Blog - PRO! Flooring

Carpet, Flooring
May 13, 2015

What Does Carpet Stretching Mean?

Have you ever noticed bubbles, wrinkles, ripples or other bunched up areas in your carpeting? And once you notice a small problem, have you ever wondered why it seems to increase in size very quickly?

It’s because carpeting is meant to be stretched tight. And once it begins to loosen, and forms any type of ripple, it needs stretching to bring it back into shape. As you walk on a small bubble within the carpet, it moves up and down far more than it should. And as it moves, it continues to loosen up the carpeting even more. Pretty soon small bubbles turn into large waves that are not only noticeable, they can quickly become a tripping hazard too.

When bubbles begin to form, the sooner you stretch them back into shape, the easier the process will be. In smaller places, a knee kicker may be all that is needed to put carpeting back into place. However, the larger the room, the more necessary a power carpet stretcher becomes. Power stretchers reach all the way across, butting up against both walls. One side will be flush against the wall, the other end has a head with a lever. When the lever is pushed down, the carpet is stretched. This is a very powerful tool; if too much pressure is applied it can rip or pull the tack strip off.

Loose carpet doesn’t mean you have a poor quality carpet or that it wasn’t installed correctly. Carpeting can come loose from a variety of reasons:

Heavy traffic – If your carpets get a lot of use above the norm – heavy foot traffic, wheelchair activity, kids playing – even a great carpet can eventually need stretching.
Moving heavy furniture – If you slide heavy furniture across your carpet, it can cause it to ripple and loosen at the edges.
Wrong padding – In many cases a homeowner will put all of their budget and research into choosing a quality carpet without thinking about the padding. Padding is equally important; if you choose a carpet and padding combo that don’t work together, it can allow the carpet to loosen and become rippled.
Poor installation – If your carpet was improperly installed, it may need stretching. In some cases it may not have been stretched into place during installation, or was improperly secured in place.

Once your carpets begin to ripple, it will only keep getting worse. Carpets are intended to lie flat, and once they begin pulling up, even normal walking on it will only exacerbate the problem. The only way to keep them looking their best, and help extend their useful life, is to fix the problem as quickly as possible.

Carpet, Flooring
May 9, 2015

4 Carpet Installation Problems and How To Avoid Them

Ready to have new carpet installed in your home this year?

Carpeting isn’t something you select every day, so it’s easy to be overwhelmed with the process. Carpets are meant to last for years, and give you worry-free living you can enjoy. And if you don’t choose the company you do business with wisely, or worse, try and do it yourself, you can wind up with poor installation, and a carpet you are anything but satisfied with.

Measuring incorrectly
In many cases, homeowners attempt to measure their rooms on their own, without taking into account the little nuances that can make the installation process a little tricky. Since most homes don’t have perfect squares or rectangles, it can be easy to miss the little details that add to the amount of carpeting you’ll need. Like closet space. Or hallways. Measuring the flow layout and adding up every detail in the space that will be carpeted means ordering the right amount of carpet the first time.

Lack of equipment
It may seem easy to buy a remnant or have a friend help you lay a piece of carpeting you got on sale. But installing a carpet required the right tools to get the job done. Buying the right tools can cost a fortune; yet even renting the proper tools can be a headache. Getting the wrong size trowel, for instance, for laying down the carpet adhesive can make your installation process much more difficult, and may create errors in the way it is mounted.

Improper padding
The carpeting is what shows; its what gives your room its style. Which means it’s where most people put their focus. However, it’s the padding that will give your carpeting longevity, and make it wear better overall. Make sure you select the proper padding for the style of carpeting you choose, and choose the highest quality for your room’s situation.

Improper fitting
Depending on the size of your room, seams may be a part of the landscape. Where those seams fall can increase or decrease the longevity of your carpet. Make sure the carpeting is laid to give functionality to your room without risking exposing the carpeting and having it fray around the seam lines.

Flooring
May 7, 2015

How To Blend Your Flooring With Kitchen Décor

Designing and remodeling your kitchen isn’t as easy as picking out the things you like best from your home improvement store. It also takes a lot of coordination to allow your kitchen design to seamlessly blend in with your overall house design and style.

In order to create a well designed kitchen, it’s important to focus in on the three major components of the kitchen: the coutertops, the cabinets and the flooring. These three areas dominate your kitchen’s look and feel; it’s important their colors and styles play will off of each other.

Create a Plan
Theme is important when making your final selections. Are you a classic design or a little bit country? Do you like a clean, sleek look, or do you have a more relaxed style? First and foremost, its important to select a color scheme and stick with it throughout your kitchen. One of the most classic patterns is to begin with two dominate colors, and bring in a third for accent. Remember, your three dominate areas are your foundation; the rest is meant to blend.

Countertops
Many people today looking at remodeling their kitchen have their hearts set on granite, and with good reason. Its classic style and durability means you’ll have a highly functional and highly durable countertop for years to come. Yet there are many other options available as well – marble, butcher block, stainless steel, even concrete. Because countertops set the stage for your kitchen design, and are often one of the most expensive pieces, its important to choose a style that will help you enjoy your kitchen for years to come.

Cabinets
A solid color in your cabinetry will give you a timeless look and feel. Choose cabinets that will bring out the color in your countertops, and will blend with your flooring without overpowering the space.

Flooring
When choosing flooring, bring in a sample of your countertop to help blend the two together. This will allow you to place the two colors side by side, and allow you to choose colors that blend well and will give you a classic look for years to come. A good rule of thumb is to coordinate your finishes rather than letting them compete and overpower one another. A flat floor design will compliment a textured countertop; or a matte floor will look great with a glossy countertop.

Want help in making the final decision? Just ask. We help people make these types of decisions every day, and can offer you tips and guidance on what you’ll be happy with now and well into the future.

Carpet, Flooring
May 2, 2015

What You Should Know About Carpet Ratings

When it comes time to purchasing carpet, we all want the best quality we can afford. After all, we’ve all lived with sub-par carpeting in a rental unit, or visited a home with threadbare carpets that looked anything but appealing.

We want quality
We want plush
We want a great color
We want something that will last for years

Yet your first visit to the store to look at carpeting can leave you completely overwhelmed.

If you visit a big box store, you’ll wander the aisles looking at a few select carpets without a lot of facts surrounding the samples you’ll see. Are they good? Are the priced reasonably? Does the salesperson have any clue about what good carpet really is?

As you leave in frustration, your next stop might be a retail flooring center. But if you were slightly confused by a big box store’s samples, adding hundreds more will only add to the confusion.

When you begin looking at carpeting samples, you may notice that they have a rating system in place. The ratings are usually used to gauge their durability and appearance. Sounds like a good way to determine which carpets are best, right?

The carpet rating scale has been designed by the manufacturers themselves based on in house testing. So the rating is only relevant to the test conditions at each manufacturer. Most rating systems rate carpet performance on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the top rated carpet for performance under heavy duty testing. Which means for high traffic areas in your home, a 4 or 5 rated carpet would be best used in areas of your home with the highest traffic, like hallways and stairs.

Keep in mind that the rating system is subjective, and is usually assigned with averages in mind. You know your home and your situation better than anyone. If you run a day care out of your home, a 5 rated carpet would be a must in your living space where action takes place every single day. Likewise, a bedroom filled with 3 year old triplets would require a very durable carpet to keep up with the daily activities.

When you have specific needs, and need answers that will leave you loving your carpeting for many years into the future, the best place to start is with a consultant. We’ve helped many homeowners find the perfect carpeting for their situation. Give us a call today.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
April 29, 2015

How To Choose Flooring From A Small Sample

When you’re ready to install a new floor in your home, it can be exciting thinking about the potential. Maybe you’re replacing old carpeting with a new color. Maybe you’re installing natural stone tile throughout. Maybe you’re finally installing the hardwoods you’ve dreamed about for years. In any case, the change will be warm and welcome.

Yet one trip to the flooring center can leave you overwhelmed. With thousands of choices, where do you start? Even if you have a pretty good idea of what you want – hardwoods for instance – the selection process can still be a daunting task as you scan the aisles of different manufacturers, different types of woods, different color choices, even different styles and sizes.

How do you take all of those concepts and visualize them in your home, on your floors?

The best place to start is by taking flooring samples home to see how they look in your home. Yet that can still be a difficult task. If you will be adding 1,000 square feet of hardwood to your main floor living area, how do you tell if you have made the right choice from a two foot sample?

Know Your Tastes
There are many ways to get a feel for styles and color choice before you start the floor buying process. Visit model homes, look through remodeling and décor magazines, even consider the homes of friends and family as you are narrowing your choices. If you consistently lean towards one color or style, use that as a guide as you finalize your choices. Yet leave wiggle room for options. Maybe you’ve had your mind set on a light colored hardwood, only to find the bamboo suits your needs and your tastes better.

Don’t Overwhelm With Possibilities
We’ve run across the homeowner who takes a half dozen samples home, only to return them and choose a half dozen more. With hundreds of possibilities, they can quickly begin running together. Trust your instincts in the store, and choose three or four top favorites. Once you’ve narrowed it down to these select few, focus in on finding the best from these possibilities.

Live With Your Choices
Once you have your samples at home, live with them for a few days. Place them side by side; put them in different spots in the room. View them in the day. View them at night. As you eliminate one possibility, remove it and focus in on the remaining.

Select With Confidence
Trust your instincts. When you eliminate a choice, you do so for a reason. Don’t go back and second guess. Once you make your final selection, select with confidence. If you’ve spent the time evaluating your needs and how the sample fits within those guidelines, you’ve made the right choice. As you are waiting for installation, focus in on décor and other remodeling tasks that will help you complete your project, and allow you to begin enjoying your new environment right away.

Flooring
April 26, 2015

Tips For Choosing Flooring In Your Home’s Entryway

Snow boots in the winter. Grass and water from the summer. Mud and dirt from every season. The entryway to our homes take a beating all year through.

Yet it’s also the place where we welcome guests, where people make a first impression about the home that lies beyond. It’s how we showcase who we are, express our style, and set the tone for all that enter. It’s a place designed for entry; but in reality it does a whole lot more.

When you decorate an entryway, the best place to start is at the bottom: your flooring. An easy to clean, easy to maintain flooring can allow you impress without the fuss, and be ready for whatever life brings your way. You may also want to consider these tips.

Think Replaceable
Because your entryway will get the most wear and tear out of any room in your home, its important to be able to change it up as the need arises. Flexibility is key.

Tiling is always a good choice, because of its hardness and its durability. And with thousands of color and pattern choices, the options are endless. Yet tile isn’t your only option.

You can also go with many other flexible options. Cork squares have been increasing in popularity because of their sustainability factor, and the fact that they can handle moisture, and are a natural sound barrier. And because the squares can easily be lifted and replaced as needed, it’s a great way to keep your floors looking new.

Vinyl plank tile is also another flexible option. They are thin, durable inexpensive tiles that are easy to install, and therefore also easy to replace as needed. The planks attach to one another with sticky strips, and can be laid in place and replaced as needed. Plus they look great and can add visual appeal from the moment a person enters.

Think Removable
There are more than one way to keep your entryway looking great all year through. Instead of constantly having to clean and maintain your floor, protect it instead. Rugs can be a great way to add appeal to the entryway, while protecting it from the elements as well. Choose a rug carefully and you’ll be able to pick it up and wash it whenever you choose. And if you have many styles and colors available to you, you’ll be able to change up your look any time of the year.

Think Durable
Whatever direction you choose to go with your entryway, durability is key. Not only will it have to withstand the elements from reaching it every day, it will also have to endure the hardships of whatever your family can throw at it. Like dropping your car keys over and over again. Or throwing a backpack or two, sports equipment, or even supplies for that next home improvement project down as you make your way in and out of your home.

Have any additional questions about the best materials you can use for your entryway? Give us a call or stop by today.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
April 22, 2015

Choosing A Sustainable Wood Floor For Earth Day

Across the world, people are celebrating Earth Day in big ways. But you don’t have to go out into your neighborhood or community to take action. Instead, you can take action close to home, right in your favorite rooms.

Wood flooring is one of the greenest choices you can make for your home’s décor. And when done right, adding a wood floor to your home can actually be good for the environment. Hardwood floors are:

Sustainable. The average net growth for hardwoods are greater than average removal loads.

Healthy. Indoor air quality can improve quickly when installing hardwood flooring, and overall will help you make the air quality the best it can be.

Natural resources. They use less water and energy for production than any other flooring choice.

Renewable. While it takes most hardwood trees anywhere from 40 to 60 years to mature, the inventory being planted today won’t be needed for 100 years or more.

Long-lasting. When cared for properly, hardwood floors can last a hundred years or more. Which means they won’t need replacing as often as other flooring choices.

Less wasteful. Hardwood floors in general aren’t replaced as often as other flooring types. And when they are replaced, they can be burned as fuel or recycled into other products, meaning they won’t end up in the landfill.

Carbon neutral resource. Hardwoods help reduce global warming by being carbon neutral, which means they produce oxygen during its growth phase, and stores carbon during its service life.

LEED products. Wood is recognized by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program for improved indoor air quality and its sustainably sourced materials.

Is hardwood flooring the right choice for you? Stop by today and see all of your options.

Happy Earth Day!

Flooring
April 18, 2015

How To Choose Flooring For An Investment Property

There are a lot of ways to make money in the real estate market. Buy a distressed property, fix it up and flip it for a profit. Or buy a home in a good neighborhood and you may have a rental property that will bring in income for years into the future.

When you purchase a great deal, the only way to keep it profitable is if you fix it up at a reasonable cost. Which means the fix up process should make it sellable without going overboard.

Value of the property
Every home has a market value, which in turn will dictate the quality of flooring expected by the buyer or renter. While you don’t want to spend an exorbitant amount of money on installing high-end flooring, your goal should still be to impress the home’s decision maker. Buyers know they can repaint easily; flooring is something they will live with for a much longer term.

High-end homes should have equally high-end flooring choices. High-end home buyers want real wood in the main areas, not laminate. For rooms that are carpeted, a luxurious or plush carpet is always better as opposed to a builder’s grade. And for areas like bathrooms and laundry rooms, install a high-end tile or stone rather than laminate or vinyl.

For mid-value homes, choose a durable flooring that can offer a beautiful look and can take more abuse, especially if the home will be rented. Choose harder tiles for entryways, bathrooms and laundry rooms. If you are considering wood, look towards laminates or engineered hardwoods to complete the look. And if you do install carpeting, a builder’s grade may be the way to go, especially in rentals where there’s a chance you’ll be replacing it on a frequent basis.

Function of the room
As you are purchasing flooring for your investment property, keep in mind that less is more. If you can stick with one to three choices of flooring to install throughout the home, not only will you save money by being able to purchase larger quantities, you will also give the home more visual appeal.

Bathrooms, laundry rooms, entryways and kitchens all are high use areas that can take a lot of abuse. Moisture, water, spills and even humidity are all possible, so installing flooring options that can handle these conditions is best. Think tile or vinyl.

For second floor bedrooms, carpeting is always a great choice to reduce noise and provide warmth on those cold, winter mornings.

If wood is at the top of your list for visual appeal, keep in mind that while it can be installed in every room of the home, it will require more maintenance than other flooring choices. While it may be the perfect choice when selling a high-end home, if you will be caring for it as a rental property, you may quickly regret your decision.

Overall, flooring can have the most impact when fixing up a home for resell. Not only can flooring open up a space and give it more pizzazz, it can give you an edge when someone walks in for a tour and instantly says “I’m home”.

Flooring
April 16, 2015

Does It Make Sense To Replace Carpeting With Laminate In A Rental Property?

“I have a small single family home close to the Tech Center that I’ve rented out for years to singles and couples. Our average renter is professional and makes a good income, and they want to stay close to work as well as be close to the city. It has a lot of great benefits, but it has been a little more difficult to rent lately with all the new apartments and condos going up all over town. I’m thinking of replacing the carpeting with laminate; is that a good idea in a rental property?”

In your question, you provided a lot of the answer yourself.

You rent to singles and couples, which means they are probably not as hard on the flooring as a family would be since they are probably out working and enjoying time with friends more.
They’re professional; again, that means they tend to be in work mode a lot of their time.
And because there are a lot of new apartments being built all over town, it also means you have more competition when it comes time for them to find a new home.

So, does it make sense to replace carpeting with laminate in your rental property? The answer is yes.

Laminate is a great choice because its easier to maintain and it doesn’t get dirty as quickly as carpeting. And because laminate is easier to maintain, it can take more abuse than traditional hardwood flooring, while still giving the same beauty and aesthetic look and feel that people expect from hardwoods.

You mentioned that you have a small single family home. Laminate can work throughout the home, or you can soften the look by adding carpeting in lower traffic rooms, such as the bedrooms. Carpeting provides a level of insulation that will reduce noise as well as make the room warmer – a good thing when the temperature dips below zero.

Either way, ultimately it boils down to preferences. You know your average renters the best. If you consistently hear them making comments about the flooring, wishing for wood instead, it may be time to install laminate. It’s a great decision; one I’m sure you’ll love in the long run.

Flooring, Tile Floors
April 11, 2015

Pros And Cons Of Using Natural Stone Tile

Natural stone is one of the most stylish and fashionable materials you can use for your flooring. You can use it inside and out. You can use it in any room in your home.

But there are a few things you should know before you make your final selection.

There are four types of natural stone that are popular choices homeowners select regularly; are one of these right for you? Below you will find more details about each variety of stone including where they perform best and where they may need additional consideration. With this knowledge, you will be able to decide on the perfect stone that matches your needs.

Stone Flooring Features, Benefits, and Disadvantages

Marble: natural beauty with limits

Marble is formed when limestone crystallizes as a result of high pressure and high temperatures while underground. As it crystallizes, it becomes harder and denser. This hardness allows it to be smoothed and polished during processing. Like all natural stones, marble must have a protective sealant applied before use, and must be maintained and reapplied regularly for full protection. Marble is susceptible to staining, so its important to clean up spills immediately to avoid potential damage. Everyday substances that contain acid – alcohol, fruit juices, vinegar, tomato products, mustard, salad dressing, tea, coffee, cosmetics – all can stain or damage the area is left sitting for any length of time.

Pros: Beautiful colors and patterns, because its natural, no two tiles are ever the same.

Cons: Prone to staining, will show wear quickly from acid based products.

Granite: tough but heavy

Granite is one of the hardest natural stones, which is why its used frequently in kitchens. Granite is formed from cooling magma underground. Because the cooling process is very slow, granite builds both strength and hardness as it goes through the process. Its made up of a variety of minerals, including quartz and feldspar, which give it its granular composition and texture. However, its strength is also its weakness. Because granite is very hard and unforgiving, when installing it as flooring, the subflooring must be completely level and have the strength to support its heaviness. If the floor has bumps or even tiny valleys, granite tiles will crack easily.

Pros: Beautiful color, hard surface that takes wear and tear from normal family life.

Cons: One of the heaviest flooring choices, must have support in place.

Slate: resilient but ununiform

Slate is formed deep in the earth as shale, and under the right combination of heat and pressure. Slate tile has a duller and slightly more uneven look than its other natural stone predecessors, which also makes it the tile of choice if slip resistant flooring matters to you. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns, often providing a rustic or modern look and feel. It is more stain resistant than other stone choices, takes water well, and is highly durable. Slate can be cracked if laid on an uneven subfloor, or if a heavy object is dropped on it. Because slate is formed in layers, in rare cases it has been known to flake or peel Its important to treat with a sealant immediately after installation and maintain the sealant on a regular basis.

Pros: Dark, earthy color pallets with a natural, rustic look. Tends to be more resilient than other stone.

Cons: Tiles can be uneven due to the layering quality of the tile.

Travertine: soft stone that feels great but wears more easily

Travertine has a similar makeup as limestone or marble, and is composed of a sedimentary rock, calcite. Travertine has been used for centuries around the world; look to the Colosseum in Rome to see it in use. Travertine is a porous stone with natural holes from formation. In order to protect it, it must be sealed prior to grouting and again after installation for protection. It will soak up liquids and will stain if left untreated. It is also susceptible to stains from acidic foods. Travertine is a softer stone, which means its also more prone to scratching and showing wear and tear.

Pros: Travertine comes in rich, earthy tones. Because it’s a softer tile, it will feel soft underfoot.

Cons: It has a tendency to scratch, and will stain if not treated.

Contact PRO! Flooring today to speak to one of our flooring experts and find which natural stone tile will work best for your project.

Related: A Guide to Resilient Flooring

About Pro Flooring Brokers

We are a one stop shop for all of your flooring and installation needs. Located in Denver, CO, we have been family owned and operated for over 30 years! Our passion is your project.

Have a Flooring Project in the Denver Area?

Commercial and residential customers love our huge selection of carpet, hardwood, porcelain tile, natural stone, luxury vinyl tile/planks, laminate flooring, and sheet vinyl flooring. Check out our products to learn more. Visit our showroom, meet our team, and let’s start your flooring project together. We offer:

Complimentary on-site measuring
Flooring estimates based on floor plans or blueprints
Installations performed by trained and qualified installers
Full one-year guarantee on all workmanship (in addition to manufacturer’s warranty)

Flooring and installation are made easy with the PRO! Flooring Brokers. Contact us, visit our showroom, or call today at 303.788.0113. We look forward to helping you.