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Archive for the ‘Wood flooring’ Category
Why Engineered Wood Flooring is a Great Option for Humid Environments
When looking to invest in a long-lasting and attractive flooring solution for areas where humidity is a problem, you need a flooring material that is able to respond to environmental changes without losing any of its structural integrity or aesthetic appeal. One such solution that offers a great deal in the way of attractiveness and structural stability is engineered hardwood flooring.
Wood flooring of any kind has long been discouraged for use in areas where humidity is an issue. This is because heat can severely dry out hardwood floors and cause the boards to warp and cup, just as they would if they were exposed to excessive moisture.
Fortunately, engineered hardwood has been designed to counteract such effects, just as it has in the case of dampness in a below-grade or non-environmentally controlled interior. Indeed, the criss-cross type construction of the high-density fibreboard or plywood underneath the wood veneer enables engineered wooden floors to expand and contract with the heat without compromising the structural stability or attractiveness of the top layer.
As well as their functional benefits regarding humidity and dampness, engineered hardwood floors can also work out to be less expensive than their solid hardwood counterparts. This means that you can enjoy plenty of unique benefits and save yourself some money in the process!
Explore our pages further to find out more about the relative benefits of hardwood flooring and view our various wood flooring products in greater detail.
Bamboo Flooring Solutions
The incredibly durable, versatile and sustainable properties of bamboo have seen it become the hardwood flooring material of choice for environmentally aware residents who are keen for their homes to have an eco-friendly edge.
In addition to their green qualities, bamboo floors are also very popular because they can be adapted to suit any decorating style. This is because bamboo can be dyed into many different colours or kept completely natural. Similarly, it can be finished or remain unfinished. Quite simply, the choices are as many and varied as the options in your imagination.
Bamboo is available as either a solid wood or engineered wood flooring solution. Whilst these two options may look very similar when they are installed, there are some differences regarding their strength.
Solid bamboo flooring consists exclusively of bamboo strips that are pressed together to create the floorboards. Whilst this undoubtedly helps to create a more ‘pure’ floor, it can only really be nailed or glued onto a subfloor. Engineered bamboo flooring on the other hand consists of bamboo strips on top of other types of wood underneath. This option often works out to be stronger than solid bamboo as the blending of woods provides greater integral strength. In addition, engineered bamboo flooring can be floated onto subfloors as well as be nailed or glued.
When it comes to solid and engineered wood flooring solutions, nobody offers more than us here at Source Woodfloors. Browse our pages further to find out more.
Wood Flooring and Conservatories
If you recently added a conservatory to your home, you are probably mulling over the options open to you for your new flooring. Conservatories can be used during any time in the year and by having a stone floor it can be quite cold underfoot. However, by having hardwood flooring with underlay, your feet will not feel the chilly whilst you are enjoying the sunshine in your conservatory or watching your children play in your garden. Conservatories are great spaces for relaxing, enjoying some time with friends or even to use as an inspiring office or study.
By its very nature, a conservatory is normally constructed principally in glass on at least three sides (and quite often overhead as well), which means that part of its pleasure is that it can be a real sun trap. While being a suntrap is a huge plus for its owners, the fact that conservatories are real suntraps can pose real challenges when it comes to wood flooring. Why? Because suntraps mean high temperatures at certain times of day and (often) the lack of insulation offered by glass can mean that temperatures can drop dramatically overnight.
It is this fluctuation in temperature which poses the greatest problem for wood flooring rather than either the highs or the lows themselves. That said, choosing wood floor for your conservatory means that you need to make your flooring decisions just a tiny bit more carefully than you might in some of the other rooms in the home. Hardwood flooring would look perfect in your new conservatory and it would add a natural look in the latest addition to your home. Not only is it really easy to clean and maintain, but it looks fantastic too. Hardwood flooring comes in a range of different colours depending on the wood that you decide to go with. Whether you choose maple, oak or ash, you will not be disappointed with how amazing your new hardwood flooring looks.
In order to have a professional finish on your new hardwood flooring, hiring a hardwood flooring specialist to lay your new flooring will ensure that it looks spectacular and with a high quality finish.
Please feel free to contact us with any queries on 08456 021781
The Unique Qualities of Hardwood Floors
If you want to improve the look and durability of your home then hardwood floors are definitely a great option. This is because hardwood floors have many unique qualities.
Aesthetically versatile
Hardwood floors offer an incredible array of aesthetic options. Indeed, the choice available regarding the kind of wood, the type of finish and the design of the floor pattern is comprehensive, therefore hardwood floors can be used to successfully compliment all tastes and environments.
Environmentally friendly
In addition to being beautiful and hard-wearing, solid wood floors are also environmentally friendly as well. Indeed, there are few natural resources that are as effectively renewable and recyclable as wood.
Easy installation
Modern hardwood floors are very easy to install. Indeed, you can order wood floors that are pre-finished, therefore you do not need to finish or seal the floor before or after installation. In fact, factory-finished floors can be installed as soon as you get them home. Certainly it has never been easier to install a hardwood floor yourself.
In addition, you only have to pay for the cost of the materials and any relevant tools when you install a solid wood floor yourself. This means that you can save yourself a lot of money by not paying for the services and craftsmanship of a professional installer.
Explore our pages further to learn more about the unique qualities of hardwood and engineered wood floors and browse through our comprehensive catalogue of solid wood and engineered wood flooring products.
Solid Wood Floors Vs Engineered Wood Floors
Choosing the type of hardwood floor that will best suit your home (and DIY skills) is an important step when planning the installation of a new flooring solution. In essence, there are two main types of hardwood floor solutions to consider:
Solid wood
Solid wood flooring comes in three main types: strip, plank and parquet. Each type is available in both an unfinished and a pre-finished version. Unfinished flooring must be job-site sanded and finished after installation. Pre-finished flooring is sanded and finished at the factory – therefore it is ready for immediate installation.
Engineered wood
Many people confuse engineered wood flooring with laminate wood flooring. The main difference between this type of wood and its laminate equivalent is that laminate flooring contains no actual wood. Engineered hardwood flooring on the other hand is produced by adhering layers of plastic laminate veneer with real wood.
Considerations
Naturally, there are several things which you need to keep in mind when choosing the most appropriate type of wooden floor for your home. Solid hardwoods may require a little more maintenance than engineered wood flooring; however, they can always be re-sanded and refinished. Indeed, a well-maintained solid wood floor will undoubtedly retain its value better than an engineered wood floor.
In truth, it is actually very difficult to tell the difference between a solid wood floor and an engineered wood floor once they are installed. Therefore your choice will inevitably come down to a matter of personal taste.
Effective Maintenance Tips to Keep your Wooden Floors Looking Great
In general, hardwood floors are relatively easy to maintain as there are only a few key aspects which you need to be aware of. These aspects are: water, surface cleaning, sunlight, and traffic and movement.
Water
Water is far and away the biggest threat to solid wood flooring as it can force the wood to warp, shift and lose its lustre. The best way to avoid excess water exposure is to immediately wipe up any spillages with a dry cloth – never use a wet mop.
Surface cleaning
Wooden floor surfaces should be kept free of dirt by using a broom or vacuum cleaner. Naturally, the only cleaning products you should use are those which have been specifically designed for wooden floors.
Sunlight
Persistent exposure to sunlight can damage wood. Therefore, you must keep an eye on the parts of your floor which are likely to be affected by direct sunlight and use curtains or blinds to good effect.
Traffic & movement
You can extend the life of your wooden floors by placing rugs in high-traffic areas. In addition, you should use felt gliders or some other fabric to protect the wood when moving furniture around the room.
Explore our pages further to learn how effective maintenance can help to keep your hardwood and engineered wood floors in tip-top condition and take some time to browse through our comprehensive catalogue of solid wood and engineered wood flooring products in greater detail.
Aged Flooring
Aged oak flooring is a wood floor option which is currently extremely popular. Gone are the days when clean, crisp and new-looking are the desired options. Today, anything which looks like it may have a history, have a story to tell or may have survived a long and hectic life is best. Because of this demand, some very sophisticated and convincing methods of ageing or distressing as it’s sometimes called all types of clothing, furnishings and flooring have been developed. Generally speaking, the more convincing the ageing process, the more desirable the product.
Ageing oak flooring can be done using many different techniques, but most commonly, the aged effect on new oak is created either by hand or by machine. As you can imagine, any ageing which is carried out by hand, due to the labour intensive nature of the process, tends to raise the price of the end product. What’s more, some of the machine ageing or distressing processes are now so convincing that most people struggle to tell the difference between those and the real thing. An artificially aged floor will often have pretty much the same look as a floor which has had many years of wear and tear.
Tumbling is one of the most successful and commonly used methods of ageing oak using a machine. Tumbling involves putting the oak planks into a big drum which is kitted out with sharp objects to damage the wood as it tumbles. The tumbling treatment results in a really convincing aged effect because it damages not only the surfaces of the planks, but the edges as well, which adds to the overall effect. No matter which ageing process is chosen, the end result will be a new wooden floor which looks. That said, the real jewel in the crown of the ageing process is how the wood is coloured after it has been aged or distressed
Typically, liquid ageing agents are used to add a grey or dark brownish tone to the new floor with the aim of giving it that naturally “old” look. Fuming or smoking is also often used and has the benefit of colouring the wood through to its core. Thereafter, to create patchy or random looks, coloured stains and oils can be applied to the wood create a really convincing, aged look.
If you have any queries about your wood flkooring please feelfree to call us on 08456 021781
Suitable Finishes For Hardwood Decking
Decking is a stylish way to update your garden for summer. Not only is it great for barbecues, it’s cost-efficient and practical, too. It’s also ideal for families with young children as the surface is safer than stone for playing on, and its natural texture will make it an attractive feature in any garden.
Hardwood decking is a real investment and if you’re planning on investing in this solution, it’s worth considering which finish will work best for your personal hardwood decking project. Every hardwood decking project has its own characteristics and it’s well worth considering every detail of your project before choosing which hardwood decking finish is most suitable for you.
There is little doubt that there is a direct correlation between how well maintained a deck is and its life expectancy, so it’s important to make the right maintenance decisions throughout the life of your deck. Regular cleaning with the right products is really important after your deck has been installed and it’s important to make sure you are familiar with any specific requirements of the deck you choose. The first of the maintenance decisions you’ll make for your deck involves the selection of a suitable finish for your hardwood decking.
Some of the most commonly used finishes for hardwood decking are:
- UV oil
- Teak oil
- Generic outside decking oil, or
- A stain of some sort
UV oil is the preferred option for anyone who wants to protect their decking against any sun or light related damage or discolouration. Typically, decking will grey with age and sunlight. If you want to avoid this greying, a UV oil will certainly help.Teak oil and generic outdoor decking oil on the other hand are commonly used finishes for decking and all types of garden furniture. Teak and generic outside decking oil preserve the natural look of your decking by penetrating the wood, providing nourishment and helping protect it against mildew and algae.
If you want to change the colour of your wood, you can choose a stain to achieve your desired colour. If you choose a combined stain and seal option, not only will you be able to achieve your colour goals, you’ll be able to seal your wood at the same time.
Our Osmo Wood Oils and finishes for Decking from Source Wood Flooring
 
 
Please feel free to contact us on 08456 021781 with any queries.
The Playroom…
When it comes to your children you might be thinking about making a playroom for them. Flooring in a playroom is not always dependent upon factors such as space, size or house and income. Therefore different types of flooring will have their own advantages when it comes to look and feel. When selecting the best flooring for a playroom there are several considerations that need to be taken into mind.
It needs to be long lasting, child friendly, relatively comfortable and colourful, protect the child’s health in terms of allergy protection and be able to withstand heavy objects and protect the child from accidents. If it is cheap and easy to self-apply then parents may opt for flooring which incorporates all these features, and there are plenty of good options to choose from.
Hardwood flooring adds some structural strength to your floor. It also lasts for a lifetime, which means it will be there to help as your children grow up. It can also match your interior design across the rest of the room or house. Because of the structural strength you will not need to worry about any falling objects or stability as its hard surface allows for greater safety.
Laminate Flooring may well be the best option when it comes to wooden flooring. It is not only easy to clean and cheap but it can also be laid down by yourself. It is also durable enough to withstand the dropping of toys or heavy stamping. It can also accommodate mats or rugs easily which can also provide another safety element. The colour variations can also be child friendly. Due to the fact that laminate flooring is hard pressed together it can also survive and wear and tear that is likely to occur.
Solid wood flooring is good for allergies, as it prevents dust gathering. More so it is easily installed and lasts a long time. Seasonal changes make it adaptable to surroundings; it is great at insulating and keeps the room warm in winter months. This is different to engineered wood flooring which is good for preventing water, moisture, and humidity.
Engineered wood flooring, like most wooden floors, are durable, stable and of good value. It is easier to install when pre-finished.
Please feel free to contact us with any queries on 08456 021781
The Utility Room
Hardwood flooring can be used easily in high traffic areas, utility rooms, kitchen or even utlilty rooms, thanks to the latest finishing and engineering techniques. Hardwood floors compliment any home décor. There is a timeless appeal that only hardwood floor can give. It adds interest to a room by allowing a backdrop to furnishings. Its versatility is outstanding, whether a contemporary feeling or a country mood. Hardwood floor used to be limited to living rooms and dining rooms, now they can be installed in every room in your home including the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms and the utility rooms.
 
Hardwood flooring is easy to take care. Only minimal care is needed to preserve the splendour of these floors. The simplest way to clean sealed hardwood floors is to first remove all dirt and dust either using a broom or a lightweight vacuum cleaner. Then simply mop using a flooring detergent or cleaner, regular cleaning with a hardwood floor cleaner can help keep your flooring looking good.
  
There are health benefits associated with hardwood flooring. Dust and other irritants are trapped in carpeting and the grout of ceramic tiles. Over a period of time, these irritants can cause problems for those suffering with allergies. Hardwood floors can ideal for those dealing with indoor allergies Just because your utility room has to be practical and functional, doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style or comfort.
We’ve got a great range of stylish wood to give you utility look through from your kitchen for a more open feel.
If you need any help with your wood flooring, please contact us on 08456 021781
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