Hardwood Flooring vs. Dog Scratches

 

We love our furry companions, there’s no doubt about it. And while we think that they’re perfect in every way, we just have to take a moment and shake our heads when they cause a ruckus in our homes that we work hard to keep tidy and clean. Accidents happen, and can be a pain to clean up. Scratches on hardwood floors, however, can take a lot of time and money to fix- or so we’ve been told. 

Surface Scratches

Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to fix the scratches in hardwood floors; it just depends on the severity of the scratches. If they’re surface scratches, you can try a stain-filled marker to make some touch-ups. Not sure how the color will look? We suggest starting with a lighter stain color, and if you have to go darker, you can simply go over the area until you reach your desired color. 

Deep Scratches

Deeper scratches in the floor can be corrected by sanding down the area and staining to match the surrounding area. We find that resealing the area with polyurethane, which can sometimes be challenging, can really goes a long way in keeping the floors protected. Choosing the right product with the right sheen can also be beneficial by coating the entirety of the area you’re repairing.

Helpful Tips For the Future

Preventative care is just as important as knowing savvy solutions on how to take care of scratches on hardwood floors. We suggest using more coats of a tougher finish on your floors so that should any scratches happen, they will be in the plastic of the finish, and not the actual wood part. Another precaution you can take is keeping your pup’s toenails clipped to minimize any damage as they race around in the high traffic areas.

At Hometown Flooring, we understand the beauty of hardwood flooring, and the care that it needs to stay in top condition. Don’t let your pets deter you from hardwood flooring- trust the professionals to help you make the best decision. You can visit our website or give us a call at (304)-841-6526 today! 

Hardwood Floors: Relief for Allergy Sufferers

As the seasons change, so does the way our bodies adjust to the temperature and climate. With those changes come the dreaded allergies. As some allergens are already inside of homes, those who suffer from seasonal allergies are severely affected during the springtime as the weather shifts. Here are some great reasons as to why you should invest in hardwood floors if you suffer from allergies.

Hardwood Floors Can’t Store Allergens

If you invest in hardwood floors, you reduce the environment for allergens where they can collect and embed within the flooring. While carpet has benefits of its own, it can host a number of allergens within its fibers if not properly taken care of, causing problems for those who suffer from allergies.

Hardwood Floors Cannot Hold Mold Spores (And More)

A British study was conducted on what lies in your carpet, and the results were surprising, and frankly a bit frightening. Along with bacteria breeding within the fibers of your carpet, there’s mold, dirt, food debris, hair and dander. All of these factors can be contributing to upper respiratory issues and allergies in individuals, and unfortunately a simple vacuuming of the floors is not the easy fix for this problem. If you invest in hardwood floors, you cut down on the breeding areas for dangerous mold, bacteria, and other substances to stay and put yourself and others at risk.

Hardwood Floors Are Easy To Keep Clean

With springtime comes tracking in pollen, animal dander, mud, and all kinds of things from outside than cause problems internally. With hardwood floors, it’s extremely easy to keep your floors clean with the swipe of a mop and some cleaning solution. You won’t have to worry about the hassle of time-consuming carpet cleaning if you invest in hardwood floors.

At Hometown Flooring, you can trust the professionals to help you pick the best kind of flooring for you. Whatever you’re looking for, we do our best to accommodate your needs and leave you happy with your flooring choice. For more information on our services and products we offer, you can visit our website or give us a call at (304)-622-6099 today!

Choosing The Right Type Of Flooring For Your Business

As owner and operator of your business, you’re completely dedicated to seeing it succeed. You have the business plan, the network, the team, but what about the design aesthetic of your work space? Setting the tone, accessibility and overall feel of your business comes from the way your space is put together. Whether you’re designing or re-designing your work space, these three questions can help you make the best choice in regards to flooring for you and your business. 

What are your needs?

The biggest question you should ask yourself is what kind of flooring will benefit your needs. Are you looking for more durability, or a more eye-appealing floor plan? Will the floors need to be cleaned often due to heavy foot traffic? Will the outside climate affect your indoor business? Consider practicality as a top priority, especially since you’ll be responsible for the upkeep of the floors in the future.

What is your style?

Your needs are extremely important, but your wants should be taken into account too. The tone of your business not only comes from your mission and customer service, but also by your office space. Color is a very important aspect of flooring to thinking about - some colors compliment while others clash. Color can distinguish your space as sleek and modern or rustic and homey.  What do you want your space to say about you? When you can illustrate your company visually, customers will be impressed and will trust your judgment as a professional.

What are your options?

Working with a flooring company that offers several options will give you the tools to pick the perfect match for you and your company. Luckily, at Hometown Flooring we offer several types of flooring, and will happily offer our insight when you are making your final decision. We provide several types of flooring types including vinyl, carpet, hardwood and laminate options. Companies who are constantly updating their inventory and staying up-to-date with current trends will be able to give you the best selection to choose from.

At Hometown Flooring, we care about our customers and giving them exactly what they’re looking for. Learn more about your floor options by visiting Hometown Flooring’s website or by calling (304)-622-6099.

Top 5 Benefits of Hardwood Floors

When it comes to quality and the best bang for your buck, hardwood floors are tough to beat.  Read on to discover 5 benefits of installing hardwood flooring in your home.

Aesthetics

Hardwood floors offer a warm, natural, elegant look.  Hometown Flooring LLC is proud to offer hardwood and imitation wood laminate from Eastern Flooring Products, as well as hardwood from Bruce and the Premiere Collection.  A simple perusal on these websites reveals a wide array of woods species, styles, and stains on the market.

Versatility

How many potential home-buyers have walked into a house with shag carpet and thought, “this has got to go”?  Let your accessories reflect your style instead. Hardwood floors will offer a classic look that transcends time. The ability to refinish hardwood floors allows for further customizability, whether you’re freshening up after normal wear and tear or sanding and staining the wood in an entirely new way.

Low Maintenance

Spilled a soda?  Dog had an accident?  What would be a tedious process of stain-removal with carpet is easy with hardwood floor.  Just wipe it up!  For regular upkeep, a weekly sweeping or dry-mopping is enough to remove basic dust and dirt.  For a more aggressive scratch or scuff, spot cleaning can do the trick.  High-quality hardwood floors are manufactured and finished with durability in mind.  Ever notice a century-old home on the market advertising “original hardwood floors”?  This flooring is made to last for generations.

Health for You, Health for the Planet

Indoor air pollution is a real issue.  One of the major culprits?  Carpet.  Carpet can trap dust, pollen, animal dander…even the chemicals added to clean carpet can stay embedded in the fibers.  With hardwood floors, these pollutants don’t linger or decrease the air quality of your home.

Hardwood floors are an all-natural flooring option, without the artificial materials and toxins found in some carpet.  Wood grows back, and organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council offer certifications to forests for sustainable management.  Manufacturers know if their wood comes from an FSC-certified forest and you can too!

Added Value

USA Today did a feature in 2013 on 11 home features buyers will pay extra for. Using data from the National Association of Realtors, 54% of homebuyers were found willing to pay more for hardwood floors. The amount?  $2,080.  Not only are hardwood floors a smart choice now, they’re a smart choice if someday you want to sell.

Do you think hardwood flooring is for you?  Contact the experts at Hardwood Flooring LLC for more information.

Cleaning Your Laminate Floors

Laminate flooring a popular choice for those who desire the style and durability of hardwood floors at an affordable price. Laminate floors also tend to be easier to clean than hardwood, and are more resistant to moisture and scratching. Keeping laminate floors clean is simple, and will extend the life of their structure, finish, and appearance. However, there are few simple tips and tricks to keep in mind when cleaning laminate.

Although laminate floors resist moisture, they can still become stained by excess water. Water can also seep into the cracks between the edges and warp the structure of flooring. For these reasons, it is important to wipe up any spills right away, avoid using a soaking wet mop or steam cleaner, and use the appropriate cleaning products in spare amounts.

Laminate is harder to scratch than hardwood, but it is still possible to scratch or tear, which is why running a vacuuming cleaner over the laminate floors should be avoided unless it is a multi-floor or a hard-floor vacuum. Some examples can be found here.

Grit like sand, dirt, and other debris on the flooring can, over time, cause it to lose its luster or even put scratches in the material. Keeping the floor clean of these particles will maintain the integrity of the surface.

Here are the steps to cleaning laminate flooring:

• Start with clearing the floor of dust, debris, and pet hair by using a dry microfiber mop, dry dust mop, or by gently vacuuming the floor with a multi-floor or hard-floor vacuum.
• Spray your cleaner (see here for recommendations) onto a microfiber mop or cloth, and wipe the floor down. Alternatively, you may spray a fine mist of cleaner on each section of the floor and let it sit for a couple of minutes before wiping it up. There is usually no need to scrub or apply strong pressure.
• Use cleaner sparingly, to reduce the amount of moisture applied to the floor.
• Avoid using water, bleach, scratch pads, wood polish (unless recommended by the manufacturer), wax, or harsh cleaners on laminate.

Hometown Flooring, located in Nutter Fort, West Virginia, is a family-owned and operated business drawing on 20 years of experience and expertise to serve our residential and commercial clients’ flooring needs. Offering hundreds of samples, including carpet, hardwood and laminate flooring, and vinyl, our goal is to meet and exceed all of our customers’ expectations. Visit our showroom today, or call(304) 622-6099 for your free consultation! 

Top Quality Starts At The Bottom

One of the easiest ways to enhance and update the appearance of your property is with new flooring. With so many types and materials available, shouldn’t you choose a flooring provider you can trust? Located in Nutterfort, Hometown Flooring is dedicated to providing customers with high quality flooring products and service at an honest price. Whether you are building a new home or remodeling your business, the professionals at Hometown Flooring can help you achieve your dream floor. We believe that top quality starts at the bottom. Which is why we offer a wide variety of flooring products from the best brands in the industry including Armstrong, Beau Floor, Chesapeake, Bruce Hardwood, Eastern Flooring Products and more.

From classic hardwoods to unique carpet designs, Hometown Flooring has hundreds of residential and commercial flooring options for customers to choose from. You can find a list of flooring products and services we offer below. Check it out!

Residential Flooring

• Carpet
• Indoor/Outdoor Carpet
• Vinyl
• Luxury Vinyl Tile
• Hardwood
• Laminate

Commercial Flooring

• Carpet
• Carpet Tile
• Sheet Vinyl
• VCT Tile

Stop into Hometown Flooring and browse our large selection of carpeting, hardwood, vinyl tile, laminate flooring and more. Our showroom is conveniently located at 1627 Buckhannon Pike in Nutterfort, West Virginia and is open from Sunday through Friday. Our experts are sure to provide you with superior customer satisfaction, quality craftsmanship and honest pricing that you can trust. For a free consultation, give Hometown Flooring a call at (304)-622-6099 or visit our website for more information.