There are many ways to finish a wood floor, of course, but varathane wood floor finishing has been one of the most consistently popular and sought after ways to finish or refinish any kind of wood flooring.


One of the best things about varathane wood floor finishing is how easy this great finishing product is to install. The easy three step process takes only a matter of hours, but it can provide many years of beauty and trouble free performance from all brands of hardwood flooring.


No precleaning or sanding is necessary to use varathane wood floor finishing, and in fact the patented formula used by varathane actually does the job of a good sandpaper, without any of the hassle or the mess of actual sanding. In fact, the varathane process helps to eliminate common contaminents on the floor that may otherwise prevent the adhesion of the finishing product.


In addition to eliminating the need to sand the current hardwood floor, varathane wood floor finishing also provides a special chemical formula which helps to provide a receptive surface to allow the finish to be applied in a straightforward and effective manner.


The varathane wood floor finishing process also includes an excellent system for rebuilding damaged hardwood floors and helping them shine their best. The unique catalyzing formula used by varathane helps to permanently lock the original formula with a clear and beautiful finish that is also very hard and very durable.


There are a number of important advantages to be had by users of the wood floor finishing programs using varathane. For instance, the product will not alter the original color of the floor, it requires no sanding and no need to wear a dust mask, it requires no specialized equipment or tools and it features a low odor, eliminating the need for additional ventilation. When you use a varathane wood finishing product, the room is ready within 24 hours, and the process can be completed even by those with no hardwood floor refinishing experience.

Main Menu

• Sign Up
• Member Login
• Latest Published Articles
• Submission Guidelines
• Terms & Conditions
• Contact Us

Article Views: 597
Ezine ready page

Posted on April 1, 2006 by Alphonso Sirtle.. | Posted under Home Improvement

The beauty and power of varathane wood floor finishing

There are many ways to finish a wood floor, of course, but varathane wood floor finishing has been one of the most consistently popular and sought after ways to finish or refinish any kind of wood flooring.


One of the best things about varathane wood floor finishing is how easy this great finishing product is to install. The easy three step process takes only a matter of hours, but it can provide many years of beauty and trouble free performance from all brands of hardwood flooring.


No precleaning or sanding is necessary to use varathane wood floor finishing, and in fact the patented formula used by varathane actually does the job of a good sandpaper, without any of the hassle or the mess of actual sanding. In fact, the varathane process helps to eliminate common contaminents on the floor that may otherwise prevent the adhesion of the finishing product.


In addition to eliminating the need to sand the current hardwood floor, varathane wood floor finishing also provides a special chemical formula which helps to provide a receptive surface to allow the finish to be applied in a straightforward and effective manner.


The varathane wood floor finishing process also includes an excellent system for rebuilding damaged hardwood floors and helping them shine their best. The unique catalyzing formula used by varathane helps to permanently lock the original formula with a clear and beautiful finish that is also very hard and very durable.


There are a number of important advantages to be had by users of the wood floor finishing programs using varathane. For instance, the product will not alter the original color of the floor, it requires no sanding and no need to wear a dust mask, it requires no specialized equipment or tools and it features a low odor, eliminating the need for additional ventilation. When you use a varathane wood finishing product, the room is ready within 24 hours, and the process can be completed even by those with no hardwood floor refinishing experience.


About The Author:
Alphonso has been working in the home remodeling industry for last 5 years. Take advantage of his experience and written material on flooring ideas at his website at http://www.improve-home.com

http://www.articleclick.com

Two Common Causes of Wood Floor Damage - How to Easily Prevent Damage to Your Laminate Flooring

Wood floors are a great way to add elegance and beauty to any home. And with todays laminate products they can easily be installed by the average person with simple tools. The only drawback to this type of flooring is the potential for wood floor damage to occur if you clean of treat your floor incorrectly.

Common Causes Of Laminate Floor Damage

Water Damage- This is the fastest and easiest way to damage your wood floor. Water damage usually happens when someone mops the floors with water or uses to much of a liquid floor cleaner!

Even though todays wood floors are made to be waterproof they are not 100% water proof! With this in mind you should only clean your flooring with dry mops or with specially designed flooring cleaner used very sparingly.

If you get to much water on your floor it will have the ability to seep in between the floor planks and attack the wood from the side. This is the most vulnerable spot on the planks and prolonged exposure to excess water can cause your floor to peel, buckle or warp.

Floor Scratches- This is another common form of wood floor damage that is easily avoided. The scratch in your floor come from one source, dirt and abrasives that find their way indoors.

The biggest carrier of dirt and grime is the bottom of your shoes. If you have enough of it on your shoes you will scratch the floor when you walk.

Over time you will start to see dulling in your floor where it is most heavily traveled. To avoid this problem remove your shoes when you enter your home.

Another overlooked cause of laminate floor scratches is furniture. The legs of the furniture can easily scratch a floor due to the weight they support. Anti slip rubber pads under your furniture legs can go a long way when you are trying to prevent wood floor damage.

Learn more ways to minimize Wood Floor Damage and keep your flooring shiny and beautiful with our FREE Laminate Floor Tips

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darin_Sewell

Wooden Floor Installation And Renovation

We specialise in floor sanding, wood floor restoration and wooden floor installation, we are not just an 'add on' service.Our dedicated team of experienced floor fitters carry out high quality wooden floor installation from sub floor preparation, installation and finishing.

Our wooden floor installation processes can replicate many classic floor or boarding construction styles.

We are now able to offer a total flooring solutions package being able to fit all types of commercial flooring including ceramic tiles, vinyl's and carpets as well as our wooden floor installation, floor sanding and sealing and court marking.

Whether you need a home improvement, house or flat refurbishment in London, new bathroom, a replacement kitchen, wooden floor installation or renovation, extension or loft conversion, internal or external complete refurbishment, then our name is for you!

Here are the main wooden floor types: Hardwood floors.

Hardwood flooring is available in both unfinished and pre-finished form. They are made up of geometrical patterns, composed of individual wooden slates held together by a mechanical fastening or adhesive. We sand and restore all wooden floors from floorboards to parquet floors, from a small domestic hall way to full size commercial sports halls, schools. We fit all wooden floors specialising in solid oak plank flooring / parquet flooring / re-claimed pine boards / new pine boards / block flooring / hardwood flooring / repairs / sanding in new floors / new to old.

Installing solid wood flooring. Before installing any wood floor you must first make sure the sub-floor is free of loose materials. Before you begin installing a floor, you should give careful consideration to the type of floor you want. Basically when it comes to how to install bamboo flooring, the installing procedure is pretty much the same as with conventional hardwood flooring. Make sure you read all installing instructions from the bamboo flooring manufacturer carefully, because humidity can backfire if it comes to any wooden floor installation.

Parquet flooring this has a very different look from typical hardwoods. All our floor fitters are experienced in all types of wood floor fitting such as: solid wood, laminate, engineered, reclaimed timber, pre finished, unfinished and all types of parquet. We can fit overlay, solid wood, engineered boards and the more specialized herringbone parquet blocks.

It is our particular expertise in Sanding and Refinishing floors, especially in the staining process, which gives us the edge to create individual and exquisite floors for you.

Our wooden floor installation processes can replicate many classic floor or boarding construction styles. Quality of subfloor installation Subfloor is one of the main elements of the wooden floor construction. A suitable floor installation construction should be used. For this reason, all wet construction works in the premises must be completed prior to installing wooden floor on heated or unheated subfloor. Additional factors influencing the use of heated wooden floor Use of wooden floor is influenced by the following additional factors: timber species; method of wood cutting; and wooden floor construction

By: Ovidiu Diaconu

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Tips for choosing the best kempas wood floor

There are of course many types of woods that make up the hardwood flooring market, but the kempas wood floor is among the most beautiful and the most durable on the market. It is important, of course, for every homeowner to shop carefully in order to get the best possible deal on the hardwood floor they need, just as it is important to care for that floor properly after it has been installed.


There are of course many places to shop for a quality kempas wood floor, and these days wood floors are sold in more places than ever before. One good place to start searching for a quality kempas wood floor is at the local hardware store or home improvement warehouse. Many of the best warehouse stores and hardware stores have an excellent selection of quality traditional and exotic hardwoods on the market, and shopping around a lot will help you find the best type of wood for your floor, as well as helping you get the best possible price on the flooring you need.


The beauty of hardwood flooring is that installing a quality hardwood floor is one of those few home improvement projects that can actually pay for itself through the increased value of the home. It is possible to install a quality hardwood floor and have its cost recouped by the increase in your home's value. Your family gets to enjoy years of the beauty and durability of a quality hardwood floor, while you get to enjoy an increased home value.


Of course installing a kempas wood floor yourself is the best way to maximize the value of the project, while keeping its cost to a minimum. Hiring a flooring contractor can be very expensive, and it can greatly reduce the value of the hardwood flooring project.


fortunately, installing a hardwood floor yourself is not beyond the means of most homeowners, and with a few instructions, some research and some knowledge it should be possible to install a great hardwood floor with little hassle. Most hardwood flooring products these days come with complete instructions, and many even come with their own adhesive to make installing the wood floor even faster and easier. If you are a beginner, buying one of these hardwood flooring kits may be a good solution.

About The Author:
Alphonso has been working in the home remodeling industry for last 5 years. Take advantage of his experience and written material on flooring ideas at his website at http://www.improve-home.com

http://www.articleclick.com/Article/Tips-for-choosing-the-best-kempas-wood-floor/952374

Lean How To Install Wood Floor Throughout Your Home To Add Beauty, Warmth, And Comfort

Before you install wood floor in your home, make sure you check out your options on the many different kinds of wood flooring that’s available to you. There is a specific floor type suitable for every room in your house. Standard flooring is available in a wide range of hardwoods in random lengths wood strips. These type of flooring; mahogany, maple, ash, pine, and oak, is available in different colors and grain, allowing you to choose a finish to suit your needs.

Natural wooden floor surface can be sealed in a great variety of finishes. If you are satisfied with the existing natural color of the wood, seal the surface with layers of clear wax or a commercial transparent sealer in either a matte or a gloss finish. Once you have decided which type wood floor is best suited to your need, consult the manufacturer’s instructions for the preparation of the floor.

If you are fortunate enough to have sound wooden floorboards in your home, you can renovate and paint them to great effects. Once the floor is painted, it is advisable to treat it to one or two coats of varnish for a truly hardwearing finish. To maintain your floor at its best, keep it properly sealed and cleaned regularly. It would be a crime to cover up these fine floorboards. Wood floors are warm, secure, and comfortable.

There are a lot of flooring choice that vary in appearance, technology, and cost. Just about anything can go over a wood floor. To figure out how much you’ll need to cover a floor, calculate the floor’s surface area: measure the length and width or the floor, round the measurements up to the nearest inch, and multiply the figures to find the room’s square footage in inches. If the room is irregularly shaped, calculate the square footage of each area and add the figures together.

About The Author:

Roger King has install wood flooring for several years, and have done several homes. Since then he's been helping people find and review the best floor selection, to meet their needs. Visit his Web site to learn more about this service: http://www.install-wood-floor.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roger_King

Installing Hardwood Flooring Over Concrete and Wood Sub Floors

Expansion & Contraction of Hardwood Flooring

"The flooring shop said to leave 10mm for solid wood floor expansion at the walls...now the boards are lifting off the floor." Ill informed advice like this often leads to floor problems. Many flooring sales people unfamiliar with solid wood flooring assume expansion is the same as laminate flooring. In reality that 10mm is not enough for solid wood flooring.

What Is An Expansion Area? Why Do We Need It?

Expansion areas are spaces left around the perimeter of rooms, against fixed objects such as columns, thresholds, hearths, skirting boards, and other stationary items built or secured into the framing structure of the home. Even though Hardwood flooring used is no longer living and breathing it still reacts to moisture changes in the environment. The cells in the solid wood will take on or absorb moisture when the relative humidity is high, or when exposed to water. Expansion takes place, and the hardwood grows, for lack of a clearer term, across the grain (width) of the plank (see below, not all will react this way). Conversely when air moisture levels decrease, moisture content evaporates, shrinking of the solid wood will occur.

When we say spaces, they are defined as installing the hardwood flooring up to and away from the fixed objects. For example; "we recommend at least 15mm small to medium area-18mm expansion on larger areas at the skirting board or wall if new skirting to be fitted."

Hardwood flooring can react to the presence of moisture. In the dry winter heating months, moisture can leave the wood flooring causing the floor to contract slightly in size, which can leave slight gaps between each floor board. In the summer months when the humidity is higher, the hardwood flooring will expand and the gaps will disappear. If there is too much moisture in the subfloor it will cause the wood planks to cup, or buckle. Nearly all problems related to hardwood flooring are due to improper installation and sub floor preparation. This is why it is important when installing hardwood flooring that you follow the correct recommended installation methods by the manufacturer.

Direct Glue Installations

A direct glue installation requires the use of a flooring adhesive applied directly onto the subfloor (never directly apply to the boards). This method can be used on concrete and wooden subfloors. When done correctly this is the most stable method for fitting solid wood flooring as the elastic flooring adhesive allows the floor to expand and contract with no problems.

If you are laying over a concrete subfloor you will first need checked the concrete moisture, if the floor has a moisture content of over 4% then either wait until the sub floor dries to meet this level or use an appropriate moisture barrier, we recommend Sika Mb Primer to ensure no damp rises up into your new floor.

Also note that new concrete slabs require a minimum of 60 days drying time before covering them with a wood floor.

All Concrete sub-floors must be dry, smooth, level and free of structural defects. If the concrete sub floor is uneven we recommend using sika latex self leveling compound to level the subfloor. The concrete must also be free of contaminants i.e. paint, oil, wax grease, dirt and curing compounds (the reason for this is that you need the self leveling compound to bond to the sub floor).These may be removed chemically or mechanically as your local hardware store and they will sell you the correct floor cleaner, but do not use solvent-based strippers under any circumstances. The use of residual solvents can create problems with the bonding of flooring adhesives. It is important to ensure a proper bond between the adhesives and concrete and wood panels.

If you have a wooden subfloor you will need to lay a plywood base over the existing floor boards (we recommend using 4mm -6mm exterior grade plywood and screw down every 15cm along the edges and at 20cm intervals throughout the rest of the board using the 1 inch deck screws) before installation, this will then give you a smooth and level surface for you to install you hardwood flooring onto.

You will need to leave a 15mm expansion gap around the perimeter of the room for large areas over 6 meters in length we recommend 18mm expansion gap. To maintain this gap during installation spacers are provided in the kits. After you have installed the hardwood floor you can cover this expansion gap with scotia or new skirting boards The 15mm expansion gap also needs to be left in doorways where the hardwood floor follows through from one room to another we sell on this website a full range of door profiles available to match your floor.

Nailed Down Installations

Nailed down installation is the traditional way to install hardwood floors and can be done either directly onto wooden subfloor or on a concrete subfloor with the use of battens. When fixing battens onto concrete you will need a power-actuated nailer to drive through the battens and fix directly into the concrete, firstly lay out polyethylene moisture sheet then plywood over the battens to create a new sub floor. We recommend 12mm exterior grade plywood and 2inch x 4inch battens. Lay battens around perimeter at ½ inch from the wall, leave ¼ inch gap at each end. Position the first batten so its centre is 16 inches from the outside edge of the perimeter batten. Lay out the remaining battens across the area 16 inch intervals. Always check you battens are level using a level gauge you may need to use cedar shims to level out dips in the concrete, slide the shims under the battens until level. (If in doubt we recommend consulting a professional fitter for this method).

Wooden Subfloor

Hardwood floors can be nailed into existing wooden subfloors such as floorboards or plywood but not into chipboard floors as these are not strong enough to hold the nails. The floorboards must be in good condition and level if not it is advisable to lay 6mm exterior grade plywood down first.

To avoid creaking, check over the subfloor and securely fasten any loose floorboards. For added soundproofing it is also advisable to use a standard foam underlay.

When you nail down a solid wood floor you use a Porta Nailer to drive a nail at a 30 degree angle through the tongue and into the subfloor. Porta Nailers can be hired from any good hire shop but are expensive to buy.

Again you will need to leave a 15mm expansion gap around the perimeter of the room. To maintain this gap during installation spacers are provided in the installation kits.

After you have installed the floor you can cover this expansion gap with scotia or new skirting boards.The 15mm expansion gap also needs to be left in doorways where the floor follows through from one room to another; we sell full range of door profiles available to match your floor on this website.

WASTAGE

When ordering your new floor we recommend you allow for some wastage due to cuts a professional fitter would add on an extra 2%-5% of flooring needed to finish a job. We recommend non professional fitter should add on 5%-10%.
for futher information visit our website where you can also buy the wood flooring online at http://www.ukflooring4less.co.uk/

written by Mr David Kitto http://www.ukflooring4less.co.uk/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Kitto

Floor Wax for Hardwood Floors: Protecting Your Investment

The beauty, elegance and grace of a hardwood floor can only be described with the warmth an inviting nature that is reflected. Adding significant value to the interior or any home or place of business, hardwood floors are rapidly becoming the flooring selection of choice, replacing its predecessor, the carpeted floors.

Hardwood floors, un-finished, finished or engineered, require daily cleaning with a periodic annual maintenance program to retain the luster, deep rich tones and the overall beauty of any wood floor. Contrary to popular belief, these floors do require occasional waxing, depending on traffic flow across the floor, with specialized cleaners designed to seal and protect the floor from scratches and abuse. In the past, presumptions have indicated that all the maintenance that is required for a wood floor is light sweeping and mopping. Although, there is some truth to this theory, depending on the selection of flooring material, failure to provide adequate protection to any floor will result in deterioration and damage of the flooring surface at an accelerated rate with possible replacement in as little as five years.

Water and sunlight is a wood floor's worst enemy causing more damage to all layers of the flooring material than all other elements combined. Mopping wood flooring surfaces with excessive water in the mop head, allows water to seep in between the seams of the flooring material gradually but eventually destroying the substructure of the hardwood flooring material. Mopping a wood floor with excessive amounts of water also institutes possible mold infiltration under the flooring surface, which will continue to grow unnoticed, a major health hazard in any home. Application of a manufactured recommended sealer and wax combination, seals all joint and seams, preventing water damage to under layers while adding brilliant luster to the finished top layer.

Ultraviolent rays of the sun exposed to hardwood surfaces for long durations, fade and dry-out, crack and cut wood flooring material at accelerated rates. Direct rays of the sun often produce extreme temperature build-up on hardwood flooring material surfaces not blocked by modern advanced engineered glass of today's windows. Closing of drapes to protect wood material contradicts the original intent of installing such flooring material, to reflect light in an otherwise dull and dark room. Adequate application of an approved wax, protects the top and under-lying surfaces, blocking all harmful expose to sunlight, maintaining and protecting the flooring surface with an coating of the top layer continuing the warmth and relaxing nature that hardwood floors provide to any interior room.

Choosing the correct hardwood floor wax is best determined by the composition of the hardwood material installed. Using an unapproved wax with harsh cleaners creates counter- productive results damaging hardwood flooring material surfaces, of which may become permanent. All floor waxes and cleaners are not designed for all wood floors. New wood floors are often sealed with urethane, polyurethane or polyacrylic sealers designed to protect the top finished surface. Application of an inappropriate or unapproved hardwood wax/cleaner combination will damage the manufacturer applied sealer dulling the luster, leaving steaks that are clearly noticeable. Seek out professional experienced advice when selecting a hardwood floor wax and cleaner designed to protect and beautify the particular hardwood material installed prior to application of any such substance.

hardwood floors, regardless of finish or manufacturer's specifications require periodic maintenance including the application of an approved wax/polish designed for a particular wood flooring material species. hardwood floors left unprotected will in time, fade, discolor revealing signs of visible deterioration under normal daily use. With proper care and maintenance of all hardwood material, the original beauty and luster can be maintained with reflections of pride in your home while protecting your investment.

Sub-Floor Inspection

For any type of boards as a sub-floor, be sure to nail down any loose boards. Eliminate any squeaks you find by nailing or screwing the boards into place. It may be necessary to reinforce underlying joists in order to remove all squeaks.

Make sure that the moisture of the sub-floor will not be a problem. This is the main cause for hardwood floor failure. It is very important that the sub-floor be continuously dry throughout the year. There should be no more than a 5% moisture content variance between the sub-floor and the hardwood flooring.

Making sure that the site is level is also very important. Generally, a maximum tolerance of 3/16" over a distance of 10 ft. is a good rule of thumb to go by. You can fill in any low lying portions with an underlay structure or some type of compound material. If you use a compound material, be sure to let this substance dry completely before continuing on to the rest of the project.

Finally, before moving on to the next portion of your project, carefully clean the sub-floor. You should scrape, grind or sand any debris and foreign material from the floor. Be sure to sweep up all debris and remove from the work area.

Wood Floor Plank Installation

Now that you've got the site prepared, it's time to lay down some wood flooring! You'll want to determine the direction in which the flooring will be laid. Usually, the flooring planks will be laid perpendicular to the joist, which generally means they will run parallel to the longer wall. If you are unsure about which way the joist is positioned, do be sure to ascertain this information. As they say, "better safe than sorry".

If more than a day has passed since your sub-floor inspection, go ahead and give the area another sweeping t o be sure it is clean and ready to go. Snap a chalk line at a distance of one plank width plus an additional inch. So for a 3 inch plank, this would be 3 inches from the starting wall. In staple or nail installations, the tongue edge should touch the chalk line, with the grooved edge facing the starting wall. In a glue installation, this would be reversed.

Start by placing a row of planks along the chalk line, leaving the inch gap around the perimeter for expansion of the wood floor.

Secure the first row of planks with finishing nails. Nails should be placed about 2 inches from the ends of the planks, 1-1/2 inch from the groove and also at each 10-12 inches along the length of each wood plank. As you go along, don't forget to leave that same inch gap on all side of the wood floor.

For a nice finish, use a center punch to counter sink the nails and then fill the holes with a matching wood putty or filler. For the first row of boards, pre-drill holes directly through the plank tongues at a 45 degree angle.

As you lay the planks, it is a good idea to take planks from several different boxes to ensure an even selection of different lengths. The ends of each plank should always be more than 6 inches from the end of he neighboring plank.

The last row will have to be tapped into place using a tapping board. Do not use a rubber mallet, as the focused force can easily chip or crack the planks.

That's the gist of how to install wood floor planks. There are a variety of manufacturers, as well as styles, colors widths and finishes of flooring to choose from. Take a look at your local flooring store or an online retailer to get some ideas about the available styles and you're on your way!

About The Author:
Alphonso has been working in the home remodeling industry for last 5 years. Take advantage of his experience and written material on flooring ideas at his website at http://www.improve-home.com

http://www.articleclick.com/

Real Wood Floor Installation

Real wood floor installation – how is it done? Using the latest techniques, its is possible to easily and efficiently fit, clean and restore wooden floors in a great cost-efficient way. Now it is possible to turn old, worn and abrasive wooden floor surfaces into stylishly and cleanly polished wooden floors that look like they come right out of the shop. We will look into how wooden floor fitting can be done best.

The best method of conducting a wooden floor fitting is by using state-of-the art fitting and sanding machines. The wooden floor sanding machines used to carry out wooden floor sanding in have seen many advances over the years, and the newest technologies allow for a virtually dust free floor sanding service to the customer. Also it's by far the most cost-effective solution to conduct such a modern and highly-polished wooden floor sanding installation.

The finishing work is done by using the absolute best quality wood sealers and a wide variety of colours mean that all customers can have exactly what they desire. Anyone interested in hiring a company in order to restore and sand their wooden floors are advised to take a look around town and on the internet for the best possible solution. People in need of a wooden floor maintenance operation have to be patient and compare both prices and services to come to a decision.

It is very important to make sure all the technicians are highly skilled craftsmen who have been working with wooden floors for a very long time. Only by selecting the best team and company for the job, customers can have confidence in both the workmanship and punctuality. A good company can't allow any bad recognition or any dents in their reputation, so keep that in mind. When you are unsure of the total costs of the operation, it is interesting to note that many companies offer a free quotation beforehand to evaluate the work needed.

It is also extremely important that wooden floor fitting companies use the very best equipment and the latest technology to perform a wooden floor sanding. The expert of choice in this case a floor sander, who will always look for the best solution in every situation. Floor sanders use very heavy floor machines since these machines give the best possible finish.

Floor sanders first have to evaluate the lipping in the wood floors. If there is much lipping then the wooden floor must first be sanded at 45 degrees to remove any unwanted lippage in the floor. When this has been done, floor sanders try to smooth out every bump they encounter and dispose of any scratches or dents in the floor. A sanding machine uses various sanding belts to get the smoothest end result.Then, a rooler or applicator is used to seal the wood and complete the process. In the end – when done well – professional wooden floor fitting will give a fantastic end result and deliver wooden floors with an incredible durability.

By: Daniel Lafferty

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Engineered Wooden Flooring Vs Solid Wood Flooring

Engineered Wooden Flooring

Engineered floor boards come in a wide range of styles and designs, from rustic grains to tranquil floors with uniform patterning and everything in between! These boards can be laid on either a wood sub-floor or on cement. An uneven floor will be leveled prior to installation so that the floor is laid evenly. A special high quality foam underlay, with built in moist barrier, reduces creaking, movement and sound transmission.

So what is the advantage of engineered wooden Flooring?

-Relatively quick installation with minimal fuss, mess, smells or dust.

-Floor can be placed on most surfaces.

-Surface is pre-finished and needs no sanding or sealing once lay.

-Your new floor is usable straight away.

-Completely sealed surface eliminates smells, smoke and fumes from lower levels choice of lacquered or oiled finish

-Easily resurfaced and sealed

Solid wood flooring

Solid wood flooring comes in many varieties of wood, widths, thickness and colors to suit almost any requirement. Solid wood flooring is surface nailed onto joists or a quality sub-floor, but can also be glued onto a concrete or wood sub-floor with plenty of allowance for wood expansion. With the proper care and attention, your solid wood floor will last a lifetime.

The advantages of a solid wood floor are:

-Huge selection to choose from antique to modern

-Very flexible to create the exact look your require

-Random widths for extra character and individuality

-Un-finished boards can be treated on site to your color requirements

-Pre-finished boards easy and quick to fit and are usable straight away

-Easily refurbished and sealed

Floordealersoncall is a free service that enables you to fill out a flooring request form that then will be submitted to multiple local flooring companies. A representative will contact you with their best offer and possible recommendations. Get your Free Flooring Quote today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_Ansari

Great Hardwood Floor Ideas

Here are our ideas about hardwood floors. First of all don't underestimate the power of a hardwood floor in your house to improve it. Like a fine piece of furniture, wood flooring increases in value and becomes more beautiful with time. In a national survey, 90 percent of real estate agents said that houses with wood flooring sell faster and for more money.

Unlike many floor coverings, wood floors can last the lifetime of the building in which they are installed. Home owners who want them to last that long, however, should note the number one enemy of a hardwood floor: moisture. Wood floors naturally expand when moisture is present and shrink when it is not. Whether the reactions are a problem or not depends on the severity of the situation. So, do make sure that you maintain your house well and be sure to avoid damp occurring in the area of you very special wood floor.

If you have recently moved into an old house with hardwood floors throughout you may find that the only problem is that they are old and that they really should be refinished. But, if you cannot immediately find the time and/or money to do that there are water-based clear finishes that will make it glossy again. If you are going to sand and re-finish later, then this might be something to consider. One coat will 'get you by' for now.

If with your hard wood floor you want the perfect floor to complement your original style and unique taste. Whether you're searching for something in particular or waiting to be stunned by he look of you house. We suggest that many people do like Bruce Hardwood floors. They offer premium hardwood flooring designed to keep up with your family's lifestyle. Bruce says that it offers the largest selection of colors and styles in wood flooring, and that these are virtually care-free finishes and come with their assurance of quality.

Hardwood floors are readily available from other manufacturers as well that are incredibly beautiful, highly durable and extremely affordable. And as an added bonus, they're natural and safe for the environment.

Hardwood Floors is also the name of an official magazine of the NWFA. It is distributed free of charge to NWFA members and other qualified wood flooring professionals upon request. We understand that it is the only magazine serving the hardwood flooring industry exclusively. It is published seven times a year, and is sent to more than 24,000 hardwood flooring professionals throughout the world, including contractors, dealers, distributors, manufacturers, builders, architects and other industry professionals.

It includes an annual Resource Book which they say is the ultimate guide to companies and products in the wood flooring industry. A searchable version of the Resource Book is available online.

Embarking on the search for just the right flooring for your home can become daunting. But if you want hardwood flooring ideas just think of plush, luxurious carpets in thousands of hues and patterns. Consider the hand crafted beauty of exotic and domestic hard woods in hand-scraped, distressed and smooth surfaces. There's also the diverse styles and durability of laminate flooring.

Also, do not forget the richness of ceramic tiles. Put these choices together from so many choices available at good stores and for every room in your home you can express your unique ideas express and your personal style against the ageless backdrop of a beautiful wood floor.

Steve Evans is a fan of hardwood floors visit the Hardwood Floors 'How to' website now for more information and additional ideas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_D_Evans

How Many Type Of Floor Material And How To Use Them.

We can divide type of floor materials into 5-6 types, each of them has advantages and disadvantages, and this is very difficult for you about how to choose the most suitable one for your house

1. Carpet

Carpet is the materials that very popular, due to it is, easy to install, has many colours and patterns, make your room looks comfortable and luxurious and not too expensive. However, carpet is the material that difficult to clean, maintain and has short life time. If you are the person who loves to change your room atmosphere often, carpet maybe a good choice for you.

2. Wooden floor

Wood is the original material for making floor that people familiar with for long time ago. In the past, we can see almost every house use wooden floor. Today, wooden floor become rare and also become the thing that people dream about to have. Because wood is the material that very expensive than any other flooring material. The way that we use wooden floor from the past is also changed, in the past we just put the wooden board on the crossbeam, but today, we generally put wooden board on the cement floor. Even though wooden floor is very expensive, they still be a good investment if you can afford it because wooden floor not only give the great look, but also very good feeling when you step on it.

3. Parquet floor

Parquet is what we call small pieces of wood installed piece by piece on the cement floor. The parquet piece can be connected both by using glue and locking reed of each piece. Parquet floor is generally cheaper than wooden board floor. When install the parquet, make sure that cement floor is completely dry and coated with anti-leak solution. Quality of the glue use to stick also important, choose only high quality and water-proof. After install, leave it for about one or two days before polish the floor and in order to let piece of wood firmly stick together and do not put the piece of wood too close, which will make the wood crack or curve later after install.

4. Glazed tile

Glazed tile is also popular at present time, because it is very convenient to install and long lasting as well as has many patterns and colours. Install glazed tile on cement floor need lower skill labor work than install Parquet or wood. To install glazed tile, the cement floor doesn’t have to completely dry, but still need to be anti-leak solution coated. Be careful if you use pattern glazed tile for your house, because every tile has its own pattern and you can not remove it if you install in wrong order or mismatch the pattern. The other problem of using pattern glazed tile is difficult to find spared tiles for the same pattern that you currently use, so when you first buy the tile, you should buy some spare ones in case of replacement.

5. Marble and Granite

It is no doubt that marble and granite is the most luxurious and durable materials among any material But due to its price, which much higher then others, so they are not quite popular. However, now the price of some type of marble and granite are lower to close to the price of other materials. The most important thing is you should not install marble in the area that facing sunlight, this will make it become pensive.

Published At: www.Isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=130505&ca=Home+Managemen

Choosing And Applying Wood Floor Finishes

Give your wood floor a makeover by giving it a new finish. It might be a little tricky at first, but apply the finish yourself is something you can do. At http://www.floormakeover.com you will find detailed application tips. There are four major types of wood floor finishes you can use.

Oil Finishes

Oil finishes are easy to apply and generally the most used. They are solvent base polyurethane and most dry in about 8 hours. You need to work in a well ventilated area and know these finished grow slightly darker with age.

Water Based Finishes

Water urethane finishes are clear when they dry. They are fairly expensive but dry completely in under 2 hours.

Moisture Cure Finishes

These are another solvent base polyurethane like oil based but moisture cure finishes are more durable and moisture resistant than any other type of finish. You can usually find these in satin or glossy to have more control over the appearance of your wood floor after you refinish. This types of finish is very difficult to apply properly without experience.

Penetrating Stain or Wax

This type of wood floor finish works by penetrating into the wood and hardening into a protective coating. Wax finishes are great because they wear only as the wood wears. Wax will not scratch or chip either. The only real drawback is the maintenance is a bit higher than other finishes.

Aluminum Oxide

This is the newest type of wood flooring finish available. It provides a very durable coating that lasts longer than other floor finishers.

It is best to educate yourself about the type of wood flooring you have before choosing a finish as some work better depending on the type of wood they are applies to. You should be able to go to the website of the manufacturer of your wood flooring to find out any specifics you need.

Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=55601&ca=Home+Management

Is Under-Floor Heating Hard To Install Beneath A Hardwood Floor?

Thermatec electric under-floor heating system is suitable for most types of wooden flooring.

Normal methods of installing electric under floor heating systems in rooms with wooden or laminate flooring involved using cable systems covered with difficult to use and time consuming liquid floor screeds These tend to be messy and extend the installation time and costs because of drying and curing times. They are also far less efficient than Thermatec as they need to be run at a far higher temperature.


Flexible carbon heating film is the ideal solution for providing an economic electric under floor heating solution for a variety of floor coverings. Flexible carbon heating film is ultra thin, strong, and is a completely dry lay system for heating under laminate or timber floating wood flooring.


Flexible electric carbon heating film is supplied Made to measure to fit your room exactly. At Birbek, we use three different widths (400mm, 530mm and 1003mm) and design the layout using C.A.D. to ensure every part of the floor area is covered. All wiring connections are made in our factory so that the heating mat can be laid, and the wood floor fitted long in advance of the electrician providing the 230V mains connection. This makes a considerable saving in time and money. It also means you do not have to invest in crimps, presses or heat shrink tape to complete the installation.


Installation of carbon heating film requires no previous experience. Installation is completely dry and is simply a matter of It can be laid upon most concrete or timber sub-floors when used in conjunction with the correct Depron thermal insulation.

Flexible carbon heating element is less than 1mm thickness Even with the recommended floor insulation layer of closed cell polystyrene the floor build-up is only 6.5mm. This avoids potential problems with skirting boards and door thresholds.


Carbon heating elements are super reliable, safe and robust. They come without any moving parts, so they are completely maintenance free. Brands of carbon heating film like Ecofilm from Flexel International are fully approved to the relevant electrical safety standard IEC60335-2-96 and comply with the 17th Edition electrical wiring regulations. Ecofilm and Thermatec heating elements come with a 10-year guarantee.


The heating film can be used as an effective direct acting radiant heating system. It can be used as a substitute for traditional convector radiators by providing primary heat or just be used to warm a cool floor surface and provide background heat.


Flexel Carbon Heating Element has become a firm favorite with installers and users because it is simple and economic to install and efficiently creates gentle under-foot warmth that heats the entire room. This means leaving no overheated or cold spots.

It ensures clean balanced heat distribution at the lowest possible temperature, resulting in high user comfort levels and improved economy. The heating is totally safe, even under wood floors,its radiated heat provides overall warmth and comfort without the usual dust carrying convective air currents of conventional radiator systems.

This form of heating is easily controlled by room thermostats and is particularly suited to new build, extensions, hard-to-heat areas, conservatories, hallways, kitchens and bedrooms. It becomes invaluable in many other locations where the absence of radiators is a distinct space-saving advantage.

About the Author

Paul is the installation manager at Birbek Wood Floor Heating Birbek is a UK distributor of Thermatec made to measure underfloor heating for wood flooring http://www.birbek.com

Article Directory: http://www.articlerich.com

10 Steps to Floor Sanding

Floor sanding is not really a DIY job. It is in fact a job for the professionals. Anyway just in case you want to know how to sand a wooden floor I will give you a a little guide to sanding and restoring wooden flooring.

First of all you will need to use a belt floor sandin g machine with a very coarse 36 grit on to remove all of the old seal and to level the floor. Always sand the floor going with the wood grain or at a 45 degrees angle to the grain.

Next you will need to start the smoothing process by using a 50 grit sanding belt. This will remove the scratches left by the previous 36 grit belt.

Next use a 80 grit sanding belt to remove the scratches left by the 50 grit sanding belt.

Next you will need a rotary sander or a buffer with a 100 grit or 120 grit disk to remove the fine scratches left by the 80 grit sanding belt. The buffer will leave the floor very smooth and prepare the floor for priming.

You will then need to apply a wood flooring base prime to prepare the wood floor for lacquering.

After you have primed the wooden floor you will then need to run the buffer machine over it with a 150 grit disk to remove any raised grain, leaving the floor very smooth.

Hoover the floor to remove all traces of dust and begin to roller on the lacquer of your choice e.g Bona or Junkers.

Next apply the second coat of lacquer after the first coat is dry.

You can then apply a third coat of lacquer if it is a high traffic area to protect the floor more.

You should then try your best to keep the floor free from any grit and dirt to keep the floor looking at its best for a longer period of time.

Floor sanding and restoring wooden flooring can transform a whole room from looking dull and dirty to looking new, fresh and very trendy. Wooden flooring is a very expensive material for flooring when you include the product and the installation cost, so it is therefore very beneficial to sand the floor and restore it as the cost is kept very low. Floor sanding again is a professional job so if you can help it do not try and start a floor on your own as it may end up ruining your beautiful wooden floor.

Protecting Your Floor With Wood Finish

If you have wooden flooring then you may have noticed that it does not take much for the floor to become damaged and worn. However, with a little added protection you can easily help to stop this damage and keep your wooden flooring looking as good as new. One way to do this is to add a finish to the floor and that will help to protect it from any wear and tear as well as potential environmental damage.

The Different Types of Wood Floor Finish Products Available

There are different types of wood floor finish products available to purchase and each one has its own requirements as to how to keep it looking good afterwards. Also not all finishing products are the same time wise either. Some will take longer to apply than others and so when you actually do go on the lookout for a product to suit you, make sure that you do keep this in mind.

Generally people tend to turn towards the penetrating sealer which is used to penetrate the wood’s surface. It has a slight satin type finish and the reason it is so popular is because it is extremely hardy and it will last for ages no matter whether there is a lot of people walking over it or not with just one coat. However if you do have a lot of people coming and going where the flooring is going to be, it would still be a good idea to add a second coat just in case.

In order to place this second coat on properly, it would be a good idea to first do the initial coat and let it dry. Then use a fine steel wool to gently and slowly buff the surface of the floor. Only do this gently as otherwise you will take the first layer off and that is not what you want! After you have made the layer smooth, it is then that you should apply the second layer and let it dry thoroughly before anybody walks over it.

Of course not everybody has a large time gap in which they can leave the floor to dry so if that sounds like you then you will be pleased to know that there is a fast drying option available for you to choose from as well as a normal drying option.

If you do not want to try the penetrating sealer then there are other varieties available. The ‘Surface Finish’ range is also fairly good and the polyurethane is also particularly popular. This would be ideal if you were placing the flooring in the kitchen or the bathroom for example as it has a high tolerance for moisture. You can choose to purchase these surface finishes in either a high gloss option or a matte option; it all basically depends upon individual preference.

Overall all of the different types of finishes are different and it would be a wise idea to do a little research before actually purchasing one for your home. Some will show imperfections more than others for example and some look slightly glossier than others. So look around and decide upon where you are having the wooden floor and what protection it might need. That way you will end up with a wood floor finish which will last for years to come.

Published At: http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=169116&ca=Home+Management

Laminate Hardwood Floor Installation - 7 Reasons For Laminate Floor Solutions

A laminate hardwood floor installation rips out all the high-maintenance management and warping woes that accompany real wood flooring projects. Flooring frustrations are replaced with easy-care, authentic wood looks and textures that are a snap to install. What are the seven main reasons behind the phenomenal growth in do-it-yourself laminate hardwood floor installations?

Reason 1. Laminate Hardwood Flooring Installations Happy Over Any Sub-Floor

There is no need for an expensive and time-consuming tearing up of the sub-floor. Glueless laminate hardwood floor installations can be done with confidence and success over virtually any existing type of flooring. This includes vinyl, tile, concrete and real wood strips. The only exceptions to the rule are carpeting and real hardwood on concrete.

Proper preparation of the sub-floor is vital, however. The surface needs to be absolutely smooth and even. Sand down all peaked joints and other bumps. Use a filler material for any holes or uneven areas. Make sure that the floor is spotless. Any bit of gravel trapped under your new floor, will eventually become an eyesore.

Reason 2. Laminate Hardwood Floor Installations A Long-Term Investment

With today's technology, the core and wear layers of laminate flooring are of a superb quality. Floors are treated to be highly moisture resistant. The aluminum oxide finish of the wear layer ensures maximum protection against scratches, fading, scuff marks, and stains. Many manufacturers include warranties of between 15 and 30 years. By choosing a quality decorating and interior design product for your floors, and following installation and maintenance instructions carefully, you will be ensured of stylish, elegant looks for years to come.

Reason 3. Care-Free, Calamity-Free Flooring For Your Family Home

No overloaded parent has time for finicky floor care day in and day out. With a laminate hardwood floor installation, you will lighten the cleaning load significantly. A mop and brushless vacuum take care of most chores. When necessary, a damp mop is used for a quick wipe. Flooring manufacturers supply dedicated cleaners for tougher spots. If there is a mishap with lipstick or paint, acetone nail polish remover should take care of it instantly. Always check with your flooring supplier to make sure that any cleaning process or solution complies with your warranty conditions. If you deviate from the guidelines, you may void your warranty.

Reason 4. Banish Allergies And Asthma With Laminate Flooring

If your kids suffer from dust-related allergies, new floors may offer the solution you are searching for. No matter how diligent you are with cleaning, carpeting remains a dust-trap. By replacing the flooring surfaces of your home with laminate hardwood floor installations, you will minimize your family's exposure to the offending, irritating particles. The hard, smooth surface is easy to keep spotless. There are no fibres that are reluctant to give up their share of dirt. A quick wipe with a damp mop takes care of the dust problem in a jiffy.

Reason 5. Easy-To-Install Project For Home Remodeling Rookies

Laminate hardwood floor installations are a snap with the latest click-'n-go engineering. No more sticky, messy, frustrating and apprehensive adhesive struggles. Even the most 'unhandy' amateur handyman can tackle these glueless flooring projects with confidence. There is no need to call in the services of a professional hardwood flooring contractor. You can successfully install a new, ready-to-use floor within about a day. As long as you make sure that you don't have problems with moisture in the sub-floor, and are able to follow the manufacturer's guidelines closely, you should be able to complete the installation on your own.

Reason 6. Tempting Authentic Real Hardwood Grains And Textures

From Pergo Flooring, to Armstrong Flooring and Bruce Hardwood Flooring now include every real wood grain under the sun. Shadings vary from light and airy to the rich, warm hues of the darker woods. Textures are as close to the real thing as possible. Planks are now even beveled to give the appearance of real wood planks. A laminate hardwood floor installation can now come with rustic, weathered looks.

Recently the ranges have been expanded to include a variety of realistic ceramic tile and stone tile finishes, complete with grout lines. Every type of decorating or interior design project is catered for, from old-world to contemporary. The flooring planks can be matte or may present a gleaming, shiny face to the world. Thanks to innovative technology, the days of plastic and fake-looking laminates are long gone.

Reason 7. Much To Do About Mishaps On Laminates

If you have kids and pets you will fall in love with laminates. No only will you have far fewer worries about crayon stains, puddles, and other potential flooring fiasco's, you will know that in the event of a major accident, a section of flooring can replaced with ease. As long as you keep an unopened box or two of flooring planks in storage, you will be equipped to re-do an area of flooring in no time. Whereas a damaged carpet has to be replaced completely, a laminate hardwood floor installation allows you to handle the inevitable family mishap with a smile.

Have a bit of decorating and interior design face-lift fun by joining the laminate hardwood floor installation crowd!

Published At: www.Isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=155379&ca=Home+Management

Tips For Refinishing Your Wood Floor

Whether you have a floor that is old and in need of a facelift or a one that you're yearning to touch up, refinishing your floor isn't as hard as you think. With the right materials and a willingness to put in some hard work, your dingy, dirty wood floor can be gorgeous and elegant again.

There are a number of things you'll need for this job before you get started:

1) First and foremost, protective plastic gloves and old clothes you don't mind ruining;
2) Wood Stain;
3) Stripping Agent;
4) Your choice of wood stain;
5) Sand Paper;
6) Putty Knife;
7) Steel Wool;
8) Buffing Paper;
9) Special squeegee for spreading the stain. Ask at your local hardware store if you're unsure;
10) Polyurethane;
11) D-natured Alcohol;
12) Aluminum pan;
13) Good mask or face cover.

Once you've gotten all your materials together, you can begin by removing all covers or carpeting. If the rug doesn't come up clean, you'll need to scrape it with a putty knife to get rid of the excess.

The floor doesn’t have to look perfect, but it should be relatively clean. This includes getting rid of any tack stripping along the floor edges. This is most easily achieved by using a flat head screw driver to pull the tacking up.

After you've finished clearing the old materials and debris from the floor, use the stripper and spread it on an area of around three feet. It seems tedious, but you want to be able to clean the area quickly. Let it sit for five minutes.

Then pour the D-natured alcohol into the aluminum pan and clean the area you just treated with steel wool. As alcohol does evaporate, use it in small bits. Repeat the process from the beginning of stripping until you've covered the whole floor. Smooth any rough spots with sand paper and follow it up with a buffer.

When you've completed this process, apply the stain you chose to floor, allow it to dry completely, and apply two coats of polyurethane. Keep in mind that it will take up to a day and a half or two days for the polyurethane to dry.

The process can take anywhere from a week or longer, but if you work quickly, or with a partner, over several days, you can finish the project without a problem. This also depends how large the space is; if you're doing your house, expect quite awhile. If you're doing the dining room floor, expect significantly less.

Published At: www.Isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=75685&ca=Home+Management

Bamboo Floor Maintenance

To reduce the amount of dust and grit brought onto your floors, install mats at all outside entryways. Make sure these mats are kept clean and in good condition as well. Be aware that oil from driveways and/or roads can stain quite easily. Make sure shoes are clean before walking on the floor.

Another note about shoes: High heels (particularly stiletto), work boots, shoes with cleats, and hard soled shoes can quickly damage your floor. Avoid walking on your floors with these types of shoes as much as possible. If you must walk on your floors with high heels, make sure the heels are in good repair to minimize damage to the floor. Also, check any shoe for rocks, pebbles, etc. lodged in the sole before walking on your floors.

Make sure dust and grit are cleaned up daily or at least as often as needed. When walked on, dust and grit act like sandpaper. This can and will quickly damage your surface. A soft bristled broom, dust mop or vacuum with an attachment for cleaning bamboo (or hardwood) floors is the recommended tool for frequent cleanups.

Make sure all spills are cleaned up quickly. If necessary, a lightly damp mop or soft cloth can be used to clean up wet or sticky spills. Make sure you dry the floor completely with a clean soft cloth afterwards.

Use area rugs to protect high traffic areas or areas that are prone to liquid spills. In the kitchen it is suggested to have a rug in front of the stove and one in front of the sink. These are both places that see a lot of traffic and are highly likely to experience liquid spills on the floor. Make sure the rugs are kept clean so dirt and grit do not get trapped underneath. Also, make sure the backing is not too rough, which could damage the finish.

Protect your floors from dents and scratches from heavy furniture. Place soft protective pads under the feet of all furniture. Make sure the pads are kept in good condition and replace as necessary. Never drag heavy furniture unprotected across your floors. If furniture has casters, make sure the casters are made of soft, non marking materials such as rubber. Hard casters made of metal or plastic will quickly damage your floor.

Clean your bamboo floors as necessary with the manufacturer’s suggested no-wax, non-alkaline floor cleaning product. Although, more resistant to moisture than wood flooring, bamboo can still be damaged by too much water. If the product requires mixing with water, follow the label directions exactly. Also, do not let the cleaner (or any other liquid for that matter) to pool on the surface of the floor. This could result in damage to the finish or bamboo itself.

To prevent shrinking or swelling of your floor, use a humidifier or dehumidifier to maintain relative humidity of 30-50%. Excessive humidity can cause your floor to swell, while a lack of humidity can cause the floor to contract (shrink). This can eventually lead to an uneven floor and/or gaps between the boards.

As much as possible, limit your bamboo floor’s exposure to sunlight. Use good quality drapes or blinds and rotate area rugs. If the floor is exposed to too much sunlight, the floor may darken in some areas and lighten in others.

If you notice the finish of your bamboo floors has lost its sheen, or you notice lots of scratches and nicks, it may be time to re-coat or restore the floor’s finish. Follow your manufacturer’s recommendations for what product to use to restore the shine.

Never use abrasive cleaners or tools such as scouring powder or steel wool on your bamboo floors. If you have stains remaining after general cleaning, first attempt to remove them by rubbing a clean soft cloth moistened with wood floor cleaner. If the stain is still visible, try another clean soft cloth moistened with mineral spirits. Make sure you carefully read and follow all directions on the cleaning product label.

Published At: www.Isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=114369&ca=Home+Management

Cleaning Bamboo Flooring - Simple Yet Effective Techniques

Now more than ever, bamboo flooring is becoming more popular because it provides homeowners with a relatively low-maintenance option to other types of wood flooring. This type of flooring is able to save a significant amount of time and many people are now looking to it for home remodeling projects. Whether a homeowner or someone looking to remodel, there are some simple things that can help make it easier for cleaning bamboo flooring.

First, if nothing else, make sure to avoid letting water sit on top of the flooring. This is similar to wood flooring and although bamboo flooring is generally resistant to moisture, this does not mean that it absorbs moisture without showing some side effects. You can use a damp cloth or mop to wipe it but avoid anything that might be sopping wet. Beyond avoiding a lot of water on the surface, a simple broom or vacuum will go a long way. Simple sweeping or using the extra attachment to collect dust and particles will keep the floor clean (and pleasing to the eye!)

One important thing to note is that a bamboo floor should not be cleaned with the same cleaners that are used on other surfaces like wood or even man-made materials like tile. The bamboo will not react well to the chemicals that are in the cleaners and will probably take some of the shine off of the floor. On a related note, standard waxes and other polishes that are appropriate for wood floors will not work well on bamboo floors.

Lastly, there are some other things that you can do to keep your floor looking good. First, try to avoid wearing high heels or other items that can leave small dents in the floor. Similarly, if you need to move around heavy things on the floor, place small pads underneath the legs of chairs, sofas, or tables, as these have the potential to leave scratches or other damage on the floor.

Tag : floor,floor tiles,bamboo flooring,wood floor

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bree_Hodgosen