Hardwood Flooring Archives - Page 3 of 22

Hardwood Flooring
June 7, 2022

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

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?

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
June 4, 2022

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.

Homeowners 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.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
May 21, 2022

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.

Your 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?

Hardwood Flooring
May 18, 2022

How Your Hardwood Flooring Changes Over The Years

When you install new hardwood flooring, you might expect a few changes as you get back to your daily routine. Still, you might not be prepared for the ways in which your new hardwood flooring will change over the years.

Weather
Seasons
Sunlight
Use
Color
Maintenance
Care

Many things can impact not only its appearance, but also the way it functions as well.

Hardwood flooring can change color

When most people install hardwood flooring, they gravitate towards adding rugs for both care and aesthetics. What surprises people is when they move the rug a few months later, and the floor underneath is visibly a different color.

Hardwood flooring darkens when exposed to ultraviolet, natural, and infrared light. When these three types of light interact with your hardwood finish, the color gradually changes. The planks receiving a daily blast of light will darken over time. The hardwood covered by rugs or furnishing will remain the color as installed.

How quickly hardwood changes color depends on the species of hardwood installed. Some respond faster to UV radiation and will darken at a faster pace. Red Oak remains a popular choice because it adjusts hue at a slower rate than other wood. Consider this carefully when finalizing which hardwood to install, especially if you have a lot of direct sunlight flowing into your home. Most hardwood will start changing in as little as three weeks, so it’s worth extra consideration before you install.

Hardwood flooring can change with the weather

Sunlight is something all Coloradoans have to think about. The harsh rays don’t go away when fall sets in. Sunshine can stream through your windows throughout the year.

Temperatures and weather patterns also impact wood, but even more discerning are humidity changes.

When a tree is alive and growing, sap deep inside the tree forms columns throughout each branch and the tree trunk, providing nutrients to the tree. Once it’s cut down and processed, those tiny columns remain ingrained in the wood. Those structures allow hardwood planks to expand and contract depending on inside conditions.

Manufacturers recommend hardwood flooring to remain at an inside humidity level between 35 and 55 percent. When temperatures increase and moisture dries up, it can cause shrinkage in the wood structure. When temperatures drop and moisture increases, expansion causes the wood planks to grow.

But it’s not always true that colder temperatures, along with rain or snow, will automatically expand hardwood flooring. Here in Colorado, cold winter days mean your furnace runs more frequently. And if that dries out the inside air supply, it can cause your hardwood flooring to shrink.

Long-term exposure to either can lead to devastating results with the aesthetics of your hardwood flooring. If the planks weren’t adequately acclimated to your home’s environment before installation, that expansion or contraction could start almost immediately after installation.

Caring for your hardwood flooring over time

Head outside in the spring and notice trees popping into life. You can watch them grow and change, budding, offering shade, producing fruit, and finally losing their leaves to hibernate for the winter.

Even after a tree has gone through the manufacturing process and is installed as hardwood planks inside your home, it still morphs and changes depending on the environment around it. That’s why it’s a good idea to be proactive in your maintenance schedule to ensure a long life for your hardwood flooring.

Spring in the Rockies means harsh changes in the weather. You can have 70 degree days with sunlight streaming in, followed by a blizzard later that evening. Tracking in ice and moisture can be hard on hardwood in the entryway, especially if it puddles up and stands in place for any length of time. Leaving a boot tray at the front door can be a handy way to ask people to remove their shoes and avoid the outside from being tracked in.

Summer can bring hot, dry weather to the Front Range, causing your inside environment to become more dehydrated. Invest in a hygrometer to keep you informed about inside humidity levels. If you aren’t running your air conditioner frequently, it’s good to have a humidifier if your inside environment becomes too dry.

Fall can bring the same changes as spring weather. Keep dirt and debris to a minimum as you request shoe removal by the front door. Because you may be using the air conditioner and furnace all on the same day, it’s important to pay attention to humidity levels. Consider using your humidifier to regulate inside levels at all times.

Winter brings added risk by tracking in ice and snow. Running your furnace every day can also cause the inside air to dry out. Homeowners often install whole-house humidifiers to ensure their homes are at a consistent 35 to 55 percent humidity level year-round.

Cleaning your hardwood is an ongoing process. Use a soft broom to keep dust and debris to a minimum. Vacuum once a week to ensure a clean surface. Avoid using harsh chemicals that could penetrate the finish. Never allow cleaning products to sit on the surface and puddle for extended periods of time. Water and moisture are not hardwood flooring’s friends.

Hardwood flooring aging … evenly

Hardwood flooring can be quite an investment, especially if you’re remodeling and changing other parts of your house. Many homeowners install hardwood flooring one room at a time, hoping to create flow-through over time.

This works well for your budget. Yet if this is your strategy, keep in mind that the first room may have shifted in color and texture over time. While the change might be slight, depending on your maintenance schedule, they may be far enough apart to block out the ability to notice the change. It’s still something to be aware of if you have a timeline for installing hardwood flooring over a several year timespan.

Is hardwood flooring right for you?

Whether you’re considering adding one room of hardwood at a time, or will be adding hardwood flooring throughout your home, being prepared for how it reacts to everyday living will help you enjoy the results even more.

Stop by today and see our complete selection of hardwood flooring. You’ll love the results.

Hardwood Flooring
May 14, 2022

Easy Ways To Protect Your Hardwood Flooring From Scratching

What’s holding you back from installing the flooring of your dreams?

Do you dream of hardwood flooring from one side of your home to the other? Do you see it adding ambiance to your home?

Are you holding back because you’re worried about it scratching?

Don’t worry; you’re not alone. It’s often one of the first questions homeowners ask when contemplating hardwood flooring installation. They’ve been dreaming about it … but they don’t want buyer’s remorse.

Hardwood flooring is something you’ve dreamed of for years.

They say hardwood flooring can last for decades. Even when they start looking a little rundown, you can sand them down and refinish them for a brand new look.

How easily will they scratch? And is there something you can do to protect hardwood flooring from scratching even before it begins?

What scratches hardwood flooring?

In order to fully protect your new flooring, it’s important to understand what the greatest risks are to stop scratching before it begins.

Footwear

By far, this can be one of the most damaging things to your floor’s finish. Take a look at the bottom of a shoe. See all of those tiny rocks stuck in there? They have the potential to scratch your floors. Running shoes aren’t the only culprits; high heels can scratch and dent. If you want to keep your floors looking their best, create a “shoes off” policy and have them checked by the door.

Furniture

Furniture is also a big culprit for scratching. If your kids bounce in the chairs and cause them to scoot across the floor, you might see tiny scratches appear over time. Before placing any furniture directly on hardwood, place pads on the bottom to avoid damage over time.

Pets

Do your pets love to play? Their nails can impact the finish of your hardwood flooring. Be sure to keep their nails well trimmed, as long nails can cause more significant damage to your floors.

What can you do to further prevent scratching?

Keeping your hardwood flooring looking great doesn’t require massive change. With just a few tweaks to your regular routine, you’ll have great-looking floors for years to come.

Take off your shoes

We can’t stress this enough. If you want great-looking floors – no matter what type of flooring you install – check your shoes at the front door.

You can encourage this by placing mats or a bin by the front door. Maybe add a bench to make it easy to sit down to zip or tie your shoes into place. You can even have a selection of slippers available to avoid cold feet. This is the easiest way to make this a habit, and your flooring will thank you for it.

Place entry mats by every door

We have it all here in Colorado – ice, snow, water, debris. How many times have you tracked in ice from the coldest days of winter? Or brought leaves and other debris when autumn sets in?

Placing mats at all entry points will allow visitors to wipe their feet before they enter your house. You can change them often to create a new look for your visitor and guests. We suggest placing entrance mats outside to give feet a chance to leave much of the debris outside. Then have another mat on the inside to leave your shoes behind. This double matting will ensure most of what you can track inside, stays far away from your hardwood floors.

Adding felt pads to everything

Many homeowners think about adding felt pads to sofas and chairs, but then forget other things that still have the potential for damage.

Bookcases, tables, desks, and hutches – if it sits on your floors, it has the potential for scratching. They make felt pads in a variety of shapes and sizes. Buy extras and have them available for when they fall off. Pay attention to quality. There are many inexpensive brands on the market, but some will do the job better than others.

Avoid rollers

Home offices are more popular than ever. But office chairs with rollers on the bottom can easily trap dirt and grit. Every time you roll across the floor, you risk having them scratch the floor.

If you have rollers on any furniture, consider placing rugs or mats to provide further protection.

Clean regularly

One of the best ways to ensure dirt doesn’t grind into your hardwood flooring finish is to sweep it up before it can cause damage. Use a soft sweeper to pick up dirt and debris and pull it away from your finish. Avoid harsh chemicals that can penetrate your floor’s finish.

Be sure to check with the manufacturer of your hardwood flooring for recommendations on products to use. Many on the market today have harsh chemicals that can dull or ruin the finish. Your manufacturer will usually provide guidelines right on their websites. Or feel free to give us a call – we’re happy to make recommendations.

Use rugs

Area rugs can be handy for keeping your floors clean. They are also a great way to improve aesthetics, and to add color and flair to your decor. If you have chairs that move frequently, such as in the dining room, an area rug can provide added protection. They also help reduce noise, which can be beneficial in an open concept home.

Be sure to get a durable rug pad to place underneath. Rug pads add to the rug’s overall comfort, durability, and warmth. It will also provide added protection to help reduce scratches even more. Some rug backings are stiff enough to scratch if they move around.

Are you still dreaming of hardwood flooring?

With the popularity of hardwood flooring, many homeowners find the risk of possible scratching worth it for the chance of having the right aesthetics inside their homes.

Don’t be afraid to install what you want. Hardwood flooring is tougher than you think.

With a bit of care and maintenance, you’ll be able to keep your hardwood flooring looking its best for years to come. And when they do need refreshing, it’s as simple as sanding them down and adding a new finish.

Are you ready to find the hardwood flooring of your dreams?

Hardwood Flooring
May 7, 2022

How Do You Blend Two Hardwood Floors?

When you have a new build, flooring can be installed to flow from one room to the next, blending well and looking its best.

However, few homeowners get the chance to add a new palette to start fresh and make flooring match. As time and budgets prevail, most of us live with the ebb and flow of renovation, doing a room here and another one there.

And that’s where the problems begin. You have hardwood in the living room or dining room. Now you want to add in the hallway or the kitchen.

It’s logical to think that you want it to flow and blend, as if it was all installed together.

Is that possible? And if not, how can you create a unified look for your home?

The first question … Do you care?

There seems to be a designer appeal of having every room in your home match. Having one solid hardwood floor run throughout your home creates a sense of unified space with appeal.

That may be a commonly held belief, but that doesn’t make it the right choice for you.

This is about your personality, your decorating choices, and the way you view your aesthetics.

Do you care if the same hardwood flooring exists from room to room?

Do variations bother you as you piece two separate rooms together?

For some, uniformity is a must. Without a flow-through from room to room, they will hate the ambiance it creates.

For others, they simply don’t care. They enjoy design and functionality on a room by room basis. If that means changing the flooring in each space, so be it.

What makes two different hardwood choices flow well together are transitions

Can you place two different hardwood choices together inside your home? Of course. Homeowners do it all the time.

Just head out to Google and start searching for images. Or visit Pinterest and explore your favorite decor sites. You’ll quickly find homeowners that have used hardwood flooring transitions and do them quite well.

But what you’ll quickly notice is that the key to making different flooring choices work well is the transitions. You can’t install two different sizes or color choices next to each other and expect them to work well together. You have to think about the presentation, and how it will look when finalized.

This transition needs to be planned, not happen by accident.

Flooring transitions are used anytime two different floors come together. It can be used if the flooring is of other materials, has different heights, or has different thicknesses. It creates a smooth boundary as you move from one area to the next.

There are several ways to transition from one material to another. What works best for you depends on the look you’re trying to create.

T-Molding – this is the easiest method, and is a great tool for blending different wood materials. You’ll often find these in natural transition areas, such as a doorway. They work best on floors at the same height.

Seam binder or transition strip – it’s a thin piece of wood material you can nail down across a wood flooring to bind two flooring types together. It’s a simple solution, but often looks rougher than other transitions because it can look tacked into place.

Metal transitions – a thin straight line of metal can provide an attractive, modern look to your floors. Just 1/8th of an inch wide, they can blend two separate wood colors nicely, and give you a contemporary look.

Threshold – a flat, rectangular block that looks and blends with hardwood flooring. It may look like hardwood, or resemble other materials such as stone or marble. They can be installed to blend in, or make a statement and stand out. They’re easy to install and can be cut to any size.

If both floors are the same thickness and height, you’ll have many options to transition between the two floors. However, sometimes you end up with floors of varying sizes. If that is the case, you’ll have to be more careful with the transition you install.

If it’s significant, you may need to look at rounded edge transitions used for flooring. This provides a buffer between the two heights and creates a smooth surface without becoming a tripping hazard.

The same … or different

If you won’t be using the same hardwood flooring from room to room, there are many ways of blending two separate flooring choices together.

It’s often better to choose two contrasting colors rather than trying to match them together. Two separate wood types with the same tonal qualities will blend well without looking like they were installed by mistake. One material will be darker than the other, complementary and in the same tone range. If you want them to match, you can work with a professional who will match the original wood and stain it for you.

If you cannot find the same material, it might be time to think about other flooring. This is often where homeowners select a natural tile, luxury vinyl planks, or other flooring choice for the kitchen and bath, while using hardwood throughout the rest of the main living space. When it becomes difficult to match or have it look pleasing to the eye, it might be better to move to an entirely different selection.

You can also use the structure of your room as a guide. If you have an open concept living space where each room blends into one another, transitioning can be a little trickier than if you have distinct rooms.

We often recommend selecting the right flooring for every room in your home. A dining space has different needs than a family room or a kitchen. Some questions you can ask include:

Is my room big or small?
How much light flows in during the day?
What ambiance am I trying to create?
Do I want noticeable transitions or do I want everything to blend?
Do I like dark floors, or is lighter better?

Blending two hardwood floors together

Whether you’re considering adding new flooring to every room in your home, or will be installing it one room at a time, you’ll have to decide on how to transition your choices as they flor throughout your home.

Need help in making the perfect selection? Stop by today. We can help you make the right decision to suit your needs.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
April 18, 2022

The Top Questions We Get About Bamboo Flooring

Have you set your sights on installing bamboo flooring in your home? Are you a little confused by what you’ve been reading online?

You’re not alone. Depending on what resource you read, bamboo is either the best or worse material for residential flooring.

We fall into the category that thinks it makes a great addition to any home. However, like any flooring choice, you have to understand how to care for and maintain it over time to truly fall in love with it, and enjoy it for years to come.

We get a lot of questions about bamboo flooring as people are trying to narrow down their choices. We thought we’d share them with you here to help you make up your mind as you’re deciding if bamboo flooring will make a welcome addition to your home.

Are there different types of bamboo flooring?

Yes, and this is where a lot of the confusion comes from. Bamboo flooring is usually broken down into two categories: solid and strand woven.

Solid bamboo is more traditional, where strips of bamboo are glued together to make a solid and stable floor covering. It’s made similarly to a traditional oak floor.

Strand woven is newer and more innovative in technology. Bamboo is shredded and woven together to create a stronger and more versatile floor. Strand woven is twice as strong as more traditional oak flooring.

Are there different kinds of strand woven bamboo flooring?

Yes! Innovation never stops, and you’ll find that once you start looking at strand woven bamboo flooring. The most common include:

Solid strand woven bamboo – this is twice as strong as traditional hardwood flooring, where bamboo strands are compressed under heavy pressure to create durable planks. They’re milled with a tongue-and-groove structure that allows them to be glued or nailed into place. Like hardwood, they can be refinished several times, giving you a long lifespan.

Engineered strand woven bamboo – this provides a thick strand woven bamboo wear layer over the top of a durable core. Like engineered hardwood, engineered bamboo gives you a tough, durable product that’s even easier to install with click-and-lock technology.

Rigid core strand woven bamboo – want an even stronger core? This may be your answer. These floors provide strand woven bamboo on the top layer, with a rigid polymer composite (SPC) core. This makes bamboo functional in places like kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms where moisture may be a problem. Some rigid core products also come equipped with a padded base that serves as a vapor barrier. This means it can be floated directly over concrete subfloors without need of an underlayment. If you’ve debated about what to install in your basement, rigid core strand woven bamboo may be your solution.

Is strand woven bamboo flooring eco-friendly?

Yes! That’s what leads a lot of homeowners to look at bamboo as a flooring option.

Most of the world’s bamboo is grown in China. Bamboo is a regenerating grass, so it grows much faster than hardwood trees. That makes it more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

This regenerative grass matures within five years. Once harvested, it has self-regenerating properties that won’t require replanting.

To be truly eco-friendly, pay attention to growth and harvesting practices. Look to ensure the manufacturer follows best practices, and allows healthy harvesting and regeneration qualities. Certification by organizations such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) will ensure best practices.

Is strand woven bamboo flooring better than hardwood?

Like all types of flooring, it’s a personal choice. Many homeowners have installed bamboo flooring and are very happy with the results. The more research you do about the product to ensure it fits your lifestyle, the better chance of being pleased with the results.

Hardwood and strand woven bamboo flooring are both made from natural materials, can be refinished several times, have a similar feel and comfort level, are easy to maintain, and are installed in similar fashion.

The differences include:

Bamboo is made from a regenerative grass, while hardwood comes from trees
Bamboo matures in five years, while hardwood can take up to 60 years to reach maturity
Bamboo is often more affordable than hardwood
Strand woven bamboo usually has a Janka hardness rating of as much as three times that of traditional hardwood

Does strand woven bamboo expand and contract like hardwood?

Both bamboo and hardwood are made from hygroscopic material, which means they absorb moisture from the air in the environment. Both products do well in a balanced moisture environment.

When relative humidity decreases, there is less moisture in the air. This causes the final product to contract, which can cause gaps in the planks.

As relative humidity rises, it brings more moisture to the air. More humidity can cause buckling as the final product expands.

No matter which product you choose, acclimating it to your home’s environment is an important part of the process. If moisture is a problem, look towards engineered or rigid core.

Is strand woven bamboo flooring durable?

Yes! If you’ve grown to love hardwood, but want something even more durable, you’re going to love what strand woven bamboo brings to your home.

Strand woven bamboo is a robust and durable product. But like any flooring material, it can be damaged over time. If you drag heavy furniture across it, you’ll notice light scratches. Drop heavy pans or sharp objects, and you may notice dents. It can withstand a lot of pressure; it just depends on what hits it, and the amount of force behind it.

The key to its success is maintenance. Luckily, the process to keep it clean doesn’t take too much effort. Use a dust mop or a vacuum with soft, non-rotating bristles to keep dust and debris away. For extra dirty floors or a more deep cleaning, a simple solution will do the trick. Check with manufacturer’s guidelines before using any cleaning product to ensure it doesn’t damage the finish. Never use a wet or steam mop to ensure best results.

What questions do you have about strand woven bamboo flooring?

If we can answer any of your questions, give us a call. Whether you’re finalizing your flooring choice, or still have general questions, we’re happy to provide you with solid advice.

How can we help you?

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
April 14, 2022

Why Hard Floors Produce a Healthier Living Environment

A lot can go into selecting flooring for your home. You might start with a specific material in mind. Or have a certain color you prefer.

Thanks to the pandemic, we’re seeing more homeowners start with another request: clean flooring. Hard floors produce a healthier living environment. And that shows up in preferences. Studies consistently show hardwood tops the list of what buyers want for their homes.

Whether you’re designing a home, or remodeling your existing one, starting with a hard floor surface area provides the basis for a clean, healthy place to live.

Why are more homeowners turning to hard floors?

They’re easy to clean, disinfect, and sanitize

Homes get messy. Gravity ensures that.

But if you start with a base that’s easy to clean, those messes your family makes won’t bother you. You’ll simply wipe them away.

Hard floors give you a clean surface area that’s easy to sweep up dirt, hair, and other debris that accumulates. It’s easy to swish it away, reaching every corner effortlessly.

For a deeper clean, you can use antibacterial cleaners approved by your flooring’s manufacturer to ensure the surface area is free of pathogens and other germs. Just ask; we can provide you with the best care solutions to ensure your flooring stays looking good for years. You can also check online with your flooring manufacturer for their list of suggested cleaning products. Stick with their guidelines to ensure your flooring continues to look great, and remains under warranty.

They don’t trap dust or allergens

The smooth, hard surface area of hard flooring ensures dust, dirt, pet dander, pollen, and other debris sits on top of the surface and doesn’t burrow down into the material. It’s easy to wipe it away. A clean environment reduces your allergy symptoms, and may lessen other respiratory issues.

They provide better air quality

Right now, Americans spend, on average, 90 percent of their time indoors. Studies show that concentrations of some pollutants can be 2 to 5 times higher than what you’ll typically find outdoors.

Pollutants can be found in a lot of places inside your home:

VOCs in building materials
Harmful chemicals in cleaning products
Chemicals released in the cooking process

These are just to start.

Yet your flooring is the basis for your home design. It can trap and harbor dust mites, allergens, and other debris as it enters and settles onto your floors.

Many hard flooring surfaces are a natural byproduct, which means they are created using healthier materials. Because they are hard, they are easier to keep clean, meaning they won’t trap the particles that can make you sick. For many, the basis of home aesthetics starts with hard floors.

Which hard floor is healthy?

As you browse through different flooring options, it’s easy to get confused by the sheer number of choices. How do you know which to pick? Which direction should you go?

We have three healthy flooring choices that give you clean living options while ensuring you love the results.

Hardwood

If you search through our site, stop by our store, or chat with one of our associates, you’ll find hardwood flooring moves to the top of the list for all sorts of reasons.

And if you’re looking for hard floors to produce a healthier living environment, hardwood remains at the top of the list. Why? Because it’s a natural product that provides classic good looks to any room in your home.

If you are considering hardwood, look for manufacturers that care about the production process. Select solid hardwood that comes with the Forest Stewardship Council, or FSC, seal. With this seal in place, you’ll ensure that the forest is properly managed according to FSCs rigorous social and environmental standards.

It stretches beyond the materials used for hardwood flooring. It also applies to the glue used to adhere hardwood to the subfloor, and the stains and seals used to keep your hardwood planks looking good for years. Many products use certification programs like GREENGUARD to reduce indoor air pollution and the risk of chemical exposure.

When a manufacturer uses these labels, you can feel better about the products and materials you’re bringing into your home.

Natural linoleum

While hardwood may work well for most rooms in your home, linoleum can be an option in moisture-prone areas like bathrooms. Both water-resistant and resilient, natural linoleum can be a great choice for bathrooms, laundry rooms, and even kitchens.

Linoleum is made from linseed oil, pine resin, wood flour, cork flour, limestone, and pigments, pressed and held together by a jute backing. This affordable, low-maintenance option can be installed over both concrete or wood subfloors, and only requires an occasional coat of natural wax for care and upkeep. With proper maintenance, this flooring choice can last for years.

Ceramic, Porcelain, and Glass Tile

If you’re looking for more water-resistance in your bathrooms and kitchen, ceramic, porcelain, and glass tile may be the solution. Tile can be a sustainable choice. You can look for options made from recycled materials to bump up the environmental-friendliness of the product.

To ensure it’s the healthiest on the market, focus on low-VOC production, adhesives, and sealants. GREENGUARD-certified products can point you in the right direction. Also, use cement-based grout, which doesn’t emit harmful VOCs.

Hard surfaces last longer

For many homeowners, it’s a constant juggle of keeping the aesthetics fresh and new, while ensuring updates and care fit within your budget.

If you don’t want to be replacing your flooring every few years, hard surfaces give you the longest life possible.

Ceramic, porcelain, and glass tiles can last 20 years or more. The grout may need scrubbing and resealing every five years or so, but with proper maintenance, it’ll continue looking good for years.

Linoleum can last for decades with proper care. Keep the surface clean from dirt and debris, as this can mar the surface area. Moisture, spills, and harsh chemicals can be hard on the surface. Be sure to use manufacturer-approved cleaners, and wipe up messes quickly to avoid damage.

Hardwood has the added bonus of being refinished. Depending on the hardness and size of each plank, you can refinish it several times. This adds to its longevity. Instead of replacing the entire flooring, refinish it to make it look brand new. You can update based on trends, or as your preferences change.

Is now the time you update your flooring for a healthier living environment?

Start with hard floor surfaces. You’ll love the results.

Hardwood Flooring
February 28, 2022

Mixed Hardwood Flooring May Be Just What You’re Looking For

Hardwood flooring can be expensive. That’s why many homeowners prefer to remodel one room at a time, adding new flooring to each room as they update.

But that causes a dilemma that’s widely debated among designers:

Is mixed hardwood flooring an acceptable design trend inside a home?
Is it okay to have two different wood floors, especially when they’re close together or touching?
Can you mix different hardwood flooring brands, and not create a mishmash appearance when moving from room to room?
What about using different planks, different materials, and different tones as you install a wood floor in your home?

What mixed hardwood flooring really means

Flooring is never an exact science. What works for one home might not work for another. What’s recommended by one designer may be shunned by the next. In design, rules exist. At the same time, rules are meant to be broken.

That’s because every homeowner has a different approach to design.

Maybe you’re building your dream home one room at a time. Hardwood is expensive; yet you know if it’s well cared for, it can last decades. Why not install one room at a time?

Or maybe you’re looking for ways to display your individuality. You love different looks, and want personality in your home. Why can’t you mix different types of hardwood?

With a little bit of research, you can find your ideal design displayed online. Using visuals as your queue, we can help you create a floor you’ll be proud to walk on every single day.

When we refer to mixing hardwood flooring, we believe it can refer to two different things.

First, mixing hardwood can mean adding a particular product to each individual room, each in its own time. This allows you to remodel based on budget and time constraints, and gives you flexibility of selecting products for the project when the work is performed.

Second, mixing hardwood can also refer to using two different types or styles of hardwood planks, and using them to create a unique flooring pattern in one area of your home. If you like both a light and darker color, why not mix the two together?

Can you do that?

Why not?

The look and feel of your home’s decor should always be about what’s most pleasing to you. If you do any searching online for design ideas, you’ll find many opportunities waiting for you.

Hardwood in its natural form contains many different undertones, colors, and shades. Even if you stick with one product line, you’ll often find planks with other characteristics, personality that shines when it’s laid into place. That adds depth and character to your space, making your design truly one of a kind.

Ask yourself: Do I like uniformity? Do I prefer creativity? Am I okay showcasing differences as I move from room to room? Use this to guide you to the right choices.

Advantages of using the same flooring throughout your home

If you love hardwood and want it in a variety of rooms in your home, should you use the same product throughout? For many homeowners, it’s the only way.

By installing one product, one color, one design, you increase a natural flow throughout your home. It creates a calm and soothing image as you move from room to room.

For some fans of hardwood, this is a great way to create harmony in every room. Rather than focusing on each room as an individual, you set the stage for the personality of your entire home.

This also allows you to create your base with a flooring choice you’ll love for years to come. While it might be a bigger hit to your budget upfront, you’ll know you have a solid base to work with for years – decades – into the future. Because hardwood can be sanded and refinished multiple times, even if you want to change things up, you can always play with the color. This can lead to cost savings throughout the life of owning your home.

If minimalism and conformity are important to you, a uniform hardwood base may be perfect for you. It’s less time thinking about how things flow together. It creates a stunning appearance in every room of your home.

Advantages of mixed hardwood flooring throughout your home

Have you entered other homes and felt a sense of sameness that isn’t necessarily appealing? If you’ve seen one hardwood floor, you’ve seen them all. “Boring” is the only word that comes to mind as you see an endless amount of sameness throughout the open concept floorplan.

That’s not a feeling every homeowner likes. Or wants.

And that’s okay.

Mixing hardwood allows you to let your creative juices flow.

If you want to clearly define the purpose of each room, decorating each separately allows you to design based on needs. Kitchens are messier than bedrooms. Having more color, character, and texture may make it easier to hide the messes that undoubtedly will happen every time you step into the kitchen to cook. Bedrooms are meant for tranquility – maybe a calmer texture and a softer color are just what you were looking for.

Manufacturers also know that people have different tastes in design. If you stick with one manufacturer, you’ll find an array of stains and color options, yet the quality of the product remains the same. Instead of worrying about how grains and textures will match, vary the colors, tones, and materials, letting the floor be your canvas and creating a dynamic new look.

Mixing your hardwood flooring as you go along also gives you more flexibility when things go wrong/ If your child “forgets” to mention the spilled juice box for hours, you can easily replace a few planks and get right back to living. No worrying about matching – you can work in smaller areas and achieve the same results.

Can you have mixed hardwood flooring throughout your home?

Why not?

Let your creative juices flow, and create the home of your dreams.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
February 21, 2022

Decided To Install Hardwood? Here’s How You Pick The Right Color

Honey maple or golden oak? Red chestnut or red mahogany?

When you’ve finally decided to install hardwood flooring throughout your home, one of the most difficult parts of the process is honing in on the right color. It can be agonizing moving between several closely related colors. One has a little more red, the other is a bit more yellow. Which will be the easiest to live with for years to come?

Before you get to color, start with material first

Hardwood is hardwood … right? If you’ve been shopping for any length of time, you know there are big differences between different materials.

If you walk through a forest, or even take in the landscape as you travel to various regions of the world, you know different trees take on unique characteristics. An elm or ash tree looks vastly different from a pine.

Their outward appearance dictates how they will act as flooring material. The Janka Hardness Scale is designed to help you understand the qualities of individual wood. A wood’s hardness is evaluated by the amount of force needed to drive a .444 inch steel ball into the wood at half the ball’s diameter. It’s measured in pounds-force, and gives you an idea of just how hard specific materials are. While strand-woven bamboo is at the upper end of the scale in the 4,000s, a Douglas fir is at the lower end around 700.

Red oak is considered the mainstay in the industry. Because of its abundance, it is used widely as building material, including hardwood flooring planks. It carries a rating of 1290, meaning it pairs hardness with durability, making it a workhorse in the average family home.

Harder materials aren’t always better. The harder the floor, the less give it has to everyday activities. If you drop a glass, or your toddler falls, hardness may not be the best addition to your home. Harder materials are also more difficult to cut, drive nails into, or piece together for finishing work. Installation costs will be higher with more rigid materials. It’s a careful balance of personality, aesthetics, and functionality.

Color, color everywhere

As you’re finalizing your color choice, it goes without saying that your flooring color should match the aesthetics of your home. Cabinet color, appliance color, wall paint, furniture patterns – a mishmash of color will leave a room feeling chaotic at best. Your new hardwood should also blend well with other existing flooring materials inside your home.

Complementing existing colors may be necessary to create visual appeal. But you don’t always want exact matches in order to create harmony inside a room. Too much of one color can leave a room feeling flat. Instead, opt for complementary rather than identical.

In most cases, small rooms do better with lighter colors. Light colored wood floors will open up a room, leaving it feeling fresh and airy.

Exotic woods have become a trend in recent years. This includes hardwood like Brazilian Cherry or mahogany. There’s no mistaking these dark woods add sophistication and elegance to any room. But they may not be for every home. They are perfect for the kitchen, bathrooms, or even living spaces where quiet sophistication is what you choose to display.

We’ve also seen an uptick in patterned hardwood. This can be worked into your home in several ways. Parquet flooring is rising in popularity because of the intricate patterns it can add to a room. Or consider mixing different types of materials to get a unique hardwood pattern that’s all your own.

Let’s get into specifics

We’ve noticed homeowners are choosing bolder, richer colors. While standard oak finishes have become staple in homes all across America, right here in the Front Range, people are playing off our love of the great outdoors. Why not have fun with the color choices you make?

Instead of sticking with a standard color with little variance, homeowners are getting into mixed hardwood species, or using reclaimed wood blends for a unique look. Wild patterns and bold textures can make your flooring stand out, not just blend in with the surroundings.

If boldness isn’t quite up to your tastes, maybe you prefer hardwood with a natural appeal. We’re seeing an influx of gray tones mix into hardwood flooring choices. Flooring with smoky undertones adds both drama and character that can be appealing in some homes. This gives a rustic, edgy look that can lighten up any space.

Want even lighter? Bleached or whitewashed floors are also making a comeback. For contemporary, modern spaces, you can’t go wrong with the smooth, pleasing look that belaced or whitewashed flooring brings to a room. We love it because it puts the focus on natural wood grain, without making the floor look busy. It’s a great way to let the vibrancy of your home shine through.

And while many homeowners become fixed on color, you do have other ways to make your color choice shine through. Why not play with the size of the planks you install too? Plank size puts the natural grain and variance of the wood choice on display. We love wider planks because you notice the rich texture of the wood rather than the spacing between the boards. If you’re looking for a smooth, contemporary finish to bring into your space, this may be the perfect way to do it.

Final thoughts on hardwood color choices

If you stick with a standard color, standard material, it’ll never go out of style.

But if you want to bump up your selection, add more personality to your home, and move to something a bit more edgy, that might leave you stuck on what to do.

Trendy styles and colors will help sell a home in the short turn. If you’re thinking of selling, and are remodeling to get the most bang for your buck, select what current designers are showcasing. Right now, that includes super dark flooring colors, planks with undertones of gray, or natural-looking floorboards that look like you pulled them directly from nature.

Classic looks will never go out of style. If you’re having trouble deciding, worried about how you’ll feel in a few years, we often recommend erring on the side of classic. You’ll never be sorry when you stick with tones that have been around for years.

And if you’re really worried about which selection to make, go with your gut instinct first.

Whether you love light or dark, want earthy tones, or love bright colors, chances are you find yourself walking up to similar color patterns again and again. There’s a reason for that.

That’s your personality shining through.

Trust your gut. Select a hardwood color choice that resonates with you.

That’s the color that’ll look good in your home. One you’ll love for many years to come.