Wood Floor Species,
Grades & Cuts
Which rooms can I install a hardwood floor in my home?
Any room except a full bath. With the variety of
products available and a choice of installation options,
hardwood flooring can now be installed in any room of the home.
The only consideration is whether the floor will be
installed on-, above- or below-grade.
For example, because of potential
moisture problems, solid
hardwood is not recommended for installations below grade, such
as in a
basement. Engineered
products, which are inherently dimensionally stable, are better
choices for this type of area. All
types of hardwood can be
installed on- or above-grade.
Does wood flooring go well with most design
styles?
Yes. In a recent survey commissioned by the NWFA, more than
three-quarters of interior designers find that wood flooring
works well with many decorating styles. "It's the most versatile
floor covering there is," says one designer. "Wood goes with
contemporary and traditional and everything in between."
Designers rated natural materials as superior to man-made
materials in beauty, prestige, style, maintenance, and
durability.
A variety of woods and finishes are available to complement
the decor and style of any room.
Oak and maple are the
most popular woods, but some homeowners are investing in exotics
such as
Brazilian cherry and Purpleheart.
Engineered floor versus a solid hardwood product?
Engineered products, available in Planks, Strips
are manufactured of hardwood using a cross-directional laminated
construction (3 to 5 layers), with a top layer of premium
hardwood. This construction counteracts the natural tendency of
wood to expand and contract with seasonal changes in temperature
and humidity, making engineered products inherently
dimensionally stable. Solid products, available in Planks,
Strips or Parquet, are manufactured from a solid piece of wood.
What Is there an advantage engineered products over solid
products?
Yes. In general, engineered products can be
installed in any room in the home, whether
on-grade, below-grade or above-grade.
Engineered products can be nailed down, glued-down or stapled
down, depending upon the situation. Engineered product, can be
glued down, stapled down or some can be “floated” over most
subfloors without the use of nails or adhesives, making it ideal
for remodeling. Solid products are not recommended for
below grade installations
and must be nailed down or glued down.( See
installation procedures
)
Should I use a prefinished versus unfinished?
Most
hardwood flooring sold today is prefinished. Factory finished
with several coats of
UV-cured polyurethane
are applied. These factory finishes are tough and durable.
Installing a prefinished floor eliminates the time, the dust and
the odors associated with the on-site sanding and finishing of
an unfinished product. A prefinished floor can be installed in a
day. An unfinished flooring installation may require twice as
much time for the same area.
What about installing wood in high traffic areas like kitchens?
The
urethane finishes on most new wood floors stand up to water and
traffic, bringing wood flooring into bathrooms, kitchens, and
other higher-stress areas. These finishes resist wear and stains
better than other finishes and require no stripping, no buffing
and no waxing. High traffic areas include exterior doorways,
hallways, mud rooms, and the areas in front of the sink, stove
and refrigerator. To protect the floor just inside exterior
doorways, use walk-off mats or small rugs to catch tracked-in
dirt and grime. Place small rugs or mats at other high traffic
locations. Watch for grit or pebbles that might be brought in on
waffle soles of athletic shoes and collect these with a
hand-held cordless vac. This should be done a regular basis.
Is
there a difference between square-edge and eased-edge designs?
Yes. With a square edge, the sides of each plank
or strip are square. An eased edge, more commonly known as a
beveled or micro-beveled edge, features a slight angle on the
top edge of the plank or strip. An eased edge can help mask
slight subfloor imperfections, and can be felt if walking on the
floor in bare feet.
Which installation method is best?
The method used for your hardwood installation
will depend upon the type of product you have chosen, where the
flooring will be installed and the type of subfloor. Nail down,
glue down & floating are the three type of installation. For
instance, if you are remodeling your kitchen, some products can
be “floated” over most subfloors, including vinyl or ceramic
tile, eliminating the mess and cost of tearing up the existing
floor and installing a subfloor. Engineered products, which are
dimensionally stable, are ideal for basements and can be nailed,
glued or stapled down. Your flooring retailer or contractor can
help you to determine the best method for your situation.
See
Installation methods & details.
Which types of hardwood floors are best for in-floor radiant
heating systems and are some wood species better for radiant
systems than other?
Engineered hardwood floors--in planks, strips
are the best floors to use with radiant heating systems. These
floors are manufactured of hardwood using a three-ply or
five-ply laminated construction, making them inherently
dimensionally stable. This means they are less susceptible to
changes in temperature and humidity. Of the engineered flooring
options, with a floating installation as the best choice,
because it can be "floated" over the subfloor, without the use
of nails or adhesives for a permanent installation.
It is important to note that when installing any hardwood floor
over a radiant heating system, the maximum temperature of the
subfloor should never exceed 80º (F). For the correct water
temperature inside the heating pipes, refer to your
manufacturer's guidelines.
Oak is an ideal
species for in-floor
radiant systems. We also recommend
ash and
merbau. We do not
recommend that you use maple or pecan for an in-floor radiant
heat system. If you have a question about your species choice
see
Radiant Heat & Wood Floors.
Are
hardwood floors hard to maintain?
Can I damp-mop my
floor?
No. A hardwood floor finished at the factory
features three to seven layers of a UV-cured polyurethane. This
finish gives the floor a tough, durable and smooth no-wax
surface that is both luxurious and easy-care. See
Maintenance and
Do's & Don'ts for your
wood floor. DO NOT damp mop -
Water and wood do not mix.
Therefore, we suggest that you use the maintenance products and
procedures recommended by the manufacturer of your floor.
Maintenance kits can be purchased from your retailer or
contractor.
