Thursday 8 September 2016

Why choose engineered wood flooring over real wood?

When it comes to flooring, very little beats the look of real wood.  A solid wood floor is what most would consider to be the ideal but in fact engineered wood flooring can be more practical, less costly and still give you the effect you want. The finish achieved is high end and luxurious, but the flooring is more functional and lower maintenance.



Here are 10 facts that may make you change your mind about going for real wood and choose engineered wood instead:
  1. High quality flooring

Engineered wood is constructed in layers with the top layer of veneer, known as the wear layer, giving the flooring its look. This layer of veneer needs to withstand lots of traffic from people coming and going, pets, marks and dirt.  The thickness of the wear layer denotes its durability – the thicker, the tougher – and this top layer can range from 1mm to 5mm thick.
  1. Looks just like a real wood floor

Engineered wood flooring has come a long way since it first became widely available and these days it’s almost impossible to tell the difference between engineered and solid wood flooring.
  1. A wide variety to choose from

The wear layer can be made from any sort of wood like oak, walnut, beech or maple so it comes in lots of colours and styles and the designs available are very wide and varied.  There is a choice of plank detailing like single plank, 2 strip and 3 strip plank.  Then there are different finishes available; satin, matt and oiled. Many floors are also offered with design-led treatments, including coloured stains, bevelled edges and tactile treatments, like hand scraping and brushing.  With so much choice available you really can find the perfect floor for you.
  1. Sustainable flooring

Engineered constructions only use hardwood in the top layer.  Fast growing wood, like spruce, poplar and pine, is then used below the floor’s joint, for the core and base layers.  So, nature’s resources are used more sensibly.  Look out for floors which are made from sustainable hardwood.
  1. Hard-wearing flooring

Engineered wood is constructed in such a way that it is very tough and actually more stable than real wood.  It can withstand the footfall of a busy family home and feels solid underfoot. However, there still needs to be caution around humid areas and wet rooms as moisture can still penetrate the layers.  Although engineered wood can be used in bathrooms and kitchens, always check with manufacturer’s advice before installing in these areas.
  1. You get what you pay for

Engineered wood comes with a long warranty and is seen as an investment.  Of course you will pay more than for laminate flooring, but your engineered wood floor will give you 12 to 30 guaranteed years of wear.
  1. Time for a change?

Engineered wood floors can be re-sanded and refinished if necessary. Perfect if you find the floor has got scratched over the years, or you tire of the colour. Most floors won’t need refurbishing for decades but, if you want to, you can sand a quality engineered construction several times – just like solid wood.  However, always check your manufacturer’s warranty beforehand.
  1. Low maintenance flooring

Engineered wood is easier to look after than a real wood floor that needs lots of care with specialist chemicals and products. Just a quick clean with a microfibre or well-wrung mop coupled with the occasional waxing, and your floor will look as good as new.
Floors with oiled finishes will also benefit from the odd ‘top-up’.  Look out replenishing oil treatments that can be mopped onto the surface.
  1. Easy Installation

The 5G locking system of engineered wood flooring means it is very simple to install.  The flooring clicks together, much like laminate flooring, creating one solid floor – or floating floor.  This gives the wood room to naturally expand and contract, eradicating the risk of buckling and keeping it looking lovely.
  1. The healthy option!

As wood is completely natural, it won’t emit any harmful toxins.  Its smooth surface also doesn’t harbour dust or allergens, making it the healthiest choice for your family.

Check out our extensive range of engineered wood flooring and bring a touch of the luxurious into your home.


Leaders Floors [About Us]
At Leaders Floors, we deliver top quality and customized solutions for Interior and Exterior Flooring Concepts. We have a wide range of products and designs to choose from, manufactured using best technology in the world. We have developed unique abilities with vast product knowledge and trade experience of offering right service and value for money to our clients.


Customer Care: 98710.71222
Email: info@leadersgroup.co.in
Website: woodenflooring.leadersgroup.co.in

Friday 10 June 2016

Why Homeowners Love Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Why Homeowners Love Engineered Hardwood Flooring


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Engineered wood flooring continues to increase in popularity — and with good reason.

Do you love the look of wood floors, but aren’t sure about the expense, installation time and upkeep? Then engineered wood floors are a terrific alternative. As a matter of fact, about 40 percent of all prefinished hardwood flooring sold in the U.S. is actually engineered wood flooring.


What is an engineered hardwood floor?

Invented in the 1960s, engineered wood floors are made from real wood, just like solid hardwood. The difference is what lies beneath the surface. Instead of one solid plank, manufacturers glue together thin wood layers under high pressure to create these boards.

This multi-layer construction allows for a more dimensionally stable plank that flooring contractors can install below, on or above grade. This means it’s typically less susceptible to the effects of moisture and humidity.

Another reason home remodelers love it so much is that, unlike solid hardwood, engineered hardwood can also go directly over certain types of old flooring. This saves on demolition costs, mess, dust and job duration.

Engineered flooring styles to match your home

Engineered wood is available in wide, medium and narrow plank widths. Manufacturers construct the flooring from a variety of wood species, including oak, maple, hickory, walnut — and even mango!
Today, manufacturers have perfected the art of styling the veneer to mimic timeworn looks and finishes that recall the way wood used to be milled and finished by hand. Multidimensional staining, hand-scraping, chatter marks and wire brush are just a few effects that continue to attract designers and architects.

Lower costs, less time wasted

With solid hardwood, contractors install the site-finished flooring in stages. It takes one day to lay the floor, another to apply the first coat of stain or finish and usually another coat the next day. That adds up to several days of labor and inconvenience, as you can’t walk across your new floor until the finish dries. Also, the uniformity and appearance of the urethane application depends largely on the finisher's skill level.

Engineered hardwood floors typically come ready to install out of the box, so the floor is ready for you to walk on as soon as it is installed. Unlike solid wood flooring, you can often install engineered wood right over an existing floor or concrete slab. So the material is generally less expensive than solid hardwood, which costs much more to harvest and produce, and installation costs significantly less.


Engineered wood floors are easy to maintain

These are low-maintenance products. Use a broom, the soft flooring attachment of a vacuum cleaner or a microfiber dust mop to pick up dust, dirt and debris regularly.

Don’t apply soap and water. A light, damp mop and mild floor cleaner are usually all you need to keep your floors looking beautiful.

But be sure to always follow the manufacturer’s care and maintenance guidelines first. This way you won’t risk accidentally voiding your warranty while trying to clean your engineered hardwood floors.


Can you sand and refinish engineered hardwood?

One appealing feature of traditional hardwood is the ability to refinish it to look like new again. What some people are surprised to learn is that flooring contractors can sand and refinish many engineered wood flooring products just like their solid counterparts.

Always check with your flooring store or the manufacturer’s website, though, because not all engineered hardwood flooring allow for sanding and refinishing. If the floor has a wear layer of less than 2 millimeters, often a light scuff sanding with a buffer will bring a fresh look to the floors.
With a thicker top layer, you may be able to sand and refinish just as you would a solid wood floor. Say goodbye to dents and scratches as you restore the floor to its original glory.
Some engineered hardwood flooring products with a 3-millimeter or more top layer can actually handle up to two rounds of sanding in their lifetime. But again, always consult the manufacturer to ensure best results and avoid unnecessary errors.

Be even more cautious with stylized flooring that features hand-scraping, authentic knots, wormholes, saw marks and chatter marks or other design elements. Whether it is solid or engineered, hardwood flooring can lose some or all of these effects during the sanding process. The good news is new chemical maintenance agents are on the market to refresh floor finishes to help preserve those characteristics.

Talk to a flooring professional

If you have questions about sanding an existing floor or installing a new one, it’s always best to contact a flooring specialist first.

Leaders Floors [About Us]
At Leaders Floors, we deliver top quality and customized solutions for Interior and Exterior Flooring Concepts. We have a wide range of products and designs to choose from, manufactured using best technology in the world. We have developed unique abilities with vast product knowledge and trade experience of offering right service and value for money to our clients.


Customer Care: 98710.71222
Email: info@leadersgroup.co.in
Website: woodenflooring.leadersgroup.co.in

Wednesday 13 April 2016

Wooden Laminate Floor's Durability Explained




How is a Wooden Laminate Floor's Durability Rated?

A testament to the durability of a laminate floor is the Abrasion Class it is certified under. The Abrasion Class is more commonly referred to in the laminate flooring marketplace as the AC Rating. The AC Rating system was first created by the Association of European Producers of Laminate Flooring (ELPF) but ultimately became the standard rating system for laminate flooring products worldwide. The AC Rating is a good gauge as to how well a laminate flooring product will perform in your residential or commercial setting, so it's a good idea when you're browsing through laminate floor options to know what the AC Rating for each is.



What are different types of AC Rating? 

Laminate flooring will receive an AC Rating based on their performance under a multitude of key stress points: staining, impact, heat, moisture, scratches and scuffs. How well a particular laminate floor performs under each test will determine its ultimate AC Rating. If a laminate floor should fail any of these durability tests, it automatically becomes uncertifiable and is then labeled as "unrated." If a laminate flooring product you're looking at is listed as being "unrated," it's safe to say that this particular floor isn't going to hold up well in any situation.

The AC rating levels are designated AC1 through AC5. Here’s what they mean:
  • AC1: Moderate Residential
    Suitable for moderate residential use, including bedrooms and closets.
  • AC2: General Residential
    Suitable for normal residential applications like living and dining rooms.
  • AC3: Heavy Residential & Moderate Commercial
    Suitable for all residential applications, plus light commercial use, including hotel rooms and small offices.
  • AC4: General Commercial
    Suitable for all residential plus general commercial applications, including offices, boutiques and cafes.
  • AC5: Heavy Commercial
    Suitable for all residential applications plus heavy commercial applications, such as public buildings, department stores, etc.
Laminate Flooring AC Rating
Not all laminate flooring manufacturers go by these ratings, but most of the best ones do use the AC ratings.

Leaders Floors [About Us]
At Leaders Floors, we deliver top quality and customized solutions for Interior and Exterior Flooring Concepts. We have a wide range of products and designs to choose from, manufactured using best technology in the world. We have developed unique abilities with vast product knowledge and trade experience of offering right service and value for money to our clients.


Customer Care: 98710.71222
Email: info@leadersgroup.co.in
Website: woodenflooring.leadersgroup.co.in

Friday 9 October 2015

Wooden Flooring: Textures, Floor Styles and Finishes

HAND SCRAPED

Hand scraped is a particular design style that makes wood look aged. The individual planks are made to look like they were carved by hand. This makes them wavy on the top rather than being perfectly smooth. Hand scraped material do not have a wax finish. This makes them easy to clean and maintain. Any wear and tear that the wood may suffer is lost in the texture, making the floor planks' visual appeal last longer. Hand scraped textures are available in both solid and engineered hardwood and can be simulated on laminate and vinyl planks as well.





DISTRESSED

Distressed is similar to hand scraped finishes in that the purpose is to make the wood look aged. However, distressed wood goes through a process that bends the wood to create cracks and lines down the plank while maintaining the boards structural integrity. This keeps the surface of the plank smooth while still having the textured appearance. While it started in hardwood, distressed looks are used primarily in laminate floors.






FRENCH BLEED

French bleed floors have darkened edges that emphasize the bevel outlining each wood plank to create and old and aged look to the wood. This gives the floor an appearance of age and thickness. This style is found in both laminate and hardwood floors.









EMBOSSED IN REGISTER

Embossed in register is a feature in laminate flooring where a surface has different heights following the pattern and wood grains of the image. This means that darker areas may be set deeper into the plank, for instance. This creates a stronger look to the wood texture and feels bumpy to touch.








EMBOSSED

An embossed finish is almost same is embossed in registration but the raised wood does not follow the image pattern. This also has a bumpy feel and strong texture.









HIGH GLOSS

High gloss finishes have a slick, smooth, and shiny surface, similar to look on a piano's surface. Laminates with a glossy finish are created to have the same look as pre-finished wood. These floors need very little maintenance, just an occasional sweep with a dust mop or broom, but the finish can begin to chip under frequent stress.






MATTE

Matte is the standard finish for most floors. They have a semi-shiny appearance and look like real wood. This finish is used in laminates and is the look of most vinyl plank surfaces.











Leaders Floors [About Us]
At Leaders Floors, we deliver top quality and customized solutions for Interior and Exterior Flooring Concepts. We have a wide range of products and designs to choose from, manufactured using best technology in the world. We have developed unique abilities with vast product knowledge and trade experience of offering right service and value for money to our clients.

Customer Care: 98710.71222
Email: info@leadersgroup.co.in
Website: woodenflooring.leadersgroup.co.in

Monday 5 October 2015

Wooden Flooring: Everything you need to know and more...

It's not just the walls that lend a first impression on interiors of a house or office, elegant flooring also makes a world of difference to the interior environment. Among the various flooring options available in market today wooden flooring is fast climbing the popularity ladder. Wooden flooring not only provides your room a distinct look but also a hygienic environment. It does not harbor dust mites or moulds, thus creating better air quality for home inhabitants.

Types of wooden floors 

Wooden flooring is a lifetime investment so the type you choose for your home or office should be selected with due care. There is not much of a variance in quality among the available products today except the difference in patterns. Basically there are three types of wooden flooring patterns, technically known as plain, parquet, plank and strip. These patterns could be simply described as plain, stripes and chequered pattern on wood. Rahul Bhagat of Leaders Floors explains, "Notion brand offers four types of wooden flooring namely, 1 Strip, 3 Strip, Multi Strip and Fine Line (brand names for patterns). The main difference in these four products is that of pattern."

Apart from pattern, colors differentiate type of wooden floors. Wooden floors are available in different wood (brown) shades. Darker shades are selected for high traffic areas to conceal the dust and other stains while lighter shades are preferred for making the room space look bigger.

Price and guarantee 

Wood floors add value to your room but it comes with a price tag. Price of wood floor ranges from Rs. 100 to Rs. 250 per square foot including fitting charges compared to Rs. 75 per square foot for normal tiles.

This means that if you're planning to get wooden flooring then it would cost you somewhere between Rs. 1,00,000 to Rs. 2,50,000 (per 1000 sq. ft.house). Although wood flooring is very popular, few people prefer to get their entire house covered by it. Mainly wooden flooring is done in bedrooms and living room for aesthetic appeal. Moreover it is even costlier than good quality tiles and marble. Expensive it may be, but the wooden flooring comes with guarantees unlike some other flooring products, from 15 years, 30 years and lifetime warranties.

Maintenance 

Maintenance of any product is equally important as its purchase. Caring for wooden floors is a little more than simple sweeping, mopping and vacuuming. Unlike other flooring, wooden floors in bedroom demands more precaution. Like mopping is the last thing which should be done on the wooden floor. Performing routine maintenance as recommended by manufacturer; which includes sweeping and vacuuming to remove dirt and grit, always increases life of the wood. Using wax or polish could harm the wood. However not following the instructions of the manufacturer could even void the guarantee. To increase the life of wood, cleaning should be done on regular basis in the area with more usage.

Where can wooden floors be installed? 

With the variety of patterns and colours available, wooden flooring can be installed in any room of an office or house, except the bathroom. Apart from homes and offices wooden floors are becoming popular even in hotels, restaurants and showrooms.

Some places are more appealing than others, whether it is a house, office, restaurant or a showroom. Flooring makes an evident difference in uplifting the aesthetics of your decor.



Leaders Floors [About Us]
At Leaders Floors, we deliver top quality and customized solutions for Interior and Exterior Flooring Concepts. We have a wide range of products and designs to choose from, manufactured using best technology in the world. We have developed unique abilities with vast product knowledge and trade experience of offering right service and value for money to our clients.

Customer Care: 98710.71222
Email: info@leadersgroup.co.in
Website: woodenflooring.leadersgroup.co.in

Wooden Flooring: Engineered Hardwood vs Laminate Flooring

When you want the look of natural hardwood flooring in your home, you can choose between engineered hardwood and remarkably realistic-looking wood laminate. Both engineered hardwood and laminate make long-lasting and beautiful floors, with laminate looking exactly like the wood species from which it takes inspiration. Both hold up well in active households, including those with kids and pets. Both are easy to clean with just regular sweeping and damp mopping.

Likewise, there are a few differences. Laminate can go anywhere in the house while engineered hardwood is not recommended for frequently damp areas like bathrooms and basements. In cost considerations, engineered hardwood boards do cost more than laminate, yet that distinction deserves a closer look.

Here are the facts concerning the cost of engineered hardwood vs. laminate that may make your buying decision a little easier.

Is hardwood more expensive than laminate?

This question can be answered by looking at three factors: cost, floor life and resale value.

COST
The cost of quality engineered hardwood ranges from Rs.350 – Rs.650 per sq. ft., uninstalled. Installation costs depend on local rates of engineered hardwood flooring installers. For rough estimating, however, figure the cost to be Rs.15 per sq. ft., slightly less than the cost of the laminate.

The quality Laminate flooring costs range from Rs.100 – Rs.235 per sq. ft., uninstalled, with the higher cost reflecting better quality, more realistic-looking designs. The cost to install laminate depends on local area labor rates, is typically Rs.10 per sq. ft.

*These estimates are generalizations for the sake of comparison and don’t include associated costs such as the removal of an existing floor, product delivery, skirting and moldings.

FLOOR LIFE
How long a floor will last depends on wear, tear and maintenance. Under ideal conditions, laminate floors typically last 20 – 30 years while engineered hardwood floors can easily last a lifetime. The significant difference in life cycles is explained by the fact that laminate floors cannot be refinished when they get damaged or show signs of wear. Engineered hardwood floors, on the other hand, can be rejuvenated with sanding and refinishing, not only once but 2 – 4 times during the floor’s life.

RESALE VALUE
An engineered hardwood floor is considered an investment because it often dictates higher resale value when it comes time to sell your home. Prospective buyers will recognize the level of quality you chose. Laminate, on the other hand, may look like genuine hardwood, but it doesn’t have the same market appeal.

VERDICT
So, what’s the best choice when comparing the cost of engineered hardwood vs. laminate? After considering the total cost, floor life and resale value factors, engineered hardwood flooring is an excellent value.



Leaders Floors [About Us]
At Leaders Floors, we deliver top quality and customized solutions for Interior and Exterior Flooring Concepts. We have a wide range of products and designs to choose from, manufactured using best technology in the world. We have developed unique abilities with vast product knowledge and trade experience of offering right service and value for money to our clients.

Customer Care: 98710.71222
Email: info@leadersgroup.co.in
Website: woodenflooring.leadersgroup.co.in

Wooden Flooring: History of Flooring From across the World

Earthen Floor [since the beginning of time]
Hard-packed dirt, topped with thin layer of straw for warmth and comfort. In medieval times, almost all peasants housing had earthen floors. It was predominant in most houses until the mid-14th century in Europe.

Earthen floors have been developed and are now used as a part of a 'green building' movement. Linseed oil is used to seal the floor and protect it from wear and tear.

Where can you find it now...?
The Roman Amphitheater, London


Stone Floor [since the beginning of time]
Formed deep beneath the surface under intense heat and pressure. This heat and pressure created massive blocks of natural stones like marble, granite, limestone, slate and travertine used then and now as flooring.

Enormous blocks of limestone and granite were used to construct Step Pyramids in Egypt, the oldest remaining structures created entirely out of natural stones..

Where can you find it now...?
The Great Pyramid, Giza


Concrete Floor [created 5600 BC]
A mixture of broken stone or gravel, sand, cement and water, which can be spread and poured into molds and forms a stone like mass on hardening.

The ancient Romans used a material that is remarkably close to modern cement to build many of their architectural marvels, such as Colosseum, Rome.

Where can you find it now...?
The Roman Pantheon, Rome


Carpet Floor [created 5000 BC]
A floor covering made of thick woven fabric. Carpets were primarily used to decorate walls or tables until Persian rugs became popular in Europe in the early 17th century.

A few hundred years later, the United States carpet industry came into being when William Sprague started the first woven carpet mill in Pennsylvania in 1971.

Where can you find it now...?
The Pazyryk Carpet


Ceramic Tiles [created 4000 BC]
A tile made from clay that has been permanently hardened by heat, often having a decorative glaze. The Romans introduced tile-making in Western Europe as they occupied territories. However, the art was eventually forgotten in Europe for centuries until the 12th century when Cistercian monks developed a method of making encaustic floor tiles with inlaid patterns for cathedral and church floors.

Tiles were not made again in Europe until almost the mid-19th century.

Where can you find it now...?
The Vatican, Rome


Hardwood Floor [created 1600 AD]
The wood from a broadleaved tree (such as oak, ash or beech) as distinguished from that of conifers. Hardwood got its start as unfinished planks supported by wooden joists over dirt or stone but developed style and elegance during the Baroque Era (1625-1714).

European parquet floors began to appear in the wealthiest American homes late in the Victorian era (1840-1910) when factories began mass-producing wood floors. The advent of tongue and groove construction in the Edwardian Era (1901-1914) allowed planks to be levelled before installation for a more polished, uniform look, and the look we are still familiar with today began to take shape.

Where can you find it now...?
The Winter Palace, Saint Petersburg


Linoleum/Vinyl Floor [created 1855 AD]
A material consisting of a canvas backing thickly coated with a preparation of linseed oil and powdered cork, used especially as a floor covering.

Linoleum or vinyl flooring had its heyday before World War II but is steadily mounting a comeback. Linoleum was invented by English Fredrick Walton. In 1855, Walton happened to notice the rubbery, flexible skin of solidified linseed oil (linoxyn) that had formed on a can of oil-based paint.

Where can you find it now...?
The Armstrong Pattern Book


Engineered Hardwood Floor [created 1960 AD]
A layered combination that combines a hardwood veneer and plywood substrates.

Engineered hardwood flooring started as 'wood carpeting' in 1903, involving wood strips glued onto heavy canvas. The flooring we now know began in 1960s, and was quickly considered more versatile than solid wood flooring.

Where can you find it now...?
Found in typical family homes


Laminate Flooring [created 1970 AD]
A Multi-layer synthetic flooring product fused together with a lamination process. Laminate flooring simulates wood (or sometimes stone) with a photographic applique layer under clear protective layer. The inner core layer is usually composed of melamine resin and fiber board materials.

Laminate flooring was invented in 1977 by the Swedish company Perstorp.

Where can you find it now...?
Found in budget conscious homes


Leaders Floors [About Us]
At Leaders Floors, we deliver top quality and customized solutions for Interior and Exterior Flooring Concepts. We have a wide range of products and designs to choose from, manufactured using best technology in the world. We have developed unique abilities with vast product knowledge and trade experience of offering right service and value for money to our clients.

Customer Care: 98710.71222
Email: info@leadersgroup.co.in
Website: woodenflooring.leadersgroup.co.in