What is Wood Plank Flooring?
Wood plank flooring is beautiful to look at and at the same time durable too. This kind of flooring has been used for a very long time, dating from the Middle Ages itself. Many homes still have the wide plank flooring that was laid a very long time ago. Many newly constructed homes are now looking to have this type of prefinished flooring or unfinished flooring installed in their homes. It has to be installed with the help of an experienced contractor for proper finish of the floor. Unfinished red oak hardwood flooring is a very popular unfinished flooring type.
Traditionally, the planks are laid over a supportive layer directly using wooden pegs. The modern method of flooring is also similar but has a layer of insulation below the floor to maintain a warm temperature inside. The planks used are very thick and wide so that they can withstand heavy traffic for a lifetime. These can then be painted, stained or left without treating according to the user’s choice.
Different types of wood can be used for making this large plank wood flooring. Using softer woods may not be good because they may not be durable. Some of the most common types of solid wood plank flooring are solid oak flooring and the cedar hardwood flooring. Other exotic wood types those can be used are redwood, ebony, rubber wood, ironwood, or tigerwood flooring. The major advantage of using a wood floor is that if one of the planks is damaged, it can be easily replaced without having to redo the whole floor. This is particularly helpful if the area has heavy traffic and needs some repairs to be done also.
The character of the chopped down wood, with its knots and whirls, are retained in the plank wood floors. People usually consider this as rustic and associate it with a farm house. When new homes are constructed using the wide plank wood floors, a rustic theme is somehow attributed to it. If you wish to give a more appealing and elegant look try some pale woods instead of the hardwood wood plank flooring for making it appear less rustic. You can choose from woods like beech or ash for a lighter feel. White oak flooring is also a great choice.
Maintaining a wood plank floor is very essential. Each wood type is different and could possibly require different maintenance techniques with regards to cleanliness and hardness. You also need to sweep the floor often otherwise the particles may stick into the wood and cause damage. If the floor is sealed you can use a mop to clean, otherwise you may risk giving your wide plank wood flooring water damage. Using a floor mat is also a good idea to protect your wood plank flooring. You may use a vacuum cleaner on your floor with a soft brush at least twice a week to remove excess dirt.
Water is one of the biggest enemies of wooden floors. In case water spills accidentally, quickly wipe it clean with a soft cloth and dry thoroughly. If the wood is treated with polyurethane, then you can use a dry-damp mop to wipe clean.
Other things you need to be careful are not to use heavy heels or shoes because it could cause some dents, depending on your weight and the hardness of the floor. Similarly, do not drag anything, especially heavy furniture, on the floor, it will lead to scratches. Furniture pads can, and should, be placed underneath furniture to help protect your precious floor. Keeping it regularly waxed and buffed will give it a well kept look.