Trends New Home Buyers Want In Flooring

Want to know what’s happening in the world of flooring? Carpeting is getting softer, wood is taking on a variety of new looks, and vinyl is turning into one of the most luxurious, popular floor products on the market today.Trends New Home Buyers Want In Flooring

What’s driving the popularity of luxury vinyl is the increase in technology that makes just about any look possible on a vinyl floor. With extraordinary photo technology, any material can be mimicked and reproduced, giving you the benefits that come along with vinyl, only with a clean, lush look.  If you haven’t looked at vinyl in awhile, you’ll be surprised at the options. It can be installed in sheet format, though increasingly squares and planks are used as well. Wood in the living room, marble in the bathroom – really anything goes when it comes to today’s vinyl options.

But it doesn’t stop there. We know here in Colorado, people love wood. And with open concept living space, wood can be seen throughout the home. But it’s not just the standard woods anymore. Preferences in hardwoods are leaning toward darker stains. Gray tones are becoming increasingly popular. We also see trends towards larger planks, planks that come in multiple sized pieces, and flooring with exotic woods – hickory, cherry, or walnut.  And it’s not just the same old smooth planks either. A wood floor that has been hand scraped and hand textured can completely change the look and feel of a room. You can even dip into environmentally friendly wood flooring with the use of bamboo.

Then we turn to carpeting. Carpeting has seen its share of problems over the years. Some may say it has longevity problems. Some may say it isn’t environmentally friendly. Yet with today’s technology, those things are changing like never before. Today, every manufacturer is greening up their technology. You’ll find companies that recycle nylon or melt down polyester to make new fibers over and over again. They are creating new fiber lines that use up to three times the number of fibers in a more traditional carpet, meaning its softer and more durable than ever before. And because of the color and pattern choices, if you prefer carpet in some areas of your home, you’re going to love the look you discover when you visit our showroom floor.

Is this the year you replace your flooring for a new, updated look?

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How To Keep Your Flooring Contractor On Schedule

Buying new floors isn’t something you do every day. And when you decide it’s time to replace your floors, chances are you’ll have the time available to do the job the right way. Flooring work takes time, depending on the floors you choose. It will disrupt your home considerably, and there may be simple guidelines to follow to ensure your floors are installed the correct way.How To Keep Your Flooring Contractor On Schedule

Be Flexible
As with any home improvement project, flexibility is almost always the key to success. Never plan a tight schedule and expect things to go as planned. Instead, account for delays, mishaps, or even minor communication problems. They happen. We’re human.

If you’re just beginning the process, you may have to compromise on the budget. Have you taken everything into consideration? The best padding for underneath the carpeting? The water damage to the subfloor? The unlevel flooring in the basement? Sometimes you can’t see where the problem lies until you begin the project. And that almost always adds time and money to the final project.

During the project, the same problems can arise. If the crew is in the middle of the project, being flexible may mean allowing them to stay later in the evening. It may mean ordering extra materials after some are found defective.

Plan for them before you begin, and you’ll never be taken by surprise.

Don’t Forget Permits
Depending on how large your project is, a permit may be necessary to finish installation. Every step of the process impacts the step after it. While your contractor should be on top of getting the necessary permits and inspections along the way, keep in mind that if one doesn’t go through in a timely manner, it can impact every installation you have from that point forward. That’s where projects turn from days into weeks or even months. Make sure you have flexibility with your flooring service to ensure you can make adjustments on an as needed basis.

Allow Enough Time
Too often we have homeowners coming in wanting a big change before a major event. They choose hardwood flooring to be installed before the holidays. A large tile project right before a dinner party.

That’s the easiest way to be disappointed and run into problems. Sometimes it takes time to order supplies. Sometimes a contractor isn’t able to do the job on your schedule. Sometimes hidden problems are revealed. And if you’re already working on deadline, stress and anxiety will flow every direction.

Work with your contractor to estimate the amount of time. Then pad it with a little extra. Give yourself room to get the ideal flooring you desire. And a little extra time to enjoy it before your major event takes place.

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The Myth Of Cork Flooring

Cork flooring is a beautiful, environmentally friendly flooring choice that is increasingly being installed into homes.

But the other day, we were asked if cork floors were an ethical product choice.

There is something satisfying when you hear the familiar pop associated with a great bottle of wine or champagne. But lately, you may have found your favorite brands replacing cork stoppers with twist tops or a plastic stopper. The misconception is that cork trees are dying out and are threatened in nature. Yet nothing is further from the truth.The Myth Of Cork Flooring

Cork is renewable. Because production of wine stoppers has significantly fallen off, there is a shrinking market of forests cultivated for cork product. Cork extraction is one of the most environmentally friendly harvesting processes in the world. Not a single tree is cut down to get to the cork. Harvesting cork does not destroy the tree since it comes from the bark and not the trunk.

The bark is stripped off in late spring, and it quickly forms new layers of cork for protection. The bark of a cork tree is harvested approximately every 9 to 12 years, depending on environmental conditions. A cork tree can be valuable for 170 years or more.

Which means you can install a cork floor and never worry about the ethics behind it.

Cork is anti-microbial and hypo-allergenic. It contains a substance called suberin that repels insects, fights off mites, germs, mold, and mildew, and is also fire resistant. It also makes a beautiful addition to any room. And because it’s soft to the touch, you’re going to love it in places where you stand on a regular basis. Like your kitchen.

Cork comes in a variety of styles, patterns, looks and selections. Want to see what’s available? Stop by today.

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Choosing A Floor For Sound Quality

Thinking of bringing a piano into your home? There’s a lot to think about.

  • The type – upright or grand
  • The brand – dozens to choose from
  • The age – old or new
  • The location – what room in your homeChoosing A Floor For Sound Quality

But have you ever stopped to consider the acoustics in your room? What flooring you choose makes a difference in the overall performance of sound.

The harder the surface, the more it will reflect sound. That means if you lay wood or tile, for instance, on the floor beneath your piano, the sound bounces around the room, from floor to walls to ceiling and back again.

The more it bounces, the muddier it becomes, the harder it is to distinguish the individual sounds from one another. This can be troublesome for a budding musician who is attempting to clarify sound and practice to make each piece of music perfect.

Enter the studio of any professional and you’ll find a softer studio. Add cork to the flooring; many musicians add cork to the floor and the walls to cut down on background noise. Carpeting is also a good choice to clarify the sound. Foam backed vinyl flooring is another option for absorbing noise, plus has the advantage of being cushioned, durable, and easy to clean.

Still love your hardwood or tile, and love the look of your music room without changing flooring options? At the very least, add area rugs to avoid excessive reverberations and dampen the reflected sounds as you play.

If you’re looking to take full advantage of creating a music room of your dreams, remember the flooring you choose will make an impact. Let our experts help you choose the perfect flooring choice for your home.

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Wine Cellar Flooring Ideas

Wine cellars are increasingly added to homes across the Denver metro area. In most cases, wine cellars are built down in the basement or lower level of the home, built to utilize a cool, humid environment that is needed for storing and aging wines.Wine Cellar Flooring Ideas

In many cases, wine cellars are built on a concrete slab that will need to be sealed and a vapor barrier applied before installation. This is especially important if the wine cellar will have refrigeration installed to maintain temperature consistency and humidity.

Your flooring choice should also be able to stand up over the years and be able to take the weight of the contents of your cellar. A sommelier will tell you that 500 bottles weigh approximately a ton. It’s especially important if it sits above other living space.

Wood
You can use wood if it isn’t installed directly onto concrete. Sealed hardwood is an industry mainstay in wine cellar construction; it makes a beautiful addition to your home as well. With wood planking, the possibility of design is unlimited. Many choose to use wood borders and other designs to create a unique experience. Different woods can be layered together to form intricate patterns. Consider breaking up a design with scrolling designs or even intricate cut patterns. How about adding a wood medallion? With more wine cellars in production, there are many options to make yours unique.

Cork
Wine and cork go together. And in the case of flooring, cork can be an ideal choice for a wine cellar. Cork is a natural, durable and sustainable materials that are gentle on the feet and has excellent thermal and acoustic properties. Cork also is treated with a moisture protection system, which helps it be resistant to mold and mildew.

Tile
Tile is often one of the best choices for a wine cellar. You can choose from natural stone or ceramic tile. You can choose from every color of the rainbow. You can have a solid floor or create unique patterns and designs. Want to play off the winery theme? Choose painted tiles with wine motifs – grapes, cherubs, fruit, floral or even vineyard motifs. And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, there’s always opportunity to customize your design.

With so many possibilities available to you, the best place to start is by learning what your options are. Stop by today and see the many different flooring choices available, and discover which is the perfect choice for your new wine cellar.

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Sisal vs Jute Carpeting: Which Is Right For You?

Selecting new carpeting for you home? If you’re looking for a natural, eco-friendly option, it may be time to consider sisal or jute.

Why go natural? Rather than using a synthetic material such as nylon that utilizes natural gas and petroleum to fabricate, and has off-gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a natural fiber uses sustainable, renewable resources to produce an all-natural product. Two of the most popular options are sisal and jute, both of which can make excellent choices for your home.Sisal vs Jute Carpeting: Which Is Right For You?

Sisal comes from the sisal plant, which is a type of agave. Brazil is the largest exporter of sisal fibers. Jute grows in stalks in India and Bangladesh. When stalks are harvested, fibers are removed, and the threads are used to make materials such as burlap.

In many cases, sisal and jute carpeting look similar when laid side by side. Both share a characteristic woven look, and come in natural tones such as tan, beige, and brown. While both materials can be dyed other colors, in many cases the natural colors and tones are what people most prefer about these products.

Overall, jute has a softer touch and feel than sisal. Yet because sisal comes from one of the toughest plants in the world, its durability makes it one of the highest on the list. Sisal provides excellent wear and durability in your highest traffic areas, especially on stairs, hallways and busy living quarters. Jute is a better option for less wear and tear, such as home offices or bedrooms.

In both cases, sisal and jute are fairly low maintenance. Regular vacuuming will keep both looking their best throughout the week. Both sisal and jute are incredibly absorbent, meaning a spill will begin soaking into the fibers almost immediately. If spills occur, cleaning them immediately is imperative to removing the stain. And because it soaks in liquids quickly, it’s also better not to use wet shampoos and steam cleaning on the fibers.

Considering sisal or jute carpeting for your home? Stop by and see your options today.

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Travertine Stone Tiles Work In Today’s Homes

Travertine stone tile, it’s one of the oldest building materials in history.

And it’s as popular today as it was hundreds of years ago. There is a reason it’s stood the test of time. There’s a reason why it makes a great addition to your home. All you have to decide is which travertine tile is the best for you.Travertine Stone Tiles Work In Today’s Homes

Travertine is a versatile natural stone that can easily adapt to any situation. Pair it with the right décor and you can create a contemporary style in your kitchen, a peaceful oasis in your outdoor kitchen, or elegance and class in your new master bath.

Travertine was first discovered in Italy, used when Julius Caesar ruled Rome. It is also found in abundance in Turkey, where some of the richest travertine beds have been discovered, and provide travertine for tiling all over the world.

Travertine can be found in many colors, the most common being beige, brown, gray and gold. Because travertine is rich in iron and organic matter, you’ll also find travertine with hints of green, reds or rust colors. Colors depend on the cut and grade of the travertine, and how will it is finished.

A premium grade is going to have consistent color throughout, without color discoloration. Standard grade will have gray or black discoloration, with swirls running through the tile. Commercial grade will often have obvious imperfections with black and gray running throughout the color.

Travertine is cut either with a vein cut or a Fleuri cut. A vein cut is across the vein; a Fleuri cut provides a swirling, circular pattern.

Once a tile is cut, the finishing option will further dictate the look and feel. Honed travertine provides a smooth feel and texture throughout. Travertine is naturally porous; honing and filling the pores helps make it smoother and more continuous throughout the surface area.

Tumbled travertine is cut and tumbled to create an imperfect finish. Tiles are put into a rubber barrel with grit and water and shaken until they appear worn. This weathered look is great in a rustic atmosphere where you want your flooring to look like it’s stood the test of time.

Polished travertine provides a glossy finish; you’ll find this in many commercial entryways

Brushed travertine is created by using a wire brush or a rotary wheel across the flooring to give it texture. It provides a similar look to the tumbled travertine.

The beauty of using travertine tiles is they can be used almost anywhere. Depending on the cut, grade, and finish, it can be used indoor and out, on flooring and on backsplashes and showers. If it’s a flat surface, travertine is an option.

Yet all travertine tiles will perform differently depending on where they are installed. Talk with one of our consultants when you’re considering travertine tiles, to determine the right product for your situation.

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5 Reasons You May Be Ready For Wood Look Tile

Nothing beats the look of hardwood floors. Still, there may be times when the thought of installing hardwood flooring into your home leaves you more than unsure. Do you really want to worry about how your dog’s 5 Reasons You May Be Ready For Wood Look Tileclaws will dig into the wood? Or how a dropped toy from your toddler’s hands will dent the texture forever?

While hardwood flooring is a beautiful addition to any home, it’s not the perfect choice for every family.

Advances in the flooring industry, however, can give you the look of hardwoods with a more durable product. Why not choose a wood look tile instead?

Wood look tile has many benefits over its hardwood plank counterpart.

1. Durability
Wood flooring is difficult to maintain, especially in high traffic areas. It scratches, dents, warps, cracks and chips from regular day to day use. It needs to be cleaned regularly and refinished and resealed every few years, depending on your traffic level.

Wood look tiles give you the look of hardwood and the durability of tile. It’s easy to maintain and easy to clean. You won’t have to worry about a dropped plate or your dog’s nails doing damage. And if damage does occur, it’s easy to replace a single tile without having to rip up the entire floor.

2. Install it anywhere
Love the look of wood but debating how well it will perform in the bathroom or kitchen? Wood can be a difficult product in high humidity and high moisture areas. But with wood look tile, you can install them anywhere and have them be a beautiful addition to your home’s aesthetic value. And with so many colors and choices available, you can match any pattern or theme you desire for your home’s décor.

3. Customization
Because tile comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, customization is easy to do with any flooring in your home. Use wider planks, different colors, and vary the pattern. With tile, you never have to worry about warping that comes easier with wider plans, tile will help you maintain uniformity no matter how you incorporate it into your final design.

4. Comfort and warmth
Always wanted a heated floor in your bathroom? With radiant heating under your tiles, you can have the cozy flooring you’ve always dreamed about. Not only will the look be modern and stylish, but you’ll enjoy having a comfortable place to get ready in the morning with just a flip of the switch.

5. Cost
What holds many back from installing hardwood flooring? Cost. Wood floors can be expensive depending on the type of wood you select. Add in installation and maintenance costs, and you can quickly leave your dreams of a hardwood floor behind.

Tile isn’t as labor intensive as hardwood, and maintenance costs are less by comparison. Meaning tile is the perfect choice for budget-friendly families that want a unique look to every room in your home.

Have additional questions about wood look tile? Just ask..

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5 Carpet Performance Myths

Carpeting; if it looks the same, it is the same, right?

Nothing can be further from the truth. With many different manufacturers, brands, styles and types, there’s a lot to learn about carpeting before you make the final selection for your home.

Depending on the carpet dealer you talk with, you may have found yourself believing some of the top myths in the industry. Here are a few of the top myths I’ve worked through with other customers.5 Carpet Performance Myths

Myth #1 If they look the same, they are the same
This is the most common belief in homeowners looking for new flooring. But in many ways, it’s like saying all blue four-door cars are the same. We know there’s a difference between a Fort and a BMW. And likewise, there’s a difference in the carpeting you choose based on manufacturer and style. In almost every case, it comes down to final performance of the carpet. From fiber, to weight, to density, how it looks isn’t necessarily how it will perform in the long term.

Myth #2 High quality carpet won’t show wear
Yes, a top quality carpet should handle better than lower counterparts. But there are a lot of things that can impact wearability. Different fibers work better under different conditions. Having some carpets in high traffic areas can be a recipe for disaster. Durability depends on your ultimate use and your lifestyle; be sure to talk that over with your carpet dealer before making your final selection.

Myth #3 Padding doesn’t matter
Padding is just as important as the carpet you select for overall performance. Without a good pad to absorb the impact of traffic, even the highest grade of carpet won’t perform at its peak performance. Don’t reuse existing pad; select new pad to provide the best performance for your new choices.

Myth #4 Brand is everything
Not necessarily true. Just because you recognize a brand doesn’t mean it’s the perfect choice for you. There are many things to take into consideration. Your lifestyle. Amount of traffic. Use. Preference. Branding can help point you in the right direction; after all, brands have a reputation to live up to. But don’t let that be your only deciding factor.

Myth #5 Your selection will be perfect for years
The last thing we want is to install something and be disappointed with it. A lot of that depends on your expectations. Like everything, carpeting adjusts over time. Allow variances from one product to the next. You may have slightly different results than the carpeting you have installed now.

Ask questions. It’s the best way to get a feel for the carpet you’re considering. Your carpet dealer knows the different brands and styles, and can help you make the best choice for you with a little input about your lifestyle. By trusting in their judgment and your final selection, you’ll have a carpet choice you’ll love for years.

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4 Myths About Wood Look Tiles

Love the look of hardwood flooring but don’t want the maintenance that comes along with it? Choose wood look tiles instead.

Yet even after you decide wood look tile may be the perfect choice fo you, you may have some reservations about how it will perform over time. Here are a few things you shouldn’t be worried about.4 Myths About Wood Look Tiles

Myth #1 Grout makes wood look tiles appear fake
Hardwood planks rub against each other. Tile usually has grout lines running between. Won’t it look fake once it’s installed?

Look for wood tiles that have rectified edges, which means the edges have been mechanically finished, so they are precise and consistent. With consistency, you can place the plank tile closer together and have less grout between. Meaning you’ll barely notice the grout once it’s installed.

Myth #2 Tile is cold
Especially in a four-season location like Denver, we prefer hardwood over tile because of its warmth. Yet tile doesn’t have to be cold. Wood look porcelain tile is very well suited to install over radiant subfloor heating. This can provide warmth no matter how chilly the outside temperatures turn.

Myth #3 Wood tile looks fake
How can tile look as good as hardwood? With today’s technology, almost identical. With each change of technology, new wood look products improve. You’ll find realistic textures and visual appearances so realistic you can’t tell the difference without getting down on your hands and knees and feeling the difference.

Myth #4 Tiles can shift and warp
Any tile in excess of 15 inches can present a challenge once installed. However, if installed correctly, it won’t be a problem. Plank tiles are available in a variety of sizes, 6 to 8 inches wide, 24 to 42 inches in length. Tiles should be staggered like real hardwood flooring patterns for maximum support. If you hire a certified technician to install your new wood look tiles, you’ll have years of enjoyment from this one of a kind look.

Convinced wood look tile is in your future?

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