Engineered floor vs solid wood flooring, which is best, this is an ongoing battle! With both types of wood flooring there are benefits and disadvantages. There are unlimited styles to select from in both engineered and solid wood floors. From the surface of the floor you will not know the difference but there are differences that you need to be aware of. [Read more…]
Solid Hardwood and Engineered Wood Floors
Hardwood flooring facts on solid and engineered wood floors from manufacturing, installation, maintenance and care to problem solving.
Wood Flooring Grades the Beauty and Ugly
Wood Flooring Grades Good, Bad, Beauty, Ugly
There are different wood flooring grades (be it on room or shower) offering a variety of characteristics to wood floors. There is beauty and there is ugly in wood flooring. These perceptions can be the same wood flooring grades and the same pieces of wood within those grades. With wood flooring, what one person sees as ugly another person sees ase beauty. Examples of this would be Cabin, Character and Premium wood flooring grades. [Read more…]
Wood Floor Cupping Cause and Effect
Wood floor cupping is a common problem that occurs with both solid and engineered wood floors. If you think you can escape cupping by installing a bamboo or laminate floor you can’t for they can also cup. [Read more…]
Wood Flooring Problems Moisture Related
Wood flooring problems are usually unexpected and most often preventable. Wood flooring is the real thing, unlike laminate which is a photograph of wood. Being a product of nature there will be occasional wood flooring problems. Wood flooring problems will usually be prevented through proper milling, installation and care once it has been installed. The information in this article also pertains to bamboo flooring. [Read more…]
Refinishing Hardwood Floors on Your Own
Refinishing hardwood floors is an adventure that some avid do-it-your-self individuals will take up on their own. If your hardwood floors are in dire need of refinishing, get a few estimates from professionals. You may be surprised at the figures. You may want to sit down when they tell you it will cost you $1200 to have your living room redone. For many homeowners refinishing hardwood floors is a job they would prefer to have the pro perform. While you could carpet over your hardwood for less than refinishing hardwood floors, carpeting over beautiful hardwood floors seem, well, wrong? [Read more…]
Hardwood Flooring Questions
Do you have some hardwood flooring questions to ask? Hardwood flooring is a substantial purchase. The variety of floors to choose from seems almost limitless. Here are some answers to frequently asked hardwood questions that should be of good assistance in selecting the ideal wood floor. [Read more…]
Wood Hardness Testing
Wood hardness testing methods are used to measure wood hardness in pounds of force. Many different species of wood that are of many different hardness levels are used in the manufacturing of hardwood floors. Wood hardness testing comes a bit late when a new hardwood floor is installed and it becomes indented by high heel shoes a pebble, furniture legs or other method. [Read more…]
Wood Flooring Disputes
Wood Flooring Disputes: Should You Choose Court Trial Or Arbitration?
By Blake R. Nelson
If you’ve entered into a contract with a customer, chances are good that you’ve approved via your signature some sort of dispute resolution—maybe you agreed that disputes will be heard at a particular location, or maybe you agreed to a specific form of dispute resolution. Did you realize that? [Read more…]
Veneer Checks in Wood
Understanding and Minimizing Veneer Checking on Furniture Panels
by
Craig L. Forbes
Assistant Professor and Wood Products Extension Specialist
North Carolina State University
A commonly occurring and costly problem in wood furniture manufacturing is the development of small cracks in the furniture’s finish called veneer checks. Veneer checks usually appear as uniformly spaced hairline cracks in the finish or, in severe cases, cracks with accompanying ridges on the wood surface which actually can be detected by touch. In any case, veneer checks always run parallel with the grain of the wood (Figure 1), a characteristic that can be used to distinguish veneer checks from other defects. Random orientation of cracks in the finish (not parallel to the wood grain) generally indicates non-wood-related causes. [Read more…]
Laminate or Real Wood Floors
Laminate or real wood flooring is a decision that we may find ourselves faced with. Whether you have just built a new home, or are considering a change to your current flooring, perhaps you are intrigued by the addition of wood. There is nothing more classic than hardwood floors. It is found in the most expensive of homes and lends a certain charm to every room. Real wood flooring, while beautiful, is also expensive. It may or may not be the right choice for you. This article will explore the terms laminate and wood flooring and why you should be familiar with their individual meanings. [Read more…]