Flooring Types & Definitions
Introduction
There are many different options for flooring types, and with each comes different benefits or potential shortcomings for certain uses. This page will go over different flooring type by materials (Wood, Vinyl, Rubber, etc); and also will discuss different definitions of flooring types that may apply to multiple materials (Resilient, Engineered, etc)
By Material
Wood Flooring
Wood is one of the more popular and versatile flooring materials. If installed properly, detailed correctly, and cared for; wood flooring can easily last the entire lifespan of the building and then some. Furthermore, depending on the wood type and thickness, you can frequently refresh the wood through sanding at least once, and sometimes numerous times.
With many wood species available, it can provide a variety of appearances that can be expanded with different staining and finishing techniques, allowing endless different aesthetic opportunities.
It's important to also be aware of the wood species characteristics as each comes with their own durability, resistances, and other traits that may or may not make it a good choice for a particular flooring application. This is the same thing to note when using wood for any other application, such as a building's siding; some species are better than others.
Installation Notes
Moisture of the wood and its subfloor are critical to a good installation. Wood will swell and shrink with water. If there is too much moisture when installed, the wood can shrink and leave larger gaps in the flooring; while too little moisture can cause buckling when the wood swells with moisture.
To help prevent this, the subfloor and wood pieces should be tested for moisture prior to installing any wood. It's best to check the moisture levels at multiple time intervals across many days to get an accurate reading. Common practice is to leave the wood in the exact room it will be installed in for several days to weeks (unpacked) to allow the wood to breathe and acclimate to the space's environment.