Under the Contractor Umbrella

Wood flooring is one of the most popular flooring options. If you are working with a contractor and are planning on choosing wood flooring for your home, then you need to make sure you are knowledgeable about the process.

The following areas are all extremely important to learn about.

Type Of Wood: Engineered vs Hardwood

When it comes to wood flooring, there are really two distinct types of wood to choose from. The first is called engineered wood. The second is known as hardwood.

Engineered wood is a type of wood flooring that is made from a composite of materials. These materials include pressed wood sawdust, adhesive materials, and a thin layer of real wood. One advantage of using engineered wood is that it is much cheaper than solid hardwood. For this reason, people who are on a tight budget will often prefer to have their contractors use engineered hardwood instead of solid wood.

Solid hardwood is much more durable than engineered wood. Also, unlike engineered wood, it can be stained and sanded over and over. This allows homeowners to redesign their homes in the future with more flexibility. Engineered wood only has a very thin top layer of wood. This cannot be sanded down because the core material will be exposed. Solid hardwood, on the other hand, can be sanded and stained again and again.

Underlayment for Wood Flooring

When you are laying down wood flooring, sometimes you will need to install an underlayment. Underlayment is used for many different things. Sometimes, the contractor will want to install an underlayment to prevent moisture from damaging the wood. Other times, the contractor will want to install an underlayment to make sure that the flooring is installed evenly.

There are different types of underlayments. Some are made of synthetic rubber material. These are good at absorbing shock. Others are made of recycled fibers, which are good at absorbing sound. The choice will depend on several things, including your budget.

In certain situations, the contractor will advise you that there is no need for an underlayment. Some hardwood flooring can be installed directly onto a subfloor without any underlayment.

Wood Flooring Installation Techniques: Glue, Floating, or Nails

Most engineered hardwood flooring will either be glued directly to the subfloor or installed as a floating floor. Floating floors are installed using a tongue and groove design. The floor is not nailed or glued to the subfloor.

Most solid hardwood flooring will be installed with nails. However, in certain situations where the subfloor is concrete, the contractor might want to install the flooring using glue.

For more information, contact a local company, like New York Hardwood Floors.