Solid Hardwood Flooring

Solid hardwood flooring is usually know as the regular strip red oak wood flooring measuring 3/4 inches thick and 2 1/4 inches wide.

Solid hardwood flooring is usually know as the regular strip red oak wood flooring measuring 3/4 inches thick and 2 1/4 inches wide. However you can find this flooring type in several other sizes, all ranging between 3 and 6 and even 7 inches wide. These are called plank floors. However you are right in thinking that red oak is the mostly used type of wood for it, as it is also white oak and maple.

When you are thinking of installing solid hardwood for your flooring, it is good to know that the wood can easily react to moisture. During winter times when the heating is on due to the cold weather outside, the floor will slightly contract, leaving some gaps in between the floor boards. In return, in summer the floor will expand due to the higher humidity levels, and these gaps added in winter will now simply disappear. So you need to pay attention to the levels of moisture in the home. If the moisture is too much, the wood might buckle or warp. To avoid this you need to leave the right expansion area around the flooring perimeter to cater for the possible expansion. This will basically minimize the floor to move after on due to changing climate conditions.

As solid hardwood is rather sensitive to moisture as explained above, it should not be installed below ground level or right over a concrete slab. While some flooring can be installed by using glue, most of it can only be installed using nails.

This flooring type can easily be refinished several times without any harmful effect. This will make the flooring stay fresh for a longer time. Some floors of hardwood are over 100 years and still going strong. This makes is far more durable and superior compared to other flooring types, such as the engineered wood flooring, be it floating or glued down. However, for basements engineered wood flooring is actually a viable option, so when you apply your flooring in your home, you can use both wood types, depending where is each one needed.

Another thing you need to keep in mind when you buy your solid hardwood flooring is that not all wood is equal in quality. Unfortunately some manufacturers do use lower quality wood and floor finish. So when you buy your flooring wood, make sure you go with a manufacturer that is reputable in the market and who's name you've already heard of. Try to stay way from newcomers or unknown brands as you cannot verify the quality so easily as with a good brand.

Here are some of the benefits of getting solid hardwood flooring over other flooring types:

• Solid hardwood flooring actually increases the value of your home. If you ever decide to put it on the market, it will be more worth
• It is very durable and long lasting, sometimes up to even 100 years or more
• It can cost less at times than an engineered wood flooring
• It can be refinished several times which makes it long lasting in itself
• It does not cause allergies, unlike other flooring types

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