| |
|
|
With so many species to choose from...where do we start? We can help with that. Species differ in their hardness and stability. The most stable, and therefore most popular, domestic woods are Red Oak, White Oak, Maple and Walnut. Red and White Oak offer the most versatility as the species takes a stain well...meaning you may choose to add stain color to your flooring during a remodel. While the kids and dogs are most active, it helps to have more variation and a natural finish on your flooring...to help hide the dirt that comes with a busy lifestyle. As the activity slows down in your home, you may decide it's time to spiff up the floors and even add a richer color to them.
If you are already living a calmer lifestyle then perhaps you desire a richer colored species like Brazilian Cherry or Walnut.
And remember...there are varying widths of flooring so you don't have to use only the 2 1/4" traditional strip flooring, you could go with a 3"-5" wide board, giving the room a completely new and different look. Another option is to use varying widths for your install. The variety of widths makes for a beautiful layout and a more unique floor. |
| |
|
|
To Bamboo, or not to Bamboo? Bamboo is a grass, not a wood. If you choose to use Bamboo for your flooring, be very sure of your vendor and the quality of the material...the grass is laminated together with glue and pressure. Many of the floorings available on the internet are from inexpensive import companies which could mean mean that the glues used were not very durable and will de-laminate within a few years. It may also mean that the Bamboo may still be manufactured with Formaldahyde Glue that will off-gas in your home. Another point is the growth time...you want Bamboo from the Moso Region of China that has grown for at least 7 years...this creates a more durable Bamboo for flooring...Bamboo is not as hard as they claim it to be...only the knuckle area seems to be hard. At Christopherson Wood Floors we install Allwood Bamboo out of Portland, OR. |
|
| |
|
|
Do you prefer flooring that's flat and doesn't have grooves?
So you don't care for those "little grooves" between the boards, well, you're not alone. When it comes to today's solid wood choices, prefinished flooring certainly has it's advantages, the biggest one being the shorter impact to your lifestyle during installation...but that still doesn't get rid of those grooves! What options do you have? Site-finished flooring!
Site-finishing solid wood is the only way to get that beautiful, traditional hardwood floor. If you have other questions regarding installation or finishing, just call or email. At Christopherson Wood Floors we enjoy educating our customers and we don't mind answering questions.and, no, we won't think you're silly for asking! We prefer you ask and know the answer rather than be surprised later.
|
| |
|
|
The Longhouse at Evergreen State College was installed with stained Maple. Maple is more difficult to stain and requires additional work prior to the staining process.
|
|
