| Truly, it's hard to beat the timeless beauty that | | | | fewer the precautionary measures you'll need to |
| antique wood flooring or even cork flooring can offer. | | | | take to prevent surface damage for the simple fact |
| The type of wood used is a personal preference and | | | | that it is more durable. Bamboo flooring, as an |
| it basically depends on your lifestyle choice. Your new | | | | example, is extremely tough and a great flooring for |
| hardwood flooring is going to be stylish and have eye | | | | family use. |
| appeal, and will complement any type of room decor. | | | | Households without small children and heavy foot |
| Other than your standard traditional oak flooring | | | | traffic may require lower hardness ratings and need |
| which is common in many new homes, exotic wood | | | | not pay the higher costs associated with installing |
| flooring can be a stunning and beautiful change. | | | | exotic hardwood flooring. Hardwood flooring still |
| Hardwood flooring is durable and will last virtually a | | | | remains a good option and a sound investment for |
| lifetime with the proper care. Exotic wood flooring | | | | most households. You don't have to order your |
| comes in a variety of species, stains, finishes and | | | | flooring from the other side of the world to get a |
| patterns from which to select. In addition to being | | | | stunning and durable hardwood floor. Many domestic |
| hypoallergenic, wood flooring is environmentally | | | | and local suppliers offer American hardwood with |
| friendly. It enhances the desirability and real estate | | | | excellent durability and longevity that requires minimal |
| market value of your home. Flooring costs are now | | | | upkeep and hardwood floor maintenance. The key is |
| an affordable option and worth every penny. If | | | | the quality of wood grade. Clear grades that offer |
| you're considering exotic hardwood flooring, you have | | | | warm inviting tones along with fine wood grains are |
| to ask yourself, " Am I choosing the best hardwood | | | | excellent. You want to select grades that show off |
| flooring type available for practical reasons or is this | | | | naturally-occurring character marks. Antique hardwood |
| simply a luxury? | | | | flooring offers an excellent character grade and one |
| There are many different types of exotic woods | | | | with rustic country charm that is especially appealing |
| such as bamboo flooring, Australian tiger-eye, cork | | | | with certain types of home design and interior |
| flooring, antique wood flooring, and the list goes on | | | | décor. |
| and on. Maintenance should be one of your | | | | Consider the time saving convenience of refinished |
| considerations when selecting a fine hardwood for | | | | hardwood flooring. It cuts down on the overall |
| your flooring. Exotic wood types such as Brazilian | | | | hardwood floor costs including contractor installation. |
| teak, Brazilian walnut, Tiete rosewood, and Santos | | | | Sanding and finishing isn't required, and refinished |
| mahogany will require less pampering because of their | | | | hardwood floor planks move independently with |
| high Janka Hardness rating. | | | | humidity changes. Seasonal changes are less stressful |
| According to tests undertaken by the US forestry | | | | on flooring, so floor separations become less |
| lab, some types of exotic woods are more durable | | | | noticeable over time. A popular, upscale hardwood |
| than others. They use an official hardness rating | | | | flooring is the hand-scraped, distressed and reclaimed, |
| system called the Janka rating. It is based on the | | | | previously-used hardwood flooring that offers a |
| pounds of pressure needed to embed a 0.444-inch | | | | classic look. The floor adds appeal and value to the |
| diameter steel ball one half its own diameter into the | | | | homeowner due to the character flaws. |
| wood. It's interesting to make some comparisons. | | | | Distressed wood flooring is tremendous when |
| Looking at white pine as an example it takes 380 | | | | combined with classical, fashionable décor |
| pounds of pressure, Douglas fir, 660 pounds, and | | | | adding a rustic appearance. It is a delightful |
| American cherry flooring, 950 pounds. | | | | combination of chic and shabby, hard to upstage. |
| Many of the exotic woods are in the thousands. | | | | Hiring the right contractor to do your installation will |
| Brazilian teak hardwood flooring has a Janka rating of | | | | help protect your investment and guarantee project |
| 3,540. It is excellent for growing families with large | | | | success. Try posting your project online, and then sit |
| pets and requires less maintenance and repair due to | | | | back and wait for the contractors to come to you. |
| wear and tear. If you're expecting a lot of heavy use | | | | There are lots of flooring contractors on standby |
| and foot traffic, Brazilian cherry has a rating of 2,820 | | | | just waiting to bid competitively on your project, |
| and may be better than Australian hard Cyprus. | | | | ready to provide you with great service at the best |
| Brazilian cherry may lack the wide range of cream to | | | | price. Be critical of your contractor's portfolio, |
| brown tones filled with dark character knots that | | | | references and company profile. Be sure to contact |
| Cyprus can offer, but it has a tremendous hardness | | | | their references to ensure that you will get quality |
| rating that's about double. Also, the flooring cost is | | | | service. Remember, there is no obligation whatsoever |
| less expensive per square foot than Cyprus for | | | | in hiring any contractor, and make sure there are no |
| similar grade planks. The cost savings can be as much | | | | hidden fees. Do your homework and create your |
| as $1.65 or more! The higher the hardness level, the | | | | masterpiece today! |