Why hardwood?
It’s hard to beat wood. Wood is a natural material that has withstood the test of time and design. If you are looking for a flooring option that’s healthy, easy to maintain, will last you a lifetime and stay in style for just as long, wood flooring is the best choice. Thanks to its natural characteristics it has many advantages over other types of flooring materials, including some of the more modern and high-tech alternatives. Hardwood flooring, be it engineered or solid, is made from real wood and guarantees natural warmth and authentic look for your living and working space. It’s simple but fashionable look will not only enrich your interior but also add value to your home at resale time.
Some of the most prominent advantages of wood floors include:
Affordability and Durability
Due to its luxurious appearance wood is often mistaken for a rather expensive material. However, in reality, the installed cost of wood flooring per square foot is generally lower than it is for tile, stone and other flooring materials. On top of that, it remains the durability champion among the flooring materials: With over 30 years of normal use, it easily outlives 4 generations of carpet.
Health Benefits
Hartwood is famous for being the most healthy choice for flooring material. It’s 100%/predominantly made of real wood and helps maintain good indoor air quality. According to the American Environmental Protection Agency, the air quality is one of the top factors for the healthy living environment. Hardwood floors, solid as well as engineered don’t trap dust, help avoid mites, mold or even artificial substances such as pesticides that can accumulate on some floor coverings. With natural material like wood, there is also no concern for the off-gassing of toxins that can come from synthetic materials used in some of the more current flooring supplies and cause chronic illnesses. Hardwood floors are 100% allergy free and greatly contribute to healthy environment in your home or office.
Environment-Friendly Nature
Hardwood is not only good for your health, it’s also good for the environment. Unlike most flooring alternatives, it comes from a natural resource that is easily renewable. The days of unsolicited tree cutting with the long term consequences on the nation’s forests remain in the past. Today the hardwood forests used to produce flooring products grow more than twice as fast as they are being harvested. This industry-wide commitment to sustainable wood made it possible to have 90% more hardwood growing today in the U.S. than there was half a century ago. Wood is also biodegradable, recyclable, and a great carbon sink.It’s also the least energy-consuming flooring material and consumes far less energy in the manufacturing process than floor coverings like carpet, linoleum or tile. ready for use.
Great Variety
Wood floors are timeless and always in demand. With today’s advanced technologies and manufacturers having the ability to produce the same quality product in less time using fewer resources, it seems like the range has become endless. Hardwood flooring today comes in all possible sizes, colours, styles and finishes making it easier for you to find the perfect floor for your living or working space.
Engineered Hardwood vs Solid Hardwood
About Solid Wood Floors
How solid hardwood floors are made
Hardwood floors are made straight from trees so there isn’t an extensive manufacturing process involved. Fortunately, the days of unsolicited tree cutting that used to have the long term consequences on the nation’s forests rare in the past. Today the hardwood forests used to produce flooring products grow more than twice as fast as they are being harvested.
Here are the steps hardwood goes through before ending up on your living room floor.
Cutting
Once the trees are cut into logs their future purpose is determined by their quality.
Only trees with the tightest grain and few knots are used for flooring purposes.
The chosen logs are cut into rough planks. The cutting method can influence the stability of a plank and even the price for which it’s going to be sold. is done following one of the three possible methods:
There are three ways to cut logs into planks:
- Flat or Plain Sawn
This is the most widely used method to cut wood. Cutting parallel through the log, plain sawn wood boards are wider and when milled into planks leave behind minimum waste. - Quarter Sawn
Logs are sawn at a radial angle into four quarters and then in the strips. Planks made from quarter sawn wood are more stable and less likely to cup. - Rift Sawn
Logs are cut at a different angle than when using quarter sawn method. It’s mostly used with oak to avoid flecks that are common in this type of wood. This cutting method is more expensive than the other two but the product ends up to be more stable.
Planing
No matter what cutting method is used, once the log is reduced into boards there are saw marks that need to smoothen down. To do so the boards are planed on all four sides. This removes any impurities from all surfaces and levels the plank.
Profiling
The next step is to cut tongue and groove edges. In the case of unfinished floors, this is the last modification boards go through before being shipped to the marketplace. The tongue and edges construction makes hardwood floors easier to install. The boards fit together tightly but there is still leaving enough room for them to expand and contract depending on the time of the year and the humidity levels in the air. expansion and contraction.These changes in the board’s size can occur without creating gaps between planks in the installed floor.
Scraping
Some floors are to have a certain appearance, so the planks may go through a distressing process to make them look older and worn out. This new look can be achieved either by hand (hand scraping or hand sculpting) or by a machine (wire brushing).
Sealing
Several coats of finish are applied to the wear surface of the plank for protection purposes. This can be done either before delivering the floor or marketplace (pre-finished floors) or after they are already installed. Pre-finished floors are great for people who like to install their floors themselves without any professional help, however sealing floors with the finish after installation gives them a more uniform look and makes them more impenetrable to moisture.
How to care for solid hardwood floors
Solid hardwood floors are especially favoured for their longevity. The possibility to be sanded and refinished multiple times is a definite advantage over any other type of floor out there. However, even with it’s superpowers hardwood still needs a loving hand now and then.
The good news is that caring for your hardwood floor is as easy as it gets. Here are some tips:
About Engineered Hardwood Floors
Engineered hardwood is a rich and beautiful material to decorate your home with. It has a unique structure and can be successfully installed in a variety of spaces where using solid wood wouldn’t be recommended. Looking just like a solid hardwood board, it can complement many styles while remaining solid and durable.
How Engineered Wood Floors are made
Having a certain knowledge of the production process will make you a smart buyer and help you choose the right flooring material for your remodeling project.
Unlike solid hardwood engineered hardwood consists of a pile of wood planks. The number of those thin sheets can vary between three and five. Once they are stacked onto each other they get laminated to form one plank.
The piling method is perhaps the most important part of the manufacturing process. The plies in the core are tightly glued onto each other at an angle to form a so-called ‘cross-ply construction’. This gives the finished board more stability and durability. The 90-degree layout also minimizes the expansion and contraction caused by changing humidity levels by 80% making it possible to install engineered hardwood over concrete subfloors and radiant heating systems.
The more plies the floor has, the better it’s quality. The top finish layer is made of real solid hardwood.
How to care for engineered wood floors
If you want your floor to keep its fresh look for longer, we have some tips for you.
However, please keep in mind that not all floors and not even all engineered hardwood floors are made equal, so for best results look up the maintenance advice from your floor manufacturer.
Clean your floors regularly
Make a habit of sweeping and/or vacuum your floods on daily basis. It’s better to use a vacuum cleaner with a soft flooring attachment.
Cut down on cleaners
For the best result avoid excessive use of cleaning substances. Instead, make sure but you are using the right one for your floor type.
Act fast
Wipe up spills right away. Engineered floors might be more resistant to liquids than solid floors but excess water can still cause a damage.
Don’t use wax
Stay away from wax if you don’t want to ruin your non-wax floor. Using wax is only acceptable on floors with wax finish.
Use floor mats
Walk-off mats are a simple way to protect your floor’s finish from moisture, dirt, grains of sand and any other harmful elements.
Avoid wearing high heeled shoes indoors
High heeled shoes or shoes with spikes can seriously damage the upper wear layer of the floor leaving permanent marks.
HARDWOOD FLOORS
The richness and style every home deserves
Hardwood flooring combines the best our nature has to offer. It’s rich tones and natural feel will compliment any interior and add value to your home or office. Even in a rugged state hardwood still doesn’t lose its appeal. It’s beautiful to look at and pleasant to walk on. Every board comes with a unique pattern that was handcrafted by the mother nature itself making solid hardwood one of the most diverse flooring material out there. It’s a piece of the outdoor in your home that you can enjoy from your couch. It’s simple yet sophisticated look fits well with classical as well as more bold and colourful design choices. Besides the variety of materials, patterns and shapes, solid hardwood is also known for its durability. It’s the only wood floor that can be resanded and refinished not just once but several times. If you are looking for a flooring material that will look gorgeous in any environment and add value to your home, solid hardwood is your winner.
Installing hardwood floor in the living room is a no-brainer. In any home, the living room serves as a multifunctional space.You should be able to fully relax there at weekdays and have people over for a flashy party on a weekend.
Hardwood can do both. Tested by the time it’s sophisticated enough to pull off any special occasion and it’s warm and homey enough to offer you enough comfort after a stressful day at work. Plus it’s high trafficked area that requires a flooring that can endure great “feet load” on daily basis. A hardwood floor can take anything you throw at it, from house shoes to high heels and beyond. It’s warm and pleasant to walk on without socks and easy to take care of. A simple sweep goes a long way with wood floors. It’s a piece of outdoors in the house you can admire without leaving your couch.
The bedroom is where we spend at least one-third of our lives. Sleeping fuels our body and gives us the energy to face a new day. With increased workload, longer working hours and a high number of commuters the length of sleep has significantly shortened in the last couple of decades. This is why having quality shut-eye time matters like never before. Sadly uninterrupted sleep is something not many of us know. Granted smartphones are a big cause for this issue but not the only one. Too often bad air quality is to blame. Installing quality hardwood flooring will not only provide a warm and organic support under your feet but will help you get uninterrupted sleep. Hardwood floor, be it solid or engineered, is natural and 100% made of real wood. This allows the material to “breathe”. When your floor breaths, so do you. There is no risk of setting free any harmful chemicals. Because it’s a hard surfaced floor, getting rid of dust and allergens is as easy as using a slightly damp cloth or even easier with help of a vacuum cleaner.
Carpet with its soft fibre surface is famous for being quieter than any other type of flooring. That said, correctly installed hardwood can be equally peaceful. The shifting and creaking of planks when walked across can be easily avoided when the laying down process is done by a flooring professional who knows his job.
The transmission of sound can also be damped by installing insulating underlayment beneath the hardwood. Installing hardwood floor in your bedroom doesnțt take away the choice to enjoy the softness of carpet under your toes once you wake up. Area rugs and carpets can be easily combined with wood flooring. This addition will add comfort to your chamber and help cancel the noise.
Installing hardwood floors in the kitchen can bring the best out of your space. Dark or distressed hardwood especially will create a beautiful contrast with more clean and bright looking kitchen cabinets and countertops. Despite the widespread opinion on wood floors and water not mixing well together, enjoying a hardwood floor in your kitchen is still very doable as long as you are up for the job and ready to treat the floor with extra care. Being careful in your ways while you cook, cleaning up spills immediately and keeping your humidity levels as steady as possible are some of the things you’ll have to sign on before driving to your nearest hardwood store.
Lucky for wood lovers, modern hardwood flooring companies recognize the high demand on timeless floors and offer plenty of solutions for the humidity related issue. Different ‘upgrades’ to the to traditional hardwood board floors as well as countless new coating materials can keep the water out more effectively. We do business with the finest hardwood suppliers and stores in the country and offer the newest flooring materials for all your home remodeling needs.
Hardwood floor is definitely not the first choice for a bathroom.
Bathrooms are famous for being humid and full of water hazards. Wood is notoriously known for having issues regarding moist environments. However, just like in the case of installing a hardwood floor in the kitchen, having a wood floor in the bathroom is still a possibility, only here it will require a higher level of maintenance than in other places.
While even the smallest spill of water can cause hardwood in its unprotected state to expand, warp, and stain beyond recognition, applying a finishing agent will create a clear coating on top of the floors surface to guard it against the water. This protects your floor not only from post shower dampness but also from direct spills on the surface.
In this day and age of the global world and looming financial instability, it’s all too important to be aware of the value of your possessions. House is perhaps the most prominent entity most of us own and the biggest investment of our lives. There is nothing wrong with planning ahead and choosing a design that isn’t only comfortable but also profitable for the future.
Hardwood floors don’t only add aesthetic value to your home but also contribute to receiving a fatter paycheck if you decide to resale your property later on.
Hardwood gives you value at a later resale date without you having to sacrifice any aspect of your life. Accidents are part of our lives and hardwood floors embrace that like no other flooring. You can sand and refinish your floor multiple times and every time it will look just like when it was first laid down. By choosing a wood floor for your new home you’ll be able to live your life to the fullest and make the most of your space without having to be extra cautious.
In addition to financial profit, it also makes a great first impression increasing your chances to find a future owner for your house faster than usual.
According to the National Wood Flooring Association, the U.S. real estate agents report a correlation between sold real estate and existing hardwood flooring that’s hard to ignore.
Numbers don’t lie. 99% of real estate agent say that homes with hardwood floors are easier to sell, 90% back this up and add that those homes draw more money than any other type of housing, 82% report faster sales.
How much does hardwood installation cost
Deciding on your budget and being aware of the costs from the stars will make it easier for you to filter through the wide choice of floors hardwood suppliers offer and save you a lot of time in the process.
In addition to paying for the floor itself, you’ll need to pay for the installation.Unless you are skilled floor installer yourself, it still may be cheaper to hire pros. Not much gets wasted when a professional is at work. In contrast, trained floor specialists lay down one floor per day on average. On the other hand, you a DIY enthusiast may do it once or twice in your lifetime.
Hardwood suppliers and flooring companies sell their products and services on a square foot basis. Your total cost can vary significantly depending on what kind of hard floor you will choose and the type of hardwood you choose and your location, but the common price range is $5 – $8 per square foot.
Most of the wood flooring companies based in the US get their materials from national hardwood forests. If you live closer to a hardwood factory or a major supplier in the region, chances are you can get your hands on a variety of wood floors for less. Granted that there are less wood transportation and handling fees to pay for. Also, the common rule of market applies here aswell: The more you get the cheaper it will be.
Deciding on your budget and being aware of the costs from the stars will make it easier for you to filter through the wide choice of floors hardwood suppliers offer and save you a lot of time in the process.
In addition to paying for the floor itself, you’ll need to pay for the installation service. Unless you are skilled floor installer yourself, it still may be cheaper to hire pros. Not much gets wasted when a professional is at work. In contrast, trained floor installers lay down one floor per day on average. A DIY enthusiast, on the other hand, may do it once or twice in their lifetime.
The best thing about installing solid hardwood floors is definitely the durability. Being able to refinish your floor sometimes up to 5 times challenges you in the best and worst of ways. Damage is never terminal and redesigning options are always endless.
The cost for refinishing your hardwood floor depends on its type and state and varies nationally.
Desired stain and finish and weather you’ll need help to move the furniture can also cause fluctuations in the price. In general refinishing ranges from $2 to $5 per square foot.
You can certainly get new hardwood laid down for the same price but it will be hardly the same. Old floors are valued more than new ones. Having been installed decades ago they are drier than any fresh hardwood floor could be and thus more durable.
Finish matters too. While hand scraped hardwood is a unique piece you can get for your home and in general, is laid down the same way any hardwood floor is, it requires a lot more manual work and is going to be more expensive.
