Solid wood floors are a beautiful addition to any residence, office or studio. Solid wood flooring is an excellent choice for those with allergies. If you are considering new flooring solid wood is always of value.
Woods are classified as hardwoods and softwoods. Hardwoods used for flooring include oak , elm, maple, cherry, ash and walnut flooring. Softwoods include Douglas Fir and varieties of pine. Each type of wood has its own characteristics, durability, and price. Solid wood floors are usually ¾-inch thick, and come in various widths and lengths. Engineered wood floors are thin layers of plastic laminate adhered to real wood, giving the look of real wood flooring.
Wood flooring is classified according to hardness and grade. The Janka Hardness Scale is used to evaluate resistance to denting. The benchmark for flooring is red oak, with a rating of 1290. Some woods with a higher rating are difficult to work and require special tools; some softer woods, such as Southern Yellow Pine, rated 690, are well suited for flooring.
Grade classification considers color, character marks and variations such as knot holes, grain patterns and manufacturing marks. Grades range from clear to rustic, but all are suitable for flooring depending on consumer preference and aesthetics. For example, rustic grade solid oak wood flooring will have variations in color, pronounced character marks such as knots and worm holes, while clear grade is free of visible defects and more uniform color.
Solid wood flooring can be purchased as finished or unfinished. Finished flooring comes with a preselected surface treatment which reduces mess and installation time. Unfinished flooring is installed and finished at the site. Finishes fall into two main categories: penetrating waxes and topical urethane sealants.
Whether installation is through a contractor or do-it-yourself, several factors must be considered. The wood should be acclimatized at the site. Gaps must be left between boards and around baseboards to accommodate expansion and contraction from humidity. Solid wood floors are attached to a subfloor by nailing or stapling. Gluing and floating installations work well with engineered wood floors but not solid wood floors. Subfloors must be properly prepared, and be of suitable material and strength.
Solid wood flooring can range in price from expensive to economical depending on the type of wood, grade and method of installation. Cheap solid wood flooring may be as low as $2.00 sq/ft. unfinished. Imported, exotic woods may be more costly; for example, better grades of finished Brazilian Cherry can cost more than $6.00 sq/ft. Flooring can be purchased at home improvement stores, through suppliers on the Internet, or from companies specializing in flooring.
Although solid wood floors are beautiful and you will want to show them off, it is prudent to protect them with proper care. Use felt cloth to line the bottom of furniture. Use large rugs or accent rugs in places where there is high traffic. Rearrange furniture to prevent spots on the floor from being faded by sunlight. Don’t wear high heals or cleats on the floor.