Homeowners face several choices when installing hardwood flooring. Besides opting for exotic hardwood or wood products, they also ought to consider color and profile. However one major factor often overlooked and affects the appearance, longevity, maintenance, and security of your wood flooring. Will you install matte, satin, semi-gloss, or high gloss hardwood flooring? It’s time to have a closer look.
What’s Sheen?
In very simple terms, sheen signifies the amount of reflection made by a finish. High gloss delivers higher levels of reflection, and therefore more sheen, whereas matte creates almost no reflection, and is considered to have the lowest degree of sheen. Semi-gloss aka moderate gloss comes in close to the middle, satin finish is gaining in popularity falling between matte and simmer for sheen.
Higher Gloss
The more sheen in your hardwood flooring finish, the increased level of detail and drama displayed. For dining rooms, sunrooms, libraries, studies and bedrooms, a high gloss wood floor finish defines the timber grain and gives darker stains more pizzazz. It delivers an elegant finish that appeals to a certain decor. Remember that a high gloss finish also wears easily, so choosing it to get a high traffic area like the hallway or primary living space could be less advisable. This sort of finish also highlights debris and dust on the ground, possibly rising maintenance demands. Footprints show up readily on high gloss flooring, although that depends on the stain color chosen. Commercial applications frequently have a high gloss finish. This sheen level may present a more slippery surface, like a basketball court, but countless people buildings across North America rely upon the durability and beautiful look of high gloss hardwoods.
Lower Gloss
As we said, shiny might not be the smartest choice for visitors places. Wear marks appear quite quickly and imperfections or scratches in the end have a tendency to stand outside. If you’re trying to find drama and look of the maximum sheen level, however wish to put money into hardwood which will conceal imperfections and continue more, semi-gloss wood flooring work nicely. Most popular hardwood manufacturers take lines using a semi-gloss end, offered in a wide selection of wood species such as striking exotic types and conventional domestics. Request samples of the floors you prefer at a semi-gloss sheen. The sum of shine must be indicated on the item info, often at a fraction, but real looks change. This sheen degree is reduced gloss and frequently referred to as lacquer, but will not pose a small sheen for this upscale appearance. Based on where the timber flooring will be found and which kind of finished look you are trying for, picking between higher and lower gloss hardwood flooring is rather straightforward. Begin by considering using your area. For a stunning look, high gloss fits the bill. For busier areas and people who prefer a decrease maintenance merchandise, matte finish would be your thing to do. Speak with your flooring retailer and request samples to get your selection process simpler.
