Floor Covering

How will you finish all the floors in your new home?

Here is an overview of this page:

• Basic Types of Wood Flooring

• The Type of Subfloor You Choose Plays A Role

• Solid Hardwood and Engineered

• How Many Times Can The Floor Be Refinished?

• Carpeting

• Floor Tiling Options

• Organic Flooring Options

• Wood Flooring Specials

• Bamboo and Reclaimed Flooring Direct

Understanding where certain types of hardwood flooring can be used should be foremost in any selection making in order to have a successful installation for years to come. It is recommended that only Engineered flooring be used below grade or in other words below ground level where moisture coming through a concrete surface might be a concern.

A vast majority of construction in the United States is plywood or OSB over floor joists with basements below. The preferred type of product would be the more traditional solid 3/4" hardwood that will outlast our lifetimes, providing it's taken care of properly. These products can be completely refinished many times over. In most cases color changes can be made, but requires very knowledgeable professionals.

Other products gaining popularity in recent years would be prefinished engineered. These are constructed in ply fashion similar to that of common plywood with an actual hardwood veneer on the surface, commonly called the wear layer.

Wear layers can vary from one prefinished manufacturer to the next. One key to look for in choosing an engineered product would be the thickness of the veneer or wear layer. Nearly all manufacturers produce thin and thicker wear layers, the latter having the ability to be refinished.

Often price can dictate the wear layer thickness. Some cannot be completely refinished.

How many times an engineered hardwood can be refinished should be a concern for those that plan on living with their new hardwood floor more than 10-20 years, but will depend on what you perceive as needing refinishing.

Minor scratches, dings and dents add to the character of hardwood flooring. Some are fine by the added character that comes along with age and use others may not be.

If you're seeking near perfection and desire a flawless appearance, your floors may need refinishing every five years. Choosing a product with the thickest wear layer should be considered.

Most of the better engineered hardwoods have veneer thicknesses of 1/8" and more. With the right professionals and a flat subfloor these can be successfully refinished at least two or three times. Color changes may reduce this number.

Finally, engineered products are more stable (minimal if any expansion and contraction) than solid hardwood due to the way they are constructed. They are recommended for in floor radiant heating systems as well.

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Carpeting

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Floor Tiling Options

One way to create an eye-catching kitchen tile floor or bathroom tile floor is to use subtle gradations in color across the entire floor.

Or, you can simply frame the room's perimeter with floor tiles in a different hue or pattern from the tiles used on the rest of the floor. You can create your own "tile rug" or one-of-a-kind tile floor by taking ordinary stock tiles and setting them in an original pattern.

If you have a tile floor for the bathroom or kitchen, set it off with a border of tile insets in the flooring. You can also design a floor that combines ceramic tile with other tiles, such as granite and marble, or wood tile.

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Organic Flooring Options

Here I will cover some of the less expensive options like vinyl sheet goods and press in place options.

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Wood Flooring Specials

Prices are Falling - Hardwood flooring as low as $1.49 a sq/ft from iFloor.com!

Prices are Falling - Bamboo flooring as low as $1.49 a sq/ft from iFloor.com!

Prices are Falling - Cork flooring as low as $2.99 a sq/ft from iFloor.com!

Save 63% on Brazilian Cherry Laminate from iFloor.com!

Check out all the brands available at iFloor.com.


I am going to conclude with an article on ORGANIC FLOORING options like bamboo and cork.

Bamboo and Reclaimed Flooring Direct

My hope is that these articles will help you better understand the different characteristics and wear issues associated with different products.

It has been proven that the life expectancy of many of the more expensive products can be between two to ten times that of less expensive options making them a better overall value.

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