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Posted on April 1, 2006 by Alphonso Sirtle.. | Posted under Home Improvement
Solid Hardwood Floors - Simple The Best
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There are a few options when you decide on what type of construction you want for your wood. You have three options: engineered with hardwood core, engineered with HDF core, and solid hardwood flooring. Each has benefits, and each has downfalls. Deciding which is better for you is as easy as looking at the environment you live in and what type of sub-floor you plan on using. Solid hardwood flooring is pretty much just like it sounds. This is a plank made of solid wood. Usually, the plank is about " thick. The benefits of this is that the hardwood flooring can be resanded and refinished over many generations. However, solid hardwood floors tend to expand and contrast with the environment the hardwood flooring is maintained. Installers will take measures to compensate for this by adding expansion gaps in certain areas for the flooring. Engineered hardwood flooring is a manmade item that is made of three to fine layers of hardwood or other material. Each layer is added in a cross-grain pattern and bound together using extreme pressure and heat. This is ideal for the changes of humidity that many homes suffer from. This does not have the same problem with expansion and contraction. Is this right for you? Maybe it is; maybe it isn't. You should decide what you want in a hardwood floor. There are three basic categories that hardwood flooring fits into when considering the location. You have the on-grade or ground level. The above-grade is for second levels or higher, then you have the below-grade of hardwood flooring that will be installed below ground level. Solid hardwood flooring should not be used in an area of high moisture or humidity, or if you plan on installing it below ground level. Engineered hardwood floors add extra stability and are historically moisture resistant while giving that beautiful hardwood floor look and feel we all admire so much. I find it necessary to mention that solid hardwood flooring should never be installed over concrete. You should always install solid hardwood flooring over plywood, OSB subfloors, or other types of wood. This allow for the expansion and contraction that plaques solid hardwood flooring. Concrete does not allow for the breathing room needed by solid hardwood flooring. Deciding either engineered or solid hardwood floors is not always an easy choice. You should take a close look at the benefits and downfalls of both types before making a decision. You will get the best out of your flooring if you take a solid, honest look at what you are expecting compared to what you will be getting. About The Author: Alphonso has been working in the home remodeling industry for last 5 years. Take advantage of his experience and written material on flooring ideas at his website at http://www.improve-home.com |
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