HARDWOOD FLOORING

Ease of maintenance

Maintenance of today's wood floors is easy. New technology in stains and finishes call for regular cleaning that takes little more than sweeping and/or vacuuming, with occasional use of a professional wood floor cleaning product. You will want to use a cleaning product recommended by your flooring manufacturer, installer, or another wood flooring professional. This will ensure that you use the proper cleaner for your type of flooring and finish.

Ecological

Wood floors are ecologically friendly. Since it is a natural resource, wood is both renewable and recyclable. Many of yesteryear's old wood ships, warehouses, barns, and other structures often find a second life in wood flooring. And, because wood does not collect dust and other allergens, many leading health associations agree that wood floors are the perfect choice for a healthy home.

Types of Wood Floors

The two types of wood floors available in today's market are solid and engineered.

Solid Wood Floors

Solid wood flooring is exactly what the name implies: a solid piece of wood from top to bottom. The thickness of solid wood flooring can vary but generally ranges from 3/4" to 5/16". One of the many benefits of solid wood flooring is that it can be sanded and refinished many times. Solid wood flooring can be installed above or on grade.

Engineered Wood Floors

Engineered wood floors are real hardwood floors that are manufactured using three to nine layers of different wood veneers. The sub-layers can be of the same species, or of different species. The grain of each layer runs in different directions, which makes it very stable. This means that the wood will expand and contract less than solid wood flooring with fluctuations in humidity and temperature. The top layer of engineered wood flooring consists of high-quality wood. While this type of flooring can be sanded and finished, it cannot be refinished as many times as solid wood flooring. Engineered wood flooring can be installed above, on, or below grade.