When it comes to Hardwood timber flooring in Melbourne,
it’s hard to choose which hardwood flooring to install. There are two main types of hardwood flooring,
which include solid flooring and Engineered flooring.
Solid wood flooring is considered a single piece of solid wood floor. The thickness of the wooden blocks will
depend on your choice, but in general, most homeowners choose three quarter inch thick pieces. Solid wood timber
flooring is ideal for installation on grade or above grade. This kind of hardwood timber flooring will frequently
need to be sanded down at some point in its lifetime and refinished, especially if any damage occurs to the wood itself.
Engineered hardwood flooring is different than solid hardwood timber flooring. In fact,
engineered wood is made from wood veneers. Typically, there are multiple types of wood used in make
the veneers and the grains inside the wood will run different ways to help provide stability.
The thickness of each piece will depend on your choice.
Prefinished vs unfinished
The next selection you will have in hardwood flooring type is whether or not
you want to have the hardwood finished or unfinished.Prefinished hardwood flooring has been finished ,sanded,
stained, and coated with polyurethane in a factory. All you need to do is install it and it is ready to walk.
Unfinished flooring is raw hardwood that must first be installed and then sanded and refinished on site.
How to refinish a hardwood floor?
Refinishing a hardwood floor is a great way to refresh the look of a property without having to
go to the trouble and expense of installing brand-new flooring. The procedure involves removing
the top layer of the covering material using a sander, which digs down past any scratches, stains, or
imperfections that might exist, leaving you with a fresh surface to be stained, painted, or treated
with whatever protective coating of yours choice.Read More
The first step in refinishing your hardwood timber floor is to sand away the wear and tear.
We need a walk behind floor sander for this. And to reach such as corners,doorways etc we need a
hand held sander.
Once the sanding process is completed, need to continue your hardwood refinishing process by
smoothing out the floor and using wood putty and a knife to fill in any spots created by nicks or gouges.
Follow the wood putty instructions to the letter. leave it dry according to the packaging instructions
and then gently sand the affected areas with sandpaper.
Then, after that’s completed, final step is the hardwood refinishing process: wipe down everything.
Wipe down walls, moldings to remove all dust and residue.
When you apply finish the floor must be dust free.
Final step in refinishing your hardwood floor is to decide on
the finish you’ll be using. There are numerous to choose from. Each has their own strengths and weaken
There are 3 types, such as Polyurethane, Varnish and Penetrating sealer.
Once it’s dried, buff the floor. Then vacuum and wipe with your tack cloth. Apply your
first coat of finish. Then, after 24 hours, apply the second coat. Then you will have successfully refinished your hardwood floor.
Prefinished hard wood flooring pos,cons
No matter what type of hardwood flooring you purchase, you are going to need it to be finished.
It is the only way to protect your floors from the punishment you will put it through on a daily basis.
The question you need to answer is whether to buy prefinished or unfinished hardwood flooring.
Prefinished floors are coated with a protective finish before they are shipped to your home. This is done in a setting that is perfectly acclimated for drying and curing. If you go the unfinished route your
flooring will be sent to you with no protective coating. After your floors are installed either you or your flooring professional will have to sand, stain and finish the floors.
No matter which finish you type you choose, you will have the option of sanding and refinishing should the need arise. Even prefinished floors can be refinished multiple times without damaging the floors.
Natural Oil Finish vs UV Oil Finish for Your Hardwood Floors
Choosing between natural oil finish vs UV oil finish on hardwood floors need an understanding of the procedures and benefits of each option.
- Basics of Natural Oil Finish for Wood Flooring-:Natural oil finishes are made from vegetable oils, and most do not
contain waxes or aromatic solvents. One of the main benefits of using an oil finish is penetration. Instead of coating the top
of the plank, oil soaks into the wood. Natural oil finish cures and hardens, forming a thin layer of protection from the inside.
This type of finish makes a matte look, making scratches and dents less visible. It’s easy to spot patch-up this type of finish,
as the new oil will simply blend in with the old over a short period of time. Unlike urethane coated hardwood, flooring finished
with natural oils continue to look their best for years. Using specially formulated soap to clean your oil-finished hardwood
actually helps to maintain the finish. With proper attention and maintenance, this style of floor lasts for a lifetime
ahardnd beyond. Natural oils must be applied at the jobsite, and allow your wood planks to breathe naturally.
This results in a more uniform look that’s pleasing to the eye and more comfortable to walk on.
- Is UV Oil Finish Better -:Natural oil finish hardwood brings a host of benefits and inspiring longevity.
What can UV oil finished wood floors bring to the table as an alternative? Both finishes offer a same look, although
UV oil can be done in a satin finish that suits many commercial applications. This low luster look helps to hide dents
and scratches more than any other type of finish, making it ideal for high traffic areas. A low gloss level of around 10
percent is difficult to achieve with other types of finish, and the thin finish is flexible, making it more difficult to
scratch or flake off. UV oil finish contains more solids than natural oil finishes, and does not contain solvents. Natural
oil is eco friendly. But using UV oil guarantees that VOC gases will not be introduced in your home. A relatively stable level
of humidity must be maintained with UV oil finishes. This could need the use of a dehumidifier or humidifier. Avoid wet mopping
both types of oil finish and use only soft brooms and approved products to clean the floor. Remember that plastic or rubber
backing on your area rugs will stain the finish. Taste plays a major role in the debate between natural oil finish vs UV oil
'' finish on your hardwood flooring. Do you prefer the satin sheen of UV oil, and can you live with the tighter restrictions
of this product? Or does the look and ease of natural oil finish make the most sense? Talk to your flooring retailer about the
options and bring home some samples to have a closer look.
What color hard wood flooring you choose for your home?
Your hardwood flooring is an asset, which should be looked at with the utmost precision.
Considering the various types of options, right from the type of wood, to the colours,
everything presents a series of options for you to choose from. Since there are a lot
of options, it can become very hard to choose the right color hardwood flooring for your
home. So below, we will go over some tips to help you choose the right colour for your home.
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The decoration of the house, including the furniture color is the main factor to making the
right choice. In order to make the room feel bigger and less cluttered, you should choose a
hardwood flooring color which will be in contrast to the wooden flooring color. Since the colors
will be in contrast, the room will look fully filled, and give the interiors a good layout.
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If you have a smaller room, which has limited natural lighting, it is wise to choose light
colored flooring, particularly if you have a dark colored wall theme within the room.It will
make room look bigger, and the floors will stand out in the contrasting range. Also, if you
have a room with light walls, then choose dark flooring, if you wish to create a modern and contemporary feel.
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For bigger rooms, you should go for deep hardwood timber flooring colors. This way, the essence of the
interiors will flow through the décor of the room, as the floors add a gentle charm to the interiors.
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Get the samples from a show rooms and use these samples and compare them with the
interiors at home. It will help you to select the best possible colors for your floors and
accordingly be in a position to renovate with the best selection of floor options. The better
the samples, the clearer would be the color coordination between the floors and the interiors.
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Hardwood flooring is likely to have dents and scratches, especially in high traffic areas.
Therefore it is best to choose natural color flooring in matt finish. The scratches and dents will
look like a part of the flooring, and no one will know the variance between the floors natural colors and the scratches.
- Can we install hardwood timber flooring if we have a dog or other indoor pets?
Many hardwood floors are installed in homes with pets, however, a pet's
claws may scratch the finish of the wood flooring. Also, pet damage to the flooring
is not warranted by the manufacturers in most circumstances. Keep the pet's claws trimmed
and clean up any messes immediately. It is best not to put the pet's food or water
bowl directly on the wood flooring.
- Is it safe to use hard flooring in a kitchen?
Use caution when installing hardwood flooring in a kitchen. A kitchen is disposed to to food and liquid spills
which can increase the wood's grain or permanently stain or damage a hardwood floor's finish. Be sure to wipe
up spills immediately with a dry, clean cloth.
- What is the most durable hardwood floor available?Most hardwood floors are treated with up
to 10 coats of an aluminum oxide finish. While this definitely helps the durability of the floor,
it is the hardness of the floor that will give the best indication of durability
