Are Hardwood Floors a Good Idea?
Hardwood floors are the most popular of all flooring types, for reasons that are all too obvious. They add a sense of warmth, style and character to any room. Weather it be a country farmhouse, a modern city apartment, or art gallery, hardwood floors have the ability to make a room look great.
Modern hardwood flooring manufacturers have given consumers a much wider range of hardwood floors to choose from. Besides the traditional species of hardwoods (American Red Oak, White Oak, Maple, and Cedar) manufacturers are offering more exotic hardwood species from all over the world for consumers who would like a more unique looking hardwood floor.
There are many types of hardwood flooring to choose from that can compliment any room.
Wide pine boards have become increasingly popular because they come in a wide variety of colors and stains. Pine boards give a strong, rustic look and are great for those who try to emulate the feel of a wood cabin or cottage.
Oak has always been a popular choice for hardwood flooring as it is the hardest most durable wood for flooring. Because of this, Oak is among the most expensive of hardwood species. Oak is most commonly available in narrow boards, but also in wide board like pine. Oak is available in a number of natural colors due to the variety of its species. It can also be stained to suit. However, it is quite hard to go past the natural color of Oak.
Parquet floors are a very common and cost effective way for homeowners to get a hardwood floor in their home. Parquet is made up of small strips of wood set into squares. They come in a range of patters, and are relatively easy to lay.
The main threats to hardwood floors are dirt, sand, and grit. These abrasive materials act like sandpaper on your floor's finish, which results in dents and scratches, as well as a general dulling over time.
Cleaning Tips
Use floor mats or area rugs by your home's entrances. These will help trap dirt and prevent damage. Wipe away spills promptly. , It’s okay to vacuum hardwood floors, but make sure you use a vacuum with a brush attachment instead of a beater bar. , In addition to vacuuming and sweeping, you may want to damp mop your floor, but be sure to use a neutral pH floor cleaner.
5 Tips to Help You Shop for Hardwood Floors
- Know the two kinds of genuine hardwood flooring - Hardwood floorboards come as either solid or engineered wood. Which you choose will affect how much you pay
- Laminates aren't the same thing as hardwoods- Laminates can look like hardwood, but they aren't made from wood--at all. They're generally less desirable to potential homebuyers, but they are more affordable.
- Hardwood flooring isn't for every room in the house - Since wood is susceptible to water damage (it can rot, warp, etc.), it's usually not recommended for bathrooms. Engineered boards can be installed on any floor, but solid wood boards (because they're more susceptible to shrinking and expanding from moisture/temperature changes) aren't usually used below ground level, such as in basements.
- Species makes a big difference - Depending on what tree is used, hardwood floors can vary a lot in color, grain patterns, and texture. Look at a lot of different species of wood when you're shopping around.
- Save time with pre-finished hardwoods - You can either buy pre-finished hardwoods or you can buy them unfinished, meaning they will be stained on site. The latter require a lot more maintenance and frequent re-staining. Pre-finished boards are much less hassle in the long run.
Summary: Wood Flooring not only do they look great, but hardwood floors are very hard wearing and often look better with age. They are easy to keep clean, and with proper care and maintenance, hardwood floors can last for generations. Once thing all types of hardwood flooring have in common is that they must have a clear protective coating applied to them. There are a wide range of polyurethane finishes available and each type must be applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions which you should be able to find on the back of the tin.
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