 | Josh Jabara is Sales Manager of hard surface flooring at Jabara’s Carpet Outlet. After attending WSU, the family business became a large part of Josh’s adult life. His father Tom, mother Susan, and his uncle George assisted in that endeavor to a large degree. Perhaps one of Josh’s greatest strengths is his hands-on approach. Josh can be reach by calling (316) 267-2512 or you may visit their website @ www.jabaras.com |
Carpet, Tile & Floor Covering
2008-02-01 10:12:00
Differences between wood floors
Engineered Wood Floors
Engineered wood flooring is actually produced of three or more layers made up of an inner core of hardwood and/or softwood plywood or HDF and a top layer of real hardwood that is glued on the surface of the core. The cores also incorporate a tongue and groove system, with the layers being formed in a cross-grain pattern and bonded together under heat and pressure. As a result, engineered wood flooring is less likely to be affected by changes in humidity.
This type of flooring is slightly more resistant to higher moisture levels than solid wood flooring. That’s why it can be installed on any grade level whether the installation site is above, below or at ground level. This moisture-resistance feature also allows the engineered wood floor to be installed in basements.
Engineered wood flooring is usually an easier do-it-yourself installation, and comes in a wide variety of styles, sizes, and species. Some brands have a thin wear layer that can only be re-coated and cannot be sanded and refinished after the use.
The other brands or styles have a very thick wear layer and can be sanded and refinished up to 4 – 5 times if they wear out. Engineered floors can be nailed, stapled or glued down, or floated over a wide variety of sub-floors, including some types of existing flooring.
This type of flooring is usually manufactured in two ways, a ‘sliced’ cut where the hardwood wear layer shows an original look of the wood and finer graining. The other is a ‘rotary’ cut, which shows a dramatic wilder graining.
Solid Wood Floor
Solid wood flooring is milled from a hardwood species, and is noted for adding overall structural strength to the building in which it is installed. Varieties that are commonly used are oak, cherry, birch, alder, maple, jatoba, and some other exotic hardwoods. Uniformity varies with solid wood, as some grades allow for some imperfections, species - multiple knots, etc. Solid wood is also prone to expansion, warping, cupping, in some degree when exposed to temperature changes. Solid wood generally expands and contracts more than engineered wood during climatic changes, and is usually unsuitable for application in any area with increased moisture or high temperatures. Although it’s noted for its additional strength, a solid wood floor is usually not recommended where the area is not environmentally controlled, or damp areas such as below grade installations and over radiant heat.
