Is Timber Flooring the Right Choice for Your Home?

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Timber flooring is very durable and attractive, and it's a more hygienic choice than carpeting, which holds dust, dirt and other debris in its fibres. If you're thinking about timber flooring for your home, note some features about this type of flooring to consider, and then discuss the option with a flooring contractor as needed.

Prefinished versus jobsite finished

Timber floors need to be finished, meaning a coating or sealant put over their surface. This makes the wood resistant to water, pest infestation and other harmful elements and makes the surface stronger so it's less likely to dent or chip. Prefinished wood, which is finished at the factory when it's manufactured, may have a more consistent and uniform appearance. There is also no waiting for the finish to dry and set, and less sanding needed to create a surface for the finish to adhere. This is why it's usually better to choose prefinished hardwood versus installing unfinished wood, and then adding a finish over that surface.

Hardwoods and bathrooms

You may want a uniform look to your home when it comes to flooring, but think twice about installing hardwoods in bathrooms. The moisture and humidity from showers and baths can settle into the wood, even if it's been properly finished, and cause the wood to swell and then shrink. In turn, it may curve or bow or pull away from the walls. This added humidity can also lead to mould growth in the wood. Hardwood floors may be fine for half baths or lavatories with no shower or tub, but otherwise, consider using a different material for the bathroom alone.

Choosing a species

You may love the look of maple or cherry wood, but not the price tag! Remember that hardwood floors can be painted or stained, so to save money, you might choose a less expensive oak and stain it a darker colour.

Unpainted floors will show more marks, including scuffs, scratches and dents. For unpainted floors in heavily trafficked areas such as a hallway or family room, choose a species that has a lot of natural knots and a dark grain pattern, such as oak. Scuffs and scratches won't be as noticeable against the background of such a busy wood.

For a more eco-friendly option, choose bamboo or cork, both of which grow very quickly. You can also choose a species from a sustainable forest, meaning one that is set aside specifically for manufacturing and construction, so you know the hardwood was not taken from an endangered rainforest or other such area.

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9 May 2017

How I Constructed My New Home

Hello and welcome to my construction blog. My name is David and I would like to tell you about the process of designing and building a new home from the ground up. I had always dreamed of building my own home and last year, that dream became a reality. I had been saving money for many years so I could afford to buy the materials and employ the contractors needed to construct my home. I learnt so much during the process, I decided to start this blog. It was a wonderful day when the final piece of my home was put into place and I am now very happy.