Woodflooring in the Philippines extends back to colonial times, particularly in the
Spanish era. This was when window panes were made of capiz shell and spacious living rooms were a thing.
Wood
flooring is classic and timeless; it exudes warmth and natural beauty; it
possesses appeal and character. This type of flooring also enhances a home’s
resale value. This is why many households in the Philippines still prefer wood
flooring inside their abode.
There
is something to wood flooring that attracts even the meticulous homeowner. Yet,
don’t be deceived by its plain and laid-back look. Wood flooring may be the
simplest flooring in terms of appearance there are many factors you should
consider in choosing one either for residential or commercial use. This is not
like laminate or vinyl flooring that you can pick one out based only on the
pattern or color.
Below
is your guide to choosing the right wood flooring:
Unfinished or
Pre-finished
·
Unfinished – this requires more
work because after installation in the job site, it must be sanded and finished
additionally. The staining and coating, which are done several times, are also
applied. It is a messy and time-consuming process.
·
Pre-finished – the sanding,
finishing, staining and coating are completed in the factory. DIYers and
builders prefer pre-finished flooring because you just have to lay and fasten
it to the subfloor.
Three Major Types
·
Solid
wood floors
– National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) describes it as a “solid piece of
wood from top to bottom.” It can be sanded and refinished many times.
·
Engineered
wood floors
– is a hybrid-kind of flooring. According to Popular Mechanics, “it’s composed
of three or more wood layers glued together into long planks, with a top layer
composed of a thin solid-wood veneer.” It is more stable than solid wood
floors. This flooring has a tongue-and-groove system and considered as a ‘floating
floor.’ It doesn’t require nailing or gluing unlike solid wood floors, Popular
Mechanics further explains.
·
Acrylic-impregnated
wood floors
– “is infused with sealant and color throughout the thickness of the wood,”
HowStuffWorks states. This is even the top choice of commercial establishments.
It is more durable among the three and highly moisture- and scratch-resistant.
The Janka Hardness
Scale
Did you know that there are more than
a thousand of wood species in our planet? This is the estimate of International
Wood Collectors Society. You can tell which is the hardest wood based on its
specie. The Janka Hardness Scale, an industry-wide known standard that
determines the hardness of a wood, has a complete list here.
Styles
·
Planks – it has two
varieties of width, ½ inch or ¾ inch. It is usually can be seen in large or
wide-open rooms.
·
Strips – this is the most
common style of flooring. Wood Floors Online says, due to its ‘linear effect’,
it gives the room an illusion of being larger and more spacious.
·
Parquet – the stylish among
the three, parquet is composed of complex or simple geometric patterns.
Installation Methods
Wood flooring in the Philippines can
be either nail-down (stapled) or glue-down (with adhesive). On the other hand,
only engineered wood flooring has a ‘floating system’ as we mentioned above.
Just
like any other flooring, wood flooring must be maintained and cleaned
regularly. Use only cleaning products made specifically for wood. In case of
spills, wipe it immediately because it can damage the floor and make it lose
its shine. Don’t damp-mop or steam clean a wood floor. To avoid scratches on
wood floors, place rugs in areas with high traffic; vacuum or sweep it
regularly; and place felt pads or cushions under the furniture or appliance.
It
is true that wood flooring requires high maintenance to retain its pristine
condition. Even so, wood flooring in the Philippines inarguably has stood the
test of time, for more than a century, way back from our ancestors. It creates a homey feel in our houses and an
aura of sophistication in corporate establishments.
