If you have never had hardwood flooring in a house that you lived in you probably have a preconceived notion about what someone means when they refer to their wood floors. For most, the image that comes to mind is a floor comprised of individual wooden planks, all of them solid wood and nailed down end-to-end; the main variations coming from whether oak flooring was installed or maple, walnut or another species of hardwood. While that image could be accurate, it is far more likely what your friend is referring to is somewhat different than what you assume.
There are various options available on today’s market and each one of them claims the label “wood flooring”. The two most common are solid wood, consisting of one single piece from top to bottom and engineered wood which is formed when two or more thin strips of wood are pressed together. There is also reclaimed or recycled wood which is salvaged from old building and reused. Another type referred to as acrylic impregnated is a process where acrylics are injected into the wood, thereby creating a super-hard and durable floor.
Beyond basic composition of the flooring there is a vast difference from one wood floor to another based on what style is chosen. Some of these include:
- Parquet floors are very popular and consist of a series of rectangular or square blocks of wood. These are aligned in geometric patterns and then glued to a sub-floor.
- Another style is created through the use of an inlay border. This is formed when a different, usually darker colored wood strip is inserted around the outside of a room or sometimes in the center in some sort of pattern or shape.
- A variation on the inlay border is a stenciled pattern that is accomplished by taping a design cut out on top of a pre-stained area and then re-staining or staining over it.
- Besides the use of different colors of wood, inlaid materials such as marble, brass, copper, ceramic tile are becoming more popular as people look for ways to add beauty to their wood flooring and turn it into something truly unique.
Long gone are the days when one wood floor looked pretty much like the rest. What has not changed, however, is the warmth, beauty and value that is added to a home. Whether you choose the timeless glow of oak flooring, the elegance of walnut or maple, or maybe a more exotic variety, you are making a sound investment that will only continue to grow as time goes by.
Similar Posts:
- Custom Hardwood Floors Are the Answer For Truly Stunning Wood Flooring
- How To Stencil A Great Looking Wood Floor
- How to Customize Reclaimed Wood Flooring
- Cheap Wood Flooring – Don’t Sacrifice Quality For Cost
- Hard Wood Flooring Matches Your Style
