Rather than replacing your hardwood floors at great expense and disruption, consider revitalizing their original beauty through professional wood floor resurfacing services. Skilled refinishing contractors possess all the right tools, products and expertise to breathe new life into tired, worn wood floors.

The pros have industrial sanding equipment far superior to rental models – including dust containment systems allowing work even while you remain living in your home. They know the nuances of assessing damage across different wood species and grain patterns in order to develop a tailored resurfacing plan for your floors. This may entail sanding, screening, scraping, gap repairs, partial or complete plank replacements in badly damaged zones, adjustments to borders, and finally application of commercial-grade stains and sealants best suited to your lifestyle.

From color consultations to execute your desired hue, sheen level and character enhancements…to handling all aspects of the refinish process with efficiency and artistry…reputable flooring refinisher contractors offer experience homeowners simply cannot replicate on their own. Their mastery shows in smooth, even sanding absent of unsightly swirls or grooves which compromise wood integrity and finish adhesion. It’s also evident under lighting conditions which highlight imperfections amateurs readily miss.

Protect your investment and retain beloved wood floors in their best light possible for years to come through customized professional resurfacing services tailored to enhance their unique natural characteristics. Celebrating the wood’s enduring warmth and charm needs no compromise when aligning refinishing needs with the experts!

The Timeless Beauty of Hardwood Floors

Nothing quite compares to the warmth and natural elegance of real wood floors. Rich oak planks or classic maple herringbones can anchor a room and make it feel inviting. The rich patinas and golden hues unique to natural wood add character and value to any home. However, over time scuffs, stains, moisture damage and surface scratches can diminish their beauty, leaving them looking worn and dated.

Rather than resigning yourself to tired, damaged floors or the upheaval and expense of full replacement, consider hardwood floor resurfacing. This process rejuvenates your existing wood floors by removing a thin top layer and applying new stain and/or a protective finish coat. When performed by skilled professionals, resurfacing yields dramatically improved aesthetics and restores your floors to like-new condition.

Signs Your Hardwoods Need Resurfacing

So how do you know when your floors are due for an overhaul? Subtle changes accumulate gradually, but there are telltale signs:

Obvious Surface Damage: Deep scratches, dents, pet claw marks and noticeable water staining signal a clear need for renewal. These flaws detract visually and allow moisture to penetrate protective finishes.

Worn Protective Finishes: Cloudy dull areas, streaky finishes or peeling/bubbling polyurethane point to finish deterioration. You may also spot wood discoloration beneath worn layers.

Fading & Discoloration: Beautiful exotic species will naturally mellow and patina over time. But unexpected fading in species known for consistency can be disappointing. Causes include sun exposure and worn/inadequate finishes.

If you notice these common issues, your hardwoods likely need resurfacing to restore their original glory.

Understanding the Resurfacing Process

Resurfacing is suitable for solid or engineered wood floors with surface-level damage or worn finishes. After assessing condition, pros first clear furnishings and thoroughly clean the floors. Next comes the “grinding” phase where special equipment buffs away a small fraction of wood material to reveal fresh surface underneath.

Multi-disc sanders are commonly used for this task. Technicians carefully control sanding depth and machinery speed/angles to avoid over-sanding or gouging planks. Any damaged boards get replaced before the crew evens out tone and texture with additional smoothing. Finally, newly exposed wood gets stained if desired and sealed with a durable, protective finish.

Key Benefits of Resurfacing vs. Total Replacement

If your subfloor structure remains sound, resurfacing offers clear perks:

• Cost Savings – Refinishing existing flooring can cost 50% less than full replacement. It also salvages much of your original investment.
• Less Disruption – The process takes just 1-3 days for average sized areas. Selective repairs mean less demolition mess and disposal fees.
• Retains Unique Character – Vintage parquet, reclaimed barnwoods, and rare exotics offer visuals not replicable today. Resurfacing preserves their integrity.
• Eco-Friendly – Refreshing existing floors generates far less landfill waste than demolition and starting from scratch.
• Match Adjoining Areas – Blending repairs into surrounding floors is simpler than trying to coordinate all-new wood pieces for seamless flow between rooms.

Clearly, breathing new life into existing wood offers compelling advantages!

Innovations in Resurfacing Techniques

While traditional multi-disc sanding remains the most common resurfacing method, technological advances offer lower-mess alternatives allowing faster project completion and return to service:

Low-Moisture Vapor Mist Refinishing – Floating engineered floors cannot withstand deep sanding without adhesive damage. Fine vapor mists penetrate and lift residue from the wood grain without abrasion. Subsequent screens provide gentle buffing/burnishing action to restore visual clarity and sheen.

Diamond Grinding – This uses tumbling action akin to a polishing compound. Dust production is minimal, dry times are shorter before re-coating, and thin overlay floors avoid over-sanding risks.

When choosing techniques, factors like your flooring construction, desired outcomes and timeframe influence recommendations from reputable contractors.

DIY or Hire Out? Weighing Your Options

Ambitious DIYers sometimes tackle resurfacing solo to save on labor costs. However, lacking experience with specialized equipment and finishing techniques often leads to lackluster results or outright damage. Hazards include over-sanding, uneven smoothing, and tearing up tongue-and-groove board edges.

While DIY holds some appeal for potential cost savings, consider these checkpoints before committing:

• Flooring Type & Thickness – Thin or glue-down engineered products have limitations.
• Layout Complexity – Intricate patterns and tight spaces raise degree of difficulty.
• Relocation Ability – Containing dust or fumes if occupants remain in-house proves challenging.
• Skill Level – Refinishing is an art unto itself demanding lots of practice and finesse.

Weighing all factors honestly, hiring professional refinishers remains the best path for most homeowners seeking outstanding results.

Choosing Top Area Refinishing Contractors

Here’s a checklist when selecting bids:

• Strong referrals and reviews
• Extensive experience with your wood flooring type
• Proper licensing and insurance paperwork
• Project portfolio and recent local client references
• Detailed plan explaining the process in your home
• Clear bid breakdowns and expectations
• Options shown for stain colors and finish sheen

Vetting qualifications, expertise and communications upfront prevents unwelcome surprises down the road!

Caring for Renewed Wood Floor Beauty

Once your floors re-emerge in their full glory, taking measures to protect durability remains paramount:

Let Finishes Cure Properly – Adhere strictly to manufacturer guidelines before allowing foot traffic or returning furniture/rugs post-resurfacing. Never cover fresh finishes with plastic sheeting, which can lead to condensation damage.

Use Protective Pads and Mats – Invest in quality felt pads or glides for chair/table legs and other furniture likely to shift frequently. Area throw rugs help corral grit within heavy traffic zones.

Maintain Optimal Indoor Humidity Levels – This stabilizes moisture content within wood planks, preventing gaps or cupping issues from swelling/shrinking. Some species are more prone to dimensional movement across seasons.

Follow Best Practices For Routine Cleaning – Gentle sweeping, damp microfiber mopping only when truly needed, avoiding wet steamers, and prompt spill cleanup keeps floors looking revitalized longer.

Staying attentive to these preventative measures ensures your renewed wood floors retain their spiffed-up style for years before considering another round of rejuvenation down the road.

When It May Be Time for New Flooring

If existing floor damage penetrates into the actual wood planks rather than just finishing layers, replacement could offer better value than resurfacing – especially if subfloor prep work looms as well.

Other reasons to consider new flooring alternatives:

• Desiring dramatic color changes beyond your species’ staining range
• Seeking a radically different texture like tile or stone
• Planks exhibit cupping/warping signaling moisture compromise
• Surface wear precludes safely sanding overly-thin floors
• You wish to alter layouts alongside other remodeling projects

The choices span traditional oak strips to interlocking laminates, luxe solid walnut or hickory, resilient vinyl composites, and eco-friendly bamboo. With quality grades ranging from value-priced to premium luxury, you can tailor aesthetics, features and project budgets. Just be sure to hire seasoned professionals for a hassle-free installation.

Conclusion – Breathe New Life Into Your Floors!

Rather than tolerating dull floors with blemishes galore or assuming only radical replacements will remedy issues, why not consider hardwood floor resurfacing? This misunderstood service cost-effectively restores wood floors to their former glory. Taking time to assess the scope of your floors’ needs and aligning with specialized professionals equipped to transform their appearance prevents undue costs and disruptions. Soon you’ll be fielding compliments from visitors wondering how you achieved brand new looking floors!

Pre-finished hardwoods are still made from solid hardwood and can be sanded, so that’s a good thing. In fact, our team performs sanding and refinishing on pre-finished hardwoods frequently. It’s worth noting that pre-finished flooring often has bevels between the boards, which can be sanded down during refinishing, but will reduce the number of times you can refinish it.

You might want to look at on-site-finished hardwoods floor options instead of prefinished wood flooring if you’re a consumer. You can refinish them up to five times during their lifetime depending on thickness and a few other variables.

Refinishing Pre-finished Hardwood Floors

Refinishing pre-finished hardwood floors can be a bit more challenging than traditional site-finished flooring due to the aluminum oxide coating that is added at the factory. This coating must be removed during a pre-sanding phase, which adds an extra step to the refinishing process. Not many people are aware of this trade secret, but it’s important to know before starting any refinishing project.

Additionally, it’s recommended to avoid filling gaps or cracks in the floor that are larger than a quarter. This is an industry standard set by the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), and attempting to fill larger gaps can negatively impact the overall look of the floor. If a contractor offers to fill large gaps, it’s best to consider board repairs or replacements instead.

The sanding process itself is similar to site-finished flooring, with just a few extra considerations. Cross-cutting the first few rips can help make the floor flatter and remove the oxide finish. It’s also recommended to use HEPA filters on vacuums to avoid inhaling any aluminum particles during the sanding process. After about 4 passes, the hardwood should be ready for buffing. To ensure that all missed spots are detected, the floor should be sprayed with water, a process known as water-popping, which also allows the stain to penetrate deeper into the grains of the wood.

Sealing and Finishing the Floor

Once the staining process is complete, the floor is ready for sealing and finishing. Pre-finished hardwoods that have been sanded down to raw wood can be treated in the same way as site-finished hardwoods. The process involves applying one coat of sealer to protect the color layer and enhance its shine. After the sealer has dried, two coats of finish are applied.

Key Points to Remember:

• Prefinished wood floors that have been made within the last 20 years will have an aluminum oxide factory coating that is 10 times harder to remove than regular finish and stain.
• Pre-finished 3/4″ solid hardwood floors can be refinished up to 5 times, allowing you to change the color of the entire floor with each refinishing.
• To maximize the number of refinishing opportunities, it’s recommended to leave the bevel in the floor and avoid filling it in.
• Pre-finished hardwoods tend to show scratches more readily than site-finished hardwoods, so keep this in mind when making a decision about flooring options.

When it comes to making your home look and feel good, refinishing hardwood floors can make an enormous impact. It adds value to the property, can be done within a week or so, and also gives you immense satisfaction when it’s completed. But how do you refinish hardwood floors yourself? It’s quite a bit of work, but with the right equipment and determination, you can learn DIY refinishing hardwood floors.

First up, it’s important to determine what type of flooring you have. Hardwood flooring can come in a few forms, such as laminate, engineered wood, and solid wood. And each type of flooring requires a different approach to refinishing.

Types of Flooring That Can’t Be Refinished

If you have laminated wood flooring, unfortunately you won’t be able to refinish this type of flooring due to its synthetic material. Though there are methods of recoating that use chemical abrasives, flooring professionals do not recommend them.

On the other hand, according to Keystone Hardwood Floor Care, engineered wood flooring can be refinished once or twice, as long as the real hardwood layer is thick enough to sand down without reaching the plywood layer underneath.

Solid hardwood is the most reliable option for refinishing, as it has a top-to-bottom hardwood layer. You won’t have to worry about hitting any hidden layers as you sand away the old finish. However, make sure there is plenty of wear layer left to be sanded. The wear layer is the wood above the tongue and groove. The best way to find how much thickness is left is by view a profile of the hardwood floor via register or vent.

Plan Ahead – Segment Tasks in Order

Once you’ve determined your floor type, the process for refinishing hardwood floors can begin.** Be sure to break up the project into segments, so you aren’t overwhelmed by the entire project at once.**

First, remove furniture from the room, then sweep the floor with a broom or vacuum to get rid of the dust and other debris. Next, you’ll need to fill any gaps between the planks with wood putty. After the putty has set, use a coarse sandpaper pad to remove any existing finish. Move the sandpaper in a circular motion to ensure an even finish.

Once you’ve achieved your desired level of smoothness, use a damp cloth to wipe down the floor to remove any remaining residue. At this point, you’ll need to check the moisture content of each plank, as issues can arise if the planks have too much or too little water.

Once that’s all confirmed, it’s time to apply the stain. Choose the type of stain and color that best suits your style and décor. Make sure the coverage is even, using the same circular motion as before. Be sure to stay safe during this process, as most stains and polyurethane products contain hazardous chemicals.

After the stain has dried and the room is ventilated, you’re ready for the final step – adding a coat of finishing oil or polyurethane. If applying polyurethane, use a brush and spread evenly, going with the grain of the wood. Don’t forget to keep the room ventilated.

With these steps, you can easily refinish hardwood floors yourself and enjoy a beautiful, fresh new look for your home. So, take the time to learn how to refinish hardwood floors and complete the project with success.

Once the final layer of oil or polyurethane has been applied, it’s important to let the floor completely dry before walking on it. Depending on the humidity and temperature in your home, this can take anywhere from 8 to 24 hours. To make sure the job is done correctly, check for any blemishes in the finish.

Once the floor is dry, the refinishing process is complete and it’s time to enjoy the gleaming new space! Be sure to keep your newly refinished hardwood floor clean and free of debris. This can be achieved through frequent sweeping and vacuuming, as well as wiping up spills as they happen.

Protect Your Newly Finished Floors

To protect your newly refinished hardwood floors, place mats and rugs in high-traffic areas, such as entries and kitchens. Additionally, put furniture pads and felt sliders on the legs of furniture to prevent scratching and wear.

DIY refinishing hardwood floors is a great way to brighten up any room with minimal effort and cost. However, if you don’t feel confident tackling the project yourself, contact a certified flooring professional for an estimate and advice.

Regardless of whether you DIY or hire a professional, it’s important to maintain your hardwood floor properly. Doing so will keep it looking beautiful and increase its longevity. You should sweep or vacuum regularly to remove grit and dirt that can scratch and dull the floor, and take care when cleaning high-traffic areas.

Humidity Can Damage Wood Floors

Also, be mindful of the humidity and temperature levels in your home as these can impact your flooring. Maintaining a 40-50% humidity level and a relative temperature of 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit are the optimal conditions to ensure your floor looks its best over time.

Another way to keep your hardwood floor looking its best is by waxing and buffing regularly. Waxing seals the floor and helps repel dirt, dust and moisture. Wax application can be done every three months or so, depending upon foot traffic in the home.

By following these steps, you can extend the life of your hardwood floor for years to come. Of course, if you ever have any questions or concerns about DIY refinishing hardwood floors, seek the advice of a professional.

In addition to caring for the floor itself, you can also invest in furniture covers and mats to help you avoid scratches, dents and other types of damage from everyday use. Besides protecting your floor from potential damage, these items can also add warmth and style to the room.

Finally, be sure to inspect hardwood floors for signs of damage regularly. If you do come across any issues, don’t hesitate to call in a professional to assess and fix the problem.

Overall, refinishing hardwood floors is a simple project that can dramatically change the look of your home. Whether you choose to DIY or hire a professional, the following steps will help you create beautiful hardwood flooring that will last for years to come.

Maybe it’s an extra chisel chip on the corner, or a hammer mark where a nail was driven too deep – even the most experienced craftsman leaves a mark or two. Massive mechanized manufacturing machines may make perfect cuts, but the human touch is missing. The fine minds at Anderson Hardwoods recognize the value of genuine artisan craftsmanship, and the Virginia Vintage is designed to showcase just that. This elegant line of solid and engineered hardwood floors offers a sense of natural warmth and character that machine-finished planks just can’t match.

Virginia Vintage Crossfire

The Virginia Vintage line is distinct from other Anderson products because each plank is finished by actual craftsmen, here in the USA. The difference in quality is obvious. From the hand-sculpted surfaces of the Crossfire collection, to the smoothly beveled edges of the Sanctuaryline, each Virginia Vintage plank is unique, with its own story to tell. Timeless American hardwoods, such as maple, hickory and red oak

Virginia Vintage Sanctuary

The central woods in each collection, and deep dark finishes create a stately, historic look.

Anderson’s Virginia Vintage collection includes both Solid and Engineered lines. Both styles are available in 5” widths to fully showcase the natural grain patterns of the individual boards. Craftsman use unique tools to lightly scrape the surface of the planks. This hand scraping creates visible grooves and removes a light layer of the soft grain. The resulting texture appears aged, as if the floor had been cherished for generations.

Virginia Vintage Handcrafted Random Width

Of course, 5” hand-scraped planks aren’t the only Virginia Vintage hardwood styles. The Handcrafted Random Width collection offers a unique take on the artisan look. As the name implies, Random Width planks include 3”, 5” and 7” widths, so that each row is slightly wider or narrower than the previous. This creates a truly rustic look, as if the floor had been made from local, hand-cut timber. In contrast, the Olde Paint line gives the impression of a second-generation floor. Olde Paint planks are actually painted, then stripped and sealed to produce the look of a reclaimed commercial floor.

Virginia Vintage Olde Paint

If you’re considering hardwood flooring for a remodeling project or a new custom build, Virginia Vintage hardwood floors will add the warmth and character that only a human hand can provide. If you are planning a flooring project might we suggest looking at the Virginia Vintage Hardwood flooring collections? For more information on Virginia Vintage do not hesitate to call 866-705-1340, the flooring experts at QualityFlooring4Less will be glad to help. Thanks for reading, and have a great week!

Mullican has produced beautiful hardwoods for over 25 years, operating with a simple mission in mind: to create the world’s highest quality hardwood flooring. Every inch of each plank is inspected by trained experts who test moisture content and milling measurements against some of the highest standards in the industry. Mullican hardwoods are hand finished by actual craftsmen, so that each plank is unique. Plus, Mullican is committed to sustainable harvesting practices. The company’s solid hardwoods carry the Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers sustainability seal, and the woods are Forest Stewardship Council certified. This commitment to quality and sustainability results in some truly beautiful hardwood floors.

The Chatelaine collection is a customer favorite. This elegant hand-sculpted solid hardwood is the absolute top of the line. Chatelaine planks feature beveled ends and edges and sculpted surfaces that create a rustic, worn-in look. The solid maple, walnut and hickory planks measure ¾” and are available in 4” or 5” widths, in a variety of warm hues. The Chatelaine collection offers a sense of beauty and opulence that is simply unmatched. In a similar vein, the Muirfield line is another of Mullican’s beautiful solid hardwood lines. All-solid Muirfield woods showcase the beauty of oak, maple and hickory with softly beveled edges and durable Claritage Extra finishes for extended protection. The Muirfield collection is a perfect choice for traditional environments, because the narrow 2 ¼” width flawlessly captures the vintage strip look.

Mullican’s Nature collection is yet another popular solid hardwood line. Unlike Chatelaine or Muirfield who derive their beauty in part from the rich stains, Nature woods offer the natural beauty of un-stained oak, hickory and maple. The 3” and 5” widths put each plank’s natural nuances on full display, and the beauty is unrivalled. Knob Creek offers its own unique take on solid hardwood elegance with hand-sculpted surfaces and beveled edges, plus ultra- durable Alpha A’lumina Real World Finishes. Favorite Knob Creek colors include Cherry Cabernet (Discontinued) and Maple Cappuccino.

Genuine solid hardwood flooring is an investment that should be cherished in a home for generations. Mullican hardwood offers American-grown, American-milled, hand crafted hardwoods that are designed to last. If you have a chance, visit a local flooring retailer to see some samples firsthand. Then, if you’d like a quote for your own home, please give us a call at 866-705-1340. We’ll be standing by, happy to help. Thanks for reading, and happy holidays!

Earlier this year at the NeoCon design expo in Chicago, Centiva released five new luxury vinyl tile and plank designs.  Two of these collections, Montage and Crossweave, truly go against the grain of standard vinyl tile design schemes, showcasing the constantly changing trends and technologies in the versatile vinyl flooring industry.  These new lines offered by Centiva have set a new trend for luxury vinyl tile designs, incorporating elements from an array of materials all exhibited in this resilient, attractive, and extremely durable product.

Luxury Vinyl Tiles Might Be The Ideal Choice For You!

Luxury vinyl tile is a wonderful alternative to other flooring products, as it does not require harvesting trees, is easy to clean, and can be recycled and reused indefinitely.  Vinyl tile also offers designs that cannot be executed with other floors such as bamboo, hardwood, or ceramic tile.

Luxury Vinyl Tile Collection Fro Centiva!

Centiva Contour Montage is a particularly interesting luxury vinyl tile collection. Metallic highlights and abstract design give Montage an industrial flare that fits extremely well with commercial applications as well as residential installations, for those who desire to break the mold of traditional home décor.  Exhibiting a blend of elemental, stone, textile, and wood influences, the exotic, distressed surface of Montage creates a unique look that is difficult to find in vinyl tile.  Its aesthetic qualities match its durability; backed by a 20-year commercial warranty, Montage will hold up to high-volume traffic and continuous use.  The textured appearance of this collection certainly adds abundant spatial depth to any area.

Centiva Contour Collection: Crossweave

Crossweave is yet another welcome addition to the Centiva Contour collection.  Inspired by textile patterns, the expansive 36″x36″ vinyl tiles offered for Crossweave create a near seamless floor that is extremely warm and inviting.  Numerous strides have been made within the vinyl flooring industry, particularly in the perfection of high-definition graphic imaging technology.  This has provided a great degree of variability and versatility in vinyl tile designs previously impossible to achieve.  The layered, textured appearance of Crossweave allows this Contour line to fit well with a plethora of home designs, with seven colors to choose from that range broadly on the spectrum.  Denim is a great color pick for molding a relaxed, calming atmosphere with a tinge of western flare.  Ecru, with its sandy shades of brown, exhibits a mellow yet professional design ideal for offices and entries.Stay tuned for our next installment of Centiva’s new product lines, which will highlight luxury vinyl plank designs that emulate authentic hardwood.

SHAW ADDS TWO NEW WEAR LAYER SIZES

Luxury vinyl flooring has always been popular in commercial markets, but in recent years it has also experienced a surge in popularity in residential applications. The Shaw New Market wood-look collection is no stranger to this trend, as it now offers three different wear layers depending on where it will be applied.

Traditionally, many luxury vinyl flooring lines only offered a 12 mil wear layer that is ideal for both residential and light commercial uses. Given the increasing demand for vinyl due to its lower price point than many other flooring materials such as ceramic tile or hardwood, the New Market collection from Shaw’s Array line comes in not only the industry standard 12 mil wear layer but also 6 mil and more durable 20 mil wear layers. These new features give consumers a great deal of choice in what to purchase, as different projects require different specifications.

Commercial

The 20 mil wear layer option in the Shaw New Market line is ideal for commercial areas that experience heavier traffic than your typical small retail establishment. Educational institutions, restaurants, and even hospitals are a good match for these 6”x48” vinyl planks with the 20 mil option. In commercial settings, Shaw has expanded this collection’s uses to medium-traffic areas rather than being restricted to light commercial applications with the former 12 mil choice.

Residential

But for those consumers who wish to install Shaw New Market vinyl planks in their homes, do they really need a 20 mil wear layer to protect the floor against the elements? Well, no, not really. This is exactly why New Market is also available now with a 6 mil wear layer. This is sufficient enough for most residential uses, and it reduces the cost significantly from the standard 12 mil option. As consumers and new homebuyers alike are more likely to look for ways to reduce costs without sacrificing quality, the 6 mil wear layer option is an excellent compromise. There really is no sense in purchasing something that you don’t need, so unless you’re hosting biker conventions at your home every weekend, the 6 mil wear layer will hold up to normal wear and other domestic mishaps such as spills, pets tracking in mud from the outdoors, and dropped plates.

Style

In addition to the varied durability levels offered in the Shaw New Market collection, these luxury vinyl planks offer outstanding visuals that replicate the aesthetics of traditional, bona fide hardwood flooring. Thanks to several advancements in printing and imaging technology, no plank will look exactly the same. Installing this collection will give your home or business high color variation throughout the floor in the same way hardwood can. Whether your design sensibilities call for light naturally shaded aesthetics, darkly stained planks, or intermediate rustic shades, Shaw New Market will surely satisfy your requirements in not only ambience but also durability.

RECYCLED VINYL FLOORS ARE NO LONGER AS REAL AS UNICORNS

For a time, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) used to be a four-letter word in environmentally conscious social circles, but this sentiment is rapidly changing. What used to be considered toxic and harmful to the environment now has a lower carbon footprint than many other flooring materials thanks to recycling and reuse. Beginning in 1989, a study conducted at the University of Toledo determined more than 100 potential uses for PVC after it had been used by consumers; 13 years later, VinyLoop opened up its first plant to efficiently recycle this material for a variety of applications.

VinyLoop Is Eco-Friendly!

For the longest time, the only way to efficiently recycle vinyl material was to sell your old records at the nearest music exchange store. Everything else pretty much just ended up in a landfill somewhere, taking up space with no use whatsoever. Now that VinyLoop has developed a method to effectively recycle vinyl materials via a chemical extraction method, vinyl’s carbon footprint has the potential to be 46 percent lower than it used to be before this process was first introduced in 2002. That being said, with the simultaneous popularity boost of eco-friendly flooring and cheaper alternatives to traditional flooring materials, recycled vinyl flooring complements these distinct attributes very well. Those who are inclined toward eco-friendly floors tend to shy away from vinyl, while consumers who just want a cheap substitute for wood or stone gravitate toward vinyl without too much concern for the environment. With recycled vinyl floors, both of these potential requirements can be met.

VinyLoop Has Set Examples Of Recycling Methods.

Several manufacturers have followed the footsteps of VinyLoop’s unique extraction process and developed their own ways of using closed-loop recycling methods for their own products. Armstrong, for example, has implemented a VCT recycling program that has greatly reduced its carbon footprint, as the program has recycled over 3 million pounds of vinyl tiles to date.

Burke Flooring, a manufacturer of rubber and luxury vinyl tile flooring for over 57 years based in San Jose, Calif., boasts a 67 percent rate of post-consumer recycled materials in all of its products made from PVC. With so many styles to choose from with this manufacturer, many of their vinyl flooring planks emulate the appearance of wood, so you can save time, money, and the environment all at the same time. In addition to luxury vinyl tile that looks like wood, Burke also offers replications of natural stone, ceramics, and black and white tiles in their vinyl selections.

Earthwerks Is Also Dedicated To The Welfare Of The Environment.

Another manufacturer with the welfare of the environment in mind is Earthwerks. Many of their products have received the Green4Life seal of approval, as several Earthwerks collections contain more than 50 percent recycled content. In addition to these Green attributes, many of their floors can also be recycled again after consumer use, further contributing to smarter allocation of resources.

So, before you shy away from luxury vinyl tile as a flooring option because of previous negative connotations associated with PVC, just remember that innovative technology has come a long way into supporting a viable way to recycle this once landfill-doomed material.

Vinyl flooring is a trusted solution for any home or commercial space delivering style with immense durability. With top manufacturers such as Amtico, Armstrong and Karndean,vinyl flooring can replicate authentic styles of hardwood and stone along with non-traditional styles like brightly saturated hues and collections resembling fabric or even incorporating flecks of glitter. With a wide selection of resilient floors, it’s always best to know how to keep them looking great years after installation. Here are a few tips on protecting your vinyl flooring investment.

Vinyl Flooring Maintenance Tips.

As vinyl is known for its natural fighting agents against scratches and scuffs, it is susceptible to fading as it is best to keep all vinyl flooring out of direct sun exposure within the home. Simply drawing the shades during peak hours will help keep a lustrous vinyl floor for generations.  Be attentive with your vinyl flooring as dirt and sticky stains left for a long period can potentially become abrasive to vinyl floors. As this holds true with most floor coverings, vinyl flooring is susceptible to permanent staining if messes are not cleaned up right away. Likewise, loose dirt can penetrate vinyl flooring so regular sweeping is highly suggested.

Using Carpets May Protect Your Flooring.

Embrace floor mats, especially in doorways and busy hallways. By placing rugs, mats and runners throughout the home, your vinyl flooring will remain protected from heavy traffic, trudged in dirt and even fading from the light. However, it is important to note that mats and rugs with a rubber or latex backing can cause damage to vinyl floors and can likewise lead to discoloring over time.
Another important tip is to rearrange furniture to help even fading in the floor. The last thing you want is to move your furniture after years of sitting in the same spot and be able to see exactly where your old furniture once sat. With this tip, it is also important to take caution when sliding heavy furniture across vinyl flooring. Apply felt or cotton pads to bottom of furniture for easy moving that wont cause scratching or denting.

How To Protect Vinyl Flooring: Conclusion

In all, vinyl flooring is extremely easy to maintain. However, all flooring can take on some sort of damage and vinyl is no exception to the rule. Perhaps the best advice in taking care of your vinyl floor is to always consult the manufactures guide to ensure no voided warranties in the future.

So you’ve just purchased a commercial building that was constructed in the 1970s.  You love everything about it—the large windows, the location, the office space, and the HVAC system—with the exception of the flooring throughout.  Perhaps you want to install porcelain tile, laminate, or quality luxury vinyl tile.  Maybe the existing vinyl floor is tattered, wearing down, curling up at the seams, or heavily stained from years of abuse.  Either way, it has to go.  But this looks like a do-it-yourself job.

Removing Old Vinyl Tiles Is Not As Easy As It Seems

It could be quite fun to recklessly rip out the vinyl tile to take out your pent-up life frustrations (you did just put a huge down payment on the building that will make you cringe every time you look at your bank statement).  It’s simple.  Just rip out the entire floor and dispose of it when waste management comes to pick it up, right? Not necessarily.  There is a dirty little secret that many people don’t know about older vinyl floors, and floor manufacturers don’t like to disclose this secret, either.

What you don’t know and what they don’t disclose could potentially have serious implications for the health of you and your employees.  Prior to 1980, residential and commercial vinyl flooring alike used asbestos as a filler because of its insulating qualities.  While this practice has long been discontinued in most cases, many commercial areas and homes still have vinyl tile with asbestos filler.

How To Remove Old Vinyl Tiles: Save Yourself From Unnecessary Trouble

Now, before you cause yourself unnecessary alarm, simply walking on or being in the presence of these vinyl tiles will not harm you; thanks to copious amounts of misinformation, asbestos retains the same negative connotations as radioactive plutonium.  While asbestos—a naturally occurring silicate with thin fibrous crystals—is neither radioactive nor dangerous to touch, its tiny microscopic fibers can be seriously hazardous to your health when inhaled.  Mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other pleural abnormalities have all been linked to varying degrees of asbestos exposure.  So, before you find yourself calling some television ambulance chaser to get you that $1 million settlement because you mercilessly ripped up a vinyl floor with asbestos in it ages ago, take the necessary precautions when replacing any vinyl floor, especially if you don’t know its origins.  All the money in the world won’t bring your health back, so you might as well take preventative measures against potentially harmful asbestos exposure.

There Are Certain Materials To Ease The Job For You!

In many cases, identifying floor tiles that contain asbestos is quite simple.  Perhaps a box of extra vinyl floor tiles was left behind in case of future repairs.  Any literature found in the box should indicate all the materials used in the vinyl tile.  If this material is unavailable, it is best to send in a sample from one of the tiles to a National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) certified laboratory to determine the presence of asbestos.  In spite of available literature on the Internet replete with photographs of vinyl tiles containing asbestos, sending a sample into a lab is the only sure-fire way to know.  A list of NVLAP certified laboratories can be found on the organization’s website.

Finish Up Removing Your Old Vinyl Finish

Once the materials used in the vinyl tiles are determined, the simplest thing to do is install a new floor over the old material, as this will not disturb the asbestos and keeps it from becoming airborne.  If you decide to completely tear out the old floor, make sure that you disturb the tiles as little as possible, and certainly avoid violent demolition.  We recommend that professionals should be used when doing this type of work, as careless removal can result in air contamination.  Once the material is removed, contact your local sanitation department for a hazardous waste pick-up.  If you choose to transport the material to a landfill yourself, make sure to call them beforehand, since not all landfills accept asbestos.
Hopefully, your old floor is asbestos-free so you can enjoy the fun of recklessly demolishing it with jackhammers, power saws, M80s, machine guns, or whatever other ordnance you wish to use.  But always check the contents of the old vinyl floor before removal, especially if you know the vinyl tiles were installed prior to the 1980s.