Little Green
The Many Sides of Hardwood Flooring
By Sirena Van Schaik
So, you have decided that you want to go with hardwood flooring. Sure there are other less expensive options out there but those options just don’t have the same type of effect that the hardwood does. I completely understand and I am with you on this. Hardwood flooring is amazing and there are so many varieties to choose from, anyone can find exactly what they are looking for.
But what exactly are you looking for? That answer really depends on where the flooring is going and what your design expectations are. Before you choose flooring, think about your needs, the colors that you are working with and the space that you are using.
What effect are you trying for? Are you looking for a light and airy feel or are you looking for something traditional? Believe it or not, the end result you want to create will greatly affect the type of hardwood that you choice.
Below, I have outlined some of the many different types of hardwood that is available and hopefully, by the end of this article, you will have some idea as to what you are looking for.
Reclaimed Wood:
Let’s start with reclaimed wood. If you aren’t sure what exactly this is, just think about all those old buildings that are being torn down. There are tons of old wood in barns, old homes, and even equipment from old farms. Things like old wagons, and wooden barrels. There are literally a hundred different places where companies can salvage the lumber and they are now offering it to homeowners for hardwood flooring.
The main benefit of using reclaimed wood is the fact that the floor will be completely unique, since the wood is coming from multiple buildings and equipment, the end result is something completely different from anything else. Even two reclaimed wood floors will be different than each other.
Despite that benefit, there is less of a chance of a uniformed color coming through but each piece of wood will have its own markings, very distinctive when added to a floor. Another detractor for the reclaimed wood is the fact that it can be very expensive and it is often challenging to use.
Still, that hasn’t stopped many home owners from going a little green and reusing some wonderful old and reclaimed lumber.
American Walnut:
Also known as Black Walnut, this is a fairly common hardwood that has been used for centuries in homes. It has a wonderful color that is a deep purple and it has a very even grain.
The main benefit of American Walnut, besides its beauty, is the fact that it holds stains very well. This provides home owners with more options. The detractor of this hardwood is the fact that it is not the best for high traffic areas since it is typically softer than other hardwoods available.
Oak:
If you want to go with flooring that is tried and true, then oak is the way to go. It is one of the most popular flooring around and it can be found in many different finishes. There are two main types of oak flooring; the white oak flooring has a lighter color, while the red oak has a pink tone.
The benefits of oak flooring reside in two major facts. One, it is ideal for heavy traffic areas in a home, that means the family room will do fine with an oak flooring or the hallway to the door. Two, it is one of the easiest hardwood flooring when it comes to instillation.
On the opposite side, oak is not the best flooring for any room that has a lot of moisture, such as a bathroom or even the kitchen, since it will blacken when exposed to a lot of moisture.
Mahogany:
When it comes to hardwood flooring, I am a big fan of Mahogany. The red and gold flecks in the wood and the beautiful finishes make it an excellent choice for any homeowner that is looking for something that is aesthetically pleasing while still being very functional.
It does well in almost any space, including high traffic areas, and can be used in rooms that have a lot of moisture, like the bathroom. The only problem with Mahogany is the expense. It is one of the more expensive hardwoods available.
Cherry:
Cherry is another favorite of mine and it is a floor that seems to have its own personality. The reddish tone found in Cherry flooring deepens as the floor ages, making it more beautiful with age. It is very durable and can be used in any area regardless of traffic level or moisture.
The major problem with cherry flooring is the splitting that can be common in other hardwood flooring. It can also be one of the more difficult floors to install.
And there are still some types of hardwood, although there are still many others types of hardwood and flooring that you can add to your home. The best advice is to really look at the different flooring offered and really weigh the pros and cons of each one.
Joni Mitchell – Little Green Lyrics
