Copyright (c) 2014 Eli Gali
If you watch any of the television programs that feature individuals and families searching for another home – or updating the one they already have – it seems that hardwood floors are always first on the list. One would think that wood flooring is a new fad when in fact hardwoods have been in vogue for hundreds of years. There are some ‘ancient’ reasons why wood floors are such a good investment plus there have been some recent discoveries that make the choice even better. .
When settlers and new townspeople began building permanent homes, unless they were extremely wealthy, they used the natural resources around them. In most areas there were plenty of forests with trees that were indigenous to the area. This is why you may see a lot of the really older homes in the South with knotty pine floors and homes in the northwest with other hardwoods. Should you find any of these older structures you will discover that with a little sanding and polishing the original wood floors will be as good as new. Wood floors last for generations (if you have termite protection!).
Unlike carpeting, hardwoods do not attract and keep allergens. Pet dander and dust are easily removed as are other allergens. If you have a tile floor and someone makes a scuff or little dent in the tile it cannot be repaired easily. Sometimes it has to be replaced altogether. These little things age a wood floor and give it character.
You see all these modern cleaning appliances and wood floor cleaning solutions on television and on the Internet. However, homemakers have been cleaning their hardwood floors with a simple solution of vinegar and water for years. It is not an expensive cleaning project. And it works!
Real wood floors are a great insulation. The earliest builders probably found this out for themselves. When properly installed, they prevent drafts and cold from coming up from the foundation or basement. And next to carpeting, wood floors make a great sound barrier. Your home will be much quieter than if you had marble, terrazzo or tiles floors that echo sound.
Your flooring store can show you the vast selection of wood that can be used today. It is available in ‘regular’ narrow plank or the wide plank. It can be installed in a liner fashion or there can be variegated lengths to create patterns. Actual wood that is used can be pine, oak, maple, mahogany, cherry, birch and something even more exotic like teak.
What decorators love is that a wood floor can fit in with any dcor or color palate. This is because natural wood can be sanded to the bare bones and then stained the exact color that will bring out the beauty of your furniture. Naturally, the wood floor will be stunning as well.
Since 1948, family-owned Atlas Floors Carpet One has been the premiere floor supplier and installer of quality hardwood, ceramic tile, carpet, vinyl and laminate flooring and more for local homes and businesses in San Antonio and surrounding areas. Best San Antonio Flooring Company.