Wood flooring is manufactured in many different materials, and each has their own look. Here we will take a look at some key terms to make sure you know exactly what you are buying. Education is an important part of the buying process.
There are two major types of wood flooring that we will discuss: Solid wood and engineered wood.
Solid Wood:
As the name implies is flooring material that is all “real” wood. Usually milled from a 3/4 inch thick piece of hardwood, solid wood flooring is a long lasting product that can be sanded and refinished many times and if installed in the right environment can last for generations.
Engineered Wood:
Still considered “real hardwood flooring” but engineered wood has only a think layer of hardwood on top of a plywood base. This product is great for areas with moisture.
Strip Flooring:
This is narrow strips of wood, usually available in widths of 1 1/2″, 2″ and 2 1/4″ wide. This is what you see in most homes.
Plank Flooring:
This is wood flooring with widths of 3″ or greater. This was long considered a traditional look, but wide planks are actually becoming a mainstay of modern design.
Random Width Flooring:
Combines various widths of wood flooring and can be patterned. This gives a very interesting look to your room.
Parquet Flooring:
This is a patterned wood floor, in which strips of wood are laid in different directions. Parquet flooring is generally sold in tiles. Parquet has become much more popular as of late, after having a bit of a period where it had fallen out of fashion.
