Prefinished
Wood Flooring
Getting
a little confused with all the options that are available
to you in Prefinished Wood Flooring? Don't worry,
everyone feels the same way. When you visit a
showroom your salesman will really push one wood floor
harder than another one because they make more money
on it or it's the most popular choice. That popular
choice is limited to the various product lines they
carry.
As
you know Somerset hardwood flooring is prefinished
and unfinished, American made using wood from America.
Does that make them the best? Nope, but let's face it,
they are a company that stands behind their product
and a lot of hardwood floors you see today are Somerset.
Advice
on Prefinished Wood Flooring
My
best advice in picking a prefinished wood flooring,
would be talking to contractors who install wood floors.
They'll give you a good idea of what looks best,
what lasts, and which ones can hide defects in sub flooring.
I'd also ask a salesman if you can look at the packages
by opening them up and examining them thoroughly.
Solid
Prefinished Wood Flooring
If
you are looking at solid wood floors I do believe it
is best to stick with strips that are less than 3 1/4
inches wide. Any wider and you run the risk of seasonal
influences that will disrupt the floor. Seasonal
influences of water, humidity, dry heat, etc. These
influences will cause wood to expand, shrink or crack.
Solid prefinished wood flooring is great because
you have the option of sanding and refinishing defects
from chips, dents, etc.
Keep
in mind if you are in the showroom the sample boards
they show you are the best selection of each wood. Ask
to see a package and open it up. Most salesman
will object but if you explain to them you'll never
invest thousands of dollars without looking at the wood,
then they might agree. If they don't agree, walk out.
I doubt they'd purchase a car without test driving it
and neither will you.
Once
you find a place that will let you open the package,
take the strips out and place them on a level floor.
Look at the gloss consistency to make sure all
boards have the same sheen. Run your hands over
the boards to make sure all strips are level and not
uneven. Check all the edges for chips, dents,
or uneven cutting. If you truly like this package
purchase it and take it home and lay the wood out on
the area you will be installing your wood floor and
see if it will meet your expectations.
Laminate
Prefinished Wood Flooring
I
installed a laminate floor in our home about 6 years
ago and it still looks good. My wife uses a swiffer
to keep it clean and it has withstood many objects dropped
on it, dogs with dirty feet and kids.
You
have 2 options when it comes to laminate wood floors,
3-ply and 5-ply. Both are about the same size
(thickness) but one option uses 3 pieces and the other
5 pieces. These floors will either be installed
by glue on the subfloor or you can install a floating
floor. Our hardwood flooring system is a floating
floor. Although it looks good there are spots
when you walk it makes a hollow sound. Had they been
glued you would not get the hollow sound.
Why
would anyone choose a laminate floor? Bottom line
it comes down to price. When we built our home
we knew we wanted wood floors but we ran out of money
so we had them lay carpet. That carpet was replaced
with laminate because it was on sale and it was easy
for me to install. I can tell you that we'll probably
upgrade the floor when the kids are out of college,
but until then, we'll still enjoy our floors.
Do take your time picking
a wood floor and try to find homes with wood floors
installed so you can get a good idea of what they will
look like, feel like and sound like.
|
