IN West Jefferson Hills Fall 2018 | Página 11

INDUSTRY INSIGHT REAL ESTATE SPONSORED CONTENT Are You Interested In Buying Hardwood Floors? B uying a hardwood fl oor (“HW”) is an important investment, so you should ensure that the fl oor you choose meets your needs perfectly. HW is suitable for most every application and environment. HW is divided into categories by manufacturing method: • Solid HW — Boards are made entirely of HW, generally 3/4” thick. Unfi nished HW is sanded, stained and fi nished on-site, and guarantees typically only cover installation and not wear & tear. Pre-fi nished solid HW is sanded, stained and fi nished with factory- applied protection, and arrives installation-ready without the off ensive varnish odors. • Glueless Engineered HW — Boards are made with a high- density fi ber base with engineered edges that fi t together without glue, nails or staples; also known as a “fl oating fl oor.” • Engineered HW — This combines real HW surface with solid plywood base. This fl ooring is ideal for condominiums, basements or commercial use and in environments with varying humidity. Next you will need to consider the style: • Color, Species — Each species has a diff erent grain, color and texture. Room décor and desired eff ect will infl uence your decision. Oak and maple are the most popular followed by birch, cherry and walnut. More consumers are now attracted to the warmth and richness that comes with fl oor made from Brazilian cherry, mahogany or tigerwood. • Width — Narrower boards make a room look longer while wider boards make it appear shorter. Tight-grain wood like maple expands with humidity, which makes narrower boards preferable for some uses. • Board Direction — Along the length of room, width of room, diagonally or patterned? Aesthetics and personal taste will be your guides. When installing on a wood subfl oor, it’s recommended to position HW boards perpendicular to the joists. The fi nal decision involves the following considerations: • The Retailer — The retailer should serve as your advisor, respect your tastes and help you choose a product that meets your needs perfectly. To avoid delays, you may want to work with a retailer who carries a lot of stock, and beware of “bargain” prices that could become a nightmare when both the service and product prove to be low quality. • The Samples & Boards — Obtain large enough samples to ensure that the fl oor’s grade, color variations, species and wood grain are visible. Assemble some boards before installation to ensure they are smooth and uniform to the touch, and that the fi nishing is visible to the eye. • Maintenance — Avoid washing your HW fl oors with water, wet mops and commercial soaps. Regular vacuuming, a damp cloth and manufacturer-recommended products are all you need to keep your fl oor looking great. I hope you found this tutorial on HW fl ooring educational and helpful. I pride myself on educating my clients about all aspects of their real estate transactions. If I may be of service for any of your real estate needs in the future, please contact me at 412.831.0100 x3013 (offi ce), 412.874.0415 (cell), or at [email protected]. © 2018 BHH Affi liates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affi liates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity. Quality considerations: • Uniformity — Tongues/grooves should mesh together perfectly, no perceived diff erence in thickness or spaces between the boards where dirt could collect. • Imperfections — Small knots and mineral streaks are normal and add to natural character; however, defects are a sign of an inferior quality product. • Finish — Factory fi nishing methods, including an ultraviolet drying stage, result in remarkably resistant products. Some manufacturers add an antimicrobial agent to make maintenance easier and maintain a healthy environment. • Guarantee — Manufacturers typically give prefi nished fl ooring a long-term guarantee. By following maintenance instructions, you can ensure durability well beyond the guarantee period. This Industry Insight was written by Darlene B. Kruth, a Sales Executive with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty. Darlene is a licensed real estate agent in the state of Pennsylvania and has designations as an Accredited Staging Professional (“ASP”) and a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (“SRES”). For more information regarding Darlene’s services and qualifi cations, please contact her at 412.831.0100 x3013 (offi ce), 412.874.0415 (cell), email her at [email protected], or fi nd Darlene’s facebook business page at Darlene Kruth, REALTOR®. WEST JEFFERSON HILLS ❘ FALL 2018 9