Squeaky hardwood floors can annoy you to no end. It can leave you embarrassed to show guests through your home and serve as the last straw on a bad day. But even more than the annoyance, it can also cause you to wonder if there’s a bigger problem with the hardwood floors you’ve invested so much in. Will the squeaking get worst? Do you have a deeper problem affecting the flooring you once took pride in?

Why Hardwood Floors Squeak

If your hardwood floors squeak, it could be a result of a number of issues that include:

• Defects in the wood
• Poor workmanship
• Improperly fastened flooring
• Normal humidity changes due to seasonality

An excessively dry winter, just like an excessively humid summer, can cause your floor boards to swell and rub together, leading to those annoying squeaks that detract from the look of your floors. And when your floors aren’t properly installed or your flooring contractor installed a defective type of wood, it can become even more susceptible to expanding or contracting during changes in indoor moisture levels and humidity.

How to Fix Squeaking Hardwood Floors

The following methods are common for fixing squeaky hardwood floors:

• Lubricating the squeaky floor boards
• Inserting glazier points between boards
• Driving finishing nails into the subfloor
• Applying adhesive where the joist meets the subfloor
• Applying liquid wax between boards for flooring with a wax coat

Other techniques may be used as well depending on the source of the squeaks—whether they are coming from the floor boards themselves or the subfloor. As a preventative measure to ensure this doesn’t happen again, you’ll ideally want to maintain consistent humidity levels with a home humidifier.

Schedule Squeaky Hardwood Floor Repair in Maryland, Virginia & Washington, DC

If you need to schedule squeaky hardwood floor repair in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC, look to Elegant Floor Service. Our flooring specialists have extensive knowledge of hardwood floor repairs small and large, making us an easy choice for wood floor clients from Silver Spring to Alexandria and all throughout the area. No matter how severe your issues may be, we’ll do everything we can to find you the best solution. After all, we’re up for any challenge!

Call today to schedule squeaky hardwood floor repair for your home and take pride in your wood floors again!

Thinking about refinishing your hardwood floors, but worried what the price tag will look like? To eliminate the stress over budget, we’ve outlined key factors contractors look at to determine your hardwood floor refinishing cost. You can also give us a call at 800-417-3172 to get a more accurate estimate on your project in the Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC area.

How to Determine Your Hardwood Floor Refinishing Cost

The average hardwood floor refinishing cost can typically range anywhere from $1 – $5.25 per square foot. But this number varies on a case-by-case basis depending on several key factors—mainly anything that can impact how many hours refinishers will need to invest in your project, along with the materials they’ll need to properly complete the process. This may include:

• The condition of your floors
• The size of the room that needs refinishing
• How many rooms need refinishing
• If you need stairs refinished
• And more

Note that if your damage is more extensive (you need floor boards replaced or cracks sealed, for example), you may not be able to fix it by refinishing. In this case, your contractor will likely recommend a full wood floor repair, which will drive up the final price. For a more accurate picture of your hardwood floor refinishing cost, you can also consult flooring companies throughout the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC areas to compare estimates.

What Does Your Hardwood Floor Refinishing Cost Include?

Now that you have a better idea of what your hardwood floor refinishing cost could look like, you probably want to know what you’ll get out of that. Though the exact specifications can vary based on the contractor of your choice, your budget will typically include:

• Hardwood floor sanding to eliminate marks and smooth out the look
• Hardwood floor staining to give your flooring a refreshed, updated look
• Hardwood floor polishing to add shine and provide protection from future damage

Depending on the wood floor refinishing company you choose, your estimate may also include costs for cleanup and site preparation, which primarily consists of relocating any furniture. We recommend you carefully review your proposal to be sure of what’s included before finalizing your contract.

Get an Estimate on Your Hardwood Floor Refinishing Cost in Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC

If you’re interested in learning more about the process or want to get started with an estimate, look to Elegant Floor Service. Our contractors will be happy to assess the specifics of your project and provide you with a more specific hardwood floor refinishing cost. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation with our Silver Spring wood flooring company!

If you’re thinking of ways to renovate your home and give it charm with minimal impact on the environment, installing reclaimed hardwood floors could be just the solution. A popular choice with a one-of-a-kind aesthetic, reclaimed wood flooring is an eco-friendly building material that can help you reduce your carbon footprint—and freshen up the look of your home with old world charm and unique character! To see what we mean, call Elegant Floor Service today and ask for samples during your consultation—you can reach us by phone at 800-417-3172 or by filling out an online contact form.

Benefits of Installing Reclaimed Wood Flooring

Installing reclaimed hardwood floors is growing increasingly popular in home remodeling projects—and it’s easy to see why! Reclaimed wood flooring offers the following benefits:

• Environmentally friendly – reclaimed wood flooring is recyclable and when it’s used in home designs, it can help preserve natural resources in the environment, while also lessening the burden on local landfills.
• A beautiful, unique look – having spent years growing, reclaimed wood flooring, sometimes referred to as antique flooring, has a beautiful, warm, and inviting look unlike any other hardwood floor.
• Historical origins – reclaimed wood flooring is typically built from virgin growth timber which spent years growing before being cultivated by mankind, and is often taken from historic buildings, giving it a unique, authentic character and charm.
• Extreme strength and durability – even in high-traffic areas, your reclaimed wood flooring will last years (it already has)! 
• Options – like your standard hardwood, reclaimed wood flooring is available in a variety of species—oak, chestnut, and pine to name a few
• And more!

It’s important to note that as beautiful and long-lasting as reclaimed wood flooring is, it can be rather dry and must be installed with precision and care. Professional hardwood floor installation is recommended to achieve best results.

Installing Reclaimed Hardwood Floors in Maryland, Washington, DC & Virginia

Give your home a touch of historic beauty and help preserve the environment with reclaimed wood flooring! If you live in the Maryland, Washington, DC, or Northern Virginia areas, Elegant Floor Service will be happy to come to your home with samples and guide you through the hardwood floor installation process for a smooth, pleasant experience. Give us a call today at 800-417-3172 or fill out an online contact form to learn more about installing reclaimed hardwood floors and get your FREE estimate!

Scratches, marks, and even fading in color, can often be fixed with a wood floor refinishing project. But your floors can only be refinished so many times before a replacement becomes necessary. And if your damage is too severe in the first place, refinishing may not even be an option to begin with.

Some signs that can indicate when to replace hardwood floors include:

You have water damaged flooring.

If you’re wondering when to replace hardwood floors, water damage can be a critical indicator. Of course, this depends on how severe the damage, but if your planks begin to buckle, peel, or crack, it’s evident that it’s time for a replacement.

You’ve completed multiple refinishing jobs.

We mentioned this already, but it’s worth repeating. Hardwood floors can only handle so many refinishing jobs before the process stops working and the quality of the wood becomes compromised. We’d typically limit this at five, but the number can vary based on the quality of previous refinishing jobs and the type of hardwood you have.

Your subfloor is damaged.

Once your subfloor starts to show signs of damage, refinishing is no longer the most cost effective option, and it becomes less effective in restoring the original look to the flooring. This is especially true if the planks have wide gaps between them, as refinishing techniques will not work to bridge these openings.

Your flooring is too old.

If you’ve had the same flooring forever, it’s likely begun to decay with age. Hardwood floors this old are not typically salvageable, especially if they are soft and bouncy. In this case, a replacement is really the only option.

The Benefits of Replacing Hardwood Floors

While it may seem like refinishing would be simpler, this isn’t always the case. Replacing hardwood floors can:

• Take less time than refinishing
• Be neater and cleaner
• Allow you to make changes in design, direction, or even wood species
• And more!

Replacing Hardwood Floors in Maryland, Virginia & Washington, DC

If you’ve noticed any of the above issues with your hardwood flooring and think you could benefit from a replacement, Elegant Floor Service can help. We have been replacing hardwood floors for homes in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC since 1987 and have established a reputation for reliable, professional service. Our technicians can come out to your home to help you determine when to replace hardwood floors through a detailed assessment of your space—and we can even bring samples with us so you can begin the selection process right away! Contact us to get started today at 800-417-3172.

Hardwood floors can be a major investment in your home or office, and they’re meant to last you years. But it’s important to ask your contractor the right questions when you’re buying hardwood floors to ensure you make a well-informed decision and get the most of your purchase.

We recommend asking:

1. Is solid or engineered hardwood flooring better for me? Engineered wood flooring is typically better suited to areas of moisture or humidity, or if you’re installing your new floors above concrete. Solid hardwood floors are a better choice for rooms with heavy foot traffic, since they can be sanded and refinished many times.
2. What is the right species for me? If you have little knowledge of hardwood floor species, your contractor can offer recommendations based on the appearance you’re going for—whether you want light or dark floors—and how durable you’ll need your floors to be. At Elegant Floor Service, we can bring samples to your home to help you compare your options.
3. What does the warranty cover? See if there’s a finish warranty and a structural warranty to protect against normal defects that come with age. You’ll also want to know whether it’s a lifetime warranty or how long it lasts, if not, and how much it costs.
4. How do I take care of my floors after they’re installed? An experienced hardwood floor contractor can offer recommendations for ongoing maintenance or provide you with a maintenance package and take care of it for you. They can also advise you on what to do to minimize damage if you have a spill.
5. What is the cost of installing hardwood floors? Installation costs can include a number of things depending on the contractor. Cost-per-square-foot of flooring is one aspect, and you’ll need to consider that you may need 10 percent more wood than the dimensions of the room. Some contractors may include fees for removing furniture, disposing old floor covers, preparing the sub flooring, delivery the product, installing the product, and the materials in the total cost, or they may add a separate charge for certain portions of the project.

Schedule Your Consultation with a Wood Floor Contractor Serving MD, VA & DC

If you’re buying hardwood floors in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC areas, Elegant Floor Service can help. We offer free estimates on our wood floor installation projects and can walk you through the product selection process in greater detail during an initial consultation. Make sure you have an idea of your style and budget preferences, along with the dimensions of your room, the moisture level in your home, and what type of sub-floor you have so we can better answer your questions. Contact us today for all the information you need on buying hardwood floors in the DC area.