Hardwood from Shaw
Hardwood floors are beautiful and long-lasting and make an elegant choice for most rooms in your home.
Hardwood floors from Shaw stand the test of time with DuraShield and is a snap to install with VersaLock.
DuraShield: Enriched with aluminum-oxide, this finish keeps your hardwood free from marks and looking like new.
Shaw SilentStep: Shaw's exclusive product underlayment provides comfort and stability, acts as a mildew and moisture inhibitor, and offers superior noise absorption.
VersaLock: Install your hardwood in a snap with VersaLock, a patented locking system that speeds up installation and eliminates the need for glue or nails.
Character & Construction
The grain and construction of the wood are two important factors to consider when choosing a hardwood floor.
Character: Naturally present in hardwood, grain variations help determine a wood's style. Dramatic grain variations will produce a rustic style. Moderate grain variations are present in traditional woods. For a sleek, contemporary look, choose a select hardwood with very little color variation.
Construction: Solid or engineered, the construction of your hardwood can help determine where your floors should be placed. Solid is created from a single piece of wood that makes a beautiful floor that lasts for years. Engineered is made from several layers of wood and is designed to withstand higher levels of humidity so it can be placed in different areas of the home.
Exotically Beautiful
Unique hardwood looks put a new twist on the timelessly traditional floor.
More consumers than ever are taking a global view when selecting their flooring. The dramatic possibilities of such hardwood as bamboo, teak, and Brazilian cherry are bringing an entirely new look to flooring. Exotic hardwood flooring styles offer rich hues, varying graining pattern, and beautiful color variations. These unique products express elegance and style with a sense of adventure.
Solid vs. Engineered
Solid wood is milled from a single 3/4" thick piece of hardwood. Because of its thickness, a solid hardwood floor can be sanded and refinished over several generations of use. Solid wood flooring expands and contracts with changes in your home's relative humidity. Normally, installers compensate for this movement by leaving an expansion gap between the floor and the wall. Base molding or quarter round is traditionally used to hide the extra space.
Engineered
Engineered wood is produced with three to five layers of hardwood. Each layer is stacked in a cross-grain configuration and bonded together under heat and pressure. As a result, engineered wood flooring is less likely to be affected by changes in humidity and can be installed at all levels of the home. Shaw Hardwood flooring offers two different engineered constructions:
- Shaw Engineered with Hardwood Core
- Shaw Engineered with High Density Fiberboard Core
Before deciding on Solid or Engineered hardwood flooring, consider these factors:
Location, Location, Location
The location of your hardwood flooring basically falls into three categories:
- On Grade - at ground level
- Above Grade - any second level or higher
- Below Grade - any floor below ground level, including basements or sunken living rooms.
Traditional solid hardwood flooring is not well suited for high moisture areas such as bathrooms or below-grade installations. The construction of an engineered hardwood gives it enhanced structural stability and moisture resistance that allows it to be installed at any grade level.
What type of subfloor do you have?
If you plan to install over concrete, you must use an engineered product to ensure structural integrity. Solid wood flooring or Engineered flooring may be used over plywood, wood, or OSB subfloors.
Will there be moisture in the room?
If so, you'll want to select an Engineered hardwood. The moisture resistance of an engineered hardwood makes it suitable for rooms where moisture is a possibility, such as bathrooms.
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