The ‘grade’ of wood is the system used by the National Wood Flooring Association to determine the appearance of the wood. The ‘grades’ reflect the following characteristics of the wood:

*Color *Grain *Pattern *Other Natural Markings (knots)

The above standards exist to provide consumers with the best quality wood. Among the ‘grades’, durability IS NOT compromised. All share equal durability, but each one provides a different appearance. The ‘grades’ are listed below:

*CLEAR A clear ‘grade’ of wood is light in color and looks flawless. The grain pattern is very even, and has almost no color variation.

*SELECT Almost a Clear ‘grade’ wood, but is slightly darker in color. It still looks flawless to the eye, and shows slightly more characteristics than a clear ‘grade’.

*COMMON This ‘grade’ is used most often in homes due to its price and availability. It is less expensive than the Clear or Select ‘grades’. Common wood shows more natural characteristics of wood, such as greater color variation, shift in grain pattern and/or swirls and a fair amount of knots throughout. This ‘grade’ looks best to the eye and has a very natural look in the home.

*NO. 1 COMMON: Slight variation between light and dark colors shift in grain pattern and a few small knots

*NO. 2 COMMON: Slightly more rustic, greater color variation and knots throughout

*NO. 3 COMMON: The most rustic appearance of all wood floor ‘grades’. ALL natural characteristics of natural wood are evident (lots of color variation, grain pattern/shift in grain pattern, large amount of knots throughout, and worm holes)

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Solid wood flooring or hardwood floors are something that can add a lot of value to your home. However, there are a lot of things to consider when buying your solid wood flooring. From the type of area that it will be installed in, to the types of people that live in your home and even where your home is located.

One of the first things that you will want to consider before purchasing your solid wood flooring is where you are going to put it. This will actually dictate what type of flooring that you will use. For instance, a basement will be a little damper so you will want to avoid solid wood flooring. Instead of using this, you can use engineered flooring or laminate flooring.

You may also want to use the alternatives in areas like the kitchen and bathroom because of the possibility of getting wet. The kitchen can have a lot of spills and possible water leaks and the bathroom speaks for itself. These other types of flooring will offer you the same look without the danger of having your solid wood flooring ruined.

Once you leave those areas, your options are much more open where you can use solid hardwood flooring. From there, you can pick your favorite type of wood and choose to have your floor done with it. Now there are varying depths of solid wood flooring and that will dictate the method that can be used to install it as well as how expensive it is going to be.

Regardless of the type of hardwood floor that you choose, there is no mistaking the fact that it will dramatically improve the appearance of your home. Instead of having dingy, worn out carpets, the look of shining new hardwood floors is sure to increase the overall value of the home as well.

While it may cost you a little more to install, it will more than pay for itself over the years. If you are intimidated by the upfront price, all you need to do is sit down and look at the one-time cost versus the cost over the years of having carpet in your home. Solid wood flooring will more than likely outlast the homeowner. Carpeting not only needs constant care such as vacuuming and cleaning, it also wears out in about 5 years. By the time you install it a second time, you have probably surpassed the cost of installing your hardwood floors.

Hardwood flooring presents you with many options to improve the look of your home. Even if you decide to go with one of the less expensive alternatives, you are assured many years of a quality looking floor that will surely stand the test of time. If it is cared for properly, it will be the last floor that you have to install in your home. Just remember to avoid installing solid wood flooring in damp areas and use engineered or laminate flooring in its place.

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With the housing market the way it is, now is the time to pick up housing at unbeatable prices.  You might be a first time home owner or just looking to add a rental property to make a little extra cash; either way you cannot beat the price you will pay for a home right now.  A lot of inexpensive homes might need just the right touch ups to get you in.  It can start with the floors and right now there a lot of companies out there selling cheap hardwood flooring.

You can get great deals on oak, birch, and pine in the present market.Although I prefer cheap hardwood flooring to anything else, you can get some unbelievable carpets right now, too.  Carpets can give you the warmth that you are looking for in the cold winter months, but it will not be as durable as hardwoods.  If you are looking to add warmth with hardwood flooring, you might want to consider just adding rugs or throws in areas where it is needed.

This can give you the extra appeal you are going for as well, for a relatively inexpensive price.  These touches can add instant value to a home and draw in potential renters with the attractive look.If cheap hardwood flooring is not appealing to you, you might also consider laminate flooring.  It is an even cheaper alternative that can be more durable than carpeting and give you the look of the oak or pine hardwood flooring.

This is great for that first time homeowner, when expenses can add up relatively quickly in a fixer upper.  I believe you will be satisfied with the look that you get when you add a few rugs here and there.  In all, it is probably the cheapest alternative and it still adds value.If you do plan to put in cheap hardwood flooring, you can add more appeal with a little slate or marble accents in areas such as entry ways or fireplaces.  With small amounts, you are not having to add a lot to the cost and it can have a dramatic effect.

You might even want to consider an environmentally conscious choice in choosing cork flooring.  Cork comes from trees that grow extremely quickly.  This can give you a great look as well.  Whatever way you choose, you cannot go wrong in this market.  It is the perfect time to buy that house to make your home.

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If you are in the market for discount hardwood flooring, you can take more than one approach to finding it. If you are installing hardwood flooring in more than one room, or in a single exceptionally large room, you may be able to negotiate a lower price because many flooring vendors offer discount hardwood flooring if the square footage involved is large enough.

If, on the other hand, you’re not going to have your flooring installed for a few months, you can ask to be placed on the mailing lists of the flooring suppliers in your area. You’ll then have information all their sales or closeouts mailed directly to you.

If having hardwood flooring is what’s important, and you are flexible as to the wood and finish you will get, you can simply call around to the local retailers and ask them for their rock-bottom discount hardwood flooring prices. If they have been sitting on a particular type of hardwood and need to shrink their inventory to make room for new flooring lines, you might be able to get a terrific deal.

But don’t commit yourself to anything unless you have actually seen the discount hardwood flooring for yourself. You may be flexible about appearance, but you should insist that your flooring is free of defects.

Discount Flooring On The Internet

If you have Internet access, you can do some comparison shopping to get an idea of what discount hardwood flooring should cost. And if you are an experienced DIYer, you might even choose to order your discount hardwood flooring online and eliminate the labor costs by doing your own installation. What time you lose in having a contractor find, deliver, and install the flooring you will make up for in the money you save, and in the pride you will take in doing the job yourself.

Buyer Beware

If you decide to buy your discount hardwood flooring online, be very careful to check the warranty and return policy. Also take the time to read customer reviews of the website from which you want to purchase your flooring; they will give you a pretty good idea of what to expect in terms of customer service and the company’s willingness to see that you are fully satisfied with your purchase.

The last thing you want is to watch the money you thought you were saving on your discount hardwood flooring be eaten up because what ended up on your floor was damaged or had a defective finish, and you have to either replace it or spend a huge money having the finish redone!

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Engineered hardwood flooring is more popular these days than natural hardwood flooring. This is because the construction of engineered hardwood flooring gives it qualities that natural hardwood flooring does not have. This allows engineered hardwood flooring to be less expensive and more resistant to moisture.

There are several differences in the construction of natural hardwood flooring and engineered hardwood flooring. Natural hardwood flooring is constructed entirely out of a piece of hardwood. The only hardwood used for engineered hardwood flooring is for the top layer. The possible types of hardwood that are used for engineered hardwood include oak, pine, ash, teak, and bamboo. The top layer allows engineered hardwood flooring to have the same visual beauty as natural hardwood flooring. There is a core layer that is glued to the bottom of the top layer. The core layer consists of layers of replenishable and affordable wood. These layers of wood might be medium-density or high-density fiberboard or plywood. The number of layers that are used for the core vary from one flooring manufacturer to another. Most flooring manufacturers will use three layers of wood in the core. However, there are several flooring manufacturers that are beginning to construct core layers that consist of five to seven layers of wood. They are adding more layers of wood to the core because the extra layers will make their engineered hardwood flooring more durable.

During extreme changes in the weather, natural hardwood flooring can expand and contract so much that it will buckle or warp. The core layer of an engineered hardwood floor gives it the ability to expand and contract without buckling or warping as natural hardwood flooring would. This means that engineered hardwood flooring is less affected by environmental conditions and can be installed in more areas than natural hardwood flooring. For example, unlike a natural hardwood floor, you can install an engineered hardwood floor in a humid or damp basement. An engineered hardwood floor can also be installed over radiant heating system without suffering any damage. If you install a natural hardwood floor over a radiant heating system, the natural hardwood floor could buckle, cup, or shrink.

Engineered hardwood flooring can be installed as a floating floor. This means that you can install an engineered hardwood floor on a surface without using glue or nails. A floating floor will allow you to have a floor that is free of gaps between the hardwood panels. But before you install the engineered hardwood floor, you have to place a vapor barrier between the surface and the floor. A tongue and groove locking system allows the engineered hardwood flooring to be installed as a floating floor. With this system, you can just click and lock the engineered hardwood planks together. This means that the engineered hardwood flooring can be installed very quickly. Also, if you are moving, you can easily take the hardwood planks apart and take it to your new home. This locking system also makes it pretty easy to replace any planks that are damaged.

The finish of engineered hardwood flooring is durable. An engineered hardwood floor will still look good even after years of heavy use. However, if it is necessary, engineered hardwood flooring can be refinished. But this is not a task that you should take on yourself. This is something that you should pay a professional to do. But each engineered hardwood floor can only be refinished a limited number of times before you destroy the top layer.

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It took Carl a while to notice that he wasn’t coughing. In the old house, every day began with a bout of hacking and sneezing Carl thought it was just him getting old. Then Carl and his wife moved into their new home. It was smaller, since the kids were grown. His wife wanted hardwood floors in every room. She got her wish.

“I wanted that warm look that you get from wood,” she says. “And I wanted the value that hardwood floors add to a home. I just never imagined that it was good for our health, too.” But it was. When Carl realized that he wasn’t coughing any more he also realized that the morning coughing had quit when they moved into the new house. The American Lung Association could have told him.

The condition of indoor air poses a problem for one in six people, according to the Association. Small children and older adults are the ones most at risk. Many homeowners, like Carl, do not realize that the houses they live in might be causing them to be sick. That’s a big deal because most of us spend 95 percent of our time indoors. And two thirds of that time is spent in our own home.

The Lung Association has sponsored demonstration houses, called “Health Houses,” like the one located in Ridgefield, Minnesota. The homes have some expensive features to improve air quality and make the home healthier. Health House uses sophisticated ventilation, filtration, and moisture control technology to make the indoor air as clean as possible. But, according to Bob Moffit, communications manager for the Health House program, some of the solutions are the simplest.

He names polished hardwood flooring as one of the simple ones. Health Houses use hardwood floors instead of carpets. There are a few simple reasons. One is that hardwood floors don’t trap allergens, chemicals, and dander the way that carpets do. If you’ve got carpet on the floor, you’ve probably got something in that carpet that’s having a negative effect on your home’s air quality.

Dr. Clifford Bassett is Vice Chairman of the Public Education Committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. You may have seen him on television where he’s a frequent guest expert. Dr. Bassett is very clear about the advantages of hardwood. “Bacteria, dust and dirt do not become embedded in wood flooring as they do in carpeting. Hardwood floors trap far less pollen, mites and mold than many flooring alternatives, and they do not harbor animal dander.”

Plus, hardwood floors are simply easier to clean when you want to get rid of that same dirt and allergens. If you’ve ever spent time on your hands and knees trying to get stain or dirt out of carpeting with a brush, you’ll appreciate just how easy it is to get the same stuff off your hardwood floor.

Here’s the bottom line. Hardwood floors don’t just look better than carpet. They don’t just add more value to your home. Hardwood floors also help you keep your indoor environment healthy. It’s quite a deal.

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Is your carpet worn and dated? If it is time for you to replace old carpet you should seriously consider installing hardwood flooring instead of replacing old carpet with new.

There are many advantages to hardwood flooring. Consider the environment for instance; hardwood flooring is made from all natural timber which is a renewable resource. Today’s hardwood is harvested from managed forests. USFS (United States Forest Service) reports show currently twice as many hardwood trees are planted than harvested to ensure that hardwood is a continually renewed resource. 50 years ago there was only half the hardwood standing compared to today. The hardwood industry has proven itself environmentally responsible. Consider synthetic fiber; it can last in a landfill for 200-500 years.

We hear on the news repeatedly, and the EPA confirms that one of the top threats to our health is poor quality indoor air supply. Wood flooring helps create a much healthier living and working environment with its hard surface preventing dust mites and molds from proliferating as in a carpet. It has been estimated that 35 million Americans suffer from allergies, many of which are mold and dust mite related. Wood flooring is a blessing for these allergy sufferers.

The EPA further reports that chemicals such as garden pesticides can accumulate on floors, especially on absorbable carpet fibers. The hard surface of wood flooring significantly reduces these chemical accumulations. The home environment is also subject to what is termed “off-gassing”, the release of toxins by certain synthetic materials. These toxins are known to cause chronic illness to those living within the home. Carpets soak up and retain these toxins whereas wood floors do not.

Cleaning and maintaining wood floors is much simpler today than it was in the past. Modern wood floors only require simple sweeping and an occasional vacuuming. It is essential that your floor be protected against constant moisture and scratches due to heavy wear. It is recommended that your wood floor be cleaned routinely with proper hardwood floor products. In heavy traffic areas, simple preventative measures in the form of rugs will protect the surface from scratching and wear.

One of the truly outstanding features of hardwood flooring is the rug decorating possibilities it presents. You will want to choose rugs that magnify the natural beauty of the wood. Keep in mind that the floor will change color over time and with light exposure, select rugs that you can easily move around the room. Think of the freedom your hardwood floor affords you; no longer are your rug choices limited to only those that would look good with your carpet. Natural wood looks good with any colors and patterns you wish to choose. If you find the perfect Persian rug, go for it since it will be outstanding on your wood floor. With wood you are free to buy rugs for all corners of the room, under the table and the hallway if you want! Hardwood flooring sets your inner rug shopper free.

Your hardwood floor will give you a lifetime of health and pleasure if you maintain it properly and protect it with area rugs.

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Your wood floors are an investment that should hopefully last you a lifetime, but this will only happen if you take proper care of them. One of the difficulties of maintaining your floors is finding the right hardwood flooring cleaner. The marketplace has many options available, but if you want to get the best results, and make sure you are not damaging your floors, then it is important that you are careful what you use to clean them. In order to keep your wood floors looking great you should not take any decision regarding them lightly.

The most important thing you should do in order to preserve your flooring is to clean it regularly with a professional grade hardwood flooring cleaner. It is important that you consult the professional who installed your floors in order to get their opinion on what type of product you should use. Not only will this help you to get the best results, but it will also protect whatever warranty or guarantee you have on the product.

One thing you can do in order to maintain proper hardwood flooring care is to keep the surface protected at all times. You will want to make sure that your floor is not constantly being subjected to moisture, so when you mop your floors only use as much water as necessary. Do your best to prevent heavy wear as well because this can easily create scratches. A few things you should take proper care not to do include: using ammonia or dust cleaners, tracking dirt, or waxing a polyurethane finish. Also make sure to keep your pet’s nails trimmed as this may also damage your floors.

You should know that simple hardwood flooring care is not enough to keep your floors looking new. You will have to take a proactive approach to keeping dirt, food, and moisture away from them. You can start by placing mats in front of entryways to your home and floor protectors on the feet of your furniture. Also be certain to sweep, dust mop, or vacuum your floors each day in order to keep the amount of dust and dirt accumulated on them to a minimum. Make this a regular event in your household so you will stick with it. This is especially important to do every time there has been major traffic in your home.

As you can see, taking the proper care of your flooring is important if you are going to get your money’s worth out of your investment. As a recap, remember to use only professionally recommended hardwood flooring cleaner, sweep or vacuum your floors regularly, keep exposure to moisture to a minimum. You will see that when you pay the proper attention to your natural wood floors they will last you a lifetime.

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If you are planning on installing a new laminate floor, then you have probably been doing some comparison shopping. It can be difficult to find the best laminate flooring prices with so many companies offering this. You can find this flooring online or at your local do it yourself center.

When it comes to laminate flooring prices, in many cases, less is not always best. While you may save money on a less expensive laminate, you may end up spending more money down the road if the laminate is of poor quality.

What you may want to do is find the rating of the laminate first. If you are only going to be replacing the floor in a guest bedroom that is not used often, you do not need a highly durable laminate. You can go with a laminate that has the lowest rating which is AC1.

If you are trying to improve the value of your home, then you should choose a laminate that has a rating of AC2 or 3. These laminates have been tested and will hold up to most of the common household wear and tear. Anything higher than that is considered best for use in a commercial capacity.

You will also need to know exactly what material you want to install. You can choose from a wide variety including wood and stone laminates. These are the most expensive, but also come with the higher ratings due to their durability and the fact that the will last a long time without needing to be replaced.

Once you have chosen the rating and material you want to go with, you can begin to comparison shop these laminates. Find the same basic style and material and go with the product that has the best rating for the best price.

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When it comes to wood flooring, there are tons of products to choose from. You have your hard wood, laminate, and parquet. My family has been in the flooring business for 30 years and knows what is a good quality floor. We specialize in hard wood for the Houston area. We also install laminate and parquet.

When you go with a hard wood floor, you are investing in something that is going to last a life time. Not only can you re sand your floors for a different look, you can also repair damaged boards easier. The most common problem with wood floors is water damage, from sinks, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. With hardwood floors installed it is possible to bring out the grain in the wood and make them more visible. Also, the risk of damage to the floor is less.

When laminate or parquet is put in a box at the factory, you are getting the finished product. This product has already been stained and finished. From the factory to the shelves, there are mistakes that can be made, which can not be altered. If you have ever seen these pre-finished floors, then you know that it’s only about 1/4″ thick. There is no re-sanding that can be done ever.

Most products I see are only warranted for 20 – 25 years and some less than that. If you want wood flooring that is going to look great and last then you need to install hardwood floors. It may be more expensive, but the joy and longevity that hardwood gives you is second to none.

If you are selling a house then look into getting hardwood floors! It might be the deciding verdict when it comes to selling a home or not.

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