Articles

• Benefits of Solid Wood Floors

  Benefits of Wood Floors

  No other flooring offers the warmth, beauty, and value of wood. Wood flooring enhances the décor of any room, and provides timeless beauty that will increase in value throughout the years. In fact, in a national survey of real estate agents, 90 percent said that houses with wood flooring sell faster and for higher prices than houses without wood floors. That’s money in your pocket!

  Ease of Maintenance

  Maintenance of today’s wood floors is easy! New technology in stains and finishes call for regular cleaning that takes little more than sweeping and/or vacuuming, with occasional use of a professional wood floor cleaning product. You will want to use a cleaning product recommended by your flooring manufacturer, installer, or other wood flooring professional. This will ensure that you use the proper cleaner for your type of flooring and finish.

  For more maintenance tips, check out the NWFA’s Wood Floor Maintenance section.

  Ecological

  Wood floors are ecologically friendly. Since it is a natural resource, wood is both renewable and recyclable. Many of yesteryear’s old wood ships , warehouses, barns, and other structures often find a second life in wood flooring. And, because wood does not collect dust and other allergens, many leading health associations agree that wood floors are the perfect choice for a healthy home.

  Affordable

  Today’s wood floors are affordable. Over time, wood floors maintain their value. When other flooring options are looking tired and worn out, wood floors will still look beautiful and timeless.

  Variety

  Wood floors have come a long way in the past few years. Today, there are more styles, colors and species of wood flooring available than ever before. Whether you’re looking for traditional Oak, rustic Pine, exotic Wenge or trendy Bamboo, you’re sure to find a color and style to fit your décor.
  
  
  Courtesy from National Wood Flooring Association.

• Outdoor Deckings Used in Singapore

  Outdoor Timber Decking used in Singapore.
  
  Currently, the 2 most common species used in Singapore are Yellow Balau and Chengai outdoor decks.
  
  The most common size used is 20mm x 70mm /90mm / 120mm x random length (usually 6 feet and up). 
  
  However, in the market there are users that uses the followings as alternatives to the above common species.
  
  In Australia, outdoor deckings used are Jarrah and Merbau.
  Jarrah being the more expensive species is used widely in Australia as outdoor timber flooring.
  The hardness of Jarrah is better compared to Merbau.
  
  Compare to Jarrah, Merbau is used because of its durability and its price is lower than Jarrah.
  
  In Europe and US, Ipe and teak are used as outdoor decks.
  Notably, teak deckings is the most expensive among all the decks as it is mainly used in Marine.
  
  Teak deckings are seawater proof and weather proof and has beautiful grains.
  Hence, price wise, it is not common to see teak decks used for common outdoor decks.
  
  
  Hence, to summarise, we can use the following common species can be used in Singapore.
  They are Yellow Balau, Chengai, Merbau, Ipe, Jarrah, Teak and Ironwood.
  
  Above information only acts as a guide and does not means that you are not allowed to use other species as wood decks.
  
  Wood deckings must be a hardwood species and must be durable against tough weather like rain and sunshine.
  
  
  Written by Simon Oei.
  Member of Singapore Timber Association.

• Wood Floor Surface Finishes

  Wood Floor Finishes 

  Surfaces Finishes

  Lasting beauty requires minimal care with today's wood floor finishes. These finishes are usually urethanes and remain on the surface of the wood and form a protective coating. Surfaces finishes are popular today because they are durable, water-resistant and require minimal maintenance. Various gloss levels are available.

  Types of Surface Finishes

  Oil-modified urethane is easy to apply. It is a solvent-base polyurethane that dries in about eight hours. This type of finish ambers.

  Moisture-cured urethane is solvent-base polyurethane that is more durable and more moisture resistant than other surface finishes. Moisture-cure urethane comes in non-yellowing and in ambering types and is generally available in satin or gloss. These finishes are extremely difficult to apply, have a strong odor and are best left to the professional.

  Conversion varnish dries clear to slight amber and is durable. These finishes have an extremely strong odor and should be applied by the highly skilled flooring professional.

  Water-based urethane finishes are clear and non-yellowing. They have a milder odor and dry in about two to three hours.

  Penetrating Stain and Wax - This finish soaks into the pores of the wood and hardens to form a protective penetrating seal. The wax gives a low-gloss satin sheen. It is generally maintained with solvent-based (never water-based) waxes, buffing pastes or cleaning liquids (specifically made for wax-finished wood floors and an additional thin application of wax as needed.
  
  
  Courtesy from the National Wood Flooring Association.