Hardwood Floors as Trendsetting Agent? : What To Expect In 2012

Hardwood floors have been prized for thousands of years because of their durability and beauty. Hardwood flooring in Ottawa is especially considered useful for allergy sufferers. Unlike carpet, which many homes sport, hardwood flooring is not known for attracting and keeping in allergens such as dust, pet dander, dust mites and so on. There are hundreds of types of wood flooring all over the US and Canada, including softwoods such as pine, and hardwoods like traditional cherry, maple and oak. Some homes use cork wood, an eco-friendly, extremely soft wood that is slightly springy to the feet and useful for insulating; but can be scratched extremely easily. Other houses use bamboo "wood"-the tough, wood-like stems of the bamboo grass, which is extremely eco-friendly. Other houses use reclaimed hardwood flooring from houses in the area that have been torn down, and is an excellent, green choice. But while these choices will remain strong for 2012 and beyond, what about those who want new hardwood flooring in Ottawa and who want to be on trend in their houses?

For people looking to renovate their houses in 2012, no matter what they choose, there are several new, fashionable choices to choose from. A gorgeous wood floor in Ottawa will coordinate beautifully with the warmer reds and more personalized, sensuous decor we expect to see in 2012.

*Scraped wood flooring. Long billed as the perfect alte
ative for homeowners who fear that their hardwood floors would be destroyed by their children or animals, hand scraped flooring finishes not only add character to the room, but busy homeowners who prefer this type of wood floor in Ottawa can be assured that this finish can hide most scratches.

*Engineered wood flooring. Would you like to have the hardwood floor you desire but at much less cost to you in total? Engineered wood flooring would most likely be the best choice. This flooring is made of finished wood and plywood that has been sandwiched together. It looks and acts like hardwood flooring and can even be finished. If the home is situated in a high humidity area, (fortunately for most people who live in northern climates this rarely, if ever, be any sort of a problem) Patricia Davis Brown, well renowned interior designer, asserts that it will hold up. "Unlike solid wood that can twist and warp, this product stands up well in areas of moisture…I have confidently used this product for both kitchens and bathrooms". (floorfacts.com)

*Using familiar processes to change the wood itself. Sawmills have discovered that using different blades and cutting techniques while cutting the wood down into planks produces different patterns on the face of the wood, which can add beauty to the finished product. Another process is steaming the wood. This technique has been used on bamboo to change the color, and can be used on other woods as well. This is a great choice for the eco-conscious people who desire to have a different-colored wood floor in Ottawa because this process uses no dyes.

*The bigger and bolder the better. Another new trend is towards wider planks to give the room a wider appearance.

Hardwood is always a traditional flooring choice for any home that it is placed into. The eco-friendly styles such as bamboo, cork and reclaimed hardwood will continue to remain a strong choice, there will be a shift towards wider planks, warmer, more cinnamon colors, hand scraped wood to help hide scratches for busy households, and even engineered wood that acts the same as regular hardwood and has a reduced cost. No matter what the homeowner chooses, using a wood floor in Ottawa is always a classic choice, trendsetter or not.