My Affordable Flooring

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"Never cheap...                              
Always affordable"

How To Extend The Life of Your Hardwood Floors

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Hardwood floors aren’t hard to take care of. For the most part, people love them because of how easy they are to maintain.

However, there are quite a few things you can do to ensure your wood floors are in top-notch condition for years to come.

1. Refinish Your Hardwood Floors Often

The number one way you can extend the life of your hardwood floors is to refinish them regularly. We recommend about every 5 years or as soon as you notice the current finish is fading. You may notice easily worn spots from foot traffic. Moving furniture yourself also leads to scratches that break down the finish on the floor.

Instead of waiting to replace the floors after a couple of decades, you should refinish them now. It’s much cheaper to refinish a worn floor than to completely replace it. The finished product looks as good as new, so it’ll feel like a brand new hardwood floor.

2. Keep Your Hardwood Floors Clean

Keeping the floor clean is also a great way to ensure its longevity. You never want to let dust, dirt, or moisture of any kind sit on the wood floors for too long. This can quickly dull the finish and make them look unattractive.

In addition, any spills should be cleaned immediately. Sitting water will be absorbed into the floors, causing them to warp, stain, and even rot. Stones and dirt particles can also scratch the floors in high traffic areas. It’s a good idea to get rugs for entrances and exits.

3. Avoid High-Pressure Points

High-pressure points are the most common problem caused by heavy furniture. Couches and large cabinets hold a large amount of weight concentrated on very small legs. This increases the pressure per square inch, which if too high, can damage the floors. They are many different weight distribution pads that lessen the negative effects of heavy furniture on the hardwood.

4. Protect the Floor from UV Light

One underestimated problem you face is UV light. The harsh UV light that shines from the sun through windows can fade the floors finish. A nice dark hardwood can quickly start looking a little blonde when UV light hits it every day. Refinishing your floor can protect it from the sun’s harmful and costly rays.

Contact My Affordable Flooring Today!

If you feel your floor is looking a bit dull, it may be time for a hardwood refinishing treatment.

The experts at My Affordable Flooring can take a faded hardwood floor and make it look like a brand new floor was installed.

Benefits of Hardwood Floor Sanding

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Hardwood floors are our life’s blood. We commit ourselves to this industry because we care. A beautiful hardwood floor elevates the beauty of your home. One way to optimize how elegant your floor looks is to get a hardwood sanding and refinishing treatment.

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of hardwood floor sanding.

1. Save Money

One way to really save money in the long run? Hardwood floor sanding treatments. Why? Because sanding your hardwood floors increases their lifespan. If your floor is showing minor signs of damage, then a sanding treatment will significantly slow the damaging process. Getting your floor professionally refinished with a sanding treatment also costs less than completely replacing an old hardwood floor. Neglecting damage to save money up front can actually end up costing you much more in the long run.

2. Increase the Value of Your Home

Whether you are selling your home or looking to buy a new one, a refinished hardwood floors increases the home’s value. Not only does it make an impression on anyone who sees it, but also shows proper homeowner behavior for keeping up on maintenance. Potential buyers will love that you practice regular upkeep, especially on endeavors such as hardwood floor refinishing.

3. Decrease Risk of Pests

When you’re floor has cracks and holes in it, pests are known to exploit those imperfections for nesting. A refinished hardwood floor makes it virtually brand new. That means no cracks, holes, or splinters for sneaky little bugs to creep into. There’s nothing worse than an infestation in your home. It’s bothersome, expensive, and frankly gross. No one wants bugs living in their floors. Revitalize your old hardwood floors with a sanding treatment.

Contact Us Today!

We’re proud to offer hardwood floor refinishing service in Milwaukee, throughout Southeast Wisconsin, and Northern Illinois.

With over two decades of experience as professional floor refinishers serving the Wisconsin/Illinois area, we’re proud of our company’s reputation for providing affordable, high-quality hardwood floor refinishing services.

What Is Engineered Hardwood Flooring?

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Hardwood floors are a timeless flooring option, and they look great in any room. Engineered hardwood floors are just one type out of many different kinds of wooden floors. So what makes engineered hardwood floors different than solid hardwood floors?

Engineered vs Solid Hardwood

Engineered hardwood floors are man-made from layering solid wood with plywood. Traditional hardwood floors aren’t layered. They are just solid pieces of wood cut from large blocks.

The lifespan of hardwood floors varies depending on how well you maintain them. If you take good care of any kind of hardwood flooring, it can often last a lifetime. Some things to consider to ensure the longevity of your floors are:

  • Thickness of the veneer which tops the flooring.
  • Quality of the kind of floor material used.
  • How well you maintain, clean, and take care of the flooring.

The better care you take of your floors, the longer you can expect them to last. Conversely, if you don’t treat your floors well, you will see problems sooner.

Benefits of Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Although all types of wooden floors are a great choice for your home, sometimes the engineered wooden floors are a better choice. Consider these benefits when making your final decision on which type of flooring to go for:

  • Engineered hardwood floors are more durable and last longer.
  • Because of the layering technique used to make them, these floors are more resistant to warping or bowing.
  • Installation is much easier, even on different levels of the home.
  • The veneer finish is as beautiful as a traditional hardwood floor.
  • Easier care and maintenance.
  • Available in many different species (maple, oak, hickory).
  • Available in different finishes (glossy, matte, etc).
  • Multiple choices for surface effect (time-worn, distressed, wire-brushed).

All these reasons should play into your final decisions when choosing new floors. The great thing about engineered hardwood flooring is that it looks amazing in any room of your house.

Contact Us Today!

My Affordable Flooring offers free estimates and consultations on all our flooring projects.

Call us today at 262-653-1120 for a free, no-obligation estimate or just complete our contact form to schedule your appointment.

Eco-Friendly Flooring Options in Milwaukee

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Your home can make a good impression for your guests and the environment. Homeowners seeking sustainable flooring options in Wisconsin reap the rewards for going green. Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of eco-friendly flooring and what types are right for you.

What types of flooring are the most sustainable?

Hardwood

You may not think hardwood floors are environmentally friendly. However, as The National Wood Flooring Association reports, hardwood flooring is reusable so it cuts down on waste. Consequently, homeowners who uphold strict values of being environmentally conscious may need to investigate all their options.

Homeowners should be aware of the environmental repercussions of installing hardwood floors. Deforestation is a cause of concern for some, but there are options that reduce it. Oak trees are regularly replanted, so the materials that come from bark, such as oak, can easily be replenished.

If you’re interested in achieving the look of hardwood, engineered hardwood is a great option for eco-friendly flooring.

Engineered Hardwood

It has the look of a hardwood floor, with a little extra. Engineered hardwood is very stable, and is resistant to changes in moisture & heat. According to a post from Home Advisor, using engineered hardwood reduces waste and lasts the growing process for trees. If you’re torn between solid or engineered hardwood, see our blog post to see what’s right for you.

In addition, homeowners can look for renewable materials, such as bamboo.

Bamboo

Eco-friendly flooring does a great job of using all of its resources, leaving behind very little waste. Bamboo is plant-based, making it a renewable material. According to a blog post from The Spruce, it takes three to five years for the plant to reach maturity. Whereas, it can take almost twenty years for hardwood trees to reach maturity. In addition, bamboo is water & stain resistant.

Besides bamboo, cork floors also have great effects on the environment.

Oak

With a high rank on the Janka scale, Oak’s a great contender for strength and sustainability. According to a post from Shaw Floors, Oak is one of the most sustainable options because there are fewer emissions in the manufacturing process. Even more, it ranks #2 on This Old House’s list of the top 10 earth-friendly flooring options.

Finally, homeowners that want to find a sustainable and tough floor can benefit from installing cork floors.

Cork

Cork comes from the bark on oak trees and serves as a sustainable option for floors. According to a post from Green Conscious Home, cork is renewable because the oak trees can replenish after the bark is removed. On top of its environmentally friendly features, cork is stain proof and works as a great insulator!

Above all of the options for sustainability, homeowners aren’t short of resources for installing environmentally sustainable flooring.

Getting eco-friendly flooring in your Milwaukee home

Environmentally conscious homeowners have a wide range of options for decking out their home with great flooring. If you’re in the Milwaukee area, My Affordable Flooring offers flooring installation & repair services to get you started on giving back to the earth.

The Dos and Dont’s of Cleaning Floors

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Floors are never safe from dirt, spills or grime. Whether there’s heavy foot traffic or you aren’t keen on tidying up, dirty floors happen. The seasons can really affect things too, especially with this winter weather we have been having in the Midwest! It’s important to preserve the quality and appearance of your floor. However, you shouldn’t grab everything under the kitchen sink and go to town on cleaning floors. Here are the do’s and don’ts of cleaning your floors.

Hardwood Floors

Do This

The first thing you should do is dust and vacuum your hardwood floors. This way you collect all of the dust and debris before you start mopping. After that, it’s time to bring out the mop. Be sure to use warm water, a water-based cleaner, and well-wrung mop. Allow enough time for the floors to dry before walking on them.

Don’t Do This

If you use a vacuum, you want to be sure that it can be used on hardwood floors. When it comes time to mop, don’t reach for any cleaner at the hardware store or stuff you have around the house. Be sure to look for a cleaner that is non-toxic and water-based. When in doubt, consult a professional on the best product for cleaning hardwood floors.

Laminate Floors

Do This

Laminate flooring imitates the looks of hardwood floors and is more resistant to stains. However, that doesn’t mean they are stain proof. When any type of liquid spills onto laminate flooring, you should act immediately. Quickly drying up a spill will prevent staining and damage to the floor.

Don’t Do This

According to a post from DIY Network, you should not use scented cleaners or cleaners that produce a shine. This can lead to a build-up on wax and residue that can be hard to get out.

Vinyl Floors

Do This

It’s very important that you consistently clean & maintain vinyl flooring. Vinyl floors are susceptible to damage when grime and water build up. This can cause the wax layers to buff out, compromising the tile. According to a post from Reader’s Digest, make sure you know the type of floor you have to determine whether or not it needs to be waxed.

Don’t Do This

You should use minimal amounts of water when cleaning floors made from vinyl. Excessive amounts of water will absorb into vinyl floors, causing more damage. That means wringing out the mop as much as you can. Make sure your cleaner is specific to the type of vinyl floor that you have, for example, use a cleaner specified for waxed vinyl.

For more info on the best rooms for installing vinyl flooring, see this post.

Tile Floors

Do This

It’s important to consistently sweep your tiled floors since dirt and grime can cause cosmetic damage to tiles. For a simple clean, mopping your floor with a mixture of hot water & cleaning solution will do. For stains, you can use a combination of water, cleaning solutions and household products. DIY Network has a great post explaining how to clean stains on ceramic tile.

Don’t Do This

Don’t neglect the grout between your tiles. Since grout is very porous, it can be harder to get out the grit and grime between your tiles. To preserve the look of your tile, make sure you clean the grout with specified cleaner and low amounts of water.

A Final Word on Cleaning Floors

Whether you have hardwood floors or ceramic tiles, you should make it a habit to consistently clean your floors. For more tips on cleaning your floors or new floor options, call on My Affordable Flooring!

 

DIY Projects From Hardwood Floors in Your Milwaukee Home

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Who says hardwood can only be used for floors? Hardwood is durable, comes in a variety of species, and its elegant presentation makes for a unique living space. Whether it’s for your walls, countertops, or ceilings, there are many uses of hardwood in your home. If you have hardwood to spare or you’re in the market for home improvement, here’s how to apply hardwood for DIY projects in your home.

Walls & Ceilings

Adding hardwood to your walls is more than just a fashion statement. The durability, and strength of hardwood make it a good way to reinvigorate your drywall. Alternating materials between floors and walls in your home gives your home an aesthetic that can’t be matched. According to a post from This Old House, you can easily install hardwood on your ceiling with adhesives and nails. With many species to choose from, it’s important to find one that is strong and durable. If you’re unsure of the type of wood you’re looking for, see our post on finding the right wood species.

Furniture & Appliances

Leftover hardwood can inspire homeowners to revamp old furniture. Reusing your hardwood flooring is a simple and elegant way to give furniture new life without breaking the bank. Decking out countertops and appliances is a great way to putting your leftover hardwood flooring to use. A post from Work About House has a step-by-step look at one homeowner’s DIY countertop made from leftover hardwood flooring. The incredible durability of hardwood opens the door to many creative endeavors, big or small.

Picture Frames

If you’re working with a limited supply of hardwood, you can use it to deck out pictures with homemade frames. A blog post from Hunker illustrates a simple 7 step process for creating picture frames. It’s important to know that for most DIY projects you will need a vast selection of power tools that you know how to use. Being knowledgeable of the tools you use will ensure your safety and the integrity of the work you do.

Does Laminate Flooring Work for DIY Projects

Laminate Flooring, which mimics the look of hardwood, is a great material for creating DIY projects in your home. Laminate Flooring may be best for countertops and appliances due to its strength and low maintenance. If you’d like to learn more, see our post on the pros and cons of laminate flooring!

A Final Word on Using Hardwood Throughout Your Milwaukee Home

In the age of Pinterest and recycling, your hardwood floor opens the door for sprucing up your home. If you’re in the market for hardwood flooring to replace your floors or experiment with DIY projects, give My Affordable Flooring a call! We offer a vast selection of hardwood, laminate, tile and install in homes around the Milwaukee/Chicago area.

Water Damage & Insurance for Hardwood Floors

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Insurance gives you peace of mind when sudden accidents occur in your home. Homeowners can get insurance that covers water damage starting from their roof, down to their floors. Having insurance can be a luxury, or in some cases, a requirement.  People insure their hardwood floors in case of sudden and accidental damage. Keep reading to find out what types of insurances are available to homeowners and which ones cover damages to your hardwood floors.

Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners insurance can be a saving grace when unfortunate circumstances arise. All State Insurance defines homeowners insurance as, “made up of coverages that may help pay to repair or replace your home and belongings if they are damaged by certain perils such as fire or theft.” This insurance also applies to your personal property, structures on your property, and liability. However, homeowners should be aware of what their insurance actually covers.

Insurance policies can be very complex. You want to know that you have the appropriate coverage. According to a post from the Insurance Information Institute, homeowners insurance covers water damage that results from rainfall or accidental leaks from pipes and appliances. Most insurance policies reject claims when the cause of the damage is neglected. For example, if mold grows in your hardwood floors because you’ve neglected to fix your leaking fridge, your claim may be dismissed. A common misconception is that homeowner’s insurance covers flooding. However, water damage that comes from flooding requires its own type of insurance.

Flood Insurance

Flood insurance can be a savior for anyone living in an area that is susceptible to flooding. However, people who are at little to no risk can still be affected by flooding. According to the National Flood Insurance Program, 20 percent of flooding occurs in areas that have low to moderate risk. When hardwood floors are subject to flooding, it’s very likely that you’ll have to replace them. Homeowners are often surprised when they find out that homeowners insurance doesn’t often cover flooding from natural causes. Having the right insurance will ultimately ease the headache of paying for your floors when they need to be replaced.

What Insurance Will Cover Water Damage to Hardwood Floors?

Having insurance that covers water damage to your hardwood floors is an essential resource for homeowners. When excessive water damage is unresolved, it becomes an everlasting problem. Your best bet as a homeowner is to have coverage for damage caused naturally and accidentally. My Affordable Flooring specializes in hardwood, tiles, laminates and more flooring options to explore. Contact our team today for more information.

Choosing the Right Wood Species for Your Hardwood Floors

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There are many different species of wood to choose from for your hardwood floors. There are also many different flooring alternatives that can mimic hardwood floors. But with so many different species of wood, how can you know which will work best for you?

To help you choose, here are some different species of hardwood floors, their benefits, and how they fare on the Janka scale.

Popular Woods for Hardwood Floors

Red Oak

Red oak is the most commonly used species of wood that homeowners choose, and for good reason. It is hard yet relatively inexpensive.

The Janka Scale, a scale that measures the hardness of wood, rates oak at 1290. Considered a harder species, red oak is more durable than other hardwoods that rank high on the Janka Scale. And yet, according to Home Advisor, the national average cost of oak floors per square foot is only $2 to $6. This is the least expensive compared to walnut, which costs $8 to $16 per square foot according to Floor Critics.

Walnut

Walnut is also a very popular choice for homeowners looking to install wood floors. A very soft material for hardwood floors, walnut ranks at 1010 on the Janka Scale. And although walnut has a low rating, it is still a popular flooring species. In fact, according to a blog from CT Floor Supply, walnut floors are easy to clean, and they are resistant to chips and stains. Walnut also works well for custom flooring.

Hickory

Hickory has a very slick and elegant look that will surely impress anyone that walks through your house. Because hickory is a very hard wood that ranks 1820 on the Janka Scale, it’s an ideal choice for those in need of tough floors. However, for those looking to do a custom installation, hickory may not be the best choice. That’s because, according to a blog post from Home Reference, hickory can be a difficult material to cut and sand.

For those with children or pets, having a softer species may be the best bet.

Mahogany

Mahogany is the softest species in this list, scoring 800 on the Janka Scale. It is, however, still an extremely durable and stable species that offers longevity. Plus, it is known for its resistance to water damage and wood termites.

Having a strong, durable floor is good in cases where a lot of people may be moving throughout the house, or if you live in a temperate climate.

Narrowing Down Your Choices

Choosing the right species of wood for your hardwood floor ultimately comes down to preference. There are, however, technical and stylistic factors that still come into consideration. For example, you may want a softer type of wood for durability or a harder species that can hold up to foot traffic in your home.

If you live in the Milwaukee, Racine, or Chicago areas and are considering hardwood floors, call My Affordable Flooring for a free quote. Or learn more about our custom hardwood flooring services here.

Cupping, Crowning and Buckling: How They Affect Hardwood Floors

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There are many different types of hardwoods with their own individual strengths. Whether one is more durable or decorative, your floors are always susceptible to conditions such as cupping, crowning, and buckling.

Whether it’s the humidity in your home or water seeping into the hardwood, it’s important to know the common signs of water damage. Here are three signs of water damage to look for on your hardwood floors.

1. Cupping

Cupping occurs when moisture gets trapped inside of hardwood floors. This trapped moisture causes the floorboards to sink in the middle, making the edges rise up. According to a post from Wagner Meters, cupping can occur from leaking water or humidity changes in your home.

Finding the source of water early on will negate the chance of having to invest in new hardwood floors.

2. Crowning

Crowning is the opposite of cupping and causes your hardwood floors to arch up, giving them a bumpy feel and appearance.

The first step in fixing crowned floors is finding the source of moisture. A video from Build Direct points out that you shouldn’t install hardwood floors in a room that contains a lot of moisture. Before installing your hardwood floors you should make sure your subfloor is dry to avoid trapping moisture. Most importantly, having a professional inspect your floors will narrow down the problem and offer the best solution.

Moisture can make your floorboards separate and absorb more water, which we discuss next.

3. Buckling

Buckling is a product of water damage that causes your hardwood to drift apart and lift up from the subfloor. According to Hunker, buckling is usually the product of water damage and high humidity. However, it can happen when the hardwood isn’t properly acclimated to the room it’s in.

There are a few things you can do to resolve buckling floors. The main thing you need to do is locate the source of water that’s seeping into the floorboards. Look for appliances such as dishwashers or pipes under the sink. If water is in the subfloor, removing the excess water will resolve the problem and bring the boards back together over time. If all else fails, call on a professional to rule out any other possibilities.

Tips for Preventing Water Damage to Your Hardwood Floors

Keeping a close eye on your hardwood floors should be standard procedure for homeowners. While the hustle and bustle of work and children may occupy your attention, it’s important to keep an eye out for problems with your hardwood flooring. Catching sources of water early on can prevent defects to hardwood floors.

Remember: You can reduce water damage to hardwood by immediately cleaning up excess water and drying out floors with a dehumidifier. For long-term prevention, you can have your home inspected for leaks in pipes or your roof.

Next Steps for Fixing the Damage to Your Hardwood Floors

It’s hard to keep an eye on every aspect of your house but water damage to hardwood floors can cause a headache. Water damage to hardwood floors can be easy to catch but may have lasting effects on the wood if not found in time.

It’s important to know a good flooring company that specializes in hardwood floors, as they can better assist your flooring needs. Trust My Affordable Flooring for hardwood floor repair in the Greater Milwaukee area. Call us today for a free quote.

Signs Your Home’s Hardwood Floors Need Replacing

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Hardwood floors are tough, but they aren’t invincible. Wisconsin’s harsh weather conditions can cause damage to your floors that may call for replacing. And the high cost of installing hardwood floors can put a damper on improving your home.

From water damage to discoloration, here are the signs that call for getting your hardwood floors replaced.

Common Signs of Damage

Long-time Wear and Tear

We’ve all walked through the house with our dirty shoes and boots on before, probably thinking nothing of it. The problem is, those walks may have caused damage to the floor.

Shoes and boots can cause physical damage that ruins the appearance of your hardwood floor. Moving furniture also causes scratches and scuffs, and it can put holes in your floor that ruin the integrity of your floor. The common solution for small scratches is sanding and refinishing, however, scratches that are deeper than 1/8″ call for a replacement. Small holes can be fixed with a filler, but large holes call for replacing your floorboard.

Learn more by reading Hardwood Scratch Repair: A Guide for Homeowners.

Water Damage

Leaking water in your home is never a good sign. My Home Advisor lists broken/leaking pipes and groundwater as the two most common causes of water damage to your hardwood floors. When your hardwood floor absorbs water, it can cause a number of problems. If your floors are discolored or appear wet, there’s a good chance that water’s seeping into your floor. The solution for water damaged floors are to either refinish or replace, but you should call on a professional to get the job done right!

Learn more about our Milwaukee area floor repair services here.

Seasonal Damage

Wisconsin’s fluctuating climate may have you turning the heat up one day and opening your windows the next. Unfortunately, sporadic temperature changes can affect your hardwood floors. According to a blog post by Wagner Meters, high humidity levels can cause hardwood floors to absorb more moisture. The moisture trapped causes gaps in the flooring.

When you look at your floors, look for gaps. Large gaps in your flooring may mean it’s time for a repair.

Cupping

Another side effect of water absorption in hardwood floors is cupping. Cupping happens when the middle of the floorboards sink in, causing the edges to rise up. According to Wagner Meters, this can happen due to an imbalance of humidity or when your floor absorbs an excessive amount of moisture.

Remember that cupping isn’t always bad, however. Floorboards naturally warp due to changes in humidity, and the boards can regain normal shape once humidity levels return to normal.

Repair or Replace: What Should I Do?

Scratches, holes, and wet floors are signs of damage that ruin the appearance and stability of your floor. While something as small as a scratch can be a quick fix, it’s important to consult a professional.

For consultation on all your flooring needs, turn to My Affordable Flooring. You can trust us to restore your floors for a reasonable price. Contact us today for a free quote!

Contact Us

Contact Information

Address
1510 S Sylvania Ave
Sturtevant, WI 53177
262.653.1120

When it comes to beautiful and ornate hardwood floors in Wisconsin, there is only one answer — My Affordable Flooring. For more than 20 years now founder of My Affordable Flooring has been personally installing and refinishing some of the Milwaukee areas most beautiful wood floors. Providing wood floor refinishing services that are some of the best quality in the nation.