Nowadays, hardwood flooring comes in a variety of styles. However, choosing the right flooring option is essential for your home; it is the first thing people notice when they enter your house. If you need to learn about hardwood flooring, read this article. In this article, you will learn everything about wood flooring, including its types, specifications, features, and more, so you can choose the right type of hardwood flooring for your home.
Types of Wood Flooring
1. Solid Hardwood
Solid Hardwood is highly durable and has a natural appearance. Its entire plank is made from pure wood and is around 18 to 20 mm thick. Due to its thicker surface, solid hardwood floors can be easily refinished as needed. Generally, it is a preferable choice for a living room, bedroom, or dining room.
As it is made from pure wood, it will swell in moist conditions, and that’s why solid hardwood flooring cannot be installed in certain areas of the house, such as in the kitchen, basement, or bathroom.
2. Engineered Hardwood
Engineered Hardwood is available in many styles, from traditional to innovative designs. Its plank consists of 5 to 6 layers, with the top and base layers using a wood finish. The Middle layers are made of plywood. Normally, engineered hardwood flooring has a thickness of 9 mm to 15 mm; therefore, it can only be sanded once or twice during its lifetime.
Unlike solid Hardwood, engineered Hardwood has good stability, which means it will not expand due to variations in humidity. That’s why it can be installed in all areas of the house, even in the basement. Most people prefer this Hardwood in the living area because they can easily find matching modern sofa sets to enhance the living area’s look.
3. Laminate Hardwood
Unlike solid and engineered Hardwood, laminate flooring does not give the look and feel of natural wood. It has four layers, with the upper layer protecting the surface from wear, such as scratches and stains. The layer below the top is made of marble or stone and has a quality printed design. Another two layers are made of MDF, which protects it from moisture.
Laminate flooring is easy to install and is available in different shapes, colors, sizes, and textures. The disadvantages of laminate flooring are that it is difficult to refinish and has a slippery surface.
Wood specifies
Here are some of the popular wood specimens.
Oak
Oak is a mid-priced type of flooring and is suitable in traditional areas. Oak is the most widely used Hardwood as it is highly moisture-resistant. It is available in beautiful colors like red and white.
Maple
Maple is one of the most popular types of wood because of its texture, light color, and long durability. It has a hardness of about 4 on a scale of 5, so it is the best option to handle heavy foot traffic. Maple tends to be less expensive than comparable flooring.
Hickory
Harder than comparable floorings, this is ideal for homeowners who expect a look of natural Hardwood. This type of flooring is easy to clean but difficult to install.
Bamboo
Bamboo looks like Hardwood, but actually, it is a tropical grass. It will not cause pain if you stand on it for a long time, as bamboo flooring is softer than any other hardwood flooring.
Walnut
Walnut is popular for their softness and chocolate-brown color. The swirling grains look beautiful in traditional as well as modern spaces. The only downside of walnut flooring is that it is somehow expensive.
Additional Features
Edge type
Generally, there are three edge types of hardwood planks. Square edge flooring gives a uniform and traditional look, as there is no gap between each plank. For a more distinctive look, choose bevel-edge flooring with a noticeable v-gap between each plank. The eased edge has a smaller groove than the bevel edge and helps to hide minor irregularities from the floors.
Installation patterns
A herringbone pattern is created by placing the planks in a zigzag style, and it is well suited in large rooms or halls. The other patterns, like parquet and basket brick, are created by placing planks parallel or diagonal to the wall and look great in almost any area of the house.
Gloss Level:
The gloss level you choose for your flooring can impact both looks and the amount of cleaning you will require. High gloss flooring requires more maintenance as it highlights imperfections. Semi-gloss flooring is the best option for those who prefer moderate shinier finishes. A matte finish helps to hide dirt and scratches and gives a modern look.
Hardwood Installation Methods
Once you choose the type and finish of the flooring you want, you must consider the installation method.
Solid Hardwood Installation Methods
Nail Down
This method installs solid wood flooring with a plank thickness of ¾” or more. In this method, nails are driven from the tongue of a plank to the subfloor.
Staple Down
This method installs solid wood flooring with a plank thickness of 5/8″ or more. It is almost similar to nail down; the only difference is that this method uses staples to attach the plank to the subfloor instead of nails.
Engineered Hardwood Installation Methods
Glue Down
This method uses a recommended amount of glue to add engineered hardwood flooring to your floor. The use of glue helps to eliminate sounds caused by your feet.
Floating
Floating is the cost-effective installation method of engineered Hardwood as it does not require any nails and staples. In this method, the plank floats over the subfloor instead of attached to the subfloor.
