https://www.shorelinehardwood.com RSS feeds for Shoreline Hardwood Flooring 60 https://www.shorelinehardwood.com/Hardwood-Flooring-News/ID/5/Hardwood-Flooring-Innovations#Comments 0 https://www.shorelinehardwood.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=89&ModuleID=421&ArticleID=5 https://www.shorelinehardwood.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5&PortalID=0&TabID=89 https://www.shorelinehardwood.com/Hardwood-Flooring-News/ID/5/Hardwood-Flooring-Innovations Nowadays, homeowners renovating their homes often look to wood flooring to replace existing floors. Hardwood is coveted by buyers, and its clean, inviting look makes it a neutral design element that goes with many different types of decor. Today's hardwood flooring is not the hardwood of the past. There are many options from which to choose, including varied colors, types of wood, patterns, and inlays. In addition, innovations in sealants enable hardwood to be durable and hold up better against the daily grind. About 25 years ago, a homeowner basically had to settle for wood flooring that was solid oak strips at 2.25 inches wide. The strips were nailed in place by a carpenter and finished on site. Now, more than half of hardwood is fabricated and prefinished at a factory and is much easier to install -- even by the homeowner himself. The range of styles and colors is also very extensive. Planks can be chosen in thin strips or wider options. Native hardwoods are available, as are offshore woods from different countries. Finishes can also be customized with higher gloss or matte choices. For homeowners interested in going green, hardwood flooring also presents many options. A growing trend is using reclaimed wood that is recycled and then refinished into new items. Lumber may be reclaimed from old buildings, railroads, barns, homes, and even river bottoms. The varied history of the wood adds to its aesthetic appeal. It's important for homeowners to know that the price point for hardwood will vary depending on species and finish. However, the way the boards are cut will also be a consideration for homeowners. Plainsawn or flatsawn boards have growth rings that run at anywhere from 0 to 45-degree angles to the wide surfaces of the board, with lots of loops and swirls. Quartersawn boards have rings that run from 45- to 90-angles and are not as lively in pattern. Quartersawn boards will expand in thickness depending on moisture and temperature. Plainsawn will shrink and swell widthwise. Quartersawn tend to take wear better and more evenly, contributing to their typically more expnesive price tag. Homeowners can also choose among engineered wood products, which are essentially several layers of wood veneer adhered to a solid backing of plywood and sealed. This layered construction can make engineered flooring more stable and durable than traditional hardwood flooring. That means it can be used in rooms where hardwood was long frowned upon, like basements and bathrooms. Wood flooring will continue to garner mass appeal and be the preference of many homeowners. With new innovations and availability, there are more options than ever for discerning homeowners. Photo by KWON JUNHO on Unsplash Webmaster Account Sat, 06 May 2017 14:14:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5 https://www.shorelinehardwood.com/Hardwood-Flooring-News/ID/4/Hardwood--The-Confident-Choice-for-Eco-conscious-Consumers#Comments 0 https://www.shorelinehardwood.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=89&ModuleID=421&ArticleID=4 https://www.shorelinehardwood.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=4&PortalID=0&TabID=89 https://www.shorelinehardwood.com/Hardwood-Flooring-News/ID/4/Hardwood--The-Confident-Choice-for-Eco-conscious-Consumers From flooring and cabinetry to moulding and furniture, American hardwoods have been treasured for generations, and for good reason! They offer warmth, durability, luxury, and design options that are unmatched by faux-wood products such as laminates and bamboo. Recently, however, an abundance of green product labels and misinformation has led to confusion in the marketplace, and has everyone asking, "Are American hardwoods really a sustainable resource?" And "Are the hardwood products I want for my home really green?" The answer to these questions is a resounding yes! And now, homeowners have assurance from the federal government that American hardwood products are not only beautiful, but truly green and sustainable. Natural and Sustainable The U.S. Congress passed resolutions in 2009 and 2010 which officially recognized that the American hardwood industry sustainably manages an environmentally preferable, natural resource, and that hardwoods should not be discriminated against in government procurement programs. In March 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agreed and announced its endorsement strategy regarding the merits of domestic wood as a preferred green building material. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, in keeping with the USDA endorsement of American hardwoods as a sustainable material, directed the heads of all USDA agencies to begin increasing use of locally milled lumber in all new agency buildings and facilities. Also, the U.S. Forest Service will examine ways to enhance research and development being done around green building materials. The Facts are Undeniable American forests continue to be a trusted source for sustainable and legally harvested timber. Imported wood and wood substitute products are not regulated like domestic products, and their quality control standards are inconsistent. In addition, local availability and manufacturing significantly minimizes the environmental impact of transporting hardwood products. Hardwood forests naturally regenerate themselves and do not need to be replanted like softwood forests. For this reason, their harvesting methods differ. The preferred method of harvesting hardwoods is single-tree selection. A professional forester evaluates a forest and determines which trees are ready to harvest. This responsible forest management practice not only provides a sustaining supply of hardwood, but it also ensures the overall health of a thriving forest - including water quality, wildlife habitat, biodiversity, and recreational opportunities - and has allowed the volume of our hardwood forests to more than double since the 1950's.  Wood is Carbon Neutral Thanks to the work of our foresters, wood is a carbon neutral material. Healthy forests are net producers of oxygen through photosynthesis. Growing trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and separate the carbon and oxygen atoms. The oxygen is released back into the atmosphere, while the carbon is used to grow roots, trunk, branches and leaves. The carbon is then stored in the wood for the life of the tree and the products made from it. In addition, natural wood products are among the most energy-efficient to produce, while making products from steel, aluminum, glass, concrete, and brick can require up to 126 times more energy to manufacture. With hardwood, the manufacturing process is limited to running a saw blade and kiln drying. In comparison, the steel and concrete manufacturing processes consist of numerous procedures that are extremely energy intensive. And for both, unfavorable environmental consequences result from open pit mining and from the substantial fossil fuels expended and emissions generated in the processing of the raw materials. Furthermore, advanced technology and manufacturing assures the least wood waste and efficient use of wood by-products. For example, tree bark becomes mulch and soil conditioners, sawdust is used for animal bedding or as fuel for boilers to operate dry kilns, and trimmings can be used for wood components and paper. No other material can compare. Hardwoods for the Home - Beyond Sustainable In our homes, hardwood products are some of the healthiest and cost-effective ones we could choose. They do not collect dust or allergens - which can be trapped in other materials - and environmentally friendly paints and stains can be used to complement any design scheme. In addition, hardwood products can be refinished and can last a lifetime. A solid hardwood floor, for instance, can last in excess of 100 years, while carpet would need to be replaced numerous times during that span. At the end of their useful lives, hardwood products can be repurposed, used as a combustible fuel, or returned to the Earth, whereas synthetic and heavily-glued products like bamboo, will remain in a landfill almost indefinitely. It's clear. There really is no better or natural choice for green building and healthy home environments than American hardwoods. And now, with the endorsement of the federal government, eco-conscious homeowners can confidently choose American hardwood flooring, cabinetry, and millwork for their homes. Photo by Tim Foster on Unsplash Webmaster Account Wed, 24 Dec 2014 10:29:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:4 https://www.shorelinehardwood.com/Hardwood-Flooring-News/ID/3/The-Wood-Story-Who-Can-Resist#Comments 0 https://www.shorelinehardwood.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=89&ModuleID=421&ArticleID=3 https://www.shorelinehardwood.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=3&PortalID=0&TabID=89 https://www.shorelinehardwood.com/Hardwood-Flooring-News/ID/3/The-Wood-Story-Who-Can-Resist Today’s wood story starts with the fact that, contrary to popular belief, wood is quite affordable.  Modern, efficient manufacturing techniques mean wood floor décor can become part of a home at any time, no longer optimally at the time the home is built.  Wood flooring says, “This home is built of quality.”  No other flooring type actually INCREASES in value over time and for a variety of reasons:  The popularity of design with wood continues to grow as people discover its timeless allure.  Wood lasts and lasts and lasts, and it also develops its own character in its home.  Like your best pearls or silverware, quality wood flooring takes on a patina that is unique to its environment –your home. As important as that is, let’s look at wood flooring from the viewpoint of a designer or decorator.  From both the material itself and its “look” (color, grain and texture) to the ability to create grand works of art for the floor in the hands of a talented designer and trained installation craftsman, wood is the most versatile floor covering there is.  Professional designers will tell you that wood is a material superior to manufactured substances installed over plywood, in terms of its innate, natural beauty and prestige, of course, and for practical considerations, too, such as ease of installation and maintenance and durability, and the ability of a wood floor to “give” a bit, making it easy on your feet when you walk on it. Not only can you select from any variety of wood flooring options to complement or set the stage for your décor, you actually can change the entire look dramatically and inexpensively over time with custom refinishing by a certified master, the simple addition of a bit of contrasting or coordinating wood flooring here and there, or by installing, rather easily by a professional, insets and pre-assembled medallions of almost any size. If you think you know wood flooring, unless you are “in the business,” chances are you aren’t familiar with how far wood flooring has come in recent years.  They’re definitely not your grandmother’s wood floors.  Today there are more styles, colors, species, formats and finishes available to everyone, many of them carrying exotic names you’ve never heard of arriving all the time from far-flung corners of the world.  You can be assured that truly reliable brands take pains to ensure that not only is every piece of precious natural resource material used wisely in the manufacture of their products but that the process of good stewardship begins in the forest, well before wood for your flooring is harvested, or as creative businessmen and women reclaim some of the world’s loveliest and most “experienced” wood from buildings and even the bottom of lakes and rivers where they may have lain for 200 years or more.  Speaking of the environment, because wood is a hard surface, today’s generation of wood flooring is easier than ever to keep clean, and by its structure and nature, it won’t harbor dust or allergens. With the world marketplace constantly supplying new species in more styles and colors than ever, yours can be a floor that begins its journey in any part of the word and brings to your home four priceless qualities. Photo by CDC on Unsplash Webmaster Account Mon, 22 Dec 2014 20:18:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:3 https://www.shorelinehardwood.com/Hardwood-Flooring-News/ID/2/What-to-Know-Before-You-Buy#Comments 0 https://www.shorelinehardwood.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=89&ModuleID=421&ArticleID=2 https://www.shorelinehardwood.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2&PortalID=0&TabID=89 https://www.shorelinehardwood.com/Hardwood-Flooring-News/ID/2/What-to-Know-Before-You-Buy Ask yourself these questions to narrow your search for the right wood floor:  Where do you plan to use it? Kitchen and entryway: Choose a hard wood, such as oak or hickory, which can handle heavy foot traffic better than a soft pine.   Bedroom and home office: Rooms off the beaten path are good locations for softer woods, such as black cherry or black walnut.   Basement: Avoid using solid-wood flooring below grade, where high humidity prevails. An engineered wood floor is a better option here because it's more stable.   Bathroom: Water can warp wood, making it a poor choice for baths with tubs and showers. What's it going over? Plywood subfloor: As long as it's solid and flat, you can install any type of nail-or glue-down hardwood, as well as click-together engineered strip or cork plank floating floors.   Existing wood floor: Thinner boards with long-wearing factory-applied finishes are better here to ensure safe, no-trip transitions to adjacent rooms, hallways, and stairways.   Concrete slab or tile: Nails aren't an option. Consider a click-together floating floor or one that can be glued down.   Radiant floor: Engineered flooring is ideal because it's thinner and more stable than most solid wood. Photo by Karlie Mitchell on Unsplash Webmaster Account Mon, 22 Dec 2014 20:12:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2 https://www.shorelinehardwood.com/Hardwood-Flooring-News/ID/1/Existing-Home-Sales-Dip-Due-to-Lagging-Inventory#Comments 0 https://www.shorelinehardwood.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=89&ModuleID=421&ArticleID=1 https://www.shorelinehardwood.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=1&PortalID=0&TabID=89 https://www.shorelinehardwood.com/Hardwood-Flooring-News/ID/1/Existing-Home-Sales-Dip-Due-to-Lagging-Inventory The housing supply tightened in November, causing existing home sales to decrease after hitting their highest level of the year in October, according to the National Association of Realtors. Total existing-home sales fell 6.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.93 million in November, down from 5.25 million in October. This is the lowest sales rate since May, when sales were 4.91 million, but it is still 2.1 percent higher than November 2013. Although interest rates were at their lowest levels of the year in November, housing inventory began its seasonal decline, said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, in a statement. Total housing inventory at the end of November fell 6.7 percent to 2.09 million existing homes available for sale, or a 5.1-month supply at the current sales pace. “Lagging homebuilding activity continues to hamstring overall housing supply and is still too low in relation to this year’s promising job growth,” Yun said. “Much faster price and rent appreciation—easily exceeding wage growth—will occur next year unless new construction picks up measurably.” The median existing-home price in November was $205,300, or 5 percent above November 2013. This is the 33rd consecutive month of year-over-year gains. Webmaster Account Mon, 22 Dec 2014 19:50:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:1