As we hear more about the damage we are doing to our planet, many people are taking steps to reduce their impact. That includes choosing eco-friendly flooring.
If you love the look of hardwoods but don’t like the potential effects on our environment, you need a sustainable product. One of those is From the Forest engineered hardwood.
From the Forest is a relatively new flooring brand on the market. They opened their first plant in 2007 in the state of Wisconsin.
Today, the business continues to grow. They provide jobs to Americans and source all materials from North America. They also use sustainable standards when producing their engineered hardwoods.
Sounds great, right? But how does this hardwood flooring compare to other brands? When it’s installed in your household, does it stand up under the pressure of busy kids, active pets, and traffic walking in and out throughout the day?
In this article, we are going to take an in-depth look at From the Forest engineered hardwood products. We’ve searched for the most comprehensive consumer reviews and have done our research.
That way, you know exactly what to expect if you purchase this flooring. Don’t just throw away your hard-earned money before learning if this flooring is right for you!
How Is From The Forest Engineered Hardwood Flooring Sustainable?
From the Forest makes it a priority to preserve the natural resources of our planet and to protect the environment. All raw materials used to create the company’s engineered hardwoods are sourced from managed forests in the U.S.
They purchase their lumber from companies that utilize reforestation programs. They avoid business with any supplier that engages in improper practices.
From the Forest also uses water-based stains and top coats that are UV-cured to protect the quality of air. They also use adhesives that meet the highest standards for emissions.
From the Forest is CARB Phase II Certified. It also uses 100% recycled hardwood to create its HDF Core products. Not only does this make it more environmentally-friendly, but it also means that consumers pay less for a more durable hardwood product.
Is From The Forest Flooring Durable?
Speaking of durability, your next question might be about how durable this flooring is. Because From the Forest engineered hardwood isn’t solid, does that make it less durable than other hardwood flooring solutions?
Fortunately, the company uses innovation in its HDF Core products that makes this flooring more dent-resistant than other brands of engineered flooring. These high-density fiber products are nearly twice as hard as other wood flooring products and are far more resistant to moisture than laminate and other flooring.
However, there are some concerns that you need to be aware of before purchasing this flooring product. Denting, scratching, and other types of damage may occur over time or with heavy wear and tear.
You can avoid or lessen these problems by using furniture coasters and leg protectors, keeping pet nails trimmed, and taking similar precautions that you would take with hardwood flooring.
Staining may also occur, and the company recommends using its sustainable Hardwood Flooring Cleaner to remove stains. If this doesn’t work, you may use acetone with a lint-free cloth to remove a stain. Fading can occur when exposed to UV light, so make sure to rotate rugs and furniture frequently or use window treatments to block out excessive sunlight.
While this may sound like a lot of problems, it isn’t uncommon with any type of wood flooring product. If your flooring becomes very damaged over time, you can refinish all 2mm flooring solutions a maximum of one time. You cannot sand and refinish all 1-mm flooring solutions, so this is something to take into consideration before making your purchase.
To back up the quality of its products, the company offers a lifetime residential warranty and a 10-year light commercial warranty. This limited warranty guarantees that all flooring is free of defects and that the finish will not wear through in normal conditions.
How Much Does This Flooring Cost?
If you want a sustainable engineered flooring solution, will you have to pay more than average? When compared to other brands of engineered hardwood, how do From the Forest’s products stack up?
First, let’s take a look at the cost of engineered hardwoods in general. Please note that these are just estimates. Factors such as brand, style, and retailer can all have an impact on price. Based on these factors, you should expect to pay roughly $3 to $13 per square foot for engineered hardwood flooring.
From the Forest’s flooring solutions fall somewhat in the middle. Some collections cost around $5 per square foot. Their top-of-the-line products cost around $10 per square foot. This is just the price for the flooring and does not include the price of materials, tools, or professional installation.
It is important to look beyond just the price of your hardwood flooring, though. A cheaper flooring product from From the Forest may be more affordable right now.
However, if you are unable to refinish it at a later time, you may end up spending more money completely replacing the floor. Remember to look at costs over the long term to determine which is best for you.
How Do I Maintain My New Floors?
Maintaining your new engineered floors isn’t too difficult, but there are some special steps you need to take to protect your floor while keeping it looking its best. For everyday engineered hardwood cleaning, a broom or vacuum cleaner without a beater bar is best for picking up dirt, dust, and debris. You should do this on a regular basis.
When your floor gets too dirty, you can use cleaning products they recommend, such as From the Forest’s Hardwood Flooring Cleaner, which also helps remove stains. While this flooring is more resistant to moisture than traditional hardwood flooring, it can be damaged when exposed to water, so make sure to clean up all spills promptly and avoid using water or steam mops when cleaning your floors.
There are also additional steps you can take to maintain the beauty of your floors. This includes avoiding the use of wax and oil-based products, putting protective mats under chairs with wheels, and removing high-heeled shoes before walking on the floor.
You should also keep sand and grit off your floors at all times, avoid dragging furniture to prevent scratches, and never use latex or rubber-backed mats that can cause permanent staining.
Where Can I Install From The Forest Flooring?
You can install From the Forest engineered hardwoods in many areas of your home. In addition to common rooms like bedrooms and living rooms, you can install this flooring in below-grade rooms like basements. The company does not, however, recommend, installing this flooring in bathrooms, as exposure to excessive moisture can damage or ruin your floors.
You should never install this flooring outdoors and should only install it in rooms where humidity levels do not fall below 30%. Failure to follow these instructions could result in a voided warranty.
You must also make sure that the flooring is installed per the standards of From the Forest. The company provides installation guides and tips on its website for the consumer that likes to tackle their own projects. However, be aware that while you may save money by not hiring a professional, the project will be time-consuming, and you will have additional costs including materials and tools.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for a sustainable flooring option, From the Forest has you covered. You won’t pay extra for this, either, since From the Forest has competitive pricing. It is also extremely durable and can last for many years if properly maintained.
Cleaning and maintaining your new floors won’t be too much of a problem, but you may need to call in a professional to tackle the installation. While you can install From the Forest flooring in below-grade rooms, like solid hardwoods, this engineered wood flooring is not a good choice for bathroom installations.
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