BEST HARDWOOD FLOORING OPTIONS FOR YOUR OUTDOOR DECK

When it comes to outdoor deck flooring, hardwood is a popular choice due to its durability, natural beauty, and timeless appeal. However, not all hardwood flooring options are suitable for outdoor use. In this article, we will discuss the best hardwood flooring options for your outdoor deck.

Ipe Wood

Ipe wood, also known as Brazilian walnut, is one of the most popular choices for outdoor decking. It is extremely dense and durable, making it resistant to rot, decay, and insect infestation. Ipe wood has a rich, dark brown color that can add a touch of elegance to any outdoor space. While it is on the pricier side, its longevity and low maintenance requirements make it a worthwhile investment.

Teak

Teak is another excellent hardwood flooring option for outdoor deck flooring. It is naturally resistant to moisture, rot, and insects, making it an ideal choice for outdoor use. Teak also has a beautiful golden brown color that can weather to a silvery gray over time, giving your deck a rustic, aged look. Like ipe wood, teak is a long-lasting and low-maintenance option for outdoor decking.

Cedar

Cedar is a popular choice for outdoor deck flooring due to its natural resistance to decay and insects. While not as dense as ipe or teak, cedar is still a durable and attractive option for outdoor use. It has a warm, reddish-brown color that can complement a variety of outdoor design styles. Cedar is also more affordable than ipe or teak, making it a budget-friendly option for those looking for hardwood flooring for their outdoor deck.

Mahogany

Mahogany is a luxurious hardwood option for outdoor deck flooring. It has a rich, reddish-brown color and a smooth, fine grain that can add a touch of sophistication to any outdoor space. While mahogany is not as dense as ipe or teak, it is still a durable and long-lasting option for outdoor use. It does require regular maintenance to preserve its color and finish, but many homeowners find the beauty of mahogany worth the extra effort.

In conclusion, hardwood flooring can be a beautiful and durable option for your outdoor deck. When choosing the best hardwood option for your deck, consider factors such as durability, resistance to moisture and insects, maintenance requirements, and budget. With the right hardwood flooring choice, you can create a stunning outdoor space that will stand the test of time.

Choosing the Best Carpet for a Home with Pets

Read more

Best Flooring For a Flip Property

Read more

Wool Area Rugs – Why We Love Them

Read more

Hardwood Flooring Patterns: A Guide

Read more

How to Remove Wine Stains from Flooring 

Read more

What’s the Difference between Berber, Frieze, and Plush carpeting?

Deciding between Berber, Frieze and plush carpet for your upcoming carpet installation project is not an easy feat. These are all beautiful styles with extensive benefits and undeniable appeal. However, they have unique benefits that you need to understand before you select a gorgeous material that is a good fit for your expectations and lifestyle at home.

Exciting Variations in Carpet Styles

Wool and nylon are popular materials used to make many types of luxury carpets today. The material used to make your carpet can impact stain resistance, wear and other factors. In addition to the differences in materials, there are variations in the thickness of the pile, if the loops are cut or intact and more. These and other variations affect everything from the look and feel of the carpeting to its longevity, its ability to hide dirt and more. Because the more popular styles of carpeting in homes today are Berber, Frieze and plush, a detailed review of these options is the next step in your search for new carpet for your home.

Berber Carpet

Berber carpet has a unique look thanks to its closed-loop design. The loops have a tight weave, and this makes Berber carpet highly durable against wear from foot traffic. The design also has reduced absorbency. Because of this, you will have more time to clean spills before they are set in the carpet. The loops also may feel soft and cushy underneath your bare feet.

Berber carpet does have some disadvantages. For example, the closed loops can snag easily, and this damage creates a frayed, worn look. Generally, Berber carpet is not practical for homes with children or pets for this reason.

Frieze Carpet

Frieze carpet, on the other hand, has an open-loop design. The tufts are wound tighter than with the traditional plush carpet that you may be familiar with, and the piles are cut to create an ultra-soft surface. The unique design of Frieze carpet results in the fibers laying in a haphazard fashion rather than straight up. As a result, Frieze carpet is ideal for rooms with heavy foot traffic. The carpet shows minimal signs of wear, and it also will not show vacuum marks. Because of these factors, the flooring may look clean and well-maintained for a longer period of time.

Plush Carpet

Like Frieze, plush carpet has open loops. The pile is available in a wide range of heights, and this impacts the overall softness of the material underneath your feet. An important difference between plush and Frieze carpet is that plush carpet is sheared evenly during the manufacturing process. All of the piles are one height and stand erect. As a result, plush carpet will show foot and vacuum marks more easily. Nonetheless, plush carpet can be durable in high-traffic areas when a quality material is selected.

Choosing Carpet for Your Home

Most styles of carpet may look gorgeous in your home immediately after installation, but you want your carpet to continue enhancing the ambiance for many years to come. While color and style are undeniably important factors to consider when choosing new carpet, think about the type of traffic that the specific area of your home will receive. Will the carpet be exposed to mild foot traffic or heavy pet traffic? Are spills and stains likely? After defining these factors, narrow down the options based on your budget and style preferences.

Learn More about the Beautiful Carpet Options Today

At Classic Floor Designs, we are your full solution for quality home flooring. The many carpet styles available for you to explore in our current inventory include Frieze, Berber, plush, and many more. Contact Classic Floor Designs by calling (202) 872-9860, or connect with us online for more information about the beautiful flooring options available for your home.

Home Design Trends DC

Read more

Solid Hardwood vs Ceramic Tile with a Wood Look: The Pros and Cons

Do you love the sophistication and warmth of solid hardwood floor but are also intrigued by the idea of ceramic tiles that look like wood? Hardwood flooring is a popular upgrade that homeowners prefer, but it has a few downsides. Increasingly, homeowners are drawn to ceramic tile that has a wood look. Because of advances in the design and manufacturing of ceramic and porcelain tile in recent years, tiles mimic the look of solid hardwood. While you may not be able to initially tell the difference between the hardwood floors and wood-like tiles, there are critical difference that may influence your decision.

Pros and Cons of Solid Hardwood Flooring

Solid hardwood flooring is incredibly durable when it is properly maintained. Because it can be refinished numerous times, it can remain a desirable, attractive feature in your home for decades. It is generally one of the more expensive types of flooring materials to install overall, but the longevity of hardwood flooring makes it a great investment.

In addition to being long-lasting, solid hardwood flooring is available in a wide range of styles. The species of wood, the stain color and even the surface finish all impact the style of the flooring. With so many options, there are likely several that would look amazing in your home. Aesthetically, hardwood flooring often makes a home feel more spacious and warmer at the same time. Compared to ceramic tile, it is more comfortable to walk on as well. Because of its broad appeal, it generally adds value and appeal to the home that can be recouped when you sell the house later.

However, solid hardwood flooring is not the perfect material for all areas of the home. Hardwood flooring is prone to scratching, such as from pets’ nails or from moving furniture. Exposure to standing water and even high levels of humidity can damage the wood as well. While solid hardwood flooring can be refinished many times before it needs to be replaced, the fact that it shows wear and damage easily is not ideal for some homeowners. Here at Classic Floor Designs, we prefer hardwood flooring in most areas of the home with the exception of bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements that may flood or have high humidity.

What to Expect from Ceramic Tile with a Wood Look

Ceramic tile can be produced to mimic the look of a wide range of high-end materials, and this includes solid hardwood flooring. In fact, ceramic tile with a wood look is available with smooth, hand-scraped and woodgrain surfaces. Whether you are searching for a material that looks like bamboo, cherry wood or other popular wood materials, you can likely find it in the many ceramic tile options.

While ceramic tile with a wood look delivers all of the aesthetic benefits of true hardwood flooring, this material has the physical traits of ceramic tile. It is resistant to damage from water exposure. Because of this, it can safely be used in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Pets’ toenails and furniture will not scratch it. Because it is tile, however, it can crack if a heavy or sharp object falls on it. Compared to solid hardwood, it may feel slightly harder and cooler under your feet.

Tile is more affordable than solid hardwood flooring in many cases. However,  installation usually takes longer because of the mortaring, grouting and sealing processes. Another difference between solid hardwood and wood-like tiles is that grout lines will show between the tiles. To ensure that your flooring has a true wood look, you can stain the grout to match the wood. You can also use a thin grout width to reduce the appearance of the grout lines.  Many people skip this step, but in order to maintain the integrity of the tiles the grout needs to be sealed annually. However, depending on the level of traffic in specific areas the timing of when to seal may differ. We recommend sealing grout every six months in high traffic areas and every two years in low traffic areas.

Contact Us

Do you want to explore some of the beautiful flooring options available for your home? At ClassicFloorDesigns.info, we have a large selection of solid hardwood and ceramic tile with a wood look for you to discover. Browse through the possibilities on our website, and feel free to reach out to us by phone at (202)872-9860 for personalized assistance.

Classic Floor Designs Answers the Top 10 Questions about Hardwood Floors

Hardwood Floors Are More Popular Than Ever

If you love the idea of having hardwood floors in your home you’re not alone.  In fact, hardwood flooring is so popular, the wood flooring market is expected to register a growth rate of 4.8% from 2018 to 2024. Whether you’re making the switch to hardwood floors or wishing to revamp your existing flooring, the professionals at Classic Floor Design are here to help.

So you’re ready to get started, but you’re not sure what you’re looking for when it comes to the ins and outs of hardwood flooring options.  Here are 10 frequently asked questions we hear a lot related to installing or refinishing hardwood floors.

Which Wood Species Is Best?

Simply put, your personal preference will determine what the best option is for you. To achieve a cozier aesthetic, we recommend going with oak or hickory. If you’re more interested in establishing an open, airy atmosphere, maple or ash will do the trick. No matter your style, we’ll help steer you in the right direction.

Prefinished Vs. Unfinished: What’s The Difference?

Much like its name suggests, prefinished hardwood floors are sealed with multiple coats of finish in advance. Aluminum oxide, which is the second hardest substance after diamond, is included in the final coats to ensure optimal protection. Meanwhile, unfinished floors are finished after the installation. Aluminum oxide isn’t used because the particles within would sink to the bottom of the finish.

Can A Hardwood Floor Be Floated?

A floating hardwood floor refers to a floor that doesn’t need to be glued or nailed to the subfloor. Some prefer this method because it allows the wood floors to change based on the room’s humidity without buckling. A solid hardwood floor can’t be floated, but an engineered hardwood floor can.

Are Wood Floors Worth It?

As hardwood floor installation experts, we’re well aware of how beneficial this flooring solution can be. In addition to increasing the value of your home or building, wood floors are also easy to maintain. Best of all, they’re durable, customizable, and unlikely to cause an allergic reaction.

Will Pets Ruin The Hardwood?

Depending on the pet you have, you may want to consider a more durable hardwood floor. Bigger, more playful dogs will warrant more protection, while an outdoor cat won’t be much of a problem. We recommend using the Janka hardness test to determine what type of wood will hold up against your pet. Between this proven method and our industry insight, we’ll help you make the ideal selection.

How Do I Prevent Wood Floors From Fading?

Much like cheese, wood floors get better with age. In other words, while it’s essential to care for your hardwood floors, they do an excellent job preserving themselves. To increase their life span and prevent fading, periodically move furniture, rugs, etc. to limit their exposure to the sun.

Can A Hardwood Floor Be Installed Over A Concrete Slab?

Thinner wood floors can be installed over concrete, but standard wood floors shouldn’t be because excessive moisture can cause swelling and contracting. Engineered hardwood would also work because it’s less likely to expand and warp over concrete.

When’s The Best Time To Install Wood Floors?

Unless you’re building or restoring a home or property, any time is a good time to install wood floors. Otherwise, you’ll want to wait until the renovations are nearly complete before moving forward. Installing wood floors prematurely makes them more susceptible to damage.

To Sheen Or Not To Sheen?

Once again, this is entirely up to you. A gloss finish will deliver a shiny finished look and reflect the greatest amount of light. A semi-gloss finish will produce the same effects, but they’ll be subtler. For the lowest level of shine, a matte or satin finish will be your best bet.

How Much Do I Have To Order?

For your peace of mind, we suggest ordering about 10 percent more wood flooring than is needed. Ordering the exact amount is ill-advised because you’ll need extra to account for corners, stairs, doors, etc. By purchasing more than you need, you’ll have enough when it’s time to trim, cut, and fit the floors into your desired space. At Classic Floor Designs, we’ve mastered the art of hardwood installation. No matter your questions or concerns, we’re qualified to answer and address them. Give us a call today at 202-872-9860 to see how we can assist with your installation needs. If you prefer, you can also fill out our online form by following this link.