Hardwood floor

Hardwood floors are a great choice for your home and also your office, but there are certain things that you need to take into consideration when you get your hardwood floor installed. The size of the planks that will be installed is going to provide either a more contemporary look for a country look depending on the choice you make. There are also different shades of wood, but the one thing all hardwood floors have in common is that they are very durable and they keep your home warm too. Always look for the most professional service you can find to install them.

Carpet

The carpet is one of the most important items that we can choose to install on our floors because it protects them and also provides elegance and comfort. There are many kinds of carpet materials and also colors and patterns that you can have installed in your house and this will depend on your needs and the kind of climate of your area. Finding a professional service to get your carpeting done is essential for the job to be long lasting.  Most offices use some sort of carpeting material and many residences are also carpeted with plenty of different options that are currently available.

Sheet vinyl

There are many kinds of materials that are used for flooring, but there are some that will be better suited for certain situations than others. The Vinyl Sheet is a great choice for a home that has a lot of activity going on during the day. The best thing about this material is that it can look just like the real materials that it replicates and you don’t have to worry about the wear and tear that comes from natural flooring selections. This material never gets too cold and it’s also cushioned which makes walking barefoot on it a very pleasant experience.

Hardwood floor

Hardwood floors are a great choice for your home and also your office, but there are certain things that you need to take into consideration when you get your hardwood floor installed. The size of the planks that will be installed is going to provide either a more contemporary look for a country look depending on the choice you make. There are also different shades of wood, but the one thing all hardwood floors have in common is that they are very durable and they keep your home warm too. Always look for the most professional service you can find to install them.

Laminate floor

Laminate flooring has become one of the most popular home improvement products available on the market in recent years. This product has been designed to replicate wooden floors as well as other materials, but the thing to always remember is that there is a lot of cloning that occurs when this kind of product is launched in to the market. You need to look for top quality laminate floors if you want to make your investment valuable for your home. There are several layers that are used in order to create the final product. The top quality laminate floors are going to be very durable an reliable.

Engineered hardwood floor

The main difference between solid hardwood and engineered hardwood is that solid hardwood is made up of one piece from top to bottom, while engineered hardwood is made up of different layers of wood. Usually between 5 to 7 layers is the most common. The engineered hardwood can be glued and stapled without issues and depending on the thickness of the top layer it can also be sanded in case of a scratch or dent, but sanding and refinishing is usually not recommended for engineered hardwood floors. This is an option that is becoming very popular in a lot of homes.

Refinishing hardwood floor

Environment friendly and classy, hardwood floors have been in popular demand for centuries to add a certain style and value to a home and are widely known for their durability. However, they are not indestructible and require maintenance. It is fortunate that with very little effort, it is possible to retain the gorgeous beauty of your valuable floor for decades without being sanded or needing a fresh coat of varnish. Here are 7 easy ways to maintain your hardwood floor.

1.     Clear out the dust.

Strange as it seems, the easiest way to keep your floor clean is to simply dust it or run a vacuum over it. Dust is known to seep through the wood and it is important to clear out all the dirt from the surface of the floor. Run a dust mop or a vacuum with a brush which has a felt surface tip to avoid scratching the floor with hard bristles. This should be done almost daily especially in areas where more treading occurs. For best results, use a rubber broom as it will not only attract all the hair your pets shed all over, but will also not leave any dirt behind.

2.     Steer clear of liquids.

Unlike normal floors which need regular mopping to shine and sparkle, hardwood floors actually become dull with repeated contact with moisture. Instead of moping, use a broom to clean it periodically. While mopping of hardwood floors is not unheard of, it is advisable to not let any liquid touch the surface at all. Also avoid bleach, oil, furniture spray, ammonia or wax so as to not damage your beautiful flooring. In case of accidental spillage, use a damp cloth to wipe it off immediately to prevent staining. Always use water-based acidic cleaners like diluted white vinegar instead of alkaline soaps and cleaners since the latter tends to dull the polished finish of the wood over time. Keep your windows or any other vents closed during rains so that the water cannot seep through.

3.     No scratches please.

Even the best hardwood floors are prone to scratching with the slightest provocation. The easiest way to prevent this is to use extra large and long cotton rugs. It is important that you use only cotton rugs to avoid scratches. However, if you do not want to hide away the glorious floor, simply put tiny soft pads on the bottom of those pieces of furniture, like chairs and tea-tables which are susceptible to movement even at the littlest bumps. Avoid wearing shoes with pointy heels over the surface and do not drag or slide heavy furniture, even the ones on wheels, to prevent denting and grazing the surface. If you have a pet, remember to trim their nails.

4.     Prevent discoloration.

It is possible for hardwood floors to discolor in areas which receive comparatively more or less exposure than the other areas. If you are using area rugs, remember to roll them up and move them around periodically so as to prevent this. Also, keep in mind that direct exposure to sunlight will result in discoloring and in case only a particular area of the floor is exposed to constant sunlight, either block the sunlight or place a rug in the area during the day.

5.     Use the right cleaning products.

Just because your furniture and your floor are both made of wood doesn’t mean your furniture polish will work on your exquisite and precious hardwood floor. These polishes usually contain ammonia which is alkaline and can affect your floor’s shine and finish. Also, refrain from using harsh steel wool pads or any other kind of scouring pads as these leave scars and scratches too permanent to get rid of easily. Always use cleaners which are water based acids with an almost neutral pH. If your floor is wax-finished, use wax finishes which are specifically made for wax finished hardwood flooring. If your floor is not wax-finished, use a regular hardwood floor cleaning agent. Please note that these products should only be used once a week or less.

6.     Cover up areas of high traffic.

No matter how much you try, there will always be instances where someone might stroll up your precious hardwood floor in their swanky stilettos or drag their feet from one end of the room to another. To prevent harm as a result, place cotton rugs or cotton mats in areas which are prone to be accessed more, like the areas near entrances and exits and where your furniture is placed. It is important to move these coverings occasionally in order to maintain the uniform coloring of the floor.

7.     Repair and refinish.

The key to any product lasting for a long period of time is periodic scrutinizing and repairing by a professional. Remember to hire a flooring specialist at least once a year to give a thorough look and repair and refinish the surface if needed. Postponing it because the damage seems minimal might just aggravate the problem and cost you ten times more than regular servicing might have.

Tips

●      Learn your wood type and educate yourself with its specifications.

●      Use soft cotton cloth to clean spillages instead of a mop.

●      If you absolutely have to wipe your floor, remember to wring your mop as much as you can to avoid excess of water seeping through the wood, thereby damaging it. Avoid liquid cleaners as much as you can.

●      Keep a handy kit for wood repair. In case of scratching, don’t panic! Instead, use the paint in the kit to carefully cover the scratch and let the area dry properly.

●      Use doormats at all entrances to absorb as much dirt you can before your guest (s) walk inside. Full length cotton rugs are also highly useful. Avoid rubber backed rugs to prevent scratching.

Maintaining pristine beauty comes at a price. Fortunately, hardwood floors follow the “Prevention is better than cure” policy which makes them twice as durable with half the maintenance. If you would like to know more about hardwood floors send us your contact information and one of our specialist will assist you.

This week we are helping out a nice family in Dublin who had some unfortunately circumstances.  They had some water damage in their master bathroom.  First they called their Insurance company and then they called us.  The Insurance Restoration Service removed the tile from the floor and around their bathtub because it all needed replacement.  So we are installing a new tile floor and of course new tile around their tub.  But that’s not all we are doing!  We are giving them a brand new custom tiled shower with a built in bench and shelf.  We did the demo of the old shower you see in the pics here and are in the middle of building out the new shower now.  Don’t worry, we’ll post the completed pics when we’re done.