shopping for hardwood floors

Southern Living, Sep 2006 by Martin, Robert

For lasting beauty underfoot, wood can't be beat. You can get a variety of species and finishes to suit your tastes and budget.

* Solid wood: Generally ¾-inch-thick, solid wood flooring is the same species throughout. Therefore, you can sand and refinish it many times. Most types come in strips that measure 3 inches wide or less. Boards wider than 3 inches are called planks. Because they're wider, planks can shrink and swell due to moisture and temperature changes.

* Reclaimed wood: Often salvaged from old homes, mills, and even barns, this solid flooring displays imperfections and an aged richness other woods don't. Reclaimed wood can be cleaned and refinished or left as is for a rustic look.

* Engineered wood: These wood floors consist of layers sealed together (plies) with the desired species on top. Because each ply is placed in the opposite direction, the overall stability is greater than solid flooring. Engineered wood floors can be installed on dry concrete and below-grade slabs, such as basements. The wood can also be "floated" on top of a subfloor (not attached with nails or glue), requiring less time and money to install. One drawback: The top layer is thin, so sanding more than once is not recommended. -ROBERT MARTIN

EDGE OPTIONS

Square-edged boards sit flush against each other to eliminate gaps for potential dust build-up. Boards with beveled edges require frequent vacuuming (not ideal in a kitchen). An option between the two is eased, or micro-beveled, edges, which are slightly angled. Because they aren't sanded smooth on site, they can hide irregularities in board thicknesses.

FINISHED OR UNFINISHED?

In the past, site-finished flooring (boards installed unfinished and then sanded and stained) was the only way to go. Prefinished lines (factory-stained) were either difficult to find or considered too low-end. But now, prefinished flooring comes in a variety of woods and finishes, such as Brazilian cherry and Santos mahogany, wide planks, and hand-scraped. You can walk on them the same day they're installed.

With all the benefits of prefinished flooring, why consider unfinished? You can achieve a custom look through stenciling or multicolored staining that factory lines can't provide. Site finishing is also better when matching existing floors or repairing an older floor. Unfinished wood can be sanded to smooth out unevenness between boards.

Bonus of using prefinished boards: no dust or odor indoors.

ADD WARMTH TO YOUR WOOD FLOORS

If you're concerned that wood floors feel cold to the feet-even though they add visual warmth to a room-then consider the RugBuddy. Like an electric blanket for the floor, this product radiates heat through a pad beneath an area rug. Just remember to put a pad on the floor first to protect your finish. For more information call 1-888-927-6356, or visit www.speedheat.us.