WOOD TYPE
The next consideration is how hardy the floor needs to be. “Some
softer woods won’t hold up well to matchbox cars and puppies,
so while you may love white pine, a nice hard oak floor is probably
more suitable for your lifestyle,” Mandy says.
Take your color and texture choices and match them withthe types of wood that will work best for your lifestyle. “In our
farmhouse, we have four dogs, lots of kids, muddy boots and even
a mini pony that has stopped in once or twice,” Mandy says. “We’ve
had our Antique Reclaimed Oak floor now for 11 years, and it still
looks just as fabulous today as it did the day it was installed.”
PATINAS AND FINISHES
As wood ages, it changes color and takes on a patina. This is
normal, but you’ll want to be aware of how your flooring might
change before you choose it. “Variables such as finish, exposure
to sunlight, cleaners and species will determine the changes,”
Mandy says. “At Olde Wood, we have developed a line of
cleaning products that work with our finishes to ensure the color
lasts a lifetime.”SEE SOURCES, PAGE 1 2 8.Make sure you inquire about
what type of finish a company
uses on their hardwood floors.
Olde Wood uses a matte finish
that helps the original color of
the wood last longer.30 • AMERICAN FARMHOUSE STYLE