The History of Hardwood Flooring
The use of wood as a building material dates back before recorded history. Whether it was twigs and branches to build a crude shelter or heavier timbers to build stronger, more elaborate structures, wood has been used around the world wherever it has been available.
The use of wood as a structural building and flooring material is particularly prevalent in northern climates where the abundance and variety of larger trees enables the milling of larger posts, beams, planks and boards. Over the centuries, it was found that the most durable woods for this were those that were harder and denser. It became common practice to use such “hardwood” species as oak, ash and maple to build stouter structures and durable floors, and even hardier sailing ships to explore and conquer the world.
The use of wood as a flooring material started during the Middle Ages. Typically, floors of the common folk at that time were packed earth, stone or brick on the ground level and rough hewn oak or pine planks on the upper floor. Such wood was typically milled at the worksite using simple rudimentary hand tools (saws, axe, chisels, etc.). There was little standardization in sizing. These boards were planed by hand with no preference to equal width boards – just whatever could be made from material on hand. These were usually left untreated and regularly scrubbed with sand.
The use of more elaborate/finer finished wood flooring – some with hand-cut pieces inlaid into patterns were for the wealthier folk. In addition to inlaid patterns, these more expensive floors used various colours (stain)....the most prized, used parquet and even marquetry. Lesser expensive forms were achieved by painting patterns onto the wood floor itself using paints and stains to form patterns and designs. Such design techniques started in the early 1600’s and were more common in the Netherlands and a little less so in England. As time progressed, stained and polished wooden floorboards were used around the perimeter of rooms to frame carpets. It was during this time that elaborately painted “ornamental” oilcloths sealed with varnish were also used. This material later became linoleum.
With the advent of the industrial age and resulting machinery, finer milling and common sizing of wood flooring evolved. This period also heralded in the production of more ornate designs handcrafted into the wood. Ornate parquets were developed that are still in use today. The development of steam and electric power during this period also led to a growth in the need for more and better housing and subsequent demand for more wood flooring material.
At that time, most flooring manufacturers used oak because of its availability, low cost, easy machining, strength and beauty. This made oak the most popular finished wood flooring material for housing in both Europe and North America. With expanding demand and increasing world commerce, the use of different domestic “hardwoods”, as well as more exotic imported species, evolved.
The use of hardwood flooring has not always been a constant one however. As a result of the same industrial revolution and ever-changing design trends, new flooring material options popped up (carpet, resilient flooring, ceramic and stone tile, “bare” concrete) giving hardwood some solid competition. And as you might expect, the demand and use for each would fluctuate. For example, where once carpet was only for the wealthy, by the 1970’s it was everywhere and in the least expensive homes – while hardwood floors found their way into the higher priced custom home market.
A myriad of new patterns, textured surfaces and new finishes continues to reinvigorate the demand for hardwood flooring. The advent of impregnated wood has also resulted in hardwood flooring now being used in commercial and high-traffic public areas.
Evolving technology and the development of new “engineered” hardwood flooring, installation systems and adhesives has also resulted in a wider variety of flooring materials to choose from. As a result, hardwood flooring can now be glued to concrete, plywood, and old floors.
The use of wood as a structural building and flooring material is particularly prevalent in northern climates where the abundance and variety of larger trees enables the milling of larger posts, beams, planks and boards. Over the centuries, it was found that the most durable woods for this were those that were harder and denser. It became common practice to use such “hardwood” species as oak, ash and maple to build stouter structures and durable floors, and even hardier sailing ships to explore and conquer the world.
The use of wood as a flooring material started during the Middle Ages. Typically, floors of the common folk at that time were packed earth, stone or brick on the ground level and rough hewn oak or pine planks on the upper floor. Such wood was typically milled at the worksite using simple rudimentary hand tools (saws, axe, chisels, etc.). There was little standardization in sizing. These boards were planed by hand with no preference to equal width boards – just whatever could be made from material on hand. These were usually left untreated and regularly scrubbed with sand.
The use of more elaborate/finer finished wood flooring – some with hand-cut pieces inlaid into patterns were for the wealthier folk. In addition to inlaid patterns, these more expensive floors used various colours (stain)....the most prized, used parquet and even marquetry. Lesser expensive forms were achieved by painting patterns onto the wood floor itself using paints and stains to form patterns and designs. Such design techniques started in the early 1600’s and were more common in the Netherlands and a little less so in England. As time progressed, stained and polished wooden floorboards were used around the perimeter of rooms to frame carpets. It was during this time that elaborately painted “ornamental” oilcloths sealed with varnish were also used. This material later became linoleum.
With the advent of the industrial age and resulting machinery, finer milling and common sizing of wood flooring evolved. This period also heralded in the production of more ornate designs handcrafted into the wood. Ornate parquets were developed that are still in use today. The development of steam and electric power during this period also led to a growth in the need for more and better housing and subsequent demand for more wood flooring material.
At that time, most flooring manufacturers used oak because of its availability, low cost, easy machining, strength and beauty. This made oak the most popular finished wood flooring material for housing in both Europe and North America. With expanding demand and increasing world commerce, the use of different domestic “hardwoods”, as well as more exotic imported species, evolved.
The use of hardwood flooring has not always been a constant one however. As a result of the same industrial revolution and ever-changing design trends, new flooring material options popped up (carpet, resilient flooring, ceramic and stone tile, “bare” concrete) giving hardwood some solid competition. And as you might expect, the demand and use for each would fluctuate. For example, where once carpet was only for the wealthy, by the 1970’s it was everywhere and in the least expensive homes – while hardwood floors found their way into the higher priced custom home market.
A myriad of new patterns, textured surfaces and new finishes continues to reinvigorate the demand for hardwood flooring. The advent of impregnated wood has also resulted in hardwood flooring now being used in commercial and high-traffic public areas.
Evolving technology and the development of new “engineered” hardwood flooring, installation systems and adhesives has also resulted in a wider variety of flooring materials to choose from. As a result, hardwood flooring can now be glued to concrete, plywood, and old floors.