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Which Is Right For You: Glue Down or Floating Hardwood Floors

January 2, 2014 by

Making the decision to install hardwood floors means that you will soon have gorgeous flooring in your home.

Which Is Right For You: Glue Down or Floating Hardwood FloorsHowever, simply making this decision is not all that you have to do. Now that you know you want hardwood flooring in your home, you have to decide between glue-down floors or floating floors. Understanding the difference between both types of flooring will help you decide which one is right for you.

Glue-down floors are just that – they are the kind of floors that must be glued down in order to secure them. These types of floors cost a bit more than floating floors. They are thinner and require a moisture barrier to keep moisture at bay.

With this type of flooring, you lay the planks down and glue them to the underlying floor. If a plank ever needs replaced, you only have to remove the damaged plank and replace it with new.

Floating floors differ from glue-down floors because they are not attached to the underlying floor. You will not need any glue or nails with floating floors. Instead, the planks attach to each other and the floor “floats” above the underlying surface.

These types of floors are cost-efficient, so if you are on a budget, this might be the best choice. However, if one of the planks ever needs repaired, you will have to remove a large section of flooring to replace the damaged plank.

When deciding between floating floors and glue-down floors, it is important to keep your budget in mind, as well as your long-term usage. You want a quality floor that will last for many years. With glue-down floors, you can sand and re-finish the floors after a few years of use. With floating floors, you do not have that option, but they are more affordable than glue-down floors up front.

Ultimately, choose the type of flooring that best fits your needs and personal preferences.

For all of your Denver Hardwood Flooring needs visit our site today.

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The Pros and Cons Of Bamboo Floors

December 18, 2013 by

Buying new flooring for your home is a great way to make your home look good and add resale value to it too. Choosing the right flooring can be a tough choice to make. With so many types of flooring available, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of each.

The Pros and Cons Of Bamboo FloorsBamboo flooring is a popular type of flooring for many reasons. However, it has its drawbacks, just like any other type of flooring. Here is a closer look at the pros and cons of bamboo floors.

Pros

  • Easy to maintain – bamboo flooring requires less maintenance than other flooring. Sweeping and vacuuming will remove surface dirt, and you can also damp-mop when necessary.
  • Durable – bamboo flooring is durable and made to last for many years. It is more resistant to moisture than most hardwoods, but you should still avoid moisture as much as possible. It is also fairly easy to refinish your bamboo flooring to give it a new look after years of use.
  • Friendly to the environment – bamboo flooring is the “green” flooring choice. Bamboo is a renewable resource that does not take long to reach maturity.
  • Comparable pricing – the price of bamboo is comparable to hardwood, so you do not have to worry about spending money you cannot already afford to spend.
  • Stylish – bamboo flooring is available in a wide range of styles and designs to fit the design of any home.

Cons

  • Too much moisture can be damaging – while bamboo is resistant to moisture, it is not water-proof. If you live in a humid environment, the humidity can cause the planks to swell and warp.
  • VOCs – volatile organic compounds are used in varying degrees in the different types of bamboo flooring. VOCs can be released into the air over time, and they can be a health hazard.
  • Easy to scratch – you must take care to avoid scratching the surface of your bamboo flooring. Although it is durable, and some types of bamboo are quite hard, there is still a risk of scratch damage.

For all of your Denver Hardwood Flooring needs visit our site today.

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The Difference Between Pre-finished And Unfinished Wood Flooring

November 16, 2013 by

When considering hard wood flooring for your home or office, you will find yourself bombarded with choices. Wood flooring comes in a plethora of sizes, shapes, colors, designs, durability’s, prices, etc. As you are working your way through the maze of decisions, one choice that will drastically impact your flooring experience is whether your choose pre-finished or unfinished wood flooring.

The Difference Between Pre-finished And Unfinished Wood FlooringSo, what is the difference between the two options? Are there times when one option is better than the other? How do you choose between pre-finished and unfinished flooring?

Pre-finished wood floors have several advantages. Pre-finished floors are treated (finished) in a factory before they are installed in your home. This makes them less labor intensive, which in turn reduces the overall price. Since the flooring is finished before it is laid, the installation crew will not need to sand and treat the flooring after installation. This drastically reduces the mess and inconvenience in your home.

Pre-finished floors are a good choice when cost is a factor. Pre-finished floors are also good for homes with pets or small children, since they cause less mess and dust. And they are an excellent option for high traffic areas, since the finish tends to be more durable.

Unfinished wood floors have several advantages of their own. Unfinished flooring is a better choice if you currently have wood flooring in your home that you want to match. The installation crew will be able to match the flooring type better than if you used a pre-finished option. Unfinished wood floors are also a good choice for multi-room flooring projects. This allows for a greater unity and uniform staining/color of the final product.

Pre-finished and unfinished wood floors each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Knowing ahead of time what you want and what these flooring options can offer will allow you to make the best choice possible for you and your home.

For all of your Denver Hardwood Flooring needs visit our site today.

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What Is Parquet Flooring?

November 13, 2013 by

Wood flooring has grown to be the norm in Colorado households. We love the rich look and the warm feel it gives to every room in the home.

But sometimes its good to step away from the norm, and give your house a unique look that’s all your own. If you don’t want to stray too far from wood, consider parquet flooring instead.

What Is Parquet Flooring?Parquet flooring is made up of wood pieces that are joined together to create a mosaic-like effect. Original parquet flooring was made from blocks of different wood. It was laid over tie bars in patterns and nailed into place. This type of flooring became very popular among the wealthy in the 1700s. It sometimes replaced a patterned marble floor, and it was useful because it did not trap moisture or encourage rotting joists.

Designing with parquet flooring

Parquet flooring is more than lying a few pieces of wood together. Instead, designers use geometric formations to create a truly beautiful floor. Popular parquet flooring patterns include basket, herringbone, chevron, and brick. The more you are willing to spend, the more intricate and original the design can be.

Parquet flooring can utilize one wood type, or can combine woods for an even deeper and richer design. Popular woods for solid parquet flooring include oak, walnut, cherry, and pine. Rare woods such as mahogany, ebony, and rosewood can also be used for very special floors. The style of wood determines the richness of color; therefore if you move into tropical hardwoods, you’re more likely to have rich and vibrant colors. But keep in mind that will add into the cost as well.

Most parquet flooring will use geometric designs with lines and angles. The use of curved shapes is known as marquetry. While curves can add an entirely new sense to a floor’s design, curves are more difficult, and therefore are not used on a regular basis. If you have something specific in mind, ask your flooring expert. They can achieve almost any look you are looking for.

Caring for parquet flooring

Luckily, parquet flooring is easy to maintain. The surface should be vacuumed and/or swept every other day. The floor should also be mopped at least once a week to pick up any other dirt that did not swept up. Never saturate parquet flooring with water or allow water to puddle on the floor – it is wood and will be damaged with extensive exposure to water.

Like hardwood flooring, parquet flooring is essentially low-maintenance. Yet after years of wear, it may need a little help now and then.

If your parquet flooring gets scratched, you should sand it down. Then, apply a generous coating of floor wax to repair it. For extensive damage, see an expert with knowledge of parquet flooring. Because parquet is pieced together, in some cases an expert can repair damage without an extensive overhaul to your flooring.

For all of your Denver Hardwood Flooring needs visit our site today.

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Maintenance Tips To Keep Your Hardwood Floors Looking New

October 30, 2013 by

Installing hardwood floors is one of the easiest ways to bring beauty and elegance to your home. The appearance of hardwood flooring is unlike any Maintenance Tips To Keep Your Hardwood Floors Looking Newother type of flooring – it just naturally adds an air of sophistication to your home. When you have hardwood floors installed, you want to make sure they look beautiful for many years to come. The following maintenance tips will help you keep your hardwood floors looking like new.

  • Use floor protectors under all of your furniture. The feet of your furniture will scratch and gouge your beautiful new floors, so make sure you always use protectors to keep your flooring safe from damage.
  • Avoid mopping. Too much liquid on your hardwood flooring will cause damage, such as the swelling and warping of boards. If you must clean your floor, try dry mopping or using a mop that is just barely damp. Then, immediately dry your floor after to ensure that the moisture is not absorbed into your flooring.
  • Clean up any spills immediately! The reason for this is the same reason why you should avoid mopping – the liquid will damage the flooring.
  • Sweep and vacuum your flooring often to remove surface dirt that not only diminishes its luster, but can also damage the flooring.
  • Use rugs in high-traffic areas to protect the flooring from wear and tear. Rugs will also provide an additional layer of warmth and comfort under foot.
  • Keep your pet’s nails clipped and clean up any accidents immediately. Your pet’s nails can scratch your flooring, and their accidents can damage the flooring.
  • Sand and re-finish your flooring when it starts to look damaged and worn. Yes, this can be a process, but it will be worth it to have floors that look brand new once again.

With the right care and maintenance, your hardwood flooring will bring many years of beauty to your home.

For all of your Denver Hardwood Flooring needs visit our site today.

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Kitchen Floors: Dark or Light?

October 24, 2013 by

When planning out the flooring in your home, prepare yourself for some difficult decisions. Choosing flooring might sound easy, but with so many available choices, it can be easy to get overwhelmed.

Choosing the right flooring is especially important in your kitchen because this is the heart of the home. You want your kitchen to be perfect, you want it to be a warm and welcoming room inside your home.

Kitchen Floors: Dark or Light?Before you start stressing over patterns and colors for your kitchen floor, you need to make one basic decision – light or dark. Once you make that decision, the rest will fall into place.

When deciding between dark and light flooring, you have to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Dark flooring is always a beautiful choice. It provides an elegant look to any home. For instance, dark wood flooring can make a kitchen look and feel sophisticated without being overwhelming.

However, it is also important to remember the disadvantages of dark flooring. It may be beautiful, but dark flooring requires upkeep. Dust will quickly show up on a dark floor, along with light-colored hair, like those from a shedding pet. Are you prepared to stay on top of the dust and grime that can diminish the beauty of a dark floor?

When it comes to white flooring, there are several advantages. White flooring helps make a room lighter and brighter. It also adds to the overall feeling of sterility and cleanliness that you want in your kitchen. White flooring looks pure, bright and elegant. However, just like dark flooring, it requires careful maintenance. While dust and light-colored fur may blend in with white flooring, dirt and mud tracked in on the bottoms of shoes is quickly going to create an eyesore.

When choosing between dark and light flooring, make sure you are prepared for the maintenance. Then, decide the kind of ambiance you want to create – crisp, clean and pure or warm, rich and comforting.

For all of your Denver Hardwood Flooring needs visit our site today.

Filed Under: Flooring, Wood Floor Tagged With: ,

Why Choose Wood Flooring?

October 1, 2013 by

For some homeowners, nothing says “flooring” like natural hardwoods. It adds superior quality to a home design, and offers elegance, prestige, style and durability unmatched by many flooring options on the market today.

Affordable Why Choose Wood Flooring?

Wood floors come in all kinds of styles, materials, colors and designs. No matter what your budget, there is a hardwood flooring choice for you. Add in the fact that hardwoods can last many years longer than a lot of flooring options, and you’ll quickly find the investment is worth every penny you spend. Looking for resale value too? Again, hardwoods are your choice for instant bump in the look and feel of your home.

Selection

With today’s technology, resources and options, your choices are virtually unlimited. Hardwoods vary from soft to hard. You can find oak, maple, even bamboo options that offer unparallelled quality. If exotic is what you are looking for, there are many options to help create the look you’re going for. Even colors can be found from the lightest to the darkest options. The choice is really only limited by your imagination.

Maintenance

Hardwoods are one of the easiest options on the market today. Routine maintenance includes a simple sweep and vacuuming on a regular basis. Make sure you use area rugs and floor protectors on your furniture for added protection in high traffic areas or areas with daily use. Also use a proper hardwood floor cleaner on a regular basis.

Health

Many surveys have shown that our indoor air quality is often more damaging to our health than outdoor air quality. Hardwood surfaces do not harbor dust mites or mold. Hardwoods also avoid artificial substances such as pesticides found on some flooring choices. Which means if you are looking for quality flooring for your family – especially if they have health issues – hardwood flooring is the ideal choice for you.

Green

What we use in today’s world matters. That’s why hardwood floors are one of the greenest, most ecologically sound investments you can make. Gone are the days of cutting down timber without an afterthought of the repercussions. Instead, timber cut from today’s forests are carefully managed to ensure adequate resources in the future. In face, the US Forest Service shows twice as much hardwood timber is added every year to harvested forests. Meaning this is a choice that is perfect for everyone.

For all of your Denver Hardwood Flooring needs visit our site today.

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10 Things You Should Never Do to a Wood Floor

September 13, 2013 by

Wood floors are a smart investment that can add elegance and style to any room in your home. Compared to carpet, wood floors are easier to clean and maintain than carpeting. However, it does take same time and effort to care for wood flooring. 10 Things You Should Never Do to a Wood FloorProper maintenance of wood floors also takes some knowledge of the dos and don’ts of caring for them.

Here are 10 things you should never do to a wood floor:

  1. Never use harsh chemicals on your floor. You shouldn’t use vinegar, oil soap, or any type of wax or silicone-based products.
  2. Refrain from using casters directly on the floor. These can wear down the floor in isolated areas, creating the need for frequent refinishing.
  3. Don’t use a steam mop to clean. Water in any form can break down the floor’s protective layer.
  4. Don’t pour cleaner and spread it on the floor. Products that are applied too much in certain spots can absorb into wood and cause an uneven look over time.
  5. Don’t let too much time go by between refinishing. Eventually, any floor will show wear, and then it’s time to re-coat. This should usually be done every four years or so.
  6. Never wear high heels on your wood flooring. They can cause denting and scratching, so leave them at the door.
  7. Don’t forget to protect your furniture’s legs. You should use protective pads under the legs of all furniture that touches your floor to control the damage on the finish.
  8. Refrain from dragging heavy items on the wood floors. Make use of felt pads when moving furniture or heavy appliances over your flooring.
  9. Don’t let pet stains set. Be sure to treat pet accidents right away in order to ensure proper removal of the odor and stain.
  10. Never let your dog’s nails go untrimmed. Believe it or not, they will ruin the finish of a hardwood floor when nails are long.

For all of your Denver Hardwood Flooring needs visit our site today.

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Everything You Should Know about Cork Flooring Before You Install It

September 5, 2013 by

Cork flooring is a great alternative to hardwood and other types of flooring. Before you consider the installation of cork flooring, you should know about its properties, advantages, and disadvantages.

Everything You Should Know about Cork Flooring Before You Install ItWhat is cork flooring?

Cork flooring is sustainably harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree without harming it. It can be harvested every decade, and then it grows back. Most cork is grown in the area around the Mediterranean Sea. Cork flooring isn’t a new idea, as it has been used in the U.S. since the turn of the century. Traditionally, cork flooring has been used in churches and libraries. Cork is a durable option for flooring, but quality and maintenance can affect its lifespan.

How is cork flooring made?

After drying in the forest for several months, the bark is transported to a factory, where wine bottle corks are punched out of it. The leftover material is boiled and ground up and compressed. This ground-up product can be cut and used as a final flooring piece or for some unique patterns.

What are the advantages of cork flooring?

  • It comes in a wide variety of design possibilities
  • It is environmentally-friendly
  • It’s considered to be made from recycled content
  • It has a cushiony feel under your feet
  • It is sound-resistant
  • It offers insulation qualities
  • It’s antimicrobial

Cork flooring disadvantages

While cork flooring is a great investment for your home, it does have its disadvantages.

  • It is not indestructible, and it will scratch from heels and furniture feet.
  • It has a potential to fade with exposure to light.
  • Cork flooring can also be affected by the level of humidity in your home, causing it to swell up or warp.
  • Cork flooring is more costly than many varieties of carpet and tiles.

Now that you are properly informed about cork flooring, you can have it installed to enjoy it for years to come!

For all of your Denver Hardwood Flooring needs visit our site today.

Filed Under: Flooring, Wood Floor Tagged With: ,

Laminate Flooring or Hardwood Flooring – Which Is Right For You?

August 22, 2013 by

Wood flooring. Its what the finest homes across Colorado have on display.

Laminate Flooring or Hardwood Flooring - Which Is Right For You?When you’re ready to upgrade to wood and change the look and feel of your home throughout, simply deicding on “wood” isn’t your stopping point. In fact, its just the beginning.

When it comes to wood, you have two choices: hardwood or laminate.

The flooring in your home is a big investment. You want to invest in flooring that is not only going to be durable and meet your needs, but will also be a beautiful addition to your home. You also have to make sure you choose flooring that fits your budget.

And that’s where your decision lies: will you choose laminate or hardwood?

Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Knowing the good and the bad of each type will help you decide which is best for your home.

Hardwood flooring has a longer lifespan than laminate. Good hardwood floors can last 20, 30 years or even longer if you maintain them regularly. If hardwood flooring ever becomes damaged, it can be refinished to give it a brand-new appearance.

Hardwood flooring also adds value to your home. There is something special and elegant about true hardwood floors that cannot be matched by laminate.

Finally, hardwood flooring is a quieter type of flooring than laminate. You will not have to worry about noisy footsteps down your hallway with hardwood flooring.

Laminate flooring is geared toward the DIY homeowner. It can be installed with relative ease on your own – hardwood flooring normally requires professional installation. You will also find that you have more pattern choices with laminate flooring without worrying about the wood type changing colors or patterns over time.

You will also find it much easier to determine how much foot traffic laminate flooring can withstand from the Abrasion Class (AC) rating, which takes the guesswork out of defining durability.

Finally, laminate flooring is more durable when it comes to moisture. Hardwood flooring is not suitable for rooms where the moisture level may be high, such as kitchens or bathrooms, because it is prone to moisture damage. With laminate, you can put that worry to rest.

For all of your Denver Hardwood Flooring needs visit our site today.

Filed Under: Flooring, Wood Floor Tagged With: , ,
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