Category

General

16/10/2018
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Wood Floors Vs Vitrified Tiles

Engineered wood floors (and to some extent solid wood floors) respond well to underfloor heating and are comparatively much easier to maintain compared to vitrified tiles. This makes wood floors the ideal choice for indoor use. Vitrified tiles are difficult to remove and possess hard-wearing all-weather characteristics suitable for outdoor use (e.g. patios). What is a Vitrified Tile? Unlike standard ceramic flooring, vitrified tiles contain quartz and feldspar. When heated in a kiln, quartz and feldspar melt together to form a glass-like glue that binds the clay tile together. This... Read More

durable wood flooring 18/09/2018
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Which Wood Flooring is Most Durable?

In order to understand which type of wood flooring is most durable, we must consider two factors: The impact resistant properties of each wood species The difference between solid wood floors and engineered wood floors We will now look at each point individually, beginning with how hardness is tested. Understanding the Janka Hardness Test Wood floor ‘hardness’ is measured using the Janka Hardness Test. Simply, the test involves measuring the force required to embed a small steel ball in the wood (exactly half of the steel ball must be embedded... Read More

07/09/2018
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How to Remove Water Stains from Wood Floors

Wood floor stains are grouped into two categories: white and black. In general, white stains affect the surface finish and black stains penetrate into the wood. Understanding the difference between white stains and black stains is the first step in deciding the most suitable method of how to remove water stains from wood floors. Types of Water Stains: White Stains The term ‘white stain’ is used to describe surface discolouration that only affects the wood floor finish. Typically, this smoky type of water stain is found on newer wood floors... Read More

22/08/2018
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How To Make Wood Floors Less Slippery

Popular methods of making wood floors less slippery include cleaning the floor regularly and applying an anti-slip coating. Adding carpet runners to stairways and fixing heavy rugs in place with carpet tape or non-slip rug pads can also help to prevent accidental slippages. Further reduce the risk of slipping by choosing rubber soled footwear. Less Slippery Wood Floors – Choice of Finish The lifespan of both engineered and hardwood floors can be extended by up to ten times through careful maintenance – including applying a finish. The three most popular... Read More

31/07/2018
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Are Wood Floors Waterproof?

Wood floors are not inherently waterproof. Applying a water resistant finish at regular intervals (2-10 years, depending on type of finish and intensity of usage) can help to maximise the lifespan of a wood floor. Options for creating different levels of water resistance range from Polyurethane oil and water based finishes, to varnishes and sealants. Waterproofing can help to avoid: Bow Bowing occurs where water damage causes a distinct contraction across the surface of the wood, causing the two ends of a piece of wood flooring to rise up slightly.... Read More

21/12/2017
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When to use engineered wood flooring in your home

Engineered wood flooring is a modern style of flooring many of our customers have expressed an interest in – and for good reason. It has the look and feel of a solid wood floor thanks to the top layer veneer which is glued to a plywood core, it and the added benefits of being more robust and more resistant to moisture and heat. It’s also a more economical solution to solid wood flooring if your budget just won’t stretch. These features make it a very popular choice, so if you’re... Read More

13/12/2017
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Creating a warm and inviting home this Christmas

Have you embraced Christmas yet? It’s hard to escape at the minute, and if you haven’t already started your Christmas decorating at home, you’ll need to get on it pretty quickly. Whether you’re having a quiet Christmas or expecting lots of visitors and guests over the festive period, you’ll want to create a warm and inviting home. Thankfully, there are lots of ways to achieve this. Here’s our best tips for transforming your home into a cosy wonderland you’ll never want to leave. Adding a Christmas tree What home would... Read More

Mopping your wooden floor 31/10/2017
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Protecting your wooden floor properly

Now that you’ve finally installed the wooden floor of your dreams, you’ll want to look after it for as long as possible so that looks great for years. There’s more involved in protecting your wooden floor than just taking your shoes off before you walk over it (although that helps!), so here is your full guide to protecting your wooden floor properly and making sure you guard this beautiful investment in your home. Every day floor care Dirt and debris are quickly noticeable on a wooden floor, even more so... Read More

18/10/2017
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Inspirational flooring for every room in your home

You want your home to look at good as possible, so naturally you’ll spend time thinking about ways to make improvements that reflect it in the best possible way. When it comes to décor and furnishings these choices can be easy as there are lots of sources of inspiration, trends to follow and distinctive styles to decide between. When it comes to finding the right flooring for each room in your home, we can provide the source of inspiration, as we have hundreds of floors to choose from. Whether you’re... Read More

10/10/2017
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Golden rules for laying a wooden floor

Now that you’ve decided on the perfect wooden floor for your room, it’s time to think about installation. The process of laying a wooden floor requires a bit more time and preparation than any other flooring type, so it’s important that you familiarise yourself with the basics. Here are the golden rules for laying a wooden floor successfully 1.Moisture testing Before you even think about putting down your new floor, you need to carry out moisture testing on the sub floor. Your fitter or joiner should be able to carry... Read More