by Arimar | Jan 24, 2018 | Blogs
Pictured: Metz Brown Rustic European White Oak
Five Reasons To Love Wood Floors In 2018
Wood is one of the oldest and most durable flooring types in the world. Professional designers will tell you that wood wins on its innate, natural beauty and prestige. The fact that they’re just as practical as they are pretty makes wood floors a top choice for any space, whether personal or commercial. Here are five more reasons to love hardwood floors in the new year.
Wood floors make an eco-chic statement. Made from renewable resources, wood floors make a “green” statement in every room. Plus, wood’s natural qualities also encourage you to bring the outdoors in, which is a trend in modern interior design.
Wood floors keep homes healthy. Wood floors by themselves help maintain indoor air quality. Because they are easy to care for and tend to collect fewer allergens and less dirt than other flooring varieties, wood floors can help you keep a home healthy.
Wood floors offer variety. No other flooring choice can match the character, impact and warmth of a beautiful wood floor. When you consider the various species, colors, surface textures and plank widths available, the variety of options available for hardwood floors is almost endless.
Wood floors increase home value. Not only are they proven to enhance beauty of a home but also home value. Wood floors say: “This home is built of quality.” Additionally, realtors will tell you that having hardwood floors throughout your home not only increases the resale price of your home, but can also limit the amount of time it spends on the market.
Wood floors last a lifetime. Quality wood floors can last virtually forever when properly installed and kept. Every piece of wood also has its own story with unique qualities making each plank truly one of a kind. And when you bring wood into your home, it also develops its own character in its home.
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by Arimar | Jan 17, 2018 | Blogs
Pictured: Palermo Rustic European White Oak
Your Essential Wood Floor Pre-Installation Checklist
Your client has decided on installing hardwood floors. After selecting the perfect one for their home, it’s time to prepare for the next big step: installation. Installing hardwood floors needs planning and careful consideration for many reasons. From adhesive choice to the final installation, it is important to be precise and thoughtful.
We have you covered. This pre-installation checklist provides you with key points for clients to consider when installing hardwood floors. You’ll want to answer “Yes” to every question before installation. (Tip: Print this guide and mark down who checked and when to keep on file for future reference.)
Exterior Considerations
- Are gutters and downspouts are properly placed to drain water away?
- Is soil outside is graded properly to drain water away from the site?
Interior Considerations
- Are all “wet” jobs (e.g., drywall, plaster, paint, ceramic tile, etc.) complete?
- Are air conditioning, heating and ventilation complete and working?
- Is the home enclosed and weather-tight, including all doors and windows in place?
- Is the temperature between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and relative humidity between 30 and 50 percent?
Concrete Slab Conditions
- Has concrete been installed for at least 30 days?
- If wood flooring is to be installed over a slab, is the concrete flat per specifications?
- Has a vapor barrier been installed under the slab?
Delivery and Working Conditions
- Is proper electrical power available: 120V and 220V?
- Are the driveway and sidewalks paved?
Moisture Conditions
- Is moisture content of the wood subfloor no more than four percent above or below the finish flooring and within regional moisture content guidelines?
- Did moisture testing of concrete slab begin no sooner than 30 days after the slab was poured, and did test results show that it is safe to begin wood flooring installation?
Click here for more essential installation resources.
by Arimar | Jan 9, 2018 | Blogs
Pictured St. Tropez Rustic European White Oak
Engineered Wood Floors 101
Oftentimes consumers can confuse engineered wood floors with laminate or veneer. However, engineered wood floors are just like solid wood floors, only with added strength and sturdiness thanks to the multiple layering method used to make them. Here we answer top questions from homeowners:
What is engineered hardwood?
Engineered hardwood floors are made up of layers. The top layer is 100 percent natural wood, which comes in a variety of species such as Oak, Maple or Walnut. The bottom layer is also wood. In the middle, a core built from five to seven layers of plywood crisscross in different directions. For those who are very conscious of indoor quality and worried about emissions, know that, overall, the engineered flooring sold in the United States is extremely safe. Two things you can look for are for statements from: CARB (California Air Resource Board) or programs based on California Section 03150.
Where can I install engineered hardwood floors?
Because the grain of each layer runs in different directions (unlike solid hardwood which is a continuous chunk of wood), engineered wood flooring is very durable and sturdy, and is also less susceptible to shrinking and expanding with changes in temperature and humidity. This makes engineered wood an excellent choice for areas where solid hardwood cannot be installed, like in basements, over concrete floors or over radiant heating systems.
Engineered wood flooring also works well in kitchens bathrooms where light moisture might be present.
How long do engineered floors last?
When installed by a professional, engineered wood can be re-finished four to five times in its lifetime. This is better for the environment and uses four times less of each log than solid hardwood floors. If durability concerns are around moisture, humidity or temperature, engineered is the way to go. Tip: Look for an engineered flooring that is made from high-quality plywood over soft. The lower-grade kinds are more likely to delaminate. Also note that most warranties have two main parts: structural and finish. Always be sure to review these carefully to ensure that your homeowners choose the best floor for their home and are happy with the results.
Click here to explore our collection of wide plank engineered hardwood floors.
by Arimar | Dec 19, 2017 | Blogs
Pictured: Metz-Brown Rustic European White Oak
Design Tips for Open Floor Plans
Open-concept living is a favorite for many reasons. For starters, an open floor plan allows for maximum light in a space, making even the smallest of rooms appear bigger. Plus, an open-flow kitchen and living area makes entertaining a breeze. A large “great room” can also become multi-functional with an added desk against a sofa. Here are five keys to make open-concept living work.
Use Furnishings to Define an Area
Create separate functional spaces using furniture. For example, place a sofa backed with a console table outside the kitchen to delineate the start of the living room. Further define the living room by placing a rug in the center of that space.
Go Big and Bold
Lighting also helps to define different parts of a room. Anchor a dining table with a chandelier, or place a large ceiling fan in the center of the living space. You can also use large accent lighting features above a dining room table or kitchen island, or in an entry way to add drama and grandeur.
Delineate Spaces with Flooring
You can use different wood flooring options to define separate spaces or consider a wood floor/tile combination. When installing hardwood flooring you can change the direction of the planks to create separation between living and dining areas.
Create a Feature in Each Area
A standout design feature in each area will not only help to define each space but also make a room stand out. For example, consider a gallery wall for decorative displays in the dining room or an oversized island in the kitchen for double duty function and entertaining.
Maintain Design Continuity
Be stylish but strategic. Color palettes in different spaces should complement one another, while using layers of texture and different hues for highlights and accents.
For more design ideas, use the virtual Design Your Room tool.
by Arimar | Dec 12, 2017 | Blogs
Design Your Perfect Floor
Our exclusive Design Your Room tool lets you help your clients design their dream floors in their space. The interactive tool is free and easy to use and always features the latest colors and styles by Floor Art. Here’s how to maximize the tool for your design projects:
Choose Your Room
First, pick a space from the “Gallery” – whether living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom, or public buildings, the tool lets you envision what your design in mind will look like in a space. (Hint: The ‘laying angle’ tool on the bottom left allows you to experiment with different angles of laying wood flooring planks – 0, 45, 90 and 135 degrees.)
Select Your Products
Next, browse wood flooring products and collections. Choose “Products” by coloring (light, medium or dark) or by product line. You’ll always find the most up-to-date information about items under “Product Information.” The Room Planner also offers alternative suggestions to view.
Compare Flooring Side-by-Side
To see what a light or dark color wood flooring would look like, select “Compare,” which lets you see rooms side-by-side. We’ve noticed that this function is especially useful for helping clients who are on the fence when it comes to selecting the right color flooring, especially darker colored flooring options.
Save Favorites
Now that you’ve created a few project examples of your own, save clients’ favorites to the “My Favorites” folder. This makes it easy for people to go back and review as they make the ever-important flooring decision. You can also choose to print out preferred flooring layouts to keep on hand in client files.
Our expert wood flooring specialists at Arimar are here to help you with all your flooring and design needs. Call us today for a consultation.
