Flooring

A hardwood floor with a beautiful stain and finish.

January 24 2022

Wood Floor Stain Colors for 2022

Published January 24, 2022

Hardwood floorings continue to be a trend in the world of interior design. Everybody loves a good interior design that is neutral and warm yet modern. You can consider a lot of things when choosing the design of your hardwood floor, from the different floor stain colors to the material and texture of the wood.

If you are designing your home interior, your office, or such, you may be having a hard time choosing the perfect floor stain color that goes well with your overall interior design. This article will list down the top hardwood floor stain colors for 2022 to help you get to see what color is most suitable for you.

Best Hardwood Floor Stain Colors

Dark and Cool Tones

Dark tones are a great way to make your interior design look more sophisticated and classy. You can never go wrong with black items of clothing and accessories in fashion, and the same goes for interior design. Dark floors are for those who prefer to have a more modern and rich design that screams first-class.

Generally speaking, more people prefer hardwood floor stain colors that are dark and cool. If you are one of these people, the stain colors you might want to try out the colors True Black, Ebony, or Dark Walnut. A dark stained hardwood floor is perfect because it is not too dark that your interior’s whole aura is almost uninviting, but just the right amount of dark that makes the room look put together.

Gray Tones

Gray hardwood floor stains are slowly catching up to the dark and cool tones regarding trends in style. As the years pass, people have come up with blends that make grey tones appear less dull, not that it actually is dull. People often use grey-toned floor stains to give off a reinvented version of white-washed tones.

Gray and whitewash floor stain colors are now considered the “trendy” colors of interior design. For hardwood stain colors with gray tones, you may want to decorate your room with white oak themes or lighter-colored furniture.

Light and Muted Tones

If you are not too big a fan of dark themes, then light and muted tones are for you. Lighter floor stain colors are perfect for those who want their rooms to be brighter and more alive. Bona Traffic HD is one of the most well-known products for staining light-colored hardwood floors.

Lighter floor stains are more natural to look at, which adds more comfort to the room. While Bona Traffic is better for the environment than other floor staining products, it is more expensive than the rest. Nonetheless, the final output of getting light-toned hardwood floor stains is sure to leave customers satisfied.

For some people, designing the perfect room may seem as simple as picking furniture and deciding on a wall color, but in reality, it is not. Interior designers, or even ordinary people who are redecorating their homes, offices, etc., usually have a hard time when it comes to finding the perfect wall color, types of furniture, lighting systems, and hardwood floor stain colors. A small detail in your design can make a big difference.

If you end up choosing the wrong wall color or a floor stain color that doesn’t match the end of the room, you may end up regretting it, so be sure to choose wisely or get the opinion of an interior design expert. That way, you are sure to have the best design and colors in your room, and you won’t have to worry about mismatches.

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Here at Vintage & Specialty Wood we take quality seriously. So when it comes to timber framing or selling and installing reclaimed wood we don’t cut corners. Contact our team today to speak to a timber expert about what Vintage & Specialty Wood can do for your next project.

Krizzia Reyes is an author for Vintage & Specialty Wood.

About The Author

As a professional writer at many renowned websites Krizzia Paolyn has covered a wide range of topics in many industries. Her knack for uncovering important truths and conducting thorough research on each topic she writes about has helped thousands of people across the world.

November 15 2021

Why You Should Get a Floating Floor

Publisher Flooring 0

Published Nov 15, 2021

Floating floors are becoming a popular feature in many homes nowadays. And it’s easy to see why.

Aside from their aesthetics, floating floors are also cheaper and much faster to install or remove. Even amateur DIYers can install them. Not to mention that it’s a lot more beneficial for the environment.

Because of its popularity, you might be considering getting a floating floor for your home. But should you?

To help you decide, we answer some of the questions you may have about floating floors.

What is a Floating Floor?

For starters, a floating floor is a method of installing a floor and not a specific type of flooring. This means that any type of material can make a floating floor, not just wood. In this type of floor installation, planks and boards are not attached to the subfloor. Instead, the floor planks “float” above the subfloor and are held in place through a lock-and-snap mechanism.

In a traditional floor installation, the boards and planks are usually nailed or glued to the layers of the floor below. This makes them permanently attached to the ground until the floor is removed or replaced.

But a floating flooring installation uses no nails or adhesives. The planks just fit tightly together with interlocking grooves or rivets – like pieces of a high-tech jigsaw puzzle.

Most floating floors also have a glass fiber or cork layer with neoprene pads installed underneath them for soundproofing. This is why, aside from residential spaces, floating floors are also typically used in studios, movie theaters, and the like.

Advantages of a Floating Floor

There’s a reason why floating floors are gaining popularity – several reasons, actually. Here are some of the reasons why people prefer floating floors over traditional ones:

Easier Installation and Removal

One of the main advantages a floating floor has over non-floating floors is the ease of installation. Since they don’t require nails or adhesives, even non-professional builders and DIYers can install them.

The installation process doesn’t take that much time too. An average-sized bedroom should take no more than a whole afternoon.

And because they’re not permanently attached to the layers of flooring under them, they’re also easier to remove. Basically, you’ll only have to pry the boards and planks apart then remove the underlayment to expose the subfloor. Anyone with basic skills and tools should be able to do it.

Budget-friendly

A traditional or solid wood flooring installation is quite expensive. Plus, installing it can be a daunting task, so you’ll probably end up hiring a flooring installer.

Whereas in a floating floor installation, the materials used are way cheaper. Also, you can install it yourself reducing the need for paid labor.

Eco-friendly

Most people, especially environmentalists, love the idea of a floating floor simply because it uses less wood. This makes it more eco-friendly than traditional floor installations.

Resistant to Weather Changes

One problem that most homeowners have is the buckling of wood floors. Buckling happens when there is too much moisture in the room, causing the wood to buckle. This occurs more often in areas with humid weather.

Most floating floors, however, are built with a hard backing making them non-permeable. This means that moisture cannot enter the floor planks themselves. Instead, they pass through the joints making your floor more resistant to weather changes.

The Problem with Floating Floors

Though floating floor has a lot of advantages, it has disadvantages too. Here are some of them:

1. It Needs a Good Solid Subfloor

One major floating floor disadvantage is the need for a good subfloor. If you’re not familiar with the term, a subfloor is the layer of the floor underneath your floating floor. If you are to view the layers of a floating floor from the top down, it would have the wood planks at the top, then the air and underlayment at the middle, and the subfloor at the bottom.

In essence, it’s the subfloor that’s holding down the weight of your entire floor. Though all type of flooring needs a subfloor, floating floors will need a good solid one. That’s because some floating floors are relatively thin and rely on the subfloor for rigidity. If you have a shoddy subfloor, it won’t be able to hold the floating floor properly.

2. It Can Be Noisy

Yes, I’ve said above that floating floors are typically installed in studios and movie theaters because of their soundproofing property. BUT, that’s only the case if you have a thick underlayment installed. The underlayment is a neoprene pad, glass fiber, or cork installed in between the subfloor and floating floor. It absorbs the vibrations made by the floating floor thus reducing the noise.

A beautiful living room with a floating floor.

But without an underlayment, a floating floor can be noisy. In a traditional floor installation, the top floor is glued or nailed to the subfloor. So when someone walks on it, there won’t be much vibrations. But with floating floor installations, there’s a hollow space in between the top and subfloor. This is why some buyers complain of hearing a “hollow sound” from their floating floors.

This isn’t much of a concern though. Installing an underlayment can easily solve this. Besides, most floating floor planks nowadays already have built-in underlayment.

3. It May Offer Less Resale Value

Most people believe that a floating floor may bring down the resale value of your property. While this isn’t always the case, it still boils down to the overall design and the quality of materials used. If your subfloor is uneven and your floating floor planks are thin, it may not feel that sturdy. And as we all know, floor quality can affect the value of a property.

4. You May Need to Replace The Planks More Often

Since the floor planks aren’t attached to the subfloor, they’re more prone to showing wear and tear than a traditional floor installation. But then again, this still depends on your flooring material. A thick hardwood floating floor may last longer and won’t need periodic replacement.

Common Types of Floating Floors

As mentioned above, any kind of material can be installed as a floating floor. But for this post, we’ll look at some of the most common ones:

Hardwood Floors

Most people associate floating floors with hardwood floors. But a hardwood floating floor is actually hard to find as there aren’t a lot of hardwood floating floor manufacturers out there. Besides, floating a hardwood floor can be a bad idea if you’re living in an area with very high humidity. Compared to engineered wood and laminates, hardwood floors are much more prone to warping. This is even more so if you install them as floating floors. Moisture can get trapped in those hollow spaces underneath the floorboards which can cause warping in your hardwood floor.

Engineered wood floors

Engineered wood is one of the most common hardwood floating floor alternatives. Aside from being relatively cheaper than hardwood floors, they’re also less prone to warping. Where hardwood floor planks are made from a single wood, engineered floor planks are made with layers of solid wood glued tightly together. This prevents the moisture from seeping into the wood preventing it from warping.

Laminate flooring

Also dubbed as fake wood flooring, laminates aren’t really made of wood. But they make a great alternative to solid wood floors.

If you didn’t know, laminate flooring is a type of composite flooring made of fiberboard or plywood, aluminum oxide, and topped with a thin layer of real wood. Because of this multi-layer construction, laminate flooring is highly durable. Like engineered wood, it can withstand high moisture and humidity making it ideal for floating floor installations.

Vinyl Flooring

Like laminates, a luxury vinyl plank also has a multi-layer construction. But instead of many different types of materials, a vinyl plank is made mostly of, well, vinyl. This makes them virtually waterproof and ideal for floating floor installations.

Cost of Floating Floors

The cost of installing a floating floor usually depends on the materials used and the size of the space you’re putting the floor in.

Solid hardwood floorboards can cost anywhere from $10 to $15 per square foot. This makes it one of the most expensive types of flooring materials. Engineered wood floors, on the other hand, cost between $5 to $10. While luxury vinyl costs around $7. The cheapest type of floating floorboard is laminate at $5.50 per square foot depending on the thickness and finish.

Repair and Maintenance

Caring for and maintaining a floating floor depends on the type of material used. If you’re using laminate products or luxury vinyl, a damp mop will usually suffice. But with hardwood and engineered floors, a damp anything is an absolute no-no – unless your floorboards have a protective finish of some sort.

The good thing about floating floors is they’re very easy to repair because the planks can be easily removed. You don’t have to worry about expensive repair fees.

How Long Do Floating Floors Last?

There are a lots of factors that can affect the lifespan of your floating floor such as:

the material used
the amount of everyday wear and tear
environmental conditions
the underlayment (if any)
the subfloor

A floating floor with great materials, structure, and properly cared for may last anywhere from 40 to 80 years or even more. If you’re using thin and low-quality floorboard planks, expect a shorter floor lifespan. And if the floor is located in a high-traffic area, it’s obviously going to show signs of wear and tear a lot sooner.

As you can see, you can benefit a lot from using floating floors. However, it is still best to seek advice from a professional to see if floating floors best suit your home.

If you need assistance in choosing which type of floor you should use, we’re more than happy to help you. We offer the best vintage and specialty woods and timbers personally inspected by our team of experts who can also provide unbeatable craftsmanship skills for your intricate wood projects. Browse our gallery of past projects to know more about the work that we do or contact us to get a free consultation.

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Judy Ponio writer for Vintage & Specialty Wood

About The Author

Judy Ponio is an avid fan of interior design and wood work. Her experience in carpentry and homes design has led her to becoming a writer for Vintage & Specialty Wood. Take a look at more of her posts on our blog.

July 11 2021

What NOT To Do When Bleaching Wood Floors

Seo Team Flooring 0

Published July 11, 2021

Wooden floors look nice when they’re new. But over the years, all kinds of stuff gets poured onto your floor – from water to cola and even urine. This causes dark and unsightly stains to tamper with what once was pristine wood. Hence, the need for bleaching.

In general, bleaching wood floors are easy to DIY. And in case you’re wondering, yes, it’s safe to apply bleach on wood. Unless it’s exotic wood like Brazilian cherry and mahogany. However, you’ll be working with harsh chemicals like oxalic acid and chlorine. If you’re not careful, you could end up with burns and scalds. So if you’re planning to bleach your wooden floor, here are some cautionary advice for you:

1. Don’t Forget to Remove Protective Sealants

To effectively bleach any wooden structure, the bleach must penetrate the wood. But if there are still protective sealants left on the wood’s surface, you’ll just be wasting money. The sealant prevents the bleach from reaching the wood’s surface. So no matter how many times you apply that bleach, it won’t work.

Depending on what kind of sealant is protecting the wood, you can sand it or apply some thinner or chemical stripper. If you’re sanding the wood, don’t forget to clean it thoroughly after.

Just a little disclaimer though. If you’re working with antique wood, you’ll probably want to think this through. Removing protective sealants from vintage woods usually causes a decline in their value.

Also, if you’re working with engineered hardwood, make sure the veneer is thick enough to be sanded. Otherwise, you’ll risk destroying your floor.

2. Don’t Forget To Do Some Research

Removing stains from wood may require a different process than if you’re trying to lighten or darken your wooden floor. Plus, each type of stain needs different types of bleaching agents. If you’re trying to get rid of water damage and common stains like tea or juices, your regular household bleach should do the trick. But you may need to use harsher chemicals like oxalic acid if you’re trying to get rid of stubborn iron or urine stains. Oxalic acid is also good for removing hardwood floor stains.

Achieving a specific color also requires different sets of chemicals. For instance, you can use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) if you want to change the natural color of the wood. But if you’re trying to adjust the stain color, you may need to use dilute sodium hypochlorite or just plain chlorine bleach.

Whatever stain you’re trying to get rid of or whatever color you want to achieve, make sure to do some research first. Chemical bleaches can be expensive and you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars only to find out it’s not what you need.

3. Don’t Apply The Bleach Without Testing It First

Woods react differently to different kinds of bleaching agents. To make sure it won’t damage the wood, test the bleaching product on a small area of your floor first. The area must be hidden but easily accessible such as:

under your floor transition strip
under a base floor board
under wall-to-wall carpeting attached by tack strips
under any floating floor that covers the wood flooring

4. Don’t Apply Too Much Bleach

Go easy on the bleach. You don’t have to put it in all at once. It’s just like putting paint. You don’t put all the paint at once. You apply it layer by layer until you achieve your desired results.

5. Avoid Touching Bleaching Agents With Bare Skin

This goes without saying and pretty much just common sense. Bleaching agents can be hazardous for your skin. So always make sure that you’re wearing proper protective gear when you’re working with it.

A picture of wood floors before it was bleached

6. Don’t Pour the Bleaching Solution Directly Onto the Floor

As mentioned, applying a bleaching product is pretty much like applying paint. You put it layer by layer so pouring bleach directly onto your floor is a big no-no. Instead, just get some paintbrush or a soft rag and apply a small amount of bleach onto the wood. Then slowly work your way around the entire area that needs bleaching.

7. Don’t Forget to Neutralize the Bleaching Agent

This is an important step that you should never ever skip.

Neutralizing the bleaching agent in between treatments and after the last application helps get rid of any lingering bleach that may react with any sealant that you’ll apply to the wood. Just wipe it down with a 50-50 solution of water and white vinegar and wait for the wood to dry before applying any sealant.

8. Don’t Use a Metal Container to Hold The Bleach

Bleach can damage metal. So instead of a pewter or copper bowl, use ceramic or glass to hold the bleach.

9. Don’t Work In a Poorly-Ventilated Space

Some bleaching agents release toxic fumes that can damage not just your skin but some of your internal organs too. So when bleaching your hardwood floor, make sure to open all doors and windows. When there’s none, make sure there’s exhaust ventilation somewhere in the room.

10. Don’t Mix Bleach Ahead of Time

Once the bleach is mixed, the bleaching agent is activated. You are now in a race against time before it dissipates altogether. So don’t mix your bleach in advance if you don’t want your money to go down the drain.

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May 30 2021

Easy Ways to Dog-proof Your Hardwood Floor

Publisher Flooring 0

Published May 30th, 2021

When it comes to flooring options for home, hardwood floors are an excellent choice. But if you’re a fur parent, you’re probably worried about how suitable a hard floor would be.

In that, you’re not alone. Given their tendency to scratch surfaces, many people think that having a dog means giving up on the hardwood floor of your dreams and vice-versa.

Of course, you wouldn’t want to give up your pet so that you can have that hardwood floor that you’ve always wanted. Though it’s impossible to prevent scratches altogether, there are plenty of ways to minimize them.

Here are some tips on how to dog-proof your hardwood floor:

1. Opt For A Distressed Or Hand-Scraped Hardwoods

Textured hardwood has a rough and rustic look. This is the perfect camouflage for dents and scratches making them less visible.

2. Apply A Surface Finish

Hardwood finish is a topcoat used in hardwood floorings to protect it from everyday wear and tear. A more robust finish like a waterborne finish provides a better bond that is harder to scratch or wears through. It may be a little expensive compared to other types of finishes, but it will save you more money in the long run by not having to recoat more often.

3. Opt For A Lower Sheen Finish

A lower sheen hardwood finish is much better than a glossy finish, which only magnifies the marks. A lower sheen finish, however, does not eliminate dents and scratches from dog claws. But it can make scratch marks less noticeable. Matte wood varnish and penetrating oils do a great job of achieving that natural, low-sheen finish.

4. Apply More Coats Of Finish

Applying finishes on your hardwood means the dents and scratch will happen in the finish, not in the wood itself. The more coats you put in the wood, the less damage it will get from dog scratches.

5. Put Some Rugs And Carpet

Place some mats or runners in hallways or in places where your pets stay the most. Putting rugs in front of entrance ways and dog doors also helps in minimizing scratches and dents on the hardwood floor. Placing a rug underneath your dog’s water bowl helps keep spilled water from soaking your floor too.

6. Keep Your Pet’s Toenails Clipped Or Apply Nail Caps

Applying nail caps or regularly clipping your pet’s claws will help in preventing nail scratches on your hardwood floors.

7. Choose Engineered Wood Over Solid Wood Planks

Apart from being a lot cheaper, engineered woods are also more resistant to moisture than solid woods. That’s because engineered hardwood only uses solid wood on the top layer. The bottom part is laminated wood which uses synthetic resins as adhesives. This prevents moisture from seeping into the wood.

8. Go For Strong-Grained Woods

Like textured woods, strong-grained ones also do a great job at hiding dents and scratches. Their prominent lines and graining patterns make those abrasions less noticeable. Some of the most popular strong-grained wood species are hickory, red oak, and ash.

9. Consider Doggie Booties

Doggie booties don’t really work for some breeds as keeping them on can be a challenge. But for calmer breeds, they’ll make a good alternative to nail caps and constant nail trimming.

10. Choose Factory-Finished Woods

Factory-finished woods are infused with layers of aluminum oxide urethane finish. If you’re not familiar, it’s a naturally occurring element typically used as an abrasive in sandpaper. When used as a wood finish, it improves the wood’s hardness and lends it abrasion-resisting qualities.

11. Invest in Woods With High Janka Rating

The Janka test measures the relative hardness of the wood. In general, hardwoods with a high Janka rating are more resistant to scratches and dents. Some of the woods topping the Janka scale are teak, tigerwood, chestnut, cherry, white oak, and Brazilian walnut.

12. Opt for Light-Colored Woods

Scratches and dents aren’t that obvious on light-colored wood surfaces. Plus, they’re a great way to hide your dog’s hair, minimizing the need to clean your room every now and then.

13. Train Your Pet

Training your dog to keep off the hardwood floor is also a good way to reduce dents and scratches. But this only usually works for calmer breeds like poodles and golden retrievers. If you have a stubborn breed like a bulldog or basset hound, they’ve probably scratched the entire floor surface already before you can complete the training.

14. Avoid Soft Types of Wood

This one is pretty obvious. Softwood floorings are an absolute no-no if you have fur babies at home. Examples of softwoods you should avoid are American cherry, American walnut, fir, and cedar among others.

15. Clean Up Pet Urine and Other Liquids Immediately

Changing moisture levels can cause woods to shrink or expand. Unfortunately, some dogs just can’t be stopped from urinating on the floor. So clean up your pet’s urine or any other liquids spilled on your floor before they can seep into the wood and cause it to warp.

16. Set-Up Dog Gates

If you haven’t yet installed a dog gate at home, maybe it’s time to get one. It not only prevents your dog from destroying your furniture but also keeps them from setting foot on your hardwood floor.

17. Keep a Touch-up Kit Handy

As the name suggests, wood touch-up kits are excellent for quick repairs. Also known as wood repair markers, they hide scratches and discolorations on the wood’s surface by drawing over them. These pen-shaped tools also come in different colors to suit different types of floor finish.

18. Manage Your Expectations

Scratches, stains, and discolorations are part of the struggles of having a wood flooring. It’s just the nature of wood. You can put in place preventive measures but there’s no way to completely avoid it. Even if you have no dogs, your floor can still get scratched. It’s important to keep this in mind so you can manage your expectations when it comes to taking care of your hardwood floors.

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A beautiful hardwood floor in a new apartment.

April 13 2021

How to Choose the Best Wood Plank Flooring For Your Home

Publisher Flooring 0

Published April 12th, 2021

Interior design is not just about the furniture, colors of the walls, lighting plan, and space. Regardless of what size a room is, choosing the right flooring can significantly impact how the whole room will look. Some designs offer a more homey and comfortable feel to people, while others provide an aura that is more professional or classy.

The flooring design of a room can determine how large the room will look, how neat it will be, and how well it will go with the whole room’s theme. Some people will choose a neutral color for their floor design and move on without checking how well it blends into the room. This article will discuss selecting the best wood plank flooring for the space you will be designing.

Choosing the Best Flooring

How can you tell which wood plank flooring is the most suitable for you? Wood planks can come in various sizes and designs. It is up to you to decide which type of wood plank you will use to design your room floor. You may choose a wide plank with a particular pattern or a narrow plank that is more simple and neutral. Either way, there are several kinds to choose from, so make sure you pick the right one that matches your room well.

To do so, you will have to consider different factors such as the room’s size, the theme and color, the aura you want to achieve from walking into the room, and such. Others will go as far as matching the floors to the furniture in the room, but that is up to you. The more you think about these factors, the easier it will be for you to create a floor design that compliments your room well.

A beautiful farmhouse sink in a blue stone kitchen.

Wood Plank Flooring: Small Rooms

Smaller rooms are one of the most challenging rooms to design as you do not have enough space to fit in multiple ideas. Wood planks with a width of 6” to 8”, and nothing more, are the ideal size wood planks for smaller rooms as it keeps the room proportioned. A 10” wide floor plank can be too much for a room with little space. You may want to consider a wood plank that is lighter in color to maintain the room’s appearance if you do decide to go with a wider plank.

Wood Plank Flooring: Large Rooms

Larger rooms are much easier to dress as you have more space to deal with. One trick in making the room appear even more extensive than it already is is by installing planks parallel to the side that is longer. Placing plank parallel to the longer side of the room’s walls gives the room more dimension. When choosing a floor plank with a wide width, you can either have all the floor planks be the same size or install different varieties of sizes to be more creative.

Wood Plank Flooring: Narrow/Long Rooms

The secret to creating narrow and long tooms is to lay the wood planks perpendicular to the longer side of the room’s walls. The wood planks’ vertical positioning gives the impression of a more spacious room area and pushes the walls outwards.

In designing a room, you have to consider several parts and aspects before achieving the perfect look. Trying to make a room look bigger can be difficult, especially for smaller spaces. Choosing the best wood plank flooring that best suits your style and theme is not as easy as choosing which colors match the furniture best. You want to be careful in choosing your floor design as it is vital in making the room more pleasing to look at.

Whatever floor design you decide to follow can make your room more or less attractive, so do not take the decision too lightly. If you find that it is too hard to decide on your own, you can always ask for a professional interior designer’s help. Interior designers know what makes a room ten times more attractive than it is by changing the littlest details, so do not be afraid to rely on their opinion about such matters.

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A picture of a man choosing the best materials for his basement flooring project

December 28 2020

5 Of The Best Materials For Basement Flooring

Seo Team Flooring 0

Published Dec 28, 2020

Basements are a fantastic option for those looking to expand their living spaces. Many homes in the United States have basements suitable to live in, but they are still essentially basements. Basements are notoriously known to be dark, damp, cold spaces where flooding can be a nagging problem. Converting that barren below-grade area into a livable space will entail different considerations, one of which is flooring.

Flooring is a central factor that affects the overall look and feel of a basement. However, not just any material will do. You will need to carefully select the flooring based on the space you currently have and what you want it to be in the future. In this article, we will talk about basement flooring and how to select the right one for you.

How to select basement flooring?

Before selecting basement flooring, you will want to consider what kind of basement you want. Will it become a family room? Will you convert it into a home gym? Will it be a man cave? Will it become an office space? Are you planning to use it merely as storage? These are some questions you ought to consider to help you define what’s important to you in your basement.

Furthermore, you don’t always have to select only one material for flooring. You could segment your basement into several different parts for different purposes, and you may want to use different flooring for each of them.

These are the important factors to consider when selecting basement flooring:

Softness
Floor warmth
Basement dampness or moistness
The likeliness of water intrusion or flooding
Sub-flooring
Levelness of flooring
Budget

Like most things, some flooring options will fair better in one environment and be completely unsuitable for another. How it fairs will definitely depend on the homeowner’s preference and priority.

5 Of The Best Materials for Basement Flooring

With all those factors and considerations in mind, here are five of the best materials for basement flooring. We also included descriptions for when you should or shouldn’t use them.

Luxury Vinyl Tile or Planks

Also referred to by its acronym LVT, luxury vinyl tile, or planks, are relatively new to the market. They come in squares or planks and are usually the first choice when it comes to basement flooring. One of the great things about them is that they resemble natural hardwood or stone flooring without its associated moisture risks because it is waterproof. Unlike traditional sheet vinyl, which needs to be glued down, LVT is designed to float on top of the concrete slab. One thing you should know is that if you wish to install it over concrete with known moisture issues, you’ll want to install a vapor barrier between them first. Because while the planks themselves are not prone to moisture issues, they usually come with cork underlining, which can deteriorate in the presence of mold.

Pros:

Extremely durable material
Can resemble wood without its associated moisture issues
Can be somewhat warm because of its thickness
Very affordable and easy to install (friendly to DIYers)

Cons:

If installed over an uneven sub-floor, it can be slightly springy underfoot.
Costs more than sheet vinyl, but it has more of a premium look to it
Not as waterproof as sheet vinyl either because of the seams in between the planks or tiles.

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are one of the most favored materials for basement flooring. They’re incredibly durable, long-lasting, and waterproof, making them perfect for basements. They are also designers’ first choice, coming in a variety of colors and patterns for your choosing. Tiled flooring is generally more expensive when you factor in the labor and preparation required for installment. However, it is one of, if not the most permanent material among the rest. You’ll want to ensure that you install directly on level concrete that is smooth and free of cracks.

Pros:

Permanent, long-lasting
Incredibly durable
Increases your home’s value (as it is considered capital home improvement)
Dries out and will be undamaged after flooding
Laying out tiles can also be done by yourself

Cons:

It tends to be cold underfoot and will require using rugs or installing underfoot heating
Poor sound absorption
Large-scale tiling may prove difficult for DIYers and can be quite expensive
Hard or tough surface, which can be hard on your feet and butt (if you’re sitting)

Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered wood flooring (EWF) provides the warmth and elegance of wood floors without all the moisture issues. Since you can’t install solid hardwood floors as basement flooring, engineered wood flooring takes its place. Due to its multilayer structure, EWF fairs much better against moisture and humidity, to which most other hardwood may succumb. EWF is considered to be dimensionally-stable, as it’s designed in perpendicular layers to reduce expansion and warping. You have the option of either gluing this flooring down or having it floated on concrete sub-floors. In this case, it’s also crucial to have a smooth and level surface to ensure that planks remain even (if glued) and the floor will not be bouncy (if floated).

Pros:

Fairs well against limited amounts of moisture
One of the classiest and most attractive basement flooring options
Excellent sound absorption
Warmer underfoot than tiles

Cons:

One of the more expensive options
Will likely require more intensive and careful floor preparations
Not entirely waterproof
Difficult to remove in case of water damage or flooding

Painted or Stained Concrete

One of the best ways to treat your concrete sub-floors may be not to cover them with flooring at all. Contrary to popular opinion, concrete does not have to be as plain and boring as you think. Instead, treating them with a splash of paint or stain can impart some character and luxury to them. You can create concrete flooring with neutral undertones, or you can make it as outrageous as you like.

Pros:

The most robust flooring option against moisture
Likely the least expensive, requiring the least amount of materials
Does not require sub-floors
You can be as creative as you want with them.

Cons:

The coldest option among all flooring materials
Hard surface underfoot
Poor sound absorption and quality in general
The minimalist or industrial design might create an unwanted contrast with the rest of your home
While it might seem straightforward, surface treatment will be arduous and labor-intensive before you can paint and stain it.

Rubber Tile or Sheets

Rubber flooring is reminiscent of playrooms or gyms. Installation is very DIY-friendly, as these rubber tiles are readily available in most hardware stores. Rubber flooring is especially viable if you want to turn your basement into a gym, laundry room, or a kid’s playroom. Since they also come in many different colors and designs, you have the freedom to be as creative as you want to be. Roll rubber is your best bet for flooring, reducing the number of seams associated with interlocking rubber tiles.

Pros:

Offers the greatest insulation against sub-floor temperatures
Soft surface underfoot, providing a pleasant experience
Fairs well against moisture
Easy to install and remove (in the event of flooding)
Great sound absorption

Cons:

Aesthetically are not the best materials
Not completely waterproof (especially with interlocking rubber tiles)
They can be heavy, contributing a large amount to shipping costs

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About The Author

May 10 2020

Common Floating Floor Problems and How to Fix Them

Publisher Flooring 0

Published May 11th, 2020

Floating floor installation has become a new trend nowadays, especially to those fond of DIYs. Not only can it save you money than using the traditional method of installing floor wood, but floating floors are also easy to install.

You can do it yourself without having to hire someone and pay for labor. In fact, we’ve already made a list of why you should get a floating floor in your house.

However, like any other method of floor wood installation, floating floors can also give you some problems. Here are some typical floating floor problems that you can expect and how you can fix them.

Peaking

The expansion problem of floor or known as “peaking,” is when the floorboards push against each other, which results in high points at the joints. There are a lot of reasons why peaking can happen, but this can be easily remedied.

One of the most common reasons why peaking happens is because the moldings around the perimeter of the room are fixed or nailed to the floor. Thus, it prevents the floor from expanding.

A floating floor should not be nailed or glued into the subfloor or moldings. Floating floors are flexible, which naturally expand and contract based on the weather and humidity inside the room. If the floorboards can’t expand by itself, then the planks will tend to have high points in some areas of the boards.

What you should do is determine the obstruction and eliminate it so the floor can expand and even out.

Buckling & Warping

Excessive moisture in the subfloor often causes the floor wood to buckle and warp. Even high humidity in the air can cause the same.

For this reason, it is essential not to wet mop a floating floor. The primary key to this is prevention. Putting a heavy object to the buckled area may help. But, some buckled floor wood is challenging to remedy. The other option is to replace the buckled planks with new ones.

A up close shot of a floating floor connection.

Mold & Mildew

If there is mold, there is excessive moisture. Fungal spores, molds, bacteria, and other visually unpleasant things are common problems for homeowners with wooden floors. These can degrade the quality of your flooring, and it may look pretty terrible.

The only remedy for this is to replace the floorboards. However, you must identify and eliminate the source of the mold first before you reinstall the new planks on your flooring. If you don’t, then expect the mold and mildew to come back and rip you off more money and time.

Chipping

The most common reason for chipping in floating floors is poor installation. They tend to crack easily when a tapping block and mallet are used since most of the floating floors are made from thinner materials.

Improper cleaning of the floor, such as using a beater bar vacuum attachment, can also result in chipping on the corners. When this happens, the water can seep into the chipped area, which can breed mold and mildew, and other common problems stated above.

The best fix is to prevent damaging the floors in the first place.

While these common problems of floating floors are easy to fix, prevention is still better than cure. If you experience these common floating floor problems, calling a professional is highly advised.

For your building projects that need intricate woodwork, trust it to our experts. We provide the best and most complete collection of vintage and specialty woods to bring your rustic luxury dreams to life. With unbeatable craftmanship and service, our team of timber specialists are just the people you need for your high-end, complicated projects. Contact us now for a free consultation.

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Franchette is an author for Vintage & Specialty Wood

About The Author

Franchette Agatha Jardin wants to spread to the world the ways on how to achieve the home of your dreams through expertly planned interior design and fine wood work. Take a look at more of her work in our blog.

May 10 2020

Buckled Wood Floors: Causes and Fixes

Publisher Flooring 2

Published May 11th, 2020

A homeowners’ worst nightmare is a damaged luxurious wood flooring. Of course, we all want to have a spectacular home, and a lovely wood floor often comes with it.

However, wood flooring requires a certain amount of maintenance to avoid unwanted damages. The most common disaster that you don’t want your beautiful house to have are buckled wood floors.

So what are the causes of buckling of wood floors and how can you fix it? Keep reading to find out.

What Are Buckled Wood Floors?

Buckling of wood floors is when your floorboards rise, causing humps and uneven surfaces.

Wood naturally expands and contracts as it reacts to environmental conditions. But severe expansions and contractions can prevent your hardwood floor from going back to its original shape. This is when buckling starts.

What Causes Buckled Wood Floors?

The most common causes of buckling of wooden floors are either due to environmental factors or faulty installation. These include:

Water

Leaking appliances or moisture from a concrete subfloor can buckle your wood floors. When it gets wet and moisturized, the wood needs to accommodate the moisture. Thus, causing the hardwood planks to swell. It would need to move upward and expand, which leads to buckling of the wood floor.

High Humidity

The buckling of wooden floors is also usual in high humid environments. That’s why if you live in an area that has humid weather, a wood floor is usually not recommended. Especially in small and windowless parts of your house, like the bathroom and kitchen.

Your wooden floor can absorb moisture from the air, and this will cause the wood to expand and to buckle. Fans and ventilation can reduce buckling, though.

Improper or No Acclimation

Acclimation should be done first before installing the hardwood floors. If not, the wood may expand or contract after the installation and will lead to the deformation of the wood.

Acclimation is a process where the wood planks stay within the rooms where it will be installed. This process has to be done for at least two weeks so that the wood can adjust to the temperature and humidity of the area.

Improper Installation

Taking care of your precious hardwood flooring is a plus and can prevent your wooden floor from buckling. However, if the installation is faulty, it will cause severe wood problems in the long run.

To address this, you should only hire professionals like Vintage and Specialty Woods to ensure that your wooden floor gets installed correctly. We are the most complete and thorough timber company you will find for your project. Our team of timber specialists ensures that you get the best quality and craftmanship for your high-end and complicated projects that require intricate work. Our gallery of past projects and satisfied clients speak for the quality of work that we do.

How to Fix a Buckled Wood Floor?

As mentioned, weather and moisture are the most culprits of buckling wood floors. If the buckling is minimal, you can try drying the damaged area and see if it returns to its normal shape.

You can also try putting a little pressure or a heavy object on top of the buckled wood to settle it back to its place.

If these don’t work, calling a professional is highly encouraged. Replacing and fixing buckled wood floor can be a lot of work.