What Is Better: Carpet or Laminate Flooring?

When it’s time to replace your flooring, you have many different options. You can simply replace your current flooring with something similar. Or you have the option to change it up and install something different.

If you have an older home filled with carpet, you might be eyeing hardwoods. After all, you can’t pick up a home decorating magazine, or watch a home show without seeing hardwood flooring being installed. Yet you’ve looked at the price tag and considered your options. You’re just not sure you’re ready to make that kind of investment.

So you’re back at square one. Should you replace your old carpet with new?What Is Better: Carpet or Laminate Flooring?

When looking at replacing your current floors, there’s another choice you might consider. Carpet and laminate are both popular choices, and the cost is usually comparable.

With laminate flooring, most is sold with tongue-and-groove planks, making installation a snap. If you choose to do-it-yourself, this makes it an easy process. Installing your own carpet isn’t as easy. If you’re a weekend remodeler and want to tackle a new project, laminate might be the perfect choice for you.

Still not sure which is the right choice for you? Let’s dive in deeper and look at how carpet and laminate compare.

Appearance

Let’s start with how carpet and laminate look, and what materials are used to create each product.

Laminate flooring is a multi-layered product, typically four layers in a laminate plank. At the bottom is a stabilizing layer to give planks their strength. Next is a high-density fiberboard. You have the photographic layer that gives laminate its looks. And finally, a resin layer that gives it a protective wear. The clear coat layer is what gives it its durability.

https://pro-flooring.com/the-best-way-to-install-laminate-flooring-in-the-bathroom/

Carpets come in a variety of styles and materials. Some are created from natural fibers, such as wool, while others are made from synthetic materials like nylon. Carpet is created by attaching an upper layer of pile attached to a backing that gives carpet strength and durability. In most cases, you’ll find carpet made from petroleum-based synthetic materials. If you want a greener, more eco-friendly option, be sure to seek out wool, the softest and most durable natural option.

https://pro-flooring.com/the-truth-about-carpeting/

Carpet or laminate flooring both offer a wide range of design options. If you have a color, pattern, texture, or final look you’re hoping to achieve, either flooring choice can help you achieve your results.

Today’s laminate doesn’t have to stick with classic hardwood designs. You can turn to more exotic hardwood looks, such as hickory or even reclaimed wood. Or change it up and select laminate that looks like stone. Some of the patterns can be so realistic, you have to get down on the floor to see it’s not real.

Durability

Carpet is more durable and stain-resistant than it was in the past. Still, it’s generally accepted that you’ll have to replace carpet every eight to ten years with a moderate level of traffic. You can add longevity by taking your shoes off at the front door. But in general, it can only be cleaned so many times before it starts to show its wear.

Laminate has a longer lifespan, lasting up to 30 years if you purchase a high-quality product. Laminate is scratch-resistant, water-resistant, and easy to clean. That’s why it’s often used in places where hardwood isn’t a good choice, like basements, laundry rooms, or kitchens.

For some homeowners, they like the thought of upgrading and remodeling on a regular basis. They don’t mind a shorter lifespan, knowing they will be replacing the flooring every few years. Think about your goals and needs before you make your final selection.

Resale Value

Will you be selling your home in the near future? Then you may wish to pay attention to what buyers want. Overwhelmingly, realtors report they want hardwood. And if it doesn’t make sense to install the real thing, laminate gives the appearance and is a logical next choice.

According to a recent study, if you install hardwood floors, you can expect to recoup up to 80 percent of the costs. Carpet ROI dips down to only 25 to 40 percent. In the words of the realtor surveyed: carpet just doesn’t cut it for many buyers. They want to see hardwood, at least in the main living areas.

https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/what-type-of-flooring-should-i-install-for-best-resale-value/

That makes laminate a great choice if you want to create a clean, fresh look.

Suitability

In most modern homes, you’ll rarely find one type of flooring covering every inch of the home. What makes sense for one room might be inappropriate in another. Carpet is never a good choice in the kitchen or bathrooms. And laminate is often the best choice for landlords trying to make the most of every dollar they spend on upgrading rental property. It comes down to knowing what your goal is for every room in the house.

In common living spaces, such as living rooms and family rooms, it makes sense to use a flooring material that gives you flexibility. Laminate is the perfect choice because it’s easier to clean, less susceptible to stains, and you can make changes easily by adding area rugs.

In bedrooms, you might prefer the warmth of carpet. Nothing feels better on the toes on a cold morning than plush carpeting. It insulates and helps the room feel warmer.

Using laminate on stairs can make your home beautiful, but it also can increase the risk of falling. Laminate can make the steps more slippery, which can increase problems for small children or elderly. That might make carpeting a better choice. Or consider a runner to give the benefits of both.

In basements and lower living areas, the floors are often at increased risk of moisture and water damage. For this reason, carpet doesn’t make sense. Laminate is water-resistant, meaning cleanup will be easier. However, keep in mind that if you have trouble with flooding, laminate doesn’t stand up well to excessive humidity and water. It can warp and damage the product over time. In this case, you might be better off looking at other flooring choices.

What’s the right choice for you: carpet or laminate flooring? If you want to consider all your options, stop by today. We’re happy to show you what’s new in the world of carpeting and laminates, and help you find the right choice for your home.

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Selecting The Best Flooring For Rental Properties

Colorado is a great place to live. But we don’t have to tell you that. And by the looks of the latest population poll, many newbies would agree with you too.

Colorado is listed as one of the top ten fastest growing states. Officials estimate it’s increased by more than 13 percent, landing somewhere around 5.7 million people.

At the same time, Colorado real estate has jumped from a median $215,000 to $364,000. Rents have increased from $928 to $1,427 per month, on average. Both of these facts have created a viable business opportunity of buying homes and turning them into rental properties.Selecting The Best Flooring For Rental Properties

Yet rental properties aren’t as easy to furnish as if you’re fixing and flipping. Rental properties traditionally are not as well cared for as when you own. Therefore, a lot of landlords strive to find affordable features renters will love, with easy to care for, easy to maintain fixtures that help increase their profits.

One of the first places to start is at the bottom – with your floors. This is where you build your base, so it’s important to select the best flooring for your rental properties that meets all of the qualifications.

Where do you begin?

Affordable

We know most landlords start and end with cost. It’s one of the most important considerations when trying to maximize your profits every time you rent.

When it comes to flooring, you should weigh your decision based on three things: the cost of the flooring, the cost of installation, and the cost of maintenance. People often look solely at the cost of the product without thinking about the other two; that’s the quickest way to lose money. When considering maintenance costs, look at how much it will cost you to repair the flooring while the tenant is living there, as well as costs to keep it looking good throughout the life of the product.

Some of the best flooring choices for rental properties include:

  • Carpet
  • Tile
  • Laminate
  • Linoleum
  • Vinyl sheets
  • Vinyl tiles

Durable

Think about all a flooring material will have to endure. Daily routines – foot traffic, tracking in water and snow, pet messes, spills, dents, scratches, and more – can all cause a lot of wear and tear on flooring. While it should be durable enough to continue to look good throughout a tenant’s lease period, if you make the right choice, it can be durable enough to last through two or three.

The most durable flooring properties include:

  • Laminate
  • Linoleum
  • Vinyl sheets
  • Vinyl tiles

Maintenance

One of your worst nightmares as a landlord is to be in repair-mode throughout the lease period. That’s where striking a balance between quality products and ensuring they’re affordable comes into play.

While replacing a dishwasher involves a small area in the home, flooring is a little more difficult. If you have to replace it, it may require your tenant to remove all furniture before the installation can begin. That means you can only maintain in between tenants, or be flexible with the compensation you give to your tenants for inconvenience.

If you want to select the best flooring for your rental properties that require low maintenance, choose:

  • Carpet
  • Engineered hardwood
  • Laminate
  • Linoleum
  • Vinyl sheets
  • Vinyl tiles

Convenience

When a new tenant moves in, they rarely think about the floors. Sure, it has to look good for them to sign a contract in the first place. But beyond that, they want an easy lifestyle that doesn’t involve a lot of cleaning around the house.

Whether they sweep, vacuum, dust, swipe, or mop, renters don’t spend a light of time dwelling on the messes that accumulate on the floor. That means spills may linger a little longer, messes have a higher chance of penetrating down between the cracks, and scuffs and scratches will be widely ignored.

If you can install flooring that looks good under these conditions, you’ll gain a better return on your investment. Try:

  • Laminate
  • Linoleum
  • Vinyl sheets
  • Vinyl tiles

Style

While landlords put most of the weight of a final flooring purchase on price, your tenants will only care about one thing: looks. They may not be expecting traditional hardwoods that are difficult to maintain, but they do want flooring that is stylish and will flatter their sense of fashion. Renters don’t want to pay good money for a style right out of the 1980s.

Does your rental property say modern and chic? Or does it scream NO WAY?

Luckily, there are many different flooring choices you can select that will strike a balance between both of your desires. And you’ll be surprised at how technology has given all of today’s flooring choices a fresh, updated look. In some cases, you’ll have to get down on the floor to tell what it really is. Those vinyl tile floors made to mimic hardwood and stone are truly out of this world.

If you want to focus on style, select:

  • Laminate
  • Linoleum
  • Vinyl tiles

Safety

Landlords need to take an extra step when selecting flooring, and consider tenant safety too. If a tenant trips over loose carpet, or slips and falls on poorly laid tile, there’s a good chance you’ll wind up in court defending your flooring choices.

Add in the fact that your tenants will be every age, have many different needs, and possibly live with disabilities that make it more challenging to get around. Does your flooring choice help or hinder the situation?

Stone or concrete might be rising in popularity, but it’s not a great choice for rental property where your tenants change out regularly.

Our Advice

If you’re in the process of selecting the best flooring for your rental properties, we have a final piece of advice.

First, think about the type of renter you’re trying to attract. Being in the suburbs where families are dominant, is different than renting out a downtown flat surrounded my working millennials. Higher end rentals will also attract people with more luxurious tastes. If you have any questions about what’s best for your situation, just ask. We’re happy to give you a few recommendations.

Also, consider the lifestyle. Single family homes in suburbia will attract families with pets. That means kids racing in and out with dirty, wet shoes. It will also mean the dog and cat romp around, scratching the floor and making messes. Compare that to a small one bedroom condo on the eighteenth floor. Shoes are relatively clean as they make their way up in an elevator and down a hallway.

Your decision is based on a lot of things. Let us help you make your final selection.

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Does Luxury Vinyl Need an Underlayment?

Thinking of adding new flooring to your home? You’ll love what today’s luxury vinyl can do for any room in your house. This isn’t your mom’s vinyl flooring. Today’s styles, colors, and patterns can transform any room into a beautiful space. Whether you choose sheet, tiles, or planks, this is a product you won’t regret installing.

But before you make your final selection, there is something else to consider. It’s not always as simple as ripping out the old and installing the new without thinking about the surface you’ll be adhering to.

Vinyl is easy to installDoes Luxury Vinyl Need an Underlayment?

There are a lot of reasons people decide to install vinyl flooring into their homes. It’s affordable. It’s durable. It’s easy to clean and easy to care for. It’s also easy to install.

And that makes it perfect for the homeowner who wants to take on a do-it-yourself project and be proud of the results.

You can install vinyl on just about any type of subfloor. If it’s flat, it makes the perfect base for whatever luxury vinyl you choose. You should also clean it up and make sure it’s free of debris. Use a floor scraper to ensure there are no high spots in the floor, and that it flows freely from one corner of the room to another.

If you do have high spots, it might take a grinder to smooth it out. Again, be sure to thoroughly clean the subfloor after any work is done to ensure there isn’t any dust or debris left in its path.

Does luxury vinyl plank need underlayment?

Once you have a smooth surface area to work with, you’ll need to decide if you want to install an underlayment. It depends on the subfloor type. It depends on the product you’ll be installing. It’s best to talk with one of our flooring consultants, who can help you make a decision based on the manufacturer you select.

A luxury vinyl tile (LVT) underlayment is a specially formulated underlayment for installing underneath luxury tiles. Some products have it built into the product itself, so it’s not necessary to lay it separately. Most of today’s luxury vinyl tiles are fully waterproof, which means you won’t have to put a damp screen to prevent moisture as a part of the underlay.

If you do lay a separate underlay, they are in general thinner than what you would install with laminate or carpet.

Why would you want to install an LVT underlayment too?

One of the biggest reasons is for noise reduction. Vinyl tiles cause more noise to vibrate through a room. If you have thin walls and floors, and live close to your neighbors, that can be a problem. Adding an additional LVT underlayment can have a beneficial effect.

Here in Colorado, you might also want to add underlayment to create a warmer effect. If you’ve ever walked into a room with tile in the middle of winter, you know it can have a chilling effect. Adding additional underlayment can make your floors feel a bit warmer, even on the coldest of days.

It also creates a softer flooring choice, which can be beneficial to homes with small children or the elderly. It’ll feel softer when your kids are on the ground, learning to crawl, or playing with their toys. It will also be more forgiving if your elderly parent takes a fall.

When you’re looking at underlayment, look at vinyl sound ratings. Many of today’s top product lines will be rated for sound vibrations. This gives you a starting point for making the right choice in the quiet factor of the product you install.

What about for click and lock vinyl tiles? Do you need underlayment for those?

One of the most popular products on the market are easy-to-install click and lock vinyl plank tiles. They mimic hardwood yet offer the ease of maintenance of luxury vinyl.

Vinyl click tile is usually very thin. If you add an additional underlayment underneath, it can impact the way this product locks into place. If you’re installing it over concrete and you have a question about moisture issues, consider adding a vapor barrier underlayment first that will product against water problems. Just ensure any underlayment you add is thin, so it doesn’t impact the locking process of the vinyl planks.

And because luxury planks with click into place features don’t require the use of adhesives, they are also the perfect choice for installing over radiant heating. If you are considering this type of installation, talk with your flooring consultant first.

What about concrete – should you use a special underlayment for laying vinyl on concrete?

The key to installing luxury vinyl over concrete is to ensure the floor is level and clean. Underlayment isn’t a necessity, but you might consider it to add noise reducing qualities or additional softness to the product.

If the concrete is uneven, you will have to level it out. Without being level, your flooring won’t have the right conditions to form to. And that can cause wear and tear on the product, making it fail before it reaches its full lifespan.

You should also be aware if moisture is an issue. If so, be sure to install a moisture barrier before you install your luxury vinyl tiles into place.

Are there other reasons to consider underlayment before installing luxury vinyl?

While most people consider the quality of the luxury vinyl they are purchasing to be the determining factor in lifespan, there is another factor you should consider too.

Underlayment can also help with compression resistance. Is your room high-traffic? Does it have pets running and playing? Or maybe you frequently drop things from several feet in the air? Consistent traffic can easily cause permanent dents in your flooring structure.

If you select a dense underlayment meant for high traffic areas, it can help uphold the configuration of your luxury vinyl, and give your flooring added strength.

Is luxury vinyl the right choice for you? 

Before you make your final choice, it’s best to stop by and learn all the facts about each flooring choice you’re considering. Different flooring manufacturers offer different benefits; we can help you determine what’s best for you.

But if you’re looking for an affordable, easy to care for, easy to install floor that looks beautiful too, keep luxury vinyl at the top of your list. We think you’ll love the results.

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The Best Way To Install Laminate Flooring In The Bathroom

Thinking of remodeling your bathroom? Want a guest bathroom that’ll wow your visitors, a half bath that carries the flow from the rest of your home, or a master bath with ambiance and functionality?

Bathrooms are one of the trickiest rooms to redecorate. Part of you wants to use hardwood throughout your home. The other part knows that’s a mistake.

Hardwood works great in the living room. But in the bath? Humidity, moisture, spills – a lot happens with the floors. Why live with regret almost from the moment it’s installed?The Best Way To Install Laminate Flooring In The Bathroom

There is a better choice. Consider laminate flooring in the bathroom.

Why laminate flooring?

What makes laminate flooring a choice for any room in your home is especially true in the bathroom.

Laminate flooring is a resin-based paper that sits on top of a wood chip base. The surface is actually a high quality photograph of oak, cherry, mahogany, slate, stone, marble, or any other type of wood or stone. This print is attached to a durable wood chip plank, and sealed with a clear coat called the wear layer. This wear layer is what gives laminate its strength and durability, and makes it the perfect choice for bathroom use.

The pros and cons of laminate in the bathroom

Of course, like all flooring choices, laminate comes with its own pro and con list. What works well in one home might not be the perfect solution for yours.

In general, laminate makes a good addition to your home because:

Laminate flooring is very user friendly. Everything about laminate flooring makes it easy to install and easy to live with. Because laminate comes with a tongue and groove system, DIYers select laminate all the time for easy installation. You can have a small bathroom project done in a weekend by using laminate. And if you want a flooring choice you can install and ignore, laminate might be your choice. It’s a lot easier to maintain than other choices, such as hardwood flooring.

Laminate flooring won’t scratch and dent. Two of the biggest concerns of hardwood is its softness – it scratches and dents easily. Not so with laminate. Its hard surface area makes it a better flooring choice in an active home with kids or pets. A bathroom sees a lot of action – how many times have you dropped bottles, hair dryers, curling irons, or other items onto the floor? With laminate flooring, those drops and spills will go virtually unnoticed on your flooring.

Laminate flooring is easy to clean. Seep up the mess. Vacuum from time to time. Use a damp mop to keep it clean. Enjoy your flooring for years to come. Just remember, laminate can take damp conditions, but not puddles of water. The larger the mess, the quicker you should jump into action and clean it up. Especially with the tongue and groove system, standing water can slowly penetrate through the seams, causing problems underneath your floors.

Laminate looks great and comes in the most popular styles. Want tile or slate without the hardness factor? Want hardwood without the softness? Laminate is a perfect choice, right there in the middle. It gives you everything you love about the looks of the most popular products in the industry, with all the benefits of laminate flooring. It’s easier to install, easier to maintain, looks great in the process, and is more economical too.

Of course, we wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t give you the cons to laminate flooring too.

Laminate flooring can be slippery when wet. To minimize the slip-factor, be sure to use rugs liberally throughout your bathroom.

Laminate can warp with too much moisture. Never let too much water puddle and stay on your floors. And during and after a shower or a bath, be sure to run the exhaust fan to clear out the humidity. Just a few simple precautionary steps will ensure your floors stay looking great for a long time to come.

Is there a proper way to install laminate in the bathroom?

You’ve decided to install laminate in your bathroom – congratulations! You’re going to love your choice.

But what’s the best way to install it? Is there a right direction? Is there a best way to match your decor? Whether you’re making it a do-it-yourself project, or are hiring a pro to install it for you, we have a few tips for laying your floor. It depends on your taste and the size of your bathroom.

When installing laminate in large spaces – your main living space, or the basement entertainment area – the key is with continuity. You want your entire flooring to flow from one side of your home to the other. The goal is to create cohesiveness to carry on the open concept design.

Try identifying a light source – maybe a back wall of windows that lets in lots of natural light. Running the floor with the direction of the light is a great way to bring out its color and texture, and have it naturally low through your home. By running that into darker places in your home – a half bath tucked away in the middle of your living space – will add more dimension to your space, actually make the bathroom appear larger.

Also, be mindful of the wood grain, pattern, or design. If you use larger planks throughout your living space, you want to carry that look into your bathrooms.

The key is always continuity.

Be an educated consumer

No matter what type of flooring you choose, make it your business to understand the product you are selecting. Flooring is a personal choice, but one you’ll likely keep for years – decades – to come.

There are many companies today with eco-friendly or sustainable product lines. Pay attention to the look and feel of the product, and also about the way it’s made.

Rather than selecting a product just based on price, stop by and learn all you can about an entire line. You may select the right laminate for your bathroom based on something you’ve never considered before.

With so many choices available, we know we can help you make the right decision for your lifestyle.

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The Best Green Flooring Choices For Your Commercial Space

Thinking about installing new flooring in your commercial space? You have a lot of choices.

But maybe you’re past finding a great replacement for what you already have in place. Maybe it’s no longer about replacing the carpet, or adding new tile to give a clean, fresh look.

Are you ready to take your commercial space to a different level? Are you looking for ways to build more eco-friendly processes into your business? Are you looking for the best green flooring choices that will help you lower your carbon footprint?The Best Green Flooring Choices For Your Commercial Space

Or maybe you want to take it a step forward and apply for LEED certification. What flooring choice would put you one step closer to making that happen?

We had several ideas for you.

LEED Flooring – Does it exist?

LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environment Design – is a worldwide rating system designed to provide a framework to create healthy, efficient, cost-saving green buildings.

Because we are more conscious than ever about our impact on earth’s resources, LEED provides a way to ensure you are making the wisest choices with the products you choose for your projects. If you can say your building has LEED certification, you’ll find you have:

  • Lower use of water, energy, and other resources
  • Healthier indoor space
  • More recognition in the community for your eco-friendly building
  • Faster lease-up rates
  • Higher resale value

All of that equals: good for business.

Sounds good, right? Ready to find LEED certified flooring? You can’t.

LEED certification is only given to commercial properties and buildings. It’s not given to individual products and companies because there are varying factors that go along with installation. That’s why the certification is done at the end-point; it’s given to a building providing it meets a whole host of requirements.

For flooring, the best place to start is by asking a few questions before installing new flooring.

  • Is this flooring made from recycled content?
  • Where is this flooring sourced?
  • Is this flooring created with low or no emitting materials?

Only if you can respond with an overwhelming YES will your new flooring qualify.

Green Carpet 

If you want to find the best green flooring choices, one of the first places to look is at carpet.

Maybe you’ve heard some of the horror stories within the carpet industry. Yes, synthetic carpets can release high amounts of VOCs into the air. Yes, carpet can be a recycling nightmare, with over four billion pounds of carpet entering landfills each year.

 

But awareness is everything, and the carpet industry has stepped up to the plate in recent years. There are a lot of options today that will help you install an eco-friendly choice.

The best place to start your search is by looking for carpet made from natural fibers: wool, jute, cotton, sisal, or even from recycled materials.

It’s also important to ask questions about the entire product, including the backing, the pad, and the process used for installation. In order to stay green and provide an environmentally safe flooring choice for your building, it’s worth investigating all aspects of the carpet, including adhesives for installation.

An easy way to ensure you’ve found one of the best green flooring choices within the carpet industry is to look for Green Label Plus, a certification given by the Carpet and Rug Institute. This program identifies products with very low emissions of VOCs, as well as the business practices of the manufacturer to ensure they are handling the entire process in an environmentally friendly way.

Linoleum

Want something a little out of the ordinary? Why not consider linoleum? Linoleum has been around for decades, and isn’t usually the first product people think of when thinking eco-friendly. But it can be a great choice.

Linoleum is a natural product made from materials such as linseed oil, pine rosin, ground cork dust, wood flour, with burlap or canvas backing.

Linoleum is not sheet vinyl. They are two different products created from two different sources. Linoleum does not contain vinyl.

Therefore, regular maintenance is different from what you may have experienced with vinyl products. Different manufacturers apply different coatings to the surface, so it’s important to follow guidelines before cleaning and applying products. High pH cleaners and strippers and damage linoleum flooring and shorten the lifespan.

Upkeep for today’s linoleum isn’t more difficult than other natural flooring choices; just different. Talk it over with one of our flooring consultants to determine if it’s a good choice for your situation.

Cork

Cork is also growing in popularity because of its eco-friendly benefits. It’s soft underfoot, has the most sound and heat insulation characteristics, and creates a modern look and feel.

Cork provides you with similar benefits as wood flooring. It’s installed the same way, provides the clean look hardwood is known for, and is easy to maintain. Yet property managers are choosing cork over hardwood for several reasons.

Cork floor is vinyl backed and has a wear layer similar to vinyl, which makes it easy to maintain. Cork is often installed in similar fashion to hardwood, meaning you can select prefinished or unfinished flooring. Most receive urethane and acrylic finishes that make it easy to maintain – just regular sweeping, vacuuming, and an occasional damp mop will keep it looking its best.

Like other natural products, it’s important to focus on the entire process.

  • Manufacturing processes
  • How is the product installed?
  • What about finishes?
  • What solutions should be used for cleaning?

Unlike hardwood, cork is a truly renewable resource. No trees are cut down. Instead, cork is harvested from cork trees, most of which are protected by law. Cork consists of the bark of the Cork Oak tree, with the bark stripped from about one-third of the tree every 9 to 12 years. This doesn’t kill the tree, and actually enhances the lifespan. Without this harvesting process, cork trees wouldn’t last 150 to 200 years of properly cultivated trees.

What’s the best green flooring choice for you?

Do you see a flooring product here that captures your interest? Still debating what commercial flooring would work best in your property?

We can help. Give us a call today. Let’s explore your options.

And help you decide on the perfect flooring choice for your commercial property.

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Why Removing Old Vinyl Yourself Isn’t A Good Idea

We recently did a Google search for removing old vinyl yourself. Yep, there’s a lot of homeowners out there ready to tackle home improvement projects one room at a time. And why not jump into one you can really dig into?

New flooring is always a treat. It can’t be that difficult to remove old vinyl yourself, and install something new … can it?Why Removing Old Vinyl Yourself Isn’t A Good Idea

Here’s just a sampling of the advice you’ll find if you search out how to do this home improvement project.

Removing old vinyl can be quite difficult, as most are installed using adhesive attached to the subfloor. Most subfloors are wood, which means they’re porous; thus they absorb the adhesive. You’ll have to use a flooring scraper, paint scraper, and a putty knife to remove the vinyl and scrap away all adhesive residue before beginning your next project.

And that makes sense, for a variety of reasons.

Before you install new, you want to take out the old. If you lay new flooring over old, you could be in for a host of problems, especially with vinyl.

For example, if you leave traces of old linoleum glue on the wood subfloor, older adhesives have chemicals that can react with new vinyl products. This can create a yellowing discoloration, and it null and voids the warranty. That means you’ll be replacing your flooring way before its lifespan is reached.

What is vinyl flooring?

Before we go any further, let’s discuss what today’s vinyl flooring really is.

Vinyl flooring is made of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. Additional materials are added in to give it its appearance, and to allow color, patterns, sheen, and flexibility to shine through. Yet the primary element starts with a simple vinyl sheet. Then it’s suspended in liquid, with different layers added, smoothed out, and dried to give it its unique look. It can be kept in sheet format, or further cut into squares or planks for ease of installation.

Homeowners have been choosing vinyl for decades for many reasons.

  • Unlimited color and pattern opportunity
  • Easy installation
  • Easy maintenance
  • One of the most economical flooring choices you can make

But vinyl flooring hasn’t always been made the way it is today. Different processes have been used. Different materials have been used in production. And therein lies the problem.

Old vinyl flooring runs the risk of having been developed using asbestos

Think back to homes built one hundred years ago. Minus four walls and a roof, the two have little in common from a building aspect. From the 1940s to the 1970s, many home products contained asbestos. It was thought to be a highly -effective and inexpensive fire-retardant material, one that was used extensively in all kinds of products because of its insulation qualities. You can find asbestos in all types of materials, including

  • Window caulking
  • Roofing material
  • HVAC duct insulation
  • Plaster
  • Some forms of paint
  • And of course, vinyl flooring

So the first question you have to ask yourself is: How old is my house? And if your house was built from the 1940s to the 1970s, is there a risk that the old vinyl flooring was from that time frame?

Eventually, people started questioning the benefits of asbestos. They quickly found that the chemicals included in asbestos were harmful to the body when breathed in. Today, all forms of vinyl flooring are asbestos-free. And if you remove old flooring at risk of having asbestos, it’s recommended to utilize professional services to ensure the job is performed the right way. This is to ensure you and your family stay safe long after the flooring has been removed and replaced.

The dangers of removing asbestos vinyl flooring yourself

Asbestos is divided into two categories:

Friable material – this is material that is easily broken or crumbled. Friable materials are dangerous because they can easily be released into the air supply, and will release toxic dust into the air.

Nonfriable material – these are durable products where the asbestos fibers are strong and contained. They are safe as long as the material isn’t damaged.

Old vinyl flooring is considered nonfriable material. When the vinyl is in good condition, it’s safe to walk on, safe to use in a home environment.

That’s probably why you’re likely to find old asbestos vinyl flooring under different layers of newer flooring. The recommendation has always been to leave the flooring alone, and install new flooring over the top. Recommendations were also made to seal it with a coat of epoxy floor paint. All of these options trap asbestos in the floor, and keep them safe from your air supply.

However, that doesn’t negate the danger. And when you do a full remodel, bringing the flooring down to the original subfloor, that’s where the risk materializes once again. If you chip away at old vinyl, you move the material from nonfriable to friable category. And your risk escalates.

And it’s not just the vinyl that puts you at risk. Even old adhesives could contain asbestos if they were produced during the proper time frame.

Cutting, sanding, scraping, and tearing vinyl away from the floor should never be performed by anyone but a professional. As a homeowner, you might not be aware of the danger, which, in effect, puts you at an even greater risk.

Learn your options by shopping our retail location

We’re flooring experts. We can help you every step of the way.

If you know you’re at risk – or even if you aren’t sure – your best place to start is by having a conversation with one of our flooring consultants. We deal with this problem regularly, and can help you find the right solution for your home.

Fortunately, there are many different remedies on the market that will make removal dust-free, without putting you or your family’s health at risk. When you remove old vinyl without risk, it creates a safer environment long before it ever had the chance to become a problem.

And it leaves your home in better condition for the new flooring you decide to install.

Don’t hide or cover up the problem. We can help you stay safe while getting the flooring of your dreams. Think twice before removing old vinyl yourself. Hire a professional instead.

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Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring May Be The Perfect Choice For Your Home

Thinking of installing new flooring throughout your home? Maybe it’s time to give bamboo a second look.

But if you’ve looked online for more information about bamboo flooring, you’re probably left a little overwhelmed. Is bamboo a good choice? Will you love it as much as other hardwood choices? And what about the newest bamboo flooring option that’s making waves online – is strand woven bamboo flooring a good choice?

Strand woven bamboo combats many of the problems people had with the pressed, composite bamboo planks. It’s still renewable, still a beautiful addition to your home, and is one of the most desirable green flooring choices on the market today.Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring May Be The Perfect Choice For Your Home

Should you consider it for your home?

Is Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring The Best Bamboo Flooring

The first thing to understand about bamboo is it’s not hardwood; it’s grass. When you see bamboo competing with other hardwood flooring choices, understand it won’t act exactly like many of the most popular hardwood choices, like oak or cherry.

Instead, strand woven bamboo flooring is made by compressing bamboo fibers together. Think of bamboo as resembling a banana. The fibers are stripped from the plant, layer by layer.

Strand woven bamboo takes the strongest fibers from the plant, and fuses them together with a glue composite that makes them stronger than before. Traditional bamboo floors created flooring more like hardwood, layering bamboo together either horizontally or vertically. The difference is noticeable right from the beginning, with strand woven bamboo floors far superior in standing the test of time.

Traditional bamboo floors weren’t as resilient as hardwood

While the first phase of bamboo flooring was marketed as a competitive alternative to other hardwoods, people were often disappointed almost immediately after installation. They scratched easier than hardwood. They dented easier than hardwood.

Strand woven bamboo, however, is much stronger because of the glue composite woven into the bamboo strands. This binds the strands together and makes them more resistant to wear and tear. Think of it as woven rope laid together instead of individual strands of thread.

Traditional bamboo floors were more susceptible to biological growth

One of the most concerning aspects of traditional bamboo was its susceptibility to biological growth. Bamboo must be treated with a borax solution in order to prevent mold from growing. If this process wasn’t performed correctly, mold could continue to grow after installation, causing visual problems as well as health issues for anyone living in your home.

Strand woven bamboo improves on this because of the process used to combine with the glue composite. Any mold that may have attached itself to the bamboo will be cured in the process.

Traditional bamboo floors couldn’t be sanded and refinished

This, of course, depends on the manufacturer. But in general, original bamboo floors were too thin to be sanded and refinished again and again. When you sand a lower grade bamboo floor, you may see signs of fraying of the strands, which shows in the refinishing process.

Because strand woven bamboo flooring is stronger, it can take the sanding and refinishing process a number of times over the years, giving you added longevity in your flooring choices. However, keep in mind that nothing is comparable to a solid hardwood floor.

Traditional bamboo flooring wasn’t water resistant

Bamboo is a grass. Most people think it’s water resistant and resilient because of the structure of grass blades. While it can have some water resistant qualities, traditional bamboo flooring could be damaged quite easily with spills. It was important to clean any water or other moisture from the area as quickly as possible. That made the original bamboo floors not a good choice in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens.

Once again, by adding the glue composite to strand woven bamboo flooring, it made a stronger surface area that can withstand more moisture and humidity levels. Only you can know the way your family functions, and if bamboo is a good choice for the rooms in your home.

If you do install bamboo flooring, be advised that you should follow certain safety measures to keep your floors in good condition.

  • Avoid spills as much as possible
  • When spills happen, clean them as quickly as you can
  • Place doormats at the entry if you’re using it at entry points and in hallways
  • Leave boots and other shoes from outside, especially if they are wet, off the bamboo floors
  • Do not install bamboo in bathrooms, especially with showers and tubs

What Styles Are Available For Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring

One of the best reasons to choose strand woven bamboo flooring is because it comes in just about every shade of wood. If there is a hardwood color you’ve been dreaming of installing in your home, you’ll find a strand woven bamboo flooring option to match.

Walnut, cherry, oak, and ash – from the lightest to darkest colors, you’ll find it for your bamboo flooring. But that’s not the only choice you’ll be able to make. Would you like laminated or not? This changes the level of shine on the surface area of the floor. If you like muted, with no shine, there’s an option for you. If you want the beauty of a high sheen, there’s a choice for you too.

Some manufacturers also integrate patterns into the final product. This gives you the option to further customize your final look and feel. Want a tiger stripe? Want multiple colors woven together? Consider some of the more exotic bamboo selections to install in your room; you’ll find one of a kind looks that can please just about any homeowner.

Of course, the more exotic you go with your final selection, the higher priced flooring option you’ll have. Still, it’s nice to know that this is an eco-friendly option, that will last for years to come.

Strand woven bamboo flooring does take a labor intensive installation process, and isn’t something the average DIYer can do. Some variations can take as long as 30 days for acclimation, and you can’t cut corners if you want it installed the right way the first time.

But if you are ready to have this one-of-a-kind flooring installed in your home this year, we can help you make it happen. Stop by today and find the perfect bamboo flooring for your home.

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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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