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 Wood
flooring is timeless. It enhances the warmth of any home and
complements the decor of any room.
Like a fine piece of furniture, wood flooring increases in
value and becomes more beautiful with time. In a national
survey, 90 percent of real estate agents said that houses
with wood flooring sell faster and for more money.
Wood is a natural resource, renewable, and recyclable. Buildings,
barns, ships and other structures made of wood often find
a second life in wood flooring, cabinets, walls, and ceilings.
And leading allergists agree that wood floors are the perfect
choice for a healthy home.
An estimated 60 million Americans suffer from allergies. Even
in tiny amounts, house dust can set off symptoms. The most
serious offenders are dust mites -- microscopic monsters that
colonize bedding, curtains, and carpets. Even frequent vacuuming
won't eliminate dust mites.
Natural hardwood floors make it easier for you to reduce home
allergens, while your rooms remain warm and inviting.
Floor Types
Solid Wood
Solid Wood flooring comes in three basic types:
- STRIP flooring is used for
the majority of installations. Strips are usually 2-1/4
inches wide, but also come in widths ranging from 1-1/2
inches to 3-1/4 inches. They are installed by nailing to
the sub-floor.
- PLANK flooring boards are
at least 5 inches wide. They may be screwed or nailed to
the sub-floor. Screw holes are covered with wooden plugs.
- PARQUET flooring comes in
standard patterns of 6" x 6" blocks. Specialty
patterns are available up to 36" square units. Parquet
often achieves dramatic geometric effects and are special
design patterns.
Solid wood flooring expands and contracts with changes in
your home's relative humidity. Normally, installers compensate
for this movement by leaving an expansion gap between the
floor and the wall. Base moulding is the traditional "cover-up"
for this gap.
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