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Solid, Engineered or CompositeHardwood floors are available in three types of construction, namely solid, engineered and composite. The choice of which floor to use will be based upon type of existing sub floor and environmental conditions. Contrary to popular belief, a solid hardwood floor is not necessarily better quality than an engineered floor and will not neccesarily last longer. |
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Many people are under the misconception that solid hardwood floors are better quality due their solid nature, and will last longer as they can be refinished a greater number of times when compared to engineered hardwood floors. Infact, a solid hardwood floor can only be refinished until the tongue and groove or finishing nails are visible, which in most cases is up to three times and which is the same amount that a good quality engineered floor can be refinished. Solid Wood FloorsThese floors consist of a single piece of solid hardwood and are available in varying thicknesses ranging from 5/16” to ¾”. Solid hardwood floors must be nailed down to an approved wood floor substrate and cannot be glued to concrete or any other form of subfloor. Thus in order to install a solid hardwood floor over a concrete subfloor, it is first necessary to install an approved wood floor subtrate such as plywood. This process increases the overall cost of the installtion and it is therefore advisable to glue down an engineered floor directly over the concrete subfloor.
Solid hardwood floors are very susceptible to moisture in the air and tend to cup or bow when subjected to excessive levels of moisture or large changes in air temperature. Solid hardwood floors are available in varying widths, ranging from narrow to wide, but keep in mind that the wider the plank the more susceptible the floor will be to bowing and cupping. Thus when purchasing a floor with a wide profile, it is advisable to select an engineered floor as they are more dimensionally stable. Engineered Wood FloorsAn engineered hardwood floor consists of multiple layers of hardwood with only the top layer receiving a finishing coat. Engineered floors consist of between three and twelve layers of wood that are glued together in a cross grain construction, offering a higher degree of dimensional stability and resulting in a structure that is less susceptible to cupping and bowing when subjected to high levels of moisture content in the air or a high degree of temperature change. A greater number of layers denotes a more stable and thus better quality floor. Engineered hardwood floors can be floated, glued, stapled or nailed to the subfloor, however not all engineered floors are suitable for floating, stapling or nailing, therefore always check the manufacturers specifications in this regard.
Engineered hardwood floors can be installed over the following substrates – concrete, ceramic tile, terrazzo, slate and marble, masonite, acoustic cork, wood subfloors, fully adhered vinyl sheet and resilient tiles. Wood flooring can be glued directly to concrete, however not over a concrete sealer or painted concrete, and if present must be removed by sanding and grinding. Not all concrete surfaces are suitable for the application of adhesive. Acoustic concrete may contain large amounts of gypsum or other acoustic material and can inhibit the adhesive bond. Test the concrete by scraping with a nail or sharp object and if the concrete powders then it is probably not suitable for the application of adhesive. As mentioned above, certain engineered hardwood floors can be installed utilizing the floating floor method. The floating floor method involves gluing the planks together without affixing them to the subfloor, thus the floor is allowed to float above the subfloor. This method of installation always requires the use of a moisture barrier which is placed direclty onto the subfloor prior to installation and is well suited to floors that contain excessive levels of moisture. Like solid hardwood floors, engineered floors can be refinished from one to three times, depending on the thickness of the top wear layer. Always check with the manufacturer, as some lower end hardwood floors cannot be refinished. Composite Hardwood FloorsComposite wood floors consist of a real wood veneer glued to an HDF core. These floors are installed using the floating floor method and usually do not require adhesive. Instead the floor is assembled using a locking mechanism similar to that of a laminate floor and is the ideal answer for people wishing to install the floor themselves. Composite wood floors are well suited to enviroments subject to high moisture levels and require the use of a moisture barrier prior to installation. Note that not all composite floor veneers can be refinished. |
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