Author Archives: DIY Flooring

What is Birdseye Maple?

birdseye-recycled-flooring

Do you want a floor that is truly unique?  Do you desire to express your rare and exotic tastes?

Believe it or not, exotic hardwoods are not your only option.  One of the most unique hardwood flooring species can be found right here: Birdseye Maple. So, what is birdseye maple?

Birdseye maple flooring is exactly like normal hard maple, with one exception.  A natural phenomenon creates small figures in the grain of the wood, much like the eyes of a bird, and gives it a unique and whimsical look.  In spite of many theories and extensive research, to this day no one knows what causes this strange figuring.  But one thing is certain: Birdseye maple is a highly valued flooring option.  To give you an idea of just how prized this rare class of wood is, it has been auctioned for as high as $50 per board foot!

But what about performance?  After all, the most unique aesthetic is useless if it won’t hold up under use.  Birdseye maple flooring has a Janka Hardness of 1450 and is excellent for high traffic areas that will see a lot of wear and tear.

All of these benefits are only enhanced when you choose Staybull Flooring® Birdseye Maple.

Staybull’s unique manufacturing process creates an even more one-of-a-kind look, a more durable floor, and a host of Eco-friendly advantages.

For a rare look and an Eco-friendly hardwood floor, look into Staybull Flooring® Birdseye Maple.

What are the Benefits of Staybull Flooring?

recycled-brazilian-cherry

Why should you choose Staybull Flooring®?

What are the Benefits of Staybull Flooring? Let’s start with one of today’s hot issues, eco-friendliness.  Staybull Flooring® is made from narrow strips of hardwood.  These strips are actually leftover scraps from lumber mills.  Too thin to be used, these scraps are usually burned or left to rot.  These hardwood strips are glued together using non-toxic adhesives, and the finished flooring plank is coated in a 100% eco-friendly finish.  All of these factors make Staybull® one of the most environmentally healthy flooring options on the market.

Another of Staybull Flooring benefits is an above average stability.  Any woodworker will tell you that wide pieces of lumber are more prone to warping and twisting.  But because Staybull Flooring® is made of narrow hardwood strips, it is far less likely to deform after installation.

You can also expect a long life from a Staybull® floor.  Because it is a type of solid flooring, it can be refinished multiple times, whereas other flooring options would have to be replaced after just a couple refinishes.  This long-term durability is further enhanced when you choose a tough wood species, which brings us to one final advantage…

Beauty.  There is no denying to charm and elegance of a natural hardwood floor.  With several different species to choose, Staybull Flooring® offers something for nearly every taste.  But it doesn’t end there.  Because of Staybull’s unique method of gluing discarded strips together, the finished floor is a one-of-a-kind mosaic that is unavailable in any other line of flooring.

So now the question is: do you want all of these benefits for your home?  If so, feel free to learn more about our line of recycled hardwood flooring.

What is Best Way to Install Staybull Flooring?

Staybull Flooring Installation

What is the best way to install Staybull flooring?  There are a couple ways to install the brand of hardwood flooring made by Staybull®. All you need to do is determine which method will work best in your situation.

Nail or Staple Method

The most straightforward method, nailing or stapling your floor is relatively fast and cheap – as long as you have an acceptable substrate already in place. An acceptable substrate is one that will hold nails and staples well. Obviously, this method will not work on a concrete subfloor.

Glue Down Method

By gluing the floorboards directly to the subfloor, you get a quiet and solid-feeling surface. Because the entire surface area is glued down, this method can further enhancee the cupping and buckling resistance that Staybull® already offers. However, this method can be messy, expensive, and labor-intensive method if done improperly. Additionally, some common glues contain toxic chemicals, so you have to be careful when selecting your adhesive. We recommend urethane wood flooring adhesive. The glue down method is recommended for installing over an aged concrete slab.

For detailed instructions, check out our How-to Install Staybull Flooring® guide.

What is Recycled Birch Flooring?

Recycled Birch Flooring

Recycled birch flooring from Staybull® offers a simple, domestic elegance to any space.  The creamy yellows and pale reds found in birch flooring are enhanced by Staybull’s eco-friendly mosaic, giving you a space that can hold your interest with its increased depth, without actually dominating your home and garishly demanding your attention. So what is recycled birch flooring?

Birch is a solid wood with high bending and crushing strengths and a high shock resistance.  This makes it a durable flooring option that will hold up under rambunctious children, wild pets, and heavy traffic.  Here are some of the benefits of birch flooring:

  • High crushing and bending strength with a Janka hardness of 1260
  • Reacts well to steam bending
  • Very good shock resistance
  • Easy to cut with either hand or power tools
  • Takes both stain and polish extremely well
  • Uniform and dense surface makes it a great choice for white enameling

If this domestic species sounds right for you, then learn more about Staybull® and our brand of recycled hardwood flooring.

How to Protect Hardwood Flooring from Chairs & Furntiture

recycled cherry flooring

Furniture is a major threat to any wood floor, and one of the top causes of unsightly scratches. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to help prevent this from happening. Here are some quick and painless ways on how to protect hardwood flooring.

First, attach felt padding to the legs of all furniture before it is moved into the space.  Obviously, the soft felt will go a long way to keep a hard chair leg from damaging the floor.  Keep the pads clean and free of grit, and replace them as needed.

Second, when moving furniture, pick it up instead of sliding it.  If it’s not touching the floor, it can’t scratch it.

On the subject of moving furniture, here’s something you may not have thought of: by moving large pieces around occasionally, you ensure that the entire floor gets even exposure to sunlight.  Since wood floors tend to change color in sunlight, this will keep the color consistent throughout the entire room.  This tip can help regardless of whether you installed solid, recycled hardwood flooring, or engineered flooring.

Chairs and furniture don’t have to be the bane of your hardwood floor.  Just follow these suggestions and the floor should look great for years.