Hardwood Floors Los Angeles

2006-05-25T12:31:00.000-07:00

About Flooring?There are many types of flooring. Typically flooring
falls into several categories: hard, wood, fiber and sheet. Each
type has pros and cons listed below that will be helpful for influencing
the decision process. Installation of some types requires a professional,
while others install much easier. One factor that affects the
investment is the floor's durability and its warranty. Study each
before making a decision.

Benefits?New flooring can bring new room vitality. It becomes
the foundation of good interior design when used in conjunction
with an effective color scheme. Simply installing new flooring
may have the most impact for return on investment of all room
improvements. Replacing old cut pile carpet may also improve the
health of the inhabitants by removing allergy causing dust, dirt
and pollens.

MARBLE:
It is available in tile, sheet, block and in a variety of colors
and intrinsic patterns. The most classical of all flooring. Dating
from the Greek period and used extensively since. Polished marble
can be slippery and is best kept to isolated areas like around fireplaces.
A dulled finish is optimal for regular flooring use. Being widely
imitated in synthetic material may lessen the grandeur of genuine
marble.

GRANITE:
Available in block, sheet and tile. Generally found in neutral and
warm colors and is a more expensive stone flooring. Appears to be
dimensional when polished due to the glass-like nature of its grain.
Can be slippery when polished and requires occasional polishing
to retain glossiness. Imitated in a variety of synthetic materials.

SLATE:
Available in sheet and tile. Generally found in darker, muted colors
without much color pattern like marble has. Available in natural
grain and honed finishes. If natural grain finish is chosen, extra
time for cleaning may be required to completely remove grime from
recesses and wrinkles in the rock. Imitated in a variety of synthetic
materials.

TILE:
This impenetrable floor is available in a variety of sizes ranging
in size from 1 sq. foot to 1 inch sq. Excellent for high traffic
and moisture prone areas (as seen at swimming pools). Tile comes
in a many types, finishes, colors and shapes. If unable to afford
an under-floor heating system, consider Burnished terra cotta tiles
which retain heat well. Ceramic tiles can feature designs baked
onto the tile and are used to simulate stone. If you have pets or
children keep in mind that unsealed tile, like terra cotta, stains
easily. The fact that custom patterns can be achieved by cutting
intricate designs lends itself to contemporary designs. Grout is
used to hold tiles in place. It is a powder mixed with water that
dries quickly. When you choose your grout it is best to get a darker
color which will make stains less visible. If you have old tile
with stained grout, the tile can be relaid with new grout.

PARQUET
SQUARES [ 12" X 12" ]: Available as square
boards comprised of smaller pieces of wood that give it its pattern.
It requires less installation work than plank flooring and an individual
square or series can be replaced if harshly damaged. It is generally
adhered to a sub-floor to prevent buckling or uneven edges. Herringbone
and basket-weave are the most common patterns. Oak is a popular
construction material which can be stained for a custom look. Veneer-based
floors are not easily refinished because the top layer is too thin.

PLANK
[ 3" & 4.5" wide ]: Long boards have a classic look
and are also available preconstructed on large sheets that fit together
tongue and groove. Wider planks usually do not require a subfloor,
but are more expensive.

STRIP
FLOORING [ 2.25" wide ]: Long narrow boards
have an institutional look and are also available preconstructed
on large sheets that fit together tongue and groove. Most installations
require a subfloor to prevent buckling

LAMINATE:
Most are pressure treated with an impenetrable surface that works
well in areas of heavy traffic or moisture exposure. These types
of flooring typically do not require any sealing or finishes as
they have their own. Certain types of laminate flooring will not
burn, sun-fade, dent, or stain.

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