Hardwood

  An interesting thing is going on in the world of hardwood which reflects an interest in less formality, as well as wood which requires less maintenance for busy people. Especially if they have kids and pets. Basically, these are more rustic looking woods, which come from the factory with varying degrees of "distressing." These character woods, some of which are actually made from reclaimed materials, all have the advantage of a great factory finish, but also hide any imperfections, dents or scratches that may come with normal daily traffic in the home. What people like is the relaxed and authentic look and the forgiving nature of these floors.    

The green movement is really taking hold in our country as environmental concerns hit us on the news daily. One interesting product is cork, which has actually been used as flooring since the 1800's. Cork is considered "green" because it is harvested from the bark of Mediterranean cork oak trees which live to be 100-120 years old. In fact, there are some trees that are known to be as much as 500 years old. The bark is harvested every 9-11 years while the trees remain alive and healthy.  And with improved finishes, today's cork flooring is quiet, comfortable, durable, naturally fire resistant and easy to maintain.