New look for 2019

If you have been thinking you really need to give your hardwood floor some attention, now would be a great time. After the holidays and all of the parties and traffic, it could leave your hardwood floor not looking its best. Regular maintenance for hardwood floors is not only important to it’s natural luster but it’s longevity as well. We are offering special savings this month on all new customer repair or refinish services. We would love the opportunity to take a look at your floor and give you some ideas on making it look like new for 2019! Call us for a estimate. 336-829-4259. This is a limited time offer for a limited number of new clients, so call us today!

Wood Floors in Winston-Salem: Tips and Tricks to Best Care for Them

hardwood floor greensboroInvesting in wood floors in Winston-Salem can pay off — if you care for them properly. Use of inadequate cleaners, incomplete cleaning of spills, and neglect of wood floors can all lead to damage, decreased durability and diminished appeal.

Often new wood floor owners don’t take that small amount of time to regularly care for their floors. A little TLC and knowledge can help you avoid using inadequate cleaners and products that can ruin the look and quality of your wood floors.

Wood flooring costs can be expensive – so you should protect your investment by following these tips and tricks to clean and care for your wood floors so you can enjoy them longer.

Prevent Damage to Your Wood Floors

Like with every flooring surface, dirt and grit from everyday life will end up on it — daily. But with wood flooring, this debris can result in costly damage because it acts like sandpaper on your finish — resulting in dents, scratches and dulling.

Make a point to broom-sweep your floors daily. Placing floor mats in heavier debris areas can also help protect your floors.

Dry-mopping weekly or bi-weekly, depending on the traffic, will also preserve them by picking up any spills you may have missed.

You’ll find that this ounce of prevention can help you avoid the high costs of that pound of cure – namely having your floors repaired, re-sanded, and refinished.

Spills Will Warp Your Wood Floors

Spills and water will warp your hardwood floors and damage the finish if allowed to sit on the floors. This can add to your wood floor costs by requiring premature refinishing to repair the damage. Be proactive and wipe up any spills as soon as you see them. Dry-mop to make sure there aren’t any spills you missed.

Improper Cleaners Will Damage Finishes

Many new wood floor owners have been tempted to use furniture polish, thinking it will be a quick way to add shine and remove dust from your wood floors. Don’t do it! Not only is furniture polish not designed for use on wood floors and could damage your finish, it will also turn your floors into a hardwood slip-n-slide.

Oils and waxes can also damage your floor’s finish. Both leave a residue that will take away from the luster of your floors. Don’t use ammonia, abrasive cleaners or alkaline products either, because they will also harm the finish.

So what can you use?

Cleaners You Can Use on Hardwood Floors

What you can use to clean your hardwood floors is much simpler and cheaper than all the items you shouldn’t use.

Soap and water.

When using water make sure — whether you use a mop or cloth – to wring it out well. Make it damp but not so damp the water seeps into your floor boards and warps them.

You can also use any floor-cleaning products recommended by your installer or manufacturer, but if you find it too costly, soap and water is a fine go-to that will protect your floor.

Steam cleaners have become all the rage, and they can be very effective at cleaning wood floors, but again, be sure that the cleaner doesn’t leave too much moisture on the floors.

Being preventive and proactive all help in preserving your wood floors so you can enjoy them for a lifetime. Getting help from experts in the industry can get you the hardwood knowledge you need to see your investment pay off.

Get New Wood Floors in Winston-Salem Today With the Experts at Premier Hardwood Flooring

Premier Hardwood Flooring has more than 20 years of experience in working with wood floors. Premier technicians specialize in hardwood, which makes them uniquely qualified to take care of all your wood flooring needs. From installation to refinishing, Premier’s skilled craftsmen will deliver the floor you’ve dreamed of, down to the last detail. Get more information on installing, refinishing, or protecting hardwood floors by calling Premier Hardwood Flooring today at (336) 829-4259.

Engineered and Laminate Flooring in High Point vs. Solid Hardwood

Solid Hardwood vs. Engineered or Laminate Flooring in High Point

laminate flooring in High PointIf you’ve decided to invest in a new floor — style, appearance, and cost are all factors to consider when making your choice. Many homeowners are drawn to the natural appeal and versatility of wood flooring but aren’t sure which type of flooring to choose. Laminate, engineered, and hardwood floors are the most common options to choose from, but which one is right for you?

All three options possess unique advantages and disadvantages. Consider the pros and cons of laminate, hardwood, and engineered flooring to help you make your choice.

Comparison of Wood Flooring Options

Solid Hardwood Engineered Hardwood Laminate Flooring
Price High Moderate to High Low to Moderate
Eco-friendly Yes Somewhat No
Scratch Resistant Good-Very Good (species dependent) Good-Very good (species dependent) 3
Longevity Lifetime Lifetime Up to 20 years
Cleaning effort Moderate Moderate Easy
Can be refinished Yes Yes No
Can be spot-repaired Yes Yes No
Floor look-and-feel Natural with unique grain pattern Real wood (top) with unique grain pattern Imitation of wood lacks unique grain pattern

Laminate Flooring in High Point

Laminate flooring in High Point is a fully synthetic product that imitates the appearance of true solid hardwood floors. Although it is designed to take on the look of any species you prefer, the repeated patterns across boards can betray the product’s lack of authenticity. The top benefit of laminate flooring is its economical price. The biggest disadvantage is that it doesn’t last as long when compared to its competitors.

Pros of Laminate Flooring

  • Economical (less costly than hardwood)
  • Most durable, with a harder surface than hardwood or engineered wood
  • Highly resistant to moisture damage and stains.
  • Easy to maintain and clean (sweeping and dry mopping)

Cons of Laminate Flooring

  • Difficult to repair
  • Can’t be sanded or refinished.
  • Doesn’t last as long as hardwood or engineered wood floors (up to 20 years)
  • Not as eco-friendly because of the synthetic production process

Engineered Flooring in High Point

Engineered hardwood flooring in High Point is the next step up in terms of cost, but is fairly close in price to hardwood flooring. Engineered wood floors contain several layers of plywood, and is topped by a layer of solid wood – providing you with all the species options and unique grain pattern of solid hardwood. But the most popular trait of engineered flooring is its moisture resistance, surprisingly superior to hardwood, while its least popular trait is its limit in the number of refinishes it can handle.

Pros of Engineered Flooring

  • Can last 40 to 80 years
  • Can be refinished or sanded (around six to 7 times)
  • Durable in high traffic areas
  • Moisture resistant (more so than hardwood)
  • Can be spot-repaired
  • Unique grain pattern

Cons of Engineered Flooring

  • Moderate cleaning care required (special cleaners)
  • Limit to the number of times it can be refinished before it needs to be replaced
  • Not as durable as laminate

Hardwood Flooring in High Point

Solid wood flooring provides the warmth, character, and natural appeal only true hardwood can offer. Harwood floors are known for their durability, beauty, and style. As with any flooring option, there are advantages and disadvantages to consider before making your final decision. Hardwood flooring’s most popular characteristic is its true authentic natural grain pattern and appearance. A common downside is that it is the most costly of the three options.

Pros of Hardwood Flooring

  • Lifetime longevity
  • Can be refinished an unlimited number of times
  • Can be sanded
  • Can be spot repaired
  • Eco-friendly
  • Unique grain pattern adds character
  • Easy to care for (for most species soap and water works best)

Cons of Hardwood Flooring

  • Highest cost of the three
  • Least resistant to moisture
  • Moderately tough to care for (some species can require special cleaners)

Choose the Right Wood Flooring for You with Advice from the Experts at Premier Hardwood Flooring

Investing in your home is a big decision. When you’re looking to add warmth and character of hardwoods to your home, you’ll want to hire the area’s wood flooring experts.

Premier has more than twenty years of experience specializing in installing and refinishing wood floors. With expertise in hardwood, laminate, and engineered flooring, Premier’s skilled craftsmen have the know-how to deliver all of your wood flooring needs.

Get your wood flooring installation underway by calling Premier Hardwood Flooring today at (336) 829-4259.