Lets start from the ground up
Hi all! Welcome to my site, I am going to write weekly blogs to share my skills and knowledge or design advice with you and the world.
I've decided as this is my first Blog, and to be honest I never thought I'd be writing one, I'd like to start from the ground up literally. So starting with flooring and once I'm bored talking the heads off you about that I'll move on up to wall finishes, lightings, bespoke furniture design, soft furnishings, antiques and art.
Please feel free to ask questions or even share my design jargon.
HARDWOOD
There are two main types of hardwood flooring: solid hardwood flooring and engineered hardwood flooring.
Solid hardwood is generally what most people think of when they imagine hardwood flooring. It consists of solid pieces of wood from your preferred species. The entire hardwood plank is constructed from that wood. People love solid hardwood for its natural beauty. It gives your home a warm, authentic charm, no matter the species.
Solid hardwood flooring is also extremely durable. Install it right and maintain it as directed to ensure it lasts a lifetime.
The downsides to solid hardwood are its high price and susceptibility to moisture damage. Don’t use it in rooms with high amounts of humidity, like a bathroom for example.
Engineered hardwood is constructed from several layers of wood pressed together. A layer of actual hardwood is laid on top of this core layer as well as on the bottom of it.
The multi-ply construction of engineered hardwood flooring makes it less susceptible to moisture damage. The wood can expand and contract with no negative results as humidity levels change.
Engineered hardwood flooring is also valued for its flexibility. You can install it directly over a concrete subfloor or a radiant heating system with no ill effects.
An additional benefit of this type of hardwood flooring is its price. It’s much less expensive than solid hardwood flooring.
The downsides to engineered hardwood are that it can’t be sanded and refinished, it’s not quite as durable and long lasting, and it doesn’t add as much resell value to your home.
* Remember that engineered hardwood flooring isn’t the same as laminate wood flooring!
Are hardwood floors worth the cost?
Hardwood floors may be expensive, but they can last a lifetime and provide you with a lot of benefits. They are extremely durable, stain-resistant, and beautiful. However, like most things, they do have a few cons too. Let’s take a look at some of those pros and cons so that you can make a well-informed decision when it comes to wood flooring.
Pros
Hardwood floors are considered extremely durable. They can last for a long time, especially if you take good care of them. They can be refinished if they start to show signs of damage.
A lot of hardwood floors can be customized to your liking. If you are not a fan of the natural look, then you can opt for the stained or painted option. You can also choose between different types of hardwood floors, depending on your preference and the environment that you live in.
Cons
Hardwood floors are expensive and hard to install. Most contractors will charge an installation fee to help you with the project and to make things easier. You can also lose a lot of time if you do not have the right tools or if you are not experienced in flooring work.
Hardwood floors do require a lot of maintenance. You will need to clean them on a regular basis, and they do need to be sanded and scraped every once in a while. If you do not have the time to do this, then you can hire a professional to do it for you.
While it can be a bit pricey and hard to install, it will be worth the investment. With proper maintenance, you might not need any other flooring for your home in your lifetime.
Some of the most popular species of hardwood
Cherry
Walnut
Oak
Maple
Hickory
Ash
Douglas Fir
Teak
Birch
Pine
Mahogany
Beech
Ebony
Bamboo
Cedar