Hi there, it’s Laura from Inspiration for Moms. School is out and it’s time to celebrate with an awesome summer dessert. The party begins with one word….kabob. I think everyone can agree that eating food on sticks is just FUN. And when the food is chocolate brownies paired with fresh fruit…you know it’s going to […]
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1. Species
2. Stain color (or no stain color)
3. Type of polyurethane (oil based vs water based poly)
Some like more color variation in the planks and others prefer less.
I will also mention that you can alter all 3 of these components (species, stain and type of poly) or just 1 or 2 of these components. And, it’s important to know that sometimes the stain color and/or species of wood will help dictate which type of polyurethane you should use.
If you are buying new hardwood, you can choose your preferred species – based on look and price point. If you are refinishing existing wood, you’ll need to work with what you have and read below on colors/polyurethanes that work/don’t work on certain species. (Skip to section 2)
So with that said, let’s explore the 3 components one at a time.
White oak often has more mineral streaks which make it look a bit more modern where as red oak’s strong graining give it a more traditional look.
White Oak tends to look better with water borne poly as well as white wash and gray finishes. More about that below.
Hard Maple is more expensive than oak and it’s a bit harder than oak (1450 on the janka scale vs 1290 for red oak). Because its graining is smoother than oak, it tends to show scratches a bit more.
If you’re looking for hardness, it’s important to get Northern Maple/hard maple which (as the name implies) harder. Some older homes (from the 1920’s and before) have soft maple and southern maple tends to be softer, too.
Please note that maple color variation can vary greatly pending on the grade. For those looking for a modern and light look, choose clear grade. Other grades will have much more color variation with darker boards that will not only make the floors look darker, but also more rustic. See below pictures for the contrast. Clear grade is more expensive.
If you are seeing a maple that costs a lot less, chances are because it is a lower grade and will have more color variation and knots.
You can learn more about Maple flooring here.
Like maple, Birch doesn’t stain well and it’s best to use water borne polyurethane to prevent yellowing.
Please note that I wasn’t able to find a picture of Ash Natural. This one on the right has a stain on it.
It grows and replenishes quickly so it’s seen as a green product, but there are some definite drawbacks to this product and some controversy as to whether it really is eco-friendly or good for the environment.
Bamboo generally can not be sanded and refinished, and/or if it is, it doesn’t absorb the stain or poly well, so it will look worn down after 1-2 years after being sanded on site. So generally when it wears down, it needs to be replaced.
Strand woven bamboo is stronger and holds up better, but strand woven is darker than the basic horizontal or vertical grain.
Also, bamboo uses a lot of adhesive to adhere the pieces of grass together, so there are many who are skeptical of the impact of this on air quality and how truly sustainable this product is (not to mention the impact on the carbon footprint from all of the importing).
In addition to the species of wood, you’ll want to look at the grade of wood. Is it select grade? (Sometimes called select and better). Is it No 1/No 1 common (lower grade) or No 2 Common (even lower?. The lower you go in the grade, the more color variation (i.e. more darker pieces) and more knots you’ll get (as well as shorter lengths.).
The left side (below) is red oak select grade; the right side is Red Oak No. 1.
On the higher end of the spectrum, there are different and specialized cuts of wood such as rifted and quarter-sawn, or rifted only or quarter-sawn only. Think here of different cuts of meat. They all come from the same tree, but only a small percent of the wood qualifies and they create more wasted wood.
These woods are significantly more expensive and they have less color variation. You will rarely see these cuts in pre-finished wood. They are often used in site-finished woods either because they are going over radiant heat (these work over radiant heat due to their cuts and lower expansion) as well as higher end homes where some customers prefer the look and want less expansion/contraction of the wood.
So, if your objective is to go light, purchase the higher grades such as select, select and better or clear. (Note: the names of these grades will vary based on the species of wood. You can read a bit more about grades of oak in this article.
When you sand and refinish wood floors, they look like raw hardwood again. So, if you have solid hardwood, you can go lighter in color, even if your floors currently have a dark stain on them. Most floors in the US, and especially in the Westchester NY/NYC metro area are oak, and these can go fairly light.
In addition, most wood species darken a bit over time due to light (both sunlight and ambient light). So, when you refinish them, they become a bit lighter as the top layer is removed. (Think about our skin and sun tans and what happens when your skin peels).
Above picture is white oak with a walnut border – all natural (i.e. no stain).
We have been getting many requests for white washed wood from our more upscale and fashion forward customers, especially those moving to Westchester from NYC.
It’s a great way to also add more light to your home.
Most will opt for the higher grade of this (Bona Traffic) as it looks better and lasts longer. It also yellows less over time. It is well worth the extra money for the look and longevity of this product.
White wash does not work well with Douglas Fir nor other pines, both as these woods have golden and red tones (so the colors don’t work well) and the resin in the pines reacts with the white wash and it usually looks blotchy. I would avoid trying this with dark or red woods (e.g. brazilian walnut, brazilian cherry) as I’ve heard these look terrible and you may permanently damage these woods. Better safe than sorry.
You can read more about refinishing hardwood floor gray in this article.
The picture above right is oil based poly (on red oak).
The picture above right is white oak with water borne poly. (white oak is typically darker than red oak).
Above left is white oak with water borne poly. The picture on the right shows water borne on left and oil based poly on right (note: it’s worn down).
Personally, I prefer the look of water-borne poly on white oak floors, but that is a matter of taste. On oak floors either oil based or water based poly can be used (but don’t mix). This is a matter of preference on looks and longevity.
But, with certain species and certain colors, water based is a better choice and should be the only consideration. Below is a quick guide by species and color.
1. If you are buying new wood, get a light colored species, especially red oak, white oak, or maple.
2. If you are refinishing existing wood, either go natural or use a white wash stain.
3. If you want to go even lighter, consider a water-borne polyurethane (and if using white wash or gray, definitely use a water-borne poly).
If you live in Westchester County NY, and you would like advice on refinishing your floors, please give The Flooring Girl a call at 914-937-2950. (Outside of NY/CT, please call 914-407-3899)
The post Blonde hardwood and light flooring – Which types are lightest? appeared first on The Flooring Girl.
Father’s Day is just a few days away and I’m sure more than a few of us are still stumped on what to get dad this year. Or maybe you’re looking for a small gift to add to your existing offering. No matter what your situation is, it doesn’t take much to put some DIY efforts into personalizing some store-bought goods into a useful gift dad is sure to enjoy.
Embroidery Hoop-Framed Vintage Patches
I keep a stash of vintage patches, ranging from Girl Scout badges to state shapes, in my craft closet. A visit to your local antique store or thrift shop this week is sure to result in finding an offering of vintage patches, like these two small patches once worn on a uniform. They can be sewn or adhered with fabric glue to a piece of fabric and then placed into an embroidery hoop. Trim the excess fabric and glue down with tacky glue to create the finished look.
Arrow Signs for the Home
I found this plain, ready-to-decorate wooden arrow in the Hand Made Modern section at Target and knew it needed to be turned into a sign for my husband’s bar for Father’s Day. You can personalize the sign for a favorite room or area in your recipient’s house by adding alphabet stickers to the arrow after it’s been painted. I used gold spray paint and a coat of Mod Podge to keep the stickers from un-sticking over time. The arrow doesn’t come with any hardware for hanging it at home, so add a pair of eye hooks and cord or a picture hanger on the back for easy display options.
Scrap Fabric Shoe Bags
We can all use canvas shoe bags when traveling or on the go. Not only do they keep your shoes from touching your clean clothes while packed in your suitcase, they can be used to wrangle hair dryers or dirty laundry. Instead of presenting a store-bought bag as is I trim fabric scraps to squares and rectangles and sew onto the front of the bags.
Puffy Painted Beverage Coozies
You can never have enough can coozies, especially during the summer. Give a plain coozie a DIY makeover with a bottle of puffy paint. I upgraded this Peanuts-themed Fourth of July coozie by painting the white scribble designs with light blue paint. Since the coozie is so inexpensive, I’m pairing mine with a bottle of one of my dad’s favorite local beers here in Detroit, Motor City Brewing Works’ Ghettoblaster.
Hi everyone, it’s Andrea from The Cottage Market and I am visiting Gina’s fabulous blog today with some free printables with a little twist. All four of these Patriotic Quotes can be printed in their fun 8X8 square format…they are fun to decorate with especially during the festive Summer Time but they are absolutely fabulous […]
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The season of sunshine is right around the corner! As temperatures climb, invest in new sprinkler systems that will please your garden, your grass, and your giddy little out-of-school kids.
Start with a classic impact sprinkler (the one that rotates with that familiar “dink, dink, dink” sound). A few thoughts on inexpensive models? The plastic models weaken as they sit in the sun. The connections break more quickly, and often they can’t hold up to a long run-time or accommodate a higher water pressure. Look for a stainless or brass model, and expect it to last many years.
Telescoping tripod sprinklers are ideal for watering a large lawn, and for hydrating areas in your yard where you have just planted new grass seed. These sprinkers offer an wide-stance and spiked feet which makes them resistant to blowing over or flip-flopping in the lawn (is your dog constantly tripping the sprinkler on its side too?)
If you already have a sprinkler head, you can attach it to a strong, powder-coated sprinkler base for the same effect.
For a smarter yard, fend off pests with a motion-sensitive sprinkler.
And to set it and forget it, pick up a simple-but-effective hose timer.
Ready to invest? Get tips on 10 things you must know before installing a sprinkler system, and then learn how to install a permanent sprinkler system for irrigation in your yard.
For garden beds surrounding the house, I’ve always had luck with soaker and drip hose irrigation systems that keep the roots and soil consistently hydrated. And because the leaves aren’t affected by spraying, it reduces rot on leaves, rendering the plants more healthy-looking all season long.
One spigot + multiple beds = a multi-hose manifold system.
Whether you’re entertaining children, pets or just yourself after mowing the lawn on that 100-degree day, a great sprinkler is where it’s at.
Your ordinary oscillating sprinkler provides fun for all ages – and doubles as a simple solution for ordinary lawn watering too. Available in varied sizes, if you find a model with multiple settings, you can fit an entertaining sprinkler in even the smallest of yards.
Looking for an alternative to an in-ground pool this summer? Build a small deck to surround your kiddie pool.
There are lots of kid-targeted toys too, products that will entertain tots to teenagers:
Target the base of the plants in your vegetable garden more easily with the help of an extended watering wand. Look for a model with a comfy, ergonomic grip, with water adjustment functionality right at the handle.
For even irrigation, add a sprinkler on a t-post to your garden. The straight post sticks into the ground, and you can adjust the sprinkler to any height.
For more ideas:
The season of sunshine is right around the corner! As temperatures climb, invest in new sprinkler systems that will please your garden, your grass, and your giddy little out-of-school kids.
Start with a classic impact sprinkler (the one that rotates with that familiar “dink, dink, dink” sound). A few thoughts on inexpensive models? The plastic models weaken as they sit in the sun. The connections break more quickly, and often they can’t hold up to a long run-time or accommodate a higher water pressure. Look for a stainless or brass model, and expect it to last many years.
Telescoping tripod sprinklers are ideal for watering a large lawn, and for hydrating areas in your yard where you have just planted new grass seed. These sprinkers offer an wide-stance and spiked feet which makes them resistant to blowing over or flip-flopping in the lawn (is your dog constantly tripping the sprinkler on its side too?)
If you already have a sprinkler head, you can attach it to a strong, powder-coated sprinkler base for the same effect.
For a smarter yard, fend off pests with a motion-sensitive sprinkler.
And to set it and forget it, pick up a simple-but-effective hose timer.
Ready to invest? Get tips on 10 things you must know before installing a sprinkler system, and then learn how to install a permanent sprinkler system for irrigation in your yard.
For garden beds surrounding the house, I’ve always had luck with soaker and drip hose irrigation systems that keep the roots and soil consistently hydrated. And because the leaves aren’t affected by spraying, it reduces rot on leaves, rendering the plants more healthy-looking all season long.
One spigot + multiple beds = a multi-hose manifold system.
Whether you’re entertaining children, pets or just yourself after mowing the lawn on that 100-degree day, a great sprinkler is where it’s at.
Your ordinary oscillating sprinkler provides fun for all ages – and doubles as a simple solution for ordinary lawn watering too. Available in varied sizes, if you find a model with multiple settings, you can fit an entertaining sprinkler in even the smallest of yards.
Looking for an alternative to an in-ground pool this summer? Build a small deck to surround your kiddie pool.
There are lots of kid-targeted toys too, products that will entertain tots to teenagers:
Target the base of the plants in your vegetable garden more easily with the help of an extended watering wand. Look for a model with a comfy, ergonomic grip, with water adjustment functionality right at the handle.
For even irrigation, add a sprinkler on a t-post to your garden. The straight post sticks into the ground, and you can adjust the sprinkler to any height.
For more ideas:
