Solid or engineered?
Solids are not as common in San Diego because most all homes built after 1980 have a concrete slab that cannot be nailed to. Solid floors also require acclimation time (2 to 6 weeks to acclimate the wood out of the box to the moisture content in the air so it doesn't move after installation). This is not required for engineered flooring. (top layer of wood on multiple layers of plywood that provide stability and are designed for installation over concrete.) The engineered floors ARE real wood and often may be re-sanded as many times as any solid, although that would rarely be necessary.
One of the first things to think about when you are selecting your hardwood floor is wood species. Species determines grain, hardness, and color. There are many variations of each.
- For example grain can be a streamline select grade or a rustic grade with lots of color variation or knots.
- Hardness is compared to the standard oak: harder or softer than oak.
- The natural color of the wood is common because there are so many beautiful natural colors, but woods are often stained as well.
Character Grades: An important difference between companies is the character grade they supply. It isnt accurately depicted in a small sample, the amount of color variation and knots in a floor. The heart wood, the very center of a tree, is the oldest, most stable, most color-consistent part of the tree. Those pieces cost more and will be reflected in retail price. It is not "bad" to have color variation or more knots, it's just a personal preference. A few companies, like Mirage, offer options. Mirage names them Traditional, Exclusive and Select & Better. Contractors know it as #2 common, #1 common and select. It can vastly change the look of the floor.
Here are some of the available species of woods:
Domestic Species:
Red and White Oak are the most commonly used hardwood in the US. Here in San Diego people often have this in their homes under their carpet without even knowing. As you can see, the two are distinctly different and yet are often confused
Maple is a light colored wood with more delicate grain patterns. It is typically used on sports floors and can create a light pristine look. Maple can be stained and distressed to create very different looks .
Birch is a naturally light wood, but has a little more sapwood than maple and can have more textured color when stained or cooked. It is softer than maple, though, and is prone to denting.
Hickory and Pecan . The color varies from pinkish blond to shades of brown. The character grades are an important aspect to the selection of this wood. Hickory is often stained and distressed. This wood has grain and looks very authentic.
Walnut is a favorite because of the soft flowing grains, beautiful knots, and naturally brown color. However, it is a soft hardwood and is prone to denting. If you have a lower traffic household this is a beautiful option.
Exotic Species: If you love one of these colors and appreciate color variation, an exotic can be right for you. If you get it smooth with a thicker veneer it can be sanded and will maintain its color, making it a long-lasting floor.
Sapele is naturally brown and fairly consistant ly colored. It has a hologram-like two-tone color and grain like mahogany.
Santos Mahogany is a popular exotic with grain patterns similar to Maple and rich in color like Brazilian Cherry. It is a dense wood and is offered by many manufacturers in different styles. It ambers and richens in color mostly over the first six months to a year.
Tigerwood is an exotic and dramatic. It is rich in color, with contrasting grain lines.
Brazilian Cherry (also known as Jatoba) is one of the hardest of the hard woods as well. There are different grades that determine color variation, but the tones are red and brown with long straighter grain patterns. Some manufacturers apply a wash to provide a more consistent color with less color changing. Jatoba changes in color significantly from straight out of the box as a light color to a deep rich color, most of the change happens in the first year.
Merbau is an exotic wood with a unique straight grain pattern, with deep reddish and brown tones.
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