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Hardwood flooring has become one of the most important aspects to a home. In fact, carpeting seems to be a thing of the past. Homeowners are opting to install hardwood floors in nearly every room of the house. Whether it is the kitchen or the master bedroom, hardwoods add an undeniably sharp look to any room. Installing or refinishing hardwood floors may also add value to a home and can certainly help to expedite the selling process.
Another appealing aspect of hardwood flooring is the sheer variety that is now available. Solid hardwood floors and engineered floors both come in an endless variety of different species. Maple, walnut, and oak are all common types of hardwood floors that millions of homeowners have installed each year. Bamboo is a relatively new and increasingly popular choice for flooring. There are a number of reasons why homeowners are beginning to choose bamboo floors over some of the more traditional hardwoods.
Bamboo floors are made from the bamboo plant, which is an extremely versatile and durable species. Furthermore, bamboo plants typically reach maturity at five years of age. Many trees take upwards of fifty years to mature. The point is that bamboo is much more readily available for flooring production; therefore it is a less expensive material. The affordability of the material, however, does not relate to its quality. In fact, bamboo floors are actually much stronger than many types of traditional hardwood floors.
Bamboo is an extremely dense material and is less susceptible to warping than some other products. Bamboo floors are also easy to maintain and do not require any special treatments or cleaners. Not only are bamboo floors functionally attractive, but they offer an aesthetic appeal as well. With a variety of finishes, bamboo floors can work in any home and fit almost any style.
It’s almost March and although it may seem a bit hard to get into the Spring Cleaning mode it’s going to be here sooner than you think. You might do the typical clean and dusting here and there, but nothing beats a thorough spring cleaning, especially on the hardwood floors. Being that they are already a great start to a healthy home environment, they allow no opportunity for dust mites and other dirt to be trapped (like that of in carpets), which can stir up allergies and asthma.
There is no better feeling than cleaning from baseboard to baseboard getting every inch of the floor for the ultimate cleaning. Give your bamboo or cherry maple hardwood floors their luster and shine back with some TLC. Before you go out and buy the “hardwood floor cleaners” that may contain chemicals, you might be able to use some household products that are greener and healthier.
To start, make sure the floor has a sealant on it if you are going to try this method of cleaning. If so use vinegar in a warm bucket of water, wring out the rag or mop and watch your floor sparkle before your eyes. Be sure not to use too much water in the process because this can damage the hardwood. If you happen to not have sealed wood floors (which you probably do, so don’t worry) then you can use a linseed oil with a rag for a healthy, green clean.
You may find a great hardwood floor cleaner, but what better way than to use household products that will give your floors a brand new shine. It is simple, easy and also extremely budget friendly. So get started today on your spring-cleaning of your hardwood floors and watch them shine through this spring season.
When it comes to choosing a hard wood floor everybody has the same ideas in mind when trying to choose a material to use. They want to know what is going to be easy to maintain while also looking good and ultimately people want a floor that will last. Bamboo flooring is a great choice for those who want to get a floor that is different from what the neighbors have and is not to expensive as well as being easy to maintain.
Because of how fast bamboo grows, it cost less money than traditional hardwood floors because of the ability to grow large amounts of bamboo in a short amount of time. Whereas trees used in hardwood floors can take upwards of twenty years before they reach the point where they are big enough that they are able to be used for flooring.
When it comes to maintaining your bamboo floors it doesn’t get much easier than just having to sweep or vacuum the floor to get up small particle debris. You can also occasionally damp mop it, or clean it with a non-wax, non-alkaline, hardwood or bamboo floor cleanser. There is no special cleaner that bamboo floors need to make them look new and as I stated it doesn’t get easier than a damp mop.
There are certain types of bamboo that can be extremely strong, hard, and durable. Natural, un-carbonized bamboo that was properly harvested and manufactured can be as durable as red oak. Strand woven bamboo can be manufactured even harder than that. Because of the nature of bamboo it is much more resistant to water which lessens the chances of the bamboo floor warping or being stained compared to traditional hardwood floors.
People love using natural materials; it is an important trend in the construction industry right today. As people are becoming more ecologically conscious they are demanding products that reflect these values. They are also seeking materials and designs that reject the modern cookie cutter world and instead focus on individual personality and natural evolution. Bamboo is a great choice for these people. With all of the advantages that I have provided it is definitely something people who are in the market for new floors should check out.
Apart from all of the advantages of bamboo floors the one that I like the most is the fact that it is something different. Floors can really ad to the appeal of a home, and there is nothing better than when someone says “What kind of floor is this? Ive never seen this before.” Being the home owner and knowing that the floor that is all the talk of the neighborhood not only was cheaper than traditional hardwood floors, is easier to maintain then hardwood floors, and is made with planets best interest in mind makes it easy to brag about it.
Check out the great selection of bamboo hardwood flooring at YD Hardwood Flooring in Philadelphia or visit their web site at http://www.hardwoodflooringphiladelphia.com
Hardwood floors are always nice when they are new. But sometimes older hardwood floors can look just as good if not better with a little bit of patience and work. While using hardwood floor companies in PA may be easier, doing it yourself can be so much more satisfying. Taking the time to bring older floors back to life not only keeps your house from disarray while new ones are being installed, but it saves you money as well. Lots of money!
Here are a few tips for rejuvenating old hardwood floors:
A lot of hard wood floors in Pennsylvania are original. Getting hardwood flooring installation in Philadelphia is almost a sin if you are removing something that may be over 100 years old and just needs some TLC. Hardwood stairs in Philadelphia are sometimes the hardest part, but can be done. Just make sure you make the right decision for you and if getting a hardwood refinishing company in PA is needed, you will still save money compared to getting new ones put in.
Protecting your home’s hardwood stairs from dents and scratches can sometimes seem like an impossible task. Hardwood stairs add both a decorative touch to a home and makes it more cozy and beautiful. However, if you are not careful to maintain your stairs, they could become damaged, decreasing the overall value of your home. Learning how to protect the stairs in your home is necessary if you want your home to look as attractive and clean as possible.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you begin to protect your home’s hardwood stairs from every day wear and tear.
-Use a broom and dust pan to clean all dirt, grit and debris from the hardwood stairs on a daily basis. Remember that even small particles can scratch and damage the wood.
-Wipe up all water spills immediately on your hardwood stairs with a lightly dampened cloth. According to the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), large amounts of water can cause the wood to swell and may also cause your floor to crack or splinter.
-Install stair treads on your hardwood stairs. Stair step treads help protect hardwood stairs from dirt, water and other debris. Make sure to follow all instructions in the stair tread kit. You can purchase stair treads at most hardware stores.
-Always place safety pads on furniture before moving the furniture up and down stairs. According to the National Wood Flooring Association, putting soft plastic or fabric-faced glides under the legs of furniture will prevent scuffing and scratching of the stairs. Lift each piece of furniture completely off the floor, because even if you use pads, scratches can still occur.
-Every three to five years recoat the hardwood stairs. Remember to always remove all dust, water and debris from the stairs before recoating with a thin layer of oil-based polyurethane.
Unlike furniture or appliances floors don’t really break, making it hard to tell when they need to be replaced. And you can’t sell the old floors or pass them on to a relative which means you have to be serious about your decision. As we know new flooring can be costly and there’s no going back once you make the switch.
Here are a few scenarios when you might want to consider getting new floor coverings:
Moving In
You just bought a new home and the carpets in the bedroom are dreadful! This would be a good time to decide on new floors before bringing in the furniture. Make sure to choose flooring that fits your needs and reflects your taste, taking you one step closer to feeling like home.
Change of Style
Your style, habits and preferences change with time, so it’s only natural to grow tired of certain things, especially floors that are over 10-year-old. Whether you are redesigning your living space or feel that the current carpet doesn’t represent you, then this might be the right time to get new flooring.
Used and Abused
If your floor coverings are noticeably scratched up, bent, water-damaged, saggy, squeaky or worn and torn, they might have reached the end of their lifespan. If you have wooden floors, you may able to simply refinish your current floors.
Health Risk
If your floors present a health risk to you or your family members, don’t hesitate to get rid of them. Your floor could be a source of mold problems, insect infestations, allergies, etc. Always remember that safety is first.
Lifestyle Change
If you are having a baby, getting a dog, or taking care of an elderly person all these events change your lifestyle and shift your priorities. If you would rather clean up a mess from hardwood floor than from a carpet, then switching floor coverings could be a good idea.
Selling the House
Placing new floors before moving out increases the market value of the house you are trying to sell. Most of the time beat-up or non-traditional floors will not appeal to the majority of the buyers making selling the home a bit more difficult.
Area rugs can change a room from feeling cold and unfinished to warm and elegantly complete. They serve many functions, including making a room appear larger, creates an intimate seating area, keeps feet warm on hard surface floors, minimizes noise levels, and completes a design scheme. There are no set rules for area rug sizes, since there are no standard room sizes with exact furniture placement. The final decision should be based on how the room looks and feels once the rug is put into place.
Keep in mind that choosing the right pattern can be as important as choosing the right size. For example, if you have a solid color sofa, painted walls, and minimal patterns in the room, a patterned area rug can be used tie all of the other colors in the room together. On the other hand, if your room consist of patterned walls, patterned upholstery and other focal points, consider an area rug with a less detailed pattern or even a solid rug with a border.
Remember that the proper type of rug pad should always be used depending on the type of flooring under the rug. If you fail to use the appropriate type of rug padding this can cause permanent damage to the floors because the backing of the rug can scratch the floors. In addition to padding protecting your wood, tile or carpet, it also keeps your area rug from walking or crawling. Rug pads also help the rug wear better, absorb the impact of body weight and noise and make vacuuming easier.
Area rugs come with and without fringes. Keep in mind that this is a personal preference, depending if the option is offered for the rug. There are different styles and lengths of fringe for area rugs ranging from short that stays in place to long that do not always stay perfectly in place. Care must be taken when vacuuming an area rug with fringes.
One last tip to remember is that an area rug should be rotated at least once a year if the floors underneath are subject to fading. This will ensure that there is even aging of the floors under the rug.
Choosing the right floor relies on your wants and needs. Each type of surface comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Keep the following points in mind to help narrow your choices. You may already have a preconceived idea of the type of surface you want, but not all materials are suitable for every application.
Which room or rooms are you considering?
The function and location of the room will have some bearing on the best surface to use. For example, you don’t want carpet in the kitchen or dining room due to the tendency for spilled foods and liquids. In contrast, solid wood isn’t suitable for basements due to the moisture. Choose a surface that’s suitable for the function and location of the room.
Consider your family and lifestyle
How you and your family live makes a difference in choosing a floor type. Children usually mean more wear and tear from running, banging and simply more traffic. Some of the laminate products might be better than solid wood due to the optimal wear characteristics of laminate. Hard surfaces work well for cleanup from pets that shed whereas carpeting might retain pet hair. Claws can also scratch wood.
How much care and maintenance is required?
Some materials have higher maintenance needs than others if you want them to last and maintain their aesthetic appeal. Wood should be swept or vacuumed often to avoid the dulling and scratching that comes with ground-in dirt. Standing water is better handled by vinyl or tile in comparison to wood.
Get out and test your list of choices
If possible, visit several showrooms or building supply outlets that sell the types of materials you’re interested in. Looking at pictures and reading about them is one thing but actually seeing the material in person and standing on it can help solidify your decision on which product is right for you.
Comfort, durability, style and cost are key concerns to keep in mind when choosing floors for your home. Whether you’re doing yoga in the den, hosting a dinner party in the dining room, or entertaining the neighborhood kids in your kitchen, you need a surface underfoot that is comfortable and durable.
The floor is usually the largest surface area in a room that lays the foundation for the entire look of the space including color, style, texture, and pattern. A new floor can be a big investment, so you want to purchase flooring that will last for years. Here are some points to keep in mind while you search for the perfect floor:
Know Your Style. Decide what colors and patterns you like? Think about which floor textures appeal the most to you. Such as the rich grain of hardwood, luxuriously thick carpet or the sleek lines of tile. Do not forget to also take into consideration your current décor, unless you plan on redecorating the entire room. Make sure the floors are going to complement your current furniture and accessories.
Consider Your Lifestyle. Think about how the room is used. Are you a passionate cook who spends hours standing at the stove? If so, you may want to skip the tile, which can be uncomfortable to stand on for long periods of time. Do your kids leave puddles of water on the bathroom floor? Then you may want to go with tile, which stands up to water. Do you have pets who track mud into the front hall? Think about purchasing concrete. Overall, the floor you choose needs to withstand to the wear and tear of your families daily activities.
Set a Budget. Keep good calculations of your planned budget. Keep in mind the cost of the floor material, underlayment, delivery, installation, as well as removal and disposal of your previous flooring. Don’t forget to factor in any additional materials such as baseboards, stains, or adhesives.
Wood floors add a visual warmth and beauty that few other floor coverings can match. Available in many sizes and varieties of wood, there is a wood floor to fit any design style. A dull finish on your hardwood floors is usually a sign that there is deterioration of the protective coating. It is important to keep your floors protected from harsh environmental elements.
Here are a few suggestions for care and maintenance of your hard wood floors:
Initial Care:
Regular Care & Maintenance.
Grit and dirt are the number one enemies of your wood floor finish. Grit under rugs, shoes or furniture legs creates a sandpaper effect that will scratch and damage the finish of wood floors.