Hardwood Flooring - Learn the Basics

One of the most crucial home décor decisions relates to the choice of flooring. With the market flooded with mind boggling flooring options, today’s homeowners get easily worked up as it comes to selecting the flooring. The stones, the different variety of tiles, and the greener versions of wood flooring - you name them and you can have them all.

For centuries hardwoods remained the most prized flooring option among the homeowners. But when you are doing up your home in a classic style, you may not probably close your eyes to the beauty and elegance of hardwood flooring. In fact, men have never been able to ignore the air of understated sophistication that comes with hardwood flooring. Hardwood flooring reflects nature’s diversity with its dramatic range of textures, colors, patterns and styles. And not only beauty - hardwood flooring is a rare combination of practicality, durability and aesthetics. And that explains why hardwood flooring till date remains the most popular flooring option.

While shopping for hardwood flooring, always remember that quality comes for a price.

When there is no doubt that hardwood flooring makes the best choice, you should proceed with caution while choosing the materials. Here are the rules of thumb to help you find out the best product for your dream home.

* If hardwood is your choice, you have to be flexible with your budget-for quality hardwoods; you have to pay the right price. Initially they may seem to be too expensive; but it will turn out to be a life long investment.

* On the other hand, what happens when you opt for the cheaper versions? They turn out to be much costlier in future in terms of repair or changing the whole lot.

* Consider the grain pattern of the woods to judge the strength of the wood.

* Remember, the rarer and more exotic woods command higher prices.

Research your options well before picking up just any variety

* Before hitting the market, do your homework well on the types of the hardwoods used for flooring purposes.

* While choosing the woods keep in mind the overall theme of the décor and then choose the product that best complements the style and mood of your interior.

* Oak and maples are the types of hardwoods that are used in vogue in the interiors of residences as well as commercial complexes. Not only they look lavish and fashionable, these two hardwoods make the strongest wood flooring.

* Rose wood is also a popular hardwood flooring variety and the interior decorators just love the red Brazilian rose wood variety when it comes to bringing about a rustic flavor. Ash, beech, birch, cherry, hickory and walnut are other favorites for achieving decorative accents.

* However, if you want to impart a touch of Victorian aristocracy to your overall home decor, then consider nothing other than Burma Mahogany-the ultimate word in luxurious fine living.

Hardwood flooring makes a practical choice only when you go for its proper care and maintenance. Care for your hardwood flooring doesn’t demand much-a regular cleaning of the floor using a wood cleaner and daily sweeping backed by one in a week moping. Use floor mats and fix felt padding under the furniture to protect your precious hardwood flooring scratches and daunts.