Differences Between Types of Hardwood

Many homeowners are interested in the beauty and aesthetic appeal of hardwood flooring. Today, there are several options available, including unfinished engineered wood flooring, Rift-sawn hardwood flooring, and waterproof hardwood. These materials are manufactured to replicate the look of real wood, but they are essentially the same. However, there are a few key differences between the two. Below we will discuss the main differences between the two types of hardwood. This information will help you decide which type of wood is right for your home.

Unfinished engineered wood flooring

Unfinished engineered wood flooring is a wonderful choice for any room of your home. It is a relatively inexpensive flooring option that lasts for years. Before committing to unfinished flooring, you should find out if it is right for your home. Unfinished engineered wood can be customized to fit the specific needs of your home and your decorating style. If you want to add a custom touch to your flooring, you can even color it yourself. It’s an excellent DIY project and can make your floors truly unique.

Most prefinished engineered wood flooring is based on plain sawn oak, but you can choose species of wood. This option has similar disadvantages to unfinished solid wood flooring, such as the additional sanding and finishing required. Nonetheless, unfinished engineered wood flooring gives you a great choice of species and color options. These flooring options are a great choice for homeowners who prefer a certain style. But if you prefer a more natural look, it may not be for you.

Engineered wood flooring

While solid wood floors can look beautiful, engineered wood flooring is more environmentally friendly than solid flooring. Manufacturers of engineered wood flooring take serious steps to protect the environment. For example, many source their wood from sustainable forests and plant saplings to replace fallen trees. In addition, they often use smaller trees that have already grown to maturity, which preserves older growth and promotes healthy forest regeneration. Despite these differences, most people won’t notice the difference after the flooring is installed.

Solid wood is the more traditional building material, but it does have its limitations. It can’t be installed directly on concrete or below grade. Unlike engineered wood, solid hardwood is limited in plank width and is more prone to cupping, a concave appearance of the plank. It also doesn’t work with radiant floor heating. Compared to solid wood, however, engineered flooring is a good option for many homeowners.

Plain-sawn hardwood flooring

Plain-sawn hardwood flooring is a relatively inexpensive option for your home, but it is susceptible to damage from moisture and movement. If you plan on using this type of flooring in high-humidity areas, you might want to opt for a different type. Rift and quarter-sawn flooring are more stable than plain-sawn flooring, but they tend to look less natural. For these reasons, it is a good idea to use a professional to install them.

The cut of wood plays a vital role in the durability and aesthetics of hardwood flooring. The wider a hardwood plank is, the more susceptible it is to crowning and cupping. The cut also determines the cost of hardwood flooring, as wider planks are more expensive. If your budget is a concern, however, consider buying quarter or rift-sawn flooring instead. You’ll be glad you did.

Rift-sawn hardwood flooring

If you’re looking for a hardwood flooring option that is unique and beautiful, rift-sawn flooring may be the answer. Quarter-sawn flooring is produced by quartering a log lengthwise, leaving rings on the wood at an angle of sixty to ninety degrees. Because the rings on this type of flooring are so close to the surface, the grain pattern is straight. White and red oak tend to have dramatic flecking. Moreover, quarter-sawn lumber is more dimensionally stable and is less susceptible to surface checking.

White oak rift-sawn hardwood flooring is one of the most sought after types of wood flooring. These planks have a distinctive look, which complements a variety of design styles. Moreover, these floors are available in standard and wide widths, which makes them ideal for residential and commercial spaces. Rift-sawn flooring is an excellent choice for homes near water because the humidity inside these houses is higher.

Quarter-sawn hardwood flooring

If you’re looking for the ultimate in dimensional stability and beauty, you should consider Quarter-sawn hardwood flooring. The process of quarter-sawing lumber produces boards with grain that runs parallel to the tree’s growth rings, resulting in less shrinkage and warping. These hardwood floors also are typically the most expensive to buy, as they are only available in the highest quality. This type of wood is culled of common imperfections, and therefore is only available in premium grade.

Quarter-sawn lumber is produced by cutting a log into four quarters, which are then evenly sliced further into strips that run in the same direction. Unlike plain-sawn hardwood, quarter-sawn flooring is extremely stable, with a perfectly straight grain. This makes it the ideal choice when symmetry is important and patterned grain isn’t desirable. But it’s not the only advantage of quarter-sawn hardwood.