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Hardwood Flooring: When Walking The Plank Is A Pleasant Experience
Planking Widths Not only do each type of wood used in hardwood flooring give different looks, but the same wood type with the same color but of wider or narrower boards give a different feel and appearance. Narrow planking: Often credited with presenting an elegant look, narrow planks can lengthen the feel or impression of a room, especially if you use a light-toned wood or avoid dark wood stains.Narrow planks can be a 'green' solution, using recycled boards or made from flawed woods with imperfections cut away. A long term advantage to narrow planks in your hardwood floor pertains to environmental influences. Because of their width, narrow planks don't react as much to humidity changes as wider planks. Fewer creaks and edge damage may occur, which elongates the life of your new floor beyond its already extended durability ratio over carpet. Wide planking: Frequently found in older homes or homes using an antique motif, wide planks lend a more open, comfortable, 'yesteryear' feel to a room. Dining rooms and kitchens using that interior design most use wide planks in the hardwood floor. However, it can be used in any room in your house. If you really want to use wide planking in a small room, don't be afraid to step beyond convention. Laying wide planking diagonally works wonders in opening or widening a room's feel. Pattern Planking: Distinct and unmistakable describe a floor using pattern planking. Composed of both narrow and wide floor planks, this look is always striking. Used in early days of wood floors, pattern planking is often found in old homes and stores. Pattern planking reaction to environmental changes lies somewhere between a little, as with narrow planking, and a little more, as with wide planking. All types of hardwood flooring expand with moisture and retract without it. When narrow or wide just isn't right, pattern planking just may work best for you. Add to the effect by using pattern planks with differing lengths, and you create a truly unique look for your floor. Room Delineation If you're hesitating from using wood flooring throughout your home, fearing that it will cause one room to 'leak' into another, there's hope. Using a different wood, width, grain, or orientation, such as narrow strips aligned with a doorway, regardless of the room orientation, presents a definite end point that allows separation. Small Disadvantage A disadvantage to hardwood flooring comprises those same environmental concerns mentioned above—whether in a humid or arid environment—and maintenance. In cold weather when artificial heat is used, the internal air of a home is usually dry, which can leach moisture from the flooring. Damp mopping the floor occasionally and allowing the wood to absorb a bit more moisture overnight may help prevent cracks and splintering from artificially aged wood. A quick damp mop in the morning and buffing the surface can help restore a brilliant shine. Summary Light wood, dark wood, wood grains, widths, lengths, and even patterned flooring such as parquet patterns can gift homeowners with a graceful elegance, some warm comfort, or a purely unique style. Regardless of the look you want, hardwood flooring can last for generations. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Charlie Dima writes out of Earth City, MO about home improvement tips and DIY projects, including the installation of carpet and hardwood flooring. Always looking for the most affordable prices and well-known brands, she tends to end up shopping at www.carpetone.com more often than not. |
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