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| Chicagoland Pro Blog |
The wood floor industry is in full swing. We at Chicagoland Pro have seen a major comeback for our industry and an increased desire for wood floor in the last 25 years. With this revived interest there are tons of new and exciting things in the industry with the help of technology. From engineered wood to new apps there is something for everyone and its easier than ever to purchase, choose and install wood flooring in your home.
The biggest advancement in the hardwood floor industry is engineered wood. This wood includes several layers of hardwood. The layers are stacked and bound by using a pressurized heat system. This type of wood is more durable and is less likely to be effected by indoor humidity and water making it an excellent choice for kitchens or bathrooms, a recent trend for homeowners.
Other advancement include new ways to help home and property owners decide on the design and style of their wood floors. Advancements in technology has brought us apps like the Quick-Step App which is currently available in the Apple Store. This tool allows people to easily view and create a design plan for their flooring. Other web sites include design tools which make viewing floor options and styles easier than ever. With these new tools consumers can check out what their floor would look like in the desired space, identify types of wood and stains that would work for them. You can match the rooms and color to your desired floor to preview the look pre-purchase. These tools allow customers to have a better end-result that is more satisfying to their taste and style of home. They also save consumers time and money by allowing them to view these options from the comfort of their own homes versus traveling to stores and then returning home to match samples. It greatly relieves the stress of not knowing what the floor will look like once installed and creates a better overall experience for clients.
Training and education for industry professionals has benefited from recent technological advancement as well. A good example of this can be found on the Restoration Science Academy website which offers training for floor professionals on I-Pad's. Class subjects can include cleaning and restoration of hardwood floor, water extraction and legal contract assistance. This allows those with limited resources and time to save while at the same time helping them to develop their professional skills.
While these are all wonderful achievements, the biggest gains have been in the use of NEW LOW VOC products currently available on the market. The overall improvements to the flooring products has created healthier and more environmentally friendly options for consumers and professionals alike. BONA is a company we use and we are proud of the many products they have that limit the amount of toxins that people are exposed to. From cleaning, to sealing these products are much better for our health and the health of our clients while being more environmentally friendly overall.