Hardwood Flooring and the Holidays

The holidays are well on their way and with the holidays comes all the parties.  Are you planning on having family and friends over for the holidays?  Perhaps you just had an excellent hardwood flooring installation job done and you're just dying to show everyone how great it looks.  Having beautiful hardwood flooring to show is great, but be wary because with all the holiday parties you plan on hosting comes the dirty floor and potential for damage to your hardwood flooring.  Here are few tips from Chicagoland Pro on how to keep your hardwood floors safe during the holiday celebrations:

Protecting Your Hardwood Flooring-- Christmas Tree

1- Use of felt appliques: If part of your decorations include having a Christmas tree there are a few things you need to keep in mind for the well-being of your hardwood flooring.  If you have decided to use a real tree then this means you will obviously need to make sure that the stem or base of the tree is being watered.  Here's where things can get tricky.  If for some reason the base begins leaking water it can cause great damage to your hardwood flooring.  No one wants a beautiful hardwood flooring installation job ruined, so save yourself the trouble and make sure the base of the tree is protected.  Place a felt applique tightly around the base of the tree.  If any water seeps out, it will not be directly on the hardwood flooring.

2- Say no to sap:  Here's another tree tip-- If you intend on using a real tree as a part of your holiday directions watch out for the sap that could potentially wind up on your hardwood flooring.  If you find a spot where sap has accumulated the best way to remove it is to stick an ice cube on it.  This will pop the sap right off.  After you pop the sap off clean the floor with a hardwood flooring-safe cleaner.

3- Eliminate tree needles:  Protect your hardwood flooring from all of those pesky pine needles that trees can leave behind during the holiday season.  Keep a microfiber dust mop or hardwood flooring-safe vacuum handy at all times.  Scratches on hardwood floors typically come from any debris left on the flooring that moves across the floor.  This will dull the flooring's finish.  Try to sweep the floor daily.

Protecting Your Hardwood Flooring-- Guests

4- Polishing:  Before holiday guests arrive, consider a quick floor polishing.  A quick floor polishing will make your floors look their best just in time for your guests to arrive.  Just remember to leave yourself enough time for your handy work to dry.  Give yourself a window of 1-2 hours before allowing people to walk on the floors.

5- Shoes off:  Make it a point that all guests take off their shoes at the door upon their arrival.  This will leave the dirt and debris from outside off of your hardwood flooring preventing any damage from being done.

Looking for more tips on protecting your hardwood flooring from all the holiday commotion?  Feel free to leave us a comment below or contact us.

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Allergies and Flooring Choices

As time goes on, more and more Americans suffer from allergies and while some of those allergies are from outdoor allergens such as pollen, weeds or mold, some allergies come right from your own home.  The most common allergens found in a home include dust mites, mold, and pet dander.  Reducing places where those kinds of allergens can settle will not only improve your home's air quality, but it will also reduce allergy symptoms. What can you do to reduce allergens in your home?  Start with your home's flooring.

Some types of flooring contains volatile organic compounds, known as VOC's in the flooring industry. Those compounds can trigger allergies in some people.  People with asthma that are exposed to VOC's typically have more frequent asthma attacks.  However, today many manufacturers deal VOC-free products.  What flooring is best for allergy sufferers?  Here's a list:

(1) Hardwood:  As a Palatine Hardwood flooring company that has been in the hardwood floor installation and hardwood floor refinishing business for over 25 years, we strongly believe hardwood flooring has many benefits.  Besides being aesthetically pleasing, hardwood flooring is great flooring to install for allergy sufferers.  The hard surface of hardwood flooring leaves no room for any dust or allergens to hide.

(2) Cork: Cork provides a plethora of benefits for allergy sufferers.  First, it is antimicrobial.  Naturally occuring substance Suberin is found in Cork flooring.  The substance reduces growth of mold, bacteria and multiple other allergens.  While it is a rather porous material, its hard finish makes it hard for allergens to collect inside of it.  A lot of homeowners say it is very easy flooring to clean.

(3) Stone tile: Not all stone tile makes for good flooring for allergy sufferers, but this all depends on the type of stone tile.  Typically, the smoother the tile the less likely it will be that it will harbor allergens.  If the tile is porous, it has more of a chance of holding onto allergens.  Pick a tile that is more polished as opposed to tile that is natural looking.

(4) Laminate: Laminate flooring, like tile, is not always the best choice for allergen reduction, but it can be a good choice depending on how it was manufactured.  Laminate flooring is typically manufactured by taking multiple layers of wood composite and gluing them together.  The problem is that VOCs, as previously mentioned, could be in the adhesive used in creating the laminate flooring.  As mentioned before, many manufacturers are aware of this and stay away from adhesives with VOCs.   Like hardwood flooring, laminate flooring provides similar benefits.

(5) Bamboo: Bamboo flooring is a great choice of flooring for allergy sufferers.  It provides similar properties of hard flooring and won't provide a home for dust or other allergens.  Bamboo flooring is water resistant, which is another great benefit.  Like laminates, manufacturing is important with this type of flooring since VOCs may be present.

If you have comment or questions on anything hardwood flooring related, feel free to comment below or contact us.

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Dealing with Hardwood Floors and Noise

We have come across hardwood flooring forums with posts from homeowner’s with hardwood floors who describe noise associated with walking on their home’s hardwood flooring.  No, noise is not uncommon with hardwood flooring, but there are reason why the noise is present and there are a few different things homeowner’s can do before they put flooring in and even after they have flooring in that is considered noisy.  Here are a few tips on dealing with and prevent hardwood flooring noise:

Why there is noise

First off, you are probably wondering why there is noise associated with hardwood flooring in the first place.  There is no simple answer to this question, but there usually are a couple different culprits that could be the source of the noise.  First, the room angle, more commonly if the room has high ceilings and unusual angles, can really amplify the noise.  Choosing the right hardwood flooring for the space you are putting it in is certainly important.  Having a professional hardwood flooringinstallation company install hardwood flooring is usually the best bet since hardwoodflooring experts can typically make the best suggestions on what flooring is best for your space.  Another culprit could purely be an echo.  Obviously echoes magnify sounds big and small and some rooms have more of an echo than others.  Again, this could be due to room angles and ceiling height.  Most hardwood flooring experts will agree that the main cause for a squeaky floor is old age, loose boards that are rubbing against nails in the floor or a nearby board, defective construction, or bad lumber.  For the most part, squeaky floors are the result of loose, gapped, or warped floorboards and joists.

What you can do

You’re annoyed by the noise of your hardwood flooring, so what can you do?  There are a couple of steps to take that could help with the noise:

First: Locate the specific squeaky board and determine which boards around it are affected as well.  Have a helper walk around the squeaky spot while you pinpoint the exact floorboard it is emanating from.

Second: If you find that the problem is on the main floor and the basement ceiling has exposed joints, this will be significantly easier because now you can make repairs from below. If this is the case, installing wooden wedges between the squeaky floorboard and the joist can tighten loose fitting floorboards. However, make certain that the wedges do not raise the entire level of the flooring.

Third: If the basement ceiling is finished or if the squeaking is above the main floor, a different approach will be needed.  This situation will call for the repair to be made on the surface of the floor rather than beneath it. Once again, locate the squeaky board(s) and corresponding joists and drill several small holes and then hammer in spiraled flooring nails in a "V" type formation downwards through the flooring and into the joists.  Forcing additional bridging between two joists can help make loose joists more stable.  Bridging should be placed every 8 inches of span between joists and then toenailed at both ends of the joists. This additional support will provide further support for the floor, which should greatly help and eliminate any squeaking sound.

Fourth: Another reason why the floors may be squeaking might be warped underlying joists or floorboards.  A warped joist will result in sections of the flooring being insufficiently supported, which will result in squeaking.  So if this is the problem, what should you do?  Forcing a piece of wood that is longer and wider than the gap up against the joist and nailing them together can repair this problem. Floorboards themselves can become warped and can be noticeable when they curl upwards on an end. This can be corrected by drilling spiraled flooring nails through the curled up end and down into the underlying joist.

For the most part, expert installation can help you avoid the noise commonly associated with hardwood flooring.  For more hardwood flooring advice, please feel free to comment below or contact us with questions. 

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Today's Hardwood Flooring Trends

Trends aren't just a part of the fashion world.  Trends are even a part of the hardwood flooring world. Installing and refinishing hardwood flooring for the past 25 years, we really have seen it all here at Palatine Hardwood Flooring company Chicagoland Pro.  What are today's homeowners looking for in their hardwood flooring today?  Here are a few today's hardwood flooring trends:

(1) Sustainability: As time goes on we become more and more concerned about preserving the environment.  Concerns for forests and the environment has began impacting how hardwood flooring is being produced.  Sustainable domestic species of wood have become popular as the days of cutting down forests just to produced lumber has began fading.  Homeowners are choosing materials like bamboo or cork, which offers peak performance like that of hardwood flooring, but there's no need to cut down trees.  Bamboo, cork and other similar materials are great sustainable products, which is great for environmentally friendly folks.

(2) Authenticity: Homeowner's today are looking for authenticity in their hardwood flooring.  The idea of incorporating more nature into our homes comes through in our flooring choices.  Hardwood flooring gives a touch of nature to our homes and perhaps that's why homeowner's today seek out authenticity in their flooring.  Authentic flooring harkens back to the flooring of the past reminding us of a life-style that was slower paced and perhaps that's part of why homeowner's are liking the authentic flooring.

(3) Wide-width wood planks: Buildings and homes constructed in the 1800s feature hardwood flooring with wood planks with wide-widths, different from our hardwood flooring today.  Typically boards today are 2 to 3-inch widths, whereas older flooring was commonly 5 to 8-inch widths, depending on the wood species.  Manufacturers are looking to provide wider-widths for homeowner's looking to again bring back parts of the past.

(4) Distressing wood flooring: Instead of the perfected look, homeowners are starting to like the distressed look of hardwood flooring again.  The 1970s ushered in a want for distressed flooring, but typically that meant the floor looked extremely distressed.  Gouges, stains, slices, marks show some authenticity.Today distressing is making a comeback, but is more toned down then distressed floors from the past.

(5) Color: Homeowners usually want their flooring to match the rest of the decor in the room, so it's only natural that color is a popular trend.  Homeowners today aren't just interested in different shades of brown flooring.  They even show interest in a wide variety of other colors including whites (off-whites), blacks, grays and reds.  Stain allows you to pick your color choice.

If you have comments or questions, just comment on this post or contact us.  We're always happy to talk hardwood flooring.

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Refinishing FAQs

           Are you considering a hardwood floor refinishing for your hardwood floors?  Or do you find yourself asking the question, “When should I refinish my hardwood floors?” Here at Chicagoland Pro we get asked questions like that quite frequently.  It may seem like the answer to this question should be simple when in actuality, it’s not.  The answer to this question can vary.  We typically see homeowners decide to get their floors refinished after some wear and tear, while some homeowners will get floors refinished that have very little defects just to achieve that perfect, flawless appearance.  The point is, there really is no golden time to get your hardwood floors refinished.  Here are a couple common refinishing questions asked frequently by homeowners accompanied by our answers:

Q-“Does refinishing hardwood floors effect the floors durability or strength?”

A- No, refinishing your hardwood floors should not affects its durability or strength.  This is dependent on what type of hardwood floor you have.  If you have an unusually thin hardwood floor, then the answer to the question is yes, it could affect the durability or strength of the floor.  It depends on how old the flooring is and how many times it has previously been refinished.  Flooring installed in the 30s was much thinner and as a result shouldn’t really be refinished more than a time or two.  Really, it all depends on the wood type or specie.  Most flooring today won’t be an issue and refinishing your floors shouldn’t cause problems in terms of durability or strength. 

Q-“How many times can a floor be refinished?”

A- This answer can depend on what type of flooring you have.  The thickness of the floor determines how many times it can be refinished, so the thicker the floor, the more times this process can be done.  The condition of the floor also determines how many times it can be refinished.  For the most part, solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished many times, unless it’s so old that the floors are worn down to the tongue and groove, then that’s another story.  We always suggest that homeowners consider what they are trying to achieve with the refinishing process first.    

Q-“How long does the refinishing process take?”

A- The entire process, when accounting for sanding, can take anywhere from 4-6 days.  It is best to be out of your home during that time or to avoid walking on the floors during that time.  

Q-“I liked the color of my old stain.  Is there any way it can be reserved?”

A- Typically, when an older floor needs refinishing the color and original finish is completely sanded off.  It’s essentially like starting over new again.  New stain will be put onto the floors. 

Refinishing your floors, especially if they are older, can really rejuvenate them.  If you have more questions on refinishing hardwood flooring, just contact us here at Chicagoland Pro.  We’d be happy to give you a few pointers. 

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The Do's And Don'ts Of Cleaning Hardwood Floors

One of the most common questions asked by homeowners when deciding whether to get hardwood floors or not is, "How do I clean hardwood floors?" Here are a couple of the do's and dont's of hardwood floor cleaning:

DO- Sweep hardwood floors- Invest in a great broom to keep those hardwood floors clean.  A good broom can sweep away some of the little impurities.

DO/DON'T- Vacuum hardwood floors- Here's where having hardwood floors could get tricky! If you want to vacuum hardwood floors, only use a vacuum that doesn't have a beater bar. Upright vacuums with beater bars can put dents in hardwood floors, which is why they should never be used. Vacuuming can be done if you're using a vacuum without beater bars (such as a canister vacuum) with hardwood floor attachments. This type of vacuum will help clean between the floorboards without damaging the wood.

DO- Utilize rugs- Place rugs in areas that experience high foot traffic to prevent dirt, dust and dents from accumulating on hardwood floors. Also, place rugs near any areas where water could potentially splash onto hardwood floors to prevent water from seeping into the wood. Water can ruin hardwood causing it to warp or splinter.

DON'T- Use rugs with rubber or vinyl backing- In some cases, rubber or vinyl backing has damaged hardwood flooring, so check with the floors manufacturers to make sure rug backing won't be an issue.

DON'T- Use soaps or waxes- This includes any ammonia-based cleaners or oil soaps. Soaps or waxes could dull the finish and prevent future recoats from sticking to the polyurethane.

DO- Clean any sticky spots with a damp towel or sponge- Don't saturate the towel or sponge. The less water the better!

DO- Minimize water exposure- Always clean up spills immediately!

DO- Use a professional hardwood floor cleaner- Special cleaners are available and recommended for hardwood floors as a remedy to remove occasional nicks and marks on the floor. Spray some cleaner on a cloth to remove the marks. Be gentle!

For more cleaning tips and tricks, contact us or visit our webpage.