Before you venture into the vast range of choices in wood flooring, we need to address some basics to the construction of the wood plank.  Why, you may ask?  Our very environment at the shore causes damp and below-grade conditions with the wood.  A basic understanding of wood assembly and construction could mean the difference in thousands of dollars and years of wear-and tear to your precious hardwoods.

Plank Construction Basics

Solid or Engineered?

The structure of the plank determines how and where it's installed.

SOLID HARDWOOD     This time-tested flooring material lasts longer than many other options and can be refinished and restained multiple times to alter its appearance as your tastes change.  In its milled form, the single-thickness material is sensitive to temperature and humidity changes, so it shouldn't be installed below grade.

ENGINEERED WOOD       Multiple layers of wood assembled at 90-degree angles boost stability in damp or below-grade locations.  The hardwood veneer, usually prefinished, can be resurfaced only a few times.  Engineered wood can be installed as a floating floor, meaning pieces are joined to each other but not to the subfloor, allowing seasonal movement.