Throughout history, hardwood flooring has set the standard
for beauty, richness, and style in the most
elegant homes. No other flooring offers the timeless
quality of wood with the undeniable warmth and comfort
that says “welcome
home”.
Hardwood flooring is almost exclusively
manufactured from wood harvested from deciduous tree species,
trees that shed their leaves in winter. Woods
used in flooring are chosen for how well they wear over time, measured
in terms of hardness and dimensional stability, and for color and grain ranging from the palest shade of white oak to the crimson tones of padauk or the rich burgundy black
of mahogany.
The
huge variety of styles, colors, and species
in both solid and engineered
woods makes hardwood flooring
an option for any decor.
While location should be considered when choosing whether to put down a solid or engineered wood, there are so many choices available
that you will be able to find a floor that fits your lifestyle, your location and your
style.
Care and
cleaning of today’s wood
flooring is quick and easy. Tedious, back breaking paste wax is a thing of the distant past. The advanced finishes on today’s floors need little
more than some sweeping or vacuuming to remove
any grit, and damp mopping with a simple solution
of white vinegar and water for further cleaning.
Occasional use of a professional wood cleaning product made especially for your floor may also be recommended. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for details.
A Word About Sustainability and Value
The
watchword today is “green.” People often ask about
the sustainability of wood flooring
and how its purchase will affect the Earth’s delicate
rain forests. Deforestation is due to irresponsible, illegal
logging practices, and you
have the power to do something to stop it. Every piece of flooring that is farmed and logged responsibly will carry a certificate of compliance with the Lacey Act. If you find flooring
that doesn’t,
don’t buy it. It’s that simple. To make a difference, buy certified wood.
Consider this: when you purchase a quality
wood floor,
it can last several
lifetimes, and when your great grandchildren or their children
finally decide it’s time for new flooring, the boards can often be removed,
re-milled, and reused for
a new purpose.. .and possibly
another hundred years of use. Wood offers the ultimate
in sustainability and value, because when you purchase
quality wood, you’re buying a century worth
of floor. When compared
to frequent replacement
cost of any other flooring,
longevity alone is well
worth the initial outlay
and no
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Modern Home with Wood Floors
The
late 1980s saw the rise of pre finished woods and a return to the clean, classic look of wood planking without the intricate patterning
of parquetry. Due to the way the pre finished wood planking was constructed, splintered edges were common. Today’s manufacturing process
produces smoother, more durable flooring, far superior to flooring available
in the past. Unfinished wood floors
are also available that can be finished
on site after installation for a more even and impenetrable surface.
Some controversy exists regarding environmental issues of
hardwood. Most of the issues center on unethical logging practices that threaten the old-
growth forests that produce
most of the world’s oxygen supply. At first glance, hardwoods, which take 30 years or more to mature, may seem to lack sustainability. However, considering that some hardwoods are reclaimed and recycled, and installed
and cared for properly, hardwood flooring can last a century
or more, the question of sustainability
is reduced to one of ethical harvesting.
