Scheduling Your 2021 Job

If you have been in contact with nearly any company in the construction industry, then you are well aware of the wait times for your job to get started right now. While we are so grateful to be busy, we also hate to tell our potential customers about how long it might be until we can get to their hardwood project. We want to shed a bit of light on why these long wait times are happening and give you some tips to stay on track with your 2021 hardwood flooring project, or any home improvement project you have in mind!

Blame it on Covid

Like many things that have happened over the last year, we can also sort of blame this one on Covid. Why? Well, homeowners have been spending so much time in their houses, which has prompted a lot of people to start tackling the projects that they have been putting off for years. We are also receiving calls from a lot of people who no longer want carpet in their homes for sanitary reasons - it is a lot easier to clean a hardwood floor than it is to lug in a carpet cleaner or pay a company to do it.

…also the Housing Market

Yep, this hot topic item is also affecting our schedule. Homes are selling for premium prices right now, so a lot of homeowners are eager to sell and get top dollar for their house. One thing that helps raise the price of a home is newly refinished hardwood floors, so homeowners who might have floors that are out of date or that are beat up are eagerly looking for a company to make them look good as new before they list their house on the market.

How to Prepare

Scheduling your home improvement projects right now is not like any other time in the past. Typically, we would book out about a month. Now, we are booking out far beyond that, and this is typical for most other companies we speak with. So, if you have a project you might want to be completed in the Fall or Winter, we highly recommend that you start connected with contractors now to reserve your preferred date and to stay on your desired timeline for project completion. We know this sounds like a crazy long time to plan ahead, but trust us, you want to do it!

How Long Will This Last?

Great question! We have no idea. While we can expect for things to level out eventually, we cannot predict the market trend or when demand will start to balance out. The best we can do is to serve our customers with the best care possible and to be absolutely transparent with them about the timeline for their project.

If you want to get in touch about your 2021, let’s chat today!

We're Hiring!

Our team is growing and we are looking to add a new hardwood flooring specialist as soon as possible! Keep reading for the details and to submit your application!

Position Details

As a hardwood flooring specialist on our team, you will learn all aspects of hardwood flooring. From installation to custom finishes, we have the knowledge and experience to help you master your skills as a hardwood floorsman.

Experience is highly preferred but not required if you are the right fit. Your level of experience will dictate your starting hourly wage.

Benefits

Benefits of the position include:

• Work vehicle

• Paid vacation

• Retirement plan

• Health insurance

How to Apply

We are looking to hire someone ASAP! If you are interested in the position, please submit your application [here] and we will reach out to you soon if we would like to proceed with the hiring process.

Oil Based vs. Water Based

When it comes to these two types of polyurethane finishes, a lot of consumers are unsure what the difference is between them. While they are both intended to protect your floor from everyday wear-and-tear, they have many distinct characteristics.

The Look

Water based finishes have a more natural look and the clear finish really highlights the natural beauty of hardwood. Whereas oil based finishes have an amber hue that darkens the appearance of the wood and continues to deepen in color over time.

The Protection

Water based poly provides a harder finish but it is more likely to scratch. Oil based poly is a softer finish that makes it scratch resistant but it is more prone to denting than its water based counterpart.

The Cost

Water based poly is the more expensive option.

The Best Choice?

There really is no better finish here; the best choice comes down to your personal preference. Here’s some help from the Home Flooring Pro’s to inform your decision:

“Water based polyurethane: If you want your floor to stay the same color, choose water-based polyurethane. Wood that is gray, white or light looks better with a clear coat, i.e., a water based finish. Woods with a hint of yellow in them already, such as pine, fir and ash, become even yellower with an oil-based finish. Go with water based poly if that’s a look you want to avoid, or choose an oil based finish to enhance it.

Oil based polyurethane: Darker wood tones are enriched by an amber hue and an oily sheen. Oil based polyurethane can bring out the vibrant color in red oak, cherry or exotic woods like teak.”

Contact us today if you would like some more information on which finish will be best for your home, or visit our showroom to see the two finishes in-person - we are happy to help you make this important decision!

Life Events + Hardwood Floors

Big life events are always a lot of work to prepare for, and squeezing all your preparation in a month or two ahead of the event can cause a lot of unnecessary stress. “A lot of people start calling us in the Spring to schedule their flooring projects for grad parties, weddings, or other big events they have coming up in the summer” says owner, Neva Gullickson. It’s always better to get your project scheduled as far in advance as you can to ensure that you can get it done within your timeline and allow you enough time to get all of your other party preparations completed after your floors are done.

At Duane’s Floor Service, we typically schedule out anywhere from two weeks to two months, so even if you don’t need to get your floors installed, refinished, or buffed with a new coat until May, it is always a good idea to just call and get on the schedule. “The last thing we want is for your hardwood project to cause stress around your big events. We always strive to provide the best customer service and highest quality work to eliminate any unnecessary stress for our customers”, explains Neva.

So, what are you waiting for? If you know you will need your floors redone for a big event you have this coming Spring or Summer, give us a call today to get on the schedule and check this big item off your to-do list! Call Neva at 763-428-8601 to get started. We cannot wait to help make your home look perfect for your big party!

It's Not too Late for a Winter Makeover

Did the arrival of winter catch you off guard? You’re not alone. With the early beginning to snowy days and chilly temperatures, your Fall checklist might have gotten lost in the shuffle. If getting a buff and coat, sanding and refinishing, or replacing old carpet with hardwood floors was on your to-do list, we are here to tell you that it’s still okay to schedule a hardwood makeover in the cold winter months!

When the holiday season hits, it can be hard to imagine having construction done in your home, but there are several reasons why this might actually be the perfect time.

1. You’re gone a lot! You don’t need to be around the noise and smells that come with in-home construction. If you’re planning to be out of town for a few days around the holidays or in January, you can be confident in having our team complete the job while you are away.

2. We reduce the mess. We know that adding dust to your home when it closed up in the winter doesn’t sound great, but we go above and beyond when we plastic off our work zone in an effort to keep the rest of your home as clean as possible.

Maybe the hustle and bustle of the holiday season isn’t what’s holding you back from scheduling your hardwood flooring job. Perhaps you just don’t know what you want yet! We get it. Hardwood flooring is something that will last decades, so you want to select something that you will love forever. That’s tough to do when home trends change so much. Check out this video for upcoming flooring trends in 2020, and you can also ask our team at your free in-home estimate what would work best in your home.

If you’re ready to start your hardwood flooring winter makeover, give us a call today or submit an estimate request form. We cannot wait to transform your home!

Seasonal Floor Changes - Gaps

The cold of winter has arrived in Minnesota which means our homes are closed up, the heat is on, and the dryness has set in. As humans, we know that our skin dries up when our environment does not have enough humidity and it can be quite uncomfortable. Did you know that low humidity has the same effect on your hardwood floors?

When you install hardwood floors in your home, you are installing a piece of nature. The beauty of hardwood floors lies in their uniqueness and natural essence, but this natural element will also change throughout its time as your floor.

When moisture levels are low in your home, you can see gaps appear between your floor boards that were never there before. These gaps are completely normal and the cause is simple. When your home is lacking in moisture, it sucks the natural moisture from your hardwood floors, so they shrivel up a bit. The size of the gaps depends on your particular floor: “In general, how much solid wood flooring shrinks is directly proportional to its width. For example, in identical scenarios, an 8” wide plainsawn plank of white oak flooring will shrink twice as much as a 4” plank of the same cut and species” (Hardwood Floors Magazine).

The good news is that these gaps will more than likely disappear with the seasonal changes, but there are steps you can take during the winter to reduce gaps in your floors and make your overall living environment more comfortable as well!

Install Whole Home Humidifier

Whole home humidifiers are relatively inexpensive and simple to install. They can either be standalone that you fill with water or you can even install one on your furnace. These humidifiers will keep the humidity level in your home at the recommended level of 30-50% which will keep your floors happy and can also improve your family’s health by reducing dust mites, allergens, and likelihood of respiratory illnesses.

Turn off the Exhaust Fans

Another easy way to keep humidity in your home during winter is by retiring your bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans for the season. By allowing the moisture from showering or boiling water to stay in your home, you are adding moisture to the air by just performing your daily tasks.

We hope you find these tips helpful and that you have a better understanding of the seasonal changes your floors experience during Fall and Winter.

Let's Talk Rugs

Hardwood floors have a rustic elegance that you cannot find with any other flooring type, okay maybe we are a little biased. Adding a beautiful collection of rugs to your hardwood floors increases the beauty and warmth in your home.

Let’s dive into some of our favorite places to put your rugs throughout your home for added beauty and to protect your floors.

Entry Way

Entry ways are the perfect place to put a rug on your hardwood floors. These are high-traffic areas that see a lot of dirt and other debris from shoes or animal paws.

Pro TIp: Do not put rugs with rubber bottoms on your hardwood floors. This does not allow your floor to breathe if water gets under them and can cause water damage to your hardwood investment.

Living Rooms

Living rooms are another high-traffic area but they are also a room in the home where you want to feel completely comfortable. Adding a rug will increase warmth and make your guests feel right at home!

Bedrooms

Bedrooms are another perfect place for a comfortable rug. Add depth to your room and avoid the shock of cold floors in the morning with an oversized rug under your bed!

Just a reminder: The National Wood Flooring Association recommends waiting six weeks to lay rugs down on a newly finished hardwood floor. It is also good practice to check and clean under rugs twice monthly.

Perfectly Imperfect

One thing we always tell homeowners when we finish their hardwood flooring project is to give their floors time to mature. What we mean by that is it is very common for your hardwood floors to have some temporary, minor “imperfections”, and they are not cause for alarm! It is just part of the flooring process .

Possible Imperfections After Final Finish

To help you understand and prepare for some possible “flaws” that you might see on your finished flooring, here is a list of what to possible expect and to understand is completely normal!

1. Blemishes & Debris. Settling resins can exaggerate the appearance of blemishes in the early stages of a floor’s life. Any small debris (i.e., tiny, airborne particles) can refract light more during this time. Rest assured - almost all blemishes disappear completely as the finish sets.

2. Uneven Sheen. Many factors can contribute to an uneven sheen. Dramatic factors such as humidity, temperature, and varying wood species’ composition can make the application process tricky. As with color differentiation, sheen variation will more than likely even out over time.

3. Screen Marks, Brush Strokes & Abrasions. Minor screen or brush marks may remain slightly visible during the initial drying phases. Likewise; small underlying abrasions may seem almost painfully obvious at first. Take a deep breath! As the finish sets, resins tighten across the wood and many of these marks will all but disappear during the process.

The overall point is to save yourself unnecessary stress and concern over the quality of your floor’s finish. Think of these small “imperfections” like a small cut or blemish on your arm - it will fade quickly and eventually disappear entirely!

How to Inspect Your New Floor

When inspecting your new hardwood floor, remember to do so from a standing position with normal lighting. Glare from windows will magnify any irregularity and can cause unnecessary alarm. These standards are set forth by the National Wood Flooring Association in the NWFA Hardwood Floor Manual and are observed as the standard for practice across the industry.

Hardwood flooring comes from nature, and that means that no two boards are the same and no job will look like another, and that’s what makes this product so special!

The Right Time for Your Hardwood Job

When will it be the perfect time to schedule your hardwood flooring job? The answer varies for every family based on your personal schedules, finances, etc. However, there are opportune times for us as a construction company to get your job done. A few of these opportune times include before the holidays and during Spring Break.

We often get customers calling us in mid-November to schedule a buff & coat or sand & refinish project to get their floors looking good as new before the holidays. The problem with calling so close to the install date is that you may not get your job completed before the date you would like. If you are looking for a holiday face-lift for your hardwood floors, we recommend getting your job on the books now, even if we schedule it out a few months.

Another great time to schedule your hardwood flooring job is when you are gone for the holidays or on Spring Break with your family. Buffing or sanding a floor creates a mess and reapplying finish is a smelly job, so why not have it all done when you aren’t home! We work closely with our customers to make them comfortable with our team being in their home when they are on vacation and always protect your belongings as if they were our own.

So what are you waiting for?! Give us a call today to schedule your late Fall, early Winter flooring project! Or easily submit an estimate request form on our website. We cannot wait to gift you with beautiful floors for the holiday season!

Buffing vs. Sanding

It’s in the nature of all hardwood floors to be susceptible to signs of wear-and-tear like scratches, grooves, sun discoloration, and other damages. It is also in the nature of hardwood floors to bounce back from these things!

There are two methods that hardwood flooring professionals use to restore hardwood floors: buffing and sanding. Many people don’t know they have these restoration options, or don’t understand the difference between the two, so let’s clarify!

A buff and coat is more of a maintenance procedure that should be done about every 5-years to extend the life of your floors. In this process, the hardwood flooring specialist buffs down the finish of your floor down to the last coat of polyurethane - it does not go down to the bare wood or remove your stain. This process allows you to remove superficial scratches and discoloration from your floor’s finish and gives your floors a fresh new coat of finish.

The sanding and refinishing process goes deeper - it takes off the floor’s finish as well as the surface of the damaged wood. This process reveals a new layer of your hardwood floors, and allows you to stain it a completely different color if you want to! For severely damaged hardwood, this is the process you want to select.

Breaking it all down to conclude: “Sanding takes care of deep imperfections and allows homeowners to change the color of their hardwood floors. Buffing is simpler, faster, less disruptive, costs less and extends the life of wood boards” (Royal Wood Floor).

Is your floor in need of a buff and coat or sand and refinish? Contact us today to schedule a free estimate and we will tell you which process your floor needs to look as good as new!

Colorful Finishes

The classic hardwood floors that most are familiar with have a natural finish, or a darker stain that still highlights the natural beauty of the wood. However, new trends are always emerging in home styles, and we have seen a recent surge in requests for unique color finishes.

Here is an example of a grey finish. This lighter finish still allows the natural beauty of the wood to show through while bringing a modern feel to the room.

Here is an example of a black stain. This is an intense look that really transforms the wood and the home it is installed in with a warm, elegance.

Interested in trying out a colored finish in your home? Contact us today by submitting a form or call Neva at 763-428-8601

Managing Moisture

This Spring has been historically wet for Minnesota, and an unfortunately high number of people are experiencing flooding and moisture problems in their homes. Hardwood floors do tend to change with the seasons. In the dry seasons of Fall and Winter, the floors contract and cracks can appear between boards, but these cracks typically disappear when the warm, humid months return. We try to counteract this by allowing the wood time to acclimate before it is installed. However, in states like Minnesota where the temperatures vary so greatly from Summer to Winter, some seasonal variance is hard to avoid.

When Spring arrives, so can unexpected leaks and water in your home. Hardwood floors can soak up water through their cells, which means it is crucial to remove the water as soon as possible. Get out your shop vac and call in help to get the water off your floors, and then it’s time to let them dry. It’s best to bring in fans and natural airflow to get the floors dry, and once dried, you can inspect the damage.

Some water damaged floors can be repaired with a sand and refinish, but others will require replacement. Here is an example of a leaking fridge that caused excessive damage. These floors had to be torn out and patched to repair.

If you experienced flooding this spring and need help rescuing your hardwood floors, give us a call! 763-428-8601

All Hardwood Is Not Created Equal

A common misconception when it comes to hardwood floors is that they all have the same level of “hardness”, when in fact, the level of hardness varies greatly by the specie of tree. There is a scientific scale used to measure the hardness of different woods call the Janka Scale. It basically tells us how resilient a certain species of wood will be to dents, scrapes, and wear by measuring the amount of pounds-force required to imbed a steel into the lumber (Wood Database). The higher the Janka rating, the harder the wood.

Hardness

“Janka”

Scale

Curious about where your lumber falls on the scale? Check out the list below:

Walnut, Brazilian 3680

Teak, Brazilian 3540

Cherry, Brazilian 2820

Gum, Spotted 2473

Mesquite 2345

Mahogany, Santos 2200

Hickory/Pecan 1820

Maple, Brazilian 1500

Maple, Hard 1450

Cypress, Australian 1375

Oak, White 1360

Ash, White 1320

Beech 1300

Oak, Northern Red 1290

Birch 1260

Teak 1078

Walnut, American Black 1010

Cherry, Black 950

Pine, Southern Yellow 870

Douglas Fir 660

Source: “Hardwood [Janka] Scale”. Pg. 11. Real Wood Real Life. The National Hardwood Flooring Association.

Jobsite Plastic Hanging

Any type of home construction is a dirty job, and hardwood floors are no exception. Especially during the sanding and buffing stages of your project, the dust that is created can be overwhelming. It is important to our team to keep your home as clean as possible during our time working there, so we have perfected the art of plastic hanging to make that possible!

Here are some examples of the intricate attention we pay to keeping dust out of your cabinets, off your light fixtures, and as concealed to the construction zone as we can keep it.

Hardwood Flooring Care Guide

Cleaning

One of the best things about hardwood floors is that we can wash them. This makes for a cleaner, healthier home that we can all feel good about living in. However, the cleaning agent you use on your hardwood floors actually harm them. Many of the hardwood cleaning products on the market are oil based – these are a big no-no! The solution you should use to clean your floors should be very simple and always highly diluted with water. We recommend using a 25/1 water to vinegar ratio, or an all-purpose cleaning solution that is not oil based (we use Mr.Clean), mixed with water to the same ratio. For a great mop kit that includes a washable cover, contact us to order today!

Scratch Prevention

Furniture and hardwood floors unfortunately don’t mix well. Items like chairs, couches, and ottomans can really scratch a floor. To prevent these scratches from occurring, we highly recommend putting floors pads on all of the furniture that you put on your hardwood floors. We sell the following floor pad size options:

·         1" round - 12 per pack - $3.99 + tax

·         1 1/2" round - 6 per pack - $3.99 + tax

·         3 1/2" x 5/8" strips - 6 per pack - $3.99 + tax

·         1/2" x 36" roll - 1 per pack - $3.99 + tax

·         3 1/2" x 4 3/4 pad - 1 per pack - $3.99 + tax

And remember, you should change your floor pads whenever they start to look really worn down.  

Buff & Coat

After a few years of wear and tear, your floor will start to show scratches, light spots from the sun, and many other little “beauty marks” that come from a busy home. Instead of letting your floors go too long, which would require a complete refinishing, we recommend getting a buff and coat once every three to five years. The buff and coat process adds an extra layer of poly to your floors to hide imperfections and add an additional layer of protection. This process not only brings new life to your floors, but it will also save you hundreds of dollars in the long run!

Refinishing

Refinishing your floors is much more in-depth process, but the results are incredible! The refinishing process involves sanding your floors which will completely remove the original finish, and also take out almost all scratches. You then add a new finish, which gives you the opportunity to completely change the look of your floors if you want to! Most solid hardwood floors can be refinished around ten times in their lifetime.

We hope this guide to caring for your hardwood floors helps you care for and extend the beauty of your floors for decades to come!

Want to schedule a buff and coat or refinishing? Call Neva today to set up an estimate! 763-428-8601