Hardwood Flooring : Differences Between Solid & Engineered Hardwood

Hardwood Flooring : Differences Between Solid & Engineered Hardwood

Solid Hardwood

Milled from one piece of wood, solid wood floorboards are generally three-quarters of an inch (3/4") thick. Solid hardwood can be installed above or on grade, but you don't want to install this type of wood below grade, since moisture makes it expand and contract. Remember: if even part of the area you're finishing is underground (like a walk-out basement) it is considered below grade. Hardwood flooring is not suited to install below grade level or in other areas where it may be exposed to moisture.

Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered wood floors constructed of multiple layers of cross grain that are bonded together.The upper layer is made of a real wood selected from various species. The lower layers are made of different types of wood and it could be natural wood or man-made wood like plywood. The grains in each successive layer have a different orientation making the wood more stable and less prone to warping. Stability is the biggest advantage of an engineered hardwood over the solid wood floor, thus it could be installed Below, On or Above Ground Level.

Engineered hardwood same as solid wood is available in pre-finished or unfinished, and can be find in all known species used in hardwood flooring industries along with many different finishes such as urethane finish or Oil Finish.

Engineered wood floor depends on its construction and dimensions can be direct glue-down, nail, staple or floated.

Poor constructed engineered wood floors use substandard glues that may contain volatile organic compounds. These cheap wood floors will emit VOC's for years. Engineered wood made from cheap glues or made with poor quality base layers is likely to unravel in the blink of an eye. It is also better to visit a physical store and get a first hand idea of the appearance and finish of a floor instead of relying on online pictures.

One of the most important fact we all need to consider while purchasing our new wood floor is that the plant has been taken, harvested, possessed, transported, sold or exported legally in any foreign country or the U.S. "Lacey Act" banning commerce in illegally sourced plants and their wood products. The following are "Lacey Act" plant violation:

Theft of plants Taking plants from an officially protected area, such as park or reserve, Taking plants without, or contrary to, the required authorization Failure to pay appropriate royalties, taxes or fees associated with the plant's harvest, transport or commerce Laws governing export or trans-shipment such as a log-export ban.

POST COMMENT

How to Get Your Site a Top Ranking in Search engines Sending Possessions And Luggage Abroad For Emigrating Is Smart Option Search engine as a Marketing tool Oil Spill Accelerates Demand for Electric Cars Importance of local Search Engine Optimization Leatherup: Important Things You Should Not Miss When Buying Motorcycle Gears Shipping Cars And Exporting For Emigrating Simple With Removals Assistance Why broadband reviews are an important part of comparison Mobile broadband and other broadband with no landline services Search Engine Marketing Guide Avail Best Quality Wedding Cars Only From Professional Chauffeur Start Home Based Business - 3 Common Roadblocks Encountered When Starting A Home-Based Business It's Very Simple To Find Used Muscle Cars for Sale