When you fasten the final board on your completed deck, all you want to do is grab a cold drink out of the fridge and enjoy your accomplishment. However, adding a few finishing touches can make a tremendous difference in your deck’s appearance and stability. It all starts with the fascia.

What is Deck Fascia?

Fascia refers to a band or ribbon of wood or other material that borders the deck below its surface line. It’s like the fascia installed beneath your home’s roof, but serving a different purpose. It is usually constructed of 1-by-8 or 1-by-10 boards.

On a deck, fascia serves a primarily aesthetic purpose. It partially conceals the joists under your deck from view and creates a polished, finished look. It can also add visual contrast if you use a different paint or stain than you applied to the deck itself.

Can Deck Fascia Serve a Functional Purpose?

Under a home’s roofline, fascia often serves as a support for gutters and other architectural elements. On a deck, you can use the fascia to install planter boxes and decorations. The fascia can also serve as a connecting material between the deck and the skirt.

What is the Difference Between Fascia and Skirting?

While a skirt is not necessary to enjoy your deck, it does hide the joists underneath and adds aesthetic appeal. Lattice, horizontal boards, and vertical boards can all make excellent skirting material.

Since frost heave can damage deck skirts, attach the skirting to the fascia rather than anchoring it to the ground. Design a door so you can access the area beneath the deck to exterminate pests nesting there or take care of a mold problem, for instance.

How Do You Install Fascia On A Deck?

Choose the material you prefer for your fascia. If you’re using composite decking material, for example, consider also using that material for the fascia and other finishing elements. You already know how to work with it, and the uniformity will enhance your deck’s appearance.

Measure the perimeter of your deck to determine how much extra material you will need for the fascia. Cut the boards so they fit snugly around the base of the deck. If you like, leave a small lip underneath the deck’s surface. Some homeowners even finish off the deck edge with bullnose trim.

Attach the boards to the rim joists using construction adhesive, nails, or screws. Miter the edges based on the angles you’ve established with your deck, then paint or stain the materials according to your preferences.

What if You Don’t Want to Use Deck Fascia?

The raw, rustic look of a deck without fascia appeals to many homeowners. It’s also important to note that improperly installed fascia can collect dirt and moisture, which can lead to further deck damage.

Understanding fascia helps you build a deck that you’ll enjoy for years to come. Use fascia, trim, and skirting to polish its appeal and keep it safe from the elements.

Do you prefer fascia that matches or contrasts with the rest of your deck?

Browse our selection of quality Decking here. Create your dream outdoor space.

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R-Value Defined

A building material’s R-value refers to its ability to resist thermal conductivity. Higher R-values equate to better insulation; materials with large R-values keep heat from escaping the home during the winter and permeating it during the summer.

Your floors help insulate your home by preventing heat loss and gain underneath your feet. While a nonstandard flooring material like concrete features lower R-values than some of the more traditional flooring choices, it’s actually pretty comparable to ceramic flooring tiles.

R-Value’s Importance

The R-value determines whether a flooring material will help or hinder a home’s ability to resist heat loss and gain. While your home’s insulation makes the biggest difference in energy efficiency, don’t discount your flooring choices.

Flooring type and quality not only affect energy efficiency but also to some degree, thermal comfort. Have you ever swung your feet over the side of the bed on a wintry morning, then snatched them immediately off, say, the cold, ceramic tile floor? Materials with higher R-values also improve your comfort underfoot.

R-Value Ratings

The precise R-value of a particular type of flooring depends on the manufacturer’s specifications and flooring thickness. For example, one brand of chestnut wood flooring might feature an R-value of 0.975, while another’s R-value is 0.825. Additionally, R-values can be expressed both as typical R-values and as R-values by a specific unit of measurement.

Wood floors, such as pine, fir, oak, and maple, boast similar R-values ranging from 0.638 to 0.975. Engineered wood typically features a lower R-value (in some cases as low as 0.250); plank thickness plays a significant roll in engineered hardwood R-value. However, the type of underlayment used with a wood floor can increase the overall R-value considerably.

Tile floors, such as marble and ceramic, offer similar R-values when compared based on the measurement. However, because marble tiles are usually twice as thick as ceramic tiles, they offer greater protection against thermal conductivity.

Carpet, particularly wool and shag varieties, provides the best R-values among all standard flooring choices. For example, wool carpet rates a maximum R-value of 2.1, while other types of carpet can rate as low as 0.7.

R-Value Considerations

While R-value is an important factor to consider when choosing a flooring material, you must also consider your aesthetic preferences. For some homeowners, the sleek look of tile is more important than heat conductivity resistance.

You might also want to think about ways to make your floors more comfortable and less conducive to heat loss and gain. For example, radiant heating grows increasingly popular among homeowners, especially for tiled areas such as bathrooms. A radiant heating system generates heat from beneath the floors, making them more comfortable to walk on. Strategically placed area rugs and runners will also help you create a more comfortable space.

Consider R-values as well as other preferences when choosing flooring for your home or business. If your floors keep you comfortable, lower your energy bills, and please your eye, you’ll enjoy the space even more.

Is the insulating quality of a floor a factor in your next flooring decision?

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Advantages of engineered bamboo flooring

Engineered bamboo flooring has advantages that surpass that of a solid bamboo floor, such as a greater resistance to the effects of moisture and changing temperatures. These types of bamboo floors are designed to contract and expand without warping. Engineered to be stable, this type of bamboo flooring can be installed in a number of ways, using either glue down, nail-down, or floating methods.

Environmentally-responsible bamboo floors

A sustainable and eco-friendly material, bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world. Because it grows so rapidly, it can be harvested frequently without damaging the ecosystems of bamboo forests. For engineered options, the layers that lie beneath the bamboo top layer are made from sawdust, and other leftover materials, making a greater usage of natural resources. Choosing bamboo floors like this is a great choice for those interested in green building materials.

Combining the beauty and strength of bamboo with the stability of engineered construction, engineered bamboo flooring is a great choice for flooring in a number of applications.

Click here to check out our online selection of sustainable and stylish bamboo floors. Discover the right surface for your next renovation project.

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If you’re considering fiberboard core flooring, you’re probably wondering what the difference is between high density fiberboard and medium density fiberboard. To help you make an educated decision we have the breakdown on HDF vs MDF, and which will better suit your needs.

What is HDF (High Density Fiberboard) Flooring?

There are three types of fiberboard flooring and highlighting on the HDF vs MDF comparison. HDF is referred to as hardboard, a high density fiberboard (HDF) for flooring is a type of engineered wood product. It’s made from wood fiber extracted from chips and pulped wood waste. HDF for flooring is similar but much harder and denser than particle board or medium density fiberboard (MDF) for flooring. It has a density greater than 50 pounds per cubic foot or 800 kg per cubic meter. This makes for a perfect stabilizing material for laminate floors and engineered hardwood flooring.

Like other types of fiberboard for flooring, a HDF for flooring cannot be used outside because it absorbs water. A tempered form of hardboard can resist moisture and is more durable. It is made by adding oil that becomes a polymer when the board is formed under high temperature and pressure. This tempered hardboard is used in construction siding.

What is MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) For Flooring?

Medium density fiberboard for flooring, or MDF, is also an engineered product. It is made of wood wastage fibers compressed together with resin or glue under heat and pressure. It is similar to particle board but more dense. MDF has a density of 600-800 kg/m³, which is higher than many hardwoods. It also doesn’t warp or swell easily in high humidity areas like bathrooms or washrooms. Once again, these characteristics make it an ideal core layer material for laminate flooring and engineered floors.

MDF is also regularly used for furniture, cabinetry, wall panels, shelving, storage units, decorative molding, and doors. Due to its insular qualities in sound and heat, acoustic enclosures for loudspeakers and sub-woofers often are made from MDF.

The post MDF Wood vs HDF Wood: How are They Different? appeared first on Learning Center.

Do:

• Choose a hardwood species that will stand up to the type of foot traffic you expect in the area you wish to have it installed; the Janka Hardness Scale will inform you about this
• Consult the terms and conditions of your purchase, including all warranty and maintenance information
• Hire a professional installer if you have little or no experience installing hardwood floors.
• With unfinished hardwood flooring options, consult contractors and manufacturer recommendations about which finish or stain is most appropriate for your choice of hardwood flooring
• Choose an appropriate moisture barrier to rest between the subfloor and your hardwood flooring in order to add another level of protection
• Expect color variations, as hardwood is a natural material.
• Use DRY mops and vacuums to keep your new hardwood flooring clear of dirt and dust
• See to your pets nails, spills, “accidents”, and other issues immediately

Don’t:

• Install hardwood flooring in an area that will be subject to excessive moisture. This means avoiding an installation in “below grade” locations (like a basement for instance) or in bathrooms
• Install hardwood flooring in an area that is not environmentally controlled all year long – say, in a cottage or summer home that is not constantly maintained
• Use wax-based cleaners or harsh detergents that will dull the finish of the hardwood flooring
• Use steel wool or any other abrasives to clean a hardwood floor
• Use excessive water when cleaning a hardwood floor as it can cause damage
• Walk on your hardwood flooring with athletic spikes or high-heels
• Install hardwood flooring over radiant heat. For this, it is best to consider engineered hardwood flooring options that are designed to allow for the temperature variations resulting from radiant heat
• Leave damp rugs on the surface of hardwood flooring for an extended period

For more detail on how to install and maintain a hardwood floor, it’s helpful to talk directly with the professionals. Valuable resources include contractors with experience installing hardwood floors, and BuildDirect’s knowledgeable product experts. Call 1-877-631-2845 or email sales@builddirect.com if you have any questions, we’d love to hear from you.

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Along with hardness and slip resistance, water absorption is an important quality to consider when shopping for porcelain tile. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has developed a rating system for the moisture absorption of tiles. These rating are assigned based on a procedure that tests the tile’s permeability to water. It consists of boiling the tile in water and measuring its gain in weight from the original dry state.

Water absorption rates are a measurement of how much moisture a specific type of porcelain tile is likely to absorb on an ongoing basis. Some types of tiles may crack if the moisture penetration is too high. The four different ratings for tile moisture absorption are:

• Non-vitreous (Low density) – Tile with water absorption of more than 7.0 percent
• Semi-vitreous (Medium density) – Tile with water absorption of more than 3.0 percent, but not more than 7.0 percent
• Vitreous (High Density) – Tile with water absorption of more than 0.5 percent, but not more than 3.0 percent
• Impervious (Extremely dense) – Tile with water absorption of 0.5 percent or less. This is where porcelain tile is generally categorized

Reflecting the density of the tile body, ceramic tiles are also classified by their water absorption rate apart from the resistance to wear and tear. The water absorption rate is directly related with the suitability of the various types of tile for interior or exterior applications. For exterior applications, the selected tiles must have a very low water absorption rate (as close to an impervious rating as possible), especially in climates subjected to rainfall, freezing, and thawing cycles. A low water absorption rate also enables a tile to absorb food or beverage stains on a lesser percentage. This is usually a porcelain tile, which has a moisture absorption rating of less than 0.5 %.

Click here to take a look at our stunning, yet practical selection of porcelain tile. Discover the right surface for your renovation.

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Although they offer the same timeless look and sense of warmth, engineered hardwood and solid hardwood do offer a few key differences when it comes to structural composition, and performance in certain areas around the world and your home. So, how do engineered floors different from solid floors?

Solid Hardwood vs Engineered Hardwood

Composition

• Engineered hardwood is manufactured from three or more layers of high-density fiberboard (HDF) or medium-density fibreboard (MDF), and a real hardwood veneer top layer bonded together under heat and pressure. Waterproof engineered hardwood also has a Stone Plastic Composite (SPC) core.
• Solid hardwood is milled from a real hardwood species, making it the sole material used in the making of this type of flooring.

Strength

• Engineered hardwood is more suitable in high-moisture areas or in areas with frequent temperature changes than solid hardwood due to its “multiple-ply plank” construction and SPC core.
• Solid hardwood is noted for adding overall structural strength to the building in which it is installed. The degree to which this is true depends upon the species.

Uniformity

• Engineered hardwood flooring shows the same character variations as solid hardwood flooring. The surface of both are natural materials. Solid and engineered hardwood can be either clean and uniform or rustic with lots of character–it simply depends on the style and grade of material of your product.

Dimensional stability

• Engineered hardwood is more dimensionally stable through multi-ply design. This allows greater resistance to humidity changes.
• Solid hardwood is prone to expansion, warping, and cupping to a significant degree if exposed to humidity changes.

Resistance to Moisture & Heat

• Engineered hardwood is the best choice when solid wood is not appropriate due to increased moisture or heat. It is more resistant to both compared to solid wood. There are waterproof options as well, so you can install it in bathrooms, kitchens and basements.
• Solid hardwood is unsuitable for applications at any location with increased moisture or high temperatures. For example, non-environmentally controlled or damp areas, such as below-grade installations, and over radiant heating systems.

Resistance to Climate Change

• Engineered hardwood does not warp or cup during climatic changes. It is more resistant to higher moisture levels than solid flooring. It is a better choice for installation over radiant heat sources, basements, and locations in rainy climates.
• Solid hardwood generally expands and contracts more than engineered wood during climate changes, especially during extremes in heat, cold, and precipitation.

When deciding on a new wood floor, it’s a good idea to consider the conditions this floor will encounter. For information on solid hardwood vs engineered, this will help inform you on the best type of flooring for your space. With both solid and engineered hardwood, you will get a beautiful floor that will add value to your space.

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Redoing your flooring certainly offers a range of options, from hardwood to tile to vinyl to carpet. Of course, renovating on a budget means weighing the pros and cons of each flooring type and finding the one that sits at the intersection of affordability, durability and aesthetics. Vinyl flooring often meets those three requirements, which is why it’s such a popular choice for homeowners. Though, as with any material you use in your home, vinyl comes with its own set of benefits and frustrations. As you check out different types of vinyl flooring, take a look at this information about plank flooring:

What is Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl plank is designed to resemble hardwood, and it comes in strips. You can find this product in a number of styles, each mimicking a specific type of wood, from oak to hickory and beyond. Because vinyl plank imitates hardwood, you’re sure to find a version that matches the rest of your home’s decor. That said, vinyl floors that look like hardwood will not appeal to everyone. If you prefer a different aesthetic, bamboo look vinyl flooring has a more neutral tone. Additionally, vinyl is the budget-friendly choice for renovators who want the look of hardwood without the challenging installation and cost.

“Renovating on a budget means weighing the pros and cons of each flooring type and finding the one that sits at the intersection of affordability, durability and aesthetics, and vinyl often meets those three requirements.”

Things to Consider When Choosing Vinyl Flooring 

Purchasing wood vinyl flooring can be a smart investment, but you’ll only know whether the material is right for your home by weighing the pros and cons. Here’s a look at each:

Advantages:

• Many models of vinyl plank are backed with a felt product. When installed, this feature translates to a softer floor with more give. The top will look like hardwood and have that strong feel, but standing on vinyl for long periods of time is easier than standing on real wood. Additionally, objects are less likely to break when dropped on vinyl, which is good news for glasses and mugs.
• Vinyl flooring is water resistant, making it a great choice for both bathrooms and kitchens. In fact, vinyl is better at sealing against water damage than laminate and hardwood. What’s more, some vinyl flooring options are totally waterproof.
• Vinyl plank can be installed directly on top of your subfloor, making the process quick, cost-effective and easy (given that the subfloor is in good condition). When you remove your old flooring, inspect the subfloor to make sure it’s in good shape before adding vinyl on top.
• If you don’t want put a lot of effort into maintaining your floors, vinyl plank is a wise choice. The product is long-lasting, requiring only routine cleaning (i.e., sweeping and occasionally mopping) to keep it looking like new.
• Vinyl is a long-lasting flooring product and can last up to 20 years. Once it’s down, you’ll have a great floor for years to come.
• You can install in-floor heating beneath a number of vinyl flooring options if you’re looking for ways to increase luxury in your home.

Disadvantages:

• Vinyl products have a tendency to warp to any particles left beneath them during installation. For instance, a trapped bit of dust could eventually become a bump in your floors. As such, you must take extra care during installation to ensure absolutely no particles are left on the subfloor. This can be tedious, but the cleaning is well worth the final product.
• While vinyl will hold up for many years, you can damage it. Dropping a glass or moving heavy furniture can result in scuffs and gouges that are difficult to remove. If you do rearrange furniture, be sure to cover the feet with felt, or lift the piece off the ground before moving it.
• Unlike hardwood, vinyl does not add much resale value to your house. So, if you’re renovating in order to increase the value of your home, vinyl may not be the best option.

With the multitude of options out there for home flooring, you want to make sure you choose a material that suits your lifestyle and tastes.  If your budget is limited, whatever look you want to create, there are enough vinyl flooring options to choose from. These pros and cons of vinyl plank flooring should help you decide whether vinyl is the right pick for your home.

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Vinyl floors can replicate a number of surfaces, including wood.

The durability of vinyl flooring has drastically improved over the years, and whether it’s a pet walking on the floor or a child tracking in dirt, modern modifications of vinyl flooring have immensely raised the bar for preserving the condition of your floors. Here’s what you need to know when it comes to choosing the right vinyl flooring for your home, as well as weighing your options for installation:

Vinyl flooring types

When it comes to vinyl flooring, the two of the most-used formats are tiles and planks, with planks becoming more popular in recent years due to their resemblance to hardwood flooring.

Solid vinyl tile is an innovative type of vinyl flooring, generally packaged in 12-by-12-inch squares and featuring a photographic print coating of whatever design you choose. This is a DIY-friendly style of vinyl flooring, as the tiles are generally equipped with easy to use locking systems that allow for floating installations. Another distinct advantage to using solid vinyl tile is that it is simple to clean the surface. All it takes is a quick mopping session to get rid of any debris, and its strong durability will keep your floor shiny and polished for many years to come.

Vinyl plank flooring is an incredible flooring option because of how identical to a natural surface it can appear. This type of vinyl flooring allows for a more continuous flooring surface that is quick and easy to install due to more intricate locking systems. They’re generally available in a variety of patterns, and are also renowned for its moisture-resistant ability, which makes it a great flooring choice for bathrooms or basements.

Vinyl flooring options

There are four factors to consider when picking your vinyl flooring: style, thickness, pattern and color. When it comes to utilizing the space of a room, taking the style into account is where you can find the ultimate fit for your flooring. Choosing between vinyl tile and vinyl planks is important to decide upon when you’re only working with a limited amount of space in a room. Thickness becomes a factor if you’re weighing in the amount of foot traffic that your floor will encounter. The thicker your vinyl boards are, the more stable the surface you’ll have. Thinner vinyl boards are more cost effective, but may not be as durable. Finally, if it’s visual aesthetic you’re most concerned about, by all means choose a pattern or color that best suits your personality.

Vinyl flooring pros and cons

There are four basic advantages to using vinyl flooring:

• More selection with designs
• Better longevity
• Easy to clean
• Great DIY option for self installation

As for the cons of vinyl flooring, one of the main setbacks is that it may not increase your home resale value. While installation is easy, removing vinyl flooring is can be rather difficult, and if your floor suffers extensive damage under any circumstances, vinyl flooring could be strenuous to repair.

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Grain Types

When it comes to different grain types of bamboo, there are three main choices: horizontal, vertical, and strand-woven. Each one has different characteristics that will help buyers decide which type of bamboo to purchase and install in their home or business. The grain type to purchase depends greatly on the overall look the buyer is trying to achieve.

Horizontal Bamboo

Horizontal bamboo refers to planks placed next to one another facing in a horizontal direction. They are attached to each other this way before being pressurized and finished, randomly displaying the knuckles, or growth rings, of the stalk.

Vertical Bamboo

Vertical bamboo refers to planks placed next to one another facing in a vertical direction. They are attached to each other this way before being pressurized and finished, creating a smooth uniform look.

Strand-Woven Bamboo

Strand-woven bamboo refers to bamboo planks made from the remaining strands of the stalk trimmed away from the long bamboo fillets. These are compressed together with an adhesive before being pressurized and finished. Strand-woven bamboo is twice as hard as horizontal and vertical bamboo.

Installation Types of Bamboo Flooring

Choosing bamboo flooring for your home or business based on the installation type first is a wise decision because some installation types are more complicated and thus more costly than others. There are a few different installation methods for bamboo flooring. These include nail or glue down process, glue-seam floating installation, and glueless-click installation. Regardless of the installation type chosen, be sure to purchase more bamboo flooring than required to finish the job. You need to account for mistakes in measurement, imperfection in boards and future repairs.

Nail Down/Glue Down

This process is similar to installing a hardwood floor. Since the flooring is very hard, it is nearly impossible to get the nails flush with the flooring using a standard hammer. The use of special, specific tools for the job, including an electric hammer or stapler, is very important to the success of completing this job correctly. Installation instructions and guidelines depend on the sub-flooring. DIYers that are very experienced in this area can install this type of bamboo flooring, otherwise it is best to have a professional install the flooring.

Floating: Glue-Seam

This kind of installation requires an underlayment to protect the bamboo from the sub-flooring material. You may require a moisture barrier as well. It is important to lay out the flooring before adding any glue adhesive, because with how quickly the adhesive dries, it will be impossible to separate the flooring planks and correct any mistakes after just a few seconds. It is best to lay out the complete floor design and go back in sections with the glue. You can do this as a do-it-yourself job, but for the inexperienced, it is best left to professionals.

Floating: Glueless-Click

The simplest of bamboo installation methods, the glueless-click method does not require any glue or nails, so it is easy for those new to floor installation to do. The planks simply click together and fall into place. For those who are looking to install their own flooring and do not boast a lot of DIY experience, this is the best way to do it. There should be no concern about whether or not the floor will come apart after the installation is complete because the pieces will fit together very snuggly. The finished product will appear much like the other installation methods.

Color Types

When it comes to color types, buyers have several options: natural, carbonized, stained, and direct print. Each one of these options has distinct properties about it to help homeowners decide which one to use. Regardless of which color type chosen, the strength and durability of the bamboo remains the same, with the exception of carbonized which is softer than the other types.

Natural

Natural bamboo has no colorants or stains added to it. It has a very light, blonde type color to it. This type of bamboo is easy to find and goes with most décors.

Carbonized

Carbonized bamboo allows for the sugars in the plant to caramelize. The bamboo is boiled for a longer period of time. The caramelized sugars therefore add color to the bamboo. Depending on the length of boiling time, the shades of bamboo will vary. Carbonized bamboo is softer than other types of bamboo.

Tiger

Tiger bamboo is made using a combination of natural and carbonized strips. This creates a unique “tiger stripe” pattern.

Stained

Stained bamboo is treated with a wood stain to change the coloring of the material. It is available in multiple shades, from light, to dark. The variety of stain options makes it easy to find one that matches any décor.

Direct Print

For homeowners who want the appearance of another kind of wood – such as oak, cherry, or maple – while still having the other benefits of bamboo, direct print bamboo flooring prints the patterns seen on other hardwoods onto the bamboo before it is pressurized and sealed.

Surface Texture Types

For surface texture types, homeowners and builders have three main choices: smooth, hand scraped, and hand sculpted. Each one will provide a unique look. Look at various samples of texture types before deciding which one to use.

Smooth

Smooth bamboo flooring is machine coated with several layers of sealant. It helps to keep a dust free surface that is easier to clean and recommended for those who suffer from allergies or hay fever.

Hand Scraped

Hand scraped bamboo flooring is scraped by hand to give the floor and aged, “antique” look. It offers a unique approach to bamboo flooring in appearance in a home or business, and is available in a variety of styles and colors. This texture option typically makes the flooring more costly because of the manual labor involved in its creation.

Hand Sculpted

Hand-sculpted bamboo flooring is similar to hand scraped, but provides a less distressed look. This kind of bamboo is usually hand worked to look older, or antique, so it too, will cost more.

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