How To Get Stair Runners Right

If you have wood stairs in your home, you’re probably used to the loud sounds that echo through your home with every step taken. That clomp, clomp, bang, bang noise becomes something that’s hard to put out of your mind, especially if you have a lot of foot traffic inside.How To Get Stair Runners Right

Kids are notorious for flying up and down the stairs, over and over again in hot pursuit of the next adventure in their minds. And sometimes, the occasional “aaaugh” is followed by a bump at the end as they miss a step and slide down to the bottom. Yes, wood stairs can be noisy. And depending on the style, they can be very slippery as well.

Which is why many homeowners turn to stair runners as a solution to provide both peace and quiet and added safety to your stairs. They can be simple and understated, or add their own design and character to your home.

Of course, adding a stair runner to your home can bring up a lot of questions.

  • How wide should they be?
  • What do I do with landing space in between?
  • Where should the runner end?

There are many ways to answer the most common questions. Here are a few ideas to help get you started.

Where should the runner end?

This depends on a variety of things. Do your stairs have an overhang? You can end the runner at the base of the overhang. What floor surface do the stairs come in contact with at both levels? You can use that to help you define how to finish off your design. There really isn’t a right or wrong way to end a stair runner. The important thing is that it provides flow and dimension to your overall design. You can do a few searches online and find many examples – use them to help you decide the best look for your home.

How wide should they be?

As a general rule of thumb, leaving 4 inches of bare wood on either side of the stair runner will give you a pleasing look. This should provide you with enough width to be a comfortable path for walking. Yet you can adjust the look and feel depending on your style and preference, and the overall look you are hoping to achieve.

What do I do with landing space in between?

In many cases, it depends on the size of the landing. And your style and personality comes into play too. Is the landing large enough for furniture? Leaving it wood and laying a rug may be an option. Is there just enough for a turn, to move the stairs into a new direction? How about covering the landing completely with carpet before continuing with the stair runner down the stairs? If you use area rugs either at a landing between two sets of stairs, or at the entry at the base, be sure to use non-slip pads under the rug so they won’t wiggle and move as you walk across. This can also be important if children often run and jump from stairs to landing, giving them the added security of not falling down.

How do I handle stairs that change width?

Especially with a grand staircase that opens up into a large room, you’ll often find stairs that get wider as they open into the room. Should you continue a stair runner down at the same width? Doing so gives you consistency and continues the visual appearance all the way through. But it isn’t your only option. In some cases, extending the stair runner and taking up more space can soften the look and provide more coverage for safety. The key is having a pattern in mind and continuing it all the way through, from top to bottom.

Have additional questions about how to incorporate a stair runner into your home?

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Creating Masculine Space With Flooring

Traditional masculine interiors are bold and strong. We expect to see clean architectural lines, large furniture, tough materials such as leather and steel, all in a dark color palette. It’s powerful, sleek and sexy … if done well.

If not, the look can be anything but powerful. It can simply be dark and oppressive.Creating Masculine Space With Flooring

Whether you are decorating an entire home or overhauling a man cave down in the basement, the easiest place to begin is with the color palette. Retain the dark, comfortable furniture. Then lighten up the walls and the floors and it will be a game changer.

Your floors can become the biggest focal point in the room.

Start with texture. Masculine rooms can dive into all kinds of textures.

Hardwood is an obvious charge, accenting dark colors and large furniture well. Yet move away from traditional hardwoods you’ll find commonplace throughout a home. Instead, choose darker woods and larger planks. Exotic hardwoods, such as hickory or cherry, can bring instant ambiance to the setting. Choose wider planks from the norm to enrich the rooms look and feel.

From there, you can liven things up with texture and patterns by placing an area rug to soften the image. And with an area rug, you can change the look anytime you desire. How about a sheepskin? How about an Aztec design? This is where personality comes into play.

Yet just because you’re designing a masculine retreat doesn’t mean comfort isn’t top of mind. For many man caves, the perfect way to build is by starting with softness from the ground up. To warm up a room, carpeting is still the perfect place to begin. But skip the natural beiges you’ll find throughout the home. Instead, choose from a male-friendly color palette or blue or brown. A slate blue can be incorporated into any design and give a pop of color while maintaining a male-friendly atmosphere.

To create a gorgeous masculine room doesn’t mean it has to be themed. Instead, introduce strong color and look for balance, starting from the bottom up. You’ll quickly find the perfect look for you.

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Trends New Home Buyers Want In Flooring

Want to know what’s happening in the world of flooring? Carpeting is getting softer, wood is taking on a variety of new looks, and vinyl is turning into one of the most luxurious, popular floor products on the market today.Trends New Home Buyers Want In Flooring

What’s driving the popularity of luxury vinyl is the increase in technology that makes just about any look possible on a vinyl floor. With extraordinary photo technology, any material can be mimicked and reproduced, giving you the benefits that come along with vinyl, only with a clean, lush look.  If you haven’t looked at vinyl in awhile, you’ll be surprised at the options. It can be installed in sheet format, though increasingly squares and planks are used as well. Wood in the living room, marble in the bathroom – really anything goes when it comes to today’s vinyl options.

But it doesn’t stop there. We know here in Colorado, people love wood. And with open concept living space, wood can be seen throughout the home. But it’s not just the standard woods anymore. Preferences in hardwoods are leaning toward darker stains. Gray tones are becoming increasingly popular. We also see trends towards larger planks, planks that come in multiple sized pieces, and flooring with exotic woods – hickory, cherry, or walnut.  And it’s not just the same old smooth planks either. A wood floor that has been hand scraped and hand textured can completely change the look and feel of a room. You can even dip into environmentally friendly wood flooring with the use of bamboo.

Then we turn to carpeting. Carpeting has seen its share of problems over the years. Some may say it has longevity problems. Some may say it isn’t environmentally friendly. Yet with today’s technology, those things are changing like never before. Today, every manufacturer is greening up their technology. You’ll find companies that recycle nylon or melt down polyester to make new fibers over and over again. They are creating new fiber lines that use up to three times the number of fibers in a more traditional carpet, meaning its softer and more durable than ever before. And because of the color and pattern choices, if you prefer carpet in some areas of your home, you’re going to love the look you discover when you visit our showroom floor.

Is this the year you replace your flooring for a new, updated look?

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How To Keep Your Flooring Contractor On Schedule

Buying new floors isn’t something you do every day. And when you decide it’s time to replace your floors, chances are you’ll have the time available to do the job the right way. Flooring work takes time, depending on the floors you choose. It will disrupt your home considerably, and there may be simple guidelines to follow to ensure your floors are installed the correct way.How To Keep Your Flooring Contractor On Schedule

Be Flexible
As with any home improvement project, flexibility is almost always the key to success. Never plan a tight schedule and expect things to go as planned. Instead, account for delays, mishaps, or even minor communication problems. They happen. We’re human.

If you’re just beginning the process, you may have to compromise on the budget. Have you taken everything into consideration? The best padding for underneath the carpeting? The water damage to the subfloor? The unlevel flooring in the basement? Sometimes you can’t see where the problem lies until you begin the project. And that almost always adds time and money to the final project.

During the project, the same problems can arise. If the crew is in the middle of the project, being flexible may mean allowing them to stay later in the evening. It may mean ordering extra materials after some are found defective.

Plan for them before you begin, and you’ll never be taken by surprise.

Don’t Forget Permits
Depending on how large your project is, a permit may be necessary to finish installation. Every step of the process impacts the step after it. While your contractor should be on top of getting the necessary permits and inspections along the way, keep in mind that if one doesn’t go through in a timely manner, it can impact every installation you have from that point forward. That’s where projects turn from days into weeks or even months. Make sure you have flexibility with your flooring service to ensure you can make adjustments on an as needed basis.

Allow Enough Time
Too often we have homeowners coming in wanting a big change before a major event. They choose hardwood flooring to be installed before the holidays. A large tile project right before a dinner party.

That’s the easiest way to be disappointed and run into problems. Sometimes it takes time to order supplies. Sometimes a contractor isn’t able to do the job on your schedule. Sometimes hidden problems are revealed. And if you’re already working on deadline, stress and anxiety will flow every direction.

Work with your contractor to estimate the amount of time. Then pad it with a little extra. Give yourself room to get the ideal flooring you desire. And a little extra time to enjoy it before your major event takes place.

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The Myth Of Cork Flooring

Cork flooring is a beautiful, environmentally friendly flooring choice that is increasingly being installed into homes.

But the other day, we were asked if cork floors were an ethical product choice.

There is something satisfying when you hear the familiar pop associated with a great bottle of wine or champagne. But lately, you may have found your favorite brands replacing cork stoppers with twist tops or a plastic stopper. The misconception is that cork trees are dying out and are threatened in nature. Yet nothing is further from the truth.The Myth Of Cork Flooring

Cork is renewable. Because production of wine stoppers has significantly fallen off, there is a shrinking market of forests cultivated for cork product. Cork extraction is one of the most environmentally friendly harvesting processes in the world. Not a single tree is cut down to get to the cork. Harvesting cork does not destroy the tree since it comes from the bark and not the trunk.

The bark is stripped off in late spring, and it quickly forms new layers of cork for protection. The bark of a cork tree is harvested approximately every 9 to 12 years, depending on environmental conditions. A cork tree can be valuable for 170 years or more.

Which means you can install a cork floor and never worry about the ethics behind it.

Cork is anti-microbial and hypo-allergenic. It contains a substance called suberin that repels insects, fights off mites, germs, mold, and mildew, and is also fire resistant. It also makes a beautiful addition to any room. And because it’s soft to the touch, you’re going to love it in places where you stand on a regular basis. Like your kitchen.

Cork comes in a variety of styles, patterns, looks and selections. Want to see what’s available? Stop by today.

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Choosing A Floor For Sound Quality

Thinking of bringing a piano into your home? There’s a lot to think about.

  • The type – upright or grand
  • The brand – dozens to choose from
  • The age – old or new
  • The location – what room in your homeChoosing A Floor For Sound Quality

But have you ever stopped to consider the acoustics in your room? What flooring you choose makes a difference in the overall performance of sound.

The harder the surface, the more it will reflect sound. That means if you lay wood or tile, for instance, on the floor beneath your piano, the sound bounces around the room, from floor to walls to ceiling and back again.

The more it bounces, the muddier it becomes, the harder it is to distinguish the individual sounds from one another. This can be troublesome for a budding musician who is attempting to clarify sound and practice to make each piece of music perfect.

Enter the studio of any professional and you’ll find a softer studio. Add cork to the flooring; many musicians add cork to the floor and the walls to cut down on background noise. Carpeting is also a good choice to clarify the sound. Foam backed vinyl flooring is another option for absorbing noise, plus has the advantage of being cushioned, durable, and easy to clean.

Still love your hardwood or tile, and love the look of your music room without changing flooring options? At the very least, add area rugs to avoid excessive reverberations and dampen the reflected sounds as you play.

If you’re looking to take full advantage of creating a music room of your dreams, remember the flooring you choose will make an impact. Let our experts help you choose the perfect flooring choice for your home.

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Wine Cellar Flooring Ideas

Wine cellars are increasingly added to homes across the Denver metro area. In most cases, wine cellars are built down in the basement or lower level of the home, built to utilize a cool, humid environment that is needed for storing and aging wines.Wine Cellar Flooring Ideas

In many cases, wine cellars are built on a concrete slab that will need to be sealed and a vapor barrier applied before installation. This is especially important if the wine cellar will have refrigeration installed to maintain temperature consistency and humidity.

Your flooring choice should also be able to stand up over the years and be able to take the weight of the contents of your cellar. A sommelier will tell you that 500 bottles weigh approximately a ton. It’s especially important if it sits above other living space.

Wood
You can use wood if it isn’t installed directly onto concrete. Sealed hardwood is an industry mainstay in wine cellar construction; it makes a beautiful addition to your home as well. With wood planking, the possibility of design is unlimited. Many choose to use wood borders and other designs to create a unique experience. Different woods can be layered together to form intricate patterns. Consider breaking up a design with scrolling designs or even intricate cut patterns. How about adding a wood medallion? With more wine cellars in production, there are many options to make yours unique.

Cork
Wine and cork go together. And in the case of flooring, cork can be an ideal choice for a wine cellar. Cork is a natural, durable and sustainable materials that are gentle on the feet and has excellent thermal and acoustic properties. Cork also is treated with a moisture protection system, which helps it be resistant to mold and mildew.

Tile
Tile is often one of the best choices for a wine cellar. You can choose from natural stone or ceramic tile. You can choose from every color of the rainbow. You can have a solid floor or create unique patterns and designs. Want to play off the winery theme? Choose painted tiles with wine motifs – grapes, cherubs, fruit, floral or even vineyard motifs. And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, there’s always opportunity to customize your design.

With so many possibilities available to you, the best place to start is by learning what your options are. Stop by today and see the many different flooring choices available, and discover which is the perfect choice for your new wine cellar.

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6 Signs Your Carpet Needs Replacing

Although proper maintenance can extend the life of your carpet, every carpet will eventually need replacing. Some of the signs may be obvious; others may be subtle indicators.

If you’re looking at home maintenance projects for the fall and wondering if it’s time to replace your carpet, consider the following six signs that it may be time for an update.6 Signs Your Carpet Needs Replacing

1. Carpet Stains
The first one is always the hardest; that tough stain that made you cringe when it happened. But over the years, each spill becomes a little easier to take. And when you live in your home, sometimes you overlook the obvious; that your carpeting isn’t really looking its best anymore. Most carpets come with a stain resistant finish. But, over time, the treatment fades and eventually leaves the carpet unprotected. While professional carpet cleaners know how to remove tough stains, eventually they begin taking their toll.

2. Wear and Tear
Every home has certain places where you walk more than others. Down the hallway. Around the couch. Eventually, you try to cover up the wear marks by moving the furniture or buying a new rug. Fibers won’t last forever; eventually no matter how much you clean it or vacuum it, it won’t return to its original look. That’s when it’s time to replace.

3. Stinky Carpet
Carpet goes through a lot in a day. Your kids play on it. Your pets track in things from the outside. You walk on it with shoes. You spill. And every little thing that happened can leave a residue. You may notice a lingering smell that just won’t go away, no matter what you do. If that odor doesn’t go away even after cleaning, it may mean that the odor has penetrated deep into the carpet fibers or beyond to the padding or subfloor. It may even be an indicator of mold or mildew.

4. Carpet Padding
Your carpet doesn’t work on its own; to perform at top quality it must have top quality padding. Padding provides the support for the carpet, working as a foundation, making it comfortable to walk and lay on. It also helps insulate the room, making it quieter and warmer. As the padding takes in spills and absorbs the constant daily action your family gives it, it can begin to wear. If you’ve noticed unevenness, wrinkles, or a crinkling sound, it may be time to replace.

5. Increased Sickness
Does your family circulate through colds and allergy-like symptoms? Older carpets can catch and retain more allergens and particulates than other flooring choices. If they haven’t been properly maintained, many things can be lurking in your carpets. If you notice an increase in sickness, one source may be your older carpet.

6. Age
Is your carpeting right out of the 1970s? Do you still sport shag carpeting in some of your rooms? Have you cleaned it over and over … and over again? Carpeting won’t last forever. Even with good care, most manufacturers recommend replacement every ten years or so. After ten years, signs of wear will begin to show. And that’s when it’s time to replace.

Are you in the market for new carpet?

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Sisal vs Jute Carpeting: Which Is Right For You?

Selecting new carpeting for you home? If you’re looking for a natural, eco-friendly option, it may be time to consider sisal or jute.

Why go natural? Rather than using a synthetic material such as nylon that utilizes natural gas and petroleum to fabricate, and has off-gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a natural fiber uses sustainable, renewable resources to produce an all-natural product. Two of the most popular options are sisal and jute, both of which can make excellent choices for your home.Sisal vs Jute Carpeting: Which Is Right For You?

Sisal comes from the sisal plant, which is a type of agave. Brazil is the largest exporter of sisal fibers. Jute grows in stalks in India and Bangladesh. When stalks are harvested, fibers are removed, and the threads are used to make materials such as burlap.

In many cases, sisal and jute carpeting look similar when laid side by side. Both share a characteristic woven look, and come in natural tones such as tan, beige, and brown. While both materials can be dyed other colors, in many cases the natural colors and tones are what people most prefer about these products.

Overall, jute has a softer touch and feel than sisal. Yet because sisal comes from one of the toughest plants in the world, its durability makes it one of the highest on the list. Sisal provides excellent wear and durability in your highest traffic areas, especially on stairs, hallways and busy living quarters. Jute is a better option for less wear and tear, such as home offices or bedrooms.

In both cases, sisal and jute are fairly low maintenance. Regular vacuuming will keep both looking their best throughout the week. Both sisal and jute are incredibly absorbent, meaning a spill will begin soaking into the fibers almost immediately. If spills occur, cleaning them immediately is imperative to removing the stain. And because it soaks in liquids quickly, it’s also better not to use wet shampoos and steam cleaning on the fibers.

Considering sisal or jute carpeting for your home? Stop by and see your options today.

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Travertine Stone Tiles Work In Today’s Homes

Travertine stone tile, it’s one of the oldest building materials in history.

And it’s as popular today as it was hundreds of years ago. There is a reason it’s stood the test of time. There’s a reason why it makes a great addition to your home. All you have to decide is which travertine tile is the best for you.Travertine Stone Tiles Work In Today’s Homes

Travertine is a versatile natural stone that can easily adapt to any situation. Pair it with the right décor and you can create a contemporary style in your kitchen, a peaceful oasis in your outdoor kitchen, or elegance and class in your new master bath.

Travertine was first discovered in Italy, used when Julius Caesar ruled Rome. It is also found in abundance in Turkey, where some of the richest travertine beds have been discovered, and provide travertine for tiling all over the world.

Travertine can be found in many colors, the most common being beige, brown, gray and gold. Because travertine is rich in iron and organic matter, you’ll also find travertine with hints of green, reds or rust colors. Colors depend on the cut and grade of the travertine, and how will it is finished.

A premium grade is going to have consistent color throughout, without color discoloration. Standard grade will have gray or black discoloration, with swirls running through the tile. Commercial grade will often have obvious imperfections with black and gray running throughout the color.

Travertine is cut either with a vein cut or a Fleuri cut. A vein cut is across the vein; a Fleuri cut provides a swirling, circular pattern.

Once a tile is cut, the finishing option will further dictate the look and feel. Honed travertine provides a smooth feel and texture throughout. Travertine is naturally porous; honing and filling the pores helps make it smoother and more continuous throughout the surface area.

Tumbled travertine is cut and tumbled to create an imperfect finish. Tiles are put into a rubber barrel with grit and water and shaken until they appear worn. This weathered look is great in a rustic atmosphere where you want your flooring to look like it’s stood the test of time.

Polished travertine provides a glossy finish; you’ll find this in many commercial entryways

Brushed travertine is created by using a wire brush or a rotary wheel across the flooring to give it texture. It provides a similar look to the tumbled travertine.

The beauty of using travertine tiles is they can be used almost anywhere. Depending on the cut, grade, and finish, it can be used indoor and out, on flooring and on backsplashes and showers. If it’s a flat surface, travertine is an option.

Yet all travertine tiles will perform differently depending on where they are installed. Talk with one of our consultants when you’re considering travertine tiles, to determine the right product for your situation.

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