Latest News in Hardwood Flooring - Colorado

How to Care for Your Hardwood Flooring in Colorado

August 2, 2017

When it comes to caring for your hardwood flooring in Colorado, how much effort do you put in? One of the greatest aspects of hardwood flooring is how easy they are to clean and maintain. While not much is needed, it is important to keep up on the small maintenance to keep them in premier shape. They are an investment that will last for decades and can help to increase the overall value of your home over time. To maintain this investment, it is important to know the overview of finishes, the basics of hardwood floor care, and dos and donâ€™ts of caring for floors. By staying on top of your daily, weekly, monthly and annual hardwood floor care, you will ensure the overall life of your hardwood.

Overview of Finishes

There are a variety of hardwood finishes that are available for hardwood flooring. For simple models, you can purchase flooring that has been finished at the factory. In this instance, you will only be able to choose what is available. For a natural look, you can buy unfinished strip floors.

From here these floors can be sanded down to a texture that you would like for your home. For a more in-depth job, you can invest in custom hand scraping. This will help to bring in added personality and character to a space. Working with a local hardwood flooring specialist on types of textures that fit your style. For a more rustic look, invest in reclaimed wood or rustic planks.

Basics of Hardwood Floor Care

No matter what finish of hardwood flooring you have, it is important to keep up regular maintenance and care. The key to maintaining your floors is to avoid anything abrasive. You also want to keep them in a good environment for wood. Make sure there is not too much humidity in the home that can lead to warping down the road. Ideally you need to keep the humidity to under 55 percent.

In addition, make sure to never let large amounts of water sit on the flooring. This can lead to long term damage and warping. When water gets into the hardwood, not only can it warp it, but can also lead to mold. Also, make sure to avoid any types of cleaners that are abrasive. You do not need to use cleaners that have harsh chemicals. For specifics, learn more about how to clean hardwood floors.

Doâ€™s and Donâ€™ts of Hardwood Flooring Care

It is important to know what you can and canâ€™t do when it comes to keeping up your hardwood flooring. A key to maintenance is to dust them often with a soft, cloth or cleaning material. This applies to cleaning them as well. Use a light material that does not hold a lot of water. When it comes to cleaning, you need to avoid anything that can scratch the floor. This can happen easily, so you need to use caution. This also applies to people and pets walking into your home from outside. Be sure to take off shoes when walking in and trim your petâ€™s nails.

In addition, too much direct sunlight can affect your wood floor. The harsh rays of the sun can impact the look of your flooring over time. In extreme cases, it can lead to fading. Make sure your flooring is protected.
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Daily and Weekly Tasks

Hardwood flooring requires a little bit of weekly maintenance. Do not worry, it will not take too much of your time. Take 10 minutes every day to give your hardwood flooring a light dusting with a microfiber material. This is a great activity to do while catching up on the news or listening to a podcast. This will also help to reduce the number of allergens that sit on the flooring.

For weekly maintenance, you will need to take some time to clean the areas that are not in easy-to-reach areas. This is the premier time to use a vacuum and attachment pieces to get to in the nooks and crannies. When using a vacuum, be sure to avoid using the bristles and choose a setting that just picks up dust and dirt. It is also important to mop your floors weekly as well. Be sure to follow the rules of using a small amount of water and a cleaning solution that is not harsh.

Monthly and Annual To Dos

Every couple of months, it is important to polish your hardwood flooring to keep it in beautiful shape. This will help to bring a vibrant shine back to them. It is best to handle the polishing after the floors have been cleaned. By adding a polish to your flooring, you will also fill in any scratches that have developed.

On an annual basis, or once every few years, talk to your hardwood flooring specialist about finishing treatments for your flooring. This will help to keep the original state of them. This will help to eliminate any scratches they have sustained over the years. Refinishing is also a great time to talk to your local specialist on re-staining if you would like to change the color of your flooring. As one of the many benefits of hardwood, you can work to transform your home with a new color.

When it comes to keeping your flooring in premier shape that lasts for decades, be sure to take advantage of these care tips in addition to the help of Ward Hardwood Flooring. We have specialized in reclaimed and wide plank flooring for over three decades and will help you keep your floors looking gorgeous for years! From installation and care tips to sanding and finishing services, we are here to help. Ready to get started? Take advantage of our free estimates to see how we can help with your hardwood flooring needs. Stop by our showroom between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 29390 Industrial Way #100 in Evergreen, Colorado to see how we can help you today. Â

When is it Time to Replace Hardwood Flooring in Colorado?

July 26, 2017

Hardwood flooring in Colorado is durable, but itâ€™s not indestructible. No matter how well you take care of your hardwood floors, at some point they will need to be replaced. However, sometimes hardwood floors can simply be sanded down and refinished when they start to show signs of wear and tear. How do you know when itâ€™s time to give up on refinishing and get a whole new floor instead? Look for these signs:

Water Damage

Hardwood that is exposed to a significant amount of water can begin to buckle as a result of the moisture. If the water damage has only affected a tiny part of your hardwood floors, you shouldnâ€™t worry about it. However, if a significant portion of your hardwood floors have been damaged by water, installing a new floor is your only option.

Sanding Excessively

Every time that you sand your hardwood floors, you are making the planks slightly thinner. As a result, there will come a point where your hardwood floors have been sanded and refinished one too many times. Once you reach this point, you will have no other choice but to replace the floor. One way to tell that youâ€™ve reached your sanding limit is to look for exposed nails. These only appear once the planks have significantly thinned out. If you donâ€™t want to wait until you see nails, itâ€™s best to only sand your floors three to five times before replacing them. Learn more about refinishing hardwood floors.

Out of Style

Certain hardwood trends come and go, so itâ€™s possible that you will want to replace your floors once youâ€™re no longer satisfied with the style thatâ€™s in your home. If this is whatâ€™s motivating you to replace your floors, be sure to choose a timeless style of hardwood this time around so you donâ€™t run into the same problem in a few years. Look for a darker, wide-planked wood that will stand the test of time and avoid buying wood that is trendy right now, such as gray and blonde wood. You may love the way this wood looks now, but your feelings may change as the trends do.

Structural Issues

There are certain issues that can only be addressed by removing the existing floor and installing a replacement. For instance, if the planks move around underneath your feet as you walk across the room or make a lot of noise when pressure is applied, there is probably something wrong with the structure of your floor. The issue could be with the subflooring, so let a professional rip out the old floor and correct these problems before laying down a new hardwood floor.
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If youâ€™re ready to install new hardwood floors in your home, itâ€™s time to get in touch with the professionals.Â Contact the team of design experts at Ward Hardwood who have a knack for helping clients choose the right hardwood for their homes, and preserve it for years after installation. Call 303-674-6966 to set up a consultation today.

How to Prepare For Hardwood Floor Installation

July 19, 2017

Are you counting down the days until your hardwood floor installation? There are a few things that you can do to prepare for the installation while you wait for the big day. Before the hardwood flooring professionals arrive, cross these items off of your to-do list:

Move the furniture.

Grab a buddy and move all of the furniture out of the room where the hardwood floor is being installed. It may be wise to buy furniture pads ahead of time so you can use them immediately after your new hardwood floor has been installed. Furniture pads are placed underneath furniture legs to prevent the furniture from scratching or damaging your hardwood floors. If you donâ€™t already have these, count how many pieces of furniture you have in the room and buy them before the installation begins.
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Clear a path.

How will the flooring professionals get to the room where the installation is taking place? Figure out which door you would like them to use when entering your home and then clear a path from that door to the room. Flooring professionals may be wearing clunky shoes designed to protect them as they use various types of equipment. If youâ€™re worried about them tracking in dirt or debris, consider laying down old sheets on this pathway from the door to the room so they donâ€™t have to walk across your floors.

Seal off other rooms.

There are two types of wood: prefinished and unfinished. Installing prefinished flooring typically does not create a mess or much of a commotion, but flooring professionals must use sanding machines when installing unfinished hardwood. This means a lot of dust will be kicked up in the air during the installation process. If you chose unfinished wood, be proactive and seal off other rooms in your house to protect them from dust. You can either close the doors to nearby rooms or go one step further and cover the doorways with plastic curtains that are often used on construction sites. This will ensure that dust is not flying all over your house during and after the installation of unfinished hardwood flooring. Learn more about prefinished vs. unfinished wood flooring here.
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Find a space for the wood to acclimate.

Hardwood flooring needs to acclimate to the temperature and humidity inside your home before it can be installed. To properly acclimate, the wood will need to sit untouched in your home for a few days prior to the installation. Talk to the flooring company to determine when the flooring will arrive at your house so you can clear out a space for it to sit for a few days before it is installed.
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If youâ€™re ready to install hardwood floors in your home, itâ€™s time to get in touch with the professionals.Â Contact the team of design experts at Ward Hardwood who have a knack for helping clients choose the right hardwood for their homes, and preserve it for years after installation. Call 303-674-6966 to set up a consultation today.

Hardwood Floor Showroom Tips: Choosing the Right Finish

June 28, 2017

When looking at different types of wood in a hardwood floor showroom, you may notice that some look different than others. This is because of the finish that has been applied on top of the wood. There are two main types of finishes: oil and urethane. Which should you choose? Hereâ€™s what you need to know before you can decide:

Urethane finishes are durable.

Urethane finishes are known to be more durable than oil finishes, which means they are better at protecting your floors against scratches, dings, or stains. However, it is inevitable that a scratch or ding will eventually make its way through a urethane finish. Repairing floors with a urethane finish is much more difficult than repairing a floor with an oil finish. You may have to sand the floor down and refinish the wood in order to fix damage on floors with urethane finishes. So although your floors are more durable, they are also more difficult to repair.

Oil finishes wonâ€™t peel.

Non-oil finishes sit on top of the hardwood floor, so they are often thought of as surface sealants instead of actual finishes. These sealants may begin to crack or peel over time, but you donâ€™t have to worry about this happening if you choose an oil finish instead. Oil finishes absorb into the wood instead of sitting on top of it, so thereâ€™s no way these finishes can crack as they age.

Oil finishes have a natural look.

Do you want the hardwood flooring in your home to look natural or glossy? The answer to this question should help you determine which type of finish you want. Oil finishes do not provide the same level of shine as urethane finishes, but they are known to make the knots and natural grain of the wood stand out. Because of this, oil finishes are often used when homeowners are trying to create a laid-back, rustic, or country vibe in their homes. Keep these differences in mind as you make your final selection so you can choose a finish that will complement the rest of your home.
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Urethane finishes are more low maintenance.

If you choose an oil finish, you may need to use a special type of cleaning product on your hardwood floors to prevent damage. Floors with urethane finishes are much easier to clean, so you donâ€™t have to make as much of an effort to preserve the look of your hardwood if it has this type of finish. If you have an oil finish, you will also need to recoat the floors every few years when the finish begins to fade away. Learn about oil vs. varnish for hardwood floors.
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If youâ€™re ready to install hardwood floors in your home, itâ€™s time to get in touch with the professionals.Â 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.

Hardwood Flooring Installation Tips: Carpet vs. Wood Stairs

June 21, 2017

Homeowners typically use either hardwood or carpet on the stairs inside their homes. If you are building a new home or thinking of redoing your stairs, you may be wondering which is the better option. The hardwood flooring installation experts at Ward Hardwood believe hardwood is the right choice. Hereâ€™s why:

Carpet is harder to clean

Even if you ask your guests to remove their shoes before going upstairs, people in your home are bound to drag in dirt and debris and carry it with them upstairs. Unfortunately, it is much easier to stain carpet than it is to stain hardwood, so you will begin to notice discoloration on your carpet stains in no time. Store-bought carpet cleaners may make the stains fade, but you may need to call a professional cleaner to make your stairs look as good as new. To clean wood, you typically just have to sweep the dirt and debris off of the surface. Here areÂ 10 carpet cleaning tips from the pros.

Carpet shows wear and tear

Besides stains, carpet will also show wear and tear caused by frequent foot traffic. You may start to notice some spots of the carpet look more worn down than others. This is probably because this is the area that people frequently walk over as they go up and down the stairs. If you have hardwood stairs, you wonâ€™t have to worry about this because this flooring material is fairly resistant to wear and tear.

Wood is more elegant

Having a wood staircase will make the rest of your home look more elegant and grand, whereas having a carpet staircase is less visually appealing. If the staircase is the first thing you see when you open the front door of your home, itâ€™s important to make a strong first impression by choosing wood over carpet.
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Wood is easier to see at night

The carpet used on stairs is typically all one color, which means it can be difficult to tell where the step is when you try to walk up or down the stairs in the dark. You wonâ€™t have this problem with wood. Most wood staircases feature stained wood on the tread of each step, and then painted wood on the riser. For example, the tread could be built with a rich, dark wood and the riser could be painted white. This contrast makes it easier for you to see where one step ends and the next begins if you are attempting to use the staircase at night.
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Are you still struggling to decide between carpet and wood for your staircase? Thereâ€™s one way you can incorporate both: build a wood staircase and then put a carpet runner down the center of it!
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If youâ€™re ready to build beautiful hardwood stairs in your home, itâ€™s time to get in touch with the professionals.Â Contact the team of design experts at Ward Hardwood who have a knack for helping clients choose the right hardwood for their homes, and preserve it for years after installation. Call 303-674-6966 to set up a consultation today.