Types of Wood Floors
Hardwood floors are one of the most important design elements in your home or business. No matter what your lifestyle, wood floors add value and comfort to any decor, but with all the choices available today, how do you know which kind of wood flooring will be right for you?
A: There are two sorts of hardwood floors which may be good candidates for a kitchen:
1) engineered and site-finished
2) solid and unfinished (may require the installation of a plywood sub-floor)
Let's check out the critical differences among the two. Engineered floors can be glued directly to a concrete slab or other rigid sub floor, making the complete floor very thin; about as thin as a standard tile installation. Then there's the solid wood floor which calls for the installation of a plywood sub floor so the solid floor can be nailed in. Many of the kitchens in Northern Texas are normally located on the first floor of a home that's built on a concrete foundation, but there are always a few exceptions.
Why is this difference worth talking about? The thickness of the floor in the end product. The thickness of the floor can introduce difficulties with cabinets and appliances, so the complete thickness of your desired floor should be considered.
There are certain kitchens where you require a thin floor, while others have no limitations at all. If you're going to redesign your entire kitchen including replacing your cabinetry, counter tops and all, you might have the ability to use whatever floor you'd like.
Hare are just a few situations that I've seen as a designer/flooring consultant:
Fridge: Built in fridges need at least one and a quarter inch free above them. Most don't have the clearance. Blocking in the fridge is one thing you don't want to do.
Dishwashers: Your dishwasher generally doesn't have the required extra 1.25" inches in between it's top and the counter. You're going to require the room, so if it's too tight you have to make a determination. Blocking in your dishwasher is a possibility, though it may require a service call from a tech to remove and replace your planks.
Range: Some kitchens have cook tops and some have ranges. If you have a range, take a look at it and see what it might look like if it were raised and inch and a quarter.
An engineered floor is the ideal choice if you've got any of the above issues. The engineered products will vary in thickness from 3/8" to 5/8".
About the Author:
This article was brought to you by Wood Flooring Dallas. At Wood Flooring Dallas, our goal is to provide you, the homeowner, with the flooring you really want, at prices you'll love, and with service you'll be amazed with.
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