Wood Floor Article Needed

onlinehandyman

I think that I am within the TOS here and if I am not I apologize and will retract this immediately. I need an article on wooden floors about 500-600 words for my blog - anyone interested? Unfortunately my expertise does not include wood. Thank you!

Cdat

Be more specific in what you are looking for. Many people have posted articles from here to their blogs.

onlinehandyman

Thanks Cdat - What I am looking for is an article about 500 words that simply just defines the different types of wood flooring ( oak, pine, hickory, bamboo, etc. ) with their positives and negative points. Also would like to emphasis something about how to care for each one. That's it, and I am looking for someone with expertise in the field to write it so that it is coming from an actual expert, instead of me who would just be researching. Thanks!

Floorwizard

And what is the intended use?

__________________
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"in 20 years you will regret more what you did not do than what you did"

Cdat

There are thousands (well, quite a few) of 'em. 500 words wouldn't even dent the pile. Hell, I have over 40 different types in my own house!!! If you include the medallions, you're talking over 100 different species in my house! 500 words?

Hey, think I'll go home tonight and write them all down and post here tomorrow to give you an idea of the task you're asking...


...500 words

mon541

When it comes to wood flooring many people can have unrealistic expectations. Some believe their floor should be nothing less than a glass-like, smooth surface, free of any imperfections or irregularities in color, texture grain etc.

Wood is constantly moving with the ambient environment. Moisture, temperature, sun exposure, vibration, human or animal interference etc. are all factors that can change wood’s appearance. No matter how hard of a finish applied or how many applied coats of the finish, there will always be an outside force that will eventually break through and alter the wood. No matter how tight a floor is laid or how well it is milled, a wood floor will move, it will have gaps, color change, become dented, scratched, cracked etc. The universe is in constant motion. Eventually it will catch up with your wood floor. No man or plastic finish can stop the cosmic flux!

A well-worn wood surface with a natural patina can be more beautiful than a fresh, finely finished wood surface. There are examples of this in fine antiques and wood floors around the world.

There are some that believe they can duplicate the natural patina of an old wood surface with stains and scraping and other man-made processes, and then smother it with poly plastic coatings to capture and preserve their man-made patina. It is an arrogant attempt to recreate what comes naturally and it will eventually fail when the finishes and stains wear away leaving an unnatural appearance. These floors are usually refinished in the same fashion, and over time the process is repeated again. This is costly to the pocket and the environment.

Nature has provided plants with a variety of oils and waxes. These oils and waxes protect the plants and are integral to a plants survival in the natural world. These compounds have evolved to move, flex, and grow with the cellulose fiber of the plants. They intertwine, they flow through, and they feed the very fiber that makes up the wood as it is manufactured by the tree. So what better to use than these natural compounds to protect your wood floors.

The finest wood floors are finished with natural oils and waxes. These floors have withstood the test of time and can be found around the world in fine homes, castles, cathedrals, temples and other historic buildings. They have a natural patina that records the history of the buildings they reside in. Every scratch, dent, crack and gap was formed by an event in the building’s history. Many of these floors exude a warmth, beauty and character that cannot be duplicated in a factory.

When looking to purchase a new wood floor, remember these points:

1. Look for flooring that is finished naturally. It will be resilient and age gracefully.
2. Look for a floor that is made to be what it is, for example, a pine that proudly looks like pine and is not stained to appear to be mahogany.
3. Have realistic expectations about living on a wood floor. Wood is an organic material and as such, it is wonderfully imperfect. Those imperfections will only add to the evolving character of it’s inherent beauty. Be ready to fearlessly live on your wood floor, record a history with every scratch and dent, and let it live in your home.
4. Choose a floor that transcends all styles and time. A wood floor should last through fads and trends and in fact, should offer a foundation for every décor. In fact, it will be the foundation that all physical things in your home will rest upon, including you.

Hope this will work for you.

Cdat

Just take that last post with a grain of salt. I totally disagree with it. Old way is sand and finish? WTF? I've noticed this:
Lazy people and people with no pride (or no skill) prefer the pre-finished fake crap. There. sound better?

Floorwizard

I will have to disagree with your disagreement

Pre-finished is more popular as it is quicker to install and is alot less mess.
Builders especially are finding alot of good reasons to go pre-finished.
The factory finish is also quite a bit more durable than any on site finish.
Not to say sand and finish is bad at all. They also have some appeal. However for the average consumer who needs things done quick perhaps because they are still living in the home, and also would like increased durability and be able to live on it the same day, factory finish floors have a great deal of appeal.
And yes, it is increasing in popularity compared to 15 years ago.

__________________
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"in 20 years you will regret more what you did not do than what you did"

Cdat

I have to disagree with your disagreement over my disagree, agreed?!
Remember the triangle of business? Good, Fast & Cheap? You can have any two? I don't do 'things done quickly'. But hey, if you do, who am I to judge?

Factory made junk? Made in China? Good? Come on. If you want to slap some plastic on some veneer and call it a wood floor, you go right ahead.

Mike Costello

Its good that you can afford to be sanctimonious about certain flooring products.

I will install anything to keep the cash flow going here.

Every different product has a certain purpose , use or price point for a given consumer.

I wont cut myself out of the market share just because I don't like a product.

Cdat

We all have our place in the food chain. I will not touch a pre finished floor. You will. All is good. Where is the problem? I have a pretty good idea how hardwood will act under certain conditions. Engineered? No idea. If there was a standard for engineered then I'd have an idea. So far, their standards are pretty far and wide.

Some people like a plastic fence or plastic deck. Hey, if that is their thing then fine. I on the other hand do not like plastic. If you feel you need to defend the use of plastic, then go right ahead. Not all of us have given in to the cheap, me,me,me, now,now,now attitude.