| House & Home, Hard Wood Flooring |
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Hardwood Flooring
Installing hardwood flooring is a very popular home
improvement project. This is particularly true now that more
and more people are learning that carpets can hide mildew,
mold, pet dander, dust mites, and other tiny particles that can
make trouble for allergy sufferers. Hardwood flooring is easy
to keep clean, and there is no place for potential allergens to
hide. Wood floors also have the added benefit of looking
gorgeous.
Installing hardwood flooring is a very popular home
improvement project. This is particularly true now that more
and more people are learning that carpets can hide mildew,
mold, pet dander, dust mites, and other tiny particles that can
make trouble for allergy sufferers. Hardwood flooring is easy
to keep clean, and there is no place for potential allergens to
hide. Wood floors also have the added benefit of looking
gorgeous.
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Okay, okay, you're probably already sold on hardwoods or you wouldn't be reading this article. What you may be wondering now
is what type of wood is best? Should you go with oak, or maple? A soft wood such as pine? Something more exotic such as teak?
Or maybe you have considered bamboo flooring, which is actually a grass instead of a wood but that has many of the qualities of
hardwoods.
The truth is that each type of wood I've mentioned can be used, and each has different characteristics, such as color, grain, and
hardness. It may simply come down to what wood you think looks best. I'm going to give you the characteristics of some of the
more popular choices in order to help you decide. Let's get started
Oak Flooring
Oak is very popular because it is a heavy and hard wood, which makes it quite durable. It can resist the wear and tear of an
active family. This species is also handsome and comes in a range of colors, depending on whether you choose white oak or red
oak.
Maple Flooring
For folks who want something a little lighter colored than oak, maple is a popular choice. It varies from a pale white to a reddish
brown and has a uniform texture. Because it's a very hard wood, it stands up well and resists scratches and dents.
Pine Flooring
Pine is actually a "softwood" so it is more susceptible to scratches, dings, and dents. However it is still enjoyed by homeowners
who prefer the character of a worn floor. Since it was used widely in the 18th and 19th centuries, the wide knotty planks are
popular in historic houses and log homes because they can create an authentic rustic feel. Pine is also less expensive than oak
or maple.
Teak Flooring
Teak was once used predominantly outdoors because it is so resistant to insects, fungi, rot, and temperature shifts. Its handsome
color, which can range from yellowish brown to a dark golden brown, is prompting homeowners to use it indoors now as well.
Because of its natural resistance to dampness, it can be a good choice if you want hardwood floors in the kitchen or even the
bathroom (though you still need to apply a good finish).
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo is growing more popular among environmentally conscious homeowners, because it is an easily renewable resource
(bamboo grows much more quickly than trees). As far as its characteristics, bamboo has a striped grain that makes it a little more
exotic than wood. It also resists moisture well, a trait that makes it popular in humid climates where regular wood can be
susceptible to warping.
As you can see, all of these woods have different traits, but they are all wonderful choices. It is hard to go wrong with hardwood
flooring, and ultimately it is just a matter of choosing something that has physical properties that suit your needs and that has a
color and grain that looks good in your home.
For more information (and pictures of some of the woods described here), check out the author's web site for Different Hardwood
Flooring Options. You may also want to read about Hardwood Floor Protection, an article that shows how to keep that wood
looking good.
is what type of wood is best? Should you go with oak, or maple? A soft wood such as pine? Something more exotic such as teak?
Or maybe you have considered bamboo flooring, which is actually a grass instead of a wood but that has many of the qualities of
hardwoods.
The truth is that each type of wood I've mentioned can be used, and each has different characteristics, such as color, grain, and
hardness. It may simply come down to what wood you think looks best. I'm going to give you the characteristics of some of the
more popular choices in order to help you decide. Let's get started
Oak Flooring
Oak is very popular because it is a heavy and hard wood, which makes it quite durable. It can resist the wear and tear of an
active family. This species is also handsome and comes in a range of colors, depending on whether you choose white oak or red
oak.
Maple Flooring
For folks who want something a little lighter colored than oak, maple is a popular choice. It varies from a pale white to a reddish
brown and has a uniform texture. Because it's a very hard wood, it stands up well and resists scratches and dents.
Pine Flooring
Pine is actually a "softwood" so it is more susceptible to scratches, dings, and dents. However it is still enjoyed by homeowners
who prefer the character of a worn floor. Since it was used widely in the 18th and 19th centuries, the wide knotty planks are
popular in historic houses and log homes because they can create an authentic rustic feel. Pine is also less expensive than oak
or maple.
Teak Flooring
Teak was once used predominantly outdoors because it is so resistant to insects, fungi, rot, and temperature shifts. Its handsome
color, which can range from yellowish brown to a dark golden brown, is prompting homeowners to use it indoors now as well.
Because of its natural resistance to dampness, it can be a good choice if you want hardwood floors in the kitchen or even the
bathroom (though you still need to apply a good finish).
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo is growing more popular among environmentally conscious homeowners, because it is an easily renewable resource
(bamboo grows much more quickly than trees). As far as its characteristics, bamboo has a striped grain that makes it a little more
exotic than wood. It also resists moisture well, a trait that makes it popular in humid climates where regular wood can be
susceptible to warping.
As you can see, all of these woods have different traits, but they are all wonderful choices. It is hard to go wrong with hardwood
flooring, and ultimately it is just a matter of choosing something that has physical properties that suit your needs and that has a
color and grain that looks good in your home.
For more information (and pictures of some of the woods described here), check out the author's web site for Different Hardwood
Flooring Options. You may also want to read about Hardwood Floor Protection, an article that shows how to keep that wood
looking good.