Friday, July 30, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Wood Flooring Maintenance Refresher
After all the time, money and effort in making the right choice for your hardwood flooring project, remember that simple maintenance will make your choice a lasting choice for a lifetime.
- Use mats and rugs at all exterior doors. Throws rugs inside entrances are also helpful. Both keep dirt that can scratch your floor from tracking in.
- Protect your floor from direct sunlight because it speeds the oxidization of chemicals in the wood and change its color. To avoid uneven coloring, move area rugs and furniture occasionally. Also, cover any large west-facing windows, particularly when the sun is at its most intense.
- Put fabric glides under the legs of your furniture so it can slide easily without scuffing the floor's finish. Clean or replace the inexpensive pads regularly, as dirt can get embedded in them. For extremely heavy furniture, like pianos, use wide, non-staining rubber cups to keep the weight from denting the floor.
- Vacuum regularly. Vacuum floors at least as often as your vacuum your carpets. The brush attachment works like a charm. Sweep or dust mop regularly. Products like Swiffer work perfectly.
- Wipe up spills right away with a damp white cloth or paper towel. Then pat the area dry.
- Trim pet's claws to keep your best friend from scratching your floor.
- Don't use a damp mop. Water and wood floors don't mix
- Avoid household dust treatments intended for furniture. Products like Pledge can make your floor too slick or dull its finish.
- Don't use oil soaps because many brands can actually damage or dull the finish of your floor.
- Avoid wax-based products if your floor has a polyurethane finish. A paste wax will form a sticky film on your urethane finish that traps dirt and will prove impossible to finish again.
Seasonal Care
- Humidity and ventilation are critical considerations for wood floors, especially in the first year. Keep the relative humidity in your home between 45 and 50 percent to minimize the natural expansion and contraction if the wood.
- Dry air shrinks the wood, making cracks more visible. In solid 2 1/4" wide oak floors, cracks might reach the width of a dime, though wider boards can reveal even wider cracks. If the humidity level is persistent at 35 percent or less, prevent excess drying and possible wood shrinkage by:
* boiling a pan of water,
* turning off the bathroom exhaust fan after a shower,
* opening the dishwasher after the rinse cycle,
* placing a pan of water in the furnace fan compartment,
* hanging wet laundry to dry in the basement,
* or installing a humidifier to maintain a steady moisture level in the house.
In humid summer months, too much moisture can cause the wood to swell to the point it buckles. Your air conditioner can act as a dehumidifier; make sure it's operating within the 45 to 50 percent humidity range. In extreme humidity, periodically turn on the heating to reduce the humidity.
These simple guidelines will help to ensure your beautiful wood floors last a lifetime.
Visit our website for more How-To Guides on Selection and How To Measure.
- Use mats and rugs at all exterior doors. Throws rugs inside entrances are also helpful. Both keep dirt that can scratch your floor from tracking in.
- Protect your floor from direct sunlight because it speeds the oxidization of chemicals in the wood and change its color. To avoid uneven coloring, move area rugs and furniture occasionally. Also, cover any large west-facing windows, particularly when the sun is at its most intense.
- Put fabric glides under the legs of your furniture so it can slide easily without scuffing the floor's finish. Clean or replace the inexpensive pads regularly, as dirt can get embedded in them. For extremely heavy furniture, like pianos, use wide, non-staining rubber cups to keep the weight from denting the floor.
- Vacuum regularly. Vacuum floors at least as often as your vacuum your carpets. The brush attachment works like a charm. Sweep or dust mop regularly. Products like Swiffer work perfectly.
- Wipe up spills right away with a damp white cloth or paper towel. Then pat the area dry.
- Trim pet's claws to keep your best friend from scratching your floor.
- Don't use a damp mop. Water and wood floors don't mix
- Avoid household dust treatments intended for furniture. Products like Pledge can make your floor too slick or dull its finish.
- Don't use oil soaps because many brands can actually damage or dull the finish of your floor.
- Avoid wax-based products if your floor has a polyurethane finish. A paste wax will form a sticky film on your urethane finish that traps dirt and will prove impossible to finish again.
Seasonal Care
- Humidity and ventilation are critical considerations for wood floors, especially in the first year. Keep the relative humidity in your home between 45 and 50 percent to minimize the natural expansion and contraction if the wood.
- Dry air shrinks the wood, making cracks more visible. In solid 2 1/4" wide oak floors, cracks might reach the width of a dime, though wider boards can reveal even wider cracks. If the humidity level is persistent at 35 percent or less, prevent excess drying and possible wood shrinkage by:
* boiling a pan of water,
* turning off the bathroom exhaust fan after a shower,
* opening the dishwasher after the rinse cycle,
* placing a pan of water in the furnace fan compartment,
* hanging wet laundry to dry in the basement,
* or installing a humidifier to maintain a steady moisture level in the house.
In humid summer months, too much moisture can cause the wood to swell to the point it buckles. Your air conditioner can act as a dehumidifier; make sure it's operating within the 45 to 50 percent humidity range. In extreme humidity, periodically turn on the heating to reduce the humidity.
These simple guidelines will help to ensure your beautiful wood floors last a lifetime.
Visit our website for more How-To Guides on Selection and How To Measure.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Single Family will rise in 2010 & 2011
According to an article in Floor Covering Weekly, The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) said construction has nowhere to go but up and the housing market will see an uptick in the latter half of 2010 and 2011.
“The real kicker as we turn into 2010 is that everything is turning around,” said Chris Varvares, president of Macroeconomic Advisors. Mark Zandi, chief economist, Moody’s Analytics, said that in early 2013, the jobs lost during the economy will be restored and by the middle of 2014 unemployment will be back to 5 percent. By 2012, the housing market will be closer to trend, and should stand at about 1.75 million housing starts.
This is great news for contractors and retailers. And according to two top construction economists, it's being driven by the stimulus-funded construction projects and single-family housing starts.
“The real kicker as we turn into 2010 is that everything is turning around,” said Chris Varvares, president of Macroeconomic Advisors. Mark Zandi, chief economist, Moody’s Analytics, said that in early 2013, the jobs lost during the economy will be restored and by the middle of 2014 unemployment will be back to 5 percent. By 2012, the housing market will be closer to trend, and should stand at about 1.75 million housing starts.
This is great news for contractors and retailers. And according to two top construction economists, it's being driven by the stimulus-funded construction projects and single-family housing starts.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Ready to start your next project? Or don't know where to start? How can we help? http://ping.fm/MNav7
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Welcome!
Thanks for visiting the Applegate Wood Floors Blog! We are thrilled to re-introduce ourselves and share lots of great information with you. Check back often for all kinds of useful content about hardwood floors:
You’ll learn how to plan a hardwood floor purchase, from pro’s and con’s of flooring types and guidance for decision-making to how to install and how to take care of your floor.
You’ll learn how to plan a hardwood floor purchase, from pro’s and con’s of flooring types and guidance for decision-making to how to install and how to take care of your floor.
We’ll share hardwood floor industry information and updates, such as the latest production techniques and hot trends from manufacturers. Of course, we’ll always keep you in-the-know about brand new products or services. And even give you some pictures of local customers so you can see firsthand what YOUR new wood floor could look like!
Lastly, don’t forget to check our blog for sales and special promotions – you’ll find the best deals mentioned here.
Sharing our experience and knowledge with you in our blog is just the first step – visit ApplegateWoodFloors.com for more!
Feel free to contact us anytime! We'd love to hear from you!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Applegate Wood Floors - At Your Service!
We at Applegate Wood Floors are proud to announce the launch of our blog: woodflooringpanj.blogspot.com.
In the coming days, weeks and months, we will be adding valuable content to help our clients in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware and Maryland get the best hardwood floor possible.
Our certified, knowledgeable, award-winning staff has over 20 years of experience installing hardwood flooring solutions for residential, commercial and industrial purposes. Please visit our website: www.applegatewoodfloors.com to learn more about what we can do for you! Also, be sure to check our Photo Gallery to view some examples of our exceptional craftsmanship.
To speak with a member of our design team contact Applegate Wood Floors today!
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