Huron Hardwood Floors Installation Information

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Types Of Hardwood Flooring

Solid wood strip flooring is traditionally 2-1/4 inches wide, but also come in widths ranging from 1-1/2 inches to 3-1/4 inches. They are installed by nailing to the sub floor and comprise the majority of installations.

Plank flooring boards are at least 3 inches wide and are screwed and nailed to a sub floor. Wooden plugs are used to cover up the screw holes.

Parquet flooring is usually found in multiunit dwellings and often achieves dramatic geometric effects of special design patterns. Parquet comes in standard patterns of 6" x 6" blocks with specialty patterns -- many ranging up to 36" square units.

Solid wood floors can be sanded and refinished over several generations of use and are installed on a concrete slab as long as the floor is on or above ground level. Leaving an expansion gap between the floor and the wall compensates for the expansion and contraction of solid wood flooring because of humidity in the home. Use base molding to cover up the gap and add an aesthetic touch to the floor.

Engineered wood is less likely to be affected by humidity fluctuations. It can be installed above, on or below ground level and is made of several layers of different woods or grades of the same wood stacked and glued under heat and pressure. Depending on the thickness of the top layer, some engineered wood can be sanded.

Wood laminate floors are commonly plywood based with a veneer topping. They are 3/8" thick including an 1/8" thick veneer topping. This is much thinner than a solid hardwood floor at 3/4" thick. Most manufacturers only cover wood laminate finishes for up to five years.

Synthetic/plastic laminates -- Plastic laminate flooring is a stronger version of the material used in most kitchen countertop manufacturing. These floors cannot be sanded or refinished and must be replaced when worn.

Concrete Sub floors And Hardwood

While below-grade installation is not recommended for solid wood, using and installing the right sub floor on either on-grade or above-grade slabs makes for a successful pairing.

Ensure that your concrete slab is flat and level, has a trowel finish and is free of grease, oil, stains and dust. Make sure new concrete is cured before beginning the sub floor Either 3/4" thick plywood or 2" x 4" sleepers are recommended as sub floors. Either system is satisfactory for 3/4" flooring up to 4" wide. For plank flooring 4 inches and wider, use the plywood-on-slab system or a sleeper system with an additional nailing surface.

Safety is always an issue and should never be overlooked. Concrete slab sub floor systems require proper vapor barriers of either polyethylene or asphalt felt and mastic.

Do-It-Your-Self

Are you ambitious enough to try installing your own hardwood floor? It might be easier than you think and the satisfaction of a job well done may be a greater reward than the money you'll save.

Regardless of whether you're a seasoned handyman or a motivated novice, these links will lead you to a wealth of information about installing your own hardwood floor. Let the learning begin.

HomeTime

Home Store.com

Hardwood Or Laminate Flooring?

What's the truth about hardwood versus laminate flooring?

Well in the battle of flooring materials, it turns out that not much even comes close to the quality, longevity and durability of real hardwood. Let's look at the facts.

Laminate flooring doesn't look real. Laminate flooring is actually a photograph of real wood transposed onto a wood composite. For this reason you can see a repetitive patter of the faux "wood grain" as opposed to the natural beauty of wood grain and it's markings.

Here's a point that you probably never considered. Real hardwood floors sound better! High heels and other types of footwear create a loud hollow tapping sound because laminate flooring does not have the acoustic absorption of real wood. This may seem like a minor issue but many people find the sound irritating and distracting.

The most important point may be that laminate flooring doesn't hold up. Because laminate coating is thin, it can chip easily and expose the fiberboard core of the panel. Stripping and refinishing is not an option and the floor must be ripped up and thrown away. Unlike real wood that will last for generations, wear and tear is much more prevalent on a laminate floor. Well maintained hardwood floors with a polyurethane finish are water-resistant, pet resistant and child-friendly.

But how does real hardwood stack up to the other contenders in the fight for flooring superiority? Read the next article, "How does hardwood compare to other types of flooring?" to find out.

How Does Hardwood Stack Up?

How does hardwood stack up against the other competitors vying for the title, "Heavy Weight Champion" of the flooring industry?

The chart below illustrates why real hardwood wears the belt.

When you consider all of the facts, hardwood flooring is the undisputed flooring champion.

Hardwood Homes Are Healthy Homes

Medical professionals across the country are united in their findings that hardwood floors are helping asthmatics and respiratory sensitive individuals live healthier lives. In fact, it's suggested that just about everyone derives some form of health benefit from living in a hardwood environment.

The underlying issue is the amount of dust, dirt and bacteria that carpets retain. Hardwood floors trap far less pollen, mites and mold. They don't harbor animal dander and dust and clean up quicker and more effectively than carpeting.

An estimated 60-70 million North Americans suffer from just tiny amounts of house dust setting off symptoms ranging from itchy eyes, sneezing, rash, breathing difficulty and sinus trouble because of trapped pollens and molds in their fibers. Even frequent vacuuming will not eliminate those microscopic monsters but natural hardwood floors allow you to reduce those allergens while your rooms remain warm, inviting and germ reduced.

"Planet Friendly" Hardwood

The forestry industry has come under increased scrutiny as more and more people realize the importance of trees in our eco system and the impact that healthy forests have on our planet.

While it may be true that the softwood industry has much to learn about its global responsibility, the hardwood industry, partly by it's very nature and partly by design, is "planet friendly".

The hardwood forest industry has learned that growing twice as much wood as it harvests ensures the abundance of trees for harvest and for a healthy planet. Typically with hardwood harvesting only small groups of mature trees are taken leaving individual and younger trees to reach their potential and contribute to the regenerative process. Careful management has resulted in the hardwood species most in demand being abundant.

Hardwood trees are very different than softwood in the way in which they grow. Hardwood trees grow spaced apart allowing sunlight, rain and nutrients to reach smaller trees. As a result they grow quickly reaching heights of 15 - 20 feet in as little as five years.

Hardwoods regenerate through seeding and sprouting from tree roots and stumps making replanting unnecessary as with softwoods. Forest wildlife helps with the process through acorn planting by squirrels and seed scattering with birds. Oak, the most abundant of hardwoods, is a good example of how nature and the environment ensure it's longevity and sustainability.

Ownership of the forests has been an issue for many groups and individuals. The forest industry owns only 11 percent of hardwoods with many of North America's foresters working directly with the tree farmers and private citizens that own nearly three quarters of the hardwood forests. Because of the diversification of ownership, forestry management techniques change and make reforms annually making way for improved sustainability of hardwoods for generations to come.

"Area Rugs Complete The Picture!

The warmth of wood married with the colorful appeal of an area rug not only enhances your home's decor but also protects your floors, especially in high traffic areas.

Once you're installed floor is fully cured (14 days for water-based urethane and 30 days for most other finishes) you can place your area rug. Occasionally move the rugs and the furnishings to maintain an even color in your finish. Fading from sun through windows and under padding not suitable for hardwood will deplete the beauty of a finished floor.

Good under padding will prevent slipping and protect both your area rug and your floor. Rubber-backed rugs, typically used in kitchens or bathrooms, can cause a chemical reaction on hardwood finishes resulting in discoloration. A quality area rug will have a written guarantee that it will not discolor your hardwood.

Remember, you have a beautiful hardwood floor. Your area rugs are enhancements, don't cover up your hardwood floor completely. Let it breathe and use the rugs as accents to an already designer look.

Good Design Work Requires Experimentation

Creating an interior that welcomes guests requires some thought. Begin by sketching out the dimensions of your room. Work with various shapes and sizes of possible area rugs. Follow the line of a bay window or ceiling medallion. Create groupings around a floor covering such as reading nooks or play areas.

Try two smaller rugs as opposed to one., Often larger rooms can be cozier using this effect. Consider the size of the room versus the color and texture of the rug. Larger rooms can accommodate larger borders, 3 or 4 feet wide with contrasting colors or texture. These will add drama and appeal to the eye. Narrower borders, 2 to 3 inches wide will open up your space if you use neutral colors and softer textures.

You are only limited by your imagination. Try patterns from Persian to Victorian for an old-world charm appeal to your floor. Bold, charismatic color on color can bring a modern floor to light and muted tones with a more formal feeling will lend appeal to lighter hardwood. Casual homeowners love the appeal of natural fibers like sisal and sea grass for a more outdoor, fresh approach to decorating. Whatever your decor, hardwood floors and area rugs will enhance your look and create an atmosphere you'll love to come to home to.

The Truth About Pets And Hardwood

Keeping the beauty of your hardwood floors with pets doesn't have to be an overwhelming task if you start with a quality, well manufactured hardwood.

In order to maintain that just installed beauty always keep your pet's nails clipped to ensure that your hardwood floor finish remains lustrous. In the event that the floor is in need of repair, recoating is possible and effective. Maintain the cleanliness of the floor with weekly dust mopping, sweeping and/or vacuuming to alleviate dirt, grit and fur that can mar the finish and appearance.

Pet accidents and other liquid spills can cause serious damage to hardwood, always wipe up urine and other spills with a slightly dampened towel right away so they will not penetrate the finish and the wood itself.

Choosing bowls for pets that are designed to avoid spills will also lessen your chances of spills. A good idea is a throw rug under a bowl that will help to absorb overflow. Caution however; if the mat or rug becomes damp or wet remove it immediately. Letting it sit could cause visible rings or other damage to your floor. Choose water bowls designed to avoid spills. Pet stores sell bowls with stable bases that deter tipping. Some bowls even come in stands. A throw rug could help absorb a stray drop or two, but any mat should be removed immediately if it gets too wet.

Want To Learn More? Explore These Links!

There are some great sites on the net to learn more about hardwood flooring and the hardwood industry. Learn more about hardwood by exploring these links:

National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association

National Wood Flooring Association

The Hardwood Council

Hardwood Manufacturers Association Species Guide