Wood is a natural fiber. This seems obvious, but this fact brings with it some implications that not every builder adequately considers, until a job gone wrong makes it too late. So to bring it back to extreme basics, lumber is manufactured from the cellulose stems of large trees, and while humans tend to think of the function of wood in terms of floors and walls, the tree itself uses these fibers to transport moisture and nutrients from the roots to the leaves.

In other words, untreated wood is a virtual sponge, designed by nature’s goodness to absorb humidity and expand to accommodate an increased supply of it. While this is perfect for the needs of a living tree, it can be disastrous for the home builder who fails to take into account this basic property of lumber.

Preventing climate-related warping and buckling is a task which must be approached proactively. For builders in moist environments, guarding against humidity and temperature-related damage should be considered at each phase of the planning and installation process.

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That new living room presents a world of possibilities. Décor, furnishings, art and collections all add a tasteful, personalized touch to the center of your household or office. You have many choices about how to outfit the most important rooms of your home or business, but all of them begin with a very basic decision: what type of flooring to use?

In years past, wall-to-wall carpeting has been the most popular option, but there are many reasons to shun the shag: studies show that rug fibers retain environmental contaminants and germs in many homes, and are often responsible for allergies among pets and children. Furthermore, the burden of maintenance, not only constant vacuuming but regular and expensive deep cleaning, has caused many homeowners to turn away from fiber-based flooring.

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Installing a hardwood floor represents a major investment of time and money. Whether you do the work yourself or hire a contractor, preserving the shine and veneer of the most-punished surface in the home is a top priority.

Wood treatments often contain toxic ingredients, such as toluene, which is hardly the sort of stuff you want toddlers or pets crawling over, so consider this factor when selecting a top coat for wooden flooring.

In general, the darker the stain; the more natural the formula will be, as the most toxic substances in wood sealers and protectors are employed to preserve a transparent finish. Natural oils and pigments, especially those approved for use in the food industry, are to be preferred over synthetic blends which are not appropriate for human consumption. After all, even if you don’t plan to dine on the floor, shouldn’t it be fit to eat off of anyhow?

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Sometimes, a perfectly good floor needs a facelift. Maybe the rains came before you could protect your porch or you had a big moving in party before you properly sealed your living room floor. Perhaps you inherited your flooring from someone who failed to take proper care of the hardwood floor and it is looking dull and scratched.

Frequently all you need is a good polishing and the wood will look good as new. A simple test with a few drops water will let you know whether advanced measures are warranted. If a drop of water beads and rolls, your surface is still in good condition. If it beads before soaking in slowly, you can get away with a good cleaning and polishing.

On the other hand, if the floor absorbs the water immediately, the wood fibers are exposed to the elements, putting your floor at risk for warping and further damage. In this case you are in need of a refinishing or replacement.

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Hardwood is nature’s finest building material. Strong, durable, and readily shaped and molded, technology has not been able to match the exquisite qualities of rich hewn lumber, and timbered cherry, oak, and other traditional species remain the source of choice for twenty-first century builders.

Harvesting trees was once a relatively harmless activity, and logging could be maintained on a small, local scale without measurable impact on the forests. However, as the human population explodes, and the global demand for lumber rises, deforestation is rapidly becoming a concern. Increasingly, builders and suppliers are turning to more sustainable methods, in order to ensure that future generations not only have wood for building, but vibrant groves of old-growth woodlands and clean air to breathe as well.

The best answer to this challenge has been the tree farm, an innovation which economically replaces native timbering with an eye toward the times ahead. Not only do these farms prevent the denuding of critical habitats, by planting exotic species such as teak, they have actually reduced the cost of these woods which once had to be exported from remote tropical locations.

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