Here’s today’s article - enjoy!. "How to Care for Your Hardwood Floors" has been reviewed by our editorial staff to ensure that it is appropriate for this blog. We hope you enjoy it.
The legal stuff: - We are not able to guarantee 100% accuracy of the article’s contents. Other articles with the topic "hardwood floors" can be viewed by going to the articles category page.
Please contact us if you feel that there is anything within todays article that is inaccurate or misleading. Please use the following reference: "How to Care for Your Hardwood Floors".
A beautiful hardwood floor is an asset to almost any home, and more and more homeowners are using hardwood floors to bring warmth and style to their home. But once you have a beautiful wood floor installed, what can you do to make sure that it stays looking gorgeous for years to come?
The very first thing you should know about hardwood floors is that water is one of its worst enemies. So if any spills take place, be sure to clean them up as soon as you possibly can. In fact, it may be a good idea not only to wipe out the spill, but also use a wet/dry vacuum to make sure that you get all of the moisture out of the floor.
That also means that when you are cleaning your floor with a mop, it's best to use a very dry damp mop that will not leave any excess water on the floor that can seep into the seams and cause problems.
To avoid the moisture problem, most often it's best to either sweep your wood floors or vacuum them instead. Sweeping should always be done with a very soft bristle broom, and whenever you vacuum be sure that it is set properly for use on would floors. Do not try to use the same setting for your carpet on your wood floors too.
Much damage can also be inflicted on a wood floor from moving objects across the floor. From time to time we all move furniture around, but on a wood floor you have to think very carefully before making the move. You never want to drag furniture across the floor, as this is an excellent way to badly damage and mar your floor. If you have to move furniture in the room where your wood floor is located, be sure to take the furniture up off the floor when moving, or use special furniture pads that will allow you to glide the furniture across the floor without leaving a mark.
Keeping dirt, sand, and grit off your floor will be very important. So the proper use of carpeting can really help extend the life of a wood floor. Using a floor mat at each entrance will help catch dirt and grit as a person walks into the room instead of depositing it on the hardwood floor. In addition, using area rugs and runners can be another very effective first line of defense against harmful abrasive materials that can wear down the beauty and shine of even the best wood floor. And be sure to keep your rugs and runners well vacuumed.
If at all possible, try to keep family and visitors from wearing shoes, or especially high heels on hardwood floors, as these can easily do damage and cause dents.
Finally, a good practice is to install furniture pads underneath the legs of any chairs or tables that are placed on your wood floor. They are usually readily available at most home improvement stores or hardware stores and are very inexpensive. That they can go a long way toward protecting your wood floors from unnecessary damage.
None of these suggestions are hard to follow, or will cost very much to implement. But if you put them in practice on a regular basis, you can expect to see your wood floors continue to look bright, shiny, and beautiful for many years to come.
Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including home improvement. You can find the best laminate flooring and cheap laminate flooring by visiting our Home Improvement website.
Additional Resources
Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on hardwood flooring, hardwood floors or bamboo hardwood flooring. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource
Here’s today’s article - enjoy!. "Wood Floors - All About Wood Floors" was chosen only after one of editorial staff read over it and considered it suitable for our blog. We hope you enjoy it.
The legal stuff: - We are not able to guarantee 100% accuracy of the article’s contents. Related articles on "wood floors" can be found on the articles category page.
Please contact us if there is anything about todays article you feel is inaccurate or misleading. Please use the following reference: "Wood Floors - All About Wood Floors".
Wood floor installation
Wood is a superior floor covering in all but wet locations. Wood flooring is available in strips, planks and tiles, either solid or laminated. Made of hardwood, generally maple, cherry or oak; the strips and tiles have tongue-and-groove joints for secure laying. Most types are available finished or unfinished, and rough planking can be up to one foot wide, although rarely used because wide boards are more susceptible to curling and cupping.
Laminated wood flooring
Laminated wood floorings are normally comprised of a hardwood veneer over a solid pine core, or several layers of hardwood glued together under pressure, much like plywood. They are available in a variety of sizes and designs, and sometimes parquet tiles will be attached to a fabric backing, to facilitate faster, easier alignment. Laminated wood flooring is usually glued in place, and can be laid over any clean, dry sub-floor. Special methods and precautions must be observed when installing hardwood flooring on concrete, especially in basements where potential humidity levels may be sufficient to cause the wood to swell and buckle upwards.
If your sub-floor is rough or uneven, an underlay of 1/4" plywood properly installed, will aid in the installation, appearance and longevity of your hardwood floor. It will also help reduce squeaks and the potential for cracking. If the new floor is higher than any adjacent floors, the edges (especially in doorways) should be finished with rounded or tapered hardwood mouldings.
The underlay can be covered with 15 lb. felt (sometimes known as tar paper, roofing felt, or building paper) which will further reduce squeaking and add to the life of the floor. Handling and storage is extremely important, and wood flooring materials should be allowed to rest for a minimum of one week in the area in which they are to be installed. This will allow the moisture content of the wood to reach some equilibrium with it's surroundings; otherwise the floor boards may shrink or swell, sometimes quite drastically. The flooring should parallel the room's long dimension, scattering the end-to-end joints, and leaving a perimeter gap equal to the thickness of the boards. Experienced flooring people will know just how tight to lay the boards, depending on the moisture content of the wood, and the relative humidity level in the room(s) on the day of installation.
Nailing hardwood
The choice of nails, or other fasteners, is also critical to the successful installation of your floor. With unfinished flooring, the fasteners must be properly set, to facilitate sanding prior to finishing.
FLOATING FLOORS are made of laminated floor panels, laid over 1/8" high-density foam Floating wood floor system, over concrete slab.underlay, and glued at the joints. For basement floors, 6-mil polyethylene vapour barrier can be laid under the foam. Consult with your materials supplier and/or other experienced people before attempting to install a hardwood floor in a basement.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Selecting, installing and finishing a hardwood floor can be a rewarding experience, but do your homework first! If you have minimal experience working with wood, or you're unsure about the particular installation, you should consider hiring a professional. The cost of the materials is quite high as compared to other floor coverings, and a professional installation will guard against damage, and guarantee satisfaction with your new hardwood floor.
Copyright Gil Strachan - All rights reserved.
Gil Strachan is a professional home inspector, representing Electrospec Home Inspection Services in east-central Ontario, Canada since 1994. Visit http://www.allaroundthehouse.com to learn more about home inspections.
"The Home Reference Book" You can probably find a home inspection for a little less than what we ask, but you probably won't find the Home Reference Book. A $60 value, this solutions-oriented reference tool comes free with every inspection we perform. It's the first tool you should have around the house!
Additional Resources
Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on exotic hardwood flooring, engineered hardwood flooring or laminate hardwood flooring. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource
Here is today’s feature article - Happy reading!. "The Benefits of Pre-finished Hardwood Floors" was chosen only after one of editorial staff read over it and considered it suitable for our blog. We hope you find this information useful.
The legal stuff: - We are not able to guarantee 100% accuracy of the article’s contents. Other articles with the topic "wood floors" can be found on the articles category page.
Please contact us if you feel that there is anything within todays article that is inaccurate or misleading. Please use this reference: "The Benefits of Pre-finished Hardwood Floors".
Pre-finished floors come with an extended factory finish warranty unlike unfinished floors. The heavy duty finishes are urethane-based. Within a few minutes, a number of urethane coatings can be applied on planks using ultra violet lights. However, you also have the option of unfinished hardwood flooring. The pre-finished hardwood floors have a definite advantage, as clean up and labor is not required and one can choose from a number of wood species. Unfinished floors need sanding and coating after they are secured while pre-finished floors do not.
Pre-finished hardwood floors are cheaper and can be maintained easily. Addition of aluminum oxide chips to the finish, a recent advancement, makes urethane finish more durable. Pre-finished hard wood flooring made from red oak is cheaper than floors made of white oak. Red oak flooring is soft and its grain pattern is open.
Pre-finished products are usually available in three or four colors. The surface of pre-finished engineered floor has a hardwood veneer that is known as the “wear layer”. The layer may be thin or thick. The thickness of this layer will determine how many times refinishing can be done. In some products, refinishing is not possible.
Pre-finished products can be installed quickly and easily. Pre-finished products are not prone to seasonal contractions and expansion, and generally pre-finished products come with 15 and 25 years warranties. A variety of finishes and kinds of wood are available for pre-finished floor. The finished wear layers are better than those applied on job-sites. Factory applied finishes are more abrasion resistant and are free of dust, hair, swirl marks, etc. These evenly applied heavy duty finishes do not have an odor.
A pre-finished hardwood floor is processed and finished in a factory. It does not need sanding or finishing.
Hard Wood Floors provides detailed information on installing, cleaning and refinishing various types of hardwood floors, including engineered, solid, long-strip, exotic, pre-finished, and cheap hardwood floors. Hard Wood Floors is the sister site of Bamboo Flooring Web.
Additional Resources
Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on hardwood floors, exotic hardwood flooring or laminate hardwood flooring. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource
Here’s today’s article - enjoy!. "Wood Floors - What You Need To Know" has been reviewed by our editorial staff to ensure that it is appropriate for this blog. We hope you enjoy it.
The legal side: - Sorry but we cannot guarantee the content as 100% accurate. Similar articles on "wood floors" can easily be found for your viewing pleasure on the articles category page.
Please contact us if you feel that there is anything within todays article that is inaccurate or misleading. Please use this reference: "Wood Floors - What You Need To Know".
Wood floors are beautiful and elegant and can add class to any home or office. The floors can last for many years without much cost to you. There are many types of wood floors giving you the choice to choose what kind of floor you want. The types of floors are as follows below.
1. Solid Parquet Floor 3/4” & less
2. Engineered Floor – Strip, Plank, Parquet
3. Solid Plank Floor 3/4”*3” and up
4. Solid Strip Floor – T & G up to ¾” up to 3/4”
You can get these floors prefinished, or unfinished.
There are also different ways to install a wood floor. These floors can be floated, glued, or nailed. When floated or glued the floors can be laminated.
Wood floors are a one time investment and very much worth every penny. They will raise value of the house, and impress potential buyers if you ever think of selling. The floors are easily cleaned and maintained. There are even cleaning products specifically for wood floors.
There are many types of coloring you can choose from. There are blonde wood floors and then dark cherry wood floors. Both can go with any kind of decorating scheme you can come up with.
Hand painted wood floors are also available at a cost. These floors have become very popular. There are different techniques to use when hand painting a floor. You can paint, stain, or tint the floor. Whatever makes you happiest.
When choosing to go with a wood floor you will want to go through your home and decide which rooms will have the floors. Then you will want to choose your color of wood and what kind of finish you would like to go with. Take the time and be picky.
Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on refinishing hardwood floors, oak hardwood flooring or prefinished hardwood flooring. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource
Today’s Feature Article. "Engineered Hardwood Flooring : Reliable Floors to the Core" was chosen only after one of editorial staff read over it and considered it suitable for our blog. We hope you find its contents enjoyable.
The legal side: - Sorry but we cannot guarantee the content as 100% accurate. Related articles on "hardwood flooring" can be viewed by going to the articles category page.
Please contact us if there is anything about todays article you feel is inaccurate or misleading. Please use this reference: "Engineered Hardwood Flooring : Reliable Floors to the Core".
Many people quite rightly seek out solid hardwood flooring as the best means to add certain warmth, class, and an atmosphere of homey comfort to an interior. But, as many find out, hardwood flooring can have limitations in areas that are prone to climatic changes; when it is humid or damp, an unfortunate effect in hardwood is often the swelling or cupping of the hardwood flooring boards. When looking to invest in long-lasting and attractive flooring therefore, one of the things to look out for is a flooring material that is likely to respond to these sorts of environmental changes without losing any of its structural stability, or its attractiveness. A solution that many have discovered for versatility, attractiveness, and with a robust design noted for structural stability is engineered hardwood flooring. But what is engineered hardwood, and what makes it so resistant to the climatic forces which usually spell doom for solid hardwood flooring?
Engineered Hardwood Flooring: Anatomy Lesson
Engineered hardwood flooring is made up of two main elements: the top layer and the core. The core is made up of stacked layers of medium or high-density fiberboard, or sometimes plywood, which most often range from 3 ply to 7 ply construction. This stacking design acts as a means to allow the flooring to counteract the effects of humidity on the natural wood, allowing each board to expand and contract without warping or cupping. As you may guess, this makes for a hardwood floor that is suitable for an installation in an area that is not environmentally controlled, or that is characterized by higher levels of dampness or humidity, such as a basement installation. The top layer of engineered hardwood floors is a species of real wood. In this sense, engineered floors are as “genuine” as any hardwood floor, with real wood that lends a space a decorative dimension that most people interested in hardwood are looking for. So, with engineered hardwood flooring, you get the functionality and toughness that the core allows, as well as the refined beauty of the real hardwood top layer that is indistinguishable to the eye from solid hardwood.
Installing Engineered Hardwood Floors
An advantage that engineered flooring has over many flooring options is that you can install it in any room, either above or below ground. It is also generally designed to be installed quickly and easily. This is advantageous not only for the do-it-yourselfer, but also to the hardwood flooring contractor who may offer engineered hardwood as a means of moving from one flooring contract to another quickly, but without sacrificing quality. With many engineered hardwood flooring lines, there is no need for nailing the boards down to the subfloor. This has a couple of implications. First, that a concrete slab subfloor is a suitable substrate on which to install engineered hardwood, unlike solid hardwood. Second, that many engineered hardwood flooring lines can either be floated, as you would a laminate floor, or glued down. As long as you subfloor is clean, level and dry, engineered hardwood flooring is a versatile option that can yield successful results without the need to consider whether or not a subfloor is suitable for a nail-down installation.
In the case of a floating floor, remember to use a reliable vapor barrier between the subfloor and your flooring. The adhesives used in a glue-down option often add the advantage of acting as a built-in vapor barrier. Ask the professionals about the details on your chosen line of engineered hardwood flooring.
Locking Systems For Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Most types of engineered hardwood feature a tongue and groove locking system. These are designed for a level of precision that makes for a refined flooring surface that is free of unsightly gaps between the boards. Once again, versatility and practicality are the distinguishing features of engineered hardwood flooring. Often, these types of locking systems allow you to take up the boards at a later date when necessary, if youÂ’ve chosen a floating floor option. So, you can take your floor with you when youÂ’re moving house, or allow you to more easily replace any damaged boards. When making a purchase, it is a good idea to ask whether your chosen line of engineered hardwood flooring allows for this feature.
Radiant Heat and the Engineered Hardwood Floor
Radiant heat is a welcome feature to many households and commercial interiors. But, when choosing a flooring option, it is important to note the impact that radiant heating may have in the short term as well as the long term. For solid hardwood, radiant heat can have a significantly negative effect; the radiant heating can severely dry out the hardwood, which in turn causes the boards to warp and cup as they would if they were exposed to excessive moisture. Luckily, engineered hardwood has been designed to counteract this tendency, just as it has in the case of humidity and dampness in a below-grade or non-environmentally controlled interior. Once again, the core of the engineered floor expands and contracts accordingly, while preserving the structural stability of the board and the attractiveness of the top layer.
Freedom with Engineered Hardwood Flooring!
With engineered floors, you are free to consider the possibilities of using hardwood in areas that would mean disaster for a solid hardwood floor. Engineered hardwood floors allow you all of the beauty and organic feel, as well as a greater range of options as far as the location of your installation. With the dual features of an attractive top layer that is a real hardwood species, and a core which is designed to shift and move with climatic changes, engineered hardwood flooring is perfect for a basement installation, or an installation in a summer home or cottage that is not environmentally controlled all year round. Along with these functional benefits, engineered hardwood floors are often less expensive than their solid hardwood counterparts, making them worth serious consideration on a budgetary level. With all of its features that allow these advantages, engineered hardwood truly stands as being in a class by itself.
Here is a list of things to consider when purchasing, installing and maintaining your engineered hardwood floor:
Do:
Consider the area where you will be installing your engineered hardwood floor in terms of moisture levels and foot traffic – use this to help you to choose the species of flooring that is right for what you have in mind
Allow for a certain level of wastage per square foot when placing an order, depending on your level of expertise. You are the best judge of how much this will be, but a good range in general is 7-10% for non-professional installers
Read all installation instructions and warranty information very carefully
Consult any information about your radiant heating system in order to learn the best practice when using it under an engineered hardwood floor
Inspect your batch of engineered hardwood flooring for any defects before you begin an installation
Make sure that your subfloor is clean, dry and level before you install your engineered flooring
Clean your engineered hardwood floors frequently, seeing to spills immediately using DRY or DAMP mops, vacuums, and cloths
Use rugs and runners to protect high traffic areas and access points to the outdoors. This will minimize the amount of dirt and grit that can negatively effect the finish of your engineered hardwood flooring
DonÂ’t:
Use wax-based cleaners, harsh detergents, abrasives, or steel wool to clean engineered hardwood flooring
Apply finish to an engineered hardwood floor that has already been finished at the factory
Overwet engineered hardwood when cleaning – excessive moisture can still have a negative effect on your flooring, just as it would with solid hardwood
Wear spike-heels or athletic spikes on your engineered hardwood floors
This is of course by no means a comprehensive list. When making a purchase or caring for an existing floor, it can be a great benefit to consult with the experts. Local flooring contractors and sales experts in the industry are two great sources of information when you are seeking to make an informed purchase or when organizing a cleaning regimen. It is always a good idea to talk with the professionals and use their years of experience in flooring to your advantage.
Rob Jones is Communications Coordinator with BuildDirect, a leading online wholesaler of building products. Rob writes articles for commercial contractors and DIYers on features, installation, and maintenance of building materials used in commercial and residential projects. These articles focus on materials such as flooring, decking, roofing, and siding, and other related topics.
Additional Resources
Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on prefinished hardwood flooring, bamboo hardwood flooring or hardwood flooring tools. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource
Today’s Feature Article. "Why the Best Flooring Idea is to Install Hardwood Floors" was chosen only after one of editorial staff read over it and considered it suitable for our blog. We hope you find its contents enjoyable.
The legal side: - Sorry but we cannot guarantee the content as 100% accurate. Similar articles on "wood floors" can be viewed by going to the articles category page.
Please contact us if there is anything about todays article you feel is inaccurate or misleading. Please use the following reference: "Why the Best Flooring Idea is to Install Hardwood Floors".
Hardwood floors have been around for hundreds of years. Wood floors were probably the first type of floor covering besides dirt. They can be one of the essential elements in designing your home. They offer a level of value and comfort no other flooring choice can. There are a number of benefits to owning and installing a hardwood floor.
One of the best things about hardwood floors is the lack of problem with regard to maintenance concerns. Because technology has allowed for the finish or stain of hardwood floors to require only sweeping for typical cleaning purposes, your floor will stay beautiful without the backbreaking scrubbing hardwood floors used to require. While the use of an appropriately recommended professional cleaning product will be required sometimes, a simple broom will take care of most of your cleaning concerns. It is important to note, though, you should never use anything on your hardwood floors that has not been manufacturer recommended. This helps to ensure your flooring will last a lifetime.
Durability means hardwood floors.
Another great reason to invest in hardwood floors is that they are environmentally friendly. Wood can not only be recycled, it is also a renewable source of material. Many of the products of yesterday like barns and old homes are recycled as hardwood floors. Moreover, wood products are incapable of harboring or collecting dust and other allergy particles. This means your family will suffer less risk of allergies or allergy induced medical conditions. Several health organizations endorse wood floors for people with health risks.
Additionally, hardwood floors are an excellent financial option. While some of the flooring is a bit more costly than the cheap alternative, hardwood maintains its value over time. It does not show the wear and tear that synthetic products do. This will only serve to increase your home's value in the long run.
There are many great reasons to invest in hardwood floors.
Andrew Caxton contributes adding articles to a free online home decorating and interior design magazine. Your guide on home decorating and how to choose from hundreds of decorating ideas and tips. Andrew will inspire you to capture the look you want. Read further information on how to install hardwood floors
Additional Resources
Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on oak hardwood flooring, refinishing hardwood floors or laminate hardwood flooring. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource
Today’s Feature Article. "Why laminate flooring is the perfect choice for family households" was posted only after being thoroughly reviewed by one of our editorial staff who considered it suitable for our blog. We hope you find this information useful.
Here’s the legal stuff: - we cannot guarantee the 100% accuracy of it’s contents. Other articles with the topic "hardwood flooring" can be viewed by going to the articles category page.
Please contact us if there is anything about todays article you feel is inaccurate or misleading. Please use this reference: "Why laminate flooring is the perfect choice for family households".
If you've ever had carpets or vinyl flooring you've probably had your share of stains, spills, and rips that no matter what you do, you can't quite wash out. Or perhaps the family pet has scratched the carpet edging, or even worse - had a bathroom mishap on the children's favorite playing area?
Your flooring nightmares can finally end! Laminate flooring was designed to stand up to the rigors and demands of a busy family household and when compared to other types of flooring solutions easily outperforms in almost every category. Here our our top reasons for selecting laminate flooring for a family household:
Laminate flooring is tough
Designed with a tough and durable wear layer, it is much stronger than most installed solid hardwood flooring, vinyl's, and carpets. It stands up much better to dents and scratches that the softer surface of solid hardwood floors, and is a much better surface to install if you have heavy foot traffic, kids, or household pets. Best of all - it continues to look brand new even after years of wear and tear.
Stain, fade, and moisture resistant
Most laminate flooring manufacturers offer triple warranty protection against stains, fading and moisture damage for 25 years. In contrast, solid hardwood floors are susceptible to wood grain staining, fading in repeated sunlight exposure, and are not a suitable floor for areas with high moisture or humidity levels.
Laminate flooring is easy to install
The popular quality brands of laminate flooring have gravitated towards a glueless click together floating floor installation process.
These floors simply need to be cut to size, clicked together, and are immediately ready to walk on or place your furniture. Most weekend do-it-yourselfers can handle this installation, but should expect to take 2 - 3 times longer than a professional installer.
Laminate flooring is easy to clean and maintain
Spills and messes easily clean up with a little soap and water thanks to the hard moisture and wear resistant surface coating. No residual stain or mess will remain and your laminate floors will continue to look brand new. No more run down and tired looking floors!
Laminate flooring are a healthy flooring choice
With regular cleaning cycles, laminate floors can provide a much cleaner and healthier living environment when compared to carpets. Less dust, pet dander, allergens and dust mites accumulate on the surface, and the laminate surface will not hold residual stain contaminants like a carpet will. Allergists will often recommend to their patients the removal of carpets from the living space.
Laminate flooring is economical
Once you consider the costs of alternate flooring solutions over a typical laminate flooring lifespan it becomes an extremely economical solution. Carpets will require 2 to 3 replacements during this time, solid hardwood floors will require refinishing 4 to 5 times, and vinyl will need to be replaced at least twice, or more depending on traffic loads.
A worry-free family focused flooring surface
Kids can play toys on it, the dog can run through with muddy paws, the neighbor friends can visit with wet shoes, and the baby bottle spills all over the floor… not a problem anymore! Laminate floors are the perfect floor for busy families and growing households.
S.A. Smith is a freelance writer, contributor, and editor of the Laminate Flooring Zone resource site, and can be reached at http://www.laminateflooringzone.com
Additional Resources
Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on exotic hardwood flooring, hardwood floors or hardwood flooring tools. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource
Today’s Feature Article. "Hardwood Flooring is one of the Most Important Design Elements in your Home Decor" has been reviewed by our editorial staff to ensure that it is appropriate for this blog. We hope you enjoy it.
The legal stuff: - We are not able to guarantee 100% accuracy of the article’s contents. Related articles on "hardwood flooring" can be viewed by going to the articles category page.
Please contact us if there is anything about todays article you feel is inaccurate or misleading. Here is the reference for your use: "Hardwood Flooring is one of the Most Important Design Elements in your Home Decor".
When it comes to hardwood floor fashion, nothing says elegance and beauty quite like Hardwood Flooring. A homeowner would give his home a great gift by replacing the carpet or ugly linoleum currently featured with this type of durability and beauty. The ever-increasing popularity of hardwood floors has not diminished in recent years.
Hardwood flooring has become a great way to invest in a home or apartment complex, and increase its resale or rental value. It is an attractive addition, and potential buyers and renters will be more likely to bid higher for the chance to put their feet on the luxurious look of hardwood flooring every day.
If you are interested in purchasing a hardwood floor for sale, your individual tastes and needs can be matched, as long as you choose to purchase through a great hardwood floor manufacturer. This can be fantastic if you wish to match the floor to a particular color of furniture, or complete the look of one room to match another.
You can contact a hardwood floor seller online, get a quick quote from them regarding the final cost, and view all the colors, grains, and styles instantly. The sky's the limit, even when you're thinking about the floor.
About The Author:
Roger King is a successful author and publisher of http://www.1st-home-decor.com. Hardwood flooring and ideas to showcase your homes.
Additional Resources
Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on hardwood flooring installation, laminate hardwood flooring or hardwood flooring installation. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource
Here is today’s feature article - Happy reading!. "Cheap Hardwood Flooring – Perfect Choice For The Budget Conscious" was posted only after being thoroughly reviewed by one of our editorial staff who considered it suitable for our blog. We hope you find its contents enjoyable.
Here’s the legal stuff: - we cannot guarantee the 100% accuracy of it’s contents. Other articles with the topic "hardwood flooring" can be found on the articles category page.
Please contact us if there is anything about todays article you feel is inaccurate or misleading. Please use this reference: "Cheap Hardwood Flooring – Perfect Choice For The Budget Conscious".
Cheap hardwood flooring provides you with the opportunity to have elegant floors in your home without shelling out a bundle of money. You can buy both laminate flooring and hardwood flooring at cheap prices if you are a savvy shopper. Many flooring retailers regularly have sales during times when people are not buying many home improvement products or when they want to move stock in a short period of time to make room for more. Discontinued lines are also available as cheap hardwood flooring, but you have to make sure that you can get enough of it to complete your room.
When you buy cheap hardwood flooring, you are not sacrificing quality for price. There are many well-known retailers that offer cheap laminate flooring to customers when they have an overrun or too much inventory in their warehouse. When you go to buy cheap hardwood floors, you will experience a difference in that you wonÂ’t be able to place a deposit down and then collect the flooring at a later date. You will have to pay the full amount upfront and take the flooring with you when you leave. The retailer may or may not include free delivery when it sells hardwood or laminate at a cheap price.
When you visit a showroom to inspect the cheap hardwood flooring available, the salesperson you deal with will still pay the same attention to details as if you were buying the hardwood or laminate flooring at the regular price. If you are not sure whether you want to go with cheap laminate flooring or choose to have hardwood floors, the salesperson will ask you questions in an effort to help you out. For example, the salesperson will want to know about the room you are remodelling, how it is used and whether or not you have small children or pets. In this way, he/she can help you choose just the right flooring. You can also ask to see the selection of cheap hardwood floors and compare it with the more expensive selections.
Another way you can get the cheap laminate flooring you want is to do an online search. This way you can get to see what the laminate flooring from each manufacturer looks like, get tips on how to install it and of course, compare the prices to get the cheapest one. If you find a store that has the cheap hardwood flooring you want, you can check to see whether there is a store near you or whether the retailer will ship the packages that you need to install cheap hardwood floors.
When you buy cheap laminate flooring you can bring the measurements of your room to the retailer. The salesperson has the expertise for calculating how many packages laminate or cheap hardwood flooring you need to buy. If the line on sale is a discontinued one, then you might have difficulty getting the cheap laminate flooring for a large room. It depends on how fast you can get to the store when you see an ad for laminate flooring on sale.
To find out more about Wood Flooring visit Peter's Website Wood Flooring Explained and find out about Cheap Hardwood Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors, Wood Laminate Flooring, Refinishing Hardwood Floors and Bruce Hardwood Flooring.
Additional Resources
Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on exotic hardwood flooring, exotic hardwood flooring or hardwood flooring installation. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource
Here’s today’s article - enjoy!. "Why Laminate Flooring is the Perfect Choice for Families" was posted only after being thoroughly reviewed by one of our editorial staff who considered it suitable for our blog. We hope you find this information useful.
The legal stuff: - We are not able to guarantee 100% accuracy of the article’s contents. Related articles on "hardwood flooring" can easily be found for your viewing pleasure on the articles category page.
Please contact us if you feel that there is anything within todays article that is inaccurate or misleading. Please use the following reference: "Why Laminate Flooring is the Perfect Choice for Families".
If you've ever had carpets or vinyl flooring you've probably had your share of stains, spills, and rips that no matter what you do, you can't quite wash out. Or perhaps the family pet has scratched the carpet edging, or even worse - had a bathroom mishap on the children's favorite playing area?
Your flooring nightmares can finally end! Laminate flooring was designed to stand up to the rigors and demands of a busy family household and when compared to other types of flooring solutions easily outperforms in almost every category. Here our our top reasons for selecting laminate flooring for a family household:
Laminate flooring is tough
Designed with a tough and durable wear layer, it is much stronger than most installed solid hardwood flooring, vinyl's, and carpets. It stands up much better to dents and scratches that the softer surface of solid hardwood floors, and is a much better surface to install if you have heavy foot traffic, kids, or household pets. Best of all - it continues to look brand new even after years of wear and tear.
Stain, fade, and moisture resistant
Most laminate flooring manufacturers offer triple warranty protection against stains, fading and moisture damage for 25 years. In contrast, solid hardwood floors are susceptible to wood grain staining, fading in repeated sunlight exposure, and are not a suitable floor for areas with high moisture or humidity levels.
Laminate flooring is easy to install
The popular quality brands of laminate flooring have gravitated towards a glueless click together floating floor installation process. These floors simply need to be cut to size, clicked together, and are immediately ready to walk on or place your furniture. Most weekend do-it-yourselfers can handle this installation, but should expect to take 2 - 3 times longer than a professional installer.
Laminate flooring is easy to clean and maintain
Spills and messes easily clean up with a little soap and water thanks to the hard moisture and wear resistant surface coating. No residual stain or mess will remain and your laminate floors will continue to look brand new. No more run down and tired looking floors!
Laminate flooring are a healthy flooring choice
With regular cleaning cycles, laminate floors can provide a much cleaner and healthier living environment when compared to carpets. Less dust, pet dander, allergens and dust mites accumulate on the surface, and the laminate surface will not hold residual stain contaminants like a carpet will. Allergists will often recommend to their patients the removal of carpets from the living space.
Laminate flooring is economical
Once you consider the costs of alternate flooring solutions over a typical laminate flooring lifespan it becomes an extremely economical solution. Carpets will require 2 to 3 replacements during this time, solid hardwood floors will require refinishing 4 to 5 times, and vinyl will need to be replaced atleast twice, or more depending on traffic loads.
A worry-free family focused flooring surface
Kids can play toys on it, the dog can run through with muddy paws, the neighbor friends can visit with wet shoes, and the baby bottle spills all over the floor… not a problem anymore! Laminate floors are the perfect floor for busy families and growing households.
S.A. Smith is a freelance writer, contributor, and editor of Laminate Flooring Zone and can be reached at http://www.laminateflooringzone.com
Additional Resources
Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on engineered hardwood flooring, refinishing hardwood floors or hardwood flooring. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource
Here is today’s feature article - Happy reading!. "Complete Guide to Laminate Flooring, Wood Flooring, and Hardwood Floors" was chosen only after one of editorial staff read over it and considered it suitable for our blog. We hope you enjoy it.
The legal side: - Sorry but we cannot guarantee the content as 100% accurate. Related articles on "wood floors" can easily be found for your viewing pleasure on the articles category page.
Please contact us if you feel that there is anything within todays article that is inaccurate or misleading. Here is the reference for your use: "Complete Guide to Laminate Flooring, Wood Flooring, and Hardwood Floors".
Today, there are many choices on the market to update your home. One particular choice that is increasing in popularity in North America is laminate flooring. More and more people want the look and feel of the real thing but also want something that is more durable. Europeans have been using it for decades and actually take it with them when they move because of its versatility and convenience. The worldÂ’s best laminate flooring is available at a number of on-line retailers or your local home improvement stores. Many manufacturers also offer wood flooring to entice those consumers who like the real thing. No matter what your preference, whether it is oak, maple, pine or walnut, there is a great select of hardwood floors out there just for you.
The key advantage of today’s laminate flooring is that it is quick and easy to install so it is perfect for people who like to “do it themselves”. Some of the best no longer requires glue to hold the planks or tiles in place. State of the art designs offer a click or snap together technology which means no fuss and no mess. Once installed, you can place furniture in your rooms immediately and entertain that night. You can even find wood flooring that doesn’t require glue so even beginner “do- it - yourselfers” can quickly master the installation process. If you want great looking rooms consider installing real hardwood floors for a warm and cozy feeling.
TodayÂ’s laminate flooring is significantly more sophisticated than it was even 5 years ago. The colors and textures of the surface make it look and feel like real hardwood floors. Speaking of surface, the new wear layers are fantastic. They protect from scratches, dents, fading and staining. The best brands come with warrantees ranging from 15 years to the lifetime of the product. You canÂ’t get better than that. When buying other wood flooring, make sure you check out the warranty so that you get what you need. Oh, one more thing. Cleaning is a breeze. Simply sweep or vacuum up loose dirt and then just damp mop. Now sit back and enjoy.
Amy-Jo Strutt is a successful home renovating writer and regular contributor to laminate-flooring-wood.com - An online resource to help you find the very best laminate flooring, wood flooring and hardwood floors. http://www.laminate-flooring-wood.com/index.html
Additional Resources
Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on hardwood flooring installation, hardwood floors or laminate hardwood flooring. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource
Here’s today’s article - enjoy!. "Beautiful Wood Floors" has been reviewed by our editorial staff to ensure that it is appropriate for this blog. We hope you find its contents enjoyable.
The legal stuff: - We are not able to guarantee 100% accuracy of the article’s contents. Related articles on "wood floors" can be viewed by going to the articles category page.
Feel free to contact us if you feel that there is content in todays article that could be found inaccurate or misleading. Please use the following reference: "Beautiful Wood Floors".
Wood floors add to the beauty and sophistication of any house to a great extent. These floors have a different aura about them and can make even a really dull interior decoration look good.
The floors are long lasting and can be maintained with very little strain on oneÂ’s pocket. The variety of wood floors allows people to pick and choose. The floors are of different types like the following:
1. Solid Parquet Floor 3/4” & less 2. Engineered Floor – Strip, Plank, Parquet 3. Solid Plank Floor 3/4”*3” and up 4. Solid Strip Floor – T & G up to ¾”* up to 3/4”
These type of floors can be unfinished, prefinished, impregnated or multiply. Wood floors need to be installed in the rooms. According to personal choice, installations can be floated, glued, or nailed/stapled. Floated or glued installations can be laminated or engineered. But the nailed/stapled installation cannot be laminated. It can be engineered.
Wood Floors are a lifetime and more importantly, one time investment. They enhance the value of the house, but definitely do not make the consumer go through recurring costs. These floors are easy to maintain. Just sweeping and cleaning with the specific products for this purpose is enough. Mopping with a damp broom or cloth should be avoided as water can harm the floor. Most wood floor manufacturers have specific cleaning products for the consumer. The entire house can have wood floors but it is always a good idea to leave the bathroom aside.
Floors and walls create a basic feel about a room. For example, grey walls create a melancholy feel in a room, again pink or lemon or sea green walls gives a much more cheerful and positive feel. This is something intangible, difficult to explain with words. The the same goes for floors.
Wood floors offer the consumers a great deal of variety in colour. Interior decoration will demand any pattern or colour, but generally red oak, natural, maple natural are very popular. It is better to remember that darker floors go well with traditional or formal interior decoration. Lighter colours are suitable for more casual rooms. Exotic wood floors like Brazilian Cherry, Brazilian Walnut, Santos Mahogany have gained acceptance. However the type of floor in the room will always be dictated by individual taste and needs.
Hand painted Wood floors add something special to the room and have become very popular. It is possible to have the floors painted, stained, tinted to have the desired effect. Painted floors give an impression of being a designer one by using different techniques.
Those who want wood floors in their house should keep some points in mind: What areas of the home will have the floors, which colours to choose and what kind of finish? But it is a good idea to have the advice from a wood floor professional. It will help the consumers from becoming too confused about the nitty-gritty of the thing.
Keith George always writes about valuable news & reviews. A related resource is Wood Floors. Further information can be found at Home Improvement.
Additional Resources
Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on hardwood floors, prefinished hardwood flooring or oak hardwood flooring. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource
Today’s Feature Article. "Bamboo Flooring - More Eco-Friendly than Hardwood Flooring and Bamboo Flooring is Easy to Fit" was chosen only after one of editorial staff read over it and considered it suitable for our blog. We hope you find its contents enjoyable.
Here’s the legal stuff: - we cannot guarantee the 100% accuracy of it’s contents. Other articles with the topic "hardwood flooring" can be found on the articles category page.
Feel free to contact us if you feel that there is content in todays article that could be found inaccurate or misleading. Here is the reference for your use: "Bamboo Flooring - More Eco-Friendly than Hardwood Flooring and Bamboo Flooring is Easy to Fit".
The modern, environmentally friendly and durable alternative to hardwood is bamboo flooring. Being a grass, as opposed to timber, gives bamboo the edge as a not only a building product (being strong and at the same time flexible), but also as a sustainable resource: wood takes approximately 15-20 years to reach maturity, whereas the non-harmful harvesting of bamboo takes a mere 3 to 5 years. Bamboo has traditionally been the material of choice in most of Asia, and it is only recently that its benefits and environmental properties have begun to be utilized more fully in the west.
The growth in popularity in recent years for wood flooring has increased the burden on already stretched timber resources. Bamboo flooring shares many of the properties that attract discerning customers to hardwood; itÂ’s low maintenance, hard wearing, and looks contemporary while having a timeless appeal; but it is without any of the environmental concerns that are attached to its hardwood counterpart.
Due to its flexibility as a material, bamboo flooring has a broad appeal that can be manipulated to a suit a variety of styles. Its range of applications varies from period homes to offices, designer hotels and bars.
As well as being environmentally sound, bamboo flooring is competitively priced and easy to fit. Ease of fitting is always a worry for the prospective purchaser, with bamboo flooring the process has been simplified by the formulation of three different methods:
1) Floating floor: this involves gluing the tongue and groove joints of the bamboo flooring together over an underlay.
2) Secret Nailing: the bamboo floor is ‘secretly’ nailed to down to a wood sub-floor.
3) Gluing down: literally gluing the bamboo floor to a sub-floor.
Each of these methods has its own benefits.
One concern that has arisen with the implementation of bamboo flooring is regarding the use of Urea Formaldehyde, which is used as a binder or adhesive in the manufacture of bamboo flooring. Using the present technology, its use is unavoidable. However, reputable bamboo flooring suppliers with firm environmental principles, make every effort to ensure that its use conforms to the rigid E-1 European Standards. It is important to stress that exposure to any dangerous chemicals in bamboo flooring is negligible.
The benefits of choosing bamboo flooring are chiefly to found in the warm, comforting ambience it creates. Bamboo flooring immediately draws attention and recognition to a room, giving it character and focus. With its hard wearing properties, environmental benefits and natural beauty, bamboo flooring is the flooring of choice for generations to come.
Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on laminate hardwood flooring, installing hardwood floors or hardwood flooring tools. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource
Here is today’s feature article - Happy reading!. "How to Make my hardwood floors Shine?" was chosen only after one of editorial staff read over it and considered it suitable for our blog. We hope you find this information useful.
Here’s the legal stuff: - we cannot guarantee the 100% accuracy of it’s contents. Other articles with the topic "wood floors" can be viewed by going to the articles category page.
Please contact us if there is anything about todays article you feel is inaccurate or misleading. Please use the following reference: "How to Make my hardwood floors Shine?".
hardwood floors are robust, comes in many varieties of woods, patterns, stains, and finishes, they are natural and environmentally friendly, stylish and eye pleasing, hypo-allergenic, affordable and easy to maintain.
Which cleaners are best? There are a number of cleaners on the market that state they are for hardwood floors. Your best approach is to purchase a cleaner produced by hardwood flooring manufacturers or floor finish manufacturers. These can be bought from local hardwood flooring retailers or big box stores that sell hardwood flooring. Best approach is the Hardwood retailer who specializes in hardwood. Squeaky cleaner manufactured by Basic Coatings is a good product and so is Mirage cleaner. If you use cleaners that are not appropriate for your floors it can leave some sort of film on the wood surface. This can make buffing and recoating in the future difficult to achieve due to adhesion problems.
Can I use oil based cleaners as well? If oil based cleaners is used on polyurethane finished floors it leaves an oily residue on the surface. Which not only make cleaning the floor difficult, but after a period of time when the floor is showing signs of wear, and needs to be buffed and recoated, this residue can give some adhesion problems. When cleaning any hardwood floor only minimal water should be used: wipe with a dampened, not wet, cloth. Adding a capful of vinegar can help and is suggested by the National Wood Flooring Association. But I have heard one floor finish manufacturer disagree on that, believing the vinegar is too acidic and can break down the finish ultimately.
The safe way The absolutely simple and safe way to clean any sort of wood that is finished with a urethane is to use polyurethane cleaners which are manufactured by both hardwood flooring manufacturers and manufacturers of polyurethane. Like Squeeky Cleaner from Basic Coatings. Any hardwood flooring supplier near you should carry this or similar product. Also, Home Depot is a likely place to look, since they do sell hardwood flooring. The cleaner is usually blue in color, and is mixed 4 parts water to one part cleaner in a spray bottle. Spray some on a cloth and wipe. Any wood finished with urethane top coats can be cleaned with it.
Huge amount of information about hardwood floors on this site – go check it out.
Additional Resources
Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on prefinished hardwood flooring, exotic hardwood flooring or hardwood floors. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource
Today’s Feature Article. "Why Opt for Birch Hardwood Flooring ?" has been reviewed by our editorial staff to ensure that it is appropriate for this blog. We hope you enjoy it.
The legal stuff: - We are not able to guarantee 100% accuracy of the article’s contents. Other articles with the topic "hardwood flooring" can easily be found for your viewing pleasure on the articles category page.
Please contact us if you feel that there is anything within todays article that is inaccurate or misleading. Please use the following reference: "Why Opt for Birch Hardwood Flooring ?".
Nothing can give a house an elegant and sturdy ambiance more than hardwood floors. Hardwood floors are becoming a rage for new homeowners who want to own and build houses that have a lived-in feel to them.
Realtors revealed that real estate properties with hardwood floors have higher valued and are easily sold in the market. Apparently, new homeowners have this feeling that houses with wood floors are sturdier and they can stand the test of time.
A property with wood flooring is definitely more attractive and elegant. The ageless quality and attraction of wood has increased the demand for wood as material for flooring projects. Homeowners planning to build floors with wood materials should take comfort in the knowledge that there are a variety of hardwood materials for flooring that are available in the market today.
One such hardwood variety is Birch hardwood flooring, a variety that is characterized by its color which depends on the tree species and part of Birch tree being used for the project. Younger Birch tree hardwood can take the color of creamy or light tan while a part taken from the center of the Birch tree can appear to be more golden brown.
The Yellow Birch tree can appear cherry-like in color and is widely used for construction projects. However, the Red Birch tree is a favored material for flooring because of its sturdiness.
Contractors prefer to use Birch Tree for flooring projects because it is fine-grained and has an exotic mixture of yellow and reddish brown color. Birch tree can also withstand being handled by a machine and it does not easily give in to splitting.
Birch tree is also more flexible compared to most wood materials because it is softer than an oak tree which means it can be handled easily but hard enough to stand the test of machine handling as well as wear and tear. The sturdiness of this type of hardwood makes it an ideal choice for flooring material especially for areas that have high people traffic.
The use of Birch trees for floors will also enable the homeowner to decorate the room in any manner because the material can easily blend with any type of interior design. Birch wood also blends well with any business environment so it can be used as flooring material for offices.
The first thing that should be considered when choosing a wood material for a flooring project is the type of room where the material will be used. One factor that should be a primary consideration is the volume of traffic in the area where the wood material will be used as too much traffic can affect the color of the wood.
Although hardwood flooring easily blends with any interior design, the measurement of the room should also b considered because there are wood materials that can make an area smaller or bigger than it actually is.
Also be ready to face the cleaning demands of a certain type of wood material that will be used for flooring. There are hardwoods that are easily maintained but there are also varieties that require more attention. When cleaning wood flooring, always make sure that only cleaning materials or substances that have been recommended as suitable for the wood variety are used.
While any homeowner can do research on the type of hardwood suitable for the flooring project, the best bet is to get contractors that are knowledgeable on these things and to ask for their help when it comes to choosing such materials.
Joyce Dietzel writes articles for flooring -info- a website dedicated to Flooring Info For You
Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on hardwood flooring installation, installing hardwood flooring or hardwood flooring installation. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource
Here’s today’s article - enjoy!. "Tips for Designing with hardwood floors" was chosen only after one of editorial staff read over it and considered it suitable for our blog. We hope you find its contents enjoyable.
Here’s the legal stuff: - we cannot guarantee the 100% accuracy of it’s contents. Related articles on "hardwood flooring" can easily be found for your viewing pleasure on the articles category page.
Feel free to contact us if you feel that there is content in todays article that could be found inaccurate or misleading. Please use this reference: "Tips for Designing with hardwood floors".
Hardwood floor styles come in strips, planks and parquet, and are available with numerous edge treatments such as square, micro, and beveled edges. The state-of-the-art technology and almost limitless choices of today's stains, finishes, styles and designs makes hardwood flooring one of the most practical and versatile floor coverings available.
The shade of hardwood flooring you choose can dramatically change the look of your room. You can compliment the other design aspects in the room, bringing continuity and balance to the overall design. Lighter colors of hardwood help small rooms appear larger, while rich, dark tones add drama to larger rooms to create a warmer, more intimate feel.
One of the most popular attributes of hardwood flooring, is itsÂ’ natural coloration. Natural flooring adapts to any style, now or in the future. For rooms with plenty of natural light, you may want to consider some of the darker tones available. If the room doesn't have natural light, you can lighten it up considerably by choosing a floor with a lighter color. Just remember, you can avoid being tied to a particular scheme by choosing natural colors.
Hardwood comes in a variety of strip and plank options. Strip flooring is 21/4 wide and plank comes in varying widths starting at 3". You can visually expand the size of your room by selecting a strip floor, while a plank floor enhances a larger room. Choose a width that corresponds to the overall scale of the room. A popular option is to use different width planks ranging between 3-5-7". This can create a more traditional and less formal look.
Beveled edge planks can help delineate detail in the natural wood and adds a more casual feel while square edge planks fit flush against each other creating a smooth, traditional look. An eased or micro-beveled edge creates an angled effect where boards meet to create more depth and dimension while creating a more casual, relaxed look. These profiles can give the overall floor pattern distinctively different looks.
Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on laminate hardwood flooring, hardwood floors or hardwood floors. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource
Here is today’s feature article - Happy reading!. "Hardwood Flooring Selection" has been reviewed by our editorial staff to ensure that it is appropriate for this blog. We hope you find its contents enjoyable.
Here’s the legal stuff: - we cannot guarantee the 100% accuracy of it’s contents. Related articles on "hardwood flooring" can be viewed by going to the articles category page.
Please contact us if there is anything about todays article you feel is inaccurate or misleading. Here is the reference for your use: "Hardwood Flooring Selection".
Hardwood flooring is exotic, beautiful, durable and adds value to your home. Although color is the #1 choice for flooring shoppers when deciding on a floor, don't go by color when buying your hardwood floor for very good reason:
Some of the most beautiful and eye-catching hardwoods also happen to be the softest and damage prone. Your pines, walnuts and cherry's have unsurpassed beauty. I've seen many shoppers literally lock their eyes on them and drift towards them like hypnotized zombies.
But these woods are very soft. So soft, you can scratch the sample boards with your fingernails. They are not meant to withstand a family of 7 children with rollerblades, soccer shoes and bicycles being ridden around. Nor are they for elephant sized dogs with claws like werewolves.
So where would you put these hardwood floors? Think of a very low traffic area - a rarely used dining room, your cabin getaway where it doesn't see much action or even an elderly person's home where the wear and tear will be minimal.
PSI's or pounds per square inch measure hardwoods in hardness. The higher the number, the harder the wood. Pines, cherry's and walnuts are around 1000 PSI's. Oaks around 1600. Maples - 2300. Hickory - 2600. This gives you an idea of each hardwood's relative strength.
But don't be deceived.
The question I get a lot of is will a 2600 PSI Hickory Hardwood floor withstand my zoo of a home? Will it scratch? Have you ever seen a tree that doesn't scratch? Look, wood is wood. It's a natural product so yes it will scratch given enough abuse has been thrown at it. Don't fall for a salespersons story that it will look great after 7 years worth of Times Square traffic. It won't! If this is the type of traffic, you are anticipating, stick with laminate or tile.
Think about it. When your dog is running on your hardwood floor, at one point while it's momentarily airborne, its entire weight transfers to its front legs. Now if you have a heavy dog, all that weight is being put on its front claws as it gets ready to launch off them for the next stride. So yes, a hardwood will scratch given the right conditions.
Sammer Hakim has worked in the flooring industry for several years and shares his money saving and shopping tips through his site: http://www.flooringsecrets.com
Additional Resources
Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on hardwood flooring, exotic hardwood flooring or exotic hardwood flooring. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource
Here’s today’s article - enjoy!. "Hardwood Flooring is one of the Most Important Design Elements in your Home Decor" was posted only after being thoroughly reviewed by one of our editorial staff who considered it suitable for our blog. We hope you enjoy it.
Here’s the legal stuff: - we cannot guarantee the 100% accuracy of it’s contents. Related articles on "hardwood flooring" can be found on the articles category page.
Please contact us if there is anything about todays article you feel is inaccurate or misleading. Here is the reference for your use: "Hardwood Flooring is one of the Most Important Design Elements in your Home Decor".
When it comes to hardwood floor fashion, nothing says elegance and beauty quite like Hardwood Flooring. A homeowner would give his home a great gift by replacing the carpet or ugly linoleum currently featured with this type of durability and beauty. The ever-increasing popularity of hardwood floors has not diminished in recent years.
Hardwood flooring has become a great way to invest in a home or apartment complex, and increase its resale or rental value. It is an attractive addition, and potential buyers and renters will be more likely to bid higher for the chance to put their feet on the luxurious look of hardwood flooring every day.
If you are interested in purchasing a hardwood floor for sale, your individual tastes and needs can be matched, as long as you choose to purchase through a great hardwood floor manufacturer. This can be fantastic if you wish to match the floor to a particular color of furniture, or complete the look of one room to match another.
You can contact a hardwood floor seller online, get a quick quote from them regarding the final cost, and view all the colors, grains, and styles instantly. The sky's the limit, even when you're thinking about the floor.
About The Author:
Roger King is a successful author and publisher of http://www.1st-home-decor.com. Hardwood flooring and ideas to showcase your homes.
Additional Resources
Check out the closing Ebay bids, or see what Amazon has to offer. You could also try these sites for information on installing hardwood floors, prefinished hardwood flooring or oak hardwood flooring. Finally wikipedia is always a good resource