If you’re looking for a beautiful way to update your floors, exotic hardwood flooring is a perfect fit. This durable, beautiful material adds a sophisticated component to your home. With the right products and the right design, you can literally transform any room of your home and make it uniquely stunning. Read on for some exotic hardwood flooring design ideas and inspiration that will encourage you to try this flooring in your own home.

Elevate Your Outdoor Space

You might think exotic wood flooring is just for the indoors, but there are outdoor options, too. Ipe Tropical Hardwood Deck Tiles can be installed anywhere, even over rooftop terraces, concrete, and directly onto the ground. The gorgeous ipe wood is extremely dense, so it’s tough enough to handle everything from inclement weather to lots of foot traffic. Each tile features slats for drainage, and they’re gorgeous when installed in an outdoor spa area. With this unique form of tropical wood flooring, you’ll instantly add beauty to your deck, update an old patio, or create a stunning walkway. Each tile slat may vary since this wood species naturally varies in color, which makes it an even better choice if you’re looking for a more organic look outdoors.

Get creative with these wood tiles and lay them in different patterns. You can place them in one uniform direction or try them in varying directions to create a parquet-style floor. If you’re looking for something to add style to your deck but you’re not ready for a brand-new addition, these hardwood deck tiles are an excellent alternative. No glue or screws are needed, and the smooth surface feels wonderful under bare feet.

Warm-up a Cold Home Office

If you work from home, make your space more inviting with some tropical hardwood flooring. The Vanier Brazilian Exotic Collection blends engineered hardwood flooring with the beauty and warmth of exotic South American wood. From Brazilian cherry to oak, walnut, and pecan, you’ll find this flooring in a wide range of inviting finishes. The natural grain and smooth finish give any office space an air of sophistication. The understated semi-gloss acrylic finish is UV-cured to prevent fading so you can enjoy working in an office with plenty of natural light.

This exotic hardwood flooring comes in light, medium, and warm brown tones that work in any style of home. The subtle sheen is beautiful yet strong enough to stand up to foot traffic and the scooting of office chairs. Micro-beveled edges give this flooring a nice clean look that keeps the eyes focused on the beauty of the wood. It can be nailed, glued, stapled, or floated for easy installation and enjoyment indoors in your office, living room, and beyond.

Create a Hygge-Inspired Living Space

While tropical wood flooring is often known for its depth of color, you’ll also find it in lighter tones, too. For example, Jasper Engineered Hardwood Exotic Collection features this beautiful flooring in a clean shade titled “Cathedral White” that makes it easy to create a calming, Hygge-like atmosphere. This creamy white color works wonderfully in any environment, and it makes every room feel crisp and modern. This flooring features a unique vertical pattern that adds instant modernity and uniqueness to the home. The flooring is built with a sturdy plywood core and is twice as dent resistant as conventional wood floors.

Jasper’s line of exotic flooring comes in other finishes, too, and it features eight coats of ceramic-based aluminum oxide finish to provide exceptional scratch and wear-resistance. The textured surface makes each plank of this durable flooring look and feel unique and natural. Installation is easy thanks to the tongue and groove edges. Simply nail, glue, or float them and enjoy these long-lasting floors for years to come. The Cathedral White color gives your space a clean and crisp aesthetic that perfectly sums up the Hygge design style.

Design an Exotic Abode

If you want to recreate the look of a tropical island, be sure to try Vanier Hardwood Brazilian Exotic Collection in the finish Tigerwood Natural. This gorgeous flooring features natural color variations and grains that will give any part of your home a luscious, jungle vibe. With its earthy warmth and bold, vivid colors, you can transform a sunny living space into an island-inspired getaway. Thanks to the smooth surface of this flooring, it’s also stunning in a bedroom, too.

Add some velvet furniture and fun décor to your living room to make this stunning exotic wood flooring stand out. A large potted tropical plant in a corner and a fun, colorful area rug are easy ways to complement this flooring choice. Apply tropical patterned wallpaper to the walls of your living room to round out the exotic theme. Thanks to the easy installation and ultra-rich colors, this tropical wood flooring will be a long-time favorite in your home.

Elegant Herringbone Floors

A classic herringbone pattern lends sophistication and elegance to any home. Try the Mamza Hardwood Exotic Kempas Collection flooring to create your own custom herringbone designs. Crafted from a tropical wood called kempas, this durable exotic hardwood flooring allows you to enjoy the durability of hardwood at an affordable price. It looks stunning when installed in a herringbone design since the species blends from reddish-brown into natural colors that darken over time. Each piece includes an interlocked or spiraled grain pattern that takes classic herringbone to a whole new, exotic level.

You can enjoy herringbone floors in any room, but it’s especially beautiful in an entryway or living room. The straightforward nail down installation of these floors makes it easy to create this pattern with just a nail gun. The UV finish ensures an exceptional surface resistance against scratches and scuffs. Thanks to the rich colors and smooth texture with a satin gloss, these kempas floors are sure to stun. When installing your flooring in a herringbone pattern, be sure to layout and cut each piece in advance for a beautiful outcome.

Exotic Flooring for Busy Homes

You can enjoy the stunning look of exotic wood flooring without worrying about damage thanks to new products like the Lamton Laminate Exotic Collection. These beautiful floors are made of laminate, but they feature hand-scraped surfaces and grain patterns that perfectly mimic exotic hardwood. Rated for residential use, you’ll love the way they look while enjoying an affordable floor that lasts. The easy click-lock system makes the floors easy to connect and adjust, yet they’re perfectly solid and sturdy once the flooring is complete. If you want to enjoy the beauty and splendor of exotic hardwoods but you’re concerned about longevity, this laminate alternative is a great pick. Lamton offers this flooring in your choice of beautiful color so you can create a modern or warm environment that looks high-end and sophisticated. The brand also sells moldings that are carefully selected to be the closest match possible to the floors for a seamless finish. Try this option if you’re in love with the concept of tropical wood floors but don’t want to worry about damage from little paws or feet. It’s a great way to design your home in a beautiful way that’s easy and worry-free.

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If you’re aiming to install snap lock wood flooring DIY, there are some crucial tools you’ll need to get the job done. This flooring is durable, beautiful, and easy to install with just a few easy steps. From engineered wood to authentic hardwoods, these floors will add a sophisticated look and feel to your home. Read on to learn more about the most essential tools for snap wood flooring installation so you’ll be ready for the big day.

Measuring Tape

It may seem obvious, but the first tool you’ll need for installation is a high-quality measuring tape. Some of the planks will need to be cut to specific lengths, and you’ll also need to know the dimensions of the room. Make sure that your measuring tape has large numbers that are easy to read, and that it’s long enough to span the entire room. Whether you choose a beautiful hickory click lock wood flooring or another species, it’s vital that all of your measurements are correct. You will also need a decent pencil to make lighter colored floors like birch, or a fine white marker to mark darker flooring so it’s easy to see where to make your cuts.

JigsawWhen you’re cutting the laminate or wood planks to a specific length, a jigsaw is an optimum tool. This handheld power tool has a straight, narrow blade that moves back and forth and works best for cutting both wood and laminate. You can cut the floor directly over a 5-gallon bucket to catch excess sawdust and debris. Use a reverse jigsaw blade so that it doesn’t chip the top surface of your floors and leave a jagged edge behind. These blades are inexpensive, and they’ll make cutting each piece a whole lot easier than a larger chop saw.

Rubber Mallet

A rubber mallet will make it easy to smoothly connect each piece of your click lock wood flooring together. You may need to use the mallet with a tapping block to help bring each individual section of flooring together in a tight, seamless way. Rubber mallets are softer than a traditional hammer, but they’re just as powerful. They’re also much quieter and won’t damage your floors like a hammer might.

Tapping Block

Most snap wood flooring features a locking system that connects each piece together. If you run into a tight spot, a tapping block can help you get each section connected and tightly installed against the wall or in corners. Each end of this flooring features an interlocking tongue-and-groove section that cannot be hit with your mallet or a hammer. A tapping block is specially shaped to fit the tongue and groove and sits tightly against the edges. Simply tap the block with the rubber mallet until the section of flooring is tightly against the next piece. You can find this tool at most home improvement stores or improvise by making your own with a scrap end piece of your flooring.

Pull Bar

No matter what type of click lock flooring you choose, each piece must be installed tightly together and end-to-end. A mallet and tapping block won’t work for every part of a room since tight corners and unusual spots will make it impossible to swing the mallet. A pull bar can help you accomplish this much more easily. These hook-shaped metal tools are bent on one end to adjust the end of the flooring, and the other end is bent to help your mallet strike and drive it forward for a seamless install.

Level and Combination Square

When installing any type of flooring, it’s absolutely crucial that everything is level. This is especially true for floating floors, but all installation jobs should be checked to ensure that the floors are straight and level. Choose a long level with a large bubble so you can easily see the level status of each piece. A combination square is another great tool that helps you mark square cutting lines where the flooring meets the walls. The square can be adjusted to any length, while the attached level ensures a straight and even cut.

Sealant and Caulk Gun

Once you’ve finished installing your snap lock wood flooring and confirmed that everything is level, it’s important to seal the seam where the floors meet the edge of the wall. Using a caulk gun, apply a thin bead of clear silicone sealant in a thin, even bead where the floor and wall connects. Finally, your beautiful new flooring installation is complete and you can finish things up by installing the baseboards and trim.  With the right tools, installing snap wood flooring is a breeze.

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Canadian hardwood flooring is one option that shouldn’t be overlooked whether you’re designing a home from the ground up, re-doing your ground level or looking for a way to improve visual appeal in a commercial space. Available in a range of different looks from white ash, birch and modern maple to match your design vision, Canadian hardwood flooring is versatile enough for traditional, transitional and modern spaces.

Use this guide to learn more about why Canadian hardwood flooring should be at the top of your shopping list for residential homes and commercial buildings.

Canadian Hardwood Flooring is Eco-Friendly

You know that hardwood flooring is made from trees – natural timber that’s harvested from around the globe. Unfortunately, not all hardwood flooring materials are harvested with sustainability in mind. Some manufacturers have problematic harvesting practices, while certain countries are known to look the other way when it comes to sustainability in general.

Canadian hardwood flooring is harvested following strict EU timber regulations designed to keep the natural habitat where timber grows healthy. This also means that you don’t have to worry about your flooring materials become an environmental hazard in your home or place of business down the road.

There’s another factor to keep in mind when considering eco-friendly harvesting practices and why they should be important to you though. That’s the fact that wood harvested illegally or from zones where timber is not allowed to grow to maturity may in fact produce an inferior product. This means less strength and long-term durability for you and your floors while also being bad for the environment at large.

In short, hardwood flooring that’s bad for the planet can be just as bad for you. With Canadian hardwood flooring, you can rest easy that you’re buying a quality, eco-friendly product.

You Can Find a Wide Variety of Different Looks

The beauty of hardwood flooring is a big draw from home and business owners looking to create elegant spaces. No matter what look you’re going for, Canadian hardwood flooring is an excellent choice because so many different varieties are available.

Maple

Maple flooring is a particularly popular pick when it comes to Canadian hardwood. Available in a range of different tones from whitewashed styles to modern silver maple and rich, deep brown, maple is a versatile flooring material that can blend in with antiques, transitional décor, Mid-Century modern furniture and more contemporary designs.

Birch

Birch flooring typically provides a more rustic look, though burnished birch in dark colors like charcoal is becoming particularly popular in modern homes. Wide plank widths are also a great choice when it comes to birch flooring, helping your space feel more open and natural while providing lots of visual variation between planks on the floor. Some birch flooring materials also come with a special coating designed to resist wear even in high-traffic parts of your home or commercial spaces.

Our popular Northern Canadian birch hardwood even comes with a 35-year limited warranty against manufacturing and structural defects, providing you with peace of mind for many years to come.

Ash

For builders, homeowners and commercial property owners, Canadian ash is an excellent option when a flooring material with lots of natural variation is desired. Allowing you to create a unique pattern that’s great for large rooms or adding interest to very small spaces, ash is a marvelous material for many modern spaces. Ash also comes in a range of different finishes including light, natural looks and stained designs that range from warm brown to dark charcoal.

Not sure which common Canadian hardwood flooring material is right for your home or office? We can send you samples so you can see and feel your different options from the comfort of your space.

Canadian Hardwood Flooring is Durable

Durability is a major factor when you’re installing hardwood flooring in your home or in any commercial space. Canadian hardwood flooring, like many other hardwood flooring options, are going to stand the test of time even in spaces that get a lot of foot traffic.

What makes Canadian hardwood flooring particularly interesting though is the fact that some believe that the cold climate helps produce naturally dense wood that’s extra-strong. That could make it an exceptional pick for spaces like your entry area, den, kitchen or living room. Added strength is also a virtue if you’re designing a commercial space like a lobby or office.

Canadian Hardwood Flooring Can Be More Cost-Effective

Natural maple, ash and birch flooring can bring a sophisticated, designer-inspired look to your home or place of business. Grown in a cold climate and under strict EU timber regulations, Canadian hardwood is especially durable. To many people’s surprise, it can also be a cost-effective option whether you’re installing hardwood flooring in a single room, a whole home or a large business with lots of square footage.

On average, Canadian hardwood flooring costs less than exotic woods grown in places like South America. For homeowners or commercial property owners on a budget, Canadian hardwood flooring can help you save money without sacrificing looks or quality and durability in the process.

Add in the eco-friendly nature of hardwood flooring from Canada and you’ll realize it’s the perfect pick for practically any space where you want the beauty and strength of wood.

Basic Maintenance is Easy

Strong Canadian hardwood flooring materials can deal with daily use without showing significant signs of wear. Keeping your Canadian hardwood flooring looking its best is also a simple process, making it a go-to choice for busy homeowner who don’t have tons of time for cleaning.

Sweeping your hardwood flooring or using a vacuum without a low beater bar is pretty much all that’s required when it comes to regular care. Simply doing that will help keep dust and other debris from marring the appearance of your floors.

Using a commercial solution designed for hardwood flooring once every week or two, depending on the foot traffic in your space, can provide a deeper cleaning that leaves your floors looking brand new. A little approved polish every few months can bring back that classic shine if your floors are stained and coated.

Is Canadian Hardwood Flooring for You?

Ready to add Canadian hardwood flooring to your home or place of business? Reach out to our trained representatives today so we can help you find the right wood type, finish and plank size to fit your design and overall aesthetic. We can even help you choose the right Canadian hardwood flooring option based on foot traffic and your overall maintenance needs.

When you’re ready to order we’ll ship your new Canadian hardwood flooring directly to your door so you don’t have to deal with scheduling a pickup or paying for crazy freight fees. Contact us today to so we can help you get the ball rolling on your brand new floors.

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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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Flooring wood density doesn’t have to be particularly difficult to understand though. Choosing flooring with the ideal density and hardness for your space can also help ensure that your home or commercial floors look their best for many years to come.

In the end, a little research can save you quite a bit of money and ensure that you’re happy with the final results. Use this guide to learn more about wood flooring density and why it matters.

What is Flooring Wood Density?

Flooring wood density is all about hardness. To test hardness, the Janka Scale has been used since about 1972 in the United States. The test dates back to 1906 though, when Gabriel Janka, an Austrian wood researcher, developed it for use.

The test is a simple one that basically applies brute force to different types of hardwood to see when they will dent or show signs of wear. During the test, a 0.444″ diameter steel ball is driven into a particular plank of wood with more and more force as the test goes on. Eventually, the wood will show signs of wear and a final Janka Scale score is determined.

How Does it Impact My Flooring Choices?

Wood density might seem like a term that doesn’t really matter much or like some sort of scientific data point that really isn’t important for the end user. Wood density does matter when it comes to how long your floors are expected to last and how they’ll look over time.

With hard, dense flooring materials, you’ll get wood that is resistant to scratching and damage longer. That means that day-to-day wear like your dog’s toenails, dropped packages, backpacks and the movement of furniture will have less of a visible impact. Softer woods will show signs of wear much more quickly.

High-quality hardwoods can cost more than soft or engineered wood materials, but not in all cases. Depending on what style you’re looking for, both domestic and exotic hardwoods can be quite affordable.

When you do pay more, the initial cost is typically offset considering that your durable hardwood floors will likely remain in your home for a lifetime. Maintenance and repair costs will also be greatly reduced, allowing you to enjoy your floors a lot longer without having to go through the headache and expense of an upgrade.

Why Can’t I Use Softwood for Flooring?

Softwoods can be used for flooring material, but they simply don’t have the long-term durability of their harder brethren. Before long, they will show obvious signs of wear, including scuffs, dings, dents and scratches.

Woods with low hardness ratings are particularly problematic in high-traffic spaces like kitchens, entry areas, living rooms, family rooms and hallways. They are generally not suitable for commercial spaces either.

If you do love the look of a particular soft wood, you’ll need to find a place where foot traffic is minimal. A private master bedroom suite or guest room may be your best option. Hardwoods are still preferable in these areas though.

What About Bamboo and Engineered Wood?

Bamboo and engineered wood are two distinctly different materials that often don’t get discussed when talking about wood flooring density. That’s because bamboo is actually a grass product, while engineered wood is made from a combination of real hardwood veneer and plywood underneath. Some engineered wood varieties may contain other natural or man-made materials besides plywood as part of their substrate as well.

Bamboo Density

Bamboo flooring, along with other unique materials like eucalyptus, tend to fare well on the Janka Scale. Some types of bamboo flooring are even harder than certain natural hardwoods. That makes bamboo an excellent flooring option if you like the look.

Engineered Hardwood Density

Engineered wood is relatively strong and high-quality products can stand the test of time. However, engineered wood typically does not perform as well as the harder varieties of natural hardwood like cherry, walnut, ebony or oak. That’s because the lower layer of engineered wood is simply not as strong as a solid plank.

Still Unsure?

Looking to add high-quality hardwood flooring that will stand up to lots of foot traffic or a busy family lifestyle? Natural hardwood with a high wood flooring density or hardness rating is your best bet. Combining a look you love with serious durability, hardwood flooring can stand up to lots of abuse and continue to look excellent minimal maintenance.

Still confused as to which hardwood flooring material will work for your home or commercial space? Reach out to one of our trained representatives today. We can help you with your project from the planning phase to delivery, ensuring that you get the materials you need so you can complete your job on-time and on-budget.

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How you use those nails during the course of a renovation can vary however. Use this guide to learn more about common nailing techniques you can take advantage of when updating your home.

Common Nailing Techniques

Face-Nailing Technique

Face-nailing is a simple, efficient nailing technique that’s often the first one you learn. With this technique, you hammer nails directly into the face of the material you’re working with. This leaves nail heads exposed, though they can sometimes be covered up later, depending on the project your working on.

Face-nailing is quick and easy, but it doesn’t produce the strongest joints.

Common uses include:

•   Trim installation or repair around walls and doors

•   Decorative molding installation or repair around windows or ceilings

•   Fastening steps to stair stringers

Toe-Nailing Technique

Toe-nailing is a technique that requires you to use two nails entering the work material at opposing 45-degree angles. This technique is sometimes referred to as slant-nailing. While it is not suitable for creating joints, toe-nailing does create a stronger bond than face-nailing.

Common uses include:

•   Interior framing

•   Exterior framing

•   Fastening wall studs to sole plates

Dovetail Technique

Dovetail nailing also requires two nails driven at opposing angles to create a strong joint. Unlike toe-nailing, dovetail nailing is done on the face of the material you’re working with.

Common uses include:

•   Strengthening loose or damaged butt joints

•   Cabinetry, shelving and drawer repair and construction

•   Furniture construction or repair

Blind Nailing Technique

Blind nailing is a technique most commonly associated with classic tongue-and-groove hardwood floor installation. When using the blind nailing technique, you hammer the nail at a 45-degree angle into the tongue of the wood piece or board you’re working on. Then the groove of the next wood piece or board is placed over the tongue of the last board, effectively covering up the nail.

This technique allows for large expanses of hardwood floor installation without visible nails, making it a go-to technique for high-end homes and commercial spaces.

Common uses include:

•   Hardwood floor installation or repairs

•   Wood wall or wainscoting installation or repair

 •  Crown molding and shoe molding installation or repair

Learning common nailing techniques can take the mystery out of home renovation projects you want to take on in your home. Whether you’re doing the work yourself, or hiring a professional with years of experience, understanding more about the process can help you make sound decisions to give your home the look and feel you’re after.

Looking to learn more about nailing techniques for big renovations or new construction projects utilizing hardwood floors? Check out our comprehensive guide on how to nail down hardwood flooring before you begin.

We’ve also got a range of essential products like wood flooring material, tile, moldings and more for every room in your home, as well as all of your outdoor spaces.

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Types of Floor Sanders

There are several different types of sanders used for refinishing hardwood floors. All are available to rent at your local tool rental center, where you can also purchase sandpaper to fit each machine.

Drum Sander

Drum sanders are massively heavy beasts that generally require two people to carry. A large sandpaper belt fits over a rotating drum, which spins at high velocity and makes quick work of sanding a floor. A built-in dust bag catches most of the dust and debris, although you’ll need to vacuum thoroughly before coating the floor.

Drum sanders are powerful enough to remove finishes and stains, smooth high spots, and take the floor down to a layer of bare, untouched wood. If you’re not experienced with this type of machine, you can quickly cause serious, permanent damage to your floor if you aren’t very careful. If the sander isn’t positioned just right and properly operated, it can grind deep grooves and valleys into the wood. 

Orbital Sander

An orbital sander consists of a circular or square sanding pad that moves in a small orbital pattern. Orbital sanders are primarily used for finishing, because they remove little material. Although sanding a floor with an orbital sander will take considerably longer than it would with a drum sander, and it’ll require more sandpaper, an orbital sander is less likely to cause permanent damage to your floor. A square orbital sander can reach into corners and other spaces that a large drum sander can’t reach. 

Vibrating Sander

Like orbital sanders, vibrating sanders are used primarily as a finishing sander to smooth out the wood after using the drum sander. A vibrating sander is about the same size as a drum sander, and it also has a dust bag attached. However, it’s much lighter, and rather than a rotating belt, it consists of a vibrating sanding pad. This makes it much easier to move across the floor in smooth passes. Like orbital sanders, vibrating sanders are less likely than drum sanders to damage the floor.

Edge Sanders

Drum sanders, vibrating sanders, and some large orbital sanders are too big and bulky to reach into corners and along the edges of the room where the floor meets the wall. Enter the edge sander, which is a heavy, hand-held sander with an orbital sanding pad and a built-in dust bag. Because of its weight, an edge sander is as effective as a drum sander at removing surface material, but it can damage the floor if it’s improperly used, causing gouges and circular marks in the wood.

Floor Sanding Tips

Sanding a floor involves multiple passes over every inch of the surface. With each subsequent sanding, the sandpaper grit gets finer. Most floors require about four passes. The more damaged the floor, or the harder the wood, the courser the starting sandpaper grit should be. Here are a few tips to help ensure the best sanding job possible.

Sand All Rooms at the Same Time

If you’re refinishing the floors in multiple rooms, sand them all at the same time. For each pass, first use the drum sander, and then use the edger. 

Vacuum Between Passes

After each pass, vacuum the floors, even if there’s a bag attached to the sander. This will ensure pieces of sanding grit that fall off the sander don’t damage the floor on subsequent, smaller-grit passes.

Hand-Sand to Remove Edger Swirl

No matter how experienced you are with the edging sander, there’s a high likelihood that there will be “edger swirl” around the perimeter of the room. Remove this by sanding the swirl by hand with 80-grit sandpaper. Using an orbital or vibrating sander to remove the swirl will over-polish the edges, giving them a different texture than the rest of the floor.

Vacuum Thoroughly

Even the tiniest speck of dust can show up permanently on your floor once the coating is laid down. A thorough vacuuming is crucial for a perfect finish. Vacuum at least twice, paying special attention to the cracks between the planks and along the baseboards. After vacuuming, use a dry microfiber cloth to remove the finest specks from the floor.

Exercise Safety Precautions

Sanding can be dangerous if you don’t take proper safety precautions. Always wear goggles to prevent serious eye damage due to flying debris, and wear a dust mask to protect your lungs from fine airborne particles. Long sleeves, pants, and gloves will prevent your skin from being coated with tiny particles. Finally, keep all cords well out of your way as you’re moving across the floor.

When to Call a Pro

While refinishing hardwood floors isn’t particularly difficult, it’s an extremely involved and taxing job, requiring specialized, heavy equipment and the right sandpaper grits and coating products. Small, common mistakes by DIYers can have a big impact on the floor’s appearance once it’s coated. 

If you want a perfect refinishing job, it’s probably best to call in a pro. Reputable professional flooring contractors have top-of-the-line equipment and the skills and expertise necessary to address a wide range of floor issues. As always, do your due diligence before selecting a contractor. 

If you choose to go the DIY route, more power to you! Educate yourself about the tools you’ll need, including different types of sanders and applicators, and how to use them. Use high quality finishing products, and keep your safety in mind at every step. The more you know going in, the better your refinished floor will look.

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The good news is that caring for and maintaining your oak floors doesn’t have to be difficult. Use this guide to learn more about oak flooring care and the maintenance that goes along with having beautiful hardwood in your home or place of business.

Oak Flooring Care Checklist

Use Felt Pads to Protect Your Floors

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of care. You’ve heard that phrase, or some version of it, a million times. When it comes to your oak floors, it’s a time-tested truism that you really should remember.

One of the best ways to protect your oak floors is to use felt pads beneath every piece of furniture that sits on them. It’s especially important with pieces of furniture like dining chairs that tend to move around a lot.

If you haven’t used felt pads under your furniture until now, don’t worry – we’re not here to shame you. Just go out and get some! They’re available online and in most hardware and big box stores. Best of all, a package of them will only cost you a few dollars.

Stock up on different sizes now and you’ll be prepared for new pieces of furniture or to replace worn felt pads down the road.

Learn How to Clean Oak Floors Gently

Oak flooring care, and hardwood floor care in general, is different than tackling other types of materials like stone, porcelain tile, ceramic tile or laminate. While oak is a strong material designed to last for a lifetime, you do need to learn how to clean it correctly.

Here are some tips to help you gently clean your oak floors the right way:

•   Clear dust, debris and dander with a soft-bristled broom or vacuum before wet-cleaning your floors. When using the vacuum, make sure you choose a high or hard floor setting to avoid scratching or damaging the finish on your oak floors.

•   Look for a specialty mop designed for hardwood floors. Choosing a mop might seem easy, but those old string mops aren’t your best bet for hardwood anymore. The good news is that there are several top-tier choices just for hardwood on the market today.

•   Use cleaning products designed specifically for natural hardwood and engineered hardwood. These products provide the best protection and don’t contain ingredients that will damage the finish on your floors. As always, make sure you read the bottle instructions carefully when using a new floor cleaning product.

Be Smart About Scratches

Scratches can ruin the look of your floor. Try as you might though, preventing them completely usually isn’t possible. Here are a few tips to help you handle scratches when they do appear on your oak floors:

•   Consider blending markers and pencils designed for wood to touch up scratches. These are incredibly easy to use and they won’t damage your floors. For certain types of flooring like red and white oak, you may need to use a combination of markers or pencils to get the coloration just right.

•    Try a dab of coconut oil on unfished oak. While coconut oil won’t really fix the scratch, it can help conceal it and make it look much better to the naked eye. It’s also a cost-effective solution that won’t damage your floors even if doesn’t work for a particular scratch.

•   Opt for quality commercial products designed to cover and repair scratches. While a few different options are on the market, it’s important to match the product to your flooring material and color. You generally only need a soft microfiber cloth to apply these repair products, so they’re simple and quick to use.

Know When to Refinish

Oak is resilient, strong and made to stand the test of time. Of course, that top coat can start to look a little worn after years and years of regular use. That’s when refinishing your oak floors can really come in handy.

But how are you supposed to know when it’s time to refinish your floors? That’s a common question, and for many people, it’s a bit confusing. Here are a few signs that it might be time to refinish your oak floors:

•   You see lots of scratches. One or two scratches can usually be fixed without sanding and refinishing. However, when your floors start to look like they have scratches all over, the time consuming repair job often isn’t worth it. You’ll get a better, more uniform look by refinishing.

•   Heavy discoloration is present. Gray or black discoloration is an obvious sign that it’s time for a refinish. While you may be able to fix one or two boards in a high-traffic area, it’s definitely time for a refinish when other parts of the floor take on that same discoloration.

•   Water damage is apparent. Water damage can rot your wood and leave it looking dark and dingy. Unfortunately, water damage typically can’t be fixed and it’s rarely minimal enough that you can simply replace a board. Refinishing can restore your floors to their natural beauty and luster. It can also help prevent water damage from spreading if you’ve had a recent water-related mishap in your home or commercial space.

Caring for oak floors doesn’t have to be a tedious task, and once you get the hang of it, it will become second nature to you. Best of all, oak floors that are taken care of the right way can look amazing for many years to come. That’s before you have to refinish them, too.

Do you have specific questions about oak flooring for your home? Reach out to us today so we can help you learn more about our lineup oak flooring products, well as how to maintain them the right way.

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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.

Hardwood flooring is an elegant and timeless choice for any style of home. Before committing to any hardwood flooring product, order a couple of samples and test them in your home to ensure a great pairing. The flooring is the foundation for any room design and will be a focal point of the décor for many years to come. Make sure the product selected is the best material for your space by taking the time to test the hardwood flooring samples that arrive at your door.

You aren’t committing to the samples themselves. Go ahead and order a wide range of options, even in finishes that you might not initially think you want. Getting the products into the space may make you fall in love with a color that will surprise you.

Test Hardwood Flooring Samples Before You Commit

How It Looks in the Space

Natural and artificial lighting can look very different on the same flooring sample. Place a flooring sample in the space and look at it in a variety of lights at various times of the day. The same flooring you love first thing in the morning may not be your favorite when the sun goes down and the artificial lighting in the home is the only thing illuminating the hardwood.

The different areas of the room receive different amounts of light. Move the sample from one room to another and look at it in multiple locations to make sure you like the finish and design in all types of lighting. Take note of how the flooring looks against your wall color, cabinetry, trim, and existing furniture.

What Does it Feel Like?

Hardwood flooring needs to feel comfortable under foot. Some products are smoother than others. Run your hands and feet over the flooring samples to make sure the material feels as good as it looks. Hardwood flooring with beveled edges will feel differently than hardwood flooring with a straight edge. Look for one that isn’t so slick that you’ll slip in socks or so rugged that you won’t be comfortable in bare feet.

Consider Durability

The flooring you choose needs to hold up to daily life. Shoes, furniture, and all the people in your home will pass over the floors. Make sure the product you choose is designed to hold up to even the highest-traffic areas of the home by testing their durability. Take various sharp or pointy objects and drag them over the flooring simple to see how badly the floors get marked up.

Scratches aren’t the only ways that floors show signs of wear. Try staining them with coffee, oils, and other cooking essentials to see how well they wipe up. Make sure to clean up the mess with the same cleaning products you would typically apply to the floors to see how the products affect the finish of the floors.

Compare Wood Variations

Both the species of the wood and the surface texture alter the way the finished flooring looks in a space. Some of the most common flooring textures include:

• Smooth: Smooth hardwood provides a sophisticated look
• Hand-Scraped: These boards are distressed by hand and come in a variety of different looks, from barely distressed to truly rugged.
• Distressed: When you’re worried about signs of wear showing, distressed hardwood floors make a great option because they are already beautifully imperfect.
• Antique: Traditional or rustic homes deserve the old-world charm that antique-finish hardwood floors bring to a space.
• Wire-Brushed: Infuse rugged style into a space with wire-brushed flooring designed to conceal scratches by providing a scratched-up look in the first place.

The species of wood also alters the appearance of the product. White ash, beech, birch, black cherry, hickory, maple, and oak are a few of the most popular domestic hardwood flooring options. For something more exotic, opt for bamboo, Brazilian cherry, cork, spotted gum, mahogany, wenge, or teak. Some types of hardwood flooring are even sustainable, making them an environmentally friendly addition to the design of your home.

Compare Different Grades of Flooring

Hardwood flooring comes in a variety of different grades. When selecting flooring samples to test at home, make sure to test products from different grades to see how they vary. The various grades of hardwood flooring include:

• Clear Grade: These boards provide the fewest knots and color variations from board to board.
• Select & Better: Minimal pinholes are featured on these almost uniform hardwood boards.
• #1 Common: This grade features the occasional knot and subtle color variations from one plank to another.
• #2 Common: These high-character boards offer color variations that showcase pinholes and knots for a natural sophistication.
• Cabin Grade: These hardwood floors boast a loved-over-time appearance with a rough, natural look showcasing knots and pinholes without any open holes.
• Shorts: When you’re looking for character, shorts are the way to go. These planks feature pinholes, knots, and plenty of color variation from one piece to the next.

Clear grade flooring provides the fewest variations from one plank to another while shorts offer the most variation from one plank to another. Within the same color family, order samples from a few different grades and see which one provides the best look for your space.

Don’t treat your hardwood flooring samples as though they are precious. Feel free to put them through the paces to see if they are really going to hold up to the rigors of day-to-day life. Once you really see them in the space, it is easier to make a confident decision about which product will be a long-lasting addition to your home. For wet areas of the home where hardwood flooring isn’t an option, consider luxury vinyl flooring. It provides the same look but is completely waterproof, making it ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and even basements.

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