Funny Elf on the Shelf Ideas that Incorporate Your Flooring

Funny Elf on the Shelf Ideas that Incorporate Your Flooring

Have you got children? Or even if you don’t, you’ve definitely seen this pesky sprite everywhere. The Elf on the Shelf; back each Christmas by popular demand. And with this demand requires parents around the globe to exercise their imagination and come up with scenes of mischievous antics this cheeky chap has gotten up to in their house overnight. Even if it means compromising beloved household feature like their stunning wood flooring.

Now we know what you’re thinking; ‘What is a flooring store doing talking about a Christmas Elf?’

 

Well, over the years we’ve noticed the amount of funny Elf on the Shelf ideas that incorporate liquids, sprinkles, toys, chocolate and more, and we can’t help but consider the clean up and protection of your flooring amongst all this fun. 

 

In this blog we’ll go through some of our favourite and funny Elf on the Shelf ideas for you to try out. And not only that, we’ll give you some elf-confidence in temporarily protecting your floor in the process. Now let the fun commence…

 

Why is Elf on the Shelf Bad?

 

First things first, so you know what you’re letting yourself into with one of Santa’s so-called helpers, you should know what makes him so naughty!

 

Buddy’s job is to arrive on December 1st and watch over your children’s behaviour on behalf of Santa Claus. Only Buddy has some behavioural quirks himself, and likes to get up to shenanigans whilst the children are fast asleep. 

 

Shenanigans you have to set up, and eventually clean up. And we’re here to help you with all of this.

 

If you’re feeling extra creative, and definitely extra brave, recent years have seen the introduction of a girl Elf on the Shelf. Buddy’s trusty side-kick, Sparkles. Twice the mess and twice the trouble. You’ll definitely have your hands full.

 

Flooring Funny Business 

 

Now there’s no use crying over spilt milk. But there is if you’re 7 and that spilt milk resembles the shell of a snowman, now melted on your floor by no other than Buddy the Elf.

 

And if you’re a parent, making sure you have the right type of flooring to proceed with this idea without damaging it, is key to making sure you’re not crying over spilt milk either. So let’s take a look at how you can execute this one whilst considering the protection of your floor.

 

This fun scene sees Buddy bringing the heat, and is an easy one to replicate with household items. 

 

All you need for this set up is: 

 

  • Hair dryer
  • Milk 
  • Cereal 
  • Orange fabric

 

First, spill a little milk onto the floor. Then using the cereal and orange fabric, create the facial features and buttons of the melted snowman. Sit Buddy nearby aiming a hair dryer toward the puddle. And you’ve got your melted snowman scene. 

Elf on the Shelf - Milk on floor
Image from: https://pinkpeonyhome.com/

 

Whilst this cheeky chap gets up to no good, he’s certainly not considering your stunning wood flooring underneath! So here’s a few tips for protecting your floor to keep in mind when setting up these tricks. 

 

When using liquids, try to set your scene up just before the kids will see it. 

 

If you have a solid wood floor, this is not resistant to water or other liquids, and may cause damage when left for long periods of time. When it comes to protecting your laminate, engineered wood, or EvoCore Flooring, whilst these have a better tolerance to water, spillages should still be cleaned up as soon as possible. 

 

Hopefully, you’ll get a helping hand from one of the kids, because Buddy certainly won’t stick around for this clean up!

Elf on the Shelf – Chocolate Chaos 

 

This next favourite of ours won’t be so favourable with the little ones, as Buddy the Elf finds his way into the Christmas chocolates. 

 

For this idea all you’ll need is a packet or box of chocolates and possibly a floor cleaning kit

 

Open the packet and position Buddy inside. Then spill some of the contents onto the floor leaving his trail of trouble behind. For added effect, add a little bit of chocolate around Buddy’s mouth. This will further confirm he’s the culprit and add to the mischief.

 

Elf on the Shelf - Chocolate
Image taken from www.mabelandmoxie.com

One thing to bear in mind is if you have an underfloor heating system under your beautiful laminate, engineered wood or EvoCore flooring, this may melt your chocolate props! Whilst this adds some authenticity to the act, this also adds to the clean up operation. 

 

To avoid this, ensure your underfloor heating system is not in use between setting up your scene and your little ones discovering their chocolate collection is a little lighter. 

 

If you happen to forget to switch off your underfloor heating system, don’t worry it happens! A microfibre mop with a spray of floor cleaner should do the trick. Mop that chocolate puddle away, and return your flooring to its pristine appearance. 

 

He’s Snow Angel

 

For this next one, a trip to the baking cupboard will provide Buddy with the ingredients he needs to cook up this snow storm!

 

funny elf on the shelf ideas - snow angel
Image taken from Instagram’s @keepingitkirby – Featured Flooring: Loft Midnight Grey Laminate

 

A popular idea that comes with a lot of mess; The snow angel.

 

To complete this look you can go with a quirky set up and use sprinkles, or with the traditional snowy effect and use flour or icing sugar making sure to avoid baking soda!

 

Whilst baking soda would give the desired snowy effect, it can damage the protective finish of your flooring making it vulnerable to damage in the future. 

 

Once your youngsters have witnessed what Buddy has been up to overnight, a quick sweep up or hoover, will alleviate this mess.

 

If you opted for sprinkles for Buddy to wave his arms and legs around in, ensure to be cautious when running the hoover over them, debris can get caught in the wheels resulting in accidental scratches. We’d recommend using added attachments if your hoover has them – because protecting your floor and keeping it in it’s stunning condition is snow laughing matter.

 

Worry Free Elf on the Shelf Flooring Ideas

 

Though some of our favourite Elf on the Shelf flooring ideas need to be executed with a little caution for your charming wood flooring, we’ve also come across some ideas that you can carry out without consideration. 

 

Elf-Isolation

 

Relevant to the times, this idea might give you a little bit of freedom from Buddy’s bad behaviour for a night or two. We call this one ‘elf-isolation’. 

 

Quarantine Elf
Image taken from countryliving.com

 

Since Buddy has travelled from the North Pole, he will need to quarantine upon his arrival for everyone’s elf and safety.

 

Create a segmented area on your floor, this can be made with paper, card, or even a box to sit Buddy in. Create a letter from Buddy explaining why he’s self isolating and save yourself the mess for a night or two. 

 

Snowball Fight

 

Another idea that will have your mind at ease when considering your flooring, but have the rest of the toys in your house provoked, is Buddy’s snowball fight.

 

Don’t worry. This one doesn’t include real snow!

Wood Flooring - Elf
Image taken from www.barnowlprimitives.com

Cotton wool or paper are perfect for rolling into the shape of little snowballs. Create as many snowballs as you like and set them up near Buddy, with a note requesting a snowball fight.

 

If you want to get really creative, now would be a great time to bring in his sidekick, the girl Elf on the Shelf. You can then set up a snowball fight between the two of them. 

Or better yet! Gather some of the other toys in the house and set them a few feet apart from Buddy arming them with snowballs too.

This will set the scene of a good old fashioned snowball fight between your Elf on the Shelf and your child’s good old faithful friends. This should require no protection for your flooring. Though you may want to create a wall to shield the toys, we heard Buddy has a great throw!

 

Treat your’elf

 

Protecting your flooring
Image taken from elfontheshelf.com

 

This final idea is both a trick and a treat! With as many plastic cups as you can find, lay them out upside down with a treat for your children underneath one of them. 

 

Sit Buddy somewhere nearby with a note insisting they find the treat. Then watch as your children race to find their surprise from this naughty elf.

 

You have 25 days to fill with funny Elf on the Shelf ideas so we hope we’ve managed to inspire some naughty antics, and given you a tip or two on protecting your wood flooring in the mix. 

 

If you need any more tips on protecting your wood flooring, get in touch with one of our specialists now. 

 

The post Funny Elf on the Shelf Ideas that Incorporate Your Flooring appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

The Biggest Trends of 2020 – Herringbone Flooring

This year has provided us with many opportunities to renovate our homes in ways we may not have considered before. This year has been about redefining our style and stepping outside of our comfort zone. As a result of this, new trends have arisen and took the interior design industry by storm. This is the first blog in a collection in which we look back over the top trends of 2020, starting with our favourite…herringbone flooring!

 

History of Herringbone

Herringbone flooring originally featured in big grand houses in the 1700s and quickly was associated with prestige. The name comes from the unique plank design closely resembling the bones of a herring fish and dates back as far as the Ancient Roman Empire (but we won’t bore you with the details). Jumping to the present day where parquet flooring patterns are some of the most sought-after floorings in the interior design industry with herringbone and chevron leading the way.

 

Beauty of Herringbone

The sheer beauty of herringbone is what makes it one of the most unique floors about. Each plank enhances the colours of the wood beautifully and when they’re places together these colours blend together seamlessly, meaning no two floors are the same. Due to innovation in flooring, these unique designs can now be replicated on Luxury Vinyl Tiles and Laminate so no matter your flooring preference you can have herringbone flooring anywhere!

 

Styling Herringbone

The possibilities are endless when it comes to herringbone. It is historically known to be used in old fashioned grand mansions so the class it exudes is limitless. The different variations of materials and colours herringbone come in makes it easier than ever to incorporate it into a more modern setting. In our previous blog, we talk a lot about how grey flooring has risen in popularity if we combine the two together, we get something really special.

If you have more of a traditional kind of style, then the warmer toned herringbone floors will be the one for you. These warm shades look beautiful against lighter furniture and really lift the whole interior of a room. This is perfect for a room such as living rooms and kitchens.

Have Your Say

What do you prefer in-home décor: modern or traditional interior? Let us know in the comments below!

Remember to follow us on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram for the latest news and discussions. We’re always finding new ways to improve our stock, so keep up to date!

Find the floors above on our website: our Nest Rigid Core Greige Herringbone (NESTV309) and our Painswick Garden Oak (PAR218).

The post The Biggest Trends of 2020 – Herringbone Flooring appeared first on Blog & Advice Centre – Luxury Flooring & Furnishings.

This post appeared first on https://www.luxuryflooringandfurnishings.co.uk

Grey Flooring – 2020 Trends

2020 may not have been the year we were expecting yet it provided many of us with the perfect opportunity to shake up our homes, redefine our style and make big changes. As a result, we have seen many trends come to the forefront – one of them being grey flooring. Here at Luxury Flooring, we love grey flooring! Be it engineered wood, laminate, LVT or parquet, you can’t go wrong. Here are a couple of ways to incorporate this wonderful colour into your home.

 

Design an ultra-sleek kitchen

 

One of the first images that is conjured up when we talk of grey flooring is a sleek and stylish look. A grey floor is a great choice for the kitchen where ultra-modern, almost minimalistic styles seem to be hugely popular lately. Choosing a similar colour palette for the rest of the elements and furniture will really benefit the room, creating a cohesive and elegant effect. Laminates or Luxury Vinyl Tiles are the best choice for kitchens as they are waterproof and resistant to stains and scratches.

 

Create a cosy living room

 

For some, grey flooring can be seen as cold and impersonal – not something that is often sought after in a home! Nevertheless, accompanied by the right accessories, a grey floor will look welcoming and cosy. Choosing patterned fabrics, green plants and eye-catching artwork will soften the grey tone of the floor. Why not try a herringbone parquet – this style adds a uniqueness and a personal touch to your room.

 

Or if you’re looking for something a little different…

 

LVT is one of the most innovative flooring choices thanks to its many practical properties as well as its ability to emulate the appearance of real materials, such as wood or stone. Although LVT may look like the real thing, it is far comfier underfoot and more resistant to stains and scratches, as well as being completely waterproof. These PVC tiles are not cold and hard underfoot like traditional stone tiles which is particularly perfect for those cold winter months!

 

Have Your Say

What do you prefer in home décor: minimalism or something with more character? Let us know in the comments below!

Remember to follow us on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram for the latest news and discussions. We’re always finding new ways to improve our stock, so keep up to date!

Find the floors above on our website: our lovely Nest Silk White Oak Click Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Tile Wood Flooring and our beautiful Nest Rigid Core Greige Herringbone Luxury Vinyl Flooring.

The post Grey Flooring – 2020 Trends appeared first on Blog & Advice Centre – Luxury Flooring & Furnishings.

This post appeared first on https://www.luxuryflooringandfurnishings.co.uk

How to Lay Herringbone Laminate Flooring

Are you in love with the popular timeless classic Herringbone style flooring? That’s perfectly understandable with all of its character and charm, as well as being available in laminate. Stylish and practical at a budget friendly price. Whilst laminate is often very easy to fit, a Herringbone Laminate installation often leaves first time fitters and keen DIY’ers asking “can I lay Herringbone flooring?” due to its intricate design. 

Herringbone Pearl Oak Laminate Flooring
Herringbone Pearl Oak Laminate Flooring

 

If you’re questioning whether to get a professional fitter or whether to have a go at fitting your flooring yourself, you should determine your level of confidence after reading our blog.

 

Can I Fit Herringbone Flooring Myself?

 

If you have experience in fitting flooring and are confident in doing so then our step by step guide should allow you to successfully fit your Herringbone Laminate Flooring.

 

However, should you be a DIY enthusiast, make sure you’ve read our guides carefully and are confident in fitting flooring as improper installation will void warranty. 

 

Prior to Installation 

 

Now we know what you’re thinking, this is the boring stuff! But what’s a little reading when the end result will be a stunning Herringbone Laminate flooring, free from installation mistakes?

Herringbone Palazzo Oak Laminate
Herringbone Palazzo Oak Laminate

We recommend you read these instructions thoroughly prior to installation and follow them carefully. Improper installation will void your warranty. 

 

Your flooring must be acclimatised for at least 48 hours. To do this, leave your flooring in the room it will be laid in, with the boxes open. 

 

When you receive your flooring, you will receive an even number of A boards and B boards. We recommend you separate these into two piles prior to your installation. 

 

When installing your flooring, it is important to note that each board is designed with a four sided click system to allow the boards to slot easily into one another. To create the classic Herringbone pattern, you will need to use board A and board B (the board type should be written on the base). This can be achieved by slotting the shorter side of the board into the longer side of the board at a medium angle. 

 

Tools

 

The recommended tools you may need to obtain before starting the installation of your Herringbone Laminate Flooring are listed below. 

 

  1. Straight Edge
  2. Floating Floor Underlay
  3. Laminate Flooring Cutter 
  4. Fixed Heavy Duty Knife
  5. Square Ruler
  6. Floating Floor Spacers
  7. Tape Measure 
  8. Jigsaw
  9. PVA Adhesive
  10. Pencil
  11. Knee Pads

 

Once you’re confident you have the right tools, it’s time to get down to the labour!

 

Step by Step Herringbone Laminate Installation

 

Once you’re confident you have the right tools, it’s time to get down to the labour!

Can I lay Herringbone Laminate Flooring?

 

Now you’ve read through our guide for fitting Herringbone Laminate Flooring, the question as to whether you could fit it yourself or require a fitter is up to you. We hope this guide provides all the knowledge you’ll need to make that decision! 

 

If you’re yet to purchase your Herringbone Laminate, browse through our selection of laminate flooring now.

 

If you have any more questions, please get in touch and one of our flooring experts will be happy to help. 

 

The post How to Lay Herringbone Laminate Flooring appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

How wood grades can help you style your home

Choosing your flooring is without a doubt a difficult decision with many factors influencing your choice. One of the biggest influences is the overall style aesthetic that you are trying to achieve. A floor made from real wood can have an enormous impact on your décor based on the wood grade that you choose. In this blog post, find some incredible inspiration from some of our customers!

 

Create a natural vibe with a rustic grade

 

In recent years, a huge trend in interior design has been the theme of nature. Incorporating leafy plants and green tones to your space will create a relaxing and calming environment, perfect for the bedroom or the living room. A rustic grade floor would help you create this style in your home thanks to the natural colour variation that it boasts, capturing the authenticity of real wood. This grade of flooring has visible knots and grains which further add to the natural, rustic appeal of the wood.

Design a sleek interior with a prime grade

 

Modern, contemporary styles are often closely linked with minimalism and sleek finishes. Clean, sharp elements are preferred to busy, overcluttered spaces. In order to achieve this style with your flooring, we recommend choosing a prime grade product. These floors have been specifically treated in order to eradicate any visible knots, grains and imperfections so the final effect is clean and smooth.

Return to a traditional style with a distressed grade

 

Choosing a distressed floor is not for the faint-hearted! Distressed floors are a bold choice as not only are knots and grains visible, they are celebrated! Distressed wood highlights its knots, blemishes and imperfections to create the most authentic feel possible. Combined with gorgeous wooden furniture, a distressed-grade floor will create a traditional and authentic feel in your home.

 

Have Your Say

What do you prefer in home décor: minimalism or something with more character? Let us know in the comments below!

Remember to follow us on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram for the latest news and discussions. We’re always finding new ways to improve our stock, so keep up to date!

Find the three floors above on our website: our beautiful Elgin Farmhouse Oak, our elegant Painswick Pyramid Oak and our lovely Bibury Whisky Distressed Oak.

The post How wood grades can help you style your home appeared first on Blog & Advice Centre – Luxury Flooring & Furnishings.

This post appeared first on https://www.luxuryflooringandfurnishings.co.uk

How to clean laminate flooring

Laminate flooring has grown in popularity over the years due to its ability to imitate hardwood flooring beautifully as well as having many practical benefits. Laminate flooring is water, stain and scratch-resistant which makes it very easy to clean. We often get asked the best way to clean laminate flooring, so we’ve put together a short guide on how to make your laminate flooring gleam.

Cleaning Products:

Unlike wood flooring, a solution of white vinegar and hot water can be used as the best floor cleaner for laminate. All you need to do is mix one cup of white vinegar with one gallon of hot water in a bucket or using a spray bottle. Once applied onto the floor, distribute the solution around using a damp mop or damp cloth ensuring all areas are covered. Continue to mop the floor until it starts to dry.

Everyday Spills:

Simple spills and mud are very easy to clean off laminate flooring. Using a lightly dampened cloth, wipe over the spill quickly until it has all disappeared and then dry with a tea towel or kitchen roll. Avoid using soft-bristled brooms and steel wool for simple everyday dirt as it could potentially scratch the floor or damage the protective top layer of the flooring.

Intensive Cleaning:

If you’re looking to do an intensive clean, then you should invest in a good quality microfiber cloth or mop and a laminate specific cleaning kit. Following instructions on your cleaning kit to create the floor cleaner, use a wet mop and simply mop the floor in small motions ensuring all areas of the floor have been covered and carefully dried. Avoid using a steam mop as the excessive moisture and heat can damage the inner core of the laminate.

Things to think about:

There are many different ways to keep your floor clean and it all depends on the type of cleaning you’re doing. Always be mindful of how much water you’re applying to your laminate floor as too much moisture can damage the lower layers.

 

Have Your Say

What flooring do you have in your house? Share your thoughts down below!

Remember to follow us on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram for the latest news and discussions. We’re always finding new ways to improve our stock, so keep up to date!

The post How to clean laminate flooring appeared first on Blog & Advice Centre – Luxury Flooring & Furnishings.

This post appeared first on https://www.luxuryflooringandfurnishings.co.uk

Different Installation Methods Explained

One of the most important things to think about when you’re choosing your flooring is the type of installation method it recommends. Whether you’re looking to embark on your first DIY project or call in a professional, we’re here to explain all the main installation methods so you can choose the floor that is best suited to your project!

Joining Method

Firstly, you have to look at the joining method – this is how the planks will fit together so they lock into place when you’re installing them. Most of our products have either a click system or tongue and groove joining system which comes with a range of installation methods.

Click system:
Click fitting systems have revolutionised flooring installation methods. Each plank is designed to fit together perfectly, quickly and securely. The click method allows the planks to lock into place by snapping them together with a single movement.

Tongue and groove:
This joining method involves allows planks to be joined together strongly to create a single, flat surface. This occurs through one side of the board having a protruding edge while the other has a rebated edge that fit together seamlessly.

Installation Methods

1. Floating
This installation method is pretty self-explanatory and one of the quickest forms of installation. You simply connect the planks together with adhesive applied to the groove of each plank and place the planks on top of an underlay, which along with the joining method creates a strong and stable floor. There is no need to use an adhesive to glue either the underlay or the flooring itself down to the subfloor.

Recommended for: Luxury Vinyl Tiles, Laminate, Engineered and Solid Wood (with click system)

2. Secret Nailing
This method can be used on tongue and groove and click system style planks. It involves nailing through the tongue of the boards at an angle onto a wooden subfloor. It is recommended this is done by a professional as it can be difficult to get the angle precise on each plank. Nailing your flooring is quick, easy and allows you to use your flooring straight away (no waiting for adhesive to dry!)

Recommended for: Engineered Wood and Solid Wood Flooring

3. Glued
The glued down method provides a sturdy and robust flooring underfoot. It is seen as one of the more permanent installation methods and is preferred when you are looking for a floor that will last a lifetime. This method is frequently used for solid wood installations with planks without a click system. It involves an adhesive being applied to the subfloor in small, manageable sections and the planks are laid on top of the adhesive to ensure that they are stable.

Recommended for: Engineered Wood, Solid Wood Flooring and Luxury Vinyl Tiles

 

Things to remember

The installation method depends on the product in particular that you have chosen and can vary between the same material products. Be sure to check the installation tab on our website or give our friendly team of experts a call.

 

Have Your Say

What flooring do you have in your house? Share your thoughts down below!
Remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news and discussions. We’re always finding new ways to improve our stock, so keep up to date!

The post Different Installation Methods Explained appeared first on Blog & Advice Centre – Luxury Flooring & Furnishings.

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Southern magnolia

Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), or just magnolia, (named after Pierre Magnol (1638 to 1715), a French botany professor) has large, showy flowers, making it the most beautiful ornamental tree in the American forest.

In addition to this species, there are many other magnolia species in the forests and used in horticultural plantings, both here in North America and in Asia. One North American commercial tree species is called cucumber tree or mountain magnolia (M. acuminata); the lumber is often included with yellow-poplar, as it appears similar, although a bit whiter. Another commercial and mainly horticultural tree is sweetbay (M. virginiana). Oftentimes the lumber of all three is sold as magnolia lumber.

The range of southern magnolia extends in a band about 100 miles wide from eastern North Carolina, south along the Atlantic Coast to central Florida, then westward through roughly the southern half of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, and across Louisiana into southeast Texas. It is most prevalent in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. It is the state tree of Mississippi.

Mature southern magnolia trees average 60 to 80 feet tall and 24 to 36 inches in diameter within 80 to 120 years. The branches can spread up to 40 feet. Its low-branching form gives it a graceful appearance.

Southern magnolia is best known for its creamy white flowers that are up to a foot long and are powerfully fragrant, blooming from June to September. The tree, even though a hardwood, is an evergreen.

In addition to lumber, southern magnolia provides other forest products. The seeds are eaten by squirrels, opossums, quail, and turkey. Some of the varieties of magnolia (especially swamp bay, M. Glauca, in the U.S.) have leaves, fruits, bark and wood that yield a variety of extracts with potential applications as pharmaceuticals.

One extract used in traditional Chinese medicine is called hou po; in Japanese, kōboku.  A bark extract has been shown to improve dental health, retarding bacterial decay and plaque formation. Health food stores often carry a magnolia bark extract.

Magnolia lumber is used principally in the manufacture of furniture (main use), doors and millwork, and pallets. Due to the straight grain, the wood is used for venetian blind slats, working as well or better than basswood. It would be easy to substitute magnolia for any use that now uses yellow-poplar.

However, this ignores the better properties of magnolia, such as hardness, as well as the lack of warping when the moisture changes. Overall, magnolia is an excellent wood, which is why it is so attractive for wood venetian blind slats. Custom furniture and cabinet manufacturers should be pleased with this wood species. A clear finish can show off the character that the various colors give to the wood.  For most furniture and cabinet uses, 4/4 will be the common thickness.

 

Processing suggestions and characteristics

Density. Magnolia is intermediate in density for U.S. hardwoods, averaging about 35 pounds per cubic foot when dry. A piece of lumber 15/16 inches x 6 inches x 12 feet dried to 7 percent MC will weigh about 17 pounds.

Drying. Southern magnolia is easy to dry with little risk of warping or checking. As with all white-colored woods, prompt sawing after harvesting the tree and rapid drying (low humidities) are essential for avoid blue stain and oxidation stains. Use dry stickers.

Gluing and machining. Gluing is fairly easy so long as surfaces are flat and freshly prepared. All standard woodworking adhesives work well.

Machining is fairly easy due to the modest density and straight grain. The fine, dry dust can cause breathing problems for a few people, so wear an appropriate mask.

Stability. Shrinkage in drying from green to 7 percent MC is 4.1 percent radially (width of quartersawn lumber or the thickness of flatsawn) and 5.1 tangentially (width of flatsawn lumber or the thickness of quartersawn). Because the grain is so straight, little or no warping will occur when the MC changes.

Strength and stiffness. Magnolia is moderately strong. Its strength (MOR) is 11,200 psi; its stiffness (MOE) is 1.40 million psi; and surface hardness is 1020 pounds.  For comparison, its close relative, yellow poplar, which is about 15 percent lighter weight, has values of 10,100 psi; 1.58 million psi; and 540 pounds. The increased hardness of magnolia is noteworthy.

Nail and screw holding of magnolia is also quite good; better than with yellow poplar.

Grain and color. The wood is fine textured with straight grain.  Annual growth rings are not too obvious.  The small amount of sapwood is yellowish white in color; the heartwood ranges from straw colored to faint green to fairly dark brown. Streaks of yellow, green, green-black and purple-black appear; the origin is unknown, but they often are called streaks of mineral, especially when grading.

This post appeared first on http://www.woodworkingnetwork.com

Black November 2020 

Got your super savings head on this November? Waiting for those Black Friday sales to arrive? Well, wait no longer. This month, for the whole month, we have amazing deals on all of our flooring ranges with our Black November Sale! 

Yes! You heard correctly. No more clock watching or setting reminders in your phone. Snap up a bargain any day, any time this November. 

 

Save time and order your flooring today! Our sales won’t change all month. Same offers, same price every day this November. 

 

Amazing Flooring Deals

 

Everyday this November we are offering up to 50% off plus an extra 10% discount. Our sale includes everything from best sellers, Solid Wood and Laminate to our popular EvoCore flooring. Whatever your wood flooring preference, there are savings to be had across the board!  

 

Forget the hustle and bustle of waiting for Black Friday; achieving your dream home has never been easier, or more affordable with Black November. 

 

You can get these amazing deals both in-store or online using code BLACK10 at the checkout. 

 

Speaking of checking out, let’s take a look at some of the fantastic deals you can find in our Black November Sale: 

 

EvoCore premium grey boston polar oak white laminate Natural Oak Chevron

EvoCore Premium Shoreline Grey Oak

Boston Oak Polar White Lacquered Engineered Wood

Chevron Natural Chevron Oak Laminate

Original Price: £59.99/m²

Original Price: £34.99/m²

Original Price: £24.99/m²

Black November Sale Price: 42.92/m² Black November Sale Price: 26.70/ Black November Sale Price: £16.69/m²
Add Samples to Cart  Add Samples to Cart 

Add Samples to Cart 

 

Stunning right? And these could be yours for a fraction of their usual cost. 

 

Super Savings with Black November

 

We know that renovations can sometimes be a large expense. It all depends on style, room sizes, and desires. For some that dream home, stays a dream home. But it doesn’t have to!

 

Take advantage of our sale today and become a step closer to that perfect kitchen, bathroom or living room. Whatever room you’re wanting to transform, we have flooring to feature. 

 

Not only are you being savvy, but you may be able to use the extra savings on renovating another part of your home, and just in time for Christmas too! 

 

Beat the rush 

 

If your flooring arrives and you think you purchased your flooring in a rush rather than beat the rush, we offer a generous 100 day return policy. If your flooring is not as you’d hoped, you can send it back. 

 

This is an additional benefit to Black November. Need to return your flooring? If you purchased it at the beginning of the month and aren’t so sure it’s the best one for you, send it back and continue to shop the sale! You have the whole month to look. 

 

So what are you waiting for? Make your dream home a reality and take advantage of our Black November Sale today!

 

If you need any more information regarding sales or flooring, get in touch with one of our flooring experts who will be happy to help!

 

The post Black November 2020  appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

What is the difference between Solid and Engineered Wood?

At Luxury Flooring, one of the most common questions we get from our customers is: what are the differences between Solid and Engineered Wood? Both are made from real wood, but they differ in their construction and room compatibility. Here is our guide outlining the differences between these two varieties of flooring.

 

Construction

 

The first real difference between these two products is the way they are constructed. Solid wood is crafted from one single piece of timber which allows you to sand it down as many times as you like in case of damage. That being said, solid wood is undoubtedly one of the most durable floors on the market and it is generally not necessary to sand it down within the first 15-20 years after its installation.

Conversely, engineered wood is made up of multiple layers of plywood with a top layer of stunning solid wood. This wear layer does allow you to sand engineered wood down, but the thickness of this layer determines the number of times this can actually be done. Thanks to this robust construction, engineered flooring is resistant to changes in temperature and humidity making it compatible with underfloor heating.

 

Room compatibility

 

The incredible durability of solid wood flooring makes it an ideal choice for use in rooms that see the highest foot traffic, such as the hallway or the living room. However, it would not be suitable for use in a bathroom as it is not resistant to water. If you place solid wood in rooms that are exposed to large quantities of water, you risk damaging your floor. It is definitely worth remembering when you are choosing your flooring.

If you are really set on that real wood appearance in your bathroom, engineered wood is a great option. It is resistant to water, but we always recommend cleaning up any spillages as soon as possible. Engineered wood flooring is a perfect choice for any room in the house – its mix of practicality, durability and style ensure that it will enhance any room in which it is installed.

Here are some other differences and some similarities between solid and engineered wood:

  • Solid is generally more expensive than engineered
  • Both are available in a parquet style (Herringbone)
  • Both are able to be floated, glued or nailed down (depending on the particular product)
  • Solid wood has a slightly longer lifespan than engineered
  • Both are available in a wide range of finishes/colours/textures

 

Have Your Say

What do you prefer in home décor: minimalism or something with more character? Let us know in the comments below!

Remember to follow us on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram for the latest news and discussions. We’re always finding new ways to improve our stock, so keep up to date! Check out our Painswick Swift Oak in the picture above – a beautiful parquet floor which adds a touch of sophistication to any home!

The post What is the difference between Solid and Engineered Wood? appeared first on Blog & Advice Centre – Luxury Flooring & Furnishings.

This post appeared first on https://www.luxuryflooringandfurnishings.co.uk

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