Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood Types

At Hamernick’s, we carry many different types of hardwood flooring, each with its own advantages and considerations, such as your budget, the room’s conditions, and your preferred installation method. Let’s dive into the different types of hardwood flooring to help you make an informed decision for your home or business.

• Solid Hardwood
  Solid hardwood flooring is the epitome of authenticity and timelessness. It is crafted from a single piece of wood, then cut and milled into planks of various sizes. This type of flooring offers the genuine feel and natural beauty of the wood species you choose. Solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished multiple times, making it a durable and long-lasting option. It is typically nailed or stapled down to a wooden subfloor, and its installation requires professional expertise.
• Engineered Hardwood
  Engineered hardwood is a popular alternative to solid hardwood. It consists of a real wood veneer—a thin layer of the desired wood species—on top of several layers of high-quality plywood or high-density fiberboard (HDF). The layers are cross-directionally bonded, which enhances the flooring’s stability and resistance to moisture and temperature changes. Its versatility and ability to handle various subfloor types make it a favorite among homeowners.
• Glue-Down Hardwood
  As the name suggests, glue-down hardwood flooring involves adhering each plank directly to the subfloor using a special adhesive. This installation method is common for both solid and engineered hardwood. Glue-down installation provides a strong and stable floor, and it’s often used in commercial settings or rooms with high moisture levels, such as basements or bathrooms. However, it can be a more involved and time-consuming process compared to floating or nail-down installations.
• Floating Hardwood
  In this hardwood installation method, individual planks are not glued or nailed down to the subfloor. Instead, they interlock or adhere to each other, forming a “floating” floor above the subfloor. It is also common for both solid and engineered hardwood. Typically, a thin foam or cork underlayment is placed beneath the floating floor, providing cushioning and sound-dampening benefits. Floating hardwood is relatively easy to install, and it allows for some flexibility in case of subfloor irregularities.