There are many reasons why you should consider buying hardwood flooring. Some of the reasons include the fact that the floors add a natural warmth and shine, are solid, durable and easy to clean.
Hardwood floors have been in use for thousands of years. In the U.S the floors have been in use since the colonial times.
The wood used in crafting the floors has changed over the years. For example, pine was heavily used during the 1700s and 1800s. In the 20th century oak was the most preferred wood. The floors were rarely used in the 1950s and early 1970s as many people preferred using carpet. Hardwood floors made a comeback in the late ’70s and their fame has grown tremendously since then.
Categories
Hardwood floors fall into two main categories: domestic and exotic. Popular domestic species are oak and maple. The cool thing with these species is that they provide your home with a cozy feeling. Exotic species include bubinga and ebony which are rich and colorful. These ones are used when you want to create a high-end look.
Common Types of Woods Floors
There are many types of wood floors that are used. The most common ones are:
Northern red oak: it’s the most commonly used wood and is often used as the benchmark for comparison of the hardness of other woods. Red oak is stiff, dense and wear resistant. It’s also easy to sand and stain.
Hard maple: it’s 12% harder than red oak. It’s very durable and dense. In most of the cases it’s used in the construction of dance floors and bowling alleys.
Hickory: it’s 41% harder than red oak. The cool thing with it is that it’s hard, strong, stiff, and tough. You should install it in areas with high traffic.
Brazilian cherry: it’s 119% harder than red oak. Although, it’s very hard thus very durable, it can be challenging to work with it.
The different woods have different colors. For example, pine, Australian cypress, and white ash are pale gold or cream in color. Brazilian cherry, mesquite and walnut are dark brown.
Conclusion
This is what you need to know about hardwood floors. You should note that the properties of the wood species tend to change with maturity of the tree and the section of the tree that the wood was taken from. When buying the flooring you should ensure that you buy it from a reputable store.
