Typically, solid hardwood flooring is between 5/16 and ¾ inches thick. Those are pretty standard thicknesses that serve most needs. Engineered hardwood can come in different thicknesses but generally, it's about the same offerings as solid hardwood.
When considering solid wood floors or engineered wood flooring, you ideally want a 3/16″ thick wear layer. However, most engineered floors are made with a very thin layer, equivalent to only 3 sheets of paper!
In a typical home, the entire structure between levels can be about 12 to 14 inches thick, depending on the type of joists used and the finish materials for the floor and ceiling.
About Engineered Hardwood Thicknesses
It is recommended to choose engineered wood flooring with an overall thickness of 3/4 inch to 5/8 inch. Breaking that down, the wear layer should measure 3/16 inch, and the core should have a 9- or 11-plywood (ply) thickness.
Since most hardwood planks are manufactured with tongue and groove to interlock, it is necessary to leave at least 1/8 of an inch of wood at the top of the board, above the tongue and groove, for a complete refinish. It may be possible to refinish the floors if the boards are thinner than 1/8 of an inch.
If I had to pick an ideal time, I would say spring or fall when the indoor temperature is most consistent with outdoor temperature and it's often easy to open the windows (after the work is complete) to help air out the smell faster. But, really, sanding and refinishing hardwood can take place any time of year.
Recoating is when you add a new layer of coating (normally polyurethane) to your hardwood floors. It is also known as resealing, as this process seals the wood, keeping it protected from potential scratches. This should really be happening every 3 to 5 years, but it all depends on how often you use those floors.
An engineered wood floor, which is being fitted over under floor heating, is normally recommended to be a maximum of 15mm thick. The reason for this is that boards of this thickness will allow the heat to pass into the room more efficiently than a thicker board.
A 3mm wear layer can withstand three to four refinishes and has an estimated lifespan of 40 to 50 years. The thickest available wear layer, 4mm, can take three to four refinishes and has an estimated lifespan of anywhere between 50 to 100 years as a result.
Underlayment: Just under the visible floor covering is a layer of some kind of material, usually only about 1/4- or 1/2-inch thick. Its purpose is to provide a smooth, flat surface for the floor covering. It can be made of many different materials, chosen depending on the needs of the floor covering.
One factor to consider when shopping for flooring is thickness. Thicker flooring of any kind, whether it's solid hardwood, luxury vinyl, or engineered wood, means reduced sound migration, better insulating properties, softer footfalls, and better bridging of subfloor imperfections.
With that being said, most underlayments are 2-3mm thick, but are sometimes thicker for carpet or to smooth out an uneven subfloor. It's often advertised that 6mm underlayment offers double the sound absorption as 3mm underlayment.
Acclimation times vary by species and product, but a rule of thumb is to acclimate wood floor products for at least three days. You're trying to reach an equilibrium between the moisture content of the wood materials and the air where the product is being installed.
Generally speaking, the hardest wood for flooring is Ipe (or Lapacho). However, this is very hard to find, due to its rarity. This also makes it a very expensive flooring product. Therefore, more widely available, and hardwearing are Hickory and Maple flooring.
So, if you have a building with a basement level, and you still want a hardwood floor to enhance the appearance of the area, an engineered hardwood floor will be a much more durable choice than a solid hardwood or a laminate. On top of each of these layers is a veneer of genuine hardwood.
If you have solid hardwood or engineered wood floorboards, the creak might be caused by the floorboards rubbing against each other. Squirt powdered graphite between the boards, then lightly rub the product into the seams with a soft brush or cloth.
Both engineered hardwood and vinyl plank flooring are extremely durable. However, these both come with their own list of pros and cons. Vinyl planks are more resistant to scratches, chipping, and other surface damages.
14mm engineered hardwood flooring is a fantastic choice as it offers the elegance and beauty of a natural floor covering, which can last a lifetime of looked after correctly, and it can be found at a cost effective price.
Which wear layer should I choose? Normally, we recommend a wear layer of at least 2mm, with 3mm being the most common thickness nowadays on high-quality engineered floors.
Construction: Just like the name suggests, solid hardwood planks are created from a single, thick piece of solid wood. Engineered hardwood is also made of genuine wood but has a core of hardwood or plywood with a layer of hardwood veneer applied to the top surface.
If you only have some minor scratches and dings or a dull finish, you might be able to simply buff and add a new coat of varnish. But, even if your floors need a complete makeover, refinishing hardwood is a very manageable and rewarding do-it-yourself job that can save a lot of money.
Water Test. Pour a spoonful of water onto the floor. If it forms droplets that stay on the surface of the wood, the floor finish is still good. If the water is slowly absorbed into the wood, the finish is worn and needs to be restored.
With dark hardwood floors, you'll enjoy: Long-lasting color: Its color makes dark hardwood prone to absorbing sunlight, while light hardwood reflects it. Over time, you'll find that your dark flooring results in less sun damage, retaining its dark sheen for longer.