Types of Hardwood Floors
If you’ve ever watched an episode of home renovation TV, you know the allure of hardwood floors—and maybe even have pulled up some old carpet in your own home, furtively hoping for a glimpse of hardwood beneath. No matter which wood flooring type you have in your home, the look is classic and works with virtually every interior style. But not all wood flooring is the same! The type you choose—solid versus engineered, finished versus unfinished, oak versus pine—will have a huge effect not just on how they look but also how it wears, and how much you’ll have to maintain it over time.
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood is generally what most people think of when they imagine hardwood flooring. It consists of solid pieces of wood from your preferred species. The entire hardwood plank is constructed from that wood. People love solid hardwood for its natural beauty. It gives your home a warm, authentic charm, no matter the species. Solid hardwood flooring is also extremely durable. Install it right and maintain it as directed to ensure it lasts a lifetime. The downsides to solid hardwood are its high price and susceptibility to moisture damage. Don’t use it in rooms with high amounts of humidity.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood is constructed from several layers of wood pressed together. A layer of actual hardwood is laid on top of this core layer as well as on the bottom of it. The multi-ply construction of engineered hardwood flooring makes it less susceptible to moisture damage. The wood can expand and contract with no negative results as humidity levels change. Engineered hardwood flooring is also valued for its flexibility. It’s versatile enough to use in basements and upper-story floors. You can even install it directly over a concrete subfloor or a radiant heating system with no ill effects. An additional benefit of this type of hardwood flooring is its price. It’s just less expensive than solid hardwood flooring. The downsides to engineered hardwood are that it can’t be sanded and refinished, it’s not quite as durable and long-lasting, and it doesn’t add as much resell value to your home.
Most engineered floorboards will come pre-finished, meaning the stain is already on them before you install. Solid wood floors might come pre-finished or unfinished. Here’s the difference. Installing pre-finished floorboards means you won’t have to sand or stain them on-site, so if you’re concerned about fumes or dust, these are probably your best bet. They also tend to be more expensive to purchase for that reason. On the other hand, unfinished floorboards are sanded and stained on-site, so they allow for more control over the color and finish. While these boards may cost less than pre-finished boards, the labor and process involved in finishing them on-site will likely add up to more.
Hardwood floors are indeed very classic and timeless. Choosing and installing them must be carefully and professionally done. In Carver, MN and the surrounding areas, Simmer Flooring LLC is a trusted name when it comes to everything about hardwood floors. Call us at (612) 474-4682 for inquiries.