Wood floors add warmth, beauty
Wood is among the most beautiful types of material available for residential floors. Besides being visually spectacular, it is easy to live with because it is soft underfoot and warmer than tile.
Traditionally, wood floors have been made of solid wood, which can last for decades by being refinished (sanded and stained) over the years. Longevity and beauty are its selling points, and price and installation are its drawbacks.
Solid wood floors cost about $8 to $10 per square foot installed. The solid wood strips must be nailed to a subfloor, so they cannot be used directly over concrete. They can be installed over "sleepers" (special wood strips separating the concrete and wood flooring), but concerns over moisture rule out solid wood for basement floors.
Traditional wood floors are installed in their natural state and then sanded and stained in place. This allows for custom staining, but it's a messy process. With advances in flooring technology, pre-finished floor boards are now available, which cut down on the mess and have a tougher factory-applied finish. But with no final sanding, this floor will not be as perfectly flat as one that has been sanded in place.
Another category of real wood floors is exotic wood. Exotic wood is appealing on several levels: its unique and striking appearance, its durability and its environmental friendliness. Bamboo and cork (while not technically wood) are two examples. A stamp from the Forest Stewardship Council confirms the species is a "green" choice due to the rapid regrowth characteristics of the material.
Reclaimed wood is another option. This wood is recycled from a previous use. It can be flooring salvaged from a home, or wood used for another purpose such as barn siding or train trestles. The wood is milled the same way as any solid wood floor and usually comes unfinished. This type of floor generally costs 20 to 40 percent more than new wood.
The final type of wood flooring isn't wood at all but a laminate imitation. This flooring is made from photographs of wood placed between a fiberboard backing and a clear plastic coating. The advantages of this flooring material are the cost ($5-$8 per square foot installed), ease of installation (that homeowners can even do themselves), and its ability to take a beating.
It is exciting to have so many choices for a lovely wood floor. But like we always say, do your homework before you make your choice. Consider the function of the area and then pick the flooring that will do the best job.
Architects Ann Robinson, AIA, and Annie Vernon, AIA, welcome your design questions at Ask@RenovationDesignGroup.com. Robinson and Vernon are founding principals of Renovation Design Group, www.RenovationDesignGroup.com, a local architectural firm specializing in residential remodeling design. To register for "Remodeling a Home with Character & Class" or another seminar, call 533-5331.
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