Understanding where certain types of hardwood flooring
can be used should be foremost in any selection
making in order to have a successful installation for
years to come. Our illustration on the right gives us
an idea where some products can and cannot be used.
The brown area represents the soil line and red common
floor joist systems.
A vast majority of construction in the United States
is plywood over floor joists with basements below. The
preferred type of product would be the more
traditional solid 3/4" material that will outlast our
lifetimes, providing it's taken care of properly.
These products can be completely refinished many times
over. In most cases color changes can be made, but
requires very knowledgeable professionals.
Other products gaining popularity in recent years
would be prefinished engineered. These are constructed
in ply fashion similar to that of common plywood with
an actual hardwood veneer on the surface, commonly
called the wear layer.
Wear layers can vary from one prefinished manufacturer
to the next. One key to look for in choosing an
engineered product would be the thickness of the
veneer or wear layer. Nearly all manufacturers produce
thin and thicker wear layers, the latter having the
ability to be refinished. Often price can dictate the
wear layer thickness. Some cannot be completely
refinished.
How many times an engineered hardwood can be
refinished should be a concern for those that plan on
living with their new hardwood floor more than 10-20
years, but will depend on what you perceive as needing
refinishing. Minor scratches, dings and dents add to
the character of hardwood flooring. Some are fine by
the added character that comes along with age and use,
others may not be.
If you're seeking near perfection and desire a
flawless appearance, your floors may need refinishing
every five years. Choosing a product with the thickest
wear layer should be considered. Most of the better
engineered hardwoods have veneer thicknesses of 1/8"
and more. With the right professionals and a flat
subfloor these can be successfully refinished at least
two or three times. Color changes may reduce this
number. Finally, engineered products are more stable
(minimal if any expansion and contraction)¹
than solid hardwood due to the way they are
constructed. They are recommended for in floor radiant
heating systems as well.
Random Length² or One
Size Lengths?
All
manufacturers are different. Some may offer random
length or one set length hardwood. Random length is
defined as each piece being different in size between
the shortest and longest. For example, one may say 12"
- 60" random length. This means the shortest pieces
will be 12" and the longest 60" with the others being
different sized in between. Random lengths offer a
more traditional look. Some products may be
manufactured in one length only, but to an untrained
eye will look similar to a random length hardwood
floor if installed properly.
Some confuse one length hardwoods as being too uniform
in appearance. One length products should be installed
randomly. Creating the random look begins with using
different sized boards at the starting area. They
should be cut randomly with no particular measurement
used. Once starter boards are cut and full length
pieces are installed adjacent to them, a random look
appears as shown in the first illustration above..
¹ Floating floors
excluded. |
