These days, most of the hardwood available at retail, especially
Engineered Hardwood comes prefinished.
Herringbone Parquet:
This posh pattern has been around since Roman times, and you might recognize it from every fancy building you’ve ever been in. It’s gorgeous, it’s timeless, and it’s classy.
Chevron Parquet:
Sometimes mistaken for herringbone, chevron parquet is a bit of a modern take on the classic. Just remember: while herringbone can be achieved with standard rectangular wood planks, chevron planks need to be cut to shape.
Mixed-Width:
Sometimes mistaken for herringbone, chevron parquet is a bit of a modern take on the classic. Just remember: while herringbone can be achieved with standard rectangular wood planks, chevron planks need to be cut to shape.
Horizontal / Diagonal Strip:
When referring to “horizontal strip” designs, we’re talking about the basic way 99% of people install hardwood planks. Diagonal strip is installed the same way but oriented towards the corner of a room, rather than the top, bottom, or sides. This gives the illusion of open space, and is great for opening up small rooms.
Solid Wood Advantages
Solid wood can be refinished again and again
Because they’re made of solid wood all the way through, solid hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished over and over again. Seriously; if you take care of a solid wood floor properly, it can last a lifetime.
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Solid wood feels amazing to walk on
There is nothing like the real thing when it comes to solid hardwood floors. While engineered wood is great, solid wood just has that feels good to walk on.
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Solid wood offers a ton of customization options
You have tons of options to choose from when you’re picking out a solid wood floor, from the species (aka the tree it comes from), to the cut pattern, even to the way it’s finished.
Disadvantages
Solid wood hates water and humidity
Because its grain runs throughout the width of the plank, solid wood is prone to warping and swelling—so it should never be installed anywhere it’s going to come into contact with humidity, moisture, rising damp, or extreme changes in temperature. That includes: Kitchens, Bathrooms, anywhere below ground and above underfloor heating systems
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It is very costly some types are more than solid planks
It’s worth noting that some wood flooring types will cost more than solid planks. This is because solid planks use more “high-quality” (veneer) wood than engineered planks do. With that in mind, as anyone who’s seen what kids and/or dogs can do to hardwood floors will agree, solid wood may not the best option for super-active homes (though it heavily depends on the wood and finish).
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Solid wood needs a lot of care
It needs care even after it is installed. It also needs extra cleaning, however, National Flooring Solutions will insist on an Industrial Polyurethane Coating to avoid most of the wooden flooring problems. Before Installation, we shall leave the wood in its future home to acclimate the material beforehand which may frustrate the Clients a little.
Knowing the Installation of wooden floors
Solid wood is solid throughout as seen on the planks of solid wood. It usually has to be
nailed or stapled to a subfloor, or glued to a specialised underlayment. It is not available as a floating floor.
We do not recommend a DIY on Solid Wooden Floors.
Engineered Wood Advantages
Engineered wood is less sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity
Engineered wood is made of a rigid HDF or plywood base covered with a thin veneer of natural wood. This construction makes it less susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity than solid wood. Most durable wood flooring choices are made of engineered wood, since it doesn’t warp as easily.
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Engineered wood is possible to be installed at most places
Because engineered wood is less sensitive to environmental changes, it can be installed in places where solid hardwood
can’t go (a real game-changer).
Want walnut floors in your kitchen? Engineered wood. Bamboo in your basement? Engineered wood. Rich mahogany in your master bath? You already know it—engineered is the way to go.
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Engineered wood can be cheaper too
If you want to put in exotic wood floors on a reasonable budget, engineered wood can be a great option. That’s because it uses less of the exotic hardwood species than solid wood does, the veneered layer.
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Engineered water-resistant wood flooring options
There are some Engineered water-resistant product and/or composite products. Very few solid wood floors have
water-resistant qualities
Disadvantages
It cannot be refinished indefinitely
Engineered wood is just as susceptible to scratches, gouges, and dents as solid wood flooring as the top layer is solid wood. E ngineered wood only has a thin veneer layer, it can’t be sanded and refinished as many times as solid wood can (and sometimes not at all, depending on the product). Even the best engineered wood flooring options can only be refinished a couple of times at most. It is not the best flooring option if you have lots of traffic or dogs
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Engineered wood isn’t waterproof
Engineered wood flooring is not waterproof, although it is a better option than solid wood for kitchens and bathrooms, but it is not 100% waterproof. A hardwood, like vinyl plank or laminated floors in the hybrids range would be a better option
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Engineered wood isn’t always the cheaper option
While it can definitely make wood species more affordable, engineered wood isn’t always cheaper than solid. In fact, when it comes to domestic wood flooring types like oak, the price is generally comparable.
Fewer choices are available in engineered wood
Does not mean that engineered wood is not versatile, there are fewer choices due to the cut patterns.
Knowing the Installation of Engineered Wooden floors
Engineered wood has the veneer layer and deep click-together grooves. Engineered wood is super versatile when it comes to installation. You can nail or glue it to a subfloor, install it as a floating floor using click-lock planks, or even loose-lay it. Floating floors clicks together and rests on your subfloor, rather than being attached to it.
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Floating surfaces are cheaper and easier to install which makes them extremely popular these days
