Hardwood

Flooring types

Definition of Hardwood

Hardwood is compact wood or timber that comes from evergreen or deciduous trees such as oak, mahogany, cherry, and maple.

Hardwood flooring is obtained by cutting planks from a tree’s trunk and milling them into a uniform thickness. Hardwood flooring planks are normally ¾ inch thick, but they are also available in ⅝ or ¼ inch thickness.

There are various types of hardwood flooring:

• Solid hardwood flooring
• Engineered hardwood flooring
• Distressed hardwood flooring

Its strength, density, and durability make it perfect for residential and commercial flooring applications. It’s resistant to everyday wear and tear, scratches, and dents as well as changes in temperature and humidity.

To ensure the best performance when temperature and humidity change, hardwood floor planks need to be acclimated. This prevents structural damage, warping, and cupping.

Furthermore, hardwood flooring can be refinished, that is, buffed and varnished to restore its original glory.

Example of Hardwood in a Sentence

“It’s been 10 years since my hardwood floors were installed, it’s now time for a refinish.”

Related Terms:

• Solid hardwood
• Distressed hardwood
• Engineered hardwood