Choosing Between Pre-Finished and Unfinished Hardwood Floors

Hardwood flooring provides a sense of homeyness, warmth and permanence as well as structural strength, old-world reliability and a strong selling point for your home. If you have selected a solid hardwood floor as your flooring solution, you have a choice between unfinished and pre-finished wood.

Pre-finished hardwood is a good choice if you want to enjoy the benefits of your new floor immediately after installation without having to do any sanding or finishing. Pre-finished wood floors come pre-coated and pre-sanded and are ready to install. Installation takes less time, effort and energy, and no time is required for setting.

With an unfinished floor, the finish is added over the hardwood floor surface as a whole after installation of the boards. Pre-finished floor boards, however, are finished on a board by board basis, and the finish that seals the board will not seal small spaces between the planks in the same way. Applying finish over an unfinished floor will yield a more uniform finish and a better moisture-proof seal. This valued characteristic is why many subcontractors will choose unfinished hardwood floors.

So how do you decide between pre-finished and unfinished hardwood? Homeowners who want to do a quick installation and without having to vacate the house should choose a pre-finished hardwood floor. You will not have to tolerate the fumes of the finish or clean up the mess created by the sanding process. Subcontractors will probably prefer an unfinished floor as they can achieve a more uniform finish as well as added moisture protection from the overall sealing process on the whole floor. You will, however, need to determine which finish or stain is most appropriate for the type of hardwood you selected. Whatever your choice, you are certain to enjoy the added structural benefits along with the attractive look and feel of your hardwood floor for a very long time.

Pat Michael writes about flooring at LaminateFlooringConcepts.com and at TheHomeImprovementIdeaPlace.com.

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*The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not Floorhardwoods

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Understanding Solid Hardwood Floors: Installation, Cleaning and Style

wood-flooring-installation
Solid hardwood floors can add a shimmer and shine to any room. However, it’s important that you understand how to install and care for this type of flooring. It’s also important that you understand the different types of hardwood flooring out there so you can weigh your home decorating options.

Installation:

When installing solid hardwood floors, it’s imperative that they never be installed over a concrete slab or below ground level. This is due to high moisture sensitivity. Installation of solid hardwood floors over concrete and in high moisture areas can result in floor gaps as the floor expands to the moisture. In some instances, the wood planks may even buckle under the moisture’s pressure.

When installing hardwood floors make sure you leave enough room for expansion. It’s a good idea to use solid wood that is acclimated and nail-down installations.

Styles:

Solid hardwood floors are made out of a variety of beautiful timber including ash, maple, red oak and white oak. These different types of wood offer various colors and looks. Furthermore they can be re-coated and refinished to increase the appearance of these beautiful wood floors.

Essentially there are three sub categories when it comes to solid hardwood flooring: strip flooring, parquet flooring and plank flooring. They vary in style and thickness. Strip solid hardwood flooring comes in variety thickness including 5/16″, ¾”, 1 ½”, 2″ and 2 ¼”. Plank flooring, on the other hand, are thicker usually between 3″ and 8″ while parquet flooring has geometric patterns on the wood slats.

Hardwood floors also come in hand crafted hand-scraped designs which have character markings and add an even more unique look to your home. These types of floors come in both a modern world look and an old look in finish designs. You can get hand-scraped designed in both solid and engineered types of hardwood floors; however, keep in mind that this can get a little expensive but they can offer a beautifully rich look to any home.

Cleaning:

When it comes to keeping your wood floors looking like new, there is not much to it. In fact, hardwood floors are one of the easiest surfaces to keep clean. First and foremost you will need to use a vacuum cleaner or a broom to get rid of the dirt and debris. Then you will use floor cleaner directly onto the surface of the floor or onto a soft mop. Next, mop away. Make sure the floor is left with a dry finish and you’re done.

To ensure your hardwood floor remains clean, set up a welcome mat to wipe off excess dirt, ban shoes (and muddy dogs) from entering the house and choose furniture that does not have sharp metal or wooden legs to prevent scratching. To really keep your hardwood floors looking their best, invest in rubber cups for moving heavy items and always clean up the spills as soon as they happen.



K Custom Flooring provides professional hardwood floor installation and refinishing. We are dedicated to fulfilling our customers hopes and dreams for their floors. Whether that is through refinishing and restoring the beauty of a floor that has seen decades of use or installing a new floor that will add the change needed to make someone’s house become a home.

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*The opinions expressed are the opinions of the author and not Floorhardwoods. We hope you enjoyed this article!

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Caring for your hardwood flooring in the winter



Hardwood flooring has become very popular in recent years. Although many still consider it as an expensive option when building or renovating, its beauty and durability have made it a favorite by many and more than worth the cost. With proper care and maintenance, hardwood flooring can last a lifetime, making it one of the wisest investments you can make in your home. Unlike carpeting, which needs to be replaced when worn, hardwood flooring can continue to add beauty and value to your home. Although caring for your hardwood flooring may entail just routine mopping and waxing occasionally, the winter months may require more care to keep it looking good.

Taking Care of Humidity

Wood flooring can be very susceptible to expansion and contraction if the humidity in your home is not just right. Winter time can be very hard on your hardwood flooring because of the excess dryness in your home caused by central heating. This dryness can cause a lot of shrinkage with your flooring. When shrinking occurs, you may see unsightly spaces between your boards. At the same time, during the time of year where your home will experience excessive dampness, your hardwood floor may expand. Both of these conditions can be harmful to your flooring and affect its appearance and durability. A humidifier and dehumidifier are great tools to prevent both of these problems. Keeping your humidity level from 40% to 60% year round will be very beneficial to your hardwood flooring.

Eliminating the Elements of Winter

As harmful as improper humidity can be for your hardwood, there are few things that can do more damage to your hardwood flooring than water damage, specifically the water from rain, snow along with the dirt, salt and gravel that may be dragged into your home. As much as many people love winter and the snow that comes with it, keep it outside and not on your flooring. Although we love having salt on our sidewalks to prevent slipping, this salt and grit can cause scratching and nicks on the floor if it’s brought in on your boots and shoes. Excessive water being dragged in on our shoes can also cause problems by causing the floors to warp, which can cause gaps to develop between the boards.

While you may not be able to keep all the snow, dirt, salt and water from coming into your home, you can protect it from getting on your hardwood flooring. Floor mats will do a lot towards protecting your floors from getting wet in the winter. Having your family members and guests remove their shoves when they enter your home will help as well. Most guests that see shoes sitting by the door when they enter your home will automatically take off their shoes as well. However, occasionally you’re still going to have some guests that will not take off their shoes, which is where the rugs and mats will come in very handy so they can wipe their shoes. If you have pets in your home, train them to stay on the mat until you feel they’re dry enough to be on your floors.

Cleaning Your Hardwood Floor in Winter

Even by taking the best possible care for your hardwood flooring, you’re still going to find that it needs a little more care in the winter months. Mopping it a few times a week with a slightly damp mop will only take a few minutes but will ensure that your floor is clean and free from the nasty elements of winter. To ensure your flooring is getting the best protection, you may also want to put a protective coating on it to give it that natural shine you’ve come to love about hardwood flooring.



K Custom Flooring provides professional hardwood floor installation and hardwood floor refinishing. Specializing in
Wide Plank Flooring
and
Antique Wood Flooring
. We are dedicated to fulfilling our customers hopes and dreams for their floors. Whether that is through refinishing and restoring the beauty of a floor that has seen decades of use or installing a new floor that will add the change needed to make someone’s house become a home.

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*Opinions expressed are the opinions of the author and not Floorhardwoods. Articles are provided as a convenience to our customers.

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A Clean Hardwood Floor is a Beautiful Hardwood Floor


If you have hardwood flooring in your home, you appreciate the beauty, durability and value it adds to your home. Whether it was in your home when you purchased it or you’ve added the flooring to your home, you want to keep it looking as great as you possibly can. Hardwood flooring can add a lot of value to a home and it will last forever if it’s taken care of properly. Not only does this flooring add a lot to your home décor, but it can also take a lot in terms of wear and tear. If you have a large family and possibly pets, hardwood flooring is the right floor to deal with all this wear and tear.

Unfortunately, too many people steer clear of hardwood floors because they mistakenly believe they are expensive and high maintenance. They don’t require any more maintenance than carpeting, linoleum, or tiles. They all require care and regular cleaning. The difference with hardwood flooring is that it will enhance the beauty of your home, increase the value and literally last forever. Keeping your hardwood flooring clean and looking great is simple and very inexpensive.

Simple Cleaning Equals Beauty

You may have heard that keeping your hardwood floor clean is a huge undertaking requiring a lot of work and money. Nothing could be further from the truth. A simple soft broom is all that’s required for your regular or daily cleaning. You don’t need expensive cleaning tools for regular cleaning. A soft broom will easily pick up all the dirt and dust that may accumulate each day. Carpeting hides the dirt, dust and pet hair, causing ruined carpeting, odors or allergies. Hardwood floors allow you to see the dirt so it can be swept up easily so your floor will always look great. If you have a vacuum cleaner that’s either designed for hardwood flooring or one that you can adjust accordingly, these also work great, especially with pet hair.

Protective Coatings

Many homeowners protect their hardwood flooring with a polyurethane coating or some sort of shellac to give it a glossy or semi-glossy finish. If your flooring has a coating such as this, your cleaning will be even easier. All your floor will need to keep it clean and looking great is a damp mop. It is important to remember that excess water is a hardwood floors worst enemy so make sure no water is left standing on the floor. Your mop should only be slightly damp. If you do have spots or stains that are not removed with a mop, a cleaning rag with water or cleaning solvent for hardwood flooring works great. There are several different cleaning solutions that come in spray bottles for situations such as this. They’re relatively inexpensive and last a long time because they are only used for those rare times when a mop doesn’t get it all.

Preventative Cleaning

The best way to ensure your floor is always clean is to prevent the dirt and grime from ever landing on your floor but this is not always going to be possible. Throw rugs and designer rugs are great for protecting your floor. They are also very much in style with hardwood floors. Rugs should always be by all exterior doors so shoes can be wiped off when they enter the home. With rugs being so popular today, you can find throw rugs that coordinate with your large area rug, giving your home a great look while protecting your hardwood floors.



K Custom Flooring provides professional hardwood floor installation and hardwood floor refinishing. We are dedicated to fulfilling our customers hopes and dreams for their floors. Whether that is through refinishing and restoring the beauty of a floor that has seen decades of use or installing a new floor that will add the change needed to make someone’s house become a home.

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*The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not Floorhardwoods. We provide articles as an additional resource and hope you enjoyed it!

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Why Hardwood Floors? Five Reasons to Opt for Hardwood

Why Hardwood Floors? Five Reasons to Opt for Hardwood

Hardwood floors can truly make all the difference in the world when it comes to your home decorating plan. They can create an aura of warmth and sophistication; they are versatile and durable; and they are hypo-allergenic and environmentally-friendly. But that’s not all. Read on to discover top of the best reasons to choose hardwood flooring for you interior designing needs.

1. They are Versatile

Because hardwood floors look good in all rooms, from your living room to the dining room, from the bedroom to even the bathroom, they can compliment any home décor. Furthermore, they give a timeless look that can add a perfect backdrop to any interior decorating design. They look incredible underneath a large rug and can exert a sense of style and elegance under the right surroundings.

2. They are easy to maintain

Many people are surprised at how easy it is to clean hardwood floors and keep them looking new. In fact, all it takes is a quick vacuum or broom, and then mop with floor cleaner and you’re done! No muss, no fuss, especially compared to carpet.

3. They add value to the home

Hardwood floors are one of the most preferred flooring in all homes. Because hardwood floors are so durable and long lasting, they can increase the value of your home. In fact, according to a recent survey done by the National Wood Flooring Association, real estate agents agree that homes with hardwood flooring sell the fastest.

4. They are beneficial to your health and the environment

Another great thing about hardwood floors is that they are hyper-allergenic and completely natural. Dust and other irritants such as cat fur cannot get caught in hardwood floors like they can in carpeting. Furthermore, hardwood floors do not need expensive chemicals to clean them which can be potential dangerous to both your lungs and the environment.

5. There are so many different options

Finally, the great thing about hardwood floors is that they come in a wide range of styles and varieties to suit your decorating needs. There are solid, engineered and acrylic floors. Solid wood floors come from ¼” to 25/32″ while engineered wood flooring are made of various layers alternating with grain. Engineered wood floors are often used where solid wood floors are not usually installed such as bathrooms. Acrylic impregnated wood floors are injected with wood grain and acrylic material. Furthermore, hardwood floors can be made of oak, beech, maple, cherry, ash and other gorgeous timbers.

In regards to hardwood floor styles, there are strip wood flooring, plank wood flooring and parquet wood flooring. Strip wood and plank wood flooring both have a lineal tongue and groove composition but plank wood is often larger strips. Parquet, on the other hand is wood made into geometric patterns.

Another great option when it comes to hardwood flooring is an area rug. Match the rug to your inner décor including pillows, carpets and curtains. A hardwood floor can be the perfect finishing touch to your home decorating dreams.



K Custom Flooring provides professional
hardwood flooring
– both installation and refinishing. We are dedicated to fulfilling our customers hopes and dreams for their floors. Whether that is through refinishing and restoring the beauty of a floor that has seen decades of use or installing a new floor that will add the change needed to make someone’s house become a home.

Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com

Permalink: http://www.submityourarticle.com/a.php?a=59315

*The opinions expressed are those of the author and not those of Floorhardwoods. Articles are provided as a convenience for our customers

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Engineered Hardwood Flooring – The Basics

Engineered hardwood flooring is more popular these days than natural hardwood flooring. This is because the construction of engineered hardwood flooring gives it qualities that natural hardwood flooring does not have. This allows engineered hardwood flooring to be less expensive and more resistant to moisture.

There are several differences in the construction of natural hardwood flooring and engineered hardwood flooring. Natural hardwood flooring is constructed entirely out of a piece of hardwood. The only hardwood used for engineered hardwood flooring is for the top layer. The possible types of hardwood that are used for engineered hardwood include oak, pine, ash, teak, and bamboo. The top layer allows engineered hardwood flooring to have the same visual beauty as natural hardwood flooring. There is a core layer that is glued to the bottom of the top layer. The core layer consists of layers of replenishable and affordable wood. These layers of wood might be medium-density or high-density fiberboard or plywood. The number of layers that are used for the core vary from one flooring manufacturer to another. Most flooring manufacturers will use three layers of wood in the core. However, there are several flooring manufacturers that are beginning to construct core layers that consist of five to seven layers of wood. They are adding more layers of wood to the core because the extra layers will make their engineered hardwood flooring more durable.

During extreme changes in the weather, natural hardwood flooring can expand and contract so much that it will buckle or warp. The core layer of an engineered hardwood floor gives it the ability to expand and contract without buckling or warping as natural hardwood flooring would. This means that engineered hardwood flooring is less affected by environmental conditions and can be installed in more areas than natural hardwood flooring. For example, unlike a natural hardwood floor, you can install an engineered hardwood floor in a humid or damp basement. An engineered hardwood floor can also be installed over radiant heating system without suffering any damage. If you install a natural hardwood floor over a radiant heating system, the natural hardwood floor could buckle, cup, or shrink.

Engineered hardwood flooring can be installed as a floating floor. This means that you can install an engineered hardwood floor on a surface without using glue or nails. A floating floor will allow you to have a floor that is free of gaps between the hardwood panels. But before you install the engineered hardwood floor, you have to place a vapor barrier between the surface and the floor. A tongue and groove locking system allows the engineered hardwood flooring to be installed as a floating floor. With this system, you can just click and lock the engineered hardwood planks together. This means that the engineered hardwood flooring can be installed very quickly. Also, if you are moving, you can easily take the hardwood planks apart and take it to your new home. This locking system also makes it pretty easy to replace any planks that are damaged.

The finish of engineered hardwood flooring is durable. An engineered hardwood floor will still look good even after years of heavy use. However, if it is necessary, engineered hardwood flooring can be refinished. But this is not a task that you should take on yourself. This is something that you should pay a professional to do. But each engineered hardwood floor can only be refinished a limited number of times before you destroy the top layer.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Flooring

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

*Article opinion is that of the writer, not Floorhardwoods. Articles are provided as a convenience to our customers and we hope you enjoy them!

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Maple Wood Flooring


Has a unique light colour and fine grain that will brighten your home.

In the lumber industry also referred to as hard maple, with a good reason. The very hard wood is heavy, strong, stiff and shock resistant. It works beautifully with both machine and hand tools. The sapwood is cream color tinged with pale brown. The heartwood is deeper reddish brown with dark mineral streaks. The most distinctive surface feature of maple, however, is the rare, highly figured grain patterns found in more variety than in any other domestic hardwood. They include: wavy, curly, quilted, blistered, fiddle-back, leaf figure, maple burl and of course, the famous bird’s eye. Although, often stained to bring out these unusual patterns, maple wood is never painted. Its color and grain is too beautiful to ever be covered.

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Domestic Hardwood Flooring


A great new look for your home, for a great low price. Floor Hardwoods offers hundreds of flooring products from leading manufacturers and other popular brands at the wholesale prices.

Choose from a great variety of domestic and exotic woods, in various finishes, styles and colors. Here, you can find exactly what you are looking for with our wide selection and affordable prices on all hardwood and laminate floors. Whether its, pre-finished, engineered, solid, unfinished, glueless, or laminate flooring we have it.

To see the domestic wood varieties, click here:

Floorhardwoods domestic woods

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Red Oak Wood Flooring


Beautiful reddish brown wood with a unique grain.

Red Oak is a slow growing tree and for that reason it produces hard, dense, heavy, and tough wood. It is prized for its wearability. The color of the wood ranges from nearly white cream color sapwood to a beautiful warm, pale brown heartwood, tinted with red. The close, even grain is distinguished by rays which reflect light and add to its attractiveness. Red oak is a dream to work with. It will not split when nailed and holds screws forever. It finishes beautifully because of its smooth surface and appealing color.

(See also our White Oak flooring page)

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White Oak Wood Flooring

Traditional and warm. The perfect choice for an elegant and beautiful home.

The wood of the mighty White Oak lives up to the reputation of the tree itself, a symbol of strength and dependability. The best oak timber comes from the tall forest trees, which produce even, straight-grained wood that is hard, heavy, strong and durable. It is insect and fungi resistant. The sap conducting pores are naturally plugged with the glistening water repellent substance. This virtual waterproofing sets white oak apart from all other native hardwoods. It also machines beautifully, glues well and holds nails and screws very well. Its handsome color ranges from nearly white sapwood to a darker gray brown heartwood. It is much paler than its relative, red oak.

(See also our Red Oak page)

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