Ask Terry | Heritage Hardwood Floors

Why should I use shoe moulding?

By: Heritage In: Installation No Comment

One of Heritage Hardwood Floors’ trim carpenters installs shoe moulding on existing baseboards upon completion of new hardwood floors. Notice how he protects the new flooring just as we would do in our own homes.

Why should I use shoe moulding over the bottom edge of my baseboards?

Denise R. – St. Petersburg

That is a good question, Denise.

Variations in temperature and humidity cause wood to expand and contract. When we install hardwood flooring we always provide for this and leave a small gap between the edges of the flooring and baseboards to provide for such movement. Shoe moulding makes for a neat and easy-to-clean transition between the base and hardwood flooring, and provides a cover for that little gap and prevents dust and dirt from accumulating there. Oh, and it looks good too!

What product is best for cleaning hardwood floors?

By: Heritage In: Maintenance No Comment

Terry,

There are so many floor cleaning products that claim to be the best for maintaining hardwood floors that it is confusing. What do you use that you can recommend?

Ed J. – St. Petersburg, Fla.

Hello Ed,

Call me old fashioned if you will, but I use a dust mop or a vacuum without a beater bar first to remove dust and loose debris. Then I use a dry mop and a mixture of water and vinegar. Pour two ounces of vinegar in a 32-ounce-size spray bottle and fill it with water. Spray the mixture ahead of where you are working and mop over it with a dry mop.

Presto – simple, easy and inexpensive!

If you feel the need to purchase a commercial solution, Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner works well, but be sure it is their cleaner and not their polish. Never, ever use a polish or wax on your hardwood floors. Follow Bona’s instructions for use.

Can hardwood be installed over concrete?

By: Heritage In: Installation No Comment

Terry:

We purchased a home that was built in 1963 and it has concrete floors. Is it possible to have our wall-to-wall carpet removed and have wood floors installed?

Betty G.
Seminole, Fla.

Hello Betty,

Yes, it is possible. We have installed quite a few hardwood floors over concrete.

There are two real hardwood products that can be used, dependent on the condition of your concrete floors. Typically, we recommend engineered wood flooring. This type of flooring has a layer of almost any type of hardwood you desire bonded to a lower multi-ply base. Engineered hardwood flooring is available unfinished and sealed, stained and varnished in place; or it also comes prefinished in many stains and sheens.

If your concrete floors have a high moisture content or are very damaged, we would recommend first installing a vapor barrier and a plywood subflooring.

Call us for a no-cost consultation so we can check the condition of your concrete floors and review options for you.