Tim the Tileman
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How to choose the RIGHT Wood Floor!
There are many things that factor into
buying hardwood flooring to make sure the
actual hardwood product is right for your
specific home or business environment.
Factors such as lifestyle, species, color,
and construction (solid or engineered) all
need to be evaluated before the final
decision.
Lifestyle: The
important thing to remember is each home is
unique and can therefore pose unique
challenges. Are you shopping for your
kitchen or dining room? Different areas of
you home have a considerable impact on the
long-term performance of the wood flooring
chosen.
Children and Pets:
Here the issues are damage, durability,
scratches, dents and pet damage. Wood floors
in homes with children and/or pets will need
to be refinished much sooner. Floor care
will be expensive over time so ceramic tile
in the kitchen may be a better option.
Wood Finish and Gloss Levels:
Higher gloss levels look great but will
require more care and can show more visible
scratches. Lower sheen levels can help to
mask some of the surface damage.
Floor care and protection: Products like
area rugs are a must, particularly in the
traffic areas and pivot points. The use of
area rugs when placed in the proper areas
can add a dash of color and style to the
décor as well as protect your investment.
Floor cleaners and proper cleaning
kits are also vital. Using the wrong
products can lead to permanent damage,
build-up and dull floors. To prevent this
make sure to read and understand the
manufacturer’s warranty and floor care
information before you purchase.
Species/color: Today, we are seeing new
and different species being offered to the
end user. It is important that you
understand the species because each one
requires some education before you purchase.
Hardness: All species of wood
will dent or scratch no matter the hardness
rating.
Photosensitivity:
Remember, all wood is photosensitive and
will change in color. Some species can
actually lighten, not darken.
Grain/Character: Some species are smooth
grained, while others are rough. Species
such as Maple are smooth, while Oak and
Hickory are rough. The characteristics of
both can influence the perceived durability
of the product. A scratch is likely to be
more dramatic and visible on a piece of
Maple than Oak. The graining of some species
helps mask a scratch and is less likely to
be noticed.
Solid vs. Engineered:
Is one better than the other? This can be a
difficult topic to answer as both solid and
engineered products have their place. The
following considerations should help clarify
which product is better suited for your
individual circumstances.
Grade
Level: For below grade installations an
engineered product is recommended because of
the potential for moisture. The dimensional
stability, or the reduced expansion and
contraction of engineered products make them
more stable when installed over a concrete
substrate. Moisture testing should always be
done to establish whether there is a higher
than recommended level of moisture present.
Glue-down, Mechanically fasten or
Float the product?
 Either
method is usually acceptable with engineered
products. Direct glue-down is typically the
preferred method, but the industry is seeing
a tremendous amount of improved
underlayment’s that offer both moisture
protection and sound deadening. These new
products can reduce, or in some cases,
eliminate the hollow sound associated with
floating installations from years ago.
Installation: Solid wood products
can be installed on-grade, but because the
potential for moisture exists, steps must be
taken to ensure that moisture does not
become a factor that affects the wood after
installation. Additional factors that need
to be addressed are the need of installing a
plywood subfloor over the concrete. The
minimum thickness for a plywood substrate in
this application is 5/8″(nominal) and then
factoring in the thickness of the wood
(3/4″) issues such as height, transitions,
added material costs and added labor costs
must be factored in to the buying equation.
Moisture: When it comes to
concrete substrates: Always check for
moisture
using the established and recommended
methods for testing and limits that are
deemed acceptable. Failure to test can often
lead to failure, period. The good news is
when a concrete substrate is tested and
found to have a higher than recommended
Moisture Level, there are products available
that can reduce the vapor emission rate to
an acceptable level. The important thing is
to moisture test the substrate and the wood
floor product prior to making a purchase.
Moisture testing along with proper
acclimation (if needed) can greatly reduce
the chance of problems such as cupping or
gapping.
The more you
explore up front can in the end help to
ensure the right product is chosen for the
right application. It will also help
identify and eliminate problems before the
installation is completed.
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