What is Beech Hardwood Flooring?

Durability

One of the key ways of determining the durability of a hardwood floor is through its Janka scale rating. The Janka scale places a numerical value on the softness or hardness of a particular wood. A low score of zero indicates a wood is too soft for flooring while a high score of 4000 indicates the wood is much too hard to be suitable for flooring. The Janka scale rating of the beech wood is 1300, making it slightly harder than red oak. This rating indicates that flooring made from beech lumber is suitable for hardwood floors that would receive moderate to heavy foot traffic.

Workability

Beech lumber is extremely difficult to work with hand tools which made it unfavorable in the past as a flooring option. However, with the use of machinery beech lumber is much easier to work with. Because beech lumber can shrink significantly, it is of the utmost importance that it be dried thoroughly and carefully. Once dry, it is strong, heavy, and hard. It is resistant to shock and quite suitable to steam bending. Once processed, it wears very well and is easily treated with preservatives, but it can be somewhat difficult to stain. Both gluing and nailing properties are good. It has exceptionally good resistance to wear, making it an ideal choice for hardwood flooring.

Care and Maintenance

Even though beech wood flooring is relatively hard and durable, it is still a wood product, and it can be damaged. Preventative maintenance and routine care are necessary in order to retain the natural beauty of this flooring. Preventative maintenance begins with placing runners or rugs in high traffic areas such as entryways and hallways. Wearing shoes with heels on the floor can damage it over time and should be limited. Pads need to be placed under the legs of furniture and chairs to limit deep gouges from developing and to minimize damage if the pieces should need to be moved to a different location in the future. Homes with animals should make an effort to keep animal’s nails trimmed in order to prevent accidental indentions and scrapes as the animals move from room to room. Regular care is also important in maintaining the beauty of the beech floors. Sweeping on a regular basis, or vacuuming on a hardwood setting, can remove sand and dirt that can scour the polish away over time. Spills need to be cleaned as soon as possible to prevent stains from settling into the wood. Further cleaning instructions are typically dependant on the type of finish chosen for the flooring.

Environmental Issues

Beech trees have long been described as the mothers of the forest because of the nutrient rich humus they provide. Beech trees produce nuts that provide food for a number of animals including birds, mice, chipmunks, black bears, deer, and foxes. The most significant mortality risk for the American beech tree is the deadly combination of insect and fungus. The insect is the beech scale. It attacks the bark of the tree, wounding it. This wound makes it susceptible to the fungi. Both N. coccinea var. faginata and N. galligena can infest the beech tree with spores that eventually will kill the tree. Currently, the only cost effective method of preventing the spread of the fungus has been cutting down affected and surrounding areas. Ornamental trees that are of high value can be saved through the use of insecticides to prevent the initial damage by the insects.