Wood Floors

Though solid hardwood flooring is a favorite, in recent years laminated wood flooring has soared in popularity. Laminated flooring has a thin layer (about 1/8 inch) of hardwood bonded to two layers of less costly wood backing, reducing the amount of expensive hardwood needed. It's also easier to install because, unlike conventional solid wood flooring which must be blind-nailed to subflooring and sanded before finishing, laminated flooring is prefinished and may be glued down or applied over a thin foam pad laid on the subfloor. Some types are adhesive backed.

Another advantage of laminated flooring materials is that, because they're made up of multiple layers, they're less likely to suffer from humidity-caused expansion and contraction problems that commonly occur in moisture-prone areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. Most laminated floors are installed over plywood subflooring but they can also go over smooth concrete slabs or existing, sound vinyl flooring.

The advantage a solid-wood floor has over a laminated one is thickness. Solid-wood may be sanded and refinished numerous times. Laminated floors have a surface layer that's only about 1/16 to 1/8 inch thick. Once this goes, the floor goes.

Most of today's hardwood floors are coated with waterborne urethanes and impregnated acrylics that are durable, highly resistant to water and require very little care.

Laminated flooring, thinner than solid wood flooring, has interlocking tongue-and-groove edges. It is applied with adhesive to a 3/4-inch-thick plywood subfloor.

Parquet flooring is made up of short pieces arranged in patterns. Though older floors may have individually-laid pieces, modern parquet floors are laid in 6 to 12-inch tiles. Because parquet is completely non-structural, it is most solid when laid on an extra sturdy base-both underlayment plywood and 3/4-inch subfloor.

Floating floors of laminated wood have tongues and grooves glued together. The floor rests on a thin foam pad. Over concrete, a barrier of 6-mil plastic seals out moisture.

MORE ABOUT:
/ Solid wood floors / / Vinyl floors / / Tile & stone floors / / Carpeting /
/ Carpet cuts & loops / / Stairs /

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