Cork flooring is becoming a very popular choice for many people these days because of it’s many unique properties.For instance, from a low-impact ecologically friendly alternative from traditional hardwood floors, cork flooring stands alone.

Harvesting the raw material required to manufacture hardwood flooring involves the destruction of many ancient trees. As we all know, the Brazilian rainforest is shrinking every year and the harvesting of exotic hardwoods is one of the reasons.

Aside from the obvious environmental damage, it is not sustainable. The demand for hardwood is on the rise whereas the number of usable trees is declining. At some point, we will run out of hardwood trees.

Cork flooring is entirely another matter.In order to harvest cork, the outer layer of bark is peeled off the tree. it takes about 10 years for the bark to grow back and then more cork can be harvested.

So What is This Amazing Tree We Get Cork Flooring From?

The Cork Oak,also known as Quercus Suber is an evergreen oak tree with a very thick bark. Cork contains Suberin which is a slightly rubbery substance which prevents moisture from penetrating.

That’s why cork makes such wonderful bottle stoppers for wine and the equally durable cork flooring. It’s virtually waterproof and it can still bounce back to it’s original shape after being compressed up to 40%, due to the Cork Oak’s unique honeycomb cell structure.This makes for a very firm yet flexible flooring material that absorbs some of the impact of your foot steps creating a gentler walking surface.

Just as cork flooring repels water it also absorbs sound. Most wood floors are inadequate in the role of sound reduction but that is not the case with cork wood floors.

Cork flooring comes in planks or tiles. Your choice would be dependent on whether you prefer a floating floor or glued on version of cork floor. The nice think about cork flooring is that it comes in styles that will match any decor and it can be refinished many times allowing it to last for years.

The not-so-nice thing about cork flooring is the price. If cork is your choice be prepared to shell out thousands to deck out your home. That being said – let’s recap the benefits of cork wood flooring:

• Spend a lot of time on your feet in the kitchen? Cork flooring is way more foot-friendly than linoleum, concrete or tile.

 

• Easy to keep clean and eliminate nasty allergens that normally hide in your carpeting.

 

• Cork flooring deadens sound. Great for noisy teenage bedrooms!

 

• High levels of suberin keep mildew at bay and make cork flooring invulnerable to rot caused by moisture.

 

• It’s sustainable,renewable,easy on the environment and no trees are harmed by the harvest.

Over all,a cork floor is versatile,durable,hygenic and pleasing to the eye. It’s no wonder, that cork flooring is appearing in more and more homes around the world.

Pine wood flooring is a very attractive option if you are considering installing hardwood floors, however as hardwoods go, it is not the most durable variety. If pine wood is the flooring you choose, you should be aware that it can scratch easily if you do not protect it carefully from dust and dirt. Here are few ideas that will help you maintain an attractive hardwood floor for many years to come.

Pine Wood Flooring Needs Special Attention

Pine wood flooring requires special treatment to keep it clean. If you treat it like a rug or tile it can easily be damaged if cleaned incorrectly.

On an ordinary tile floor, when a spill occurs it is simply a matter of spraying on a household cleaner and wiping it up or with larger spills you would use a mop to clean it up. Unfortunately, most commercial cleaners and even just plain water can permanently mar the finish on pine wood flooring.

It’s best to clean up small accidents with a damp cloth or towel, this is less likely to cause a lasting water stain on the pine wood flooring. Ideally, you should use the cleaning products recommended by the flooring installer as these are specially formulated for this type of flooring.

If water must be used, do not allow it to pool on the floor. Be quick and clean up small food spills, using water in only small areas. Even a single drop of water left too long on your pine wood flooring can strip the finish, and leave a noticeable dull spot on a normally shiny surface. There are many commercially based products that are specifically formulated to accommodate the delicate nature of the softer woods.

Protect Your Pine Wood Flooring

It’s not always practical, but make a habit of removing your shoes that you wear outside whenever you enter a room with pine wood flooring. Keep a pair or two of carpet slippers near your front door to offer to guests and visitors. If shoes are worn indoors, make sure you have a door mat to clean off the soles before entering the home.

Many people choose to use a variety of small area rugs, mats and runners to protect those areas that get a high level of foot traffic.

To keep that shiny appearance of your pine wood flooring, dust, dirt and soil should be removed on a regular basis. There is a new kind of dry mop that is ideal for keeping hardwood floors clean. One of the more popular brands is a Swiffer mop, which uses static electricity to collect dust and small particles. Vacuuming regularly is also recommended to minimize the amount of abrasive particles that can accumulate in a busy home just be careful not scuff the surface.

If you have a house pet with undisciplined urinary habits then pine wood is not the best choice for you as the acids in urine can instantly strip off the finish. Dog’s toenails have also been known to cause serious scratching on pine wood flooring. If you have pets you may want to consider something more durable like the oak wood floor.

Pine wood flooring can brighten up any room and add a  warm and homey feel but it can be very high maintenance, requiring cleaning on a daily basis. By using a little common sense and following the tips suggested here, you can keep your pine wood flooring shiny, attractive and in top condition.

For many decades the popular choice for flooring was wall to wall carpeting, however, in recent years the trend has swung to installing engineered hardwood flooring or the traditional solid wood floor.

Whether you choose a solid hardwood flooring installation or select the engineered option, There are advantages and drawbacks you should be aware of.

Pros and Cons of The Solid Wood Floor

Solid wood flooring comes in many styles and varieties.Generally the planks do not exceed 5 inches in width and 3/4 inch in thickness. Any larger and the structural integrity of your hardwood flooring could become compromised. Solid wood flooring is susceptible to swelling and contraction due to the moisture levels in the air and room temperatures.

Solid wood floors will often contract during the winter months due to the cold and dry air caused by indoor heating. This will cause gaps to appear between the planks. The opposite occurs during the summer months and as the wood expands the gaps will disappear.

Hardwood floors such as pine wood flooring can be very unforgiving when it comes to scuffs and scratches that mar the finish. If maintaining a shiny and polished appearance on your solid wood floor is a priority, it’s best to install it only in low traffic areas like the bedroom or dining room, however, the Brazilian cherry wood floor has proven to stand up to abuse.

Due to the great popularity of hardwood flooring, a quality solid wood floor can be quite expensive. Fortunately, or engineered hardwood floors are a more economical and durable choice for the cost-conscious consumer.

A solid wood floor is not the best choice under the following conditions:
Will it be installed in the basement?
Is dampness a problem?
Will your wood flooring be “floated” or installed directly on concrete?
Will there be radiant floor heating?

Engineered Hardwood Floor-The Newest Solid Wood Floor

In the past, if a homeowner wanted wood flooring the only option available was the hardwood plank floor. However, modern techniques have generated a tougher and less expensive alternative with engineered wood flooring.

Each plank of an engineered hardwood floor is composed of two or more layers of wood. The top layer which is visible is the lamella and layers underneath are known as substrate. The layers are bonded under high pressure which provides a stability not found in solid wood floors.

Engineered wood flooring should not be confused with vinyl, laminate or veneer floors.Vinyl floors are merely images of wood, whereas laminate and veneer are thin outer coatings of wood covering cheap fiber board.

Aside from resistance to environmental conditions engineered wood planks come in a variety of sizes, are a breeze to install and can be used on floating floors.

Engineered wood is the most common type of wood flooring used globally. North America is the only continent that has a larger solid wood market than engineered, although engineered wood is quickly catching up in market share. Whether you decide to go with engineered flooring or a solid wood floor, make sure you have all the facts so you can make the appropriate choice.

Nothing can add value to the price of a home like quality cherry wood floor installations. Having a cherry wood floor installed gives you the opportunity to breathe new life into and brighten up even the drabbest environments. The rich,warm tones of this reddish hardwood can add charm and elegance to any room in your home. There are many good reasons to install cherry wood flooring and that’s why it has become such a popular choice for home owners in Europe and North America.

The Cherry Wood Floor Is Perfect For Renovations

It’s pretty commonplace for homeowners during renovations to remove wall to wall carpeting and replace it with a solid wood floor. But as much as we would like to keep our homes as spotless as a showroom it’s just not realistic. After all, houses are meant to be lived in and floors are meant to be walked upon and real life can get a little gritty sometimes.

Especially when you factor in a couple of rowdy toddlers and a dog or two. Let’s face it, kids and dogs can wreak havoc on most hardwood flooring. That is the great appeal of a Brazilian cherry wood floor, it is very dense and can stand a lot of “abuse.”

If your looking for a tough, resilient floor that is also attractive, warm and inviting then you can’t go wrong with Brazilian cherry wood flooring.

Not to be confused with American cherry wood, Brazilian cherry wood comes from a particular species of tree known as “Jatoba” that is imported from Brazil. It is much harder than the American variety and more expensive as well and can be a clorful alternative to the traditional oak wood floor.

Brazilian cherry wood is far more resistant to warping and “cupping” than other hardwoods and due to it’s hardness and tough nature it can last for decades if properly maintained. Keeping it clear of dust and grit by regular vacuuming and mopping can keep your floor bright and shiny and limit scratches in the finish.

Unique Beauty Of Cherry Wood Floor

Consider the hundreds of individual interlocking pieces of wood flooring that is required to complete a floor. No two pieces of wood look the same, each has it’s own grain pattern.

And every cherry wood floor is unique as a fingerprint giving each room it’s own personality. Also as the wood ages it darkens from a pinkish tone to deep,rich red. It is no wonder that Brazilian cherry wood flooring is chosen by so many designers around the world.

The main drawback for many people these days, when money is tight, is the expense of purchasing a cherry wood floor. As hardwoods go, it is on the higher end of the price scale but you can sometimes find great deals from liquidation sellers. It comes in different sizes and grades so shop around, compare prices and find that cherry wood floor you always wanted.

If you are looking for hardwood flooring there are multiple varieties to choose from such as the pine or cherry wood floor but a very popular choice, known for it’s beauty and durability is solid oak wood flooring. An oak wood floor is very hard and stands up well in higher traffic areas but there are factors to consider before choosing the right flooring for you.

How about an engineered wood floor?

You can still have that attractive hardwood warmth and appeal with an engineered wood floor. This kind of hard wood flooring is manufactured by bonding several layers of wood under high pressure.

The main benefits of installing an engineered oak wood floor are:

A far more economical price- Considerably less expensive than a solid oak wood floor.

Easy installation- installing an engineered wood floor is something most do-it-yourselfers can manage. The planks come in several different sizes and are interlocking.

A quality wood engineered floor can have the same appearance as a solid oak wood floor.

Resistant to fluctuations in temperature and humidity.

And of course, there are drawbacks as well.Engineered wood flooring can be easily damaged by scratches that mar the finish.Since these planks are merely plywood they lack the toughness and strength of a solid oak wood floor.

Warmth And Luxury With A Solid Oak Wood Floor

An oak wood floor can brighten up the drabbest room and add an air of luxury to your home.But that luxury comes at a high price because not only do you have to budget for the cost of the wood flooring, you have to also factor in the expense of professional installation. Unlike engineered flooring,the installation of a solid wood floor should not be attempted by amateurs.

Solid oak wood floors are vulnerable to changes in room temperatures and moisture levels in the air.

In the warm and humid months of summer the wood floor planks will actually expand. During the winter, it’s cooler and the air is much drier which causes little gaps to appear between the individual planks as the wood contracts.

Because of this imperceptible motion of your oak wood floor, allowances must be made during the installation and that is why it is best handled by a professional flooring installer.

Oak is very hard wood and that’s why it is durable enough to be used in almost any room in the house. Also, an oak wood floor, if properly looked after can literally last for generations.You have the option to renew it’s appearance, years down the road,as a solid oak floor can be refinished many times.

So which type of flooring is right for you?

In most cases, especially during low economic times, money is the primary concern when choosing an oak wood floor. In that case, the engineered floor is definitely the most affordable option by far. However, if you can afford it, solid oak wood floors are the way to go and over the long term provides the most value. The choice is yours, so be a smart shopper.See what is available and learn all you can about the oak wood floor before you commit to a purchase.