Not those woods…the woods that are gaining popularity in houses across America.
In times past, wood floors were reserved for the aristocrats, the “well to do”. It was the stamp of success. Yet over time, technology progressed and precision manufacturing gave way to new ways of making better use of each square foot of timber. Today hardwood flooring offers the typical homeowner the warmth and durability that’s fit for a king at an affordable price.
But, with so many stunning species to choose from, combined with variances in width, style and finishes, such as prefinished flooring versus unfinished flooring, deciding which floor to ultimately put in your home is a choice that can drive one mad— or at least cause marital issues for husbands and wives who are in disagreement.
Trying to choose the proper wood species that fits your lifestyle and home décor is difficult. Many considerations must be given when selecting a wood floor. Paramount is narrowing down the species selection. Not an easy task, with well over 100 to choose from. Some species are very hard, and stand to be a notably durable choice. Others are less hard, but more forgiving when sawed or nailed to a subfloor. Some species of hardwood have colors which remain more or less constant. Others exhibit photosensitivity, which means that the color of the hardwood flooring species changes as it is exposed to light. Then, to make matters worse… each species has various choices that need to be made once you’ve decided on what wood you like.
Whatever your requirement, hardwood flooring presents an option in floors that enable you to choose the perfect look, texture, and general effect. And with a little planning upfront, the process can be transformed into an enjoyable learning experience—not an issue of marital argument. Here are some general guidelines to help you choose a species that will fit your life style and complement your décor.
Factors to consider before making that final choice
Rule #1 — Keep it firmly in mind that there are no set rules. It’s going to be your floor, and you are going to be living on it, so the most important thing is that you be happy with your choice.
With that in mind, consider the common ways that different woods have been used in the past. One way to classify different hardwoods is by looking at which wood is most often associated with a particular home style. Over time, certain types of wood have been used to convey a specific style. But remember wood is a very flexible material, and the same wood can often work in a variety of settings. Also, most of the woods can be ordered in different grades, adding to its flexibility. Select grade has slight color variances, often resulting in an elegant traditional look. Country and rustic grades have more open knots and cracks, and can also be deliberately distressed in milling with processes such as quarter-sawing and skip planing, giving a real antique or country look to the floor. Alternatively, the consistent color of a clear grade exotic wood with a high gloss finish conveys a more contemporary feel.
Wood Floors for Every Style of Home
Home styles and architecture are not limited to a few classic looks. There is an infinite variety of decors, and wood floors complement them all. From a heart pine wood floor in a French country farmhouse, to eastern white pine flooring in a log home, to a rich, red, Santos mahogany floor in a classic, nineteenth-century style library, the choices are almost limitless.
In the coming articles we will discuss the various species that are generally associated with specific styles of décor, particularly the woods most commonly associated with the country style, traditional style and contemporary style. It is a good jumping off point to begin narrowing down what you “think” you might like. Then, once that is narrowed down we’ll tackle all the other factors such as thickness, solid hardwood or engineered hardwood, prefinished flooring or unfinished flooring.
