Brad's Page

Brad Staggs
HGTVPro.com and DIYNET.com host
Licensed Contractor

Hi everyone!

With the indoor season upon us, let's talk about a big trend I see for this fall and winter. Maybe you'll find a tip or two to take your interior living spaces from drab to fab!

Wood Flooring
A recent homeowner study appearing in the Forest Products Journal revealed that wood flooring is more beautiful, healthier, environmentally friendly and stronger than carpeting. And it looks incredible, too!

Southern Pine has been used as a flooring material since Colonial times, and has proven to be extremely durable, attractive and versatile. High-quality Southern Pine flooring, when properly installed and cared for, is capable of withstanding just about anything you and your family (even those family members with four legs) can dish out.

Reduce Allergens
Many of my designer friends have long recognized Southern Pine flooring for its inherent beauty, with its distinctive grain pattern and warm, golden color adding distinction to any room. And unlike carpet, Southern Pine flooring doesn't trap dust and other allergens. No expensive vacuum cleaners are required to make your Southern Pine floors safe for those with allergies � a good old-fashioned broom will do the trick!

Flooring Shapes & Sizes 101
So how do you know what to buy? Well, Southern Pine flooring comes in a variety of widths and grades. Standard widths range from 2 to 6 inches. "Strip" flooring is traditionally 3 1/2" or narrower. "Plank" flooring is classified as material 4" and wider. Most Southern Pine flooring is either 1" or 1 �" in thickness. Lengths of Southern Pine flooring range from 8 to 16 feet.

The 411 on Knots & Grain
Selecting flooring grade is completely a matter of personal taste. What I love for my house may not work in yours, and vice versa. Southern Pine flooring grades are based on appearance criteria � the higher the grade, the fewer knots, grain, etc. The lower the grade, the more knots, etc. the flooring will have. (Many people think the knots in Southern Pine flooring add more character and beauty to both the product and their home.)

Click here for some great pictures of interior flooring and how to download a flooring brochure.

Come back next month and I'll share another trend or tip. Got an idea you'd like me to talk about? Send me an e-mail through the "contact us" link above. Thanks for your thoughts!

Regards,

Brad