Hardwood Floors
The luxuriously warm and nostalgic look of hardwood flooring never fails to impress even the most meticulous remodeling enthusiast. Besides having a distinct timeless quality that successfully radiates an aura of permanence, hardwood definitely surpasses other popular flooring choices when it comes to looks and durability.
As an added bonus, first-rate hardwood flooring can instantly raise your home’s value by as much as 10 to 20 percent when suitably installed. Besides ensuring that you will enjoy the benefits and lavishness of one of the toughest flooring options available, you are guaranteed that hardwood will surely last for centuries to come if maintained properly.
Usually gathered from different thriving <em>topiary</em> varieties such as oak, spruce, pine, cherry, walnut, teak and maple, an average hardwood flooring set-up is customarily assessed by timber strength, overall appearance, as well as harvesting and production costs. In general, the logs that show the tightest grains and fewest knots often command the heftiest price tags.
After being harvested, the would-be flooring materials are then transported to a sawmill and bisected into 1-inch thick boards. Depending on the manufacturer, these will usually have a relative width of about 2.5 to 3 inches after fabrication to effectively cater to most contemporary architectural and remodeling standards.
Aside from its solid toughness that can survive even the harshest foot traffic, modern renovators also value hardwood for its flexible acoustic properties: with a bit of sound insulation, it easily absorbs ambient sounds such as footsteps, light winds and occasional raps and taps as closely as any runner and carpeting arrangements. Similarly, hardwood will still retain its remarkable sound absorbing attributes even if sanded and refinished on a regular basis.
Flaunting a more robust characteristic than most of its counterparts in the flooring scene, hardwood has a very unique versatility that makes it blend into both traditional and modern home décor without any trouble. Possessing the adaptability of tile and the endurance of laminate and stone, there is just something about hardwood that absolutely can’t be replicated in a factory.
Alternatively, akin to all popular flooring materials, hardwood also has its disadvantages. Although it can stand up to even the most severe stomps and treads – making it a great contender for hallways, workrooms, studies and living rooms – hardwood is still highly vulnerable to extreme levels of humidity and moisture.
While a few drops or spills every now and then won’t hurt as long as they are taken care of immediately, hardwood floors will definitely weaken and lose its innate gloss sooner or later if constantly subjected to leaks, recurring seepage and flooding.
Expense-wise, getting your hands on decent hardwood can be quite heavy on the budget. Excluding the cost of the required subfloor which is needed as a base, you will have to dish out as much as $15 or more for each square foot of material. Aside from that, you will be also in for a lot of sanding, resealing and several other maintenance jobs every 5 to 7 years to keep your hardwood floor as classy and opulent as the day it was first installed.
Although it has its weaknesses, going for hardwood when deciding which flooring material to get is truly a great choice. It is tough, exquisite and has been proven to stand the test of time as effortlessly as its existing natural and man-made counterparts.
Endowed with a classic look and feel that radiates unending resilience and timeless durability, it is no wonder why this sturdy material is considered as the closest thing to an heirloom in the remodeling business.
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