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Pre-finished Solid and Engineered Hardwood

Pre-finished Solid and Engineered Hardwood

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As you consider upgrading your home, flooring should be at the top of your list. It is the silent component that is the most used and most visible in your home or office. In any room or space, the flooring is the foundation. Upgrading the flooring improves the look and feel of the space. Both pre-finished solid and engineered hardwood are excellent options, but they have features that differ.

Pre-finished Solid and Engineered Hardwood

For the sake of clarity in this article, we will refer to pre-finished solid hardwood as simply solid hardwood. There is such a thing as hardwood that is not pre-finished, but that is for another discussion.

If you’re looking to add warmth and beauty to your home, nothing compares to genuine hardwood flooring. Engineered and solid hardwood floors are both made from 100% real wood, but there are significant differences in their overall construction.  Hardwood Flooring 101

What is the difference between Pre-finished Solid and Engineered Hardwood?

  • Pre-finished solid hardware is traditional hardwood. It is a piece of solid wood.
  • Engineered hardwood is layered on top of other materials.
  • Both are considered “real hardwood.”

To help you decide which to choose, here are a few basic comparisons:

THE STRUCTURAL FEATURES
Between Pre-finished Solid and Engineered Hardwood

Solid hardwood is usually pre-finished to improve durability and strength.

These wood strips and planks are typically coated with multiple layers of an aluminum-oxide-infused polyurethane and cured under UV lights; this process creates an exceptionally hard finish…  This Old House

Engineered hardwood has multiple layers.

Engineered wood flooring is made of plywood with a veneer of fine hardwood on top… engineered wood is most closely aligned to solid hardwood… Resale value is high; home buyers love it.

Do not confuse engineered wood with laminate. It is real wood.

THE DURABILITY FEATURES
Between Pre-finished Solid and Engineered Hardwood

Solid wood planks are milled from a single piece of hardwood and covered with a thin, clear protective layer that often consists of aluminum oxide, ceramic or an acrylic substance.

Solid hardwood planks are generally 3/4 inch thick. It is recommended for ground level floors and above but not in basements because of moisture. The protective layer is good for most areas except below ground, bathrooms, and shower areas.

Engineered wood can be installed in basements and moist areas because of the design of it’s multiple layers.

In summary, both types rate high for durability.

THE COST CONSIDERATION
Between Pre-finished Solid and Engineered Hardwood

Solid hardwood will cost more depending on the type of wood. But some top-end engineered woods will cost about the same. Either way, when you do your budget, consider flooring as an investment that adds value to your home.

Beautiful wood floors of either kind will always increase the warmth and beauty of your home. As a bonus, when you decide to sell, the value is much higher. You will be rewarded with a higher equity and a bigger resale profit.

Manufacturer Spotlight: Parkay Flooring - XPS Waterproof

Manufacturer Spotlight: Parkay Flooring

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Laminate flooring was once considered a budget-friendly alternative for suburban households that just didn’t have the money to truly invest in genuine hardwood or tile flooring. However, with today’s advancements in materials and manufacturing, laminate flooring, like Parkay Flooring, offers a sleek, well-heeled look for anyone’s home. And it’s still budget-friendly.

Manufacturer Spotlight: Parkay Flooring - XPS Waterproof

Waterproof Flooring – Introducing the XPS Waterproof Parkay

XPS Waterproof flooring gives homeowners the chance to have a waterproof flooring option that looks great. Its locking system helps complete the illusion that you have real hardwood flooring by keeping seams clean and uniform.

Waterproof Flooring at its Best

XPS Waterproof flooring is durable and scratch resistant. It comes with a 15-year warranty providing homeowners peace of mind when investing in Parkay flooring. The flooring can also be used in a variety of tight spots, including around corners, at wall joints, and on and around stairs. XPS Waterproof floors are perfect for any space, no matter the layout.

Parkay Flooring Installation Made Easy

XPS Waterproof flooring is best installed over a completely dry and firm floor, such as concrete. It can be used to cover other flooring types like linoleum or PVC. However, it is not recommended to install Parkay flooring on floating or textile floors. Additionally, it’s extremely important to make sure your installation area is clear of all debris; even a pebble can easily disrupt the smooth, laminate surface.

Expert Advice on Parkay Flooring

When embarking on any home improvement project, it’s always a good idea to get advice from the experts. The floor installation team at Go Mobile Flooring is ready to help you make the right decision when choosing the perfect laminate floor. Whether its XPS Waterproof flooring, or another type of Parkay laminate, we provide all of our customers with knowledgeable advice.

Visit our site now for a free quote or to request a free measurement by our expert staff. At Go Mobile Flooring, we bring our showroom to you and service Pasco and Pinellas counties, New Tampa, South Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, Brandon, and Clearwater.

Pitfalls of DIY

DIY Pitfalls

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There are countless ways a handy person can save money by doing-it-yourself projects (DIY), but we also need to beware of DIY pitfalls, and writer Kevin Stevens came up with a very complete list for general DIY projects . . .

DIY Pitfalls

  1. Underestimating Project Complexity
  2. Unrealistic Budget
  3. We didn’t plan for that
  4. Scope Creep
  5. Lack of Tools or Skills to Use Them
  6. Material Selection / Over Build, Under Build
  7. Aggressive Timeline
  8. Improper Sequence of Tasks
  9. I want it now
  10. Oops, I changed my mind     Care2 Website

Several of his points are particularly true in the flooring industry, so let’s focus on four of them:

“Underestimating the Project Complexity” is one of the DIY Pitfalls

Flooring is the area you really use the most, so it’s smart to think about the fact that your whole body weight walks all over it every day. It needs to be LEVEL, SOLID, STRONG, and DURABLE every day without end. It’s a common mistake for home or business owners to overlook many details as they take on the floors.

Professional flooring companies like Go Mobile Flooring understand this, and therefore approach this work with the advantage of years of experience and training.

“Lack of Tools or Skills to Use Them” is one of the DIY Pitfalls

The reason carpet, laminate, or hardwood installers do such beautiful and precise work because they have the right tools. Many of these tools are too expensive for a DIY one-time project. But because of the finest tools, along with skill training to use them, our installers consistently get rave reviews. It’s a fact of life that if you lack the proper tools, it’s nearly impossible to produce a satisfactory result.

“Improper Sequence of Tasks” is one of the DIY Pitfalls

“Oh, did I need to put padding under that carpet,” is the terrified comment of a DIY’er who got it wrong, and even worse scenarios are when glue or finish comes into play. Neglecting to get the floor level can result in an expensive and complete do-over. Underlayment or structural repairs need to happen first, but we know that and that’s why we get it right the first time, and our faithful clients happily refer us to their friends and associates.

“Material Selection” is one of the DIY Pitfalls

At Go Mobile Flooring, we have learned the wisdom in using only the best materials. It may be possible for you to save a few pennies per square foot by picking up sale items at a local big-box store but in the long run, however, you are compromising the end result and the longevity it provides.

You can save a lot by painting (sorry painters) your own rooms but when it comes to flooring, why risk it? And do you have the time? Call Go Mobile Flooring today, and we would love to plan out your next project with you.

GMF The Speed of Installing Laminate Flooring

The Speed of Installing Laminate Flooring

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What’s the hurry? Why is it important to have our floors done quickly? Well, usually the obvious answer is the right one, and in this case it’s “TIME IS MONEY.” Installing laminate flooring saves time. Companies and professional installers do have to pay their specialists and the longer it takes, the more it will cost. That does not in any way suggest corners are being cut or the work is done in a careless manner. It’s just that certain installation processes require less time and effort. Laminate rules this kingdom!

GMF The Speed of Installing Laminate Flooring

The Fast Install: Laminate

There are two obvious reasons laminate is a great choice:

Installing Laminate is EASY

There’s a lot to love about laminate floor, and high on that list is the ease of installation. For weekend DIYers looking to trim their decorating budget without sacrificing style and quality, laminate gives you the option to install a beautiful new floor in any room with confidence and success – and fewer costs.

Bruce

The idea is not that it’s easy because something harder to install will be better. To the contrary – laminate is a quality product that takes advantage of modern science with precision manufacturing and foresight. It takes the trained eye of a professional to distinguish the difference between real hardwood flooring and laminate flooring! And the money you save can go into other things.

Installing Laminate is FAST

The vast majority of today’s laminate floors come with “click-lock” design systems (also sometimes referred to as a Uniclic system). This means that you simply install the laminate boards as a floating floor over a sub-floor and foam underlayment. One edge of the board will have a “groove” into which the other edge that has a “tongue” which clicks and locks into place. Some manufacturers infuse the grooved and tongued edges with dry adhesive that you simply dampen before clicking into place to add an extra level of locking. And because of this click-lock system, laminate flooring is one of the easiest floors to remove when it’s time for an update.

Home Flooring Pros

Oftentimes a handy home owner or business owner takes on laminate installation with fear and trepidation, only to realize it’s a done project ahead of schedule! That’s a nice feeling. Who doesn’t like that dictum,

AHEAD OF SCHEDULE – AND UNDER BUDGET!

Laminates come in every color, texture, pattern, and feel you can imagine. We can not possibly cover all benefits of having laminate throughout your business or home in one article. Call today and we’ll be happy to send out our mobile showroom or have one of our specialists speak with you.

Cabinets and Floors Dynamic Partners

Cabinets and Floors: Dynamic Partners!

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The design of a beautiful kitchen needs a plan for the cabinets and floors. It cannot be a chance piecing together of shiny cabinets and hardwood floors. Color, texture, and patterns may compliment one another, or they may clash. Let’s allow that each home owner has different tastes or preferences. But still, there are a few basic design principles that need to be adhered to for success.

Consumers think everything has to match, but the pros mix.

  • Laura Dalzell, owner and president of Cabinets & Designs, Inc. in Lexington, KY.

COLOR matters with Cabinets and Floors

Cabinets and Floors Dynamic Partners

It is tempting to color match cabinets and floors, but usually not a good idea.

First: It is nearly impossible to get an EXACT match with your cabinets and floors.

Second: If the match in not exact, it will CLASH with your cabinets and floors.

Third: If your cabinets and floors are the same color, they will be BORING.

So make it happen with contrasting or complimentary colors. And remember to mix – not match. This same goes for texture and patterns . . .

TEXTURE matters with Cabinets and Floors

Texture is a more challenging design effort. But the only thing to keep in mind is that everything is not the same. If all of the cabinets and floors are shiny and glossy, it will be too cold or even annoying. If everything is soft, furry, or smooth, it will be too hushed and it will be distracting. Find the perfect balance by blending textures that compliment one another. The space you create will be well worth the effort.

PATTERNS matter with Cabinets and Floors

Notice in the photos above the variety of patterns in these gorgeous kitchens. Most large retail big-box stores have in house contractors available for advice. Also, they can give you the business numbers of interior designers and builders. Look at their floor mock ups and get a feel for what inspires you. Now go and create a masterpiece with the cabinets and floors in your kitchen.

solid wood

Green Flooring Series: Reclaimed Hardwood Floors

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reclaimed wood

reclaimed hardwood floors that are beautiful!

Not only is this a green option that is good for the planet, reclaimed hardwood floors are beautiful! Knowing that the floor had a past brings out the rich colors more than lighting ever could. Instead of putting old, decaying, or dead wood into landfills or leaving it there to rot forever, the wood is being recycled into other products for a second chance at life, such as a reclaimed hardwood floor!

The reclaimed hardwood floor you order can be coming to you from the other side of the world or your own backyard! Due to the many different places and situations the wood can be found in, every piece is unique and offers a different look and feel. Different places of origin can also yield different types of wood. American chestnut can come from a barn in the Midwest, while the Pacific Northwest might be rich in Douglas fir.

With many different woods producing different colors, textures, and overall style, be sure to do your research before selecting a reclaimed hardwood floor so you can make sure that it will shine in your home. They are beautiful and worth investigating!

This post was written by Thais Sousa. Follow Thais on Google.