Hardwood flooring is highly durable, elegant, rustic and resistant to wear and tear. Wood may be relatively expensive, but it is quite popular. It is also known for its warmth. There are many more reasons why hardwood floors are preferred over other options. You can repair them and re-stain them easily. The floor will look better even after decades. In fact, wood has the quality of aging well and looking better.
Choosing Between Softwood and Hardwood
Given all these advantages, it isn't easy to choose the right hardwood flooring for your Calgary home. Spruce, fir and pine are the commonly used softwoods but they can easily get damaged because of wear. They can however be installed at low-traffic areas. Maple, oak and birch are durable hardwoods that can be installed in heavy-traffic areas. If stained and treated properly, you can also install them in areas with exposure to moisture.
Choosing the Wood Species
Red Oak
Red Oak is the most commonly hardwood choice in North America. It is known for its red color and coarser grain. It has high density and is highly resistant to wear.
White Oak
White oak is even denser than red oak. Its color can vary from brownish to gray hues. It has similar grain to red oak, but with more swirls and burls. As already mentioned, it is harder and thus more durable than its red brother. Thus, white oak floors can last longer.
Beech
You can also choose beech for its steady grain and reddish-brown color. It is also durable and provides shock resistance.
Birch
Birch may not be as hard as red oak, but it is still quite hard and durable. You can find the wood in colors ranging from dark brown red to light yellow.
Cherry
Cherry typically refers to American Cherry. It is light brown in color. It is usually softer and therefore used in low traffic areas. Brazilian Cherry is however much harder and highly durable. It ages well over time. With a hardness rating of over 2340, it is among the hardest hardwood flooring options for your home.
Douglas Fir
Douglas fir is a softwood, only half as hard as red oak. So if you like its yellow tan, you can install it in low traffic rooms, such as your bedroom.
Types of Wood
Once you have determined the wood species for your home, the next factor is the type of wood. This refers to the way the wood has been treated and made. The two options available are engineered and solid woods. Engineered wood is made using multiple layers of solid wood. It is ideally suited for environments with high moisture content. When seen from the top layer, they are the same as solid wood. It is more stable and durable. There is no room for the layers to move, thus preventing them from buckling.
Keep these points in mind when you choose the right hardwood flooring for your home or even for your commercial setting.
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