CHOOSING HARDWOOD FLOORS – WHICH WOOD SPECIES IS BEST FOR YOU

You’ve made the decision to install new wood floors. That’s great! You’re so excited. What kind of wood flooring should you choose? There are many species of wood, each with its own unique characteristics, such as texture, color and hardness. How can you choose? These are the most popular options that you can choose from to help you make a decision about which one is best for you and your house.

1. OAK (HARD, MEDIUM COLORED, DISTINCTIVE GRAIN PATTERN)

Oak is a very common and affordable tree. Oak is a very popular choice because it is durable. It is resistant to stains and dents as well as scratches. Its distinctive grain pattern of waves of brown and beige, with small black areas in the middle, adds visual interest.

2. ASH (HARD, LIGHTER COLORED DISTINCTIVE GRAIN PATENTER)

Ash can be used in lighter colors if you are looking for a more economical option. You can choose from pale brownish colors to almost yellow. Ash is distinguished by its distinctive, dotted pattern of grain. Its durability makes it ideal for homeowners who have kids or pets.

3. MAHOGANY is HARD, DARKER and RESISTANT TO MOISTURE

Mahogany, another durable species, is used in musical instruments that last generations. Because of its rich and dark color, mahogany gives off a luxurious, upscale appearance to any room. It is resistant to water, making it an ideal choice for bars and kitchens.

4. CHERRY (HARD REDDISH HUE, DARKENS DURING AGE, LARGER PLANS)

Cherry is a great choice if you prefer rich reds. This wood can turn from reddish to nearly maroon as it ages. It can be from the U.S. (Sao Paulo) or South America (Jatoba). Its color can vary depending on the planks. Therefore, larger boards are used to give it a uniform appearance.

5. AMERICAN BLACKWALNUT (SOFTER DARKER, INTRICATE GRAIN PATTERN)

This species is known for its richer color and intricate texture patterns. It makes rooms appear more sophisticated and elegant. You’ll need to protect this wood with rugs, as it is a softwood. It is well-suited for areas with low traffic like bedrooms and dens.

THE JANKA SCALE

A Janka scale, which is industry-wide, measures the wood’s hardness. Janka testing measures the force needed to insert a steel ball measuring.444 inches into the wood. It is half the diameter. The Janka rating for flooring wood should be at least 1,000. The NWFA (National Wood Floors Association), website has an example of the Janka Scale.

There are many wood species available and you can choose from different plank widths. We have samples of all wood species and can help you explore your options in a relaxed setting.

Give Floor Sanding Hounslow Give us a call at 020 3151 1910 We’ll help you if you’re ready for wood floors to be installed in your home. We will even give you a free estimate in your home.

The Best Nursery Flooring Types

In regards to finishing up your handbag, making a decision on a form of flooring may be difficult. Installing something that can resist the wear and tear due to children while also keeping them safe from tumbles, falls and dangerous fumes are usually on top of most parent lists. And now’s focus on eco-friendliness is something which doesn’t necessarily have to be dismissed when completing a kids’ room. For a summary of the ideal nursery floor types, check out this report.

Cork

Although maybe not the most recognizable flooring substance available on the market, cork is in fact quite acceptable for a nursery. It’s a softer, spongier flooring alternative that is great at protecting kids from tumbles and falls while acting as an insulative noise barrier contrary to active footsteps. Cork is also obviously hypo-allergenic and antimicrobial that is great for young, sensitive noses and skin. There is no stress about volatile organic chemical (VOC) off gassing. Since cork is actually a bark, it’s considered eco friendly as the trees are allowed to remain growing even as the cork is harvested every couple of years.

Bamboo

Bamboo is really a fast growing grass rather than a real wood. Since bamboo only takes approximately five to seven years to reach harvestability it’s another eco-friendly option. It’s also considered a low VOC flooring alternative with hardly any formaldehyde used during creation. If you are worried about VOC off gassing, assess for Carb Stage II evaluations for indoor air standards. Bamboo is insect resistant, and therefore you don’t have to be concerned about the use of pesticides during the developing process. It’s also quite durable which can be a desirable quality in children’s rooms. You will worry less about scratching or denting than you’d about most other flooring materials.

Hardwood

Hardwood is your timeless flooring material and may still do the job well in a nursery. It could be more expensive than other choices, but if uniform great looks throughout your home are very important to you, there is no reason why hardwood can’t get the job done. Of course, hardwoods that rate greater on the hardness scale will probably be resistant to scratches and dents, so you may want to bear this in mind when making your purchase.

Laminates

Laminates provide you with most of the advantages of hardwood at a fraction of the purchase price. There are now more modern laminates that are rated as zero emission which could reduce worries about VOC off gassing. And while quite durable and scratch resistant, even if your kids make a mess of the ground, it won’t cost you a chance to replace it.

HOW TO CLEAN OAK FLOORING

OME TIPS ABOUT HOW TO CLEAN AN OAK FLOOR

Oak flooring is among the most popular end materials accessible to homeowners. It creates a feeling of warmth and character in the home, and works well with just about any decor. Oak flooring provide houses with natural beauty and need to be properly maintained to prolong their lifespan.

Avoid using routine household dusting and cleaning goods. These products will cause permanent damage. Use only products specifically designed for hardwood.

Besides spot cleaning your bamboo flooring as necessary, it is also suggested that you vacuumbrush, or dust mop each week. Oak floor swivel-head mops with microfiber covers are all good cleaning tools since they eliminate fine particles of grit or dirt that could be overlooked by a vacuum or broom.

For oak flooring we ought to make it constantly in a clean, dry environment, if you find the floor is dirty, we should wring cotton mop it, refrain from using still dripping mop, also not to wash the floor with liquid or sterile items remain.

Despite your best efforts to keep your bamboo flooring untarnished, it is only natural that minor harm will occur. All spills and dirt ought to be wiped up immediately.

The last point is the reason why we have to concentrate on, bamboo floors itself still has a lot of advantages, but still can’t cover its own shortcomings, we all know that it can not resist sharp objects hurt, even more can not endure with fire destroy things, therefore in our everyday lives, we must look closely at this knife or cigarette butts on the ground can not be, otherwise it might cause very serious consequences. For deep scratches and gouges, it may be necessary to replace the individual board.

Regular Maintenance Regime for Solid Wood Flooring

A normal cleaning routine will help keep your solid hardwood floors looking perfect. But, it is important to make sure you’re using the ideal cleaning agent to protect your flooring’s finish.

Oiled flooring ranges have to be cleaned with the oil-based cleaner to nourish your wood and preserve the finish. To be safe, we recommend using specialist wood floor cleaners where possible.

Some household cleaning agents contain dangerous chemicals which can affect the overall look of your flooring. Bleach, particularly, is a really powerful detergent with the capability to permanently deface your flooring, leaving a white film over the surface. If at all unsure, check the labelling or request a professional prior to applying.

 Which Cleaning Agent is best for Solid Wood Flooring?

The Impero Universal Floor Cleaner is an excellent all-round professional wood flooring cleaner, suitable for many solid wood flooring types. As a highly concentrated, organic detergent, it performs well on lacquered, oiled and unfinished flooring.

The integrated spray system evenly distributes the cleaner to get the perfect protection, whilst the machine-washable microfiber cleaning pad makes simple work of catching any stubborn grime. Eliminating the need to carry extra gear, the all in one spray spout requires the effort out of cleaning.

The integrated spray system evenly spreads the cleaner to get the ideal protection, whilst the machine-washable microfiber cleansing pad makes easy work of capturing any stubborn grime. Eliminating the requirement to take extra gear, the all in one spray spout requires the effort out of cleaning.

Fixing Spillages and Preventing Excessive Water

As mentioned before, solid hardwood floors doesn’t cope well with water.

As the largest threat to strong wood, it may cause the floors to lift, warp or even crack. We strongly advise against matching in a toilet or kitchen because of the large risk associated with these areas.

All spillages will need to be tended to as swiftly as possible. These won’t carry extra water or trickle across your floors.

Wood Floors That Change Colour

All natural hardwood flooring will change colour slightly with time. Some forests will alter significantly based on that species photosensitivity. These hardwood flooring normally require between six months to 2 years to reach their older color depending on the specie of wood and the quantity of artificial or natural light the flooring is exposed to. Some wood species eventually become darker and a few become milder over time.

EXOTIC WOOD FLOORS DARKEN

Most exotic wood species such as Jatoba, Tigerwood, and Cumaru will darken over time. This also occurs in North American Cherry. When selecting one of these floors you need to be sure you are choosing it based upon the mature colour rather than the colour it’s as it comes out of the box. When these floors are installed, they are far lighter but it will deepen over time into the rich color you based your selections on.

Based on the amount of light the hardwood flooring is exposed to, all natural wood floors will change color. Even though manufacturers use UV treated finishes which decrease quantity of discolouration and yellowing, the wood itself will still alter. Natural walnut, ash, and hickory will normally shed their snowy white color and start to yellow with exposure to light. North American walnut is exceptional, since it is one of the only wood species that will become lighter with vulnerability to artificial and natural light.

Colour change can be expected on certain species

All these colour changes are normal and to be anticipated. We recommend not using area rugs, or moving them around periodically in the first two decades. This allows the flooring to mature in colour evenly throughout the whole space. For more information about which wood species change color and how, feel free to contact us in http://www.hounslowfloorsanding.co.uk or 020 3151 1910!

HOW TO DEAL WITH THE TOP 10 COMMON MESSES ON HARDWOOD FLOORS

Much you attempt to avoid it, some of those messes wind up on your own hardwood floors. Learn how to prolong the life span of your wood flooring and maintain this area of your home clean.

Liquid Spills

Avoid puddles and remove any wet rugs, mats or other materials from the floor. If clogs have left your floors discolored use a floor cleaner specially formulated for timber flooring to restore stained boards. Wipe away any excess cleanser.

Dry Spills

Sweep up or vacuum dry products spilled onto the floor and eliminate. Pick a soft-headed broom or use a vacuum with felt-tipped wands or attachments. Quality hardwood flooring products include a durable finish that protects your floor from the effects of most dry spills.

Everyday Dust and Debris

Regular dusting or clearing up helps to keep the beauty of hardwood. Leaving regular dust and debris on the floor surface could result in scratches or gouges, particularly in high traffic locations.

Road Salt

Invest in a good excellent mat for many entryways so as to catch road salt and other harmful substances that travel in your house on shoes and boots. Ensure that the mat is made of breathable substances and avoid using any carpets with plastic or rubber backings since these substances can corrode boards.

Animal Messes

As with almost any liquid spills, clean up animal messes immediately to restrict the damage. Use a clean, soft cloth and your preferred hardwood floors cleaner. Many people would rather apply mineral spirits into the area first, followed by a cleaner. Experiment with this combination to discover whether or not it helps with appearance and odor.

Grease Marks

Treat dirt marks in the exact same way as liquid spills, but make sure you wash the grease away completely. Once you’ve cleaned the area along with your preferred brand of hardwood floors cleaner, then wipe the planks dry using a clean cloth.

Crayons and Ink

Mineral spirits can be used to gently and thoroughly remove stains left by ink or rags. Apply wood flooring cleaner afterward if needed and dry the area thoroughly.

Shoe or Heel Marks

Some types of shoe marks can be easily rubbed away with a sterile cloth. If you have tried this without success, then try a few of mineral spirits on a clean, dry cloth. Buff the area with hardwood floors cleaner to reestablish planks to their original shine.

Minor Scratches

Consult your floors retailer about touch up goods, frequently provided by particular manufacturers. Take advantage of these products to treat modest areas or hire an expert to refinish or recondition the floor for larger, widespread scratching. Don’t forget to use protector pads heavy furniture and maintain pet claws trimmed to prevent further scratching.

Important Gouges

Deep or major scratches and gouges frequently require repairs. Talk to your flooring installer about replacing person damaged boards or funding to refurbish the entire floor for a uniform finish. Avoid rolling heavy things (for example, furniture and appliances ) throughout your hardwood flooring to prevent this kind of markings.

TYPES OF WOOD SUITABLE FOR HARDWOOD FLOORING

Whenever you’re looking to install hardwood floors in your home, you might need a push in the right direction regarding the type of wood to select. The kind of wood you choose is always a personal option, but if you’ve got sufficient information to hand you can make the right choice.

• Oak — possibly the most traditional type of flooring you could choose. Oak is lasting in character and can endure for several decades. Oak is relatively light in color and has a red color that can bring an element of warmth into your living space.

• Walnut — Walnut is an elegant, luxurious choice. It’s dark almost chocolaty tones and is a ideal choice for dining rooms or studies.

• Cherry — This is possibly somewhere between pine and walnut in colour but contains more tones of crimson in the grain. A gorgeous choice for any room in the home.

• Maple — This really is more white/cream in color than oak and can earn a perfect choice if you want your area to feel light and airy. It occasionally has a wavy grain and may turn into a golden colour after a couple of decades.

There are of course many more kind of timber to select from. Just have a look online to find the different alternatives out there.

CONSIDERING HARDWOOD FLOORING

If you have been contemplating having hardwood floors installed in your home, you should certainly begin to consider it more seriously as soon as you’ve finished reading this. Hardwood flooring is among the most sustainable and solid flooring coverings currently in the marketplace. There is a massive demand for hardwood flooring, with individuals realising how fantastic it could seem in one’s home.

With a broad range of various wood available in regards to hardwood flooring, we’re spoilt for choice as well as the styles in which it can be laid are acceptable for many different kinds of home. Whether you reside in a modern or more traditional residence, you will be able to find a good hardwood flooring that’s just right for your needs in addition to your own home.

In order to make certain that you are receiving the very best sort of hardwood flooring, it would be advisable to go to a hardwood flooring specialist so it can be set up at the highest standard. They can give you advice and also see your hardwood floors through from planning to installation to completion. You will be impressed with their vast amount of knowledge when it comes to hardwood floors as well as the finish of the hardwood flooring after it’s been installed.

KAHRS FLOORING CAN GIVE YOUR HOME A STYLISH FACELIFT

Giving your home a facelift can enable you to feel a whole lot happier about the way that it looks and about spending time in it, and one superb direction of altering the look of your house is by ridding yourself of these old carpeting which have been blighting the look of your house for ages.

Replacing your carpeting with Kahrs flooring may create a huge quantity of difference, and the look of your house will immediately be transformed from conservative to super-stylish.

Kahrs flooring is frequently the flooring of choice for those who not only want to be sure that their decoration looks instantly stylish, but for a long time to come, and with so many different types of Kahrs floors available, there’s flooring to suit every decor taste.

With Kahrs flooring accessible both dark and light colors, there is also flooring to suit various functionality needs, so whether you are seeking to put money into light flooring to brighten up rooms with minimal foot traffic, or dark flooring for rooms that are used very often, Kahrs can deliver the goods.

Whatever your decor style tastes, let Kahrs flooring appeal to them and attractively transform the look of your home.

WHAT COLOUR WOOD FLOORING SHOULD I PICK

We provide a huge choice for you to select from, but just how do you know which one is right for you? Picking the best wood floor for your home is important and you need to consider a number of variables, but the two main ones are the size and style of your area.

Home Style
Among the primary factors you need to consider when choosing which wood you want for your floors is the style of your home. Is it modern and minimalist or conventional and busy, or someplace in between? If you have a time home then you’ll want a hardwood floor which matches the look and texture of the home. The type will be dependent on the time frame your house and decor are, however, usually cherry wood and walnut are ideal for a traditional appearance because of their deep color and grain pattern.

On the other hand, if your home is in a contemporary house go for a lighter colored wood with a subtle grain pattern, like walnut or walnut wood. They both have a minimalist look and have a contemporary, nearly Norwegian feel.

If you want to go for something a little unusual on your decor then attempt a more exotic assortment of wood flooring, like Jarrah or Jatoba, both are dark woods but have a rich, red finish that looks great in a oriental or exotic home.

Room Size

We’ve already discussed wood floor colours in terms of the period of a house, but there are other variables to consider when choosing the color of your floor.

The main one is that the size of the space you want to put in the wood flooring in. When it’s a big room then you can go with any colour; a lighter wood, like Ash, increases the spacious and airy appearance, whereas a darker timber such as Merbau will look fantastic and won’t be over the top because of the space.

On the other hand, if you are incorporating a timber floor to a small room it might be better to go with a wood which is lighter in color and doesn’t have too wide a pattern grain, then this is because a dark and busy wood could make the room look much smaller.

Decide on a light wood, such as walnut or beech to give the illusion of distance.