This article can be filed under the Do-It-Yourself files. Make sure you speak to a licensed contractor or the flooring staff at your home supply store and find out all which hardwood floors will suit your life style best.

Hardwood Flooring Made Easy
By Nzong Xiong

Trying to recall the most unforgettable aspect of somebody’s home is a subjective task. But imagine there are no paintings decorating the walls, no chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and all the furniture is removed. What’s left? The floor. And anybody who has had the privilege to live or stay with someone with hardwood floors knows this is the foundation for elegance.

Hardwood has been used since floors have been put down on top of dirt. Of course, there are many different types of hardwood; all of which are not even hard, like balsa wood for example. Also, not all hardwood is useful. Our ancestors were subject to lots of trials and lots of errors before zeroing in on the most useful types of hardwood. So what kind of hardwood floor is right for you?

First, here are some common misconceptions about hardwoods:

Some homeowners worry that hardwood won’t withstand the constant beating of heavy traffic, i.e. children, pets and accidents. A basketball court is called, “the hardwood” because it is made out of maple. Trains run on oak rail ties. Your child’s tenth birthday party may seem like a train is running through your house, but surely, your floor suffers less abuse. If you need to speak to a flooring professional, we can put you in touch with licensed and insured contractors in your area.

The kitchen was once considered an out of bounds place for hardwood flooring. Not anymore. Manufacturers have developed a polyurethane finish which makes for an even more durable floor. With the proper care, hardwood can have a long lasting life, even in the kitchen.

When it comes time to choose the actual type of hardwood, consider the surrounding furniture and general style of the room. Do you want to use an oak with a darker finish to create a somber, country club feel? Or is the room full of dark colors you want to alleviate with a lighter colored wood? Get some samples and lay them out in the room to get an idea for the feel of things. It’s smart to have an overall design plan when selecting the type of hardwood you’re going to use.

Installing hardwood is a major project. Make sure to contact a trusted, licensed contractor. This is a long term, worthwhile investment you wouldn’t want an amateur tackling. The same advice applies for finishing. Hardwoods are simply too beautiful of a product to make a mistake with.

Source: http://www.plazaareaneighbors.com/index.php?pageId=tls&action=article&itemId=3314