FLOORING FAQ & TIPS

When should hardwood floors be installed?

If you’re having a home built or making some renovations, it is highly suggested that the hardwood flooring work be scheduled near the very end. Far too many times, builders rush the flooring installation and major repairs become necessary due to inconsistent temperatures, worker traffic and/or mishaps.

How do I acclimate the wood?

For new construction or remodeling, the heating system must be operational and the house must be heated for a week at 71 degrees F. Plastering and concrete work must be fully dry prior to installation. Basements or under floor crawl spaces should be dry and well ventilated.

What types of wood floor is best over a radiant heating system?

Engineered, laminates, and floating floors work the best with radiant heat because of their dimensional stability. Not all species of wood are good candidates for an installation over radiant heating. Quarter sawn or rift-sawn flooring is preferable to plain sawn. And strip flooring is a better choice than plank flooring because narrow boards expand and contract less than wide boards do. Using narrow boards also means there are more seams in a floor to take up movement.

We have natural maple cabinets/bookshelves/etc. throughout our house and we are now considering putting in laminate flooring. Here is our question: Would it be best to stay with the natural maple for the flooring (too much maple?) or go with a cherry – will it be contrasting?

We recommend a contrast when it comes to flooring. The white sapwood in American Cherry would certainly be complimentary to the natural maple cabinets. It is a beautiful wood, but note that it is very soft and tends to ding and dent easily. Hickory is a fun wood if you like a more rustic look, and it is very hard and dense like maple. Its white sap wood contrasts with the deep, rich, reds and browns of the heartwood. You can also select the all-time favorite oak with a warm stain for contrast.

When you’re selecting a flooring that will compliment your cabinets/bookshelves, etc., also be thinking about how it will work with the actual colors that you’ll be using for upholstery, draperies, wall paint, etc., especially if you’re thinking of using burgundies, reds, rusts, browns, golds, etc. The yellow and/or reddish tones in wood can get tricky.

Tips for keeping your new wood floors clean:

Vacuum often to keep dirt from grinding into the floor finish or sticking to it. Wipe up spills immediately. A damp (not wet) cloth may be used on a well-sealed wood floor to wipe up food spills or mud. Wipe dry with cloth or paper towel. Clean when necessary with a solvent-based liquid wax for wood. Follow directions on container. Solvent removes dirt and old wax, and leaves a thin wax coating which must be buffed. Apply with:

• A dry cloth, rubbing floor and refolding the clean part of cloth as dirt is taken up; hard on knees
• Cloth over long-handled wax applicator, rubbing and refolding cloths as above Electric floor polishers, can be rented at many supermarkets, changing to clean brushes or pads as dirt and wax are taken up.
• Buff wax left on floor: immediately if by hand; or after 20-30 minutes if with electric polisher.

CABINETRY FAQ & TIPS

We are want to remodel our kitchen and I’m not sure what’s appropriate in terms of hardware for the cabinets. Do you put knobs on the doors and handles on the drawers or is it vice versa?

The standard to the industry is knobs on the doors and handles on the drawers.
We will go over all your hardware questions during our free in-home consultation.

Cabinets come with more options than can be imagined! How can I easily sort through all my options and now which is best for my situation?

Don’t worry because Alpine is here to help you sort through your options. We will be glad to sit down and help you get an idea of what your budget will comfortably allow. Let us take care of the details for you! The only thing left will be for you tohave fun picking out your beautiful new kitchen cabinets.

TILING FAQ & TIPS

Do I have to work with a designer or architect?

It is highly encouraged that you work with an architect or interior designer on any project, but not required. As it is easier for a designer to better assess your individual needs with regards to space, light, colors, textures and lending a flow to your overall home environment.

How can I get a sample of tile to see if it matches my design?

Please visit our showroom at 57 West Main Street in Somerville, NJ to browse through our hundreds of tile samples. You are welcome to take samples home to review.