Hardwood Floors vs. Laminate Floors

Hardwood floors have been used in houses and even in palaces for centuries. Laminate floors, however, are a modern invention that is around 30 years old. (Laminate floors consist of laminated blocks of various designs, including those that have the appearance of hardwood flooring.)

Hardwood floors come with their own benefits. They feel more real and they sound like wood (because they are real wood), giving the entire house a royal feel. A hardwood floor has a more natural feel than a laminate floor.

Laminate floors have a thick pad underneath, which makes it feel spongy and floating while hardwood floors provide a sturdier, firmer feel. Often the cost of putting up a hardwood floor and a laminate floor is almost the same. It is for this reason that hardwood floors are seeing another surge in popularity.

On the other hand, the popularity of laminate floors is rising everyday. This is because it looks and feels almost similar to hardwood floor. It is durable and easy to install. Hardwood floors are more difficult to install and expensive to repair if damaged. A laminate floor is much easier to maintain and clean than a hardwood floor. There are no limitations regarding where they can or cannot be laid.

Also, laminate floors are available in various designs and are very easy to fix on any type of floor. Besides, because of the special laminates and treatment given to them, they do not wear easily. They do not get damaged easily either. And even if they do get damaged, it is easy and cheaper to replace them than it is to replace hardwood floors.

When it comes to the life of both types of floors, however, it is hardwood floors that seem to last longer, as compared to laminate flooring. However there are many laminate floors available on the market today that also come with the same lifetime warranty.

However, if one has pets in the house that can cause scratches on the floor, hardwood floors are preferable.

Laminate Floors provides detailed information on Discount Laminate Floors, Hardwood Laminate Floors, How To Clean Laminate Floors, How To Install Laminate Floors and more. Laminate Floors is affiliated with How To Install Laminate Flooring.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jimmy_Sturo

Tags : Hardwood , Hardwood Floors , Laminate Floors , Laminate

Hardwood Versus Laminate Flooring - The Truth

Don’t be fooled! No matter what you have heard or people say nothing matches the richness of a real hardwood floor. Laminate flooring is a photograph of a hardwood floor laminated (glued) to a composite material made up of compressed paper and glue.

Laminate flooring does not look like real hardwood nor does it feel like real hardwood underfoot. No two hardwood floors are the same, grains vary on each and every board. It is the inherent imperfections in the lumber that creates the richness that can only be found by using hardwood flooring.

Why then has laminate flooring become so popular, you might ask? The reason is two fold. The first, cost per square foot for the material. Laminate flooring can be purchased for as little as $0.80 per sq. ft., with a top end price of $3.00 per sq. ft. The second reason is installation, laminate is very easy to install and can be done by most home handymen, it requires little in special tools (a power saw with a carbide tipped blade is really the only required tool). Laminate can be laid over any flat surface including carpeting, an underlay of thin foam is recommended to reduce floor movement, comfort and sound transmission. Even contracted out, a laminate floor, complete with foam underlay can be had for less than $3.00 a sq. ft.

A quality oak, tongue and grove hardwood flooring material will cost at least $4.00 a sq. ft. and some of the exotic hardwoods can take the cost to more than $20.00 a sq. ft. Installation will cost another $3.00 to $5.00 a sq. ft. Hardwood generally, should not be used below grade or on a concrete slab floor because of dampness rising from below the boards and producing a warping effect. Hardwood should be installed by a professional, to ensure that subtleties in grains and colors are taken into account as each board is laid. As well, on delivery of the hardwood boards some will be warped and it takes some expertise to straighten them during installation. Installation is usually accomplished using a tongue and grove nailing machine, either pneumatic or manual. Although this is a simplistic tool, it takes some practice to utilize it properly and not damage the hardwood boards during installation.

Falling in between hardwood and laminate (although it really is much closer to hardwood than laminate) is an “engineered hardwood floor”. An engineered hardwood is a piece of hardwood, anywhere form 1/16” to 3/16” glued to a plywood. The engineered floor can be floating, similar to laminate where it is not glued down to the sub-floor or it can be glued down. Engineered hardwood is approximately the same price per sq. ft. as regular hardwood the difference is in the cost of the installation. It is easier to install because the boards are all flat and there is usually a high grain and color consistency. Installation of an engineered hardwood floor is around $1.75 a sq. ft. The engineered hardwood can also be used below grade and on concrete slabs because it is the plywood that is in contact with the sub-floor rather than the hardwood itself.

Additional information on hardwood flooring. Home improvement, remodel and landscaping information. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Prudehome

Get the Look of Hardwood Flooring for Less With Laminate Flooring

If you're looking to update the appearance of your home, you may be thinking about giving its flooring a face-lift. Replacing worn-out carpeting with sleek, stylish hardwood flooring can make a dramatic difference in the appearance of just about any room in the home. However, hardwood floors have many drawbacks; one of the biggest ones involves price. Don't worry, though - you can enjoy the style and elegance of hardwood flooring for a lot less by opting for laminate flooring. Laminate styles have come a really long way. Today, they are barely discernible from honest-to-goodness wood. Learn more about the top perks of laminate below.

It Looks Like the Real Thing

Laminate flooring has made a lot of progress over the last ten to fifteen years. These days, it is available in many great wood styles that look a lot like the real thing. Whether you're interested in the stately style of oak or the country charm of pine, you can get those looks - and more - without any of the drawbacks. For example, many species of wood are too soft to be practical for everyday use; laminate floors replicate the look of many species of wood while providing unbeatable strength and durability. There's no reason to cross any particular type of wood off of your list, when you can always opt for laminate.

Unbeatable Wear Resistance and Durability

While some worn-down wood floors have a bit of rustic charm, it often doesn't turn out that way. Scuff marks, scrapes and other signs of wear and tear can seriously detract from the style of a wood floor. While laminate floors aren't impervious to such issues, they can be less likely to incur damage. As a result, you can invest in laminate and rest assured that if it is properly maintained it will look as great in five to ten years as it does on the day when it is installed.

Use it in Virtually Any Room in the House

As you probably already know, wood is not an ideal option for moisture-prone areas of the home. Therefore, you can't really have wood flooring installed in the bathroom or kitchen - at least, not without doing a lot of finishing. Even then, warping and other issues may arise. Laminate flooring minimizes those concerns. While it looks almost exactly like the real thing, it isn't as prone to water damage. You can enhance the look of your bathroom, kitchen or basement with the appearance of wood floors - just choose laminate.

Enjoy Today's Hottest Design Trends

These days, many people pay big bucks to invest in wood floor that is strategically distressed or scraped. The rustic and shabby-chic look of these floors can really bolster a home's appearance. You don't have to miss out on such hot trends when you opt for laminate floors. It is perfectly possible to buy laminate floors that are scraped, distressed or otherwise enhanced. Best of all, these features are added to the laminate before the wood detailing; the end result, therefore, is virtually identical to what you would get when splurging on real wood.

Buy Planks of Various Lengths and Widths

Laminate flooring is anything but cookie-cutter or dull. If you think that a laminate floor is going to look utilitarian or like it was put together in a factory, think again. Today's wood-style laminate floors can be laid down in planks that mirror the widths and lengths of today's best wood floors. Whether you are looking for wide planks or thin ones, you can get the look that you need with laminate. Similarly, it's possible to buy laminate wood planks in exceptionally long lengths that mesh well with today's hottest contemporary design trends.

Skip the Wood and Save a Bundle

At the end of the day, laminate flooring is closely mirrors that of real wood, but it eliminates many of the issues of real wood. When you opt for laminate, you don't restrict yourself in terms of the rooms in which you can use it. More importantly, you are a lot less likely to exceed your budget. Today's laminate floors are durable, stylish, affordable and versatile. Unless you are absolutely determined to have real wood in your home, there's no good reason not to use laminate.

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Hardwood and Laminate Flooring Buying Secrets Revealed

Did you ever say to yourself when you're about to make a large purchase: "Wow...I only wish I had knowledge of what I am buying like these people who are trying to sell me this stuff." After reading this report, you will have that knowledge when it comes to hardwood or laminate flooring. I am going to explain to you how to correctly purchase hardwood and/or laminate flooring. I have been in different businesses for over 30 years, and I have been in the flooring business for over 15 years. I find many people approach their flooring purchases incorrectly, therefore costing them lots of money; and at times, customers will buy inferior products from inferior merchants. This report will list 10 Topics that you need to read and understand. After doing so, you will be prepared to make that perfect hard surface flooring purchase and have the peace of mind that you approached your purchase just like an expert.

1. Use the internet for research. Whether hardwood or laminate flooring, I like to browse the internet for styles that appeal to me. I also use the gardenweb.com flooring forum or other forums to ask others what products they seem to be having success or difficulties with. You can also go to my3cents.com to see if there are many major complaints with the products you are considering. Check out the reviews of the box stores on my3cents.com while you're at it. I do not recommend purchasing flooring products via the internet. One reason for this is that many of the manufacturers will not warrant products from internet purchases. Also, should you have a problem with your floor, it will be difficult to get any type of representation to solve your issue. Another major issue is damage caused from third-party shippers. There's nothing worse than making a purchase, only to find damage and have to remedy it through the internet store. Finally, it normally does not save you money to purchase through the internet. When you factor shipping into the cost, many times a better buy can be made from a local independent retailer that has great buying power. I will explain later in the report the right things to mention when buying at a local retail store to bring your cost down.

2. Take samples home. I strongly recommend visiting a good local retail store to ask their opinions on products. Those that are of interest to you and seem to be in your budget need to be signed out and taken home to be viewed in both natural and artificial light and in the surroundings where the product will be installed. Independent stores will show the products under the actual true manufacturer label making it much easier to comparison shop. Buying groups such as Carpet One, Flooring America, Abbey, Floors to Go, and the big box stores have most of their products privately labeled, making it nearly impossible to comparison shop. This is done for obvious reasons.

3. Ask for a bottom line price. The best thing you can do is mention that you will not be making a decision that day and that you are checking prices. Mention that you are not the type of person to bounce back and forth and that you would like their bottom line price right from the start. The worst thing that you can do as a consumer is state that you will only buy from that store. That will cost you money as it assures the store you are not shopping, and flooring is a competitive business.

4. Cash and carry vs. installed purchase. This is always a tough one because a flooring product is only as good as the installation. I have seen a lot of wanna-be independent installers out there that can ruin a laminate or hardwood job. Most carpet installers are not carpenters, but many do pretend to be. It is rare to find an installer that can do it all. As a matter of fact, I have yet to find one. Many are top notch at some types of flooring, but not others. So when you hire a friend of a friend, or someone working under their own shingle, are you guaranteed the type of installation you expect? Also, when using a moonlighting installer, you should be paying no more than 50-60% of the prevailing rate of the independent retailer installation rate. I have seen moonlighting installers charge half again as much for an installation than the customer could have gotten from a flooring store. When you have the flooring store install the product, there will be no finger-pointing should there ever be an issue. There are so many different complications that can happen after an installation, and if you are dealing with a rock solid independent retail store, you have protection. In my opinion, there needs to be significant savings for you when you cash and carry a product. If you have the ability to install on your own, then there is normally a substantial savings realized and I say go for it. If not, let the experts do it.

5. How to determine if the store knows its stuff. Just how do you know if a store knows what it's doing? There are a few things that you need to look for. First of all, if you are looking for the independent retailer to install the product for you, they must come to the job site and measure for you. Diagrams just don't cut it and a good store knows that a 3-D viewing of the job is the only way to finalize a price. Notice how much attention the store pays to transitions between rooms in your home. Are they going to undercut door casings? It is a must. Are they going to pull baseboards or use rounds? Baseboard pulling makes the floor look like the house was built on top of the floor and that is what you want. Depending on the type of baseboard you have, rounds are sometimes necessary, but it should always be discussed. Notice the amount of perimeter detail the measuring technician is noting. If it is just a diagram drawn with no discussion, that's not good enough. Look for another store. You'll immediately notice the difference between stores just by watching the approach taken by the measurer. An expert will be in total control and will ask you all the right questions and discuss the project with you. Is the store going to document who is doing what and who isn't? There will also be certain job preparation issues that will need to be discussed, such as moving appliances, toilets, furnishings, tearing out of existing flooring, etc. These items need to be decided and should be listed and signed by both parties so that there is no confusion. Moonlight installers tend to put all the little detailed preparation directly on the consumer or they charge you extra for it. Alternately, many times the prep will be included in the retailer installation package.

6. What to look for in a laminate floor. I believe this can be answered pretty simply. Make sure the product has the styling that you like and falls in your budget. All laminates today perform extremely well regardless of price. Retail stores do carry many laminate products and I believe each one will perform as well as any. High- or low-priced, they will perform about the same. The technology today is superior to the laminates of even 5 years ago. Most of the old chip board core laminates from 10 years ago or longer look like the day they were installed. Gone are the old glue-together products, and now with the drop and lock technologies, joint separation is pretty much nonexistent. The biggest difference I see in pricing of products is that manufacturers extend the warranties and make more realistic looks in the higher-priced products. Performance will be very similar between all the products. The number one enemy of a laminate floor is water. If the laminate is going to get wet, pick another floor. I also get concerned with some of these high shine laminate floors. My company has seen some issues in that they will (not surprisingly) show abrasions to the finish much quicker than a lower luster finish. If it were my home, I would only use a high shine product in an area that gets minimal wear. I have seen some pretty flimsy laminates at big box stores and buying clubs. These laminates are not really any less expensive and are really flimsy when holding them. I believe they are products made especially for these stores, and really are no less costly. One trick of these stores is to put a low amount of square footage in each box, which makes the cost appear less. Always do your math and compare apples to apples.

7. What to look for in hardwood flooring. The popular product today is hardwood flooring. It is making a gigantic comeback and everyone wants to jump on the hardwood band wagon. In our region, it seems everyone wants solid hardwood flooring. Let's talk about solid wood. Solid wood is great as long as you have a fairly constant humidity level in your home and the wood is going to be installed above grade. If your home has large fluctuations in humidity levels, then you may want to consider an engineered hardwood floor. An engineered hardwood is a hardwood floor that has plies or turned layers of material in-between a top and bottom layer of the species that you are selecting. This gives the product more stability to changing climate conditions. This type of floor is normally required for on or below grade applications. Engineered flooring is generally a little more price-friendly as the tree specie requirement is less to make the product. A concern with an engineered floor is what the inner core plies are made of. Be sure to ask and make sure a hardwood or hard material is used to create the inner ply as a soft material can make the top layer easier to dent. Solid floor hardness can be determined by researching or asking the Janka rating. Janka ratings are a scale used to determine the hardness by comparison of wood species. I believe that all finishes of hardwood today are good as long as it is a quality brand of flooring that can be found at your independent retailer such as Echo Flooring Gallery. There are some new products on the market today that give 50-year finish warranties for what it is worth. I have always had concerns with lifetime warranties or other huge warranties, although I suppose it is something you can hang your hat on should there ever be a problem. Pre-finished vs. unfinished hardwood is always a debate and you will get differing opinions. Personally, I prefer pre-finished. You get more layers of finish and furniture-like quality without the mess. No sanding, better warranties, and a quicker finished product just make up my mind. Yet, we have top-quality intelligent builders who prefer unfinished. So who am I to argue? This product simply has two schools of thought.

8. Laminate vs. Hardwood. Tough decision, but it's ultimately up to you. First, let me say that I always tell potential buyers that it doesn't matter what your neighbor thinks or what your bridge partner thinks -- it is what you want. Do not let anyone influence your decision based on their likes or dislikes. There are 100 different flavors of ice cream for a reason. I am shocked by how many people actually fall in love with a color or style. Then they say, "Let me keep it a couple of extra days so I can show my kids." They then return the sample and either buy nothing or completely change the product from the one they initially chose. It is you who will be looking at the product every day and it should be you who makes the ultimate choice of what you want to see. Now we move to the discussion of laminate vs. hardwood flooring. I always say to people that hardwood will actually increase the value of your home. Laminate flooring normally does not. With that said, let's discuss what makes sense. If I install hardwood and laminate into an average active American household with 3 children, there's a fair chance that in 5 years my hardwood may look worn, but the laminate should basically still look good. Now which home really held its value? Yet, I can refinish the hardwood and immediately replace the value. But remember, that refinish will cost money. So we are kind of going around in circles. Laminate flooring is much more difficult to scratch, will not fade from sunlight, and is more water resistant than hardwood. Water is not a friend to laminate flooring by any means, but water can ruin hardwood flooring also. Laminate flooring is a snap to repair; and when you repair the board, you will never know it was repaired as it does not change appearance over time. Hardwood is more of a tedious repair and you may notice the repair was made until it blends in with wear. Pet urine can hurt both products. Your pet's claws will be much more disturbing to the hardwood finish. It takes a lot to scratch laminate flooring, but it can be scratched and it is not bulletproof. No matter what the finish on a hardwood floor has, abrasions will be noticed. The scratches normally do not get to the wood, but will disturb the finish coat layer. I have hardwood flooring and my big boxer dog does occasionally put a mark into the wear finish. Another option of hardwood is a distressed or rustic look. Hand scraped or rustic products will not show these abrasions and actually add to the character. If you have a major scratch in the finish, you simply rub some Old English into the scratch and it will basically vanish. The results will not be the same with a smooth or more formal finish. Laminate flooring will take a lot of abuse, but it is an image of a hardwood and tries its best to imitate a hardwood or tile floor. It will not sound, look, or smell like a real hardwood. Hardwood is genuine and can be harvested from different parts of the world. Exotic woods are now controlled by what is called the Lacey Act. Manufacturers today must comply with the act assuring that hardwood foresting is done with a prioritized concern for the environment. This has eliminated illegal foresting in other parts of the world which has translated into higher exotic wood prices. Hardwoods come from real trees giving the product unmatched beauty and elegance. Laminate flooring on average is less expensive than hardwood flooring. A good solid local retail flooring store should be able to show you the differences between laminate and hardwood flooring which should allow a much better decision on what is best for you and your family. But remember, it is ultimately up to you.

9. Understanding the manufacturer warranties. Many people wonder what the manufacturers' warranties really mean. From someone who is in the flooring business and takes this topic very seriously, my answer is pretty simple: "Not Much". After the first 3 months, I would say the warranty becomes about as good as what your independent retail store will do for you. Normally, if there is a malfunction with a product, it will happen in the first 30 days. Many times, when there is a problem, it is due to installation. This is why it's important, in my opinion, to have the independent retailer arrange for the installation and have that store on the hook. There are occasional issues of manufacturing after the first 30 days, but it is rare. I can count on about one finger how many manufacturer claims we have had after 30 days on laminate and hardwood, and we operate 4 flooring stores. So all of these 30-, 50-, even 25-year finish or wear-through warranties just don't mean a lot in my mind. These manufacturers know that the finish may wear through, but it will be abuse that causes it. Does this mean that I do not ask what the warranty is? No, I still would want a product with a minimum 15-year warranty. Fifteen years would be my dividing line. There are some hardwoods with real low purchase prices that only carry a 1- or 5-year finish warranty. I would run from those, but at the 15-year or greater warranty mark, I would not think twice. One other point is that buying groups and box stores increase the warranties on their own. What I mean by this is that they contract the manufacturer to raise the warranty for them. I do not like the fact that a product with a normal 5-year warranty gets increased to 25 years simply because a box store is selling it. This does not make the product better and is no extra protection for you. Remember what I said about abuse. A true 15-year warranty will take a lot more abuse than a 30-year inflated box store warranty. This is why I would prefer to purchase through a strong independent retail store. Your independent retail store can give you good opinions on what is a good product and what is not. The warranty displayed is what the manufacturer truly specified for the product.

10.Costs and buying methods of these products. Flooring is one of the largest purchases a family makes, second only to their automobiles. With this said, it can be very affordable. Just like anything else, there are great valued products. These do not have to be entry level products. They can be excellent products with excellent warranties. A strong independent retail flooring store can give you great advice on these types of products. If you walk in to an independent retail store and ask for a great value product in either a laminate or hardwood, the experienced salesperson will be able to show you many. Remember that a strong local independent retailer does not normally sell toilets, rose bushes, or light bulbs -- just flooring. I think that's important. You may need to explain to the salesperson that by "value", you don't necessarily mean the cheapest, but you mean a good product that really does demonstrate value. Most independent retailers know which of their products has an unusually high value for the cost. One thing to remember is that the installation, the underlayment for your laminate or hardwood, the floor prep and anything else that needs done will be a constant. You may want to ask for the price that will be a constant for your purchase. At that point you will know that any additional dollar that you spend will go directly into the flooring product you choose. In other words on a 500 sq ft purchase, an extra 30 cents a square foot may give you the four sided bevel that you are looking for. So for an extra $150, you will have the beveled product in your living room, dining room, and hallway. If a job of $4600 is a little more than you hoped, but you are going to purchase it anyway, don't you think for the increase to $4750, which can get you exactly what you want, is a smart extra $150? Your constant cost will not change, so the little extra money you're spending will give you the look you'll enjoy for the rest of your life. There are many ways to pay for your flooring: cash, check, credit card, in-house financing plans, or companion financing plans. Most stores, offer 12 months same as cash for their customers and do not factor any of the cost of offering that particular program into the cost of the product. What I mean by that is when you see 36 months interest-free or even up to 5 years interest-free financing, it may be interest-free, but it isn't free at all. The retailer pays a percentage to the finance factoring company for that length of free interest for their customer. These fees are expensive and that cost is factored into the product that you are purchasing. Twelve months interest-free is an affordable fee normally for the retailer and it will not usually affect the price of the product. Credit cards and interest-free financing do cost the retailer money. A buyer that plans on writing a check should tell the retailer this when asking for the best deal. When management of a store knows this, they understand they will experience no fees with this payment style and that should translate into a little better deal for you. Cash vs. check should have no bearing on your price. In the economic climate of today, flooring is actually less expensive than 4 or 5 years ago. This is a fact, even though there have been many flooring price increases from the manufacturer. In order to stay extremely competitive, the smart independent retail flooring centers have curbed and cut costs so that they can actually offer flooring to the consumer for a lower price than in years past. It could be a smart time right now to make that purchase.

Tag : hardwood,hardwood flooring,laminate,cheap hardwood flooring

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Anonie

Laminate Sucks, Hardwood Rules

The debate has been raging for ages. Many people believe that a laminate floor is a better option than a hardwood floor. Others also known as "smart people" believe that a hardwood floor is a better option.

Laminate is an extremely versatile substance. People used it back in the 70's as countertop coverings. It developed over the years in many forms. It can resemble stone, marble, tile, or more commonly, wood. This is the most common appearance of laminate today. The actual term laminate does not refer to the physical material that constitutes the majority of the paneling, only the protective top layer.

Advantages of laminate include durability, and ease of installation. Normal laminate planks are two to three times longer than their hardwood counterparts. This is because the synthetic material can be created at almost any size. Unlike authentic hardwood, there are no real size limitations. Another benefit of laminate surfacing is that it can be installed on concrete and other surfaces that are difficult for hardwood installation.

Hardwood floors are on the opposite end of the spectrum. They are not new. People have been using hardwood floors ever since they were able to erect wood cabins hundreds of years ago. It's not easy to install either. Unless you have a high skill set, installing it on your own can be troublesome. Because they come from limited material (trees) they are more expensive than synthetic laminate. However, scarcity creates value. If you have real authentic hardwood floors in your house, its value will increase. This can't be said for laminate.

Hardwood floors are also more aesthetically appealing. All other surfaces are imitations. Ultimately you can't beat the real thing. There are many arguments that support installing laminate including ease of installation, and low price. However, the long term value of this shortcut pales in comparison to that of a hardwood floor.

Tag : hardwood,hardwood flooring,laminate,cheap hardwood

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zeke_Harris

Engineered Hardwood Flooring - How to Select It For Your Needs

Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered hardwood flooring is a product made of a core of hardwood, plywood, or high density fiber and a top layer of hardwood veneer that is glued on the top surface of the core. It is available in almost any hardwood species. The product has the natural characteristics of the selected wood species as opposed to a photographic layer. The "engineered" product has been designed to provide greater stability, particularly where moisture or heat pose problems for hardwood floors.

Wood floors come in two basic types:

o Solid wood flooring
o Engineered wood flooring

Solid Wood Fl is fabricated from 3/4" thick solid wood and tongue and groove sides to join the boards. Some manufacturers make a thinner version that is 5/16" thick. The main advantage of solid wood flooring is its ability to be re-sanded and refinished over many years. It is not uncommon for solid wood floors to last 50 years or more. Solid wood floors come unfinished or prefinished in almost any wood species.

The main issue to consider with solid wood floors is its susceptibility to expansion and contraction due to humidity changes in the home. To accommodate for movement, these floors are typically installed with a 5/8" to 3/4" gap around the perimeter of the floor along the wall. This gap is covered by shoe molding and baseboards.

The 3/4" thick floors should not be installed in a below grade condition, such as a basement. However, the thinner 5/16" wood floors may be used in that application. When installing a solid wood floor over new or existing concrete, be sure the manufacturer's recommendations on limits of moisture in the concrete are followed.

Solid wood flooring is available in three main types:

o Strip flooring is denoted by the thickness and width of the wood planks. Strip flooring has a set width, but the thickness can vary. Strip flooring ranges in thickness from 5/16" to ¾" wide. It is available only in widths of 1 1/2", 2", and 2 1/4".

o Plank flooring comes in two thicknesses, but unlike strip flooring, the widths can vary. It is available only in thicknesses of 1/2" or 3/4" and a range of widths from 3" to 8".

o Parquet flooring has a very different look from typical hardwoods. They are made up of geometrical patterns composed of individual wood patterns composed of individual wood slats held in place by mechanical fastening or an adhesive.

Laminate flooring is not real wood, at least not in the way that hardwood and engineered wood are. It is comprised of a thin top layer of resin-infused paper, all on top of a wood chip composite. Technically, it is wood. It is an amazing simulation of wood. The resin layer is essentially a photograph of wood. Laminate flooring is an alternative to wood flooring. It is scratch resistant and it works well in topically moist environments like bathrooms and kitchens, unlike hardwood flooring. Additionally, laminate flooring is very easy to install.

Engineered wood flooring solves a lot of the problems hardwood and laminate flooring have:

o Solid Hardwood does not tolerate moisture well.
o Solid Hardwood can have uneven quality
o Laminate Flooring does not tolerate moisture well
o Laminate Flooring is fake wood and can not be sanded.

Basics of Engineered Wood Floors

Engineered hardwood floors are constructed similar to that of basic plywood with the top surface being actual hardwood. Products come in two to ten ply construction depending on the manufacturer. Many manufacturers have increased the surface (also known as veneer or wear layer) layer that will result in some engineered floors lasting as long as the traditional ¾" solid flooring. One of the most important factors contributing to the longevity of any hardwood floor is the amount of refinishable material.

Solid 3/4" hardwoods have approximately 1/4 of an inch above the tongue and groove construction. Once it is sanded to that level, nails or staples begin to appear and should be replaced. The better and thicker engineered hardwood floors have 1/8" to 3/16" above the tongue and groove. Since the veneer is real wood, it can be sanded up to two to three times.

Engineered floors are the ideal solution for hardwood flooring on concrete. The dimensional stability of the way they are constructed. Each ply layer is pressure glued and set in the opposite direction. Engineered hardwood floors expand and contract with high humidity, as opposed to hardwood flooring. The more plies the greater stability.

Installation of most engineered hardwood floors are done by the glue down or floating floor method. It is very important to note that not all engineered products have the same type of installation specifications. Some floors may be floating, glue direct, or staple only. Maunufacturers specifications should be followed explicitly. The majority of prefinished engineered hardwoods have limits on lengths at 42 to 48 inches, opposed to most solid hardwoods at 72 to 84 inches. Typically, lower end flooring will have shorter pieces. Typically, longer lengths are preferred as they offer a more appealing look on completion.

What is a floating floor? It is a method of installing a floor rather than a specific type of flooring material. In this method, the individual planks or boards attach to each other - either by means of gluing or snapping together, but do not attach to the sub floor on which it is being installed. This is in contrast to a solid wood floor which requires nailing down to the sub floor. A jigsaw puzzle is one great comparison. With a jigsaw puzzle, pieces connect to each other, but not to the table. A floating floor is like a jigsaw puzzle. An advantage of the floating floor method of installation is it allows for the floor to move and expand in response to changes in the room's humidity.

Wood Flooring Hardness Rating

The hardness of wood flooring is measured by something called the Janka Test. A.444 inch steel ball is driven into the wood to half the ball's diameter. The test measures the force needed to embed a steel ballot half of its diameter in the piece of wood being tested, with rating measured in pounds of force per square inch. So with this rating, the higher the number the harder the wood.

Wood hardness is important since one of the key considerations in selecting the species of wood floor, you should be aware how much resistance the wood has to scratches and indentations. For example, if you have a dog with long nails then scratching the floor is a consideration and you should select a species with a higher rating such as hickory, maple, oak, or ash.

While it may seem logical to pick the hardest wood, certain factors should be considered:

o Soft wood can be hardened to some degree by the application of polyurethane finishes

o Hard wood is nearly always much more expensive than the softer and medium grade woods.

o Hard wood is more difficult to saw, drill, and nail than other woods, requiring more time and labor, therefore more money.

Hardwood Floor Appearances Can Differ

Hardwood veneers have the same surface appearances as solid hardwood flooring because they are both natural hardwoods. Different appearances result from the different ways the hardwood is sawn. The different sawing methods are:

o Flat Sawn (also referred to as plain sawn) - can be flat grain, which has a cathedral or gothic effect or vertical grain which has a radial or edge grain effect.

o Rotary Cut - method of cutting wood in which the hardwood layer is peeled off the log using large wood lathes. This peeling method shows dramatic, wilder graining.

o Off-Set Rotary Cut - method of cutting wood which gives a sliced appearance and grain pattern with the added cross grain stability of sliced, without the sliced cost. Hardwoods are more dimensionally stable across the grain, and off-set rotary cutting takes advantage of this property. The yield is lower than a regular rotary cut creating a slight price increase vs. standard rotary.

o Sliced Cut - method of cutting wood in which the hardwood layer is sawn like regular lumber. This shows finer graining.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_Trauger

Installing Hardwood Flooring – Tips To Make Your Job Go Smoother

Installing hardwood flooring can take place in several ways depending on the type of hardwood flooring that you have. If you have solid hardwood, you have to look at the type of wood you have. You can have parquet flooring, which usually comes in tiles of 6 inches by 6 inches or strips or planks that can be as much as 3 inches wide. If you have laminate wood flooring then you have to look at a different method of installing hardwood flooring.

Whether you choose laminate flooring or solid hardwood flooring, the directions for installing both of them are printed on the inside of the packaging. If you have previously installed hardwood floors and now you want to install glueless laminate flooring, you do need to read the directions for installing laminate flooring. When you are installing hardwood flooring made of solid wood, you have to open the packages and let the wood become acclimatized to the humidity and temperature of your home. With laminate flooring, you have to do the exact opposite. You should not take this flooring out of the package until you are ready to start installing.

Successful installation of hardwood or laminate flooring depends upon careful planning. Even if you are installing hardwood flooring over an existing concrete or vinyl floor, you do have to sweep and vacuum the floor to remove all the dust and dirt. If you are not sure of exactly how much laminate flooring you will need, the directions for installing laminate flooring also include directions for measuring the room to calculate the amount of flooring that you need. When you intend to install glueless laminate flooring, you can also bring your measurements into your local flooring store and have the experts do the calculations for you.

If you are wondering how to install glueless laminate flooring and be able to keep it on the floor, each of the planks lock together with the tongue and groove design. When installing hardwood flooring like this, you cannot glue, nail or staple it in any way. When you start installing always consider the way the light shines into the room. Begin laying the planks toward the light and in a hallway always install glueless laminate flooring lengthwise.

The directions for installing laminate flooring will tell you that you lay the first plank with the grooves against the wall. Place spacers where they are needed when installing hardwood flooring between the wall and the plank to maintain ½ inch extension gap. You will have to mark and cut the planks as you are installing the flooring because they are of random lengths. Always begin in a corner when installing hardwood flooring and the first board in the row should be a full plank.

To find out more about Wood Flooring visit Peter's Website Wood Flooring Explained and find out about Hardwood Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors, Wood Laminate Flooring, Refinishing Hardwood Floors and Bruce Hardwood Flooring.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Leigh

Hardwood Flooring Is Just One Of The Flooring Options Available to You

Some people may not realize that when carpets are properly cleaned and maintained they can improve the air quality in your home. You can prevent particles and allergens from re-entering the air by trapping them in your carpet. Look for high quality when shopping for rugs and carpets. If the carpet has been approved and tested by carpet and rug institutes (CRI) then it is probably of good quality. You can tell that a rug or carpet has been tested and approved by the CRI if it has a label. Your carpet or rug will meet strict indoor air quality measures if it carries a CRI or CRI Plus label.

A number of decorating designs and options can be used with ceramic tiles, which is a great benefit to this type of flooring. Ceramic tiles can add a natural beauty and unique look to any room in your home. Your decorating plans will easily accommodate ceramic tiles. Styles, shapes, textures and colours are endless when it comes to ceramic tiles. Ceramic tiles allow for creative decorating options like a kitchen back splash..

Laminate flooring is made of four layers. The wear layer, or the first layer of laminate flooring protects the floor using aluminum oxide. The second layer of laminate flooring is also called the design layer. The purpose of the design layer is to make the laminate floor look and feel like hardwood. The core layer is designed to protect your laminate flooring against indentations as well as to resist moisture. The last layer, or back layer, of the laminate floor is a stable layer designed to protect the plank and balance the floor.

Engineered hardwood is composed of a variety of layers of wood or different grades of the same type of wood. It is the layers and grades that are stacked together and then glued to make engineered hardwood. Engineered hardwood produces more structurally sound planks, which is its main advantage. Engineered hardwood is very durable and is not likely to gap, buckle, twist or cup. Engineered hardwood flooring isn't affected as easily by temperature and humidity as solid hardwood is. With solid hardwood flooring you have to be careful about where you install it but with engineered hardwood flooring it can be installed above, below or on ground level.

Tag : hardwood,hardwood flooring,flooring

Hardwood Flooring Advice With Free Samples Delivered to UK

Nothing comes close to the warm, stunning finish that can be achieved with a hardwood floor. Each section of hardwood floor has a different grain which combines to form a unique look whenever it is used. A lifetime investment, hardwood floors are incredibly durable, stain resistant and do not trap dust so are especially good for allergy sufferers. By installing hardwood floors you can increase the value of your home and give it the edge over similar property on the market. There is a huge variety of hardwood floors available with many types of wood species, colours and widths available from hardwood flooring UK suppliers.

Hardwood flooring can be purchased in pre-finished or unfinished styles. For cheap hardwood flooring consider using unfinished hardwood flooring. Using a flooring supplier like UKCarpetsDirect is ideal as the offer free hardwood flooring samples delivered to the UK to help customers make the right choice. By lacquering and protecting the floor yourself you will save money. When laying unfinished hardwood flooring the product can be recoated several times to increase its life making it last considerably longer than carpets and laminate flooring. As the floor ages you can re-finish the floor and bring it back to life.

The biggest selling hardwood floor in Europe and the USA is Oak flooring with a vast majority being produced on the East coast of America. Oak is available in various species including White, Red and European oak, each with their own grain and colour characteristics. Cherry hardwood flooring is also popular due to its outstanding grain markings and solid composition. Over time cherry wood flooring darkens from a pale pink colour to warm dark red tone and like all hardwood floors it is highly resistant to damage. Exotic hardwood floors give a room a unique look are now readily available at major hardwood flooring UK suppliers alongside more traditional timbers.

Hardwood floor installation should begin with a flat, dry and solid sub floor. Deviations in level can be rectified with suitable floor filler. When using a wooden floor sub base the hardwood floor installation should be made at right angles to aid strength and stability. Carpet is not suitable and must be removed. Harwood flooring should be allowed time to acclimatise before it is set down by leaving the floorboards in the room for several days. A plastic membrane to stop moisture is recommended for hardwood floor installations in damp areas. A hardwood floor store will recommend to leave an expansion area around the perimeter of the room to allow for contractions and expansions of the hardwood floor. Expansion gaps can be covered with skirting boards or a cover strip.

Hardwood floors are extremely tough and with simple care and attention they can be kept in prime condition. Standing water can warp a floor so any spillages should be soaked up immediately. Any cleaning agents used should be pH neutral and specifically designed for hardwood floors as other cleaning agents can strip the finish from the floor. Where possible use the manufacturers recommended product which will compliment the flooring to the highest standards. Damp mopping is not recommended on hardwood floors which have a poor surface finish. Use doormats to keep gravel and dirt at bay which act as sandpaper and cause marks and scratches on your floor. Weekly sweeping and vacuuming will take care of any dirt that does settle on the floor and will reduce general wear. Dust mops are ideal for trapping dust. Only vacuum with a brush adapter and never use the beater bar which can cause dents in the floor. Better still use a vacuum specifically designed for hardwood floors. Avoid wearing stiletto heels on hardwood floors and if possible only wear indoor shoes or slippers on its surface. When moving furniture it should always be lifted and protective pads can be applied to furniture legs to prevent dents occurring.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/hardwood-flooring-advice-with-free-samples-delivered-to-uk-122026.html

Installing Hardwood Laminate Flooring - 4 Steps to Prepare

When looking at installing hardwood laminate flooring, there are 4 main steps you need to follow in preparation:

1. Get everything you will need from your laminate flooring supplier before you start. These things include the laminate flooring boards themselves. These usually come in packs of 5 or 10. It's always worth buying one or two more packs than you calculate you will need because you will make mistakes. Next you'll need underlay that often comes in several different thicknesses. This helps make up the difference if there are small dips in your subfloor and cushion the laminate flooring as it sits on the subfloor. If you are laying the subfloor on concrete or another porous surface that can get damp, you will need to buy a plastic waterproof barrier to lay directly on the subfloor to protect the underlay and the new floor. You also need to obtain a set of tools from the laminate flooring supplier including spacers and Z shaped tool for knocking the laminate flooring boards together. Finally you need to get any moulding or skirting boards, along with doorway connectors.

2. Get your tools together back home. Tools required for installing hardwood laminate flooring include a hand saw for cutting them to length; a tape measure; a knife for cutting the underlay; a mitre box or mitre power drop saw for cutting 45 degree angles on the moulding or skirting boards. This is so that they have professional joins in the corners; Nails or liquid nails to glue the skirting boards to the walls.

3. Place the hardwood laminate boards in the rooms where they will be installed to acclimatize them to the humidity and temperature of the rooms. In this way, they will hopefully do most of their expansion or contraction before you install them.

4. Check the level of your subfloor and read the manufacturer's instructions as to what they recommend the level of the subfloor to be. For example, you may need to have no more than 3/16 inch difference in the subfloor over a yards length of laminate floor. If there are any places on the subfloor that have more than that, then you will need to buy a levelling compound from your local hardware store. This can come ready made in a bucket that you pour onto the subfloor. You then trowel it so that it appears even and then leave it and it will self level. Once it has set, you are ready to install hardwood laminate flooring.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Peter

Installing a Hardwood Floor in Your Room

There is no doubt that installing a hardwood floor in your room brings such allure to the room. As hard wood flooring brings high- level of attractiveness anywhere it is installed and due to its durability this flooring material has become very popular.

Installation of hard flooring is very difficult this makes is it requires the services of a professional flooring contractor. Not to be forgotten that the flooring itself is very expensive. Hence if another type of flooring would give the same elegance and durability as that of the hard wood but which would be easier to install would be a welcome option. Hence the refinished wood flooring is that option.

As compared to laminate flooring which uses a large amount of synthetic material the refinished flooring has real wood which is an advantage.

Wonder how this can be done? A strip of hardwood is fixed to thicker strip of synthetic material which gives a genuine hardwood appearance and using the hardwood on the surface but which is easy to install at less price.

In addition this flooring type can be of benefit since the actual surface of the floor is real hardwood which can be refinished just like the traditional wooden floor. The appearance of the wood can be changed by covering it with different vanishes giving a different appearance.

Advantage of refinished flooring over laminate flooring is that while laminate become scratched and needs to be changed the refinished can be sand down and re-varnished to give it a brand new appearance.

This floor can be used within a few hours of it installation which also takes less time.this is because unlike laminate flooring it fit together without requiring glue making it extremely easy to install.

You need to have a genuine hardwood look but the price is too high? Refinished floor is the right answer for a luxurious lifestyle.

Tag : hardwood,hardwood floor,cheap hardwood flooring,hardwood lumber

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Megan_Lambert

Laminate Floors vs. Hardwood Floors: What's the Difference?

When you are shopping for flooring you should look for a flooring product that offers you the look, quality, durability and cost that works best for you. You can use these characteristics to compare laminate vs. hardwood floors. To start with you will want to look at the pros and cons of natural hardwood flooring.

Natural hardwood flooring has many pros that can be attributed to them. First they are very versatile. Hardwood floors can be finished to compliment just about any color palette. They can also be selected to compliment a roomÕs theme. For example you can choose mahogany wood planks to create an elegant look or you can select an oak or rustic pine to create a rustic look. Cleaning wood floors is also fairly easy. All you generally need to do is to sweep them, and then occasionally oil or wax them. The drawbacks of hardwood floors are that they are an expensive flooring option, they can be damaged by minimal amounts of water, they are susceptible to gauges, scratches and scuffing, and they are difficult to install and maintain.

Laminate flooring solves many of the drawbacks of owning a hardwood floor. Some of the advantages of laminate floors are: they cost less than hardwood floors, they are more durable than hardwood floors, they resist moist better than hardwood floors, and they are easier to install and maintain. While laminate floors have a lot of great characteristics there is a drawback to installing laminate floors. If you are going to sell your home in the near future potential buyers may not respond as well to laminate floors as they would to a hardwood floor.

No matter what type of flooring you decide to install in your home you should look at what type of warranty comes with it. You will want to look for a flooring product that offers a warranty that is at least 15 years. You will also want to read through the warranty to see what the warranty actually covers and what you have to do to use the warranty to fix potential flooring problems.

Is laminate flooring right for you? Find out more at LaminateFloorsCheap.com - your source for discount wood floors, do it yourself floor installation information and professional flooring advice. For more home decor and remodeling options visit the home and garden directory.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Freeland

Bruce Hardwood Floors – How To Care For Them And Maintain Them

Bruce hardwood floors are among the best floors in the world and are available at flooring retailers all over the world. There is a difference in the quality of Bruce hardwood as good, better and best. This is simply the allowable character of the flooring. The good collection has the largest amount of character knots, mineral streaks and pinholes. Wood is a natural product so you will see differences in boards of every category, no matter quality of Bruce hardwood floors you have.

Whether you have Bruce hardwood floors or Bruce laminate flooring, you still have to give them the same amount of care. When you are washing Bruce wood floors, you can sweep or vacuum them. When washing them, make sure you use a damp mop and don’t use excessive amounts of water. The water could stain the Bruce hardwood and even with the durable laminate floors, using a lot of water could make the planks become uneven on the floor. Use a soft cloth to dry the floors and make sure that you do dry them thoroughly.

You cannot use scoring pads or abrasive cleaners on either Bruce hardwood floors or Bruce laminate flooring. This will mar the finish of the floor. The Bruce wood floors do have the coating needed to give the floors an exceptional shine, especially if you buy prefinished hardwood. If you use wax on these floors, instead of getting a better shine, you will mar the polyurethane coating. In the case of unfinished Bruce hardwood, once you have the floors installed then you do have to give them several coats of this protective coating, which dries to a gleaming shine.

Even with Bruce hardwood floors, you may notice dents occurring in the wood, especially in areas where you have heavy furniture. Even though hardwood does have a cell structure, like everything, if there is enough pressure, the hardwood will dent. Bruce wood floors also go through an aging process, which means the color will darken with age. If you have mats or rugs on the Bruce laminate flooring or the Bruce hardwood, you need to move it from time to time. Leaving the covering in place means that when you do move it, the area under the rug or mat will be lighter than the rest of the floor.

Simple everyday cleaning will keep your Bruce hardwood floors looking like new for a lifetime. If you accidentally spill something on the floors, you do have to wipe it up immediately. If you don’t, it will stain the floor and then you will have to find something to help you remove the stains from your Bruce hardwood floors. You don’t have to worry about this as much with Bruce laminate flooring, but if you have hardwood, you certainly do.

To find out more about Wood Flooring visit Peter's Website Wood Flooring Explained and find out about Bruce Hardwood Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors, Wood Laminate Flooring and Refinishing Hardwood Floors

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Leigh

Hardwood Flooring Basics To Beautify Your Home

Hardwood Flooring Basics to Beautify Your Home Hardwood flooring can beautify a home like almost nothing else. By following a few simple rules you can install and maintain hardwood flooring that will look magnificent for decades to come.

With all of the many different types, styles and colors of flooring available today it can be a monumental task in choosing the right flooring for your home. Hardwood floors, laminate, vinyl, linoleum, bamboo, antique, prefinished, which one is right for you? Oak, maple, cherry and birch are popular types of hardwood flooring, but there are many others.

Cheap flooring or the wrong style or design of hard wood floor can clash with other home interior design features. But a well-chosen hardwood floor can accentuate and beautify almost any style or design of a home.

Carpeting has a few advantages over wood floors, the main one being softness when walked upon. But hardwood flooring can be accented with durable and beautiful rugs that have that same cushy feeling. So if it’s a soft comfy feel you’re after don’t think that hardwood flooring is not an option. It’s possible to combine the functionality of a carpet with the beauty, durability and shine of a hardwood floor.

Hard wood floors come in all different sizes and colors. And there are also many different types of wood grains that you have available to you. When deciding on the type of hardwood floor to install in your home you must first choose the color and type of wood. This is usually the most important consideration.

The color must be complimentary to the furniture, wall hangings, plants and other items that you intend to furnish your home with. But choosing a color of wood is not necessarily a straight forward and easy task. Different types of wood stain differently. Some wood flooring will stain darker than others, some lighter than others. So when choosing color you must consider the stain in combination with the type of wood floor you want. Do your homework and you will lessen the chance of installing a floor that has a different color and look than you expected.

Another major factor concerns functionality. A pine floor may look great, but pine is a soft wood that will dent very easily. This would certainly be a poor choice in a high-traffic area. When considering woods for flooring you want to install a floor that is long-lasting. Your flooring should last a lifetime and that means choosing a floor that will be durable, easy to keep clean and will continue to look new without a lot of labor on your part. If you are uncertain go with flooring that will be harder than you think is necessary. Hardness rankings according to the Janka scale can help you decide on which type of wood you need for the amount of traffic you expect to have.

The most popular styles of hardwood flooring are parquet, strip and plank. Parquet flooring is a series of wood flooring pieces that create a geometric design. Strip flooring is linear and is usually between 1 ½ inches to 3 ¼ inches in width. Strip flooring often gives the room the appearance of being larger than it actually is. Plank hardwood flooring is usually wider and is typically 3 to 6 inches in width. Wider planks may be used, but often have issues with moisture.

You must choose the style and size that you think looks most attractive. Take your time and view all styles, designs, sizes and colors of wood floors before making your selection. Once it’s installed it is not a cheap job to tear out and replace. It’s also a good idea to get different samples and lay them out in your home. Without actually seeing the floor next to your own furnishings and wall colors it’s near impossible to make a smart choice.

If you are interested in installing your own hardwood floor be sure you have enough knowledge and experience before attempting to do so. You must know what type of subflooring to install, whether it’s wood or concrete. You should learn about humidity and temperature and what affect they have on floors. To prevent warping it is important to keep your floors well-ventilated with regulated temperatures throughout the year. When the weather gets too cold it can cause the floor boards to separate. Before installing it yourself talk to some professionals in your area and find out what precautions you need to take that will help ensure a lifetime of satisfaction with your new wood flooring.

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Hardwood Floors VS Laminate Flooring

When it comes to wood flooring, there are tons of products to choose from. You have your hard wood, laminate, and parquet. My family has been in the flooring business for 30 years and knows what is a good quality floor. We specialize in hard wood for the Houston area. We also install laminate and parquet.

When you go with a hard wood floor, you are investing in something that is going to last a life time. Not only can you re sand your floors for a different look, you can also repair damaged boards easier. The most common problem with wood floors is water damage, from sinks, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. With hardwood floors installed it is possible to bring out the grain in the wood and make them more visible. Also, the risk of damage to the floor is less.

When laminate or parquet is put in a box at the factory, you are getting the finished product. This product has already been stained and finished. From the factory to the shelves, there are mistakes that can be made, which can not be altered. If you have ever seen these pre-finished floors, then you know that it's only about 1/4" thick. There is no re-sanding that can be done ever.

Most products I see are only warranted for 20 - 25 years and some less than that. If you want wood flooring that is going to look great and last then you need to install hardwood floors. It may be more expensive, but the joy and longevity that hardwood gives you is second to none.

If you are selling a house then look into getting hardwood floors! It might be the deciding verdict when it comes to selling a home or not.

Tag :hardwood,hardwood flooring,laminate,hardwood floor installation

rticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Inderwiesen

Choosing Discount Hardwood Flooring

If you've priced hardwood flooring and feel you'll never be able to afford the elegant floors that you want for your home, now's the time to take heart. There may be a way that you can reconcile your dreams with your budget, and that's by looking for discount hardwood flooring. Although there are some really cheap wood flooring materials on the market, those aren't what we're discussing here. We're talking about real, solid hardwoods at great prices. This is flooring you can use anywhere in your home where it can be nailed or stapled to the existing floor or laid over a concrete floor. You'll be able to give all the rooms in your home an awesome new look without resorting to cheaper laminates or breaking your bank account.

Some discount floors have sliced wood veneer which will give you the same designs and colors that you can get with solid hardwoods. The veneer on these floors is applied to solid hardwood backings to give the floor durability. You will also be able to find laminate floors designed to look like hardwoods that will last just as long as solid hardwoods do, because they are also made using hardwood backings. Since hardwoods are known for expanding and contracting well in heat and cold, this makes the discount floors appropriate for use in all climates.

Even though discount flooring is less expensive to buy, it is still manufactured to exacting standards. For example, all cheap hardwood flooring is precision-spaced to allow for flexibility in the planks. This is done by taking an aluminum spine and stamping it onto each piece of laminate flooring precisely 1.5 mm apart.

Discount hardwoods come in both pre-finished and unfinished woods. Although many people prefer pre-finished flooring, because they don't want the big job of finishing it, others prefer to finish their floors their own way and opt for the unfinished type. There are many wood choices in discount flooring as well as a variety of different stains so that you can have the floor that will perfectly accent the decor in your home. While you won't have a choice of pre-finished or unfinished with laminate flooring, you will still be able to choose from many different colors.

In this world of increasing costs, decreasing spending power, and the threat of foreclosures, homeowners everywhere are looking for bargains in materials to renovate their homes. Discount hardwood floors and laminates are becoming popular options since they look great for less cost. Laminate flooring is made by putting a piece of fiberboard between two pieces of melamine. It will give you the look of hardwoods at a fraction of the cost. You will also be able to find discount hardwoods that have been embossed in the factory to give them a texture like the grain of real wood. Your floors will look gorgeous, and no one will ever know that you got them at a discount.

Tag ; hardwood,hardwood flooring,discount hardwood flooring,cheap hardwood flooring

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_W_Smith

7 Things That Hardwood Flooring Installers Should Do To Guarantee A Proper Installation

When you are considering points for hiring your next hardwood flooring contractor, you will have a lot of questions on your mind, particularly since flooring installation is such an investment. Your floors are one of the most important areas of your home. You need to make sure that the floor is secure, and that it looks pleasing to the eye. Here are some of the points to consider when you are working with a home flooring contractor.

First, how much time will the flooring installation project take to complete? You need to make sure that your installer can get the job done, and quickly as well. Since there is no way that you can avoid walking on the floor, this is one household project that can't be put off. This is both for the attractiveness of the home, and also for the safety of the home inhabitants.

Your flooring contractor should be able to take accurate flooring installation measurements of the floor. This should seem obvious, but some installers that might want to cut corners might be tempted to "eyeball it". They might try to convince you that they can get the right measurements, just by taking at look at your floor, because they've been at it for so long. Don't fall for this.

A true professional will take measurements, each and every time. They should be double checking the measurements even during the job, to make sure there are no changes in the sub flooring, or in the baseboards. All of this prevents against buckling and warping in the floor.

Next, a great flooring installation professional should be able to give you the best prices for the job, because they have established relationships with dealers that offer them the most cost efficient materials for the money. An experienced installer knows where to get the best quality products for the best price. They should be able to pass on these deals to their customers as well.

Your professional floor installation contractor should be able to identify loose spots in the subflooring. They will also take the time to address this issue. Someone who provides sub-par work will simply slap planks of wood over loose subflooring, and hope that you never know the difference.

It should go without saying, but you shouldn't cut corners when it comes to the person that you hire for your flooring installation. To this end, make sure that your floor installer has all of their proper licensing. This isn't a job for your buddy down the street, or for your dear second cousin, twice removed. If you don't use a professionally licensed installer, then you will have no recourse in court, if anything goes wrong. You could also invalidate any standing warranties on the home.

Your floor installation professional should not only know how to install hardwood flooring, but they should also know how to install laminate floors as well. Finally, your floor installer should always be able to offer you the best materials, at the best prices, so that you will be able to give them repeat business.

A Dummies Guide on Hardwood Floors

First and foremost, hard wood kinds of floors are of incredibly rich quality and can be used anyplace you want them to be, right in your house or in a business building which is yours.

When installed in right settings and occasions, the right type of hardwood floors can save the day, specially when there are youth in the apartment.

Numerous individuals have suffered ailments because of poisons from synthetic materials. Due to such dangers, the hardwood kinds of floors ought to be regarded by all house owners.

There are several hardwood floor grades to select from; while some hardwood kinds of floors have got just few or no blemishes, there are those grades which have a natural wood look. Engineered wood's bottom layers are created of high-density fiber board or in certain cases, plywood which has been molded together and this adds more and more to their lastingness.

You won't have to bump into a lot of the troubles which one may perhaps face with a hardwood floor when you utilize laminate flooring, mostly the difficulty of price. A main distinction between hardwood kind of floors and laminate kind of floors is the thick pad under the latter which gives the person stepping on it a floating feeling, while the former feels stout and firm beneath.

The best way to get a good floating sort of hardwood floor is by inserting the planks together in an exact mode, on account of the fact that once this is not done correctly, the floor will end up having complications.

To crown up, there are corporations offering people hardwood kinds of floor products on the World Wide Web; you don't have to waste time and energy moving from place to place when you can get all the helpful information you need, as well as price quotes online.

Ras Reed offers interesting articles about Refinishing Pre-finished Hardwood Floors, and Wood Floor Installation on the site --> http://www.hardwood-floors-guide.com

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Discount Hardwood Flooring – Get It Cheaper From The Same Brand Names

Discount hardwood flooring is available from all the major manufacturers of hardwood flooring materials. One form of cheap hardwood for flooring is engineered hardwood, but some of the discount brands are solid hardwood. This flooring is perfectly suitable for areas where you can nail, staple or glue the boards in place and is even suitable for placing over a concrete subfloor. Even with discount hardwood, you can really spice up areas of your home, such as the rec room or the workshop by buying the hardwood flooring at a cheap price. By buying discount hardwood flooring, you can have the floor or your dreams rather than buying laminate flooring.

If you buy sliced wood veneer when you buy cheap hardwood flooring, you still get the same ranges of choices in design, such as oak, maple, birch or other forms of wood. The discount hardwood flooring also has a hardwood backing, which adds to the durability of the flooring. At the same time, you can get cheap laminate flooring that looks almost like you have hardwood floors installed and is just as long lasting. The hardwood backing used for laminate flooring and cheap hardwood floors is selected mainly because of its expansion and contraction properties. This means that the lumber used was cut in both humid and dry weather conditions.

When manufacturers of discount hardwood flooring make the edge backing, they adhere to strict standards. For example, the factories apply the backing to cheap laminate flooring using an aluminum spine. The spine is stamped onto each piece of laminate flooring to make sure that each piece is stamped a precise 1.5 mm apart. This precision spacing for cheap hardwood flooring allows for flexibility in bending and twisting the planks.

You can select unfinished and prefinished hardwood when you shop for cheap hardwood flooring. Many people assume that discount hardwood flooring is unfinished and that they will have a lot of work doing the finishing themselves. However, this choice is a matter of personal taste and you do have the option of choosing either one when you want to buy at a discount. You will also have the same range of choices in the type of hardwood you want for your flooring as well as a choice of stains and finishes. With cheap laminate flooring, you do not have the choice of having the wood prefinished or unfinished, but you do have a wide range of choices in color.

The increasing cost of hardwood flooring means that many homeowners look for discount hardwood flooring. They may opt for cheap laminate flooring that uses a manufacturing process of sandwiching composite fibreboard material in between two sheets of melamine. This offers the same effect as hardwood flooring, but at a discount price. Some of the discount hardwood flooring uses an embossing feature that gives it a texture very similar to a real wood grain and this suits any décor.

To find out more about Wood Flooring visit Peter's Website Wood Flooring Explained and find out about Discount Hardwood Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors, Wood Laminate Flooring, Refinishing Hardwood Floors and Bruce Hardwood Flooring.

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Hardwood Floor Installations That Delight Buyers and Owner

Your choice of hardwood flooring is a decision that can dramatically impact the very essence of your home's character.

Because all people are unique, the best flooring suppliers do offer a diverse selection of hard wood flooring styles produced in a wide range of wood species and colors. Award Hardwood Floors are one make of these floors which say that they are sure to satisfy even the most discriminate consumer.

Commitment to high quality products and state of the art manufacturing advances is only a feature of the very best suppliers and can easily be seen from product to product, board to board in the finished result.

Since 1998, thousands of home owners and various home decorating publications have looked to FloorFacts for helpful flooring information for all types of floors, including: hardwood flooring, laminate flooring, carpet, cork, bamboo floors and ceramic tile. Their consumer reviews cover all types of floors for both for new home construction as well as remodeling projects.

Hardwood flooring suppliers offer a wider selection of sizes, colors and species and finishes than ever before. To learn more you may want to see the HF Guide, Types of Hardwood Flooring, what you should know about Flooring Prices, also a new article: Longevity Of H'wood Floorings.

While wood flooring has been much in vogue in recent years, it has received little if any exceptional treatment from do-it-yourself writers. This is all changing now that Bollinger, who we understand is an experienced flooring contractor, states that he has produced what has to be the definitive guide to installing and finishing wood floors. He writes about the three types of flooring: strip, plank, and parquet covering such topics as estimating costs; selecting wood types and grades; preparing the underlay; planning the layout; sanding; and applying various finishes.

Bollinger says he brings in many tricks of the trade, such refinements as wood and metal inlays, and ideas for dealing with the irregularities that invariably crop up in the repair or layout of floors as part of renovation projects. Nicely illustrated with photos and drawings. For most public libraries with active how-to collections. A companion video is also available; contact the publisher.

Using crisp photos and drawings, Bollinger says he gives you step by step instructions through the process. You will learn how to estimate materials, select the right kind of wood, prepare the subfloor and achieve a blemish-free finish for an old or new floor. This supplier says he also provides numerous tips and tricks, and sources of supply. The book is indexed for easy reference.

Nothing gives a home an air of timelessness and quiet elegance like a quality hardwood floor. At one supplier they carry a wide range of prefinished engineered, solid and floating floor systems designed to suit almost every need. They say that they have carefully selected their lines based on their reputation, quality and value for money, and to continually be on the look out for fresh, exciting flooring solutions to bring to you.

We recommend you use a full service hardwood flooring company providing expert sales and installation for your home. Plenty of duppliers offer knowledgeable service from initial design consultation to final installation and maintenance programs.

When you enter a room, your first impression of it is made from the floor upwards. It is essential to get this right, and by fitting hardwood flooring, you have usually at a stroke, solved the most difficult and important part of making an impact. Wood flooring gives you the ultimate in timeless elegance, flexibility and durability. Its hard wearing qualities and range of styles make it perfect for any room in the house.

Most suppliers provide hardwood flooring in Ash, Beech, Cherry, Hevea, Jatoba, Kempas, Maple, Merbau, Oak, Red Oak and Walnut, allowing you to create the ambience and mood to suit the design qualities of your home.

Regular care of your wood floor is simple and practical, and involves merely vacuuming and wiping your hardwood floor with a damp cloth. It helps to attach felt pads to the bottom of furniture, and bear in mind that any spilt liquid should immediately be dried of from hardwood floors.

Add the warmth and beauty of ready-to-install hardwood to almost any room in the house. Engineered Hardwood floors can be installed below grade in basements and on concrete. Hand-sculpted and exotics available.

Enjoy the luxury of solid hardwood with ready-to-install selections of beautiful wood flooring in a wide variety of domestic and exotic species. A hand-sculpted type may also available. Select from a broad palette of species and grades. Choose from traditional domestic species or exotic foreign hardwoods. Finish it with your choice of stain and sealants.

Inviting, familiar, and stable. Your home will be your refuge, your castle! By all means, make it beautiful, starting with the floors.

Our web site provides Hardwood Floor data provides a Newsletter great. Why not sign up now?

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