Frequently Asked Questions: What Is A Random Width Floor?

If you've spent any time researching the different types of hardwood flooring available, you've probably come across the term random width floor. What does this term mean, exactly? Glad you asked.

A random width floor has planks with varying widths, from 3" to 4" to 5". Most homeowners use random width floors when they want a rustic, turn-of-the-century look.

Until recently, all hardwood floors were random width. It wasn't until the late 19th century that flooring standards evolved to today's standard: same width.

There are a few considerations you should keep in mind if choosing random width flooring. Make sure you purchase all the flooring you will be using from the same manufacturer. This ensures that the milling will match. Some manufacturers only produce random width flooring, since it enables them to get the greatest yield from kiln dried lumber that is naturally random width. Because of this, random width flooring is generally more reasonably priced and more readily available.

Visit Fantastic-Floor.com to learn more about random width hardwood flooring and see all the beautiful varieties we carry. Not sure what you'll be looking for? Give us a call at 888-448-9663!

Order Now! Why October Is the Time to Order Hardwood Floors

The beginning of the holiday season is right around the corner, and that means holiday preparations are in order! Unfortunately, one major home renovation project is often put off to the last minute - flooring.

Most home-owners think hardwood flooring installation is a relatively quick and easy process. That can be true - but only to a point. In reality, the whole process of ordering, shipping, acclimating, and installing wood flooring can be quite lengthy. You should really order in October if you want to Wow! your friends and family with new floors this holiday season.

What is so time-consuming about flooring your home? Good question! Here are just 3 parts of the flooring process that require some time:

• Ordering/Shipping

  You might be surprised at how long it takes for you to pick out a flooring material. There are dozens of types to choose from, and if you have never bought flooring before the selection can be overwhelming. Once you have chosen the right floor, it will most likely need to be shipped to your city and home. That takes time, too. Check with the flooring professional you're buying from to find out how long you should expect to wait.

• Acclimation

  If you're a fan of the Fantastic Floor blog, you'll remember we talked about hardwood flooring acclimation back in June. You'll also remember that we said the worst part of the acclimation process is the waiting. Hardwood flooring needs to acclimate for one to two weeks at the very least. Installing wood flooring before it is properly acclimated can result in buckling, warping, cracking, splitting, and many other nasty problems. We know it's annoying, but just wait it out.

• Installation

  Finally! The moment you've been waiting for. But don't get too excited! Installation itself can take some time. Depending on the time of wood you're dealing with (prefinished vs. finish-on-site), installation for a single room can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Multiply that by the number of rooms you have to floor and you have a pretty accurate estimate as to the length of the installation process.

Check out our latest newsletter for more information on why October is the best time to order hardwood flooring for the holidays. Curious about our top sellers? Give us a call! 888-448-9663

Fantastic Floor Presents: Bacana/Copaiba Chestnut

Welcome back to Fantastic Floor Presents! If you like deep reds, rich browns, and dark striping, you won't want to miss this week's featured product: Bacana/Copaiba Chesnut!

Bacana hardwood flooring features layers of colors, ranging from rich brown to deep burgundy to light red. It also features dark striping, adding a striking visual element not found in some other hardwood flooring choices. Despite its attention-grabbing details, Bacana is also a very versatile and complementary flooring material. It matches many different design styles, from traditional to modern to rustic.

Bacana is also a very durable flooring material. It has a Janka hardness rating comparable to Red Oak and we only offer it in Select & Better grade, the highest grade available in flooring. The Bacana we ship is 100% heartwood and is free of breaks, splits, and cracks.

Bacana/Copaiba Chestnut hardwood flooring is currently on sale for an amazing $2.19/SF (limited to 3/8" x 3" x 4' S&B 1.6mm wear engineered). Visit us online at www.Fantastic-Floor.com to learn more. Want to talk with a human? Call us direct at 1-888-448-9663!

Bacana/Copaiba Chestnut hardwood flooring, now on sale for $2.19/SF.

Frequently Asked Questions: Can I Install a Hardwood Floor Over an Existing Vinyl Floor?

This is a tricky one. The answer depends on the type of vinyl floor you're dealing with and how it is secured to the subfloor. A thick, cushioned vinyl flooring material can't handle having a hardwood floor installed over it. If the vinyl floor is thin and secured tightly to the subfloor, you may be able to float hardwood flooring over it. In some cases you may even be able to nail/staple the wood floor down, as long as the wood subfloor is solid.

Of course, you should always consult a hardwood flooring professional before attempting any sort of installation. Make sure to check the manufacturer's installation procedures for going over an existing vinyl floor to see if there are any special considerations. You should also check if this type of installation is covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

Questions about installing hardwood flooring over a vinyl floor? Call the professionals at Fantastic Floor today at 888-448-9663.

Make sure to call a hardwood flooring professional before attempting any installation project.

Frequently Asked Questions: How Do We Stop A Wood Floor From Gapping?

Unfortunately, gapping in solid floors can't be completely stopped or prevented. Wood expands and contracts naturally with changes in temperature and humidity, so slight floor gapping is an inevitability. However, there are a few things you can do to minimize the gapping. Try using a humidifier during the cold months. This will help keep the wood dry and the temperature regulated while you're using your heater.

Some wood species expand and contract more than others. If you're concerned about floor gapping, talk to a professional at Fantastic Floor about which species is right for you. You can also choose engineered hardwood flooring, which shows little to no gaps between planks.

For more information about avoiding gapping in your solid wood floors, visit www.Fantastic-Floor.com or call us today at 888-448-9663.

Choosing the right hardwood flooring material can mean the difference between tight boards and gaps like these.

Fantastic Floor Presents: Bamboo Flooring

Welcome back to another exciting installment of Fantastic Floor Presents! This week we're taking a look at a material that has gained popularity over the years: Bamboo hardwood flooring.

Bamboo hardwood flooring is a versatile flooring material that features distinctive grain patterns and bright, crisp tones. The vertical grain bamboo flooring offered at Fantastic Floor is oriented on-edge, which reduces the appearance of grain "knuckles" and gives an overall cleaner, brighter look. Mosaic bamboo flooring, however, is oriented to display its end-grain, creating a much more intricate patchwork appearance. Both varieties are visually striking and nicely complement many different home decors.

Not only is bamboo an affordable and attractive flooring option, it is also a very environmentally-friendly product. Bamboo is a very fast-growing plant, meaning it can easily be harvested and regrown in a short amount of time. It is also relatively light-weight, making it easier to transport.

Visit Fantastic-Floor.com to learn more about bamboo hardwood flooring, or call one of our knowledgeable sales representatives at 888-448-9663.

Fantastic Floor Presents: Brazilian Cherry

Welcome to the first installment of what we hope will be a very helpful and informative blog series, "Fantastic Floor Presents:" ! Each week we'll provide you with all the information you could ever need on one of our beautiful hardwood flooring products. Have a question? Call one of our knowledgeable customer service reps and ask away!

This week's installment is one of our favorites: Brazilian Cherry. Enjoy!

Brazilian Cherry hardwood flooring, otherwise know as Jatoba, is the most popular exotic hardwood flooring in the United States, mainly due to its strength, durability, and beauty. This species features reddish-brown heartwood and a striking black grain pattern, creating amazing contrast and depth. It is one of the most versatile hardwood flooring materials, complementing many different design schemes, from bright and modern to dark and rustic.

Our Brazilian Cherry is sourced from Central America, the West Indies, Northern Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and Southern Mexico. We make sure to deal with manufacturers that follow sustainable-harvesting practices.

Our Brazilian Cherry hardwood flooring is available in many popular formats, including unfinished, engineered, and prefinished. It is available in four different grades: Clear, Select, No. 1 Common, or Mountain. It has an impressive Janka hardness rating of 2,350 pounds and a density of 800 KG/m3.

Don't worry if the color of your new Brazilian Cherry floor changes over time. Brazilian Cherry tends to darken to a deeper shade of red when exposed to light. This usually happens for the first three months, after which the color will remain constant.

Visit our Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Flooring page for more information on this beautiful hardwood species, or call us direct at 888-448-9663.