How to Effectively Clean Hardwood Floors

  

 Chicagolandpro.co

Dark hardwood floors are very common flooring to have in their homes; they are elegant and beautiful floors. When you have dark hardwood flooring in your home’s main living areas: foyer, office, dining room, family room, kitchen, and bedrooms, they can get dirty.

While these floors are beautiful and make homes improve in value, they can be high maintenance; anyone with dark hardwood floors will agree. Every crumb, dog or cat hair, or spot of dust can show up on your floors like a big ol’ pimple on class picture day. We’ve all been there. It’s embarrassing. And just like the pimple showing up in the photo, having junk all over the floors when you have guests over is incredibly embarrassing.

So how do you deal with this dirt, while still loving your beautiful dark floors?

Relax. Your floors will not be 100% clean all day, every day. If you have pets, they will bring some dirt into the house and they will shed some hair. Your feet and shoes will bring some dirt into the house. If you try to clean every. Single. Dirt speck. You are going to drive yourself crazy. Vacuum and clean when you need to.

Have rules. With dark hardwood, footprints show up very easily. Consider wearing socks or slippers in the home. You can try shoes but those can scuff and track in dirt, unless you go the Mr. Rogers route and have indoor shoes. However, if you are keeping your floors clean for guests, then hold off on that rule for guests?

Have cleaning essentials. A vacuum, Swiffer duster mop (dry), and a microfiber mopping pad with hardwood floor cleaning spray.

Have a cleaning routine. Set up a schedule for days and times when you can get your cleaning done. Try to have one or two days a week when you can vacuum. Swiffer two to three times a week. Mop once a week.

If you need tips and help maintaining your floors with a trusted expert, then contact Chicagoland Pro, a hardwoodflooring expert. 

How To Choose The Best Flooring For Your Space

Chicagoland Pro- Hardwood Installation, Repair and Refinishing 

Are you getting ready to do a renovation and not sure what type of flooring is best for your space. Let us help you make the best choice. 


Obviously, being a hardwood flooring company we are partial to hardwood floors. After 25 years serving the Chicagoland area we have never heard a client tell us that they hate their hardwood floors. In fact, when was the last time you walked into a home or space and thought "I hate these hardwood floors"? Probably never, and that is why we think installing hardwood floors is a good idea and a good investment. We realize that not everyone agrees so we want to help inform you on all the choices so that you can make the best choice for your home or space. 

The number one factor when trying to decide on the type of flooring you should install or add to a space is function. The way the space will be used, the amount of foot traffic, as well as the floors location in a space all play an important role in what type of flooring your choose. While many focus on the design of the space we encourage to first consider function and then narrow down design options based on what floor will perform better for it's designated space. 


1. Hardwood flooring is great because it can provide both functional and beautiful elements to a renovation. Not only will this floor look good and be easy to keep clean, but it is a great investment. Hardwood flooring can outlast the homeowners by many years and adds a significant value to a home. Not only will the floors last but when you are ready to sell your home, buyers will be more interested because of the hardwood flooring. 

Currently, there are many varieties and or types of hardwood flooring options for consumers. Engineered wood is a great option for those not interested in traditional hardwood floor. It not only is more affordable but also is better suited to kitchen and bathroom spaces, or those that have high levels of humidity.

People looking for GREEN Flooring options should consider bamboo or salvaged wood, and realize that traditional hardwood flooring is considered environmentally friendly. Not only does can hardwood flooring last for over a century, but you can make sure that it is certifiably green by contacting the Forest Stewardship Council. The FCS ensures that wood flooring products are grown and farmed responsibly. There are also Green floor finishes like the BONA finish we use at Chicagoland Pro that is guaranteed to have low amounts of VOC's. These options make wood flooring the best choice for those going to "GREEN".

2. Stone flooring can add a modern and upscale look to a home or space but is not considered environmentally friendly and comes at a high cost. Stone flooring can be a great choice for entrance ways and other spaces that are compact. We would not recommend stone flooring for large rooms such as living or dining areas unless you are ready to spend.
Stone flooring comes in many styles and options, but again, it's not always functional for every type of room.  

3. Vinyl & Laminate flooring is good option for people who have high traffic areas or the functionality of the space includes pets, kids and or constant cleaning. These types of floors are easy to clean and will function well in an area that will receive a lot of foot traffic. While it is not an investment or major improvement that will help sell a space, it can a fresh and clean look, if you are doing a remodel or sick of cleaning a carpeted area. There are many varieties to choose from, including some that look and feel like hardwood floors. For those that are interested in hardwood but do not want to spend the money on traditional hardwood, these types of floors are a great option. They will not last as long, but will enhance a space and offer easier cleaning, and less allergens. 

Have a question for our Hardwood Flooring Professionals? 

Get in touch with us:

+Chicagoland Pro Hardwood Flooring  

 Visit our website or Call  (630) 217-2748. 

Need help with a new installation or renovation? We can help! We offer repair, installation and refinishing services in the Northwest Chicago area and beyond. Here what our clients are saying & contact Chicagoland Pro today! 

What is Engineered Hardwood ?

Chicagoland Pro - Hardwood Flooring Professionals

Hardwood flooring has evolved from the days of the first pioneers. There are many options for people looking to install new hardwood flooring and it may be difficult to choose the best kind of floor. Once somebody has decided on wood flooring, there are still many choices and decisions to be made before you can actually start the installation process. To help navigate through the options we wanted to help by differencing regular hardwood floor from engineered wood, and give our readers more insight into Engineered Wood flooring.

Firstly, as with any wood floor install, we want to access the function and location of the space where the new floors will be placed. This is important for multiple reasons. The way the space is used and location of new floor will help define the options. Design and humidity levels should be taken into account, along with location.

One of the top trends in home design and style is the addition of wood to areas that in the past were uncommon. Bathrooms and kitchens, along with basements were normally made with tile, linoleum and other materials, but not wood. This is because wood has a tendency to warp and stain if exposed to water. Recently, with new innovation and materials, homeowners and designers are choosing to add wood to these places. Engineered wood is a great choice for those looking to add wood flooring to bathroom and kitchen spaces. While the humidity and water, low levels of exposure to water still will affect it will not cause damage to the floor.

Engineered wood is comprised of many different wood products and is designed to meet specific requirements. This specific designations help to make engineered wood more durable under certain conditions. The wood itself is made of many products and come from different sources. Plywood, particleboard, and remaining pieces from saw mills are all used in engineered wood. The wood is crossed, glued and pressed together to get the final result.  Engineered wood is equal to the same market value as solid hardwood that is 3-4". This is important information if you plan on selling or buying a home with engineered wood.

The range of sizes and styles available in engineered wood varies just as regular hardwood floor options. Sizes can vary and include traditional plank sizes to the latest trend of using wide plank boards for wood floor installations. Styles colors also vary, and are not limited either. Along with the wide planks, recent trends featuring scraped or salvaged wood can also be used with engineered wood installations.

As with any product, the prices and quality of engineered wood varies depending on the manufacturer and wood thickness. The thicker the engineered wood, the longer it will last. Boards that are 2-6 mm in width will last approximately 20-60 years less than boards made 2-6mm in width. The difference being that the thicker boards will be sanded and refinished at least once within that time, and like with any hardwood floor, will need proper care to last the test of time.

Engineered floor can be a great option for those looking to do Do It Yourself floor projects. The tongue and groove system helps to make installation easier and faster than traditional hardwood floors. Having prefinished engineered floor also allows for a faster move in time after the floor is placed in the home. Altogether making DIY projects more efficient overall.

If you are considering a DYI project or interested in installing engineered hardwood floors in your home we always suggest you contact a local professional like Chicagoland Pro to help navigate through the process and get expert advice on your investment.

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Make Your Home An Easy Sell With Hardwood Flooring

The housing market is improving and with these improvements come buyers looking for homes that they can do more than live in. Buyers today are looking to make an investment when they purchase.  Young buyers are especially specific in their needs and want to know that they truly are buying something that is going to last the test of time, and the market. 

So how can hardwood floor help sell your home? The number one way is it is a proven investment. Hardwood floors can last over 100 years with proper care.  People looking to buy not only want to make an investment, but they also do not want to do all the work to increase the value of this property. They expect the value to already be in the home and wood flooring is something that they are asking and looking for in this purchase. 

The buyers today are a busy bunch. They are increasingly working more hours and doing more in their communities. They do not want to do more work after the purchase. Homes that already have wood flooring as a major plus in their eyes, because they will have more time for themselves, rather than devoting their free time to home improvements.

Easy cleaning is a major factor homeowner’s love wood flooring. Carpets can be difficult to clean, and even when professionally done can still have staining and dust mites. For those people that suffer from allergies or have kids, the idea of constantly cleaning carpet is daunting and time consuming. Buyers want to have more free time and less hassle. For people suffering from allergies walking into a home with wall-to-wall carpet can be a nightmare. Dust mites, mold and other allergens can get trapped in the carpet and give people serious reactions if they are not careful.  Hardwood floors create a healthier daily living experience and provide a better space for entertaining. Carpet can be a deal breaker for those suffering from allergies or do a lot of entertaining at home. 

One of top reasons hardwood floors can help sell your home is the actual installation of them can take time, money and create hassle for those looking to move in.  If the floors are already in the home, the buyers don’t have to worry about moving furniture, taking time away from the home or cleaning dust after an install.  While many people would love to have hardwood flooring, the time commitment and hassle of going through an installation keeps them at bay. By installing the wood floors before selling, people can move in and enjoy their new home without having to even think about making changes.

The new push for more eco-friendly or GREEN homes, makes hardwood flooring an easy sell.  

Wood flooring, especially sustainable wood like Bamboo, Engineered, or Recycled wood, makes those looking to live a green lifestyle thrilled to see the floor when they walk in to an open house. 

Considering all of the reasons above, as well as a better quality of life, it is easy to see why hardwood in a new home is ideal. 

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Hardwood Floor Trends 2015

Hardwood Flooring Trends for 2015

The New Year is almost here so we decided to take a look at the top trends in hardwood flooring for the upcoming year.  Those considering a new installation or simply wanting a fresh look for their flooring have a lot to consider.  Popular looks for 2015 depend more on the function of the space and style. Even more things to think about is how green you want your new floor to be. By green, we do not mean the color green, but sustainable and eco-friendly. 

For the Green Home the floor that will be most sought after is refurnished or recycled wood flooring. This type of flooring has gained in popularity recently but it has also increased in cost.  Often the wood is collected from old barns and other retired facilities and then refurbished. This is not only the greenest option, because no trees are cut down to create your new flooring,  but it can have a wonderful distressed look to it. There are also many new products on the market that are either LOW VOC or are VOC Free. This helps those that are not interested buying recycled wood, but would like to have options to have their home and flooring have as limited impact on their health and environment as possible.

Other green options include bamboo flooring and engineered wood flooring. Bamboo has become more popular in recent years and is being viewed in a more reliable light. Bamboo grows quickly and can be harvested to create wood floor. This helps to keep deforestation down and offers people peace of mind, knowing that the wood is being ethically harvested.  Engineered wood floor is another that is gaining popularity. It is becoming more a more available because of advancements in the industry and the ease of installment that engineered floors offer. We foresee these trends only growing and becoming more of a norm in the hardwood floor industry. 

When it comes to style, the most eye-catching flooring trend is the mosaic look. Recently Hardwood Floor Magazine featured its winners for floor of the year, and not surprisingly mosaic flooring won.  People are using mosaics and creating many different designs with wood. The most interesting is the puzzle piece floor, which looks like an Escher painting. Small puzzle wood pieces are connected to form the floor. Chevrons designs are also popular. You can find this design on everything from curtains, chairs and pillows, creating a zigzag effect and giving the room a modern feel.  People can use a variety of woods to create these effects or alternate opposite colors or shades; switching off between dark and lightwoods creates the most dramatic effect.

Some of the top requests we got in 2014 from our clients are a mixture  of colors including: Lights/Whites, Grays and Ebony floors. The light colors vary from white to cream and matte finishes. Some people are choosing to leave their floor looking natural. Others are choosing a light color that can open up many options for home design. Ebony or dark colored hardwood floors are also seeing a big comeback. They offer a rich and refined look to a room.  The Ebony color is by far the most popular of 2014 but people are choosing to use dark browns as well. The dark brown finish gives the floor a warmer feel than the ebony but both make the other features of the room pop with contrast. 

The last big trend we see growing quickly is the use of wide planks for floors. These floorboards are usually an average of 6” but can go up to as high as 7 ½” for some.  Wide plank floors are perfect for larger spaces and will be a trend that sticks around for some time. Wide planks are also easier to install as there are less pieces and they can adapt to humidity better, because there are less places for the wood to swell. 

One thing for certain, hardwood floors are here to stay and a great investment to any space. We have been installing, refinishing and repairing wood flooring for over 25 years and are loving these new trends.  

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