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What’s Better For The Environment – Hardwood, Cork, or Bamboo?

When a lot of homeowners decide to upgrade their interiors, the first place they start is with the flooring. After all, it’s one of the easiest ways to make a big impact in your home.

Here in Colorado, hardwood remains ever-popular. It’s where many homeowners start, especially for the main living spaces inside the family home. But if you have the desire to improve the sustainability of the materials you choose, and to reduce your carbon footprint, you start paying attention to the material and how it’s sourced. You love hardwood, but is it your best choice?

That may just give you a push to look at other sustainable products. You’ll find both bamboo and cork have many of the same qualities as hardwood, yet either can give you even more environmentally friendly aspects you’ll love bringing into your home.

Which should you consider? Start by understanding the pros and cons that each offers to your home.

What does environmentally friendly mean?

Before we get into what material is the most environmentally friendly for use in your home, it’s important to have a greater understanding of what it means to be environmentally friendly.

To live eco-friendly means to focus on preventing as much harm to the environment as you can through your daily intentions. It means selecting eco-friendly products that promote green living and prevent air, water, and noise pollution. They don’t drain the resources in the environment, while at the same time prevent human health deterioration.

What’s Better For The Environment - Hardwood, Cork, or Bamboo?To build a life around eco-friendly choices, it takes time to learn what’s out there, discover how it impacts the carbon footprint you create through your daily life, and support others who are also working to reduce emissions and create a more sustainable lifestyle.

The reason the three materials mentioned here – hardwood, bamboo, and cork – are closely associated with eco-friendly living is because of how they are produced as well as their popularity in the marketplace.

Bamboo and sustainability

One of the reasons bamboo has grown in popularity is its ability to mimic the looks of hardwood. It’s available in a wide array of colors and patterns. Leave it in its natural state to bring out aesthetically pleasing qualities. Or look for a broader range of options to match any design preferences.

One of the things that attracts people to bamboo is its sustainability. Bamboo isn’t actually a hardwood, and isn’t a product made from trees. Instead, it’s created from a rapidly growing grass that rejuvenated itself regularly from rhizome stock.  It can be harvested annually once the plant reaches full maturity, which can occur within five to seven years.

If bamboo is well managed, it grows rapidly in areas that require little work to create a dynamic stock. It requires neither pesticides nor fertilizers to grow, and works to prevent runoff into rivers and lakes. It’s important to check out the supplier carefully, to ensure the manufacturer is sourcing the product from well managed resources. This ensures they care about the material they are selecting, the process used in manufacturing, as well as creating the best product for your home.

If you select wisely, bamboo will be just as durable as other hardwood options. Bamboo can be as hard as red oak, and offer moisture-resistance that makes it a great choice for many rooms in your home. Care for it well,  and it can easily give you 20 to 25 years of life or more.

Cork and sustainability 

What do you think of when someone mentions cork? For many, it brings up wine bottles and bulletin boards they may have used in school. But cork flooring doesn’t resemble either of those. Instead, it’s a different flooring alternative with a lot of benefits you’ll find in other choices, such as hardwood or bamboo.

Cork flooring is sourced from the cork tree that is native and abundant in Portugal. Instead of chopping down the tree to use the internal wood, cork is taken from the tree’s bark, ground up, and processed into large sheets. It’s then baked in a kiln to achieve hardness, and brought into homes or commercial buildings for use.

Like bamboo, cork isn’t a “once only” product. Instead, cork can be harvested once every nine years from mature trees over 25 years old. When you remove the bark, it doesn’t harm the tree; it simply grows back. That means you can continually harvest it for years to come without destroying the crop.

Cork flooring has been used for hundreds of years and is found in homes throughout time. It’s both a sustainable and renewable resource that captures large amounts of carbon dioxide. If well cared for, cork can last for decades, meaning you won’t have to replace it multiple times as you update your home.

Hardwood and sustainability 

Hardwood has been a popular flooring choice, and continues to be one of the most in-demand on the market today. But is it sustainable?

Wood is a renewable resource if you select from a manufacturer that focuses on sustainable practices. Like other crops, wood can be harvested without damaging the environment if its carefully managed with sustainability in mind. Hardwood growers realize that it can take a tree up to 60 years to mature, so they manage their resources by planting more trees than they harvest. That ensures a growth rate that can always step up to date with demand. You can use the American Hardwood Export Council’s interactive map to learn more about the types and locations of where wood is harvested from.

Being environmentally friendly isn’t just about where the product is sourced from. It’s also about lifespan. If a product lasts for 60 years, it can be more environmentally friendly than one that needs changing out every 20.

It also depends on recyclability. Can the product be used again after removal? Can it be recycled into something else, without being deposed into the landfills?

Hardwood is a product that can continue to be used again and again, for projects like furniture, decorative features, or even accent walls.

What’s your preference?

What’s the best choice for environmentally friendly living – hardwood, bamboo, or cork? They each have their own unique characteristics that make them a great addition to any family home.

What’s your preference?

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Disability Friendly Flooring

Are you remodeling a home with aging in place in mind? Do you have a family member with a disability, and finding friendly flooring isn’t just an option, it’s a necessity?

Before you make your final purchase, there are a few things in mind.

ADA and flooring

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a ruling that went into effect in the 1990s that guarantees equal opportunity accommodations for people with disabilities. The standards created through this act apply to all building materials, including flooring. The ADA states flooring should be:

  • Slip resistant – there should be adequate traction for wheelchairs and other mobility devices to gain a firm grip on the floor without slipping or skidding
  • Firmness – the flooring should dent or compress from the weight of the mobility device
  • Stability – it shouldn’t slip, slide, detach, or fold as one moves over it
  • Smoothness – it shouldn’t be bumpy or uneven, or cause hurdles that are difficult to navigate
  • Softness – it should provide give in the case of falls or accidents

When creating a space for aging in place, it’s important to consider many different options. Some people may need assistance walking and do well with the air of a cane or walker. Others may require full-time assistance from a wheelchair.

Disability Friendly FlooringAging in place is about ensuring you have the products and materials in place to ensure transitions. Focus on:

  • Ease of movement – ensure you can walk or roll freely from one room to the next without bumpy transitions of loose material that can be a tripping hazard.
  • Cushion for potential falls – falling is the number one risk of injury for people as they age. To ensure cushion, pay attention to both subfloor and flooring.
  • Ease of maintenance – choosing the right flooring also means creating an environment that’s easy to clean and maintain with little effort.
  • Comfort – at the end of the day, flooring should create an environment you want to live in. Choose the right flooring that gives you the base you need as well as the looks that allow you to call your house a home.

What disability friendly flooring choices should you consider?

With so many different types of materials on the market today, there are a variety of choices that can suit your needs.

Tile

For wheelchair use, tile is considered one of the best choices on the market for a number of reasons.

Tile is hard and durable, meaning it won’t change or wear with a lot of use. They come in a wide variety of sizes, styles, and textures, so that you can optimize your living quarters for better traction. The ideal tile surface would have a grain or stone texture, rather than a smooth surface that would be a little more slippery. Smaller tiles also provide more opportunities for grout lines, offering traction for better grip for wheels.

But what’s good for wheelchairs might not make it the best choice for other mobility disabilities. Smaller tiles with more grout lines can create a tripping hazard for people with canes and walkers.

Tile is also one of the hardest surfaces available. Tile won’t give in a fall, meaning there’s a greater chance of injury.

Vinyl

Today’s vinyl is growing in popularity because of its good looks and easy maintenance. You can find vinyl in many different styles – sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl planks, and luxury vinyl tiles. They create a sturdy, level surface area that supports disability friendly flooring options in all kinds of situations. If you go with a commercial-grade, it’s designed to stand up in all kinds of situations, and can make a good addition to a home where walkers and wheelchairs are in constant contact with the floor.

With sheet vinyl, a wear mark or tear might mean replacing the entire floor. With newer options, such as luxury vinyl planks, you can replace smaller spaces to avoid the expense of replacing the entire living space. It’s available in a variety of colors and patterns, and can mimic anything from stone to tile to wood, giving you both aesthetics as well as functionality.

Laminate

Laminate gives a homeowner the look and feel of real hardwood with more durability as well as ease of maintenance. It can be a great candidate for flooring when mobility issues are a part of your daily living.

What’s more, laminate is also budget-friendly, meaning it’s easier on the wallet when you decide to make a change inside your home.

Laminate comes with a rating scale known as the Abrasion Class (AC) to help you determine how much wear and tear it can handle. Err on the side of heavy use, selecting heavy residential or even commercial grade ratings when you’re selecting the flooring materials. A rating of at least an AC3 will give you maximum efficiency for moderate traffic at the commercial level, and will have more properties to resist scuffing and scratching, as well as regular wear and tear.

Engineered hardwood

Hardwood remains at the top of homeowner’s wishlists. To ensure the flooring you install handles well in all kinds of situations, engineered hardwood may be the perfect choice for your needs. Engineered wood comes with a real hardwood veneer that makes it tough enough to handle all kinds of traffic, including wheelchairs and walkers. Its grain texture provides some traction and slip-resistance as well.

When choosing an engineered hardwood floor, look to the Janka rating to help select a hardwood species that will do well under pressure. This rating gives you an indication of the hardness of the wood species, with woods like oak, hickory, and maple being higher up the list. This makes them more durable than softer woods like pine, will hold up better over time against things like scuffs and dents.

Low pile carpet

For many homeowners, carpet is still up high on their wishlists. It makes a great choice for both softness and warmth. Yet for mobility issues, it’s important to select a carpet that isn’t too thick or plus, and that won’t resist when wheelchairs move across it.

Avoid carpets thicker than ½ inch and look for something shorter, commercial-grade, with compact fibers. Avoid a thick carpet pad as well as this will show more wear over time.

Ensure it is glued or tacked into place, so it doesn’t move and bunch up as a wheelchair passes over it. You should never use peel and stick tiles as they aren’t strong enough to hold up over time.

What’s your choice for a disability friendly flooring?

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Why Natural Flooring Is The Rage in 2021

Every year brings about all new changes.

We make resolutions to try and move towards new habits and patterns. We clean up our diets, our homes, and sometimes our lives.

When you shop, you’ll find colors that are fresh and new. Pantone selects new colors each year, and for 2021, it’s Ultimate Gray and Illuminating, a bright and cheerful yellow. You’ll see these colors popping up everywhere you shop.

But maybe you’re looking beyond new paint for the walls and a new pillow for the sofa. Maybe you’re thinking of a more significant change – new flooring for 2021. New flooring sets the stage for new aesthetics throughout your home. Whether you make a small change by replacing carpet with something similar, or going wild and selecting an exotic hardwood, it can have a big impact on your lifestyle.

What do we see as the growing trend in flooring for 2021 and beyond? Natural flooring. Experts agree it’s what homeowners want as they freshen up their homes.

What is natural flooring?

When most people refer to natural flooring, what they really mean is flooring that comes from a renewable resource. This includes materials such as cork, bamboo, linoleum, wood, resin, stone, porcelain, glass, concrete, and some fibers.

Natural flooring has many benefits.

Why Natural Flooring Is The Rage in 2021Sustainable – this is one of the top reasons people are moving towards natural flooring: it’s sustainable and not as taxing on the environment. The materials can be extracted from nature without harming the world we live in. Not only is the material from a renewable resource, but it’s also readily biodegradable and can be recycled or returned to nature without harming the earth.

Durable – if well maintained, natural flooring can last for many years and look good in the process.

Resilience – natural floors exist within your home without damaging indoor air quality. They have hypoallergenic attributes, can be insect and pest repellant, and can adapt to their surroundings. Natural flooring isn’t made in a lab, nor does it require harmful chemicals to install it or keep it looking its best. It naturally shines, which makes it a choice that can work well in your home for years to come.

Beauty – it’s hard to deny the classic good looks of natural flooring products. Because they’ve been around for years – centuries – people never tire of their looks.

With all of that in mind, what are our top choices for natural flooring this year?

Grained hardwood

Hardwood is a flooring choice many homeowners want. Studies continually show that hardwood flooring stays at the top of homeowners’ wishlists.

Yet because hardwood has been around for decades, installing the “same old wood” can be a little boring for some homeowners. They want something fresh, new, exciting. For all these reasons and more, grained hardwood is growing in popularity.

Instead of smooth, clean lines associated with some hardwood choices, grained hardwood is installed with bold textures that can’t be ignored.

Smooth – over half of all hardwood is smooth. It gives classic elegance, and has been the most in-demand product for generations. It highlights the grain by providing an overall appearance that is soft and delicate. But if you want other options, try:

Open grain – instead of sanding it smooth, wood is cut to add texture to the floor. Open grain species such as elm, oak, or hickory are considered “ring-porous” and have large pores and distinctive grain patterns visible to the eye. They create rifts and valleys that are apparent when the floor is laid into place.

Wire brushed – this finish is created by running a wire brush over the planks to create a soft grain textured surface. It showcases the natural beauty of the wood.

Handscraped – each plank is handscraped and handcrafted to create an aged, worn look. It gives old-world charm that makes a perfect addition to some homes.

Distressed – distressed hardwood is manufactured with both a wire brush and handscraping to give a rustic appeal with a dimensional texture.

No matter which you choose, adding grained hardwood to your home will give your home personality and charm that lasts for years.

Natural carpet

While most carpets are created using some type of synthetic material, there are a few carpet choices prized for their natural fibers and eco-friendly renewable resources.

Wool is the most common fiber choice because it’s strong and resists pilling, stains, and fire damage. It also has natural lanolin that causes spills and moisture to bead up rather than soaking in. Wool can make an excellent addition to any home because the fibers trap air, creating an environment that’s both soundproof and insulated against extreme temperatures.

Jute is another carpet choice that is made from fibers from plants in the Corchorus genus, which are grown in abundance in Asia. The plant is soaked in water and stripped of its fibers. It is an especially soft fiber that can make a good choice in low traffic areas such as bedrooms.

Sisal is made from fibers from Agave sisalana plants. These fibers are easy to dye, and can make a versatile addition to any home. It stands up in high traffic situations, but it can be slippery in certain situations. It’s not a good choice for stairs. It can break down with too much moisture, so place it in rooms accordingly.  

Eco-friendly flooring lifespan

While we often consider specific types of flooring material when making our final selections, it’s also important to note that to truly be concerned about the overall carbon footprint of a flooring product, look at the entire life cycle when making a selection.

Selecting a natural carpet like wool can be a good choice for your home, but if you rip it out every few years and it winds up in the landfill, it’s defeating the purpose of being a carbon neutral selection.

Homeowners rarely think about vinyl when it comes to making a natural selection, but some products on the market today are made from recycled materials. And when it reaches the end of life, it can also be recycled and used in other ways.

How about cork or bamboo? Both products grow rapidly in nature, and when sourced ethically, can be a welcome addition to any home.

If you’re looking for natural flooring to install in your home here in 2021, the possibilities may astound you. Stop by today and take a look at all the different materials and products we have available, and find the right flooring choice for your home.

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Want Wood Floors In Your Commercial Property?

When you’re building a new commercial property, or remodeling one already in existence, a lot of thought goes into marketing. Who do you want to attract to your property? What type of clients do you wish to lease to?

Because every business has a different look and feel they portray to their target audience. All you have to do is look at the differences between McDonald’s and Elway’s to understand that to be true.

Some businesses thrive on high traffic. They need durable surfaces that can take abuse as customers come and go all day long.

Other businesses thrive on luxury. They don’t worry about a revolving door. They cater to the ones and two’s. They have a very specific audience, and they’ll go out of their way to protect the image, only bringing in prospects if they meet certain qualifications.

This targeting process may rely on marketing, but it starts with something even more basic. It starts with the decor. When people walk through the door, they expect high class. And nothing says that in greater detail than with natural wood floors.

Selecting the right wood floors for a commercial property

Just like in your home, flooring sets the stage for what lies inside. Imagine walking into an investment firm with old rug tiles where half of them were torn or missing? Would you trust them for investment advice?

Studies show we form our opinions quickly. It takes only one-tenth of a second for us to form an opinion about people. We assess judgment about trustworthiness, likeability, competence, and aggressiveness in just 100 milliseconds.

Want Wood Floors In Your Commercial Property?Still think your flooring doesn’t matter?

Hardwood flooring has always worked well in commercial spaces. The key is in selecting something durable.

Oak is one of the most popular and durable wood surfaces on the market. It’s easy to clean and maintain, and does well in high traffic situations. It also has the potential to last for years. When it needs refreshing, you simply sand it down and resurface it to give it new life.

But what we love more than all else is the timeless beauty that comes along with wood floors. Especially here in Colorado, hardwood goes right along with our outdoor way of living. That’s why interior designers and business owners alike install wood floors just about anywhere. They know it will never go out of style.

All you have to do is think about your favorite store, restaurant, or hotel. Chances are there’s hardwood in there. Hardwood has been popular for decades – centuries – and with today’s technology added into the mix, it’s likely to remain at the top of wish lists for many years to come.

Other reasons to select wood floors in your commercial property

We realize it probably won’t take much to sway you towards hardwood as a selection. But there are many other reasons for you to consider this as your flooring of choice.

Wood floors add to property values. You might not be thinking about selling, especially if you’re just building. But it’s nice to know that wood floors will boost up the value if you ever do decide to sell. Buyers want materials that are timeless, that they won’t have to replace immediately after taking ownership. And with hardwood flooring ticking that box, it’s one more benefit to choosing it as your final selection.

Another big benefit that is often overlooked is the improved air quality that comes with wood floor installation. Are you trying for green certification? Do you have hopes of creating a LEED certified building? Wood floors can help you do that by providing the base on which to build on.

Where do wood floors work best?

If you’re leaning towards wood floors for your commercial property, our advice would be to go with your gut feelings. Chances are you know what it’s like living with wood flooring at home, and you can bring that same feeling to the commercial side.

Keep in mind that commercial grade wood flooring is different from residential. We can help you find the perfect solution to fit your needs.

Hotels, for example, are a great place to display wood floors. From the lobby, to the hallways, to each individual room, it can create a clean, minimalist look your guests will love. Many five-star resorts boast luxury, and wouldn’t want anything else to adorn their floors but hardwood. It might require a little more maintenance from your staff for upkeep, but that’s all part of the process. Your customers demand it, and it creates a look that will have them saying “see you again” from the moment they step inside.

Of course, hotels aren’t the only place for wood flooring. Offices are a prime candidate for hardwood throughout. Office space is often a balance between practicality and aesthetics, depending on who your customer is. Floors should be functional enough to maximize productivity, while creating a workspace conducive to avoiding risk or distractions.

In heavy traffic areas, remember that hardwood can create potential noise pollution caused by people walking in certain shoes or heels. Be aware of this and pay attention to the product you select, and choose a thick underlayment that helps reduce noise.

Restaurants are also a great place to install wood floors. Do you love hardwood in your dining room at home? Mimic that look in your restaurant. Just be aware that food and drinks will be spilled. Select a quality product that can stand up to the abuse. Also, be mindful of the color, finish, and aesthetics of the material. Some colors show stains and marks easier than others.

A room with primarily adults would require different surface materials than a family-friendly environment. A romantic evening for two has a different appeal than a place you take the whole family.

Are you adding wood floors to your commercial property? How can we help you finalize your decision?

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Why Now Is The Perfect Time To Install Exotic Wood Floors

Remember when hardwood floors were fresh and new? You didn’t see them everywhere you went. The colors were a bit more vibrant. They made every room they were in pop.

Fast forward to today’s world, where 52 percent of homeowners say they have hardwood somewhere in their homes. Two-thirds say hardwood is the only thing they’d install in their dream homes.

There’s a good reason for that. Hardwood is a great choice for flooring throughout your home.

  • It’s durable, and can last for decades if well cared for
  • It’s one of the most attractive flooring materials you can install
  • It’s easy to clean – vacuum or sweep up each night, and it will always look its best
  • It’s affordable – because hardwood is so popular, you’ll find an option in every price bracket
  • It’s eco-friendly – if you pay attention to the manufacturing process
  • It adds value to your home – with two-thirds saying hardwood is the only thing they want in their dream home, there’s a good chance that the buyer looking at your home will love your hardwood flooring

Whatever your reason for installing hardwood in your home, you won’t be disappointed with the results.

But for some homeowners, the idea of installing the same old hardwood can leave them feeling underwhelmed. Maybe you want hardwood … but you want something more.

Maybe exotic wood floors would be better for your home.

What is exotic wood flooring?

Why Now Is The Perfect Time To Install Exotic Wood FloorsIf you start looking around at wood flooring, you’ll see certain types over and over again. Oak, birch, pine, these species of wood are ever-popular because they do well as flooring. They look good, they are easy to maintain, and they are easy to grow and harvest to turn into building materials. That also is what gives them affordability.

Exotic wood comes from harder to reach places. They are sourced outside of America, and typically grow in places that require a tropical climate. You’ll find exotic wood often comes from places like Asia, Africa, or South America.

When you move into species that grow in more tropical locations, you’ll also find the appearance of the wood changes its look. The grain tends to be wider and more pronounced. The color is usually more vibrant, often coming in shades of red, yellow, or purple.

Of course, when you source these exotic woods from faraway locations, you can also run into ecological issues. That’s why it’s important to shop wisely when looking for exotic flooring. Because many of these regions don’t have the laws and policies we do, some of these woods can be sourced using less than desirable practices. Be sure to look for things like the FSC accreditation on the label to ensure they use eco-friendly guidelines.

There’s also a cost issue. Because exotic hardwood is sourced from different regions of the world, it will cost more to harvest and bring it to market. Expect to pay more than flooring made with domestic woods.

I want exotic wood floors. What are the benefits?

If you want exotic wood floors, you’ll have to do your research. Just like other flooring choices, each comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. You may know how to live with domestic hardwood, but bringing a different species of hardwood can change things up a bit. It’s better to do your research early than to make a mistake and hate your floors from the moment they’re installed.

People enjoy exotic wood floors for many of the same reasons as domestic wood flooring.

  • They’re extremely tough, often tougher than domestic woods
  • That makes them even more durable on your floors
  • They require little maintenance and can look good for years to come
  • They have a unique natural beautify that’s unparalleled in any other wood on the market
  • They come in a vibrant range of colors and looks
  • They are a great investment and can give you an edge if you’re selling your home

Before we get into the types of exotic woods, it’s important to understand the Janka Hardness Scale. The scale was developed as a way of displaying the results of the Janka hardness test. The test uses a 2x2x6-inch piece of wood and a 0.444-inch steel ball to determine how hard the wood is. The test measures how many pounds per square inch of force are needed to push the steel ball halfway into the piece of wood.

If you have an idea of what the Janka rating is for the exotic wood you’re looking at for your home, you’ll understand better how much wear and tear it will be able to handle over the years before it needs repair or replacement. A good Janka rating will only be an indication, because every hardwood in every home is put to different use, depending on the needs and lifestyle of the homeowners.

For a closer look at how different species of wood rank on the Janka scale, you can look at hardness tests to see where the species you’re considering lies. Brazilian Olivewood and Bolivian Cherry fall towards the hard side, while White Pine and Douglas Fir are in the softer range.

What are some of our favorite exotic hardwood species?

When you start looking at exotic hardwood, you’ll fall in love with the vibrant shades, the deep grains, and the unique looks. You’ll never find this in every house in your neighborhood – that’s what makes it so desirable.

While there are many different options, start by looking at:

Acacia Wood – this is one of the hardest and most durable woods in the flooring market. It works well in high traffic areas, such as hallways, dining rooms and living spaces. You’ll love the distinctive beauty with its unique grain patterns, and the color ranges that vary from golden tans to deep, rich browns.

Jatoba Wood – this is also known as Brazilian Cherry, and can be sourced from Brazil, Peru, or Mexico. It’s a tough wood that can be sanded down and refinished many times throughout its lifespan. It has a luxurious look and feel that many homeowners love.

Teak Wood – teak wood continues to grow in popularity because of its versatility. It’s sourced in many areas, including Burmese, Africa, and Indonesia. It has an elegant color with a luster to it that many find appealing. It has a high water resistance, which can give it an advantage in rooms with higher moisture, such as bathrooms.

Of course, these are just a few of the many exotic wood flooring choices on the market today.

Want to see our full line? Stop by today. 

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Installing New Floors? Do This To Ensure There Are No Surprises

Have you jumped on the remodeling bandwagon? People all across the US are rethinking their living spaces and changing things up.

According to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity put out by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, the remodeling industry will have another record year with remodeling expenditures expected to reach $352 billion in 2021, up from $339 billion in 2020.

That’s because people are buying up homes in record numbers, and when they get there, they want to make the space their own. Even if you choose to stay in your existing home, it’s difficult not to want to lighten, brighten your surrounding area.

No matter what color you decide to paint the walls, or what furniture you choose to decorate the room, it all starts with the floors. Installing new floors gives you a base to grow upon. New floors can make your home more durable, more comfortable, even give it more resale value.

Where do you begin?

Create a plan

Installing New Floors? Do This To Ensure There Are No SurprisesBefore you make your final selection, talk with a flooring expert. They can help you understand what flooring material will work best in your unique situation.

Tell them what you like and a little about your lifestyle. This gives them a big picture view of what your budget is, what time frame you’re looking at, and more info about the project itself.

Without this big picture view, you might be missing crucial information about what it takes to make the most of your new flooring choice. Are you budgeting enough for materials and installation? Do you understand how long each material truly will last? One of our flooring experts will walk you through from beginning to end.

Dig into the details

Carpet or hardwood? Laminate or luxury vinyl? As you begin to learn more about each product, you might discover a material you never thought to consider before. As you make a selection of material, you’ll dive even deeper into your choices.

What color do you like? What pattern works best for your needs?

Even manufacturers create different products for different scenarios. Does your basement occasionally flood? Maybe resilient flooring is the way to go. Is your family growing? Maybe carpeting will be best suited to your needs.

Don’t forget to consider warranties, and understand what goes into a final quote. This is especially important if you are comparing products or installers. Just because something appears to be a good deal, doesn’t necessarily make it so. At this stage, there isn’t a wrong question. If you don’t fully understand something, dig deeper until you do.

Sign on the dotted line

Once you make it official, your installation will move into motion. You’ll get a date on the calendar for your installation to begin. Be aware that each flooring material has its own needs and requirements. If you’re installing hardwood, for example, the product will need to sit in your home for a few days to acclimate to your environment before final installation.

If materials need to be ordered, that occurs before your scheduled date. If you have any questions during this timeframe, be sure to bring them up. It’s better to be overprepared than underprepared as you get ready for your installation.

The big day

Are you installing new flooring in one room, two, or the entire house? There’s a big difference in the way you maneuver on the day.

When you paint the walls, you simply move furniture away from it, and cover everything with drop cloths. It’s fairly easy to ensure your surroundings stay safe in the process. Not so with flooring. What’s currently on the floor must be removed to ensure the installation process runs smoothly.

Here’s a list of just some of the things you can do to be better prepared.

Remove all breakables – obviously, furniture needs to be removed. But don’t forget about other things that can get damaged in the process. Pull frames and art pieces off the walls. Remove light fixtures and other materials that may be damaged in the process.

Ensure you know who does what – if you need help moving furniture, be sure you mention that to the installer. Otherwise, you might have added costs tacked onto your final bill.

Disconnect appliances – if you’re replacing flooring in the kitchen, you might be moving appliances such as the range or the refrigerator. Be sure to disconnect them from gas hookups, electrical outlets, or water supply before they are moved.

Clean out closets and storage rooms – these are often the most chaotic rooms in the home. Be sure you’ve boxed up any items on the floor, and don’t forget about materials hanging that might get in the way. Pantry items should be removed. Coats, boots, and other accessories from the mudroom. Those boxes you thought were just there for storage – they have to be moved too. If it will be impacted by the new flooring process, it has to be moved.

Remove doors – by removing doors from adjoining rooms, you’ll ensure they don’t get scratched, nicked, or damaged in the process. As you remove them, mark each door and put all hinges, screws, and connectors in a plastic baggie with the door. Mixing up hardware can cause all sorts of problems after the move as you try and reinstall.

New flooring height – different types of flooring will leave your floors new heights after the install. Carpet will impact doors differently than laminate or hardwood. Have you taken this thoroughly into account? Or you might have a door that no longer swings freely.

Remove baseboards – new flooring should be pushed as close to the wall as possible. Based on new heights and new materials, they might not fit as they did before. This helps to keep your baseboards in great shape, and allows you to adjust their height once the flooring has been installed.

Secure your pets – this might be the perfect day for them to visit neighbors, or attend doggie daycare. This much commotion in their home can set them off. And dealing with a barking dog all day will only add to your stress.

Have a prep area – depending on the material, the installer will need a place to cut and prepare the flooring material. If it’s raining, it will need to be covered – your garage possibly? They will also need good lighting, an outdoor GFCI electrical outlet, and easy entry into your home.

The better prepared you are for installing new flooring, the smoother the project will go.

Is this the year you add new flooring to your home?

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Softwood or Hardwood – Which Is Better For Your Flooring?

Thinking of adding new flooring to your home? Have you settled on hardwood floors?

It might surprise you to know your hardwood flooring choice might not be hard at all.

Softwood flooring – never heard of it? You won’t find home improvement stores selling “softwood flooring” anytime soon. It doesn’t really appeal to a homeowner that wants a long life from the flooring they select.

Yet different wood species have different hardness levels. That means some wood flooring choices will have more durability, while others will require more maintenance throughout their lifespan.

What’s the difference?

The difference between softwood and hardwood flooring

When you’re attempting to determine if a wood is soft or hard, it comes down to the physical structure and makeup of the material.

In general, hardwood comes from deciduous trees. These are trees that lose their leaves in the fall, and produce seeds with a protective covering. Maple and oak fall into this category.

Softwood, on the other hand, are gymnosperms, which means they are seed-producing trees that produce uncovered seeds, and are evergreen, such as conifer trees.

Hardwoods will be slower growing, which makes them denser, sturdier, and more difficult to cut through. Softwoods tend to be the opposite, though there are always exceptions to the rule. Yew trees fall into the softwood category because they are conifer, but they produce a strong, tough wood.

Both woods can be versatile in home building, and can be used for a quality flooring cover. Though you’ll tend to find hardwoods in more abundance for flooring covers, both offer opportunity to a homeowner for getting the look you’ll love.

What is a hardness scale?  

Because different types of wood offer different strengths and hardness, industry leaders developed a way of measuring the different qualities to let you know, the consumer, where specific woods fall on the scale.

The scale was developed to show hardness tests of each different type of wood. The test uses a 2”x2”x6” piece of wood and a 0.444” steel ball to determine the force needed to push the ball halfway into the wood. The results are included in the results known as the Janka Hardness Scale.

It starts at zero, with this option being the softest wood. The rating moves to 4,000, with any wood nearing this ranking being at the hardest end of the scale. A wood falling at zero with scratch and dent with ease, while one falling at 4,000 would be almost impossible to cut and install as a flooring material. That means most choices fall somewhere in between.

A deep dive into softwood

Softwood or Hardwood - Which Is Better For Your Flooring?If you shop for hardwood and have your eye on pine, fir, or cedar, all of which are popular throughout North America, you’re looking at a softwood flooring product. These all make excellent flooring products because they tend to grow and mature faster than other species of trees. That makes the wood abundantly available, and easier to farm and harvest than other choices. Because of their abundance, you’ll never have to worry about locating sustainable or eco-friendly products.

These softwoods have been used for years – decades. That’s because they’ve been installed in homes across the US for equally as long. They’ve come to be synonymous with classic good looks inside our homes and offices. It’s friendlier to the environment because just as easily as you can install them, they will decompose faster at the end of life as well.

The one drawback is that its rapid growth also means it’s a softer, less dense wood. That decreases the durability factor, and makes it more susceptible to damage. In high traffic situations, or in commercial applications, softwood may not be the perfect choice.

A deep dive into hardwood

Hardwood will never go out of style. Because it’s one of the most durable flooring products on the market, you’ll find hardwood installed just about anywhere. Look down in your favorite store. Notice the floors when you head into the office. Chances are there is hardwood down there.

Because hardwood is produced from different resources, you’ll never find the same look and feel between species, or even from board to board. That’s part of the allure. You can install any type of hardwood you desire, then pick the stain and finish that best suits your tastes and needs. The look is unique and individual as you are.

Of course, hardwood’s appeal is that it produces a hard, dense surface area. And that takes years to grow. Typically hardwood will be more expensive, especially as you move into exotics. It also takes more work to install to ensure it looks good, as well as more maintenance once it’s installed and you’re living with it.

You can get hardwood in both solid and engineered format. Solid hardwood is created from solid logs, with one piece of wood being milled directly from the log. Engineered has multiple layers and added composite materials to create the plank and overall look.

So which is better, softwood or hardwood? 

It may seem like the best choice for your home is a hardwood floor. But there’s more to it than that. It’s not only what the wood planks are made of that should sway your decision. Maintenance comes into play too.

A homeowner that uses a softwood flooring that is conscious about how well it’s maintained each day, and treats it with care throughout its life will enjoy the look and feel of their choice.

A homeowner that selects a hardwood flooring, but has an active lifestyle that means they rarely clean up after themselves may find their hardwood floors look battered and old after just a few short years. They need replacement long before the household with the softwood installed because of the way they cared for it.

A lot of this comes down to preference and personality. It’s important to consider how you live before you make your final selection. Be honest with yourself. People rarely change, even if they make an attempt when their floors are first installed. Most fall immediately back to old patterns.

What’s the best choice for you?

Would you like to know your options, and find the right wood floor for your home?

Stop by, or give us a call today.

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How Do You Find The Right Flooring Contractors?

Thinking of installing a new floor in your home?

The fun part may be deciding what flooring to install. Hardwood or tile? Carpet or laminate?

And once you decide on the type, the colors, styles, and patterns can leave you breathless.

Who knew so much was available? How will you ever decide?

Eventually, you whittle down your selections and make a final decision.

But your options aren’t over yet.

Will you do-it-yourself? Will you hire a contractor?

Who will you trust to install one of the most important building materials in your home? If you get this part wrong, you’ll have a flooring that simply doesn’t work with your lifestyle. Hardwood may warp or cup. Tile may come loose. Carpet may buckle, creating waves across your floor.

Selecting the right flooring for your needs is only a part of your decision process. An equally important decision should come with hiring the right flooring contractor, one that will ensure the work is done correctly and will give you floors you can live with for years to come.

Where do you start to find the right flooring contractors to suit your needs?

Make sure the flooring contractor is licensed and insured

Anyone can install flooring. Not everyone can install flooring correctly. There is a difference, and yet homeowners often forget that when finalizing their decisions.

And we get it. It’s easy to break the budget upgrading to the material you’ve fallen in love with, then look for ways to cut corners on things you can’t see – like installation. Yet installation is one of the most important parts of the entire project. Get it wrong and you’ll pay for it from the start.

When you hire a contractor who is licensed and insured, you have guarantees if something goes wrong with the installation. It also protects you in the case of a contractor that doesn’t finish the job or damages the property in the process.

Get at least three quotes – don’t fall for the “good deals”

It’s easy to get excited and fall in love with a material you’ve been dreaming about for years. If you’ve looked online, you might even notice a “really good deal” and have a strong urge to jump at it. They even offer installation at a “low cost.” What could be better than that?

That’s how many homeowners fall for scams and pay the price dearly in the long run.

Companies don’t stay in business by offering unbelievable deals. They look for easy ways to pull people in, and charge exorbitant fees on the backend when you’re frustrated, panicked, and a little overwhelmed. What choice do you have at that point?

When you see things in writing, you can start to ask questions. And when you ask for at least three quotes, you can start comparing. This gives you a chance to thoroughly understand all the pieces that go into installing your new floors, and make an informed decision in the process.

Ask questions

Speaking of asking questions, we can’t recommend this enough. Before you start the process, create a list of questions that apply directly to your project. Keep adding to it. Then bring it with you when you start looking for flooring.

A reputable flooring contractor will answer all of your questions with care. They want you to be happy with the final results, and will take the time to ensure you’re happy with your purchase.

A less-than-reputable flooring contractor will get agitated quickly, try and spin the answers into something you can’t understand, and will try and press you for the sale, cutting you off in the process to do so.

Need a few ideas for great questions to ask? Start with these:

  • How much work is involved in this project, beginning to end?
  • How long will it take?
  • What problems may occur along the way?
  • How can I best be prepared on the day of installation?
  • What are your recommendations for the best flooring?
  • How should I maintain my flooring choice?
  • What problems could arise during this process?

Now think of a few questions based on the type of flooring you’re considering, and the rooms where you’ll be installing the product you choose.

Do a little sleuthing online

This is the age of the internet, after all. If a flooring contractor is in business for the long term, they know enough to pay attention to creating a viable internet presence that helps them reach out to potential customers.

They care about the presence they are creating online.

When you search, you’ll find a bunch of information in a variety of places. They may have a website, a Facebook page, and an Instagram account. They may have reviews on Google and Angie’s.

But when you’re looking, don’t make rash decisions based on one bad review. Get a feel for what the contractor brings to the table. After all, we all have bad days. We all have bad experiences, where our needs just don’t mesh with the person we’re doing business with. One bad review never sets the stage. It’s the overall feeling you get by doing your research well.

If a company has been in business for a while, you’ll easily piece together a picture of who they are. Couple that with the feeling you get by talking with them, and you’ll quickly be able to finalize your decision.

Experience, experience, experience

There is something to the phrase: Jack of all trades, master of none. Installing click and lock laminate, or rolling out carpet in the bedroom may seem like an easy task. What about creating patterns with tile, or installing exotic hardwood flooring?

There’s a right way, and a way that will leave you vulnerable to living with problem flooring for a very long time.

If you know exactly the type of flooring you want installed, ensure the flooring contractor understands the little nuances of installing that type of floor. Do they have the appropriate tools? Have they worked with different manufacturers of this type of product?

In some cases, manufacturers may even require you to go with an experienced contractor to ensure the flooring is correctly installed. That keeps your warranty valid.

Installing new flooring?

Finding the right contractor doesn’t have to be difficult. Follow these simple rules, and you’ll fall in love with the results. And live happily ever after with a flooring that meets all of your needs.

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Why Floor Boards Creak and Squeak

Creak. Squeak. What’s that sound?

If you hear a noise when you walk on certain floor boards throughout your home, they might be trying to tell you something.

Although noise floors are most common in high traffic areas, they can be caused by a variety of things, and exist anywhere where you have flooring. They may be most common in older homes, but if a house wasn’t built right, you can find it in brand new homes that you’ve just moved into.

There are several things that could be making floor boards squeak.

Movement

When every piece is placed into your home during construction, it’s like a giant puzzle where every piece should fit snugly into place. For your flooring, that means each wood piece fits closely together. Floor joists are the large wooden beams that exist as a part of your subfloor, and they bear the weight of the suspended floor boards that sit beneath your flooring. They run perpendicular to give it strength, and are secured using nails. When there is a gap between the joist and the subfloor board, it allows movement to occur. That pressure can cause that creak or squeak sound you hear.

Subfloor … or floor?

It might not be your subfloor that’s doing the talking. If you have hardwood in place and haven’t provided proper maintenance over the years, it could be your hardwood planks telling you they need a little attention. Over time, hardwood can move, expand, and contract many times. That can create small gaps between the planks, and as they move they can squeak and creak. Remember that hardwood flooring does best with little change in the surrounding area. Keep your home at a comfortable temperature, somewhere between 60 and 80 degrees is ideal. Hardwood also likes a comfortable relative humidity between 25 and 55 percent. If you notice a lot of creaks and squeaks, it might be time for a little TLC, and possibly refinishing work.

Change in weather

Why Floor Boards Creak and SqueakSuddenly, the temperature spikes to well over 100 degrees. Or maybe it plunges to 10 below, with wind chill moving well past that. So you run the air conditioner or furnace more. A lot more. That can change both the temperature and humidity levels inside your home. In the peak of winter, your floor will naturally be drier. More dry air circulating through your home means drying out would, which creates shrinkage and gaps between the planks. If you haven’t updated your HVAC equipment in a while, and haven’t installed a whole house humidifier, it could make your home dryer than it should be. Pay attention to the inside conditions. It’s impacting your floor boards more than you know.

When two boards meet

Every single day, your house settles just a bit. The subfloor might move. The wood planks might adjust. The sun streams in from the windows. You turn up the heat to feel warm. Life impacts the way your house sits, moves, and adjusts. It’s just a fact. What didn’t exist yesterday may very well be there today. And that can mean two boards suddenly touch and make a sound. Creak. Squeak.

Of course, you can put up with it. That squeaking sound is a sign of age and longevity. It’s the way your house changes over time. It might not impact your home at all … for a while.

But that creak or squeak in your floor boards is trying to tell you something. There’s a difference in the way your house sits, and it’s causing a problem. Please fix me – because it will be a problem over time.

Ultimately, what’s causing your creak or squeak comes down to one of several things:

  • An incorrect nail or screw was used to secure the floor boards to the joist
  • The nail or screw weren’t fitted correctly and have wiggled out of place
  • A gap exists between the joist and the subfloor
  • There’s an issue with the way the supporting joists connect with the boards underneath

There might be a simple solution, or it could be the impact of several. If a nail comes loose, for example, it might cause a gap between the boards.

In any of these circumstances, hiring a professional will allow them to get to the heart of the problem, and fix it at its root cause.

How do you find out what’s causing the creak or squeak?

The first step is in pinpointing where the squeak originates. You might notice it as you walk across the floor, but spend a few minutes pressing down and determining exactly where it is. Look for movement in the floor. Listen to where the sound is the greatest.

Once you have determined the exact location, you can assess what might be causing it. Look for loose floor boards. If you have access to the space underneath, from a basement or crawl space, you can see if there is movement or shifting.

Keep in mind that if you don’t get to the root cause, and attempt to fix something yourself, you could make the squeak or creak worse.

The best way to ensure a tight fit

Homes today are built to be safe and secure from all kinds of elements. But even in the best of situations, everyday events cause things to break down.

Your best course of action as a homeowner is to always ask questions.

Make sure you understand the best method for installing new items into your home. When you bring in new flooring, for example, it takes a bit to acclimate before you can install it. Hardwood expands and contracts, especially when it moves from a warehouse to your home. Placing it in your home for a bit will help it get ready for your environment.

Maintenance can also mean regular cleaning. Things like vacuuming, dusting, and mopping may seem simple to keep your home in pristine condition. But don’t forget to ask questions about the products and services you select. Will they do more harm than good? What chemicals are used in the formulas? How will it impact your home?

Do you have additional questions about the flooring in your home? We’re here to help. Just ask.

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Selecting The Right Flooring For Radiant Heating

Imagine getting out of bed on a cold winter morning and having it be warm to the touch.

That’s why many homeowners select carpet for the bedroom. Plush fibers hold their warmth better, and make it more comfortable on your feet, even if the rest of you feels the coolness of the air.

Thanks to technology, there are other ways to feel warmth no matter what type of flooring is underneath your feet.

Imagine stepping out of the shower to warm tile. Or standing in front of the mirror getting ready, and the flooring keeps you warm.

Or maybe the kitchen has always been a bit chilly. Not if heat radiates from the floor above. Your feet stay toasty warm as you whip up a batch of cookies for the kids to enjoy when they get home from school.

Sounds great, right? That’s why more people are turning to radiant heating.

But you can’t put radiant heating underneath everything. Certain flooring materials have better thermal conductivity than others, meaning they generate heat better as it moves through the flooring.

You don’t want to wait for heat to move up and through the flooring material. You want good conductivity to allow the floors to heat up quicker, giving you more warmth from the moment it moves into operation.

How underfloor heating works

Before we get into flooring choices, let’s talk about how underfloor heating works. It’s a growing source of heat in homes throughout the Rocky Mountain region.

Underfloor heating works in one of two ways.

Using a water-based underfloor system, pipes are installed underneath the flooring and connected to your boiler. When you switch on the system, the pipes are filled with low temperature warm water, which in turn heats the flooring. Heat rises, which means the heat from the floor continues to rise and heat the air.

Using an electric-based underfloor system, electric wires are fitted underneath the flooring and connected to your fuse box. When the system is turned on, electricity flows into the wires and produces heat to warm the flooring material.

The benefits of underfloor radiant heating are many

Selecting The Right Flooring For Radiant HeatingHeat rises. It only makes sense to get your heating source as close to the ground as possible to keep your home warm and comfortable. You can’t get much closer to the ground than with radiant heating. But there’s more to it than that.

Think of how your gas-forced air furnace works. On a cycle, it releases heated air through a series of vents in each room. It blows a considerable amount of air through to fill up the room and make it warm. With radiant heating, it’s spread evenly between all corners of your room. Then it moves evenly up from there. That keeps more of the heat at foot level, where you notice it most. That means circulation is also more even as it fills the room with warmth.

It’s also more cost effective. It can run at a much lower temperature and still keep you feeling comfortable. That means less energy use, and a lower utility bill each month. Many radiant heat households report seeing an immediate drop in their monthly energy use.

It can save on space. Radiant heating exists where you don’t see it – underneath your floors. It doesn’t take as much space as other heating units, especially if you use blowers and radiators. Even vents and registers may no longer be needed, meaning you can shirt your floorplan just a bit, and put your sofa where you truly want it to go.

Are you concerned about your health? Do you cough and sneeze more when the dust blows through the ductwork? No more airflow problems with radiant heating. That means particulates don’t flow freely throughout your home every time your HVAC unit turns on.

Are you sold on the idea of radiant heating? Then let’s get to the run part – figuring out which flooring choice is best.

In many cases, the flooring materials seem obvious. But in others, the choices may surprise you. Here are our favorites for installing with radiant heating.

Tile and Stone

We would be remiss if we didn’t start with the most apparent – tile and stone. They have a high thermal conductivity, which means they are a perfect choice for heating up the floor quickly. They also retain their heat well, giving them the perfect qualities for keeping your home warm no matter what the temperatures are outside. That’s why you often find them in saunas, sunrooms, and any place where you want to retain heat. They can easily be heated into the 80s and beyond.

The thicker the tile, the longer it takes for heat transfer. Installers often recommend sticking with a tile ¾” thick or less for the most responsiveness to the radiant system. But don’t think that will limit your choices. With so many tile and stone options on the market today, you’re sure to find one you love.

Wood

Love your hardwood? You’re not alone. People all across the Front Range have a hard time thinking of anything else inside their homes. Different types of wood have different thermal properties. That’s why it’s a good idea to work with a consultant that truly understands hardwood properties. The more dense a wood is, the thinner the board, the better they are at conducting heat.

When you heat the floor from underneath, it can change the moisture content of the wood, so it’s important to choose wisely. You’ll find engineered wood is one of the best to install with a radiant heating system. Always check with a manufacturer before you settle in and make your final selection.

Vinyl

If you’ve been shopping for flooring lately, you’ve noticed the vinyl market is changing. Luxury vinyl planks imitate hardwood so well, even the experts have trouble seeing the difference.

Vinyl has another positive – it works well with radiant heating. Keep in mind that there are often heat restrictions that come along with working with radiant heating. In many cases, radiant heating will max out around 80 degrees. Anything higher will impact the flooring.

Vinyl also heats up quickly, and cools down equally as fast. That may be important to you in places you spend small amounts of time – your master bathroom, for example.

What’s your choice?

With so many choices, you’ll be amazed at what you can do to create the right aesthetics in your home.

If you have your sights on using radiant heating inside your home, select the right flooring to create the warmth you’re looking for in your home. We can help you make that choice. Give us a call today.

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