Solid and Engineered Wood

When looking to add style and sophistication to a room, nothing beats the beauty of a genuine hardwood floor. If you are curious about installing hardwood flooring in your home, here are the similarities and differences between solid and engineered wood floors. Both types are one hundred percent real wood, and they both offer many styles and colors. However, there are significant distinctions. Solid hardwood boards are created from a single piece of lumber. The thickness of the boards can vary, but generally range from 3/4 to 7/16 . Engineered wood flooring is created from multiple plies of wood with a solid wood top layer. Below the top layer is an inner core of high density fiberboard layers. At the bottom is a hardwood backing. Solid hardwood expands and contracts in reaction to changes in moisture and temperature, so solid wood floors are only recommended for rooms at ground level or above. With engineered wood, the unique construction creates a structure that is less likely to bu
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All About Cork Flooring

Cork flooring is produced from the bark of the cork oak tree. The material is ground, processed into sheets, and baked in a kiln to produce tiles. Cork flooring is known to be an environmentally conscious choice, compared to other hardwoods. Harvesting the cork oak for its bark is strictly regulated, limiting such harvesting into 9 year cycles. The individual cork oaks must be at least 25 years old before they are harvested. The cork oak is harvested by hand, and remains unaffected by the harvesting process. The bark of the cork oak grows back, leaving the cork oak healthy. One of the characteristics of cork flooring is its resilience to pressure and impact. Cork flooring can withstand foot traffic and the pressure of furniture legs. It is also a good option for pets. While no natural wood floor is 100 percent scratch-resistant, cork flooring is more adaptable to claws caused by dogs and cats than many other natural wood flooring options. Cork is also known to be a good insulator. Its
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Site-Finished Hardwood

Looking for a sophisticated flooring style? Site-finished hardwood might be for you! Many people prefer the smoother, cleaner edges and the contemporary style of site-finished hardwood. Also, site-finished hardwood gives the home an authentic look, whereas prefinished hardwood, while also appealing, can sometimes show the edges of the base wood color underneath. Site-finished hardwood is easier to clean and is more water resilient than prefinished wood. This is very important for areas of the home that experience high traffic and with areas with more moisture, such as entryways and kitchens. Site-finished hardwood also gives the homeowner the ability to customize the color. Stains can be sampled and even mixed together on-site before confirming color decisions. Also, site-finished hardwood is easier to match colors if you have a room with existing hardwood and are looking to add hardwood to a new area. Interested in finding out more about site-finished hardwood? Feel free to check out
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Hardwood Flooring Trends

In recent years, hardwood flooring trends have evolved. Hardwood flooring in entryways, kitchens, and powder rooms have become more and more popular and widespread. Hardwood Flooring in Entryways Lately more and more people are preferring hardwood rather than tile or other vinyl for their entryways. Replacing tile or vinyl with hardwood that is the same color as the rest of the hardwood in the home helps to make the space look larger. It is also more budget friendly if the hardwood in other areas of the home is being refinished. Hardwood Flooring in Kitchens As depicted on a multitude of social media sites and home décor magazines, hardwood flooring is now one of the most popular types of flooring for kitchens especially on the East Coast. This is mainly due to the fact that hardwood flooring offers many benefits in comparison to tile. Not only do they make the space seem larger, especially if you have hardwood in the rooms next to the kitchen, but they are also easier on the feet. A
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Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Luxury vinyl flooring, typically abbreviated as LVF, is a popular type of resilient flooring. This type of flooring includes luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and luxury vinyl plank (LVP). The LVT simulates stone, such as travertine, slate, and marble. The LVP simulates the look of wood, such as maple, oak, walnut, teak, or pine. Introduced in 2006, luxury vinyl flooring combines the high-end look of hardwood or tile with the durability of vinyl. Three-dimension printing technology creates a realistic tile look, while also adding depth. It is then finished with a high performance layer to ensure durability. Luxury vinyl flooring is great choice for kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms, due to the fact that it can withstand high amounts moisture. Luxury vinyl has become extremely popular, with sales reaching double digit growth in the last year alone. Traditionally, when you choose a wood or ceramic floor, it will most likely remain in the home for a long period of time. Luxury vinyl flooring
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Refinishing Hardwood Floors

When refinishing hardwood floors, one of the most common questions asked by clients is How long will the process take? . The length of time it will take depends on a number of factors, the first being what type of polyurethane you use. There are two types available – oil based and water based. With an oil based polyurethane, it usually takes about three to five days to refinish hardwood floors, not including drying time. This varies due to several factors: the square footage of the area being refinished, if there is a stain, how dark the stain is, the humidity, and how many coats of polyurethane are applied. Other factors that affect how long the refinishing process will take include the species of wood, the type of wood, and whether any additional repair work is required. Refinishing with no stain usually takes about three coats of oil based polyurethane. This can be done is three days – allowing 24 hours between each coat to ensure that it dries. If you choose to use a stain, es
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Wrought Iron Balusters Add a Sophisticated Look to Stairs

Looking for something to spice up your staircase? Consider adding wrought iron balusters! Balusters are the vertical posts which support the railings of the staircase, and can add a sophisticated touch to any home. United Flooring Group offers wrought iron balusters from Universal Stair Parts, Inc. We offer a wide array of decorative styles, including basket, scalloped, ribbon, butterfly, twisting, fluted, and many more designs. You can choose a pre-selected baluster style, or you can design your own baluster using the following link: http://www.universalstair.com/stair-design-staircase-designs.html . We have the balusters that will add pizazz and elegance to your stairs, and we utilize only top-quality stair parts, including ornamental iron, to fit most any style and budget. These balusters are finished with a black satin coat that adds to the refined, classy style. A staircase can create the first impression when guests enter your home, and upgrading from the traditional white woode
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American Scrape Hickory Flooring by Armstrong

Looking to install quality hardwood on a budget? Armstrong’s American Scrape collection might be the option for you! It is composed of ornately textured hardwood floors that are made in America and inspired by the splendor and diversity of our country’s landscape. This collection, with its different options in species, colors, and widths, offers a variety of ways to bring beautiful yet affordable style into your home. The natural beauty of American oak, hickory, cherry, and walnut gives this collection the perfect combination of durability and appeal. The American Scrape collection features stylish wide planks in an array of colors, which add to any style to create the custom look of a vintage hand-scraped floor without the steep custom price. All of the flooring in this collection is finalized and protected by Armstrong’s Lifetime urethane finish with an aluminum oxide nano coat, which is stain-and-scratch resistant. Additionally, all types in the American Scrape collection hav
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Learn About The New Trends in Bamboo Flooring

When many people think of bamboo, they think of its raw form a fast-growing grass. However, when dried, bamboo becomes as hard – if not harder – than many traditional hardwoods. This type of flooring has been around for years, but lately the flooring industry has seen a wide array of new colors and styles. There are two types of bamboo flooring: solid bamboo and strand-woven bamboo. Solid bamboo originates from a process where bamboo is cut into rectangular strips and laminated. It is considered to be “horizontal” grain if the face is shown and the strips are laminated side to side, and “vertical” grain if the same strips are laminated perpendicular and the shorter side is being viewed. Strand-woven bamboo is a newer product that is highly engineered using the inner fibers and is twice as hard as traditional bamboo. It is manufactured using a process where bamboo is cut into strips of random sizes, and then specialized adhesives are added. Then, the mixture is placed under
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New Trends in Bamboo Flooring

When many people think of bamboo, they think of its raw form a fast-growing grass. However, when dried, bamboo becomes as hard – if not harder – than many traditional hardwoods. This type of flooring has been around for years, but lately the flooring industry has seen a wide array of new colors and styles. There are two types of bamboo flooring: solid bamboo and strand-woven bamboo. Solid bamboo originates from a process where bamboo is cut into rectangular strips and laminated. It is considered to be “horizontal” grain if the face is shown and the strips are laminated side to side, and “vertical” grain if the same strips are laminated perpendicular and the shorter side is being viewed. Strand-woven bamboo is a newer product that is highly engineered using the inner fibers and is twice as hard as traditional bamboo. It is manufactured using a process where bamboo is cut into strips of random sizes, and then specialized adhesives are added. Then, the mixture is placed under
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Hardwood Flooring in Charlotte and Raleigh, NC

Hardwood flooring can be solid or engineered from a variety of species When it comes to flooring nothing beats hardwood for beauty, richness, warmth and elegance. That is because hardwood flooring is the real thing – cut from real lumber and timbers of real trees. United Flooring Group is your source for most types of flooring in Charlotte and Raleigh NC, including hardwood. You too can have a hardwood floor to beautify your home and add value to your lifestyle as well as your property. However there are many other good reasons to consider a hardwood floor. Hardwood flooring is available from a variety of tree species and such you have a great choice when it comes to texture, color and style. Hardwood flooring is strong and durable and should last a lifetime. Hardwood floors don’t trap dust and other microbes and as such are a healthier option than for example carpeting. You also have choices when it comes to the finishing of your hardwood flooring. All wood floors must have a fin
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Wood Flooring in Charlotte or Raleigh, NC

Wood flooring is eco-friendly and growing in popularity Wood flooring is an interesting option as an alternative to hardwood or laminate and gaining in popularity both for new homes and renovations. You can get wood flooring for your home in Charlotte or Raleigh, NC from United Flooring Group. Bamboo used for flooring and surface covering is derived from a type of grass and it has many advantages usually associated with hardwood.  As a naturally occurring evergreen bamboo is a fast growing renewable source.  Since it can be harvested without removing the roots bamboo does not have to be replanted annually. This makes them a green or eco-friendly flooring option. Bamboo flooring is a great choice for people who want a green home or business. Traditional bamboo floors are cut from the stems of the bamboo plant and can be stained, colored or varnished in order to produce a specific look and feel. They are nailed to wooden beams in a loose arrangement that results in a floor that is air
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Solid Wood Flooring in Charlotte and Raleigh, NC

Choosing The Right Color For Your Solid Wood Flooring
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