Hard wood flooring gives home interiors a natural beauty, warmth and timeless appeal that it is almost impossible to achieve with other flooring options. Timber flooring has become so popular now that many homeowners are choosing to sand and restore the original floor of their home, or having new hard wood flooring installed.
Naturally Wood are specialists in the installation, restoration and repair of hard wood flooring for homes, businesses and commercial properties. We shall look here at the benefits of hard wood flooring in the home, the choice of wood available and the range of different finishes.
Hard Wood Flooring - visit our web site now for a free quote or click here to view our range of Flooring Products
Hard Wood Flooring in the Home - The Benefits
Practical - Hard wood flooring is a fantastic choice for the home because it works well in any room in the house, including areas that will experience heavy footfall, such as the hallway and living room. Once installed, your flooring is easily maintained and we can advise you on the relevant floor products to use.
Aesthetic - Nothing beats the natural beauty of hard wood flooring. It will enhance your interior and can even add value to your home and estate agents will use this in their property description.
Versatile - There are many different woods to choose from in a variety of colours and grain variations to suit your interior. Timber types, include popular woods such as oak or maple, to the more exotic, such as teak or wenge. Your choice of wood, combined with the patterns and finishes offered by Naturally Wood, means you can create truly bespoke flooring.
Durable - Hard wood flooring is very robust. With the right care and maintenance your solid wood floor can last generations - as much as 100 years - so it is well worth the investment.
Long-Lasting - Wood floor that is dull or damaged can easily be restored to its former glory, whereas other flooring options have much shorter life-spans. A carpet has an average life-span of about ten years, laminate flooring at best between ten and 20 years and vinyl 25 years
Allergy-free - Carpets trap dirt and dust, but any particles on a solid wood floor will remain on the surface where they can easily be vacuumed up or swept away. For this reason, hard wood flooring is a healthier alternative for allergy sufferers.
Easy to Clean - Hard wood flooring is easier to clean than other flooring options such as carpet. Liquid spills, for instance, can be wiped clean right away from the surface of a hard wood floor, but is difficult to remove from a carpet. A carpet with stubborn stains that are difficult to remove will have to be replaced.
Natural - Solid hard wood flooring is environmentally friendly, because wood is a sustainable product. You can find timber to suit all kinds of interiors, from contemporary flats to traditional homes.
Hardwood Flooring - Oils, Lacquers or Wax Finishes?
If you are opting for hard wood flooring in the home, there are a range of different finishes to choose from including oils, lacquers and waxes. What works best for you is really down to practical reasons and personal taste, but to help you here is our brief guide to some of the options.
Oiled Finishes - This is a popular choice in the home and it helps protect the wood from dirt and dust. Oiled floors do require some maintenance, as the oil needs to be re-applied after 18 months, but this can be easily done by the householder. The benefit of oiled floors is that marks can be touched up without having to replace the floor.
Satin Lacquered Finishes - This produces a shiny, durable finish, suitable for areas with high levels of footfall. The surface can keep its sheen for up to ten years, depending on how often it is used. However, if you need to remove marks or scratches the whole surface would need to be sanded and re-lacquered.
Matt Lacquered Finishes - The overall finish is similar to an oiled floor. However, the finish does not need to be maintained regularly like an oiled floor. However, you cannot touch up individual marks, as you can with an oiled floor.
Waxing - This gives floors an attractive shine, although the overall look is not as glossy as a lacquered floor. Waxed floors require six to 12 months maintenance, depending on how often the floor is used. As in oiled floors, any marks or scratches can be dealt with individually.
Hard Wood Flooring - visit our web site now for a free quote or click here to view our range of Flooring Products
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
Saturday, 18 August 2012
Hard Wood Flooring - Maintaining History While Renovating Your Church
Hard wood flooring has a timeless beauty and warmth, which is what makes it such a great option for church interiors and other places of worship. It can suit modern and traditional buildings and is extremely durable, as hard wood flooring can cope with heavy foot fall.
During the Medieval period, clay tiles or stone slabs were used as church flooring and, before that, churches had beaten earth floors. Timber floors have been used for centuries in churches and are thought to have been introduced in the post-medieval period. Nowadays, there are a wide range of different types of flooring used in churches including carpet, ceramic tiles, marble and stone.
Hard wood flooring is a popular surface because it is so attractive and long lasting - a well maintained solid hard wood floor can last up to 100 years. Naturally Wood specialise in the installation and restoration of all types of hard wood flooring for churches and other places of worship, as well as homes and commercial properties.
If you are looking at having new hard wood flooring laid in your church or place of worship, here are some of the things to consider.
Hard Wood Flooring - visit our web site now for a free quote or click here to view our range of Flooring Products
1. Ensure Your Hard Wood Flooring is In Keeping with the Church Interior
If you have an ancient church with a traditional interior, make sure your choice of flooring reflects this; likewise if you have a modern interior. As a guide, darker woods tend to suit more historical buildings and lighter woods work well with contemporary interiors. Oak is a popular choice for places of worship, and maple is a good option for lighter, more modern interiors.
Hard wood flooring is more robust than softer woods and tends to have a more refined grain. If you are looking for an elegant and durable surface, exotic woods - such as teak or wenge - are more expensive, but are extremely hard wearing.
A parquet floor with a herringbone design is a popular option for churches, and a lacquer finish produces a very robust surface. Naturally Wood have installed and restored wood flooring for a range of public buildings, including churches, and you can see these in the case studies section of our website.
An example of one of our case studies is a restoration project we completed in a church in Ruislip, Middlesex. Our experts at naturally wood restored the original Burmese teak wood blocks and the flooring was finished with Bona Mega Lacquer.
In another case study, we installed oak wood flooring in a church in Willesden, London. Our team applied three coats of liquid Damp Proof Membrane (DPM) to a new concrete sub floor. We then installed Legacy European Oak prime grade wood blocks, and the surface was finished with Bona Mega Lacquer.
2. Work Out How Much You Can Spend on Hard Wood Flooring for Your Church
When you are looking to install hard wood flooring in any building, including churches, you should first work out a budget - but be realistic on how much you need to spend. Discuss your overall budget with Naturally Wood and find out what they can do to fit within this price range.
You may not want hard wood flooring for all areas of the church, but for one section - such as the pews and aisles, but not the altar. Or you may want a new hard wood flooring fitted for a Sunday School classroom, youth area, or community room, but not for the main hall of worship.
Another thing to think about is whether you need a brand new floor fitted. In some cases, worn floors can be restored to their former glory, so there is no need for a complete re-fit. Naturally Wood are passionate about the installation, restoration and repair of solid wood floors and can advise you on the best steps to take.
3. Choose a Professional Team to Install Your Church’s Hard Wood Flooring
Once you have decided on floor restoration or installation of your church flooring, it is vital to call in the professionals, so you can be assured that all work will be carried out to the highest possible standards.
Naturally Wood has a family history in the hard wood flooring trade that goes back more than a century and we are proud of our superb quality workmanship. We have the experience of working on church interiors and can advise on all aspects of flooring, including the wood types, finishes, and restoration and repair.
It is vital to call in professionals with a proven track record of working in churches, as there are various considerations to make. This means not only choosing the correct wood flooring to suit the interior but there are also other factors to take on board such as the careful removal and installation of pews. Most pews have concealed anchors instead of L-shaped brackets; they need to be removed correctly and put back exactly in the right place, so as not to damage the new flooring.
Choosing a hard wood flooring company you can trust will give you complete peace of mind. Contact us for friendly, expert advice.
4. Work Out a Time Schedule To Suit Your Congregation
Our floor repair, restoration and installation work is designed to keep disruption at a minimum. However, there is likely to be some element of inconvenience while work is carried out.
Work out a time schedule to suit your congregation and think about whether there are alternatives that can be made during this time. It may be that a temporary room can be used for prayer meetings or Sunday worship. We can help and advise you on all aspects of hard wood flooring and installation.
Based in Loughton, Essex, Naturally Wood offers a complete flooring solution for homes, businesses and public buildings in Essex, London, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Middlesex, Hertfordshire and Kent.
Hard Wood Flooring - visit our web site now for a free quote or click here to view our range of Flooring Products
During the Medieval period, clay tiles or stone slabs were used as church flooring and, before that, churches had beaten earth floors. Timber floors have been used for centuries in churches and are thought to have been introduced in the post-medieval period. Nowadays, there are a wide range of different types of flooring used in churches including carpet, ceramic tiles, marble and stone.
Hard wood flooring is a popular surface because it is so attractive and long lasting - a well maintained solid hard wood floor can last up to 100 years. Naturally Wood specialise in the installation and restoration of all types of hard wood flooring for churches and other places of worship, as well as homes and commercial properties.
If you are looking at having new hard wood flooring laid in your church or place of worship, here are some of the things to consider.
Hard Wood Flooring - visit our web site now for a free quote or click here to view our range of Flooring Products
1. Ensure Your Hard Wood Flooring is In Keeping with the Church Interior
If you have an ancient church with a traditional interior, make sure your choice of flooring reflects this; likewise if you have a modern interior. As a guide, darker woods tend to suit more historical buildings and lighter woods work well with contemporary interiors. Oak is a popular choice for places of worship, and maple is a good option for lighter, more modern interiors.
Hard wood flooring is more robust than softer woods and tends to have a more refined grain. If you are looking for an elegant and durable surface, exotic woods - such as teak or wenge - are more expensive, but are extremely hard wearing.
A parquet floor with a herringbone design is a popular option for churches, and a lacquer finish produces a very robust surface. Naturally Wood have installed and restored wood flooring for a range of public buildings, including churches, and you can see these in the case studies section of our website.
An example of one of our case studies is a restoration project we completed in a church in Ruislip, Middlesex. Our experts at naturally wood restored the original Burmese teak wood blocks and the flooring was finished with Bona Mega Lacquer.
In another case study, we installed oak wood flooring in a church in Willesden, London. Our team applied three coats of liquid Damp Proof Membrane (DPM) to a new concrete sub floor. We then installed Legacy European Oak prime grade wood blocks, and the surface was finished with Bona Mega Lacquer.
2. Work Out How Much You Can Spend on Hard Wood Flooring for Your Church
When you are looking to install hard wood flooring in any building, including churches, you should first work out a budget - but be realistic on how much you need to spend. Discuss your overall budget with Naturally Wood and find out what they can do to fit within this price range.
You may not want hard wood flooring for all areas of the church, but for one section - such as the pews and aisles, but not the altar. Or you may want a new hard wood flooring fitted for a Sunday School classroom, youth area, or community room, but not for the main hall of worship.
Another thing to think about is whether you need a brand new floor fitted. In some cases, worn floors can be restored to their former glory, so there is no need for a complete re-fit. Naturally Wood are passionate about the installation, restoration and repair of solid wood floors and can advise you on the best steps to take.
3. Choose a Professional Team to Install Your Church’s Hard Wood Flooring
Once you have decided on floor restoration or installation of your church flooring, it is vital to call in the professionals, so you can be assured that all work will be carried out to the highest possible standards.
Naturally Wood has a family history in the hard wood flooring trade that goes back more than a century and we are proud of our superb quality workmanship. We have the experience of working on church interiors and can advise on all aspects of flooring, including the wood types, finishes, and restoration and repair.
It is vital to call in professionals with a proven track record of working in churches, as there are various considerations to make. This means not only choosing the correct wood flooring to suit the interior but there are also other factors to take on board such as the careful removal and installation of pews. Most pews have concealed anchors instead of L-shaped brackets; they need to be removed correctly and put back exactly in the right place, so as not to damage the new flooring.
Choosing a hard wood flooring company you can trust will give you complete peace of mind. Contact us for friendly, expert advice.
4. Work Out a Time Schedule To Suit Your Congregation
Our floor repair, restoration and installation work is designed to keep disruption at a minimum. However, there is likely to be some element of inconvenience while work is carried out.
Work out a time schedule to suit your congregation and think about whether there are alternatives that can be made during this time. It may be that a temporary room can be used for prayer meetings or Sunday worship. We can help and advise you on all aspects of hard wood flooring and installation.
Based in Loughton, Essex, Naturally Wood offers a complete flooring solution for homes, businesses and public buildings in Essex, London, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Middlesex, Hertfordshire and Kent.
Hard Wood Flooring - visit our web site now for a free quote or click here to view our range of Flooring Products
Wednesday, 15 August 2012
Updating Your School Hard Wood Flooring
When it comes to choosing the right hard wood flooring for your school, there are various factors to take into account. One of the principal factors is durability, as all flooring in schools will generate a lot of pedestrian traffic from pupils and staff. But there are a number of other considerations to make when choosing hard wood flooring and we shall look at some of these below.
Naturally Wood are experts in the installation and restoration of high quality hard wood flooring in schools, sports halls, dance halls, assembly halls, gyms, community centres and more. We are an Essex based company and supply and install a range of hard wood flooring throughout London, East Anglia, and the Home Counties, including Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Kent, Hertfordshire and Middlesex.
Here we shall look at the benefits of hard wood flooring in schools and the factors to take into account on choosing your solid wood floor.
Hard Wood Flooring - visit our web site now for a free quote or click here to view our range of Flooring Products
Hard Wood Flooring - What Do Schools Require?
There are many different hard wood flooring options and finishes available, but the type of flooring you require will depend on its use. The most popular request for hard wood flooring in schools is for gyms, assembly halls and dance floors - and we shall look at the requirements for flooring in these areas.
1. Practicality
Flooring in schools will generate a lot of footfall from pupils coming in and out of lessons. Add this to the movement of furniture and other equipment across its surface and high level of usage (such as a sports or assembly hall) and there is a good reason why hard wood flooring is such a practical choice in certain parts of the school.
If there is a likelihood of furniture, such as desks and chairs being regularly moved across the floor, your hard wood flooring could be prone to marks and indentations. This is often the case if your assembly hall doubles up as another room, such as an examination room. In this case an aged or distressed hard wood floor may be more appropriate, as any surface marks will only add to its character.
2. Hardness
In dance floors or sports halls, oak and maple are popular hard wood flooring options because the surface is so hard wearing. There are also a range of specially engineered floors available for sports halls and these are stronger than solid wood and less prone to natural expansion and contraction. The type of material used will also depend on the surface the floor is laid on. Sometimes a plywood floor base is needed while other materials can be laid over a concrete sub-floor.
3. Easy to Maintain
Hard wood flooring in schools should not just be durable, but easy to clean, as they can be prone to spills or contaminants. Some gyms or assembly halls may also double up as function halls, where food and drinks may be served. Polished or waxed surfaces were traditionally used in gyms or dance floors. However, lacquered floors are more popular now, as it requires less upkeep.
4. Acoustics
As flooring takes up a lot of space, it needs to be compatible with a teaching environment, so pupils can hear what the teacher is trying to say. The wrong flooring can hamper a pupil’s ability to learn. How your hard wood flooring impacts on the adjacent room and the rooms above and below must also be taken into account. At Naturally Wood, our experts will discuss the options with you.
5. Non-Slip Surface
Hard wood flooring in schools should have a non-slip surface to prevent accidents or injury. A lacquer finish for a gym or dance hall provides a less slippery finish than polished or waxed surface.
6. Appearance
Parquet flooring was historically used in large areas, such as school halls, to break up the expanse and was particularly popular in the Victorian era. All types of parquet designs are suitable for this space.
School gyms or dance floors, however, tend to be more minimalist. Hard wood flooring in these areas are usually laid in narrow random length strips, which is less distracting, and works well in both modern and traditional interiors.
7. Cost
Like all businesses, schools will want to keep costs down to a minimum. Hard wood flooring is ideal for schools and, if well maintained, it can last for generations.
Tired, rough or worn flooring may require renovation and this is generally cheaper than the cost of installing a new floor. Naturally Wood are experts in repair, restoration and sanding of all types of hard wood flooring including in homes, public and commercial buildings. Just contact us to find out more.
Hard Wood Flooring - contact us now for a free quote or click here to view our range of Flooring Products
Naturally Wood are experts in the installation and restoration of high quality hard wood flooring in schools, sports halls, dance halls, assembly halls, gyms, community centres and more. We are an Essex based company and supply and install a range of hard wood flooring throughout London, East Anglia, and the Home Counties, including Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Kent, Hertfordshire and Middlesex.
Here we shall look at the benefits of hard wood flooring in schools and the factors to take into account on choosing your solid wood floor.
Hard Wood Flooring - visit our web site now for a free quote or click here to view our range of Flooring Products
Hard Wood Flooring - What Do Schools Require?
There are many different hard wood flooring options and finishes available, but the type of flooring you require will depend on its use. The most popular request for hard wood flooring in schools is for gyms, assembly halls and dance floors - and we shall look at the requirements for flooring in these areas.
1. Practicality
Flooring in schools will generate a lot of footfall from pupils coming in and out of lessons. Add this to the movement of furniture and other equipment across its surface and high level of usage (such as a sports or assembly hall) and there is a good reason why hard wood flooring is such a practical choice in certain parts of the school.
If there is a likelihood of furniture, such as desks and chairs being regularly moved across the floor, your hard wood flooring could be prone to marks and indentations. This is often the case if your assembly hall doubles up as another room, such as an examination room. In this case an aged or distressed hard wood floor may be more appropriate, as any surface marks will only add to its character.
2. Hardness
In dance floors or sports halls, oak and maple are popular hard wood flooring options because the surface is so hard wearing. There are also a range of specially engineered floors available for sports halls and these are stronger than solid wood and less prone to natural expansion and contraction. The type of material used will also depend on the surface the floor is laid on. Sometimes a plywood floor base is needed while other materials can be laid over a concrete sub-floor.
3. Easy to Maintain
Hard wood flooring in schools should not just be durable, but easy to clean, as they can be prone to spills or contaminants. Some gyms or assembly halls may also double up as function halls, where food and drinks may be served. Polished or waxed surfaces were traditionally used in gyms or dance floors. However, lacquered floors are more popular now, as it requires less upkeep.
4. Acoustics
As flooring takes up a lot of space, it needs to be compatible with a teaching environment, so pupils can hear what the teacher is trying to say. The wrong flooring can hamper a pupil’s ability to learn. How your hard wood flooring impacts on the adjacent room and the rooms above and below must also be taken into account. At Naturally Wood, our experts will discuss the options with you.
5. Non-Slip Surface
Hard wood flooring in schools should have a non-slip surface to prevent accidents or injury. A lacquer finish for a gym or dance hall provides a less slippery finish than polished or waxed surface.
6. Appearance
Parquet flooring was historically used in large areas, such as school halls, to break up the expanse and was particularly popular in the Victorian era. All types of parquet designs are suitable for this space.
School gyms or dance floors, however, tend to be more minimalist. Hard wood flooring in these areas are usually laid in narrow random length strips, which is less distracting, and works well in both modern and traditional interiors.
7. Cost
Like all businesses, schools will want to keep costs down to a minimum. Hard wood flooring is ideal for schools and, if well maintained, it can last for generations.
Tired, rough or worn flooring may require renovation and this is generally cheaper than the cost of installing a new floor. Naturally Wood are experts in repair, restoration and sanding of all types of hard wood flooring including in homes, public and commercial buildings. Just contact us to find out more.
Hard Wood Flooring - contact us now for a free quote or click here to view our range of Flooring Products
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