TIPS
WHY CHOOSE HARDWOOD FLOORS?
With all the different flooring options available, hardwood flooring may seem like an expensive option, however, hardwood flooring remains as the best choice for having a space that is safe and clean with low maintenance. When you consider the overall life of a hardwood floor, the benefits of wood flooring outweigh the initial cost.

1.What you need to know about LEAD paint.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting rule governing the work of professional remodelers in homes where there is lead-based paint was published in the Federal Register on Earth Day, April 22. The rule took effect in April 2010.

The rule addresses remodeling and renovation projects disturbing more than six square feet of potentially contaminated painted surfaces for all residential and multifamily structures built prior to 1978 that are inhabited or frequented by pregnant women and children under the age of six.

The EPA rule lists prohibited work practices including open-torch burning and using high-heat guns and high-speed equipment such as grinders and sanders unless equipped with a HEPA filter. It also requires a cleaning inspection after the work is completed.

Additionally, the rule establishes required lead-safe work practices, including posting warning signs for occupants and visitors; using disposable plastic drop cloths; cleaning the work area with HEPA vacuuming and wet washing; and individual certification through a training course

2.Caring for water based and oil based finished floors
Regular maintenance requires little more than sweeping with a soft bristle broom, and vacuuming with a soft floor attachment if your wood floor includes a beveled edge that could collect debris. You also should clean your floors periodically using one of the following methods:

*Clean your floor with a Bona cleaning kit, this can be used in a spray bottle with a terry cloth towel. Always use as little moisture as possible to clean.

Clean your floor with a mixture of 1 cup white or cider vinegar : 1 bucket (3-4 gallons) of warm water. The floor should be damp mopped and not soaked. We recommend dipping a terry cloth towel into the water/vinegar solution, wringing the towel of excess solution and covering your standard flat head mop to mop the floor. No rinsing is necessary.

 

FAQ
Q-Is it cost effective for home builders and renovators to select wood flooring over less costly materials?
Yes, residential real state agents say homes with wood floors hold their value better, sell faster, and fetch higher prices, according to a recent nationwide survey commissioned by the National Wood-Flooring Association(NWFA).

Q-People have diverse tastes in interior design. Does wood flooring go well with most design styles?
A-Yes. In a recent survey commissioned by the NWFA, more than three- quarters of interior designers find that wood flooring works well with many decorative styles. “ It’s the most versatile floor covering there is “, says one designer, “Wood goes with contemporary and traditional, and everything in between”.

Q- Why do most gymnasiums use wood flooring?
A-For the same reason many homes and businesses do: durability and comfort. Indeed, wood flooring commands more than 70 percent of the highly demanding sports floor market. Wood floors are softer and more supple than other surfaces. Wood flooring provides greater resilience, improved shock absorption, and increased energy return, all of which help to reduce injury and body fatigue for athletes.

Q: I suffer from allergies. Is wood flooring hypoallergenic?
A: Millions of people suffer from sensitivity to chemicals and toxins. Tests by leading allergists have proven that wood flooring provides a healthier environment for these allergy sufferers. Wood doesn't harbor irritating dust and microorganisms.

Q: Once installed, how often must wood flooring be replaced?
A: Every hundred years or so. In fact, the heart pine floors in historic Bacon's Castle in Virginia are more than three centuries old and counting. Simple care and maintenance keeps wood floors looking beautiful for a lifetime. Instead of laying an entirely new floor when the original is worn, wood floors can be rejuvenated with sanding and refinishing. When done by a wood flooring professional, wood floors need only to be refinished every 10 - 15 years or 10 - 12 times during a floor's life. When a wood floor's useful life is over, it's completely biodegradablec