Not those woods, but the wood floors that are growing all around us.

Once upon a time, wood was the flooring of aristocrats, moneyed landowners and the early industrialists. Why? Part of it has to do with the fact that wood was a readily available material that could be worked by artisans into a rich-looking floor that held many different attributes. Part of its attraction was that wood is strong. Wood also feels physically warm underfoot as it simultaneously brings visual warmth to a home. Also, wood has innate colors (reds, browns and yellows) as well as textures (its grain plus the tailored lines formed by each piece butted against the next). And wood can be easily fabricated into herringbone, basket weave and other interesting designs.

Today with the blending of technology and craftsmanship, new ways of making better use of each square foot of timber, together with precision manufacturing, factory applied and better on-site finishes, and new, stunning species, anyone can have a wood floor fit for a king.

The amazing world of exotics...

For the king or queen in all of us, there’s a relatively new look in hardwood floors called “exotics.” We say “relatively” because they’ve been used around the world for hundreds of years. Only rather recently have they found their ways to our shores.

The timing has been good. As hardwood flooring began its resurgence in popularity, it got a big boost from exotics largely because they are very different from what we are used to seeing here in North America. Exotics have more and different colors (yes, wood has colors with which we can coordinate our décor) and they have very unusual grain. All that spells opportunity for style and texture that makes for a unique, personal statement.

One brand, BR-111™ is known worldwide for its broad exotic selections which have grown to more than 25 exotic species in both solid and engineered products. (More on engineered wood flooring on the following pages.) You may have seen the company’s campaign called “Fashion Under Foot™.” It really embraces what’s going on with hardwoods –– especially those exotics –– which now include more exotic names like Angico, Brazilian Hickory and Macchiato Pecan. How delicious!
Another “exotic” trend is toward wider planks –– more than 3 inches. Think of what you can do with flooring made in a board width of 4, 5.5, 6 or 7.75 inches. Or how you can mix various board widths for a custom look –– a fast-growing trend in floor décor for 2007. Look also for what are called thick-sawn engineered planks. These have very thick top layers which are very durable and can withstand full sanding and refinishing.

Like the hand-scraped look, reminiscent of the work of early artisans? You can find that in virtually any exotic.

If you’re a homeowner who’s ever lived with wood floors, you know that wood looks great and wears well.

In bygone days, and right up until just over a decade ago, wood floors were generally put down at the time a home was built because of the amount of installation and finishing needed. Not so with modern wood floors. Pre-finished floors and new product versions of wood have made it easy to install and very un-messy.

Wood flooring is available in multiple products: solid, engineered and longstrip. Most of it is factory pre-finished or very easily finished on site at the time of installation or during renovation. Either way, the new wood floors have the potential to last for generations –– just like our grandparents’ homes.

From a designer’s viewpoint, the very nature of wood allows us to feel closer to nature and to bring the outside into our homes, which is one of the current design trends. Noticing the blemishes and natural character of the wood floor encourages us to imagine the tree’s very existence before it created our unique floor décor.

Another appealing thing about wood floors is that it is first a natural product which is also renewable. Most of the major hardwood flooring brands subscribe to responsible, if not aggressive, forestry stewardship programs. It’s not only in their best interests PR wise, it also ensures a continuing source of product for consumers. In addition to being a natural product, it is also a very long-lasting one. Wood floors are a timeless look which goes with just about any décor. They can be refinished and re-colored and dressed up in all kinds of ways with an area rug. More important, wood lasts a LONG time, making it a responsible investment as well as a decorative one.

Speaking of long-lasting decorative attributes, cork, a wood product, is enjoying a resurgence in popularity for flooring. A fast-self-renewing resource, cork has natural moisture and insect repellant properties and it’s surprisingly durable. The US Library of Congress has a cork floor more than a century old!

Another product in the wood category that’s actually a grass is bamboo... naturally tough and capable of achieving a broad palette of browns by heating or, like cork, very contemporary and unexpected colors by staining.

Adding wood to your house adds lasting beauty as well as an investment potential for a time when you may decide to sell your house and move on.

It’s getting easier to install that new investment as manufacturers pioneer new technologies that make for fast, high-craftsmanship installations.

What would you say to a glueless joinery, “click-together,” tongue-and-groove installation for either a solid or engineered hardwood floor?

An exotic species, perhaps, or American hardwood? How about any of that plus a four-sided micro-bevel “V-joint” look? It’s all here and now and with very attractive warranties –– up to 25 years.

Wood is a natural for decorating in Winter. Certain woods feature red undertones that will make everything appear warm and cozy. Exotics with deeper reds, or perhaps a blue undertone, make for an even deeper, warmer, more elegant look, depending on the fabrics and accessories you select. Because wood is so lastingly versatile, you can quickly change the paint, fabrics, window treatments and accessories and make the most of your investment for many years to come.

Don’t forget that factory-finished wood floors come with 7-10 coats of aluminum oxide finish, which adds to their durability and beauty. Look for pre-finished trims and wood accent pieces, too, to add a professional, finished beauty to the look of your new wood floor.