Come See Us at the NWFA

Real Wood Floors will be in San Diego tomorrow for the 2011 NWFA Annual Wood Flooring Convention and Expo, April 27-29, 2011. If the amazing weather and terrific golf courses aren't motivation enough, you can also learn everything their is to know about wood flooring and installation. We will be in booth 1119. We look forward to seeing you there.

Why Water and Vinegar Don’t Work

Water and vinegar is commonly perceived as a cheap, environmentally friendly option for those looking to keep their hardwood floors sparkling. While you might think you’re keeping both the planet and your wallet safe, you do so at the risk of dulling your floor.
Moisture is a key element to the flooring process—both during installation and regular maintenance. Wood will generally shrink and contract when exposed to low humidity, creating cracks between planks. The opposite is also true: high humidity causes wood to expand. Spilled water or puddles results in wood swelling up and can cause it to become discolored. (This is why specially made cleaners are delivered in misting spray bottles.
Vinegar is an acid—in reality, it won’t clean a messy floor, it will eat away at the finish. Remember, you’re not cleaning the floor itself, you’re working to clean the chemical finish. With its acidic properties, vinegar dulls the floor’s shine. Making matters worse is the water, especially when a mop is used. Traditional mops cause an excess of water, compounding both the effects of moisture and acid.
Don’t rely on this old wives’ tale. Hardwood floor cleaners are made for a reason—keeping your floors looking great with no side effects.

Protecting your hardwood floors from the paws of your furry friends.

An important, but overlooked consideration when contemplating wood flooring is how well they will hold up under the traffic of your four legged friends. When it comes to pets and your wood floors there are a few things to consider. How well your floors hold up under larger pets will be determined by both the species of wood for your flooring and the type of finish you put on it.

Even the best floor finish manufacturers will tell you that their product will not withstand the punishment provided by large pets. Make sure that you don’t set your expectations too high and be prepared to see some damage. Most pre-finished floor manufacturers will not warrant against damage done by pets, so that is another consideration to keep in mind when buying.

That being said, some types of floor finishes will hold up better than others. Two part water-based finishes that are formulated for high traffic or commercial settings generally perform better than oil-based polyurethane. Make sure you ask your contractor if he is proficient using high traffic residential or commercial finishes that might better withstand abuse from your pets.

You’ll also want to consider the species of wood used for your flooring. Some denser species will do a better job holding up under pets than others. For example, if you put in a yellow pine floor, which is naturally soft wood, even with the best finish, your pet’s weight will probably dent the wood itself. On the other hand if you put Brazilian Cherry floor in your home, your pets’ ability to dent this dense wood will be much less.

Ask your contractor what he or she recommends to withstand abuse from your pets. Be willing to buy a denser species such as hickory, Brazilian Cherry, Santos Mahogany or Maple to withstand the wear and tear and be willing to spend a little more for two-part water-based finishes that will provide more durability under the extra wear and tear. As always, have reasonable expectations as to what will happen to the appearance of the floor with a pet running around on it.

Orange Glo Nightmares

This week – a great reminder from Kevin over at Heartland Hardwood Flooring about the dangers of Orange Glo. For customers looking to restore shine to their hardwood floors, it’s important to inform them about the dangers of products like Orange Glo. Kevin provides more details here.

An ounce of prevention...

Hardwood flooring is one of the best interior investments you can add to your home. Realtors and homebuilders alike have acknowledged that wood flooring makes any home more appealing. That being said, maintaining your investment over many years is important. There are a few very simple steps you can take to help protect your wood flooring investment from wear and tear and damage.

• Beware dirt and grit.

Dirt and grit can scratch the wood finish when dragged across your floors by shoes or dust mops. Entrance mats help to control the amount of grit and dust coming into the home and dry mopping with microfiber helps to keep the dust that does get in under control.

• Vacuum safely

If you choose to use a vacuum on your wood flooring, make sure your vacuum employs a soft brush and never use a vacuum that has a beater bar on your wood floors.

• Protect your floors from furniture

Furniture—table and chair legs—can also scratch and damage your wood floors. To avoid damage from furniture movement, place felt pieces on table and chair legs. If your wood floor is in an area such as a dining room, where furniture is frequently moved, you can also use area rugs to protect your floor.

• Clean with care

Avoid harsh chemicals when cleaning your hardwood floors. Chemicals can be harmful to your wood floor finish and can cause discoloration. Contact your manufacturer for a recommendation on appropriate cleaners.

Water Happens, But it doesn't have to ruin your wood floors

One of the most costly threats to your hardwood floors is water damage. Water damage can occur from spills, leaks and humidity and moisture in the air. Of course the best way to save your hardwood floors from water damage is to employ preventive measures. Try to avoid water and other liquid spills; if they occur clean them immediately using absorbent cloth or paper towels. Maintaining air humidity in the recommended range for your particular hardwood floor is also necessary to prevent warping and other moisture related damage.

Some simple ways to prevent water damage include employing the use of rugs in areas, such as entryways, that are more likely to be exposed to moisture. Always be sure to speak with the manufacturer of your wood floors for tips and recommendations specific to your chosen floor.

Taking preventive measures will go a long way toward preserving the beauty of your hardwood floors over time. However, no matter how careful you may be, water damage can still occur. If you discover water or moisture damage on your hardwood floors, it is most important that you act quickly to remove or eliminate the source of moisture.

Depending on the kind of damage and the kind of hardwood floors you have, steps to repair it may vary. The important things to remember with any water damage are 1) eliminate the source of moisture and 2) wait until the wood has properly dried and relaxed prior to making any drastic decisions regarding repair. If water-damage related repairs are undertaken prior to the floor properly drying, permanent damage can be done to the floor. Feel free to email us regarding your specific issue and we’ll be happy to help you determine the next steps.

Protecting your wood floors from extra soles this holiday!

As you prepare your home for holiday guests this week, don't forget to give your wood floors some extra care and attention. The added foot traffic of friends and family during the holidays means extra wear and tear on your floors. The following tips can help you make sure your wood floors are properly protected as you welcome guests into your home:

If you have wood floors in your kitchen, be sure to protect areas near the refrigerator, sink, dishwasher and stove with area rugs to avoid water and food stains.

Place rugs or floor mats near any entrance into your home so guests can wipe their feet and keep any harsh materials from making their way onto your wood floors. You may also want to asks guests to remove their shoes when entering your home.

If you need to move furniture to make room for extra guests, be sure to use felt pads on table and chair legs to avoid scratching your wood floors.

If you have wood flooring in areas of your home that you anticipate seeing high traffic, you may want to use area rugs in those rooms as well.

These tips can help ensure that your wood floors maintain their finish and shine, even under the added holiday foot traffic. Taking these few extra steps to protect your floors can also help ensure that you can enjoy your holidays with family and friends without worrying about the safety of your floors.