Caring for your hardwood floor
December 29, 2010
Having a home with a hardwood floor is something many of us dream of. Hardwood flooring is warm, rich and naturally beautiful. These days hardwood flooring is available in a wide variety and one is able to choose everything from the colour, to the texture to the final finish. Once you have had hardwood flooring installed there are simple steps you can take to maintain and care for it so that it retains it’s beauty for a long time to come. In this article we are going to pass on some tips on how to care for hardwood flooring:
- Grit made up of particles of dirt and dust can really damage the finish of the floor. It can make the flooring look dull and might even leave a scratch. So, the first tip is to keep it dirt-free. Mop and vacuum the floor often and keep them clean. It is a also a good idea to place door mats at the entrance of the house so that most of the dirt is left trapped on them and does not get a chance to settle on the floor.
- Never ever allow a spill to stand on your hardwood floor. If you end up spilling water or any other liquid on the floor make sure you wipe it immediately first with a moist cloth and then with a dry one. Moisture and hardwood flooring do not go well together, so never allow any kind of moisture to stand on the floor for too long.
- When moving furniture, be careful and always lift it as opposed to dragging. Dragging furniture can cause the floor to scratch and damage it’s appearance. A good option is to use felt casters or glides on all furniture legs that come in contact with the floor. This will prevent marking.
- Be careful with your choice of cleaners. A cleaner that is specifically made for hardwood flooring is ideal as opposed to any random soap- based product. Using very harsh cleaners can damage the top finish of the flooring and make it wear out faster. Any product with a neutral pH should be work well but also keep in mind not to use it excessively.
- While vacuuming use a brush attachment and avoid using vacuums with beater brushes. This can again lead to scratches. Also, use a fine broom with exploded ends or a good quality cotton mop.
- Try and control the humidity in the house and maintain it to about 45 to 55%. Too much humidity can lead to the floors to swell that can in turn lead to cracks. At the same time excessive dryness can cause separations. So it is imperative to maintain a balanced temperature.
- Too much exposure to the sun can cause discolouration of your hardwood flooring. Hence, try and shield your floor from direct sunlight.
- Be mindful of what sort of footwear you are using on your hardwood floor. It is best to actually leave shoes outside the house but if that is not possible then at least try and avoid high heels or shoes with deep treads. Spiky shoes can cause indent marks on the floor and damage it to a great deal.
Follow the abovementioned tips and see your hardwood floor shine and look beautiful for years and years.
Bedroom lighting tips
December 23, 2010
For most people their bedroom is like a sanctuary, a haven that they retire to for some relaxation and comfort. Functional and intelligent lighting techniques can be used in a bedroom to create a calm and serene atmosphere. While mood and effect is important, the utility of the lighting system also needs to kept in mind especially based o the needs of the people who are going to be using the room. For example, the lighting system in a child’s room will be slightly different from that of an adult’s room and so on. The idea is to achieve both goals- that of creating a serene atmosphere and at the same time provide specific lighting for other general activities.
Here are some guidelines that can be followed:
- Ceiling fixtures like wall scones, fan lights or chandeliers can be used to provide general lighting in the bedroom. The intensity of light on these is a matter of personal choice. Some people might like a brightly illuminated bedroom while others may prefer it to be slightly dimmer.
- The other area in the bedroom that requires good lighting is the dressing table. For this purpose a bright light on top of the mirror is ideal. This is very helpful when dressing up or applying make-up.
- A lot of people like to read when in bed or before going to sleep at night. For this reason a lighting fixture next to the pillow is required. There are two options in this case that can be considered. The first one is to have bedside table lamps on both sides positioned on the side tables. The other option is to have swing-arm wall lamps on either side of the bed that will also leave the side tables free for other things.
- The closet in the bedroom can be illuminated with the use of recessed lighting or downward-pointing fixtures. These will help in pointing the light to where you need it.
- Track lights are very good for use in the kid bedroom. They can be rotated, swiveled, and also used to create spotlight on any specific area like a study desk or play area.
- Lighting in a senior citizens bedroom should be bright in order for them to see well but at the same time their eyes are more sensitive to glare so bear that in mind when putting lights in.
While the kind of light one would like in a bedroom depends on personal taste, a few tips can be considered:
- Dim lights work better in a bedroom to create that soft natural feel.
- The colour of the bedroom wall needs to be taken into consideration when choosing the lighting system. A dark colour wall will absorb light while a light colour one will reflect it.
- Dimmers can be used to control the lighting in a room. There might be times when you want less light than usual and a dimmer switch in this case will do the trick.
Using the abovementioned tips can help you create a bedroom space for yourself that not only reflects your personality but is functional as well.
Wood Flooring Guide
December 6, 2010
When it comes to choosing home or office flooring, wood is a popular choice for many properties. The ability of wood to create a sense of warmth and its ability to fit many interior design styles make it a prize in any room. Been a natural martial wood creates an inviting feeling which is the reason why you will often see wood used in hotel or restaurant reception areas. If you are new to wood flooring, chances are the sheer amount of styles and types of flooring and the differences between each type of wood might seem confusing. Another question which might be on your mind is the link between wood and sustainability.
Can wood flooring be ethically sourced?
Yes it can. The job of ensuring that woods are sourced from sustainable habitats falls on three parties, 
you as the consumer, responsible sellers and organisations tasked with setting policies for sellers to follow. If you want to ensure that the wood you are about to fit has been ethically sourced, look for sellers carrying the FSC accreditation mark. The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) is an international nonprofit organisation formed in 1993 to encourage better forestry practices. Those who are FSC accredited must meet strict policies and prove that their products have been sourced ethically during the entire chain-of-custody.
Making Sense Of Ethical Wood Flooring:
There are three important aspects to understand when sourcing wood flooring products. These are the types of floors available, the different wood species and the coat which seals and protects the floors. Once you understand these you’ll be able to find the right floor for property.
Flooring Types – contrary to what you may know or think, not all wood floors are made from wood alone. In fact, two types of floors are offered and although they look 100% identical, each has its benefits and drawbacks. The first type is called solid wood floor and the second type is called engineered wood floors.
A. Solid wood is made from one piece of timber wood, so the floor is very strong and able to provide further support to a structure. On the other hard, the floor might expand in hot conditions or shrink in cold conditions, which a natural reaction of wood.
B. The alternative therefore is engineered wood floor which is made from wood, but together with Plywood and MDF. This makes the floor immune to temperature changes, but some consider it to be less strong.
Different Woods – as you already know, both types of floors contain wood in their core. Engineered floor contain in most part real wood, and solid floor contains only real wood. The wood species used varies, however the most popular woods are Oak and Walnut and their sub-species. For wood to become suitable for flooring is has to cope with foot traffic, affordable and plentiful. Both Oak and Walnut, a family of trees which contain numerous sub-species tick all the right boxes. If you are looking to achieve the expected 30 years longevity of wood flooring, either of the main species or sub- species of Oak or Walnut will work.
Coating – the 3rd aspect of the floor is the coating which is used, which has two roles. It serves to seal the wood and protect is from the elements, for example a UV coating which can protect the wood from direct sunlight. People sometimes feel limited in their choice of flooring shades as they think that the wood species will determine the colour of the floor. While this is true to some extent, the coating used may also serve to paint the floor to a colour which suits the interior design theme.
Maintain The Floor:
Quality wood flooring may achieve a life span of 30 years. The process of care and maintenance starts by professionally fitting the floor, followed by regular cleaning. Poor fitting may drastically cut down the longevity of the floor so you are always advised to contact a professional wood flooring fitter. To clean the floor, simply use a damp mop on a daily basis and quickly react to spillage. Water and wood do not mix well, so always use a damp mop and keep water or moisture away from the wood. As simple and basic as that!
Enjoy your floor.
Guide contributed by the team at oak flooring seller, Wood and Beyond. An FSC London based vendor of solid wood floors and engineered wood floors.