Hardwood floors are known for their beauty and durability, increasing the overall value of a home by as much as 6 to 11 percent, according to some surveys. Hardwood evokes feelings of solidity, quality and warmth. Many older homes built in the early 20th century have hardwood floors, while many homes built in the 19th century feature the less valuable softwood floors. Over the years, your floors may be buried by layers of varnish, linoleum, vinyl or carpeting. To determine what kind of floor lies beneath your feet, you'll need to do a little detective work.
Go into the basement and look up. Hardwoods floors were commonly installed in the first floor formal rooms such as the parlor and dining room. Shine the flashlight between the basement ceiling joists and inspect the grain of the wood and width of the floor boards. Hardwood floors are commonly 4 inches wide, while softwood flooring is generally 5 inches wide or wider. Boards with a tight grain, such as maple, appear thin and mellow. Wider boards with long grain strokes may be hemlock, a common softwood material for older homes.
Remove a floor heating vent with the screwdriver. Peek inside the opening to look at the type of wood that lies in the gap. Hardwood floors are commonly 3/4-inch thick, tongue-and-groove boards. Softwood flooring is usually 3/4-inch to 1 1/4-inch thick and not tongue-and-groove. Laminate flooring, a relatively new type of material, is very thin and made up of a dense fiberboard material.
Lift up part of the carpeting or linoleum in an inconspicuous corner to inspect the wood. Sand a small part of the wood to inspect the hardiness of the board and the grain of the wood. Oak flooring, a common material, has a thick, heavy grain. Maple is thin and light.
Things You Will Need
- Measuring tape
- If possible, invite a carpenter to inspect the wood and determine the exact type of wood and flooring material.
- Some older linoleum flooring contains asbestos. Never tear up or disrupt old flooring unless you know it's safe. Consult your local building department to determine regulations on asbestos removal.
- Never cut into or sand floors that may contain lead paint, which is toxic and known to cause nerve damage. Consult your state health department or local building department for information on lead paint and how to hire a company to remove it.
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