StewartFloor Blog

Are you about to have a new solid wood floor installed?  If so, it’s fair to ask your contractor/installer about cleats vs. staples.  In particular when installing exotic wood flooring, I recommend cleats for several reasons.  Directly related to exotic wood flooring, cleats help prevent snapping of the tongues on the flooring since these woods are so dense.  Additionally, Cleats do not secure the floor as rigidly as do staples.  Cleats allow for some small levels of movement which can be a positive when considering the facts of climate changes throughout the years seasons.  Cleats allow for some small measure of protection against gapping due to the fact they allow a bit more movement of the individual planks vs. staples.

If a tongue is snapped during installation, the floor will squeak until the tongue is completely snapped off.  Depending on foot traffic, this may take a bit of time.  Also, make sure the installer/s have calibrated their pneumatic tool for the species of wood they are installing.

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Gorgeous & Unique Interlocked Sucupira Grain Pattern

Stewartfloor is excited to once again offer Tiete Chestnut/ Sucupira Prefinished solid wood flooring.  We are offering this exceptionally elegant choice in 3/4″ x 3-1/4″ width with lengths of 1′ to 7′.  As with everything we sell, we directly import this product from one of our longtime suppliers.  No middlemen and no tax!  Call us today.

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Wood is like no other natural product on earth!  Hardwood flooring adds an undeniable warmth to any home or commercial space.  Wood flooring has many advantages when compared to other flooring materials such as carpet, among them are health benefits.  Unlike carpet, wood flooring is allergy friendly and easy to maintain.

When choosing among various wood species for your interior, there are several key points to keep in mind to guarantee your satisfaction.

1.  Color is the first consideration given the fact that flooring is the major canvas for overall interior design.  One simply cannot underestimate the importance of color and its impact in your overall design goals.

2.  Once the color range has been decided, your personal lifestyle is an important consideration.  This comes into play considering the density of one species over another and practical wear and tear.  Tropical species have a major advantage in this consideration when compared with traditional domestic species.  The species offered at StewartFloor range from 25% harder up to 3 times harder when compared to domestic species.  What does this mean to you?  Although like all woods, they will still dent and scratch, tropical woods will do this to a lesser extent compared to domestic species such as Oak & Maple.

3.  Species of wood are as unique as individuals.  It’s important to consider your climate and how one species behaves in your climate compared to another species.  Wood is hygroscopic and this means it adapts to the environment it is in.  During the winter months with the heater on to maintain a pleasant environment, wood will shrink and this is what creates the “gaps” you commonly see in the floor.  There is nothing wrong with the floor and it is not defective, it’s simply shrinking due to the dryness in the air.  In the summer months, more humidity means the wood swells again and the gaps fill in.  Some woods shrink less than others and are more stable than others, if this is a critical point for you, then comparing species stability should be on your list of considerations in selecting the right species of wood for your new floor.

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Stewartfloor Flooring being Boxed in Paraguay

Does the person you are speaking to actually own the flooring he/she is proposing to sell to you?  Do they have any investment outside of buying the flooring from an importer and selling it to you?  Here at Stewartfloor we are involved in every process along the way.  I purchase directly from the manufacturer in the country of origin.  We have coordinated a cohesive package of the most unique and sought after tropical species available and coordinated all the trim work to match for your convenience.  All products are run to my specification in Brazil, Paraguay and Peru based on my 13 years of experience in the Exotic wood business and processed by a few of the finest manufacturer partners.  These partners have been selected based on their quality approach and respect for nature.  All products are finished to our specifications, packaged with foam between the layers to protect your investment and packaged in our Stewartfloor branded box.  Do we have to do it like this, no, but it is my personal commitment to you.

Stewartfloor Product Prefinished in North Carolina

Stewartfloor Container Which Has Just Been Prefinished To Our Specifications

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Why should you buy your prefinished exotic wood flooring from stewartfloor?  I am a direct importer and actually control the quality from start to finish.  Here I am at our North American prefinish partner inspecting and “racking out” some Brazilian Teak/Cumaru which is being run.  At stewartfloor, we know what we sell and sell what we know! As you can see, I prefer to take a hands on approach to what I do so that I can be properly informed when discussing with my clients.

Brazilian Teak/Cumaru going into the sander. The first step of prefinishing.

Yours Truly, Sean Stewart inspecting and "racking out" prefinished hardwood from the finish line.

Find us here too:  www.stewartfloor.com/facebook and www.stewartfloor.com/linkedin

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The production of StewartFloor tropical wood flooring contributes to the economic strength in the communities where our manufacturing partners are located in Brazil, Paraguay & Peru.

StewartFloor is committed to preserving the forests of South America.  In Brazil, the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Natural Resources (IBAMA) monitors and regulates the forestry industry. StewartFloor promotes sustainable forest practices and is committed to securing timber that is selectively harvested and inspected under the governments guidelines.  StewartFloor  supports only manufacturing partners who are committed to sustainable forestry practices and are committed to the social and economic well being of their employees as well as obeying the law.  Following these practices provides well being for communities and employees as well as ensuring that the forests live on to provide economic benefit for local communities for generations in the future.

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Brazilian Cherry flooring has become quite popular over the last decade.  Brazilian Cherry provides the perfect canvas to create an overall successful interior design.  For good reason, it’s beautiful red color which darkens with exposure to sunlight has exceptional hardness and provides both affordable elegance and practical durability for generations to come.  Designers, Architects and homeowners agree this species is special.  StewartFloor is proud to offer this species in 3/4″ x 3″ as well as 4″ and 5″ widths in 1′ to 7′ lengths in Prefinished as well as an ultra premium grade product unfinished in 3/4 x 5″ x 8′ to 13′ lengths with an average of 10.5′.

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Stewart Floor is proud to be able to offer this truly unique tropical hardwood floor.  Although sometimes referred to as Brazilian Oak, this species grows in Paraguay not Brazil.  Amendoim features a tight knot and swirled grain which separates it from all other tropical species as truly unique in a straw brown/reddish hue.  Stewart Floor finishes this with a natural finish rather than tinting it with a red tint to blend the color like many of our competitors.  This is a truly unique warm species which expresses itself unlike any other tropical flooring.  Call today to learn our current inventory of Amendoim which we offer in 3/4″ x 3″ solid prefinished as well as in 3/4″ x 4″ and 5″ widths with 1′ to 7′ lengths.

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At Stewartfloor we are pleased to provide free hand samples in assisting homeowners in their purchase decision.  It’s important to keep in mind that wood is a natural product and samples are just that, samples.  Samples provide an idea of what an overall floor will look like, but it is key to consider pictures and larger samples if you are not familiar with what to expect or comfortable in making a decision.  Stewartfloor is happy to assist with this as we provide full boxes of flooring for purchase.

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Stewartfloor has just prefinished a new container of 3″ Clear Brazilian Walnut/Ipe.  Please call us at 866-780-7839 x5 to inquire about this beautiful Brazilian Walnut/Ipe Prefinished flooring.

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