About Flooring Type
Easy to Maintain
Routine maintenance of your hard wood floor requires little more than sweeping with a soft bristle broom, a soft floor vacuum and professional wood cleaning polish.
For a more detailed guide to long term/preventative care for your wood floor please see our Floor Care page.
Solid Wood Flooring
According to the National Wood Flooring Association, "All Wood Flooring, regardless of width or length that is one piece of wood from top to bottom is considered solid wood flooring.
Solid wood flooring gives you lots of options with stains and finishes and allows the ability for customization.
Engineered Flooring
This product consists of several layers of wood that are pressed together.
It is more suitable for rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms because the grains run in different directions, causing it to be more stable.
Bamboo is a good example of an engineered floor type.
Reclaimed Flooring
Reclaimed wood is taken for re-use from another lumber source and then re-created into wood flooring.
A lot of used timber can be found in idle buildings, warehouses, wine barrels and many other antique wood furnishings.
Reclaimed wood is a popular option for green building and offers lots of texture and unique qualities that cannot be found in traditional wood sources. The tradeoff is that is can be more expensive.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is made of synthetic materials that are made to resemble wood flooring.
It is good for high traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms because they are staining resistant and can be easily cleaned.
This is an economical solution for those home owners wanting a wood style floor but don't have the budget for domestic or imported hardwoods.
Installation Techniques
Glue Down Installation
Nail & Staple Installation
Nail & Staple Installation
Engineered hardwoods are the most common of the wood flooring types that are glued down during installation.
Engineered hardwoods have more flexibility and can endure the wear and tear over time.
This type of installation is not recommended for the novice. It takes a lot of floor preparation and can be quite messy.
There are three different types of adhesives, including water based, urethane based, or acrylic, which adhere best to certain types of floors.
Nail & Staple Installation
Nail & Staple Installation
Nail & Staple Installation
Air assisted floor fasteners are the most popular of the nail/staple installation tools available today. No longer do you have to break too much of a sweat installing a new wood floor.
There are also different fasteners and nails to choose from depending upon the type of wood you are working with.
It is always best to contact a professional when installing wood floors. Without proper preparation, wood can split, creak or bend if not installed correctly.
Site Finished Floors
Nail & Staple Installation
Site Finished Floors
Site finished floors are wood floors that are installed unfinished and then finished on site. This allows the floor to have a near flawless appearance upon completion.
How do you create a flawless finish?
It's easy!
The floor is sanded first, removing all abnormalities giving a smooth surface. The floor is then coated with its preferred finish, smoothing out the separations, gaps and bevels between the boards. Site Finished Floors give the homeowner the ability to customize the staining of the wood to better fit the decor of the home. It is a great option for those home owners who are looking for a custom feel to their home.
Glue Together
Click Together
Site Finished Floors
Floating floors have become a more popular option among home owners due to the DIY aspect of it. Floating floors get their name because they are not secured to a subfloor. They suspend above the floor on top of a cushioned underlay mat.
Click Together
Click Together
Click Together
The Click Together floor is still installed using the floating method but they do not use glue. The Click Together uses a mechanized tongue and groove system that stays in place once they are connected
Lock & Fold
Click Together
Click Together
The Lock & Fold is the most recent addition to the floating floors. These use no glue nor require tapping to secure into place. Boards are placed on the cushioned underlay and then connected one by one with adjoining pieces that fold over each other to create a secured connection.
Moldings Installation Finishing & Maintaining
Moldings
Floor Maintenance
Floor Maintenance
Moldings help to hide flooring imperfections where the corners of a room meet, giving the room a finished look.
Installing molding is easier than most people think. It just takes sharp measuring and patience.
Decorative molding is traditionally installed two ways. The traditional installation method requires miter saw, coping saw and scarf joint cuts. These can be easily cut by our associates and installed same day.
An easier installation method is the Corner Block. This type of installation allows us to install the molding using only straight cuts.
We can help you determine the type of molding installation that will fit your look and budget.
Floor Maintenance
Floor Maintenance
Floor Maintenance
Because wood flooring lasts for the life of your home, it is important to take preventative and routine steps on a weekly basis to keep it looking nice and avoid unnecessary damage.
The most avoidable damage producers include water, furniture scratches and footwear.
Not wearing your shoes indoors is a great way to prolong the beauty and shine of your wood floors for years to come.
Routine Cleanings
Floor Maintenance
Screening & Buffing
Routine cleaning of your hardwood requires nothing more than a soft bristle brush, a soft floor vacuum and periodical cleaning with professional wood cleaning products supplied by your hardwood specialist.
Do not use tile floor or sheet vinyl care products on your hard wood floors. These products cause the wood to become slippery and dull.
It is also not a good idea to wet mop your wood floor. Standing water causes warping, discoloration and can dull your finish.
If you do receive spots and spills, wipe the spill immediately with a damp cloth.
Do not let sand and dirt build up in high traffic areas. These can cause scratches over time.
Screening & Buffing
Refinishing and Restoration
Screening & Buffing
Buffing is a technique that can be used on your floors every few years.
Using a very fine screen, the floor is sanded to eliminate any scruffs, minor scratches or discoloration that has occurred with normal wear and tear.
Once the site has been sanded, the floor is vacuumed to get rid of the excess dust.
The buffer then smoothes the pre-sanded surface, prepping it for its application of the new finish, giving it a brand new look!
Buffing is a great restoration alternative because it is more cost effective than a complete refinish.
Recoating
Refinishing and Restoration
Refinishing and Restoration
You should consult with a professional regarding recoating procedures.
Certain floors that have been waxed cannot be recoated without removing all of the previous layers of wax. Screening and Buffing will help with this process but removal should be done thoroughly before recoating can take place.
Recoating does not remove scratches, gouges or water damage. It simply is applying a new finish over the ailing, old finish.
Refinishing and Restoration
Refinishing and Restoration
Refinishing and Restoration
Refinishing is a great option for wood flooring when bare spots begin to appear, a color change is in order or when you need to restore your floor to its original luster as the first day it was installed.
Refinishing requires a complete sanding of your wood floor all the way down to bare wood.
The refinishing process can be quite dusty, but Kips Hardwood has invested in a new dust extraction system, that eliminates all dust during this process.
Give us a call for a free estimate if you are considering getting your floors refinished.
Floor health & Humidity
Humidity & Moisture
Furniture & Appliances
Humidity & Moisture
Humidity and water spills are one of the most common causes of hard wood floor damage.
Humidity varies throughout the seasons and wood flooring responds by expanding and contracting with it.
The most common ailments to floors include "cupping and crowning" or buckling.
Cupping occurs when the edges of a board are high and the center is low. It occurs when water spills on the floor and absorbs into the wood, or when the home is located in high humidity areas. The water gets trapped within the subfloor and wood flooring causing deformation and damage.
Cupping is caused by a moisture imbalance between the bottom of the wood flooring and the top, which dries faster.
cupping & crowning
Furniture & Appliances
Humidity & Moisture
The first step to repair a cupped floor is to identify the source of the water leak be it pipes under the flooring itself, kitchen appliances or improper rain runoff that leaks into the foundation. Once the situation is taken care of, a cupped floor usually improves on its own as the floor dries out.
Crowning is another common problem caused by humidity. Crowning acts as the opposite of cupping in that the center of the board is higher than the edge. Slight crowning is common and should not be an issue for most home owners. It is a problem that can usually mend itself on its own seasonally.
Buckled floors occur due to flooding and more severe water damage cases. There are other circumstances which cause floors to be buckled including insufficient nailing, incorrect subflooring, glue down separation and insufficient mastics.
Furniture & Appliances
Furniture & Appliances
Furniture & Appliances
Protect your wood flooring using soft plastic or gel glides under the legs of your heavy furniture to avoid scratching and dents.
When moving furniture, do not slide it across the wood. Pick up the furniture completely, or place Masonite or plywood under the piece to help distribute the weight of the object to prevent scratching.
For light pieces, it is always a good idea to place sheets or clean blankets under the furniture that is to be moved.
Floor Mats & Area Rugs
In high traffic areas, it is best to use area rugs to protect finishes and avoid wear and tear. Make sure the rugs have backing with mesh or grid patterns. This preventive measure is approved for all hard wood finishes and allows for better breathing of the surface area. Put mats in all entrances of to avoid dirt and moisture from accumulating. In the kitchen, it is always a good idea to place an area rug in front of the kitchen sink.
Considerations On flooring
Footwear
Advantages of Engineered vs. Solid
Advantages of Engineered vs. Solid
Do not wear high heels and sport shoes like cleats on a wood floor. According to the National Wood Flooring Association, "A 125-pound woman walking in high heels has an impact of 2,000 pounds per square inch. An exposed heel nail can exert up to 8,000 pounds per square inch. This kind of impact can dent any floor surface."
Placing a shoe rack by the entrance door is a good way to avoid the common mistake of wearing the wrong shoes inside. It can also save you money in the long run and expand the beauty and life of your floor.
Advantages of Engineered vs. Solid
Advantages of Engineered vs. Solid
Advantages of Engineered vs. Solid
Engineered floors have a great advantage over solid wood products because they work for every room of your home. They are ideal for remodeling because they are easy to install and most of the wood products are cost effective.
Because of their cross directional construction, engineered floors counteract solid woods natural tendency to expand and contract making them more stable.
Installation is easier because they can be "floated, glued or stapled down.
Best Practice Installation?
Advantages of Engineered vs. Solid
Best Practice Installation?
Installation methods depend on the type of flooring you have chosen, the type of subfloor and the location the hardwoods will be placed.
The three types of installation are nail down, glue down and floating.
We can help you determine the best method for your situation.
Where to Install Hardwood
for Radiant Heated Floors
Best Practice Installation?
Any room works well for wood flooring, except full baths, where the wood is more susceptible to water spills.
The most important thing to consider is if the flooring will be installed on, above or below grade. Solid hardwoods are not a good choice for basements or areas with potential moisture problems, where engineered flooring will work just fine.
Always consult with a professional regarding your options.
High Traffic Areas
for Radiant Heated Floors
for Radiant Heated Floors
High traffic areas using consist of exterior doorways, mud rooms, hallways and kitchens. Urethane finishes on most new flooring stands up to daily wear and tear, water and high traffic areas.
Place small rugs or mats just inside exterior doorways, wearing only soft heeled shoes or no shoes inside. Area rugs and routine vacuuming will also help keep floors from being damaged in high traffic areas.
for Radiant Heated Floors
for Radiant Heated Floors
for Radiant Heated Floors
Engineered hardwoods are a great option for homes with in-floor radiant systems. Engineered hardwoods are manufactured to sustain variations in temperature and are installed by floating them above the structures subfloor.
It is important to remember that the temperature of your in-floor radiant system should not exceed 80 degrees under your wood flooring.
Other species that are compatible with in-floor radiant systems include oak, ash and merbau.
We do not recommend that you use maple or pecan in these circumstances.
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