Hardwood Floors February/March 2024

By Gary Scheidker

NEEDS WILL VARY The needs of these new hardwood flooring products can vary depending on the width, species, substrate, and environment that the flooring will live in. Wide-width and long planks are less-forgiving to substrate irregularities. These large format planks will tend to bridge substrate irregularities, resulting in hollow spots and even deflection. Flattening the substrate per industry guidelines and using the recommended trowel for wide and long planks will go a long way in preventing hollow spots and deflection. Some adhesive manufacturers will not guarantee some of their adhesives with tropical wood species or certain types of bamboo. Reviewing the technical data sheets for the flooring and adhesive before starting a project is always a good idea. You always should contact technical services if you have questions when working with a product for the first time. engineered hardwood, tropical wood species, and bamboo. Cutback and chlorinated solvent adhesives have given way to lower VOC and healthier adhesive alternatives. I have been in the flooring industry for more than 50 years. In that time, both hardwood flooring and their adhesives have evolved. Over the years, traditional narrow width, 3/4" thick, long-strip oak flooring has given way to wide-width planks,

ADOBESTOCK ©

Before you commit to a glue down application, ensure the selected flooring can be installed as a glue-down. I have spoken to many installers who have

been put in a no-win situation with a nail-down only product sold as glue down over concrete.

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

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