Category Archives: Floors

Radiant Floor – Heating Up the Floor at Your Convenience

Posted on by

Many have gone into the convenience of radiant floor heating system. This type of system are being used in different parts of residential buildings or you may opt to make use of this type of heated flooring at your very own home. You may be wondering how does this work and how will you be able to conveniently install this in your very own home.

There are a few things you’ll have to consider when installing this type of floor system. Usually, you will find radiant floor systems installed under your concrete floor or tiled floors. You can actually have this type of heating system installed on your floor as long as you don’t have to nail your flooring together. So let’s say that you have a carpeted floor or you have installed ceramic tiles on your bathroom, it is definitely possible for you to make use of this kind of heating system.

Now, if you consider installing this type of system into your floor you have to take note that under the carpet or hardwood flooring, it is necessary that the heating is embedded to work. It is not advisable for you to have the heating system installed under fabric, rugs or carpets which are thicker that 3/4 inch. It is also necessary fro you to make sure that you hire a professional who is capable of having the system installed properly into the premise. This will help you avoid further problems in the future.

When you are to install such kind of systems on any area of your home, you also have to keep in mind the tools ad materials that you will be needing to set the radiant floor heating system properly. One of the most important tools that you’ll be needing is a floor grinder, together with other drilling materials, cutters and even a vacuum cleaner. It is essential that you have the right materials at hand before installing the heating system. You don’t want wasting your time hiring someone without having the tools and materials required ready for performing the installation of the heating system.

If you were to purchase such materials needed for grinding the floors as well as other equipment and edging tools for floors, make sure that you search for equipment that is easy and convenient enough to use for a less time-consuming but instead more successful installation on the floor heating system.

Hardwood Floors – The Basic Types – Should You Hire A Hardwood Floor Contractor?

Posted on by

Most everyone appreciates the warmth of a natural hardwood floor. Today they come in many colors and there are more species than in the past. With the right care and proper treatment they can last a long time, even a lifetime as many people with these homes have attested to.

Hardwood floors are natural and non-allergenic. They can greatly add to the appeal and value of your home.

The three basic types of hardwood floors are solid, longstrip and engineered.

Firstly, solid wood floors, both prefinished and unfinished are cut from a tree as a solid piece. They will react to even subtle changes in the humidity. It’s recommended for any above the grade installations. It can nail down to a sub-type floor that is made of wood. Any solid wood needs the proper room along vertical walls for expansion however.

The second type of wood is longstrip. Longstrip is a pre-finished engineered wood floor. It usually consists of three plies of wood that are laminated to each other. The planks are about 8 inches wide by 8 feet long. They can be glued, floated, stapled or nailed down on any grade level.

Some companies make glueless type planks with no nails or glue needed. They can be installed on wood subfloors, on concrete slabs or floated over various types of floors. If you plan to do-it-yourself, rather than hire a hardwood floor contractor, then this would be a good type of floor for you to install.

The third type of floor is an engineered wood floor. They can be either prefinished or unfinished. A prefinished floor consists of several wood plies laminated together. What is called a top finish veneer may be either domestic or an exotic wood species.

The plank widths can vary from 2 1/4″ to approximately 7″. The planks can be glued, floated, stapled or nailed down on all levels of the grade. They are dimensionally stable and most can be fitted to any vertical walls. Changes in humidity do not affect this wood so it is good for high humidity homes or areas of the country. It can be used either over wood subfloors or dry concrete slabs.

Hardwood floors come either unfinished or prefinished.

When the first type – unfinished hardwood floors or job-site finished – is used you can finish the floor smooth. It comes in custom stained colors too which makes it more versatile than other flooring. It usually takes at least two to three coats of stains that need to be added to the finish. This can be a difficult process and quite messy too. It will take several days from start to finish.

The second type is pre-finished hardwood floors, which are also called factory finished. It generally installs in less than 8-10 hours. It doesn’t make as much of a mess on the site as the unfinished. You’re limited to the manufacturer’s colors however. There can be 6-11 coats of finish applied by the manufacturer. The finishes from the factory are very wear- resistant. Some of the pre-finished wood manufacturers add aluminum oxide to the final process for additional durability. They are much easier to care for than the old waxed finishes. Be aware that the prefinished trims may not be an exact match to the floor though.

The above basics may help you make a decision on which type of floor would be best for you and your home and whether or not you should do-it-yourself or hire a hardwood floor contractor.