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The Benefits Of Wood Flooring
Wood flooring offers many benefits. Some of these include: -
Price- Wood flooring can be found at very affordable prices, depending on the type of wood you want, where you live, and who is installing the wood floors. Obviously, if you demand a rare and exotic wood you are going to pay a substantial amount more than if you choose oak, pine, or maple, but there are many affordable wood flooring options that can fit into almost any budget. -
Beauty- Wood floors have been known throughout history for their natural beauty and appeal, no matter what wood is used. The wide variety of wood types allows you to choose one which is the most appealing to you and the best choice for your home. -
Maintenance- Wood floors are very easy to maintain. There is very little that must be done, aside from a general cleaning once in a while. Every few years you may need to strip and refinish these floors, to provide continued protection and good looks, but there is no extensive maintenance needed to keep your wood floors looking great all the time. -
Durability- Wood flooring is extremely durable, and can stand up to a significant amount of wear and tear without suffering damage. These floors are intended to last a lifetime and it shows. This does not mean a hardwood floor can not be scratched or damaged, just that it requires more effort than other flooring types. -
Environmentally Friendly- Wood floors are very friendly to the environment. They do not contain plastics, chemicals, or pollutants that can get into the air in your home or into the environment. -
Available Choices- Wood flooring offers hundreds of different choices to choose from, so finding a wood floor that is perfect for you is a snap. With more than fifty species of wood alone, then options for the finish, you can get a custom wood floor suited just to your needs. -
Easy To Clean- Hardwood floors are very easy to clean and care for. A simple sweeping or vacuuming regularly, and possibly a light mopping with either water or a special cleanser designed to moisturize and clean wood floors can be used. That is it, and it is so easy and convenient it is no wonder these floors are so popular. -
Versatility- Wood flooring is extremely versatile. These floors are perfect for any room in the house, no matter what size, shape, or layout is involved. These floors can also provide many different looks. -
Health Benefits- Wood flooring can offer many health benefits. There is no dust or fibers to irritate allergies or asthma, and these floors are not disposed to mildew or mold usually because of treatments to the wood. Spills and dirt will clean up much easier off of a wood floor as well.
The Disadvantages Of Wood Flooring
There are two major disadvantages to wood floors, and these are moisture and scratching. Moisture can cause several problems for hardwood floors, because it causes wood to swell up and then shrink back down. If this cycle is repeated frequently, the boards of the flooring may end up cupping, warping, or twisting. This can cause safety problems, because these boards can become trip hazards. When wood floors are installed, it is crucial that there are no wet or uncured concrete slabs either below the flooring being installed or close to it. This concrete will release moisture which is then absorbed into the wood, causing the moisture problems described.
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Scratches and visible damage are another disadvantage when it comes to wood flooring. This is especially true if the wood used is
very light or very dark. Choosing wood that is a medium tone will help prevent these problems from being very apparent. There are some things you can do to prevent scratching and keep your wood floor looking fabulous. Use pads under all the furniture in the room, to prevent any accidental damage. Use rugs and floor protectors near doors and entryways as well. The sealant or finish you choose to use on the wood floor can also help protect against any accidental scratches or damage.
The Costs Of Wood Flooring
The cost of wood flooring can range from very inexpensive all the way up to costing more than most people will pay for their homes, but the good news is you can control many of the costs involved. The wood you choose will play a huge part in determining the final cost of your wood flooring, and if the choice you make is going to cost more than you are willing to spend, you can always choose a more common wood type to bring the costs back down into your project budget and price range.
The Types Of Wood Flooring
Wood flooring can be made from many different types of wood. There are domestic woods, imported woods, and exotic woods, depending on what look you want and how much you are willing to spend for it. Red oak is the most popular wood type used for flooring in America, and it is used for more than fifty percent of all the hardwood floors installed in the country. Maple comes in at a close second, followed by cherry, bamboo, and then white oak. Other popular domestic wood types include beech, hickory, pecan, white ash, douglas fir, sugar maple, black cherry, and birch, among others. Imported woods can include Brazilian cherry, cork, bamboo (environmentally friendly), spoted gum, Australian Cypress, Bubingo, and Curmaru, among others. Exotics are woods that are rare and hard to find. These can include African Ebony, Teak, Blackwood, Bloodwood, Patagonian Cherry, Rosewood, Tobaccowood, Tigerwood, Mayan Walnut, Zebrawood, Caribbean Walnut, and more than one hundred other species of exotic and rare wood for a unique one of a kind floor in your home. Whether you have a small budget and want the natural beauty that a domestic wood floor can provide or you want an exotic and expensive floor that is very rare, our hardwood flooring specialists can help you get the wood floor you dream of.
Wood Flooring Maintenance And Care
Wood flooring is so popular because of the ease and convenience of caring for these floors, as well as their beauty. Wood floors require very little care to keep their natural beauty and shine, and usually a normal vacuuming and sweeping are all that is required. There are some products available that can be used on these floors to help moisturize them as well as clean them, and using one of these products regularly will keep the wood in great shape and prevent it from drying out, cracking, warping, or splitting.
Factors In Choosing Wood Flooring For Your Home
There are some factors that you should consider before deciding on the right wooden floor for your home. Cost is one of these, so determine your budget and price range before you start looking at wood flooring types, so you do not go over your project budget. The location of the floor is also a factor in choosing a wood floor type. How much traffic will go through the area? Durability is another factor, because some woods have a longer life than others, so determine how long you want the floor to last before it needs to be replaced. The look you want also needs to be considered, so you should determine whether you want a light, medium, or dark wood, and if you want any color tones included.
Installing Wood Flooring: DIY Or Hire A Professional
Now that you have determined the type of wood flooring you want, it is time to determine how it will be installed. Is this a project that you can do yourself, or should you hire professionals to do this for you? To determine this there are some questions you need to ask, and you need to answer them truthfully. Do you have knowledge and experience installing hardwood floors? Do you have the special tools and equipment needed to do the job correctly and properly? Are you a professional floor installer? If the answers to all these questions are yes than this may be a good do it yourself project for you, otherwise it may be wiser to pay a little and let us professionals handle the task. Yes you will have to pay for the installation, but your wooden floor will be installed correctly, making sure that the results are high quality and will last, without any problems or defects. Installing a wood flooring system can be complex, and a mistake can lead to damage or replacement flooring being needed much sooner, as well as visual defects.
How To Find A Quality Wood Flooring Installer
Once you have determined that using a flooring professional is the best way to go, the next step is to find one. A common mistake is to look through the phone book and call the first wood flooring installer you see, then hiring them. Just like with any other home improvement project, contractor, or building professional, do your research before you decide on the flooring installation professional to hire. Do not be worried about asking questions, or continuing until you get answers. Not all flooring professionals are the same, some are top quality companies while others may provide shoddy or defective work, after they have taken your money of course. Ask about any warranties or guarantees on the installation. A quality flooring company will stand behind their work as we do, and correct any defects as soon as they are made aware of them. Ask about previous education and experience. Ask the company for a list of references that they have done work for, and most importantly, check these references before hiring any flooring company. Ask for a list of previous customers that you can talk to, and verify that they are happy with the flooring results provided. Look at the contract, and use caution if there is a lot of fine print or any blank spaces. Take a few days to compare companies after you have all the relevant information, and do not ever let yourself be hurried or pressured into making a decision if you are not ready to. Compare prices, but do not make the mistake of letting price be the most important factor, because the saying you get what you pay for is usually true. If a company is offering to do the job for significantly less than a number of other companies, this may be a sign that something is wrong and you should stay away from that company. Wood flooring can provide beauty that lasts a lifetime if it is properly installed, maintained, and cared for.
A Stairway That Fits and Works Well
A stairway can be many things. It is utilitarian, because it is used to get from one place to another. A stairway can also add to the beauty and appeal of your home. There are many aspects and considerations that need to go into a stairway though, to ensure that it fits with your home and lifestyle, that it is attractive, that it works well, that it is properly built, and that the stairway is safe for use. If you are thinking about adding or replacing a stairway then these factors are ones you will need to consider. Planning a stairwell is similar to any other home improvement project. The first thing you must decide is where the stairway will go. This is important so that you know how much room you will have to work with. Make sure you understand the building laws and codes in your area, and find out whether you will need a building permit. If you use a contractor then they will normally take care of these details, but even then you should make sure it Is clear who is responsible for any permits and inspections.
Once you know where the stairway will go and you know what restrictions there are in your area, you need to determine what type of stairway you want in your home. Do you just want a simple stairway that leads from the first floor straight up to the second floor? Will the stairway have any landings? Will you need to have a stairway that changes direction to go around an obstacle? These questions are important for you to determine the perfect staircase. The room available may make some options obsolete, and may require special considerations. It is recommended that you use a contractor to ensure the work is done according to code and in a safe and proper manner. The contractor can help you determine which stairway is right for the room available and other factors that may affect the project.
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The building codes are put in place to protect the public, and this is true concerning stairways as well. Because stairs are used for walking, they must be built sturdy and strong. They also must be safe to use. One or more landings may be included if the area and your budget can fit this in, because landings give the climber a second to rest and catch their breath. To some people this is an important aspect, while others may not need to pause while climbing the stairway.
One stairway that can add immense appeal and value to your home is a spiral or circular staircase. These stairways have an unusual design that really makes them stand out, and they can be
 used in spaces where traditional stairs would take up too much room. Spiral stairways do not need to extend out, instead the steps spiral around up a pole or center support. These stairways require less area, so they are perfect for small homes and rooms. These stairs provide an original charm to your home, so even homes which are large and have plenty of space may opt for a spiral staircase, simply for the whimsical atmosphere they bring to the room and home.
Determining where you will locate your stairway is important. You will want it out of the main traffic area, so that it does not block any access through your home, but it should also be conveniently located. The location of the stairway should also be one that is the most visually appealing. A beautiful cherry wood stairway should not be hidden in a back room, and an extravagant and exquisite spiral staircase should not be stuck away in the corner. Determine where your new stairway would look and fit the best, considering your home and lifestyle.
Any new stairway should not just meet building codes and regulations. It should be made as safe as possible. Railings should be located on at least one side of the staircase, and both sides is better to prevent risks of falling down the stairs. The height of each step should be uniform and have no protrusions or raised areas that could cause someone to trip. Your new stairway should be wide enough for you to comfortably use it without feeling squeezed in. The pitch or slope of the new stairs is very important. A stairway should slope out gently, not go straight up and down. The treads should be wide enough so that you can fit at least most of your foot on each tread. Narrow treads can cause you to lose your balance and fall. If you are going to have carpet on your stairway, make sure that it is securely attached to each step and does not have any raised spots or rips. These tips will prevent injuries and keep you and your family safe. Stairs are a common cause of home accidents, and making sure your new stairway is safe should be a top priority.
Durability is another factor you should consider when adding a new stairway. Make sure that the materials you choose are durable and will stand up to the wear and tear you and your family will put them through. Some woods are softer than others, and may easily scratch or dent. You want a stairway that will look beautiful and still be functional ten and twenty years from now. The materials you use, and the care and maintenance you perform on your stairway, will determine exactly how long it will last. Choose high quality materials and an experienced contractor who does quality work. This will give you a stairway that you can be proud of for many years to come. Adding a stairway to your home can make it more convenient while adding value and beauty at the same time. Choose the right location and materials and you will end up with a stairway that you love and will enjoy. No matter what type of stairway you want, make sure that it is safe and strong, and meets your standards for beauty and appeal.
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