Tag: hardwood flooring

Underlayments for Hardwood Flooring

Although not visible, underlayments for hardwood flooring are essential to beautiful flooring. This material offers many benefits. Along with added support and sound protection, underlayment also improves the durability and longevity of your hardwood floors. To get the most out of the underlayment, however, you’ll need to select the right material. Find out how to choose the best underlayment for your new hardwood floors.

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Purpose of Flooring Underlayments

Flooring underlayment is a thin material that rests between the floor covering and the subfloor. Since underlayment is a catch-all term, it takes different forms depending on the flooring material it supports. There are two types of underlayments: rigid and soft. While the subfloor is part of a home’s framework and structure, the main purpose of the underlayment serves to provide a smooth, flat surface to allow for an easy installation of the surface flooring. Additionally, underlayment functions to deaden sound, to soften the feeling of the flooring underfoot, and to act as a moisture barrier. The primary purposes of underlayment are:

  • Smooths Surface – Covers imperfections in the underlying subfloor
  • Improves Structural Stability – A hard underlayment gives the entire floor better stability.

Material Options for Rigid Underlayments

Most floor coverings are best installed over a rigid underlayment applied over the subfloor:

  • Plywood: A/C grade plywood is an excellent underlayment. A/C refers to plywood that has one relatively smooth face and one relatively rough side (for the bottom).
  • OSB: Orient-strand board may be used as an underlayment for some floor coverings, but plywood is generally preferred for any flooring where a hard underlayment is recommended.

Material Options for Soft Underlayments

More installers are using soft flooring underlayments for hardwood but it should be noted that these are best used over an existing floor or in combination with a thin, rigid underlayment.

  • Felt: Offers basic sound absorption and moisture barrier capabilities.
  • Foam: Affordable and easy to install. Provides a high level of sound insulation.
  • Rubber: Easily absorbs noises and disturbances. Easy to install due to its pliability and flexibility.
  • Cork: Eco-friendly. Offers both temperature insulation and sound absorption.

Hardwood Species Considerations

Flooring underlayments depend on the species as each has different qualities that pair better with different underlayment materials. To find the ideal match, consider the type of hardwood flooring you’re planning to install.

  • Hickory: One of the hardest and most durable hardwood species, hickory flooring doesn’t need much help to withstand traffic and wear. Hickory flooring typically pairs well with flexible foam underlayment.
  • Maple: Along with hickory, maple is one of the hardest types of wood flooring. It generally works best with foam or rubber underlayment, as both offer a moderate amount of support and insulation.
  • Oak: Whether you choose white or red, oak flooring is on the softer side. Both types of oak pair well with rubber underlayment, which provides the insulation and absorption capabilities white and red oak need.

Evaluate the Subfloor Condition

While the hardwood species impacts the type of underlayment you’ll choose, so does the subfloor. Think about both the material and the condition of the subfloor as you make your decision. Subfloors that are damaged or uneven tend to work best with the flexible underlayments, as these materials can make up for imperfections in the subfloor.

If the subfloor is plywood, use an underlayment that’s semi-permeable. A semi-permeable underlayment allows both the hardwood floor and the wood subfloor to breathe without trapping mold and mildew or causing the material to rot. If the subfloor is concrete, opt for an impermeable underlayment instead. This type of material is moisture barrier, preventing water from seeping through the concrete and into the hardwood floor.

Consider the Purpose of the Room

In many situations, the room determines the ideal underlayment. Take into account that an apartment a higher level of a building may need a rubber underlayment, providing additional sound insulation and vibration absorption to prevent sound from traveling to the unit below. Similarly, a family room or entryway that experiences a high level of traffic may need a cork underlayment, as it is more supportive and can boost durability.

Confirm the Manufacturer’s Approval

Lastly, confirm the flooring manufacturer’s approval. Many manufacturers recommend certain types of underlayment for use with their products. Manufacturers may require you to install over their own underlayment in order to keep your warranty. Make sure that the underlayment’s material, thickness, and installation requirements are compatible with the flooring. After all, selecting the best underlayment for the hardwood flooring ensures that your floors will look fantastic, feel comfortable, and last for years to come.

Remember the tips above as you select flooring underlayments for hardwood. Once you’ve chosen the right underlayment, you’ll be one step closer to installing new hardwood floors and creating your dream home.

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Surface Finishes For Hardwood Flooring

There are a number of surface finishes for hardwood flooring  to choose from. Certain finishes are better for certain types of hardwood. The finish you choose should compliment both your lifestyle and your home style.

Aluminum Oxide

Aluminum oxide is the most durable finish, lasting up to 25 years. This is especially beneficial for engineered hardwood floors because they often have a thinner veneer that doesn’t lend itself to sanding and refinishing. Prefinished planks are your only option for an aluminum oxide finish due to the application and drying equipment used in the finishing process. Aluminum oxide flooring is prefinished, making installation easier and faster.

Water-Based Polyurethane

Water-based polyurethane is a clear finish that has a traditional look and feel. This smooth, glossy finish gives solid and engineered hardwood floors the signature wet look. Water-based polyurethane finishes also come in satin and semigloss. High-gloss polyurethane hardwood flooring is typically prefinished by the manufacturer, which makes installation faster. Cleaning high-sheen hardwood finish is easy, although scratches, pet hair, and other imperfections stand out.

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Oil-Based Polyurethane

Oil-based polyurethane is another urethane option, although it can yellow over time, it does tend to last a couple years longer. This finish is also less expensive and requires less coats. However, it requires a longer drying and curing period than water-based polyurethane. 

Oil Sealer

Oil sealer or penetrating oil sealer is a wise choice if you’re planning on finishing your hardwood floors yourself as it’s pretty easy to apply. This hardwood finish isn’t as hard as the polyurethane mentioned above. It brings out the natural grain patterns and enhances the color of the wood. Oil sealer allows for touch ups later on. The main benefit of oil sealer is the natural look it brings to flooring. It compliments antique and traditional style homes. Tung oil is the main ingredient in most oil sealers. Since tung oil is naturally derived and not permanent, oil sealers are commonly reapplied every three to five years. This finish also has a longer drying time and requires several coats.

Acid Cured

Acid-cured finishes, also called a Swedish finish, are extremely durable — even more so than polyurethane. This type of finish is best for smooth-textured flooring and exotic woods that need extra protection. However, acid-cured finishes have high toxicity levels during curing. The curing process can last anywhere from three days to a month depending on the relative humidity.

Summary

Consider the hardwood flooring surface finishes described above carefully. Ultimately, the hardwood flooring surface finish you choose should complement your home style and your lifestyle.

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About Hardwood Flooring

There is so much to know about hardwood flooring before purchasing. It is important to consider the construction type, the installation type, what type of finish is most suitable for your needs, the species, as well as basic style and color options. This guide will walk you through all that you need to learn.

SOLID

Solid hardwood floors are the most durable floors on the market. They’re typically 3/4” thick, meaning the flooring can be sanded and refinished multiple times to maintain their attractive look. When properly cared for, solid hardwood floors can last generations.

Despite its durability, it is not recommended for installation over concrete or radiant heat as it is susceptible to moisture. It is also more expensive than engineered hardwood floors. Depending on the species, the hardness of the floor will vary. The Janka rating determines the hardness level.

The planks are sawn in one of three ways, which affects the stability and the price of the hardwood:

  • Flat or Plain Sawn: the most commonly used cut containing more variations than the others.
  • Quarter Sawn: cuts a log into quarters before it cuts the strips of wood to make hardwood flooring planks.
  • Rift Sawn: cuts a log at a different angle than quarter sawn before it cuts the wood into hardwood flooring planks. While it is pricier than the other methods, it is a more stable, higher quality flooring.

Construction

Solid hardwood floor planks are made with a tongue and groove locking method, making it easy to join the planks together and form a strong joint. One side of the plank has a tongue and the other has a groove. The tongue interlocks with the groove to fit the planks together.

solid Summary

There are some disadvantages of solid hardwood to consider. It cannot be installed below grade, meaning basements, or over radiant heat. Most experts recommend not installing it directly over a concrete subfloor. Lastly, solid hardwood is pricier than engineered wood flooring.

JANKA HARDNESS SCALE

The Janka Hardness Scale determines the hardness of a species of wood. Gabriel Janka, an Austrian wood researcher, invented the scale in 1906. In 1927, the scale was standardized by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

Depending on the location of an install, a certain level of hardness may make it a wiser choice. In general, the higher the number on the scale, the harder and more scratch resistant the wood is. Janka rating does not impact pricing. 

The Janka Hardness Scale does not apply to engineered hardwood.

ENGINEERED

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Engineered hardwood flooring has a real wood veneer (the attractive part) that is glued on top of a core board. This construction creates a more stable flooring without losing its real wood surface appeal.

The number of plies used to create the plywood core board determines the durability of engineered flooring. The number of plies impacts how expensive the flooring is.

Cost

Pricing of engineered hardwood depends on the thickness of the veneer. The thicker the veneer, the more expensive the product is. If you do not plan to refinish the flooring at any point, you don’t have to worry about the thickness of the veneer as much. However, if you do plan to refinish it, you must purchase an engineered flooring with at least 2 mm thickness.

Engineered Summary

One big advantage of this type of hardwood is where it can be installed, as you have more options than solid hardwood. Engineered hardwood can be installed over radiant heat or concrete.

Finishes

There are many types of hardwood finishes on the market. We will just cover the basics.

Prefinished planks are finished by the manufacturer, using several coats of aluminum oxide, a surface coating which is one of the hardest substances in the world. Special equipment quickly dries the finish, creating a durable surface. Prefinished floors cost more than unfinished floors, but can be installed in the home without having to worry about sanding and finishing.

Unfinished hardwood, commonly known as site finished, is installed on the site and then finished. There are many durable finishes and sealers to choose from.

Texture Types

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How textured do you want your hardwood flooring? Textures vary among the following:

  • Smooth: This is a smooth surface, referring to traditional milled planks.
  • Hand-Scraped: This is a manually distressed surface.
  • Distressed: This surface is distressed by machine.
  • Antique: These planks have an aged appearance, either naturally or by machine.
  • Wire Brushed: These planks have the most textured surface. Soft wood is removed using a wire brush, making it more durable and easier to maintain. It also hides wear and creates an older appearance.

Installation Types

Common types of installation for hardwood flooring:

  • Nail/Staple: Nailing or stapling the hardwood to the subfloor. Stapling tends to be easier than nailing. Either method is difficult, especially for beginners.
  • Glue: You can glue engineered hardwood flooring, but glue is not recommended for solid hardwood floors.
  • Float: You can either click to lock your floors together, or glue the seams together while “floating” (or not nailing, gluing, or stapling) the floors over your subfloor. Found in Engineered Hardwood. It is the easiest type of wood to use for people who want to DIY the installation.

After you have decided on each of these factors, you’re ready to choose the best design to match the look and decor of your room.

If you plan on installing the flooring yourself, installation is an especially important consideration. 

Species

There are a plethora of species available to use for different types of hardwood flooring. Selecting the right species is important as each species has different characteristics, colors, and grain patterns that could make it a good or bad choice for your home or business. Each species has a hardness rating on the Janka Hardness Scale which can indicate how well the floor may hold up over the years; however, any floor may show early signs of wear and tear if not properly maintained.

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Popular Species
  • Oak

This popular hardwood features two distinct types, both highly desirable flooring options:

    • White Oak – White oak has a pale brown color that can range to greyish. The open grains and long rays of patterns pair nicely with the occasional knots or swirls. White Oak has a 1360 Janka rating.
    • Red Oak – Red oak is
      one of the most popular types of floors. It is light in color with a reddish hue to it. The tight grain pattern is distinct with knots and wavy texture. It has an average Janka rating of 1290.

 

  • Hickory

    This wood is very durable, ideal for high-traffic zones. Hickory features mocha-tones, ranging from creamy beige with a hint of red to warm brown with dark brown streaks. With large knots and color that can vary substantially from board to board, hickory is well suited to rustic and country style. Hickory has a Janka rating of 1820.

 

  • Maple

Another highly durable choice, maple ranks 1450 on the Janka scale and is suitable for most rooms. It is a fairly light-colored wood, with hues that include light cream, beige, and tan, and it often features a slight reddish tint. Maple has a fine grain pattern, with occasional dark streaks and specks that add visual interest to the wood. This hardwood complements many styles, including contemporary, transitional, and eclectic.

  • Acacia

    The species Acacia has strikingly dynamic grain and knots. Some say these attributes contribute to a home full of positive energy, exuberant flow and optimistic attitude. As one of the hardest woods in the world, Acacia’s dynamic looks adds exciting spirit to a home with long-lasting durability as well as an elegant look.

 

  • Birch

    This species varies greatly. The most common style for flooring is Yellow Birch. Stain it with a darker mahogany or walnut finish. There is a tight grain with curves and curls. It’s a durable wood with a 1260 Janka rating.

Conclusion

Knowledge of the different types of hardwood makes it easier to select flooring. After all, this is a big purchase that you are going to be living with. You made it to the end of the guide and now you are ready to shop hardwood flooring!

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