4 Common Types Of Hardwood Flooring Used For Residential Homes
Hardwood flooring is one of the most popular types of flooring installed in residential homes today. It is appreciated for its beauty, durability and the variety of different finishes it is available in. Oak, maple, and cherry are some of the most common types of wood used to make hardwood flooring, but other, more exotic woods, such as teak and mesquite are also available. Once the kind of hardwood has been chosen, the homeowner needs to decide what type of flooring is preferred. These are some of the different types of hardwood flooring that are commonly installed in residential homes.
Prefinished Hardwood Flooring
Prefinished hardwood flooring is just as it sounds, already finished. This means the finish of the flooring has already been stained, sanded, and sealed in the factory and is ready to be installed. One of the benefits of getting prefinished hardwood flooring is that it can be installed more quickly than unfinished hardwood flooring. Once it is installed into place, it can be walked on and enjoyed right away.
Unfinished Hardwood Flooring
Unfinished hardwood flooring has been sanded smooth in the factory but has not yet been stained or coated with a protective sealer. Unfinished hardwood flooring is ideal for those who want to custom match the flooring with other flooring or woodwork in their home. For instance, if only a partial area of flooring is being replaced, putting down unfinished flooring and then staining it in the same shade as the remainder of the floor would result in a completely matching floor. Once unfinished flooring is installed, it must then be stained or clear coated and then finished with several coats of a waterproof protectant sealer.
Solid Hardwood Flooring
Solid hardwood flooring is made of solid wood and is available in strips that are 5/8 to 3/4 inches thick. One of the benefits of having thick, solid hardwood floors is that it can be sanded and refinished over and over. This makes it the perfect choice for those who like to remodel their homes every few years and change the finish of the flooring. However, solid hardwood flooring does have the tendency to warp if installed in areas that have high humidity. It is not recommended to install solid hardwood flooring in basements that may frequently become damp.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Engineered hardwood flooring is flooring made of real wood veneers that have been glued to several layers of other wood underneath it, such as plywood. This type of flooring is suitable for any room in a home because it is durable and less likely to warp than solid wood flooring. Installation is often easy because some brands of engineered hardwood flooring simply snap into place.
All of these types of hardwood flooring look wonderful installed in residential homes. While the cost of each type can vary, the added beauty may also add value to a home.
To get help with a wood flooring installation, contact a flooring contractor in your area.
