by Eddy Laboy | Aug 24, 2015 | Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring may be the last thing that you will want to fall in love with, figuratively speaking. But when you consider the economic and aesthetic values of hardwood floors in residential and commercial buildings, falling in love with these planks and strips for hardwood becomes possible. Many reasons can be given for the popularity of hardwood flooring products although it must be said that the first reason you will fall in love with them will vary from the others. For example, you were attracted to the beautiful colors and grains of the hardwood floors while your spouse favored the strength, stability and durability of the wood. Whatever the reasons, you will find that hardwood flooring is as easy to love as it is easy to install and maintain for several years, perhaps even a few generations, to come. Here are a few of these reasons to love hardwood flooring. Durability This is the primary reason for living hardwood floors especially as many of the following reasons have durability at its core. Hardwood flooring products are the most durable and stable as well as the strongest natural flooring options available today. This means that the hardwood floors will last for generations because of these qualities. Classic yet modern aesthetics Hardwood flooring can be both classic and modern depending on its grains, textures and colors as well as the manner in which it is installed and highlighted with furniture and furnishings. The appreciation for hardwood flooring in both classic buildings and modern structures is universal, thanks to the ageless quality of the material. Maintains beauty at it ages Unlike other...
by Eddy Laboy | Aug 6, 2015 | Hardwood Flooring, Kahrs Flooring, Quarter Sawn Flooring, Solid Hardwood Floors
Kahrs flooring is a Swedish wood floor manufacturer that has been delivering top-notched quality wood floor products for 150 years—long enough to be one of the oldest and even most innovative wood flooring manufacturers in the industry. With a commitment to seek ways on how to make their floor products even better in terms of aesthetics, strength, ease of installation and sustainability, Kahrs flooring is an institution of wood knowledge that has been passed on from one generation to another. What makes Kahrs flooring a worthy choice above its competitors? For your information, here are Kahrs flooring benefits that garner satisfaction and appreciation among wood floor installers, homeowners, interior designers and architects. Environmentally Responsible With its continuous commitment on sustainability, Kahrs flooring’s hard work paid off as its efforts has become internationally acknowledged. Being the first wood floor manufacturer to attain ISO 9001 certification, the company has never stopped its commitment. As a result, it achieved the ISO 14001 certification in 1997, a proof that they’re serious of their mission. Moreover, Kahrs flooring is the forerunner in supporting and buying the dual-labelled material from Chile that is passes the FSC and Fairtrade certification standards. Multi-Layer Construction Kahrs flooring is manufactured using multi-layer construction, promising superior stability as the crossed layers counteract the normal movement of the lumber. Another advantage of this multi-layer construction is the ability of the planks to be sanded down like aaaaaaaaaa. Extra-Strong and Beautiful Lacquer Kahrs flooring applies six thin layers of extra-strong lacquer on the surface of each floorboard. Its lacquer is strong enough to ensure daily wear and tear for 15-20 years, yet...
by Eddy Laboy | Jul 30, 2015 | Hardwood Flooring, Solid Hardwood Floors
In choosing the right wood floors, do you just sift through the species, stains, finish, prices or dig deeper than that? As a homeowner or even business owner, what else shouldn’t be overlooked? Safety. Indeed, safety should be on top of the list more than the rest of the factors. Let’s discuss about the trending issue on formaldehyde in floors. For the past few months, the wood flooring industry has been shaken by the fact that other US manufacturing firm has been selling laminate floors that have an alarming content of formaldehyde. Some Americans may end up thinking to stay away from wood floors at all. Shouldn’t you be learning what this formaldehyde about that is feared by many? Here are important facts that you should know before getting your desired wood floors installed: Significance of Formaldehyde in Floors and Other Products Before jumping to conclusion that formaldehyde shouldn’t be in wood floors, understand that it is a fundamental industrial chemical to produce other chemicals and various products like home furnishings, paints, textiles, household cleaning products, landscape and yard products, medicinal and personal care products and pesticides. It is naturally present almost anywhere, including wood, and is used in the adhesives for engineered and laminate wood floors. Allowed Limits of Formaldehyde in Floors There are factors that affect the measurement of formaldehyde levels in indoor space. These are formaldehyde source, temperature, humidity, air exchange rate and ambient indoor ozone concentration. California Air Regulatory Board (CARB), during the phase 1 of implementation of this regulation, it required adhesive formaldehyde emissions to be equal to or less than 0.08 ppm (parts...
by Eddy Laboy | Jul 15, 2015 | Hardwood Flooring, Quarter Sawn Flooring, Triangulo Flooring
Whether you are running out of hardwood floors decorating ideas or are looking for some designs to compare with, we have chosen some striking designs that may come in handy for homeowners who are planning for remodeling or construction. We understand that not everyone has creative mind that goes beyond compare. May these hardwood floors designs stir some creativity inside you and help you come up with the best interior style that works ideally for you. Distressed Wood Does rustic look for your interior appeal to you? Then, this Hickory Antique Natural of Armstrong Hardwood Flooring is a sure winner of your heart. Expertly crafted to perfection, these floorboards were hand-scraped to achieve the classical look that never fades in fashion. This kitchen pulls off a countryside feel that complements the furniture and fixtures in light brown hue. Reclaimed Wood Floors Successfully incorporating the patina of reclaimed wood in these floorboards, Armstrong Hardwood Flooring surely leveled up the aesthetics of laminate flooring. Combining vintage and rustic reclaimed wood appearance in floorboards, Architectural Remnants laminate collection is the new standard for home interior fashion. Breaking the softness of white and creams in this living room, the floorboards give off a vintage statement in the interior. Brazilian Cherry Floors Who would never be captivated by the beauty of exotic wood floors? In this Brazilian Cherry of Triangulo Flooring, the deep orange to russet or reddish brown shade of the floorboards harmonize with the cream, white and brown colors of the interior elements in the kitchen and dining area. Looking at this interior design sends a cozy and welcoming message to anyone...
by Eddy Laboy | Jul 9, 2015 | Floor Refinishing, Hardwood Flooring
For homeowners, businessmen and new wood floor installers, it is common to find yourself asking so many questions regarding the hardwood floor you fancy to install. For your convenience, we have collected the top five hardwood floor questions most people ask. How do I select the right wood floor species? More than just choosing a color to complement your interior elements, selecting a species of wood entails various considerations such as texture, grain, cut and size. An important factor for those in a budget is the cost as well as availability of desired wood species. For hardwood installers, they tend to scrutinize the mechanical properties of the wood species such as durability, machinability, and ease of finishing according to NWFA. Skilled and experience hardwood floor experts can provide adequate knowledge regarding the matter. Seek help from the experts in Wood Floor Planet. Where can I install hardwood floor? Though hardwood floor is extremely durable in nature, it is recommended not to install this flooring in wet places such as bathrooms, verandas, washrooms, saunas or anywhere that often requires wet mopping. Basically, solid hardwood floor can be installed in any interior that is above ground with the exception of places that are commonly exposed to moisture. Excessive moisture can cause damage to the surface of the hardwood floor that may lead to warping, swelling or cracking. What are the benefits of installing hardwood floor? Hardwood floor has been a traditional flooring choice throughout the years. Here are the reasons why you should consider installing hardwood floor: Hardwood floors have a variety of colors, grain patterns, texture and beauty that is...
by Eddy Laboy | Jul 3, 2015 | Engineered Hardwood Flooring, Mirage Flooring, Solid Hardwood Floors
Investing in a hardwood floor is a very important decision to make. Before you go about purchasing materials, you should make sure that the type of floor that you choose would meet your needs perfectly. Choosing a hardwood floor should be done carefully since you can’t simply change it as easily as you can change your furniture. Mirage is a very popular brand of hardwood floors that has been used in improving the look of homes for a very long time now. There are a lot of Mirage flooring design ideas that you can use to improve your home. However, whatever design you choose, you should consider these following: Mirage Flooring Color Hardwood flooring is more of a decorative element of the home. Mirage flooring comes in a wide variety of colors to choose from. It is important that you choose a color that will blend well with the over-all look of your home. Mirage Flooring Species Mirage also offers a variety of hardwood species to choose from. Each species differs in texture, color and grain to suit every homeowner’s preference. The more popular and in demand species are the oak and maple however, exotic species such as mahogany and tigerwood are becoming more and more popular. Mirage Flooring Glossiness Another thing to consider is the wood’s glossiness. Mirage flooring comes in three gloss classification namely: Semi-Gloss, and Cashmere (matte). Choosing the more glossy wood will give your floor a shiny look. However, the glossier the floor is, the more it will amplify any scratches and dents that your floor may have. Mirage Flooring Grade The grade of hardwood...
by Eddy Laboy | Jul 2, 2015 | Engineered Hardwood Flooring, Solid Hardwood Floors
Having wooden floors at your home not only gives it a warm and classy look, but also significantly increases the value of your home. However, installing solid hardwood floors may be a very expensive undertaking. Fortunately, you can have that wooden floor look that you always wanted for your home without having to pay expensively for it. You can choose the engineered wood flooring instead. Engineered flooring is made up of manufactured wood layers that are topped off with a hardwood veneer. The middle layers and the bottom layers are designed to prevent the floors from warping or buckling. A homeowner who wants to redo his home’s flooring must choose the engineered flooring based on both aesthetics and durability. Here are some features to consider. Finish Flooring Engineered flooring comes in either pre-finished or unfinished. You can choose different types of stain colors when you choose the pre-finished boards. On the other hand, if you choose the unfinished boards, you get to have control on what to color your flooring after you installed them. However, you will have to do extra work in staining and finishing these types of floorboards. Floor Area Engineered flooring planks come in lengths ranging from 12 inches to 49 inches. Their widths will also vary. If you are planning to buy the engineered wood flooring, make sure that you compute first the area that you want to cover so that you will have an estimate on the number of boards that you will get. It is advisable to purchase an extra five to 10 % of what you actually need to be used as...
by Eddy Laboy | Jun 29, 2015 | Bamboo Flooring, Cork Flooring, Engineered Hardwood Flooring, Solid Hardwood Floors
In today’s society, being environmentally-friendly is becoming more and more popular. Most of the largest manufacturers are joining in the bandwagon by producing food and other products that are safe to the environment. Even manufacturers of building materials are joining in and are coming up with eco-friendly products such as their eco-friendly hardwood floors. Most products that are categorized as “eco-friendly” are valued at a premium price because they serve people’s needs as well as the needs of the earth. Although more expensive than most solid hardwood floors, these eco-friendly hardwood floors are gaining popularity. Here are a few eco-friendly hardwood floors out in the market today. Hardwood floors Because of the demand for wood materials and hardwood flooring, the rainforest is disappearing at a rate of 100 acres per minute. With this rate, the rainforest will disappear in the next two generations. Although hardwood flooring still needs to cut down trees, selective cutting has been implemented by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) that only allows certified wood to be cut down and to be processed into hardwood flooring materials. Cork Floors Although new to the hardwood flooring industry, cork is gaining popularity because of its being environmentally-friendly. Cork is harvested from the barks of cork oak trees without having to cut the tree down. This means that the barks of the trees will eventually grow back and cork can be harvested from them again every three years, making the trees a renewable source of hardwood flooring materials. Cork materials can also be recycled adding to their eco-friendly qualities. As a flooring material, cork is said to contain anti-microbial...
by Eddy Laboy | Jun 25, 2015 | Quarter Sawn Flooring
When visiting a home, one thing that always catches attention is the beauty of a quarter sawn flooring. Its beauty and magnificence is obtained through a detailed process of rift and quartered technique. With this process, several creative quarter-sawn flooring design ideas are being produced, specifically suited to every home’s aesthetic needs. Not only these floor designs a beauty, quarter sawn flooring also possesses stability and resistance to warping, a factor which customers are very eager to have in their homes. The following are some great information to understand this process. What to consider in staining quarter sawn flooring? Seeing roughly-finished flooring is not a pretty sight. Staining is one of the methods employed to bring out the art and beauty of your floor: Sanding via orbital sander. This is used to sand quarter sawn floors in order to avoid cross-grain scratches. Your orbital sander should come with a fine-grit sand disk for it to function properly and precisely. Keep in mind to retain the grain appearance prior to choose the type of stains: there are stain types that highlight the beauty of the floors’ grain appearance. Avoid using dark stains, for it obstructs the beauty of the ray flecks in the wood. To highlight the flecks, it is highly suggested to use liquid or penetrating gel stains. Make sure that you use the proper applicator to do this to avoid ruining the quarter sawn wood. Ensure that everything is prim and clean prior stain application: apply stain sealer one at a time as soon as the stain has been dried to ensure accuracy of application. This might sound...
by Eddy Laboy | Jun 24, 2015 | Engineered Hardwood Flooring, Kahrs Flooring
Kahrs flooring, one of Europe’s leading manufacturer of wood floors offers engineered hardwood flooring in various selections. Nowadays, engineered hardwood flooring is commonly used globally in wood flooring industry, especially in New York City. How is engineered hardwood flooring manufactured? Engineered hardwood flooring is composed of multiple fine layers of real hardwood adhered collectively on top of a core using cross-grain configuration. The interior core can be made of a hardwood and/or soft plywood that integrate the tongue and groove structure. The upper layer of engineered hardwood flooring can come from various species, exotic or domestic. Engineered hardwood flooring can be installed by gluing it directly on or below grade or floating on a subfloor. It can be basically installed on any grade level. Each plank of engineered hardwood flooring can range in width from three to five inches and up to 48 inches long or more.Engineered wood floors can be manufactured into two ways such as sliced cut veneer and rotary cut. Sliced cut veneer employs sawing the hardwood wear layer like a regular lumber. It is through this method that results to the original look of wood and a better-quality graining. On the other hand, rotary cut peels off the veneer hardwood layer from the timber, resulting in a remarkable wilder graining. How stable is engineered hardwood flooring? What makes engineered hardwood flooring better than solid hardwood flooring is its higher level of stability. The cross-grain structure of the multiple layers results to a better hold of each grain in opposite directions. Moreover, Kahrs engineered hardwood flooring is resistant to expansion and shrinkage, making it an ideal...
