Sometimes, hardwood floors can be restored by simply sanding down and refinishing the surface when they show signs of wear and tear. So, how do you know when it’s time to get a whole new floor instead of refinishing? 

Water Damage

Hardwood that has been exposed to significant amounts of water can start to rot as a result of moisture. If there’s only a small part of the hardwood floor affected by water damage, you shouldn’t worry to the point of replacing your whole flooring. However, if a significant portion of your hardwood floors has been damaged by water, installing new flooring is your only option.

Too Much Sanding

Every time you sand your hardwood floors, you are removing material and making the planks thinner. You will find that there will come the point where your hardwood floors don’t have enough material to be sanded and refinished. Once you have reached this point, you will have no choice but to replace your floor. A way you can tell if you’ve reached your sanding limit is to look for exposed nails. It’s best to only sand your floors three to five times before you replace them. 

Off Trend

Styles and trends come and go, so it may be that you will want to replace your floors because you’re no longer satisfied with the style of your home.  

If that’s the case, make sure to choose a timeless style of hardwood; that way you don’t run into the same problem in a couple of years. Avoid buying woods that are trendy, such as gray or blonde wood. Instead, look for darker, wide-planked wood that will look good regardless of the trends.

Issues Lie Below

There are certain home issues that can only be addressed by removing the existing floor. For example, if the planks were to be moving under your feet as you walk across the room or make a lot of noise. The issue could be with your subflooring, and you would need a professional to rip out the old floor to correct any problems underneath.

If you should need a contractor to remodel your flooring with a fresh installation, call our expert technicians at Rudd Builders to get the best service in all of Utah.

The post When Should You Replace Your Hardwood Floors? appeared first on Salt Lake City Contractors.

5 Most Durable Materials

We know that flooring installation in your home can be pretty expensive and time-consuming, so it’s best to get it right the first time. This is why we have taken the liberty to list some of our recommendations for those seeking durable materials. Below are our top 5 recommended most durable flooring options to install for your flooring remodel. 

Hardwood

Hardwood is one of the most common options for flooring in the United States. Coming in either planks or strips, the most common wood used in making hardwood floors includes oak, maple, and mahogany; but, some manufacturers also offer exotic wood varieties such as Brazilian Cherry and Tigerwood.

Many people pick hardwood flooring because it just looks great in any home and increases the value of your home by quite a bit. This material is very durable and can be easily refinished should the wood lose its luster. If you are considering installing hardwood in your home, ensure to place it in areas of the house with low moisture. This will guarantee that the material won’t shrink, swell, or split. 

Bamboo

Bamboo is an eco-friendly alternative to hardwood flooring material while sharing the same look. It also comes in planks and strips with a variety of grain patterns. This material is easier to maintain as the refinishing process is quick and easy. Much like hardwood, this material is seldom suitable for high moister. Try to avoid dark colors as the colorants used to give the material color weakens its fibers.

Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are manufactured from a mixture of shale and clay that is then heat-treated in a kiln. These fun tiles come with different patterns, colors, and shapes, making them a desirable material to match your interior design. 

This material is best in higher-traffic areas such as kitchens and hallways. They are a fantastic option for wet rooms like the bathroom or laundry room since they are naturally water-resistant. 

Laminate

Laminate flooring is similar to hardwood. However, they are made of compressed wood or plywood covered by a thin veneer. Since they are still made of wood materials, laminate won’t be an excellent option for high-moisture and wet areas like bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements with leak problems.

Vinyl

For a flexible, resilient, and economical option, try vinyl. It is made from PVC plastic (polyvinyl chloride). Some vinyl comes with felt layers that make the tiles softer; others are cushioned with layers of foam and even textured to have a similar feeling to hardwood floors. They come in peel-and-stick backing that doesn’t require additional adhesives before installment. Vinyl is also by far the cheapest flooring material to maintain. 

Once you have picked your desired material, you need an experienced contractor to make sure all your tiles are appropriately placed, leveled, and more. Our contractors at Rudd Builders are experts in home remodeling; call our offices today to get a free consultation and start building the home of your dreams.

The post Which Flooring Material Lasts the Longest? appeared first on Salt Lake City Contractors.

Prepare

Tools and materials are the starting point to any DIY project; you will need the following for this project:

Tools: Drill, drill bits, tape measure, tapping block, hand stapler, pneumatic finish nailer, and a rubber mallet.

Materials: Wood flooring, handrail, support brace, lag bolts, wood putty, screws, risers, balusters, and finish nails. 

Measure, Cut, and Install

Measure each tread according to your design; we recommend measuring twice before cutting any material. 

After cutting your tread, the next step is to install them. When installing them, always work your way from the bottom. Make sure to screw them in as securely as possible. 

Consider adding a brace between the stringers and top step to add more support to your new stairs. 

Newel posts

If you have half newel posts, pre-drill them, also make sure there are prepared holes on your wall for toggle bolts. Insert the screws for the toggle bolts and then attach the toggles. Insert toggles to the wall and secure them tightly. For all other newel posts, use lag bolts.

Cut the rail

Now that you have your treads and newels installed, next comes the railing. Measure and mark it for angled cuts, then cut them. It may be a good idea to undercut the railing and rest it along the stairs to get a perfect fit.

Balusters

Don’t immediately install your rail after you have cut them. You need to install the balusters first. Pre-drill your treads for the baluster. Secure your balusters to your treads.

Attach railing

With your balusters and newels in place, next comes the railing. Attach the rail fasteners to the newel posts. Insert the balusters into the holes on the railing. 

Finishing

You’re done! However, to get that clean look, you need to clean things up a little bit. If there are any screw holes, fill them up with matching wood putty. You may need to install moldings to achieve an even cleaner look.

We can help

Stairs can be a work of art and it can make you proud to have built your own stairs – your own masterpiece. However, make sure that you seek professional help whenever you need it. Here at Rudd Contractors, we pride ourselves in working along with our clients to make sure their dream homes come to life. So, give us a call whenever you need help! 

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