Ayrwood's Profile

Display Name: Ayrwood
Personal URL: http://www.ayrwood.com/flooring-blog
Member Since: 2/6/13

Latest Comments...

I can't imagine you think the quality of LL wood is better than Mirage ... That's just crazy.


imported comment
2/7/13 12:34 PM

Most of your comments are spot-on except the bit about janka. An engineered wood uses the exact same hardwood as with solid floors, except it acts as a veneer. The surface denting tolerance remains completely unaffected.


What You Need to Know:
Engineered Hardwood Floors 101 Renovation Primer
2/7/13 12:27 PM

In order to put a new, different finish on your floor you'll have to take the existing one off. This is not possible on a floating floor, as the sander would not make even contact with your floor. Unfortunately you're a bit stuck with the finish you have on there.


What You Need to Know:
Engineered Hardwood Floors 101 Renovation Primer
2/7/13 12:25 PM

Engineered hardwood in a basement is a risk only in extreme moisture conditions like a flood. The issue usually is cost if you want to glue it down over concrete. There are click options as well that are floated over the concrete.

While $1 /sqft. Vinyl Plank shouldn't be able to fool anyone, a good quality vinyl plank like Evoke would seriously give you a run for your money:
http://www.ayrwood.com/portfolio/christian/

I feel this is the future of synthetic hardwood and the good stuff is only getting more and more realistic. We put tons of it in basements. Never had technical issues.


Family-Friendly Basement Flooring
2/6/13 9:58 AM

Good first option to try to refinish an original floor. Your friend will be able to tell you right off the bat if it's do-able or not. One way you can check see if the wood floor is under there is to lift an in-floor heating vent (if you have them) and see the layers of floor.

If you do decide to go new hardwood, thickness and hardness isn't a major concern, up to a point. As long as the hardwood wear-layer is thick enough, an engineered hardwood product is a great choice as there are more design options with that route. While you need to be careful not to buy a 'soft' wood like Pine, hardness in hardwood won't protect you against 80% of the denting issues we see with floors. Choose something more than 1300 on the Janka Scale and don't worry about comparing hardness after that.

Use a few design tips to determine a fuss-free hardwood floor: choose something light. Dark floors tend to show more dust and scratches. Also choose something with a lower-gloss finish for the same reason. And if you really want to go into 'full protect' mode, choose a floor which has already been antiqued so that future dings and marks only add to the character of the floor.


Bamboo, Cork, or Wood Flooring for (Future) Dog Owners? Good Questions
2/6/13 9:48 AM

From a flooring perspective, I've learned that light, wide-plank laminate or wood flooring planks paired with a light coloured wall does wonders for room size.


How Do I Spruce Up Living Room & Make It Look Larger? Good Questions
2/6/13 9:37 AM