Author: Rooster Creatives

Protecting Your Hardwoods in the Kitchen

Installing hardwood floors adds immense value to your home. If you opt to continue your hardwood flooring installation through to your kitchen, you might be wondering how to protect your investment in a room that is highly trafficked and often synonymous with water (the natural enemy of your glorious hardwoods). Here are some easy tips for protecting your hardwoods in the kitchen!

 

 

European Oak Lambrusco

 

Strategically Placed Rugs

There are a few “high-risk” areas in your kitchen that require a little extra protection. Look around your kitchen and note any such areas – common places are in front of the sink, dishwasher, and under any pet bowls. A well-placed rug  can go a long way in protecting your investment. Be sure to select the right rug backing that will not discolor or trap moisture on your floors’ surface.

There are many types of area rug pads to choose from offered in various materials, thickness, weight, density, sizes, shapes, and quality. To prevent damage to your floor, the pad should not include any glues, adhesives, chemicals, plastics, or PVC as these can stain or stick to the floor surface. The more density and weight of the pad, the more protection from denting caused by the furniture weight pushing through the area rug. Our recommendation for the most suitable rug pad on Urbanfloor hardwood flooring is either 100% natural felt, 100% natural rubber, or a combination of both.

 

 

European Oak Chardonnay

 

Felt Protectors

If you have a kitchen island, you most likely have some bar stools to go with it! Be sure to place felt protectors on the bottom of the chairs to minimize scratches and scuffs. Non-abrasive, felt-backed products are best. Rubber or plastic backed products can trap moisture & discolor your floor.

 

 

European Oak Grigio

 

Regular Cleaning

Today’s hardwood floors are quick and easy to maintain. With a few low-cost cleaning tools and a little preventative maintenance, they can look beautiful for years to come. In addition to maintaining a stable environment, your hardwood floor should be cleaned regularly. Simply sweep, dust mop or vacuum to remove the dirt & grit that comes with the hustle and bustle of daily life. In a busy kitchen, spills are bound to happen! Whether it’s a splatter of brownie batter or a spilled glass of water, quick clean-up is key. When this happens, immediately wipe up liquid spills with a clean cloth or paper towels.

When necessary, clean your floors with a hardwood floor cleaning product. Depending on the kind of hardwood floor you have, cleaning instructions can vary. Visit our Cleaning and Care page for more info on the type of cleaner recommended for your exact hardwood flooring. Remember, we do not recommend all-purpose cleaners as they can dull your floor’s finish or leave a hazy residue.

 

 

European Oak Chardonnay

 

We hope these tips help you keep the hardwood flooring in your kitchen as beautiful as installation day! For more information on caring for your hardwood floors, visit our Cleaning and Care page!

 

Urbanfloor Partners: construction2style

Welcome back to the blog! We have a special treat for you today – one of our favorite teams of interior designers/builders/amazing individuals, construction2style, are sharing some of their design wisdom and experience working with our floors! 

 

We are construction2style, a team of four based in Minneapolis, MN that was started by husband and wife, Jamie and Morgan, back in 2012. Our company started as a DIY blog and has since evolved into a full service design + build interior residential and small media company. For over five years, we have been tearing houses apart and creating new happy spaces, not only for our clients, but within our own homes. We document everything on our blog from tutorials on the construction side, to how to build a website, to how we built and continue to build our brand.

 

construction2style team photo

 

A few years ago, we got connected to Urbanfloor and we’ve absolutely loved getting to work with this company and the kind humans who run it. Their products are top-notch, their customer service is amazing, and they have so many options from engineered wood to SPC.

Over a year ago, we remodeled our kitchen that really kicked off our firm partnership with Urbanfloor. They were open to any feedback and had any extra items we forgot and needed to us within days! When Jamie and Topher were installing the floor, they said it was a really easy process as well and we documented a full tutorial here.

 

Kitchen featuring Urbanfloor Chêne Lambrusco, Engineered Hardwood Flooring,

 

After having dark floors in our prior home, we knew that we wanted to go lighter. With crazy kids and all. With the help of the team from Urbanfloor, we chose the Lambrusco, European oak.

The planks are 7.5” wide with a wire-brush texture and have a light, creamy wood hue. This flooring was the perfect combination of lightness we wanted, plus texture and deeper tones that makes our home feel cozy and warm.

 

Kitchen featuring Urbanfloor Chêne Lambrusco, Engineered Hardwood Flooring,

 

We knew we wanted to continue the same flooring into the dining room and music room off the kitchen to keep the look consistent throughout. In our dining room, these light floors are a great base for the white trim and gray walls.

With this flooring in our home for the past year, it has performed really well, even with two toddlers, Minnesota winters, lots of traffic in and out. We  love it so much that now we’re continuing it into our living room. And did I mention our kids ride their bike in our home nonstop? And not one visible scratch.

 

Family in kitchen featuring Urbanfloor Chêne Lambrusco, Engineered Hardwood Flooring,

Dining room featuring Urbanfloor Chêne Lambrusco, Engineered Hardwood Flooring,

Living room featuring Urbanfloor Chêne Lambrusco, Engineered Hardwood Flooring,

 

With our client projects, we have been seeing a shift to lighter wood tones. Whether in cabinetry, floating shelves, or wood flooring, white oak has been a major player in the remodeling world. In this main level remodel, our clients loved our Lambrusco floors so much that they wanted them in their own home.

Engineered flooring is a great alternative to solid wood flooring for the lower price point and durability. With Urbanfloor, they carry a lifetime structural warranty and 35 year finish warranty, which gives our clients peace of mind and makes these floors a material we highly recommend for our remodeling projects.

 

Living room featuring Urbanfloor Chêne Lambrusco, Engineered Hardwood Flooring,

Kitchen featuring Urbanfloor Chêne Lambrusco, Engineered Hardwood Flooring,

 

Another trend we’re seeing in the remodeling world is the want for waterproof and scratch-proof flooring. A majority of our clients have pets and young kids, so having durable floors is a big priority for them. We also live in Minnesota where it snows for half of the year, so the waterproof aspect saves the floors for years to come.

In this kitchen remodel, we installed Urbanfloor’s Cascade SPC flooring and since this flooring is non-porous, it makes cleaning and maintenance easy. When clients are wanting a floor that can continue throughout their home, we always recommend SPC. It not only is easy to clean, but it looks amazing too!

 

Kitchen featuring Urbanfloor Cascade SPC Flooring

Kitchen featuring Urbanfloor Cascade SPC Flooring

That’s just a few of our favorite projects that we’ve recently done using Urbanfloor and we can’t wait to keep incorporating more and more!

-construction2style

 

Love what you see? Click here to see more of construction2style’s work!

4 Tips to Protect Your Floors in the Summer

 

The temp outside is rising! Do you know how to protect your flooring investment? Here are 4 simple tips to safeguard your floors in the heat of summer!

 

Watch the humidity levels.

This tip is important year-round and especially in the warmer months of summer. Air conditioning can dry out the air and in many areas of the country, humidity levels rise to extremely high levels in the summertime. Neither extreme is healthy for your hardwood floors. Some seasonal shrinking or expanding of your floors will happen – but you can keep this to a minimum by keeping the humidity levels in your home within the recommended range of 30-50%.

 

Give a little extra attention to high-traffic areas.

With warmer months comes more time outside! Of course, you know what that means – more potential dirt being tracked inside! Dust and grime can build up and scratch your floors’ finish. Keep dirt to a minimum with regular cleaning, paying a little extra attention to higher-traffic areas like hallways, entrances, etc.

 

Minimize direct exposure to sunlight.

You are careful to protect your skin during the warm summer months, the same should go for your floors! Just as too much sun can damage your skin, direct sunlight can easily damage your floor and cause unsightly fading and discoloration. Not only will closing blinds or drawing curtains keep your home cooler in those warm summer months, but it will also prevent unnecessary damage to your gorgeous hardwood flooring.

Check out this video for more information on how to protect your floors from the damaging rays of sunlight!

 

Say “no” to water damage.

A quick swim in the pool or a run through the sprinkler is a great, refreshing way to exercise and cool off when the thermostat climbs to uncomfortably high levels. Be sure that when playtime is over, everyone is toweled off and dry before heading back into the house. Wood and water never mix – be sure to mop up spills as soon as possible to keep your floors looking great!

 

We hope these tips help keep your floors looking fantastic all summer long! For more information on how to care for your hardwood flooring investment all year long, visit our Cleaning & Care page!

 

Color Corner: European Oak Chardonnay

Happy Summer! The weather is heating up and so are the hot design trends of 2019. One of our favorite designs of the year so far, this Boston home epitomizes the minimalist and sustainable aesthetic that is not only so popular in design trends today but timeless in enduring style.

The home you’re about to see has all the charm of a simple, modern space with bold accents and deep contrast that make this design POP! The European oak Chardonnay from our Chene collection is the perfect neutral flooring choice in this stunning design!

Even from the street, this modern Boston duplex has the charm to spare! Does anyone else love a bold colored door as much as we do?

Step inside to see a beautiful, open-concept living space as the living room flows into the eating area and kitchen. Natural light streams through bright windows to illuminate the gorgeous plank variations of the Chardonnay.

Contrasted with the bright and airy atmosphere the windows bring, bold accent furniture and a floor to ceiling fireplace take center stage in this living room.

Stainless steel appliances and contrasting wood tones give this kitchen an inviting warmth and a cool, modern twist.

A beautifully simple black and white bedroom off the main level is the perfect place to relax.

The second bedroom on the main level has a hint of lavender that softens the room with a welcoming and warm ambiance.

A sleek modern bath adorns the main level. A glass shower and tile floor give this bathroom a contemporary feel.

The staircase that leads up to the top level of this home is a feat of modern architecture. Strong, angular lines are juxtaposed with the warmth of the natural wood tones of the Chardonnay.

Another airy bedroom and bath await at the top of the landing. Bright windows, white accents, and a skylight help to uplift this fresh aesthetic.

Of the two bedrooms on the top level, however, the master suite is certainly the most impressive.

Vaulted ceilings, skylights, and bright whites make this design a true breath of fresh air.

Massive floor-to-ceiling closets and built-in storage are just a few of the incredible features of this master suite, for example.

The master bath does not disappoint. With unique lighted mirrors and a large tub, it’s the perfect bathroom to settle and relax away from the business of city life.

We hope you enjoyed this tour of this Boston home!

View the Chene Chardonnay here.

 

Color Corner: European Oak Morisot

We are back to highlight another stunning hardwood floor! This time, we’re shining the spotlight on a beautiful almond-toned selection from the L’artiste collection, inspired by history’s most prestigious French artists – the Morisot.

Berthe Morisot, a French Impressionist painter, focused her painting on a variety of different subjects. From pristine landscapes to portraits and domestic scenes, her paintings were the work of careful, diligent study. From her watercolors, charcoal drawings, oil paintings, and more, each stroke of her brush or dash of her pencil was a focused act of inspiration.

 

 

AESTHETIC & STYLE

The same stunning technique and attention to detail Berthe Morisot used in her painting is exhibited it the luminous quality of the European oak Morisot floor. Beautiful wood grain patterns are coupled with a state-of-the-art reactive stain, lightly bringing out the natural splendor of genuine European oak by creating color from within the wood.

Learn more about reactive stains. 

 

 

The charming knots and mineral streaks on each 8 5/8” wide plank are creations of nature as lovely and as purposeful as Morisot’s many works of art. Each genuine European oak plank of the L’artiste Morisot is elegantly wirebrushed to highlight its natural grain and completed with a pristine UV-oil matte finish – harmonizing old-world style and contemporary design.

 

 

A delicate micro-beveled edge accents each plank, accentuating the inherent natural character of the wood, and ensuring a smooth transition from board to board. Stunning character marks adorn each European oak plank, from filled knots to mineral splits, adding a time-worn, storied feel to any room.

 

 

STRENGTH & DURABILITY

The Morisot’s strong 8 5/8″ wide planks are able to withstand heavy foot traffic. Its intricately wirebrushed texture make this floor a great option for families with children and pets. The L’artiste Morisot is backed with Urbanfloor’s lifetime structural and 50-year finish warranty (see warranty information here for more details). As a result, you can choose the Morisot with confidence that its beauty will be around for years to come.

 

 

SAFETY STANDARDS

We ensure cleaner air for your family. In accordance with our company’s values, all our engineered wood flooring is proudly FloorScore certified and the European oak Morisot is no exception. FloorScore certification is a voluntary, independent certification program that tests and certifies that hard surface flooring and the materials that they are made with are in compliance with stringent indoor quality emissions.

You can read more about FloorScore certification here.

 

 

What do you think? Is the L’artiste Morisot perfect for your interior design vision?

VIEW THE MORISOT HERE

Introducing the Cascade Fine Sands

We are proud to introduce the Cascade Fine Sands – 10 new beautiful additions to our popular collection of luxury rigid core SPC flooring. Inspired by the feel and energy of exotic, far-away beaches, the Fine Sands boasts an entire new level of elegance and durability.

Take a look at a few of the beautiful new colors available in this stunning series.

 

Maldives

 

Like its tropical namesake, the Maldives is reminiscent of exotic sandy beaches with its pale color tones and rich grain patterns.

 

 

Capri

 

Inspired by the rugged landscape of this Italian isle, the Cascade Capri boasts 9″ wide planks and a beautiful, rich brown tone.

 

 

 

Aspen

 

The Cascade Aspen strikes the perfect balance between neutral tan and modern gray.

 

 

 

Snowmass

 

Each 9″ plank of the Snowmass features stunning, multi-dimensional tones of cool gray.

 

 

 

Several of the newest additions to our Cascade series boast stunning tonal variation possible through state-of-the-art scanning technology of genuine reactive stained European oak (including the Capri, Aspen, and Snowmass featured above).

The Cascade Fine Sands luxury rigid core SPC floors are as durable as they are beautiful. Each plank is 100% waterproof and scratch resistant and comes complete with embossed grain planks, easy click installation, and attached UrbanShield Premium Underlayment.

 

View the entire Fine Sands series here.

What You Need to Know About Reactive Stains

What are reactive stains?

Reactive stain – you may have heard this term spoken in your search for hardwood floor, but what does it mean? To understand what a reactive stain is, it is also important to understand what it is not.

 

Timbertop Lifestyle, Biarritz

 

The Process

Whereas traditional stains add their color by painting the surface of the wood, reactive stains work by reacting with the natural components within the wood. Reactive stains are completely void of pigment and create color from inside the wood by interacting with the wood’s natural ingredients to create unique, 2-toned colors in wide variations that cannot be duplicated with traditional staining methods.

 

L’artiste, Chavannes

 

The Result

Reactive stain’s interaction with the natural tannins and sugars in the wood also creates an ‘aged’ look by replicating the oxidization and maturing process of naturally aged wood. This natural maturing process will normally take decades to achieve. However, with the reactive staining process it can create the same look immediately without harming the quality of the wood itself.

 

L’artiste, Pissarro

 

Fuming

Another state-of-the-art reactive process is fuming. Fumed (AKA Smoked) wood has been exposed to ammonia which reacts with the natural tannins in the wood to bring out new colors and variations. European oak is the preferred species for fuming/smoking because of its high tannin content which brings out an intense darker color.

 

Timbertop Lifestyle, Vail

 

Because the intensity of the reaction depends on the tannin content of the wood, each board reacts a little differently from the next, creating color variation that is more pronounced than untreated wood.

It is a common mistake that fuming/smoking involves application of the ammonia INTO the wood, but this is not the case. The change in color comes from the wood’s reaction to the presence of small amounts of ammonia in an enclosed environment. The ammonia causes the tannins in the wood to be brought to the surface. The longer the wood is exposed to the ammonia, the darker it becomes, resulting in a range of color from rich brown to almost black.

 

L’artiste, Rousseau

 

Wood floors that are treated with reactive stains or are fumed produce unmatched hues and a depth of color that simply cannot be duplicated with traditional staining methods. Are you still wondering if a reactive stained or fumed floor is right for you? Take a look at some of our reactive stained floors in the French inspired L’artiste collection or in the ultra-wide Timbertop Lifestyle series and decide for yourself!

 

9 Ways to Protect your Floors over the Holidays

As the year winds down, many of us are gearing up for the excitement of the holiday season! It is the time for family gatherings and parties with friends. The kids are out of school and your home will most likely be a buzzing hub of holiday activity! In many places, this is the wettest, muddiest, and snowiest time of year – and all of this brings ruinous potential for your hardwood flooring.

You’ve decked the halls and trimmed the tree, but have you taken steps to protect your hardwood flooring? Here are 9 steps you can take to protect your hardwood flooring investment and ensure that your floors are sufficiently protected throughout the holiday season!

 

1. UTILIZE DOOR MATS

When it comes to potential risks to your hardwood floors, two of the main hazards are dirt and debris. By placing doormats outside AND inside each entrance, you can cut down on the amount of grit that is tracked into your home, potentially causing scratches.

 

2. PLACE AREA RUGS IN HIGH TRAFFIC ZONES

Utilize area rugs and runners in key high traffic areas in your home. Hallways and dining rooms are common areas that could benefit from a protective rug. Remember to use rugs with a natural backing (i.e. felt) as rubber-backed rugs can cause discoloration on the floor’s surface.

 

3. REMOVE SHOES

Kindly ask your guests to remove their shoes upon entering your home. This might be tricky if you’re having a large gathering, but placing a large and dark area rug near the entrance can give your guests a place to put their shoes and will prevent outside elements from coming into contact with your floors.

 

4. USE A BOOT TRAY

A boot tray is a fantastic item to have for everyday use and especially for gatherings! Place just outside your door for wet shoes or boots. If you bring the boot tray inside, make sure you place a towel underneath to soak up any stray moisture.

 

5. CHRISTMAS TREE

Water is a hazard for any kind of flooring – carpet and hardwood alike. Without a lot of it, however, your Christmas tree is bound to get a little crispy. To ensure your tree stays fresh and your floors are protected, ensure you have a waterproof barrier between the tree and your floors. Place a waterproof Christmas tree stand mat or plastic drain tray (commonly used under washing machines) to catch any spills and then place your tree skirt over the top of it. Avoid using a towel as it will trap moisture but will not protect your hardwood floors.

 

6. CLEAN SWIFTLY AND FREQUENTLY

With all the entering and departing of guests, even with proper precautions, dirt and grit is bound to make its way into your home. Regular cleaning, especially after an event, will help to avoid dirt scratching your floors or permanently embedding itself into your rugs or carpet.

 

7. UTILIZE FELT PADS

Dirt and spills can be mopped up, but scratches are not so easily removed. By taking precautions and using felt pads on your furniture (dining chairs especially), you can minimize damage when your furniture is moved around during the busy holiday season.

 

8. CLIP YOUR PET’S NAILS

If you have pets, make sure you trim their nails prior to any gathering you host. Company can bring out excited or nervous tendencies in your pets – both could lead to scratches on the finish of your floor.

 

Accidents are bound to happen at holiday gatherings. Ensure that any spills are cleaned up immediately and in accordance with your floor care instructions.

We hope these tips will prove helpful for you as you gear up for the holiday season! If you take these precautions, you’ll have more time to spend enjoying time with family and friends and less time spent worrying about your hardwood floor.

For more information on floor cleaning and maintenance, click HERE.

 

New in the Villa Caprisi Collection

Get ready to fall in love with our two newest additions to the Villa Caprisi collection! Crafted exclusively from European oak, the Villa Caprisi is inspired by world-renowned Italian design and flair. Each and every floor is an admirable addition to any interior space, with the capacity to convert the average home into a spectacular luxury villa.

Take a closer look at our most recent additions – the Venezia and Milano!

 

Venezia

 

Full of character and depth of color, each 9 1/2″ plank of the European oak Venezia is lightly wirebrushed to bring out its natural wood grain. Each extra-long plank is specifically crafted to accent the natural beauty of genuine European oak.

 

 

The perfect medium shade, each kissed-edge plank of the Venezia is built to last.

Milano

 

 

The beautiful neutral color of the Milano is made only more beautiful through carefully selected character grade European oak. Each 9 1/2″ plank bears stunning knots, splits, and mineral streaks that make this floor truly one of a kind.

 

 

Finished with elegant white cerusing that brings out the natural essence of the wood grain, the Milano matches its beauty with strength.

 

Evidenced in these two beautiful floors, the Villa Caprisi’s hand-sculpted, vintage feel offers both natural beauty and long lasting durability. Love what you see? Explore the entire Villa Caprisi line here!

New in the Savanna Collection

We are happy to announce three new additions to our popular Savanna collection of European oak floors! The Savanna is one of the most environmentally friendly hardwood flooring products available. The Savanna is constructed using a High Density Fiberboard (HDF) core that is made up of 100% recycled forest products! Not only is its HDF core an environmentally friendly option, it is extremely dense and stable, making it resistant to dents and scratches!

The Savanna is designed to last not only the wear and tear of daily life, but also the changing trends of interior design. Take a look at these three new timeless additions to the collection!

 

Lion

The European oak Lion has all the natural beauty and strength of its namesake. Each 7 1/2″ wide plank boasts stunning, natural warm tones and beautiful wire-brushed texture that brings out the inherent grain of genuine wide-plank European oak.

 

Galago

The European oak Galago comes in a perfectly balanced shade nestled between warm tan and gray. With such an elegant and versatile tone, the Galago’s 7 1/2″ wide planks are well suited for an array of design styles.

 

Sable

The European oak Sable’s rich, warm tones and stylish color create a depth of color that will inspire awe in anyone who beholds it. Each 7 1/2″ plank is carefully brushed to bring out the natural texture and feel of genuine European oak.

 

Like what you see? View the rest of the Savanna collection and request a sample by clicking HERE!