A Short Guide On Hardwood Flooring

From ages ago until the present, wood is a material used for any part of the home including furnishings and other items. Today, it makes an excellent material for floors. Hardwood flooring comes in many different types, species and varieties, and it is also compatible with any furniture and home style.

Wooden flooring is usually used on living rooms, hallways, stairs, dens, and virtually every part of the house except bathrooms, kitchens and some outdoor spaces. Its versatility and elegance makes it a preferred flooring material for many homeowners.

Solid vs. Engineered

There are two types of wooden floors: solid and engineered. Solid hardwood, from its name, comes from solid lumber and is milled from one timber. Solid hardwood flooring is not recommended for basements, bathrooms, or places where the wood can be damaged due to ground moisture. This type is also sanded or refinished regularly to keep its beautiful natural look.

The engineered type contains multiple layers, which usually include fireboard or plywood. This type is more moisture resistant and will only need sanding or refinishing up to two times. While there are differences between these two types, both are durable, long-lasting, and available in several species of wood.

Species:

Depending on the interior design, style of your home or your own preference, there are different wood species you can choose. Here are some species used for hardwood flooring and their description:

Ash:

This is slightly whiter than oak but similar to it in appearance. It is a durable material used for tools, baseball bats and other items.

Bamboo:

While this is technically a grass, it is as hard as oak. This durable material, when used as flooring, can be seen in natural shades of light brown to deep reddish or brown hues. It is eco-friendly, too.

Birch - Maple

Both of these are whitish in color and feature grain lines in light brown shades. The surface is smooth.

Cherry - Walnut

Both of these make for beautiful hardwood flooring. They are strong woods that come in dark colors. Cherry is a light reddish brown shade and its color grows deeper with time. Walnut comes in a brown color which lightens as time passes.

Pine:

These evergreen woods are excellent for country-style homes (or at least, they style your home like one).

Oak:

This one is colored brown and features grain lines in dark shades. Both of its red or white types are a great material to create a traditional look for the home. Hardwood flooring using red oak appears with a hint of pink while that made of white oak appears browner.

Varieties

There are generally four varieties of wood used in flooring: wooden strip, plank, parquet and cork. Wooden strips come in individual segments that are usually 1 1/2 up to 2 1/4 inches in width. Planks are wider than wooden strips. Parquet is made of narrow wood strips glued together, making a pattern. Cork is a kind of engineered hardwood that uses cork oak tree bark on its top layer.

Why Use Wood?

There are a number of reasons to use hardwood flooring for your home. Here are some of them:

Aesthetic Appeal

Their natural beauty makes a home aesthetically appealing. It also adds warmth wherever it is used in the home. Its look makes it versatile, whether for traditional country homes or modern homes.

Easy Maintenance

Wooden floors are easy to clean or maintain. Regular sweeping or vacuuming will do the trick in keeping your floor look always brand new. Proper maintenance of this flooring allows it to be more durable and long-lasting.

Greater Value

Homes with wooden floors increase their value in the long run. In real estate, homes that make use of beautiful hardwood flooring have a higher price.

The natural look and feel of wood flooring makes a home much more warm and comfortable. Make sure to always care for your wooden floors to make them last for generations.