Hardwood Floor Advantages And Selection
By Gerry Marsh.
Hardwood floors are more sanitary than other types of flooring but in high traffic areas, especially when there are pets or children, will be prone to showing damage. Hardwood floors can be a positive selling aspect of a home, adding warmth and richness to the overall decor. They add natural, long lasting beauty to any home.
Solid Wood Floors
Solid wood flooring is usually nailed into a plywood subfloor and should not be used below grade. It is easy to maintain and cleans well. If you can’t restore your solid hardwood floor’s luster with deep cleaning or by simply buffing, you may can apply a “maintenance coat” of finish. If solid wood floors show severe wear they can generally be refinished to a like new appearance.
Engineered Floors
Engineered flooring is made from several layers of wood and is designed to withstand higher levels of humidity so it can be placed in different areas of the home. Engineered hardwood floors have cross-ply construction which reduces the expansion/contraction of planks caused by variations in humidity and allows these floors to be installed anywhere in the home. They are actually more dimensionally stable and move less than solid wood floors, can be used in a wider variety of applications, and are less subject to moisture variations. Engineered flooring can actually be refinished in some cases, but usually at the most only once or twice, depending on the depth of the veneer.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is an inexpensive, long-lasting and durable flooring option. It is a material that is made to resemble wood flooring. Laminates are a low maintenance floor that will provide years of satisfaction but are more easily damaged by falling objects and more difficult to repair than solid hardwood floors. Laminate flooring has been used for years in homes and businesses in Europe.
Installation
Installation of solid hardwood floors is usually left to the professional who have all of the tools and experience to do an expert job. If you are an able do-it-yourselfer you will gain much satisfaction in installing the floor yourself. Installation of engineered flooring is simpler as some is of the “floating” variety, meaning that the flooring is laid over a vapor barrier but is not actually attached to the underlying floor. Hardwood floors are more difficult to install and expensive to repair if damaged. Choose a pre-finished floor if you want to quickly finish an area without the smell and dust of a traditional installation or refinishing.
Finishing Your Hardwood Floor
Finishing a floor in your home can take as many as five days, but you can customize your floor’s color and choose the type of shine you prefer. Finishes applied in the factory are uniform; finishes applied in the home can be consistent as well, with the proper site conditions and skilled professional installers. If you do it yourself, an easier route to go is pre-finished strip flooring. Whether the floor is an 100 year old first time refinishing or a newer floor that shows wear and tear can be sanded and refinished to look almost like it’s new.
Summary
Hardwood floor installation or refinishing hardwood floors can enhance the beauty, value, and comfort of your home or business. Hardwood floors are easier to clean — and keep clean– than carpeting. Hardwood floors are warmer than stone or cement. Their natural beauty, durability and ease of maintenance, make hardwood floors the right choice for your next flooring project.
Gerry Marsh invites you to visit http://home-improvement-center.delect.us for all of the latest “how to” information and sources of hardwood floors. Whether you are planning to install new or refinish your existing hardwood floors, you are sure to find wha
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