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For centuries people have used wood floors in their homes to add warmth, elegance and charm. Hardwood floors never go out of fashion and can add real value to your home. But until now some rooms, such as bath- rooms and basements, were not considered good fits for wood floors because of humidity concerns. That's because wood swells like a sponge when it ab- sorbs moisture and contracts as it dries out, causing di- mensional variations in wood materials. A simple way to prevent dimensional variations in wood is to control air temperature and relative humidity using a humidifier or an air exchanger. However, in some situa- tions, such as in bathrooms and basements, this may be hard to achieve and floorboards will contract and expand. The solution for homeowners looking for wood flooring in these rooms is a product with enhanced dimensional stability that is less susceptible to changing conditions -- engineered wood flooring. According to Michel Collin, Marketing Director at Mer- cier Wood Flooring, a leading manufacturer of quality wood flooring, engineered flooring is made of plywood with a thin hardwood surface layer glued on top. Each layer of the plywood is glued so that the grain runs per- pendicular to the next. This limits the contracting and swelling action as the movement of each layer is counter- acted by the oppdsite movement of the next layer, thereby enhancing dimensional stability. Wood flooring in every room of your home? This is most evident in Mercier engineered flooring, The versatility of engineered wood flooring Collin explained, as unlike most engi- neered flooring, which is composed of three to five layers, Mercier‘s contains seven crossbanded layers for optimum stability. “Engineered wood floors are construct- ed differently from solid wood floors and offer some advantages," he added. “Thanks to advancements in manufac- turing technology, engineered wood floors can be used in almost any room in the home. This includes installing over dry, concrete slabs and some types of ex- isting flooring. So now homeowners can enjoy the beauty of a real hardwood floor in areas they never thought possible be- fore with solid wood flooring." Most engineered wood floors are pre- finished at the factory, which eliminates the mess, extra tithe and fumes associ- ated with applying the finish coats at home. Collin notes that engineered flooring is not meant as a substitute for solid hard- wood flooring. It is designed for applications where solid wood won't perform as well. Engineered flooring is also a great choice for renovations because it can be glued di- rectly onto an existing floor. You can tell it’s the best paint even with your eyes closed. m Feel its hand-rubbed finish. Notice the low odour. And finally, see its beautiful rich colour. Come discover your Aura‘ today. 02009 Benjamin Moore L (0., united Auva, Benpmin Moon and the W 'M' symbol are "quoted "Mutts, kmst to W Moon (0.. [United Inside Out Decorating 6380 Main St., Stouffville, ON MA 163 With admncemenw in manufacturing technology, engineered wood floors can be used in almost any room in the home Plenty of free parking behind store as well as spots out front “Our engineered wood flooring is perfect anywhere," Collin added. “Its versatility and timeless appeal make it an ideal match in any decor, from the basement to the bedroom." More information on engineered wood floor- ing is available at www.mercierflooring.com. (MS) 905-642-5883 benjaminmoore.ca