As consumer demand for hardwood flooring has increased, so has the manufacturer's ability to evolve and produce advanced quality finishes and superior construction techniques. As a result, hardwood floors can now be installed throughout the home on all grades and on a wide variety of subfloors.
As a consumer, knowing the available product options and applications will allow for a much more thorough understanding on how to evaluate both the proper selection and performance of your hardwood floor.
Solid Hardwood Flooring
Solid wood floors are one solid piece of wood that consist of a tongue and groove type locking system. Solid wood flooring is generally ¾ inches thick, minimally 2 ¼ inches wide with random board lengths however sizes and board thickness will vary depending on the manufacturer. Solid hardwood flooring selections will come both unfinished and pre finished.
Solid hardwood flooring is a natural product which will expand and contract in response to seasonal changes, temperature, humidity and moisture. In the winter heating months, moisture leaves the wood causing the floor to contract.
In the summer months when the humidity is higher, solid hardwood tends to expand. Excess moisture conditions may cause solid hardwood planks to cup or buckle. A properly regulated climate controlled environment is the best recommendation.
Because solid hardwood floors are sensitive to moisture, nail down applications are not recommended for installation below grade (ground) level or directly applied to a concrete slab. Solid hardwood floors can be refinished or recoated based on the manufacturer specifications.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
An engineered hardwood floor consists of a hardwood core, plywood or HDF and a top layer of hardwood veneer that is glued on the top surface of the core and is available in almost any hardwood species.
The engineered hardwood floor will demonstrate the natural characteristics of the selected wood species. Engineered hardwood flooring has been designed to provide greater stability, particularly where moisture and temperature are concerns and where a solid hardwood floor would not be an appropriate application.
Engineered hardwood flooring overcomes instability issues of a solid wood floor by constructing a multiple-ply plank which counteracts twisting and will remain flat and intact. This makes engineered hardwood flooring a better option for installation over radiant heat sources, over concrete whether it’s below grade or above, and in rainy climates.
When installing either a solid hardwood floor or an engineered hardwood floor, the installation professional is required by industry standard to leave an expansion gap which allows for the proper expansion and contraction of the hardwood floor. Adequate product acclimatization will further insure that the flooring installation is of the highest installation quality and standard.
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Laminate vs. Hardwood Flooring
The tradition of hardwood floors dates back hundreds of years, their beauty and warmth have downed the halls of castles and brought elegance to many a modern day dining room. Whether it’s casual or formal, the natural beauty of hardwood can bring warmth and character to any room and suit any décor. Hardwood floors are however porous, resulting in a weakened structure that is both easy to stain and scratch. This in part has lead to the invention of laminate flooring.
While capturing all the beauty and elegance of hardwoods, laminate flooring is both durable and easy to maintain. Its machine made construction will not stain, warp or buckle and the Aluminum Oxide coated surface gives it a high degree of scratch resistance that is perfectly suited to heavy foot traffic. Unlike hardwood, laminate floors have water resistant cores and wax impregnated edges making them resistant to topical water spills, and allowing for installation in kitchens and bathrooms.
The allure of laminate flooring lies not only in its representation of real hardwood and its incredible durability, but also in the ease with which these floors are installed and maintained. The introduction of glueless laminates has revolutionized flooring, opening the door to the DIY market and weekend enthusiast. No prior experience, specialized knowledge or tools are required. Simply place on the floor, cut the odd piece, click, and your floors are ready to be walked on. The work is time consuming and hard on the knees, but with savings of up to 40% of total job cost, it just might be worth the hardship.
Laminate flooring is highly stain resistant and requires very little routine care and maintenance, freeing up your time to relax by the pool. Simply sweep the floor daily with a soft bristled brush and damp mop as required. As a precautionary measure, place foot mats at external doorways, thus preventing the tracking in of dirt, and furniture pads under the feet of furniture in order to prevent scuffing and scratching.
Laminate flooring is available in a plethora of styles and designs. Each wood species displays its own unique characteristics, each lending itself to a different design aspect. Choose the grainy appearance of Oak to add charm to any rustic interior, or utilize the grain-less consistent landscape of Maple to bring continuity to modern décor. Remember to use light colors to visually expand a room, while adding dark color for a more intimate feel.
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