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Wood Flooring

February 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Wood Flooring tends to make all the distinction to a household and the proper wood floor and installation will influence the feel of a residence profoundly. In the event you reside in the Orange County area, and so are coordinating to lay a brand new wood floor, in that case enlisting the help of an excellent California Flooring contractor is definitely the ideal spot to commence.

California Flooring Service can help you with this process every step of the way. Many flooring contractors will advise either a hand scraped engineered wood flooring or an engineered wood floor. These are both excellent varieties of wood flooring and each deliver a pleasing finish. California Flooring contractors generally, will advise engineered wood floor installation whether it is going to be mounted over concrete. Fixing or repairing a floor is also an area where a California flooring Service Contractor can help.

Should you have flood damage, it would be repaired except if damages are unique and significant in which particular case they are should be swapped out entirely. If it is indeed, price productive and if really attainable, contractors will often make an attempt to execute flooring repair. Orange County Hardwood Floors and California Flooring Service offer you a wide variety of the ideal solutions for your wood flooring.

There’ll just be no mistakes as a contractor’s reputation is at stake, and he or she understands the value of doing a great job exactly where repeat online business is concerned. It’s for that reason that for wood flooring, California Flooring service is usually selected, as their service and installation quality is first rate. Laying wood flooring is almost an art, and when carried out thoroughly will deliver long life along with a durableness yjay may be appealing on the eye and also be a sound investment to your house. At California Flooring Service, we are able to help make your hardwood flooring aspirations an actuality.

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Installing Hardwood Flooring Tips To Make Your Job Go Smoother

October 6, 2011 By 1 Comment

Installing hardwood flooring can take place in several ways depending on the type of hardwood flooring that you have. If you have solid hardwood, you have to look at the type of wood you have. You can have parquet flooring, which usually comes in tiles of 6 inches by 6 inches or strips or planks that can be as much as 3 inches wide. If you have laminate wood flooring then you have to look at a different method of installing hardwood flooring.

Whether you choose laminate flooring or solid hardwood flooring, the directions for installing both of them are printed on the inside of the packaging. If you have previously installed hardwood floors and now you want to install glueless laminate flooring, you do need to read the directions for installing laminate flooring. When you are installing hardwood flooring made of solid wood, you have to open the packages and let the wood become acclimatized to the humidity and temperature of your home. With laminate flooring, you have to do the exact opposite. You should not take this flooring out of the package until you are ready to start installing.

Successful installation of hardwood or laminate flooring depends upon careful planning. Even if you are installing hardwood flooring over an existing concrete or vinyl floor, you do have to sweep and vacuum the floor to remove all the dust and dirt. If you are not sure of exactly how much laminate flooring you will need, the directions for installing laminate flooring also include directions for measuring the room to calculate the amount of flooring that you need. When you intend to install glueless laminate flooring, you can also bring your measurements into your local flooring store and have the experts do the calculations for you.

If you are wondering how to install glueless laminate flooring and be able to keep it on the floor, each of the planks lock together with the tongue and groove design. When installing hardwood flooring like this, you cannot glue, nail or staple it in any way. When you start installing always consider the way the light shines into the room. Begin laying the planks toward the light and in a hallway always install glueless laminate flooring lengthwise.

The directions for installing laminate flooring will tell you that you lay the first plank with the grooves against the wall. Place spacers where they are needed when installing hardwood flooring between the wall and the plank to maintain ½ inch extension gap. You will have to mark and cut the planks as you are installing the flooring because they are of random lengths. Always begin in a corner when installing hardwood flooring and the first board in the row should be a full plank.

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100% Investment Return On Wood Flooring In Orange County

October 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Earn a 100% Return on your Investment with Wood Flooring

In a survey conducted by the National Wood Flooring Association that involved real estates agents across the country, the agents noted that wood floors can add significant value to your house. For example, if a homeowners house is valued at $200,000 and $10,000 is invested in hardwood flooring the house will increase in value to $220,000 that increases the homeowners investment 100%, not bad. The real estate agents that were surveyed also noticed houses sell faster when a house have had hardwood floors installed.

Jason owner of California Flooring Service a company that was featured on the DIY Network show Man Caves and HGTV’s The Antonio Treatment couldn’t agree more. Jason adds “Hardwood floors are a stunning feature almost anywhere in your home, and that’s why the houses sell fast in Orange County”.

Hardwood floors are also durable they outlast and outperform any other floor covering material and is very easy to install. With a little planning and a free weekend a homeowner boost the value in their home. If a homeowner does not have the time or expertise to install hardwood floors, then choosing a contractor will the best way to go.  When choosing a contractor “A customer should know that the contractor is licensed and can perform the job “says Jason” Also the contractors’ customer service is very important. A contractor should communicate the process to the homeowner every step of the way so they will be assured that their most important investment will be in safe hands”.

About California Flooring Service: Serves Orange County exclusively. California Flooring Service has been installing wood, carpet and tile for 20 years, and know how to add value and beauty a home.

Contact:
www.californiaflooringservice.com
www.OrangeCountyHardwoodFloors.com

Jason
Telephone: 949 355 3501

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Building a Custom Ceramic Tile Shower starts with a Shower Pan Membrane Liner

October 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Installing a custom ceramic tile shower in your home is something a do it yourself homeowner can do with a little upfront knowledge. The most important aspect of a successful custom ceramic tile shower installation is properly installing a shower pan membrane liner. The shower pan membrane liner is used to ensure a leak-proof shower.

Shower pan membrane liners are used to funnel any water that seeps through the floor or wall grout to the shower drain below. The shower pan membrane liner is made up of a flexible type of plastic material that sits below a bed of mortar, and the tile, in the shower floor area. At California Flooring service, we HOT MOP for all water proofing.

Prior to installing the shower pan membrane liner, the floor of the shower needs to be pre-sloped to ensure that the water will flow towards the shower drain assembly. The pre-slope is accomplished by applying a layer of mortar to the floor of the shower unit area. The layer of mortar is troweled in such as way as to create a gentle slope from the shower wall edges to the center of the shower where the drain resides.

Once the pre-slope mortar has cured, the flexible shower pan membrane liner can then be installed. There are a couple of types of shower pan membrane liners on the market, with each having their own benefits. With either type of membrane, the homeowner needs to form and fold the material into the base of the shower area and secure it to the sides of the shower wall frame with staples and/or nails. In addition, an opening in the membrane should be cut out to allow the adjustable shower drain assembly to slip through.

With the shower pan membrane installed, the cementitious ceramic tile backerboard can then be secured to the framed shower walls. The backerboard is a rigid material that is ideal for attaching tile in wet areas such as a shower stall.

After installing the ceramic tile backerboard, a final coat of mortar needs to be applied on top of the membrane to protect it and to provide a solid base for laying the ceramic floor tile.

With the final coat of mortar cured, the ceramic tile can then be installed in the shower.

Once the tile and grout have been installed, the shower drain assembly should be adjusted so that the drain height sits flush with the finished ceramic tile floor.

For more information on installing a shower pan membrane liner, Call California Flooring Service at 949 355 3501. Thank you for reading this post.

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Wood Flooring Do’s and Dont’s

September 30, 2011 By 4 Comments

Do’s

Make sure you choose a wood that can withstand heavy traffic in areas like the kitchen. Be sure to go through the manufacturer warranty regarding maintenance and care. If you do not know what you are doing, please hire a professional to install your wood flooring. One mistake can cost you a lot and at times even mean replacing an entire newly laid floor! For information on kind of stains, ask an expert from California Flooring Service, or your local Flooring Contractor.

A moisture barrier between your wood flooring and the sub floor is very important. Check all boxes of wood boards to see the color variation before you begin installing. The wood should be allowed to acclimatize to the climate where you will install it. Always use vacuuming or dry mopping for cleaning your wood flooring.

Don’ts

Do not ever use hardwood flooring in an area that has a lot of moisture like the bathroom or a basement. If you are looking for new flooring for a summer cottage or another place that you do not visit frequently, hardwood flooring is not the best option. Wood floors need constant care and attention. Do not use any harsh cleaners or ones that are wax based, these will only dull the surface finish quicker. Similarly, hard abrasives or steel wool can harm and damage your hardwood floors.

You should never use too much water to clean wood floors. Try not to walk on the floor with high heels or spiked sport shoes. These can cause dents and scratches. Spills that contain moisture should be cleaned instantly as moisture can seep into the wood spoiling it. This can cause major problems in some time. Some floor areas have to be completely replaced due to moisture issues even though this can be easily prevented!

Some popular choices for hardwood floors

The oaks are a popular variety with both the white and red colored ones in a pale color and a slight pink streak in the red one. Both of these oak varieties can be easily used in all kinds of wood projects. The red oak variety is a softer wood than the white one. However, it is easier to saw and nail the red variety.

American cherry though popularly used for making cabinets, can be used for flooring as well. It is easy to work with and the wood variety is photosensitive. This means it changes its color with time, getting darker when it ages.

Hard Maple makes an excellent choice for floors. It is a harder wood than oak and is a natural abrasion resistant wood surface. The early settlers in America used it quite commonly.

A strikingly reddish brown colored wood that ages into a rich burgundy color is the Jajoba or the Brazilian Cherry. This wood is much harder than some mahogany woods and this is what makes it quite expensive.

California Flooring Service is a Full Service Flooring Contractor operation in and out of Orange County, Ca. thank you for reading this post.

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7 Tips For Your Hardwood Floor

September 20, 2011 By 7 Comments

Solid hardwood floors look great. They have a tough chunky look that spells quality and long life. And they will last long and look magnificent throughout if you take the effort to look after them. It’s not difficult, and the right kind of care will add years to your beautiful hardwood floor.

1. The worst enemies of your hardwood floor are grit, sand and dirt. These three act like sandpaper grinding, scraping and dulling the shiny surface until it becomes ugly. Use small mats near outside doors to prevent the dirt getting further into your house.

2. Water allowed to stand on any part of your hardwood floor can cause warping and discoloration. Be sure to wipe up any spills promptly.

3. Re-arranging the furniture is fine, but lift it rather than drag it. This will avoid scratches. Also impliment furniture pads on all legs of furniture.

4. The sun can be strong and have much more power than you may think in mid summer. Direct sunlight can discolor a hardwood floor. Protect it with drapes, curtains or blinds.

5. Clean your hardwood floor by using a good broom, a canister vacuum with a special bare floor attachment, or a good dust mop.

6. If your floor does get a bad scratch in it, get a scratch filler kit of the right color at your local hardware store. Sand and smooth the affected area first, then mix the solution to get the exact right color. When it has dried, lightly smooth with a low grit sandpaper, then polish.

7. Pets are among your hardwood floor’s biggest enemies. They have claws and nails that scratch surfaces. Keep your pet’s nails well trimmed. Also, keep pet food containers off the floor surface. Pets always spill food around the containers, which will damage the floor over time. Use newspaper or something more durable to protect the floor. For more info, contact Jason with CaliforniaFlooring.net Thank you for reading this post.

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Exotic Wood Flooring Types

September 19, 2011 By 1 Comment

There are many different types of wood flooring, some common, others you’ve probably never heard of. Each type of wood has its own unique characteristics and will respond differently to its environment over time. You need to know what your choice of wood will look like in the long term, some changes might be a lot different than you expect and will not go with your style and decor.

You need to educate yourself about each species of wood and its particular characteristics before you begin shopping for it. Some wood types are not as durable as others, so to be sure you are going to be happy with your floors in the long run you need to have realistic expectations to begin with.

There will be variations in your wood flooring. No type of wood is completely uniform unless it is manufactured that way. The more natural the wood type you choose, the more variations you will see once you floor is installed. Choosing an exotic wood flooring type is becoming more and more popular because of the statement it makes about a person’s taste and style. The most common types of exotics are: Brazilian Cherry, Brazilian Walnut, Santos Mahogany,  Jatoba, Tiger Wood, and Ipe, just to name a few.

These are generally imported from South America, Australia, the far East and Africa. Using these wood types for flooring requires that you be well informed as to the wood’s appearance, stability, and hardness and how they react when used in the HVAC systems found in most homes. Be sure the type of exotic wood flooring you choose will work with your home’s environment before ordering and be sure to buy from a reputable importer to avoid be ripped off.

You should always choose your wood style by looking at real samples. Viewing color and grain in photos or online is not reliable enough for you to judge. Contact Jason with CaliforniaFlooringService.com Thanks for reading this post. http://www.CaliforniaFlooringservice.com

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How to stop squeaking in hardwood flooring

September 18, 2011 By 1 Comment

A squeak in hardwood flooring is caused by two pieces of wood rubbing against one another. One way to stop the sound is by reducing the friction of the moving pieces using a lubricant. I’m not talking oil here, but rather a dusting with ultra-fine graphite powder.

This is available at your local hardware stores, and for the most part it’s used to free lock mechanisms. But if you pour a tiny bit of it on the floor so that it can work its way into the squeaking boards, it could very well reduce or eliminate the sound.

If that fails, you can always try a pair of well-placed nails. You first need to pre-drill some slender holes into the wood, angled slightly towards one another. Then drive the nails in, being careful not to bang up the hardwood floor with the head of the hammer.

You can use an 8d or 8-penny finish nail, which has a very small head. Then sink it below the surface of the wood using a nail set. Now you can say good-bye to that squeak forever. You would need a hammer, a small drill bit, and a cordless drill. This would take no more than 15-20 minutes to complete.

Now after you get rid of all the squeaks, use a filler stick in the same color as the floor to fill any nail hole that are visible. When your floor is really starting to show its age, you’ll be able to renew its surface for about a quarter of what it would cost to install a new floor.

You can sand and refinish them, usually up to a total of four times before so much wood is ground away that the nails holding it in place begin to appear. Your hardwood floor should be as good as new. If this seems like too much for you, feel free to contact California Flooring Service. Thanks for reading this post.

 

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Laminate Hardwood Flooring What Is It And Why Is It So Popular?

September 18, 2011 By 2 Comments

Laminate hardwood flooring is very versatile flooring that gives the appearance of having hardwood flooring without the expensive price tag. Although laminate flooring does look like hardwood, it is not made of solid wood. It is called engineered hardwood or (HDF) High Densidty Fiberboard because it is made from several materials bonded together under extremely high pressure. It is easy to lay and care for and when you step on it, it is almost like you are floating. This is why laminate hardwood flooring is also called a floating floor.

You can learn how to lay laminate flooring very quickly. Once you see the first few planks of the flooring going together, you can complete the rest of the job on your own. You can install Quick Step laminate flooring on just about any room of your home. However, it is not recommended for use in bathrooms, mudrooms or any other room where there could be an excess of moisture. The extra water could damage the flooring meaning you would have to remove and replace one or two planks of the laminate flooring.

If you are looking at how easy it is to learn how to lay laminate flooring, you will also learn about the advantages of Quick Step laminate flooring. In contrast to solid hardwood, laminate hardwood flooring is about half the cost. It is easy to install and there is no finish or refinish to worry about. Installing laminate flooring doesn’t need any nails. Another advantage of laminate flooring is that you can lay it down on virtually any type of surface, except, of course, carpet. It is suitable for installing on top of concrete, wood or vinyl. All you have to do is to make sure the floor underneath is level before you start to lay the planks. If this seems like too much then you can hire the services of California Flooring Service.

When you ask the flooring retailer about how to lay laminate flooring, you will get several different instructions about how to prepare the floor beforehand. You do have to make sure the surfaces is free of any dust or small pieces of dirt that might work their way up through the laminate hardwood flooring. You also have to check to make sure the subfloor is soundproof and that it is level. Often people who have installed the Quick Step laminate flooring report that there are squeaks when they step on it. This is not the fault of the laminate flooring, but because the floor under it was not properly levelled before they started to lay the planks.

You do have to take extra care when you install laminate hardwood flooring over radiant heating. You have to read both the instructions for how to lay laminate flooring and the instructions regarding the radiant heat before you start. When you plan to lay laminate hardwood flooring in your home, you don’t have to open the packages until you are ready to start.  Again, if this seems like too much work for the average DIY’er, California Flooring Service is Just a phone call away. Thank you for reading this post.

 

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Orange County Wood Floors-Important Facts

September 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

A hardwood floor can be a beautiful addition to any home. As with any product that you might buy, you should always research the different types of hardwood floors on the market today to see which is best for your needs.

Hardwood floors are a long-lasting product known for both its natural beauty and also durability. In addition, its affordable, easy to keep up, good for the environment, and also healthier for you than some flooring.

Not only are hardwood floors affordable, but they can also add value to your home if you are trying to sell it. In fact, as your home increases in value, so does the floor. A hardwood floor is very sought after in a buyers market, as well as in home remodeling and also new construction.

A hardwood floor can be very easy to maintain. Routine maintenance may be a little more than just the sweeping and vacuuming that you are used to, especially since you have to make sure to protect it from moisture and also heavy traffic areas that may become scratched. Maintenance is as simple as using an area rug where traffic is heaviest, and/or floor protectors on all furniture. The use of a hardwood floor cleaner is key to making sure it stays as beautiful as the day it was installed.

You may not know this, but a hardwood floor is known to be ecologically sound. They come from sustainable, natural resources, unlike in the past where wood was cut down without any though to what could happen in the long run to the forest. Today, the timber used in a hardwood floor is cut from forests that are managed in a way to ensure resources for future use. According to statistics from the U.S. Forest Service, just about twice the amount of hardwood timber is put in each year when new growth is harvested.

The EPA, or environmental protection agency, has stated that the quality of your indoor air can be a top threat. But, a hardwood floor can help you to maintain a healthier living environment.

Hardwood floors do not harbor such things as dust mites or mold. This helps to create a better quality of air in your home, alleviating symptoms for those who suffer from different types of allergies.

Also, hardwood floors can help to avoid the accumulation any artificial substances, such as pesticides. A study recently conducted by the EPA found that pesticides used in both homes and gardens can accumulate on surfaces such as floors, but hardwood floors can reduce that.

The selection/variety of hardwood floors are great and choosing one can be tough. There are many types of species, colors, and grains to choose from. Today’s manufacturing technology allows for different stains and finishes, sizes, and also styles, colors, and finished. Although red oak natural and maple natural are the most popular, darker colors are great for formal interiors and lighter colors are great for a more casual look.

Make sure you choose a hardwood floor that not only compliments your home and décor, but you will also be happy with for a long time.  Thank you for reading this post and look to California Flooring Service for all your wood flooring needs.

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