Category: Hardwood and Bamboo

Wood Floors and Finishing
Floor sanding can be done by hand, but electrically driven sanding machines are used almost exclusively today. These machines are usually available from rental agencies which can also supply the sandpaper. Some handwork may be necessary in places that are inaccessible to power machines.
Sanding Machines
Sanding machines may be either the drum […]

Considering a new hardwood floor? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions that have been provided to us by the American Hardwood Information Center.
Does sunlight lighten or darken a floor’s color? Does it depend on the species, the stain or the finish?
The ultraviolet rays that can burn and age our skin will affect […]

Janka Test
The Janka (or side) hardness test measures the amount of force required to embed a .444-inch steel ball to one-half of its diameter in wood. It is known as one of the best measures of the ability of a wood species to withstand denting and wear. As an example, natural bamboo has a hardness […]

High heel shoe damage: A 125-pound person in high heels exerts pressure of approximately 2000 pound of pressure per square inch. If the protective cap on a pair of high heels has worn down the steel support rod can become exposed. This rod will dent and pit wood, fracture tiles or stone and puncture vinyl.

Protective […]

Hardwood flooring is manufactured in many different species and grades. The hardwood flooring grading system usually falls into three main areas; select, natural and rustic. Depending on the manufacturer there can be variances in the grading system within each of these area and some manufacturers have proprietary grades
Select, Select & Better, Prime, Pacific & A […]

With the many varieties of wood, there are many natural colors and these can be stained to a completely different color. 
Bamboo is a light color naturally. During manufacturing, all strips are subjected to a bleaching process where strong oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide are used to suppress color differences and oxidize troublesome organic matter. […]

DO’S

Install humidity controls.  The use of a dehumidifier or humidifier is critical in areas with frequent variations in temperature and humidity.
Sweep with soft bristle broom or dust mop the floor daily.  Walking on dusty or dirty floors will damage the finish.
Vacuum the floor regularly using a floor tool and not a beater brush.
Clean spots from […]

The largest percentage of complaints when it comes to both wood and bamboo are moisture related.  The moisture is usually due to a site related condition.  Frequently a moisture problem is caused by conditions such as water under the structure, leaking pipe, excessively wet concrete or too much moisture in a buildings structural components at […]

Surfing the Internet, visiting homes and flooring stores one can become amazed at the large variety of floors that are available. Soft wood, hardwood, exotic wood and bamboo represent a few of our many floor types. Carpet, linoleum, sheet vinyl, laminate, ceramic and stone are a few more of the floors we enjoy. What a […]