But, there is more. According to the American Hardwood Information Center, (www.HardwoodInfo.com) hardwoods also help improve the air quality in the places you spend your time.

We’ve all seen those tiny particles floating around in a beam of sunlight. Those culprits are often the cause of many indoor allergies which affect nearly 40 million Americans. Did you know that to ease allergy symptoms, one of the first recommendations allergists make is to remove wall-to-wall carpeting in favor of solid floor surfaces, such as hardwoods?

Hardwood products offer help
“Allergists recognize that carpet is a huge collection net for dust and dust mites, live and dead insects and their waste products, mold and animal dander,” says Dr. Dana V. Wallace, immediate past president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI). “Chemical treatments and professional steam cleaning will not remove all allergens, and are only effective for a short time. But all of these allergens can be reduced with hardwood flooring.”

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), agrees. “We recommend hardwood floors,” says spokesperson Angel Waldron. “They are easier to clean and do not harbor dust, dirt and allergens like carpeting.” And to ease the suffering to a greater degree, Dr. Wallace suggests additional home considerations.

“The newest research shows that making one change in the home, like carpet removal, will reduce the allergen load, but it takes multiple interventions to reduce symptoms,” Wallace says. “Other changes, like removing upholstered furniture, need to be made.” And hardwood furniture, such as stools and desk chairs, offer a perfect solution.

But allergy issues also exist outside the home. The AAFA reports that allergies and asthma cause 40,000 people to miss school or work every day, resulting in $3 billion in lost productivity each year.

“Perhaps the increase in allergies and asthma over the past century has some relationship to moving away from hardwood flooring,” says Wallace. “My school had hardwood flooring in the 1960s, and more recently, schools have been installing more carpeting. We need hard surfaces such as hardwood flooring, in public areas, to reduce allergen exposure.”

Utkarsh Ghildyal, project manager at Renaissance 3 Architects feels that healthy and environmentally favorable hardwood floors are “more comfortable than concrete and are more easily maintained than carpet.” Ghildyal says that, “we use hardwoods in our designs to express warmth and a sustainable aesthetic. There is a natural feeling to hardwood that is difficult to replicate.”

The experts at Renaissance 3 Architects are not alone in their thinking. More and more designers are recognizing the limitless benefits of hardwood products, and are increasingly featuring them in schools, workspaces and health care facilities across the country.

But what about the finishes – won’t they affect allergies?
The American Hardwood Information Center suggests you breathe deep, relax, but be knowledgeable. Reading product labels, specifically looking for the key words “volatile organic compounds,” or VOCs, is important because VOCs are emitted by many, many items, including carpeting, electronics, cosmetics, plastics, cleaning supplies, tobacco products and more.

Today, most paints and stains will have low- or no-VOC on their labels, and that’s significant because low- or no-VOC finishes which are water-based, are healthier for you and the environment, give off virtually no odor, and are much less likely to trigger allergies or other sensitivities.

Let’s clear the air
The benefits of using products made from American hardwoods are limitless. Incorporate them into the places where you live, work and play. And then, breathe deep.

For more information on American Hardwoods, visit www.HardwoodInfo.com.

American Hardwoods offer a breath of fresh air is a post on Hardwood Flooring Info site where you can find more articles, resources and FREE tools related to Hardwood flooring

“Hardwood floors are so naturally durable and wear-resistant they can go on looking beautiful for years,” says Linda Jovanovich of the American Hardwood Information Center. “But when you’re ready for a ‘fresh’ look, remember that there’s a new decorative role for that ‘old’ hardwood flooring.” American Hardwoods, treasured for generations – top interior designers agree.

In Redondo Beach, Calif., designer Jackie Balint has customized old wood floors with floral patterns hand-painted to match the homeowner’s favorite plates. In Lexington, Ky., kitchen designer Laura Dalzell used contrasting stain colors to create checkerboards and borders on traditional hardwood floors. New York designer John Buscarello swears by faux-painted finishes like checkerboards and pretend parquet. And Arizona designer Karen Wirrig uses a unique glazing process that wins a floor prize for special effects.

To revitalize old oak floors in a client’s California home, Wirrig worked with a master cabinet contractor who repurposed his custom cabinet-glazing techniques from furniture to the floors.

“I have to admit I was skeptical,” Wirrig says. But when the glaze was applied over the sanded and stained floor, the grain was enhanced and the “old” floors looked seamless. “The individual planks receded visually, giving the floor a much more continuous look,” she reports. “It’s a rich and elegantly rustic look, just what the homeowner had in mind.”

Manhattan designer Buscarello believes in bypassing the demolition crew in favor of a decorative painter. For him, it’s all about cherishing the old wood and the patina it develops over time.

“Designers really covet old floors,” Buscarello. “Old wood is different; it has a beauty that’s hard to replicate. Unless it’s really too worn to refinish – and that rarely happens – there’s no point in tearing out an old floor.”

Buscarello likes to refresh old floors instead, sometimes with just a gentle cleaning process called “screening” that merely lifts the dirt and old wax from the surface of the wood. It doesn’t change the color of the wood itself, which can then be re-waxed or polyurethaned to look like new.

When he wants a more dramatic transformation, Buscarello calls for painted designs – classic floor treatments that “will never go out of fashion,” he says – not only in casual country-style rooms but also in sophisticated contemporary settings.

Like the time his work crew pulled up 20-year-old linoleum in a Manhattan apartment foyer, revealing splendid hardwood flooring underneath. Buscarello had a decorative artist paint a crisp black-and-white checkerboard on the floor, instantly brightening the entry, delighting the homeowner and leaving enough in the budget for extra decorating projects.

Even Park Avenue-posh clients appreciate the classic good looks (and budget-loving price tag) of faux-painted floors. Buscarello made a grand Park Avenue apartment “even grander” with faux painting on the half-century-old floors – a pattern that looks like warm Old World parquet running diagonally throughout all the elegant upfront rooms. “Everyone has a budget,” the designer points out. “You can save thousands by refurbishing existing hardwood.”

Drama is what New York designer Darren Henault has in mind when he sets out to renew a worn wood floor. Over the top and ultra-bold, Henault loves pattern on wood floors, a message visitors got twice-over at the most recent Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Manhattan.

Henault floored adjoining sitting rooms – “His ‘n Hers” – with intricate entwined patterns lifted from an adjacent carpet and stencil-painted on the maple floors. “His” was darker and touched with ebony; “Hers,” the reverse, painted in milky white and lavender to match the walls. “Every surface is an opportunity to do something dramatic,” the designer believes. “Especially a hardwood floor.”

Design pros across the U.S. agree. Don’t show your hardwood floor the door. Simply refresh, renew and redecorate to make hardwood floors look new and stylish again.

For DIY tips about painting on hardwood floors, and other decorating tips and suggestions, visit www.HardwoodInfo.com, the American Hardwood Information Center.

About to show your hardwood floor the door? Rethink-refinish-redecorate instead is a post on Hardwood Flooring Info site where you can find more articles, resources and FREE tools related to Hardwood flooring

There are different kinds of sanding machines. There’s the drum sander and there’s the orbital sander. The orbital sander is said to be easier to use and more reliable, but the drum sander is more commonly available. If buying your own sander is not an option, you can rent it from floor installation specialists, who will also be willing to teach you how to operate it.

The best sandpaper for new floors is 20 grit, but you can change to higher grits once you’ve got the initial sanding job done. Sanding experts say the best way to sand your hardwood floor is by using just one direction and going from right to left. This is because sanders are unevenly constructed, with the left acting as the ‘digger’ and the right part as the ‘sweeper’. Surely you wouldn’t want to sweep first before cutting through the excess wood.

You should expect to have quite a workout while you sand your floor because the machine is not a cinch to handle. It can be very heavy and will require force on your part to control its direction. If you just leave it to its element, it could run around toward unpredictable directions and cause damage instead of result in smoothness for your floor.

It is for this reason that sanding is not something that you should experiment with. If you value your hardwood floor, get information on the right sanding techniques first before you take the plunge. If this proves too tedious for you, then just hire professional sanders to do the job. It’s better to spend on professional services than end up shelling out a greater amount because you’ve sanded your floor the wrong way.

Overall, all woodworks require sanding if you are to expect zero splinters and total smoothness. If you don’t want to go through all this work, just go with pre-finished hardwood flooring. It’s a little more expensive but it’s a small price to pay for the convenience.

Sanding Your Hardwood Floor is a post on Hardwood Flooring Info site where you can find more articles, resources and FREE tools related to Hardwood flooring

But when you see a stain on your hardwood flooring, you shouldn’t panic just yet. It could be a damage that can be addressed by minor repair methods and without having to call in and pay for professional help. There are certain hardwood floor stains that you can repair yourself. For instance, if there is a huge water mark on your floor, you might be tempted to replace the entire plank to get rid of it. This is not always the remedy. You should first try if it’s a problem that can be remedied by sanding and refinishing the affected spot.

Taking care of a small spot yourself will not be a nuisance, compared to changing the entire surface. However, if the stain is really not manageable, you may still attempt at doing the replacement job yourself.

The first thing you should do to get rid of stain is to come up with an oxalic acid crystal solution, which will be dabbed onto the stained area. Oxalic acid acts as a bleaching agent and can get rid of minor stains. If the stain is not bleached out the first time, you can repeat the procedure for several times more until the stain is gone. Make sure you wear protective gloves, though, as the oxalic acid might be too harsh for your skin.

After you apply oxalic acid, you should return your floor to its usual acidity rinsing it with vinegar. The one you find in your kitchen will do. Of course, you will need to wipe the area dry of excess moisture and allow it completely dry first before you leave it alone. The result should be bleached but stain-less finish.

Finally, choose an oil-based stain you can apply to the bleached surface to get the original look of your hardwood floor. You may do a number of applications before you get your desired shade. However, before you decide on which stain shade to buy, make sure first that it is compatible with the rest of the floor’s color and the kind of wood your floor is made of.

How to Remove Stains From Hardwood Floors is a post on Hardwood Flooring Info site where you can find more articles, resources and FREE tools related to Hardwood flooring

The cost of bamboo flooring averages at between $2 and $4 for every square foot, which is just about the same price as oak. This is a fair price considering the many benefits it offers.

Installing bamboo flooring does not require any special and specific technique. In fact, there are several ways you can lay them on: You can float them, nail them down, or glue them on. Bamboo is also easier to get than oak because it only takes around 3 years for it to mature, as opposed to oak which can take up to a hundred years to be fully mature.

It is important to note that that bamboo is not a wood — it’s a grass, so we cannot call it hardwood. However, it can last as long as the standard hardwoods we have around, so that’s probably why most people mistake it as such.

To make a flat, solid floor, the bamboo tubes are cut into strips. These are then these are boiled to strip the starch away. The boiled strips proceed to the drying and lamination process, and then milled to become strip floor boards. This is the same process that hardwoods like maple or oak go through. Finally, the strips are treated using a preservative to slow down decay.

There is something about bamboo floors that gives a room an ethnic and earthy feel. Because hardwoods like oak are rather dark and, thus, look too rich and heavy, using bamboo as your flooring makes your space appear lighter, airier, and less contrived.

But perhaps the best thing about bamboo floors is that they are easy to acquire and install. Bamboo floor strips are sold at all building materials stores. You don’t have to search far and wide to get your hands on them.

All About Bamboo Floors is a post on Hardwood Flooring Info site where you can find more articles, resources and FREE tools related to Hardwood flooring

Many people can surely remember watching mom scrubbing and mopping the kitchen floor with a bucket full of cleaning solution, but those days are long gone. Now, there are plenty of effective and affordable solutions for keeping hard floors clean and fresh.”

Handyman Matters suggests following these tips for caring for hard floors:

* Clean your bare floors frequently, especially wood floors. Grit tracked into your house from outside can easily grind into the flooring as your family walks around. With frequent cleaning, your floors should keep their shine much longer.

* When spills occur, clean them up immediately. This prevents substances from staining the floor or grout in between the tiles.

* Don’t clean wood or laminate wood floors with a wet mop, because it can cause swelling of the wood. If your wood floors are sealed, steam cleaners are a better option. Cut floor cleaning time in half with an all-in-one tool like the a steam and sweep which picks up dry debris and cleans hard floors in one pass, using the natural power of steam which can kill many germs and bacteria lingering on your floors as well.

* When vacuuming wood floors, use a vacuum with straight suction or turn off the carpet-beater brush if possible. Find a vacuum that uses straight suction and a unique V-shaped foot to capture dirt along the edges and baseboards of your floor without the help of brooms or attachments. And if you have pets in your home, find a vacuum that has special rubber wipers to attract pet hair along edges of the flooring and under cabinets.

* To restore shine to wood floors with a wax finish, try buffing the floor instead of immediately applying another coat of wax. But if that doesn’t bring back the shine, you may need to apply a liquid wax made specifically for wood floors. Let it dry after applying and buff the area again. Contact your local Handyman Matters Franchise to request a craftsman to assist you for a beautiful, professional wax finish.

With the help the Handyman Matters craftsman and these modern cleaning solutions, homeowners can kick that old-fashioned broom, mop and bucket routine to the curb, and tackle even the trickiest hard floor messes with efficiency and ease. The professionals at Handyman Matters can help take care of all of your interior projects – no matter how small! Click here to find a location near you or call 866-FIX MY HOME, today.
Courtesy of ARA content

Keep Your Hard Floors Looking as Good as New is a post on Hardwood Flooring Info site where you can find more articles, resources and FREE tools related to Hardwood flooring

Whether purchasing factory-finished products or engaging in a do-it-yourself project; be knowledgeable. Ask questions. Read labels. The key words are “volatile organic compounds,” commonly referred to as VOCs, usually listed in grams per liter. Lower VOC content products are more environmentally friendly and pose lower health risks. According to EPA standards, to qualify as a zero-VOC finish, VOC content cannot exceed 5 grams per liter, and low-VOC finishes cannot contain more than 200 grams per liter.

Consumers interested in finding the healthiest and most environmentally friendly products, should be aware of VOC content. While paints, stains and other coatings can be emitters of VOCs, they are not alone. VOCs are emitted from many other products found in the home including carpeting, electronics, cosmetics, plastics, cleaning supplies, tobacco products and more.

Thanks to advances in wood-coating technology, many of today’s finishes are better than ever. Zero-and low-VOC finishes deliver the same quality, durability and performance as their predecessors. In the not-so-distant past, it was considered practically impossible to make high-quality finishes that did not emit VOCs, both during their application and throughout their service life. But that was then. Some manufacturers argue that today’s low-VOC finishes are even better than old solvent-based products. They require fewer coatings, provide equal performance and do it in a healthier way.

Most zero-and low-VOC finishes are water-based. Because they contain no solvents, they are safe for people and the environment, and they give off virtually no odor. They’re also easier to use because they dry quickly, and clean-up can be tackled with plain soap and water.

Disposal is simple, too. Most manufacturers have online calculators to help you determine exactly how much finish to buy, but if you end up with extra paint, stain or sealer, there’s no need to worry. Because of their natural ingredients, water-based finishes do not need to be taken to a hazardous waste center. Simply let open containers sit in a well-ventilated area, and once they solidify, place them in the trash. Of course, you could always leave the lid on and pass the finishes along to a neighbor or charity organization.

Beyond traditional low- and no-VOC finishes, consumers can select from an increasing array of natural paints, stains and sealers. These products, which are made with organic ingredients such as water, plant extracts and minerals are naturally VOC-free. They give off almost no smell and, like most natural products, they are unlikely to trigger allergies or other sensitivities.

Not a do-it-yourselfer? Keep in mind that it’s hard to go wrong with a prefinished or factory-finished product. Most manufacturers now use ultraviolet (UV) light to quickly cure several coats of low- or no-VOC urethane finish. Some hardwood flooring manufacturers even add small aluminum oxide chips directly into the UV-cured finish, which dramatically increases the floor’s durability and life.

But if you are a do-it-yourselfer preparing to finish hardwood cabinets, trim or flooring, you can choose from two basic types of finishes: those that penetrate the wood and those that sit on the wood’s surface. Penetrating stains and finishes do as their name suggests: they penetrate wood to form a protective seal. Stains soak in to provide color, and a wax coating gives a low-gloss satin sheen. These finishes include linseed, tung and specialty oils. They require special cleaning products like solvent-based waxes, buffing pastes or cleaning liquids, especially for wax-finished floors.

Surface finishes include a stain covered by a protective layer or topcoat. Because of their durability and resistance to moisture, these finishes – which encompass polyurethanes, paints, shellac, varnish, lacquer and wax – are easier to maintain and more popular than ever. And advances in wood-coating technology have made them more environmentally-friendly.

To learn more about flooring, cabinetry, moulding and other products made from American hardwoods, visit the American Hardwood Information Center at www.hardwoodinfo.com, a service of the Hardwood Manufacturers Association.

Hardwood finishes are more eco-friendly than ever is a post on Hardwood Flooring Info site where you can find more articles, resources and FREE tools related to Hardwood flooring

However, new products entering the market today are touting more sophisticated designs and customizable options, unlike anything seen previously in laminate. Advancements in manufacturing technology have launched a new era — one in which aesthetics are heightened for superior appeal. With enhanced details, laminate flooring is set to rival wood and tile as a premiere flooring alternative.

“Families used to select laminate for areas with high traffic, reserving wood for rooms less used or more formal,” explains Claes Wennerth, president of Alloc, Inc., a manufacturer of glueless, mechanical locking laminate flooring based in Racine, Wis. “Today’s laminate is so authentic and customizable, it’s finding its place in all rooms — even worthy of floors once set aside for wood.”

Just what are the new design elements of laminate and how is it comparing to the real thing? In their newly launched Classics line, Alloc offers some excellent examples, representative of the industry’s progress.

The Alloc Classics’ Herringbone is presently the only glue-free laminate flooring offering herringbone patterns. Herringbone was previously available only through expensive custom installations of real wood. Cleverly designed, Alloc’s Classics Herringbone has two plank types with mirror image locking systems for simple installation. The line comes in Honey Oak or Merbau finish, each featuring Wood Structure details and seams highlighted with decorative grooves for authenticity.

Also in the Classics line is the new TimberView collection. TimberView features planks in two widths, with beveled edges. When installed, the beveling creates slight V-grooves as found in real wood flooring products. Homeowners can interplay the two plank sizes for truly custom installations. The product features technology that allows the end joints to be joined together via the angle-angle installation method, without the need of a tapping block.

Third in the Alloc Classics line is Microbevel, with subtly beveled edges for the look of genuine rustic wood. The edges are protected with special UV lacquer technology giving them a superior wear resistance. Microbevel is available in four finishes.

The Alloc Classics line represents the latest in superior laminate technology. All Classics products feature Direct Pressure laminate construction in planks 8 mm thick. This line comes with a 30-year residential warranty for wear, fade and stain resistance, as well as joint integrity.

“Homeowners are the winners in the quest for the best laminate product,” Wennerth says. “We’ve created products that offer a true wood look, yet are more affordable and easier to install and maintain.”

To find an Alloc dealer in your area, or to get more information on available products and installation procedures, call or visit www.alloc.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

You Can Have It All with Laminate Flooring is a post on Hardwood Flooring Info site where you can find more articles, resources and FREE tools related to Hardwood flooring

Laminate flooring consists of four main components that are bonded together. A wear-resistant decorative surface made of resinbased melamine/aluminum oxide is bonded to a moisture resistant wood composition-based core. A balancing backing is bonded to the underside of the core. On the top is a clear cap sheet of aluminum oxide, which provides the protection and stain resistance. Since the resin-filled wear layer is so dense, it becomes extremely difficult to stain, scratch or burn.

Ease of installation is one factor that contributes to the popularity of laminate flooring. It uses a tongue and groove interlocking system, which can be installed over the top of an existing substrate. Plywood, concrete slab, sheet vinyl flooring, hardwood flooring or virtually any other basically flat hard surface is a suitable base for laminate.

Most brands of laminate flooring require that the joints be glued with specially formulated, waterresistant glue placed between the tongue and grooves of every plank. However, Alloc, Inc., located in Racine, Wis., has a patented glueless interlocking system that provides strong, tight joints without messy glue or special tools.

Because installation is so simple, and because you can walk on your new floor immediately (no waiting for glue to dry), beautifying your home with new laminate flooring is truly a project you can do in a weekend. “Installing a laminate floor, especially with our glueless system, is a lot easier than people think,” says company president Claes Wennerth.

No matter what your décor or your lifestyle, you can find a laminate floor to fit your needs. Alloc’s laminate flooring can be used in virtually any area of your home, such as kitchens, living rooms, dining rooms and bathrooms.

Taking care of a laminate floor is even easier than installing it. To keep your floor looking like new and avoid scratches, simply vacuum or dust mop regularly to re

move loose dirt or grit. Glides or cushioned bottom protectors under chairs and table legs also help prevent possible scratching, and floor mats at all outside doorways keep dirt from coming inside.

Alloc products are backed by the best warranties in the industry, covering five areas: joint integrity, stain resistance, fade resistance, wear resistance and water resistance.

To find an Alloc dealer in your area, or to get more information on available patterns and installation procedures, call (877) DOALLOC or visit the company’s Web site, www.alloc.com.

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Laminate Floors Offer Beauty as Well as Durability is a post on Hardwood Flooring Info site where you can find more articles, resources and FREE tools related to Hardwood flooring

Alloc launched the era of the no-glue laminate floor over a decade ago. As the first manufacturer to offer the aluminum mechanical locking system, Alloc made laminate flooring installation a snap and is now upping the ante in terms of product design. Current laminate innovations go beyond ‘the surface’ and incredibly convincing wood finishes; even plank configurations are now replicating real wood’s nuances.

“Our new Woodstrip line comes in extended plank lengths . . . popular dimensions once only offered in hardwood flooring,” Wennerth states.

Alloc recently introduced the inventive ‘WoodStrip’ product to its Classics line of laminate flooring. Named for its unique plank dimensions, WoodStrip comes in extra long, lean plank lengths.

WoodStrip planks are 50.79″ in length with a width of 3.3″ and thickness of .31″. For added interest and dimension, the strips feature a 4-sided decorative groove. The overall look is very realistic, clean and classic.

“WoodStrip is an important innovation for Alloc,” explains Wennerth. “Consumers want the warmth and beauty of wood yet they need the convenience and easy maintenance laminate floors provide. WoodStrip is the best of both worlds — beautiful and simple.”

WoodStrip comes in four finishes — American Oak, Rustic Oak, Old Oak and Merbau — each enhanced with texture to replicate real wood. American Oak and Rustic Oak have Embossed-In-Register detailing for heightened authenticity.

As part of the Alloc Classics line, all WoodStrip products are extremely durable. The planks are constructed of 8mm direct pressure laminate, feature the industry’s strongest fiberboard locking mechanism and provide an aluminum oxide surface for exceptional wear resistance. Also, the plank edges are impregnated with wax for excellent moisture resistance. Alloc Classics are warranted for 30 years residentially for wear, fade and stain resistance, as well as for joint integrity.
Alloc products are available through floor covering retailers throughout North America. For more information, visit www.alloc.com, or call (362-5562).

Courtesy of ARA Content

Today’s Laminate Flooring — Long on Style, Short on Installation and Maintenance is a post on Hardwood Flooring Info site where you can find more articles, resources and FREE tools related to Hardwood flooring