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SOLID OR ENGINEERED
Somerset offers two types of flooring construction:
solid and engineered.
Somerset solid hardwood flooring is a single piece
of solid wood that is crafted into a strip or plank
flooring through an advanced milling and finishing process.
Somerset's engineered hardwood flooring has a solid
top layer, or face, supported by
six additional layers that are cross-grained and laminated
together to form a
1/2" thick piece of plank flooring. This cross
graining provides greater
dimensional stability, minimizing the expansion and
contraction that natural wood
exhibits when exposed to varying moisture levels and
temperatures.
Both are excellent choices to install on or above grade
(ground level), depending
on the type of subfloor you have. If you choose to put
hardwood flooring below
grade, in a basement, for example, you will need to
install engineered flooring.
The main considerations for choosing solid or engineered
flooring have to do
with where and how the flooring will be installed.
Thickness: 3/4"
Installation: Nail or staple on or above
grade (ground level) only over wood subfloors. (solid
boards, plywood, or OSB)
Thickness: 1/2", 7-ply, 3mm thick sliced face
Installation: Glue, staple, or nail down
on, above or below grade (ground level)
over wood, vinyl and even concrete
subfloors (including basements).
Note: Because the top layer of Somerset's
engineered flooring is "sliced," you get the
same appearance of a solid wood floor with
the dimensional stability of engineered,
cross-layered construction.
Many people believe that solid flooring is a better
value because it's 3/4" thick.
Keep in mind, however, that the usable part of the flooring
is only that wood that's above
the tongue and groove. Somerset's engineered flooring
features a 3mm thick solid top layer
that can be professionally sanded and refinished. Either
is an excellent, natural choice that
will add to the value of your home and will give you
a lifetime of enjoyment.
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