The Floorthority

Solid Wood Floors Over Concrete

2011-02-04T10:33:00.000-08:00

At this time, Lumber Liquidators does not recommend gluing down ¾”Solid wood directly to a concrete slab, typically this has been a nail down product.

In recent times, some of the big home center stores have been advocating this procedure. Adhesive manufacturers recommend precision milled boards and the use of shorts or board length sizes under 40”, such as our HAND SCRAPED SOLID collection.

Experience with site related moisture, temperature and humidity fluctuations has shown the longer ¾” solids to be unstable when glued to cement, in fact, without raising subfloor base too high, engineered floors are actually the floor of choice for direct glue down on concrete slabs. These are constructed or engineered with a plywood core, designed to withstand temperature and moisture changes.

However, solid flooring sizes 5/16”, 3/8”, ½” and 5/8” can be glued to cement. Solid wood glue down installations can be more difficult when compared to engineered styles. The longer solid boards can be twisted or bowed right out of the box. While this is not an issue when nailing, these can present problems when gluing down. When working with solid wood it is advisable not to remove the plastic binding straps keeping the boards secure until ready to install, thus ensuring straighter boards. Do not lay out more boards that can be installed the day of installation. Culling or selecting out bowed or twisted boards can produce greater than normal waste and should be accounted for when ordering. Boards with slight bows can be cut in half then used. However, for these reasons we recommend the use of professional flooring installers for solid wood glue-down installations.

In addition, due to the rigidity of solid wood, a flat surface is required (deflection not to exceed 3/16” in 10’). Floor flatness issues can be corrected by filling low areas with cement patches or levelers and grinding down high spots. Blue painters tape (#2080) should be used to help keep surrounding boards grouped together while the adhesive cures. Some installers use straps in an effort to tighten up their glue-down installations. Caution is needed. Be aware that over-strapping can produce board lifting, peaking, board-edge crushing, or glue-bond failure. Many installers use a 75-100lbroller to ensure adhesive transfer and evenness of the board edges.

A successful ¾” solid installation on concrete can be accomplished using several methods as outlined below. First test for excess moisture and remedy

You will need a moisture barrier and a nailing base.

(1) A platform sleeper system- Install a 2”x4” sleeper framing system (2x4s laid down) all around the perimeter and ½” from the walls (to prevent side wicking of moisture). Followed by 2x4 sleepers laid every 12” on center. This framing is both urethane glued and nailed to the concrete. Insulating material can be used to fill in the space between the sleepers. Next, completely cover this framing system with heavy Plastic 6mil sheeting, overlap the seams by 6” and securely tape. Then install a wood sub-floor platform (minimum ¾ inch plywood) over the 2x4 sleepers. Install the new flooring over 15lb roofing felt. NOFMA

When addressing height restrictions;

(2) A plywood nailing base “wet set” using urethane glues- First, trowel on Bostik’s or Mapei’s moisture barrierallow to cure 16-20hrs. To make the 4’x8’ plywood nailing base flexible, score plywood sheets on the backside every 8” to 10” by using a circular saw, cutting one half the thickness of the sheets. Scoring or “kerfing” relives the tension from plywood, allows for floor contour and helps prevent future warping or curling. Or one can cut the 4x8 plywood down into 12”x 8’ flexible boards. Using a ¼” by ¼” square notched trowel, apply Bostik’s Best (BBA) or Mapei (990) urethane adhesive. Set the 12”x 8’ plywood boards into the wet adhesive. Use weights to hold in place. Allow to fully cure before nailing or gluing any new installation. NOFMA

(3) A Floating plywood sub-floor system- After laying 8mil plastic sheeting as a moisture barrier over the cement, overlap seams 4” and duct taped. Lay one layer of 5/8” plywood over the plastic sheeting, lay another layer of 5/8” plywood on a diagonal over the first for stability, screw both together using a 6” screw pattern do not puncture plastic. Keep an expansion space of ½” from all walls. If plywood sheets are square-edge, provide a 1/8” gap between all sides of adjoining plywood panels. Install new flooring over 15 Lb roofing felt. NOFMA

(4) PLYWOOD FASTEN-TO-SLAB SYSTEM- This system uses 3⁄4” or thicker sheathing grade exterior plywood as the subfloor over an appropriate moisture barrier, 8mil plastic sheeting. Loose lay 3⁄4” plywood panels over entire floor. Laying plywood on a diagonal to the direction of the finished floor will help prevent cracks associated with panel edges. Stagger plywood and joints every 4’ by cutting the first sheet of every other run in half. Leave 3⁄4” space at all wall lines and 1⁄4” to 1⁄2” between panels. Cut plywood to fit around door jambs and other obstructions where finish trim will not be used. Fasten the plywood with a powder-actuated concrete nailer or hammer-driven concrete nails. Start at the center of the panel and work toward the edges, fasten securely. NOFMA

*Note; Although many installers have had real success nailing or fasten plywood to the cement for use as a nailing base, keep in mind that fastening plywood with nails or screws will breach any applied moisture barrier. Therefore, there is a propensity for future moisture contamination as moisture can slowly wick up into the subflooring by way of the fasteners. Thus promoting mold growth or board edge cupping.

a. Membrane asphalt felt or building paper system- Prime and apply cold cut-back asphalt mastic with a notched trowel at the rate of 50 sq. ft per gallon. Let set 2 hours. Roll out 15 lb. asphalt felt/building paper, lapping edges 4”. Over this, apply a second similar coating of mastic and roll out a second layer of asphalt felt/building paper. Lay both layers of felt in the same direction, but stagger the overlaps to achieve a more even thickness.

b. Polyethylene method- When slabs are well above grade and the expected annual rainfall is light to moderate, cover the entire slab with 4- to 6-mil polyethylene film, overlapping edges 4-6” and allowing enough to extend under the baseboard on all sides. Where moisture conditions are considered more severe, prime and apply cold-type cut-back asphalt mastic with a straight-edge or fine tooth trowel over the entire slab surface (100 sq. ft. per gal.). Allow to dry about 1 hour. Lay the 4-6 mil polyethylene film over the slab, covering the entire area and lapping edges 4-6”. “Walk in” or roll in the film, stepping on every square inch of the floor to insure proper adhesion. Small bubbles are of no concern, and may be punctured to allow captive air to escape.

*Note; Do not use salt or pressure treated lumber with wood installations as these can have high moisture and chemical content. Moisture content of any wood components for the wood sub-floor or new floor should not exceed 12%.

As can be seen, there are many methods to successfully install solid hardwood over cement. Therefore, the methods outlined here are intended to be guides only. Whichever nailing base method you choose must also provide enduring protection against moisture.

*Always consult your professional installer for his guidance and established procedures for your region of the country.

As a courtesy, Lumber Liquidators, Inc. (“LLI”) may provide information to its customers concerning the installation of products sold by LLI. This information is current with NWFA installation principles and Manufacturing standards and while helpful is not exhaustive. It is not intended to take the place of an installer’s expertise, informed judgment and on-site inspection.

Tech and Install

Wholesale Woodfloor Warehouse In Sacramento

2010-09-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

Wholesale Woodfloor Warehouse in Sacramento is having fun selling wood floors. The team of John and Chris, is wheeling and dealing, and moving serious flooring. They have serious sales right now on Engineered wood floors, laminate floors, and solid hardwoods. They have exotic brazilian cherry flooring, Tigerwood, and Brazilian Walnut floors at lower prices than any of the competition. Not only are prices low, but they offer discounts for large orders, and referrals. So, if you are in the market for wood floors just follow this link to savings.

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Great deals on Flooring

2010-08-27T09:10:00.000-07:00

Located in Long Beach, San Diego, and Sacramento, the Wholesale Woodfloor Warehouse stores of California are serving up all kinds of deals.

In Sacramento the in Store sale of Laminates has 8mm laminates with the pad already included for just forty nine cents.

The Wood Flooring team of Long beach has engineered wood floors starting at just 99 cents. This is an unbelievable deal.

Last but not least is the San Diego location. Recently opened and already kicking major butt. They are blowing out material and smoking the competition.

Contact us at www.wholesalewoodfloorwarehouse.com with any questions. Thank you. We love our customers.

Wholesale Woodfloor Warehouse Sacramento!!

2010-08-05T09:55:00.000-07:00

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Wholesale Woodfloor Warehouse has a business page on yelp!

Wood floors are beautiful and an exciting addition to any home. One, that will add value, increase sanitation levels, and reduce dander and allergen levels.

Love your floors, get sexy floors for you home today.

Wood floors Long Beach on Show me Local

2010-08-01T12:55:00.000-07:00

Tip of the day: let your newly purchased wood floor acclimate to your home for at the very least 3 days prior to installation. Acclimation may take up to a month depending on your home and the type of wood you will be installing. Ultimately this is the responsibility of the installer, but don't go in to this situation not knowing what's going on.

Wood Floors Long Beach, the best deals in town!

2010-07-30T11:38:00.000-07:00

http://twitter.com/3wFLOORING

Twitter update ^

Please rate Wholesale Woodfloor Warehouse, on yellowbot, and also please enjoy our video.

http://www.yellowbot.com/wholesale-wood-floor-warehouse-long-beach-ca.html

Wholesale WoodFloor Warehouse Long Beach, Wholesale Woodfloor Warehouse Sacramneto, Wholesale Woodfloor Warehouse San Diego

2010-07-26T10:54:00.000-07:00

Link: http://realestate.msn.com/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=24745153&GT1=35006#2%23q=7%20fixes%20to%20boost%20your%20home%27s%20value%3A%20Focus%20on%20the%20flooring

Get the latest updates from MSN Real Estate

2. Focus on Flooring!

Good, well maintained flooring can set a positive tone for the entire intirior of your home.

“Like paint, flooring can help creat an impression of spaciousness and airiness,” Nickell says. Weather it’s floating laminate flor, tile, or a natural “green” alternative, lighter tone flooring can make formerly drab areas appear modern and streamlined,”

Twitter and Floor Tube

2010-07-02T15:18:00.000-07:00

FloorTube™ Has The Videos You're Looking For

Installing, maintaining and purchasing flooring is now made simple with FloorTube's™ flooring videos. On FloorTube™ you can find floor installation videos on a wide range of floor types such as carpet, hardwood, laminate, tile and more. There are even floor care videos that can show you how to properly clean your specific floor surface. For those looking for eco–friendly flooring options, visit the "Green Solutions" section for more information. FloorTube™ is a great tool for homeowners who are interested in do–it–yourself flooring. Best of all, uploading and viewing flooring videos on FloorTube™ is free.

http://www.wholesalewoodfloorwarehouse.com/handscraped.html

http://www.wholesalewoodfloorwarehouse.com/engineered.html

Wholesale Woodfloor Warehouse has a Sale

2010-06-29T08:36:00.001-07:00

This weekend at Wholesale Woodfloor Warehouse there will be an Independence Day SALE. These guys have an airplane hangar full of inventory that is priced to move. I mean you just can’t find deals like this. They have engineered flooring starting at .99c. They have laminate flooring starting at .79c, and solid bamboo flooring at $1.89!!! This place has unheard of deals, and ultra low prices. Plus they have most of their inventory IN STOCK, and if it isn’t stocked it usually comes in the next day. So, if you’re in or around the Long Beach, or Sacramento areas do yourself a favor, and go find at deal at Wholesale Woodfloor Warehouse.

Are you going to put flooring down in your new home? Are you in the middle of a remodel? Did you take advantage of government tax breaks and purchase a house to flip? Let us help you to add value to that home. A solid food floor raises the resale value of your home more so than any other type of floor covering. Not only that, wood floors can last forever! Exotic wood floors can be up to 185% harder than an Oak floor, did you know that? Are you looking for something environmentally friendly? Well, a bamboo floor can be harvested in 4 to 8 years! That means no forest need to cut down, yes that’s renewable flooring, and it’s very inexpensive. Not to mention the fact that it makes for beautiful flooring. Do you have a concrete slab, and need to utilize a glue down application? Well you can get engineered flooring made with real wood veneer top. This product is amazing; it uses less wood for the flooring, while still providing the natural beauty, and desirability of a true hardwood floor. Is laminate flooring a good choice? Well, more and more people are turning to laminate flooring as lumber prices continue to grow, and focus on the environment becomes more and more relevant. Laminate floors don’t require special logging, and don’t use real wood. Laminate floors can’t be resurfaced, but a good flooring installer can come in and replace the damaged isolated boards. Furthermore, laminate floors can be up to 3 dollars a square foot cheaper than a true solid hardwood floor, or even certain engineered wood floors. This means you can get more bang for your buck. Why else? To be totally honest, laminate floors are great do it yourself projects. Snap together seams and pre attached padding, makes this a super easy application. And finally, the look of laminate floors has improved dramatically over the last 20 years, you can now have a computer generated image of wood, beautifully designed on each board, tricking even the trained eye into believing its looking at a real hardwood floor. Laminate floors = today’s economic

Wood Floors

2010-06-23T15:14:00.001-07:00

Wood floors are a valuable addition to any home or office. They have proven to be healthier than carpet, and have a much longer expected life than any other floor covering option. Additionally laminate floors have also come onto the market strong as a positive alternative to true hard wood floors. Today many laminated floors are so good that they are almost indecipherable from a real ¾ solid plank. Not to mention the fact that a good laminated floor is far more inexpensive that real wood.

Despite pricing, and improvements in laminate technology, hard wood floors still remain the most desirable floor covering. The natural beauty and color, as well as the god given individuality of every piece, assures that it will remain the best option for flooring in any setting.

Laminate Flooring

2010-06-15T08:48:00.001-07:00

BUYING A LAMINATE FLOOR:

Laminate flooring offers the look of hardwood or stone flooring, but without the expense and required maintenance.

Laminate flooring usually is made from high-density fiber or wood particles, with a laminate overlay that is designed to look like wood or stone. A clear, hard layer is placed on top, giving the laminate floor its durability. Laminate flooring has become a popular way to update the look of a home.

Pros of Laminate Floors

Price and Installation Laminate flooring is cheaper and easier to install than hardwood flooring. Prices range from about $1.50 per sq. ft. to $3 per sq. ft, but you can find better deals from wholesalers and from online distributors. Laminate flooring can be placed on top of almost any existing floor, excluding carpet, and several manufacturers offer a glue-free, tongue-and-groove system. The interlocking planks make it an easy installation for weekend warriors and it can be uninstalled without damaging the laminate or the original flooring underneath.

Durability Laminate flooring works well in high-traffic areas and homes with pets. It is scratch-resistant, durable and easy to clean. Just use a dust mop or a mop dampened with water. Most manufacturers offer at least a 10-year warranty on their product.

Resale Value Laminate flooring can add to the resale value of your home. Most home buyers are looking for hardwood floors instead of carpet. Laminate gives you the wood look for less and can make your home look more open and modern. It also is environmentally friendly because it uses less wood – if any – in its construction.

Cons of Laminate Floors 

Noise Laminate flooring does not absorb sound well and can have a hollow sound when you walk on it, particularly in high heels. Using an acoustic underlay will help reduce the noise, but it still may be a nuisance. Laminate also lacks the visual warmth of other materials, including hardwood.

Buyers Know It’s Not Hardwood Although laminate floors will increase a home’s value compared to wall-to-wall carpeting, hardwood floors will increase it even more. Buyers generally can tell the difference between laminate and hardwood or stone, and they prefer natural materials.

Design Options Another drawback is that the look of the flooring is set by the manufacturer. Color and sheen cannot be customized so choices are limited, and a buyer may not like your selection. Hardwood floors can be sanded and re-stained.

Warping The materials in laminate flooring are moisture resistant, but the floors can warp in high-moisture areas. There is a debate over whether it should be installed in kitchens and bathrooms or other rooms that are exposed to heavy water or steam. Most manufactures warn that laminate flooring will be damaged by standing pools of water. This is true of other materials as well, but hardwood floors may be able to be sanded and refinished. Laminate floors would have to be replaced. The material is still relatively new, so it isn’t clear how this type of flooring will hold up over time.

Before You Buy Homeowners thinking about buying laminate floors should visit a few stores before making a decision. Talk with a store associate and research the different manufacturers. Some companies use different materials or construction methods

Laminates

2010-06-11T10:05:00.001-07:00

Unlike hardwood, laminate floors will not stain, fade, dent and are far more scratch and water resistant. Entry level laminate wood flooring is designed for light traffic areas and come with warranties ranging from 10 to 15 years. Most people set their expectations too high and expect that entry level floors will perform under heavy traffic conditions and still look good for the duration of the warranty. This is however not the case, as an entry level floor subject to high traffic will start to show wear and tear within three to five years.

Laminate floors come with cores ranging from 6mm up to 12mm. A thicker core is more stable, less vulnerable to buckling and will sound more like real hardwood when walked on. Good quality cores are treated with water repellent chemicals, and resist swelling due to excessive moisture. This is very important especially when considering placing laminate wood flooring in bathrooms and kitchen. For these applications also consider a floor that has Paraffin wax impregnated joints. The Paraffin wax acts as a water repellent and will prevent topical water spills from penetrating down to the core. Also remember to scrutinize the warranty, as certain products are not covered for use in bathrooms and kitchens.

Buying the floors that suits your needs will save you money in the long run. This is not to say that every home requires a high end floor with an extensive warranty. Consider the amount of traffic as well as the amount of time you intend staying in your current home. There is no point in purchasing an expensive floor with an extended warranty if you plan on moving in the near future. Remember, the floor is usually the first thing replaced by people when moving to a new home.

Laminate wood flooring offers the best combination of quality and value in a wide range of colors, styles and designs and are also engineered for exceptional strength and durability and will last for years and years. For a rich and long-lasting experience, at a home friendly price, choose laminate; it's a natural look for your home and for the way you want to live.

Laminate wood floors history

Since their introduction into the US in 1982, the sector has experienced growth of up to 20% per annum at the expense of other floor types, making laminate the fastest growing floor type in the country. The appeal lies not only in its aesthetic value of its representation of real hardwood, but also due to its incredible durability and ease of maintenance.

The traditional look of hardwood is timeless; its beauty has brought a sense of comfort and elegance to homes around the world for many generations. Hardwood floors are however pricey, not very durable and require a fair amount of routine maintenance and care. Even the most recent technological advancements in surface treatment have not been able to solve such problems as scratching, fading, denting and staining. This has lead to the invention of laminate wood floors. With its machine made construction and hardwood photographic laminated surface, this floor is the perfect solution for the look and appeal of real hardwood that is more durable and requires less maintenance.

End Block Flooring

2010-06-09T13:02:00.001-07:00

Here's something in the unique category! Doubtful if many of us have ever seen this kind of hardwood floor pattern work. Leave it to anyone's imagination, end block flooring can offer a multitude of designs.

One company that specializes in such is Kaswell Flooring Systems. Currently offering a multitude of different hardwood patterns with hardwood species in the likes of teak(shown above) to bamboo and some reclaimed hardwood. Products offered vary in four different thicknesses and glued to any proper subfloor. Following installation, sanding equipment is brought in much like traditional hardwood floors.

The appearance offers a busy look, but think about using them for border work or entry ways. If they're installed with solid 3/4" floors, other preparations will have to be considered to reach the same vertical height.

Unlike older methods where lumber was cut on site and dried accordingly, the Kaswell product line arrives kiln dried with some patterns sanded to a 40 grit appearance. Definitely more time saving than the older methods.

How To Choose

2010-06-08T18:07:00.000-07:00

How to choose

Last reviewed: August 2009

VIDEO:

Testing Flooring

See Types to pick a type you like. Then see our Recommended (available to subscribers) for top performers. Here are other tips:

Gauge the traffic

While the best plastic laminates and vinyls might be tougher than solid or engineered wood, they can't be refinished when worn. Moisture resistance is a strong point for some wood. But our Lumber Liquidators solid oak and bamboo flubbed this test, as did the Lauzon, Bruce, and Armstrong engineered-oak flooring.

Think safety

All but the solid-wood Anderson Pacific oak were judged at least good for wet and dry slip resistance in our flooring Ratings (available to subscribers). High-scoring floors rated very good include the engineered-wood Mohawk Antiquity, the laminate Montado and Wicanders, and vinyl Congoleum and Allure.

Don't get bamboozled

Even greener options use some petroleum when shipped. Teragren says its Synergy bamboo uses adhesives that emit less formaldehyde in the home than the usual glue, though they still emit some at the factory. And while the linseed oil in linoleum comes from flax, growing that plant might require harmful chemicals to fight disease and insects.

Learn how to get the best installation for your new flooring.

Floor Tube

2010-06-04T10:56:00.000-07:00

FloorTube™ Has The Videos You're Looking For

Bamboo Floors

2010-06-03T15:12:00.000-07:00

Bamboo Floors - Walk The Plank... In Style

Just mention "bamboo floors" and many people will imagine strips of uneven cane or round poles which would seem difficult or uncomfortable to walk on if used as a floor. The fact is, this relatively new type of flooring is as flat as any other hardwood or laminate floor as we know it. With the help of recent technological advances, manufacturers are now turning bamboo stalks into high quality ultra smooth flooring on a grand scale in order to meet the fast growing demand for this exceptionally stylish floor covering.

Just like some other wooden floors, the processed and machined cane comes in short laminated strips, planks or tiles, therefore installation is conducted in much the same way to any other similar type of flooring. It should also be said that, being tough and durable, it will also last many years if both properly installed and cared for. See our section on Bamboo Flooring Care for some tips.

Solid Hardwood Floors v. Engineered Wood Floors

2010-06-02T08:42:00.000-07:00

Solid
Solid hardwood floors come in a wide range of dimensions and styles, with each plank made of solid wood and milled from a single piece of timber. Solid hardwood floors were originally used for structural purposes, being installed perpendicular to the wooden support beams of a building. Modern construction techniques now rarely use wood building frames and solid hardwood floors are used almost exclusively for their appearance.
For flooring, solid wood has many limitations due to the natural characteristics of wood. Expansion and contraction of wood from moisture and temperature fluctuation puts many dimensional restrictions on solid wood floors. Typically, 5" wide and 3/4" thick boards are the largest that can be manufactured from solid wood without compromising the structure of the flooring (some manufacturers produce wider boards using proprietary milling techniques). There is, however, no standard size which will perform well in every environment. For contemporary construction techniques, the most significant characteristic of solid wood floors is that they are not recommended to be installed directly over concrete.
[edit]Engineered

Wood flooring is a popular feature in many houses.
Engineered wood flooring is composed of two or more layers of wood in the form of a plank. The top layer (lamella) is the wood that is visible when the flooring is installed, and is adhered to the core (or substrate) which provides the stability.
Laminate, vinyl and veneer floors are often confused with engineered wood floors - laminate uses an image of wood on its surface, vinyl is plastic formed to look like wood, and veneer uses a thin layer of wood with a core that could be one of a number of different composite wood products (most commonly, high density fibreboard).
Engineered wood is the most common type of wood flooring used globally. North America is the only continent that has a larger solid wood market than engineered, although engineered wood is quickly catching up in market share.
[edit]Comparison of solid wood and engineered wood

It is very difficult to compare a solid wood floor to engineered wood floors, as there is a wide range of engineered wood floor qualities. There are several limitations on solid hardwood that give it a more limited scope of use: solid wood should not be installed directly over concrete, should not be installed below grade (basements) and it should not be used with radiant floor heating. Solid hardwood is also typically limited in plank width and is more prone to gapping and cupping with increased plank size. Solid wood products, on average, have a thicker 'sandable area' (the wood that is above the tongue), and can be installed using nails. Lastly, solid wood tends to be less expensive than engineered wood, but this, as with the 'sandable area,' depends on the quality of the engineered wood (most inexpensive engineered wood products are 'veneer' wood floors, and not 'engineered').
Engineered wood flooring has several benefits over solid wood, beyond dimensional stability and universal use. Patented installation systems (such as "click" or "G6") allows for faster installation, and easy replacement of boards. Engineered wood can use 'floating' installations, further increasing ease of repair and reducing installation times.

www.wholesalewoodfloorwarehouse.com

The Benefits of Wood Floors

2010-06-01T09:14:00.000-07:00

Benefits of Wood Floors

No other flooring offers the warmth, beauty, and value of wood. Wood flooring enhances the décor of any room, and provides timeless beauty that will increase in value throughout the years. In fact, in a national survey of real estate agents, 90 percent said that houses with wood flooring sell faster and for higher prices than houses without wood floors. That’s money in your pocket!

Ease of Maintenance

Maintenance of today’s wood floors is easy! New technology in stains and finishes call for regular cleaning that takes little more than sweeping and/or vacuuming, with occasional use of a professional wood floor cleaning product. You will want to use a cleaning product recommended by your flooring manufacturer, installer, or other wood flooring professional. This will ensure that you use the proper cleaner for your type of flooring and finish.

For more maintenance tips, check out the NWFA’s Wood Floor Maintenance section.

Ecological

Wood floors are ecologically friendly. Since it is a natural resource, wood is both renewable and recyclable. Many of yesteryear’s old wood ships , warehouses, barns, and other structures often find a second life in wood flooring. And, because wood does not collect dust and other allergens, many leading health associations agree that wood floors are the perfect choice for a healthy home.

Affordable

Today’s wood floors are affordable. Over time, wood floors maintain their value. When other flooring options are looking tired and worn out, wood floors will still look beautiful and timeless.

Variety

Wood floors have come a long way in the past few years. Today, there are more styles, colors and species of wood flooring available than ever before. Whether you’re looking for traditional Oak, rustic Pine, exotic Wenge or trendy Bamboo, you’re sure to find a color and style to fit your décor.

www.wholesalewoodfloorwarehouse.com

Repairing Your Hardwood Floors

2010-05-31T13:25:00.001-07:00

Renewal & Repairs

Unlike most other floor covering options, wood is very forgiving. Most problems can be prevented with proper maintenance, but when problems do occur, renewal and repair usually is possible. For renewing and repairing stains and scratches on any wood floor, always begin at the outer edge of the stain or scratch and work toward the middle.
To renew or repair a wood floor, you first will need to determine which kind of finish is on your floor.

Wax Floors

If the stain or scratch has penetrated the surface and is in the wood, you are dealing with a wax-finished floor.

Stains

How you tackle renewing and repairing stains depends on the type of stain.

Chewing Gum, Crayon, Candle Wax
Apply a plastic bag filled with ice until the deposit is brittle enough to crumble off. Crayon or candle wax can be removed by placing an ink blotter on the area and applying a hot pressing iron to the top of the blotter. Solvent-based wax also can be applied around the area to loosen the deposit.

Cigarette Burns
If the burn is not very deep, rub the area with fine sandpaper or steel wool. Moisten the steel wool with wax for better results. If the burn is deep, scrape the area with a penknife to remove charred fibers. Rub the area with fine sandpaper. Stain, wax and hand buff.

Dark Spots, Dog Spots, Ink Stains
Rub spot with #000 steel wool. Wax the affected area. If this fails, lightly sand the area with fine sandpaper, and clean it using #00 steel wool and mineral spirits or a wood floor cleaner . Allow the floor to dry. Stain, wax and hand buff. If the spot remains, apply a household bleach or vinegar and allow it to soak for an hour. Rinse with a damp cloth, wipe dry and smooth with fine sandpaper. Stain, wax and hand buff.

Dried Milk, Food Stains
Gently rub the stain with a damp cloth. Rub the area dry and wax.

Mold
Rub with a wood cleaner.

Oil, Grease Stains
First rub the area with kitchen soap having a high lye content, or saturate cotton with hydrogen peroxide and place over the stain. Then saturate a second layer of cotton with ammonia and place over the first layer. Repeat until stain is removed. Let the area dry and then hand buff.

Water Stains, White Spots
Rub spot with #000 steel wool. Wax the affected area. If this fails, lightly sand the area with fine sandpaper, and clean it using #00 steel wool and mineral spirits or a wood floor cleaner . Allow the floor to dry. Stain, wax and hand buff.

Wax Build Up
Strip the old wax away with odorless mineral spirits or a wood floor product made for stripping wax. Use cloths and fine steel wool to remove all residue. After the floor is dry, wax and buff.
Scratches

To renew and repair scratches, wax the area thoroughly.

Heel Marks
Rub in a small amount of wax with fine steel wool and hand buff to a shine.
Surface Finished Floors

If the stain or scratch has penetrated the finish only and is not in the wood, you are dealing with a surface finished floor.

Stains

Chewing Gum, Crayon, Candle Wax
Apply a plastic bag filled with ice on top of the stain until it is brittle enough to crumble off. Clean the area with a product made for urethane finishes.

Cigarette Burns
Most common burns can be treated with a touch-up kit made for urethane finishes. Rub with sandpaper, stain and refinish. For burns that reach deep into the wood, individual plank or parquet boards may need to be replaced.

Food, Water, Dark Spots, Dog Spots
Use a cleaner developed specifically for urethane finishes to remove the spot or stain. More stubborn spots may require additional scrubbing with the cleaner and a wood flooring scrub pad made for urethane floors.

Oil, Grease Stains
Rub the area with a cleaner developed for urethane.
Scratches

Repair with a touch-up kit made for urethane finishes available from any wood flooring retailer.

www.wholesalewoodfloorwarehouse.com

How to maintain your Hardwood Floors

2010-05-31T13:17:00.001-07:00

Regular Maintenance

With today’s advances in wood flooring stains and finishes, cleaning your wood floors has never been easier. Regular maintenance requires little more than sweeping with a soft bristle broom, and vacuuming with a soft floor attachment if your wood floor includes a beveled edge that could collect debris. You also should clean your floors periodically with a professional wood floor cleaning product recommended by a wood flooring professional. The NWFA can help you find one in your area.
Preventive Maintenance

There are other steps you can take to minimize maintenance and maintain the beauty of your wood floors as well.

Do not use sheet vinyl or tile floor care products on wood floors. Self-polishing acrylic waxes cause wood to become slippery and appear dull quickly.
Use throw rugs both inside and outside doorways to help prevent grit, dirt and other debris from being tracked onto your wood floors. This will prevent scratching.
Do not wet-mop a wood floor. Standing water can dull the finish, damage the wood and leave a discoloring residue.
Wipe up spills immediately with a slightly dampened towel.
Do not over-wax a wood floor. If the floor dulls, try buffing instead. Avoid wax buildup under furniture and other light traffic areas by applying wax in these spots every other waxing session.
Put soft plastic or fabric-faced glides under the legs of furniture to prevent scuffing and scratching.
Avoid walking on your wood floors with cleats, sports shoes and high heels. A 125-pound woman walking in high heels has an impact of 2,000 pounds per square inch. An exposed heel nail can exert up to 8,000 pounds per square inch. This kind of impact can dent any floor surface.
When moving heavy furniture, do not slide it on wood flooring. It is best to pick up the furniture completely to protect the wood flooring.
For wood flooring in the kitchen, place an area rug in front of the kitchen sink.
Use a humidifier throughout the winter months to keep wood movement and shrinkage to a minimum.

www.wholesalewoodfloorwarehouse.com

2010-05-20T11:57:00.001-07:00

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2010-05-20T08:21:00.001-07:00

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2010-05-18T10:58:00.001-07:00

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Featured Wood Floor Retailer

2010-05-16T13:33:00.000-07:00

Wholesale WoodFloor Warehouse, or "Tre Dubs" as the kids call it, may very well be the best floor retailer in California. With locations in Long BEach and Sacramento, these guys are pumping out great product at great prices. They are friendly and knowledgeable, and their customer service can not be beat.

They carry flooring from Max Windsor, possibly the best manufacturer of engineered wood floors in the United States. They have laminate floors starting at .79 cents, with a pad included. They carry strand bamboo, vertical cut bamboo, and horizontal cut bamboo. Their exotic hard wood floors are more than a dollar cheaper than their competition. As far as flooring goes these guys are kings. Their massive warehouse is full of 3/4" solid hardwoods, engineered stock, and tons of laminates. If it is not in stock they have in the next business day.

www.wholesalewoodfloorwarehouse.com
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