Hardwood Flooring Stores Throughout the San Francisco Bay Area
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Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood floors have many benefits to offer. Wood flooring products are a durable option that can add value to your home. They provide a warm, classic look to any room and are available in various colors and species. Wood floors are easily cleaned and cared for, and can often be repaired and refinished, even after years of wear and tear. Finally, wood floors are a sustainable choice. Wood is a renewable resource, and modern wood harvesting practices allow for an eco-friendly option for homeowners.
Learn about hardwood basics, hardwood gallery, hardwood installation, hardwood questions and hardwood care and maintenance.
Hardwood flooring is a popular, long-lasting home flooring option. As the most renewable flooring material available, wood can also be an environmentally friendly choice. Today, hardwood flooring products are available in a wide variety of colors, grains and species, and options span various price points.
What's the Difference Between Factory Finished & Unfinished Hardwood Flooring?
Before you buy, there are a few things to know about hardwood that will help you make more informed choices. When purchasing hardwood, you can buy factory-finished wood flooring or unfinished flooring. With factory-finished products, the manufacturer applies finish before the product is sold. Unfinished flooring must be sanded and finished by your installer once the floor is in place.
Different Types of Hardwood Flooring: Solid, Engineered and Longstrip Plank
In addition, it is important to understand that there are different types of wood flooring available. These types include solid wood flooring, engineered flooring and longstrip flooring. Solid wood flooring consists of a solid piece of wood with tongue and groove sides. Engineered and longstrip flooring are both manufactured by stacking thin layers of wood to create one wood plank.
Find the Right Hardwood Flooring For You
With each type of flooring, there are advantages and disadvantages. There are also implications for where flooring can be installed. We encourage you to speak with a flooring expert at one of our Floor Store locations to learn more about the hardwood flooring options available, and what would be best for you.
When it comes to hardwood flooring installation, we recommend hiring a professional. Hardwood floor installation is a labor-intensive process that requires special tools and expertise. Because your hardwood floors will be a part of your home for years to come, it’s important to make sure that your flooring installation is done properly. At the Floor Store we have 9 area locations that have trained hardwood flooring installation professionals with years of experience. We’ll make sure your hardwood floors are installed properly so they are secure, safe and beautiful.
What to expect during your installation
Once you’ve decided to install hardwood flooring, you may wonder what the process will look like. You can help us ensure a smooth installation by understanding what needs to happen before, during and after your flooring installation.
Before your installation
Before installation, it’s important to remove everything from the room, including furniture, curtains and decorations. Your hardwood floor may need time to acclimate to the room before installation. This time can vary from a few days to a few weeks – your Floor Store installation professional will let you know how long this may last.
During your installation
During the hardwood flooring installation, your installation professional may use different techniques depending on your situation and the product to be installed including:
- Nailing down flooring
- Stapling down flooring
- Gluing down flooring
- Floating flooring
Depending on the technique used, there may be a fair amount of noise during the process. This will be particularly true if your floors are being sanded and finished.
After your installation
After installation, it will be up to you to maintain your new hardwood wood floors. Pay special attention to cleaning and to preventing scratching and denting by using rugs, mats, and felt pads for furniture.
If you are sensitive to dust and odors, good ventilation should be established for 48 to 72 hours after installation to make sure that dust from the installation settles. From there, routine care and maintenance are up to you!
If you have questions about floor maintenance, we would be happy to answer them for you. Feel free to contact us at the Floor Store Location nearest you.
What types of wood flooring are available?
Hardwood flooring is available in three distinct types: solid wood flooring, engineered wood flooring and longstrip flooring. These types differ in the way they’re manufactured, which has implications for where and how they’re installed and how many times they can be refinished. Solid wood flooring, as its name implies, consists of a solid piece of wood with tongue and groove sides. Engineered and longstrip flooring are both manufactured by stacking thin layers of wood to create one wood plank. If you have questions about which type is best for you, feel free to contact us. We’re happy to help!
What's the difference between pre-finished and unfinished floors?
With pre-finished wood flooring, boards are sanded, stained and finished by the manufacturer. This cuts down on installation time and floors are ready for use right after they’re installed. Unfinished wood floors must be sanded and finished after installation. While the process takes longer, these floors allow for more customization or matching of colors to existing floors.
How do I choose a hardwood flooring species?
This is largely up to you. “Species” of hardwood refers to the species of tree from which the flooring was constructed, such as maple, oak or ash. Different species have different looks, hues, and degrees of hardness. At the Floor Store, we have dozens of species to choose from, and can help you choose one that meets your sense of style and budget.
Are wood floors appropriate for any room in the house?
This depends on the type of flooring you choose. As a rule, solid wood flooring should be installed in rooms at or above ground level, and is not recommended in any room where there is the possibility of water damage, such as the bathroom. Engineered wood flooring is much more versatile and can be installed almost anywhere in the home, including the basement. If you have more specific questions, feel free to contact us and a Floor Store professional can help you out.
How do I keep my hardwood floors clean?
The beauty and life of your hardwood floors depends on how you care for it. Follow a proper cleaning routine to keep it looking great over time. A few easy steps can extend the life of your hardwood flooring solution.
How Should I Clean My Hardwood Floors?
Place area rugs, throw rugs or mats in high traffic areas to prevent scratches on your floors. In addition, use floor protectors on the feet of your furniture and be careful when moving furniture around a room. Be conscious of footwear (high heels can scratch and dent wood surfaces) and pets (keep pet nails trimmed to avoid excessive scratching).
Can I Wet-mop My Wood Floors?
You should not wet-mop hardwood floors. Too much moisture can permanently damage wood flooring, causing cracking, splitting and discoloration. If you spill water on your floor, you should clean it up immediately with a clean cloth. The best rule is to follow manufacturer recommendations for cleaning – while a damp, almost dry mop may be recommended for maintenance, excessive water will definitely damage your floors.
Can Scratches Or Stains On Hardwood Be Repaired?
Yes, in many cases they can be. Techniques for repair depend on things like the extent of damage and the type of flooring finish that was originally used. If you have concerns about your floor, or questions about flooring repair, feel free to contact us. We’ll walk you through our available services for hardwood cleaning, repair and restoration.
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