How To Keep Your Commercial Flooring Projects On Time and On Budget

The larger the project, the more thought has to go into the entire process. A project that takes a couple of hours can be done on weekends or offtime, when tenants or employees are out of the office.

But when a job is bigger, when it involves days of labor, and will bring disruption to the people that use your commercial property, there’s a lot more to take into consideration.

On the surface, flooring projects don’t seem like a large project. You’re just replacing your current floor with a new one; what could go wrong? That’s where a lot of project managers start to have problems.How To Keep Your Commercial Flooring Projects On Time and On Budget

Flooring is a big project. There are many facets to the project, a few many people leave out. If you have a flooring project on your books for this year, where do you begin?

What flooring product is best?

Flooring seems like a simple project. You operate a commercial property. There are only so many flooring choices in the world, and only a few make sense in your situation. You wouldn’t put carpet in hospital rooms, any more than you would put cement floors in an elegant office.

https://pro-flooring.com/choosing-the-right-commercial-tile-for-your-location/

Chances are, you’re walking into planning phase with a few ideas in mind. But when was the last time you had flooring installed? Do you know what technology is available, and how it’s changed the current offerings in the flooring marketplace?

Like every industry, flooring of today is different from even a few short years ago. Maybe linoleum is your best choice. Or luxury vinyl. Or carpet squares. Or bamboo flooring.

A little education can go a long way.

As you are considering your options, don’t settle based on what you think is your best solution. Stop by our retail location instead and learn about many of the different options available, perfect for today’s commercial applications. You may be surprised at what your best choice really is.

Understand everything about the flooring you’re about to install

Most people focus on the new flooring going in, without taking into consideration the process and what it takes to get there.

Unless you’re starting from scratch with new construction, half of your flooring project process will be the removal of the old flooring and getting it ready for your new flooring choice. If you’re replacing old flooring, there may be concerns that didn’t exist at the time of original installation. For example, if you laid vinyl or commercial tiles years ago and it has now served its useful life, you might pull it up to discover residual adhesives are a problem on removal. Or asbestos was used in the production of the tile.

Did you include abatement costs to fully refurbish the area before you install new flooring? Certain solvents and abatement processes can leave their own residue, or cause problems with the subfloor and require additional work before installing your new flooring choice.

Did you allow enough time for the entire process? Have you factored in cost for the entire project?

Only when you have a great base to start with can you install your new flooring, and ensure it will be the best choice for your situation.

Estimating and budgeting – don’t skip out

One of the toughest parts of a new flooring project is often the budgeting process. You’ve set aside funding for flooring replacement, but have you thought about it from every angle? Have you considered old flooring removal and disposal, as well as allowing extra for the “problems” that arise throughout the process?

We find that many project managers under-estimate because they simply don’t understand the right questions to ask. If you haven’t replaced your flooring in years, you don’t understand the entire process from beginning to end. And without that knowledge, your estimates can be a long way from reality.

To keep your flooring project on budget, an important step is a thorough evaluation of the specifics of the job. That includes measuring the commercial space, seeing the nuances that can make it challenging, and determining what special requirements may exist that you simply aren’t aware of. Only a professional installer knows what to look for; that’s why it’s imperative you include this step before you make your final decisions.

Phasing plan and getting the job done

In many cases, you won’t be able to complete the project in one day. It takes time to remove the old flooring, to abate the area if necessary, to ready the subfloor, and finally, install the new one. The larger your commercial property, the longer this process will take.

And that can bring a lot of hardship to the residents, tenants, or employees who are currently using the property.

First and foremost, you have to start a project of this size by working with the people onsite. Are there big projects coming up where this type of disruption would impede work? Are there points in time that would be better for a project of this size than others?

Start with a conversation with everyone involved. Ensure you know work schedules, timing structures, and approximations of how long the project will take. Be sure to add in extra time for problems and mistakes that creep in during the process.

How to live with your final project

Think your commercial flooring project ends once the flooring has been installed? Think again.

Different flooring choices have different management requirements.

Different manufacturers have different specifications in order to keep their products looking their best.

Do you know how to “live” with your new flooring in the coming years? If not, it can impact the looks, the lifespan of the flooring, and even null and void the warranty.

While you might not think about the tiny details of caring for a flooring before it’s installed, it can quickly come to light after the project is completed. When someone moves a heavy object across the floor and mars the flooring, you’ll have questions. When the first stain appears on the floor, you’ll need answers.

We know the most important questions you’ll never ask when you first come in. That’s why it’s great to have a flooring expert on your side. We think of the important questions to ask, so you don’t have to. We make suggestions based on your circumstances to ensure you’re happy with the final product weeks, months, years after we drive away.

And isn’t that really what you want? Someone who can make your flooring project run smoothly from beginning to end, giving you the biggest bang for your buck? Helping you achieve your goals in the best way possible?

If you have a flooring project on the books for this year, start the process by coming into our retail location today. We can help you understand what you don’t know; answer questions you didn’t remember to ask.

And get you one step closer to installing the perfect floors for your commercial property.

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What About Flooring End Of Life?

Of all the materials located in a commercial or retail location, flooring is arguably one of the most visible and one of the most important components to a building structure.

  • It makes a first impression
  • It provides safety with the changing seasons and weather conditions
  • It creates a comfortable environment

Few would argue that commercial flooring has to endure a considerable amount of wear and tear. Very few materials have to stand up to daily use the way your flooring does. Make the right choice, and it’s a major expense. Make a wrong choice, and the expense skyrockets; it can throw a very large kink into your budget.What About Flooring End Of Life?

Like every aspect of operating a commercial property, the flooring lifecycle is one you have to pay close attention to. How do you know when you’ve reached flooring end of life? How can you budget correctly to ensure you get the most out of every dollar you spend on your flooring?

Just because it’s a major expense doesn’t mean you should overspend. If you plan correctly, you’ll know how to select the correct flooring for your property, understand the lifespan, and how to dispose of it correctly when end of life is reached.

Determining flooring lifecycle will give you a bigger picture of your options. It will help you achieve tight budget controls during the construction phase, as well as understand your costs down the road.

When you see the big picture, it helps you make wiser choices. It helps you determine what to spend today, in order to keep costs down throughout the life of your flooring.

Start With A Plan

How do you choose the best flooring? It’s a balancing act between the functionality of the commercial space, and how each flooring choice will hold up with daily use. For most property owners, the best place to start is with a few questions.

  • What is the general purpose of the property?
  • Who accesses the building?
  • What jobs will they be performing?
  • What activities take place, and how will that impact the flooring?
  • What traffic level will the space see?
  • What about aesthetics? How important is that to the overall design?

With flooring lifecycle planning, you can easily see that the lowest priced flooring might not be the best choice. It may be more expensive to maintain, and require replacement years sooner than other choices.

Lifecycle planning takes into account total dollars spent on everything from materials and installation, to service and maintenance, to end of life disposal.

Maintenance and Upkeep

While many property owners may focus on initial cost, it can be maintenance and upkeep that by far are the most expensive part.

The longer a floor lasts, the greater number of years you can divide initial cost into. That ultimately saves you in the long run. And as a flooring ages, it often requires more upkeep to keep it looking its best.

Maintenance is usually required to keep a floor attractive and functional. And that depends on the type of flooring and the amount of use of the floor. High traffic areas have different needs than smaller offices with little foot traffic, for example.

In some cases, you can handle maintenance and upkeep onsite. In other cases, you might need a janitorial or flooring service to handle maintenance for you. You need to balance these monthly costs with initial costs to come up with an accurate outlook of the best flooring to purchase.

What To Do At End Of Life

If you’re trying to make a decision about what flooring to install in your commercial property, why think about flooring end of life now? Turns out there’s a very important reason.

Specifically, the carpet industry in the US alone produces 11.7 billion feet of carpet each year. And when it comes to disposal, almost 4 billion pounds ends up in the landfill (that’s nearly 3.5 percent of all waste disposal in US landfills.)

And that’s just carpeting.

But it doesn’t have to be like that. You can start making your plans today. Decide what to do with the flooring you’re about to rip out, and make a conscious decision about how you’ll replace your new flooring at end of life. It makes the entire process more green – especially if you’re shooting for LEED certification, or adhering to zero-waste policies.

What options do you have?

Reuse it – For some materials, you have the possibility of reusing it in other ways. Many products have easy install and removal specifically for ease of use. Lock-in place laminates, pressure-sensitive adhesives on resilient flooring, and carpet tiling are easy to pick up, cleaned, and relocated. You’ll have to look at wear, but it’s often doable to relocate tiles from higher traffic areas to lower traffic areas, and get better wear out of the entire floor. That means you can extend the life indefinitely, rather than ripping out materials because of visible wear marks.

Third-party use – There are flooring companies that find homes for reuse flooring. Instead of throwing materials away, these companies find other venues where the materials can have extended life. That’s where things like reclaimed hardwood come from. In some cases, you can even reuse flooring in other projects. Handy crafters have made furniture and tabletops from flooring from places with sentimental meaning.

Recycle it – Recycling it is almost a given – we recycle everything, so why not flooring? Many flooring companies are stepping up to the plate and initiating recycling programs as a part of their business model. Shaw, for instance, prints an 800 number right on the back of their materials. When you call them, they will transport and recycle any product that’s a part of their program. Now that you know that, will you shop differently for the flooring you install in your commercial property?

Sometimes the best questions to ask about new flooring don’t start with color or product. Instead, they think about the overall flooring lifecycle, and what happens with flooring end of life.

To make your property the best it can be, maybe the best place to start is at the end.

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Is Sheet Vinyl Good?

Back in the early 1900s, the way we decorate our houses changed in many ways. Can you imagine going back to a time without modern appliances? Or without insulation? Or without beautiful flooring?

Vinyl flooring first came popular in the years following World War II. It was considered a major upgrade over linoleum, and offered homeowners a choice in low cost, water-resistant flooring.

Like every flooring choice, vinyl has changed over the years. Today’s sheet vinyl is not what your grandmother had installed in her little bungalow. Today’s sheet vinyl is a highly durable, multilayer flooring choice that is great in high traffic areas, areas where moisture may be a problem, and commercial floor plans. It also comes in a wide variety of sizes and styles, looks, and patterns.Is Sheet Vinyl Good?

Are you considering sheet vinyl as a flooring choice? Let’s take a closer look.

What Is Sheet Vinyl?

Sheet vinyl is a multilayer, highly durable flooring choice that economical and easy to maintain. It’s easy to clean, and if you’ve ever worried about having it look dingy after just a few short months, stop worrying. Today’s sheet vinyl can look good for years.

What’s more, depending on what flooring you already have in place, it can be one of the easiest to install. If you want to change your decor, sheet vinyl is one of the easiest flooring choices to install.

Sheet vinyl is created with several layers to provide strength, durability, and aesthetics.

The most popular sheet vinyl contains a fiberglass layer that keeps the sheet flat and prevents it from curling over time. This fiberglass material also makes it easy to install, using a double-sided adhesive tape for installation rather than relying on messy adhesives.

Sheet vinyl also contains a wear layer and a topcoat, to help prevent scuffs, scratches, and other dings from normal, everyday use. Think of the wear layer as your protection from everything you do in your daily life.

This wear layer comes in different thickness levels. In low traffic conditions, you can get by with a lower wear layer option. However, in high traffic areas, select the highest wear layer for maximum performance. You’ll typically find wear layers in 10mil, 12mil, and 15mil sizes.

Sheet Vinyl Comes In Different Widths

When most people here “sheet vinyl,” they think of large rolls you can quickly unroll across a room and glue into place. But there’s more to sheet vinyl then rolls. When you’re dealing with sheet vinyl, the width plays an important part in the overall look, wear, and design.

As sheet vinyl grew in popularity, manufacturers quickly realized that one of the most difficult parts of installing it was the width of the design. Homeowners didn’t like having seams in the middle of a room, especially if they frayed and wore badly, leaving an unsightly mess. Cutting large sheets also seemed senseless in a narrow hallway, especially if you started losing some of the design.

Why not have sheet vinyl in many different widths? And that really was the start of vinyl’s opportunity. Did you know today, the most common width is just 12 inches?

Before you head into our showroom, take a few measurements of the room you’re ready to install new flooring in. They stop by and let us show you how you can decorate your space. What about plank tile just a mere 4 inches in width? Or stick with something wider – more standard – and move up to 13 feet in width? It all depends on your needs and desires.

Let’s Talk Style – You’ll Find Anything’s Possible With Sheet Vinyl

You can’t talk width without considering style first, right? After all, you aren’t just looking for a flooring choice that’s functional; you want good looks too. And that’s really the beauty of today’s sheet vinyl.

Let’s start with wood-look sheet vinyl. Everyone wants hardwood in their homes and commercial locations. But for a lot of situations, traditional hardwood just doesn’t make sense. Now you can have the look, yet choose durability and ease of care too.

What’s more, wood-look sheet vinyl can have even more options than you’ll find with traditional hardwood. Want gray wood floors? You’ll find it. Want to go as dark as possible? You’ll find that too. And while darker wood is often harder to care for, you’ll find dark sheet vinyl easy to maintain.

Like the idea of stone tile instead? Why not give stone-look sheet vinyl a try. It’s extremely popular; you can get the look of a stone floor at a much more economical price. It’s a great choice for bathrooms or kitchens. And because it’s softer than stone, it’s also a great choice if you have kids or seniors that are at risk of falling. You’ll love the softness factor sheet vinyl offers.

If you can find a stone you love, you’ll find the same look in sheet vinyl. Concrete, travertine, granite, and marble, there are all kinds of looks available that can provide you with classic designs.

Still Have Questions About Sheet Vinyl?

The best way to see if sheet vinyl is a good fit for your home is to stop by and see our entire vinyl flooring selection. But we also wanted to ensure you had a few more of your questions answered.

Is sheet vinyl really easy to clean?

Yes! If you’ve heard nightmares about cleaning and waxing, you’ve been listening to stories about linoleum. Sheet vinyl can be cleaned by sweeping and vacuuming dirt or debris. Use a damp mop for removing and spills or stains. Be sure to wipe away liquid spills and remove standing water. While it is moisture-resistant, you never want to allow liquid to stand and have the opportunity to penetrate through the seams. And depending on the spill, it can stain or discolor the top layer if left on the floor too long.

Can I install sheet vinyl myself?

Yes! That’s the beauty of sheet vinyl. With just a little bit of handy skills, you may consider installing this flooring yourself. Of course, if you want a professional look and feel, you may decide it’s best to leave it in the hands of a true professional. But it’s entirely your choice; you decide how to install it.

Can I install sheet vinyl anywhere?

Sheet vinyl is one of the most forgiving floorings to install; you can install it virtually anywhere. If you have a level subfloor in place, installing sheet vinyl is an easy task. How about the kitchen? Or bathroom? Or laundry room? It can make a great addition to your basement. Or how about the wine cellar? You’re gonna love how sheet vinyl spruces up just about any room in your home or commercial location.

How can we help you select the right sheet vinyl for your home?

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The Pros and Cons of Adding Vinyl Flooring To Your Home

Vinyl flooring is one of the most popular types of resilient flooring because it’s easy to install, low maintenance, water-resistant, and is one of the most economical flooring choices you can make.

It’s also very popular among homeowners looking for a softer flooring that makes standing easier. It’s a great addition to hallways and entryways where high traffic is a given. It’s also a great choice in kitchens and bathrooms where comfort is needed as you stand in one place throughout the day.

What’s more, you can find vinyl sheets and tiles in a variety of colors, patterns, and styles, one that will perfectly suit your needs.The Pros and Cons of Adding Vinyl Flooring To Your Home

But with all the positives of this flooring choice, vinyl flooring also has a few drawbacks. Like any flooring, vinyl isn’t perfect for every situation. If you know the pros and cons before you start the selection process, you’ll have a better understanding of what will make the perfect flooring choice for your home.

Pro: Vinyl flooring is one of the easiest flooring choices to install

Today’s vinyl is easier to work with than ever before. Technological advances mean you’re not limited to working with vinyl in large, difficult to work with sheets. Though sheet vinyl is still an excellent way to add flooring to a room without the use of multiple seams, there are other options too. How about vinyl planks? Or vinyl tiles? No matter what you choose, do it yourself or leave it to the professionals, you can have new vinyl installed in a short period of time.

The best brands in the industry offer easy installation methods. With self-adhesive methods, you can simply remove the backing and press the vinyl into place. Of course, you will need to ensure the subfloor is ready for installation. That will be the key to your vinyl flooring’s success. That means your subfloor should be level and smooth, clean, and ready to adhere to your vinyl flooring choice.

Con: Vinyl flooring can be difficult to remove

The good news is once vinyl flooring is laid into place, the adhesive sets and hardens to ensure your flooring stays put. The bad news is the adhesive hardens to the subfloor and is going to take power to remove it.

Fortunately, it’s not impossible. It’s just going to take a little elbow grease to bring your flooring back down to the original subfloor, ready for the next flooring choice you make.

If you do it yourself, you can do it with a utility knife and a scraper. Use a utility knife to cut the vinyl into manageable pieces, then follow with a scraper tool to loosen the hardened glue.

Pro: Vinyl flooring is affordable

It won’t take you long to realize that vinyl flooring is one of the most economical flooring choices you can install in your home. Even luxury vinyl can be installed at a fraction of the price of traditional hardwood.

That savings can also continue to grow as you consider maintenance factors as well. With vinyl, it’s as easy as sweeping and mopping to keep floors looking their best. Hardwoods need a lot more care to maintain their good looks. Even carpet needs frequent vacuuming and occasional cleanings to be the best it can be.

Con: Vinyl flooring isn’t the most in-demand flooring

Despite its advancement, thanks to technology, vinyl flooring is still vinyl flooring. It will always be and act like vinyl flooring. And for some homeowners, that falls to the bottom of the wishlist.

Still, studies show that homeowners like consistency more than they prefer certain types of flooring. And because high-quality vinyl flooring has made a lot of advances in the past decade, it’s good looks can be a welcome sight.

https://www.homelight.com/blog/what-flooring-increases-home-value/

The important thing is to focus on quality. Vinyl comes in a variety of thicknesses; the thicker the vinyl, the more cushiony, stable, and durable it becomes. Because homeowners typically install vinyl in places like kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways – places where more accidents are likely to occur – high quality means spills won’t penetrate through to the subfloor, and moving items or dropping things won’t dent or tear the material.

Pro: Vinyl flooring can add beauty to any room

You can select vinyl flooring in sheet, tile or plank format. It comes in a variety of colors, patterns, styles, and looks. Vinyl planks are designed to mimic hardwood flooring, and they do a pretty good job. Vinyl tile can give the appearance of natural stone tile – all at an affordable price. It’s a great way to add a little personality to any room, and move it up to give it a more modern appeal.

Con: Age impacts your vinyl flooring

With proper care, vinyl flooring can last 15, 20 years or more. But as it begins to age, the color and material can fade away with it.

Do you have vinyl installed in your older home now? If vinyl was produced in the 1980s or before, you might be at risk for having asbestos in your home. Once vinyl starts wearing it can release asbestos into the air. If you suspect it, get it evaluated right away. You can buy an at-home testing kit and run the test yourself. And if it tests positive, a professional must remove it to ensure the toxic material is removed in the proper way.

But today’s vinyl flooring is no longer as risky as they once were. Vinyl is created from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In the past, they were often associated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), but manufacturers today often use little to no PVC in their flooring. Just ask and we can point you to the best manufacturers.

What’s Your Choice?

Like other types of flooring, vinyl can be the perfect addition to some rooms in your home. There will always be a need for vinyl flooring, and luckily today, that means you have a wide range of choices.

The low cost and durability can be a deciding factor. Add in good looks and resilience against water damage, and it can be a winner in certain areas of your home.

Think vinyl flooring is the perfect choice for your home? Stop by today and see what we have in stock for you.

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How Wide Should Hardwood Floors Be?

Do you love watching home improvement shows on HGTV? The ones where the hosts walk into truly ugly homes, rip it all apart, and build it back up again from the ground up?

Me too.

It’s a great way to get ideas from some of the top interior designers in the country. You can see the “in” colors for the year. Learn how to mix and match colors, styles, and patterns. And even take note of specific manufacturers, gaining valuable insight when it comes time to remodel your own home.How Wide Should Hardwood Floors Be?

If you watch them as much as I do, I’m sure you’ve noticed there’s a trend in hardwood flooring. And it’s probably led you to ask a question if you’re thinking of redoing your own home:

How wide should hardwood floors be?

Because the trend is definitely moving upward in width.

In most cases, traditional hardwood planks are 4 inches in width. A narrow plank floor would range somewhere between 2 to 4 inches in width. You’ll find wide plank flooring starts at about 5 inches, and goes up from there, depending on the wood and the manufacturer.

Is one width better than another? Is there an easy way to make the perfect choice for your home? Let’s start with one of the first questions we receive when someone is considering hardwood flooring.

Are wide plank floors trendy?

One of the biggest reasons people hold back from selecting something new and different is out of fear. How will it look in the future? How will it hold up over time?

Wide plank flooring isn’t for every home. That’s where consulting with one of our flooring experts can help. We can assess your room size, your current decor, and even your personal taste. Wider planks can take center stage, adding grandeur across a wide open space. Go with a lighter shade and it can create a sleek, yet modern appearance.

The wider the plank, the more it tends to show the characteristics of the wood. You’ll see knots and grain. You’ll see more of the imperfections. Wider plank brings a lot of the focus back down to the floor. It helps give the room a one-of-a-kind appearance.

Plus wide planks mean you’ll have fewer seams between the boards. That means less interruptions of the natural lines both in the wood and the way the room flows.

Of course, you wouldn’t want to put them in a busy room, it can make the room feel cramped. And if clean and polished is your thing, the busyness of the wood can sometimes be a distraction. Those imperfections really stand out, especially if you use darker woods.

What does all this have to do with being trendy? It’s our way of saying – no way!

The purpose of flooring is to provide a foundation your decor can grow on. And if you love the way it looks, if it suits the flow of your rooms, why not make wide planks your final choice?

Let’s talk wide plank hardwood humidity levels

If you’ve done any research on installing wider planks in your home, you’ve probably noticed a lot of talk about how humidity levels can impact the structure of your floor. Considering we live in a very dry Colorado climate, it’s important to take this into consideration.

Depending on the manufacturer you choose, not all hardwood planks are created the same. When deciding how wide hardwood floors should be, you can’t overlook that wider planks will be impacted by dryness and moisture. Humid August weather patterns will affect it one way, while continually running the furnace in the dead of winter will dry everything out.

Wider planks quite obviously use more wood per plank. And therein lies part of the problem.

Inexpensive wood flooring is cut from every part of the tree. These manufacturers will use limbs, branches – any piece where they can get what they need to create a plank.

The wider the plank, the more surface area a manufacturer will need to create the plank. Most lengths run one foot to six feet, coupled with a wide width means the manufacturer will use only the thickest part of the tree.

Better wood means better results.

Yet you should still pay attention to how much humidity is in your home. Especially upon installation.

A reputable hardwood flooring installer knows it takes time to acclimate the hardwood to your home before it’s installed. Professionals will leave wood to acclimate to your home’s conditions before the installation process begins.

Why does this matter?

Let’s say your floor is installed using glue-down method. Wood floors maintain their structure when your home is kept somewhere in the 28 percent to 48 percent range of humidity. But if moisture levels drop considerably, parts of the floor might not contract if the glue holds firmly in place, especially if the wood isn’t high-quality and has more movement in its structure. This can cause what is called “dry cupping.” Your floors can warp and bow.

Sometimes putting humidity back into the home can help. Sometimes it takes overhauling the wood, sanding it down and refinishing it once again, fixing any areas that were damaged in the process.

Unfinished vs Pre-finished

All hardwood flooring comes in both unfinished and pre-finished product lines. This is a matter of personal choice when you’re installing it for the first time.

Pre-finished allows for the fastest installation. With the hardwood already finished in the factory, it’s a matter of lining up the planks and putting in the finishing work.

Unfinished allows you to finish your floors on site. While it takes more time and is a bit messier, the benefits are you can finish it in any color you choose. You don’t have to stick with what the manufacturer produces.

Unfinished also means the entire surface area is covered and coated. Even the seams in the floor will be covered, making it even more water-resistant that pre-finished.

If you are considering wide plank hardwood flooring, start by giving us a call. We can help you craft the hardwood floors of your dreams. Something you’ll be proud to have in your home for years to come.

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How To Evaluate Carpet Quality Before You Invest In Commercial Carpet

Sure, it’s important how a carpet looks. You want it to be beautiful, and to add the “wow” factor to your room.

But equally important is carpet quality. If it isn’t made well, it won’t perform well over the lifespan of the carpet.

Carpet quality comes from a variety of factors, including how well the carpet was made, how well it’s maintained, and how well it’s installed. Of course, a carpet can do very well in a guest bedroom that sees very little use, yet be the wrong choice for a heavy-traffic office space that has dozens of people crossing over it every day.How To Evaluate Carpet Quality Before You Invest In Commercial Carpet

How do you know where to start?

Carpet Fiber

The first characteristic to pay attention to is the carpet fiber. You can select carpet made from natural or synthetic fibers. Both have their pros and cons, so it’s crucial to pay attention to what each type offers, and know how well they would perform if you install them in your commercial location.

Natural Fiber

For some, the only way to go is by installing natural fibers. Wool is one of the most expensive fibers used in commercial carpet production, but it can be a great choice for some business applications. Wool fibers are strong and durable, crush-resistant, and matt-resistant. It can be a good choice in an office back from main entrances, where water isn’t a problem. While wool will resist some moisture, if it’s introduced to too much water, it will shrink.

Wool fibers will hide dirt well. They also resist holding dirt deep within the fibers. Manufacturers suggest that you clean wool carpets more than their synthetic counterparts, which should include both regular vacuuming and deep cleaning. Keep in mind that while wool carpets may be good at hiding dirt, they are more susceptible to being damaged from embedded dirt that isn’t quickly removed. It will impact the fibers, hurt them, and decrease the lifespan of the carpet.

Synthetic Fiber

If you prefer synthetic fibers for your commercial application, there are some great choices available.

Nylon is one of the most common fibers used in commercial environments because it’s strong, resilient, wears well over time, and resists moisture, oils, and chemicals too.

While wool fibers are dyed post-production, nylon fibers are solution-dyed during production. The color is added in the beginning with they nylon crystals before it’s formed into carpet fibers. That makes it more resilient throughout its lifespan against wear and fading. What you see is what you get for the life of the carpet.

However, nylon has the ability to generate static electricity, especially in drier environments like here in Colorado. That can be a problem in buildings where sensitive electronic equipment is stored and used. To reduce the impact of static, manufacturers coat the nylon fibers to help reduce static and dissipate it before it reaches dangerous levels.

Some turn to olefin fibers for this reason. Olefin is an excellent choice if you want a carpet that is fade-resistant, stain-resistant, moisture-resistant, and can be used in both indoor and outdoor applications. While olefin is a good choice if your professional space frequently sustains accidents and spills, it doesn’t perform as well as nylon with ongoing dirt and debris. Dirt particles are often trapped in olefin fibers, damaging the surface and shortening the life of the carpet. More frequent cleaning will be needed if people track in dirt particles.

Olefin has the advantage of fibers that don’t generate static electricity. That’s why many business owners turn to olefin if they have sensitive electronic equipment or computers. But olefin does have a drawback of having a low melting point. Even simple tasks such as dragging heavy equipment across the carpet can cause enough friction to leave burn marks in its path.

Carpet Pile

When carpet is created, it is constructed with cut pile or loop pile. For either, carpet quality depends on density and the amount of twist.

With cut pile construction, the fibers are cut at the surface and woven tightly together to form the carpet and make it stand up. The fibers can be cut to create an even surface area, or cut at varying heights to create patterns and texture. Higher quality carpets will use two or three piles of yarn tightly twisted together to create a stronger fiber. This tighter weave, in general, will create better performance and more durable carpet quality.

With loop pile construction, the fibers are looped through the backing and woven tightly together to create a uniform look and feel. Loops can be all at the same level, or interwoven at varying heights to create patterns and textures.

Cut pile overall is not as durable as loop pile. When loop pile is subjected to constant pressure, it rebounds and returns to its original condition easier than cut pile. This rebounding makes it better suited for high-traffic areas.

Also, loop pile that’s tightly compressed together will be better at blocking dirt, making them the best at standing up to high traffic levels.

Carpet Backing

While it’s easy to choose carpet based on the look and feel of the fiber, carpet backing is equally important at determining carpet quality.

Carpet backing is what gives the carpet its strength. It provides a moisture barrier designed to keep spills from seeping through and impacting the carpet padding and the subfloor, where mildew and mold can begin to form. This is where it’s important to know your daily practices and ensure you choose the right carpet for the job.

In most cases, the yarn is stitched through fabric, which in turn is coated with latex to add strength and durability. Depending on the manufacturer, some add additional fabrics and materials to increase the resilience. Polypropylene, for example, offers mildew resistance qualities which can make the carpet better suited for damp or higher humidity applications.

You may also find some carpets with a foam back. While not as durable as other backings such as polypropylene, it can make installation easier. Just glue the carpet directly to the floor without a carpet pad in place.

Are you ready to add new carpet to your commercial space?

Don’t just focus on the looks and color. If you care about carpet quality, and want the best your money can buy, focus on how the carpet was made. If you spend a little extra time ensuring you have the right carpet for your commercial application, you’ll love the results for years to come. Contact the Denver flooring expert today and let us show you the possibilities.

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How Do I Choose Hardwood Flooring

Want to take on a project that adds beauty and resale value to your home? Look down … the answer may lie with your flooring.

The average ROI for installing hardwood flooring is somewhere between 70 and 80 percent. Hardwood flooring can add up to 2.5 percent more to the price you charge for your home.

But even if you’re not ready to sell, and you have no immediate plans to do so in the future, the best reason to install hardwood throughout your home is for the sheer beauty of it.How Do I Choose Hardwood Flooring

Yet not all hardwood is created equal. There’s more to it than simply picking out your favorite color. You have to mix in aesthetics and performance to ensure you gain flooring you can live with for years.

Where do you start?

Engineered or solid hardwood

When most people think of hardwood flooring, they think of solid planks taken straight from the tree. In our modern times, you have a lot of different options. Solid hardwood still makes an excellent choice in many homes. But engineered flooring can be the perfect choice in certain circumstances.

Solid hardwood flooring is installed over one or two layers of plywood. That can raise a flooring level up and interfere with some floorplans. If you’re already dealing with a drop ceiling and you can’t raise a door frame, you might not have enough clearance for solid hardwood installation.

Engineered flooring can be glued directly to concrete or a soundproofing mat. It’s also the best choice if you want to install over radiant heating.

If you are going to install engineered wood, choose carefully. Engineered wood is created in several layers. In some cases, manufacturers create the top layer so thin, you can’t sand it down and refinish it in the future. That means your engineered floors won’t have the longevity of other hardwood options. It may be less expensive today, but you’ll pay for it down the road.

Of course, for some homeowners, nothing beats the feel of real wood. You can feel the difference. You can also hear the difference – solid hardwood makes a quieter living environment.

Prefinished or site finished

Hardwood flooring can be purchased unfinished that is laid into place and finished after installation, or prefinished, which arrives with stain and topcoat already in place. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.

With prefinished hardwood, what you see is what you get. When you walk into our showroom, you can see the different colors, styles, grains, and patterns. You can match the color to your existing decor. You can coordinate it with the rest of your fixtures and appliances.

Prefinished also takes less time from beginning to end. If time is a factor, this is the way to go. Once the boards are laid into place, you’re ready to go. You won’t have to wait and stay off site as the boards are colored and sealed.

On site finishing may take a bit longer, but for some, the customization means the sky’s the limit for choices. You can mix and match and color. You can select your level of stain and sheen. With on site finishing, the boards are nailed into place unfinished. Then the unfinished flooring is sanded, stained, and sealed as a continuous plane. The advantage of that is sealant covers the spaces in between. It provides a stronger moisture barrier, which can be a great advantage in some areas of your home.

Wood type

If you’re trying to decide what type of wood to install, you can’t ignore oak. Here in America, oak is king in the hardwood flooring market. It’s a very durable wood that handles well in an active household. It also has appealing color and grain that mixes and matches well with other aesthetics in a home. Especially here in Colorado where hardwood rules, oak can be a welcome addition to any decor. And because of its popularity, it’s also one of the most affordable hardwoods on the market.

Of course, you don’t have to stick with oak. If you’re looking for something to set you apart from your neighbors and friends, there are a lot of choices for you. Walnut, maple, cherry, or ash – the choice comes down to preferences and taste.

If you’re looking at prefinished, what you see is what you get. But with unfinished wood, keep in mind that certain woods create darker finishes when the process is finalized. If you’re looking for a specific shade, be sure to talk over your desires with one of our consultants to ensure you get what you want.

Finish type

There are many different types of finishes for hardwood, but in general, they fall into one of two classes: oil or polyurethane.

Oil penetrates the wood and gives a soft glow that keeps the wood looking natural. But because it penetrates the wood, it leaves it more vulnerable to damage. Oil finishes scratch easier, but the very nature of an oil finish also makes it easier to cover them up. You can fix them on a spot by spot basis.

Polyurethane creates a hard topcoat that makes it more resilient to wear. This is often a better choice for busy households with kids and pets coming and going. Yet polyurethane is also harder to repair. In most cases, you’ll need to buff out problem areas, then reapply the finish to the entire section of the floor.

Plank width

In years past, hardwood planks came in traditional sizes, usually two to three inch strips. No more. Today you can select hardwood planks in a wide variety of widths, which can add luxury and personality to any home.

Wider plank widths work well in larger rooms. Have an open air concept, where the kitchen, dining, and living space all roll into one another? Wide planks can give the space its own unique look.

Four, five, six, seven – really, you can go as wide as you choose. If the space can handle the expansiveness of the wood, why not give it a go? Wider planks mean fewer seams. That means less opportunity for damage from seepage between the planks. However, it also means you might see more movement as wood expands and contracts. Because there aren’t as many boards to distribute the movement, you may notice it more in what’s installed.

Still, it’s hard not to notice the beauty in a floor that isn’t the “same” as everyone else’s.

So what’s it going to be? What hardwood flooring is perfect for your home? If you want to finalize your decision and add new flooring to your home, why not stop by and see your options today?

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Is Cork Flooring Good For High Traffic Areas?

Thinking of putting in new flooring in your home? Although cork flooring has been around for decades, it’s only recently started making waves in the flooring industry. New technology has made a viable flooring choice for just about any situation.

Why do people like cork flooring? One of the top reasons is it’s a “green” renewable resource you can install and feel good about your choice. If you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint, select only sustainable materials for your home, and not have guilt about where the product comes from, cork is your choice.Is Cork Flooring Good For High Traffic Areas?

While hardwood can take years to mature enough for harvest, cork is a quicker growing product. Cork comes from the bark of a cork oak tree, and is harvested from living trees rather than chopping them down. Once harvested, cork is ground up, compressed, and bonded into sheets using resins.

Does that make it a wise choice for use in high traffic areas?

Let’s talk durability

Cork isn’t a product that is new to the market. Cork was a well-loved flooring choice in Europe at the turn of the twentieth century, and many of those floors are still in use today.

What makes cork so durable is that it’s a movable flooring material that compresses and jumps back to its original position. When you walk on it, it has “give.” As you move away, it returns to its original shape.

Cork is also waterproof and is the only wood product that has this feature. That makes it a better choice in areas where water and spills are greater risk. When harvested, cork bark contains a waxy substance called suberin that gives it its unique waterproof characteristics. It also makes the material fire-proof, insect-resistant, and antimicrobial.

Cork is considered a wood floor. And like all wood floors, they can be damaged in different circumstances. Cork floors have a wear layer that provides a defense against daily wear and tear. These flexible polyurethane layers are well-suited to cork, but they do wear down over time. Like most wood floors, they will need occasional updating or refinishing, anywhere from three to seven years is a good rule of thumb.

But where hardwood is hard and is more prone to scratches and marks, cork’s softness means it’s more susceptible to dents and dimples. When someone walks across a cork floor in high heels, for example, those tiny pressure points can penetrate down into the cork and mark the flooring permanently. Because of cork’s resiliency, some of these dents can be “ironed” out with steam or a hot compress. Add a hot towel to the area for a few minutes, and you might be able to pull the dent out.

Like other wood products, there is a “quick fix” solution for tiny imperfections. If you have a scratch or dent that deters from the look of your cork flooring, you can create a patch. Using a sharp knife, a ruler, extra cork, and wood glue. Use the knife and ruler to remove the damaged section. Creating a small, squared off area means it will be easier to replace. When purchasing cork flooring, be sure to purchase and store a few extra feet of material. Then cut the new square in direct proportion to the piece removed. Fit it into place and secure it with wood glue. You can reapply a small layer of polyurethane finish to the surface to further seal the area and protect it against further damage.

It’s not just about wear and tear

When most people think about flooring choices for high traffic areas, they consider durability only. But there are other considerations too.

Depending on what you have in the area now, the room may be noisier or colder than you desire.

Cork is made up of tiny air-filled pockets. These act as barriers against noise production, and make any room quieter. If you’re tired of the echo sounds of laminate or hardwood, cork may be the perfect choice for your area.

Those tiny pockets of air also make it an excellent insulator. Just like it reduces sound from being transmitted down and throughout the room, it acts as a barrier against heat transfer as well. That means it keeps your home cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter, and the amount you pay on utilities each month lower than other types of materials.

If you have a family member sensitive to dust mites and other allergens, cork flooring is also a great choice for installation. Unlike carpet that can harbor dirt, dust, and other pollutants, cork tends to repel it. That means it’s easier to wipe away through regular cleaning. Because of this, cork flooring is often associated with a higher indoor air quality.

And because of the waxy substance called suberin that’s a natural part of cork production, cork floors are natural repellents to insects and other small vermin. That also makes cork floors more resistant to biological growth such as mildew and mold. And if these tiny organisms can’t grow, it can help you create a cleaner, healthier environment for you and your family.

Cleaning is a snap. When installed correctly, it will have a water barrier in place. Start the cleaning process with regular sweeping and vacuuming, taking care to remove dirt and grit that can damage the flooring as you walk on it. While you should always wipe up spills and messes as quickly as possible, you won’t have to worry about seepage because of the moisture barrier. However, depending on the spill and the length of time on the floor, it can be stained. Those grape juice and red wine spills can stain the flooring if left in place for too long.

Is cork flooring the right flooring for you?

Yes, there are a lot of advantages to installing cork flooring into your home. It can be the perfect choice for every room – kitchen, living space, bathrooms, and bedrooms – providing you understand the care needed to keep it looking its best.

Can cork flooring be the perfect choice for your high traffic area? Yes … as long as you understand the product and are willing to provide the proper care. It’s one of the most time-tested, beautiful choices you can make for your home. And the colors and options available will soon have you saying “yes” to new cork floors.

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