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Know Everything About Choosing The Best Hardwood Floor
With over
fifty species of wood to choose from, determining which one is best
can seem like a daunting task. The easiest way is to decide first
what look you want.
Other than the
type or species of wood, three other factors determine the appearance
and cost; grade, cut, and finish. The grade is determined by color,
differences in grain, and the presenge of imperfections such as
knots, wormholes and saw marks. There is no universal grading system
because each type of wood has different standards for ideal color and
grain uniformity. As a rule, wood is more expensive if it has more
consistent color and grain. For informal rooms, some prefer the
inconsistency and interest gained by such flaws as knots. Most wood
for flooring is plain-sawn. Quarter-sawn and rift-sawn boards
generally have a denser, straighter grain. Boards that are purchased
unfinished are usually less ex-pensive. Today you are more likely to
find pre-finished boards. Many have as many as six coats of finish,
compared to site-finished floors with two or three coats. Because
pre-finishing has been done in a controlled environment, the products
come with longer warranties. Other advantages to pre-finished
flooring are there will be no sanding dust or finishing fumes during
their installation.
Hardwood is
being installed in every room in the house today, even in the more
humid environments of the kitchen and bath. It is highly recommended
that you put a throw rug by sinks and tubs to prevent excess water
from damaging the floor. Also wipe up any spilled water quickly. Wood
floors are not as ideal in bathrooms
where showers are taken daily, especially by children, because there
is often too much water on the floor and too much variance in the
temperature and humidity.
To help you
decide which wood is best for your home or business, here are the
pros and cons of the five most popular types.
Red Oak is the
most common wood sold. It has a coarse, even and sometimes rippled
grain. The color is a very subdued pink. It looks good in traditional
interiors and is more refined than pine. Oak is a hardwood that
resists splitting during installation. It stains well and holds up to
heavy traffic. Because is can cup or turn dark, it is not the best
choice for kitchens
and baths.
Pine offers
lots of character for a lower price that oak. It has a more distinct
grain pattern that ranges from swirls to stripes. The colors vary
between tans, browns and yellow. Some customers choose pine for its
black sap stains and clear or pink knots. Because it is easy to nail
and resists splitting, it is less expensive to install than other
species. Because pine is not as hard as oak, it is not suitable for
damp or high-traffic areas.
Brazilian
Cherry is salmon colored and has a medium spaced grain pattern that
darkens with age, especially with sun exposure. As a wood used in
many fine furnishings
and cabinets, it is perfect in formal settings. Cherry is more
than twice as hard as oak and is moisture resistant, so it will hold
up in kitchens, baths, hallways and entryways. Because it is so hard,
it splits more often during installation, making it advisable to
order ten percent extra to allow for waste.
Australian
Cypress has a wavy, busy grain pattern. It comes in both brown and
cream hues. The dark knots that often mark cypress give it a rustic
look, ideal for traditional
designs. Because it is slightly harder than oak and handles
humidity well, it is fine to install in busy, humid areas. Because
the knots weaken the wood, causing splitting during installation,
order an extra ten percent. Like cherry, cypress can be difficult to stain.
Bamboo
is technically a woody grass. The only pattern is the square burl
pattern from the nodes along its shoots. The color is a yellowish
blond. Because of its uniformity, it is best used in sleek, contemporary
interiors. It is a perfect choice for the ecology minded
customer because bamboo shoots grow very fast compared to trees. It
is hardwearing and water resistant. Because sanding is difficult, it
is nearly always factory finished. |