From the Floors Up

Choosing the Right Firewood for the Job

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Whatever your reason for building a fire, the quality relies heavily on having the right fuel to burn. If you are bringing some winter warmth into your home with a fire beneath your mantle, you will want to use a different wood than you would for a bonfire with your friends. Choosing the right type of wood will have a considerable impact on the heat and length of a burn. When it comes to burning wood in your home, using the wrong type of wood could actually be dangerous! Therefore, it is essential to learn what kind of fuel is right for your needs.

Hardwood vs. Softwoods

When it comes to purchasing firewood, there are two categories: hardwood and softwood. Hardwoods are denser, so they typically create more heat and burn for a longer time than softwoods do. This makes them the better choice for heating your house, whether with a fireplace or wood-burning stove. There are numerous types of both hardwoods and softwoods to choose, but Ash, Oak, and Birch are a few common hardwoods you may recognize when you are looking to purchase your own firewood.

Indoor Woods

Softwoods are not as dense as hardwoods, so they dry out quicker than hardwoods would. They also ignite better and burn faster than hardwoods, making them ideal as starter wood. Cedar is an excellent example of a good softwood to use indoors as a starter wood. If you plan to build your fire indoors, avoid using pine. It burns very easily, but the high sap and resin content can cause buildup in the chimney flue, which could lead to a chimney fire.

Outdoor Woods

If you are planning a bonfire with your friends, the type of wood you are burning is not going to make much of a difference, but when it comes to burning wood in your home, it is important that you make the right choice. The correct wood is essential in order to accomplish a long, slow burn and produce the most considerable amount of heat. Furthermore, the wrong type of wood could be potentially dangerous, so it is extremely important to know the basics before starting a fire indoors.

While the comfort of fire is always enjoyable, knowing your woods is vital. Remember to stay safe whenever creating a fire. Any questions can be left below in the comment section. We love to hear from you, and remember to subscribe!

Pro’s and Con’s of Hardwood Floors | Part Two

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Hardwood flooring is aesthetically pleasing, low maintenance, durable, and it can be refinished multiple times. With so many benefits, why should you not invest in hardwood throughout your whole home? Well, every up has its downs, but that does not mean these beautiful floors are not worth the investment. Hardwood may be the perfect solution your home is missing, yet having a better understanding of the product never hurts. Join us as we explore the other side of the coin and see some of the cons in hardwood flooring.

CON’s

Cost

Home investments can be pricey, and hardwood is no exception. The cost of the product, specialized tools, and installation can make hardwood flooring a more costly investment. However, the durability of this flooring and return on investment in real estate may be worth the long-term investment. And not all hardwood floors are equally expensive, either. For instance, the cost to install engineered hardwood floors is often lower than the cost to install solid hardwood floors.

Noise

Hardwood reduces hollow sounds and can improve the home’s acoustics. Therefore, hardwood is installed in dance studios. However, this allows the sound waves to travel very easily and does not dampen unwanted noise. To reduce sound, you may want to invest in a cork underlayment or area rugs.

Water

Water is not hardwood flooring’s friend. The planks will expand and contract and become damaged. It is not a good practice to put hardwood near watery areas in the home like bathrooms or laundry rooms.

Subfloor

Unfortunately, hardwood floors cannot be installed over any surface. Hardwood is an organic material and even the best hardwood floor brands can expand and contract due to temperature and moisture levels. Concrete retains a lot of moisture and can damage the floor. While some engineered hardwoods can be installed over concrete by gluing the planks down, it is not recommended.

Remember, not all hardwood flooring is created equal. All woods have different scratch resistant level, stain different, and come engineered or solid. While the pros may outweigh the cons, it is essential to understand if hardwood is the best suit for you. If you missed part one, where we talked about the pro’s, visit it here.

Pro’s and Con’s of Hardwood Floors | Part One

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Hardwood flooring is a timeless home improvement that enhances your space with an authentic, awe-inspiring look. While many homeowners love the look of hardwood floors, it is not practical in every application. Hardwood floors offer many benefits to the home, yet knowing when and where to install them will help you create your space. Explore the pros and cons of hardwood floors and decide for yourself if they are best for your home!

PRO’S

Aesthetics

The first pro is no surprise. Hardwood floors have been around for centuries for a reason: they are simply beautiful. Apart from being gorgeous to look at, they are an excellent investment. In fact, hardwood floors can also raise the real estate value of your home.

Low Maintenance

Hardwood floors are extremely low maintenance. They are more stain resilient than carpet or untreated tiles. While carpet imbeds dirt, dust, and debris, hardwood can be easily cleaned by simply sweeping the surface with a swifter or broom.

Longevity

Hardwood can last for an extremely long time. While it may be an expensive investment at first, in the long run, it is a high-quality flooring solution worth the venture. Hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished several times to make your flooring look brand new.

Enhanced Air Quality

Consider how much of a nuisance it can be for dust to get trapped between your carpet fibers. If you or your children are allergy sensitive, you may want to stray away from carpet. Dust, pet allergens, and pollen love settling in on the surface of your flooring. Even tile grout lines can create a home for these unwanted nuisances. Hardwood flooring ensures an easy to clean surface to remove these and create a high-quality air environment in your home.

Ultimately, hardwood floors are excellent for homes. They flow with virtually any design theme and enhance your home’s overall aesthetics. Make sure you carefully explore some competitive options like LVP or Tile to really make sure your floor is tailored for what is best suited for your home. From engineered to solid hardwood or oak to maple, discovering which floor is best is up to you. Ask your sales representative if hardwood will work for you and what the best hardwood floor brand is for your application. If so, you will not be disappointed with this timeless home remedy.

Understanding Your Flooring: Hardwood

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Adding hardwood flooring is a luxurious upgrade that homeowners absolutely love.  The authentic nature is a timeless remedy that can transform any space. Not to mention, hardwood is highly praised for its raw beauty and elegance that it can bring to any atmosphere. While functionality, affordability, and durability can all be determining factors in your flooring, we want to help give you a better understanding of hardwood and see if it is best suited for your needs. Let’s take a look!

Hardwood floors are a very durable option for the home. They can be sanded and refinished several times and allow the flooring to continue to look brand new. That being said, be careful because softer woods like pine flooring will be more capable of scratching and gouging.
Different hardwoods will have different levels of scratch resistance. While no wood is scratch proof, you can find harder woods to prevent damage. And many of the best engineered wood flooring brands offer high-quality finishes that can likewise protect your floors.
While a quick spill on the floor is not going to be detrimental, wood and water are not compatible. Hardwood flooring can expand and contract with water causing boards to warp, crack, and split. Keep hardwood away from wet areas or basements where moisture may come through the subfloor!
Hardwood is not “typically” chosen for the comfort it offers. While hardwood is not considered soft compared to other types of flooring, it will add warmth and energy to the room. Hardwood is more of an investment on the beauty it adds to the space, not necessarily the comfort it adds.
If a stain penetrates the hardwood, it will be nearly impossible to remove. However, unlike carpet, you have more time before a spill will break into the flooring causing a stain. With hardwood, it is important to clean a spill as soon as it happens to prevent unwanted damage to the flooring.
Hardwood is a beautiful flooring. If you fear your animals or children may damage the floor, you should probably wait on the investment or put it in areas that will not see heavy use.
Hardwood is not the most expensive flooring, but it is a luxury flooring. Installation may require special tools and can up the cost. However, most types of wood flooring can increase your home’s real estate value and serve as a powerful home improvement to help move your home up on the market.
Hardwood’s beauty is unmatched. It is an incredible asset to any home. Not only does it increase market value, but it can last a lifetime with proper care.

Remember that not all hardwoods are the same. With engineered and solid floors, you may be able to get away with a little more in the right application (though there are some engineered wood disadvantages). Make sure to check with your flooring representative to see if hardwood will work in your home. For more insight on different flooring types, make sure to subscribe and check out more of our series!

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

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