Coswick Portable Dance & Events Floors are multipurpose wood floors, designed to serve as floor coverings for special occasions, such as dance competitions, athletic tournaments, presentations, concerts, performances, and other events that call for a festive or high end décor.

“The new flooring line is perfect for community centres and public spaces that are occasionally used for hosting gala events – festivals, fundraisers, pageants, dances, auctions, or other important events,” said Vladimir Ianovski, founder of Coswick Hardwood Inc. “They can be assembled and taken apart within 2-3 hours, which makes them a natural choice for creating a festive décor when the time calls for it.”

Portable Dance & Events Flooring is assembled by laying and joining shock-absorbent wood flooring squares. Each square has the dimensions of 30x570x570mm, and is equipped with specially designed locks on all four sides. The locking system ensures simple assemblage and was created with unlimited use in mind.

Portable Dance & Events Floors are available with natural, unstained white oak top layer, birch plywood bottom layer, and are manufactured with factory-applied UV-cured Silk Oil finish. The floors are covered under 1 year manufacturer warranty. An average surface area of 300 square meters of Portable Dance & Events Flooring can be assembled in as quickly as 2-3 hours.

In North America, the new flooring line is available for custom order, and requires 8-10 weeks for manufacture and delivery. Orders and pricing are calculated based on the minimum area of 300 square meters (15×20 meters). Each standard order comes complete with 300 square meters of flooring, 70 meters of matching corner molding, 10 litres of Coswick hardwood flooring care & cleaning solution, as well as 6 transportation and storage kits with protective covers.

About Coswick Hardwood Inc.

Coswick Hardwood Inc. is a manufacturer of solid and engineered hardwood flooring, founded in 1995. Coswick manufacturing program includes 12 flooring collections available in over 80 designer colors, meant for both residential and commercial use. Coswick is long-standing member of the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA).

Coswick dealer network spans globally, including Canada and USA, EU, Russia, the Baltic Region, Central Asia, as well as countries of the Persian Gulf.

Aside from the humorous association with the best-selling novel, the rising interest in grey-colored hardwood is a clear departure from the natural, warm, and early colors that dominated during the previous years.

Grey is the New Black

From soft and light, to sharp and aggressive, the large variety of grey colored floor surfaces pervaded all verticals of the floor covering world, and were seen both on real hardwood, laminate, and other types floors, clearly indicating that grey is here to stay.

During this year’s show, Coswick Hardwood displayed its own range of grey hardwood flooring, including increasingly popular ash Silvery and oak Chambord, among the company’s classic flooring collections.

In line with the latest trends, Coswick Hardwood recently added Grey Cashmere color as part of the Heritage Collection of wire-brushed and oiled oak flooring. The new color plays off the existing Silvery and Chambord designer stains, but is distinguished by intense grey overtones interspersed with off-beige streaks that contour the natural grain texture of white oak.

Already available in Europe, Grey Cashmere oak flooring is expected to reach the North American market in late spring 2013.

The Wood Flooring Expo

Wood Flooring Expo, organized by the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) is one of the 50 fastest growing trade shows in North America. It is the only trade show in the world dedicated solely to wood flooring. More than 3,000 wood flooring professionals come to this show to check out the newest products and to better their business. 

Coswick Hardwood Inc. is a proud member of NWFA.

There are many hardwood flooring options available, most of which, when done right, can help transform any modern living room into a favorite hangout spot for family and friends. Here are some great living room flooring ideas that feature real hardwood.

Bring Back the Parquet…Modernized

Classic parquet is exactly that, a classic. Wildly popular in the 60s and 70s, tiny wood planks laid in a herringbone pattern have now largely been replaced by longer, wider boards. But over the past few years, parquet has caught up with the times, and there are now beautiful modern options that evolved to accommodate the new trends. Merging the old and the new lead to creation of this new type of 21^st century parquet that would look gorgeous in any living room:

Oak Chestnut – Renaissance Collection

Rely on Wood Texture for Added Visual Depth

 Highly textured oak and ash, wirebrushed to further emphasize the grain, look stunningly unique, and add an entirely new dimension to a living room floor. This kind of hardwood is perfect for interiors where every inch of space tells a story.

Oak Amber – Country Oak Collection

Oak Barcelona – Arts & Crafts Collection

 Go Sharp and Chic with Rich, Dark Colors

Creatively contrasting colors, textures and styles can go a long way in designing a chic, unique and memorable living room, where all elements of décor play off each other.

Ash Wenge – Signature Ash Collection

Oak Charcoal – Classic Oak Collection

 Use American Walnut for an Exotic and Modern Look

American walnut is a gorgeous wood species, known and valued for extreme color difference between its heartwood and sapwood. Color variation on straight and open grain  creates truly stunning and unique looking floors, and add an entirely new level of depth and elegance to any interior.

Classic American Walnut – Exotic Collection

Classic American Walnut – Exotic Collection

 Pay Respects to Tradition with an Antique Looking Floor

Aged, bleached or whitewashed…antique look is in. New hardwood floors can mimic the look of beautifully weathered and naturally aged wood. Antique looking floors work in many types of interiors, and will add a new level of comfort to any living room.

Oak Terra – Heritage Collection

Get Creative with Geometry and Patterns

Checkerboard pattern is a time-tested classic that can add a whole new dimension to your living room floor. Play with colors, textures, to get the look that most suites your style and personality.

Oak Milk Chocolate – Uniblock Collection

When selecting a hardwood floor for your living room, don’t settle for second best. Explore, get creative, and try something new. There are so many styles, colors and options, that, in no time at all, you’ll be sure to find that perfect look that seamlessly complements your home and your personality.

Q.: We are renovating our home, and my wife wants to put hardwood floors in all the bathrooms, to match the hardwood we’re installing throughout the rest of the house. I have my doubts. Is wood flooring in the bathroom a good idea?

 A.: Hardwood is a better bathroom flooring choice than, say, carpet, but it can still be very problematic. Moisture kills hardwood, and a bathroom is probably the most humid area of the entire home. Showers in the morning, warm baths for the kids in the evening… bathtub overflows, spills and splashes can severely damage the floor.

 Of all hardwood flooring options, engineered is a better choice for a bathroom than solid, as plywood or solid wood bottom layers hold up against moisture relatively well and are very dimensionally stable. An engineered hardwood floor could hold up well in spacious, well-ventilated bathrooms that doesn’t receive much traffic. This is not the case in large family households with kids, where no matter how responsible you try to be, there is always going to be more water left on the floor than you think.

Additionally, bathroom floors in large family households are bound to be damp most of the time, and this can lead to growth of mold. Although some harsh chemical cleaners can kill harmful mold and bacteria, they are likely to dull or damage hardwood floor finish as well.

Bathroom Floors that Look Like Hardwood

 Faux-hardwood surfaces – floors that imitate the look of real wood so well it’s nearly impossible to tell the difference – will work well. Many vinyl based floors can be matched to the look of hardwood quite nicely, so that your faux-hardwood floor will appear nearly indistinguishable from the real wood installed throughout the rest of your home. Wood-like tile and ceramic can be good alternatives to hardwood.

Treated Decking Wood

 A wood floor that’s been specially treated against moisture – like most outside decking surfaces are- may be another alternative to consider. But if you do, pay close attention to the chemical composition and possible emission levels of such floors while doing your research. It’s one thing to use a treated floor outdoors, but another to have it in the family bathroom. Keep in mind that many water sealing finishes that were used in the past are no longer around due to their toxicity levels.

 But if you insist…

If you maintain the floor finish and promptly clean up splashes, everything should be fine. After all, there are plenty of homeowners who have gone this route and who claim not to have had any problems with their bathroom hardwood floors.  They offer these useful tips:

•  Minimize humidity of your bathroom by properly ventilating
• Promptly clean up all spills
• Place rugs in “high-risk” areas, i.e. in front of the bathtub, vanity/sink, and the shower.
• Something as simple as a clogged toilet, or condensation on the toilet feed pipes could potentially turn into a much bigger issue. Take preventative measures, and fix all problems as soon as they arise.

After all, the kitchen is one of the most trafficked areas of the entire home. Spills, drops, cooking accidents are unavoidable…and how much is too much for a real hardwood surface to bear?

As non-demanding as wood floors are, they are natural, “breathing” surfaces that require timely care – more than a quick run through with a Swiffer on your way out to work or kids soccer practice. So if you have your heart set, read on, as the tips below will help you choose the right hardwood floor for your kitchen, and help you care for it correctly, so that the warm, cozy feel of your hardwood floors will make you and your family happy for many years.

What Type of a Wood Floor is Best for My Kitchen?

Wood Species

Go with the hardest species you can find. Oak and ash are some of the strongest domestic wood species used in manufacture of wood floors. Rich grain and exquisite texture of these species will not only make the floor look beautiful and unique, but also help disguise small dents and scratches that are bound to occur over time.

Although Jatoba and Santos Mahogany are much stronger than oak and ash, these exotic woods tend to change color, darkening over time. In addition, they are very sensitive to humidity fluctuations: frequent contracting and expanding may cause the surface to crack. With exotic species such as these, it’s best to use oil finishes over polyurethanes. Oil allows the wood to breathe, minimizing the chance of surface cracks.

Surface Texture

Wood floors with a light texture and a polished finish are gorgeous, but will they look just as spotlessly perfect after a few pots, pans, and jars have been dropped on your floor? Probably not, which is why highly textured wood species, and wirebrushed finishes work so well in kitchens and other high trafficked areas – most surface damages blend almost seamlessly into the existing texture. If anything, the floor only ends up looking better over time!

Surface Finish

Choose a surface finish that is either

1) exceptionally strong, to protect the wood from damages associated with dropped objects; or 2) easy to restore and renew.

            Lacquers

Polyurethane lacquer finishes (especially those that are UV-cured and contain “diamond” dust) are very hard-wearing and durable. They are more than sufficient for any residential interior. However, when enough damage accumulates over time, sections of the floor (planks or entire sections) would need to be replaced. In the kitchen, it’s the areas in front of the sink, the stove, and especially the fridge that are most prone to damages from drops, spills, or water. To protect your floor, use small mats or rugs in those areas.

            Oils

UV-cured oil finishes are not as hard wearing as lacquers, but they have their own benefits – local area damages can be easily restored. Spot repairs can be done using sanding paper, stain (if necessary) and renewer oil. An oil-finished hardwood floor is the best option for a kitchen where all spills are cleaned up quickly.

Regardless of the type of surface finish, remember to regularly sweep or vacuum your kitchen hardwood floor, and promptly clean up all spills. Don’t scrub or use any harsh chemicals.  Use manufacturer-recommended cleaning solutions to restore the original shine and beauty of your floor.

Despite the risks associated with installing hardwood floors in kitchens, many homeowners who opted for hardwood, stand by their decision, and offer these additional tips.

Tips for Choosing the Best Hardwood Floor for Your Kitchen

• If you are installing a prefinished floor, go for one with microbevels instead of regular sized bevels. It will help prevent dirt and grit from accumulating between boards.
• Use floating “click” floors. Severely damaged boards will be easy to replace!
• Place small rugs in front of the sink, stove, and under the fridge, dishwasher and cat/dog bowls.
• Lighter or natural colored wood floors are better for kitchens – dust, food crumbs etc. are not as visible there as they are on darker surfaces.
• Water leaks can severely damage wood. Take precautions to avoid dishwasher, sink, and fridge leaks.

Enjoy Your Floor

Real wood flooring can be a stunning addition to your kitchen. Now that you know what to look for when picking the perfect hardwood, it’s time to start looking. Get creative, and don’t be afraid to consider brave, color-rich options. After all, it will be a part of your home, and it deserves to be as unique as you are.

Ready to get started? Take a look at our 80+ designer styles of hardwood flooring for inspiration, and request a free sample of any product you like!

Grey Cashmere was created in response to the increasing demand for grey overtones in floor covering surfaces. This new designer color unites subtle grey hues with off-beige streaks that contour and emphasize the natural grain texture of the wooden surface. Used in conjunction with wire brushing technology and Silk Oil finish, Grey Cashmere is distinguished by a beautifully aged and sophisticated appearance that preserves the visual depth and uniqueness of natural wood.

The new color is available on solid, as well as 3-layer “floating” engineered hardwood. The width of planks is 5″, while the length is random and varies between 1’ and 6’.

The product will be available in North America toward the end of May 2013.

Over 80 pairs from 30+ European countries took to the floor, competing in adult and children’s categories. Coswick team was in the audience, and some of the selected photographs of the event are below:

IMMO is the currently the largest real estate event in Switzerland, attracting thousands of industry professionals and homeowners. Construction and renovation are the focus of this year’s show, and the exhibition will function as a platform for knowledge and information exchange, as well as serve as a source of inspiration to those who are looking to undertake a construction or renovation project.

The main aim of the exhibit is to connect professionals of the real estate and construction sector with homeowners and buyers, as well as showcase the latest innovations in the area of finishing and renovation materials.

Schällebaum AG (St.Gallen), Coswick partner in Switzerland, will exhibit latest Coswick products. In addition to the 12 classic collections that make up Coswick flooring range, guests will be able to see the newly expanded European Arts and Crafts collection. This new flooring line is manufactured using natural, environmentally friendly coating technology, the Hardwax Oil. The Arts and Crafts collection has already generated much interest from European interior designers, both due to uniqueness of color and texture, as well as its’ eco-friendly qualities.

To see Coswick flooring products, visit Schällebaum AG at booth # 9.1.057 in Hall 9.1. Admission to the exhibit is free.

Days and Hours of Operation:

Friday – March 22 2013, 14.00 – 19.30
Saturday – March 23 2013, 10.00 – 18.00
Sunday – 24 March 2013, 10.00 – 17.00

Every year, LubDom attracts more than 210 exhibitors, about 7,000 visitors, as well as workshops, seminars, and conferences organized and delivered by industry associations.

Official representative of Coswick in Poland, FP Komes, will exhibit the latest Coswick products, effectively acquainting industry professionals and homeowners of the eastern regions of Poland with Coswick flooring brand.

Exhibit guests will be able to see the twelve classic flooring collections and over eighty designer colors that make up Coswick flooring line, including brand new line of Wall Panels. A team of professionals will offer advise and individual consultations to anyone interested in learning more about hardwood flooring.

The exhibition will take place in Centrum Targowo-Wystawiennicze Targi Lublin SA, Dworcowa street 11, 20-406 Lublin

Hours of Operation:

15.03.2013 Fr – 10:00 – 19:00
16.03.2013 Sa – 10:00 – 19:00
17.03.2013 Su – 10:00 – 17:00

FP Komes will be located at booth #10.

This year’s exhibit commenced with a speech by Peter Ramsauer, Federal Minister of Transport, Building and Urban Development. Dr. Ramsauer talked about the “energy revolution” – extremely energy efficient buildings of the future that will produce more energy than they use; Dr. Ramsauer stressed that the era of new energy will lead to an export boom for Germany. Leading architects, including Daniel Libeskind and Christoph Ingenhofen, emphasized BAU status as the world’s best platform for exchange of ideas among architects.

The 2013 exhibit attracted more visitors than ever before, including foreign guests and industry professionals. All six days of the show, the pavilions were filled with satisfied exhibitors and guests. Despite the challenging weather conditions, snow-covered roads and hundreds of delayed or cancelled flights, over 235,000 visitors made their way to Munich and the overall number of guests exceeded that of 2011. This year, for the first time, the number of foreign BAU guests exceeded 60,000. Among them, nearly 3000 guests visited from Russia, 1000 from China, and 750 from Japan. As many exhibitors noted, this year’s BAU was held at an entirely new level – both in terms of stand design, product presentation, as well as the visitor demographic, with the clear shift toward industry professionals.

Flooring is always among one of the most popular sections of the exhibition, and this year, manufacturer stands and product showcases clearly reflected the main trends in the world of floor coverings – further shift toward use of natural materials, eco-design, as well as the tendency to use floor coverings as a key element of well-designed modern interiors.

Eco-design is at the peak of popularity, and this is clearly reflected in the newest wood flooring trends. There is a growing demand for multi-colored surfaces with emphasized wood knots and other character marks. There is a shift away from a refined and polished to a more authentic, natural look. Bleached ashen-greys to deep blacks are among the preferred color tones, with color contrast becoming increasingly popular. Partial or light staining are also on the rise, and from all wood species currently used for manufacture of hardwood flooring, American walnut is this year’s favorite – color contrast between lighter softwood and darker hardwood have won over the public with its exotic look. The increasing demand for eco-friendliness in interior design has led to a change in wood floor surface finishes: waxes and oils with natural components are starting to replace polyurethane lacquers.

The remarkable new trend in interior design that became very clear at BAU 2013, is in the growing use of natural wood, with its variety of textures and colors, not only for floor coverings, but also for other elements of interior décor. Stands of many leading hardwood flooring manufacturers attracted visitors through use of hardwood flooring and wood wall panels on walls and ceilings.

Coswick was one of the very few flooring companies that are on top of this latest trend. Late in 2012, Coswick launched a new line of specialty wood wall panels manufactured to match existing Coswick hardwood floors. The new collection was first presented at this year’s BAU 2013, and was a definite success among exhibit guests and industry professionals.

Aside from the new collection of wall panels, Coswick also presented its 12 classic collections of hardwood flooring, including the new Heritage Collection – 6 designer colors of mixed grade engineered oak flooring with factory applied eco-friendly Hardwax Oil finish.

Coswick Arts and Crafts Collection, initially launched late in 2011 and expanded considerably in 2012, sparked a lot of interested among visitors due to considerable plank width (7 ½”), eco-friendly Hardwax Oil finish, as well a variety of designer surface stains.

“Our participation in BAU 2013 was a success on every level,” stated Ms. Tatyana Zhigar, marketing manager at Coswick in Belarus. “Both in terms of finding new business opportunities, as well as in terms of helping us stay in-the-know of the latest industry trends.”

Presently, Coswick Heritage Collection is available in four colors: Pastel, Antique Patina, French Gobelin, and Terra. The colors span from aged beiges to rich earthy-browns. Use of bi-color technique, whereas lighter and darker stains are contrasted against one another, adds a touch of novelty to a traditional oak flooring style.

“Bold, contrasting, and earthly colors will continue to gain popularity in 2013. By using innovative staining techniques on natural, wire brushed wood, we sought to bring together the traditional and the contemporary, to emphasize inherent characteristics of white oak in a new way,” said Mr. Vladimir Ianovski, founder of Coswick Hardwood Inc. “The result is four new flooring styles that will look spectacular in any type of modern interior.”

Heritage Collection floors are available as solid and 3-layer engineered CosLoc 5G hardwood, and have a width of 5”. Coswick uses eco-friendly, formaldehyde-free glues for manufacture of engineered flooring. All Coswick floors come under Lifetime structural warranty, which guarantees that floors will retain their structural integrity for a lifetime.

Heritage Collection flooring comes with factory-applied UV Silk Oil finish, innovative finish that has a silky matte surface gloss. UV-curing technology ensures excellent protection of Silk Oil floor surfaces against household solvents and food substances, such as coffee, red wine etc.

Coswick Heritage Collection floors are perfect not only for residential, but also for public and commercial interiors, including country homes and cottages, bars and restaurants, children’s rooms, offices etc.

Already in production, floors from the new Heritage Collection will become available for purchase in Europe and North America in early January 2013. Samples of Heritage Collection floors can be ordered online free of charge.

The new collection, which will become available on the market in December 2012, currently includes six designer products manufactured from white oak, birch, American walnut, and Jatoba (Brazilian cherry). Coswick most popular designer colors – Vanilla, Stoney Creek, Cashmere – are used in this collection alongside unstained, natural wood panels.

“We are thrilled to launch the new line of wall and ceiling panels,” said Vladimir Ianovski, founder and CEO of Coswick Hardwood Inc. “The new products perfectly complement our existing flooring ranges, and expand the creative possibilities for designing stunning interiors using natural products.”

The new product range will expand the manufacturing program of the company, previously limited only to hardwood flooring.

Sophisticated construction technology and use of natural, eco-friendly finish distinguish Coswick collection of wall panels from similar products currently available on the market. With a fixed length of 3 meters, the new wall panels have a width of 190mm, thickness of 14mm, and are milled to classic tongue-and-groove profile. Each panel consists of three bound layers, the top layer being a solid sawn wood lamella.

Coswick uses only high quality formaldehyde-free glues, which is why the new wall panels adhere to the world’s strictest emission class of E0.

Hardwax Oil, the innovative finish used for coating of Coswick wall panels, is produced from natural ingredients, including organic wax of Carnauba palm tree. Easy to clean and maintain, Hardwax Oil finish is also highly resistant to ill effects of most household solvents and active food substances, such as coffee, carbonated drinks, or red wine.

Coswick wood wall panels are perfectly suitable for use a wide range of residential, public and commercial interiors.

The Fundamentals

Laminate is a multi-layer synthetic flooring product. It is designed to imitate the appearance of real wood. The core layer of laminate flooring is manufactured primarily from melamine resin and fiber board material. The top layer has an imprinted textured image made to look like real wood.

Engineered hardwood flooring is a type of wood floor that consists of several wood or plywood layers. Bottom and middle layers are manufactured from cross-laid solid wood or plywood planks. The top layer consists of a solid sawn wood lamella, often stained and prefinished in factory setting. Solid hardwood flooring planks are produced from single pieces of wood, can be purchased unfinished or prefinished.

In essence, while solid or engineered hardwood flooring is manufactured from real wood and preserves the unique textured grain and appearance of natural wood, laminate flooring is only an imitation. Although some types of high quality laminate floors might look like real wood, there are far more differences between these products than what initially meets the eye.

Appearance and Aesthetics

In terms of aesthetics, the difference between hardwood and laminate floors is glaringly obvious. Real wood is characterized by tremendous texture variation of the wood grain, which is why no two planks of hardwood flooring, whether solid or engineered, appear exactly alike. In laminate flooring, pre-designed patterns that imitate the look of wood texture, are imprinted onto the floor surface. For this reason, identical patterns are repeated on average every 5 boards.

Although in appearance some high quality laminate floors may look like real wood, repetition is unavoidable, as uniqueness of an authentic wood is impossible to replicate.

Durability

Durability of any flooring surface largely depends on intensity of foot traffic, as well as adherence to manufacturer recommendations in regards to care and maintenance of the floor.

Outer layer of most laminate floors is manufactured by bounding melamine resins and aluminum oxide at high heat and extreme pressure. The resulting floor surface is often harder than that of natural wood. Most laminate floor surfaces are highly resistant to moisture damage, staining and fading. In fact, many reputable laminate flooring manufacturers offer 10 to 25 year warranties on finish.

Durability of an authentic hardwood floor varies depending on finish, manufacturer and maintenance practices. Natural wood is softer than a pressurized composite surface, therefore, it can dent more easily. Solid or engineered hardwood floors can be refinished, renewed and repaired fairly easily, often without the need to replace planks or even the entire floor, as is the case with damaged laminate flooring. For example, in the event that an oiled wood floor plank is damaged, it can be fixed by manually sanding down the affected area, then simply applying more stain and oil. With laminate flooring, simple DIY spot repairs are not possible.

On some types of hardwood floors, such as those with wire brushed and oiled finishes, minor surface dents and scratches seamlessly blend in with the existing look, emphasizing the unique appearance and depth of wood texture.  Once scratched or chipped, laminate flooring surfaces will show the damage.

Moisture

Wood is an organic, “breathing” material that responds to fluctuations in humidity and temperature. For this reason, solid and engineered hardwood floors should be installed in interiors where humidity levels are monitored and kept at 45-55% for solid and 45-65% for engineered floors.  Although engineered hardwood floors have superior dimensional stability, most wood floor manufacturers do not recommend installing them in bathrooms or kitchens – areas, where temperature and humidity can fluctuate significantly. In warm and humid climates, such as Florida, hardwood flooring that is multilayer or engineered is preferable over solid.

Laminate floors have high resistance to moisture and are often used for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. Nevertheless, it’s important to carefully read the manufacturer warranty and recommendations in order to avoid costly mistakes.

Ease of Repair

Laminate flooring does not repair easily. In floating laminate flooring – one that’s installed by snapping individual pieces together and laying them without glue – damaged planks can be removed and replaced. If laminate flooring was installed using glue-down method, floor repair becomes very difficult. Laminate cannot be sanded or refinished. Even if damaged planks are removed and replaced, there is high probability that the new pieces will not properly match the rest of the floor due to differences in sunlight exposure, age and wear levels.

Whether solid or engineered, hardwood flooring is significantly easier to repair than laminate. If surface damage is extensive, the entire floor can be sanded and refinished. If damage is localized, then it can be repaired by removing and replacing individual planks, or even by manually sanding, staining and refinishing the area in question, depending on type of finish. Spot repairs are especially easy with wire brushed and oiled hardwood floors and can be done DIY-style within a couple of hours.

Ease of Maintenance

Regular sweeping, dry mopping, or wiping with a damp cloth is all that’s necessary for caring and maintaining laminate flooring. Solid and engineered hardwood floors require a little more care – they should be cleaned using special hardwood flooring cleaners (preferably manufacturer recommended ones) that preserve and restore the finish. It’s best to avoid using universal cleaners, detergents, or furniture polish – aside from making the floor finish appear greasy, they can temporarily dull, or even permanently damage the finish. Improper care practices usually void all manufacturer issued warranties.

Most hardwood floors have excellent resistance to Coca-cola, red wine and many household chemicals. Still, in order to preserve the beauty of the floor for many years to come, it is important to quickly clean up all spills and clean the floor regularly.

Longevity

Laminate floors have a relatively short life-span as compared to hardwood flooring. It is estimated that on average, a laminate floor will need to be replaced after no more than 20 years. Twenty years is the time it usually takes for a family to wear down the floor finish. Since laminate floors cannot be sanded or refinished, accumulated wear-and-tear, surface scratches and damages eventually destroy the floor.

Solid and engineered hardwood floors, on the other hand, can last a lifetime (40-80 years or more) if well-maintained. Once the existing finish is sufficiently worn down, the floor can be sanded and refinished. Most solid hardwood floors can be sanded up to 6-7 times, while quality engineered hardwood floors – up to 4 times. Given that the average time between sanding is 10 – 20 years, it’s easy to see how real wood floors easily outlast laminate.

Finally, when the time comes to replace the old floor, solid and engineered hardwood can be disposed (or recycled) without any damage to the environment. The same cannot be said for laminate.

Eco-friendliness

Solid hardwood floors are 100% organic as solid flooring planks are produced from single pieces of wood. Engineered hardwood is manufactured from several layers of solid wood or plywood material, also mostly organic.

Laminate floors, on the other hand, are the result of bonding various composite materials and melamine resin at high temperatures and pressure – so the floor itself is far from being organic.

Most European and North American hardwood flooring manufacturers adhere to strict industry standards, producing flooring that contains zero harmful VOC emissions and using glues that are free from formaldehyde.

During manufacture of laminate flooring, large volumes of glue are used to bond together composite material. Contents of these glues can be questionable, and it is not uncommon for cheaper toxic glues that contain formaldehyde and other harmful materials to be used. Once installed, such floors will continue to emit toxic substances into the air, affecting and threatening the health of inhabitants.

While there are high quality non-toxic laminate floors on the market, it is important to carefully research the manufacturer in order to ensure that you are buying a quality, eco-friendly product.

Conclusion

While confusing at first, differences between hardwood and laminate flooring become quite obvious when inspected closely. While the flooring market has an abundance of both types of materials, in most cases solid or engineered hardwood flooring is a wiser, healthier and more environmentally conscious choice than laminate.

The comparative chart below provides a quick overview of features of solid, engineered, and laminate flooring.

Hardwood or Laminate? Quick Comparison Chart

How about you? What type of floor do you have at home? What do you think are the most important factors when deciding what type of floor to choose?

Bamboo

One reason bamboo is thought to be a “greener” option is because, technically a grass, bamboo plants take a fraction of the time to grow to maturity when compared to its hardwood competition.

Additionally, bamboo is often considered to be very biodegradable and more natural than hardwood floors that sometimes come with coatings or treatments. However, there are some environmental concerns that we will mention in a bit, but first, an overview of hardwood flooring.

Hardwood

Whether solid or engineered, hardwood flooring comes from wood—the difference lies in how much wood. Solid hardwood consists of one piece of wood, whereas engineered is comprised of 2 or more wood or plywood layers. Solid is the more traditional choice, but engineered is definitely gaining in popularity.

Solid hardwood loses a lot of environmentalists who fear that it takes too long to replenish the material’s original source – trees. Sure, trees are natural and can be regrown, but the problem is that they do not mature fast enough to keep up with the rising demand for hardwood flooring. While a lot of North American and European wood species that are popularly used for manufacture of hardwood flooring are obtained from sustainable forestries, careless and unsystematic cutting (i.e. of exotic wood species in tropical rainforests) can lead to deforestation and pose a danger to local environments and the planet. Thus, alternatives like bamboo have popped up; however, as you’ll see below, bamboo is not as green of a choice as you might think

Shipping

Hardwood floors outshine bamboo in “greenness” when one factors in the cost and pollution that come with shipping immense quantities of bamboo out of its natural environment into the West. Native to Asia, bamboo is harvested and shipped at alarming rates, and, unless only electric ships or planes are used to transport bamboo (doubtful) that means lots of fuel usage. Sure, you might be making a smart flooring choice, but you are still hurting the environment in the process, canceling out any good you may have been doing.

With traditional hardwood, on the other hand, there are plenty of domestic options, which means limited shipping distance and therefore less emissions, something Mother Nature no doubt appreciates.

Durability and Manufacturing Process

Although bamboo is technically a grass, it doesn’t mean that it’s soft and fragile. Depending on environmental factors, bamboo grass can grow and mature into a material that rivals the hardness of maple (and measuring up to 1650 on the Janka scale).

When it comes to the ease of manufacturing, however, bamboo floors clearly lose out to traditional hardwood. While solid hardwood planks consist of a single piece of wood, and engineered hardwood planks –  of 2 or 3 pieces, bamboo flooring is made from numerous narrow strips that need to be glued together to form a solid flooring surface.

Most European and North American manufacturers use non-toxic water-based glues that are completely free from formaldehyde. One cannot say the same for mass produced bamboo flooring, where toxic glues and chemicals are often used in the bonding and stripping process. So, although bamboo may be an eco-friendly material initially, the final product is less than complimentary to our planet and our own health, as toxic glues will continue to emit harmful substances into the air.

Due to the sheer amount of glue required for bonding numerous narrow strips together, it is much cheaper to utilize lower quality, toxic glues. Although this may keep the cost of the floors down initially, the consequences of long-term exposure to toxic glue fumes and formaldehyde far exceed any initial advantages.

Labor and Production

The final way in which bamboo flooring is not as great of a flooring option as often thought is when it comes to manufacturer labor practices. In most cases, bamboo floors are manufactured in China, where labor practices and regulations are often less than humane. Workers are forced to work in horrid conditions all in the interest of the bottom line. But is the lower cost of bamboo flooring really worth it, when it means supporting less than admirable business practices?

Finally, many European or North American hardwood flooring manufacturers are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and other programs that ensure that producers adhere to the strictest environmental, quality, and labor practices, something that can’t be said for most imported bamboo floors.

So, the next time you or another home builder or remodeler is considering what flooring option to choose, think twice, weigh all of the options, and research thoroughly. You might be surprised by what you find.

After years of DIY home improvement projects, Kristie Lewis became an official member of the construction industry as a project manager. She hung up her hard hat last year, but continues to share her knowledge and passion for construction through blogging. Informative and helpful, constructionmanagementdegree.org offers insight into the ever-evolving industry. Email Kristie your questions and comments at Kristie.lewis81@gmail.com.

Coswick website visitors can leave and access existing reviews for entire flooring collections, individual products, flooring colors, species, construction technologies, as well as finish types and plank widths. Products are rated on their appearance, durability, ease of maintenance, as well as receive an overall rating.

In order to leave a review, just browse to the page of the product in question and follow “leave a review” link.

“The new review feature is meant to give our customers a voice, it’s a venue through which they can communicate their experience with the product to us, as well as to other consumers,” said Olya Ianovskaia, Marketing Manager at Coswick Hardwood Inc. “Not only is it extremely helpful to new buyers, it is also highly valuable for Coswick, as honest customer feedback allows us to know what we are doing right, and points out potential problem areas that need to be addressed.”

“All in all, the review feature will aid homeowners in their decision-making process, and help Coswick in perfecting its range of flooring.”

With the newly-launched review module, Coswick also hopes to study customer likes and preferences and use that knowledge when designing new flooring products.

To date, Coswick has presented 11 unique flooring collections that include over 70 designer styles, colors, and surface finishes. A regular exhibitor at the largest renovation and interior design shows in Europe, North America, and the Middle East, Coswick pays close attention to emerging trends in interior design, and to requests and wishes voiced by Coswick partners, dealers and retailers; this is why all 11 of Coswick flooring collections were very warmly received by both homeowners, flooring professionals, and interior designers.

Ash Pearl Grey uniblock flooring comes in 9” x 9” (228.6 x 228.6mm) preassembled square uniblocks that consist of 4 to 6 planks each. Uniblock flooring is milled as solid tongue and groove profile and has a delicate microbevel on all 4 sides. This type of solid wood flooring can be quickly laid into a classic checkerboard pattern using a gluedown method; precision milling guarantees easy and worry-free installation.

“Pearl Grey is one of our newest designer colors. Originally part of Signature Ash flooring collection, it was very well received by both homeowners and industry professionals,” said Liliya Ianovskaia, VP of Sales at Coswick Hardwood Inc. “By adding Pearl Grey to our Uniblock collection, we are able to make this beautiful solid flooring product available for condos, apartments and other interiors, where the choice of wood floor coverings is traditionally limited to engineered hardwood or laminate.”

“[This] is an easy and affordable way for condo and apartment owners to enjoy the benefits of solid hardwood flooring in their urban homes.”

Ash Pearl Grey uniblock flooring comes prefinished with matte CosNanoTech+ lacquer, an innovative flooring finishing technology that consists of 12 coats of top quality sealers and compounds with aluminum oxide added for extra durability. Through excellent adhesion to wood, CosNanoTech+ lacquer seals wood pores, creating a perfectly smooth and fully transparent surface. Soft matte sheen makes floors very forgiving by concealing footprints, dust, as well as other signs of wear.

Coswick CosNanoTech+ matte floors come with 25-year finish warranty. Lifetime structural warranty is extended to all Coswick wood floors, guaranteeing that flooring will retain its structural integrity for a lifetime.

Production of Ash Pearl Grey uniblock flooring will commence on October 1, 2012. Those interested in obtaining samples of Ash Pearl Grey uniblocks can pre-order them.

(Hover over images for product name, click on image to learn more about the product)

Hardwood looking tile certainly has its advantages: the beautiful textured look of authentic wood is replicated on a ceramic surface; for interiors where moisture levels can fluctuate dramatically, such as bathrooms, kitchens, or basements, tile really can be a stylish and practical alternative to real hardwood. But unless you are renovation your kitchen or bathroom, why settle for an imitation, when you can have the real thing?

Coswick Uniblock flooring collection features 8 solid ¾” thick designer floors that come in preassembled 9″ x 9” uniblocks. These square parquet “tiles” consist of 4 to 6 planks each and can be quickly laid into a classic checkerboard pattern using glue-down method. They are great solution to real wood vs imitation dilemma for condos, apartments and other urban interiors where choice of floor coverings is usually limited to engineered hardwood, laminate or non-wooden products.

Benefits of real wood uniblocks over wood-like tile flooring options:

• Hardwood uniblocks are manufactured from real wood;

• Hardwood uniblocks are not slippery. Porcelain and ceramic tile flooring can become very slippery (especially immediately after cleaning). Coswick uniblock floors come prefinished with semigloss or matte lacquer, or silk oil, durable hardwood finishes that are far safer that way.

• Many ceramic and porcelain “hardwood” tiles are installed over radiant heat, and for a good reason: clay and stone are cold by nature. Wood, on the other hand, is a naturally warm organic material that quickly adjusts to room temperature, remaining warm even through fall and winter seasons. Walking barefoot in a real wood floor is feels pleasant all year round.

• Installing uniblock flooring is an easy procedure: blocks simply need to be glued down onto plywood, wooden subfloor or sound membrane; precision milling makes installation worry-free.

• Uniblock flooring comes in 9” x 9” (228.6 x 228.6mm) preassembled squares that consist of 4 to 6 planks each. Uniblocks are laid into a classic checkerboard pattern.

• Hardwood uniblocks are manufactured from oak, ash, and American walnut, and come prestained in 8 designer colors.

• Solid uniblock floors have a lifetime structural warranty that guarantees that flooring will retain its structural integrity for a lifetime; 25 year finish warranty applies to floors with semigloss and matte lacquer CosNanoTech+ finishes.

• Milled as classic tonque and groove profile; have delicate microbevel on all 4 sides.

• Perfect for urban condos, apartments and high-rise suits.

Currently, Coswick uniblock flooring is available in 8 designer colors. In October 2012, this flooring collection will be expanded with a new color, Pearl Grey. Samples of all Coswick hardwood tile floors can be ordered online free of charge. To request complimentary samples of Coswick hardwood uniblock flooring, please click here.

In Muscat oak flooring, rich brown stain is used to complement the pronounced grain texture that distinguishes white oak from other wood species. Available in Tavern 2 grade, Muscat flooring is characterized by prominent color variation, unlimited natural burls and streaks, open or filled knots, and even wormholes – all natural features of real wood that together create a beautifully aged one-of-a-kind look.

Muscat oak flooring is wire brushed and comes with factory applied Silk Oil finish. This finishing technology consists of 4 layers of UV cured protective oil that penetrates into the wood surface, protecting flooring from effects of moisture, dust and dirt from the inside. In addition to having a silky and warm surface feel, silk oiled hardwood flooring is very easy to maintain. Wirebrushed surface and matte surface sheen make Muscat oak flooring very forgiving – small dents, scratches and other signs of wear are hardly noticeable on the floor surface; they blend in with natural grain texture of white oak, adding more character to the floor over time.

“Muscat Oak is the latest of 10 designer floors in our Country Oak flooring collection,” stated Vladimir Ianovski, founder and CEO of Coswick Hardwood Inc. “It effectively completes our palette of natural and earthly tones for this style of flooring.”

Coswick Country Oak flooring is used in traditional and period homes, lakeside cottages, as well as other residential and commercial interiors that call for a floor that looks naturally aged, and is easy to maintain.

Oak Muscat flooring comes as 3/4” thick solid hardwood and is available in 2 widths, 4 ¼” and 5”. All floors in Country Oak collection are covered under lifetime structural warranty, which ensures that hardwood flooring will retain its structural integrity for a lifetime.
Already in production, Muscat oak flooring will become available for purchase in North America in August 2012.

Healthy Alternative to Traditional Floor Finishes

With the addition of three new colors, Coswick Arts & Crafts collection now features seven designer floors coated with eco oil and wax, a healthy alternative to traditional polyurethane and acrylic finishes. Produced from natural components, including seed oil, eco oil and wax finishes penetrate into the wood pores and protect the floors from effects of moisture, grit and dirt from within. Unlike many traditional finishes available on the market today, Coswick eco oil and wax contain zero harmful substances and chemical offenders, such as cresol, formaldehyde, nitrobenzene, perchloroethylene, phenol, toluene and xylene, as well as emit zero toxic VOC emissions. This makes them friendly and safe not only for the environment, but for humans and pets as well.

A Renewable Flooring Solution: A Little Care Goes a Long Way

One of the main benefits of eco oil and wax finished floors from Arts & Crafts collection lies in possibility of performing “spot repairs”. Damaged or worn down floor boards do not need to be removed or replaced. Light scratches and scuffs can be repaired simply by recoating the affected area with more oil. While eco oil and wax require regular care and periodic finish renewal, slight manual sanding of damaged areas and application of renewer oil is all that is needed to return the floor to its original look. As sanding and refinishing of the entire floor surface will rarely be required, eco oil and wax floors will last for generations.

Coswick eco oil and wax are featured in Arts & Crafts collection of long-length, wide-plank engineered wood floors. Seven (7) designer colors of this collection range from soft and natural to sharp and unique tones. Free samples of eco oil and wax floors from Arts & Crafts collection can now be requested online.

Learn more about Arts & Crafts collection

New Trends: Nature and Technology

Mr. Ianovski, what are some of the newest trends in flooring?

Mr. Ianovski: There is an obvious trend for going natural when it comes to wood floors, which is just as about selecting environmentally conscious manufacturers, as it is about the overall appearance of flooring. In 2012, it’s all about getting as close to nature as possible. Clean and polished look is gradually going out of style, while assortment of knots and curls that emphasize the natural character and texture of real wood are largely preferred by both homeowners and interior designers.

In terms of flooring technologies, there is a growing demand for engineered flooring. This is not surprising, as in performance, eco-friendliness and reliability, some engineered floors are now clearly ahead of solid floors. Also, engineered technology allows to produce flooring in wider planks, something that’s becoming very popular.

It used to be that flooring was just that, flooring. Today, it is also an indispensable part of interior design. As we know, fashion and design are always changing. How do you decide on the colors and styles for your products?

Mr. Ianovski: Our marketing department is responsible for researching the latest trends, analyzing them, and forecasting the styles and colors that are likely to be successful among consumers and designers. Together with the sales team, we analyze the market trends and review wishes and requests put forth by our customers, dealers and partners. We pay close attention to the media and always to try to count in as many factors as we possibly can. In the full sense of the word, development of new products and designs is team work. We try not only to follow the existing trends, but also do our best to get ahead and set our own.

It’s often said that people are afraid of change, and I would think this is especially relevant when it comes to changing and introducing new products in a highly competitive market environment. You frequently present new products to your dealers. How do they react? Do some feel that there just isn’t enough time to fully understand a product before a new one arrives?

Mr. Ianovski: We definitely take the time to allow our partners to learn about our new products. Every year, we present 1 or 2 entirely new collections. The rest of the year, we update and modernize our existing collections by adding new colors and styles. To date, we have 11 unique collections that are on the market in North America and Europe, and none of them are out of production. They are all in demand. As I said, we carefully study the market and make forecasts before introducing new products. This year, it’s our line of matte lacquer Signature Oak – collection of engineered flooring. Already, we estimate that it will become the season’s leader. The color tones of this collection are light, subtle and earthly, and although the collection was launched only very recently, we are already seeing much interest from homeowners and interior designers.

You frequently update your flooring collections with new products. Does this complicate the work of the factory?

Mr. Ianovski: This is just how we work. We are definitely not a huge industrial plant where high-speed automated lines put out millions of square meters of low-cost mass produced flooring with a limited variety. We use state-of-the art equipment, and our lines can manufacture even the smallest custom made batches of flooring, allowing for nearly unlimited creativity and range of style. This is one of the points of advantage that we have over some bigger hardwood flooring manufacturers.

“We can afford to manufacture products of exceptional quality”

Who are your main competitors? Globally, it is probably Swedish and German flooring manufacturers?

Mr. Ianovski: Yes. We compete with them on North American, Western and Eastern European markets. But we do have several important advantages. Compared with certain American, Swedish and German industry giants, we are a relatively small manufacturer. But because of this, we are able to pay a lot of attention to all the technological aspects of production, and, as a result, we can afford to manufacture flooring products of exceptional quality. Even an inexperienced buyer who picks up our product will immediately note the precise milling and quality of finish and materials.

Our second advantage is that we offer 100% environmentally friendly products manufactured from real wood. We are strongly committed to staying as natural as possible. Our products are free of formaldehyde or phenols. We declare zero VOC emissions class.

Finally, since we do not mass produce, we are able to manufacture a wide range of styles. To date, we have over 70 distinct flooring styles, colors and surface finishes, which makes it easy to find a suitable floor for just about any interior.

When you say that you are a relatively small company, what exactly do you mean? How small is small?

Mr. Ianovski: I mean that Coswick will produce 600,000 square meters (6,458,346 sq. ft) of flooring by the end of the year. This is the production capacity right now. Is it really that small? On the one hand, it is many times less than what is annually produced by European flooring industry giants, but on the other – it still allows us to successfully present our products globally.

Most hardwood flooring manufacturers have their own “signature” product. Does Coswick have one?

Mr. Ianovski: Definitely. Our engineers and technicians are always working on finding innovative solutions to existing problems. Our crown jewel to date is our 3-layer engineered CosLoc 5G technology. In short, it is an engineered flooring technology that has structural and dimensional stability that far exceeds that of traditional solid hardwood as well as most wood flooring products on the market today. In fact, we are so confident about this product, that we now offer full lifetime structural integrity warranty on our engineered flooring.

What are your thoughts on the immediate future of the hardwood flooring industry? Do you think that global crisis will make it increasingly more difficult to compete with larger manufacturers?

Mr. Ianovski: In times of economic crisis, consumers start making more conscious, careful decisions. Products are meticulously researched for quality and uniqueness of style. Coswick produces high quality, innovative, designer flooring. Because of this, we feel confident about the future.

Coswick flooring is available in over 70 colors, surface styles and finishes. Coswick is one of few flooring manufacturers to offer full lifetime structural warranty on its engineered flooring products. Samples of all Coswick hardwood flooring can be ordered online free of charge.

Benefits of Prefinished Hardwood Flooring

Ease of Installation

Installation of prefinished hardwood flooring is relatively quick and easy when compared to unfinished floors. Already coated in a factory setting, it does not need to be sanded and finished on-site, which eliminates the need to put up with the noise, dust and toxic smells that go along with installation of unfinished flooring. For this reason, installation costs are also lower.

Durability

Prefinished flooring has several coats of finish and strengtheners applied using a UV-curing technology in a strictly-controlled factory setting. This makes the wear layer of prefinished hardwood flooring very durable, and the finish itself comes under manufacturer warranty, which is substantially better than any contractor warranty applied in the field. Unique finishing technologies and drying conditions that available at an industrial plant are simply impossible to replicate on-site. Factory applied finishes are more abrasion resistant and are free of dust, brush hairs, swirl marks, etc. These evenly applied heavy duty finishes do not have an odor. While site-finished floors last 3-5 years (6-maximum) before needing to be refinished, most prefinished floors can last for decades.

Non-toxic

Installation of prefinished flooring means less mess and noise, as well as ZERO toxins and unpleasant smells that are unavoidable when traditional flooring is finished on-site. This is a major advantage for highly trafficked areas, or households with pets, children, or people with allergies. Prefinished hardwood flooring is a hypo-allergenic flooring solution.

Depth of Color and Natural Wood Texture

In addition to being non-toxic and highly durable, factory applied finishes also tend to be highly transparent, which allows to preserve the look of natural wood texture and depth of color to the maximum. Factory prefinished hardwood floors are available in a wide range of colors, surface finishes and styles. In addition, prefinished hardwood flooring is guaranteed to be free of dust, specks and hair that sometimes go unnoticed when flooring is finished on-site.

The reason why many builders continue to prefer unfinished flooring is because it is possible to continue renovation work over installed unfinished hardwood, and sand and finish the floor once all the other work is done. With prefinished flooring, this is not possible, as prefinished hardwood must be the last element installed to avoid any accidental damages to finish and surface.  Advantages of prefinished wood flooring are starting to win over many homeowners, contractors, builders and architects. What type of hardwood flooring do you prefer, and why? Please share in comments below.

Coswick manufactures prefinished hardwood floors in over 70 styles, colors and surface finishes, available as solid and engineered flooring. Browse our wood flooring to find one that best suits your needs, and when you are ready, order a free sample!

Solid Hardwood vs. Engineered Hardwood

1. Manufacturing Technique:

Solid hardwood is manufactured from a single piece of wood, the most common thickness of a solid hardwood plank is ¾”. The most widely used profile is tongue-and-groove (T&G).

Engineered hardwood consists of 2 or more layers. The top layer is wood veneer (industry norm is 2-4mm think top layer; Coswick uses only solid sawn 4mm wood lamellas for top layer). The lower layers consist either of several layers of plywood, HDF or solid wood (Coswick has 2 types of engineered flooring, with plywood and solid wood base layers). Multiple layers are bonded together under pressure. Profile may be either tongue-and-groove, or use a click-locking technology.

2. Properties:

Solid hardwood flooring is a 100% natural product that responds to air humidity variations. In order to avoid seasonal gapping from becoming noticeable and to reduce the amount of movement, relative indoor humidity level should be kept at 45-55% throughout the year.

Engineered hardwood has minimal movement and maintains superb dimensional stability through seasonal humidity fluctuations. In order to avoid seasonal gapping from becoming noticeable and to reduce the amount of movement, relative indoor humidity level should be kept at 40-65% throughout the year.

3. Dimensional stability:

Solid hardwood is a 100% natural product that responds to air humidity variations. During warm and humid summers, it is not unusual for wood to expand. During cold and dry winters, wood can contract. If room temperature and humidity levels are not kept in the optimum range, minor gapping or cupping may occur seasonally.

Because of the cross-layers of plywood and/or real wood used for middle and bottom layers, engineered hardwood flooring has enhanced internal balance and reduced possibility of twisting or warping. Seasonal movement is minimal, while dimensional stability through seasonal humidity and temperature fluctuations is superb. This is why engineered hardwood flooring is preferable over solid in interiors where fluctuations in humidity and temperature may be significant (cottages, basements etc).

4. Durability:

Both solid and engineered hardwood floors are very durable, but surface wear depends on the type of flooring finish, and not on whether your flooring is solid or engineered.

5. Price:

Some may assume that engineered hardwood is naturally cheaper than solid hardwood, but this is not always the case. Plank size, cost of lumber, as well as cost and quality of glues (used for adhering layers of engineered flooring) are often the cost determining factor here. Additionally, the cost of installation varies and depends on plank construction (click engineered floors, such CosLoc 5G for instance, can be installed using floating method, which significantly reduces installation costs).

6. Look and design:

One of the most prevalent beliefs about solid hardwood vs. engineered hardwood is that in order to get the look and feel of real wood, one must go with solid. Most engineered floors (and all of Coswick engineered flooring) use solid sawn wood lamellas, which means that the top layer is made of real wood, and have the look, texture and feel of solid wood floors. Both solid and engineered floors are available in the same range of finishes and stains, so there is virtually no difference in appearance.

Keep in mind that all prefinished engineered floors have a microbevel on all four sides, while site-finished solid hardwood does not.

7. Plank width:

Because solid hardwood is more sensitive to moisture and humidity fluctuations, the optimum plank width for solid wood flooring shouldn’t generally exceed 4 ¼”-5”, depending on the finish type.

In engineered hardwood, superb dimensional stability and resistance to humidity and temperature fluctuations allow for a much wider plank. Depending on construction type, Coswick engineered flooring is manufactured up to 7 ½” wide.

8. Installation:

Solid hardwood should be installed on or above grade, using nail down or staple down installation method.

Engineered hardwood can be installed in a wide range of interiors, on, below or above grade. Depending on construction type, nail down, glue down or floating methods of installation may be used. “Floating” is a simple DIY procedure that requires no special training and thus significantly reduces installation costs.

9. Eco- Friendliness:

100% wood, solid hardwood floors are a natural and eco-friendly flooring choice.

In engineered hardwood flooring, glues and materials used for middle and bottom layers define whether the floor is non-toxic and eco-friendly. Engineered floors, in which middle and bottom layers are made of solid wood, and are bonded by high quality non-toxic glues, are equal in their eco-friendly characteristics to solid hardwood.

Because the look and feel of solid vs engineered hardwood is virtually the same, the decision on which one to purchase and install should not be a matter personal preference, but rather a question of cost, climactic factors and other practical considerations.

Coswick manufactures solid and engineered hardwood floors in over 70 colors, styles and surface finishes. All Coswick floors are 100% formaldehyde-free and come under lifetime structural warranty. Order samples of solid and engineered Coswick floors and have them delivered to your door free of charge.

How to choose the best hardwood floor for dogs?

1)      Go with hardwood, not softwood.

Stay away from soft woods like American walnut, pine or birch. Instead, go for hard species. Oak, ash or Brazilian Cherry are among the hard and strong wood species that don’t dent easily and have excellent shock absorbency properties, which will help minimize dents and scratches from dog nails.

2)      Choose wood species with pronounced grain texture.

White oak and ash, for example, have naturally rich grain texture that disguises minor dents and scratches. Marks left by dog and cat nails will blend in with the floor surface, appearing as part of natural wood texture.

3)      Go for wirebrushed or scraped flooring, or an otherwise textured surface.

When the wood is brushed, soft portion of the wood is scraped away in order to highlight the natural richness and deep grain texture. The result is a very natural-looking and forgiving floor surface that is complemented by wood knots and dramatic character marks of wood. Scratches and small dents left by dog nails, as well as other signs of wear and tear will simply add to the dramatic effect achieved by wirebrushing the floor surface.

4)      Choose natural colors.

Stains in natural colors that range from beige to dark brown are the best choice for homes with dogs and other large pets. During periods of shedding, fur will be barely noticeable on floor surface.

5)      Go for low gloss, matte surface finishes.

Oil and wax-based matte finishes are best for households with dogs not only because they conceal dust, dirt and small scratches, but also because oil penetrates into the wood without forming a thick surface film. Visually, this results beautiful open grains. Practically, this means that floors are protected from effects of moisture from the inside (especially, if finish is a water-repellent oil or wax). In addition, oiled floors have a warm and natural feel and are a lot less slippery than traditional lacquer floors.

Oiled floors have another advantage over lacquered: they allow for “spot repairs”. While with traditional polyurethane lacquer floors, fixing severe local damage will often entail removal and replacement of ruined planks. With oiled flooring, the repair procedure is a simple do-it-yourself job that only requires a piece of sanding paper, some stain, oil and a sponge. While brushed and oiled floors will need to be re-oiled, on average, every couple of years, it is an easy one-man job that can be completed in a single afternoon.

Coswick offers a wide range of wirebrushed and oiled hardwood floors that are designed to last in heavy traffic conditions and are perfect for households with dogs and other large pets.  Check it out, and if you found a floor you like, feel free to order a complimentary sample.

However, not all engineered floors are created equal. While there is high quality engineered flooring available on the market, there are also low-quality counterparts that cost more than they are worth and may even pose serious health hazards for you and your family. So how do you tell the difference between high and low quality engineered flooring? Read on, as the tips below reveal the questions you should ask before purchasing engineered flooring.

6 Questions to Ask Before Buying Engineered Hardwood Flooring

1. Where and by whom was this floor manufactured?

The market for hardwood floors is huge, flooring is produced virtually in every part of the globe, and manufacturing standards and practices differ vastly as well. In certain developing countries, flooring can be made using questionable practices, including environmental carelessness, utilization of toxic materials etc.  Professional industry associations that exist in North America and Europe set high industry standards and strict rules for flooring manufacturers, compliance with which is the requirement for obtaining membership and retaining good standing. When researching an engineered flooring manufacturer, check for their membership in any professional association (such as NWFA). To protect yourself, always buy brand name flooring produced by well-established manufacturers.

2. What is the top layer made of?

If you are looking for a natural wood floor surface, make sure that the top layer of the engineered flooring you are about to buy is made from real wood. In top quality engineered flooring, the top, otherwise known as the ‘wear’ later, is made from solid sawn wood lamellas, which preserve the look and feel of natural wood because they are, in fact, real. Pay attention to the thickness of top layer. Industy norm is from 2 to 6; top layer thickness of Coswick engineered floors in 4mm, which surpasses the industry average.

Do not confuse engineered flooring with laminate or composite floors. In the latter, synthetic materials, melamine resin, fiberboard and other materials are used to imitate the look of real wood.

3. What kind of glue was used to adhere the layers?

Although most engineered flooring manufacturers in Europe and North America comply with strict safety and environmental standards, there are still some flooring producers that lower production costs by using materials of questionable quality, such as toxic glues. Before committing to a purchase, always make sure that the glue used to adhere layers of your engineered flooring is a high quality product that is free from formaldehyde and other toxins, as well as provides good bonding and won’t cause delamination later on. Glues used in Coswick engineered flooring are non-toxic, water-resistant, elastic and extra-strong; tests have shown no delamination even after samples Coswick engineered flooring were placed in boiling water for 10 hours.

4. Can this engineered flooring be installed over radiant heat?

While engineered flooring is far more dimensionally stable than solid hardwood, not all engineered hardwood is recommended for installation over radiant heat. In most cases, quality and properties of glues used for bonding layers of engineered flooring, is what dictates whether instrallation over radiant heat is possible. As improper installation will often void all warranties, always find out in advance whether manufacturer recommends this kind of installation. As a rule of thumb, most locking/floating engineered floors can be installed over radiant heat. Some engineered hardwoods with plywood base layers are not recommended for radiant heat. Engineered floors made from exotic wood species (ie. Jatoba, Santos Mahogany) are not meant for installation over radiant heat altogether.

5. What is the installation method? How does it affect the overall cost of flooring?

Different types of engineered floors are meant to be installed differently. Preferred installation method depends of the flooring construction and profile, as well as plank thickness. Installation methods vary from staple- (or nail-) down, glue-down installation to “floating”. The cost of installation will vary depending on method, as well as subfloor requirements. Staple-down or glue-down method of installation often requires services of a professional flooring installer and purchase of installation materials, which can be costly. Floating is an easy DIY procedure that requires no special training, and thus significantly cuts installation time and cost.

6. Are there any warranties?

Reputable manufacturers of high quality hardwood flooring issue consumer warranties, offering to replace defective flooring or issue a full refund should serious problems arise. While most flooring producers issue structural warranties on solid hardwood, fewer manufacturers are willing to warrant their engineered floors against potential problems with core structure or surface finish. To avoid any unpleasant surprises in the future, always inquire about the warranty before purchasing!

There are of course more questions that a serious homeowner should be asking before buying engineered flooring, and the questions listed above are meant to get you thinking about the purchase. Make an informed decision and you will avoid some costly mistakes!

Coswick manufactures 2 types of engineered hardwood floors: 2-layer plywood core T&G and 3-layer locking CosLoc 5G with solid birch middle layers. All Coswick engineered floors are manufactured using extra-strong formaldehyde-free glues and are covered under lifetime structural warranty. Top layer on Coswick engineered floors is a 4mm thick solid sawn wood lamella. Interested in learning more about our engineered floors? Order a free sample!

“Cosloc 5G engineered flooring is a great flooring solution for homeowners who are looking for a durable and eco-friendly wood floor that is both cost effective and high performing,” stated Vladimir Ianovski, founder and CEO of Coswick Hardwood Inc.

“Innovative technology and use of high quality non-toxic glues allow us to create beautiful and durable engineered floors that are not only indistinguishable from solid wood floors in appearance, but also have comparable and even better performance across a wide range of interiors and climates,” added Mr. Ianovski.

Coswick is currently one of very few flooring manufacturers to offer full lifetime structural warranty on their engineered flooring.

Benefits and distinguishing features of CosLoc 5G engineered flooring:

• Solid sawn 4mm hardwood lamella for the top layer makes engineered flooring virtually indistinguishable from solid hardwood in appearance, as well as makes it possible to sand and refinish the floor, extending the lifetime of CosLoc flooring for many years.
• Middle core and bottom layer are made of solid birch bars, which increases dimensional stability of the floor, allowing it to be used in all types of residential spaces, and installed above, on, or below ground level, as well as over radiant heat.
• Cork compensators in middle layer balance internal stress and eliminate squeaking in floors.
• Glues used for adhering layers together are 100% formaldehyde free, non-toxic, water-resistant and elastic, which makes CosLoc engineered flooring an eco-friendly flooring solution.
• Simplified “one step” installation technique, simple DIY procedure that requires no glue or staples, and significantly reduces installation costs.

CosLoc 5G technology is licensed by Valinge Innovation, Sweden. CosLoc 5G engineered floors are available in over 70 colors, styles and surface finishes. Simplified “floating” method of installation is possible due to utilization of innovative locking technology: joining of flooring planks by lowering the tongue of one plank into the groove of another, where they are linked by a plastic latch. If needed, installed Cosloc floating floors can be taken apart and re-installed elsewhere.

Samples of CosLoc 5G floating floors can be ordered online free of charge.

Tips for Choosing the Right Color for Your Hardwood Floor

• Room size, ceiling height, color and texture of walls and furniture should be your primary considerations when choosing a wood floor color. The colors must complement each other in order for an overall final design to be successful.

• Avoid using dark colored floors in small rooms with dark walls, as it will make the room look gloomy and dense.

• While darker shades usually translate into a more formal look, they also bring out the warmth in other elements of décor.

• If the room has a low ceiling, go with light colored walls and light flooring color.

• If ability to conceal scratches, small dents and dust is a must, go for natural colored hardwood floors in matte finishes.

• Remember that color of your floor should not match (or be identical to) the color of your furniture or walls. Go with colors that contrast and complement each other.

• When choosing the color for your wood floor, take full advantage of flooring samples. While photos of interiors and virtual decorator software may give you a general idea of what the end result might be, nothing will inform your decision better than seeing the floor color on-site, in natural light.

• If you prefer a classic look, go with natural unstained wood or traditional shades of brown, such as chestnut (gunstock) or walnut stains.

• Dark and black tones are a popular choice for chic and modern interiors, artists’ studios or urban condos.

• Bold and deep colors, such as various shades of red (think natural Jatoba or Santos Mahogany, or oak and ash stained in similar colors), add character to offices, public interiors and other spaces, where large open space makes flooring a central element of décor.

Learning to think of flooring as an indispensable element of décor is absolutely necessary in order to pick the best possible wood floor color. While personal preference is very important, it should not always be a deciding factor, and limitations of room size, style and existing colors should be given proper consideration.

Coswick hardwood flooring comes in a wide range of colors, surface styles and finishes, and there is a perfect floor for any interior. Browse our flooring colors to find one that’s right for you. Found a floor you like? Order a free sample and have it shipped to your home free of charge.

While Canadian residents can order free flooring samples from the main manufacturer website, residents of the United States can take advantage of this service by visiting the website of official representative in Colorado, Western Coswick Representatives (WCR), browsing to the page of the flooring product they like, and filling out a short order form.

“By taking advantage of this new service, homeowners, designers and flooring professionals can view our flooring products and compare them side-by-side to simplify the decision-making process”, said Tanya Bucnevich, former executive at Coswick Hardwood Inc and founder of WCR.

“Customers and interior designers will not only be able to sample our classic flooring products, but also see the newest and trendiest colors before they become available in dealer showrooms across Canada and USA,” added Ms Bucnevich

In addition to offering free flooring samples online, Coswick US representatives will also be happy to provide a complementary consultation, answering any questions you may have about Coswick flooring. Moreover, product availability, and approximate delivery information is available to site visitors right on the product pages.

Coswick hardwood floors are available in over 70 designer styles and constructions, including solid hardwood, 2-layer engineered tongue-and-groove flooring, and 3-layer engineered flooring CosLoc 5G. The latter is an increasingly popular flooring technology, licensed by Valinge Innovations (Sweden). CosLoc 5G engineered flooring is distinguished by superior dimensional stability and ease of installation and maintenance (floors are “floated” over the subfloor, and can be disassembled at any time). Most Coswick flooring products are available in CosLoc 5G construction and can their samples can be ordered online.

To request your samples of Coswick flooring, go to “Free Flooring Samples“

BM Group LTD, official representative of Coswick Hardwood in Georgia, will be exhibiting at the tradeshow.

Caucasus-Build 2012 will be open:

May 16: 11am-6pm
May 17: 10am-6pm
May 18: 10am-6pm
May 19: 10am-4pm

If you are in Tbilisi during this time, we urge to visit BM Group at Caucasus-Build 2012.

The exhibit will take place at Expo Georgia, 118 Tsereteli ave. Tbilisi, 380019, Georgia

Speers Flooring, a dealer of Coswick Hardwood in the Halton region, has updated the collection of Coswick flooring samples in their Oakville showroom, and now displays all new Coswick flooring products that recently became available in North America.

Speers Flooring has been servicing the areas of Oakville, Mississauga and Burlington since 1962. Speers offers a wide range of products and services, including installation and refinishing, and receives excellent customer reviews on homestars.com and yelp.ca.

Speers consultants are non-commissioned so customers receive professional advice for their flooring projects in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

“Speers Flooring has beed successfully selling our hardwood products since 2000,” stated Liliya Ianovski, VP of Sales and Finance at Coswick Hardwood Inc. “We are excited that Speers Flooring is among the first Coswick dealers in Canada to display our new 2012 products.”

New collection of wide plank hardwood flooring with eco-friendly oil and wax finishes, the Arts & Crafts collection (first introduced in December 2011), is now represented in 4 main colors, Vienna, Batiste Geneva and Old Venice. The floors in this collection have a width of 7 ½” and lengths up to 7’, and are available as “floating” CosLoc 5G engineered floors.

Oak Dark Chocolate, the most recent addition to Brushed and Oiled flooring collection, is also on display. Dark Chocolate is a rich designer color that is a combination of classic brown walnut hue with a slight tint of red.

Select colors from Coswick ash flooring collections, which were recently introduced to North American market, are also available for viewing in Speers Flooring showroom. Ash Moonlight, Avalanche, and Cloudy – gentle colors that are reflective of a growing trend for lighter hardwood floors – are now on display.

Finally, the new Coswick additions to Speers Flooring showroom include six colors from Classic oak flooring collection, prefinished in matte lacquer. Classic oak in lacquer matte finish is available exclusively in Canada and USA.

Speers Flooring
266 Speers Rd
Oakville, ON
L6K 2E9
Email: speers(at)speersflooring(dot)com
Web: http://www.speersflooring.com
Tel: 905 845-8562
Fax: 905 845-8704