Article Categories
» Arts & Entertainment
» Automotive
» Business
» Careers & Jobs
» Education & Reference
» Finance
» Food & Drink
» Health & Fitness
» Home & Family
» Internet & Online Businesses
» Miscellaneous
» Self Improvement
» Shopping
» Society & News
» Sports & Recreation
» Technology
» Travel & Leisure
» Writing & Speaking

  Listed Article

  Category: Articles » Home & Family » Home Improvement » Article
 

What Kind of Hardwood Flooring Is Best?




By TC Thorn

Installing hardwood flooring is a very popular home improvement project. This is particularly true now that more and more people are learning that carpets can hide mildew, mold, pet dander, dust mites, and other tiny particles that can make trouble for allergy sufferers. Hardwood flooring is easy to keep clean, and there is no place for potential allergens to hide. Wood floors also have the added benefit of looking gorgeous.

Okay, okay, you're probably already sold on hardwoods or you wouldn't be reading this article. What you may be wondering now is what type of wood is best? Should you go with oak, or maple? A soft wood such as pine? Something more exotic such as teak? Or maybe you have considered bamboo flooring, which is actually a grass instead of a wood but that has many of the qualities of hardwoods.

The truth is that each type of wood I've mentioned can be used, and each has different characteristics, such as color, grain, and hardness. It may simply come down to what wood you think looks best. I'm going to give you the characteristics of some of the more popular choices in order to help you decide. Let's get started:

Oak Flooring

Oak is very popular because it is a heavy and hard wood, which makes it quite durable. It can resist the wear and tear of an active family. This species is also handsome and comes in a range of colors, depending on whether you choose white oak or red oak.

Maple Flooring

For folks who want something a little lighter colored than oak, maple is a popular choice. It varies from a pale white to a reddish brown and has a uniform texture. Because it's a very hard wood, it stands up well and resists scratches and dents.

Pine Flooring

Pine is actually a "softwood" so it is more susceptible to scratches, dings, and dents. However it is still enjoyed by homeowners who prefer the character of a worn floor. Since it was used widely in the 18th and 19th centuries, the wide knotty planks are popular in historic houses and log homes because they can create an authentic rustic feel. Pine is also less expensive than oak or maple.

Teak Flooring

Teak was once used predominantly outdoors because it is so resistant to insects, fungi, rot, and temperature shifts. Its handsome color, which can range from yellowish brown to a dark golden brown, is prompting homeowners to use it indoors now as well. Because of its natural resistance to dampness, it can be a good choice if you want hardwood floors in the kitchen or even the bathroom (though you still need to apply a good finish).

Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo is growing more popular among environmentally conscious homeowners, because it is an easily renewable resource (bamboo grows much more quickly than trees). As far as its characteristics, bamboo has a striped grain that makes it a little more exotic than wood. It also resists moisture well, a trait that makes it popular in humid climates where regular wood can be susceptible to warping.

As you can see, all of these woods have different traits, but they are all wonderful choices. It is hard to go wrong with hardwood flooring, and ultimately it is just a matter of choosing something that has physical properties that suit your needs and that has a color and grain that looks good in your home.


 
 
About the Author
For more information (and pictures of some of the woods described here), check out the author's web site for Different Hardwood Flooring Options. You may also want to read about Hardwood Floor Protection, an article that shows how to keep that wood looking good. If you've already got hardwood floors, but they're too scratched, stained, and dented for your tastes, try reading Refinishing Hardwood Floors.

Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/33527.html
 
If you wish to add the above article to your website or newsletters then please include the "Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/33527.html" as shown above and make it hyperlinked.



  Some other articles by TC Thorn
Exercise After 50, More Important to Health Than Ever
Exercise programs weren't the "in" thing to if your grew-up during the 40s, 50s, or 60s. We didn't start out our lives by going to "kinder-gym and swim" with our moms like young people do in today's ...

Housing Options for Seniors
Many older people want to stay in their own homes or at least in the same neighborhood. The maintenance and upkeep of a large family home is not always a practical option, physically and financially. But a ...

Add Luxury to Your Bathroom Without Spending a Fortune
After kitchens, bathrooms are the most commonly remodeled rooms in the house. That makes sense, since for many of us, the bathroom is the only place we can ...

5 Ways to Save Money Remodeling Your Kitchen
So, you're thinking of remodeling your kitchen. It's a smart move if your motivation is to improve the value of your home. (It's a smart move if you ...

Gas Fireplaces vs. Wood-burning Fireplaces
Gas fireplaces have been increasing in popularity of late, especially up here in the Pacific Northwest, where it's often cool and gray. It's hard to beat the ease of ...

Do You Have Termites? Are You Sure?
Termites eat wood, and most houses are made at least partially from wood. This, of course, means that houses and termites shouldn't mix. Sure, try telling them that. Each ...

  
  Recent Articles
Let Your Life Shine With Antiquity
by Sarika Kabra

Resurfacing Your Bathtub? Here's A Money Saving Tip
by Christopher Smith

What You Need To Know About Hardwood Floors
by Christopher Smith

Thinking about a new Bathroom?
by Paul Glover

Wrought Iron Furniture for Every Season
by Sarika Kabra

Choosing and Measuring Carpet Flooring
by Rami Nseir

How To Save Space with Futons
by Christopher Smith

Wicker and Amish - A Perfect Combination
by Sarika Kabra

Is It Curtains For Your Curtains
by Christopher Smith

Get The Best Home Theater System With These Four Major Components!
by Dean Caporella

Designing with Hardwood Floors Made Easier
by Christopher Smith

Two Person Hot tubs
by Simon Dickson

Can't connect to database