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Wood
The beauty and natural variability of real wood flooring is hard to beat. There’s a whole realm of choices available with wood floors starting with species like maple, oak, hickory, and birch all the way to the exotic woods like Merbau, Jatoba and Teak.
If those choices don’t resonate with you how about floors made from old growth Douglas Fir, antique wide plank heart pine or even extinct American Chestnut? Reclaimed wood flooring offers these options using wood salvaged from sunken logs, old structures and other similar sources. There’s a bonus too in that it’s an eco-friendly choice since no new trees are consumed.
You also have a choice on whether to use solid wood or engineered wood. Solid wood is just what the name implies – solid from top to bottom. Engineered wood consists of a top layer of real wood bonded to several other layers of wood beneath it, similar to plywood. Solid wood can be purchased prefinished or it can be finished on-site using unfinished hardwood stock. Engineered wood is usually purchased prefinished. Solid wood and some engineered wood floors are capable of being refinished several times.
Pros
- Durable and long-lasting particularly when well maintained
- Renewable – can be refinished several times
- Wide diversity of style choices available from stain color to type of wood species
- Provides a warmer feel than stone, tile or concrete
- Economical choice over the long term due to it’s renewability
- Pre-finished wood does not require on-site finishing and its associated inconveniences
Cons
- Susceptible to damage from extended presence of moisture and liquids (not recommended for the bathroom)
- Can develop squeaks and creaks over time due to loosening between the wood and nails that fasten the planks to the subfloor
- Susceptible to gaps or “cupping” (curving of the wood surface) with normal humidity changes if improperly installed
- Floors finished in-place require room(s)to be vacant for several days to allow sanding, staining and finishing (not necessary with pre-finished wood however)
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