Semi-Soft Flooring

The options for semi-soft flooring consist of soft and hard woods. It is considered semi-soft because it is a warm material and has some forgiveness underfoot. If maintained properly and installed correctly a wood floor is durable and can be a suitable option for any style kitchen. Its sleek look makes it a good choice to unify open plan homes. Its tone can project a cozy or cool ambiance depending upon your taste. While it is not as noisy as hard flooring options, rugs and mats can reduce room and foot traffic noise. It is recommended that you use non-slip rubber pads under rugs and mats to increase safety. Keep in mind that some inexpensive rugs with rubberized backing may discolor the wood floor due to a chemical reaction with its finish.

When installing a wood floor, the flooring materials should be stored in or near the kitchen so that they may acclimate to the room atmosphere. Stack each piece neatly with plenty of separating braces between each piece for proper support and air movement. For more tips about: installation, wood grading and finishing, radiant heating, multi-product usage, and case studies see The Hardwood Council's "Tips & Techniques" section on their site. They also have a FAQ section and/or will answer your specific questions through the Hardwood Information Center. You can also link to The Hardwood Manufacturers Association for additional information on hardwood flooring.

Materials
WOOD - natural material (soft and hard) with varied grains and colors even among the same species. Ash, Beech, Maple (Soft and Hard), Oak (Red and White), Cherry, Birch, Elm, Pine, Chestnut, Walnut, Sycamore, and Bamboo
· sheets, strips, boards, mosaic tiles, blocks, parquet, and tongue and groove
· can be installed in a variety of patterns
· sealed, bleached, stained, painted, stenciled
· sealing protects the surface from water, dirt and chemicals
· most common synthetic sealants are polyurethane, acrylic, and acrylic resin (which needs to be waxed)
· most common natural sealants are oil or wax
· prior to installation, wood should be stored in or adjacent to the area where it will be laid so it can adjust to the humidity and temperature of the area.
· installation on concrete requires an underlayment of a damp-proof skin or can be set as a floated floor

Advantages
· semi-soft floor surface that is comfortable to walk and stand on
· more forgiving to dropped items
· easily repaired and refinished
· vacuum or sweep the floor and avoid cleaning with water

Disadvantages
· dents and scratches easily
· surface needs to be refinished occasionally due to daily wear and tear
· standing water profoundly damages the wood

Costs
$ varied prices (veneered is less expensive than solid)
$ budget for professional installation