American Hardwoods offer a breath of fresh air

(ARA) – Flooring, cabinetry, and millwork made from American hardwoods are as much a part of the American Dream as a white picket fence. The beauty, architectural detail and overall inviting warmth they offer are often what make a house a home. So, it’s no surprise that hardwoods are increasingly bringing the comforts of home to all types of settings, from schools and workspaces to health care facilities and performance venues.

But, there is more. According to the American Hardwood Information Center, (www.HardwoodInfo.com) hardwoods also help improve the air quality in the places you spend your time.

We’ve all seen those tiny particles floating around in a beam of sunlight. Those culprits are often the cause of many indoor allergies which affect nearly 40 million Americans. Did you know that to ease allergy symptoms, one of the first recommendations allergists make is to remove wall-to-wall carpeting in favor of solid floor surfaces, such as hardwoods?

Hardwood products offer help
“Allergists recognize that carpet is a huge collection net for dust and dust mites, live and dead insects and their waste products, mold and animal dander,” says Dr. Dana V. Wallace, immediate past president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI). “Chemical treatments and professional steam cleaning will not remove all allergens, and are only effective for a short time. But all of these allergens can be reduced with hardwood flooring.”

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), agrees. “We recommend hardwood floors,” says spokesperson Angel Waldron. “They are easier to clean and do not harbor dust, dirt and allergens like carpeting.” And to ease the suffering to a greater degree, Dr. Wallace suggests additional home considerations.

“The newest research shows that making one change in the home, like carpet removal, will reduce the allergen load, but it takes multiple interventions to reduce symptoms,” Wallace says. “Other changes, like removing upholstered furniture, need to be made.” And hardwood furniture, such as stools and desk chairs, offer a perfect solution.

But allergy issues also exist outside the home. The AAFA reports that allergies and asthma cause 40,000 people to miss school or work every day, resulting in $3 billion in lost productivity each year.

“Perhaps the increase in allergies and asthma over the past century has some relationship to moving away from hardwood flooring,” says Wallace. “My school had hardwood flooring in the 1960s, and more recently, schools have been installing more carpeting. We need hard surfaces such as hardwood flooring, in public areas, to reduce allergen exposure.”

Utkarsh Ghildyal, project manager at Renaissance 3 Architects feels that healthy and environmentally favorable hardwood floors are “more comfortable than concrete and are more easily maintained than carpet.” Ghildyal says that, “we use hardwoods in our designs to express warmth and a sustainable aesthetic. There is a natural feeling to hardwood that is difficult to replicate.”

The experts at Renaissance 3 Architects are not alone in their thinking. More and more designers are recognizing the limitless benefits of hardwood products, and are increasingly featuring them in schools, workspaces and health care facilities across the country.

But what about the finishes – won’t they affect allergies?
The American Hardwood Information Center suggests you breathe deep, relax, but be knowledgeable. Reading product labels, specifically looking for the key words “volatile organic compounds,” or VOCs, is important because VOCs are emitted by many, many items, including carpeting, electronics, cosmetics, plastics, cleaning supplies, tobacco products and more.

Today, most paints and stains will have low- or no-VOC on their labels, and that’s significant because low- or no-VOC finishes which are water-based, are healthier for you and the environment, give off virtually no odor, and are much less likely to trigger allergies or other sensitivities.

Let’s clear the air
The benefits of using products made from American hardwoods are limitless. Incorporate them into the places where you live, work and play. And then, breathe deep.

For more information on American Hardwoods, visit www.HardwoodInfo.com.

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Germ control flooring popular with parents

(NC) – As most parents can attest infants love to crawl around and put things in their mouth. No matter how hard you try to stop them it’s inevitable – if they can touch it, “it” will end up in their mouth. This is why parents are always on guard to protect their children from germs and bacteria lurking in their home.

Since much of an infant’s time is spent on the floor, parents are now looking for flooring options that will minimize exposure to harmful germs, mould, mildew and bacteria. More and more are avoiding dirt, allergen and germ collecting options like carpet and choosing hypoallergenic options such as natural hardwood flooring to diminish the risk of harmful exposure to their little ones.

Some parents are taking the extra step of precaution and investing in flooring options that include the application of an antimicrobial agent to ensure even greater protection. This option is offered by some of the top hardwood flooring manufacturers.

However, one Canadian-based company, Silhouette Hardwood Flooring, has become the gold standard in germ protection for hardwood flooring thanks to its exclusive “Contour Guard” finishing technology.

“To help protect our customers’ hardwood investment while also protecting their family from harmful germs and bacteria, we’ve incorporated our germ protection into all our flooring,” said Tom Gormley, President of Silhouette Hardwood Flooring.

Unlike other premium hardwood flooring manufacturers, Silhouette’s exclusive germ protection technology is a patented process whereby an antimicrobial agent is applied not only to the top but to the entire contour of each board, greatly reducing the propagation of mould, germs, and bacteria in the home.

“We can all use a recommended floor cleaner on the surface of our flooring to keep it clean and healthy, but what about the other five sides of every board in your floor? If left unprotected they become an inviting breeding ground for germs and bacteria,” Gormley added. “It just makes good common sense that for the healthiest living environment, and a far greater degree of protection, that the un-maintainable sides of every board be treated prior to their installation.”

Designers agree, celebrity designer Glen Peloso of TV’s “Restaurant Makeover” fame, said that Silhouette has set the new standard as the natural flooring choice for the healthy, beautiful home in vogue today. “Their exciting selection of hardwood provides not only beauty, and longevity but also protection with its contour guard finishing technology,” he added. More information on the latest in hardwood flooring is available at www.silhouetteflooring.com.

www.newscanada.com

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Easy 'repairability' is a floor's best friend

(NC)—There’s a lot to consider when buying a new floor. What style and colour will suit you best? What type of floor do you need—hardwood, laminate, or cork? What about plank size? And let’s not forget about price. With so many questions to answer when making a selection, many consumers don’t take into consideration the importance of the longevity and durability of the floor. Are all floors created equal or do some companies offer extras to help ensure your new floor stays looking beautiful?

With everyday life, it should be expected that your floor will take a little wear and tear, especially if you have pets or active families. Spills, scratches, and life can and probably will happen to floors. Sanding and refinishing or worse, replacing an entire floor, is not only difficult, but also expensive. What will happen if you have an unsightly dent or scratch in your new floor?

A new way to replace damaged floor planks

One company has an answer to life’s mishaps. Torlys Smart Floors offer the Bulldog tool for all its hardwood, laminate, cork and leather floors. Because all Torlys floors utilize a special joint technology, Bulldog allows you to replace a damaged plank even in the middle of the room without removing the whole floor. This tool pulls the damaged plank away from the rest of the floor and allows for inserting the new plank simply and easily. There’s no glue, no nails and best of all, there’s no mess.

Torlys offers the Bulldog to all its dealers and it’s a smart consideration when looking for the perfect floor for your home. Not only does easy plank replacement give homeowners peace of mind about purchasing a new floor, it’s environmentally responsible. For more information visit torlys.com.

Consider this before purchasing flooring

1 Buy an extra carton or keep some extra planks when finished installing your floor so if you ever need to replace a plank, you have one that matches your existing floor.

2 Check to see how easy it is to repair your floor. Does the manufacturer offer special repair tools?

3 Ask your dealer for minor fix-up kits when you purchase your floor. That way you are prepared for small wear and scratch fixes.

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New trends in hardwood are simply smarter

(NC)—While hardwood floors are always in style, trends in colour, species and even the size of planks are changing. Simply put, hardwood has never looked or been more appealing.

Wider. Longer.

There is a growing demand for the unequalled beauty of longer, wider hardwood flooring. These prestigious boards showcase the wood’s grain and add flow and sophistication to your space.

Matte. Informal.

While bigger can be better when it comes to the size of the plank, less is more when it comes to the finish. Matte, informal finishes give a natural, “lived-in, lived-on” feel. Combine this with the popularity of rustic floors with artisan touches, and hardwood is returning to its historic roots.

Lighter. Rarer.

Hardwood is undergoing a shift in colour. More and more, designers are moving away from dark stains and selecting mid-tone floors for their clients. Classic browns are also moving over to make room for warm, smoky greys. Not only is colour important, but so is the species. Hardwood floors come in wonderful species such as walnut, ash, cherry and ‘exotics’ such as wenge, etimoe andiroko. These uniquely striking species feature beautiful grains and interesting markings, giving floors distinct character.

Simply Smarter.

The thinking behind hardwood flooring is also evolving. Torlys is a progressive flooring company with industry leading guarantees. Their designer-selected, eco-friendly hardwood floors are guaranteed not to gap. They are also backed by a satisfaction guarantee that allows you to exchange your new floor for another colour if you don’t like your original purchase. Visit the website at torlys.com.

TIP BOX

Three tips for selecting the right hardwood for you:

1 Find a look you love that complements the woodwork in your home.

2 Hardwood is a long-term investment. Purchase a good quality hardwood that will look beautiful over time.

3 Not all warranties are created equal. Read the warranty details and compare warranties with other brands. Some warranties are pro-rated meaning they don’t give 100% of the replacement value should floor planks split or warp or the finish wears out.

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How to choose hardwood floors in five easy steps

(NC)—According to hardwood flooring experts, the process of selecting your new floor should lead you through five common steps – choosing your colour, whether you require solid or engineered flooring, the species and grade, width and finally gloss level.

1. Choose your colour.

“We’ve found that today the number one consideration for consumers is selecting the right colour for their flooring to match their decors,” said Tom Gormley, President of Silhouette Hardwood Flooring.

Typically, hardwood flooring manufacturers offer a series of standard popular colour choices. Often these stain colours aren’t exactly what discerning consumers are looking for and they spend the next days and weeks searching different manufacturers for that particular elusive stain colour that will harmonize perfectly with their home design.

Canadian-based manufacturer Silhouette Hardwood Flooring has revolutionized this process by offering clients customized colours for their flooring with its exclusive “Designer colour match” system.

“We can easily match any color you see offered by most of our competitors at no additional charge,” explained Gormley. “Even if you have a unique color in mind, simply supply your local Silhouette dealer with any kind of sample to match and we will reproduce it to create your one of a kind beautiful new floor.”

2. Determine whether you’re using solid or engineered flooring.

Solid flooring must be nailed or stapled into an existing wood subfloor and is only recommended on or above the grade level (soil line) around your home.

Engineered flooring’s construction allows it to be installed over virtually any type of subfloor whether above, on, or below the grade level. Silhouette’s Symmetry Engineered flooring, for example, has the most versatile design, allowing it to be nailed, stapled, fully glued-down, or even floated.

3. Choose your preferred species and grade.

Examine the natural colour of each species, their distinctive grain patterns, grades and visual characteristics such as knots, and mineral streaks to find what appeals to you. Also consider the relative hardness of the different species. If you have an active high traffic household or a large pet, harder species may be an option as they will show less dents and traffic patterns.

4. Choose your board width.

Narrow boards, or strip flooring, performs well and has a certain appeal particularly in smaller rooms, while wide boards are often perceived as being of higher value, and have greater appeal in larger rooms. Up until now many hardwood dealers recommended against choosing flooring wider than 3 ¼”, because of fear that the floor would develop unsightly and unhealthy gaps over time due to uncontrolled swings in relative humidity within a home.

Gormley explained this is no longer the case thanks to the added protection of Silhouette’s unique Contour Guard finishing process which envelopes each of its floorboards to eliminate any possible unattractive and unhealthy effects from these gaps.

5. Choose your gloss level

The final choice is the degree of light you wish your floor to reflect. A Semi-Gloss finish reflects approximately 50 per cent of the light shone upon, while a simulated-oil look reflects approximately eight per cent and a satin-gloss finish reflects at a 30 per cent rate.

More information on the latest in premium hardwood flooring is available at www.silhouetteflooring.com.

www.newscanada.com

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Contour Guard: A protective shield for hardwood floors

(NC) – Most solid hardwood floors in your typical Canadian family home can take a beating over the years. You have the high traffic wear and tear, variations in temperature and humidity that wreak havoc, permanent stains, germs, spills and leaks and even the sun leaves its mark.

In most cases these attacks on your hardwood flooring are simply naturally occurring phenomenon that owners of a wood floor have accepted to live with for years.

However, there’s a new generation of hardwood flooring that has set a new standard in overall protection to help deal with these common difficulties for wood floors.

Canadian-based Silhouette Hardwood Flooring, with its exclusive “Contour Guard” total protection finishing technology, has created the new industry standard in premium hardwood flooring protection and durability.

“At Silhouette we take the finishing of hardwood flooring to a new level by enveloping each floor board in a protective shield, our Contour Guard total protection technology indeed enhances the value and performance of your hardwood flooring,” explained Tom Gormley, President of Silhouette Hardwood Flooring.

Lab tests have shown that Silhouette’s flooring with Contour Guard is more resilient, easier to clean, healthier, more scratch-resistant, better sealed from moisture and well protected from the sun’s damaging rays than any other premium hardwood flooring brand.

Here’s a look at how Contour Guard protects the common problems facing hardwood floors:

Gap protection

Without strict humidity controls in place in your home, most solid hardwood floors will experience separation between floorboards due to fluctuations in humidity causing wood to contract and expand. With Silhouette’s gap protection, not only the top, but the sides and ends of each precision-milled floorboard are stained, eliminating any possible unattractive effects from gaps.

Aqua protection

Undetected moisture from excess spills and leaks, as well as certain uncontrolled jobsite conditions, can cause hardwood flooring to suddenly expand, cup, or even buckle. With Aqua protection, specially formulated sealants are applied to contour every board to protect against and reduce the affects of moisture.

Germ protection

This is a patented process whereby the entire contour of each floorboard is protected by an antimicrobial coating that resists mold, mildew and bacteria.

Stain protection

With Silhouette’s stain protection incorporated in the topcoat of all of its flooring virtually nothing found in your home will stain your investment, including indelible ink or even iodine which simply comes off with a dry paper towel even after hours on the floor.

Wear protection

Hardwood flooring is susceptible to scratching, especially with families and pets. Through the use of nanotechnology, wear protection keeps hardwood flooring durable and delivers a clear furniture-like appearance to help beautify the wood.

Sun protection

Over time, in rooms getting a lot of sunlight, the sun’s rays will have a yellowing effect on both the wood and the finish. Silhouette’s sun protection helps maintain the integrity of the flooring for years by incorporating UV blockers into each coat of flooring finish. More information on the latest in premium hardwood flooring is available at www.silhouetteflooring.com.

www.newscanada.com

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Shrinking floors

(NC)—If you ask any hardwood flooring expert what the number one registered complaint they receive after a wood floor installation and they’ll tell you that it’s the unsightly gaps between boards that magically appear at the onset of winter.

The most common cause of gaps between the boards is Mother Nature. When the weather cools and the heating season begins, the relative level of humidity in our homes becomes too low causing boards to lose their moisture and shrink. Meanwhile, when the wet and humid days of summer return the boards expand once again. This regular seasonal expansion and contraction over time is the most common cause of gaps.

Gaps can also occur when boards become too humid prior to installation leaving them with internal moisture levels that are too high when installed. This problem may be caused by a very humid environment at the installation site (wet concrete, moist subfloor, fresh paint) or boards exposed to rain or extreme humid conditions upon delivery and storage. The result is the wood absorbs the moisture and expands before installation. Once installed and ambient conditions return to normal, the wood will lose its excess humidity and shrink, leaving a gap between each board.

“Over time, and if left unchecked humidity will cause gaps between floor boards of even the highest quality solid hardwood flooring,” explained Tom Gormley, President of Silhouette Hardwood Flooring. “Especially when consumers chose a stain color on lighter woods like Oak, Yellow Birch and Maple, even fine gaps will show unattractive lighter areas between some of the boards.”

Once considered a natural occurrence one had to accept when choosing wood flooring, Gormley explains there is now an innovation in gap protection available for consumers looking for the beauty and elegance of quality prefinished hardwood floors without the unattractive off-colour gaps that inevitably come with them.

Silhouette Hardwood Flooring, one of Canada’s leading premium wood flooring manufacturers, has created the new standard in hardwood flooring protection called “Contour Guard”. It’s a unique patented contour finishing process that envelopes each of its floorboards. With its exclusive gap protection, not only the top, but the sides and ends of each precision-milled board are stained. “By doing so, you’re covered as the process virtually eliminates any possible unattractive effects from gaps,” Gormley added.

For optimal protection of your hardwood flooring, and to avoid significant unwanted movement, he also recommends maintaining the relative humidity inside your home within a range from 37 to 55 per cent year-round. “If the RH is not controlled then the moisture content of the wood in your home may rise as high as 14% in our humid summers and as low as 3% in our dry winters causing extreme swelling and shrinking, just like a sponge that swells when wet and shrinks when dry”. More information on premium hardwood flooring protection is available at www.silhouetteflooring.com.

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Wood Flooring

Home décor advice

By Michel Collin, Mercier Wood Flooring

Q: What’s the difference between laminate flooring and engineered wood?

A: Laminate flooring may often look like wood but it’s not. It’s made of melamine-infused paper glued to a wood chip composite. Engineered wood, much like solid hardwood, is real wood. It is a veneer of hardwood in the species of your choice glued on top of (in most cases) three to five thin sheets of crossbanded wood.

It’s ideal for kitchens and basements where 3/4” solid wood floors are not recommended because of high moisture level variations. Solid wood will expand or contract with heat and moisture, whereas engineered wood flooring, because it’s made of crossbanded layers of wood, offers more dimensional stability. Mercier’s engineered wood flooring offers optimum stability because it contains seven crossbanded layers of wood. Another advantage of engineered wood flooring versus laminate is that engineered wood can be sanded after scratches and dings develop. Engineered flooring is also a great choice for renovations because it can be installed directly onto most existing floors.

Installation is even easier now thanks to our latest product category innovation called “LOC”. It’s an engineered floor that does not require glue or mechanical fasteners to install. Instead it features a user-friendly locking system which is easy to install and ideal for multi-story developments, basements, and do-it-yourself project

Q: What are the advantages of prefinished wood floors over traditional installed wood floors?

A: First of all prefinished wood floors are stained and finished at the factory so you don’t have to deal with toxic fumes, sanding dust, labour and the long wait required for staining and applying coats of finish at home.

Another advantage is that the finish is applied under controlled conditions, which means that you don’t have to worry about dust or other contaminants affecting the finish. Manufacturers can also apply more coats of finish giving you added protection. In fact, the Mercier Generations finish features ten coats applied at the factory with extreme accuracy. It produces a smooth, uniform finish with unparalleled abrasion resistance and beauty. Lastly you save on the cost because it cuts down on the labor required to install. More information on wood flooring is available at www.mercierwoodflooring.com.

www.newscanada.com

Also, for more on wood flooring and engineered hardwood flooring visit A1-Wood-Flooring.com.

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Consider new and exciting eco-friendly flooring products for your next redecorating project. The wide variety of styles, colours and materials have tremendous potential for creativity around the home.

Across Europe and North America, interior designers are predicting that the number one trend for 2010 will be luxury for the home that is not only affordable, but sustainable. Welcome to the coming age of eco-luxury.

With increasing interest, savvy and responsible homeowners are enhancing their residences by going green with beautiful products and textiles made from recycled or harvested materials, a trend that is destined to help the world for future generations.

The movement once led by strictly green-conscious consumers is now widening to include the mainstream, and can be seen in the rise of eco resorts, eco clothing, eco couture, and even eco bedding. The trend is most apparent in the rise of new eco-friendly homes, growing in popularity to the extent that they now embrace entire eco-luxury communities. Where homeowners used to desire high square footage as a symbol of status, they now turn to the virtues of sustainability and resource efficiency instead.

Eco-luxury is for people who want to walk the talk. The environment is important to them, their children and grandchildren are important to them, and leaving a small carbon footprint is important to them. They’re insisting on high-quality, high-end materials that are produced, used and installed strictly in socially responsible ways.

When these trendsetters put their feet down and demand the best in eco-luxury, their feet are landing on bamboo, wood, cork and now leather floors made of recycled leather, often by a global leader in eco-friendly flooring such as Torlys of Canada (torlys.com). Known particularly for its exquisite designs, this is a company that provides a dazzling array of styles, colours and finishes while offering warmth and noise reduction. Better yet, these floors come from renewable sources, recycled or harvested using sustainable practices.

Homeowners should also look for floors that protect indoor air quality – avoiding those that are installed with chemicals and glues – for optimal health and safety around the home.

When you’re ready to walk the talk, try walking on bamboo, wood, cork or recycled leather floors. Eco-luxury isn’t a trend; it’s a movement that’s here to stay – for all of the right reasons.

www.newscanada.com

For more on wood flooring and other eco-friendly flooring materials, visit A1 Wood Flooring.

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