Choices for Wood Flooring
National Wood Flooring
Association - NWFA
Reprinted with permission.
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.
