Design Center: Flooring

No alternative material today can rival the immediate warmth and sumptuousness that wood flooring gives a home. Wood floors aren’t just oak- or honey oak-colored anymore, either. You can stain floors to coordinate with cabinetry and trim, or opt for darker-hued wood species such as maple or walnut. This color versatility makes wood an ideal flooring choice for any interior design style, from provincial décors to ultra modern furnishings.

Wood is more susceptible to scratching than tile, which means homeowners whose pets have long claws may want to consider alternative flooring choices. However, wood flooring is excellent for severe allergy sufferers, because it doesn’t trap allergens the way carpet does.

Wood flooring is available in a variety of grains, colors, and sizes within the two main wood categories: hardwood and laminate. Hardwood floors consist of real wood planks, whereas laminate flooring is made of a composite material that imitates the appearance of real wood plank. Hardwood flooring can also come pre-finished or sand-on-site. Ask a Johnston Paint & Decorating design consultant to help determine which type of wood flooring best suits your needs.