Building Homes or Extensions/wood flooring

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Expert: - 6/23/2007


Question
Give me your personal opinion of what wood floors look best, engineered,laminates, solid wood flooring or what?

Answer
Bob,

Judging on appearance only, solid wood and engineered wood both look good.  However, 20 years down the road and after a lot of dents and scratches, solid wood can be completely re-sanded and re-finished.  2-3 more times, in fact.  No other product allows this.  

Laminate looks too artificial to me.

Engineered wood is nice if you are doing wider boards, since it doesn't expand/contract very much.

Lastly, it comes down to the species and color.  These attributes really define the floor, and vary considerably.  I have seen attractive floors of maple, oak (red & white), and cherry (which is soft).  Reclaimed heart pine and Douglas fir are also very nice.

--Steve Major

Building Homes or Extensions

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Stephen Major (Owner--Major Design Group)

Expertise

I can answer any questions regarding the design and construction of homes and additions. This includes trade-specific questions (how-to) in all major building trades: framing, foundations, site prep, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, water treatment, interior finishing, trim & cabinetwork, exterior finishing, roofing, siding. PLEASE indicate your state or region, so I can provide the best possible answer.

Experience

25 years experience in building design and construction, all hands-on, including the construction of dozens of single-family homes and hundreds of remodeling projects in the northeastern US.

Publications
Author: "Architectural Woodwork - Details for Construction" published by Van Nostrand Reinhold (now Wiley).

Education/Credentials
BS Cornell University.

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