Blog - PRO! Flooring

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring, Tile Floors
July 31, 2016

5 Reasons You May Be Ready For Wood Look Tile

Nothing beats the look of hardwood floors. Still, there may be times when the thought of installing hardwood flooring into your home leaves you more than unsure. Do you really want to worry about how your dog’s claws will dig into the wood? Or how a dropped toy from your toddler’s hands will dent the texture forever?

While hardwood flooring is a beautiful addition to any home, it’s not the perfect choice for every family.

Advances in the flooring industry, however, can give you the look of hardwoods with a more durable product. Why not choose a wood look tile instead?

Wood look tile has many benefits over its hardwood plank counterpart.

1. Durability
Wood flooring is difficult to maintain, especially in high traffic areas. It scratches, dents, warps, cracks and chips from regular day to day use. It needs to be cleaned regularly and refinished and resealed every few years, depending on your traffic level.

Wood look tiles give you the look of hardwood and the durability of tile. It’s easy to maintain and easy to clean. You won’t have to worry about a dropped plate or your dog’s nails doing damage. And if damage does occur, it’s easy to replace a single tile without having to rip up the entire floor.

2. Install it anywhere
Love the look of wood but debating how well it will perform in the bathroom or kitchen? Wood can be a difficult product in high humidity and high moisture areas. But with wood look tile, you can install them anywhere and have them be a beautiful addition to your home’s aesthetic value. And with so many colors and choices available, you can match any pattern or theme you desire for your home’s décor.

3. Customization
Because tile comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, customization is easy to do with any flooring in your home. Use wider planks, different colors, and vary the pattern. With tile, you never have to worry about warping that comes easier with wider plans, tile will help you maintain uniformity no matter how you incorporate it into your final design.

4. Comfort and warmth
Always wanted a heated floor in your bathroom? With radiant heating under your tiles, you can have the cozy flooring you’ve always dreamed about. Not only will the look be modern and stylish, but you’ll enjoy having a comfortable place to get ready in the morning with just a flip of the switch.

5. Cost
What holds many back from installing hardwood flooring? Cost. Wood floors can be expensive depending on the type of wood you select. Add in installation and maintenance costs, and you can quickly leave your dreams of a hardwood floor behind.

Tile isn’t as labor intensive as hardwood, and maintenance costs are less by comparison. Meaning tile is the perfect choice for budget-friendly families that want a unique look to every room in your home.

Have additional questions about wood look tile? Just ask..

Carpet
July 25, 2016

What Is Your Carpet Pad Made From?

Ever wondered what the carpet pad underneath your carpeting is made from?

Bonded urethane foam, also known as rebond, is the most common type of carpet padding on the market today. Currently about 80 percent of padding sold is made from bonded foam, which is constructed of foam scraps left over from the manufacturing process of things like furniture, mattresses, even automobile components. In many cases, the scraps also come from scrap generated by the foam making process. It can include recycled and post-consumer foam.

Foam scraps and cut into small pieces before being fused together using either an adhesive or a heat process. The foam is then bonded to fabric, net or a plastic film to give the pad its strength. It also makes it easier to handle during the installation process.

Bonded urethane foam pads use a great deal of foam that would otherwise go to waste, making it an excellent choice for people wanting greener choices in the products they buy. Prices are also fairly low, given that the product is created from scrap and waste.

You’ll find bonded foam padding in different levels of thickness. The minimum standard for bonded urethane foam is 0.375 inch and 5 pounds per cubic foot for light to moderate traffic areas, with 6.5 pounds per cubic foot foam for heavy traffic areas. Many professionals and manufacturers will recommend up to 8 pounds per cubic feet to better protect your carpet, depending on usage. Be sure to check with your flooring specialist before making final decision.

Bonded foam pads are less likely to contain butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) today than in the past. BHT was found to contribute to off-gassing which can impact your health. But to be sure, ask the seller to make sure your carpet padding is as green as possible.

Have other questions about carpet padding?

Carpet
July 21, 2016

Comparing Carpet Fibers

Looking for new carpet for your home? There are four basic carpet fibers used in production. They all have unique qualities and strengths; all provide different characteristics and benefits.

Although you will find some carpets are made from blends, in general, carpeting is made from one of four fibers:

Nylon
Polyester
Polypropylene
Wool

Nylon
In overall performance, nylon is the most versatile of all fibers. Because it provides durability and flexibility when developing different styles of carpet, you’ll find it’s the most widely used in production. Nylon yarn can be dyed in a full range of colors and hold its uniformity throughout. Nylon can be used to create a wide variety of looks, from cut pile to loop pile designs. It’s also one of the softer fibers, giving a luxurious appearance wherever it’s installed. Though not inherently stain resistant, many manufacturers add a stain resistant treatment for protection against daily messes.

Polyester
Polyester fibers are great choices for rooms that will receive low to medium traffic, such as in the bedrooms. Polyester offers exceptional color uniformity and comes in a wide array of colors. It’s strong and as durable as nylon, and will perform well over time. Polyester also has a natural stain and fade resistance, making it ideal for homes with kids.

Polypropylene
Polypropylene fibers, also known as olefin, will not absorb water. Instead of being dyed after production like other fibers, polypropylene fibers use a solution dyeing process in which the color is built into the fibers as they are formed. This means the color is an intrinsic part of the final product and will not fade even when exposed to intense sunlight, bleaches, chemicals or other contaminants. You’ll find most polypropylene carpets in loop pile construction as the fiber isn’t as strong as others under pressure.

Wool
Wool is a traditional favorite for a rich look and feel. It remains a premium choice that is often only found in upper lines and styles. It has excellent resilience and durability. Wool cleans especially well, provides beautiful colors, but tends to wear down especially in high traffic areas. In some cases, bald spots may occur under heavy traffic loads. Although it is naturally stain resistant, it does require a high level of maintenance. It is very popular in the production of area rugs.

Carpet pile fibers significantly impact carpet performance. When making your final selection, make sure you understand the characteristics of the carpeting you are considering, and weigh it carefully against the demands of your home. Talk with one of our carpet specialists to learn more about making the right choice for you.

Carpet, Flooring
July 16, 2016

5 Carpet Performance Myths

Carpeting; if it looks the same, it is the same, right?

Nothing can be further from the truth. With many different manufacturers, brands, styles and types, there’s a lot to learn about carpeting before you make the final selection for your home.

Depending on the carpet dealer you talk with, you may have found yourself believing some of the top myths in the industry. Here are a few of the top myths I’ve worked through with other customers.

Myth #1 If they look the same, they are the same
This is the most common belief in homeowners looking for new flooring. But in many ways, it’s like saying all blue four-door cars are the same. We know there’s a difference between a Fort and a BMW. And likewise, there’s a difference in the carpeting you choose based on manufacturer and style. In almost every case, it comes down to final performance of the carpet. From fiber, to weight, to density, how it looks isn’t necessarily how it will perform in the long term.

Myth #2 High quality carpet won’t show wear
Yes, a top quality carpet should handle better than lower counterparts. But there are a lot of things that can impact wearability. Different fibers work better under different conditions. Having some carpets in high traffic areas can be a recipe for disaster. Durability depends on your ultimate use and your lifestyle; be sure to talk that over with your carpet dealer before making your final selection.

Myth #3 Padding doesn’t matter
Padding is just as important as the carpet you select for overall performance. Without a good pad to absorb the impact of traffic, even the highest grade of carpet won’t perform at its peak performance. Don’t reuse existing pad; select new pad to provide the best performance for your new choices.

Myth #4 Brand is everything
Not necessarily true. Just because you recognize a brand doesn’t mean it’s the perfect choice for you. There are many things to take into consideration. Your lifestyle. Amount of traffic. Use. Preference. Branding can help point you in the right direction; after all, brands have a reputation to live up to. But don’t let that be your only deciding factor.

Myth #5 Your selection will be perfect for years
The last thing we want is to install something and be disappointed with it. A lot of that depends on your expectations. Like everything, carpeting adjusts over time. Allow variances from one product to the next. You may have slightly different results than the carpeting you have installed now.

Ask questions. It’s the best way to get a feel for the carpet you’re considering. Your carpet dealer knows the different brands and styles, and can help you make the best choice for you with a little input about your lifestyle. By trusting in their judgment and your final selection, you’ll have a carpet choice you’ll love for years.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring, Tile Floors
July 11, 2016

4 Myths About Wood Look Tiles

Love the look of hardwood flooring but don’t want the maintenance that comes along with it? Choose wood look tiles instead.

Yet even after you decide wood look tile may be the perfect choice fo you, you may have some reservations about how it will perform over time. Here are a few things you shouldn’t be worried about.

Myth #1 Grout makes wood look tiles appear fake
Hardwood planks rub against each other. Tile usually has grout lines running between. Won’t it look fake once it’s installed?

Look for wood tiles that have rectified edges, which means the edges have been mechanically finished, so they are precise and consistent. With consistency, you can place the plank tile closer together and have less grout between. Meaning you’ll barely notice the grout once it’s installed.

Myth #2 Tile is cold
Especially in a four-season location like Denver, we prefer hardwood over tile because of its warmth. Yet tile doesn’t have to be cold. Wood look porcelain tile is very well suited to install over radiant subfloor heating. This can provide warmth no matter how chilly the outside temperatures turn.

Myth #3 Wood tile looks fake
How can tile look as good as hardwood? With today’s technology, almost identical. With each change of technology, new wood look products improve. You’ll find realistic textures and visual appearances so realistic you can’t tell the difference without getting down on your hands and knees and feeling the difference.

Myth #4 Tiles can shift and warp
Any tile in excess of 15 inches can present a challenge once installed. However, if installed correctly, it won’t be a problem. Plank tiles are available in a variety of sizes, 6 to 8 inches wide, 24 to 42 inches in length. Tiles should be staggered like real hardwood flooring patterns for maximum support. If you hire a certified technician to install your new wood look tiles, you’ll have years of enjoyment from this one of a kind look.

Convinced wood look tile is in your future?

Carpet, Flooring
July 7, 2016

7 Mistakes People Make When Buying Carpet

Are you in the market for new carpet for your home? It can be a daunting task. It’s not a process you do on a regular basis, and with the amount of choices available to you, where do you begin?

Because it’s something you purchase infrequently, don’t make common mistakes and regret your purchase almost as soon as it’s installed. These are the most common mistakes we see people making; avoid these and you’ll love your purchase from the moment it’s installed.

1. Assuming carpet weight impacts quality

When making a major purpose, we like to find ways of distinguishing good, better, best. So when we see carpeting described by face weight, it’s easy to assume one is better than another based on numbers alone. However, when it comes to carpet, many factors play into the final decision. A 50 oz carpet isn’t necessarily better than a 40 oz one. There are many other factors to take into consideration, such as twist, density, materials, etc.

2. Choosing the wrong padding

Some will elect to place all of their money in the carpeting, assuming what’s visible matters most. Unfortunately, this is one of the worst mistakes you can make. Padding saves on wear and tear for your carpet by absorbing the impact of foot traffic. A better grade pad will feel more comfortable to walk on, and perform better for the long term.

3. Judging carpets based on looks

This holds true if you’re getting quotes from different retailers on different products and brand names. Just because they look the same doesn’t mean they are. Be sure you are comparing on the same level: are they made from the same fiber, are they the same style, do they offer the same warranty, will they be installed in a similar manner?

4. Attempting DIY carpet installation

Flooring is one of the most important parts of your home. You walk on it every day. And if it isn’t installed correctly, problems will surface immediately. Like frayed edges around the baseboards; bubbles and ripples in the middle of the rooms. Many warranties stipulate that carpet must be installed professionally in order to be valid. So make sure to do your research and plan ahead if you are going to perform the install. Or, consider spending the extra money to save time and headache.

5. Not considering your lifestyle

Yes, you love your neighbor’s light colored carpets. But with a busy family, several kids and a cat and a dog, does light carpeting really make sense? Think about your needs before you hone in on a selection. Let a carpet rep offer advice based on how much traffic your carpets will see.

6. Calculating square footage incorrectly

Taking your own measurements gives you a starting point. But a reputable retailer will want to verify those measurements for you. It’s more complicated than adding up the square footage of your rooms. A retailer will account for the width or the carpet roll, the direction of the carpet pile, the individual nuances of your room. They will know when you’ve left out important pieces, and adjust accordingly.

7. Trusting a promotion

Oh, those special deals you find on television ads or in coupons or flyers. They seem too good to be true, don’t they? Yep, they are. If someone is charging a very low price for carpeting, they are making it up somewhere else. In order to stay in business, they have to make a profit, so there must be hidden charges to make up for the offer they pull you in with. If it seems too good to be true, realize it probably is.

Flooring
July 2, 2016

Choosing The Best Flooring For A Home Theater

Today’s home theaters can be almost as good as a movie theater. There’s a lot to consider when planning your perfect room, everything from audio and visual components, to seating and décor.

But when finalizing your plans, don’t overlook the importance of flooring. Flooring can control the mood and the sound, and be the difference between a good and a great theater experience.

Your flooring choice impacts home theater acoustics. Deadening the room’s reverberation is crucial. Reverberation is the sound that remains in the room after the sound stops. If you’ve ever clapped your hands in a big, open room and heard the noise bounce around you – that’s reverberation.

In a home theater, the chance for reverberation peaks with every movie you play. Imagine a quiet scene where the actors voices blend together. Or an action scene where loud noises play out at a deafening level. Not a great experience.

Since sound waves bounce off hard surfaces, flooring is the starting point to increasing your satisfaction level in your home theater experience. When sound waves are allowed to bounce off hard surfaces, you lose audio clarity. The sound from your speakers will be muddy and noisy.

Using wood or laminate will produce sound decay and have a booming quality in the sounds as they enter your room. Think of when you played in the band in a school gymnasium. Wood and laminate are probably not your first choice for a great home theater experience.

If you use wood or laminate, pay special attention to the details. Fill in the space with high quality area rugs. Plush fibers will help eliminate the worst of the reverb.

Carpeted floors are generally considered to be the best option. Carpeting absorbs and prevents excess reverberation around the room. Wall to wall carpet will provide the best soundproofing, helping to clarify the sound from your speakers as it surrounds you as you listen.

Many home theaters are built in unfinished basements. With the possibilities of building from the ground up, you can create an idea experience in any way you choose. While electronics and décor can create the mood, remember flooring is what creates the quality sound. Let us help you choose the right flooring to create your home movie experience.

Flooring
June 28, 2016

The Best DIY Flooring Options

It’s summer time.

Whether you’re a teacher with a few weeks off to enjoy the summer, or trying to fit in several weeks of vacation for a little bit of home maintenance while the weather is warm, summer is a great time to take on a few of the DIY projects that have been lying around.

When it comes to a home renovation project, nothing makes as big of an impact as new flooring. But some flooring may be the perfect choice for a DIY project … and some may not.

Bad flooring installation not only looks bad, but it also wears bad as well. And if you hope to see your home sell in the near future, it can also cause a serious hit to the value of your home as well.

Looking for the perfect flooring to install yourself? These are the top choices for you to consider.

Engineered Wood Planks
If you want the natural beauty of real wood flooring, but not the hassle of sanding, finishing and regular maintenance, it’s hard to beat engineered wood. Engineered wood comes in wide, long planks that snap together with milled tongue and groove joints. There’s no gluing or nailing. The planks simply float over a thin underlayment. Engineered wood comes in a variety of styles, sizes, and colors. You can have everything from traditional oak to exotic Brazilian Cherry, or something in between.

Floating Vinyl Sheets
Resilient vinyl sheet flooring has been around for decades, and is still a popular choice for kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Over the years, the product has also become DIY friendly. Today, you’ll find floating vinyl sheets that are much thicker and more durable than standard vinyl. It’s as simple to install as removing the molding from around the room, cut and lay the vinyl into place, and replace the molding once again. With small rooms below the 12 foot wide mark, no seams will be required, meaning DIY installation is a snap.

Laminate
Laminate flooring is similar in many ways to engineered wood. Both are floating floors made from tongue and groove planks that snap together. Both come in a variety of styles, sizes, and looks. The main difference is the surface of the flooring is laminate instead of wood. The biggest advantage laminate has over engineered wood is that it’s extremely resistant to stains, scratches, fading, damage and wear. Which makes it the perfect choice for your main living areas with a lot of heavy foot traffic.

Cork Planks
The popularity of cork flooring has grown exponentially in recent years. Cork is attractive, durable and 100 percent renewable, since it’s harvested from the bark of live oak trees. It also is soft underfoot, and can provide noise reduction commonly associated with laminate flooring. Prefinished cork flooring comes in both tiles and planks. While some require glue to hold it in place, new products also offer planks that simply snap together to create a floating floor. And because it readily accepts stain and topcoat finishes, the color and pattern options are many.

What flooring will you choose for your DIY project? We can help you make the perfect decision for your home, and get you started with all the supplies you’ll need.

Flooring, Tile Floors
June 22, 2016

The Benefits Of Using Wood-Looking Tile

Here in Colorado, we love the look of hardwood flooring. But no matter how much you love your hardwood, there may be places where you don’t appreciate its durability.

The bathroom, for instance.

When remodeling the bathroom, it’s easy to understand why you would like the look of hardwood to carry throughout your home. But what about moisture? What about water damage when you use the shower on a regular basis?

What if there was a way to have the look and improve durability at the same time? Wood-looking tile may be the answer. Its appearance is so realistic that it can be installed throughout your entire living space and provide the same warm appearance you’re used to with hardwoods.

But it has added benefits that hardwoods don’t.

1. It resists moisture
Wood-looking tile is made from porcelain, which means it resists moisture wherever water can go. Using grout helps seal the tiles, making them more resistant to both water and mold and mildew buildup.

2. It is easily maintained
Wood-looking tile gives you the look and feel of hardwood flooring with the durability of tile. It doesn’t require a lot of upkeep to look its best. It’s easy to clean with a bucket and a mop, and can be scrubbed to remove tough stains. Regular sweeping and mopping will keep it looking new for years.

3. It helps with room temperature
Tile is cool in the summer, and with the installation of radiant heating, can be equally as warm in the winter. This works well if you desire a spa-like feel in your bathroom, having warm flooring in a matter of minutes on a cold, winter day.

4. It has many design choices
Just like hardwoods, wood-looking tiles come in a variety of colors and patterns. From rustic to country, dark to light, there are many ways you can add wood-look tile to your décor and have it be the perfect touch to your design theme.

Flooring
June 18, 2016

Pebble Stone Perfect For Home Flooring

Instead of going with standard size tile choices for the floors in your bathroom or kitchen, spice things up a bit and personalize it with pebble stones. Pebble stones come in a variety of styles, shapes, and colors, and when used to accent or compliment your larger tiles, they create a unique finish you’re going to love.

But working with pebble stone is different than working with other tiles. And though we know you’re going to love the look, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Pay special attention to pebble floors
When designing showers made of pebble stone, it’s important to remember that they are slower to drain than other types of tiling. Increase the pitch and use epoxy grout can help with quicker dry out times between showers. Many contractors suggest at least a 2 percent pitch for pebble shower floors, or a ¼ inch per foot.

Details make the difference
With pebble stone, the look is often created in a hodgepodge sort of way. Yet it’s important to remember that focus on the detail is important. Good design and attention is placed on how the entire look comes together. That means how the pebbles fit when they come together in corners, wrap around vanities and tubs, and join together at windows and doors. This doesn’t happen with guess work. Instead, map out the way the tile comes together, allowing the grain of the tile to continue around for a polished look.

Mix up colors and styles
Tiles are meant to compliment and contrast. You don’t have to use the same tiles and patterns on floors, walls, and ceilings. Adding a second tile choice on a feature wall helps add character to a small room. It can also make it appear larger, cozier than one color can do on its own. Don’t forget to take into account water content. The heavier the mineral buildup in your water supply, the more deposits you’ll have on your pebble tile. And if it’s used throughout your shower, on floors and walls, it can cause drainage issues. Be sure to talk with a flooring expert before you make your final decisions.

Have you decided to use pebble tile in your renovation?