Benefits of Hardwood
There are two types of Hardwood flooring- solid and engineered, whichever you choose, make an elegant choice for just about any room. When choosing hardwood, the color, species, character, and construction type are the important factors to consider.
Construction: There are two basic choices- solid or engineered. Solid hardwood are from a single piece of wood. Solid wood floors have a thicker wear surface and can be sanded and finished more times than engineered. Engineered wood are made from several layers of wood with a core of plywood or HDF. (High Density Fiberboard) This allowing engineered hardwood to be more structurally sound to be installed in more areas of your home.
Species: Choosing the right species is important from density to the type of grain you like. You may want to think of your home environment when choosing; do you have young children, do you have dogs? If so, a more dense wood like an Acacia or Hickory with a hand scraped and satin finish maybe best. For more formal areas with less traffic, a smooth, high gloss finish and less dense wood such as a Birch would be a safe option to consider.
Color: The color of hardwood floors ranges from a natural blonde to an intensely dark and every color in between. Natural and lighter stains have a tendency to show more of the woods grain and character whereas, the darker stains give a more consistent color with less natural variation. Darker colors may tend to show more and have a higher maintenance and lighter colors may be easier to maintain and show less.
Character: From a smooth high gloss finish to hand scrapped/distressed satin; tight to a cathedral grain pattern are just a few characteristics of wood.
Note that there are many differences in finishes—gloss or luster level, scraping degree and technique, wire-brushing, etc. Wood is a natural product and may have natural variation from piece to piece.
Installation of Hardwood
The process starts at the removal of the existing flooring and ends at the installation of your new beautiful hardwood flooring.
Before Installation: The new hardwood flooring will need to be acclimated inside the area it will be installed in for at least 24 hours prior to the installation. The existing flooring will need to be removed and disposed of, the furniture and small personal household items will need to be moved to a safe place during the removal and installation process. Small items to consider moving are pictures, personal items and knick knacks. Bullet Flooring can offer a removal and disposal service as well as furniture moving.
During Installation: There are three types of hardwood installation- nail down, glue down and sometimes floating, and they depend on the type of subfloor. After the existing flooring has been removed, the installer will inspect the subfloor to determine if there will be a need for leveling or additional preparation. Moisture testing is an important part of the process if you are not using a high-moisture cured glue. After making any necessary preparation to the subfloor, the installer is now able to install the hardwood flooring using the proper tools and equipment for the installation method. Proper installation as well as proper care and maintenance, is key to ensure your flooring will look beautiful and perform well over time.
Care & Maintenance
The beauty and life of your new hardwood flooring starts and ends with the care and maintenance.
Do:
- Make sure to use a damp cloth to blot spills and spots as soon as they happen.
- Sweep, dust or vacuum the floor regularly with the hard floor attachment (not the beater bar) to prevent accumulation of dirt or grit that can scratch or dull the floor finish.
- Occasionally wipe the floor with a damp mop or cloth
- We recommend using Bruce Floor cleaner or Bona
Don't:
- Don't use oil based, wax, polish or strong ammoniated (vinegar) or abrasive cleaners
- Don't use steel wool or scouring powder
- Don't wash or wet-mop the floor with soap, water, oil soap detergent, or any other liquid clening material.
- Don't use any type of buffing machine
Floor protectors for furniture:
- Use good quality floor protector pads for all furniture and chairs.
*Keep pets nails trimmed to help eliminate scratches and do not wear spiked shoes such as: golf shoes, cleats or stiletto heels which may indent the flooring*
Testimonials
"I cannot say enough about the quality of workmanship, attention to detail and pricing of Bullet Flooring. My wood floor and floor tile is my 2nd project and will not be my last. 1st class all the way. Thank you!"
– Denise M.
"Love Bullet Flooring! They have tiled our floors downstairs, done our kitchen backsplash, and tiled the walls of two of our bathrooms. Professional staff and excellent results. Would and have recommended them."
– Sue L.
"Bullet has done several projects on our home. I highly recommend Bullet. Honest, professional and very easy to work with. They take great pride in their work. I will continue to use them. Very reliable and efficient in their work. You won’t be disappointed you called them."
– Dina F.