Gaining a better understanding of the terms and definitions associated with
hardwood floors can better prepare you for your own hardwood flooring project. Before you begin your
search, you should know what to look for when buying hardwood floors. This section provides a quick and easy breakdown of
valuable things to know about hardwood flooring, including varieties, finishes and textures.
Solid hardwood flooring
Individual pieces (strips or planks) are cut from a piece of solid hardwood in one of three ways:
- Plain sawn: Plain sawn, also called flat sawn, hardwood floor pieces are sliced to reveal wide grain
patterns in the hardwood.
- Quarter sawn: Quarter sawn pieces are cut to show the growth rings, creating stable floors that handle
humidity changes well.
- Rift sawn: Rift sawn hardwood pieces are cut to display very similar grain patterns, creating a
uniform look and very stable hardwood floors that can stand up well to humidity and extremes of temperature.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Engineered hardwood flooring is constructed using layers of hardwood and other materials, with a top
layer of finished wood. The top layer of engineered flooring is called a veneer.
- Multi–layer (or multi–ply): engineered hardwood planks are made of 5 to11 plies of plywood
with a top layer (veneer) of finished wood.
- Three–layer (or three–ply): planks consist of a backing ply sheet, a middle (or core)
layer, and a top layer (veneer) of finished wood.
The number of times your engineered hardwood floors may be sanded and refinished depends on the
thickness of the veneer. Generally, veneers that are less than 1/8" thick can be completely sanded and
refinished only one or two times. However, if your flooring just has minor scratches, the process of screening and coating
can be done several times. In screening and coating, only the finish is sanded (or "screened") off of the top layer and new
finish is applied.
Veneers are constructed one of two ways:
- Rotary peeled: Most veneers of 1/8" or less are created by peeling away a layer of the log while it's
rolled on a machine.
- Sawed: Most veneers of 1/8" or more are created by sending lumber into cutter machines that slice each
log into veneers.
Hardwood Flooring Width
Hardwood flooring is referred to as being either strip or plank. These terms refer to
the width of the wood.
- Strip: Hardwood flooring strips come in boards less than 2 1/4" wide.
- Plank: Hardwood planks are 2 1/4" wide or wider, and are usually more expensive than hardwood strips.
Hardwood Flooring
Domestic
Domestic hardwood is a term used
to describe hardwoods from North America. Popular North American hardwoods include White Oak, Red Oak, North American Maple,
North American Cherry, Hickory, Black Walnut, Ash, and Beech.
Exotic
Hardwoods sourced outside North America are often more expensive than domestic woods, with greater variation in color
and grain. Some well–known exotic hardwoods include
Teak, Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba), Brazilian Walnut (Ipe),
Tigerwood, Santos Mahogany, Cumaru, Merbau,
Wenge, Patagonian Rosewood, and African Mahogany.
Hardwood Floor Textures
Smooth
Smooth hardwood floors will have an overall even look and feel to the grain,
appearance, and texture of the finish.
Distressed
Hardwood floors with a distressed texture have an "old world" appearance as they look weathered and
worn. Distressed flooring is deliberately but creatively beaten and made to have an older or more broken–in feel for
this particular style preference.
Hand–scraped
Hand–scraped hardwood flooring is different from distressed; this flooring texture can be created
by hand or machine. Hand–scraping creates an uneven pattern of waves or soft ridges which give an aged appearance, but
are not necessarily distressed.
Wire brushed
Wire brushes remove sapwood and other soft areas of the wood to give the flooring a deeply grained look
and feel.
Hardwood Floor Patterns
Parquet
Parquet flooring consists of pieces of hardwood laid in a decorative pattern. The pattern will always
be geometrical or angular. The herringbone pattern is the most recognizable type of parquet floor.
Inlay
Inlaid borders or medallion patterns can add visual interest to your hardwood floors.
Inlays are usually done by using a different type of wood than the main flooring.
Stenciled/Stained "Inlay"
A pattern is taped onto a hardwood floor and stained over with a lighter or darker stain, revealing a
pattern when the tape is removed.
Mixed Media
Materials like ceramic tiles, marble, aluminum,
copper, and brass can be inlaid to your hardwood floors for a unique look. With a qualified
craftsman, design options with mixed media are limitless.
Edges
Micro Bevel
A very small angle is cut on the edges of hardwood pieces so when placed together, minor imperfections
in the subfloor are offset to create a level appearance across the flooring.
Beveled (V–Groove)
Corners are cut at an extreme angle, creating a deep V where the planks align, creating obvious grooves
and a distinctive look at the surface.
Square Edge
Edges are cut at 90º angles so that when placed together with other pieces of flooring there is
smooth transition and no groove between the edges.
Distressed/Hand–Scraped
Distressed or hand–scraped hardwood floors have irregular edges to match the irregular distressed
or hand–scraped patterns.
Hardwood Flooring Finishes
Pre–finished
Pre–finished hardwood floors are sanded and finished at the factory before delivery and
installation. Unfinished hardwood flooring is sanded and finished after installation. Known to be tough and durable,
pre–finished flooring is usually given several coats of UV finish. Some are available with aluminum oxide finishes for
greater durability.
- Surface finishes: These finishes include urethane, varnish, lacquer, epoxy, acrylic, shellac, and wax.
They are layered over your hardwood floor like paint.
- Penetrating finishes: These finishes include sealers, resins, and oil finishes. They work by sinking
into the wood and giving it a permanent color.
Unfinished Hardwood
Unfinished hardwood floors need to be sanded and finished after installation. They are usually not
recommended for do–it–yourself installation due to the time and skill that goes into completing an unfinished
hardwood flooring project with a correctly applied finish.
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