When it comes to selecting flooring for your home, nothing beats hardwood. Hardwood panels can be an elaborate way to update your house and boost its value. While some homeowners believe hardwood floors only work with certain interior designs, nothing could be further from the truth. Hardwood floors enhance any interior, from contemporary to traditional and everything in between. If you’re wary of the upkeep often associated with hardwood flooring, don’t be. Hardwood floors are compatible with any home style.

Personal Taste

Some people avoid hardwood flooring because they believe it will feel cold on the feet. However, hardwood floors can easily be topped with carpets, rugs, and other décor, making it fit warmly and comfortably into any home. It’s also quite beautiful on its own and can be warmed up with a new finish. Whether you prefer dark woods or light-colored woods, simple or complex designs, there’s a hardwood flooring option that can fit your personal preferences. Continue Reading →

When you pick out a wood floor, keep in mind that kitchen floors may have varying needs. The kitchen is a high traffic area that’s susceptible to dirt and liquid accumulation. Kitchen hardwood floors really require careful consideration.

Choosing Your Kitchen Hardwood Floor 

Hardwood flooring can add charm to any room and work well in the kitchen, but you may want to choose your wood carefully before having your hardwood floor installed. Oak, ash, maple, and other “hard” hardwoods are more resistant to scratches and dings than pine, fir, or cherry.

Many eco-friendly wood floor options aren’t actually wood, but are “wood-like,” and include cork and bamboo, which are considered tropical woods.

Solid Wood Floors

Solid wood floors are the most basic and typical type of wooden floors. Due to their thickness and hardness, they may not be suitable for kitchen wood floor installation. Continue Reading →

The beauty of your hardwood floor can be enhanced by the polyurethane coating that a professional wood flooring installer applies. If you’ve had the floor installed recently, you probably won’t need to refinish for at least 5 years, but it depends on the finish you have. Some can last seven years or more. That timeframe depends on how much traffic the floor undergoes and whether there are frequent stains from spills. The general rule of thumb is to schedule a hardwood floor refinishing every five to seven years. 

Wood Floor Maintenance is the Key

Other kinds of wood floor maintenance can be very beneficial. The winter months are usually drier in most parts of the country, but here in the Pacific Northwest it’s the summers that are dry, and the winters that are humid. Wood can react to excess moisture by swelling and then contracting, leaving gaps between the boards. This is normal, but it should be monitored because you won’t want the boards to turn up at the ends (cupping). The boards may then have the center move higher than the ends (crowning) when humidity increases and the wood naturally swells. This will require a hardwood flooring professional to come in and remedy the issue. Continue Reading →

The beauty of a hardwood floor with fantastic color, aesthetic wood grain, and shining polyurethane finish is well known. The choice to either replace or refinish a hardwood floor, however, might not be so simple. Refinishing has drawbacks like creating a ton of dust. It also doesn’t fix other problems like some people expect it to.

Some homeowners believe they can refinish a wood floor by themselves at a much lower cost than hiring a flooring expert. However, the commercial tools required and the time polyurethane takes to cure can make this a much more cost-prohibitive and arduous process than most DIYers realize.

What Refinishing Hardwood Doesn’t Solve

Over the years, your wood floor expands and contracts in response to heat and cold, creating gaps between the floorboards. The refinished panels will still be in need of alignment, and the age of the floorboards could make this hard for the DIYer. In addition, the boards may be squeaking, and refinishing won’t fix this especially if the squeaks are from the wood the floorboards are resting on. Continue Reading →

Hardwood floor maintenance doesn’t require a lot of time. You do, however, want to be careful to fully protect your investment. The number one rule is to make sure you always use a wood floor cleaning product when it’s time to clean. Contrary to belief, other cleaning products for surfaces like tile and vinyl will not get the job done and may even damage the floor. Cleaning the floor regularly is actually quite easy. Learn the proper way of wood floor mopping to keep the surface spotless.

Wood Floor Mopping and Important Suggestions

Don’t mop a wood floor when the surface is wet. If there’s a spill, immediately wipe it up with a lightly moist cloth. You won’t want a full wet cleaning because it may dull the finish and leave a wet residue that could affect the color of the wood. Continue Reading →

Do you have wall-to-wall carpeting and are contemplating changing to a hardwood floor? Keep in mind, though, that wood flooring may not be appropriate for certain rooms. These rooms may be too humid or just get too much traffic, leading to eventual spot repairs and even some plank replacement.

In the Whatcom County area, we have our fair share of rainfall. Some people consider only the looks when choosing new flooring and even want hardwood in the vestibule or an enclosed porch. The dampness of year-round weather, however, may make it better to have a laminate flooring product in these kinds of areas.

Laminate vs. Wood Flooring

Laminate planks are made primarily of fiberboard and heated resin with the texture of wood grain embedded on the surface to mimic wood. In a large area, you can see repetitions of these patterns over and over. A smaller room like a vestibule will afford minimal chance to notice this. Hardwood planks and engineered hardwood both keep the natural wood grain and texture, so they will look better in those larger rooms. Continue Reading →

Are you planning to replace the floors in your home in Everson, Washington? It’s important to select the right material for your upcoming project. Fortunately, there are many options available to choose from. While you’re sure to find something that suits your style and aesthetic preference, it will require some research. One increasingly popular selection is bamboo flooring. This type of hardwood flooring installation has some beneficial features you should be aware of. Consider the following:

Easy to Maintain

Maintaining your hardwood flooring doesn’t have to be a chore. Unlike some other options, bamboo flooring doesn’t require much special attention. For the most part, you’ll be able to keep your regular cleaning routine. All you need is a broom and a vacuum!

Durable

Bamboo flooring is also very durable. In fact, your flooring contractor may recommend it for kitchen and bathroom installations specifically. While prolonged exposure to water can be damaging, bamboo does handle moisture better than traditional hardwood.

Eco-Friendly

If you’re looking for an environmentally conscious option, bamboo flooring may fit the bill. Bamboo grows very quickly, making it a highly renewable resource. It only takes three to five years for bamboo to mature.

Interested in Bamboo Flooring in Everson?

Are you interested in having bamboo flooring installed in your home in Everson, Washington? Now that you know a little more about this product, you can make an informed decision. The pros at Ken’s Custom Floors in Bellingham offer a variety of superior flooring services, including hardwood floor installation, hardwood floor refinishing and hardwood floor repair. Our highly-trained team has a reputation for providing expert advice, quality workmanship and unbeatable customer care on every job. As industry experts, we have the knowledge, skills and equipment to address all your hardwood flooring needs quickly and efficiently. Contact us today with questions or to request a free in-home estimate.

Bamboo Flooring Installation in Everson

Serving Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden, Everson, Lummi Island, Sudden Valley, Anacortes & all of Whatcom County for over 20 Years

Are you planning to replace the flooring in your home in Lynden, Washington? It’s important to select the right material. There are many types to consider and choose from. An increasingly popular selection is engineered hardwood flooring. Many homeowners shy away from a hardwood flooring installation due to potential damage and maintenance requirements. While this option isn’t for everyone, there are several beneficial features you should be aware of before making your final decision. Consider the following:

Moisture Resistance

One of the most significant differences between engineered hardwood flooring and solid hardwood flooring is moisture resistance. Engineered products are constructed using genuine wood, but it is made in layers that protect it from moisture damage.

Stablilty

Engineered hardwood flooring is known for its stability, which is particularly important for high-traffic areas of your home. The multiple layers of wood make this material very stable. Ask your flooring contractor which option is best suited for your specific needs.

Low Maintenance

Because engineered hardwood flooring is more resistant to moisture, it’s less likely to swell or warp over time. This makes maintaining your floors easier and limits the number of repairs you’ll need.

Interested in Engineered Hardwood Flooring in Lynden?

Do you think installing engineered hardwood flooring in your home in Lynden, Washington, would be a good idea? Now that you know a little more about this product, you can make an informed decision. The pros at Ken’s Custom Floors in Bellingham have offered hardwood floor installation, hardwood floor refinishing and hardwood floor repair services for years. Our highly-trained team provides expert advice, quality workmanship and unbeatable customer care on every job, big or small. With years of experience, we have the skills and equipment to address all your hardwood flooring needs quickly and efficiently. Contact us today with questions or to request a free in-home estimate.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring Experts in Lynden

Serving Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden, Everson, Lummi Island, Sudden Valley, Anacortes & all of Whatcom County for over 20 Years

Are you planning to replace the floors in your home in Ferndale, Washington? Picking the right flooring material is important. While there are numerous options available, most homeowners strongly prefer solid hardwood flooring. A hardwood flooring installation isn’t for everyone, but there are several reasons to consider solid hardwood flooring before making your final decision:

Aesthetically Stunning

One of the best reasons to choose solid hardwood flooring is the aesthetic it creates. Solid hardwood is generally considered the prettiest of flooring options available on the market. This classic addition to your home is sure to please and awe guests for the holidays!

Increased Resale Value

Solid hardwood flooring adds more value to your property. So these floors will attract more buyers to your listing when you’re ready to sell. Let your flooring contractor know if you are planning to sell your home soon, because he or she may be able to make other value-adding recommendations.

Replacement Alternatives

When your hardwood flooring begins to show its age, you won’t necessarily have to replace it. Solid hardwood can be refinished several times throughout its lifespan. This is the easiest and most cost-effective way to address scratches and other minor damage.

Interested in Solid Hardwood Flooring for Your Home in Ferndale?

Are you interested in hardwood flooring for your home in Ferndale, Washington? Now that you are more familiar with the reasons to choose it, you can make a more informed decision. Contact Ken’s Custom Floors in Bellingham with questions or to request a free in-home estimate. Our highly-trained team strives to provide expert advice, quality workmanship and unbeatable customer care on every job, large or small. We’ll be happy to discuss your unique needs and help you identify the best flooring for your home. You can also count on us to have the knowledge, skills and equipment to perform hardwood floor refinishing and hardwood floor repair.

Hardwood Flooring Experts in Ferndale

Serving Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden, Everson, Lummi Island, Sudden Valley, Anacortes & all of Whatcom County for over 20 Years