Wood
Floors make a Splash
Who would have thought that hardwood flooring,
once reserved for every room but the kitchen, is now the rage in what
many believe to be the heart and soul of the home? Architects, designers
and builders, once hesitant to spec wood flooring for a kitchen application,
have had a change of heart.
Why the sudden change? According to Steve Agius, vice president and general manager of Creative Tile & Hardwood Floors, and a 20-year veteran of the hardwood flooring industry, “The increased variety in flooring options, from traditional, 3/4-inch nail-down planks to engineered wood, 4 as well as the technological advancements and improved durability of finishes, have made wood the perfect alternative for kitchen and powder bath applications.”
Agius, a certified flooring inspector with the National Wood Flooring Association, is well-known in Sarasota and Naples for the bi-annual ASID Continuing Education classes he teaches, which concentrate on the properties and benefits of hardwood flooring.
“Hardwood flooring is a natural tie-in with other organic materials used in today’s kitchens,” says Agius. “The combination of granite countertops, natural wood cabinets and a beautiful hardwood floor can enhance the overall appeal of any kitchen.”
Using boards in varying widths, especially a five-inch width, is the most popular choice and because of the profusion of Mediterranean-inspired architecture in Southwest Florida, hand-scraped surfaces are popular.
Luxurious and variegated shades of reds and browns are the current trend. Exotic species such as: Iroko, Santos Mahogany, Wenge, Doussié and of course walnuts and rosewoods are fashionable, as are the North American oaks, maples and cherry woods, which can be stained in a variety of shades.
In the past, wood floors were typically coated in a varnish or wax finish that had a tendency to spot and stain when wet, but the quality and strength of finishes continues to evolve from high-grade polyurethane finishes in oil or water to the most durable aluminum oxide-based finish, which combines water-based products with microscopic pieces of aluminum, to ensure the solidity and hardness of the finish. With the advent of these finishes, wood flooring has become the ideal alternative for a kitchen application.
Although not suggested for high-humidity rooms such as full bathrooms, installing a wood floor can add a striking and elegant dimension to a powder room. Up until the mid-‘70s, 2 1/4-inch wide, 3/4-inch nail-down solid wood planks were the only option. But because the sub-floor in new construction is typically cement and not plywood, flooring manufacturers were challenged to develop an engineered wood flooring that not only looked great, but could be glued directly onto cement slab.
The advanced technology of multi-layered, plywood-backed engineered flooring allows the floor to be firmly glued directly to the sub-floor, thus creating a comfortable, impact - resistant surface that is flexible and resilient. Because of its increased dimensional stability and its ability to withstand extreme climatic changes better than solid wood, Agius notes that engineered wood flooring is best for regions, like Florida, where there are extremes in the temperature and humidity levels.
Both solid wood flooring and engineered flooring can be ordered pre-finished or unfinished. When the floor is ordered unfinished, it is custom-finished to the homeowners’ specifications after installation.
In a time when some homeowners are choosing to remodel in lieu of purchasing a new home all-together, solid wood is still popular. But without the mess of sanding and finishing on-site, a pre-finished engineered flooring is easier to install and easier to maintain over the years, because most of these floors have been pre-finished with an aluminum oxide-based finish.
According to Agius, “We’re also seeing an increase in commercial applications for wood flooring, in both solid planks and engineered woods. A lot of thought goes into retail and restaurant design, where flooring can make a tremendous design statement and create a sense of comfort – both physically and emotionally – for the customer.
For more information, or to schedule a private consultation, please call or stop by the Creative Tile & Hardwood Floors showroom in your area.
Creative Tile & Hardwood Floors
1853 Trade Center Way,
Naples, FL 34109
239 513-0200
and
5678 Fruitville Road,
Sarasota, FL 34232
941 724-0803
Written by Marla J. Ottenstein
