Installation And Caring For Solid Hardwood Floors

When it comes to flooring, hardwood floors are one of the most charming offered but you should be sure to know how to install them correctly and once installed, you need to be sure to maintain them so as to keep them looking their best for years to come.

Solid hardwood floors should neither be installed over a concrete slab nor below ground level because of high moisture sensitivity. Unattractive gaps appear when moisture dries and the floors contract in the winter heating months. The floors expand and gaps disappear during summers. The wood planks might buckle or cup because of excessive moisture.

In view of these facts, enough space has to be left for expansion and wood should be acclimated. Nail-down installations are most suitable for this type of flooring. The option of re-coating and refinishing increases the life and appearance of solid hardwood floors. In general solid hardwood floors are made up of ash, maple, red oak and white oak.

Solid wood floorings are divided into three sub categories: strip flooring, plank flooring and parquet flooring. Thickness of strip flooring varies between 5/16 inch and inch. Available widths are 1 inch, 2 inch and 2 inch. Though plank flooring is sold in two thicknesses, width can range between 3 inches and 8 inches. Parquet flooring has geometrical patterns that are created with wood slats.

Hand-scraped hardwood floors are hand crafted. Character markings on handscraped hardwood floors (hand sculptured floors) are a distinctive feature. These floors offer the best finishes for either the modern world look or the old domestic wood floor look. Both engineered and solid hand sculpted floors are available.

Beautiful handscraped hardwood floors can be extremely expensive. Engineered handscraped hardwood floors are best suited for a structure erected on a concrete slab and in high humidity conditions.

Some companies also sell distressed hardwood flooring that has machine made markings unlike hand made markings in handscraped hardwood floor. Handscraped floor is more expensive than the distressed version, but both floorings present a rich look.

Hardwood floors should be cleaned with products recommended by the manufacturer. Regular use of a vacuum cleaner will clean dirt, mud, grit and small stones that may spoil the finish. Welcome mats at the entrance for wiping feet before walking on the floor are of great help in protecting the finish.

When choosing furniture for your home, do not buy products with sharp metal or wooden legs to prevent denting and scratching. Use of furniture coasters or felt protectors for all legs will prevent scratching. Non-staining and wide rubber cups are a must for heavy items like a piano.

The use of a paste wax on the hardwood floor with a polyurethane finish damages the finish. Spills on hardwood floors need direct attention. Clean them with a paper towel or damp white cloth and then be certain to dry the area.

For more information on when and how to use hardwood flooring, visit my site where you will find everything you need to know about flooring for any room in your home or business. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

What Materials Are Best For Kitchen Flooring

The kitchen is a tough area to decide on when it comes to flooring.

On one hand, the flooring must remain flexible enough to support the legs and back.

On the other hand, however, the flooring must be resistant to stains and a high level of foot traffic.

The best flooring looks great for years without a lot of maintenance.

Spills and accidents will inevitably happen on a fairly frequent basis, demanding reliability and durability from flooring that is installed in the kitchen area.

To prevent serious maintenance problems and future expenses, it pays to do the research necessary to find the best flooring.

Wood flooring has long been used in the kitchen, but it has a tendency to suffer under harsh kitchen conditions.

Wood aborbs moisture, causing severe maintenance issues. When a wood floor absorbs too much moisture it can begin to bow up or down in the middle, producing an unsightly and uneven surface.

The only way to fix this problem is to sand it down, or to go the expensive route and replace the floor.

These options are both time consuming and costly, and involve many hours as well as thousands of dollars.

While a properly constructed and processed wood floor may not be as susceptible to these issues, wood flooring is definitely more likely to break down because of these problems.

More reliable options include slate and ceramic tile. Tile and slate do not absorb moisture, and do not suffer from warping or cracking. As fairly rigid materials, they undergo little expansion or contraction.

Slate and ceramic flooring can be found in a multitude of styles.

Slate and ceramic flooring are very resistant to slipping, making them a safer surface to use in the kitchen as well.

Hardwood flooring may be hazardous when wet, especially if it has been exposed to moisture.

When using slate as a kitchen surface, be sure to go with a low gloss or finish for extra slip protection.

Laminate flooring is a great alternative to both wood and slate.

To achieve that hardwood look without all the associated upkeep problems, laminate flooring can be a great alternative.

Laminate flooring is easy to install, affordable, and very resistant to both absorbing moisture and food stains.

Laminate flooring is also designed to withstand a great deal of foot traffic and pressure.

The kitchen is a demanding place for flooring, and should be treated as such.

Choosing the right kind of flooring will result in a lifetime of great quality and low maintenance.