A Look At Solid Hardwood Floors By Marcus Peterson, Fri Dec 9th
Solid hardwood floors should neither be installed over aconcrete slab nor below ground level because of high moisturesensitivity. Unsightly gaps appear when moisture dries and thefloors contract in the winter heating months. The floors expandand gaps disappear during summers. The wood planks may buckle orcup because of excessive moisture. In view of these facts,enough space should be left for expansion and wood should beacclimated. Nail-down installations are most appropriate forthese floors. The possibility of re-coating and refinishingincreases the life and appearance of solid hardwood floors.Generally solid hardwood floors are made up of ash, maple, redoak and white oak.
Solid wood floorings are divided into three sub categories:strip flooring, plank flooring and parquet flooring. Thicknessof strip flooring varies between 5/16 inch and ¾ inch. Availablewidths are 1 ½ inch, 2 inch and 2 ¼ inch. Though plank flooringis sold in two thicknesses, width can range between 3 inches and8 inches. Parquet flooring has geometrical patterns that arecreated with wood slats.
Hand-scraped hardwood floors are hand crafted. Charactermarkings on handscraped hardwood floors (hand sculptured floors)are a unique feature. These floors offer the best finishes foreither the modern world look or the old reclaimed wood floorlook. Both engineered and solid hand sculpted floors are sold.Beautiful handscraped hardwood floors are very expensive.Engineered handscraped hardwood floors are best suited for astructure erected on a concrete slab and in
high humidityconditions.
A few companies also market distressed hardwoodflooring that has machine
made markings unlike hand mademarkings in handscraped hardwood floor.
Handscraped floor iscostlier than distressed version, but both floorings
offer arich look.Hardwood floors should be cleaned with products
recommended bythe manufacturer. Regular use of a vacuum cleaner will
cleandirt, mud, grit and small stones that may spoil the finish.Welcome
mats at the entrance for wiping feet before walking onthe floor are
of great help in protecting the finish. Whenchoosing furniture for
you home, do not buy products with sharpmetal or wooden legs to prevent
denting and scratching. Use offurniture coasters or felt protectors
for all legs will preventscratching. Non-staining and wide rubber cups
are a must forheavy items like piano. The use of a paste wax on the
hardwoodfloor with a polyurethane finish damages the finish. Spills
onhardwood floors need immediate attention. Clean them with apaper
towel or damp white cloth and dry the area.
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