During these difficult economic times, we are faced with wonderful mortgage rates but financial uncertainty. And even if you have made the decision to find a home that is better for you, you will find that inventories are very low. Something that many homeowners are doing is to tap into their home equity, take advantage of good rates and remodel the space they are in. Retailers are anxious to cut great deals, too. The end result is homeowners will be making an excellent investment in their home’s market value, but enjoy the beautiful wood in the meantime.

Wood flooring has long been known as a home improvement that can permanently increase the value of your home when done right. That is because unlike the majority of floor coverings, the right wood floor can be something that lasts a lifetime.

You can start researching wood flooring at Pacific Imports International. Located in Kalihi, the company is proud of its beautiful 3,000-square-foot showroom, where trained professionals can show you what is available, tell you how various products differ from one another and what might be best for you. There is a lot to know about wood flooring and not many know it as well as Pacific Imports.

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So let’s start by asking what are the basic types of wood flooring most commonly used in Hawaii? The most traditional form of wood flooring is called unfinished solid. This is a solid piece of wood that’s been milled into flooring, which will be sanded and coated in your home after it’s been nailed down. It’s generally considered the most “high-end” of wood floors because of the ability to customize the end product but also because of higher installation cost (man must do what the finishing machine usually would in a factory).

Next on the scene we have prefinished solids. This is again a solid piece of flooring, but the sanding and coating are done at the factory using sophisticated methods, such as UV curing, and the only work done in your home is to nail or glue it down. Your floor is ready to walk on almost the minute it goes down.

And lastly, there is engineered wood flooring, such as the Kahala Floors line. Engineered flooring involves taking a precisely cut slice of the flooring wood and pre-installing it onto plywood. Contrary to popular assumption, this is not done to be stingy on the wood. Rather, it is done to provide a more versatile, stable form of wood flooring. Engineered woods can be installed below grade (where solids cannot) and they also can be floated (where solids must be nailed or glued down). Most engineered flooring is sanded and prefinished in a factory, and with the right brand of engineered flooring, you are looking at a lifetime product.

Pacific Imports holds its next Wood and Stone Flooring 101 seminar Aug. 20. During the 90-minute presentation, you will receive practical information that will help in deciding what is best for you. Reserve a seat by calling 847-7711 or visit the seminar at 926 Kohou St.

Contact: 847-7711
Website: pacificimportsinternational.com

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