Pros And Cons Of Using Mosaic Tiles

Mosaic is a decorative art form in which images are created by assembling small pieces of tile, glass or other stone material together. Its used both for decoration and for interior design. When used in large quantities within the home, for places like flooring, bathrooms, or as backsplashes in your kitchen, they are often laid out and placed on sheets to make the placing process easier.

Using mosaic tiles can provide visual pop and flair to any room in the home. It can also provide character in tiny places where adding great detail or lots of color simply can’t happen.Pros And Cons Of Using Mosaic Tiles

Working with Mosaic Tiles

When working with mosaic tiles, you’ll find them in a variety of colors and patterns, and made from a variety of materials. Natural stones are commonplace: quartz, marble, granite, travertine, slate, all can be used to bring out the natural colors for your home décor. And a more common trend in many homes throughout the Front Range is using glass mosaic tiles. In some cases they create their own patterns, and in some cases they are being combined with natural stone to create uniqueness.

When blending mosaic tile of different materials, you will provide better depth and will have a more dramatic flair. For instance, one popular trend is to combine crystal glass and travertine stones together to form a detailed centerpoint within the room – the backsplash in the kitchen for instance.

Glass & Natural Stone Tiles

Glass tiles or a mix of glass and natural stone can be used in a variety of patterns. By using glass, you are introducing a lightness into the room due to glasses natural ability to be luminescent and light reflecting. Glass is also non-porous, which means its resistant to stains, mold and mildew, and will be easily wiped up and cleaned from grease and grime. And in the case of soap scum in the bathroom, a simple solution of vinegar and water will leave them clean and shining in minutes.

How To Install Mosaic Tiles

Installing mosaic tiles is a bit different than larger tiles. Because of their size, its easier to install mosaic tiles that have been pre-attached to mesh sheets, which can then be cut to size to be worked around angles and fixtures. Because small tiles tend to be more fragile than other tiles, they will crack and break easier, and must be handled with a little more care. However, it is also easier to replace a broken tile and replace it with a spare.

Pro Tips – Glass Tile – Paint the back wall

Because glass tile is translucent, you will be able to see the wall and the adhesive behind it. Which means extra care should be used to start with a clean wall painted in a comparable color, and application of adhesive should be clean and smooth. Be sure there are no air bubbles or uneven patches that might show through.

Also keep in mind that glass in naturally slippery when wet. If using in the bathroom or in an area that will get wet or face humid conditions, it is important to treat the surface with a non-slip sealer.

Regardless of which tile you select for your finished project, by combining mosaics with your room décor, you’ll surely find a style you will love for years to come. One that will wear well and look great, matching your tastes perfectly.

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.

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Flooring Choices That Are Antimicrobial and Antibacterial

For some, home is a place to unwind and relax.

For others, home can be a dangerous place.

If you have allergies, asthma, or any of the many other diseases that affect your respiratory system, home can be a dangerous place if its not clean and bacteria free. According to a nationwide survey, over half of all Americans test positive for at least some allergens, and many are of the indoor variety, such as dust, mold and pet dander.Flooring Choices That Are Antimicrobial and Antibacterial

For many people, when they think of making their home a cleaner, more breathable place to be, the first place they turn is downward to the floor, and with good reason. Your flooring is one area you can control potential from the moment of installation.

If you are looking at new flooring choices, determining which will offer you the highest levels of antimicrobial and antibacterial materials on the market today, there are many options available right now.

Leading the way is cork flooring. Unlike carpet, cork tends to repel dust, hair, dirt and dander from its surface. Cork is easier to get completely clean, and because of this it tends to promote a higher indoor air quality.

Cork also has a waxy substance called suberin. This material has the property of naturally repelling small vermin and insects. This makes cork floors more resistant to growth and colonization of these organisms, and can help promote a more healthy environment.

Cork has many other benefits that may help push it forward on your checklist. Because cork is a natural, recurring material, its one of the greenest flooring choices on the market today. Because it creates a soft surface, it can insulate and provide cushion in the rooms where you need it most. They make great choices for rooms frequently inhibited by children or the elderly because of their give. They are also easy to maintain, and when installed correctly, require a minor amount of work each week to keep them looking their best.

Next in line is vinyl flooring. While vinyl floors offer superb protection against potential bacteria, it is important to make the right choice with vinyl. When shopping and making your final selection, make sure you do your research and talk with a flooring consultant about environmentally safe vinyls. Some vinyls can produce off-gassing, which has the ability to make sensitive family members even sicker. If you choose vinyl with antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, they will be more environmentally sound, and create a great barrier in your home that is both easy to clean and safe from the things that can impact your health the most.

Likewise, vinyl flooring comes in many styles and colors, and like cork, can provide a softer, more insulated flooring choice that makes it good for both kids and the elderly. With many of today’s luxury vinyl choices, you can create any look you are trying to achieve – why not choose a wood, tile or stone pattern? Vinyl is only limited by your imagination, proving once and for all that style, health and safety can all move hand in hand throughout your home.

Have any other questions about choosing the right antimicrobial and antibacterial flooring option for your home? We’d be happy to answer your questions and show you your options. Give us a call today.

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Why Your Flooring Sets The Tone For Your Home

Your flooring sets the scene for how well your home functions. It can instantly portray your lifestyle, blend flawlessly into your décor, even give your family more time and freedom to do the things they truly like to do.

With that much riding on it, its no wonder making changes to your flooring is a big decision.

Ideally, its important to consider flooring choices for your entire home at one time. Its good to have a seamless flow from room to room. Many decorators will tell you a good rule of thumb is when you are standing in any one place in your home, its best not to see more than three different flooring materials in your view. More than three is simply too busy; less is always better to keep the flow. And if you do change, make sure you keep your choices cohesive, blending well and making sense as they change from room to room.Why Your Flooring Sets The Tone For Your Home

When most people are ready for a change, it usually stems old fashioned flooring that doesn’t meet today’s standards. The linoleum is looking a little tired. Or maybe you’re tired of scrubbing grout lines or carpet stains. If either sounds like you, hardwood flooring may be the right choice.

While a lot is written about the durability of hardwoods, overall hardwood flooring has stood the test of time. Its easy to clean, comes in a wide array of colors and finishes, and can provide the strength and performance you are looking for in every room in your home.

Whether you have an older home with a small layout, or a wide open main level with rooms that flow, continuing hardwoods throughout the living space will create a continuous flow and make your home feel larger.

Because hardwood is ever-popular, there really is a look and feel for you. Lighter palettes have a way of opening up your home: try hickory, maple, oak, or bamboo in a natural or whitewashed shade. Darker shades can add depth and glamor to a room, but keep in mind the darker the shade, the more maintenance it will require.

If you have an active family, you may be worried about how a hardwood floor will hold up over time. A new trend is distressed and hand-scraped wood. Each plank is hand scraped and shaped one at a time. No two planks are ever alike, giving the overall look uniqueness and character.

If you love the look of hardwood but aren’t sure about the durability, you can even create a wood-look with one of many products on the market today. Try tile. Or engineered wood. Or even luxury vinyl can provide the hardwood look without the maintenance of real hardwood flooring.

And if hardwood simply isn’t your thing, don’t worry, there are hundreds of choices available to suit your every need.

Want to know what the right choice is for you? The best place to start is by stopping by and taking in a few of the selections. You’ll quickly start to discover your likes and dislikes, and begin focusing in on the perfect choice for your home. Stop by today and let us show you the best flooring for you.

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How To Clean Dark Wood Floors

Have you had your heart set on installing dark wood floors in your home?

Dark wood brings out a richness you simple can’t get with any other color. And if you mix up the darkness of the floor with a lighter, airiness to the walls and décor used to finish off the design, the look can be simply amazing.

Yet one thing dark wood floors will guarantee you from the moment you lay them down is more time spent cleaning and maintaining them.How To Clean Dark Wood Floors

Why?

They’re beautiful. But their dark color will show everything that hits the floor that isn’t supposed to be on the floor. Lint, dust, crumbs … it will all be far more apparent on a dark floor then it would be on a lighter color choice.

The key to maintaining their beauty is to to keep them clean. What have others found successful?

Keep sweeping/dusting tools handy
Because so much shows up on a dark floor, you will have to do more to keep the dust off the floors. Use a dust mop to pick up dust first. If you have a vacuum with a floor brush attachment, that can help pick crumbs up quickly. You can also invest in one of the newer dust products like Swiffer to help you quickly eliminate dust and dirt any time you choose.

Deeper cleaning
In most cases, your dark wood floors will be treated and sealed with a polyurethane finish or polyacrylic. Don’t use oils, sprays, waxes, furniture polish or any other chemical cleaner you’ll find in the cleaning aisle of your local big box store. Talk with your flooring contractor first about the perfect cleaning solution to help keep your floors looking their best for years to come.

Use cleaning products and water sparingly. The key to water and wood is to not allow excessive contact for any length of time. If you use water on the floor, make sure you wipe it up almost immediately. Also, allow it to dry as quickly as possible to avoid potential warping.

Prevention
Because dark wood shows more of what’s on the floor, its important to keep things away that can do damage. All wood floors are easy to scuff and scratch; yet a dark floor will show the results easier. Be sure to take off shoes whenever possible, and always take off heels before walking across the floor. Attach felt protectors to the bottom of all furniture. You can also use rugs under areas where you’re most likely to have a lot of movement, such as under a kitchen table or in the dining room.

You can also use mats at each entrance to your home. This encourages a place to take off shoes and leave them while moving around your home, and gives extra protection when entering from outside, where bringing in more dirt and weather elements is always possible.

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How To Remove Footprints From Wood Floors

How to remove footprints from wood floors

“I have beautiful dark wood floors throughout my home. I take extra care of them, and require people to take their shoes off at the front door. But now I’m noticing footprints across my floor and I can’t seem to get them off. What do I do?”

If you are finding footprints on your sealed hardwood floors, the culprit is probably an oily film on the surface. If you’ve tried to remove footprints in the past by using traditional hardwood floor cleaners and waxes, you are possibly making the situation worse by adding a dulling layer to your floors, making footprints and other marks more noticeable. The good news is it’s easy to remove with common household products you have in your home right now.

What you’ll need:How To Remove Footprints From Wood Floors

  • Vinegar
  • Water
  • Bucket
  • Mop
  • Soft cloths

Because the build up on your floors is causing the problem, you’ll need to get through that build up and back down to your floors. A mild acid – vinegar – does the job well.

Directions:

Start by mixing about 1 cup of vinegar per gallon of warm water in a bucket. Wet your mop or soft cloth into the solution, then wring out to remove all excess water. Wipe the surface with the vinegar solution, rinsing the mop/cloth frequently. Allow the wood surface to air dry. If there are any standing pools of water that won’t air dry quickly, use a soft cloth to remove the water.

Test out your floor. If you still see footprints when you walk across the floor, you still have a build up on your floor, meaning waxes or other polishers have been used for some time. Repeat the process until all build up is removed, and your floors retain their natural beauty when you walk across them.

RELATED: How To Remove Scratches From Your Hardwood Floors

Additional Tips on removing footprints:

removing footprints hardwood floor

  • Even floors that are treated with a polyurethane coating should not be exposed to standing water. Always use a damp mop, never wet, and wipe away any areas with pooling water immediately.
  • If you have a lot of footprints, it can signal you have a higher concentration of build up. Use a stronger vinegar solution, and apply as many times as necessary to remove the build up. Be sure to allow drying time in between .
  • Keep a small solution in a spray bottle for quick pick ups.
  • Always avoid oil based cleaners on a sealed floor. Sealed floors do not need to be oiled or waxed. Simply cleaning them with a damp mop is the best way to keep them looking their best.

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.

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4 Easy Steps To Measure For Carpet

Ready to buy new carpeting for your home? Before you head out and start narrowing down your choices, it’s a good idea to know approximately how much carpeting you’ll need. Carpeting comes in a variety of sizes and widths; knowing your room sizes ahead of time can be a big help in making the right decisions.

Though nothing will take the place of having a professional installer make the final measurements, start with a few measurements yourself.4 Easy Steps To Measure For Carpet

Step One: Draw a diagram of your home.
Include all the rooms that will be carpeted in the process. It doesn’t have to be completely to scale, or even look like it was created by a professional architect. Its simply a guide to help you measure and keep notes. Using graph paper can sometimes help you in your process, or use a simple computer program to help you add in the details.

Step Two: Measure
Once you have your rooms in place, its time to pull out your measuring tape and start measuring. Round each measurement to the nearest ½ foot mark, so a room that is 14 feet 3 inches would be rounded to 15 feet 6 inches, or 15.5 feet. This little bit of extra carpet will make sure you have enough. Mark each measurement on your diagram in the appropriate room, and add in notes if you have questions. Rooms should always have two measurements, length and width, and should end up with a final measurement something like this: 15.5 x 14.

Step Three: Calculate your final amount
Once you have measured all rooms, make a list of each of the measurements. Multiply each room’s length by its width to come up with the total square feet of carpeting needed for that room. Add up the final measurements for every room you will be carpeting to determine total amount of carpeting needed for the job. Don’t forget to add in hallways, closets, and other areas that may be hidden or forgotten during the process.

Living room     20 x 22.5 = 450
Hall                 15 x 4.5 = 67.5
Bedroom         15 x 14.5 = 217.5
Bedroom         14 x 12 = 168
Total = 903 square feet

Step Four: Add in for safety
When professional carpet installers work on a project, they may need additional carpet for seam allowances and for other needs of the job. Its always important to add in a little extra for safety sake. A good rule of thumb is to add in 5 percent extra to make sure you have enough for the entire job. Take the final number you calculated in step three, and add in 5 percent. This will provide you with the total square feet needed for the job.

903 + (5%) 45 = 948 square feet

Most carpeting is sold by the square yard. To calculate square yards from your final square footage total, simply divide your total number by 9.

948 / 9 = 105.33 square yards

That’s it – this gives you a good estimate of how much carpeting you will need to complete your project.

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What To Know Before You Buy New Carpet

What To Know Before Buying New Carpet in Denver, CO

Home maintenance and remodeling projects can be exciting; after all, they can make a room go from ho-hum to WOW with just a little bit of work.

Yet in most cases, each project we take on isn’t something we do every week (or even every year in most cases). We head out shopping for a few upgrades, and quickly become overwhelmed with all the choices presented before us.

And some projects are bigger and more costly than others, making it equally difficult to settle in on a final choice, not wanting to make the wrong decision and having to live with it for years.What To Know Before You Buy New Carpet

Choosing carpeting falls into this category. Buying carpet can be quite confusing and it takes quite a bit of time to learn all about the choices out there, and deciding on which is the best for you.

Here’s a quick checklist to help you make your final selection.

Before you buy new carpet:

  • Fully research different types of carpeting to select the one best for your lifestyle
  • Want to stay with natural fibers? Today’s carpets offer you many options, including green options
  • Spend time thinking about the right color and comparing your options
  • Paint the walls a few weeks before. This will give the paint plenty of time to dry and cure before the carpeting is installed.

During the carpet buying process:

  • Shop for the best carpet for your needs; work with a flooring consultant to help you narrow down your choices
  • Take several carpet samples home and view them in your rooms at different times of the day to get a good feel for how it will look
  • Fully measure your room and take into account where seams will have to go
  • Choose a performance based carpeting that best fits the requirements of your home, traffic and family
  • Take your time in choosing. Don’t be pressured to purchase the first selection you like. Compare types, styles and colors until you are confident with your choice.
  • Spend time comparing padding and select the right carpet pad for your room
  • Learn all you can about the company you will be doing business about – its more than just the carpeting you choose. Do they have a good reputation throughout the area? Have they been in business for awhile? Are they bonded and have liability insurance?

On Installation day:

  • Make sure your home is fully prepared for installation in every room that will be getting new carpet
  • Have all furniture moved, if possible. Have nick knacks removed and stored for safety.
  • Make sure kids and pets are out of all areas and will remain out of the way throughout the process.
  • Make sure all rooms are pre-heated at 70 degrees for at least three hours before installation.
  • After the installation is complete, walk around and inspect the job. Make sure all questions are answered before he or she leaves.
  • Get warranty information before making the final payment. Don’t pay until you are fully satisfied.
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Flooring With Aging In Place In Mind

Many of today’s baby boomers are choosing to remodel instead of leaving the family home behind. And as a part of the process, they are choosing to remodel with aging in place in mind.

Aging in place is the concept of making a home user friendly, no matter what the physical condition of the home’s occupant. All rooms needed to function are on one level – having access to a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living space, plus easy access in and out the entrance are important. Its equally important to make all rooms safe in the process, making things accessible or changeable to meet changing needs.Flooring With Aging In Place In Mind

As you are remodeling your home, its easy to become overwhelmed at the number of options you have. With today’s technology, virtually anything is doable. Remember, every room starts from the bottom up; having a safe floor should be your first decision.

Start with a theme
By placing more rooms on the main living level, and giving them a natural flow, its equally important that the flooring is a part of that flow. Transitions between rooms and between product – between carpeting and tile for instance – must be flush without having a trip factor. Different heights can cause shuffling feet to stumble, and can be difficult for wheelchairs to flow freely.

Instead, develop your home’s ambiance by choosing and sticking with a standard look and feel. While you don’t have to stick with the same flooring choice, make sure you choose smooth transitions to continue the flow from room to room.

Find softness
Falling is the number one cause of injury related deaths among our senior population. When designing a home with aging in place in mind, its important to choose a floor that minimizes the possibility of tripping, and softens the blow if it happens. The first place to start is with transitions; the second is with softness.

Vinyl is softer than tiles; carpeting is softer than wood. While it isn’t necessary to go with carpeting in every room of the house just because of its softness factor, it is an important concept to keep in mind. If you like the look of tiles in the bathroom, can you incorporate vinyl flooring with wall tiling to create the look your are going for? Can you use one of the newer products on the market – cork for instance – to provide softness and give while staying stylish in the process?

Change it up
While its important to think ahead, its equally important to be happy with your final selection. If your remodel involves installing hardwoods throughout your living space, you may soften the look and feel with area rugs. Area rugs can be changed out as needs arise, or even as décor preferences change. Its an easy way to bring your personal style into a room, even if it changes on a regular basis.

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Choosing The Safest Bathroom Floor

Remodeling your bathroom? Nothing can be more fun then taking on a home project. Adding new trends, new décor, can not only make you happier with your home, it can also add resale value as well.

Yet as you are looking at all of the options available to you, its important to keep in mind safety as well. According to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one of the most serious problems we face are the effects from a fall. In fact, with the senior population, it’s the leading cause of fatal injury. And a great deal of those falls occur in the bathroom. Which means choosing the right floor isn’t just about looks and ambiance, its about safety too.Choosing The Safest Bathroom Floor

There are several flooring choices that offer safety features to young and old.

Ceramic Tile
Tile is probably one of the most popular choices for bathrooms, and for good reason. Ceramic tiles look great, last for a long time, are easy to clean and maintain, resist scratches, are resistant to mold and mildew, and come in an infinite amount of color and pattern combinations.

Ceramic tiles come in a variety of styles. While some can be safe and perfect for bathroom use, just as many exist that are slippery and very dangerous. Couple a floor with slip tendencies with a floor that becomes wet on a regular basis, and it’s a sure sign for potential problems. When choosing tiles, make sure you choose slip resistant tiles that meet the ADA standards for slip resistance.

Vinyl
Most vinyl flooring combines slip resistant with the softness of a cushion backing, giving plenty of give as you move around the bathroom. If a fall does occur, the vinyl backing can provide a little give in the process.

Today’s vinyl offers an unlimited amount of options. If you have a particular look or style you prefer, chances are you can find vinyl to match the look. Vinyl can be found to mimic wood flooring, tiles, even more sophisticated products like reclaimed wood, and more. Vinyl is available both in sheet and tile format, making it the perfect bathroom choice, no matter how big or small your room is.

Cork or Bamboo
Both cork and bamboo are increasingly popular bathroom floor choices because they are attractive, slip resistant, and a renewable resource. Because both absorb moisture, its important to get the right cork or bamboo product for your bathroom – be sure to mention it when talking with a flooring consultant. Many of today’s products are specially treated with mold and mildew resistance, and can be anti-microbial, allergen and VOC free.

Given the potential hazardous situation a bathroom can bring on, its important to choose wisely as you make your final decisions. Safety first; beauty second. But in today’s world with today’s options, why settle for one when you can have both? Stop by today and see the many options available to you.

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What You Should Know About Wide Plank Flooring

Looking for a unique look all your own? If so, it may be time to consider wide plank wood flooring. Wide plank wood is becoming a popular choice for homeowners looking to add a special touch to their homes.  It comes in a variety of colors, styles and finishes. And like traditional wood, it can be a durable addition that will give you warmth and style for years to come.What You Should Know About Wide Plank Flooring

Like traditional woods, wide plank flooring comes in many colors. The wide planks can be finished to produce a light, dark, or somewhere in between.

You can also choose to have the planks pre-finished off site, making the installation process as easy as laying the wood into place. Or choose site-finished wood, which gives you a high level of control over the finished look. This is a great choice if you are looking to preserve rustic textures or add qualities to the wood that are uniquely your own.

Wide plank wood can also be purchased as solid wood or engineered wood. Engineered wood uses a thinner, wear layer of wood attached to a hardwood plywood base that adds lateral stability. Why engineered wood over solid? If you have exreme climate conditions – high moisture, humidity, or temperature variations – engineered flooring can provide you with more long term durability. Engineered wood is also a great choice if you prefer to lay the wood over radiant heating.

What makes wide plank flooring different from traditional wood floors is both the size of the planks and the texture.

Traditional wood flooring typically utilizes boards 2 to 3 inches in width. Wide planks start at 5 inches in width and go up from there.

Textures can vary greatly. If you want something unique, just ask. With the options available today, its easy to find the look you are trying to create. Some of the options we’ve installed include:

Wire brushing – the floor is brushed with a hard wire brush to scrape the wood surface, giving it an uneven grainy appearance

Beveled edge – the edges are tapered to give a dimensional effect between each board

Character marks – the same wood that may be discarded for traditional flooring can be used to provide unique patterns. Knotholes, character marks, even blemishes can all add uniqueness and beauty in a non-traditional way.

With so many options available to you, the best way to start the process of choosing the right look is to stop by and discover your options. The perfect flooring is waiting for you; we’re happy to show you your options.

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