The latest job was done on a 1960’s ranch home.  We tore out 1200 ft. of carpet, pad and particle board.  We also tore out 600 ft. of vinyl.  We then installed, sanded and finished Select Red Oak hardwood flooring.  We also installed new ceramic tile in the kitchen and bathroom.  We take on all projects large and small.  Going in and updating an old home with stylish new wood flooring and tile is an exciting thing  for us.

This project was done in the Dunthorpe area.  We tore out the old carpet and installed rift and quarterd Red Oak hard wood flooring.  Also added hard wood stairs.  We sanded, finished and applied an oil base sweedish finish.

Where does Cherry Hardwood Flooring come from and What is it.

Cherry Hardwood is used for flooring and is also known as Jatobá or Guapinol (Hymenaea courbaril). It is a tree common to the Caribbean, Central, and South America. It is a hardwood used for furniture, flooring. Stock coming from the southern hemisphere is also referred to as Brazilian Cherry.

Jatoba and all it’s other names by which it is referred to such as Brazilian Cherry or South American Cherry hardwood, is actually not from a cherry tree and it is not botanically related to the Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), a very common American hardwood either. Depending what part of South America or Caribbean it comes from Jatoba is also known as Brazilian Copal, South American Locust, the West Indian Locust Tree, or Stinking Toe, Old Man’s Toe or Stinktoe do to the unpleasant odor of the edible pulp inside its seed pods.

Jatoba produces an orange, resinous, sticky gum that turns into amber through a chemical process which takes millions of years. Amber from million year old Hymenaea trees have given scientists many clues to its prehistoric presence on Earth and many extinct insects and plants have been found encased in it.

Jatoba is a very hard wood measuring 5.6 on the Brinell scale or 2350 lbf on the Janka scale. As a comparison, Douglas Fir measures 660 lbf, White Oak 1360 lbf, and Brazilian Walnut 3800 lbf on the Janka scale.

Jatoba or Brazilian Cherry hardwood, whatever you choose to call it has a tan/salmon color with black accent stripes that over time turn  into a deep rich red color.

Choosing the Correct Hardwood Floor

In order to choose the right hardwood flooring you need to consider what room of the house you going to apply the flooring too. The next thing you have to consider is how much use will the floor get and how dirty will it get.

The first question you really need to ask is hardwood flooring right for your application?

There are really no disadvantages to solid hardwood flooring.

There are 3 types of solid wood flooring,  reliable wood, engineered and laminate. There are pros and cons for each type and it’ important to understand differences before choosing a flooring.   The reality of  a limited budget as well as maintenance and installment considerations have lead many people to turn to other kinds of timber floors that meet their needs.

Solid Wood Flooring

Solid wood flooring is solid wood all the way through, solid wood is milled from 1 piece solid wood. Solid wood flooring  is know as “hardwood flooring” and is possibly the most typical sort of wood flooring currently used in homes.

Solid or hardwood flooring has many advantages, its elegance and beauty make it the principal focus of a room, it’s important not to forget the more practical aspects hardwood like resilience, stain resistance (including wine and food), it’s simple to clean, warm to the touch and hygienic.

What are the long-term considerations when choosing flooring?

A room with a hardwood floor can be cold if the room is not decorated correctly, hardwood floors are a neutral palette to start with. This is an advantage because you can create the look and feel you want using your decor and wall colors.  with minor changes you such as paint, pillows, furniture and wall hangings you alter the look and the feel of  the room while using the wood flooring to greatly enhance the room and what you are trying to accomplish.

Hardwood flooring are susceptible to scrapes and dents however this should not be a problem if cared for properly not to mention the fact that hardwood can be re-sanded numerous times, increasing it’s life for decades. It should be remembered however, that reliable solid wood may not be by far the most appropriate selection for moist areas such as kitchens or bathrooms because it can have the tendency to expand or contract if exposed to altering temperatures or a damp environment.

How Does Carpet Compare?
Carpet is harder to clean, absorbs and holds moisture which can lead to mildew.  Carpet is wormer to the touch but keeping carpet truly clean is something that you never feel you achieve.

When some thing is spilled on a hardwood floor it has nowhere go. It sits on the surface so it can be easily wiped up. Dust can be quickly vacuumed or wiped away, which reduces the allergens existing in your home. Since it is easy to keep clean, bacteria and viruses have nothing to thrive on with this type of flooring.

The easy way to answer all your questions concerning hardwood flooring is to call a reputable hardwood floor installer.  If you are in the Portland Oregon area call us at 503.453.2867

For more information on hardwood floors see www.woodfloorsbydesign.com

In the main area we laced new wood with the old and added new wood through almost the whole house.

See all the pictures from this project by clicking here or by visiting our facebook page.

Did you know that we now do stone and tile installations and maintenance?   Well, its true we really do and we just finished re-tiling Sweet Tomatoes kitchen floor. We just finished a commercial job for Sweet Tomatoes. To see more visit our facebook page.

A Cleaner for Hardwood Floors with Good Reviews

Product Features

• Lightweight and maneuverable hard-surface cleaner combines wet and dry functions
• Dry vacuum picks up crumbs and dust; heated wet-mop cleans sticky spills
• Built-in heater maximizes cleaning power; interchangeable brush and pad are safe on all sealed surfaces, including marble, tile, hardwoods, and laminate
• Includes trial-size wood-floor and hard-surface cleaners plus a spare cleaning pad
• Measures 11 by 8 by 44 inches; weighs 10 pounds; limited 1-year warranty

The Bissell Flip-It Select promises two hard-surface cleaners in one: a dry vacuum for picking up crumbs and a heated wet-mop for sticky spills. Replacing broom, dustpan, vacuum cleaner, mop, and bucket in one fell stroke, this slender, lightweight cleaner effectively simplifies and saves space, especially in crowded spaces like kitchens. Start by using it as a regular stick vacuum to clear away small debris. To change functions, simply turn the unit around, switching on the built-in heater for added cleaning power. The Flip-It has separate clean and dirty water tanks, so unlike the traditional mop-bucket combo, you’re always working with freshly heated, unsoiled water, and it leaves floor dry once they’ve been cleaned. It also comes with two different wet cleaning surfaces, a soft brush for tile or other surfaces with grout and crevices, and the Gentle Clean pad for babying delicate surfaces like hardwood or laminates.

The Flip-It’s dual-function cleaning proves especially convenient on smaller areas and for touchups, but mastering the wet-mop function can be tricky, and many users find it hard to push in wet mode until the floor has been saturated with liquid. Technique (and practice) help the process considerably: press the trigger down on the forward stroke to spray cleaning fluid, then release it as you pull back so the squeegee dries the floor. The Flip-It Select is easy to maintain; both filter and brushes clean up easily under running water and the Gentle Clean pad can go straight into the washing machine. It even stores ready to use with water and cleaning fluid in the tank. Weighing in at just ten pounds, the unit is powered by a nine-amp motor when using heat, three amps without, and includes trial sizes of hard-surface and wood-floor cleaners as well as an extra Gentle Clean pad. The power cord features a quick-release wrap as well as a clip for storage. Compact, maneuverable, and ergonomically designed, the Flip-It Select is 44 inches tall, with a base measuring 11 inches long and 8 inches wide, and comes backed by a limited one-year warranty.

For more information and reviews visit Amazon.com also visit Bissell’s Website

The wood used in this floor is Brazilian Teak or also known as light Cumaru.