July 2019 - PRO! Flooring

Tile Floors
July 27, 2019

Choosing The Right Commercial Tile For Your Location

Selecting flooring for a business location is a little more difficult than picking out tile for your home. Not only does it have to look warm and inviting for your visitors, but it also has to be durable and hold up well in high traffic situations.

Can you walk into a flooring store and select anything? Or is there an art to finding the best commercial tile for your location? First impressions are everything. So before you make your final selection, consider these items first.

Durability

Businesses often have a lot of action throughout the day. People come in and out at all hours. They come in whatever the outside weather – sleet, rain, snow, or sun. They don’t think twice about the flooring; they concentrate on where they are going. But that doesn’t mean they won’t notice if something is wrong.

Ever noticed ripped up flooring? Carpeting fraying around the edges? Or tiles that are scuffed and broken? Doesn’t make a very good first impression, does it?

A durable commercial tile stands up to whatever the traffic into your commercial property can dish out. It should be easy to maintain, as well as stand up to scratches, stains, marks, and more.

The tile industry rates all tile according to the PEI scale. A PEI 1 is more fragile, while a PEI 5 is most resistant. For a commercial setting, we recommend selecting a PEI 3 or above. The more traffic your area gets, the higher the rating. This will ensure you are happy with your final selection well into the future.

Safety

When you operate a business, safety should always be at the top of your focus list. Different flooring choices offer different traction levels, depending on the situation. Because Colorado’s weather can change on a dime, it’s important to have flooring that works in any kind of situation, and won’t be more prone to accidents when some tracks in water, slush, or snow.

A glazed ceramic tile, for example, will be slippery when wet. This wouldn’t be a good choice for entryways where people can track in water from the outside.

Instead, look for a textured tile that provides a stronger hold in all kinds of situations. This can include natural stone, textured porcelain, or even an unglazed ceramic tile. You should also discuss with your flooring consultant sealants to ensure your tile continues to look good and wear well in all kinds of situations.

Maintenance

Commercial tile should be able to handle traffic without a lot of care. You want tiles that are easy to clean, easy to maintain, and can do so for years without a lot of thought.

That’s why so many commercial properties select tile as their number one favorite for overall functionality. It won’t scuff and wear like hardwood, won’t scratch and fade like vinyl. Depending on the circumstances, you can expect your commercial tile floors to last for years, and still look as good as the day you installed them.

Just be conscious of the cleaning products you use to maintain the finish. You can speak with one of our flooring consultants about the best way to care for the commercial tile you choose.

Design

When you select tile for your commercial location, you can create any design or style you prefer. That’s because tile comes in an almost infinite supply of sizes, colors, patterns, and options.

For business applications, we usually recommend that you stick with “tried and true” tile rather than going with the latest trends. You never want your flooring to “stand out” and be the only thing people talk about when they head out of your building.

Instead, focus on statements, on choosing a tile that reflects your personality. For a large office building, stone tiles can create an elegant entrance. For a small studio, wood-look tiles may be the perfect way to invite people in. Or maybe mix it up with porcelain tiles, and create truly unique mosaics using different sizes, shapes, and colors. You’ll be amazed at what you can create with just a little thought.

Keep in mind that your flooring also controls the noise level of the room. While carpet or cork floors absorb sound, tile can amplify it. If you’re looking for a quieter environment, you may do best by combining tiles with rugs.

You also want to match the grout to your tiles for a consistent look. Grout is what holds your tiles together. It can also change the look of your flooring from subdued to dramatic. Be sure to have a proper sealant in place so the grout won’t wear, become moist and spread mildew or mold. Be sure to clean the grout properly to avoid problems down the road.

What’s the best tile for your commercial location?

Now that you know what to look for, let’s discuss some of your options.

Ceramic tile – Undoubtedly, this is where your largest selection will come from. Ceramic tile is made from clay pressed together and fired at high temperatures. Ceramic tile can be glazed or unglazed, and come in many different styles and sizes. They are ideal for commercial locations because of their durability and versatility. Be sure to look for high quality tiles, as they will stand up to high traffic situations in the long run.

Porcelain tile – Made from a mixture of clays like quartz and feldspar, these are fired at higher temperatures and are generally more durable than ceramic. They wear better, and won’t scratch like ceramic tile. They are great for entries and busy hallways. What’s more, it can come in all kinds of colors and patterns – why not select porcelain stone that mimics natural stone or slate? Plus it handles even better as it won’t scratch or chip.

Slate tile – This is a fine grain stone made from clay and shale. It’s created through heat and pressure, and offers a natural slip resistant surface that makes it the perfect choice where you need traction. Few would argue it’s earthy tones provide a stunning finish; that’s why you’ll see slate in a lot of high end office spaces.

Granite tile – Granite is harder than other stone, which makes it the perfect choice for entryways and other high traffic areas. The varied colors and veining is also something that is unbeatable in large open spaces. If well cared for and polished, it won’t scratch. But this is at the high end of the cost scale, so it’s best to keep it in areas where you want to make a statement.

Limestone tile – Looking for an eco-friendly version? Why not give limestone a try? This tile comes in earthy tones that work well in spas and offices looking to create a natural vibe. It is a denser stone that other tile choices, so it’s best to keep this in locations with a more controlled traffic.

Want more options? Not sure what’s the best tile for your commercial location? Stop by today and discuss your needs – we have many options perfect for your situation.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
July 23, 2019

Does Hardwood Plank Width Matter?

Are you ready to redecorate your home? Have you been longing for hardwood flooring for years?

Hardwood flooring is something many Coloradoans long for in their homes. It’s elegant. It’s beautiful. And it can up the resale value on your home if you plan on selling in the future.

But once you decide on adding hardwood flooring to your home, don’t think your decision-making process is complete. Making a decision on the right hardwood flooring also includes type, style, color and plank width. Because every decision you make will impact how your home looks. And if you select the wrong hardwood plank width, for instance, it can change the aesthetic value of your home right along with it.

What are hardwood plank widths?

Depending on which manufacturer you select, you’ll find a number of choices in hardwood plank width.

When hardwood flooring first came into style, all manufacturers kept their designs to a 2 or 3 inch width. No more. Today, you can find hardwood in a variety of lengths and widths. Known as “random widths”, you’ll find hardwood from anywhere a 4 to 10 inch width. Want wider? There are products with widths all the way to 24 inches wide. But these are considered more specialized, and aren’t often used in our modern structures.

Width often depends on what hardwood you choose – looking for oak, hickory, or other more traditional hardwood? These tend to be narrower due to the nature of the source of the wood. Hardwood trees are softer than softwood trees, which means the final product will be narrower as well.

Width also determines the cost. The wider the hardwood plank, the larger the tree needed for production. Larger trees need a longer time to grow, which increases the cost due to more extended harvesting.

With cheaper hardwood planks, they often come from the fastest growing trees. And in a lot of cases, they use every part of the tree: trunk, branches, and limbs. The wider the hardwood plank width, the more it’s produced from the thickest part of the tree. That makes it more expensive due to processing.

Of course, larger trees in diameter are also the tallest trees in the forest. When manufacturers create wider hardwood plank widths, they usually increase the length with it. This is partially because they have the length to work with. But it is also because longer lengths are visually more appealing when installing wider planks.

What about hardwood plank width installation?

If you’ve ever installed hardwood in your home before, you know one of the top tips is to bring in the hardwood several days before installation to acclimate the hardwood to your location. That process is needed no matter what the width, and is especially true the wider planks you choose.

Hardwood flooring does best when kept at a relative humidity range between 28 and 48 percent humidity. For wider planks, it’s even more important.

But it’s also important to remember that wider planks are created from higher quality trees. That means there’s a greater chance the hardwood was properly prepared. The timber was processed, cut and dried in the proper way, which means it has a higher chance for success once it’s laid into place.

Like every project, it’s important to understand your surrounding area before you make your selection. Does your home fluctuate throughout the year? Do you have a humidifier in place?

Humidity stability is important with wider plank widths. And while wide planks can be a challenge due to Colorado’s varying weather patterns, knowing your space well can help make installation a success.

Should you choose unfinished or prefinished?

There’s something appealing about walking through a flooring store and finding the perfect color for your floors. A lot of people like that process; that’s why prefinished hardwood choices are growing.

But it’s not always the best flooring choice for your situation.

For a do-it-yourselfer, finding the perfect prefinished floor boards can mean an easier project for you to take on. You won’t have to mess with the messy part of the project, and can have instant results as you lay each board into place.

However, factory finished flooring comes with stain and sealant already in place. They produce a hard shell for protection, but that’s more difficult to take off in the end. That means if you desire to strip and refinish your hardwood down the road, you’ll have a much more difficult time.

By going with unfinished, you can choose to finish the hardwood in any way you choose.

For wider planks, that means you can play with the look and placement before you stain and seal. That can ensure you get the flooring pattern you like before you finish off the project.

Another advantage of installing unfinished is seam filling. After the boards are laid into place, there are tiny seams between each board. Water and spills are one of the worst enemies with hardwood. Prefinished leaves these spaces open and can cause problems down the road. But with unfinished, you stain and seal the flooring after it’s installed. That means the tiny cracks will be filled in with sealant too, giving your entire floor a better chance at withstanding years of wear and tear.

What’s the right choice for you?

Selecting which hardwood to install in your home is a personal decision. It’s based on your personality, your decor, and your lifestyle.

If you choose a hardwood plank width too narrow or too wide, it’s not something you can easily change. So it’s important to spend time considering your choices carefully before you say “yes” to a plank size.

Have questions about what flooring is the best choice for your home? Want to learn more about hardwood plank width and how to incorporate it into your decor? Stop by today.

Hardwood Flooring
July 20, 2019

Is It Okay To Put Hardwood Floors In a Kitchen?

Nothing says “Colorado” quite like hardwood flooring. But can you put hardwood floors in a kitchen?

Will they handle well no matter how much you use your kitchen? Will they stand up to spills and messes? Will they show their wear sooner then if you installed more resilient flooring like ceramic or porcelain tile?

Is It Okay To Put Hardwood Floors In a Kitchen?

Hardwood floors provide a rigid flooring material that stands up well to high traffic situations. Yet hardwood isn’t as hard as you think. Hardwood is a porous material that accepts stain to bring out the characteristics of the wood. That also means hardwood is susceptible to moisture and liquid penetrating into the grain, and changing the quality of the wood over time. Places where moisture is a problem – bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements – aren’t the best places to install hardwood flooring.

But what about kitchens? They don’t deal with water spills on a daily basis as you jump out of the shower. They don’t have nonstop humidity from the length of your showers.

Should you install hardwood floors in the kitchen to create a space you’re proud to call home?

Are Kitchens Considered High Risk For Hardwood Flooring?

A lot goes on in most kitchens. They are usually the central hub of the home.

You gather to complete homework there. You sit back and share a glass of wine with your spouse. How many holiday parties have been planned out sitting at the kitchen island? What about the dinner party you’re planning for later this year?

There’s no doubt your kitchen is the busiest room in your home.

That means your floor will have to take a lot of punishment. Walking. Jumping. Scuff marks. Dog nails. Dropped toys. Water spills.

Have you ever dropped a glass of water onto the floor? Not only do you have 8, 10, even 12 ounces of water or more spread across the floor, but you also deal with broken glass splintering everywhere. It takes minutes to wipe up the mess and ensure the fractured pieces are cleaned away.

Now let’s talk about the pickle jar that fell and broke. Or the pot of boiling water that slipped out of your hands.

Hardwood can stand up to some abuse if you react quickly. A spill here and there that is mopped rapidly up won’t impact the looks of your floor.

But kitchens have a lot more potential for disaster than a dropped glass of water.

What happens if the line to your ice maker in your refrigerator has a slow leak? Water puddles just a little bit underneath, and you don’t notice it for weeks? What if the line to the dishwasher breaks while you’re away at work?

When hardwood floors are installed in your kitchen, they are sealed to provide a certain level of protection. The trouble is that protection often can’t stand long term abuse. Hardwood is most often installed as hardwood planks. If the seams aren’t tightly placed together, if the sealant doesn’t fully cover every inch of the hardwood material, water has the chance to seep in. And disaster is waiting.

Hardwood Comes In Two Formats

When you select hardwood as your flooring choice, you can install it into your home in one of two ways: site finished or prefinished.

Prefinished hardwood is created at the manufacturers. It’s cut into planks, stained, and sealed, before being boxed and packaged up, and delivered to your home. It’s convenient in that once it’s installed, it’s ready to go. No waiting for the staining and sealing process. It also means it’s more susceptible to damage because there isn’t a top layer that covers the seams between the boards.

With site finished hardwood, unfinished hardwood planks are installed in your home. The surface is raw wood, without stain or sealant in place as it is nailed or stapled into place. Once the flooring is completed, only then does the installer stain the wood if desired, and after the staining process is completed and dry, a sealer is placed over the top, protecting hardwood and the seams.

This means with site finished hardwood, it has a more cohesive layer that gives you complete protection over the entire floor area, including a filler for the seams.

But Is Hardwood Durable For Kitchens?

Are you still contemplating using hardwood floors in your kitchen? Depending on your lifestyle, hardwood can be a beautiful addition to your home.

In general, we see homeowners deal with three durability issues with their kitchen hardwood. If you’re aware of them and work to decrease the odds of these happening in your home, the chances you’ll love hardwood in the kitchen even more.

Scratches and dings – If you drop a can, the lip of the can may dent the floor. If you wear your high heel shoes in the kitchen, the heel may press down and dent the floor. Knowing this beforehand means you change your lifestyle just a little bit. Declare your home a “no shoe zone.” Add colorful throw rugs where you’re most likely to drop heavy objects – by the pantry, or near the kitchen sink.

Traffic – Even within the kitchen, some areas are going to have more traffic than others. Over time, you may start to see these paths worn into the wood. The good thing with hardwood, however, is you can sand it down, stain and seal it all over again for a new look.

Sun – If you have large windows or big patio doors that let the sun stream in, the sun may bleach the color out of your hardwood floors. The darker the stain, the more sun bleaching can occur. You can prevent this by protecting these areas – close blinds during the sunniest parts of the day, or use throw rugs to deter the process.

Should you install hardwood floors in your kitchen?

They make a beautiful addition to any home.

If you have a lifestyle that reduces the risks associated with hardwood flooring damage, hardwood floors might be the perfect choice for you.

Increase the durability by selecting site finished flooring, knowing you can create any look and feel.

And if you have any other questions about installing hardwood floors in your kitchen, stop by today. We’ll help you make the perfect choice for your home.

Carpet, Flooring
July 16, 2019

How To Choose The Right Carpet For Your Space

When it’s time to choose the right carpet for your home, where do you start? It’s a major undertaking. Because carpet has the biggest impact on how your room looks and feels, it’s important to take the time and get it right. It can last for years – a very long time if you don’t like it from the moment it’s installed.

At the same time, there’s more to selecting carpet than color and price. If you focus on just those two points, you might miss installing the best carpet for your lifestyle. Style, texture, pattern, padding – there are a lot of decisions to be made to ensure you get the best flooring for your needs.

Where do you start?

Where are you installing new carpet?

Your first step is to plan out where your new carpet will go. Are you installing it throughout your home? On one floor? In the bedrooms? In high traffic areas?

Let the amount of traffic the rooms receive guide you to make your decision. If you’ll regularly be entertaining in the room, ensure it can handle the foot traffic and potential spills. If your new carpet is going in the dining room, stain and soil resistance is a must. If it’s being installed in a bedroom or playroom, softness underfoot will be nice throughout the year.

How much are you willing to spend?

We realize that cost is a major factor when settling in on a floor. While it’s important to choose the right carpet for your needs, it’s equally important to realize there are other costs in your decision. Padding plays an equally important role in how well your carpet wears and lasts. Installation is also a factor in the final pricing.

The final cost often increases because homeowners forget about the little things that impact price. Have you considered closets, hallways, door frames, and other protrusions that require carpet too? Have you considered repeating patterns, seams, and furniture placement that will impact how much carpeting you need?

How do you pick styles and colors you like?

Wall to wall carpet has a big impact on the overall personality of your space. It can stay quiet and subtle, or pack a punch and be put on display.

Still, a lot of homeowners are nervous when it comes to color. They often shop with one thought in mind: I want it beige-y but not too beige-y. Have you ever thought that?

Looking at the vivid colors and patterns on display might capture your eye. But how do you make a final decision? How do you choose the right carpet for your room?

Start by talking with one of our flooring consultants. We can help you narrow down selections that would work well for your lifestyle.

Also, realize you won’t be making your final selection in just an hour or two at the store. You’ll want to live with your choices before you narrow in and make your final one.

We suggest narrowing in on three to five carpet sample boards. They usually are arranged with multiple choices, from darkest to lightest in descending order. Looking at them, you can probably eliminate most of the colors. But there will be several that are contenders. These are what you should focus in on.

Lay the sample board down in your room. Then cover up the samples you won’t choose, and compare the others and how they look in your home. Keep in mind that carpet usually looks about half a tone lighter once it’s installed because of the way the natural light will hit the fibers.

Live with your samples for at least a full day, watching the way the light changes. How does it look in morning sunlight? How about midday? Or evening light?

Then settle in on undertones. When you look at certain color choices, you’ll see certain colors. Maybe one color has too much grey, while another has too much brown. Compare it with your other decor – does it blend or contrast with your new couch? How about the wallpaper? Or the new drapes being installed?

If you get it down to two or three and still can’t make a decision, come back in. We can even order larger swatches for you to bring home and compare once again. A larger piece means you can move it more freely around your home. Butt it up against the baseboards, or throw it out in the middle of the room. You’ll be living with this for a long time; taking the time to order larger swatches and live with it for a few days is worth the hassle and time.

What carpet is right for each room in the house?

While there isn’t a set guide for what carpets work best in each room, we do have a few guidelines we suggest.

For living rooms, we feel plush or Saxony will hold up well. Well-constructed nylon will bring years of service to one of the most functional rooms in your home.

For family rooms, your best bet is a dense carpet that holds up well under pressure. Might we suggest a Berber in a neutral color? This will give you years of functionality and will stand up under pressure.

For dining rooms, ensure a stain-resistant carpet. Don’t go too light; instead, choose a shade darker. You might even want to focus in on texture and patterns to keep your carpet looking good for years to come.

For bedroom living, these are the lightest traffic rooms in the home. Yet don’t skimp on comfort, because nothing feels as good as scrunching your toes into the carpet on a cold winter morning.

Of course, beneath it all is equally important. A good padding minimizes wear and tear on the carpet. When in doubt, bump up the level of padding and decrease your choice in carpet. You’ll be glad when you see how well your carpet handles under the pressure.

Is this the year you upgrade your carpet?

Are you ready to choose the right carpet for your home? If you’ve decided that this is the year, it’s time to take action. Stop by today and let us help guide you towards the right carpet selection. With hundreds of styles, colors, and patterns, there’s a perfect choice waiting for you.

Are you ready to find it?

Tile Floors
July 14, 2019

How To Use Different Tile Shapes Throughout Your Home

If you’re in the market for new tiles, you’ve probably noticed that today’s selection gives you infinite possibilities. Visit one store, and you’ll have thousands of tile shape options. Head into another, and you’ll be faced with thousands more.

It’s all a little overwhelming. Where do you start?

Especially when you’re only goal was to remodel a room and give it a fresh, new update.

But now that you’ve seen the tile selection that’s out there, you’re ready to begin. You want something different, something with personality. You’re ready to expand beyond the norm, and head for the wow.

Skip the standard sizes, shapes, and colors. You’re ready for something more.

What does that mean? How about these for a few fresh, new ideas.

Penny Tile

Instead of going with a large or even extra large tile, think small instead. One of our favorite tile shapes is the penny tile. Penny tile, or circle tile, is making its way back on the scene. Originally popular around the turn of the twentieth century, these small circular tiles were found in black and white in all kinds of places.

No more. Today’s penny tile comes in a wide array of colors, styles, materials, and finishes. And once installed, the look is fabulous.

Because penny tile is small, it’s easy to install. That makes it perfect for a do it yourself project you’ve been itching to try. And because they’re small, they can be placed just about anywhere. Move them up from the floor, into your shower stall, and even covering the wall.

Of course, with a smaller tile, it means they will require more mortar and grout than larger tiles. But that roughness can create a safer, more slip-resistant surface. They do come in sheet format to make it easier to work with and easier to install.

Mosaic Tile

If you don’t want small circle tiles, how about square tile shapes instead? Mosaic tile usually come in small squares of two inches or less. And like the penny tile from above, mosaic tile comes in an array of colors, styles, patterns, and materials.

If you’ve ever traveled through history, looking at photos or movies about times past, you’ll notice mosaic tiles in their homes and open spaces. Yes, mosaic tile has been around a long time. Maybe it’s because of their versatility. Maybe it’s because you can create any design you please with just a little thought and ingenuity. Use them to cover your floors and walls. Use them to brighten up a border. Use them to compliment your bigger tile and open up the space. There isn’t a bad way to use mosaic tile.

Subway Tile

You can’t talk about tile shapes and not discuss the classic subway tile. This tile shape was made popular in the early 20th century when they were used in the design and creation of the New York City subway stations. And ever since, they’ve been a mainstay in the tile industry because of their beauty and versatility.

Subway tiles come in a variety of dimensions. They typically come in widths of 1 to 4 inches, with lengths of 4, 6, 8, and 12 inches.

If you think about the way subway tiles were initially applied, they were most often placed on walls to create an easy atmosphere for both durability and ease of maintenance. While they may have been designed for walls, they look just as good on floors. Mix and match.

What’s more, you can play with different color tiles, contrasting color grout, and move from subdued to vivid and bright with just a few changes. You can keep them straight in a line, or switch it up with a herringbone pattern to add uniqueness to your room.

Square Tile

You can’t discuss tile shape without talking about squares. This has been the most popular, widely used tile shape throughout history. There really isn’t a square too small or too large to create an elegant decor. Try small tiles in 1, 2, or 3 inch square for a colorful mosaic design. Think large with an 18 or even 24 inch square to create a clean, modern look. Or mix it all up for a design all your own.

Square tiles have an advantage of being easy to install. They easily fit together, and you never have to second guess how to create a pattern or look. You can mix and match with different colors or patterns. You can even combine them with other shapes for a more dramatic backdrop.

Just remember that with smaller tiles comes more grout. And more grout means a more textured, slip-resistant space. That gives you plenty of ways to create traction in water-prone areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and even your outdoor space.

Plank Tile

Plank tile is taking the industry by storm, and for good reason. With the advances in technology, today’s tile can take on any look, pattern, or color.

Want the look of hardwood and the durability of tile? You can have it now with plank tile. Technology can mimic hardwood patterns so closely, you’ll have trouble telling it’s not hardwood until you touch it.

Yet you’ll appreciate the difference when you make a mess in the kitchen, or the kids bring the outside in, tracking water and dirt all over your floors. Because it’s tile, it’s simple to clean and wipe away, without the worry about stains or scratches.

Don’t confuse plank tile with subway tile. Plank tiles are going to be wider and longer. You’ll find widths from 4 to 9 inches, and lengths from 12 to 48 inches. They are designed to mimic hardwood, and in some cases can do it better.

Looking for a whitewashed look? Want reclaimed wood? Have a specific color in mind? Sometimes that can be hard to find with real wood. But through technology, they’ve made it easier to get the lights and darks into the finished product, and make it look good in the process.

And just like hardwood, you can be as creative as you desire. Lay them straight out, or give a herringbone design a try. Stick with one color or mix and match with several. The possibilities are endless – one of our design consultants is happy to help you design and create the perfect space for your home.

Hardwood Flooring
July 10, 2019

The Best Affordable Alternatives To Hardwood Flooring

Want to make a statement in your home? Don’t worry about costly remodels. You can make big changes without spending weeks or renovation. Instead of picking out new cabinets or gutting a room, look down to the floor instead.

Changing out your flooring can make a big impact on your home’s decor. But what if you aren’t sold on hardwood? What if you’re looking for alternatives to hardwood flooring? Hardwood flooring isn’t the perfect choice for everyone. It’s one of the more costly flooring choices. And hardwood isn’t durable in high traffic areas, or where moisture can be a problem.

Yet you still like the look of hardwood. You want flooring that’s stylish and functional. What are your options?

The good news is you have a wide variety of alternatives that are perfect for your lifestyle. Here are just a few of our favorites.

Bamboo

Bamboo is a great alternative to hardwood flooring because it has a similar appearance to hardwood, yet it offers so much more.

One of the things we like best about bamboo is its eco-friendly origins. Bamboo is a fast-growing material that makes it more environmentally friendly than other types of hardwood.

Bamboo is denser than other types of hardwood. And because of how it is pressed and stacked together, it provides a denser floorboard that can withstand more of what your family can dish out. Today’s bamboo isn’t what you may read about bamboo from even a few years ago. Technology has improved this product to wear bamboo flooring is now a great choice in every room in your home. Whether you choose to install it with natural color, or stain it to match your decor, you’re going to love how bamboo handles throughout your home.

Cork

Love the idea of installing environmentally friendly flooring, but not sold on bamboo? Then maybe it’s time to look at cork flooring.

Cork is softer than hardwood, which makes it an excellent alternative for busy homes. If you have small children who like to play on the floor, or elderly who are at risk of falling, cork may be the choice for you.

Cork is also an excellent choice for homes that care about clean living. Cork is a natural product that won’t bring unwanted chemicals into your home. Just be sure to talk with your flooring expert about the installation process, to avoid harsh chemicals in the adhesives. Cork is naturally resistant to insects, mold, and mildew. It’s also a great insulator – creating a music room? You’ll love the qualities of cork.

Laminate

When people start looking for alternatives to hardwood flooring, one of the first places they often turn is to laminate. That’s because laminate has the same great look as hardwood, yet it’s more durable and less expensive.

Laminate is made up of four layers that give it its strength and appeal.

Back layer – the bottom layer responsible for protecting against moisture and giving the planks their strength

Core layer – a durable, high density board that increases strength and moisture protection

Design layer – a high resolution photograph that mimics the floor’s surface layer

Wear layer – a topcoat made of aluminum oxide that protects the surface and makes it durable

Laminate is great at resisting moisture and stains. If you’re looking for an alternative to hardwood for your basement, kitchen, or bathroom, the colors, patterns, and styles will delight you. You’ll find laminate that mimics every type of hardwood, and even stone and other natural materials.

Vinyl Planks

Sometimes the best choice for your flooring comes from the least expected materials. If you haven’t looked at vinyl in a while, you’ll be surprised by its looks. This isn’t the vinyl your parents used in their homes. Vinyl planks imitate hardwood beautifully, yet give you all of the benefits of hardwood flooring.

Vinyl plank flooring, also called luxury vinyl flooring, has both a glue down and interlock plank tile that lets you install your flooring in an easy way.

What gives vinyl an advantage over many other flooring choices is its water resistance. All forms of vinyl are made with materials that are waterproof. This means they are perfect in places where water and moisture can be a problem – think bathrooms and laundry rooms.

While vinyl planks may be somewhat limited in their color choices, the pros far outweigh the cons when using vinyl planks in your home. This durable and easy to clean flooring choice is one you’re going to love.

Porcelain Tile

Think tile isn’t the right choice for your home? Maybe it’s time to give tile another look.

For many Coloradoans, tile floor is synonymous with a cold floor. And in the darkest days of winter, stepping onto a cold floor isn’t something that sounds like a lot of fun.

But tile is the perfect choice if you’re considering adding radiant heating to your home. Then you can have toasty flooring anytime you choose – how does that sound on the coldest day of the year?

Porcelain tile gives you the option of installing any look, feel, style, color, or pattern into your home. And thanks to today’s technology, porcelain tile also mimics the look and feel of hardwood flooring too.

You’ll love the colors, from whitewash to the darkest wood, the grain often looks so real, you have to get down on your hands and knees to see it isn’t real.

Tile is more durable than hardwood, it’s easier to clean, and is water resistant. That means it’s the perfect choice for every room in your home. Including outdoor living. If you’re expanding your kitchen outside, and creating living rooms that give you more access to the great outdoors, why not carry your flooring outside too? Try that with hardwood – nope, can’t be done. But porcelain tile means you can carry the look anywhere, inside and out.

What’s the right choice for you?

If you aren’t sold on hardwood, yet know you want an alternative to hardwood flooring that has the same look and appeal, yet with more durability and at a lower cost, we’ve got many options for you.

The best place to start is to stop by our retail location and start considering your options. We can guide you to our favorites, and help you select your favorites too. You’ll love what any of these marvelous products can do for your home.

Tile Floors
July 7, 2019

What Kind Of Tile Is Best For Outdoor Use?

Here in Colorado, we love our outdoors. If you ask some people, they’d prefer to find a way to live outdoors for as long as possible. What’s a little snow? That only means ski season is here.

If you want to stay outdoors longer, maybe it’s time to remodel your home and increase the outdoor living space. Skip the cement patio with a charcoal grill. It’s time to go BIG and extend the kitchen into something that makes your guests say: wow.

Of course, when you create an extended living space and add a kitchen outdoors, not every flooring will do. Especially here in Colorado where it can snow one day and set heat records the next, it’s important to have the right tile for outdoor use in place.

It should take cold and snow without cracking.
It should take heat and water without being slippery.
It should look beautiful, and transition well from indoors to out.

When you find a tile that can do all of that, you know you have a winner.

What to Look for with Tile for Outdoor Use

There are several characteristics for any flooring you choose that transitions from outside to inside, and for flooring that will frequently see moisture and messes.

Durability

When any flooring has to stand up all that Colorado weather can dish out, the first quality to look for is durability. It should hold up to intense sun without fading. It should stand up against rain and not provide a slippery surface. It should handle snow and sleet without cracking or degrading. It should handle moisture and damp conditions without changing its structure. It should also be easy to clean and scrub. Can you wash away the ketchup stain from the barbecue? Or how about the red wine from Saturday night’s party?

Porosity

The weather here in Colorado is anything but predictable. It rains. It snows. It freezes. It thaws. When you install tiles for outdoor use, be sure they can handle all of those changes. If tiles are too porous, they will absorb water. As it freezes and thaws, the tiles will crack and break. They can even pull away from one another and create an uneven surface area.

Hardness

For the same reasons your outdoor tiles should be well suited for moisture, they should also be hard enough to stand up to the abuse. If they are too soft, they won’t stand up to changes in weather. Or more cleaning as you move furniture and plants from here to there. And what happens if you accidentally drop a plate or a pan? Or a tree topples over in a freak storm?

Slip-resistant

While creating a slip-resistant surface is important in any room in your home where water and accidents can go hand in hand, it’s even more important in outdoor rooms. It isn’t a matter of IF; it’s a matter of WHEN. The reason most bathrooms have non-slip surfaces is that they use small tiles. Small tiles mean more grout, and grout provides traction. But outside, small tiles don’t make sense. You’ll use larger tiles to fill the space. And if they don’t have a slightly abrasive surface, your risk of falling rises.

What Types of Tile for Outdoor Use is Best

It’s hard not to fall in love with natural stone tile. It’s beautiful as well as functional. They come in all sizes and shapes. They also come in a variety of colors and finishes, and offer slip-resistance or even a well-polished look. If you’re trying to match and continue your indoor flooring choice, outside, this is the way to go. Consider:

Granite – the hardest and least porous of all natural stones. It holds up well no matter what the Colorado weather dishes out.

Marble – it’s as beautiful as it is durable. Slightly softer than granite, it will need sealing to continue to function at its best. But it’s difficult to find a more appealing surface with its many color variations with its veining.

Slate – we love it because no two tiles are ever alike. It’s easier to mix and match because the tiles will change from grays and greens, to browns and tans. You’ll love the effect.

Limestone – another light colored stone option that brings intrigue to your flooring. It’s very porous and will need regular sealing, but its finish can stand the test of time.

Travertine – this product contains lime deposits that adds texture as well as color variance. It’s very porous and needs to be sealed. But the color will make you say: wow.

Of course, natural stone isn’t your only option. How about porcelain tile?

Porcelain tiles come in a wide variety of colors, styles, patterns, and textures. Porcelain is made from clay, fired at high temperatures to make them very hard, durable, and non-porous. They can resemble natural stone, brick, rock, or even wood. But they handle so much better than the real thing.

That’s one of the best reasons to consider porcelain tiles. Depending on what your indoor living space looks like, it’s now possible to carry that look outside as well.

But How Do I Choose?

We know selecting the perfect tile for outdoor use will be one of your toughest choices. There’s so many selections – thousands of choices right here on our showroom floor.

How do you know what’s best?

How do you know what will handle well over time?

How do you know what you’ll love for years to come?

That’s where our advice comes into play. If you want to create a luxurious and durable outdoor living space you use as much as your kitchen, you can’t make a better choice then to select tile. And as long as you pay attention to durability and maintenance, you’re going to love your final selection. Just tell us your plans, and we’ll help you make the right choice for your situation.

Larger tiles – at least 12×12 or larger – create particularly impressive results. They can create the impression of a larger space. And depending on the color you select, and how well it matches your inside space, they can help create a seamless look.

Sit back and imagine all the fun you’ll have with your new outdoor space. The parties you’ll plan with the neighbors. The dinners you’ll share with friends.

Why wait to create your dream kitchen “someday.” Why not create it today?

It starts with an idea and a plan. And one of the best places to start is at the bottom – with your flooring. We can help you find the perfect tile for any outdoor space.

Carpet, Flooring
July 2, 2019

Is Carpet Bad For Your Health?

Carpet is one of the most controversial flooring types within the industry.

On the one hand, you’ll find a lot of people touting how bad carpets are. They can trap pollutants like dust mites, dirt, pet dander, particles, mildew, even mold. Toxic chemicals and gases in the air can settle into carpet fibers or on pollutants themselves. They sit there waiting for vacuums to make them airborne once again, or your pets or kids to lie down and become exposed to them as they play on the floor. Some carpets and carpet pads are made with chemicals and glues with volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These are also known to harm your health.

On the other hand, some will tell you the exact opposite is true. Carpet can actually make a home a healthier place to live, keeping fine dust and other particulates out of the air supply. On smooth floors, these particles are always being recirculated into the air as your furnace or air conditioner turn on, or even as you walk by. A carpet will trap them and keep them low until you vacuum and pull them away. And with the increase in technology and awareness about the harm of VOCs, manufacturers today are producing high quality carpets with low or even zero VOCs. If you select natural fibers like wool, and pay attention to both carpet pad and installation, you can have one of the most eco-friendly flooring choices around.

Which should you believe?

Let’s start with a few statistics

Studies have been performed all around the world looking for a definitive answer.

A study commissioned by the German Allergy and Asthma Society showed that using smooth flooring markedly increases the risk of finding dust throughout a home, while homes using carpet minimizes the risk. And in homes with smooth flooring dust pools and is located in higher concentrations than in homes with wall to wall carpet.

For people with respiratory problems, fine dust is a problem. The more dust inhaled, the more it triggers irritation and causes breathing problems over time. The fact that carpet traps fine dust and holds it down close to the ground means there is less likelihood it will be up in the air supply. And that can be a good thing.

Or how about a study performed by the European Community Respiratory Health Service, an international organization that surveyed over 19,000 people in 18 countries, that showed homes that have carpeting in their bedrooms have a lower incidence of having a family member with asthma symptoms.

Carpet can lower the accumulation of dust within your home

Here in Colorado, most of us rely on gas-forced heating and cooling systems to keep our homes comfortable. And because of the unpredictability of Colorado weather, either one or the other is operating almost all of the time.

Have you ever sat in a home and watched dust and pet hair blow around every time the furnace or air conditioner turns on? If you can see that, imagine what’s happening to fine dust particles that are microscopic or hard to see. This fine matter is stirred up even with the most gentle breezes, putting all of that into the air supply, and ultimately inhaled.

Carpet fibers trap all of this, and keep these particles down near the floor.

When you have carpet, part of the regular maintenance routine is to vacuum them regularly. Modern day technology dictates that you’ll have a vacuum that uses HEPA-filters, which trap allergens and dust mites and permanently remove them from your carpets.

Of course, some carpets do this better than others. That’s where quality comes into play. Spend the time finding the best carpet for your situation.

What about VOCs?

VOCs – volatile organic compounds – are found everywhere, not just in carpet or adhesives. You’ll find VOCs in things you use every day:

Cosmetics
Deodorants
Cleaning supplies
Dry cleaning
Polishes and waxes
Drapery
Furniture
Office equipment
Cigarette smoke
Air supply from outside

You can’t escape it. But you can be conscious about it.

VOCs can be in any type of flooring. The key is in paying attention to the manufacturing process. Also, ask questions about installation, and select only those products that are carefully analyzed for lowering VOCs.

And statistics show that the use of VOCs is decreasing rapidly. Here in the US alone, in 1970, there were over 35 million tons of volatile organic compounds released into the air. In 2017, it was reduced to 16.2 million tons.

Being aware can greatly improve your ability to select things that won’t harm your health, and can actually make your home a safer, more comfortable place to live.

In can increase safety too

In some homes, safety is a top concern. Do you have an elderly relative who lives with you? Or a small child learning to walk?

Falling is one of the most frequent reasons people end up in emergency. And for an elderly person, the results can be catastrophic.

If someone falls on a hardwood or tile floor, the damage can be substantial. Carpet softens a fall, and can reduce the amount of injury.

Carpet has also been known to help reduce stress. There’s just something about squishing your toes into soft fibers, something that makes you relax and say: ah.

It might also be because of noise levels. Have you ever experienced the hollow sound with hard flooring in place? You can hear the echo as you talk or walk around the room. Carpet is a natural insulator, with improves noise control. That too, can have a lot of positive benefits, depending on the situation.

So, have you reconsidered your desire for carpet in your home? Are you looking for quality carpeting solutions that can help you create a non-toxic, breathable, sustainable living environment?

If so, we can help. We have many wonderful carpet brands that will perfectly suit your needs and taste. Stop by today and take a few samples home. You’ll love what new carpet does to your home.