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When you begin the search for the perfect flooring material for your home, the number of choices available to you may be daunting and it can seem like you will never be able to come to a decision.  In almost every flooring showroom, someone will most likely mention either Red or White Oak hardwood flooring.  When exploring this flooring choice, the traditional narrow strip flooring may be the first picture that comes to your mind; however, the advancements in the flooring industry have brought oak into a new future.  There are many benefits to choosing an oak hardwood, and many homeowners are utilizing this versatile and durable choice in their renovation projects.

Oak is Extremely Durable
Both homeowners and contractors alike are concerned with durability when choosing building materials, and Oak is one of the most durable hardwood products available on the market.  With a Janka hardness rating just below Hard Maple (the most durable of American hardwoods), Red and White Oak are both great options in areas of high traffic, or for families that have children or pets.  As a strong material, Oak is the perfect choice for flooring, cabinetry, wall treatments or custom-built furniture, and you can be sure that your investment will withstand the test of time.  If you already have Oak flooring within the home, its durability allows it to be refinished to either remove signs of wear or change the design look of the home.

Cost Effective Material
While Red Oak tends to be slightly more cost effective than White Oak, both options will fit nicely into your renovation budget, and with so many stains and finishing options available you don’t have to worry about the budget keeping you from the floors of your dreams.  As Oak trees comprise most of the hardwood forests in the United States, choosing this domestic hardwood flooring is not only a cost-effective option, but a sustainable one as well.

Staining and Finishing Options
Red and White Oak both have a wide range of naturally occurring colors; perhaps more than any other wood species.  Ranging from warm ambers, to shinier reds, to whitewashed blondes, to deep browns, Oak can fit into whatever design style you are looking to accomplish.  Both species of Oak also come in different grades of material, allowing you to choose between a floor with a lot of character, knots, and color variation or a floor that is cleaner and more linear with little variation from board to board.  Not only do both options offer naturally versatile color and design, but they are porous and therefore take to stain and finish techniques rather well.  The traditional staining method can be used to accomplish almost any color, but new techniques within the flooring industry allow for more unique colors to be accomplished on an Oak floor.  The material can be fumed to enhance the natural color variation within the material, or it can be water-popped to showcase the grain within the Oak.  Not only can many different shades be accomplished with Oak, it also takes well to finishing techniques.  Speak with your local hardwood flooring specialist to learn more about all the different finishes available. 

With so many options available, Oak is the perfect design choice for flooring, wall treatments, beams, mantles, and so much more, and you can relax knowing that your investment will last for years to come.  No matter what design you are looking to accomplish, in whatever room, you can count on Ward Hardwood Flooring to help you with your project from start to finish.  We have over 30 years of experience working in the hardwood industry and take pride in every project.  Give us a call today at 303-674-6966 for installation or material options and to schedule a free estimate!
 

When beginning a home renovation project, it can be daunting to determine what type of flooring will be the perfect choice for your family, lifestyle and interior design choices.  There are many factors that must be considered: whether the flooring choice will make the room appear smaller or larger, the durability and longevity of the floor, the appropriateness for different rooms and the uniformity with design choices.  For families with small children or pets, durability may be top priority, whereas other families may seek a style that will flow through the home and create an open, airy space.  This guide will help you to determine the most appropriate choice in flooring for you and your family to enjoy for years to come.

Prioritize Your Needs and Wants

It is important to first make a list of what exactly you are looking for in your new home, and how each room will affect the flooring that is placed there.  Be sure to consider rooms that may potentially be exposed to excessive moisture; such as: basements, kitchens, laundry rooms, and entryways.  These rooms will benefit from a more durable flooring material or will need additional protection in the case of hardwoods.  Also consider any rooms that are going to experience a higher than normal amount of traffic, or rooms that will have kids or pets as they tend to be tough on the flooring.  

Another important item to add to the list would be your personal style preference.  Are you trying to complement any trim or cabinetry?  What is the overall design style that you are looking to achieve in each room?  Will the floorplan be open concept and, if so, will the flooring flow through the entire space?  Utilize your local hardwood flooring showroom to help you complement the design elements you have already chosen, or as a perfect place to begin your search for the perfect design.

Choose Your Flooring

Once you have determined the priorities of your home, it is time to choose a flooring product that will accommodate your needs.  Hardwood flooring is perfect to accommodate a wide range of function and design necessities, but with so many material options it can be difficult to choose between them. 

If durability is your primary concern, there are many different reclaimed flooring options available.  When using a reclaimed product, the natural weathered patina and the character of the product helps to hide dents and scratches.  Reclaimed hardwoods are also typically more durable than their traditional counterparts as they have been exposed to the elements for hundreds of years.  Reclaimed products also have a variety of options to give you the design element that you are searching for.  No matter what interior design style you are seeking, there is a reclaimed product that can help you achieve the perfect look. 

When looking at flooring types for unique areas in your home, such as over radiant heat or in basement areas, you might be more interested in an engineered product that is specifically designed to minimize shifting between the material after installation.  These products are perfect if you are concerned about gapping or cupping in areas that experience changes in temperature or moisture, and with the improvements in milling technology, you can accomplish almost any look that you would like with an engineered product.

Finally, if you are looking for a beautiful yet cost effective option, there are always traditional solid hardwood options.  With so many different traditional flooring materials available, it is important to speak with your hardwood flooring showroom expert in order to determine the perfect material, stain, and finish for your home.  These traditional options can be installed in any room in the home and come in a variety of widths with endless possibilities on color and finish.  If you are looking to truly customize the look of your home while maintaining a cost-effective renovation budget, then this is the perfect choice for you.


Whatever you determine your flooring priorities may be, the experts at Ward Hardwood Flooring can help!  With over 30 years of experience in the flooring industry, we seek to provide professional and quality service to every customer.  We take pride in every job, no matter how big or how small, and we would love to talk with you about your upcoming project today!  Email info@wardhardwoodflooring.com or call 303-674-6966 today for a free estimate!
 

When considering a new hardwood floor installation or existing hardwood floor refinishing, it can be an extremely beneficial investment within the home.  With this investment; however, comes the added stress of keeping your floors beautiful and clean to avoid scratches in the finish.  Once upon a time, you would only be able to use a broom and mop to clean your hardwood floors, but today in the age of technology there are far more convenient options available to you that will save you time and labor.  Why is a robotic vacuum the best choice for cleaning you might ask?  These machines allow most of the tedious dusting chores to be automated at the push of a button, and most even come with remotes to help clean from a distance.

One of the great benefits of these robotic vacuums is that they are light weight and you won’t have to worry about them scratching the floors as they go about their jobs.  But how do you choose a vacuum that will operate best with hardwood flooring?  Follow these tips to help you decide between a wide range of products available on the market today:

3. Shark - Ion 750 Robot Vacuum



If you’re looking for a vacuum that is lightweight, low profile and has a wide cleaning radius, then this is the perfect robotic vacuum for you. While the battery doesn’t last as long as other models, it is a good starting point vacuum that is cost effective while delivering the convenience of an automated cleaning system. If you are looking for even more savings, you can opt for the Ion 720, which is the same model vacuum, but instead of Wi-Fi controls, it has a remote.

2. Yujin Robot – iClebo Omega YCR-M07-10



One of the largest capacity vacuums on the market, this machine is exceptional for people with kids and pets to help manage the endless cleaning.  With a relatively long cleaning time, and lightweight design, this vacuum is perfect for any floor of the home, and any floor type.  With two side brushes, this vacuum allows extended cleaning in tight spaces, under cabinets, and next to walls. 

1. iRobot – Roomba 960 App-Controlled Self-Charging Robot Vacuum



The most powerful robotic vacuum on the market, the Roomba 960 automatically adjusts to any floor type, seamlessly transitioning between carpets and hardwoods.  With a high-efficiency filter, this vacuum will pick up even the smallest particles, keeping your home free and clear of dirt and pollens.  At a relatively high price point, this vacuum delivers the best automation when it comes to run time, but when it is running low it will automatically return to its base to recharge, and resume cleaning as needed.  What makes this vacuum the number one choice; however, is the tangle-free brushes that help keep your vacuum running smoothly even over pet hair. Also, this vacuum can be voice activated!
 

When deciding what flooring type would be perfect for a living space, many people tend to lean towards hardwoods for their natural beauty and charm. Any space can be completely transformed with the installation of new flooring – but why should you choose to do so with Reclaimed Hardwood? There are many benefits to choosing reclaimed products, but it is an ideal choice for those who are worried about the environmental impact of undertaking a flooring project. From reducing the impact on a global scale all the way down to maintaining the interior environment of a home, choosing a reclaimed product will help you feel confident in your investment.

Environmentally Friendly Manufacturing Process

All Reclaimed Hardwood Flooring begins its journey as a part of an old structure that may be centuries old. The material is recycled from the beams, joists, siding, timbers, and other structural elements of various homes, barns, fences, and more. They are then de-nailed, kiln dried, cut into lumber, and milled into planks, and each board has its own unique character and story to tell from this process. By utilizing Reclaimed products for flooring, it reduces the number of trees that must be cut down to produce new flooring. As many century old structures were built with wooden building materials, there is a vast source of hardwood that is just waiting for someone to give it new life.

Another huge benefit for the environment is that during the milling process for these Reclaimed Hardwoods, less water and electricity is used than in the manufacturing of any other flooring type. This helps to save energy and reduce fossil fuel use, and in repurposing the wood from structures that would otherwise be torn down and scrapped, it also eliminates the pollution to landfills. This milling process allows for the repurposed material to be 100% reclaimed, meaning that you are getting a strong and durable floor that is completely sustainable.

Helping the Environment of Your Home

While helping the environment on a global scale is a huge benefit to choosing a reclaimed product, you may also be wondering how it would impact the environment within your home. Hardwoods do not trap dust and allergens in the way that other types of flooring will, which will help develop cleaner air within your home. Hardwood flooring does require more unique maintenance than other types of flooring as it is susceptible to scratching, but a microfiber mop or brush attachment on a vacuum will help keep the dirt and dust to a minimum.

Many people have concerns regarding the finishing process that is required with any raw hardwood installation, including reclaimed products. Finishing products have come a long way in recent years, and many companies have released natural, lower-VOC products to fit the green initiative. Improvements are constantly being made to increase performance and durability while reducing the impact on the environment. If you are trying to remain environmentally conscientious during the process of installing hardwoods in your home, be sure to ask your local hardwood flooring expert what finishing options would be best for you.

Incorporating Reclaimed Products into Your Design

Reclaimed materials do not have to be used exclusively for flooring, there are many different options available to bring sustainable options into your home. These materials can be used for everything from wall treatments, barn doors, furniture pieces, beams and mantles, stair railings, and more! The options truly are limitless, and these pieces can be worked into any design style. With many options for milling, finishing, and staining, your local hardwood company can help incorporate these beautiful products into your home.

Whatever custom woodwork you are looking to add to your home, Ward Hardwood Flooring can help! They have experience with a variety of products that can bring life back into your home! They put love and care into each one of their projects, as they have for the last 30 years. You can rest assured they will go above and beyond with your project. To explore options for your home, call today at 303-674-6966 or email info@wardhardwoodflooring.com.

Hardwood floors are a great investment—that is, if you know how to take care of them properly. Some homeowners install hardwood flooring in Colorado without first learning how to protect and clean them. If you want to preserve the beauty of your hardwood floors, make sure you follow these tips:

Cut your pet’s nails.

Do you have a dog? If so, make sure his nails are trimmed down at all times if you allow him to walk across your hardwood floors. A dog’s nails can easily scratch through the finish of your hardwood floors, leaving unsightly scratches that will need to be repaired.

Put down a welcome mat.

A welcome mat in front of your home serves two purposes: greeting people who have just arrived at your home, and protecting your hardwood floors. Kindly ask your guests to wipe their feet on a welcome mat before coming into your home so they don’t drag dirt and debris inside. If your guests walk across your hardwood floor with dirt and debris stuck to their shoes, they could cause damage.

Use the proper cleaning technique.

Proper cleaning is very important for your hardwood floor. Start by gently sweeping the dirt and debris off of your hardwood floor using a soft-bristled broom or vacuum with a bristle attachment.  You can lightly damp mop with vinegar and water, or use a product that is designed specifically for hardwood floors and follow the instructions closely. Wipe up spills as soon as possible to prevent damage. Do not let water spills, wet boots, etc. sit on the floors to prevent water damage issues. 

Put padding on your furniture.

Don’t move your furniture back into the room after a hardwood installation until you have inspected the bottoms of every piece. If any piece of furniture does not have padding, make sure you buy some and put it in place. Furniture can scratch your hardwood floors if there’s not a layer of padding separating it from the floor. There are several options to choose from, including foam pads or adhesive pads that stick to your furniture’s legs. Make sure you choose one that is designed to be used on hardwood floors.

You should also be careful if you have any furniture with wheels, such as an office chair. If you can, pick up any furniture with wheels when you are moving it back into place after an installation. For everyday use, buy a mat to lay underneath this furniture to protect your floors.

Now that you know how to take care of hardwood floors, are you ready to install this flooring material in your home? Let our professionals help. Contact the team of design experts at Ward Hardwood who have a knack for helping clients choose the right flooring for their homes, and preserve it for years after installation. Call 303-674-6966 to set up a consultation today.