The Advantages of Engineered Wood Flooring for the Home

A flattering and stylish look for the home has always been authentic hardwood flooring. It improves the value and look of the home, but it can be out of reach for most people on a budget. Laminate and vinyl flooring have an appeal all their own, but, while they might be purchased to resemble hardwood flooring, they leave something to be desired. When looking for an authentic look but with a more reasonable price, the obvious choice is engineered wood flooring, with advantages all of its own.

How it is made

There has recently been a significant increase in the popularity of engineered wood flooring, primarily because of its more economical price but it is also of equal quality with hardwood flooring, with none of its inherent problems with long use. Instead of lengths of expensive hardwoods being shaped and finished for installation as planks to fit the room, this type of more affordable wood flooring is created in a wholly different way.

Created through a method known as cross-grain construction, engineered flooring uses multiple layers of wood to create a stable whole. Each layer is placed, glued and pressed in a specific pattern that extends the life of the wood, as well as making it more resistant to warping and rotting from water damage or moisture.

Solid wood has no flexibility when it comes to being saturated with water. As it dries, it warps and bends from the inside out, destroying it. With engineered wood, each layer is placed in strips laid in alternating cross strips, there is more flexibility, and air and moisture pass through without destroying its integrity.

Easier to Install and Easier to Use

Because its construction makes it so much more moisture resistant and does not warp easily, this type of wood flooring can be used in a lot more climates than regular hardwood flooring can. Before the advent of this type of wood flooring, the only other type of wood that had the same versatility was bamboo flooring, which also retains its natural resistances, including mold and mildew.

It is also far easier to install in your home than regular hardwood flooring. When installing hardwood flooring, it has to be laid out plank by plank with each piece cut to be fitted to the next in the tongue and groove style. This can take hours to accomplish, in addition to which it takes time for the glue to dry and then the finish must be applied. The entire job can take a day or more to complete, whereas this more affordable type of wood flooring comes fully assembled to be laid out in either the antique looking tongue and groove fashion, or as floating panels over a sub floor. And, there is no need to add a finish to the mix, because it comes with it, reducing overall installation to just a few hours.

Tops in Durability Too

Like we have said before, engineered wood flooring is far better than hardwood flooring for a number of reasons. Price and installation make it more economical, and easier to set in place in just a few hours. But did you know that it is also more durable than hardwood flooring? Just like it is far better when it comes to resisting moisture, it is also more durable, and can be used in high traffic areas in your home. Unlike its counterpart, it can withstand the pounding of feet, the scratching of animal feet, and the scraping of furniture much better than its more expensive cousin. The secret lies in the number of layers used, and the thickness of those layers, simple as that.

Parquet Wood Flooring Services

A parquet wood floor surface provides a different kind of beauty to the floor of any home. Parquet wood floors are made of different strips or planks of wood that are attached together to create an intricate design. Some of the most common designs are the checkered and rectangular designs. Most of the time, these designs have the small wooden floorboards facing in different directions. This is the reason why it is particularly hard to refinish it.

Trouble with Parquet Wood Floors

Most homeowners are skeptical about it. This is because of the myth that they are difficult to maintain. In fact, most think that it is not possible to refinish it because of their design, but that assumption is wrong. Floor service providers can refinish parquet wood floors just as well as they would any other wooden floor surface. Reviving these floors' original colors and stability is indeed possible.

Their designs that have wood in different directions mean that polishing can be quite difficult. In fact, a normal polishing method will not do a job well enough. There are gaps between each of the small wooden floor boards. There are two different gaps that are common in it. The first is the gap between each of the wooden floorboards. Overtime, they can become loose and move around. The other kind is the gap between wooden floorboards due to the differences in thickness. Some of it are higher than others, while some have already sunk. These gaps can be caused by the temperature changes and moisture that forms on the floor.

These are the reasons why it is very difficult to it, especially if it is not done by professionals. DIY videos and guides do exist to assist homeowners, but these might not be enough to give your parquet wood floor a satisfying refinish. This is why it is important to have professionals with the right tools to refinish parquet wood floors for your home.

Expert Flooring Services

Floor service providers such as a flooring team company are prepared to give any kind of floor a good quality refinishing, and that also includes parquet wood floors. They can restore and refinish any condition of parquet wood floor no matter how badly damaged the surface is. A flooring team company professionals know the best methods for refinishing it and they are also equipped with the right tools. They can sand it to even the surface out. Then, with their polishing tools, they easily polish the floor. In no time, your parquet floor will be restored to a condition that is as good as new.

Besides the basic service to refinish parquet floors, a flooring team company can provide replacement and repairs too. They can assess any floor in your home and estimate the repairs and services that it needs. The floor might have been damaged by bleaching, scratches and rotting. All of these can be taken care of by a flooring team company.

Why Engineered Flooring May Be Right For Your Home

Homeowners in need of new flooring may want to consider the many benefits of engineered wood floors. If you consider investigating this style of floor,then you'll find you have a large selection to choose from as this is the most utilised style today.

Engineered wood flooring is constructed with real lumber that has been flattened into several layers. Furthermore, multiple thicknesses are created through the engineering process to build the wood planks, and each sheet is set in different directions to increase durability. From this construction method, you can feel confident that your engineered wood floor could in fact be sturdier than solid wood.

You may of course be contemplating buying some laminate or solid wood flooring instead of engineered, but there are of course pro's and cons. Laminate flooring can scratch and may not last very long is exposed to water, and the hollow sound that they can make when you walk across them can be bothersome for some homeowners.

Solid wood as an options can turn out to be very expensive and also time consuming to install (or indeed therefore expensive to install). Moreover, solid wood can lose its shimmer over time requiring maintenance, yet too much polish and it may become slippery, which can of course cause falls.

Engineered flooring is affordable and easy to install. This style of plank is laid using a floating method, and this increases the speed of installation since the planks are not nailed down. There are also benefits regarding repair and replacement as they will be easier to access and remove.

You also have the option of selecting wider planks is you decide to go for engineered wood. Additionally, it can be installed without the use of sub-floors increasing its cost-effectiveness. You may consider this type of flooring for areas where solid hardwood cannot be installed - such as over concrete, in basements and with the use of radiant heating. Also, engineered floors do not crown or buckle like hard wood can.

This is also a great flooring option to install if you have children since spills and accidents are a common child occurrence. Additionally, homeowners with pets will benefit from the easy clean-up that engineered wood flooring provides. Furthermore, they are recommended for high traffic areas where they are able to withstand the extra abuse.

The choice of finish is also something that you get control over. You can choose from styles that include distressed and wire brushing to oiled and lacquered polishes. Also, you'll have a variety of colour options to create the ambiance that you desire (choose the colours through different woods, like oak or walnut).

Another great benefit is that if you or someone in your family has allergies, then relief can be found when you remove carpeting and install your new flooring. Carpets tend to accumulate dust, dander and mould spores causing allergy sufferers to be greatly affected. This does not happen with plank based floors, so the allergens have less places to reside.

Another benefit over carpets is the fact that carpets require additional maintenance; frequent vacuuming, regular shampooing etc., especially if you have children and pets that can easily stain your carpets with smelly substances.

As a homeowner, you'll enjoy the look of hardwood flooring in your home without the problems that solid hard wood can cause. Furthermore, engineered wood flooring will increase the value of your home while you enjoy the comfort and elegance that it provides.

Know Your Solid Hardwood Floor

Long the champion of elegance and beauty, solid hardwood flooring has had more competition recently as technologies advance and alternatives become more plentiful. Laminate, cork, bamboo and a host of others have risen to take on and take out hardwood from spaces around your home.

Still, these competitors would be hard pressed to combine the warm style and endurance of a premium solid hardwood floor. Reacquaint yourself with what has drawn so many homeowners to this type of flooring over the years.

The Make-up

Solid wood floor is what it says - a solid piece of wood from top to bottom. Generally, the thickness of a wood floor ranges from 3/4 to 5/16 of an inch, though this can vary depending on your preference or the type of wood you choose.

Hardwood comes in strips and planks - strips being narrow and planks wider. Each can be finished and unfinished in various grades. The attraction of unfinished boards is that they may be stained and varnished to suit the nuances of your home while finished boards just require installation. The grade you choose may depend on your budget; however, a clear grade offers a top of the line option with few flaws and uniformity in color. Meanwhile, a common grade with a few knots and more variation in color will be less expensive, and still may work in your home.

The type of wood you select for your home adds a striking presence to a kitchen or dining area. Ranging from light to almost black, the various types can be adapted to your needs as well. Oak is a top choice among many homeowners, while maple provides a harder alternative and parquetry and inlays using mixed woods are seen in many upscale homes. Finding the type you love is always important, and sometimes simplicity in wood choice offers versatility as well.

Staying Power

Resiliency is one of the chief advantages of solid hardwood over competing alternatives, including engineered wood flooring. Maintenance is relatively easy if you give your hardwood floor regular attention and the option of re-sanding creates a whole new experience for your spaces.

Solid wood flooring has a wear layer, or a layer of wood that can be sanded down over the years. This layer is thicker than engineered wood flooring, increasing the number of times you can sand and refinish your floor. Typically, this is not done but a handful of times as the amount is limited to the thickness of your floor along with the time and dedication it takes; however, it is a variable of hardwood that can't be matched. Ten years after installing your hardwood, you may decide you want to freshen up your flooring. Instead of pulling it up, with solid wood flooring you can sand and refinish, essentially producing a new floor.

Sweeping or dusting regularly in addition to the occasional mopping - keeping in mind the products you use must not be corrosive to the wood or your finish - will make your hardwood flooring remain beautiful.

Hardwood has been a mainstay in the flooring industry and in homes because of its refined elegance and endurance. While the alternatives have begun to rival wood, the benefits of new hardwood flooring continue to make it a desirable option for your home.

Unfinished Wood Floors Sanding - Why It's Important

Unfinished wood floors sanding is an important part of every finishing process. When done incorrectly, it could cause problems for the finishing task, leaving behind a less than desirable design on the surface. For those who are currently considering improving their home, the following are some important details they might need to know.

The Point of Sanding

Sanding is defined as smoothing or polishing a surface using a manual or mechanical sander. The roughness of the sander basically strips away small particle of the wood floors and allowing the wood underneath to rise to the surface. Sanding is a process that can be seen when finishing off tables, chairs, statues and basically anything made of wood.

The reason behind unfinished wood floors sanding is simple. It is done to remove all the imperfections on the floor and pave the way for an evenly smooth surface. Over the years, wood flooring may get scratches, dents or stains as a result of everyday use. The sander manages to remove this from the surface, creating a smoother floor on the outside. Think of it as a way of peeling away the unsightly layer to make way for the better-looking one.

Why is Sanding Important before Refinishing?

Sanding paves the way for a smoother floor refinishing job. If refinished without sanding, the surface of the wood will still have the scratches and imperfections resulting from years of use. Even the best finishing material will not be able to hide this. Through sanding, the refinishing process provides the appearance of a completely brand new floor.

Another plus for unfinished wood floors sanding is that it helps remove the dirt and debris that may be stuck in between the wood. This is especially true for parquet floors. The debris coating the surface could compromise the refinishing process. It would make it harder for the finishing substance to completely seep into the wood, therefore decreasing the quality of the work by several notches.

Sanding as part of Refinishing

Sanding is traditionally part of the refinishing process. Professional refinishing companies would include the sanding task with applying the coating to the floor in order to create that perfect finish. Hence, it's not necessary for homeowners to do the job themselves.

Some homeowners like to lower the service cost by doing the unfinished wood floors sanding process themselves. Although this might seem like a good idea, homeowners are advised against this. The fact is that sanding is a delicate process that requires the right tools and knowledge for the job. If done incorrectly, homeowners might sand away an uneven thickness for the flooring, causing imperfections on the surface. In some cases, they might also miss out on important areas of the floor.

When it comes to unfinished wood floors sanding, it's always best to consult the experts. Homeowners are advised to browse through their community to find the best providers for the service that they need. Note that different wood floorings require different sanding attention so verify with the company about their capability to do the job.

Which Rooms Benefit Most From Solid Wood Flooring?

With more and more choice being made available in varying styles, colours and finishes, having a solid wood floor installed in your home is becoming a firm favourite when people decide to redecorate. One of the benefits of a wood floor is that it is timeless and with this comes the hidden benefit that it will help you to sell your house. Another benefit is that it is easily installed. The only major decision you have to make is what style of wood flooring and which room do you want to install it in.

When looking into which room would benefit the most from having a solid wood floorboard installed you will not only see the usual rooms but also a few surprises.

When it comes to restyling your living room, people often feel that if you make it too modern and contemporary it becomes cold and uninviting, especially with all the modern gadgets that are now available. So they often tend to choose wood flooring to make it more traditional. Similar to the living room, the bedroom can also be enhanced with wood flooring. Solid wooden floor can give any room an immediate impact some may even say it can be overpowering, but you can always soften it with a few clever decorative finishes, such as a giant rug in the centre of the room, to give the room warmth. It is not only your decorative styles that can make your room feel even cosier; a solid wood floorboard is also a great insulator so it will help keep the room warm in those cold winter months. If you want a classic vintage look go for a patterned rug, but if you decide you do want something a bit more contemporary then go for a solid block colour rug.

Wood floorings have become more and more popular and with this high demand it means that more choice is now on offer. There is no doubt that wood flooring is highly durable and easy to clean making it a perfect choice for any family room such as the living room. But it is also becoming popular in other rooms such as the hallway or dining room. Some people may often choose against having a solid wood floor installed in these rooms, as they believe it will darken an already dark room due to the limited amount of natural light, but wood flooring is now available in a variety of different finishes and shades, making it more adaptable. For instance a highly polished wood floorboard that shines can be extremely inviting as it brings warmth to any room.

Most astonishingly kitchens and bathrooms can also benefit from having wood floorboard. Wood flooring is easily cleaned and protected, especially when varnished or even by making it water resistant. Also, it is durable no matter what the wear and tear or the spillages, all you have to do is wipe them up or if more drastic action is required you can have it stripped and re varnished.

With so much choice such as the different types of wood or the finishes any room can be transformed with a solid wooden floorboard.

Maintaining Your Solid Wood Floors

Hardwood flooring is easy to clean and adds a level of sophistication to almost any home. This style is easier to maintain than many other types of flooring, but does require maintenance to look its best and fight against wear and tear. Some of this maintenance should be completed daily, while other tasks are only required once every few months.

Preventative Maintenance

Having high-quality mats available at every entrance of your home is a great way to minimise the amount of dirt, stones, and mud that must be cleaned off your hardwood surface. Many people do not allow anyone to wear shoes in their home so that cleaning does not have to be done so often. Using area rugs in large rooms with hardwood floors or busy areas of the home causes less wear and tear than having bare flooring exposed.

Daily Maintenance

Maintaining your solid floor should begin with daily cleaning. This cleaning doesn't need to be any more thorough than vacuuming or sweeping, but it is a very important first step because grit and dirt tend to act like sandpaper. This can then mar the beautiful surface of the hardwood flooring. Mopping the wood floor regularly is a great way to remove debris that may be sticky or difficult to remove with a broom. It is important that the mop used to clean hardwood flooring is damp, but not dripping wet. Water and other liquids can cause solid wood flooring to become discoloured if they are not removed from the flooring quickly.

You should also keep an eye on the humidity level of your home each day to ensure that is remains between forty percent and fifty five percent. Humidity changes are known to cause solid wood flooring to expand and contract, which may cause cracks in the

floor.

Monthly Maintenance

Applying an oil or wax that is specifically designed for wood flooring about once a month is a great way to ensure that the floor's finish stays intact and continues to resist water and stains. The floor should be thoroughly cleaned before the wax or oil is applied, and the product may require you to stay off of the floor for a few hours so that it can soak into the flooring and be able to protect the wood.

Repairing Damage

Light scratches that have appeared on the solid wood flooring surface can usually be removed using a buffer, but deeper scratches should be removed by a flooring specialist who has years of experience with wood flooring.

If wood flooring has not been maintained and the finish is no longer present, the floor will need to be sanded down and a new finish should be applied to the surface. Floors that are maintained properly should not ever require sanding down because a new coat of finish has been applied every month or two.

Choosing the Perfect Timber for Your Wood Floor

Home renovation projects are exciting tasks to undertake. Nothing quite trumps the feeling of finishing modifications and improvements to the home - it's a job that you get to see and enjoy the benefits of finishing every day. One of the most popular things that people love having in their home is solid wooden flooring. Because of their long lasting durability and look, wood floors add value and comfort to any style of decor, making the perfect addition to any home whether it's during initial building or later renovations.

You don't just decide you want wood flooring and bang it in though; like every aspect of interior design, wood floors come in a lot of different styles to choose from. Things like patterns and finishes are important to consider, but the most crucial decision you will make is what type of wood you are going to use.

- Matai, New Zealand's flooring timber of choice. Used extensively in homes throughout the 20th century up until today, Matai wood is popular for its durability and is used as new or recycled. The gorgeous orange-brown colour of the wood is another reason for its extensive use throughout the country.

- Jarrah is a Australian Eucalytpus known for its mix of light and deep red tones. Jarrah is a very popular choice for stairways and flooring, and always results in great feedback. A durable, heavy and hard-wearing wood.

- Rimu was, historically, the main source of wood for New Zealand. Used for everything from construction to furniture, it is a popular wood choice for its attractive colour. While it looks great as flooring, it is not as durable as imported hardwoods like Jarrah or Victorian Ash.

- Tawa is a lighter wood that was a more popular choice between the 1950s and 1970s. It looks good if the light color works into your home decor, and is more durable that both Rimu and Matai.

- Tasmanian Oak is a mixed selection of up to eight Australian Eucalypts. It has light tan and brown through to straw tones coming from the range of Eucalypts. A hard wearing wood that is good for long-lasting wood floors.

- Victorian Ash is, like Tasmanian Oak, a selection of Australian Eucalypts. But a more selective selection including just three of the eight that occur in Tasmanian Oak.

- Kwila/Merbau is a South East Asian wood made up of contemporary light and dark brown tones. Kwila is a cost-effective flooring solution that polishes extremely well and looks good in any modern home.

- American White Oak is the ultimate modern solid wood flooring timber. It comes in a wide range of board sizes up to 222mm. It's an ideal timber to use if you intend to stain the floor. Hard wearing like the Australian Eucalypts, and harvested from sustainable stocks in the USA.

Evaluate your options in light of your home decor and desired finished effect, then you'll be well-equipped to choose the perfect wood for your new floors!

What Is The Life Expectancy of Your Hardwood Floor?

How long will your hardwood floor last? It depends on several things, but wooden floors can last for hundreds of years. Up and down the east coast of the US, there are homes built before the American Revolution that have their original wood floors.

The life expectancy of your flooring will depend on:

The flooring material

Maintenance

Unusual damage

Type of Flooring

Recently installed wood floors are commonly solid wood, 3/4 inch thick. Solid wood floors are made from a variety of wood species, generally hard woods, that will stand up to everyday use. Solid woods are very durable and can be sanded and refinished multiple times. The surface that can be sanded is not the entire thickness of the plank, but the thickness to the tongue and groove which is used to nail the floor to the substrate. This is approximately 1/4 inch in most solid wood flooring products.

Engineered woods or veneered products have strength and structural stability, but the exposed wood surfaces can be thinner and may not withstand substantial sanding. They can be cleaned, of course, and surfaced with waxes and other such products, which will extend their useful life and appearance.

Maintenance

Maintenance can extend the life of a wood floor. Sweeping, vacuuming and gentle washing are normally all that is required to maintain a wood floor. For scratches in the surface, some waxes can be used to disguise the scratch. Oil, wax, or polish the original flooring to keep it in the best shape.

Unusual Damage

Serious gouges or marks in the floor can affect the floor's appearance. Grit, sand and other similar materials can affect the appearance of the floor, although those materials may not affect the structural stability of the floor. In areas where there may be unusually harsh traffic patterns repair may be required. Complete replacement of the floor is normally not necessary.

Wood floors are very durable and, once installed, will likely last for decades if not longer. The surface can be sanded from 6 to 10 times or more, before the floor needs to be replaced entirely. If the floor is resurfaced every 10 to 20 years, the floor will last for a century or more.

Hardwood floors are very long lasting and add to the attractiveness of your home. Sanding and refinishing will put back the original gleam and is a great way to improve the way your home looks.

5 Advantages of Engineered Wood Flooring That You Should Know - Consider This Before Buying One

Engineered wood flooring is a common choice among homeowners because of its homely and beautiful appearance which is also economical with various designs available in the market. Hence, this type of flooring has been widely used in every home because of its main advantages - hence, take note of the main advantages below:Advantage #1: Prevent the wood from bending over long period of time

Basically, engineered wood flooring is made of sandwich of several laminations of wood which comprises both finish wood (on top) and unfinished plywood (underneath). Each layer of the material is meticulously arranged and placed to form a cross-grain construction which contributes the sturdiness and durability of the floor and making it withstand high moisture conditions.

Advantage #2: Resist high moisture conditions

Unlike traditional wood flooring, this particular flooring is perfectly installed in most of the rooms including bathroom and kitchen - as these rooms usually have high moisture and you need to choose flooring materials which has good threshold to water and dampness. In other words, you do not have to worry about your floor when it is exposed to high moisture, or it is overly wet.

Advantage #3: Easy and fast installation for homeowners

Normally, most engineered wood flooring is available in prefinished form. It means that upper layer of the floor is already been sanded and sealed so that you can walk on it after installation. Therefore, you can save up installation cost because you can practically install it on your own. Its instant installation feature has caught attention of many DIY-enthusiasts to add-in aesthetic value to their property by installing such flooring with various designs (differs from the types of hardwood species used) including hickory, oak, bamboo and maple wood flooring.

Advantage #4: Nail-less flooring installation - lengthy panes and tongue and groove type

Although this flooring has a range of installation methods including staple, nail, glue, or float - most homeowners prefer nail-less installation and the common installation choices available are either the "floating" style - which lengthy panes are installed (by gluing or snapping them together) without nailing down the sub-floor, or the "tongue and grove" style - which the planks are joined together lengthwise as the "tongue" (projecting part along an edge's center) of one board fits into "groove" (also known as the slot along the edge) of the other board. It is much easier as compared with solid wood flooring.

Advantage #5: It can be sanded (but only for a limited time of sanding only)

A little-known fact about engineered wood flooring is that it can be sanded when there are scratches, ding and dents on the floor. However, sanding can only be done only for 2 times - which is solely based on the thickness of the floor. If you are unsure whether you should perform sanding, it is appropriate that you call a flooring expert to perform such task.

By knowing the advantages of having engineered wood flooring, you can start comparing prices among the same flooring product as this product is manufactured by different flooring companies. Be sure that you get the right product at affordable price.

Choosing Flooring Inspired by Nature

People choose flooring inspired by nature because they may want their room to have a unique and natural feel to it. It may add depth, elegance and beauty to a room. It is the sort of thing that interior designers tend to go for, but you can get the effect yourself without having to go to that expense. That is why many people choose flooring inspired, in some way, by nature, and these are in more abundance than many people may think.

Wooden flooring is obviously nature inspired because of its origins. But many people, for cost purposes, may want flooring as near to a wood pattern as possible - giving the illusion of wooden flooring without being wood itself. Other wood flooring that is influenced by nature is white oak hardwood flooring. White oak is a natural wood dating back centuries, with a precise grain texture dating back to medieval times. It is more of a pale gold colour than straight white. There are different grades of white oak hardwood flooring, the two most near to nature being clear white oak which is taken from the core of the oak tree itself, raw and undisturbed. There is also common oak that has natural dark streaks. This is also the lowest price hardwood flooring material. Therefore White oak flooring is not only costly but also brings nature to your room and is strong as it is natural wood. Engineered wood flooring can give the illusion of real wood flooring, even something as accurate as lines on wood, looking as accurate as possible for nearly half the price of natural wood.

Cork flooring is not only a renewable source, but the way it is sourced means it does not cause any environmental damage. This means that a person can enjoy nature inspired flooring without worrying about the environment. With cork flooring the cork is stripped without causing any destruction to the tree.

Hardwood bamboo flooring comes from a bamboo plant which has matured. This is a natural and sustainable source which helps if you want flooring reflecting true nature. Because it grows really fast it is more viable to use this for wood, rather than cutting down trees in the rainforests, for natural wood. This natural wood is available at affordable prices and so can be seen as an ideal flooring type for people who appreciate nature.

There are also patterns and colours that can be inspired by nature. The reasonably priced laminate flooring which can give the illusion of real nature at a cheaper price. Vinyl flooring offers the customer the chance to decide how their flooring looks. They can select patterns that look like wood and give their room the feel of nature whilst not actually being the real thing. A child's carpet may resemble nature to give them comfortable surroundings or simply incorporate tree designs or animal patterns. No matter how far from nature some may intend to be, nature can still be present.

Choosing flooring inspired by nature can involve simply buying flooring that comes from natural resources, and as another option, people can buy cheaper flooring types that give the illusion of wood or patterns and colours that represent nature. When choosing your flooring there are plenty of types that are inspired by and come directly from, nature.

Create an Ambient Xmas With Solid Wood Floor

The appearance of hard wood flooring has always been one associated with luxury. Part of the beauty of it lies in its versatility. Whether you wish to create a contemporary feel, a Tuscan look or that of the traditional, classic English farmhouse, amongst many others - it's all possible.

It's well known that hard wood floor isn't cheap either and with Christmas fast approaching, ambience is the latest thing people are striving to achieve and by using dark tones this can easily be achieved by following a few design pointers.

Dark tones are quite large in terms of the variety on offer. For tones such as dark oak it is advised that the room has access to a large amount of natural light. Without access to this type of light source dark hard wood flooring can make the room appear too dark, in effect losing this sense of ambience and could make the room seem claustrophobic.

This could be solved by contrasting lighter coloured furniture with dark wood flooring; when done correctly this can help greatly in providing a contrast which ultimately results in warmth.

It would be recommended not try and combine too much dark furniture with an already dark toned hard wood floorboard. Even if there is a great amount of natural light, at night it could result in the creation of an effect that is too cold and dramatic, thus killing any chances of the warm ambient feel.

Further contrast can be created by decorating a room with a dark wood floorboard using light colours such as whites, magnolias and creams as these will bring out the features of the floor to the greatest effect.

Using rugs on the hard wood floors can act as a centrepiece in a room and serve in providing warmth in winter - both in terms of temperature and creating an atmosphere. Rugs with splashes of colour can easily add brightness to a room.

Something as simple as placing a rug in front of the fire place conjures up that traditional Christmassy image, of settling down in front of a warm fire under the Christmas tree lights after a day out in the cold and who can resist that?

The use of a rug is also positive in that it can be easily rolled up and stored away during the summer. It also provides a reasonably cheap way of making a room more homely in achieving that festive feel. Rugs and carpets are also practical in that they can help to protect the solid wood flooring from any damage or scratches.

Greens and dark browns are known to work quite well together because of tone similarity. A natural Christmas tree with some standard lights while seeming minimalistic will easily provide a classy centrepiece for the room and one that during the earlier darkening evenings provides warmth, but at the same time isn't too garish.

Small lamps may seem like a minor feature, but they too can also accentuate even the smallest features in the hard wood flooring.

Although some of these pointers may seem obvious to some they can all help in making your home feel more Christmassy this winter with the use of a dark hard wood floor.

Wood Floors, Are They Better For the Environment Than Carpet?

Up until the 1980's it was all about the synthetic materials. For whatever reason synthetics had been elevated to a higher standard than natural products. 20 years later and much of that has changed. We have become educated on the consequences of our actions and knowing those consequences many people have begun to make a shift back to the natural world. While some still disregard the need to move towards more sustainable practices, those who care know that every little decision adds up. In making those decisions it can be hard to balance practicality, cost and aesthetics when trying to improve your house. The desire between building a beautiful house and being conscientious of the environment often do not seem to overlap. Yet in some cases you can have both. One of those cases is wood flooring.

Wood flooring is a classic when it comes to home decor. With many beautiful colors like an earthy brown or a deep red, one can create the feeling of a cozy warm cabin while still looking modern. With numerous different grains of wood and new types of "wood" flooring being introduced into the market there are many options. So why wood over tile, carpet and vinyl? Unlike other options wood can be replenished. Yes, there are companies that illegally clear cut forests, but these days most activist groups like the Sierra Club have pushed lumber companies into sustainable practices. Trees can grow back, while something like tile mining will forever change the landscape. Vinyl and carpet are both synthetically made materials, usually with high amounts of plastics. Plastic is one of the most environmentally toxic products out there. Starting from production and ending with their disposal, plastics harm the environment in several different ways. Though being environmentally friendly is not the only aspect of wood floors.

Another quality that makes wood flooring a sound investment is the durability and life span of wood flooring. Wood floors usually last decades, something carpet and vinyl cannot compare too. A long lasting floor means an investment that retains its value for a long time. Wood floors offer other values that are not monetary, like being friendlier and more comfortable than tile flooring. It's much nicer to walk on a wood floor barefoot every morning than a tile floor! Wood is also cost effective and easy to install. And there are wood choices that are very environmentally safe, like bamboo which is considered a highly sustainable resource.

When it comes to making a flooring decision, look good and hard at the decision you are making. Outside of the normal questions like budget constraints, look and see if the product you are buying is environmentally sound. Is what you are buying made in a sustainable way? Does what I am buying affect the environment in a negative way? Be it wood or carpet, these are important questions to be answered before you make a decision. Of course it is obvious what we recommend, learn from the past when making decisions towards the future!

Things to Consider When Choosing Hardwood Flooring

Nothing makes a home look more elegant, warm and inviting than wood flooring throughout. You simply cannot ask for a more durable and beautiful flooring scheme, and that may just be the reason that more homeowners than ever are choosing hardwood flooring for their homes. It not only lasts for years, but it also adds value to your home and property. If you do not currently have it in your home, but would like to install it, please do, but there are some things that you may want to consider before settling on any one type.

How it is created

Most of the wood used to create wood floors is pre-finished at the factory long before it is installed in your home, although you do have the choice of ordering unfinished wood. Unfinished wood can always be stained and finished on-site, before being installed. This type is known as solid wood, and has been the favorite when homeowners are choosing hardwood flooring, and has been used for centuries. It can be finished and refinished several times over the years, and will last for decades.

Another kind of wood flooring, engineered wood, uses several layers of real wood that is sandwiched together. Each layer is laid crosswise to the previous layer, creating a solid weave of real wood planes that is just as durable as the solid wood version. This type can also be refinished when necessary, but the number of times this can be done will depend on the thickness of the topmost layer. In recent years, a layer of aluminum oxide has been added to most manufactured wood flooring, which extends its durability, so much so that it is not unusual to see manufacturer's warranties that extend fifty years or more.

Species Available

Another choice that will have to be made when ordering wood floors to be installed in your home is the species of wood that you wish to have. The most popular styles are generally broken down into two distinct categories: domestic hardwoods and exotic. The domestic type includes more than fifty different species, with the most popular being walnut, maple, pine, ash, hickory and beech. The exotic category includes species that are imported, like tiger wood, Brazilian cherry and Amendoim. The most popular exotic out there today, however, is bamboo.

Bamboo is, by far, the best-selling choice in wood flooring today. It is an environmentally conscious alternative to real wood, and is equally as durable as any domestic hardwood available today. It is available in both horizontal and vertical grains, and can be left natural or in a carbonized form. The carbonization process will heat the bamboo to achieve a darker tone, and improves its durability. Bamboo can be stained into uniform darker colors, or it can be left as strands, with alternating dark and light grains throughout. It is available in both engineered and solid formats.

Widths and Finishes

The last few choices to make when ordering wood floors for your home are to decide on the widths of the wood, and the decorative finishes that are available. The different widths these are available in can make its own decorative statement in your home, when used properly. It all depends on the total look you are striving for. Traditional oak strip, for example, has narrower pieces of wood, measuring around 2 ½" in width. Wood planks are another popular choice, which range anywhere from 3" to 7" in width. The wider planks make for a more modern look, while the narrower choices make it look more antique.

When choosing hardwood flooring, you must also take into consideration the finish you want for the overall decorative effect. Still others prefer that the wood remain its natural color, or stained to a color of their choice. Whitewashed or a distressed finish is also an option for anyone who wishes their flooring to look older and more classic, if that is what will fit in best in their home. That look will also provide a dramatic backdrop for any antique rugs that you may want to utilize as well.

Things to Consider When Purchasing Wooden Flooring

Wood flooring is an effective option for almost any residence. Wood is definitely a natural material with a lengthier life span, looks stunning and adds value to your property. Wood flooring offers lots of advantages however you have to keep in mind the following points when weighing if wooden flooring could be the solution you're looking for concerning your flooring.

What Is The Budget For Your Wood Flooring?

Wood flooring extremely differs in cost. The finish and quality of the wood, among other things, changes the overall expense. Rustic grade wood flooring will cost you more than select or A grade wood flooring. The concern of the fitting also has an effect on its rate.

What Kind Of Sub-Floor Do You Have?

The sub-floor that already exists in your house will determine which kind of wood flooring you may use. Your subflooring can be concrete or wood depending on the model of your home and also when it was built. This is one of the major factors in your selection of wood flooring.

Where Are You Going To Put The Flooring?

If its going to be placed in the living room, the kitchen, hallway or perhaps the dining area, every single room has various attributes and demands appropriate flooring types. As a result, if you are intending to lay out the actual floor in various rooms or are doing the whole house you need to select a form of wood that will best suit your needs.

What Colour, Grain and Pattern Do You Want?

There is a wealth of variety in the type available as there are generally a huge number of colour varieties. Colour is dependent on varieties, age of the tree, the place it was basically harvested and how it was subsequently handled after harvest. A few species are typically lighter in colour, while others are dark. So much choice can be overwhelming! We suggest you select the colour you want before delving into the grain and pattern types.

What Kind Of Finish Do You Want?

The four primary finishes available are oils, hardwax oils, lacquers and varnish. The type of finish determines the final look of the floor. It will also affect the sustainability of the floor and how frequent it needs servicing.

What Grade and Quality of Wood Flooring Should You Choose?

Grading is influenced by knots along with other imperfections. There are many different grades of wood and as you'd assume, better grades of wood cost more. Quality varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and is also impacted by factors such as from where the wood is grown and how it is normally dried. The grade and also quality of the wood you select relies upon the budget along with your particular preference, but don't forget - low cost wood may not definitely be the most effective.

We hope this article will be as an effective guideline if you're considering purchasing this to improve your property.

Why Training Benefits Both Fitters and Suppliers of Real Wood Flooring

As in any industry, the appropriate training is essential to guarantee the job gets done properly and that everyone benefits from the process. There are many fitters of real wood floors - builders, carpenters and trained wood flooring specialists.

Each fitter has a different skill-base, experience and technique using a wide range of products, therefore there can be a lot of variation in the workmanship of the end product. Why problems arise for fitters Installing a real wood floor is not an easy task. Laminate and engineered real wood floors can be installed on top of an underlay, but the sub floor needs to be in a good condition to start with.

Solid wood floors need to be fixed to a subfloor. On a concrete subfloor they need to be fixed with an adhesive. On a wooden subfloor they need to be fixed with a porter nailer - the existing boards need to be checked to make sure they aren't loose and secured first. Engineered and solid floors need to acclimatise to the environment to be fitted. Packs need to remain closed in the room for at least 48 hours before installation. Room temperature should ideally be around 18 degrees C with a relative humidity between 45-55%.

The moisture content of the fitting environment is one of the most important factors. Changes in humidity cause expansion and contraction of real wood floors. Other moisture considerations are wet-trades work - concrete floors being completely dry, all plasterwork complete and dry, painting and wallpapering has been given time to dry out, wall or floor tiles installed for at least 3 weeks and radiators have been bleed to name a few. There are so many possible variants and therefore room for problems with fitting that it's important that trade workers have the relevant experience.

Fitting Floors

Why problems arise for suppliers Because of the wide variety of issues that can arise from the actual fitting of a real wood floor, when a job does go wrong sometimes the fitter blames the supplier or manufacturers product and not their skill in fitting. This obviously causes many problems the supplier. Once their product has been delivered to a fitter, they have little or no control over what happens to it next.

Experienced fitters should check the wood supply before fitting and raise any concerns with the supplier. Also a detailed fitting process should be listed to the supplier so that they can carry out their own inspection on the fitting to determine whether the issue is their product or the installation. If the dispute is still not settled, an independent inspection can be brought in for a fee of up to £500 - a cost shared by both parties.

The solution is training Even an established fitter can benefit from additional training. Use of moisture meters and understanding how to fully use them can help eliminate problems further down the line. The British Wood Flooring Association (BWFA) runs 2 day courses in skills such as installation, and sanding and finishing. They also offer an NVQ qualification in wood floor installation. Even if you know what you're doing, anyone can improve their skills by learning more advanced techniques such as inlay work.

Hardwood Flooring: How to Keep Wood Floors in Top Shape

If properly maintained, hardwood floors can beautify a home for decades, adding warmth, character and value to your house. When neglected, however, wood flooring can deteriorate and quickly begin looking shabby. In order to get the most possible life out of your flooring, and to preserve it for generations to come, apply the following techniques for proper care and maintenance.

Clean Up Spills Right Away

Lingering spills can cause damage to your wood flooring. To protect your floor, clean up spills right away using a dry cloth. Avoid pushing down as you soak up spilled liquid; the pressure will only make the stain enter deeper into the wood grain. Rinse out your cloth often, and wring it out well before returning to the spill zone. After you're done, dry off the area completely with another clean cloth. Repeat this process if any sticky residue remains.

Lastly, if these techniques are not working for certain stubborn stains, call a hardwood flooring contractor who will know the best ways to remove blemishes without harming your flooring.

Place Rugs Purposefully

Every hardwood flooring contractor suggests shielding your flooring by putting rugs at entrances and in high- traffic areas. Interior and exterior rugs capture dirt before it can scratch your wood flooring.

Religiously Apply Furniture Protectors

Felt furniture pads protect your hardwood floors by preventing scratches. A wood floor may be refinished to remove scratches, but this is an expensive, time-consuming procedure best entrusted to a professional hardwood flooring contractor. The more diligent you are about applying felt protectors to your furniture, the fewer scratches your wood flooring will sustain.

Sweep Consistently

Sweep wood flooring every other day to remove dust, dirt and other debris. Unless you have dust allergies, a broom is the best choice since it won't scratch your floors. If you do suffer from allergies, suck up dirt with the soft-bristle attachment on your vacuum cleaner; this will reduce the amount of allergens that are kicked up, and it minimizes the chance that vacuum wheels will cause scratches.

Prevent Water Damage

Because water is one of wood flooring's worst enemies - it can cause the wood to warp as well as stain - it's important not to wet mop your wood floors, no matter how much you may be tempted. When in doubt, always follow the manufacturer's recommendations. For example, laminate flooring can be designed to look like hardwood floors; sellers of laminate flooring typically do not recommend cleaning with water. If you come across a particularly hard-to-clean stain, check with a hardwood flooring contractor for safe cleaning methods that won't blemish your hardwood floors.

Depending on your floor's finish, you may also need to wax and polish your wood floors regularly, at least once a year, to ensure your flooring remains as protected as possible. If you're just too busy to carry out this hefty maintenance task, contract with a hardwood flooring contractor.

Wooden Floors for Commercial Use - Four Stages to the Perfect Wood Floor

Wooden floors in commercial premises are hugely popular because of their attractive look and practical appeal. There is a broad range of solutions ideally suited to a commercial environment.

No matter the setting, whether it is an office, a museum, a gallery, a pub, a club, a shop or sports hall, wood flooring can be the perfect solution. It deals well with challenges such as traffic, moisture and temperature fluctuations.

So, how do we get the perfect wood floor?

Stage 1 - Check for damaged areas: when a wood floor is badly scratched or the seal is worn through it requires a complete restorative process. There may be sections where repairs are required.

Stage 2 - Preparation: this process requires cleaning and sweeping the floor to make sure surface dirt and dust is removed. A wood cleanser and degreaser may be used to remove ingrained dirt and contaminants.

Stage 3 - Wood Sanding: this process involves sanding the flooring through progressively finer grades of sanding paper until the required finish is achieved. Best-served professionals have invested in ground-breaking dust free wood floor sanding equipment; the dust extraction system avoids the enormous amount of dust created at the point of cleaning and following the treatment. This allows the process to take place without affecting the business, employees and its customers. Furthermore the process can be carried out quickly and with minimal disruption to the day-to-day operations.

During the process as the indoor air quality is protected, craftsmen are able to offer a superior sanding as they are able to continuously monitor their work; greater attention to detail is therefore possible. In addition, the use of the most up to date machinery guarantees that the surface is given the best possible, smooth finish ready to receive colour and sealant.

Stage 4 - Re-finish the floors: the final stage will be to stain, seal and polish your floors. There is a range of stains available for wood floors so careful consideration into these options will be required to achieve the look you desire. For sealing your floors, multiple layers of heavy-duty and long-lasting UV-protected waterborne floor finish is applied. This process protects your floors from future wear and tear and high foot traffic.

It may be a subtle finish or a complete change, requiring a different colour. Whichever option is chosen, specific care is required in the application of the stain or varnish.

Does the floor need to be an oiled surface with a more matt finish or a gloss finish? Coloured or clear, advice should be taken as to ensure the exact look needed, is achieved.

The right finishing choice will make sure your floor looks great and lasts longer; well-maintained wooden floors can offer an impressive and hard-wearing finish. This does involve time and effort but the results can be amazing when done to a high standard.

A reputable and experienced wood flooring restoration company will to bring your commercial wooden floor back to its former glory quickly and efficiently. With the right craftsmen on the job a fantastic looking and durable surface can be obtained. Your selected professional should have extensive experience in large, commercial wood floor restoration projects.

What Are Hand-Scraped Hardwood Floors and What Are the Benefits?

If you love the look of hardwood flooring with lots of character, then you may want to check out hand-scraped hardwood flooring. Hand-scraped wood provides a warm vintage look, providing the floor instant character. These types of scraped hardwoods are suitable for living rooms, dining rooms, hallways and bedrooms. But what exactly is hand-scraped hardwood flooring?

Well, it is literally what you think it is. Hand-scraped hardwood flooring is created by hand using specialized wood working tools to make each board unique and giving an overall "old worn" appearance.

At Innovation Builders we offer solid wood floors finished on site with an actual hand-scraping technique followed by stain and sealer. Solid wood floors are installed by an expert team of technicians who work each board with skilled craftsman-like attention to detail. Following the scraping procedure the floor is stained by hand with a customer selected stain color, and then protected with multiple coats of sealing and finishing polyurethane. This finishing process of staining, sealing and coating the wood floors contributes to providing the look and durability of an old reclaimed wood floor, but with today's tough, urethane finishes.

There are many, many benefits to hand-scraped wood flooring. Overall, these floors are extremely durable and hard wearing, providing years of trouble-free use. These wood floors remain looking newer for longer because the texture that the process provides hides the typical dents, dings and scratches that other floors can't hide so easily. That's great news for households with kids, dogs, and cats.

These types of wood flooring have another unique advantage as well. When you do scratch these floors during their lifetime, the scratches are easily repaired. As long as the scratch isn't too deep you can make them practically disappear without ever having to hire a professional. It's simple to hide the scratch by using a color-matched stain marker or repair kit that is readily available through local flooring distributors. These features make hand-scraped hardwood flooring a lot more durable and hassle-free to maintain than other types of wood flooring.

The expert processes utilized in the creation of these floors provides a custom look of worn wood with deep color and subtle highlights. When the light hits the wood at different times during the day, it provides an understated but powerful effect of depth and beauty. They instantly offer your rooms a rustic look full of character, allowing your home to become a warm and inviting environment. The rustic look of this wood provides a texture, style and rustic appeal that cannot be matched by any other type of flooring.

Laying of Engineered Wood Flooring Yourself

Engineered wood flooring is finished wood veneer placed over manufactured particle board that is almost indistinguishable from solid wood when installed. It is thinner, straighter, more uniform and somewhat easy to install. You can lay engineered wood flooring yourself using the floating method in a few easy steps.

Step 1: Assemble the materials you'll need

You will need:• Tape measure

• Broom and dust pan

• Moisture barrier (If laying on concrete sub floor)

• Pad

• Adhesive (If your wood is tongue-and-groove)

• Saw

• Rubber mallet

• Tapping block

Step 2:Determine how much wood you'll need

Measure the dimensions of the room you want to lay the flooring using your tape measure. Multiply the length of the room with its width to get the room's exact square footage.

Add about 15 per cent to the room's square footage to get the actual size of wood you will need. 15 per cent extra footage is added to cater for cutting mistakes and waste during installation.

Step 3:Clean the floor

Remove everything in the room to allow for thorough cleaning before laying the floor. Sweep and mop the floor to get rid of all visible dart particles and debris.

Step 4:Install a moisture barrier

If your sub-floor is concrete, cover it with a moisture barrier to prevent ground moisture damaging your wood flooring. Fit the pad on top of the moisture barrier once the barrier is in place.

Step 5:Lay the flooring

Lay down the first flooring board starting from the furthest corner of the room. Lock the next flooring board into place, if the wood has a snap-lock feature.

Apply adhesive at the first and second boards' point of contact to hold the boards together, if your wood is the tongue-and-groove type.

Repeat the process and lay a complete vertical row first. Measure the last board at the end of the row and cut it to the exact fit against the wall. Use your rubber mallet to fit the board perfectly against the wall.

Add a second row to the side of your first vertical row and work your way to the end of this row. Add another row to the side of the second row and repeat this working pattern with subsequent rows until you've laid out the whole room.

Arrange the rows in a systematic order from where previous rows start to ensure the end joints will look beautiful when the job is done. Finally, attach baseboards around the floor and wall joints to complete laying your flooring.

Step 6:Clean Up

Pick up anything laying around on the floor. Sweep saw dust and other debris away and mop any visible dirt on the new flooring to finish a job well done.

Tips

• Keep your new engineered wood flooring in good condition by cleaning it regularly with a soft broom. You may also use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of minuscule dirt particles on the floor.

• Never use regular floor cleaners on engineered wood flooring because these damage the wood itself and its veneer finish look.

• And, keep your wood flooring dry at all times to ensure it lasts longer.

Why Switch to Solid Wood Flooring?

More and more consumers are making the switch from carpets to solid wood floorboards. Styles and colours of carpet date over time and when you redecorate, the colour of your carpet needs to be considered before you choose which colour to splash on your walls. With wood flooring this is not such a problem as it complements most colours.

Solid wood floorboards can increase the value or your home, but there are a few things to consider before laying it all over your house.

Newly laid solid wood flooring looks fantastic, but it can become damaged when wet so it may be wise to install a different type of floor, such as vinyl flooring, in bathrooms and kitchens where spillages happen more frequently. A basement is also not a good place to install the flooring as these are usually damper than other areas of the house.

Once you've avoided those areas, the flooring can be laid throughout the rest of the house, giving your home that classic finish. Your floor will now complement both traditional furniture and contemporary furnishing leaving you the opportunity to style your home the way you've always dreamed of.

Wood floors will cost you more than laminate floors alternatives but the flooring will more than pay for itself over the years. Many believe that solid wood flooring improves with age and more often than not will outlast the homeowner. Carpeting needs constant vacuuming and if red wine is spilt then a new carpet is often the only option. If there is a spillage on your wooden floor, as long as it is mopped up quickly it shouldn't stain.

If you have a family pet, then wooden flooring may not be the right choice for you. The paws of cats and dogs can often cause scratches and you wouldn't want them to spoil the look of your new home improvement investment, instead you should consider a laminate alternative as many come with scratch resistant properties.

Solid Wood interiors are the latest trend this spring, so now is the perfect time to address your flooring in time for summer. Maintenance is no longer an issue as new technology in stains and finishes mean that little more than sweeping is required.

There are also many health benefits to installing solid wood flooring. The flooring does not collect dust like carpets, so any family members who suffer from allergies could potentially see their symptoms improve just by changing the floorboard. The wood also flexes as you walk across it which means that less stress is put on your bones.

Online is a great place to shop for solid wood flooring. There are great discounts to be found and many retailers will deliver samples through your door for no extra cost.

What Type Of Wood Do I Want For My Home Flooring

With so many choices available in the market, it might be difficult to make a decision as to what type of flooring is best for your home. Read on for some useful suggestions.

Reasons for choosing wood flooring

There are many advantages wooden floors have over ceramic or fitted carpet floors. Perhaps the most significant advantage lies in wood's longevity. While initial costs may be higher when compared to other types of flooring, wooden floors have a shelf life of up to a century, if maintained regularly and adequately. Therefore, wood flooring is a good long-term investment.

Wooden floors require minimal maintenance and cleaning them is an easy and hassle-free task. As a result, wooden floors are ideal in those homes whose residents suffer from environmental allergies. There are never dust build-ups, animal dander and other allergens trapped in wooden floors.

Wooden floors are aesthetically pleasant. Wood adds a delicate and classy touch to any floor. Also, due to the huge variety of woods, wooden floors are highly versatile. Homeowners can choose to create both modern and traditional looks, since there is a colour, cut and style of wood for every need.

Last but not least, woods can be recycled and therefore are a green option when it comes to home decoration.

Wood types

Maple

Maple wood is a step above oak in terms of durability. The colour range goes from creamy white to brown, including some reddish tones. The lighter tones can be used in kitchens or living rooms, to open up the space and bring in some brightness. Darker tones can be combined with orange or cream-painted walls to create a welcoming and warm space.

Walnut

Walnut is a relatively soft wood. Black walnut wood in particular will add a touch of formality to any room, therefore being ideal for office and studio floors. Combine a dark walnut wooden floor with a colour-block rug for a striking effect.

Ash

Ash wood is available in colours going from light cream to dark chocolate. Mix, match and contrast with your existing decoration to create a homely feel in bedrooms and living rooms.

Oak

Red oak is one of the most popular choices, although it is not as durable as white oak. The natural highlights in both white and red oak can immediately warm up a room, so they are ideal to be used in bedrooms. Red oak floors are a great match to rooms painted in vivacious colours, such as children's rooms or modern studios.

Dark oak tones can be used to create a comfortable atmosphere in living rooms decorated in contrasting tones (such as deep reds or indigo blues).

Black oak is a rare wood that can add a sober and elegant touch to a room. It is a perfect match to a minimalist-style dining room.

And remember, wooden floors are always in style!

Wood Floors - Benefits of Wood Floors in Your Home

Wooden flooring is a stunning and sophisticated choice when looking to redecorate or remodel your home or property. Exploring all options for attractive wood floors will show they are a great financial investment, adding beauty and enjoyment to any home environment for years to come.

Alongside its natural beauty wood flooring offers a vast range of benefits for homeowners including durability, cost effectiveness, ease of maintenance, variety as well as being an ecological choice.

Whilst oozing elegance, hardwood floors fit naturally into any decor and setting. It is said to accentuate any room whether it is a traditional or contemporary feel. It boasts a timeless appeal of quality and with simple maintenance it is easy to enjoy wood floors that retain their stylishness and appeal for many years.

When contemplating whether wooden floors are worth the investment, consider improvements in technology that have strengthened the durability and quality elements of hardwoods. This flooring choice is now available for all rooms within a property, including bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms. The right choice will allow you to have confidence of longevity for your desired option.

It is strongly believed that hardwood flooring can raise the value of your home with higher appeal to buyers should you be fitting wooden floors to resell your home. They are affordable and maintain their value.

Wood floors will also retain their beauty with minimal care. Grain patterns emerge and tones deepen over years, adding to the original exquisiteness. Finishes offered in wood choices today allow for regular cleaning taking little more than vacuuming or sweeping.

Some ordinary retail products can leave residue behind, creating dull and lifeless impressions as they are not specialised to deal with individual types of hardwood floors. Seek the advice of a professional if unsure how to approach any aspect of wood floor cleaning.

Professional wood floor sanding experts offer a high-level and tailored service. When sanding procedures are required they will give advice on the best course of action and their effective and efficient service will allow fast turn-around and a refined product. With often spectacular results; your floors will be left looking like new, clean and durable for years to come.

Dust and irritants airborne in homes can collect in carpets over time, meaning families suffering with allergies can be left feeling frustrated. Leading health associations promote the use of wooden floors as a superior choice for a healthier environment, whilst also being renewable and recyclable.

Choosing the right quality flooring for your home or property is vital to ensure you get the most enjoyment from your decision. Contemplate the different types of wood, the variation in colours, board widths and wood grains. Time spent on this will only add to the uniqueness and timeless appeal!

In Defense of Solid Wood Flooring

When choosing a nice new floor, many homeowners won't even consider solid wood flooring as an option. Wood gets a bit of a bad rap sometimes, and most of the criticism focuses on the amount of maintenance that real wood products require. And then there's the element of risk - nobody wants a floor that can be ruined by the slightest spillage. Unless you're some kind of ultra-cautious, clumsy-proof superhuman, you'll want your home to allow for at least the occasional error.

But you shouldn't let your chronic butterfingers be a barrier between you and your dream floor. It's time to stop talking about the drawbacks of solid wood flooring and start acknowledging the positives. Frankly, nobody would bother with wood if it were nothing but a persistent pain, so let's take a look at some of the arguments for wooden floors:It Looks Great!

This is without a doubt the main selling point of solid wood flooring. Laminate floors might be more durable and versatile than hardwood, but if we're going exclusively on appearance then wood is the winner every time. The natural-yet-luxurious veneer of a genuine oak wood floor is one heck of a good way to brighten up a room, and whether your interior design tastes lean towards untarnished elegance or vintage-style shabby chic, there's bound to be a solid wood floor out there that suits your palate.

It Feels Great!

Okay, if you've just gotten out of bed on a cold winter's morning then you'd probably rather have a nice, warm carpet under your feet. At any other time, though, solid wood's grainy terrifically tactile texture is utterly unbeatable. It's a nice, smooth feel, although the subtle grain of the surface feels pleasantly organic, which makes it lovelier even than laminate.

It Keeps On Giving!

As demanding as solid wood flooring can sometimes be, it's also the most rewarding kind of floor on the market. Sure, carpeting is cheap and doesn't need very much attention, but solid wood is a product that you'll never stop loving. It will still be just as appealing in a decade's time as it is today, and if you do your best to take care of it, the stunning effect it has on your home won't have diminished either.

Potential Buyers Will Love It!

And if you don't intend to stay in your current property for as long as ten years, you can still benefit from a beautiful bit of hardwood. When an estate agent sees that you've got real wood flooring in your living room, their estimate will skyrocket; everyone knows that wood does wonders for a house's market value, and if you're looking to sell then a wood floor will have potential buyers falling over each other to make you an offer.

So while it's true that real wood flooring isn't for everyone, it's hard to deny that it has an awful lot going for it. Perhaps the next time you're re-flooring a room, you won't be so scared of solid wood and its sumptuous style!

The Benefits of Engineered Flooring Over Solid Wood

Engineered wood flooring is becoming increasingly popular in the UK flooring market, with homeowners looking to recreate the look and feel of a solid wood floor without the substantial outlay.

Engineered wood flooring provides a number of benefits that solid wood simply cannot match. In terms of the aesthetics of this product, you will be hard pushed to tell the difference. The top layer of engineered wood flooring is solid wood, so all the whirls and knots you would expect from a solid wood floor are present, along with the warm, natural hues traditional solid wood floors provide.

But what about the functionality of an engineered style of flooring? What are the benefits over a solid wooden floor?

Functionality

Engineered flooring is inherently stronger than solid hardwood, ensuring added stability and a flooring solution that can be installed by the homeowners themselves without the added hassle and expense of assistance from a professional. Modern engineered styles of flooring come with a glueless lock system, turning it into what is essentially a simple, if not rather large jigsaw puzzle; simply lock each floorboard into place and hey presto!

Durability

The durability of an engineered floor makes it an excellent choice for households with little feet running around, whether they belong to the family pooch or your little darlings. This type of flooring is resistant to scratching, dents, UV rays and moisture, so whatever accidents should occur, engineered flooring can be mopped, brushed or vacuumed and it will look as good as new. If you do somehow manage to damage engineered flooring, it can be remedied with a quick sanding down, which will restore it to the condition it was in the minute after it was laid. This added durability makes engineered flooring suitable for kitchens as well as living and dining rooms.

Maintenance

Maintaining an engineered style of flooring is a far less time consuming process than the maintenance of solid hardwood. Spillages can be simply mopped up without worrying about the damage the moisture might otherwise do to the integrity of a solid wood floor. Wood is also highly susceptible to denting and scrapes which engineered flooring can easily withstand.

If you're looking at flooring options for your residential property and your heart is set on solid wood, it is certainly well worth taking a look at engineered flooring alternatives just to see how much money you could save; we can guarantee you'll be surprised just how fantastic an engineered style of flooring options look.

Changing the Colour of Real Wood Flooring

Years of direct sunlight, water and grit can dull and scratch your real wood flooring. Staining your floors can revitalise the warmth and give you the option to change the colour. Place some water droplets in a frequently used area. If it penetrates the surface, the wood isn't sealed and needs refinishing. If the water beads up, your floor only needs cleaning. In either case, you can change the colour of your real wood floor using these easy steps.

1. Calculate your floor's square footage. You'll need this information when purchasing your supplies.

2. Remove all furnishings and secure your window coverings away from the floor. Insert a putty knife between the wall and base molding. Remove the molding with a pry bar. Hammer nails that aren't flush with the floor. Remove waxy buildup with mineral spirits and use a broom to remove debris. Wipe the surface with a damp cloth and give the floor time to thoroughly dry before you sand it.

3. Removing the finish is the most labor-intensive part of the process. Follow the instructions that accompanied the power sander. Start with 40 to 60 grit sandpaper, and then smooth it out with 100 grit paper. Vacuum the debris between each complete pass. After the floor is even and smooth, use a putty knife and stainable wood filler to correct imperfections. Dampen a cloth with mineral spirits and wipe the floor.

4. Use a roller or paintbrush to apply a protective basecoat to seal and protect your freshly sanded floors. This provides moisture and a barrier to keep your floors clean.

5. For a consistent colour, pour the stain into a large container and blend it with a wood stir stick.

6. Test your colour on an inconspicuous portion of your floor. Invariably, the colour on your floor will differ from the stain depicted on the container.

7. Use a lint-free cloth to apply the stain. Follow your stain's instructions and begin in a corner of the room. Work your way toward the door. Occasionally blend the stain to maintain a consistent color. Excess stain can blemish your floors' appearance. Promptly remove drips with a fresh lint-free cloth.

8. Give your floors sufficient time to dry. This may take up to six hours. For a darker shade, apply a second coat.

9. After your floor is thoroughly dry, apply a finish to protect the floor. Oil-based polyurethane finishes can be applied after eight hours. Wait 24 hours before applying a water-based finish. Transfer your finish to a paint tray and use a lambswool applicator or natural bristle brush. Follow the same process you used to apply the stain. It will take approximately four hours to dry.

All you need is to make sure you are careful and patient and there is no reason why you can't save some expense and change the colour of your real wood flooring yourself.

Benefits of Engineered Wood Flooring

There are many types of flooring available in the market today, so when it comes to picking one most suitable for your home, you'd be stumped for choice. However, it is known that engineered wood floors are a current favorite and a trend in times of today because of its homely feel, gorgeous appearance and minimal cost. If you've been leaning towards this type of flooring, here are a few things that could help you make your flooring choice.

It's solid. The wood is properly engineered to last a long time and with all the detail put into it, you can be guaranteed that the wood won't bend after a period of time. This works because the wood is made up of layers of unfinished plywood with finished wood on top, played in a cross grain fashion which gives the wood flooring its durability.

Resistant to high moisture. Most wooden floorings cannot be installed in places such as the bathroom, kitchen and anywhere else where there is a constant use of water because it will damage easily when in contact with water. This engineered wood is one of a kind because it's common to have it installed in kitchens and even parts of the bathroom because it has got a high moisture resistance. The wood is so sturdy, it won't damage when it's damp so you won't have to worry when it comes to maintaining or cleaning. You can mop the floor as you like and not be paranoid that there may be excess water.

Save installation cost. The beauty of this wood is that you can get it prefinished, meaning that you can buy it in perfect form and there would be no need to have it sanded or sealed. This gives you the benefit of installing it yourself if you'd like to keep to a small budget. Engineered wood is a favorite among those who love do-it-yourself projects because they can use different types of engineered woods and design their own floors. Also, there isn't a specific way to install this flooring as it can be done by stapling, gluing or using the floating method. You can pick the one that suits your preference best as the wood won't damage under any of these choices.

Fix it. The beauty of this wood is that you can sand away any little defects on the wood such as scratches or dents on the floor, and you can usually sand it yourself. However, depending on the thickness of the wood, you would only be able to sand it a couple of times, so if you experience a lot of damages, then it would be best to call a professional to analyze the wood before you sand it.

Engineered wood flooring is basically flooring made easy. You'll have no trouble in maintaining it and it will last a long time. If this is what you're looking for then give it a go.

Prefinished Hardwood Flooring: Solid and Engineered

Selecting new hardwood flooring for your home can be an alarming and unexpected time consuming task. With the never ending selection of hardwood flooring materials available today with as many locations, each offering discounts, advantages and recommendations over competing rivals, home or business owners are often left in a cloud of confusion with difficulty in making a formidable decision. Far too many times, frustrated home and business owners throw up their hands in surrender, giving in to uneducated sales presentations, purchasing the lowest priced wood flooring material to bring closure to a very un-eventual process. Unfortunately, purchasing hardwood flooring material based on price eventually results in floors once installed, with surprising negative consequences in less time than expected.

To date, there are two types of pre-finished hardwood flooring materials available, solid and engineered, available in a wide spectrum of colors and finishes. Where each type of wood flooring material is similar in durability, however there remains a significant difference in composition and pricing per square foot that remains a determining factor often over-looked by price conscious, weary purchasers.

Solid pre-finished hardwood flooring is as the name implies, "solid" wood with un-limited species to choose from. With thicknesses of 5/16" to ¾" typical, solid wood flooring is fabricated in tongue and groove configuration locking all members together in a "no-glue" fashion. Tongue and groove solid pre-finished wood flooring is typically nailed in with specialized tools, however may be "free-floated" over appropriate underlayment to allow for contraction and expansion during temperature changes. Three- quarter inch (3/4") tongue and groove solid flooring is not recommended for below grade installations, such as basements, due to adverse effect on the wood when installed over existing concrete surfaces. Buckling, cupping and seam separation are common indications of solid wood flooring installed in improper locations or in an incorrect manner.

Associated costs per square foot for solid hardwood flooring are as expected considerably higher due to solid wood composition. With typical costs per square for material only starting or exceeding $4-$5 per square foot, ¾" solid hardwood flooring should be installed by qualified and experienced flooring installers for best results. Home or business owner installation is not recommended due to the complexity of installation and specialized tools required. Of noticeable cost per square foot concerns, home or business owners should take note of professional installation raising the cost of solid wood flooring exceeding $10-$12 per square foot, however the results far out-weigh the additional cost of the original investment. Solid hardwood floors have a life expectancy of 50 years or more when properly installed with the possibility to change finishing colors by re-sanding, keeping abreast with the latest in interior designs.

Engineered pre-finished wood flooring is rapidly becoming the most popular selection of hardwood flooring beyond the conventional means of floor covering, carpet. Constructed from 3-10 layers of wood, typically 5, the layers of engineered flooring are oriented in opposite directions glued under extreme pressure for endurance. The term, "engineered" has long been associated with stigmas of poorly constructed or "cheap" flooring upon initial introduction; however has little or nothing to do with the composition of pre-finished hardwood flooring material other than a manufacturing process used in the production of this superior flooring material.

Of the five types of hardwood flooring material available, engineered pre-finished wood flooring has gained recognition and notoriety for value and affordable pricing. Similar to pre-finished solid hardwood flooring material, engineered wood flooring material is installed in a tongue and groove manner however offers options in installation over solid pre-finished wood flooring, increasing consumer awareness two-fold.

Nailed, glued, glue less or floating, pre-finished engineered flooring is both "eco-friendly" and "user-friendly". With latest in installation design technology, engineered pre-finished hardwood floors offer "click and lock" design with no glue, nails or special tools required. The simple "click and lock" technology allows home and business owners to self- install pre-finished floors in their home or place of business saving hundreds of dollars in professional installation costs. With novice experience, a home or business owner can install a pre-finished hardwood floor over s week-end with dramatic results in overall room appearance.

Ranging in pricing and depending on grade selected, engineered pre-finished flooring is available starting at $3.50 per square foot, home or business owner installed. Subsequent selections of better quality grades (thickness of material) and finishes will increase overall costs per square foot accordingly.

Taking all choices, styles and colors into consideration when selecting a flooring material, the eventual outcome will produce a hardwood floor that is beautiful, long lasting, tested by time and performance. While the debate may continue for many years yet to come a home or business owner can be assured of one remaining factor, a superior floor that is solid and engineered.

Get the Best in Wood Craftsmanship

Wood craftsmanship is extremely important when it comes to installing a new wood floor in your home. There are different ways that floors can be constructed and crafted depending upon where they are to be applied, the amount of traffic, and so forth. You will want to find professionals that fully understand wood craftsmanship and can give you the best in the business.

There are a lot of aspects that go into wood craftsmanship that many people may not even realize. Where is the wood gathered from? Are the planks going to be made in the USA? Do you need solid wood or engineered flooring? Are the forests that supply the wood considered sustainable and responsibly managed? One final thing to think about is whether or not the provider of your flooring is a member of the National Wood Flooring Association. Being a member means that you can count on their standards being high and well-maintained.

If the business you are considering working with can answer all these questions with ease, you can feel more comfortable about their wood craftsmanship. It means that they know exactly where all their wood is coming from. They will be able to tell you if they craft the flooring themselves and whether or not they can offer you variations on texture and so forth. They will also be able to let you know their options for solid wood and engineered wood.

Solid wood is just what it sounds like. You will find that solid wood flooring is often for at or above ground applications. This is for a multitude of reasons. One such example is that below grade applications mean that the flooring is in a location such as a basement where the moisture levels can be significantly higher and thus affect the wood. Solid wood is also not recommended when it comes to directly gluing the floor to concrete or when the floor includes radiant heat below where the floor will be installed. All of these can affect the integrity and resilience of the wood.

Engineered wood is recommended for all the locations that solid wood cannot go because it is actually built out of separate parts that are able to withstand these elements. Engineered wood is made of various layers, such as a veneer layer on the top and bottom, and a material core with alternating grains. Engineered wood is made to withstand much more than traditional solid wood and can mean installing a wood floor where you may have thought it impossible before.

Talk to professionals for more information about wood craftsmanship and consider the possibilities of a gorgeous wood floor - no matter how it's made!

Advantages of Using Narrow Plank Flooring

The choice of whether to go with wide or narrow planks in your natural material floor is usually thought to be one of taste. But there are many other considerations when choosing flooring. Floors have a huge amount of wear and tear to worry about. How will differing widths affect that? Woods are susceptible to humidity and temperature changes. Maintenance is another factor to think about. Cost may be what ultimately sways you one way or the other as the wide vs. narrow is quite a price difference. Going into your flooring experience with your eyes open will ensure that you love your floor for years and years to come.

Wood flooring has been popular for centuries. In times past it was mostly out of necessity that wood was used. Now wood flooring is valued as a top of the line flooring for its rich textures, colors, and enduring wear. These days more exotic woods are available and are becoming popular. Cork flooring is beautiful and wears well. Bamboo provides a different sort of grain to traditional wood that many prefer. Drastic changes can be made to the look of a home with a simple home improvement of changing the flooring.

The weather can affect a wood floor quite a bit. High moisture environments can wreak havoc on wood. Wide plank flooring is much more susceptible to warping than narrow planks. The more the wood the more likely it is to warp. Large flat pieces of wood always take a hit in high humidity. Small compact pieces endure it well. Temperature also affects a wood floor. Temperature is especially an issue during installation. Wide planks must be acclimated to their environment before installation. Narrow planks can benefit from this process as well. But wider planks require more time than narrow ones.

Maintenance of wood flooring can be relatively simple for narrow plank floors. Occasional sanding and resurfacing along with careful cleaning is enough to keep a narrow plank floor looking its best. Wide plank floors require much more daily maintenance and professional care. Once again, larger slabs of wood are much more susceptible to change through environment and how they are cared for, or neglected. Cost is the final point to consider. Wide plank floors can be the most costly type of floor to install, hands down. Even marble might cost less. Narrow plank floors on the other hand can be afforded by many. Costs also depend upon the type of wood used.

Tricks of the Trade, How to Clean Wood Floors

Hardwood floors add value to any home not just monetarily but also in intrinsic value through woods' beauty and elegance. A stain or damage to your floor can end up making it look like an eroded deck of a pirate ship and no one wants that! Wood floors have been known to last decades, with some lasting up to a century. On average, wood flooring lasts up to 40 years. If you want to keep your floors lasting forever, learning how to clean them the right way will help extend their life for a very long time. Not only does this save you money in the short term but also increases the value of your home in the long term. Not many investments can beat that.

In order to maintain your floor, you will first need several "tools of the trade" before you can begin cleaning. Thankfully, you don't need anything too fancy or over the top in price, just a simple soft-bristled broom, a non-abrasive dust mop, a regular mop, a towel, bleach and your floor installers recommended gentle wood cleaning solution. Not too bad, right? These tools are cheap and they allow you to efficiently and effectively clean your floors. Tools like the non-abrasive dust mop and soft-bristled broom remove dust and other debris from your floor without out scratching it. Many people often overlook the quality of the broom they use thinking any old thing will do. This is a mistake because many brooms actually scrape your floor which not only reduces the aesthetic beauty of it but it also causes micro damage that over time can lead to increased chances rot, warping, deeper scratches, splintering and other undesirable effects.

Next, there are the "tricks of the trade", things that will help you keep your floor in great condition and save you money over both the short term and the long haul. The first trick is understanding the condition of your floor. If your floor is in need of a deep and immediate cleaning, it's important that you don't just get down and dirty right away. Your wood floors are covered by oil and/or wax finishes which act like a layer of skin that is used for protection. If that protection is worn thin putting water on your wood flooring can seriously damage it. So before you begin to mop, make sure that wring your mop out as much as humanely possible before you begin cleaning with it. After you are done mopping it is recommended that you towel dry your floors clean. An easy way to do this is wrap a towel around your dust mop so you can push it around instead of doing it on your hands and knees. Once you have given the floor a good mopping and have dried it, keeping it clean will be easier with the non-abrasive dust mop. If your floors are pretty damaged avoid the mop and just stick to the dust mop until you can the floor refinished.

Next, you should take into consideration what kind of mess you are cleaning up on your floor. Say someone accidentally spills some type of alcohol on your floor during a party, here it is best to clean the spill with a gentle wood cleaner mixed with water and a splash of bleach to help kill any mold or mildew that may have built up in the time between of the spill and the cleaning. Remember that wood flooring must be cleaned with the tender caress you would give a loved one! Abrasive cleaning products and tools will damage your floor so make sure to dilute your cleaning products and to avoid scrubbing at all costs! With other stains like juice or coffee make sure to attack the stain as fast as possible! Using a towel and some water should be enough.

Sadly, not all spills and damages can be cleaned yourself. If you do happen to have a noticeable dark stain or watermark on your wood floor, the only cleaning option may to be buff and refinish your floor or to replace the damaged wood if it comes down to it. If this is where you are it is best to find a professional who will come in and do the work for you on your wood flooring. Though do not be discouraged as this can be done yourself but it requires several tools that can be expensive. If you do decide to bring in a professional make sure to support your local floor installation businesses and take advantage of their quoting services. In the end having a beautiful home you are proud of is worth the work!