 Engineered Wood Flooring:
This is an option that corrects nature. Although this is still a hardwood flooring and has the same wear layer as solid hardwood flooring it has been engineered to stabilize the wood. There are layers of wood usually with a plywood backer on each of your planks. Each ply runs perpendicular to its adjacent ply, giving dimensional strength and reducing cupping, swelling, twisting, or turning as a solid wood can do in adverse weather conditions. This flooring can be sanded, however, it is not recommended more than once or twice. This floor does provide many options of installation methods including floating and because of its great stability it is highly suitable for moisture problem areas such as concrete, bathrooms, and over radiant heat.
Most of the engineered flooring comes in wider planks and prefinished. You can find some unfinished options but installation of unfinished is recommended by a professional because of its thin wear layer sanding can be tricky. Many options are available to see in our showroom.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate is not real wood. It does not have the characteristics that an engineered floor or a hardwood floor has. It's comprised of a thin top layer of resin-infused paper, all on top of a wood-chip composite. The reason we offer this product, at Aitkin Hardwoods, is it is an amazing simulation of wood and very cost effective. The resin layer is essentially a photograph of wood. You can examine with a magnifying glass and still be fooled. It is also great in moisture issue places (ie bathrooms, radiant heat, concrete), it is virtually scratch proof, some products even have commercial grade warranties, and the installation is fool proof. The disadvantages are it is not a real wood product, eventually you will have a repeat pattern, it is slippery, and can not be sanded. However, this is an option people are considering to real wood. Available to see in our showroom.
Cork Flooring
Cork is becoming a more popular alternative option for flooring. Cork, used in flooring manufacturing, is made from the bark of Cork oak trees. Every 9-12 years the bark is stripped from these trees and used. This does not harm the tree, in fact, it will regrow its bark in about a decade and can live up to 200 years old making this a very environmentally conscious choice. Cork flooring has been used for centuries but only recently has it been made more consumer friendly for installation with click/lock tiles.
Cork has many benefits. Cork is naturally provides thermal insulation which helps cut heating costs, it naturally absorbs sound (ideal in large rooms, or by trains or loud streets). Cork is also naturally hypoallergenic and antistatic great for allergy sufferers. Cork is also good shock absorber which is a great alternative for those that suffer from aching bones. It also does not scuff or tear easily.
Cork is still a wood and need controlled temperatures to do best. Direct sunlight is not great for it and areas of high heavy traffic with sand and dirt. It can go over radiant heat but because it has such a high R-value it can be a loss of about 5-6% of your radiant heat coming through. It is available in different colors, patterns, and installations methods. Available to see in our showroom.
|
Give your home its own unique look by installing a floor that reflects a true personality.