Your Flooring Guide: All About Hardwood
Hardwood floors are elegant and can last decades. You probably have seen old houses in New England, Eastern Canada, and New York with original hardwood floors.
Hardwood floors are ideal for spacious living rooms near the fireplace, giving the space a cozy and luxurious look.
The favorite type of flooring for designers and architects, you will surely see many rooms in design and architecture magazines using hardwood floors.
It is beautiful flooring, considerably increasing the value of the property where you use it. The downside to hardwood flooring is that it’s expensive and not suitable for damp spaces.
Hardwood flooring is expensive for material and installation and requires monthly maintenance.
All you need to know about Hardwood
How is Hardwood made?
Hardwood floors aren’t a single piece of solid wood. Nowadays, hardwood floors are in layers; the layers are layered on the other to create a single, sturdy wooden plank. Then, lastly, the builders add a top wood veneer.
This way, the final wooden plank is more resistant to water and wear than a single solid wood.
Where does Hardwood come from in the world?
The wood comes from deciduous trees, which lose their leaves annually. Trees such as oak, maple, or walnut are perfect for hardwood floors because they grow slower, making the wood dense.
Other types of wood, such as softwood, grow fast; they are better for craftsmanship and house decor.
Did they have Hardwood in medieval times?
Yes, during medieval Europe, there were hardwood floors: France, England, and the Netherlands used oak wood floors and, less frequently, walnut. The oldest wooden floors date back to the 11th century, with Windsor Castle.
Hardwood floors became popular in Europe during the Baroque period (1625-1714).
When Hardwood nowadays: How to use them in your home.
Why should your home have Hardwood?
Hardwood floors have elegant finishes and high durability. If you want to raise the price of your property, we recommend investing in hardwood floors. They make the area cozy and warm, insulating your feet from the cold, and last for decades.
What areas of your home need Hardwood?
You can use Hardwood in your living room, the area near the fireplace, the dining room, the hallway at the entrance, the rooms, and the offices.
What is the lifespan of hardwood floors?
Hardwood floors can last a hundred years. Now, the finish of the wood will fade over the years; this finish lasts 25 years.
When did homes stop using hardwood floors?
During the 50s, practicality in the home became popular, and household appliances and modernity made their way into the American market. That’s why tile and linoleum have replaced hardwood floors.
If you have a house from the 1950s, you probably have a hardwood floor hiding under the carpet.
Why is there no hardwood in the basement?
Hardwood floors are susceptible to moisture. Excessive moisture in wood causes it to rot, swell, and splinter. That is why you won’t see people choosing wood for basement floors but rather concrete or tile.
What is the most robust Hardwood?
The Australian Buloke has a hardness of 5,060 IBF. It is known as the densest and most resistant wood in the world.
What is the weakest Hardwood?
Quipo (Cavanillesia platanifolia) is considered the weakest hardwood tree. It is a species found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Ecuador, and Peru. It has a Janka hardness of 22 IBF (98 N).
How to choose Hardwood?
It would help if you considered where you want to use the hardwood floor, the species of wood, the Grain Pattern and Appearance, and the finishes. Then you must budget the installation and advise yourself with an expert team.
