7 Reasons Wood Floors Are The Best

Have you noticed almost every home you go into across the Front Range has wood floors? There’s a reason for that.

Head back in time, and you’ll find homes predominately used wood for floors. This wasn’t expensive wood, rather it was whatever fit their budgets, often being little more than particleboard. Of course, they didn’t have our modern day finishes and varnishes, so they used sand and wire brushes to level it out, occasionally bleached it with lye to bring it to a neutral color. In most cases, they used paint as a decor statement, or simply covered it up with their handmade rugs. These floors weren’t beautiful. They were functional at best.

To make them beautiful, they started having fun with decorating techniques. They’d use paint to create borders and patterns. They’d do what they could to “pretty” them up.

The sign of wealth showed up when a homeowner had rugs or carpet installed. Rugs were handcrafted by true artisans. They often came from different parts of the world. If someone could afford a rug, you knew they’d found success.

Is wood flooring good?

The industrial age brought on many new things in our lives, including mass production. Whereas people used to have to forage local areas for the wood necessary to build their homes and install flooring, now they could be selective about the type of wood they used.

7 Reasons Wood Floors Are The BestAnd that meant humans started focusing on quality.

We also became better at building. We learned to use subfloors and insulation for protection and warmth. Flooring was no longer a mishmash of materials based on what we could find nearby.

And that changed everything.

What are the 7 main benefits of wood flooring?

1. It’s good looks

You can never go wrong with the classic looks of hardwood flooring. They’ll never go out of style. Maybe that’s because there are so many looks to choose from.

When you first enter our store, you’ll find a large variety of choices. Light or dark wood? Something more traditional, or do you prefer exotic? Want something eco-friendly? Want something that will look good for decades? We can point you in the right direction.

What’s more, with hardwood, you also have the opportunity to refinish it when it starts aging, and its classic looks begin to fade. Some hardwoods have been known to last fifty years or more.

2. It’s durable

Today’s hardwood is no longer taken from a local tree and installed without proper processing. Instead, they are kiln-dried, manufactured, and finished to meet specific standards. Depending on the materials you choose, they can be durable enough to last even in commercial applications.

https://www.nwfa.org/technical-standards.aspx

If strength and durability are something you are particularly concerned with, learn more about Janka hardness test. The Janka test lists hardness values for all types of wood used for flooring applications, ranking them for how well they sustain denting and wear.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janka_hardness_test

3. It’s easy to maintain

Wood floors are one of the easiest flooring types to keep clean, no matter how busy your household is. They don’t accumulate dirt and debris, nor will they stain under most circumstances. If you spill, simply wipe it away. A weekly cleaning is often nothing more than running a vacuum over it to remove the debris, with an occasional damp mop for a deeper clean. Be sure not to let the water pool, wipe up spills immediately for best results.

4. Variety

While we’ve mentioned it’s classic good looks above, it’s worth another look at the different options you can find in the hardwood flooring industry. It’s no longer just about using standard species like oak or maple.

Have you ever thought of using cork? Cork is an environmentally friendly option that is processed from the bark of a tree rather than the inner wood itself. That makes it sustainable, as the tree doesn’t have to be harvested for the product. It can reproduce bark every few years, and last for decades to give the farmer a recurring revenue stream. That’s good for the environment, and good for your home.

You can also select from a wide variety of species, and even change the look further by selecting your own stain and finish. Darken the wood to produce a dramatic space. Lighten it up for an open, airy appearance.

5. It’s a great investment

If you’re at all thinking of selling your home in the future, you can’t go wrong by installing hardwood floors. Wood floors are shown to consistently hold their resell value, and you’ll find it boosts your home’s price enough to recoup as much as 80 percent of the installation costs.

https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/what-type-of-flooring-should-i-install-for-best-resale-value/

 

Why? Because new home buyers demand it. There’s nothing that makes a home look cleaner and more up to date than walking into wood floors throughout.

6. It’s healthier

Indoor air quality is no longer on the fringe, something that only scientists or medical practitioners consider. If you have a family, chances are you do your research well, and want only the best for each member. Of course, you want to create a home environment where everyone thrives.

Wood floors are healthier, depending on which manufacturer you choose. If you’re concerned with quality, be sure to ask us for the best products on the market. We’ll steer you to the ones that are produced without harsh chemicals, and that won’t require glues with higher levels of VOCs. And because they don’t harbor dirt, dust, particles, dander, or allergens the way other flooring does, you’ll breathe a sigh of relief, knowing your house is as clean as it can be.

7. It’s ageless

If you want a floor that will last years – decades – wood flooring is your choice. Long after other flooring options look tired and worn, hardwood will keep on looking its best. And even when it starts looking dull and tired, you can sand it down, stain it, refinish it, and it will pop right back into great shape.

https://pro-flooring.com/refinish-your-old-hardwood-floors-or-replace/

If you install hardwood flooring today, rest assured it has the possibility of being in your home as your family grows and ages.

And that can be a very good feeling, knowing you’re installing a flooring that will do well by you for years to come. It’s more sustainable – meaning it will lower your carbon footprint. And you won’t have to sacrifice good looks during the process.

Are you ready for wood floors in your home? If so, we can help. Stop by today and see our complete selection. We’ll help you choose the right floors for your space.

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Why Does Flooring Need To Acclimate?

According to the Oxford dictionary, the word acclimate means:

To become accustomed to a new climate or to new conditions. To respond physiologically or behaviourally to a change in an environmental factor under controlled conditions.

Whether you’re redecorating a room or remodeling sections of your home, the word acclimate as it applies to your flooring is a term you should learn well.

What does acclimate flooring mean?

Certain types of flooring have more needs and requirements throughout the installation process than others. With some, what you see is what you get. If you install carpeting, for example, you stretch it and tack it into place, knowing it will stay exactly how you place it for a very long time. Only after wear will it start to stretch and move and change, requiring maintenance work to bring it back to original condition.

Why Does Flooring Need To Acclimate?But some types of flooring aren’t as easy to work with right out of the box. Wood floors are one of the most popular flooring choices throughout the Rocky Mountain region. Colorado also happens to be an arid climate, much drier than other parts of the world, where many of the most popular wood floor choices come from. What’s more, the various types of wood move through a variety of steps during the manufacturing and shipping processes. They can be stored in cold or hot environments, and face many different temperatures and humidity levels before making it into your home.

How do you acclimate flooring?

When you install new flooring, you do so with the hopes it will last for years to come.

Now imagine your new flooring buckling, cupping, warping, almost before your eyes. Not a pretty picture.

That is where acclimation comes into play. Acclimating your flooring allows your new floors to adjust to your home’s environment before it’s laid into place. The planks adjust to the humidity levels and temperature before the installation process.

Most manufacturers will tell you that for most wood floors, the planks must be within 4 percent of the moisture levels of the subfloor before being laid into place. If you’re using solid hardwood with plank size of 4 inches or wider, you should drop that down to 2 percent to ensure the wood stays looking great for years.

If it’s lower than the specified range, it will absorb moisture and swell. Higher moisture content will cause the new floors to lose and shrink up. With a near perfect balance, your new flooring won’t change once it’s laid into place.

What happens if you don’t acclimate laminate?

Acclimating new wood flooring is important for all kinds of wood, including laminate.

Acclimating allows the individual planks to adjust to the temperature and humidity levels found in the room they will be installed in. All forms of wood, including fiberboard used in laminate production, have tiny air pockets that allow it to adjust to current environmental conditions. These air pockets must settle before you lock the flooring into place.

You’ll find every manufacturer has their own specific policies in place to ensure their product is ready for the installation process. Some manufacturers say their products will need a minimum of 48 hours to fully acclimate, while others can go a week or longer. Talk with one of our representatives before you make your final selection to ensure you have enough time built into your remodeling process to ensure your final flooring selection will be in your home in time for the specified timeframe.

How do you acclimate hardwood floors before installing?

Whether you’re having a contractor install your new flooring, or have selected a product you can install yourself, make sure you understand the process before you make your final selection.

Know what type of wood flooring you’re planning to install to fully determine the amount of time it will take to acclimate it into place. Not all hardwood is the same. Some species of wood will change and adjust to your humidity levels faster than others. Exotic species are used to a more tropical climate, not something we have here in the Colorado region. That means it might take longer to acclimate it properly.

As you narrow down your selections, you can check in with the manufacturers to determine their guidelines for the acclimation process. It’s always best to use their guidelines, as it will ensure any warranties hold through the life of the product. You can also find charts online to help calculate the proper acclimation periods based in your area and region.

Always acclimate the product in a closed environment that closely resembles your home’s living arrangements. Be sure to use both your furnace and air conditioner, so the flooring adjusts to the proper moisture levels of your home. On a construction site, contractors can mimic the expected living conditions as closely as possible.

Don’t “guess” at moisture levels. Contractors will use a moisture meter to get an accurate reading of the interior of your home. They will check upon arrival to see how much acclimation is necessary, and check again throughout the process. Keep in mind that results can change plank to plank, box to box.

Because of this, it’s important to pull the product out of the box and lay it as closely as possible into place before the installation process. You don’t want the boxes stacked in a corner, packaged up, until the day of installation. This gives every board the chance to adjust as needed.

If you have questions about the process at any time, it’s better to ask first. It can be the difference between beautiful floors, and flooring you’ll have to replace shortly after the installation process is complete.

Do prefinished floors need to acclimate?

In short, yes. Wood floors are wood. It doesn’t matter if you use solid hardwood, exotic wood, or laminate, prefinished or unfinished, if you want a high quality flooring that lasts for years, you need to acclimate them to ensure they do well in your home.

It’s installed, now what?

Immediately after installation, it’s a good idea to let your flooring adjust further to your living space.

Don’t plan a party to celebrate. Don’t plan on moving in a bunch of heavy furniture the following afternoon.

This gives adhesives a chance to fully bond, or the planks to settle in and adjust without having the added force of movement right away. This will help minimize scratches and dents as well as prevent undue stress on the seams of your floors.

Are you thinking about adding wood floors to your home?

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Why Are Hardwood Floors Always Popular?

One of my favorite things to do is to visit the homes taking part in the Parade of Homes each year. There you can see the latest-and-greatest of everything for your home. Ideas are in abundance, and you can take a lot of them home with you and implement them into your own remodeling plans.

Of course, what you see in these million dollar houses might not be practical in your own home. Do you really want cement countertops? Can you really remodel your home with all of the eco-friendly solutions presented in something new?

Should you invest in something new – trendy – or stick with the tried but true? We get questions all the time from people wondering if hardwood flooring is the right choice. Let us put your mind at ease and answer some of the ones we receive all the time.

Are hardwood floors still popular?

Hardwood flooring will never go out of style. How do we know that? All you have to do is look at the current trends to know this is true.

Why Are Hardwood Floors Always Popular?Manufacturers know people want hardwood. So they’ve created the look using a variety of other products, ones that mimic the look of hardwood but give you different results.

Want affordability? Check out vinyl that looks like hardwood but gives you a water-resistant flooring.

Can’t install hardwood in your basement? That’s why laminate has grown in popularity.

Want something even more durable? Even stone tiles can now be engineered to give you the look of hardwood.

With all of that in mind, if hardwood is on your radar, don’t worry that your choice in flooring is no longer a popular one.

Are hardwood floors worth it?

You only have to do a quick search online to discover that hardwood flooring can cost more than other choices. And if you’re remodeling on a budget, it may have you looking at other options.

A recent article on Realtor.com stated it best: Wood floors are one of the best investments you can make. According to real estate experts – the ones who get into homes every day – the average ROI for hardwood is between 70 and 80 percent, and having hardwood in your home can boost the sales price of a home by as much as 2.5 percent.

Hardwood can last for years, decades if cared for in the proper manner. And in most cases, it’s easy to do. With today’s product lines, you can select hardwood perfect for your lifestyle, making daily maintenance a snap.

What is the best hardwood floor?

This is a tough question to answer because we can go in so many directions. It’s tough to pick “what’s best” until we understand what you’re looking for.

Let’s start with the installation process. You can install hardwood either unfinished or finished, depending on your needs. An unfinished floor is good if you’re looking at customizing the look, or want to match the color of other existing floors already in place. Prefinished flooring makes the process easier – just lay it in place and it’s ready to go. You won’t have odors from staining, or the wait time to ensure it’s dried and properly cured.

We can also discuss if it’s better to install solid hardwood, or if engineered hardwood would make a better choice. Solid hardwood comes ⅝ to ¾ inches thick, and can be sanded and refinished many times. But manufacturers don’t recommend solid hardwood in certain places in your home, like below-grade basements. For those rooms, engineered hardwood can be a better choice. It’s a hardwood veneer glued to several layers of wood underneath. This product is a good choice to continue the hardwood look into areas not suited for hardwood. But keep in mind, it can’t be sanded and refinished more than a couple of times, meaning you will have to replace it sooner than more traditional styles.

And we’d be remiss in talking about “what’s best” without touching on species. One of the very best – you guessed it – is the species most readily available, and also the hardest. Oak, maple, and cherry are ever-popular because they are the most durable. And for most families, they provide a great look and stand up to whatever they can dish out. Of course, they aren’t the only choice, because homeowners come in all shapes and sizes.

Bamboo is growing in popularity. Cork is an eco-friendly option. You can go with something more exotic, like teak or mesquite. Whatever you choose, just before you get to know the source, and be sure they are using sustainable methods for production.

Why install hardwood flooring?

If you’re already considering hardwood flooring, we don’t have to tell you why they are one of the best choices you can make for your home. But we’re still willing to throw in our two-cents on why they continue to be at the top of the wish list for remodeling projects.

They’re timeless – hardwood flooring has been used for centuries, and they will be used well into the future. It’s because they are one of the most beautiful options you can add to your home.

They’re versatile – no matter how often you choose to redecorate, hardwood looks good with everything. They are perfect additions to almost any room in your home.

They’re durable – you don’t have to worry about staining it like other flooring choices. You can keep it clean with just a quick vacuum or sweep. They can live up to the punishment your family dishes out, and still look good in the end.

They’re hygienic – because clean-up is a breeze, you don’t have to worry about dirt hiding in the fibers, or pollutants wedging into the corners.

They may be the last flooring you have to install – depending on your lifestyle, hardwood flooring can last for decades. And unlike other forms of flooring, you can fix hardwood when damaged.

Plus, with all of the styles, designs, and options available, the possibilities are endless. If you’re thinking about installing hardwood flooring in your home, the best place to start is by coming in and seeing our entire line. We can help you narrow down your options, and find the right flooring choice for your needs.

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Choosing The Right Flooring For Your Home Wine Cellar

Nothing can help you relax more after a long, hard day than sharing a bottle of wine with your friends. While some prefer to go out and select a bottle from the wine list at their favorite restaurant, others turn wine into a passion they bring into their homes.

A recent report from the National Association of Home Builders found that in the luxury home market where home buyers have an income of $150,000 or more, 31 percent of them list having a wine cellar as a desired amenity. This isn’t just a corner closet where the homeowner slips in a few bottles from time to time. Home wine cellars are meant to be displayed. They have beautiful decor. They showcase a prized investment.

And that means few homeowners will settle for anything but the best when it comes to decor. Of course, you’ll need wine racks and a wine cooler. But before you start bringing in your favorite bottles, there’s something else to think about: the flooring for your home wine cellar.Choosing The Right Flooring For Your Home Wine Cellar

For most home wine cellars, it’s all about the wine. Row after row of pinot noir, chardonnay, and Syrah line the room. As the bottles add up, they bring a lot of weight, something your flooring will have to take.

The average full wine bottle weighs 2.65 pounds. The average case weighs 30 to 40 pounds. Even a small home wine cellar can weigh one ton or more. That’s a lot of weight for your flooring to take.

The flooring in your home wine cellar will have to support the wine racks, the refrigeration system, furniture, cabinetry, and of course, the wine itself. Choose the wrong floor, and it can buckle under the pressure.

Flooring basics for your wine cellar floor

When you select a floor for your wine cellar, it’s a careful balance between looks and functionality.

Weight – Just 500 bottles can weigh up to one ton. That’s a lot of pressure in one section of your home. While most homeowners select a basement location for a wine cellar, no matter where you choose to put yours, ensure it has the proper support. Also, ensure your flooring choice can handle the pressure without succumbing to cracks and breakage.

Environment – Especially if you are holding wine as an investment, think about the environment as you lay everything in place. Constant temperatures and humidity levels are everything to ensure the wine holds its value. That’s why many wine cellars are built in the basement, so that they can be built over a cement slab. Be sure a proper vapor barrier is in place to avoid moisture.

Durability – Invariably, there will be spills and messes. While you hope never to drop a bottle of your favorite cabernet, it sometimes happens. If you’re sharing dinner with friends, you might shatter a glass. Or drop the fresh catch of the day or even the chocolate cake you meant for dessert. Cleanup should be a breeze without worrying about staining, mildew, or mold.

We’ll just say it – that means NO to carpet. While carpet has its place in your home – plush fibers always feel good in bedrooms on a cold winter morning – carpet and wine cellars don’t mix.

What flooring does work best in a home wine cellar?

Depending on your style and personality, there are a wide variety of flooring options that will work perfectly in your wine cellar.

Stone

Stone has been around for centuries because of its durability and good looks. Depending on which stone you choose, it can be a good addition to your home for decades to come.

Try travertine, granite, marble, or natural stone. For a truly unique experience, don’t stop at using stone flooring for your home wine cellar design; continue the look up the walls as well. A quick search on your favorite design site can help you pick out ideas to incorporate into your own home.

Hardwood

Hardwood is also a natural choice for including in your wine cellar design. If you already have hardwood flooring throughout your home, it’s only natural to continue the look into your wine cellar as well. But don’t be afraid to play it up a bit and create something unique. Because wine cellars are most often closed environments, it’s okay to create a more personalized experience.

You don’t have to stick with the most popular hardwood choices. Think exotic instead. Or mix and match – why not weave several different hardwood styles and colors throughout the floorplan to give you a unique look?

Cork

Cork and wine seem to go hand in hand. Cork is growing in popularity as a flooring option for every room in your home – why not your wine cellar as well? Cork is an eco-friendly option that handles well in all situations. Plus cork also brings a softness factor that stone and hardwood can’t. That softness makes it more enjoyable to walk and stand on, as well as quieter because of its natural shock absorbency.

Plus its cork – did we mention that? It has the look and feel of being naturally placed inside a wine cellar. If you are placing it in a wine cellar, be sure to have it properly sealed so it can withstand the occasional spills.

Vinyl

The luxury vinyl market isn’t what you remember from growing up. Today’s luxury vinyl mimics the wildly popular flooring choices like stone, marble, or hardwood. It gives you the look of the best flooring on the market, while also providing the convenience of vinyl. It’s less expensive than other flooring choices, and is easier to clean and maintain. If you’re looking for a budget friendly flooring choice, you can’t ignore luxury vinyl.

It’s time to make your choice – what flooring do you want for your home wine cellar?

Depending on your personality and style, there’s a perfect choice waiting for you. Your wine cellar should be as unique as the wine cellar you are installing into your home, whether it’s ultra modern, or you’re mimicking an old world cellar from the heart of wine country.

How can we help you make the perfect choice?

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Caring For Your New Cork Floor

When people visit our showroom for the first time, in many cases, they have a product already in mind. They also have preconceived ideas about certain products, and how they will act once installed.

Let’s talk about cork floors for a minute. The idea of cork is one that many people would consider. Yet it’s also one where there’s a lot of confusion built in. Cork reminds them of the wine bottle stopper or a bulletin board they had in their dorm rooms. And that type of cork was anything but stable. If flaked away, cracked, and broke apart easily. Why would you ever want that in your home?

Yet when we show homeowners today’s cork flooring, they often give it another look.

If you love hardwood, you’ll love cork.

If you want a durable flooring, cork floors might be your answer.

There are so many reasons why new cork floors might be right for your home, it’s worth a second look.

Why install a cork floor?

Remember when carpet was the standard flooring of choice throughout a home? Not anymore.Caring For Your New Cork Floor

We love carpet – we sell a lot of it. But here in Colorado, carpet stays popular in the bedrooms, possibly the home office, a family room, or in the basement. The main living space? Not so much.

That’s where we love our hardwood.

And there’s a good reason for that. Hardwood looks great. But hardwood has its own share of problems. And in some cases, cork flooring can be the answer.

Before you decide on your flooring, ask what you want in a floor. For many people, they define their flooring needs like this:

We want a floor that’s durable – especially if you have kids and pets, or entertain on a regular basis, durability might be at the top of your list.

We want a floor that’s pet-proof – if you do have dogs or cats, your floors take extra abuse. They run on it, dig their nails in for traction. They eat off the floor, and have an occasional accident.

We want a floor that looks great – that’s the reason you upgrade and install new flooring in the first place. Why install something if you hate the look?

We want a floor that offers resale value – if you move shortly after you install new flooring, you want to ensure buyers don’t turn around as soon as they enter your home because of ugly flooring. Will it grab attention and hold it? Will it add value to your home?

Is that how you would define your flooring shopping experience? A lot of homeowners do. Yet many remained married to hardwood. Until they dig a little deeper into their needs and desires.

Take a look at your current home environment. If you’ve never had hardwood before, is your home adaptable to installing hardwood? It’s not always as easy as it sounds. If your subfloor isn’t in the right condition, it might be an expensive endeavor to install hardwood.

Which makes some homeowners look for other options. And once again, cork floors can easily come out on top.

What cork flooring is

Cork flooring isn’t hardwood, and yet it is from a tree. Cork is taken from the cork oak tree. It’s sustainably harvested about every ten years, and then grows back again over time. It does not harm the tree, meaning it can produce cork again and again over its lifetime.

You’ll find cork flooring in a variety of choices. Whether you want a DIY project, or want it professionally installed, there’s a cork flooring style you’re going to love.

Floating cork floors are the newest in the marketplace. They simply click together and install easily. If you want something more traditional and more permanent by nature, you can glue the tiles into place. If you glue them down, you will have to ensure a proper subfloor is in place. But this is fairly easy to accomplish.

Cork is an antimicrobial product, meaning it’s a great choice for a healthier home. It’s also a great insulator, it can cut down on the noise that echoes throughout your home. Want a softer surface than hardwood provides? You’ll love your cork floors.

But one of the biggest reasons people love their new cork floors is because of how easy they are to clean.

Cleaning and maintaining your new cork floor

Just like hardwood flooring, with your new cork floors, spills can be your enemy. The faster you wipe it up, the less chance it will create a problem.

Keep dust, dirt, and other debris off your flooring by sweeping regularly. If these particles sit on the surface, you can grind them in, scratching the surface of the cork. Regular cleaning will keep these particles at bay, and be less of a threat to your flooring overall.

While you can use a vacuum, be sure it is set for hardwood floors. Most vacuums have a beater bar, which is perfect for carpet, not so good for wood. If you run a beater bar across your floors, it can scratch and wear through the finish.

At least once per week, run a damp mop over your cork floors to pick up and residue from spills and messes. Repeat based on your family’s needs and lifestyle. Make sure the mop is damp; wring it out, and wring it out again. The surface should never be allowed to sit damp or wet for long periods.

Be careful what cleaners you choose to use on the surface. Most commercial floor cleaners are too harsh for your cork floor surface. They can quickly penetrate through the surface and damage your flooring. Talk with one of our flooring representatives, or look at your manufacturer’s guidance to find a good product.

Vinegar and water isn’t a good daily solution, contrary to what you might find online. While it is a natural cleaner, if you keep the mixture too strong, it can be abrasive to the finish of the floor. Mix the two at a ratio of 10 to 1, if you are going to use it, and rinse several times to ensure there is no residue.

Thinking about installing new cork floors?

Stop by today and see our complete line of cork flooring. We’ll help you find the perfect product for your home.

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Refinish Your Old Hardwood Floors or Replace

It’s a tale as old as time. You’ve had hardwood floors since you first purchased your home. You love them. But lately, they’re looking a bit worn.

Like the scratches in the hallway from where the dogs love to play.

And the rough patch in the corner where you didn’t notice the standing water for days. You tried to buff it out, but now it just looks worn. It looks like raw wood, even a little warped.

So now you’ve reached a point when you’re wondering what to do. Should you refinish your old hardwood floors? Or is it time to replace them instead?

Most people buy hardwood with the intent to keep them forever. They say hardwood can last for decades, so you assumed it would be a one time purchase.

However, this might not be the best thing to do in your situation. How do you know?

Start with knowing your floors

Refinish Your Old Hardwood Floors or ReplaceBefore you determine which way to go, it’s important to get to know your flooring a little better. If you laid your hardwood into place years ago, then you know the type of hardwood you have. But if you’ve recently moved in, or are upgrading a fixer upper, you have to figure it out before you decide what’s next.

The easiest way is to find a floor vent where you can pop it out and take a look at the construction of the floorboard. If it looks layered, it’s engineered. That means there’s only a small surface that can be refinished, and you’ll have to check with professionals to see if it’s possible.

Solid wood is typically ¾ to 1 inch thick. Different types of hardwood hold up better to continual sanding and refinishing. Pulling up a plank will help you get close and personal with the hardwood, separating it from the subfloor beneath. It will also allow you to bring it in so we can help you determine the quality of the wood itself.

Assess the hardwood floor damage

While certain types of damage can easily be removed, others completely ruin your floor. The last thing you want to do is to take the time and expense of refinishing the floor, only to have problems almost immediately after. The things that can ruin your hardwood include:

Rough wear and tear –Kids playing on the floor is normal wear and tear. Kids beating your floor with a toy is not. Spilling food on your floor and wiping it up quickly is normal wear and tear. Leaving red wine sitting for days is not. A lot of damage is simply caused by not using common sense.

Cleaning methods – You can’t use the same products you use to clean your bathtub or kitchen counters on your hardwood floors. Water, chemicals, and hardwood don’t mix. If your hardwood floors are allowed to sit damp for extended periods of time, it will quickly start to decay. At the most, use a very dry damp mop on occasion to pick up messes and spills. Use a swiffer or soft-bristled broom on a regular basis, or choose a vacuum designed for hardwood. If you need further cleaning, ensure you use a cleaner approved for your hardwood – check with manufacturer’s guidelines before using anything, as you could void the warranty.

Pets – Dogs and cats can be hard on hardwood floors. Their nails can create deep gauges that become irreparable over time. If you choose to have hardwood with pets, be sure to install hardwood that ranks high on the Janka scale. Brazilian walnut or maple, for example, are harder than other types of wood, and do a better job at withstanding scrapes and scratches. To reduce impact, be sure to keep nails short and trimmed. Consider laying rugs down where pets spend the most amount of time.

Lifestyle patterns – You should also assess the way your family lives. It’s a good idea to take off shoes as you enter. It can keep your house cleaner, and help you avoid tracking in dirt and debris. Does that leave your mudroom or entryways always taking the brunt of the mess? Then by all means, consider using a different flooring product in these areas that are more prone to messes. If you have a home with smaller kids, you may also have areas that are more likely to sustain messes. Are these areas that can be fixed by installing different types of flooring? Can you lay down rugs? Kids grow. Families change. If you can change your patterns in the short term, knowing you’ll enjoy what’s in place for the long term, sometimes your final decisions make sense.

Is refinishing your hardwood floors the right thing to do? 

A lot of people invest in hardwood flooring for the very reason it will last a lifetime. With refinishing, you can make the old flooring look new, especially when you’re ready for a change.

But ultimately, it comes down to making the right decision. As we’ve already discussed, a variety of things you’ve been living with have impacted your floors to the point where refinishing doesn’t make sense. If furniture or pets nails have dug so deep, you might not be able to sand or buff the damage out.

It also comes down to looks. With all of the new choices on the market today, do you want to stick with the wood planks currently in place? Today’s options include a wider variety of hardwoods, different stain possibilities, and even different plank size. Maybe you’ve wanted to explore exotic hardwood now that the kids have finally moved to college.

Sanding can’t remove water damage, especially if it’s seeped through the cracks and has impacted the subfloor. And if mildew or mold has filtered underneath, it’s time to start over with a clean slate.

You can only sand down wood so far before the structure is compromised. If it’s engineered wood, it’s only the top layer that can be changed. And if your flooring is still under warranty, in most cases, it becomes void as soon as you start the refinishing process.

Is replacing your old hardwood floors the right thing to do? 

Replacement is obviously your best choice is your current floor has been compromised. If there are issues you can’t fix, replacement is the only way to go.

It also makes sense if you are doing extensive remodeling. Are you restructuring the kitchen? Adding on a new room? To keep the flow of your home, replacing is the perfect way to create seamless transitions throughout your living space.

Another benefit is the benefit of having new flooring installed quicker than refinishing. Depending on how extensive the refinishing project is, you might have to move out of your home while sanding, buffing, staining, and adding the topcoat takes place. If you replace your old flooring, it takes far less time, meaning you can return to your lifestyle sooner. This can be especially beneficial if you’re upgrading for an event that will take place in your home.

Conclusion

So what’s the best route for you?

Will you be refinishing the hardwood floors in your home? Or is it time to look at alternative options?

No matter where you are in the decision process, one of the best steps you can take is by stopping by to consider your options carefully. We can make suggestions and show you ways to upgrade your old spaces and create a look you’ve been dreaming of.

How can we help you today?

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Will I Be Happy With Cork Floors?

When you decide to upgrade your flooring, there’s a lot to consider. If you already have carpet installed, it’s easy just to replace it with new carpeting. You know how it wears. You’re used to the maintenance. Why change it up?

Yet sometimes you’re ready for a change. Maybe you’ve been living with your current flooring for years, and it’s time for something new.

Do a little research and you’ll find many new products that could make a great addition to your home decor. Why not cork floors?

Why choose cork floors for your home

What do you think of when someone mentions cork? Wine bottles? Bulletin boards? Flimsy panels that chip away easily?

Put all of that aside. Cork flooring is becoming more popular than ever before because they’re durable, beautiful, and eco-friendly.

If you’ve always wanted a wood floor, consider cork instead. Cork technically is a wood flooring product. In order to produce cork flooring, manufacturers harvest cork tree bark. But unlike hardwood that requires the entire tree to be chopped down, cork bark is removed from the tree, with it growing back after several years of time. That means manufacturers can continue using the same trees again and again, for decades at a time. In fact, some cork trees can live as long as 800 years!

For homeowners trying to go green, this is the perfect product to consider for your flooring. It’s eco-friendly and sustainable, making it a great choice for your home.Will I Be Happy With Cork Floors?

What are the benefits of using cork for flooring?

In addition to being a sustainable, eco-friendly product, cork flooring has a wide array of benefits that make it an ideal choice for many homeowners.

Durable – people install hardwood because it stands up to the abuse your family dishes out each day. It’s no different with cork flooring. It resists scratches and cracks, and is water-resistant too. Of course, it won’t withstand flooding, or large puddles of water that go unnoticed. But if you care for it and wipe up spills immediately, you’ll love the way it looks.

Comfortable – homeowners love cork because it’s soft underfoot. If you stand for long periods at the kitchen counter, the softness can help alleviate back pain. That’s because cork has a natural cushion when compressed, it bounces back. That also makes it a great choice for aging in place. It looks just as beautiful as hardwood, but if someone falls, it has a bit more give. That cushion also provides a natural acoustic insulator, meaning you won’t have the noise factor associated with some laminates and engineered hardwoods.

Fire-resistance – in Colorado, fire-resistance can be a big deal. Cork only ignites at very high temperatures. And if it burns, it releases fewer toxins into the air than other types of synthetic flooring. Better for the environment; better for your health.

Health – speaking of health, cork is also a natural product, meaning it won’t have the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with other types of flooring. Cork is naturally resistant to mildew and mold, and has an anti-microbial product as well. Because it’s natural, it doesn’t off-gas when installed into your home. Just be conscious about the installation process, avoiding glues and adhesives that may negate the natural qualities.

Aesthetics – if you’re looking for a product that can go with all of your decor, last for years, and look great too, look no further than cork flooring.

Another plus … processing

One of the reasons cork is growing in popularity is because of its sustainability. Because the cork tree can live hundreds of years, it won’t impact the environment like other flooring choices.

But the sustainability of cork flooring stretches beyond growth and harvesting. The manufacturing process for cork also generates very little waste. That’s because the cork used for flooring is actually a byproduct of the cork harvested for wine bottles. The cork left over is ground finely and bound together to create cork flooring panels.

The manufacturing process is where textures, patterns, and colors all come to fruition. If you want the most natural, eco-friendly product available, talk with one of our sales team who can point you in the right direction.

Is cork a good choice for kitchen flooring?

Are you sold on cork? Ready to install it?

Still nervous about installing cork in your kitchen?

Don’t be. We find that cork flooring holds up well in most households. Of course, only you know your lifestyle, and what a typical routine looks like in your home. But we find most novice chefs really aren’t as messy as they imagine.

If you spill, wipe it up. Sweep your floors regularly to keep particles from grinding into the finish. Mop with a damp cloth regularly to avoid stains from penetrating into the flooring. And that’s it.

Just a little common sense goes a long way.

Plus, you’ll get the added bonus of having one of the softest flooring choices you can put into your kitchen decor. If you like to spend the weekends baking away, or love cooking dinner for the family, you’ll notice the difference on how well your body enjoys standing on cork flooring.

What are the disadvantages of cork flooring?

An article on cork flooring wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t tell you about the disadvantages. There are just a few.

Cork is susceptible to damage. Like every flooring, the rougher you are to the surface, the more it will show damage. If you don’t wipe it up, it has the possibility to stain. If you drop something hard, it might dent or knick the surface. If you wear high heels, you might puncture the finish. If you scrape something heavy across the floor, you might damage the surface. In other words, think about your actions before you do it.

Cork is soft, which means it can be dented. If you drop something sharp, you will be able to see it. If you place a piece of furniture on it with pointy legs, it may leave a mark. If you’re worried about indentions, consider placing support underneath the legs first.

Cork may not work with pets. Especially if your dogs love to run around the house playing chase. Every time they dig in for traction, they risk scratching the surface and leaving permanent marks.

Cork isn’t waterproof. While it can withstand the occasional spill providing you wipe it up quickly, it isn’t entirely watertight, especially with standing liquid. Cork can have optional sealants, which will increase water-resistance. But keep in mind that it can warp, curl, and discolor if water is a continuous problem.

Cork can fade. If your floors get consistent sunlight spilling across, discoloration may occur. Consider blocking sunlight with curtains or blinds. And if you have multiple hours of direct sunlight every day, it may be wise to consider a different flooring option.

Is cork flooring the best choice for your home? Only you can decide. But if you’re ready to see the latest options for cork floors, stop by our showroom today.

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Hardwood or Tile: What’s The Best Choice For Your Kitchen?

Take a look around your home right now. It’s probably a place you’ve loved for years.

Yet if you look even closer, you’ll hone in on the problem spots, the areas you would change if you could.

Studies show the kitchen is always at the top of that list. According to a Houzz survey, 43 percent of respondents remodeled the kitchen because they no longer could stand the old. An additional 40 percent said they would if they could, it’s on the top of their wish lists, and they’ll do it as soon as budget allows.

But to get the kitchen just right, it takes a pretty significant investment. Remodeling Magazine stated the average person budgets between $5,000 and $50,000 for a kitchen remodel, whereas the actual costs average somewhere around $64,000. Of course, what you spend is entirely up to you and where your desires lie. Some people dream of a complete remodel, from flooring to countertops to cabinets and updated decor.

No matter what your idea of a kitchen remodel is, one way to get the biggest bang for your buck is to start at the bottom – replace your kitchen floors, and you’ll see a marked improvement in the way your kitchen looks.

What should you buy? Is hardwood or tile the best choice for kitchen flooring?Hardwood or Tile: What’s The Best Choice For Your Kitchen?

Let’s look at both to help you determine the best choice for your home.

Why choose hardwood kitchen floors

It’s hard to argue that hardwood offers a timeless classic look you’ll love for years to come. Here in Colorado, there’s something rustic about hardwood flooring. We use it everywhere, from residential to commercial applications, from small houses to ski chalets deep in the Rocky Mountains.

And even when you decide to install hardwood floors in your kitchen, your decision making doesn’t stop there. Colorado has relatively dry weather year round. That makes it important to choose a hardwood that handles well in dry conditions. Choices can include:

  • Bamboo
  • Red oak
  • White oak
  • Hickory
  • Walnut
  • Brazilian cherry
  • Maple
  • Ash

They’re all beautiful. They all make great choices throughout your home. They all can be versatile additions to your overall decor. It depends on how dark or light you wish to go, and how much maintenance work is acceptable for your lifestyle.

https://pro-flooring.com/does-hardwood-plank-width-matter/

If you’re thinking about selling your home at some point in the future, you can never go wrong installing hardwood in the kitchen. Not only will it look great and handle well for you, but it’ll also be a welcome sight for potential buyers who come through your doors. Statistics show hardwood flooring has a 70 to 80 percent return on investment. People love them, you can’t go wrong with that.

Some people design a kitchen for its looks, while others concern themselves more with functionality. If you fall in the latter category, you’ll love the durability of hardwood. It stands up well under pressure, it cleans up easily when you stay on top of messes as they happen. But more than anything, they handle well when you stand in your kitchen cooking up a storm. That’s because hardwood is actually a softer flooring choice. It’s a more resilient surface, and gives way under pressure. You’ll notice it more – or should we say less – on the pressure of your legs and back.

Let’s back up for a moment and think big picture. What flooring choices have you made throughout the rest of your home? Do you have hardwood stretching from the front door to the back? Do you use hardwood on the stairs? Does it extend into your living spaces, the family room, the home office, and the den? Then, by all means, extend hardwood into one of the most popular rooms in your home – your kitchen. Having the same surface running throughout will give you the perfect blend for your decor. Rather than having it look a bit choppy, stopping abruptly at the threshold of your kitchen, continue it on for a seamless transition.

Remember, your kitchen flooring choice is all about you, your personality, your lifestyle, and what you truly desire.

Why choose tile kitchen floors

Let’s consider tile for your kitchen floors for a moment. There’s something timeless and classic about the look, isn’t there? Tile is perfect for all climates, all spaces, and can create any kind of mood in your kitchen space.

People select tile for a number of reasons. We’ll start with durability. Kitchens can be messy places. They are most likely to have a lot of spills and accidents. Because tile floors are water-resistant, they make cleaning a snap. Which would you rather have when you drop a jar of pickles – tile or hardwood? With hardwood, you might be smelling remnants of pickles for weeks to come.

Even though you’ll have a variety of choices, if you select hardwood, you’re still limited by color and width of the planks. But with tile, when designers tell you there’s unlimited possibility, they truly aren’t kidding. If you can think it, you can design it with tile. Colors, patterns, sizes, textures, possibilities – it really is an endless supply of options. You don’t have to select one size, shape, or color, and go with that. Instead, you can add your own personality into it, add borders of different colors, and mix it with patterns and even shapes. Your kitchen tile floors can truly be an expression of your personality, they can be artwork in their own way.

Maybe you want the look of hardwood, with the ease of cleanup that goes with tile. No worries; there’s a tile for that. Yes, today’s tile floors can even mimic the look of hardwood. It gives you the ability to go with an exotic look that wouldn’t handle well under the pressure of being in a kitchen.

There’s also another reason we like tile for kitchen floors: radiant heating. One of the biggest reasons Coloradoans doubt tile is because it’s often thought to be a cold flooring choice. But if you add radiant heating underneath, it can actually be a smart way to heat your home. It can keep your feet warm while you make pancakes for the family on the weekends. It can help warm up the most popular room in your home while you’re sharing a glass of wine in the evenings.

And tile floors are a lot easier to replace. They don’t need acclimation to your home the way hardwood does. They can be replaced individually if you have a problem without needing extensive repair.

Is it better to have hardwood or tile in the kitchen?

So what’s it going to be? They both have advantages, and both have their weaknesses. Ultimately, it’s about what you prefer. Do you want hardwood for your kitchen floors? Or is tile the better solution for your kitchen remodel? Either way, stop by and let us help you select the right flooring choice for your home.

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Are Pets A Dealbreaker For Hardwood Flooring

We as Americans love our pets. According to a recent study by the American Pet Products Association, 67 percent of all Americans own a pet. And if you take a quick look around the Rocky Mountain region, you’ll find that Coloradoans take that to heart.

Walk anywhere in LoDo, and you’ll see dogs visit the street cafes as often as their humans. Hit the slopes, and you’ll find dogs often tag along. Even seeing cats out for a walk with their owners is now more commonplace than ever before.

Head indoors, and you’ll find even more pets, not just dogs and cats. Birds, rabbits, and other small animals often share living space with their human friends.

If you’re one of the 67 percent that has invited a pet to share your space, you already know you have to make certain adjustments to have a beautiful home and care for a pet at the same time.Are Pets A Dealbreaker For Hardwood Flooring

Most interior designers will tell you pets and hardwood flooring don’t often go together. Pets impact hardwood floors in two ways – urine and scratches from toenails. Are they always a deal breaker with your hardwood floors?

Will dog claws scratch hardwood floors?

Dogs can be especially brutal to hardwood floors. Those sharp toenails dig in as they go around and around with a game of tag. Or maybe they can spend hours playing fetch with their favorite toys or a ball.

Dogs also weigh a lot more than cats or other small furry animals. When they jump, pounce, dance, and charge, they use all of the power in their front feet to gain traction. That means they dig those claws into your flooring just a little bit, looking for any way possible to go a bit faster.

But no matter how big your dog is, or how many games of chase they like to play, there are ways to counter the damage they can do to your hardwood floors.

Your first job is to realize your hardwood floors will need a little more protection than the average home. You’ll need to apply protective coatings to the finish, and perform maintenance more frequently to keep your floors looking their best. Does it take a little more bite out of your budget, and more time to ensure your flooring looks its best? Of course. But if you want a stylish home and a furry BFF too, it’s important to know what you’re in for before you have hardwood installed.

How to keep hardwood floor maintenance to a minimum

Before you head in and select the hardwood flooring perfect for your home, it’s important to have a better idea of the maintenance required to keep them looking their best no matter what your pet dishes out.

Use more protective coatings – Whenever you purchase hardwood flooring, it’s important to realize that each manufacturer and product is created with “average” in mind. Our goal is to point you to the material that will perform well under pressure, and hold up no matter what you and your family can dish out. But in the end, every product still can have a few boosters to give it even more strength.

Each layer of protective coating adds another layer to the surface. When pets nails hit the floor and scratch it, they are scratching the protective coating first, the hardwood next. With more protective layers, it takes longer for pet’s nails to penetrate into the flooring. That’s why adding several layers of protective coating in the beginning, may be your best solution.

Use a tougher coating – Of course, you can only apply so many protective layers to the hardwood before it becomes counterintuitive. Do a little research, and you’ll find that there are different brands and manufacturers that create top coats for various purposes. Find one that bonds better and creates a tougher shell for more protection.

Handling scratches as they appear – As surface scratches start to appear, you can use a stain-filler marker that matches the stain finish of your hardwood. This can keep your flooring looking as new as possible until the scratches start moving below the surface level, and actually into the hardwood itself.

Then it’s time to sand the surface, restain it to match the coloring of your floors, and reseal it with a polyurethane finish. Be sure to talk with one of our flooring consultants as you purchase your hardwood floors. We can provide you with tips on what colors to choose for your markers and stains, as well as provide you with top coat finishes to ensure they match your existing product as you refinish or replace small sections of your flooring.

Keep pet nails well groomed – It might be overstating the obvious, but pay attention to the condition of your pets’ paws. Wipe off their paws when they enter from outside to ensure sand and grit aren’t tracked onto your hardwood. Keep toenails clipped and short, building grooming sessions into your schedule every week.

Rugs are your best friends too – Hardwood and rugs just go together. Place rugs by every entrance to ensure your pets have a chance to wipe their paws before they step onto the hardwood. Use them in places your BFF might need a little more traction to help stay safe, like hallways or stairs. You can also place them in family rooms where your pets spend more time hanging out and playing with you.

Pet urine … the biggest problem

When you have pets, at some point in time, you will have accidents on your floor. And those small puddles of urine are the biggest potential problem that can impact hardwood flooring.

If you see your pet making a mess, and notice the puddle immediately, clean it up as fast as you can. Unfortunately, pets are notorious for sneaking and hiding their  problems in far-off places. That means that puddle can sit for hours, possibly even days before it’s discovered.

As urine sits, it decomposes. It becomes more alkaline and more corrosive as it sits. If you’ve ever found old puddles to smell a bit like ammonia, there’s a reason for that. And ammonia and hardwood flooring don’t mix.

This happens even more frequently when the puddle is covered up. Has your pet found a favorite place to mark its territory, in the corner of a room, or on the side of a rug? It can keep the liquid from drying, making the corrosive properties even stronger.

If you suspect a puddle to have been there longer than a few hours, spot with a mild acid – vinegar should do the trick. Let the area dry completely, which could take several days to a week or more. You’ll also have to work on the pet’s behavior, because pets are notorious for returning to a spot once it’s marked.

If the stain is too deep, the only way to repair it is to sand it down, or to replace the boards altogether if they’ve warped.

Do pets and hardwood floors go together? 

They aren’t always a deal breaker.

If you love your pets but are considering hardwood floors too, stop by today. We have a wealth of information we can share with you on how to bring the two together, and create a home you’ll love for years to come.

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Taking Care Of Your New Engineered Wood Floor

Are you thinking about adding engineered wood floors to your home? Congratulations, it’s a great choice.

There are so many reasons to love engineered wood flooring:

  • It’s beautiful
  • It’s durable
  • It’s easy to maintain
  • It comes in many styles and colors
  • It’s the perfect flooring choice for busy households

And that’s just the start!Taking Care Of Your New Engineered Wood Floor

Like other flooring choices, if you’ve decided to install engineered wood, your goal probably includes a desire to keep them looking new for as long as possible. It’s a big investment; why not do what it takes to make them look as good as possible for as long as possible?

The good news is you’ve chosen well. Engineered flooring will stand the test of time if you do just a few things.

What is the best way to clean engineered wood floors?

One of the reasons homeowners love engineered wood is because it’s so easy to take care of. It has the look and feel of real hardwood, yet it’s more durable, which makes it even easier to clean.

Keep a vacuum handy. Then run over your engineered wood floors regularly with a vacuum picking up dust, debris, tiny crumbs, and other small objects your family tracks in or drops. Be sure the vacuum was created for wood floors. If it has a beater bar or a power rotary brush head, it has the potential to damage the surface finish.

You can also use a soft cloth to wipe away daily spills. The key is ensuring you don’t dig harsh objects into the surface. Avoid using brooms with stiff bristles, or applying pressure to sweepers that can push dirt and debris across the surface area. Once a floor is damaged, it can be difficult to repair.

We also advise to stay away from harsh chemicals when cleaning your floors. A lot of cleaning products on the market today can do more harm than good. A simple combination of vinegar and water makes an excellent cleaning solution. Just be sure your rag isn’t saturated when you apply it to your engineered wood, and it dries from the surface quickly. Moisture can be a big problem for engineered wood floors.

What does moisture do to engineered wood flooring?

There are two big problems that can shorten your engineered wood flooring’s life. The first is scratches and dents that impact the surface of the flooring. The second is damage from moisture and humidity.

Most Colorado homeowners think moisture and humidity isn’t a problem here in our dry environment. But every home has a potential problem of creating too much humidity, and having trouble with things like mildew, mold, and warping.

Think about our seasons for a minute. In the heart of the winter, it can get bitter cold outside. With temperatures falling below zero degrees, your furnace kicks into overtime. This dries out the inside of your home, including your flooring. Then in the summer, the rain begins. You introduce cooled air from your air conditioner. All of that can cause your flooring to expand and contract.

If your flooring was installed correctly, there is room for expansion. If not, there is potential for your flooring to warp and buckle.

The easiest way to prevent this is by monitoring your humidity levels. Invest in a humidifier if necessary. Avoid excessive water on your floors. Clean up spills immediately. If there is risk for spills, such as in the kitchen, invest in area rugs to keep spills to a minimum.

Can you steam clean engineered wood floors?

This is a popular question we get about engineered wood flooring. In one word, the answer is: no.

Steam cleaners are designed to clean flooring using two things – steam and water – two things that aren’t good for engineered wood flooring. The steam can force water into the cracks and below the surface layer, potentially causing more damage than any other type of cleaning.

If your flooring needs a deep cleaning, start by using a product approved by the manufacturer of your floors. Check on their website for recommended solutions, or give us a call. We’re happy to make recommendations.

If your engineered wood looks dingy and dirty even after cleaning, it might be time for  refinishing. While engineered wood can’t always be refinished like traditional hardwood planks, a high quality engineered plank may have the potential to be sanded and refinished more than once. Again, check with your manufacturer for guidance.

Can you polish engineered wood floors?

An engineered wood floor is different than traditional hardwood. Because the planks are built with different layers, it can’t be sanded down like conventional planks. The wood veneer layer is usually ⅛” to 1/16” thick, so sanding it down has the potential to destroy the look of the flooring. While buffing and polishing may be an option, keep in mind that you will be reducing the top layer of the product. Always check with manufacturer guidelines first. When in doubt, don’t impact the top layer of the engineered wood.

Are there other ways to protect engineered wood floors?

Want to make your rooms look fantastic, complement your decor, and protect your wood planks too? Consider area rugs for both protection and aesthetics.

While homeowners use engineered wood to create a luxurious atmosphere, area rugs help make it even better. In the places where you spend the most time, they can help protect the finish from scratches, dents, and moisture, ensuring your flooring looks good for years to come.

However, you can’t throw down any rug and expect it to work.

Start by cleaning the area thoroughly before you lay down a rug. If you place the rug over dirt particles, debris, or oil, it can cause irreversible damage that will be noticeable after you remove the rug.

Think functionality first. While a fluffy rug might be the perfect way to add warmth to a bedroom, you’ll want to keep a low profile in high traffic areas to prevent falls.

Be sure to use non-slip rug pads underneath. Never use rubber backs, as they can damage the finish on the floor. Choose a rug pad specifically made for your flooring material. This will help avoid friction between the rug and the flooring, and prevent movement that can damage both your floors and cause a tripping hazard for your family.

Then, let your design ideas flow. There are many different types of rugs on the market today. You’ll find one perfect to create the look and feel you’re trying to achieve.

One of the reasons people love engineered wood flooring is because it gives you the look of traditional hardwood, but in a more durable package. If you’re in the market for engineered wood floors, stop by today and see our complete line. You’ll love the way it looks in your home. 

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