Tag Archives: hardwood floor installation

How to Clean Lacquered or Shellacked Hardwood Flooring

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Hardwood floors that are surfaced with lacquer, shellac, or varnish finishes require a separate cleaning agenda than that of polyurethane floors. Although fairly similar, shellac or lacquered hardwood needs a more detailed approach to cleaning and care. You see, these finishes are not water or moisture resistant, so hardwood floors are not protected from spills or wear and tear. It is recommended to seal lacquer or shellac-surfaced hardwood floors with a protective liquid or paste floor wax.

Continue reading to learn safe methods for cleaning shellacked, varnished, or lacquered hardwood flooring, and who to call for affordable hardwood floor installation and replacement in Indianapolis.

Hardwood Floor Installation 317-454-3612

Hardwood Floor Installation 317-454-3612

Hardwood Floor Cleaning Tips

There are two primary methods that are both safe and effective for cleaning lacquered or shellacked hardwood floors. Both methods use techniques that are unique to cleaning specialty flooring, so acute attention and concentration is required. Only solvent-based cleaners and polishes should be used when cleaning or treating shellacked, varnished, or lacquered wood floors. All other OTC cleaners are generally water-based and may fade, weaken, or buckle hardwood. Since solvent-based chemicals are flammable, it is important to only use them in well-ventilated spaces.

Here are two key methods to cleaning finished hardwood flooring:

Method One

➀ Gently Vacuum Hardwood Floors
➁ Apply a One-Step Floor Cleaner or Polish (Solvent-Based) to a Small Section of Floor
➂ Use a Wax Applicator Pad to Rub Product into the Wood Floor
➃ Always Rub in the Same Direction of the Natural Wood Grain
➄ Use a Clean Cloth to Wipe Away Leftover Residue
➅ Use a Microfiber Towel to Buff Floors in a Circular Motion!
➆ Buff Until Floors Shine!

Method Two (Recommended)

➀ Gently Vacuum Hardwood Floors
➁ Use a Dry Wax Applicator to Apply Liquid Floor Cleaner (Solvent-Based) to a Small Section of the Floor
➂ Apply By Rubbing in Along the Natural Direction of the Wood Grain
➃ Continue by Applying Remaining Cleaner to All Sections of the Hardwood Floor
➄ Allow the Previous Sections of Flooring to Sit and Soak in the Product
➅ Come Back to the First Section Cleaned and Wipe Away Leftover Residue
➆ Do this for All Remaining Sections in the Order they were Cleaned
➇ Buff Surface of Flooring with a Hardwood Floor Polisher
➈ Buff Away Streaks with a Microfiber Towel until the Floorboards Shine!

Hardwood floors last a very long time with good care, but at some point, they will have to be replaced. Hardwood floor replacement is a wise investment that can increase your property value and drastically enhance your interior appeal. When this time comes, be sure you choose a licensed general contractor who specializes in hardwood flooring. They will have the tools, training, and resources necessary to provide professional advice, comprehensive service, and outstanding results.

Hardwood Floor Installation and Replacement

Wood Floor Installation 317-454-3612

Wood Floor Installation 317-454-3612

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for Indianapolis hardwood floor installation you can trust. Owner and general contractor, Lee Elliot, provides affordable hardwood floor replacement and installation services for both commercial and residential properties throughout Central Indiana. In fact, we will beat any competitor’s price, GUARANTEED! Call 317-455-3612 to learn more about our Indianapolis tile flooring services, or to schedule an assessment today.

The Pros and Cons of Engineered Wood Flooring

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Laminate Floor Repair 317-454-3612

Laminate Floor Repair 317-454-3612

If you are in the market for new hardwood floors, you may want to consider engineered wood as an option. It is a popular mid to top-level flooring choice among home owners for various reasons. To find out if engineered hardwood flooring is right for your home, it is best to review its advantages and disadvantages; and then determine which factors on each side carry the most weight with you. Continue reading to evaluate the most notable pros and cons of engineered hardwood flooring.

Engineered Wood Floors

Engineered wood is not entirely hardwood, but mostly a wood product made with bonded wood fibers and adhesive veneer panels. It is manufactured using recycled veneers and woods from several types of tree subspecies. Engineered wood flooring is constructed with layers of ply wood, and then finished off with a top veneer layer of real hardwood. This top layer is stained and treated just as any hardwood floor would be. The layer beneath the top hardwood ply is called the structural support core board. And the layers beneath that are called backing layers, used for stability.

PROS

The best advantage to installing engineered hardwood floors is the price points. Because it does not require an abundant amount of real solid hardwood, it is much cheaper all around. For anyone remodeling or renovating on a budget, but still desires the look AND feel of hardwood floors, this is a great cost-effective alternative.

Additional Advantages Include:

  • Easy Installation
  • Highly Durable and Strong
  • Excellent Stability
  • Long-Lasting
  • Easy Maintenance
  • Not Impacted By Moisture or Changes in Temperature
  • Countless Designs, Finishes, and Styles
  • Less Prone to Warping and Water Damage

CONS

The major drawback to engineered hardwood flooring is probably the thin layer of real hardwood veneer. Because it is so thin, it is more vulnerable to grooves, dents, and other forms of wear. This means it will most likely need to be replaced because engineered wood cannot be redone over and over again like solid hardwood floors. This is especially true for areas of homes with heavy foot traffic. Aside from vulnerable veneers, engineered wood floors are susceptible to shape distortion. Although they are highly durable, their shape can distort overtime, and can even warp or twist. This means it will require some repairs after a while.

For professional advice regarding hardwood floors and flooring installation, call your local home remodeling service.

Restoration By L & B, LLC

General Contractors Indianapolis Indiana 317-454-3612

General Contractors Indianapolis Indiana 317-454-3612

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for hardwood floor installation in Indianapolis, Indiana. Licensed general contractor and owner, Lee Elliot, is happy to answer your questions about engineered hardwood flooring and flooring installation. We offer residential and commercial remodeling, restoration, renovation, and repair services at the most competitive prices in town. In fact, we will BEAT any price, guaranteed! Give us a call today at 317-454-3612 and learn more about hardwood flooring service and installation in Indianapolis, IN.

Wood Flooring Information and Advice

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Hardwood Floor Repair 317-454-3612

Hardwood Floor Repair 317-454-3612

When it comes to upgrading or replacing the flooring in your home or office, you probably already know that wood floors are a widely recommended and popular choice. But there are several questions to ask yourself as a property owner in order to decide which type of wood flooring is right for you. You have to think about the type of environment your property has, and the occurrences that might affect wood floors.

For example, take into consideration the humidity levels in your area, the daily foot traffic you property experiences, and of course, your overall budget. Do you want your wood floors to appear perfectly polished and clear of scratches, or do you prefer a more “rustic” or natural feel? What’s your budget look like? Do you have room for higher-quality materials, or perhaps a protection plan? Do you have radiant-floor heating? Do you want heated floors? These questions and more can be answered with the help of a professional flooring contractor. In the meantime, learn about the common types of wood flooring sold on the market today so you are better prepared to make the right decision for your home or commercial property.

Solid Wood Floors

Solid wood flooring is just that; solid and dense wood. It comes in many colors and levels of rustic-like looks. It will naturally, overtime, mark and scratch; but for those who prefer the more “lived-in” or countryside look, it is a good feature to have. It is highly recommended for people who do not wish to put a lot of effort into maintenance and upkeep, like busy parents or homes with dogs and cats. It is a stress-free wood floor choice for those who like a natural look and feel. If scratches and marks are not an option for you, then this is probably not the best choice for your home or property.

Also, properties with heated floors are not good matches for solid wood. Properties located in towns whose humidity levels fluctuate are also not good matches; both for the same reason. Solid wood expands in heat and contracts in cold. This can cause warped or loosened floor boards, and other aesthetic trouble as well. A simple and quick moisture test can tell your flooring contractor whether or not solid wood floors will be a lucrative choice.

Laminate Wood

Now laminate is the material, not wood; although, this type of flooring is made to replicate the look and feel of real wood floors, but without all the wear and tear. For those who want flawless wood flooring, laminate is the best option. With a real look of wood, laminate flooring offers property owners a scratch-free and mark-free surface, all the time. With a little routine maintenance and gentle cleaning, laminate floors can last a very long time. And the best part is, they are very affordable! They come in infinite styles, sizes, and colors so customizing your interiors is easy to do.

Engineered Wood Flooring

For those who want real wood floors, but live in areas with fluctuating humidity or have underfloor heating, engineered wood is a great choice. It is basically a top layer of real hard wood that is bonded to a bottom softwood base. This allows property owners to have a real wood look and feel, even if they have heated flooring or a property that otherwise wouldn’t work well with real hardwood flooring. They come in basic tongue and groove versions, which look like nailed-down boards; or they can come in floating or click versions that look close to the tightly lain laminate floor boards you’ve seen before.

Restoration By L & B, LLC

General Contractors Indianapolis Indiana 317-454-3612

General Contractors Indianapolis Indiana 317-454-3612

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for professional and affordable wood floor installation in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and general contractor, Lee Elliot, is happy to answer your questions about wood flooring and installation. We offer wood floor replacement, installation, repair, and much more. Call 317-454-3612 and speak with a friendly and professional general contractor about installing wood floors in Indianapolis, IN today.