Hardwood floors are considered as prized house features as they radiate that feeling of warmth and classic aesthetics. Hardwood floors have been around for many decades and a lot of these floors are installed in historic and ancient homes. That only shows how tough hardwood floors are. 

But as with any other part of a house, hardwood floors are susceptible to wear and tear, especially to damaging calamities such as flooding. Such damage is intensified by the reality that hardwood is organic, unlike vinyl or ceramic flooring. Wood comes with a cellular structure that breaks down readily the than the minerals found in ceramic or the polymers found in vinyl. Wood becomes vulnerable when exposed to moisture. But with the right care and regular maintenance, a hardwood floor can retain its beauty and last for dozens of years. 

Common Types of Hardwood Flooring  

As far as categorizing hardwood floors is concerned, things become a little blurry. With the technological developments in hardwood floor manufacturing during the last decades, things have become even more confusing. Here is some of the most common type of hardwood flooring that are used today. 

1. Solid Hardwood 

Solid hardwood floors are made with 100% natural wood from the inside out, top to bottom. It has no additives and isn’t modified, except for the pre-finished flooring types, which come with a urethane top coating that’s applied in the factory. The coating is just on the surface and the material under is composed of natural wood that is sawn from the most common hardwood types such as maple, oak, plum, and cherry. 

2. Engineered Wood  

In contrast to the deep history of solid hardwood, engineered hardwood is rather new. Flooring manufacturers started laminating thin veneers out of true hardwood and placed them on the top layers of plywood. Plywood is over 95% of this type of flooring. The top, however, which is the visible portion, is 100% real wood. 

3. Laminate Flooring 

The top layer of laminate floors looks like hardwood because it is a photographic image of true hardwood. On top of that image is a transparent layer designed to protect the flooring. The bulk of the floor below that layer is a fiberboard that is made up of resins and wood pulps.   

These are the three most common types of hardwood and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. If you would like to know more about that, it is strongly advised that you talk to an expert in hardwood flooring Memphis. They should be able to provide you more information about each of these types of hardwood.  

Regardless of which type of hardwood flooring you choose, there’s only one thing that you have to remember about it. You have to learn how to protect and maintain the floor so that it lasts longer than it should. For instance, you have to remember not to expose these floors to water and moisture. If there are spills on the floor, you have to wipe them fast. Use mats in areas that are prone to moisture. Be sure to keep the rain out by closing all doors and windows.  

Oftentimes, the word “home” is associated with the word “family”. However, for single adults, a house can be your sanctuary. It’s a place you create all for yourself. You don’t have to consider any kids, no partner to consult, and no landlord to rule over you.  

Though people sometimes equate buying a house as a family move, around 1 out of 4 buyers is single. This is according to NAR (National Association of Realtors). 

If you’re a single adult and plan to buy a house, we’ve got some tips for you to consider. Whether you’re getting a mortgage loan or a Hawaii BAH, here are some tips you should know: 

Look for a Real Estate Agent You Can Count On 

A real estate agent can be your friend when it comes to buying a house. They can be a person who will be on your side, doing their best to find the house that you need. Because of this, it’s best to find an agent that you can rely on.  

You know you have someone on your side if you find an agent that listens to your needs rather than pushing you to close a deal you don’t like.  

Make Friends with a Mortgage Expert 

A lot of homebuyers focus on finding the ideal real estate agent. Typically, they ignore building a relationship with a mortgage professional.  

Unfortunately, doing so can affect your ability to know your long-term commitments and your home buying options.  

Look for a mortgage expert that you can rely on. Make sure he or she answers all of your questions. Oftentimes, finding the right mortgage can be extremely stressful during the home buying process. That is why this tip will guarantee everything goes smoothly.  

Calculate Down Payment and Other Expenses 

When you think about the expenses of buying a house, the first step is to wrap your head around the possibilities of the down payment. A lot of individuals assume that the down payment for a home has to be 15%-20% of the price. However, that isn’t true at all.  

Whenever you get past the various breakdowns of how you may sort out the down payment. Always keep in mind to include additional costs of buying a house. Think about starting an emergency house fund where you set aside a bit of cash for closing expenses, random repairs in the house, and the move itself. 

Create a Realistic Budget 

While you are saving to buy a house, make sure you create a realistic budget. Though it might appear hard to set aside money, simple things such as making your meals and avoiding coffee shops can make a huge impact.  

Also, consider evaluating your subscription services. Perhaps you do not require all streaming platforms to watch a show. Try to cancel subscriptions of services that you don’t need anymore.  

Also, create a formal budget so that you can balance your savings plan, expenses, and monthly income. It might be difficult to do this at first. However, everything will be worth it once you buy the house of your dreams.