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	<title>gr8-apartments.com &#187; Hardwood</title>
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		<title>hardwood mats products</title>
		<link>http://gr8-apartments.com/2009/10/hardwood-mats-products/</link>
		<comments>http://gr8-apartments.com/2009/10/hardwood-mats-products/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:29:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alif</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hardwood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mats]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Products]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gr8-apartments.com/?p=753</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Dixiemat.Com is the place where you can start ordering wood or timber online. You can imagine that the big stuff like wood and timber can be ordered through online and it is has more benefits compared to land based ordered. At least, you can do the process faster. This site is available with Mats product. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dixiemat.Com is the place where you can start ordering wood or timber online. You can imagine that the big stuff like wood and timber can be ordered through online and it is has more benefits compared to land based ordered. At least, you can do the process faster. This site is available with Mats product.</p>
<p>For example, they have <a href="http://dixiemat.com/" target="_blank">crane mats</a> product to support your construction activity such as building your house, bridge, or your company expanding. We all know that we have to use certain criteria to choose the best wood quality. We are not the expert and we need the expert to help us. There will be a long process in producing a good quality wood and ready to use. After passing through several processes, this site introduces one of their products called <a href="http://dixiemat.com/products.php" target="_blank">timber mats</a>. Timber mats is done from log timber and it becomes a good quality of timber. This is also the place where you can buy hardwood mats.</p>
<p>The characteristic of <a href="http://dixiemat.com/" target="_blank">hardwood mats</a> is stronger than other type of wood so it will be good for your construction project especially a building in an outdoor area such as in a mining area or mountainous area. They are also ready to install your construction project. It not only for land based project but it is also useful for marine project. If you don’t have any equipment to start the construction or installation project, this site can facilitate you with equipment rental for heavy machines. The process is helped by hundreds of employees. This service had been used by several big companies for certain purposes. In fact, it is much effective in time and cost. Overall, it is also supported by expert team who are had several experiences dealing with the condition and also how to treat the product. They are also ready with all situations by having multiple storages.</p>
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		<title>Bamboo Flooring &#8211; A Sensible, Environmentally Friendly Alternative To Hardwood</title>
		<link>http://gr8-apartments.com/2009/08/bamboo-flooring-a-sensible-environmentally-friendly-alternative-to-hardwood/</link>
		<comments>http://gr8-apartments.com/2009/08/bamboo-flooring-a-sensible-environmentally-friendly-alternative-to-hardwood/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:27:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alif</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Furniture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alternative]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bamboo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environmentally]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Flooring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Friendly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hardwood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sensible]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gr8-apartments.com/2009/08/bamboo-flooring-a-sensible-environmentally-friendly-alternative-to-hardwood/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There are many different flooring materials available today including one of the most beautiful and environmentally friendly, a bamboo floor. No, this isn&#8217;t taking round bamboo stalks and lashing them together to make a floor for your home. Bamboo flooring in one of the most durable and unique flooring materials you can get for your [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>There are many different flooring materials available today including one of the most beautiful and environmentally friendly, a bamboo floor.  No, this isn&#8217;t taking round bamboo stalks and lashing them together to make a floor for your home.  Bamboo flooring in one of the most durable and unique flooring materials you can get for your home today.</p>
<p>Many hardwood floors feature a nice grain and wood look that is very pretty especially in the various colors and patterns. Bamboo flooring however features a much more subtle graining pattern and because of the way it&#8217;s manufactured, features more of a pronounced ring like pattern.  So you have a grain that suggests a direction and every so often a uniquely bamboo ring pattern.  Bamboo can also be stained and finished just like regular hardwood flooring.</p>
<p>Bamboo is actually a grass like plant that grows quickly and is usually considered an aggressive plant.  That is, it tends to grow rapidly, overwhelming many of the other plant life in it&#8217;s immediate area.  This makes for a very sustainable resources as a full bamboo crop can be harvested in less than 7 years.  This is a much better alternative to hardwood trees that can take upwards of over 20 plus years to mature.</p>
<p>Bamboo, traditionally thought of as an Asian but specifically Chinese plant has found a new home in products for the west.  As bamboo has gained in popularity, many more people are protecting bamboo forest areas and are much more concerned about conservation.  The growth of bamboo use for furniture, blinds, many home decor products, and bamboo flooring has created a robust economic incentive to grow natural products instead of clear cutting to make way for farming.</p>
<p>Bamboo flooring is comparable to hardwood floors in durability, looks, and installation.  It has broad appeal and beauty that will not easily go out of style.  Due to the interest in bamboo flooring, you can now find it in commercial buildings, hotels, restaurants, offices and many high traffic areas.</p>
<p>Another great benefit of bamboo flooring is price.  Due to the rapid growth rate, the cost of fully stained and sealed bamboo floor material can be found for less than half the cost of planked hardwood.  Bamboo floor can be installed using any of the usual hardwood flooring installation methods.  These include a floating floor where the floor is simply glued together to form a single piece, straight gluing to the old floor material and a basic nailing method.</p>
<p>If you&#8217;re looking for a uniquely beautiful flooring material that will provide years of ambiance and warmth to your home, look no farther than a high quality bamboo floor.</p>
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		<title>Bamboo Flooring: A Hardwood Alternative</title>
		<link>http://gr8-apartments.com/2009/04/bamboo-flooring-a-hardwood-alternative/</link>
		<comments>http://gr8-apartments.com/2009/04/bamboo-flooring-a-hardwood-alternative/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2009 06:05:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alif</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Furniture]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alternative]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bamboo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Flooring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hardwood]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gr8-apartments.com/?p=183</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you are contemplating flooring for your new home or looking to increase the salability of your existing home, you may well have looked into hardwood floors. Few things can add pizzazz to a house like a fresh new hardwood floor after all. But if you are interested in hardwood and want something a little [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you are contemplating flooring for your new home or looking to increase the salability of your existing home, you may well have looked into hardwood floors. Few things can add pizzazz to a house like a fresh new hardwood floor after all. But if you are interested in hardwood and want something a little more unique, why not take a look at bamboo flooring?</p>
<p>Bamboo has been utilized by many cultures over millennia for a variety of purposes from food and wine to paper to textiles and building materials. In the past few years we have seen an increase in bamboo furniture, clothing, and kitchen items. Many new products take advantage of either the antibacterial properties of bamboo or its hard lightweight nature.</p>
<p>Because of the fast growing nature of bamboo, it is classed as a renewable resource. Bamboo grows to its full height in only one year, though it is not harvested until it is between two to seven years old because the characteristic hardness that we associate with bamboo comes from the mature stalks or culms.</p>
<p>There are a few different ways that the flooring is constructed; strand woven, engineered, and solid bamboo flooring. Strand woven flooring is made with the fibres of the bamboo which have been stripped from the stalks. The strands of fibre are boiled and woven together with adhesive and then pressed into sheets which are then cut into boards. The result of this process is a very durable product which has a very distinct pattern. The great durability of this product makes it a good choice for high traffic areas.</p>
<p>Engineered and solid bamboo floors are a lot like the hardwood versions of these styles. Engineered bamboo floors are comprised of sandwiched layers of bamboo, sometimes with a wood core; while solid bamboo flooring is made of pieces of steam flattened bamboo set side by side and glued into planks. All of the styles of bamboo flooring can come in natural tones, carbonized (darkened), or stained colours. There are a lot of options when looking at bamboo alternatives to hardwood.</p>
<p>It is important to note that when you are looking at any new products, particularly ones that claim to be green alternatives, to do your homework. While bamboo itself is a green product, many of the glues used by some of the producers of bamboo flooring are not and may contain formaldehyde. Keep in mind, the best additions to your new home are ones that have a minimal amount of impact on you in the way of volatile organic compounds being given off by your surroundings. Take a look at what brands of bamboo flooring are available to you; look for fair trade and FSC approved products and strive to keep your living space healthy.</p>
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		<title>Madera Floors. Fairfax, Va. Hardwood Floor Specialists. Installation, Sanding And Refinishing</title>
		<link>http://gr8-apartments.com/2009/02/madera-floors-fairfax-va-hardwood-floor-specialists-installation-sanding-and-refinishing/</link>
		<comments>http://gr8-apartments.com/2009/02/madera-floors-fairfax-va-hardwood-floor-specialists-installation-sanding-and-refinishing/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:30:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Alif</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Flooring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fairfax]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Floor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Floors.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hardwood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Installation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Madera]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Refinishing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sanding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Specialists.]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://gr8-apartments.com/?p=109</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Madera Floors provides professional quality wood flooring services including installation, sanding, refinishing, repairs, maintenance, and custom design. At Madera, we only use the highest quality materials/finishes and are always up to date on technological advancements in the wood floor industry. We target contractors, designers, corporate clients, and homeowners in the Northern VA, MD and D.C. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Madera Floors provides professional quality wood flooring services including installation, sanding, refinishing, repairs, maintenance, and custom design. At Madera, we only use the highest quality materials/finishes and are always up to date on technological advancements in the wood floor industry. We target contractors, designers, corporate clients, and homeowners in the Northern VA, MD and D.C. areas. Madera&#8217;s goal is to meet our client&#8217;s budget and timeline while exceeding expectations, thus resulting in repeat business.</p>
<p>Madera Floors specializes in custom finishing, installations and material sourcing for all of your hardwood flooring needs. As flooring contractors, we are always abreast of new techniques and materials in the industry, which allows us to grow while remaining environmentally friendly. As a certified CMP installer we can also perform self-leveling concrete installations. Every project represents our organization; hence our great strides to achieve perfection on each individual project.</p>
<p>Hardwood floors are an investment that will last for a long time with the proper installation and care. There are different modes of installation for engineered wood strips, solid wood strips, and parquet. With all modes of installation moisture testing is imperative to ensure proper installation. Installation can be a painstaking process but we take pride in leaving your home or business looking as beautiful as we found it. Our expert technicians have seen every situation and are proficient in the three different types of installation for hardwood flooring.<br />
<span id="more-109"></span>Nail Down/Staple Installation In this method we nail down or staple solid or engineered wood strips to the sub-flooring (usually either plywood or plank wood). The floor is done with random length strips. A few strips are placed down and arranged prior to fastening to ensure proper placement and tautness.Glue Down Installation In this method we glue down engineered wood strips or parquet directly to the sub-floor. In these cases the subfloor is usually concrete, so we pay extra attention to moisture.</p>
<p>With glue down installations, it is important to consider any kind of allergies and sensitivities to smell. We use an acrylic based glue which is more mild than some of the other options. Glue down installations can be walked on the next day and furniture can also be moved in.</p>
<p>Floating Installation In this method we glue together the tongue and groove of every plank and the floor floats over a foam cushioned padding. If the flooring has a locking system we can lock the pieces together without glue. This can be used with either laminate or engineered wood floor, but either way the flooring is pre-finished. Not all engineered surfaces can be floated. Floating installation can also be placed over sub-flooring of questionable quality unlike the other two modes. Also, floating floors are a great option if you have multiple layers of flooring and do not want to remove them all. With floating installation the wear layer is important to consider as the thicker the layer the more times it can be refinished. Generally, laminate flooring gives a hollow feeling underfoot with this mode of installation. Remember that floating floors expand and contract as a unit because the pieces are fused together. Allow for as much expansion area as possible.</p>
<p>Refinishing and sanding your hardwood floors is necessary to preserve their quality and beauty. Any refinishing is done solely to enhance the woods natural color and protect it from the elements. The best time to sand and refinish your hardwood floors is when you move into a new house or apartment as all of the furniture, rugs, etc. need to be removed from the area during the process. Proper refinishing should last about 10 years. However, high traffic rooms will need to be done more often.</p>
<p>Pre-finished Hardwood Floors These are the new main stream products in hardwood flooring. They can be acrylic impregnated, engineered, or solid. They have a tough factory finish, which is the main reason for its popularity. They are also extremely easy to install and eliminate the need for messy sanding. Most pre-finished floors done within the last ten years are urethane finished. Test this by placing a couple drops of water on an obscure area. If the area turns white after 15 minutes, you have a waxed finish. Older floors are likely to have shellac or varnish finishes. Unfortunately these do not work well with the newer urethane finishes and must be completely removed if you want a urethane finish. There is also likely to be some amount of aluminum oxide in the newer prefinished floors.</p>
<p>Unfinished Hardwood This type of flooring comes in solid and engineered, and both must be job site finished. They come in varying lengths and widths. Sanding and finishing can take anywhere from a few days to a week depending on size, stain, and number of top finish coats. Generally the finishes are oil or water based. Our first priority is to protect the beauty of your home so whether you have finished or unfinished floors, we section off other areas and furniture to prevent sanding dust from spreading throughout your home. Our expert technicians also use dust containment systems to limit the amount of dust in the air. And with refinishing, it is important to have as little air flow as possible in the area as airborne particles can become embedded into the newly applied finish. Something as simple as foot traffic or turning on the air conditioner/heating system can kick up dust. So it is better to allow more time to dry to avoid problem areas in your floors.</p>
<p>Many things can happen to a floor over the years. Termites, cable holes, leaky roofs, sink overflows, cats, dogs and reconfigured spaces can leave holes or very odd-looking stains in your hardwood. All is not lost!</p>
<p>Boards can be replaced in such a way that no one will be able to tell that new wood has been added to the floors. When replacing boards, we take care to lace the new boards in with the old ones, so there is not a square or rectangle shape where the boards have been replaced.Other precautions are taken to match up the wood as best as possible. As wood ages, it darkens. This is why we purchase reclaimed wood in various sizes and species. If aged wood is not available for your floor, we take care to stain the boards that we are replacing to match the color of your existing floor as close as possible.</p>
<p>Custom Wood Floors are a medium of specialty floor coverings that includes, but not limited to these Types of Custom Wood Floors: Accents, Borders, Domestic Species, Exotic Species, Feature Strip, Inlays, Marquetry, Mixed Media, Medallions &amp; Crest, Painted or stenciled, Parquet, Parquetry, Plank, Reclaimed &amp; Recovered,Distressed, Specialty Products, Stained-Tinted or Colors Developed during the middle ages in Europe, elaborate designs, borders, inlays &amp; medallions were crafted for significant buildings such as castles, &amp; monasteries. Today these wood flooring styles are reflected in the modern day manufacturing and can be enhanced with something as simple as a strip border around the perimeter of the room or as ornate as a coat of arms in a foyer or a great room. Using exotic woods from around the world, these custom designs &amp; patterns can add to and become the center focal point of any room. Giving each room a Custom-one-of-a-kind wood floor. Custom designs can give a homeowner a &#8220;one-of-a-kind&#8221; floor and is a wonderful way to put your personality and individual character in a home. The choices of pattern, design, exotic woods sources and an artistic flare can provide a limitless number of possibilities.</p>
<p>Floors with oil and urethane-type finishes are extremely durable. With just minimal care your floor will look beautiful for years to come. The key to preserving your floor is protecting its finish. Hardwood floors require minimal care, but it is important that you provide regular care.</p>
<p>Visit us online at: <a title="Fairfax, VA. Wood Floor Refinishers,Installers,Specialists." rel="nofollow" href="http://www.maderafloors.com" target="_blank">www.maderafloors.com</a></p>
<p>Visit our blog at: <a title="Fairfax Virginia Wood Floor Refinishers,Installers,Contractors,Companies,wood floor specialists" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.maderafloors.blogspot.com" target="_blank">www.maderafloors.blogspot.com</a></p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Madera Floors. Fairfax, VA.</p>
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