Blog – Page 23 – Wood Floor Refinishing

Jan 23, 2020 admin Uncategorized

Hickory and pecan

Hickory lumber (Genus: Carya) comes from eight different trees, four species called “true hickory” (shagbark, pignut, shellbark and mockernut) and four species of “pecan hickory” (bitternut, pecan, water hickory and nutmeg hickory).

In the marketplace, you can get any of the eight species when you buy hickory lumber. True hickory is found throughout the eastern United States. However, the range of pecan hickories is limited; bitternut is throughout the eastern United States; pecan is found from Texas to Louisiana, through Missouri and Indiana; water hickory is found in Texas through South Carolina; and nutmeg is found in Texas and Louisiana. Separation of lumber into the two groups is impossible unless chemical or microscopic tests are used. However, many users indicate that they prefer true hickory as they believe it has better color and seems to handle better. Character hickory (with knots, streaks and similar; low grade lumber which keeps costs under control) has also recently become popular for furniture, cabinets and flooring.

Hickory has many uses, including baseball bats (true hickory is preferred), tool handles (excellent shock resistance), drum sticks (true hickory only), furniture (growing in importance) and cabinets.

Processing suggestions and characteristics

Density. The density of true hickories averages about 50 pounds per cubic foot at 8 percent MC. This is heavier than oak. Pecan hickories average about 42 pounds per cubic foot. A dried and planed board foot of lumber will weigh more than three pounds.

Drying. Both hickories are difficult to dry and require close control of drying environments. The wood can check if dried too quickly. Staining if dried too slowly or stored when green is likely, especially a blotchy type gray stain or overall pinking. Shrinkage in drying is around 7 percent.

Final moisture content for hickory should be 6.5 to 7.5 percent. Higher MCs cannot be accepted due to hickory’s high shrinkage; lower MCs result in excessive chipped grain.

Gluing and machining. Hickory is very unforgiving when gluing due to its high density. Surfaces must be flat, smooth and freshly prepared. Clamp carriers are probably best for this wood. True hickory is more difficult to glue than pecan hickory.

Machining of hickory is difficult due to its density. Chipped grain is common if knives are not sharp. Dull knives also result in a rough flatsawn surface where the large vessel cells are located. Correct MC is critical. With proper knives and machines, the surface is excellent in quality, however. Usually, machine tools need to have a larger tool (or sharpness) angle, thereby increasing the amount of metal in the tool.

Stability. Hickory is not too stable when the MC changes. Hickory changes about 1 percent in size for each 3 percent MC change running across the grain parallel to the rings (tangentially), and about 1 percent size change for each 4 percent MC change across the rings (radially).

Strength. The hickories are one of the strongest native softwoods. Bending strength (MOR) averages 19,500 psi for true hickory and 16,000 psi for pecan. Stiffness (MOE) averages 2.0 million psi for true hickory and 1.8 million psi for pecan.

Color and grain. I think that the true hickory group has more uniform and lighter color than the pecan hickory group. Both seem to have nice grain and color character, however, after finishing. If dried correctly, the heartwood is fairly white colored, with tinges of brown and sometimes red. The large pores in hickory present some of the same finishing problems as oak, hackberry and ash.

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Jan 23, 2020 admin Uncategorized

Which flooring goes with which decor?

Homes need to be both practical and comfortable, but it’s nearly as important for them to be stylish and reflect our taste too. Whether you’re a first-time buyer and renovating your entire home, or just making a quick adjustment to one room in a family home, it’s important to pay attention to your flooring so you get the most out of your interior. So, let’s dive into the main distinctions of flooring for each interior so you’ve got some ideas on where to start.

Traditional

Even with all the temptations of modern technology, many of us still strive after something from a bygone era. If you’re a fan of a traditional interior, then you probably enjoy a luxurious and grand space. It boasts highly detailed carvings, deep dark colour, more textures and lots of accessories! This doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice a clean-cut and fresh appearance, ironically updating your flooring can actually enhance the old-style look.

If you’re really wanting to fully take on this fantastic style, then go for richer darker woods. We’d therefore recommend a darker oak or walnut brown with a lacquered finish. However, don’t think the darker the better, try contrast your floor with lighter walls, this makes for the perfect back drop.

Modern/industrial

Typically, a modern interior presents us with slick, clean-cut finishes and minimalistic décor. In terms of flooring, something a little more discreet is ideal. For wood floors, go for one with calmed knots and grains so you get that fresh appearance. In terms of colour, most shades work, however we’d go for grey as it presents a sophisticated modern and stylish backdrop – complementing virtually everything, perfect if you do decide to change things around. Pairing it with materials such as glass and steel also provides that desirable modern appeal.

Rustic/farmhouse

Rustic interior has blown up in recent years. With so many of us enjoying the beauty of a rustic interior, there’s got to be a flooring option that accommodates this unique style. With flooring being one of the main features of the room, your choice will greatly impact on how your interior will take shape! You can create a bold statement with distressed wood with lots of knots and grains, it’ll give your room real character! Don’t be shy with colours either, rich chocolate walnut will give your home an affluent appearance while still retaining a rustic premise, or a lighter flooring will show off the wood’s natural presence even better, even whitewashed for a shabby chic appearance would work well!

With so many variations of options for interior themes, it’s very hard to decide, we haven’t even scraped the surface! We hope these pointers have given you some inspiration if nothing else and where to start on your interior journey. Here at Luxury Flooring we offer a huge range of wood floors that will satisfy your style as well as offering impressive durability at a affordable price.

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Jan 16, 2020 admin Uncategorized

New Floor New You!

New year, new you – but we prefer to say new floor, new you! Refurbishing your home can be a big and expensive project, but we can guarantee that if you do decide to treat your home to a makeover, then not only will it give your space a new lease of life, but you as well! However, with so many options it can be very hard to choose, so we’ve come up with a brief summary of each flooring we sell and help you make the best decision.

Real wood

Real wood flooring comes in two variations: solid and engineered. The main distinction between the two is that engineered is compatible with underfloor heating, whereas solid isn’t, so don’t fall in love with a solid product if underfloor heating is important to you. Therefore, we’d recommend thinking about whether you want this feature, then you can narrow down your search and make things easier.

We’d recommend wood flooring if you’re wanting to give your home a luxurious and timeless appeal. Not only does real wood look stunning and classical, but is highly durable and will stand the test of time and heavy use if cared for properly. Additionally, real wood is also scratch, stain and water resistant, however we’d think twice about laying it in rooms that have high exposure to these as they can cause damage. However, one of real wood’s huge benefits is that it is able to be sanded down a number of times depending on thickness to eradicate any stains and scratches. This should not normally need to be done for the first 15-20 years, so you can only imagine how long these beautiful floors can last!

With so many woods types, patterns and finishes available you’ll be spoilt for choice. We sell stylish grey wood, warm honey hues, to daring walnut browns. In terms of finishes, there’s oiled, brushed and lacquered to only name a few. If you want to know about them in more detail, then check out our finishes explained blog.

Luxury Vinyl Tiles

Although most of us lust after the look of real wood in our homes, sometimes we just need something at a cheaper price and easier maintenance. The good news you get some very convincing imitations of real wood through LVT, with even better practical benefits. LVT is water, scratch and stain proof, perfect if you come from a busy household where these are unfortunately part of the everyday grind! Many of them come with a textured surface, so not only do they look like real wood but feel like it too!

The other thing to mention about LVT is that you aren’t sacrificing real wood’s impressive durability. LVT is incredibly durable and perfect for high foot traffic rooms and commercial use. It is also able to cope with under floor heating – there aren’t really any negatives!

Laminate

The most inexpensive choice of flooring, laminate is perfect if you’re looking to refurbish your home on a budget, great for first-time buyers! Again, it also mimics natural materials such as real wood, tile and stone, you’ll really get that authentic look you’re after.

Yep – laminate is also able to work with underfloor heating, something we are seeing more and more of in modern homes, so it is worth getting on board with this trend if you can as it gives your home an added selling value! Scratch, water and stain resistant, laminate is an easy going and easy to maintain flooring. We sell a huge selection of affordable and impressive laminates in a range of colours and patterns.

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Jan 13, 2020 admin Uncategorized

Red Oaks a diverse group

Of all the species in the eastern U.S. hardwood forest, the red oaks (Quercus species) are the most plentiful. The name “red oak” is actually the name given to a grouping of 12 major oak species. All the red oak trees are characterized by points at the ends of the leaves and bitter acorns that mature in two years and germinate in the spring after dropping the previous fall.

Red oak lumber’s widespread availability, fairly low price, distinct (heavy) grain, high strength and ease of finishing are certainly several of the most important properties making it currently desirable and popular for furniture and cabinet use.

We separate red oak into two groups: upland or lowland. As a rule of thumb, lowland oaks have annual growth rings spaced more than 1/4-inch apart; upland oaks have closer rings (slower growth). Upland, in general, processes easier than lowland. However, lowland dries more slowly.

Lowland also tends to check more easily and machines more poorly at times. It also tends to have more sapwood as well.

Processing suggestions and characteristics

Density. Red oak is one of the heavier hardwoods in North America, averaging about 43 pounds per cubic foot at 7 percent MC. Willow, cherrybark and scarlet oaks are somewhat heavier. Kiln-dried, planed lumber will weigh about 2.6 pounds per board foot.

Drying. Drying must be carefully controlled, because if the wood is dried too fast, it will check and honeycomb. Certainly, end coating the lumber is critical. Drying in an open shed or warehouse pre-drying are the best drying methods. If air-dried, piles should be roofed to prevent wetting of the top layers. Plastic burlap mesh fabric can be used to slow drying when needed in the warmer months. Air drying much more than 60 to 75 days increases the risk of drying damage due to rewetting. Most of the time, air-drying degrade will exceed 10 percent; hence air-drying is not recommended. Shrinkage in drying is 9 percent, with considerable variation between species.

Final moisture contents for furniture and cabinet oak must be between 6.0 to 7.0 percent MC. No MC variation is permitted due to oak’s high shrinkage.

Gluing and machining. Oak is known to be “unforgiving” when gluing. Pieces must be square and straight; surfaces to be glued must be very flat and freshly prepared; and pressure must be uniform and not too low. Any commonly used wood adhesive will perform very well with oak, although casein will produce dark glue lines.

Because of its high density, the wood is prone to developing chipped or torn grain. Knives need to be sharp and rake angles a little smaller than for the lighter-weight species. As with most species, using dull tools and worn sandpaper results in fuzzing.

Stability. Red oaks are subject to large size changes when the MC changes about 1 percent size change for each 3 percent MC change (ranging from 2.6 to 3.5 percent MC change for the different species of red oak) running across the grain parallel to the rings (tangentially), and about 1 percent size change for each 6 percent MC change (range of 5.5 to 7.5 percent MC) across the rings (radially). This big difference between tangential and radial also means that the wood is prone to cupping when the MC changes.

Strength. Red oaks are very strong and stiff. Bending strength (MOR) averages 14,000 psi. Hardness averages 1,300 pounds. Stiffness (MOE) averages 1.8 million psi. Often the lowland oaks are stronger than the upland, especially when there are more than 10 growth rings per inch.

Color and grain. The color of red oak heartwood varies from very pink (cherrybark oak) to a reddish hue (northern red oak) to light brown (black oak). The white-colored sapwood amounts are minimal except in lowland oaks, where entire pieces of 4/4 can be sapwood. Lowland sapwood often is gray due to enzymatic oxidation gray stain. Oak has large vessels in the earlywood portion of the annual growth ring, giving the surface a coarse appearance and feel. The grain is quite obvious and is called heavy or coarse.

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Jan 13, 2020 admin Uncategorized

Red alder started from the bottom

Red alder (Alnus rubra), once considered a trash species and useful only for fuel, grows abundantly in the Pacific Coast regions of British Columbia, Washington and Oregon. It produces excellent lumber, and now demands fairly high prices.

It is a pioneer species, coming into the ecosystem after fire and logging disturbances, thereby protecting the exposed soils and watersheds. Trees mature within 40 to 60 years, reaching a typical height of less than 90 feet and a diameter often under 24 inches. Due to its softness, alder is also desired as a premium carving wood. Where grown, it might be used locally for construction, but the highest prices are for furniture-grade lumber. Due to the small diameter logs, which yield a lot of narrow lumber, specialized, company-specific grading rules are often used instead of the NHLA alder rules.

The wood of alder, which is nearly 100 percent sapwood, is off-white when first cut, but changes color upon exposure to air. Depending on the temperature used in drying, the final color can be honey brown to a darker reddish brown. In fact, the key to color uniformity is in drying. Once dried, red alder’s soft grain can be finished to make the wood look like cherry and several other expensive, fine-grained species. Key uses for lumber are furniture and cabinets.

Processing suggestions and characteristics

Density. Red alder is one of the lighter weight hardwoods in North America, averaging about 29 pounds per cubic foot at 7 percent MC. This is 2/3 of the weight of oak. A board foot of dried and planed alder will weigh just under two pounds.

Drying. Alder dries very quickly with little risk of warp and checking; nonetheless, drying must be carefully controlled because of color concerns. Chemicals in the wood are oxidized during drying, resulting in the color development. Air drying often results in a mottled appearance. Kiln-drying soon after sawing is the recommended procedure to prevent mottling and to develop the desired color. Steaming in the kiln will darken the final color. Shrinkage in drying is 4 percent. Final moisture contents for alder should be between 6 percent and 7.5 percent MC. Slight MC variation is permitted due to alder’s low shrinkage.

Gluing and machining. Alder is one of the easiest woods to glue; it is very forgiving if surfaces are not quite perfect. Pressure must be uniform and not too high. Any commonly used wood adhesive will perform very well. Because of the uniform texture and lower density, the wood machines particularly well. Tools must be sharp or else some fuzzing might occur; likewise, sandpaper must not be worn. The rake angle is often a few degrees larger than for higher density hardwoods. Chipped or torn grain is rare.

Stability. Red alder is subject to modest size changes when the MC changes – about 1 percent size change for each 4 percent MC change running across the grain parallel to the rings (tangentially), and about 1 percent size change for each 7 percent MC change across the rings (radially). Due to smaller logs, a little warping may occur when the MC changes.

Strength. Red alder is one of the weaker native hardwoods. Bending strength (MOR) averages 9,800 psi. Hardness averages 590 pounds. Stiffness (MOE) averages 1.4 million psi. Corresponding values for cherry are 12,300 psi, 950 pounds and 1.5 million psi. The softness of alder is certainly notable; the other values, however, are just slightly lower than cherry and are close to soft maple.

Color and grain. The wood of alder is evenly textured with the annual rings making only light colorations. The grain is very fine. As mentioned, color depends on the promptness of drying and the temperatures used.

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Jan 9, 2020 admin Uncategorized

A decade review on flooring

As flooring specialists, we appreciate and admire the huge variety of flooring available to our customers. Like many commodities, whether clothes, cars or jewellery, flooring too goes in and out of style, although perhaps not as quickly! Now that 2020 is here and the decade of the 2010’s is behind us, we’re taking a look back on the last ten years and review the flooring trends which shaped it.

Environmentally friendly

With the constant threat of global warming, many of us are watching our carbon footprint – and that reflects in the choice’s customers are making when it comes to flooring. Natural flooring such as: bamboo, cork and stone have popped up more and more in this decade, with real wood still retaining its popularity as well.

Luxury Vinyl Tiles

Forget the stereotype of vinyl being cheap, ugly and tasteless – it has been revolutionised to produce stunning Luxury Vinyl Tiles. Coming in very convincing representations of wood, stone and concrete, LVT is perfect if you’ve fallen for the look of natural products but need something at a cheaper price and easier maintenance. Not only does it look so similar to natural products, but is also incredibly durable and water, scratch and stain proof. Why wouldn’t you?

Hardwood floors

Not only has hardwood flooring stood the test of time, but it’s also stood the test of changing fashions! It’s easy to see why wood flooring never goes out of fashion and why its popularity has increased further in the last decade. Versatile, affluent and hard-wearing, it is always a fantastic addition to your home and will certainly add to its selling value. We are confident that no matter how much interior trends will change, wood floors will remain as stylish as ever.

Grey flooring

Many of us associate grey with being tired, dull and lifeless…well forget everything you might have once thought of grey. Its popularity has soared this decade – especially popular with modern interior lovers, it presents us with a stunning clean-cut and sophisticated appearance. However, if you’re a fan of a more rustic or traditional décor, then grey flooring also accommodates this. Coming in real wood, laminate, vinyl and stone, you can satisfy all your flooring desires! Grey presents us with arguably the most versatile colour for flooring, suiting virtually all furnishings and complementing most colour schemes.

Herringbone

With the hustle and bustle of modern life, some of us find we lust after something from a bygone era. We are always striving for more luxury in our lives, which is why herringbone is perfect if you’re looking at flooring. Although typically associated with a traditional interior, its popularity has increased over the last few years to make it a very popular modern style. It gives your room added character with the stunning plank arrangement, as well as being as smooth or as rustic as you like.

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Dec 19, 2019 admin Uncategorized

Oiling Wood Floors: How-to and FAQ

Over time, your wood floor may start to lose the sheen and colour that it once had. This is very likely down to the fact that your floor needs refreshing and reviving with oil. Oiling wood floors helps to enhance the overall appearance of its surface, as well as adding protection and nourishment.

If you want to oil wooden flooring, it’s important to consider its benefits, the proper steps to take, and how often you should replenish its coat.

Why is it Important to Oil Your Wood Floor?

Firstly, oiled wood flooring helps with its longevity. The oil revives the appearance of the floor. It also protects the floor’s surface, to keep it looking brand new for longer.

Your floor is thirsty

Wood flooring is thirsty. It may sound strange, but it’s true.

Without oil protecting the surface, your wood will drink up any water and moisture. If this water gets into the wood, the floor will move and can cause long-term damage.

On the other hand, with a protective oil coating, your floor is unable to soak up this moisture, therefore protecting your flooring.

Are you a pet owner?

The longevity and durability factors of oiling wood floors makes it perfect for pet owners. For instance, any scratches caused by claws or teeth can simply be sanded down and oiled over.

A lacquered floor, in comparison, is less of a quick fix when it comes to scratch marks.

Bringing out details in design

Oiled wood flooring brings out the amazingly fine details and grains of each plank. This, as a result, provides a wide range of tones and colours depending on the oil you use.

Our selection of Osmo Oils does a perfect job of making your flooring truly unique, offering warm, rustic tones, to lighter and more subtle finishes. Similarly, even clear oils can help show a floor’s natural beauty.

Carved Whiskey Oak Solid Wood Flooring- Oiled Wood Flooring — **Carved Whiskey Oak Solid Wood Flooring**

Floor protection

Unfinished wood flooring leaves vulnerability for liquid stains such as wine, cola, or sauce. A simple oiled finish prevents unwanted stains.

The oil itself acts as a protective layer, so that liquids can’t be absorbed into the wood’s fibres.

Prevent your floor from drying out and cracking

In extreme cases, your floor can crack due to the lack of oil that it receives on a regular basis. Although this is only in extreme circumstances, it’s important to be mindful about the necessity of regularly oiling your wood floor.

Ongoing maintenance

Any form of hardwood flooring requires maintenance.

However, taking proper care of your oiled wood flooring means that you won’t need to re-sand and finish your floor too often.

Oiling your wood flooring should be part of your wood floor maintenance routine. We’ll go into this more in a moment.

Quick re-cap:

Helps with longevity.
Protects against pet scratches.
Quick and easy fix if any marks appear.
Brings out detail, tone, and colour.
Helps maintain the look of your floor
More protection against liquid stains.
Prevents your floor from drying out and cracking.

How to Oil Wooden Flooring

Below is a quick step-by-step guide on how to prepare and oil wooden flooring:

Prepare your flooring

If your floor has previously been oiled, you can apply the oil directly on top. For floors with different finishes, such as varnish, you’ll need to sand the surface until you get to the bare wood. This is to make sure you are not adding additional layers of a different oil onto a different existing layer.
If you’re adding a touch-up layer after receiving new oiled flooring, you don’t need to sand it down. You can apply the new coat straight on top, due to the fact that the oil is the same as the previous layer.
Be sure to wipe away any kind of dirt or debris from the surface of your flooring, as this stops any debris from setting under the oil.
Make sure the room is well ventilated. This is to make sure any fumes from the oil are able to escape, and not linger in the room.

The process

Stir the container of oil thoroughly to make sure all of the components are well mixed
Use a stiff brush or roller and apply the oil evenly, going with the wood grain. Be sure to apply the oil thinly, as to keep your layers even.
Leave the oil to dry before applying more layers. Use the same technique as the step above and go with the grain, applying thin layers at a time
Depending on the type of oil, use anywhere between 1 to 3 layers, making sure each layer is dry before applying a new one.

Unfinished Parquet Oak Solid Wood Flooring - Oiled Wood Flooring — **Unfinished Parquet Oak Solid Wood Flooring**

To ensure the best results for your oiled floor, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This should be located on the container of the product.

How Often Does Your Floor Need Oiling?

For domestic use, we recommend to oil wooden flooring every 2 years, you may want to do this sooner depending on how much your flooring is used.

This also adds an additional layer of protection from daily foot traffic or day-to-day mishaps that may damage your floor.

If you’re buying a range of flooring that comes oiled, we recommend oiling the floor again once it has been laid.

This is because your flooring could have been stored for a number of months, and maybe a little dry. Re-staining your new flooring tops up the slight moisture that is needed. By doing this, you can also add more colour to the finish and increase its durability.

Castle Brown Oak 90mm Solid Wood Flooring - Oiled Wooden Floor — **Castle Brown Oak 90mm Solid Wood Flooring**

Oiling Wood Floors FAQ

What types of oil can you use for wood flooring?

Bona hard wax oil: One of the most popular waxes available, bona is easy to apply and dries quickly. It’s highly effective at combatting wear and tear that you would commonly see in unfinished flooring, this makes it a great option for high amounts of foot traffic in your home.

WOCA hard wax oil: This particular oil is more expensive, but provides a more effective result. WOCA oil is more commonly used by professionals, who have the necessary machines to apply the oil correctly.

Blanchon maintenance oil: Blanchon is very effective at reviving wood flooring. Its matt finish results in a professional-looking result if you are doing this on your own. Blanchon oil is known for quick drying if time is of the essence.

GRANWAX hard wax oil: This oil is completely clear, providing a great form of protection, without altering the appearance of your wood. GRANWAX is a great option for preventing any signs of daily wear and tear from showing on your flooring.

Will oil change the colour of your floor?

This depends on the oil you choose. Some change the overall colour or tint of your flooring, on the other hand, some simply add a protective layer to its surface. If you are looking for an oil that provides a different tint, our ranges of tinted Osmo Oils offer a wide range of options.


Osmo Polyx Oil – White	Osmo Polyx Oil – Honey	Osmo Polyx Oil – Terra

Should you oil wood flooring immediately?

We recommend that you oil wooden flooring as soon as possible after laying it. This is because the flooring can be slightly dried out during the storage period. Re-oiling acts as a little top up to the existing oil layer. This helps to bring some additional colour and tone, as well as added protection.

Do all floors need oiling?

Not all floors need oiling, however, there are a few specific factors to consider depending on what flooring you have.

If your wood flooring comes oiled, as previously mentioned, we recommend you re-oil your flooring with a clear finish. This re-hydrates the wood.

Lacquered wood flooring will need to be sanded down to the bare plank in order for it to be oiled. This is because of the lacquer acting as an already existing protective layer. The oil will not absorb into the wood if a lacquer finish is already present.

Engineered wood flooring features a solid wood veneer as the surface of the plank. This means that you can apply oil to the planks of engineered wood, however make sure that the flooring does not have a lacquered finish already applied. Otherwise, you will need to sand down the veneer before applying the oil.

Laminate, LVT, Vinyl, and EvoCore flooring cannot be oiled, as they have no wood surface for the oil to absorb in to.

How do you maintain oiled hardwood floors?

To maintain your wood floor, we recommend our Impero Elite Wood Flooring Kit. This kit is efficient and effective at both reviving and maintaining the look of your wood floor. Included in this kit is our Reviving Wax, which provides optimum protection for your wood flooring.

To Conclude

Overall, the benefits of oiling wood floors are very important to know. As well as preparing your flooring for a new coat, using the procedures will guarantee the best outcome. As long as you keep on top of your flooring maintenance, your wood flooring will look much better and last a whole lot longer. It’s a no-brainer!

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Dec 19, 2019 admin Uncategorized

Year in a review for Luxury Flooring

2019 has been a busy year for us here at Luxury Flooring. This year we’ve reached more customers than ever before, helping each and every single one achieve their dream floor. With this in mind, we’ve decided to take a look at some of our bestsellers of the year, and explore exactly what makes them so popular.

If you’re familiar with us, you’ll know our specialty is solid and engineered wood, with an incredible range of products which come in so many different patterns, colours, wood types and thicknesses, so that you can choose exactly what it is you’re after! Not only does wood flooring have charming good looks, but is also incredibly hard wearing and practical. Don’t panic if stains and scratches do occur though, wood flooring can be sanded down a number of times to remove any damage. This shouldn’t usually be necessary for the first 15-20 years however! We do also offer some fantastic Luxury Vinyl Tiles and laminate choices too if you need something a little easier on the wallet.

Our most popular product in 2019 is the exquisite: ‘Brimham Aged Whisky Oak’ (SO1070) and it’s easy to see why! This product boasts a sophisticated, affluent dark look that will add tremendous luxury to your home. It would suit a clean-cut contemporary interior, and work well with a traditional interior due to its rich look. It has been hand distressed to create a beautiful worn out look, complementing a rustic style interior due to the cracks, knots and scrapings. Once the planks have been through this intense distressing process, a lacquer finish is applied to the surface to protect it from any stains, however we’d always advise cleaning up anything as soon as possible. Solid wood flooring not only offers us astonishing durability to the trails of everyday life, but a beautifully stylish enhancement to our space. Oak is the most popular choice of wood for our floors, due to its easy-going and versatile appearance.

Our most popular engineered product is quite different, however. ‘Elgin Farmhouse Oak’ (EO2020) shows off a much more rustic appeal, something very on trend at the moment so it’s no surprise it’s such a hit with our customers! It comes with a stunning bevelled edge and a brushed finish, increasing its character and charm. After it’s brushed, oil is applied to the surface to give added protection as well as a slight desirable shine. Engineered wood can withstand the differing temperatures of underfloor heating, giving it at least one advantage over its solid counterpart!

In terms of parquet flooring, our most sought-after product this year was: ‘Painswick Garden Oak’ (PAR218). Parquet wood really gives the ‘wow’ factor, making a grand statement in entrance halls, giving kitchens a stunning appearance and welcoming visitors into living spaces. The bevelled edges on this flooring add depth and definition, making the room look larger. The oak wood adds atmosphere and the grains and knots present elegance, whereas the easy-going shade would complement many different colours.

Finally, many people opt for either laminate or vinyl as an alternative to wood flooring, with both options offering impressive practicality and a cheaper price tag. Both laminate and vinyl have been revolutionised to look so similar to real wood, that it’s almost impossible to tell them apart. This is shown by our best-selling vinyl: ‘Nest Rigid Core Golden Herringbone Luxury Vinyl Flooring’ (NESTV311). The gorgeous distressed look and honey tone makes it easy to see why it’s our most popular vinyl. Once more, the herringbone pattern makes for an affluent, deluxe appearance, and we wouldn’t be surprised if this is one of our best sellers next year too, as the trend of herringbone LVT continues to grow.

Our best-selling laminate of 2019 is the: ‘Kronotex Robusto 12mm Harbour Oak Grey Laminate Flooring’ (LAM2080). Again, this stunning laminate shows off a very convincing imitation of real wood, through the distressed wood look with the cracks, grains and knots. Equally, the ashy grey presents us with the very sought-after rustic feel, as well as going with many different furnishings.

Our most popular samples include: ‘Painswick Glacier Oak’ (HE2021) Painswick Rabbit Oak (HE1196), and Painswick Champagne Oak (HE1194). All of them have the popular design of herringbone, as well as beautifully versatile tones and imperfections that flow charmingly throughout.

So there we have it, our most popular floors of 2019! Have we mentioned yours? If you’re still on the lookout for your dream floor going into 2020, then we’re sure we’ll have the perfect solution for you. Take a look at our range and order your free samples today, and do not hesitate to get in touch with our friendly, helpful team if you have any questions!

The post Year in a review for Luxury Flooring appeared first on Blog & Advice Centre – Luxury Flooring & Furnishings.

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Dec 12, 2019 admin Uncategorized

Christmas Clean: Protect Your Flooring This Christmas

Christmas is prime time when it comes to cleaning. Your friends and family coming over means you have a lot more foot traffic than normal, which could mean disaster for your flooring. Glitter from Christmas decorations, dirty shoes and possibly even snow are all culprits for creating an unclean floor in your home.

A thorough Christmas clean is needed, and we’re here to help! This blog will help you in looking after real wood, laminate, LVT, and EvoCore flooring during the festive period. Family, friends and pets are the usual culprits for making your flooring dirty, or even causing damage in some cases.

Whatever your flooring type, it’s important to know what cleaning products and methods you should be using for the perfect clean. We’re going to walk you through step by step on protecting flooring, as well as tackling mess caused by a real Christmas tree.

Preventing Damage

The first step for preparing your flooring for Christmas is always prevention. It’s always best to make sure your floor is the least vulnerable it can be, otherwise, you might be stuck trying to mend it. There are a number of different precautions and steps that can minimise the risk of damage and dirt this Christmas.

Shoes

Christmas time is the most dangerous time of year for flooring; there are bound to be high heels and wet shoes around your home throughout December and into the New Year.

Don’t be afraid to set some rules for your guests. Not letting shoes past the front door is an easy and effective way of keeping the mud out of your home. Alternatively, if you want to be a little more lenient, ask your guests to not wear high heels. High heels can seriously damage by leaving small holes, scratches and dents as they walk across your flooring.

Use a shoe rack for your guests when they take off their shoes. This keeps things organised and prevents your front door from being cluttered with shoes. If you want to be a little more subtle about your no-shoes policy, try a festive-themed sign that gives your guests a gentle reminder your home is a shoe-free zone!

Christmas No Shoes Allowed Sign - Christmas Clean

Moisture and dirt

If you’re worried about moisture or grime finding its way into your flooring, joint protector is a great way of protecting it. Joint protector is a water-based sealant that works as a waterproof protective layer for the joins between your planks, which increases the lifespan of your flooring. This is perfect for keeping those outside elements from making their way in, and can really come in handy if you’re expecting a lot of guests. Additionally, the joint sealant is completely odourless and transparent.

Cover your floor

To prevent any scratches or bumps from appearing on your flooring, something as simple as covering certain problem areas of your floor with a protective film can make this less of a worry. While it may not work to cover your entire floor, this works well in doorways where dirt is more likely to be an issue. This is a very common hack that a lot of people do for parties or get-togethers. It’s cheap and easy, so give it a try.

If you’d rather keep with the aesthetics of your home, using a large floor mat of your choice will look stylish and inconspicuous. Make sure to look for a nice thick mat for the best results.

Vacuum regularly

Make sure to vacuum your flooring throughout the day. This removes any chunks of dirt, litter, or any sharp objects that come off your tree. Keeping your flooring clean removes the chance of any sharp objects scratching the surface of your wood, laminate, or LVT, as well as preventing any liquids from setting into your flooring.

Preventing furniture damage

At Christmas time, it’s likely your furniture will be moved around to accommodate guests at parties. It’s the same when finding the spare chairs to squeeze everyone around the table. Using furniture pads protects floors from unsightly scratches while you chop and change your home’s layout for the festive celebrations. Furniture pads apply easily to the legs of your furniture, and allow them to glide easily without causing damage to your floor.

So, now we’ve focused on preventing damage, let’s move onto keeping your flooring clean and how to deal with dirt in your home this Christmas.

Real Christmas Trees

Real Christmas trees are a different beast compared to the fake trees you commonly see.

Before you bring your tree inside, make sure to give it a good shake to get rid off all the loose pine and dirt that may be on it; this means there will be less of a cleaning job in the long run.

If you are able to, be sure to water your tree regularly. Keeping your tree regularly hydrated will make it shed less of its pine leaves, therefore causing less of a mess for you to clean up.

Cottage Soft Pebble Oak Laminate - Christmas Clean — **Cottage Soft Pebble Oak Laminate**

Pine leaves on a real Christmas tree have a tendency to fall off and be a real nuisance.

To keep on top of things, it’s best to remove any loose debris or grit that may have fallen off the tree. We recommend using a vacuum with a brush attachment to get rid of any pine leaves or muck.

If you’re struggling to keep on top of that regular vacuuming, using a decorative blanket to cover the floor from the tree is a great option. The blanket will look right at home while simultaneously protecting your flooring from any pine leaves or dirt.

When removing your tree, lay some spare blankets or sheets across the path that you plan to take your tree through. This will catch any last bits of debris that might fall off, saving the job of vacuuming up the mess after.

Use the Right Cleaning Equipment

Our Impero Elite Wood Flooring Kit professionally cleans and protects your wood flooring, restoring solid and engineered wood back to life. The advanced spray mop mechanism results in only a small amount of water being used, which is very beneficial for your flooring, as a high amount of water may cause long-term damage.

Our Impero cleaning kit includes:

1 x Spray Mop
4 x Microfibre Cloths
1 x Universal Floor Cleaner: 1L
1 x Reviving Wax for Wood Flooring: 1L
1 x Graduated Measuring Cap
1 x Detachable Cleansing Brush
1 x Instructions & Assembly Guide
1 x Wood Flooring Care & Maintenance Guide

Impero Elite Wood Flooring Kit - Clean flooring — **Impero Elite Wood Flooring Kit**

For Laminate, LVT, and EvoCore flooring, we recommend using our Impero All-In-One Cleaning Kit. This floor cleaning kit is suited to all types of flooring and offers a professional, thorough clean. This cleaning kit also does a very effective job of removing greasy marks off your flooring.

Included in the Impero All-In-One Cleaning Kit is:

1 x Spray Mop & Bottle
2 x Machine Washable Microfibre Cloths
1 x Litre of Concentrate Floor Cleaner
1 x Measuring Cup
1 x Brush

This cleaning kit does a very effective job of keeping your flooring clean and stain-free for long periods. This makes that post-cleaning session much more bearable.

Cleaning Your Flooring

Real Wood, Engineered Wood, and Parquet

For any kind of solid wood, engineered wood and parquet, the cleaning process is the same.

We recommend our Impero Elite Wood Flooring Kit. Firstly, use a microfibre cloth to remove any dust before cleaning. This kit is fantastic at dealing with stains and marks that may accumulate during Christmas time. Our kit uses a small amount of water as to not damage or warp the wood during cleaning. This results in an equally clean flooring. What’s more, our Reviving Wax is included in the kit and will help minimise the appearance of any damage and help to further protect your flooring.

When cleaning your wood floor, it is vital that you do not use high amounts of water. Wood absorbs moisture, and the moisture can cause the wood to lift, warp, and in some extreme cases, the wood can even crack. Therefore it is highly recommended that you don’t use a lot of water, for your flooring’s sake!

Laminate

A Christmas clean of your laminate flooring is fairly simple and doesn’t differ from regular cleaning. Simply brush off any large bits of debris and mop the surface down with a slightly damp mop (although we recommend a flat-headed spray mop instead). For those slightly tougher stains, scrub the surface with a slightly damp cloth and some floor cleaner.

LVT

LVT is very easy to clean and requires little more than a sweeping brush and a mop. This particular type of flooring is water-resistant and offers great durability, which are both great features for flooring, especially during Christmas time.

To clean LVT, Simply get rid of any large pieces of dirt and debris using a sweeping brush and mop. For tougher stains, similar to laminate, use a cloth and some floor cleaner and the stain should come right off.

EvoCore

Our EvoCore flooring is extremely durable and hard-wearing, this coupled with the addition of a completely waterproof surface means that you can clean this flooring extremely thoroughly if needed.

Cleaning Evocore flooring is simple: sweep away any large pieces of debris, this is followed by a thorough mop down.

For laminate, LVT and EvoCore, our All-in-One Cleaning Kit contains a spray mop and floor cleaner, perfect for any flooring type.

Impero All In One Cleaning Kit - Christmas Clean — **Impero All In One Cleaning Kit**

What to Avoid

Wood Flooring

For any kind of wood-based flooring, as mentioned previously, it’s important to avoid water. If your wood flooring is exposed to a high amount of moisture, the flooring can curl, warp, or crack. Also, be sure to avoid any kind of DIY cleaning liquids that you may find guides on. Any kind of DIY cleaning product can damage your floor if you aren’t careful. As previously mentioned, it’s also important to avoid anything that can cause a bump or scratch on your wood floor.

Heating is used more regularly for the winter months, so it’s important to be mindful of not using the heating constantly. The constant heat can actually dry out your wood flooring and cause shrinking and cracks in some extreme circumstances.

If you’re worried your floor may be drying out, there are ways to treat it. Keep a close eye on the humidity of your home; the air will be drier during the winter months, which means it’s worth using a humidifier. Be sure to introduce moisture into the air, not the flooring. For a simple fix, Close your curtains in the room with the flooring you want to keep from getting dry.

Laminate & LVT

As for laminate and LVT, be sure to not use excessive water on the surface when attempting to remove stains. Using anything abrasive on your laminate or LVT will create marks and scratches, so be sure to avoid this too. It’s also worth being mindful of not using soap-based polishes or detergents. Using soap-based detergents or polishes can leave a dull film on the laminate. This can lead to the need to replace your flooring if you don’t take the appropriate cleaning approach.

Although EvoCore Flooring is extremely durable, be sure to not use anything abrasive to remove stains. Constant heavy use of an abrasive object to clean the floor, such as steel wool, will eventually create unsightly scuff marks.

Prevent Future Damage

Preventing any future damage is as important as protecting and cleaning your floor. Our Impero Elite Reviving Wax provides optimum protection for your flooring. It creates a protective layer that will prevent any wear and tear from appearing on your flooring, and revives your floor and further protects it from any future damage. Perfect for once the festivities have ended!

Using Felt Adhesive Pads is a simple and effective way of protecting your flooring from abrasive damage. Place the pads on the contact points that your furniture or decor makes with your floor. This helps massively with preventing any scuffs or scratching, especially if you will have chairs and other furniture moving around your home.

Felt Adhesive Pads for Protecting Flooring — **Felt Adhesive Pads**

If you’d rather not use felt adhesive pads, placing a blanket or rug underneath your tables and chairs can do an effective job at protecting your flooring. Using a rug or blanket that matches your décor will make it more seamless, so you don’t need to worry about sacrificing your aesthetic.

Fix Any Damages

Fixing damaged wood and laminate flooring can be made much easier with our Floor Repair Kits. We offer many different colour variations to suit the shade of your flooring. These include:

Simply give your flooring a clean down with a cloth and a small amount of water before using our kit. It works by filling in small sections of damage with colour-matched wax, and works on solid and engineered wood as well as laminate floors.

For more serious damage, which is sometimes unavoidable, you may need to sand and refinish your floor. Note however, this is only for solid and engineered wood – if you have laminate, you can repair or replace laminate planks fairly easily. Sanding down the surface of your flooring and adding any range of our Osmo Oils can get the job done and makes your flooring look brand new. Sanding down the surface of your wood flooring can also open up new possibilities different shades.

We recommend you add 10% of the flooring onto the amount of LVT and laminate you buy. This extra amount of flooring accounts for any tiles that have been wasted during fitting. The extra flooring can also account for any damage that a tile may receive and needs replacing.

Conclusion

After these useful tips, your annual Christmas cleaning panic should be a little less stressful. Small and helpful tips can go a long way, especially when some problems can be so regular. These tips may even come in handy once the festive period is over

The post Christmas Clean: Protect Your Flooring This Christmas appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

Dec 12, 2019 admin Uncategorized

Why we love artificial grass

We come from a green and pleasant land, so it’s no wonder us Brits love the striking green of our lawns. Grass is the defining feature of our gardens, parks and countryside, it would be strange to not to have access to at least some green space. However, like anything worth having they do require regular upkeep, if it’s not yanking out weeds, it’s having to mow it constantly in the summer, not to mention the challenge of growing it in the first place or fixing bald patches!

If you’re lucky enough to enjoy fresh looking grass on your lawn, then chances are you will want it to stay like that. But not all of us are as fortunate, and we just can’t keep the grass how we like it no matter how much time and effort we put in. So let’s look at why artificial grass might be the perfect alternative…

Real grass

Even if you have nothing else, beautifully kept grass really brings even the plainest gardens to life. Soft and comfortable to play on, we can guarantee your pets and kids will live on your lawn in the summer.

Preparation isn’t so attractive however. You need good, clean soil, making sure the old lawn is totally stripped and be prepared for a lot of weeding and digging. Then it’s time to put the grass seed down, which can be a lengthy process and you’ll need a lot of patience. Even when you give it plenty of love, attention and watering, sometimes it still doesn’t want to play ball. Even if areas do grow, then chances are they’ll be bald patches, we can’t lie to you that it can be very frustrating! Who even has time for all this?

Artificial grass

As you’ve probably already guessed, we are hugely in favour of artificial grass. We can’t deny that real grass has its own unique charm, but you’d be surprised by how you can get that same appeal with artificial grass along with an array of practical and easier maintenance benefits.

More and more of us are opting for materials that are more easy going and require little if no attention, with modern life getting busier we just don’t have time to be tending things! The best thing about artificial grass it that it needs minimal upkeep, something we just can’t say no to. They also work well in small spaces and patches of your garden that don’t get much exposure to sunlight, where real grass just won’t grow!

It goes without saying that artificial grass won’t need mowing and watering all the time, as well as remaining green all year round – say goodbye to the yellow grass that appears when something is over it for a long time! This is perfect for those who find garden maintenance difficult, expensive or just don’t like it! Additionally, it can’t be dug up, perfect if you have dogs who are constantly digging holes on your prized lawn…

Artificial grass sales have soared in recent years. Previously, it looked shockingly similar to the mats you get at the greengrocers displays. Now it has been revolutionised to mimic real grass so well that it’s almost impossible to tell it apart from the real thing.

However, this fantastic product doesn’t come completely maintenance free, as much as we would like it to! You don’t get the lovely freshly cut grass smell, and it will need sweeping and watering occasionally. But there is no way it needs as much attention as real grass.

So, should you fake it or not? If you’re fed up with your grass letting your gardens aesthetics down, with bald patches and dry areas, or if gardening just isn’t your thing and you just don’t want to worry about, then what are you waiting for…

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