Wood
flooring is
available in a number of sizes and make-ups, each offering its
own distinct advantages. People are often surprised by the limitless
choices that wood flooring affords them. Today's wood flooring
is right for virtually every room. Choosing the right kind and
style of wood flooring is not hard if you are familiar with several
industry terms.
Choice #1: Unfinished
wood flooring:
Unfinished flooring is a product that must be job-site sanded and finished
after installation.
Choice #2: Pre-finished
wood flooring:
Pre-finished flooring is factory sanded and finished flooring that only
needs installation.
Choice #3: Solid
wood flooring:
Solid wood flooring is completely lumber. It is available in unfinished
and pre-finished. Solid wood flooring is produced in:
 |
Strip -
in thicknesses of 5/16" to 3/4" in widths of 1 1/2,
2" and 2 1/4"
|
|
Plank -
in thicknesses of 1/2" or 3/4" and widths of 3" to
8"
|
|
Parquet -
geometrical patterns composed of individual wood slats held in
place by mechanical fastening or an adhesive
|
Choice #4: Engineered
wood flooring:
Laminate wood flooring is produced by bonding layers of veneer and lumber
with an adhesive. Laminate wood flooring is available in pre-finished
and unfinished. These products are more dimensionally stable and are
ideal for glue-down installation or float-in installation above grade,
on grade or below grade, including basements and humid climates. Laminate
wood flooring is produced in:
|
Strip -
thicknesses of 5/16", 3/8", 1/2" or 5/8" and
in widths of 2" and 2 1/4"
|
|
Plank -
thicknesses of 5/16", 3/8", 1/2" or 5/8" and
in widths of 3" to 8"
|
|
Parquet -
one-piece wood tile available in 9" x 9" or 8" x
8" and other patterns
|
Choice #5: Acrylic
impregnated wood flooring:
Acrylic impregnated is a pre-finished wood
flooring product. Through a high-pressure treatment,
acrylic and color are forced into the pores throughout
the thickness of the wood. The "finish" is
inside the wood, creating an extremely hard surface.
These floors are highly resistant to abrasion and
moisture and appeal most often to commercial customers
but are also used residentially. Acrylic impregnated
floors are available in the same styles as laminate
floors.
Information
Provided by the National Wood
Flooring Association
