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Real Hardwood vs. Tile Hardwood Look-alike

There are various types of flooring, like authentic hardwood and look-alike tile and it can be hard choosing between them. They are both great options, but before considering either product, you should be informed of their pros and cons.

These are the advantages of real hardwood floors:

• Easy maintenance
• Long durability
• It’s comfortable

These are the disadvantages of real hardwood floors:

• Prone to scratches
• Very susceptible to water damage
• Can’t be installed in any area because of humidity

These are the advantages of hardwood tile flooring:

• Scratch proof
• Waterproof
• Can be installed in any area
• Nonallergenic
• Durable

These are the disadvantages of hardwood tile flooring:

• More expensive to replace
• Prone to cracks and chips
• Can be very slippery
• Can be uncomfortable

If you have any questions about this topic, feel free to contact us at (408) 509-8627 or (408) 333-9771.

Bamboo Flooring

A flooring option that many people don’t know of is bamboo flooring. Not much information is available for this product because of its lack of popularity. Bamboo is treelike grass most abundant in East and Southeast Asia. It has many positives, along with some drawbacks.

Its benefits

• Eco-friendly, Bamboo has great renewability resources.
• Durable, Several types of bamboo are extremely strong, strand woven bamboo can be manufactured to be even stronger than woods like red oak.
• Reasonable pricing, This product is very redundant and is no more than $9 per square foot.
• Low maintenance, To clean it, you have to sweep or vacuum it regularly, but you can also mop it, just not so frequently.

Its drawbacks

• Susceptible to scratches, If you have pet’s bamboo flooring would not be the best option.
• Water and humidity damage, Bamboo is resistant to moisture; however, excessive humidity can severely damage the flooring.
• Emission of VOCs, most bamboo floors have adhesives that emit VOCs; however, there are bamboo floors that emit low VOCs.

Dark Tone Hardwood Floors

Choosing the right color for your hardwood can be difficult; choosing between dark tone and light tones can be even more challenging sometimes. Before selecting a dark tone, here are some things you should consider:

The biggest issue with having dark hardwood floors is maintenance. Because of their color, scratches and dust can be easily spotted whereas, in light hardwoods, they’re not as easily seen. If you have pets or a busy home, opting for light hardwood would be the right choice. However, if you’re set on having dark wood, the best ways to clean it are hoovering, mopping, and dusting. You should hover it once a week and use a hardwood attachment to avoid scratches. When mopping, you should use a microfiber mop and a hardwood cleaner instead of water. Dusting is simple, and there are plenty of low-cost dusters out there.

It would help if you also avoided glossy finishes for darker hardwoods. The gloss will give the floor a more reflective look, which will only make dust and dirt more noticeable. Satin finishes are a more appropriate option for this type of color.

Another thing to note is that dark woods tend to make spaces look smaller, which is great for bigger areas but might not be so well for smaller spaces. To avoid this, you should consider painting your walls brighter colors and adding more lighting.

Regardless of higher maintenance, dark hardwood floors are a great option that’ll make your home much more stylish.

VOC's Dangers

Violate Organic Chemicals (VOC), are chemicals found in various products like paints, dry-cleaned clothes, air fresheners, moth repellants, glue and wood preservatives like wax and finishes. When it comes to cleaning your home, you want to make sure that you’re using safe products, especially if you have children or pets. Finding products with zero VOC can be tricky, but it’s not too difficult.

VOC can have several health risks, short and long term.
Some short term effects are:
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Visual disorders
• Eyes, nose, and throat irritation

Some long term effects are:
• Loss of coordination
• Damage to liver and kidneys
• Constant fatigue
• Cancer

VOCs are known to be used in the production of laminate, vinyl, and carpeting; however, there are laminate, vinyl, and carpeting options that emit low to zero VOCs.

Call us for more information on VOCs, it's relationship to flooring, and how you can avoid these health risks at (408) 509-8627- (408) 333-9771.