Anyone who has been through the process of building a house or redoing the flooring in one knows that you soon learn that there are numerous decisions that lie ahead. Even after the choice has been made for wood flooring, there are still many options to wade through.
Will it be a solid wood floor? And, if so, which of the many varieties of hardwood will most closely match your personal preference and the style and décor of your home? How the timber has been milled makes a significant difference in the final appearance, so that is another decision to ponder. Then there is the question of stain and finish. And the list goes on.
Without getting too specific, there are some things that you will most likely need to consider.
First, are you committed to solid wood planks or have you considered engineered wood? Still real wood, engineered wood flooring is created by taking two or more thin layers of wood and pressing them together. By arranging the layers in such a way that the grains are running in different directions, the tendency that new lumber has to warp because of temperature and humidity fluctuations is avoided. This also permits sub-grade installations and even gives you the option of wood flooring in the basement.
Solid wood does not have to mean that a segment of forest was felled just for your flooring. As we become more environmentally conscious and aware of the consequences of the loss of our hardwood forests, this becomes an issue that many homeowners are paying attention to. It has been discovered that there is an abundant supply of existing wood in old houses, cabins and barns. Harvesting this is now a thriving industry. Weathered for decades by the sun, wind and rain, this wood is extremely sturdy and has a unique character that can not be found in freshly-milled lumber.
Of course you will need to choose between the many species of hardwoods. There are several varieties of oak that are popular, as well as walnut, cherry, maple, pine, hickory, ash and the list goes on. While you always have the option of not staining and installing in its natural state, there are numerous shades of stain that will each create a different look.
How your flooring looks in your home also depends on how it was cut. Basically, there are three basic cuts that are used with logs that are destined to become flooring. These are quarter-sawn, plain-sawn and rift-sawn. Each has pros and cons and each will give a totally different appearance when installed. It will be well worth your time to sit down with your contractor or designer and have these differences explained. Also, make sure you see a large enough sampling of each to know how it will look across an entire floor and not just on a sample card.
While not intended to be exhaustive, hopefully this will give you a starting point for your new flooring. A solid wood floor can easily outlast you and your children so taking the time to get exactly what you want will pay off for years to come.
