Tips to Save you Money

In doing some research for a different project, an article online made me stop and think about what goes into a flooring purchase. Everyone has a different reason as to why they make the choice they do. And I think we all consider the cost. Here are some things to think about when you are making that decision.

Most consumers choose hardwood flooring for the feeling of warmth, beauty and comfort it can give a room. Because of today's modern technology, many manufacturers are coming up with great new synthetic flooring that not only looks good, but is also durable and low-maintenance, a definite plus for those who are always on the go but want stylish floor coverings; however even though synthetic flooring is a great alternative, many people still crave the look and feel of all-natural floor coverings such as wood.

There are many other reasons to go with hardwood floors, such as the value they add to your home, easy care and easy cleaning, great style and durability and they're natural and safe for the environment. Although carpeting is an easy alternative to floor decorations, many home decorators are now setting a new trend with exotic hardwood flooring.

If you know a building contractor or hardwood floor contractor, they may be able to help you get a nice discount. In most cases, refinishing your floors will increase the value of your home, not to mention, adding style and beauty. Some of the most well known hardwood floor manufacturers include Bruce, Shaw, Mohawk, Mannington and Armstrong.

If you're looking for great ideas, get a copy of Hardwood Floors magazine; it's sent to more than 24,000 hardwood flooring professionals throughout the world, including contractors, dealers, distributors, manufacturers, builders, architects and many other industry professionals. If you own an older home, if the floors are structurally sound, why not go ahead and refinish them and bring your old hardwood floors back to life. After all wood is wood, and what can be more ecologically clean than natural wood planks after very little chemical processing?

There is no need for cleaning chemicals, carpet shampooing, or replacement carpets whenever you have big spills. When you're deciding on what type of flooring is the best for you and your home, the first step to making sure it's really right for you is to list all the pros and cons.

Today's hardwood flooring has made advances in style, durability, maintenance and care, making it more widely usable throughout the home, except in the bathroom where its use is not recommended due to possible moisture problems. Many people are now installing hardwood floors in their kitchen and it can also be installed over concrete. The cost of hardwood flooring depends on what type you choose.

With tons of web pages online, you can easily check online for all types of hardwood flooring including: red oak, white oak, American cherry, Brazilian cherry, maple, red birch, ash, hickory, walnut and even bamboo. If you're thinking about a do-it-yourself project, you can easily learn how to install flooring with a few of the proper tools like sanders, nailers or nail guns etc. which you can easily rent or borrow.

Summarizing, we can say that hardwood flooring provides the utmost warmth and beauty for your home. Most hardwood floors almost never need to be replaced and can add thousands of dollars to the value of any home.

Hardwood floors are the healthiest choice for interior living, especially if you live with children. If you're looking for a great way to improve the look, durability and value of your home, they are definitely the way to go. They are one of the most important design elements in any home or business.

Visit GateWood Floors to see what options are available to you and to find out more about your flooring choice. As always, if you don't see what you want, ask - we usually have it!

Radiant Heat & Wood Flooring: Part 2

A strange phenomenon occurring in radiant heat floors is color change directly over the tubes, typically happening with oily woods (often exotics). Over time, the difference in heat exposure directly over the tubes, compared to the rest of the floor, causes a color change in the warmer areas, usually darker, and reveals the exact pattern of the tubes. This is damage to your flooring that cannot be sanded out of the floor.

Before the wood flooring arrives at your job site, the radiant heat system must be running. How long depends on the moisture conditions necessary to bring the wood flooring inside. Some say 2 weeks, others say 30 days minimum. Turning the system on will ensure it is functioning properly, there are no leaks, and it is driving moisture out. If it is not turned on, and the subfloor sufficiently dried before the wood flooring is installed, it is a virtual certainty that when winter arrives, and the system is turned on for the first time, the wood flooring will cup and buckle as the moisture is driven out of the subfloor and into the wood flooring.

Once the flooring has been installed and it is time to apply the finish, it is important that prior to the finishing, the radiant heat is turned off long enough to allow time for the floor surface to reach a normal temperature, usually a minimum of 6 hours. If not, the entire floor will act like one big “hot spot”, similar to any spot where sunlight is directly hitting the floor. This will cause the finish to dry too fast, leaving applicator marks and causing bubbles. Once the finish is dry, the radiant heat can be turned back on.

Lastly, what happens after the installation is just as important as before and during. The environment must be maintained at optimal levels. Stabilizing humidity is the key. Whether that means adding moisture in winter or drier months or dehumidifying in summer or warmer months – this is critical to the success of the floor. Speak with you contractor to understand what the optimal environment is for your floor. Understand that even with humidity controls, it’s natural for wood floors to shrink and swell. It is also important that after being turned off for the season, the radiant heat is gradually turned back on. By its nature, radiant heat warms up slowly and it will be hard to resist the urge to turn it up higher and faster. This will cause a drastic temperature change for the floors and potentially irreversible damage. There are safeguards available to ensure this does not happen. Outdoor thermostats automatically and gradually turn radiant heat up or down in response to outdoor temperature changes. You should be educated by you contractor or installer as to how the heat works and why it shouldn’t be turned up too much at once. Finally, controls can be included in the system that prevent anyone from turning up the system too much at any one time.

For more helpful information on hardwood flooring options, or to buy the right flooring for your radiant system, please visit www.GateWoodFloors.com.

Hardwood Flooring 101

You will find an overwhelming number of websites with information and how-to’s. Using our experience as professional hardwood flooring installers, and as homeowners, we’ve answered some of the general questions you have about hardwood flooring and where to start. To get you started, here is an introduction to some great basic information and how-to-choose guides:

Species:
Let’s start with Hardwood Species. What’s popular? Which one should I use? The answers to these questions lies strictly within you. Your taste, your style, your color preference, your purpose, the look you want – you, you, you!

Which species is harder? For the answers to questions like these, check out the Hardwood Species Guide at GateWoodFloors.com!

Types & Grades:
On the list of things to consider when purchasing hardwood flooring is “What type of flooring do you need or prefer?” Solid 3/4” thick hardwood flooring is what most people think of when someone says “hardwood floors.” But there are more options today than ever before. The area in which you are installing the new hardwood flooring will dictate what type of flooring you will be able to use. “On” or “Above Grade” is any room at ground level and up. “Below Grade” is any room below ground level. Your choices are Solid, Engineered, or Laminate. Solid hardwood flooring is available in both Unfinished and Prefinished and can only be installed “On” or “Above Grade.” Engineered wood flooring also comes in Unfinished or Prefinished but can be used at any level - “On,” “Above” or “Below Grade.” Laminate flooring is only available in Prefinished, and can also be used at any level. Moisture varies at each level, and should be taken into consideration when deciding what type of flooring to install. For more detailed information, check out the Products Guide at GateWoodFloors.com!

Time to Calculate:
You’ll need to calculate how much flooring is required before you make your purchase. We can show you how in 4 easy steps!

Doing It Yourself?
You will first need to determine your method for installation. Depending on the type of flooring you’re installing can choose “Nail Down,” “Glue Down,” or “Floating” installation. Read our Do-It-Yourself Guide for much much more!

Care & Maintenance:
After your flooring is installed, you probably have questions about how to care for it, especially in different seasons. What about pets? We’ve answered some of your most frequently asked questions right here!

Upon first glance, it seems as if installing a new hardwood floor is a monumental task. At GateWood Floors, we keep it simple. Visit our extensive Buyer’s Guide. In just a few minutes you will get all the info you need to get a hardwood floor that gives you a lifetime of pleasure.