Hardwood

Hardwood floors are a great investment for any homeowner and the finished effect is simply stunning. The most popular color is currently Red Oak but Maple is running a close second. In reality though, with today's eclectic decorating styles, anything goes. Keep in mind that other than your walls, the floor represents the largest expanse of color or pattern in a room. It is therefore important that your floor complement the fabrics, furnishings and accessories already present in the home. For example, darker colors are most appropriate for formal or traditional interiors, while lighter colors are best for country, casual and contemporary settings. Beyond the design element, some practical components should be taken into consideration.

For reference, engineered plank hardwood floors are ideal for use with radiant heating systems, which results from the manufacturing properties of the product. Engineered plank hardwood floors are manufactured of hardwood using a three-ply or five-ply laminated construction, making them inherently stable. This results in the hardwood flooring being less susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity, which is more likely when flooring is installed over radiant heat. It is important to note that when installing any hardwood floor over a radiant heating system, the maximum temperature of the subfloor should never exceed 80° F. Of the engineered flooring options, a floating installation is the best choice, as it can be applied over the subfloor, without the use of nails or adhesives. Oak is not only popular for its color, it is an ideal species for in-floor radiant systems. Ash and Merbau are also recommended species for such installations. On the other hand, Maple is not recommended for in-floor radiant heat, and neither is Pecan.

Expanding on installation options, not all hardwood floor has to be installed in a linear fashion. For example, parquet wood flooring is created using a series of wood flooring pieces that create a geometric design and/or pattern. Another option is plank hardwood flooring, which is linear, but is wider. Common widths for plank flooring range between 3" – 8." There are some products that are wider, but the wider the plank, the greater the increase in concern for moisture distortion. One last option to mention are strip floors, which are also linear, but as opposed to the plank, it is usually 1 1/2" to 3 1/4" wide. This results in a linear effect, which ultimately gives the illusion of a larger and more open space.