Hardwood Flooring
Looking to add warmth and beauty to your home? Hardwood flooring provides a classic elegance that can fit a wide variety of style and design schemes. Hardwood flooring comes in two options, solid and engineered. Ever wonder the difference?
Solid hardwood flooring is just that, solid hardwood with each piece being milled and made from 100% genuine wood. It typically comes in a ¾??? thickness and made in a variety of widths. Engineered hardwood can come in a variety of widths and thickness, but is constructed differently than solid. Engineered hardwood floors consists of several layers of hardwood and plywood/laminate bonded together, with the top wear layer being hardwood. Engineered hardwood, not being 100% solid wood, is less susceptible to changes in moisture and humidity. This makes it a great choice for Alberta’s dry climate.
In terms of installation, solid hardwood is typically installed by nailing the hardwood into the subfloor. Engineered hardwood on the other hand, can be nailed down or installed as a floating floor. Floating is the most common form of installation for engineered, which makes it very popular choice for do-it-yourselfers. In addition, engineered hardwood can be installed below grade, making it a suitable option for basements as well!
Did you know that hardwoods come in different finishes? Besides the traditional smooth semi-gloss or matte finishes, both solid and engineered can come in a distressed, hand scraped, or wire brushed finishes. With more unique, rustic looks, these provide more suitable finishes for households with children or pets.
Hardwood also comes in an array of species, each having a different hardness. Where does your hardwood rank?
