Marcus Richards
Wood flooring gives an inspirational look to the floor that provides people the reason to gasp. Wood flooring comes in varied colors and patterns. Several species of hardwood trees are used to make the hardwood flooring.
This guide will help you in finding the best type and species of wood for flooring that will give your home, business, or commercial property floor an alluring look.
Different hardwood species for wood flooring
Solid hardwood flooring has a high demand because it is available in various colors, strengths, and patterns. The hardwood flooring is easy to install, highly durable and resistant. It may last for years and increase the value of the property.
The most important feature of hardwood flooring is its eco-friendly effect. It does not catch dust or other allergic materials and is safe for asthmatic patients.
The quality and species of hardwood are limitless in which the three most common types are oak, teak, and maple, known for their longevity and attractive patterns.
Oakwood
Oak is the sturdy hardwood that is used for the purpose of home flooring due to its toughness. It ranges in color from light pink to dark red, and its graceful grain pattern gives your home a sophisticated appearance.
The oak wood floors are wear and tear-proof because it shows resistance against fungi and ticks. If you are choosing oak wood for flooring, you still have two different options: white oak and red oak. Both types have different colors, but the pattern is almost similar. In the sense of strength, white oak is more durable than red oak wood.
Maple hardwood
The shock-absorbing property of maple makes it an ideal choice for gymnasium and commercial flooring. It is much harder than oak. Due to its hardness, it is used in high-traffic areas. But it is less stable than oak.
The maple wood has fewer pores, so it does not stain easily. Naturally, maple is light-colored wood with dark streaks that is perfect for contemporary spaces.
Teak wood
Teak is a best-known dense and rigid wood that can withstand harsh effects and is resistant to water. It is the most durable among all hardwood types, and its hardness Janka rating is 3540.
Teak woods are golden brown in color that gives your living space an elegant look. It also increases the value of your property. The teak wood is scratch-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about your dog’s sharp nails that might damage other types of wood flooring. Teak contains anti-termite oil that also makes it teak resistant.
Hardwood flooring advantages
- All types of hardwood have some beneficial features in common these are:
- They are all highly stable, strong, and durable.
- It needs little maintenance and is easy to clean because there is no groove in the floor that caught dust.
- These hardwoods have natural fungal and insect-resistant properties.
- These woods are eco-friendly and do not create any health issues.
Disadvantages
- Most of the species of hardwood used for the purpose of flooring are cost restrictive.
- Due to the extensive cutting of these hardwood trees, few species might become endangered or extinct.
Laminate flooring
Laminate flooring is the leading choice of people for home and commercial flooring. You can give your living space floor the look of teak, mahogany, walnut, or any other that you want at low prices with the help of laminate flooring.
Laminate flooring is basically the photograph of any wooden or other floor patterns, protected by a cover of aluminum oxide.
Laminate flooring is designed in such a way that it can resist water or moisture, and to make it durable plank, or board is used.
Laminate is easy to maintain, a durable, and less expensive alternative to hardwood flooring, and can be installed in high-traffic commercial spaces.
Find out more about cheap commercial flooring alternatives that best suit your primes.
Laminate flooring pros
- Does not lead to the loss of natural resources.
- It is cost-effective compared to hardwood flooring.
- Laminate flooring is highly resistant to moisture.
- It is easy to maintain and scratch-resistant.
Cons
- Unlike the hardwood flooring, it can not be refinished.
- The material used in laminate flooring manufacturing is environmentally unsafe.
Engineered wood flooring
Engineered wood flooring is designed in such a way that it does not wrap even in high moisture. The different planks of wood are arranged in a pattern, and hence it may not allow the entrance of water; this is why engineered wood is highly durable.
Engineered wood consists of many layers of planks, called core-board and the top layer of real wood.
The core-board is the main component in the engineered flooring that provides the floor stability, while the top layer gives the floor a different elegant appearance.
Pros of Engineered wood flooring
- The main advantage of engineered wood is that it can resist temperature change and resist wrapping in high environmental humidity.
- It is much cheaper than hardwood flooring.
- It comes in a variety of colors and designs that adds value to your property.
Con
- More expensive than laminate wood flooring.
