By Sirena Van Schaik

It always seems like every day we are being bombarded with more facts.  We learn about what we are eating, what is happening in the world and what is good for us.  We digest facts about the cars we drive, the coffee we drink and the homes that we live in and sometimes those facts can become a little overwhelming.

But when it comes to choosing the flooring for your home, it is important to know the facts about your choices.  Your floors, after all, are something that you will be living with for the next 20 or 30 years so it makes sense to understand everything you can about them.

When it comes to hardwood flooring, there are a few facts about them that you should take into consideration before purchasing.

Cost:

Looking at the cost of some hardwood can be pretty overwhelming, especially if you are comparing those prices with laminate.  Hardwood is the more expensive option but it is well worth spending the few extra dollars for.

Life span:

This is the main reason why hardwood is the better choice when it comes to cost.  Hardwood should last a lifetime if it is properly cared for and installed.  Most laminates and other floors have a life span of about 20 years, which can be very impressive but the manufacturers of hardwood often guarantee that their floors will last for the life of the house, if not longer.

Versatility:

This may seem like a strange word to apply to hardwood but it is a fitting one indeed.  Hardwood is a very versatile flooring that can go anywhere.  It comes in a variety of shades, patterns and grains please see our list at the end of this article. 

Not only is hardwood multi-functional, it can be installed in a variety of ways such as glued, floating, nailed and you can also produce a parquet floor with it.

Durable:

While hardwood may not be as durable as some types of flooring, it has gone a long way from the scratch weary floors of yesteryears.  Now a days, hardwood can stand a lot of abuse and ill treatment.  Sure you can’t run across them in stilettos, but they can handle being in high traffic areas such as front hallways, kitchens and family rooms.

Air Quality:

Maybe your hardwood floor isn’t going to help your total air quality but they are much better for keeping down allergens that are normally trapped in carpet.  For this reason, many manufactures claim that hardwood is the hypo-allergenic choice that makes sense. 

Regardless, hardwood floors are easier to keep clean and you will never have to worry about allergens in your carpets again.

The Different Types of Hardwood Flooring:

No matter what you are looking for in your flooring, hardwood can probably accommodate it.  It can be found in almost every color, pattern and style.  It will fit any space and it will provide home owners with a stylish floor. 

Before you purchase your hardwood, it is important to look into the different kinds of hardwood flooring.  Ask your dealer about the qualities of each hardwood and discuss what will work best in your home.  For your convenience we have listed the hardwoods that are available.

·         Teak

·         Lacewood

·         Morado

·         Red Oak

·         White Oak

·         Bamboo

·         Yellow Poplar

·         Aromatic Red Cedar

·         Purpleheart

·         Butternut

·         White Ash

·         Australian Cypress

·         Beech

·         Walnut

·         Fir/Larch

·         Cherry

·         Zebrawood

·         Padauk

·         Hickory

·         Bubinga

·         Yellow Birch

·         Mesquite

·         Black Walnut

·         Southern Yellow Pine

·         Hard Maple

·         Merbau

·         Basswood

·         Jatoba

·         Mahogany

·         Spanish Cedar

·         Soft Maple

·         Alder

·         Antique Heart Pine

By Sirena Van Schaik

When you finally put in a hardwood floor, you can finally sit back and enjoy the warm beauty that glows from underfoot.  There is something almost breathtaking about a finished hardwood floor but it can be completely overwhelming when you stop and think about how you should care for your new home investment.

Let’s face it, you can’t ask people to not walk on your floor and you definitely can’t leave all the furniture out of the room, although that would probably seem like the best solution to the scuff problem.  Instead, you should get ready to care for your floors right from the start. 

Surprisingly, hardwood floors really don’t need too much extra care and most of the overall care comes in with the set up of your furniture instead of on a regular basis.

The Do’s of Hardwood Flooring:

There are several do’s when it comes to caring for your hardwood flooring and I have outlined them below.

• Do use felt contacts and floor pads for your furniture to ensure that it won’t scratch the hardwood.

• Do sweep your floor regularly with brooms that have soft, fine bristles.  Hard bristles may gouge your floors.

• Do dust mop your floors on a regular basis.  You can do this by having a soft head mop, about 12 to 18 inches in width, and a special dust mop cleaner.  Simply spray the mop head and dust the hardwood.  No water is necessary.

• Do mop with a solution of a neutral pH cleaner and water whenever your floor needs it.  Only wash with a damp mop, never swamp a hardwood floor. 

• Do choose cleaners that are designed for hardwood floors.

• Do use floor mats at any entrance to keep dirt from being tracked across your hardwood floors.

• Do wipe up any water or liquid that has spilled on your floor as soon as you see it.  Moisture can damage your hardwood flooring very quickly.

The Don’ts of Hardwood Flooring:

With every do, there is a don’t and obviously some of them have been identified in the do’s section of this article but it is still important to look at a few don’ts that we haven’t gone over yet.

• Don’t drag furniture when you move it.  This will cause serious damage to your hardwood floors.

• Don’t use hard and abrasive cleaners on your hardwood floors.  Also avoid using any high oil soaps and cleaners.

• Don’t use a vacuum with a rotating brush.  The best type of vacuum to use to remove debris is a canister vacuum with floor attachments.

• Don’t let dirt and grime build up on your hardwood floors.  Dirt works as an abrasive and will begin to cut, dent, scratch and dull your hardwood.

• Don’t let water collect on your hardwood flooring.  Make sure you clean it up immediately.  Also, keep dog dishes on a mat, and make sure you dry their paws off when they come inside during the winter or on a rainy day.

• Don’t expose your hardwood to long periods of direct sunlight.  Sunshine will cause fading and discolouring to occur in your hardwood flooring.

If you are aware of all the do’s and don’ts of caring for your hardwood floors, you should have beautiful floors for the life of your home.  You shouldn’t have to refinish your flooring or repair any significant problems with your flooring. 

Following a regular cleaning regime with your hardwood is very simple and you will find that you spend only half the time caring for your hardwood that you would caring for a carpet.

By Sirena Van Schaik

So, you have decided that you want to go with hardwood flooring. Sure there are other less expensive options out there but those options just don’t have the same type of effect that the hardwood does.  I completely understand and I am with you on this.  Hardwood flooring is amazing and there are so many varieties to choose from, anyone can find exactly what they are looking for.

But what exactly are you looking for?  That answer really depends on where the flooring is going and what your design expectations are.  Before you choose flooring, think about your needs, the colors that you are working with and the space that you are using. 

What effect are you trying for?  Are you looking for a light and airy feel or are you looking for something traditional?  Believe it or not, the end result you want to create will greatly affect the type of hardwood that you choice. 

Below, I have outlined some of the many different types of hardwood that is available and hopefully, by the end of this article, you will have some idea as to what you are looking for.

Reclaimed Wood:

 Let’s start with reclaimed wood.  If you aren’t sure what exactly this is, just think about all those old buildings that are being torn down.  There are tons of old wood in barns, old homes, and even equipment from old farms. Things like old wagons, and wooden barrels.  There are literally a hundred different places where companies can salvage the lumber and they are now offering it to homeowners for hardwood flooring. 

 The main benefit of using reclaimed wood is the fact that the floor will be completely unique, since the wood is coming from multiple buildings and equipment, the end result is something completely different from anything else.  Even two reclaimed wood floors will be different than each other.  

 Despite that benefit, there is less of a chance of a uniformed color coming through but each piece of wood will have its own markings, very distinctive when added to a floor.  Another detractor for the reclaimed wood is the fact that it can be very expensive and it is often challenging to use. 

 Still, that hasn’t stopped many home owners from going a little green and reusing some wonderful old and reclaimed lumber.

American Walnut:

 Also known as Black Walnut, this is a fairly common hardwood that has been used for centuries in homes.  It has a wonderful color that is a deep purple and it has a very even grain. 

 The main benefit of American Walnut, besides its beauty, is the fact that it holds stains very well.  This provides home owners with more options.  The detractor of this hardwood is the fact that it is not the best for high traffic areas since it is typically softer than other hardwoods available.

Oak:

 If you want to go with flooring that is tried and true, then oak is the way to go.  It is one of the most popular flooring around and it can be found in many different finishes.  There are two main types of oak flooring; the white oak flooring has a lighter color, while the red oak has a pink tone. 

 The benefits of oak flooring reside in two major facts.  One, it is ideal for heavy traffic areas in a home, that means the family room will do fine with an oak flooring or the hallway to the door.  Two, it is one of the easiest hardwood flooring when it comes to instillation.

 On the opposite side, oak is not the best flooring for any room that has a lot of moisture, such as a bathroom or even the kitchen, since it will blacken when exposed to a lot of moisture.

Mahogany:

 When it comes to hardwood flooring, I am a big fan of Mahogany.  The red and gold flecks in the wood and the beautiful finishes make it an excellent choice for any homeowner that is looking for something that is aesthetically pleasing while still being very functional.

 It does well in almost any space, including high traffic areas, and can be used in rooms that have a lot of moisture, like the bathroom.  The only problem with Mahogany is the expense.  It is one of the more expensive hardwoods available.

Cherry:

 Cherry is another favorite of mine and it is a floor that seems to have its own personality. The reddish tone found in Cherry flooring deepens as the floor ages, making it more beautiful with age.  It is very durable and can be used in any area regardless of traffic level or moisture. 

 The major problem with cherry flooring is the splitting that can be common in other hardwood flooring.  It can also be one of the more difficult floors to install.

 And there are still some types of hardwood, although there are still many others types of hardwood and flooring that you can add to your home.  The best advice is to really look at the different flooring offered and really weigh the pros and cons of each one.

At the height of Internet technology, a customer looking for hardwood flooring or any other kind of products may probably have been checking the Internet and online stores over and over again. Internet provides a lot of information that could confuse a buyer. By typing hardwood flooring on a popular search engine like Google or Yahoo may turn thousands of results. To make the most out of this information, you should establish several criteria for what you are looking for.

In choosing the right hardwood flooring for you situation, you need to take into account the weather patterns and the climate in your area as this would have an important effect on the flooring that you will buy. In this regard, the kind of hardwood that might work best in Southern California might be different for that in Montana. If your location has special climate and weather patterns, you might have to look for a person within your locality who is knowledgeable with wood flooring.

It should be remembered though that wood flooring is usually unfinished when installed in your home. They are then sanded and finished after the installation. In order to create that metallic finish of the hardwood flooring, the suppliers use metal oxides, which the hardwood can handle.

Hardwood flooring offers several benefits to your home. It can help enhance the beauty and the warmth of your home. Also, it will also be easier for you to clean and care for the flooring. Your choice of flooring will also greatly enhance your sense of aesthetics and the overall mood that you want to create in your home. Not only that, hardwood flooring is natural and friendly to the environment.

You also need to select the species of trees that you will choose for your wood flooring. You may choose from Ash, Birch, Cherry, Exotic, Maple, Oak, Pecan, and Walnut. They come in different colors, depending on what you choose them to be. The colors may either be dark, medium, or light. The color you choose should coincide with the overall motif of your home. In addition, there are also several styles that you can choose from. You can actually choose your own patterns for your hardwood flooring. The broader categories of patterns are plank, strip, parquet, wide plank, and your own custom pattern.

When you have chosen the kind of hardwood for your flooring, it will contribute to the homey feeling to our house. In order to maintain that look, you should be able to care for your hardwood flooring by doing the following simple activities. You have to vacuum often and remove grit and abrasives that stick on the floor. Likewise, water and liquid spills should be dried off quickly to avoid water damage. You also need to purchase a spray solution for the hardwood floor. Wax, buff and polish should also be avoided as these could damage your floor. Every now and then, you have to rearrange your furniture and rugs so that the floor will age evenly. Shoes that can damage the floor should also be kept off the floor.

With proper choice and appropriate care, your hardwood flooring can last for a lifetime.

 

Do you want your home flooring to be elegant? Do you want to walk on a floor that suits the style you desire and reflects the kind of your personality? Then get that hardwood flooring of your choice.

Your Style, Your Floor!

How would hardwood flooring suit your style? Well, hardwood flooring has been a choice of many people who want a classic feel in their houses. It is elegant and can give a rustic country look as well. It could give your urban home a rural motif that could make your mood more relaxing when you go home from work.

Moreover, hardwood flooring comes in different colors and styles that could really go well with your choice. It has already developed overtime from the simple brown color in different variations.

When you want a plain floor, try installing planks. This kind of hardwood flooring gives you wide pieces of planks. Should you choose this style, you could save energy in installing because you only install a number of woods and could also save you money.

If your home is small and you want it to look bigger, install smaller strips of hardwood flooring. The strips are only three inches or less in size.

Alternatively, single piece hardwood flooring can give you a more solid look in your house. This kind varies in thickness and can last long years. It is also easy to change or refurnished when needed because it is only one piece.

The parquet hardwood flooring gives you a tile look on your floor. Through this kind, you can make patterns in your floor. It comes in wide variety of shapes and colors like that of its ceramic counterpart.

Caring For Your Elegant Floor

Since wood flooring is indeed a major attraction in your house, it as well a major investment. For it to last for long years, it has to receive proper care. Other than regular cleaning or dusting, it should also be maintained and refurnished as needed.

Use hardening oil, not floor wax as used with cement floors, in maintaining your hardwood flooring. It could make your floor shinier and sturdier. Ask your hardware stores to recommend you specified wood wax. Apply such regularly like every one year or 18 months.

Dragging heavy furniture on your hardwood flooring can give it a lot of scratches and damages. To avoid these, you can apply three coating varnish. It protects the wood from possible scratches and makes it more durable. However, it is best that you carry the furniture than dragging them or protect the lower surface with rugs or cloths before dragging them.

Though wet mopping is a good way to clean floors, don’t do it on your hardwood flooring. Vinegar and bleaching agents are also good cleaners, but they are not for your floor, too. Water and vinegar may be the worst enemy of wooden floors. Water loosens the wood fibers and makes in weaker. It could also make the floor swell on its edges. It is not recommended to use wet mops rather use a mister and a dry mop to clean the floor.

On the other hand, vinegar contains a strong acid that could easily cause discoloration to your hardwood flooring. Use vinegar and you immediately loose your floor’s elegance.

The floor of your house somehow reflects what’s inside it and the people living in it. As such, it is best to invest in a floor that suits your style and installing hardwood flooring could be your best choice. It is stylish, it is elegant!

When buying or installing hardwood flooring in your house, there are some things you should know. You may be wondering after all what you have spent for your money, time and effort is not really what you wanted or desired.

Many, if not most, hardwood flooring manufacturers or dealers have their showrooms to get the attention of customers. Samples in the showrooms are good but they may look a little different with that something you bought or installed. Why are they not the same? One simple reason is that, samples in the showroom are exposed to different environmental factors like heat, wind and light. Over time the components may cause the color and durability of the materials to diminish. You can ask any expert from a hardwood flooring store to show you the original and what color changes you should expect over the years.

When choosing hardwood flooring, consider how visible scratches could be. There are types of wood that show scratches more prominently. Define with the manufacturer or dealer if scratches are covered with the product warranty because most of them do not. Avoid any disappointment on your part when you see scratches on your hard earned hardwood flooring. Warranties usually cover the wear layer or veneer only and not clearing scratches on your finish installed floor. Two of the hardwood flooring that show prominent scratches are maple and high gloss finishes.

Hardwood floorings are temperature sensitive. Hotness or coldness in temperature could cause the floors to swell or shrink. These effects could give your floor gaps. Gaps depend on the moisture content of the temperature. What was installed as flawless hardwood flooring could have gaps over time. Micro beveled hardwood flooring may seem to have unparallel and unsmooth edges but these kinds of flooring show lesser gaps. On the other hand, highly engineered hardwoods could also make your flooring good as new and without gaps when installed correctly even though your house faces different weather conditions.

When your budget is low in installing hardwood flooring in your house, expect that there are many short pieces. These are especially made to cover the gaps between the bigger pieces of wood. However, you should not worry about these short pieces. As long as they are installed correctly and maintained regularly, your wood flooring could still last through the years.

If you are planning to stay in a house over a long period of time and have decided to install hardwood flooring it is best to use engineered hardwoods with thicker wear layer and plies. These factors enable you to refinish the flooring when parts of it are already worn out. Typically, during the presentation of hardwood flooring, manufacturers and dealers do not discuss how many times a certain product can be refinished. As such, do not forget to ask them. Thick wear layers with ½ inch or more in measurement could be finished two to three times.

Hardwood flooring is a big money investment. However, many people may still want to install hardwood flooring amid low budgetary cost. With that low budget, can they still have the hardwood? Yes they can. However, there are few considerations that they need to take. Lower priced hardwood flooring may not be as good and as durable compared to the engineered ones and may not have warranties. In that case, engineered hardwoods with thinner wear layer and lesser color are cheap and could be put into the list.

The floor you use inside your house could be a reflection of what are inside, people and things. As such when you choose to install hardwood flooring, be sure to know at least the basics of it or consult a professional to help you choose the best kind of hardwood flooring for your house.

There are certain types of hardwood flooring that are suitable for certain locations in the house. It is in this case important to understand where such kind is to be installed. Installing the hardwood flooring to the right place enables you to conserve your time, money and effort for the years to come. If you do such, you need not reinstall another hardwood flooring in the next 10 years but only need maintain it and refinish in time.

Hardwood flooring is one of the best investments you can have for your house. If you want wood, do not install and stick to cheap but not durable plywood, instead, choose to install hardwood flooring.

One of the considerations in installing hardwood flooring is its wear layers. The thickness of this layer varies; though, the thicker the better. Thick wear layers can be refinished more times than thin ones. Hardwood flooring may be worn out as it used over time. There may be scratches, small cracks on the floor but with this thick wear layers, you can reconstruct the floor for it to look as good as new. However, thin wear layers are sold in lesser cost. Hardwood flooring with thin wear layers could still be durable but not as those with thick ones.

Refinishing of hardwood flooring could be done once is every five years. With think wear layers or veneer, refinishing could be done at least two to three times depending on the worn out part. Hardwood flooring with thin wear layers may need necessary reinstallation when damages occur where there is no way to refinish it. If are keeping a lot of heavy furniture in your home that could cause your flooring to be damaged when they are dragged or rearranged, it is best to install hardwood flooring with think veneers.

Wear layers of hardwood flooring could measure from ¼ to 1/8 inches. Other wear layers have 9/16 or 3/8 inches measurements.

Another consideration when choosing to install hardwood flooring to you home is the ply of the wood. Again, the thicker the ply is the better. Hardwood flooring products could vary from two to ten plies. Though those with more plies could last longer, they are more costly that their lesser plies counterpart. In any case, should you plan to stay in a house for five to ten or more years, choose those with thick wear layers and more plies for durability and longevity sake.

After those two considerations, you can now choose the size or style of your hardwood flooring. You can have something with different colors that match your taste and could look like its ceramic or marble counterpart. Wood flooring has already developed from its original brown woody color.

You may choose to install planks that are made of wide pieces of wood or strips made of smaller pieces. Other preferences of hardwood flooring include single piece which can give a solid look and parquet that looks like a tile.