Is Engineered Flooring Good For The Environment?

Are you remodeling or renovating your home? Hardwood flooring is often a logical choice for the main living spaces. Homeowners all across the Front Range love the classic looks hardwood offers.

Yet classic hardwood doesn’t make sense for every homeowner. That’s why manufacturers have created many different options: engineered hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl planks.

You know solid hardwood doesn’t make sense with your lifestyle. You’re leaning towards engineered hardwood. But something else is weighing on your mind.

Is engineered flooring good for the environment? Is engineered hardwood sustainable?

Many people question the sustainable practices of using hardwood flooring. It can be detrimental to the environment, chopping down trees that took decades to grow. Is engineered hardwood a better solution?

What is engineered hardwood? 

Is Engineered Flooring Good For The Environment?

Engineered wood floor installation with subfloor membrane in condo. Maple hardwood flooring planks closeup showing composite plywood layers. Remodeling home improvement concept.

While solid hardwood flooring is constructed from a solid piece of wood, engineered hardwood is constructed in layers. It uses a relatively thin layer of wood veneer bonded over a premium quality plywood layer. It gives it classic good looks as well as durability.

The best engineered hardwood floors are created from up to nine layers of plywood core for flexibility and stability. While it may not last as long as traditional hardwood planks, a good quality product will give you up to 30 years of life, and be able to be refinished several times before it needs replacing.

Because it’s easier to handle, it’s also more do-it-yourself-friendly – if you’re looking for a DIY project, engineered hardwood may be the better choice. With a lower cost than traditional hardwood, it’s often the better choice.

What makes engineered hardwood more natural than solid hardwood?

Engineered hardwood planks are still made from wood. Instead of a solid core, it’s created in multiple layers.

While solid hardwood is created from freshly harvested trees, engineered hardwood planks are created in more ingenious ways. They are still natural wood flooring, created from the environment with all-natural products. The veneer consists of real hardwood. The core is produced from plywood or fiberboard, all of which are natural wood products.

Yet because they aren’t solid hardwood, they can be created in many ways. Often, plywood and fiberboard are created from recycled or leftover wood byproducts, eliminating waste in the manufacturing process and creating a more sustainable product.

Does engineered hardwood use fewer trees? Yes! Solid hardwood planks must be cut from the heart of the tree, which can create leftover materials. Engineered wood only has a thin veneer that sits on top of plywood or fiberboard. This means less traditional wood is used in each plank production, and ultimately requires fewer trees to be cut down for the same level of production.

What does sustainable harvesting mean?

Without healthy forests, our entire way of living may be at risk. More evidence is pointing to needing forests for proper global diversity.

Many manufacturers realize this, and have set up sustainable businesses to put these ideas into practice.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an organization dedicated to achieving better practices with the use of our forests. This ensures they are properly managed for ecosystems and habitats, as well as giving the world the products and resources it needs and desires.

By checking for the FSC label, you’ll ensure the engineered hardwood you purchase is FSC-certified. That means it’s sourced from forests that are managed responsibly, while helping to protect wildlife habitats and ensuring zero deforestation.

When a manufacturer uses this label, it means they are part of the bigger picture of creating sustainable, eco-friendly measures. Because engineered hardwood doesn’t require the same core hardwood product as traditional hardwood planks, it ensures companies can use more of the materials they harvest, which means less wood to cut down. This can preserve older growth forests, and encourage healthy forest regeneration.

What about indoor air quality?

With all we’ve been through the past few years, many homeowners are paying attention to the products and materials they bring indoors, ensuring they won’t create an unhealthy environment.

Wood is a carbon-neutral product, which means it has low environmental impact throughout the life of the product. Of course, you have to consider all of your options carefully. Look closely at the manufacturer – do they work hard at sustainable business practices? It also requires you to look closely at the dealer you do business with – do they use sustainable methods when installing and replacing the flooring?

Wood floors are one of the most popular options because they are also one of the most hypoallergenic. They are created from sustainable, low-VOC materials. And because they are easy to clean and maintain, they won’t attract dust and debris like other materials. A simple swipe of the broom each day will keep the dust bunnies away.

Pay attention to the entire production process. If engineered hardwood flooring products state they are low or no VOCs, it means they won’t release harmful toxins into the air before, during, or after production. Ask about installation, and choose a chemical-free installation method that won’t introduce other toxic chemicals into your air supply. Every little bit helps in creating a clean indoor environment.

Will they last?

One of the biggest benefits of solid hardwood is its longevity. Because you can sand them down and refinish them multiple times, it’s less waste overall. They can realistically last 50 to 100 years, depending on the quality of the product and the care it’s given over its lifetime.

While engineered may not offer that level of longevity, they can still be a welcome addition to your home for several decades with the proper care. That means if you invest in a higher quality product in the beginning, you can expect to keep them in your home for years, even if you choose to remodel or renovate other furnishings in the future.

Fewer replacements, less waste, lower costs – all of that may be just what you’re looking for. Add in environmentally friendly products too, and you may decide engineered hardwood flooring is the perfect choice for you.

Is engineered hardwood flooring right for you? We can help. Stop by today and see our complete selection of engineered hardwood flooring products. We’ll help you find the perfect look for your home.

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Wondering How To Install Your Hardwood Floors? The Top Patterns Homeowners Love

Hardwood floors often top a homeowner’s dream list. They may envision them for years before finally remodeling and installing them throughout their homes.

Yet finalizing the decision is often the easy part. Then comes the decision process of what species of hardwood, what color of stain, and what flooring patterns to install.

Every plank of hardwood is unique. It comes with its own patterns, textures, colors, and designs. How you install it will ultimately determine its final look. It will create an aesthetic you’ll be proud to call home.

Not sure of what hardwood floor pattern to create? Have you always assumed hardwood planks are a “one size fits all” kind of choice? Think again. TYou can create many different patterns from hardwood, which will change the look of your room as it runs across the floor.

Straight

Straight hardwood floor patterns are considered the norm in the industry. It’s the most common pattern you’ll see when you walk into a home. That’s primarily because it’s the simplest and least expensive method for installation.

The hardwood planks are laid together side by side, parallel to each other along the length or width of your room.

This pattern creates a clean, contemporary design that enhances the look of the hardwood flooring material. It uses the hardwood most efficiently, sticking with the hardwood planks as they were initially cut and designed.

Diagonal

Wondering How To Install Your Hardwood Floors? The Top Patterns Homeowners LoveWhen you walk into a room, and the planks run parallel to the length or width of the room, your mind moves up to the overall aesthetics of the room. But when you install hardwood planks diagonal, you instantly notice a more unique, luxurious look and feel inside the space.

The planks are installed parallel to each other, but instead of being installed along the length or width of the space, they are laid at a 45-degree angle to the wall. This creates a striking visual effect that isn’t expected. It gives anyone who enters a moment to notice the floors time to pause and take in the beauty of the flooring.

This is perfect for any homeowner who wants something a little different, yet still wants to stick with the functionality of traditional hardwood, while efficiently utilizing the product.

Random

For an orderly, traditionalist homeowner, they might not be able to imagine flooring in any other way but straight. But for homeowners who desire to change things up a bit, random placement may be more your style.

You’ll still install your hardwood floor based on the length or width of your room. But instead of using the same planks in a repeating pattern, you’ll mix things up a bit.

Select planks in different lengths and widths. Mix the color of two different hardwood colors – light and lighter. Then install them in a varying pattern. This mixture of boards will give your room a more rustic feel. It’s customizable, allowing you to play with final looks and patterns, and create something uniquely your own.

Parquet

It should come as no surprise to discover that parquet flooring dates back to 16th century France. Parquet is derived from the French word “parquetry”, meaning “small compartment.” These wood floors used country estate marble and stone, which was difficult and expensive to replace. The most famous comes from a single room in Versailles, created by Louis XIV. The parquetry is distinguishable by large squares laid on a bias, with diagonal squares within.

Today, parquet flooring is distinguishable by a repeated geometric pattern, giving it a checkerboard pattern. You’ll sometimes find even more sophistication to the complex patterns within each square.

Cheap imitations have been created in recent times to make this expensive and incredibly detailed flooring choice easier to install. But it can never replace the sophistication of a truly original parquet flooring.

Chevron

This pattern is often referred to as diagonal because wood planks are laid diagonally, alternating direction across the space.

The chevron pattern is effective when each of the planks is identical in size and shape, and appears in columns going one direction. Then the next column is laid facing the opposite direction. The edges are always flush against one another, giving it a seamless look.

Herringbone

Close to the chevron design, a herringbone pattern uses the column sections laid on the diagonal, but mixes it up by placing them in a zigzag pattern. This makes the blocks appear to be stacked like a staircase rather than running flush from side to side.

This is a sophisticated installation challenge, not one meant for DIY projects. The more complicated a pattern, the more you should search out a reputable installer who has laid various hardwood patterns in homes before.

Basketweave

One of the most complex patterns for hardwood floors is the basketweave, consisting of both rectangular and square shapes. To install, it starts with two rectangular pieces laid down as a T-shape. Additional T-shapes are fed in on either side. The gaps will be filled with the square shapes.

This pattern is continued across the floor, resembling a basketweave then it’s completed. The basketweave design works well in mid-size rooms when you want to give an illusion of grader and space. This flooring works on optical illusion, pushing out walls and making the room seem bigger than it is. It can lend sophistication to long, narrow rooms such as a hallway.

Finishing work

While you might have a specific pattern in mind, custom hardwood flooring work can create something uniquely your own. Complete the project with hand-crafted molding. Or build a pattern around a medallion or centerpiece. Stick with hardwood, or build it around stone, metal, or glass for a one-of-a-kind look.

Note that any additional patterns or finishing work required for installation will only add more time to the job. If you need your final flooring in place by a certain time, it’s better to check in with a flooring servicer first. They can help you create a pattern perfect for your home, building a spectacular display that will add style and uniqueness that’s all your own.

How can we help you find the perfect hardwood flooring pattern to suit your needs?

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Selecting The Right Hardwood Finish For Your Home

Hardwood floors are perfect for the modern home. They’re beautiful. They can last for decades. They compliment any decor.

Yet once you decide hardwood flooring is right for your home, then comes the difficult choice of selecting a hardwood finish. There’s more to it than picking out your favorite color.

On-site or prefinished? 

Different installation methods will impact the hardwood finish installed on your flooring.

Prefinished hardwood flooring is sold with stain and sealant already applied. This makes the entire process easier, from picking it out in the store, to laying it into place in your home. What you see is what you get. You’ll never be surprised by the color or the finish, as it’s in place from the moment you pick it out. The advantages are many:

  • You’ll have less mess. Once the planks are installed, your flooring will be ready to use immediately. No waiting for staining or finishing, or dealing with the fumes and other by-products of the install.
  • You’ll have less cost. Prefinished will incur labor costs for the installation of the planks. You won’t need additional time for finishing work.
  • You’ll need less time. This can be a huge saver if you are redecorating your home on a timeline.

Selecting The Right Hardwood Finish For Your HomeOn-site finished hardwood planks are installed with raw wood planks. Once installed, stain and finish will be applied to the entire canvas of the floor. The advantages include:

  • You’ll have more flexibility. Many homeowners add hardwood to their homes one room at a time. By laying it unfinished, a professional will have an easier time getting an exact match.
  • You’ll have a more uniform color. Do you have a large, open space? Are you adding hardwood to many rooms throughout your home? The larger the space, the more likely you’ll have color variance with prefinished flooring. Unfinished, on-site finished hardwood allows you to select the color and have it run throughout your home.
  • You’ll have more opportunities. If you can dream it, it’s possible with on-site finished hardwood. In historic homes, you may wish for a certain width of plank that might not be found in the prefinished market. A flooring professional can cut to size, and match any color you desire. It’s the perfect way to stay on track with your renovation plans.

Hardwood finish – which is right for you?

Hardwood finish refers to the top coat. It’s the surface layer that provides protection and durability. Whether you’re looking for a shiny, high-gloss surface, or prefer something a little more subtle, there are plenty of options. We’ve chosen several hardwood finishes to give you more of an idea of what will work best in your home.

Water-based polyurethane

This is one of the most popular hardwood finishes for hardwood flooring. A water-based polyurethane provides a clear finish with a traditional hardwood look and feel.

If you look at engineered hardwood, it almost always has a water-based polyurethane finish. Its classic “wet” look provides a lustrous finish that makes your hardwood flooring stand out. It’s achieved by applying several layers of water-based polyurethane applications.

Most high-gloss finishes are created in the factory and provided to the homeowner in prefinished planks. This ensures even application for a fully uniform look. This high sheen also makes clean-up easy, although it also makes items like pet hair and scratches a little more noticeable.

High-gloss may be the most popular, but you’ll find satin and semi-gloss finishes too.

Oil-based polyurethane

Oil-based polyurethane consists of several different products, including linseed oil, synthetic resins, and plasticizers. This provides even more strength and durability, making this hardwood finish popular in the commercial marketplace. Homeowners also love it in high-traffic areas. This increases durability, and provides more strength against scratching and denting.

Oil-based polyurethane does have a slight amber or yellow tint to it. It can also continue yellowing more over time. Many homeowners love this rich, warm quality, and select a color that is enhanced by this feature. Oil-based polyurethane also comes in high-gloss, semi-gloss, and satin finishes.

This finish comes with a strong odor and releases VOCs during the installation process. It takes drying time between each coat, so this isn’t a project you’ll finish quickly. Most professionals recommend two or three coats, so plan accordingly.

Wax

Before homes moved to polyurethane finishes, wax was considered the finish of choice. In older, historic houses, it’s still a popular application. It’s perfect for do-it-yourself projects, and homeowners who like its low-sheen, natural appearance.

Wax comes in liquid and paste, both of which require several coats that are buffed by hand. You can mix wood stains into the wax to add color if you wish.

Because wax is a more natural finish, it doesn’t hold up as well to water exposure. You’ll notice white marks wherever it comes into contact with water, so it’s not a great choice for kitchens or bathrooms. It’s also a soft finish, meaning it’s easy to scuff and scratch.

Wax sometimes yellows or darkens over time. If you decide to move to a polyurethane finish, the wax finish will need to be stripped away before application.

Acid-cured

One of the most durable hardwood finishes available is acid-cured finish, also called Swedish finish or conversion finish. It’s an alcohol-based product that uses acid for the curing process. It creates a shiny finish that is highly durable and resistant to scuffs, scratches, and dents. It highlights the grain well, and allows the natural beauty to shine through.

This is a professional product and will need to be applied by a professional hardwood installer because of its high VOCs and flammable application. You will need to keep pets and kids away during application and drying, as well as excellent ventilation throughout. It’s not as easy to retouch or fix damage once the finish is in place.

What’s the right hardwood finish for your flooring?

These are just a few of the hardwood finishes available on today’s most popular hardwood flooring options.

If you have questions about finding the perfect flooring finish to suit your family’s lifestyle, we’re here to help. Stop by today and see our complete line of hardwood floors. We’ll help you find the perfect one for your home. 

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Why Subfloors Matter To Solid Hardwood Floors

One of the most important parts of solid hardwood floors isn’t the planks … it’s subfloors.

Think of a subfloor as the base of your flooring. A subfloor is what lies beneath the hardwood planks you’ll walk on and enjoy for years to come. It’s the foundation that gives your flooring a place to rest, a place for strength and durability as you go about your busy days. Without a strong subfloor, your hardwood floors would be compromised, and would not provide the results you’re looking for.

Maybe you’ve been shopping for hardwood flooring for a while now. Maybe you’ve pinned different samples trying to make up your mind on species, color, and width.

Before you settle on what planks to install, it’s worth a few minutes to learn all you can about subfloors, and to make the very best decision there too.

What is subflooring?

Why Subfloors Matter To Solid Hardwood FloorsWhen you do a search for subflooring online, you might find a mix of articles talking about subflooring and underlayment. What’s the difference?

When your house was first built, flooring was created with three parts:

Joists – this is the structural component of your floors. These heavy-duty beams run across every room in your house, giving it structure and stability over time. You can see the joists by looking up if you have an old, unfinished basement.

Subfloors – this is the material that covers the joists. In most cases, it’s nailed into place. The subflooring helps distribute the weight evenly across the joists as you move throughout your day.

Flooring – this is the finished material you can see. This is what gives your home personality and good looks.

Every house will have subflooring in place. This is what creates the structure and stability for flooring installation.

Yet some flooring materials need more than what a subfloor has to offer. That’s where underlayment comes in. Underlayment is a special surface between the subfloor and finished flooring to provide reinforcement. It may be needed for extra strength if you choose a particularly heavy flooring material. It can act as a sound barrier if you’re trying to create a quiet atmosphere. It might provide a waterproof barrier, especially important if the room is prone to moisture.

What are subfloors made of?

Subfloors can be made from a variety of materials. The purpose of the subfloor is strength and durability, and that can come in the form of many different types of materials. A level, smooth, and dry floor is necessary before you install your finished flooring. You can achieve that with one of these materials:

https://pro-flooring.com/do-you-know-how-many-layers-your-floor-has/

Plywood – the most common type of subfloor. Plywood is created from sheets of wood veneer held together with glue. It’s affordable, easy to work with, and provides durability for most flooring installations.

Concrete – you’ll often find basements with a concrete subfloor, and sometimes on the ground-level floor if there isn’t a crawlspace or basement. If you’re working with concrete as a subfloor, it’s important to test for moisture before you install your finished flooring material. A proper vapor barrier will protect your final flooring from moisture, if necessary.

Oriented strand board (OSB) – this material is created from chunks of wood held together with adhesive. It functions like plywood.

What’s the best subfloor for hardwood floors?

When you’re buying hardwood floors, you’ll choose from solid hardwood or engineered. They each have their own set of rules and requirements.

Solid hardwood floors require a sturdy, durable subfloor, especially if the planks will be nailed or glued into place. In both cases, installers will use either plywood or OSB, with the final subfloor being at least ¾ of an inch thick.

Of course, installers may also add underlayment material, depending on the situation.

Installers often lay an underlayment of felt building paper down between the wood subfloor and your hardwood planks. This provides a necessary bond that will lessen the chance of squeaky floors and help control moisture.

For engineered hardwood, they often are installed with click-together floating floors. This means they aren’t attached to the subfloors, with underlayment requirements rarely in place. Just follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and your flooring will be good to go.

Should you replace subfloors before installing new hardwood? 

Whether you currently have carpet, tile, or hardwood planks in place, adding new subfloor material may be part of the process of installing new flooring. If you install new hardwood over a compromised subfloor, no matter how well you maintain it, the hardwood will wear out quickly because it won’t have the necessary support from underneath.

The subfloor sets the foundation for a quality floor. Without a quality subfloor, your flooring material will never give you a full lifespan. That’s why a reputable flooring dealer will always tell you to take a step down in quality of your final flooring selection in order to increase the quality of your subfloor material.

It makes a difference.

When homeowners don’t invest in a proper subfloor, they very quickly start experiencing compromises in quality. They usually complain of:

With any of these problems, fast action is required to prevent the problem from further compromising your flooring.

Do subfloors matter? They are the integrity of your hardwood floors

If you’re reading this, we know you’re on a quest for finding and installing the perfect new floors. Solid hardwood floors are beautiful, and can last for years – decades even. Yet that won’t happen if you don’t install it using the best materials and installation processes possible. Without a proper subfloor in place, you’ll compromise the lifespan of the materials, making you replace your floors long before their time.

Have we answered your questions on subfloors and installing hardwood floors in your home? If you have any additional questions, we welcome them here. Or feel free to contact us, or stop by our retail location.

We’re here to ensure you fall in love with your new hardwood floors from the moment they’re installed. And to keep loving them for years to come. 

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Confused About Hardwood Stain Colors? Here’s How To Choose

Want to know the most popular question we get about hardwood flooring? It isn’t about durability or maintenance. Instead, it’s about hardwood stain colors.

Homeowners want to feel assured they are selecting a hardwood stain color they’ll love for years to come. They want a color they won’t grow weary of in a few short years. One that will be too trendy, and looks dated before they’re ready to replace it.

They also want a hardwood stain color that adds to the resale value in case they decide to sell. Why add something to your home if it will detract from the looks, especially for potential buyers as they enter your space?

That’s a lot to ask from one question. Yet we’ve been doing this long enough we have a great answer whenever homeowners come in with this question.

The answer isn’t as hard as you might think. By starting with a few questions of your own, you’ll easily be able to select a stain color that best suits your lifestyle. And it’ll bring just the right personality to your home that anyone who enters will fall in love with the aesthetics you’ve created.

The basics of staining

Before we jump into color decisions, it’s important to fully understand what staining is. Staining is a separate process performed between sanding the hardwood planks and applying the clearcoat top cover. Don’t confuse stain with finishing.

Confused About Hardwood Stain Colors? Here’s How To ChooseFinishing is the topcoat process. It contains multiple coats of clearcoat applied on top of the stain.

A floor doesn’t have to be stained. It’s perfectly okay to apply finish to the original hardwood planks. If you prefer the color of natural wood, a clear coat protects the hardwood itself, and seals in the natural beauty of the wood.

If you want to change the color, stain is applied to hardwood planks after it’s smoothed and ready for a surface finish to be applied. This is when you have the option to use a colored hardwax oil, a stain under the oil, or a pre-tinted finish. Each will have different looks; it’s up to you to decide which is the best look for your home.

Hardwood also makes a difference. You can select from many different species of wood. Mahogany, cherry, walnut, pine, and oak all have different characteristics and hues. You may fall in love with the natural qualities of a species. Or you might prefer using it as a basis, then lightening or darkening it with a stain. This is how you build character. Some have more grains and imperfections than others, giving you the chance to create something truly unique.

Of course, you can also go with pre-stained planks, which allow you to select the color before it’s installed into your space. You can see the color applied, and know what it will look like before you install the first board.

How do you choose wood stain color?

If you’ve ever shopped at your local big box store, wandering the paint aisles can have you running for the doors. You’ll find several manufacturers of stains. Each manufacturer offers a selection of different colors, different treatments, and different options.

And if you’re not confused enough, pick up another manufacturer’s information and start comparing. The colors are similar, yet different. Is that too much yellow? Or maybe too much red?

Maybe you start with the fact you want a dark color. But the light color choices throw you into a tailspin – is it the best choice?

Before you finish your planning, step back and think about what you desire. There’s a reason you’re installing hardwood flooring in your home. What were your original desires? How did you see your “dream home” after renovation? That gives you a starting point in the direction you should take it.

Take a look at the latest design magazines. You’ll quickly find an array of color choices. You’ll see some hardwood in the darkest colors, while others stay more neutral, or traditional.

That says it all.

The best choice is always based on what you desire.

Let’s talk about hardwood color choices

Dark hardwood colors are considered stylish and dramatic. But there are a few things to keep in mind.

The darker the color, the less you see the grains of the wood. You can find an array of dark colors – ebony, expresso, true black – but the darker you stain the wood, the less color variation will come through in the wood planks. This can create a clean, minimalistic look that may make it easier to decorate. However, with a more solid line on your flooring, it is more difficult to clean and maintain the look.

Lighter colors remain open, airy, and neutral. They blend well with any decor, letting the aesthetics of your decor shine through rather than the color of your floor. In many cases, decorators will select a species of hardwood based on the color the homeowner desires. The closer you can keep your color choice to the original color, the easier it will be to maintain.

Lighter does tend to wear better, show less dirt, and stand the test of time.

Of course, mid tones might be more of your preference.

Mid tones are more traditional. You’ll see this in older homes, and it hides imperfections well. This tends to have more brown tones than red, but can change based on where it’s applied. How much direct sunlight streams in? What does your decor look like? Keep in mind that every species will impact how the color appears when they are finished and ready for daily wear.

Don’t forget about gray hardwood and whitewash. It’s one of the newest, hottest color choices, and has been popular for the past several years. Gray can be a bit challenging, and often requires mixing several colors to get the right hew.

Going back to resale – what’s the best hardwood stain color? 

Homeowners often move back and forth during the decision process, trying to settle on a color.

Should you go with a color you love?

Or should you choose one based on longevity, resale, and ensuring it holds up well over time?

That’s a personal decision. What’s best for you?

Is this your “forever” home? Then, by all means, go with your instincts, and choose your favorite color.

If you have any doubts, and aren’t sure about direction, it might benefit you to stay more neutral. Grays are very trendy. Reds can feel dated. Whitewash is an acquired taste.

Yet neutral will never go out of style.

What hardwood stain colors are your favorites?

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Vertical or Horizontal: Which Direction Should You Install Hardwood?

I was sitting in a reception area the other day, waiting for my appointment, when I looked down and noticed how the hardwood was installed. From the entryway, the hardwood appeared to move vertically into the office space. Yet the hallway back to the individual meeting rooms sat at an angle. The pattern moved into a diagonal flow to keep the flow from the entryway.

I loved it!

But I started thinking about which direction was best when installing hardwood. Are there rules? Do flooring experts provide specific guidance to help homeowners and commercial property managers finalize their decisions before installing hardwood into their spaces?

Where to begin when installing hardwood 

Every space is unique. You can’t start at the front and work to the back – that philosophy can get you into trouble in oddly-shaped rooms.

Vertical or Horizontal: Which Direction Should You Install Hardwood?There are several factors to consider when deciding which way to install hardwood into any room.

Focal point – what’s the first thing you see when you walk into the room? Where is the focal point of the room? If you lay the planks in that direction, it gives your eye a reason to flow towards that focal point. It might be a large fireplace. Or stunning architectural detail that makes the room. Your hardwood plank direction will lead every visitor to the most important aspect of the room.

Overall design – if you have one square space to add hardwood to, laying the planks into place is easy. Yet most people install hardwood into multiple rooms simultaneously, and rarely are they perfectly square. Instead, you’ll have odd shapes and a layout that rarely makes sense when you start to lay the planks into place. To avoid sudden cutoffs and strange designs, it might be time to install them in a diagonal pattern. If you have multiple rooms with distinct cutoffs, you can install a thin wood strip at the threshold to make the transition.

Light source – here in Colorado, we get a lot of natural light flowing in. If you have large windows to take advantage of the view, how does light fall into your home throughout the day? Use that pattern to dictate the direction you install your hardwood planks.

Floor structure – the subfloor and floor joists are installed to add strength and durability to each room. If you lay hardwood planks in the same direction as the joists, you can weaken the overall structure of the flooring. Instead, install them perpendicular to add strength and prevent the planks from sagging or buckling.

Sightlines – in many cases, flooring direction jumps out at you from the moment you walk through the door. Sightlines guide you from the front to the back. It gives you a natural flow. Don’t fight that flow. Work with it instead as you’re looking for which direction to install your hardwood planks.

Directions to run your hardwood flooring planks

We these general installation rules in mind, there are several main design options when it’s time to install your hardwood floors:

Vertical – the most common way to install hardwood is vertically from one end of the room to the other. It flows naturally as you enter the room, providing elegance and a contemporary feel as you move into a room. It’s a go-to pattern because it’s one of the easiest to install. It makes good use of the hardwood planks without having to trim boards to get them to fit.

Horizontal – another popular installation pattern is horizontal, where the boards flow freely from side to side. This is a good choice if your design space is narrow as you walk into the room. Short, vertical planks might make it feel choppy, more closed in. By running them horizontally, it draws the eye side to side, adding more openness to the space.

Diagonal – give any room a classy finish by installing the planks diagonally. Instead of vertical or horizontal placement, kick the planks to a 45-degree angle to the wall as they run across the floor. The look can be stunning and just different enough to add your own personality to your room.

Herringbone – this is another classic design that has been used for decades. It’s a step up from diagonal, creating a zigzag pattern instead. Install each board in a different direction, giving any room a more modern feel.

Parquet – parquet hardwood has been used in homes for centuries. It involves laying planks in repeated geometrical patterns that give the floor visual appeal. Think of it as a checkerboard of intricate patterns, with wood squares dominating the design. They can be quite beautiful, adding richness to any room in your home.

Random – today’s homeowners often look for something unique to bring into their homes. If you’ve had your eye on multiple sizes, colors, and patterns, why not incorporate them all into the final look? A random pattern mixes lengths, widths, and colors to create flooring as unique as you.

Which direction is right for you?

Want new hardwood floors? That’s only the beginning of the choices you’ll make.

Today’s hardwood planks come in many different styles, colors, patterns, widths, and lengths. With so many choices, it’s often difficult to know where to begin narrowing down to your final selection.

We often recommend people spend some time on design sites, or setting up a pinboard on Pinterest. Find different layouts you like, really focusing on why you like them. Do you like the color? The pattern? The flow?

As you find more examples of things you like, you’ll start to see a pattern in your tastes and desires. This is when you know you’ve found a choice that’s right for you.

Bring your ideas in and let’s talk. We can show you a variety of flooring choices that meet your demands. We can help you narrow it down to a final selection, one you’ll love for the life of your floor.

Installing hardwood in different directions can give you classic designs or a modern finish. There isn’t a right or wrong way to lay it into place.

What you settle on will look great on your finished floors.

You’ll love how it accents your home’s decor. 

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What Does Tongue and Groove Flooring Mean?

Ready to install a new floor? Among the many decisions you’ll be making includes the installation system.

Whether you’re leaning towards traditional hardwood or engineered plans, these floorings have come a long way since the early days when freshly cut boards were nailed together to create a uniform walking path. Today’s wood surfaces are smoother than ever before, partially because of the production that goes into the product long before it makes it through your door.

Tongue and groove flooring is quite easy to install. Its wood planks are all created with both protruding and concave parts that ultimately fit together like pieces of a puzzle. These tongue and groove floorboards make it easy to install. One tongue fits firmly into the groove of the adjoining board, creating a flat surface with little vertical movement between them. It creates just enough space to allow for expansion and contraction as environmental conditions adjust based on seasons and weather.

What is tongue and groove flooring 

Tongue and groove flooring isn’t a new concept. It was developed back in the late 1800s as manufacturers started mass-producing hardwood planks. As hardwood grew in popularity, creating a system for easy production as well as installation began to undergo transformation. Exposed nail heads were always a problem. Tongue and groove flooring hides or forgoes nails, thus creating a smoother surface.

What Does Tongue and Groove Flooring Mean?One side of the board has a protruding tongue, while the other has a concave groove. During installation, the ridge of one side of the board is fitted into the groove of an adjacent board, creating a tight and well-fitted seam. As the floor is fitted together, you can use adhesive, secret nailing, or a floating system to hold it in place.

Tongue and groove or non-grooved planks

If you’re new to tongue and groove technology, you might be asking: what if you install non-grooved planks?

Non-grooved planks would simply be hardwood planks the same height and width on every side of the board. Tongue and groove flooring was introduced because of the problems it solves:

  • Shrinkage
  • Warping
  • Working loose over time
  • Nail heads showing and creating uneven surfaces

Because the individual floorboards interlock, they’re less likely to heave or show gaps as they expand and move based on shrinkage and swelling, which wood has a tendency to do as the environment changes over time. The grooves are enough to keep planks in place, and handle well over time.

That makes them the preferred choice in hardwood planks, one that is used almost exclusively for both traditional and engineered hardwood.

Tongue and groove or click and lock – what’s the difference?

Click and lock technology is much newer to the marketplace. It takes the puzzle layout of tongue and groove one step further, and gives you the ability to lock the individual planks together, creating a smooth surface area that holds together.

You won’t need any other mechanism for holding the planks in place. Adhesive, nails, even staples won’t be necessary. The individual planks lock together as they feed across the surface, from one side of the room to another.

Click and lock is a do-it-yourselfer’s dream. It has a similar layout to the traditional tongue and groove mechanism. It differs because it has an interlocking profile around the edge that makes it easy to click and lock together. Because it holds together without attaching to a subfloor, it makes it easy to install, even over existing flooring.

It can be installed directly over many other flooring products, which means you won’t have the added expense of ripping out old flooring. This only works with flooring with a smooth surface area already in place. Carpet still must be ripped out, as well as uneven problematic flooring.

Click and lock has been extended beyond traditional and engineered hardwood to include laminate and vinyl planks that resemble hardwood. That gives do-it-yourselfers many options.

Advantages of tongue and groove flooring

Why did tongue and groove become the standard in the hardwood plank industry? Because of the smooth surface area created once the planks are fitted together.

The biggest advantage to a tongue and groove floor is the tight fit created as the boards come together. This tight seem lessens the chance of seepage in between, meaning the floor will hold up and look newer longer.

This tight fit also means the installation process is easier. It will require a minimal amount of nailing or gluing to ensure the floorboards stay in place.

Because tongue and groove planks are the norm, you will find them in both pre-finished and site-finished plank flooring products. If you opt for site-finished, the sealant will provide a protective coating over the entire surface area, blocking out potential problem areas between the planks. This can make many hardwood flooring surface areas water-resistant, standing up better to all your family can dish out.

Disadvantages of tongue and groove flooring

As you’re weighing your options for what flooring choice will best suit your needs, keep in mind that tongue and groove flooring does have a few disadvantages.

Before you install it, it’s essential to properly acclimate it to your home’s surroundings. If the boards are swollen due to humidity or moisture, the tongue and groove system can be difficult to implement. The boards might not join together.

When you push, trying to force the joints together, the tongues can easily break off. This renders them useless, and will require you to purchase more material to finish the installation.

The tongue and groove system is almost always considered one-time use. After the tongue and groove mechanism is joined, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to pull them back apart. If you attempt to force them apart, you will almost always experience significant breakage.

Is tongue and groove flooring right for your home?

Whether you select traditional or engineered hardwood flooring, tongue and groove mechanism will most likely be in place. This creates a smooth, functional surface area that will provide you with the best results over time.

Have additional questions about flooring? Stop by, or give us a call today.

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Is It Okay To Have Two Different Hardwood Floor Colors?

With all of the hotly debated topics in the world today, it may surprise you that the home decor industry has one of its own.

Can you install two different hardwood floor colors in your home?

People have strong opinions one way or the other.

Designers will often tell you it’s one of the biggest faux-pas in the industry. They’ll tell you two different species, styles, or hardwood colors will be a decorating nightmare.

Yet some homeowners don’t mind at all.

If you move into an older home, the previous owners may have installed hardwood in select rooms. It’s in good shape, and you want to keep it. Yet matching it isn’t possible. The grain pattern no longer exists, and you can’t find the exact plank size and width. They don’t want to scrap quality hardwood for the sake of sameness throughout the living space.

And that’s where opportunity rises.

Different species mean different opportunity

Is It Okay To Have Two Different Hardwood Floor Colors?Throughout the years, the hardwood industry has had standard manufacturing practices in place. The most common species for hardwood flooring include:

  • Ash
  • Black walnut
  • Beech
  • Cherry
  • Hickory
  • Maple
  • Red oak
  • White oak

Chances are if you have hardwood already in place, it’s from one of these species of trees.

Of course, there are many other species available. Exotic hardwood has been an industry specialty for as long as hardwood flooring has been popular.

If you go back twenty, forty, or even sixty years ago, processing was different. What manufacturer you chose and the installer’s beliefs all dictated how your final flooring appeared. Each choice created its own unique characteristics and appearance, and it’s challenging to change that today without ripping it out.

If that’s not an option, you’re automatically on the road for having a different look and feel as you move from room to room.

Advantages of using the same hardwood throughout

In many cases, it makes sense to change out all of your flooring at the same time. It creates transition, flow, and provides a color palette soothing to the eye.

It’s a great way to harmonize everything about your living space.

It also creates less of a mess. Installing hardwood isn’t an “in and out” process. The planks will need time to acclimate to your home. Depending on whether it’s prefinished or unfinished, you may need additional time for staining, finishing, and curing. It’s much easier to do this all at once, get in, and spend the time necessary to do it right the first time.

It can also lead to cost savings by buying in bulk. In many cases, you’ll get a better price for ordering more product. The installer is there anyway; why not have them get the entire job done?

It’s hard to argue with these advantages. Which is why you’ll find a strong argument for sticking to one hardwood palette throughout your home.

But it doesn’t always make sense.

Two different hardwood floor colors can make a lot of sense

Just because you can find a lot of arguments about why one color, one floor, makes sense, doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for you.

It’s your house!

And that alone is reason enough to use your own judgment when installing flooring.

The most common reason why people end up with more than one hardwood color and pattern in their homes is due to the cost. It can be expensive to install hardwood throughout your home. If that’s your ultimate goal, it often makes more sense to install it room by room.

That decreases the likelihood of being able to match up your flooring choices.

Hardwood fades as it acclimates to your home. Even buying the same brand, color, and pattern can be slightly off from lot to lot.

If the colors won’t match up, doesn’t it make more sense to move towards complementary colors instead of trying to match?

Tips for using more than one hardwood flooring style

If you’re adding to existing hardwood, instead of worrying about matching, use these tips to place two or more colors together.

Dark and light together

Instead of sticking with the same color hue, go to opposite ends of the spectrum instead. Dark hardwood can add intimacy to a room. It might be the perfect choice for a master suite. For a child’s bedroom, err on the side of light hardwood and light wall color to create a fresh, open appearance anyone will be comfortable “hanging out” in.

Complementary instead of match

People often take a selection of colors home, attempting to match existing hardwood as closely as possible. Choose a complementary color instead. Lay them side by side and determine which is most pleasing to the eye. Then use T-molding or wooden borders to separate rooms where it makes most sense – doorways are great options.

Change direction

People are acclimated to running hardwood planks parallel to the way the room runs. Instead, what if you ran it diagonal across the space? Move away from a constant direction from one end of the house to another. Changing directions can be enough of a change to pull your eye away from the different colors, and focus more on the room design itself.

Refinishing

If you have a specific hardwood in place, you can use the same species, and refinish it to match the new flooring you lay into place. While it still doesn’t guarantee to absorb the new stain and finish in exactly the same manner, it’s the best way to attempt to gain the same color tone for all the rooms that have hardwood.

What’s your preference? 

Ultimately, what you choose to install inside your home is a personal choice, and completely up to you.

https://pro-flooring.com/can-you-change-the-color-of-hardwood-floors/

If you’re not quite sure what to do, come in and use any of our sales associate’s knowledge to help you create a living environment you’re proud to call home.

With so many selections on the market today, there are easy ways to create the home of your dreams.

How can we help you select the right hardwood flooring for each room in your home?

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Don’t Make These Mistakes When Selecting Hardwood Flooring Species

As a homeowner, if you’re looking at home improvement projects, installing new flooring can be a worthy project. It gives you a unique design palette to live with, and can add value to your home for years to come.

If you walk into a home improvement floor, it’s easy to feel the pull of hardwood flooring. It remains one of the most loved flooring choices, one homeowners have moved to the top of their wish lists.

But what many don’t realize when they first start out is just how many choices there are. Selecting a hardwood flooring species can be difficult when you see all the color and pattern choices available to you. How do you make a choice?

Domestic versus exotic – what’s the difference? 

When you start shopping for hardwood, you’ll quickly learn it comes in a variety of formats. Different species provide you with different results. Hardness, appearance, and price point will all be determined by your final selection.

Domestic species of hardwood flooring include:

  • Birch
  • Cherry
  • Hickory
  • Oak
  • Maple
  • Walnut

Domestic hardwood flooring provides you with a traditional appearance you’ll most likely see in both commercial and residential settings. It’s the most affordable option, one you’ll likely have the most availability for no matter where you are shopping.

Don’t Make These Mistakes When Selecting Hardwood Flooring SpeciesHomeowners often select domestic species because it’s readily available. They offer decent durability, and will acclimate well to your home’s environment. Because the tree is often from your area, it is less susceptible to change with the daily living environment.

Domestic species tend to have fewer patterns and variances, but can feature a wide range of stains and textured effects. If you have something specific in mind, you can achieve it with these classic good looks.

Exotic species of hardwood flooring include:

  • Brazilian cherry
  • Brazilian walnut
  • Jatoba
  • Kempas
  • Sapele mahogany
  • Tigerwood

Homeowners are often drawn to exotic species because of their dramatic color appearance and striking grain patterns. If you want a one-of-a-kind look, you’ll love what you find with exotic hardwood.

Most exotic hardwoods have higher Janka hardness scores, making them some of the most durable flooring choices on the market today. That makes them great for the most popular areas of your home, even hallways and entryways. They scratch and dent less, and will remain good-looking for years to come.

Because they are harder to find and source, you’ll most likely find them in limited widths and profiles. This may not be a problem, but if you’re planning on wider planks, or have a larger room, you may not have the options available in domestic species. 

Have a particular hardwood species in mind? Don’t make these mistakes. 

As you start to navigate your options, and find hardwood species you love, it’s easy to focus on its looks and forget to ask the most important questions that will determine the longevity of your floors.

Mistake #1 – Buy from unscrupulous retailers

We all love good deals. The power of the internet has given us easy access to find the best deals in the marketplace.

If you’ve ever received an order only to find it didn’t meet your expectations, you know one of the biggest drawbacks from ordering online.

While a shirt or a bowl is easily replaced, your flooring is something you’ll have to live with for years to come. Not all retailers select the highest quality products. Even your local discount or home improvement store buys in bulk, from a lower grade than what you’ll find with a flooring specialist.

Lower quality hardwood means the entire production process might not have been top-notch. Cutting, sanding, finishing – every step may have cut corners, meaning it won’t stand up as well under normal circumstances.

When you buy from a supplier who investigates where the product line comes from, you can anticipate the highest quality artistry on the market.

Mistake #2 – Durability can wane

When you install domestic hardwood, the wood may be harvested right from your own community. The final product adjusts easily to your home environment.

Exotics have more trouble. They can be extremely reactive to changes in the environment, which can cause expansion and contraction as it adjusts to your home.

Higher quality manufacturers understand this, and take the necessary precautions. They know how to work with the product throughout production, and understand what it takes to install it inside your home.

Many exotic hardwood species retailers will recommend acclimating the planks for a much longer time period than with a domestic floor. Build that into your time schedule so you don’t have problems down the road.

Mistake #3 – Chemicals and toxic reactions

Do you have allergies? Do you react to certain reactors out in nature? While you might understand your reactions to common hardwood species, you may not have an understanding of how you’ll react to an exotic species. Some people can find certain species highly reactive and cause mild or even severe reactions to the chemicals and makeup of different materials.

Why? Certain species have different chemical makeup that can trigger different responses. Brazilian walnut and teak, for example, are known to occasionally cause a reaction. If you aren’t sure, it’s a good idea to apply a small amount of wood dust to your skin with a bandage for a day and see if you have a reaction.

Not all processing is the same. As you make your final selection, you can work with a sales associate to understand the entire production cycle, to ensure you or a family member won’t suffer a reaction.

Mistake #4 – Hardness

Many homeowners move to exotic species to install a harder floor. While a harder floor can be more durable, it also has the potential for installation problems.

Be sure you hire an installer who works with exotic hardwood regularly. Nailing can be more challenging to ensure the planks are set into place. With the hardest species, pre-drilling is often necessary to ensure a clean look and a tight fit.

It’s also something to remember when you refinish your flooring down the road. Exotics may need a finer grit when sanding it down. They may need a different finishing process to ensure a high quality look.

Do your due diligence throughout its life, and you’ll love your hardwood flooring for as long as they are in place.

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Yes, Your Hardwood Floors Can Improve Indoor Air Quality

Looking for a healthy flooring option for your home? Want to improve your indoor air quality? All paths lead to hardwood floors.

Hardwood flooring is a good choice when you’re ready to bring timeless beauty, warmth, and elegance to any room in your home. It’s also a great choice if you want eco-friendly and allergy-friendly flooring.

Unlike other choices, hardwood floors don’t harbor dirt, pollutants, or contaminants. But there is an art in selecting the right hardwood flooring options.

What is an allergy?

Allergies are fairly common in the US. Around 50 million people in the US alone experience allergies each year.

An allergy is caused by an immune system reaction to a foreign substance called an allergen. Allergens take on all forms. You can have a response to something you eat, touch, inject, or inhale. The impact can include sneezing, a runny nose, scratchy throat, hives, or rashes. In severe cases, it can lower blood pressure, cause asthma attacks, or even death if not treated quickly.

How hardwood floors play a part in indoor air quality

When most people think about air quality, they think about things that directly impact the air supply. If you light a candle, the fumes penetrate the air you breathe. If you spray a chemical cleaner to wipe down a table, the spray enters the air supply.

Yes, Your Hardwood Floors Can Improve Indoor Air QualityYour air supply is controlled by your HVAC system. Every time the furnace or air conditioner turns on, conditioned air flows through the ventilation system, and out into each room in your home. It can pick up anything else nearby, such as the candle scent or chemical spray.

Yet indoor air quality goes deeper than what’s freely moving around your home. It’s also what’s introduced in other ways.

Like your flooring.

Indoor air quality can be impacted by everything about your flooring. What it’s made of. The adhesives used for installation. The finishes applied once it’s in place.

What are VOCs?

You can’t talk about healthy flooring without a discussion on VOCs.

VOC stands for volatile organic compounds. According to the EPA, VOCs are compounds that have a high vapor pressure and low water solubility. They are emitted as gasses from certain liquids or solids, and include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have adverse health effects.

In total, around 1200 VOCs have been identified. And many of them are used in the products and materials we use every day.

  • Acetone
  • Acetic acid
  • Butanal
  • Ethanol
  • Alcohol
  • Formaldehyde
  • Dichloromethane

VOCs are a part of life. They are in common substances such as paint, cleaning products, and cigarette smoke. They are in our building materials and the furniture we use in our homes.

Awareness is prevention. It’s what allows you to make better choices as a consumer.

The most common VOCs in a home

Inside homes across the Front Range, you’ll find three of the most toxic VOCs lurking in things you use every day:

Formaldehyde – there are two types of formaldehyde: phenol and urea. Phenol is non-toxic, and is often used in cabinetry, marine-grade plywood, and high-end furniture. Urea is one of the most toxic VOCs, and is used in all kinds of building materials, including paneling, flooring, and other household furnishings. You can reduce exposure by sealing all exposed surfaces.

Benzene – it’s a common chemical found in tobacco smoke, stored fuels, paint, solvents, and emissions from your cars. Refinishing a floor can produce high amounts of benzene.

Methylene chloride – this is present in things like paint strippers, adhesives, and aerosol spray paints and finishes. The human body converts methylene chloride to carbon monoxide, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning when heavy concentrations are present.

When you know these are present, you can take appropriate action to reduce their impact. For instance, you can use aerosol spray paints outside and with a face mask firmly in place to reduce their impact.

The trouble comes when you aren’t aware of their presence, as became apparent in a 2015 report where Lumber Liquidators were caught selling Chinese-made laminate flooring that contained high levels of formaldehyde.

Hardwood flooring can improve indoor air quality

If you want to find flooring safe for your family, low in VOCs, and a healthier option for installing in your home, hardwood is a great choice.

But to find the best product for your home, you’ll have to do a little investigation.

Natural wood flooring will be one of your safest options. But you do have to look at the entire production process.

Wood does contain natural terpenes. They are safe, but they do impact highly sensitive people. The scent you get from a pine tree would be an example.

Flooring also contains a variety of chemicals from processing. Pay attention to finishes, glues, baseboards, underlayments, and other production materials made from zero or low VOCs.

You can also find manufacturers that meet guidelines through different certification programs to ensure the production process is safe. Programs include:

The top hardwood flooring manufacturers will comply with these regulations and more. You can do your research before you shop, or work with one of our associates to determine the right hardwood product best to suit your needs.

Are you ready to shop for hardwood flooring?

If you want an eco-friendly, green flooring choice that will help your home be the safest place it can be, look no further than hardwood flooring. It’s the first choice for many homeowners because of its classic good looks. Improving indoor air quality is an added benefit.

You’ll love hardwood because it’s:

  • A durable option
  • It’s natural
  • It’s easy to clean and maintain
  • It’s highly effective at reducing contaminants
  • It doesn’t contain VOCs

How can we help you find hardwood flooring perfect for your home?

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