Flooring,  Hardwood

Common Types of Hardwood Flooring

There are many factors to consider when selecting types of hardwood flooring for your home or business. It is important to consider the construction type, the installation type, what type of finish is most suitable for your needs, the species, as well as basic style and color options.

Construction: Solid vs Engineered

Engineered hardwood utilizes a multi-layer core topped with a real hardwood veneer, while solid hardwood flooring is milled from a single unit of wood.

SOLID

Solid hardwood floors are the most durable floors on the market. They’re typically 3/4” thick, meaning the flooring can be sanded and refinished multiple times to maintain their attractive look. When properly cared for, solid hardwood floors can last generations.

Despite its durability, it is not recommended for installation over concrete or radiant heat as it is susceptible to moisture. It is also more expensive than engineered hardwood floors. Depending on the species, the hardness of the floor will vary. The Janka rating determines the hardness level.

The planks are sawn in one of three ways, which affects the stability and the price of the hardwood:

  • Flat or Plain Sawn: the most commonly used cut containing more variations than the others.
  • Quarter Sawn: cuts a log into quarters before it cuts the strips of wood to make hardwood flooring planks.
  • Rift Sawn: cuts a log at a different angle than quarter sawn before it cuts the wood into hardwood flooring planks. While it is pricier than the other methods, it is a more stable, higher quality flooring.

Solid hardwood floor planks are made with a tongue and groove locking method, making it easy to join the planks together and form a strong joint. One side of the plank has a tongue and the other has a groove. The tongue interlocks with the groove to fit the planks together.

Summary of Solid Hardwood

There are some disadvantages of solid hardwood to consider. It cannot be installed below grade, meaning basements, or over radiant heat. Most experts recommend not installing it directly over a concrete subfloor. Lastly, solid hardwood is pricier than engineered wood flooring.

JANKA HARDNESS SCALE

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The Janka Hardness Scale determines the hardness of a species of wood. Gabriel Janka, an Austrian wood researcher, invented the scale in 1906. In 1927, the scale was standardized by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

Depending on the location of an install, a certain level of hardness may make it a wiser choice. In general, the higher the number on the scale, the harder and more scratch resistant the wood is. Janka rating does not impact pricing. 

The Janka Hardness Scale does not apply to engineered hardwood.

ENGINEERED

Engineered hardwood flooring has a real wood veneer (the attractive part) that is glued on top of a core board. This construction creates a more stable flooring without losing its real wood surface appeal.

The number of plies used to create the plywood core board determines the durability of engineered flooring. The number of plies impacts how expensive the flooring is.

Cost

Pricing of engineered hardwood depends on the thickness of the veneer. It ranges from 0.6 mm to 6 mm. The thicker the veneer, the more expensive the product is. If you do not plan to refinish the flooring at any point, you don’t have to worry about the thickness of the veneer as much. However, if you do plan to refinish it, you must purchase an engineered flooring with at least 2 mm thickness.

Summary of Engineered Hardwood

One big advantage of this type of hardwood is where it can be installed, as you have more options than solid hardwood. Engineered hardwood can be installed over radiant heat or concrete.

Finishes

There are many types of hardwood finishes and sealants on the market. We will just cover the basics.

Prefinished planks are finished by the manufacturer, using several coats of aluminum oxide, a surface coating which is one of the hardest substances in the world. Special equipment quickly dries the finish, creating a durable surface. Prefinished floors cost more than unfinished floors, but can be installed in the home without having to worry about sanding and finishing.

Unfinished hardwood, commonly known as site finished, is installed on the site and then finished. There are many durable finishes and sealers to choose from.

Texture Types

How textured do you want your hardwood flooring? Textures vary among the following:

  • Smooth: This is a smooth surface, referring to traditional milled planks.
  • Hand-Scraped: This is a manually distressed surface.
  • Distressed: This surface is distressed by machine.
  • Antique: These planks have an aged appearance, either naturally or by machine.
  • Wire Brushed: These planks have the most textured surface. Soft wood is removed using a wire brush, making it more durable and easier to maintain. It also hides wear and creates an older appearance.

Installation Types

Common types of installation for hardwood flooring:

  • Nail/Staple: Nailing or stapling the hardwood to the subfloor. Stapling tends to be easier than nailing. Either method is difficult, especially for beginners.
  • Glue: You can glue engineered hardwood flooring, but glue is not recommended for solid hardwood floors.
  • Float: You can either click to lock your floors together, or glue the seams together while “floating” (or not nailing, gluing, or stapling) the floors over your subfloor. Found in Engineered Hardwood. It is the easiest type of wood to use for people who want to DIY the installation.

After you have decided on each of these factors, you’re ready to choose the best design to match the look and decor of your room.

If you plan on installing the flooring yourself, installation is an especially important consideration. 

Species

There are a plethora of species available to use for different types of hardwood flooring. Selecting the right species is important as each species has different characteristics, colors, and grain patterns that could make it a good or bad choice for your home or business. Each species has a hardness rating on the Janka Hardness Scale which can indicate how well the floor may hold up over the years; however, any floor may show early signs of wear and tear if not properly maintained.

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Popular Species

  • Oak

    This popular hardwood features two distinct types, both highly desirable flooring options:

 

    • White Oak – This hardwood has a pale brown color that can range to greyish. The open grains and long rays of patterns pair nicely with the occasional knots or swirls. White Oak has a 1360 Janka rating.
    • Red Oak – One of the most popular types of floors, red oak is light in color with a reddish hue to it. The tight grain pattern is distinct with knots and wavy texture. It has an average Janka rating of 1290.
  • Hickory

    This is a very durable hardwood, ideal for high-traffic zones. Hickory features mocha-tones, ranging from creamy beige with a hint of red to warm brown with dark brown streaks. With large knots and color that can vary substantially from board to board, hickory is well suited to rustic and country style. Hickory has a Janka rating of 1820.

  • Maple

    Another highly durable choice, maple ranks 1450 on the Janka scale and is suitable for most rooms. It is a fairly light-colored wood, with hues that include light cream, beige, and tan, and it often features a slight reddish tint. Maple has a fine grain pattern, with occasional dark streaks and specks that add visual interest to the wood. This hardwood complements many styles, including contemporary, transitional, and eclectic.

  • Acacia

    The species Acacia has strikingly dynamic grain and knots. Some say these attributes contribute to a home full of positive energy, exuberant flow and optimistic attitude. As one of the hardest woods in the world, Acacia’s dynamic looks adds exciting spirit to a home with long-lasting durability as well as an elegant look.

  • Birch

    Birch wood varies greatly. The most common style for flooring is Yellow Birch. Stain it with a darker mahogany or walnut finish. There is a tight grain with curves and curls. It’s a durable wood with a 1260 Janka rating.

Conclusion

Knowledge of the different types of hardwood makes it easier to select flooring. After all, this is a big purchase that you are going to be living with.

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