Ben Larrabee, Author at PRO! Flooring

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
March 18, 2018

Don’t Make These Wood Flooring Mistakes

Having wood flooring throughout your home is at the top of most homeowners checklists. It’s beautiful. It’s durable. It matches any decor.

The good news is that installing wood flooring isn’t rocket science. With a little due diligence, an installer can create flooring that will last for years. However, if you take shortcuts, plenty of problems can surface almost as soon as the flooring is installed. Being guilty of these common mistakes will cause problems almost from the start.

Not Checking Moisture

Moisture – or lack thereof – can be a big problem after the wood flooring has been installed. Here’s how.

A contractor receives shipment of solid wood flooring from a location outside of the Denver Metro area. He stores it in his warehouse until he needs it for a project. Due to time sensitivities and delays, he brings it into a clients home and installs it right away. The flooring looks great and the client is happy with the job. A few months later, after season changes and a cold winter, the client runs the furnace frequently and starts to notice some of the boards have gaps between them.

The likely cause: the flooring wasn’t acclimated properly for the conditions.

Whenever possible, the goal should be to install the flooring at a moisture content between the extremes of summer and winter living. While gaps are a natural part of the process, they should never be large enough to cause a problem.

Not Preparing Subflooring

The subflooring in your home sets the stage for how well your wood flooring will behave. If the subfloor isn’t prepared properly, you’ll have a variety of problem with your wood flooring. Have you ever had wood floors:

A floating floor with enough deflection that things shake when you walk by
A glued down floor that is loose in some areas
A solid strip floor that squeaks in different places.

It’s not the floor; it’s the way it’s installed. It comes from not ensuring the subfloor is primed and ready for installation. It might not be flattened throughout. It might have leftover drywall, plaster, or paint from renovation. Or the subfloor may be inadequate or inappropriate, such as particleboard.

Think “clean, dry, and flat” before you ever tackle a project.

Not Enough Nails

Some less than stellar contractors do just enough to get by. But if you don’t put in enough fasteners, the problems will surface quickly. Floors without enough fasteners will be loose, which can cause them to move and squeak. They are also more prone to have gaps between the boards as they move and settle with time and the weather.

Simple rules of thumb should be:

Every board must have at least two fasteners
There should be a fastener 1 to 3 inches from the end of each board
Standard strip flooring should have fastener spacing about every 8 to 10 inches
Plank flooring should have fastener spacing every 6 to 8 inches
Always follow manufacturers guidelines

Have you ever had problems with your wood flooring installation?

Flooring, Tile Floors
March 14, 2018

How To Select Kitchen Tiles

Want to renovate your kitchen and update it with modern materials? Look no further than tile.

The kitchen is one room which can use tiles in different ways. Not only can you use tiles on everything from the floor to the counters to the backsplashes, but you can also select colors, designs, and patterns that integrate into your decor.

Tile is a long-term investment, so it should be decided wisely to avoid feeling regret as trends come and go. When you select wisely, it will ensure a high-quality look and feel that can last for years.

Cost

Most homeowners start the process with cost. While it’s important to stick with your budget, it’s also important to understand that quality is more important. It’s better to stick with a higher-quality ceramic tile, for instance, than moving up to a lower quality stone tile that causes problems over time. Talk with a flooring expert and discuss both your needs and your budget.

Installation

Are you more of a do-it-yourselfer? Do you need your new floors in a timely manner? Some kitchen tiles are easy enough for a novice to install. Just set and click into place. But if you have difficult situations – a floor that isn’t straight, for instance – it might be better to let an expert complete the task from beginning to end.

Nature Lover

Are you looking to stay as green as possible? Do you want to avoid chemicals wherever you can? Be sure to mention that to the flooring rep when you’re shopping around. Some products are eco-friendly and are formed naturally. But it doesn’t stop there. Also, ensure the backing and glue meet your specifications as well.

Traffic

Do you live in your home alone? Are you the home where the best parties take place? Different homes do better with different tile selections. Porcelain tile flooring is dense, less porous, and also less prone to moisture and stain absorption. If you have heavy foot traffic, this may be the ideal kitchen tile for you.

Upgrading your kitchen? Tile may be a perfect choice. Stop by and see all of your options today.

Carpet, Flooring
March 10, 2018

When Discount Carpet Makes An Excellent Choice

As homeowners, we’re always looking for great deals. Why pay full price when you can get something on sale?

That said, some decisions are more important than others when it comes to upgrading your home. A sale on paint? Sure, why not? You know the gallon you bring home meets certain standards.

But what about carpet?

Carpet is the perfect choice for many rooms in your home. It adds warmth you can’t get with other flooring choices. It adds comfort; the soft, luxurious feel is perfect underfoot. We often suggest carpet for places where coziness and comfort are important: living rooms, bedrooms, even hallways. Carpets act as a thermal insulator, so they’ll help you save money on your energy bills in the winter. That means with carpeting in the bedrooms, you can turn down the heat a notch or two in the wintertime on cold, winter nights.

Carpeting is also the best for reducing noise. Carpeting absorbs vibrations. That means you won’t hear the “clomp” or “thumps” associated with other types of flooring. It also helps produce a crisper, clearer, more transparent sound, making it perfect for your home theater or music room.

Carpet also provides the safest environment. If you have children or older adults, carpet gives you the added security of being able to brace their falls. The cushion and sponginess of carpets help reduce the risk of slipping. And if they do fall, they are more likely to bounce back up without severe damage.

Carpet can also provide durability at a lower cost. Carpets today come with a wide array of features, including stain-free treatments that make spill removal possible and make stains less penetrable within the fibers.

Sounds good, right? Are you sold on carpet? What about at a discount?

The key is sticking with a reputable dealer who will ensure the quality of the work. It also depends on the area you wish to carpet.

If it’s just one room, you can find a wide variety of options, some at deeply discounted prices.

Don’t be afraid to ask for options. If you have something in mind, a reputable dealer is willing to work within your guidelines. They know more about their product line than anyone. Ask questions and get the very best you can for your home.

Flooring, Tile Floors
March 3, 2018

What Grip Should Your Bathroom Tiles Have?

What’s the most important part of the decision when selecting tiles for your home? The final look tops the list for most homeowners.

If you’ve ever stepped on a tile and felt your feet slip out from under you, you’ve probably placed “safety” as a close second.

When it comes to safety, grip levels are important to ensure you have a safe environment for everyone who enters your home.

When you start to shop for tiles, you’ll notice some tiles have a slip rating. If they don’t, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re dangerous. It just means that the manufacturer has chosen to offer a minimum level of slip protection.

You’ll also find an array of tiles that list an anti-slip factor of R9 or R10.

It’s important to stress that no tile is completely safe. Using precautions is always a good idea, no matter what the rating of a tile is.

But some rooms need more protection than others. Bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens, outdoor room, poolside – these locations almost always have the possibility of having water dripped onto the floor. And with the wrong tile in place, the situation can turn dangerous quickly.

If a tile has an R9 rating, it means it has a low friction level. This grip level is perfect for parts of your home that you expect to be dry most of the time. You could install an R9 tile in a bathroom where you most likely will have a bath mat present every time you get out of the bath or tub.

R10

An R10 tile mas a medium level of friction, which means the grip level is slightly higher than an R9. If you have an active house where kids and pets are always leaving wet messes in place, an R10 rating can help you stay safer. R10 can provide peace of mind.

If you’re shopping for tiles for your home, be sure to move past the color and the shape. Safety is a big concern, and if you get the wrong tile, it can lead to disaster quickly. No one knows your home as you do. If you’re consistently cleaning up wet messes, err on the side of safety and move to an R10 rating.

If you have any other questions about the tiling in your home, we’re here to help.

Hardwood Flooring
February 28, 2018

How Thick Should Engineered Wood Flooring Be?

Engineered wood is a wood flooring solution that looks like the real thing but offers a little more stability and flexibility to certain areas of your home.

Like solid wood, engineered wood flooring comes in various thicknesses. So how do you decide how thick your flooring should be? Three key points should be considered before making your final selection.

1. Will you be using under floor radiant heating?

2. How much traffic will your floor see?

3. What is your subfloor made from?

Radiant Heating

Many homeowners purposely select engineered wood floors so they can have radiant heating installed underneath. A thinner plank will allow more heating to transfer to your space in a faster way. That said, you should pay attention to manufacturers guidelines to ensure your engineered wood meets specifications for installation.

Traffic

Certain areas of your home are subjected to more traffic than others. Hallways, entryways, kitchens, and living spaces can all have a lot of wear and tear, especially if you have kids and pets.

Investing in a thicker board gives you more life in your flooring. If you have the ability to sand it and refinish it multiple times, it’ll keep looking it’s best for years to come. The number of times you can sand engineered floor is determined by the thickness of the wood top layer. Depending on its thickness, it is capable of being sanded a half-dozen times or so. Work with a qualified engineered wood flooring dealer to learn about all of your options.

Subfloor

Your subfloor also plays a factor into what type of engineered wood you can lay. If your subfloor is uneven, a thicker board can help you overcome some of the minor issues better than a thin one can. If you’re planning on laying the engineered wood boards directly over the joists, it is essential to go with a thicker board to provide the stability you need.

Hardwood Flooring
February 25, 2018

What Type Of Wood Is Best For Hardwood Floors?

Thinking of installing hardwood floors in your home? What type of wood works the best?

All types of hardwood floors have an unmatched natural beauty that can go with any decor. However, not all woods offer the same benefits to every room in your home. Kitchens, bathrooms, and basements all warrant special considerations.

Unfinished or Finished?

If you install unfinished hardwood, you can select a custom stain to match your preferences. After hardwood flooring installation, the flooring is given several coats of stain and protective finish to give you a final look you desire. If you’re thinking of adding hardwood to a kitchen, unfinished flooring is a good choice because the seal will penetrate between the boards, helping to prevent water from seeping between the boards.

Prefinished wood is great because it comes from the factory already sanded and sealed. It makes for easy installation.

Solid or Engineered?

Solid hardwood flooring is all wood. Because it’s solid wood, it can be sanded and finished over and over again. However, it is susceptible to humidity and is not recommended for below-grade basements.

Engineered hardwood is a veneer of real wood attached to several layers of wood underneath. This gives it more stability over time and makes it a good choice for below-grade basements. Depending on its thickness, it can be sanded and refinished up to a half-dozen times.

What are the best species?

Take a look at your hardwood options, and you’ll find there are many species available. You’ll likely find a variety of common woods, such as oak, maple, and cherry. Other wood species have entered the marketplace and make excellent choices: bamboo, walnut, ash, and mahogany. You can even create uniqueness throughout your home by getting into exotic woods such as teak, jarrah, and mesquite.

In all cases, be sure you select wood that comes from sustainably harvested forests.

What look are you going for with the hardwood in your home?

Carpet
February 18, 2018

How To Live With Ugly Carpet

What do you do when you have ugly carpet in place, and there isn’t a possibility of having it removed?

Cover it up

This may seem obvious, but it is a step many overlook. Have you seen the rugs available to consumers? Whatever your style or taste, there is an area rug for you. Measure your room and start shopping – you can change the ambiance of your room quite easily and add a new color or cover up what you dislike the most.

Paint your walls

Sometimes a dingy color on your walls only emphasizes the problem on your floors. Brighten your walls, and you can temper a carpet’s color to make it less noticeable. You can also extend up and paint your ceiling to make everything pop.

Add more texture

Instead of sticking with your current decor, add more texture from the floor up. How about adding side tables made from different materials? Or trading out different hues to bring more depth to the room? If your eye moves away from the carpet and focuses on the other items in your room, you’re less likely to think of your ugly carpet.

Distract with an accent wall

Are all four walls the same color? Change it up by adding a splash of color to one wall. Or accent it with wallpaper, adding in texture and design. It will draw the eye up to the bold pattern rather than leaving your eyes on the floor.

Rip it up

Maybe now is the time you replace that old, ugly carpeting once and for all.

There are many options for replacing ugly carpeting, all can fit within your budget. Whether you simply replace it with new carpet, or decide to add wood planks or tiles, there’s an option for you. Whether you are a do-it-yourselfer or would like expert advice from one of our contractors, we’re here to help.f

Carpet
February 16, 2018

What Is The Best Type Of Carpet For Allergies?

If you or a family member suffers from allergies, you may be tempted to remove the carpets from your home. Some carpeting can trigger allergic reactions. But if you love carpet for its warmth and softness, there are choices for you.

Look At The Fiber

Even though hypoallergenic carpeting won’t entirely eliminate allergens, it will reduce the number of annoying allergens in the air that can trigger your allergic reactions. Nylon and olefin carpets resist dirt, moisture, and mildew more than other types of fibers, making them a good flooring option for allergy sufferers.

You can also look for natural fibers such as wool, or synthetic fibers such as polyester and Triexta. Look for short, tightly woven strands that have less space for allergens to become trapped. You can also check the labels on carpet samples to find the best hypoallergenic options.

Watch VOCs

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are carbon-based chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature. Some carpet fibers, padding options, and adhesives used in new carpet installation may contain VOCs, which can trigger allergic reactions, ranging from headaches to respiratory irritations. Look for carpeting, pads, and installation products with a Green Label to ensure you are purchasing the lowest VOC emitting products available.

Installation and Maintenance

When bringing in new carpeting, take extra precautions before the installation process. Have the installer unroll and air out new carpet in a well-vented space. It’s also best for allergy-prone persons to leave the home during installation and immediately following the process. Open the windows and allow fresh air to flow in to remove particles.

Then clean your carpet on a regular basis. Vacuum in high-traffic areas daily do remove potential problems. Acquire professional cleaning services at least once a year to further remove problems from the fibers. You should also take precautions not to allow particles to be tracked onto your carpets: place mats by the door and adopt a shoe-off policy before people enter your home.

Carpet, Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
February 14, 2018

Is Carpet Or Wood Floors Better For Asthma?

If you have asthma, you look for ways to reduce your symptoms. And chances are you’ve looked down at the floor a time or two, wondering how it impacts your health.

The key may be in what the flooring is made of rather than a specific type of flooring. The more conscious you are about the products and manufacturing process, the better choice you can make for the flooring installed inside your home.

Carpet

Carpets can cause potential problems to live within the fibers. However, not all carpets are bad. The key is to ask a flooring specialist about the best choices for you.

Opt for short fibers rather than long
Be conscious of the fiber the carpet is made from. Natural fibers such as wool can provide a clean environment. You can also select hypoallergenic synthetic fibers designed to stay cleaner over time.
It’s often the chemicals used in the fibers, padding, or adhesives that cause problems. Look for Green Labels to choose better options.
Clean your carpets regularly. Also, have a no-shoe policy to avoid tracking in dirt and other contaminants.

Hardwood

Wood flooring is a good choice for asthma sufferers because its smooth surface does not trap dust mites or pet dander in the fibers.

Be sure you install it without your loved one around. Dust from sawing and sanding can linger in the air for quite some time. Be sure you clear out your home before entering once again.
Dust frequently with a static dust mop to remove dust.
Select a low volatile organic compound (low VOC) sealer, as this won’t emit fumes that normally come from other types of sealers.
Wood laminate can also be an option, but only if the laminate materials are bound together with high VOC content.
Offgassing can occur from formaldehyde and other chemicals used in the process. Ask about the entire process if you are concerned.

More Choices

Keep in mind that there are other choices that may be better suited for your lifestyle. They include:

Cork – naturally resists water, mold, and mildew, making it a natural choice that’s good for you and the environment.

Ceramic Tile – the hard, durable surface can be a great option, especially in high traffic areas. They are easy to clean and maintain, just avoid high VOC adhesives when you install.

Linoleum – this is made from natural materials (linseed oil, pine resin, and powdered wood) and offers a durable option for any room in your home. Just be sure you select low VOC options for both the adhesive and the linoleum products.

Have allergies? Let us help make the right selection for you.

Uncategorized
February 10, 2018

8 Ways To Be Excited About Adding Tile To Your Home

Tile is one of the most versatile decorating items you can add to your home. You’ll love both its functionality as well as its durability.

What’s more, you can add it to your home in many different ways.

Location, location, location.

Pick an area in your home that gets a lot of visual attention. Then let your imagination go wild. Bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, even patios and outdoor living spaces can change with the addition of tile. Stay subtle or add a pop of color. With tile, anything is possible.

Use tile as borders

A great way to further enhance a room is by selecting a different tile as a border. It can help catch the eye and direct it to other parts of your room. A small mosaic can be the perfect way to enhance larger tiles. Or a splash of color can add drama to a space. They also allow you to separate rooms when you’re in a larger living space. It can help tie your entire look together.

Add in accents

Tile comes in almost any color, style, shape, or size you can imagine. While you might prefer a solid look running throughout a room, why not accent different aspects of your room? Make your tile stand out behind your cooking range. Add metal-look tiles for special effects.

Focus on natural light

Like many of your decor features, tiles change based on the light. Natural light can make your tiles look brighter, whereas spots can put focus on special accents. Take into account where your natural light is coming from and keep your most dramatic effects on the parts of the room you use most.

Select the right grout

It’s not all about the tile; your grout plays a part in the overall design too. Grout serves as the glue that holds your tiles together. Although it’s installed after your tiles are in place, it can leave a lasting impact on the overall look of the space. Should it stand out or blend in? One of our consultants can help you decide the perfect look for you.

Symmetry … or not

The position of your tile is equally as important as the shape and style. Not all layouts have to be perfectly symmetrical. Diamond shapes, geometric patterns, and more can be used to enhance your space. It can also help make your space larger or smaller than it seems.

Textures and finishes

Think all tiles are smooth to the touch? Think again. Tiles come in many materials and can provide a variety of textures and finishes to your space.

Add uniqueness to your space

Tile can be vibrant and colorful or natural and subdued. When it comes to your final design, you can play around with different combinations and add just the right amount of personality to your room.

From floors and walls to backsplashes and countertops, tile is the perfect material to use in many different rooms in your home.

Where can you add tile and make your room come to life?

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