There are a number of aesthetic and practical benefits to birch flooring, which is considered by many to be a good alternative to maple and oak. Much like other hardwood flooring options, birch flooring is very durable. As long as it is kept in good condition and refinished as needed, this kind of flooring stands up well to the normal wear and tear that the floors in most homes endure. Prices fluctuate over time and vary depending on the variety of birch that is being used, but birch flooring is usually comparable in price to oak and maple. One of the aesthetic benefits of birth flooring is that the wood comes in many colors and can even display a range of colors in a single piece of lumber.
Birch flooring ranges in color from warm blond colors to deep reddish hues. The tones can also range between light tones and warm tones. With such range, this kind of flooring can be used in a number of types of rooms and can work within a variety of color palettes. Some people even choose birch lumber that displays a range of colors. This color variation is usually attributed to the fact that the heartwood is much darker than the sapwood. This kind of lumber can be used to create a hardwood floor that has a lovely texture or pattern.
The most common kinds of birch used for flooring are sweet birch, yellow birch, and paper birch. These three woods vary in hardness, but can all offer a good quality of lumber for hardwood flooring. No matter what kind of birch is used, birch flooring can make a room feel warm and inviting. People who are building or remodeling a home in hopes of selling often use hardwood for their floors as this feature adds value to the house.
Another reason to use birth flooring is for health purposes. Carpeting, even when it is vacuumed and shampooed on a regular basis, can collect dust, bugs, and germs. Unlike hardwood floors, it is nearly impossible to completely disinfect a patch of carpeting, not to mention the fact that birch flooring is almost entirely stain-proof. People who suffer from allergies often find that they benefit from living in a space that is outfitted with hardwood floors instead of carpeted floors.
