Have you ever wondered what engineered hardwood flooring is? It is flooring that is made up of a core of hardwood, plywood or HDF that has a top layer of hardwood veneer that is glued to the surface of the core. You can find engineered hardwood flooring in just about any species of hardwood. The end product has the natural characteristics of the hardwood you selected instead of just a photographic layer. This engineered product has been designed to provide the flooring with greater stability, especially in areas of moisture or heat that would pose a problem for conventional solid hardwood flooring.

The difference between a laminate flooring, solid hardwood flooring and engineered hardwood flooring is this: a laminate core floor is usually made of High Density Fiber or HDF. The top layer is a photographic layer that mimics the appearance of the product it is replicating. This can be wood, vinyl, or tile for example. This product is usually about 3/8 inch thick and has a tongue and groove locking system that doesnt use glue. This enables you to install and reinstall the flooring several times if you wish. A laminate is the least expensive of flooring options.

Solid hardwood is the natural wood species throughout the whole flooring. This too usually comes with a tongue and groove installation. A solid hardwood floor has good sanding and refinishing capabilities. It tends to be more expensive, and solid hardwood flooring has limitations to where it can be installed due to moisture or heat issues.

Engineered hardwood flooring usually has three or more core layers. The more layers you have, the greater the stability you can expect. The core layers of engineered hardwood flooring can be made of plywood, high density fiberboard or hardwood. The best part of engineered hardwood flooring is that is does not destroy the natural warmth and beauty of a traditional solid hardwood floor. The top layer is the same genuine hardwood you would have in solid hardwood flooring.

You can add the warmth and grace of more expensive solid hardwood flooring at a fraction of the cost when you decide to use engineered hardwood flooring. With all the money you save, you may want to think about remodeling the rest of your home.

Terrazzo is one of the most time-tested of building materials. It was used in palaces, courtyards, assembly halls, villas and bathhouses during the height of the Roman Empire. Many of those ancient structures are still intact. When the ruins of Pompeii were unearthed, the forgotten terrazzo floors were virtually undamaged. Terrazzo is an historic and very strong, enduring — and endearing flooring product.

The National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association defines terrazzo as “a material consisting of marble, granite, onyx or glass chips in Portland cement, modified Portland cement or resinous matrix. The terrazzo is poured, cured, ground and polished. Typically used as a finish for floors, stairs or walls, Terrazzo can be poured in place or precast.”

There has been a renaissance in the usage of terrazzo over the last decade. According to Jim Belilove, president and CEO of Fairfield, Iowa’s, Creative Edge Corp., “Terrazzo is now offered with an epoxy matrix. This is stronger than the cementitious material which was the traditional binder. Epoxy doesn’t crack, can be offered in many more and much brighter colors, the color does not fade, and curing time is much less. Terrazzo with an epoxy matrix can also accommodate larger chips … and the thickness of the material, even for a major industrial application, can be just 3/8 inches thick.

“Additionally, with computerized waterjet technology, shapes into which the terrazzo are poured can be cut perfectly over and over again,” Belilove says. “As a result, designs for stores or malls can be duplicated quickly and without worrying about the visual differentiation from one hand-formed shape to another.”

A good example of a major retail installation which featured waterjet technology can be found at the Grand Coastal Mall in Myrtle Beach, S.C. T.B. Penick & Sons, Inc., the San Diego-based general contractor with a specialty in the installation of high-end terrazzo projects, was involved in this creative flooring project, which included a food court with a multi-colored, highly focal terrazzo floor design.

This food court had beautiful shapes which were achieved by pouring the terrazzo into waterjet-cut aluminum forms. This was a project that included intricate images that had to be re-created in terrazzo to exactly replicate the artist’s original drawings.

Retail construction executives should know about waterjet technology. The process is a computerized, cold cutting technology that can cut most materials into any two-dimensional shape. Marble, granite, porcelain, ceramic, linoleum, sports flooring, vinyl, and all metals are excellent materials for the waterjet process. Waterjet cutting does not heat, harden or distort metals. Those are some other reasons why the aluminum forms into which terrazzo was to be poured at Coastal Grand Mall’s food court were best cut by waterjet.

Anything that can be drawn on a computer can be cut by waterjet. Many materials like stone, porcelain, and stainless steel cannot economically be cut into complex shapes in any other way. Terrazzo is more versatile than most developers or designers can imagine. For example, it can be poured onto many different substrates, or right over existing floor materials such as concrete, vinyl tile, ceramic/porcelain tile or even wood.

It is still ideal for any retail construction project, particularly those that have heavy foot traffic.

Madera Floors provides professional quality wood flooring services including installation, sanding, refinishing, repairs, maintenance, and custom design. At Madera, we only use the highest quality materials/finishes and are always up to date on technological advancements in the wood floor industry. We target contractors, designers, corporate clients, and homeowners in the Northern VA, MD and D.C. areas. Madera’s goal is to meet our client’s budget and timeline while exceeding expectations, thus resulting in repeat business.

Madera Floors specializes in custom finishing, installations and material sourcing for all of your hardwood flooring needs. As flooring contractors, we are always abreast of new techniques and materials in the industry, which allows us to grow while remaining environmentally friendly. As a certified CMP installer we can also perform self-leveling concrete installations. Every project represents our organization; hence our great strides to achieve perfection on each individual project.

Hardwood floors are an investment that will last for a long time with the proper installation and care. There are different modes of installation for engineered wood strips, solid wood strips, and parquet. With all modes of installation moisture testing is imperative to ensure proper installation. Installation can be a painstaking process but we take pride in leaving your home or business looking as beautiful as we found it. Our expert technicians have seen every situation and are proficient in the three different types of installation for hardwood flooring.

Nail Down/Staple Installation In this method we nail down or staple solid or engineered wood strips to the sub-flooring (usually either plywood or plank wood). The floor is done with random length strips. A few strips are placed down and arranged prior to fastening to ensure proper placement and tautness.Glue Down Installation In this method we glue down engineered wood strips or parquet directly to the sub-floor. In these cases the subfloor is usually concrete, so we pay extra attention to moisture.

With glue down installations, it is important to consider any kind of allergies and sensitivities to smell. We use an acrylic based glue which is more mild than some of the other options. Glue down installations can be walked on the next day and furniture can also be moved in.

Floating Installation In this method we glue together the tongue and groove of every plank and the floor floats over a foam cushioned padding. If the flooring has a locking system we can lock the pieces together without glue. This can be used with either laminate or engineered wood floor, but either way the flooring is pre-finished. Not all engineered surfaces can be floated. Floating installation can also be placed over sub-flooring of questionable quality unlike the other two modes. Also, floating floors are a great option if you have multiple layers of flooring and do not want to remove them all. With floating installation the wear layer is important to consider as the thicker the layer the more times it can be refinished. Generally, laminate flooring gives a hollow feeling underfoot with this mode of installation. Remember that floating floors expand and contract as a unit because the pieces are fused together. Allow for as much expansion area as possible.

Refinishing and sanding your hardwood floors is necessary to preserve their quality and beauty. Any refinishing is done solely to enhance the woods natural color and protect it from the elements. The best time to sand and refinish your hardwood floors is when you move into a new house or apartment as all of the furniture, rugs, etc. need to be removed from the area during the process. Proper refinishing should last about 10 years. However, high traffic rooms will need to be done more often.

Pre-finished Hardwood Floors These are the new main stream products in hardwood flooring. They can be acrylic impregnated, engineered, or solid. They have a tough factory finish, which is the main reason for its popularity. They are also extremely easy to install and eliminate the need for messy sanding. Most pre-finished floors done within the last ten years are urethane finished. Test this by placing a couple drops of water on an obscure area. If the area turns white after 15 minutes, you have a waxed finish. Older floors are likely to have shellac or varnish finishes. Unfortunately these do not work well with the newer urethane finishes and must be completely removed if you want a urethane finish. There is also likely to be some amount of aluminum oxide in the newer prefinished floors.

Unfinished Hardwood This type of flooring comes in solid and engineered, and both must be job site finished. They come in varying lengths and widths. Sanding and finishing can take anywhere from a few days to a week depending on size, stain, and number of top finish coats. Generally the finishes are oil or water based. Our first priority is to protect the beauty of your home so whether you have finished or unfinished floors, we section off other areas and furniture to prevent sanding dust from spreading throughout your home. Our expert technicians also use dust containment systems to limit the amount of dust in the air. And with refinishing, it is important to have as little air flow as possible in the area as airborne particles can become embedded into the newly applied finish. Something as simple as foot traffic or turning on the air conditioner/heating system can kick up dust. So it is better to allow more time to dry to avoid problem areas in your floors.

Many things can happen to a floor over the years. Termites, cable holes, leaky roofs, sink overflows, cats, dogs and reconfigured spaces can leave holes or very odd-looking stains in your hardwood. All is not lost!

Boards can be replaced in such a way that no one will be able to tell that new wood has been added to the floors. When replacing boards, we take care to lace the new boards in with the old ones, so there is not a square or rectangle shape where the boards have been replaced.Other precautions are taken to match up the wood as best as possible. As wood ages, it darkens. This is why we purchase reclaimed wood in various sizes and species. If aged wood is not available for your floor, we take care to stain the boards that we are replacing to match the color of your existing floor as close as possible.

Custom Wood Floors are a medium of specialty floor coverings that includes, but not limited to these Types of Custom Wood Floors: Accents, Borders, Domestic Species, Exotic Species, Feature Strip, Inlays, Marquetry, Mixed Media, Medallions & Crest, Painted or stenciled, Parquet, Parquetry, Plank, Reclaimed & Recovered,Distressed, Specialty Products, Stained-Tinted or Colors Developed during the middle ages in Europe, elaborate designs, borders, inlays & medallions were crafted for significant buildings such as castles, & monasteries. Today these wood flooring styles are reflected in the modern day manufacturing and can be enhanced with something as simple as a strip border around the perimeter of the room or as ornate as a coat of arms in a foyer or a great room. Using exotic woods from around the world, these custom designs & patterns can add to and become the center focal point of any room. Giving each room a Custom-one-of-a-kind wood floor. Custom designs can give a homeowner a “one-of-a-kind” floor and is a wonderful way to put your personality and individual character in a home. The choices of pattern, design, exotic woods sources and an artistic flare can provide a limitless number of possibilities.

Floors with oil and urethane-type finishes are extremely durable. With just minimal care your floor will look beautiful for years to come. The key to preserving your floor is protecting its finish. Hardwood floors require minimal care, but it is important that you provide regular care.

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Thanks

Madera Floors. Fairfax, VA.

If you have recently purchased a new home or apartment and need to replace the old, outdated flooring with something warm and good looking, you have a lot of great choices. Today you can choose from a wide variety of flooring types that will not only enhance the looks of your interior but which will provide you and your family with flooring that will last the lifetime of your home.

Hardwood flooring is probably the most popular type of flooring available. The hardwood floors of today are not the type of hardwood floors your grandparents may have had. The advances in wood finishing technology has made todays hardwood flooring more durable and much easier to maintain. Today’s pre-finished, engineered hardwood floors are constructed in a fashion that is similar to that of plywood with a veneer on the surface which is referred to as a wear layer. A wear layer can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The best engineered hardwood floors are produced with either a thick or a thin wear layer and the price you pay for the floor is often dependent on the thickness of this layer. If you plan on keeping your new hardwood floor for ten to twenty years, you should select a veneer thickness of at least 1/8 of an inch. Of course, minor scratches and dents are normal in a hardwood floor and often add character.

Many homeowners choose to have ceramic tile floors installed.  Not only is ceramic fashionable and practical, but its natural look provides long lasting durability. Ceramic tile flooring is available in an almost unending variety of colors, sizes and finishes. The combined beauty and strength of ceramic tile gives any room in your home a timeless charm and warmth. Ceramic tile flooring is a very natural floor covering that adds value to your home no matter if you choose a classic style or a trendy and contemporary pattern. You can select glazed tiles which are coated with a type of ‘liquid glass’ that is fired onto the tiles, offering you a maintenance and wax free floor.

Mosaic tile flooring is another popular alternative today. Mosaic tiles add a touch of elegance to any room and they too are available in a wide range of style, color and size. Mosaic tile flooring is manufactured by adhering ceramic or stone pieces onto a mesh backing. This type of flooring is generally quite easy to install yourself and is ideal for areas in your home that get wet such as the bathroom, kitchen and utility room due to the fact that the surface does not become slippery.

Mosaic Floor Design Tiles remodeling is a great option for home-makers to easily redecorate any surface at home. Unlike other tiling options available, it seems like these nature-made panels truly provide a natural look and feel to any surface you choose to coat. If you want to quickly be able to remodel any internal or external surface – read the following review.

Overview

It is considered the most ‘Natural’ tiling method simply because Mosaic Floor Design Tiles redecoration is created by assembling together similar beach-stones carefully sorted and then mounted onto a seamless mesh backed tile. A quick look over these stone tiles makes you wonder about their origin – to make it short, most of these ‘Nature-Made’ panels are originated from the exotic Indonesian islands. Tiling options are numerous; here are some of the most popular ones: Countertops for kitchens and bathrooms, shower floors, all types of backsplashes and walls, wine cellars, and fireplaces.

Benefits

By using this quick solution we gain the following:

* Feels comfortable to walk on.
* Installation process is quick and takes only a few hours.
* Saves extra expenses on hiring a professional installer.

Important tips!

* Make sure the surface you are about to tile is flat, clean, dry and free of contaminants.

* When you prepare the grout avoid adding too much water in the initial mix – that additional water can result in weak grout that can flake.

* Measure the designated area first, and then add 5%-7% more to your order just as a backup for future use and in case you may need to repair or cut small tile pieces in order to tile small /narrow spaces.

If we search a little more, we could easily find other great advantages provided by this fashionable home redesigning technique simply because it provides virtually unlimited remodeling options to any space and surface at any size and location whether for interior or exterior uses.

Summary

This affordable Mosaic Floor Design Tiles technique is probably one of the easiest and most effective coating choices available today. As mentioned earlier installation is quite easy, however, it is advised to keep these tips and advices once you decide on installing these panels.