By Beth Rudiger
Wood is a standard building material. We use it from the first framing of a wall during construction to the trim boards and furniture used to complete a room. Wood as a finishing material has unique beauty and a connection
to nature that appeals to everyone. Nowhere does wood make a stronger impression then when it is used as flooring.
Wood floors are warm, timeless and can add real value to your home. Most real estate agents agree that homes with wood flooring sell faster and for higher
prices than other houses. Even after years of use, wood retains its beauty. If necessary, it is easily renewed with another coat of finish or can be entirely sanded and refinished. Because wood is a renewable resource, flooring made from it is an ecologically
sound choice. Even old sunken logs, wooden barns, and other structures find new lives as wood flooring. It is easily maintained by vacuuming or sweeping and it does not harbor allergens as carpet can.
When selecting wood flooring, you have a choice of wood
type, stain, and finish as well as decorative extras like borders, medallions, and painted decorations. The majority of wood flooring species are hardwoods with oak, ash and maple being popular choices. Other domestic hardwood choices include beech,
birch, cherry, mesquite, and walnut.
Consumers who want a truly unique floor choose exotic woods or inlaid or painted decorations on their floors. Cork, bamboo, and teak are some of the more familiar exotics, but with our rap- Continued on page 42
References:
Archives