Saturday 22 November 2014

When Buying Hardwood Floors Utah Homeowners Will Find This Information Useful

By Ida Dorsey


Wood flooring continues to be a popular choice with many homeowners who desire a elegant look that is easy to maintain and will stand the test of time. It is available in a wide selection of colors, textures, and styles to suit any room. When it comes to purchasing hardwood floors Utah customers in Salt Lake City will find this guide particularly helpful.

Hardwood flooring is categorized as either solid or engineered. These two types are manufactured differently from each other, engineered wood is assembled with a hardwood top layer affixed to underlying layers of plywood, while solid wood is that which is cut directly from milled lumber. Both types are durable and can be sanded and refinished, however engineered wood has the added advantage of being resistant to moisture, making it ideal for washrooms or basements.

Both types of flooring can be made using the wood from many different species of trees. The lighter-hued maple and birch are characterized by darker grain lines and a smooth texture, they brighten and add space to a room and give it a clean, modern look. The sturdy hardness of bamboo permits it to be sold as a wood floor, even though it is in fact a grass, and it is found in both reddish and light brown shades.

The "softwood" species include fir, pine, and hemlock, these are cut from evergreen trees and are ideal for country-style rooms with a rustic or informal look. Ash wood is generally a bit lighter in color than oak and is very hard and provides optimal strength, making it the best option for rooms that receive heavier foot-traffic.

The rich brown of oak wood comes in varieties with whitish or reddish undertones and has long been a favorite choice for a classy, traditional look that makes any room look stylish and sophisticated. Another elegant type of wood is walnut, with its rich brown color that becomes lighter as it ages, or cherry, a sleek reddish-brown that becomes darker as time passes.

Standard wood flooring planks are laid end to end, however there are some designs which break from this tradition yet still provide the same beauty and grace associated with a hardwood floor. Parquet flooring consists of tiles made from strips of wood placed in such a pattern to form squares with alternating line designs. Another option is the engineered cork tile, which features a thin layer of cork oak wood attached to several other layers to form a moisture-resistant cushiony surface.

The width of the planks influences the overall look of the floor. Natural texture may be manipulated to create a unique appearance, such as distressed or wire-brushed. If it has a defect rate greater than 50 percent, it will necessitate purchasing more wood than that with fewer defects. Grade is determined by the look of the wood, plenty of knots and other character marks is deemed cabin or millwood grade, while that with few irregularities is considered to be clear or select.

A polyurethane finish usually comes with the flooring to protect it and make it shiny. Semi-gloss and satin finishes provides the greatest shine, while matte finishes are more subdued and are best suited to areas that will be walked across more frequently.




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