subject: The Different Kinds of Wood Flooring [print this page] Finding the ideal floor for your home might appear like a problematic process, but really it simplly depends upon having the information, evaluating the variations and picking out the right person to fit it.
The first question you are almost certainly to ask is 'what type of wooden floor is best'. The answer depends upon a number of factors like which room you are looking to install it in, your way of living and the budget you have available.
There are three categories of wood flooring; solid wood, engineered wood and laminate. There are pros and cons of each and it's important to fully understand what each kind can provide before committing to a final decision. Hardwood flooring is typically considered the most popular variety of wood flooring. However, limited budgets and an involved maintenance and installation process have meant that lots of individuals are beginning to turn to other kinds of wood flooring to satisfy their desires.
Solid Wood Floors
As the name signifies, this form of wood flooring is solid wood completely through. Solid wood is milled from one piece of wood. It is occasionally known as 'hardwood flooring' and is probably the most common style of wood flooring used in homes right now.
Solid wood flooring has several benefits. With its elegance being the main focus, it's very important not to forget the more practical advantages for instance strength, stain resistance (including wine and food), simple to clean, warm to the touch, hygienic and dust free making it particularly good for allergy sufferers. This flooring option can be vulnerable to scuff marks and dents however this is no hassle in the long terms since solid wood floors can be re-sanded several times, increasing it's life for decades. It should be appreciated however, that solid wood may not be the best option for damp areas such as kitchens or bathrooms since it has the characteristics to expand or contract if subjected to varying temperatures or a damp environment. It is normally recommended that set up be taken on by a professional, since solid wood flooring shouldn't be laid straight on concrete or on top of your existing floor, instead it must be nailed to a wooden sub-floor.
Engineered Flooring
Engineered wood flooring is manufactured by laminating a real wood layer onto a base of wood. Engineered flooring has a top layer of solid wood above several criss-crossed layers of hardwood or softwood boards, on a plywood or veneered base. This form of flooring is widely known as incredibly stable because of the cross-layered construction, and is a good option to solid-wood flooring.
Engineered wood floors are very flexible and may be installed invisibly nailed, floated on wooden floor with underlay or bonded with wood adhesive. This is a practical option to look at if you are interested in install the floors yourself. Engineered flooring is a great choice for rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms as it has restricted typical expansion and greater dimensional stability. The negatives of engineered flooring are that it won't have the same life span as hardwood floor, and if any extreme damage is caused to the wood it cannot be restored as simply and can in all probability only be sanded a maximum of twice.
Laminate Flooring
The remaining type of wood flooring is laminate. It offers a equivalent look and feel to a solid wood floor however is typically less expensive and in many ways more resilient. Laminate flooring is produced by producing an image of wood on a layer of plastic, which is laminated to a board backing.
Laminate flooring is generally of remarkable good quality, making it sometimes hard to tell apart from its more costly counterparts. With textured finishes and bevelling options available this type of flooring can easily still give a real wood appearance at a much cheaper price. Set up is easy in comparison to the solid wood floor which is why many people opt to lay it on their own. Because laminate is not attached to the sub floor, levelling is essential to making certain a superior quality finish. If the sub floor is unequal then the laminate may have a spongy feel. Due to the fact some laminates make use of a click system, with no glue it is feasible to walk on it right after installation. Laminate is highly tough and resistant to typical wear and tear including scratch resistant and is simple to maintain, which makes it perfect for busy homes and lifestyles. It is successful in wet environments such as bathrooms and kitchens and price wise it's considered an ideal alternative.
