Blog Overview

DIFFERENT GRADES OF HARDWOOD FLOORING

When choosing your hardwood flooring, something to consider is the grade of wood flooring.

FOUR DIFFERENT CUTS OF WOOD

WHEN Deciding on what kind of wood floooring to buy, many people dont consider the cut of the wood. this is essentially when thinking about what style of the wood you would like. consider the four different cuts of wood including, plain sawn, live sawn, quarter sawn, and rift sawn.

chevron vs herringbone

If you’re considering a parquet pattern for your new hardwood floors, Chevron and Herringbone are two of the most stylish and popular right now. Both have a rich history and have been around dating back to the 16th century, so it’s clear that these flooring patterns are consistently trending. these patterns look very similar, however, there are key differences that set them apart. Let’s take a look at each and define what makes them stand out apart from one another.

First seen depicted on pottery way back in the Bronze Age, Chevron has been a popular pattern for quite some time. It made its debut as a trending hardwood floor pattern in the 16th century and since then has been popping in and out of popularity for hardwood floors. It creates an arrow-like effect with its continual zig-zag pattern due to the 45 degree cuts on the end of each plank. Because of the custom cuts and tedious nature of installation, Chevron can be a bit more expensive than traditional hardwood floors or even Herringbone, but it is well worth the price as it opens your space up and serves as a beautiful conversation piece for your guests. This pattern will make any room in your room look more spacious and opens up many options for you to be creative. Choosing lighter colored wood creates a sleek and stylish effect as there will be little to no color difference between each plank, where darker woods with varying colors on each plank makes for an artistic and quirky look.

Herringbone made its debut in the Roman Empire, being used to pave sturdy roads with this intricate and stunning pattern. It made its way into homes and businesses in 16th-century Europe as a popular hardwood flooring option. Unlike Chevron, Herringbone planks are cut at a 90-degree angle at each end and create a broken zig-zag pattern. Herringbone looks absolutely stunning in rustic-styled homes, but can be used with just about any style from modern minimalism, to country or farmhouse. It was originally inspired by the bone patterns of the herring fish, bringing some interesting character into the design and history of this pattern. It is becoming more and more popular with homeowners, builders, and designers, and looks incredible in every home it is featured in.

If you’ve spent any amount of time looking at hardwood flooring and trying to choose the best option for your home, you know that it’s not the simplest choice to make. There’s no “one-size-fits-all” hardwood that will work for everyone. If you’re like most homeowners in the midst of a renovation, you’re likely stressed. We can make choosing your hardwood flooring easier for you! Scroll on to see some of the most popular options and learn the pros and cons of each!

When you’re preparing for a new floor installation there are many decisions to make regarding style, cost, maintenance requirements, and more. Trends come and go throughout the years, but there is one style that is timeless; hardwood flooring. Today, there are several options available to just about everyone. We are going to dive deep into the pros and cons of luxury vinyl, engineered wood, and solid hardwood.

Appearance and Comfort

Luxury Vinyl: While luxury vinyl is not actually wood, it looks nearly identical to hardwood. in recent years companies have made incredible progress in making vinyl look just as stunning as true hardwoods. A downside, however, is that your customization options are quite limited. what is available is what you have to choose from. if you’re looking for something simple, luxury vinyl is an excellent choice.

engineered hardwood: it looks almost identical to solid wood and that’s because the top and bottom layers are real hardwood. unlike luxury vinyl, you have a few more options are far as customization goes. typically, engineered hardwood will be pre-finished, but some companies will sell the wood without pre-finishing it.

solid hardwood: there is simply nothing like the timeless, natural beauty of solid hardwood floors. if you’re looking for something to bring character and life into your home then it is a no-brainer that solid hardwood is the way to go. there is also a significantly wider range of customization options as opposed to luxury vinyl or engineered hardwood. you can choose from a long list of wood species, colors, finishes, plank size, and stains.

maintenance and care

Luxury Vinyl: Luxury vinyl is very easy to care for and you don’t have to shell out extra money for special cleaning products and equipment. Simply break out the broom and mop and get to work! Should any damage occur on your vinyl floors it is very easy to replace. The planks are resistant to scratches and moisture build-up so this is an excellent option for those with small children and pets.

Engineered hardwood: Maintenance is similar to that of solid hardwood. you’ll want to avoid using too much water on your floors as it can be absorbed by the wood which causes problems like warping and potentially mold. Depending on the thickness of the first layer of wood, sanding and refinishing are a possibility. If your engineered hardwood was finished on site, that makes it much easier to sand down. as always, check with your hardwood professional before scheduling a refinish.

solid hardwood: while you can’t use just any product on hardwood, maintenance is still relatively easy. talk to your installer about recommended cleaning products as they vary depending on finish. as long as you’re using safe products, it’s just a matter of daily cleaning and the occasional deep clean. solid hardwood can also be sanded and refinished if they are getting a bit too worn, has seen some water damage, or scratches from heavy furniture, children, or pets.

lifespan

Luxury Vinyl: This type of flooring has the shortest lifespan of all, although it still lasts quite a while, aging out at 15-20 years with normal cleaning and care. If you are truly diligent about cleaning and maintaining your floors, your luxury vinyl could last up to 50 years. in this regard, you are absolutely getting what you pay for.

engineered hardwood: Engineered hardwood can last up to 30 years with proper maintenance and cleaning. if you find your floor is looking worn out or showing signs of damage and refinishing is not an option, engineered hardwood is relatively easy to replace.

solid hardwood: solid hardwood has an extremely long lifespan. If you’re taking care of it properly, your hardwood floors could last you a lifetime. many older homes have higher price tags because of the original hardwood floors in the house.

cost

luxury vinyl: This is the cheapest option out of the three. You can purchase planks for as cheap as $3 per square foot. For some of the more expensive styles and manufacturers, you may see some listed for up to $18 per square foot. Compared to solid hardwood or engineered hardwood, you can save a great deal of money by choosing this option.

engineered hardwood: Engineered hardwood falls right in the middle as far as cost. It can be more expensive than luxury vinyl and cheaper than solid hardwood, but this all depends on the size of your project, the manufacturer you purchase from, and the type of wood you choose.

solid hardwood: this is the most expensive option, but again; you are getting what you pay for. installing brand new hardwood floors is not the cheapest project by any means, however, the resale value of your home will skyrocket when you decide to sell. solid hardwood almost pays for itself in this regard.

installation

Luxury vinyl: this involves a simple installation process where most of the time the floor will be installed using a click and lock method. cheaper vinyl, however will need to be glued down as it does not have the tongue and groove to lock into place.

engineered hardwood: The installation process typically uses the glue down method, making for an easier and quick installation as well as replacing the floor if needed.

solid hardwood: installing solid hardwood is a bit more of a process than engineered wood or luxury vinyl. the planks are glued or nailed down to a sub-floor like concrete or plywood. the installation process also involves the tongue and groove method, making for smoother surfaces and no visible nails in your floors. if the wood is unfinished the floor needs to be sanded and finished after the installation making for a longer process.

water, heat, and the environment

luxury vinyl: Out of the three on this list, luxury vinyl is hands down the most forgiving when it comes to moisture and scratching damage. if you want hardwood throughout your home, choosing a luxury vinyl for your bathroom or basement would be the best solution to prevent future swelling or warping should a leak occur. This option is also great for over-flooring heating systems.

engineered hardwood: while engineered hardwood does perform better in humidity and is less susceptible to warping and swelling, it is still highly recommended that you avoid using water when cleaning. check out our post about recommended cleaning and maintenance products and always talk to your hardwood professional if you are unsure.

solid hardwood: Solid hardwood is more sensitive to moisture and humidity. it’s not a great choice for high humidity areas such as bathrooms and basements due to the risk of a leak or spill. depending on the wood species you use, your floor’s moisture resistance can vary as some species are more sensitive than others.

summary

In short, there really is no wrong solution. whichever you choose, you’re going to have stunning, long-lasting floors that will change the entire dynamic of your home. the pros and cons of each are entirely dependent on your needs and lifestyle. some people with children and pets may prefer luxury vinyl due to the risk of damage, while others may be willing to stay on top of maintenance and find the reward of solid hardwood worth it. it’s all about personal preference!

Grato is the way to go.

And these are only three reasons why we love this company so much. Stop by or call the showroom to learn more about what Grato can do for you!

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HOW TO AVOID SUN DAMAGED FLOORS

To protect the floor from the damaging rays of the sun, you should use window treatments such as curtains, blinds, or shades. During the time of the day when the rays of the sun shine directly onto your floors, keep the window treatments drawn. The idea is to limit the amount of sunlight that directly hits your floors.

Over time, it’s inevitable that there will be slight discoloration from the sun. At the very least, you should be moving your furniture around from time to time to prevent discoloration to the extent where you can make out the outlines of where your couch used to sit. Moving the furniture around is a small way you can keep your wood floors looking nice for years to come. Make sure your furniture has floor protectors on all legs to prevent scratches.

Certain finishes have UV-ray inhibitors in them that can deflect some, but not all, of the sun’s UV rays. It’s almost like sunscreen for your wood floors. They can help slow the process of fading, but they won’t stop it in the long run. Still, some UV protection is better than none.

Whether you don’t want to deal with window film or desire additional protection, awnings can help. If you don’t mind how awnings will alter your home’s facade, they can be a great way to add shade and protect your floors. You may not see as much sunlight coming into your home, but that will protect your floors and provide energy-efficient benefits.

Although drawing the blinds and rearranging your furniture routinely can be a good first step, regular floor maintenance is also a big part of preventing sun damage.If the wood is already faded and any of the practices above were used and blending the areas together is not working, or the difference in color is too drastic, then the only option is to restore the hardwood flooring by sanding and refinishing.

Sun exposure lightens certain types of wood and darkens others. Be sure to move furniture and rugs regularly to create more even sun exposure throughout each room.

While you may not be able to completely eliminate sun damage to your floors and furniture, you can prevent and reduce a great deal of it. Follow these tips to minimize damage and keep your floors and furniture as pristine as possible for as long as you can.

If you’re ready to speak with someone about your hardwood flooring project, we want to hear from you! Contact us at 512-719-3555

Color Changing Floors

Types of Cuts

Parquet

Why Showrooms are Important

The showroom remains now and forever will be the best place for a home owner/builder/designers to get their hands on the potential product they’re buying. This is something that can’t be done through a computer screen.

We understand with the current situation safety is the #1 priority for our clients. That being said, we take precautionary measures to ensure everyone in our facilities are well taken care of and well disinfected.

ACE firmly believes in try before you buy. In order to better understand the thickness and width of our products, we suggest seeing the product in person to better help you decide. Especially when dealing with pre-finished floors, 

Hardwood floors are the perfect alternative. Unlike carpeting, wood floors don’t have fibers that trap and retain allergens such as mold, dander, dust, molds, and pollen. They also don’t harbor microorganisms or pesticides. This can reassure you that your children can play safely on your hardwood floors while not having to worry about the potential harms in your floors.

Floating Stairs

What are floating stairs?

Of course, floating staircases don’t actually float. Despite our best efforts, we can’t defy gravity. But at ACE Hardwood Flooring we have mastered the design and fabrication of stairs with a light and minimalist appearance.

Moving Furniture during a reno

Is it possible to replace flooring without having to move out? Depending on the project size, this might be possible with the right initial steps. Typically, moving out is the ideal choice for homeowners and installers in order to avoid any damage to furniture and disrupt the home order. When hardwood floors are being refinished, all furniture (and items) will need to be moved out of the area for the entire duration and then moved back 4 days later after the floors have properly dried. 

At Ace Hardwood Flooring, if agreed upon ACE will move certain items for homeowners but here are some recommendations on how to live through a floor renovation:

1. If you have the space in your home, you can store things in another room. This isn’t an option for many people, who may already be hurting for space in the midst of a remodel, but if your house is large enough, more power to you. Rooms in your house generally have the benefit of being drier and cleaner than the garage, so they make a great place to store things during a remodel. 

2. We also suggest renting a portable container or a self-storage unit. Not only will it be beneficial for the labor workers but it will also help avoid any dust build-up. Remodels can be a dusty mess, and your belongings will be best protected if you move them and store them somewhere else while the remodel is happening

   1. Please keep in mind that specific HOA and neighborhoods have restrictions on portable containers.

   2. For about 90% of your furniture items, you’ll want to go the route of climate control.  Why? Because non-climate controlled spaces are in full influence of the elements.

3. Not only can pets and children make it difficult for professional installers to get their work done efficiently, but it can also be dangerous for everyone involved. If you have children or pets at home during the installation process, do your best to keep them in an area as far from the action as possible. This will lead to a faster and safer flooring installation in your home.

Herringbone Floors

A form of parquet flooring, herringbone arranges wooden blocks in a zig-zag pattern to produce beautiful results. As the name suggests, herringbone is a design inspired by (of all things) a fish. More to the point, the skeleton of a fish!

The herringbone flooring pattern itself catches the eye immediately with its 90 degree interlocking slats, and can make any room in your home pop to life. Because it bends space to get the full effect of the pattern, herringbone flooring can look great in large sitting or dining rooms or long hallways. The size your herringbone pattern should depend partly on your personal aesthetic and partly on the size of the room. Larger rooms can sustain a larger, more sprawling herringbone pattern, while smaller rooms look better with a smaller, more compact pattern.

One Vs. Multiple Colors

You do NOT need to conform to a single color when choosing the perfect combination for your herringbone surfaces. You can either evenly alternate colors per slab, or even per column!

Double Vs. Diagonal

Double and diagonal herringbone are both available to further personalize your living surroundings, and can be utilized separately or mutually. Double designs tend to be easier on the eyes, especially when implemented in smaller rooms.

DOES WOOD ADD VALUE TO YOUR HOME?

If you’re thinking you’ll be selling soon, your home value will substantially increase by adding hardwood flooring, not to mention the WOW factor that prospective buyers feel when they enter your home. It may be under your feet, but it covers a large surface area that makes up the living space of your home. But moving out shouldn’t be the only reason to consider if you are wanting to redo your floors.

Hardwood flooring without a doubt has the longest lifespan when being compared to carpeting and other types of flooring. Other common types of flooring include carpet, tile and hardwood imitators. However, none of these will increase a home’s resale value. Some might have no effect whatsoever, but none will actually increase it. In fact, carpeting or laminate flooring could even decrease your home’s resale value. 

Hardwood floors offer:

• An improved look

• Easy upkeep

• Refinishing

• Durability

• Long life

In addition to its aesthetic appeal, hardwood floors are a better choice for anyone who has allergies. A buyer who struggles with airborne allergies is likely to prefer hardwood flooring over carpeting, which tends to hold allergens. Making your home habitable to more buyers is always a good thing.

Whether you just love the look, feel and ambiance of a natural floor under your feet, or if you want to give your home a competitive edge in the resale market, wood flooring can offer a great return on investment and is a smart renovation choice.

What to Look for in a Wood Installer

As we all know, there are some home projects we love to do ourselves. Some of us have the skills to do things like paint a room or build new furniture, and it can be extremely satisfying when the project is done! However there are some projects people cannot simply skip on professional help in order to get professional results. One of those things is installing hardwood flooring. 

First and foremost before any decisions are made, ALL wood installers must adhere to the National Wood Flooring Association.The NWFA’s comprehensive guidelines and publications offer industry-accepted standards and straightforward information that sets the standards for wood installers. Here at Ace, we maintain strict adherence to NWFA recommendations and guidelines and implement techniques developed throughout multiple generations of experience and hard workers. 

After you contact a company, an estimator should come to your house and measure your floors with a rolling wheel-type measuring device and a long tape measure or other tools. Ace offers this service free of charge! We will schedule you in ASAP in order to get you the most accurate measurements.

Here at Ace, we pride ourselves on being very hands on and giving the most well informed  recommendations for our clients. When it comes to your home, you have to be comfortable with the crew installing your new hardwood floors. Go with your gut, and hire who you think is the best flooring installer for the job. Please do not hesitate to call to find out more about what we have to offer and the quality of work we have done.

Pre Finished Floors

What exactly are pre finished hardwood flooring and what makes them any different than unfinished?

If hardwood flooring is “pre finished”, it means each board has been coated with polyurethane before it has even hit the shelf. Meaning, rather than being cut from the grain, this specific board was cut in a factory setting, making it more uniform with other pieces within that lot. Polyurethanes are used to coat floors, from wood and parquet to cement. This protective finish is resistant to abrasion and solvents yet is easy to clean and maintain.

The advantages of pre finished hardwood flooring are pretty straightforward. The finish is harder and lasts much longer than simple polyurethane applied after installation. That means you won’t have to worry about having it refinished for over a decade. Pre finished hardwood flooring is the best option if you want an easier installation process and if you want to move furniture into your home immediately after installation. This is due to the fact that the sanding finishing process is already complete, therefore, you can skip that entire process, as well as the waiting time for it to cure.

The durable finishes of pre finished hardwood allow for easy installation on a broad number of sub floors. This flexibility is not assured with site finished hardwood flooring. Additionally, pre finished hardwood can be installed in just about any climate because pre finished hardwood has proven to be more resistant to moisture and humidity than site finished hardwood.

This adaptability explains why pre finished hardwood floors are the choice for floors that are below grade and where the room is prone to moisture. In these conditions, pre finished hardwood floors are more versatile than site finished hardwood.

What do you think about pre finished floors? We offer a wide variety of pre finished selections. Feel free to stop by our showroom and check out all the amazing samples!

How to maintain YOUr hardwood Floors

Properly cleaned floors are not hard to obtain, especially if you stay ahead of the game. Learning the best way to clean hardwood floors is essential for protecting and maintaining your beautiful investment. We offer the products below in our showroom! Please stop by our showroom located in West Lake Hills and check them out along with other hardwood samples!

Squeaky

How to use Squeaky:

First and foremost do not use this product on waxed or oiled floors. Before spraying Squeaky on the floor, vacuum or sweep the desired area. Using a clean Basic Coating mop, or any soft microfiber cloth, wipe down the area. In order to avoid redistributing dirt, make sure to rinse out the mop/cloth between wipes.

Notes: In order to upkeep your floors, make sure to vacuum and sweep often. Using rugs and mats will help prevent tracking dirt onto your floors.

PoloPlaz

PoloPlaz Hardwood Floor cleaner is an effective and safe method to remove dirt and film from floors. This cleaner can be used for both daily and weekly maintenance. 

How to use PoloPlaz:

Make sure to mop the floor with a dry microfiber before adding the floor cleaner. For daily cleaning, spray the dust mop with the solution and wipe the floor entirely. After the first pass, respray the mop and continue mopping, overlapping the first pass.

Notes: For stubborn floors, spray the cleaner directly on the stain and let it sit for no longer than 5 seconds then wipe down to avoid any build up. Puddled cleaner will cause loss of gloss if left on the floor too long.

LOBA: Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Loba is a specially formulated cleaner designed for wood,cork, laminate and other hard surface flooring. Not only does this product clean hygienically, it also dries without streaks.

How to use Loba: Hardwood Floor Cleaner:

Before using this product, the desired area must be swept or vacuumed entirely. Afterwards, spray the area and then wipe. Rinse the cleaning mop for best results.

Benefits of Hardwood

Looking for the right type of flooring for your home?

Hardwood flooring will always add a timeless touch to any home There are many advantages to using this type of flooring in your home as opposed to other alternatives like tile and carpet. Hardwood flooring provides you with a softer, more resilient surface to stand on than most tile and hard surface flooring options. Here are a few benefits to using Ace Hardwood products:

The long lasting quality of hardwood floors help it withstand the test of time. They can be swept, steam-cleaned, or vacuumed to remove any dirt or debris that has accumulated over time. Hardwood also is best for those that suffer from allergies. Grout lines in tile and carpet are more susceptible to debris build up. You will have peace of mind knowing that your floors are not harboring any potentially dangerous substances.

Resurfacing hardwood is an easy way of up keeping a concise look to any space. Unlike tile, that has the potential of going out of stock and being discontinued, hardwood can be stained to your desired color.

If you are looking for flooring that provides timeless beauty, increases the value of your home, is easy to clean, and is designed to last for many decades, then it’s hard to go wrong with solid hardwood.              

 We offer professional floor installation with high quality materials that will last. Call (512)719-3555 or visit our COVID-safe showroom on Bee Caves Rd, so you can see them in person!

Filling in Gaps in your floors

When Ace Hardwood installs a new hardwood floor, our installation crews use the very best “Bostic” wood filler products and adhesives. The filler is spread across the floor, then sanded and finished to meet the client’s unique specifications. This process is relatively simple when installing a brand new floor. It’s when older floors come into play that things can get slightly more complicated. As humidity rises and falls, it’s common for gaps to form in your existing hardwood floor. These gaps are caused by the wood expanding and compressing as well as taking on moisture. When installers put in a new floor, they have the advantage of adding a moisture barrier under the floor itself to prevent moisture from doing substantial damage. 

However, on an existing floor that is not an option. It may take years for gaps to appear on your hardwood floors. Whether your floors are newly installed or have been in your home for years, you can greatly reduce the chance of gaps appearing by using humidifiers. Both room and furnace humidifiers will help minimize the chance of gaps showing up later on.

Do Not Delay Fixing Gaps In Your Floor

If you do discover that your hardwoods are beginning to gap in multiple areas, it is much better to repair sooner rather than later.

The best way to fix floor gaps depends on the size of the gap itself, how structurally sound the floor is, and how many gaps are present- Too many gaps, extremely wide gaps, or creaking/loose bards may require a professional repair. Since it is hard to judge what qualifies as a wide or prominent gap, we recommend calling Ace Hardwood to walk you through what exactly you are looking at and how to go about repairing the issue.

Gap Repair Materials

Fixing Floor floor gaps can be accomplished in several different ways. The most extensive is to completely replace a floor. This is necessary when the floor has far too many gaps to repair without losing its natural beauty. Ordinarily, you can “fill” the gaps with wood filler, and then finish with stain to match the floor around the afflicted area. Using fillers can rid your floors of unwanted gaps if it is done properly. Fillers are best used when gaps are narrow and the floor is not completely riddled with them.

Our Process

1.  The first step is to clean out any debris in between the gaps.

2.  Second, apply the wood filler liberally, allowing for some overfill.

3. Once the filler has dried, sand and stain as needed

If the gaps in your floor are exceptionally wide, it usually not a good idea to try and repair on your own. In this case, we recommend calling (512)719-3555 and discussing your options with one of Ace Hardwood’s floor repair experts.

We also recommend calling Ace or the flooring manufacturer before attempting to perform any repairs on your floors to ensure it is done correctly. If the wrong filler, stain, or practice is used in this, it can cause further permanent damage to your floor.

Contact Ace Hardwood for all of your hardwood manufacturing, installation, sand, finish, and repair needs.

Time for a refinish?

Undoubtedly, one of the major reasons you or the original homeowner selected hardwood floors for your home is because of its longevity. With proper care and maintenance, hardwood floors can be revitalized many times through refinishing. Depending on your floor thickness and age, it may be time to refinish your floors. Whether moving into a new home or time for a home revamp, floor care is essential. Here are some signs that it’s time for refinish.

The #1 reason for a refinish is damage caused by dents and scratches. These types of damages are inevitable especially in a home with high traffic with children and pets. If treated in time, this will help avoid potentially deep embossing. Refinishing floors is a great effort in ensuring longevity for your floor. 

The #2 reason is water damage. This is especially prominent with older floors because of weathered down floors . How do you know if your floors are water damaged? Oftentimes when a floor has become damaged due to water, it will turn a shade of grey and absorb any moisture. Once a floor board turns a shade of black around the outer perimeter, it’s time for a new flooring to be laid down. 

#3 is fading. There are just some things you can’t avoid. Sun exposure is one of them. Oftentimes, flooring that is directly exposed to sunlight leads to noticeable discoloration. The effect that sunlight has on your hardwood floor all depends on what species it is.  Some species of hardwood darken in color with prolonged sun exposure while others will lighten.

Unfortunately, some hardwood floors are beyond quick fixes. Dry, grimy floors with deep scratches and wide gaps are big indicators that it’s time to call the professionals. Ace Hardwood has years of expertise with refinishing and project touchups. We pride ourselves on the quality and we have worked for all the top builders in Austin and surrounding areas, and we would love to work for you! Please consider listing Ace Hardwood on all of your current and future bids