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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

Bamboo Flooring Vs Cork Flooring
By Bree Hodgosen

In modern times there are different options for flooring. Bamboo flooring is a natural method of flooring that can last longer than tile and marble flooring. The flooring material is prepared from the stem of bamboo plant. The most advantage is that it does not require special installation methods. The installation method may vary with the type of flooring material purchased. In floating method strips of wood snap into each other. Sometimes glue is used for durability.

Like bamboo flooring, a natural substance used for flooring is the cork from oak tree. Cork floorings are made from the bark of oak tree. The properties of the cork floorings include insect resistence, heat resistence, noise resistance and many other features. It is not easy do a fair comparison of these two flooring options since each has its own pros and cons.

Cork flooring has its presence years back and now many people are opting it for its eco friendly nature over tiles and marbles. In winter it is cool and in summer it is warm. It is suitable in high traffic and wet areas like kitchen and bath room. When there is any damage replacement is not easy without resurfacing the whole area. Bamboo flooring is also ideal for high traffic areas but too much moisture may harm its durability. The formaldehyde smell in low quality materials is not suitable to all.

Bamboo flooring is cheap than cork flooring. The quality material may cost a higher price.Insatllation is easy with both types. The cork is highly flexible and hence if any light weight material fell on the surface, it is not craked.The different varities of bambooflooring materials makes the comparison a little more difficult. Some may have superior quality and others may not.

Now a day’s both bamboo floorings and cork floorings are increasingly used in Europian contries. The cork is basically originating from Europe and the bamboo being imported from china and other Asian countries.

Whether you’re interested in installing bamboo flooring or wondering how to clean it, we’ve got you covered! For honest and sound advice regarding bamboo flooring, visit our no nonsense bamboo flooring guide at: Cheap Bamboo Flooring

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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website

The Black Walnut
By T Sons

The Black Walnut, scientifically known as Juglans nigra, is a flowering tree that belongs to the hickory family. This species of tree is native to eastern North America. It grows mainly in riparian zones, from places such as south Ontario, South Dakota, Georgia, central Texas and northern Florida.

Appearance

This tree is a large deciduous species that can grow to heights of forty feet. If it faces forest competition, it will develop a tall, clear bole. Unlike the open-grown form, it doesn’t have a short bole with a broad crown. The Black Walnut has a grey-black bark which is deeply furrowed. The centre of the twigs has air spaces in it. The leaves are alternate and pinnate, with the largest leaves being found in the centre.

Flowers and fruits

The flowers of this tree are monoecious. The male flowers form drooping catkins that are around ten centimetres long while the female flowers are terminal and are found on short spikes towards the twig’s end. They are yellow green in colour and bloom somewhere around late spring. They are found in clusters of two to five and ripen during autumn into a fruit that has a greenish-brown, semi-fleshy husk surround a brown, corrugated nut. The entire fruit, with the husk included, falls in October. The seed is quite small is extremely hard. This nut has sweet, oily meat within it that is edible. It matures from near late summer to fall. These trees usually crop more heavily every alternate year.

Uses

The Black Walnut has many uses, from its wood to its nut. The nuts from these trees are used commercially all over the United States. The nutmeats have a distinctive, robust, natural flavour and crunch, which makes it a good food ingredient. It is used widely in banking, confection and ice cream.

Producers use these walnuts in many traditional treats like cookies, cakes, pies and fudge during fall holidays. The fact that this nut has a strong nutritional profile means that it used in many foods such as fish, chicken, pork, salads, vegetables and pasta dishes. This walnut has a high unsaturated fat percentage and protein but has no cholesterol, making it quite healthy.

The Black Walnut is highly valuable due to its true, dark-coloured heartwood. Although it is strong and heavy, it can be easily split and worked. Walnut wood has been used throughout history for making furniture, paddles, flooring, coffins, gunstocks and many other woodwork products. It is so important that walnut poachers are being tracked down. The density of this tree’s wood makes it lighter than oak wood.

The seeds give out a meat that can be converted into a brownish-black dye. This was used by early settlers to dye their hair. Extracts of the outer soft part of the fruit are used even today as a natural dye for some handicrafts. The walnut has tannins in it that act as a mordant, making the dyeing process easier. It is used as a wood stain or as dark ink.

http://www.tnnursery.net

TN nursery is a state certified tree nursery specializing in native plants and trees, shrubs, fern and perennials as well as pond plants and wetland mitigation species.

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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

Brazilian Cherry Hardwood - Maintaining the Character of Your Hardwood Flooring
By Marc Marseille

Whether you have an older home or a newer construction, hardwood floors are a beautiful addition. Besides the beauty of natural wood flooring, they can also increase the value of your home. There is little maintenance needed to secure the life of your flooring, but nevertheless, these steps are important in caring for your investment.

The prevention of certain damages to your flooring can greatly reduce your need for constant repair. Some of the natural wear and tear to you hardwood may include worn out areas due to scratches from moving furniture, scratches from bad footwear, scratches from dirt and small rocks. Most of these occurrences can be prevented by placing area rugs in higher traffic areas. To avoid scratching the floors while moving furniture, you can add rubber soles under your furniture. It is also a good idea to remove your shoes at your front door to avoid tracking excess moisture and dirt into your home.

Other preventative measures that you can use for your hardwood floors are amongst your common cleaning routines. You should broom your floors on a regular basis with a fine bristles. Mopping your floors on regular with neutral PH wood cleaner will also assist in keeping your floors in good condition. Even though most natural wood floors are stained, excess water can still cause damage, so making sure that your floors is dry at all times is important.

Wood floors often lose their shine over time due to natural aging or negligence. There are some very simple ways to identify if your floors may need a little TLC. Tests like adding a little bit of water to suspected damage areas may reveal if your floors are in need of some repair. After adding water, if the area turns a darker color, it usually is a sign for concern. The task of repairing your hardwood should be left to a professional if you are not knowledgeable of wood repair.

Since most natural wood surfaces usually have sore sort of poly urethane finish or wax, repairing an area can be as simple as refinishing the affected area. You can visit your local home improvement store to compare and match your woods finish. If your floor has a wax finish, you can use a #2 steel wool pad soaked in soap and water to rub out most stains. Once the affected area is smoothed out, you can then re-stain and wax.

Hardwood flooring such as Brazilian Cherry Hardwood are a long lasting cost effective way to add value and beauty to your home. With the proper care, natural wood flooring can maintain their beauty for years to come. Even though these maintenance methods are not difficult, they are mandatory in preserving the life span of your wood floors. Proper care and prevention will prove to be the keys to protecting your investment from unnecessary damage.

Marc Marseille is an internet professional with several websites on the net providing valuable resources to many. For more details on Brazilian Floors you can visit Brazilian Cherry Hardwood.

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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.American Black Walnut Hardwood Flooring - A Dream or a Dent Machine
By Karen Lacasse

A Walnut hardwood floor is one of those truly beautiful wood products not only to install, but in the whole aesthetics when the job is done. The colour is so rich and being a natural not a stained tone each board takes on it own appeal. That being said walnut wood floors do have one downfall, at least when we talk about functionality.

Typically a customer really only wants to have an intense conversation about decorating, while in the process of selecting a floor. What hardwood flooring, paint and railing will make the home look like a million bucks. But having been in the business for 25 years, I’ve come to realize that they all start talking about wear ability after the first date, the first dent or the first disaster.

Young Johnny drops a soup tin on your new walnut hardwood floor and panic sets in. This is somewhat justifiable, since walnut only ranks 1,010 on the Janka hardness scale. If you are familiar with the latter your know that the higher the number the harder the wood. Maple, for instance is over 1400 and exotic woods like Brazilian Cherry are over 2500, so that American black walnut hardwood flooring is significantly softer than other options. This is a reality!

Many manufacturers only apply a satin finish for the top coat to make the eventual dings and dents somewhat less noticeable. This does help. The reality is that you need accept that a walnut hardwood floor will get its share of dents BUT the big advantage is that because the colour is natural you never have to worry about scrapping off a deep stained top layer and exposing a lighter, natural finish of the wood below. Walnut is a deep chocolate-purple tone throughout the entire thickness of the wood. Scratches can be easily repaired with a touch-up polyurethane pen.

Thus where the softness may be a concern in high traffic applications the fact that a walnut hardwood floor is colour consistent throughout its thickness kind of counter balances this downside. As with all life, purchasing hardwood flooring is full of tradeoffs. Just make sure you understand the balance sheet.

For lots of information on how to buy the right floor and specifically what other characteristics of a walnut hardwood floor your may want to know visit us on line at woodsthebest.com. We’ve been doing this for 30 years, so we know our stuff!

Karen Lacasse draws on 25+ years of woodworking experience, both as a woodworking teacher and industrial woodworker/owner of Lacasse Fine Wood Products. She is the author behind woodsthebest.com where you will find articles and resources to help with all your American Black Walnut Hardwood Flooring purchases and for that matter anything else you would like to know about wood and its use in home rennovation. ENJOY!

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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Flooring - Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy
By Eric M Dyer

Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Flooring has become the latest trend in the hard surface flooring industry. If you’re considering buying a Brazilian Cherry Floor, you’re making a wise choice. However, before you hop on the web to purchase your new floors you might want to know a little more about this great flooring and the various options you will have.

• Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Flooring can create a warm and casual look or a very formal style for your room. It will depend on the rest of the décor you have. Brazilian Cherry is a very versatile style and can transform a room with the right touch.
• Brazilian Cherry wood is one of the hardest, most dense woods on the Janka Scale ( an industry standard for wood hardness) and scores over 2800 out of 4000 for hardness. It will be very resistant against dents compared to most other wood species.
• Stained versus Unstained is a choice you will have to make. You can purchase Brazilian Cherry in both a natural, unstained version as well as a stained finish. Both will have a protected top coating but the stained may give you a more formal look if that’s what you are after.
• This unique floor comes in various widths. Typically you will see options between 3″ and 7″ wide planks. Any of these are great selections. It will depend on the look you are trying to set for the area.
• Cherry Hardwood floors also come in both the solid and engineered forms. The solid option may give you a few more refinishes over the life of the wood (but probably not enough to really matter that much). The engineered option will give you an extra bonus against excess moisture or humidity versus solid.
• This flooring is available in all installation options. Depending on the type you choose, it may be nail down, glue down, or floating floor style (which is great for installation over concrete subfloors or slabs).

When shopping, be sure to keep in mind that this species of wood can sometimes darken over its life span. Brazilian Cherry can be bought locally or over the web. Furthermore, most flooring distributors will gladly send a no charge sample for you to view. One last tip is to buy an extra box or two if your budget will allow. In case you were ever able to need to repair a spot in the floor, these extra pieces will come in handy down the road.

Be sure to check out Owen Carpet Company for great deals on Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Flooring.

The author, Eric Dyer is an Owner of Owen Carpet based in Dalton, Ga. Owen Carpet was featured by NBC’s Today show as the #1 place in America to buy Floorcovering.

For more information you can visit, http://www.owencarpet.com or call Owen Carpet at 1-800-626-6936.

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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.FSC Certified Ipe Decking Delivers
By Rosi Lehr

What is FSC? FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council. This non profit organization is recognized as the most credible international system in forest management. Their certification is the only one recognized for LEED rating on commercial and residential projects for wood products. FSC certified Ipe decking is fast growing in popularity due to it’s multi-facet properties. They include janka hardness of 3640, fire rating class I (same as concrete and steel), resistance to insects, mold and fungus (no chemicals here) and longevity of 40 plus years with no maintenance products. What is not to like.

What does it take to be FSC certified? Well, that can go into heavy details but here is a fraction of the commitment that is involved. The company must be willing to implement additional policies, procedures, rules, time and monies that solely pertain to FSC. This involves hiring an FSC accredited certification company that implements audits, report misuse or abuse, approve or deny application of the FSC trademark on products and off products and assist company in utilizing FSC responsibly. Audits are conducted annually and re-submission is needed every 5 years. Mills for example must have a specifically designated area solely for storage of FSC wood. Once in operation for milling the machinery, forklift and area must all be labeled thoroughly and specifically for anyone who enters to know only FSC products and production is allowed. Why is this important? The purpose for this is to cut out improper management of our forests.

Why Ipe? As stated above, Ipe has a janka hardness of 3680. In comparison to California Redwood at 420, this hardwood is 8 times the hardness. Ipe is naturally resistant to insects, mold and fungus, so no need to put chemicals on it. It is naturally recyclable, self sustaining and renewable. The longevity of Ipe decking is 40 years and over 100 years with a UV inhibiting deck oil. Ipe rating surpasses the minimum required for wet areas based on Americans with Disability Act requirements for static co-efficiency of friction used by commercial projects for slip ratio on flooring.

Put the two things together; FSC™ certification and Ipe decking and you get the best decking available. Nothing else can quite capture the natural beauty of real wood and without the worries of chemical out-gassing and now with reassurance of a responsible forest certification.

Rosi Lehr is a contributing writer for Advantage Trim & Lumber Co.

Ipe Decking

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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.Got Ipe?
By Rosi Lehr

In the midst of this economy, many people are opting to stay in their homes. Nesting is taking on a new meaning. Remodeling has increased and families are now staying home for vacations and entertaining. This has helped the economy in terms of outdoor products for clients looking to expand their back and front yards. The coastal areas as well as areas with temperate weather can make the most of their outdoor area for a longer period of time. People are willing to invest back into their home for comfort and entertaining. Green and recycling are becoming the norm. Educated consumers are willing to investing into quality products instead of a quick fix.

Unemployment is at an all time new high of 9.5%. Foreclosures don’t seem to be letting up and the future is uncertain. People are responding with less outings, vacation and spending. Keeping up with the Jones is no longer viewed as a status quo. Keeping your home and job are the reality of life for the majority of people nationwide. Many homeowners who were looking to upgrade to a new home are now re-evaluating their existing lifestyle and current homes. Many are looking to extend their living space and re-create a home to entertain in and enjoy coming home to.

The backyard is an easy addition without having to go into replacing roof and mortar. Some opt for a wraparound or front porch. Many homes that have a porch will include a deck and outdoor kitchen. This creates a totally new entertaining area and cooking environment, opening up more space for more people. Enjoying the outdoor air and ambiance is good for you. Finding a place to relax in a natural environment is the oasis that many people desire and love sharing it with family and friends. The project can be as simple or as elaborate as you desire. Whether simply a deck for a couple of chairs or a outdoor kitchen and entertainment area complete with tv, refrigerator, ice machine oven and fireplace, the value of the addition is definitely worth the cost.

There are many options for outdoor decking and patio material. The preferred material for many high quality homes is ipe. Ipe decking has seen increases in sales in the last decade due to it’s many outstanding properties. This super wood is one of the strongest woods available with a janka hardness of 3600 and a fire rating same as concrete and steel. Ipe requires no chemicals as it is naturally resistant to insects, mold, rot and fungus. The longevity of Ipe is minimum 40 years with no treatment to over 100 years with a UV inhibitor oil. There is no other decking material that will perform the way this wood does. Man made decking is still experiencing problems with delaminating, staining, warping and mold/fungus growth.

When investing into your outdoors, go with the proven leader for durability, beauty and longevity. Ipe hardwood decking will last years beyond your life and you won’t have to worry about it. Pay for the product not the marketing behind the product and if your concern is purchasing a green product than look at the FSC certified Ipe decking. This ensures you are purchasing lumber from a responsibly harvested forest with a future.

Rosi Lehr is a contributing writer for Advantage Trim & Lumber Co.

Ipe Decking

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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.Decking Made Easy With Ipe
By Rosi Lehr

If you are reading this article, than you may be looking for a new deck. If this is the case, than you must be bombarded with the different choices that are available for decking material. There are three major competitors; treated lumber, composites and hardwood lumber. They all have their pro’s and con’s. When weighing out the differences you will see why the choice is easy. Ipe decking has superior qualities that make it easy for you.

Treated lumber is probably the cheapest choice. The problem is it is treated with chemicals that are harmful for the environment and most importantly for you and your family. The longevity of the treated woods is about 10-15 years with annual maintenance and may be less in the harshest environments. Splintering and rot are some complaints in as little as 2-3 years. This lumber will be relatively easy to install but will require sealing and regular maintenance.

Composite lumber is somewhat mid of the line and can be very high priced depending on manufacturer and color selection. This material is a combination of plastic composites and wood fibers. This product is heavily marketed as the big corporations are spending their money on pushing that composite decking requires no sealer and will last forever. These are false statements. Composite decking has a history of problems with staining and color fading. The wood fibers that are mixed in the plastic has an environment for mold and fungus growth and some decking products have warped with the heat exposure. De-lamination has been reported in as little as 9 months after installation. Warranty will only cover the materials thus creating more labor with removal and re-installation. As for maintenance, the warranty is not valid with out regular maintenance of the decking. Sealing the deck with a preservative would be the way to insure a resistance to fungus and mold.

Now let’s examine Ipe decking. Ipe wood is 3x’s as hard as oak with a fire rating class A same as concrete and steel and slip resistance rated above the coefficient of friction for commercial applications. The hardwood is so dense it is resistant to mold and fungus. No worries about chemicals, Ipe is also insect and rot resistant. Ipe has been used in several commercial application due to its strength and natural beauty. Those who have environmental concerns about deforestation can rest assured that there are governmental and private organizations that monitor forests specifically for practices and procedures. The forests in Brazil where Ipe is predominantly exported from has government implemented regulations that utilize selective harvesting and responsible forestry practices with severe penalties for forest owners that do not comply. FSC certified forests are now growing at a rapid rate and requires annual audits and compliance for responsible forestry. These types of systems in place will ensure that the forests stay in place rather than get burnt down for cattle gazing and agricultural cash cropping. This also ensures that jobs remain in place for the people that need them with the natural resources that they rely on. The life expectancy of Ipe decking is average 50 years with up to 100 years with maintenance. Pricing for this deck is more than treated lumber but when faced with having to replace and re-install in as little as 10 years, this hardwood is less expensive over time.

The choice is easy when comparing the information and when you look at the difference. Decking should be installed and than enjoyed for the lifetime of the home. Put something in you know will last, has no chemicals and you can enjoy without all the maintenance requirements.

Rosi Lehr is a contributing writer for Advantage Trim & Lumber Co.

Ipe Decking

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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.Ipe Decking - Creating Your Outdoor Oasis
By Rosi Lehr

Do you want a high-end look to complement your home and lifestyle? Are you concerned about chemically treated wood and/or living on the water? You have found your answer in ipe decking. Also referred to as Ironwood and Brazilian Walnut, this species of hardwood is nature’s answer to outdoor living. When you consider the alternatives you will see why Ipe is the primary product of choice for outdoor applications such as piers and decks. The composite decking does not have the rich warm look and feel of real wood nor does it have the resistance to mold and fungus of Ipe and as for strength well sawdust and particleboard will never compare to the ipe wood. Ipe will sink when placed in water, it has a fire rating the same as steel and slip resistance that surpasses the minimum required co efficiency of friction standard for commercial applications.

Clients working with custom decor inside the home deserve something of comparable quality outside. More and more consumers are creating an outdoor oasis to compliment their dream home. Ipe is the natural choice without a doubt. The rich brown red color and dense wood resists pests without any chemicals. The tight grains keep the wood from bending or warping. Nothing beats the look and feel of an exotic hardwood like Ipe.

To compare it to a composite is like comparing plastic to marble. Nature has a way of creating all her products in a unique and magnificent manner. Educating yourself on the pro’s and con’s of different materials used for patios and docks will make the choice an easy one. The extreme humidity of Florida to the dry environments in Las Vegas and Phoenix are just some of the areas of success for Ipe. Couple the material with a professional application using hidden deck fasteners such as the Ipe Clip(R) brand will create the foundation for your vacation hideaway in your own backyard.

Rosi Lehr is a contributing writer for Advantage Trim & Lumber Co.

Ipe Decking

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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.What Are the Differences Between Oak and Walnut Flooring?
By Derek Rogers

Hardwood flooring is a classic and luxurious way to add a beautiful floor to your home. Used for centuries, hardwood is a durable choice that can last for many years with the proper care. And, if your hardwood floor becomes damaged, you can refinish it, instead of replacing it. However, there are many choices available when it comes to the type of wood used in your hardwood floor. Oak is one of the most popular, but maple, walnut, and others are also offered. If you’re thinking about a hardwood floor and are not sure if walnut or oak flooring are the right choices for your home, then here is some information to help you decide.

Oak is the less expensive of the two floors and a little softer. It’s more readily available and can come stained in a number of colours. That means that if you’re not interested in paying the premium for the look and hardness of walnut, but want a dark floor, you can still get one. Oak does not, however, look like walnut, even when stained the same colour. It has a much tighter grain, which some prefer, but others consider less attractive.

Walnut is a naturally dark, open grained wood. Most species are harder than oak, but softer than many other. The look of natural walnut is one that’s hard to reproduce artificially, however. If you love walnut wood, skip the imitations - they won’t measure up. However, remember that the way your flooring is produced may affect the look of it and it might not look just like the sample.

Sawn boards are the traditional option. However, lower priced sliced wood (which is soaked before sawing, then dried again) will have a different grain and be harder to refinish. Also, depending on where your wood was grown, it will look different. Even a few miles can make some difference in the appearance of an oak or walnut floor. That means it’s a good idea to get a look at the wood you’ll be using for your floor before installing it, if the exact look of the grain is important to you. Ask for samples of the specific flooring you will order, not just flooring of the same species.

Care for walnut and oak flooring is similar. Both can dent if a heavy object is dropped on them, although satin finishes may help reduce the appearance of these blemishes. Oak will dent more easily. Red oak is rated at about 1290 on the Janka hardness scale, while white oak rates at 1360. Black walnut is actually a little softer than these woods - rating at about 1000 on the scale. However, other walnut species are considerably harder - red walnut rates at 2450 and Brazilian walnut at an impressive 3680.

In the end, the choice of oak flooring versus walnut flooring comes down to personal preferences and budget. If you want the rich look of walnut, you won’t get it with an imitation. For those concerned about durability, red or Brazilian walnut are also great choices. However, if a good hardwood floor is the priority, and you don’t want to spend as much, oak is a perfectly attractive and worthwhile choice.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For wood flooring, he recommends Completely Flooring, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of Oak and Walnut Flooring.

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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.Walnut Flooring - 3 Things Before Buying
By Eric M Dyer

Walnut Flooring is an absolutely beautiful addition to any home or property. When it comes to the various species of wood floors, Walnut has tremendous character when compared to most others. Walnut floors also add value to your home. This can be beneficial whether you are wanting to reinvest in your home or prepare for selling. Beauty or value, or both, Walnut flooring is a great choice. Before you start shopping for your Walnut hardwood floor, there are 3 things you will need to consider before you buy your new floor. If you have these important 3 things predetermined at the onset, your decision and search will be rewarding and money saving.

1. Walnut flooring is offered in both Solid and Engineered construction. Solid Walnut floors are exactly that, solid. The board is created from a single, solid piece of walnut. These boards require a nail down installation. Solid boards can also be refinished many times over the life of the floor. Solid floors are an excellent choice as long as your subfloor is not concrete. Solid designed boards cannot be nailed down to a concrete substructure. Walnut Engineered hardwood flooring is comprised of 3 to 5 layers of wood. The top layer is a real Walnut veneer surface. The layers below the veneer are made out of plywood like material. This design is typically a glue down or floating floor (no glue or nails are used) installation. Engineered Walnut flooring can be installed over concrete. Often you will find Engineered will cost a little less than Solid wood flooring. However, Engineered floors can only be refinished once or twice so they add less value than solid.

2. Unfinished or Prefinished is a misunderstood choice by consumers. Unfinished hardwood doesn’t have any stain preapplied or Polyurethane/ Aluminum Oxide protective coats. Prefinished Walnut flooring, has a factory applied stain and protective coat of Polyurethane and/or Aluminum Oxide. There are two distinct factors to consider when choosing between these two. First of all, unfinished walnut floors may appear at first glance to be less expensive. However, the fees to stain and finish will cost more in the short and long term versus factory, prefinished flooring. A factory finish will last dramatically longer and maintain it’s luster saving money in the long run as well by saving on refinishes later down the road. The second consideration is color. You can have an unfinished floor applied with a custom stain to give an exact match to what you are looking for. A prefinished walnut floor will give several options for color, but not the variety of options you may have with an unfinished floor. As a rule of thumb, if you can find prefinished Walnut flooring with a color that will work, it should be an easy choice to go with prefinished. If you can’t find a color that will work and don’t mind paying more now and later, go with an unfinished, custom stained Walnut floor.

3. There are several distinct species of Walnut. Asian, American, and Brazilian are the 3 main options you will see offered in the flooring industry. The 2 considerations when comparing these 3 species are which is the most appealing to you as far as aesthetics and the Janka rating. Janka rating is a scale or measurement of a wood’s hardness. The higher the rating, the harder the wood surface. These 3 species will have slightly different grain and knot character traits. The important thing to remember when comparing species of Walnut is to select the one that you like the appearance of the most.

If you start your shopping process knowing the answers to the three decisions above you will be better equipped to shop for the correct floor that you want and need. By having this knowledge, it will be far easier to compare prices and flooring. Shopping for Walnut flooring doesn’t have to be difficult if you know what you are looking for before you start!

Whether you decide to shop locally or online is a choice entirely up to you. Local shopping will give you a quick glance at what is available in your local market with samples to see when you walk into a store. Be warned, that the larger home improvement stores may be convienent but will offer little discount compared to local independent stores or online wholesalers. If you’re willing to spend a few minutes online shopping for your Walnut floor, you may be able to save a considerable amount by finding a flooring wholesaler who can ship nationwide. A great place to start your online search for Walnut flooring is Owen Carpet Company in Dalton, GA. They carry many varieties of Walnut Flooring at great prices.

The author, Eric Dyer is an Owner of Owen Carpet based in Dalton, Ga. Owen Carpet was featured by NBC’s Today show as the #1 place in America to buy Floor covering.

For more information you can visit, http://www.owencarpet.com or call Owen Carpet at 1-800-626-6936.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_M_Dyer
http://EzineArticles.com/?Walnut-Flooring—3-Things-Before-Buying&id=2767366

Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

Ipe (Brazilian Walnut) Flooring Vs Red Oak Floors
By Rosi Lehr

Red Oak flooring has revolutionized the hardwood flooring industry in the 80’s but with new technology and demands, we have discovered a stronger, more durable and beautiful hardwood that lends a more sophisticated look. Ipe also known as Brazilian Walnut offers all those qualities and when comparing the Janka Hardness and fire rating coupled with the warm natural beauty of the wood you will begin to understand why Ipe flooring is the wood floor for the future.

What is Janka hardness? The Wikipedia definition states: The Janka hardness test measures the hardness of wood. It involves measuring the force required to embed a 11.28 millimeter (0.444 inch) steel ball into wood to half its diameter. This method was chosen so that the result would leave an indention 100 square millimeters in size. It is one of the best measures of the ability of a wood species to withstand denting and wear. Red Oak has a rating of 1290 compared to Ipe at 3640. In essence Ipe flooring is 3x’s stronger than Red Oak.

What is the fire spread rating? Business dictionary states it is: Rough measure of a material’s propensity to burn rapidly and spread flames. Red Oak has a class III rating vs. Ipe at class I, the same as concrete and steel. This is an excellent safety feature for commercial applications.

Red Oak tends toward a medium color and wide variation in grain where Ipe is a tighter grain dark color. It has a more traditional look where Ipe can fit both traditional and contemporary settings. The physical attributes are quite visible but the behind the scenes properties give you a good idea on the longevity and durability of these woods. Red Oak did serve a great purpose for the 80’s but with the technological advances and more responsible forest harvesting available, Ipe floors are quickly becoming the hottest product for your wood flooring selection.

Rosi Lehr is a contributing writer for Advantage Trim & Lumber Co.

Ipe Decking

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rosi_Lehr
http://EzineArticles.com/?Ipe-(Brazilian-Walnut)-Flooring-Vs-Red-Oak-Floors&id=2547183

Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.5 Steps to Help You Choose the Right Wood Floor
By Ian Mackie

Hardwood floors have come a long way in the past thirty years. There is a hardwood floor for every room in your home, including those places wood has never gone before, like the kitchen, bath and utility room. There are more choices, styles, colors and even healthy finishes available today. These choices will make your floor one-of-a-kind!

To help you make an informed decision on what wood floor is right for you, keep reading!

Step 1 - Types of Wood Floors

Choosing the perfect floor for your home or office is simply a matter of having the facts, comparing the types and selecting an experienced wood flooring professional to do the job.

Let’s start with the wood itself. There are three categories of wood flooring on the market today. Following is a comparison that will help you choose which wood is right for you.

Solid Flooring: All wood flooring, regardless of width or length that is one piece of wood from top to bottom is considered solid flooring.

Solid flooring gives you a great opportunity for customization. Your choice of species, stains, and finishes all contribute to the personalization of a solid floor. Adding borders, medallions, corner treatments, etc., can further customize a solid wood floor.

In most cases, solid flooring is nailed down to ¾” exterior grade plywood, and is excellent inmost area of a home on the ground level or above. Living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and great rooms are excellent for solid wood flooring.

Engineered Flooring: Also know as laminated. Engineered wood flooring is available in a 3 and 5 ply. It is a wood flooring product that consists of layers of wood pressed together, with the grains running in different directions.

Laminated/engineered wood flooring is perfect for those areas of the house where solid wood flooring may not be suitable, such as basements. Because the grains run in different directions, it’s a more dimensionally stable than solid wood. This means it will expand and contract less than solid wood during fluctuations in humidity and temperature. Usually this is experienced in such areas that are below grade, with a cement subfloor.

Many different species and colors of engineered wood flooring are available. While most engineered wood flooring products are finished at the factory, factory finished or “prefinished” solid wood flooring is also available.

Step 2 - Job-Site Finished or Factory Finished

You should next take a look at whether your prefer a finish that is applied on the job-site, or a flooring product that is finished at the factory.

Job-Site Finish

A job-site finish is one that is applied at the place of installation. The floor is sanded, and finished. You will not be able to walk on the floor after final sanding until 12 hours after final finishing. There is always some dust even though many systems are dustless, and there is the noise from equipment. A job-site finished floor does however result in a smooth floor that has been handcrafted in place in your home.

Prefinished

A prefinished floor is one on which the finish is applied at the factory. Most (but not all) laminated products are prefinished, and some solid products are available prefinished. Prefinished flooring eliminates the dust and noise factors (you will still get some noise), however your subfloor needs to be perfectly level to achieve the best results.

Step 3 - Choosing A Species

More than 22 domestic and imported wood species are used for wood flooring. The most common of these are:

• Red Oak
• White Oak
• Maple
• Pine
• Hickory/Pecan

Other domestic woods that make beautiful flooring are:

• Ash
• Beech
• Birch
• Black Cherry
• Douglas Fir
• Mesquite
• Walnut

If your looking for something more exotic, consider:

• Brazilian Cherry
• Australian Cypress
• Jarrah
• Mahogany
• Merbau
• Padauk
• Purpleheart
• Teak
• Wenge

Step 4 - Stains/Finishes

There are many ways to stain and or finish your wood floors, but we’re going to focus on an environmentally friendly option: the Non Toxic and Low Toxic OSMO Polyx Hardwax Oil Finishes and stains. OSMO is a remarkable natural floor and wood finish from Germany, that is:

• As durable as polyurethane.
• Preserves the look and feel of natural wood, rather than masks it with plastic.
• Easy to spot-repair, so you can keep the finish looking great indefinitely

Not to be confused with traditional oil finishes, OSMO Polyx-Oil is an engineered finish made with plant oils and waxes. This remarkable finish offers excellent durability and renew ability with a unique lustrous finish. It will never crack, blister or flake off. Instead of forming a plastic film, like polyurethane does, OSMO Polyx-Oil has open pores that “breathe.” This allows any moisture that does get through to get back out again without pushing off the finish.

Because it is micro porous, Polyx-Oil works well in rooms with high humidity, such as kitchens. It meets German standards for resistance to stains from wine, cola, coffee, tea, fruit juice and, of course, beer.

Spot repairs are easy. Make repairs regularly, and the finish will last indefinitely. If maintained, you will NEVER have to sand your floors again! This product provides no protection against ultraviolet rays from the sun, so it is not suitable for outdoor use.

Step 5 - Selecting your Wood Flooring Professional

Once you decided you want a hardwood floor, it’s important to select the right flooring contractor to do the job. Make sure to choose a professional that has access to the most current information in the industry, the most technologically advanced products and systems, and a wealth of information and history. Ask for photographs of recent jobs as well as references who you can contact.

Installing wood floors in one of the largest investments you will make in your home. It can also add significant value to your home if you’re trying to sell it, so make sure to choose your wood floors, and wood floor installation company contractor wisely.

Leblanc Floors is a green flooring contractor using low and non toxic finishes. We install and refinish hardwood flooring in Seattle; offering a full range hardwood floor installation services in King, Pierce & Snohomish Counties. We are the #1 recommended flooring contractor by Ecohaus (formerly Environmental Home Center) and OSMO Germany in the US. LeBlanc Floors leads the industry with experience in the application and use of the non toxic finish, OSMO Polyx Oil.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_Mackie
http://EzineArticles.com/?5-Steps-to-Help-You-Choose-the-Right-Wood-Floor&id=1015373

Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.Mesquite Flooring - Barbeque Flavoring or A Great Wood Floor?
By Karen Lacasse

Mesquite wood is probably best known as a wood, or I should say a wood converted to a charcoal or shavings for barbequing and smoking. More recently though mesquite lumber it is being considered for flooring. Is this a wise choice? Can it stand up to the daily rigors of a well used floor?

Some might suggest that mesquite lumber is much like the ranchers that share its landscape, tough, resilient and stable through everything that life throws at it. Mesquite trees go through long unpredictable seasons with rain as only an afterthought, surviving extended periods of drought and then a deluge with storm waters saturating its soil. The Mesquite tree survives this all, without much of a reaction.

In the wood technology lingo this translated into a very low co-efficient of volumetric shrinkage.

What does that mean to you? Well, given that almost every location around the world experiences shifts in seasonal humidity that typically causes wood to react by expanding and contracting, mesquite is quite unusual. It barely moves at all. This makes mesquite lumber flooring ideal. The cracks that appear in the winter months of a red oak or maple floor are much less likely in mesquite flooring.

This feature is also appreciated by the wood dryers. With low volumetric shrinkage, the wood is much less likely to crack in the drying process. The mesquite flooring manufacturer will dry mesquite lumber down to somewhere between 6 and 12% moisture content, mostly dependant on the geography of where it is going; drier to drier climates, wetter for the California coast. With little tendency to crack most of what goes into the kilns comes out as usable lumber.

This stability also allows the creative use of mesquite lumber. Flooring is sometimes designed using the small cross grain slices of the tree to create an end cut block floor. Just as if someone had started at the top of the tree trunk and cut small ½” slices all the way down.. The visible surface of each block shows the annual rings of the mesquite tree.

Sometimes they leave them in the round and fill the corners with a tough grout and other times the end slices get squared off and laid like parquet tiles. Either way you end up with a unique rustic floor that has no equivalent either in design or figure, in the traditional hardwood flooring market.

Check out the other features of . Does it survive the abuse of a dog? How about the kids, or maybe your commercial establishment with daily outside traffic? Learn lots, pick well!

Karen Lacasse draws on 25+ years of woodworking experience, both as a woodworking teacher and industrial woodworker/owner of Lacasse Fine Wood Products. She is the author behind woodsthebest.com where you will find articles and resources to help with all your home renovation projects. She designs woodworking craft patterns and shares her wood crafting knowledge at theWoodBox.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Lacasse
http://EzineArticles.com/?Mesquite-Flooring—Barbeque-Flavoring-or-A-Great-Wood-Floor?&id=598191

Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.Mesquite Hardwood Flooring - Will It Survive the Dog, the Cat and the Kids?
By Karen Lacasse

Flooring of any sort, probably takes more abuse then any other decorating feature of your home. The pets race across the floor to attract attention and bond with the family members and the kids respond with all kinds of toys in tow. And your flooring, well it’s expected to endure all and still add beauty and class to any home environment. Can a Mesquite Hardwood Floor meet this challenge?

Well first it might be important to understand how all lumber is tested for durability. Of course durability in itself can imply many different things from impact resiliency expected in a baseball bat to the environment ability of planking on a wood strip canoe to survive weather issues, but in this case we are being very specific.

Durability of a wood used for a hardwood floor is in reference to its compression, or dent resistance. It is a measure of the amount of force required to push a .444 inch diameter steel ball half way into a piece of wood. It is referred to as the Janka Rating.

In layman’s terms it is a way to measure the hardness of a particular wood. It gives the consumer some idea on how easy it will be to scratch any particular floor while moving furniture around, or corralling the children.

Wood Flooring Hardness Rating: Mesquite Hardwood Flooring?

Mesquite lumber is rather unique in that it is the hardest of all typical North American woods. It has a Janka Rating of 2345, putting it well ahead of the normal species of flooring like red oak and hard maple with an under 1500 Janka wood floor hardness rating. Mequite wood then is almost double in dent resistance.

For the consumer this suggests that a mesquite wood floor will certainly handle the abuse without showing signs of wear as quickly as some of the more traditional woods.
If you would like the more basic consumer test without having to rely of a set of lab generated numbers just lift up a box of hardwood flooring. Mesquite will weigh in at more than three pounds per square foot of three-quarter inch thick hardwood flooring. Then lift up an equivalent box of oak or maple hardwood. The weight should give you some idea. The heavier the wood then obviously the more difficult it will be to damage.

Note that when discussing a wood floor hardness rating, Mequite is ranked harder than all North American species but this is not meant to suggest that it is the hardest wood species on the global flooring marketplace. We can find wood floors like IPE that rank well above 3,000 so keep in mind that this scale is relative!

This is only one of the advantages of Mesquite Wood Flooring and you may wish to research it further to get a more complete understanding of what you have in the way of design options and other appealing wood characteristics that make it a great hardwood flooring to survive the dog, the cat and the kids.

Karen Lacasse draws on 25+ years of woodworking experience, both as a woodworking teacher and industrial woodworker/owner of Lacasse Fine Wood Products. She is the author behind woodsthebest.com where you will find articles and resources to help with all your home renovation projects.

She designs woodworking craft patterns and shares her wood crafting knowledge at theWoodBox.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Lacasse
http://EzineArticles.com/?Mesquite-Hardwood-Flooring—Will-It-Survive-the-Dog,-the-Cat-and-the-Kids?&id=601398

Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.Bruce Hardwood Floors – How To Care For Them And Maintain Them
By Peter Leigh

Bruce hardwood floors are among the best floors in the world and are available at flooring retailers all over the world. There is a difference in the quality of Bruce hardwood as good, better and best. This is simply the allowable character of the flooring. The good collection has the largest amount of character knots, mineral streaks and pinholes. Wood is a natural product so you will see differences in boards of every category, no matter quality of Bruce hardwood floors you have.

Whether you have Bruce hardwood floors or Bruce laminate flooring, you still have to give them the same amount of care. When you are washing Bruce wood floors, you can sweep or vacuum them. When washing them, make sure you use a damp mop and don’t use excessive amounts of water. The water could stain the Bruce hardwood and even with the durable laminate floors, using a lot of water could make the planks become uneven on the floor. Use a soft cloth to dry the floors and make sure that you do dry them thoroughly.

You cannot use scoring pads or abrasive cleaners on either Bruce hardwood floors or Bruce laminate flooring. This will mar the finish of the floor. The Bruce wood floors do have the coating needed to give the floors an exceptional shine, especially if you buy prefinished hardwood. If you use wax on these floors, instead of getting a better shine, you will mar the polyurethane coating. In the case of unfinished Bruce hardwood, once you have the floors installed then you do have to give them several coats of this protective coating, which dries to a gleaming shine.

Even with Bruce hardwood floors, you may notice dents occurring in the wood, especially in areas where you have heavy furniture. Even though hardwood does have a cell structure, like everything, if there is enough pressure, the hardwood will dent. Bruce wood floors also go through an aging process, which means the color will darken with age. If you have mats or rugs on the Bruce laminate flooring or the Bruce hardwood, you need to move it from time to time. Leaving the covering in place means that when you do move it, the area under the rug or mat will be lighter than the rest of the floor.

Simple everyday cleaning will keep your Bruce hardwood floors looking like new for a lifetime. If you accidentally spill something on the floors, you do have to wipe it up immediately. If you don’t, it will stain the floor and then you will have to find something to help you remove the stains from your Bruce hardwood floors. You don’t have to worry about this as much with Bruce laminate flooring, but if you have hardwood, you certainly do.

To find out more about Wood Flooring visit Peter’s Website Wood Flooring Explained and find out about Bruce Hardwood Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors, Wood Laminate Flooring and Refinishing Hardwood Floors

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Leigh
http://EzineArticles.com/?Bruce-Hardwood-Floors—How-To-Care-For-Them-And-Maintain-Them&id=189706

Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.Kempas Hardwood Flooring - Tips For A Solid Choice
By Eric M Dyer

Kempas Hardwood Flooring has become widely popular in the hard surface floorcovering industry. Kempas is a wood species prevalent in the Countries of Malaysia and Indonesia. The recent popularity of this hardwood has been a result of the other exotics such as Santos Mahogany, Brazilian Cherry and Jatoba. These all have similar colors, except Kempas has a very coarse grain structure which some prefer. If you are considering a hardwood floor made of Kempas, you will need to know a few things before you go shopping. Here are some important tips to consider.

• Kempas flooring can be manufactured from Kempas Heartwood can look very reddish/orange brown, somewhat similar to a deep cherry. Kepmas Sapwood can resemble a lighter color with even some yellow spots or streaks.

• This species of wood floors can also be available in both solid and engineered styles. Engineered is a wafer type design with a true Kempas vainer top surface and standard wood layers beneath. Engineered wood is a good option if you need to install over a concrete slab or floor. Engineered floors are usually glued down. Solid Kempas is a superior product however because not only can it be refinished many more times, but also will typically have less splitting due to the grainy, coarse definition that the species can have. Solid construction floors are typically nail down design.

• Kempas hardwood board widths can range from around 3″ to 5″.

• Even as a natural finish this wood floor can have a deep rich formal look.

• Exotic Kempas will also handle traffic well due to it’s ability to handle friction as a result of it’s coarse grain structure.

• On the Janka Scale (a hardwood scale that compares all hardwood species on hardness and density), it performs great around a rating of 1700.

• Most Kempas is offered in a prefinished design. Make sure the product has an Aluminum Oxide or Polyurethane/Aluminum Oxide finish for a longer lasting wear on the surface against scratches and day to day wear.

When shopping for wood floors, be sure to check out Owen Carpet Company for great values on Kempas Hardwood Flooring. With several widths to choose from on solid, nail down designs, they may very well be able to save you money.

The author, Eric Dyer is an Owner of Owen Carpet based in Dalton, Ga. Owen Carpet was featured by NBC’s Today show as the #1 place in America to buy Floorcovering.
For more Exotic Hardwood Flooring information, please call Owen Carpet at 1-800-626-6936.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_M_Dyer
http://EzineArticles.com/?Kempas-Hardwood-Flooring—Tips-For–A-Solid-Choice&id=2665622

Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.Exotic Wood Flooring
By Sarah Freeland

The first thing that you need to research when shopping for exotic wood flooring is the type of wood you want to use. You can select from exotic woods like Brazilian cherry, bamboo, mahogany and Brazilian chestnut. Each type of exotic wood has its own hardness rating and its own hues and grain patterns. You should request samples of the woods that you are interested in so that you have a better idea of what they will look like after the flooring is installed.

After you have selected the type of exotic wood that you want to install your next decision that you will need to make is whether you want to purchase imported hardwood flooring or if you want to purchase an exotic wood laminate. The laminate flooring will allow you to create a rich looking floor without having to spend as much money, and without having to buy wood panels that are harvested from trees in environmentally sensitive areas.

Your next decision to make about your exotic wood flooring is whether you want to hire someone to install it for you or if you want to try and install it yourself. If you plan on installing your exotic hardwood flooring yourself then you may want to look for pre-finished planks. This way you wonÕt have to sand and finish your planks after you install them. If you want to install a laminate floor then you can get a click together glue less model. These are the easiest laminate floor types to install.

Is exotic wood flooring right for you? Find out more at LaminateFloorsCheap.com - your source for information on bamboo laminate flooring, do it yourself floor installation information and professional flooring advice. For more home decor and remodeling options visit the home decorating directory.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Freeland
http://EzineArticles.com/?Exotic-Wood-Flooring&id=471445

Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.Exotic Hardwood Flooring Makes Your Feet Look Good
By Terry Price

Truly, it’s hard to beat the timeless beauty that antique wood flooring or even cork flooring can offer. The type of wood used is a personal preference and it basically depends on your lifestyle choice. Your new hardwood flooring is going to be stylish and have eye appeal, and will complement any type of room decor. Other than your standard traditional oak flooring which is common in many new homes, exotic wood flooring can be a stunning and beautiful change.

Hardwood flooring is durable and will last virtually a lifetime with the proper care. Exotic wood flooring comes in a variety of species, stains, finishes and patterns from which to select. In addition to being hypoallergenic, wood flooring is environmentally friendly. It enhances the desirability and real estate market value of your home. Flooring costs are now an affordable option and worth every penny. If you’re considering exotic hardwood flooring, you have to ask yourself, ” Am I choosing the best hardwood flooring type available for practical reasons or is this simply a luxury?

There are many different types of exotic woods such as bamboo flooring, Australian tiger-eye, cork flooring, antique wood flooring, and the list goes on and on. Maintenance should be one of your considerations when selecting a fine hardwood for your flooring. Exotic wood types such as Brazilian teak, Brazilian walnut, Tiete rosewood, and Santos mahogany will require less pampering because of their high Janka Hardness rating.

According to tests undertaken by the US forestry lab, some types of exotic woods are more durable than others. They use an official hardness rating system called the Janka rating. It is based on the pounds of pressure needed to embed a 0.444-inch diameter steel ball one half its own diameter into the wood. It’s interesting to make some comparisons. Looking at white pine as an example it takes 380 pounds of pressure, Douglas fir, 660 pounds, and American cherry flooring, 950 pounds.

Many of the exotic woods are in the thousands. Brazilian teak hardwood flooring has a Janka rating of 3,540. It is excellent for growing families with large pets and requires less maintenance and repair due to wear and tear. If you’re expecting a lot of heavy use and foot traffic, Brazilian cherry has a rating of 2,820 and may be better than Australian hard Cyprus. Brazilian cherry may lack the wide range of cream to brown tones filled with dark character knots that Cyprus can offer, but it has a tremendous hardness rating that’s about double. Also, the flooring cost is less expensive per square foot than Cyprus for similar grade planks. The cost savings can be as much as $1.65 or more! The higher the hardness level, the fewer the precautionary measures you’ll need to take to prevent surface damage for the simple fact that it is more durable. Bamboo flooring, as an example, is extremely tough and a great flooring for family use.

Households without small children and heavy foot traffic may require lower hardness ratings and need not pay the higher costs associated with installing exotic hardwood flooring. Hardwood flooring still remains a good option and a sound investment for most households. You don’t have to order your flooring from the other side of the world to get a stunning and durable hardwood floor. Many domestic and local suppliers offer American hardwood with excellent durability and longevity that requires minimal upkeep and hardwood floor maintenance. The key is the quality of wood grade. Clear grades that offer warm inviting tones along with fine wood grains are excellent. You want to select grades that show off naturally-occurring character marks. Antique hardwood flooring offers an excellent character grade and one with rustic country charm that is especially appealing with certain types of home design and interior décor.

Consider the time saving convenience of refinished hardwood flooring. It cuts down on the overall hardwood floor costs including contractor installation. Sanding and finishing isn’t required, and refinished hardwood floor planks move independently with humidity changes. Seasonal changes are less stressful on flooring, so floor separations become less noticeable over time. A popular, upscale hardwood flooring is the hand-scraped, distressed and reclaimed, previously-used hardwood flooring that offers a classic look. The floor adds appeal and value to the homeowner due to the character flaws.

Distressed wood flooring is tremendous when combined with classical, fashionable décor adding a rustic appearance. It is a delightful combination of chic and shabby, hard to upstage. Hiring the right contractor to do your installation will help protect your investment and guarantee project success. Try posting your project online, and then sit back and wait for the contractors to come to you. There are lots of flooring contractors on standby just waiting to bid competitively on your project, ready to provide you with great service at the best price. Be critical of your contractor’s portfolio, references and company profile. Be sure to contact their references to ensure that you will get quality service. Remember, there is no obligation whatsoever in hiring any contractor, and make sure there are no hidden fees. Do your homework and create your masterpiece today!

Terry Price is a successful web publisher & expert author and is a regular contributor to http://www.hardwood-flooring-discount.com/bruce-hardwood-flooring.html . Explore the world of laminate flooring at: http://www.hardwood-flooring-discount.com/alloc-laminate-flooring.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Price
http://EzineArticles.com/?Exotic-Hardwood-Flooring-Makes-Your-Feet-Look-Good&id=829823

Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.How to Buy Discount Bamboo Flooring
By Marcus Peterson

Bamboo flooring is a relatively new alternative to standard hardwood floors. It offers similar and perhaps superior qualities of strength, hardness, and appearance. Using bamboo (which is actually a grass, not a tree), and modern processing, beautiful hardwood floors can be made that offer the added bonus of saving many of the exotic trees and forests that are cut down for standard hardwood floors. Typical bamboo flooring can cost around $6.25 per square foot, plus installation and preparation charges. The range is usually between $4 and $8 per square foot but there are wholesale bamboo flooring companies offering it as low as $2 or less per square foot.

When buying discount, you need to make sure that you are not getting a product of inferior quality. This is true of everything including discount bamboo flooring. Though not always the case, some discount bamboo flooring is sold cheaply because it has a defect in the finish or the moisture content is high. Here are some things to look for in quality bamboo flooring:

Raw Material
Bamboo flooring mills may try to cut costs by buying immature bamboo stalks and do not take the time to dry them properly. This results in moldy, high-moisture bamboo that will not last.

Drying
Many bamboo mills will not dry the bamboo sufficiently, which will cause problems in dry climates or places with seasonal humidity fluctuations. Properly dried bamboo should have a moisture content of less than 10%.

Adhesives
Adhesives made in many discount bamboo flooring mills are of inferior quality and will off-gas in the home.

Finish
It is important that the finish be of high quality so that scratches won’t be a problem. Inferior finishing is one of the most common problems in discount bamboo flooring.

Shopping online for discount bamboo flooring is a good idea; online dealers can sell at a lower price because they have little overhead. Make sure to read the fine print, however, and be sure your new flooring is guaranteed for at least a year. In general, businesses want referrals and repeat business, so they will want to make you happy no matter what they are selling. There are always a few bad apples though. A good gauge is to check how long the business has been around. Businesses that make their customers happy have staying power. If you find a great deal online, check the shipping costs. Some dealers will try to deceive consumers by posting cheap deals and then charging almost double the required shipping costs, therefore canceling out any discount.

Bamboo Flooring Info provides detailed information about bamboo laminate flooring, discount bamboo flooring, installation, suppliers, and more. Bamboo Flooring Info is the sister site of Hardwood Floors Web.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marcus_Peterson
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Buy-Discount-Bamboo-Flooring&id=65169

Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.Cork Flooring - An Excellent Flooring Alternative
By Michael Russell

You might not notice it but it is there! Cork flooring is now fast becoming the flooring of choice for most notable buildings such as churches, museums, hospitals, schools, libraries and hotels. With its excellent noise buffering quality and the comfort it provides to tired feet, who can resist it?

Isn’t cork just for bottle stoppers? What is it really and how is it converted to building materials?

Cork is derived from the outer bark of the cork oak tree, Quercus suber, which is commonly cultivated in the Mediterranean. Among the major cork-producing countries are Portugal (which supplies 50% of the total world’s demand for cork), Algeria, Spain, Morocco, France, Italy and Tunisia. In these countries, the trees are considered valued treasures. And why not? Cork is fast becoming a prime export commodity and having expansive cork oak forests translates to big local and foreign earnings!

The bark of the cork oak tree is typically harvested every nine or ten years. The harvested raw materials are then cleaned, boiled and have their rough outer bark stripped away. The finest slabs in the batch are then selected and from these, cork bottle stoppers are made.

Nothing ever goes to waste in the production process of these valuable resources. The scraps resulting from the manufacture of stoppers are collected and grounded into small granules. These are mixed with an appropriate binding material, molded into larger blocks and then baked to come up with the natural cork material which can be used for construction purposes.

Cork can be used in a variety of ways. They can be used in the flooring, walls and ceilings. They can even be formed into baseboards and moldings. Cork finds its way into most commercial, institutional and residential buildings due mainly to its moisture, mold and rot-resistant attributes. In most modern houses, cork materials can be found in almost all of the major rooms!

What makes cork such a hit in the construction of modern buildings?

Well, aside from the fact that it greatly reduces noise (offers up to 50 decibels noise reduction when used as a flooring underlay), cork has the following features:

. Durable. Cork is naturally resistant and recovers well from compression. Treating it with a protective finish further enhances this feature.

. Provides thermal and moisture insulation. Cork cells are multi-sided and have very strong and flexible cellular walls. They are joined together in a honeycomb fashion making them airtight and very resistant to moisture.

. Provides underfoot comfort. Cork’s natural structure makes it compressible so that it provides a comforting feel whenever you step on it.

. Easy to clean and easy to maintain. Cleaning cork flooring can be done in a breeze! For waxed finished cork flooring, all you need is a dry or damp mop. Liquid solvent wax can be applied occasionally to maintain the glossy finish. Or for a more serious cleaning stint, you can use electric buffing using 00 steel wool discs. Lamb’s wool pads can be used afterwards.

For polyurethane finished cork flooring, routine cleaning can also be done by using dry or damp mop. Refinishing it can be successfully done by using power floor machine with 00 wool disc and then applying polyurethane as per prescribed directions.

. Cork is manufactured without any significant negative environmental impacts. Cork-producing nations strictly enforce laws with regards to the harvesting and manufacture of cork. The barks of the trees are harvested in such a way that the trees survive the process and zero waste management techniques are imposed in the manufacturing procedure.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Flooring

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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.Hardwood Flooring - Benefits and Alternatives
By Sarah Freeland

The home improvement industry is a booming market. This is due to the red hot real estate market and to the real estate flipping trend that has been taking the U.S. by storm. If you want to update your home’s flooring or improve the value of a home you plan to sell then replacing the flooring is an easy way to accomplish both of these things.

When selecting a flooring product you should take several things into consideration. First you will want to consider your budget. Hardwood and stone will be your most expensive options, however, they will add the most value to your home. If you are looking for the most value for your buck you will want to look at hardwood alternatives like bamboo floors and laminate flooring.

The second thing that you will want to take into consideration when selecting a flooring product is what type of look you are trying to create. If you are trying for a rustic feel then wooden flooring with wider planks and a darker stain are a good option. If you want to create an elegant or exotic feel then you will want to select hardwood floors that utilize exotic wood flooring planks.

The final thing that you will want to take into consideration when selecting a flooring product is how easy is it to install. If you will be doing the installation yourself then you may want to select a flooring product that is easy to install. Laminate flooring is very easy to install. If you plan on using hardwood flooring you will want to make sure that you either have the skills needed to install hardwood flooring, or you will need to budget for someone else to install them for you.

Is wood flooring right for you? Find out more at LaminateFloorsCheap.com - your source for information on wood laminate floors, do it yourself floor installation information and professional flooring advice. For more home decor and remodeling options visit the search engine friendly directories.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Freeland
http://EzineArticles.com/?Hardwood-Flooring—Benefits-and-Alternatives&id=471456

Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

Best Hardwood Flooring - Choosing a Style
By Chris Smitts

No one can really tell you what the best hardwood flooring is. Of course, there are many products that sell better or last longer than others, but all in all the choice is up to you depending on what you want for style and the type you prefer.

Real wood floors are obviously going to be a little more durable, but they are going to require a lot more work on your part to maintain them and keep them looking nice. Laminate and composite wood flooring is a great choice for people who are shopping on a budget and who want something that is low maintenance.

Ultimately, the best hardwood flooring for you is the flooring that suits your current décor or the renovations that you plan on doing, and the one that is most cost effective. Based on your budget, you will have a variety of different styles of flooring to choose from. For example, if you are looking for something unique and exotic, and have an unlimited budget, you can find real beauty and rarity and exotic hardwood flooring, such as teak and other styles.

However, if you like this unique type of flooring, but you don’t have the budget for real hardwood of this variety, you can check out the composite and laminate styles that are available with these designs.

One of the best things about composite and laminate flooring is that they are made up of scraps mostly that are pressed together to form what looks like a hardwood plank. Then, an image of whatever type of flooring is being made is superimposed onto the planks.

Using computer imagery and lamination, manufacturers have almost perfected the art of creating realistic wood floors from composite materials. To save people money and to save trees, these floors are a great choice.

Some of the best hardwood flooring that you will find is composite laminate material. These products are generally more durable and require less maintenance than actual hardwood floors, which makes them more affordable on a variety of levels. Not only do they cost less to buy and install. They also cost less to maintain, which makes the situation great all-around.

However, there is still something to be said for the true beauty of real hardwood floors. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what type of hardwood floors you choose to put in your home, because all that matters is that you get the floors that you want.

To find the Best Hardwood Flooring just Click Here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Smitts
http://EzineArticles.com/?Best-Hardwood-Flooring—Choosing-a-Style&id=2553983

Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.Going Green With Bamboo Wood Floors
By Lupita Bonas

Today’s society is one that has become both increasingly interested and concerned with issues of sustainable living and protecting the environment. Homes across the country, and beyond, have begun to take strides to make choices that benefit both themselves and Mother Earth. Perhaps the best example of this is the utilization of bamboo wood floors.

While other wood flooring selections come from trees that take decades upon decades before they are able to be harvested, bamboo wood floors takes advantage of bamboo, a sustainable yet beautiful material. What makes bamboo a sustainable choice is the fact that it only takes five to six years before it can be harvested and used, as opposed to nearly ten times that in some instances.

Aside from it being a smart, earth-friendly choice, bamboo wood floors provide an amazing versatility in both color and grain pattern. Consumers are offered a choice between woven, solid horizontal grain, and solid vertical grain patterns, each having their own distinctive appearance. Bamboo flooring, while available in many stain variations, is also extremely gorgeous in its natural color as well. And while its sustainability and appearance are major selling points, the price is yet another reason homeowners and contractors alike have taken to bamboo wood flooring.

Starting near $2.00 a square foot, bamboo flooring is also a very seasonable flooring option. Depending on color, quality, and grain pattern, bamboo wood flooring can range up to near $8.00 a square foot, still making it less expensive than other hardwood and exotic alternatives. Although bamboo has the feel and look of being exotic, many local and web-based flooring stores have begun to stock various bamboo flooring options, making it very easy to locate and purchase.

So for a look that is green, elegant and affordable, bamboo wood floors is the way to go.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lupita_Bonas
http://EzineArticles.com/?Going-Green-With-Bamboo-Wood-Floors&id=2801790

Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

Anderson Hardwood Flooring a Division of Shaw Floors
By Justin Holbert

The Anderson Family of Brands, which includes Anderson Hardwood Floors, Appalachian Hardwood and Virginia Vintage, was purchased in 2007 by Shaw. The transition was smooth and the Anderson brand of flooring is still the same great quality as when the Anderson family owned the company for four generations. Anderson has always been a leader in the hand scraped flooring side of the business, and they continue to be at the front of the industry. Since being acquired by Shaw, Anderson has brought to the forefront some great new products.

With the Lacey Act taking effect in early 2009 Anderson searched for ways to provide their customers with products that had the look and feel of exotic flooring, but were made from domestic species. A new collection was born, Anderson’s Exotic Impressions which contains species like maple and birch. The maples and birches are colored and put through a special process that gives them the look and feel of exotic species like Ipe, Brazilian Cherry, Santos Mahogany and many others.

This step proved successful for Anderson Hardwood Floors and the product has done well in the marketplace.
Hand scraped floors has always been the most successful product Anderson had to offer the hardwood flooring industry. The have hand scraped floors in every branch of their family of brands. In Anderson they have the Della Mano series, Sierra, Hickory Forge, and Cimarron. In the Appalachian side they have the Casablanca, Vineyard, Piazza, and Colonial Manor collections. In the Virginia Vintage, all of the products are hand scraped and this collection continues to lead the industry in style and design.

Anderson although owned by Shaw floors now continues to lead the industry in style and quality. Look for Anderson to come out with new product ideas that push the envelope of design, elegance, functionality, and quality.

For design tips or advice on Anderson Hardwood Flooring please visit http://www.truehardwoods.com or visit our design center for ideas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Justin_Holbert
http://EzineArticles.com/?Anderson-Hardwood-Flooring-a-Division-of-Shaw-Floors&id=2581875

Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring - A Popular Choice For Exotic Flooring
By Timothy Croy

There are different types of bamboo floorings available today. The strand woven bamboo flooring is made by weaving bamboo fibers together and laminated under high pressure to get a dense floor board. As in other processes, the stripes are boiled to remove sugar before laminating under pressure. By this process the bamboo planks are joined tough during the whole manufacturing process. This type of flooring, because of its hardness is ideal for high traffic areas.

The installation of woven bamboo flooring is easy. The flooring pieces are of same measurement which makes it to join without complications. It can be directly glued to the foundation, nailed or stapled. Floating installation is also possible. Many consumers do the flooring themselves under the advice and guidance of company people.

The production of woven bamboo flooring does not leave any waste of bamboo planks since all pieces are taken in the initial process of boiling and lamination. Future refinishing of the flooring is easy as it can be sanded in the same way as other woods are sanded. Routine cleaning is also easy than any other ordinary bamboo flooring.

The main drawback of woven bamboo flooring is its vulnerability towards water and moisture. Hence a little care should be taken while cleaning with water. If water spells it should be wiped with a cloth or other absorbent.

Occasionally there may be dents from dropped materials, fading in sun, scratches when there is too much traffic and discoloration.The tough nature of the flooring recommends gluing over nailing as the nails often will not pass with ease. If flooring is done by self gluing is better. Nailing can be done by experienced flooring contractors.

Whatever be the pros and cons, bamboo flooring a century old building material in Asia, is rapidly making its presence in Western countries. The present transport and communication advances have made it easier for the companies and consumers to come closer very fast. In Asia China is the leading exporter of bamboo floorings to the western countries.

Whether you’re interested in installing bamboo flooring or wondering how to clean it, we’ve got you covered! For honest and sound advice regarding bamboo flooring, visit our no nonsense bamboo flooring guide at: Cheap Bamboo Flooring

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Timothy_Croy
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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.The Allure of Exotic Hardwood Floors
By Marcus Peterson

Exotic hardwood floors are made up of solid exotic wood that is not grown in North America. These wooden planks are imported from Africa, Australia, Brazil, and the Far East. They are known for distinct coloration and wood grain, and can be bought as solid hardwood plank or engineered wood construction.

Exotic hardwood flooring is used for its distinct look. These pricey floors should be considered an investment as homes with exotic wood floors fetch higher price than the homes with other floorings.

When selecting your exotic hardwood flooring, you can choose from different grain styles and colors. Dark colors go well with conventional interiors, while light colors are suitable for casual and modern interiors. These versatile floorings come in a wide range of finishes. Exotic hardwood flooring can be installed in all rooms but the selected area should be kept dry.

Exotic hardwood flooring comes from all over the world, and is available at many retail outlets. However, in most cases you will find pricing for this item to range from $4.00 to $7.00 per square foot. Since exotic hardwood floors are not manufactured in the United States, it is best to find a seller who imports large quantities, and thus pays less shipping costs per square foot. Often such a seller will pass some of the savings on to you.

Hard Wood Floors provides detailed information on installing, cleaning and refinishing various types of hardwood floors, including engineered, solid, long-strip, exotic, pre-finished, and cheap hardwood floors. Hard Wood Floors is the sister site of Bamboo Flooring Web.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marcus_Peterson
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Allure-of-Exotic-Hardwood-Floors&id=65178

Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.Bamboo Garden Flooring - A Popular Choice For Exotic Flooring
By Bree Hodgosen

In a departure from many types of traditional floor options, bamboo flooring is becoming more popular in home renovation and new home projects. One of the reasons is because of the durability and relatively low maintenance involved with bamboo garden flooring. One of the other main factors is value combined with the look that bamboo flooring can create in a home.

Bamboo tends to be made from Moso bamboo, which is the type of bamboo that is hard enough to be made into flooring. While bamboo grows easily and in many different climates around the world, only Moso bamboo is considered hard enough to hold up to the daily wear and tear over the life of a floor. There are a few ways that bamboo can be installed and the choice depends largely on the patterns that you want to create in the floor. Vertical bamboo flooring will create a more consistent look.

Another consideration is the hardness of the floor. Some argue that horizontal bamboo flooring is harder than vertical bamboo flooring and much of this is due to the way that each method puts together a floor made up of bamboo strips. A floor that consists of horizontal bamboo consists of many layers of flooring. Builders bring together a variety of materials and lay them underneath the bamboo, which goes on top. This is in contrast to vertical bamboo flooring, which puts each of the bamboo pieces next to one another and uses glue or staples to hold them together. Since this lacks the multi-layer approach, some feel that it is physically weaker. However, for many rooms in a house, this may be a moot issue.

Overall, there are many factors as to why someone may choose bamboo. Regardless of your final choice, any flooring that is chosen carefully can provide many years of quality flooring.

For honest and sound advice regarding bamboo flooring, visit our no nonsense bamboo flooring guide at: Cheap Bamboo Flooring

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bree_Hodgosen
http://EzineArticles.com/?Bamboo-Garden-Flooring—A-Popular-Choice-For-Exotic-Flooring&id=2672192

Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

Exotic Wood Flooring - When Ordinary Isn’t Enough
By Chris Smitts

Some people are perfectly content with the look of a nice oak or mahogany floor that offers them the beauty of traditional hardwood without the expense of some different types of wood that are available.

However, for those who have more expensive tastes or would prefer something a little atypical in hardwood flooring, there is plenty of exotic wood flooring to choose from. As you can tell by the name, these flooring choices will generally be more expensive and harder to find, but they will definitely be well worth it when they make your house look like something out of a magazine.

Exotic wood flooring can add a great amount of beauty and personal style to your home, but it also can add a lot to your renovations budget. You might find a couple of manufacturers here and there that are able to offer you an exotic looking wood floor that fits your budget by creating styles in their line of composite wood floors and laminate flooring selections.

However, the rarity and beauty of actual wood floors made of exotic woods is unbeatable. One of the most popular woods for flooring in the exotic family is the Brazilian teak wood. This word is reddish brown or brown in color and often has black streaks mixed in the grains of the wood. It is very dense, which makes it durable. However, this also makes it expensive.

Some other types of exotic wood flooring include Bocote, Amboyna Burl, Cocobolo (a rare tropical rosewood), Santos Mahogany and Tasmanian Eucalyptus Burl. All of these woods come from different places all over the world and each has its own rarity and beauty to offer.

Exotic hardwood floors can offer unique decorative looks for any home, but they can be quite expensive. If you can’t afford to outfit your entire home with these floors, consider buying exotic decor that is more affordable instead.

Aside from being beautiful, exotic woods also offer much more durability than typical types of wood used for flooring. They are so rich and warm that they cannot be matched by any traditional hardwood floors, and they have so many unique markings that every plank is sure to be unique.

By taking the time to check out the exotic wood floors available to you, you’ll be able to determine whether you can actually afford this investment or not. If you can, it will definitely be worth it to invest in exotic flooring for your home.

To learn more about Exotic Wood Flooring just Click Here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Smitts
http://EzineArticles.com/?Exotic-Wood-Flooring—When-Ordinary-Isnt-Enough&id=2549054

Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

The Mystery of the Unknown - Exotic Wood Flooring
By Christopher W Smith

Exotic woods have rapidly gained popularity in the American design world. They coordinate well with the exotic woods now being used to make kitchen countertops, and they are being seen in beautiful homes all over the country. It’s important, though, that when incorporating exotic woods into your decor that you know something about the sources of the woods, the different manufacturers, and features of the different types of wood so that you can make the right choice to meet your decorating needs.

Choosing the Best Flooring for a Particular Area of Your Home

The room you are planning to use the exotic flooring in will make a lot of difference in the type of wood you should choose. Most exotic woods don’t work well in areas where there is high moisture content, such as bathrooms and basements. However, if you take the time to do some research, you will find that there are some exotic wood flooring products that will work out well in these same damp locations.

When you set out to choose exotic wood flooring for your home, start by finding the floor that will give you the appearance you are seeking to achieve. Once you have a list of a few floors that you like, research each of them to learn the individual features and which of them will work best in which application.

Afzella is a good example of a tough, durable exotic wood that’s being used to make flooring, furniture, deck materials, and railings. This particular wood will be equally at home in a hot, humid climate or a cool, dry climate. Another great feature of Afzella is that it is awesome when used in high traffic areas of your home. Since the friction caused by constant use can make hardwood floors begin to show their age prematurely, it’s always best to choose a wood, like Afzella, which is hard enough to withstand the wear and tear. Of course, the fact that Afzella is proving to be such a popular choice makes it one of the higher-priced options on the market.

Where are Exotic Wood Floors Manufactured?

Most exotic wood floors are manufactured outside of the United States. Since they are manufactured in parts of the world such as Africa, Australia, and South America, the price, availability, and quality of the materials are not controlled by American companies and standards. This can mean that you will pay more for this type of floor, and the manufacturing standards of the country in which it is made may not be as high as those in the U.S. These are things you’ll want to look into before opting for exotic wood floors in your home.

You know you want hardwood floors - visit RefinishedHardwood.com for more tips on refinishing hardwood floors and hardwood floor installation instructions and make have the floor you’ve always wanted.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_W_Smith
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Mystery-of-the-Unknown—Exotic-Wood-Flooring&id=2933620

Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

Hardwood Flooring 101 - Choosing Your Hardwood Floors Carefully
By Rob Jones

Steeped in tradition and tested throughout the years, hardwood flooring is the epitome of what great classic flooring is. Beautiful lines and grain patterns, time-tested durability, and rich colors keep hardwood flooring at the top of the flooring game. Homeowners who want to achieve a look of longevity and opulence look to wood in order to get that effect. Hardwood flooring is also a very versatile flooring option as it can be installed in almost every room in your home.

Your Choice of Hardwood Flooring Species

You should also consider other factors when deciding on the right hardwood flooring to use in your home. First on this list is the species of wood that you want to install. Check if that particular species is apt for your intended application. Will it take stains and finishes easily? Is the location fit for that hardwood flooring? What special preparations do you need to do prior to installation?

There are many hardwood flooring species to choose from to use as flooring in your home, chosen for their hardness, beauty, and durability. Among them are:

l American Cherry - a photosensitive wood species, a quality which renders it into a deep, rich color as time passes, this hardwood is very easy to work with and possesses a Janka hardness rating (a test determining the hardness of wood) of 950 which is a great choice when looking to balance hardness with workability.

l Brazilian Cherry - this is a very hard and durable wood species that ages into a rich burgundy color. It has a Janka rating of 2345, making it one of the hardest hardwood species available.

l Oak - a very popular hardwood flooring option due to its durability and legendary hardness. Oak comes in two species, red and white, and appear generally pale in color. It should be noted that due to oak’s natural hardness, this hardwood flooring could be quite difficult for the inexperienced to nail and saw. White oak is the slightly harder of the two. White oak’s hardness rating is 1360, while red oak’s is 1290.

l Black Walnut - this species’ rich color, beautiful grain, and smooth finish, together with its durability make it one of the popular hardwood flooring options today. Very durable, and grows even more beautiful as time passes, with a darkening of its original color over time. It possesses a hardness rating of 1010.

l Ash Hardwood - light colored and has great shock resistance. While it takes finishes well, it is a seldom-stained hardwood due to the fact that it has large pores that don’t take very well to staining. Janka Hardness Rating: 1320.

Consult the experts should some of these questions stump you. They are more than glad to help and give you the hardwood flooring that you have long dreamed about.

Some Considerations When Choosing Hardwood Flooring For Your Property

As you would have known by now, installing hardwood flooring in your home comes with a price, but you shouldn’t let the price alone determine your choice of which flooring to install. The price should be a factor - after all, you have your short-term budget to consider. But quality flooring is a long term investment, adding value to properties as a whole which often justifies the short term expense. And most quality hardwood flooring, when installed professionally and in the right environment, will actually save the cost of replacing flooring of an inferior quality.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rob_Jones
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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

Best Type of Wood For Flooring
By Brian Gabriel

There are many different wood species used for hardwood flooring — some are better suited for the wear and tear than others. Every type of wood is rated by its hardness on the Janka Hardness Scale. The higher the number, the harder the wood and the better suited it is for use as flooring. Here are a few of the most commonly used woods:

Pine –Relatively inexpensive and very easy to work with, pine can scratch and dent easily but lends itself well to a traditional rustic or log cabin look. Be careful using this if you have pets as they can scratch it over time.

Oak – A classic look with a wavy grain, oak can make a nice contrast with pine logs. Available in white oak or red oak, it’s a little more elegant than pine. You can save money and add some character by buying “cabin grade” oak with more knots and uneven grain. Cabin grade oak wood is perfectly good but some people object to the knots.

Bamboo –An environmentally-friendly alternative, bamboo is actually a fast-growing grass. Not only is it an easily renewable resource, the distinctive grain makes an exceptional statement. Bamboo is available in natural or “carbonized”, where it’s heated until sugars in the bamboo darken and accentuate the grain pattern. Carbonized bamboo is slightly softer than natural bamboo.

Douglas Fir – Douglas Fir has a very straight and even grain and is quite stable. It is widely available on the west coast and adds a traditional look to a log cabin. It’s not as hard as some of the other woods.

Hickory –Hickory makes a very hard and long-wearing hardwood floor but it can be difficult to install. The wood tends to split when nailing and it’s hard to cut and machine. Once installed, the wavy, uneven grain and varied color add interest to the floor.

Brazilian Cherry –Brazilian cherry is an exceptionally hard wood that’s very high on the Janka Hardness Scale. It gives a more elegant, formal look to your log cabin and installs easily with a flooring nailer.

If you enjoyed reading about choosing the best type of wood to use for flooring, you may want to see where the wood rates on the Janka Hardness Scale.

Brian Gabriel is a licensed contractor, mechanical engineer and log home builder in the mountains of western North Carolina. He is the author and designer of the website Log Cabin Connection, created to offer advice, tips, ideas and resources related to log cabins.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Gabriel
http://EzineArticles.com/?Best-Type-of-Wood-For-Flooring&id=2389626

Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

Compare Cedar Deck to Ipe Decking
By George Amarillo

When it comes to decking, both cedar decking and ipe wood are very popular choices. However, when it comes to long term sustainability, appeal, and value, nothing compares to ipe decking.

The reasons for this can be found in the hardwood themselves. Ipe lumber is denser than Cedar decking. This density is very important to take note of. Because ipe wood is extremely dense, an ipe deck will be more resistant to mold, mildew, rot and decay. On the other hand, cedar wood is much softer than ipe. To prove this, all you have to do is compare the Janka Hardness scale. Basically the Janka Hardness measures the force that is necessary to penetrate a piece of wood decking. When comparing cedar to ipe, you will find that the Janka Hardness of Cedar is significantly lower than that of ipe. This is important because your deck ages, gets used, and is subject to the elements, a cedar deck will show more wear than an ipe deck.

You should also know that cedar can show knots, imperfections, and without proper maintenance will perform poorly over time. However, ipe wood, thanks again to its extreme density look better and less worn over time. Of course, it’s a good idea to use proper decking oil for the first and second year and, depending on the environment, you may be able to treat your ipe deck every other year. Cedar, on the other hand requires increased maintenance and more attention because it is softer and subject to common problems found with mediocre decking.

When you compare the look of ipe to cedar, you have to consider the future. Cedar can often turn from that welcoming and rustic red-reddish-brown to a grayish and sometimes darker look. On the contrary, ipe wood, if left untreated will age gracefully to a silver-like patina. Another reason why ipe decks are a better choice is because, when it comes to insect and decay resistance, by far, ipe is vastly superior. Mold, mildew, and insects like termites have a much easier time thriving on cedar sapwood and some less than acceptable heartwood. However, due to the natural oils and dense nature of this premium hardwood, an ipe deck more naturally resistant to those common decking problems.

Ultimately, for many people, the bottom line is important. Yes, cedar is generally cheaper than ipe. But, as the old saying goes, “You get what you pay for.” Over time, the return on investment of cedar deteriorates just like the wood does. Ipe decking on the other hand has a much greater return on your investment because of less maintenance and treatments. Also, the likelihood that you’ll have to significantly repair or totally replace a cedar deck is much greater than if you spent the time to invest in ipe decking.

By far, when you take into consideration the facts, ipe wood is better than cedar wood. Of course, you must always work with a professional deck builder and lumber company before you move ahead with your deck building plans. Best of luck building the deck of your dreams!

Advantage Trim and Lumber Company, Ipe Decking, and Ipe Decking Information

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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

Hardwood Floors: When Is Hard, Hard Enough?
By Karen Lacasse

The Cat, the dog and the kids are all going to be running around on your new hardwood floor. The ball goes flying and the dog takes after it as you sit on the sofa and cringe thinking about the scratches that will follow. And getting rid of the house pet is not an option! So is there a solution?

The current inflow of exotic hardwood floors from around the world might offer some relief. They are generally much more dense then our local North American species. In many cases they are twice as dense. They come in rich dark colours in line with what you think of when dreaming of the tropics, but it is their resistance to dents that will be their true appeal.

But they come with their own issues. Some are so brittle that it is next to impossible to nail in place without breaking all the tongues. Some are so nasty that they just can’t be used in less then perfectly controlled environments. Some are so expensive that you and I must win the lottery to be able to afford more than enough for the bathroom. But these are all discussions for another day.

Today, I really wanted to talk specifically about a wood floor’s hardness. Most of the woods that we see on the market today are rated according to the Janka Wood Hardness Scale. This is an industrial measuring process that allows you and I to compare all the various types of wood for their resistance to dings and dents, without having an engineering degree.

It is a pretty simple process. They use a type of hydraulic jack and see how much pressure it takes to embed a .444 inch diameter steel ball down to its halfway point in a piece of wood. The more pressure it takes, the harder the wood. It is measured in pounds-force (lbf).

Thus, the higher the number the greater its density and its ability to resist life’s challenges. The lower the number the softer the wood, in other words, the easier it will be for the dog’s nails to dent your floor. (as an aside I also use it as a gauge as to hard it will be to cut, nail and sand in my woodworking adventures)

Species like Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry) and Tigerwood with a Janka Rating over 2100 are good examples of woods that would age with a little more grace, then say a black cherry with a Janka rating of 950. Don’t get hung up too much with the actual numbers but rather the relationships between the various species, as even the same wood can express variation in hardness as a function of its growing environment. At the end of the day, all wood floors with a high Janka rating have a place in tough wear environments, particularly if you have a 120lb sheep dog.

Thus it may be important, if you have analyzed your home environment as a high traffic zone to consider some of the exotic wood options. There is a full listing of the Janka Wood Hardness Scale on our website. Use it as a starting point when shopping for a harder, more dent resistant floor. Then don’t forget to ask if this wood species has other specific challenges in either instability or installation, that you should be aware of. Get the whole story!

Karen Lacasse draws on 25+ years of woodworking experience, both as a woodworking teacher and industrial woodworker/owner of Lacasse Fine Wood Products. She is the author behind http://woodsthebest.com/ where you will find articles and resources to help with all your home renovation projects. She designs woodworking craft patterns and shares her crafting knowledge at http://thewoodbox.com/

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Wood Floors - Adding Warmth and Affinity to Nature
By Ky Cheah

Wood flooring has long been a favorite flooring choice, and for several reasons. First, wood is beautiful, adding warmth and affinity to nature. Secondly, wood offers the performance and style of stone at a more affordable price. Thirdly, well-sourced wood meets the rising demand for environmentally responsible products. Finally, easy-to-install, less costly floors have been developed, such as prefinished, engineered, and glueless varieties.

Wood enhances almost any decorative scheme - it’s simply a matter of finding the right kind. From pale maple to rich, dark walnut, wood offers all the colours of the forest. The heavy grain of hardwoods, is great for a country style, but for a contemporary look, tries using thin planks of pale beech. Once installed, wood can be sealed clear or stained to bring out the natural elegance of the grain and the characterful knots. Varying the types of wood or the choice of stain or clear seal, creates an infinite number of pleasing combinations and the surface can be sanded and refinished as the flooring wears.

Wood is durable enough to cope with the constant traffic of everyday life, so it will provide reliable flooring for any room in the house. Warmth and ‘give’ make wood much more comfortable to stand on for long periods than stone, and it also offers reasonable sound insulation, though not as good as carpet. The densest hardwoods are the most durable, but softwoods are also fine if you intend to paint the end result. The availability of home-grown timber and imported exotic varieties makes for a wide choice of finishes.

Traditional solid-wood flooring comes as strips, planks, or parquet, where short pieces are arranged in patterns and usually glued into a 12-inch tile. A less expensive option is engineered wood, which has a thin hardwood veneer. Installation has never been easier with floating tongue-and-groove systems and the even easier “clink” method.

Cheah has been writing articles online for quite sometimes. His newest interest is in kitchen/bathroom renovation. Please visit his latest website that discusses kitchen/bathroom renovation products such as Bathroom Floor Tile and Porcelain Floor Tile that most of the house will need it during renovation.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ky_Cheah
http://EzineArticles.com/?Wood-Floors—Adding-Warmth-and-Affinity-to-Nature&id=2868075

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Formerly Concrete Was DIY Flooring in the Basement
By Norbert Wolfenk

Today with “everything on the table” when it comes to flooring, never before have there been fine flooring choices at such affordable prices. Vinyl, that costs so little, was the winner in days gone by. It wore well and was everywhere. An in expensive alternative then was ceramic which became king. It looked great and lasted forever.

Hardwoods, while still pricey, look beautiful and provide great wear. Hardwood is cost-effective and is a fine flooring product that is within most budgets today. Whether your hardwood choice is an excellent Brazilian Walnut, or an exceptional Australian Cypress, with proper care, this kind of flooring will last 50 years or more.

Nonetheless, if hardwoods are still a bit of a financial stretch or the care required is a little more than desired then try looking at laminates (Faux wood). They’re another excellent option.

Faux wood (laminates) look great. This kind of flooring is usually strong four-layer construction that yields a highly durable product. The costs per-square-foot is much less, than you might expect than hardwoods and laminates are ultra-easy to install.

Ceramic and Porcelain flooring are still eternal favorites. There seems to be a race for favor between both types, ceramic and porcelain, simply because of both products with their strength and durability. Either provides a rich, bright appearance and can last for many decades with appropriate care.

Formerly, concrete was DIY flooring in the basement or garage. Today concrete will be found in the bathroom, kitchen, or almost anywhere. Consumers are opting for surface effects that create colorful flooring, even emulating the appearance of marble or tile. It’s low cost and looks great.

Sub-flooring is getting more attention these days. These spaces are as likely to be concrete as the traditional plywood. In any case because they age will require repair. However, you be glad to know that sub floor planking is being better treated to reduce the odds of insect invasion and water damage.

Carpet is still very much the number one choice for flooring. There are numerous basic types. There is everything from a simple throw or area rug, to full-room coverage that could be relatively inexpensive, long lasting, and beautiful.

That space under foot getting greater notice today. You might consider installing heating whether electric mesh, or radiant tubing, these systems have come down in price. They keep the floor warm and production methods have improved their efficiency. Other heating methods will not be needed, even in other rooms. The under floor options are less expensive to operate than they might appear.

If you plan to install tile, what is beneath will be noticed. Laying tile requires first-rate preparation, so be certain the sub-flooring is strong and super-flat. That is necessary or the tile will not set properly. Then there is the requirement after you install it, and that is to look after your floor.

You know it! And there’s no getting around it! Every kind of flooring requires some care. Carpets require cleaning, especially when something spills. Ceramic and laminates require mopping. Hardwood flooring requires good care, so that they don’t dull or scratched due to grit being dragged across the surface. Minor tile cracks, carpet burn, and laminate scratches; all require restorative efforts that are more extensive.

At the end of the day or the decade however, you can look back and even though it’s underfoot, flooring can make or break the appearance and usability of a room. Selecting well and keeping it in good shape will reward the cost and effort many times over.

Norbert Wolfenk frequently pens web pages on themes associated to discount laminate flooring. You can discover his contributions on discount laminated flooring over at http://www.insidewoodworking.com/flooring/discount_laminate_flooring.html and various other sources for discount laminated flooring information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Norbert_Wolfenk
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What Are the Differences Between Oak and Walnut Flooring?
By Derek Rogers

Hardwood flooring is a classic and luxurious way to add a beautiful floor to your home. Used for centuries, hardwood is a durable choice that can last for many years with the proper care. And, if your hardwood floor becomes damaged, you can refinish it, instead of replacing it. However, there are many choices available when it comes to the type of wood used in your hardwood floor. Oak is one of the most popular, but maple, walnut, and others are also offered. If you’re thinking about a hardwood floor and are not sure if walnut or oak flooring are the right choices for your home, then here is some information to help you decide.

Oak is the less expensive of the two floors and a little softer. It’s more readily available and can come stained in a number of colours. That means that if you’re not interested in paying the premium for the look and hardness of walnut, but want a dark floor, you can still get one. Oak does not, however, look like walnut, even when stained the same colour. It has a much tighter grain, which some prefer, but others consider less attractive.

Walnut is a naturally dark, open grained wood. Most species are harder than oak, but softer than many other. The look of natural walnut is one that’s hard to reproduce artificially, however. If you love walnut wood, skip the imitations - they won’t measure up. However, remember that the way your flooring is produced may affect the look of it and it might not look just like the sample.

Sawn boards are the traditional option. However, lower priced sliced wood (which is soaked before sawing, then dried again) will have a different grain and be harder to refinish. Also, depending on where your wood was grown, it will look different. Even a few miles can make some difference in the appearance of an oak or walnut floor. That means it’s a good idea to get a look at the wood you’ll be using for your floor before installing it, if the exact look of the grain is important to you. Ask for samples of the specific flooring you will order, not just flooring of the same species.

Care for walnut and oak flooring is similar. Both can dent if a heavy object is dropped on them, although satin finishes may help reduce the appearance of these blemishes. Oak will dent more easily. Red oak is rated at about 1290 on the Janka hardness scale, while white oak rates at 1360. Black walnut is actually a little softer than these woods - rating at about 1000 on the scale. However, other walnut species are considerably harder - red walnut rates at 2450 and Brazilian walnut at an impressive 3680.

In the end, the choice of oak flooring versus walnut flooring comes down to personal preferences and budget. If you want the rich look of walnut, you won’t get it with an imitation. For those concerned about durability, red or Brazilian walnut are also great choices. However, if a good hardwood floor is the priority, and you don’t want to spend as much, oak is a perfectly attractive and worthwhile choice.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For wood flooring, he recommends Completely Flooring, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of Oak and Walnut Flooring.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derek_Rogers
http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Are-the-Differences-Between-Oak-and-Walnut-Flooring?&id=1334429

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Walnut Flooring - 3 Things Before Buying
By Eric M Dyer

Walnut Flooring is an absolutely beautiful addition to any home or property. When it comes to the various species of wood floors, Walnut has tremendous character when compared to most others. Walnut floors also add value to your home. This can be beneficial whether you are wanting to reinvest in your home or prepare for selling. Beauty or value, or both, Walnut flooring is a great choice. Before you start shopping for your Walnut hardwood floor, there are 3 things you will need to consider before you buy your new floor. If you have these important 3 things predetermined at the onset, your decision and search will be rewarding and money saving.

1. Walnut flooring is offered in both Solid and Engineered construction. Solid Walnut floors are exactly that, solid. The board is created from a single, solid piece of walnut. These boards require a nail down installation. Solid boards can also be refinished many times over the life of the floor. Solid floors are an excellent choice as long as your subfloor is not concrete. Solid designed boards cannot be nailed down to a concrete substructure. Walnut Engineered hardwood flooring is comprised of 3 to 5 layers of wood. The top layer is a real Walnut veneer surface. The layers below the veneer are made out of plywood like material. This design is typically a glue down or floating floor (no glue or nails are used) installation. Engineered Walnut flooring can be installed over concrete. Often you will find Engineered will cost a little less than Solid wood flooring. However, Engineered floors can only be refinished once or twice so they add less value than solid.

2. Unfinished or Prefinished is a misunderstood choice by consumers. Unfinished hardwood doesn’t have any stain preapplied or Polyurethane/ Aluminum Oxide protective coats. Prefinished Walnut flooring, has a factory applied stain and protective coat of Polyurethane and/or Aluminum Oxide. There are two distinct factors to consider when choosing between these two. First of all, unfinished walnut floors may appear at first glance to be less expensive. However, the fees to stain and finish will cost more in the short and long term versus factory, prefinished flooring. A factory finish will last dramatically longer and maintain it’s luster saving money in the long run as well by saving on refinishes later down the road. The second consideration is color. You can have an unfinished floor applied with a custom stain to give an exact match to what you are looking for. A prefinished walnut floor will give several options for color, but not the variety of options you may have with an unfinished floor. As a rule of thumb, if you can find prefinished Walnut flooring with a color that will work, it should be an easy choice to go with prefinished. If you can’t find a color that will work and don’t mind paying more now and later, go with an unfinished, custom stained Walnut floor.

3. There are several distinct species of Walnut. Asian, American, and Brazilian are the 3 main options you will see offered in the flooring industry. The 2 considerations when comparing these 3 species are which is the most appealing to you as far as aesthetics and the Janka rating. Janka rating is a scale or measurement of a wood’s hardness. The higher the rating, the harder the wood surface. These 3 species will have slightly different grain and knot character traits. The important thing to remember when comparing species of Walnut is to select the one that you like the appearance of the most.

If you start your shopping process knowing the answers to the three decisions above you will be better equipped to shop for the correct floor that you want and need. By having this knowledge, it will be far easier to compare prices and flooring. Shopping for Walnut flooring doesn’t have to be difficult if you know what you are looking for before you start!

Whether you decide to shop locally or online is a choice entirely up to you. Local shopping will give you a quick glance at what is available in your local market with samples to see when you walk into a store. Be warned, that the larger home improvement stores may be convienent but will offer little discount compared to local independent stores or online wholesalers. If you’re willing to spend a few minutes online shopping for your Walnut floor, you may be able to save a considerable amount by finding a flooring wholesaler who can ship nationwide. A great place to start your online search for Walnut flooring is Owen Carpet Company in Dalton, GA. They carry many varieties of Walnut Flooring at great prices.

The author, Eric Dyer is an Owner of Owen Carpet based in Dalton, Ga. Owen Carpet was featured by NBC’s Today show as the #1 place in America to buy Floor covering.

For more information you can visit, http://www.owencarpet.com or call Owen Carpet at 1-800-626-6936.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Walnut-Flooring—3-Things-Before-Buying&id=2767366

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Ipe (Brazilian Walnut) Flooring Vs Red Oak Floors
By Rosi Lehr

Red Oak flooring has revolutionized the hardwood flooring industry in the 80’s but with new technology and demands, we have discovered a stronger, more durable and beautiful hardwood that lends a more sophisticated look. Ipe also known as Brazilian Walnut offers all those qualities and when comparing the Janka Hardness and fire rating coupled with the warm natural beauty of the wood you will begin to understand why Ipe flooring is the wood floor for the future.

What is Janka hardness? The Wikipedia definition states: The Janka hardness test measures the hardness of wood. It involves measuring the force required to embed a 11.28 millimeter (0.444 inch) steel ball into wood to half its diameter. This method was chosen so that the result would leave an indention 100 square millimeters in size. It is one of the best measures of the ability of a wood species to withstand denting and wear. Red Oak has a rating of 1290 compared to Ipe at 3640. In essence Ipe flooring is 3x’s stronger than Red Oak.

What is the fire spread rating? Business dictionary states it is: Rough measure of a material’s propensity to burn rapidly and spread flames. Red Oak has a class III rating vs. Ipe at class I, the same as concrete and steel. This is an excellent safety feature for commercial applications.

Red Oak tends toward a medium color and wide variation in grain where Ipe is a tighter grain dark color. It has a more traditional look where Ipe can fit both traditional and contemporary settings. The physical attributes are quite visible but the behind the scenes properties give you a good idea on the longevity and durability of these woods. Red Oak did serve a great purpose for the 80’s but with the technological advances and more responsible forest harvesting available, Ipe floors are quickly becoming the hottest product for your wood flooring selection.

Rosi Lehr is a contributing writer for Advantage Trim & Lumber Co.

Ipe Decking

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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

Bruce Hardwood Floors – How To Care For Them And Maintain Them
By Peter Leigh

Bruce hardwood floors are among the best floors in the world and are available at flooring retailers all over the world. There is a difference in the quality of Bruce hardwood as good, better and best. This is simply the allowable character of the flooring. The good collection has the largest amount of character knots, mineral streaks and pinholes. Wood is a natural product so you will see differences in boards of every category, no matter quality of Bruce hardwood floors you have.

Whether you have Bruce hardwood floors or Bruce laminate flooring, you still have to give them the same amount of care. When you are washing Bruce wood floors, you can sweep or vacuum them. When washing them, make sure you use a damp mop and don’t use excessive amounts of water. The water could stain the Bruce hardwood and even with the durable laminate floors, using a lot of water could make the planks become uneven on the floor. Use a soft cloth to dry the floors and make sure that you do dry them thoroughly.

You cannot use scoring pads or abrasive cleaners on either Bruce hardwood floors or Bruce laminate flooring. This will mar the finish of the floor. The Bruce wood floors do have the coating needed to give the floors an exceptional shine, especially if you buy prefinished hardwood. If you use wax on these floors, instead of getting a better shine, you will mar the polyurethane coating. In the case of unfinished Bruce hardwood, once you have the floors installed then you do have to give them several coats of this protective coating, which dries to a gleaming shine.

Even with Bruce hardwood floors, you may notice dents occurring in the wood, especially in areas where you have heavy furniture. Even though hardwood does have a cell structure, like everything, if there is enough pressure, the hardwood will dent. Bruce wood floors also go through an aging process, which means the color will darken with age. If you have mats or rugs on the Bruce laminate flooring or the Bruce hardwood, you need to move it from time to time. Leaving the covering in place means that when you do move it, the area under the rug or mat will be lighter than the rest of the floor.

Simple everyday cleaning will keep your Bruce hardwood floors looking like new for a lifetime. If you accidentally spill something on the floors, you do have to wipe it up immediately. If you don’t, it will stain the floor and then you will have to find something to help you remove the stains from your Bruce hardwood floors. You don’t have to worry about this as much with Bruce laminate flooring, but if you have hardwood, you certainly do.

To find out more about Wood Flooring visit Peter’s Website Wood Flooring Explained and find out about Bruce Hardwood Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors, Wood Laminate Flooring and Refinishing Hardwood Floors

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Leigh
http://EzineArticles.com/?Bruce-Hardwood-Floors—How-To-Care-For-Them-And-Maintain-Them&id=189706

Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

Anderson Hardwood Flooring a Division of Shaw Floors
By Justin Holbert

The Anderson Family of Brands, which includes Anderson Hardwood Floors, Appalachian Hardwood and Virginia Vintage, was purchased in 2007 by Shaw. The transition was smooth and the Anderson brand of flooring is still the same great quality as when the Anderson family owned the company for four generations. Anderson has always been a leader in the hand scraped flooring side of the business, and they continue to be at the front of the industry. Since being acquired by Shaw, Anderson has brought to the forefront some great new products.

With the Lacey Act taking effect in early 2009 Anderson searched for ways to provide their customers with products that had the look and feel of exotic flooring, but were made from domestic species. A new collection was born, Anderson’s Exotic Impressions which contains species like maple and birch. The maples and birches are colored and put through a special process that gives them the look and feel of exotic species like Ipe, Brazilian Cherry, Santos Mahogany and many others.

This step proved successful for Anderson Hardwood Floors and the product has done well in the marketplace.
Hand scraped floors has always been the most successful product Anderson had to offer the hardwood flooring industry. The have hand scraped floors in every branch of their family of brands. In Anderson they have the Della Mano series, Sierra, Hickory Forge, and Cimarron. In the Appalachian side they have the Casablanca, Vineyard, Piazza, and Colonial Manor collections. In the Virginia Vintage, all of the products are hand scraped and this collection continues to lead the industry in style and design.

Anderson although owned by Shaw floors now continues to lead the industry in style and quality. Look for Anderson to come out with new product ideas that push the envelope of design, elegance, functionality, and quality.

For design tips or advice on Anderson Hardwood Flooring please visit http://www.truehardwoods.com or visit our design center for ideas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Justin_Holbert
http://EzineArticles.com/?Anderson-Hardwood-Flooring-a-Division-of-Shaw-Floors&id=2581875

Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

Wholesale Hardwood Flooring – Isn’t That Just For Retailers?
By Peter Leigh

You can buy wholesale hardwood flooring directly from the major manufacturers such as Dupont, Armstrong, Mohawk, Hartco and others. Usually hardwood flooring at a wholesale price is reserved just for wholesalers or for flooring retailers. However, many companies do offer their customers the chance to purchase wholesale hardwood flooring at prices far below the retail price, even though they may not actually be as low as wholesale.

One of the ways you can save money by buying wholesale hardwood flooring is to look at the selection of laminate hardwood flooring. The difference in the price of laminate flooring as compared to solid wood will make it seem as you are buying wholesale wood flooring. With the recent advancements in the manufacture of laminate flooring, it is much harder to tell the difference between laminate and hardwood. You can kill two birds with one stone – you get the flooring you want at a wholesale price and you get the look of hardwood that you always wanted.

Hardwood flooring wholesalers often offer customers the chance to buy hardwood flooring at a wholesale price. These events are usually an annual event when the wholesalers want to clear out their warehouses to make room for more stock. You buy the wholesale hardwood flooring as is, which could include some damaged boards or there may only be a small supply of certain woods or finishes. You do need to make sure that you buy enough hardwood because if you do spoil a few boards or run out before you get the room completed, you may not be able to get the hardwood to finish it.

Even when you are buying wholesale hardwood flooring, the sales staff will help you choose the right color to suit your furniture. If you are not sure how to calculate the amount of hardwood flooring you need, hardwood flooring wholesalers will do this for you and many of them also have delivery service available as well. Wholesale wood flooring sales usually draw large crowds of homeowners who are either building a new home or considering a remodelling project.

Wholesale hardwood flooring is available in all grades of hardwood. This is an excellent way to get the best quality hardwood for your flooring needs at prices you would expect to pay for the lesser quality boards. Even if you plan a flooring project in the future, you can buy the wholesale wood flooring and store it until you are ready to use it. However, hardwood flooring wholesalers will not accept a deposit with this type of sale or agree to keep it in the warehouse until you are ready. You do need to have a place in which to keep your wholesale hardwood flooring.

To find out more about Wood Flooring visit Peter’s Website Wood Flooring Explained and find out about Hardwood Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors, Wood Laminate Flooring, Refinishing Hardwood Floors and Bruce Hardwood Flooring.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Leigh
http://EzineArticles.com/?Wholesale-Hardwood-Flooring—Isnt-That-Just-For-Retailers?&id=209518

Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

Hardwood Floors: When Is Hard, Hard Enough?
By Karen Lacasse

The Cat, the dog and the kids are all going to be running around on your new hardwood floor. The ball goes flying and the dog takes after it as you sit on the sofa and cringe thinking about the scratches that will follow. And getting rid of the house pet is not an option! So is there a solution?

The current inflow of exotic hardwood floors from around the world might offer some relief. They are generally much more dense then our local North American species. In many cases they are twice as dense. They come in rich dark colours in line with what you think of when dreaming of the tropics, but it is their resistance to dents that will be their true appeal.

But they come with their own issues. Some are so brittle that it is next to impossible to nail in place without breaking all the tongues. Some are so nasty that they just can’t be used in less then perfectly controlled environments. Some are so expensive that you and I must win the lottery to be able to afford more than enough for the bathroom. But these are all discussions for another day.

Today, I really wanted to talk specifically about a wood floor’s hardness. Most of the woods that we see on the market today are rated according to the Janka Wood Hardness Scale. This is an industrial measuring process that allows you and I to compare all the various types of wood for their resistance to dings and dents, without having an engineering degree.

It is a pretty simple process. They use a type of hydraulic jack and see how much pressure it takes to embed a .444 inch diameter steel ball down to its halfway point in a piece of wood. The more pressure it takes, the harder the wood. It is measured in pounds-force (lbf).

Thus, the higher the number the greater its density and its ability to resist life’s challenges. The lower the number the softer the wood, in other words, the easier it will be for the dog’s nails to dent your floor. (as an aside I also use it as a gauge as to hard it will be to cut, nail and sand in my woodworking adventures)

Species like Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry) and Tigerwood with a Janka Rating over 2100 are good examples of woods that would age with a little more grace, then say a black cherry with a Janka rating of 950. Don’t get hung up too much with the actual numbers but rather the relationships between the various species, as even the same wood can express variation in hardness as a function of its growing environment. At the end of the day, all wood floors with a high Janka rating have a place in tough wear environments, particularly if you have a 120lb sheep dog.

Thus it may be important, if you have analyzed your home environment as a high traffic zone to consider some of the exotic wood options. There is a full listing of the Janka Wood Hardness Scale on our website. Use it as a starting point when shopping for a harder, more dent resistant floor. Then don’t forget to ask if this wood species has other specific challenges in either instability or installation, that you should be aware of. Get the whole story!

Karen Lacasse draws on 25+ years of woodworking experience, both as a woodworking teacher and industrial woodworker/owner of Lacasse Fine Wood Products. She is the author behind http://woodsthebest.com/ where you will find articles and resources to help with all your home renovation projects. She designs woodworking craft patterns and shares her crafting knowledge at http://thewoodbox.com/

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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

Installing Hardwood Flooring – Tips To Make Your Job Go Smoother
By Peter Leigh

Installing hardwood flooring can take place in several ways depending on the type of hardwood flooring that you have. If you have solid hardwood, you have to look at the type of wood you have. You can have parquet flooring, which usually comes in tiles of 6 inches by 6 inches or strips or planks that can be as much as 3 inches wide. If you have laminate wood flooring then you have to look at a different method of installing hardwood flooring.

Whether you choose laminate flooring or solid hardwood flooring, the directions for installing both of them are printed on the inside of the packaging. If you have previously installed hardwood floors and now you want to install glueless laminate flooring, you do need to read the directions for installing laminate flooring. When you are installing hardwood flooring made of solid wood, you have to open the packages and let the wood become acclimatized to the humidity and temperature of your home. With laminate flooring, you have to do the exact opposite. You should not take this flooring out of the package until you are ready to start installing.

Successful installation of hardwood or laminate flooring depends upon careful planning. Even if you are installing hardwood flooring over an existing concrete or vinyl floor, you do have to sweep and vacuum the floor to remove all the dust and dirt. If you are not sure of exactly how much laminate flooring you will need, the directions for installing laminate flooring also include directions for measuring the room to calculate the amount of flooring that you need. When you intend to install glueless laminate flooring, you can also bring your measurements into your local flooring store and have the experts do the calculations for you.

If you are wondering how to install glueless laminate flooring and be able to keep it on the floor, each of the planks lock together with the tongue and groove design. When installing hardwood flooring like this, you cannot glue, nail or staple it in any way. When you start installing always consider the way the light shines into the room. Begin laying the planks toward the light and in a hallway always install glueless laminate flooring lengthwise.

The directions for installing laminate flooring will tell you that you lay the first plank with the grooves against the wall. Place spacers where they are needed when installing hardwood flooring between the wall and the plank to maintain ½ inch extension gap. You will have to mark and cut the planks as you are installing the flooring because they are of random lengths. Always begin in a corner when installing hardwood flooring and the first board in the row should be a full plank.

To find out more about Wood Flooring visit Peter’s Website Wood Flooring Explained and find out about Hardwood Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors, Wood Laminate Flooring, Refinishing Hardwood Floors and Bruce Hardwood Flooring.

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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

Bruce Hardwood Flooring – Buy From The Largest Hardwood Company In The World
By Peter Crump

Installing Bruce hardwood flooring on the floors of your home is one of the best investments that you can ever make. It will add to the ambiance of any room and increase the value of your home if you ever want to sell. Each grade of wood used in Bruce hardwood carries a warranty all its own. Choose from three grades of hardwood – Good, Better and Best – to have hardwood floors with knots and character. The Best grade in Bruce hardwood flooring is the most expensive, but it also has the best quality wood and the best warranty.

Even with Bruce hardwood flooring, you will see variations in the wood in each plank. This is what will give your hardwood floors the unique appearance that you want to achieve. This variation exists in all qualities of Bruce hardwood floors because no two boards are the same. You do have to be careful even with hardwood even though it is solid. If you place furniture with sharp edges on the flooring it will dent the hardwood. Bruce wood flooring also goes through a natural aging process so if you have an area covered with a rug, when you move it the floor underneath will be lighter in color. It is recommended that you do move rugs from time to time to prevent this discoloration from occurring.

Sometimes, people who have installed Bruce wood flooring in their homes hear popping sounds when they walk across the floors. This is not defect in the Bruce hardwood flooring and is perfectly natural, so there is no cause for alarm. All hardwood goes through a process called patina and it may be caused by an uneven subfloor under the Bruce hardwood floors. If you glue the hardwood planks in place, you do have to make sure that you use the trowels properly when applying the adhesive so that you have a perfectly uniform surface for the hardwood floors.

Although it is not recommended, you can have Bruce hardwood flooring in the bathroom of your home. This is because hardwood is not conducive to areas of the home where there is excessive moisture. The choice to use unfinished or prefinished Bruce wood flooring is a matter of personal taste. It depends on how much work you want to do to finish the floor yourself or how much time you want to spend on maintenance of the Bruce hardwood floors. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, so you can ask the Bruce experts for advice when you are selecting your hardwood flooring. Prefinished hardwood does have more advantages, such as longer finish warranties, uniform stain application in a factory setting and it is easier to keep clean.

If you want to install Bruce hardwood flooring in areas where there will be lots of traffic, the Dura Lustre Plus finish will allow you to do this without any worries. Bruce offers commercial finishes for its hardwood floors, but it doesn’t recommend using mats in doorways or in front of the kitchen sink. Bruce does not recommend that you wax Bruce wood floorings. To keep the natural shine of Bruce hardwood flooring all you have to do is wash it up with a water based cleaner for hardwood floors and give it an occasional buffing.

To find out more about Wood Flooring visit Peter’s Website Wood Flooring Explained and find out about Bruce Hardwood Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors, Wood Laminate Flooring, and Refinishing Hardwood Floors

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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

Exotic Wood Flooring
By Sarah Freeland

The first thing that you need to research when shopping for exotic wood flooring is the type of wood you want to use. You can select from exotic woods like Brazilian cherry, bamboo, mahogany and Brazilian chestnut. Each type of exotic wood has its own hardness rating and its own hues and grain patterns. You should request samples of the woods that you are interested in so that you have a better idea of what they will look like after the flooring is installed.

After you have selected the type of exotic wood that you want to install your next decision that you will need to make is whether you want to purchase imported hardwood flooring or if you want to purchase an exotic wood laminate. The laminate flooring will allow you to create a rich looking floor without having to spend as much money, and without having to buy wood panels that are harvested from trees in environmentally sensitive areas.

Your next decision to make about your exotic wood flooring is whether you want to hire someone to install it for you or if you want to try and install it yourself. If you plan on installing your exotic hardwood flooring yourself then you may want to look for pre-finished planks. This way you wonÕt have to sand and finish your planks after you install them. If you want to install a laminate floor then you can get a click together glue less model. These are the easiest laminate floor types to install.

Is exotic wood flooring right for you? Find out more at LaminateFloorsCheap.com - your source for information on bamboo laminate flooring, do it yourself floor installation information and professional flooring advice. For more home decor and remodeling options visit the home decorating directory.

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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

Kempas Hardwood Flooring - Tips For A Solid Choice
By Eric M Dyer

Kempas Hardwood Flooring has become widely popular in the hard surface floorcovering industry. Kempas is a wood species prevalent in the Countries of Malaysia and Indonesia. The recent popularity of this hardwood has been a result of the other exotics such as Santos Mahogany, Brazilian Cherry and Jatoba. These all have similar colors, except Kempas has a very coarse grain structure which some prefer. If you are considering a hardwood floor made of Kempas, you will need to know a few things before you go shopping. Here are some important tips to consider.

• Kempas flooring can be manufactured from Kempas Heartwood can look very reddish/orange brown, somewhat similar to a deep cherry. Kepmas Sapwood can resemble a lighter color with even some yellow spots or streaks.

• This species of wood floors can also be available in both solid and engineered styles. Engineered is a wafer type design with a true Kempas vainer top surface and standard wood layers beneath. Engineered wood is a good option if you need to install over a concrete slab or floor. Engineered floors are usually glued down. Solid Kempas is a superior product however because not only can it be refinished many more times, but also will typically have less splitting due to the grainy, coarse definition that the species can have. Solid construction floors are typically nail down design.

• Kempas hardwood board widths can range from around 3″ to 5″.

• Even as a natural finish this wood floor can have a deep rich formal look.

• Exotic Kempas will also handle traffic well due to it’s ability to handle friction as a result of it’s coarse grain structure.

• On the Janka Scale (a hardwood scale that compares all hardwood species on hardness and density), it performs great around a rating of 1700.

• Most Kempas is offered in a prefinished design. Make sure the product has an Aluminum Oxide or Polyurethane/Aluminum Oxide finish for a longer lasting wear on the surface against scratches and day to day wear.

When shopping for wood floors, be sure to check out Owen Carpet Company for great values on Kempas Hardwood Flooring. With several widths to choose from on solid, nail down designs, they may very well be able to save you money.

The author, Eric Dyer is an Owner of Owen Carpet based in Dalton, Ga. Owen Carpet was featured by NBC’s Today show as the #1 place in America to buy Floorcovering.
For more Exotic Hardwood Flooring information, please call Owen Carpet at 1-800-626-6936.

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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

Cheap Bamboo Flooring - A Great Looking Exotic Floor Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank
By Bree Hodgosen

Ever walked into an expansive room wondering exactly why it looked so clean and roomy? Chances are the answer is on the floor right in front of you. Wood floors have been the aesthetic choice for people with allergies and of course, pet owners. Not since the post days of shag carpeting and braided throw rugs, has the flooring industry seen such an interest in wood floors.

After people started to crawl out of the wall-to-carpet era, the most popular flooring option was linoleum, then tile and natural flagstone and terracotta. These days with some many people building beautiful log cabins and older styled era houses, wooden floors just seem the natural choice for the look to complete their abodes. However, just what material is the wooden floors made of today?

There are of course refurbished old pine and other hardwoods that have been salvaged out of barns and old buildings. These are touted as antique flooring and can be rather expensive on the budget. Laminated flooring is a cost alternative option that many people have chosen to look at. Laminated flooring is a veneering process that uses a veneer wood glued with adhesives onto a piece of thin boarding. Not many of these laminated wood products have risen to the top of the flooring market.

With many people going green, one way they have chosen to show their environmental awareness towards conservation is with the use of regenerative flooring. Bamboo flooring has become very popular in recent years. Many people find it a beautiful and durable alternative to laminates and hardwood flooring.

There are as many different graded of flooring as there are carpets. The best way to choose your flooring is to purchase it based on traffic, cost, durability and availability. Bamboo offers these choices in a beautiful array of finishes. Be aware though, there are different grades of bamboo. The bamboo flooring that is called low-grade is manufactured with adhesives that contain urea formaldehyde resin. Premium bamboo is manufactured with almost no or very low urea formaldehyde resins. This grade is the best choice when quality counts more than quantity.

Bamboo floors have gain in popularity because of heir strength and durability, their beauty and stain ability. Many people love that bamboo flooring does its part in saving our precious environmental resources. Bamboo can be made into furniture and even beautiful patterned wall panels. Whatever your choice in flooring might be, do not discount the admirable qualities a beautiful bamboo floor can have.

CheapBambooFlooring.net is the #1 bamboo flooring resource on the net. Whether you’re looking to install bamboo floors yourself, or you’re wondering how to clean bamboo floors, we’ve got you covered!

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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

Best Hardwood Flooring - Choosing a Style
By Chris Smitts

No one can really tell you what the best hardwood flooring is. Of course, there are many products that sell better or last longer than others, but all in all the choice is up to you depending on what you want for style and the type you prefer.

Real wood floors are obviously going to be a little more durable, but they are going to require a lot more work on your part to maintain them and keep them looking nice. Laminate and composite wood flooring is a great choice for people who are shopping on a budget and who want something that is low maintenance.

Ultimately, the best hardwood flooring for you is the flooring that suits your current décor or the renovations that you plan on doing, and the one that is most cost effective. Based on your budget, you will have a variety of different styles of flooring to choose from. For example, if you are looking for something unique and exotic, and have an unlimited budget, you can find real beauty and rarity and exotic hardwood flooring, such as teak and other styles.

However, if you like this unique type of flooring, but you don’t have the budget for real hardwood of this variety, you can check out the composite and laminate styles that are available with these designs.

One of the best things about composite and laminate flooring is that they are made up of scraps mostly that are pressed together to form what looks like a hardwood plank. Then, an image of whatever type of flooring is being made is superimposed onto the planks.

Using computer imagery and lamination, manufacturers have almost perfected the art of creating realistic wood floors from composite materials. To save people money and to save trees, these floors are a great choice.

Some of the best hardwood flooring that you will find is composite laminate material. These products are generally more durable and require less maintenance than actual hardwood floors, which makes them more affordable on a variety of levels. Not only do they cost less to buy and install. They also cost less to maintain, which makes the situation great all-around.

However, there is still something to be said for the true beauty of real hardwood floors. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what type of hardwood floors you choose to put in your home, because all that matters is that you get the floors that you want.

To find the Best Hardwood Flooring just Click Here.

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Here is a good article on hardwood floor care tips. Palmetto Hardwood has some great article on our regular website as well.   For a quote on hardwood floors and floor care products call us or visit our website.

Why Choose Laminate Flooring?
By Colin Rooney

Laminate flooring has become one of the most popular types of flooring over the past several years. There are several reasons for this, which we will look at in this article.

First, laminate flooring is available in many different designs and styles. You can get laminate hardwood, tile, stone and various other patterns. Keep in mind that laminate hardwood is not the same as laminated wood flooring. Laminated wood is made from several layers of wood laminated together while laminate flooring consists of a fiber core with the pattern layered on top of it, then a layer of melamine.

Laminate floors can be made to look like almost any material, so if you’re looking for exotic hardwood or some other hard-to-find flooring style laminate can be much less expensive than the “real thing” while being much easier to source.

Laminate is also considerably easier to install than many other types of floors. Laminate tile, for example, is made to look like tile flooring - right down to the grout lines - but without the work involved in laying tile.

Laminate planks are fit together using a tongue-and-groove system, and they basically just clip together using glueless joints. They will float on top of older floors as well, so it can save a lot of work to remove older floors.

Most do-it-yourselfers with a reasonable level of skill can install laminate flooring themselves, so it can also save quite a bit in installation costs. But even if you do need to pay an installer to do the work for you, it can take a lot less time. At the price of labor in today’s construction market, this can really add up quickly.

Laminate floors are effective in many different parts of your home. They work equally well in the kitchen, living room or any other living area. They are durable so even if it is a high traffic location, they will stand up well over time.

Colin Rooney writes about various flooring related topics at http://www.bestflooringreview.com

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