Engineered Wood Flooring
Engineered wood floor construction consists of 3 to 10 layers of wood (typically 5). Each layer of wood is called a “ply” and they are oriented in different directions for strength, and then glued under pressure. This construction technique results in a wood floor that is more stable than a solid wood floor. Stable meaning the floor is less susceptible to shrinkage and expansion movement due to fluctuations in humidity or temperature. These floors are also able to be installed directly over concrete and may be installed in below grade applications unlike solid wood floors.
Another feature of these floors is that they come in standard tongue and groove and can be installed using nails, floating (requires glue) or some manufacturers offer interlocking engineered floating wood flooring that requires no glue. These interlocking floating wood floors are the easiest to install and require no specialized tools.
Engineered Flooring Species Options
Whatever specie of solid hardwood, there is equivalent specie of engineered wood flooring. Here are just a few:
- Hickory – Rich, hand-scraped hickory gives your house a timeless feeling.
- Oak – Traditional red oak is inexpensive and always looks great.
- Bamboo – Bamboo engineered flooring? Well, all bamboo flooring is engineered. Bamboo flooring is cheap and “green.”
- Maple – Maple is an elegant finish, appropriate for dining, living, and family rooms.
Engineered Wood Floor is Pre-Finished
The top finish layer is pre-finished, which means that it’s already sanded and sealed. As soon as the floor has been laid, you can walk on it.
Engineered Wood Flooring Can Be Sanded
The advantage of engineered wood flooring versus laminate is that engineered wood can be sanded after scratches and dings develop.
What about Areas with Light Moisture?
Engineered wood flooring works well in kitchens, basements, and bathrooms where light moisture might be present. Still, it doesn’t hold up to really wet areas such as basements that flood frequently. Nor does it hold up to kids’ bathrooms which, as you may know, tend to flood frequently.
A Range of Installation Methods
Unlike solid wood, which must be nailed to a wood sub-floor, engineered wood can be installed in a different number of ways. Depending on the type you buy, it can be either:
- Nail-Down Floor. This is for the 3/8″ thick floor–its thinness requires nailing to enhance stability;
- Glue-Down Floor. The 1/2″ thick floor can be nailed down; or;
- Floating Floor. The 5/8″ planks are thick enough to act as a Floating Floor.
- Solid Wood Flooring
Solid wood flooring is fabricated from 3/4″ thick solid wood and has tongue and groove sides to join the boards. Some manufacturers make a thinner version that is 5/16″ thick. The main advantage of solid wood flooring is its ability to be re-sanded and refinished over many years. It is not uncommon for solid wood floors to last 50 years or more.
- These floors come unfinished or prefinished and in almost any wood species you can imagine.
- The main issue to consider with these floors is because they are solid wood, they are susceptible to expansion and contraction due to humidity changes in the home. To accommodate this movement, these floors are installed with a 5/8″ to 3/4″ gap around the perimeter of the floor along the wall and the gap is covered up by the baseboard and shoe molding.
- Also, 3/4″ thick floors should not be installed in a below grade condition such as a basement, however the thinner 5/16″ wood floors may be used in that application. When installing a solid wood floor over new or recently washed concrete, be sure the manufacturer’s recommendations on limits of moisture in the concrete are followed.
- Prefinished solid wood floors often come with slightly beveled top edges where the tongue and groove meet. Unfinished wood floors that are sanded, stained and finished on the job site will have a smooth seamless joints.
- 3/4″ wood floors require a specialized tool for nailing the boards together. The thinner 5/16″ wood floor is installed using staples or glue.
Some Different Flooring choices to consider
Flooring can make a dramatic difference in the appearance of your home. It will also contribute to the resale value, and it enhances the ambiance of a home. There are a great many choices to consider when deciding on the flooring for your home
Hardwood Flooring
Because of the natural beauty and durability of solid hardwood floors, they have been around for centuries. Solid wood floors are a timeless investment that can produce a lifetime of beauty and add value to the home. Wood floors come in Maple, Pecan, Beech, Cherry, Oak, Pine, Birch, Walnut, Hickory and more.
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo is more environmentally friendly than hardwood floors, and it is actually not wood – it is a grass. Bamboo is very durable, elegant and versatile. The natural variations of color that is unique to bamboo come from carbonization and are usually a honey brown color or light tan.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate floors are cheaper than hardwood and they are easy to maintain. The laminate flooring is virtually resistant to burns, scratches, chipping and is great for high traffic areas.
Ceramic Tiles
The most waterproof type of flooring is ceramic tiles, they can be used as floor tiles or counter tops, indoors or outdoors. The high gloss finish is usually the most popular for counter tops, although they do tend to scratch.
For outdoor flooring, the unglazed finish is preferred because of the possibility of standing water. This type of finish on ceramic tiles is also commonly used in showers. Finishes available are: matte, embossed, glazed and textured ones for anti-slip.
Marble Floors
Marble products are processed everywhere in the world from metamorphic rock blocks that contain mostly calcium carbonate that are quarried. Marble tiles make an elegant foyer and come in many colors.
Carpet & Rugs
In efforts to rectify the difficulties of installation, carpet tiles are now offered. Carpet tiles are squares, like ceramic tiles, which have been proven to be superior in choices in every way. This new carpet can be easily installed by most homeowners. Another benefit is that if there is a spill on the carpet, just one tile needs to be replaced.
Linoleum Flooring
Linoleum is made only from raw, natural materials and it is preferred environmentally because of the material. Linseed oil is the main ingredient. Mineral pigments are responsible for the beautiful rich colors of the linoleum. The linoleum flooring comes rolled and ready to install and is available in varying thickness.
Vinyl Sheet
Vinyl floors used to be called linoleum floors and it is available in a variety of colors and styles. Vinyl flooring is excellent in bathrooms and kitchens. This type of flooring has an ease of installation and is quite affordable. As an alternative to flooring with ceramic tiles, vinyl floors give the same look as tiles, except they cost less than ceramic tile.
Rubber Flooring
There are several places that this type of flooring would be excellent, like recreation rooms, home exercise rooms, playrooms and children’s bedrooms. There is very little maintenance required, just a routine wash and occasional sweeping is all it takes. Rubber floors come in many colors as well as cut and inlaid designs, too. They retain their sheen and color for years.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate floors are engineered to resist moisture and won’t trap dirt or allergies for a cleaner indoor environment for you and your family. And with our commitment to responsible manufacturing and eco-friendly practices, you can enjoy a fresh indoor environment without compromising the environment outside.
Beautiful wood grains help add dimension and warmth to your home.
High-pressure laminate construction ensures that your flooring maintains it beauty.
High-pressure laminate provides a well balanced & stable floor with chip-resistant edges and superior impact resistance. Our high density fiberboard with wax impregnated edges increases the floor’s impact and water resistance. A built-in underlayment reduces sound, while saving time and money during installation.
CONSTRUCTION:
1) Wear Resistant Overlay
2) Melamine Impregnated Decorative Sheet
3) Layers of Treated Kraft Paper
4) High-Density Fiberboard (HDF) Core
5) Sealed Edges via Wax Impregnation
6) Balancing Layer of High Pressure Laminate (HPL)
7) Patented Aluminum Locking System
8) Built-In Underlayment
GOING GREEN…At Hessed, Inc. protecting our environment is an important part of who we are. That is why we use EPA approved materials and participate in Eco friendly practices.