Wall to Wall Goldmines

You may be walking on a goldmine in your home and don't know it! 

It's the 60's and everyone has Oak flooring in their homes. Many homeowners want something different, something new and cozy and textiles are the new big hit. Wall-to-wall carpet was the new buzz in remodeling and quickly became the craze as homeowners drove staples through their beautiful hardwood for the cush of carpet.

It's now the 21st century we understand the heath problems that can be associated with carpet especially 20 year old carpet. Many homeowners are getting on their hands and knees to pop up some of ye-olde tack strip and are aghast at what they find, solid hardwood floors! This weekend as your milling around the house grab your Sherlock Holmes outfit and pull up an edge of that old carpet. You just might find a floor worth bringing back to life. 

Article by Michael Street
 Michael writes for Hammonds Wood Floors and has served the company for almost 2 years. Hammonds Wood Floors specializes in refinishing and repairing old wood floors. 

Water at Bay Keeps the Refinisher Away...

Many of you who have wood floors may not realize it but your asking for trouble. I'm not saying that your normally the first to put up your "dukes" but when it comes to your wood floors you may be picking a fight.

I see it time and time again on calls where a couple is befuddled to find that there floors are cupping and all  because they did a great job cleaning. The culprit might surprise you. Water, is the #1 enemy of wood floors and in any shape or form. Water vapor from a steamer, moisture seeping up from under the sub-floor a leaking pipe or most commonly the mop and bucket are the biggest enemy of your wood floors.

So don't pick a fight with your floors by using its natural enemy against it simply use a alcohol based cleaner. These cleaners come in many different brands but many are deceiving. You can purchase an alcohol based cleaner such as Bona Professional at Home Depot along with a microfiber mop.

Let me pause to say, if you are using Mop and Glow hardwood cleaner... Stop Immediately! So many of our customers are using that water based cleaner and will eventually loose the fight by natures T.K.O. If you have any doubt that your floor cleaner is the right one for your floors don't hesitate to call us we will be glad to make sure you get the right cleaner and help you take the gloves off.

Michael Street

Solid or Engineered?

Down through the annals of time no question has plagued the existence of man more than this…

Which hardwood should I choose?  Ok, maybe it is not that serious but it is an important question if you want to make your home stand out in the warm character and vibrant simplicity that wood floors bring.

This question comes across my desk often, “some say that solid woods are the best but what does that mean?”  The simple answer is that solid wood is a board of solid wood.  However, there are products available that are made up of the same quality of hardwood for the surface but use less expensive plywood for the structure or backing. These products are referred to as “engineered hardwoods.”

 At the end of the day it all comes down to finish quality that is, what is on top of the wood that keeps the surface from wearing away. Job-site applied finishes offer more choices while factory finishes are harder in most cases. However a new curing system called “UV Cure” is revolutionizing site finished projects with longer life finishes. 

Marty Hammonds is president of Hammonds Wood Floors in San Antonio, TX. Connect with us @ www.hardwoodexperts.com  for over the phone advice or an in person solution.

What is the difference: Engineered? Prefinished? Hardwood?

Out there looking around for wood flooring but don't understand the difference between hardwoods?

                   First time floor covering buyers are often plagued with the question what is the best type of flooring? The answer may surprise you.  It is not uncommon for a consumer to be befuddled about what is the best type of wood for their home. In my travels I have seen so many types of wood flooring applications and although sleazy salespeople try to push one line or another the truth of the matter is the best type of flooring depends on your application. Neither wood is a best fix for every application, period. Some of you out there have a sub-level area that needs to be covered, some a heated sub floor and some a standard slab. Each situation requires  a  different solution. That is where the pros come in.

Here is the breakdown solid wood floors typically require a plywood sub floor and are usually 3/4 of an inch thick.  Engineered hardwood is made up of a plywood or birch backing and a wear layer of varying thicknesses. Either solid or engineered hardwood woods can come factory finished and both can also be finished on site. Depending on how customized and how hard you would like the finish to be will determine which type of wood you select.

Hardwood quality comes down to wear layer and finish quality of which we will cover in the next segment.

Until next time find more hardwood facts at www.hardwoodexperts.com




Marty Hammonds is President of Hammonds Wood Floors located in San Antonio, TX Hammonds is a premium designer/installer and home of the Certainty Guarantee. Visit www.hammondswoodfloors.com to contact for services.

Initial Post from the Hardwood Experts

Greetings all of you out in Bloggerville. This spot on the web will be dedicated to answering your questions about hardwood floors and giving good sound advice and direction. If you have a question feel free to post and the experts @ HardwoodExperts.com will follow up right quick.

Hardwood Experts