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!

Where do Reclaimed Floors come from?

Sometimes from old Chestnut log cabins or barns.




They are given new life and turned into gorgeous Reclaimed Wormy Chestnut wood flooring.


Images provided by Timeless Wood Floors, one of our manufacturers.

Have you noticed?

Have you noticed prices increasing? On everything? What about wood flooring? We've received notifications from suppliers with price increases. However, we are working hard to continue providing you with the best prices possible. We have been given some reasons for the price increases of the raw materials, which directly affect the prices of the flooring.

In March, Armstrong World Industries, who manufacture Bruce, Armstrong Hardwood, and Robbins brands, have attributed their price increase to these contributing factors:

• Significant reduction and capacity from lumber mills due to a decrease in board feet demand from 11.6 billion in 2005 to 5.7 billion in 2009. In conjunction with the tightening of credit, it has reduced the number of lumber mills.
• Weather conditions in 2009 and 2010 have prevented loggers from getting to the wood with no relief in sight.
• Decrease in high-end furniture sales, causing an increase in the cost of select grade products, as the lumber mills are shifting that wood to flooring.
• Lumber demand has increased over 30% since August 2009 and now there is less capacity to fill.

Just this week Armstrong announced another price increase:

[Lancaster, Pa.] Armstrong announced that it will initiate a six percent price increase in the U.S. and Canada on solid hardwood flooring products effective with shipments on July 1st, 2010.

"Since the announcement of our last price modification, lumber and energy prices have continued to rise. Early signs of a recovery in housing are putting continued volume pressures on saw mills. The cost impact on solid hardwood flooring is clearly visible through the price on commodities such as unfinished strip, which has increased 20 percent in the last 60 days. Armstrong's continued focus on productivity and overhead reduction allows us to protect our customers from the full severity of raw material increases," said Daniel Call, vice president, wood product management.

It seems unavoidable at this time, and for an unknown amount of time. We'll all be battling this together. Know that we will do our best to keep your prices as low as possible.