What Do “Lace-In” & “Header” Mean?

Sometimes a flooring installer may opt to do what is called a “lace in”, this is where a new wood floor is joined together with an existing wood floor to create a transition. A good time to use this technique is when extending an existing wood floor into a new area, or if you were replacing carpet with hardwood to match existing hardwood floors in your home. A “header” is related, it is the final piece of wood installed before a transition to another type of flooring, such as stone or tile. Knowing the terminology can save you a lot of time explaining what it is you’re envisioning when talking to a designer or contractor. There are also a number of other types of transitions as well, leaving room for endless design possibilities.

Tool Talk Tuesday 4

#tooltalktuesday Sometimes you can’t reinvent the wheel... in hardwood floors, that’s the corner scraper. I’ve tried many, and this is by far my favorite shape. I’ve been using this style since I was a kid, growing up, and learning to scrape corners. If you’re in the Portland, OR area, grab one from Greenpointe Inc. ! Be sure to also pick up a file and a few packs of blades. Don’t be afraid to change blades every few jobs or after a big job of scraping.

#westcoasthardwoodfloors #toolsofthetrade #craftsmen #woodflooring #tips #bonacertifiedcraftsman #familyownedandoperated #localbusiness

Hardwood Floors: Restoration vs. Replacement

Sometimes properties can come with vintage wood floors that have seen better days. However, there are some key signs that tell you whether or not your floors can be repaired, or if they’ll need replacing. If your floors have already been refinished multiple times, they may be close to the end of their lifespan. Or if you’ve had water damage, you should consider replacing your floors because other serious damage can occur if the moisture isn’t dealt with. Over time hardwood floors can become discolored from sunlight, this is a fix that can be achieved by refinishing. If you have creaky floors they’ll likely need replacing because the damage could be more severe under the floor surface. However, if the damage isn’t structural and is a small area, a replacement could be as simple as swapping out a couple of planks. The opportunity to keep the original floor if it’s vintage is really special, vintage wood floors have a lot of character and provide visual interest.

Tool Talk Tuesday: Jigsaws

Jigsaws make difficult cuts easier and safer. A company with a limited budget can make do without one. But If you decide to purchase one, you will save time on casing, angle, and multiple obstacle cuts.

#tips #westcoasthardwoodfloors #tooltalktuesday #jigsaw #construction #flooringinstallation #pdx #localbusiness #familyownedandoperated #bonacertifiedcraftsman

Tool Talk Tuesday: Oscillating Tool Blades

For #tooltalktuesday let’s talk oscillating tool blades! First my favorite brands are #milwaukee and #dremel. From the top down:

1. This is a Japanese sawtooth style blade. Very good for cutting hardwood and casings cleanly. Easily destroyed by metal!

2. Regular wood cutting blade, cosistent and durable rough cuts. Still quickly destroyed by metal.

3. Mixed used blade, still testing but so far I prefer straight up carbide.

4. Carbide blade, excellent for cutting metal whether it’s nails in casings, trim, wood with nails, etc. terrible for wood cuts.

#westcoasthardwoodfloors

#manufacturing #testing #steel #construction #tools #tipsandtricks

Choosing A Contractor With Confidence

Choosing A Contractor With Confidence

When it comes to choosing a flooring contractor there are several things you should know before coming to a final decision. Ultimately, your home may be your largest investment and making sure you love it is important, so here are some tips for choosing the right contractor for your flooring needs.

• Are they licensed? This will help you determine if they are reputable and knowledgeable in their field.

• Are they insured? This protects the client and the company if something goes wrong.

• Do they have good reviews? Check Angi’s List, Houzz, Facebook, Google and more to see what previous clients have to say about their experience.

• Do they have a portfolio? They say seeing is believing, so you definitely want to check out a copy of a company’s portfolio, website and social media photos to get an idea of the work they do.

• Dust containment systems. Make sure the contractor you choose uses effective dust containment methods to ensure a thorough cleanup and good air quality. 

• Are they up front about how long it will take? A good contractor will be honest about their availability and will help explain any downtime of your property.

Refinishing Your Floors: How Often & Why

The key to a long-lived wood floor is refinishing consistently. Based on the amount of traffic and use a hardwood floor sees you should plan to refinish every 5-10 years. This will help repair damage that occurs to the floor through daily use and provide a deep clean of the floors. Additionally, you have the option to re-stain your floors when refinishing. Allowing it to be a cost effective option, especially if you decide you want to change your floor color without fully replacing the floors. Refinishing can give new life to old and damaged hardwood floors, allowing for you to keep and maintain vintage hardwood floors. Whether you had your home built in the last few years or it’s from 1900, refinishing your floors can make them seem brand new again. Check out our gallery here to see how refinishing your floors can make your home look!

https://westcoasthf.com/gallery

Caring For Your LVP Floors

LVP is a beautiful and durable choice for flooring. By taking the steps to maintain your LVP floors properly you can ensure many years of use. These 7 tips will help keep your LVP floors looking great for years to come!

1. Use a soft bristle broom for cleaning up loose dirt

2. Use a slightly damp mop for daily tidying

3. Do not use a steam mop on LVP floors as it can cause them to delaminate

4. Avoid oils, dish soaps, and floor waxes because they will leave residue

5. Place felt floor protectors on furniture to minimize scratching

6. Clean up any spills right when they happen to avoid damage to the floors

7. Avoid using a vacuum with a beater bar

Cleaning Hardwood Floors Do's & Don'ts

- Do use a microfiber mop or cloth to dust your floors weekly to clean dust and other allergens

- Do use vacuums and wet mops for hard to reach areas

- Don’t use excess water with a wet mop, using a natural hardwood floor cleaner is ideal, we recommend

- Do screen and re-coat every 1-2 years for maintenance

- Don't polish or wax your floor, these can leave residue and will prevent you from re-coating

- Don’t use vinegar or a soap based mix for mopping your floors, it can dull the finish and leave behind residue

-Do refinish your floors every 5-10 years to repair damage and get a deep clean

#floorcare #hardwoodfloors #springcleaningtips #westcoasthardwoodfloors #homecleaning

Top 5 Benefits Of Hardwood Flooring

1. Durability, it is incredibly long lasting when properly maintained.

2. Hardwood floors are easy to clean. They can be swept or vacuumed.

3. Add value to your home. In the long run home improvement projects, like installing hardwood floors, can greatly increase the value of your home if you are looking to sell.

4. Hardwood floors can also improve the air quality in your home because they don’t trap dust and pet dander like carpet.

5. You can always opt to refinish your hardwood floors if you want to change the color rather than opting to fully replace your floors, making them a cost effective choice if you like to change your aesthetic frequently.

#woodflooring #homebuild #interiordesign #construction #homeimprovementprojects #renovation

What Is Hardwood Floor Refinishing?

If you have hardwood floors and you’re thinking you want to change the color or replace them because they’re showing their age, consider refinishing your floors instead. This wallet friendly option can be great for those wanting to make their vintage floors look new, or for a simple color change. It’s a relatively simple process: starting by sanding the top layer off and then applying a fresh coat of stain and a top coat of finish to the existing hardwood floor. Refinishing your hardwood floors can make your entire home look brand new and is a simple, effective way to add value to your home without breaking the bank.

#blogposts #westcoasthardwoodfloors #flooringinstallation #hardwoodfloorrefinishing #renovation #design