Selecting the Best Type of Wood for Your Floor

Renovating your home is a lot of work. Aside from the toil of the job, there’s planning, budgeting, getting the right team together, acquiring the proper permits, and what material you’ll be using to make your vision come true. When it comes to installing a hardwood floor, different types of wood have unique aesthetics and characteristics that make them ideal for different locations. Let’s find out the differences to help you decide what you “wood” choose.

Oak

Oak remains the most popular choice for hardwood floors. When factoring material costs into your budget, it’s important to remember that oak is easily affordable at $2 a square foot. Comprised of a hard grain, the floor stains easily, allowing you to manipulate the color scheme to your liking. The proper stain can also accent the knots in the floor to add a unique texture to its appearance.

With proper upkeep to its surface, an oak floor can last for up to 25 years. Much of this depends on the quality of the wood, as some have lasted for over a century. Oak is naturally resistant to fungus and insect infestation and is the perfect match of both quality and cost.

Maple

Lighter in color than oak, maple comes with a slightly lower price tag. As the quality of the wood is concerned, maple is extremely durable and can withstand heavy traffic and use. Its light blonde tones are ideal for a contemporary location, especially one like a basketball court or dance floor. While maple is practical, it lacks the bold aesthetic that some people want to achieve in their living space. Maple doesn’t stain evenly and is better suited for heavy-use items and projects.

Hickory

There’s a reason why the nickname “old hickory” was used to describe General Andrew Jackson’s toughness. Hickory is dependable, strong, and comparable to a bottle of vintage wine. Hickory goes through a 200-year aging process to properly mature. This means that hickory comes with the heaviest price tag, which is comparable to its durability. Hickory requires little to no maintenance in terms of wear and tear and is water-resistant. If you want an investment rather than a project, hickory will be your ideal choice.

Supply and Demand

As you might have learned in class, the governing rules of economics are supply and demand. This not only applies to economics but the selection and quality you’ll find at www.Flooring.org. We understand better than anyone the demand for the highest quality and selection when it comes to placing the perfect floor in your house.
Visit our site for inventory and a constant stream of incredible deals. Online ordering is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We’ll be glad to help you get the floor you’ve always dreamed of.

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Are you shopping for new hardwood flooring? You may have noticed that oak hardwood is overwhelmingly one of the most popular species on the market.

Why is oak hardwood so popular?

Oak is one of the most abundant hardwoods for lumber in the United States today. It’s native in North American and can be found all across Canada and the United States. Most red oaks grow over 150 feet in height and up to 6 feet in diameter before harvest. White oaks reach 80 feet in height and up to 6 feet in diameter.

What makes oak hardwood popular

Oak hardwood flooring is used throughout American homes because of its hardness, strength, and durability. Because oak trees grow in abundance and are readily available here in the States, it’s easy for harvesters to keep up with demand. That keeps prices low while quality remains high, meaning it’s a great option for homeowners. It’s supply and demand.

Of course, the only reason it continues to be in demand is because it works well as flooring. If homeowners didn’t like its durability, it would fade from use. Overall, homeowners choose oak flooring because of its:

Character – most homeowners start with looks. And you can’t go wrong when you select oak flooring. Oak has a natural character that’s accentuated when it’s turned into planks. You’ll notice the knots, streaks, and other blemishes that give it its unique look.

Versatility – if you want a timeless look that goes well with any decor, look no further than oak hardwood. You can use oak as your base, from country charm to traditional decor, and create classic good looks. It isn’t easy to find that with any other species of hardwood flooring.

Hardness – hardwood makes great flooring. But it’s still wood, and with wood comes the possibility of marring the finish. With too much pressure, you can scratch, dent, or even buckle the planks. That’s all determined by how hard the species of wood used is during production. That’s why oak flooring remains popular. The Janka hardness test is used to measure the hardness of wood floors. The higher the Janka rating, the more pressure required to dent the floor. The Janka score for a Northern Red Oak will be 1,220-foot-pounds. Compare that to Maple at 1,010, or Knotty Pine at 690. White oak flooring isn’t the hardest wood, it does well with most of what homeowners can dish out.

Home value – while homebuyers have specific desires in mind while they shop, they don’t want too much personality already existing inside potential homes. They want hardwood – but may be cautious if it’s too exotic for their tastes. A well maintained oak flooring will allow a homebuyer to check off that on their wish lists without giving it another thought.

The difference between red and white oak

Oak flooring is the most popular hardwood for flooring in America. But what a lot of people don’t realize is there are two separate types of oak commonly used for flooring – red and white.

If you are installing new hardwood floors, either red or white oak will do a great job over time. Which wood you select ultimately will determine what style and color you prefer. Both are durable and rank well on the Janka scale. Even the pricing can be similar depending on the market you’re in. What’s the difference then?

Color – if you install your oak flooring with a natural finish, red oak tends to have a pinkish tint. It will also be brighter than white oak. White oak tends to have warmer brown tones, and finishes darker than its red counterpart. When you stain it, red oak will continue to have red undertones, especially with stains in the lighter hues. White oak will take well to browner undertones, creating a darker look. The darker the stain, the more this difference disappears.

Grain – traditionally, red oak will have a more robust grain pattern. That means you’ll have more variance in the look of your floors. White oak is smoother and has more continuity; it’s great if you desire a uniform look. If you prefer grains to help hide scratches and marks, red oak may be better suited for your living environment. If you are minimalist and want clean lines, white oak may give you exactly what you’re looking for.

Having a house built means you can go with any type of wood and create continuity throughout your home. But if you’re replacing specific sections of your home, and want to match what already exists, knowing what’s already installed becomes a bigger challenge.

We’re happy to help you determine what you have in place. This becomes especially important if you’re butting up against hardwood stairs. Overall, red oak is used more frequently in stair treads, banisters, and other transitions. If you have them in place and won’t be replacing them, chances are good it’s red oak. They are both beautiful and will handle well over the years as you enjoy your new hardwood.

Red or white oak hardwood – which should you choose for your flooring?

If you’re in the market for new hardwood flooring, either red or white oak hardwood will do. Either species stands the test of time, and will give you a beautiful base for any decor you choose.

If you’re just starting the process of looking for flooring, start by asking yourself some questions.

• What are you looking for in flooring?
• What colors and hues do you prefer?
• Are you looking for easy maintenance?
• Will you be selling your home in the near future?
• And finally: What is your budget?

While there are many different species and types of hardwood on the market today, few have the chance of taking the place of oak. Both red and white oak are here to stay because of their availability and durability. If you install an oak hardwood flooring today, you won’t regret it in the coming weeks and months.

Nothing says beauty quite the way hardwood does. And if you install oak hardwood in your home, you’ll never go wrong.

How can we help you find the perfect oak hardwood to suit your needs?

The post Deciding On Hardwood? Is Oak Still Popular? first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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Is part of your carpet rippled or wrinkled? Have these “speed bumps” in your living, dining or media room become an eyesore or hazard in your house?

Ninety-eight percent of the time your carpet have ripples in them is from poor installation. Because carpets have a poly-propylene backing that’s glued together with glue means your carpet will relax over over 3 to 5 years after installation if the installer did not use a “power stretcher” to make sure the carpet is “drum tight” right from the start.  Since it is very flexible, installers just use a knee kicker to get it tight enough to last for up to 3 years. It is a faster way of installation, so that’s why they do this. Rest assured it is NOT from over-vacuuming or over-cleaning.  (We cleaned a customers’ carpet twice a month for 4 years and it never rippled, because it was installed correctly from the start.)

The good news: Your carpet can be fixed without costly replacement!

What’s happening to my carpet?

If the ripples are left to grow tall enough to be tripped over then delamination can occur. In short, the glue that holds the plastic backing to your carpet can dry out. The backing can pull away from the carpet fibers. This is called delamination. Delamination causes the ripples or wrinkles. If there is delamination in the ripples or wrinkles then they can never be stretched tight again.

Our extreme weather in Colorado speeds up the process. Humidity in the spring and summer helps the glue on your carpet to relax. This can also happen if your carpet is improperly cleaned with too much water and not dried thoroughly.

When we all crank up our heat in the winter, hot, forced air causes the glue to dry out and delamination occurs. Sometimes, you’ll see ripples in your carpeting shrink with weather changes. If they don’t shrink and you can’t push those ripples back down, you’ll need to get your carpet stretched to fix it.

When do I get my carpet stretched?

Everyone wants their home to be snug, cozy and safe for the holidays. It’s the number one time of year to clean our homes, decorate with holiday cheer and get ready to welcome family and loved ones. We don’t want to worry about warning everyone to avoid the carpet wrinkle hazard by the dining table!

Plus, if your carpet is rippled, walking over it can cause further damage because delaminated carpet doesn’t flex up and down when you use it. Don’t let carpet wrinkles cause injury or damage your carpet. Best to get your carpet repaired and stretched as soon as you notice permanent wrinkles.

What is involved in the repair and stretching process?

Our professional carpet installers will remove your carpet from the tack strips that hold your carpet down. We will assess your carpet and make repairs where possible. Then, our technicians will professionally stretch and reattach your carpeting with specialized equipment. This process will remove wrinkles and renew your carpet; you won’t have to spend a lot of money on new carpeting and installation.

Get your repairs done by technicians who care

A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning has been in business for over 30 years. Our technicians are certified by IICRC – The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. The IICRC is the guardian agency of the carpet cleaning and repair industry.

Each one of our team members is courteous and friendly. They are also IICRC trained which means they are dedicated to their work, uphold the highest standards and receive ongoing education about the latest repair and cleaning techniques throughout their careers.

We would be happy to answer any of your questions about carpet repair and stretching. Call us today at 720-344-2870 for a free estimate or simply schedule an appointment.

The post Can you restretch and repair carpeting? appeared first on A Personal Touch.

A basement can add much-needed space to your everyday living. Yet it can also be one of the most difficult areas to design.

Many basements across the Front Range are behind closed doors. Descend down the stairs, and you’re often transported to a different world. It doesn’t look like the rest of your home. The decor is off. It’s a little colder down there – which isn’t a good thing in the dead of winter.

But what can you do? Where do you start?

One of the best places to begin is with the flooring. Basement flooring options don’t have to be dull and drab. Install the right basement flooring, and you’ll fall in love with the space, look forward to walking downstairs, and enjoy the space with your family and friends.

Basement flooring can pose a problem. Not any floor will do, especially if your basement is prone to moisture. That means selecting the best floor is not just for aesthetics, but for preventing future health problems too.

What flooring options should you consider for your basement remodel?

Luxury vinyl – it tops our list

When someone visits our showroom floor and asks about basement flooring options, we immediately start talking about the benefits of luxury vinyl. If your first thought was “vinyl, really?” you’re not alone.

Today’s vinyl has the ability to look identical to other flooring options you know and love. Want hardwood? Luxury vinyl can mimic that. Want stone? Luxury vinyl can give you that look too.

Yet luxury vinyl gives you something many other flooring options can’t: the ability to be highly functional below ground level, and offer a waterproof flooring option you’ll love. Yes, waterproof. For many homeowners who have experienced occasional problems in their basement, the thought of waterproof flooring is all it takes for them to give luxury vinyl a second look.

What makes luxury vinyl different from the sheet vinyl you may be used to from years past is how it looks. Luxury vinyl planks (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) take on the look of the most popular flooring on the market – hardwood planks and stone tile – yet gives you the benefits they don’t. Luxury vinyl is:

• Waterproof – up to 100 percent depending on the style and manufacturer you select
• Durable – it can stand up to just about anything your family dishes out
• Easy maintenance – it continues to look good with occasional sweeping and mopping
• Styles – whether you want the look of hardwood, stone, or a more traditional pattern, you’ll find it with vinyl
• DIY – click and lock technology makes it easy for anyone to install
• Affordable – because of its popularity, this is one of the most affordable options you can install in your remodel

We could go on and on with the benefits of this flooring material, but the best way to experience it is to come and have a look for yourself. Luxury vinyl planks come in a variety of widths and sizes. Whether you want a light whitewash or the darkest walnut, you’ll find any color combination you’ve anticipated installing into your final design. Luxury vinyl tile gives you an easy way to have the most luxurious stone, without the hassle of adhesives, dry times, and grouting. From marble, granite, or limestone, it’s an easy way to get the look you’ve been dreaming about.

Creating warmth with tile

While luxury vinyl continues to be one of the most popular choices for a basement remodel, if you’re looking for the “real thing,” we suggest taking a closer look at tile.

Tile comes in a variety of styles, shapes, sizes, and materials. Porcelain tile can create just about any look you desire. Want natural stone? Its elegance can build luxury into your basement decor. Have a specific pattern in mind? Ceramic tile takes on just about any color, pattern, shape, and size you can imagine. Whether you have your own design ideas in mind, or have something pinned to your Pinterest board, you’ll love what you can do with tile.

Plus, it installed correctly, it’s a great choice for below-grade living spaces. Its moisture resistance can stand up to whatever happens on your property. In some cases, it can offer waterproof protection.

But what also attracts homeowners is the option for a more efficient way of heating their basement spaces. Radiant heating systems allow you to maximize the potential of turning often unused space into cozy living areas. You won’t have to worry about what your HVAC system can produce.

Porcelain, ceramic, and natural stone are all great thermal conductors. They don’t expand and contract based on hot or cold situations, meaning they hold up well when installed over radiant heating systems. Where tile was once thought to be exclusively for warmer environments, it’s now growing in popularity because of the warmth it can bring to your home.

Carpet is still a great choice

If you’re not sold on hard flooring options, want something warm and economical, carpet is still one of the best choices you can make for your basement living spaces. While it doesn’t have the waterproof, mold and mildew-proof qualities of vinyl, it is a warm option that can give you the cozy feel you may desire.

Carpeting is often a great choice for main living spaces, bedrooms, and staircases. It’s soft to the touch, safer at preventing falls, and provides cushion for walking, sitting, and laying on.

Carpet also offers the perfect look and feel for those that wish to adhere to a budget. No matter what your budget is, you’ll find the perfect color, pattern, and texture to suit your needs.

It can also help you create a quieter space. If your basement brings additional family space, a game room perhaps, or even a media room, carpet can help settle noise and keep it inside the space.

What’s your choice for basement flooring options?

There isn’t a wrong choice when it comes to designing the basement of your dreams. Whatever flooring you desire will ultimately be the one that gives you the most satisfaction when you’re using the space.

Stop by today. We’re happy to show you our wide selection, and help you make the right choice to suit your needs. 

The post Basement Flooring Options Are The Most Difficult To Find first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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What’s the cheapest flooring option available? You’d be surprised at how many times that question is asked.

There are a lot of reasons people want affordable flooring. They are:

• Adding flooring to a rental property
• Fixing and flipping a home
• Living on a budget
• Looking for quick fixes for a problem room
• Wanting to change out decor frequently

Of course, the reasons are endless – sometimes as homeowners, we just don’t want to break the bank by putting in new floors.

Still, if you’ve ever asked yourself that question, you might avoid looking for the answer, worried about the quality of flooring you might get. Thanks to technological advances, there are many inexpensive flooring options available to suit your needs.

Want a do-it-yourself option to save even more money? We can help with that.

Want something that’s as easy to take out as it is to lay into place? We can help with that too.

Whether you’re looking for a DIY project for a bathroom project, or are redecorating a basement on a budget, there are many commonly used flooring materials that are going to give you long-lasting results with a budget-friendly price tag. Here are our favorite “cheap” flooring options.

Vinyl 

By far, vinyl brings the most to the table when looking for affordable options.

Vinyl flooring comes in sheets, tiles, and planks. It’s primarily made from PVC, which helps provide a durable, water-resistant flooring material that works just about any place inside your home. Want waterproof? With today’s technology, that’s available too.

Vinyl is easy to care for, easy to clean, and can stand up to anything your family can dish out. It provides a softer surface than other flooring options, making it a good choice if you’ll be standing for extended periods of time. While it’s one of the most affordable flooring options, it can also provide you with 25 years or more of life, depending on how well you care for it.

Sheet vinyl is one of the easiest to lay into place. You’ll typically find sheet vinyl in 6-foot and 12-foot widths. It can be difficult to handle as you bring it into your home, so it’s recommended you leave installation up to the professionals.

If you want a do-it-yourself option, consider vinyl tile. It gives you the same look and feel you’ll achieve with sheet vinyl in convenient smaller format tiles. Some provide stick-in-place technology, meaning you can have your room finished in just a few hours. No prior experience needed. It’s an easy project for homeowners to take on themselves.

Want to upgrade the look of your space? Consider luxury vinyl planks. It gives you the look of real hardwood or stone without the expensive price tag. Unlike sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl planks come in workable sizes similar to hardwood planks. Many come in peel-and-stick or click-and-lock systems, making installation fairly easy for those looking to do the work themselves.

No matter your budget, you’ll find one of these vinyl products perfect for home improvement projects.

Laminate

For some homeowners, only hardwood will do. They love the look and feel of traditional hardwood, yet the price tag can quickly scare them off. If you’ve been putting off your home improvement project because you think you can’t afford your dream flooring, take a look at laminate.

Laminate mimics the look of traditional hardwood, yet gives you a more affordable flooring option you’ll love. Laminate is created from a composite of materials, and uses a highly refined photographic image of hardwood embossed on its surface. It is finished with a protective top layer that creates the perfect structure for your busy lifestyle.

Laminate is installed as a floating floor, which means the planks click together and lock in place. Without having to be glued down, they are easier to install. If you want a do-it-yourself project, laminate offers user-friendly installation. Floating floors also offer the benefit of being able to be installed over some existing floors. Trying to hide old vinyl? Laminate may be your new flooring of choice.

Carpet

Carpet continues to be one of the best flooring investments you can make. If you’re focused on budget, carpet may very well be a great option.

Like vinyl, carpet offers you a variety of different options. Have one of our professionals install wall-to-wall carpet, or select a do-it-yourself option with carpet tiles. Depending on which you choose, with regular maintenance, you can easily expect ten years or more of wear.

People love carpet because of the warmth it adds to a space. Walk across it, and you’ll feel the warmth between your toes. Carpet also adds noise-canceling qualities. Carpet is a great addition to an upper floor living space where echoing below may present a problem.

Carpet brings added safety too. Install carpet on stairs to create a safer walking environment. If you have elderly at home, carpet can also cushion in the event of falls.

Carpet does not work well in areas where moisture is an ongoing problem. Avoid putting it in places like bathrooms or laundry spaces. It can be a problem with prolonged moisture, which can eventually lead to mold.

Tile

Ceramic tile is available in an almost unlimited color, pattern, size, and style range. If you can dream it, you can complete your floor design with ceramic tile.

It has the added benefit of being at the lower end of flooring material costs. Look for manufactured tile that’s rated at least a three on the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PCI) scale. Too thin and it will be brittle, and won’t stand the test of time when you use it as flooring material.

You’ll also have to take into account labor costs. Tile needs adhesive and grout to be laid into place. That means your cost will increase for installation. But when well cared for, tile can last for decades. That makes it a great choice for places you might not want to frequently remodel, like bathrooms or laundry rooms.

What’s your flooring of choice? 

Just because you start searching for cheap flooring options, doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality. Find an affordable flooring material that suits your needs, one you’ll love now and for years into the future.

The post Want Cheap Flooring? We Suggest These first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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If the time has come for you to order a new wooden floor, you will need to know how much flooring to purchase. Below we have outlined some top tips and advice on how to measure your room for flooring. Read More

You bought the new-to-you home for its quirkiness and charm. The flooring … that has to go. It’s a nightmare. But the thought of ripping it out leaves you shuddering almost as much as the thought of leaving it in place.

Can you lay vinyl over other flooring options? Or will it shorten its life and make you regret your decision?

Why vinyl flooring

If you’re looking at new flooring, it’s hard to ignore vinyl. Today’s vinyl isn’t what your mother or grandmother installed. Today’s vinyl is a whole lot more.

The global vinyl flooring market is expanding at a rate of 7 percent per year. A lot of that is thanks to the newest segment, luxury vinyl. Luxury vinyl planks and tiles currently make up more than half the total vinyl market share, and are ever-popular because of the looks they create inside a home. Want a waterproof version of your favorite hardwood? Want a softer version of concrete? You’ll find it with luxury vinyl planks and tiles.

Vinyl is the perfect choice for remodeling kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms. Vinyl is both economical and durable. If you have a problem with moisture, vinyl is the go-to choice.

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, vinyl is also a great choice because of how easy it is to install. Even if you’ve never done it before, you can generally have a small room completed in a day or two.

As with any remodeling project, preparation is everything. If you ensure the base or subfloor you’ll be laying vinyl over meets the criteria laid out by the manufacturer, your vinyl flooring will give you a long life. Checking with the manufacturer’s guidelines is your important first step to ensure a job well done.

If you’re installing vinyl over wood flooring, it’s essential to ensure you have a smooth surface area. If there are excessive gaps between the boards, these must first be filled. If the hardwood is cupped, bowed, or swollen, it may need to be pulled out or have another underlayment laid over the top to ensure your flooring remains stable over time. A professional can look at your floors to help you make the right choice before installation.

If you’re installing vinyl over laminate flooring, the same rules apply as with hardwood. If the laminate is cupped, bowed, or in any way damaged, you might need to fix the area before the vinyl is installed. If your laminate isn’t glued down, and was installed using a click and lock system, you will have better results if you pull it up first. Having a click and lock vinyl plank installed over other click and lock technology may cause trouble in how the product handles over time.

If you’re installing vinyl over tile, it can be installed directly over the ceramic or porcelain tile. If you have cracks, missing tiles, or large gaps or uneven spaces in the flooring, it’s better to fill those in to create a smooth surface. Starting with a smooth underlayment will ensure the quality of the vinyl flooring, and ensure that it continues to look good for the life of the floor.

The most important characteristics for a floor that lasts for years

What makes vinyl flooring a popular home improvement product, especially for do-it-yourselfers, is that you can lay it over existing flooring. Generally, as long as the flooring material underneath is in good shape to act as a subfloor, you won’t have any problems with your new vinyl floors.

Keep in mind that vinyl planks and tile may appear hard, but they are a thin, soft, flexible material. If you have major flaws underneath, they will eventually be reproduced in your vinyl floors. That means cracks, holes, bridge gaps, uneven seams, or other major structural issues in the floor you are laying on top of should be smoothed out before installing your new flooring.

When it comes to laying luxury vinyl over existing flooring, you should ensure the flooring underneath is:

Height

Before you install vinyl flooring over the top of your existing flooring, be sure you won’t have height issues after installation. Measure out transitions between the room you’re installing vinyl in and other spaces around it. Will your new floors be too high for cabinets and vanities? If you have any questions, a professional can help you make the right choice about installations methods, to ensure you have a uniform flooring method throughout your home.

Imperfections

If you’re replacing your current flooring because of imperfections, they can easily show up in your new vinyl flooring if they aren’t dealt with first. They may start to appear over time as more pressure is placed on the vinyl flooring.

Moisture

It’s important to have a dry surface area before you install your new floors. Depending on the vinyl you choose, it can offer you water-resistant or even waterproof features. By laying this new product over water-damaged subfloors, you will lock in the moisture problem underneath. This can allow mildew or mold to fester and grow, with no means of escape.

Seamless

While uneven grout lines or seams between hardwood planks may seem minor to you, they can be exacerbated once your new vinyl flooring is installed. An easy way to solve this is by laying a substrate of large format boards over the top to give you a smooth surface. Installers often use MDF particleboard sheets or 4 by 8 foot plywood sheets to provide a smooth surface and reduce the problems associated with an uneven floor. Don’t lock in problems. If your flooring is suffering from water damage, for example, it’s best to clean the surface area and get rid of the problem before installing the new flooring.

Sturdy

This is your biggest indicator of success. If you are replacing your existing flooring because of unevenness, gaps in the boards, or cracks in the tiles, you’ll only replace one problem for another if you lay your luxury vinyl over the top. Consider removing the flooring if it’s in bad shape and is difficult to repair. Also consider what the subfloor is like underneath your existing flooring. If it isn’t in good condition, is rotted, or cracked, it too could become a problem in the future, reducing the lifespan of your vinyl flooring product.

As a do-it-yourselfer, vinyl can be one of the easiest flooring materials to install inside your home. Without the need to pull out an existing flooring product, you can have your new floors installed in a short period of time.

Is vinyl the right flooring choice for you? Stop by, and we’ll answer all the questions you have about this ever-growing, ever-popular flooring choice.

The post Can You Lay Vinyl Over Other Flooring Options? first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

This post appeared first on https://pro-flooring.com

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These days one of the first places we go for inspiration is Instagram and have a look at what others are doing. Our collaboration with @house_of_holcroft is a perfect example of why Instagram is a great place for home inspiration. 

 

If you’re one for stopping scrolling when you see a beautiful herringbone flooring with a stunning surrounding then you will love this one. 

 

Let’s take a look at why @house_of_holcroft chose the flooring she chose and why…

 

Which Product Did You Choose and Why? 

 

“Vintage Chateau Herringbone White Chestnut for its contemporary look”

This flooring has been a popular contender making it a customer favourite, so it is no surprise that @house_of_holcroft chose this beautiful laminate.

 

Which room of the home did you transform and how did your flooring impact this?

 

“We transformed the downstairs of my home. It has brightened up the area hugely and the flooring is easy to maintain and hard wearing. It gives the downstairs a lovely modern look and the colour works perfectly with our theme.”

 

What Interior Styling Were You Wanting to Achieve? 

 

“A modern, contemporary look that won’t date”

 

That is certainly what she achieved with this stunning white, light and bright modern space.

 

How Would You Describe the Quality of the Product and Service? 

 

“Excellent quality and endless choices. Fabulous customer service from start to finish – even helping calculate square footage and wastage.”

 

Would You Recommend Direct Wood Flooring?

 

100% I have already purchased additional flooring and have been very happy with the cost, delivery and quality. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend DWF to anyone.

 

If you have any questions on flooring, get in touch with one of our experts today! 

 

The post Herringbone Flooring Inspiration With @house_of_holcroft  appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

Hardwood flooring is one of the most popular choices for homes all across the Front Range. If you’ve hesitated having it installed in your own home, worrying about durability, your search might lead you to engineered floors.

Where hardwood flooring is made from a solid wood plank, engineered wood flooring is created from a wood veneer wear layer that sits on a multi layer core. One isn’t necessarily better than the other; they offer differences that provide benefits in different situations.

Hardwood can be sanded down and refinished again and again. Engineered wood can only be refinished a handful of times. Engineered wood’s core gives it more stability against warping than traditional hardwood, especially in areas prone to higher humidity levels. Engineered wood may be your flooring choice if you’re looking for wider plank width and varying color choices.

Homeowners and contractors alike turn to engineered hardwood flooring because of its durability, affordability, and better moisture resistance. Where hardwood is a solid piece of wood, engineered hardwood is created using a variety of core materials. These materials continue to change with new technology, making today’s engineered flooring one of the most durable on the market.

Of course, different manufacturers will use different core materials. That’s where it benefits you to pay attention. Some may include plywood. Others use a high-density fiberboard (HDF). What are the advantages of using an HDF core?

What is an HDF core?

On the surface, a high-density fiberboard may seem weaker than plywood. HDF is created from recycled wood materials, such as excess hardwood veneer and other hardwood not used in production. These materials are ground up into sawdust, mixed with resin, and pressed together using high pressure into an ultra-dense core.

This high pressure process can create a floor core density of up to 60 pounds per cubic foot. The resin used gives it moisture resistance, making it more repellent to water than traditional hardwood. It’s this process that also makes an HDF core higher on the Janka hardness scale than plywood. Some HDF cores reach a rating of 1700 or higher. Compare that to plywood made from poplar that may only reach 500.

What’s the purpose of an HDF core?

An HDF core is designed to provide added benefits to what you already love about traditional hardwood. It’s designed to remedy the problems associated with many hardwood floors.

Moisture

Let’s start with moisture. Homeowners often take a step back and think twice about hardwood, especially if they have a busy household with kids and pets. Accidents happen. And if you don’t wipe up a juice spill, if pet accidents go unnoticed, or you’re worried about wet paw prints tracking across your floors each day, you may fall out of love with your hardwood floors as quickly as you fell into it.

Moisture and hardwood simply don’t mix. If left without wiping it up, spills can easily seep into the grain, between the boards, causing warping and cracking.

By adding an HDF core to engineered wood, you’ll have better protection against moisture problems. While it’s still not waterproof, it can stand up to higher humidity levels, which gives you a longer life with fewer potential problems. It also means you won’t have an unsightly floor with boards that pop up from being dry, brittle, warped, and worn out.

Dent resistance

Engineered wood with an HDF core also provides more dent resistance. That higher Janka rating means the core provides better protection against all of the daily activities your family dishes out.

If you prefer the look of a softer wood, the HDF core increases hardness levels, making your wood floors more durable over time. It’s no longer about what hardwood you select. That means you can pay attention to the look and feel of the product, and still get the durability you’re seeking. Engineered wood will stand up better under many different conditions.

Installation

Engineered wood flooring also brings more flexibility to the way it’s installed. Traditional hardwood needs room to expand and contract with the varying conditions inside your home throughout the year. To ensure hardwood looks good spring, summer, winter, and fall, a hardwood floor will have to be nailed into place. If you don’t have suitable subfloor material, that will be an added expense at the time of installation.

Engineered wood floors have more installation options. Engineered wood can be placed over many different subfloors, including concrete. They can be glued into place. Or purchase engineered wood floors with click and lock technology.

The HDF core gives engineered floors more flexibility no matter how you choose to install them.

Additional benefits of engineered wood floors

Traditional hardwood is uniform in the way it’s produced. That can be both a positive and negative, depending on your home. While we all like to assume our homes were built with strict guidelines, careful measurements, that rarely is the case. Because hardwood flooring comes in a standard size, you may have difficulty fitting it into certain spaces.

Do you have interior wood doors that hug closely to the ground? Engineered wood is more flexible in how high the flooring is from the subfloor. Do you have cabinets or appliances that were retrofitted into place? Engineered wood can be more forgiving with the way it lays into place.

Have you always wanted hardwood in your basement? If you’ve ever researched possibilities, you know hardwood isn’t recommended.

Engineered wood can be installed below grade. If you have a moisture issue, you might still think twice about installing engineered wood in the basement. The wood veneer and HDF core are still constructed out of wood. That means that while it’s more stable, moisture can still be an issue.

Engineered wood with an HDF layer is often stronger because the layers are laid perpendicular for less expansion and contraction. This means the fit will be tighter, which is better as the weather changes throughout the seasons.

Are engineered wood floors the right choice for you? Look for an HDF core, and you’ll have one of the most durable flooring choices for your home.

The post Why Your Engineered Floors Should Have an HDF Core first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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