For anyone who’s not familiar with the term “grade”, surprisingly it has nothing to do with quality; it’s all to do with ground level. At the risk of over-simplifying this term, broadly speaking, “above grade” is above ground level and “below grade” is below ground level. So what does this have to do with flooring? In fact, grade has much to do with flooring. As a seller of both solid wood and engineered wood flooring, we are very aware of the benefits and limitations of each option and are keen to share this information with our buyers to enable them to make the right decisions for their flooring. Why do we do this? We do it so that you get the best possible support in your flooring decision-making process, enabling you to choose the right flooring for your project, so it gives you years and years of satisfaction.
If you own a home which has a below grade (or below ground level) element, or you have an apartment which is all, or in part, below grade, this will impact on your flooring decisions. While there have been significant developments in the damp-proofing of basement spaces in recent years, there’s no getting away from the fact that moisture levels above and below grade differ substantially, and it’s important to respect this when making your flooring decisions.
Basement spaces have, in recent years become recognised as important additions to our living spaces. With living space selling at a premium, even in today’s relatively flat housing market, more and more people are seeking to move up into attics and down into basements to increase their living space. Basements are a challenge when it comes to keeping humidity at bay as well as dealing with their natural day-to-day moisture fluctuations. It is for this reason that there is no doubt that engineered wood flooring is a much more suitable solution than solid wood when it comes to below grade (or below ground level) spaces.
Engineered wood flooring is made up of layers of wood products that are bonded together to form a strong and stable sub board. This sub board is then topped off with a solid wood lamella or top layer. It’s this solid wood finishing that makes engineered wood flooring such an attractive solution, and it’s the solid and stable sub board that makes it the best solution for below grade spaces. Thanks to its make up, engineered wood floor doesn’t expand and contract to the same extent as solid wood when it comes face-to-face with fluctuating moisture levels and temperatures. This means it can stand up to most basement conditions. That said, whatever type of flooring you’re planning to install below grade (or below ground level), you owe it to yourself to carry out extensive moisture testing to make sure that your room or space is suited to conversion. You should also seek professional advice regarding a suitable damp proof membrane.
Above grade, or above ground level flooring opens up a much broader choice for your flooring project. Above grade, it’s entirely up to you whether you opt for solid wood or engineered wood flooring, except for kitchens and bathrooms, where engineered wood flooring is the most suitable (again because of the temperature and moisture challenges).
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FAQ
1. What is the term ‘grade’ in relation to flooring?
The term “grade” in relation to flooring refers to ground level. It doesn’t have anything to do with quality. Broadly speaking, “above grade” is above ground level and “below grade” is below ground level.
2. How does grade affect my flooring decisions?
If your home or apartment has a “below grade” (or below ground level) element, it can significantly impact your flooring decisions. Moisture levels above and below grade differ substantially, and this needs to be respected when choosing your flooring.
3. Why is engineered wood flooring recommended for below grade spaces?
Engineered wood flooring is considered more suitable for below grade spaces because it can handle humidity and moisture fluctuations better than solid wood flooring. This is due to its construction of bonded layers of wood products forming a strong and stable sub board, topped with a solid wood top layer.
4. What steps should I take before installing flooring below grade?
Before installing any flooring below grade, it’s crucial to conduct extensive moisture testing to ensure that the space is suitable for conversion. Also, you should seek professional advice about a suitable damp proof membrane.
5. What are the options for above grade flooring?
Above grade, or above ground level, opens up a broader choice for your flooring project. You can opt for either solid wood or engineered wood flooring, except for in kitchens and bathrooms, where engineered wood is more suitable due to temperature and moisture challenges.