Bangor Metro | September 2010 Page 42

42 Bangor Metro september 2010

Hardwood Floors

Hardwood flooring is one of the most
traditional and gorgeous types of floor-
ing there are. If taken care of, hardwood
flooring can last a lifetime and it's not
uncommon for floors to be passed down
through multiple generations. Is your
hardwood floor looking a little lackluster?
No problem--they can be sanded down
many times over the years to expose
their original color and glow. This type
of flooring is also popular because it's an
easy way to incorporate green living into
the construction of your home.

Maine's cold winters and mild sum-

mers are ideal for the slow growth of
timber, which makes for better wood for
flooring. Maine timber has been proven
to have a tight grain and rich hues. Plus
we have a wide variety of types of wood
growing in our own backyard that are
popular choices for a wood floor: ash,
birch, cherry, hard and soft maple, and
several varieties of pine.

If you want to be even greener, look

for reclaimed wood to turn into planks
for a hardwood floor. While it'll be more
expensive, it will bring warmth and per-
sonality into your home that carpeting or
linoleum just can't touch.

Oak Cabinets

Not only does oak have great strength and
hardness as a building material, it also has
very attractive grain markings, especially
when it is quartersawn--making it one of
the most popular and sought-after woods
for kitchen cabinets.

Oak has been prized since the Mid-

dle Ages for use in interior paneling and
in the construction of fine furniture and
was used in Europe for shipbuilding until
the 19th century. Today oak wood is com-
monly used for flooring, timber-framed
buildings, and veneer production.

Oak can range in color from a golden

yellow to a creamy off-white to a salmon-
pink hue. It can also contain green, gold,
or black deposits that happen during
growth. Humans can't easily mimic this
natural beauty.

Businesses and craftsmen who work

in the cabinet and furniture-making in-
dustry are easy to find in Maine, where
we appreciate handcrafted, quality prod-

Top: Granite countertops

make a statement in

any kitchen.

Right: Hardwood floors

are clean and classic.

Bottom: You can use tiles

in a variety of different

ways--be creative!

S p e c i a l p r o m o t i o n a l S e c t i o n

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