home

If you need more information on the cost of hardwood flooring in the Maryland area, contact Elegant Floor Service for a consultation—and be on your way to having the beautiful, long-lasting floors you deserve!

Spacious living room with stone fireplace.

Wide Plank Flooring

Wide plank flooring has become increasingly popular for hardwood floors as consumers search for distinctive, unique, and visually appealing options for their homes. With its one-of-a-kind look and the ability to add depth to your space, it’s no wonder that wide plank flooring is becoming trendy once again. But is it right for you? The experts at Elegant Floor Service can help you decide!

Choosing Wide Plank Flooring

Are you debating between narrow and wide plank flooring? Consider the following factors when making your decision:

  • Budget requirements. Generally speaking, the wider your floor boards are, the more expensive they become. The difference is typically not very significant but this can vary depending on the quality of wood you choose and the flooring company that installs it for you.
  • Style and design. When you have wide plank flooring, the characteristics and patterns in the wood become more noticeable. This typically helps create a rustic look, though it is possible to accomplish a more modern design depending on the type of wood you choose and the furnishings you display. Also note that wide plank flooring, which contains floor boards about 5 in. wide, can make your space appear larger, further impacting the style and design of the room.
  • Timelines. Because it takes fewer planks when using wide floor boards, the installation process tends to be faster than with narrow plank wood flooring.
  • Temperature and humidity. Wide plank flooring tends to warp and shrink in high humidity environments and rooms with fluctuating temperatures more so than narrow plank flooring. However, you can mitigate damage by choosing engineered wood flooring options, which are more resistant to shifting than solid flooring, and a wood species that has a denser, tighter grain and a reputation for stability.

Some woods you may want to consider for wide plank flooring include teak, pine, oak, black walnut, and white ash. These options tend to be less susceptible to changes when there’s humidity in the air, but are just some choices to consider. The flooring experts at Elegant Floor Service can provide you with more information if you’re interested in an alternative species—just ask!

Ready to Install Wide Plank Flooring in Maryland, Washington, DC, or Virginia?

If you’re ready to install wide plank flooring in Maryland, Washington, DC, or Virginia, Elegant Floor Service can help. We offer our clients a wide variety of wood flooring materials, from durable oak to rich cherry and more, and can guide you through the selection, installation, and refinishing process as needed. And as your floors age, we can continue to provide you with maintenance and restoration services to keep them looking new as long as possible.

Contact us today for wide plank wood floor installation in the D.C. metro area and enjoy the benefits of new wood floors in your home!