The hardwood floor is beautiful and versatile. It has such exquisite look that it can be installed in any room. Having said that, it is common sense that it should be avoided in areas that are prone to high humidity, such as bathrooms.
Hardwood flooring is available in three types. This includes:
- solid hardwood
- engineered hardwood
- acrylic impregnated wooden flooring
Solid hardwood floor is available in finished as well as unfinished versions. The
finished type is already sanded and finished at the factory. It can be installed
as it is. On the other hand, the unfinished version has to be installed, and then
sanded and finished at the location. Solid hardwood is pure wood that is milled
from lumber. Since it is a natural material, hence it is prone to shrinking or
expanding due to extreme temperatures or humidity. Hence this kind of flooring is
not suitable for bathrooms or even basements.
Engineered hardwood floor is made by adhering layers of plastic laminate veneer
with layers of real wood. This makes it very strong. Also, there will be no risk
of the flooring shrinking in case of change in temperature or due to humidity.
This makes it a good choice for places such as basements.
In the case of acrylic impregnated wooden flooring, the sealant as well as the color
is impregnated throughout the wood, and not just on the surface. This kind of
wood flooring is more suitable for commercial purposes that experience a much
higher footfall. Such kind of wooden floor is more durable besides being highly
resistant to scratches as well as moisture.
While choosing the kind of hardwood floor to be purchased, many things are to be
kept in mind. Certain hardwoods require higher upkeep than others. Next is the
aesthetics. The wooden floor needs to match with the rest of the room decor. Some
types require extra work during installation. The budget too is an important
deciding factor.
The hardwood floor is made of different kinds of wood. Choosing the right one
will depend on the type, utilization as well as the budget. The common wood types are
red oak, cherry, pine, Douglas fir, White oak, birch and beech.
Besides good looks, hardwood floor is an environment friendly option too. Wood is
the most abundant renewable form of flooring that is available today. There are
abundant rain forests around and trees can be replaced again and again. In fact,
the average annual natural growth of hardwood is much higher than the average
annual removal rate. Also, hardwood floor ensures that the indoor air quality
remains high. In order to manufacture hardwood floor, much less energy as well
as water are used as compared to manufacturing any other kinds of floors.
Hardwood floor is a biodegradable product. After its life is over, it can be
burnt or even recycled. These are long lasting floors. Once these have been
installed, they would be able to last for a real long time. Besides, wood does
not leave any carbon footprints. Thus, a hardwood floor will not lead to any
pollution of the environment.