Hardwood-Flooring.LifeTips.com

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1 Hardwood-Flooring.LifeTips.com

2 Category: Cleaning Hardwood Floors Subcategory: Cleaning Hardwood Floors Tip: Cleaning Hardwood Floors with Vinegar and Water Cleaning hardwood floors with a weak solution of vinegar and warm water could damage your floors over time. Repeated exposure of hardwood floors to water will cause them to expand and damage your flooring investment. Using products that are specifically designed for cleaning hardwood floors is a better option. When purchasing these products, it is a good idea to invest in wood floor cleaning products that are suggested by the manufacturer. Tip: Cleaning Mold from Wood Cleaning mold from wood can be extremely difficult. It is best to prevent this from happening in the first place by cleaning up standing water and using a dehumidifier in humid climates. Once a floor has mold, there are a few products that can be used to remove it. Non-toxic dry cleaning fluid can be used for mold that is on the surface of the hardwood floors. Once the mold has penetrated into the wood it will be necessary to repeatedly bleach and sand the wood to eliminate the mold. Ensuring that the mold is completely removed is critical as it can grow back if not eliminated. Refinishing the floor will be necessary to restore the wood to its original condition. Category: Exotic Hardwood Flooring Subcategory: Exotic Hardwood Flooring Tip: Bamboo Flooring A fantastic and ecological choice for exotic hardwood flooring is bamboo. Because bamboo grows abundantly, renews efficiently and is incredibly strong, it's an ideal choice for flooring. In fact, areas like South America, India and Southeast Asia use bamboo to build entire homes! When it comes to flooring, bamboo is available in both solid and engineered (layered) planks. You can leave the bamboo in its original light blond color or get a darker color by high-pressure steaming, which results in a medium brown hue. Bamboo flooring requires exactly the same care and maintenance as any hardwood floor; no extra steps or special products are necessary. Tip: Brazilian Hardwood Flooring When it comes to beauty and strength, Brazilian hardwood flooring is at the top of the list. Two varieties of this exotic hardwood flooring are the Brazilian Cherry and it's

3 cousin, Brazilian Teak. Brazilian Cherry, also known as "Jatoba" in South America, is quite popular due to its similarity to oak... only it's twice as strong! The main color of Jatoba is dark orange or reddish-brown, with dark brown or black streaks. Brazilian Teak or "Cumaru" is quite similar to Brazilian Cherry, but its hue is a warmer brown with not as much red tone. As far as hardness goes, Brazilian Teak is one of the hardest varieties of wood in the world! Tip: Cleaning For Your Exotic Hardwood Not all flooring is the same. Both domestic and exotic hardwood flooring need special cleaning care: 1. Never clean with solutions meant for vinyl or tile floors. The residue of the cleanser can remain on your exotic hardwood flooring and leave it dull. 2. Do not use a wet mop on a hardwood floor. The water can discolor and even warp the wood. 3. Any spills should be wiped immediately with a damp towel. 4. Do not wax your hardwood floor unless the manufacturer of the hardwood flooring recommends this type of maintenance. Tip: Hot Exotic Hardwood African Mahogany is a hot choice for home and commercial hardwood flooring. Also known as "Khaya," African Mahogany is found throughout Africa and is harvested from trees that grow to feet with trunk diameters as large as 6 feet! African Mahogany has a signature reddish-brown color. It's texture is course, lending to it a rustic look perfect for homey living rooms, dens, and offices. Because of African Mahogany's popularity, illegal logging practices do occur. You can avoid buying these products by looking for African Mahogany that originates from non-old growth logging and that the organization you purchase from is accredited by the Forest Stewardship Council. Tip: Maintaining Healthy Exotic Hardwood Floors Besides regular cleaning and care of your exotic hardwood floors, there are a few other tips to keep your floors looking beautiful. Become a barefoot family. Or at least sock-wearing. Implement a "no shoes" policy in the house, or at least in the rooms where you have hardwood flooring.place plastic or foam pads under the feet of your furniture to prevent denting the wood.keep a humidifier running during winter to reduce wood shrinkage.use area rugs in high traffic spots of the room to avoid scratching and general wear-and-tear. Tip: Planning for Your Hardwood Flooring Installing all hardwood flooring is a big step for a homeowner, but some hardwood floors are more difficult to install than others. Of the three options for installation (Staple, Glue or Locking), locking is the easiest because it only requires underlayment. Measuring: In

4 order to calculate how much exotic hardwood you will need, measure the room(s) in question and bring the results to your flooring professional. S/he will be able to assist you in selecting just the right amount of wood flooring you will need. Category: Floating Hardwood Flooring Subcategory: Floating Hardwood Flooring Tip: Caring for Floating Hardwood Flooring Systems Caring for a floating hardwood flooring system is very similar to caring for other types of hardwood floors. Care should be taken to keep the floors free of dust and dirt by vacuuming or dry mopping on a regular basis. This is important because dust and dirt could cause scratching. Cleaning of the floors should be done only with cleaners specifically designed for the purpose of cleaning wood floors. It is also important to clean up spills immediately and to not allow water to stand on the floors for any length of time. This is important because spills and water can lead to staining and damage, such as warping. If the floating hardwood flooring system is also an engineered flooring system which only has a thin veneer layer of hardwood, sanding may not be recommended. Sanding typically removes 1/32 of an inch so homeowners should not sand engineered hardwood floors unless they know the thickness of the veneer layer and are sure it is thick enough to withstand the standing process. Tip: Installing Floating Hardwood Floors Installing floating hardwood floors can actually be easier than installing other types of floors. This is because floating hardwood floors are not attached to the sub-floor. Therefore, the installer only has to concern himself with attaching one plank to the next. However, before beginning the installation process it is important to ensure the sub-floor is level. If the sub-floor is not level, self-leveling compound can be used to create a surface which will be adequate for the installation of the floating hardwood floor. Once the sub-floor is clean and level, installation of the floating hardwood floors can begin. The installation process is usually very simple, but care should be taken to read the manufacturer's instructions for installation as they may vary from one manufacturer to the next. In most cases, the installation process will involve attaching the planks by using the tongue-in-groove system. Some systems will be glueless while others will require the use of glue to attach the planks. If glue is to be used, apply a bead of glue along the joint and snap the next plank into place. Excess glue can be removed with a cloth. Tip: Understanding Floating Engineered Flooring Floating engineered flooring is an ideal option for moist or hot climates where the

5 climate may cause problems for solid hardwood floors. An engineered hardwood floor consists of a core of hardwood or plywood with a hardwood veneer glued to the top layer. Through this type of design the flooring has greater stability in areas where moisture or heat would cause problems providing fewer maintenance needs for the flooring. Engineered flooring is also usually less expensive than flooring constructed of solid hardwood. Tip: Using Layers in Floating Engineered Wood Flooring One of the major advantages of floating engineered wood flooring is greater stability. This increased stability comes from the number of different layers which are used to construct this type of flooring system. In addition to the layer of hardwood veneer which is glued to the to top core layer, an engineered wood floor usually consists of at least three layers. These layers may consist of hardwood, plywood or high density fiberboard. Tip: Veneer Thickness of a Floating Hardwood Floor A floating hardwood floor which is engineered typically has a top veneer layer. This veneer layer may range in thickness from 0.6mm to 4.5mm. Despite, these small measurements, this type layer is quite durable and can be expected to last for many years. Many hardwood floor installers offer warranties of 25 years on these types of floors which is a testament to the durability of a floating engineered hardwood floor. Category: Hardwood Floor Installation Subcategory: Hardwood Floor Installation Tip: Considering the Cost to Install Hardwood Floors The cost to install hardwood floors is a variable which cannot be easily defined. Using the Internet to research the subject may produce information which estimates the cost of installing hardwood floors at approximately $3.00 per square foot. However, it is important to note there are a number of factors which can influence this cost. Some of these factors include the type of wood chosen, the installation process, the experience level of the contractor and even location. Higher quality woods will typically be more expensive to install than other types of woods. Likewise, a contractor with a great deal of experience and an impressive resume may charge more for installation than a less experienced contractor. Also, the location in which the hardwood floors will be installed may also factor into the price of installation. Installation costs will likely be higher in areas with a higher cost of living. Finally, the installation process is also a factor. Generally, floating wood floors are the least expensive to install followed by nail-down floors and then glue-down floors.

6 Tip: How to Install Hardwood Flooring Learning how to install hardwood flooring can be a difficult process depending on the type of installation. Once you determine that the subflloor is clean, flat, dry and sound. Follow the manufacturer's instructions if a vapor barrier is needed for the completion of the installation. Each installation of hardwood flooring allows for a different expansion gap so follow the manufacturer's instructions. If any glue gets on the surface of the flooring, wipe off immediately with a clean damp cloth. Care should be taken when installing hardwood floors with glue because the glue can dry rather quickly. However, some hardwood floors may not involve the use of glue to adhere the planks together. Category: Hardwood Flooring Hardness Levels Subcategory: Hardwood Flooring Hardness Levels Tip: Brinell Numbers One of the methods by which hardwood floors are measured for hardness was created by Swedish designer, Johann A. Brinell in Originally developed to test the hardness of metal, the procedure involves placing a hardened steel ball on a flat surface of the metal to be tested. The diameter of the dent made by the ball is measured, and the result is what is known as the "Brinell" number. Tip: Dogs and Hardwood Flooring If you have dogs, you may wonder how wise it is to redecorate your home with hardwood floors. The good news is that dogs and hardwood floors can live in perfect harmony! Here are a few pointers: Match your dog and your wood. Not colors (!), but weight. The larger your dog, the harder wood you should purchase.consider prefinished hardwood. In this process, a varnish is baked onto the wood at a very high temperature, making it extremely durable.have your flooring installed with the Lock & Fold method (an ingenious process offered with Armstrong flooring), so that minimal dirt will get trapped between the planks.keep hair and dirt to a minimum by regular sweeping and/or vacuuming. Tip: Janka Hardness Test Using the original Brinell test to measure the hardness of metal, Janka developed a similar method to specifically measure the hardness of wood. It's a standard still used today. In Janka's test, the force expressed to press a mm-diameter steel ball into the wood being tested into a depth of half the ball's diameter give you the result of the wood's hardness level. Be aware that different countries have alternate ways of noting the results. The US measures in pounds-force. Australia uses newtons (N) or

7 kilonewtons (kn). And in Sweden, the results are marked in kilogram-force (kgf). Alternately, you may find standardized results, where the measurement is noted in Janka, such as 250 Janka. Tip: To Sand or Not to Sand When choosing the hardness level of your hardwood floor, you'll need to know how much wear-and-tear that room will receive. Clearly, a dining room won't need flooring as hard as a home dance studio, for example. Keep in mind, too, that some wood is naturally harder than any finish you may be applying to it. Why is this important? Knowing how hard you floor is before you apply a finish can prevent unnecessary sandings for future refinishing. If you know you have a sturdy hardwood floor, you may be able to get away with simply screening and refinishing rather than sanding. Softer wood that has been scuffed or dented over time will need sanding and refinishing. The moral of the story? Before you install your flooring, know what strength of wood you need and what you'll need to keep it healthy! Tip: Why Hardness Matters When testing hardwood flooring, the direction of the grain will determine the result of the testing. For example, testing with force perpendicular to the grain results in what is called a plank's side hardness. The Janka hardness test is a method used to determine the wood's hardness. The higher the number of the test, the harder the wood is, and the more resistant to a saw or nail it is. Another test is called end testing, when the force is exerted against the surface of a stump of wood. Typically, wood's side hardness is less strong than its end hardness. Since you'll be installing wood side-up, pay closer attention: Hardness ratings are to determine whether a species is suitable for use as flooring. Category: Hardwood Flooring Repair Subcategory: Hardwood Flooring Repair Tip: How to Repair Hardwood Floors There is no simple answer for how to repair hardwood floors. Homeowners who have a question about whether their hardwood floors can be repaired should consult a professional for an opinion. Problems such as staining and scratches can usually be easily corrected by sanding. However, problems such as warping are more serious and cannot always be repaired. Repairing hardwood flooring which is warped can sometimes be prepared by thoroughly drying the hardwood and removing floorboards adjacent to the warping and then sanding the edges of these floorboards before replacing them. If this does not correct the warping, hammering may sometimes help to

8 remove bulges. However, if neither remedy works to repair, it may be necessary to replace the hardwood floors. Tip: Using a Wood Floor Repair Kit When using a wood floor repair kit, it is important to remember that the contents and instructions vary by brand. Therefore, it is important to follow instructions carefully. However, a typical wood floor repair kit is relatively easy to use and gets the job done in minimal time. The most common use for a wood floor repair kit is to eliminate the squeak or creak that often develops as wood floors age or if they were improperly installed. When using most kits, you will be injecting the squeaky areas with an adhesive, using a syringe that is included in the kit. After the injection, the substance fills into the hollow spaces under the wood floor, eliminating the noisy problem previously caused by stepping on those spaces. Tip: Why Wooden Flooring Becomes Warped Wooden flooring which appears to sag or bulge may be warped. These are both serious problems which may result in the need for replacing the hardwood floors. However, these problems are also indicative of more serious problems, such as excess moisture in the home. It is this excess moisture which causes the floors to warp. Homeowners who notice warped hardwood floors should take actions to return the moisture level in the house to a proper balance. If these problems are discovered early on, it may be possible to repair the hardwood floors and prevent the formation of additional problems in the home. If warping is not noticed early, it may be necessary to replace the hardwood floors instead of attempting to repair them. Category: Hardwood Species Subcategory: Hardwood Species Tip: Hardwood Flooring Species: Ash Janka Hardness Scale Rating: 1320 White Ash comes from North America, and is perhaps best known for its use in baseball bats! It is this same elasticity and strength that makes ash a great choice for hardwood flooring. In addition to flooring, ash is commonly used to make fine furniture and tool handles. You can expect the sapwood of white ash to be a creamy white; the heartwood can be light tan to dark brown. While the grain is most often straight, there can be an occasional wave within it. The texture is coarse, giving it a nice look for rustic rooms. Tip: Hardwood Flooring Species: Bamboo

9 Janka Hardness Scale Rating: 1380 (natural); 1180 (carbonized) Bamboo offers durability and ecological friendliness and therefore is a great choice for hardwood floors. Once dried, bamboo becomes extremely strong, making it an ideal material for flooring. Those living in high humidity areas similar to bamboo's native Asia can benefit from using bamboo floors as the wood is more resistant to moisture than other wood species. Bamboo grows rapidly, and is therefore kinder to the environment as crop or forest depletion is less likely. However, for greater durability without sacrificing the look you're after, consider a bamboo-look laminate flooring. Tip: Hardwood Flooring Species: Beech Janka Hardness Scale Rating: 1300 Beech is an ideal hardwood flooring for high-traffic areas and commercial flooring. It resists denting and is extremely shock-absorbent. Good news if you plan to be on your feet a lot in the room(s) in question. At one time, beechwood was not looked upon as a wise choice since it doesn't stand up well to air-drying. However, with the advent of kiln-drying, that concern is no longer a deterrent. Beech's sapwood is most often a pale white, American beech's heartwood is generally a reddish-brown. Sometimes you'll find a silver sheen to the wood as well. The grain's fine and uniform texture is what makes it resilient to wear. Tip: Hardwood Flooring Species: Oak Janka Hardness Scale Rating: 1360 (white oak); 1290 (red oak) Oak hardwood flooring is a very popular choice of domestic wood. Both white and red oak hardwood flooring are known for their solidity and resistance to wear. White oak has a high tannin level which makes it resistant to fungi and insects. Red oak is light-colored with a reddish tone, while white oak is more white or creamier in color. The red variety of oak hardwood floors also has a grainier texture due to its porosity. White oak, in contrast, has longer rays. Tip: Hardwood Flooring Species: Pecan/Hickory Janka Hardness Scale Rating: 1820 One of the harder species of wood flooring available, Pecan or Hickory wood is ideal for busy areas of your home, such as the kitchen. It retains a smooth finish under friction. This species also stains well, should you choose to alter its sapwood's natural blond color. (The heartwood of pecan is reddish-brown.) Expect a straight grain, with a few irregularities and a coarse texture. Category: Hardwood Vs. Engineered Flooring Subcategory: Hardwood Vs. Engineered Flooring

10 Tip: Below Grade Flooring In most regions of the country, your best option for below grade wood flooring is engineered hardwood. Because of its durability and adaptability to shifting moisture levels, engineered hardwood flooring is the optimum choice for basements or other floors that are concrete (or have fewer than 18 inches of ventilated space). Most manufacturers do not recommend solid hardwood flooring installed directly onto a concrete subfloor. Tip: Floating Floors When installing a hardwood floor over concrete, A DIY' installer's best bet is to put in floating engineered hardwood floors. A floating floor simply means that the engineered wood fits together in a tongue-and-groove interlocking system and the planks are glued together. There is no further anchoring to the sub-floor (i.e., no nailing is needed). This option is also a great option for Do-It-Yourself installers. Installing a floating or locking is a faster and easier installation method. Category: Hardwood Vs. Laminate Flooring Subcategory: Hardwood Vs. Laminate Flooring Tip: Cleaning Laminate Flooring Routine maintenance of your laminate wood flooring is essential for its long life. Follow these cleaning tips to keep your laminate flooring looking great. Use a dust mop or damp cloth over the boards after vacuuming. If there is a spill, use a cloth or sponge. Avoid soap-based detergents during cleaning. These will dull the sheen of your laminate flooring. Waxing or polishing the floor is not necessary and can damage the top layer of your laminate flooring. Avoid all abrasive cleaners and cleaning products that can scratch your floor. Tip: Comparing Laminate Flooring to Hardwood Flooring There's a fairly long list of the pros and cons for both laminate and hardwood flooring. What you need to ask yourself is how much you want to spend, where you want to place your flooring and how much maintenance you are ready to put into your flooring. Cost The cost of laminate flooring is significantly lower than hardwood flooring. However, if you're a stickler for a real-wood floor, take a good look at your budget; you may find that engineered hardwood flooring (which used real wood throughout its layers) may still fit into your budget. Location The most significant difference between hardwood and laminate wood flooring is the latter's resistance to moisture and wear. So, if you desire a wood-look in your bathroom, for example, laminate may be the perfect choice. Also extremely high traffic areas in your home could benefit from laminate

11 flooring's extra durability. Care Both laminate flooring and hardwood flooring need a certain amount of extra care. Neither should be cleaned with abrasive cleaners, wax or soap detergents. Laminate flooring does not need sanding or resurfacing, but unlike hardwood, damaged sections are not as easy to repair. Tip: Your House's Resale Value Many homeowners make renovations to their homes in order to improve the house's resale value. When considering flooring options, keep in mind that solid or engineered hardwood flooring increases your home's resale value considerably more than using laminate hardwood flooring. Because hardwood is made of natural materials, it costs more to purchase and install. This expense does transfer to your asking price on the house later on, though, so it may be worth it to invest in those materials. Also, hardwood flooring lasts longer than laminate flooring, which means your potential buyers won't have to factor in the cost of reinstalling flooring when they move in. That said, laminate lends a beautiful look to virtually any room. If you keep it clean and in good shape, your buyers may not be concerned that it's not real wood. In fact, many homeowners care more about low-maintenance flooring than authenticity, so having laminate wood flooring may actually work in your favor. Category: Prefinished Hardwood Flooring Subcategory: Prefinished Hardwood Flooring Tip: Before You Install Prefinished Hardwood Flooring There are a number of factors to consider before installing prefinished hardwood flooring. Prefinished flooring offers advantages over onsite finished flooring, such as the ability to walk on the floors soon after installation and the absence of sanding and harsh chemicals in the home. However, homeowners who have already selected prefinished hardwood floors still have a wide number of options available to them. Color is just one of the options homeowners will have to make. The number of color options available for prefinished floors is considerably less than the number of options available for onsite finished floors. However, there are still a wide variety of options from which to choose. This decision is largely based on personal preference and requesting floor samples will help the homeowner to make this decision. The type of finish is another decision which must be made. Homeowners should select a finish which will be durable under their living conditions. Factors such as average temperature, humidity levels and the presence of children or pets should be factors in the decision. Tip: Caring for Prefinished Wood Flooring Caring for prefinished wood flooring is relatively simple and will help to ensure the life of

12 the hardwood floors. Regularly dry mopping or vacuuming prefinished hardwood floors will help to remove dust and dirt which can scratch hardwood floors. Periodic cleanings with cleansers designed specifically for use on hardwood floors will also help to maintain the appearance of hardwood floors. However, care should be taken to only use cleansers which are formulated for use on hardwood floors. Before using any product, a spot test is recommended to ensure the product does not damage the finish of the flooring. Other tips for maintaining prefinished wood flooring include cleaning up spills immediately and not allowing water to stand on the floors. Spills of any type can lead to staining so they should be cleaned up immediately. Water can also stain hardwood floors, but it can also result in warping. Therefore, water should not be allowed to stand on hardwood floors for any length of time. Tip: Installing Prefinished Hardwood Floors Installing prefinished hardwood floors is very similar to the process of installing unfinished hardwood floors. The process of installing the floorboards themselves are not different. To install hardwood floors, whether they are prefinished or unfinished, it is necessary to ensure a clean and level sub-floor. Once this has been established, the installation can begin according to the manufacturer's instructions. This may include gluing or nailing down the floorboards and connecting the floorboards by using glue, the tongue-in-groove system or a combination of the two. The main difference in the installation process comes at the end of the installation. Prefinished hardwood floors are considered complete and ready to be walked on almost immediately after installation. However, after unfinished hardwood floors have been installed them must be sanded, stained and allowed to cure. The curing process for unfinished hardwood floors may be as long as 10 days. Tip: Selecting a Finished Hardwood Floor Selecting a finished hardwood floor is largely a matter of personal preference. Some of the factors to consider when selecting a finish for hardwood floors include appearance, durability and lifestyle. These are important considerations which will help to reduce the number of options available. In making this decision it is important to select a finish which is appealing, but will also be durable considering the climate and lifestyle of the homeowner. With prefinished hardwood floors there may be fewer color options available to the homeowner while homeowners who opt for hardwood floors which are finished onsite will have more color options. However, these homeowners will have to contend with the dust from the sanding process, as well as the chemicals from the finishing process which can linger in the air. Tip: Selecting Prefinished Hardwood Flooring Selecting prefinished hardwood flooring can be one of the fun aspects of home renovation. There are a number of different finishes to choose from and homeowners

13 must make this important decision based on appearance, durability and budget. The primary purpose of finishing hardwood floors is to increase durability so homeowners can be confident the majority of prefinished hardwood floors are a good choice in terms of durability. However, homeowners who live in a particularly hot or humid climate may want to pay particular attention to the durability aspect of the finishes. Appearance and budget also factor into the equation when selecting prefinished hardwood floors. Homeowners who are unsure about the appearance of hardwood floors should consider requesting samples for a number of different finishes. These samples can be placed on the floor in the home to assist in the decision-making process. Finally, the homeowner must consider budget when making decisions about prefinished hardwood floors and take care to select a finishing option which is not only durable and attractive, but also affordable. Tip: Types of Hardwood Finishes Available There are many types of hardwood finishes available to homeowners. Some of the hardwood finishes available include oil modified urethane, moisture cured urethane, water based urethane, penetrating sealers, paste wax, varnish, lacquer and shellac. Each of these options has advantages and disadvantages so homeowners are encouraged to research each option to determine which is ideal for their home. For example, oil-based urethanes are easy to apply and are capable of producing a durable surface which is moisture-resistant and generally require approximately eight hours to dry. Water-based urethanes produce a surface which is similar in terms of durability and moisture resistance, but requires only two to three hours of drying time. Moisture-cured urethanes are much more difficult to apply and have a strong odor. The drying time with these finishes will vary depending on the relative humidity. With so many hardwood finishes to choose from, it is a good idea to research all of the options and, if necessary, consult a flooring professional for recommendations. Tip: Understanding Prefinished Hardwood Floors Prefinished hardwood floors are essentially hardwood floors which are finished by the manufacturer in the factory. The alternative to this is to have the floors finished onsite after the installation process by sanding the wood down and applying the finish. The advantage to prefinishing the hardwood floors is the homeowner does not have the dust particles associated with sanding and the smell of the finishing chemicals lingering in the air after the installation process. Additionally, the prefinished floors can be nailed down and walked on almost immediately after the installation process. Tip: Understanding Wood Finishing The key to understanding wood finishing is knowing why it is so important to finish the surface of hardwood floors. Wood finishing is not just a matter of making the hardwood floors appear more attractive. Although many homeowners spend a great deal of time

14 selecting a hardwood finish which is aesthetically-appealing, this is not the primary purpose of having wood floors finished. Durability is the primary reason that wood floors should be finished. Finished hardwood floors are more durable, more resistant to scratches and easier to maintain. Category: Refinishing Hardwood Flooring Subcategory: Refinishing Hardwood Flooring Tip: Hardwood vs. Laminate: What's the Difference? Laminate floors fall under three main categories. They can be floating floors (glued down), glueless floating floors or pre-glued floating floors. Hardwood floors, also come in two varieties: Solid wood or engineered wood. Any of these options can be used in bedrooms, dining rooms, bedrooms and various other rooms in your house. The real difference is price. Installing hardwood flooring is more expensive than laminate. However, keep in mind that unlike laminate floors, hardwood adds value to your home. Also, if you suffer from allergies, remember that hardwood flooring is hypo-allergenic. Tip: Refinish Wood Floors to Increase Your Home Value Putting a home on the market can be a daunting task. However, most homeowners understand an attractive home is easier to sell than one in need of repair. The cost of refinishing wood floors is an expenditure that may reap dividends when an offer is made on the house by a potential buyer. Before making the decision to refinish wood floors the homeowners should research the cost of this project as well as the amount of value the project will add to the home. This will help the homeowner to decide whether to undertake the project. Tip: Refinishing Wood Floors: What To Do Before You Begin Once a homeowners has made the decision to refinish wood flooring, there are steps he can take to prepare himself for the process and to help to ensure the project will be completed successfully. Learning as much as possible about the process is one of these very important steps. There are many books available on the subject of refinishing wood floors which can help to educate the homeowner. Online searches can also provide helpful information, but care should be taken to verify the validity of this information. Whether the homeowner opts to employ a professional or take a do-it-yourself approach, the research will prepare him for the many choices he will have to make. Decisions such as using oil-based or water-based stain and what type of finish, or protective coating, to use are best made after the options have been researched carefully.

15 Tip: Saving Money with Do-It-Yourself Hardwood Floor Restoration The cost of refinishing hardwood floors should not keep homeowners from exposing hardwood floors buried beneath carpeting. However, many homeowner are afraid of hardwood floor restoration projects. Doing this project without the help of a professional will save a great deal of money and add value to the home. The process of restoring hardwood floors is as simple as removing the old finish, adding a basecoat of finish, adding a colored finish, if desired and adding a topcoat while allowing time for drying between each coat. Homeowners who are not overwhelmed by this type of project will be able to enjoy the benefits this project provides. Simply taking the project step by step and consulting with professionals if necessary will enable the homeowner to complete the project on his own at a fraction of the cost he would pay a professional. Tip: Wood Floor Refinishing: What Not To Do Learning about the steps to take during a hardwood floor restoration project is easy. With a click of the mouse or a trip to the library, you can learn all you need to know. However, discovering what not to do is sometimes only learned once you have made the mistakes. As you sand the floor, remember not to leave the sander equipment in one place for too long. This can create scratches or even holes in your floor. Also, wear a dust mask when sanding so you do not inhale too much dust. Close your doors and turn off any fans so you do not keep the dust circulating in the air. When staining, make sure you have proper ventilation. The fumes can be dangerous. Finally, make sure the stain and/or finish is completely dry before walking on it. You do not want footprints on your newly refinished floor. Category: Remodeling with Hardwood Flooring Subcategory: Remodeling with Hardwood Flooring Tip: Decorating with Darker Hardwood Mid-range and deeper hardwood tones are a great choice for nearly any interior, from traditional to contemporary. Warm rooms with a natural look are easy to achieve with these tones. Choose planks that have grain patterns, knots or other distinguishing marks to really accentuate the rustic energy of the room. Or, go exotic and choose a deep-hued floor and pair it with multi-colored deep tones on the walls and multi-textured fabrics in windows and for area rugs. Tip: Decorating with Light Hardwood Simple room designs are best complemented by light tones. Casual and minimal decorating styles are the best match. Avoid using light-toned wood in formal rooms,

16 such as formal dining areas and sitting rooms. Heavy-grained woods, such as oak are an excellent choice to show off casual interiors, while lighter grains (like maple) draw attention to bold wall colors that are popular in modern interiors. Tip: Parquet Flooring We can thank the French for the invention of parquet flooring, which they used regularly, beginning in the 17th century. It wasn't until the 19th century that North Americans picked up on the style for their own flooring. And even then, it was only in the nicest of homes that this floor design made its appearance. Parquet flooring design involves short planks which are arranged in various patterns. The older versions of these floors probably had each plank individually placed, but today's flooring is done with 6- to 12-inch tiles. The fact that parquet flooring is non-structural means it needs extra support. This can be achieved by laying the tiles over a sturdy base, such as plywood underlayment and at least a 3/4-inch subfloor. Tip: What Does Your Floor Say About Your Home? The décor of your home is an important factor to consider when redecorating with hardwood floors. Take some time to review each room in which you plan to install the flooring. What style is it? Traditional? Urban? Retro? For traditional rooms or more formal styles, consider cherry, oak or maple hardwood flooring. They all have old world elegance. Take a look at hardwood floors in oak or cherry if you have a formal or traditional look in your home. Dark maple is another great choice to compliment the traditional décor. Urban homes may lend themselves well to the popular bamboo flooring now quite hot on the market. Retro or more eclectic homes can mix and match fun styles and looks by installing exotic floors, laminate flooring that mimics any style of wood, and also marble or stone. The only limit is your own creativity!