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by bsabarnowl

7 Tips On How To Buy Wood Flooring

After saving for a long time, you finally have enough money together to start planning your much needed kitchen renovations. You know exactly what appliances you want and you already have your mind set on which cabinetry should be installed. The lighting has been arranged, the windows have been ordered, and the only thing left on your list is the flooring. The choices are endless, but that does not mean that every type presented to you at the flooring shop is right for you.

Wood flooring in Melbourne is currently quite in style, and for good reason. This flooring is durable, the wood, stain and colour choices are endless, and it has a much warmer appearance than tiles. When you drop a hard object on your wood flooring in Melbourne, it will not crack, the way tiles often do.

When buying your wood flooring and timber floorboards in Melbourne, take the following tips into consideration.

Inform yourself – Shop around before making a final decision. There are many varieties of wood flooring in Melbourne to choose from. Find out the strengths and benefits of each type. You can also ask the advice of a professional.
Measure – Always determine exactly how much flooring materials and timber floorboards in Melbourne you need.  Measure twice to be sure, and add a few extra boards in case you mess up, or you have to replace a few boards later on. Timber flooring styles continuously change and your type may no longer be available in 5 or 10 years. There are many websites explaining how to properly measure your floor space.
Subflooring – Ask around or read about the different types of subflooring you can install. You may also have to remove your old floors. Too many layers of flooring on top of each other will raise your floors substantially, forcing you to cut the bottoms of your doors. It will also be harder to trim around them.
Unfinished or pre-finished – Timber floorboards in Melbourne are either unfinished or pre-finished. If you want a certain floor colour that is currently not available, you may have to buy unfinished materials and stain them yourself. Ask your floor material supplier which stains are suitable for your floorboards, and which ones are less favourable.
Floorboard Widths and Thicknesses – Common solid timber floorboard widths are 80, 85, 110, 130, 180mm. Floorboards are mostly sold in 2 kinds of thickness.
Structural (19mm+) – The length of these floorboards is generally between 6m- 9m
Overlay (12-15mm) – They are shorter than structural boards, and hardly ever come in lengths longer than 2.7m

6.  DIY Vs Installer – Hire an installer if you are not very handy. It will save you money, because if your floors are not done right, it will cost you a lot more to have your work redone. Professionals know what they are doing; most of them will guarantee their work. A timber flooring expert also has all the tools required for the job, can help you later on when some of your timber floorboards need to be replaced, and knows the best flooring suppliers in the city.

7.  Attitude - Only hire a professional installer with a great reputation, and a ‘Do it once, do it right’ attitude. Take your time to check out your options. You won’t regret it!

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by NancyHugoCKD.com

The Secret to Installing Your Laminate Wood Flooring

The best thing about laminate flooring is that you can even lay it yourself! Many self laying kits come with instructions but these can be technical and difficult to read so here is a little secret guide to help you install your laminate floors.

The first step is to be prepared! Many people will begin a DIY task without the proper tools and take hours putting a single bookshelf together because they spent half the time looking for their hammer! If you get all of your tools ready for laying your laminate wood flooring then it will take you half the time. Ensure that you have the laminate flooring, rubber mallet, nails, hammer, tape measure and anything else it asks for in the instructions. Once you are sure you have all of these (do not use alternatives, they never work out and you will only get frustrated) you are ready to begin.

Start by laying the underlay on a clean floor. Cover the whole floor until only underlay can be seen. You can fix it down with tacks or spray adhesive or alternatively leave it as it is.

Laminate floors are usually made from a click and go system so all the pieces should fit together (unlike a jigsaw). You are now ready to lay the laminate wood flooring. Start in one corner and work across the room rather than up it. You should use your rubber mallet at the edge of each wall to ensure that the floor is snug up against the wall. Once all of the laminate is laid you can begin to lay the baseboards. These are the boards that go around the room like a skirting board for the laminate. Again you can tack these down or use an appropriate adhesive. That’s it. Easy as pie. Depending on the type of laminate flooring you may need to apply some polish or protective coating. This can take several hours but will make your laminate flooring last longer.

One of the best brand of laminate floors is the Krono laminate flooring system. It comes in a range of colours (royal oak, certosa oak and dark oak) and is very easy to lay. It can be used for both heavy traffic areas and lightweight use. It even comes with a 10 year guarantee! The krono laminate range would be a beautiful compliment to a beautiful house so if you are looking for a great laminate floor then I suggest you take a look at the Krono range.

So now you know how to lay a laminate wood floor there is no excuse not to get on and do it! All you need to do is be prepared, be thorough and most importantly be proud of what you have just laid!

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by Bubba’s Bag of Photos

Why is Real Wood Flooring Graded?

Real wood flooring is an incredibly rewarding product to use in the home, and if well-maintained will improve with age and add value to your home. It can be a bit daunting choosing real wood flooring for the first time if you’ve never done it before since there are so many decisions to make! These include, the type of wood (e.g. oak, walnut etc.), the finish (e.g.. solid, laquer, stained, oiled etc.), the board size, and also the fitting profile (e.g. tongue and groove). Another aspect often overlooked or misunderstood for its mystery is the wood grade.

Acknowledging the grade of your real wood flooring is important, as it will help you understand the product you’re purchasing better, and also inform you of the quality of the product and how long it’s likely to last. Real wood flooring is graded because wood is a natural material, and therefore no two planks will be exactly the same. Wood, like other natural material will vary immensely in colour, density, and strength. Some types of wood may also have more or less imperfections and natural weakness in their composition, and therefore may be either more or less suitable for application as flooring. Largely speaking, the grading system is in place to distinguish between what are considered more, and less aesthetically pleasing natural appearances.

There are a number of different types of grading used to distinguish between real wood flooring, but let’s start with the Classic Grade. This title is used to define wood that is generally speaking, considered to be the highest grade, and most aesthetically pleasing. Woods in this category are characterised by the least variation in colour, grain and knots. In other words, a wood with a consistent colour tone, with the straightest grain and fewest knots. Such types of wood awarded the classic grade include Walnut, Ash and Elm.

One of the next most notable grades for distinguishing between types of real wood flooring is the Character Grade. This grade is awarded to wood that may feature more variation with regard to colour tones (such as Oak), and less standard grain and knot prevalence. Character grade real wood flooring often features wood with knots that react more dramatically to kiln drying, often cracking. This is quite common, and these knots are sanded and filled with a special resin and then sanded down again.

The last of the more common wood grades used in categorising real wood flooring is Rustic Grade wood. This grade is awarded to wood that features significantly more variation with regard to colour tones, and in particular in knot size and grain direction and spacing. Generally speaking this grade can include wood that features almost and unlimited amount of variation, whether natural or through defect. Again, many of the features of rustic wood are filled and sanded before it is sold to ensure it is structurally sound.

by timber_floors

Why Solid Oak Wood Flooring is North Americas Most Popular Hardwood

Oak flooring is the most popular hardwood in North America, due to its hardness (which translates to durability), availability, and affordability. A distressed oak will look quite a bit different than a factory new oak, so you may want to decide which look you’re going for before you start to shop. Oak flooring is know for its high permeability which makes it easier to stain and as a result oak flooring can be purchased in a variety of colors to suit any room in your home. Oak flooring is not real stable and is subject to a considerable amount of movement due to the changing humidity level in the house. You may experience buckling or cupping if installing hardwood on top of existing hardwood.

Oak flooring is most versatile because it takes stains most evenly. If you choose an oak floor you can stain it anywhere from white to black and any brown in between. Oak flooring is a great choice for your den, bedroom or just a family room. Oak Flooring is renowned for its durability, and resistance to both insect and fungal attacks. Once cut, oak has an attractive grain which makes it ideal for flooring.

Pre-finished oak flooring is merely oak flooring that has been sanded and stained at the flooring mill prior to importation. All of the flooring in issue is tongued and grooved on all four sides. Pre-finished antique oak flooring can be chosen for its durability because the surface has been treated and protected with polyurethane. It can be fixed on top of the existing floor – similar to a laminated floor floating on top of a sub-floor.

When setting up the flooring of formal rooms like offices or parlors you may stain the white oak floors dark. This way you will be getting custom-colored white oak flooring installed. Aged wood flooring adds style to any part of the house, especially in older properties. Again, because the material is easy to handle and work with, many do-it-your-selfer’s do a quality job.

Red oak for hardwood floors is a dense, beautiful wood that resists wear like no other wood. The color ranges from white cream color to exquisite warm, pale brown tinted with red. Red oak tends to be reddish brown in color. Both are known for their utility across all kinds of applications. Red oak flooring is soft and its grain pattern is open.

Red or white oak are the standard species used. Red and White oak hardwood flooring are very popular, as the red and white oak trees are the most abundant U.S. The qualities of the oak tree make it perfect for carpentry use and Oak hardwood floors are extremely strong and durable. Red Oak is widely used for wood flooring in North America where it is revered for its warm, pink hues and versatility. The tree grows along the entire east coast from the Southern States up into the wilds of Quebec.

Oak flooring can add value to your home, and is a well known thermal insulator. This means that heating your home will cost less. Oak flooring can add such beauty and value to your home. However; it should not be over done and put in too many rooms.

by Casey at the Bat

Laminate Wood Flooring – Creating Elegance in Any Room

Laminate flooring is an outstanding alternative for any room. It installs easily and is able to stand up to serious traffic. Today, manufacturers are able to imitate the look of real wood.

At first glimpse you might believe you were looking at hardwood flooring. What you are actually looking at is a very thin piece of wood. This wood is glued to high density backing board. Higher quality laminate flooring, such as DuPont laminate flooring will also have a foam padding secured to the flooring planks which will assist in soundproofing and provide a more genuine feel to the floor when walking on it.

With most laminate wood flooring today, no glue is needed. Most companies tha manufacture this flooring have their own special locking technology. Simply snap them together and you are all set. Taking a few simple steps before buying your flooring will save you frustration down the road. Examine the area you plan to install the flooring. Visualizing the traffic flow will help you verify the appropriate product for your room. It will stand up to your kids and pets for years to come.

Laminate flooring also resists staining, fading and moisture. Many manufacturers offer warranties on their flooring for up to 25 years.

Are you putting off installing laminate wood flooring for the reason that you do not want to deal with ripping up your existing flooring? No problem, laminate can be installed directly over wood, tile or vinyl due to its “floating” feature. Floating just means it does not connect to any sub floor.

Over the course of your home ownership, you can anticipate to refinish hardwood 3-4 times. Vinyl and carpet at least twice, if not more. With laminate, it can last you right through all your home ownership years.

You will be amazed at all the assorted types and styles available on the market today. Plus, many manufacturers make all the moldings, end caps and transition strips for your laminate wood flooring.

If you are susceptible to allergies, laminate floors offer a cleaner setting when you compare to carpets. Dust, pet dander and other allergens stay on the surface instead of getting trapped in the fibers of carpeting.

The bottom line is this on laminate flooring, it is very resilient and inexpensive. In general the cost is much lower than any other product on the market. Depending on the magnitude of your project, you can install it in a weekend.

Find More Laminate Wood Flooring Articles

by cborresen

Why Engineered Wood Flooring is Best

Wooden floors have been a common preference for many homeowners and interior designers over the years because it presents a warm, beautiful, and sophisticated look to any house that laminate and vinyl are unable to match. Nevertheless, wood flooring is now getting to be much more widely used for the reason that engineered wood flooring has created the choice both more effective and a lot less expensive so that it is an excellent option for every household. Entirely eco-friendly and with several finishes and colours available, engineered wood flooring is one of the top purchases that you could make for your home.

In brief, engineered wood flooring is flooring that are developed by layering solid wood and MDF together and then gluing and pushing the layers to produce a stable fit. Each of the layers is very carefully placed to make sure that a cross grain construction is produced which lends to its durability and good tolerance to water and dampness. This also helps prevent the wood flooring from warping over a period of time, which can be one of the major issues which home owners encounter with real wood floors. In fact, given the distinct characteristics of engineered wood flooring there’s been an influx in creative designs such as edging and radiator roses.

In addition there are a wide selection of widths and thickness to select from, though more often than not 3 and 5 ply flooring is bought with regards to engineered wood flooring. As stated before, its ability to deal with moisture which makes it the most appropriate flooring for many rooms where commonly you wouldn’t consider wood flooring to be a possibility such as cellars, and bath rooms. Mainly because as opposed to its solid wood counterpart, engineered wood is able to bear up to high volumes of traffic in addition to any differences (irrespective of exactly how dramatic) in temperature and moisture.

Engineered wood flooring is usually more favourable as a flooring option in many cases because it comes in pre-finished and finished styles, enabling the individual to easily install the floor in one step and it is instantly functional. In addition, since engineered wood floors are normally only about three-eighths to five-eighths of an inch thick, it makes it possible for them to be fitted on top of already present floor surfaces which makes installation a truly straightforward procedure. Therefore, rather than worrying about finishing, sanding, or removing the existing floor before an area is ready for use, engineered wood flooring could be installed in only one day.

As soon as it is the time to actually install engineered wood flooring into a house there is the selection between lengthier panels for installs that are ‘floating’ in style, or simply opt for the effortless tongue and groove boards, which can make it more realistic to think about installing the flooring without the need of any specialist assistance.

Lastly, there is a demand to take a close look at the veneer of the wood flooring that is being thought about considering that the thickness of the layers will denote how eye-catching the end product comes out to be.

The alternate options to engineered wood flooring are laminate and real wood. Each of which have their pros and cons.

Laminate floors appear to be similar in looks to real wood floors but are normally more cost effective and in some ways being more robust, and with distinctive finishes and beveling options available this kind of flooring can certainly still provide a real wood look at a portion of the cost . Because the laminate is not affixed to the sub floor, leveling is vital to ensuring a top quality finish. If the sub floor is bumpy the laminate floors may have a bouncy feel to it. Because some laminates simply click together without the need of adhesive it is quick to fit. Solid wood floors, as the name suggests, are a type of wood flooring that is solid wood all the way through. With its natural beauty as its principal focus, its drawback is that it might be susceptible to scrapes and dents though this isn’t essentially a serious problem in the long term due to the fact that real wood floors can be sanded down on many occasions.

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Discover How A Solid Wood Floor Can Improve The Value Of Your Home

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Everyone knows that a solid wood floor can add character, beauty and warmth to any room. Apart from its aesthetic appeal there are also quite a lot of other benefits of having a real wood floor. Although real wood floors can be quite expensive compared to the cost of the other types of flooring options, the fact is that the benefits of this type of flooring are so many that their cost is justified. Solid wood floors can increase the value of your home. Quite a lot of people who are planning to sell their property intend to fit their homes with wooden floorings before selling so that they can get a higher price for their property.

Benefits of Solid Wood Floors

Unlike the other types of flooring, the wooden floors manage to retain their value and their beauty for quite a lot of years. In fact, as they age they gain more charm because of the natural elements. Wooden floorings continue to age through time and gain more characters and it continues to evolve. This is particularly known as patina and it is one of the main benefits of a solid wooden floor.

Another major benefit of solid wood floors is that they are very easy to maintain. Today the types of wooden floorings which are available do not require any type of regimes for maintaining them and therefore nothing more than sweeping would be required in order to keep them clean. In the last few years, wooden floors have come a long way and today there are several different types of stains, grains, wood and styles available. With so much variety available, no matter what your tastes are you would be able to find the type of wood that matches your tastes. There are also quite a lot of online retailers where you would be able to find what you need for a good discount.

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Wood Floors Increase the Value of Your Home

Solid wood floors can increase the value of any home. According to a particular survey which had been done with estate agents in the US, 90% of the agents said that the houses which have real wood floors tend to sell faster and for higher prices. The beauty of wooden floors is maintained for years and it would retain its value over a long period of time.

Another reason why it increases the value of your home is that real wood tends to trap air and therefore has great insulation properties. For this reason you would also be able to save a lot on the heating bills. Also, since they are completely natural they are good for health. Wood does not accumulate any dust like the other floors and therefore they are great for the families that suffer from allergies. Wooden floors have quite a lot of benefits as can be seen above. For this reason it is not surprising that they add to the value of your house.

by amymhathaway

Laminate Wood Flooring

Laminate wood flooring provides that unmatched look in your home and it is a great method of flooring. This kind of flooring comes with durability and is guaranteed to bring long lasting beauty into your home. Laminate wood flooring is very easy to care for. If you have no idea where to begin with flooring, you need information on varieties of floors so that you can make the best decision. The internet provides many resources plus gives you a guide into what to expect from various flooring products. First, manufacturers of the flooring products are the main source of information about wood flooring and visiting their sites will be very helpful.

Laminate wood flooring is not meant for high traffic areas. The good news is that they come with warranties ranging from 10 to 15 years and this is a great incentive that will provide that needed security that will enable you enjoy your flooring with confidence. When you subject the flooring to high traffic wear and tear is definitely going to be observed and the product will only last for 3 to 5 years. You therefore need to be cautious of this. It is very easy to maintain the flooring and it is advisable to keep a door mat that will trap all the harmful substances that may harm the floor. A damp mop will usually do the trick of cleaning the floor. At all times, prevent a lot of moisture, humidity or water because it works for the detriment of the floor.

Laminate wood flooring consumer reviews are vital and they provide first hand experience to what you will expect from the floor. One major disadvantage of the flooring as seen above is that the wood flooring is not meant for high traffic areas and this can hinder a lot in your home. If you have a large family or many people in your space, this kind of flooring might not be suitable for you. You need flooring that will suit your every need. However, if you have a relatively quiet space with minimal traffic, this might be the best way to have your flooring. Another factor that is extremely vital to consider is the cost. You need flooring that will suit the budget you have in mind.

Laminate wood flooring can be very affordable to many people and it is up to you to decide what price is affordable. The products are widely available and you can also inquire online to the specific companies that offer the product. Many will continue to enjoy the presence of these floors in their homes as they appreciate every moment in warm welcoming floors. There are a variety of designs that you can choose and you do not have to worry about various shapes and sizes because every style is in plenty and you will find your preferred one. It will be helpful if you compare the many flooring options in the market to know which range is suitable. Some products come with superior quality but are too expensive. Find a product that will have almost everything you are looking for.

by Zicon

Wood Flooring. Reclaimed Vs. Old Growth Wood. Northern Va, Antique/Reclaimed Wood Floor Specialists. Madera Floors

In the wood flooring industry, the term ‘old growth’ continues to be the subject of interpretation and controversy. At Madera Floors we make it our business to know more about wood than any other company, and to educate our customers so that they can make more informed purchasing decisions. We frequently address questions about ‘old growth’ trees, especially in relation to reclaimed timber. In fact, we have talked with many consumers who thought the terms meant the same thing and were misled into thinking their old growth flooring was the same as our antique reclaimed flooring. Here we define some of the terms and address questions surrounding the mystery of ‘old growth’.

Old Growth refers to established forests that, up until the time trees are cut, have had little or no disruption. Advocates of cutting old growth timbers suggest that pruning selected trees is good for the forest. We disagree. Old growth forests maintain themselves through a natural process that does not include cutting into the delicate fabric woven by nature.

How Old is “Old” Growth? The actual age that determines “old” growth varies depending on the specie, but it refers to the age at which a tree has reached its maturity. For an eastern white pine, it is between 130-150 years, while many of the hardwoods reach maturity at 80 years. But, what is most important is that at maturity and thereafter the old growth tree is still contributing to the ecosystem in which it lives.

Virgin Growth refers to dense stands of various species of hardwood or pine trees that are indigenous to their habitat; they have never been harvested. Many virgin forests are protected, but tragically there are also many that are still being cut today for purposes that include mass-produced wood flooring. Essentially, virgin timber is old growth that has never been cut, while old growth may or may not be virgin timber.

Reclaimed Wood is also referred to as Antique wood, and for us the terms are interchangeable when describing the wood we use to make our floors. We agree that old growth flooring is beautiful; however, we prefer to reuse this majestic timber that was originally cut to build structures that have shaped our history in the United States and in interesting places all over the world.

“Deconstruction” is the core of the reclaimed wood industry. The emphasis is on utilizing materials that have outlived their usefulness and would otherwise be demolished, discarded or left to decay. Deconstruction helps to close the resource loop that we now realize is so valuable in this world of finite resources.In recycling this precious material there is a significant positive environmental impact.

Deconstruction differs from ‘demolition’ in that it is a painstaking process involving the selective dismantlement of building components. We work with experts who carefully manage dismantling projects to preserve the grand dimensions of the beams, posts and floor joists; this will be reflected in your floor as we work to maintain the superior widths and lengths of these ancient timbers.

Demolition, on the other hand, is unfortunately the more common method of taking down a building. Implosion or ‘wrecking-ball’ style demolition is relatively inexpensive and offers a quick method of clearing sites for new structures. Consequently this process results in significant waste and unusable material.

For more information please visit our website at

www.maderafloors.com or our blog www.maderafloors.blogspot.com

Thanks

Let Lowes help you install your hard wood floors.

by Samantha Simpson

Laminate Wood Flooring And Its Benefits

When it comes to finding a way to increase the value of your home there are many topics that can be addressed though the most popular is found with laminate wood flooring. Laminate wood flooring reviews displays to owners that the installation of laminate wood flooring has the opportunity to increase the selling value of a home.

In addition, the laminate wood flooring reviews reveal that new home buyers are attracted to the appearance of laminate wood flooring increasing your chances of making a sale close to your asking price. If a home seller takes the advice of laminate wood flooring reviews they open up the possibility of not only making a sale with their home but the opportunity to increase the value of their home with only a small remodeling investment.

Laminate wood flooring represents a low cost flooring option to home sellers that is easy to install. In addition to the low expense that is found with laminate wood flooring representing a material expense savings you can save more by installing the product on your own or still save when you have another person complete the quick and easy installation.

There are many different styles of laminate wood flooring and one that is growing in popularity can be found with wide plank floors. In the perspective of the buyer, the addition of new wide plank floors creates a clean and modeled appearance for them to imagine themselves in their new residence. In addition the wide plank floors provide a simple cleaning option and the reduced number of groves provides fewer areas for dirt and dust to collect.   Wide plank floors are a low maintenance product which is highly attractive to new home owners.

Home owners benefit from the installation of wide plank floors when consumers have the ability to take advantage of the perspectives that were previously identified. When looking at the competition you will face in the housing market the advantages of wide plank wood flooring help to set your house a step above the rest. Also with wide plank wood flooring you have an even easier installation process with the need for fewer pieces in the assembly of your floor.  At first the difference in size with wide plank wood flooring may not seem like a lot but after installing for a while you will see the benefit of wide plank wood flooring.

To install laminate wood floors, mark a reference point for the flooring, do a dry layout, apply the glue with a trowel, and install the flooring with a tongue-and-groove system. Use a rubber mallet and spacers to get laminate wood flooring in place with instructions from a home repair specialist…

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