Most creaks and squeaks are caused by wood rubbing on wood – it’s a simple mechanical problem of too much material stuck in too small of a space. Many Hardwood flooring manufactures use a natural, organic material that expands and contracts as temperatures and humidity levels change. If individual planks don’t have enough room to expand, they’re forced to fight for space with the neighboring planks. For this type of “side-to-side” creaking, powdered graphite can often used to lubricate the contact areas. Simply apply graphite powder generously over the squeaky seam, place a rag or towel over the area, and work the squeak over and over until the graphite powder penetrates and the sound becomes silent. This method may take a few applications. When you’re finished, clean up the excess graphite powder with a damp towel, and enjoy the silence.

Another, more difficult squeak is one which develops between the hardwood flooring plank and the wooden subfloor. It’s always a good idea to use a quality underlayment material during the installation to help reduce this issue. If an underlayment hasn’t been used, it may be necessary to nail of screw the squeaky areas more securely to the subfloor. If nailing, be sure to pre-drill the floor plank, but not the subfloor. Apply pressure to the plank while nailing, for the most secure fit. If using screws, pre-drilling planks is a MUST! This will help prevent cracking. Always use screws with square drive heads – common Phillips screws slip too easily. Be sure to lubricate the screw with a little soap or wax, apply pressure to the plank, and drive until the screw head sits just beneath the plank surface. Finish by applying wood filler over the screw head.

In addition to using an underlayment during install, it is important to leave at least ¼” between the wall and the first plank in each row. This extra space allows the wood to expand without obstruction. The small gap can easily be covered by a quarter round or decorative molding. Remember to follow manufacturer’s instructions to a T, and always consult with a licensed contractor before any DIY install.

Boston is a marketing specialist with QualityFlooring4Less a leader in
Hardwood Flooring.

Whenever confronted with such questions, we refer our customers to the results of a survey conducted by the National Wood Flooring Association. The organization surveyed real estate agents throughout the country, and found out that hardwood floors, among all flooring types, will help sell homes faster, and (probably) at a better price.

But this is hardly the toughest choice a customer has to make when installing new floors. Once decided that hardwood flooring makes the best choice for their homes, customers are faced with the challenge of selecting ‘the right’ type of hardwood floors.

A perusal on the Lumber Liquidators’ website, the nation’s largest hardwood retailer, reveals a wide selection of hardwood floors, all coming with different colors, qualities, and prices. We’ll take a look now at some of the most expensive (and beautiful) hardwood flooring tiles you can opt from to hopefully make your choice easier and help you through the process.

1. Zebra Wood – This is probably the most expensive hardwood floors in the world. It is an exotic wood with an appearance that resembles the striping of a zebra. The zebra wood was a favorite choice among the rich – it was used inside luxury cars such as Mercedes Benz, but also in Prada’s flagship store in Manhattan. However, eco-friends be warned – zebra wood comes from an endangered tree in West Africa, so choosing a rare wood, as the zebra wood, might have unwanted ecological consequences.

2. Wenge – It’s about the deep brown color, an almost black, which gives wenge a ‘vow’ effect, making it an instant hit among owners who want to give their homes personality and elegance at the same time. Wenge is a very hard, heavy, and durable wood. Wenge is an exotic wood, harvested in Central Africa, and although it’s not among endangered species, the product is rare and hence very, very expensive in the US.

3. Brazilian Walnut – It is also known as Ironwood, and it is the hardest wood in the world, with an unmatched 3,680 on the Janka scale. In addition to its hardness, the wood does very well in humid areas and it’s very resistant to pests. The Brazilian Walnut has beautiful chocolate color, which makes it a popular choice for both decking application and flooring.

Calin is a marketing professional with the Flooring Service Group, a leader in Atlanta hardwood flooring.

Is floor sanding and sealing really necessary? The answer is yes. If you want to know why there is a need to do routine floor sanding and sealing, here are some of the reasons:

The primary reason why it is a necessity is because it provides protection to your floor. Homes are considered to be a valuable investment that is why a lot of effort and money are put into it. You will only want the best quality in every aspect. If you want the wooden floors to retain its good and scratch-free condition then sanding and sealing are essential. By putting a protective layer, it prevents water from soaking to the floors. It saves the hassle of having to deal with molds and mildew later on.

In case you failed to do a routine maintenance, floor sanding and sealing is the way to regain the floor’s old shine and luster. In case the woods start to look dull and lose its shine due to constant scrubbing and cleaning, it is advisable to perform sanding and re-staining in order to restore its appearance or give it a new look.

Lastly, sanding could save you money in the long run. Wooden floors are subjected to regular wear and tear. It is only vital to check it on a regular basis and examine if repairs are needed. Among the common problems that you might encounter are loose planks and nails. Proper sanding could help prevent the situation from getting worse.

Just a piece of advice to homeowners, floor sanding is not recommended as a do-it-yourself task. It is recommended to seek the services of professionals that are trained and equipped with the right tools for this job.

Mia is a freelance content writer is also fond of traveling and outdoor adventures.

She is currently working on a gulvafslibning project and sees this as an opportunity to share information to readers about floor sanding.

While this earth-friendly and aesthetically appealing material is growing in popularity, not all consumers are totally familiar with engineered hardwoods.

So what are engineered hardwoods and how are they made?

Engineered wood flooring is made up of layers of wood that are glued together and cross layered.  The layers are comprised of thin pieces of plywood and the top surface is a wooden veneer that is readily available in practically any wood type.

And this is wear the eco-friendly aspect of engineered flooring comes in.

Because the material is made up of layers, the top layer of fine wood is much thinner than standard wood floors.  For consumers who want hardwood floors made of luxurious, rare or exotic woods, choosing engineered wood floors will help conserve the source of the wood.  According to Hosking Hardwood, for each square foot of solid three-quarter-inch hardwood that is manufactured, approximately four times the amount of engineered hardwoods can be made.  Because the floors are made of layers, they are great choice for flooring in areas that are prone to high moisture and humidity.

The manufacturing process of engineered hardwoods is usually done in one of two ways: sliced with a saw blade or rotary cut with a knife blade.  The finished product generally ranges between three and seven inch pieces and is sometimes available in thicker wear layer.  Contrary to popular belief, engineered hardwood floors can be resurfaced and have an average lifespan of 60-80 years.

Aside from the great finished look of the floors, the installation process can be fairly simple.  Because of the layered ply pieces, engineered hardwoods can be installed over a dry concrete surface or even on top of some existing flooring materials such as wood laminates or tile.  When installing engineering wood floors, it is vital to ensure that the moisture content does not exceed four percent.

Although it is made manufactured differently than hardwood flooring and the finished product is different, engineered hardwood floors adds the same value to your home as traditional hardwoods.  And, if you choose a rarer or exotic top layer, you may be adding more value than choosing a more common type of traditional hardwoods.

If you decided that engineered hardwood flooring is the right material for your home, make sure you find a retailer that gives you a variety of finishes and woods to choose from.  Many retailers offer different woods and even different finishes, such as the newly-popular hand-scraped look.  Hand-scraped hardwoods provide a rustic finish that really showcases the different grains and textures of the wood.

Before you decide on whether or not engineered hardwood floors are right for you, visit a flooring retailer and do some research.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  Making an informed decision and purchase will result in you being much happier with your finished product.

With the unique design created with these wood parquet floorings, many homeowners are beginning to like investing in them.

Wood parquet flooring is considered an art with the objective of creating another type of geometric figure for design. The process of combining the pieces together can be done manually or through the use of a machine intended for such purpose. The process is similar to the installation of tile flooring. It only differs in the materials used since parquet flooring uses soft wood.

Installation is simple if you know the proper procedures. But if you think you can’t do it, it is advisable to hire skilled worker who can install it for you, so you will not waste money and time.

Once the wood parquet flooring is installed properly, inspect it thoroughly and ensure that there are no gaps in any of the surface. Gaps can cause warping in the future. It is also important that you must learn how to take care of your investment to prevent it from any damage.

Just like in any wood flooring, avoid any liquid in the surface of the parquet. If there are any spills, wipe the liquid immediately with a slightly damp cloth or mop. Avoid dragging any objects or furniture on the floor because it will leave serious scratches and might even peel off the finish.

Cleaning this type of flooring is quite easy with proper floor polisher and cotton cloth. Make sure to use cleaning solutions exclusively made for wood floorings. Using any cleaning solution not intended for wood flooring might cause stains and damage, due to chemical reactions. Regularly remove dirt and dust to maintain the smooth surface of the parquet as well as make it always look new.

When using a vacuum cleaner, be careful not to over do it, because it will wear out the finish.

Should there be any noticeable scratches on your parquet floors you can use touch up sticks usually made of wax to match the color of the scratched areas. Use a putty knife to remove any excess then buff the treated area.

You can also use markers that contain wood stain which you can purchase in your local hardware. These markers can be used to cure scratches in any area of your wood parquet flooring.

If there is severe damage with your parquet flooring, you can treat the area on your own. Use a masking tape surrounding the damaged area, and then use a fine sand paper and sand off the damaged portion. After sanding, re-stain the area and apply a new finish. Buff the affected portion until you are satisfied with the result.

Different species of wood flooring will experience color changes at different rates. In general, more-common species such as oak and hickory will experience minimal color change over time, while less-common species, like American cherry and Brazilian cherry will show more color change over time. These changes are natural, but can be minimized with a little prevention.

Two factors influence color changes in wood floors: sun exposure and the finish that is applied to the floor. Over time, prolonged sun exposure will cause wood floors to change color. Think about how skin reacts when exposed to sunlight. Wood reacts in much the same way, and homeowners can minimize this effect by periodically moving rugs and furniture to limit that exposure.

The second factor that can cause wood floors to change color over time is the finish used. Oil-modified finishes will amber over time, giving the floor a slightly yellow appearance. In contrast, water-based finishes generally will remain clear over time, minimizing long-term color changes.

Contact Information:
Director of Communications
National Wood Flooring Association
636-519-9663
anitah@nwfa.org

Source: WoodFloors.org – NWFA

Wood is not just for burning in your stove. Using wood as flooring throughout your home can add warmth and value too.

Wood is divided into two categories softwood and hardwood. Hardwood is better suited to flooring, but softwood such as pine, can be used satisfactorily. Hardwood tends to come from deciduous tress such as oak, maple, cherry, and mahogany, while softwood comes from evergreens, such as pines and spruces, and fast growing trees, like poplar.

In flooring hardwood is used and can be an excellent choice for numerous reasons:
* Ads warmth and value to your home
* Easy maintenance
* Can be used in any room
* Eases allergy suffering
* Finish options

There are however some disadvantages to wood flooring:
* Water can damage your floor and cause warping
* High installation cost

Wood floors can be solid, laminated, or engineered wood and can be purchased in both unfinished and pre-finished states. There are also different installation methods that can are used. Nailing or stapling is commonly used for installing solid wood and engineered flooring. Gluing is used for both engineered and laminated flooring, gluing the edges so the planks effectively form one large surface. Another installation option is known as floating, where the flooring in installed so that it moves independently above the sub-floor; floating floors can be glued or clicked together, and sometimes float over a pad placed on the sub-floor. Floating floors can be installed over sub-floors made of concrete, plywood or OSB (oriented strand board), vinyl, linoleum or tiles.

When choosing your wood floor, you can choose from prefinished or unfinished flooring. Prefinished wood floors have been finished using a water- or oil-based finish and are fully functioning once installed. Unfinished floors not only take longer to install, because they have to be sanded and coated after being laid, but also is messier because of dust and odors when being sanded and finished.

The hardness of wood is determined using the Janka hardness test. Brazilian fir wood (0060) is the softest wood and Brazilian Ebony (3692) is one of the hardest. In flooring, hardwood is better than softwood since it can so easily be damaged.

Wood flooring has been used throughout history and continues to be the case today. But the early 1970s did see a decline in the use of wood floors, with carpet becoming very popular. Since the 1980s, wood floors have made a steady come back and today are among the most popular choices in flooring.

Wood floors can be expensive and without the correct care and maintenance can become dull and unattractive. Solid wood flooring that is mistreated may need frequent refinishing. Spills and standing water can warp and crack the wood and its finishes.

Choosing your wood flooring is the first step. Grain, texture, and color should be considered as part of making your choice. Another important decision that you will have to make is on the finish, choosing a pre-finished floor will save time and a lot of cleaning. Unfinished floors however, have the advantage of being getting a smooth surface during the sanding phase of the finish. Wood floors can be installed in any room, but extra care must be taken in wet rooms, such as bathrooms and laundries. Dust and allergens sink into carpet, but with wood floors they remain on the surface so can easily be removed helping to promote a healtyh home.

In order to get the best value from your wooden floors proper care, installation and maintenance are required. A dry or damp mop, rather than a wet mop, can be used to clean wood floors. Vacuuming should be a regular occurrence to get the grit that scratches the surface. Using furniture glides will help prevent scratches, as will the strategic placement of rugs around the house. Bleach and other harsh detergents should be avoided because they damage the finish and the wood itself. Consult your manufacturer?s guidelines for the best care. If your wood floors are properly cared for and maintained they will last a lifetime.

Another bonus is that wood floors are versatile and can add warmth to any room. Solid flooring can be refinished and changed more readily than tile or carpet, which often have to be removed in order to change the appearance of a room. Once sanded, solid wood floors can be resealed or stained and sealed. Wood floors can also be painted with patterns, like rugs or game boards, to add a fresh look to a tired-looking floor. Prior to painting wood floors, the old finish needs to be removed. And be sure to “varnish” the paint with several coats so that it wears well.

So you see, a wood floor really is an investment in your home. When you tire of the look, you don’t need to rip it up, all you have to do is refinish your it, And don’t forget, wood floors also your home’s value. Don’t you think its time you started look at wood as more than just fuel for your stove?

Wholesale hardwood flooring is an excellent choice because it provides the home owner with high quality hardwoods at a low, affordable price. Wholesale hardwood flooring is flooring that is genuine hardwood but it is being sold at a wholesale price, or the price that the retailers will pay for it. The price is often significantly lower than that which you would pay at any other location. The most difficult aspect of the use of wholesale hardwood flooring is finding locations to purchase it from.

Wholesale hardwood flooring has many advantages to the user. First off, it provides for people to have the high quality, the highly beautiful hardwood look. The product tends to be of the same quality as standard hardwood, the only difference tends to be the price. Hardwood wholesale is still the same in quality as that of the standard, or even over-priced, items. The difference is that it provides more affordability with that high quality.

The drawback to hardwood flooring wholesale purchases is that they are hard to come by. Because the price of them is so outstanding, it can be purchased rather quickly. Or, it may not be available in all of the standard colors and types that the buyer would like to purchase. Hardwood wholesale is difficult to find and may mean that the buyer must purchase whatever it is that is being offered by the location. This may be a deterrent for some.

Hardwood flooring has been used for years. It is a type of flooring that will last a lifetime or longer. When protected, it is durable, beautiful and increase the value of your home. Those are a few of the benefits to using hardwood flooring within the home or a business establishment. Buying that hardwood wholesale gives you one more great benefit — price savings.

There are a number of ways you can find wholesale hardwood flooring. First, you can check out wholesale outlets for hardwood flooring. These locations will provide you with hardwood flooring wholesale prices and often stock a good amount of the product. That means that you are likely to find what you are looking for and enough for your specific needs. You can look on the internet. You can seek construction projects that have been stopped or the customer changed their mind about their hardwood choice.

To find these wholesale outlets for hardwood flooring, simply do some basic research on the web. Know what the standard pricing plan is for the type of hardwood that you plan to purchase. Compare websites to find the wholesale hardwood flooring products from one website to the next until you find just what you are looking for in quality, price and desired look.

There are many benefits to using wholesale hardwood flooring in your home or your business. It provides an affordable way for you to get the beauty and durability of hardwoods at the right price. It allows for the added value to the home or business because of the high quality of the flooring. When properly protected and maintained, it can last you for years. When you can get this all in a great price, what else is there to complain about? Wholesale hardwood flooring is, by far, an outstanding choice.

Take the hassle and mundane work out of finishing your hardwood flooring with prefinshed hardwood flooring. What is prefinished hardwood flooring? As the name suggests prefinished hardwood flooring is hardwood flooring that has been finished in a factory before being sold to retail outlets.

The advantages of choosing prefinished hardwood flooring include:
* Installation is faster than unfinished flooring
* No toxic chemicals or off gassing
* Manufacturers warranty

The disadvantages of choosing prefinished hardwood flooring are very few but there are some:
* Limited finish options
* Harder to match your existing flooring
* Not an surface

When you buy unfinished hardwood flooring you are allowed to create any look you want, you can match the finish of already existing hardwood flooring, and you have a greater uniformity in finish because it’s sanded and sealed as one piece after installation.

Prefinished hardwood flooring is available as engineered and solid hardwood flooring. These flooring products are purchased already finished and ready to install and use immediately.

Engineered prefinished hardwood flooring is constructed in a fashion similar to that of common plywood with an actual hardwood veneer on the surface which is known as the wear layer. These wear layers can vary and the key to choosing quality prefinished hardwood flooring is to check the thickness of the wear layer. Many prefinished engineered hardwood flooring can also be refinished a number of times but this depends on the thickness of the wear layer.

For those looking for a flawless finish, floors may need to be refinished every five years but it is worth noting that minor scratches and dents add character to hardwood flooring. Engineered prefinished flooring can be refinished at least two or three times. It is more stable and cheaper than solid prefinished hardwood flooring as there is minimal expansion and contraction in this product.

Solid prefinished hardwood flooring is as the name suggests; solid hardwood that has been factory finished. Solid prefinished hardwood floors can be refinished as needed.

When it comes to any hardwood flooring, the wood and finish you choose will determine the amount of refinishing that will be required in the future. Wood is rated for hardness using the Janka hardness test. Brazilian ebony has a Janka rating of 3692 and is the hardest wood on the market, while Brazilian fir has a Janka rating of 0060 and is the softest. Oak, which is the most common flooring types, has a Janka rating of 1260 for red and 1360 for white. The higher the Janka rating the harder the wood will be to damage. So if you combine a hard-wearing finish with a hard wood, you will have less refinishing of your floors.

When it comes to installing hardwood flooring in your home, prefinished flooring will demand less time and energy. Unfinished flooring requires finishing on site and this can take on average up to a week of sanding and applying a polyurethane finish. Prefinished hardwood flooring has already been sanded and coated with polyurethane, so there is no health hazard involved as there is no dust or toxic fumes, and much of the off gassing has already happened. Finishing the wood in the factory also cuts down on labor costs during installation, making prefinished hardwood flooring more affordable. Another great advantage of prefinished hardwood flooring is of course, the manufacturers warranty on the finish; you don’t get this with unfinished hardwood flooring, though the installer may offer a warranty.

Unfinished flooring does however have its advantages too. With unfinished flooring, although it takes longer to install, you have the advantage of creating a unique look, and it is easier to match the finish of your existing wood flooring. There is also better uniformity when finishing hardwood flooring yourself especially if a large room is being floored. When prefinished flooring is purchased for large rooms, it can be very hard to match all the flooring pieces as color and texture can vary.

Aluminum oxide finishes are used quite frequently with prefinished floors and provide a tough finish. Note that no finish can withstand all wear and tear, so you have to care for any floor you install. High gloss finishes will show scratches and dust more than other finishes, especially on open grained hardwoods such as maple and oak, and on dark flooring materials such as ebony.

Why vacate your home for a week while your hardwood flooring is being installed. With prefinished hardwood flooring you don’t need to. You can reduce your hassles and use your new floor quickly when you select prefinished hardwood flooring.

If you are looking to add elegance, warmth, and style to your home then you should consider installing hardwood flooring.

Hardwood comes from deciduous trees, which are trees that shed their leaves in winter. These hardwood trees have broad leaves and produce either fruits or nuts. There are hundreds of species of hardwood trees but some of the most popular names used in flooring are maple, cherry, and oak.

As with any flooring, there are pros and cons, and hardwood flooring is no exception. The main advantages of using hardwood flooring in your home are:
* Adds warmth and elegance
* Can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance
* Easy to maintain and clean
* Can benefit those who suffer from allergies

The disadvantages include:
* Cost hardwood flooring can be expensive
* Standing water can cause damage

Hardwood flooring is available as solid flooring or engineered flooring. Solid hardwood floors are solid pieces of hardwood that have been cut into wooden planks generally 3/4″ thick and are recommended for use above ground level and should not be placed over concrete slabs.

Engineered hardwood flooring is made up of several plies of hardwood that have been laminated to form a wooden plank. Sometimes a veneer of hardwood is added as a finished top layer. This flooring can range in thickness from 1/4″-1? and can be installed anywhere in the home, including over dry concrete slabs.

Whichever style of hardwood flooring you choose for your home, installation will require one of the following methods:
* Nail/staple down
* Glue down
* Floating

Hardwood floor finishes include unfinished and pre-finished. Pre-finished flooring offers a wider variety of wood species and can save hours of labor, and you get a factory finish warranty with this style. Unfinished wood allows you to obtain a completely smooth, uniform surface but without a warranty.

You may be wondering how we know which hardwoods are suitable for flooring. The answer depends mostly on your lifestyle and how hard you need the wood to be. The Janka Hardness Test will tell you how hard any given species of wood is. The Janka Hardness Test measures the force needed to embed a 0.444-inch steel ball to half its diameter in wood. The more force needed, the harder the wood. Brazilian Teak (3540), Brazilian Tiger Mahogany (3840), Red Walnut (2450), and Brazilian Oak (1650) are qualified under the classification of hardwood due to their high ranking on the Janka test.

Hardwood has been used in flooring for many decades and its popularity has soared in recent years. Known for its elegance and durability, hardwood has been used on floors in early mansions and modern condominiums. Early homeowners however, did not have the wide selection of hardwood species that we have today; the original hardwood flooring used in these older homes is most likely oak or maple. Over the years, many more species of hardwood have been added to the flooring range along with a wide variety of exotic hardwood flooring options such as Brazilian Cherry.

Hardwood flooring can be very expensive, especially when compared with vinyl, tiles, and carpet, but installing a wood floor in your home can be a larger investment that other flooring options. With proper maintenance, your hardwood floor can last a lifetime and adds to the resale value of your home. Care should be taken in bathrooms, kitchens, and other wet rooms such as laundries, because standing water will damage hardwood flooring. Spills, for example, should be cleaned up immediately to prevent damage.

Installing a hardwood floor adds warmth and elegance to your home. With today’s finishes, these wood floors are now even easier to maintain. Throw rugs at entrances will help trap grit and dirt, and will reduce the chance of scratches. Remember to move these rugs occasionally to provide equal oxidation and bleaching to your hardwood flooring, allowing the entire floor to age evenly. Floor glides or felt and cork pads under your furniture also help prevent scratches. A damp or dry mop, rather than a wet mop, to keep the wood from warping.

Hardwood flooring can be a great benefit to those who suffer from allergies and stressed immune systems. Carpets hold dirt, allergens, and molds, and vacuuming removes only a portion of these. Hardwood floors allow the removal of all these, helping reduce the number of allergens in your home which is great for allergy sufferers.

Hardwood flooring, although expensive, does prove to be cost effective in the long run. There is nothing more striking than a well cared for hardwood floor. And remember, wood flooring adds value to your property.