With the passing of time your hardwood floors begin to take on more character and grow even more beautiful. Regularly cleaning and maintaining your floor will ensure that it lasts for generations. But after years of dutiful service how do you know if your floor has crossed the line from well-worn to worn-out? Should you refinish your floor?
Refinishing your hardwood floor should only be done when necessary. Some engineered hardwood floors can only be refinished a couple of times due to their thin layer of veneer. Owens Plankfloor and Owens Select floors feature a 3/16” wear layer that is comparable to ¾” solid hardwood floor.
Of course, preventing damage to your floor is the best way to ensure its longevity and beauty. View care and maintenance tips here.
Often times the appearance of surface scratches and fading may be greatly improved by a deep cleaning and a coat of finish. Keeping up your finish is important. Wood that is stripped bare may appear weathered. Dirt can also fill the pores of bare wood, leaving it with dark veins. Spot repairs can be made to unsightly dings and gouges.
If scratches are deep, if dirt and grime have taken up permanent residence, if the flooring has lost some of its rich warmth- it may be time to refinish your hardwood floor.
Refinishing is best done by a professional, but many DIY-ers have completed the process successfully. You can rent a sander from many hardware stores or equipment rental shops. Here are the basic steps involved with refinishing.
• Before you begin you’ll need to remove furniture and lower trim/molding.
• Cover doors, windows, and fixtures to keep out dust.
• Turn off the furnace or central air to keep dust from circulating.
• Look over the floor closely. Pound in any nails that are sticking up.
• Thoroughly sweep the floor before you sand.
• Wear a dust mask while you work.
• Start with the heaviest grit of sandpaper, 36. Attach to your drum or orbital sander.
• Work with the wood grain in long, straight, even stokes.
• Keep the machine in motion while it is turned on. (Drum sanders can very quickly put a groove in your floor.)
• Repeat the process several times with finer and finer grit sandpaper (60, 80, and 100). Sweep the floor whenever you change grit.
• To complete the job use an edging machine or hand sander on any areas that were missed.
• Inspect your floor with a bright light.
Before you stain or finish your floor you will need to clean the area. Sweep, vac, and use a tack rag to remove all dust. Stain and finish according to package directions. Don’t forget to open the windows when working these products. Watch for an upcoming post on staining and finishing your floor.
With proper care and maintenance your hardwood floors will be warm and inviting for many years.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Beauty and Versatility of French Doors
French doors are a favored option because they offer unique styling and a grand entrance. With warm wooden frames and large glass panes, French doors enhance any room. Their light transmitting capabilities have made them popular since the Renaissance days in France.
French doors began as French windows with large, paned glass encasements. Soon these became doors that opened out to small wrought-iron balconies. Around the 1600s this idea was adapted and used for interior doors. French doors have carried with them the charm and romance from their inception.
An uninterrupted flow of light enlarges and warms any home (while reducing energy consumption). French doors are a common choice in warm African and Caribbean climates. They are also a good choice for moderate climates to take advantage of premium sunlight.
When these graceful doors come in pairs they truly make a statement. French doors that open from the center give a regal ambiance.
Not only do they have a nostalgic feel, French doors possess a contemporary practicality. French doors compromise the look and feel of an open floor plan with the need for noise reduction and privacy. French doors allow a sound buffer without complete isolation from the rest of the household.
Those that work from their home office, study, or library request French doors. Frosted French doors are an option for wine, pantry, and laundry rooms. Textured or frosted glass choices even allow enough privacy for the bedroom.
Outside of the home, French doors have been used on cruise ships, to separate dining areas of restaurants, and in countless office and business settings.
Owens Door Company offers a wide array of French door options and an Elite Series. Expressive Glass Doors offer a hand-painted work of art between two pieces of glass. True divided lite French doors are available with several glass and configuration options. If you’d like faux French doors, they are available in many styles, sizes, and species. Full-lite, half-lite, and full-view doors offer timeless beauty at an affordable price. Let us craft the door that will fit your vision.
To learn more call Owens at 715-526-2146 or email woodportorders@teamowensinc.com
French doors began as French windows with large, paned glass encasements. Soon these became doors that opened out to small wrought-iron balconies. Around the 1600s this idea was adapted and used for interior doors. French doors have carried with them the charm and romance from their inception.
An uninterrupted flow of light enlarges and warms any home (while reducing energy consumption). French doors are a common choice in warm African and Caribbean climates. They are also a good choice for moderate climates to take advantage of premium sunlight.
When these graceful doors come in pairs they truly make a statement. French doors that open from the center give a regal ambiance.
Not only do they have a nostalgic feel, French doors possess a contemporary practicality. French doors compromise the look and feel of an open floor plan with the need for noise reduction and privacy. French doors allow a sound buffer without complete isolation from the rest of the household.
Those that work from their home office, study, or library request French doors. Frosted French doors are an option for wine, pantry, and laundry rooms. Textured or frosted glass choices even allow enough privacy for the bedroom.
Outside of the home, French doors have been used on cruise ships, to separate dining areas of restaurants, and in countless office and business settings.
Owens Door Company offers a wide array of French door options and an Elite Series. Expressive Glass Doors offer a hand-painted work of art between two pieces of glass. True divided lite French doors are available with several glass and configuration options. If you’d like faux French doors, they are available in many styles, sizes, and species. Full-lite, half-lite, and full-view doors offer timeless beauty at an affordable price. Let us craft the door that will fit your vision.
To learn more call Owens at 715-526-2146 or email woodportorders@teamowensinc.com
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Advantages of Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood is an appealing floor covering because it adds natural beauty and lasting value to a home. Hardwood floors are known for their durability and timeless charm. There is just something about the warmth and character of real wood that can not be replicated. Nothing is more inviting than the look of traditional, solid hardwood floors.
Laminate flooring can have a fairly attractive, yet repetitive grain pattern. Hardwood flooring milled from trees, on the other hand, yields a one of a kind result. The warmth and variety achieved by nature simply can not be reproduced. For those desiring distinction, whether classic or contemporary, hardwood flooring complements their taste.
Unlike the ever-changing fads of carpet, hardwood floors never go out of style. When well maintained and cared for, wood flooring can last a lifetime. Owens Flooring Company warrantees their products for 25 years (view warranty information here). Your Owens flooring product could very well last 100 years or more.
The lifespan of a laminate floor is usually not more than 20 years. Inexpensive laminate may appear worn in just a few years. The lifespan of carpet is a mere five to fifteen years. Carpet is also a haven for dust, mites, and allergens.
A common misconception is that wood flooring requires extensive maintenance. Although care should be taken not to damage or prematurely age your wood floor, maintenance is easy. Today, prefinished hardwood flooring eliminates the necessity of waxing. A simple, weekly dusting or sweeping is sufficient routine cleaning. (Watch for a future blog on when to resurface your hardwood floor.)
Laminate floors have a reputation for showing footprints, a frustration for those doing the housekeeping. Carpets require regular vacuuming and steaming or shampooing. Even with the best of care, carpets are easily stained.
Real sawn lumber atop a multi-layer plywood core, Owens flooring, combines the look of solid wood with the stability and versatility of engineered hardwood flooring. Click here to read more about the advantages of Owens products.
If you crave the alluring look of natural wood and desire a product that has stood the test of time- consider Owens Flooring. Owens offers prefinished and unfinished options with all the look, feel, and character of solid wood.
Laminate flooring can have a fairly attractive, yet repetitive grain pattern. Hardwood flooring milled from trees, on the other hand, yields a one of a kind result. The warmth and variety achieved by nature simply can not be reproduced. For those desiring distinction, whether classic or contemporary, hardwood flooring complements their taste.
Unlike the ever-changing fads of carpet, hardwood floors never go out of style. When well maintained and cared for, wood flooring can last a lifetime. Owens Flooring Company warrantees their products for 25 years (view warranty information here). Your Owens flooring product could very well last 100 years or more.
The lifespan of a laminate floor is usually not more than 20 years. Inexpensive laminate may appear worn in just a few years. The lifespan of carpet is a mere five to fifteen years. Carpet is also a haven for dust, mites, and allergens.
A common misconception is that wood flooring requires extensive maintenance. Although care should be taken not to damage or prematurely age your wood floor, maintenance is easy. Today, prefinished hardwood flooring eliminates the necessity of waxing. A simple, weekly dusting or sweeping is sufficient routine cleaning. (Watch for a future blog on when to resurface your hardwood floor.)
Laminate floors have a reputation for showing footprints, a frustration for those doing the housekeeping. Carpets require regular vacuuming and steaming or shampooing. Even with the best of care, carpets are easily stained.
Real sawn lumber atop a multi-layer plywood core, Owens flooring, combines the look of solid wood with the stability and versatility of engineered hardwood flooring. Click here to read more about the advantages of Owens products.
If you crave the alluring look of natural wood and desire a product that has stood the test of time- consider Owens Flooring. Owens offers prefinished and unfinished options with all the look, feel, and character of solid wood.
Friday, October 30, 2009
An Introduction to Owens, Inc.
Who are we?
Owens, Inc. is the parent company of Owens Flooring Company™ and Owens Door Company™. From our manufacturing facilities in Shawano, Wisconsin, we handcraft beautiful hardwood floors and interior doors from the finest materials available.
Our products are marketed under the following brands:
-Woodport® engineered interior doors
-Owens Select™ factory finished engineered hardwood flooring
-Plankfloor® unfinished engineered hardwood flooring
We're respected throughout the industry for our strict quality control standards and commitment to responsible forestry practices.
What will you find on this blog?
This blog is intended to benefit distributors, installers, and homeowners. We hope to educate and entertain with statistics, stories, profiles, and news. Please feel free to comment on any blog with your ideas or questions you’d like answered.
If you want to be among the first to hear about new products, read press releases, and see what Owens is doing to ‘go green’ stay tuned.
Don't forget to subscribe to this blog!
Owens, Inc. is the parent company of Owens Flooring Company™ and Owens Door Company™. From our manufacturing facilities in Shawano, Wisconsin, we handcraft beautiful hardwood floors and interior doors from the finest materials available.
Our products are marketed under the following brands:
-Woodport® engineered interior doors
-Owens Select™ factory finished engineered hardwood flooring
-Plankfloor® unfinished engineered hardwood flooring
We're respected throughout the industry for our strict quality control standards and commitment to responsible forestry practices.
What will you find on this blog?
This blog is intended to benefit distributors, installers, and homeowners. We hope to educate and entertain with statistics, stories, profiles, and news. Please feel free to comment on any blog with your ideas or questions you’d like answered.
If you want to be among the first to hear about new products, read press releases, and see what Owens is doing to ‘go green’ stay tuned.
Don't forget to subscribe to this blog!
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