Hardwood Flooring Combines Beauty And Durability
For many homeowners there is nothing that looks as good as hardwood flooring and with a variety of materials and designs to choose from, there will be flooring available for virtually every room in the house. One of the most attractive aspects of hardwood flooring is its durability. A quality hardwood material, through proper care can last a lifetime with minimal care. Although it is recommended to maintain its lasting beauty, refinishing should be done about every five years.
A typical hardwood flooring installation is done over three-quarter-inch plywood nailed directly to the floor joists. The flooring is usually fastened to the plywood subfloor by nails, however glue is becoming a popular installation method. There are different edges available, depending on the preference of the homeowner and installer. Square joints have all the planks butted together in which case planning of every board to insure a tight fit will be necessary.
Many floors slide together with a tongue and groove or beveled fitting to form a tight connection. Hand hewn or textured hardwood flooring will show small imperfections in the joint. This is done on purpose to give a different, older appearance to the floor boards. Although laminate hardwood flooring is making inroads in the remodeling industry, many homeowners choose solid hardwood due to its lasting durability.
Changes Not Always Easy To Accomplish
When deciding to install hardwood flooring it should be understood that it is not like installing a carpet. In later years if the decision is made to change the color of the floor, it will require an experienced professional. Staining wood changes the color deep into the wood and is not an easy process to bleach out and change the color. Of course, if the homeowner becomes completely dissatisfied with their hardwood flooring then can always install carpet or laminate flooring over the top.
The most popular materials for hardwood flooring are oak and Brazilian walnut, which is one of the strongest hardwoods used in flooring. The individual planks and sanded and milled to insure a smooth surface and joint design if desired. It also requires special skills with power tools in order to lay hardwood flooring evenly and straight in order to avoid the appearance of the floor looking crooked on one side or the other.
Another advantage of hardwood flooring is its ability to withstand years of abuse and still provide a good appearance. However, proper care to prevent scratching and gouging will greatly lengthen the life of the floor.
