Hardwood Flooring Archives - Page 19 of 24

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
May 12, 2016

Maple Hardwood – The Perfect Choice For Sports Floors

Whether you’re installing a new floor in your rec center, or placing a new floor in your gym at home, selecting the best flooring will ensure longevity and easy maintenance for many years to come.

And while you may not have considered what flooring is under your feet as you race down the court with a basketball in hand, or dance to in your latest Zumba class, chances are it’s maple. Maple is used so widely in the industry that the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association even defines standards for sports floor installation and maintenance.

So what makes maple hardwood the best choice of flooring?

It Starts With The Hardness Rating

Maple is dense. It also has a higher Janka rating when compared with other common woods. The Janka hardness test was designed to rate the relative hardness of wood – on a scale of 0 to 4000. The test involves measuring the force required to embed a .444” steel ball into the wood to half its diameter. The higher the number, the more it can withstand. Maple’s Janka rating is 1450, considerably higher than ratings for other domestic species, including pine, walnut, and oak.

It Has High Shock Resistance

Maple is also the wood of choice thanks to its high response in bouncing back from foot traffic, thus reducing potential fatigue and injury on an athlete’s joints. Its shock resistance contributes to the bounce of the ball, which is important when installing a hardwood floor for multipurposes. It’s high shock resistance makes it better to sustain heavy wear. You’ll find bowling alleys use maple wood and pins, providing bounce as it continually receives pressure from play. And maple provides stability over time, which means the wood is less responsive to changes in the environment, meaning it won’t contract and expand with changes.

Appearance

Maple has a light, bright wood look. It’s grain texture is smooth, which means it’s perfect for staining and painting. And because maple trees are extremely common in the US, it’s a sustainable product that can be easily grown and harvested again and again.

Installing a home gym, or looking at replacing your commercial flooring for something new? Maple can be the perfect choice for you. Give us a call today and find out how to incorporate maple hardwoods into your construction plans; you’ll be happy with the results.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
May 6, 2016

What’s Causing My Squeaky Floors?

It’s one of the most common questions we receive. And it’s a problem almost every homeowner faces at some point.

And while every squeak that exists in your home can be fixed, you must first determine the cause.

Cause #1: Wintertime weakening
When did the squeaking first occur? As temperatures get colder, the heat kicks on in your home. And as the warm air filters through your home, the air becomes drier.

Wood is susceptible to the changing moisture levels inside your home. As it gains moisture from air conditioners in the summer and loses moisture from the heat in the winter, the wood changes and moves.

In the winter, the wood contracts. The planks rub against each other or against the nails that hold the planks in place. If the squeaking is caused by flooring gaps, its more than likely the wood’s reaction to winter weather. Although winter squeaks may be annoying, there’s no cause for alarm.

The easiest way to combat the problem is by introducing moisture into your home. A humidifier will not only keep your flooring happy, but it can make your environment more comfortable to live and breathe in too.

Cause #2: Flooring joists
If your flooring squeaks year round, no matter what the temperature is outside, it might be a problem with your flooring joists. Joists are part of the base of your floors. They provide the support for your flooring above. In order to determine if the source is your joists, go to the floor beneath (if you have access) and look at the subfloor. If you see that the joists appear to be loose, you can buy a repair kit to drill down through the floor and tightly secure the joists back into place. Repeat until the squeak subsides.

You can also attach a special brace to the subfloor to tighten the joist into place.

Cause #3: Uneven subfloor
If a subfloor is built or moves and becomes uneven, it can cause gaps between the flooring and subfloor. When you put weight on the floor, it causes the subfloor to rub against the flooring joists, causing the floor to squeak.

Again, return to the basement or floor beneath the air of concern. Have someone walk over the area with the squeak. If the subfloor moves, it may be a gap problem. A loose subfloor can be fixed by drilling up from below into the subfloor, drawing the subfloor and the flooring closer together. Be careful not to go too far, or you’ll come through the flooring into your living space.

Have additional questions about your flooring? We’re here to help.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
May 4, 2016

Pros and Cons Of 5 Top Exotic Flooring Options

Hardwood flooring is all the rage these days. It’s the first thing new home buyers request when searching for a home. It’s also the number one choice when remodeling or replacing existing flooring. And with good reason. It’s a beautiful and durable option in all kinds of situations.

Yet with hardwoods popping up in homes everywhere, it’s easy to want to change course and choose something else when it comes time for redoing your home’s interior. After all, you don’t want to look like the “Joneses” having the same flooring as every other neighbor on your street.

How can you have the looks and durability of hardwood, with a twist?

Consider exotic hardwoods. They’ll give you a fresh new perspective you’ll love living with for years to come.

Zebrawood

Zebrawood has a distinctive striped grain with a strong, consistent color. Like other hardwoods, its durability and beauty will work well with any décor. Yet zebrawood has been overharvested in recent years to meet demands. Look for sustainable manufacturers when selecting floors from this exotic wood.

Brazilian Cherry

Also known as Jatoba, Brazilian Cherry is not a type of domestic cherry. Its presentation is smaller, mirroring that of mahogany, and is equally hard and resilient. The hardness makes it difficult to install, requiring professional installation to avoid gapping between boards. Like other brightly colored hardwoods, it’s sensitive to light, and therefore susceptible to color change over time.

Rosewood

Rosewood has a beautiful natural polish to it, creating a sophisticated look wherever it is installed. It gets its name from the distinguishing scent of roses that arises from the wood. Like Zebrawood, Rosewood has a history of unsustainable harvesting, so it’s important to choose producers that grow Rosewood sustainably on farms.

Teak

Teak originates in Southeast Asia, and more recently grown sustainably in Brazil. This wood is resistant to both water and pests, making in long lasting and ideal for bathrooms and kitchens. Its density makes it difficult to install and at risk for leaving gaps if not installed professionally.

Tiger

Tiger wood is from an African tree that also has been unsustainably harvested. It’s durability and color has made it a very attractive flooring option. However, it is susceptible to color change if subjected to harsh light over time.

Exotic hardwoods can be a beautiful addition to any home. If you’re ready to learn more about exotic and find the perfect one for your home, stop by today.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
May 2, 2016

The Pros and Cons Of Using Teak As Flooring

Teak wood is considered one of the most beautiful choices for flooring within a home. Grown in Southeast Asian countries like India, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, Teak is an affordable and comparable product to those considering adding wood to their home renovation plans.

Yet be aware there are differences in the quality of Teak you’ll find on the market. Low priced teak will be low quality. For a premium teak grade expect to pay prices more in line with quality hardwoods.

Teak wood comes with a straight grain pattern. It’s rich brown color makes it attractive in all kinds of homes. When finished, it retains a beautiful and shiny appearance for years.

Teak wood is also very dense, with a wood texture that is hard and ring porous. When put under pressure, it’s one of the most resistant woods, and can take heavy levels of wear and tear. For this reason, you can move heavy furniture over it and have it installed in areas that are susceptible to heavy traffic.

After installation, teak retains its oil content well, meaning it won’t dry out and crack even without being treated on a regular basis. It will retain its shape after years of use. The oil that gives it its durability also helps it resist water. It has a tight grain structure that makes it hard for water and humidity to penetrate. Since its high in water resistance, it also is more resistant to pests, fungal stains, mold and other damage that can destroy wood. Because of this, the life span of Teak flooring is longer than other types of wood.

Overall, Teak wood is easy to maintain. Every few years it will begin losing some of its oil. This means you’ll need to refinish it every two to three years with teak oil. You should also use a hardwood cleaner on a regular basis, check with the flooring’s manufacturer, or we can guide you to a product perfect for your floors.

With all of the pros teak flooring has, are there any cons?

The biggest disadvantage of using teak flooring is its cost. It’s reasonably expensive, more in line with other top or exotic hardwood lines.

If you install teak in direct sunlight, the exposed area will soon begin to fade. Area rugs can be used to protect the areas subjected to intense light.

Maintenance is also above average, needing refinishing every two to three years, depending on traffic. Because Teak is a hardwood, it isn’t a project you can do yourself. Installing teak is a job best left to the professionals.

The fact that teak is so durable makes it a perfect choice for many homes across Colorado. Want to see teak flooring up close and personal? Stop by today.

Hardwood Flooring, Uncategorized
April 23, 2016

Should You Install Engineered Bamboo Flooring?

Engineered bamboo flooring has become a popular choice throughout the Denver metro area. It’s durable, environmentally friendly, and looks incredible in the process.

But just like all other flooring choices, there are pros and cons to using bamboo within your home. It depends on where you’ll be installing it. It depends on your lifestyle.

Is it the perfect choice for you?

Pros:

Cleaning – bamboo floors clean up easily. If you’ve ever had hardwoods in your home, bamboo requires a similar amount of work. Use a dust mop for daily cleaning. Avoid heavy cleaning products or water, as these can damage bamboo’s finish.

Easy installation – just like hardwood flooring, bamboo floors are easy to install. You can install it through a lock and click system, by nailing it or gluing it into place. How you install it depends largely on the type of bamboo you’ll install, and the subfloor it will sit on. A floating system is very easy for DIY projects.

Health friendly – engineered bamboo flooring is non-allergenic, making it the perfect flooring choice for people with medical issues, including allergies or asthma.

Green – bamboo crops can be regenerated in 5 to 7 years, making it more environmentally friendly than hardwood trees which can take 20 or more.

Cons:

Moisture – bamboo is more water resistant than hardwoods, but can still warp with extended exposure to moisture. If you spill, wipe dry immediately. If it sinks into the floor, it can warp or buckle. If selecting bamboo for kitchen or bathroom, be sure to talk with a sales representative to choose the right bamboo flooring for the location.

Softness – bamboo flooring is a soft surface area, which means it can be susceptible to scratches and dents. High heels, pet claws, furniture movement. can all accumulate over time and give a dull, worn out appearance. Be sure to use protective pads and rugs to increase the life.

Regulation – because bamboo flooring can come from countries that aren’t as regulated as the US, it is important to know where the product is coming from to ensure sustainable parameters are followed.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
April 16, 2016

Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring

Looking for a fresh new look for your floors? Why not install bamboo?

Bamboo flooring happens to be one of the most durable, stylish flooring choices on the market today. It’s natural, organic, and can add class to almost every room in your home.

But do a little research and you’ll quickly find it’s faults. Because bamboo is a natural product, it can break down quickly if not well maintained. Add a little moisture and you’ll quickly find fading, warping, and cracking taking over large portions of your floor. That means bamboo should never be introduced to a room where it may come in contact with moisture, right?

Well, not necessarily. The key is in the type of bamboo flooring you choose.

Because of all the good things bamboo brings to the flooring industry, manufacturers continually strive to make it even stronger, more durable. One of the ways is through a process called weaving.

Strand bamboo flooring adds strength and durability to an already great product line. After production, strand woven bamboo can have twice the hardness of Domestic Oak. That alone makes bamboo worth looking at for the high traffic areas of your home.

Strand woven bamboo uses parts of the bamboo stalk that haven’t traditionally been used in other forms of production, giving this an eco-friendly alternative. Bamboo strands are pressed together and put under high pressure to form blocks, which eventually will be cut into flooring planks.

Strand woven bamboo is an environmental breakthrough with a unique manufacturing process. Because it uses 100 percent of the stalk and environmentally friendly adhesives, the creation process leaves no waste. Its low formaldehyde adhesives mean that strand woven flooring contributes to better indoor air quality overall. And because bamboo regenerates quickly, it can be harvested every 5 to 7 years, making it the perfect crop for all kinds of flooring needs.

Considering bamboo for your next project? Stop by today and see the many different colors, styles and patterns of bamboo flooring.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
April 12, 2016

The Right Sheen For Your Hardwood Floors

Installing a new hardwood floor in your home? It’s not just the wood that will make a difference. It’s also the finish – the sheen – that will determine how it looks throughout your home.

Polyurethane floor finishes typically come in four different sheen levels. A finish’s sheen level is determined by measuring the amount of light that reflects off the floor at a 60-degree angle. It measures how shiny or glossy the finished floor is.

Different people have different preferences. The glossier you go, the more light reflects off the floor, This in turn will show more dirt and dust, and will also allow imperfections to shine through.

Different types of woods will also produce different sheen levels. Open versus closed pore woods will produce subtle variations in sheen level.

Satin
Satin produces a 40 percent luster. It has some sheen but doesn’t appear too glossy. It gives the room both a classic and a contemporary feel. It shows scratches, imperfections and dirt less than other sheen levels, which means its easier to clean and maintain. It’s currently the most popular and stylish sheen used on hardwood flooring.

Matte
A matte finish produces a 25 percent luster and has very little sheen. Because of its low sheen, some may feel the look is too dull and dingy, while others like its clean flat look. It’s purely a preference

Semi-Gloss
A semi-gloss finish produces a 55 percent luster. It is generally used on hardwood floors where homeowners prefer a shinier finish.

Gloss
A gloss finish produces about a 70 percent luster. You will typically see this level of sheen on a gym floor or a bowling alley. It is often used on certain exotic woods to complete the look. A glossy finish tends to show every spec of dust, every dent in the floor, every footprint. These floors require more cleaning and maintenance than other types of finishes.

Is there a right choice? Nope, its all in your preference. If you want to learn more about finishes and need help determining which is right for your flooring, your lifestyle, give us a call today.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
April 8, 2016

The Differences Between Hardwood Floor Finishes

Love your hardwood floors? Did you know there’s a number of different finishes?

Each finish has its own unique factors and offers different benefits. Choosing the right finish can make you love your hardwood floors even more. Here are the most common types of finish you’ll find.

Oil Based Polyurethane
This is one of the top choices in finishes, especially for commercial and sports flooring. Oil based polyurethane requires a long drying time between each coat and take several coats to offer full protection. Plan on waiting 8 to 12 hours between each coat. Oil based polyurethane has a high VOC content and a strong odor when applied. It’s very durable, perfect for high traffic areas.

Water Based Polyurethane
Similar to its oil based predecessor, water based polyurethane has a lower VOC content, a milder odor, and requires less drying time between coats. Plan on giving 2 to 4 hours of dry time between each coat, but keep in mind that they will require more coats for durability. Water based polyurethane is typically less expensive than oil based, and won’t yellow as much over time.

Moisture Cured Polyurethane
Moisture cured polyurethane is one of the hardest, most durable finishes available, and is more water resistant than other finishes. This type cures by absorbing moisture vapor from the air. It has an extremely high VOC content and very strong fumes – ventilation and respirators are mandatory for application.

Penetrating Oil
Oil is applied to penetrate the wood and fill the pores to create a durable seal. Penetrating oil consists of a blend of natural oils, is very durable, has low VOC and low odor, and dries with a slightly mellow sheen. It’s one of the simplest to apply and clean up. It will require long drying periods in between coats, usually of 24 hours of longer. It will turn a whitish color if multiple applications are applied too quickly.

Wax
This was a common floor finish before polyurethane was introduced. Wax seeps into the pores of the wood to give it durability. Yet wax still allows wood to be vulnerable to moisture and water spills. Wax needs regular maintenance and is not as durable as poly. It has low VOC content, but it will tend to darken the wood over time.

Varnish
Varnish was also commonly used on flooring before the introduction of polyurethanes. Varnish is very durable and will give your flooring a slightly amber look. When applied, it has a very strong odor and has a high VOC content.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
April 2, 2016

An Overview on Parquet Flooring

There’s something nostalgic about parquet flooring.

The word “parquet” dates back to 17th century France, where Parquet flooring became the floors of choice, installed in palaces throughout Europe. They are still known today for their ability to bring an old-world, distinguished charm to any space.

Parquet is a decorative pattern that consists of wood strips arranged in geometric patterns such as a triangle or a square. The herringbone pattern is still one of the most popular choices. And it’s one of the most popular choices you’ll find to maintain historic, old-world charm in houses all across the Front Range.

Gluing down the parquet tiles is the most crucial part of the installation process. Because parquet flooring is patterned, one wrong angle can through the entire floor off.

The flooring must be properly acclimated and the moisture content in the sublfoor must be acceptable for installation. Once at the proper levels, you can glue parquet on either plywood or a concrete subfloor.

If using a concrete floor as the subfloor, you may wish to consider a vapor-retarding subfloor to prevent extra moisture from seeing into the floor. Be especial diligent about checking moisture content on different areas of the concrete. Never lay parquet on a concrete slab that hasn’t had at least six months to settle.

When laying parquet flooring, it’s important to work in small sections so the adhesive doesn’t dry before the tiles are set in place. As the tiles are laid into place, gently lock in the tongue and grooves of the planks.

Once in place, parquet flooring can give you years of enjoyment. They can be sanded and stained as needed.

Have additional questions about installing parquet flooring in your home?

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
March 26, 2016

Stopping Illegal Logging and Promoting Green Building – A Guide To Today’s Hardwood Flooring

Ready to install hardwood flooring? There’s more to it then simply selecting a grade of wood.

Illegal logging is just one of many problems facing the hardwood flooring market today. Here in the US, there are several domestic standards we use regarding sourcing imported woods. These standards are important because they allow you to be sure the flooring you install isn’t coming from a place where illegal practices occur, such as killing off habitats where wildlife is endangered.

It’s no longer just a matter of going green with your home improvement projects, it’s a balance we all must choose to create better living.

Illegal logging refers to the process of cutting down trees in violation of local laws. Illegal logging has peaked in the past several years, which has led to high levels of deforestation in the most needy places in the world.

But it’s not just a matter of allowing the practice of illegal logging to occur, it’s also had impact right here in the US with lenient laws and lack of oversight.

Because hardwood flooring is in high demand, it’s our job to ensure we select hardwoods that meet all criteria of sustainable production and manufacturing.

The Lacey Act was passed in 1900 to prohibit the sale of illegally acquired fish, plants and wildlife. In 2008, it was amended to apply to a wider range of plants, including importing illegally sourced wood. Now all imported wood must document the species and country of origin, and make every effort to ensure the wood was source legally.

Passing laws work, but enforcing laws is the key to solving the problem. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is dedicated to ensuring that all wood products are sustainably sourced. They also look into making sure workers’ rights are upheld on jobsites and that indigenous people are protected from the affects of illegal logging.

All FSC approved products will be stamped with the FSC Chain of Custody certification. It helps you choose products that support responsible harvesting practices and sustainable forest practices. FSC products can also contribute towards LEED projects.

Have additional questions about creating a sustainable, green flooring in your home? Just ask.