Walnut Flooring: Info and Benefits

Walnut flooring is a form of engineered wood flooring and is different from solid wood flooring. While solid hardwood floor comprise of each plank made of solid wood and milled from a single piece of timber, engineered flooring consists of two or more layers of wood in the form of a plank. The visible top layer, also called lamella, is bonded with the core which provides the stability. Solid hardwood floors were originally used for structural purposes but face limitations like it direct installation over concrete. In recent years, engineered flooring has seen a sharp rise in usage in lieu of its numerable advantages over solid hardwood. Make sure to study up on walnut flooring and on it's advantages while deciding what to buy.

Walnut, a medium density hardwood, is the only dark hardwood native to North America. It has a primarily straight grain but can also have natural veining and curling grain effect giving it a very distinctive style. The color ranges from an off white to a deep sensuous chocolate color to an elegant dark brown with purple hints when air dried. Walnut species range from a more widely used Black/North American Walnut to Peruvian Walnut, Caribbean Walnut and Brazilian Walnut.

Walnut floors have proved to be more popular because the wood is considered to look more appealing as it ages.

Engineered wood flooring has proved to overly beneficial in comparison to other flooring options like laminates or carpets. And, walnut wood flooring specifically, is a widely accepted choice due to its lightweight, flexibility and strength. Basic benefits include:

• Easy to install – pre-cut planks in various sizes and colors that can be simply laid out following instructions. Easily operable upon by tools.
• High durability and resistance to moisture, insects etc.
• Deep rich colors and natural grain designs give it a distinct and warm edge over other wooden floorings. Rooms can be made to look more elegant and enhance furniture shades
• Easy to maintain – walnut flooring possesses qualities like water-resistance, high density to protect from scratches and ease of cleaning. So it is easier to maintain its shine and durability,
• No problems of staining or allergens as is in case of carpeted floors

Choosing a hardwood flooring that suits your area of interest can be a tricky affair. It goes without saying that some amount of aesthetic sense and deliberation is required while choosing the type and shade of engineered flooring. You should keep certain things in mind while making this crucial decision –

Walnut flooring has dark overtones which can clash with the room furniture or make a room look smaller in which case you shall have to factor in increased lighting in the room.

Walnut is comparatively softer than other hardwoods (Janka Hardness 1010) and should be avoided in highly used areas which inevitably will increase maintenance.

Engineered Wood flooring can greatly enhance the experience in any surrounding, be it home, office or restaurant etc. The dark tones of Walnut Flooring especially can add warmth, character and en elegant charm to a room.