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It’s true. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that hardwood flooring is one of the best flooring options for improving air quality in the home. Not only is this good for our overall health, but wood flooring is also highly recommended for asthma sufferers and people with other types of respiratory problems. Let’s talk about a few reasons why.

Wood Flooring is Hypoallergenic

The EPA says wood flooring is the most effective type of floor to resist the accumulation of pollen, pet dander, dust mites, mold spores, cockroach droppings, and other allergy-causing agents that tend to thrive in carpets. Wood floors are also easy to clean, and any allergens on the floor are easily picked up and removed every time you clean them.

Wood Flooring Resists Toxins

Hardwood floors don’t collect toxins from the outside like other floor types do. We consistently track pollutants into our homes from outside, including pesticides and other harmful chemicals. Wood floors tend not to accumulate these pollutants, nor does walking on the floors release these toxins into the air.

Wood Flooring Is Eco-Friendly

In a more general sense, installing wood flooring is better for the environment, especially when prepared and sealed with non-VOC ingredients. With all the concerns about “greenhouse gases” like carbon dioxide accumulating in the air, trees help balance this effect because they take carbon dioxide out of the air and release oxygen. While hardwood floors are no longer living, they will still absorb carbon from the air throughout their service life. This means wood flooring can effectively reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases both from your indoor air and from the environment in general.

There you have it! If you didn’t need another reason to love hardwood flooring, we’ve given you one, anyway. For a complimentary estimate on wood floor installation in Tulsa, Glenpool, Bixby, Sand Springs, or throughout Green Country, call Renaissance today at 918-298-4477.

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See what we mean? The same type of wood floor might look perfect in one space, but in another, not so much. Our team can certainly help you narrow down the best options for your space, but for now, let’s look at four key considerations when choosing your wood floors.

1. Overall Look and Style

If you’re designing the interior from scratch, what kind of design style are you looking for? Are you leaning toward modern/trendy or traditional/timeless? If you’re installing the floors into an already-decorated space, what type of furnishings and wall coverings do you have? As a general rule of thumb, darker floors tend to create a rich, elegant or sophisticated vibe, while lighter floors exude a more casual or modern feel. Beyond that, you want to select a flooring style that matches or complements your existing décor, or at least won’t clash with it.

2. Expected Use or Wear-and-Tear

The next consideration is this: how much durability do you need from your wood floors? Are you installing the flooring in an area that’s going to see a lot of foot traffic? Will there be small children and/or pets? If your new floors need to stand up to a lot of abuse, a harder wood like oak, maple or hickory will be more resistant to scrapes and scratches. If it’s just you living in the home and you tend to have a light touch, you can probably get away with a softer wood like pine or walnut. Another tip: Distressed or hand scraped wood floors can mask scratches and scrapes quite well.

3. General Maintenance and Upkeep Habits

Certain types of wood floors require a bit more attention than others to keep them looking their best. High-polished dark floors, for example, will show dust and dirt more easily than lighter woods or textured finishes. If you don’t mind keeping up with the housework, you’ll probably enjoy a polished, elegant look for your wood floors. If you prefer more casual living habits, look for colors and finishes that are lower maintenance.

4. Lighting

A fourth consideration, one that often goes overlooked, is the available lighting of the room. Dark hardwoods placed in rooms with plenty of natural light can look quite elegant, especially if they’re offsetting light colored furnishings or décor. On the other hand, if dark floors are placed in dark spaces, they can make the room look downright bleak. In most cases, the “offset approach” can work quite well—choose dark woods for light spaces, and light woods for dark spaces. And if you want to create an extra sunny, almost beach house-type of look—try placing light woods in light spaces.

We know it’s a lot to think about, but if you take the time to look at these different factors and really evaluate which type of wood flooring might look best in your space, you’ll be happier with your choices overall. Of course, our team is more than happy to talk you through your options and let you view samples to help you make a qualified decision. Give Renaissance a call today at 918-298-4477.

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Dense and Durable

Maple is one of the hardest woods available commercially in the U.S., coming in at 1450 on the Jenka Hardness Scale. As such, it is quite dense and naturally resistant to scratches, wear and tear. This makes maple a good choice for rooms with lots of foot traffic or homes with kids and pets. And while you should always avoid exposing wood floors to excessive moisture, maple is a bit more resistant to damage from spills because the moisture takes longer to penetrate the wood than other hardwoods. All told, maple is very durable and can last for generations with proper care.

Sophisticated Beauty

Maple is a naturally light-colored hardwood, and although it can be stained darker to most preferences, it’s typically a great choice for warming up dark spaces. It also offers a more consistent and less pronounced grain pattern than other hardwoods, providing a smooth-looking surface that does well with polished or fine finishes.

Cautions with Maple Wood

While maple is a great choice all around, it’s not right for every home. Some factors to consider:

• Scratches and scuffs may show up more easily. Despite its hardness, maple’s lighter appearance makes scuff marks easier to spot, so it requires a bit of upkeep to maintain its appearance. In addition, although it’s not easy to scratch, if you do manage to scratch the floor, those scratches will be more visible with maple and more difficult to buff out.
• Not the best choice for darker shades. Maple’s hardness factor causes it to accept stains and dyes less easily, and natural inconsistencies in the wood may make the stain appear blotchy and spotty in places. If you choose to stain the wood, you’d be better off hiring a professional than trying to do it yourself. And if you truly prefer a dark shade, you might find it easier just to select a different species than maple.
• Prone to fading. Maple tends to be responsive to sunlight, so areas of the floor that are exposed to direct sunlight might experience bleaching over time. You may want to pull the drapes at certain times of day or cover those exposed areas with a rug.

All told, with proper care, maple hardwood floors can provide durability and lasting beauty to your home. If you’re considering installing maple hardwood floors among your other flooring options, we are happy to help. For a free estimate in Tulsa, Catoosa, Claremore or other parts of Green Country, give Renaissance a call today at 918-298-4477.

(Photo credit: Boa-Franc/Flickr)

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1. Oak Hardwoods Are Very Durable

Oak is one of the “hardest” hardwoods available on the market, and because it is in abundant supply, it’s also one of the more affordable hardwood choices. Its density means it holds up well over time—in fact, it’s not uncommon for oak floors to last for more than 100 years with proper care.

2. Oak Is Very Versatile

Oak is available in a wide array of styles, shades and finishes, so it enhances both modern and traditional designs equally well. Its attractive grain is also very conducive to color and staining, so oak hardwoods are available in a nearly unlimited palette of shades and colors. Whatever your home calls for, chances are we can prepare an oak floor to match it.

3. Oak Offers Timeless Appeal

With all the varying home design trends that change with the seasons, the great thing about oak is it never goes out of style. A new oak floor today will be just as popular in 10-20 years as it is now—just as it was 40-50 years ago. For that reason, homes with oak flooring tend to hold or increase their value better. (Hint: If you’re planning to sell, oak floors are a great way to add value.)

4. Oak Is Resistant to Damage

Not only will your oak hardwoods hold up well against heavy foot traffic—they’ll also hold up well against “nature” itself. Oak is naturally resistant to common enemies like termites and fungus, which means with proper care, you’ll spend less money on repairs and replacement in the long run.

5. Oak Improves with Age

Think of oak as the “wine” of hardwoods—it mellows and looks richer as it ages. This is not only why a well-cared for oak floor can last for more than a century—it’s also why 200-year-old reclaimed oak floors can easily cost more than new hardwoods! If you want a floor that just gets better over time—oak is your best bet.

Of course, there are many other great hardwoods from which to choose, and each has its own set of advantages. But if you’re looking for an excellent all-around flooring choice that will stand the test of time, you can’t do much better than quality oak hardwoods. If you’re a homeowner or builder in Tulsa, Glenpool, Sand Springs, Catoosa or other parts of Green Country, we’re here to meet your hardwood flooring needs. Give Renaissance a call for a free estimate at 918-298-4477.

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It may come as a surprise to learn that even newer wood floors can creak. If you’ve recently installed new floors and start noticing some creaking and squeaking, you might have some concerns. After all, we expect these noises from older floors, but not new ones.

Here’s the good news: There’s nothing structurally wrong.  It doesn’t necessarily mean your floors were installed poorly. Wood is a porous, flexible material that can change with the elements. All it means when a floor creaks is that something moved—usually something small, and almost always something that can be easily fixed.

So…what causes these creaks and squeaks? Let’s explore the most common causes.

New Floors

In new homes, wood floors almost always creak and squeak. At times, they may pop or crack without even walking on them. Don’t panic—they’re simply getting acquainted with their new owner! The floors have been acclimated before installation and finishing, but it will still take several months—usually a full four seasons—before they become fully acclimated to their new environment. As the wood adjusts to your home’s interior temperature and humidity levels, it will find its moisture equilibrium, minimizing the movement of the planks and eliminating most squeaks.

Temperature and Humidity Changes

There’s no getting around it—Oklahoma is a humid place, especially in the hot summer months. It can also get cold and dry in the winter. Changes in both temperature and humidity can cause the wood to expand or contract, causing the planks to separate slightly from each other. When someone walks in these areas, the individual planks rub against each other and creak. When temperature and humidity are the culprits, you may notice certain times of year when the creaks go away or are not as noticeable.

Settling of the Home

Not only can your wood floors change over time—so can the earth beneath your home. It’s perfectly natural for a home to begin “settling” into the ground over time, and when this happens, it can cause subtle changes in the levels of the subfloor or foundation. If your wood floors don’t “settle” in exactly the same way—which they rarely do—there will likely be some separation between the floor and subfloor. When weight is applied to those areas (i.e., someone walks on them), the wood bends and creaks under the weight.

Fixing Creaks and Squeaks

The vast majority of creaky floors are harmless, and if they don’t bother you, you won’t do damage by leaving those floors as they are. However, if you find the creaks and squeaks annoying and want to do something about them, the repair is typically minor, usually involving gluing or nailing to immobilize the individual boards. We recommend having your floor evaluated by a professional to determine the right way to fix those creaks and squeaks. For a free estimate, give Renaissance Hardwood Floors a call at 918-298-4477.

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One of the first decisions you’ll make when choosing hardwood flooring for your home—and one that stumps many homeowners—is choosing between light and dark hardwood flooring. Is one more preferable than the other? Is one more stylish? More durable? The best answer really depends on a number of factors, including room size, your décor and even your personal style. That said, if you’re undecided, answering the following questions should give you some sense of direction.

Do You Have Pets and/or Children?

Pets and small children can definitely have an effect on the long-term look of your floors. Pet toenail scratches show up more easily on dark hardwoods; so do scratches from scooted chairs or toys being dragged across the floor. If you’ve got little ones or furry family members living at home, you might want to go with a lighter shade to mask those inevitable scratch marks. If you do prefer a darker shade, we might recommend going with a hand scraped or distressed finish where scratch marks blend in more easily.

How Often Do You Clean?

Believe it or not, family housecleaning patterns can play a role in determining the shade wood floor that’s best for you. If you keep a neat and tidy home and you don’t mind cleaning your wood floors frequently, you might do very well with a rich, dark shade of hardwood. On the other hand, if you prefer a lower-maintenance home, you’ll probably enjoy a lighter color of flooring. The reason? Dark floors show every speck of dust and dirt. Lighter floors don’t.

What Does “Home” Feel Like?

This may seem like an abstract question (and it is), but what feelings come to you when you think about home? Do you envision a place that is warm and cozy, or bright and airy? Is it a quiet retreat or a gathering place for friends and family? The color of your hardwood flooring will play a large part in making your home feel like home to you. Generally speaking, dark, rich hardwood floors can make small rooms feel cozy and larger rooms feel more elegant. Lighter hardwoods tend to reflect the light and make rooms feel brighter, airy and more spacious. (One common home selling strategy is to put lighter floors into the bedrooms to make them feel larger.) Choose a shade of hardwood that you think will create the best sense of home as it feels to you.

What’s in Style Right Now? (And Does It Matter?)

Some style-conscious homeowners want a look that makes their home feel “current” in line with today’s design trends. So which is more in fashion right now—light or dark hardwood flooring? The answer is both. In 2019, designers are leaning toward the extremes of light and dark flooring, while the middle “brown” shades are less in vogue for the moment. That said, unless this is an investment property, you’re the one who is going to have to live with these floors after your fashion-conscious friends go home. Thus, we recommend choosing a shade that is more in line with your personal tastes. After all, wood flooring tends to be timeless, no matter which shade you choose. If you happen to make a style choice in wood flooring that isn’t “cutting edge” today, the good news is it probably will be in a few years.

Whether you prefer light or dark hardwood flooring, Renaissance Hardwood Floors provides unmatched craftsmanship in making sure those floors will stand the test of time. For a free estimate in Tulsa, Jenks, Glenpool, Bixby and throughout Green Country, give us a call at 918-298-4477.

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It might not even be that obvious. You might come to the end of moving day only to discover a whole series of scuffs and scratch marks on the floor that you swear were not there when you purchased the home. Either way, you’re barely a day in, and already your gorgeous wood floors are visibly damaged.

Thankfully, this nightmare is one that can be prevented. By implementing the following tips and tricks, you can safeguard your wood floors from damage during a move-in. Here’s what you need to know.

Make Sure the Floors are Clean First

Your floor’s number one enemy on moving day is not always heavy furniture. It’s actually a lot smaller, in the form of dirt, dust, sand and gravel. When workers or friends are busy maneuvering furniture—even if they’re being careful—their boots and shoes can scoot across the floor, grinding those tiny grains of dirt and sand into the planks and causing scrapes and scratches. So before you bring in a single box or piece of furniture, get those wood floors spotless. Go through with a soft broom or brushless vacuum (NO BEATERS) and get all traces of dust and dirt off the floor. This one step can reduce your risk of floor damage by more than half.

Use a Doormat and Cover Walkways

Once you’ve cleared the floor of dirt and sand, the next line of defense is to keep as much dirt and sand as possible from coming in on people’s shoes during the move itself. You can accomplish this with a two-step process:

1. Set doormats in front of all entrances (and make sure people use them); and
2. Lay protective coverings across all major walkways. (Some professional movers will lay down plastic for this purpose, but you can also accomplish this goal with strategically placed area rugs and runners.)

Be Careful with Wheels

Wheels and casters make heavy furniture easier to move, but that doesn’t mean they can’t damage your wood floors. Quite often, dirt and sand get lodged in these wheels and are ground into the floor the same as with the bottom of people’s shoes. Also, a caster stuck in the sideways position can do as much damage as dragging a furniture leg. Always utilize casters and wheels carefully, and go ahead and lift furniture whenever possible. When using a dolly, use one with inflatable rubber wheels rather than hard, solid rubber.

Lift. Don’t Drag or Scoot.

This one is just common sense: A furniture leg dragging on the floor is just asking for trouble. So is scooting any large piece with a heavy base, like a cabinet or large appliance. Always lift these pieces rather than drag or scoot them across the floor. If lifting is just not feasible for some reason, invest in some reusable gliders and put them under the legs before scooting.

If you do happen to get a few scratches on your wood floors during moving day, it’s not the end of the world; most scratches can be repaired by a trusted professional. If you live in Tulsa, Jenks, Catoosa, Glenpool or other places in Green Country, we are always happy to come out and evaluate the damage and give you a fair estimate for repairs. Give Renaissance Hardwood Floors a call at 918-298-4477.

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1. Optimal temperature and humidity

Wood planks are sensitive to temperature and humidity levels, and they can swell or contract accordingly. Wood floors must be acclimated to the environment where they will be installed in order to prevent problems later. This acclimation is much easier during the spring months when the temperatures are moderate and before the hot, humid weather sets in.

2. Good ventilation

Wood flooring installation requires good ventilation due to increased dust and fumes. Replacing hardwood floors in the spring means we can open windows and let in the fresh air without making your home too warm or too cool.

3. Save on energy bills

When we install a floor, not only do we prefer open windows, but your doors will open and close frequently as flooring technicians bring in the wood planks, tools and supplies, remove waste, etc. In the winter and summer months, this can make your furnace or air conditioner work overtime, resulting in a spike in your energy bills. In the mild spring weather, this is less of an issue.

4. Get ahead of the summer rush

Spring and summer are understandably the busiest times of year for wood flooring companies like ours. In addition to a high demand for renovations and floor replacements, the warmer months are “prime time” for home builders in general, many of whom call on us to install their flooring. By calling us early in the season, you’ve got a better opportunity to get on our calendar with less risk of longer wait times.

Of course, we can replace hardwood floors with great success any time of year. But for added convenience and quicker response times, we’ve found springtime to be one of the best times to schedule a hardwood floor replacement. For more information about wood flooring installation in Jenks, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Coweta and other parts of Green Country, call Renaissance Hardwood Flooring today at 918-298-4477.

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