Hickory / Pecan Wood Floor
Pecan: Back in the day, Westward pioneers used Hickory to make wagon wheels. Today, Pecan Wood is a great add-on piece to any room in the house. As a flooring option, Pecan Wood is one of the harder woods on the market today. Pecan does not respond well to nailing or sanding because of its light color and density, however gluing is fine. Pecan wood is durable, tough and has a stiffness found in no other commercial wood. This dark reddish-brown wood is perfect for carving baseball bats, golf clubs and even used for cooking-due to its high shock resistance. The wood is manageable; and with proper care, you could walk on a lifetime value.
Hickory: This type of wood is great for a rustic or ranch-style home. Depending on what look you are trying to achieve, different grades of Hickory are available so you can choose a style of your own for your home. Hickory heartwood is tan or reddish with a white or cream sapwood color. The texture is moderately rough and has a closed grain (unlike Pecan). There are some positives when looking at Hickory; it is a strong, tough wood that has a stiffness not found in other commercial wood. On the downside, sanding may be difficult due to density and the wood is prone to splitting, but with the proper care, you could walk on a lifetime of value.
How is your hardwood floor supposed to look?
Appearance: Hickory heartwood is tan or reddish with a white or cream sapwood color.
Grain: Hickory Woods have a closed grain with a moderately rough texture.
Properties: Hickory is the hardest, heaviest and strongest American wood. It is prone to splitting when nailing.
General Guidelines to Keep Your Hardwood Flooring in Great Shape
Keeping your hardwood floors looking great is essential since hardwood is one of the most expensive floor types around. Simple steps can prolong the life of your hardwood floor, regardless of the type you may have. Here are some tricks that will keep your hardwood floor looking new:
- Close curtains and blinds- UV rays from sunlight can fade colors on floor and sometimes cause discoloration
- Place floor protectors under furniture
- Clean, wipe or blot spills immediately to help prevent stains.
- Place doormats at every door- this helps to trap dirt at the doorway instead of transferring it to the floor inside the home. The coco mat, featured on QVC, traps all types of particles such as dust, mud, snow and can be used for the front door, patio or even the garage.
- Take care when moving heavy objects like furniture and equipment- utilize furniture coaters to transport heavy objects across floors.
- Dust and vacuum floors regularly to maximize beauty and decrease buildup of debris
- Exercise caution when using bleaches, mildew removers, oven cleaners, drain openers and plant food as these contain strong chemicals that can discolor floors.
- Always follow your manufacturer’s guidelines on products that are safe for your hardwood floor type.
- Rearrange area rugs occasionally as they block sunlight causing a discolored appearance under the rug.
- Avoid exposure to water on hardwoods.
- Maintain normal humidity of 40-60% throughout all seasons of the year to reduce the natural expansion and contraction process typically found in hardwoods. Humidity levels can be maintained with air conditioners, humidifiers, de-humidifiers or with a heating system.
- Keep pets nails trimmed and filed and remove stiletto style heels to minimize scratches.
- Never clean hardwood floors with steel wools or scouring powders as these can cause damage.
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