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Hardwood Flooring Hardwood Maintenance Under-Floor Heating

Fireplaces and Hardwood Flooring: How to Protect Your Investment

Hardwood flooring looks beautiful in many homes, but, being wooden, it is also susceptible to damage. One particular concern is fireplaces that are near hardwood flooring or in contact with it; not only does this represent a potential fire hazard, but sparks and bits of burning wood can also scorch and damage your hardwood floors. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to replace your flooring if it’s near a fireplace. Here are a few tips to help you protect the investment that your hardwood floors represent.1. Purchase a Hearth Extension

1. Purchase a Hearth Extension

Hearth extensions do exactly what the name suggests: they are placed outside the fireplace and act as an extension of the hearth, specifically to protect flooring from scorching and fire damage. They are often made of slate, brick, or stone, but you can also use hearth extension pads made of other non-combustible materials. Some homeowners choose to create a raised section of the floor with a surface of brick or stone, which can work for either traditional fireplaces or wood stoves.

2. Have a Working Grate or Cover

Another essential to protect your floors from fire damage is to have some grate or another cover for all fireplaces. The type depends on the specifications of your hearth, but it should, of course, be non-flammable. Also, although it must have openings to allow smoke to filter through, they should be small enough to prevent sparks or burning wood from falling through; otherwise you risk damage to your wood floors.

3. Don’t Overuse Fireplaces

While the material used to build fireplaces is of course designed to withstand heat, overusing fireplaces or over-building fires risks damaging the structure, which could cause damage to your flooring in the long run. Don’t keep a fire going for excessive periods of time, as extreme heat can melt even metal. Overfeeding your fire is of particular concern with a wood stove, as their enclosures are often smaller.

4. Only Burn Wood

Whether you use traditional fireplaces or a wood stove, burning only wood is another way to protect your floors. Other flammable materials, such as paper and plant matter, may cause fires to burn hotter and cause damage to your hearth over time; these more frequently send out sparks or potentially hazardous scraps. And, of course, never use grease, oil, lighter fluid or other highly combustible substances to start a fire, as this can present a danger to both you and your floors.

As long as you take precautions and follow these crucial pieces of advice, it’s possible to have beautiful hardwood floors in the same room as a fireplace. Make sure that if the wooden flooring is near any fireplaces or wood-burning stoves, you have a hearth mat or other type of barrier made of non-flammable materials. In addition, always start and maintain fires responsibly, burning only wood and never leaving a fire going for excessive periods of time.

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Hardwood Flooring

Should You Install Your Own Hardwood Floors?

Deciding which type of wood flooring to put in your home can be difficult today, especially with all of the available choices, styles, finishes and colors to choose from. However, once you’ve tackled the dilemma of which type of wood flooring to purchase, you’re now faced with another major decision of whether you should install your own hardwood floors or hire a professional.

While certain floors can be fairly easy to install, often people watch online videos demonstrating the ease of doing it yourself without considering other factors involved before diving into the process.

Research

First you should do some of your own research and gain as much knowledge about the process as you can to make it easier on yourself. Know the type of flooring you will be installing. Is it a solid or engineered wood? Will you nail, staple or glue it down or will it be a floating installation? Take time in researching and planning. Consider getting advice and tips from a knowledgeable salesperson at MacDonald Hardwoods when you purchase your flooring. The expert staff provides training classes free of charge for customers. They are also available to answer your questions and address your concerns.

Cost

Consider all of the costs involved in doing the project yourself and the possibility of having to purchase additional tools that you may never use again. Installation of hardwood flooring will require you to have certain specialized tools such as a circular saw to do the cutting so make a list of the tools needed and the cost involved in purchasing them. Depending on the type of wood flooring you are installing you may need such things as a nail gun, rubber mallet, miter saw, trowel for the adhesive, and nails or staples. You also might want to think about how comfortable you are with handling and using these tools. For some, time is money. Think about the time it will take for you to install it compare to hiring a professional contractor.

Subfloor Preparation

Consider the existing flooring. Will you be removing tile, carpet, vinyl, or any other existing flooring? Is your existing subfloor ready for hardwood? Is the floor squeaky? Consider the type and condition of your subfloor and whether or not it may need leveling or preparation prior to the installation of your new wood floors. Proper preparation is the key to a successful installation. Look at the overall shape of the room and whether the walls are perfectly square and where adjustments may have to be made. Carefully plan your room layout to avoid cutting small unsightly wedge-shaped pieces.

Sometimes the money you think you may save may not be worth the hassle. Once you have considered all of these factors, the ultimate decision is yours. Whether you are considering installing your wood floor yourself or hiring a professional, the experienced staff at MacDonald

Hardwoods can assist you by hiring expert installers for you or teaching you how to install your solid hardwood or engineered hardwood flooring yourself (including equipment rental). Still undecided? Come down to the MacDonald Hardwoods showroom. The expert staff will help you understand what is involved for your floor and recommend the best course of action.

Categories
Hardwood Flooring Hardwood Maintenance

This is What to Do Before You Install Hardwood Floors

Genuine wood is a hard-wearing and aesthetically appealing flooring choice for virtually any room. It features a high-quality appearance and is both attractive and durable. Hardwood also adds warmth and beauty to any room. Fortunately, if you are handy with do-it-yourself projects, you can install your hardwood floor. Below are some tips to help ensure your project is a success:

Gather the Proper Tools

You should collect the proper tools to prepare for the installation of a hardwood floor, and these include the following :

  • Plastic Wedges
  • Pry Bar
  • Knocking Block
  • Ratchet Floor Clamp

Once you have your primary tools in place and have selected a floor, you should prepare the room for the installation.

Eliminate Dust

Although it may seem like a minor issue, dust is a problem (unless, of course, you’re a fan of doing extra cleaning once your project is complete). The best way to contain dust is to seal off the room by covering the doorway with plastic and masking tape. You can also opt for plastic curtains or something referred to as a ”ZipWall” to ensure you contain any sanding dust.

Remove Doors

It is virtually impossible to correctly install a hardwood floor without removing any doors that lead in or out of the room. Carefully remove them and stack each entry under a separate blanket to avoid scratches. Take the doors to an entirely different area of the home, rather than trying to move them from one end of the room to the other during the installation process.

Remove Baseboards

Because the flooring should be placed under baseboards for best possible results, you should remove them and then reinstall them after you lay the flooring. Although it may seem more comfortable to allow them to stay in place, you will likely regret taking this shortcut after the fact.

As long as you are already changing the floor, you may even decide to install new baseboards, unless your current ones are unique in some way, which is probably not the case. Baseboards can also be cut with special saws and flooring inserted underneath, but attempting this as an unskilled worker is not a good idea.

Additional Preparation Tips

Do not lay wood tiles in areas where high humidity is expected, such as the bathroom, laundry room, or kitchens. Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the highest level of moisture your floor materials can withstand. Learn more about humidity for wood floors.

Make Sure Your Subfloor is Stable

Wood should only be laid on subfloors that are stable and in excellent condition. If you think your subfloor needs work, or you suspect issues such as slab leaks, foundation abnormalities or other problems, seek the advice of a professional or you may live to regret the fact that you continued with the project, despite evidence of such issues. Jim Oursler of Granite Foundation Repair in Plano says:

“There are several reasons why your home’s foundation may crack. Common reasons include settling, poor drainage, and unstable soils. In the U.S., about 60 percent of houses are constructed on clay soil. Out of these, about 60 percent experience foundation issues.”

Although the tips above are beneficial for do-it-yourselfers, there are certain times professionals should install hardwood floors. If you are unsure that you have the skills to complete the project successfully, do not take chances with your home. Instead, hire skilled workers to ensure that the job gets done right. Whichever option you choose, the installation of a new hardwood floor is sure to add beauty and value to your home.

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