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Can Hardwood Floors Be Repaired?
Hardwood floors can be life-long investments in your home or property. However, hardwood flooring needs care and upkeep to stay vibrant. When a homeowner experiences issues with their hardwood flooring, it can be challenging to determine what to do about getting their issue resolved.
Most of the issues that a hardwood floor owner will experience can be repaired without completely replacing the damaged areas of the floor. Here are the most common problems with hardwood flooring that can be fixed without replacing them.
Cracks
Cracks are one of the more straightforward repairs that can be made on a piece of hardwood floor. Repairing a crack consists of filling the crack with wood putty and refinishing the floor.
Gaps
Filling in gaps in your hardwood floors is also a relatively easy fix. All that is needed is to cut small hardwood strips and fit them into the floor’s cracks.
Scratches
Scratches are also an issue that can be remedied without having to install a brand-new piece of flooring. The solution can range anywhere from cooling in the scratches with a furniture bump and scratch filler to completely refinishing heavily scratched areas.
Stains
Stains on a hardwood floor are harder to remove, but it is still possible. Most of the stains a hardwood floor will get will require a complete refinishing to fix. There are exceptions to the rule, but for the most part, stains will need to be sanded out, and the floors will need to be refinished.
Fading From UV Light / The Sun
Direct sunlight can become devastating to hardwood floors over time. There are many ways to prevent this, but once the damage is done, the floors will most likely need to be refinished.
High Traffic Wear & Tear
Most floors will need refinishing every seven to ten years. If a floor section experiences heavy foot traffic, this number can be bumped up sooner. General wear and tear is to be expected, and the benefit of having hardwood floors is that a thin layer can be sanded off, and the floors can be restored to look brand new!
Minor Buckling, Cupping, & Warping
When a hardwood floor is affected by moisture problems, time is essential to avoid replacing large sections of flooring entirely. When hardwood floors begin buckling, cupping, or warping due to prolonged exposure to moisture, the floors can be saved by first addressing the moisture issue and then refinishing or reinstalling the hardwood. However, once a section of the floor has been exposed to moisture for a prolonged period, completely replacing the floor is often what can be expected.
There are, however, some issues that a hardwood floor owner can experience that cannot be repaired. These are the most common issues that can occur that would require all affected areas to be removed and replaced.
Termites
There is a possibility that minor damage caused by termites can be repaired on wood floors. However, hardwood floors damaged by termites will need to be replaced in most cases.
Warping, Cupping, & Buckling
Hardwood floors do not do well with moisture. Too much water in the atmosphere of a room will cause severe damage to hardwood flooring. The same is true if there is no adequate moisture barrier between the subfloor and hardwood floors. In most cases, warping, cupping, and buckling in hardwood floors will need to be replaced once the moisture issue is dealt with.
Deep Water Stains
Lastly, deep water stains and damage to hardwood flooring will almost always need to be completely replaced. Once the wood floor has absorbed water or other moisture, there is no way to repair the damaged area without completely removing and replacing the individual wood planks.
When it comes to most issues with hardwood floors, a professional opinion is often the safest and most cost-effective way to fix the problem. Talk with reputable experts you can trust when asking for a consultation or advice.
If you are in Westchester Co, NY, or the Orlando area, we would love to help you with any of your hardwood flooring issues. Call us today!
Can Hardwood Floors Be Painted?
Painting hardwood floors is possible. However, we advise against it for most people.
We have seen a recent rise in photos of painted hardwood floors online. Pictures of bright and unique floors are being shared on social media. However, we believe this is a social media trend happening outside the influence of flooring experts and general contractors. Painting hardwood floors can create a novel and exciting look, but we will share with you why we believe painting hardwood floors is not an ideal solution for most people.
DIY Nightmare
Painting hardwood floors can quickly become a nightmare. The preparation isn’t too much different from a typical stain and finishing job, but the actual painting can get overwhelming fast.
A hardwood floor can take between three to five coats of paint. Each coat’s dry time can be between 12 and 24 hours. These staggered dry times can quickly become a week or more work. If the floors are in an area of your home that you need access to, this can become a real pain.
Once you’ve finished your three to five coats of paint, you will need a final layer of some sealer to protect the paint from scuffing, scratching, or chipping. This will only add more time to the project.
Not A Practical Choice
Painting hardwood floors may result in interesting and unique floors. However, painted hardwood floors are very delicate and will begin to show signs of wear immediately. Regardless of how many coats of paint you use and how well you seal the paint, painted hardwood floors will not look fresh for long. This is especially true if the painted floors are in high-traffic areas.
The best you could hope for would be to see fading and discoloration on the floors. But, unfortunately, most painted floors will begin to chip and quickly become a problem.
Painted Hardwoods Are Hard To Restore
Once hardwood floors have been painted, removing all the signs of paint becomes nearly impossible. Hardwood absorbs paint, making it a massive task to sand and strip the floors to return them to normal. Once hardwood floors have been painted, there usually is no going back.
Painted Hardwood Floors Need Constant Maintenance
Painted hardwood floors will need to be repainted at least once a year. For lighter colors, you could expect to have to repaint them even more than that. Repainting isn’t a big deal for some people, but for others, this will become a hassle very quickly.
Consider Staining Your Floors Instead
Staining hardwood floors is an industry standard for a reason. With many different colors and finishing textures, there are many interesting options for your hardwood floors. Staining is a much more efficient way to stylize your hardwood floors and protect and prolong the floor’s life. Not to mention, the maintenance on properly stained hardwood floors is nothing compared to paint.
We hope we have given you some reasons to reconsider painting your hardwood floors. We realize fun and quirky photos of painted hardwood floors are circulating on social media. However, we believe these painted floors are more of an online novelty than a practical and functional solution for the average person.
If you have some questions about stains and finishes for hardwood floors, please do not hesitate to contact us for help!
What Are The Most Durable Hardwood Floors?
When trying to figure out what type of hardwood flooring is the most durable, there are a few things to consider:
- The Janka Scale
- Hardwood And Engineered Harwood Flooring
- Vinyl and Laminate Flooring
The Janka Scale
The Janka Scale is an industry-standard measurement of different wood species’ hardness. This measurement is not just used for hardwood flooring but for all types of woodworking industries that work with wood. The Janka Scale measurement represents the force it takes to shoot a steel ball into the surface of the wood. This measurement is how hardwood floors are rated according to their hardness.
Hardwood vs. Engineered Hardwood
Hardwood floors are solid cuts of wood that are used to make up flooring planks. Engineered hardwood floors are made of pressed wood or other materials with a thin layer of hardwood on the top. Hardwood and engineered hardwood floors look identical to the naked eye. The hardwoods they both use share very similar degrees of durability. These are the most durable types of wood for both hardwood and engineered hardwood floors:
Oak
Many consider oak to be the industry standard of durability. However, there are far more durable types of wood. Nevertheless, when properly maintained, oak floors will last a lifetime.
Hickory
Hickory is one of the hardest types of wood flooring that’s easily accessible to most consumers. However, hardness doesn’t always mean durability. Hickory, if not maintained, can warp and bow, especially when wet. Hickory is an excellent option for most people when looking for a durable floor.
Mahogany
Mahogany floors are also some of the hardest floors on the Janka scale. However, they are considered exotic and might get pricey depending on where they’re sourced. It is also important to note that Mahogany has a distinct wood grain pattern that is not for everybody.
Maple
Maple is one of the most popular choices of durable hardwood flooring. Most large public spaces with hardwood floors are typically made of maple. Most people don’t know that basketball courts are made of maple for their shock absorbent qualities and durability. Maple makes a great, durable choice for a lot of consumers.
Oil-Based And Water-Based Polyurethane
The finishing applied to your hardwood and engineered hardwood floors is crucial for their durability. In most scenarios, an oil or water-based polyurethane finishing will be needed for durability. Hardwood and engineered hardwood will need to be refinished over the floor’s life.
Vinyl vs. Laminate
Vinyl and laminate flooring are very different than hardwood and engineered hardwood. Vinyl flooring, which is made of vinyl, is not a wood-based product. It is entirely waterproof and much more durable than hardwood. Vinyl flooring’s waterproofness and durability are two of the biggest reasons people prefer “fake” wood floors in their homes and businesses over natural hardwood.
Even though vinyl and laminate flooring are more durable than natural hardwood, hardwood and engineered hardwoods can stand the test of time when properly cared for. However, hardwoods are not for everyone. We hope this guide has been a help to you.
For more questions concerning hardwood flooring, engineered hardwood flooring, or vinyl flooring, please don’t hesitate to contact us for help!
Are Hardwood Floors Waterproof?
The answer to whether you can buy hardwood floors that are entirely waterproof is: No.
This article will look at ways to make your hardwood floors as waterproof and spill-proof as possible. We will also talk about actual waterproof alternatives to hardwood floors.
Wood And Water
There are many ways to protect and finish your hardwood floors, but at the end of the day, wood will always absorb water. Unfortunately, this holds true in the case of hardwood floors. Even when applying professional-grade finishes on hardwood floors, making hardwood floors 100% waterproof is impossible.
As we discussed in a previous blog about the dangers of having dogs live on hardwood floors, the greatest threat of pets to hardwood floors is urine puddles that can stain and damage hardwood floors.
In the case of an appliance leak, or a significant spill that isn’t properly cleaned up, liquids will eventually get absorbed into the wood and cause problems.
However, people have enjoyed hardwood floors in their homes and businesses for generations. With the proper care and maintenance, most people will never experience problems with water on their hardwoods. The type of water it takes to ruin hardwood floors comes from roof leaks, major appliance malfunctions, or gross negligence. Unfortunately, the growth in the vinyl flooring industry is fueled by an exaggerated fear that genuine hardwood is a bad purchase because it is too susceptible to water damage.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood is much more resistant to water than traditional hardwood. Engineered hardwood is a product that consists of pressed particle board, or vinyl planks, with an outer layer of actual hardwood. The top layer, which is what is seen and walked on, can be finished and treated like traditional hardwood. This will keep it from absorbing water and moisture directly. However, the core of the wood is much more water resistant, especially when it’s constructed of vinyl planks.
Engineered hardwood has seen many changes over the years in quality and ruggedness. The engineered hardwood floors available today are the most waterproof hardwood floors that actually contain hardwood. Most of what is marketed as “Waterproof Hardwood” is vinyl or laminate flooring.
Vinyl & Laminate Flooring
Vinyl and laminate flooring are the only 100% waterproof solutions that still resemble hardwood flooring. However, vinyl and laminate flooring are not made of wood.
Instead, the textures and the visual presentation are designed to mimic natural hardwood. To the untrained, naked eye, you can’t tell the difference between high-quality vinyl flooring and some natural hardwood.
Since vinyl and laminate flooring are not made of wood, they can be soaked and submerged in water indefinitely and will come out looking brand new. This is a big selling point for vinyl and laminate flooring manufacturers.
So there you have it! We hope we have answered some of your questions about hardwood floors and waterproofness.
If you have any other questions about hardwood floors and waterproofing solutions for your next project, please don’t hesitate to ask a professional. We would love to help!
Are Dogs Bad For Hardwood Floors?
Are dogs bad for hardwood floors? Yes and no.
Dogs have a reputation for being bad for hardwood floors, but why? The reason might not be what you think it is.
Scratches
The most common conception is that dogs are bad for hardwood floors because they will scratch them. While this is true, scratches aren’t the largest threat dogs pose to hardwood floors.
Most hardwood floors can now be protected against toenail scratches from dogs. Soft and unfinished hardwood floors are susceptible to dogs’ claw marks, dents, and scratches. However, most hardwood floors today can come pre-treated and finished in ways that add protection to the wood. As a result, with routine maintenance, hardwood floors can stay mostly safe from scratches from dogs’ nails.
Urine
The #1 danger that a dog posses to your hardwood floors is its urine. Dog urine that is allowed to puddle on top of a section of hardwood flooring can be disastrous. Due to its high alkaline content, urine left out on hardwood floors will quickly become corrosive. If a dog urinates on hardwood flooring while the owner is away at work or on a trip, it doesn’t take long to create a stain.
Unlike the scratches and dents a dog can leave on hardwood flooring, urine stains are much harder to repair. Typically, it is easier and more affordable to replace the section of the floor that has been stained. Unfortunately, sanding and refinishing will likely not get a urine stain out of hardwood.
Vinyl
Vinyl flooring is an excellent option for homes with dogs. Vinyl flooring can be purchased with multiple grades of a wear layer, providing outstanding protection against scratches, dents, spills, and stains. Vinyl is also waterproof. So any missed puddles of urine won’t permanently stain the floor. For those who still want to use traditional hardwood floors, there are many boot and sock options for dogs to wear around the house.
Looking For Help?
For more information about this subject or any of your flooring needs in Westchester County or Orlando, Florida, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today!
Are Hardwood Floors Bad For Dogs?
Welcome to a two-part blog about dogs and floors. Today, we are looking into whether hardwood floors are bad for dogs.
First, let us look at whether hardwood floors are dangerous to dogs’ physical bodies. In short, the answer is not really.
Old, Sick, and Disabled Dogs
When dogs get old or sick, they can fall and get hurt. Most of us grow up thinking dogs are bulletproof and tough as nails when it comes to rough and tumble actions on the ground. However, the truth is that dogs can fall on the ground and get hurt just like humans can. This is especially true of dogs with injuries or disabilities and those who have aged into their senior years.
Apart from the injuries that can occur by a dog slipping on a slick floor, hardwood floors do not seem to pose a physical, long-term threat to dogs’ paws, joints, bones, or bodies. However, the real discovery is how a dog living on hardwood floors could be affected emotionally.
Emotional Health
The most significant concern for dogs living on or around hardwood floors is their emotional well-being. This might not sound like a big deal initially, but the research shows us otherwise.
Most dog owners invest lots of care and resources into how their dog behaves. However, families all over find themselves stumped as to why their family pet acts up or displays unwanted types of behavior. They will spend hours and hours training their dogs to behave as they would like. They hire professionals to come to their homes to train their dogs. They might even send their dog to obedience school. However, not many people realize their dog might suffer from an instinctual trigger causing bad moods and behavior.
Dogs have trouble walking and feeling comfortable on most hardwood floors. They experience this because their paws and nails cannot grip the floor’s surface. This causes serious physiological reactions that affect dogs in different ways. Some breeds of dogs do better with the stress this causes than others.
Similar to humans, when a dog feels out of control or like they’re slipping, it triggers a response in their body and mind. It might be compared to the sudden rush of panic you and I might feel as if we’re slipping on ice or a wet floor. This type of reaction repeatedly occurring over a long period could dramatically change how a dog acts and behaves.
Veterinarians and animal researchers have begun exploring how these factors influence a dog’s mind and psyche. The results are astounding. There are a lot of “bad dogs” that are just ill-equipped to live on hardwood floors! There are ways to help your dog adjust, like keeping their nails and fur on their paws trimmed. You can read about this here.
The only real way to know if your dog would be affected by hardwood floors is by letting it try out a hardwood floor. You could bring your dog somewhere that has hardwood floors or install hardwood floors and see how your dog does. If you already have hardwood floors, though, keeping aware of if they avoid the floors and stick to rugs and mats might be a way to tell if they’re having trouble with them.
So there it is. Are hardwood floors bad for dogs? No, it seems that they are not. However, they can prove problematic for some dogs.
If you need help deciding what kind of floor would be best for you and your family, we would love to help. Please call us today with any questions you might have.
Hardwood Vs. Bamboo Flooring
Are you looking to renovate your flooring or update your home? Are you weighing the pros and cons of hardwood vs. bamboo floors? In this article, we will take a look at some strengths and weaknesses of both.
Pros Of Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is the most traditional and diverse type of wood flooring for most people and budgets. With years of being the industry standard, homeowners and investors will find the most options for different wood types and colors. Most people will also find that a majority of contractors and local businesses will be able to offer more help when dealing with hardwood flooring. Finally, more information and resources are available for the DIY’er looking to save money and lay their hardwood floors themself.
Pros Of Bamboo Flooring
Contrary to the name, hardwood flooring isn’t always tougher and more durable than bamboo flooring. Many hardwoods are commonly used for floors that dent and scratch easier than bamboo.
You have probably heard bamboo floors are the most eco-friendly floor options available. Bamboo floors aren’t technically made of wood but rather from the bamboo plants indigenous to eastern countries and territories. There are a few different approaches to using bamboo to make flooring, but bamboo plants are always easier to farm and replenish than the actual trees it takes to make hardwood flooring.
Cons Of Hardwood
Hardwood flooring will almost always cost more than bamboo flooring. Even the most accessible hardwood flooring options will typically cast more than bamboo. And if you’re like most people, the attractive hardwood flooring options that catch your eye get pricey. This price difference is something to be aware of when considering hardwood floors.
Cons Of Bamboo
Since hardwood flooring has been around for years, there are strict standards and measurements to rate the quality of the floors. With bamboo being a newer product, it is unfortunately not measured and ranked by the same standard as hardwood. So for those shopping for a deal, it becomes hard to know the quality of the product you’re buying.
Conclusion
It is impossible to give someone an answer when deciding between hardwood and bamboo floors, but we hope this will help you in your decision. Everyone’s needs will be different. So, getting a professional opinion from someone you can trust can be helpful.
Color Trends For 2024 For Hardwood Floors
As we enter the months of 2024, we see home remodels hit an all-time high! However, the verdict is still out as to what the housing market is doing, and people are still moving fast to get their homes to market.
Here are the color trends we have seen so far in 2024:
1. Dark And Smokey
This trend has continued from last year and shows no slowing down. Dark and light grey stains are still one of the most popular choices we have been seeing. We’ve also seen greys mixed with specific browns to give dark, beige looks. From what we can tell, dark and smokey floor colors will be around for a while.
2. White, Whitewashed, and Bleached
We have also been seeing a rise on the exact opposite of the spectrum: Light floors. Whitewashed floors were a popular choice in years past, and it looks like it’s making a comeback. White and whitewashed flooring creates a bright and clean look that makes a space feel very modern.
3. Vintage-Inspired
Finally, we’ve seen a move towards vintage-inspired colors and finishes. With the cost of original, reclaimed wood skyrocketing, many people are turning to creative alternatives. A vintage-inspired floor aesthetic makes a room feel unique and special. People are achieving this in a few ways. First, we are seeing more and more cerused finishes. Cerused, or liming, is used to open the wood grain up and contrast it with the selected base color. It produces a two-toned look. Another way people achieve a vintage look is by using various color stains in the same room. This is done by mixing and matching stain colors to produce an eccentric floor pattern.
We’re Here To Help!
As professionals in the luxury hardwood flooring industry for over 20 years, we have seen trends come and go. What is popular today might not be tomorrow, and a home-owner would never cut corners to jump on a trend that might cost them in the future. We would love to help you with any of your hardwood flooring needs. Please reach out to us with any questions!
How To Refinish Porches And Decks
Refinishing your wood deck, porch, or patio is an easy way to improve your home. It could even add value to its worth. Today, we want to give you a basic understanding of what it takes to transform a weathered deck into something brand new!
1. Prepare And Clean
First off, you will need to clean your deck or porch in preparation for your project. Your primary focus should be getting rid of mold, mildew, dirt, and grime. A low-powered pressure washer will work, but it’s not necessary. Instead, a stiff-bristled brush will do the trick. Just be sure you don’t scratch the wood. Once you’ve cleaned your deck, you’re ready to start thinking about the stain.
2. Sand
Next, you will need to sand the surface of the wood on the deck or porch. Sanding the wood will help your new stain and sealant be adequately absorbed. You will want to lightly sand the wood with an orbital hand-sander using 80- grit paper. Once finished, sweep or vacuum up the dust before adding any stain. Skipping a proper clean-up will only give you a headache later.
3. Stain
The last step is to add your new stain. It is important to know if your new stain has a sealant already mixed in. Most modern outdoor stains do. We recommend applying a second coat of stain, especially if the wood is extra absorbent. Be sure to think ahead and begin adding the stain in an area where you can work your way to the outside of the deck from where you start.
Looking for help?
Restoring a porch or deck can be a fun weekend project. However, things can quickly get out of hand and become overwhelming. In this case, it could be a good idea to ask for help before investing more time, money, and energy into a project than it’s worth. If you have any questions about refinishing a deck or porch, we would love to help you at any stage of your project!
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Best Types Of Hardwood Floors In 2024
Are you looking to build your dream home? Looking to transform your interior? Whatever it might be, finding the right hardwood flooring is essential to creating the perfect interior design. We know how important flooring is to your home, which is why we have taken a closer look at the hottest trends in 2024:
1. American Walnut
This soft and dark wood is a great choice for any home, offering a striking design that can create a beautiful interior. However, it can be prone to scuffing, so it might not be suitable in areas of high traffic.
2. Cherry
Cherry is one of the most popular forms of hardwood flooring and is an incredibly versatile option that looks fantastic in any room. It is important to remember that it can be photosensitive when first installed and will likely darken over time.
3. Oak
Oak hardwood flooring is the most common type of flooring in the United States, thanks to it being an incredibly durable and affordable material. There are also various shades and colors to choose from, allowing you to find the perfect style for your interior.
4. Maple
If you’re looking for a long-lasting and highly durable style of hardwood flooring, then maple is a fantastic choice and can withstand areas of high traffic while still looking aesthetically pleasing.
5. Vinyl
Looking for an alternative to traditional wood flooring? Wood effect vinyl flooring is a great choice for those looking for a durable and cost-effective solution that still has that beautiful wood effect in your interior.
Looking for new flooring?
Are you looking to transform your home with new hardwood flooring? We can help you create a stunning interior in your home, so get in touch with our flooring professionals today.