Flooring Archives - Page 19 of 58

Area Rugs, Flooring
September 21, 2020

Is It Time To Buy a Sisal or Jute Rug For Your Living Space?

Homeowners are spending more time at home than ever before. And when you spend hours shuffling from room to room, you start to notice the little details you’re missing.

Maybe it’s time to add new decor, something that makes your rooms feel homier.

Or maybe it’s time to get rid of the synthetic look, and select something more natural instead. Natural area rugs are growing in popularity for a good reason. It’s a great way to bring style and sustainability back into your modern home.

Both sisal and jute are eco friendly, sustainable, and biodegradable. We’ve seen them added into homes and bring on a country, minimalist, or even modern look, one that has homeowners raving about it for years.

There’s just something about bringing natural fibers into your home. And both sisal and jute rugs can do the job quite nicely.

Yet before adding a sisal or jute rug into your home, it’s important to understand the differences. They may have a similar appearance, but they are distinctly different in durability, softness, and texture.

What is sisal?

Have you ever toured the tequila farms in Mexico? Sisal is created from the agave leaves used in tequila production. The leaves are spun into a yarn-like material, and then weaved into fibers, rope, and twine. If you have a natural scratching post for your cat, in many cases, it’s made from sisal.

Sisal isn’t soft, but has a more coarse texture. It’s one of the strongest fibers you’ll find in nature, which is why they’re perfect for the busiest place in your home. Use sisal in entryways, hallways, and stair steps, and you’ll have a long-lasting effect.

Sisal fibers are woven together, bound by a cotton canvas that helps continue sustainability. You’ll usually find it sticking close to nature, with colors ranging from cream, wheat, beige, and greys. Sisal does hold pigment better than jute, so that the occasional color may be mixed in.

Because of the rough texture, they are not well-suited for areas where you spend a lot of time. If young kids play or crawl around on sisal, it can be rough on hands and knees.

They also tend to absorb moisture, so you should avoid areas where they will be in constant contact with moisture.

And you should never place them directly on hardwood, or any other surface that is easily scratched. Even with an underlay, sisal is rough enough that it will eventually wear through the pad, and possibly damage the floor as you walk on it.

Yet in the right place, they are simply stunning. Every single sisal rug is unique in its own way. You’ll find traditional textures and patterns such as herringbone, basketweave, and zigzag patterns. Select the right color for your home based on your needs. Lighter colors will show dirt easier. A mix of dark and light color patterns will wear better over time.

What is jute?

Like sisal, jute is made of natural fibers derived from Jute plants. Jute is grown mainly in Bangladesh and India from a tall, spindly plant that is also used to produce burlap. It comes with a natural light brown hue that can be dyed. But because of the color and texture, the hues will take on a more muted, earthy tone.

If you’re debating between sisal and jute for living spaces, you might move towards jute because it’s softer to the touch. Because jute comes from a plant stalk rather than leaves, it’s more flexible, softer, and has a cozier feel. You can walk barefoot across it and not feel a thing. That makes it a better choice in a busy household, for adults, kids, and your furry friends.

Because of both its texture and feel, it works well in all kinds of living spaces, including bedrooms, dining rooms, and family rooms. You won’t have to worry about jute scratching hardwood floors. And because of the natural earth tone, it can be a beautiful contrast against darker hardwood.

What we love the most about jute is it’s imperfect look. You’ll never find two rugs that look exactly the same, and it will give you a down to earth feel. Whether you create a rustic cabin in the woods, or prefer a beach house vibe, a jute rug may just be the perfect choice.

Is sisal or jute the right choice for your home?

Sisal and jute are both created from different parts of the plant. They are also harvested differently, resulting in different degrees of softness.

Sisal is derived from a stiff plant, its fibers are going to be significantly rougher and more durable than its counterpart, jute.

If you’re looking for softness, jute will meet your expectations. That’s why you’ll find it used quite commonly in decor materials for your home. It has a way of creating a cozy feel that homeowners love. Plus it has a soft texture, and equally creates a warm and comfy look and feel.

If you want rugged beauty in your living space, you’ll never go wrong with sisal.

If you prefer coziness and ease when you walk upon it, look more towards jute.

Of course, you can use both in different areas of your home, and love the results from both. Both are a great way to bring natural good looks to any room in your home.

It’s impossible to say which material is best. Because they are distinctly different, and it’s up to your preferences and needs that can push you towards one or the other.

Sisal rugs are durable and stiff, the perfect choice for high traffic spaces. If you want to install them onto stair steps, it can be the perfect way to make your home a little safer.

Jute rugs add a certain finesse to any living space. We love how the soft look yet bold designs give a sense of richness and depth wherever it’s laid into place.

Plus, both offer you a way to remove synthetics from your home once and for all. Both are eco-friendly, safe, healthy options you can use on your quest for greening up your home.

What’s the right choice for you: sisal or jute?

Flooring
September 18, 2020

What’s The Best Flooring For Flipping a House?

Fix and flips have become a popular pastime for many, thanks to the shows you can currently find on TV. The concept is simple enough. Find a great deal on real estate that may be a little rough around the edges. Purchase it at a very low cost. Then put some muscle into fixing the place up, and sell it for a nice profit.

Of course, once you buy it and start making decisions, you can see your profit margin slipping away. Every problem needs a fix, and the fix is often more expensive than you planned for.

So you try and cut corners where you can.

But cutting corners on important things may reduce your profit even more. Buyers want certain things in a new house, and if you don’t provide it or go for “cheap” instead of quality, it will impact the bottom line.

And the flooring is one of the prime examples where this process comes to light.

When you see a bargain in flooring, you might be tempted to install it. Will it really matter?

What is the best flooring for flipping a house? The answer might surprise you.

What is the best flooring for flipping a house?

We wish there was a simple answer to this question. But like every question out there, the answer for this one is: it depends. Before you settle on a particular type of flooring, ask yourself a series of questions.

What neighborhood is the house in? Your goal is to sell the house to a potential buyer who wants to live comfortably inside this new neighborhood. They want to fit in. They have the desires of other people currently living in this community. You wouldn’t want a Mercedes in a community that thrives on pickup trucks. Likewise, exotic hardwood wouldn’t appeal to a homeowner in certain neighborhoods.

What are your pricing goals? How much did you buy the house for? How much do you hope to sell it for? That’s your sticking point for the work you’ll put in it. If you blow the budget on flooring, it means other upgrades in the house will be lacking. Look at the overall project to determine how much you can put into each room and material.

What is your budget? Before you ever purchase your first tool or appliance, it’s important to determine how many individual projects you’ll be completing throughout the home. Assess how much of your budget you wish to spend on each room, each material or application. It’ll help you make wise choices as you make your selections.

Stick with flooring principles – they’ll win buyers every time

It’s easy for a “fix and flipper” to focus so much on profit, they forget that in the end, this is a home a family will love and want to come home to. Think logically with your choices, settling in on things you would want for your own family.

In the end, when it comes to selecting flooring, homeowners have a few principles they stick to across the line.

1. Consistency is most important. You don’t want a hodgepodge look. You should never have more than three styles of flooring in a home, and transitions matter most when creating flow.

2. Select hard surfaces over carpet wherever possible.

3. Carpet is for bedrooms only. You can install it in the basement if you’re adhering to a budget. But in all other cases, keep carpet at a minimum.

Let’s start with your main living spaces. As you walk in from the front door, cohesiveness is important. Start here with the flooring material you want to install, and use it on the main level as much as possible. Use the same flooring, the same color, the same pattern.

You will see a better ROI by making everything the same.

Next, think hard surfaces. Hardwood is preferred by most homeowners. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find the hardwood look in other products. Look at luxury vinyl planks. Consider laminate. There are amazing products in the marketplace today that can create a beautiful look at a reduced cost.

The smaller the home, the more you should consider using the hard surfaces throughout. If you do want to fall back on carpeting because of costs, add it to the bedrooms only.

A few flooring options for flipping a house

With all of these ideas in place, it’s time to select the right flooring for the home you’ll be putting on the market soon.

Hardwood

Hands down, hardwood is always a good choice. In every neighborhood, every price range, it’s the flooring people want.

Luckily, there are many ways to install it. You can stick with the standard materials, such as oak, and have the planks laid into place. You can choose finished or unfinished, having it stained after installation.

Hardwood is what people want, because it offers years – decades – of enjoyment. Homeowners know they can refinish it in the future and still have lasting effects.

Carpet

We’ve mentioned it several times, while carpet is economical, that doesn’t mean you should install it throughout the home. Presentation is everything when it comes to maximizing your profits. If you want to get all you can from the home, leave carpet in the bedroom.

Engineered hardwood

If you’re looking for a more economical hardwood, consider engineered hardwood. It gives the same look and feel of hardwood because it is real wood.

Engineered hardwood planks are created in layers to increase durability and moisture resistance. That makes it a great choice for laying throughout the home because it works well in basements and kitchens.

Plus, the potential homebuyers will love the look.

Luxury vinyl planks

There’s another entry in the marketplace that is catching decorators’ eye. Luxury vinyl planks are resilient, waterproof, and the perfect addition in many situations.

Because technology has increased so much in recent years, it’s often difficult telling this product apart from the real thing. But because it handles better in all situations, it’s a great choice for putting into bathrooms, laundry rooms, and below grade rooms like basements.

Plus it gives a crisp, modern look any homebuyer will love.

Are you fixing and flipping a home?

Then make the right choice for your situation.

What’s the best flooring for your fix and flip remodel?

Flooring
September 14, 2020

Use Flooring To Brighten Your Basement

It’s exciting redecorating your home. You can take a room that has fizzled out, and turn it into a place you love.

But what works on your main level living space isn’t always the greatest advice for your basement. Basements can be darker, dingier, and leave you feeling like you’re walking into a cavern.

Here’s the secret: it starts with your basement flooring. As you’re redecorating your basement and turning it into a space you’ll love, make sure you select the right flooring.

Understanding light

Basements are different because of the way they are lit. They exist underground, and have few or no windows. Even if windows exist, they are usually smaller than other windows throughout your home. And yet when it comes to decorating, most homes are lit the same way as other rooms.

No wonder they’re so dark!

It is possible to add more windows, or even enlarge the ones you have. Keep in mind it isn’t as easy as replacing other windows throughout your home. But if you’re renovating your forever home, it might be worth the cost.

With windows in place, ensure that they aren’t covered and are fully used to give off natural light to the space throughout the day. Make them light, bright and airy by keeping the glass as clean as can be. If you do add curtains or blinds, be sure you can pull them away from the window during the day. Amplify this natural light as much as you can because it will improve the way your basement looks and functions.

Of course, you can always bring in additional lighting sources too. Think multidimensional lighting as you add in sources. Layers will fill every space with appropriate light. Start with recessed lighting as it gives off a broader range of light. Lights in the ceiling add more light to the room, and because they aren’t taking up space, they can add more room to play with other decor.

From there, layer the lighting in other places, such as a lamp on an end table, and spotlights on artwork and shelving.

The more light the better.

Stick with light colored basement flooring

Before you start shopping for new basement flooring, consider all your basement goes through in a year.

Is it damp? Do you have trouble with moisture from time to time?

Keeping your flooring in good condition throughout the year should be your first thought. You don’t want to have to worry about mold or mildew after a few months.

As you narrow in on your choices, focus on light colored flooring. You may love your dark hardwood in the main living space, but the dark color can make your basement look smaller. Light flooring opens up basement areas. Also, try to use the same flooring throughout the basement, as that will also open up the space.

If you love your hardwood and want to stick with it, if possible. We suggest you move towards one of the other popular floorings such as engineered wood, luxury vinyl planks, or wood look tile. But whatever you decide, go with a lighter shade. Select a natural wood look, whitewashed, or even a light gray.

Light is always better.

A lot of homeowners move towards carpet because it adds warmth to an already cooler basement. If your basement includes a movie theater, a bedroom, or a game room where you love to come together as a family late into the evening, carpet may be a good choice. Again, make sure you stick with lighter shades of beige or gray to keep the space open and inviting.

If warmth is one of your top concerns, you can also look towards radiant heating. It sits underneath tile or luxury vinyl planks, making the floors warm to the touch, and adding warmth to the space from the bottom up.

Other tricks to try to brighten your basement up

Have you noticed how we’ve suggested sticking with light colored decor so far in this article? We’re going to continue with that suggestion here. Skip the dark wood furniture, and the black or navy sofas and chairs. Consider white, cream, or light gray instead. You might even use glass coffee or end tables to help reflect the light.

Mirrors are also a great way to make the space look larger. Find unique ways of incorporating them in every room. Creating a mirrored wall will open up a home gym. Adding a large mirror in a game room will enlarge the space. As you shop around you’ll find mirrors in all kinds of formats. Focus on the frame, and you can easily replace artwork with a mirror and have it stand out in your space.

It goes without saying that when you select paint for the walls, stick to light colors. You don’t have to go with pure white to open up the room. With so many shades of white, you’ll find the perfect one for your decor. You can even use two different tones, select a whiter white for doors and molding to make the whole thing pop.

Now let’s go back to the floors. Even if you decide to cover the floors with engineered wood, luxury vinyl tile, or wood look tile, you can make the room cozy by laying down a rug. Once again, focus on the color and the pattern, ensuring it’s weaved with light colored fibers. With so many choices today, you can find a variety of area rugs that can handle the activities of any basement space. Focus on patterns to help camouflage dirt. Or play with color to add a bit of pizazz to the space.

Above all, have fun with the process and love everything you put into your basement’s decor. Ultimately, this is about making a space you and your family will use from day to day.

Do a few searches online. You’ll find motivation everywhere in the home remodeling websites, online magazines, and even on Pinterest.

It’s easy to dream about the perfect living space when you start at the base. Lighten up your basement flooring, and use that as a way to breathe new life into the rooms you’ll use most.

How can we help you make the right flooring selection?

Flooring
September 10, 2020

Why Buy DIY Flooring From a Flooring Retailer

A lot of homeowners across the Front Range have been bitten by the home remodeling bug this year. And why not? We’re spending more time at home than ever before.

Maybe you’re redoing an extra bedroom into a home office. Maybe you’re reconfiguring your open concept floor plan to have individual work stations. Maybe it’s time to refinish the basement to add more space.

While all of that remodeling can spur your inner interior decorator, and kick your designing personality into high gear, finding the best products to use can be a tricky experience.

You might be tempted to spend a weekend shopping at your favorite big box store, but is it really the best place to buy?

Take flooring, for example. They have rows of great looking products. The carpet is a great color. The luxury vinyl planks are just what you’ve been looking for. And the price! It was good before, but now that they are having their “holiday blowout”, the price is out of this world.

Why look anywhere else? Why would you ever shop a flooring retailer with prices like these?

Like anything, you get what you pay for.

Expertise

When you visit with an independent flooring retailer, you’ll talk with someone who has a wealth of knowledge ready and waiting for you. Flooring is all they do, and they do it well. They know all of the products on the marketplace, how easy they are to install, and how they wear over time. Because many independent flooring retailers have been in business for years, they also understand trends, and what flooring will stand the test of time. You can benefit from all of this expertise and more, and be able to get all of your questions answered easily. Try that with part-time help at a big box store, whose only goal is to make it to the weekend.

Personalized service

While an associate at a big box store might have worked a particular department for a bit, they still were hired as an employee for the store, not as a flooring expert. Their goal is to sell you on a product in stock, and get you out of the store. They deal in quantity, not in quality.

Not so with a flooring retailer. They pride themselves on gaining customers that will stick with them for life. They want you to select the right flooring for your needs, and be happy with the outcome for years to come. If you’re happy, you’ll be back when you need new carpet for the bedrooms, or are ready to renovate your basement. You’ll also remember them when you’re talking with friends.

A flooring retailer knows how to dig deep, ask the right questions, and help you finalize your purchase so it’s the right flooring for your needs.

Shop local

Let’s face it, the big box stores are in every major city, and focus on buying large quantities at bargain basement prices so they can continue to ramp up profits from year to year. They want you to shop again and again, no matter what city you’re in.

But when you visit an independent flooring retailer, chances are you’re visiting with locals. Like us, many independent flooring retailers have lived in the community for years, have a home nearby, have raised a family in the local neighborhood. You’re supporting friends who walk the same streets as you, and care as much about the community as you do.

If supporting the local community is on your list of to-do’s, pay attention to where you shop.

High quality products

Do you know how well the products at the big box store are made? It’s a hit-or-miss when it comes to quality.

Big box stores buy in mass quantity. They are looking for manufacturers that can fulfill their orders by the masses. And that means they often pick up products that are inferior at best. They can’t take time to wait for higher quality – they care about getting things on the shelves.

Sometimes, that means inferior glue on luxury vinyl tiles, or less than stellar wood used on laminate flooring. Of course, you may not notice it on the samples in the store, or even as you finish up your DIY project. But you will notice it over time, as the glues come unglued, and the laminate flooring starts to warp.

Large selection

The thing about big box stores is they select just enough products to keep their aisles and shelves full and ready for you to shop. Each department only has so much space. So the buyers ensure they find the best deals to fill it well.

But what if the gray-washed luxury vinyl planks aren’t quite the color you were hoping for? What if the carpet tiles aren’t quite the pattern you want? Don’t give up, check with an independent flooring retailer instead.

When you shop someone who exclusively deals with flooring, they will be able to find exactly what you are looking for.

Availability

A big box store works big box hours. When an associate’s shift ends, they go home. While you can ask questions to any associate who happens to be working that day, you’ll have to start over asking your questions and filling in the details. The customer service you receive will vary from person to person.

And only during store hours, of course.

Not so with a flooring retailer. We care about our business, and so we make ourselves available to you. Plus, when you call or visit with us, rest assured every person you talk with will have a wealth of knowledge about the product you’ve purchased, and will be ready to answer every question you have.

Independent flooring retailers have a 24/7 commitment to ensure they keep every customer and prospect they come in contact with happy and well informed.

Think a box box store can keep up with that?

Are you ready for your next DIY project?

Then maybe it’s time to give an independent flooring retailer a call. Whether you have your mind made up on a particular product or color, or are just starting the exploration process, we’re here to help. We can help you find the best DIY flooring for your needs.

Flooring
September 7, 2020

7 Great Reasons To Install Waterproof Floors

Imagine dropping an entire bucket of water and not having to worry. Picture the kids leaving the faucet running, splashing water all over your floors … and you simply throw down a towel to wipe it up, and walk away.

Sound too good to be true? Think again.

Waterproof floors are a thing, and you can have them installed throughout your home. What’s more, this isn’t the vinyl product your parents had in their homes. This is high quality flooring that looks as great as it wears. You’re really going to love these floors.

What are they? Before we get into the details, it’s important that you understand what to look for.

You’ll likely see waterproof floors for sale in several different ways:

LVT – luxury vinyl tile – this product looks like real hardwood or stone flooring, but offers many more benefits. It can be less expensive, is easier to install and maintain, and comes in many styles and colors, giving you options for every room in your home.

LVP – luxury vinyl plank – you’ll sometimes see vinyl hardwood planks referred to as LVP rather than LVT, but both offer you the same good looks with easy to maintain living. LVP closely mimics the look of genuine hardwood flooring, and can give you many options including embossed or hand scraped wood. LVP often gives you even more options than you’ll find in the genuine hardwood flooring market.

WPC – wood plastic composite – WPC vinyl plank or tile flooring are known for being 100 percent waterproof. It’s traditional luxury vinyl flooring that’s been given an added waterproof core that makes it perfect for any room in your home. It also works well in commercial applications too.

SPC – stone plastic composite – SPC has a rigid core that is virtually indestructible. It’s known for being 100 percent waterproof, and uses engineered technology to replicate both hardwood and stone tiles. Vinyl may have some give, has a flexible core. WPC does a pretty good job of firming it up and making it stand up well under pressure. SPC’s core is rigid – think concrete – and will stand up to whatever pressure you give it.

MLF – multilayer flooring – this is a generic term for all multilayer flooring lines, including WPC, SPC, and rigid core flooring or performance vinyl.

Rigid core – rigid core refers to a floating floor that uses click in place technology. The beauty of rigid core is it can be installed over many existing hard flooring surfaces, meaning you can have your remodel completed faster, without the mess that comes with ripping out old flooring.

Armed with this knowledge, you can now shop for waterproof flooring and be a little savvier with your questions. But before you go, let’s explore waterproof floors in a little more detail, because there is so much to love about these products.

They’re waterproof

Yes, they’re waterproof. That’s why you’re reading this article. But we wanted to take a moment to actually explain what that means.

If you drop a bucket of water on the floor, wipe it up. Your flooring won’t sustain any damage. If you’re kids drop their drinks, if they splash water out of the tub, if they bring in a “surprise” from the outside, you’re safe. Your flooring will stand up well to all kinds of activities.

However, it is still flooring, which means if something penetrates underneath, it can cause damage. If your house floods with several feet of water for a few days, it may not survive.

They’re great for DIYers

Not only are waterproof floors easy to maintain, but they’re perfect for homeowners that want a side project. With their click locking systems, it’s a snap to lay the planks into your space. Start in one corner of your room, snap them all into place, and you can be moving furniture back into place by the evening. No waiting for stain or varnish to dry, or your floors to settle into place.

They can be installed over existing flooring

This adds to the ease factor, and is an added bonus to DIYers. Depending on the flooring you already have down, you may not have to remove it before you click waterproof flooring into place. That’s because the rigid core isn’t sensitive to whatever imperfections exist within the subfloor. However, you should still evaluate the current condition of your flooring. If you suspect damage of any kind, including mold or mildew, it’s wise to repair the damage before you install any type of flooring over it.

They are more realistic than ever

When the first multilayer flooring products were released onto the market, they weren’t even close to the real thing. If you remember vinyl products installed in your parents’ homes, you know.

But with today’s products, technology has taken them a long way. The realistic graphics are so good, even experts have to get closer for a second look. In many cases, they are indistinguishable from the natural products they emulate. That adds to the elegance of your decor, and allows you to be creative with everything you bring in to your home.

They offer noise reduction and warmth

One of the things people remember about the original line of waterproof flooring is the noise. It echoed as you walked over it. With the newest technology, they provide better sound absorption qualities than many of the flooring choices they mimic. And thanks to technology, they offer better warmth factors too.

What’s more, waterproof flooring is the perfect choice to install over radiant heating. If you’re tired of stepping out of bed onto cold floors, or want a more energy efficient way to keep your rooms toasty warm in the winter, take another look at waterproof flooring.

They offer benefits for commercial too

While homeowners love the technology behind waterproof flooring, it’s making its way into commercial applications too. SPC, in particular, is a good choice for retail and hospitality settings, and can even be found in some medical facilities. Why not have your flooring look good, with durability and easy maintenance built it?

They’re beautiful

While we’ve spoken a lot about how well they handle, we should mention again just how beautiful today’s waterproof flooring is. With their enhanced style and design, they can match any personality, and give you whatever look you’re trying to achieve.

Plus, because of how they are made, they offer even more colors, styles, and options than traditional products. Where hardwood or stone is limited to what is found in nature, that’s not so with waterproof floors. You’ll find an array of options from the lightest to the darkest colors of the rainbow.

If you are trying to match your decor, you’ll find it in waterproof flooring technology.

Carpet, Flooring
August 24, 2020

7 Things Many Carpet Retailers Won’t Tell You

Are you in the market for new carpet? There are many places you can go to finalize your purchase.

Head online, and you can find some great deals. Order it, have it delivered, you can even find a handyman ready to save you money.

Or maybe you should visit your local big box store. After all, you visit there all the time. You picked up gardening supplies a few months ago, and were up there just last week for a can of paint. It truly is one-stop shopping. They have a few racks of carpet, why not go with what they have?

All of these may seem tempting. Replacing your flooring can be a significant investment. Why not save a little money where you can? But the thing is going with an expert will reveal key things you should know before you make your final selection, things places like a big box will never tell you.

But you’ll find out in the end.

Here are a few things to keep in mind before you buy new carpet.

Larger rooms will have seams

Seams – they can be problematic if not placed correctly inside your room. Yet if you don’t work with an installer with a lot of experience, this can be a nightmare down the road.

Standard carpet rolls come in standard sizes, usually 12, 13.6, or 15 feet wide. If your room is wider than 12 feet, you will have a seam running somewhere in the room. That’s where it’s important to have an expert help you, to minimize the effect.

First, if you don’t want to have a seam showing, select a darker carpet. Dark carpet colors are much better at hiding seams within the fibers.

You should also plan on where a seam would work out best. Place it away from windows, doors, skylights, and other light sources, as they shine light on where the seam is.

Do you have a specific room layout in mind? If you can put a seam under a bed or sofa, it won’t be noticed as much throughout your daily routines.

Remember, where you place the seam matters. It can impact how much carpet you buy. We can help you decide the best location, and order your carpet based on your decisions.

Looking for longevity? Focus on the padding

Many homeowners come in wanting to spend the majority of their budgets on the carpet. And we get it, it makes sense.

But there’s a secret some in the flooring industry won’t tell you. If you want to ensure a long life for your carpet, invest a little more in the padding.

Padding is sold by weight, so you’ll look for the pound rating as a guide. A higher pound rating gives you a denser pad, which allows your carpet to wear more evenly.

The good news is carpet pad is the economical part of your purchase. To upgrade won’t cost you much more, but it can give you years more life. Some carpet warranties even require you to install certain rated padding if you don’t, your warranty is null and void.

Will some carpet retailers tell you that?

There are different ways to carpet your stairs

Installing new carpet isn’t something you do on a regular basis. Which means there are a variety of things you simply don’t know to ask for.

Like how carpet will be installed on your stairs.

Some installers will drape the carpet over each step before attaching it to the next. This gives it a waterfall appearance. But if you ask, you can also have carpet installed in a “French cap” method where the carpet is tucked under and stapled to each of the risers below. This creates a neater, crisper edge.

Let’s talk about furniture

You’ve lived in your house for years. You have sofas, and chairs, and tables, oh my. All of that furniture looks great as you enter the room, but your carpet installer will only look at it as a challenge.

In order to make the installation go smoothly, move as much of the furniture out of the room as possible. Carpet installers aren’t furniture movers, and most will charge you extra if they have to do it.

That also means some furniture may be at risk – grandfather clocks, baby grand pianos, or your grandmother’s china cabinet may all be damaged in the process. When in doubt, move it out before your installer arrives.

Installers need electricity

Are you having a section of your home remodeled? Is the electricity off for construction? Be sure to tell your installer your plans.

While installing carpet is a manual job, they will use compressors, seam irons, vacuums, and other power tools throughout the process. They can bring in a generator if they know they may be without electricity. But if you don’t warn them ahead of time, it can cost you time in the installation process. And that can be an extra charge to bring them out.

Carpet removal is not the same thing as carpet installation

Before a carpet installer lays the new carpet into place, they have to pull the old carpet out of the space, including the pad.

And while you’ve tried to keep it clean, invariably a lot of stuff gets buried into the fibers and pad that will resurface while being carried out.

If you want other rooms in your home to stay clean during the process, close them off. And if you’re going to have other rooms cleaned, it might be a good idea to wait until after the installation.

You should also check with the installer to see how they handle the removal. Some will charge for carrying your old carpeting away.

Understanding stain-resistant carpet

Carpet is made from fiber, and over time, fiber can be stained.

Carpet manufacturers have come a long way in the past few decades, creating carpet that can withstand a lot of daily activities. But in the end, carpet is stain-resistant. It’s never stain-proof. That means how you care for it will determine how well it looks from this day forward.

If your carpet comes with something like Stainmaster™ built into the fibers, it might require new applications every few years to maintain its effectiveness. Check with the manufacturer at the time you buy to ensure you follow their guidelines.

It can also make a difference in ensuring your warranty stays valid.

Are you ready to buy new carpet?

We can help. Stop by today, and we can help you make the right choice for your home.

Flooring, Vinyl Floors
August 10, 2020

The Secret For More Beautiful Laminate Flooring

Are you thinking of changing the flooring inside your home? One step into a flooring center can leave you overwhelmed and confused.

Maybe you planned to replace what’s currently installed. You have carpet, and want to stick with carpet.

Or maybe you’ve been uttering “hardwood is the only way to go” for years. Now is your time – you can’t wait to install traditional hardwood.

But even that is turning into a massive headache. The more you learn about hardwood, the more you’re wondering if it’s the right choice for you. You have a busy household, after all. Dogs, kids, football parties on the weekends, potluck always seems to be at your house on Friday’s. Is hardwood really the right choice?

Maybe it’s time to consider laminate flooring instead.

We get it, laminate might cause your eyebrows to come together in puzzlement. You’ve heard a lot about laminate, and not a lot of it’s good.

We’re here to tell you that you shouldn’t believe everything you read. With today’s technology, laminate flooring has undergone massive change since its inception. And it really might be the right choice for your home.

What is laminate flooring?

People often stop by our retail center and say:

We love hardwood and really want to install them inside our home. But we’d like it to be a little more maintenance-free, easy to care for, and have resiliency against everyday mishaps like a spilled glass of water. What hardwood floor can do that?

They are surprised when the answer is: laminate flooring.

Laminate flooring is a multi-layer product designed to give you the good looks of hardwood, with the resiliency of other flooring choices like vinyl.

Laminate starts out with a backing layer designed to keep moisture out and prevent water from seeping in and ruining the floor. Think of this as the insulation that provides protection against everything your family can dish out.

Next, laminate floors have a fiberboard core that provides structure, stability, and impact resistance. This is what gives your flooring overall strength, and helps it hold up well throughout the years. The core layer is made from a high density fiberboard (HDF) or medium density fiberboard (MDF), which is created typically from recycled wood fibers.

The decorative layer sits on top of the core layer. This is what gives the laminate its good looks. Because technology has increased so much over the years, today’s laminate flooring can take on just about any look, come in a plethora of color, grain, and texture options.

Finally, the top layer is smoothed over the decorative layer to add protection. It’s a thin coating of aluminum oxide, which helps give it shine, protect it from scratching, and even provide UV protection from natural sunlight.

Why laminate is the right choice for today’s homes

When most people think of laminate, they judge it off of what they learned in the 1970s, when laminate first hit the marketplace. The new product may have looked like hardwood, but it was a lower quality by far. This is what created the stereotypes that are still in existence today.

By the 1980s, the dominating company produced a product called Pergo, which took off quickly across Europe, and slowly penetrated the US market during the 1990s. It was an easy way for homeowners to enjoy the beauty of hardwood floors at a more affordable price. But they rarely passed for hardwood. There was no mistaking the look and feel.

Fast forward to today, and there are many more advancements in laminate flooring. Pay attention to manufacturers’ quality; you won’t be able to tell the difference between traditional hardwood and laminate.

Each layer has seen advancements to make stronger, better looking, and more resilient than ever before. One of the most recent developments is an increase in water-resistance. Where traditional hardwood often fails in places like kitchens and basements, you can now install laminate, knowing you’ll love your choice for years to come.

Are you sold on the idea of laying laminate flooring throughout your home? You’re going to love the results.

This is how you care for laminate flooring

To ensure you love your flooring for years to come, we’ve put together a few care tips to keep your laminate flooring in top shape and looking good throughout your busy days.

Dust can be the enemy – in a gas-forced heated home, which is prominent all over Colorado, dust is something you learn to live with. But dust and laminate flooring aren’t a good combination. Invest in a vacuum that works well on hard surfaces; use it regularly. Consider investing in a Swiffer and pick up the dust each day. Dust has the ability to get between the spaces and deteriorate the laminate boards faster. Avoid using steam or water as that can also seep in and harm the base of the flooring.

Stop the dirt in its tracks – With any flooring, it will remain looking its best if you stop dirt at the front door. Invest in high quality mats to wipe your feet off before entering. Consider a “no shoe” rule and have each family member take off shoes before moving through the rest of the house. The cleaner you can keep your house, the less dirt will settle onto the flooring. That also means you can avoid using abrasive cleaners that can further harm your floors.

Protect with padding – your home is all about living comfortably. While laminate does have scratch-resistance built into the top layer, it’s equally important to help withstand scratching from some of the most common items inside your home. The kitchen chair can be a lethal weapon to your flooring. Luckily, you can invest in padding and covers that will allow you to freely move your furniture around while adding a little more protection for your floors.

Say YES to laminate flooring

A lot of homeowners come in looking for the perfect flooring to suit their needs. And in the back of their minds, they also question resale value – will people be interested in buying their homes if laminate is installed?

Increasingly, the answer is yes.

Laminate flooring works well in places hardwood traditionally does not. And it carries the look to places where you might have installed something else.

Laminate flooring may be the right choice for your home. The best way to find out is to give us a call today.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
August 7, 2020

Is Water Resistant or Waterproof Flooring The Best Choice For Your Home?

Why do you buy new flooring? We suspect you purchase it to enhance the look of your home for many years to come. Yes, you have to fall in love with your final choice today. But if it doesn’t look good for years, what’s the point?

That’s what pushes many homeowners to start researching water resistant and waterproof flooring choices. After all, if you’re installing new flooring in the parts of your home you use the most – kitchen, bathrooms, living space – it only makes sense it can take all your family can dish out.

Water resistant or waterproof flooring

The words sound similar, don’t they? In fact, you’ll find water resistant and waterproof are often used interchangeably as you read product descriptions. But we’re here to tell you that they are not the same, not when it comes to flooring.

Let’s say you drop an entire pitcher of water.

Water resistant means that your flooring will stand up to the spilled water for a short time. As long as you jump on it and clean it up immediately, your flooring should be fine.

Waterproof means it can withstand all that water and more, and be just fine.

The longer the water sits on top of your floor, the bigger the problem with water resistant flooring. Waterproof flooring should still be fine, providing the water doesn’t penetrate down through cracks, under wall boards, and seep below the surface.

Let’s talk about certain flooring choices

It’s easy to think of flooring choices that don’t mix well with water in any condition.

Carpeting might be able to take an occasional spill, but only if you clean it up immediately. If allowed to penetrate the fibers and remain wet for any length of time, water damage can quickly occur. A soaked carpet will often generate mold in 24 to 48 hours.

Hardwood, another Colorado favorite, does not mix with water, even for a short period of time. Hardwood flooring is porous, which means moisture can easily be absorbed into the material. Even with small spills, it can cause extensive damage almost immediately, especially if left to sit for any length of time.

You might have already known that those two choices aren’t right for the rooms in your home. If you have a busy household, filled with pets and kids and lots of activity, installing a more resilient flooring is high on your wishlist.

Does that mean laminate? Or maybe vinyl flooring?

We get it. We love our hardwood here in the Rocky Mountains. We’ve talked with many homeowners that are very skeptical about installing anything else.

But there are other great options that can offer both water resistance or waterproof flooring.

Laminate flooring

Let’s start with laminate flooring. Laminate is made out of recycled hardwood. Because of its hardwood core, it can never be waterproof. But laminate is built using multiple layers to give it its strength, and the melamine wear layer will make it water resistant. If you spill water onto the floor, and wipe it up promptly, the floor will suffer no damage. However, if flooring occurs, laminate will quickly saturate with water, which will cause it to warp quickly. It can also allow mold growth.

Luxury vinyl planks

One of the newest wood-look products on the market is luxury vinyl planks. These realistic planks often look so real, you have to get closer to them to determine they aren’t hardwood.

What’s more, luxury vinyl planks offer something you’ll never get with hardwood. They are one-hundred percent waterproof. That means you can enjoy the look of hardwood with the ease of care and maintenance of vinyl. And what makes it even more attractive is the price; it’s an affordable option that will allow you to put it anywhere in your home, especially moisture-prone areas like the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry room.

Luxury vinyl is created with several layers that are fused together under heat and pressure. Four separate layers include:

The vinyl backing
A vinyl core
A print layer which gives the planks their classic good looks
A clear protective layer, also known as the protective layer, that combines a polyurethane coating with a reinforced layer from ceramic bead, silica bead, or aluminum oxide

The wear layer is one of the most important layers. It determines how well the product will handle under pressure, and how long of lifespan you can expect from your tiles.

Wood-look tile

For some homeowners, a step up might lead them to wood-look tile. Wood-look tiles are any tile that resembles hardwood. Ceramic or porcelain, clay and other materials are compressed together into plank format to resemble different shades of hardwood. They look like hardwood with the care and maintenance friendliness of tile.

Because it’s tile, it’s more scratch-resistant. Do you have pets? You won’t have to worry about scratches from their nails.

Do you suffer from allergies? Tile is a good option because the installation process can keep your indoor air quality in better shape than other flooring options, and you’ll be able to sweep surface dirt away easily.

Another benefit tile brings is that you can install it over radiant heating. In Colorado, cold tile is one of the biggest reasons homeowners look at other options. But if you install it over radiant heating, it can be a great way to keep your room comfy and cozy all year long.

Just be aware that tile is water resistant instead of waterproof. With proper installation, water will never reach the subfloor below the tile. A pro will ensure every tile is properly laid into place, the grout is correctly installed, and the tile is sealed, if necessary.

What’s important to you, water resistant or waterproof flooring?

The good news is, there are many options for finding a good looking floor and combining it with either the water resistance or waterproof base you’re looking for. You don’t have to put up with ugly flooring to get a base your family can live with.

Understanding the differences between water resistant and waterproof is your first step in making the right choice for your home.

Are you ready to see all of your options?

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
August 3, 2020

Do Your Upstairs and Downstairs Flooring Have To Match?

If you look around your neighborhood, chances are most of the homes are multilevel. It’s what we’re used to here in Colorado. Without a lot of space here in the Metro area, we choose to build up rather than out.

And there are a lot of benefits to having multi levels of living.

It’s the easiest way to gain more square footage in your home.
You can separate out living space from sleeping quarters.
It gives you more storage space.
It keeps you healthy, running up and down the stairs all day.

Chances are you have stairs in your home too. And while you might not think much about them on an average day, when it comes time to add new flooring, they can be one of your top concerns.

Staircases have always presented a challenge to homeowners when designing their decor. Do you match the stairs with the flooring from the first story? Do you use the flooring from the second story and carry it down? Is it important for the upstairs and downstairs flooring to transition well? What if there is carpet on one floor and hardwood on another? Is there a right choice to make when selecting new flooring?

The goal of good flooring is to improve flow. For staircases, that means having the flooring perfectly transition from one to another. If you do it right, all you’ll notice is the beauty of your home – not how out of place the flooring really looks.

Start with the stairs

Before we talk about the perfect flooring to use on your staircase, take a moment to think about how your family uses the staircase. Also, consider the placement of the stairs within your home.

How much of the staircase is visible from each level?
Does the staircase make a dramatic visual impact in your home?
Is safety a big concern?
How much use do the stairs receive each day?

Some staircases make a grand entrance as you walk into the home. Look and style might be everything in that situation.

While other staircases are more hidden, and play an important role in daily function. You’re up and down dozens of times each day, often with your hands full as you transport things from one floor to the next. Safety would be one of your biggest concerns.

With purpose in mind, it’s easier to make the right choice for transitioning your upstairs and downstairs flooring.

Two separate levels, two separate flooring choices

In most cases, when you’re adding new flooring to a level of your home, you don’t consider other levels.

If you’ve recently renovated the basement, for example, you probably selected flooring based on what’s the best choice for your basement. Hardwood doesn’t work well in a basement environment; it’s damp and runs the risk of moisture. Homeowners often select carpet or even laminate out of necessity. As much as you love your hardwood on the main living floor, it never entered into consideration because you knew it wasn’t the right choice for your situation.

And that’s typically how we approach flooring. We consider the purpose, and choose the right flooring material for the job.

Bedrooms often use carpet because it’s soft, warm, and creates a cozy environment conducive for sleeping. It works.

It’s also the best place to start.

Once you have your ideal flooring in place on each level, only then should you think about transitions. This is how you connect the two to create harmonious living.

Hardwood flooring on both levels

This is one of the easiest choices when deciding on flooring. If both levels use the same flooring, by all means, carry the look onto the staircase too. If both levels use hardwood, for example, carpeted stairs would look a little out of place.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t change things up a bit. How about using a runner for visual appeal? It’s a great way to connect the two, soften things up, and add a pop of color to break up the monotony of everything being the same.

If you don’t want to use a runner, and the thought of any type of carpeting leaves you saying, “no,” try painting a runner in place instead. A painted runner is easy to apply, and if you don’t like the color, repaint it. It’s a great way to be able to freshen up the surroundings with little investment.

Of course, you can always choose to leave them bare. Because you have hardwood up and down, carrying that look to the staircase is one of the easiest decisions you can make. With the finish matching the flooring on both levels, it creates a minimalist, cohesive look.

But even if you’re going with bare wood, consider adding special touches along the way. Landings can always use a different material or painted/stained a different hue. Consider adding a pop of color to the risers to give a different look to your staircase.

Carpeting on one level, hardwood on another

If you have hardwood floors on one level and carpet on another, one of the most common approaches is to carpet the stairs to match. Using the same carpet creates a visual link to what lies above, and gives you a safe way to travel between the two levels.

If carpet on the stairs really isn’t your thing, there are other approaches. Instead of using fully carpeted stairs, consider using a runner in a matching hue. This gives you lead-in lines to connect hardwood to carpet, yet does so in a more sophisticated way. It keeps things crisp and nudges the eye upward and beyond.

If you want to change it up even more, just add more color to the runner. Make sure it coordinates well with the stain from the hardwood, and the hue of the carpet. This can give insight into your personality, and let it shine.

And if you have a staircase with multiple landings, you can choose to play up how you add flooring to the staircase. Maybe you can transition with carpet down to the first landing, then continue with hardwood to match with the different levels.

Options, options, options.

That truly is the name of the game when selecting upstairs and downstairs flooring, and creating the link in between.

How you choose to decorate your staircase is all up to you. And with a little bit of imagination, you can make a beautiful and grand entrance.

Flooring
July 30, 2020

How To Ensure Your Flooring Match Your Walls

Redecorating your home is a fun process. After all, who doesn’t enjoy picking out new decor items and adding new aesthetics into your living space? Whether you select something from Pantone’s color of the year palette, or move forward with a neutral tone, there’s something about new decor that can inspire you in the weeks and months ahead.

As much fun as it is to start with a clean slate, that can also be intimidating. Where do you start? How do you begin? Walk into any paint department and you’ll find unlimited color potential. Combine that with flooring choices and the possibilities are limitless.

Sometimes it feels as if the best place to begin is not to start at all.

Yet you’re here and looking for advice on how to move forward. We’re glad to help.

Because once you get a few things down, you’ll have a much easier time finalizing your decisions.

Matching vs coordinating – which do you choose?

Before we move forward, it’s important to understand the two concepts of matching and coordinating. These are the foundation of good decor.

Matching means identical. It means the two items are from the same set. They belong together. In the case of making your walls match your flooring, it would mean they are identical in color. In your kitchen, you might use oak wood for the flooring, the cabinetry, and even for the woodwork. When you look across your kitchen it would all blend together.

Coordinating, however, is a bit different. Coordinating doesn’t mean a perfect match, but they go well together anyway. They may be different shades, hues, or even textures, but when you put them together, they complement one another.

There is an entire industry built around coordinating. Colors, textures, patterns and more can all be artfully chosen to create a unique space. We’re going to stay a bit simpler for this article, but know you can take this as far out as you desire. (And it really is quite fascinating when you dive deep.)

Now that you know the difference between matching and coordinating, you might already be adjusting your plans. To make your floors match your walls, you can carry tile or wood from one section to the next, or you can focus on harmonizing the two to create a cohesive look. Coordinating will give you more freedom in exploring colors, textures, and designs, all the while creating a look that works together beautifully.

Now let’s start with the floors

Now that you have a better idea of the decor terms of matching and coordinating, let’s explore design elements a bit further.

How would you describe your home? Country? Modern? Spanish hacienda? Minimalist?

See how each of those terms brought a different thought to mind?

A home decor built around a country vibe would bring to mind wood and a lot of homey features. Colors will be softer. Vintage fabrics may be used. It’s like picturing a rustic farmhouse your grandmother may have kept.

Spanish hacienda, on the other hand, invokes an entirely different decor. Tile comes to mind. A specific color palette of whites and reds. Lots of plants, plenty of pottery, and a combination of wood and iron.

While curb appeal may set the stage for what lies inside, it’s the flooring that dictates what the look will be throughout the home. Imagine seeing the traditional Spanish hacienda look on the outside, only to walk into a modern structure on the inside. The two looks wouldn’t blend. And frankly, it would probably be difficult to truly love your home because you aren’t sticking with a plan. It’s confusing, and it shows.

Start with the overall feel. What is your home telling you? What’s the right style based on the overall design? That’s your best place to start. It lays the groundwork for your room.

Wall color for wood floors

Here in Colorado, we love our wood floors. While you might choose tile in the bathrooms or carpet in the bedrooms, we’re willing to bet you’ve selected hardwood for many other areas throughout your home. Why? Because it’s timeless and beautiful.

And if you’re redecorating based on your hardwood flooring, it might be difficult to decide what to do. Can you just slap up any paint color and have it go well with any hardwood finish? There is a way to have it flow naturally.

If your hardwood floors have a lighter hue, they will inherently make the room feel a bit larger. To continue with that trend, it’s important to keep your walls as light and bright as you can. Pure white is often too white for homeowners. Luckily, there are many different options to tone it down. Select an undertone in gray or brown. Use a shade of white that further compliments the look you’re trying to achieve. Pick up a few paint charts and start playing with color. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you gravitate towards a specific look.

If your hardwood floors have a darker hue, it’s usually to make a room feel cozier. Think log cabin. Think rustic ski lodge. That’s a perfect look here in Colorado. Dark floors stand up well to bold, beautiful colors. If you want to make a statement, start the aesthetics off with a dark hardwood floor. Just be sure you stick with a similar tone when making your final selection. Dark hardwoods come with many different shades – they can have undertones of blue, red, tan, or yellow. Pick up on this color trend when selecting your wall color shade. It will set the direction for your decor.

Of course, all of this is just the beginning of what you can do to add color elements into your design. How about the ceiling? Or chair rails? Embellishments? Or molding?

And you don’t have to paint the entire room in one color. How about using different colors to make different sections pop? We love big, bold signature walls complemented by a shade of white throughout the rest of the room. It gives your eye someplace to go. It creates a harmonious look and feel.