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Wooden Floors Are In
By John McCabe
If you don't believe wooden floors are in high demand, just try
watching a show like "House Hunters" on HGTV. If you had a
dollar for everytime someone said the phrase "hardwood
floors" you could pay your cable bill.
Why are wooden floors so popular?
-- They're durable. It's not uncommon for century old homes to
have the original wood floors. With proper care, wooden floors
will outlive almost any other flooring.
-- They look rich. When the cost of vinyl flooring and carpeting
got low enough, wooden floors were reserved for high-end
applications.
Is there a downside to wooden floors?
-- They can be cold. While not as cold as stone floors, wood is
less friendly to the feet on a cold morning than carpeting. To be fair, proper heating and ventilation go a long way in warming wood floors.
-- They can be expensive. By definition, hardwood trees are
slow-growing. That slow growth habit gives them the gorgeous
grains we want in our wooden floors. It also means that the
trees such a floor is made up of cost more.
Okay, you want that wooden floor. What are the alternatives?
-- Traditional tongue-and-groove flooring. This is the most
expensive option. It can also be difficult to install. Such a floor
will require periodic refinishing.
-- Laminates. These are pre-finished and are easy for even the
moderately talented do-it-yourselfer to install. Once installed
wooden laminate floors look just like the "real" thing. Usually
less expensive.
-- Photo over composite. Basically, this is a photograph of wood
grain glued to a composite base. Usually the least expensive,
these faux-wooden floors are also the least durable.
Wooden floors, especially laminates, come in a wide array of
colors and finishes. Make a quick tour of your local Lowe's or
Home Depot to get an idea of what your cost might be.
Whether you like striking contemporary, or you prefer cozy
rustic, there's a wooden floor for you...
About the Author
John McCabe writes for Hearth & Home, a collection of articles and resources to make your home more efficient, valuable and fun. Hearth & Home is part of the Web Guides Network at http://web-guides.com .
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