Yearly Archives: 2020

Beveled Edge or Wide Plank Laminate?

Laminate flooring

Laminate flooring options

Laminate flooring types are popular today and for a good reason. A Swedish company invented laminate flooring in the late 1970s by using wasted wood from other projects. They would put these scraps of wood together and using high heat and pressure with binding chemicals, they discovered a material that made excellent floor covering.

This hybrid flooring material, laminate flooring types consists of a base that is particleboard  base and a picture of wood on top, last layer a transparent film. Once considered to be the economy of flooring materials, laminate flooring types are still holding a place a highly functional flooring material.

Laminate flooring types  are found in higher-end homes today, replacing the notion that only the best of engineered wood or solid hardwood flooring will suffice. Why? Even the most elite homeowner realizes that the various types of laminate flooring looks better and performs better, even feels better on the barefoot.

What are the different types of laminate flooring?

A homeowner that is considering installing laminate flooring may be surprised at the many different laminate flooring types that are available today.  This may be one of the most versatile flooring materials since vinyl tile.

The Wood Grain Choices

Wood grain is arguably the most common choices in laminate flooring types, especially for those who have a tight budget.  Laminate flooring planks can resemble wood, giving your home the look for hardwood flooring. Choose even an exotic wood grain and you’ll still come out cheaper than you would with the real thing, but nobody has to know you with one of the many laminate flooring types.

Multiple Textures

There are laminate flooring types that can be made to appear like other flooring materials. From limestone, marble, slate, and even travertine.  These laminate flooring types come in tiles but are installed in the same manner as traditional laminate flooring. Still less expensive, but when choosing more variations, the more expensive, yet still not as pricey as the real thing.    

The Thicknesses

Laminate flooring types include flexibility in the thickness with a 25 year lifespan. The thicker the laminate flooring, the more expensive and the longer the lifespan.

Glued and Pre-Glued

  • Glued Laminate Flooring types refers to flooring will need special adhesive formula applied to the grooves and tongues as they are snapped together. When professionally installed, these glued connections last for years.
  • Pre-glued Laminate Flooring types have the glue applied to the grooves and tongues at the factory. This makes it easier and faster to installed ad won’t create as much mess.  

Moulding and End Pieces

When choosing a laminate flooring type, the molding and end pieces are a main consideration. Many floors have selected pieces that coordinate with the color and ‘texture’ of the flooring.  Those pieces are typically bigger than the wood counterparts, and if not used correctly, can be awkward.  Not using these awkward pieces though leaves exposed edges and the room look unfinished.   

  • Carpet Reducer/End Molding: This is the transitional piece used to connect the laminate flooring to surfaces with various heights.
  • Reducer Strip: This transitional piece is the main one and used to connect the laminate flooring with other similar heights of other flooring.
  • T-molding: This is a laminate piece that  is used between doorways, connect two laminate floorings.
  • Quarter Round:  This piece goes around the wall where the  laminate flooring meets the wall to complete the seamless look.  

What type of laminate flooring is best?

The decision to install new flooring is large undertaking and an expensive one too. You want to get the best you can for what you can afford, so with all the choices out there, how do you know which           Best type of laminate flooring the best?

There are two laminate flooring types, both come in ¼” thick planks and are snapped together. The differences:

  • Engineered wood are real wood perpendicular layers glued together. A high quality of hardwood coating is the top layer and has an acrylic finish.
  • Plastic laminate flooring types are 100A% artificial, consisting of a melamine bottom, a center of resin-saturated fiberboard, and the top is a woodgrain print with a clear hard plastic layer protection.

Okay, so how do I choose laminate flooring? If your home is a show piece, then go with the engineered wood. If your home is an active, busy household with kids, the plastic laminate flooring type is the better option. It has a topcoat that is  bulletproof, the internal components are a durable plastic, and it can withstand skating and pet clawing better than the engineered wood laminate flooring types.

You need to choose between beveled edge vs wide plank laminate floors as well.  A beveled laminate flooring type has edges are little grooves between the flooring planks, giving it a natural style similar of hardwood flooring with an authentic wood look. There is a slight rounding to each edge that gives the flooring a V-groove in between each plank, making each plank’s own distinct look stand out. Choose a square edge if you prefer a seamless appearance.

Laminate flooring types with beveled edges have a genuine and real look that comes in variety of styles. Micro-Beveled Edges, Normal Beveled Edges,  Deep Beveled Edges, Pressed Beveled Edges, and Rolled Beveled Edges

What are the disadvantages of laminate flooring?

There are several types of flooring you can choose for your home and choosing the one that is the better fit is key in being happy with your choice. Before you choose one of the many laminate flooring types, review these drawbacks:

  1. Laminate flooring types cannot be refinished.  
  2. Laminate flooring types are not natural materials.
  3. Laminate flooring is a hard surface even with a foam underlayment.
  4. Laminate flooring types have a short lifespan.
  5. Laminate flooring contains chemical compounds used in manufacturing the product.
  6. Laminate flooring is not quiet.  
  7. Laminate flooring is slippery.

Laminate flooring benefits can outweigh those drawbacks though:

  1. Laminate flooring is durable, perfect for a busy household.
  2. Laminate flooring won’t fade or stain and is moisture resistant 
  3. Laminate flooring is easy to keep clean and maintained.  
  4. Laminate flooring is an economical choice that looks as good as the more expensive counterpart.
  5. Laminate flooring comes in a wide variety of styles 
Installing laminate flooring

How long do laminate floors last?

Now that you’ve made your mind up about which laminate flooring type you want, you want to know how long will it be before you need to through this process again.  Well, that is doing to depend on the quality you choose and how well you maintain it, but on the average, you can expect up to 25 years of beautiful laminate flooring. Call 817.861.3737 today.

What is the Best Hardwood Flooring Material?

hardwood floor installed

Are hardwood floors worth it?

Over the past few years, the number of old home renovations and restorations have caused a surge in the housing market for DIYers wanting to duplicate the ‘Joanna and Chip’ look. That look includes white kitchen with lots of granite, stainless steel, open cabinets, and wall to wall hardwood flooring throughout the entire house, preferably all original.

What many of these DIYers are finding out, if properly done, hardwood flooring installation and repair isn’t as easy and fast as these television shows would lead us to believe. You have to consider they have a construction crew, and they are filming these hour long shows over a period of months, sometimes six months or longer. There is a lot of cut footage left on the floor somewhere along the way. 

We don’t want to burst your bubble with this introduction, and yes, hardwood flooring is worthwhile. There are many hardwood flooring benefits, but there are also hardwood flooring disadvantages. 

What are the pros and cons of hardwood flooring?

The Pros of Hardwood Flooring

  • Durability – these have stood the test of time more than many other flooring materials. There are homes older than 100 years that have the original hardwood flooring in excellent shape because they were properly maintained. That maintenance doesn’t take as much effort and time as you may think either – basic sweep or vacuum, then use a wood floor cleaning product to clean it occasionally. 
  • Upgrade – Home buyers today are typically willing to make a top dollar for a home with hardwood flooring over homes with wall-to-wall carpeting, and hardwood flooring will sell a house faster too. 
  • Styling – Hardwood flooring can work with any décor styles, of decorating, from modern to traditional, the variety in the types of hardwood flooring with cherry, oak, and walnut, you can change the looks of the hardwood flooring to match your décor changes with a little sanding and staining.  

The Cons of Hardwood Flooring

  • Expensive: Hardwood flooring is an expensive option, as much as $12 or more per square foot, depending on the type of wood. It requires a sub-flooring and because it turns out to be a bigger job than most DIY homeowners realize, hiring somebody to do the flooring is expensive. 
  • Refinishing: Hardwood flooring can be scratched and scuffed if you don’t get the right type of wood. The softer the wood, the more prone to scratches and scuffing, and the more frequent it will need to be refinished. Refinishing hardwood flooring will create a lot of dust and the polyurethane coating it needs has strong fumes.
  • Noisy: Hardwood flooring is noisy compared to carpeting as you walk across the room. Area rugs can muffle the noise and provide some warmth in the winter. 

Which is better solid hardwood or engineered hardwood?

There isn’t any advantage or disadvantage to either one, it is all a matter of personal taste and budget. Solid hardwood flooring is solid wood, as the name suggests, every layer is wood. Solid hardwood flooring is typically made from oak, maple, or walnut. You can sand it and stain, refinished over and over each time you change your décor.

Engineered hardwood flooring looks like solid hardwood on the surface, but it is made with a thin layer of hardwood that is bonded over plywood. It is the less expensive of the two and can usually be sanded stained once.  

What is the best type of hardwood floor?

When you decide you want hardwood flooring, your first steps will be deciding if you want engineered hardwood flooring or solid hardwood flooring. The choice is personal decision based on the household and the budget.

 Solid hardwood flooring is the popular and traditional in recent years. It is good for areas where the atmospheric moisture content is relatively stable. The typical thickness is 3/4” thick and must be nailed or stapled into place. 

Engineered hardwood is versatile and can be installed in almost any room. Subflooring isn’t required, so installing it over a concrete subfloor isn’t an issue. It can be installed over radiant heated flooring too! Contracting and expanding is minimized because of the cross layer construction used in manufacturing this flooring. I can be glued, nailed, stapled, or installed to float with a click lock design. 

shot of living roof and kitchen area with hardwood flooring

Let’s Take This Conversation To The Floor and Wrap It Up

Now that you’ve gained some information and insight on hardwood flooring, what is the most durable wood floor? We’ve talked about how installing hardwood flooring not only looks great in your home, but the investment is one you’ll definitely see a return on if you decide to sell your home. Hardwood flooring is to floors and granite is to countertops. You can’t go wrong! 

So, which is the most durable of all the hardwood flooring choices?  Bamboo! Yes, bamboo is technically grass, but it has earned its place among the hardwood flooring options. It has a classic appearance that we expect to last 20 years or more (check back with us in about 15 years, after it has been around as a flooring material.). 

It is more durable than maple or oak because it is a harder material. It is sustainable, more than other woods because it can be harvested every three to five years versus two hundred years like other hardwoods. Call 817.861.3737 today for your hardwood flooring options.

How do I choose a carpet for my home?

shag carpeting in a bedroom

Keeping feet comfy with carpet

All the home makeovers and updates show the first thing being done is taking down the popcorn ceiling (can you blame them?) and ripping out the carpeting. Well, that could be a showstopper for many homeowners. Why do interior designers dislike carpeting so much? It’s not like they have to worry about carpet cleaning or stains. 

If you were to ask 100 homeowners if they prefer carpet or wooden floor, more of them would say carpeting in the bedrooms. There is nothing better than to get out of bed in the middle of the night, or on a cold winter morning, and your feet hit a cold wooden floor! Bbbbrrrr! 

Then there are those who believe carpeting is an allergy generator. Yes, dirt and dust do bury up in carpeting. However, with a good vacuum cleaner and weekly use of the vacuum cleaner, that doesn’t have to be a problem. Choose a carpet can you wash, and not by a professional carpet cleaning service either. Simple spot wash is what you need daily, save those expense professional cleaning before or after the holidays, or when you’re trying to sell your house. 

Is carpet making a comeback?

In 2019, Opendoor, a real estate company reports they installed almost one million yards of carpeting in the homes they bought and sold. In 2018, according to Houzz, carpeting was a frequently purchased item by home renovators, and if it wasn’t wall to wall carpeting, it was indoor rugs. 

So, is carpeting coming back in style? Homeowners are realizing that hardwood flooring has its limits and it isn’t soft. However, carpet ideas are endless and can change the dynamics of a room, not to mention it is sound absorbent and soft. 

Yes, back in the day, carpeting was difficult to clean, but today, the manufacturing of carpet has upgraded, making it easier to keep clean. What about that old style of wall-to-wall carpeting? That isn’t just for your grandma’s house anymore! Today, carpet has the ability to change a room with a bold pattern or subtle texture. Carpeting is family friendly by making a softer space for kids to play, and as the parent, it is easier on your knees when you play with the kids. 

Is carpet still popular in bedrooms?

Carpeting provides a layer of sound-proofing for a room. By making the upstairs kids room a bit soundproofed, it makes the downstairs quieter for mom, dad, and guests. 

So, do you need to go out and buy a house full of wall-to-wall carpeting? Probably not yet, but don’t eliminate it from your thoughts when you start updating your home. Bedroom or an office have less traffic are the best rooms to start in with carpeting. Then take it from there, one room at a time. 

What’s better in bedrooms wood or carpet?

Most homeowners choose carpeting for bedrooms for the cozy, soft factor, and the sound reduction. Hardwood is cold in the winter and resonates sounds throughout the house. 

What color carpet hides dirt best?

Some carpeting will look clean forever and then there is carpeting that seems to get dirty the moment it is installed. Carpeting experts recommend choosing a color that will hide dirt to save time on vacuuming and money for professional cleaning. 

The darker colors hide dirt the best, like a dark brown, green or a dark blue will camouflage dust and mud stains. If you want a bright colored carpet, choose carpeting with a pattern to hide the dirt and dust. 

Should carpet be lighter or darker than walls?

When thinking of carpet ideas after painting the walls and ceilings, the basic decorating rule is dark floor, lighter walls, and even light ceilings. When choosing colors and tones, work from bottom and go up.  Then, when you begin the actual work, start from the top and go down. Avoiding paint dripping from the ceiling and walls will save your carpeting. 

short carpet in a living room

A Recap on Flooring

Many homeowner are not going to give up their wood flooring, and that is understandable, especially if they spent a lot of money having them installed or sanded and polished.  Hardwood floors are beautiful and with area rugs, the coziness can be felt. Still, there is nothing like carpeting, and these benefits explain why. 

  • Carpeting is comfortable, cozy, warm
  • Carpeting is sound deafening
  • Carpet collects dirt and dust and keeps it out of air. 

We have to go with what we can afford and what works best with our unique style. The entire house doesn’t have to be carpeted, so start one room at a time until you’ve become accustomed to the feel and look of carpeting. Call 817.861.3737 today for your carpet options in Pantego and Arlington, TX.

Is Vinyl Flooring Better Than Laminate?

A Worker Installs Vinyl Flooring.

Is vinyl flooring better than laminate?

With any flooring you’ll want to consider factors like look and style, durability and stability, as well as applications and costs. Two popular flooring types are vinyl and laminate, and while some might consider them the same, they’re actually different in many regards. Where vinyl flooring and laminate match up the most is in their look and style. Both materials can be designed to imitate natural materials like wood or stone, but will cost much less than either wood or stone. 

Similarities begin to diverge from there, with vinyl often edging out laminate, in particular when it comes to durability and stability. One question people often ask when comparing the two: Is vinyl flooring waterproof? Yes, it is. While both are sturdy, vinyl is much more water resistant than laminate, a real advantage in high-moisture areas. Vinyl also tends to win out when it comes to applications. Because of its water-resistant nature, vinyl can be used in residential as well as multiple commercial and industrial applications.

These materials often match in costs, with laminates sometimes being less expensive. However, laminate is harder to repair, and vinyl’s water resistance again proves valuable when it comes to long-term savings. So, overall, vinyl is normally a better choice for flooring, especially in areas where it’s hot and humid. If you are looking for vinyl flooring in Pantego and Arlington, TX, turn to the team at DFW Flooring Warehouse. We can help you decide what’s the best flooring solution for you. Find out more by calling 817.861.3737.

What are the disadvantages of vinyl flooring?

While vinyl flooring has many advantages—being waterproof among them—it does have some disadvantages that you’ll want to consider before choosing it.

Disadvantages

  • Might emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), gases that affect indoor air quality and can affect health.
  • Has a shorter lifespan compared to natural materials like wood or stone.
  • Makes little or no impact when it comes to affecting home resale value.
  • If you want new flooring it can be difficult to remove.
  • It’s not easily recycled.

Advantages

  • It is waterproof. This is valuable in areas in which there is high humidity.
  • It is durable. It will stand up well to heavy foot traffic. 
  • It’s also comfortable underfoot and will reduce noise.
  • Less expensive than many other flooring types.

How long does vinyl flooring last?

On average, you can expect vinyl flooring to last anywhere between 10 to 20 years when properly installed. Your vinyl flooring will last even longer with the right care. Using the right cleansers will increase its longevity, and one of the best is totally natural. A mixture of water and apple cider vinegar is one of the best cleansers for this type of flooring, as the acids in the vinegar work great to break down dirt and grime without damaging the flooring itself. 

Can vinyl flooring be repaired

Athough vinyl flooring is durable, it’s not invincible. It can be scratched or even torn or gouged by chair legs or dropped items. You might hear proponents of natural flooring say vinyl can’t be repaired. That’s not true. With tears, for instance, you can often fill in the tear with a patch using the same material as the original flooring. In some instances, you may want to replace the damaged material, and if you need replacement flooring, you can easily find it at DFW Flooring Warehouse.

Can mold grow under vinyl plank flooring?

One significant reason people choose vinyl flooring, besides the variety of styles, is its water-resistance. Although it’s waterproof, you can still have problems with mold growth in some instances, if water begins to collect around edges, in grooves, or under your floor. Anytime you see standing water, make sure to find the cause of the standing water—usually a leak—and fix  it. Once the repair is made, you can remove the mold. Unless you have black mold, you should be able to get rid of the mold with bleach and water. With black mold, unfortunately, the mold normally will have to be cut away, which means the flooring will have to be replaced. 

Can vinyl flooring be painted

A distinct advantage of vinyl flooring is that it can be painted. If you want to change the look to match a new interior design, for instance, or just to make the flooring look new. It’s preferable to use porch and floor paint that will hold up to foot traffic.

Can vinyl flooring go over tile

Vinyl flooring is easy to install and you don’t have to remove old tiles to do so. You can apply the vinyl directly over ceramic or porcelain tile. If there are wide seams between the tile, however, you may want to put in an underlayment before putting in the vinyl. This will prevent depressions forming in the vinyl.

Can vinyl flooring be used outside

For outdoor spaces like sun rooms in which you have temperature control, you can install vinyl flooring. Although waterproof, if subject to extreme temperatures the vinyl can crack or swell.

Vinyl Flooring Samples.

Call Today

If you would like to learn more about vinyl flooring in Pantego and Arlington, TX, check in with the experts at DFW Flooring Warehouse. You can visit our extensive showroom or give us a call at 817.861.3737. Our experienced team members can help you pick the flooring that’s right for you. 

Can Glass Tile Be Used On The Floor?

glass floor tiles

Can Glass Tile Be Used on the Floor?

Are you contemplating glass tile flooring? If so, it’s important to review some properties of glass tiles. To begin with, any tile that is natural stone or porcelain has the capacity to be used as a kind of floor tile. It’s important to understand that some ceramics and glass tiles are preferably used on vertical surfaces. This is because glass tiles can easily crack. Nonetheless, glass floor tiles are popular because they are stronger than one may think, and are a beautiful addition in many settings.

Are Glass Tiles Durable?

It is true that glazed ceramic tile has a glass-like surface and, simply put, is just as washable, durable and stain-resistant as it’s counterpart glass tile. As a matter of fact, there are many similarities between the two kinds of tile. Both glass and glazed ceramic tile have grout joints and are translucent. This means that light can penetrate the membrane of the tile.

Are Glass Floors Safe?

If you are considering a glass floor installation, it is important to consider all the nuances of possible scenarios. No matter what, it is important to contact an insured, expert tile installation company. That’s because when you are dealing with a material that could have some drawbacks, you want to be sure that the installation methods are sound. There is a profound difference between a solid glass floor and a glass mosaic floor. If you are asking whether or not a solid glass floor is safe, the answer isn’t straightforward. A properly designed glass floor is safe. A properly designed glass floor is one inch to one and a quarter inches thick. It will also have one or two lamination layers. It’s best to move forward with a pre-engineered glass flooring system because these floors remove the need to design one’s own floor. For the best advice for your glass floors, it is best to seek out a professional glass floor expert. He or she will be able to provide specific answers for your home or property.

Is Glass Tile Harder to Install?

A proper glass tile installation will require cutting and specific glass installation techniques. It’s a delicate material, which means that the installers will have to possess both experience and finesse. Because this is the case, homeowners should expect different estimates for their glass tile or ceramic tile installation per the kind of material that is being used.

Why is Glass Tile So Expensive?

This is an excellent question. If you are wondering why glass tile is so expensive, please review the following reasons to find out more:

  • Beauty. Glass tiles are very beautiful. They are translucent and are available in endless color varieties. As far as backsplashes are concerned, glass is considered best in class.
  • Easy to disinfect. Glass tiles can be wiped down easily. Mold and mildew will have a difficult time growing on the glass.
  • Environmentally friendly. When glass tiles are made from recycled glass, this becomes an environmentally-friendly choice. Old glass tiles are also considered 100% recyclable.

Where to Buy Glass Floor Tiles

There are many different resources for homeowners looking to purchase glass floor tiles for their remodeling projects. There are many brick and mortar stores that have glass floor tiles for sale. As a matter of fact, there are many resources available on the internet for customers interested in glass tile floor installation and materials. In order to get the best results for your glass tile floor installation, it’s important to consult with a professional floor company that specializes in such installations.

Glass Mosaic Tile for Floor

If you are considering glass mosaic tile for floor,l you should be aware that glass tiles rank 137.5 on the Abrasion index. These tiles can be used artistically, to create a glass work of art, or they can be used to create a water-resistant floor. Either way, glass tiles are superb for such purposes.

Glass Bathroom Floor Tiles

There are many different options for glass bathroom floor tiles. As a matter of fact, glass bathroom tiles can be found in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. 

glass floor tiles

How to Clean Glass Floor Tiles

There is actually a fairly easy and natural way to clean glass floor tiles. All one must do is mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. The mixture can be sprayed upon a glass surface and left for ten minutes. After ten minutes, the glass can be wiped clean. In order to clean soap scum, rub tiles with a soft cloth or brush, rinse with cold water and wipe dry.

If you’d like to learn more about our services, call 817.861.3737 to speak with one of our technicians about glass floor tiles in Pantego and Arlington, TX! 

Which is better solid hardwood or engineered hardwood?

snapboard hardwood flooring being installed

Hardwood flooring, engineered for you

If you are remodeling your home or having a new custom home built, you have flooring choices to make. Carpeting, ceramic tile, wood floors, etc. For the kitchen, ceramic tile is a common choice, carpet in the bedrooms, but the rest of the house, maybe wood floors.  The next question, will that be hardwood or engineered hardwood flooring?   

If you’re not versed in wood flooring, you wonder what the difference between engineered hardwood vs hardwood, which is what we will talk about today. You see hardwood flooring on many home remodeling shows of old homes where the flooring is authentic. In a newer home though, where hardwood flooring looks good, they often use engineered hardwood flooring?

The difference between the two types of hardwood flooring is how engineered hardwood is made versus how actual hardwood floors were made. Hardwood flooring, like that in homes of 100 years old, is solid wood planks. Engineered hardwood flooring is hardwood and plywood pressed together in layers going in different directions.

What are the benefits of engineered wood flooring?

Hardwood flooring not only adds an appeal to your home that is natural and timeless, but it is also a great investment that provides luxury, style, and warmth. Engineered hardwood flooring is a fabulous alternative to the original solid hardwood flooring because of the dimensional strength it offers. Engineered hardwood flooring is more stable, is resistant to moisture and temperature, and looks like hardwood flooring. Other benefits of engineered hardwood flooring are:

  • Less expensive than hardwood flooring
  • Is topped with a real wood layer vs laminate that looks like hardwood
  • Resistant to changes in humidity and fluctuation
  • Can be installed in several ways to match owners’ preferences
  • Suitable for underfloor heating
  • Easy to install with a click fitting system
  • Available in several colors, finishes, styles, widths, and wood species 

The difference between laminate flooring that has a picture of hardwood that is laminated onto a base wood layer vs the multiple layers that create engineered hardwood flooring with the top layer being actual wood.

So, in answer to two common questions: Can engineered hardwood be restained? Yes, and engineered hardwood, can you refinish it? Again, yes. It has all the features of actual wood flooring, except for being more durable and stronger.

How long do Engineered hardwood floors last?

There are three main factors that determine the lifespan of engineered hardwood flooring:

  1. The top layer of the veneer’s thickness
  2. The quality of materials used
  3. How well the floors are maintained 

Studies of engineered hardwood flooring have determined you can expect to get between forty years to eighty years of beauty and enjoyment. Chances are, you won’t live in your house to see the full lifespan of engineered hardwood flooring that you install.

Do Engineered wood floors scratch easily?

Because engineered hardwood flooring’s top layer is solid wood, it is as susceptible as solid hardwood flooring to dents and scratches. If you want flooring that has character along with durability, fluctuates, and is moisture-resistant, then this is the flooring material for you. If you want pristine floors, then you should look at other options. However, many floorings can eventually have a mark on them. The difference with engineered hardwood flooring is the ability to repair blemishes on it, using a wax repair kit, or sand and refinish the flooring.

Is engineered hardwood waterproof?

Yes, which is what makes it a great floor for bathrooms and kitchens! The base layers make engineered hardwood flooring dimensionally stable, which allows it to withstand moisture. While laminate flooring is relatively water-resistant, it is not waterproof, and when water infiltrates it from the surface and soaks into the lower layers, it swells.

beautiful installed engineered hardwood flooring

Can I use engineered wood flooring in the kitchen?

Definitely!  When choosing flooring for your kitchen, you can choose from solid wood flooring to engineered hardwood flooring for suitability. Some features to consider between the two types:

  • Wood Species: Color, graining, hardness, and stability are all determined by the species of the wood species. Oak is the most common in domestic woods with birch, cherry, hickory, maple, and walnut following in popularity. If exotic woods are your preference, Brazilian Cherry, hickory, jatoba, teak, or Tigerwood offer you a different look. 
  • Plant Width: Planks that are 3 inches or wider are perfect for the country look or rustic style. Narrower than 3 inches is the blend for a contemporary space, while a decorative parquet is a perfect choice for a formal kitchen.
  • Textures:  Aged hardwood has a heritage and history and heritage with dents, notches, scratches, and wormholes. There are brand-new wood options that have the same timeworn look by distressing techniques that include chattering, hand-scraping, and wire-brushing. 
  • Color Ranges: Hardwood flooring has a wide choice in colors ranging from various shades of blondes, browns, burgundy, caramel, even black. Keeping these options in mind for a kitchen floor, extreme light colors and extreme dark colors will show dirt and spills easier. 

Because of innovative techniques in the manufacturing of engineered hardwood flooring, it works in any room, including the basement and the bathrooms. You should lay a protective moisture barrier before the flooring for extra protection to assure that the 40-to 80-year lifespan. Dial 817.861.3737 today for your engineered hardwood needs in Pantego and Arlington, TX.