The Only Guide You’ll Need To Select Carpet For Stairs

According to the National Safety Council:

  • Over 1 million injuries occur each year as a direct result of falling down the stairs
  • Falling down stairways or staircases is the second leading cause of injury, just behind motor vehicle accidents
  • Over 12,000 deaths occur from accidentally falling down the stairs

If you have a two-story or multi-level home, stairs are a part of your normal routine. If the stairs are covered with the wrong material, they may be slippery and dangerous. If carpet is worn, they could be tripping hazards putting you at greater risk.

When was the last time you took a long, hard look at your stairs? Is it time to make them safer?

Start with material

The reason many people leave stairs carpeted is that it’s one of the safest materials for staircases. If you get the right carpet, it can provide safety and reduce slippage, while looking great at the same time.

Stairs are synonymous with high traffic. How many times do you go up and down each day? Multiply that by every member of your family. That makes the carpet you add to your stairs. That makes it even more important to focus on material, and ensure you select a fiber that can stand the test of time.

Carpets come in many materials. Synthetic is one of the most popular choices, and offers many benefits for covering staircases. This includes nylon, polyester, triexta, olefin, and more. Of these, nylon is a top choice to increase safety, stain resistance, and durability on stairs.

The Only Guide You’ll Need To Select Carpet For StairsWant something more natural? Wool is always a good choice anywhere in your home, including the stairs. If you want the best of both worlds, consider a blended carpet for the stairs, one with both wool and synthetic to give durability and resilience.

Pay attention to how the carpet is made

Carpet is constructed in one of two ways: bulked continuous filament (BCF) and staple.

When you look at cut pile and loop carpets like Berber, you’re looking at BCF construction, which means an entire section of carpet is woven from one long piece of fiber. It offers more versatility because the fibers will be tighter, won’t shed, and will be more durable over time.

To make stairs safe, choose a low pile – ¾ inch or less to ensure resilience and stable grounding underfoot. It will also stand the test of time with high traffic moving up and down several times a day.

A synthetic plush style with twisted or cut pile is always a good bet. Depending on your family, Berber is also a good choice, though the short loops can be a problem with pets if they catch their nails as they travel up and down.

Rather than relying on sight alone for the height of the fiber, pay attention to the carpet density rating. This tells you the fiber thickness and how tightly the strands are woven together. Face weight will tell you the amount of fiber in ounces per square yard. In most cases, a higher face weight will give you a better quality carpet, all other things being equal. Look for a 35 ounce face weight or higher combined with a lower pile height.

You should also pay attention to the number of tufted rows per inch, which tells you how compact the pile is. The higher the number the better, which signals the carpet will handle well in high traffic situations.

Tuft twist ratings give you how many times fiber twists are in a one-inch length of carpeting. High fiber twists hold its shape longer, so select one with a five or higher rating.

When you have a good piece of carpet, select color for even more durability 

Homeowners often start by selecting color first. We recommend starting with quality, and following up with color choice. Because when you have a high quality fiber and construction, selecting the right color further enhances how well it will handle once it’s installed on your staircase.

While you may love neutral creams and beiges for the rest of your house, for a staircase, it won’t do. With high foot traffic every day, light colors will show wear quickly no matter how well you care for them.

Staying neutral is a good choice, but move to medium tones like taupe or coffee. This may be the time to look at blends of several colors to further camouflage dirt and high wear marks.

Have hardwood throughout your home and not sure about carpet on the stairs? How about a stair runner? These highly durable carpets can add durability and safety to your staircases without taking away looks. Plus, with the color choices, you can add a pop of color to your interior, bringing out your personality in any way you choose.

It’s not just about the carpet

While it’s easy to get caught up in the color and style, there’s another part of carpet selection that’s equally important to the process – choosing the right padding. What’s underneath the carpet will enhance durability and longevity as much as selecting the right carpet in the first place.

While we’re happy to help you select the right padding for your needs, be aware that for stairs, a thin, firm carpet pad will handle better than a thick, spongy one. You won’t feel the softness or bounce you do when you lay carpet into a bedroom, for instance, but it will handle better over time. Your goal is to create a stable surface that makes it safe to go up and down at all hours of the day.

Experts state that for stairs, ⅜ inch thickness should be maximum, with an 8 pound density to compliment the low profile carpet you install on the stairs. Choose a high grade – this is going to be one of the highest wear areas in your home. You can also follow manufacturer’s guidelines for the carpet you select, which usually makes recommendations for the perfect pad to use in different situations.

You can also focus on warranties. Look beyond the large numbers you see attached to the front of the samples. A manufacturer may promise a 25 year warranty, but what does that really cover? In some cases, they only cover defects for the full time period, and won’t cover normal wear and tear. Ensure you select a carpet that will leave you covered at least for the first few years you have your carpet installed.

Are you in the process of selecting carpet for the stairs? What’s the right choice for your needs?

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Read This Before You Say YES To Floating Tile

It’s hard to deny the look and functionality of a tile floor. Tile floors can be a beautiful addition to any room in your home.

But if you’ve ever had a tile floor, you understand that they aren’t a DIY flooring choice.

Traditional tile must be laid into place using mortar across the subfloor. A thin layer of mortar is dragged across the underlayment using a trowel. If done correctly, it leaves a thin layer of mortar for the tile to be securely laid into place. The mortar adheres the tile into place, while filling in any cavities between the subfloor and the tile. When dried and finished, it creates a hard surface area that can last for years.

It may work well, but there’s an art form to getting it right. DIYers may try it, but if you get it wrong, you can leave pockets of air, or uneven surface areas that can put the tile at risk for cracking and shifting.

And that means replacing it sooner than you’d like.

That’s why floating tile stands out as an improvement over traditional tile.

Floating tile requires no mortar. Instead, tiles are pre-attached to durable rubberized track bases that interlock with one another. This simplifies the installation process as there’s no need to ready the subfloor and smooth mortar into place. Once the tiles are interlocked, it creates a uniform grout line across the entire floor.

These tiles are referred to as floating tiles because they do not attach to the subfloor. They “float” over the subfloor and create a smooth flooring that looks and functions well when installed correctly.

When traditional tile is laid into place, the installer must space the tile evenly, following up with grout lines to further hold the tile in place. Cross-shaped tile spacers can help an installer create properly sized seams. These spacers are later removed as the grout is sealed into place.

With floating tiles, these spacers are already a part of the product, creating the plastic trays used to snap the tiles together and into place. The teeth snap together to create a perfect spacing between each tile.

Think floating tile may be the perfect choice for your home?

Pros and cons of floating tile floors

Read This Before You Say YES To Floating TileLike every type of flooring, there has been advancement in the industry to create the product line you’ll find in the market today. When floating tile was first introduced, many products cracked easily and separated from the bases to leave a disaster wherever it was installed. Manufacturers took what they learned, when back to the drawing board, and created a product that functions well today.

Pros

  • You won’t have to mix and use mortar – one of the most difficult things about laying tile.
  • You’ll have perfectly even spacing between tiles – the grout lines will be an asset to the flooring.
  • Floating tile can be laid into place over a variety of subfloors, including concrete or existing products like vinyl or linoleum. As long as the floor is level, floating tile can be forgiving.
  • You’ll never have a tripping hazard. If tile laid in the traditional manner isn’t put into place properly, the top edges may not always be level. The click and lock technology assures tiles are always level.

Cons

  • Because floating tile is a small subsection of the tile market, you won’t find the color or pattern choices in abundance like traditional tile. If you have a specific design in mind, you might not be able to create it using floating tiles.
  • Installation does require cutting the plastic backer when you fit the floating tile into place. It’s important to have the right tools for the job before starting.
  • Floating tile uses a standard grout seam. You won’t be able to have wider or thinner seams.
  • Floating tile is more expensive than many traditional tile choices.

Is floating tile installation for you?

What gives floating tile its edge over other products comes from its ease of installation. Some studies say floating tile can be installed as much as 75 percent faster than traditional tile.

The key to a successful installation process is ensuring your subfloor is in great shape. Floating tile hovers above the subfloor, but if the subfloor isn’t even, has bumps or imperfections, it can impact the wearability of your floor over time.

If you’re using floating tile as a DIY project, ensure you understand the job before beginning.

  • Be sure to remove molding before installing so you can create a finished look once the tiles are installed.
  • Establish your laying pattern before you begin. You can use a chalk line snapped to the center of the room as your starting line, or start with the longest wall away from the door. Be aware of where you’ll need to make cuts to the tile, and how it will look when completed.
  • Have the proper tools on hand. You will need to cut tiles to fit them into place. Don’t attempt it with the wrong saw.
  • Follow manufacturer’s guidelines and use products they recommend to complete the job.
  • Seal gaps along the edges with a finishing flooring caulk.

Maintain floating tile according to manufacturer’s guidelines

While tile is one of the easiest flooring choices to maintain, it’s important to consider the product’s guidelines as you establish your weekly routine.

Cleaning spills quickly will always ensure best results. Ensure you do so with a mild floor cleaner designed for your flooring product.

Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove dirt and debris.

Mop when needed using an approved floor cleaner. Don’t just pick one up at your favorite big box store, as many of the chemical cleaners on the market today can do more harm than good. Be sure it’s gentle and won’t stain your floors. Avoid steam mops as they may damage grout lines and seep between tiles.

Is floating tile right for you?

If you would like to explore all of your flooring options, stop by today and see our complete line of floating tile.

Whether you’re looking for a DIY project, or want full service, we can help you select the right flooring for your home.

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Why Fall May Be The Perfect Time To Evaluate and Replace Your Flooring

September is a wonderful time of year here across the Front Range. The kids are back in school. The afternoons are still warm enough to enjoy being outside, while the evenings cool down to a comfortable level. You might enjoy being outside, but it’s also a great time to start looking around and planning your indoor projects for the colder winter months.

Fall is also the perfect time to replace your flooring.

Flooring takes a beating all year long. As you start to move back inside, take a look around. Do carpets look stained and worn? Is hardwood dull and scratched? Are tiles chipped and broken? Now maybe the perfect time for an upgrade.

What fall weather brings out in your flooring

While fall may be one of the most beautiful times of the year here in Colorado, it can also be one of the most destructive for your floors. Days may stay warm, but the nights cool down. It’s not uncommon to run the air conditioner during the day, and have the furnace turn on in the wee hours of the morning. This can drastically change the air within your home,

Hardwood contracts and expands depending on the amount of humidity in the room. With both the air and heat working, you may see more gaping between each individual board. While your home should remain consistent somewhere around 70 degrees, the increased heat and moisture can cause potential warping and buckling problems if you’re not careful. As rain turns to snow, you’re also more likely to track in water, which can impact hardwood. Be sure to pull out rugs to help combat this problem, or consider making your home a shoe-free zone.

Why Fall May Be The Perfect Time To Evaluate and Replace Your FlooringSummer is a great time to run barefoot through the grass. If your kids and pets took full advantage of it, you may notice muddy trails ground into your carpet. These stubborn stains are hard to get out in the best of conditions. Now that it’s ground in dirt, it may be impossible. While this is a perfect time for cleaning your carpet, it may be a time when you realize even carpet cleaning isn’t enough. What you really need is new flooring.

Tile can also become a problem over time. Light tile might be easily stained if it’s a porous material. Light grout may also be stained. Dropping heavy pans can crack tile if it’s not properly installed. And because tile comes in an almost unlimited supply of colors and patterns, you might be distracted from something you installed even just a few years before. After the year we’ve had, if you’re trying to create an entirely new look and feel in your home, your current tile might not be the right solution for your floors.

Replace your flooring this fall and enjoy the look you create as we start spending more time indoors.

Fall flooring trends – choosing what’s right for your home

Whether you shop at a local big box store, or head into a specialized store, you’re likely to see current trends impact the products you buy.

Every year, Pantone chooses a color of the year. This guides everything from fashion to home furnishings. Here in 2021, the colors are Ultimate Gray and Illuminating, a bright and cheery yellow. The executive director of the Pantone Color Institute states that “this is a color combination that gives us resilience and hope.” Maybe that’s why we’re seeing the impact of these colors throughout our favorite stores as we shop for new things.

You’ll also find the impact of these colors when you look at flooring.

Lighter colors

While dark flooring has been popular for years, you’ll notice now that a lot of options are leaning towards lighter colors. In hardwood and luxury vinyl, you’ll see more options in blonde and whitewash. Natural finishes are definitely all the rage.

With an increase in working and staying at home, people are once again opting for open floor plans. Hard surfaces give a more airy and light-hearted appearance when they are lighter, more natural in color.

Lighter floors also bring timelessness to the table. If you select a light color, they open up decor options in many ways. From rustic, contemporary, country, or traditional, you’ll achieve any look you desire by making a lighter, more natural flooring as your base.

Patterns

Patterns don’t have to be wild and busy. Instead, it can create a natural flow no matter what material you select for your floors.

A patterned carpet works well in a busy household. Ceramic tile in distinct shapes can be laid into place in many ways. Or how about combining two different products – wood and tile to create intricate patterns that set your room apart from traditional.

While your personality can run wild with today’s choices, there are a few guidelines to consider. Bold patterns work well in smaller spaces like bathrooms, more subtle patterns are often better for large or open spaces. With hardwood, you can create exciting looks through installation techniques – how about herringbone, chevron, checkerboard, or whatever you find as you’re planning out your new design.

Rustic

Rustic no longer means a log cabin in the middle of nowhere. You only have to head up into the Rocky Mountains to discover rustic has taken a  turn towards mountain modern.

But you can still install that mountain feel into your overall design. Hardwood is still a beloved material of choice in many home designs.

Rustic combines the new with the old. It creates a timeless look in new ways. How about distressed wood? Or using barn wood materials in certain spaces?

Rustic doesn’t have to be synonymous with hardwood. In fact, you might just find what you’re looking for in ceramic tile of luxury vinyl. It’s a great way to bring out a mountain modern look in every room of your home. And you won’t have to worry about the impact of hardwood in places like bathrooms or the basement.

What’s your look?

What are you trying to create?

Whatever your design preferences are, replace your flooring this fall, and you’ll love what you’ve created for years to come.

We’re here to help. Stop by today.

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Can I Put Furniture On My Newly Installed Floors?

Getting new flooring is an exciting time for homeowners. You’ve waited months – years – to select the right flooring material. And now that the big day is here, you can’t wait for the results.

Once they’re installed, it’s life as usual. You can put your furniture back into place, and start living with your new floors.

Or can you?

Can you put your heavy wood furniture back into place without a problem? What about putting your sofa and chairs down, and start living once again? That might mean the kids jumping up and down, putting pressure on the legs of the sofa. Will that hurt your new floors?

It depends on the flooring you have installed.

Carpet

Carpet continues to be a popular choice, especially in bedrooms. It may take a few hours to rip out the old and install the new. And it might be tempting to move furniture in right away and get back to living.

Can I Put Furniture On My Newly Installed Floors?While it’s important to read manufacturer’s guidelines, it’s equally important to note that for most carpet installations, it’s recommended to wait 24 hours before placing furniture back into the room.

One reason is that heavy furniture will impact the shape of your carpet. Think for a moment about how carpet is brought into your home. It’s rolled, carried in, stretched into place, and tacked and glued down. The carpet wasn’t designed for the shape of your room; instead, it melds to the shape as it’s laid into place. If the glue doesn’t dry properly, and you shift it with heavy furniture, it will end up buckled and misshapen, especially if you move your furniture once again.

The heavier the furniture, the worse it can be.

The weight of the furniture can also have an impact. With so much force pushed into tiny legs attached to your furniture, it can cause the carpet and backing to sink lower, causing the glue to spread out and mold differently. Those tiny indentions may be there for the life of the carpet if you add weight too soon.

Laminate

Laminate is in a unique position. It’s a product that looks like wood, acts like wood, but offers benefits to homeowners who want something a bit easier to handle.

In most cases, laminate is laid into place using a click and lock system. The boards actually hover over the subfloor, floating instead of being glued into place.

That gives laminate a unique feature of being able to move in the moment it’s in place. Heavy furniture won’t hurt the structure of the flooring because its “locked” feature is what gives it its strength.

Yet it is important to keep in mind that laminate does give you the look and feel of real hardwood, and with that comes the ability for scratching the surface. While you can move heavy furniture back into place soon after installation, be sure to do so with care. Consider adding felt pads underneath your furniture for maximum protection.

Luxury Vinyl Planks

Luxury vinyl planks are one of the fastest growing flooring choices. That’s because they give you the look and feel of hardwood, yet offer additional bonuses that work for some homeowners. Want easy care and easy maintenance? Luxury vinyl planks are a great choice. Want waterproof flooring? You won’t find anything better than luxury vinyl planks.

Depending on which product you choose determines how the planks will be laid into place. Some manufacturers provide a click and lock structure, while others offer a glue in place method.

How you install your luxury vinyl plank determines how quickly you can move your furniture back into place. If it’s glued down, most manufacturers will suggest waiting 48 hours to allow the glue to dry thoroughly. If it’s click and lock technology, you can move back in the same day.

Keep in mind that there are other things at play that will ultimately determine how long you should leave your floors furniture-free. Is it cold outside? It might take adhesive a bit longer to dry.

When in doubt, check manufacturer’s guidelines. They’ll give you the advice you need to make a decision about moving back into your room and start living again.

Hardwood 

Hardwood is one of the most popular flooring choices for homeowners across Colorado.

If you’ve looked at hardwood, or owned it before, you know it takes special handling to lay it into place. Hardwood should always be acclimated to your home’s climate before installation. That gives the wood a chance to settle before it’s installed.

The same applies after installation.

Like other types of flooring, it depends on how your hardwood is installed. Is it glued into place? Allow enough time for the glue to thoroughly dry before you move and shift heavy furniture into place.

Furniture can bring all sorts of problems to hardwood flooring. Small legs on sofas and chairs can be sharp, and mar hardwood before it has time to settle. It can indent into the hardwood, leaving permanent marks.

Waiting for glues and adhesives to harden and dry will ensure your hardwood stays in place. Using felt pads and furniture bumpers will ensure your floors aren’t scratched and dented as you move your furniture back into place.

Get ready for installation

No matter what type of flooring you’re planning to install, a lot of your success comes from being properly prepared.

Talk with one of our associates before installation day. They can help you better understand the process, and give you advice on how soon you can put your room back together.

Prepare your floor’s surface area as much as you can. Move furniture to another room for storage, a place you can leave the furniture until your flooring is properly acclimated.

Get manufacturer’s guidelines before you install. This will give you a better understanding of what to do throughout the installation process.

Error on the side of giving your floors more time to settle rather than less. This will give your floors a good chance to settle in, and give you great results for years to come.

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Are Natural Rugs Good For Wood Floors?

When you install hardwood floors into your home, you’re making an investment into your future. Hardwood floors can last years – decades – making them something that can grow and change with you as you change out your decor.

Want to sell in the future? Not a problem. They continue to be one of the most in-demand flooring materials requested by homebuyers.

But if you have hardwood floors, to make them last, you have to care for them. Adding area rugs, especially to high traffic areas, can give them the protection they need. Plus, area rugs are a great way to bring a pop of color to your room, and add warmth and sophistication depending on which rug you choose.

That’s where you might get stuck. What type of area rug should you get? Are natural rugs good for wood floors? Does it matter?

Area rugs are used to protect the wood floors underneath. Get the wrong rug, and it could damage the wood and leave your floors marred.

What should you do?

Read on for a guide to help you select the right rug for your home.

Types of rugs

When you start shopping for an area rug, you’ll find they come in every shape, size, and material you can imagine.

The first place to start is by measuring your space. Are you looking for an accent in front of the kitchen sink, for example? Or are you looking for a large rug in the dining room, one to accent a dining room table built for a dozen people?

Are Natural Rugs Good For Wood Floors?As you start to shop, it’s easy to focus on the size and the color. Those two items will ultimately determine how your finished room will appear. However, don’t ignore materials. The fiber used to create the rug is what adds longevity and functionality into your space.

Natural rug fibers offer something synthetic fibers don’t – they are created using natural materials.

Synthetic fibers may tout durability and state they add flexibility in the way the rug will handle over the years. Yet with synthetic rugs, you do need to watch what the material is made from. If it’s made from rigid plastic backing, it can easily scratch your hardwood floors.

Natural fibers are more flexible. They are made from natural fibers and often are interwoven with natural backing materials to make the entire rug easy to use and care for.

Jute

Jute is a popular choice in the natural rug category. It comes in earthy tones and can be woven into a variety of shapes and patterns. Jute isn’t known for softness, however. It’s maintenance-free, meaning you won’t need much work to keep it clean. But the stiffness of the fiber won’t feel good on your toes as you step out of bed in the morning.

For that reason, you’ll usually find homeowners placing jute rugs in places like hallways or foyers. Just be sure it has a softer, rubber backing, or you use a high-quality rug pad underneath to keep it in place and keep your hardwood floors safe from scratching.

Sisal

Sisal is another natural fiber that looks good and satisfies homeowners’ desires to stay with a natural fiber. Sisal is known to be strong, durable, and affordable. It’s an environmentally friendly material that comes from the Agave Sisalana plant. It comes in rustic tones, and makes a good addition to your home.

Sisal will hold up well to foot traffic. It’s a popular choice in hallways, entryways, and mudrooms. But like Jute, it isn’t soft to the touch, and isn’t something you choose to get down and lay or play on. Pay attention to the backing to ensure it stays safe on your hardwood floors.

Cotton

Cotton is known as a soft material that works for a variety of things, including area rugs. They aren’t known for their durability, but they do make fun additions to a room by being able to add a pop of color. Cotton rugs are usually pliable, can be easily cleaned, and in some cases can be thrown into the washing machine. Just be sure you pay attention to the backing or rug pad, as cotton can also be slippery when laid on hardwood flooring. It’ll be soft to the touch in the bedroom, but you don’t want to slide as you get up out of bed.

Wool

Wool may not be as budget-friendly as the other fibers listed above, but if you want a rug that wears well and will be a part of your home’s decor for years to come, you can’t go wrong with wool. They are a perfect way to bring texture and warmth to any room in your home.

Wool rugs have natural stain resistance, and can be a welcome addition to any place in your home. They’ll feel good underfoot as you hop out of bed in the morning, and handle well in living spaces where they receive a lot of foot traffic.

Silk

At the high end of the marketplace are silk rugs. In many cases, homeowners invest in silk rugs for their beauty rather than durability or practicality. They’ve been around for centuries, and well easily stand the test of time with proper maintenance. It gives any room a luxurious look and feel.

You’ll also find silk is often mixed with other fibers such as wool. That increases the price tag, but can create truly beautiful works of art.

Where to place area rugs

Wherever you have hardwood flooring is the perfect place to bring in an area rug. The reason they are in such high demand is because of their versatility.

You can put them to work – they can help keep your floors looking good if you use them in the kitchen or in an entryway.

You can use them for functionality – in a dining room, underneath the table is a great place to protect your floors from messes.

You can also use them for design – a gorgeous area rug will compliment your decor and high-end furnishings, just choose the perfect natural fibers for you.

It’s easy to get pulled in by color and size. More importantly, pay attention to the fibers used.

Fibers dictate longevity and how well the rug will function overall. Choose wisely, and you’ll bring in a great addition to your home that will last for years to come.

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What’s The Difference Between Rugs and Carpet?

Depending on the community you grew up in, you might use the terms carpet and rug interchangeably.

If you look up the words in the Oxford dictionary, rug is defined: a floor covering of thick woven material or animal skin, typically not extending over the entire floor.

Look up the word carpet, and it’s defined as: a floor or stair covering made from thick woven fabric, typically shaped to fit a particular room.

For many in the flooring and design business, the differences come from moveability. Rugs can be picked up and moved around freely. Carpet is tacked down and is meant to stay in place within a particular room.

The term rug seems to have a Scandinavian origin. The word was first used somewhere around the 15th century, and typically described a small floor covering no longer than six and a half feet. One of their most tell-tale characteristics includes being bound at the edges. It is also free to move around for transportation and maintenance.

The term carpet comes from Latin, being used the first time in English around the 13th century. Its translation means “coarse cloth” or “tablecloth”, where it remained until the 15th century when it moved permanently to being used as a floor covering. Carpets are usually characterized by their size, the fact that they can be stretched into place, and once installed, are fixed in one place.

Which one is best for you?

The pros and cons of rugs

What’s The Difference Between Rugs and Carpet?When you think of home design as modern, artistic, with a touch of personality, rugs automatically pop into the picture. That’s because the sky’s the limit when it comes to what is possible with rug design.

Because they are smaller in size, artists can be more creative. Bright colors, vivid patterns, and even different shapes can all play into your decor. Instead of being the base for a room design, rugs can actually be a part of the decor.

Since they are smaller in size, they are easier to clean and maintain. Spilling red wine may still cause a problem, but in general, the smaller size makes it easier to react quickly. If it’s washable, you can throw it into the wash. You can pick it up and bring it to a professional cleaner where they can work on the stain.

This isn’t good just for the occasional party stain. It’s good for deep cleaning too. Rugs sit on the floor, which means they’re more prone to picking up things like dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and other contaminants your family tracks in. Whatever enters usually settles on the floor. That can include dirt, grime, even mildew over time. With a rug, you have the ability to move it around and clean it in the best way suitable for your needs.

Want even more flexibility with your decor? Prefer to change out the look and feel based on seasons or holidays? Rugs make it easy. Move a few pieces of furniture aside, lay down the new rug, and you have an entirely new look and feel inside your home! It can be a fun and inexpensive way to add variety and pizzazz to your home’s decor.

While the benefits of using rugs inside your home are many, there are a few downsides as well.

Because rugs aren’t tacked into place, they are more likely to be a tripping hazard. This is where quality comes into play. It can also be a problem for the elderly, or for people with mobility issues.

You’ll never get the same look you can achieve with wall to wall carpet. If you want softness and warmth, carpet can’t be beaten.

Rugs are also better suited for colors and patterns. Why get a rug with neutral tones … leave that for carpet.

The pros and cons of carpet

The great news with carpet is it looks good in many rooms throughout your home. Want warmth in the bedroom? Look no further than carpet. Want softness in a kid’s playroom? Carpet is the perfect choice.

Homeowners turn to carpet for many reasons. Here are just a few.

First up, carpet is a good floor covering when you have small imperfections with your subfloor. Have a subfloor that isn’t quite level? Looking to hide imperfections? Carpet maybe your choice. That’s because it’s secured to the floor with glue, cement, or tacking, with thick padding located underneath. This padding is designed to increase longevity, provide softness, and provide support as you walk across. Slight changes in the subfloor won’t be noticed with this flexible material.

Carpet also has an ability to tie the look and feel of your rooms together. It can create unity throughout your home as one solid color flows from room to room. And because homeowners tend to stick with more neutral colors, it can be a good base for whatever personality you want to instill into the space. Whatever your color theme, whatever your personal color palette, today’s carpet manufacturers have designed something you’re sure to fall in love with.

Carpeting also provides warmth to your home. If you’ve ever stepped on cold tile on a winter morning, you’ll appreciate being able to dig your toes into the warmth of carpet fibers. It also has the ability to hold warmth closer to feet level, meaning you’ll be more comfortable overall.

Want noise reduction? Carpet provides that too. That can be especially important in multilevel homes where you spend a lot of time on all levels. Hard surfaces can cause echoing, meaning the noise can filter to all levels. With small children who sleep at various hours, or adults that work night hours, this can impact your daily behavior.

Carpet isn’t without a few cons. One of the biggest issues is the ability to clean it. You can’t pick it up and throw it into the washer. That means when spills occur, acting quickly will be your best course of action. Carpet on the floors may alter your behavior. You’ll have to vacuum and clean it more often. It may even cause you to restrict certain activities from taking place – outside parties instead of inside gatherings.

If you want natural products, and have a concern for eco-friendly choices, you’ll have to pay attention to the fibers you select for your carpet. Off-gassing can be a concern with synthetic materials. Work with a flooring dealer if you’re looking for a safe, natural carpet.

Thinking of changing up your flooring? Will you add a new rug, or is new carpet more your style? Either way, both give you creative ways to add color, style, and personality to your home. In the end, whichever you choose, you’ll love the results.

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With So Many Options, Is Laminate Still a Good Choice?

These days, if you decide you want to install wood flooring in your home, you have a lot of options. You’ll find row after row of traditional hardwood in all sorts of sizes, colors, and styles.

You’ll also find something more. Luxury vinyl tile now comes in planks you can drop into place, click together, and have a do it yourself floor in a matter of hours. Take a look at porcelain tile – yep, it’s also mimicking hardwood flooring.

It’s everywhere.

It can also leave you confused.

When you initially started shopping, you were sold on the benefits of laminate flooring. Is it still something to consider? Is laminate a good choice for today’s home?

What is laminate flooring

What made laminate a popular flooring choice in the past still holds true today. Laminate flooring looks like hardwood, but offers you many other benefits, including easy maintenance and an affordable cost.

Laminate flooring looks like hardwood planks. But instead of being crafted from solid wood, laminate is created in several layers and fused together for durability.

  • Wear layer – this top layer provides strong protection against all your family can dish out including stains, scratches, and fading.
  • Design layer – this can either be a thin veneer or a high-resolution photograph that mimics the hardwood styles you love.
  • Inner core layer – this provides stability, durability, sound absorption, and moisture resistance. It’s made from a high-density wood fiberboard.
  • Bottom layer – the backing layer, it offers protection against moisture, damage, and warping.

In general, you’ll find laminate flooring comes in two separate types.

With So Many Options, Is Laminate Still a Good Choice?Engineered wood – laminate is often referred to as engineered wood because of the multiple layers pressed together to create one board. The core layers can be as many as twelve layers of fiberboard pressed together for strength. The veneer, or top layer, is a very thin piece of natural wood that gives it its classic good looks. The term engineered comes from creating a plank with the looks of traditional hardwood, yet pressed together with many other benefits that can give you durability and longevity without the high price. Depending on how thick the top layer determines how many times you can sand and refinish the floor.

Plastic laminate – unlike engineered wood, plastic laminate is completely created in the lab, with the design layer being a photograph to mimic the look of natural wood. The other layers closely resemble those used in creating engineered laminate.

Thanks to technology, laminate looks closer to the real thing than ever before. But it does so at a fraction of the price. It’s tougher, easier to maintain, and resists things like scratches and dents. That makes it a good choice for busy families with pets and kids. Its lower cost also means you won’t worry as much about the action that occurs throughout your home.

What to consider when choosing laminate 

When a lot of people think of laminate, they remember stories from years before when it had a hollow sound. Technological advances have made high-quality laminate even better than it was before. Of course, that means you’ll have to wade through the products to find the best laminate your money can buy.

There are several things to consider when selecting high-quality laminate.

Purpose

Especially here in Colorado, hardwood tops the list of flooring choices for homeowners. But if you’ve owned hardwood before, or are leery because of what you’ve been reading about hardwood’s upkeep, laminate might be a better choice for you. Because of its multi-layer design, it gives you the look of hardwood with better wear factors. That means it’s a good choice for all the rooms in your home. If you haven’t had good luck with hardwood in your basement, for example, (and hardwood is rarely recommended for basement settings), you’re going to love the look of laminate flooring.

Location

What makes hardwood difficult to maintain in places like the kitchen or basement gives laminate a distinct advantage. When selecting laminate, be sure to read all manufacturer’s guidelines based on the location you’ll be installing it in. Often, it requires a certain underlayment to give it added durability and strength.

You can also look for laminate products exclusively made for high traffic areas. Look for the terms “high pressure” and “direct pressure” laminate. Direct pressure laminate is created from four layers used together with anywhere from 300 to 600 pounds of pressure. High pressure adds a fifth layer of craft  paper treated with a resin that increases the strength. This makes it even more durable in high traffic situations, and makes it suitable even for commercial applications.

Thickness

You’ll find laminate comes in a variety of thicknesses, usually between 7mm and 12mm thick. If you select thicker laminate, it does a better job covering uneven areas in your floor, and creates a texture and feel of real hardwood. Thicker is also better for sound absorbing qualities. Word of caution: some manufacturers state the thickness of their flooring by including the underlayment, while others do not. Keep this in mind when comparing two floorings.

AC rating

Laminate flooring also comes with an AC rating (Abrasion Criteria) to help you determine the durability of the product. AC ratings are from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest. You’ll find most residential laminate applications come with an AC rating of 3 or 4. A 3 would make it suitable for busy areas of your home, including the kitchen, while a 4 rating will add extra stability, making it more sustainable for places like bathrooms and the basement. A rating of 1 or 2 should be used in light traffic areas such as bedrooms.

Installation

While hardwood can be fussier with the installation process, you’ll find laminate is easier to install. Have a do it yourself attitude? You can easily install laminate, especially if you pick a floating floor with click-and-lock technology that makes snapping planks into place a breeze. Remember, laminate does need an underlayment unless the flooring comes preinstalled with an underlayment layer in place. You will need a saw for edgework and ensuring all planks fit comfortably into place.

Are you ready for laminate flooring installed in your home? Depending on your needs, it can still be the perfect choice for every room in your home.

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Understanding Rigid Core Flooring

Are you on the hunt for new flooring for your home? Most homeowners start out with a list of features they’re looking for. Your’s may look like this.

You want:

  • A beautiful floor
  • One that wears well with all your family can dish out
  • One that’s easy to care for
  • Adds value to your home
  • And won’t look shabby just a few weeks after being installed

You’re not sold on hardwood. Carpet is off the list. But what else is there?

Maybe it’s time to learn more about rigid core flooring.

What is rigid core flooring? 

Rigid core flooring is an engineered vinyl floor that has enhanced construction for durability and stability. A rigid core will be a solid plank with less pliability, and provides more strength when installed underfoot. It’s an improved version of the traditional vinyl flooring you may have grown up with.

Think of it as marrying vinyl and wood flooring together to give you a dynamic flooring product you’ll be proud to display in your home.

When you start shopping for rigid core, you’ll find manufacturers carry several different rigid core vinyls. The difference is in the construction.

WPC – wood plastic composite

Understanding Rigid Core FlooringIf you’re still in love with hardwood, yet want something that will stand up better to wear and tear, WPS rigid core flooring may be the solution. WPC vinyl uses wood pulp, plasticizers, and a foaming agent to create a waterproof core built for strength and stability.

WPC is fabricated into a multitude of looks and designs, making it design friendly based on your needs. It has an easy click into place installation that is perfect for the DIY market.

WPC is also one of the most budget-friendly vinyl floorings on the market. If you’re thinking of sheet vinyl to save on costs, take a look at WPC – the options may be just what you’re looking for.

SPC – stone plastic composite

Think of SPC as a step up from WPC. It’s engineered luxury vinyl that combines limestone and stabilizers to create an extremely durable flooring option. It offers a 100 percent waterproof option, and combines it with a sturdy core that holds up well to scratches, dents, and other daily wear marks.

SPC has a sturdier core, which gives it an advantage if your home undergoes a lot of changes during the year. Do you have a damp, cold basement in the winter months, followed by a hot humid location in the summer? SPC stands up to it all and looks great in the process.

SPC also has a dense core and thickness, meaning it offers comfort if you stand on your feet all day. Pay attention to the core, and you’ll find one with an upgraded comfort factor that will give you noise control at the same time.

Hybrid – this has been produced with laminate and vinyl features

Manufacturers are constantly moving new products to market. As they develop new materials that are stronger, more durable, and look better than previous flooring products, they introduce them as a new option for your home decorating needs.

One of the latest technologies is a hybrid vinyl flooring. It gives you what you love about laminate, married with the best attributes of vinyl.

You’ll find hybrid rigid core often has a commercial grade wear layer that is scratch resistant and can stand up to high traffic situations.

The design layer is the same realistic layer you’ll get with laminate, and can be upgraded to both classic and exotic looks. Love scraped hardwood? Not a problem with hybrid rigid core.

It also comes with a waterproof core, giving you flexibility in where it’s installed.

Is rigid core vinyl flooring good?

It’s vinyl. Still having trouble with that concept? A lot of homeowners start out that way when they first start researching rigid core flooring.

And we get it. If you grew up with traditional vinyl flooring, it’s hard to move past that traditional sheet vinyl mentality.

Rigid core vinyl flooring is nothing like its predecessor. It’s emerged as one of the leading flooring choices in residential and commercial applications. In fact, today’s rigid core can mimic wood, stone, and other flooring products so closely, even experts have to take another look to see that it’s not “real.”

You get the look you desire, without having to sacrifice on ease of use. Who wants a beautiful floor when you have to spend time each day keeping it that way?

Rigid core flooring gives you the benefits of both. And it does it very well.

If you’re looking for traditional flooring – hardwood or stone, classic looks that stand the test of time – you won’t be disappointed. You’ll find many representations from a variety of manufacturers.

Maybe you want to change things up – how about exotic hardwood? You’ll have choices here too. How about an African acacia, or a Brazilian tigerwood? The variations in the wood will leave you breathless. And what’s even better is you won’t have to chop down a tree to achieve it. Hardwood is harvested from resources that can take decades to produce. But because rigid core is created using manufacturing processes, it doesn’t put environmental concerns at risk.

If you love a more rustic look, you’ll find that too. Hand-scraped, reclaimed, or brushed looks are easy to find when you look at rigid core.

It even goes a step beyond and offers you the look of stone – without the weight or the cost. In fact, you can find just about any look you desire. The latest concrete look can be achieved easily using standard plank style installation.

Want to learn more about rigid core flooring?

The best place to start is by stopping by and taking a look at the rigid core flooring we offer. We can show you the difference between the different materials, help you narrow down your selections, and even allow you to take a few samples home to determine which is right for your needs.

Want to do it yourself? Or do you prefer to let a contractor handle the job? We can help with that too, no matter which method of installation suits your needs.

We can also share with you our extensive knowledge about different manufacturers and product lines – something you won’t find at the big box stores. We’ll help you find the right flooring for your needs, and ensure you’re happy with your purchase long after it’s initially installed.

What are you waiting for? Get started with rigid core flooring today.

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When You Really Want Eco-Friendly Flooring For Your Basement

Basements can be a challenge for installing new flooring. You want the latest trends. You want something modern and stylish. But it’s the basement; you know not every flooring will work well.

Style isn’t everything. You care about the product too. Is it safe? Is it considered a green product? Is there such a thing as eco-friendly flooring that works well in the basement?

If you’ve done any kind of research on eco-friendly flooring products, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Carpet’s always an option, and you can easily find natural fibers the fit well into the green category. But if you’ve done any research on the adhesives used to hold carpet in place, you know they can be anything but eco-friendly.

And then there are laminates. They give you the look you’re craving, many tout to be made exclusively from recycled materials. But if you dig a little further, you’ll find articles that state laminate is high in off-gassing, which isn’t something you choose to bring into your home.

What are you to do?

Let’s talk about the structure of your basement floor

Before you start considering different flooring materials, it’s important to understand the structure of your basement.

When You Really Want Eco-Friendly Flooring For Your BasementLiving here in Colorado means your basement undergoes a variety of conditions. It can be cold and dry in the winter, followed by moisture issues in the summer as we move into warm air and lots of water seeping into the ground around you. The ground is almost like a sponge, taking in everything from outside conditions. If you live in an older home, the foundation wasn’t poured and installed up to today’s requirements, so it might not do a great job of preventing moisture from seeping through.

Before you consider which flooring material is right for you, ensure you have the foundation to install the flooring first. Work with a contractor to ensure the floor is level, clean, dry, and humidity levels remain relatively constant no matter what the weather is like outside.

What flooring do you currently have down?

Many homes here in the Denver Metro area have concrete basements. That means you’ll be using concrete as your base.

One current trend is to use a concrete floor as your flooring choice. It’s an eco-friendly option, and is a natural flooring surface that wears well over time.

This isn’t the concrete you currently see in parts of your basement. It’s not natural, untreated concrete in dull, drab gray. You can find concrete tiles that come in beautiful colors and stains. Or use a color treatment on the concrete you already have in place. Just be sure to watch the chemicals and stains you select to ensure they’re eco-friendly too.

Yet concrete isn’t for everybody. It may be a current trend, but is it something you truly want?

There are other options.

Ceramic tile

Ceramic tile is made mostly from clay and sediment. They are fired into all sorts of shapes and sizes, and come in a rainbow of colors and patterns. If you can dream it, you can find it with ceramic tile.

Clay is soft before being fired. Manufacturers add a variety of products into the process to ensure they can stand the pressures of daily use. Look specifically for flooring tiles that handle well in basement conditions. They should be waterproof and stand up well in moist and humid conditions. Many use ceramic tile in bathroom designs, which is a testament to how well they can do under intense moisture situations.

Natural stone

Love the look of tile, but want something even more natural? How about natural stone.

Natural stone refers to a variety of different materials, including:

  • Granite
  • Marble
  • Limestone
  • Travertine
  • Slate
  • Sandstone

Because they’re quarried, they are some of the most eco-friendly materials you can install into your home. Just be sure you pay attention to how they are manufactured. Many natural stone tiles start out porous and absorbent, making them risky for installing in a basement. If you use a stone sealer and install a water barrier layer underneath the stone, they can be good additions to a home.

Floating floors

Instead of talking about a specific material, let’s talk about installation. Floating floors are unique in how they are installed because they aren’t permanently attached to the subfloor. Instead, they click together and hold in place. This makes it easy enough for a do-it-yourselfer to install.

Not all floating floors are suitable for all a basement can dish out. But there are many options for you, depending on what you’re looking for. Options include:

  • Carpet tiles
  • Cork flooring
  • Bamboo flooring
  • Laminate
  • Engineered hardwood
  • Sheet vinyl
  • Luxury vinyl tiles and planks

Likewise, not every floating floor can be considered eco-friendly. If this sounds like a good option for you, it’s important to do your research. Many flooring manufacturers understand homeowners want the best of both worlds, and offer an array of products to suit their needs. Clearly define your goals and wishes, and come in prepared to see a variety of options. Then you can choose what works best for you.

The good news is with many of these floating floor options, they can be waterproof or highly water-resistant. The key is ensuring the product is properly sealed. Pay attention to manufacturer’s claims and what their warranties state.

How do you know if a product really is eco-friendly?

With so many labels and promises on products these days, it can be difficult to know what to believe. Does the word “natural” mean anything? What about green label? Or even the term “eco-friendly?” Is it all true?

Unfortunately not. Manufacturers know consumers shop with certain words in mind. They use them freely, even if there isn’t backup to support it. And because laws don’t exist for all processes involved in labeling things with these misleading words, it’s up to the consumer to determine what’s best for their needs.

The UL, a global safety science leader creating principles surrounding company compliance for quality and sustainability, has come up with an entertaining article entitled Sins of Greenwashing, which points out directly what’s happening within the industry.

If you truly want an eco-friendly flooring option for your basement, the best place to start is by coming into our showroom.

We can help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Whether you’re in the market to do it yourself, or want us to handle the job from beginning to end, we’re here to help you find the perfect flooring to suit your needs.

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Why Hard Flooring Is A Cleaner, Healthier Choice For Your Home

For many homeowners, remodeling and renovation are at the top of their lists this year. And for good reason.

After the changes we’ve made to our lifestyles over the past year, we want homes that allow more flexibility. We want space so we can enjoy the activities we do best.

Above all, we want space that’s easy to clean and healthy for our families.

For all those reasons and more, hard flooring is a logical choice.

Does flooring affect your health?

At the base of your home decor sits your flooring. It takes the brunt of everyday activities. If you drop food and don’t fully clean it, particles start accumulating. If you walk across it with your shoes on, trace contaminants can lodge into place, and impact your health.

The type of flooring you have underfoot matters. It sets the stage for how well your floors handle under normal everyday living. It’s also about how well the flooring can be cleaned.

Hardwood is one of the oldest and most widely used materials for flooring because it’s durable, easy to clean, and creates pleasing aesthetics at the same time.

People also associate the surface of harwood with being healthier than other types of flooring. If something spills, it’s easier to wipe away. If dust or other particles accumulate, you simply sweep them away.

If things like pet dander, hair, pollen, mold, and other pollutants accumulate, they have the potential to put your health at risk. It most often starts by triggering allergic reactions. If you find coughing, sneezing, and itchy eyes extend beyond the typical cold, it might be allergies.

Reducing these triggers is the most effective way to reduce allergy flare-ups. Based on many different studies, hard flooring is easier to control, and therefore is easier to manage and keep allergic reactions at bay.

In many cases, however, the focus should be put on keeping floors clean more than what material the flooring is made from. If hardwood floors, for instance, are rarely cleaned, they have an accumulation of pollutants from indoor and outdoor messes, they can still affect your health.

Beyond hard and soft – materials matter too

Why Hard Flooring Is A Cleaner, Healthier Choice For Your HomeReducing exposure to triggers is the most effective way to keep your family healthy. To do that means creating a surface that’s easily cleaned, and remains free of particles that increase the chances of flare-ups.

Studies show that hard surfaces are able to do that easier. Carpets, for example, can act as storage for allergens. One of the most troublesome areas is in the bedroom, where you can be exposed to these allergens every night while you sleep.

For people with asthma and other respiratory problems, it can easily exacerbate the situation. Like any flooring material, keeping it clean is the key to avoiding problems. That goes beyond regular vacuuming, and includes steam cleaning it regularly too.

When many homeowners think about carpet, they automatically assume it aggravates allergies and asthma symptoms. That’s not always the case. Like hardwood, carpeting has been around for centuries in various states. Instead of selecting synthetic materials, jute, wool, and other natural fibers can make a significant impact in keeping your home clean.

Because natural fibers aren’t created in a lab, and don’t use chemicals to create barriers between spills and your floors, you’ll have to take extra precautions to keep it looking its best. That may mean vacuuming frequently and using a steam cleaner regularly too. You might be more careful with where you place them, and change your daily habits accordingly.

But will a natural carpet be better than some hard flooring choices?

Synthetic flooring has been known to off-gas, which, when tested, have been shown to be as bad or worse than what carpets may harbor. Synthetic floors may contain volatile organic compounds – VOCs – that can aggravate symptoms and release these VOCs continually into the air supply, especially as it’s newly installed and settling into the surroundings.

It goes beyond the flooring material itself

Carpet or hardwood? Tile or laminate? Vinyl or linoleum?

If you’ve shopped for flooring, you know there are thousands of options available to you. It can be overwhelming selecting what type of flooring, and once you do, the options compound by giving you style, color, and pattern choices.

While most homeowners focus on the material and the aesthetics it creates, there’s another concern as well: installation.

Carpet gives you a soft, warm, comfortable flooring that works well in bedrooms. Carpet padding sets the stage for how well the carpet performs, so it’s equally as important as the flooring you choose.

Tile comes in a variety of sizes, colors, and patterns, but it’s the glue that holds it in place that will ultimately determine wearability and how long your tile functions and looks good.

Hardwood can be securely glued to the subfloor, or use click and lock technology, so it floats above the subfloor.

Flooring choices are important, but equally important is how the flooring is secured to the subfloor.

If you use adhesive, it can contain just as many VOCs as synthetic flooring, making your natural flooring choice just as volatile. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has stated that the key to creating a healthier home is to pay attention to everything that goes into creating the home you live in. Pay attention to what triggers symptoms, and reduce their use. That includes keeping your home clean, and paying attention to the products you use to clean it with.

Everything matters in creating healthy indoor air quality. From the materials you use to build your house, to the personal items you bring into your home. Question anything that can be considered toxic, and make wiser choices.

Is hard flooring healthier for your family?

Hard flooring is only healthier if you pay attention to how you’re introducing it into your home. Synthetic hard flooring may be more symptomatic than natural carpet, for example. In this case, it would come down to your cleaning patterns, and how well you care for your home.

Only you can make the right choice for your home. To create a healthy environment for your family, stop by today and see the many different flooring choices available to help you create the environment that keeps you happy and safe for years to come.

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