Ben Larrabee, Author at PRO! Flooring

Flooring, Vinyl Floors
May 31, 2018

Why Now Is The Time To Take A Second Look At Vinyl

Why do we love luxury vinyl? Because of its endless possibilities. Thanks to technology, it’s more durable than ever. And it’s looks? It can be just as beautiful as any other flooring choice out there, including ceramic tile, plank wood, or laminate flooring.

Vinyl has two things other flooring choices don’t: it’s flexibility and its softness. It can be installed just about anywhere and provide you with a luxurious feel underneath.

Vinyl Works In Every Room In The Home

Vinyl isn’t just for bathrooms and mudrooms anymore.

Luxury vinyl comes in tiles, planks, and sheets. Depending on your final selection, it can create any look and feel you desire, even giving you a highly functional flooring system that appears more realistic. Love the look of hardwood? Luxury vinyl planks can give you the same look and feel, yet be softer to the touch. That’s a big plus in homes with small children or elderly.

Vinyl Is Perfect For Commercial

Because luxury vinyl has grown in sophistication, it also makes a good choice for commercial locations. We’ve installed vinyl in corporate offices, retail, hospitality, healthcare, education, and even in sports facilities with great results.

Why? Because luxury vinyl gives you unparalleled design possibilities. You can find luxury vinyl in tile, plank, or sheet format. This allows you to customize your final look any way you choose. And because vinyl is one of the most durable and easy-to-maintain flooring choices, you’ll love it no matter where you install it.

Vinyl Has Something For Everyone

Why do so many families and budget-minded people love vinyl? Because it’s the perfect flooring solution for many different applications. It’s the perfect choice for homes with families and pets. It’s perfect for people that want a luxury feel yet stick to a budget. It’s perfect for commercial environments that want an easy to clean and easy to maintain floor. It’s perfect for anyone looking to create a unique look.

We love vinyl, and we’re sure you will too. Stop by today and see today’s selection of luxury vinyl.

Flooring
May 24, 2018

Ready To Replace Your Salon or Spa Flooring?

Today’s modern salons and spas offer a lot to their customers. Whether it’s a retail chain or a privately owned business, a lot of thought goes into the look and feel you present to the outside world.

Of course, you want it to appear clean and fresh when a customer walks in for the first time. You also need a space that is comfortable for the employees. They’ll be on their feet hours each day.

While hardwood creates a beautiful and aesthetically pleasing look, it can be difficult to take care of. Tiles offer endless possibilities, but they are a very hard surface. Standing on them can give employees health problems. And try dropping something on a hard surface; it can cost you big time in replacement costs.

That’s why many salons and spas find luxury vinyl is the best choice.

And thanks to today’s technology, you can find any look and style you desire.

The biggest reason busy salons and spas choose luxury vinyl is because of the comfort. Stylists spend eight, ten, even twelve hours a day up on their feet. Why not give them the softest materials to balance on throughout their days? Luxury vinyl offers a cushion and is much softer than harder materials like hardwood and tile.

Because of its softness, it also offers increased safety. Vinyl has natural slip-resistant qualities even in wet conditions. And because it’s a high-traffic area, messes aren’t always cleaned up as soon as they occur.

You’ll also like the soundproofing qualities vinyl offers. With clients coming and going all day long, you’ll never hear the “clop clop” of feet underneath as people scurry back and forth.

All of this also adds up to a highly durable flooring choice. Wash stations and sinks mean consistent moisture on the floor. Its nonporous surface means creams and gels won’t soak in quickly. Even scuffs and scratches can be hidden if you select the right vinyl. (That’s where we can help you select the right choice for your business.)

You’ll also love its quick installation. It can install over many existing flooring surfaces. It doesn’t require as much work ensuring the subfloor is “perfect.” That means your business can be up and running – earning a profit on a much quicker basis.

Plus if you go with tiles or planks, order an extra box or two, and you can easily replace areas without having to replace your entire floor. That can add longevity to your flooring choice, making it more economical over time.

Have additional questions? We’re here to help.

Flooring
May 21, 2018

Can Flooring Have Smart Technology?

You already know that smart technology is being integrated into everything we do. It’s predicted that in just a few years, almost everything in our home’s will be connected together in some way.

Out of milk? Your refrigerator will add it to the list.

Forgot to turn down the heat before you left for work? Simply login and turn it down using your mobile device from anywhere in the world.

With all this innovation, it’s only natural to assume smart technology would impact flooring too. But what does that mean?

You may already be using radiant heating. Radiant heating can be installed under all kinds of flooring choices. The benefit, of course, is always to have a warm floor to step onto, no matter how cold the morning is. And on the below zero days we get a few times a year here in the Front Range, that’s a pretty big benefit.

But that isn’t the only option anymore.

SensFloor is a large area sensor that is installed underneath flooring and can transmit data for all kinds of benefits. It can be used in a healthcare environment, alerting staff members when patients are moving around. In can be used in retail environments, keeping track of traffic data for making improvements in the building flow. It can be used in home environments to ensure family members stay safe and secure.

Scanalytics takes the retail application one step further. Sensors are installed in different places throughout retail and commercial applications to determine the functionality of the space. It provides both real-time and historical reporting to help you make better decisions that can impact ROI.

Of course, if you just want to keep things simple, introduce smart technology into your home by helping you clean up. A robo vacuum uses smart technology to move throughout your home and clean up, even when you aren’t there.

How are you using smart technology in your home?

Flooring
May 17, 2018

The Pros and Cons Of The Top Flooring Choices

Renovating your home? One of the most difficult choices you’ll make isn’t the cabinets in the kitchen or the color of paint you select for the walls. Your flooring will impact how well your new room performs for years to come.

Flooring impacts everything from the way it feels on your feet to the way it performs with everyday use. It’s a balancing act to ensure you get everything you need, from a floor that’s easy to maintain to one that performs well with all the wear and tear your family can dish out.

Hardwood continues to be a popular choice. People are using it in every room in the home.

But hardwood does have its drawbacks. It can be easily scratched by rough play from the kids or your pets’ nails as they play a game of catch. You can move to engineered hardwood for the same look, but they can’t be refinished as often as hardwood.

Carpet is a popular choice, especially in family rooms and bedrooms. It has the comfort factor if you spend a lot of time on the floor. And if you’ve ever stepped out of bed on a cold winter morning onto a cool tile or wood floor, you can appreciate the warmth of carpeting underneath your bed.

A lot of flooring choices is dependent upon the climate. Here in the Rocky Mountains, we have cold winters and warm summers. We often prefer the rustic appeal of hardwood because it reminds us of our roots from the forests of the mountainside. You’re more likely to see a home full of hardwood than tile because of the look and feel.

But that’s also changing. A popular design trend is tile with the look and feel of hardwood. It comes in planks and can be equally as beautiful as the hardwood you’re used to. It has the advantage of being more durable and easier to maintain. It can also be warmed with radiant heating, making it the perfect choice for every season of the year.

Not sure what flooring choice to include in each room? Designers say that using the same flooring throughout the entire house, or at least in the public areas, will make your rooms appear bigger. It gives you a unified look from the front to the back, upstairs and down.

But you wouldn’t want to use carpet in the bathroom. That’s where today’s luxury vinyl come into play. For bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms, it’s a great choice to continue your look while upping your performance factor as well.

Whatever your choice for flooring, it’s important to keep an open mind as you’re making your final decision. If you haven’t considered all of your options, now’s the time to stop by and see what would make the perfect choice for your home renovation.

Flooring
May 14, 2018

Decorate Your Home With Patterned Flooring

Thinking of introducing a pattern into your flooring design? Want something unique, something no one else will have? Luckily there are many materials you can use to create a look that is unique to your personality and style. There are many ways you can make your room stand out.

Try Creating Patterns With Stone and Slate

One of the easiest ways to create a unique look is with stone and slate. We’re not just talking about tiles; you can achieve a beautiful look with vinyl sheet, vinyl tile, or laminate too. Today’s vinyl has incredible realism and depth to the color patterns that emerge from the top layer. And what’s best, vinyl doesn’t have the same cold feeling as tile – plus it adds cushion where you need it most.

Of course, if you want natural stone tile, it can be a wonderful addition to any home. And here in Colorado, if you’re worried about the coldness of tile, try installing it with radiant heating. It makes your floors the perfect temperature no matter what time of the year.

While some homeowners choose one pattern and one style, and install the tiles throughout their rooms for a uniformed look, you can stagger the design by using multiple materials for a perfect look. How about two different sized tiles in random placement? Or two different pattern – herringbone and basketweave – to create a checkered pattern? The possibilities are endless when you put a little imagination into the process.

It’s Easy With Natural Hardwood or Laminate

We live in the Rocky Mountains, and nothing says “mountain living” more than hardwood flooring in your home.

Hardwood stretches beyond traditional materials such as oak. You can up the “wow” factor in your home by utilizing exotic woods. How about Cherry? Or maple? How about selecting a hardwood with an interesting grain pattern? Or switching it out and installing a darker wood?

You can also create dramatic appearances by using two hardwoods and variating the design. This can give you a flooring with light and dark shades throughout, with interesting patterns as the grains change, mix, and intertwine.

We’re also seeing homeowners dive into hardwood flooring of variating size. Mix wide plank with standard plank size for more depth to your entire room.

Whether you choose vinyl, engineered tile, laminate, or hardwood, there are options for everyone. And with just a little imagination in ingenuity, you can create a flooring for your room you’ll love for years to come.

Flooring, Tile Floors
May 11, 2018

Do You Have Asbestos Floor Tile In Place?

Asbestos is something we hear a lot about. And if you have an older home, chances are you may have asbestos in certain locations.

Asbestos is a heat-resistant fibrous silicate mineral that was common in construction until the 1980s. It was banned once the list of health risks began to form. But banning it from production of current building materials doesn’t eliminate the fact that it still exists in homes and commercial properties that have been in place for decades. It doesn’t cause a problem until you start to remove it.

If you live in an older home that may have asbestos floor tiles in place, how you handle removal is of the utmost importance to your family’s health and safety.

According to the EPA, asbestos fibers pose a health risk when they are friable, meaning they crumble easily and release into the air. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they lodge in the lungs and do not break down. Over time, this can lead to illness, including:

Lung cancer
Asbestosis – a non-cancer respiratory disease
Mesothelioma – cancer of the lining surrounding the lungs, heart, and abdomen

Asbestos floor tiles do not post a problem unless they are disturbed. When you saw, sand, drill, or tear the tiles out, this can release fibers into the air where they can be inhaled.

Do you have asbestos tiles?

The only way to find out for sure is to have them tested. You can either hire an asbestos remediation expert or obtain a test kit in which you remove a floor sample, and mail it into an asbestos testing lab. The kit comes with instructions and you should wear gloves and a dust mask during the process.

If your home was built before 1980, there’s a good chance they contain asbestos because most flooring tiles manufactured during this time did.

The most popular size tile during this timeframe was 9×9. However, they did come in 12×12 and 18×18 as well, so size isn’t everything.

You may also notice a stained or oily appearance, which comes from asphalt, it’s main ingredient. You might also see a black adhesive underneath, which was commonly used to glue the flooring tiles down.

Living with asbestos tiles

One of the best ways to deal with asbestos tiles is to leave them in place. New vinyl, laminate flooring, hardwood, even carpet can successfully be installed over asbestos flooring without disturbing it and creating a further problem.

Removal options

When you’re ready to remove the asbestos, seek direction from your local authorities and talk with a flooring expert before you being the process. The safest removal option is to have an asbestos remediation contractor remove the tiles. This will ensure the entire removal process is done per regulation to keep you safe during and after the process.

Have any questions about installing new flooring over asbestos tiles?

Flooring, Vinyl Floors
May 7, 2018

3 Advantages Of Using Linoleum In Your Home

Think linoleum and vinyl are the same? Think again. The two couldn’t be more different.

Vinyl was created in the 1930s from chips of synthetic resin called polyvinyl chloride. Linoleum is a natural based product made from renewable materials including linseed oil, tree resins, recycled wood flour, cork dust, and mineral pigments. It’s all mounted together on a jute or canvas backing.

The first commercial linoleum was created by the American Linoleum Manufacturing Company in 1872. This water-resistant material didn’t take long to gain popularity throughout the US, becoming one of the most popular flooring choices in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It made a great addition to high traffic areas, as well as moisture prone zones such as kitchens and bathrooms.

What made it spread quickly was its affordability factor. Yet at the same time, it was considered a luxurious material, being installed in some of the most sophisticated commercial properties of the early 20th century, including the Titanic.

But gradually, substitutes were created, and the popularity factor began to wane. Cheap vinyl alternatives could be designed more economically and offer more color and pattern choices because of the design practice. Still, there are many reasons to look back at this one-time favorite today.

Durability

Linoleum has almost double the lifespan of vinyl, lasting as long as 40 years with proper care. This can be attributed to its colorfast construction: the color and pattern are through the entire width of the material, printed on the surface like vinyl. Just be sure that the linoleum you have installed includes a protective coating to prevent the surface from darkening or taking on a yellow tinge, especially if it is exposed to direct sunlight. This protective top layer helps protect against dirt and scuffs, but keep in mind it is still susceptible to dents and tears, especially with high heels and furniture.

Water Resistance

Linoleum also offers water resistance you won’t find in other flooring choices, including wood. This advantage is what makes it a perfect choice for entryways and mudrooms, especially if you have a lot of wet shoes and snow covered boots. While you should never completely immerse linoleum in water, it’s perfect for light moisture and quick cleanups. With excessive moisture or humidity, you can begin to see edges and corners pull up, or seams to curl.

Eco-Friendly

Linoleum is a natural alternative to many other flooring choices. Linoleum is also easily recycled and biodegradable. Because of its wood components, it can easily be discarded in many different ways, even composting in your garden as you wood mulch or wood chips. And because it’s all-natural, it won’t emit any harmful VOC emissions either.

Is linoleum the right choice for your home?

Flooring, Tile Floors
May 3, 2018

Create A Stunning Look With Terrazzo Flooring

Looking for a durable, low-maintenance flooring option for a room built on a concrete slab? Want style and ambiance without having to worry about the subfloor underneath?

A terrazzo floor may be the perfect choice for you.

Terrazzo flooring gives a similar appearance to polished marble or granite, which means its versatile enough to include in any room in your home. While it was once thought of as more of a commercial application, terrazzo is gaining popularity in residential settings.

Terrazzo originated in the Mediterranean region several hundred years ago. In Italian, terrazzo means “terrace.” It was originally produced by pressing stone chips into the surface of natural clay, and they sealed it with goat’s milk for an artful display. Eventually, the process became more automated. Cement replaced clay. Glass and painted tile replace the stone chips.

Modern day terrazzo includes polymers, resin, and epoxy that improve the texture while increasing durability. It’s a solid, dense, and impenetrable surface that never requires sealants, polishing, or buffing to retain its natural glow.

Terrazzo floors are nothing short of stunning … in the right place.

Installing terrazzo is strictly for the pros. It’s labor intensive, which means it can be quite pricey, depending on the final materials and patterns selected.

Terrazzo can also be quite slippery when wet. Or dry, if you’re in stocking feet. If you have small children or elderly residents, it might not be the best choice.

Still, nothing is as stunning as shiny bits of marble, granite, and quartz reflect in the light. Experienced installers can create intricate patterns, and turn ordinary living spaces into true works of art. And because terrazzo is durable and resilient, its non-porous surface area discourages both staining and bacterial absorption. That makes it a top choice for high traffic areas.

To clean, remove surface dust daily. Wipe up spills promptly. And use a wet mop as needed to clean off dirt and grime. Avoid using solvent-based cleaners and sealers that can dull terrazzo’s finish.

And after years of use, terrazzo can be re-grinded and polished to bring it back to looking new.

Flooring
April 26, 2018

Building or Remodeling? Don’t Forget This Question About Your Flooring

Planning on adding to or remodeling your home? The next few weeks will be hectic at best. There are many decisions you’ll have to make, some spur of the moment. You can spend hours studying carpeting samples and pouring over paint chips trying to select the perfect colors. You want a home that looks great as equally as comfortable too.

Comfort should be a top priority throughout every phase of the project. Yet for most homeowners, they tend to get caught up in the design, leaving the comfort in a distant second place. Aesthetic considerations are important; you have to live with your choices for the next few years. But the choice of materials you select will ultimately be an even bigger factor. If something isn’t as durable as what you anticipated, or as functional as you’ve been led to believe, you’ll never use the room in the way it was intended to be used.

Performance is everything

If you’re adding onto your home or remodeling a room, chances are you have a good reason in mind. Maybe even several. You’ve probably said:

We need more usable space.
I want the space to be more functional.
I want a space that is more energy efficient.
I want the space to be beautiful.

One of the best choices a homeowner can make to keep the flow from top to bottom in any room is to move towards radiant heating. Even with gas-forced air systems, which many people throughout the Front Range have in place, radiant heating can help compensate for heat loss as it rises to the ceiling, and keep the floor level comfortable even in your grandest of spaces.

And as the popularity of radiant heating increases, more flooring manufacturers are creating products to make it easy to install. Even if your new room sits on a concrete slab, new building materials make it possible to lay subflooring in place before installation, increasing the warmth of your home instantly without adding undue weight to the home’s structure.

What’s more, radiant heating can now go under just about any flooring choice you desire. Carpet or hardwood, radiant heating systems can offer you warmth underfoot. Gentle warmth emanates through flooring, area rugs, and furniture without creating drafts commonly associated with traditional vent systems.

And no more icy feet when they hit the floor.

How can you make your home’s floors the best space in your home?

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
April 23, 2018

What Works Best In Small Spaces, Light Or Dark Floors?

Have you ever noticed how some design trends just don’t work in your home? You find the “perfect” look in a magazine, try to recreate it only to hate it in your own home?

It might not be the flooring you’re installing; it might be the size of the space.

Light typically creates an airy, open feeling. Dark anchors and helps define your space.

Light colored floors are timeless. Because they work well in all kinds of spaces, they tend to be the easiest to decorate around.

Light colored floors are versatile with any floor space, ceiling height, or lighting choices. You’ll never have to use lights to brighten up a room.

Light colored floors are also a good choice for homes with pets as they won’t show scratch marks as easily as dark floors.

Because light colored floors are always in style, they can tend to seem a bit boring and blend in with the background. If you want to make a statement with light color floors, look for a wood with strong texture and color variations in the planks.

Dark colored floors make a bold statement and bring out the look of your design. It’s the perfect way to make your furniture and color choices pop.

Dark colored floors work in any area: open concept, well lit rooms, offices, kitchens, studios – wherever you want to create a unique look. Dark colored floors make a room darker. Be aware of that before you place them in a small bathroom.

Dark floors also have higher maintenance. Dust and scratches show more easily. They require more cleaning and care.

No matter what you decide to go with, samples can be your best friend. Be sure to ask for samples of your favorite choices and bring them home and live with them in your room for a few days. Be sure to view the same in all conditions, day and night, sunny days and dark overcast skies. See the end result with the lighting in place to determine where you’ll need to adjust.

Still have questions about selecting light or dark flooring? Stop by. We’re here to help.

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