Hardwood Flooring Archives - Page 16 of 24

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
October 22, 2017

Want The Look Of Hardwood Flooring Without The Cost?

Here in Colorado, hardwood flooring continues to take top billing in what homeowners choose for their homes.

And while hardwood always looks beautiful in every setting, it doesn’t always make sense for every home. Hardwood requires more maintenance than other flooring choices. It is more susceptible to water damage.

If the look of hardwood is something you desire, there is an alternative. Vinyl plank flooring is a popular option for residential use when a more durable alternative is needed. In addition to durability and low cost, there are a few other things you should consider before selecting vinyl planks for your home.

Flooring Quality

Like every type of flooring on the market today, there are good manufacturers and the not so good. Selecting one simply because of price can leave you regretting your decision from almost the moment it is installed.

The quality of vinyl planks is dependent upon thickness and wear surface. You’ll find vinyl planks come in 2 millimeters on the low end to 6 millimeters and above on the high end. Look at warranty as an indicator. You should also pay attention to the scuff and stain resistant options for the urethane wear layer. Lower models may use a covering that mimics a urethane finish, but you want one that will continue to give you wear resistance for many years to come.

Flooring Installation

Vinyl planks can be installed by either gluing them down or floating them in place. Some have adhesive strips that overlap and secure the planks together during installation. Others click together and install like laminate flooring. Commercial grade is usually glued down with pressure sensitive adhesives, which makes them easy to replace if damaged. Select one that works best for the wear factor of your living arrangements.

Vinyl planks can offer you the look and feel of hardwood flooring without the maintenance that goes along with it. The key is in selecting a high quality vinyl plank that will give you years of wear. We can help you select the right one for you.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring, Vinyl Floors
August 23, 2017

How Long Does Vinyl Plank Flooring Last

Are you thinking of installing vinyl in your home? Before you make your final selection, you may want to consider the longevity of what you will be installing. Every material has pros and cons, and what you select is often at the intersection of affordability, durability, and aesthetics.

Today’s vinyl flooring options can meet all three of those requirements, which is why its a popular choice. Vinyl plank flooring has grown in popularity because of it’s ability to look like the real thing, while giving you the affordability and durability you’ll love.

The longevity of vinyl plank flooring depends on the thickness and the wear layer of the product you are purchasing. Some of the thicker vinyl floors on the market come with warranties for up to 25 years. If you are using a thin vinyl, you’ll most likely get a wear life of somewhere between 5 and 10 years with normal use.

Vinyl plank is designed to resemble hardwood, and it comes in strips in much the same fashion as a hardwood alternative. You can find this product in a number of looks and styles, each mimicking a specific type of wood. Because it is designed to imitate hardwood, you’ll find a version that matches your home’s decor.

Vinyl plank has many advantages over its hardwood counterparts.

Because many models are backed with a felt product, when installed it provides a softer floor with more give. That means less breakage when things are dropped, which is good news for plates and glasses in the kitchen.

Vinly floor is water resistant, making vinyl plank the perfect choice in kitchens and bathrooms. In fact, vinyl is better at sealing against water damage, so it’s especially durable in basement locations.

Vinyl plank can be installed directly on your subfloor, which makes the process quick, cost-effective, and easy to handle.

And because vinyl is one of the easiest surfaces to maintain, it’s a wise choice in a busy household with lots of foot traffic.

Keep in mind that while vinyl will hold up for many years, it can be damaged quite easily. Avoid moving heavy furniture around, which can result in scuffs and gouges. If any particles are left beneath during installation, it can create bumps or warps in your floors. And keep in mind that vinyl does little to add to the resale value of your home.

But in the right location, it can be the perfect choice for your home. Want to see our complete selection of vinyl plank? Stop by today.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
July 20, 2017

Not All Bamboo Floors Are Created Equal

If you’ve been shopping for bamboo flooring, you may have noticed that there is a wide range of prices while the product looks somewhat the same.

Why is this?

It stands to reason that a product being sold for $1.59 won’t be the same quality as one that’s being sold for $7.99. While some stores may charge different prices to compensate for customer service, it doesn’t explain wide variances. In most cases, this comes down to the quality of the bamboo flooring.

Some companies, usually the ones that manufacture bamboo flooring at the lowest prices, harvest bamboo before maturity. That damages the plant and prevents it from regenerating.

Younger bamboo also isn’t as strong as the mature plant. Because it’s harvested when it’s smaller and less sturdy, that equates to not being as viable as a flooring option. It won’t stand up as well to the daily use throughout your home.

The type of flooring adhesive during the manufacturing process is also affected by price. Higher quality bamboo flooring choices are made with eco-friendly glues that contain little to no formaldehyde. Lower quality bamboo flooring often contains higher amounts of formaldehyde, which make them higher health hazards. Just like the adhesive, the top layer finish can also contain chemicals that are anything but health-friendly. Higher quality bamboo will contain little to no VOCs, a known carcinogen and health hazard.

Want an easy way to compare quality? Look to the warranty. While many bamboo floor manufacturers claim they have long term warranty, you’d be surprised at the number of things not covered. Ask your local flooring representative about the service level from the manufacturer should you have a problem with the flooring. Trust your gut; if it doesn’t sound right before you buy, you’re more likely to have problems after you install.

Bamboo is one of the most beautiful choices you can make for installing in your home.

If you have a question about bamboo, we’d love to share our knowledge with you.

Hardwood Flooring
June 25, 2017

Cork In The Kitchen: Should You Go There?

What’s the most popular room in your home? The kitchen. Selecting the wrong flooring will be something you have to live with and regret for years. Which is why we see a lot of people hanging back from selecting cork flooring.

Durability is always a concern. But what about comfort?

We love the look of hardwood. But hardwood is exactly that: hard. And when you stand on it for hours, you feel it.

This is your kitchen we’re talking about. The place where you’ll spend the most amount of time standing up. Whether you’re working at the sink, standing by the stove, or leaning by the counter talking with family and friends, you’ll mostly be on your feet.

Cork has unique properties that make it an excellent choice for your kitchen.

First, it’s comfortable. You’re probably most familiar with cork when popping open a bottle of wine, or sticking a tack into a bulletin board in your office. That “give” you feel there also is a part of flooring. Cork compresses slightly under weight and springs back when the weight is removed. This slight give acts as a shock absorber, which helps relieve pressure on your joints. So if you’re standing for extended periods every day, cork flooring makes it easier. Not to mention that dropping dishes or glasses have a better chance of survival too.

Cork is filled with tiny air cells that give it its cushiony qualities. These air cells also hold in warm air. So not only does it feel softer, it feels warmer too. In Colorado’s colder climate, this can be a welcome relief on a cold, snowy day. It’s insulation qualities can also mean it adds to your energy efficiency, allowing warm air to concentrate where you want it most.

Have you ever been awakened by noisy walking or running across hardwood or laminate? Those insulative qualities in cork make that less possible. Cork reduces the impact of sound and gives it less ability to travel. If you have a family with different sleeping patterns, it may even improve your sleep.

The biggest concerns for installing cork in a kitchen is with durability. What happens if something is spilled, or if a busted pipe floods from underneath the sink? For spills, no matter what flooring you have installed, timeliness is key. Cork will do no worse than other types of flooring. And if the worst happens and your flooring has extensive damage from water damage, it is usually covered by a homeowner’s policy.

Don’t be afraid to install cork flooring in your kitchen. It’s the perfect application to add style, warmth, and beauty to your kitchen floors.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
May 31, 2017

Pros and Cons of Exotic Hardwood Flooring

Love your hardwood flooring, but want something more?

Maybe it’s time to consider exotic hardwood instead.

There are many options to choose from, and they each have their own advantages. Before you make your final decision, however, it’s equally important to be aware of their drawbacks. It can impact whether you love or hate your new flooring choice.

Benefits

The biggest benefit is the look itself. Exotic hardwood often has unique grain patterns that you simply can’t get from any other type of flooring. You’ll find colors are richer, typically in deep browns, rich reds, and light blondes that are the perfect accent to your home’s decor.

What’s more, most exotic hardwoods are extremely hard and durable. Which means they can handle all of the abuse your family can dish out. They are perfect for high traffic areas of your home, and will stand up well in a variety of conditions. Teak, Brazilian Cherry, and Acacia flooring are all great examples of durable exotics. You’ll find they have the ability to last for generations, and stand up to moisture, humidity, and general wear and tear.

Drawbacks

Probably the biggest drawback is the price. Because they are exotic, they are harder to get, and as a result are at the upper levels of pricing. In addition, some homeowners have found the rich colors, patterns, and textures to be a distraction once they are installed. These flooring choices aren’t boring or easily ignored. They are meant to be the focal point of your room. Because you’ll find distinctive graining, the flooring will “pop” rather than provide subtle, relaxed ambiance throughout the room.

Many exotic hardwoods are sustainably harvested. Some are not. Be sure you know where your flooring comes from, and ensure it is sustainably sourced. Labeling should show that it meets the standards for sustainable forestry practices and is safe for the environment. If you have any questions, we can assist you in making the right choice for your home.

Also be aware that some exotic hardwoods require more maintenance than standard hardwood flooring. Teak will lose its sheen every two to three years and must be regularly oiled if you want to retain its shine. Brazilian walnut must be regularly swept and mopped because every crumb and bits of dirt will stand out.

What flooring choice is right for your home?

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
May 15, 2017

3 Reasons To Vacuum Your Hardwood Floors Every Day

You probably installed hardwood flooring in your home for two reasons.

One, nothing is more beautiful than hardwood flooring throughout your home. It’s a flooring choice that is timeless and will provide never ending beauty for years to come.

Two, ease and maintenance. Hardwood is durable, and can last for decades if treated properly.

Did you know the best way to keep your hardwood floors looking their best is to vacuum them every day? Regularly cleaning them is one of the easiest ways to keep your home and your hardwood floors in top shape. With that in mind, here are a few reasons why vacuuming should be a part of your regular routine.

1. Dirt acts like sandpaper

As you track dirt, grit, and dust into your home, it settles over your floors. It doesn’t take long for dirt to settle over the surface and build up, acting like an abrasive material when it comes in contact with feet, furniture, rugs, or other things you move in and out of your rooms every day. When dirt builds up, it begins to act like sandpaper, wearing down the finish of your hardwood floors and causing scrapes and dulling. Vacuuming picks up dirt and grit and stops it from accumulating anywhere on your floors.

2. It picks up what you can and can’t see

If you can see the dirt on your floor, it’s been there for far too long. Dirt and debris can start as tiny specks of sand. A small strand of hair, a tiny dust bunny, even a grain of sand can get underneath the heel of a shoe and start to wear on your hardwood. When it comes to the beauty of your hardwood, out of sight is never out of mind. By vacuuming daily, you pick up everything that may have been dropped and might have an impact on your flooring.

3. It picks it up rather than spread it around

Sweeping and mopping may be good in some circumstances, but one of their side effects is merely spreading the dirt around. Have you ever swept up a pile only to discover a tiny line of debris still on the floor? Yep, a broom rarely picks everything up. Vacuums don’t twirl the dirt around. Instead, they suck up everything in its path, creating a far cleaner room than you had before. Make sure you remove the beater bar before you vacuum or turn it on a hardwood setting to avoid scratching the flooring with moving parts.

How clean are your hardwood floors?

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
April 25, 2017

How To Prevent New Hardwood Floors From Fading Over Time

You’re in the process of deciding on and selecting hardwood flooring for your home. Maybe you’re a little concerned because the salesperson told you your beautiful hardwoods most likely will fade over time.

How much? What can you expect?

And will you like the look now and for years into the future?

Remember, hardwood flooring is a natural product. And as such, they will change over time. For hardwood flooring, changes include the color of the wood. Some species of woods will fade lighter whereas some will darken with age.

Sometimes the changes can be so subtle, you’ll barely notice the changes.

Sometimes even the slightest change can be a big concern. To prevent this natural fading process, you must first understand the two factors that cause flooring to change:

1. Exposure to sunlight

2. Stain and finish application

Sunlight is harsh on just about any material. The best way to keep your hardwoods safe from sun exposure is to cover your windows during the heat of the day, especially if sunlight ever streams into your home. Blinds, drapes, or shutters all work well. You can also upgrade your windows to low emissivity glass or apply a window film to keep out UV rays.

Oil based finishes bring out rich color on your floor, but will yellow over time. For some finishes, this may add to the final look. But if you want the original color, you might prefer a water based finish instead, which essentially remains clear the entire time.

If they’ve already faded, you have the choice of sanding them down and refinishing them, or installing new flooring altogether. A professional can help you make your final decision.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
April 21, 2017

Understanding The Three Phases Of Flooring Installation

Who installed your flooring? Believe it or not, it’s fairly easy to tell whether it was a professional or a DIY job.

Ultimately, it comes down to the details.

With carpeting, for example, seams are not that easy to do, especially if you don’t have the experience and don’t do it on a regular basis. A loose, wavy installation that has not been power stretched can be seen by anyone walking into the room.

Likewise, with hard surface installations like wood, laminate, vinyl or tile, proper installation includes things like moldings, baseboard work, transitions and more.

Phase One

Phase one includes floor prepping. This is critical to any installation process to ensure your starting surface is clean, flat, and dry. For soft surfaces, it means ensuring correcting or replacing any loose tack strips or old metals to ensure your carpet job runs smooth and stress free. For hard surfaces, flattening, sealing, and prepping ensures your floor has a good base before the flooring is floated or adhered into place.

Phase Two

Phase two is the actual installation process of the floor. This is where the carpet is unrolled and moved into place. This is where the tiles are laid out to reveal their final pattern. This is where wood planks are worked together and locked into place.

Phase Three

Finishing is often just as important as the installation. Properly installed baseboards, quarter round, T moldings, thresholds, and other trim makes the difference between a DIY look and a professional one. This is what creates ambiance from the floor up. Yes, you can tell if transitions aren’t appropriate from room to room. Proper moldings create a half finished look.

While phase two can be accomplished by just about anyone, it’s phases one and three that set people apart. They are what ensure your job will keep your floor looking its best for years to come.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
April 18, 2017

Why Can’t I Install My Hardwood Flooring Myself?

They make it look so easy, don’t they?

Slap a few boards together with a few staples and – voila – your floor is installed. Yet the process is much more complicated than all of that. And in certain climates and conditions, it can add an extra layer of difficulty.

Your flooring will be intact for years. It will take a lot of abuse from traffic and the elements of day to day living. It can look great through most of its life, or quickly take on a disheveled look and feel.

Fixing mistakes is not easy if you make a mistake

Unlike painting a wall, fixing a board that warps or doesn’t fit quite right is much more difficult. Not only will you have to have the proper wood, the proper cut, and the proper stain, you’ll also have to ensure there isn’t more to the problem. If you make a mistake, it can be timely and costly as you replace anything from one single board to the entire room.

Special tools to ensure proper installation

It takes a lot more than a hammer and nails to do the job properly. You’ll need a variety of power and hand tools throughout the installation process. We use:

Saws of all types: circular, table, jig, miter
Glue adhesives
Leveling tools
Air compressors
Nail guns
Staplers
Sanders
Buffers
Adhesive removers

Depending on the installation process, you may also need things like a hygrometer to test for moisture levels, as well as subfloor and underlayment tools and products to ensure proper working conditions.

Extra knowledge for the “just in case”

Every job is different. And when you have experience working with flooring, you learn quickly how to deal with things as they arise. As a DIYer, you’ll be working from scratch without having any prior knowledge of the special occurrences you may run across. Which means you may start making mistakes right from the start.

You need to know:

How to center a room
How much space should be left for gaps
How you transition from room to room
How to wrap around closets, fireplaces, staircases, etc
How to deal with problems that arise from the working conditions

The safest bet is to hire a professional to ensure the job is done the right way the first time.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
April 15, 2017

Getting Rid Of Tar From Your Hardwood Flooring

Have you ever had tar stuck to the bottom of your shoes? It’s a sticky mess.

It’s a substance found in nature originating from roots and woods, and is primarily used for sealing roofing shingles. You’ll also find it on the wooden hulls of ships to prevent them from rotting. In diluted form, you can also find it used as a spice for meat, candy flavoring, as an anti-dandruff agent, and even as a component in some cosmetics.

And while it may be an important substance for some jobs, if you get it on your hardwood floors, you’ll discover how tough it is to remove.

When cleaning it off hardwood floors, it is important to carefully remove it so as not to damage the wood, especially if removing from exotic or reclaimed wood.

Tip #1 Use a Dull Scraper

The best tool for the job is a dull scraper to carefully remove the remnants. Select something like a popsicle stick or a plastic spatula. Never use something sharp as that can risk damaging the hardwood floor in the removal process.

Tip #2 Use Ice

You can also use ice cubes to freeze the tar before you remove it. Place a few ice cubes in a plastic bag and lay it on top of the tar. Wait for it to freeze and become brittle. Then it will be easy to remove the pieces in chunks.

Tip #3 Use A Scouring Pad

For stubborn tar stains, you can use a scouring pad to penetrate through the sticky substance. Select a scouring pad that has a fine grade to decrease your chances of impacting the hardwood in the process. Use small, circular motions and don’t apply a lot of pressure as you scrub on the mess.

Tip #4 Use Acetone

You can also use acetone to remove tar from laminated wood flooring. Dab a small amount of acetone on a clean cloth and wipe up starting at the edges of the stain and moving towards the center to avoid spreading the mess.

When in doubt, talk to the professionals to avoid doing permanent damage to your flooring.