Hardwood Flooring

Types of Wood Flooring

1. Solid Hardwood Flooring - Many consumers associate solid wood flooring with the traditional look of a 3/4" x 2 1/4" strip floor. This product can only be installed by edge nailing, throught the tongue into a wood subfloor. Solid wood flooring is available in a variety of thicknesses, from narrow strip to wide plank widths. Depending on the thickness of the solid hardwood floor it can be sanded 1 to 7 times
2. Engineered - Engineered wood floors, previously categorized as laminated wood floors, were introduced to the industry in the 1950's. This type of wood flooring made it possible to install a wood floor directly on concrete as well as below grade. Addressing the expansion property of wood, three or more layers are glued together forming a veneer assembly. the top (face) veneer and back (bottom) veneer grain run parallel to each other, The center (core) veneer's grain runs perpendicular to top and bottom veneer grain. As a result of this cross-grain constructed product, when the product is exposed to moisture each layer is restrained by the other snd improved dimensional stability results.

Properties & Terminology

• On/Above & Below Grade Lavel - On/above refers to a subfloor level equal to or above the soil line. Below grade refers to subfloor level below the soil line outside.
• Tongue & Groove - In strip, plank, and parquet flooring a tongue is milled on one edge and a grove in the opposite edge. As the flooring is installed the tongue of each strip is engaged with the grove of the ajacent strip.
• Plank - Solid or engineered boards that usually vary in thickness from 1/4" to 3/4" and are 3" to 8" in width.
• Strip - Solid or engineered boards that vary in thickness and are less than 3" in width.
• Hardwood - Generally, one of the botanical groups of deciduous trees that have broad leaves in contrast to the conifers or softwoods. The term has no actual refernce to hardness of the wood. Look at janka hardness scale for actual hardness reference.
• Veneer - The individual layers of engineered hardwood floors.

Care and Maintenance of Hardwood Flooring

Most manufactures either make there own maintence products or have them made to their specifications. It is best to use these products because they have been formulated specifically to the chemical make-up of the manufactures wear surface. Most manufactures warranties are voided if non-recommended maintenance products are used . Always read the instructions to be sure not to void the warranty.

Important Rule - Almost all wood products will be adversly affected by moisture or water.

Preventive Maintence