How do I know if I have hardwood or subfloor?

Look for water marks, stains and faded areas on the floorboards. Laminate doesn’t stain the way natural wood does, so if you see water rings, random splotches or discolorations on the floor, it is probably hardwood.

How do I know what my wood floors are?

Usually, it’s fairly simple to identify wood flooring. The different wooden flooring types are recognizable by their grain patterns….Identify wood flooring by Looking at these 5 Aspects

1. Wood Grains.
2. Scrape Some of the Finish Off.
3. Use the Internet.
4. Identify Wood Flooring by Their Odor.

Is flooring laid under cabinets?

Typically Cabinets Come Before Flooring. In most cases, given standard flooring heights, you will install the cabinets before the floor covering. The floor covering will be cut to size and almost butted up against the cabinets. A minimal gap should be left between the flooring and the cabinets.

Do you have to take out cabinets to replace kitchen flooring?

No you do not have to remove the cabinets to install new flooring. Most likely you will have to remove existing flooring and underlayment for hardwood and clearances but not cabinets. There are trims and moldings that are used to cover the edges.

How can you tell the difference between hardwood and softwood?

In general, hardwood comes from deciduous tree’s which lose their leaves annually. Softwood comes from conifer, which usually remains evergreen. The trees from which hardwood is obtained tend to be slower growing, meaning the wood is usually denser.

How can you tell the difference between hardwood and engineered hardwood?

The simplest way to tell the difference between the two types of wood is to pick up a loose plank. Look at the side of the plank. If it is one solid piece of wood with a continuous grain, it’s solid hardwood. If you see different layers of wood, it’s engineered hardwood.

How can I tell what kind of wood my cabinets are?

Look at the grain pattern. The texture of the grain determines what kind of wood it is. A wood has an open, porous texture. Softwoods are usually smooth with no grain pattern while hardwood usually has an open pore structure that is quite rough and sticky.

Do you put wood flooring under cabinets?

Installing flooring before your cabinets is the best choice for most hardwood floors. When professionals install floors then cabinets, it’s easier to get everything to standard heights. It’s also a safer installation process for your cabinets since you won’t risk any damage to them as professionals install the floors.

Do you put hardwood floors under kitchen cabinets?

If you are installing a hardwood floating floor (or any floating floor such as cork or laminate), you should install the floor AFTER the kitchen cabinets are installed. So, floors that are nailed (or glued) should be installed BEFORE the cabinets and floors that are floated should be done AFTER the cabinets.

How can you tell if wood is hardwood?

Simply try to dig your fingernail into the wood (in an inconspicuous spot of course). If your nail makes a mark then you are looking at salvaged softwood. If no mark can be seen then it is hardwood.