If you are remodeling your house, then it is possible that you would want food flooring in your rooms because it’s in trend. It not only has a timeless look but also gives a warm fuzzy feeling to your room. However, it very confusing when you try to understand the different types of wooden flooring. This article will explain to you the types and uses easily.
There are three basics of wood flooring. If you want wood floors, you have three main choices: 1.) solid hardwood, 2.) engineered wood, and 3.) laminate flooring.
SOLID HARDWOOD FLOORING
This flooring includes wooden flooring right from top to bottom. It is packed in wood, and you won’t find any trace of any additional material other than wood; this is also why we call it “hardwood floor.”
Now, there are two kinds of hardwood flooring, one is unfinished, and the other is prefinished. Just like the name suggests, unfinished is relatively cheaper than prefinished. You need to be careful with unfinished as you cannot walk over it before immediate light sanding, staining (optional), and sealing after installation. In contrast, with prefinished, you can easily walk over it right after installation. Unfinished hardwood flooring needs almost 48 hours to set. Sometimes, an additional coating may be required; the only advantage with unfinished hardwood flooring is that you can seal it to your exact specification.
Most people are becoming environment-friendly, and one popular hardwood flooring is bamboo flooring; it is highly valued for its “green” qualities.
Hardwood flooring needs a wooden sub-floor; you cannot install it on any concrete existing floor. It needs to be nailed, and that is why it will be wise of you to hire a hardwood floor installers.
Hardwood may be classy, but it is very much prone to scratches and dents, so before you buy, look at the Janka hardness rating scale and buy a species (i.e., oak, ash, etc.) of wood appropriate to your lifestyle and your budget.
Hardwood may be expensive than another wooden flooring, but it has decent longevity and can be re-sanded numerous times. However, never install it in areas like the bathroom or basement as it is ruined easily from moisture.
ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORING
If hardwood flooring burns a hole in your pocket, then you can opt for an engineered wood flooring as it is a cheaper alternative. Engineered wood is a sandwich of ply and wood, making it a perfect fit for areas like the bathroom and basement as it is capable of standing moisture.
Another advantage of engineered wood is that it has a wide range of installation options. You can install it anywhere as you like; the thinner varieties can be nailed down, while the thicker kinds can be installed as floating floors. Unlike hardwood flooring, you don’t need any sub-floor or large stapler for engineered wood. The only disadvantage of this kind of flooring is that it has a thin top layer and cannot be sanded more than twice, which decreases its longevity.
LAMINATE FLOORING
Laminate flooring is nothing like real wood flooring; it comprises a thin top layer of resin-infused paper, all on top of a wood-chip composite. So, technically it is wood.
It is basically an outstanding photograph of wood; one may confuse it with real wood unless they put it under the magnifying glass inspection. Since it is cheap, many people prefer buying it, thinking it is an alternative to wood. Furthermore, it is scratch-resistant and works fine in moist environments like bathrooms and basements. However, its resin layer makes it slippery and hard to walk on.
Now that you understand the pros and cons of each type of wooden flooring, you know which fits your preference the most. No matter which one you choose, always hire a professional to install such wooden flooring as they have the right technique to go about the whole process.
