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[P602]Prefinished Engineered Hardwood Flooring

by David Faulkner, Dav

The idea of waxing and polishing one's hardwood floors has pretty much disappeared from the homeowner's memory. Realizing the user-friendliness is now a requirement for product success, hardwood flooring manufacturers have created advanced urethane flooring finished which can be applied at their factories and which dry under ultraviolet lights in a matter of minutes.

The Finishing Process

Because the finish is factory applied, it will be put on the flooring in a dust-free environment, and several thin coats are applied each being dried under ultraviolet lights before the next is added. Most prefinished hardwood flooring has between six and ten coats of urethane, producing a highly wear resistant result.

While both Polyurethane and Acrylic urethane will produce a clear hard finish, the durability of prefinished hardwood flooring can be enhanced with the addition of either ceramic or aluminum oxide particles to the urethane; aluminum oxide is the favored additive because of the abrasion resistance it provides.

Finally, acrylic-impregnated prefinished wood flooring is strengthened by having acrylic injected into its fibers, and sealed with a urethane ?wear layer.?

For those who are having homes built. Or a mew floor installed, the use of prefinished hardwood flooring eliminated the extra wait involved while their hardwood floors are sanded, stained, varnished, sanded again, and varnished again. Trying to put six to ten coats of varnish on and unfinished floor, and having to wait for each one to dry, would try the patience of Job himself--not to mention the fumes of sawdust and varnish permeating the entire house.

Prefinished hardwood floors are also low-maintenance. A weekly vacuuming with a soft brush, and a vacuum with rubber coated wheels, followed by a swipe with the cleaner/shiner recommended by the floor's maker which you'll be able to find at the retailer which sold you the flooring, is all that's required. For more info see http://homeflooringhelp.com/Articles/Engineered_Hardwood_Flooring.php on Engineered Hardwood Flooring.

Disadvantages of Prefinished hardwood Flooring

Prefinished wood flooring, however, is not without its drawbacks. One of them is that, in order to make allowances for any irregularities either in the sub-flooring or in the flooring itself, prefinished wood flooring is usually produced with beveled edging. While beveled edges are usually less conspicuous than square ones, they can be a hindrance during sweeping or mopping.

And the number of colors available in prefinished hardwood flooring is still rather limited, although the flooring manufacturers are doing their best to introduce new ones. But trying to custom match a new prefinished hardwood floor to the existing floors in your home may be very difficult.

Hardwood flooring is a great investment that would definitely spruce up the ambiance and beauty in any room, making your New York home most welcoming no matter the size or design. The benefits of opting for hardwood are amazing starting from its durability that can even last a lifetime if taken care of properly. Being made of natural materials, they have been proved to be hypo-allergenic and environmentally friendly. Style is never an issue as it comes in a wide variety of patterns, woods, stains and finishes. And with all these outstanding features, they can be bought at a very affordable price, bringing more value to your penny's worth.

To make your hardwood flooring installation project last for the longest possible time, it is vital that you develop an understanding on when certain types and products can or cannot be used. Regarding this matter, you can talk with your local NYC contractor and ask questions to be able to perfectly match your flooring needs to the perfect material and type.

Hardwood flooring types:

- Solid Wood Flooring has long since been used in many American homes. This type comes in pre-finished versions which are made by the factory to be readily installable and the unfinished version which must be sanded and finished on-site after installation. It also has three main forms: the plank flooring which comes in only 2 thickness and varies in width; with strip flooring, it is in the thickness that varies but the width can be under specific sets; parquet flooring is not your typical solid hardwood as it is designed with geometrical patterns made out of individual wood slats.

- Engineered Wood Flooring is composed of adhered layers of plastic laminate veneer integrated with real wood. But it should not be mistaken for laminate wood flooring as the later can be considered just an artificial alternative which does not contain any wood.

When considering which type of hardwood flooring is best for you, there are certain things to ponder on. With solid hardwoods, you have to exert more to maintain its beauty but when done properly you can bring out the most value for your home. No matter how old your solid wood flooring becomes, just re-sanding and refinishing it makes it seem as good as new. If you opt to go for solid hardwood flooring, choosing from strip, plank or parquet flooring just depends on your taste and preference on whatever style you want to be implemented in all of your home décor.

Engineered wood flooring, however, is an option for those who prefer to go for materials demanding less effort to upkeep. Because this is cheaper, it has been gaining popularity with some homeowners wanting to save more.

To sum it up, selection of what type of hardwood flooring is best for your home depends on your lifestyle and budget. If you plan to live in your current living unit for a good 5 years then the engineered type could be a good option considering the costs. But for those who want to make everything in their New York homes last for almost a lifetime then you should take advantage of the benefits that solid hardwood flooring has to offer.

Article Source : Pg. 13

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Both David Faulkner & Eugene Makeev are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

David Faulkner has sinced written about articles on various topics from Recruitment, Diamonds and Dental Implants. You can also find more info on and. David Faulkner's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.

Eugene Makeev has sinced written about articles on various topics from Ideas for Remodeling, Home Management and Basement Remodeling Ideas. . Eugene Makeev's top article generates over 110000 views. to your Favourites.