Technology & The Hardwood Floor Industry

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. 

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Chicagoland Pro is going GREEN!

Green Hardwood Floor Finish is here and there are so many benefits to them that we decided to dedicate a whole blog post to the topic. We are thrilled to see the revival of plant based products and eco friendly practices in our industry. The benefits are overwhelming as we can now offer our clients, our staff and the environment better health. 

As demand and our industry grew; new products came out that were chemical based. Some products could be up to 50% Petroleum derived. To this day many stains & finishes that are available include Petroleum but consumers are becoming more educated on the topic and choosing products that are oil or water based. The public really should be mindful of the disadvantages the chemical products have. Health concerns around these products are based on the fact that Petroleum does contain harmful human carcinogens and may result in major health problems if ingested, exhaled and misused. 

Currently NEW Eco Friendly products & practices of hardwood floor staining, sealing and finishing have just recently gained in popularity and the products available have become more durable than their chemical competitors. For those that are doing at home refinishing or installation it is important to note that there should be a Green Seal on the product certifying that it is indeed Green.  Consumers should consult the manufacturer, a professional from the industry, as well as doing some research to make sure that the product they are using is truly LOW VOC or VOC Free. 

Some of the benefits of using Green products include better health for the people in the home or space where the floor will be applied. While many don't realize it, floor stains that are NOT VOC Free or Low VOC can not only have lasting effects on the person applying the stain but also for those inside the home as these chemicals will be inhaled for an extended amount of time even after the floor has dried.  People who choose the greener products should also know that there is little if not any lasting effects on the environment. 

The products also help to greatly increase the safety for the people installing the floor's themselves, as they are constantly exposed to them throughout their work day. Industry professionals such like Wayne, owner of Chicagoland Pro are thrilled with these new advancements and are hoping that with time the chemical products will no longer be needed, offering professionals in this industry longer and healthier lives.  

At Chicagoland Pro we use the Bona Traffic HD Finish which is  scratch resistant, very low VOC's ( less than 125) Just one of the benefits of this products is its low odor and how fast dries! It is also not flammable and is easy to clean up with water.

With the advancement of new & innovative products on the market, you can now purchase stains & finishes that are so safe that residents can apply them to counter tops, toys and even dish wear! Residents are even able to spend time inside the space where the product is being applied in some cases. For many who are planning renovations in their homes this is a relief as they do not have to change their routines or loose access to their homes for an extended amount of time. Ultimately the green choice is not only healthier for the planet and people, but also saves time and money.