Engineered Hardwood Floors Can
Be Easier On Your Budget
Looking for a real wood floor that will save you money compared to solid hardwood? Engineered hardwood floors may be your answer. This kitchen flooring option is actual wood and not something that just looks like wood. It will have the same luster and feel as solid hardwood.
Unfinished solid hardwood is less costly then engineered hardwood floors. Once you add in the cost to finish the raw product on the job site, the job-finished product turn out more expensive then the pre-finished product. You will want to weigh and decide on the best option for your kitchen before you purchase the material. There is a large variety of engineered hardwood floors to choose from. Click here to see a nice selection of flooring priced to save you money compared to other sources. Browse through your choices and with a few clicks you can get free samples.
A Stable FloorThis type of flooring is made from three to ten layers of veneer, called plies, with a pre-finished real wood top layer being 1/16" to 1/6" thick. The thickness of the finished boards ranges in size from 1/4" to 3/4" depending on the number of plies. Planks are made by turning the plies at alternating 90-degree angles to one another, making for an incredibly stable floor. Because the floor is so stable, it is much less likely to shrink or expand like a solid wood floor. It is also perfect to lay over heated floors or concrete without any worry of warping. It may be a good choice for you if you want to lay it below grade on concrete. Moisture conditions need to be correct for this use, so check with the flooring supplier for details.
Pre-finished boards have a more lasting and durable seal than those that are job-sanded, making it unlikely you'll ever need to have it refinished. Generally speaking, engineered flooring has many layers of ultra-violet urethane applied at the factory making for a better finish then found with floors done on the job site. But if you ever need to refinish the floor, please take note of the ability to refinish this product based in its thickness. Engineered hardwood floors with a top layer greater then 1/10" can be refinished to fix dings, scratches or common wear after several years of use. Hardwood with a top layer less then 1/10" can't be re-sanded but can be re-coated to bring the original luster back after you've had it for many years.
Installing Engineered Hardwood FloorsBecause the boards are pre-finished at the factory, putting them down is a snap. Similar to solid hardwood, engineered hardwood floors come with a tongue and groove that fit into one another.
The boards can be put in as a floating floor, or nailed down. Gluing the boards down is also an option. If a lot of cutting of the boards is required, having the floor installed may be your best choice if you're not up to the carpentry. Once an engineered floor is down, it is finished and ready to walk on. Compare this to job-finished floors that must be sanded, stained, and sealed on site, with many coats that can take over a week with no other labor being done in the kitchen during this period. Engineered hardwood flooring will absorb sound better than a laminate floor. It can also be cleaned with a slightly damp mop, being careful that you never use too much water.
Running The PlanksKeep your kitchen looking more spacious by running the boards parallel to the longest wall in the room and ideally toward natural light. The long linear look takes the eye further, giving the appearance that the room is larger. Stagger the planks like you would with any hardwood product so that the ends do not line up. The look of engineered flooring is just like solid hardwood. Planks are available in many widths, from the more common 2 1/4,” to the ever-popular wider planks. Narrower boards will make a smaller kitchen appear larger and the wider planks will make a large kitchen more intimate. The look of
distressed hardwood floors
can also be obtained if that style fits with your kitchen design ideas. The overall design of the kitchen should be considered when choosing flooring to ensure a flow from your kitchen throughout your home.
From red oak to hickory, cherry, bamboo, or maple there is a floor that will be right for you. There are also exotic woods that you can get, giving you many choices.While this type of flooring has many pluses, it can only be refinished a few times if at all as mentioned. Also, your selection of colors is limited to what is available as opposed to a custom color with solid hardwood. Your kitchen receives the most use of any room in your home. It's best to install a durable surface that will last for you and your family. Consider engineered hardwood floors to give your kitchen the style and elegance it deserves. This type of rich wood flooring is a perfect alternative to solid hardwood kitchen flooring, and is even more durable. Click on this link and see some of your great choices and get free samples on some of their products to help coordinate your flooring with your other kitchen finishes.
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