Blog Archive | October 2011

A worthwhile flooring solution for your home extension

There really is no substitute for real wood flooring, but when you decide that this type of floor is right for your home renovation project, you really do have to bear a number of things in mind.

For a start, you need to be made aware of the issues surrounding wood flooring as a finishing touch to your house extension work. It is true that when you go for a luxurious floor covering like walnut or oak it looks absolutely amazing, but it will still need time to settle into these conditions.

Installing real wood as a floor solution is a science which should only be undertaken by the experts. The reasons for this revolve around the fact that it can change according to the humidity of its environment and it will take time to adapt to your building extension setting.

However, if you have patience then you will benefit from the results and have a floor that everyone can admire.

You have no need to worry about these issues when you consult the wood flooring specialists as they understand the whole process involved with using wood as a floor covering. The wood is carefully stored so when it is eventually laid, humidity and floor moisture tests will be carried out.

Over time the floor will prove to be an investment you certainly won’t regret.

How your floor will change colour over time

The aging of a hardwood floor is certainly not something to get hung up about as this is all part of the natural process. If you are concerned that your floor is changing, rest assured that although it is true that there will be a noticeable difference in shading over time, this can be viewed as a good thing.

As the floor gets older and the wood and finish go through oxidation, due to the ultra-violet light from the sun, the colour of the wood mellows and deepens.

If you have a lighter shade of wood flooring, then this colour change will be more predominant as it starts to darken. There are also certain species such as Brazilian cherry and Iroko which are known to become darker naturally.

This whole process does take time so you might not notice any difference straight away, but it will happen eventually, even when the sun exposure is indirect.

The colour change is just part of the natural characteristics of using wood as a flooring solution and it can really make the floor look warm and inviting. So as long as you are aware of this from the outset, and continue to keep it well-maintained, you can always get enjoyment from your beautiful wooden floor.

How to care for wood floors with different finishes

When it comes to the latest hard surface floors, there is usually a greater range of finishes that are possible these days.

How you go about maintaining the floor can depend on the finish as well as such things like the place where it has been fitted and so it is necessary to think carefully about the floor care product you use on the surface.

The first thing you need to do is find out whether your floor has been finished in water-based lacquer, wax or hardwax oil. This is because the recommended care will vary between each of these types of hard floor finishes.

If you are unsure of the finish, you need to speak to the wood flooring specialists who installed the wood floor in the first place or contact the manufacturers of the flooring solution.

Should you be unable to get hold of this information then there are some general guidelines you can still follow in caring for the floor.

For surface finishes, which includes water-based lacquers, it is important to wipe up any spills as soon as possible using a dry or slightly damp cloth. Make sure you keep any grit from the floor.

As well as vacuuming on a regular basis, you can also use a recommended hardwood floor cleaner for the general cleaning of the floor.

How to go about re-oiling your hardwood floor

If you have had hardwax oil applied to your wood flooring, it is highly recommended that you get it re-oiled every one or two years. In the meantime you can apply maintenance oil to keep it looking at its best.

The re-oiling process needs to be carried out in the right way, so be sure to read up on the approved methods. We will now go through some of the stages involved with this work.

Firstly, if the floor needs to be thoroughly cleaned, use a recommended product like Osmo or Fiddes Wash and Care. This cleaning concentrate is very economical to use and you just need to add water to it.

Once this has been done, the next step in the maintenance procedure is to buff it using 150-grade sandpaper.

A thin coat of oil should then be applied to the surface. This can either be achieved by hand or by using a buffing machine, brush or soft cloth. After it has been allowed to dry, usually taking a 6 to 10 hours, it can then be buffed if required, using the methods previously mentioned until you get the perfect sheen.

If you feel you do not want to risk the condition of your floor by performing this maintenance yourself, you could always turn to the wooden flooring experts who can carry out this work for you to an exceptionally high standard.

The use of hardwax oil on your wood floor

If you are looking to provide a traditional finish for your wooden floor, giving it a stunning natural sheen that will mellow over time, then you might wish to consider hardwax oil.

This is one solution that will provide the soft finish you require, while it can help to almost erase any scratches in the surface. The product can be rubbed into the scratch or scuffed area of the floor and protect it against any further signs of general wear and tear.

Many people decide on this oiled finish, so they need to be careful when performing day-to-day maintenance on their wood flooring. This is because oiled floors are more porous by their very nature than lacquer and so only the minimum amount of water should be used to clean them.

This does not mean that you should refrain from occasionally using a damp cloth or lightly-watered mop on particularly dirty areas, but you need to ensure that an excessive amount of moisture is not allowed to come in contact with the floor. Therefore, a soft broom or a cylinder vacuum cleaner is more preferable for regular cleaning.

A coat of maintenance oil will also need to be applied every now and again, while the floor should be re-oiled every one to two years.

Pay attention to your hardwood flooring

Installing hardwood flooring in the home is a great way of giving decor a stylish pick-me-up, although for it to continue to serve an attractive part of decor, attention needs to be paid to looking after it.

Investing in hardwood flooring and then paying very little attention to it once it’s been installed is a fast route to the deterioration of the look and condition of flooring- which could see you wasting your hard earned cash.

Paying proper attention to hardwood flooring doesn’t necessarily have to involve spending hours attending to it though, as regular cleaning and polishing only needs to take a few minutes out of your time.

As you would with carpets, any spills or dirt on hardwood flooring should be cleaned away quickly to prevent staining, which is just simple common sense.

In areas where flooring could be more susceptible to damage i.e. Kitchen and hallway areas, it could be a good idea to invest in entrance mats or rugs. This will really help to prevent damage to your hardwood flooring investment.

If you’re unsure of how or how often you should be paying attention to your flooring, ask for advice from an expert.

Keep it contemporary with ash flooring

Although lots of people still prefer their decor to look classic, there are also many who prefer the contemporary look, and one of the great things about the contemporary look is that it can be just as cost-efficient to achieve.

Some people avoid opting for a contemporary look due to thinking that they’ll constantly need to make expensive decor updates, although by making wise investments, this doesn’t have to be the case.

Wooden flooring is a great investment for those who like their decor contemporary, and it can be a great long term investment. Ash flooring in particular is a brilliant choice for those who like their decor contemporary, as it helps to create a light, airy and modern ambience. One of the great things about ash flooring is that it’s a hard wearing choice too, and this will help it to stand the test of time and serve as a long term investment.

Ash flooring comes in a fantastic spectrum of shades from pale brown to very light white, so there’s ash flooring to suit every contemporary taste.

Why not head to a professional for advice on how you can keep it contemporary with ash flooring?

Why is oak flooring such a popular choice?

Over recent years, oak flooring has emerged as one of the front runners in the world of home flooring, and there and there are several factors which are likely to have contributed to this immense popularity.

One of the reasons why oak wooden flooring is so popular is because oak is so familiar. The majority of people are well aware of the fact that oak is tough and that it’s always guaranteed to look good, and this makes them feel confident that they’re making a good investment.

The great amount of choice which there is with oak furniture is another thing which is very likely to have led to its popularity. Oak flooring isn’t just available in on standard wood shade, contrary to what some may believe, and there are many shades of oak flooring available from light white shades to sultry noir shades.

The longevity of oak wooden flooring has no doubt also helped to boost its popularity amongst modern homeowners. With regular care and cleaning, oak flooring can last for decades, so it’s a highly cost-efficient choice.

So, if you’re considering investing in wooden flooring, oak flooring should definitely be one of your considerations.

What are the benefits of hardwood flooring renovation?

Hardwood flooring isn’t just a functional choice, it’s also a very attractive one, and as it’s so simple to look after, many individuals prefer this type of flooring over carpets.

Once installed, hardwood flooring can remain in peak condition for a very long time provided it’s maintained on a regular basis. As with most things though, over time, it’s inevitable that hardwood flooring will start to show little signs of wear and tear. This isn’t a problem though, as renovation can restore flooring back to its very best.

One of the biggest benefits of hardwood flooring renovation is that it’s incredibly affordable- especially when compared with the cost of completely replacing flooring.

Hardwood flooring is very time-efficient too- again when compared with the cost of hardwood flooring. The experts can breathe new life into your flooring in a very short space of time- even if some floorboards need to be replaced.

On the whole, renovation will enable you to enjoy your hardwood flooring for many more years and at minimal cost, so your flooring will continuously be one of the most beautiful aspects of your home decor.