Blog Archive | October 2009

Hardwood floors are beautiful and stylish

Hardwood floor installation is increasingly popular among homeowners. It is one way through which you can give your home a rustic or elegant look and feel depending on the type of hardwood flooring that you select. Whether you choose to have hardwood flooring in one room or in every room, you will definitely find the perfect fit for your family or home.

One of the major advantages of hardwood flooring is that they are easy to install and care for. Hardwood floors last longer than carpets, do not attract dirt, dust and mites and also make your home look stylish and beautiful. When planning to install hardwood floors in your home, there are certain things you need to consider before opting for one.

You must know the available types of hardwood flooring options, the proper care and maintenance information etc. Hardwood flooring is the best asset you can create for your home. If hardwood floors are not installed appropriately, your investment could become worthless. Although hardwood flooring installation can be done by you, it is always recommended that you go for professional installation so that the job can be completed perfectly.

Hardwood floor installers help you in finding the most value for your investment and thus your floors will remain intact for many years to come. The makers of hardwood floors offer professional services needed. So, if you want your home to look beautiful, stylish and appealing, installing hardwood floors is the best option to go for.

Hardwood flooring is better than getting carpets for your home

Is it time for you to change your flooring as the carpet has worn out? Instead of replacing your carpet with another one, how about bringing a little change to your home by getting hardwood flooring?

The reason for you to choose a carpet is to give your home aesthetic appeal. However, there are many problems with it. Maintaining carpets is a very tough job. Carpets get dirty as dust settles in it. They can be very harmful to your health.

Getting hardwood is the best option as it adds a touch of elegance to your home, giving it a great look. Moreover, cleaning and maintaining hardwood flooring is very easy and time saving.

Contemporary hardwood flooring requires only sweeping and an occasional vacuum. Keeping your hardwood flooring away from moisture is all you need to take care of. Avoid dragging heavy furniture across the floor as well. This might scratch the floor and spoil it.

If you want to give your home a stylish and modern look with great visual appeal then installing hardwood flooring for your home is the best choice.

Harwood floors are very durable and they will last for a lifetime. Taking good care of them is all you will have to do to make them look as new as possible. You will not have to spend on floorings in the future. Installing hardwood flooring will give your home a classy look. They provide great value for money too. Be smart and get long lasting hardwood flooring for your home.

Different types of wood used to make wooden floors

Wooden floors are known for their durability and with proper installation and maintenance, hardwood floors will be with you for many years. Wooden floors are available with different finishes and in different colours and types. When selecting hardwood floors for your home, you have to consider many factors like the thickness, finish and number of finish coats.

Here are some different types of wooden flooring materials:

Red or white oak – Red oak flooring is very popular because of its warm red tone and the natural finish. This flooring has a distinctive grain with medium density. The finish of white oak is quite similar to the red oak. It has a light-to-yellow colour and a highly-figured grain with medium density

Maple and pine – Maple is light-coloured and it has very fine grains and texture. Pine is one of the most common materials used for sub–floors because it is soft and easy to work with. It has a white to golden colour with a low-medium density.

Redwood and walnut – Redwood is soft in nature and it has a deep pink colour. Redwood has a low-to-medium density, whereas walnut is amazing for borders and strips. Walnut wood has a chocolate brown to light tan colour. It has a hard texture with high density.

Teak –It has some natural moisture resistant oils in it and it is brown reddish in colour. The wood grain is usually straight and uniform. It has a smooth texture and high density level.

If you are planning on installing wooden flooring in your home, then the variety and choice will surely not disappoint you. Thus, you can opt for any one of the wood materials according to your tastes.

Design your home naturally with wooden flooring

When it comes to enhancing the visual appearance of your home interiors, wooden flooring can help to create the much needed impact which could otherwise appear intimidating. Wooden flooring is a popular option that can offer much required style, durability, grace and flexibility. The elegance of wooden flooring is the permanent effect with simple clean lines that always remain in, even if fashion changes.

Installation of a wooden floor can add an immediate effect to the overall ambience of your home. When people enter your home, wooden floors can instantly draw the attention of people and so it is something you just cannot afford to overlook. Wooden flooring not only sets your home apart from others but also increases the resale value of your home. It is also worth mentioning that wooden flooring adds a natural touch and a warm character to your home as well as offering many other benefits that give an edge over other types of flooring.

Their favoured use over carpets is because of their long lasting and hard wearing qualities as well as resistance to dust and allergens. As they do not trap mites, dust and dirt like carpets, they are highly recommended for people who suffer from allergies. Wooden flooring comes in a range of widths, thicknesses and with an extensive range of finishes including lacquered, oiled and unfinished options that can offer a natural look to your home along with the much needed durability. So, if you want to design your home naturally, wooden flooring is an excellent option.

Ensure your hardwood flooring looks brand new forever

Have you installed hardwood flooring at home? Hardwood flooring tends to fade after a while due to sunlight and wear and tear. In order to keep your floors in good condition, follow these simple tips to maintain them.

Waxing your hardwood flooring will help to retain its brightness and shine. Learning a few things about how to refinish your hardwood flooring will help you to give it a brand new look.

If the main problem of your flooring is scratches and fading then hardwood floor refinishing will be useful. The first step to refinish your flooring is sanding.

Floor sanding is not an easy task. It requires you to acquire tools like a drum sander, floor edger, buffer, palm sander and a shop vacuum. While carrying out sanding make sure you protect your ears as well, as the process is very noisy.

After sanding, you need to apply stain. If you are not sure which shades of stain to use then ask for professional help.

It is recommended that you take professional help. There are many companies that offer these services and they have all the expertise required to refinish your flooring. These companies have all the modern equipment that is needed.

Wooden floors are a modern way to enhance the décor of your home

If you are confused about which type of flooring you want, then wooden floors are perfect as they provide a great clean look. Wooden floors require very little maintenance. They only require sweeping or vacuuming once or twice a week and they are also good for the environment. Wood is natural and unlike carpeting does not collect allergens and dust.

Unlike stone and tiles, wooden floorings maintain their value and they will be with you for many years. Wooden floors are made from different materials or woods such as Pine Red, Red Oak, Ash White, Hickory Red, Beech, Mahogany, Pecan, Pine Yellow, Walnut, Oak White , Yellow Birch, Hard maple, Hickory White and Cherry.

Wood floors are categorised into three main types like engineered flooring, solid flooring and acrylic impregnated floors.

Engineered flooring – This type of wooden floors are favourable for utility rooms, basement and powder rooms. Engineered flooring is more durable than solid wood flooring because the grains on it are widely divergent and they run in various directions. This flooring is usually 3-5 inches thick and it is made up of wooden sheets which are pressed together.

Acrylic impregnated floors – In this type of wooden floor, acrylics are infused into the floor and this generates strong flooring. These floors are suitable for homes and they are also used in cafes, restaurants and shopping centres.

Solid flooring – With this type of flooring, you can do many creative modifications as they are available in different thicknesses. They are mostly used in homes, as they can give a personal touch.

Lastly, the appearance of the wood also depends on the cut such a sawn, plain sawn and rift sawn cut.

Tips on maintaining your hardwood furniture

The most popular flooring that is used in many homes is hardwood floors. These floors are the ideal choices for your home because it manages to look great with most modern furniture items and your home décor. Moreover, the look of hardwood floors is very aesthetic.

Installing hardwood floors will give your home a classy and royal look, enhancing the beauty of your home. Hardwood floors are very durable and maintaining it properly will ensure it looks new forever.

Here are some tips on how to maintain hardwood floors:

• Keep the floors away from moisture and water. If water tends to fall on the hardwood floor, make sure you wipe it quickly before it seeps into the wood. If you do not clean up the liquid that falls on the floor, it will cause the wood to swell.

• You should be careful in case you are moving or sliding heavy furniture because it can cause dents and scratches on the floor. Fixing protective felt below the legs of the furniture is a good way to avoid scratches on the floor.

• Cleaning of your hardwood flooring at regular intervals is a must. By making use of cleaning solutions, you can make your hardwood look clean and new. You just need to use a mop or a pad to remove all the stains and marks.

Getting hardwood flooring is an excellent choice. It will make your home look elegant and stylish. Just remember, all things need maintenance and by taking care of your flooring, it will look new and bright forever.

Different styles of wood flooring

Wood floors are both durable and affordable, and are available in various styles, colours and types. Whether you want a trendy look or a traditional finish for your home, there are many conventional wood floors to choose from; made from pine, mahogany, ash, oak, or bamboo.

Wooden floors are safe and environmentally friendly, as they come from natural surroundings and can be recycled. Unlike other floors, wooden floors do not accumulate dirt and allergens so they are ideal if you want to maintain a healthy household. Once you install wooden floors in your home then you do not have to worry, as they will last for many years whilst adding value to your home.

Here are three styles of wooden floors:

Parquet wood flooring – With this type of wood flooring, the pieces of wood are assembled to form a new style; resulting in some amazing geometric patterns and designs. Parquet wood flooring is mostly used in kitchens, children’s rooms and sometimes even in living rooms.

Strip wood flooring – Strip flooring is also known as hardwood flooring and is linear and solid. It comes in widths of 1, 2 and 3 inches. A linear look is generated in the areas where it is installed, giving the impression of a larger space. Strip wood flooring is sometimes available in softwoods such as pine.

Plank flooring – This type of floor has broader widths but is also available in linear designs. It is generally available in widths such as 3, 4 and 5 inches. Red oak and white ash wood are most commonly used for plank flooring.

These different styles can completely change the appearance of your wooden floor, but it ultimately depends on you to choose the right design and style to suit your home and personal tastes.

Find out more about oak flooring

Hardwood flooring is used by many people as it looks impressive and adds warmth to the home. This is especially true with oak flooring, which is a very popular modern option. Oak flooring requires a minimum amount of maintenance and will stay looking beautiful for many years.

Here are some of the benefits of oak flooring:

It improves the value of your home – Oak flooring adds value to your home, so that if you were looking to sell it or take a home equity loan then potential buyers would be so impressed with the warmth and elegance of each room that they may offer you a higher price.

Oak flooring looks good in any room – One important benefit of oak flooring is that it looks good in the living room, bedroom or even the kitchen. Oak flooring is a perfect blend of functionality and durability and there are a wide range of styles and colours available to suit your requirements.

It matches your interior décor - Lastly, oak flooring is available to match any kind of furniture; there are even types of oak floor available to match antiques or wrought iron. However, oak flooring usually looks good in a room full of comfortable and modern furniture.

How to clean oak flooring

Whether you buy plank flooring or you opt for engineered wood; it is always very easy to clean and maintain an oak floor. All you have to do is dust, dry mop or vacuum the floor once a week and wipe any spills immediately so that the oak does not become damaged.