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by cborresen

FAQ’s For Solid and Engineered Wood Flooring

What is Solid Wood Flooring?

Solid wood is exactly as it sounds, one piece of wood from top to bottom.

What is the difference between Laminate and Real Wood Floors?

Real Wood floors will age and mature with your property, this means that they will mark and dent more easily than a laminate would but this is part of the character of real wood floors and should not be viewed as a fault of the product. The shade of the wood surface will change with exposure to sunlight. Dependant on the species, it will either lighten or darken with age. The shade variation will only go on to a certain level and then cease. Any unexposed surface areas will eventually catch up with the colour differences once exposed.

Depending on the type of Real Wood floor (solid v’s engineered) it can sanded and re lacquered a number of times to prolong the life of the floor.

What is the difference between Solid Wood Flooring and Engineered Wood Flooring?

Each type of flooring has its specific use and choosing one over the other is dictated by your lifestyle and needs. Solid wood should be in a moisture-controlled environment. Solid wood (strip or plank effect) should be nailed down only and requires a wood sub floor. Solid wood can be glued to a variety of sub floor materials.

Engineered wood flooring consists of a multi-plied, cross-stacked backing with a real wood veneer (top layer of a selected species). Engineered wood flooring can be used on grade, above and below grade.

Engineered wood flooring is more dimensionally stable so it can be installed in areas where solid wood is not compatible due to moisture. Engineered wood (strip or plank effect) can be glued down over various sub floor. Some engineered woods (strip and plank ) can be nailed down which require a wood sub floor. Engineered woods can also be layed as a floating floor where the tongue and groove are glued together, but the floor is not anchored to the sub floor.

What is a “Floating Floor”?

Floating flooring is a flooring system laid down over a layer of underlay. So while the individual planks are glued together, the individual planks are not nailed or glued into the permanent floor. Instead, the planks form a system that “floats” over the layer of underlay. The underlay can be laid down over existing floors.

What is the required distance between the walls and the flooring boards?

When gluing a Real Wood to the subfloor an expansion gap of 15mm towards the walls is sufficient. With floating-floor installations for every metre of installation width the flooring requires a distance to the wall of at least 5mm, lengthwise an expansion gap of 15mm is sufficient.

Can I install the flooring using one pack after the other?

No, for a natural, harmonious looking installation is recommended to work with approximately 5 open packs of flooring and sort/choose the boards individually by colour.

How much wastage do I allow for?

Despite our strict sorting criteria and thorough quality control there may be certain material-specific peculiarities that customers come across during the on-site selection and installation process which may need to be cut out. Generally, we recommend adding 5% to the room’s sqm-total for cutting scrap.

Which kind of Real Wood flooring is right for me?

The range of choices is huge. According to personal taste and character of the room you can choose between different wood types, board sizes, surface finishes (lacquer-finish or oil-impregnation), surface structures (Antique, Distressed, Brushed), impressions (Block or Wideplank) and styles.

Does sunlight have any effects on the flooring?

Yes, any kind of wood will change its colour over time. During this process light-coloured wood types are not necessarily going to get lighter, dark wood types however will get darker. Every wood type has a characteristic aging process of its own and will react in its individual way.

What is the maximum load a Real Wood flooring can bear on a single point?

With very large loads (e.g. pianos, aquariums, storage heaters and the like) we always recommend gluing down as the installation method of choice.

Can Engineered Real Wood flooring that has been installed as a floating floor be sanded and resurfaced?

Yes, but be aware that every sanding process will take off about 1mm of the flooring’s wear-layer. Try not to use very heavy sanding machinery as the big weight of these machines may lead to the creation of “sanding waves”

How do I care for my oil-impregnated Real Wood floors?

Use Wood-Floor Soap for regular maintenance cleaning. Use a vacuum cleaner for lacquer-finished floors and damp-wipe only if needed.

Should your Floating Real Wood Flooring be installed under kitchen appliances?

In the kitchen, you should install the flooring under kitchen appliances, but be very careful when you slide the appliances over the floor. We recommend covering the flooring with something such as a spare rug to protect the flooring when you’re moving the appliances.

Are there methods that make it possible for ALL stains to be removed from Real Wood Floors or is it sometimes impossible for some stains to be removed?

Most stains don’t penetrate more than the sanding will remove. However, if you have a severe water stain, you may not be able to remove it.

How much of an irregularity (drop or rise) can there be in an existing sub floor before installing your Real Wood Flooring?

You can have a drop or rise up to 4mm over 2 linear metres.

Do Real Wood Floors increase home value?

Absolutely. Real Woods floors are recognised as one of the highest quality floors available and would increase the value of your home.

I am installing a Radiant Heat Floor System involving poly water tubing set in gypsum concrete that would be my sub-floor. Can your products be used with this type of floor heating system?

This installation is okay as long as the tubes don’t touch the wood. You also would have to use a laminated underlay vapour barrier between the concrete and the floor.

Can your Real Wood Flooring be installed over Linoleum and be used on stairs?

Real Wood flooring can be installed on the stairs, however it can be slippery.

You can install our floating Real Wood flooring over linoleum if the linoleum remains sound and tightly glued to the original sub floor.

Is there a type of Real Wood Flooring (e.g. Maple v’s Oak) that is more durable or longer lasting than another?

There isn’t much difference between Real Wood flooring wood types. The only negative on oak is it’s a rather porous wood, but it is a very hard durable wood, as are maple and beech. White oak is slightly harder than red oak. Your choice will really come down to aesthetics.

My concrete floor has a few low spots in it and I was wondering what to use to solve this problem?

Most building materials suppliers have a concrete levelling product. We suggest levelling any areas that are more than 3/16″ in variation. Make sure you use the underlay with a DPM before installing over concrete.

Do you have to install your Real Wood Flooring under existing cabinets?

Ideally, the Real Wood flooring would go under the cabinets. You can, however, cut around the cabinets if removing the cabinets would cause undue complications. Keep in mind, though, that if you were ever to change the cabinets, you could have a problem if the new cabinets weren’t the same size as the old cabinets.

Is it possible to install a Real Wood as a floating floor over concrete?

Real Wood floor is designed exactly for this kind of application. It requires an underlay with a DPM over the concrete floor. The floating floor system can go directly over that.

If there were a crack in the concrete, would it cause problems with a Floating Floor installation?

We recommend that any cracks in concrete be filled with concrete filler and sealed prior to installation. If it’s just a hairline crack you can simply cover the crack with duct tape. Keep in mind that underlay with a DPM must be installed prior to laying down the floor.

Important note prior to installation:
Relative Humidity should be maintained a 40-55% prior to installation and throughout the life span of the floor.

15mm expansion gap must be maintained around the perimeter of the floor.

Related Engineered Wood Flooring Articles

by Jaypeg21

The Basics of Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered Wood Flooring is somewhat different from Natural Wood Flooring. Natural Wood Flooring is made from natural wood obtained from different types of trees like Bamboo, Beech, Cherry, Maple, Oak, etc. Engineered Wood Flooring, on the other hand, is part Natural Wood and part Plywood. It is made by using 1/16″ to 1/8″ of finish wood on top and unfinished plywood underneath. So what is inside does not matter, the top surface is100 percent genuine wood. Engineered Wood Flooring is the latest trend in the market and is an innovative and interesting substitute of Natural wood Flooring. Natural Wood Flooring is prone to warping, discoloring and cracking when exposed to extreme temperatures, whereas Engineered Wood Flooring is durable and easier to maintain.

The construction process of Engineered Wood Flooring is different from that of Natural Wood Flooring. In Engineered Wood Flooring, a thin layer of hard wood is laid on top of a thick layer of plywood. The top layer is suited to be walked upon as soon as it is laid down as it has already been polished. The top layer is real wood hence it needs to be polished regularly so that it does not lose its luster. There are different species of Engineered Wood Flooring. A few of them would be:

Hickory Wood- Hand scraped wood gives your home a timeless feeling.
Maple Wood- Maple Wood gives an elegant finish to whichever room it is applied in. It is most suitable in living rooms and dining rooms.
Bamboo Wood- Almost all Bamboo Wood Flooring is engineered but it “Green” and cheap.
Oak Wood- Oak Wood is reddish in color and is inexpensive and the most popular type of wood used for flooring.

Engineered Wood Flooring can be sanded if it develops scratches or dings. There are various disadvantages of Engineered Wood Flooring as well. First and foremost, if the sanding of this floor is not done by a professional, then the life of this floor can get drastically reduced. The sanding of Engineered Wood Flooring should always be carried out by an expert. Secondly, Engineered Wood flooring cannot be sanded more than 2-3 times. If it is sanded excessively, it tends to lose its luster and sturdiness.

Engineered Wood Flooring is moisture resistant and can be suitably applied in areas with maximum moisture like kitchens, basements, bathrooms, etc. Though it can retain moisture well, it is advisable not to use Engineered Wood Flooring in basements that tend to flood frequently or in children’s bathrooms as they are also prone to flooding.

Engineered Wood Flooring has many advantages over Natural Wood Flooring and Synthetic Wood Flooring. If you want sturdy durable flooring that offers the same feel and luster as Natural Wood Flooring and which is inexpensive and durable, then Engineered Wood Flooring is the one to choose.

by deletem3

Laminate Wood Flooring

Laminate wood flooring is a versatile flooring type that gives the appearance of hardwood flooring. With natural looking designs in durable finish, laminate wood flooring can complement any home or office décor.

Designs and Patterns that Fit Every Interior

Laminate wood flooring is suitable for any room including family room, hallway, kitchen, and bathroom. Designed to withstand in heavy foot traffic areas, it is perfect for families with children and pets. Whatever your interior style – warm, light, energetic, playful, elegant or casual – a wide array of laminate wood flooring styles and colors are available. You can choose from smooth, textured, square edge, hand scraped, bevel edge, narrow plank and other interesting varieties.

Although laminate wood flooring patterns resemble original wood flooring, no solid wood is used in its construction. The realistic wood plank flooring patterns are created through advanced computerized technology. Laminate flooring can be installed on any flooring surface, concrete or wood.

Construction with Authentic Wood Appearance

Laminate wood flooring has a layered structure. The inner core layer is made using a high density, moisture-resistant fiber board. A high resolution image of natural hardwood flooring is glued and attached on the top of the fiber board. The backing layer is made using saturated paper which acts as a moisture barrier. The flooring is then finished with a clear coating to protect from stains and fading.

Laminate wood flooring is available in different installation formats – click-lock, glue down, and floating type. Floating type flooring does not fix directly to the sub floor. The most preferred type is click lock flooring that easily snaps together without glue or nails.

A Popular Flooring Option with Cost-saving Features

Laminate wood flooring enjoys high demand due to its affordability, simple installation, durability and easy maintenance. Most of the flooring manufacturers provide a long-term warranty for laminate floors. Dealers of laminate wood flooring also provide installation and maintenance services.

Related Laminate Wood Flooring Articles

by Mr.Thomas

Engineered Wood Flooring – A Great Alternative To Solid Hardwood Floors

Engineered wood flooring has been one of the great innovations in flooring to hit the market. Engineered hardwood is not made from solid wood. It consists of several layers and only the top layer is the actual hardwood that you always dreamed of having for the floors of your home. The layers underneath are specifically designed to give you maximum wear and tear and they give you practical flooring for just about every room of the house. Engineered wood flooring has advantages over solid hardwood that make it very attractive.

For one thing, engineered wood flooring is not as costly as solid hardwood flooring. The other layers of the engineered hardwood flooring are plywood or high density fibreboard. They are molded together under high pressure in a factory setting. Engineered hardwood floors will not expand and contract as solid hardwood does with changes in humidity and temperature. You can install it over just about any type of existing floor and by following special instructions you can install an engineered floor over radiant heat sources.

Engineered wood flooring in one of the most versatile choices that you can make when it comes to flooring in your home. It has many practical applications. You can install it over an existing concrete floor or one made with inferior grade wood. You can glue or nail it down and there are also forms of engineered hardwood floors that are glueless, forming a floating floor. It is an excellent choice in areas where there are drastic changes in temperature and humidity. However, engineered wood does not perform well in rooms of the home where there is an excess of humidity and moisture, such as in bathrooms or mudrooms.

One of the major reasons that many homeowners choose engineered wood flooring is its fantastic price. You have the same look and texture of hardwood, but it seems as if you are getting the hardwood at a wholesale price. Engineered hardwood floors are easy to install and the instructions are clearly printed inside each carton of flooring. You do have to make sure that the subfloor is clean of dust and dirt before you start so that any small pieces of rock won’t work their way up through the flooring.

In the line of engineered wood flooring, you can get various types of wood, stains and finishes. You can also choose prefinished and unfinished hardwood, but if you are looking for an easy project, then it is best to go with prefinished. This way when you have the engineered hardwood flooring installed, you don’t have to bother applying any stain or finish. You can just sit back and enjoy your engineered wood flooring.

by kylegordon

Importance of Solid Wood Flooring

Experience a new classy touch and elegant looks with the solid wood flooring. The solid wood flooring really adds aesthetics and elegance to a room. Let the attractive Solid Wood Floors bring beauty to the every corner of home.  Solid Wood floorings are costly but it increases the ambience of the house, making it worthwhile. They bring warmth, comfort and liveliness to every room, and are lasting for long periods of time. You can buy solid Wood Flooring from any Wood Flooring company in UK.

Wood Flooring Company in UK offers Solid Wood flooring in different appearances and a lot of choices to meet your flooring needs. Wood Flooring Company in UK offers a fantastic range of top quality Solid Wood Flooring across a varied price range. You can also buy Solid Wood Flooring online. Solid Wood flooring companies in UK makes it easier for you to purchase Solid Wood Floors. Solid Wood Floors are wonderful flooring option for the bedrooms and the living rooms.

Go for the Solid Wood Flooring and experience a whole new look of class and sophistication at an affordable price. You will love walking bare feet on the Solid Wood Floors. Solid Wood Floor ensures warmth and everlasting natural beauty. Another benefit of Solid Wood flooring is that they make room more spacious.

Solid Wood Floor gives a brilliant chance for customization. You can find Solid wood floorings at almost all places. Once you install a Solid Wood Flooring, you will automatically feel the supreme beauty. These days parquet, plank boards and strip flooring are popular choices in Solid Wood Flooring category. Solid Wood Floors are best and at the same time simple to maintain. Whether you choose dark coloured or light shade, the Solid Wood Flooring lasts forever. Solid Wood Floor promises a real investment into your home. Select from wide range of the superior quality Solid Wood Flooring for your home from Wood flooring companies in UK.

We offer a range of wood flooring, bamboo flooring, engineered flooring, flooring installation services at Forest Floors UK at best affordable prices. For more information on wood flooring Products and accessories visit us at www.forestfloorsuk.co.uk.

by Kilgub

The Marvels Of Engineered Wood Flooring

The engineered wood is very much in demand these days for the new houses that are being built. This is mainly used for the floor because hardwood flooring is not easy to be done on your own. You have to get a floor installer. Comparatively, the engineered wood flooring is an alternative that not only enhances the look of your house but is also hassle free.

Engineered wood is a mixture of plywood and finish wood and so you have actually got yourself real wood for the floor, no matter what people may say. The engineered hardwood floors are moisture proof and are also easy to maintain. Even though hard wood is sturdy, the ply wood used across the finish wood in case of engineered hardwood flooring gives support and strength.

There are various advantages of the engineered hardwood floors. In case of solid wood floors once it is laid, it needs to be sealed and you must give it some time to dry before it is ready to be used. The engineered hardwood floors are instantly ready to be used once it is done, since these are sold after sand cleaning and sealing. Another benefit of these floors is that they can be later sanded in case scratches develop. Laminated floors do not have this advantage.

Compared to the other wood floors the engineered hard wood flooring is the best for kitchens, bathrooms and to a certain extent in basements too. The installation of engineered floors can be done in two ways. You nail them or glue them in place. There are floating engineered floors too.

Though more expensive than the laminated floors the engineered wood floors are easier to maintain as they can be cleaned to remove the various marks that form on the floor when used constantly. The unique feature of engineered floors is that they are noiseless while tiled or stone floors tend to create noise. During winter the feel of the floor under our feet is warm unlike the other floors. You can rest assured that your floor will not develop dents or get warped when it comes in contact with moisture.  

Engineered wood floors in Utah, Salt Lake City, is prompt and is done by experts.  There are very many specialists in engineered hardwood flooring. With their help you can also customize the floor according to your choice.

This short video shows how to install solid wood flooring onto a concrete base using Rewmar MS Polymer flexible adhesive. This adhesive is so easy to use and contains no solvents. Perfect for sticking down both solid hardwood flooring and engineered hardwood flooring. For more information please vist the website www.rewmar.co.uk This product can be bought online from: www.wood2u.co.uk
Video Rating: 4 / 5

by doublebug

Why Choose Real Wood Veneer Reception Desk

A reception desk is the main attraction of a modern office today. It is the first thing which appeals to the eyes of an outsider. A modern contemporary front desk should be unique and gives a classy look to an office.   It can create a positive effect on clients and also to the employees.  A beautiful office receptionist desk gives a sophisticated look to a work place and often help complete a company’s image.

The trend is to create  a contemporary and distinct front lobby desk that is both warm and inviting.  This ‘must have’ piece of furniture usually have the classic feel of real wood veneer.  A variety of veneer desks are available in the market.  They are designed with integrated glass, brass, stainless steel and chrome to compliment the interiors.  Real wood, though an old fashion material, gives exceptional warmth to the reception area.  Such modern and classy reception area invites collaboration.  It creates a friendly approach and relaxes the mind of the people working in that particular organization.  It should be highly sophisticated and conducive to high standards of business by creating the right atmosphere.

Real wood veneer has features that suits many design criteria.  It is modern yet classic and is an everlasting presence in today’s expansive design spectrum.  They are available in many species, grain pattern, color, finishes, and textures;  thus, providing a wide variety of options for the designers and buyers.  It can be well tailored to suit the need of every customer.  Contemporary designs often integrate modern veneers, like copper, stainless, aluminum, to the classic wood veneer.  Edges can be banded with hard wood, pvc, stainless, aluminum, and other strips.  Stone, glass, and tiles are often used on receptionist desk counters because of their exception durability and home like feel.  Because there are so many options available and most often, office managers all have different taste.  There is rarely a single design that works for most company’s needs.  This is precisely why most mid to high end reception front lobby desk are custom made.  You just simply can’t stock a thousand plus configurations and anticipate what the business wants.  However, there are plenty of company who will compromise a little to afford a highly presentable front desk and meet their budget.  Such compromise often give buyers a variety of affordable options and drastically decreases lead time for reception desk.  Happy hunting.