Hardwood Installation
Hardwood Installation
If you are thinking about having hardwood installed in your home, here are a few options to consider:
Dimensions: Most domestic woods are available in widths of 1" through 12" and come in ¼ , ½ , and ¾" increments. Antique, antique distressed, old growth, recycled, and recovered woods are available in widths up to 20". Exotic woods are generally used in inlays and feature strips, which come in narrow widths.
Grade: Hardwood flooring grades deal with aesthetics, not serviceability. All grades will perform equally well. For example, with red or white oak, there are four basic grades:
Dimensions: Most domestic woods are available in widths of 1" through 12" and come in ¼ , ½ , and ¾" increments. Antique, antique distressed, old growth, recycled, and recovered woods are available in widths up to 20". Exotic woods are generally used in inlays and feature strips, which come in narrow widths.
Grade: Hardwood flooring grades deal with aesthetics, not serviceability. All grades will perform equally well. For example, with red or white oak, there are four basic grades:
- Clear Oak is very uniform in color, with very few small character marks. The average board length is 3 ¾ feet.
- Select Oak has more color variations and more natural character marks such as small knots. The average board length is 3 ¼ feet.
- No 1 Common has a much more varied appearance, with mineral streaks, greater color variation, and more character marks. The average board length is 2 ¾ feet.
- No. 2 Common has a "rustic" appearance, with just about any natural character mark, including large knots and very dark boards. The average board length is 2 ¼ feet.
Layout: Hardwood floors need to run perpendicular or on a 45 degree angle to the floor joists. Though it would be impossible to list all of the design possibilities, here are a few suggestions:
- Feature strips are a different species of wood that follow a pattern throughout the floor. They are usually a darker species of wood, but they can also be made from metals such as brass.
- Inlays are usually cut with the help of lasers and feature almost any combination of species (domestic and exotic).