Wood Flooring and Children

If you're the proud parents of infants or young children and are thinking about the installation of hardwood floors, no doubt you will have questions of security and appropriateness spinning around your own mind. There's not much doubt that the sterile advantages of a hardwood flooring are considerably higher than hardwood floors, however the softness of carpeting may seem quite attractive.

There is no getting away from the fact that since timber is a natural solution, solid hardwood floors has a inclination to expand and contract with changes in ecological conditions and those expansions and contractions may result in gaps in the ground. If you believe differences between the floorboards might pose a danger to your child, it is well worth contemplating engineered hardwood floors.

Solid wood flooring, as the name suggests is constructed using planks made from one piece of wood, whereas engineered wood flooring consists of layers of various kinds of timber that are topped with a wood coating to make the end result look like solid wood. As a result of its setup, engineered wood flooring is much less vulnerable to expansion and contraction compared to solid wood and as such doesn't pose the exact same threat of openings for small hands and feet or indeed toys to get trapped.

By its very nature, wood flooring is a harder choice than rug so parents commonly worry about kids using a hard landing a fall. A floating hardwood flooring is a floor that is neither nailed nor glued into the sub-floor. In a floating installation, the sole place glue might be used is between the groove and tongue. In a domestic situation, a floating flooring can be laid over a sub-floor or over an existing floor after placing a suitable underlay. It is the debut of this underlay that might help soften the impact of any falls (along with acting as a solid barrier).

A few final things on the list for any parents of small children or babies considering the purchase and installation of a wooden floor is the finish and some other ecological dangers. In terms hardwood floors complete , lacquers and hard wax oils offer a coating that will permit the floor to take the wear and tear thrown at it by even the roughest of children. Of course with the proximity of small hands and small mouths into the floor, as parents you'll want to make sure your new flooring and its end have reduced (and preferably no) volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) thus reducing the risk of hazardous emissions.

Engineered Parquet Flooring Options

Engineered hardwood floors is a really popular flooring option nowadays for anyone seeking a real wood floor look. Not to be confused with laminate flooring, which is fake hardwood floors, engineered hardwood flooring is an extremely versatile and affordable flooring solution and comes in a parquet style alternative.

The reason why that engineered timber flooring is more versatile than solid timber is down to its construction. Engineered hardwood floors is a very cleverly made up flooring option that doesn't expand and contract to the same extent as wood. Generally speaking, strong hardwood floors is not suited to any component of the house which is exposed to significant temperature and moisture changes because such corrective changes will make it expand and contract, resulting in potentially serious gaps and harm in the longer term.

Engineered hardwood flooring is created by bonding together distinct layers of woods to make a good center board, upon which a strong (typically) oak surface is added. This combo of the smart use of solid plywood and strong, attractive walnut is the thing that makes engineered timber floors look like solid timber, but using the built-in attraction of becoming stronger and more secure. No matter whether you select single, double or triple board boards, or whether you're looking for a parquet search for your flooring, an engineered alternative is currently available, which actually opens up your own choices.

Parquet flooring extends back several years to round the mid 1600's and is highly desired and recognisable within an inside design that has endured the test of time. Parquet floors is presently enjoying a true renaissance and if you find the alternatives offered within our engineered parquet floors range, it's easy to see why.

As we have mentioned, parquetry goes back a lengthy way and can be highly recognisable thanks to
its geometric structure. At one time, putting parquet flooring took immense patience and wasn't a task for its faint-hearted, requiring years of ability to get it right. With different species and colours of wood cut into small square or rectangular blocks, several ages ago, laying parquet floors was a true art and something which could take weeks from start to end, rather than just a few days.

Happily there are a lot easier ways to accomplish your desired look now. We now have three chevron options in stock, meaning that regardless of in which area of the home that you wish to find this legacy appearance, you can. The best thing about engineered hardwood floors is that you may even put in it in kitchens and bathrooms in addition to over under floor heatingsystem, which means that you may find the parquet look you are after, whichever room you are seeking to re-floor.

The 3 choices of chevron flooring we've will allow you to create your choice of colour and finish in addition to grade of walnut. The first alternative is Select Engineered Chevron Flooring, that was Brushed and White Oiled. This floor is ideal for anyone who is looking for a light colored and organic appearance parquet flooring option. It actually will lighten up even the darkest distance along with the oiled finish permits the actual beauty of the walnut to stick out to its finest.

If you are at the point you know you want a parquet look and you realize you want a tiled flooring, but you are not sure if you would like an oiled or lacquered finish, instead, this floor is ideal for you. By selecting this Stratford Floor Sanding Alternative, you can choose your own finish once your floor has been fitted. But if you have got a busy family, with a great deal happening, you are very likely to be seeking out a lacquered finish so that your flooring will stand up to everything life throws at it. If that is true, then you'll be swooned by this alternative. This third option that we have in our range is perfect for busy families with high traffic footfall as well as a fair share of sunlight to handle.

So there you have three great engineered parquet flooring options that can be used throughout your home, without needing to spend days and weeks cutting blocks of timber and fitting them one by one to create your desired look!

Engineering Reclaimed Wood Flooring

Engineered wood flooring is a highly sought after flooring option these days. Involving the restoration, renovation and repair of wood flooring from older buildings, it is a look that suits a whole host of different forms of interior. An idea that really caught on in the 1980s, exceptionally patient people today are prepared to trawl the salvage market for the floor of their dreams. That said, for the huge majority of individuals, the thought of having to potentially wait years to get the floors seem they really want only is not an option. If you're someone who's keen on a reclaimed floor but do not want to have the wait, engineered prefinished hardwood floors is the perfect compromise.

In this era, any appearance you want can pretty much be achieved on a wood flooring, but more than this, as time goes from the final result is growing increasingly more convincing and real looking. A reclaimed look on engineered timber flooring is accomplished by effectively distressing the top layer of wood that's apparent on the boards. There are various techniques used to make this effect and give an outcome that just a very scrupulous eye could spot as not being the real thing!

To get the reclaimed look, wood is"abused", either by hand or by machine. Hand remedies might entail hitting the wood with blunt and sharp instruments in addition to scratching it and hammering it it looks aged and used. In a machine setting, wood is typically placed in a big tumbling machine together with chains, scrapers, hammers and other damaging objects so the wood gets that old and worn appearance. It might then have its borders further ruined or it might even be passed under open flames to give it a very authentically reclaimed look. Either wayyou can be certain that if you opt for an engineered reclaimed wood flooring option which not only does it look the part of a really old floor, it'll have all the advantages you expect from a brand new floor.

If you were to recover an old floor from a building that's going to be demolished for example, you'd have to take care of all of its inherent issues such as repair, treatment, boards which are cupped or bowed, but if you choose an engineered wood solution you don't have any of these difficulties. What is more, an engineered wood floor is an option which you may use throughout the house, including in kitchens and bathrooms, and, should you make the ideal option, over under floor heating.

Dark and interesting.

This Select Engineered Oak Smoked Reclaim Black UV Oiled alternative is almost black, therefore is bang on trend at this time. Using its slightly distressed, reclaimed look surface, it does not have the black look that is so common with certain black options. A stunning addition to any area, whether or not you are creating a monochrome lounge or some comfy, chintzy boudoir, you truly won't regret this choice.

Warm and stylish.

This Organic Engineered Oak Reclaim Brown UV Oiled flooring truly is among the most versatile choices you can select when you opt for an engineered hardwood wood floor. An appearance that's been around for centuries, this flooring is timeless elegance personified and wouldn't seem out of place in an old French chateau!

Highly Authentic and Natural.

This Organic Engineered Oak Reclaim Brown UV Oiled alternative really is magnificent. A wonderful broad board to boot up, it's the best solution for anybody who would like a reclaimed appearance in their home which appears exceptionally natural and matt.

So there you have it -- the most important thing is that in the event that you desire a reclaimed flooring, but do not need to have the wait or the hassle, why have a nearer look in our engineered reclaimed hardwood flooring choices? You are going to be really surprised by how authentic they seem, however much a perfectionist you're!

Light Coloured Engineered Wood Flooring

Light coloured engineered timber flooring is a very common choice. The engineered structure means that the flooring is more stable so it can be utilised in much more versatile ways. Light coloured hardwood flooring can help to brighten up any kind of room.

How is light colored engineered timber flooring made?

Firstly, let's touch how engineered hardwood flooring is created. Engineered hardwood always has a real good wood top layer. This is what you see once it's been installed, so it may often be confused with good wood flooring. The smart part is underneath the good wood. There are base layers, usually made from plywood. These give the boards of floors more stability and allow the producer to make longer and wider planks.

Some species of timber, such as Oak or Maple, are naturally light in colour anyway, so they would just be applied as the top layer for its engineered floor planks. If you are looking for flooring that is even lighter, with perhaps hints of white, then you will need to get a stained flooring. This means that a color stain is inserted into the surface of the board of wood to give a different color shade or tone -- in this case white. You will still be able to see the initial grain pattern of the wood, but the color will have changed.

Finally, you can choose to buy an bare engineered wood floor and include your personal white colour stain. This will give you far more control over the exact'mild' colour it's possible to achieve. Doing so is great if you want a specific colour tone that you can not find on a pre-finished flooring. Be aware that it does involve a lot of work however.

Why should I choose light colored engineered wood flooring?

Here are some reasons why people think you should choose a light-coloured engineered wood floor:

• It helps brighten up a dull or dark area, or create a smaller room look larger.
• You can use engineered wood floors with underfloor heating.
• The floor will look fresh, clean and contemporary.
• It's a perfect comparison to a dark or bold color scheme.
• Creates a relaxing and relaxing atmosphere, therefore ideal for office spaces and nurseries.
• You've got a choice of either plank flooring or parquet block.

BEST FLOORING OPTIONS FOR DOG OWNERS

If you have a dog or dogs within your house, your floor has probably been victim to scuffs, stains as well as lingering odour. Any flooring you may think of has its advantages and disadvantages, so it's a fine balancing act which flooring best matches your pet.

Many dog owners go for a ceramic tile floor in the belief that it's a durable surface which is not absorbent. That's partly correct, but with ceramic tile comes grout and grout is very porous and susceptible to staining. It's recommended to seal the grout to help avoid staining and discoloration. The disadvantage to ceramic is that the surface may be slippery and hard on the dog's joints, particularly as they age.

Carpet is a lot softer and more comfortable under paws, but it's not the ideal choice with a dog because carpeting is liable to stain and maintain odours. Dog hair is also tricky to remove from carpet and unless mold is vacuumed almost daily, dog hair may get virtually embedded in carpet fibres.

Hardwood flooring may be ruined by a puppy's nails so search for a timber with a top Janka score and one with a solid conclusion.

It is possible to attain the look of hardwood . A premium excellent laminate floor is famous for it's durability and a lot of people choose it whenever they've pets. 1 warning with laminate, so it doesn't respond well to liquid or water so make certain spills are wiped up quickly. Once laminate is ruined, it can not be mended, it has to be replaced.

You could even find lots of wood flooring maintenanace hints within this wood floor maintenance and maintenance giude.

Is it time for New Garden Decking?

When summer arrives, there's nothing simpler than a weekend spent out in your own garden decking. Whether you are enjoying a meal, watching the kids play, or reading a book, it's fantastic to have an outdoor oasis in your home.

If you are searching to refinish your deck or perhaps construct a brand new one to take advantage of the summer months, you may be asking yourself where to store. A wood flooring shop might not be your first consideration, but floor specialists also know a lot about garden decking, also!

Although wood has long been a favorite material for decks, it can be difficult to look after, requiring regular refinishing and sealing to prevent water damage and discolouration. Because of this, many individuals have turned to composite materials due to their garden decking demands.

What Exactly Are Composite Deck Boards?

Composite deck planks are a modern material specifically designed for the building of decks and other outdoor structures. They are made from timber waste such as saw dust and recycled vinyl substance (normally from milk jugs and plastic bags). They're regarded as the environmentally friendly solution, since they are produced from recycled and reclaimed materials and don't require the harvesting of fresh wood.

Because of their high plastic content, composite deck planks are very water resistant and hold up well to the elements. They also don't tend to discolour the same way natural timber will, though they can be scraped and stained.

Among the few complaints about composite boards is that they don't actually look or feel like wood. From a distance they give the appearance of a wooden deck, but up close their fabricated character becomes easily apparent. They're also able to heat up faster in sunlight, which makes them uncomfortable for walking barefoot, though they also don't carry the risk of splintering.

Lots of individuals like composite decking since it's specifically intended for outdoor projects. It's simple to use, and there is lots of information available on the internet about the top fasteners and building practices to utilize if you want to do your garden decking job.

Of course, the biggest advantage to composite decking is when that first warm day of the year arrives, it is possible to go straight out for the deck and enjoy it, rather than spending the first nice weekend around the time-consuming procedure of stripping and trimming a wooden deck!

Making the Best Option for Garden Decking

Discussing with floor specialists can help you decide which composite decking boards are the very best for your house. You can get information on the best colours and finishes to compliment the color and style of your house, and how much to buy.

A backyard deck made from composite decking is a great investment for your house, sure to provide endless enjoyment from the spring and summer months for a long time to come. Do not spend the summer months up indoors wishing you're enjoying the beautiful day. Now's a great time to begin on building or refinishing your deck!

A FEW REASONS TO OPT FOR HARDWOOD FLOORING

Many homeowners buy real hardwood flooring. As hardwood floorings are quite popular, it can really increase the appeal of a home and add value to it, which can be vital in today's aggressive industry. Hardwood flooring not only add value and overall attractiveness, but also offer additional advantages to home owners who they might not realise. A Couple of benefits of hardwood flooring are as follows:

Longevity:

One of the biggest advantages of these good wood floors is that they can endure for ages. There are quite a few flooring materials which are use over the centuries, and hardwood flooring has revealed itself to be a lasting and attractive option.

Warmth and luxury:

Hardwood floors are not only more pleasing to walk on than laminate, but are also naturally warm. Having tens of thousands of small air chambers per cubic inch that hold in warmth, solid wood proves to be a superb insulator.

Hypoallergenic:

Installing hardwood flooring in your home can be quite beneficial if anyone suffers from allergies. Unlike carpets, hardwood flooring do not function as a breeding ground for mould, dust mites, mold, etc.. Even if you steam clean your carpets, it's not possible to get rid of these things completely. Therefore, hardwood floors is an outstanding alternative for anybody experiencing environmental allergies.

Consequently, if you would like to reap the above advantages, installing hardwood flooring in your home is the best option to choose.