| Teak flooring is a beautiful wood of varying color, depending on exactly where in the tree the wood comes from. It is a very popular choice in many upscale homes today, offering many pros in exchange for it’s slightly higher price. However, there are some important factors to take into consideration if you are planning on buying or installing this flooring in your home. Teak flooring is typically somewhat more expensive than its counterparts. This is due to a simple case of supply and demand; this wood is not widely available and must also be shipped from far away, generally Asia or the Philippines. Some homeowners may choose to install teak flooring themselves to lower to overall costs of the project, but most opt for professional installation, after having spent considerable money on the flooring itself. Although the flooring runs as high as $10 or more per square foot, most homes will be far less than that. Other than price, there are a couple other factors to keep in mind when looking at teak flooring. One is cleaning which must be kept up to keep dirt and other small particles from scratching the floor. Cleaning teak flooring with a sponge mop and water only keeps them looking their best without harming or discoloring them in any manner with various cleaners or chemicals. Try to get floors as dry as possible when cleaning and never leave puddles or standing water on the floor as this may damage the wood. Avoid all floor cleaners intended for non-wood surfaces; these dull wood floors and give them a dried out appearance. Teak wood contains an oil that repels insects, so it is unlikely you will have any issues with termites or other wood-loving insects when you install these beautiful floors. Teak also wears better than other wood under normal household conditions. Finally, it is an environmentally friendly option for those who don’t want to install wood floors in their homes knowing they have caused further harm or destruction to the rain forests of the world. Teak does not come from rain forests and so is considered the best “green” choice for wood flooring. Teak flooring provides a timeless and classy look in any home, weathers well and will last through the years of abuse the average floor takes without looking the worse for wear. Though the price may be somewhat higher than other options, it is worth the money to be able to rest easy, knowing that you have installed a high-quality, environmentally-friendly wood floor in your home. Just cleaning it regularly and correctly is all you need to do to ensure that your new teak flooring stays looking at fantastic as the day you had it installed. Teak flooring is clearly one of the premier choices in wood flooring for today’s homes. |