When you begin shopping for hardwood flooring you will discover that not only are there many different wood species and finishes to choose from but a number of different sizes as well. In the flooring trade narrow boards are generally referred to as strips and the wider ones as planks. What you may not realize though is that the size of the hardwood flooring boards you pick can make a difference to the way the finished floor looks in a room. The general rule of thumb is that thinner boards will make a smaller room appear bigger while wide planks are usually a better choice for large rooms.
Different hardwood boards also have different edge styles, and these too can impact the finished flooring. Here is a brief rundown of the hardwood edges that are most commonly available to choose from:
Squared Edges – Hardwood boards that have squared edges that means that the edges of each board are quite literally square, designed to create a neat and very uniform surface when they are all put together. Hardwood boards with square edges are an excellent choice for those looking for a very contemporary look.
Eased Edges – Eased edges are created when the edges of each plank or strip are beveled just a small amount. Some hardwood boards that are labeled as eased edge have been beveled along the length of the entire plank as well as at the ends to create a rather different look when the floor is laid. Eased edges are often used to camouflage slight imperfections in the planks themselves as well.
Beveled Edges – if you idea of a great room has a more informal, or even perhaps “country” feel to it then you will probably like the look of hardwood boards with beveled edges. These strips and planks have beveled grooves that are rather distinctive. Some people do not consider beveled boards as an option as they fear that dirt and debris trapped between the grooves will make the finished floor harder to clean. This is not true in the case of modern hardwood flooring though as the way they are finished at the factory means that those grooves are completely sealed with urethane.
To see some a number of a wide selection of hardwood flooring options please visit Aladdin Carpet and Floors