Hardwood Buying Guide
Hardwood floors are beautiful and can increase the value of your home.
There are a wide variety of species, styles and finishes, as well as
trim and moldings to fit your needs. Hardwood floors can be installed
almost anywhere including basements, but you must take moisture and
subfloor material into consideration when selecting the style of floor
to be used.
Basic Subfloor Types
- Cement below ground level (basement)
- Cement at ground level
- Plywood at or above ground leve
Four Basic Types of Hardwood Flooring
- 3/4″ Solid: Standard
solid hardwood flooring comes in a variety of species and finishes. It
can only be installed over plywood subfloor at or above ground level. It
can typically be sanded and refinished (check warranty).
- 5/16″ Solid: Thinner
solid hardwood flooring comes in a variety of species and finishes, can
be installed on concrete or plywood subfloors at or above ground level.
Can typically be sanded and refinished (check warranty).
- Engineered: Engineered
hardwood floors use a true hardwood veneer (not a printed pattern like
laminate) and come in a variety of species and finishes. This flooring
was engineered to handle moisture better than traditional hardwood
flooring. It can be installed over a concrete subfloor in the basement
or any other level in the home. Engineered hardwood is a more
environmentally friendly option because it requires far less material to
produce the veneer than solid hardwood planks. Some engineered floors
can be sanded and refinished (check warranty).
- Locking Hardwood: Locking
hardwood floors are engineered floors as above but they have the added
benefit of a locking tongue and groove installation system. No fasteners
or glue are required during installation making this the easiest
hardwood flooring system to install. The moisture barrier must be
installed first, then the planks are locked into place.
What Can I Install Where?
- Install any type of hardwood floor over a plywood subfloor
- Install any type of hardwood floor on ground level concrete except 3/4″ solid
- Only install locking and engineered hardwood floor in basements
Material
There
are a wide variety of species, finishes and styles of hardwood
flooring. Make sure to choose the right hardness and finish for your
application. There are many colors from stained finishes to natural and
exotic hardwoods with clear protective coatings. Hardwood floors now
come in traditional widths and wider widths which show off the grain of
the wood. Also, many textures are available from standard smooth to a
variety of distressed options.
Please
come into our showroom and see the many examples we have on display.
Our experts will help you determine the right hardwood floor for your
needs.