Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - general questions
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blacklab88
04-28-07, 02:13 PM
I am ready to trash all of the cheap, builders grade carpet in my house and had a few general questions:
1-Hardness: I obtained a few samples of oak and bamboo (finished with aluminum oxide, I think) and took a hammer and gently struck each one with the edge of the hammer's peen, producing a very noticeable dent, and also scratched the finish quite easily with a nail. Question: should I spend extra money and go with a harder floor (Brazilian cherry, for example) or should I expect even the harder floors to dent and scratch easily? I have children and dogs and don't want to trash a very expensive outlay.
2-Discoloration: Over the years I have noticed that many floors discolor under area rugs. Is this a problem with the type of rug and rug pad? Is discoloration also perhaps a function of the type of wood or the color? I was told that the darker woods discolor more than the lighter woods.
3-I am on a bugdet, and plan on laying down a click together floor to save installation costs. I have perused the floors a ifloor.com and like the bamboo floors and some of the hardwood floors, especially the Brazilian cherry. But, as I mentioned earlier, the bamboo dented quite easily, even though its Janka rating was higher than most floors.
Any help would be most appreciated.
1-Hardness: I obtained a few samples of oak and bamboo (finished with aluminum oxide, I think) and took a hammer and gently struck each one with the edge of the hammer's peen, producing a very noticeable dent, and also scratched the finish quite easily with a nail. Question: should I spend extra money and go with a harder floor (Brazilian cherry, for example) or should I expect even the harder floors to dent and scratch easily? I have children and dogs and don't want to trash a very expensive outlay.
2-Discoloration: Over the years I have noticed that many floors discolor under area rugs. Is this a problem with the type of rug and rug pad? Is discoloration also perhaps a function of the type of wood or the color? I was told that the darker woods discolor more than the lighter woods.
3-I am on a bugdet, and plan on laying down a click together floor to save installation costs. I have perused the floors a ifloor.com and like the bamboo floors and some of the hardwood floors, especially the Brazilian cherry. But, as I mentioned earlier, the bamboo dented quite easily, even though its Janka rating was higher than most floors.
Any help would be most appreciated.
twelvepole
04-28-07, 03:41 PM
Harder wood floors will not dent as easily under normal use as softer species. Any wood will dent from a hammer blow. Some finishes are more durable than others. Most will scratch if abused, especially by a nail. Proper care and maintenance is the secret to a long-lasting floor finish.
Area beneath rugs are not exposed to light. It's like sunbathing with a band aid on your belly. The area beneath gets no sun. Seasonally removing area rugs is recommended. Some rug backings and underlayments can cause discoloration. Use a high-quality, non-yellowing cushion for area rugs. Properly shading windows will protect furnishings from UVB damage.
While there are many wood species with higher hardness ratings than oak, you will see original oak floors in 200+ historic homes. Again, with proper care and maintenance, any of the harder species will perform well.
Area beneath rugs are not exposed to light. It's like sunbathing with a band aid on your belly. The area beneath gets no sun. Seasonally removing area rugs is recommended. Some rug backings and underlayments can cause discoloration. Use a high-quality, non-yellowing cushion for area rugs. Properly shading windows will protect furnishings from UVB damage.
While there are many wood species with higher hardness ratings than oak, you will see original oak floors in 200+ historic homes. Again, with proper care and maintenance, any of the harder species will perform well.