Hardwood flooring has the ability to transform what was once a plain old room into a warm and inviting one. With the improvement of shipping methods, exotic hardwoods have gained quite a following. Not to be left behind are domestic hardwood flooring, which still stand to be the best hardwood floor option.
Why Domestic Hardwood? There are many reasons why domestic hardwoods are a better choice for many than the exotic varieties. However, one of the most obvious reasons to choose domestic is the simple matter of finances. Exotic hardwoods tend to cost much more than local products. They could double, or even triple the cost of your hardwood flooring installation!
Top Domestic Hardwood Flooring Choices There is a wealth of domestic hardwood floors in the market, and the most popular ones are red and white oak, black walnut, American Cherry, Hickory, and Ash hardwood. These wood flooring species can give your home a range of looks. Most domestic hardwood flooring species possess high Janka ratings, a testament to their hardness and durability. Use wood flooring to complement the fixtures in your home, such as kitchen cabinets and other furniture while also gaining a workhorse of a floor. Each domestic hardwood flooring species has its own character that can give your home the personality you want. From exotic to contemporary, rustic to refined, there is a domestic hardwood flooring for you. Easy to Maintain Domestic Hardwoods Cleaning and maintaining hardwood floors is simple; one of the simplest of all flooring materials. There is no tedious vacuuming to be done as you have with carpeted floors. Simply damp mop or wipe regularly to keep your hardwood floor from dulling or encouraging scratches from forming. Should you so choose, more major methods of keeping your floors shiny and scratch-free include refinishing them every two years or so.
Hardwood Flooring and Water Keeping water away from your domestic hardwood floors is also a must, as moisture is a great enemy of wood flooring. Taking measures to avoid exposure to excess moisture include sealing your wood flooring and paying prompt attention to spills. This could also prevent stains from forming on your beautiful hardwood floors.
You may also consider adding a few natural fiber rugs at your doorways and in particularly high traffic areas. Rugs at entrances will reduce the amount of dirt and moisture carried in from the outdoors and help to prevent undue damage to your floors. Rugs in high traffic areas will help to prevent the finish from become prematurely worn in that area. You must move rugs around occasionally, however, so that the floor can age evenly.
Support Local Business with Domestic Hardwood Floors With so many beautiful varieties of hardwoods to choose from, you are bound to find something similar to, or even more attractive than any imported exotic species. Purchasing domestic hardwoods helps to support local business and stimulate your local economy. Yes, you may have to pay taxes, but then, you won’t be paying shipping and freight charges either. And again, domestics tend to be less expensive from the beginning than imported exotics.
Choosing Domestic Hardwood Flooring The fact that domestic hardwood flooring comes with a unique set of benefits is undeniable. Think of the improved customer service you’ll get when you purchase your flooring face to face versus over the phone or internet to someone a continent away. And if something should go wrong, you’ll know exactly who to go to for a solution. Domestic hardwood flooring just makes sense.