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If you are one of the many homeowners considering a home renovation project, you probably have many choices that you will need to make. With so many different material options and design styles available to consumers, sorting through them can be a daunting task. One important factor for many homeowners is the environmental sustainability of the products they are choosing. Luckily, when it comes to the hardwood flooring industry, there are a variety of options available for every design style and budget.

Locally Harvested Beetle Kill Blue Pine

As a unique, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly option, Beetle Kill Blue Pine adds a unique blue hue to your woodworking that cannot be manufactured. As an excellent choice for paneling, trim, furniture and accent pieces, this material is just as durable as any other pine species and will give your home a timeless look. If you are looking for an even bolder look in a space, Beetle Kill Pine can be used as flooring, and there are many different finishing options that will help bring out the natural beauty of the material and complete the space.

Breathing New Life to Oak

Antique and Reclaimed Oak products are sourced from century-old structures, placing them at the top of the list in terms of environmentally conscious. Many of these structures would typically be torn down, placed in landfills or burned, but instead are given new life. Utilizing these materials eliminates the need to source from live trees, cutting down on your carbon footprint. The more mature trees that we can leave in the ground, the greater the long-term environmental benefits.
Not only are antique and reclaimed oaks great for the environment, but the way these products are milled deliver so many different options to perfectly fit your design style. A distressed grade product will show the character and weathering of the product, and is perfect for a darker, more rustic look, while a milled grade will remove a lot of the weathered patina and deliver a lighter product perfect for many different staining and re-finishing options. These oaks are not simply beautiful products, but they have weathered the test of time and are one of the most durable materials you can find.

Bringing Reclaimed to Your Home

If the concept of recycling during your remodel entices you and you are interested in exploring the possibility of integrating a reclaimed product, there are many different options available to you. If you are looking for a unique statement piece to tie together a room, maybe consider a custom-built furniture piece, like a table, bench or shelving unit. To add a dramatic feature, there are reclaimed paneling options that work perfectly on a wall, ceiling, fireplace, or underneath a bar top. If you are going for a full overhaul of a space, reclaimed products can be used just about anywhere, from flooring to beams and mantles, to trim work and more.

Whatever your needs, Ward Hardwood Flooring can help you pick out the perfect product for your home. Specializing in reclaimed products, and with over 30 years of experience within the industry, our expert team will help you with your project no matter how big or small. We carry a variety of products in our climate-controlled warehouse, so you don’t have to wait to get started on your project. Call us today at 1-855-674-6966 or email info@wardhardwoodflooring.com for more information or a free estimate!

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Whether you are seeking a remote position, starting your own business, or have the option to work out of your home—it’s important to set up your home office to work for you. Functionality and organization is key to productivity. With planning and research, you can create the perfect office that you’ll never want to leave! Use these go-to home office tips to set up your perfect space.

Establishing Needs
Your home office will need to be tailored to your specific needs. Your first step is to make a list of what you need and want in your work space. If you have a current workspace, start making a list of what you use daily. Consider things such as:  

• Storage and organization
• Desk size and filing cabinets
• Lighting
• Supplies and materials
• Equipment (computer, keyboards, scanner, etc.)
• Furniture
• Décor

As you go about your day, write down everything you use, how often you use it, and areas you think you can improve. Now is the perfect time to assess your current situation and find better solutions for a more functional space.

Discover Your Style for Design and Layout
A great benefit of creating your own space is being able to customize it to exactly the way you want. Think about what colors you’d like, how the layout would be most functional, what furniture to incorporate, art to hang on the walls, and more. Pictures of friends, family, or special events can be design highlights that help provide encouragement during the work day. Be sure to choose colors that will help you maintain focus and choose pieces that create a calming environment. Natural woods are great for bringing warmth and comfort into an office space.

Ergonomic Features
Ergonomic furniture can be extremely important in your work space, as is not just for comfort but can prevent injuries due to improper posture. So, what exactly is ergonomics? Ergonomics is a method of arranging a work space that complements an individual’s needs. It includes seating that encourages proper posture, which may be complemented with foot rests. It also ensures your arms are at the appropriate length while working on a computer, your monitor being an arm’s length away to avoid added eye strain, and keyboards and a mouse that keep your hands at an appropriate distance while you type. There are other ergonomic features you might incorporate as well, such as standing desks to help avoid sitting for extended periods of time.

Organization and Storage
One of the top priorities you should set during your home office renovation is to ensure your storage and organization needs are met. Today, there are many types of versatile storage furniture allowing you to choose unique statement pieces, instead of standard metal filing cabinets. Proper organization can be essential in improving productivity in the workplace, and customized options can be made to suit your specific needs.

The newest development in office organization is to switch to electronic methods of storing and retrieving data. You can take advantage of services such as Google Drive or Dropbox to share files with clients, or to keep online documents secure. For paper you need to store, make sure to use file folders with labels, categorized in an order that makes most sense to you. Keep items you review or file frequently within quick reach.

Hardwood Floors
Another quality addition you can incorporate into your home office renovation is to add hardwood flooring. It’s sleek and professional, yet warm and inviting. You can add in personality by adding rugs into the space. Hardwood has longevity, whereas carpet does not, and is especially helpful if you will have clients coming into your office space. Hardwood floors are easy to care for, meaning that after a stressful week at work you do not have to worry as much about cleaning and can spend your weekend relaxing instead. 

When it comes to hardwood flooring and design for your home office renovation, Ward Hardwood Flooring has you covered. As your quality hardwood specialist, we will add warmth and charm to your space, making it relaxing and professional. Give us a call today to discuss how we can help in your office space, we are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and our specialists will help you to create a customized workspace that you will cherish daily. 

Hardwood floors are an investment in your home. They’re durable, beautiful, and can completely transform a space, making it look both timeless and modern at once. However, like all flooring, it does require very specific care and maintenance in order to provide you with the long-lasting beauty you wanted when you started shopping at your local hardwood flooring showroom. Using the wrong products on your floor can leave the finish dull and damage the underlying wood. Rather than having to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to repair the damage, follow this simple cleaning guide and keep your hardwood floors looking great for years to come.

Clean Every Day

Spills and messes happen all the time, and with a busy schedule, it’s easy to forget to clean up throughout the day. This can leave you with stains set into the wood, scratched finishes, and even moisture-damaged planks throughout your home. Rather than leaving messes where they fall for a few days, get in the habit of cleaning as you go. Each day, give the floor a good dry-sweeping with a soft bristled broom or microfiber cloth. This way, dust, dirt, and debris never has a chance to collect and small spills will be noticed before they can do long-term damage to your flooring. If you have kids, you can even get them in on it—make it a part of their weekly chores and show them how to pick up spills safely so you’ll never have to worry about a sticky mess going unnoticed for several days.

Mop Once a Week

Whether it’s muddy outside or your family just tracks in a lot of dust as throughout the week, you’ll need to take the time to mop your floors. Unlike cement and tile, wood floors should not be mopped with an all-purpose cleaner. Doing so could damage the finish and leave your floors looking cloudy. Instead, use a quality wood soap or cleaner recommended by your installation team. Approved cleaners will lift dirt up without leaving a residue on your floor, helping preserve the natural color of the wood while maintaining the polish and finish. Though light daily cleaning is recommended, you don’t have to go all-out and mop the floors every day. Once a week will be enough to help you keep up with the dirt and grime.

Take Preventative Measures

Scratches make even new floors look old and damaged, and refinishing your floors to repair the damage is both expensive and time-consuming. Instead of taking the risk of scratches marring your floor, take a few simple preventative measures. Place rugs in front of each entryway of your home and take dirty shoes off before leaving the entryway. This will help prevent rocks, dirt, and mud from getting tracked throughout the house and scratching your floors.

Though dirt is a major problem, it’s not the leading cause of deep scratches on the floor—your furniture is. Any item of furniture that can slide along the floor can leave deep gouges in the wood. Rather than leaving things up to chance, install floor protectors on chairs, ottomans, and even TV trays that may get dragged along the surface. Small rounds of felt glued to the bottom of each leg or furniture sliders will reduce the risk and frequency of scratches and keep your floor looking its best for months to come. Keep in mind that felt may allow the furniture to slide easily along the floor, so only apply it on items you need to move frequently.

Move Furniture Around Periodically

Flooring ages and changes color over time due to traffic, light exposure, and frequent cleaning. If you leave your furniture in the same place for years at a time, the floor may age unevenly. The result is a patchy appearance both in color and quality of the finish. Instead, rearrange your furniture every year or so and let the floor age evenly. This way, the color will be uniform across the room and the finish will see the same amount of wear and tear over the course of its life. If you notice a particular area aging faster, contact your hardwood floor installation contractor to discuss the steps you can take to reduce wear and tear on your floor.

Protect The Floor From Water

Nothing is more damaging to wood flooring than water. While hardwood may look great in the kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom, it’s not always up to the challenge of withstanding the changing moisture levels. Protect your wood by laying down bath mats or protective rugs around these areas. Not only will it make the space more comfortable for you to use by adding cushion, but it will also keep the floor safe from water damage. In these rooms, keep a weathered eye out for the signs of water damage. Spotting in the finish, warped floorboards, and even changes in texture of the finish all indicate water damage.

Never, Ever, Use a Steam Mop

If you’re using a mop to clean your floor, you’ll need to use cool room-temperature water and an approved cleaner. This will help preserve the finish and keep your floor looking its best as long as possible. Under no circumstances should you use a steam mop. These systems introduce heat to the water and all that heat can damage your finish, causing it to bubble up, cloud over, or hold onto the dirt already on the floor. If you’ve used a steam mop on your hardwood floor, contact your installation expert and schedule an inspection. The sooner you repair the damage, the better of your floors will be.

At Ward Hardwood Flooring, our dedicated staff wants to help you keep your floors in good shape, whether they were installed a week ago or have been in place for over ten years. We’ll help you with everything from finding a replacement planks to redo your floor to full installation to breathe new life into your home. Contact us for a free installation estimate today and see the difference that an experienced showroom can make in the way your home’s floors look.  

If you’re thinking about making any home renovations, it can be tough to make decisions because of the wide range of products and services available.  This is especially the case for any changes in flooring and it can be intimidating when choosing the perfect floor type to complement the design style and functionality of the room. If you are considering hardwood floors, here are a few benefits of choosing hardwood that may help you in your decision: 

1. Wood Floors are Always in Style

There was a short time in the 1950’s when wall-to-wall carpet was invented and everyone wanted it simply because it was new and interesting.  However, since then, most homeowners and renters, alike, seem to prefer homes with wood floors.  It is a style that is classic and looks great no matter what era we are in.  Interior décor changes over time, trends come and go. Contemporary, shabby chic, modern, rustic, traditional, industrial; wood floors will fit in to every trend and give a home a luxurious appearance.  

2. Wood Floors are More Hygienic

Sure you can vacuum carpet, but it doesn't always pick up all the dust and allergens.  And if you spill liquids, forget it; you’ll never get it all because carpeting is a porous weave that traps both liquid and solid particles.  Wood floors have a smooth finished surface, so dirt and spills will mostly rest on top and can easily be swept or soaked up.  Cleaning carpet often requires toxic chemicals and hiring a carpet cleaning service.  However, hardwood floors can easily be cleaned with a few drops of dawn in warm water and can be done without paying for professional service.

3. Wood Floors Look Great no Matter their Condition 

There is no flooring more beautiful than a brand new hardwood floor.  The wood grain has a beautiful natural design, the color is dynamic and varies from board to board, and the finish can bring any desired level of sheen to the floor.  But even old, worn wood floors have a beauty to it too.  It looks shabby chic, like it has been well worn and well loved.  It appears to have a history behind it; it’s nostalgic for many people, but still functions well.  Carpet on the other hand, is nice when it’s new, but over time it starts to look worn out and dirty.  Stains have settled in that are impossible to get out.  In areas with high foot traffic, it will begin to look worn and matted.  Eventually, tears occur and nylon strings unravel, leaving a trip hazard.  

4. Wood Floors Rarely Need to be Completely Replaced

The life expectancy of carpeting is much shorter than wood floors.  If you are lucky, you may get 10 years out of it, tops.  But wood floors can last five times as long.  Even after decades, there is a chance it just needs to be sanded and refinished rather than replacing the boards.  The initial cost might be more for hardwood versus carpet, but because the product lasts so much longer it is a quality investment in the home.   

5. Wood Floors have a Better Resale Value

For all of the reasons above, homes with hardwood floors sell for more than homes with mostly carpeting.  Real estate agents love to highlight wood flooring in their listed amenities.  Home buyers typically find wood floors more appealing, and renters prefer wood floors because they know carpeting is a trap for germs and grime from previous renters.  

Hopefully, now you have a better understanding of just some of the many benefits of hardwood floors versus carpeting. If you’re considering new flooring in your home, rule out the tacky carpet.  For additional information about hardwood floors - the different products, styles and services available, contact Ward Hardwood Flooring.  We can give you a free estimate and have a great selection of wood flooring to choose from.

Preparing to upgrade your home is an exciting decision, and many homeowners are looking to add a unique aesthetic. One way to add a natural element that works with any design is by adding antique wood in many different ways, from walls to flooring to furniture. It can be incorporated in many different ways for a gorgeous and personalized upgrade. Here are three different ways you can incorporate antique wood into your home remodel:  
 

Flooring: Antique flooring can add character to your home, due to the history each piece holds within it - each plank tells its own story. It’s available in a variety of species, and can be finished in a variety of ways, enabling you to create a truly unique and custom look. Wide plank is a popular choice and provides a clean aesthetic that really can open a room. By adding antique wood to your home, you are using recycled materials and limiting environmental impact, and older wood typically stands up to everyday wear and tear better than newer wood, meaning you won’t have to refinish or replace as often. This environmentally friendly flooring is quite diverse in the options available, and your hardwood flooring team can help you choose the perfect floor for your space.


Walls and Ceilings: A great, but sometimes overlooked, addition to a home is a wood accent wall or ceiling. Many homeowners are choosing either an accent wall or entire room to be outfitted with wood walls. If using darker wood, larger rooms are typically ideal as darker colors can make rooms feel smaller. An accent wall can add an artistic touch that isn’t too overwhelming yet can still complement a variety of wall colors. In some cases, homeowners choose a selection of one or two styles of wood planks to incorporate into their wall or design. The options aren’t only limited to walls; ceilings are also a way you can incorporate this type of wood into your remodel. They fit especially well in kitchens or large rooms with light walls, and add a rustic appearance to expand the room.


Furnishings: There are many different ways to incorporate rustic or reclaimed furniture into your design, from live edge tables in your dining room to custom built benches in your entryway. Custom cabinetry is the perfect way to utilize antique woods into a functional design, and can be installed anywhere from kitchens to bathrooms to bars. Furniture can also be custom built, fitting perfectly into the space or design of a room. If you enjoy remaking different accent pieces for your home or taking on DIY projects, this type of wood is a solid choice. It stands up to the test of time and can be used anywhere! 


As you look for ways to incorporate antique wood into your remodel, Ward Hardwood Flooring can help! When ready to take on a design project, be sure to stop by and see us! Our showroom is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or you can call us at 303-674-6966. We will work with you and make your vision come to life. Our start-to-finish custom services will ensure the life of the product, and we are sure you will love the finished product!