The Floor Club

This finish soaks into the pores of the wood and hardens to form a protective penetrating seal. The wax gives a low-gloss stain sheen that wears only as the wood wears. It will not chip or scratch and is generally maintained with additional thin applications of wax. Usually, wax finishes are applied more often than surface finishes. Only solvent-based (never water-based) waxes, bussing pastes or cleaning liquids specifically made for wood floors should be used

Hardwood and Softwood are terms used to describe the botanical characteristics of wood and do not indicate texture or density. Softer woods tend to dent, giving an "aged" appearance that appeals to many decorators. Douglas fir, redwood and some pine species are examples of softwoods often used for their color and patina. Sand or grit from foot traffic can scratch and cause excessive wear to some wood flooring. It is a good idea to choose a very dense hardwood covered by several coats of wear-resistant finish for those areas. High density, hard textured woods with appropriate finish surfacing (walnut, pecan or hickory) work well in higher-traffic applications.

In choosing the right wood flooring, it is important to be practical without sacrificing visual appeal. Wood is one of the most beautiful, warm and richest of floor covering materials and can provide many years of service when properly installed and maintained.

Hardwood

To estimate roughly how much material is needed, plan to add 5 to 10% to the total square footage of the area. This will insure that there will be sufficient material for details, such as extending flooring into door openings. It will also provide a margin for error and waste. It is a good idea to make a dimensional drawing of the project area. It can be used to indicate the exact placement of fixed elements and to give an accurate representation of the area when planning seaming and focal points. This drawing can also be useful when computing square footage and planning the layout of any design elements.

Measure the overall length and width of the area at the largest dimension, multiply the length by the width for total square footage. For example, if an area is 10 feet long and 8 feet wide: 10'x 8' = 80 square ft.
Measure the length of any permanent feature at its base and multiply it by its width. Subtract that amount from the basic square footage.
Measure the length of each nook, bay and closet and multiply it by its width. If the flooring will extend into those areas, add this amount to the basic square footage.
Create a dimensional drawing using the above information.

Wood Plank or Strip is usually sold by the square foot and is available in a variety of length, width and thickness. Always add 1.5 square feet for each door opening plus 3% if the area is fairly "regular"; add 5% if the area has curves, "jogs" or nooks.

Woodblock and Parquet is also sold by the square foot. Add 1.5 square feet for each door opening and 5% margin for error and waste.