Questions come up about wood flooring and LEED certification. The following is valid for all LEED projects. Regional Materials: Wood flooring if sourced from less than 500 miles away can contribute as a “regional material.” Sampson manufactures all it’s flooring here in Maine.

When I purchase organic vegetables or fruit, I feel reassured seeing the farm and farm hands. When I purchase plants for the garden, I go to a nursery where they are grown from seed. When I build a house, I meet the contractor.
So..
When looking to purchase wood flooring for your home or business, consider calling me. I am the equal to that farmer, nursery and builder. I am making your floor with you in mind. I am not reselling a product made elsewhere and telling you it fits your needs. I know wood. I have worked and on occasion still work in the flooring mill. I have wood floors though out my own home and office. I have kids, dog , cat and extended family. I understand wood flooring; pros and cons.

I am often asked is it Julia or Jula. It is both. My name is Julia and my nickname is Jula. I have been answering to Jula for…Umm..Well let us just say since I was 3 months old.

Where did Jula come from? Here is what I have been told. My cousin could not pronounce Julia. He was three at the time. All he could say was Jula. It stuck

Why Jula? At the time, there were many Julia’s alive in my immediate family. The name has been carried down for generations. My parents were searching for a nickname. There could be too many Julia’s in the room at one time.

If not for Jula, my parents were seriously considering Jib. They loved to sail. My first Christmas stocking was embroidered with Jib. I am rather happy with Jula.

Welcome to the A.E. Sampson & Son flooring blog. Jula Sampson will be the primary contributor from A.E. Sampson. Blog topics will be varied from helpful hints for installations, care and choices of wood floors to stories about Maine and Sampson life.

The most common question I get asked after a wood floor has been installed is how to clean the floor?

First cleaning wood flooring is very simple and requires minimal effort. The cleaning product or method does depend on what finish was used to seal wood flooring. Once finish is known check with the manufacturer to determine the best cleaning agent. Generally hard surface finishes such as oil or water based can be cleaned with a simple mixture of vinegar and water. First sweep floors free of dust. Add a quarter of a cup of white vinegar to a gallon of warm water and use the mixture and a well rung-out mop to clean the floors, taking care not to over-wet the wood.

Oiled or waxed wood floors should be cleaned with an oil based cleaning agent. Water should not be used. There are many green products available.

Some helpful links:

http://www.greenerchoices.org

http://www.ehow.com/how_2045978_clean-hardwood-floors.html

http://www.woodfloors.org/consumer/maint.aspx