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Flooring
October 14, 2019

What Is The Best Scratch Resistant Flooring?

Nothing is better than finally remodeling your home and getting everything you want.

That new kitchen you’ve been dreaming about? It’s pure perfection.

The living space designed with your lifestyle in mind? Of course.

And beneath it all is the best flooring for your rooms. It looks elegant from the moment you walk in.

Then your four-legged friend comes running in from outside. He’s a bundle of energy, and flies through your rooms as if the chase was on. He makes hairpin turns, runs around and around your kitchen island. And when he finally stops, and you assess the damage, you see wear and tear on your brand new floors.

How could you have avoided all that? What’s the best scratch resistant flooring?

Pets are one of the hardest toughest forms of punishment for any flooring choice. They don’t understand your goals of keeping your flooring looking new. Their muddy paws will track in all kinds of problems. And their nails are one of the biggest potential problems.

Even if you keep their nails trimmed on a regular basis, they can still cause a lot of damage. They can gauge marks into hardwood, or snap carpet fibers into an unsightly mess. You can try and keep it clean, but getting out stains and smells often make the situation worse. Do you really want to drag in industrial-strength cleaners to do the job well? The harmful effects are the last thing you want to subject your family and pets to.

What’s a homeowner to do?

Is there a right choice for giving you the looks you want, while providing a safe environment for your pets, so they won’t make a mess the moment your flooring is installed?

Luckily, there is. You’ll love the choices you have for installing the best scratch resistant flooring into your home.

Tile

One of the best materials to use for your flooring if you have pets and high-traffic areas is tile. And because of today’s technology, you have more options than ever before.

Ceramic tile is one of the most popular types of tile for the home. You’ll find ceramic tile in kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways because it’s easy to install, durable, easy to clean, and comes in many styles, colors, and patterns. If you’re remodeling on a budget, ceramic tile is a great choice.

Porcelain tile gives you an elegant finish with the ability to emulate just about any look you desire. That’s why it’s grown in popularity over the past few years. If you’ve seen tile floors that look like natural stone, brick, or hardwood, it’s porcelain tile that gives it its good looks. It’s also perfect for inside/outside living as it won’t freeze, fade, or crack.

If you’re looking for natural, there are many options you can choose from. However, keep in mind that many natural stones like limestone and travertine are beautiful but softer than other tiles. They may be more susceptible to scratches and stains, something your pets dish out on a regular basis.

If you’re dreaming of the look or hardwood but have put it off because of your four-legged friends, it’s time to rethink your look and consider wood-look tile instead. You’ll love that it wears well in all kinds of situations, and in many cases, you have to get down on the floor to determine it isn’t the real thing.

Laminate

If your heart is set on hardwood, consider laminate instead. It’s an artificial wood product that’s both durable and resilient.

Laminate flooring is a multi-layer product that is fused together by a lamination process. The bottom layer is designed to give it strength. The inner layer is usually a melamine resin and fiberboard used for durability. The photographic layer gives it its classic good looks. The top layer is a clear-coat protection so that the photographic layer stays protected.

Laminate has grown in popularity for a variety of reasons. It’s easier to install than hardwood, being able to be laid with a click and lock into place construction system. It floats over the subfloor rather than have to be nailed or glued into place.

That makes it more forgiving when being installed, being able to be applied over a variety of subfloor situations. It requires less skill, meaning it can be a DIY project if you’re looking to save even more. There are also several hygienic brands on the market that can provide you with a safer, cleaner flooring choice if you’re worried about your family’s health.

Luxury Vinyl

Luxury vinyl is also growing in popularity because of its looks and durability. This isn’t your mother’s vinyl. Instead, it’s designed with both fashion and durability in mind.

Why so popular? Because you can choose luxury vinyl to mimic hardwood planks, yet be more functional and affordable in the process.

The biggest advantage vinyl plank flooring has that makes it so popular is because it is 100 percent water resistant. That means any surface spills won’t affect the flooring. That’s a pretty big benefit when dealing with pets. If you know you can wipe away any mishap without a problem, it pushes it up the list.

If you have a lot of traffic or are worried about the effects your pet can dish out, you can upgrade to commercial grade, to ensure your flooring is even more durable. No matter what your final selection is, you’ll know it’s easily maintained with regular sweeping and an occasional swipe of a mop.

When most people think of vinyl, they tend to think of the soft floors from their parents’ era. While vinyl is still more friendly for standing and walking on, advances have also made the core level more rigid for a stable, sturdier construction. If you choose a thicker material, it’s more forgiving when installed on the subfloor. If you have small problem areas, luxury vinyl might just cover them up. It’s important to talk with your flooring consultant before you make your final selection to ensure it’s a perfect fit for your conditions. That will ensure you have a long lasting product that will look great throughout the years.

It’s time to install – what’ll it be?

Are you ready to put scratch resistant flooring into your space? Which choice will it be?

Tile, laminate, and luxury vinyl are all perfect additions to any home with pets. Whichever you choose, you’re going to love your flooring for years to come.

Flooring
October 10, 2019

What’s Trending In Kitchen Floors?

Want to remodel your home? Want to improve the aesthetics? One of the best places to start is with your kitchen.

Kitchens are considered the hub of your home. It’s where most families spend the majority of their time. You cook there. You gather there. The kids do their homework there. You might even relax there, reading the night way at the kitchen island, or sharing a glass of wine with your spouse or your neighbor.

Why not make it the best looking room in your home?

According to a 2018 remodeling cost vs value survey, a minor kitchen remodel will hold over 81 percent of its value over time. It doesn’t take a major overhaul to make it look brand new. Instead, you can do little things to bring your kitchen back to life.

Like replacing your kitchen floors.

So much of your home’s decor is built from the bottom up. If you have a great base, everything else flows. When you have great kitchen floors, it makes everything from your cabinets to your countertops look great in the process.

As you’re on the hunt for new flooring, what are the current trends that will make your kitchen look great? Want some tips to help you elevate the look of your favorite room in your home? Some of today’s top kitchen floor trends include sustainability, natural materials, and warm colors that will be a welcome addition to any home.

https://pro-flooring.com/trends-new-home-buyers-want-in-flooring/

Here’s what to consider as you’re making your final selection.

Bamboo

If you haven’t looked at bamboo, you don’t know what you’re missing. Bamboo has so many great qualities, it’s worth a second look.

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option, bamboo may be your perfect choice. It looks like hardwood, acts like hardwood. Yet it’s more sustainable than hardwood because it’s not actually hardwood.

Instead, bamboo is considered a grass, and is one of the fastest growing crops used for flooring production. It doesn’t take decades to create a harvestable field. It takes only five to seven years.

What’s more, it’s a natural material that is warm underfoot, and has a striking color that is in demand in today’s decor marketplace. You’ll love the different colors and hues, and find the perfect grain for your taste.

Plus, bamboo is incredibly strong, making it a far better choice for the kitchen than its hardwood counterparts. It can withstand daily abuse that a kitchen often dishes out. Just be careful with water or spills, as bamboo tends to absorb water. Clean up spills quickly to avoid damage to your floors.

Cork

While we’re talking sustainable, eco-friendly kitchen floor products, we have to mention cork flooring too. Cork makes a unique kitchen flooring option that’s as soft and comfortable as it is durable. Cork flooring also makes a great insulator, meaning your kitchen floor will add more warmth. In the cold winter months, that can bring welcome relief.

Have family members who suffer from allergies? Then cork may just be your perfect kitchen floor choice. Cork is naturally antimicrobial, meaning it’ll be easier on your health. Just be careful you go with a reputable company who harvest in a sustainable way, and an installer who uses all-natural adhesives and glues.

You can’t make a wrong choice when it comes to looks. You’ll find cork flooring in a variety of earthy color schemes that match any decor. Cork can be damaged over time because of its soft nature. And if you have a lot of streaming sunlight bouncing around your kitchen, be aware cork can fade over time.

Laminate

Laminate flooring has been around for years for a good reason. It gives you the appearance of hardwood flooring with more durability and a stronger base. It’s perfect for the kitchen where you tend to drop things more, and spills are the norm more than the exception.

Now laminate isn’t limited to traditional hardwood colors. Instead, you’ll find laminate is trending in all kinds of colors for your kitchen floors.

Why not try white laminate? It’s a great choice if you want to liven up your space. White makes any space feel larger. It brings more vibrancy into your space. Plus, white flooring gives you a clean, crisp look that can be paired with just about anything. Do you love the Scandinavian designs that are popular in design magazines? Those cool, earthy colors are perfect when paired with white laminate.

Not convinced white is the way to go? You don’t have to head back to traditional colors to make a statement. Try gray laminate instead. While gray has fallen to the wayside in paint color and decor, a gray whitewash look in flooring is peeking in popularity. It’s a very popular effect that allows you to pair it with different colored cabinetry for a fun, clean look and feel.

Natural Stone

There’s never a bad time to install natural stone, and thanks to today’s options, it’s a great choice for your kitchen floor. Most Coloradoans don’t think about adding natural stone to a kitchen because it can be cold underfoot. But natural stone can be a perfect choice when paired with radiant heating. Instead of backing out of the kitchen on winter mornings, you’ll be rushing in to enjoy a little heat from the ground up.

What we love most about natural stone is you’ll never get the same look twice no matter what color you select. That means whatever design you pick will be yours and yours alone. The warm colors and ribbons of varying shades and tones pack quite the punch in your decorating style. It’s hard not to fall in love with this kitchen flooring product.

Dark Hardwood

For some homeowners, only hardwood will do. If this is your top choice, we know it’ll be a good fit for you.

Dark hardwood is currently all the rage. You’ll find it in all the decorating magazines. What makes dark hardwood special in the kitchen is it can be paired with anything. If you want to stick with dark cabinets and countertops, you’ll create an elegant look. Or mix it up and go light; the look can be uniquely your own.

Hardwood can be expensive, especially if you get into more exotic woods. But if you’ve got a certain look in mind and nothing else will do, hardwood is one of the longest lasting kitchen floor choices you can make. It’s a timeless look you’ll love for many years.

So what’s it going to be for your kitchen remodel? What kind of flooring choice is perfect for you?

Flooring, Tile Floors
October 6, 2019

Why Ceramic Tile Is Always A Great Choice For Bathrooms

No matter how big or small your bathroom is, there’s a place for ceramic tile.

In fact, from a global perspective, ceramic tile is one of the most popular flooring choices you can make. And the demand is expected to continue growing.

And who can argue that ceramic tile is one of the best flooring choices you can make, especially in a bathroom. Bathrooms are tough on just about every material you put into it. It must withstand humidity and moisture. It has to ensure messes and spills. And it has to be easy to clean and easy to maintain.

That makes ceramic tile the perfect choice for your space.

Need a little inspiration? Let’s start with a few important reasons why you should consider ceramic tiles.

Ceramic tile is affordable

The very first reason many homeowners start looking at ceramic tile is because of its affordability factor. It can be more affordable than other popular choices, such as porcelain, stone, marble, or quartz.

Like everything, you get what you pay for. But with ceramic tile’s affordability factor comes a wide array of options. You can find any color, pattern, size, or style you desire. You can mimic some of the popular flooring choices like stone or wood. You can intermix the tile for a look that’s truly your own.

The one thing you’ll never get with ceramic tile is boring. There are unlimited possibilities when working with ceramic tile in the bathroom – all at a price that’s easy on the budget.

Ceramic tile is strong

Your bathroom floors take some of the most abuse anywhere in your home. They face daily humidity and moisture, They deal with wet towels and lots of lotions and potions. They have to be strong, day after day, month after month, year after year.

What makes ceramic tile strong and durable is the way it’s made. Most ceramic tiles are made from white or red clay, formed, fired in a kiln, and finished with a glaze. Because they are manmade, they come in any style or pattern you can imagine. That’s what makes them so popular.

However, to keep the finish strong and durable, it is recommended that you use a suitable cleaning solution made for ceramic tile. To keep its finish looking good for years to come, ensure you clean it in as mild of was as possible.

Ceramic tile is waterproof

We’ve hinted to it several times in this post. One of the biggest reasons ceramic tile is perfect for the bathroom is because it’s waterproof. And the bathroom is notorious for moisture, so it’s a perfect fit.

Whether your kids splash water out of the sink and on to the floor on a regular basis, your tub or shower leaks water over the edge, or an occasional overflow problem with your toilet, your ceramic tile will never show the wear.

Just be sure you clean all messes up as quickly as possible. If your tile is installed the correct way, there shouldn’t be a problem. That means proper installation, grout in place, caulking sealing all of the edges – that ensures water stays on top and doesn’t seep down underneath.

Ceramic tile can add depth and ambiance

With many flooring choices, what you see is what you get. Luckily, that’s not the case with ceramic tile.

Ceramic tile is often made with different textures. When you install them in the bathroom, they can add depth and character. Because they come in a wide array of sizes, you can mix and match and create just about any pattern imaginable. You can create ambiance just by focusing in on specific areas of the room. Highlight by using different tiles around the baseboards. Or changing colors by a tub or shower. You can even take tile up the walls, and create an entirely new look and feel. All you have to do is use Pinterest as your guide, and you’re sure to find your inspiration in no time.

Ceramic tile is easy to install

With some flooring choices, your floors will have to acclimate before you can proceed with installation. Not so with ceramic tile. Remove old flooring, and you’re ready to go.

Ceramic tile is easy enough some homeowners prefer to make it a do-it-yourself project. We can help you make the right selection if that’s your desire. If you want to let a professional install it without worry, we can help you with that choice as well.

Ceramic tile can add warmth

That’s probably not the benefit you expected. Ceramic tile is known for its coolness factor. Tile is often used in the hottest climates in the world because it stays cooler underfoot.

Yet ceramic tile is the perfect companion to radiant heating. If you want warm floors on a cold morning, nothing pairs better with radiant heating than ceramic tile.

In fact, you might love the feeling of warmth underfoot so much that you expand where you install ceramic tile in your home. Once homeowners discover the benefits of having radiant heating, many start adding it to other rooms in their home. Like the kitchen. Or the laundry room. Or even your living space.

Is ceramic tile the best choice for you?

Yes, we love ceramic tile a lot; it’s one of our favorite flooring choices because of the number of ways you can use it throughout your home.

If you would like help deciding if it’s the right choice for your remodeling process, stop by, and have a look.

We assure you you’ll find the perfect look at a reasonable price. And because you can install it quickly into your home, you can have it in place whenever you desire.

Are you ready for ceramic tile in your bathrooms?

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
October 2, 2019

Is Hardwood Flooring Sustainable?

Sustainable is one of those buzzwords being thrown around a lot these days. But have you ever stopped to think about what it means?

To be sustainable, it’s the quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural resources. It supports long-term ecological balance.

The United Nations has established a blueprint to help achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. It covers goals in all areas of life, from how a person lives to what they consume.

Goal number 15 is all about life on the land. It’s about doing our best to manage forests and halt or reverse land degradation sustainably. Forests cover about 30 percent of the Earth’s surface. Yet forests are being consumed at an alarming rate. What does that mean for our future?

This isn’t a post on forest practices. But you have to consider them if you’re going to talk about hardwood flooring.

Is hardwood flooring sustainable? Can you have what you love – hardwood floors – and still be conscious about making your home an eco-friendly place to live? Let’s start at the beginning.

What makes a floor sustainable?

When most of us think about sustainability, we go right to the materials being used. Hardwood flooring is made from wood. It starts with the forest, and the practices used to create the finished product.

But being a sustainable option considers much more than that. It also includes:

The manufacturing process
Every aspect of the supply chain and its impact on the environment
How natural resources are used
Wearability and how long the product will last
Recycling at end-of-life

Sustainability is more than one point in time. To truly consider the sustainability of a product, you have to look at the entire lifecycle of the product.

The manufacturing process

To be sustainable at the manufacturing levels means looking at more than the final product. It considers every step the hardwood flooring goes through from the time it’s harvested until it winds up for sale in your retail flooring store.

In many places today, tree harvesting is managed carefully. According to the National Wood Flooring Association, for every one cubic foot of trees cut down, 1.66 cubic feet are replanted. That ensures there is always room for damage and other potential problems as it takes a forest up to 60 years to mature.

As trees are harvested and brought into production, different manufacturers use different processes. What chemicals do they use during production? How much raw material is disposed of after processing? If done correctly, wood production has very little waste. Excess wood can be used in a variety of things, from wood chips to paper, and other composite products.

Still, it’s worth checking with the manufacturer you are considering to see if their processes match your sense of sustainability.

Hardwood flooring is long-lasting

Have you watched the “fix and flip” shows where they peel back the ugly carpet to reveal beautiful hardwood flooring? With a little TLC, sanding, and a little bit of finish work, they look good as new.

That’s the beauty of installing hardwood flooring in your home. With proper care and maintenance, you can easily expect them to last indefinitely. You can find historic homes that still have the original hardwood flooring in place.

Compare that with other types of flooring like linoleum or laminate. With care, you can only expect these to last 20 years, while carpet has an even shorter lifespan at ten years.

Although hardwood floors aren’t the least expensive choice you’ll find as you browse through our retail store, you can expect to save money over time. It’s nice to know you can install beautiful flooring today, and not have to worry about replacement in your lifetime.

Impact on the environment

Head back in time to your science class in high school. Trees take in carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. That makes them a very important part of the environmental footprint, making them carbon neutral in the way they are grown and harvested. They have a very low environmental impact. As long as you select wood from sustainably grown forests, it’s an effective way to get the products we love while protecting the environment at the same time.

It’s also important to note that if you select the right hardwood flooring, and you use an eco-friendly installation process, hardwood flooring can actually improve the air quality of your home. This is because hardwood flooring is easier to clean and harder to mask things like animal dander, dust, and biological growth.

Of course, that means you’ll have to talk with a flooring consultant about the glues and adhesives used to install the hardwood, making sure it doesn’t contain things like formaldehyde or other pollutants. But if you select the right manufacturer for your hardwood floors, they can help you create a cleaner environment for your family to live in.

Reusable

Hardwood flooring is also one of the few flooring choices that can be used more than once.

Whether you want to refine the way your flooring looks, or just want an updated color or finish, hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished multiple times.

If the wood is too damaged to continue being used as flooring, it can be ripped up and reused in other wood projects, including furniture or decorative features.

Reclaimed hardwood is popular in home improvement projects right now, especially if there are sentimental reasons to include it in your current project. Recycled wood brings out characteristics and personality you can’t find in newer wood. Plus if it comes from a place that holds meaning in your heart, it can give an added look to the aesthetics of your decor.

And if all else fails, you can always use wood as fuel. Since hardwood is biodegradable, in some cases you can burn it and use it to stay warm.

Is hardwood flooring sustainable? It may be one of the best flooring choices for your home to help reduce your carbon footprint and create a more eco-friendly environment for you and your family.

Stop by today and see our entire selection of hardwood floors. You’ll find the perfect choice for your home.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
September 29, 2019

What’s The Best Direction To Install Hardwood Flooring?

Thinking of installing hardwood flooring throughout your home? Congratulations. You’re going to love the look.

However, selecting the right hardwood flooring is more than deciding what tone or hardwood shade. It’s also about determining what direction to install your hardwood flooring.

It might seem like an easy decision at first. We’ve found many customers haven’t even given it much thought. But how you install it will set the stage for decor and ambiance. And you’ll be living with this choice for a long time.

Before we get into deciding the best direction for your taste, let’s define them first.

Straight or Vertical

The most common installation method for hardwood flooring is straight, or vertical. You choose to have your hardwood flooring installed according to the length or width of your room. This is a classic pattern because it’s one of the easiest to install. It works in any home, any room, because it has a contemporary feel. And since it works with the flow of your room, it’s also one of the easiest, least expensive ways to install.

Horizontal

Whereas straight or vertical installations run the length of a room, a horizontal installation plays on the narrower section of your room. This can help in a room that feels closed in, where it’s narrower than it is long. By installing the wood horizontally, it draws the eye from side to side, adding depth.

Diagonal

Instead of staying with the length or width of a room, a diagonal installation will add uniqueness and elegance with just a tweak to the classic straight direction. Diagonal floors are laid at a 45 degree angle to the room. That means boards will run across your room at an interesting angle, giving style and ambiance in a unique way.

Herringbone

It’s hard to miss the sophistication of a herringbone design. This is where planks are laid diagonally in a zigzag pattern to add more whimsy to the design.

Custom

The great thing about hardwood installation is there are an infinite number of ways to do it. Try mixing different widths together. Or mix different shades, styles, or materials. While this might not be something you try as a DIYer, if you’re open to ideas, one of our consultants can help you imagine big. Doing something with a twist off the norm, and give your space even more appeal.

Now that you know there are many different possibilities for laying your hardwood flooring into place, what should you consider as you make your final selection? There isn’t a right or wrong direction to install hardwood flooring. But there are a few rules of thumb to keep in mind.

Where are your room focal points?

Every room has one feature that stands out from the rest. It might be a large fireplace that commands attention. Or a wall of glass windows. Or even an archway that leads to the next room. Chances are you commented on it when buying your home. To make the most of that focal point, have your hardwood planks lead to that spot. They should lead right into the fireplace, or guide you through the opening.

What are your light sources?

Does your room play off natural light? Or do you rely completely on artificial? Think about the direction of light and the way it flows throughout the day. Depending on how you play with the light, and the direction of your hardwood, will determine the visual impact of the room. It can help lengthen your room, make it feel more wide open. Or it can help shorten and add coziness factor to the room.

One room or many?

Will you be laying hardwood in one room, or extending it through multiple rooms in your home? There are a few things to keep in mind before ordering and scheduling your installation.

If your room is one large area, lying it straight from end to end can create sweeping views. If you have nooks and corners that lend to breaking up the flow, laying hardwood straight is a little more difficult. You can use thin strips to break up the pattern and give dimension to each room. This also allows you to change direction, when necessary, to create a pleasing look. You can also consider diagonal or herringbone pattern to further add ambiance and to take the emphasis off problem areas that might not be easy to attach.

How should you handle hallways?

Hallways are the narrowest places in your home. When you install them the long way, outward from the openings, it will add dimension to your space rather than leaving a choppy appearance. It’s also easier for the installation process, to use your hardwood planks in the most efficient way.

What about structural issues?

Every house is different. That’s why it’s important to talk with a flooring consultant before you finalize your decisions to ensure you have thought of everything you’ll need to do the job the right way. Your wood floors should always be installed perpendicular to your floor joists. This makes your flooring structurally sound and will prevent your hardwood planks from having structural damage later on, such as sagging, buckling, or separating.

Consider your subfloor as well. You’ll need different installation methods depending on if you’re installing over concrete or wooden subfloor. Nail down is different than floating planks.

You should also lay out your floor plan in detail before you shop. Keep in mind special circumstances that will influence your installation process, such as closet space, uneven walls, staircases, and anything else that makes your home unique.

What about design?

There are certain parts of your home that lend to more creativity than others. Want to create an elegant, formal dining room? Why not use direction to create the right ambiance? You can change colors, or add mosaics or other patterns to clearly define the space. Or how about adding flair to your kitchen? You can play with direction, especially as you move around islands or into breakfast spaces.

Need more ideas to select what direction to install your hardwood flooring? Stop by today. We can give you all the tips you need to create the home of your dreams.

Carpet, Flooring
September 26, 2019

What Is Better: Carpet or Laminate Flooring?

When it’s time to replace your flooring, you have many different options. You can simply replace your current flooring with something similar. Or you have the option to change it up and install something different.

If you have an older home filled with carpet, you might be eyeing hardwoods. After all, you can’t pick up a home decorating magazine, or watch a home show without seeing hardwood flooring being installed. Yet you’ve looked at the price tag and considered your options. You’re just not sure you’re ready to make that kind of investment.

So you’re back at square one. Should you replace your old carpet with new?

When looking at replacing your current floors, there’s another choice you might consider. Carpet and laminate are both popular choices, and the cost is usually comparable.

With laminate flooring, most is sold with tongue-and-groove planks, making installation a snap. If you choose to do-it-yourself, this makes it an easy process. Installing your own carpet isn’t as easy. If you’re a weekend remodeler and want to tackle a new project, laminate might be the perfect choice for you.

Still not sure which is the right choice for you? Let’s dive in deeper and look at how carpet and laminate compare.

Appearance

Let’s start with how carpet and laminate look, and what materials are used to create each product.

Laminate flooring is a multi-layered product, typically four layers in a laminate plank. At the bottom is a stabilizing layer to give planks their strength. Next is a high-density fiberboard. You have the photographic layer that gives laminate its looks. And finally, a resin layer that gives it a protective wear. The clear coat layer is what gives it its durability.

https://pro-flooring.com/the-best-way-to-install-laminate-flooring-in-the-bathroom/

Carpets come in a variety of styles and materials. Some are created from natural fibers, such as wool, while others are made from synthetic materials like nylon. Carpet is created by attaching an upper layer of pile attached to a backing that gives carpet strength and durability. In most cases, you’ll find carpet made from petroleum-based synthetic materials. If you want a greener, more eco-friendly option, be sure to seek out wool, the softest and most durable natural option.

https://pro-flooring.com/the-truth-about-carpeting/

Carpet or laminate flooring both offer a wide range of design options. If you have a color, pattern, texture, or final look you’re hoping to achieve, either flooring choice can help you achieve your results.

Today’s laminate doesn’t have to stick with classic hardwood designs. You can turn to more exotic hardwood looks, such as hickory or even reclaimed wood. Or change it up and select laminate that looks like stone. Some of the patterns can be so realistic, you have to get down on the floor to see it’s not real.

Durability

Carpet is more durable and stain-resistant than it was in the past. Still, it’s generally accepted that you’ll have to replace carpet every eight to ten years with a moderate level of traffic. You can add longevity by taking your shoes off at the front door. But in general, it can only be cleaned so many times before it starts to show its wear.

Laminate has a longer lifespan, lasting up to 30 years if you purchase a high-quality product. Laminate is scratch-resistant, water-resistant, and easy to clean. That’s why it’s often used in places where hardwood isn’t a good choice, like basements, laundry rooms, or kitchens.

For some homeowners, they like the thought of upgrading and remodeling on a regular basis. They don’t mind a shorter lifespan, knowing they will be replacing the flooring every few years. Think about your goals and needs before you make your final selection.

Resale Value

Will you be selling your home in the near future? Then you may wish to pay attention to what buyers want. Overwhelmingly, realtors report they want hardwood. And if it doesn’t make sense to install the real thing, laminate gives the appearance and is a logical next choice.

According to a recent study, if you install hardwood floors, you can expect to recoup up to 80 percent of the costs. Carpet ROI dips down to only 25 to 40 percent. In the words of the realtor surveyed: carpet just doesn’t cut it for many buyers. They want to see hardwood, at least in the main living areas.

https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/what-type-of-flooring-should-i-install-for-best-resale-value/

That makes laminate a great choice if you want to create a clean, fresh look.

Suitability

In most modern homes, you’ll rarely find one type of flooring covering every inch of the home. What makes sense for one room might be inappropriate in another. Carpet is never a good choice in the kitchen or bathrooms. And laminate is often the best choice for landlords trying to make the most of every dollar they spend on upgrading rental property. It comes down to knowing what your goal is for every room in the house.

In common living spaces, such as living rooms and family rooms, it makes sense to use a flooring material that gives you flexibility. Laminate is the perfect choice because it’s easier to clean, less susceptible to stains, and you can make changes easily by adding area rugs.

In bedrooms, you might prefer the warmth of carpet. Nothing feels better on the toes on a cold morning than plush carpeting. It insulates and helps the room feel warmer.

Using laminate on stairs can make your home beautiful, but it also can increase the risk of falling. Laminate can make the steps more slippery, which can increase problems for small children or elderly. That might make carpeting a better choice. Or consider a runner to give the benefits of both.

In basements and lower living areas, the floors are often at increased risk of moisture and water damage. For this reason, carpet doesn’t make sense. Laminate is water-resistant, meaning cleanup will be easier. However, keep in mind that if you have trouble with flooding, laminate doesn’t stand up well to excessive humidity and water. It can warp and damage the product over time. In this case, you might be better off looking at other flooring choices.

What’s the right choice for you: carpet or laminate flooring? If you want to consider all your options, stop by today. We’re happy to show you what’s new in the world of carpeting and laminates, and help you find the right choice for your home.

Flooring
September 21, 2019

Selecting The Best Flooring For Rental Properties

Colorado is a great place to live. But we don’t have to tell you that. And by the looks of the latest population poll, many newbies would agree with you too.

Colorado is listed as one of the top ten fastest growing states. Officials estimate it’s increased by more than 13 percent, landing somewhere around 5.7 million people.

At the same time, Colorado real estate has jumped from a median $215,000 to $364,000. Rents have increased from $928 to $1,427 per month, on average. Both of these facts have created a viable business opportunity of buying homes and turning them into rental properties.

Yet rental properties aren’t as easy to furnish as if you’re fixing and flipping. Rental properties traditionally are not as well cared for as when you own. Therefore, a lot of landlords strive to find affordable features renters will love, with easy to care for, easy to maintain fixtures that help increase their profits.

One of the first places to start is at the bottom – with your floors. This is where you build your base, so it’s important to select the best flooring for your rental properties that meets all of the qualifications.

Where do you begin?

Affordable

We know most landlords start and end with cost. It’s one of the most important considerations when trying to maximize your profits every time you rent.

When it comes to flooring, you should weigh your decision based on three things: the cost of the flooring, the cost of installation, and the cost of maintenance. People often look solely at the cost of the product without thinking about the other two; that’s the quickest way to lose money. When considering maintenance costs, look at how much it will cost you to repair the flooring while the tenant is living there, as well as costs to keep it looking good throughout the life of the product.

Some of the best flooring choices for rental properties include:

Carpet
Tile
Laminate
Linoleum
Vinyl sheets
Vinyl tiles

Durable

Think about all a flooring material will have to endure. Daily routines – foot traffic, tracking in water and snow, pet messes, spills, dents, scratches, and more – can all cause a lot of wear and tear on flooring. While it should be durable enough to continue to look good throughout a tenant’s lease period, if you make the right choice, it can be durable enough to last through two or three.

The most durable flooring properties include:

Laminate
Linoleum
Vinyl sheets
Vinyl tiles

Maintenance

One of your worst nightmares as a landlord is to be in repair-mode throughout the lease period. That’s where striking a balance between quality products and ensuring they’re affordable comes into play.

While replacing a dishwasher involves a small area in the home, flooring is a little more difficult. If you have to replace it, it may require your tenant to remove all furniture before the installation can begin. That means you can only maintain in between tenants, or be flexible with the compensation you give to your tenants for inconvenience.

If you want to select the best flooring for your rental properties that require low maintenance, choose:

Carpet
Engineered hardwood
Laminate
Linoleum
Vinyl sheets
Vinyl tiles

Convenience

When a new tenant moves in, they rarely think about the floors. Sure, it has to look good for them to sign a contract in the first place. But beyond that, they want an easy lifestyle that doesn’t involve a lot of cleaning around the house.

Whether they sweep, vacuum, dust, swipe, or mop, renters don’t spend a light of time dwelling on the messes that accumulate on the floor. That means spills may linger a little longer, messes have a higher chance of penetrating down between the cracks, and scuffs and scratches will be widely ignored.

If you can install flooring that looks good under these conditions, you’ll gain a better return on your investment. Try:

Laminate
Linoleum
Vinyl sheets
Vinyl tiles

Style

While landlords put most of the weight of a final flooring purchase on price, your tenants will only care about one thing: looks. They may not be expecting traditional hardwoods that are difficult to maintain, but they do want flooring that is stylish and will flatter their sense of fashion. Renters don’t want to pay good money for a style right out of the 1980s.

Does your rental property say modern and chic? Or does it scream NO WAY?

Luckily, there are many different flooring choices you can select that will strike a balance between both of your desires. And you’ll be surprised at how technology has given all of today’s flooring choices a fresh, updated look. In some cases, you’ll have to get down on the floor to tell what it really is. Those vinyl tile floors made to mimic hardwood and stone are truly out of this world.

If you want to focus on style, select:

Laminate
Linoleum
Vinyl tiles

Safety

Landlords need to take an extra step when selecting flooring, and consider tenant safety too. If a tenant trips over loose carpet, or slips and falls on poorly laid tile, there’s a good chance you’ll wind up in court defending your flooring choices.

Add in the fact that your tenants will be every age, have many different needs, and possibly live with disabilities that make it more challenging to get around. Does your flooring choice help or hinder the situation?

Stone or concrete might be rising in popularity, but it’s not a great choice for rental property where your tenants change out regularly.

Our Advice

If you’re in the process of selecting the best flooring for your rental properties, we have a final piece of advice.

First, think about the type of renter you’re trying to attract. Being in the suburbs where families are dominant, is different than renting out a downtown flat surrounded my working millennials. Higher end rentals will also attract people with more luxurious tastes. If you have any questions about what’s best for your situation, just ask. We’re happy to give you a few recommendations.

Also, consider the lifestyle. Single family homes in suburbia will attract families with pets. That means kids racing in and out with dirty, wet shoes. It will also mean the dog and cat romp around, scratching the floor and making messes. Compare that to a small one bedroom condo on the eighteenth floor. Shoes are relatively clean as they make their way up in an elevator and down a hallway.

Your decision is based on a lot of things. Let us help you make your final selection.

Flooring, Vinyl Floors
September 17, 2019

Does Luxury Vinyl Need an Underlayment?

Thinking of adding new flooring to your home? You’ll love what today’s luxury vinyl can do for any room in your house. This isn’t your mom’s vinyl flooring. Today’s styles, colors, and patterns can transform any room into a beautiful space. Whether you choose sheet, tiles, or planks, this is a product you won’t regret installing.

But before you make your final selection, there is something else to consider. It’s not always as simple as ripping out the old and installing the new without thinking about the surface you’ll be adhering to.

Vinyl is easy to install

There are a lot of reasons people decide to install vinyl flooring into their homes. It’s affordable. It’s durable. It’s easy to clean and easy to care for. It’s also easy to install.

And that makes it perfect for the homeowner who wants to take on a do-it-yourself project and be proud of the results.

You can install vinyl on just about any type of subfloor. If it’s flat, it makes the perfect base for whatever luxury vinyl you choose. You should also clean it up and make sure it’s free of debris. Use a floor scraper to ensure there are no high spots in the floor, and that it flows freely from one corner of the room to another.

If you do have high spots, it might take a grinder to smooth it out. Again, be sure to thoroughly clean the subfloor after any work is done to ensure there isn’t any dust or debris left in its path.

Does luxury vinyl plank need underlayment?

Once you have a smooth surface area to work with, you’ll need to decide if you want to install an underlayment. It depends on the subfloor type. It depends on the product you’ll be installing. It’s best to talk with one of our flooring consultants, who can help you make a decision based on the manufacturer you select.

A luxury vinyl tile (LVT) underlayment is a specially formulated underlayment for installing underneath luxury tiles. Some products have it built into the product itself, so it’s not necessary to lay it separately. Most of today’s luxury vinyl tiles are fully waterproof, which means you won’t have to put a damp screen to prevent moisture as a part of the underlay.

If you do lay a separate underlay, they are in general thinner than what you would install with laminate or carpet.

Why would you want to install an LVT underlayment too?

One of the biggest reasons is for noise reduction. Vinyl tiles cause more noise to vibrate through a room. If you have thin walls and floors, and live close to your neighbors, that can be a problem. Adding an additional LVT underlayment can have a beneficial effect.

Here in Colorado, you might also want to add underlayment to create a warmer effect. If you’ve ever walked into a room with tile in the middle of winter, you know it can have a chilling effect. Adding additional underlayment can make your floors feel a bit warmer, even on the coldest of days.

It also creates a softer flooring choice, which can be beneficial to homes with small children or the elderly. It’ll feel softer when your kids are on the ground, learning to crawl, or playing with their toys. It will also be more forgiving if your elderly parent takes a fall.

When you’re looking at underlayment, look at vinyl sound ratings. Many of today’s top product lines will be rated for sound vibrations. This gives you a starting point for making the right choice in the quiet factor of the product you install.

What about for click and lock vinyl tiles? Do you need underlayment for those?

One of the most popular products on the market are easy-to-install click and lock vinyl plank tiles. They mimic hardwood yet offer the ease of maintenance of luxury vinyl.

Vinyl click tile is usually very thin. If you add an additional underlayment underneath, it can impact the way this product locks into place. If you’re installing it over concrete and you have a question about moisture issues, consider adding a vapor barrier underlayment first that will product against water problems. Just ensure any underlayment you add is thin, so it doesn’t impact the locking process of the vinyl planks.

And because luxury planks with click into place features don’t require the use of adhesives, they are also the perfect choice for installing over radiant heating. If you are considering this type of installation, talk with your flooring consultant first.

What about concrete – should you use a special underlayment for laying vinyl on concrete?

The key to installing luxury vinyl over concrete is to ensure the floor is level and clean. Underlayment isn’t a necessity, but you might consider it to add noise reducing qualities or additional softness to the product.

If the concrete is uneven, you will have to level it out. Without being level, your flooring won’t have the right conditions to form to. And that can cause wear and tear on the product, making it fail before it reaches its full lifespan.

You should also be aware if moisture is an issue. If so, be sure to install a moisture barrier before you install your luxury vinyl tiles into place.

Are there other reasons to consider underlayment before installing luxury vinyl?

While most people consider the quality of the luxury vinyl they are purchasing to be the determining factor in lifespan, there is another factor you should consider too.

Underlayment can also help with compression resistance. Is your room high-traffic? Does it have pets running and playing? Or maybe you frequently drop things from several feet in the air? Consistent traffic can easily cause permanent dents in your flooring structure.

If you select a dense underlayment meant for high traffic areas, it can help uphold the configuration of your luxury vinyl, and give your flooring added strength.

Is luxury vinyl the right choice for you?

Before you make your final choice, it’s best to stop by and learn all the facts about each flooring choice you’re considering. Different flooring manufacturers offer different benefits; we can help you determine what’s best for you.

But if you’re looking for an affordable, easy to care for, easy to install floor that looks beautiful too, keep luxury vinyl at the top of your list. We think you’ll love the results.

Flooring
September 14, 2019

The Best Way To Install Laminate Flooring In The Bathroom

Thinking of remodeling your bathroom? Want a guest bathroom that’ll wow your visitors, a half bath that carries the flow from the rest of your home, or a master bath with ambiance and functionality?

Bathrooms are one of the trickiest rooms to redecorate. Part of you wants to use hardwood throughout your home. The other part knows that’s a mistake.

Hardwood works great in the living room. But in the bath? Humidity, moisture, spills – a lot happens with the floors. Why live with regret almost from the moment it’s installed?

There is a better choice. Consider laminate flooring in the bathroom.

Why laminate flooring?

What makes laminate flooring a choice for any room in your home is especially true in the bathroom.

Laminate flooring is a resin-based paper that sits on top of a wood chip base. The surface is actually a high quality photograph of oak, cherry, mahogany, slate, stone, marble, or any other type of wood or stone. This print is attached to a durable wood chip plank, and sealed with a clear coat called the wear layer. This wear layer is what gives laminate its strength and durability, and makes it the perfect choice for bathroom use.

The pros and cons of laminate in the bathroom

Of course, like all flooring choices, laminate comes with its own pro and con list. What works well in one home might not be the perfect solution for yours.

In general, laminate makes a good addition to your home because:

Laminate flooring is very user friendly. Everything about laminate flooring makes it easy to install and easy to live with. Because laminate comes with a tongue and groove system, DIYers select laminate all the time for easy installation. You can have a small bathroom project done in a weekend by using laminate. And if you want a flooring choice you can install and ignore, laminate might be your choice. It’s a lot easier to maintain than other choices, such as hardwood flooring.

Laminate flooring won’t scratch and dent. Two of the biggest concerns of hardwood is its softness – it scratches and dents easily. Not so with laminate. Its hard surface area makes it a better flooring choice in an active home with kids or pets. A bathroom sees a lot of action – how many times have you dropped bottles, hair dryers, curling irons, or other items onto the floor? With laminate flooring, those drops and spills will go virtually unnoticed on your flooring.

Laminate flooring is easy to clean. Seep up the mess. Vacuum from time to time. Use a damp mop to keep it clean. Enjoy your flooring for years to come. Just remember, laminate can take damp conditions, but not puddles of water. The larger the mess, the quicker you should jump into action and clean it up. Especially with the tongue and groove system, standing water can slowly penetrate through the seams, causing problems underneath your floors.

Laminate looks great and comes in the most popular styles. Want tile or slate without the hardness factor? Want hardwood without the softness? Laminate is a perfect choice, right there in the middle. It gives you everything you love about the looks of the most popular products in the industry, with all the benefits of laminate flooring. It’s easier to install, easier to maintain, looks great in the process, and is more economical too.

Of course, we wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t give you the cons to laminate flooring too.

Laminate flooring can be slippery when wet. To minimize the slip-factor, be sure to use rugs liberally throughout your bathroom.

Laminate can warp with too much moisture. Never let too much water puddle and stay on your floors. And during and after a shower or a bath, be sure to run the exhaust fan to clear out the humidity. Just a few simple precautionary steps will ensure your floors stay looking great for a long time to come.

Is there a proper way to install laminate in the bathroom?

You’ve decided to install laminate in your bathroom – congratulations! You’re going to love your choice.

But what’s the best way to install it? Is there a right direction? Is there a best way to match your decor? Whether you’re making it a do-it-yourself project, or are hiring a pro to install it for you, we have a few tips for laying your floor. It depends on your taste and the size of your bathroom.

When installing laminate in large spaces – your main living space, or the basement entertainment area – the key is with continuity. You want your entire flooring to flow from one side of your home to the other. The goal is to create cohesiveness to carry on the open concept design.

Try identifying a light source – maybe a back wall of windows that lets in lots of natural light. Running the floor with the direction of the light is a great way to bring out its color and texture, and have it naturally low through your home. By running that into darker places in your home – a half bath tucked away in the middle of your living space – will add more dimension to your space, actually make the bathroom appear larger.

Also, be mindful of the wood grain, pattern, or design. If you use larger planks throughout your living space, you want to carry that look into your bathrooms.

The key is always continuity.

Be an educated consumer

No matter what type of flooring you choose, make it your business to understand the product you are selecting. Flooring is a personal choice, but one you’ll likely keep for years – decades – to come.

There are many companies today with eco-friendly or sustainable product lines. Pay attention to the look and feel of the product, and also about the way it’s made.

Rather than selecting a product just based on price, stop by and learn all you can about an entire line. You may select the right laminate for your bathroom based on something you’ve never considered before.

With so many choices available, we know we can help you make the right decision for your lifestyle.

Flooring
September 10, 2019

The Best Green Flooring Choices For Your Commercial Space

Thinking about installing new flooring in your commercial space? You have a lot of choices.

But maybe you’re past finding a great replacement for what you already have in place. Maybe it’s no longer about replacing the carpet, or adding new tile to give a clean, fresh look.

Are you ready to take your commercial space to a different level? Are you looking for ways to build more eco-friendly processes into your business? Are you looking for the best green flooring choices that will help you lower your carbon footprint?

Or maybe you want to take it a step forward and apply for LEED certification. What flooring choice would put you one step closer to making that happen?

We had several ideas for you.

LEED Flooring – Does it exist?

LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environment Design – is a worldwide rating system designed to provide a framework to create healthy, efficient, cost-saving green buildings.

Because we are more conscious than ever about our impact on earth’s resources, LEED provides a way to ensure you are making the wisest choices with the products you choose for your projects. If you can say your building has LEED certification, you’ll find you have:

Lower use of water, energy, and other resources
Healthier indoor space
More recognition in the community for your eco-friendly building
Faster lease-up rates
Higher resale value

All of that equals: good for business.

Sounds good, right? Ready to find LEED certified flooring? You can’t.

LEED certification is only given to commercial properties and buildings. It’s not given to individual products and companies because there are varying factors that go along with installation. That’s why the certification is done at the end-point; it’s given to a building providing it meets a whole host of requirements.

For flooring, the best place to start is by asking a few questions before installing new flooring.

Is this flooring made from recycled content?
Where is this flooring sourced?
Is this flooring created with low or no emitting materials?

Only if you can respond with an overwhelming YES will your new flooring qualify.

Green Carpet

If you want to find the best green flooring choices, one of the first places to look is at carpet.

Maybe you’ve heard some of the horror stories within the carpet industry. Yes, synthetic carpets can release high amounts of VOCs into the air. Yes, carpet can be a recycling nightmare, with over four billion pounds of carpet entering landfills each year.

But awareness is everything, and the carpet industry has stepped up to the plate in recent years. There are a lot of options today that will help you install an eco-friendly choice.

The best place to start your search is by looking for carpet made from natural fibers: wool, jute, cotton, sisal, or even from recycled materials.

It’s also important to ask questions about the entire product, including the backing, the pad, and the process used for installation. In order to stay green and provide an environmentally safe flooring choice for your building, it’s worth investigating all aspects of the carpet, including adhesives for installation.

An easy way to ensure you’ve found one of the best green flooring choices within the carpet industry is to look for Green Label Plus, a certification given by the Carpet and Rug Institute. This program identifies products with very low emissions of VOCs, as well as the business practices of the manufacturer to ensure they are handling the entire process in an environmentally friendly way.

Linoleum

Want something a little out of the ordinary? Why not consider linoleum? Linoleum has been around for decades, and isn’t usually the first product people think of when thinking eco-friendly. But it can be a great choice.

Linoleum is a natural product made from materials such as linseed oil, pine rosin, ground cork dust, wood flour, with burlap or canvas backing.

Linoleum is not sheet vinyl. They are two different products created from two different sources. Linoleum does not contain vinyl.

Therefore, regular maintenance is different from what you may have experienced with vinyl products. Different manufacturers apply different coatings to the surface, so it’s important to follow guidelines before cleaning and applying products. High pH cleaners and strippers and damage linoleum flooring and shorten the lifespan.

Upkeep for today’s linoleum isn’t more difficult than other natural flooring choices; just different. Talk it over with one of our flooring consultants to determine if it’s a good choice for your situation.

Cork

Cork is also growing in popularity because of its eco-friendly benefits. It’s soft underfoot, has the most sound and heat insulation characteristics, and creates a modern look and feel.

Cork provides you with similar benefits as wood flooring. It’s installed the same way, provides the clean look hardwood is known for, and is easy to maintain. Yet property managers are choosing cork over hardwood for several reasons.

Cork floor is vinyl backed and has a wear layer similar to vinyl, which makes it easy to maintain. Cork is often installed in similar fashion to hardwood, meaning you can select prefinished or unfinished flooring. Most receive urethane and acrylic finishes that make it easy to maintain – just regular sweeping, vacuuming, and an occasional damp mop will keep it looking its best.

Like other natural products, it’s important to focus on the entire process.

Manufacturing processes
How is the product installed?
What about finishes?
What solutions should be used for cleaning?

Unlike hardwood, cork is a truly renewable resource. No trees are cut down. Instead, cork is harvested from cork trees, most of which are protected by law. Cork consists of the bark of the Cork Oak tree, with the bark stripped from about one-third of the tree every 9 to 12 years. This doesn’t kill the tree, and actually enhances the lifespan. Without this harvesting process, cork trees wouldn’t last 150 to 200 years of properly cultivated trees.

What’s the best green flooring choice for you?

Do you see a flooring product here that captures your interest? Still debating what commercial flooring would work best in your property?

We can help. Give us a call today. Let’s explore your options.

And help you decide on the perfect flooring choice for your commercial property.