Choices for Wood Flooring

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.