Choosing the Right Product

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PRODUCT

KNOW YOUR WOOD SPECIES

Most engineered hardwood products consist of one of five common wood species: walnut, maple, red oak, white oak, and hickory. Each type of wood comes with its advantages and drawbacks. Deciding exactly what you need out of your wood flooring will help you choose the best wood species for your project. For example, high activity areas such as hallways or entrances fare better with a harder wood like hickory or maple engineered hardwood flooring. This is also a great option if you have little kids or pets who might dent and scratch your floors over time. If you’re designing a quieter space, softer woods like walnut can provide more comfort beneath your feet.

It’s also a good idea to keep the room’s design and color scheme in mind when choosing a wood species. Do you want warm or cool undertones in your flooring? Do you want a rich and unique grain pattern, or something more subtle and modern? These questions will help you find a wood species that suits the style of room you have in mind.

CHOOSE YOUR GRADE

While the type of wood you use affects the knots, streaks, and other markings in your floor planks, the grade you choose will also help you achieve the perfect appearance. Character markings help make every board of engineered hardwood flooring unique. They can add a lot of style and personality to a room; however, they don’t fit with every design. While a knotted floor with heavy grain patterns looks great in a country home, it might not give the right impression in an office meeting room. Generally speaking, more character markings offer an organic and rustic appearance, while fewer character markings support a sleek and modern look. The range of hardwood flooring grades includes Clear Grade, Select Grade, #1 Common Grade, #2 Common Grade, and Cabin Grade, with Clear Grade having the least amount of character markings and Cabin Grade having the most.

WEAR LAYER THICKNESS

How does engineered hardwood mimic the appearance of solid hardwood so well? The answer lies in the wear layer. This is the top layer of your engineered hardwood planks. It consists of real hardwood, which is why it has the same color, grain, and character markings as wood. However, this wear layer is only one to four millimeters thick. The thickness of your wear layer determines how often you can sand down and refinish your engineered hardwood floors. A 1mm-thick wear layer won’t hold up against sanding, but a 4mm-thick layer can take a few refinishes over its lifespan. If your home sees a lot of activity, or if you simply want your engineered hardwood flooring to last through the decades, a thicker wear layer is your best option.

Plank Dimensions

Once you know what each engineered hardwood floor plank consists of, it’s time to think about dimensions. The width and length of your floor planks play a major role in the overall look of a room. For example, floors that have uniform planks look more streamlined and contemporary. Meanwhile, alternating plank width and length creates more movement and character in a room. Keep the size of your space in mind as well. More expansive rooms will want wider, longer planks. This provides fewer seams to distract the eye and makes installation easier, as you don’t have to place nearly as many boards.

FINISH RIGHT

A finishing coat acts as a seal on engineered hardwood. The right finish adds a smooth and beautiful final touch while protecting the floor from daily wear and tear. As you explore your finish options, keep both the appearance and functionality of the room in mind. Certain finishes work better to conceal dirt and debris, while others hold up better against high traffic. Finishes range from glossy to dull. On the dull end of the spectrum is a matte finish, which creates a smooth floor that hides scratches and dents well. Next is a satin finish. This style offers a little more gleam than matte finishes, but it doesn’t reflect as much light as semi-gloss or glossy floors. Glossy floors, which offer the most gleam, create a sophisticated appearance that takes more maintenance than other finishes. Both satin and semi-gloss finishes offer a balanced floor. The light they reflect works to conceal dirt, pet hair, and other debris on your floors. However, they aren’t as shiny as glossy floors, and they don’t always last as long as matte floors.

PICK AN INSTALLATION METHOD

Once you’ve used this guide on how to choose the right engineered hardwood flooring to pick out the perfect floors for your project, your last step is to choose an installation method. There are four main methods of installing your engineered hardwood floors: gluing, nailing, stapling, and floating. The first three methods are different ways to attach the boards to the subfloor. In floating installation, however, the boards click together and “float” over the subfloor. The space you’re working in and the type of subfloor beneath the room will help determine which installation method is best. Savvy DIYers can install their engineered hardwood floors themselves. However, a professional installation guarantees quality and helps prolong the life of your floors.

HARDWOOD FLOORING ACCLIMATION: WHAT IS IT AND HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

How long does it take for my hardwood flooring to acclimate?

Acclimation is defined as the following: the process or result of becoming accustomed to a new climate or to new conditions.

When we are planning a new wood floor installation, we have to plan for sufficient acclimation time for the wood flooring.  Why do we do this? 

Wood is HYGROSCOPIC. A hygroscopic material is one that readily attracts water from its surroundings, through either absorption or adsorption, with the adsorbing substance becoming physically changed somewhat.  When water vapor is absorbed, the water molecules are taken into the molecules of the substance, and changes such as increased volume can occur.

If you deliver a wood floor from a climate-controlled mill into a new home in August with no working climate controls and the hardwood flooring sits there for a week, it will swell up with the increase in moisture content.  The boards will be expand and swell to their fullest capacity, their greatest dimensional measurements.  Then they are installed in this state.  What do you think will happen once the air conditioning is turned on and the relative humidity of the home is significantly reduced?  That’s right, the boards will begin to lose their high moisture content and will shrink up/contract.  You will be left with gapping (spaces between floor boards) that will never completely go away.

Here’s another scenario:  If you bring a wood floor from a climate-controlled mill into an unocuppied home with no heating in January and it sits there for a week, it will shrink up because the moisture content of the wood will decrease with the dry air of the environment.  The hardwood floor boards will be in their most contracted state and smallest dimensions. If they are installed in this condition, what do you think can happen once it is a more humid time of year? With a big increase in moisture content, the boards may swell and expand.  Since they were installed in a contracted state, this swelling can put pressure on the floor because it is now a floor literally too big for the space. This may lead to cupping, crowning, or buckling.

Acclimation is the process of conditioning your hardwood floor boards so that their naturally occurring moisture content is at or near the moisture content of the environment where they will be installed.  Acclimation gives your new floor boards the proper time to adjust to the climate conditions of your home.  When we install a wood floor, we want to make sure that it is not moving.  That the wood has reached its equilibrium moisture content (EMC): neither losing nor gaining moisture and is stable.  As reviewed earlier, installing your wood floor before it has acclimated and reached EMC can lead to a host of problems down the road as displayed in the photos above.

So what do we advise for proper acclimation?  To start, the conditions of the home must be closed and stable.  Climate controls must be on and running for at least 5 days before wood flooring arrives.  If climate controls are not installed and waiting for them would hold up a construction timeline, temporary AC or heating units can be used in particular situations to mimic the conditions of a normal, occupied home, but we would strongly prefer to avoid this situation if possible. Climate controls must be on and running during acclimation, during the installation, and after the floor is installed.  Remember, once you make the commitment to having wood flooring in your home, you are making the commitment to keeping the conditions stable inside your home!

When the flooring is delivered, both the flooring and the subfloor should be tested for moisture content. Flooring should be spaced apart adequately so that air can circulate all around the boards. Remember that narrow planks “move” (expand and contract) less than wider planks.

Refinishing Hardwood Floors Adds Resale Value To Your Home

Refinishing Hardwood Floors Adds Resale Value To Your Home

Refinishing hardwood floors adds resale value and contributes to homes selling quicker and often for more money. That is because hardwood floors are the preferred flooring choice among prospective home buyers now more than ever before and homeowners who make the smart choice of offering wood floors reap the benefits.

It’s a well-known fact that updating and making improvements to your home increases the resale value – remodeling kitchens and bathrooms often adds an increased value of 60 to 75% positive return. But that’s a drop in the bucket to what the value of having hardwood floors can add. As the trend toward hardwood floors keeps growing, the number of home buyers who want them has increased.

Hardwood floors are a smart investment not only because they look beautiful and feel luxurious, but they are also easier to clean and they last a very long time. Most hardwood floors last well over 100 years. Many homes built in the early 1900s, have hardwood floors that are sound and beautiful.

Wood floors are more stylish and don’t aggravate allergies and asthmatic conditions like carpet does. Refinishing hardwood floors can restore their original beauty for many more years to come.

Transition Molding: What It Is and Why You Need It

Transition Molding: What It Is and Why You Need It

While installing a beautiful new vinyl floor, you’ll need to consider transition molding. It’s a critical detail that often gets overlooked.

In this article we explore what transition molding is, what it does, and what the various types are, including T-molding, which is sometimes used to refer to transition molding but which is actually a specific type.

What is a transition molding?
Think of the frame around a picture. The right frame properly made not only defines the picture but also protects the picture. It protects the edges of the picture; prevents dust from landing on the picture; protects users’ hands from being cut by glass; covers the gaps between the picture, the mat, the glass and the frame; provides structure to the picture; and ensures the picture’s longevity.

Transition moldings are a lot like that. They’re the finishing touch on a beautiful new floor and preserves the floor’s structural integrity by creating an “island” on which a really heavy object can rest. They also allow expansion gaps to work efficiently.

What is the purpose of transition molding?
Just as the name implies, transition molding helps one surface transition to another so that there’s no abrupt or unfinished edges that are unsightly or unprotected. Proper installation of transition moldings are even a safety consideration because they lessen the likelihood of being tripped up between two floor-surface thicknesses such as from laminate flooring to carpet.

Transition moldings make a smooth transition from the horizontal, flat surface of the floor to the 90-degree vertical surface of a wall, both visually and structurally, by hiding the necessary expansion gap along the perimeter of the room. An expansion gap of a 3/8-inch minimum is necessary in a floating-floor installation, such as a vinyl floor, to allow normal expansion and contraction of the floor due to changes in temperature and humidity levels.

What are the various types of transition moldings?
There are several types of transition molding. Five basic transitional molding types are pictured here: T-molding, reducer, quarter-round, corner-round, stair-nosing, and wall-base or baseboard. There also is end cap (or end molding).

The easiest transition piece to recognize is the T-molding because of its distinctive “T” profile shape. T-moldings are used to create a transition between two floors of equal thickness. T-moldings also are useful between two floors of equal thickness at a doorway. Some are installed with tracks and screws, others are meant to be glued or nailed to the subfloor. In every case the T-molding doesn’t float — it’s fastened to the subfloor.

Reducer moldings are used when two floors of slightly different thicknesses come together, such as a laminate floor and a wood, vinyl, ceramic or low-pile carpet floor.

For floor transitions of more extreme, unequal height differences, you’ll need to use an end molding. For example, a transition from laminate flooring in one room to a high, thick-pile carpet in another room or in front of a sliding-glass door will likely require an end molding.

Baseboard and quarter-round moldings are usually used in combination with each other to create the finishing touch around the perimeter of the room.

• Baseboard molding is installed at the base of the wall just above the floor’s top surface.

• Quarter-round molding is installed over the bottom of the baseboard molding and covers the expansion gap. In some cases, depending on the room where moisture is a concern (kitchen, bath, laundry room, etc.), quarter-round moldings installed with a 100% mildew-resistant silicone sealer can help protect the exposed edges of the flooring.

For adding the finishing touch to stair risers, you’ll want to use stair-nose moldings, which must be glued or screwed. Screws should be countersunk and filled with putty filler.

The 9 Best Options for Flooring in San Diego

When it comes to the aesthetic aspect of a house, some people tend to overlook the flooring.  It may be because it’s the part we only walk on, believing that it’s more on functionality than style.  That’s where one can go wrong—flooring should be stylish and safe at the same time.  If you have the right partners, you can convert your home and business premise into a sight to behold.

We were recently listed in an article featuring all the best San Diego flooring companies that will help you with your flooring issues. 

LINK : https://www.handymanreviewed.com/best-flooring-san-diego/

Pros and Cons of Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Pros and Cons of Luxury Vinyl Flooring (LVP and LVT)

Advantages:

• Looks and feel very real – It’s incredible how real luxury vinyl looks.Many of my customers mistake it for hardwood.  Also, with the thicker/more rigid planks, it feels more like a real floor.

• Waterproof – Huge benefit as it holds up to moisture and water.  So, engineered luxury vinyl is a great selection for areas prone to water, such as kitchens, basements and mudrooms.

• Can be installed on top of virtually any surface (as long as it’s flat).  Engineered luxury vinyl can go on top of concrete, plywood and tile.  It can even go on top of radiant heat

• Saves you money – Generally, less expensive vs hardwood or tile,  And, you can often avoid tile rip up which can add a lot to your labor costs)

• Gives more insulation and sound proofing vs laminate

Downsides to Vinyl Planks?

• It doesn’t improve the value of your home in the same way that hardwood does.  But, it’s certainly a preferable and longer lasting option vs laminate flooring or your basic cheap vinyl.

• It can scratch, especially with heavy objects such as appliances.  It’s more scratch resistant than hardwood and bit less resistant than laminate.  Note:  you can replace pieces if they get scratched, so keep the extras.

• May require a lot of floor prep if your floor is uneven or wavy.  If your floor is very uneven or wavy, vinyl planks (which are rigid) will not line up well, and they can bounce (just as any floating floor can).  So, if your floors are wavy or uneven, you will probably want to either add self leveling mix (which can be a bit costly) or consider a glue down installation.

Oiled Wood Floors - Bona Hardwood Guide

Oiled Wood Floors

Regular cleaning and floor care is the best way to keep your oiled wood floors looking fresh and beautiful. Follow our recommendations to get a wood floor you can enjoy for a long time to come.

About wood oil

Treatment with wood oil is very popular as it brings out the same beautiful look that many exotic wood species have. Wood floors treated with oil bring out the wood’s natural character and warmth. Wood oil doesn’t give any direct protection against wear but helps to repel water. It’s a good idea to think about which rooms are suitable for oiled wood floors.

It can be difficult to see and feel the difference between an oiled wood floor and a waxed wood floor. A waxed wood floor is softer and a little more slippery than oiled wood floors.

Dust & Clean

Things to think about when you Dust and Clean your oiled wood floor:

Protecting your oiled floors is simple. By routinely cleaning, you remove dust and dirt before they scratch and dull the surface, or wear away the floor.

Always keep water to a minimum when cleaning your oiled wood floors. If you spill (food or drinks), wipe up immediately to prevent any permanent damage or staining.

Sweep or vacuum your oiled floors as often as needed. Use Bona’s mild, specially formulated Cleaner For Oiled Floors. Just spray and wipe!

Do not use ”all-purpose” cleaners on your oiled floors as they tend to leave a dull residue and you end up using too much water, which is damaging to your oiled floors.

Maintaining

Things to think about when you maintain your oiled wood floor:

Use a special oil product for maintaining and protecting your oiled floors such as Bona’s specially formulated Refresher for Oiled floors to be sure you keep your floors looking great.

If you have laid an oiled floor in an area where there is a high risk of spilling water, like in a kitchen, apply Bona Oil Refresher to add a layer of protection and increase the life of your new floors.

The oil refresher can be applied as needed but usually a few times a year. Always make sure the wood floor is cleaned before re-applying.

WPC vs SPC

Similar to WPC vinyl, an SPC vinyl is an engineered luxury vinyl that combines limestone and stabilizers to create an extremely durable core. An SPC vinyl floor is still 100% waterproof, but adds stability, dent resistance and structure to vinyl plank flooring

Types of Hardwood Flooring

Types of Flooring

Unfinished Solid

Unfinished hardwood flooring gives you the ultimate in customizing the look and feel of your floors. You can choose between naturally light-colored materials such as Maple, or the opposite – naturally dark wood such as Walnut or Ipe (Wenge). Whatever species you select, you can always manipulate the color of the material with a stain, sheen, or texture of your choice, and not only for indoor flooring. It’s also a great choice for customized outdoor spaces, from floating decks to entertaining areas. Unfinished hardwood boasts a wider range of widths than prefinished products. We also offer custom lengths (long lengths) and custom widths to order.

Prefinished Solid

Prefinished hardwood is a superb option for remodeling when you are living in your home. Installation typically requires a day to remove the existing flooring and a day to install the new hardwood flooring. After installation, there is no waiting time, so you can walk on your new floors and enjoythem immediately. Prefinished hardwood flooring has a multi-coat, thicker mill finish compared to an on-site finish. This finish is usually aluminum oxide, which resists scratches and wear patterns over time. Prefinished solid is also a fantastic choice for ceilings and accent walls and lends itself beautifully to endless ornamental flooring options, from intricate weaves and patterns to ornate inlay design styles.

Unfinished Engineered

While solid hardwood flooring has existed for centuries, engineered hardwood flooring is relatively new. It is very stable, can accommodate glue or nail installation, and is quite compatible with radiant heat systems (which are popular in cooler climates). All of Macon Hardwood’s unfinished engineered flooring is CARB-compliant, and offers the benefit of versatility. Once installed, unfinished engineered planks can easily be customized with stains, as well as matte, satin, or gloss finishes. Engineered flooring has new thicker wear layers and is sandable, just like traditional solid floors. Homeowners still need to monitor humidity levels to keep veneers from checking or splitting.

Prefinished Engineered

Prefinished engineered flooring has all the benefits of prefinished solid, and then some. Along with the convenience of easier, quicker installation, prefinished engineered flooring is a cost-saver the majority of the time, and promises the added advantage of higher resistance to moisture damage. It’s an ideal choice for structures with concrete slab construction such as condominiums, and can be pre-cut for precise room fit. Prefinished engineered wood can also add unique character to interior flooring for boats, private aircraft, and studio spaces.

Can you refinish / restore Engineered Flooring?

When an engineered wood floor has lost its luster and is showing deep scratches and stains, you might start thinking about refinishing, the process of restoring a floor close to its original condition. During the sanding process, a thin layer of flooring that usually contains the scratches and dents is removed. A finishing coat is then applied to restore the sheen. The question we hear often is, can you refinish an engineered wood floor? The answer is you probably can, but it largely depends on the wear layer.

The wear layer is the top solid part of an engineered hardwood floor that will wear away as your floor ages. It is the only re-sandable part of a floor—sand past the wear layer, and you get to the plywood core. Most wear layers on today’s engineered hardwood floors vary between .5 to 6mm. A thicker wear layer means your floor can be sanded and refinished more often, increasing the lifespan of the floor.

Here are the general guidelines to keep in mind:

• .5 to 1mm wear layer: cannot be sanded and refinished; only recoated with a layer of urethane.

• 2mm wear layer: can be sanded and refinished 1 to 2 times.

• 3mm wear layer: can be sanded and refinished 2 to 3 times.

• 4 to 6 mm wear layer: can be sanded and refinished 3 to 6 times.

Dustless sanding vs sandless refinishing – What is the difference?

What’s the difference between sandless refinishing and dustless sanding?

“Dustless” sanding and refinishing

Now, the issue is that sanding creates dust, and it’s messy as it takes the wood down to its core.  So, many companies, including my own, offer a “dustless” or  “dustfree” option. 

Now, this name is bit misleading because nothing is 100% dustless, but this method does take care of most of the dust. 

While equipment may vary across the country, generally, this is a specialized machine that has a vacuum suction tube and the tube goes straight outside into a dust containment system (rather than in your room).  The negative pressure of the machine takes care of most the dust.

“Sandless” refinishing

Now, “sandless refinishing” is something completely different.  As the name implies, the floors are NOT sanded.  Rather, you are just screening/buffing the floors and adding a clear coat of polyurethane on top. 

A screening is just like putting on a clear coat of nail polish on your nails. It the base color has chipped or scratched, that will continue to show even after you add another coat of gloss.

Some people are attracted to sandless refinishing…because it sounds good, and it sounds like they can avoid all the dust and hassle. However, many do not realize that these are two different types of jobs, and more often than not, a full sanding is needed.

Are pets always a deal-breaker for hardwood floors?

There are only two things that can ruin a hardwood floor beyond all hope: floods and urine.

Floods are fairly rare, but almost everybody has dog or a cat that will eventually leave a oops on the hardwood floor.

If you catch the puddle and wipe it up while it’s still fresh, the problem is minimal; modern polyurethanes are designed to resist accidents like this. 

But as urine sits and decomposes, it becomes more alkaline and more corrosive and eventually you have the equivalent of undiluted ammonia burning through your finish and into your wood. This tends to happen when there is carpet or a rug over the hardwood floors because it keeps the liquid from drying and allows it to sit in contact with the floor below as it breaks down.

The problem is compounded by the fact that pets, once they've marked a spot, continue to use it which practically guarantees that there will always be fresh ammonia forming at that site. Unfortunately, neither the wood finish nor the finish itself can resist this onslaught. 

For some reason, there is a persistent belief that stains like these can be removed easily by sanding or bleach.

Unfortunately, this simply isn’t true. The vast majority of pet stains have to be patched out; that is, the damaged wood must be removed and replaced with new wood.

By the time a pet stain is as dark or extensive as the ones shown here, the ammonia burn has penetrated deeply into the hardwood, probably far deeper than you would want to sand. So don't waste your money on anything "guaranteed" to remove pet damage.  

Benefits of Hardwood Floors

In 2017, the United States saw a 31% raise in hardwood flooring installations according to the Houzz Kitchen & Bath Study. The top motivator in the study for selecting a solid hardwood floor was the look and feel.  Woodchuck Flooring helps bring visual warmth, allergen free surfaces, and design flexibility to kitchens, bedrooms, and other living areas that other flooring products cannot create. If you are remodeling or updating your home, consider these five benefits of solid hardwood flooring:

Long Lasting and Ecological

1. Hardwood flooring not only lasts over 100 years, but it also creates a higher quality air environment. Hardwood flooring does not trap dust, dander, pollen, or other allergens like carpet does.

1. All Natural

   1. Solid hardwood flooring has no repeating pattern. Each board is unique, unlike the manufactured, printed pattern on luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and laminates.  Additionally, solid hardwood flooring is chemical free, unlike the glue and resin in LVT and laminates.

2. Endless Possibilities

   1. The color trends for kitchens changes over the years but the good news is, so can your hardwood floor. Solid hardwood floors can be re-sanded and stained to fit current trends or desires.

3. Increases the Resale Value of your Home

   1. Hardwood floors help to increase the resale value of your home by as much as 3%-5% and is a preferred flooring choice among millennials and Gen X’ers. Check out Kiplinger and com/Money and see for yourself.

4. Cost Effective

   1. Hardwood flooring can be sanded and refinished multiple times rather than replaced like with other flooring material. You can drastically change your homes look and feel by sanding your floor and applying a stain/oil that is either darker or lighter to match your next design.

As you can see, there are many benefits to having hardwood flooring. With more time spent indoors, it is important to think about how hardwood floors can bring the outdoors, inside. Not only can it be sanded and stained for a darker or lighter tone, it is also free of chemicals, hypoallergenic and lasts a lifetime

FAQ - Vinyl Flooring

“What are the benefits of vinyl flooring?” - First, there are many types of patterns luxury vinyl flooring can come in that will replicate a certain look or ambiance you’re trying to obtain through your floor. For instance, vinyl flooring can display wood, stone or ceramic appearances. Second, it’s an extremely durable surface, which is why vinyl flooring is recommended for bathrooms and kitchens. Lastly, vinyl flooring is ideal for DIY installation, regardless of how much experience homeowners have had installing floors in the past.

“How do I clean vinyl flooring?” - While many vinyl flooring products are water-resistant, they can become damaged by improper cleaning techniques. Sweep, vacuum and mop your floors regularly. Most of the time, a mixture of water and vinegar does the trick, but you can also clean with a solution formulated for vinyl floors. The bottle should say nonabrasive, or carry a similar label. Eco-friendly options are a great choice as well. Remember to check whether the cleaner is a concentrate – if it is, you’ll have to dilute it first!

“Where can I install vinyl floors?” - You can install vinyl flooring in any room above, below, and on-grade. Vinyl’s water resistance makes it an excellent choice for rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements where a greater chance that the floors will get wet exists.

"Is vinyl flooring waterproof?”- Some types of vinyl flooring are waterproof. For example, wood plastic and polymer composite (WPC) vinyl is waterproof thanks to its composition of thermoplastics, wood flour, and calcium carbonate. It can be installed in areas where high moisture levels are present. Other waterproof vinyl floor options include stone plastic composite (SPC) vinyl, made from natural limestone powder, polyvinyl chloride, and stabilizer. Also known as rigid core vinyl, it can be installed over many types of flooring as a floating floor.

“Is vinyl flooring good for pets?”- Yes. Vinyl flooring is an excellent choice for pets and children. The flooring is scratch and stain resistant, low in allergens, easy to clean and maintain, and even quiet to walk on.

Evolution of Vinyl Plank

In recent years, Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) flooring has exploded on to the market. It has become the fastest growing flooring category because it combines the waterproof attribute of LVT with the rigidity of laminate or hardwood to help avoid ‘telegraphing’ subfloor imperfections. (Telegraphing is when subfloor imperfections start to show through the floor, think of putting a t-shirt over an electric cord). However, WPC is not as dent resistant as laminate, and it can be sensitive to high-heat environments, like rooms that get a lot of direct sunlight on the floor. We are incredibly excited about GemCore because it combines the best of all of these categories: it is waterproof, rigid, highly dent-resistant, and highly heat resistant. And, it's so dimensionally stable, you only need 1/4" expansion space around the edges and you can install a whole house without any transition moldings, up to 6400 sq.ft.!

No other flooring technology comes close to providing all of these benefits in an easy-to-install, consumer-friendly product. The basic technology behind GemCore is often referred to as SPC (Stone Plastic Composite), which is stone powder blended with PVC. But beware – there are many new products on the market that are advertised as SPC but they don’t have the same performance attributes as true SPC products like GemCore. Most WPC and LVT products have a small amount of limestone filler, but only true SPC products, with more than 50% stone content, will give you the superior dent-resistance, heat-resistance, and dimensional stability that make this technology the next big thing in flooring. GemCore is 60% stone.

One thing that makes GemCore superior to some competing products is that the layers are not glued together, they are fused together with heat, so there is virtually no chance of the delamination problems that can plague LVT and WPC products.

Although a new technology, GemCore is made on the same machinery and with the same expertise that went into Reward Rigid Plus, our WPC product. Very little needed to be changed other than the addition of the stone content.

GemCore is ideal for high-traffic commercial applications and a perfect solution for areas exposed to heat and/or moisture. GemCore features easy tap-down glueless installation. It can be quickly installed over most existing floors, including wood or laminate, stone or cement, and vinyl or tile. It can be wet-mopped for easy maintenance and remains flat even in high heat and high humidity. It is perfect for bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and sunny areas.

GemCore is safe. It does not off gas formaldehyde or any other toxic airborne chemicals. It is free of ortho-phthalates, lead and other substances of high concern such as mercury, chromium VI, cadmium, benzene, xylene and tributylin. GemCore has earned FloorScore certification. To get certified under the FloorScore standard, products are tested by independent labs which verify that they meet emission limits for 35 individual VOCs (including formaldehyde) specified by the California Standard Method for VOC Emissions Testing and Evaluation Standard Method V1.2, otherwise known as CA Section 01350.

Hope we've answered your questions - if we can be of further assistance please feel free to reach out on our site. We love hearing from customers!

We only sell what we trust - Finishes

This may seem like a very limited set of choices, but we only sell finishes that we have used extensively over a long period of time. There is no one "best" finish here; each of these products has strengths that make them more appropriate for certain applications.

But each of these finishes is the top of its class and we've chosen it because we've worked with it under many different conditions; we know how it behaves (and misbehaves) during application and under household wear and tear.

If you are simply looking for the cheapest finish available, you probably won't find it here. But if you are looking for the longest-lasting finish for your buck, read on.

Our Favorite Waterborne Polyurethane

Mega was one of Bona's first waterborne products in the US market. We've been using it for over 20 years and find that it has exceptional flow and working time for water-based finish.

Waterbornes seem to have a bad reputation, but their quality has improved drastically since they first appeared.

Because they contain no color and no pigments of any kind, waterbased finishes look naked and pale.

If you prefer the slightly warmer, golden look, make sure you specify that with your contractor.

Our Favorite Oil-Modified Polyurethane

We’ve been using Dura Seal oil based urethane since we started Woodchuck Flooring 33 years ago because its quality and color are extremely consistent from year to year and batch to batch.

• it is extremely hard-wearing for the price.

• its perfect viscosity makes it very easy to spread and it levels extremely well.

Hardwood Floor Finishes

Hardwood flooring is available with a number of distinct surface finishes. The top coat not only helps protect the floor, but it can enhance the wood grain. Whether you’re looking for a shiny, high-gloss finish or something a little more matte, hardwood top coatings provide plenty of options.

Water-Based Polyurethane - Water Based Polyurethane is arguably the most popular surface finish for hardwood flooring. Water-based polyurethane provides a clear finish and has the traditional hardwood look and feel. Traditionally, this smooth, lustrous finish gives solid and engineered hardwood floors the signature look. Can be found in high-gloss or matte.

Oil-Based Polyurethane - Oil-based polys are the mainstay of floor finishing and widely used by professional finishers. A coat takes 8 to 10 hours to dry

*One difference is final color: Water-based polys dry clear; oil-based polys have a slight amber tint.

Hard-Wax Oil - If you’re looking for a natural finish that’s easy to apply, offers a warm look, and provides excellent protection, a hard-wax oil finish is a great option.  Although wax treatments for hardwood may be considered outdated by some, they’re growing in popularity again thanks to homeowners who want a low luster finish that’s easy to touch up.

Woodchuck Flooring, Professional Flooring Company in San Diego, CA

Looking for hardwood flooring in San Diego?

LOOKING FOR HARDWOOD FLOORING IN SAN DIEGO? WE’LL HELP YOU GET STARTED

Hardwood flooring is one of the most popular flooring options available today. From traditional homes to the more modern spaces, hardwood offers versatility and durability, creating a classic look that never goes out of style.

Today, Hardwood flooring is available in two main forms: solid, made with pure wood from top to bottom, or engineered, a flooring consisting of a thin strip of actual wood mounted to a multiple layers of thinner, less expensive plywood.

Both types of hardwood flooring can be available in a variety styles, colors, cuts, and species.

WHAT’S THE BEST HARDWOOD FLOORING FOR MY HOME?

With so many choices in wood types, colorations, designs and finishes, finding the best hardwood for your home can sometimes be complicated. Depending on the needs of your home, your own design sense and budget, let the professionals at Woodchuck Flooring help you through the processes of selecting the perfect floors for you and your family!

QUALITY YOU CAN STAND ON!

Woodchuck’s 33 years of experience can help you pick out something magnificent and precious that will overwhelm you and your guests with beauty each and every time you step foot in your home.

To get started, schedule your free estimate, visit or call one of our professionals today at 858-279-4677

Guide to Luxury Vinyl Planks

What is Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring?

In the flooring world, luxury vinyl is one of the new kids on the block.

Luxury vinyl is the cousin of sheet vinyl and the competitor of laminate.

Luxury vinyl took the vinyl core but added other layers to create the planks and tiles. This makes a floor that is still relatively inexpensive but is more durable and better looking than traditional vinyl. Like laminate, some of the high-end designs can look shockingly similar to real wood and tiles.

WHY PEOPLE LOVE LUXURY VINYL TILE

can nearly clone the look and texture of hardwood, ceramic tiles, and other premium types of flooring

• cheaper on average than the floors that it mimics

• less maintenance than hardwood

• since tiles or planks are individual, damaged areas can easily be replaced with just a few new pieces

• potential DIY job—much easier than sheet vinyl

• water resistance better than laminate and hardwood = better for basements and bathrooms

• overall very durable even though it won’t last a lifetime like hardwood can