What is Reclaimed Wood and How It Is Used For Flooring

One of the biggest trends in hardwood flooring this year is the use of reclaimed wood or recycled wood. Some people also refer to this as salvaging or re purposing but the main idea is to take old wood and use this wood for flooring, and other purposes. The salvaging of old wood has been happening for some time now, but in recent years and with new focus on sustainability, this trend is one that is not going to go away anytime soon.

We thought it would help to break down the process and facts about this trend, to help our readers and clients understand more about reclaimed wood trend and how they can use reclaimed wood for their next remodel project. 

One of the most common places where people find reclaimed wood is a farm. The wood used in old barns or stables, is usually great for this purpose. Other places that wood can be recycled from include old decks, warehouses, and excavation sites. To find wood to reclaim, one can choose to contact one of many providers focusing on reclaimed wood or contact farms, excavation and remodel sites. These places often will offer the wood for no charge if you are able to pick it up from them.

Many people look for old farm barns to reclaim wood from, which were built with old growth trees. The wood from older trees is a “tight grain wood” and will be naturally stronger and more durable. This type wood is ideal for re purposing as it is stronger than then wood available today.  There are some common types of wood found and reused. Long leaf Heart Pine, a slow growing pine tree comely found across North America in the past was often a source for pioneers. There is also Redwood, White Pine, Chestnut, Hickory and Oak. Oak was another popular choice by Europeans when they first came to North America because they were familiar with it, as it is also found and used across Europe.

Re purposed wood can be used in many different ways. Wood flooring is just one option but you can also use recycled wood for siding, cabinetry and furniture. There are many creative ways to recycle and reuse wood. 

Hardwood that is re-used does not loose value, because of its strength. With this practice becoming a trend, an increase in prices for consumers looking to use salvaged wood should be expected. While the cost is generally higher than traditional choices of hardwood, the value in the investment is considerably greater. This wood, when properly sourced, reclaimed and maintained can last well past 100 years. The floor or project that the wood is used for will outlast its owners and add value to any space.

Reclaimed hardwood flooring is one of the “greenest” options for those looking to take an “eco-friendly” route when installing floors. There is limited impact on the environment because the wood is not going to be harvested. By following other Eco-friendly flooring practices, recycled wood and VOC FREE finishes the floor can be almost 100% green and offer credit toward LEED certification for a building or space.

As with any addition of hardwood floor, the investment is real and of value. Hardwood flooring can add not only warmth to a space, but add significant value when considering buying or selling. The Green aspect of this type of flooring can also add to healthier spaces and a healthier environment.  The greatest thing about reclaimed hardwood floors is that they tell a story and have a history.

If you are interested in using reclaimed wood for your next flooring project or want to learn more about our professional services you can contact us Chicagoland Pro for a free evaluation or consult. We will gladly answer any questions you have and help you to determine if these types of flooring options are a good fit for you and your space.

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How To Care For Your Wood Floor During The Winter Time

Chicagoland Pro: Wood Flooring Tips & Tricks For Winter Time 

Winter is almost here and we want to help you protect those beautiful hardwood floors.

First things first, why do you need to do more during the winter? The answer is simple, wood expands with changing levels of temperatures and humidity. During the winter, your home will change depending on how the house is used and how cold it is outside. Some people conserve on heat and lower temperatures during the day, while others keep their homes at a constant temperature. Either way, there will be variations. The humidity level will also change as heaters, fireplaces and cold winds enter the home.

Your hardwood floor will be affected by all of these changes during the winter months. We have decided to put together a simple list of things anyone can do to help protect their floors from damage this season. 

First things first, entrance ways are the key in protecting your hardwood flooring. Start by adding mats by your door and creating a specific place for visitors and residents to put their shoes. We suggest asking people to remove all shoes before walking on hardwood flooring. Having a few old towels or rags nearby to clean up salt and water near the door is important.  Rags can also be used for pets feet after walks. Its a good idea to train your pet to wipe their feet and even have a reward system for them to encourage them to stop at the door instead of running in and tracking snow across the floor. This will make clean up easier and avoid salt or water spots. 

While we can do our best to prevent snow and salt from entering, one way or another some will always get through. Ass mentioned above, having a few extra rags ready to clean up the mess will help it from spreading. This can be old towels or t-shirts or you can purchase special rags specifically made for floor clean up.  When winter approaches create a designated a place for rags, shoes, and include a way for snow to drain without creating a puddle. This can be done with a waterproof mat or a dish drainer with a rag under it. Make it easy for yourself and everyone els to use these things and wash rags weekly to avoid salt build up. 

Cleaning the flooring 1-2 times a week is a must. While we can be vigilant about keeping snow and salt out, the inevitable will always happen. Adding a bit of extra cleaning during this season will help protect the floors. There are several protective products on the market that will coat the wood floors and form a protective shield. This is not necessary but advised as Chicago has tough winters that can last into the spring months. Normal cleaning is also sufficient, increasing the amount of cleanings is the crucial part.  Simple steps like this will keep your floors looking great throughout the winter and well into the spring. 

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How to Choose Hardwood Floor

Chicagoland Pro 

With so many choosing to invest in hardwood floors this spring we wanted to give a little insight to help consumers make the right choice when it came to their hardwood floor!

 In 2014 people are adding wood floors to increase property value but they are also getting creative with their floor of choice.  From the kitchen and bathroom, to wall's with wood installation, many are choosing to not only add wood, but are also refinishing old wood and modernizing the look of their home or office.

Creativity is driving people to think outside the box & we thought it would be helpful to provide some current insight into trends along with offering a few good tips for those choosing wood floors for the first time.

Some people may go for a modern & luxurious look while others may choose for a warm & natural look. Regardless of the style, both groups should consider all the options available to them and talk to a professional to ensure they are making the right choice for their space.

Things to consider when choosing Wood Floors

Major consideration should be placed on the finish, style, design, and location as well as the use of space where wood floors are being installed or refinished. 

Engineered Wood: More resistant to moisture & humidity. Quality of wood can be different from one manufacturer to another. 

Solid Wood: Durable and long lasting while offering options for refinishing for future remodeling.  

One of the most important factors to consider is location of wood flooring. The location can affect the type of wood and it's durability. Certain wood is better placed above ground while others are better for lower level installation. 

On Grade: Flooring installed on ground level.

Above Ground: This implies that the floor is installed on the second level or above.

Below: Below ground level, usually applies to basements. 

• Size: Measure the space to get accurate quotes and prices for wood. 
• Color: Use a color wheel or a color book to match colors & find the desired color your space. 
• Texture: Depending on the style of the room, textures can vary and provide effects to compliment the style or furniture of the room. 2014 trends include textured distressed & antique looks for wood floor.
• Width: Wide planks are gaining in popularity. Reclaimed wood can come in wider lengths &  offer less seams. There are multiple styles and colors to choose from. 

The Species of the wood is important to consider and with so many options, it's good to decide on the use and intention of the space first. While consumers might like the look of a specific species based on appearance  they may come to find that it is not functional for the space they choose to remodel.  It is also good to consider how much moisture and traffic the floors will get after installation. Wood grains are all different and adapt differently to the environment they are put in. 

• Oak: Most Popular choice for consumers. Red Oak is a great choice for high traffic areas of the home or office. White Oak offers similar benefits but in a softer look with light brown and gray tones vs. pink and red. 
• Walnut:  Softer than Oak and is consistently a popular choice for consumers. 
• Maple: Harvested in North American and Canada.
• Beech:  Imported from Sweden, Denmark, Norway. Colors tend to be warm browns with some red pigment. 
• Cherry:  Varieties offered for color. American Cherry offers soft, warm colors. Others can be more exotic looking.   Example: Brazilian Cherry wood provides mosaic looks. 
• Ash: Suggested for use in bright spaces with light. 

For more information on Wood Floor Species visit the National Wood Floor Association for a visual gallery.

Learn more about our New Green Stain Options at Chicagoland Pro

• Reclaimed Wood This wood is often taken from older homes and sites. It can be salvaged from an antique home and provide many more years of enjoyment once refinished. 
• Cork : From "Cork Oak Trees' Trees are striped of bark and hand harvested. Great choice for people with allergies or looking for a truly sustainable option as trees are never cut down in harvesting methods. These trees usually are grown in the Mediterranean region and are imported into the United States. 
• Bamboo - Often imported from Asia but local manufacturers are becoming easier to find. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world and can offer a more sustainable option for the green home owner. The negative side of bamboo is it dents easily so rooms with high traffic are not ideal for bamboo installation. The United States Green Building Councils offers LEED points for bamboo installation. 
• 100 % Green Stains: Many Green stains are available these days & for best results contact a professional for consultation to ensure your are making the best choice for your new floors.

Keeping Your Hardwood Floors Clean During Fall

As Fall peaks its head around the corner, we start to see how the wonderful season starts to make an impact on the cleanliness of our hardwood floors. But fear not! Just because there is a little extra dirt on the ground and leaves to step on does not mean that our floors have to suffer as well. There are a few, or more like 5, tips for keeping your amazing hardwood floors clean from dirt and gunk. Make sure to print this blog off or get a pen & paper because you will want to know this information.

The first tip for keeping your hardwood floors clean is to vacuum them every few days or at least weekly. Dirt builds up on floors very quickly and so do things like leaves. Even when you have a floor mat to wipe your feet off, sometimes things like leaves can still stick to the bottom of your shoes and make their way onto your hardwood floors. This issue compounds when you have pets that go inside and outside, such as dogs. Dogs are shameless and so they do not care, usually, about having some dirt on them and especially on their paws. While having dogs is a blessing, usually, they can make keeping your floors clean a magic act if you do not take the time to vacuum them every few days or once a week. It may seem silly but consider this, the dust and dirt that is brought into the house from outside acts like sandpaper on your floors; as the dirt sits on your floors and is pressed into the floors by people and pets walking on it, it grinds its way into your beautiful floors and wears on the finish of your floors. Try using a vacuum attachment when you do the vacuuming so you do not have to bend over and hurt your back; also, using an attachment with a felt bottom can pick up the dirt and prevent scratching the floor as opposed to using just the metal pipe or a rotating attachment.

The second tip for keeping your hardwood floors clean is to keep the rain out of your house. When you have a lot of rain, it is bound to make its way into your house via feet; people are outside and then they come inside or your pets are outside and then they have to come in, etc etc. The point is, rain is hard to keep out of your house and the frustration to win the battle is often high. The reason you want to keep the rain out of your house is because the water can ruin the finish on your hardwood floors. Another reason you will want to keep the rain out of your house is because if the water is left on your floors or is constantly there, then the water can seep its way into your floors and stain them, or worse, warp them. What you can do to help reduce the amount of water getting into your home is to have a mat for people to wipe their feet, encourage people to take off their shoes as soon as they step inside and wipe up any water that is on the floor. Have a designated spot for people to leave their shoes that are wet and make sure the area is able to handle water or at least keep it dry enough so the water does not ruin that spot.

The third tip to keeping your hardwood floors clean during fall is to keep the residue off the floor with a wax-free floor cleaner. This is something you can keep on hand for those quick fixes. For example, say someone spills a little juice on the floor, you can wipe up the juice with a paper towel or something but there is still some residue left on the floor from the juice; what you do is grab the wax-free floor cleaner and then spray a bit on the spot where the residue is and then clean. It may sound like more work than is necessary but the truth is, just wiping up a liquid that can leave a residue with a paper towel is not completely cleaning the area and so your floor finish can get ruined by the left-behind junk.

The fourth tip to keeping your hardwood floors clean during the fall months is to use a couple doormats. Now, early I mentioned how things can still get into your house and onto your hardwood floors even with the doormats but the truth is that things will be much worse if you do not use them at all. One thing you can try doing is to have extra long running mats on the floor; these mats are great for keeping things off the wood floors since by the time the person is done walking on the mat, they have walked at least 10 feet! Any dirt left on their shoes at that point is going to stay on their shoes.

The fifth tip to keeping your hardwood floors clean is to refinish the floors. If all else fails and the floors lose the battle against the elements, you may have to simply refinish the floors. You can either hire a service to do it or there are DIY ways to do it.