Hardwood Flooring is Environmentally Friendly

Did you know that hardwood flooring is not only beautiful, but is also environmentally friendly? With a multitude of choices available, installing hardwood flooring in your home allows you to be creative and care for our environment at the same time!

Sustainable forest management allows wood to be harvested without causing serious harm to the environment due to the fact that trees are a renewable resource. Here are some facts taken from the National Wood Flooring Association's website:

• Average annual net growth for hardwoods is greater than average annual removals (Source: US Department of Agriculture Forest Service)
• Indoor air quality is better with wood floors (Source: US Environmental Protection Agency)
• Wood is a carbon neutral product that produces oxygen during its growth cycle and stores carbon during its service life (Source: University of Wisconsin Wood Products Program Solid Wood Flooring Life Cycle Analysis)
• Wood floors use less water and energy to produce than other flooring options (Source: University of Wisconsin Wood Products Program Solid Wood Flooring Life Cycle Analysis)
• At the end of its service life, wood flooring can be burned as fuel or recycled (Source: University of Wisconsin Wood Products Program Solid Wood Flooring Life Cycle Analysis)
• Wood floors last hundreds of years, so won’t need to be replaced as often as other flooring options (Source: National Association of Home Builders)
• While it takes most hardwood trees 40-60 years to mature, the inventory planted today won’t be needed for 100-plus years (Source: National Wood Flooring Association)
  Learn about installing hardwood flooring in YOUR home by calling GR Flooring and speaking with one of our professionals!

What is the Difference Between Solid and Engineered Hardwood Floors?

One frequent question we get at GR Flooring is, "what is the difference between solid hardwood floors and engineered hardwood floors?" Here is a quick explanation:

 Solid Hardwood Floors: Real wood from a hardwood species is the only material used in solid hardwood flooring. This flooring may be affected by environmental conditions such as extreme heat or rainy seasons which may cause the floor expand and contract. The thickness of the wood allows it to be sanded and refinished many times.




Engineered Hardwood Floors: This flooring is comprised of three or or more layers of HDF or MDF, with a real hardwood veneer, which are bonded together under heat and pressure. This means the wood is less likely to expand and contract in response to the climate.

Call GR Flooring to discuss the best option for your home!

Things to Do Before the Flooring Crew Arrives

Congratulations! You've decided to install new hardwood flooring or sand and refinish the existing flooring in your home. Here are some things to consider before the GR Flooring crew arrives:

• Will you live in your home while the work is being done? Consider how much of your living space will be affected. Is it just one room being done or the whole house? Will you be able to access and use the kitchen or should you plan on eating out? Will you have enough space for your family members to sleep? Will you have access to a t.v. and/or a computer for entertainment?
• Will you work out of your home while the work is being done? Can you work well with noise and activity going on around you?  Will the noise affect your ability to make and receive phone calls or participate in phone conferences?
• Do you have pets? If so, they will need to be restricted or confined so that they do not enter the work area.  We do not want them getting hurt or damaging the flooring as we work.
• All furniture will need to be removed from the work area. Be sure to get any items you may need during the process. Clothing, books, laptops, cell phones, chargers, wallets, keys, and any other items you may need. 
• Have you made arrangements for the crew to be let into the home?

The GR Flooring crews will hang plastic and take every measure to limit the amount of dust and debris in your home. Still, be prepared to do some follow up cleaning. With some forethought and planning, you can limit the inconveniences and enjoy your new flooring!

Water Conditioning Produces Rich, Dense Color on Hardwood Floors

One of the many benefits of hardwood flooring is the ability to sand and refinish it after years of use scratches and dulls it.  If you want a rich, dense color after staining, consider using water conditioning.

Sanding hardwood floors entails going over the surface many times using different grits of paper. This will make the floor smooth, but will close up the grain and make it tight. This matters because it will not allow the stain to soak into the wood. The result is that the stain will sit on top of the wood and much of it will be wiped away.

However, if you use the water conditioning process before staining, it will open up the grain.  Once open, the grain will accept the stain properly and evenly.  The final color will be much richer than if the wood had not been water conditioned and the finish will be stronger.

Ensure that you know exactly what the final color of your floor will be.  Ask to see samples of the stain on water conditioned flooring!

For more information, please call GR Flooring.

Protect Your Hardwood Floors from Summertime Traffic

Ah, the sounds of summer.  Hear the birds chirping, the sprinklers spraying, the children splashing, and ... the doors slamming! Outdoor fun and summertime go hand in hand, but outdoor fun is inevitably  brought indoors.  




Adults are happy to see the children in their lives getting fresh air and having fun outside. The problems  arise when the children run inside the house with their wet, muddy feet or even their beach shoes or sports cleats.  Plan ahead with just a few simple precautions and the dirt and damage can be kept clear of your beautiful hardwood floors!

• The first line of defense is the weatherproof mat placed outside the door.
• Then comes the decorative mat placed inside the door.
• Place a mat or boot tray next to the door providing an easy on, easy off, easy storage area.
• For extra protection, place runners in all high traffic areas.

Anything is more enjoyable when it is low maintenance and hardwood floors are no exception.  Enjoy your hardwood floors while preventing unnecessary damage or clean up.  For more tips on caring for your hardwood flooring, contact GR Flooring. 

Hardwood Floors With NO Downtime!

Hardwood flooring can be a beautiful addition to just about any space, whether in your home or in your office.  The downside is often felt to be the installation process. Many people just can't bear the amount of time it takes before they can walk on the new floor or place the rugs and furniture back, or the pungent smell. This can be quite an inconvenience at home and just plain impossible in the workplace.

What downtime are we talking about? Well, a water-based polyurethane coating requires 3 - 4 hours to dry before you can carefully walk on it.  Ok, not too bad. But, it can take from 8 - 9 DAYS to be fully cured which means no area rugs or furniture until then.  Now we see where the inconvenience might come in, especially in the work place. Then there is oil-based polyurethane coating.  This will require 6 - 8 hours before careful walking and 30 DAYS before it is fully cured and rugs and furniture can be placed on it.

Feel your dream of hardwood floors slipping away?  Don't!  GR Flooring has the answer for you! We are the only company utilizing Ultra Violet Curing in all of Long Island. How is this the answer for you?  Let's take a look.

• NO DOWN TIME!

• FLOORS CURE INSTANTLY

• FURNITURE AND AREA RUGS CAN BE PLACED BACK THE SAME DAY

• VOC COMPLIANT

• LOW ODOR

• NON-YELLOWING

• PET FRIENDLY

 Sounds much better, doesn't it?  Ultra Violet Curing can be used on all types of hardwood floors, so you are free to choose whatever you desire. No extra time is involved either.  Depending on the size of the space, the process can take just one day!

GR Flooring is the only Long Island company who can make your hardwood dreams come true without all the inconvenience.  Give us a call to learn more about the Ultra Violet Curing process and how it can work for you!

Why Choose Hardwood Floors?

 

Flooring for your home is an investment and should be considered carefully.  GR Flooring would like to help with the decision by offering the following reasons to consider hardwood flooring.

• Adds value to your residence or commercial space

• Plenty of choice in color and grain of the wood

• Adds a touch of elegance to any space

• Can be used in any area, from high traffic to formal 

• Easy to clean and maintain 

• Helps prevent allergies and respiratory problems

• Ages beautifully with proper care

Hardwood flooring is a long term investment which can add value to your property.  Feel free to call GR Flooring to learn about your options so you can make an educated decision.