Image via Wikipedia

Floating hardwood floors are composed of real wood on top and composite underneath that make them very sturdy. They come in a range of board widths and colors. As with anything, this type of flooring has its downside, but generally its advantages have convinced many people to use it in their homes. Let’s take a look at these benefits that have won over its users.

1. Floating hardwood floors are easy and quick to install.

Unlike the usual wood floors that are nailed or glued to the subfloor, the boards for floating wood floors are designed to simply be clicked and locked together and are suspended over the floor and propped up on a cushion underlayment. Installation will vary depending on how the manufacturer designed their product. A common and pioneer installation technique is the glue together method which needs glue applied onto each plank. Over the years, manufacturers of floating hardwood floors have developed more convenient methods, such as the click type of floating floors where glue is no longer needed, and the lock and fold method which also does not need glue and tapping. Because installation is easy, it requires significantly less installation time. Additionally, it can also be installed over existing floors even on carpets, saving you more time from uninstalling old flooring.

2. Floating hardwood floors are insulated against moisture.

Besides deadening the squeaks, the cushion underlayment where the floating hardwood floors rest on helps to insulate the flooring against cold and moisture. This protects the floor from mold and mildew as well as from contraction and expansion.

3. Floating hardwood floors are stable.

Floating hardwood floors are not prone to contraction and expansion not just because they are insulated by the underlayment but also because they are a kind of engineered floors. This gives them the much needed stability. Their respective mechanized system of installation also effectively makes them stay in place.

4. Floating hardwood floors are long-lasting.

When properly cared for, floating hardwood floors can last as long as four decades or as long as your house stands.

5. Floating hardwood floors can be used even in high-humidity areas.

Because they resist moisture, floating hardwood floors can be installed in basements, kitchens and other areas exposed in high humidity, unlike the ordinary wood flooring.

The stability, durability, versatility, water-resistance, and ease of installation are the strong suits of floating hardwood floors that make people use them in their homes.

Image via Wikipedia

Staining wood floors is a scary but necessary step especially when installing unfinished hardwood floors. Because how you do it will permanently be reflected on the finished product, most DIY first-timers are daunted by the task at hand. Having the knowledge on how to do it helps to make you less intimidated. So this post will show you how.

Maple Unfinished Hardwood Floors – Perfect for Staining

Due to it white color, maple is ideal for staining. Since the wood is unfinished, there is no previous staining added to it and this allows for greater flexibility on the choice of stains. Here are some tips on how to choose and stain unfinished maple hardwood flooring.

Steps on Staining Maple Unfinished Hardwood Floors

1. Choose the stain

To avoid uneven stains, choose the lighter ones because you have to remember that you are dealing with hardwood. On top of that, choose the stain that will match the color of your home that at the same time works well with maple. For better results, get hold of gel stains as they are thicker and works well with very hard wood.

2. Prepare the stain and the wood

Place the wood on a working table so that you can sand it thoroughly. Make sure that there are no dust on the surface of the wood before you start sanding because this can cause unevenness of the surface.

For a more consistent, even and cleaner application of stain, the American Wood Finishing Institute recommends using a light wash coat of five parts acetone to one part non-catalyzed vinyl sealer. You have to apply this solution to the floor before staining it and allow to dry well. This will cause the stain to spread evenly on the surface of the wood.

3. Stain the wood

For better results, apply the stain according to the directions set by the manufacturer. Use a paintbrush or soft cloth to apply the stain on the surface of the wood and in the direction of its grain. Whenever there is excess stain, don’t allow it to stay on the wood for a long time rather, wipe it away. After you have allowed it to dry for 24 hour apply a polyurethane coat in order for the stain to stay long on the wood and then, allow it to dry for 48 hours. Repeat the process on the opposite side of the wood.

Although unfinished hardwood allows for greater flexibility on the choice of stains, maple does not go well with dark stains. It’s too hard and using dark colors will result in uneven stain. But if you insist on using dark stain, try to use a spray stainer for a more even distribution of stain.

Staining is an essential step in completing the look of your unfinished hardwood floors, even Maple floors. It is also an essential step to protect the wood floors from moisture and other external elements. By following the steps provided above, you can be assured of beautiful and long-lasting Maple wood floors.

Image via Wikipedia

No other kind of outdoor furniture can heighten the beauty of the natural backdrop of your outdoor living space better than outdoor wood furniture. With its natural beauty, it will never be out of place with the trees, birds, sky and sun – elements that accompany you in your garden, patio, deck, front or backyard. With the turn of the seasons, however, this beauty can chip, splinter, peel and fade especially if you do not properly take care of it. It may no longer be as vivid as the green grass of spring or the blue summer sky. To keep this from happening, give your outdoor wooden furniture some tender loving care. But if the pieces are already in bad shape, don’t replace them just yet. We will show you how to maintain and restore their good looks.

All it takes is furniture covers, furniture oil, towels, garden hose, wood furniture cleanser, scrub brush, some time devoted to periodic cleaning and maintenance and some elbow grease. If you have the knack for carpentry and house painting, then you are in familiar territory. Let’s get going…

Protecting Beauty of Outdoor Wood Furniture

Your first line of defense is prevention. While the eye-appeal of your outdoor wood furniture is still intact, do not take it for granted. Make it a point to cover it with waterproof covers when not in use to protect it from the sun, rain, wind, birds and other elements.

Another way of protecting outdoor wood furniture is by oiling it a number of times in a year. Soak it in oil and allow it to absorb the grease. This will give moisture a hard time to seep through the furniture.

Maintaining the Good Looks and Cleanliness of Outdoor Wood Furniture

Schedule major cleaning twice or three times a year. This is to get rid of dirt that can trigger the deterioration of your outdoor wood furniture. By doing so, you prolong its life. You cannot just use anything to clean wood as certain substances can damage it, so to be sure, use products that are designed especially to clean wood furniture. Get rid of cobwebs and debris by hosing down the pieces. Then apply the wood cleanser following the instructions of the manufacturer. Wood cleansers usually are mixed in a pail of water and used to scrub down the furniture.

Restoring the Glory of Outdoor Wood Furniture

When the outdoor wood furniture pieces are already showing signs of fading, chipping, or losing its beauty, it is your signal to sand, re-stain or paint them. Doing so also protects them from the elements. Rain will have a hard time saturating the wood.

Outdoor Wood Furniture 911

If you failed to cover your outdoor wood furniture and rain pours in or your kids sat on the Adirondack chairs after a dip in the pool, leave it to dry in the sun. Moisture can cause your wood furniture to rot and is also a hospitable host to mold and mildew. So make sure to allow the pieces to dry as soon as you can so that they can serve your for more years.

Ensuring the Safety and Functionality of Outdoor Wood Furniture

Wood is not your only concern when maintaining outdoor wood furniture. You also have to inspect its hardware every few months. Bolts and screws can loosen due to constant use. If left unattended, your furniture can eventually come apart or buckle down, so give some time turning over the pieces to make sure that everything is tight and in position. This is also the time to replace broken slats and hardware that is no longer optimally serving its purpose.

By following these tips, you can keep your outdoor wood furniture attractive and you can enjoy it for many many years.

Image via Wikipedia

Installing Hardwood Flooring Not for the Faint of Heart

Planning a hardwood floor project for the first time? Do not underestimate the enormity of the endeavor. Once the flooring has been positioned in place, the real ‘dirty’ work begins as you sand, clean up, stain and finish it. Besides the materials required, make sure that you also prepare a pound of patience and do some research to help you fully grasp the process. Besides the tools you need to carry out this undertaking, you also need to sharpen your attention to details. These will help you surmount the challenges of installing hardwood flooring. Before you get your hands dirty, this article will tip you off of the difficulties that you may possibly encounter and how you can avoid them.

How to Avoid the Challenges of Installing Hardwood Flooring

1. The Messy Sanding Phase

Get ready to get immersed into a huge mess. Anything that you don’t want to get dirty should be stored in an empty room in your house where you are not currently installing hardwood flooring. This room must be sealed to keep dirt from entering. You must then cover up all all the remaining things even outlets and ventilation must be sealed. Once you start the sander, you can be at peace at the thought that your belongings are protected from the mess.

2. The Dirty Deed of Cleaning Up

Another messy job is the cleanup phase. Oh, the irony of having to get dirty in order to clean things up! If you mess this phase up, you will ruin the look of the floor once you finish installing hardwood flooring. For a thorough job, make sure to put the vacuum cleaner to maximum use, including its brush attachment to reach corners. The use of a tack rag in going over everything many times is also essential to ensure that everything is covered.

3. The Strain of Staining

Staining newly installed hardwood flooring is a sticky business especially for the unskilled and mistakes are a big possibility. To help keep you sane in this ordeal, use a rag instead of a brush if you are new to brushing. Using a rag helps you apply an even coat and rub the stain into the wood, whereas if you use a brush, your output may include a set of darker spots where the brush initially hits the wood. And you would also need a rag to wipe off the excess when applying the stain with a brush. You have to put on two coats of stain.

4. Finishing Phase – The Struggle in A Fight to the Finish

At this point, much of the dirt, mess and headache of installing hardwood flooring have already been dealt with. You just have to ensure that you don’t mess things up late in the game or all your efforts will be in vain. To avoid this, make sure that each coat has completely dried before applying the second. To ensure a completely dry floor, do not use or put anything on it for two to three days or you might end up with floor that has your footprints, ‘immortalizing’ your blunder of walking onto soft floor.

Installing hardwood flooring is not easy. Hidden challenges lurk in every corner, but by applying the the tips we have given, you can successfully lead your first DIY project to success.

Image via Wikipedia

Bamboo Hardwood Floors – The Eco- and Pocket-Friendly Flooring Option

Bamboo hardwood floors are gaining popularity among homeowners looking to buy flooring that is friendly to both the environment and the pocket. Moreover, its qualities that are unique to other hardwood floors (since bamboo is actually a grass) make it also a durable, hardwearing flooring alternative. And as most homeowners already know, one of the secrets to long-lasting flooring is cleaning and maintenance. This is actually very easy to do. This post will show just how simple it is.

Cleaning and Maintenance Tips for Your Bamboo Hardwood Floors

1. Use felt and padding.

Bamboo hardwood flooring is generally smooth, so while in the process of sitting down on a chair or couch, you may accidentally scratch its finish. Putting felt on all the legs of your furniture pieces will help avoid this. Not only do they mar your beautiful floors, scratches are also favorite hiding places of dusts.

2. Use mats in entryway.

Placing mats in entryways is your preventive measure so that dirt and debris do not gain access inside your home and onto your bamboo hardwood floors as they get collected by the mats. In this way, all you have to clean or discard are the mats.

3. Implement the ‘No-shoes Policy’.

If placing mats in strategic locations are not enough, then removing the carrier of dirt and dust – your footwear – upon entry inside your home may more effectively restrict the entry of dust and dirt into your bamboo hardwood floors. You can also ask family members to do that, but when you are entertaining guests, you may not be able to put this policy in effect. Don’t worry though, as we have other tips to help you clean and maintain your bamboo hardwood floors with or without shoes allowed in your home.

4. Regularly clean bamboo hardwood floors from loose debris.

When left unattended and walked onto, dust and dirt can scratch the coating of your beautiful flooring. That is why it is important that you regularly sweep or vacuum your floors. Be careful though when vacuuming, taking care not to carelessly drag the machine that can damage your floors.

5. Wipe spills immediately.

Even if bamboo hardwood floors resist water, refrain from using excessive amounts of water when cleaning, although this depends on the type of finish your floors have. In case of water spills, wipe them with a damp cloth that has been squeezed dry, then follow it with a dry cloth to completely wipe the area dry.

6. Don’t wax bamboo hardwood floors.

Wax and bamboo flooring do not go together because if you wax it and then eventually need to refinish or restore your bamboo hardwood floors, adhesion and build-up issues can arise. You may have a hard time properly binding the finish to the floor if you have been applying wax. It may take years before this effect goes away.

It only takes some common sense in cleaning and maintaining bamboo hardwood floors. If you are already familiar with cleaning and maintaining hardwood floors in general, then you basically know how to clean bamboo flooring already.

Image via Wikipedia

Rationale Behind the Use of Reclaimed Hardwood Floors

Statistics reveal that one and a half acres of rain forest are wiped out per second. At this rate, we may soon be on the brink of losing the supply of the most vital species of flora. How can Earth effectively recycle carbon dioxide emitted by industrialization into oxygen without trees? With this in mind, many homeowners turn to reclaimed hardwood floors when redecorating or building their homes, offices and other structures. Besides the environmental consideration, more and more people resort to buying recycled wood floors because they are durable, naturally carry a tasteful vintage appeal, and usually more affordable than their new counterparts.

Although the benefits are convincing, you have to be on guard for possible problems. This article will help you examine reclaimed hardwood floors that may be potential headaches.

Possible Hassles Caused by Reclaimed Hardwood Floors

Because reclaimed hardwood floors are made of recycled wood recovered from the bottom of rivers or taken from old homes or buildings, you may possibly inherit some potential problems. With the appropriate knowledge and careful inspection before buying, you can save yourself from the hassle of dealing with these nuisances. The following are reclaimed hardwood floors you should avoid:

1. Warped Reclaimed Hardwood Floors

You must realize that a warped board is difficult to fix, if indeed there is a way to fix it. If you see signs of warping, this is your cue to look for other recycled wood floors.

2. Discolored Reclaimed Hardwood Floors

Discoloration can be a boon or a blessing depending on the impact of the discoloration on the wood floors and on what you want. A good number of homeowners have a taste for color variations that can take place with recycled wood floors.

3. Reclaimed Hardwood Floors Damaged by Bugs

Tunnels and pits are some of the bug damage red flags to watch out for. Although they can be used for other purposes, such as wainscoting, these damaged woods will not be a good candidate for your flooring even if the bugs have been extinguished through fumigation or kiln drying.

4. Short Reclaimed Hardwood Floors

Short planks are not a good idea except if your subfloor is extremely stable. Otherwise, your floor will most likely lack the necessary stability.

With the growing concern for environmental protection, reclaimed hardwood floors have now become all the rage. However, painstaking inspection must first be done to ensure that you do not also “reclaim” the possible problems that some recycled wood floors may bring.

There are now too many types of flooring you can put in your house. Carpets and tiles are the most popular ones you see in homes. But if you want elegance and beauty on your floors, why not consider getting solid hardwood floor?

Why Get Solid Hardwood Floor for Your Home

Having solid hardwood floor gives you many advantages, one of them is that it is healthy to have it compared to carpet which produces dust and mites. With carpets in your home, you are more susceptible to breathing problems, rashes and allergies. It is also easy to clean and maintain.

Another reason that you would want solid hardwood floor in your home is it’s very durable. Since it is very easy to clean, it looks good longer and it lasts longer. It is also a good choice if you have pets at home because mites and fleas cannot survive in hardwood floor, thus, it decreases the chances of them getting these parasites on them.

Finally, the most common reason that people choose this type of flooring for their home is its beauty. Hardwood, especially when shiny and beautifully laid out, is very attractive. Your house will look fresh, clean and conducive to living with this floor because of its color and charm.

Making Sure Your Solid Hardwood  Floor will Last Long

Even if solid hardwood floor naturally lasts long, there are still some care that you need to give it in order to ensure that it will not only last a long time, but it will also remain beautiful. This is especially difficult if you have kids or big pets.

Children tend to spill things on the floor and this is not good. Spilling some soda, sand or water on solid hardwood floor spells disaster, especially if you leave it there for a long time. So, an important thing to do is to wipe these things immediately after it gets on your floor! Never, ever leave liquid standing on your wood flooring.

Another important thing to do to maintain the good condition of your solid hardwood floor is to make sure that you lift your furniture or appliances when moving them.  If you are changing the arrangement of your living room furniture, then, you should ask someone to lift these pieces. It would be better to use felt contacts too.

Using products specifically for solid hardwood floor is imperative. Do not just use any soaps or wax, make sure that they are compatible to use with your floor. Oil based products, for example, ruin the color of  wood floors, so ask a sales person first before buying a product you’d use for your solid hardwood floors.

Yes, these flooring materials are considered durable enough to last for many years, however, you should still keep these tips in mind to ensure that your solid hardwood floor will last and remain beautiful for ages.

You can definitely save a lot of money if you install the hardwood flooring in your house on your own, which can be easily done by having a hardwood floor nailer. That’s right; this tool allows you to eliminate some hardwood flooring installation expenses in terms of the normally expensive service fee of most expert flooring installers.

Having this tool around will augment the skill level you have in installing beautiful hardwood flooring in any room of your house. The installation process becomes easier with the hardwood floor nailer in your hand to aid you in the process of installing the hardwood floors.

Hardwood Floor Nailer and Installation Skills

It is important to keep in mind that the quality of the work is largely dependent on some level of skills, and the type of tools used during the installation. The required skill is easy to acquire. A little practice of keeping the flooring aligned and you are good to go. Consistency is crucial, and this can be achieved by regular practice.

Image via Wikipedia

Before actually installing the floor using real hardwood flooring, it is best to get to know the hardwood floor nailer tool well through practice. Once you are familiar with how it works, you can start installing the floor made of superior hardwood.

Hardwood Floor Nailer – 3 Different Types to Choose From

There are basically three main types of tools for construction and floor installation. They are the manual tools, the electric-powered tools, and the pneumatic tools. These different types of tools apply to hardwood floor nailer.

1. Manual hardwood floor nailer -The manual nailers are a little more than just the hammer. Manual floor nailers can drive nails halfway through the wood. But the manual tool-driven nails must be finished off manually by going through the floor again to hammer each nail further down to its head. The whole task is quite tedious, it consumes a lot of precious time, as well.The only advantage of manual nailers over the other types is better flexibility and convenience in use, since these tools can be used anywhere and anytime regardless if there are air compressor and electricity around.
2. The electric hardwood floor nailer – this type of nailer, as the name implies, is powered by electricity. This must be, therefore, used only when it is plugged to a power outlet. Its usage is also limited up to a certain area, depending on the length of the power cord. But this issue can be resolved by having an extension wire that allows you to work farther from the outlet. In terms of work quality, electric nailers are undoubtedly better than the manual tools
3. The pneumatic hardwood floor nailer – when it comes to durability and reliability, the pneumatic hardwood floor nailer is the best. This tool also promotes higher precision in keeping the floors well aligned; a distinct feature normally attributed to having fewer moving parts.

Just like the electric hardwood floor nailer, pneumatic wood nailers also have several drawbacks. One of them is the need to have an air compressor in order for the pneumatic tool to work smoothly. Another major disadvantage is cost, which is usually more expensive than the electric and manual tools.

In any case, buying hardwood flooring requires huge investment from you. Add the cost of installation and your total cost of having hardwood flooring shoots up.

You can reduce your expenses by minimizing the installation costs. This can be achieved by installing the floors on your own using the ideal type of hardwood floor nailer that conforms to your personal requirements.

Installing hardwood floor in your home is a major decision, not only because you are used to the flooring you’ve had for years that it will take some time adjusting to it, but mainly because of the hardwood flooring cost. It is great to have hardwood flooring as it can make a huge difference on how your home will look like, however, it might be expensive — if you don’t know what to do.

What Determines Hardwood Flooring Cost?

The first thing you need to think about before you install hardwood flooring is your current flooring. Do you need someone to remove it? If you do, then the price of removing it depends on what type of floor you have. Removing carpets are easier than removing tiles, so you may probably be paying more if you’re going to ask someone to remove your old tiles.

The next thing that determines hardwood flooring cost is the grade of the wood. This is the strongest influence of hardwood floor prices and this is based on how the wood looks like. There’s high-grade wood which has an even appearance and clear surface. As you go a grade lower, you will see more marks, knots and color variations that does not look good. For example, discount hardwood may have missing tongue, checks and tree bark edges. Having these means that they may be more difficult to put together.

There are other things you should also be thinking of, gluing and nailing costs should also be factored in. In this case, the calculation will be based on per square foot. It usually is around $2.50 to $4.00 depending on who’s doing it for you. Staining the hardwood flooring will cost some more money as well, around $5.00 per square foot.

Hardwood flooring cost is a bit expensive, but if  you’re thinking of it as an investment worth having and you plan it thoroughly, then it won’t be much of a dent in your budget.

Save on Hardwood Flooring Cost

Anyone seriously wanting to replace their house’s flooring will also want to make sure that he is doing it within his budget. In order to cut hardwood floor installation cost, there are certain things one must know and do. Here are some of them:

Research. This is the first step after you have decided to change your flooring. Know how much your preferred hardwood would cost. Decide on whether you’d like to do it yourself or to have a professional install everything for you.

Use the right tools or hire the right company. If you are the one who’s going to do the installation, then it is important that you use the right tools as this will help you finish everything in a short time. If you are not going down the DIY route, hiring the right company will also help you finish earlier and will make your flooring look perfect because it is done by professionals.

Do not waste anything. This means you cannot waste materials, as this, of course, will make you have to buy more hardwood flooring. On the other hand, if you waste your time, you will be paying more to the company you’re hiring or you could miss more days at work just so you can finish the task.

Changing your hardwood flooring is a lot of work if you forget to do your research. Meanwhile, not knowing the basics of this process will cost you a lot of time and money.

When installing hardwood flooring, it is imperative that you prepare for it well, as this will help you cut on hardwood flooring cost.

Hardwood floors are not only beautiful but durable as well, which also equates to heftier price tags; but you can minimize your investment by getting the flooring materials from a reliable distributor of  wholesale hardwood floors  that offers amazing deals and great discounts. There are several wholesalers that sell hardwood flooring. Selecting which outlet to go can be tough if there are many outlets nearby. 

Choosing the Right Wholesale Hardwood Floors Outlet

If there are only a few outlets of wholesale hardwood floors within your locality, that should not limit your options because you can always go online and check the websites of other wholesalers that offer better deals with minimal and affordable delivery costs. In some cases, home owners are even able to get cheaper deals from distant wholesalers compared to the total packages offered by  nearby outlets despite the additional delivery charges.

Therefore, choosing the right wholesale hardwood outlet is crucial. This can largely affect the total amount that you are going to spend in having those beautiful hardwood floors in your house. If your budget is limited, then all the more careful you should be in choosing the right outlet that can help you in getting reasonably-priced wholesale hardwood floors that fit well to your budget.

What Separates Wholesale Hardwood Floors Outlets Apart from Each Other?

You may have observes that wholesalers are greatly different in terms of prices and wholesale packages they are offering. There are several wholesalers with more expensive packages, while there are also others that offer amazing deals and discounts.

Image by ChrisM70 via Flickr

There are several reasons why some distributors of wholesale hardwood floors are able to offer great discounts while others are not. One of them is that some wholesale hardwood flooring outlets are like middlemen. They are getting products from manufacturers of hardwood flooring at lower prices as a result of bulk purchases. They pass on the discounts that they enjoyed to the wholesale buyers by selling them at wholesale prices that are way much lower compared to the standard retail prices.

However, you can get much bigger savings if you purchase the hardwood floors direct from a factory outlet that sells and manufactures the products at the same time. In this case, you eliminate the middlemen in the buying process, giving you access to wholesale hardwood floors at tremendously reduced wholesale prices.

Types of Wholesale Hardwood Floors to Buy

Another important aspect of buying wholesale hardwood floors is to purchase the right flooring materials according to their finish. There are two different types to choose from: the unfinished hardwood floors and the pre-finished floors.

Which one to choose depends on several factors, and one of them is price. Unfinished floors are, obviously, way much cheaper than the pre-finished hardwood floors.

However, you will also spend higher labor costs and other added expenses for the cheaper unfinished floors because sanding and polishing procedures are required to complete the installation. Unlike the pre-finished floor that no longer need sanding, once it is installed the floor is ready to use after polishing that makes it shine in glorious form.

Installation costs of pre-finished floors are cheaper compared to the total cost of installing unfinished floors. You must, therefore, consider these things in your computation for the total costs of having hardwood floors in your house.

Other than cost, it is also important to consider the results of having unfinished hardwood floors and pre-finished hardwood floors. The unfinished floors will give you more even flooring as a result of sanding. This type is the ideal choice if you are going to install hardwood floors on the entire house. But if you are only installing them in a single room, then the pre-finished floors is just perfect.

To get the best deal from your purchase of hardwood flooring, it is not only important to get the materials from the ideal outlet of wholesale hardwood floors, but getting the perfect type of hardwood is similarly crucial for the successful installation of the beautiful flooring in your house.