Flooring Options

Q: What is the difference between solid and engineered hardwood flooring?
A: This is a very popular question many people ask when deciding what type of hardwood floor would be good for their home. To begin with, Engineered hardwood floors are real hardwood floors, just like solid hardwood floors. Engineered flooring is layered, the top layer is a hardwood veneer and underneath are layers also known as plies of wood. These lower layers are often perpendicular to one another and are made of wood but not necessarily the same species as the first layer. The thickness of the top layer varies depending on manufacturer, quality and price point. Engineered hardwood floors are more adaptive and flexible to changes in temperature and moisture levels of the subfloor, and in general easier to install.

Solid hardwood floors are solid wood planks, generally ¾” thick. With certain installation type, solid hardwood floors can even strengthen the overall house flooring. These floors in general are more sensitive to fluctuating temperatures and moisture content in the subfloor and are harder to install. Both type of floors is equally durable, though solid floors lend themselves to more sand and refinish opportunities than Engineered hardwood floors.

Q: Should I go with prefinished, or unfinished (job-site finished) floors?
A: Job Site Finished (or unfinished) floors are raw unfinished Solid or Engineered Hardwood floors that are installed, sanded and finished in your home. Unfinished hardwood floors enable you to work within the constraints of the style, size, and finish of existing hardwood floors in your home, since all floors can be sanded and refinished for better uniformity. Available nail-down installation method can even strengthen overall floor integrity. Typically, unfinished floor installation is a long process, dusty, and requires vacating for a few days.

Prefinished hardwood floors are sanded, stained and finished at the factory. Available in both Engineered and Solid boards, these floors come with a variety of finishes and offer many color options. With Prefinished floors you can choose from different appearance grades, a range of sheen levels and surface distressing, different width, thickness and length of the floor boards as well! Typically, prefinished floors are not suitable for sanding and refinish later, since they would lose factory finish in the process.

Q: What are the best floors for homes with pets or children?
A: Choosing easy to clean and sturdy hardwood floor is essential for any house with pets or children. Going with solid hardwood floor instead of engineered is a good choice because it can be sanded and refinished more frequently if the floor gets dented or scratched. Some good options would be oak or hickory which are classified as having “stronger graining” that can withstand the wear and tear of heavy usage.

Q: What are the best floors for areas that are likely to get wet?
A: Several advancements have been made in the last few years in waterproof “wood” floors. These floors are typically made with combination of crushed stone and vinyl composite to create floors that look like “wood” floors, but are waterproof, very durable, easy to clean spills, and even easier to install. This flooring is great for areas of the house that are prone to water leaks or exposed to water such as bathrooms, laundry rooms or kitchens. But they can work very well and look great for the entire house as well.

Q: What type of installation method is best for my hardwood floors?
A: It depends on a lot of different factors such as the width of the planks you choose, thickness of the wood and type of hardwood flooring. For instance, solid hardwood flooring is generally either nailed or stapled while engineered hardwood can be click in, fastened, glued or floating. Hardwood flooring is an investment, so it is important to make sure the installation is done right. The process for installation takes time, precision and knowledge. If you’re not sure, hire a professional installer who can get the job done right the first time. Incorrectly installed flooring can void the manufacturer warranty costing homeowner thousands of dollars.

Q: What should I use to clean my hardwood floors?
A: Knowing how to clean your hardwood floors is essential to protecting and maintaining your beautiful flooring for years to come. One way to make sure to keep your floor clean is to regularly dust or sweep your floor with a microfiber mop or cloth to avoid scratches. A vacuum cleaner can be ideal for reaching areas that daily dusting can’t. But be careful and watch out if the machine has wheels or any type of extension that can bump or scrape the floor. With moping, just remember that water and wood don’t mix! Lightly mist your floor with a hardwood floor cleaner such as Bona Hardwood Floor cleaner to ensure a thorough and safe clean.