While Farmhouse is the ultimate in cool style during this hot summer, not every customer wants traditional wood floors. For those with a desire to be different, the newest option is nine-inch wide engineered Hickory planks. And for those who like to be quirky, cork and bamboo floors are an option.
Nine-inch Hickory Planks
According to Andrew Young, co-owner of City Tile in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, wide planks offer the true look of an old farmhouse kitchen, while Hickory is a harder and denser wood providing more durability in high traffic areas. There are also a number of different grades of Hickory flooring, country grade is best in rustic-style homes or log cabins, while select grade offers fewer knots and a more consistent grain suitable for a more modern style home.
Engineered Hickory is the top choice. Natural Hickory is a very hard wood and it takes a professional with a high level of skill and lots of experience to install it correctly, while the engineered version is created to make that installation easier.
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo flooring is very different than any other wood flooring. Make sure you know what you are getting before you buy. There are a number of sites online that explain all of the details, but here are a few tips.
First of all, due to the nature of the way bamboo grows, there is not the variation in the color and structure of the wood as there is with most hardwood floors. It is also a softer wood. And it is not very wide, so all bamboo flooring is created by fusing pieces together with pressure and adhesives. For that reason, it can’t be used in areas where there is consistent moisture, like kitchens and bathrooms. And for best results, it has to be laid by professionals. This is not a do-it-yourself product if you want to have a solid long-lasting floor.
The best and most durable natural bamboo flooring is called “strand woven.” Strand woven bamboo flooring provides a very consistent look, and has good durability. Instead of being fused together, the strands are woven together and then kept together with glues and pressure.
Engineered bamboo floors are the best bet for durability. They can also be used in bathrooms and high traffic areas because only the top layer is actually bamboo. The rest is made of more durable woods.
Cork Flooring
Cork, like bamboo, has its kinks, but it is super-resilient and environment friendly according to Realtor.com. Cork was a big hit in the 1950s, so it is coming back into vogue.
According to Realtor. Com, “The cork used to manufacture flooring comes from the naturally shed bark of cork oak trees that grow predominantly in Southern Europe. Strict regulations ensure the cork oaks are unaffected by the harvesting process. A healthy cork oak tree can live for up to 500 years.”
Like all other flooring options, there are pros and cons. The pros are many. It can handle high foot traffic, it offers a more cushioned walking surface that any other flooring option. There are many color options, as it is often dyed. It is low maintenance. City Tile offers Bona Wood Floor Care product that works well on cork floors. But, be aware that heavy furniture that is not padded with felt on the bottom can permanently indent the cork. And a sharp object can cut it, including pet toenails and claws. It is also very light sensitive and can fade with time if it sits in direct sunlight.
While it is very expensive and must be professionally installed, it does add value to your home. So if you can place it in rooms where you can focus on the pros and avoid the cons, it will provide beauty and warmth for years to come.
City Tile Is Your Unique Flooring Partner
All of these unique flooring options are available at City Tile. Our sales and design staff can help you find the right one for your home.
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