Hardwood Flooring: Everything You Need to Know
Hardwood is the most popular flooring option in the United States for a reason. Its durability, beauty, and versatility instantly make your home look great. Hardwood is highly sought after by home-owners and potential home buyers, and offers a look and feel that other types of flooring simply cannot provide. There’s more to simpling picking a type of hardwood for your home. The options available to homeowners may turn out to be a taller task than previously imagined. Here are a few things you should know before making the leap to a hardwood home.
Two types of hardwood floorboards
Solid hardwood
Each board of solid hardwood is made from a single piece of wood. It has a beautiful appearance but comes with some drawbacks. The single piece of wood will expand and contract based on temperature and humidity in the room it’s been placed. Avoid installing solid hardwood in a basement or kitchen as it may be damaged easily. The hardwood flooring will also need to be acclimated.
Engineered hardwood
Engineered hardwood is made up of several pieces of wood, bonded together in layers. This allows for a much simpler, and cheaper, installation. Engineered hardwood will not expand and contract due to temperature and humidity
Finishes and species
Two huge considerations for new flooring in any home is the finish and the species of wood. Popular options for wood species include oak, birch, cherry, maple, bamboo, walnut, and hickory. When it comes to your floors finish, you can opt for a factory finish or site finish.
A factory finish will limit your options, but the installation will be much faster and less expensive than a site finish. The world is your oyster with a site finish, but the drying and curing process could take days or weeks. For a brand-new home, this is a more popular option. For a renovation, which is usually time-sensitive, a factory finish usually makes the most sense.
Other considerations
Check out other articles on our blog for tips and tricks on hardwood care, flooring trends for 2020, and signs that it’s time to replace or refinish your hardwood flooring. We cover refinishing, remodeling, and more!
Contact Us
Classic Floor Designs has been Washington DC’s premier flooring source for over 40 years. Our experts are here to help you tackle your project no matter the size or scope, and we are proud to have earned the trust and respect of our clients when it comes to hardwood. Call us at (202) 872-9860 to schedule your FREE consultation. Let us help make your flooring dreams become reality today!
Five Signs It’s Time to Refinish Your Hardwood Floors
Hardwood flooring is a beautiful addition to any home and certainly adds a lot of value, but it’s no secret that its value decreases over time. Proper care and maintenance can extend the life of your hardwood floors, but how do know when the time has come to hire a professional to refinish your hardwood floors? Here are the top five signs to look for!
Water damage
Water is no friend to your hardwood floors. Quick spills in the kitchen or dining room are usually no big deal, but we’ve all had the problem of catching a leak or spill a little too late. For severe cases, such as a storm causing a large leak, a professional service should come in as soon as possible to attempt to save the wood from buckling or warping. A dark stain may be all that’s leftover for a less severe case. Nevertheless, whether it be extensive water damage or just a few stains, a full or partial refinishing is worth a look at.
Extensive scratches
This is most common in homes with pets. Large dogs may seem like the most likely culprit, but smaller animals, like cats, can also damage your hardwood. Dragging furniture over your hardwood is another common way for scratches to appear. Most scratches only impact the stain and not the actual wood itself, making this strictly a cosmetic issue. Sanding and restaining may be all that’s required, but deeper or extensive scratches may call for a refinishing.
Sun discoloration
Natural light is considered a desirable feature of a home, though your hardwood would disagree. Sun exposure can damage your hardwood flooring over time. Reapplying stain to discolored areas is only a temporary fix. Classic Floor Designs recommends a full refinish when the damage becomes too noticeable.
Some boards are turning gray
You may be wondering why some of your hardwood is turning gray. As the polyurethane wears off, your hardwood absorbs water much more easily. Water dragged in by your shoes, spilled drinks, or even water from cleaning products during normal maintenance, all speed up this process. If not addressed, the wood will eventually turn black. Refinishing is the only way to fix this issue.
Change in style
A refinish is a perfect opportunity to change the style of your flooring. If you have been pondering a change and have damage or discoloration, refinishing your hardwood floors kills two birds with one stone. Especially if you are putting your home on the market, a new style can be the perfect way to increase the value of your home to potential buyers.
Contact Us
Think it’s time to refinish your hardwood floors? Give us a call at (202) 872-9860 for a FREE consultation with one of our flooring experts! With over 40 years of experience, we are proud to be one of the most trusted names in flooring in the DC metropolitan area. Our team can help with your new construction, home improvement, restoration or maintenance project.
Flooring Trends for 2020
The past several years have proven to be pivotal in the design and architecture world, and 2020 will be no different. Whether you are planning a renovation for your current home, remodeling to put your home on the market, or just laying out options for your next move, staying on top of the hottest flooring trends will help guide your decision.
Sustainability
Protecting the environment has become an increasing priority among households in the United States. While you may not immediately associate flooring with sustainability, there is a whole subcategory of “green flooring.” Reclaimed hardwood, wool, and bamboo are the most in-style options on the market heading into 2020.
Grey and Neutral Palettes
This trend has been popular for the past several years and it will not be headed anywhere soon. What started as more of a palette for walls or fabrics now includes flooring. New homes increasingly feature neutral colored hardwood flooring. The look has been associated with elegance and style, and can serve as a great selling point for your home.
Unique Patterns
It is not often a home’s hardwood stands out as unique. Custom patterns for hardwood flooring is becoming a popular option in new homes across the country. Playing around with new color schemes and patterns provides your home with a one-of-a-kind look, leaving a lasting impression with guests and potential home buyers.
Hybrid Flooring
Most homes have different flooring depending on the room. Stone tile for the bathroom, hardwood for the living and dining room, carpet for bedrooms. Consider incorporating various types flooring to accentuate spaces such as the entrance to your home or your living room. If designed properly, this will bring fresh life into your home.
Contact Us
Classic Floor Designs has over 40 years of flooring and design experience in the Washington DC metro area. As industry leaders, you can trust our flooring experts are up to date on all flooring trends heading into 2020. Our designers are ready to give you a FREE in-store consultation today! Just call (202) 872-9860 and a representative will be ready to get your new flooring project underway.
Top ten ways to make your house look “expensive.”
Many homeowners today desire a home-space that looks and feels luxurious but don’t want to sacrifice their hard-earned money on a costly renovation or redesign. Classic Floor Designs has some tips and tricks to accomplish a more expensive-looking house on a budget.
1. Give the illusion of higher ceilings
It’s easier than you think. Consider raising your window treatments or hanging your curtains closer to the ceiling. Either will give the illusion of height. Painting your ceiling a lighter color than your walls, if you haven’t already, makes the space feel brighter and larger too.
2. Bring in a large area rug
Small rugs can end up dwarfing the size of your room. Instead, opt for an area rug that will make the space feel larger and airier. A bigger rug does not have to be any more expensive or less durable than a small rug.
3. Hang art on the walls
An undecorated wall can make a space feel cheap and barren. There are plenty of inexpensive ways to get art on the walls. Professional photos and picture frame deals are very easy to find online; just a few pieces of art in each room go a long way in making your home feel richer.
4. Update old fixtures
A common feature that often gets overlooked is old fixtures which can keep a home stuck in a previous decade. Door knobs, light switches, and outlets are relatively inexpensive details that can give your home a high-end feel once updated.
5. Put in a backsplash
A backsplash can light up a space at a low cost. These are great for kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
6. Add some mirrors
When placed correctly, mirrors make a space seem more spacious and inviting. The pleasing aesthetic a mirror brings can increase the perceived value of the room it’s in.
7. Use bookshelves for more than books
A bookshelf doesn’t need to look like it belongs in a 19th century library. Use it as the perfect space to add some photos and interesting trinkets and bring some life to the room. A basic rule of thumb: one-third books, one-third accessories, and one-third empty space per shelf.
8. Add a statement piece
Depending on how you want to budget, splurging on a rug, dining room table, or sofa might not be a bad idea. If it’s the right fit, that one piece can be all you need, just surround it with less expensive accessories.
9. Incorporate texture
Focusing on one texture will dull the style of your home. Incorporating a variety of woods, metals, glass, and woven material will create a collected look if properly placed.
10. Simplify
Adding too many items to a room can come off as tacky. Focus on simplifying the space by paring things down. Giving items space to breath will let them shine.
Contact Us
With over 40 years of experience, Classic Floor Designs provides hardwood floors, wool and nylon carpet, carpet, area rugs, leather, cork, exotics, and green flooring services to residential flooring, commercial flooring and government clients in the DC area. Our design experts are happy to provide a free in-store design consultation for all your flooring needs.
How to Acclimate Hardwood Flooring
Making the switch to hardwood flooring is an exciting move. It’s a timeless flooring option, and its wide range of styles can complement almost any space. However, replacing your old flooring with hardwood involves a few steps and time. If this is your first time dealing with hardwood installation, you may not be familiar with hardwood acclimation. This is an essential step in the installation process and can result in serious damage if overlooked.
Acclimation is the process of allowing the wood to reach its equilibrium moisture content in normal living conditions. Proceeding with installation without completing this process may result in excessive expansion, shrinkage, distortion, or structural damage.
It is extremely important to follow the steps below after the delivery of hardwood to your home.
- Between 5 to 10 days ahead of time, make sure the humidity and temperature inside your home are at normal levels. The heating or air conditioning must be running consistently in the 5 days leading up to delivery.
- Make sure the hardwood is stored in an enclosed space upon arrival. Storing them in your garage or shed will not accurately represent the normal conditions inside your home.
- Open the boxes and lay them flat in the respective rooms of installation. You want to ensure they are exposed to as much air as possible. Although more laborious, you can also lay the hardwood out as you are going to install them. This saves time during installation and speeds up the acclimation process.
- Generally, you will want to wait for 7 to 10 days before installation, but acclimation varies depending on the species of wood. The manufacturer will provide their own steps for acclimation, so be sure to follow those for maximum precision.
If professionals are installing the hardwood flooring for you, they will be sure to double-check the moisture con. Whether you plan on a self-install or otherwise, we would love to help you out! Call us today at (202) 872-9860 for a FREE consultation, or stop by our DC showroom anytime Monday-Friday 10am-5pm. tent when they arrive. If you plan on doing the installation yourself, you’ll want to purchase a moisture meter. Sudden swings in humidity among other factors could have impacted the acclamation process, so always check even if you followed the directions to a T.
Contact us for assistance!
Classic Floor Designs has over 40 years of experience in the Washington DC area. We take pride in our quality selection of hardwood flooring, and our experts who help make clients visions become reality
Is It Better to Repair Scratches in Hardwood Flooring Yourself or Let the Experts?
Wondering if you should refinish your hardwood flooring yourself or bring in flooring professionals to fix scratches and more is not an uncommon situation to be in. Contrary to what a quick Google search may tell you, the pros of a self-refinish do not outweigh the cons of hiring a professional. We’ve compiled a quick list of problems our clients have run into when they’ve attempted a DIY (Do-it-yourself) refinish for their hardwood flooring.
Lower Quality Finished Product
You gather all the materials needed, watch hours of tutorials on fixing scratches in your hardwood flooring on YouTube, maybe ask a couple of friends to tag along, and now you are finally ready to get started. Unless one of your buddies is a professional carpenter, you’re already at a disadvantage. Just watching a few hours of videos doesn’t make you a professional. You are bound to run into problems, especially if this is your first time refinishing hardwood. These problems, however minor they may seem, tend to stack up.
The machine experts use to refinish floors can cost upwards of $20,000. Even a higher end machine, rented from a hardware store such as Home Depot, can’t measure up to what a professional would bring to the job. Calculate the cost of all equipment you may need, including goggles, masks, gloves, and knee pads, and you may already be better off hiring flooring professionals. Keep in mind that any mistakes made by a hired professional be corrected at no extra cost to you, while any damage you cause yourself will come right out of your pocket.
The Finish Will Not Last as Long
Sanding scratches out of your floor is a delicate art. If any error occurs during the process, the stain and polyurethane may not adhere properly. This could put the longevity of your finish at risk, limiting its lifespan to only two to four years. Using a professional service, you can expect your finish to last seven to ten years. Any cost saving you thought you had, could be lost.
It Will Take Longer
Someone with experience will obviously complete a task faster than someone without it. Flooring professionals typically take around a day to sand and refinish 1,000 square feet of hardwood. Homeowners attempting to do it on their own could take three to five times longer. After adding in the cost of renting equipment, you may start to wish you had put that money toward hiring professionals.
Verdict: Hire a Professional
We get it. The cost of refinishing and fixing scratches in your floor can be daunting and it is natural to have a DIY, cost-saving mindset. But the truth is, we’ve heard one too many horror stories from clients who initially tried to do it themselves. Give us a call for a completely free consultation at (202) 872-9860. Classic Floor Designs has over 40 years experience in the DC metro area and would love to put that experience to work for your next hardwood flooring project.