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Flooring
August 8, 2015

What Laminate Floor Warranties Cover

Laminate flooring is one of the most durable products on the market; no wonder it’s used so much in homes throughout the Denver Metro area.

When it comes to installing such a durable product in your home, it’s only natural to assume that you will have many years of enjoyment. Not only should it look great, but it should be easy to maintain and hold up over time as well. But what if the laminate flooring you choose doesn’t go as predicted? What if problems arise almost immediately?

That’s where a solid laminate floor warranty comes into play.

Laminate floor warranties come in a variety of formats, with a variety of lengths in place. What you should look for are guarantees to ensure:

It will not have manufacturer defects
It will not warp, buckle or crack under correct use
It will not wear through to the decorative design surface
It will not fade

It is important to follow the manufacturers installation and maintenance guidelines to ensure nothing stands between you and the warranty. Don’t get caught ignoring the fine print, because even the smallest of things can nullify your warranty from the moment you install it. Which means if you damage your flooring at any time, you will not be covered and will have to correct or replace the problem on your own.

Some examples of problems that may nullify the warranty include:

Materials damaged in transit to your home
Materials not installed according to manufacturer’s guidelines
Poor workmanship
Not allowing the floor to acclimate before installation
Not installing on an even, clean, properly maintained surface
Not using proper underlay
Not using proper expansion spacers to allow for the floor to contract and expand

You can also nullify the warranty by not properly maintaining your laminate flooring once it’s installed:

Using bleach or abrasive cleaners
Using wax or polish
Damage caused by pet urine
Water damage from standing water or excessive water from mopping
Using the wrong cleaning product

If you need to make a claim, it’s important that you keep all documentation and follow the instructions to help back your claim. Keep your receipt, warranty information, contractor’s invoice, even photographic proof will help you get the information you need into the hands that can start the process immediately.

Start by thoroughly understanding your warranty before you make your final selection. Follow the rules, and enjoy your laminate flooring for many years to come.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
August 5, 2015

What Wood Flooring Warranties Cover … And What They Don’t

You’ve decided you want to install wood flooring throughout your home. The search has begun for the right flooring that will ensure longevity and style for many years to come.

But just when you thought selecting the right color was confusing, you found out different manufacturers come with different warranties, and the numbers can be overwhelming.

Is a 90 day warranty good enough? Then what about that 100 year warranty … really? Can someone truly offer a hundred years of protection? And what does that truly mean?

Yes, sometimes things do seem too good to be true.

A product’s warranty exists as much for the protection of the manufacturer as for the homeowner buying the product. In the case of wood flooring, the warranty protects you, the homeowner, from buying a flawed product. If the finish, for example, was improperly mixed at the factory before it was applied to the wood, the impact will be noticeable almost immediately as it is installed in your home and put to use on a daily basis. However, the warranty won’t protect you from normal wear and tear that you, your family, visitors and pets inflict to it once it is laid.

So does that make a 90 day warranty as good as that 100 year warranty? When it comes to hardwood flooring warranties, keep it simple and you’ll be covered every time.

Start by choosing a quality, reputable manufacturer with history behind it. Avoid no-name flooring, or a brand name that simply seems too good to be true. In order to have a floor that wears well and looks great for years, you have to start with a great product. Reputable companies understand that and make sure every feature they use in production is quality through and through. You can also ask a salesperson for guidance to understand differences between top brands.

Look for a good manufacturers defects warranty, as this is where most problems occur. Most defects occur in a relatively short period of time, so anything beyond a few years isn’t necessary to flush out potential problems.

Look for a good wear through warranty. If a hardwood floor has a quality finish, it will last for years of wear and tear from daily use. On average, floors will need to be sanded and recoated every ten to twelve years or so, so wear through warranties of more than that time frame will not offer extra protection, as once this process occurs the warranty is null and void.

Realize you are dealing with a natural product that changes and morphs all the time. It can warp and buckle, which would all be covered under warranty.

Yet if it’s not properly installed according to manufacturers guidelines, and its not maintained in a satisfactory way, the warranty may not be covered at all.

When making your final decision, read your warranty carefully and understand the limits and expectation. The more you know up front, the less surprises will occur down the road.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
August 2, 2015

Is Your Bamboo Flooring Really Green?

Want to choose a floor that is green? Looking for an environmentally friendly alternative when replacing your floors? Then you may have found the concept of bamboo flooring appealing.

Bamboo is renewable resource; it is a grass that can grow very quickly. While it may take an oak tree 120 years to grow to maturity, bamboo can be harvested in three. Bamboo is also recognized as a green material under LEED, and will regenerate without the need for replanting, requires minimal fertilization or pesticides.

The problem lies with bamboo’s management.

Bamboo is primarily a resource that comes from China. And depending on the manufacturer, bamboo expansion has come at the expense of existing natural forested land. It’s become a common practice to cut down existing trees to make room for bamboo. And even in some cases where bamboo is expanded up to forests, due to the aggressive nature of bamboo, it can quickly take over large areas.

Forest lands tend to be hilly and mountainous with steep slopes. As they are sheared down to make way for bamboo, erosion takes place until it becomes fully established, further degrading the surrounding areas.

Because management practices focus in on quick turnaround and massive growth, extensive fertilization, manual and chemical weeding, as well as periodic tilling of the land have also decreased the undergrowth surrounding the area, and increased erosion over large areas of land.

Does all of this mean you shouldn’t consider bamboo as a flooring option?

No. What it does mean is that you should be aware of where your bamboo flooring is manufactured. If you see a too-good-to-be-true deal on bamboo flooring, it probably is.

Make sure bamboo is certified to the standards of the Forest Stewardship Council so that it meets certain requirements for social responsibility.

You can also look for manufacturers outside of China. While the majority of bamboo still comes from China, other manufacturers are starting up in other Asian countries and are adhering to stricter guidelines.

If you have any questions, be sure to ask your flooring dealer before you make your final decision.

Flooring, Tile Floors
July 29, 2015

Tile Grout: Should You Replace or Repair?

“I love the tile in my master bathroom. We installed it several years ago, it’s been easy to care for, and it’s a great color that goes with everything. The problem is with the grout. We chose a lighter grout to compliment it, and no matter how hard I scrub on it, it still looks dirty and stained. Should I replace it or repair it? What’s my best course of action to enjoy my tile for many more years?”

Grout is a mixture of water and cement, with the addition of sand, finely ground gravel, and color. It comes eihter in a powder form, or ready as a premix. It’s used to fill in the gaps between the tiles, and can be used wherever you choose to install your tiles: on the floors, walls, backsplashes or countertops.

Grout provides a number of functions:

Levels out height differences between the tiles to make a smooth surface
Creates a barrier between the rows of tiles to prevent moisture, food, dirt or debris from accumulating
Bonds the tiles together to create a harder, stronger surface

While discolored or dirty grout may be unattractive, if it’s in good shape the appearance can be changed. Start with a good scrubbing with water and a cleaner. Rinse and allow to dry. If it still has stains you can purchase a grout pen that will allow you to spread a layer of “paint” on top of the grout, giving it a uniform look. Two coats may be necessary for badly stained grout.

If the grout goes beyond appearance, and shows signs of wear through cracking, crumbling, or is missing, you’ll need to remove it and either repair it in sections, or replace it altogether. Broken or cracked grout will not provide a barrier against moisture, and will allow water to seep behind the tile. This will eventually result in loosened tiling, and can cause mold to develop behind the tile.

When the tile was installed, did you keep extra grout? If so, repairing can be a simple process of replacing it with existing grout. If not, you can bring in your grout to attempt to match it with a current color on hand. If you can’t find the perfect shade, it is possible to adjust the grout color slightly by adding more water for a lighter shade, less for a slightly darker shade.

In some cases it may be better for replacement. To remove all the grout from the area and check to ensure the tiles are properly laid and maintained, hiring a tiling contractor can provide you with the best results.

Have additional questions about your grout?

Area Rugs, Flooring
July 25, 2015

Top Styles of Area Rugs

Here in Denver, one of the top flooring choices is hardwood, and with good reason. It’s stylish. It’s warm. It’s easy to maintain. And it looks great all year through.

If you have hardwood floors throughout your home, you probably agree.

Yet there may be certain areas of your home where hardwoods “bug” you a little more than they do in other places. Like in the entryway when people enter your home. Or in the kitchen where you stand to do the dishes each night. Or in the dining room where you gather for formal dinners.

You love your hardwoods, but to have something softer, something that protects your hardwoods and makes the easier to maintain would be good too. That’s where area rugs come in to play. An area rug is a stylish way to add a splash of color, offer your hardwoods a little protection, and give you the softness and comfort level you’re going to love.

But with so many styles to choose from, what do you do?

Natural Texture

Natural texture rugs are designed to keep things as simple as possible. Choose a natural fiber – how about jute – and choose a natural color to compliment your décor. Natural texture rugs mimic a handwoven look and feel that will warm any room in your home.

Shag

For a thicker rug with a warm look and feel, incorporate a shag area rug into your décor. Shag rugs are the perfect choice for a living room or bedroom where you want to bring in warmth to the environment while adding a splash of color or design to the room.

European

Think color. Think patterns. Think wow! European area rugs are some of our most popular rugs because of the variety. They are tightly woven and can withstand any abuse your family can dish out. They make great placements in high traffic areas, such as your entryway or a hallway.

Oriental

Looking for old world style? A traditional oriental rug can add elegance to your space. When you want to create a bold statement, choosing an oriental rug is a way to do it.

Contemporary

Want something plain and neutral? Or how about wild and colorful? With today’s technology, anything is possible. You’ll find rugs of every shape and size, in colors and patterns perfect to compliment your décor.

If you are in the market for a new area rug for your home, measure your space and stop by. We can show you a variety of options – some you may have thought about and some to open up your mind to what is truly possible. With this many choices, you can have a new look and feel to your old space tonight!

Carpet, Flooring
July 22, 2015

The Importance Of Good Padding With New Carpet

Carpet padding isn’t an afterthought; in fact, it should be considered in the same manner as when you choose your carpets. After all, the padding is what sets the stage for how well your carpeting will perform over the years. Carpet padding should be soft enough for comfort, yet sturdy enough to support the traffic that crosses over it each day.

When purchasing and installing new carpet, start by checking the manufacturer’s specifications regarding pad thickness. If you choose one that is too thick or thin, it can cause the carpet to wrinkle, buckle, and wear before its time. And in some cases, choosing a padding that doesn’t meet the manufacturer’s specifications can null and void the warranty.

Although each manufacturer will provide its own specifications, for most residential carpets, the pad should be between ¼ to 7/16 inch thick and should have a density in the 8 to 8 pound per cubic foot range. A thinner loop cut pile carpet will require a more stable pad than a thicker, plusher carpet built for warmth.

Carpet padding comes in a variety of styles, including felt, urethane, rubber, as well as memory foam. While padding comes with its own performance ratings with some far outlasting others, your main focus should be on complimenting your carpet, not choosing solely for longevity. Some padding comes with a lifetime warranty and will extend your carpets life to the fullest, providing you maintain it according to guidelines.

Keep in mind that you should never lay a new carpet over an old pad. In most cases a pad has provided its useful life with the old carpeting, and because all carpets require different levels of support, its rare that your new carpet requires the same provision.

If you are laying new carpet in your home to combat health or allergy issues, also keep in mind that both padding and carpeting can come with green label certification. Look for both with low levels of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and choose the lowest possible.

Have additional questions about padding?

Flooring
July 18, 2015

How To Clean Summer’s Toughest Carpet Stains

It’s summer time. Which means the kids are out of school, the days are longer, vacation time is sprinkled throughout the weeks, and everyone is inside and outside more than ever.

With all that activity, accidents are bound to happen more frequently. A fudgesicle here. A spilled soda there. And before you know it your carpets are in their worst condition.

But no matter what ends up on your carpets, always remember the first rule of stain fighting: the faster you remove it, the better chance you have of removing it completely. There are a few tricks depending on the type of stain your family brings in: give these tips a try.

Blood – With kids running around barefoot, and more time spent playing and having fun, every once in a while someone will run into the house with a few cuts and bruises in place. When blood penetrates your carpet, start by scraping off dried blood. Then apply a cool detergent solution. Blot dry. Then apply a cool ammonia solution. Blot again and rinse. Always test your carpet for color fastness before tackling large stains. If the problem is large or in a prominent place, it may be time to call in a professional.

Candy – Scrape off dried candy and sugar from carpeting. Sponge detergent solution onto the fibers. Blot and rinse. Be sure to pick up all remnants of sugar, as sugar will cause carpet to rapidly re-soil.

Chocolate – Scrape off dried chocolate. Sponge on a detergent solution. Blot and rinse. It stain remains, blot with hydrogen peroxide. Then rinse and blot dry.

Grass – Apply a detergent solution. Blot and rinse. Apply vinegar solution. Blot and rinse.

Ice cream – Ice cream comes in all sorts of styles and can quickly puddle into the fibers if not cleaned up immediately. Start by blotting away as much as the ice cream as possible. Sponge on a vinegar solution. Blot and rinse. Sponge on a detergent solution. Blot and rinse. Depending on how big the area is, you may need professional carpet cleaning to get the entire area clean.

Mustard/Ketchup – Apply a vinegar solution and blot. Apply a detergent solution and blot. If stain remains, apply a hydrogen peroxide solution. Do not use ammonia or alkaline cleaners.

Soft Drinks – Blot away as much of the soda as you can. Then apply detergent solution, blot and rinse. If stain remains, use a hydrogen peroxide solution. Rinse.

Fruit Juices – Blot away the bulk of the fruit juice. Then apply detergent solution, blot and rinse. If stain remains, use a hydrogen peroxide solution. Rinse. Depending on the color of the fruit juice, it may require professional cleaning, especially if the area is large.

Accidents happen; that’s a part of summer life. But if you’re prepared for the inevitable and have solutions ready at hand, clean up will be an easy process. And you’ll save your carpets in the process.

Have any other carpet stains you’re dealing with? Let us know in the comments.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
July 16, 2015

How Much Wood Does It Take For Wood Flooring?

Are you one of the many homeowners who is trying to create a sustainable environment with the products you bring into your home? If wood is high on your list as a flooring choice, you’re on the right track. As long as you purchase wood floors through a manufacturer that uses sustainable practices, you’ll be doing your part for the environment.

Add in the fact that quality wood flooring can last years longer than other types of flooring, and you’ll quickly find hardwood floors leading the way as your top choice.

Have you ever thought about how much wood goes into creating hardwood floors throughout your home?

Let’s start with how much wood it takes to build your home from the ground up.

The typical home is around 2,400 square feet. To build a home of this size, it requires around 16,000 board feet of framing lumber, and around 14,000 square feet of other wood products, which would include plywood, particleboard, wood joists, hardboard, and so on.

A board foot is a standard measure of usable wood in a tree. A board foot would result in a piece of lumber one inch thick, one foot wide and one foot long.

That’s a lot of wood in the structure of your house! And while much of this wood is hidden behind the drywall and underneath your flooring, it takes a special kind of wood to wind up on your floors and become a part of your room’s décor for years on end.

The typical home will have around 1,200 square feet on the main level, with an additional 1,200 square feet on the upper level. How many trees would be needed? The answer may surprise you. To gain enough wood for one level of a home, you would need 12 trees, each one around 18 inches in diameter and at least 10 feet long to make enough boards to cover your area in hardwood flooring. For the entire house, double the amount of wood.

Of course if a tree is wider in diameter, the number would go down.

There is quite a process from forest to laying the wood in your home. From felled tree to floorboard, the process takes around four to five months for processing. Yet it’s definitely worth the wait!

Once you have them installed and see the beauty shine through, you’ll be more than happy you chose hardwoods as your flooring of choice.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
July 11, 2015

Here’s What You Didn’t Know About Cork Flooring

If you’ve been doing any research on flooring choices, chances are you’ve come across an article or two on the benefits of cork flooring. Cork flooring is a good choice for every room in your home because of its soft features, its sustainability factor … and it looks great.

But as much as you may already know about cork flooring, there are probably a few things you didn’t know that can help you make choosing cork flooring a little easier.

Cork flooring is made from the bark of a Cork Oak Tree. Taking the bark doesn’t kill the tree, the tree simply regrows the bark again and again. Because a Cork Oak Tree can live as long as 500 years, this makes cork flooring a renewable and sustainable flooring choice that’s good for a variety of reasons.

The Cork Oak Tree can be found throughout the Mediterranean region of Europe and in Northern Africa. As cork is harvested from the tree, it is ground, processed into sheets, and baked in a kiln to create the final product.

The final cork sheets are created from the cork itself, and from air. The air pockets within the flooring make it impact resistant, soft to walk and stand on, and help insulate against both heat and cold. Because it’s warm to the touch, you never have to worry about hopping out of bed and landing on cold tiles again.

Cork flooring has a longevity factor that can match other popular flooring choices such as woods and tiles. Cork can easily last 25 years and more with the proper care. It’s a durable choice that requires little maintenance and clean up.

Because each cork flooring sheet is made from a natural product, no two sheets will ever be the same. This provides you with a unique, one of a kind choice that will add to the overall beauty of your home.

Cork flooring is a great choice to keep your home healthy and clean. Cork is hypoallergenic, resists mold, mildew and bacteria.

Think cork flooring may be the right choice for your home? Start by seeing your options. We can show you the many styles and colors available, and answer all of your questions before you make your final decision.

Flooring
July 7, 2015

How To Keep Marble Floors Looking Their Best

Marble flooring can add elegance to any room in your home. But if you choose to install marble floors, how do you keep them clean and looking their best for years to come?

Marble is softer than other stones such as granite or travertine. Because it is less dense, it will more easily absorb liquids and can stain quickly. When you first have your marble flooring installed, be sure to apply a sealer to create an impenetrable shell that will keep the surface shiny and looking good. With this shell in place, you have some time to work with spills and stains before they permanently set in. Also keep in mind that depending on the wear and tear of your room, you may need to reapply sealer on a regular basis. Be sure to speak with your flooring consultant as you have your marble floors installed for guidelines.

Once installed, upkeep is easy.

Polish Regularly – Marble floors have a shiny look unique in every way. The only way to keep that look is to polish regularly. Polishing your marble flooring will bring out the color of the stone. Get on a regular schedule, depending on the traffic to your room, and keep your floors looking shiny and new for years to come.

Clean Spills Immediately – Marble stains easily, and therefore should have any spills wiped up and cleaned as soon as possible. Marble can be sensitive to acidic substances like wine, coffee, fruit juices, tomato sauce, soda, and cleaning products. If spills are not cleaned in a timely manner, you will begin to see the surface dull.

Use a Soft Cloth For Cleaning – Leave harsh abrasives and cloths for other jobs; marble should always be cleaned with gentle cleaning products and soft cloths. Use hot water and a formulated stone cleaner for best results.

Watch What You Place On Floor – Treat your marble floors like they are fine pieces of furniture. Avoid placing bottles or cans containing acidic beverages on the floor without a coaster for protection. Likewise, avoid potted plants with rough bases. Not only can these items leak onto the floor, but they can also scratch the surface when moved.

Dust and Mop Regularly – Use a clean, dry, non-treated mop to clean on a regular basis. Be careful about using vacuums as dirt can accumulate on the wheels and scratch the surface. Also avoid harsh chemicals in the cleaning products as they can wear through the sealer and cause damage quickly.

Use Rugs and Mats – If your marble floor extends to outside doors, place mats or rugs near entryways to protect the flooring from damage. Grit and sand on the bottom of shoes can quickly turn into a problem as people walk across your flooring; a mat can encourage people to wipe their feet, and encourage them to take off their shoes before they enter.