Selecting the right flooring for your home is no easy task. You literally have to go through a maltitude of options, floor usage, comfort, not to mention the budget. And even if you have narrowed it down to one type of flooring – such as hardwood flooring – you still have to choose the type of wood, the color to fit your interior decor, texture and finish. Whether it is a brand new home or a remodel, you still need to find the perfect fit for your life style. So, with that let us highlight some considerations you will have to make:
Solid or Engineered Planks
Solid wood: Found in most older homes. Their biggest benefit is that they are aesthetically appealing, have a life-time value and add ROI to the property. Apart from their natural beauty solid hardwood floors can be stripped, repaired, and refinished many times to restore them to their original beauty. Solid planks are installed on sub flooring. One of their main disadvantages is that wood can naturally expand or contract depending on the environment. They are also sensitive to excessive moisture and humidity. In both cases, they will eventually need repairs and refinishing. Another draw-back is that solid hardwood is a bit more expensive to purchase. However, a big plus is that solid wood can be finished on-site and closely matched to the existing interior. There are factory finished options available as well which can help you visualize the finished results and cut down on installation time.
Engineered hardwood on the other hand is constructed in multiple layers with a thin layer of solid wood on top. The products are engineered to prevent expanding and contracting by creating opposing forces within the boards. These planks are made of any type of wood imaginable and then factory finished. They can be layed on top of an existing floor which potentially can create a problem in clearance due to changes in the existing door or ceiling’s height. Engineered hardwood floors are a good choice for areas that can be subject to moisture such as a bathroom or kitchen. The downside to engineered hardwood floors is that they cannot be refinished. In the event of scratches, one could try to lightly sand and reseal, but that is all one can do.
Choosing A Finish
Even though there is a whole spectrum of top finishes to choose from, people usually resort to two main types: oil or polyurethane. Their choice is based upon the looks and maintenance requirements. You should consider usage when choosing which finish is right for your situation.
1. Water-Based Polyurethane
Like a high gloss finish? Then water-based polyurethane might be a good option for you. Made with synthetic resin, but, a major disadvantage is that these are susceptible to scratches because of its glossy looks.
2. Moisture-Cure Urethane
Moisture-cure planks are extremely durable and resilient to excessive scratches or harms. That is probably why they were used in bowling alleys, Since it is cured using air, this material application tends to be a little more difficult. High humidity conditions are not conducive to this type of finish. You can find this type of finish mostly in commercial premises.
3. Shellac
Shallac was developed as an alternative for polyurethane planks. Homeowners like this finish for its natural appearance and flooring contractors like the for its easy installation. But, on the flip side, Shellac is not very durable. When exposed to alcohol or ammonia, it can acquire white or yellow spots. However, the problem can be rectified by buffing the afflicted areas and apply a new coating.
Final thoughts on installation methods
The lenght of any installation is dependend upon the square footage, the width of the planks, and is there a lot of cutting required for nooks and crannies. Additionally, in the case of solid hardwood floor planks need to acclimate to their new surrounding, so that its moisture content will match the temperature of a room. Then, they must prepare their space for installations by removing older planks and mending the sub-floors, install, stain and top coat the floor. Factory-finished engineered woods doesn’t require any kind of acclimation since these are bonded with layers.
from West Coast Floor Company https://westcoastfloorcompany0.blogspot.com/2020/07/a-guide-to-choose-hardwood-floors.html
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from West Coast Floor Company https://westcoastfloorcompany.wordpress.com/2020/07/05/a-guide-to-choose-hardwood-floors/
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from Hardwood Floor Refinishing Vallejo https://hardwoodfloorrefinishingvallejo.blogspot.com/2020/07/a-guide-to-choose-hardwood-floors.html
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from Hardwood Floor Refinishing Vallejo https://hardwoodfloorrefinishingvallejo.wordpress.com/2020/07/05/a-guide-to-choose-hardwood-floors/
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