Minneapolis Wood Flooring

In the early years of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Saint Anthony Falls powered 17 lumber mills that processed wood cut from Minnesota's abundant Northern forests. And while Minneapolis' present designation as "The City of Trees," thanks to its tree planting efforts, is testament to how much things have changed in the last 150 years, Minneapolis wood flooring is still one of the most popular flooring materials in town.

Minneapolis Wood Flooring Costs Minneapolis wooden flooring costs are at the forefront of most homeowner's minds in the Twin Cities as they venture into the world of wood flooring materials, thanks in part to its reputation as a high-end material. The truth is that costs are tough to pin down, since the price per square foot of different wood flooring varies widely product to product, from the relatively cheap cost of pine and spruce flooring, to the exorbitant price of exotic materials like Brazilian cherry and Tiete rosewood. Nevertheless, ServiceMagic tracks the costs of wood flooring installations in the Twin Cities that we're associated with, and based on our in-house information, an average wood flooring installation in the metropolitan area runs about $6,200, with a low of $3,500, and a high of $10,000. Obviously, the numbers aren't set in stone, but if you're trying to get a handle on how much wooden flooring in Minneapolis is going to run, our figures are a reliable ballpark to plan on.

Minneapolis Wood Flooring: Species The sky is the limit when it comes to choosing species of wood for your wood flooring in Minneapolis. Just to give you an idea of the wealth of options available, you can choose from traditional softwoods like pine and spruce, hardwoods like oak, maple, and cherry, and exotics like mahogany, padauk, bubinga, and wenge. Any way you cut it (literally), there's no limit to the beauty that can be achieved by choosing the right species of wood for your home, your personality, and your budget in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Minneapolis Wood Flooring: Styles Minneapolis wood flooring is not limited to your choice of species when it comes to design. The appearance of your wooden flooring in Minneapolis is also largely determined by the flooring design you settle on. For starters, there is a wide range of plank sizes to choose from, ranging from narrow (less than 3") to wide plank flooring (7" or more). Other than that, the nature in which they're finished also has a huge impact on looks, including whether you want a refined, finished appearance, or the more rustic aesthetic of hand scraped and distressed Minneapolis wooden flooring.

Minneapolis Wood Flooring: Grades of Flooring The grade of wooden flooring in Minneapolis that you choose is another factor that homeowners will need to choose from. Not all wood flooring is equal, ranging from wood flooring that is nearly 100 percent wood to flooring that consists of an engineered core topped with a veneer of the real deal. In the end, your final choice of flooring is a bit of a trade off. Minneapolis wooden flooring that is solid wood, or that has thicker veneers, costs more per square foot, but these varieties also give you the luxury of refinishing the floor several times before you reach the composite core. Engineered wooden flooring in Minneapolis is much less expensive, but will only stand one or two refinishings before you get to the composite core underneath.

Minneapolis Wood Flooring: Installation Installing wood floors is no simple task. The planks need to be cut correctly, staggered to achieve optimal strength, nailed individually into the sub-floor, and finished properly to achieve that classic hardwood look, as well as protection from daily wear and tear. For most homeowners, that's more than they're willing, or qualified, to take on, which means hiring a qualified, professional wood flooring installer in Minneapolis to do the job. If you're looking for a contractor to install your Minneapolis wooden flooring, your best bet is to talk to at least three different contractors so that you can compare bids, past work, and your own impressions of each potential hire. Think about using a contractor referral service that pre-screens contractors and provides customer ratings so you can get a better idea of the service you'll receive, and always ask for and check references, since that's the single most reliable way to know whether a potential contractor will deliver on your installation.

By following those simple steps and you'll be well on your way to wood flooring in Minneapolis that you'll enjoy and admire for years to come.