A Forest of Floors: Things to Consider When Shopping for Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood is the embodiment of nature. Forests are captured in a single plank and placed in your home. Drops of water, nutrients from the soil, rays of sunshine, and the essence of the environment seep through. The touch of the grain, the swirl of the knot, the rich hue of the hardwood, and its natural strength, longevity, and affordability over time entice homeowners to consider this natural substance in their homes.
Careful considerations to ponder when selecting a solid hardwood homescape:
1. Wood Species
Hardwood species vary in color, grain, texture, strength, and use. Each type reflects the myriads of nature: deep red, bronze, ebony, and gold. Many wood species include Pine, Cherry, Black Walnut, Northern Red Oak, White Oak, Hard Maple, Timbergrass Bamboo, Hickory, Pecan, and Brazilian Cherry. Each species has a unique look, a specific hardness, and a cost range. The Janka Hardness Scale arranges wood species according to their ability to withstand the force of a steel ball. The harder the wood is, the higher the ranking on the hardness scale. Pine is a soft species, Oak is harder, Maple and Hickory have a higher hardness rating, and Brazilian Cherry has a high hardness while remaining relatively affordable. Homeowners should consider not only the cosmetic look of the wood but also its durability for its use.
2. Plank Size
Hardwood floor planks can be categorized as narrow planks, 2 to 4 inches wide, standard planks, 5 inches wide, and wide planks, 6 to 10 inches wide. The older the home, the more narrow the plank and trendier, newer homes are adopting the wider planks. The homeowner must contemplate the plank's size for the room's size and how the wood planks will slightly shrink in the cold, drier climates and swell in heat and humidity. One way to combat this is to keep the moisture in the home stable between 35 and 55 percent humidity by running a dehumidifier during more hot and humid months and putting moisture in the air in the dry months by boiling a pot of water.
3. Stain and Finish
While hardwood flooring can be purchased pre-stained and finished, natural attributes of unfinished hardwood can be enriched with stains and protected with finishes. Stains enhance the graining by muting the darker grains or accentuating more subtle ones. Finishes include water-based polyurethane and oil-based polyurethane. Water-based is less toxic and will not amber over time. Both finishes range in sheen from extra-matt, matt, satin, semi-gloss, gloss, to high-gloss. Wire brush finish eliminates the softer grains and shows the hardest grains, hiding scratches and dents.
Solid hardwood is organic and adds to the strength and stability of the home. Over time, it offers the most affordability and life. It can be sanded and refinished multiple times. With natural hardwood, plant your feet in your own personal secret grove.