Ekony

Author: Amanda Cicarella

  • MDF as a construction material…. What is it?

    MDF stands for Medium Density Fiberboard. Yes quite the mouthful! Thus the abbreviation.

    A commonly used construction material is an engineered product composed of small wood fibers bonded together with a resin binder and wax using high temperature and pressure to complete the process. It is very versatile and fairly durable. Used for furniture, shelving, moldings and more.

    Pros of MDF

    • It is more affordable than other options. This makes it a great economic install choice.
    • It can be mixed and matched with solid wood trims and so forth. Get creative!
    • It’s smooth surface makes it ideal for surface painting
    • Decorative edges achieved easily. Great for creating designs with a router.
    • It is considered durable and looks great once installed and finished.
    • It is mold resistant.

    Cons of MDF

    • It soaks up water and other liquids like a sponge. MDF can swell unless it is sealed well on all sides and edges.
    • This material cannot be stained. Again the water and swelling issue. Also since MDF has no wood grain, staining does not look good.
    • MDF does not hold screws well due to its fine particle construction.
    • It is dense and therefore very heavy. This can make it difficult to work with.
    • It contains VOCs meaning careful precautions must be taken when cutting and sanding

    When working with MDF…..

    There are some important considerations.

    • Wear a good mask! MDF created a lot of fine dust and contains VOCs. So, whenever possible, cut and sand outside also.
    • Handle with care. MDF is quite durable, however the ends an corners can be prone to crushing during transport.
    • Avoid buying full sheets as MDF is heavy! Opt for half and quarter sheets instead.
    • For a smooth paint job, lightly sand edges with 100- grit paper and apply solvent based primer only. Water-based will raise small bumps. Stay clear.
    • Avoid splits and cracks by using a counter sinking drill bit.

    In summery, MDF is a versatile construction material. It does come with some strengths and some limitations. It may be worth the affordability… Or maybe not. You decide.

  • Common Myths about Hardwood Flooring Debunked

    Hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to a home. Many homeowners and decorators find these floors a great alternative to carpeted floors. However, there are various myths surrounding floors made from hardwood, which discourage people to go for this type of flooring. Let’s debunk some of them:

    1) They are Expensive…

    Yes and no. Since these floors are expensive to install, homeowners find them fairly pricey. But this is a myth
    when you look at the bigger picture. These floors last for decades. This type of flooring is
    capable of sustaining long-term use. While tiles and linoleum may require replacements after
    ever 10 to 15 years, hardwood is durable and rarely need replacements, provided you take good
    care of them.

    2) They Don’t Suit Homes with Pets and Children…

    Many families who own pets believe hardwood floors are not a good option for them. In reality,
    hardwood floors are very durable. There are many High Traffic finish options. Dog owners who routinely clip
    their dogs’ nails can save their floor from un-wanted scratches. Skip the high heel shoes and all should be good.

    3) They are Difficult to Maintain….

    You cannot help being amazed when people ask you if your flooring is easy to clean or maintain. The fact that this type of floor can be easily swept, dusted or even vacuumed completely destroys this myth. However, using the installer’s instructions to clean the flooring can save you from a dull floor. To ensure your flooring lasts for a lifetime, avoid mopping or using excess water to clean it.

    4) They Are Bad For Health….

    There is a reason why homes with hardwood flooring sell for more money. This is because people health-conscious people prefer this type of flooring. Research reveals that these floors are better for health than carpeting and other flooring types. This makes them a good investment for your health and for increasing your home’s market value. Also, using a green water based finish with low VOC level is a perfect choice to have a healthy environment.

    5) They Scratch Easily…

    Any kind of flooring is vulnerable to all kinds of wear and tear. Tiles can get chipped, linoleum may fall apart and carpets often get stained. Therefore, it is absurd to reject this type of flooring simply because they can get scratched. In reality, the vulnerability of hardwood floor depends on its maintenance, treatment or top layer of the poly. If scratched or damaged, they are easy to repair. Although deeper scratches may need extra effort, small or trivial scratches can be taken care of easily. Again skip the high heels!

  • Chevron and Herringbone: On Trend and Making a Come Back

    Chevron and Herringbone: On Trend and Making a Come Back

    In the world of design Herringbone and Chevron patterns have been booming back to popularity in textiles, fashion, prints, and flooring! Walls and ceilings too for that matter.

    This is not a new thing!

    It is actually a classic thing, used heavily over the centuries. Part of a genre of flooring called Parquetry. Think Parquet + Carpentry. Parquetry, simply put is the woodworking craft of piecing together wood pieces, of various geometric shapes, in a specific mosaic pattern in order to achieve a desired visual design. Of course, there are many more possibilities in Parque.

    What’s the difference between Herringbone and Chevron?

    It’s all in the Zig and the Zag. Herringbone is a Zig Zag pattern that alternates and overlays. The individual pieces are cut in perfect rectangles. The overall effect is a classy yet busier look. While Chevron has pieces cut on an angle and pieces are put together along the axis creating a mirror-like image. The overall effect is more regimented, cleaner and more that of an arrow. Really the designs can be as simple or as complex as one can imagine.

    Are Chevron and Herringbone only a Solid Wood fashion?

    No. There are a variety of beautiful Prefinished Engineered Hard Wood Design options. In fact Eko Flooring & Woodwork offers both Herringbone and Chevron in Prefinished and Unfinished. Check them out here HERE. www.ekony.com

    Images

    herringbone-wood-floors-111116-1052-03, Via Contemporist

    Parquet Flooring 18th century, via Wikipedia

    Herringbone and Chevron patern, via oasis wellness

  • Radiant Heated Floor: Do I Need That?

    Radiant Heat Over My Existing Floor?

    Are you considering adding a radiant heated floor over your existing floor? It could be one of the best decisions you make. A radiant heated floor means no more radiators clanking in the night and no noisy vents. No longer will you have a dust-spewing ductwork that triggers any allergy. This is why radiant floor heating is becoming a popular option. The heat is produced by hot water tubes or electric wires that are buried under the flooring. When the invisible thermal radiation rises from below, any object that comes in their way catches heat.

    Image result for Radiant heat flooring Image result for Radiant heat flooring

    Although the air temperature stays constant, the surrounding surfaces are not stealing warmth from your body, ensuring your comfort at all times. Although floor heating temperatures do not harm the wood, different moisture contents eventually cause it to move in several ways. When installing hardwood or any other kind of floor in a home or office, the moisture level plays a major role in successful floor performance.

    Considering Moisture Levels-

    Adding heat to the floor makes moisture a critical factor. The heating contractor and the wood floor installer must be cautious of a few important considerations when combining floor heating and wood floors. Almost all movement in a wood floor is because of moisture. Consequently, the more constant the moisture content is, the fewer problems your floor will have over its life-span.

    Cracks in the board and gaps are due to low moisture levels. The surface may warp or cup when the moisture content is uneven or too high. Whatever the case, it generally happens as a result of the wood not adjusting to its surroundings before installation. All heating contractors
    must follow these rules to prepare radiant heated floors for maximum performance.

    • Even Heat (The subfloor should level)
    • Low Temperature (The subfloor temperature should be as low as possible)
    • Acclimation (The subfloor or slab must be dry)

    In conclusion,

    A welcoming and warm wood floor is all you want on a chilly winter day or a long cold night. Radiant heated floors don’t just look great, but also they will add comfort and convenience to your home. There are numerous types of wood flooring used over heated floors. All types of flooring must be dimensionally stable and not likely to be affected by moisture, regardless of whether you are investing in engineered, laminated, or solid wood flooring.

  • Wood Floors on the Ceiling! 3 Reasons this trend may be right for you.

     

    Yes that’s right! Wood floors on the ceilings and the walls and of course wood floors on Floors. Wood floors have been a classic elevated touch to design for over a century. Once some great modern installation technologies made Installation a process of days vs years, Wood Flooring became popular with more than Duchesses and Dukes. Even with the big 1950s wall to wall carpet boom, Wood floors still remain king. So Why wood? Great question.

    • Health

    Wood ceilings keep you healthy. Most everyone knows that trees are awesome! They absorb carbon from their surrounding environments. But did you know that once a tree is harvested and milled, wood products continue to absorb carbon throughout the lifetime of their service. Additionally, wood ceilings, like wood floors are great because they don’t trap dust, pollen, particles, animal dander and allergens. Also, apparently there was a recent study that found wood makes people happy. So why not surround ourselves.

     

    • Warm up the Space!

    Wood is a classic space warmer. So why not add it to the ceiling. That’s it. Add a colorful throw and heat up a cup of tea. You are all set. Easy.

    • It looks Epic!

    Just take a look, there are so many options, colors, textures, designs. If you want to make a statement throw some wood on that ceiling. Just do you, but please no popcorn ceilings. Whose idea was that anyway?