Floors: Choosing the best kind of wood floor for your home

August 2, 2005
By: Allen Shaw

So you say you need new flooring for your home and you have always liked the look of wood floors? Don't blame you. The look and feel of a professionally installed hardwood floor can bring you many years of enjoyment…and it is not exactly bad for adding value to the home. However, the big question is, "What kind of hardwood flooring should you get?"

There are three main types of flooring: solid wood flooring, engineered wood flooring and acrylic-impregnated wood flooring. Solid wood flooring comes in three main types: Strip flooring – has a set width but the thickness can vary. Plank flooring – plank floors come in only two thicknesses but the widths can vary. Parquet flooring – parquet flooring is made up of geometric patterns on individual wood slats held together by adhesive.

Engineered wood flooring is the second kind of wood flooring and is often confused with laminate flooring…but they are not the same thing. Engineered wood flooring combines a plastic laminate veneer with real wood.

Acrylic-impregnated is combined with a sealant and color throughout the wood. This kind of flooring is used most often in commercial settings due to its high resistance to moisture and scratches.

According to the World Floor Covering Association, it is difficult to tell the difference between a solid wood floor and the other floor types. Solid wood floors are the most common flooring option. However, do not count out engineered floors. Due to its low cost, engineered flooring is gaining in popularity by the day.

For more information about flooring or related products, choose from one of the following links:

Hardwood Flooring | Wood Flooring | Bamboo Flooring