Easy Wood Flooring

Natural wood once reigned as the product of choice when it came to selecting an attractive flooring material that would impart a warm, homey and upscale appearance. Today, with many new laminate flooring options available, homeowners are taking a closer look at what appears to be authentic wood, but delivers the beauty at a much lower cost with far more benefits.

Today’s laminates feature the realistic characteristics of wood in both texture and grain while providing durability that is unmatched by real wood. Laminate wears much better than wood and requires far less maintenance, so homeowners can enjoy living their active lifestyles without worrying about how their floors are going to hold up to everyday wear and tear.

Scratching and indentations can easily mar the beauty of real wood, but laminate resists scratches and nicks. Because it’s so durable, laminate flooring requires no waxing or varnishing and is much easier to clean than traditional wood floors. In addition, laminate doesn’t need costly and time-consuming refinishing like real wood does. Many products now feature high-performance layering system and offer a lifetime warranty against wear, fading and staining.

The newest laminates offer both traditional and contemporary designs, from natural oaks to exotic wood patterns. Colors range from dark wood grains to warm and light tones that will complement any room of the house in need of a fashion update. Some feature high-gloss finishes to lend the look of exceptional elegance. In addition to a wide assortment of colors, grain designs and textures, it’s available in realistic 6-inch wide planks. Other laminate products are also available in a variety of plank widths – from narrow four-inch boards to wide 8-inch planks.

Today’s laminate flooring not only comes in wood grain patterns but can also replicate the look of tile, natural stone and metallic. The tile and stone laminates provide an upscale appearance but without all the fuss – cold floors, grout to scrub and cracking tiles.

You don’t need to be a pro to install a new laminate floor. Laminate floors come in easy-to-install planks that snap together, with no need for messy glue or nails to pound. Laminate can also be used over many types of existing flooring, including concrete and real wood, so often new subfloor installation is not necessary.

In nearly every case, laminate flooring simply costs less than traditional wood flooring. Today’s laminates have the realistic look of authentic wood, but without the high price tag. Laminate flooring can cost less than half the expense of real wood products. Because it’s so simple to install you can do it yourself, or if you use a contractor, typical installation costs should run far less than installing real wood planks.

So for the great look and warmth of wood, the strength to stand up to most anything your home dishes out, and a great price, consider laminate for your next flooring choice.

Wood Flooring Boosts Home Price

The Boston Globe reports: Wood floors boost charm, price of homes

By Cindy Atoji, Globe Correspondent | October 21, 2007

When general contractor Shane J. McNeill decided to spruce up the white oak floors in his Stoughton ranch home, he didn’t just sand and refinish the aging hardwood: He put down an inlay of Brazilian cherry, American walnut, and maple, creating an intricate border in his kitchen and dining room.

“That’s the beauty of wood flooring,” says McNeill, adding that it provides “warmth to your home”

That’s not all it does: A survey of realtors by the National Wood Flooring Association showed homes with wood floors sell faster – for higher prices.

And although the $24.6 billion floor covering industry has felt the effects of the housing slowdown, sales of hardwood flooring have been constant, says Christopher P. Ramey, a flooring expert and columnist for Flooring Covering Weekly.

“Wood floors last longer than the current fashions or than other surfaces such as carpet or vinyl,” says Ramey. “They are not a design liability.”

If you live in a house built before the 1970s – and for New England, that is much of the architectural landscape – chances are you have wood floors, even if they’re hidden under carpet. At one point, wood flooring had 96 percent of the residential market share, says Howard Brickman of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification, which sets standards for hardwood flooring inspectors.

“You didn’t really get a choice in those days,” says Brickman. “It was either red oak or white oak.”

Today’s flooring market has introduced a forest of newcomers, including bamboo, cork, mahogany, teak, and even wood-imitating laminates.

With more than 50 kinds of woods to choose from, Peter Fallon, a Needham-based builder and renovator of luxury homes, recommends homeowners decide what look they want to achieve and then let selection be dictated by cost. “Wood floors come in different types and styles, as well as colors, cuts, and grades,” says Fallon. “You also need to consider whether the flooring will be in a high-traffic area and what sort of maintenance it might need.”

Bamboo, for example, is an increasing popular eco-flooring option, a versatile material that is made of stems or strands compressed into durable planks that can be stained.

Teak, an exotic hardwood available from renewable sustainable plantations, is an oilier, water-resistant flooring suitable for high-end applications.

Whatever the kind, wood that is properly cared for should “last forever,” says Brickman of the certification organization. He’s a master craftsman who helped create the interior wood paneling of the Hatch Shell in Boston.

Add today’s tough urethane finishes, and most floors require little maintenance other than sweeping and cleaning. And don’t worry about the scratches. “If you’re someone who likes to push your piano around for exercise, you’re going to scratch your floor. That’s part of the patina,” he says.

1-800-Hardwood.