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.