A Few Good Good Reasons To Refinish Your Hardwood Floor

Refinishing Hardwood Floors with Chicagoland Prowww.chicagolandpro.co 

Hardwood floor is a great investment and an asset to any home. Wood flooring, when properly taken care, can last as many as 100 years.

Hardwood flooring should be refinished at least one time in their time lifetime. There are many reasons to do this, but mainly it is a proactive step in protecting your investment. Often people decide to refinish their wood floors to eliminate scratches, stains and dents. Some of these minor issues can be fixed individually but over time the floor will not be able to withstand damage from traffic. At this point refinishing and protecting the floor is a good idea. 

Refinished hardwood floor can also help update the look of a home, allowing for changes in color and style to any room. It does not matter if your goal is to update a space for the purpose of selling or a redecorating project, refinishing your floor can create a completely different look and feel in a room. 

Refinishing do it yourself projects can be a big undertaking for people. It is always advised to get assistance from a professional to insure that the floor is not damaged. When it comes to sanding and staining, it takes a professional with years of experience to do the job right and when done incorrectly can destroy even the best hardwood floor.  

There are tools available and new advancements in refinishing products in recent years.  Time spent away from your home has drastically reduced with some of the new products, and they are also safer; allowing residents to have peace of mind knowing the quality of air after a refinishing project is much better for them and their families. When you start refinishing your hardwood floors ask the contractor working on the project what type of products they use and do some extra research about the options of available to you. Take advantage of the VOC Free and LOW VOC products on the market and get informed. 

Here at Chicagoland Pro we use a Bona refinishing products that has a LOW VOC count and has almost half the drying time compared to traditional products. We are proud to use Bona, as it not only is healthier for our clients but also safer for our staff.

Refinishing floors in your home can be done for a number of reasons. Updating the style or redecorating, protecting your hardwood flooring or simply getting ready to sell your home. Before starting this project it is always important to get in touch with your local hardwood floor professional and get their help in deciding how best to proceed. Some people may find that they may be able to complete the project on their own, but could use some assistance working out a plan and getting a professional opinion. Other people may benefit from having an experienced professional refinish their floor. Either way there is help our there. 

Most flooring professionals,  including Chicagoland Pro offer consolations for free and will help you make a plan based on your needs, wants, home and property. This will help you not only save time and money, but make sure that your are getting the result you want in the end.

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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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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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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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