Your child was fond of playing matchbox and Lego on the floor. On a cold winter morning, he noticed small gaps between the hardwood planks. He asked you why there were gaps on the floor; you answered that they were caused by seasonal changes. Apparently, size and construction of hardwood flowing are affected by increment changes in temperature.
What your child saw is not a miracle or extraordinary phenomenon. It is a natural occurrence. Hardwood floor, typically made from white oak, red oak, maple, white ash, cherry, and pelican wood species, contract and expand depending on the climate and season. During summer, the wood expands because of the hot temperature. On the other hand, they contract during winter, forming small gaps between planks on the floor. This is a unique characteristic of hardwood floors.
Some say hardwood materials are stylish and classy flooring. Nevertheless, others regard the expanding and contracting characteristic of hardwood as disadvantageous and hazardous. Hardwood planks are sensitive to moisture; hence, they are not recommended for below ground level or over concrete slab installation. When hardwood floor is exposed to extreme moisture, they can easily peel off from the floor, or they can discolor and form smudges all over.
However, most people still prefer hardwood as a convenient and stylish material for flooring. The standard thickness of classic rectangular planks is 3/4″ and the width is 2 1/4″. Generally, there are three basic types of hardwood flooring. These are solid, engineered, and longstrip hardwood plank. Solid hardwood planks are the materials that contract and expand. They are symmetrically installed for a neat and orderly look. Engineers must place adequate expansion area on the floor for a lasting and beautiful application of hardwood flooring.
On the other hand, engineered hardwood floors have multiple sheets of laminated wood. Unlike symmetrical arrangement of solid hardwood flooring, engineered hardwoods are arranged in a cross-ply construction. Their laminate covering makes them less susceptible to moisture. They are versatile flooring materials which can be installed even at the basement of your home.
Longstrip hardwood planks are available in a hardwood floor store. They are easy to replace, making them an ideal choice for active homes. These varieties of versatile materials make hardwood a top choice for flooring in the United States.