hardwood flooring 2010

Classically beautiful are the words Jonathan Woody, founder of Artisan Hardwoods, uses to describe the reason for hardwood flooring’s popularity. “It is the most versatile option available because it goes with just about every style from rustic log cabin to contemporary mansion,” he says. “It makes new construction homes look expensive and modern, and it makes older homes look historical.”

Another reason for hardwood flooring’s popularity is the increased value of homes featuring it, according to Paul Richardson of Metro Carpets, LLC. “Hardwoods not only offer increased home value, but offer easy maintenance, long life, a luxurious look, and are allergy-friendly,” he says.

Anna Aycock of Designs by Anna Aycock reports that she sees hardwoods in every room in the house, but less in kitchens and baths. Their advantages include warmth and continuity through the home, she says.

Hardwoods are longer lasting than carpet and easier to maintain than carpet, she says.

Among hardwood flooring’s most popular attributes is the fact that it doesn't’ harbor allergens, according to Just Design This’s Amanda Sweeney.
But it may be hardwoods’ green characteristics that most appeal to buyers, the experts agree. “The ‘green’ movement has only helped the hardwood flooring industry,” says Woody. “Though some alternative surfaces are being touted as ‘green’, wood flooring itself  is the only flooring option that is completely sustainable and environmentally friendly. It also has the least impact on our environment—it is carbon neutral, uses fewer fossil fuels in its  
production, has less water consumption in its production, and has the longest service life of all flooring options,” he says.

In the case of many hardwoods, you may even know your local manufacturer, such as Fox Hardwood Lumber of Franklin, a family-owned sawmill and flooring producer.

A new green hardwood flooring material recently introduced is Shaw Industries’ Epic® Series, which has environmentally green features and uses 50 percent fewer harvested hardwood trees than comparable engineered hardwood flooring. Features include a finish six times more durable than any other finish on the market, according to Johnny Shellie of Watson Floor Gallery.

In addition, Shellie says the product offers a hardness rating  more than 100 percent greater than the original species and carries a 25-year warranty as well as a lifetime structural integrity guarantee against warping, cupping, buckling, or delamination. The product is  also moisture resistant, and most species are approved for use with radiant heat systems. “In addition, Shaw’s ScufResist™ Platinum finish has six times the scuff resistance of any other  
polyurethane hardwood finish in the marketplace,” says Shellie.

There are a number of sources for hardwood flooring in the Nashville area including:

Artisan Wood Products
Nashville
615/ 463-8711

Designs by Anna Aycock
Brentwood
615/ 794-7561

Fox Hardwood  Lumber
Franklin
615/ 799-8170

Just Design This
Murfreesboro
615/ 578-4738

Metro Carpets LLC
Nashville
615/ 228-6477

Watson Floor Gallery
Brentwood
615/ 371-1111