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Help and Advice

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

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

03/07/2018
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Can Wood Floors Be Stained Darker?

Hardwood floors with a thickness of 8-10mm may be sanded and stained up to ten times. Each time, a darker or a lighter stain may be chosen. The surface layer of an engineered wood floor must meet a minimum thickness of 2mm for the process to achieve adequate results. Outcomes vary depending on the wood species, the grade or quality of the wood, and the age of the wood. The age of the selected stain is another factor that may contribute to the end result. Where a stain is many... Read More

20/06/2018

Can Wood Floors Be Laid Over Tile?

A solid concrete base is the ideal foundation on which to lay a wood floor. However, where tiling has been set into a concrete floor, work to remove the tiles could disrupt the concrete foundations. In this scenario, raised wood floors or glued wood floors may be laid over tile. Prep work should include leveling any raised tile edges. Laying Wood Floors Over Tiles – Prep Work Whether you are planning to lay a raised wood floor over tiles or whether you are planning to install a glued laminate wood... Read More

underfloor heating 25/04/2018
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Can I Install Underfloor Heating Under Wood Floors?

Underfloor heating systems are available for all types of wood floors. A suspended wood floor lends itself to water pipe underfloor heating, whereas a concrete base floor is suited to an electric heat mat. ‘Flexible’ engineered wood floors with a thickness of around 15mm-18mm deliver the best results. Underfloor Heating Installation – Initial Considerations When considering underfloor heating options, major consideration should be given to newly laid concrete foundations. New foundations are typically laid with a thickness of around 75mm. On average, this thickness of concrete requires a settling period... Read More

modern wood flooring 09/04/2018
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Should I Opt For Light Or Dark Wood Floors?

When opting for light or dark wood floors, consider: Room size – Lighter floors add depth to small rooms Foot traffic – Darker floors show less overall scuffing Presentation – Lighter wood hides dirt e.g. hallways Maintenance – Different finishes could take several days Style & resale value – Consider current trends in wood flooring The choice between light wood flooring and dark wood flooring ultimately comes down to personal preference. However, there are many hidden factors to consider. Navigate your choices successfully and you could see both short term... Read More

21/03/2018
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How Much Does It Cost To Buy & Install Hardwood Floors?

The average cost of buying and installing hardwood floors is £45.00 per square metre for materials and £21.50 per square metre in labour costs. UK new build floorspace averages 16.3 square metres, totalling £733.50 per room for materials and £350.00 per room for installation. These numbers should only be used as a guide. Hardwood floor costs: Solid wood: £35.00 m² – £45.99 m² Engineered wood: £17.99 m² – £73.00 m² Underlay (Wood Subfloor): From £1.75 m² Underlay (Concrete Subfloor): From £4.25 m² Types of Hardwood Floor Hardwood flooring comes in... Read More

21/02/2018

How to Keep Hardwood Floors Warm in the Winter

Solutions to how to keep hardwood floors warm in the winter include: Place rugs in problem spots Add insulating weather strips to doors and windows Ceiling fans can help to reduce cold spots by circulating air Redirect air flow by replacing air vent covers with multidirectional grills Replace your curtains with triple-layered interlined heavy blackout curtains Limit access to the room from entrances that open directly to the home exterior Let’s start from the beginning. We must consider the construction of the home (solid vs suspended flooring) and the type... 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

wooden floor wooden worktops 16/08/2017
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Tips for matching your wooden floor to your kitchen worktops

Choosing the right flooring and kitchen worktop combination can be tricky – you want it to look stylish, and yet if you buy them separately it can be a bit of a risk to match them up. To help you decide on the best combination for your home, read our tips for matching your wooden floor to your kitchen worktops for effortless style. Wood and wood Some people think you can’t have wooden floors if you have wooden worktops, or if your kitchen cabinets are wood then you shouldn’t have... Read More