Welcome to my blog post on transforming your Alpharetta home with beautiful luxury hardwood floors! Hardwood flooring can completely change the look and feel of your residence, adding elegance, warmth, and style. In this post, I'll discuss the benefits of hardwood floors, the types of luxury hardwood options available, costs and considerations for installation, and tips for choosing the perfect floors for your Alpharetta home. Whether you're doing a full home remodel or just looking to update one room, read on to learn how luxury hardwood flooring in Alpharetta can upgrade your space.
Benefits of Hardwood Flooring
There are many great reasons to choose hardwood floors for your Alpharetta home:
Aesthetics
Hardwood has a timeless, classic beauty that elevates any space. The rich grains and natural patterns of wood create depth and interest. Hardwood comes in a range of stain colors, from light and airy to deep and dramatic. The look of smooth hardwood simply can't be replicated with other flooring options like vinyl or laminate.
Durability
High-quality hardwood is extremely durable, able to last 100 years or more with proper care and maintenance. Hardwood holds up well to foot traffic and daily wear-and-tear. The thick planks resist scratches, dents, and water damage. Hardwood is a great investment that adds value to your home.
Easy Maintenance
Despite its durability, hardwood is relatively easy to clean and maintain. Simple sweeping or dust-mopping is all that is required for daily care. An occasional damp mopping with hardwood floor cleaner refreshes the floors. Compared to wall-to-wall carpeting, hardwood is much easier to keep clean.
Comfort
Hardwood feels great underfoot and helps regulate temperature and humidity in the home. In winter, hardwood feels warm to the touch and no more cold feet! In summer, hardwood stays cooler than carpeting. The smooth, solid surface also reduces places for allergens like dust and pet dander to hide.
Environmental Benefits
Luxury hardwood flooring in Alpharetta is an eco-friendly choice. Sustainably harvested hardwood comes from renewable forests. Local hardwoods like oak have a smaller carbon footprint than imported options. Properly installed hardwood can last for generations, reducing waste.
Types of Luxury Hardwood Flooring
When it comes to hardwood flooring, you have options! Here are some of the most popular luxury hardwood flooring types that are perfect for Alpharetta homes:
Walnut
Prized for its rich brown coloring and bold grain patterns, walnut hardwood has a sophisticated, contemporary look. The deep chocolate tones pair nicely with modern decor. Durable American black walnut is a popular local luxury hardwood flooring choice.
Hickory
For a warmer, rustic ambiance, consider hickory hardwoods. The raw honey and pecan tones complement farmhouse, cottage, and transitional decor styles. Hickory is an incredibly hard, dense wood that can stand up to high traffic areas. Distressed or hand scraped hickory adds old-world character.
Maple
With its clean, uniform appearance, hard maple flooring lends a bright, airy feel to any room. The fine, pale grain with occasional darker streaks suits a wide range of design schemes from traditional to modern. Domestic maple is a sustainable local option.
Oak
A perennial favorite, oak hardwood flooring offers incredible durability and sophisticated style. The muted tan and brown tones and distinctive grain patterns work with any home decor. For a contemporary look, choose rift-sawn white oak planks. Red oak has a rich hue perfect for a more traditional aesthetic.
Exotic Woods
Imported exotic species like Brazilian cherry, acacia, and Brazilian walnut offer unique grain patterns, textures, and rich red-brown colors. These luxurious floors make a bold design statement and add worldly character to your home. Choose FSC-certified exotic woods for the most eco-friendly option.
Costs and Considerations
Installing luxury hardwood flooring Alpharetta requires careful planning and budgeting. Here are some costs and considerations for your Alpharetta hardwood flooring project:
Type of Hardwood
Exotic woods are more expensive than domestic options. The cost per square foot can range from $4 for oak up to $12 or more for rare imported species. Be sure to choose a wood that fits your budget.
Installation
On average, professional installation costs $3-5 per square foot. Existing floor demolition, removal, and subfloor prep will impact the total project cost. Many homeowners choose to install pre-finished hardwood to avoid the dust and fumes of on-site finishing.
Home Layout
The size and layout of your rooms significantly affects the hardwood flooring cost. Long, uninterrupted runs are the most affordable to install. Rooms with multiple corners, angles, fixtures and transitions will increase labor time and materials.
Accessories
Don't forget to account for additional hardwood accessories like trim, transitions, starter boards and underlayment in your flooring budget. These extras improve the final look and performance.
Labor Costs
Skilled installers charge hourly rates ranging from $50 to over $100 per hour. Be sure to get multiple quotes and verify references before selecting a contractor. Many also provide floor refinishing and repair services.
To keep your new hardwood flooring looking like new for decades to come, plan for regular professional cleaning and refinishing (recommended every 5-10 years).
Choosing Perfect Hardwoods for Your Alpharetta Home
With all of the available hardwood species and colors, how do you choose flooring that complements your Alpharetta home's style? Follow these tips for selecting the perfect luxury hardwood flooring:
Samples
Don't rely on small photos or swatches alone. Get 4x4 or larger sample boards to see how the floor truly looks in your home's lighting. You can also refinish or stain samples to visualize different colors.
Match Architecture and Design Style
Let your home's architecture guide your wood flooring choice. Modern homes tend to look best with lighter contemporary woods like maple or oak. Older homes can handle deeper hued traditional options like cherry or hickory.
Consider Existing Trim and Cabinets
Look at color undertones in your baseboards, doors, and cabinets. Complementary or matching wood flooring creates flow. For example, cherry hardwood pairs nicely with cherry cabinetry.
Lighting
Floor color changes drastically depending on lighting. Be sure to look at floor samples during the day and at night to get an accurate impression of color. North-facing rooms may look best with light and warm wood tones.
Durability Needs
If the flooring is going into a high-traffic area, like a family room or kitchen, durability is crucial. Oaks and exotic woods are very resilient. For adult-only spaces, any luxury hardwoods can work.
Eco-Friendly Selection
To reduce your carbon footprint, look for FSC-certified domestic or locally sourced hardwood. Hickory, maple, walnut and oak from Georgia are environmentally-friendly options.
Future Plans
Keep future remodeling or decorating plans in mind. Hardwood floors are a big investment, so choose a versatile style that will coordinate well if you redecorate or change color schemes.
Take your time, weigh all the options, and don't rush this important decision. Your luxury hardwood floors will be a focal point of your Alpharetta home for years to come. The perfect wood floors can transform your rooms from ordinary to extraordinary.
I hope this comprehensive guide gives you all the information you need to choose exquisite luxury hardwood flooring for your Alpharetta residence. Hardwood can add lasting beauty and opulence to your home when thoughtfully selected and properly installed. Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions! I'm always happy to provide advice about upgrading to luxury floors.
