Flooring Archives - Page 9 of 58

Flooring
April 28, 2022

Looking For The Perfect Home Flooring Trends For 2022?

You’re ready to remodel. You’re ready for new floors.

But when you start looking around, you’re overwhelmed at how many choices there are.

What are today’s top home flooring trends? What is in style?

You might worry that what you pick won’t suit your tastes and needs even just a few short years in the future.

It’s expensive investing in new floors. And if you select materials that are too trendy, what if you have buyers remorse almost as fast as it’s installed?

Stop your worrying, come in, and take a closer look at today’s top flooring trends. These materials will stick around for a while.

Before you select flooring material, create a plan

We often have homeowners come in with one material in mind. After a little education, they selected a flooring product that wasn’t even on their list.

That’s because there are so many different types of flooring available on the market today, what’s best for you might surprise you.

Instead of focusing on a particular material, start by focusing on needs first. It can help point you to the best flooring product that will suit your lifestyle. Pay attention to:

Space – what location will you be upgrading your flooring? Is it defined by walls and doors, or is it an open space? Does it get lots of natural light, or is it dark and cavernous? What activities regularly take place there?

Style – this comes down to personality and taste. Are you country charm, traditional, or minimalist? You might automatically gravitate towards certain materials. They blend in with your preferences and lifestyle.

Maintenance – homeowners don’t place carpet in kitchens for a very good reason. Consider your lifestyle carefully as you hone in on what flooring material will be best for each room. What provides good looks with maintenance requirements that match your expectations? Do you want something that allows quick mopping? Weekly vacuuming? How about yearly maintenance?

Installation – are you looking for a DIY project, or do you want a professional from installation to maintenance? Do you want a flooring that can be easily repaired, pulling a plank up and replacing it with materials kept on hand? Keep in mind that traditional hardwood takes days to acclimate, be installed, as well as settle into place. If you’re looking for quick installation, laminate or luxury vinyl can often be a better choice.

Budget – flooring comes in all shapes, sizes, looks, and costs. Staying within budget can impact what flooring trends you’ll love. Be aware that budget can mean different things to different people. While carpet might need replacing every seven to ten years, hardwood can last decades if well cared for. Is it worth more expense today knowing you’ll have a floor that lasts a lifetime?

With a plan in place, what do homeowners want today?

Once you dive deeper into what you want from your flooring, you might be excited to start looking. We often recommend creating a Pinboard on Pinterest, or flipping through decor magazines or websites to get a good feel for what you’re looking for.

Today’s homeowners want two things: Natural and stylish aesthetics.

Natural – Without a doubt, natural is a word that pops up when most homeowners shop for new flooring. Of course, that can mean different things to different people. In general, people want flooring that’s easy to maintain, is durable, and blends well with their aesthetics. It can be carpet, vinyl, hardwood, stone, or even stretch into sustainable options like bamboo and cork. Whether it has texture, patterns, or a creative twist, a top choice will be to create a natural, blendable floor that works well with every part of your personality.

Style – There’s never been a time when we feel more creative in what we do and the spaces we create. Luckily, there are so many flooring options that can allow you to be as creative as you desire. By looking through design sites and following your desires, you’ll quickly see a look that stands out in your mind. You’ll determine different wants and desires: light, dark, clean, minimalist … you decide.

Of course, color plays a part in it too. But you’ll see that from the moment you start looking at your options. Today’s colors lean a little towards gray-toned. Homeowners still love dark stains with their timeless appeal. Or whitewash stains with a bright, cheerful design. Can’t decide? Why not create a two-toned look. It’s more popular than ever.

It’s not about the flooring product

Are you starting to see a pattern here? We haven’t spent any time talking about which material is trending. And there’s a good reason for that.

The reason there are so many different products on the market today is that homeowners have different desires and needs. What would work for one home wouldn’t work for another.

If you love carpet, there’s a carpet option for you.

If you’re hardwood all the way, invest in new hardwood.

If you’re looking for waterproof options, something that can withstand the abuse your family dishes out, there’s an option for you too. You might just fall in love with luxury vinyl planks and tiles – yes, it’s waterproof.

What’s trending today is individuality and personality. If you find it in our showroom, it may be the perfect choice for you.

We’re seeing planks get wider in the hardwood market. Laminate, luxury vinyl planks, and engineered hardwood are all following the trend.

Patterns are growing in popularity, not just on carpets, but the way you lay in hardwood and laminate. How about chevron or herringbone floors? You can even create it with bamboo or tile. This is about letting your imagination run wild.

It’s also about creating a living environment you choose to be in. If it suits your tastes and needs, it makes the perfect choice for you.

What are the top flooring trends this year?

Glad you asked. Here’s what we know for sure.

With so many different materials, products, and styles available to you, whatever you select will be the right choice.

Whether you have something in mind, or are still exploring, stop by today and see all of your options. We’ll help you find the right flooring to suit your needs.

Flooring
April 24, 2022

Are Green Flooring Materials More Expensive?

If you’re looking for more ways to live a sustainable lifestyle, you might be invested in finding eco-friendly ways to do just about everything. As you remodel, what are the best green flooring options? Which is the right one to suit your needs?

With so many choices, it can be difficult to choose.

But as you finalize your decision, you may worry about experiencing sticker shock. Are green flooring materials more expensive? Should you really expect to pay more for doing the right thing?

What does going green mean?

Going green means doing things for the better of Mother Nature. It means changing your daily methods to become environmentally conscious with every choice you make.

You’re a more aware consumer.

For everything you buy, you consider what it does to the environment. From gathering materials, to production of the product, to disposal methods once the item has run its useful life, you consider it all before finalizing your decision.

If you choose to reduce your carbon footprint, there are many things you can do. You can choose to shop at local farmer’s markets. Food accounts for up to 30 percent of a household’s carbon footprint.

You can buy energy-efficient appliances. You can change your mode of transportation.

Once you get started looking for ways to save, it can become a bit of a challenge, looking for all the ways you can save.

But that doesn’t mean you have to give up on performance or aesthetics. There are ways to have both. And it doesn’t have to be at a higher cost.

What influences the cost of new flooring?

For any product on the market today, price is influenced by:

Production costs
Demand
Labor costs
Packaging costs
Certification costs

The more accessibility to materials, the easier it is for installation, the more competitive pricing will be.

For many green flooring materials, the expense comes from both production and availability. Because we’re just starting to become more aware of overall impact, we’re waiting for manufacturing of green products to become more popular.

If you really want to find a sustainable flooring product, you have to consider a full array of factors when finalizing your decision.

Can it be renewed?
Can it be recycled?
Is it produced with responsible manufacturing processes?
How does transport impact the final price?
How long will the product last?
What type of maintenance is needed?
What happens at end of life?

A green flooring choice may cost more upfront. But if it gives you a decade more to its lifespan, does that make it a better option? It’s up to you to decide.

Today’s green flooring priorities

There was a time when homeowners paid attention to aesthetics without regard to impact.

No more.

Today’s homeowners want a careful blend of old and new priorities, ensuring they get a product they love while having it be safe and eco-friendly at the same time.

What homeowners want today is:

Durable flooring – flooring should be able to withstand all your family can dish out. That means it takes a careful blend of high-quality materials for strength as well as ease of use for everyday maintenance.

Non-toxic flooring – a lot of talk in the industry today is about reducing VOCs (volatile organic compounds) inside the home. The EPA shows that inside air quality can be as much as ten times worse than outdoor air pollution. And given we spend the majority of our time indoors, that can be a big deal. Green flooring helps you find low or zero VOC flooring options suitable for your lifestyle.

Natural – natural is a buzzword that is growing in popularity. Why? Because not only is it good for the environment, but it looks great in your home too. Natural is getting as close to the source as possible. It’s about using wood close to home, stone quarried nearby, or other natural products that have sustainable features.

Do you see yourself in any of these descriptions? You’re not alone. It’s what today’s homeowners want.

And many green flooring options aren’t as expensive as you might fear. In fact, they can be some of the most affordable flooring options available to you.

Green flooring options you might consider

With so many green flooring options available to you, there’s sure to be one perfect for your lifestyle. The best green flooring materials include:

Cork – a naturally renewable material that is harvested from the bark of a cork oak tree. It grows back multiple times, making it a truly sustainable material. It’s softer than other materials, making it more comfortable if you stand for long periods of time. It adds warmth to thwart heat and cold, and is naturally repellent to bugs, dust mites, and mold.

Linoleum – linoleum is made from linseed oil, which is produced naturally from flax plants. It’s widely available, and highly renewable. The harvesting process is becoming even more sustainable, with disposal being one of the most eco-friendly options. At the end of a long lifespan, it can be composted with other materials.

Bamboo – bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants and can be harvested in three to five years. Pay attention to where you source your bamboo flooring, as transportation costs can cause the final price to rise. Be aware of production, ensuring it’s truly a sustainable resource.

Carpet – yes, carpet can be a great green flooring material. Look for natural fibers such as wool, jute, and seagrass. Pay particular attention to production, ensuring backing is also made from eco-friendly materials.

Hardwood – hardwood is a resource that can be easily renewed. Be sure to choose hardwood from forests certified and well managed by the Forest Stewardship Council. Also pay attention to stains, finishes, and adhesives to ensure they remain green too.

Stone – stone is a natural product that is continuously being produced and harvested from the earth. It doesn’t harm the environment and can be recycled for other uses. Pay attention to import practices depending on where the stone is harvested from.

What green flooring choice is right for you?

With so many options available, which flooring is right for you?

Green flooring isn’t expensive – green flooring is a sustainable way of life.

If you’re ready to change your home environment and reduce your carbon footprint too, stop by and find the perfect solution for you.

Flooring
April 21, 2022

Wheelchair-Friendly Flooring – These Materials Are Best For Your Home

Are you renovating a home for someone with a disability? Are you making the home accessible for someone in a wheelchair? Hard, smooth surfaces are generally easier for people with mobility issues.

If you’re looking for wheelchair-friendly flooring, you have many options available to you. While material is important, it isn’t the only thing. Read on to discover the right flooring choice to suit your needs.

What the ADA says about flooring

ADA requirements for public and commercial spaces aren’t the same as what you can do with residential spaces. But using their requirements as a guideline can help you make better choices.

From their guidance, it states:

Floor and ground surfaces shall be stable, firm, and slip-resistant.

If you’re installing a floor that will be used regularly by someone in a wheelchair, it’s a good idea to create flooring that’s:

Slip-resistant – flooring should provide adequate traction for the wheels as they move without slipping or skidding underneath. Textured flooring can offer a slip-resistant space even in locations prone to moisture, such as the bathroom.

Smooth – flooring should have some texture for ease of movement. Having too many bumps or transitions can be difficult to navigate over. Pay particular attention to transitions from room to room.

Stable – flooring should be attached securely to the subfloor to prevent movement underneath. It shouldn’t dent or compress as the weight of the wheelchair moves over it.

What flooring choices should you consider?

We have a few suggestions for flooring materials that work well for wheelchair movement. While some you may expect, others may be new to you.

Hardwood

Hardwood has been around for centuries for a very good reason: they stand the test of time. No matter what you can dish out, they continue to give back, and look their best.

Hardwood has the added benefit of extending its life by refinishing it. When it’s scuffed and worn, simply sand it down. Then reapply new stain and finish, and you’ll instantly have updated flooring. You can do this repeatedly, depending on the quality of the wood. This is where it benefits you to pay attention to quality. This will give you the ability to extend the life of your floors.

Plus, they are fairly easy to maintain. An occasional cleaning means wiping away dust and debris, and possibly running over it with a damp mop for bigger messes. Hardwood isn’t water-resistant, so don’t allow moisture to puddle.

For added traction and keeping your floors looking their best longer, consider what texture you install. A hand-scraped or distressed texture not only adds slip-resistance, but it can stand up to more abuse too.

Tile

Tile provides one of the hardest surfaces available for residential flooring. It provides both traction and a smooth surface area for wheelchairs to move freely about.

However, it is important to pay attention to transitions. If grout lines are too pronounced, it can cause friction as the wheelchair moves over it.

Be sure to install a textured tile that provides a surface area that’s easy to maneuver. Certain tiles like ceramic might be too slippery for easy movement. And if a person transfers between a wheelchair and a walker, the surface area may not be conducive for easy movement.

Yet if you work with an associate, we can suggest a variety of options that make this a viable choice. Large tiles placed close together may be perfect for your area.

Luxury vinyl tiles or planks

While traditional vinyl is considered too soft for easy wheelchair movement, today’s luxury vinyl tiles or planks may be perfect for your spaces. They are an affordable alternative to hardwood, and provide a hard surface area that’s easy to get around on.

Luxury vinyl tiles or planks take on the appearance of the most loved flooring options on the market today. You’ll have difficulty telling the difference between luxury vinyl tiles and stone tiles, or luxury vinyl planks and hardwood planks. They look that real.

Yet their hard surface area creates a durable flooring option that works well in all kinds of residential situations. What’s more, it’s a great choice for places you usually wouldn’t put hardwood. Like bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens.

Other things to consider

In general, any type of flooring that provides a cushion to your step won’t work well with wheelchairs or even walkers. Many homeowners consider carpet because it’s soft. But it’s challenging to move around on, and makes it easier to trip and fall.

If you use carpeting in the bedrooms, go with a low-pile option, such as Berber, and stick with a dense pad for added stability. Wheelchairs will also bring in added dirt and debris, so it’s a good idea to go with a darker color, possibly patterns that will easily hide stains.

Floor transitions are equally as important as the flooring itself. ADA has special guidelines in place to ensure people can move freely from one area to another.

Vertical height – transitions between flooring types should be kept under ¼”.
Beveled height – if a transition is between ¼” and ½”, it shall be a beveled transition with a slope not steeper than 1:2.
Ramp height – anything greater than ½” high needs to be ramped.

Before you purchase new flooring, especially if combining it with flooring already in place, ensure you have the proper transition material ready to ensure a safe space.

Finding wheelchair-friendly flooring for your space

Finding the best flooring for wheelchairs is pretty easy to do. With ADA requirements in place, the options available to you have never been as flexible.

Understand what works best for you as you remodel your home. Look for future potential as well as what will work right now.

Remember, this is about aesthetics as well as functionality. And with today’s flooring options, you can easily have both.

How can we help you find wheelchair-friendly flooring?

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
April 18, 2022

The Top Questions We Get About Bamboo Flooring

Have you set your sights on installing bamboo flooring in your home? Are you a little confused by what you’ve been reading online?

You’re not alone. Depending on what resource you read, bamboo is either the best or worse material for residential flooring.

We fall into the category that thinks it makes a great addition to any home. However, like any flooring choice, you have to understand how to care for and maintain it over time to truly fall in love with it, and enjoy it for years to come.

We get a lot of questions about bamboo flooring as people are trying to narrow down their choices. We thought we’d share them with you here to help you make up your mind as you’re deciding if bamboo flooring will make a welcome addition to your home.

Are there different types of bamboo flooring?

Yes, and this is where a lot of the confusion comes from. Bamboo flooring is usually broken down into two categories: solid and strand woven.

Solid bamboo is more traditional, where strips of bamboo are glued together to make a solid and stable floor covering. It’s made similarly to a traditional oak floor.

Strand woven is newer and more innovative in technology. Bamboo is shredded and woven together to create a stronger and more versatile floor. Strand woven is twice as strong as more traditional oak flooring.

Are there different kinds of strand woven bamboo flooring?

Yes! Innovation never stops, and you’ll find that once you start looking at strand woven bamboo flooring. The most common include:

Solid strand woven bamboo – this is twice as strong as traditional hardwood flooring, where bamboo strands are compressed under heavy pressure to create durable planks. They’re milled with a tongue-and-groove structure that allows them to be glued or nailed into place. Like hardwood, they can be refinished several times, giving you a long lifespan.

Engineered strand woven bamboo – this provides a thick strand woven bamboo wear layer over the top of a durable core. Like engineered hardwood, engineered bamboo gives you a tough, durable product that’s even easier to install with click-and-lock technology.

Rigid core strand woven bamboo – want an even stronger core? This may be your answer. These floors provide strand woven bamboo on the top layer, with a rigid polymer composite (SPC) core. This makes bamboo functional in places like kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms where moisture may be a problem. Some rigid core products also come equipped with a padded base that serves as a vapor barrier. This means it can be floated directly over concrete subfloors without need of an underlayment. If you’ve debated about what to install in your basement, rigid core strand woven bamboo may be your solution.

Is strand woven bamboo flooring eco-friendly?

Yes! That’s what leads a lot of homeowners to look at bamboo as a flooring option.

Most of the world’s bamboo is grown in China. Bamboo is a regenerating grass, so it grows much faster than hardwood trees. That makes it more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

This regenerative grass matures within five years. Once harvested, it has self-regenerating properties that won’t require replanting.

To be truly eco-friendly, pay attention to growth and harvesting practices. Look to ensure the manufacturer follows best practices, and allows healthy harvesting and regeneration qualities. Certification by organizations such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) will ensure best practices.

Is strand woven bamboo flooring better than hardwood?

Like all types of flooring, it’s a personal choice. Many homeowners have installed bamboo flooring and are very happy with the results. The more research you do about the product to ensure it fits your lifestyle, the better chance of being pleased with the results.

Hardwood and strand woven bamboo flooring are both made from natural materials, can be refinished several times, have a similar feel and comfort level, are easy to maintain, and are installed in similar fashion.

The differences include:

Bamboo is made from a regenerative grass, while hardwood comes from trees
Bamboo matures in five years, while hardwood can take up to 60 years to reach maturity
Bamboo is often more affordable than hardwood
Strand woven bamboo usually has a Janka hardness rating of as much as three times that of traditional hardwood

Does strand woven bamboo expand and contract like hardwood?

Both bamboo and hardwood are made from hygroscopic material, which means they absorb moisture from the air in the environment. Both products do well in a balanced moisture environment.

When relative humidity decreases, there is less moisture in the air. This causes the final product to contract, which can cause gaps in the planks.

As relative humidity rises, it brings more moisture to the air. More humidity can cause buckling as the final product expands.

No matter which product you choose, acclimating it to your home’s environment is an important part of the process. If moisture is a problem, look towards engineered or rigid core.

Is strand woven bamboo flooring durable?

Yes! If you’ve grown to love hardwood, but want something even more durable, you’re going to love what strand woven bamboo brings to your home.

Strand woven bamboo is a robust and durable product. But like any flooring material, it can be damaged over time. If you drag heavy furniture across it, you’ll notice light scratches. Drop heavy pans or sharp objects, and you may notice dents. It can withstand a lot of pressure; it just depends on what hits it, and the amount of force behind it.

The key to its success is maintenance. Luckily, the process to keep it clean doesn’t take too much effort. Use a dust mop or a vacuum with soft, non-rotating bristles to keep dust and debris away. For extra dirty floors or a more deep cleaning, a simple solution will do the trick. Check with manufacturer’s guidelines before using any cleaning product to ensure it doesn’t damage the finish. Never use a wet or steam mop to ensure best results.

What questions do you have about strand woven bamboo flooring?

If we can answer any of your questions, give us a call. Whether you’re finalizing your flooring choice, or still have general questions, we’re happy to provide you with solid advice.

How can we help you?

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
April 14, 2022

Why Hard Floors Produce a Healthier Living Environment

A lot can go into selecting flooring for your home. You might start with a specific material in mind. Or have a certain color you prefer.

Thanks to the pandemic, we’re seeing more homeowners start with another request: clean flooring. Hard floors produce a healthier living environment. And that shows up in preferences. Studies consistently show hardwood tops the list of what buyers want for their homes.

Whether you’re designing a home, or remodeling your existing one, starting with a hard floor surface area provides the basis for a clean, healthy place to live.

Why are more homeowners turning to hard floors?

They’re easy to clean, disinfect, and sanitize

Homes get messy. Gravity ensures that.

But if you start with a base that’s easy to clean, those messes your family makes won’t bother you. You’ll simply wipe them away.

Hard floors give you a clean surface area that’s easy to sweep up dirt, hair, and other debris that accumulates. It’s easy to swish it away, reaching every corner effortlessly.

For a deeper clean, you can use antibacterial cleaners approved by your flooring’s manufacturer to ensure the surface area is free of pathogens and other germs. Just ask; we can provide you with the best care solutions to ensure your flooring stays looking good for years. You can also check online with your flooring manufacturer for their list of suggested cleaning products. Stick with their guidelines to ensure your flooring continues to look great, and remains under warranty.

They don’t trap dust or allergens

The smooth, hard surface area of hard flooring ensures dust, dirt, pet dander, pollen, and other debris sits on top of the surface and doesn’t burrow down into the material. It’s easy to wipe it away. A clean environment reduces your allergy symptoms, and may lessen other respiratory issues.

They provide better air quality

Right now, Americans spend, on average, 90 percent of their time indoors. Studies show that concentrations of some pollutants can be 2 to 5 times higher than what you’ll typically find outdoors.

Pollutants can be found in a lot of places inside your home:

VOCs in building materials
Harmful chemicals in cleaning products
Chemicals released in the cooking process

These are just to start.

Yet your flooring is the basis for your home design. It can trap and harbor dust mites, allergens, and other debris as it enters and settles onto your floors.

Many hard flooring surfaces are a natural byproduct, which means they are created using healthier materials. Because they are hard, they are easier to keep clean, meaning they won’t trap the particles that can make you sick. For many, the basis of home aesthetics starts with hard floors.

Which hard floor is healthy?

As you browse through different flooring options, it’s easy to get confused by the sheer number of choices. How do you know which to pick? Which direction should you go?

We have three healthy flooring choices that give you clean living options while ensuring you love the results.

Hardwood

If you search through our site, stop by our store, or chat with one of our associates, you’ll find hardwood flooring moves to the top of the list for all sorts of reasons.

And if you’re looking for hard floors to produce a healthier living environment, hardwood remains at the top of the list. Why? Because it’s a natural product that provides classic good looks to any room in your home.

If you are considering hardwood, look for manufacturers that care about the production process. Select solid hardwood that comes with the Forest Stewardship Council, or FSC, seal. With this seal in place, you’ll ensure that the forest is properly managed according to FSCs rigorous social and environmental standards.

It stretches beyond the materials used for hardwood flooring. It also applies to the glue used to adhere hardwood to the subfloor, and the stains and seals used to keep your hardwood planks looking good for years. Many products use certification programs like GREENGUARD to reduce indoor air pollution and the risk of chemical exposure.

When a manufacturer uses these labels, you can feel better about the products and materials you’re bringing into your home.

Natural linoleum

While hardwood may work well for most rooms in your home, linoleum can be an option in moisture-prone areas like bathrooms. Both water-resistant and resilient, natural linoleum can be a great choice for bathrooms, laundry rooms, and even kitchens.

Linoleum is made from linseed oil, pine resin, wood flour, cork flour, limestone, and pigments, pressed and held together by a jute backing. This affordable, low-maintenance option can be installed over both concrete or wood subfloors, and only requires an occasional coat of natural wax for care and upkeep. With proper maintenance, this flooring choice can last for years.

Ceramic, Porcelain, and Glass Tile

If you’re looking for more water-resistance in your bathrooms and kitchen, ceramic, porcelain, and glass tile may be the solution. Tile can be a sustainable choice. You can look for options made from recycled materials to bump up the environmental-friendliness of the product.

To ensure it’s the healthiest on the market, focus on low-VOC production, adhesives, and sealants. GREENGUARD-certified products can point you in the right direction. Also, use cement-based grout, which doesn’t emit harmful VOCs.

Hard surfaces last longer

For many homeowners, it’s a constant juggle of keeping the aesthetics fresh and new, while ensuring updates and care fit within your budget.

If you don’t want to be replacing your flooring every few years, hard surfaces give you the longest life possible.

Ceramic, porcelain, and glass tiles can last 20 years or more. The grout may need scrubbing and resealing every five years or so, but with proper maintenance, it’ll continue looking good for years.

Linoleum can last for decades with proper care. Keep the surface clean from dirt and debris, as this can mar the surface area. Moisture, spills, and harsh chemicals can be hard on the surface. Be sure to use manufacturer-approved cleaners, and wipe up messes quickly to avoid damage.

Hardwood has the added bonus of being refinished. Depending on the hardness and size of each plank, you can refinish it several times. This adds to its longevity. Instead of replacing the entire flooring, refinish it to make it look brand new. You can update based on trends, or as your preferences change.

Is now the time you update your flooring for a healthier living environment?

Start with hard floor surfaces. You’ll love the results.

Flooring
April 10, 2022

Want To Eliminate VOCs? Check Out These Flooring Choices

Are you trying to create a toxic-free living space? Are you working hard to eliminate VOCs by making better choices? As you remodel or build, your flooring tops the list as one material that can make a big difference in the environment you create.

What are VOCs?

VOC is short for volatile organic compounds. VOCs are chemicals that have been proven to affect health either in the short or long term. Some of them are carcinogenic, and have been proven to harm health.

Thousands of common, everyday items used throughout residential and commercial spaces have high levels of VOCs. As we become more aware of what they are and how they impact us, we’re working hard to reduce them in the things most likely to affect us.

Still, some materials have high VOC levels, such as cleaning products, paints and finishes, and other building materials. Once in place, they “off-gas” and release chemicals into the air supply. Depending on the conditions, that may expose all around it to high pollutant levels. VOCs off-gassing may include chemicals such as:

Formaldehyde – found in pressed wood, plastics, lacquers, paneling, flooring, finishing products, and furniture.
Phenol – found in some vinyl flooring and wall coverings.
BTEX – found in petroleum-based products.
Methylene chloride – the most common of all VOCs, it’s in flame retardant chemicals. It’s common in adhesives.

Living with VOCs

Unfortunately, our lifestyle of modern conveniences dictates that VOCs will be a part of our lives for the foreseeable future. When thousands of chemicals come together indoors to form a toxic soup, the results can include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Long-term exposure can lead to serious illness, including damage to the central nervous system, or cancer.

A study by the EPAs Office of Research and Development found about a dozen common organic pollutants to be two to five times higher inside homes than outside, regardless of whether the homes were located in rural or highly industrial areas.

With so many toxic chemicals inside your home, many homeowners are taking the step to learn more about VOCs, what it takes to eliminate them, and make better decisions when selecting home items such as flooring choices.

How to find the safest, greenest flooring choices for your home

As you tackle different home improvement projects, pay attention to the materials or substances used for each product you bring into your home. This may sound like an overwhelming task at first, but this is something you can start paying attention to over time.

The EPA provides a complete list of known VOCs, what they are, and how they may be listed on the materials or products you purchase.

You can also look for certification programs listed on the products you purchase. The most common certifications for assessing a product’s effect on indoor air quality include:

GreenGuard – it has two levels of certification that measure VOC levels in products. The GreenGuard Gold certification is often considered the most useful for determining healthy products on the market today.

Floorscore – Floorscore certification provides a standard certification process for all types of hard surface flooring materials, underlayment, and adhesives. Floorscore complies with the legally allowable limits in California, which does mean it’s not as comprehensive as GreenGuard. But it’s still a starting point to finding cleaner, less toxic flooring.

Green Label Plus is the carpet industry’s VOC certification process. They test for 35 compounds listed in California guidelines for VOCs. This includes carpet, padding, and adhesives.

There are other organizations that offer advice on what VOC limits are allowed in the production of the flooring material. If you have any questions, you can ask one of our flooring consultants, or do a little research yourself to get more comfortable about the product you’re considering buying.

What flooring choices should you consider?

It’s difficult to make one specific recommendation for flooring in an article like this because the advice would be subjective at best.

One of the greenest options can eliminate VOCs and be a great flooring choice for your home, yet have specific qualities that might not be conducive for the way your family lives. Another option may have low VOCs and be installed in such a way that it poses little risk to your living environment.

What’s the best flooring to suit your needs? Only you can make that decision.

However, as recommendations for low or zero VOCs, we often suggest:

Hardwood

Natural hardwood flooring is quite often at the top of the list as a safe option for eliminating VOCs from your home. There are, of course, things you’ll have to watch out for as you make your final selection.

Wood contains natural terpenes that are considered safe in most circumstances. If you have a high sensitivity, especially aromatic wood choices may trigger more than other products.

All wood goes through processing from forest to final installation. Some of the chemicals that flooring products go through can harbor chemicals that may impact highly sensitive people. This is where it pays to stay alert as to the product you buy and what processes the manufacturer used to bring the flooring to market.

Wood also is a porous material, which means it has a higher probability of harboring mold. Follow all guidelines to ensure your hardwood is properly acclimated to your home before installation.

Finishes and adhesives can also change one of the greenest products into one of the most dangerous. There are many low and no VOC options for both. Just be sure your installer is aware of your desires, and helps you select the best of both.

Tile

Another natural product that can be a great addition to your home is tile.

Marble tile is a great choice for both good looks and low VOCs. Because marble is quarried from nature, you will be bringing a natural product inside your home. Like wood, you’ll have to pay attention to the production process to ensure the overall product has low or no VOCs once it’s installed inside your home. And sealants, finishes, or adhesives should be checked to ensure they meet your expectations on VOC levels you wish to bring inside your home.

Slate is also a good choice. A resin is often used in manufacturing to fill in tiny pits and holes to make it a smoother surface. Be sure the products used are low VOCs. This is where it pays to go with a well-known manufacturer, one you can research thoroughly before you finalize your purchase.

If you’re ready to eliminate VOCs and find the right flooring choice to suit your needs, these are just a few of the products that may make good additions to your home.

Flooring
April 7, 2022

Rigid Core Flooring May Be Just What You’re Looking For

Thanks to technology, whatever you want from your flooring is possible.

Want an easy to clean, dependable surface area?
Want strength and durability?
Want waterproof flooring that won’t buckle under pressure?

Look no further than rigid core flooring.

What is rigid core flooring? Read on to find out why it just maybe what you’re looking for.

What does rigid core flooring mean?

The luxury vinyl tile (LVT) market has grown in strength and numbers these past few years. As homeowners wanted maintenance-free, durable flooring choices, they’ve responded through the products in the LVT market.

Rigid core flooring is a type of luxury vinyl flooring composed of a solid, rigid core for added durability. Rigid core flooring doesn’t require adhesives or glue. It uses a click and lock installation system instead.

Within the rigid core flooring category come two types of products: Stone Plastic Composite (SPC) and Wood Plastic Composite (WPC). While both have similar traits, their differences should be considered carefully before finalizing your decision.

What is SPC?

SPC stands for Stone Plastic Composite, or Stone Polymer Composite. It consists of a core that features limestone, polyvinyl chloride, plasticizers, and stabilizers. When compressed together, they provide a stable, water-resistant material that’s most often found in luxury vinyl planks.

What is WPC?

WPC stands for Wood Plastic Composite, or Wood Polymer Composite. It consists of a core that contains wood or wood-like materials such as wood flour, polyvinyl chloride, plasticizers, and stabilizers.

What are the core differences between SPC and WPC?

While SPC and WPC are similar, SPC consists of more calcium carbonate, otherwise known as limestone. That can provide added strength, making SPC more popular than WPC with some manufacturers.

There is not much difference in the way the two products present as final output. What makes them so popular with homeowners today is they can take on any look, yet give the advantages luxury vinyl brings to the market. Rigid core flooring can resemble wood, stone, ceramic, marble, or other unique materials that give your home pleasing aesthetics. They can be crafted into many sizes and shapes, which allows you to let your personality shine through.

Because SPC uses limestone, it tends to be a bit thinner than WPC. Both are created with multilayer construction, which includes.

Underlayment or base layer – the base layer of many rigid core flooring products is designed to make installation easier and more affordable. Higher quality products will also come with vapor and sound barriers to give you more protection.

Rigid core – this is where the SPC or WPC layer resides to provide the substance of the rigid core. It’s super dense, water-resistant, and offers support to ensure the final planks or tiles hold their shape.

Vinyl layer – this is the layer that determines the physical appearance of the final product. Vinyl prints are designed to look like the most popular flooring products on the market today, including hardwood, stone, and tile.

Wear layer – this protects the vinyl layer from being damaged. It comes with varying thickness layers, so it’s wise to pay attention to how much traffic your flooring can sustain without noticeable damage.

UV coating – some surface areas provide protective coatings to help fight everyday damage such as discoloration.

The SPC core layer consists of limestone, which adds strength to the product. If you have heavy furniture, this added strength can prevent scratches and dents as you use it every day.

An important thing to note is that many rigid core flooring products are touted as waterproof. Keep in mind that waterproof is relative based on the situation. Will a rigid core floor react to a spill? Rigid core flooring’s surface layer can provide complete protection from modern day bathroom and kitchen messes. Will rigid core flooring stand up in a massive flood where the water saturates for hours? That type of damage will impact most building materials.

As long as you have reasonable expectations of what your flooring will provide, rigid core flooring can be a welcome addition to just about any room in your home.

Why people love rigid core flooring

Although we’ve alluded to it throughout this article, there are a number of reasons homeowners turn to rigid core flooring when they design or remodel their homes.

Looks and versatility top the list. What holds people back from hardwood or even stone tile is the upkeep. They look great inside your home … until they don’t. Once they are scratched, cracked, or damaged, it can be a long process to fix the problem. It might even require fully replacing the floor.

Rigid core flooring uses click and lock technology, which gives you flexibility throughout the design and upkeep process. You don’t even have to worry about what you install this product over. It can be installed over just about any subfloor, including existing vinyl, hardwood, laminate, tile, concrete, or plywood. You won’t need special equipment to install it. It’s a perfect choice if you’re considering a do-it-yourself project. Because the underlayment is already attached, it’s an easy process where you click the planks or tiles into place, and you can start using your new floors immediately.

And the looks are short of spectacular. In some cases, it even requires experts to take a second look. Because of how the print layer is created, you may find a wider array of colors and patterns, making it easier than ever to match your decor.

What’s more, rigid core flooring is one of the most affordable products on the market today. It won’t require a new subfloor. It doesn’t take adhesive, glue, or grout. With its click and lock technology, it can be in place in a shorter timeframe. It can even be a do-it-yourself project.

Is rigid core flooring right for you?

Everyone has different wants and needs when it comes to selecting new flooring. If you’re looking for:

A water-resistant product
A product to sit over problematic subflooring
An affordable floor that won’t sacrifice good looks
A product you can install yourself

Rigid core flooring may be the flooring for you.

What questions can we answer for you about rigid core flooring?

Flooring
April 4, 2022

Will Upgrading Your Flooring Increase Your Home Value?

When you think about selling your home, you look at every room in a different light. What can you do to make it show better? What can you add to increase your home value? Should new flooring be at the top of your list?

While it’s easy to pack up some of your personal items in boxes, or paint the walls to freshen the space up, installing new flooring can be an expensive maintenance item, especially as you’re planning a move. Is it worth it? Is it something you should consider?

According to one survey by the National Association of Realtors, new flooring can make a difference in what a buyer is willing to pay. But the results may surprise you. If a buyer is under the age of 54, one in four said hardwood floors are very important. But as people age, those statistics change. Older homeowners like carpet for warmth and comfort.

What’s most important? Cleanliness. People don’t want to walk in and see a maintenance item from the moment they enter. Dents, scuff marks, wear marks – they are all indicators of flooring that needs to be replaced.

Know your home. Know your area. What do people expect from a neighborhood like yours? Then adjust accordingly.

Hardwood – it’s the easiest path to increasing home value

It’s impossible to ignore that people love hardwood floors. In a survey conducted by the National Wood Flooring Association, just over half of respondents stated they currently have hardwood inside their homes. When asked what kind of flooring they would have in their dream home, two-thirds said they would have wood.

Wood has been a staple in residential homes for centuries. Raw lumber, geometric patterns, painted wood – we’ve come full circle in the flooring we install inside our home.

Today it’s all about natural finishes and smooth designs. Minimalist may be what we ask for, but the finished results can be dramatic and aesthetically pleasing. And more than half of those surveyed are willing to pay for it – $2,080 extra for homes that include hardwood flooring.

As a homeowner, hardwood can be a good investment no matter when you plan to sell. Hardwood is more durable than flooring like carpet because you can refinish it when it starts to wear. Sand it down, fix any problem areas, and refinish it in a fresh new color. Most hardwood floors can be refinished multiple times. It can last for decades when well cared for.

Of course, keep in mind that staying simple is always better if you want an easy sell. When you shop for hardwood, you’ll find an array of different cuts, wood varieties, thicknesses, and finishes. Some will be more appealing to the masses than others.

Hardwood doesn’t quite fit in with your neighborhood or budget … but there are options

Not every home is meant for hardwood. But that doesn’t mean you can’t install a floor that provides what people love about hardwood, and combine it with other advantages.

How about water-resistant flooring? If you have a busy household and are worried about the impact on traditional hardwood floors, take a look at today’s luxury vinyl planks. They look like hardwood, create a surface area that looks like hardwood, yet offer benefits hardwood can’t.

What’s more, luxury vinyl comes in click-and-lock format, which makes it easy to install over many existing floors. Concrete, vinyl, linoleum, even tile can be left in place while moving your new flooring into the space. That can be a big benefit if you’re trying to check off items on your project list, and quickly get your house on the market.

Not sold on vinyl? How about tile? You’ll be impressed with the detail tile can bring to your home. Sold in plank format, they mimic hardwood so closely, you won’t be able to tell unless you get down closer to the floor. Because it’s water-resistant, it makes a great addition to moisture-prone areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Choose the right floors for the situation

While homeowners may love hardwood, the simple truth is hardwood doesn’t make sense in every room in your home. Install it in the bathroom and you’ll quickly regret your decision.

Entryways, kitchens, and basements need a flooring material that makes sense based on the situation.

Entryways deal with moisture, dirt, and debris. Install the wrong flooring and you’ll find yourself worrying every time the door enters.

Kitchens can also be a problem, especially if your family is prone to creating messes. Hardwood doesn’t do well with constant spills and messes. It can stain, fade, warp, and lose its “new” feel quickly in this circumstance.

Basements bring on their own problems. Sub-level moisture problems can cause wood to warp. And if movement is prevalent, warping and buckling may also be a problem.

Select the type of flooring that makes sense for the room in question. Then work to ensure that each room in your home blends together.

Flow is important

If you do choose to replace flooring to increase your home value, pay particular attention to the flow you create throughout the house. See your home through the eyes of a potential buyer. What would they want?

Buyers don’t like the patchwork approach to updating. Instead, they want a visibly clean surface as they move from room to room.

That’s where our associates can help. We can help select suitable floors for a smooth transition from room to room. It might mean keeping existing hardwood in place, installing new, and finishing it together for a color that matches well.

Be especially mindful in open living spaces. You don’t want to walk into an entryway and see a mishmash of textures and colors as far as the eye can see.

Are you moving soon?

Congratulations. Adding new flooring is a great way to increase your home’s value. Upgrading to present a cohesive environment to prospective buyers can give you what you need as you move forward to a new home.

What questions do you have about upgrading your flooring?

Flooring, Vinyl Floors
March 28, 2022

5 Secrets Nobody Is Talking About With Vinyl Planks

When most people remodel their homes, flooring is the base of new design. Depending on where you’re installing it, new flooring tops your list because it adds aesthetics to your space, and it’s the one thing you hope not to be replacing shortly after. Done right, flooring can last for a decade or more, depending on what material you select.

Still, there’s a lot to learn about any flooring choice you may be deciding on. Vinyl planks – what is your instant thought? Before we get into the details of what makes vinyl planks a good choice, it’s a good idea to dive deeper into what vinyl planks are.

Vinyl as flooring

Like many products, vinyl didn’t come around until the industrial age. Vinyl was discovered in the 1800s, but it wasn’t until 1933 that vinyl flooring made its first debut. The concept was shelved until after the war, but once progress moved us forward into the 1950s and 60s, vinyl became a popular choice in a lot of settings.

Vinyl flooring was a popular choice because of its affordability and durability. The more popular it became, the more manufacturers increased styling and production, taking vinyl into all kinds of directions.

Vinyl planks debuted in the 1970s bringing wood grain and different colors to homeowners and businesses alike. It was the first way homeowners had to bring wood-look flooring into places not conducive to traditional wood. Basements, bathrooms, and kitchens have too many moisture and below-grade problems for traditional hardwood to be a good choice. Vinyl planks changed that, and gave homeowners a chance to have the flooring they loved anywhere in the home.

As technology moved forward, and manufacturers got better at what they did, a new level of vinyl planks entered the market in the 1980s. Over time, a new level of vinyl planks known as luxury vinyl planks, or LVP, was born.

LVP utilizes the floating plank technology found in laminate flooring for ease of installation. They offer a wood-plastic composite (WPC) or stone plastic composite (SPC) core for strength and durability. Depending on the technology used, you’ll find today’s LVP is either water-resistant or waterproof, a characteristic more homeowners are falling in love with.

While hardwood can’t hold up in high-moisture spaces like bathrooms or laundry rooms, or stand the test of time in below-grade living spaces like a basement, you won’t have that problem with luxury vinyl planks. That makes LVP a great choice in modern homes where kids, pets, and busy families are always making messes.

Major Differences between standard vinyl and luxury vinyl planks

Standard vinyl is either sold in sheets or tiles, and is a flexible product that consists of a thin backing layer of felt or fiberglass, with a solid vinyl bonded to the front. This vinyl layer has a printed design and a protective coating to keep it functional and aesthetically pleasing. Most standard vinyl planks have a wear layer of 10 to 15 mil, which equates to 10/1000 to 15/1000 of an inch.

Luxury vinyl planks are a different product, matching the same characteristics as PVC. The wear layer ranges from 2 to 8 mm in thickness, or 8/100 to 3/10 on an inch thick. This thickness gives it a rigid nature which adds to its strength and durability.

It’s also created with up to eight layers of material, which makes the wear layer thicker and able to withstand more pressure. That makes this new level of vinyl plank flooring last as long as 25 years with care and maintenance.

https://pro-flooring.com/how-long-does-vinyl-plank-flooring-last/

Shhh. It’s a secret. 5 reasons we love luxury vinyl planks

If you do any Googling at all, you may already have an interest in luxury vinyl planks. We’ve talked about the benefits right here in this article.

Homeowners are falling in love with LVP for many reasons, but the top tend to be:

It’s waterproof
It has a realistic look that is even fooling professionals
It’s durable
It’s economical
It’s easy to maintain

We would highly recommend luxury vinyl planks for even one of the reasons above. Today’s product is truly a great flooring choice.

But if you’re still on the fence, we have five reasons that aren’t quite as well known. Reasons we feel should be talked about more as you’re settling in on making luxury vinyl planks your flooring of choice. Here are a few other things to keep in mind if you’re considering luxury vinyl planks.

https://pro-flooring.com/7-questions-to-ask-before-buying-lvp-for-your-home/

1. LVP comes in different textures

Texture is what makes LVP even more realistic. But you may not realize there are different textures if you look at only one product, or study the internet looking at options.

LVP manufacturers work hard to create realistic textures. You’ll find products have varying degrees of grain-like texture to add to the realness. These uneven marks can make it slightly more difficult to clean, but can also disguise dirt better.

2. LVP may require new baseboards too

What do you currently have on your floors? Carpet? Vinyl? Because LVP is a thicker, more rigid product, it often needs new baseboards during installation. That can add into the cost and time it takes for installation. But that will only make your room shine even more!

3. LVP color is key to maintenance

Most designers tell you to pick the color of your new flooring based on personality and taste. We think you should also base it on lifestyle. Have you ever paid attention to the dirt on your floor? Does your family have light hair or dark? How about your pets? What activities do you participate in regularly? What ends up on the floor more often than not? Dark spills on light floors will show. Light spills on dark floors will show. If you want dirt to blend in, choose the flooring that best suits your family’s needs.

4. LVP comes in different plank patterns

A plank is not just a plank. Manufacturers realize that if every plank were the same, it would create uniformity throughout your room. They mirror hardwood and create different patterns when printing the final product. How many patterns are different based on the manufacturer. Higher numbers are better. This gives you an opportunity to mix and match the pattern throughout your floor without being repetitive enough to notice it.

5. LVP is best left to the professionals

LVP is often touted as a flooring easy enough for a DIYer to install. And while that’s true, to ensure it’s installed correctly the first time, we highly recommend having a professional install it. They do it for a living, and know all the little secrets that go along with installation.

If you want a flooring that will last and last, hiring it done is your best bet.

Are luxury vinyl planks the right flooring choice for you?

Carpet, Flooring
March 21, 2022

Is Berber Carpet Outdated?

Berber carpet is one of those terms that may be a part of your vocabulary, yet you really aren’t sure what it means. Berber carpet is synonymous with a popular flooring choice for both residential and commercial because of its durability and classic good looks.

Its history dates back to ancient times. Berber carpet comes from northwestern Africa, from people known as the Berber tribe. Our Berber carpets of today didn’t actually start out as flooring. Instead, the Berber tribe made cloaks of wool with the same characteristics as today’s carpets, with the recognized loops in tight formation.

And that’s where Berber carpet stands today. Berber carpet is also known as loop style carpeting because of the way the fibers are woven together with short, thick loops in a tight design.

Popular in the 80s and 90s, it was typically used in low maintenance, high traffic areas because it held up well.

How today’s Berber carpet differs from past materials

The first Berber carpet originally came from Africa. It was made from wool and had flecks of color that resembled dirt. Because this came from a natural resource, color variances were accepted as a part of the product.

That look was often mimicked as it transferred to modern manufacturing.

The first machine woven Berber carpet was created from olefin. Olefin is a petroleum by-product that is difficult to keep clean because of the oils within the fibers. Those oils actually pulled dirt down and trapped it into the fibers.

Eventually, the most durable Berber carpet was made from nylon. It’s much easier to clean, and stands up in high traffic situations. While the original Berber designs came in varying shades of cream and beige, you’ll find a wide array of colors and designs with modern Berber. Styles vary greatly to match any preference in home decor.

Why you should consider Berber carpet for your next remodel

Today’s modern Berber carpet styles provide a host of color backgrounds with darker flecks weaved in. This gives you an advantage of having carpet that stands the test of time, and hides dirt well.

Whether you grew up with Berber carpet, or are looking for a great addition to your high traffic areas, Berber carpet is a welcome addition to any home for several reasons:

Durability – Berber carpet is often moved to the front of the wish list when durability tops the list of expectations. The loop piles are woven closely together, making it difficult to snap or pull with most activities. It continues to look good no matter what’s involved in your daily routine. That’s what gives Berber carpet an advantage in family rooms, basements, and even home offices. You won’t have to worry about it leaving marks after you walk out.

Stain-resistance – From coffee and tea, to wine and juice, accidents happen, especially in busy areas. Berber carpet’s tight weave leaves the spill on the surface longer, giving you a chance to quickly clean it and have it disappear for good. It also leaves dirt sitting on top of the surface rather than falling down into the fibers, making vacuuming a snap. It is important to note that as with any carpet, you get what you pay for. Higher quality products will be better at resisting stains and looking great over time.

Cost – You’ll find Berber carpet made from a variety of fibers, including olefin, polyester, nylon, and wool. Wool continues to be one of the more expensive options because of its natural qualities. Move into other fibers, and Berber carpets become even more economical. In addition to the carpet itself, you’ll also have to rely on professional installers to ensure the carpet is installed correctly. Yet for longevity, Berber is often one of the better carpet choices for giving you years of enjoyment.

Things to be aware of before installing Berber carpet

There is never a product that is all things to all people. Berber carpet has a few drawbacks that may hold some people back from installing it into their homes.

Rough texture – If you’re dreaming of a soft carpet to wiggle your toes into, Berber carpet isn’t it. Berber carpet is built for durability, and its tight weave provides a more solid texture. Depending on the fibers, it can even feel a bit rough underneath your feet. If you want the softest feel, check out Berber carpets made from wool or wool blends, or even nylon. Manufacturers constantly work to provide the most durable product with the most requested features, and you’ll find one that suits your needs.

Cleaning issues – Vacuuming can leave your carpets looking their best. But with Berber carpet, you do have to be careful in the tools you use to clean it. Some vacuums come with powerful beater bars that may pull or snag the loop material. If this happens, you’ll have snags and pulls in the fibers that can unravel and start to show wear. Check with the vacuum owners manual for recommendations. It may benefit you to turn the beater bar off while vacuuming your Berber carpet.

Pets – In the same way the beater bar can snag the fibers, pets’ nails can be equally harsh on the tightly woven material. Cats especially can be hard on Berber if they begin using it as a scratching pad, pulling at the loops every time they stretch.

Is Berber carpet the right choice for you?

Berber carpet is a personal choice. It’s all about meeting your needs.

If you prefer a tight weave that handles well under high traffic situations, Berber carpet may be the right choice for you.

The easiest way to finalize your decision is to come in and look at your options. With thousands of options in styles, colors, patterns, fibers, and textures, we’ll help you find what you’re looking for. Take a few samples home, and fall in love with what’s best for you.

Top brands offer Berber carpet that will look great in whatever room you’re remodeling.

You’ll love what Berber carpet does for your home.