Ways to Protect Your Solid Wood Flooring Investment

Finishes work by providing your hardwood flooring with a coating that protects it from many environmental factors. There are several categories with which hardwood flooring finishes fall under. They could be classified as oil-based and water-based, and penetrating and surface finish. The attributes and disadvantages of each finish category will be discussed below to help you make informed decisions regarding your hardwood floor.

Choosing a Finish

Firstly, the type of hardwood flooring you have installed would likely determine which hardwood flooring finish you should apply. Certain solid wood floors do not take well to certain finishes, and there could be an instance where applying a finish would do more harm than good. It is always best to discuss projects like these with a trusted professional.

A penetrating finish gets deep into the grain of the wood to protect it from within. There are hardwood flooring species such as maple and cherry that do not absorb this type of surface as evenly as other species.

Surface finishes protect the floor by providing it with what looks like a clear plastic coating on top of the wood. This protects it from minute scratches and some water damage, as well as exposure. Most pre-finished floors have a surface finish applied and this looks to be the most popular choice.

Both surface and penetrating finishes could also fall under two major categories: oil-based or water-based.

The use of oil-based finishes seem to be favored by some homeowners because of the smoothing effect it has on the hardwood floor, filling in ridges and warming up the floor's appearance overall by somehow tinting the wood. These oil-based finishes protect the wood from outside elements by building a film over the wood. However, they take quite some time to dry. With water-based finishes, there is said to be the disadvantage of raising the grain of the wood, making it seem rough, but this is only true with the first coating. A sealer takes care of evening the surface, and usually drys fast enough so the floor can be walked on in an hour.

Water-based finishes are also absolutely clear, and will not darken with age as is the case with oil-based finishes. This is great for homeowners who want their light-colored flooring to stay that color.

Graded Wood and Your Hardwood Floor

If you’ve ever wondered how companies decide how to price wood and which quality is best, there is definitely a method to their pricing and categorization of different wood species and their classifications and specifications.

National standards exist for wood quality, and these standards ensure that each species and type of wood is given a rating, called a “grade.” The percentages of variation and characteristics of different woods completely depend on the set of standards by which every wood is judged. These standards are made by major trade associations and professional organizations.

While grading is usually concerned with hardness of a species, and thus its correlating amounts of hardwood and sapwood, some grades depend on the mix of the two. Woods like hickory, cherry, and many exotic woods have especially contrasting colors of heartwood and sapwood. These woods may be ordered and graded as mixed (sapwood and heartwood), sap-only (only sapwood) or no-sap (only heartwood).

Four general grades exist for categorizing many species of different woods. Classifications are based only on appearance, as the structural soundness of most woods in generally the same all around.

It is the level of aesthetic beauty that is graded and given a score, and it is by this standard that prices for wood are set. A higher grade means a higher price, and a lower grade means a lower price. First grade or clear wood has to have a surface almost completely free of imperfections, such as knots, dents, marls, or other flaws. Light streaking, burling, or few pinholes may be allowed. Variations in color are ok, but sapwood content has to be extremely minimal and almost non-existent.

Second-grade or Select wood standards accept small, sound tighter knot marks and other small defects as long as they aren’t large. A small amount of sapwood is allowed, as are variations in color.

Third-grade or Common wood is allowed more defects than the previous two, as well as larger knots on the surface. They can have a higher amount of streaking, more variety in color, and a larger amount of sapwood. Fourth-grade or Lower Common Grade is the lowest wood grade on the scale, and is limited to very little. There may be large knots, heavy grain and surface imperfections, and great differences in color and large amounts of sapwood. It is often described as “rustic,” and is common because of that quality.

The Best of Hardwood Floors: Real Hardwood Flooring Take Center Stage

Real wood flooring counts itself among the top flooring choices today. That is no surprise, considering the benefits that one can get from having a hardwood floor in the home. With the many alternatives out in the market, real wood flooring still is in a class of its own, surpassing all others in terms of beauty, strength, durability, and ultimately longevity.

The Advantages of Having Real Wood Flooring

Wood flooring today does not bear the stigma of being bad for the environment. In fact, installing a real wood floor in your home is one of the most eco-friendly decisions you could make. Real wood flooring from controlled forests ensure that the floor you have comes from a sustainable source that does not harm the environment. The use of natural real wood flooring also means less use of harmful substances that are used to process other real wood flooring substitutes.

Versatility

Real wood flooring also provides homeowners with a flooring material that can go with any design genre. The use of wood can add warmth to a home bearing industrial characteristics all without seeming out of place. The timeless appeal of wood also contributes to the total look of your home, giving it character and depth that no other flooring can give.

Oak hardwood engineered oil finish flooring for elegant look

If you have been planning to redecorate your house or add a new look to your home décor with new floorings then one of the best options of floorings to choose from comes with oak hardwood engineered oil finish floorings. These oak hardwood floorings are the best choice to make from all the wooden floorings in the market. The oak hardwood floorings being exceptionally beautiful provide the best alternative to laminate floorings or expensive carpets. These floorings made of oak hardwood would most certainly transform the feel and aura of your place.

Add to home décor with oak hardwood flooring

Owing to its unique individuality and exclusive warm hues, the beautiful oak hardwood flooring offers the much needed aura and warmth to the interiors of your house. Oak hardwood engineered floors have layers of hardwood being glued and pressed together which makes for its great strength and durability. Oak hardwood engineered floors have been used in houses for centuries as they can best bring about the desired beauty to any style of home décor. You would not find the kind of timeless beauty of the oak hardwood engineered oil finish floors in any other kind of hardwood flooring.

These wonderful oak hardwood floorings add immense appeal to your home décor and are most certain to add a royal look and feel to your house. Contrary to popular myth, oak hardwood engineered floorings do retain the warmth of the house while keeping the draughts away. Unlike carpets, the oak hardwood floorings do not allow dust and dust mites to be trapped in the layers and so it prevents any sorts of allergies and respiratory problems resulting from dust particles.

Unmatched Features

The wonderful oak hardwood floorings speak of unmatched classic beauty and elegance not to be found in any other kind of hardwood. You just need to add a firm oak hardwood flooring oiled and with a brushed finish to your home décor and you could be sure of bringing a level of sophistication to your house. This feel could well be accredited to the exclusive classic finish that comes with the natural shine and oil finish of oak hardwood. Moreover, to your advantage, these oak hardwood floorings easily match with any kind of fixture, furniture or theme of décor making your house floors versatile. Choice of colors in oak flooring

Another significant aspect of these oak hardwood floorings is that they come in an array of colors and different styles offering home owners a plethora of options to choose from. The versatility and adaptability of the oak hardwood floors widens the choice of the variety of shades and color tones which you can pick from. Apart from this, these oak hardwood engineered floorings could be natured, oiled and even brush finished, the choice is completely yours as it depends on your taste as to what way you want to nature it.

Oak flooring is durable

The best aspect of installing oak hardwood engineered oil finish floorings is that they are the most durable floorings and last for years and years to come. These floorings do not lose their luster as soon as the oak wood comes with a natural shine, uniquely its own but, if you want them not to become dull and keep their luster for long then you can just add oil to it and care for their maintenance.

Laminate Flooring - Things You Need to Know

Laminate flooring is a great alternative to hardwood when you want the warmth and beauty of wood flooring without the installation and maintenance hassles. This attractive flooring solution is available in a wide range of prices, colours and grains. It's also more scratch and dent resistant than hardwood flooring, which makes it the perfect choice for homes with active children or pets. Laminate flooring is the one of the most versatile, durable and well-constructed types of flooring on the market today.

HOW TO CHOOSE LAMINATE FLOORING

Laminates warranty range from 10 years to lifetime. Entry level laminates come with a 10 to 15 years warranty but they are designed for light traffic areas. Used in a high traffic area, they will begin to show wear and tear usually within 3 to 5 years. Remember that choosing the right laminate flooring is not as easy as it seems, but by doing that, you will save money in the long run. Just think of things like the amount of time you are planning on staying in that house or the amount of traffic, because there is no point in buying really expensive laminate flooring with extended warranty if you know that you are moving sometime in the near future. Also consider buying laminates with Paraffin wax impregnated joints, as this wax acts as a water repellent and prevents water from penetrating down to the core.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Laminate Flooring is made up of six layers, and comes in varying sizes of either planks or squares with a tongue and groove interlocking system. The surface layer of laminate is the melamine wearlayer, which is a tough clear melamine layer with aluminum oxide particles. When fused together with heat and direct to the core the wearlayer becomes an incredibly hard, durable finish. The resin-filled wearlayer is so dense it becomes extremely difficult to stain, scratch, or burn. The second layer is the Print Layer, which is the decorative layer giving the flooring its appearance of real hardwood or tile. The third layer is a clear thin plastic sheet that floats freely above the substrate before the laminate floor is floated. Melamine is a plastic-type resin used throughout the construction process to add durability and stability to the laminated planks. The thickest layer is the core, consists usually of high-density fiber board (HDF), particle board to add resistance and form the tongue and groove locking system. Melamine plastic resins are used to improve moisture resistance of the core by some manufacturers. A thing you should consider when buying laminate flooring for bathrooms or kitchens is it's core. A thicker core is more stable, less vulnerable and sounds more like the real hardwood floor when walked on. Quality laminate cores are treated with water repellent chemicals. The melamine plastic backing is used to add more structural stability and moisture protection to the planks.

INSTALLATION

As glueless locking mechanisms has been introduced to the market, laminate flooring has become the perfect choice for households because it has a quicker installation, it's easier to repair and it can be installed by people without experience or specialized tools. This will save you a considerable amount of money. Installing laminate floors eliminates the need to nail or glue your floor in place. It is also a very attractive, low cost and long lasting flooring option. With an easy to clean surface, impact and dent resistance, laminate flooring can be installed over many different types of subfloors and on all grade levels, making it a versatile flooring choice. Installing laminate floors can be used in any room in the house and in most commercial areas as long as they are flat and in solid condition. Installing laminate floors can be done over concrete, wood, ceramic tile and even your existing linoleum floor. Even though laminate floors can be installed in any room in the house, they should not be installed in garages or on outside porches. The biggest reason for this is moisture. Moisture and laminate floors do not mix. On a scale from one to ten, installing laminate flooring requires a skill level of about a four. The most challenging part of the installation process will be clearing your schedule for a couple of hours. The easy to follow instructions and simplified interlocking clicking system mean that most do-it-yourselfers will be able to install an entire floor in one afternoon. A laminated floor that is properly installed, protected and maintained will go a long way to help your laminated floor last as long as your home.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF LAMINATE FLOORING

Laminate Flooring is available in one of 2 types, planks and tiles. Flooring planks can be interlocking or tongue and groove where flooring tiles have tongue and groove edges. There are many different manufactures of laminate flooring and as the laminate flooring producers continue to expand colors, styles and increase quality, the growth of laminate flooring industry will continue.

REASONS TO CHOOSE LAMINATE:

• A laminated floor is tough and durable.
• A laminated floor is chemical resistant and harsh household chemicals and cleaning agents will not harm your laminate flooring surface.
• A laminated floor can resist dropped cigarettes for a time without burning the floor.
• A laminated floor will keep its color or design for years. The surface will not fade even when exposed to direct sunlight.
• A laminated floor is hypoallergenic, it doesn't contain any hazardous PCB's, dioxins, plasticizers or chlorines. It repels dust, dustmites and other allergy causing particles.
• A laminated floor is stain resistant and can be easily cleaned. Cleaning up a spill on a laminated floor is as simple as wiping up the mess. Also, scuff marks can be easily cleaned off a laminated floor.
• Installing a laminated floor is quick and easy. It can be floated over your existing K-3/lino, wood, concrete, tile or even low grade commercial carpet saving value time and expense. There is no need to wait, you can walk on your floor immediately after installation is complete.
• A laminated floor comes in many different designs and colors.
• A laminated floor is easy to care for.

Reasons To Consider Buying Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo flooring has become more popular recently because it is good for the environment and it is very durable. It is a good alternative to hardwood flooring. Bamboo is a kind of grass that grows in Southeast Asia and China. It is not as expensive as other flooring options but it is high in quality.

Flooring professionals are always looking for new materials to offer their customers. These materials need to be durable, affordable and attractive. The professionals are well aware that consumers are looking for flooring that is attractive but that will also stand up to everyday life. Bamboo Flooring fits all of these categories. It is an excellent choice.

Bamboo stalks mature in only three to five years and can grow up to 50 ft. Since bamboo renews itself naturally it is an environmentally friendly alternative to harvesting trees that can take from 50 to 100 years to mature. Even though it is a grass, bamboo grows into a material that is very hard and durable. In addition, bamboo can grow in areas with relatively poor soil, where other crops are impractical. Even after harvesting bamboo will continue to grow vigorously, making it one of the fastest growing plants in the world.

An alternative to hardwood floors for adding value to your home are Bamboo Floors. It provides the same level of hard, durable and attractive flooring as hardwood. It is practical, attractive and brings style into a room. It is becoming easier to find it because it is eco-friendly and in higher demand.

Bamboo flooring is available in colors similar to hardwood. These colors include honey, light wood, dark wood and amber. The darker colors that can be found in bamboo floors are made by using pressure steaming and carbonization. The panels are also able to be arranged in different patterns such as flat grain or vertical.

Installation can be accomplished by gluing, floating or 'secret nailing'. The boards can be glued directly to the subfloor or glued tongue to groove (floating). A secret nail gun can be used to shoot nails at a 45 degree angle through the tongue into the subfloor. It is called secret nailing because the tongue and nail heads are covered by the next board. Pre-finished and unfinished bamboo panels are available and available online through flooring vendors.

Timeless contemporary appeal, and warm, comforting ambiance, are just some of the adjectives used to describe the new bamboo flooring option. It brings added value to your home as well as being reasonably priced, fashionable, durable and environmentally friendly. Being an cheaper alternative to the expensive traditional hardwood floor and easy to maintain, a homeowner looking or shopping for new flooring should seriously consider bamboo.

Prefinished Hardwood Vs. Hardwood Laminate

Hardwood is a better investment as far as longevity goes. It has a more natural and
polished look uch longer. Even after the hardwood has led a rough life there are
options. You can refinish, or just let the personality be apart of the decore.
Hardwood has a look and a feel that even the best laminate can not replicate. But, it
comes at a price. it is about twice the price of laminate.

Twice the price, you say. Good laminate does look great for a long time. It stands up
to "life" very well. There are many options and colors. Installation is a snap (literally)
to install. If you have kids or have dinner parties where women wear the sharp
heels. laminate may be a better choice.

I am always partial to prefinished hardwood. I have installed hardwood laminate
before. I was not impressed with the "feel" and the "clack" that I heard and felt
walking on it. It looked beautiful though.

The best way to choose between prefinished hardwood and hardwood laminate is
how you will use the room slated for installation. The other is price. It is difficult to
tell the best laminate from hardwood.

Sorry, but even given all the information, my choice is still the prefinished
hardwood.

About Hardwood Floors

One of the greatest things you can do for your home is to get hardwood floors, there is something about hardwood floors that makes a house, a feeling that is unique to hardwood floors and if you ever visited a house that had these kind of floors I am almost sure you know what I mean.

Hardwood floors are a great design idea, one of the most significant home improvement tricks in the business and a wonderful way of making a house feel a whole lot like a home. For those of you in the market for a new house this is one thing that you should look for, and if you can not find a house that already has hardwood floors you should think about getting them right away. On the other hand any house that has quality hardwood floors would enjoy a significant increase to its value and the level of interests from the potential buyers, it has been proven that hardwood floors are one of the major house selling features in this market.

The other great thing about hardwood floors is that there is a huge selection of hardwood in the market, this means that you can choose the exact color you want for each room or for the whole house, there is no need to compromise on the looks of the hardwood floors simply because there is such a verity of color and textures that almost anyone can find what is best for him or her house.

A good quality hardwood flooring will serve a house for many years, it creates a perfect setting for a nice and warm house, the hardwood is certainly for those who like to build their house as a warm and friendly place, wood furniture and warm colored walls will make a house with hardwood floors look right at any time and for any propose, the only question is on what shade of wood will the home owner go.

The advantages of having a hardwood floor is that it is relatively easy to clean and that in the last few years there have been a lot of cleaning products that have been developed exclusively for cleaning hardwood, it is also true that natural wood will collect less dirt and dust than other materials so the mere fact of having hardwood will keep the house a little cleaner, and making your life a little easier if you have kids and you worry about the air quality in your house and dust levels in the kids rooms.

For those in the market for a new hardwood flooring there are a few basic questions they will need to think about, the costs are an important part of hardwood floors and the whole design that comes with them is also an issue and maintenance is not such a big deal. Only one thing is sure, if you get quality hardwood floors you will enjoy a unique feature and in a very short time you will not understand how you could have lived in a space that had no wood floors.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring: A Problem Free Hardwood Alternative

Simply because of their dimensions, your room’s walls and floor are its most noticeable features. And one of the quickest ways to rejuvenate a tired room is to change its floor. While carpeting or area rugs are a great way to introduce color and textural interest to your floor, engineered hardwood flooring is another.

You may have been an admirer of the appearance of hardwood flooring, but steered away from it after hearing tales of the way it expands and shrinks in warm and cold weather, and how it may warp in damp climates. Relax, because the construction of engineered hardwood flooring immunizes it against such shortcomings.

What Is Engineered Hardwood Flooring?

Engineered hardwood flooring is composed of a hardwood “wear layer”, from 1/16” to 3/16” thick, laminated or glued to plywood. The plywood backing is assembled in a crossing pattern, usually of 3 or 5 plys.

This construction gives the engineered hardwood flooring both additional stability and resistance to climactic changes. It also allows engineered hardwood flooring to be used on a below-grade or concrete sub flooring, because it is the plywood and not the hardwood which is in contact with the sub-floor. That concrete basement floor can finally get a bit of class!

Just like solid hardwood flooring, engineered hardwood flooring cam be sanded and stained or varnished. It is available in the same widths and thicknesses as regular hardwood, in wither plank or strip style floorboards. Some engineered hardwood flooring is even designed with a snap tongue and groove to simplify its installation.

Installing Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered hardwood flooring can either be floated, meaning it is not actually glued to the sub-floor; it can also be stapled, nailed, or glued. Its price per square foot is similar to that of regular hardwood, but its installation costs are significantly less, averaging about $1.75 per square foot. The lower installation cost is a result of the flatness, and excellent grain and color match of engineered hardwood flooring boards.

The advantages of 12mm laminate flooring

A. The thickness is especially suitable for the the purpose of hardwood like appearances. The dimensions for the relevant finishes are as follows: pressed or painted V groove(807*126*12mm, 807*90*12mm, 805*143*12mm,), mould pressed finish(807*126*12mm, 807*143*12mm, 807*163*12mm), square shape(600*600*12mm, 500*500*12mm), UV-shine(1214*143*12.3mm, 1214*163*12.3mm) and hand scraped surface(807*163*12mm, 807*143*12.3mm).

B. 12mm laminate flooring is not easy to be curving due its thickness. So customers will not require thicker laminate flooring such as 14mm to avoid higher prices.

C. The 12mm thickness can reduce much noise and it is more press resistant due to its thickness.

D. Its shape is like hardwood plank but the prices are much cheaper than that of hardwood. The price difference is often 3 times or even more. What’s more it is much more wear resistant and easy to install and care.

Bathroom Flooring

Flooring is an important aspect for any room. When we select bathroom flooring, we have to take many things into consideration like if it is durable, will it look clean and nice, will it be easy to maintain, and will it be able to stand moisture. We have many options to choose from like Ceramic Tile, Sheet or tile vinyl, Stone, Engineered Wood, Laminate flooring, Solid hardwood and Carpet, among all these options, ceramic tile is the first choice for any person. It has got a rich, textured solid feeling like a stone. It is water proof, easy to cleanup, various design and color to select from. You can also go for octagonal or hexagonal shape to select from. Though it is expensive but you can also select ceramic tiles which looks alike stone. A Mosaic tile which is widely used comes in plastic mesh sheets which are pre-mounted so this reduces to individually set them up. Its disadvantage is it is cold like stone, slippery though you can texture it to avoid being slippery. Second is a sheet or vinyl tile which has thousands of style option and is very easy to install. Vinyl tiles disadvantage is that is tends to come out after a while. We can go for sheet vinyl to avoid that but its difficult to install though it comes at lower price range. The next option for flooring is stone. You can select from marble, limestone, granite, it doesn’t have moisture problem. It has its own drawbacks like it is most expensive, cold, and slippery. The fourth option is engineered wood. It holds up great against moisture and it looks really beautiful as its top layer is rely wood. You can say one of the best options as bathroom floor. The fifth option is laminate flooring which is better than solid hardwood because laminate flooring is no more than resin-impregnated paper atop a wood chip base. The laminate plank’s surface is actually a photograph the wood it is simulating: oak, cherry, slate, marble. And above that is wear layer which is very strong and is actually a melamine. For example DuPont RealTouch, and they promise the warranty of 30 years as the seams are glued together, and it will be difficult to get it affected by moisture. It is very easy to clean but by any chance if moisture gets in contact then all the flooring will have to tear out. The next option is sold hardwood; it looks great and gives warm feeling but again moisture if big drawback, while installing one has to make sure that there is no moisture in the gaps. The last option is carpet which people generally don’t prefer as the moisture and carpet doesn’t go well.

How to choose laminate flooring which is suitable for you

Many people choose laminate flooring with their special purpose. But they don’t know which type of floor is suitable for them.

Below is some suggestion to choose the suitable product for you:

1. Choose hand scraped finish or feather grain surface if you like antique style.

2. Choose 12mm thickness or laminate with attached underlayment if you like better foot feel.

3. Check pressed V groove, painted V groove and UV-shine surface with 1-strip design if you like hardwood like appearance

4. Check little embossed surface, middle embossed surface, big embossed surface and feather grain finish if you prefer rough surface.

5. Check crystal finish, silk finish and UV-shine if you like smooth surface.

6. Choose AC3 rating if laminate flooring is used for heavy domestic or moderate commercial purpose. And select AC2 rating if the purpose is light commercial or moderate commercial.

7. Choose green core if you prefer stronger moisture resistance.

8. Choose 8mm, 7mm or 6mm if you like lower price.

The designs of laminate flooring

The designs of laminate flooring can be dividened into 1-strip, 2-strip, 3-strip and multi-strip. 3 strip and muli-strip are suitable for big width such as 194mm and 297mm. 1-strip and 2-strip are suitable for little width such as 90mm, 128mm, 143mm and 163mm. For the purpose of hardwood like appearance, 1-strip design is the most suitable as hardwood only has 1-strip. Natural color is also necessary for the purpose. For example, blue cherry is not suitable. It is easy to find that laminate having this color is not like hardwood. The design is strong fading resistant because AL2O3, the first layer of laminate, is very good at refecting ray.

Negotiate Your Bamboo Wood Flooring and Get Discount Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo wood flooring is fast becoming one of the chosen alternatives to hardwood flooring. It gives you the same natural beauty of hardwood without feeling guilty that your home, or your office for that matter, is causing a damaging effect to the environment. Bamboo, similar to a coconut tree, is considered one of the greatest gifts to mankind, as it has been generally helpful offering its many uses. And recently, it has become the practical choice for home and office improvements as well as for other practical and decorative items owing to homeowners who thinks “green.”

You may think that having flooring made of bamboo would mean having round strips of poles like those of walking canes. This means that walking on it seems quite uncomfortable. But with innovation and technological advancement, bamboo wood flooring is now similarly flat as the hardwood planks you used to have. Bamboo stalks, usually made from the “Moso” specie, are now being manufactured and turned into an ultra smooth flat flooring finish. Processed bamboo canes come in laminated strips, tiles or bamboo planks just like traditional hardwood floors and installation is done in the same manner, too. If set up and cared for properly, it will be as durable and tough as the hardwood flooring that have been in the market for years now. So you can walk outstandingly on your bamboo wood flooring.

Because bamboo wood flooring has gained popularity in the market, more and more people are in search of discount bamboo flooring. You get the same appearance, strength and sturdiness qualities of hardwood, so what more can you ask for. It is practically the best alternative to people who are into home or office improvement. And you are helping the environment, as well. A bamboo is not a tree and does not take that long growing it. And in case you would need replacement, it is easier to get one.

Just because you acquired discount bamboo flooring, does not mean that you don’t get the same quality as that of hardwood flooring. Some stores offer discount bamboo flooring, to make way for new styles and stocks that are to be delivered. You still get the same excellence of the bamboo wood flooring you purchased on a regular price. Having bamboo wood flooring is really a great deal for you. You get the same durability as that of hardwood at soft prices. It is your practical and eco-friendly choice.

If you are really looking for a steal, you have to shop around for discount bamboo flooring. Bamboo’s fame in the home furnishing industry has caused an uproar that you also need to evaluate the bamboo flooring that you’re going to purchase. You may be deceived by stores that offer low prices but for low-quality bamboo flooring too. It is better to check the company’s background and if it is reputable, then you have made a good deal out of your discount bamboo flooring.

For your home and office flooring needs, bamboo wood flooring is an excellent option. It does not only help the environment by preserving the trees, but it is equally stylish than most hardwood flooring. It is something that you should be proud of, especially to the younger generation. Bamboo wood flooring is your sound choice to having a “green” elegance to your stylish homes.

How to Evaluate and Care for Hard Wood Floors

Hardwood floors can create a feeling of warmth and elegance in a home or business. However, hardwood floors can also be a nightmare for your cleaning company to keep looking good. Knowing what to do and when to do it will help you to keep hardwood floors in prime condition.

Before beginning a maintenance program on a hardwood floor it's a good idea to ask questions about the background of the floor (finish used, when it was last sanded, etc.). If that information isn't available, then you'll need to assess the floor to determine the condition of the floor. Some basic observations of the wood and the finish will help to determine what type of cleaning or refinishing is needed.

Begin by evaluating the condition of the wood. If the floor has extensive damage, warped boards and a lot of wear, the entire floor may need to be replaced. But that is the worst case scenario. Inspect the entire floor, including the edges, and look for differences in the level of the floor. Following are categories you can assign to the floor:

A. Overall very good condition. The hardwood floor looks good or may even be new. The floor may just need a good cleaning to get its luster back.

B. Slight scuffed. The floor is in fairly good condition, however, has a few scuffs and scratches, especially in high traffic areas.

C. Heavy wear. The floor has quite a few scratches, scrapes and dents and looks worn in places. It may even have a few expansion cracks.

D. Warped appearance. The boards in the floor have some minor warping, uneven boards, and many scratches and scrapes.

Next decide the condition of the finish. The condition of the finish may be related to the condition of the wood. For instance if there are deep cuts, scratches or chips in the finish they may go through the finish and into the wood itself. Look at the finish decide what categories are applicable:

A. The floor has a finish, but it looks dirty. The floor most likely just needs a good cleaning to get back that glossy luster.

B. The finish has light scratches, dings and chips and is worn (or is dull) in heavy traffic areas.

C. The finish is chipped in many places. Although the floor definitely has a finish, there are light scrapes, scratches and dings throughout the finish.

D. Finish is worn. There is little or no finish on the floor. The finish may appear to have deep gouges from dragging furniture across it.

E. No finish. The finish is gone or chipped and has a poor appearance.

If the wood and the finish are in good or reasonably good condition, a good cleaning and starting up a routine maintenance program is the next step. If the wood (category C, D or E) or finish (C, D or E) is in bad shape, you may need to do more research or consult a professional on the best way to proceed.

Properly maintaining hardwood floors is important to keep them looking good and extend their lifespan. It is extremely important to remove all the dirt, dropped food, grit and other debris that can end up on and ground into hardwood floors. Dirt that is not removed quickly can be "camouflaged" in the pattern or color of the wood making it not only difficult to see, but easy to ignore. There are several tools that you can use to remove dirt:

1. Brooms- make sure to use a broom that has "exploded" ends that can sweep up dust and fine grit.

2. Vacuums - Any type except an upright vacuum with a beater bar and brushes. These can cause damage to the floor.

3. Dust mop. Dust mopping and vacuuming are the most effective methods of removing debris from floors. If using a dust mop, buy a high quality mop with an eighteen inch head. Treat the mop with a dust mop treatment so it grabs the dirt and doesn't just push it around.

Sweeping, vacuuming or dust mopping regularly is great for getting rid of the dirt, but you will still need to clean the floor. The best method to use is to mop the floor. Use a neutral cleaner (pH of 7) that is for use on hardwood floors and follow the product's directions. Following are a few tips that will help to protect any hardwood floors that you care for:

Good matting is the best way to keep damaging soil and grit from getting onto and ground into the floor. Mats on the outside entryway will help to remove some soils. Make sure any mat(s) used inside (and on the floor) is a good quality rug that does not have a rubber coating. Plasticizers used on some rugs can "migrate" or move from the rug and into the finish of the wood floor.

High heels can cause permanent damage to hardwood floors. The spikes on heels can create dimples in hardwood floors. In a business it may not be possible to keep high heels off the hardwood floors, but if you are cleaning a residential floor, you can let the homeowner know of the problems associated with high heels.

Dragging furniture across the floor. This can cause scratches and dents in the floor. Anytime furniture needs to be moved it should be lifted and carried. Furniture legs need to be in good shape. A loose leg on a chair can dig into the floor's finish anytime someone sits down in the chair.

Spills (food, cleaners, alcohol, oils) can damage the finish and the wood. Clean up spills as soon as possible.

Bright sunlight can bleach, darken or dry out wood. It may be necessary to cover windows with drapes or blinds to keep the ultraviolet rays off the wood.

How to install hardwood floors

A hardwood floor undoubtedly adds charm, character and value to a home. Beautiful and hard-wearing, they almost never need to be replaced. With a huge variety of woods, finishes and designs, hardwood floors offer an endless choice of possibilities to suit any type of home.

Sub floor preparation

• All sub floors must be clean, level, absolutely flat and dry. Scrape and smooth any debris off the surface, sand high areas or joints and fill low areas and cracks with the proper compounds. • Prepare all doorways and walls - undercut all door casings and remove all moldings. • Concrete sub-floors must be completely cured and dried (8-12 weeks old) with minimum surface temperature of 60ºF (15ºC) and maximum moisture content of 2% dry-weight basis. The ideal relative humidity in the room should be 55%. • Wood sub floors need to be well secured with counter sunk screws on ring shank nails. It should not exceed 14% moisture prior to installation.

Floating Installation

Spread and unroll the required polyethylene cushioning underlayment parallel to the longest wall (they can be trimmed after the installation has been completed). Allow sufficient overlap on all joints with the next sheets; use double adhesive tape to fix the joints. Complete until the whole surface is covered with the underlayment. Pick the first floorboard and align it with the closest wall, groove side facing the wall. The installation should begin from the right corner of the room.

Use ½” (12mm) temporary spacing-wedges to create the necessary gaps from the walls. Pick the second board, apply 1/8” (3mm) glue bead at the inner topside of the groove at the board end, and start jointing the board in the row. Never apply glue onto the tongue. Continue the same steps until the first row is competed.

Use a specially designed crowbar to push all the joints tight at the same time. Use this crowbar to tighten joints from the sides and use clamps whenever necessary to ensure tight and square joints. Never fail to wipe off any excess glue immediately. Repeat all processes and install the rest of the floor.

Allow the finished floor to be free from load and traffic for at least 8 hours before all temporary spacing wedges are removed. Install all the skirtings/moldings the next day, making sure that they are fixed onto the adjacent wall only, and not directly fixed onto the floor.

Nail Down Installation

This method of flooring installation gives some advantages over other methods such as speed, reduced labor materials and more immediate “use” of the floor. However, the process is more difficult and some professional assistance may be required.

Lay the first floorboard as for floating floorboards. Once the floorboard is aligned perfectly, face nail the board with the nail perpendicular to the surface. Use 1 – 1.5” finishing nails depending on the thickness of the floorboards installed. Continue the same step until the first row is completed.

Start the second row in the same manner. From the second row on, nailing is done on the tongue side only. Continue to install all the remaining rows.

The final row of flooring is usually narrow and it will likely be necessary to rip floorboards lengthwise to fill in the row. Measure the remaining space and cut the boards accordingly, ensuring a ½” (12mm) gap at all sides. Nail down this last row in the same manner as the nailing of the first row, and complete the installation. Once the nail down work is completed, install all the skirting and moldings. Make sure that all skirtings/moldings are fixed onto the adjacent wall only, NOT directly to the floor.

Glue Down Installation

This method of installation requires fans to create airflow and to help speed up the drying time of the adhesives. This type of installation does not need any cushioning underlayment.

Determine the working area to begin the installation in and the longest wall in the room with access. Make a test and dry lay floorboards beforehand, if necessary. A starting block is recommended to help the initial floorboard placement. Nail the starting block down firmly along the starting line, within the working area, to help hold the first row of the installed floorboards firmly in place.

The adhesive should be used sparingly over an area that can be laid with flooring within 3 hours. Pick the first floorboard and align it with the starting line (starting block) along the groove’s edge. The installation should ideally start from the right side. Lay the first floorboard and ensure that there is a 12mm (1/2”) gap from the adjacent wall. Pick the second board, apply 1/8” (3mm) glue bead on the inner topside of the groove at the board end and start jointing the board in the row. Never apply glue on the tongue. Continue the same steps with the next floorboard and complete the first row. Use a specially designed crow bar to pull the last board into place. Push joints tight and drive spacing wedges in. Clean any excess glue from the joints immediately.

Continue laying each row as described above. Note that unlike the floating installation method, longitudinal tongue and groove gluing (along the edge of each row) is not compulsory with this glue down method.

To prevent movement, tape flooring down every 3 completed rows across the face together using temporary–adhesive masking tape.

Every 2-3 hours and upon completion, roll the floorboard surface with a 100-150 lb (50-70 kg) roller to ensure all boards are flat and in perfect contact with the adhesive. Wrap the roller with cloth or foam pad to avoid scratches or dents on the floor surface.

Allow the finished floor to be free from load and heavy foot traffic for at least 24 hours after completion. The next day, remove all temporary spacing wedges and install all of the skirting/moldings, making sure that they are fixed onto the adjacent wall only, not the floor.

Installing Hardwood Floors Tutorial

There are fewer things finer in a home than a hardwood flooring. For the do-it-yourselfer, however, it can be a fun, yet daunting task. Installing a hardwood floor can best be described as a combination of rough and fine carpentry. Pounding the nails home and bending warped flooring to fit is certainly rough work. However, it is detailed as well, because even small mistakes will show. There are many types of hardwood flooring, but this tutorial will only cover solid tongue and groove flooring that is either prefinished or finished in place. Other types of wood flooring that are glued or clipped in place or made from different layers of wood require different kinds of installation procedures and will not be covered here. Prefinished tongue and groove flooring is just like unfinished flooring except that it comes already finished and often has a slight bevel on the surface edges. The bevel is there because often when installing a floor the top surfaces from one piece to the next will vary in height because of inconsistencies in the sub floor and in the flooring itself. If the bevels were not there the edges might splinter or wear badly. Unfinished flooring does not have this problem because inconsistencies in height are sanded out during the finishing process. However, this same finishing process can be viewed as a disadvantage because it can take several days to complete and be very messy. Step one: Before you start you need to decide what direction the flooring will run. Generally, you want the flooring to run the length of the room for aesthetic reasons and perpendicular to the floor joists for structural reasons, as the floor will be stiffer and less prone to joints separating.

Step two: A vapor barrier between the subfloor and the finish floor is necessary to help control dust and moisture from below as well as dampen squeaks. Resin paper works well, as does foam backing, and 15 or 30 lb roofing felt. Whatever you use roll it over the floor completely and secure it with staples so it will not shift around.

Step three: When doing the layout for a floor a good strategy is to establish a baseline parallel to the direction you are going to lay the floor. First find the center between the two walls at each end of the room (a and b) and snap a chalk line between the two points. This is your baseline. You do not have to start laying the flooring from the baseline, but wherever you do start, you must be parallel to the baseline. Do not try to establish the baseline by measuring from only one wall because walls found in most homes are not absolutely parallel.

Step four: It is also necessary before you start to saw off the bottoms of doorjambs and trim so that the flooring can be slipped under them. To do this use a scrap piece of flooring as a guide and with a handsaw cut off the jamb and trim. The baseboard can either be removed and reinstalled or have a kicker installed after the flooring is in to hide the gap.

Step five: For large rooms it is a good idea to install the first boards in the center of the room, placing the first 2 courses groove to groove with a piece of molding taking the place of the tongue. In this way the floor expands and contracts from the center out instead of from one side of the room to the other, allowing for less movement on edge pieces. For smaller rooms less than 12 feet across this step is usually unnecessary.

Step six: To start, choose some long straight lengths of flooring and nail them down parallel to the baseline. You should use a flooring nailer (which can be rented from most home centers) to nail just above the tongue of each board every 10 to 12 inches. To keep the first course from moving as you nail it down, try temporarily screwing down some lengths of 1x lumber.

Step seven: Continue nailing down the flooring, while leaving a ½-inch gap around the perimeter. To nail down flooring that is too close to the wall for the floor nailer, nail directly through the top with finish nails and countersink them. If you are using refinished flooring repair these holes with matching wood filler and a drop of urethane finish.

Step eight: For flooring that does not fit well try knocking it into place with a scrap piece of flooring. Do not try to hammer on the flooring directly as you may damage the edge.

Step nine: For warped pieces of flooring try constructing a wedge to force them into position. Nail one part of the wedge into position (a) and hammer the other part (b) sideways to force the flooring into position. Tip: use screws for your wedges rather than nails, it is easier, faster and is more accurate.

Step ten: To cut around corners or irregular shapes try scribing with a square or compass. To cut the flooring, a jigsaw or coping saw works well to create detailed cuts.

Step eleven: Finally, when putting the last pieces along a wall, use a pry bar against the wall to ensure a snug fit. You do not need to worry about damaging the edge, as these are the final pieces and will be partially covered with baseboards.

Step twelve: If you installed an unfinished floor, you will need to rent a floor sander and sand all the board surfaces flush with one another. Then you can finish the floor with stain and a few coats of urethane finish. See our tutorial on hardwood floor finishing for more detailed information.

Step thirteen: If you removed the baseboards, you should reinstall them after all the flooring is laid down. Finally, you can install shoe molding or quarter round to cover any gaps between the new floor and baseboards.

Tools required: Tape measure, hand saw, nail set, pry bar, flooring nailer, drill, drill bits, carpenters square, chalk line, pencil compass, and jig saw.

Maple Hardwood Flooring: All the More Reason to Buy Hardwood Floors

Delightful tones and a pretty grain makes maple hardwood flooring a good choice for homeowners who want a light, airy feel to their floors. It provides a very clean look and has the ability to brighten any space. Maple hardwood flooring is also the flooring of choice for sports gyms, which could probably give you an idea regarding its durability. What better reason to buy hardwood floors!

Characteristics of Maple Hardwood Flooring

Maple hardwood flooring is a dense, durable, and hard flooring option that is fit for households where quite a lot of traffic is expected. It lives up to its name of being a hardwood because maple is indeed very hard. In fact, you need to pre-drill holes before nailing or screwing. It is also very resistant to abrasion and wear. With all these strong words, it is also very great to know that maple is a very beautiful wood, boasting of a clear grain and unique coloring that is treasured by its owners.

Ask about renewability in maple hardwood flooring

With all this talk of about environmental issues, some may balk at having maple hardwood flooring in their homes. But the industry is growing more and more responsive to these types of concerns, making sure that forests are replenished, and making sure too that all of the processes along the way make for a sustainable way through for years to come. But, if you’ve got concerns, it’s always a good idea to ask about them. Reputable sellers of maple hardwood flooring are eager to engage the public on best practices as they apply to sustainability. The best way to learn more is to ask the experts.

Celsius Glass and Hardwood Conservatories

A new kind of material is being used for glass in hardwood conservatories. It is called Celsius Performance Glass which is a new type of coated smart glass. It is excellent for use in conservatory roofs.

Celsius Performance Glass brings to people the best of both worlds. It helps keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. In addition, the Celsius glass is very easy to clean. Plus a further benefit is that the insulation of sound is improved greatly.

A touch of blue tint in the glass along with the right technological features helps reduce unwanted glare from the glass in the conservatory. This helps users enjoy the benefits of the Celsius glass and hardwood conservatory to its fullest.

Celsius is one of the few glazing products on the market that offers a combination of heat reflection and thermal insulation. This helps produce a conservative form of energy during a time when the need to be energy efficient is most crucial.

What helps improve the efficiency of this Celsius glass conservatory is the use of a special coating which helps entrap the heat inside a home if it is reflected back into the property. For this reason Celsius has a U value of only 1.4.

The special coating of the Celsius glass now more popular in hardwood conservatories reflects approximately 72% of solar energy. This is three times the amount of energy that standard glass reflects. It has the ability to reflect that large amount of solar heat can prevent conservatories from overheating during hot weather.

The other benefit associated with using Celsius glass is that it helps reduce the impact of outside noise levels. A Celsius glazed roof can insulate more than two times of the sound of a standard 25mm glazed polycarbonate roof.

Another benefit of the Celsius roof is that rainwater is able to clean the dirt more effectively than standard glass. The rainwater takes off most of the dirt and grime and helps reduce the amount of unwanted deposits and helps lower the amount of regular cleaning that is needed.

In addition, the surface of Celsius glass is up to 5 degrees warmer than those of regular glass panes. This is said to help deduct condensation in glass more than in normal types of glass.

Cleaning hardwood floors

To keep you hardwood floors looking their best, regular attention is the key. With the proper care and maintenance, you can keep your hardwood floors looking new for many years and they will last a lifetime.

Best way to clean hardwood floors

The best way to clean a hardwood floor depends on the type of finish. Surface finishes are found on pre-finished floors and are mostly polyurethane. They usually have a glossy appearance. They are easy to care for and maintain; simply sweep, vacuum and mop. Penetrating seals such as oils and waxes have a satin or matte finish. Strip the wax and apply a fresh coat once or twice a year. This type of hardwood floor should not be damp mopped because the water will penetrate the wood.

Sweep high traffic areas on a daily basis, and vacuum and mop weekly. When sweeping, use a broom with fine, exploded ends to trap dust and grit effectively. To minimize the amount of dirt brought inside, place door mats at each entrance.

Vacuum your hardwood floor regularly to remove dirt as this will scratch and dull the surface. Use a lightweight vacuum cleaner with a soft brush on the head so it doesn’t scratch the floor. Follow with a microfibre dust mop to trap fine dust particles.

Next, use a damp, not wet, mop with a pH neutral floor cleaner specifically formulated for wood floors to remove dust and grime. Vinegar is also an effective and safe floor cleaner (see section on using vinegar below). Wring the mop out completely and mop in the direction of the wood grain. When the water gets dirty, replace with a fresh batch of cleaning solution. When finished, go back over with clean water to rinse. Do not use straight ammonia, liquid detergents or abrasive cleaners as they can dull or strip the finish and discolour the wood. Do not damp mop waxed floors. Just sweep and vacuum regularly.

Wipe up any food or liquid spills immediately with a damp cloth, then dry with a clean towel. Water and other liquids are one of the floors worst enemies as they can damage the finish and seep in between the floorboards causing warping. Consider placing mats on areas where water may be splashed, such as at the kitchen sink.

Caring for hardwood floors

Hardwood floors are easily gouged and scratched so take preventative steps to protect your hardwood floor. Use felt pads under furniture legs and feet and take care when moving furniture. Remove shoes before walking on the floor to prevent heel and scuff marks.

Regular vacuuming will keep your floor free of dirt and grit that can scratch the surface. Sunlight can cause excessive discoloration so protect the floor from sunlight by closing blinds or drapes. Some discoloration may be unavoidable, so rotating furniture and rugs will also help ensure that any UV exposure is even across the floor.

When placing rugs on your hardwood floor, be cautious. Rug dyes have been known to stain floors, and plastic backings may affect the wood finish.

Clean hardwood floors with vinegar Using vinegar to clean hardwood floors is a cheap, environmentally friendly solution to keep your hardwood floor looking good. Mix ½ cup of vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water. Dip a cotton cloth into the solution and wring thoroughly. Work on one small area at a time, immediately buffing dry with a clean cloth. Vinegar is excellent for cutting grease, removing odors, mildew, most stains and wax buildup. It will also neutralize alkaline stains such as those from hard water.

Finding Cheap Hardwood Floors

A wide range of hardwood floorings are available in the market. While deciding the style and material for the flooring, take into account areas to be floored. You should know the size of the area in square feet, type of subfloor, your preference for pre-finished or unfinished flooring, stain color, whether you want to do it your self or hire a professional, the waste factors that depend on product type, and the room’s shape. Flooring installation methods including floating, nail-down, glue-down and staple-down. If you’re looking to do it yourself, glue-down is probably your best option. Inexperienced persons should not do nail-down installation on their own as it requires special skill and lots of time. Comparing prices and products at different supplier stores and home centers before finalizing the flooring will help in finding the best deal. If you are confused or uncertain about the product, consult shop keeper or installer. While placing an order for material, do not forget to order for installation materials such as adhesives, nails, tools and so on. There are many web sites offering information on hardwood flooring and product pricing. It is recommended to visit these sites and read the details carefully. Keep sufficient time to explore the many possible options, so you will not make a decision in haste. Several types of hardwood floors are offered. Their durability depends on maintenance and cleanliness. These environmentally friendly products give a rich and warm look to the home, and can either be installed on your own or by professionals.

The Enduring Beauty of Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood kitchen flooring has many advantages like how if items are dropped on it they do not shatter, it is attractive, and it is good for sound insulation. It is also easy to change the look and color of it just by sanding it. You do not have to replace the entire kitchen flooring. This makes hardwood kitchen flooring a good investment.

Hardwood kitchen flooring can provide elegance, beauty and style for your kitchen. There is something that is really special about hardwood kitchen flooring. Improvements in construction methods have brought about an increase in the range of colors, finishes, cuts, styles and installation. Today you will find that there are more choices and options available than ever from the introduction of many exotic woods to flooring materials that can mimic the look of wood without really being wood. Because of the long life span and easy maintenance of this material it is expected to increase in popularity.

However whether you just prefer the look of hardwood kitchen flooring, the fact is that having a hardwood floor can greatly increase the value of the home.

Hardwood flooring has been around for hundreds of years, and now more and more homeowners are discovering and appreciating the beauty of these kinds of floors. After years of decline in the popularity of hardwoods due to the push for wall-to-wall carpeting after World War II, hardwood flooring is enjoying a renewed popularity.

Hardwood comes from deciduous trees which drop their leaves annually. The most common types that are used in kitchen flooring are maple, cherry, pine, and oak. One new trend in hardwood flooring is the use of maple.

Hardwood is so attractive when it has aged that there is a new trend among many homeowners today who are coming to realize that they can make their hardwood kitchen flooring look aged and well-worn, through the use of grinding, pummeling, and notching. They do this to give their hardwood kitchen floors a more vintage or distressed look.

Hardwood floor finishes include unfinished and pre-finished or engineered. Unfinished hardwood gives you a completely smooth and uniform surface. Pre-finished hardwood is available in a larger selection of wood types, and is more labor saving because it has the factory finish. Pre-finished is becoming a very popular choice because of it can be installed over concrete, as well as being available in many colors, and can be installed anywhere in the home.. Pre-finished hardwood kitchen flooring offers thicker wear layers (the top layer of the wood) and is easy to install. A veneer of hardwood can be added as the finished top layer.

Hardwoods from South America and Africa are in big demand today with darker floors becoming popular. These hardwoods range from Mexican purpleheart to hard Brazilian cherry. Many of these wood species have good moisture-resistance and are extremely durable. While these hardwoods are not very expensive, the cost of installation and finishing can be somewhat high.

Because of many homeowners opting for more environmentally friendly wood alternatives there has been a new trend for hardwood kitchen flooring that includes the use of bamboo and cork. These kinds of flooring are renewable resource.

Amish Handcrafted Furniture - A Modern Heirloom

When you say the word Amish, for a lot of people what first comes to mind is the old fashioned, horse drawn buggy. There are a lot of concepts associated with the Amish people and their way of life such as living a simple, technologically unaided life, living a traditional life engaging in professions such as farming, craft making and others which involve working by hand and which do not involve modern conveniences such as the telephone, electricity, the television and automated vehicles etc. The Amish are known for living in their own self-reliant communities which have limited contact with main stream society.

Because of their old fashioned, traditional style of making crafts by hand and usually without help of modern machinery, Amish Furniture has come to mean furniture that is handcrafted, made of 100% natural materials, durable, with great attention to detail. In short Amish made furniture has almost come to mean furniture that is a work of art in itself!

The unique quality about Amish handcrafted furniture is that is has a heirloom quality, I timeless look that never goes out of fashion and designs that are not held hostage by fickle trends which are here today and gone tomorrow. This kind of furniture is built to last, so that reinforces its heirloom like quality. Most pieces of Amish furniture are handcrafted from solid oak, cherry, and maple. When crafting Amish furniture solid wood boards are used in an arrangement that enhances the look and durability of each furniture piece.

The Amish people live by a set of beliefs that prevent the use of modern conveniences such as electricity, so it follows that the tools used for Amish handcrafted furniture usually do not use electricity. They are often powered by hydraulic and pneumatic power. While the aid of some mechanization may sometimes be used, most often the detailing and finishing is done by hand. This ensures the finest quality of workmanship.

There are certain distinctive styles of Amish made furniture. For instance there is the Mission style which has uncluttered, even lines and exposed joinery. Then there is the Shaker style which is recognized for its simplicity, innovative joinery, quality, and functionality. A more ornate style for Amish furniture is the Queen Anne style which is very different from the earlier mentioned styles which are plain and functional in nature. By contrast the Queen Anne style is more traditional, often rendered with ornate carving and detailing.

With few Amish children obtaining higher education, Amish woodcraft skills are often passed on from generation to generation, with father teaching son the tricks of the trade.

Since their beliefs usually preclude modern marketing and selling practices there are other non-Amish people who commission and purchase the furniture pieces from the Amish themselves and then make them available to the public at large. Increasingly now, online sites offer people the option of buying Amish made handcrafted furniture which is known for its superior quality, traditional methods of making and a timeless beauty. Now anyone can take the advantage of buying Amish furniture, which is beautiful, will last for generations to come in styles and designs that go beyond both time and personal style preferences.

How To Select The Best Patio Furniture

Are you planning to furnish your outdoors? Have you been wondering about the best furniture for your patio? This article will help you create a great ambiance for your outdoors and give you the tips on easy maintenance.

Before you move towards the furniture store to buy patio furniture, have a good look at your patio. Is it very large? Does it have a well-defined garden? Is there a swimming pool? Will you need dining furniture to serve food outside? These questions will help you decide about the type of furniture to be bought. Also, you should consider the all year round weather of the place you live in. Heavy rains, perpetual sunshine or heavy snowing will require specific furniture. Try to look into different furniture stores to be able to get a good picture of the possible costs of different furniture. Buying wholesale Amish furniture can reduce costs considerably while providing excellent selections from the world-renowned furniture collection. Finally, make sure you have a budget in mind.

For the outdoor furniture, it is the material that is most important. If you are considering traditional furniture, consider buying furniture made of wood. Wooden furniture looks good but needs a lot of maintenance. The best type of wooden furniture for outdoors would be Oak furniture. Oak can be quite durable and come in various varieties like Chinese Oak and Red Oak. Amish oak furniture is highly in demand for its beauty and durability.

Cedar is another good choice for wooden furniture. This wood is softer than Oak but looks particularly warm and inviting. Moreover, it is much lighter than Oak and thus it is easier to transfer this furniture from one place to the other in times of need. A popular form of cedar is Red Cedar. Both Oak and cedar are durable and have materials that keep fungus, insects and mildew away.

Another option for beautiful wooden furniture that lasts is teak. It is a perennial favorite with buyers because of its lovely coloring and hardwood qualities. Teak is also capable of holding its own against all weather conditions and its natural oils act as natural deterrents to mosses. No re-polishing or painting is necessary for teak as it lasts long without excessive finishing.

Enjoying the beauty of nature and the wonderful weather in your patio can be very rejuvenating. However, without good and durable furniture, a lot of the fun from the outdoors is gone. Apart from selecting the right type of furniture for your courtyard, you must consider the maintenance requirements of the furniture. Most wooden furniture requires frequent retouches and cleaning. Wooden furniture that is of poor quality could also lose most of its sheen and beauty very soon.

Many people opt for plastic or steel furniture. Plastic furniture works particularly well if you have a swimming pool in the courtyard. If you carry out barbecue and other heavy cooking in your patio, try using steel or wrought iron furniture as the heat might affect the plastic furniture. You can even buy folding dining tables and chairs that are easy to shift for outdoor parties.

Therefore, choosing the best outdoor furniture requires scrutinizing of both style and the material used for the furniture. Check out the huge range of lovely furniture in the market and enjoy the warm sunshine outside

Handcrafted Hardwood Furniture

Handcrafted hardwood furniture represents the ultimate in quality and prestige, with many manufacturers providing individual pieces to the customers’ specification.

Many handmade furniture makers advertise on the internet, and they offer a variety of different products and items that should suit your needs.

The choice is vast, however, with different woods – Maple and Oak for example – colours, styles and finishes available.

It pays to shop around as many handcrafted hardwood furniture suppliers are small family owned businesses, and many will offer you bespoke items to your own specifications.

When looking for a handmade furniture maker pay attention to promises of quality, and look through their website for descriptions of different methods of construction. Pay attention, too, to the individuality of the product – some handmade furniture makers offer personalized inscriptions that will mark your item as totally unique among others.

A good handcrafted hardwood furniture manufacturer will not only produce for you a beautiful and individual piece, but will make sure that the product is finished to the highest order with all matching surface wood featuring the same grain.

Most manufacturers will be more than happy to answer your questions or requests, and correspondence by email is a good way to get ideas flowing in both directions.

Protective finishing of the final product should also be offered, with the promise that a piece of bespoke handcrafted hardwood furniture should last a lifetime and more.

Many suppliers offer a large number of products, and will provide an on-line catalogue that displays the variety of the items available. You will also find provided examples of different woods, construction techniques, and finishes on offer.

If you are looking for a table, for example, you may find many different styles of legs on offer, and the supplier will be able to use his expertise and experience to advise you on the most suitable style for your choice of table.

If it is a chair you require, the finishing techniques will vary according to size, shape and style, and again the handmade furniture maker you choose will be able to help you make the right decision.

Looking for handcrafted hardwood furniture on the internet makes sense, as with so many suppliers, styles, items and different materials to choose from, you will want to make the right decision when buying what will be a treasured and loved family heirloom.

When you have found the supplier you wish to use, it is always wise to make sure their website has a secure payment system. This way shopping on the internet need not be a concern, but a convenient and pleasant experience. Check the website for comments from previous customers, and ask around friends and family for their experiences, too.

Most of all, remember that handcrafted hardwood furniture is something that you will want to enjoy and admire for all time, and that you will be proud to pass on to your children, and they to theirs in the future, so choose wisely and look at as many different manufacturer websites as possible – that way you will be sure to get the best you can find.