Hardwood Flooring
November 26, 2008 by Laminate & Hardwood Flooring
Filed under Laminate & Hardwood Flooring
Wood flooring can boost the value of any home. For an addition of class and traditional value, hardwood flooring is one of the best avenues. A high quality maple or oak wood flooring can really put a new face on a home, while also building a base for an elegant atmosphere. Hardwood flooring can be found in almost every imaginable color and shade. Finding the best kind of flooring can be a little daunting, but the process is always rewarding in the end. Although carpet can certainly work in some situations, wood flooring has a traditional appeal that is hard to deny.
The first step to take is to assess the value that hardwood can add to the home. Regions that undergo severe weather conditions and change temperature extremes every season, hardwood may be prone to suffering buckling and warping. High humidity is also a real issue when it comes to hardwoods. Excess moisture can wick up from the subfloor and into the wood through spills, leading to warping and buckling as the years pass. Crowning and cupping are common problems for wood flooring exposed to moisture. When a floor crowns or cups, it loses its originally level form, most frequently in the middle of the floor. This can result in a floor that must be replaced or sanded down to restore its level surface.
Once you have decided that hardwood is the best solution for you and your home, there are many products and manufacturers from which to choose. Maple and oak are more traditional species, while cedar gives a more rustic and natural atmosphere. A higher gloss finish will result in a more reflective surface, while a lower gloss fits in with a darker atmosphere. The thickness of the boards is also crucial when determining the best hardwood. Thicker boards will be more durable and more resistant to moisture.
Moisture is very frequently behind hardwood reliability issues. Avoid exposing wood flooring to moisture as much as possible. If storing wood flooring outdoors before installation, make certain that the wood is protected against moisture. Clean up spills on the wood flooring immediately in order to prevent eventual warping and cracking. If water beads up on the surface of the flooring, it is time for another coat of finishing on the flooring. Protect your investment, and wood flooring can last for generations.
Gym Flooring
November 28, 2008 by Laminate & Hardwood Flooring
Filed under Laminate & Hardwood Flooring
Gym flooring must be resilient enough to remain rigid under great pressure. Gym flooring should be able to absorb an impact, while also remaining rigid enough to remain stable under heavy loads. This is a demanding situation for most flooring products, but there are many rubber flooring products manufactured specifically to fit these needs. The best gym flooring will keep a level surface, but also be able to muffle the sound of a falling weight.
Commercial Mats and Rubber is a large manufacturer of gym flooring, with many products designed for sports facilities. Commercial Mats and Rubber’s Diamond Mega Plate tiles are engineered to work in tough conditions and cancel noise, while also remaining rigid under very large loads. Better yet, Diamond Mega Plates are solid 4×4 tiles that fit together easily, requiring no adhesives in order to install. The Diamond Mega Plates interlock together rigidly without any need for glue. The rubber used in the construction of the Diamond Mega Plates is designed to remain intact under very heavy weight, and will not tear or fray under pressure.
Commercial Mats and Rubber’s Best Flex Flooring is another great option for gym flooring. The Best Flex flooring is designed to hold up to heavy loads without ripping or tearing. The product is also available in a wide variety of colors and textures. Just like the Diamond Mega Plate, the Best Flex flooring fits together without need for glue, and simply locks together. In addition to its toughness, both flooring types are given a great traction surface that prevents slipping. This makes Best Flex perfect for gyms, where flooring products must be safe and durable.
For those looking for a more affordable option, Commercial Mats and Rubber sells the Gym Dandy flooring solution. Gym Dandy provides an anti-slip surface that is easy to clean and fire retardant, but also easier on the wallet. Commercial Rubber is running a sale at the moment on colored texture tiles, making them a more affordable avenue for some people. The overstock sale makes 3/8″ interlocking fleck color tiles available for $10.99 per tile before shipping. The tiles are very simple to lay down and need no toxic or flammable adhesives. This provides a safe and reliable surface that is also environmentally friendly.
Hardwood Flooring Installation
November 27, 2008 by Laminate & Hardwood Flooring
Filed under Laminate & Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring installation can be an arduous and time consuming job, but if you feel comfortable giving it a try, you may potentially end up saving quite a bit of money. Properly installed hardwoods can last for generations, even under moist and humid conditions, such as in a bathroom. With a little advice and a step by step plan, as well as plenty of time, hardwood flooring installation can be accomplished without expensive professional services.
Moisture is the number one enemy of hardwood flooring. Moisture can gradually warp the surface of the wood as it expands and contracts. This does not imply, however, that hardwood flooring cannot be installed in wetter conditions. Hardwood flooring simply requires a little preventive care in order to work well under these conditions. Installing hardwood with an asphalt felt should provide a great degree of protection against rotting and warping of the hardwood. Take 15 pound asphalt felt, and put it over the subfloor in overlapping sections. The felt should be secured with a staple gun.
Leave a small gap, around half an inch, between the asphalt felt and the wall. A baseboard or base shoe will be placed in these smaller spaces between the flooring and the wall. The initial three boards of the flooring should be placed by hand. Board lengths are normally random, so portions of the flooring should be placed as a test before nailing down. When the first boards are laid down, the rest can be put out with a flooring nailer. This will make it simpler to do a good job of laying out the flooring.
When the new flooring results in an uneven surface, you can use a reducer to create a level surface. When getting ready to install a hardwood floor, be sure to safely store the wood. Placing the wood out in the open where it can get wet will lead to warped and cracked flooring that does not fit together. If the flooring must be stored outdoors, be sure to cover it with a waterproof tarp. This can prevent any moisture from causing permanent damage. Do not transport wood flooring in an open bed when weather conditions could give rise to rain or high humidity.
