Can Your Riverdale, NJ Basement Handle Hardwood Flooring?
As a general rule, hardwood floors are not installed in basements of new homes. These areas are below ground, and as such are more prone to higher moisture levels. Simply put, water and hardwood floors don’t mix. However, there may be an option available for you in Riverdale, New Jersey. Keri Wood Floors has worked in northern New Jersey for over twenty-five years and may be able to offer an engineered hardwood product that works for you, and your basement.
What is Engineered Hardwood Flooring?
There are two major types of “real” wood flooring: solid wood and engineered hardwood. An engineered hardwood is manufactured in a factory and consists of a natural wood top layer, and lower layers of plywood or a similar product.
Engineered hardwood floors are produced with durability in mind. Technology has come a long way in recent decades, and wood floor manufacturers have been able to develop engineered products that meet, and often exceed, the level of durability found in solid hardwoods.
Just like solid wood floors, engineered hardwoods are available in a wide range of styles, colors and species. In fact, just about anything you can find in solid wood flooring options can also be found as an engineered hardwood.
Benefits of Engineered Hardwood Flooring
When you are looking to install hardwood flooring, two things play major roles: the time it will take to install, and the overall cost. In both cases, engineered hardwoods may provide a better option than solid wood. Because it is mass-produced, engineered flooring is less expensive on the whole, and can often be installed in just one day, which also keeps labor costs down.
As far as basements go, engineered hardwoods are your only real option. Because of the higher moisture content in below grade areas, solid wood is not recommended. Solid wood should also not be installed in areas with a concrete subfloor. Instead, there are engineered products available that are specially treated to last in basements and other areas that face similar concerns, such as rooms with radiator heaters.
Engineered products are still susceptible
Keep in mind that no floor is immune to dangers or damage. Engineered products are still susceptible to scratches, water damage from extended exposure, and must be properly maintained for the life of the wood. Also, since there is just a small layer of solid wood atop a larger piece of plywood, engineered hardwood floors cannot be sanded often, if at all. It will depend if the floors are a three, five, seven or greater ply material.
Keri Wood Floors can not only install the perfect flooring for your basement, in addition to your entire home, we can offer repairs, refinishing and replacements as well. With over twenty-five years of experience in Riverdale and across northern New Jersey, we will find the right material for any area you are looking to cover, basements included. Call 973-838-1295 in Riverdale to get a free quote on your next hardwood flooring project.