| No matter what your lifestyle - whether you live in a | | | | Only slightly less popular than red oak, white oak has |
| formal home that's an interior designer's dream or a | | | | a tighter grain, which gives it a more sophisticated |
| farm house in the country - wood flooring can make | | | | appearance. The boards are very straight and the |
| your home that much better. | | | | lighter color is especially nice with modern furniture. |
| Wood floors are easy to maintain, and if cared for | | | | White oak doesn't fade as much as red oak does. |
| correctly, they will last for generations. They can | | | | Maple is harder than oak. In fact, it's used for bowling |
| even add to the resale value of your home and help | | | | alleys, basketball courts, and other unforgiving |
| it to sell more quickly. | | | | situations. Its hardness makes it very resistant to |
| Wood flooring is a good choice for those who care | | | | scratches and dents. And the pale color and even |
| about the environment, because wood is a | | | | grain really open up a room. Because first grade |
| renewable resource. You can even buy old planks | | | | maple comes from sapwood - the pale, outer rings |
| that have been recycled from old barns. It's also | | | | of the tree - it is a lovely, light color. |
| better than carpeting for people who have allergies. | | | | There aren't too many dark woods to choose from, |
| Dozens of species are used in wood flooring. As a | | | | so if you want a deep, rich color, you'll probably end |
| rule, they're available in 3 grades: | | | | up with black walnut. It scratches more easily than |
| * First grade or clear wood is free of defects like | | | | oak, so it requires a little more maintenance to keep |
| knots and color variations | | | | it looking good. It's not for everyone or every |
| * Second grade or select wood may have some | | | | decorating style, but it creates a very dramatic and |
| dark grains and knots | | | | sophisticated look. |
| * Third grade or rustic wood has lots of | | | | Ash can range in color from white to a light brown. |
| imperfections and color variations | | | | Usually, it looks a lot like white oak, except that the |
| The best domestic hardwoods for flooring. | | | | grain can be wavy and bold. Louisville Slugger baseball |
| Hardwoods aren't necessarily hard. In fact, balsa - | | | | bats are made from ash. |
| which is one of the softest, lightest woods there is - | | | | Also similar to oak in terms of hardness, beech is |
| is technically a hardwood. Hardwoods come from | | | | noted for its smooth finish and closed, straight grain. |
| angiosperm trees, most of which lose their leaves in | | | | It ranges in color from pale sapwood to reddish |
| winter. | | | | heartwood. |
| Softwood comes from trees that have cones and | | | | Thanks to its rich, warm luster, American Cherry is |
| generally keep their leaves or, in most cases, needles. | | | | one of the most beautiful floors on the market. With |
| Popular species for floors. | | | | the right finish, it can really enhance a room. Because |
| Red Oak is the most popular wood in American | | | | the final result is so formal, extra care should be |
| homes. In fact, half of all wood floors are red oak. It | | | | taken with American Cherry to prevent scratches. |
| adapts to almost any setting from formal to casual. | | | | There are hundreds more kinds of wood available for |
| The color works well with both light and dark woods. | | | | flooring, but these are the most dependable choices. |
| And it's great looking, durable, and easy to clean and | | | | Any one of them will last a lifetime and be a sound |
| maintain. | | | | investment for your home. |