When it comes to a new bathroom flooring installation, laminate, luxury vinyl and waterproof engineered hardwood planks are all an exceptional choice. Available in a range of different styles to match your home’s design theme and your bathroom’s existing color scheme, myriad styles from ultra-modern to simple, traditional looks are available. Flooring planks are also available at multiple price points so you can get the look you want even if you’re on a tight budget.

If you choose to install bathroom floor planks on your own it can help you save money and get the bathroom style you want ASAP. Bathroom floors do have special installation needs though, so you’ll have to follow certain procedures to make sure your floors look good and last for years in a wet environment like a bathroom.

A Guide to Installing Bathroom Floor Planks

Remove Sink and Toilet Fixtures

Many people think that laying laminate, luxury vinyl or engineered hardwood planks should be done with their existing bathroom fixtures in place. While this possible, it is not the best solution if you want a clean, professional look. Instead, you’ll want to remove your sink and toilet fixtures first.

By removing your sink and toilet fixtures before you install bathroom floor planks, you’ll get a more uniform look that’s much more attractive. Below you’ll find more information about how to remove common sink and toilet fixtures so you can begin installing your flooring.

Dealing with Pedestal Sinks

Pedestal sinks are extremely common in powder rooms and guest bathrooms. Removing these is fairly easy, and in some cases, you may not have to remove the entire fixture. If your sink is bolted to the wall, this easy removal process may be possible.

To do this, you’ll simply unbolt the pedestal portion of your sink from the wall and slide it away from the sink – which will remain bolted to the wall. This partial removal is ideal because it means you won’t have to touch your P-trap or water connections in most cases.

If you can’t disassemble your pedestal sink or you have a different type of sink the removal process is a little more involved, but still fairly straightforward. You’ll start by removing your P-trap and water connections. From there, you can unbolt the sink and pull it off the wall.

Store your sink parts in a safe place away from your workspace before you begin your flooring installation.

Toilet Fixture Removal

Removing a toilet fixture from your bathroom is a fairly simple procedure, though you’ll likely need at least one other person to do it. Here’s how you can remove your toilet fixture:

Step 1:

Turn off the water using the shut-off valve. Flush the toilet to remove remaining water. You can use a plunge to force any water remaining in the bowl out. A sponge and bucket can be used to remove remaining water from the tank.

Step 2:

Disconnect the water supply line. If desired, you can remove the tank at this point. You can do this by removing the bolts positioned at the bottom of the tank.

Step 3:

Remove the bolts that hold the toilet bowl in place on the floor. These are typically located under trim caps designed to improve the visual appeal of your toilet fixture.

Step 4:

Rock the toilet back and forth until it comes free. Remove the fixture. Now you can remove the old wax seal and wipe away any remaining wax.

Step 5:

Fill the remaining hole with a rag. This will prevent sewer gasses from entering your home while the hole is exposed.

What About the Vanity?

Installing bathroom floor planks under your vanity provides the ideal appearance. In practice though, installing new flooring in a completely empty bathroom often isn’t possible. That’s because your vanity is likely firmly in place and removing it could cause extensive damage to both the vanity and wall.

Unless you’re going for a major renovation, keeping your vanity in place and working around it is your best choice. With clean cuts, you won’t have to worry about a messy-looking installation.

Pull Up Old Flooring

You can’t install your new laminate, luxury vinyl or engineered hardwood without first removing your old floor. With your toilet and sink fixtures out of the room, removing old flooring is the next step.

Removing your old flooring is a fairly easy project as long as you take care to avoid damaging your subfloor. Here are a few informative guides to help you remove common bathroom flooring materials like laminate and vinyl.

You may also need to remove your baseboards even if you’re installing simple click lock luxury vinyl.

Ensure a Level Work Surface

With your old flooring removed, you’re now beginning first steps of your new bathroom floor plank installation. Don’t break out the flooring materials just yet though. Your first step involves ensuring that your work surface is level.

In many cases, a visual inspection will show you that your bathroom floor is not level. This is easy to fix by applying a small amount of leveling compound using a trowel. When dealing with small areas of your floor, a putty knife may work as well.

Look to feather the edges of the leveling compound to make sure it blends perfectly with your existing flooring. Light use of a hand sander or sanding block can help even out of your floors after applying leveling compound if you’ve used slightly too much and notice a ridge or hump.

Alternately, a hand sander can work very well for reducing visible high spots on your subfloor. Work slowly to ensure that you don’t sand away too much material. You’ll have to fill any low spots with flooring compound if you do.

Cut Appropriate Holes

A big part of installing new flooring in your bathroom is ensuring that you’ve got the right size holes around drains and any plumbing elements like your toilet flange. To do this, you’ll want to measure the size of the hole and cut into pieces to be placed in that area using a jigsaw or circular saw.

For your toilet fixture, you should aim for a hole that extends between 2″ and 3″ inside where the base of the toilet will rest. However, cutting a larger hole will make placement easier, so don’t aim for an ultra-exact cut.

A full-plank installation under pedestal sinks is ideal as long as you drill guide holes for the base as you go. Use silicone putty around the edges to secure your pedestal sink in place later.

How to Install Bathroom Floor Planks: Tips from the Pros

Your work surface is ready, level and all fixtures that can be removed are out of the way. The process of installing flooring in a small space like a bathroom is actually relatively simple from here, though you’ll need some specific tools and a few skills to get the job done effectively.

Plan Your Layout

Putting flooring planks in place without adhering them to your subfloor can help you get a sense of what cuts you’ll need to make and where you’ll need to make them. Doing this will also help you choose the planks to cut for your toilet flange and plumbing elements.

Start in a Corner

Use as many full-length pieces as possible before making a cut. Full-length pieces are easier to place and provide a more elegant look.

Use Wood Glue

Wood glue between your flooring planks helps with water resistance. A small bead will help join planks together and keep them in place.

Mind the Gap

Bathrooms are high humidity spaces, which means that your floors can expand over time. To combat this, you’ll want to leave a 1/8″ gap along horizontal walls to allow for expansion.

Leave a Gap Between Floor and Tub

A 1/8″ to 1/4″ gap between your bathtub footing and flooring material helps make room for expansion, which is particularly important around in this wet area. Use clear silicon caulk to fill the gap.

Install a Flange Extender

If your flooring raises the toilet fixture 1/2″ or more off the flange you’ll need an extender piece. Flange extenders are easy to install and mount right on top of the existing flange.

Go Pro

Learning how to install bathroom floor planks whether you choose modern water resistant laminate, engineered floating hardwood or luxury vinyl can be a great DIY project. Not everybody is up to the challenge though. If you’re unsure of how to begin your project or performing basic tasks like removing sinks, toilet fixtures and old flooring materials seems daunting, you may want to call in professionals to help with the job.

A bathroom floor installation isn’t a huge project, so you won’t be hit with huge costs. You can also rest assured that your floors will be durable and long-lasting, which is particularly important in high-use bathroom spaces where water and humidity can do some serious damage.

Time to update your bathroom and give it a brand new look? Maybe you just want to replace worn flooring that’s clearly cracked, damaged or unsafe? Whatever your design goals, our trained representatives can help you find the ideal flooring solution for your home or business.

We can also help you decide which flooring material is right for your bathroom if you’re still on the fence and choosing between engineered hardwood, laminate or luxury vinyl. Reach out to us today so we can help you get your new bathroom floor installation underway.

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While hickory may not be the most common choice when it comes to hardwood flooring, it should definitely be on your radar if you’re building a home, renovating your existing house or simply looking for ways to spruce up one part of your home like your living room or master bedroom suite. Use this guide to learn more about the benefits of hickory flooring for your home. You may find that hickory is the perfect pick for residential build or upgrade.

Hickory Flooring is Hard and Durable

Hardwood floors in your home can take a beating from kids, pets and even adults. From your hallways that can be scuffed and scratched to seating areas where chairs and sofas can take their toll, hickory is truly up to the challenge. That’s because hickory hardwood has a Janka scale rating of 1820, making it one of the hardest wood varieties commonly found in the country.

Janka scale ratings might look good on paper, but what do they really mean to you? When it comes to hickory hardwood, that high Janka number means that your floors will be resistant to scuffs, scratches, dings and dents – the stuff that’s basically everyday wear and tear. That makes them ideal for high-traffic spaces where you spend time with your family, friends, pets and kids.

Lots of Looks Are Available

Floors that can stand up to daily abuse are a must-have in entry areas, family rooms, dining rooms and shared spaces like kitchens and hallways. Durability won’t be wasted in bedroom and home office spaces either. You don’t have to give up the look you want to ensure that your floors will last a lifetime in your home though.

Hickory wood comes in a range of different looks. Classic, natural wood grain styles with lots of knots and imperfections are excellent for traditional or antique-inspired and rustic spaces. Sapwood options provider a lighter, more modern look with fewer knots and color variations.

Finding a balance between more rustic and contemporary looks is also possible. Unfinished hickory flooring is particularly popular since it provides some color variation and knotting without appearing too rustic or old-fashioned.

Hickory Retains Stain Well

Natural-look hickory hardwood flooring is extremely popular and can complement many different home styles ranging from more traditional to minimalist modern structures. Hickory does take stain well though, allowing you to get the ideal tone that works for your space.With many different looks available on the market today ranging from wire-brushed hickory to clean, modern blonde wood styles, pre-stained hickory is an excellent choice for residential spaces. By choosing pre-stained varieties, you’ll reduce the amount of in-home work required and ensure that you get a uniform look throughout your room or whole house.

If your floors need to be sanded and stained many years down the road, hickory will fare well and look exceptional again once your project is complete.

Engineered Hickory is an Excellent Choice for Humid Climates

Natural hardwood can swell considerably in humid climates, leading to plank separation and a less than perfect look over time. This is particularly true in rooms where you get a lot of natural sunlight or have limited climate control. Engineered hickory flooring is often the perfect answer for a humid space.

That’s because engineered hickory can be made waterproof and impervious to humidity changes that are common in the winter and summer months. This also makes engineered hickory an excellent choice for kitchens, powder rooms and bathrooms where you want the look of wood without risking water damage.

In many cases, you won’t be able to tell the difference between natural hickory and engineered hickory once its installed. Like natural hickory flooring, a range of style options are available to suit any home design.

Sustainable Options Abound

Hickory is a domestic wood that is common found and harvested in the United States. If sustainability is a concern for you, hickory is an excellent choice because it’s much less likely to be flown to your home from another continent.

The hardness factor also makes hickory a sustainable hardwood since it can last as long as your home. Properly cared for, your hickory floors should look spectacular for generations to come, making it a smart, sustainable choice if you’re looking for hardwood flooring.

Rugged Hickory is Worth the Investment

Hickory flooring is durable and stylish, and with many styles available today, easy to use in just about any home setting. This near-perfect wood does come at a price though. In some cases, hickory can cost 10% to 20% more than other types of commonly used wood like maple or birch.

However, it’s important to remember that hickory is an investment in quality flooring for many years to come. Resistant to scratches, scuffs, dents and dings, hickory will look exceptional in your home for many years. Easy to refinish, hickory will also adapt to style changes over time, allowing you to update your space as you see fit. Natural hickory floors can easily be sanded and stained two to three times or more.

Engineered hickory provides much of the same durability as natural hickory, but is often a better choice for humid climates and wet spaces like kitchens and bathrooms. Like its natural brethren, engineered hardwood is available in many styles and finishes.

Hire Pros for Hickory Flooring Installation

Hickory is incredibly hard and durable. That makes it a smart pick for family homes and spaces where longevity and sustainability are concerns. It doesn’t make hickory a very good candidate for a do-it-yourself installation unless you have a vast amount of experience installing wood floors though.

In general, hickory floors should be left to the pros. The hardness of the wood makes it tough to cut, particularly around corners, angled walls and architectural elements like columns. Adding hickory to a staircase or other home feature is also an extremely difficult task that requires a lot of on-the-job experience to handle correctly.

From proper acclimation time to installation in uniquely-shaped rooms, wood floor professionals will know how to handle hickory properly. With a big investment like hickory flooring, hiring pros to ensure that your floors last for many years is a sound choice.

Ready to add natural hickory or engineered hickory flooring to your home? Whether you’re taking on a major home upgrade, updating one room or building a house from the ground up, BuildDirect is here to help you get started right.

Reach out to our trained professionals today to learn more about natural and engineered hickory flooring for your home. We can help you find your preferred style and choose the flooring material that will last based on your lifestyle and durability needs.

We’ll also ship your flooring materials right to your door so you don’t have to do any hauling on your own or pay professionals to pick up your wood. Contact us today to order samples so you can get your project underway.

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High humidity in the home can cause serious problems with your flooring. If you live in a humid location, choosing the right high humidity flooring option is essential for protecting your investment and enjoying beautiful-looking floors year in and year out, despite the humidity level.

Why High Humidity is a Problem for Your Floors

High humidity–and rapid changes in humidity–can cause flooring materials to expand and contract, which may lead to gaps where the flooring joins together. Floors can also warp, buckle, crown, cup, or discolor in high humidity. And if you don’t have the proper underlayment beneath your floor, the subfloor can also become compromised. Mold and mildew growth on and beneath the flooring can become a problem if your home humidity is too high. 

Ideally, if you have high humidity, you should choose a flooring material that can withstand the humidity without becoming damaged or discolored. This includes choosing appropriate flooring for wet areas, such as the bathroom or basement. Here, then, are the four best flooring options for humid locations.

The Best Choices for High Humidity Flooring

Waterproof Engineered Hardwood

Engineered hardwood flooring consists of multiple layers of pressed materials that are finished with a thin layer of real wood veneer. The materials used to make engineered hardwood are moisture-resistant, and the layers are pressed together with their grains alternating directions, which results in less expansion, contraction, and warping than natural hardwood. 

Engineered hardwood is more stable than solid wood and is ideal in environments where the humidity exceeds 50 percent. It’s also less expensive than solid wood floors, but it can’t be sanded down and refinished like solid hardwood floors can.

Luxury Vinyl Planks

Vinyl flooring is waterproof and won’t expand and contract with changes in temperature or moisture. Made from PVC that’s topped with an extremely high-resolution photograph of wood, stone, or another material, luxury vinyl flooring mimics these materials very convincingly. The final wear layer is scratch- and dent-resistant for optimal durability, and it won’t grow mold or mildew. Luxury vinyl planks snap together to create a floating floor over the existing floor, making installation a fairly straightforward DIY project.

High-Pressure Laminate

High-pressure laminate flooring is excellent for high humidity applications, because it’s made with a special glue that reduces the absorption of moisture. Laminate flooring is inexpensive, comprised of wood composites that are pressed together for high strength and water resistance. Although it’s not waterproof, high-pressure laminate flooring experiences little expansion and contraction related to moisture. 

Like luxury vinyl flooring, laminate floors are topped with a high-resolution photograph that gives it a vivid, lifelike appearance that mimics wood, stone, tile, and other materials. High-pressure laminate floors can be installed as a floating floor over an existing floor.

Porcelain Tile

Porcelain tile flooring is highly water-resistant, and it’s durable and easy to clean. Porcelain tile is ideal for humid areas like the bathroom and basement. It’s ideal for humid climates, since it helps keep your rooms cool and it won’t grow mold or mildew.

In humid locations, the grout between porcelain tiles needs to be sealed periodically to strengthen its water resistance, since grout is naturally porous. 

Don’t Forget the Subfloor

The subfloor, or the surface over which your flooring material is laid, can also be affected by high humidity. This, in turn, can affect the floor on top. Before you lay your floor, install an underlayment, which covers imperfections in the subfloor, dampens sound, and acts as a vapor barrier. 

The type of underlayment you need depends on the type of flooring you’re installing and the type of subfloor you have. For example, laying tile over concrete requires a different underlayment than laying luxury vinyl planks over a plywood subfloor. 

In general, tile floors require a solid underlayment, such as cement board or a polyethylene membrane. Foam underlayment is generally ideal for laminate and engineered hardwood flooring, although laminate flooring often has an underlayment pre-attached. A combination foam underlayment is made with a moisture barrier built in and is ideal for humid locations.

When choosing underlayment for your high-humidity flooring, refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations for the best possible results.

How to Maintain Optimal Home Humidity

A hygrometer is a simple tool that measures the temperature and relative humidity in your home. Investing in one enables you to monitor the humidity in your home and take action when the humidity rises too high or falls too low.

If you live in a very humid climate, a whole-house dehumidifier can help keep your home’s humidity at optimal levels. A whole-house dehumidifier is built into your HVAC system and pulls moisture from the air that moves through. Portable dehumidifiers can also help keep your home drier. However, portable units are louder and require frequent emptying, and they only dehumidify nearby air. 

Your best defense against flooring problems caused by high humidity is to install a floor that can withstand moist air. Whether you choose engineered hardwood, luxury vinyl, high-pressure laminate, or porcelain tile, opting for high-quality flooring, installing an appropriate underlayment, and using the right tools and materials will help ensure your floor still looks great years down the road.

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What Are Radiant Heat Systems

Radiant heat flooring is a thin floor underlayment that uses electrical wires or hydronic tubes to warm up the flooring installed over the electrical system, ensuring every step you take in the home is warm. Once you understand the basics, it is easier to select a flooring to use in every room. It is most frequently used in tandem with hard flooring that is van otherwise be very cold beneath the feet, such as ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tiles.

Flooring Options for Use with Radiant Heating

When it comes to selecting a material to use as flooring over your radiant flooring system, it is all about conductivity. Tile, natural stone, and even vinyl can be taken to the next level when featured over a radiant heat flooring systems. Browse these suitable types of flooring:

Ceramic and Porcelain Tile

Ceramic and porcelain tile are a favorite for use with radiant flooring and are the most popular choice when radiant flooring is featured in a bathroom. For the best results, use radiant flooring with tile that measures three quarters of an inch thick or less. Thicker tiles will still work and conduct the heat effectively, they just take longer to warm up in the first place, which can be a challenge if you have a tight morning routine.

Both ceramic and stone tiles are excellent conductors, making it easy to achieve consistent temperatures across the entire floor. Tile isn’t just desired because it is ideal for use with radiant flooring, it is also incredibly durable and easy to maintain. This highly conductive material warms up almost the instant the radiant heating is turned on.

Stone

When you want to add a more natural element to your home, choosing stone tiles is another route to take. The different types of stones offer different levels of thermal conductivity. Marble is a good choice but it can take a while for marble floors to come to temperature. Choose slate or flagstone instead and you’ll have floors that warm up in a matter of minutes while remaining durable enough to look great for many years to come.  Because of the natural properties of stone, it continues to stay warm even after the system is turned off for far longer than ceramic or porcelain tiles.

Laminate and Engineered Hardwood

Laminate flooring and engineered hardwood have become popular alternatives to much more expensive wood floors because they offer a similar look at a fraction of the price. Because it is a man-made material and the manufacturing process can vary so greatly from one manufacturer to the next, it is recommended that you check the information about the individual product you are considering to see if it is suitable for use with radiant floor systems. Of course, if it just the look of wood you’re going for, wood-look tiles are also a fantastic option.

Wood

Wood is one of those materials that varies greatly from one species to another. If you are considering adding a radiant heat system under your hardwood floors, take the time to do your research on the various types to ensure you choose the best one for the job. Typically, the dense, kiln-dried woods are stronger and more conductive but make sure to choose a thinner design to allow it to warm up quickly. If you do use wood flooring in tandem with radiant heat, make sure to keep the surface temperature of the wood below 80 degrees as to prevent any damage to the wood. Bamboo, parquet floors, an soft woods are all options but make sure to check with the individual manufacturer for compatibility with radiant heating to be on the safe side.

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring, like laminate, offers a much less costly alternative to expensive hardwood flooring. The main difference is that it is waterproof, making it a flooring that can run from the front door right through all the rooms of the home, including kitchens and bathrooms. Vinyl flooring is typically a suitable choice for use with radiant heat but it is still a good idea to check with the individual manufacturer for any information they provide on the topic. Most of the time, the surface temperature of the vinyl needs to stay between 70 and 85 degrees with radiant underlayment to maintain the integrity of the material.

Carpeting

You can enjoy softness under foot while still keeping your toes toasty if the proper installation process is used to install radiant heat beneath a carpet floor. The main consideration is to choose an underlayment that does not provide insulation properties. For the best results, make sure the total tog of all the materials and layers used in the installation process does not surpass 2.5 tog or you will not notice the full benefits of the radiant heat system.

Ceramic and porcelain tile will probably maintain their status as the most popular pairing for radiant floor systems, especially in bathrooms, but that doesn’t mean that the choices stop there. This toasty addition to many home construction and renovation projects can be used with a wide variety of flooring types, making it easy to achieve the look you want in the space while still keeping it warm, comfortable, and inviting. It is highly recommended that you leave the installation of one of these flooring systems up to the professionals, as much care must be taken to ensure the radiant underlayment is not damaged in the installation process and that all portions of the system are working when that last piece of flooring is laid.

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Wood flooring has long been considered a luxurious way to bring warmth and timeless style to a space. This traditional flooring option isn’t usually considered an appropriate choice for kitchen design because it is highly susceptible to water damage. Before you count beautiful hardwoods out as a flooring option for your consider, weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the product and check out a few finishing options that help it stand up to the daily wear and tear of this heart of the home.

Wood Flooring in the Kitchen: Advantages

Hardwood flooring is revered as luxurious because of the many benefits it brings to a space. It is lovely to look at, timeless in design, and easy to refinish whenever styles change. Consider all the advantages of using hardwood flooring in your kitchen when deciding which flooring to install.

Appearance

Solid hardwood floors showcase the natural beauty of wood grain and make any room appear warmer and more elegant. Hardwood flooring can be purchase prefinished or unfinished and come in a wide range of different hues, making it easy to find a finish that coordinates with any kitchen design. If you have an open-concept home, running the same flooring from the front door throughout the living areas and kitchen can help make the space appear more expansive and cohesive.

Durability

Hardwood is considered a generally durable product. The thick and solid construction of the planks make it easy to sand them down and refinish them whenever they start to show signs of wear. Using pads under stool legs and dining chair legs will help to prevent scratches, dents, and dings on wood flooring in the kitchen. In particularly high-traffic areas, such as just inside a sliding glass door or under a dining table, area rugs can also provide an added layer of protection.

Warm Underfoot

When it comes to the level of hardness, hardwood flooring falls somewhere in between ceramic tile and linoleum. The warmth and softness makes it comfortable to walk on. Choose a finish with yellow undertones and it will provide visual warmth as well.

Refinishing Options

When deciding to use hardwood flooring in the kitchen, it is essential to finish the floors with a highly durable polyurethane designed to hold up to light spills and splatters. The same oil finishes you use for hardwood floors in a living room just aren’t strong enough for kitchen use. Instead, opt for a polyurethane designed to keep spills from penetrating the wood, reducing the chance of water damage and food stains. A polyurethane makes the floor easy to wipe up as well.

Wood Flooring in the Kitchen: Disadvantages

As with any type of flooring, there are drawbacks to choosing hardwood floors for a kitchen. Before selecting any flooring, make sure to consider the daily use of the space. How many people are in the household? Hos frequently and to what extent do you cook? Weigh all the pros and the cons of the product to see if it makes a suitable choice for your home.

Not Water Resistant

It is no secret that water and wood don’t mix. Prolonged exposure to moisture can cause hardwood flooring to swell, warp or even split. If there is ever a leak from the dishwasher or sink that goes unattended, a section of flooring may require repair or even replacement. Do not wet mop hardwood floors, as too much moisture can seep in through the joints and seams of the flooring.

Regular Maintenance

If you do choose to feature hardwood flooring in the kitchen, some daily maintenance will help them hold up. First, make sure to wipe up any water spills from melting ice or sink splashes immediately. Sitting water is the worst enemy of hardwood flooring. Protect them from grease or light splatters at both the stove and the sink by adding padded orthopedic mats in the areas you frequently stand to work.

Because the kitchen is one of the most-used rooms in the home, expect to need to refinish the floors somewhat regularly. Fortunately, hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished in the course of their lifetime.

Expense

Hardwood flooring is one of the more costly flooring options in any room of the home. It is often more expensive than ceramic tile or luxury vinyl flooring, both of which make popular kitchen options.

Alternative Options

You can enjoy the look of hardwood floors in your kitchen without any of the drawbacks by choosing wood-look ceramic tile or luxury vinyl wood planks instead. Both ceramic tile and luxury vinyl come in designs that offer the look of wood but they provide the added benefit of being completely waterproof. Cork and linoleum floors are also good choices for kitchens. Cork is naturally antimicrobial and linoleum is one of the most affordable of all of the kitchen flooring options.

Choosing the Right Hardwood Flooring for Your Kitchen

If you have decided on hardwood flooring for the kitchen, there are a couple of ways you can ensure the new floors will look great for many years to come. If you are choosing new hardwood floors, look for a wood species with a higher hardness scale rating. The stronger the wood species, the more resistant it will be to the daily traffic and moisture a kitchen sees.

Fir and pine are soft, making them a poor choice for kitchen floors. Brazilian walnut and Patagonian Rosewood are two of the hardest and most durable Consider the finish of the cabinets and dining room furniture and choose a finish that complements the existing colors and tones in the space. With so many different wood species and finishes available, it is easy to find just the right one for any home.

The post Wood Flooring in the Kitchen: Pros and Cons appeared first on Learning Center.

Unlike traditional hardwood floors, which are made using solid wood, engineered hardwood floors are created using different layers. The surface layer of engineered hardwood is real wood, and the underlying layers are typically high-density fiberboard or plywood. This difference in composition means engineered hardwood has different cleaning requirements. To make sure you don’t accidentally damage your floors, learn about the best ways to clean engineered hardwood.

4 Tips for Cleaning Engineered Hardwood

Manufacturer Recommended Liquid Cleaner

Different styles of engineered hardwood floors require different cleaners. When you’re looking for a liquid cleaner, it’s important you choose one that has been manufactured or recommended by the same company that created your floor. If you use the wrong type of liquid cleaner, you could seriously damage your engineered hardwood.

If you’re not sure what type of cleaner you should use, you can contact the manufacturer to request its recommendations. Once you find out the liquid cleaner you can use on your floor, you can typically find it at your local hardware store or one of the larger supply stores.

A liquid cleaner is particularly effective at removing dirt and stains. When you’re ready to start cleaning your floor, apply a small amount of the liquid cleaner right onto your engineered hardwood floor. Then use a sponge or mop to wipe up the cleaner. If the stain or dirt didn’t come up the first time, keep adding more cleaner until you can remove it.

It’s important to remember that you don’t want to leave the liquid cleaner on the floor for too long, and you want to make sure you wipe all of it up after you’ve cleaned the stain. Excess cleaner could cause more damage to your floor if it sits there too long. It’s not necessary to use any water to rinse the area when you’re done cleaning.

If you have small corners or spaces you can’t reach with a mop, you might find it easier to clean by hand. In this case, pour a small amount of liquid cleaner on a clean rag. Then use the rag to gently clean the dirty area of your floor.

Do Not Use Excessive Water

Excess water is the enemy of your engineered hardwood floors, and it could cause irreversible damage or stains if it stays on your floor too long. Of course, life happens, and you’ll occasionally spill something on your floor. When that occurs, make sure you wipe it up right away. As you’re cleaning up the spill, be sure to blot gently instead of scrubbing or using forceful pressure. Putting too much pressure on your floor could press the liquid into the layers and cause damage.

Not only can spills cause damage, but using excessive water or liquid when you clean can also cause harm to your engineered hardwood. Therefore, you never want to use a soaking wet mop to clean. Instead, make sure your mop is only slightly damp. If you have any excess cleaner left on your floor after mopping, use a towel to wipe it up.

Dry Mop and Vacuum Daily

No matter what type of floor you have at home, dirt and grime can cause problems. When you walk around on your floor, these particulates will act as abrasives that can scratch the finish and leave it susceptible to damage. Therefore, one of the best ways to keep your engineered hardwood floors clean and safe from damage is to dry mop or vacuum them every day.

To help clean up any dirt that ends up on your floor, use a dry microfiber mop. This will effectively pick up debris and dirt without the risk of damage. If you decide to vacuum your floors instead of mopping them, be sure to turn off the beater bar. If your vacuum has a setting for bare floors, use that. If not, make sure you select the highest setting so the beater bar is as far away from the floor as possible. This prevents your vacuum from leaving any scratches on your floor’s finish.

Preventative Maintenance

Good preventative maintenance between cleanings can help make sure your engineered hardwood floors stay beautiful for many years.

First, you want to make sure you keep the right environmental conditions inside your house. Aim to maintain the temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels between 35 and 55 percent. Wood reacts to changes in temperature and humidity. If the air inside your house is too warm or dry, the wood in your floors can become brittle and possibly crack or split. On the other hand, if you have too much moisture in your air, the wood can swell and buckle.

Since it’s important to keep dirt off of your floor, consider putting a doormat outside all exterior doors to trap dirt before it enters your house. You can also put a throw rug just inside the entrance for added protection. Just make sure you regularly clean the rugs. If you want to protect your floors from accidental spills in the kitchen, cotton area rugs in front of the sink, stove, and refrigerator work best because you can easily wash cotton. Just make sure you don’t use mats with a rubber backing since they can trap water underneath.

If you want to help prevent scratches and marks on your floor, don’t use furniture with rolling casters because they can cause damage. Instead, put fabric glides on the bottom of furniture legs. These glides will let the furniture move easily across the floor without scuffing it. Just make sure you remember to occasionally clean the glides to remove dirt that gets embedded in them. You should also consider keeping your pets’ nails trimmed and keeping your shoes in good repair to prevent scratches.

Engineered hardwood floors are a popular choice for homes because of their beauty and durability. With these helpful cleaning tips, you can make sure your floors continue to stay lovely for years to come.

The post Best Ways to Clean Engineered Hardwood Floors appeared first on Learning Center.

Hardwood flooring is considered to be one of the most timeless flooring options for any home. Back in the day, solid hardwood was the only choice to achieve this look. Fortunately, the development of engineered wood flooring has provided another option with many of the same benefits of solid hardwood floors.

When you choose engineered wood flooring for your home, you get the look and feel of solid wood floors at a fraction of the price. Since potential savings are a major incentive for choosing engineered floors, it’s no surprise many homeowners hope they can save even more by installing it on their own. But depending on what type of engineered floors you choose, DIY installation might be more difficult than you’d expect. Here’s what you need to know when deciding whether you want to install your own engineered wood floors or hire professionals to do the job for you.

Consider the Space

Where do you plan to install your engineered wood floors? This is a critical component to consider when deciding whether DIY installation is the best choice. If the space has many odd angles or edges, it can be difficult to make all the right cuts to fit it perfectly into the space.

Will you need to fit the flooring around hearths, stairs, cabinets, or floor registers? This will add much time and detail work to the installation, so be sure you’re up to the task before deciding to go the DIY route.

If you are doing your own installation, you’ll also need to measure properly to order the correct amount of flooring. Calculate the square footage of the space, then add a little extra to account for cuts or mistakes. For a simple, straight-course flooring installation, you’ll only need to order about 5 to 7 percent extra. For a complex installation with many unique angles and edges, or when installing a herringbone pattern floor, add 15 percent extra to your order.

What Kind of Tools Do You Need?

If you plan to install your own engineered floors, be sure you have the right tools on hand. While you’ll certainly save money by making it a DIY project, it’s important to remember there may be costs involved in stocking up on materials and buying or renting the necessary equipment. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Staple gun
• Pneumatic stapler
• Finish nailer
• Air compressor
• Miter saw
• Table saw or circular saw
• Rubber mallet
• Awl
• Tar paper.

You may also need to purchase new baseboard moldings and wooden thresholds to complete your DIY engineered wood flooring installation.

What Type of Underlayment Do You Need?

Most types of engineered wood floors require an underlayment. This extra layer underneath will help keep the floors in good condition while also making it a bit easier to complete a DIY installation.

Tar paper is the most common type of underlayment used with this type of flooring. It helps to form a moisture barrier to prevent condensation from floors below from rotting away the bottom of your engineered wood planks. One exception to this common installation requirement is any type of engineered wood installed with glue. Generally, no underlayment is required with a glue-down application.

If you’re not sure which type of underlayment is right for your home, consult the manufacturer’s instructions for the engineered wood flooring you’ve selected.

Do You Have Stairs?

Jasper Engineered Hardwood – Myth Birch Collection / SKU: 15053799

Adding engineered wood flooring on your stairs can make them look stylish and sleek. However, it does make DIY installation a bit more complicated. You’ll want to set aside extra time for the project if you plan to add engineered wood to a staircase in your home, since the process is much more complex compared to installation on the floor.

Start by prepping the stairs for installation. You’ll want to remove any protruding staples or nail heads, screw down creaking boards, and remove any existing nosing. Ensure you have a dry, flat surface on each step. Measure and cut each individual stair carefully. If you have spindles that attach to the stairs, you may need to make intricate cuts and connect two pieces around the spindle on each stair for a snug fit.

Be sure to work from the top of the stairs to the bottom. Finish by filling the nail holes in with wood putty and allowing the new wood planks to sit in place overnight before walking on them.

What Are Your Installation Options?

Perhaps the most important factor in your potential DIY project is which of the three main engineered wood flooring installation methods you’ll be using. While some methods are easier than others to complete, the one you’ll need to use depends on a number of factors, including what type of subfloor you have and the design of your engineered wood planks. Here are the installation methods used for installation engineered wood floors:

• Glue-down installation: If you have a concrete subfloor, you’ll probably need to use the glue-down method to install your engineered wood floors. While this process is a bit more time-consuming, it generally does not require an underlayment.
• Nail/staple installation: Homeowners with a wooden subfloor can use a nail-down or staple-down installation for their new flooring. An underlayment is generally required with this method. Pneumatic staplers or nail guns will help make the project easier and faster.
• Floating installation: This the most popular option for a DIY installation, since it does not require attaching the new floors directly to the existing subfloor. You’ll still need an underlayment. However, once that’s installed, you simply glue or snap the planks together to finish the project.

Engineered wood flooring is quickly becoming a popular option for homeowners who want an affordable upgrade for their space. With its significant savings over solid hardwood and the option to choose DIY installation, this is a relatively budget-friendly home makeover. Handy homeowners should be able to complete this project. However, for those without as much experience in home improvement, the floating installation method provides a simpler alternative that most should be able to tackle on their own.

Resources:

https://www.builddirect.com/blog/how-to-choose-an-engineered-wood-floor/

https://www.builddirect.com/learning-center/flooring/installing-glueless-floating-hardwood-floors/

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-lay-engineered-wood-floors

https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/rooms-and-spaces/floors/how-to-install-an-engineered-hardwood-floor

https://www.woodandbeyond.com/blog/underlay-for-engineered-wood-flooring/

https://www.hunker.com/12356307/how-to-install-engineered-wood-flooring-on-stairs

https://www.lowes.com/projects/build-and-remodel/how-to-install-an-engineered-hardwood-floor/project

The post Engineered Flooring Installation: PRO or DIY? appeared first on Learning Center.

Laminate

Laminate flooring is made by compressing layers of fiberboard together and placing a photographic image of wood grain, stone, or tile pattern over the fiberboard. After the image is added to the surface, a protective coating is added to help prevent damage and add a finish to the flooring.

It is a cost effective option that will withstand a certain amount of wear. For an easy installation, opt for click-lock. The planks will snap together and can be laid over other flooring. Also, ideal for living areas, and some brands may even construct it with a waterproof core, allowing it to be used in areas where water may be an issue. We suggest taking a close look at the guarantee before installing it in a bathroom.

Top quality laminate will not match the look and feel of real wood floors. The areas where the planks join will wear considerably over time, and when damage sets in, it is not an easy repair. The moisture damages Laminate easily, and when that damage sets in, it cannot be fixed. If the laminate is not laid correctly, it will not be appealing to potential renters or buyers.

Depending on the brand and style, laminate will range anywhere from $0.50 to $6 per sq ft. There is a variety of styles to match any decor in laminate. High quality laminate may even feature images of knots and other characteristics of natural wood.

Solid Hardwood

Solid hardwood floor planks are made from a piece of wood and made to be anywhere from 18 to 20 mm thick. The boards are made with a tongue and groove to fit together for installation. Depending on the species of wood, certain floors will be harder than others. The harder the floor, the less susceptible it is to dings and scratches. The floor can be sanded and refinished several times to restore its beauty, with the total number of times being determined by the depth of the tongue from the top of the plank.

Solid hardwood is an excellent way to add visual appeal to a home or business. It will also potentially add value to a home or business in the event it gets put on the market later.

Solid hardwood will swell in moist conditions and contract as the area dries. The change of shape can alter the appearance of the floor and cause problems. Installation is a complex process, and for the best appearance must be done with great care. This is the most expensive option for those shopping for wood floors.

Prices will vary depending on the species of wood and the cost of the raw form.

Engineered Hardwood

Engineered hardwood is made using three to four layers of wood glued together to produce a 14 mm thick plank. A real wood surface about 4 mm in thickness is applied to the top to allow it to be sanded and refinished a certain number of times to remove signs of damage, wear, and tear.

Engineered hardwood construction produces a more stable product. The greater stability means it is less prone to changes from temperature and humidity conditions in the room. This type of flooring is more attractive than a laminate floor, but it is also less expensive than solid hardwood floors.

Depending on the style and brand, engineered hardwood floors will range anywhere from $2 to $11 per square foot. Engineered hardwood floors come in a variety of styles to match any decor.

Bamboo

Bamboo floors come from bamboo grass stalks prominent in Asia. The floors are produced in China, and come in a variety of styles and finishes to suit various decor options. Since it is a tropical grass as opposed to wood for trees, it is naturally resistant to moisture. The flooring is produced by pressing fibers together under high pressure.

Not only is bamboo resistant to moisture, but it is environmentally friendly and an optimal choice for those who are looking to build “green.” The plant grows faster and does not take as long to re-grow than a typical hardwood tree, therefore not contributing to deforestation. Bamboo flooring is softer than traditional hardwoods, so it will not cause pain if it is stood on for long periods of time. The softness of the floor will also reduce noise.

The downfalls to bamboo are the cost and its brittle state. Despite the fact that it is a durable type of flooring, it is more susceptible to dings and scratches than other wood floors. Due to the cost of importing from China and the care which must be taken during installation, it is a much more expensive option than traditional hardwood.

The cost for bamboo floors ranges anywhere from $2 to $8 per square foot.

Cork

Cork floors come for the harvest of the cork oak tree bark. These trees are widely grown in: Spain, Portugal, Algeria, Italy, Morocco, and Tunisia.

One of the best things about cork floors is that they are environmentally friendly because cork is a sustainable and renewable resource. The natural beauty of the material can suite any decor. The structure of the cork allows for a natural comfort and softness to absorb shock. This is why use of c𝘰rk flooring is a good application in areas where people will be on their feet for extended periods of time. Using cork floors will reduce noise from traffic or dropping items, also because of the structure of the cork material. The natural properties of the material make it healthy because it is not only resistant to insects, but it is hypo-allergenic.

One of the drawbacks of cork flooring is the cost. It is more expensive than other wood flooring options. The cost of import, plus material, plus installation is more than many budgets can handle. Due to the soft nature of the flooring, it is easily damaged by furniture and shoes, but it can and should be protected just like any other type of wood floor.

Cork flooring costs start at $3 for tiles. The price increases when it comes to planks and stains.

Knowing more about the characteristics of these types of wood floors will make the choice for any project a much easier one. Make sure to choose the best one for your own budget, location, and decor.

The post Wood Flooring Types appeared first on Learning Center.

Today, engineered hardwood flooring has become more common in homes across the United States and the world. But what is engineered hardwood flooring, and how much do you really know about it? Read on and we’ll help you understand this type of flooring and how it has evolved over time.

What Is Engineered Hardwood Flooring?

Image via Flickr by TownePost Network

Exactly what is engineered hardwood made of? Engineered flooring is comprised of layers of laminated materials, commonly plywood and unfinished white wood, laid out in different directions. Cheap engineered flooring may have as little as three layers, while higher quality products may have as many as 12. These layers are topped with a hardwood veneer and pre-finished with a tough, urethane-like coating.

Engineered floorboards with a thick veneer are more water-resistant and more expensive than those with a thin layer. Those with thin veneers are much cheaper, but they can’t be refinished when they show signs of wear and tear. In contrast, some thick engineered floorboards can be refinished several times.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring Beginnings

Engineered flooring was developed in the 1960s for basements and the first floors of properties built on concrete slabs. Traditional hardwood flooring was difficult to install in these areas, so manufacturers created engineering flooring to achieve a similar look without the fuss.

Since engineered flooring was used in just one application, there was little variation in the floorboards. They had a standard thickness ideally suited to this singular purpose. There were also fewer alternatives for the types of woods used and the finishes available.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring Today

Today, engineered flooring isn’t just restricted to basements and floors on top of concrete slabs. The product’s popularity has exploded, and you’ll find engineered hardwood floors just about anywhere, including places you wouldn’t expect to find plank floors, like garages and kitchens. Engineered wooden flooring accounts for 30 percent of the wooden flooring sold in the United States today.

Originally, engineered floorboards came in a single thickness. However, engineered floorboards today typically range from three-eighths inch to three-fourths inch thick. Thicker floorboards are better quality and useful in a variety of applications, and they can be nailed over a wooden subfloor, just like you’d install a traditional plank floor.

Engineered floorboards thinner than three-fourths inch aren’t quite as versatile, but they can be glued down much like a vinyl or resilient floor. While builders can do this for you, it’s simple for any motivated DIYer to take on. This is a great way to save money on your flooring project.

The most modern thin engineered floorboards feature an advanced tongue-and-groove system which locks the boards into place. This design makes them easy and quick to install, saving you valuable dollars.

These engineered floors, often called floating floors, work well laid over old floors and cork underlayments. They’re also ideal for laying over radiant heat systems. Engineered floorboards transfer heat more effectively than solid traditional wood floorboards. Since you can just glue them down, there’s no risk of nails or staples puncturing wires or hot water tubes either. Floating floors are the easiest engineered floors for DIYers to install, although laying the boards down still takes some skill.

The different thicknesses of engineered floorboards are also ideal for bridging the transitions between rooms that many renovators struggle with while remodeling their homes. Floorboards of different thicknesses can create a smooth, even floor as you move from a wooden living room to a tiled kitchen, for example. This does away with the need for large transition strips and the effort of trimming down doors.

How to Choose Engineered Hardwood Flooring for Your Taste and Budget

As engineered flooring has become more common, it has also become more affordable. An engineered hardwood floor costs half the price of a new hardwood floor, and the price is comparable if you plan to refinish an existing floor. You can expect to spend between $3 and $14 per square foot, depending on the engineered floorboards you use.

Of course you should consider installation as well as raw materials. This is where engineered hardwood floors really come into their own. A typical house can receive engineered hardwood floors in all rooms in just a day or so. Since these floors are often pre-finished, there may be no need to stain or coat the boards with urethane once they’re down, which can cut days off the installation process. Consider the total expected cost when making your decision.

Furthermore, engineered hardwood floor manufacturers have evolved in response to a growing interest in sustainability. Manufacturers are paying greater attention to their veneer and sublayer woods and selecting products that don’t deplete the world’s precious resources. They may also make veneers thinner when working with exotic trees to achieve an elegant look without devastating forests. The endorsements of official bodies including the Forest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Forestry Initiative are relatively new initiatives helping to guide consumer choices.

And of course it wasn’t too long ago when we had no choice regarding the look of our engineered hardwood floorboards at all. It’s only recently that we’ve seen them made using a range of woods, including exotic woods. These allow consumers to choose engineered hardwood floorboards that suit their budget, tastes, and existing décor. Modern engineered flooring is also available in a variety of new surface effects, including a rustic hand-scraped look or a sleek, polished finish.

Contemporary engineered hardwood floor manufacturers also consider the woods they use carefully to improve the stability of their products. Certain woods are less likely to bend and cup than others. Manufacturers are constantly testing different woods to determine the best ones for their products. As technology improves, long-held misconceptions about the stability of engineered hardwood floors can be disproved.

Do you have any questions about engineered hardwood flooring? Feel free to share them in the comments section below. Click here to browse BuildDirect’s wide selection of engineered hardwood products.

The post The Evolution of Engineered Hardwood Flooring appeared first on Learning Center.

Engineered hardwood will help you create an inviting and stylish space. (Jasper Engineered Hardwood – Handscraped Hickory)

1. What is engineered hardwood flooring?

Engineered hardwood flooring features a top layer of hardwood veneer over a plywood, hardwood, or HDF (high density fiber board) core. Because engineered hardwood veneers are made from real wood, and not a photographic layer, they have the natural characteristics of the selected wood species.

2. What are the benefits of engineered hardwood flooring?

Engineered hardwood flooring offers more versatility than solid hardwood flooring because its construction allows it to be installed in many areas where solid planks aren’t recommended (like basements). This is due to its ability to resist moisture and humidity better than solid hardwood, which might be dimensionally unstable under the same conditions. Many engineered options are also able to be installed over underfloor heating systems that would otherwise dry out and damage hardwood.

3. What does greater stability mean?

The instability of solid hardwood flooring is generally moisture or heat related. In unsuitable conditions, solid hardwood can warp, cup, swell, or split apart. Engineered hardwood is more stable because it overcomes many of these problems with its the multi-ply plank construction that counteracts twisting and remains flat and intact.This makes engineered hardwood a better candidate for installation over underfloor heating and concrete, whether it’s above or below grade.

4. How many layers are present in engineered hardwood flooring?

Most types of engineered wood flooring have at least three layers beneath the hardwood veneer. Some options have as many as five to seven layers. More layers provides greater stability.

5. How thick is the hardwood veneer?

The top layer of hardwood, also known as the hardwood veneer, ranges in thickness from 0.5 mm to upwards of 6 mm. Thicker veneer layers are priced higher as they can be refinished multiple times, extending the life of your floor.

6. What’s the thinnest veneer layer that can be refinished?

The top veneer needs to be at least 2 mm thick for refinishing to be possible; if sanding is desired, professional sanding procedures typically remove 1/32 of an inch. The thicker the veneer, the more you can sand it without destroying the floor. However, homeowners with engineered hardwood flooring typically find that they never need to refinish it as these floors come with high quality finishes. If serious damage occurs, its often easier to have the area professionally removed and replaced.

7. What is the Janka hardness test, and what does it tell me about engineered hardwood floors?

The Janka hardness test measures the force needed to lodge a .444-inch steel ball in wood to a depth of half its diameter. This rating is helpful when you’re comparing various wood species because it tells you how hard each type of wood is and their ability to withstand wear and dents.

At the bottom of the scale are species like douglas fir, southern yellow pine, and black cherry with ratings under 1000. Brazilian cherry and mesquite are at the top of the scale, rating over 2300 on the Janka hardness scale. Hardness ratings are particularly important in high-traffic areas.

Janka Hardness Chart:

8. What does it mean when flooring is sold in random lengths?

Depending on the floor manufacturer, lengths will vary. Some will provide boards of all one length, generally at a higher cost because of the quality control measures required. Others will provide boards of random lengths, indicating the shortest board and the longest board lengths per box. With random board lengths, all the boards in the box will fall in between those two lengths. Some manufacturers will note the average board length.

9. How do you install engineered hardwood flooring?

In general, engineered flooring can be installed in one of three different ways:

1. nail down if installing over a plywood subfloor
2. glue down if installing over a plywood or concrete subfloor
3. float if installing over a plywood or concrete subfloor

For nail down installations, the plywood subfloor should be 3/4″ thick, and a 15lb roofing felt or moisture barrier (such as MoistureBlock) should be placed underneath.

If you’re glueing the floor directly on the subfloor, use 100% urethane based adhesive with an integrated vapor barrier.

For floating installations, use an underlayment with a vapor barrier. Usually for this type of installation, the seams will still need to be glued together using regular wood glue such as Elmers or Titebond, unless the flooring is designed for a glue-less click-lock installation.

Please note, the above explanation is a very general guide. Always refer to manufacturer installation instructions for details.

10. What is the maximum variance allowable for a subfloor?

A well-prepared subfloor helps ensure a successful installation of your engineered flooring. The variance should be no more than 3/16-inch over 10 feet.

What other questions do you have about engineered hardwood? Let us know in the comments.

Browse our selection of versatile Engineered Hardwood Flooring here.

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