Description: Flooring: Hardwood, Mountain Heritage Oak, Brown Bear, Builder; Black Diamond Builders; Designer: Amy Gmeiner

1. Controlling Temperature and Humidity Levels of Hardwood

First, it is important to recognize that regular maintenance may vary depending on use, wear and lifestyle.

Wood is a naturally porous product that will expand and contract as seasons change. Excessive moisture or humidity can cause buckling, cupping and gapping if not properly maintained.

Temperature: 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit

Humidity: 30-50 percent

Depending on the season, you may want to use a humidifier (dry/winter) to prevent shrinkage in wood floors due to low humidity or a dehumidifier (humid/summer) to maintain proper humidity levels. This will help protect your investment and assure that your floors last for years.

Description: Flooring: Hardwood, Provenza Pompeii, Ustica; Builder: Atkins Family Builders

2. Color Fading and/or Darkening

Part of the natural beauty of real wood is the variation in grains, shades and colors that you get in the same piece of material. While extreme variances are rare, it is impossible to guarantee a perfect level of consistency in regards to grain, shading and color. Keep in mind, color fading and/or darkening is a natural occurrence caused by exposure to UV rays (direct sunlight) and is not considered to be a product defect. All species of wood will experience color change due to exposure to light and natural aging. It is important to discuss the characteristics of the floor species you selected with one of our designers before install, as some species will go through more significant changes than others.

Description: Hardwood: Palazzo Hand Scraped Engineered, Random Width, Roma;
Builder: Forestville Builders

3. Using Area Rugs and Mats

While area rugs and mats can be a great way to protect your wood floor from furniture and wear in high-traffic areas, there are a few things to keep in mind. Be wary of the placement of large area rugs in spaces that have a lot of direct sunlight, as it could cause a noticeable color difference over time due to sun fading. You also want to make sure that your new or old favorite rug has no sticky backing, or backing with plastic that can be harmful to your floors. Natural rubber, untreated natural fiber, jute, and urethane mats/rugs are highly recommended.

Description: Flooring: Hardwood, Monterey Hickory, Gaucho; Builder: Castlewood Homes; Designer: Katie Krause

4. Floor Protectors and Finishes

Finishes on pre-finished floors vary from product to product. Keep in mind that some species of wood are much harder than others. All wood floors will scratch and dent regardless of the finish that you choose, but this only adds to the true nature and character of hardwood. To prevent major damage, we suggest using floor protectors on appliances and furniture, as moving them can cause damage to your hardwood floor. Rugs and furniture pads will help prevent scratching due to sliding furniture and high traffic patterns. Water, humidity, stones, and animal claws are just a few things that can damage your floors, so keep this in mind before committing. Exotic woods tend to be harder and denser than others, for example, hickory or hard maple and can be more dent resistant.

Description: Engineered Hardwood: Provenza Oiled Heirloom European Oak in Norwich, 6″ boards;
Designer: Katie Krause; Builder: Marty Brice Construction

5. Keep It Clean!

Keeping your floors looking beautiful requires special cleaning. Simply wet mopping your floor using water is never good for the finish or the wood. Our designers at H.J. Martin and Son recommend using Armstrong Flooring Hardwood & Laminate Cleaning Spray to properly clean your Armstrong hardwood floors. The full package includes an Armstrong Flooring swivel head mop, 3-piece handle and reversible, washable terry cloth cover and ready to use hardwood and laminate floor cleaner spray with a fresh citrus scent! For the best results, we also recommend using a vacuum brush attachment to remove any surface dirt and debris before cleaning your floors.

Contact H.J. Martin and Son’s Floorcare division at 920-321-3414 12 to 18 months after installation for cleaning in order to maintain your floor finish. See more of our hardwood installation projects in our gallery! If you are still looking for new hardwood to purchase and install, see some handy tips here.

Additional product information can be obtained from the following:

WFMA-The Wood Flooring Manufacturer’s Association

NWFA-National Wood Flooring Association

The post 5 Things to Know After Your Hardwood Flooring Is Installed appeared first on H.J. Martin and Son.

You tell us the size, then choose from thousands of patterns, then choose the material — stain resistant, pet-friendly, wool and more! We have them all. Don’t settle for a size that isn’t perfect or a color that’s “close enough.” We can customize to exactly what your needs are.

Why choose H.J. Martin and Son for your area rug?

• Unlike traditional home stores, H.J. Martin and Son offers truly custom area rugs! Any size, any carpet, any color.
• H.J. Martin and Son has next to an unlimited variety of colors and patterns. If you do not find a pattern you like, just ask as we can probably get it for you. From standard solids to zebra and leopard prints, we can do it all.
• From a small rug for your entryway to a large living room area rug, we can fit your specific needs.
• We offer a variety of stock carpets, and on-site area rug surging and binding, so you can have a custom area rug or hallway runner within days! No need to wait weeks.
• Our Floorcare division can clean your area rugs to keep them looking like new…or ask us about the other areas we can help with.

What to consider when choosing an area rug:

• Material: Where is the area rug going? Will you need something stain resistant? How much wear and tear will it see?
• Size: Make sure you are choosing the right size to accentuate the area. You don’t want something too small or it will get lost, and you don’t want something too large that it will overtake the area.
• Color: Pick a color to complement your area, or if your area is mostly neutral choose a pop of color for an accent.
• Suggested areas: Kitchen, dining room, master bedroom, family room, front entry. Get creative with where you add area rugs and change them out with the seasons or as your style changes.
• Pads: We have synthetic pads and we also offer hold-tight pads, which are great for hard surfaces so rugs will not slip.

How to get started:

• Come in to one of our showrooms to view our large array of in-stock options. Or check out our large variety of special-order area rugs, or even carpets we can have custom-made into area rugs. Or we can check with some of suppliers who have stocked sizes ready to order.
• Or browse our online gallery for some inspiration.

Don’t settle with your next area rug purchase. You are not limited when it comes to choosing the perfect area rug. Meet with one of our designers and get started.

The post Endless, custom Area Rug options appeared first on H.J. Martin and Son.