N****E
发帖数: 1474 | 1 【 以下文字转载自 Living 讨论区 】
发信人: Huan2007 (胡绵涛), 信区: Living
标 题: Lesson 1: Choosing Between Oak, Walnut, Maple, and Cherry
发信站: BBS 未名空间站 (Sun Nov 7 03:13:39 2010, 美东)
Different Types of American Hardwood Flooring
Choosing Between Oak, Walnut, Maple, and Cherry Hardwood Floor Types
Which Wood Makes the Best Hardwood Flooring? - Taubuch
Hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to any home. Deciding which
type is the best hardwood flooring is a matter of personal taste.
Natural, durable, and aesthetically pleasing, hardwood floors add value
to a living space. American hardwood flooring in particular, is easily
obtained, and an ideal sustainable building material, as it is a
renewable resource, and easily recycled. Also, unlike carpeting, wood
does not trap dust and allergens, providing a healthier living
environment.
With so many different types of hardwood flooring, it is only a matter
of deciding which kind of lumber will most effectively enhance a room?
Rich dark black walnut, or a more neutral wood, such as maple or oak?
Take the time to investigate different varieties to find the most
suitable, and therefore the best hardwood flooring.
Traditional White Oak Hardwood Floors
White oak lumber is an excellent choice for many homes. Traditionally
used for ship building and barrels, this wood is impervious to liquids,
and very resistant to wear. With a modern surface finish, white oak
hardwood floors are very easy to clean and maintain. They are also do
well with sanding, staining, and finishing.
White oak wood is long-grained, with dynamic swirls and curls. The
heartwood ranges from light to dark brown. Although this type of
American hardwood flooring can be finished in a range of shades, it is
important to be done properly, as the tannins in the wood have been
known to react with some liquids and turn green or brownish.
Exotic Dark Black Walnut Hardwood
Black walnut hardwood is also readily available, with trees growing
throughout the eastern United States, as well as in the central states.
The demand for black walnut is not as high as white oak however; black
walnut makes up just under two percent of all commercially available
American hardwood. This may be because the heartwood tends to be a rich
chocolate brown, with deep purple streaks. The darker color is ideal to
contrast lighter colors and woods, but it is not suited for every
environment.
This type of wood becomes more lustrous with age. The grain is straight,
with some degree of waviness. Black walnut is suitable for sanding,
painting, sanding, and polishing. It is not quite as hard and dent-
resistant as oak, but is still a very strong, highly desirable lumber.
Durable Maple Wood Flooring
Of all the different types of hardwood flooring, maple is the most
practical. Not only is it used for doors, household floors, cabinetry,
and furniture, but it is also used for work surfaces, butchers blocks,
cutting boards, and gymnasium floors, because it is so resistant to
wear. Hard maple, also known as sugar maple, is an extremely strong and
heavy material, making it somewhat difficult to work with initially, yet
very efficient in the long run.
This variety of American hardwood is readily available, with trees
growing primarily in the eastern states. It is also the source of maple
syrup. Hard maple is somewhat difficult to sand, but stains and finishes
well. The sapwood being a pale brown, and the heartwood being a light to
reddish color, It is well suited with neutral tones.
Elegant Cherry Hardwood Floors
Cherry hardwood is another popular type of American lumber. Unlike the
hard, sturdy oak and maples, cherry trees have a more subtle history of
use. Cherry bark has been used as a traditional medicine; the wood is
frequently used for carvings, and musical instruments, as well as floors
and furniture. It has a smooth, satiny texture, and an appealing
reddish-brown color. Cherry hardwood flooring has great dimensional
stability. Relative to other types of wood, it is more pliable, yet
still reasonably strong and resistant.
The Best Hardwood Flooring
Ultimately, the best hardwood flooring is that which suits a particular
space. White oak may be ideal for kitchens, or anywhere that exposure to
moisture is possible; black walnut works well for aesthetic interest;
maple may be best in a house with children or pets; and, cherry can work
in any well-preserved environment. With proper care and maintenance, all
hardwood floor types will prove an excellent investment over time. |
|
