Wrought-Iron Shelving

Flooring Introduction

Floating Vanity Cabinets

Limestone Flooring

Elegant Master Suite

Hardwood

Long Lasting and Low Maintenance

Hardwood is a natural surface that consists entirely of wood. With proper maintenance, it will last much longer than any synthetic materials. Hardwood is available in many wood species that come in varying shades and grains. It usually comes in strips or planks, both of which are similar in size and shape, although planks are usually a little wider than strips. 

Styles
You will find differing opinions about whether or not hardwood is suitable for use in a bathroom, since moisture and humidity can cause wood to warp. If you are going to use hardwood, consider the following materials:

Maple
One of the hardest solid woods, it is extremely durable, but more expensive than other common species.

Oak
Probably the most popular hardwood choice, oak is less expensive than maple, but still provides durability.

Engineered Wood
Engineered wood is composed of several layers of wood, with a top layer made from a species like oak or maple and lower layers made from a less expensive wood. The multiple layers in the core allow for extra stability, as these woods can adjust more easily to changes in humidity. Because of this, engineered wood is worth considering for the bathroom.

Surface Features
The most common and practical finish for hardwood floors is a polyurethane sealer, which won’t need to be waxed on a regular basis. This will help your floor fight general wear and tear, and you can recoat it every five or six years. However, many finishes that result in a smooth floor can become slippery when wet.

Also remember that wood species come in different grades. Better quality or higher grades have fewer surface imperfections (like knots) than lower grades.

Finally, take into consideration that sun exposure can cause hardwood surfaces to fade.

Pros

• Low maintenance: polyurethane-coated wood floors can be cleaned with a vacuum, broom or a relatively dry mop.
• Hardwood will last much longer than most other surface options.
• Floors can be refinished so that they continue to look new.

Cons

• Moisture and humidity can cause floors to warp.
• Exposure to the sun can result in fading.
• More expensive than synthetic flooring.
• Smooth surfaces can become slippery when wet.

Price
Expect to pay about $7 to $100 per square foot. Higher quality woods and rarer wood species will be on the more expensive end of the price spectrum.