08 April 2009

6 Essential Facts About Hardwood Everyone Should Know

Some essential facts about hardwood include that it falls under the angiosperm classification, its distinctive feature is its pores or vessels, the many kinds of hardwood trees give hardwood a wide range of characteristics, it has a wide variety of uses, it has aesthetic and practical benefits, and there are significant differences between hardwood and hardwood veneer.

Hardwood is a popular wood application used in several features in the home. Hardwood floors can increase the market value of one’s home and is known for its aesthetic appeal and its durability. In fact, modernized processes have significantly improved the durability of hardwood flooring. Hardwood floors can last through a long period of time and can withstand frequent usage. And with sufficient maintenance and Birmingham hardwood floor refinishing, your home’s hardwood floors can easily become as good as new. Whether you are planning to have hardwood floors installed or simply interested in knowing more about them, here are some facts you should know.

It falls under the angiosperm classification

Hardwoods come from trees that shed their leaves and remain dormant in winter as opposed to softwoods, like holly trees and pine trees, that do not shed their leaves during the winter season. Some hardwood trees include oak, silver birch, beech and ash. Hardwoods fall under the angiosperm classification whereas softwoods are classified as gymnosperms.

The distinctive feature of hardwood is its pores or vessels

Compared to softwoods, hardwoods have a more complex structure. The main distinctive feature of hardwood is its pores or vessels that are varied in terms of size, cell wall structure and the shape of the perforation plates.

The many kinds of hardwood trees give hardwood a wide range of characteristics

There are many different trees that produce hardwood. Among them are oak, cherry, ash, maple, poplar and birch. Because of this wide variety, hardwoods come in many colors and textures depending on the tree it originates from. Hardwood coming from dense trees such as ironwood and mahogany can be heavy and hard while hardwood from the balsa tree is light and pliable.

It has a wide variety of uses

Because hardwood is long lasting and relatively easy to maintain, many homeowners love to have it as flooring for their homes. Hardwood is also common for making furniture, toys, sculptures and other wooden crafts. Some hardwoods are also used for constructing homes and boats.

It is aesthetically pleasing and incredibly functional

Hardwood has aesthetic and practical benefits with a timeless appeal that makes it easy to complement any room. Apart from its aesthetic value, hardwood is resilient, durable and long lasting. It is common to find old homes that still have their original hardwood flooring intact. Easy to clean and maintain, hardwoods can also retain heat and can help insulate a room during cold seasons.

There are significant differences between hardwood and hardwood veneer

Furniture pieces and flooring that are solid hardwood are made by adhering individual pieces of pure hardwood together. On the other hand, hardwood veneer is made by attaching a thin layer of hardwood to another type of wood. Although hardwood veneers are cheaper and resemble hardwood, they do not share the same durable properties of hardwood.

The unique characteristics of hardwood and the benefits it has to offer make it worth considering whether as a furniture application or as flooring for the home.

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