Flooring Archives - Page 49 of 58

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
November 30, 2015

How To Remove Scratches From Your Hardwood Floors

Do you remember the first scratch in your hardwood floor? Most people with hardwood floors do. It may have been from a piece of furniture that was dragged across the floor. Or from pet claws as they slip and slide as they run and play. Or even high heeled shoes as you walk out the door on your way to work.

That first scratch is cringe-worthy. But it won’t be the last. And when scratches occur, you won’t have to refinish the entire floor to make it look new again. Most scrapes can be sanded and filled, then repaired so that it is often unnoticeable when the repair is complete.

Start by sanding the impacted area with a fine grit sandpaper. Remove the surface abrasions as well as the floor finish. Make sure you run in the direction with the wood grain, not against it.

Clean the area and make sure to remove all sanding and grit. Make sure the area is dry before moving forward.

Apply wood filler that matches the shade of your floor. Do not use wood putty instead of wood filler, as putty will not stain and will be lighter than the rest of your flooring. Use a plastic putty knife as a metal one may create more scratches.

Smooth the filler into the scrape and make sure it is level with the floor. Wipe away all excess filler.

Sand the scrapes smooth so it matches up with the rest of the flooring.

Restain the floor to match the existing color. Let dry thoroughly before applying a finish. Do not move furniture over the area for at least 24 hours.

You can find touch up kits at flooring centers or at most hardware stores. When installing new hardwood floors, talk with your contractor about colors, stains and options for when accidents occur.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
November 25, 2015

Removing Stains From Hardwood Floors

Love your Colorado hardwood floors? Chances are if there are children and pets in your life, your hardwood floors may be an occasional thorn in your side.

What do you do if your child spills juice … and you don’t notice it for over an hour?

Or your pet has an accident … and you don’t notice it until the next day?

Yes, if you have hardwood floors, you understand the way to keep them looking their best is to catch spills and accidents as quickly as possible. But if you leave any kind of fluids on the floor for any length of time, it can soak down into the wood and cause a problem.

Clean Up Messes Quickly

Although hardwood floors often come with some water resistance built in, hardwood floors are rarely infallible if liquid stands for a period of time. Therefore the best way to keep your hardwoods looking their best is to clean up all messes as soon as they happen. Even with prompt removal, some fluids, such as wine and dye, can leave a mark almost from the moment it touches the floor. Even in this case, by removing as much as you can quickly, you’ll prevent the liquid from soaking into the wood. If the liquid penetrates the wood, it becomes a bigger problem.

Using The Correct Cleaning Process

In some cases you may not be able to identify the stain and what caused it. In some cases each stain produced needs a different remedy. Which means you should keep on hand a variety of cleaning products available to be on hand for any type of mess.

Starting with a soft rag dampened with water is the best place to start, as water will remove everything from ink, to candy, juice, even blood. If you still see the stain after removing it with water, step up your game and use white vinegar instead. White vinegar can help you remove stubborn stains, such as a wine spill or darker fruit juices.

Ammonia will remove stubborn stains like iodine, while chlorine is effective in removing more stubborn dyes. However, never use ammonia and chlorine together, as they will create toxic fumes.

Bleaching The Wood

In many cases hardwoods will quickly react to water and other fluids by turning gray. Bleaching the wood with a solution of oxalic crystals and water will remove the gray color. To perform this process, you will need to sand the finish off of the stained area with a palm sander. Bleach the affected area. Then restain the exposed flooring before you recoat it with a clear finish.

With extensive staining, it may be time to bleach and refinish the entire floor.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
November 20, 2015

Flooring Layers: Is Your Floor Sound?

When you glance down at the floor, it’s easy to forget that there are multiple layers. After all, all you really see is the carpet or wood or tile that adds to your décor.

But almost every floor has multiple layers to give it stability, support, a comfortable and potentially noise free environment.

A stained concrete floor will have just one layer. But if you’re installing hardwoods throughout your home, or laying tile in your bathroom, it might include up to fouror five layers.

A typical floor is made up of the following layers.

Finished Floor

The finished floor is the flooring you choose to compliment your décor. It might be laminate, tile, natural stone, engineered wood, carpeting or hardwoods.

Underlayment

Underlayment can be made up of many materials, and take on different characteristics depending on the finished floor you choose. If you’re installing carpeting, padding is important to protect your carpeting. Dry materials, such as hardwood, will require an underlayment of plywood to give it more stability. For wet floors, such as mortared applications for tile and stone, cement board will offer the best results.

Subfloor

A subfloor is typically made of plywood ranging from 1/3” to 1 1/8” thick. This provides structure to your floor. It will help hold together all other layers of your foor. It also provides strength and stability for everything in the house, such as furniture, peopleand pets.

Joists

Joists are made of engineered wood or dimensional lumber. Working together with the subfloor, it provides structure and helps support heavy items.

Depending on needs and the floor in question, you may find one, two or all four layers to your floors. And in some cases, if your home is poorly remodeled or has been around for decades, you may find layer upon layer. Laminates are often laid one on top of another, possibly with tiles or hardwoods laid over that.

To ensure proper alignment for your flooring, and to give proper stability to whatever floor you’ve decided to install, make sure it is properly supported and has the proper layers in place to give you the longest life possible.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
November 18, 2015

A Guide To Subfloor For Wood, Tile and Other Flooring

With every flooring you install, there is another layer – a subfloor – that provides stability and strength. Without a proper subfloor in place, the longevity of your flooring can be decreased substantially. But what is subflooring and what works best for each kind of floor?

If you were to look at your flooring from the side, you would see your floor is comprised of multiple layers sandwiched together. It can include:

Joists – the bottom layer that provides stability and strength the entire floor. Concrete floors will not have joists, instead relying on the support of the cement.

Subfloor – a structurally sound layer of plywood to add stability.

Underlayment – will vary depending on the final flooring chosen. It can be padding, plywood, or cement board.

Finish floor – the decorative floor that you walk on.

The types of subfloor can vary substantially.

Plywood – plywood is the mainstay of flooring construction. You will find it used in many different thicknesses.

OSB – oriented-strand board is similar to plywood and is used in as much frequency as plywood.

Cement board – this board is used when installing tile, and must be laid over a solid surface such as concrete or plywood.

Foam or cork padding – this helps cushion your step and is used when installing things like carpeting or laminate.

Radiant heating – radiant heating is a thick subfloor with grooves cut into the surface to accommodate tubing in which heated water is run. It provides warmth to the floor.

Subfloor for Hardwood – plywood is the best subfloor for hardwood installation. Plywood from ½” to ¾” will provide support and stability for your floors.

Subfloor for Tile – tiles can easily crack if they are not affixed to a straight and properly laid subfloor. Be sure plywood is level, and consider cement board for added strength.

Subfloor for Laminate – laminate floor is installed in much the same manner as hardwood. Laminate is a fairly thin material and is not forgiving when it comes to dents, ridges and grooves. It’s important to provide a well leveled, smooth subfloor for best results. You may also consider a foam padding to further reduce noise.

Subfloor for Basements – one of the trickiest places in your home is the basement. In most cases, you will have no joists and you may have moisture concerns. Concrete floor can feel dry to the touch, but any residual moisture can quickly damage your floor. Consider adding vapor barriers underneath the subflooring to help prevent damage.

Have additional questions about the right subfloor for your new flooring? Give us a call today.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
November 14, 2015

What To Expect When Installing Hardwood Flooring For The First Time

You’ve been living with your old floors for ages. You’re tired of the worn out carpeting in the living space, vinyl in the kitchen.

You want the seamless look of hardwoods flowing through every room of your home.

Just think how much your home will change once your hardwood flooring is installed.

Yet if you have never lived with hardwood flooring before, are you sure you’ll love the results?

Having hardwood floor installed in Colorado your home is a major purchase, one you probably won’t be able to change if you aren’t happy with the outcome. And if you’ve never had hardwoods before, you may be a bit edgy about the process, wanting to make sure every phase runs as smooth as possible.

First is the estimate phase. This is where we find out what type of wood floor is best for the way you live. If we are matching wood to existing flooring, we will help you compare color, styles and patterns to ensure a close match. If you will be replacing existing flooring with wood for the first time, we will help you select the right style for the way you live.

Then we will determine which way to lay the floor. Most homes are built with a plywood subfloor. When we lay your new hardwood floor perpendicular to the floor joists, it adds strength and stability. We can also lay the floor at a diagonal, which gives the room an entirely different look and feel.

It’s also important to check the floor’s moisture content, humidity levels, and temperature of the room. Hardwood must acclimate to your existing surroundings before it is installed, meaning the hardwood will sit in your home to adjust for a few days before installation. There should never be more than 4 percent difference between the subfloor and strip flooring, or 2 percent difference for planks.

Before your contractor arrives, make sure the room is cleared of furniture and household items. Because a lot of work will be done both with removal and installation, you may also wish to remove shelves and decorations from walls to avoid further damage.

Wood floor installation means a lot of sawing and cutting. While we like to minimize the mess this process causes, be aware that it is a labor intensive process. Keep pets and kids away from the equipment and workspace to avoid accidents.

Once the subfloor is prepped and ready to go, the floor is laid out to ensure board joints are at proper distances and the overall appearance is pleasing to the eye.

When we are finished, we will walk you through your home and call out small details to ensure you know the best way to live with your flooring from this point forward. Hardwood flooring is as enjoyable to live with as it is pleasing to the eye. And by being prepared for the process from beginning to end, you’ll enjoy your new floors from the moment you start the process.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
November 11, 2015

Do You Believe These Myths About Engineered Flooring?

What do you think of when you hear the words “engineered flooring?”

There have been many myths circulating about engineered floors, making it a misunderstood flooring option. And if you believe any of these, it may be holding you back from using this in your home.

Read on to change your mind about this practical flooring choice.

Myth #1: Engineered wood flooring is fake

Engineered wood is not the same as laminate. Laminate floors are made of compressed mdf backing with a wood picture laminated to the face of the plank. Engineered flooring is comprised entirely out of real wood. The face layer is actual hardwood in a variety of different thicknesses, depending on the product you select. It is attached to various plys of hardwood backing.

Myth #2: Engineered wood doesn’t look like real hardwood

When engineered wood is installed, there is no telling which is a hardwood floor and which is engineered. Both can be installed prefinished or unfinished. Both can be sanded and refinished several times.

Myth #3: Engineered wood won’t last as long as a solid hardwood floor

Because an engineered wood floor can be sanded and refinished several times just like its real hardwood counterpart, the life spans of the two are virtually equal. With proper maintenance, your engineered flooring can last a lifetime.

Why should you select engineered flooring over hardwood?

Because engineered wood is created using multiple layers of wood, it settles against itself as temperatures and environment changes. There is less chance of board movement between rows, and less chance of cupping in wider plank floors. Engineered wood can be installed below grade applications such as in basements, which makes it a viable alternative to Colorado homes. It can be floated over concrete floors, and can be floated over subfloors that have a layer of particle board installed over them. Since it can be floated or glued, it is beneficial when you wish to decrease sound transfer to rooms below.

What should you look for?

The easiest way to see the quality of engineered wood is to stop by and see the product for yourself. As with anything, there are varying degrees of quality based on manufacturer. Focus you attention on the surface thickness, the overall thickness of the planks, how many plies there are, what the plies are made of, the length of the planks, and how best to install. You should also look for a good warranty, as that will indicate how well the manufacturer trusts its own product.

Flooring, Vinyl Floors
November 7, 2015

Vinyl or Laminate, Which Is Best For You?

Ready to give your home hardwood floors throughout?

Not so fast.

While Coloradans love hardwood flooring, your holdback may be with performance. If you’ve ever had hardwoods warp because of too much water and humidity in the kitchen, bathroom or entryways, should you really try it again?

There is an alternative to using hardwood flooring. You can still have the same look and feel, but without the risks.

Vinyl, especially vinyl plank flooring, and laminate flooring are both widely touted as durable, economical, and easy to install, easy to maintain. And both can be great additions to your home. But which one is the best for you?

Vinyl flooring has been around for decades. And because of that, many associate it with the look and feel of past generations. Yet with new technology and the introduction of better looking flooring, vinyl flooring can be the workhorse in any room in your home. Now vinyl comes in plank shapes that mimics real wood. It has “click” qualities that allows you to snap boards together for the same look and feel of real wood.

Laminate flooring has also undergone significant changes throughout the past few years. By using stronger technology, more insulating qualities, and real look and feel, laminate gives the ability to have wood look throughout your home, with the ease of being able to install it yourself.

What to choose in the bathroom?

The deciding factor in the bathroom is water. If you have kids that like to play in the sink or tub, if you have a lot of action from family and guests, if you want easy to maintain flooring that you don’t have to worry about, vinyl is the choice for you. Vinyl beats laminate hands down in high water, high moisture situations.

What to choose in the kitchen?

No one knows your kitchen like you do. While you don’t expect water to frequently pool on the floor, the kitchen can be subjected to water around the sink and dishwasher. If you have a history of spills and messes, vinyl may be the way to go. If you’ve always maintained a neat and orderly kitchen, laminate may suit your needs just fine.

Which one offers the best pricing?

When it comes to cost, vinyl planks and laminate are fairly equal. You can find both vinyl and laminate in a wide range of costs, everything from budget friendly and affordable all the way to luxury styles.

Which is the easiest to install?

Traditional vinyl in large rolls can be difficult for a homeowner to handle, and cut and lay into place. But today’s vinyl comes in plank format to resemble real wood. It’s even easier to lay than vinyl tiles because there are fewer of them to lay in place.

Laminate requires a foam moisture underlayment that can be quickly rolled out and taped into place. Some laminate comes with underlayment already pre-attached to the back. While laminate is easy to lay into place, you will have to cut pieces with a saw in order to customize. But all in all, both are easy enough for the DIYer to bring into their homes.

Looking for resale value?

Depending on your home’s value and neighborhood, people may perceive vinyl and laminate in different ways. Buyers look for ease in the bathroom and may welcome vinyl planks for their ability to withstand daily activity while looking good in the process. However, laminate is a close substitute for hardwood flooring, and as such holds a moderately good value for buyers looking for modern style.

What’s the best choice for you? Stop by today and compare the differences.

Flooring
November 4, 2015

A Guide To Linoleum Flooring

When you look for flooring that provides durability and ease of use, people think of everything from tile, to vinyl, to linoleum.

Linoleum first came into production in the mid 20th century, but has largely been associated and confused with its vinyl counterpart. The word linoleum is used interchangeably with vinyl, but the two are very different products.

Linoleum is made from natural materials like recycles wood flour, linseed oil, limestone, mineral pigments, resin and cork dust. Its backing is created from jute, also a natural product. This combination makes linoleum a sustainable, eco-friendly, biodegradable flooring option.

Which also means linoleum is once again coming into favor as a flooring option.

With today’s modern technology, linoleum can take on just about any pattern, color or style you choose. It can be custom cut and installed to match any expectations. Similar to tile flooring, you can cut and piece linoleum together to create a wide array of patterns.

Linoleum has many advantages for the homeowner.

Color is extended the whole way through linoleum, as opposed to sitting on the surface like vinyl, giving it a vivid color pattern that will last and last. It won’t show wear as quickly as vinyl, and will sustain scratches and other marks for longer periods of time. It also makes linoleum easier to repair blemishes and other marks by using shavings from scraps and gluing them into place. Be sure to keep extra for this process.

Linoleum flooring also has a long life span, with the ability to last forty years or more with good maintenance. By choosing a style that is neutral and blends well with all your décor, you can instant add value by knowing your flooring will keep on giving for years to come.

Linoleum is also a good choice for people with allergies. Since it is under constant oxidation from linseed oil, there are no micro-organisms in the linoleum. It contains anti-static properties, making it the perfect choice for our dry winter conditions. It’s also warm and soft underfoot, making it the perfect choice for households with small children or elderly at risk of falling.

While linoleum is easy to maintain on a day to day basis, keep in mind that linoleum will need to be resealed with an acrylic sealer each year. If exposed to direct sunlight, it does have the likelihood of fading. Which also means that flooring underneath appliances and furniture may also appear different over time.

If linoleum seems like a good option for your home, stop by and see your options today.

Flooring, Tile Floors
October 31, 2015

How Will Your Tile Floor Be Installed?

So you’ve decided to have tile floor installed in your home. For most homeowners, they focus in on the tile itself. What color, what size, what material, what pattern. Yet the tile floor itself is only half of the process.

It can be confusing to talk with several different tile companies and have each contractor give you different quotes and different possibilities for the same job. It’s not the tile that leaves you confused, it’s the process of installation. After all, there are many ways to install tile, each with its own benefits.

Mortar and Wire
Mortar and wire requires the most work, is the most time consuming and is usually the most expensive. Yet it’s also the most preferred method to assure a solid, level installation for both horizontal and vertical surfaces. Wire is stapled into place over the surface area. A layer of mortar is applied, and once it hardens, glue is spread to bond to the mortar and the tile. The tile is cured before grout is mixed and applied.

Mortarboard
Mortarboard are pre-made sheets or mortar that can be quickly laid into place. They save time and money because they eliminate the step of laying wire and allowing wet mortar to harden. However, mortarboard can be tricky to use because horizontal surfaces are rarely level, and vertical surfaces are rarely true to plane. This can allow cracks to easily form underneath the mortar once its in place.

Glue
Glue alone is the easiest and least expensive method to use. Depending on the surface, glue will react differently in different situations. Wood can expand or contract, especially when subjected to varying environmental conditions. Hot and cold conditions can allow wood to expand and contract. Wet conditions can lead to cracks and failure.

Make sure your contractor understands your families lifestyle, and any nuances that may make a difference in the way your tile is laid.

Flooring, Tile Floors
October 24, 2015

Will Wood-Look Tiles Hold Their Value?

Each of us can think back to something in our lives that screamed “trendy”. Maybe it was the pink shag carpet you had in your home as a kid. Or those burnt orange appliances that graced your kitchen’s décor.

And while they may have been the “in” thing for a while, just as quickly they turned into the biggest eyesore in your home.

And you couldn’t get rid of it fast enough.

Unfortunately those mistakes cost a lot of money. And when you have to remodel and redecorate every few years, spending thousands of dollars in the process, just to achieve a look you can live with, its normal to want to make sure every dollar you spend is money well spent.

Do you really want to live with the next pink shag carpet for years?

That’s why when something new comes to market, its easy to doubt if it will last.

With today’s technology, we’re seeing a wide variety of looks and feels show up in flooring choices that before were considered outdated and boring. If you’ve noticed wood-like tiles popping up in both ceramic and porcelain tile, you know what I mean.

But is wood-look tile a passing trend? Or is it something you can rely on both for its looks and durability, and for its resale value in the marketplace?

Sources indicate that this is a trend that is here to stay. Tile has all the makings of a flooring choice that is perfect for every home. Tile is easy to maintain, is cost effective for every budget, and has a green factor that consumers increasingly desire.

Wood-look tiles look like actual wood. You can get them in any color, from dark finishes to whitewash and more. You can find them in finished in any manner, to resemble elegant dark stained walnut, to giving the appearance of a beach shack in your favorite location. And as technology continues to expand and consumers begin seeing the possibilities, this will only increase desire for this durable product.

Wood-look tiles are cost effective. Budget is always a consideration when installing new floors. And if you are looking at a flooring update, what it will cost you today is equally important as to how soon you’ll have to update your flooring again in the future. With tiling, you can meet both requirements in an effective way. With so many choices available, you can meet any budget requirements today. And because tiling is one of the most durable products on the market, you won’t have to replace your flooring anytime soon.

Wood-look tiles add practicality to your home. Many people have concerns about adding certain flooring to different rooms in your home. You would never add carpet to a bathroom. And hardwood can be a concern for the kitchen. With wood-look tiles, you can create continuity throughout your home and never worry about the long-lasting effects of your flooring choice. Tile will withstand all the punishment your family dishes out, and look great in the process.

And because your choices are almost limitless, wood-look tiles are the perfect choice for anywhere in your home.

Want to see all the choices available to you? Stop by today. We promise you that you will be amazed.