Common Wood Species Used For Flooring

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 There are a number of species of hardwoods that are popular to be used as flooring. The most common species by far is red oak, as it is common in the US and fairly affordable prior to the lumber shortage. White oak is also common for flooring, but has a slightly grayish tone to it. While it can be stained, it has a natural medium blonde quality to it, as can be seen in the picture below.

Another common species for flooring is maple. There are a number of types of maple, with varying grain patterns and blonde tones. Maple planks can have unique figuring that can make a bold statement or can be matched to create a uniform look.

Walnut is a gorgeous choice for dark wood flooring options. It isn’t terribly expensive, and comes in a variety of grades to match your taste. It can range from a medium to dark chocolate color, creating a cozy ambiance.

What Do “Lace-In” & “Header” Mean?

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Sometimes a flooring installer may opt to do what is called a “lace in”, this is where a new wood floor is joined together with an existing wood floor to create a transition. A good time to use this technique is when extending an existing wood floor into a new area, or if you were replacing carpet with hardwood to match existing hardwood floors in your home. A “header” is related, it is the final piece of wood installed before a transition to another type of flooring, such as stone or tile. Knowing the terminology can save you a lot of time explaining what it is you’re envisioning when talking to a designer or contractor. There are also a number of other types of transitions as well, leaving room for endless design possibilities.



Bamboo Flooring: An Affordable Alternative To Hardwood

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With hardwood still being a pricey option, home improvement projects can become expensive quickly. Bamboo is a great alternative because it grows extremely quickly, allowing it to be easily replenishable; thus renewable and less expensive than its hardwood counterparts. It also has a unique look, making it more visually exciting than your traditional hardwood floor. Another benefit of bamboo is that it is easy to clean with a mop or vacuum and is slightly more resistant to water than hardwoods. However, bamboo is more likely to crack or buckle in extremely humid or dry environments, so it does best in temperate climates. Bamboo can be refinished similarly to hardwoods, making it a great investment for your home at a fraction of the price!

Photo Credit: carpettogo.com

Choosing A Finish For Your Hardwood Floors

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One thing that all hardwood floors need is a finish. Sometimes it can be difficult to make a decision with so many choices, but asking yourself a few key questions will get you pointed in the right direction.

  1. Are you refinishing your floors or are they brand new? 

  2. Do you want to keep the look of the natural wood or change the color?

  3. Is the floor a high traffic area?

  4. What kind of VOC(volatile organic compound) content does it have?

  5. How durable do you want it to be?

  6. What is your project timeframe, i.e. do you need it to dry quickly?

By determining the answer to these questions, you’ll be able to narrow down your choices with ease. A knowledgeable contractor can also assist you with choosing a finish when you are installing or refinishing your floor. 

Photo shows ebony stained cherry in a client’s home.

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Wire-Brushed Wood Floors

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Wire-brushed wood floors are the perfect finishing touch to achieve a rustic, farmhouse ambiance. How are they made? They’re hardwood planks or LVP that have been scraped with a short, stiff bristled wire brush, creating an elegant, distressed surface. If you’re wondering why someone might choose to scuff up a perfectly good floor, the reason might be because light scraping can bring out the grain of the wood even more. It can also be a great way to achieve a vintage or reclaimed wood type of look if you’re unable to find real reclaimed wood. One reason why this look is so popular is because it can help hide small scratches and scuffs. However, when it comes to cleaning, simply wiping with a cloth may not be enough and you’ll have better results with a microfiber mop.