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Wednesday, December 20, 2017

The Pros of Choosing Solid Pine Flooring


Getting to know the basics of a flooring material can help you decide which ones go well with your needs, wants, and budget constraints, among others. One classic flooring material that is popular among homebuilders is pine, which is known for its durability, affordability, and versatility.

Check out some of the reasons why solid pine flooring is a top choice:

1. Attractive Appearance

Solid pine has a warm, homey, rustic appeal because of its prominent grains and knots. These are ideal for cottages, cabins, log homes, or country-inspired architecture.  

Homebuilders usually have the chance to finish the pine flooring, which is typically unfinished, to better suit your preferences and overall appeal of your home. While its colors range from almost white to golden yellow, to deep browns and rich reds, pine takes well to stain and paint. This means that builders can finish the material with a wide range of color options.

If you prefer its natural color, all you need to do is apply clear varnish to the pine or treat it with whitewash if you want to prevent signs of age from showing. But, you can also choose to leave the material untreated as pine tends to develop a distressed look, a rustic patina, as it ages, which can also be considered part of its appeal.

2. Durable and Long-lasting

Pine flooring is highly durable and long-lasting. Pine floors can be as old as a hundred or even older depending on maintenance and care. When coated with polyurethane, pine will be able to withstand a humid climate without swelling or shrinking.

3. Cost-efficient

Pine costs less than hardwood flooring and luxury vinyl tiles. Generally, softwoods such as pine, fir, cedar, and cypress are lower in cost than most hardwoods, such as oak, mahogany, and maple.

4. Environmentally Sustainable

Unlike hardwoods, softwoods grow faster. This means that softwoods like pine are more environmentally friendly and sustainable.


So, if you are looking for attractive wood flooring that will last long and you wouldn’t mind applying a stain or finishing the material, then pine flooring is an ideal option for you. 

Two Benefits of Oak Stair Cladding



Noting the popularity of wooden flooring, there is no question regarding the increasing popularity of wooden staircases as well. This is because they are the perfect aesthetic complement. If having a wooden flooring and staircase was not part of your original plan and design, you can still have it re-vamped to this style by cladding your staircase with your choice of hardwood.

The term “cladding” refers to the process of covering an existing structure with a new material in order to create an entirely new look without changing the structure’s original form or construction. The term usually refers to roofing, walls, and flooring. So, for wood stair cladding, it can refer to installing engineered wooden flooring to an existing staircase to transform the way it looks.

Here are two major advantages to giving your old staircases the cladding upgrade:

Convenient and Cost-Effective Makeover

Instead of tearing your place section by section to give it a makeover, cladding your staircase can already upgrade the way it looks to match the new style and atmosphere you want to have. Stair cladding is available in an assortment of designs and colors, which means you have a variety of looks and feels to choose from. Cladding your stairs can have as much of a transformative effect on your house as re-painting your walls or changing your wallpapers.

Reduces Damage Caused by Wear and Tear

In addition to enhancing the beauty of your home with oak stair cladding, it will also make your stairs feel more solid and also more durable. The additional installation increases the lifespan of your staircase by giving it a protective layer against future deterioration or erosion. It also covers up any signs of age and previous damage on the stairs caused by improper maintenance, such as scratches and broken steps.

Basically, staircase cladding is recommended in terms of upgrading both the appearance of your stairs and the safety of those who will use the stairs. Specifically, invest in quality stair cladding to prevent any accidents and eliminate risks of injuries resulting from cracks, breaks, or other snags on the staircase.