Hardwood Flooring is a timeless choice for any home. Not only do they add warmth and beauty, but they also increase a home’s value. Choosing the right wood species for your floors can greatly impact how they look and feel. Fortunately, there are many domestic and exotic species to choose from.
1. Durability
Hardwood flooring is one of the most durable types available, thanks to its natural wood grains and special finishes that make it water-resistant. It can last for 100 years or more with proper care and maintenance.
Various hardwood species are available, from slow-growing woods like oak and maple to fast-growing exotic varieties like teak and mahogany. Each wood has its unique character.
Some hardwoods are denser than others and may be more susceptible to warping, especially in humid climates. It’s also important to remember that pets can damage hardwood floors, so trim their nails and keep them away from the floor.
2. Environmentally friendly
Hardwood flooring has long been considered a green building material and has become increasingly popular recently. With the rising awareness of climate change and environmental issues, many homeowners are looking for ways to create environmentally friendly homes.
Wood floors are naturally carbon neutral because they absorb harmful carbon dioxide and produce oxygen throughout their life cycles. This makes them the most renewable flooring option and a great way to help preserve our planet.
Engineered hardwoods are also great for homeowners who want an eco-friendly floor. They feature a solid wood veneer and a plywood core made from fewer slow-growing trees than traditional hardwoods.
Another sustainable option is reclaimed wood. These floorings are salvaged from old warehouses, boxcars, military structures, underground piers, and logs pulled from the bottom of rivers where they sank on their way to the mill. This is a great way to support the wood flooring industry and reduce the demand for new trees.
3. Aesthetics
One of the top aspirational flooring choices among consumers, real wood floors have a visual aesthetic that can’t be duplicated by other materials. This is because the variety of species, colors, and grain options are endless, which allows homeowners to create a custom look that fits their specific interior design themes.
Some classic hardwood color options that never go out of style include cherry, mahogany, oak, and walnut. They all have a warm, rich tone that will instantly improve the overall design of your room.
Another option is birch wood, which is a light-colored wood that can complement many design styles and stains. It is also incredibly durable and is resistant to scratches, scuffs, and stains.
Choosing the right flooring grade for your home is also important. Prime Grade hardwoods offer a clean, uniform look with few knots and minimal sap content.
4. Easy to maintain
Solid wood floors can be a great addition to your home. They offer timeless beauty, increase the value of your house, and are easy to maintain.
The look of your hardwood floors is determined by a few factors, including the wood species, color, and finish. For example, some wood species have greater natural variations in color between planks. Others are a more uniform tone, and still others are darker or lighter.
Hardwood flooring is also easy to maintain, and it doesn’t need to be refinished as frequently as carpets do. It will last a long time if you follow a simple maintenance schedule, sweep and vacuum regularly, and wipe up spills immediately.
If your floors do get scratched, refinishing them can fix these scratches and give them a new look. It’s also a lot cheaper than buying and installing new wood floors.