Installing Hardwood Flooring throughout your Home

Wood is generally expensive and it becomes more expensive when you hire a professional to do the installations and finishes of your flooring. But most people say having it throughout their home is worth the price. For sure you have come across the idea of installing hardwood flooring throughout your home, however, it is important that you know which parts of your home you should use wood in and in which rooms it is acceptable. Timber flooring has been used for centuries in different types of structures because of its ability to give off a sophisticated and classy appeal. It also provides a sense of elegance which never goes out of style.

Wood is widely used in living room and dining areas. However, these days, it is rare to see wooden flooring in kitchens. Contrary to what people may say, lumber is relatively easy to care for in a kitchen environment. Wood is technically low-maintenance, so, if there are spills, you can simply wipe it and broom other debris. If you spill something on it, especially liquid, make sure to wipe it immediately as to prevent staining and decaying. Yes, wood and anything liquid are not a good combination, but wiping it away immediately will do no damage as most people commonly perceive.

Timber wood is a very good option to be used in homes because it is sturdy, robust and will last for years. Compared to other materials used inside the homes such as tiles and stones, wood is much easier to take care of as there is no grout needed to maintain it. In some countries, wood is also commonly used in bath or powder rooms. Some even use hardwood floors in full baths. If you want the same thing for your bathroom, you need to keep in mind that this is a specialized installation and cannot be done yourself by using the do-it-yourself kits found in hardware stores. Most bathrooms are usually built with stone, tile or glass flooring; therefore, installing timber flooring for your bathroom will give it a unique sense of appeal.

If you have a multi-story home, you might be wondering which rooms you are going to install hardwood floors in. Believe it or not, there are classifications of wood which are “on grade” which pertains to wood to be installed in the main floor, “above grade” which pertains to wood to be installed in the first or second floor and “below grade” which refers to the timber to be installed in the basement. Aside from that, there are also two types of construction of it that you need to consider: the solid wood flooring and engineered wood flooring. Solid wood flooring which are about ¾ inches thick can only be installed in “on grade” or “above grade” only and can never be used to for “below grade” installations. On the other hand, engineered wood flooring, which is built out of combining multiple layers of laminated veneers or plywood , spruce or high density Fibreboard core can be used on all grades. Keep in mind though that if your home has a basement, you need to take more care of the wood installed because of moisture and humidity issues.

Antique flooring, despite being more expensive than other materials is becoming more and more popular today because of the eco-friendly trend that most people are supporting. A few more advantages are its ability to last for years, being low maintenance and its strong overall value.

Wood is indeed expensive but there are other options which you can choose from so you can avail of the best prices. There are hardwood lumber companies which offer virgin wood as well reclaimed hardwood lumber for those looking for it that is not only cheaper but also has more character and personality.