Prefinished Flooring

Hawa’s Exotic Prefinished Engineered Flooring

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:28:18 +0000

Engineered flooring has recently become a very popular flooring option for thousands of homeowners. The main reason behind this popularity hike is the fact that engineered flooring combines the prestige of natural hardwood flooring with the durability of laminate flooring. Laminate flooring has made valiant strides as of late and there are even brands which supply each plank with a high definition, photo-realistic photo of the wood it is attempting to mimic. But despite how real the laminate flooring looks it is unfortunately not real and some people really want authenticity. The downside of a lot of hardwood floors is that they’re not resilient enough to last in a household that sees a lot of foot traffic. Engineered flooring has solved both of these concerns to a degree.

Engineered flooring’s’ top layer consists of a veneer made from a genuine, authentic piece of wood. This can make a big different in your home for several reasons. One is that you get all of the benefits of a great looking floor without having to be worried about whether or not it’ll be durable. The reason for this durability is due to the way the floor is made. Several layers of composite wood are pressed together under extreme pressure. Naturally, the more layers that are used the more resistant the flooring will be to damage and warping. Hawa’s Exotic Prefinished Engineered Flooring is a great example of lavish and durable flooring.

First and foremost, the species of wood they’ve selected are some of the most beautiful and colorful of any on the market. And because they’re engineered flooring they’re more suited for longer use and are less expensive. Their floors are coated with high wear UV cured Acrylic Urethanane aluminum oxide base coats. These base coats do a few things. First they protect your flooring from harmful UV rays. No matter what you do, the sun will precipitate a change of color in your flooring. But the change is usually gradual and leads to the floor becoming richer in color. But too much sunlight can actually damage and warp your flooring and these base coats help prevent that. They also make the flooring more durable. Aluminide oxide is a substance readily used as a less expensive substitute to industrial diamond so you can be sure that it’s tough. In addition to the base-coats the flooring is given several top coats of polyurethane, which just helps add to its durability. You can take a look at the Hawa Exotic Prefinished Engineered flooring line here.

Hardwood flooring price comparison

admin — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:54:37 +0000

Hardwood flooring isn’t the most inexpensive option in regards to flooring. And in this day and age finding ways to reduce costs and save money is paramount. There are a few things people can do to cut costs. Homeowners can install hardwood flooring themselves which helps cut down on installation costs. There are more installation methods available for different types of hardwood flooring than ever before. Another way to cut down on costs is by shopping around and finding great deals on the type of flooring you want.

That’s what I had in mind when I visited FloorMall.com. I know the site to have really good and competitive prices. I wanted to see how good of a deal I could get on a piece of engineered hardwood flooring, since engineered flooring is usually less expensive than solid hardwood flooring but still very durable.

FloorMall.com was selling their American Cherry engineered flooring at $4.08 per square foot which was well below the price this identical product was going for at Riverwoodsflooring.com and FastFloors.com. And I’m sure if I went through more flooring sites that I would find that FloorMall.com offered better deals on the same brands and products than the majority of the flooring sites on the web.

You can see the flooring product I did my price comparison on here. The flooring brand I choose was br-111 which is one of the most expensive and premium flooring options on the market. I choose this brand in order to show that you don’t have to sacrifice quality in order to get a deal and sometimes all it takes is just a little research.

Does a prefinished floor need special maintenance?

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:38:30 +0000

When examining the characteristics between pre-finished hardwood floors and site-finished hardwood floors there are a few notable differences. One difference is the fact that the finish is applied within the confines of a factory. These factories provide dust free environments and enable the urethane to dry clearly and smoothly. The wood is coated anywhere from seven to twelve times, depending on the type/desired finish, making this wood extremely damage resistant. Other types of installations such as site-finished hardwood floors can prove to be difficult due to the level of precision involved with the actual installation.

It is possible to enhance the resilience of the pre-finished hardwood flooring by adding either ceramic or aluminum oxide particles to the urethane. Generally speaking the addition of aluminum oxide is favored due its natural resistance to abrasive materials. Even actual installation can be seen as quicker due to the fact that pre-finished hard wood floors are ready to be walked upon immediately after installation is complete. Site-finished wood needs to be finished, allowed time to dry, and can end up taking several days before the floors are actually able to be used without risk of damaging the floor.

Approaching the maintenance of your pre-finished hard wood floors can be deemed an easy approach. Pre-finished hardwood is by nature a low maintenance material. One of the most effective ways to keep the floors looking good is to vacuum them weekly. By utilizing a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush and rubber coated wheels you will be able to clean the floor effectively while maintaining the integrity of the wood. Once the floor is vacuumed, a quick shine – using the recommended solutions- can help keep your hardwood floors looking shiny and clean. It’s not hard to see exactly why pre-finished hardwood floors are a solid investment.

Is Prefinished hardwood flooring dangerous in terms of Indoor Air Quality?

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:32:07 +0000

When dealing with the installation of hardwood floors we can automatically see a slight increase when discussing the quality of air indoors. Whether or not you have pre-finished or site-finished hardwood floors, the fact still remains that hardwood is much easier to keep clean from intruders such as dust and other bacteria. The reason for this is simply due to the fact that these particles will actually settle on top of the floor rather than settling in, as would be the case with carpeting.

When discussing pre-finished flooring specifically we can see a few different characteristics. For starters, pre-finished flooring is a much easier installation, as it comes pre cut and finished, allowing it to be used immediately after installation. Also, depending on what type of wood you specifically order, pre-finished flooring can also be eco-friendly. Species such as cork and bamboo are available and can be seen as environmentally friendly options. Depending on what type of finish you choose when ordering your pre-finished hardwood, certain options possess traits such as the ability to handle humidity better, slightly increasing the quality of the air.

With such a wide variety of options in regards to species of wood, colorings, and actual finishes it’s no wonder pre-finished wood is becoming more and more popular. Combined with the fact that this wood can be easily installed in a do-it-yourself project, it is not hard to see this is as a sensible investment. Same stylish appearance of hardwood floors without the dust, noise, vapors, and overall inconvenience of site-finished hardwood floor installation.

Is prefinished wood flooring easier to install?

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:23:31 +0000

When dealing with hardwood floors, there are two broad categories regarding the types of wood used. These categories can be broken down into newer, factory or pre finished wood, and the older, more traditional style, which is finished on-site. Both of these styles have pro’s and con’s, depending on what exactly you are looking for in a hardwood floor. Over all appearance, texture, and installation difficulty are just a few of the notable differences found between the two.

When specifically examining the installation process of the two different types, pre-finished flooring can be seen as much quicker and less hassling. When dealing with site-finished wood the process can be described as extremely inconvenient for the household in which the installation is taking place. Arriving at your home as bare lumber, once the installation is complete, the floor is sanded in place, leveling and smoothing the wood in order to prepare it for the actual finish. Site-finished flooring when correctly placed is flat and smooth with no signs of board grooves. Unfortunately, one must suffer the inconvenience of the process, including, dust, noise, and the incapacitation of your house.

On the other end of the spectrum we have pre-finished, or factory finished wood. These boards come ready to install, already sanded and protected to be level upon installation. Unlike site-finished wood, factory finished wood is a perfect do it yourself project. You don’t have to know how to sand or finish, as it is not required to complete the installation. Generally speaking, all pre-finished wood comes with a warranty, and is physically tougher than most hardwood floors. By allowing you to take your time and complete the installation with a little research and less professional help, installing pre-finished flooring can be seen as the easier, less stressful means of installation.

And if you want to find a floor installer, there are resources for that as well!

Do I save money with prefinished floors?

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:13:06 +0000

When researching the wide variety of options available when installing hardwood floors within your home, there are two broad categories under which many of the styles fall. The first type is known as site-finished wood. When dealing with site finished wood the process of installation can be seen as grueling and extremely inconveniencing. Professional installation is a must in this case due to the amount of work which must be completed with precision. Once the wood is laid, it must be made completely level. Once it is made level, a finish is applied – emitting a vapor which will haunt you forever. The finish then must be allowed time to dry; further delaying the functionality of your new hardwood floors.

When installing pre-finished hardwood floors, the process can be described as slightly different. The wood comes in pre-cut / pre-finished planks in a wide variety of color options. These planks can be easily installed at your own convenience, creating a relaxed do-it-yourself project. Generally speaking, pre-finished wood is less expensive than site-finished wood. Another area where money can be saved is found when professional flooring installation is not needed. With site-finished wood it’s imperative that professional help is sought out to ensure proper installation-not the case with pre-finished wood.

So when the time actually arrives and it’s time to get the ball rolling on picking out and installing hardwood flooring remember these specifics to help make the most educated decision possible. Save money while enabling yourself to complete the project when it’s convenient for you. Not only will you be saving cash- you’ll be saving yourself the irritation of the dust, noise, smell, and overall inconvenience of site-finished installation.

What is prefinished flooring?

admin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:57:34 +0000

So it’s finally time to install that new hardwood floor you’ve been wanting. With so many options and different types of hardwood it can prove to be a difficult task making the proper decision. Maintaining a knowledgeable approach is imperative to making the correct decision. One option to take into consideration is known as pre-finished or factory finished flooring. Pre-finished flooring can be seen as the easier, less time consuming process, but for some has a slightly less desirable finishing appearance.

Unlike site-finished hardwood flooring, pre-finished factory flooring can be a do-it-yourself project if necessary. With site-finished floors, once the floor itself is installed, it must then be sanded, and protectively finished. This process can be long and extremely inconvenient for the members of the household in which the installation is taking place. Dust, noise, and vapors are a few of the other nuisances associated with site-finished floors. Pre-finished flooring arrives with a protective finish.

Also, with pre-finished flooring, after allowing the wood to acclimate to the atmosphere of your home, it can be installed immediately. It can also be installed without any professional assistance, allowing you to work on the project little by little, when it is most convenient for you. Another benefit of factory finished flooring is the fact that unlike site-finished flooring, pre-finished wood is ready to be walked upon immediately after installation, eliminating the time restraints commonly associated with other types of hardwood flooring such as site-finished flooring. Yet another perk of pre-finished flooring would be the fact that almost all pre-finished floors come with a substantial warranty, providing a sort of security for the homeowner.

The only effect which some individuals find undesirable about pre-finished hardwood flooring is the fact that the final product may appear to resemble a jigsaw puzzle. This is only due to the face that site-finished floors are leveled and finished after the floor is completely installed, creating a solidified appearance. Pre-finished flooring can be seen as an intelligent investment if that is indeed the direction in which you are heading.