Flooring Archives - Page 40 of 58

Flooring
February 8, 2017

Should You DIY or Hire A Contractor For Your Flooring Project?

Flooring is one of the easiest ways to give your room a fresh new look. Whether you’re replacing tiles in the front entryway, or installing hardwood throughout, chances are you’re looking for ways to save money in the process. Where should you cut … and where should you splurge?

Should you do it yourself? Or hire a contractor for your flooring project?

You have to look beyond the cost of the flooring. Even when you DIY, there is a lot of costs to consider. To do it yourself, you’ll have to factor in:

Flooring materials
Ordering, shipping and delivery fees
Equipment for removal of old flooring and molding
Tools and supplies
Repairs for mistakes

With a pro, ensure they list everything in their quote to ensure you know the cost before saying yes.

All materials needed for installation
Preparation and installation fees
Cleanup and removal fees

While costs are important, skill level is equally important. If you don’t enjoy getting your hands dirty, or have no experience in installation, the DIY method may not be the best route for you. Flooring needs to take the abuse of walking on it every day. If it’s not installed up to par, you’ll see the impact right away.

Ask yourself a few questions about your experience level:

Have I ever installed flooring before?
Do I know how to use the tools needed for the project?
Do I enjoy taking on hard labor tasks?
Do I know what to look for with the subfloor?
Do I understand how to transition from one room to another?
Do I know how to safely remove old flooring and prep the subfloor?
Do I know how to check for water damage and mold?

Installing flooring can be a difficult process if you aren’t prepared. If you found yourself questioning your skill level with any of these questions, it may be best to leave your flooring project to the professionals, and trying your DIY skills somewhere else.

Carpet, Flooring
February 3, 2017

Are Carpet Seams Acceptable?

When you slide on your shirt or your pants in the morning, you probably don’t think much about the construction. We accept the fact that seams are a part of the construction.

But what about your carpet?

Carpet rolls come in three sizes – 12’, 15’, and occasionally 13’ 6”. That means if your room size is larger, or if you have long hallways or are carpeting your entire home, you’ll have seams in various places. While some carpets hide it better than others, it is important to realize that seams will never be invisible. But a good carpet installer will be able to place it in such a way it has minimal impact.

Different carpets will seam differently

Depending on the size and traffic of a room, you can choose carpets where seams will be less noticeable. Berbers, for example, are the most difficult to hide seams. That doesn’t mean they aren’t worth the investment, it means you should have realistic expectations about their placement. Shags and twists are the easiest to seam because their loose pile will blend well once installed.

Acceptable seams

You may hear the term acceptable seam when looking at carpets. Seams are visible when they are used to install your carpeting. They are even more visible when you know where they are. An acceptable seam should have the carpet backings flush with one another. They should never have gaps or overlays. Berber carpet should be cut lengthwise along the bias, never cut with a cross seam as it will be more noticeable.

Unacceptable seams

We would term an unacceptable seam those that are not flush with each other, or cause a gap between the pieces of carpet. If you have carpeting installed and this is a problem, in some cases it can be repaired.

Seam peaking

Seam peaking occurs when the seam is set, and then stretching occurs as the installation process is completed. When the carpet is stretched, it is pulled where the edges of the tape are attached to the carpet, and the two pieces lift to create a peak. Seam peaking can be minimized, but only if a professional understands how to install a carpet correctly. This is often one of the easiest ways to tell a professional job from one that wasn’t.

Seams are a part of most carpet installations in the home. They aren’t something to be feared when handled correctly. Have a question?

Flooring
January 29, 2017

Using Steam Cleaners and Swiffer Cleaners On Your Floors

We’ve all seen the commercials on television showing steam cleaners and Swiffer cleaners being used on floors. They show them as a better alternative to cleaning your hardwood, vinyl and laminate flooring.

It’s hard not to buy into what they are selling. They make cleaning look like an easy job. Simply push a button and with a light touch, have your floors cleaned in minutes.

Of course, these companies say their products are safe for any floor type. They want you to use their products. But are they really?

Overwhelmingly, the answer is no.

Most manufacturers warranties for laminate, hardwood and vinyl flooring will have a statement like this:

Our warranty does not cover damage caused by improper installation, negligence, water erosion, abrasion, extreme heat or temperature, cleaning care or maintenance contrary to written instruction provided.

In other words, if you use a steam cleaner, your warranty is voided.

You can also look at steam cleaner guidelines to determine what flooring they are most appropriate for. You’ll usually find guidelines like this:

Engineered for premium performance exclusively on hard floor surfaces. Our steam machines can be used on all sealed surfaces: sealed hardwood, linoleum, ceramic tile, marble, or other stone flooring. We do not suggest using steam cleaning on unsealed surfaces such as unfinished hardwood, unglazed ceramic tile, or unsealed ceramic stone. If a surface has been treated with wax, the sheen may be removed by the heat and steam action.

For Swiffer cleaners, they also have the potential for voiding warranties. The cleaning agents within the Swiffer cleaner products often has cleaning agents even more damaging to the finish of your flooring, depending on the product you choose. All flooring manufacturers have some kind of statement to cover themselves in case a cleaning product is used and there is an issue. They often say they will not cover:

Dissatisfaction due to improper maintenance.

Discoloration or damage caused by adhesives or floor care products not recommended.

Improper maintenance. Maintenance must be followed according to manufacturer’s guidelines.

The bottom line is that if you choose a particular flooring for your home, adhere to manufacturers guidelines to ensure your warranty remains intact for the life of your flooring, or as long as your warranty is in place.

About Pro Flooring Brokers in Denver

We are a one stop shop for all of your flooring and installation needs. Located in Denver, CO, we have been family owned and operated for over 30 years! Our passion is your project.

Have a Flooring Project in the Denver Area?

Commercial and residential customers love our huge selection of carpet, hardwood, porcelain tile, natural stone, luxury vinyl tile/planks, laminate flooring, and sheet vinyl flooring. Check out our products to learn more. Visit our showroom, meet our team, and let’s start your flooring project together. We offer:

Complimentary on-site measuring
Flooring estimates based on floor plans or blueprints
Installations performed by trained and qualified installers
Full one-year guarantee on all workmanship (in addition to manufacturer’s warranty)

Flooring and installation are made easy with the PRO! Flooring Brokers. Contact us, visit our showroom, or call today at 303.788.0113. We look forward to helping you!

Flooring
January 16, 2017

How Flooring Can Make Your Room Look Bigger

While the only way to make the size of your room larger is to knock down a wall or two, there are ways to give it the appearance of being larger without going through all of that hassle.

Large Tiles
Instead of installing standard size tiles, increase the size to create the illusion of a larger square footage room. If you opt for larger tiles, select a pattern that does not include a border or design work along the edges. These details will have the same effect as small tiles and will break up the room. A smooth transition from wall to wall will create a freeflow throughout the room.

Monochromatic Design
By selecting a monochromatic color scheme, you’ll decrease the contrast in the room, which will give the appearance of a larger space overall. Having a flow of similar colors from the floor to the wall unites the space and creates a calmer aesthetic. Pop color in your décor to add your own personality.

Wide Plank
Just like utilizing larger tiles make a room look larger, wide plank hardwood will have the same effect. Installing wider planks will create less “seams” to break up the surface area, and will give the illusion of a larger space. You can choose wide plank hardwood, or select from wide plank stone which gives the appearance of hardwood, but with all the benefits of having stone tiles instead.

Install on a Diagonal
A diagonal line from one corner of a room to the opposite corner is the longest straight line that can be drawn on a surface. If you install your flooring in a diagonal pattern, you will trick the eye into seeing the room as a larger space than it actually is.

Dark Hardwood
Dark flooring doesn’t have to create a dark, dingy room. The best way to utilize dark hardwood is to contrast it with light colored walls. The effect will move your line of vision up from the floor to the details in your décor. When combined with lots of windows for natural light, you can create just the right look.

Consistency
If your home has an open floorplan, it’s much easier to create a space that has the appearance of being larger than it is. Install the same flooring from room to room, which will give the illusion of one large space as it transitions from room to room.

About Pro Flooring Brokers in Denver

We are a one stop shop for all of your flooring and installation needs. Located in Denver, CO, we have been family owned and operated for over 30 years! Our passion is your project.

Have a Flooring Project in the Denver Area?

Complimentary on-site measuring
Flooring estimates based on floor plans or blueprints
Installations performed by trained and qualified installers
Full one-year guarantee on all workmanship (in addition to manufacturer’s warranty)

Flooring and installation are made easy with the PRO! Flooring Brokers. Contact us, visit our showroom, or call today at 303.788.0113. We look forward to helping you!

Area Rugs, Flooring
January 10, 2017

How To Properly Store Rugs

Do you like switching out your rugs for a fresh look in your décor? Do you have several rugs you rotate to prevent too much wear? It’s important to properly store your rugs to ensure a long life; to ensure they stay in top appearance throughout their lives.

The best location for storage of your rugs would be a room that is cool, dry, and where they are blocked from natural light. While it is possible to adapt many spaces in the house for rug storage, avoid using attics and basements, which are usually without climate control and suffer the largest swings in temperature and relative humidity.

When storing a rug, it’s best to roll it. Never fold a rug for either short or long term storage. Folding can cause permanent creases to form and ruin your rug.

It is generally best to roll a rug with the pile facing in, since it is not as strong as the foundation. Lay the rug face up with the pile going away from you. Then roll, keeping the rug as straight as possible while you roll. To help keep it straight, use a rod or wooden dowel, or one that is specifically used for rugs.

To ensure the roll is straight, consider using a piece of cotton or muslin material cut the width of the rug. Wrap the muslin over both edges of the rug. This allows you to get a secure roll onto your rod before rolling your rug, and allows you to get a tight roll at both ends to protect against insects and dirt. When the roll is complete, secure the roll with cotton or polyester tape.

Living in a climate where humidity is low can damage your rugs. Consider raising the level of humidity slightly with a humidifier.

Also, ensure your rugs do not receive sunlight. Block with shades or blinds to ensure your rug won’t fade over time.

Also, avoid storing rugs directly on the floor. Carpet beetles, in particular, like to take up residence between the back of your rug and the floor, and can do serious harm to your rugs in a very short period of time. Because most moth or carpet beetle infestations occur in improperly stored rugs, it’s a good idea to check your storage area periodically to ensure your rugs remain in good condition. If you have more than one rug stored in a single location, choose one randomly once per month to check. If there is no evidence of infestation, you’re probably safe.

Are you storing your rugs properly?

Flooring
January 5, 2017

The Benefits Of Carpet For Your Colorado Business

Thinking of redoing the floors in your commercial location? It might be time to give carpeting another look.

Whether choosing broadloom or carpet tile, carpet is one of the easiest ways to customize your businesses look and feel. You can choose from thousands of carpet styles and colors to create a work environment that reflects your company’s culture. You can use calming colors in and educational setting or clean design for healing in medical practices. The possibilities are truly endless.

Reduces Noise
One of the biggest benefits of using carpeting is noise reduction. Many commercial locations today have open area systems where phone conversations and frequent employee communication can be distracting. Carpet helps increase employee production by absorbing the sounds from all around. Adding the appropriate padding beneath the carpet can reduce noise even further. Carpet also acts as a sound barrier between floors, blocking sound transmission between spaces. It can also help in stairways to help mask the sound of constant foot traffic.

Avoid Slips and Cushion Falls
Carpet is ideal for adding cushion to the areas we walk on, reducing slip and falls and minimizing impact should they occur. Carpeting provides an added level of safety for everyone. It’s particularly important in areas where young children play or where elderly visit on a frequent basis, such as in medical facilities or nursing homes.

Provide Comfort
Carpet provides thermal resistance, which can be added benefit in cold climates. It retains heat and provides energy conservation during the coldest months. Carpet creates a comfortable environment in which to work, and gives the space a warmer feeling overall.

Low VOC
Many of today’s top carpeting choices have the lowest VOC emitters of common flooring choices. They often require fewer cleaning chemicals than other flooring choices, meaning fewer introductions of harsh chemicals into your work environment. In addition, carpet can help improve indoor air quality by trapping allergens and other particles so they can be vacuumed away.

Is carpeting a good choice for your commercial location?

Flooring
December 29, 2016

Create A Beautiful Entryway With New Flooring

First impressions are everything. Which is why the entryway to your home is a crucial space to finish properly.

If the outside sets the curb appeal of your home, your entryway sets the personality of the interior. Have you ever entered a home where it’s a mishmash of color and design?

Ideally, the flooring you choose for the entryway should be a reflection of the styles you utilize throughout your home. This space is the common thread that helps tie all the rooms together. It helps create a seamless and cohesive home design.

Another thing to consider is the practicality of this space. Flooring should be both durable and easy to maintain, as guests and family will enter the home through this area, tracking in dirt, debris, water, snow and other high maintenance items throughout the day. This is the area that will sustain the most foot traffic. Make sure it’s easily repaired.

Also, consider your tastes and how often you like to change your home’s décor. Some flooring can last for decades, with the right amount of maintenance and care. If you like to change and have the desire to redo your home every few years, choosing an entryway flooring material that’s easy to remove can be of benefit. However, if you choose to use flooring as your base, there are many popular flooring choices that can do so in a beautiful way.

Slate
The dark, rich color that slate offers is a traditional and popular choice. Slate adds boldness to a space that can clearly define your personality and offer contemporary feel.

Porcelain
If you love the look of slate but want something a little more budget friendly, consider using a dark porcelain tile instead. Porcelain tiles are durable options that come in a wide variety of colors. Not to mention its smoothness makes it easier to clean than the jagged textures of slate.

Laminate
Love the look of wood but worried about it holding up with constant water and snow? Try laminate instead. Laminate can create a wood look to match the rest of your home, while giving you flexibility and durability that real wood can’t.

Vinyl
Vinyl flooring is still one of the most versatile flooring choices in high traffic areas where dirt and moisture are prevalent. And with today’s luxury vinyl offerings, you can create any look you desire.

Of course, any flooring you choose can be enhanced with the use of a throw rug or a decorative doormat. They will personalize your space as well as add another layer of protection to separating the outside elements from impacting your indoor environment.

What does the flooring in your entryway say about you?

Flooring
December 24, 2016

The Best Reasons To Consider Slate For Your Flooring

Slate. It’s one of the most beautiful choices you can make for your home flooring.

It’s also one of the most natural. Slate can enhance the appearance and style of any room in your home. And because of its durability, it is often one of the best choices you can for your bathroom, laundry room, and kitchen.

Why should you consider slate for your flooring?

Waterproof
One of the reasons slate is becoming a top choice for flooring in the bathroom or kitchen is because it is waterproof. Slate’s natural water resistant properties are great for withstanding splashes and spills. It’s also why more laundry rooms are utilizing slate as well.

Slip Resistant
Because slate isn’t as smooth as other tiles, the texture prevents slipping more than other tile flooring options. Keep in mind that slate does often come with slightly uneven surfaces, which can make it more challenging for elderly or others that are at risk of falling.

Long Lasting
While slate may be more expensive at the time of installation, its longevity makes up for it in the long term. Slate lasts for longer periods of time than that of other flooring material.

Variation
Because slate is a natural product, no two tiles will ever be the same. Every slab of slate is mined for use was formed differently than others. Each tile will have beautiful variation in the color, pattern, texture, etc. Which means that your floor will be uniquely your own.

Radiant Heating
Slate is one of the best transmitters of heat. If you’ve had the desire to install a heated subfloor, slate is a great option to lay over your radiant heating system.

Think slate flooring may be the perfect choice for your home? Stop by and see the many styles available to you today.

Flooring
December 19, 2016

What To Consider Before You Buy Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is a great choice for any home. It offers a great value because it’s affordable as well as durable in many situations. And with the latest printing and manufacturing processes, it looks and feels just like the product it imitates.

That said, not all laminate flooring is created equal. There are a few things you should consider before you make your final selection. While your lifestyle will dictate the best choices for you, you should also keep these things in mind.

Check the board thickness
A boards thickness will ultimately determine its durability and overall feeling. A high quality laminate product will be thicker, usually between 8mm and 12mm thick. Ask to see the difference.

What are your goals for the room?
A bathroom will have different goals than a family room. A room with high traffic will have different needs than one with low traffic. Will the room be subjected to high moisture, such as in a bathroom? You can also create different appearances, depending on the laminate product you choose. You can use wide planks to create depth in a smaller room, use lighter laminate to increase the brightness in darker spaces. Start with what you would like to accomplish and plan from there.

Be aware of the traffic
Any high quality laminate will be able to withstand harsh punishment you family can dish out, even if you have kids and pets. That’s why many turn to laminate instead of using hardwood. Also, consider selecting a color that matches your needs. Dark laminate shows more pet hair and dust; lighter laminate shows mud and spills. You can also choose textured laminate to look like ceramic or stone, which will give you even more durability throughout your busy days.

Consider flow through
It’s also important to consider what type of flooring exists in the other rooms. You’ll want to choose a flooring that closely matches the surrounding floors, both in color and in style. Complement is most important when you’re creating a warm and inviting décor.

Don’t forget the warranty
High quality laminate is very resistant to staining and is durable in many situations. Still, you’ll want to make sure you get a good warranty just in case. The best brands of laminate will offer a 30 year warranty to guarantee your floors against staining, fading, peeling or other defects.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
December 11, 2016

How To Protect Your Wood Flooring From A Real Christmas Tree

Nothing says the holidays more than bringing a real pine tree into your home at Christmas time. The wonderful fragrance fills your home with the scent of the holidays. But watering them can create many problems for your wood floor should you accidentally spill.

Trees are often low to the ground. Add in bulky tree skirts and presents in the way, and watering can easily be one of the trickiest tasks you’ll complete every few days. Unattended water on hardwood flooring simply doesn’t mix. It can cause wood to swell, cup and stain.

And while buffing and recoating your hardwood floors should be a part of your long term maintenance strategy, it isn’t something you want to accomplish on a regular basis. Add in the fact that standing water can also penetrate between hardwood planks, causing even further damage underneath such as mold and mildew.

So what should you do before you bring the tree into the house?

Be sure you can see under and around the tree stand when you water. Be careful to watch while you pour, noticing any spills and cleaning them up immediately.

It’s best not to place anything under your tree stand. Water can be trapped underneath anything you lay down, including materials, plastics or even newspaper. Most of these materials act as a sponge, holding in the water and wrecking havoc on the wood. It can trap water underneath and leave it there for as long as your tree stands. It can even create interesting patterns on your hardwood floors.

At some garden centers, you can purchase a large plastic garden container tray that you can place your tree stand into. As long as water doesn’t get on the outside of this, it can capture all of the spills and prevent them from touching your floors.

What questions do you have about keeping your flooring looking great throughout the holiday season?