There are a number of hardwood flooring surface finishes to choose from. Certain finishes are better for certain types of hardwood. The finish you choose should compliment both your lifestyle and your home style. Aluminum Oxide Aluminum oxide is the most durable finish, lasting up to 25 years. This is especially beneficial for engineered hardwood floors because they often have a thinner veneer that doesn’t lend itself to sanding and refinishing. Prefinished planks are your only option for an aluminum oxide finish due to the application and drying equipment used in the finishing process. Aluminum oxide flooring is prefinished, making installation easier and faster. Water-Based Polyurethane Water-based polyurethane is a…

Though it may not be visible, flooring underlayments for hardwood are essential to beautiful flooring. This material offers many benefits. Along with added support and sound protection, underlayment also improves the durability and longevity of your floors. To get the most out of the underlayment, however, you’ll need to select the right material. Find out how to choose the best underlayment for your new hardwood floors. Purpose of Flooring Underlayments Flooring underlayment is a thin material that rests between the floor covering and the subfloor. Since underlayment is a catch-all term, it takes different forms depending on the flooring material it supports. There are two types of underlayments: rigid and…