Few materials are more robust and stylish than structural hardwood. As a matter of fact, Australia is especially famous for its reserve of native hardwoods, with large amounts of aesthetically pleasing and durable styles. And for the environmentally conscious among you, you'll be very pleased to know that native hardwoods are now specifically sourced from forests that are sustainably managed, which hasn't always been the case.
What about seasoned hardwood?
To answer why seasoned hardwood is a strong choice, let's first define what seasoned hardwood actually is. Seasoning refers to the removal of moisture from timber, and that also extends to drying timber. There is a greater dimensional stability to solid seasoned hardwood timber, because it tends to be much less susceptible to splitting and warping. The process of seasoning hardwood timber accentuates the core properties of the timber and, in turn, amplifies its rigidity, compression strength, and bending strength.
What makes hardwood so popular and robust?
Structural hardwood is ideal for practically any structural application you can think of, including joists and bearers, sub-floor construction, over openings, stair components, wall lintels, highly loaded truss members and high-strength structural beams. Seasoned structural hardwood offers superior nail-holding capabilities and a consistent thickness and form. Moreover, a hardwood floor is a great alternative to carpet or other flooring alternatives. In practical terms, structural hardwood is more resistant to damage from liquid spills and other common household accidents that could ruin a carpet. Another common reason that people opt for a hardwood floor over, say, carpet is that hardwood floors can be a lot easier to remove fur and other pet waste. However, if you own any pets, especially dogs, and decide to go down the hardwood route, it is imperative that you clip your dog's (or dogs') nails on a routine basis. Keeping them trim will help to ensure that you prevent your hardwood floor from become scratched.
Overview
Regardless of what you intend on using your hardwood for, there is no doubt that hardwood design is a solid choice, especially when it comes to house design. There are many varieties of hardwood, so make sure you do plenty of research before settling on a hardwood design. Ensuring that you select a good species of hardwood is an excellent first step towards completing your project. Consider everything from your budget, the weather conditions where you live, and the colour you wish to get.
