Solid or Engineered Hardwood with Armstrong Flooring

A longstanding favourite for homeowners, hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to any home. Unfortunately, hardwood is not suited to bathrooms, below ground-level or any other areas subject to moisture or extreme temperatures. Engineered hardwood however, can handle more moisture and temperature variances better than its hardwood counterpart. While you normally can't tell the difference in the two flooring types visually, the way they are made and how they can be used are quite different. Knowing what distinguishes the two types can help you choose the best Armstrong flooring your Edmonton home.

Armstrong Flooring in Solid and Engineered Hardwood

Solid hardwood floors are a natural material that is milled from lumber. Like other natural wood products, hardwood flooring reacts to its environment and will shrink or expand according to humidity levels and extreme temperatures. For this reason, hardwoods are not recommended to be used in basements, bathrooms or other areas of high moisture in your home. Hardwood can however, be sanded and refinished over time to freshen their look or remove scratching and other signs of wear.

Engineered hardwood flooring is built up using layers of wood called "plies". Several layers of plywood are glued cross-wise to a hardwood backing and solid wood is used for the top layer. This creates an incredibly strong flooring that is more resistant to moisture and temperature than solid hardwood. The major benefit of engineered hardwood is it can be installed in areas such as half baths, bathrooms and even finished basements.

A Strong Finish on Armstrong Flooring

Armstrong hardwood flooring products are pre-finished at the factory with highly durable coatings that have an expected lifespan of up to 35 years compared to up to five for floors that are finished after installation. With no sanding, varnishing or urethane coating occurring in your home, installation is cleaner, easier and there is no wait time for the floor to dry.

With two great hardwood options from Armstrong, you can enjoy the look and feel of hardwood flooring throughout your Edmonton home. To learn more about hardwood flooring or to see the colours and styles available, contact our team at Action Flooring.