June 2020 - PRO! Flooring

Hardwood Flooring
June 28, 2020

How To Match Exotic Wood Floors To Your Staircase

Don’t you just hate the cookie cutter lifestyle? One house looks like all the others in the neighborhood. You park your car in the parking lot, only to have trouble finding it because there are dozens just like it.

That’s not what you want. You want to create space that’s uniquely your own.

And you can do that … by personalizing the interior of your home.

That’s why many people have turned to exotic wood floors. And what’s not to love? Even saying it – exotic wood – it does something to you. It feels sexy, a little wild. It gives you a chance to let your true personality come to light.

But there’s a bigger problem with using exotic wood throughout your home. It’s your stairs. How do you match exotic wood floors to your staircase, and create the impression from the moment you walk through your doors?

Exotic wood floors – what are they?

If you’re still contemplating what flooring to install throughout your home, let’s start by defining what exotic wood floors are.

While there isn’t an exact definition set to industry standards, if you look at all the flooring manufacturers, you’ll find that they place exotic hardwood into a group that is defined by the following criteria:

Hard wood – this seems like a trick characteristic – aren’t all hardwood floors hard? Not necessarily. All wood falls somewhere on the Janka Hardness Scale. The Janka Hardness Scale starts at zero and moves up to a final score value of 4000. The lower it is on the scale, the softer the wood. If you go with a softer wood, it will be more easily dented and scratched. The higher the number, the harder the wood. However, you’ll never find hardwood flooring ranked around zero or 4000. Zero would be too soft to be functional, and 4000 would be so hard, it would be difficult to cut and lay into place. Instead, you’ll find all hardwood flooring materials scattered out somewhere in the middle.

Janka ratings show Douglas Fir to be ranked around 660 while Brazilian Cherry is at 2350. White oak is around 1360, while Santos Mahogany is at 2200.

When manufacturers are creating their exotic wood flooring line, they tend to place the hardest of wood floors – things like Brazilian Cherry and Santos Mahogany – into the exotic category. If you want a harder flooring for more resistance, focusing in on exotic will give you what you want.

Rich grains – it’s not just the hardness factor; it’s also the grain. If you’re looking for something with more character, more grain, more personality, look no further than exotic wood flooring. You’ll find their makeup to be more pronounced, creating a richer feeling once installed into your home.

Vibrant color – while softer woods tend to be more calm and subtle, you’ll find exotic woods tend to peak on the wild side. The colors are a bit bolder. The grain a bit more pronounced. The contrast can blend from light to dark, all on the same board. You won’t be able to ignore an exotic wood floor. It will say “look at me” from the moment you walk through the door.

Congratulations! You have a beautiful floor. Now what do you do with the stairs?

We have a lot of homeowners spend days – weeks – finalizing their decisions around the perfect wood for their flooring. Yet as soon as they settle on their final choice, a new problem comes to light.

What about the staircase? Can you use exotic hardwood on the stairs?

The answer, of course, is anything is possible. But with a higher Janka rating and a more pronounced look and feel running through the wood, it can make things a bit tricky.

Your staircase shouldn’t stand out – not for looking out of place. You want it to have that wow factor from the moment you walk inside. Yes, it needs to blend in with your flooring on both levels. But it also needs to showcase strength and contour, stating from the moment you see it that it’s high quality and a thing of beauty. Ever walked up to a staircase that looks rickety and old? Were you nervous to climb it? That’s the difference. A grand staircase always sets the stage for a beautiful home.

Now it’s time to decide what’s right for your staircase. Do you use exotic wood floors on both levels of your home? Are you trying to blend hardwood with another flooring – maybe carpet on the second level?

Only you can decide the right transition for your home.

Just a few things to keep in mind. Hardwood stands up well to years of abuse. But your stairs will be one of the most abused areas of your home. You’ll be running up and down many times a day. That hard surface can take a lot of pounding. But if you have young kids or elderly family members, a hardwood surface can be more of a challenge. They can be a little slippier. They can also do more damage in a fall. That’s when covering your stairs with a runner might be your best course of action.

If you’re looking for a little separation, we love using risers in a different tone or color.

For some homeowners, they prefer sticking with two shades of wood. Use the exotic flooring from your main level for the top of each stair, then coordinate it with a lighter wood for the riser.

Or maybe you prefer paint. If your second level is lighter, softer, consider contrasting the riser with a shade of white. This can make your exotic hardwood flooring pop even more.

This isn’t the only way to separate your stairs from the risers. Some homeowners put on their design caps and really create personality. How about contrasting hardwood stairs with tile risers? The sky’s the limit when you start creating your own patterns with color. Other designers will go all out and get creative with their paint skills. If you’re creating a special look, why not create a one of a kind look by hiring an artist to stencil in something unique?

The good news is anything is possible. Start by scouring the internet and finding something that says “wow” to you.

Then talk with one of our designers. We’ll point you in the right direction, and help you make the right choice for your home.

Hardwood Flooring
June 25, 2020

5 Decisions To Make When Selecting Hardwood Floors For Your Home

I was watching one of those design shows the other day. They talked about doing a complete home remodel from top to bottom – the house was in really bad shape.

When they got to the floors, one sentence was used to explain it all:

And we’ll lay hardwood floors throughout.

Yep, that’s it. And unfortunately, we hear that a lot when we speak to customers about their plans for adding new flooring to their homes. They often come in with one thing in mind: installing hardwood. But what they quickly discover is it’s a lot more complicated than that.

What type of hardwood flooring are you going with?

There may have been a time when hardwood was hardwood, but that day has long since past. Today, the lines are blurred as to what hardwood really is. Yes, you can still install traditional hardwood, often made from oak, pine, or ash. But other options are almost endless.

How about exotic hardwood? You can go as light or as dark as you wish.

When traditional hardwood isn’t right for your space, you may do better with laminate wood. Laminate is a wood product made of several layers to add strength and durability, where a more traditional hardwood plank may not be the best choice.

How about luxury vinyl tile? Thanks to modern technology, luxury vinyl tile can now be purchased in plank, and have such realistic looking graphics, it’s difficult to tell it’s not the real thing. This is a perfect choice for rooms where hardwood doesn’t hold up well, such as laundry rooms or bathrooms.

If you prefer something more sustainable, why not give bamboo a try? Technically, bamboo is a grass, not a wood product. But it still performs just like hardwood, and has classic good looks you’re going to love from the moment you install it.

What about tile? Even tiles are being manufactured in plank format, giving you the look of hardwood with the durability of tile. It can be the perfect choice for bathrooms and kitchens, where you’re looking for something more durable than traditional hardwood.

What is the driving factor for purchasing your new flooring?

We all enter into a purchase with an ulterior motive. For some, it’s all about budget. For others, it’s about satisfying a lifelong dream of creating the perfect home.

Why are you changing out the floor in your home? That can easily dictate the type of flooring product you invest in.

For example, if you shop with a budget in mind, start with that as your goal. Hardwood and bamboo are going to be more expensive than products like luxury vinyl tile. If you’re fixing up a home and turning it into a rental, luxury vinyl tile may be the perfect choice to add style for renters, yet stay reasonably priced, knowing you’ll be replacing it more frequently than in other living conditions.

What is your everyday lifestyle like?

Can you imagine white carpet is you have small children and several pets? Nope.

Yet few people consider lifestyle before they purchase and install hardwood. Hardwood is a classic, everybody loves it. But in some homes, it just doesn’t make sense.

Let’s say you’re a dog person. Not only do you have dogs, but you also breed them. Your home doesn’t have a dog or two; you have up to a dozen or more running throughout your home on any given day.

Solid hardwood can be a finicky flooring material. It doesn’t stand up well to constant cleaning. It can easily warp if it gets too wet. And it can scratch easily, something that’s almost guaranteed to happen with dozens of little paws running across it on a regular basis.

Take the time to truly evaluate your lifestyle. Don’t ignore it, or look past your reality. Instead, focus on getting a fully functional flooring that suits your needs … and looks great in the process. There’s never been a better time to marry the two together.

What are my long term goals?

Are you designing your forever home, a place you see yourself living for decades to come? Is this a stepping stone – you’ll live here for a few years before you’re off and on the next great adventure?

Each of those goals can lead you to a different type of flooring material.

If you’re designing your dream home, by all means, select your dream flooring material. Choosing hardwood floors can be the perfect choice to give you years of pleasure.

Yet if you know you’ll be leaving this home and moving in the foreseeable future, you can select flooring with other things in mind.

What about resale value? Ask any realtor and they will tell you that one of the best flooring choices is hardwood. It can give you up to an 80 percent return on investment, as new home buyers love to walk into a home with a beautiful wood floor.

What about sustainability and environmentally friendly materials?

Are you conscious about the environmental impact of every product you bring into your home? Then you’ll have a variety of options available to you as you’re choosing hardwood flooring.

Bamboo flooring may be the perfect choice because of its sustainability in growing. It’s a grass, not a tree, and can reach full maturity in a matter of years rather than decades. If you select the right manufacturer, you’ll be guaranteed they use sustainable harvesting methods, and make conscious choices for how the material is processed.

Keep in mind that it’s not just about the flooring product you choose. You can spend a lot of time researching the perfect hardwood, learning where it’s harvested from, and follow the certification for the manufacturing of the final product. But if you install it with an adhesive with high (volatile organic compounds (VOCs), you’re defeating the purpose.

If being environmentally friendly, or selecting sustainable products is at the forefront of your mind, let’s start there. If we know that going in, we can make a variety of suggestions to ensure you stay true to your goals throughout the process.

So what’s your perfect flooring? What questions do you have about choosing the right hardwood flooring for your home?

Hardwood Flooring
June 21, 2020

5 Reasons To Buy Hardwood Flooring For The Health Benefits

You love the idea of installing hardwood floors throughout your home. Now, maybe there’s another reason to give them a second look. There are health benefits for installing hardwood flooring too.

The problem with indoor air quality

Americans today spend far more time inside than they do outside. The EPA estimates that on average, people spend as much as 90 percent of their daily lives indoors.

That means the air pollution outside impacts your health far less than what exists inside your house.

What causes indoor air pollution?

Tobacco products
Fuel-burning combustion appliances
Household cleaners
Moisture that can contribute to mildew and mold
Building materials that include asbestos, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and more
Chemicals such as radon and pesticides

Indoor air pollution enters the home in a variety of ways.

It can come in every time you open a door or window, leave your shoes on as you walk through your home, or through daily activities – cooking not only uses fuel-burning appliances such as a gas stove, it can release toxins in the air depending on what and how you cook.

What flooring does to add to indoor air pollution

Now that you know how pollutants can enter the home, let’s talk about how flooring contributes to it.

Flooring can impact your indoor air quality in two ways:

1. It can harbor problems brought into your home, increasing the volatility of your air supply

2. It can be manufactured with harmful chemicals and products that add to indoor air quality problems

That’s where hardwood flooring can help clean up your air supply – if you know what to look for.

Allergens are everywhere. Some of the most common allergens we bring indoors are dust mites and animal dander.

The best way to eliminate them from your home is with frequent cleaning – dusting, vacuuming, washing, and scrubbing. If you select a surface more conducive to these methods of cleaning, it will create a healthier living environment.

Certain types of flooring, like carpet, are simply going to be gathering places for small microorganisms, while flooring like hardwood makes it easier to clean.

Of course, hardwood itself can add to the problem if you don’t pay attention to where it’s harvested from, and how it’s produced. Is it treated with chemicals at any point during the manufacturing process? Is it finished with harmful products? Does it adhere to the floor with toxic adhesives?

There’s a lot to think about when trying to clean up your indoor living environment. It’s not as easy as going to the store, and picking up the first flooring product you see.

Let’s focus in on the health benefits of hardwood flooring

You already know that hardwood flooring is wildly popular, looks great everywhere it’s installed, and can last for years if you maintain it correctly. Homebuyers know this too; it’s one of the most in-demand products they look for when shopping for a new home.

But what you might not have considered is how hardwood floors add health benefits to your living space. Here’s how:

Hardwood doesn’t trap allergens – we’ve already talked about how hardwood helps eliminate allergens. That’s because hardwood is a hard surface, and things like dust and dander sit on the surface, making it easy to sweep away.

Hardwood is a carbon-neutral product – hardwood comes directly from trees. Trees take in carbon dioxide and produce oxygen as they age and grow. What you might not know is that a wood stores carbon even after it’s cut down and manufactured into planks for your floor.

Hardwood is considered hypoallergenic by the EPA – which gives it a huge advantage for people with respiratory issues. Because hardwood flooring won’t take in microorganisms and pesticides like other flooring choices will. It also minimizes the accumulation of things like dust, mold, and other harmful items.

Hardwood is easy to disinfect – don’t worry about lugging in cleaning machines in order to keep the surface area clean. Hardwood floors are easy to clean with a damp mop and a manufacturer-approved anti-bacterial cleaner. Check with the manufacturer before you put anything on your hardwood floors, or you might void the warranty.

Hardwood is a natural product – unlike some flooring choices that are made in a laboratory, hardwood flooring is created from a natural resource. Hardwood is one of the best earth-friendly materials you can choose. However, be sure you understand the source before you make the purchase. Not every product is harvested in the same way. Hardwood flooring can come with certification from groups such as the Forest Stewardship Council, or meet criteria set forth by organizations such as the GREENGUARD Certification Program. This gives you assurance that it isn’t coming from a manufacturer with illegal or highly questionable practices.

What to do to keep hardwood floors clean

Now that your hardwood floors are installed and in place, how do you ensure they stay clean without impacting your health for the life of your floors? Luckily hardwood flooring is one of the easiest floors to take care of.

Remove shoes at the front door – have you ever thought about all of the things you pick up on the bottom of your shoes? Chemicals, dirt, germs – you can pick up a lot of things as you move throughout your busy days. Instead of tracking that in and letting it fall off onto your floors, remove them at the door. Consider having a mat or basket to place them, and a few pairs of slippers to keep your feet comfortable.

Keep mats at all entrances – this gives you and your pets the opportunity to wipe your feet before entering. Even just walking across it will remove a good amount of dirt.

Use a microfiber dust mop – instead of using a traditional mop, invest in one with microfiber. Microfiber has less chance of leaving dust and germs behind, and cleans better and leaves less residue than more traditional cotton. Water should never be left sitting on hardwood; use damp cloths where the residual dries quickly.

Keep a regular schedule with your cleaning routine – don’t let dust and germs settle in on any surface in your home. Life can get hectic, but the more frequently you give every surface a good cleaning, the less chance you have of letting the indoor air quality build enough to impact your health.

Invest in hardwood floors today

We’ve learned one thing this year – it’s more important than ever to keep our homes clean to have a healthy living environment. There are many reasons to buy hardwood flooring, for the health benefits is just one of them. Give us a call today and we can answer all of your questions, and help you make the right choice for your home.

Flooring, Tile Floors
June 18, 2020

Using Ceramic Tile For Universal Design

There’s a new focus on finding your perfect home and staying in place.

As we age, nesting takes on an entirely different meaning. We no longer plan a home around growing a family. Instead, we want to create a home where we can live indefinitely, throughout all the trials and tribulations of getting older.

Universal design sets up all the principles of aging in place. It’s about ensuring a house is set up appropriately for everyone, no matter what their abilities. It includes things like:

Flexibility in use – providing choices and adaptability
Intuitive use – eliminate complexities
Low physical effort – easy to operate and maintain

Universal design is the process used to design a home to be accessible to everyone. Every space – from kitchens to bath, and living spaces – should be accessible to people of all ages and abilities. And it should be done in such a way that it doesn’t call out differences, but instead has a smooth, easy-to-use style that looks as good as it functions.

Do you have narrow hallways? Widening them means that a person requiring any form of assistance can maneuver them just fine.

Do you have steep staircases? Universal design eliminates staircases, putting in easy ways to move from location to location without the need for climbing stairs.

And here’s the best part: universal design will never go out of style! That’s because there are already over 108 million people over the age of 50, thanks to the large Baby Boomer generation, with another 49 million following in their footsteps from the Gen X generation. These people want flexible living as they age.

While there’s a lot of features to build into a home specifically built under universal design guidelines, it starts at the bottom – the floor. And one of the best flooring choices you can choose is ceramic tile. What’s more, ceramic tiles aren’t just for floors. You’ll find them in use in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room, on backsplashes, walls, and ceilings. Because they’re that efficient, that beautiful, anywhere you want them in your home.

Universal design and minimalism go hand in hand

The key to good universal design is: simple is better. Clutter doesn’t work. Rugs and other items you can trip over are nuisances more than helpers. Simplicity is key. That’s why ceramic tile works so well.

It’s beautiful. It’s functional. It’s one of the easiest flooring choices to maintain. And with a minimal amount of effort, it will look good for years – decades – to come.

Some designers will tell you to go big. Select ceramic tiles as large as possible in order to minimize the amount of grout needed in between. It creates a smooth, flowing look. Don’t clutter it with throw rugs – that can be dangerous. And keep furniture high off the floor – it accentuates the clean look of the floor.

Other designers will tell you size doesn’t matter; it’s the continuity of the floor that matters most. Whether you use smaller penny round tiles, or large squares two feet in diameter or more, the key in creating classic good looks is keeping it simple.

Open concept

When you open up the floorplan of your home, it naturally creates universal design. That’s because any barriers that might have impeded traffic flow are eliminated.

Does that mean eliminating wall space? Yes, wherever possible. That also means it will create rooms that naturally work together.

Take a look at your current home space. Average homes today have a kitchen, living room, family room, several bedrooms and bathrooms, hallways to connect the space, and additional rooms such as laundry rooms, home offices, or dens on the side.

Now take a look at the flooring in each of these spaces. Many homes are a hodgepodge of flooring choices.

Hardwood in the main living spaces
Vinyl in bathrooms
Carpet in bedrooms
Tile in bathrooms

How do each of these flooring choices connect? That can be a problem in two manners.

1. It can cause a tripping hazard.

2. It can create an imbalance in aesthetics.

Remember how you reworked clutter for a more minimalist look on countertops and with decor? The same holds true with flooring choices.

When you can see flooring change every few feet, from space to space, it clutters up the aesthetics. It adds chaos to the design.

Maybe now is the time to change out the different flooring choices you’ve made, and create a solid visual line from the front of your home to the back.

Some of our favorite ceramic tile choices include:

Wood Look Tile – this is growing in popularity because of its classic good looks. If you love hardwood flooring, but want the convenience of ceramic tile, look no further than wood look tile. It’s created using a design technology that at first glance, it’s easy to mistake this faux flooring for the real thing. It comes in planks, and can be many different colors, from light to dark.

Stone – want the look of stone tile in something that’s more flexible to install and maintain? Stone look ceramic tile may be the perfect choice. It’s a great way to create a smooth, uniform look, where natural tiles’ various shapes might not do.

Porcelain Tile – while not exactly a decor choice, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention porcelain tile in this article. Why? Because it’s a great choice to lay inside and outside of your home. Porcelain tile takes ceramic tile to the next level because of its high tensile strength. It’s resistant to moisture, and comes in a wide variety of design options. What’s more, you can move your floorplan beyond your inside walls, and use it in outdoor living space too. People love the versatility when moving their kitchen space outdoors.

And if you weren’t sold on ceramic tile before, let’s talk about radiant heating. Ceramic tile is one of the best flooring choices if you desire to lay in radiant heating. Imagine warm floors on a cold winter morning. It’s possible with ceramic tiles.

Is universal design right for you?

If you’re part of the minimalist movement, if you’re planning for the future and incorporating universal design into your remodeling plans, start at the bottom. Choosing ceramic tile to run all through your home is one of the smartest decisions you can make.

Tile Floors
June 14, 2020

Can I Use That Gorgeous Tile In My Kitchen and Outdoor Patio?

Before 2020, people made travel plans every year to see the sights and sounds of the world.

Then stay-in-place happened, and we suddenly have taken a second look at our homes.

How can we create even more usable living space; space we can share with our families and the ones we love?

Just a few years ago, the American Institute of Architects stated that outdoor living spaces had become the most popular special function room among homeowners. A Better Homes and Gardens study found homeowners considered outdoor living spaces a vital family-time venue.

Think that’s changed in the past few months? We’re betting outdoor living spaces are going to grow even more as the top remodeling project homeowners desire.

This isn’t throwing up an awning and adding a barbecue grill. This entails careful planning to make this space as livable as possible all throughout the year. It gives you options spring, summer, and fall, and maybe even a few opportunities in the dead of winter.

Of course, that means you’ll have to plan carefully to ensure every aspect of your outdoor living space stands up to all Colorado can dish out. Can it withstand the heat of the summer, while maintaining its good looks even on the coldest day of the year?

It starts from the bottom up. You have to choose the right flooring to ensure your outdoor living space looks as good as it wears, no matter what the outside conditions. We feel it also means selecting tile for the kitchen and outdoor patio to ensure one cohesive look.

What is the best flooring for an outdoor patio?

Traditional outdoor patios were usually made of one of two things: wood or concrete. You might have had one or the other growing up.

If a home existed on relatively flat space, there was a good chance a patio was made simply by pouring a concrete slab off the kitchen or dining space.

For more sophisticated tastes, or if elevation challenges demanded it, decks made from wood were installed to add more space just off the home.

As time went on, pavers and other stepping stones were used to improve the looks while giving flexibility in installation.

But these are no longer the top of everyone’s wish lists when they upgrade their space.

Tiles are an excellent choice for outdoor areas because they’re durable, easy to maintain, and more stable and permanent than pavers or stepping stones. Some of the best choices include:

Natural stone – this is a blanket term for tiles made from quarried materials such as slate, granite, limestone, and travertine. These materials have been popular for centuries because they’re as beautiful as they are functional. While many homeowners love the look they create inside the home, more are finding out just how gorgeous they can be when you carry the look outside too. Just be sure to avoid polished stone, and choose tumbled or honed natural stone tiles with built in slip resistance.

Granite – is the hardest of natural stone, so you’ll find them to be very durable no matter what the elements throw your way. Granite is often recommended here in Colorado because it can withstand our hot summers and cold winters beautifully. They are available in an array of colors, which gives you the ability to create any look you desire.

Slate – is softer than granite, but still is suitable for wear in an outside living space. What we love most about slate is that no two tiles are ever the same. You’ll find varying colors and textures, which gives every space a unique look. The earthy hues can create a warm and inviting look inside, then provide a vibrant backdrop as you carry the look outside your home.

Limestone – is softer yet, and is porous by nature. You’ll have to seal these tiles to avoid problems due to everyday living and the Colorado weather. They show wear easily, so they aren’t recommended for high traffic areas. Because they are more prone to cracking during extreme cold, they generally aren’t looked to as an option if they will be exposed to the elements.

Travertine – like limestone, travertine needs proper sealing to add protection against spills and stains. It also can be easily damaged in extreme weather, and isn’t the best choice if not protected against the elements.

Porcelain tiles – while many think of these as bathroom tiles, manufacturers are now giving them many different looks, patterns, and textures. Think of how well they stand up to moisture in the bathroom environment; that’s what makes them equally as durable in settings outside your home. They not only stand up to moisture, but they also handle well in the cold. Since they are non-porous, they take little effort for maintenance. And because they come in so many varieties, they are moving up in popularity as a way to continue your inside look outside.

What do I have to think about if selecting tiles for inside and outside living?

Today’s houses are spectacular at combining functionality with beautiful design. Throw back the windows and doors and increase the living space for all of your family and friends.

We have some additional tips for you if you are trying to match tile in the kitchen and outdoor living space as a part of your remodel.

Consider outside space first – that may seem counterintuitive, as your kitchen space will be used twelve months of the year. But there are more demands on durability when it comes to tiles being placed outside.

You don’t have to match – complementary colors always work well. If you select darker tiles inside, you can lighten up your outside space by selecting a shade or two brighter. Blending is what’s most important in creating a continuous canvas from inside to out.

Tile isn’t just for the floors – but then you knew that, right? Create excitement with backsplashes, and continue the drama as you move along windows or even on workstations and islands.

Play with colors and finishes – blending is more important than matching. Using several different sizes, shapes, or patterns can create visual intrigue as you move from place to place.

Play with grout too – your color palette doesn’t end with the tile. You can change your look and feel by lightening or darkening the grout.

We have one final recommendation for you.

Before you come in and shop tile for your kitchen and outdoor living space, spend some time online gathering ideas. We recommend Pinterest to all of our customers, because creating a pinboard helps you settle in on a look. Pin your different ideas.

Then give us a call. We can help you select the perfect tile for your home.

Hardwood Flooring
June 10, 2020

Will I Be Sorry If I Install Hardwood Floors In My Kitchen?

Have you done your research on installing hardwood floors in the kitchen? If so, you might be confused with the answers you find online.

Some experts tell you hardwood and kitchens don’t mix. If you install them, you’ll be sorry very quickly as they fade, are damaged, and may begin to warp.

Still others will tell you it’s okay. If you like the looks of hardwood, then by all means, install them throughout your home, including the kitchen.

Who should you believe? It’s you who is going to have to live with it. And that’s a lot of money if it’s a mistake.

Is it okay to put hardwood floors in a kitchen?

The short answer is: yes. Hardwood flooring can be installed anywhere in your home. But realize that there are different upkeep rules for a kitchen when compared to other rooms, such as a bedroom.

Kitchens are one of the busiest rooms in your home. That means your flooring will have more wear, and will be subjected to more spills and damage. It will require more care.

Of course, there are reasons why you’ll love hardwood floors in your kitchen.

Durable – If you install solid hardwood flooring in your kitchen, you’ll have one of the most durable flooring choices around. Today’s hardwood is better than even a few short years ago. Because manufacturers are continually trying to produce the best materials for their customers, many of today’s flooring choices come treated to make the product stronger, water-resistant, and longer lasting. With a harder finish, it means you’ll be able to wipe away spills and messes easier, without worrying about how quickly it will penetrate the wood. Hardwood still isn’t something that will stand up to long-term moisture or water spills, so it’s important to clean messes up quickly. But it is nice to know that you won’t have to worry about every spill your family makes.

Comfortable – How much time do you spend in the kitchen? Many Americans will tell you it’s one of the most popular rooms in the home. And for a good reason. Most kitchens are considered to be the central hub – the heart of the home. Your kids can do homework there while you prep for dinner. You can create memories by baking with the kids. You can even try your hand at mimicking the latest cooking show, trying your best to create something spectacular. All of that means a lot of time on your feet. It’s a good thing hardwood is soft underfoot, and holds warmth in to keep you comfortable all year through.

Versatile – What’s your idea of a perfect kitchen? Country? Modern? Traditional? An eclectic mix of the three? Whatever you desire, hardwood is one of the most versatile flooring choices, accenting any look perfectly. Even within the hardwood flooring industry, there are many different choices available. From wide planks to exotic hardwood, to colors and stains from light to dark, you can find any look and feel you’re going for.

Are you sold on installing hardwood in your kitchen? Just to ensure you consider all of your options, here are a few reasons against using hardwood in the kitchen.

Maintenance – Some flooring choices are easy care, wipe and go. Tile gives you a flooring that can stand up to whatever your family can dish out. Vinyl gives you maintenance-free living with softness and water-resistance thrown into the mix. But with hardwood, you’ll have to be more on your toes to ensure it stays clean. Daily sweeping is mandatory; you don’t want dirt and debris underfoot. You’re more likely to scratch and damage the surface if you leave messes on the floor. And it is recommended that you refinish your flooring every ten years or so, depending on how much wear you give them throughout the years.

Water – Water damage can be a disaster for your kitchen floors. And with hardwood, you’ll have to clean up your messes quickly or risk damage. Even though today’s hardwood is stronger and more durable than ever, it’s still hardwood. And if water sets too long, you run the risk of damaging or warping the floor boards.

Cost – If you’re looking for an economical flooring choice, hardwood may not be your best choice. Depending on your final selection, hardwood can be one of the most expensive flooring choices you can make. Price should never be your only factor. Nevertheless, it’s important to keep in mind hardwood is at the top of the list when it comes to costs. Keep in mind maintenance and refinishing costs too before you make your final decision.

How do you install hardwood flooring in an existing kitchen?

Are you convinced that installing hardwood in the kitchen is the right choice for you? We have a couple other suggestions for you.

Once homeowners make the decision to install hardwood, the next most popular question we hear is: Do we install the cabinets or the hardwood floors first?

In general, if you’re starting with a clean slate, it’s better to install your hardwood floors first.

This ensures proper height of both your kitchen cabinets and your appliances. If you try and install hardwood around existing cabinetry and appliances, you can sometimes “block” appliances in. If you replace them in the future, it can be a mess trying to pull them out. You might damage the flooring, or have it be improper size, meaning you’ll face a lot more headache in what you thought was a simple job.

Having hardwood underneath your cabinets and appliances also gives you more flexibility in the future. Hardwood floors will outlast cabinets. That means instead of changing out your entire kitchen when you desire a change, you can leave your floors in place, and simply change out the cabinets.

Installing your flooring first also gives you your cleanest look. You won’t have to try and fit pieces around corners, or worry about how flush it is with appliances. The hardwood will simply flow underneath.

It’s also safer on your cabinets. There’s a lot of pounding and placement that goes into installing hardwood flooring. All of that work can mean nicks and scratches in your cabinets. If you install it first, your cabinets will look their best after your remodel is through.

The only exception to this would be if you’re installing floating hardwood floors. Floating floors are clicked together, and don’t require glue to hold it in place. Because they are designed to contract and expand, trapping them underneath appliances and cabinets can reduce the way they are designed to work. This can create bulging and buckling of the planks throughout your kitchen.

So what’s your choice?

Are you thinking of installing hardwood floors in your kitchen?

What other questions do you have before you make your final decision?

Flooring
June 7, 2020

Paying Attention and Finding Non-Toxic Flooring For Your Home

Remember when selecting the right flooring for your home was as easy as pointing to the material you liked best?

No more.

Today’s homeowners are savvier than ever, knowing what they want – and what they don’t – long before they enter a store.

Increasingly, that means safety too. Is it safe to bring the flooring product into your home? Is it safe for your kids and your pets?

Or is there a better choice – a non-toxic flooring choice that will be better for everyone? We’re getting that more and more, especially with COVID-19 in our lives.

Why you should pay attention to what flooring you install

Let’s start with the numbers.

According to the World Health Organization, 4.3 million deaths were attributed to household air pollution in 2016.

One in eight deaths worldwide can be traced back to air pollution.

But of course, it’s more than that. Air pollution also increases heart disease, strokes, and cancers. It increases all sorts of problems with public health.

We need air to breathe. And if that air is filled with toxic chemicals, it impacts everything we take in.

While we have focused on improving our air supply, and paying more attention to the products we use, indoor air quality is still a problem. Because we spend the majority of our time indoors, sick building syndrome is increasingly impacting people’s lives in the western world. If you’ve ever experienced headaches, eye irritants, nose or throat problems, dizziness, fatigue, or other respiratory conditions without another explanation, it might be the indoor air quality.

While these problems can be attributed to a wide variety of products within the home, it’s important to start paying attention to every product you buy.

Is it time for new flooring? Why non-toxic flooring matters

As manufacturers listened to consumer demands, they started bringing new products to market. People wanted stain resistance, so they listened. They wanted durable materials. They listened.

The problem with that level of development was little thought was put into how chemicals impacted our health. Eventually, it couldn’t be ignored any longer. People started questioning, so manufacturers started backing away from using certain materials.

For example, recent pushback in the vinyl flooring market caused tens of millions of pounds of phthalates annually to be eliminated from vinyl flooring production. In 2015, consumers began pushing big box stores about the quality of their flooring products. Studies showed that floor tiles from some of the largest home improvement stores contained high levels of phthalates. Fifty-eight percent of all vinyl floor tiles tested back in 2015 showed elevated levels of phthalates. Four years later, the flooring sampled contained none.

That’s a good start. It’s clearing a path in the right direction towards making non-toxic flooring more common than not. Of course, it’s still up to consumers to find out more.

What is the healthiest flooring for homes?

Natural products are always going to be safer than laboratory materials. That makes some of the healthiest flooring choices predictable.

Hardwood is made from trees. True hardwood flooring is created from solid wood, and is harvested in such a way to make it both sustainable and chemical free. But you do have to pay attention to production. Avoid hardwood treated with chemicals. Choose non-toxic finishes. Avoid toxic adhesives for laying the flooring in place.

There are many products designed to compete with hardwood, laminate being one of the leaders. Laminate is made from synthetic products built to imitate hardwood. You may recall stories from several years ago about large manufacturers selling laminate flooring produced by unethical Chinese companies. They used illegally sourced wood, and contained many carcinogens, including formaldehyde in its production. This isn’t saying all laminate is bad. Instead, it’s a lesson in buyer beware.

Carpet is a popular choice, and can go both ways when trying to determine if you should bring it into your home. Natural fibers like wool and jute can be both sustainable and chemical-free. Some synthetic carpets can fill the house with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can include carcinogens like formaldehyde, benzene, and stain repellents. It’s important to ask questions before you make your final selection.

Tile is usually a safe choice to bring into your home. It’s made from natural stone, clay, and other safe ingredients to give it its style and color. However, installation can introduce toxic chemicals into your home if you don’t understand the installation process. Pay particular attention to the adhesives used to lay the tile into place, and sealers used to protect the tile from daily use.

Vinyl and linoleum are often linked together because of their similar look and feel. While we mentioned vinyl earlier, it’s important to give a shout out to linoleum too. Linoleum flooring is made from a natural, biodegradable material that includes linseed oil, cork dust, and pine resin. It’s a resilient flooring that can last up to 40 years if well cared for.

Paying attention to find non-toxic flooring for your home

This is where your choices matter most.

Many flooring manufacturers and retailers claim they carry “green” flooring, but the concept is so overused, it’s a buyer beware situation. That good deal you’re getting at a big box store might just be too good to be true.

Never assume a floor is eco-friendly because an ad or a website tells you so. Do your research. Pay attention to manufacturers. And do your own research by Googling a company before you bring it into your home.

Don’t assume a floor is sustainably harvested because it’s certified. Instead, pay attention to who supplied the certification. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is the only certification system that supports environmental work worldwide. They ensure things like selective harvesting of old growth trees, fair wages for workers within the industry, and energy efficiency throughout the manufacturing process, including waste product disposal. Be sure the FSC label is on every box entering your home.

And finally, pay attention to all products used within the installation process. Some sales associates will assure you the flooring materials are non-toxic. What they fail to address is how toxic other materials are, including glues and subflooring materials.

Trust your gut. If you want a cleaner house, and wish for non-toxic flooring materials to cover every inch of your home, do your legwork.

What questions can we answer about non-toxic flooring?

Flooring
June 3, 2020

How To Ensure Commercial Flooring Has A Long Life

When it’s time to update your commercial flooring, it can be difficult deciding on what’s the best flooring choice for your needs. And given the various choices on the market today, the decision process can be overwhelming at best. How do you choose one that will hold up well over time? How do you select one that looks great and attracts the right kind of tenants or customers into your place? How do you ensure longevity, so that it’s money well spent?

It all starts with a little research to learn about the best commercial flooring choices on the market, and how to consider the best choice for your needs.

How to narrow down your choices

It’s time to replace your current flooring with something new. You know you need new floors because the old no longer gives you the look or feel you need to make good first impressions. But how do you make a selection with so many different options available?

Start with looks – most commercial property owners have some ideas for what they’re looking for. You already have a general understanding of what works well in different spaces throughout your property. Start there, but be open to new opportunities. Meeting with one of our flooring experts can help you pinpoint your needs and show you several different options that would make great final choices.

Maintenance – in commercial locations, maintenance is everything. You don’t want fussy flooring materials that don’t stand up over time. That means your final selection should be easy to care for and easy to maintain day in and day out, for years to come.

Durability – this is where spending a little extra might benefit you greatly. Don’t shop on price alone. Bumping up your expectations a bit might push you into different categories of flooring that will add years of longevity to your final decision. When you select certain grades of flooring, they can stand up to active workspaces, and look well under pressure, even if that means a daily influx of heavy foot traffic.

Investment – there are many ways to look at your investment in your commercial flooring. Start with longevity – how many years can you reasonably expect from the flooring product you install? If you select something with an expected life of five years, what would it take to push it to ten? Yes, this is a numbers game, but sometimes just seeing your options can help you bring in better options.

It’s also an investment in good looks. Will it give a better first impression when clients and prospects enter through the doors? Will it add strong resale value if you’re considering a sale in the near future?

What are my best commercial flooring choices?

While there’s never a “one size fits all” pattern to selecting flooring for your commercial space, there are several materials that we see commercial locations selecting again and again. They include:

Engineered Hardwood

People love hardwood in both residential and commercial settings. But solid hardwood can be finicky when added to the wrong space. Hardwood is difficult to add to commercial settings because it’s difficult to care for and expensive to install and maintain. That’s why many commercial properties are turning to engineered hardwood and loving the results. Because it has a more durable wear layer, it gives you the looks of hardwood while being easier to care for on a daily basis.

Laminate Hardwood

Laminate hardwood is another option growing in popularity because of its classic good looks, it’s durability, easy installation, and budget-friendly pricing. Its wear layers make it the perfect choice for many different commercial applications.

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring has changed a lot over the years. While you can install durable vinyl sheet material, vinyl planks are increasing in popularity because of the realism in the looks. If you want hardwood or stone look without the cost, vinyl is an option. Vinyl planks give you the look and feel of real hardwood, stone, or other natural products.

Carpet

While it might not work in all settings, carpet is still a great choice in some areas. Commercial carpet tiles are a budget friendly floor covering with a heavy duty backing and quality construction that holds up well under pressure. Durability is key; pay attention to the manufacturer and quality to ensure a long life. Flooring tiles give you the option of changing out tiles that may be destroyed through staining or movement, giving you an easy way to keep your flooring looking great for years.

Tile

One of the hardest surfaces with the greatest longevity is tile. However, with so many choices on the market, it’s important to consider your options carefully. Focus on durability. Some require sealants to stand up well over time. Whether you select ceramic or porcelain, natural stone or a composite designed to match your surroundings, tile is a great choice in all kinds of situations. It’s worth another look if you haven’t done so lately.

What does maintenance mean?

Once you’ve invested in new commercial flooring for your business, it’s important to stick with a maintenance plan that will protect your investment.

Start with the warranty. Every manufacturer provides a warranty to ensure their product is well received. Learn the facts before you buy, and create a plan to keep your flooring well cared for.

Invest in regular cleaning and maintenance. Don’t trust any janitorial staff, ensure they can give you what you need to keep your warranty valid. In some cases, the wrong cleaning products can void the warranty.

Keep staff on hand to clean up messes immediately. The longer you leave messes in place, the better chance you have of it ruining your flooring material.

Use rugs and entrance mats to keep the interior as clean as possible. You’ll be amazed at how much entrance mats can remove off of shoes before people enter your building . It ensures scratches and other problem areas are more superficial than deeply embedded. It also makes regular cleanings easier, as less debris will be tracked in.

What are your top questions as you decide on the right commercial flooring for your location?