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Boston Wood Flooring

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Wood flooring is a little like the Red Sox and the Celtics. It's been around forever, it rarely disappoints, and if you're a stickler for tradition, there isn't even a close second in the flooring industry. Don't be fooled into thinking that Boston wood flooring is only for Bosotonians living in the past, however. Whether you live in a brownstone in Cambridge, a rowhouse in South End, or are in a new home out in the suburbs, Boston wood flooring looks great just about anywhere it's installed.

Benefits of Installing Boston Wood Flooring

Of course, beauty tops the list of reasons that homeowners choose hardwood flooring for their Greater Boston area homes. You simply won't find a warmer, more unique, or more attractive flooring product, period. There are other benefits to consider, however. Wooden flooring in Boston is easy to clean, hypoallergenic, environmentally friendly (provided you obtain the wood from responsible suppliers), and if you maintain it properly, it can last a lifetime. It's true that poorly cared for and treated wood flooring in Boston can develop scratches, scuffs, and other damage over time, but in the end, even this is just another reason to choose Boston wooden flooring in your home. Unlike carpet, for example, which has to be replaced after years of heavy use, Boston wood flooring can be refinished to look like new again!

Boston Wood Flooring: Choosing the Right Species

Obviously looks are going to play a large role in determining which species of Boston wooden flooring you choose, as is your present home design, but you shouldn't make this decision on looks and looks alone. Different woods also vary in their ability to withstand heavy traffic, how much maintenance they require, and how much they cost. Perennial favorites oak, maple, and ash are so popular because they provide a winning combination of hardness, durability, good looks, and reasonable cost. They're perfect for areas that get moderate to heavy use, and for homeowners who expect a flooring product that doesn't require doting over. Pine and spruce flooring brings a more rustic look to a home, and are quite a bit cheaper than the species mentioned above, but they are softwoods and will scratch, dent, and otherwise show damage much more quickly than hardwood varieties. Truth be told, there are literally hundreds of species and subspecies of wood to choose from, making a trip to the show room the best way to figure out which line of wood flooring in Boston is right for you and your home.

Boston Wood Flooring Exotics

If you have a larger budget to work with and are looking for wood flooring in Boston that sets itself apart from all the rest, there's an entire world of luxury and exotic wood species that you probably haven't even touched on yet. Be it rare varieties of woods that we're more accustomed to here in the U.S., such as burled walnut or birdseye maple, or imported exotic species like pradoo, ribbon gum, padauk, and wenge, beautiful, one-of-a-kind Boston wooden flooring is at your fingertips if you can afford it.

Boston Wood Flooring Styles

You won't only be choosing between different species of wood, but you'll need to decide on the style of flooring you want installed as well. Size matters, since you can choose between strips (3" or less in width), planks (3" to 1'), and parquet floors (geometrically arranged Boston wood flooring). And beyond that, you'll have the option of choosing between Boston wooden flooring that has straight, rounded, and beveled edges, whether you want planks that are factory milled or hand-scraped, and even whether you want to purchase boards made from re-claimed materials or old growth heartwood. Don't lose heart, however. While there's nothing simple about choosing wood flooring in Boston, it's exactly that wide range of products and design possibilities that make this such popular flooring in Beantown.

Boston Wood Flooring Costs

So what should you budget for if you're thinking about installing Boston wood flooring in your greater Boston home? Based on data ServiceMagic collects from Bostonians who found hardwood flooring contractors using our referral services, the average cost of installing wooden flooring in Boston runs about $3,300, though our books indicate that it can cost as little as $1,300 and as much as $10,000, depending on your choice of material, the size of your installation, and the style of Boston wood flooring you choose. With so many factors influencing price, the best way to get an accurate estimate of how much it's going to cost to install wood flooring in Boston in your home is to talk to a contractor (better yet, three of them) who specializes in hardwood floor installations. They'll not only be able to quote you a price, but they'll also be an excellent resource when it comes to helping you decide on the right wood flooring for you and your home.

Matt Goering, formerly a carpenter and house painter, is a freelance writer for the home improvement industry who has published over 600 articles.

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