Hardwood Flooring for timeless beauty and durability
Like all types of floor material, hardwood flooring has both good elements and some drawbacks. The hardwood floors of today are more durable than ever thanks to the industry’s efforts to always be improving their product.
Hardwood flooring is the Cadillac of floor coverings. They have been in style for a very long time, and will continue to be so far into the future. Genuine hardwood floors have a special beauty and warmth that adds to any decorating style.
This flooring is softer and more resilient than many other flooring products, and holds warmth. It is a softer product though despite it’s name and can be damaged by heavy furniture if protective disks are not used, and care should be taken not to walk on wood floors with athletic shoes that have cleats. High heels with thin spikes can also be a problem.
True hardwood is also subject to some shrinkage when there are drastic temperature or humidity changes. These are self correcting as the humidity decreases and temperatures stabilize. Although there can be some shrinkage, it is usually minimal and may go unnoticed.
Having said that, consider that most inside athletic courts are covered with wood floors. Basketball courts are typically wood. That should speak well of wood floors and their durability.
What exactly is hardwood flooring?
Traditionally a genuine wood floor was made of hardwood such as oak, birch and cherry. Each piece or plank was made from a solid piece of lumber in one of the hardwoods. These pieces were, and are typically 3/4 inches thick, although they are also available in other thicknesses.
Today there are also wood floors that are engineered. These floors are real wood, but it is put together in numerous layers. These layers are joined in a cross-ply construction with glue. This type of flooring has the advantage that it is not susceptible to shrink or expand due to changes in temperature or humidity.
Wood floors come in pre-finished flooring, or on site finished flooring. There has been much controversy about which is better.
With an on site finish the wood gets a final sanding and then has the finish put on. With pre-finished, the finish is applied at the factory and once the floor is installed it is done, and without waiting or having the extra mess or chemicals. Pre-finished actually offers a longer warranty because the factory finish is considered tougher and longer lasting.
With the great variety of finishes offered in pre-finished, there should be a finish to your liking. By selecting pre-finished you will save on installation costs and have your floor ready to use in less time, and get a longer warranty as well.
Proper care for hardwood flooring
Once you have chosen and made your purchase, get proper care instruction from the manufacturer. Never wet mop a hardwood floor, and always clean up any spills right away with a lightly damp cloth. Use only factory recommended products for care and maintenance. With good care you should enjoy your hardwood floor for a lifetime.
