Solid Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood floors add warmth and charm of their surroundings and have the plant of choice for centuries. The most requested wood for the floors are white oak, red oak, ash and maple and come in solid pieces of wood, either pre-finished or unfinished and in a wide range of widths and thicknesses. However, general solid wood floors can be sanded and varnished again through generations and even centuries, so you always look beautiful and welcoming.
These forest soils are available in three grades that do not relate to quality, but the appearance. The first level (of course) is of clear wood. The second grade (Select) is made of wood with only minor differences in color and minor imperfections. The third (common) refers to wood that has variations in color. The cost of hardwood floors is directly related to these grades and species of wood chosen.
Despite its elegance and enduring qualities, hardwood floors do not have problems. That expand and contract with changes in humidity. Therefore, it is important that installers leave a space between the floor and extending the wall to compensate for wood movement. It is also essential that the wood has been acclimated before being established. Besides being sensitive to moisture, solid Harwood floors are also affected by moisture. Because of this, it is not recommended for installation below ground level or placed in a concrete slab, but must be nailed. It is important to ask plenty of questions of potential installers to get a good idea of its capabilities and focus. Talk to a range of different suppliers and installers, to get an idea of their approach and commitment to quality.
However, if you live in a humid environment, or your soil is likely to be exposed to moisture on a regular basis, perhaps you should consider engineered wood flooring instead of installing a solid wood floor. The reason for this is that the engineered wood flooring is made to handle moisture and humidity without expanding or contracting. May also be placed on concrete slabs.
If you have a suitable environment for solid wood floors, is in a wonderful position to enjoy the natural beauty at home. Hardwood flooring is a healthy, easier to care for alternative to carpeting and can be refreshed for generations. No wonder it is the flooring of choice for countless people around the world.
