THE EFFECTS OF A CHANGING CLIMATE ON SOLID WOOD FLOORING

The temperature and humidity levels in your home affect your relaxation, and you rely on heating and cooling systems to keep things cozy. But have you wondered how a changing climate affects your hardwood floors? Discover ways to minimize flooring issues and remain comfortable inside your home.

Natural Movement

Quality wood flooring are made from genuine wood, and also display all of the natural characteristics of real wood. This includes shrinking, warping, cracking and growth. Your hardwood reacts to climate change in a reliable routine, changing with the seasons as well as the relative humidity levels. When homeowners understand those modifications, and contractors make adjustments for them, all is well.

The Way Cold Weather Affects Wood Floors

When temperatures outside drop below freezing--as often happens around much of North America--our heating systems kick into high gear. Unless your home is outfitted with a whole-home humidifier, most of the moisture naturally present in the inside air disappears.

As air dries out in addition, it sucks moisture from the timber, causing the boards to shrink and possibly even crack. Blend this condition with obviously drier air on the outside (long periods of below freezing temperatures also results in significantly less moisture from the atmosphere ), and you've got an issue to deal with.

Installing a humidifier on the furnace or within the heating system frequently works to offset this condition. And you may only notice major shrinking or cracking round heating vents or floor registers, on account of the concentration of warmth from these regions.

How Hot Weather Affects Wood Floors

High levels of humidity experienced many locations across North America also transform hardwood floors. Swelling and growth happen in humid weather, because of higher amounts of moisture in the atmosphere. Your air conditioner can bring that down moisture to a more manageable amount, but other ailments battle against it and increase the level of relative humidity.

Leaks, improperly designed ventilation, shorter air conditioner running times and even indoor cooking add warmth to the already heavy atmosphere during the hot months of summer. Hardwood floors absorb this moisture and enlarge. Gaps previously opened through colder weather close in the warmth, and boards installed closely may cup.

Bear in mind that both floating wood flooring and nailed down programs experience shrinking and cracking during the cold weather and expansion in heat. Floating applications may physically move , but the installation procedure allows for that movement by design.

Why Trim is Important

Baseboard trim is set up around the base of your walls to create an appealing transition from wall to floors. In the case of hardwood flooring, this simple strip of wood plays a much more important function. This allows the boards to expand without causing cupping on your floors, and supplies enough allowance for decreasing.

Baseboard trim covers this deliberate gap and gives a smooth seam in any time of year. Make sure your wood flooring installers utilize quality trim and leave plenty of space at the edges to allow for expansion and contraction.

Climate changes in your house affect solid wood flooring. Shrinking and cracking present a problem in winter, whilst growth and cupping might become an issue in summertime. Use a quality goods and expert installers to make certain your hardwood flooring looks fantastic all year round.

How Moisture Affects Solid Wood Flooring

 Solid hardwood floors, as its name implies is made by a 100% natural solution, wood. Like all organic materials, wood reacts to fluctuations in humidity and temperature from the air around it. Wood typically reacts to those atmospheric changes by contracting and expanding. If there's excessive moisture from the atmosphere, wood will draw some of the moisture and enlarge then whenever the humidity levels are decreased, the timber will subsequently discharge the moisture stored in its construction and arrangement. Even though this is a natural process and at average levels shouldn't pose any difficulty into the timber, once the levels become intense, problems can happen.

In a normal setting, for example in a woods, temperatures and humidity vary according to the season as well as the weather on any given day. Once wood is brought into the house, despite the fact that it is shielded from the vagaries of nature, it is then subjected to the fluctuations in humidity and temperature that we choose to throw it during our day to day lives.

During winter months, hardwood floors which are installed in centrally heated houses are likely to lose moisture and contract. This contraction is a result of the dryness of the atmosphere, encouraging the timber to naturally lose its inherent moisture. The contraction that occurs in the timber during these winter weeks is highly likely to cause gaps to appear from the ground, and that, if not properly insulated may contribute to draughts.

Obviously the opposite becomes true as the weather starts to improve and also the heating is switched off. The switching from the central heating in the home and the rise in natural temperatures that signify the coming of summer means more moisture from the atmosphere, a few of which is absorbed by the floor resulting in minor expansion of the planks. Under normal circumstances, this will lead to the closing of the gaps which appeared during the drier winter months.

This organic process of expansion and contraction is unlikely to pose any type of damage or distortion to a solid wood floor. In fact, moisture degrees of anywhere between 45 and 60 percent should not have any detrimental affect on the stability or appearance of your floor. That said, humidity which is considerably above this amount could, if left unattended, cause the wood to grow in the center of every plank in addition to giving rise to inherent gaps. This distortion can prove temporary and at the industry is termed'Rewards '.

Of course the opposite becomes true as the weather begins to improve and also the heating is switched off. The switching from the central heating in the house and the increase in natural temperatures that signify the coming of summer means more moisture in the atmosphere, some of which will be consumed by the floor resulting in slight expansion of the boards. Under normal conditions, this will result in the closing of the openings which appeared throughout the drier winter months.

This natural process of growth and contraction is not likely to pose any sort of distortion or damage to a solid hardwood flooring . In fact, moisture levels of anywhere between 45 and 60% should not have any harmful effect on the stability or look of your floor. That said, humidity that's significantly above this level could, if left unattended, cause the wood to rise in the center of every plank as well as giving rise to underlying gaps. This stimulation may prove temporary and at the industry is termed'cupping'.

Oak Floorboards: Natural, Light or Dark?

Oak is a gorgeous wood, there is little doubt about that. Employed as a floor material for centuries, even when you pick the ideal bamboo flooring it might persist for a life (and maybe a great deal longer ).

Strong or engineered?

The excellent thing about oak floorboards today is they are even more versatile than they were just 20 or 30 decades ago. Why is that? It is because today once you know you want to have an oak floor you have the choice between solid and engineered oak floorboards.

What this signifies is that you are able to fit bamboo floors with complete reassurance in every room in the house, and even over under floor heatingsystem. Engineered bamboo flooring is so versatile it can also be fitted in areas where temperatures and humidity levels fluctuate significantly. Therefore, in the good old times, if you'd fitted an pine floor in a kitchen or kitchen as an instance, you'd have done so with crossed fingers that the flooring would endure the humidity and humidity ups and downs. The risk of this flooring developing unsightly gaps or worse, cupping or bowing would have been extreme on your mind and quite rightly so. Nowadays, engineered bamboo floors means you can get that good oak flooring look regardless of where you want it, and no matter how hard the requirements are.

So in summary, between engineered and solid oak flooring, you truly have an all-purpose alternative.

Choosing the right color for your own project.

Once you're clear on the fact that you desire an oak floor, it is a case of deciding which colour of oak floorboards would work best for you personally. Oak, in its normal state comes in a whole slew of colors, but with the advanced wood treatments available today, it may be made to seem almost white or almost black, in addition to everything in between. Within this report we would like to share our thoughts about which configurations light, natural and dark oak floorboards function best.

Light oak floorboards

The very popular and most logical place to match light pine floorboards is where you've a little room you want to make look bigger or a dark room where you want to make an illusion of light. The likes of those London White floors isn't only extremely versatile, it's simple to keep and magnificent to check in to boot. At West London Floor Sanding we have seen it fitted at the tiniest of rooms as well as lofty flats and in each setting (and everything in between) it looks simply stunning. It is a floor option that will make you feel cheerful and bright regardless of the season or the weather outdoors. Reminiscent of New England decks and with a real natural allure about it, you'll never tire of this one.

Natural oak floorboards

Dark walnut floors such as jet black brushed and UV lacquered option have really come into their own in the last few years and it's easy to see why. Monochrome color schemes (if that's not a contradiction in terms) are absolutely stunning and may surprisingly work very nicely using traditional/vintage furnishings in addition to contemporary. All it requires it some careful planning and works best in a space where you have lots of light. This floor would look fantastic with some fundamental bits from the likes of Ikea, combined with either an actual or reproduction Barcelona seat, originally designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich. Select this option if you want to make a real statement throughout your house. Combine it with stark white walls and a smart mix of bold coloured or black rugs and you'll be the envy of all your family and friends!

If you're swithering over which pine floorboards would work for your interior, do not hold back -- touch base and let the team at West London Floor Sanding help. We love nothing more than when customers get in contact to ask our advice!

The 4 Seasons of Wood Floor Care

Looking after your wood floors is a pretty simple task. Sometimes, they are sometimes so low maintenance that you forget you need to do anything at all! Not to worry, West London Floor Sanding has compiled a quick calendar to keep you on course for each and every part of the year. To maintain your floors safe and in top condition, read on:

Wood Floor Care for Each Season

Spring

April showers may bring May flowers, but they also bring you moist shoes. Devise a strategy to maintain wet shoes away from your hardwood flooring.

We advocate deep cleaning your floors four times each year -- approximately after per year -- to maintain your flooring protected and looking their best. We strongly advise having a professional who'll take care of your flooring with the appropriate strategies and materials, like our West London Floor Sanding service.

Summer

Check the humidity of your home. Wood flooring can swell and be damaged if they are always subjected to high humidity. If you live in an area of high humidity or you notice your floorboards swelling, think about including a dehumidifier to your house.

Clear some space for those rainy day, indoor tasks, but move furniture the ideal way!

Winter

Check the humidity levels . Too small humidity into your house can also harm your hardwood floors.

Plan your moisture mitigation for the snow-covered guests that will be arriving for the holidays.

Replace missing or worn floor protector pads on the bottom of anything with legs -- chairs, tables, etc. and put them to anything fresh.

Day-to-Day Chores

While the big ticket items are for the most part covered above, taking small action every day, or each week can secure your flooring for years to come. Check out our manual to properly cleaning your flooring , and keep reading to find out what your flooring needs from you year round.

Place clean problem areas (clean up sticky spills, water, or small bits and pieces which may be monitored around).

Sweep once a week. Be cautious of using a vacuum cleaner, if you don't know it's made to be utilized on your hardwood flooring (some vacuums with beater bars may damage hardwood floors).

Shake door mats once every week, to prevent build up of dirt and dust which will eventually be tracked around.

For a larger scale hardwood floor project than what’s on our list, or to schedule your deep cleaning, call West London Floor Sanding at 020 8123 6305. We offer dustless sanding, installation, repair, and even more.

White Sand Wood Flooring: Simply Gorgeous

You just need to appear in any of the hottest interiors magazines to find that white wood flooring, in addition to black is full of demand right now. However, what if stark white hardwood floors or white wash wood flooring frightens you?

It may be that you just feel your busy family life will probably be too much for it and it is going to begin looking tired and worn ahead of its time? Or maybe you worry that at the cold winter months it'll make your home feel cold? While neither of these situations need be true, they are, nonetheless understandable fears. At West London Floor Sanding We have come across most of our clients anxieties as well as delight over the years when trying something brand new, and in this guide we will share with you a white wood flooring solution that's simply gorgeous: white sand wood flooring.

Yes, you read right; white sand wood flooring. Reminiscent of much neater shores, this floor solution has something for everyone. The overall effect is white floor, but unlike some white washed wood floors, this white wood comes with a warm, sandy tone to it. This means that it will stand up confidently to thick and high footfall in addition to feeling cozy and warm in winter and reminiscent of far flung shores in summer. It truly is the perfect mix between high trend, all out natural and white coloured hardwood floors.

Mix this flooring solution with any kind of furnishings; you really can't go wrong, but where it really comes up trumps is where you adopt a natural palette of off-whites, creams, beiges and browns. And if you're feeling really adventurous, throw in a few of charcoal greys or nearly blacks to give your space a really modern, designer edge.

If your job is to floor or re-floor a bathroom or a kitchen, however, this solid hardwood floors is not considered the best option. In these instances, you'd be better choosing these engineered white sand wood flooring solutions, which are suitable for any room in the house:

Organic Engineered Oak White Sand 100 Percent UV Oiled, 16/4 by 220mm by 2120mm. This floor is acceptable for installation across the house, such as in kitchens and bathrooms where solid hardwood floors would typically be considered unsuitable due to the possible issues brought on by changes in temperature and moisture levels. This makes it a highly attractive choice and means you have the chance of deciding upon this as one solution through your property. This sort of one-look through the house installation is a very magnificent approach to maintain your house a notch when it comes to style. Commonly located at the addition to the range houses, not everybody has the guts to embrace one flooring option throughout the house, but if you do; your guts will be rewarded with excellent looks for several years to come.

Organic Engineered Oak White Sand 100 Percent UV Oiled, 16/4mm by 220mm by 1600mm-2400mm. Very similar in design to Option 1 above, this white sand hardwood flooring has arbitrary span boards in each box, meaning that you get a quite pleasant, casual finish result. Especially suited to chambers that have been made for relaxation, this floors won't disappoint, wherever you decide to install this, and using its 100 percent UV filter, so you won't be stressing about shutting the blinds to keep sunlight out !

If you would like any help in any respect to plan your hardwood flooring job, do not hesitate to get in touch. At West London Floor Sanding We are quite just mad about wood flooring and like nothing more than simply sharing our ideas with individuals that are keen to make the most of their home without breaking their budget.

ADVICE ON THE RIGHT HARDWOOD FLOORING

Hardwood flooring can produce a spectacular backdrop to any style of interior, whether you would like something minimalist or prefer something a little cosier. It works perfectly in contemporary homes and can be something of a vital element when it comes to the interior design of your period property. Obviously, deciding to utilize wood flooring in your home is the simple choice - the tricky part is working out just that is the right wood for your property.

Choosing the right wood for your home is a huge decision, after all, hopefully, it is going to last you for decades, which means you want to make sure you make the right choice.

WHAT ROOM?

Various kinds of wood work well in various rooms so consider the room that you would like to install hardwood floors in. Consider the dimensions of the room; lighter shades will help to make a small room appear larger whilst darker shades will make it seem smaller. Will the space be exposed to some high footfall, for example an entrance hallway or a kitchen, you want to make sure the wood you select either of those rooms is remarkably durable and will endure to people walking back and forth a lot.

COLOUR

Wood flooring will operate flawlessly with almost any colour scheme you might have set up in your house, so don't think that you are tied to a particular shade or color. You might however want to take under account the furniture which you have in a room. If all your furniture consists of lighter coloured wood then you may prefer to choose a lighter colour for your flooring too.

PRICE

Wood flooring is not the cheapest option available on the marketplace. But it is incredibly durable and if you take good care of it properly then it will last you for many years and over pay for it. Don't forget to factor in the cost of any preparation work that needs to be carried out on your current flooring.

ASK THE EXPERTS

With so many beautiful woods to choose from it can be difficult to know where to begin, so If you aren't sure which type of wood to choose then do not worry, that is just what the pros at Just Wood are here to. We've got plenty of knowledge and will be happy to help you in deciding which hardwood flooring is going to be the most appropriate one for your requirements. Why don't you give us a call to talk about what will work best in your home?

REFINISHING A HARDWOOD FLOOR

It is not necessarily worth refinishing a hardwood floor, but on account of the robust and hardwearing character of hardwood, more often than not a little bit of maintenance will go a very long way. It's the nature of a hardwood flooring that it is going to stand the test of time if cared for in the right way.

Probably the best approach to ensure a good result when you refinish a hardwood flooring is to take advantage of professionals. With the right expertise and equipment, they will do a much better job than you ever could, so if you're seriously interested in returning your flooring to its best, consider this alternative. If you're determined to do it yourself, here are a couple of tips.

First of all, clear the room and sweep it. Check for nails as well as some other carpet tacks that might remain and remove them or hammer down them. You then need to hire a sander. Drum sanders are most commonly used, but you need to keep them constantly moving to ensure that no one place gets overworked.

Having sanded after, hoover then sand again with a lighter grain for a smoother finish. Clean up once more along with your hardwood floor is now ready for staining (if needed ) and then completing.