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Wood gives homes a warm look and feel. There are many types of wood, each with a distinct personality and characteristics. Pine flooring is one that remains popular over the years, regardless of the period or style used in designing the interior. The light yellow hue makes the pine hardwood flooring the appearance that it is glowing. Compared to other types of hardwood, pine wood flooring is easier to install and maintain.

There are more than 200 different varieties of pine wood.  As compared to hardwoods, pine is softer, making it more susceptible to dents and scars. Woods used for flooring need to be durable to withstand the pressures and stresses of moving people, pets and even furniture. Out of the lot, the Longleaf Southern pine is the most popular variety used as pine flooring. Also known as heart pine flooring, it is easily distinguished by yellow-orange hue with fine grains. Its name is derived from the knots, which sometimes come out in the shape of hearts. Homeowners commonly use heart pine because it is dense and less vulnerable to damage.

Pine flooring is readily available in hardware shops. A number of factors can affect the price of pine wood. These include where the wood was harvested or imported from, the grade as well as the width of the planks. Solid wood planks are the most expensive. Homeowners that are after the look and feel of fine but are unable to afford solid wood planks may opt for pine laminate flooring instead. A third option is reclaimed pine flooring. Taken from old homes and buildings, they are cheaper than newly milled solid wood planks.

Milled pine wood is often sold with a tongue and groove joint. This makes it easier to install pine flooring in one’s home. When ordering wood, it is important to get the dimensions of the space right and order approximately two extra boards. Having extra pieces makes it easier to select which ones to use. In case a mistake is made in cutting pieces, homeowners can use one of the extra boards. This is a cheaper and more practical option than paying for additional handling and shipping charges for extra pieces. Scheduling the ordering and installation is important. The wood must be stored on location for a minimum of ten days to help the wood acclimatize to the new temperature and moisture levels. Wood absorbs moisture. To make the pine flooring last longer, homeowners should try to keep the humidity at a constant level of 50%.