What Is the Process of Manufacturing Wooden Flooring?
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Solid Hardwood
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Traditional hardwood floors are made from solid planks of lumber. They are usually 3/4" thick and two to three inches wide. These floors are also available in many other sizes, including wide planks or thin strips, and are made from species such as cherry, oak, maple or pine. Trees are harvested and debarked, then sliced into boards. The boards are cut and dried, then sanded to create a smooth finish. Some wooden flooring is prefinished at the factory with multiple coats of stain or sealer. Others are left unfinished so that they can be stained during installation.
Engineered Wood
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Because of the high cost of wood flooring, many homeowners choose engineered wood as an affordable alternative. Engineered wood is made of multiple layers, or plies of wood. The base is built from layers of plywood, hardboard or oriented-strand board, and is held together using a resinous adhesive. It is topped with a very thin layer of wood veneer, which is sliced off of a log using a wood lathe. The veneer is usually 1/8" of thinner, resulting in a cheap, eco-friendly option for those looking to install wood flooring.
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Laminate Wood Flooring
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Laminate wood flooring looks just like real wood, but is actually a low-cost composite product. It is built using a core consisting of sawdust, wood scraps and resin. The core is topped with a printed paper layer that resembles a photograph of wood, complete with natural coloring and grain. This paper layer is then sealed with a clear urethane wear-layer to help protect the floor.
Laminate can be made using direct or high-pressure techniques. Direct-pressure laminate is made by combining all the layers of material into one unit before molding them together with heat and pressure, High-pressure units are exposed to heat and pressure as each individual layer is added, creating a much more durable and long-lasting product.
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References
- Photo Credit Konrad A. Kocisqewski: Flickr.com
