The Differences In Hardwood Flooring

Ability installs Solid, Engineered, and Laminate Flooring. A common question that we are asked, “What are the differences?”

Below are the definitions, pictures, and tips to keep in mind about each one.

Solid Hardwood Flooring

Ability Wood Flooring - Finance Your FloorsSolid wood is just that – one piece that is milled from the lumber. It comes in a variety of widths, from 2 1/4″ to 5″ wide and beyond. It also comes in different thicknesses: 3/4″ is standard, but you can also find “thin Profile” solid that is 5/16″ thick.

Keep in Mind:

  • Moisture and extreme temperature changes can cause solid wood to shrink and expand, potentially causing gaps between boards during colder and dryer seasons.
  • All solid hardwood flooring can be sanded and refinished if needed (possibly every 15-20 years).
  • All urethane coated floors can be screened and recoated as needed to renew the surface of the floor. This is more economical than sanding and refinishing.
  • Because each floor is different from home-to-home, these are only tips to keep in mind; not true for every circumstance.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring

pic Engineered wood is REAL wood, but instead of one solid piece, it consists of 3 to 10 thin layers of wood, called plies, that are assembled and glued in a cross-ply construction. The top veneer layer of wood can range from .5 mm to 4 mm thick. The industry average is 2 mm thick. Overall board thickness ranges from 1/4″ to 3/4″. Due to its multi-ply structure engineered wood is much more stable than solid wood and is less susceptible to shrinking and expanding with changes in temperatures and humidity.

Keep in Mind:

  • Engineered wood can be installed directly over concrete and can also be installed below ground level.
  • Engineered wood with a top veneer layer thinner than 2 mm cannot be refinished; however, it can be screened and recoated to renew the surface of the floor.
  • Engineered wood with a top veneer layer from 2.5 mm to 4 mm can be sanded.
  • Because each floor is different from home-to-home, these are only tips to keep in mind; not true for every circumstance.

Laminate Flooring

picLaminate flooring contains NO actual wood. Laminate is pressed particle board with a photograph of wood applied to the surface. The inner core layer is the stability layer of the floor made from high density fiberboard (HDF) that is reinforced with a special resin to further enhance water resistance and increase durability.

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