Article Advise

submitted: Sep 2nd 2008 | by: MarkHutchison | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 597 | |

Hardwood is one of the most durable and attractive types of flooring around. However, the wide selection of available kinds of hardwood flooring can make it hard to decide which one you prefer.

Step one is deciding whether you prefer unfinished hardwood that you finish yourself, or prefer to buy wood that's been pre-finished.

In days past, unfinished was definitely the way to go. It was easier to select a type of hardwood, install it and stain or finish it with stain or lacquer to optimize appearance and wear.

It was also generally less expensive to get unfinished hardwood flooring, even adding in the cost of staining or lacquering. The price difference was so great that getting unfinished hardwood, then exerting a little effort was a bargain on balance. No more. Unfinished is still often less expensive, but the difference is smaller than in the past.

There are also a lot of advantages to getting pre-finished hardwood. When you re-floor an existing space or an addition, you don't have to deal with the mess or smell of finishing Just add the hardwood, and skip sanding, staining, and coating your floor. You won't need a respirator or have to worry about eye and lung safety.

So, how do you choose? In the end, it comes down to your budget and how much skill and time you have available for your hardwood flooring project.

Of course, no matter which type of flooring you choose, you still need to pick out a hardwood. There's a lot to choose from today, including woods from all over the world.

One of the more interesting choices is bamboo. While it's technically not a wood, this woody grass is very hard when processed properly. It offers a unique color and look that go very well with Asian inspired decorating schemes, as well as many others. It's also a lot less costly than many other types of hardwood flooring - about five dollars per square foot.

On the opposite end of the cost scale is Brazilian Walnut. Running up to $13 per sq ft, this rich-looking hardwood comes in a range of color shades. It may be a lighter brown, resembling the shell of the nut that everyone is familiar with. Or, it may run to darker shades. Though more expensive, it provides an extremely hard surface, which is great for long wear but can make for a more difficult installation.

Mahogany resides in the mid-range of the cost scale, but there's nothing middling about the look. This is ultra-beautiful hardwood flooring. Reddish-brown, it has a rich, dark grain and will stand up to heavy use for decades.

A favourite of many people who install their own floors, red oak comes in a variety of different widths and is relatively cheap. However, the surface of this wood is extremely durable, and the right finish will give you a lovely floor.

Ash is a good choice if you prefer a lighter color and a less costly wood. Starting around three dollars a square foot, this wood is knotty and attractive. However, it's softer than other woods. Rustic ash is a particularly good choice for a more natural look.

In addition to new woods, you can also find hardwood flooring in recycled and predistressed forms. That gives your floor more dimension and a more lived-in look. This is a great choice if you want to match an antique home, or just prefer a rustic look but need your floor to last.

About the Author

While timber flooring has always been popular in Australia, bamboo flooring is now starting to take market share, due to a range of great reasons. Visit Bamboozle in Perth - www.bamboozle.com.au - to learn more.

Comments

No comments posted.

You do not have permission to comment. If you log in, you may be able to comment.