When to Opt for Hardwood vs Engineered Hardwood Flooring

There are a lot of decisions that need to be made when choosing new floors for your home. If you have narrowed it down to hardwood the next logical decision will be to decide if solid wood or engineered flooring is for you. Although a solid hardwood floor outlasts any other type of flooring and can be refinished as often as needed choosing a pre-finished engineered hardwood floor may just be the ticket for you. Let’s examine some of the pros and cons:

1) Immediate access to your new floor

Solid hardwood floors need to be installed and then finished on-site with a durable coating to withstand traffic and regular wear and tear. That means that you have to allow for coating drying time and the floors are not immediately accessible. Whereas, engineered hardwood floors are factory finished and ready to be used immediately. Floorboards that are finished on-site require time to dry. How long depends on what coating material is used. Sometimes, a homeowner may have to wait for days before furniture can be moved back into the room. And even though the floor may feel dry to the touch, it can still be vulnerable to scraping until the finish has fully cured. 

2) Prefinished floors have fewer VOCs to affect your family’s health.

You will be smelling and breathe in vapors from polyurethane resins and solvents for several days after applying an oil-based polyurethane. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been shown to be carcinogenic, and some waterborne polyurethanes produce them, too. When you buy prefinished floorboards the curing process takes place in a factory, not in your living room.

3) The installation of prefinished flooring is fast.

With factory-finished engineered hardwood flooring you can have your space back in no time at all. Whereas solid hardwood flooring takes time to complete the various stages of an on-site finishing job such as sanding, sealing, staining, applying polyurethane, and so on. A crew of two can have a 300-square-foot floor installed, with underlayment, in about two hours.

4) Factory-applied finishes are nearly flawless.

Not only is the finished product better than what homeowners or contractors can do on-site, but these factory-applied finishes are also incredibly durable and often come with a lifetime warranty. 

5) You know what the finished floor will look like

Probably a major factor why so many opt for engineered flooring. Engineered flooring is available in many wood species, finishes, and colors. Once you have decided on the look that looks great in your home you will know exactly what you will be getting.

Now let’s examine some of the points in favor of unfinished solid wood flooring.

6) Lower cost vs longevity 

Engineered wood flooring is generally cheaper per sq ft, making solid wood a steeper initial investment when you factor in installation and finishing time. However, solid wood flooring can last a lifetime and can be refinished often.  Engineered hardwood will need to be replaced eventually. This means engineered vs solid is only cheaper in the short term. The added factor in the favor of the solid wood is that it has been proven to increase the value of a home and is highly though-after by home buyers.

7) Starting with unfinished flooring offers a greater choice of finishes.

There is no question that the site-finished route opens up a greater variety of choices with respect to the pattern, wood, color, and hue. Prefinished products, however, come in more species and stains than ever before.

8) Unlike prefinished floorboards, unfinished boards have no bevels.

Prefinished floorboards usually have micro-bevels on all edges. These bevels hide slight discrepancies between board depths and widths. Some homeowners will prefer the flush look of site-sanded floors, as they feature no such grooves and can be finished to a mirror-like surface. 

9) Longevity and Unequalled Look of Natural Woods.

200+-year-old homes to this day have solid hardwood flooring speaking to their longevity. You would be hardpressed to find an engineered hardwood floor in homes older than 20 years. With the expertise of a hardwood flooring refinishing specialist this type of floor can be restored to almost their former self as often as needed.  As for more serious damages to the flooring, boards can be replaced and matched to the rest of the floor.  At most, engineered hardwood flooring can only be lightly sanded once and refinished once.  This will only remove light surface scratches.

What’s your preference? 

from West Coast Floor Company https://westcoastfloorcompany0.blogspot.com/2020/07/when-to-opt-for-hardwood-vs-engineered.html
via IFTTT

from West Coast Floor Company https://westcoastfloorcompany.wordpress.com/2020/07/29/when-to-opt-for-hardwood-vs-engineered-hardwood-flooring/
via IFTTT

from Hardwood Floor Refinishing Vallejo https://hardwoodfloorrefinishingvallejo.blogspot.com/2020/07/when-to-opt-for-hardwood-vs-engineered.html
via IFTTT

from Hardwood Floor Refinishing Vallejo https://hardwoodfloorrefinishingvallejo.wordpress.com/2020/07/29/when-to-opt-for-hardwood-vs-engineered-hardwood-flooring/
via IFTTT

How to find the best professional hardwood refinisher near me

Solid hardwood flooring is priceless, beautiful, and can last a lifetime. But, like every other flooring, they do need maintenance and care. Probably one of the best features of hardwood flooring is that they can be lightly sanded and refinished every 3-5 years and a deep sanding and refinishing every 8-10 years to make them look like new again. Although one could tackle that job oneself, it is probably best to hire the best professional hardwood flooring contractor near you. 

If you live in the East Bay areas of San Francisco, West Coast Floor Company, located in Vallejo and Napa has developed a proprietary hardwood floors refinishing process that will make most floors look absolutely perfect unless there is extensive damage. Floors that have signs of significant wear and tear will look much better, although not quite perfect.  Which is quite ok, because the latest in flooring fashion is distressed flooring. The final outcome does depend on the amount and type of damage it has sustained over time.  We do great work but are not miracle workers

How to Find the Best Professional Hardwood Floor Refinishing Contractor Near You

Searching the Internet has made this process quite easy. Read reviews and pick a contractor that has been in business for many years and has a crew that has the experience. Contractors that have been around for a while have long-standing relationships with materials suppliers and can find replacement planks if needed. Seasoned experts can finish the project on time and on budget.

The Refinishing Process

Our expert craftsmen are highly skilled and experienced with the finer aspects of floor sanding. We have invested in state-of-the-art dustless sanding equipment. This allows us to sand the floors layer by layer, uniformly and virtually dust-free. Our Dustless Floor Sanding system can collect up to 98% of the dust from the sanding process, while the remaining 2% is circulated around the working area. So, instead of spending a day or 2 masking all areas for dust protection and then spending a day on clean-up we can focus on spending more time and applying stain and the top-finish. For the best result, we routinely perform three grades of sanding: rough, medium, and fine. While sanding we also continuously check for cracks, countersink nails, etc to get you the best Hardwood Floor Refinishing results.

Once the wood planks are stripped of the old finish and necessary repairs are made, we can start to apply the stain. At this point, the customer can select the hue to suit his style and interior decor.

Now it’s time to apply the top finish to protect the floor from wear and tear.  There are several options to choose from. Our recommendations are tailored to the customer’s lifestyle.  It is important to know the cure times of each finish to avoid premature usage and damage to the newly refinished flooring.

Hardwood Floor Professionals and Industry Standards

No doubt, hardwood floor refinishing is a service that should be performed by trained professionals to guarantee it is done according to industry standards. If you fail to have your wood floors inspected periodically, you could end up needing a full hardwood floor install due to neglected maintenance. A trained professional can identify problem areas such as mold and other health-threatening conditions. 

Professional Hardwood Floor Refinishing Near Me During Covid-19

At West Coast Flooring Company, we are committed to the health and well-being of our customers and staff and appreciate the seriousness of the situation around COVID-19. 

While we remain open and ready to serve our community and customers, we want everyone to feel comfort in knowing that we are adhering to the guidance and recommendations from both our local authorities and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

In addition to our comprehensive safety protocols and best practices, we have implemented additional preventative measures. These measures include:

• Limiting the number of guests allowed in our showrooms at one time – open by appointment only
• Requesting that customers schedule appointments 
• Practicing social distance guidelines when meeting with clients 
• Staff use of personal protective equipment including but not limited to gloves, face masks, shoe covers, and sanitizing equipment
• Frequent hand washing and/or sanitizing and avoidance of touching one’s face.

In Closing

Do not leave your floor renovation project to just anyone. Let only qualified and trusted professionals help you deal with your hardwood floor refinishing. Be sure to contact us as soon as you notice cupping or crowning wood boards.

from West Coast Floor Company https://westcoastfloorcompany0.blogspot.com/2020/07/how-to-find-best-professional-hardwood.html
via IFTTT

from West Coast Floor Company https://westcoastfloorcompany.wordpress.com/2020/07/20/how-to-find-the-best-professional-hardwood-refinisher-near-me/
via IFTTT

from Hardwood Floor Refinishing Vallejo https://hardwoodfloorrefinishingvallejo.blogspot.com/2020/07/how-to-find-best-professional-hardwood.html
via IFTTT

from Hardwood Floor Refinishing Vallejo https://hardwoodfloorrefinishingvallejo.wordpress.com/2020/07/20/how-to-find-the-best-professional-hardwood-refinisher-near-me/
via IFTTT

A Guide To Choose Hardwood Floors

Selecting the right flooring for your home is no easy task. You literally have to go through a maltitude of options, floor usage, comfort, not to mention the budget. And even if you have narrowed it down to one type of flooring – such as hardwood flooring – you still have to choose the type of wood, the color to fit your interior decor, texture and finish. Whether it is a brand new home or a remodel, you still need to find the perfect fit for your life style. So, with that let us highlight some considerations you will have to make:

Solid or Engineered Planks

Solid wood: Found in most older homes. Their biggest benefit is that they are aesthetically appealing, have a life-time value and add ROI to the property. Apart from their natural beauty solid hardwood floors can be stripped, repaired, and refinished many times to restore them to their original beauty.  Solid planks are installed on sub flooring. One of their main disadvantages is that wood can naturally expand or contract depending on the environment. They are also sensitive to excessive moisture and humidity. In both cases, they will eventually need repairs and refinishing. Another draw-back is that solid hardwood is a bit more expensive to purchase. However, a big plus is that solid wood can be finished on-site and closely matched to the existing interior.  There are factory finished options available as well which can help you visualize the finished results and cut down on installation time.

Engineered hardwood on the other hand is constructed in multiple layers with a thin layer of solid wood on top. The products are engineered to prevent expanding and contracting by creating opposing forces within the boards. These planks are made of any type of wood imaginable and then factory finished.  They can be layed on top of an existing floor which potentially can create a problem in clearance due to changes in the existing door or ceiling’s height. Engineered hardwood floors are a good choice for areas that can be subject to moisture such as a bathroom or kitchen.  The downside to engineered hardwood floors is that they cannot be refinished.  In the event of scratches, one could try to lightly sand and reseal, but that is all one can do.

Choosing A Finish

Even though there is a whole spectrum of top finishes to choose from, people usually resort to two main types: oil or polyurethane. Their choice is based upon the looks and maintenance requirements. You should consider usage when choosing which finish is right for your situation. 

1.      Water-Based Polyurethane

Like a high gloss finish? Then water-based polyurethane might be a good option for you. Made with synthetic resin, but, a major disadvantage is that these are susceptible to scratches because of its glossy looks.

2.      Moisture-Cure Urethane

Moisture-cure planks are extremely durable and resilient to excessive scratches or harms. That is probably why they were used in bowling alleys, Since it is cured using air, this material application tends to be a little more difficult. High humidity conditions are not conducive to this type of finish. You can find this type of finish mostly in commercial premises.

3.      Shellac

Shallac was developed as an alternative for polyurethane planks. Homeowners like this finish for its natural appearance and flooring contractors like the for its easy installation. But, on the flip side, Shellac is not very durable. When exposed to alcohol or ammonia, it can acquire white or yellow spots. However, the problem can be rectified by buffing the afflicted areas and apply a new coating.

Final thoughts on installation methods

The lenght of any installation is dependend upon the square footage, the width of the planks, and is there a lot of cutting required for nooks and crannies. Additionally, in the case of solid hardwood floor planks need to acclimate to their new surrounding, so that its moisture content will match the temperature of a room. Then, they must prepare their space for installations by removing older planks and mending the sub-floors, install, stain and top coat the floor. Factory-finished engineered woods doesn’t require any kind of acclimation since these are bonded with layers.

from West Coast Floor Company https://westcoastfloorcompany0.blogspot.com/2020/07/a-guide-to-choose-hardwood-floors.html
via IFTTT

from West Coast Floor Company https://westcoastfloorcompany.wordpress.com/2020/07/05/a-guide-to-choose-hardwood-floors/
via IFTTT

from Hardwood Floor Refinishing Vallejo https://hardwoodfloorrefinishingvallejo.blogspot.com/2020/07/a-guide-to-choose-hardwood-floors.html
via IFTTT

from Hardwood Floor Refinishing Vallejo https://hardwoodfloorrefinishingvallejo.wordpress.com/2020/07/05/a-guide-to-choose-hardwood-floors/
via IFTTT

flooring pro

flooring pro

via Flickr https://flic.kr/p/2jhQC7b

from West Coast Floor Company https://westcoastfloorcompany.wordpress.com/2020/07/04/flooring-pro/
via IFTTT

from Hardwood Floor Refinishing Vallejo https://hardwoodfloorrefinishingvallejo.blogspot.com/2020/07/flooring-pro.html
via IFTTT

from Hardwood Floor Refinishing Vallejo https://hardwoodfloorrefinishingvallejo.wordpress.com/2020/07/04/flooring-pro/
via IFTTT