HARDWOOD

Hardwood floors are made from solid, natural wood and depending on the kind of floor you want, you can purchase a variety of wood species.

The entire plank is made from wood, it is the only material used in the manufacturing of hardwood floors. Modern hardwood is typically made with a tongue and groove system for easy installation . Hardwood floor is easy to sand and refinish, and requires a healthy amount of maintenance to keep them looking great. They are easier to damage than the two other floor types discussed here though, so buyer beware. Not only do they dent easier (i.e. if you walk with stilettos or drop a heavy object on the floor you’ll see dents), they cannot be left wet or else they’ll become damaged (the boards will swell and expand).

Hardwood flooring is almost always more expensive but no one can argue how gorgeous it looks or feels when you walk on it.

ENGINEERED HARDWOOD

The best way to describe engineered hardwood flooring is to think of it like a hybrid car; it’s a little bit of laminate and a little bit of hardwood.

It’s core is usually plywood or high-density fibreboard (HDF) and the top layer is composed of a of hardwood veneer which is glued atop the core to mimic nearly any species of hardwood. Engineered hardwood has the natural characteristics of the selected wood species as opposed to a photographic layer (which is what you get with laminate). The reason people tend to choose engineered hardwood over natural hardwood is garner greater moisture and heat resistance because of the core material.

Engineered

Solid

LAMINATE

Laminate is durable, cost-effective and comes in a variety of colours, textures and sizes.

It’s very versatile! The core of product is typically made of High Density Fiber (HDF) as opposed to actual slabs of wood. The top layer is a photographic layer which is designed to mimic the look you’re going for i.e. hardwood, bamboo, knotted wood, etc. Laminate planks are typically 3/8” thick and are installed using a tongue and groove locking system, meaning you can install or uninstall with ease.

laminate

Ways to Install

Fastening

Fastening (also called nail-down) is the most common method used to install hardwood floors. The process involves using nails or staples to fasten the hardwood to the subfloor. This type installation works for both solid and engineered hardwood flooring products. When fastening down a hardwood floor, the spacing of the fasteners is important. Too few can cause cracks or squeaks, while too many can lead to splitting in the tongue. We recommend hiring a professional who can guarantee a beautiful and efficient installation.

Glue Down

When using the glue-down method, the hardwood is adhered to the subfloor, or to a moisture barrier installed directly on the subfloor, using a strong adhesive. While some exceptions may exist, we recommend gluing only engineered hardwood products. The subfloor must be completely dry and flat to ensure proper installation. There are several different types of adhesives on the market. A professional installer will use the type of adhesive that is specifically recommended for your hardwood flooring product.

Floating

With this technique, the hardwood is not fastened or glued down. The planks are fastened together and they float above the subfloor. Usually a pad is placed between the hardwood and the subfloor to reduce noise and protect against moisture. This type of installation is only recommended for engineered hardwood products. The installation process is very quick, and it can be done over almost any type of subfloor. It is a great option when installing over existing flooring material.