Exotic Wood Flooring
Hardwood flooring has been used for hundreds of years to create beautiful, long-lasting floors in homes. These hardwood floors typically had to be stained to create the look of the exotic hardwood found in places like Brazil and Asia.
Today, that is no longer true. Exotic hardwood floors can now be had that are the real exotic hardwood and without spending a fortune to get them.
In the past, solid exotic hardwood flooring could cost up to $30 per square foot or more. Today, advances in engineering technology have made it possible to purchase engineered exotic hardwood floors for a fraction of the cost.
Types
There is a large variety of engineered, exotic hardwood floors. Exotic hardwoods from Brazil, Asia, and Africa come from managed forests and create breathtaking transformations in any room.
Hardwood flooring made from African Wenge wood creates a crisp, clean, up-to-date look. The ebony color of the wood makes a clean pallet on which to build the colors of the room. Asian Teak is another lighter colored wood that is versatile enough to use in any décor. It has a natural golden brown that while having warmth is also lighter than the deeper red toned woods.
People who prefer a deeper, richer color often choose to use Morado rosewood. It is a very hard wood with a unique grain. There are other exotic hardwoods with a rich color such as the Doussie or African Cherry, the Cabreuva Vermelha or Santos Mahogany. These woods have a touch of elegance and are perfect for formal dining rooms.
Benefits of Exotic Hardwood Flooring
Exotic hardwood flooring has a unique benefit that is also cost saving in the long run. If the floor ever needs to be refinished, there is no need to stain it again. The color will remain and be a beautiful as it was originally.
Other benefits of exotic hardwood flooring are similar to the benefits of typical hardwood flooring:
* Long Lasting: Solid hardwood floors are easy to repair and can last hundreds of years.
* Natural Insulator: Hardwood floors are naturally warm, unlike laminate flooring which is cold on bare feet.
* Hypoallergenic: Carpet holds dust and dander and is a breeding ground for mold and mildew, all of which irritate allergies. Vacuuming helps but doesn’t eliminate the allergens. Wood flooring, on the other hand, doesn’t give any of these irritants a place to hide and breed.
* Value Adding: Because hardwood flooring retains its beauty and durability, it adds value to the home. Homeowners who try to sell their home often find that they need to replace worn out carpet or lower the price in order to sell. Homes with hardwood don’t have this issue.
These are just a few of the many benefits exotic hardwood flooring brings to a home. Settling for less may be a regretted decision in the future.
Care and Cleaning
Many people shy away from hardwood floors fearing that the care and cleaning are going to be difficult or costly. Other people mistakenly choose hardwood flooring believing all that is necessary is sweeping. Both sets of people are mistaken.
Caring for hardwood flooring is not difficult but it is more detailed than just sweeping. First, there are preventative steps that should be taken to protect the floor from damage, these include:
* Preventing spills as much as possible and immediately cleaning any spills that do occur. Keep moisture away as much as possible.
* Use furniture protectors on furniture legs.
* Use mats and rugs in high traffic areas.
* Keep pet nails trimmed to prevent scratching.
* Keep high heeled shoes in good repair to prevent scratching.
In addition to preventative care, there are also some absolute no-nos that should be followed, including:
* Do not use wet mops
* Do not use ammonia, dust cleaners, or other floor cleaners
* Never wax a urethane finished floor.
Cleaning an exotic hardwood floor is simple. First, purchase the cleaning solution that is recommended for the floor. This is important. Different woods are cleaned with different cleaners.
Next, vacuum or sweep all debris from the floor. Spray the floor with the proper solution and use a clean mop to spread the solution on the floor.
Exotic hardwood floorings bring beauty, warmth and added value to homes and businesses. These floors typically last hundreds of years with simple, routine maintenance.
-Sharon V Chapman
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