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Hardwood Information:
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Solid
Solid wood
is just that – one piece that is milled from lumber.
It comes in a variety of widths, from 2-1/4" to 5"
wide. It also comes in different thicknesses: 3/4"
is standard, but you can also find "thin profile"
solid that is 5/16" thick.
Keep In Mind:
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Moisture and extreme temperature changes can
cause solid wood to shrink and expand,
potentially causing gaps between boards
during colder or dryer seasons.
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5/16" thin profile solid wood can be
installed directly over concrete; 3/4"
can't.
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All solid hardwood can be sanded and
refinished if needed (required every 15-20
years).
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All
urethane
coated floors can be recoated as needed to
renew the surface of the floor. This is more
economical than sanding and refinishing.
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Site-Finished vs. Prefinished
Prefinished
A
pre-finish,
or factory finish, creates a no muss, no fuss installation.
There's no dust from sanding, no fumes from chemicals, no
waiting for the finish to dry. These floors are warranted to
last longer than site-finished floors–typically 15 to 25
years, versus three to five years. This is because factory
applied urethane finishes are much tougher and longer
lasting than site-applied finishes.
With
all the color choices available in pre-finished hardwood
flooring, there's no need to custom
stain
site-finished floors to get just the right look for your
home.
If you like the look of site-finished flooring, but want the
durability of prefinished flooring, choose a product with a
square end and edge.
Site-Finished
Advocates of
site-finishing
like the fact that the floor can be sanded after it's
installed to even out any imperfections. Site finishing also
gives you the widest selection of stain colors to choose
from. However, on-site sanding and finishing can produce
heavy fumes, messy dust and significant waiting time from
when the floor is laid until it can be enjoyed. In addition,
labor costs for on-site finishing may drive up your
installation costs.
Keep in Mind:
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Prefinished floors are warranted for a longer time period
than site finished floors.
Floor Score™ is a trademark of the Resilient Floor Covering
Institute.
Species
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Species
influences appearance. Traditional oak has
pronounced variations in grain and shade, while
maple's grain is cleaner and more understated.
Today, there are many exotic species available, such
as lapacho, tigerwood, and Brazilian cherry, that
have a distinctive combination of origin, color and
surface characteristics.
Keep In Mind:
Different species have different hardnesses that
affect durability. If your floor is likely to take a
lot of abuse, consider oak, maple, ash or Brazilian
cherry for extra resistance to indentation.
Many species of hardwood change color over time,
after exposure to sunlight. The degree of change
depends upon the species of the wood: for example,
cherry changes color quickly and dramatically when
exposed to
ultraviolet (UV) light.
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Edge Detail
The way the edges and the ends of the boards are cut is
called
edge/end detail.
Edge/end detail options include square, eased, microbeveled
and beveled.
If
you are looking for a dramatic effect, select a beveled
edge/end detail that emphasizes the definition of individual
boards. Square edges/ends create a smooth and seamless
appearance and give a prefinished floor the look commonly
found in traditional site-finished floors.
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Square |
Microbeveled |
Eased |
Beveled |
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Where Can I Use Hardwood?
Versatile hardwood floors look and perform great in
virtually every room of your home, with a few important
exceptions.
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Bathrooms
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Solid or engineered hardwoods are
not the best choice for a full bathroom due to the frequent fluctuations in humidity and the potential
for pooling water. Water from tubs and showers can
cause hardwood floors to buckle or warp.
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Solid or engineered hardwoods can be used in a
half-bath,
as long as the room does not contain a bathtub or
shower. |
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Basement
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Engineered hardwood is the only type of hardwood flooring that
is recommended for use
below grade,
making it an option for basements.
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In some dry regions of the country, solid hardwood can be used
below grade over concrete. Check with you installer,
first. |
Lifestyle/Performance
Durability & Life Expectancy
Both solid and engineered hardwoods are among the longest
lasting flooring options and, with proper care may never
need replacement. However, hardwood is susceptible to
scratching, especially in high traffic areas, or in
households with children or pets. Different types of wood
are more durable than others. If you want a floor that
stands up to heavy use, choose a species equal to or harder
than oak, such as maple, Brazilian cherry, or ash. Another
option is to choose a floor with a
distressed
visual that simulates an aged look, or a
handscraped product.
Typical Warranties
Prefinished hardwood floors typically carry a lifetime
warranty on structural integrity. Finish warranties can
range from three to 25 years. If you're looking for the best
warranty protection, prefinished floors are warranted to
last longer than site-finished floors–typically 15 to 25
years, versus three to five years. This is because
factory-applied urethane finishes are much tougher and
longer lasting than site-applied finishes.
Care & Maintenance
Waxing, once a necessary evil for wood floor owners, is not
necessary on floors with a
polyurethane
finish. Simply sweep and touch up periodically with a no-wax
floor cleaner, in accordance with the manufacturer's
recommendations.
Any solid hardwood or an engineered hardwood floor with a
top layer 1/10" thick or more:
When these floors begin to scratch or gouge, it's time to
sand and refinish. Refinishing can make a floor look brand
new. It also presents an opportunity to change the look by
choosing a different stain color. Refinishing should only be
necessary every 15 to 25 years.
Engineered wood with a top layer thinner than 1/10" thick:
These floors cannot be fully sanded and refinished. However,
they can be recoated with a fresh layer of polyurethane
whenever necessary. This will refresh the look of the floor
and eliminate surface scratches. With this process, you
cannot change the color of the wood.
Keep in Mind:
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Thin profile solid hardwood (5/16" thick) can only be fully
sanded and refinished once, but, it can be recoated multiple
times.
Pros and Considerations
Pros
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Appearance Improves with Age
Hardwood improves with age because it acquires a desirable
patina over time.
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Long Lasting
Hardwood is among the longest lasting of all flooring types.
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Great Investment
Although hardwood can initially cost more than some other
flooring options, it's an investment that pays off,
increasing the value of your home.
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Can Be Recoated
All hardwood can be recoated, allowing you to refresh your
floor to its original look.
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Easy Care & Maintenance
Hardwood is as easy to care for as most other floors –
waxing is not necessary for urethane finishes.
Considerations
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May Scratch
A hardwood floor's finish is susceptible to scratching from
traffic or pet nails.
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Limited Below Grade Installation
Solid hardwood cannot be installed below grade level;
engineered hardwood can.
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Full Bath Installation Not Recommended
Hardwood should not be used in a full bathroom because it is
sensitive to humidity and pooling water.
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Transitions to Other Floors
A new hardwood floor may be a different height than the
floor it adjoins. Thinner profile wood and transition strips
will help to equalize the difference
Information provided by
Armstrong Flooring |
