The Pros and Cons of Different Wood Types of Wood Floors

Throughout history wood has been a very popular flooring option.  In Cambridge, there are many homes with solid wood flooring, it was at one time, one of only a few alternative to stone or brick flooring, and has been used long before cheaper alternatives came along, such as Medium-density Fibreboard (MDF) or Plywood.

So as with any financial commitments, take your time and consider your options and for any flooring, whether its Hardwood and MDF, look at the cost of purchasing and installation, where is it for? And how do you want them finished? Do you want to have them painted or waxed? etc.

But never-the-less, wood is hardwearing and durable, it has been used in almost every house and for every interior design and colour scheme.  Wood is a very en-vogue and an interior designers dream

Here at the Art of Clean, we don't know anyone who has chosen wood flooring and hasn't been pleased with the results.  The only problem is, it can be a difficult choice of what kind of wood flooring is right for you.

This is just a simple guide to the three different types of wood flooring:

SOLID WOOD is the most popular and is considered to be the original wood flooring.    It is cut into planks or blocks from the log and go through a process of kiln drying, which enables the wood to reduce the moisture level.  The net process is to machine cut into various sizes and a profile is given, either square edged or tongue and grooved.  They are then finished in the factory with a coating of lacquer or wax or can be left unfinished and finished later by the installer.

ENGINEERED is basically a veneer applied to a plywood base.  Consider the installation methods as it can be very different to Solid wood flooring.

LAMINATE is not the same as Engineered Flooring.  Laminate is basically a high quality picture of wood.

I just wanted to finish this blog, with a couple of photographs from a pine floor sanding job our Service and Sales Technician, Nathan was sent on this week to a clients home in Cambridge.

Our client was really chuffed with the results and said "that all his floors look fantastic now".

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

CLEANING PRODUCTS

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk

Source: http://artofcleanuk.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/the-pros-and-cons-of-different-wood.html

Loose floor boards! What should I do?

 A few days ago, I took a call from a carpet cleaner friend yesterday. He has over 32 years experience and always does a super job ... He cleaned this commercial carpet and a few days later the client phoned to say all the blocs are lose and it is uneven and a trip hazard

What has gone wrong? Too much water left in the carpet? Too strong vacuum from his machine

None of the above!

The problem is down to the age of the floor and how the wood blocks are kept in place

The old way to secure the wood floor blocks was with bitumen

Over time the bitumen that holds the wood block floor down dries out - yes that's right the bitumen contain some moisture - that is what keeps it somewhat flexible

Once it gets dry and start to break down after many years anything can push it over the edge

In this case the carpet on top of it was cleaned and the sudden increase in moisture  (even so little) made the floor let go off the wood blocs

Now, no one could foresee this happen.

As we are full on busy at the moment and we could not travel all the way to the other side (near the sea!)  of Essex so we put him in touch with a great Ultimate Floor Sanding Affiliate (also a good friend of mine) in his local area

What can you learn from this?

As a client it is good to check  the credentials of a company and their track record so that they can put things right if they go wrong - even if they could not foresee this or even if it was not their fault (he might charge a little extra to repair the sub floor - I'm not sure).

As a carpet cleaner ... It is god to have the number of a good floor sanding professional like a Ultimate floor sanding Affiliate to hand as you never know when you might need to make that call

As a floor sanding expert - its good to have the number of a good carpet cleaner as you never know when the shoe might be on the other foot.

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

CLEANING PRODUCTS

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk

Source: http://artofcleanuk.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/loose-floor-boards-what-should-i-do.html

Flood damaged floor - remarkable transformation

However old your house is, whether it's a contemporary build or something a little bit more classic, as with fashion, our tastes and styles change over time.  One year we like particular decorating techniques and architectural features, such as cast-iron fireplaces, but one mainstay in fashion is the humble floorboards, which has transcended the generations of house building and Cambridge city has its fair-share.

So when Art of Clean, had been called out on their latest job, they new just what was needed to restore and bring new life into the flood damaged pine floorboards.

On  first call-out to assess the situation.  As the floor had been flooded and left to dry out, the edges of the boards had cupped very badly.  A moisture metre reading was taken and a normal reading, should be between 7-11%.  When our technicians took the reading, the result was 25-35%, which was far too wet to start any work.

It was decided the floor needed to be left to dry out further.  And for an additional two weeks, our client was given a dehumidifier, to advance the process of drying.

On our second visit to the clients home, our service technicians, Nathan and Ben had to use several specialist sanding tools, including a belted edged and rotex sanding machine, followed by flexi sander, to smooth out the edges and strip the boards back to their original colour.  This can make the boards look very pale and even colourless. But don't worry.  As soon as you add a clear wood finishing product like a stain or varnish, that warm golden colour will come flooding through.  Our client had requested a dark brown oil, to seal the floor.  We used Pellman Magic Oil 2K Colour, which we carry as on board stock.

As the pine floorboards were modern, possibly laid down in the 1980s, this age of pine is acceptable to apply stains.

The floor had also been 'water popped' before we left to accept more colour into the grain before the final application.

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

CLEANING PRODUCTS

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk

Source: http://artofcleanuk.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/flood-damaged-floor-remarkable.html

Beech wood floors, brought back from the brink

Beech flooring is a clean and crisp looking floor. A traditional look for many houses and you can see why. The planks are craved from the heart of the Beech tree and result in a pink-brown colour, but from time to time, you'll see a reddish-brown tone; that's the result of steaming the lumber.

If you look at the images below, you'll see that these boards weren't steamed, or sanded or even used; they were simply left to rot. Renovation and rejuvenation; it's all part of our wood floor business. The poorly boards sadly cannot be saved and as such it was Paul's job to tear them from the floor and replace them with replacement pieces.

Now there's a lot our friends at Pallmann can do and using their Magic oil (that's actually what it's called and what it does) we can bring life back into old boards, but when they're damaged, rotten beyond repair, well, then it has to be about replacement.

We MUST see ALL the floor before we quote on your floor. By that we mean, we have to inspect and analyse it before we give you an incorrect idea of what it would take to save your floor. This client wasn't aware of the damage the floor had endured over the years and as such, the job takes longer. Rest assured, we can fix it (like Felix from Wreck it Ralph), but we need to see it first.

Having seen it, Paul set to work. Just look at how full that sanding bag is...and there was more to come. After peeling back the years of abandonment, he made use of Pallmann Magic Oil. Now, here's the science bit. Smooth, "...velvety...matte..." finish, no, not a bar of Galaxy or a name brand conditioner.

The results of a professional sanding are beyond compare. 

Don't Do It Yourself, Do Hire A Professional.

Call Art of Clean for a free, no obligation quotation.

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk

Sanding with the Boys!

A couple of days ago the sun was shining (I know, I thought Winter had come early too) and we sent the lads out en mass. It was a big job. Four handsome men and a rather petulant wooden floor. So, armed with all the tricks of the trade, a few hefty sanders and having vacuumed the floor and knocked-in those stray nails that pop out from time-to-time, they set to work.

  

The furniture was covered, the pets were up a tree somewhere and the kids were playing...elsewhere. As you can see, our promise of a 99% dust-free clean was staunchly in effect. That bag did look awfully full though.

When sanding, there's always the nooks and crannies that need to be tackled. The corners and the bits under the door frames and windows. That's when you send the new-kid (Ben) in. You can tell he's working hard, just look at those pit-stains.

The evidence that the floor was in need of a good buffing is plain to see. After years of varnishing, the pine wood had disguised itself as mahogany. Now, Mahogany is beautiful, but if you own a Pine Wood floor, you want it to look like a Pine Wood Floor. So in we came. 

If you look closely, you can even see the Boss (Pierre) in the background, sneaking up on poor Greg. See the concentration on his face, he has no idea...LOOK OUT!

Now, not every wooden floor needs so much attention, but when we send Gail or Laurence out to quote for us, they take their time and access just how many members of staff we'll require to be able to give you the best possible service and at the end of the job, we guarantee that you'll be as chipper as the floor beneath your feet.

Always remember: Call the Professionals.

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk

Parquet, Parquet, where for art thou, Parquet...oh, there you are

Parquet flooring is the criss-cross pattern you generally see in bedrooms, hallways and even used by the NBA.

It lends itself to design and with a host of geometric patterns can transform an ordinary, plain wood floor into something magnificent.

So, when Art of Clean were called out to their latest job, their hearts sank. 

Over the years, Parquet flooring can wear, like anything else, and a face lift is needed. Especially when far, far too much veneer make-up has been applied.

Case in point:

Setting to it, Paul (our fearless team leader) began stripping this heavily decorated floor, searching for the beauty beneath.

Thankfully, she was still there. What a transformation!

Remember: always call the professionals!

Don't forget to watch our new youtube video too!

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk

Why should I oil my wood work top?

Not so very long ago, Art of Clean was called out to save the day.

It seems that a few rogue potatoes had taken it upon themselves to rot and as a result, when they’d been removed, they’d left a nasty stain.  

This happens more often than you might imagine.

The issue is ‘lack of hardener’. You see, when you buy your lovely new/old wood table top, you tend to look more at the grain and the colour and think less about the resistance.

What we stress is, prevention. You can oil your wooden surface until it shines like the Sun, but if you don’t back it up with a product designed to mitigate those troubling stains, you’re just opening yourself up to a serious sanding.

Finish wears-off fast!

It’s not a problem, we can fix it, we’re pretty good, but why spend more later when you can protect yourselves now?

What we urge is that you not use Linseed Oil or Tongue Oil (note: this does not mean licking the surface until it gleams).

We use a product called Treatex.

Why? Well, when you call/email/tweet for a service, you tend to look for the ones with tried and tested history in the field and that’s where Treatex comes in. After 40 years in the oiling biz, they know what they’re up to. After 10 years in the sanding biz, so do we.

We only use the BEST products.

That means when we leave your house, you’ll be happy and so shall we.

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk

Bad quality wooden floor under carpet?

We see a great shift where people remove the carpets in homes - in particular the ground floor living areas to expose beautiful wooden floor underneath.

In most cases these wooden floors that have not seen the light of day for many years are actually not intended to become finished wooden floors. The "sub-floor" was intended the have flooring installed over it and it was (and in most cases is still) covered with carpets.

These pine floors do restore well and can give a lovely character to a home. Here are a few things to take note of when you decide to make your sub-floor your main floor.

Previous repairs and damage or cuts in the boards

Some trades people (electricians and plumbers) will lift your carpet and to install cables and pipes beneath the floorboards simply hack through the floorboards - It is understandable as at the point this happen there will unlikely be an intention to sand and finish these floors

In some cases some boards gets replaced with much cheaper softer and lighter pine (most older floors are made up of Pitch Pine)

Gaps between boards

As your underlay and carpet stopped air moving through the floor - once you lift the carpet you will find there is more air movement and the room is then much more likely to have a cooler feel to it.

- See our blog post here on how we filled gaps between pine boards - http://artofcleanuk.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/pine-floor-board-sanding-filling-and.html

Sanding Quotation Pre-Inspection
We experience many home owners lift parts of the carpets in the home and phone for a quotations after they discover what they belief was a hidden treasure - Once we inspect the floors we will only see parts of the floor and it will not be possible to make an informed decision and it will not be possible to provide you with a quote


If you are serious to get your newly discovered wood floor restored it is strongly advised that all of the carpets will have to be removed.

Once the whole floor is exposed we will happily provide you advice on what can be done on your floor and this will allow you to make an informed decision.

Very important: the carpets need to be out of the way for us to see what repairs will be 
required.

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk