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Types of Unfinished Wood Flooring
Unfinished hardwood flooring is installed and then sanded, stained (if you so choose), and finished on site. When trying to decide which species of wood to go with you need to consider the natural tone of the wood, whether or not you're going to want to stain the floor, how much grain you would like, and if your lifestyle dictates the need for a harder wood or if a softer one is alright. Probably the most popular species of unfinished wood flooring is the oak hard wood floor. It can come in either a red or white variety and is available in many widths and all grades. Oak takes a stain well and is truly a hard wood, unlike some of the other varieties, like birch for example. A birch wood floor that is finished natural can range in tone from light yellow to a brown red, but it is not as hard as oak and will dent easier. Pine is another softer hard wood that is commonly used in flooring. When talking about pine hardwood flooring references are made to many sub-types including heart pine wood flooring and poplar wood floors. Most of the flooring in this family is softer than oak. It dents and scuffs easily and has more of the rustic features some associate with older wood floors. It does not take stain evenly and is best left with a natural finish. Also one of the softer unfinished wood flooring materials, teak wood has several marine uses and is a favorite for boat and dock decking as well as being a beautiful and durable floor in a home or business. Mahogany is another popular species for marine use. Mahogany flooring is a harder wood than teak and has a natural dark reddish brown tone. It is straight grained and takes stain well. Maple hard wood floors are harder than oak. They are very durable which is why it is the wood of choice for gymnasiums and bowling alleys. Maple flooring does not take a stain uniformly and should be finished natural. When done so, they have a naturally white to light red-brown tone to them. For beautiful, naturally red wood floors, cherry is becoming a more popular choice for unfinished wood flooring in recent years. Brazilian cherry hardwood flooring, also called Jatoba, is twice as hard as oak. It boasts a beautiful open grain that is dark brown or black in color and the floor naturally darkens with time. In recent years, rustic interior design has become popular and many people have also become concerned with the environment. These are two good reasons to look into vintage wood floors. Antique flooring wood is now being reclaimed from buildings before they are torn down and resold as recycled wood flooring. Not only is this good for the environment, by lessening the number of trees harvested, but it's an example of just how long a hardwood floor can last. There is an unfinished wood flooring out there that can be custom finished to suite your needs whether you are looking for a functional oak or maple floor that will stand up to kids and pets, a rustic pine floor to fit with your interior design, or a deep rich Jatoba to match cherry cabinets or furniture.
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