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Types of Wood Floors
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Solid Flooring
(On or Above Grade)
All wood flooring, regardless of
width or length, that is one piece of wood from top
to bottom is considered solid flooring. Solid
flooring gives you a great opportunity for
customization. Your choice of species, stains and
finishes all contribute to the personalization of a
solid floor. This is an excellent choice in most
areas of a home on the ground level or above. |
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Engineered Flooring
(On, Above or Below Grade)
This wood flooring product consists
of layers of wood pressed together, with the grains
running in different directions. It is available in
3 and 5 ply. Engineered flooring is perfect for
those areas of the house where solid wood flooring
may not be suitable, such as basements, kitchens,
powder rooms, and utility rooms. Because the grains
run in different directions, it is more
dimensionally stable than solid wood.
Laminate Flooring
(On, Above or Below Grade)
Simply put, it's an ultra-durable high density
plastic product that looks like a real wood or stone
floor, yet costs about one-third less than the 'real
thing,' it is easier to install and typically lasts
longer. Laminate also offers a variety of other
benefits, including:
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High UV resistance, blocking the sun's harmful
rays and protecting the floor pattern from
fading over time.
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Easy installation.
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Excellent warranty protection.
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Easy repairs, since damaged planks can be
replaced without contrasting with the pattern of
surrounding boards.
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Easy cleaning, since laminate flooring doesn't
trap dirt. Most spills can be cleaned up with a
terry cloth mop, Swiffer or sponge.
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Types in
Rooms (Solid and Engineered)
Advances in wood
flooring during the past few
years mean that you now can have
wood flooring anywhere in your
home or business. Where you want
to put it, however, will
determine the type of wood
flooring you can use.
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Styles of
Wood Floors
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Strip
flooring
Strip
flooring is linear
flooring that is usually
2 1/4", 2 1/2", or 3
1/4" wide. It creates a
linear effect in a room
often promoting the
illusion of a larger
space. |
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Plank
flooring
Plank
flooring is also linear,
however, it is wider in
width. Common widths of
plank flooring are 3",
4", 5", and 6". |
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Parquet flooring
Parquet
flooring is a series of
wood flooring pieces
that create a geometric
design.
Grades
The
appearance
of the wood
determines
its "grade."
All grades
are equally
strong and
serviceable,
but each
affords you
a different
look.
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Clear
Clear
wood is
free of
defects,
though
it may
have
minor
imperfections.
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Select
Select
wood is
almost
clear,
but
contains
some
natural
characteristics
such as
knots
and
color
variations.
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Common
Common
wood
(No. 1
and No.
2) has
more
natural
characteristics
such as
knots
and
color
variations
than
either
clear or
select
grades,
and
often is
chosen
because
of these
natural
features
and the
character
they
bring to
a room.
No. 1
Common
has a
variegated
appearance,
light
and dark
colors,
knots,
flags
and
wormholes.
No 2
Common
is
rustic
in
appearance
and
emphasize
all wood
characteristics
of the
species.
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First
First
grade
wood has
the best
appearance,
natural
color
variations
and
limited
character
marks.
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Second
Second
grade
wood is
variegated
in
appearance
with
varying
sound
wood
characteristics
of
species.
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Third
Third
grade
wood is
rustic
in
appearance
allowing
all wood
characteristics
of the
species.
Cuts
The angle at
which a
board is cut
determines
how the
finished
product
looks. Wood
flooring is
either
plainsawn,
quartersawn
or riftsawn.
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Plainsawn
Plainsawn
is the
most
common
cut. The
board
contains
more
variation
than the
other
two cuts
because
grain
patterns
resulting
from the
growth
rings
are more
obvious.
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Quartersawn
Quartersawing
produces
less
board
feet per
log than
plainsawing
and is
therefore
more
expensive.
Quartersawn
wood
twists
and cups
less and
wears
more
evenly.
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Riftsawn
Riftsawn
is
similar
to
quartersawing,
but the
cut is
made at
a
slightly
different
angle.
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