| Installing hardwood flooring is a very popular home | | | | is still enjoyed by homeowners who prefer the |
| improvement project. This is particularly true now that | | | | character of a worn floor. Since it was used widely in |
| more and more people are learning that carpets can | | | | the 18th and 19th centuries, the wide knotty planks are |
| hide mildew, mold, pet dander, dust mites, and other tiny | | | | popular in historic houses and log homes because they |
| particles that can make trouble for allergy sufferers. | | | | can create an authentic rustic feel. Pine is also less |
| Hardwood flooring is easy to keep clean, and there is | | | | expensive than oak or maple.Teak FlooringTeak was |
| no place for potential allergens to hide. Wood floors | | | | once used predominantly outdoors because it is so |
| also have the added benefit of looking gorgeous.Okay, | | | | resistant to insects, fungi, rot, and temperature shifts. Its |
| okay, you're probably already sold on hardwoods or | | | | handsome color, which can range from yellowish |
| you wouldn't be reading this article. What you may be | | | | brown to a dark golden brown, is prompting |
| wondering now is what type of wood is best? Should | | | | homeowners to use it indoors now as well. Because |
| you go with oak, or maple? A soft wood such as | | | | of its natural resistance to dampness, it can be a good |
| pine? Something more exotic such as teak? Or | | | | choice if you want hardwood floors in the kitchen or |
| maybe you have considered bamboo flooring, which is | | | | even the bathroom (though you still need to apply a |
| actually a grass instead of a wood but that has many | | | | good finish).Bamboo FlooringBamboo is growing more |
| of the qualities of hardwoods.The truth is that each | | | | popular among environmentally conscious |
| type of wood I've mentioned can be used, and each | | | | homeowners, because it is an easily renewable |
| has different characteristics, such as color, grain, and | | | | resource (bamboo grows much more quickly than |
| hardness. It may simply come down to what wood | | | | trees). As far as its characteristics, bamboo has a |
| you think looks best. I'm going to give you the | | | | striped grain that makes it a little more exotic than |
| characteristics of some of the more popular choices in | | | | wood. It also resists moisture well, a trait that makes it |
| order to help you decide. Let's get started:Oak Flooring | | | | popular in humid climates where regular wood can be |
| Oak is very popular because it is a heavy and hard | | | | susceptible to warping.As you can see, all of these |
| wood, which makes it quite durable. It can resist the | | | | woods have different traits, but they are all wonderful |
| wear and tear of an active family. This species is also | | | | choices. It is hard to go wrong with hardwood flooring, |
| handsome and comes in a range of colors, depending | | | | and ultimately it is just a matter of choosing something |
| on whether you choose white oak or red oak.Maple | | | | that has physical properties that suit your needs and |
| FlooringFor folks who want something a little lighter | | | | that has a color and grain that looks good in your |
| colored than oak, maple is a popular choice. It varies | | | | home.For more information (and pictures of some of |
| from a pale white to a reddish brown and has a | | | | the woods described here), check out the author's |
| uniform texture. Because it's a very hard wood, it | | | | web site for Different Hardwood Flooring Options. You |
| stands up well and resists scratches and dents.Pine | | | | may also want to read about Hardwood Floor |
| FlooringPine is actually a "softwood" so it is more | | | | Protection, an article that shows how to keep that |
| susceptible to scratches, dings, and dents. However it | | | | wood looking good. |