Flooring Archives - Page 50 of 58

Flooring, Tile Floors
October 21, 2015

The Pros and Cons of Tiling Your Floors

Remodeling and changing out the flooring in your home can be an overwhelming process. Where do you start? What materials should you choose?

And while your heart can quickly lead you in many different directions, your gut quickly tells you to be sensible in your choices. Choose materials that will take a certain level of wear and tear. Choose a material that you won’t have to replace in a few short years.

All of those thoughts can lead you to one of the most versatile materials available today: tile.

Tile is the perfect choice for virtually any room in your home. Not only does it provide a clean and elegant look, it’s also durable and easy to maintain.

However, here in the Rocky Mountains, tile in every room may not be for everybody. Before you decide if it’s the perfect choice for your room remodel, keep these pros and cons in mind.

The Pros Of Tiling Your Floors
Ask any real estate agent about what sells in today’s homes and they will quickly point to items that can stand the test of time. Tiling has the same timeless appeal as do hardwoods, especially when classic earth tones are used that can be mixed and matched with any decorating style.

A growing trend is to install a radiant floor heating system, to have warm floors on those cold, winter mornings. Tiling is a perfect choice and its already increasing in demand.

Depending on the tile selected, its beauty will last for years with very little extra maintenance. Tiling requires little more than regular sweeping and dusting, other than wiping up spills as they occur. As long as tile is properly grouted, properly sealed and glazed, it will withstand any kind of living your family can give it.

Tile flooring is the perfect choice for homes with pets, as accidents can quickly be cleaned, and most tiling can withstand a dog’s nails. They are also perfect for family members that may be prone to allergies. As long as non-toxic grout is used, tiling provides all natural materials that can leave a home chemically reduced.

The Cons Of Tiling Your Floors
While a popular choice for any room in your home, tiling may not be perfect in all cases.

Tiles can be cold in the dead of winter if not installed over radiant heating systems. And when the winter chill takes over your home on cold mornings, tiles can make it seem even colder.

Unlike carpet or cork flooring, tile has no insulation properties and is therefore one of the noisiest flooring choices you can lay. You can solve the problem by strategically laying area rugs and runners.

Not every tile is the perfect choice for a room. Glazed tiles are easy to maintain, but they are also more slippery when they get wet. This can be a big problem in heavy moisture areas, such as the kitchen or bathroom, or near entryways where rain and snow can come in. New innovations have made tiles with anti-slip surfaces to help solve the problem; be aware of what you are purchasing and that it matches your expectations.

Tile is also a very hard substance, meaning it can crack and break if heavy items are dropped on them.

To Tile Or Not To Tile?
Tiling is a smart choice for any home in Colorado, because of its timeless appeal and durable nature.

If you want an elegant look that will be both easy to care for and give you longevity for many years to come, tiles may be the perfect choice for any room in your home. And with today’s tiling options, you can achieve just about any look you are going for. Stop by and see your options today.

Flooring
October 19, 2015

Is There Asbestos In My Flooring?

So you’ve purchased a charming little bungalow and can’t wait to let your creative juices flow. You have big plans for the kitchen, the bedroom, the bathroom, even the attic will become something grand in the coming months and years.

And while your new home has a certain allure that comes from buying it from a family that lived in it for decades, you know it will become so much more with a little elbow grease and TLC.

Let the projects begin!

But wait. What are the risks? While that vinyl flooring gives the kitchen an old-fashioned flair, there might be quality wood underneath screaming to come to light. Why not peel up the old, fraying vinyl tiles and take a look?

In the early 1900s, vinyl became widely used in building and housing materials. A plastic resin manufactured from ethylene and chlorine, the product became sturdy yet flexible, versatile and inexpensive.

Unfortunately they often mixed asbestos into vinyl as well to improve the product’s strength and insulating properties.

Asbestos wasn’t phased out until the 1980s, which means many older homes that have escaped remodeling over the last few decades may in fact have asbestos vinyl somewhere in the house.

If vinyl has asbestos and is in good condition, it doesn’t pose a health risk. Risks are associated with materials that are disturbed, broken or damaged, allowing the fibers to escape. Keep in mind that during its high point, asbestos wasn’t used in vinyl alone; it was also used as part of the adhesive used to attach it to the floor.

If you are considering a DIY project to replace your vinyl and modernize it into something more appealing – laminate for instance – it’s always best to assume manufactured material before the 1990s contains asbestos. Proper personal protective equipment should always be used when handling these materials. And always have a licensed abatement professional remove the material and make sure the space is free of hazardous material and ready to move forward.

Have additional questions? We’d be happy to help you evaluate your vinyl and decide the best way to move forward with new and improved flooring.

Carpet, Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
October 14, 2015

Carpet or Wood? What Should You Do With The Stairs

Hardwood floors are the flooring of choice in many homes throughout the Denver Metro region. Yet as much as we love hardwood in our living space, carpeting remains a top choice for the bedrooms to provide warmth and comfort.

What’s the best way to connect the two? Should you carpet your stairs … or use hardwood instead?

There are many pros and cons to both decisions; there is a different answer for everyone.

Carpeted vs Wooden Stairs

Stairway safety: carpet is safer for children and the elderly

Wood stairs can be slippery and dangerous especially when liquid is present. Likewise, hardwood stairs make for hard landings if someone does slip, and can cause more accidents and injuries than carpeting. In homes with elderly or small children, carpeting may be a safer choice to avoid slipping and falls.

Cleaning wood vs cleaning carpet

Carpeting on stairs is automatically going to accumulate more dust and dirt than hardwood. Carpeted stairs require regular vacuuming and an occasional cleaning to keep them in top shape. Hardwood stairs are easy to clean and maintain with a broom and a mop.

Noise: wood is louder than carpet

Carpets insulate against noise. Hardwoods tend to produce more noise, especially if a person moves around your house with shoes on their feet. You will hear the difference between the two especially on the stairs. If you have a family that moves around the house at different times of the day, or kids that run around and play on different levels, carpeting may be a better choice to muffle the sounds.

Damage: carpet is good if it’s permanent

Installing carpet on your stairs requires the use of wires, industrial staples, or adhesive glue that can cause permanent damage. If you decide to remove carpet in the future and move back to wood stairs, it may require refinishing each step to remove the damage.

Flooring cost: wood costs more upfront, capret needs replacing periodically

Quality carpet can be expensive depending on your final selection. Installations also take time. If you replace carpeting regularly, it can add up to a larger overall cost that leaving your stairway with wood.

Ultimately the choice should come down to the way you live and the look you prefer. The great thing about home improvement is there is always the opportunity to change and refinish later. If the right choice is carpeting for while the kids are little, you can always refinish them into a more elegant wood stair down the road. The key is in creating the right living arrangements for how you live today.

About Pro Flooring Brokers

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, Hardwood Flooring
October 10, 2015

When Winter Weather Damages Your Hardwood Floors

It happens every year. The sun rises a little later. The sun sets a little earlier. The mornings turn cold. The snow begins to fall. And winter is in full swing.

Here in Colorado, that may mean warm, sunny afternoons with heat falling across your hardwood floors. Then you wake up to two feet of snow, another snow day off from school, and kids and pets bringing in enough snow to build a small snowman in the center of your room.

Yes, Colorado winters can be rough on you and your floors.

Hardwood floors are porous. They absorb the moisture. They expand and contract.

Expansion is normal. That is the reason hardwood floors are installed with the ability to move and settle as the environment changes all around it. If a gap isn’t placed between the tiles and the baseboard, there is a chance of buckling of the floors. Which isn’t an easy thing to fix.

Winter is hard on hardwood flooring, especially here in Colorado. When it’s cold outside, you shut the doors and windows and turn up the heat. Heating the air also dries the air. And when there is very little moisture in the air to begin with, your hardwood floors shrink.

You may notice sudden gaps between the tiles or along the floor boards, gaps that have never been there before. Then just as suddenly, the gap may disappear.

The same thing happens when too much water or humidity is introduced to a room. If you install hardwood in your bathroom, every day showers can cause hardwood to expand. Carrying water and snow in from the outside and letting it pool on the floor can also take its toll. Expansion is normal. But if the expansion is too great and goes beyond the gaps or wallboard, shifting and buckling begins to occur.

And once buckling occurs, the only way to fix it is to replace the warped floor boards.

Hardwood make a great addition to any home. And here in Colorado, hardwood is one of the most popular home flooring choices. With just a little maintenance and a little extra care, you can keep them looking their best, no matter what the weather is outside.

Flooring
October 8, 2015

Bringing Comfort and Beauty To Your Commercial Flooring Remodel

When you are designing a space where you’ll meet customers on a regular basis, you have to think differently. The atmosphere has to be engaging but comfortable. It has to be functional yet inviting.

First impressions mean everything in a relationship, business or personal. And if your customer walks in and has any doubt, they will leave sooner rather than later, and take their business with them.

Those worn out old chairs, the cheap second hand desk, even the bare walls make a big impression. But even before they consider the décor, they start with your floors.

When someone opens the door to your business, the assessment begins. They see the worn marks as they enter. The see the dirt and stains. They see the faded carpets that should have been replaced years ago. They see the warped hardwood floors. And their opinion is instantly formed.

If you’ve been waiting to a sign a new lease, or waiting until business is a little better before taking the plunge, don’t wait. Investing in a new floor may be the first step in improving your business.

And right now, there are many options available to you. No matter what your budget, your business, or your needs entail, there is a perfect commercial flooring choice for you.

Commercial Cork
Cork flooring has been steadily growing in popularity over the years for both residential and commercial applications. It’s soft and warm, and can add visual appeal in a similar way as hardwood floors. When used in high traffic areas, it is important to seal the flooring to protect it from scratches and stains.

Carpeting
A commercial grade carpet is always a good choice in a commercial location. It gives the environment a comfortable look, and can instantly put a customer at ease. And because the choices in color, style and design are almost never-ending, you can dress your space up or down to evoke any mood. Carpets do attract dirt and stains, so it is important to adhere to a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule. And if you are using carpet squares, it may benefit you to invest in extra to replace accidents along the way. As one of the most economical choices in flooring, its also easy to change out your flooring on a regular basis to keep your space in top shape all the time.

Vinyl
Vinyl is one of the most versatile flooring options available. It’s durable and stands up well in all kinds of traffic conditions. It is scratch and dent resistant. Its also stain and water resistant. Maintenance is also an easy chore and can be handled with a mop and a broom. And thanks to today’s technology, you can find it in any color, style or pattern you desire.

The above flooring choices aren’t just functional, they are good looking as well. No matter what style of flooring you choose, you can give your commercial space a much needed face lift, and begin telling your customers you are the company to do business with.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
October 2, 2015

Should Your Next Choice In Flooring Be American Cherry?

When it comes to buying things for you home, do you prefer to buy American whenever possible?

While that can be difficult in many industries, flooring has viable options that are perfect additions to your home. And one of our favorites is American Cherry wood flooring.

American Cherry wood is rich in culture here in the US. You can’t think of a cherry tree without imagining a young George Washington picking up an ax and chopping one down, creating a story that continues to be passed down from generation to generation. Yet even though the story is probably more fiction than factual, the American Cherry tree is as American as, well, cherry pie.

And while the American Cherry tree produces one of the sweetest resources we all enjoy each year, it also provides another resource used in many homes across the US – it’s one of the best sources of hardwood.

American Cherry is a heartwood with a light pinkish brown to deep golden brown color. While it may be softer than a red oak, it provides a stability factor that is better. There are many different species of cherry tree. The American black cherry is native to the eastern regions of the country. Individual trees have been known to live up to 300 years or more, yet it is a fast growing tree that produces seeds in as little as ten years after planting.

Because they are easily grown and located in many regions throughout the US, they have long been harvested for more than their fruits. In addition to fruit and hardwood, cherry trees are also used to make wood chips, which provide excellent smoking materials for meats and vegetables. Their seeds are also a primary source of the poison cyanide – you’ll never find cherry trees easily accessible to farms that keep livestock on site.

Although cherry wood isn’t the hardest of hardwoods, it is extremely durable. That’s why you’ll find it in use not only on floors, but in furniture too. It resists warping over time, making it a perfect choice for handling all the abuse your family can give.

While many American cherry floors are lighter in color, taking on a slightly pinkish hue, you can achieve deeper shades as well. The wood naturally darkens with exposure to light, and can darken as much as 25 percent over the course of its lifetime. It can be stained easily, and when sealed is easy to maintain.

Renewable, beautiful, and available in many different shades, the American cherry tree may make the perfect hardwood flooring choice for your home.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
September 29, 2015

Home Flooring Trends: Choose Light Color Hardwood For Optimal Appeal

Ready to remodel and upgrade your home? If you’ve looked through design magazines, you’ve noticed a wide array of trends.

While Radiant Orchid was 2014’s color of the year, by 2015 the color changed to Marsala, a terracotta red shade rich and grounded in earthtone shades. Head back in time and you’ll discover the color choices bounce from one shade to the next. What works one year changes the next. And while some bring out the beauty by keeping a home light and airy, the next year may find the trends moving to dark and majestic.

What’s a person to do when they’re ready to make final selections in the remodeling process?

A good designer will tell you to ignore the trends and go with what pleases you the most. Because your home floors will be put to good use for years, it’s important to choose flooring that works for you. Flooring that makes you happy, enhances your desires and décor, and provides an easy platform to care for and maintain throughout your busy days.

If all of that appeals to you, you may like the current design trends that show light colored flooring lead the way. Light colored flooring is attractive, it opens and lightens a space by reflecting more light into it. It also takes advantage of some of the most popular wood shades on earth – think light oak and birch.

Light colored floors have one major advantage over dark floors – maintenance. If you’ve ever had a dark floor, you understand how difficult it is to keep dust bunnies from materializing in the corners and around your furniture.

There’s also the issue of scratches – they are much easier to see on a dark floor than on one that is light.

If you have a family that walks on, plays on, and in some cases abuses your floors, a light floor is the only way to go.

While some people feel that elegance comes from rich, dark flooring choices, nothing can be further from the truth. Yes, light floors can take on a casual, airy appearance. But they can also make a person feel instantly welcoming and comfortable. Because they are neutral in tones, you can dress up the rest of a room’s décor to make a room pop.

Light colored flooring is the perfect addition to any room in your home. From kitchens, to hallways, to bedrooms, you’ll love the light and airy feeling of having light colored hardwoods throughout your home.

Area Rugs, Flooring
September 25, 2015

Storytelling Starts With Your Area Rug

A good area rug can be the centerpiece to the entire room. It can give your room depth, can warm it up, and can even protect the flooring underneath. But rugs can do even more … they can transpire your home by telling a story.

Yes, in times past, the area rug wasn’t simply something used to protect the floor or warm the space; rugs were designed to tell a story and preserve a piece of cultural history.

There are all kinds of textiles used throughout the world. Rugs became an art form in many ancient civilizations, including from China, India, Mongolia, Persia and Egypt, dating back thousands of years. Even in the Western world you’ll find amazing art pieces from ancient indigenous cultures, from the heart of Mexico, to the Maori people in the South Pacific.

Watch a weaver today in action and you can see why each piece became so personalized. By pulling a thread tight there, weaving in a different color there, or even incorporating different threads into the work, you can easily see a work of art appear.

You’ll find religious symbols representing faith in all its glory.
You’ll find mythology or pictorial representations of life changing events.
You’ll find symbolism to depict a family’s honor.
You’ll find cultural inheritance, a sense of community that runs deep within.

And even though many of these symbolism’s no longer have meaning in our modern world, we can still gain a sense of pride by displaying them in our homes for all to see.

In today’s world, many of the area rugs you’ll find on display were created using computer applications, woven by a machine. They are high quality with perfect density, ensuring a quality product from the beginning. Yet in some cases, you can still find old-world rugs designed through hand-planning, and hand-weaving, giving it that one of a kind look and feel that has been cherished for generations.

Area rugs today often start with a story. They have a background, a look rich in culture. And while the process may be automated and turned towards production, nothing can take away that original look and feel when you introduce it into your own home.

And let your own storytelling begin with an area rug.

Flooring, Tile Floors
September 19, 2015

The Beauty Of Travertine Flooring

Some materials work better than others at creating a beautiful and efficient home. They work so well we see them pop up again and again throughout history, an important part of the structure of where we live.

Travertine is one of those materials that has not only stood the test of time, you can also find it spanning across many geographical locations. Travertine is plentiful in many regions throughout the world, making it an all-around reliable and easy-to-find building product. Travertine was used in Ancient Egypt, was used by the Greeks, and used to build the long withstanding buildings we still can see scattered across Europe representing the Roman Empire.

Head to the Roman Coliseum and you’ll see travertine on display as one of the key building materials. And if it can stand the test of time in a place still on display today, it can be the perfect addition to your home, from flooring, to backsplashes, to pavers, to sinks and more.

While travertine might not get the press in décor magazines that you’ll find with granite or stone, you will find it a viable option for every room in your home. We’ve seen travertine used in:

Hallways and Entries – travertine can add a touch of class and elegance, and make a grand statement as people pass through your door.

Bathrooms, Tubs, Showers and Vanities – travertine is a popular surface to bring a relaxing look and feel to every corner of your bathroom. Because of its versatility, you can use it in many ways, from small detail work, to large tiles on your floor.

Family and Living Space – while travertine tile may not be the first choice in our colder Colorado climate, it can be a good choice, especially when combining it with radiant heat or with cozy area rugs. It’s the perfect choice for creating a calm and serene environment.

Kitchens – the kitchen is the hub of the family home. Because so many activities take place – from cooking, to parties, to homework, to relaxing – travertine offers the perfect flooring choice for easy care and maintenance.

Courtyards and Patios – the look and feel of travertine doesn’t have to stop at your doors; carry the look from inside to out. It’s a great addition to your outdoor room space, including patios, courtyards and eating and grilling space.

Flooring
September 17, 2015

Choosing The Right Flooring For A Home Office

A growing number of Coloradans are working from home. From self-employed entrepreneurs running small businesses, to telecommuting employees for large, national companies, many are enjoying the convenience of working from a home office at least once per week.

And that number is expected to increase in the coming years by as much as 63 percent.

Why? There are a lot of reasons for it. People are happier. People have more flexibility in the way they lead their lives. It’s convenient. And you can tap a larger pool of qualified personnel when you aren’t limited to those who can drive in each morning.

But working from home doesn’t mean hanging out at the kitchen table every day. If you work from home on a regular basis, setting up a home office in your home is an important addition to have. In fact its one of the most popular remodel jobs, and its one of the most requested items on any real estate buyer’s checklist. The desire for a home office is growing, and adds value to your home overall.

Whether you have a space specifically designed for a home office, or convert an existing bedroom into a working space, the needs of office space are different from the rest of your home. Chances are you’ll need a chair or two, a table, and shelving or cabinets. All of which can add weight, and more importantly cause problems if you don’t have the right flooring in place.

Carpeting, for instance, adds warmth to the space. But if its thick, luxurious carpet that works well in your bedroom, you might not have the same results in a home office. Thick carpeting can be difficult to maneuver with chairs, rolling filing cabinets, and other work stations.

So what makes a great choice in a home office?

I have two favorites: hardwood flooring and tile.

Solid hardwood flooring is a natural pick for people all across the Rocky Mountain region. And because you may already have it installed in some areas of your home, it’s the perfect choice for your home office too. Hardwoods make it easy to move on, and can take the weight you give it with a desk, shelf or cabinet. And if you scratch the surface, you can always buff it out and refinish them again and again.

Tile is another great option. Tile wears extremely well and is durable. It’s easy to maintain and looks great for years. You can choose from simple ceramic tiles, or get sophisticated with natural stone. And it fits every budget … choose a classic design, or look for one-of-a-kind styling. With tile, the options really are unlimited, and it can help you create a home office you’ll be proud of, and want to work in every day.

Need help selecting the right flooring for your home office? Stop by today.