Blog - PRO! Flooring

Flooring, Tile Floors
January 10, 2016

Creating The Perfect Shower With Tile

Looking to create the perfect master retreat? Why not start the process by creating the perfect shower?

No bathroom renovation is complete without an overhaul of the shower. And today, showers aren’t just about simplicity and a quick way to shower off. Instead, they range from simple elegance to over-the-top options that can leave you with a spa-like feeling anytime you choose.

And while you can dress up your shower with fixtures and décor, it’s the tile that will set the stage. You can select from many materials, sizes and finishes to coordinate your final look. Stay traditional, or move towards the trendy.

Subway Tile
Think bathroom tile, think classic 4×4 square tiles. For many people, that’s the case. But with so many options, consider moving to a different size to add personality to your personal space. Try a 3×6 subway tile in glazed white with a contrasting color to add a spark. While these tiles tend to bring out a traditional look and feel, when combined with other options can create a thoroughly modern look. For instance, use in conjunction with mosaic, stones or glass tile for color and appeal.

Glass Tile
Glass tiles have taken on a life of their own in recent years. From small, transparent mosaics or larger, shimmery tiles, you’ll find many options to match your décor. Glass tile is usually suitable for walls, trim, back-splash areas and as accent tile. Use it dress up shelving in your shower, frame your fixtures, or simply accent the overall look and design. The small multicolored mosaic tile patterns provide both textural and visual interest to any area of your bathroom. While many think square or rectangular tiles when considering glass, move towards newer, more vibrant sizes like glass pebbles for an interest addition to your design.

Natural Stone Tile
Nothing says elegance more than natural stone tile. And when considering it for a bathroom shower, there are many different possibilities. Natural stone tiles come in many sizes, shapes, styles and colors. Go with a light natural undertone, or select a darker, dramatic style that will add to your contemporary design. Whether you choose porcelain tile that looks like stone, or move to natural stone tiles and slabs, the varied shades of color will add a soothing natural touch to your space.

Updating your bathroom shower this year? Select shower tile to create ambiance, and start the process today by seeing all of the options we have for you. Stop by today.

Carpet, Flooring
January 6, 2016

Cleaning Christmas Tree Sap From Your Carpet

The holidays are over. The trimmings are tucked away for another year. Yet after everything is packed away and the Christmas tree is out the door, what do you do about your carpet?

Nothing says Christmas like the smell of a live Christmas tree. Yet sap on your carpets may have you wondering why an artifical tree isn’t a better way to go. Yes, live Christmas trees are often one of the most magical decorations you put up in your home. But the leftover sap can quickly become a nightmare.

Sap is sort of like removing chewing gum. There are a few ways you can handle it. You can harden it and chip it away. Or you can dissolve it and remove it.

1. Rubbing alcohol is a product that can help dry out sap and allow you to break it off your carpet fibers. Soak a paper towel or soft cloth with rubbing alcohol, then blot the sap gently. Don’t rub. Repeat as needed. Allow to dry and pick the sap from the fibers.

2. Ice works in the same way you would use it to remove gum from your hair. It will take longer to harden sap, as it melts away during the process. Use as much ice as necessary to harden sap, then pick the sap from the fibers.

3. Just like dishwashing detergent can remove the toughest stains from your dishes, it can work with sap as well. Apply a small amount to the carpet fibers, testing a small area first. Massage the detergent into the fibers with a warm, damp cloth. Continue until the sap is loosened and removed. Make sure you return and remove detergent from the fibers, as detergent can attract dirt.

When searching the Internet, you’ll find all kinds of alternative methods for removing sap from carpeting. Peanut butter, mayonnaise, and other greasy items can help break up the sap, but it can also leave a greasy mess in it’s place. If you have additional concerns or have a tough time getting the sap out of your carpet, it may be time to call in the professionals.

Have you tried any other methods for removing sap from carpeting with good luck? We’d love to hear them.

Hardwood Flooring
January 4, 2016

Removing Christmas Tree Stains From Hardwood Flooring

Having a live Christmas tree during the holidays can fill your home with a wonderful aroma.

It can also leave you with a mess to clean long after it’s gone.

Pine needles, sap, even stains on your hardwood floors can easily leave you questioning if its worth it. Sweeping away pine needles may seem to be an easy task, while removing tree sap stains can prove to be difficult.

Your first line of defense is preventing the stain altogether, but even tree skirts and coverings underneath the tree can allow stains to penetrate through. Whether you have real wood floors or laminate, try some of these methods for removing Christmas tree stains from your flooring.

Alcohol – try using a clear alcohol such as Vodka to absorb the stain. Pour directly onto the stain to cover completely. Allow to sit, then absorb with paper towels.

Ice – rub the stain with ice to freeze tree sap. Once frozen, gently scrape away with a spatula.

Rubbing alcohol – pour the alcohol onto a rag, rub into the stain and allow to sit. For sap, gently scrape off residue. Then buff away.

Citrus solvents – choose a citrus based solvent like Goo-Gone. Gently rub a generous amount onto the stain, allow it time to break down adhesives, and then wipe away.

Lubricant – spray a lubricant like WD-40 onto the stain and then wipe away. Continue the process until the stain disappears.

Exercise caution when using both alcohol and petroleum based products as both are flammable. Be sure to test in an inconspicuous area of your hardwood flooring, as some products can strip the finish and discolor your flooring. Check with a professional if you have further questions.

Carpet, Flooring
January 2, 2016

Choosing The Right Carpet Tile Size For Your Office

Is this the year to replace your office’s carpeting to give it a fresh look and feel? The best place to start is by considering your options.

Carpet tile is often the perfect choice for offices. Yet carpet tile specifications can range in many different sizes, shapes and measurements. You’ll find everything from narrow carpet planks to large tiles and rolls. How do you know which is the best for your office conditions?

Today’s carpet tiles typically come in three sizes: planks that are 12in x 36 in, and 24 in and 36 inch squares.

As a general rule, the larger the tile, the lower the installation cost. Installing a room full of 36 inch squares will require less time applying adhesives, removing backing tape, and laying each tile into place than its plank counterpart.

However, larger tiles are heavier, bulkier, and more difficult to maneuver. For large office spaces, they may be the perfect option. Yet for smaller offices that require more intricate placements, they may require more work. Also consider storage space if you choose to keep extras on hand.

With every install there will be a certain amount of waste when laying carpet. The size of your carpet tiles will determine how much waste you will incur. Smaller carpet tiles are more likely to fit without the need of excessive trimming. This is especially true with smaller offices, conference rooms and hallways. If you have unusual room sizes, plank carpet tiles can also offer you flexibility and maneuverability.

Smaller carpet tiles make it possible to create a range of different patterns. Planks are growing in popularity because their thinner shape means more opportunity to create unique and innovative designs.

With today’s installation techniques, seam visibility is becoming less of a concern. When choosing carpet tiles, remember there is no right or wrong size. When it comes to creating an engaging, attractive look for your space, your choices are many. And the best place to start is by viewing your options. Give us a call today.

Carpet, Flooring
December 31, 2015

Avoiding The Hidden Costs Of Carpet Installation

Having new carpet installed in your home? Nothing can freshen up a room more than new carpet.

As it’s being installed, the last thing on your mind is when you’ll need to replace it. Yet if you don’t take certain precautions from the beginning, that time may come sooner than expected.

Want to extend the life of your carpet for as long as possible? Keep these hidden costs in mind as you work with your carpet dealer to find the right carpet for your home.

Moisture
What room are you laying carpet in? Basements are traditionally difficult rooms to control. You may be laying directly onto a concrete flooring, or have water and moisture problems at certain times of the year.

Many carpet manufacturers offer a low relative humidity rating on their standard carpets. Many conventional water based adhesives can break down in high moisture environments. If you know your room may be subjected to higher humidity levels or even occasional water spills, choose wisely before you install.

Removal and Delivery
Many homeowners automatically assume that purchasing new carpeting means they’ll also receive removal of old carpet and delivery of the new carpet as a part of the service. In some cases, both services will be charged as a fee. There is a time factor for pulling up old carpet, removing it from your home, and priming the floor for the new carpet to be installed. Naturally this process takes both time and money. Yet if you don’t ask about it at the time of purchase, this “hidden” charge can take you by surprise. Make sure you review all charges ahead of time; it’s up to you to ask.

Carpet Size
Carpeting comes in a variety of sizes, everything from small carpet tiles, to large rolls in roll widths of 12 feet, 15 feet, and 13 feet 6 inches, in order of availability. Choose the wrong size and your installer will have to cut and fit different pieces into place. Instead, ask about width before you make your final selection. Choosing a carpet that provides seamless coverage from one end of your room to the other not only makes installation easier, but will provide better wearability overall.

Good Deals
We’ve all seen them; those commercials that promise several rooms in your home carpeted for one low fee. What they don’t share with you are the hidden fees, and they will materialize quickly in the final bill. It takes time to remove old carpet. It takes resources to remove old carpet from your home. And with a wide array of manufacturers and products available, there is only one way to guarantee a low price for that “good deal” price; choose the cheapest carpet possible.

Carpeting should be your choice, your style, your needs. And let’s face it, your bedroom has different needs than your basement. When you’re ready to find the perfect new carpet for your home, get started by choosing a carpet dealer you can trust.

Carpet
December 26, 2015

Choosing Carpet For Durability

Want a carpet that will look good for years? There are a number of things to focus in on when making your final selection. In order to choose the right carpeting for durability, it must have:

A proper backing system
When choosing carpeting, look as closely at the backing as you do the carpet. Backing is the most important factor in determining durability.

There are two types of backing, hard backed and cushion backed. With hard backed carpet, the carpet fibers receive full impact of foot traffic, which damages the fibers on a quicker basis. The appearance of your carpet will also deteriorate in a shorter period of time. With a cushion backed carpeting, the carpet comes with cushion to impact some of the foot traffic, reducing fiber wear.

Cushion backing comes in both open cell and closed cell construction. Open cell cushion backing allows cushion to re-inflate after compression, protecting carpet fibers for a longer period of time. Open cell construction will provide you with the most effective shock absorption.

Color and Pattern
A dark colored carpet, or one with patterns, will naturally be more durable at hiding dirt and spills than a light colored carpet with little to no pattern. It’s important to take into account the location of your carpet when selecting the right color and pattern. In high traffic areas, selecting darker patterns will always give you more longevity.

Fiber Construction
If carpet pile is denser, packed together and has more stability from end to end, it will last longer. When you walk on carpet, the fibers bend and rub together. This causes friction, which wears away at the fibers. The closer the carpet pile is packed together, the less movement occurs. Which means less friction, less wear, and a longer lasting carpet.

Soil and Stain Resistance
Most carpeting today comes with some sort of stain or soiling protection. This means carpet has natural tendencies or is treated to repel dirt. This makes it easier to clean, easier to retain it’s original beauty. While important, remember design of your carpet is more important than stain resistance. If you build a carpet well from the beginning, it is more likely to retain its quality throughout its life.

External Factors
While carpet production is the first level of defense in creating high quality flooring, it also depends on its use. It is essential to choose a carpet style that matches the level of foot traffic expected in each area of your home. Bedrooms are different from living areas. And hallways and stairways are some of the highest abused areas of your home. While there isn’t a “one size fits all” choice that will give you everything you need, the more you know, the more durability you can anticipate.

Discover everything you need to know about today’s carpet by stopping by today.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
December 22, 2015

How To Silence A Squeaky Floor

The kids are asleep. Everything is quiet throughout the house. And then you step on it; that squeaky spot. The squeaky floor that seems to echo down the hall.

You’d give anything to fix it. But that would require an expensive housecall from a contractor. It’s easier to live with the squeak. Or is it?

If you’re tired of the squeaky floor in your home, there are a few easy, inexpensive workarounds you can do that will help eliminate the sound.

Insert Shims Into Gaps
If you have access to the floor from underneath, you can easily find and fix the problem. Have someone walk on the floor or stairs from above while you watch where the sound and movement is coming from . If the culprit is a gap between the subfloor and a joist, place a shim into the gap. Apply some wood glue and slide the shim into the gap until it’s snug. Don’t force it. If you push too hard you’ll make the gap wider. By taking up the small space with a shim, you’ll stop the bouncing between the wood taking place, and the noise should stop. This works on stairs as well.

Use Construction Adhesive
Sometimes a gap will run the entire length of a joist. This can allow constant friction between the joist and the subfloor. Apply a small amount of construction adhesive along the joist and work it into the gap until the squeak stops.

Fix A Warped Joist
Occasionally joists can warp or deteriorate. If this happens, you will find a space between the subfloor and the joist. To fix the problem, nail a block of wood along the joist to add stability to the area impacted. Apply construction adhesive along the top of the wood to create a solid connection between the two pieces of wood. You can also screw it to the joist for stability.

Quiet Multiple Joists
Occasionally you’ll have more than one joist contributing to the noise. To quiet them, nail or screw a 2×8 block of wood between them. Insert the blocks at around the midpoint. Apply construction adhesive along the edges to keep them tightly in place.

Lubricate Floorboards
While many squeaks can be eliminated by working from the bottom of the floor, in some cases you may have to work from the top. You can also try this method if you don’t have access to the joists and subflooring from below. If wooden floorboards are causing the problem, pour a powdered soapstone or talcum powder between the boards. Then place a soft cloth over the boards and work the lubricant into the cracks. This should reduce the rubbing that takes place between the pieces of wood, and reduce the squeak. Repeat as needed. Vacuum up any remaining powder.

Flooring
December 19, 2015

Choosing Flooring For A Wine Cellar

Remodeling your basement? Maybe it’s time to build in the wine cellar you’ve dreamed of.

Most wine cellars are built in the lower level of a home, usually a basement. In many cases it will be built on a cement slab. Concrete will need to be sealed and a vapor barrier applied. This is especially important if refrigeration will be installed to maintain a constant temperature and humidity level. And if concrete is your base, it can limit your flooring choices.

First, consider the weight of your cellar. A typical rule is 500 bottles weigh in at approximately 2,000 pounds. Your flooring should be sturdy enough to hold a full cellar without worrying about stability.

Wood Flooring
Wood flooring can be used if you are not installing it directly onto concrete. You will have to have a subfloor in place. A sealed hardwood has been a mainstay in industry wine cellar construction, and will be a good choice to last for years. You can also choose a variety of wood borders to accentuate the look and feel of your cellar. Choose different types of wood to complete the look.

Cork Flooring
Cork is a natural, durable, sustainable material that works well in many conditions. It is an excellent thermal and acoustic insulator, and is resistant to mold and mildew. If treated with a moisture protection system, it will create a watertight seal between the joints, and will hold up against spills or frequent mopping.

Tile Flooring
Tile is one of the sturdiest flooring choices available. And because the colors, styles, sizes and patterns are almost limitless, you can create any look you desire. You can choose soft and subdued. Or go bold and choose painted tiles to incorporate wine motifs into your finished design.

Stone Flooring
Slate, marble, travertine, or even brick can make a bold statement in your cellar. Because of the natural textures, your look can be bold and random, or a well thought out pattern. Stone will need to be grouted and sealed to provide you with a maintenance free floor.

If this is the year you add a wine cellar into you home, stop by today to start the planning process from the bottom up. Your personality will begin with flooring, let us help you find the perfect choice to express who you are.

Carpet
December 15, 2015

Carpet: Understanding Normal Wear

Longevity. If you own your home, longevity is a word you would like to hear with every home maintenance project you take on.

When it comes time to purchasing new carpet, you’ll find a variety of carpet choices come with claims of “long wearing.” But what does that mean? Though you know in your mind that long wearing has to have an ending date, it’s nice to know your carpet selection should offer a reasonable amount of protection against everyday abuse.

You purchase it. You install it. You live with it. And shortly thereafter it begins looking like you’ve had wild parties on a nightly basis rather than a normal family doing normal things.

So what is normal wear for carpeting? What can you expect if you purchase new carpet today?

First, understand that carpet manufacturers create and update their carpeting all the time. Technology changes giving them more advanced products, greater options than ever before. With synthetic fibers, many of these products simply will not wear out. Yet never wearing out doesn’t mean it will always retain the fresh look and feel you desire for your home. Wearing out is not the same thing as looking good. And in many cases manufacturer’s warranties focus in on the science behind the product, not the looks.

Which means it comes down to your lifestyle.

Carpet lifespan isn’t a cut and dry number. It depends on the style of carpet, who lives in your home, and what you do on a daily basis.

If you live alone, your carpet won’t see the same amount of wear as a family with several kids and pets. A rental property will see different levels of abuse than what a homeowner dishes out. In general, expect carpet to last three to seven years.

In all cases, the more maintenance you give it, the longer it will last. Vacuuming is a necessity. Routine cleaning will also help, especially in high traffic areas.

While carpets won’t last a lifetime, they can last as little or as long as you choose. Treat your carpet well, clean it regularly, and you’ll enjoy it for the long term.

Flooring
December 12, 2015

The Best Flooring For Your Holiday Parties

Are the holiday parties coming to your house this year?

The basic essentials to hosting a great holiday party include a great location, plenty of food, lots or drinks, friends and family in abundance, and a reason to celebrate. What could be a better reason than the holidays. Yet sometimes in the middle of all the festivities can leave your flooring in bad condition. As both children and adults know, a spilled drink or a dropped plate of food can easily cause stains and damage to just about any kind of floors.

The best way to prepare for potential accidents is to find the best flooring before your party is here.

When deciding on your flooring, take into consideration two factors: practicality and preference.

Laminate is durable, easy to clean, and gives you the availability to have any look without having high costs.
Vinyl flooring is one of the most durable flooring choices available. It works very well in kitchens, bathrooms and high traffic areas.
Tile and stone flooring offer many benefits, including its durability and impact resistant factors.
Hardwood flooring continues to be a top choice because of its versatility and great looks.

If one choice stands out, keep in mind there are many different ways to achieve the look you desire. Talk with a flooring consultant about your options and how to bring your favorite looks into your home.