Many people quite rightly seek out solid hardwood flooring as the
best means to add certain warmth, class, and an atmosphere of homey
comfort to an interior. But, as many find out, hardwood flooring can
have limitations in areas that are prone to climatic changes; when it is
humid or damp, an unfortunate effect in hardwood is often the swelling
or cupping of the hardwood flooring boards. When looking to invest in
long-lasting and attractive flooring therefore, one of the things to
look out for is a flooring material that is likely to respond to these
sorts of environmental changes without losing any of its structural
stability, or its attractiveness. A solution that many have discovered
for versatility, attractiveness, and with a robust design noted for
structural stability is engineered hardwood flooring. But what is
engineered hardwood, and what makes it so resistant to the climatic
forces which usually spell doom for solid hardwood flooring?
Engineered Hardwood Flooring: Anatomy Lesson
Engineered
hardwood flooring is made up of two main elements: the top layer and
the core. The core is made up of stacked layers of medium or
high-density fiberboard, or sometimes plywood, which most often range
from 3 ply to 7 ply construction. This stacking design acts as a means
to allow the flooring to counteract the effects of humidity on the
natural wood, allowing each board to expand and contract without warping
or cupping. As you may guess, this makes for a hardwood floor that is
suitable for an installation in an area that is not environmentally
controlled, or that is characterized by higher levels of dampness or
humidity, such as a basement installation. The top layer of engineered
hardwood floors is a species of real wood. In this sense, engineered
floors are as "genuine" as any hardwood floor, with real wood that lends
a space a decorative dimension that most people interested in hardwood
are looking for. So, with engineered hardwood flooring, you get the
functionality and toughness that the core allows, as well as the refined
beauty of the real hardwood top layer that is indistinguishable to the
eye from solid hardwood.
Installing Engineered Hardwood Floors
An
advantage that engineered flooring has over many flooring options is
that you can install it in any room, either above or below ground. It is
also generally designed to be installed quickly and easily. This is
advantageous not only for the do-it-yourselfer, but also to the hardwood
flooring contractor who may offer engineered hardwood as a means of
moving from one flooring contract to another quickly, but without
sacrificing quality. With many engineered hardwood flooring lines,
there is no need for nailing the boards down to the subfloor. This has a
couple of implications. First, that a concrete slab subfloor is a
suitable substrate on which to install engineered hardwood, unlike solid
hardwood. Second, that many engineered hardwood flooring lines can
either be floated, as you would a laminate floor, or glued down. As
long as you subfloor is clean, level and dry, engineered hardwood
flooring is a versatile option that can yield successful results without
the need to consider whether or not a subfloor is suitable for a
nail-down installation.
In the case of a floating floor, remember
to use a reliable vapor barrier between the subfloor and your flooring.
The adhesives used in a glue-down option often add the advantage of
acting as a built-in vapor barrier. Ask the professionals about the
details on your chosen line of engineered hardwood flooring.
Locking Systems For Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Most
types of engineered hardwood feature a tongue and groove locking
system. These are designed for a level of precision that makes for a
refined flooring surface that is free of unsightly gaps between the
boards. Once again, versatility and practicality are the distinguishing
features of engineered hardwood flooring. Often, these types of
locking systems allow you to take up the boards at a later date when
necessary, if you've chosen a floating floor option. So, you can take
your floor with you when you're moving house, or allow you to more
easily replace any damaged boards. When making a purchase, it is a good
idea to ask whether your chosen line of engineered hardwood flooring
allows for this feature.
Radiant Heat and the Engineered Hardwood Floor
Radiant
heat is a welcome feature to many households and commercial interiors.
But, when choosing a flooring option, it is important to note the impact
that radiant heating may have in the short term as well as the long
term. For solid hardwood, radiant heat can have a significantly negative
effect; the radiant heating can severely dry out the hardwood, which in
turn causes the boards to warp and cup as they would if they were
exposed to excessive moisture. Luckily, engineered hardwood has been
designed to counteract this tendency, just as it has in the case of
humidity and dampness in a below-grade or non-environmentally controlled
interior. Once again, the core of the engineered floor expands and
contracts accordingly, while preserving the structural stability of the
board and the attractiveness of the top layer.
Freedom with Engineered Hardwood Flooring!
With
engineered floors, you are free to consider the possibilities of using
hardwood in areas that would mean disaster for a solid hardwood floor.
Engineered hardwood floors allow you all of the beauty and organic feel,
as well as a greater range of options as far as the location of your
installation. With the dual features of an attractive top layer that is
a real hardwood species, and a core which is designed to shift and move
with climatic changes, engineered hardwood flooring is perfect for a
basement installation, or an installation in a summer home or cottage
that is not environmentally controlled all year round. Along with these
functional benefits, engineered hardwood floors are often less
expensive than their solid hardwood counterparts, making them worth
serious consideration on a budgetary level. With all of its features
that allow these advantages, engineered hardwood truly stands as being
in a class by itself.
Here is a list of things to consider when purchasing, installing and maintaining your engineered hardwood floor:
Do:
Consider
the area where you will be installing your engineered hardwood floor in
terms of moisture levels and foot traffic - use this to help you to
choose the species of flooring that is right for what you have in mind
Allow
for a certain level of wastage per square foot when placing an order,
depending on your level of expertise. You are the best judge of how
much this will be, but a good range in general is 7-10% for
non-professional installers
Read all installation instructions and warranty information very carefully
Consult
any information about your radiant heating system in order to learn the
best practice when using it under an engineered hardwood floor
Inspect your batch of engineered hardwood flooring for any defects before you begin an installation
Make sure that your subfloor is clean, dry and level before you install your engineered flooring
Clean your engineered hardwood floors frequently, seeing to spills immediately using DRY or DAMP mops, vacuums, and cloths
Use
rugs and runners to protect high traffic areas and access points to the
outdoors. This will minimize the amount of dirt and grit that can
negatively effect the finish of your engineered hardwood flooring
Don't:
Use wax-based cleaners, harsh detergents, abrasives, or steel wool to clean engineered hardwood flooring
Apply finish to an engineered hardwood floor that has already been finished at the factory
Overwet
engineered hardwood when cleaning - excessive moisture can still have a
negative effect on your flooring, just as it would with solid hardwood
Wear spike-heels or athletic spikes on your engineered hardwood floors
This
is of course by no means a comprehensive list. When making a purchase
or caring for an existing floor, it can be a great benefit to consult
with the experts. Local flooring contractors and sales experts in the
industry are two great sources of information when you are seeking to
make an informed purchase or when organizing a cleaning regimen. It is
always a good idea to talk with the professionals and use their years of
experience in flooring to your advantage.
The following procedure is for reapplying coats to an already
finished floor or applying finish to a new floor. When finishing a new
floor always follow the manufacturers recommendations for prepping the
floor. You should always consult the flooring manufacturer on the types
of finishes that are suited to your floor. When finishing any floor we
recommend that you use a quality floor finish that is correctly matched
to your flooring. Our online floor finishing procedures are the general
guidelines for finishing a floor. These days floor finish has become
the alternative to old fashioned waxes. Floor finish can give a floor a
great long lasting shine without the problems of conventional waxes.
