Nº194/Hardwood Floors 101

Hardwood floors can be installed anywhere in a home and are available in several species of wood, such as elm, ash, oak, amendoim, cypress, teak, cherry, walnut, rosewood, hickory, and maple. Hardness, stability, color, and color changes vary by wood type. Chestnut, Douglas fir, and North American Cherry are relatively soft, whereas hardwood from Brazilian Walnut, Caribbean Cherry, and Bloodwood is extremely hard. The stability of hardwood flooring is inversely related to the wood's inherent moisture and is independent of the engineering. The appearance of unfinished hardwood flooring plays an important role in the grading process. Common grades for hardwood flooring include clear, select, common 1, common 2, grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3.

Hardwood flooring enhances the look of a room and, when laid in harmony with the furniture and other elements in the interior design of a room, it bestows an elegance that synthetic flooring cannot match.

Hardwood flooring can be installed using the following methods:

Nail Down: Nails are used to attach hardwood to the subfloor, either on grade or above grade. Nails are usually used for hardwood with a thickness of 3/4 inch.

Staple Down: A pneumatic stapler can be used instead of nails to attach the hardwood to the subfloor. Stapling is easier than nailing and is therefore favored by DIY enthusiasts.

Glue Down: Patterned wood panels or parquets can be glued to the subfloor on, above, or below grade. The subfloor can be either wooden or concrete.

Floating: Engineered and Longstrip floors can be installed using the floating process, in which a pad of foam is placed between the floors and the subfloor. The hardwood boards are held in place by adhesive applied to the tongue-and-groove portion of each board. Floating enables the installation of hardwood on uneven surfaces.

Hardwood flooring is easy to maintain, and the following guidelines should help homeowners ensure the beauty and longevity of their hardwood flooring.

1.   The flooring must be swept and vacuumed regularly to prevent the accumulation of dust that may scratch the finish

2.   Doormats and rugs at entrances prevent sand particles from abrading the hardwood flooring

3.   Furniture and chairs should have padding on the legs to prevent scratching the floor while dragging or moving furniture

4.  The dimensions of hardwood flooring are liable to change with humidity; a relative humidity of around 45% should be maintained all year round

5. A rug or mat should be placed in front of workstations, washbasins, and kitchen sinks to prevent scratching and staining from utensils, detergents, and water

6. Hardwood flooring should be protected from direct light, whether natural or artificial. Intense direct light can lead to discoloration of the floor.

Please feel free to contact us through our website or by phone to schedule a consultation. We would love to hear more about your project and discuss how we can help.

Additionally, remember to check out our shop for an exquisite selection of decorations that can enhance the look and feel of your space. We have everything you need, from lighting to accessories, to create a beautiful and functional environment.

Thank you again for considering ARCHDEKOR®. We look forward to working with you and bringing your design dreams to life!