Hardwood Flooring Archives - Page 21 of 24

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
December 22, 2015

How To Silence A Squeaky Floor

The kids are asleep. Everything is quiet throughout the house. And then you step on it; that squeaky spot. The squeaky floor that seems to echo down the hall.

You’d give anything to fix it. But that would require an expensive housecall from a contractor. It’s easier to live with the squeak. Or is it?

If you’re tired of the squeaky floor in your home, there are a few easy, inexpensive workarounds you can do that will help eliminate the sound.

Insert Shims Into Gaps
If you have access to the floor from underneath, you can easily find and fix the problem. Have someone walk on the floor or stairs from above while you watch where the sound and movement is coming from . If the culprit is a gap between the subfloor and a joist, place a shim into the gap. Apply some wood glue and slide the shim into the gap until it’s snug. Don’t force it. If you push too hard you’ll make the gap wider. By taking up the small space with a shim, you’ll stop the bouncing between the wood taking place, and the noise should stop. This works on stairs as well.

Use Construction Adhesive
Sometimes a gap will run the entire length of a joist. This can allow constant friction between the joist and the subfloor. Apply a small amount of construction adhesive along the joist and work it into the gap until the squeak stops.

Fix A Warped Joist
Occasionally joists can warp or deteriorate. If this happens, you will find a space between the subfloor and the joist. To fix the problem, nail a block of wood along the joist to add stability to the area impacted. Apply construction adhesive along the top of the wood to create a solid connection between the two pieces of wood. You can also screw it to the joist for stability.

Quiet Multiple Joists
Occasionally you’ll have more than one joist contributing to the noise. To quiet them, nail or screw a 2×8 block of wood between them. Insert the blocks at around the midpoint. Apply construction adhesive along the edges to keep them tightly in place.

Lubricate Floorboards
While many squeaks can be eliminated by working from the bottom of the floor, in some cases you may have to work from the top. You can also try this method if you don’t have access to the joists and subflooring from below. If wooden floorboards are causing the problem, pour a powdered soapstone or talcum powder between the boards. Then place a soft cloth over the boards and work the lubricant into the cracks. This should reduce the rubbing that takes place between the pieces of wood, and reduce the squeak. Repeat as needed. Vacuum up any remaining powder.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
December 9, 2015

Is Your Hallway In Need Of A Flooring Upgrade?

Thinking of replacing the flooring in your home? For many homeowners, they start the process by wanting a big change. They want a new look in their kitchen. Maybe hardwoods in their living space.

Yet in some cases, the boldest statement you can make is by upgrading the flooring in your hallways and entryways. These are the most heavily used (and abused) areas of your home. Even subtle changes to these areas can leave your home looking its best now and for many years to come.

What are some of your options?

Ceramic tile – with vast amounts of options available, you can create any style or pattern you choose. Ceramic tile is one of the most versatile flooring choices around for heavy traffic areas.
Stone tile – stone tile can create a powerful, dramatic effect wherever it is installed. Light colors can help create the illusion of open spaces, while dark colors can add depth and warmth.
Vinyl tile – the perfect choice when looking for a classic yet modern appearance. Vinyl comes in many styles and colors, and can mimic just about any look you desire.
Rustic stone – if you are looking for a dramatic, natural look that has a slightly rougher, and more primitive feel, look no further than rustic stone.
Hardwood – with many different styles and types of hardwood, there is a perfect choice to match your living style.

Choose flooring that matches the theme and décor of the rest of your home. Blendability is key. Because this is usually a smaller project than a full floor restoration, a hallway or entryway is an upgrade that is budget friendly while giving you a lot of bang for your dollar. It’s a great way to upgrade your home and increase the property value without a lot of hassle.

Find out today how a hallway flooring choice can give your home new life. Stop by and see the many options available to you.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
December 2, 2015

How To Find Out What Wood Your Floors Are Made From

Moved into a new-to-you home lately and wondering what kind of wood your floors are made from? You can often tell what type of wood simply by looking at it. Many species – oak, pine, fir – are easily recognizable.

But it also goes beyond. From looking at the surface, you can’t tell if a floor is solid or engineered, which is an important factor if you are considering sanding and refinishing it in the future. Moreover, a quick look may leave you thinking you have one type of wood, when in reality a stain has given it the appearance of another.

To get an accurate assessment of the wood flooring you currently have installed, it may take a little work.

Determine if your floor is a softwood or hardwood by pushing your fingernail into the surface. It will make a dent if it is a softwood such as pine or fir.

Find an inconspicuous part of the floor – in the corner or under a cabinet – to scrape the finish off of part of the board. This will remove stains or paints and get down to expose the original board.

Determine if the boards are solid or engineered by examining a cross section. This works well at a threshold or transition. You can also pry off a baseboard and use a mirror between the boards and wall to determine if it’s solid.

Once you’ve reached the core wood sample, use online wood guides to help pinpoint the type of woods used in your home.

Oak is the most common type of hardwood used throughout the US.

Maple is slightly harder than oak, but often has light graining and a smoother, sleeker look.

Pine is softer and more easily dented. But does have character and is used a lot in older homes.

Fir is a beautiful vertical grain that was used a lot around the turn of the 20th century.

If you have questions about your current flooring, the best way to find out more is to stop by. We can help you determine what is currently installed, and the best way to move forward to create the perfect look for your home.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
November 30, 2015

How To Remove Scratches From Your Hardwood Floors

Do you remember the first scratch in your hardwood floor? Most people with hardwood floors do. It may have been from a piece of furniture that was dragged across the floor. Or from pet claws as they slip and slide as they run and play. Or even high heeled shoes as you walk out the door on your way to work.

That first scratch is cringe-worthy. But it won’t be the last. And when scratches occur, you won’t have to refinish the entire floor to make it look new again. Most scrapes can be sanded and filled, then repaired so that it is often unnoticeable when the repair is complete.

Start by sanding the impacted area with a fine grit sandpaper. Remove the surface abrasions as well as the floor finish. Make sure you run in the direction with the wood grain, not against it.

Clean the area and make sure to remove all sanding and grit. Make sure the area is dry before moving forward.

Apply wood filler that matches the shade of your floor. Do not use wood putty instead of wood filler, as putty will not stain and will be lighter than the rest of your flooring. Use a plastic putty knife as a metal one may create more scratches.

Smooth the filler into the scrape and make sure it is level with the floor. Wipe away all excess filler.

Sand the scrapes smooth so it matches up with the rest of the flooring.

Restain the floor to match the existing color. Let dry thoroughly before applying a finish. Do not move furniture over the area for at least 24 hours.

You can find touch up kits at flooring centers or at most hardware stores. When installing new hardwood floors, talk with your contractor about colors, stains and options for when accidents occur.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
November 25, 2015

Removing Stains From Hardwood Floors

Love your Colorado hardwood floors? Chances are if there are children and pets in your life, your hardwood floors may be an occasional thorn in your side.

What do you do if your child spills juice … and you don’t notice it for over an hour?

Or your pet has an accident … and you don’t notice it until the next day?

Yes, if you have hardwood floors, you understand the way to keep them looking their best is to catch spills and accidents as quickly as possible. But if you leave any kind of fluids on the floor for any length of time, it can soak down into the wood and cause a problem.

Clean Up Messes Quickly

Although hardwood floors often come with some water resistance built in, hardwood floors are rarely infallible if liquid stands for a period of time. Therefore the best way to keep your hardwoods looking their best is to clean up all messes as soon as they happen. Even with prompt removal, some fluids, such as wine and dye, can leave a mark almost from the moment it touches the floor. Even in this case, by removing as much as you can quickly, you’ll prevent the liquid from soaking into the wood. If the liquid penetrates the wood, it becomes a bigger problem.

Using The Correct Cleaning Process

In some cases you may not be able to identify the stain and what caused it. In some cases each stain produced needs a different remedy. Which means you should keep on hand a variety of cleaning products available to be on hand for any type of mess.

Starting with a soft rag dampened with water is the best place to start, as water will remove everything from ink, to candy, juice, even blood. If you still see the stain after removing it with water, step up your game and use white vinegar instead. White vinegar can help you remove stubborn stains, such as a wine spill or darker fruit juices.

Ammonia will remove stubborn stains like iodine, while chlorine is effective in removing more stubborn dyes. However, never use ammonia and chlorine together, as they will create toxic fumes.

Bleaching The Wood

In many cases hardwoods will quickly react to water and other fluids by turning gray. Bleaching the wood with a solution of oxalic crystals and water will remove the gray color. To perform this process, you will need to sand the finish off of the stained area with a palm sander. Bleach the affected area. Then restain the exposed flooring before you recoat it with a clear finish.

With extensive staining, it may be time to bleach and refinish the entire floor.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
November 20, 2015

Flooring Layers: Is Your Floor Sound?

When you glance down at the floor, it’s easy to forget that there are multiple layers. After all, all you really see is the carpet or wood or tile that adds to your décor.

But almost every floor has multiple layers to give it stability, support, a comfortable and potentially noise free environment.

A stained concrete floor will have just one layer. But if you’re installing hardwoods throughout your home, or laying tile in your bathroom, it might include up to fouror five layers.

A typical floor is made up of the following layers.

Finished Floor

The finished floor is the flooring you choose to compliment your décor. It might be laminate, tile, natural stone, engineered wood, carpeting or hardwoods.

Underlayment

Underlayment can be made up of many materials, and take on different characteristics depending on the finished floor you choose. If you’re installing carpeting, padding is important to protect your carpeting. Dry materials, such as hardwood, will require an underlayment of plywood to give it more stability. For wet floors, such as mortared applications for tile and stone, cement board will offer the best results.

Subfloor

A subfloor is typically made of plywood ranging from 1/3” to 1 1/8” thick. This provides structure to your floor. It will help hold together all other layers of your foor. It also provides strength and stability for everything in the house, such as furniture, peopleand pets.

Joists

Joists are made of engineered wood or dimensional lumber. Working together with the subfloor, it provides structure and helps support heavy items.

Depending on needs and the floor in question, you may find one, two or all four layers to your floors. And in some cases, if your home is poorly remodeled or has been around for decades, you may find layer upon layer. Laminates are often laid one on top of another, possibly with tiles or hardwoods laid over that.

To ensure proper alignment for your flooring, and to give proper stability to whatever floor you’ve decided to install, make sure it is properly supported and has the proper layers in place to give you the longest life possible.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
November 18, 2015

A Guide To Subfloor For Wood, Tile and Other Flooring

With every flooring you install, there is another layer – a subfloor – that provides stability and strength. Without a proper subfloor in place, the longevity of your flooring can be decreased substantially. But what is subflooring and what works best for each kind of floor?

If you were to look at your flooring from the side, you would see your floor is comprised of multiple layers sandwiched together. It can include:

Joists – the bottom layer that provides stability and strength the entire floor. Concrete floors will not have joists, instead relying on the support of the cement.

Subfloor – a structurally sound layer of plywood to add stability.

Underlayment – will vary depending on the final flooring chosen. It can be padding, plywood, or cement board.

Finish floor – the decorative floor that you walk on.

The types of subfloor can vary substantially.

Plywood – plywood is the mainstay of flooring construction. You will find it used in many different thicknesses.

OSB – oriented-strand board is similar to plywood and is used in as much frequency as plywood.

Cement board – this board is used when installing tile, and must be laid over a solid surface such as concrete or plywood.

Foam or cork padding – this helps cushion your step and is used when installing things like carpeting or laminate.

Radiant heating – radiant heating is a thick subfloor with grooves cut into the surface to accommodate tubing in which heated water is run. It provides warmth to the floor.

Subfloor for Hardwood – plywood is the best subfloor for hardwood installation. Plywood from ½” to ¾” will provide support and stability for your floors.

Subfloor for Tile – tiles can easily crack if they are not affixed to a straight and properly laid subfloor. Be sure plywood is level, and consider cement board for added strength.

Subfloor for Laminate – laminate floor is installed in much the same manner as hardwood. Laminate is a fairly thin material and is not forgiving when it comes to dents, ridges and grooves. It’s important to provide a well leveled, smooth subfloor for best results. You may also consider a foam padding to further reduce noise.

Subfloor for Basements – one of the trickiest places in your home is the basement. In most cases, you will have no joists and you may have moisture concerns. Concrete floor can feel dry to the touch, but any residual moisture can quickly damage your floor. Consider adding vapor barriers underneath the subflooring to help prevent damage.

Have additional questions about the right subfloor for your new flooring? Give us a call today.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
November 14, 2015

What To Expect When Installing Hardwood Flooring For The First Time

You’ve been living with your old floors for ages. You’re tired of the worn out carpeting in the living space, vinyl in the kitchen.

You want the seamless look of hardwoods flowing through every room of your home.

Just think how much your home will change once your hardwood flooring is installed.

Yet if you have never lived with hardwood flooring before, are you sure you’ll love the results?

Having hardwood floor installed in Colorado your home is a major purchase, one you probably won’t be able to change if you aren’t happy with the outcome. And if you’ve never had hardwoods before, you may be a bit edgy about the process, wanting to make sure every phase runs as smooth as possible.

First is the estimate phase. This is where we find out what type of wood floor is best for the way you live. If we are matching wood to existing flooring, we will help you compare color, styles and patterns to ensure a close match. If you will be replacing existing flooring with wood for the first time, we will help you select the right style for the way you live.

Then we will determine which way to lay the floor. Most homes are built with a plywood subfloor. When we lay your new hardwood floor perpendicular to the floor joists, it adds strength and stability. We can also lay the floor at a diagonal, which gives the room an entirely different look and feel.

It’s also important to check the floor’s moisture content, humidity levels, and temperature of the room. Hardwood must acclimate to your existing surroundings before it is installed, meaning the hardwood will sit in your home to adjust for a few days before installation. There should never be more than 4 percent difference between the subfloor and strip flooring, or 2 percent difference for planks.

Before your contractor arrives, make sure the room is cleared of furniture and household items. Because a lot of work will be done both with removal and installation, you may also wish to remove shelves and decorations from walls to avoid further damage.

Wood floor installation means a lot of sawing and cutting. While we like to minimize the mess this process causes, be aware that it is a labor intensive process. Keep pets and kids away from the equipment and workspace to avoid accidents.

Once the subfloor is prepped and ready to go, the floor is laid out to ensure board joints are at proper distances and the overall appearance is pleasing to the eye.

When we are finished, we will walk you through your home and call out small details to ensure you know the best way to live with your flooring from this point forward. Hardwood flooring is as enjoyable to live with as it is pleasing to the eye. And by being prepared for the process from beginning to end, you’ll enjoy your new floors from the moment you start the process.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
November 11, 2015

Do You Believe These Myths About Engineered Flooring?

What do you think of when you hear the words “engineered flooring?”

There have been many myths circulating about engineered floors, making it a misunderstood flooring option. And if you believe any of these, it may be holding you back from using this in your home.

Read on to change your mind about this practical flooring choice.

Myth #1: Engineered wood flooring is fake

Engineered wood is not the same as laminate. Laminate floors are made of compressed mdf backing with a wood picture laminated to the face of the plank. Engineered flooring is comprised entirely out of real wood. The face layer is actual hardwood in a variety of different thicknesses, depending on the product you select. It is attached to various plys of hardwood backing.

Myth #2: Engineered wood doesn’t look like real hardwood

When engineered wood is installed, there is no telling which is a hardwood floor and which is engineered. Both can be installed prefinished or unfinished. Both can be sanded and refinished several times.

Myth #3: Engineered wood won’t last as long as a solid hardwood floor

Because an engineered wood floor can be sanded and refinished several times just like its real hardwood counterpart, the life spans of the two are virtually equal. With proper maintenance, your engineered flooring can last a lifetime.

Why should you select engineered flooring over hardwood?

Because engineered wood is created using multiple layers of wood, it settles against itself as temperatures and environment changes. There is less chance of board movement between rows, and less chance of cupping in wider plank floors. Engineered wood can be installed below grade applications such as in basements, which makes it a viable alternative to Colorado homes. It can be floated over concrete floors, and can be floated over subfloors that have a layer of particle board installed over them. Since it can be floated or glued, it is beneficial when you wish to decrease sound transfer to rooms below.

What should you look for?

The easiest way to see the quality of engineered wood is to stop by and see the product for yourself. As with anything, there are varying degrees of quality based on manufacturer. Focus you attention on the surface thickness, the overall thickness of the planks, how many plies there are, what the plies are made of, the length of the planks, and how best to install. You should also look for a good warranty, as that will indicate how well the manufacturer trusts its own product.

Carpet, Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
October 14, 2015

Carpet or Wood? What Should You Do With The Stairs

Hardwood floors are the flooring of choice in many homes throughout the Denver Metro region. Yet as much as we love hardwood in our living space, carpeting remains a top choice for the bedrooms to provide warmth and comfort.

What’s the best way to connect the two? Should you carpet your stairs … or use hardwood instead?

There are many pros and cons to both decisions; there is a different answer for everyone.

Carpeted vs Wooden Stairs

Stairway safety: carpet is safer for children and the elderly

Wood stairs can be slippery and dangerous especially when liquid is present. Likewise, hardwood stairs make for hard landings if someone does slip, and can cause more accidents and injuries than carpeting. In homes with elderly or small children, carpeting may be a safer choice to avoid slipping and falls.

Cleaning wood vs cleaning carpet

Carpeting on stairs is automatically going to accumulate more dust and dirt than hardwood. Carpeted stairs require regular vacuuming and an occasional cleaning to keep them in top shape. Hardwood stairs are easy to clean and maintain with a broom and a mop.

Noise: wood is louder than carpet

Carpets insulate against noise. Hardwoods tend to produce more noise, especially if a person moves around your house with shoes on their feet. You will hear the difference between the two especially on the stairs. If you have a family that moves around the house at different times of the day, or kids that run around and play on different levels, carpeting may be a better choice to muffle the sounds.

Damage: carpet is good if it’s permanent

Installing carpet on your stairs requires the use of wires, industrial staples, or adhesive glue that can cause permanent damage. If you decide to remove carpet in the future and move back to wood stairs, it may require refinishing each step to remove the damage.

Flooring cost: wood costs more upfront, capret needs replacing periodically

Quality carpet can be expensive depending on your final selection. Installations also take time. If you replace carpeting regularly, it can add up to a larger overall cost that leaving your stairway with wood.

Ultimately the choice should come down to the way you live and the look you prefer. The great thing about home improvement is there is always the opportunity to change and refinish later. If the right choice is carpeting for while the kids are little, you can always refinish them into a more elegant wood stair down the road. The key is in creating the right living arrangements for how you live today.

About Pro Flooring Brokers

We are a one stop shop for all of your flooring and installation needs. Located in Denver, CO, we have been family owned and operated for over 30 years! Our passion is your project.

Have a Flooring Project in the Denver Area?

Commercial and residential customers love our huge selection of carpet, hardwood, porcelain tile, natural stone, luxury vinyl tile/planks, laminate flooring, and sheet vinyl flooring. Check out our products to learn more. Visit our showroom, meet our team, and let’s start your flooring project together. We offer:

Complimentary on-site measuring
Flooring estimates based on floor plans or blueprints
Installations performed by trained and qualified installers
Full one-year guarantee on all workmanship (in addition to manufacturer’s warranty)

Flooring and installation are made easy with the PRO! Flooring Brokers. Contact us, visit our showroom, or call today at 303.788.0113. We look forward to helping you.