Wood flooring can add a great traditional touch to any home. For an addition of elegance and time tested quality, hardwood flooring is one of the best avenues. A high quality maple or oak wood flooring can really put a new face on a home, while also building a base for an elegant atmosphere. Hardwood flooring can be found in almost every imaginable color and shade. Finding the best kind of flooring can be a little daunting, but the process is always rewarding in the end. Although carpet can certainly work in some situations, wood flooring has a traditional appeal that pushes up home values like nothing else.
The first step is in finding out whether your home is appropriate for wood flooring. Regions that undergo severe weather conditions and change temperature extremes every season, hardwood may be prone to suffering buckling and warping. High humidity is also a significant problem when considering wood flooring. Excess moisture can wick up from the subfloor and into the wood through spills, leading to warping and buckling over time. Crowning and cupping are issues associated with moisture exposure, and be an expensive problem. When a floor crowns or cups, it loses its originally level form, most frequently in the middle of the floor. This can result in a floor that must be replaced or sanded down to restore its level surface.
Once you have decided that hardwood is the right choice for you as a homeowner, there are many products and manufacturers from which to choose. Maple and oak are more traditional species, while cedar is a species that provides a more relaxed feel. A higher gloss finish will produce a shinier surface, while a lower gloss fits in with a more subdued atmosphere. The thickness of the boards is also an important factor in selecting the right wood flooring product. Thicker boards will provide a longer lasting and more reliable surface.
Moisture is a big problem for hardwood flooring. Avoid contact with moisture wherever possible, and clean up spills promptly. If storing wood flooring outdoors before installation, be sure to cover it with a tarp in case of any precipitation. Clean up spills on the wood flooring immediately in order to prevent eventual warping and cracking. If water beads up on the surface of the flooring, the finish of the flooring needs to be redone. Protect your investment, and wood flooring can last for generations.
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