With global commerce making the world ever more smaller, we have unprecedented choice when it comes to exotic woods used as flooring materials. With the world at our fingertips, choice doesn’t become easier, it actually becomes much harder. How are you supposed to decide on the right exotic wood when there’s so much to choose from? This article will go over a few basic ideas that will help make your choice easier.
Your Existing Home
Although you may be able to access almost any type of exotic wood in the world, if it doesn’t fit in with the rest of your house, it doesn’t make much sense to bring it in and force it to assimilate. Take a good look at your existing structure, your decorating style, the period your home was built and the colours of your walls and furniture. This will give you a good starting point when it comes to choosing an appropriate flooring material.
Engineered Vs. Solid
Knowing what room your floor will be installed in will play a key role in the decision between engineered and solid hardwoods. Solid hardwoods don’t do as well in moist environments as do engineered floorboards, so if you’re choosing wood flooring for your bathroom or kitchen, you’ll have narrowed down your choice already. Although solid variations exist, many exotic hardwood floor panels are engineered to cut down on costs and increase stability.
Finishing Considerations
Certain exotic woods do not take to regular finishes very well. If you’re planning on buying an unfinished exotic wood, talk to your dealer about the options for finishing before making your purchase. You may find that the finishing techniques suitable to your wood choice will change the characteristics so much that it would no longer work as expected. Save yourself the surprise and ask questions first.
Mouldings
You’ll also want to make sure you can get matching and compatible mouldings with the flooring material of choice. Trying to find appropriate mouldings after the fact could have you ending up with completely mismatched pieces. Make sure to take an overall view of the installation process.
