Hardwood Flooring and Carpet

Hardwood is a popular material for flooring as it is durable, long lasting and also provides an elegant and timeless style to a room. Hardwood is also very versatile and there are many different shades and finishes, which can suit all kinds of homes and interior designs, from ultra modern minimalism to traditional country cottage.

There have been some concerns in recent years of the sustainability of hardwood flooring, as demand for popular woods such as oak, maple and ash have led to over harvesting, and the severe decline of many natural woodland habitats. However you can get hardwood flooring that is sourced from managed, sustainable forests, and there are also some new and more environmentally conscious materials on the market such as bamboo.

Bamboo is a fast growing type of grass, which can mature in just three to five years, and is even more durable than many hardwoods such as red oak and maple. Bamboo is also highly flame resistant, and can be produced in a range of different finishes, including stains which can give it an antique look to rival the elegance and warmth of other more expensive hardwood floors.

Carpet is another good choice for home flooring, and offers you a vast range of colours, textures and patterns to choose from, which is why it is still the most popular type of flooring available. There are a wide range of different carpets to suit any budget, and they can be installed easily and cover any type of subflooring such as concrete, mezzanine or floorboards. Another benefit of carpet is that it helps to absorb noise, and is much quieter than hardwood, tile and stone surfaces.

If you want to find out more about the various different types of hardwood flooring and carpets there are available, then you can visit the World Floor Covering Association at  wfca.org. This website also provides information about the installation and care of all types of floorings, as well as tips on how to choose durable and cost effective environmentally friendly flooring options.:cool: