Want The Beauty of Hardwood, With The Ease of Vinyl or Tile?

Hardwood is everywhere here across the Front Range. Colorado has a log cabin vibe mixed with a little western elegance. It’s how we live. It’s what we do.

But no matter how much you love hardwood flooring, sometimes it just isn’t the right flooring choice for you. You know even before you install it that it would be more work than you’re willing to put in. Why install something you know will be a problem in a very short time?

Luckily, you don’t have to settle for hardwood if you want the hardwood look. With today’s technology, there are choices that give you the look that Coloradoans want, with resilience you need for a busy home.

The best on the market are wood-look luxury vinyl planks and wood-look tile flooring. Which is right for you? How do they handle? Which should you choose?

Let’s look at both to determine whether hardwood vinyl or tile is the right choice for your needs.

Durability

If you saw the word “vinyl” and instantly formed an opinion, it’s time to give wood-look luxury vinyl planks another look. This product is growing in popularity because of its looks and durability. Technology has made it so that these planks closely resemble the real thing. Even experts have to get a closer look to separate it from real hardwood.Want The Beauty of Hardwood, With The Ease of Vinyl or Tile?

Because of the different layers, luxury vinyl planks have a rigidness that will hold up well no matter what your family dishes out. That can make it an even better choice than hardwood if you have a growing family that loves to play indoors. Have pets? Not a problem. This will handle well.

Wood-look tile is another option. Technology has made it that either ceramic or porcelain tile can now look like your favorite hardwood flooring. But it adds something hardwood can’t give – durability.

Tile flooring is extremely durable, can last for decades with the right care. No more worrying about scratches, dents, fading or other types of damage coming from normal wear and tear. It’s virtually indestructible, something that works well in certain rooms in your home. Just be aware that if you drop something heavy, it does have the potential for cracking. The only way to fix it is to replace the tile.

Water resistance

One of the biggest reasons homeowners are hesitant to install traditional hardwood is because of potential water damage. Hardwood just doesn’t make sense in areas prone to water, such as the kitchen, bathroom, or basement.

That’s why people turn to luxury vinyl planks or tile. Both offer you water-resistance as well as good looks.

Luxury vinyl planks are completely water-resistant when installed correctly. This means you’ll never face a floor that is warping, cracking, or buckling from moisture issues. You can install it in every room in your house without fear of walking into a mess.

Likewise, wood-look tile is also completely water-resistant when properly installed. This means ensuring the tile is properly adhered to the subfloor, and grouting is installed and in place.

While both types of wood-look flooring offer durability in situations you may be hesitant to install hardwood, keep in mind that while both luxury vinyl planks and tile offer water-resistance, nothing is one-hundred-percent waterproof. When anything sits underwater for an extended period of time, it runs the risk of having potential problems. It’s always advisable to clean up all spills as quickly as possible.

Styles, colors, patterns

If you’ve spent any time looking at hardwood, you know there are many different options to allow you to make your home uniquely your own. With either luxury vinyl planks or tiles, your options continue to grow.

Wood-look luxury vinyl planks come in a variety of colors designed to mimic the most popular hardwood on the market. Whether you want rustic country or sleek modern designs, you’ll find what you’re looking for.

Luxury vinyl planks also come in a variety of sizes and widths. Whether you want the standard four inches, or are looking for a more exotic wide plank width, you’ll find it here.

Also, pay attention to the thickness of the plank. This will help you determine a higher quality product, one where the patterns run deeper and offer you a stronger, more durable product.

Wood-look tile is also available in a full array of colors and styles. Like vinyl, tile is produced with 3D printing to create a product that mimics real hardwood. Pay attention to depth and boldness to ensure the product lasts for years to come.

Care and Maintenance

If you’ve had hardwood before, you know it requires a lot of maintenance to ensure it continues to look good. You clean it with special products. You wax it to maintain its sheen. You refinish it every few years to ensure the wood underneath is protected.

If you have a busy household, all of that care might be a little daunting. That’s why many homeowners are giving wood-look luxury vinyl planks or tiles a second look.

With wood-look luxury vinyl tiles, cleaning requires nothing more than regular sweeping with a dust mop to remove dust and debris. An occasional wet mop will pick up stains or other trace items stuck to the surface. You’ll never have to wax or refinish it to retain its original look and shine.

Tile is quite easy to maintain. Regular removal of dust and debris with a dry mop, followed by occasional wet mopping is all you’ll need. Watch tile grout for potential stains over time. You can clean this with a mild mixture of white vinegar and water to keep it looking its best. Beware of chemical cleaners that can stain and change the color of the grout over time. Check with the manufacturers’ guidelines if you have any questions.

Cost

Installing traditional hardwood can be quite expensive. That’s why both luxury vinyl planks or tiles are a viable option.

Both can be more budget-friendly depending on your needs.

When it comes to resale, homeowners love hardwood, and that will never change. However, home buyers also love style and cleanliness, and want to walk into a home that provides easy living.

If you plan to stay put for a while, choose what suits your family best.

And if you have any questions or need help in making a selection, we’re here to help. 

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Choosing Sustainable Flooring For Your Home

What is sustainability?

It’s become a popular catch-phrase in our society.

Sustainability refers to the avoidance of the depletion of natural resources within our society in order to maintain an ecological balance. The more we learn about what harms our world, the more we find ways to change what we do to create equilibrium around the globe.

That means doing what’s right for the world. Paying attention to deforestation and how we handle crop rotation. Stopping the production and use of VOC – volatile organic compounds – that harm everything from our water to our air supply, to our health. Investing in technology to improve efficiencies of everything we do.

As buyers, we’re now more aware than ever about the products we bring into our lives. We’ve started noticing what materials are used, where they are sourced from, and how they impact our world.

And once you pay attention, you can no longer ignore.

What makes a flooring sustainable? 

Choosing Sustainable Flooring For Your HomeIf you desire to install a sustainable flooring, it’s important to understand what that means. It’s about finding the right choice to reduce your carbon footprint. It’s about finding an option that is eco-friendly.

And it’s more than that too. It’s not just the product itself. It’s about every aspect, including:

  • The manufacturing process
  • The supply chain
  • What natural resources are used
  • Lifespan
  • Recycling

The entire process, from beginning production to the way the product is disposed of at end of life should be taken into consideration.

What are some of the top sustainable flooring options available?

Cork – don’t let the cork in your favorite bottle of wine fool you. Cork is a strong, durable material you can use on floors throughout your home. It’s harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree found on trees throughout the Mediterranean. Because the bark grows back every three years, it’s an ideal renewable resource. It has antimicrobial properties that can help improve the air quality of your home. It is also fire retardant, making it a great choice all across the Rocky Mountain region.

Bamboo – bamboo is another flooring material growing in popularity. Bamboo isn’t a tree, but instead, is a grass. It’s a sustainable option as this natural vegetation grows to maturity in three to five years. Even though it’s created from grass, it has the characteristics of hardwood. Its varied grains can create intricate patterns, and it’s available in a wide array of colors.

Linoleum – don’t confuse linoleum with vinyl; the two are separate products. Vinyl is made from a synthetic material, which can be harmful to the environment. Linoleum is crafted from linseed oil, cork dust, tree resin, wood flour, ground limestone, and natural pigments. That gives it similar qualities to everything you love about cork. It’s both fire retardant and water resistant, making it the perfect choice for many rooms in your home. This isn’t a new product; you might remember it from your grandmother’s house. It fell out of favor with the introduction of vinyl. Linoleum was also much more difficult to maintain dozens of years before. But with its reemergence, you’ll find vibrant colors, new sealants, and durability that can withstand whatever your family dishes out.

Glass tiles – glass tiles might not be the perfect choice for every situation, but when you choose them for your home, you’re going to love the results. Yes, you can install glass tiles as flooring. Think similar product characteristics as ceramic tiles. What’s more, you can find glass tiles recycled from a variety of products, including wine bottles. That could be a perfect addition to your wine cellar. Of course, glass tiles also work well in other applications – your bathroom shower, the backsplash in your kitchen. When you see the limitless array of colors, patterns, and finishes, you’re going to find the perfect choice for every situation.

Wool carpet – a lot of carpet is made from synthetic materials. But if you love the feel of carpet, and want a sustainable flooring option, look no further than wool carpet. It’s soft, comfortable, warm, and comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. While many carpet materials on the marketplace today are created with volatile organic compounds, wool carpet is all natural and eco-friendly. It’s one of the first materials used for floor coverings, and because of its strength and durability, is often passed down from generation to generation.

Hardwood flooring – hardwood flooring continues to be one of the most popular flooring choices across the Front Range. It’s good to know that if you choose wisely, it can also be a sustainable flooring choice too. Of course, not every hardwood flooring choice is sustainable; you’ll need to pay attention to the manufacturer you choose. There’s a lot of marketing going on making certain buzzwords sound better than they truly are.

Green can be used if any part of the process has environmental value. If a flooring is created from a recycled material, for example, it can be sold as green, even if the entire production process from beginning to end-of-life isn’t sustainable. That’s why it’s important to pay attention and ask questions to any product you choose.

Sustainability starts with farming. Is the wood harvested from sustainably grown forests? Are sustainable options used throughout the manufacturing process? Renewable energy in the factories? Sustainable transportation for getting the product ready for final delivery?

You can also look for products and materials that are properly certified from places like the Greenguard Environmental Institute. This is an industry-independent, third-party, non-profit organization that offers three certification programs to help you identify products and materials that meet certain qualifications. To achieve the certification, products must meet field-validated and performance-based standards in order to qualify. They must also demonstrate the use of low chemical and particle emissions.

Whatever flooring choice you choose, spend a little extra time thinking about how it was manufactured. A better quality product means better indoor air quality for your home. And when you pay attention, you can choose one that works well for your family and your home.

Is sustainable flooring in your future?

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What To Know About Cork Floors Now

The year 2020 will be remembered for a lot of things, but in your home, it might just be for the year you decided to spend more time at home.

Suddenly, you discovered you like being at home. All those little projects you left unfinished? They’re finally being completed. You need office space for you and your partner. A place for the kids to do their assignments and homework. And maybe a place where you can continue all of your crafts and hobbies you picked up along the way.

But 2020 is also a year you learned more about cleanliness and finding the perfect materials for everything inside your home. Take flooring; you know that old carpet has to go. What should you replace it with?

It might be time to consider cork floors. Why? For so many reasons. Let’s start with the biggest reason as we move forward from a pandemic.

Cork Floors are Hypoallergenic

If you’ve struggled with any respiratory problems in the past, such as allergies or asthma, you’re going to love cork flooring. It’s mold and mildew resistant, it contains antimicrobial properties, and repels things like dust mites, dirt, and other contaminants that may impact your floors’ cleanliness.

That can be a very big deal this year as you’re trying to keep your home clean. By installing them throughout your house, you know you have a natural material that will work hard to keep the air quality as clean as it can be.

What To Know About Cork Floors NowHowever, keep in mind that if you are concerned about air quality, pay attention to the flooring manufacturer, and the method used for installation. Not all cork is the same. Look for products that were created to keep indoor air quality as safe and healthy as possible.

FloorScore is an index that helps you choose products based on independent certification for the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) it releases into the air. GreenGuard solutions is another certification that demonstrates how committed a product is to creating a healthy environment.

As you select a final product to come into your home, pay attention to te entire installation process. If a contractor uses a harsh adhesive for installation, it negates all the benefits you attain by selecting a reputable cork flooring product. That’s why it pays to get to know your flooring dealer first and trust them to help you make the best decision for you and your family.

Cork Floors are Easy to Maintain

Is everything in your home a little cleaner this year? Are you looking for materials that make the cleaning process easier? Then look no further than cork floors.

While cork isn’t a maintenance-free flooring, with proper care, it can look beautiful for decades.

Many homeowners come in wary of cork, thinking about the topper in their favorite wine or the bulletin boards they used as kids. This is not the same cork. Cork flooring is pressed tighter and mimics some of the best hardwood floors in the industry. When they are sealed properly, they should hold up well against all sorts of spills and accidents. Like other materials, it’s all in how fast you react. If you leave red wine sitting for extended periods of time, it will stain. Just wipe off the liquid quickly, and you shouldn’t have problems.

Daily cleaning can be handled with just a simple dust broom or a vacuum with a bare floor setting. Oil-based soaps will damage the floor, so be sure to use water-based cleaners. Check with your flooring’s manufacturer for the right cleaning products, ones that won’t strip off the finish and leave it vulnerable to stains.

Cork Floors are Durable

Even though cork flooring is comparable to hardwood, it isn’t a hard surface. With small pressure points, it is susceptible to dents and tears. That means if your furniture has small legs that push weight down into the cork material, use coasters to level out the pressure points. If you wear high heels regularly, check them at the door. And be careful if you frequently move large furniture so the legs and other pressure points don’t dig in and tear the cork material.

Another threat to cork flooring can be dirt and small rocks. That’s why we suggest checking all of your shoes at the front door. When you drag in small amounts of dirt, sand, gravel, and other debris, they can become embedded into the cork material, scratching your flooring’s finish. At a minimum, we suggest floor mats at every entrance to wipe your feet and avoid tracking in damaging debris.

Cork Floors are Soft

One of the reasons people often pause before purchasing hardwood floors is the hardness factor. If you take a fall on a hardwood floor, you’re going to feel it. If you drop a dish on a hardwood floor, it probably won’t survive.

But cork flooring is different. That’s because cork isn’t a hard wood, but instead is made from the bark of a cork oak tree. The material is sheared off, ground, processed into sheets, and baked in a kiln until hard. The compressed material will bend and bounce back into shape. But it still contains air-filled pockets that give it that flexibility and sponge-like feel.

If you suffer from leg or back pain, and stay out of the kitchen because of the hardness of your flooring, cork can be a welcome relief. It can make standing for any length of time easier on your body. And if you have small children or elderly at risk of falling, cork flooring is a great way to create a stylish look in your home and still be safe in the process.

Cork Floors can be Refinished

Many homeowners love installing hardwood because it’s a flooring choice that will be around for decades. When the surface dulls and needs refreshing, you simply refinish it, and it looks like new.

Solid cork works in a similar fashion. Solid cork can be sanded down and refinished as well. While you don’t grind it down in the same manner, you can buff it with a palm sander to take a much thinner layer. Then apply a new coat of stain and sealer.

As with any natural product, cork isn’t meant to be a flawless material. That’s part of its charm. Every floor will have unique ebb and flow, based on the way the material comes together.

If you’re looking for something unique that adds to your comfort and durability, look no further than cork floors.

We think you’ll love the results.

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Is Exotic Hardwood Flooring Worth The Cost?

When you decide it’s time to remodel your home, your first thought is function. How can you increase the functionality of your home, giving you more usable space?

But another part of you wants something more. You want elegance. You want beauty. You want the WOW factor when everyone walks through the door.

To get that wow factor, you can’t shop your local big box store and make selections available to the masses. You have to stretch. You have to think bigger.

Exotic hardwood flooring may just be the wow factor you’re looking for.

Why the best place to start a remodel is with your flooring

Depending on the room you’re redoing, there are a lot of changes you can make that will impact the way it looks and feels. A fresh coat of paint can set the stage for bigger things. New furniture can upgrade your room and give you a modern feel.Is Exotic Hardwood Flooring Worth The Cost?

But paint and new furnishings are surface level. They are things that can be changed easily. With flooring, it’s a little more difficult to change out.

That’s why when you’re selling your home, buyers know to look beyond surface level and focus on things that can be game-changers in the way they live. They can always grab a few gallons of paint, and for a hundred dollars or so, reset the room for their needs.

Flooring is different. It takes work. It takes time. And it takes money for big changes. And buyers know that adds up, especially if they are putting out a lot of their funding for purchasing the home. That’s why buyers look at flooring as one of their “make or break” items when finalizing their decisions.

Hardwood stands out. It’s what Coloradoans want. But increasingly, they are also looking for a step above the norm. And that’s where exotic hardwood flooring comes into play.

What is exotic hardwood flooring?

In the world of flooring, hardwood falls into two categories: domestic and exotic.

Domestic hardwood refers to any species of wood that is found in North America. It includes Oak, Birch, Maple, and American Cherry. Because domestic hardwood is easier to harvest and install right here in the United States, it’s considered to have a more traditional look.

Exotic hardwoods include species found around the world. It usually comes from tropical locations, where hardwood is more in abundance. Some of the species include Brazilian Cherry, Brazilian Walnut, and Australian Cypress, among others. They will have a more striking appearance because you won’t see them in every home across your neighborhood.

That makes the biggest downfall of exotic hardwood the …

When homeowners come in and start comparing hardwood, they immediately notice the difference between domestic and exotic. Yes, you can find different colors, different hues. But one thing stands out above all: the price.

It takes more effort to source exotic hardwood in different parts of the world. There are manufacturing costs. There are shipping costs. And it takes more effort to get the product here, to you, in the states.

We’re living in a globalized economy. That makes international trade more accessible than ever. The more we build relationships with other countries, the more we trade to get things we need and want in different locations of the world, the less expensive items will become.

But for now, exotic hardwood flooring is still considered a more expensive option. And that means you won’t see the different colors, different hues, different grains, in the homes you visit in your local community.

Another problem with exotic hardwood flooring … sustainability 

Exotic hardwood can sometimes be considered a status symbol. If you’re not conscious about where you harvest the hardwood from, it can be taken from sources that are overharvested, clear-cut, and at risk for extinction.

CITES – the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species – works hard to control wild fauna and flora. This issue is becoming more widely known because of global climate change.

If you don’t know where the wood is sourced from, there’s a good chance it comes from a less-than-reputable resource. Always question where the product comes from, and ensure you select manufacturers who adhere to the strict guidelines imposed by these different rules and regulations. That’s a big reason to visit a local flooring dealer as opposed to ordering flooring based on price from the internet.

Another thing to consider is carbon footprint. Is the wood sourced responsibly? What are the carbon offsets if you purchase the product and have it shipped in? A reputable manufacturer will be able to answer all of these questions and more.

Of course, there are a bunch of reasons why exotic hardwood flooring should be on your list

If you’ve read this far, chances are you’re in the market for exotic hardwood flooring, and you’re now on the search for the right product for your home. It’s hard to beat its beauty. But there are other reasons it might be the right choice for you as well.

  • Exotic hardwood floors are durable. Some can last for years – decades – giving you a viable flooring option that can last a lifetime.
  • The grain of different species can add to the beauty of your home. Select finishes, stains, and patterns that are far beyond what you can expect from domestic.
  • Hardwood flooring is hypo-allergenic. If you’re worried about how your floors impact your health, rest assured hardwood is one of the healthiest flooring choices you can make.
  • Don’t forget the environmental friendliness of hardwood flooring. As long as it’s harvested in a sustainable way, it can add to the beauty of your home without impacting the environment.
  • It adds value to your home. This can be especially important if you are considering selling your home in the near future.

Is exotic hardwood flooring for you? 

Whether you’ve made your decision or are in the beginning process of selecting the right species and materials, the best place to start is to stop by and see what’s available.

We can help you narrow down your selections, and finalize your decision. Whatever questions you have, we can help you find the answers.

While it may take a little time to acclimate the product to your home, and have it installed the right way, once it’s laid into place, you’ll have a flooring you’ll be proud of for years to come.

What questions can we answer for you about exotic hardwood flooring?

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Yes, You Can Have Wood Floors In Your Bathroom

What’s the number one flooring request homeowners have when upgrading their homes? If you guessed hardwood, you’re correct.

Real estate agents across the US state that as they show buyers potential homes, they overwhelmingly want hardwood.

But as much as homeowners love hardwood, in some areas, it might not make sense. Traditionally, you’d never install hardwood in a basement, a laundry room, or a bathroom. Moisture and wood simply don’t mix.

With technology changing, upgraded polyurethane, and sealers promising more than ever before, is that still the case? If you’re creating the master bath of your dreams, for example, can you now install wood floors in your bathroom?

Look no further than manufacturers themselves for the answer. While they’ve been making huge strides towards tougher, more durable finishes, most will still caution you when using their flooring in wet spaces.

A good oil-based polyurethane sealer can do wonders for making your flooring more functional. It can seal cracks between the floor boards and make it harder for moisture to seep in. But you’ll never find a hardwood manufacturer adding “waterproof” to their features and benefits. Most will say “water-resistant” and only if you carefully follow manufacturer’s guidelines.

Yes, You Can Have Wood Floors In Your BathroomYou have hardwood flooring throughout your home. It’s only natural you want to continue the look into your bathroom. You can, with a few things to consider:

  • Manufacturers will most likely challenge warranty claims on hardwood installed in a bathroom. Depending on the product you choose, it may even have warnings against it in the fine print.
  • If you do install hardwood in a bathroom, you can expect increased care and maintenance to go along with it. At least once a year, plan on reapplying a sealer designed for wet environments.
  • If you do have a splash or spill, wipe it up immediately. Take extra caution around areas where splashes or spills are a part of your normal routine.

Hardwood may not be the perfect choice for a family bathroom where kids love to play in the tub, or a space where saunas and moisture is the norm. But in a guest bath, an open concept master bath, or a powder room off the living space, hardwood may be the perfect choice.

Engineered wood flooring? Maybe not

Surprisingly, engineered hardwood flooring takes a backseat to more traditional hardwood for bathroom installation. Here’s why.

Engineered hardwood is created for ease of use. You’ll find it in planks for easy installation, made up of tougher layers to provide you with strength in more high traffic areas.

The problem with engineered wood flooring is the finishing work. You bring it into your home in plank format, lay it in place, and it’s finished. The problem is the boards slide together, without any sealing properties other than how they slide together. In certain areas of your home, that tight connection may be okay. But in a bathroom, the environment changes.

You close the door, humidity builds, and changes can occur in the way the planks come together. They shrink and expand, if only a little. That’s just enough to allow moisture to seep down underneath. It’s the perfect place for water to get down to the foundation and over time, rot out.

Hardwood is a better choice

When deciding between the two, natural hardwood will react in your bathroom spaces better than engineered wood. But pay attention to how it’s laid into place.

Instead of buying finished hardwood in plank format, choose to have unfinished wood, and stain it and seal it after it’s in place. This will allow the sealer to move between the boards, helping to seal every square inch of your flooring against spills and moisture.

As a bonus, polyurethane will also add a texture to your hardwood floors, giving it a slip-resistant feel. That can be an upgrade to a bathroom, where moisture is ever-present.

Again, care and maintenance will be a big part of your life. You should always wipe up excess moisture immediately, and apply more sealant on the boards frequently.

But wait, you have other choices

Luckily, you don’t have to stick with engineered or natural wood to get the hardwood look you love. Thanks to today’s technology, you have other choices waiting for you.

How about luxury vinyl tile? This isn’t the vinyl flooring you grew up with in your parent’s house. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is now one of the fastest growing floors in the flooring industry because of its looks and maintenance-free living.

LVT is waterproof – yep, you read that right. It can stand up to all the water your family dishes out.

And it looks good in the process. So good, that even experts have to take a closer look to determine its authenticity. What’s more, you can find it in a large array of colors, patterns, and textures. You can find one that matches or blends perfectly with your surroundings.

Not quite sure about installing vinyl in your home? That’s okay. We have another option for you: how about stone tile?

The magic of technology has impacted this market as well. You’ll find wood-look tiles cut and shaped to resemble hardwood planks. Yet when you install tile, you’ll get one of the toughest products on the marketplace. What’s more, we enjoy the fact that tile is the perfect flooring choice to sit over radiant heating. How about having a toasty warm floor as you get ready for the day? You’re going to love it.

Final thoughts on wood floors in the bathroom

If you’ve been dreaming about a house filled with hardwood flooring, keep dreaming. It’s possible.

Now it’s up to you to decide what way is best for you.

Should you install hardwood throughout, being careful to seal it properly on a regular basis?

Should you move towards an enhanced product, like luxury vinyl tile?

Should you use one of the latest trends, natural stone tile? Its realistic hardwood look will make you give it another look.

Good luck with your project. And enjoy your new floors! Whatever you choose, you’re going to love the look.

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It’s The Best Season To Install New Hardwood Flooring

People all across the Rocky Mountain region dream of having hardwood floors in their homes. They are one of the most popular flooring choices you can make.

Whether you’re renovating and selecting hardwood floors replacement, or are moving into a new home and are choosing your flooring material for the first time, hardwood flooring offers a versatile, natural appeal that can complement any decor.

They are always in fashion.

But here in Colorado, you have another thing to worry about during the installation process: weather. Summers can quickly escalate well above the 100-degree mark. Winters can easily drop below zero and keep falling. And in the spring and fall, extreme highs and lows can all occur on the same day.

While that can be tough on our human bodies, imagine what it does to the hardwood for your new flooring.

Hardwood isn’t forgiving like carpet or vinyl tiles. Hardwood planks are rigid when laid into place. Even though they are a living, natural material, the give they have is minimal at best.

Does a weather change impact how well hardwood flooring is laid into place?

The best time to install hardwood floors

It’s The Best Season To Install New Hardwood FlooringWinter, spring, summer, or fall? Which is the best season to install new hardwood floors?

Winter – winter seems like the perfect time to install new flooring. It’s dark, cold, with not much else to do. Why not redecorate, and spend the time you’re closed inside in a productive way?

Here in Colorado, winter is one of the driest times of the year. Winter naturally has less moisture than other seasons. On the coldest days, your furnace runs, and runs. That makes your living space dryer than any other time of the year. That lack of moisture leads to dryer skin and chapped lips. Now imagine what it will do to new hardwood. If wood isn’t acclimated correctly before installation, it can cause planks to dry out and crack or become distorted after installation. That can lead to costly repairs.

Another problem can be with the adhesives used to install hardwood planks. Most adhesives state they won’t work well in situations under 70 degrees. If your home is too cold, the glue won’t adhere to the planks correctly, meaning the hardwood can shift and move after installation.

Spring – spring here across the Rockies can also be a challenging time of year to install new hardwood flooring. During these few months of the year, temperatures can vary greatly, as well as how much moisture we receive. It can remain a colder, low humidity time of the year, or it can warm up and move straight to summer.

Both dry and wet conditions can be problematic for hardwood flooring. Low or high humidity levels can cause newly installed planks to swell, contract, and warp. Acclimation is key to ensuring your installation process goes well. Also, pay attention to the weather conditions when you install them.

Summer – once the summer is here, Colorado residents come out of hibernation. We move outside, prefer to do all kinds of activities outside, and determine what home projects to take on.

Summer seems like the perfect time for a new flooring installation. It’s easy to plan a staycation around your new addition – or head out of town altogether.

Yet the summer months can bring on the hottest days of the year. When your home regularly moves to 80 degrees and beyond, it can give your flooring adhesive a battle for bonding to the subfloor.

And if you happen to hit one of our endless rainy seasons, the increased moisture and humidity levels can play into how well your flooring is installed.

Fall – autumn is the perfect time of the year for all sorts of activities, including hardwood flooring installation. It tends to have the optimal mix of temperature and humidity levels for weeks at a time.

When you have extremes in heat, cold, or moisture, it can lead to various problems with newly installed planks, including cracking, warping, and cupping. Any damage will have to be repaired, which can be a costly endeavor so soon after your installation.

Here across the Front Range, autumn is usually temperate conditions with the lowest levels of moisture. You can leave your windows open, and enjoy the fresh air and breezes. That ideal climate makes it the perfect time for installing your new hardwood floors.

Pay attention to the type of hardwood installed

When you visit our store, you’ll find a wide array of choices, even when you know hardwood flooring tops your list. Hardwood flooring is available in strips, planks, and parquet. Strips come in three pre-established widths but a variety of thicknesses. Planks come in a variety of widths, while only two set thicknesses. Parquet are wooden slats held together to create geometric patterns.

You can select hardwood that is prefinished or unfinished. While prefinished adds ease to the installation – install it and you are done – unfinished gives you the advantage of selecting any finish you desire, and sealing it all in when you’re complete, including the spaces in between.

No matter what time of year, prepare the wood

While it’s important to be aware of the type of wood you select, how it will function in your home, and how you seal it into place, pay attention to the preparation process too. Wood is a natural substance that changes over time. If it’s shipped in from a location with higher humidity levels, it will need to acclimate to Colorado weather.

Before you install the planks into place, allow them to sit in your home for a few days to adjust to your environment. An indoor humidity level between 45 to 65 percent is best. Take them out of the packaging and lay them out where they’ll be installed for 5 to 7 days.

Are you thinking of remodeling your home? Want new floors in place? If you want new floors, ensure you select the best season to install hardwood flooring, and you’ll enjoy them for years to come.

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Dark Floors or Light Floors, Which Is Best For Your Home?

If you want to change the look and feel of your home, where do you start?

While a new couch or even a new shade of paint can make a big difference, the best place to start is with your flooring. Flooring sets the tone for your entire living space. And depending on whether you select dark floors or light floors, it will create a canvas you can continue to play up.

What’s the best choice: dark floors or light floors? Luckily, there isn’t a right answer. No flooring is perfect, each has its pluses and minuses. Only you can decide what’s suitable for your family.

But, if you’re trying to decide between the two, we’re here to help. We can offer some friendly advice, to help you make the best decision for your situation. Start with a few questions:

  • What do I prefer, dark or light floors?
  • What is the style of my home?
  • Do I have a busy household that makes maintenance-free living a necessity?
  • Do I have pets that add to the equation?
  • How often will I have time to clean?
  • How big is my home? How open are my rooms?
  • What flooring choice will go best with my decor?

Even with simple questions like these, you might start seeing one choice pull away from the other.

Let’s compare cleaning

Nobody enjoys cleaning – wouldn’t you rather spend time with your family and friends? If that’s the case, there’s a distinct winner in which type of flooring you should choose.

Dark Floors or Light Floors, Which Is Best For Your Home?Light floors have a distinct advantage over dark. Light floors show less of the dirt on your floors than dark. If you have a large, messy household, light can help you conceal it longer.

If you still prefer dark floors, consider lightening the shade you choose. Satin finishes are also better known for showcasing dirt on the floor.

Of course, you can always just clean more. Make it a part of the family chores, and buy the appropriate tools so you can make cleaning a snap.

What about scratches?

If you’ve ever had hardwood flooring in your house, you know scratches are unavoidable. Its soft surface means that the more wear, the more you’ll have slight imperfections, dents, and scratches showing through the wood.

Yet dark hardwood tends to show scratches even more. This is because most hardwood species are lighter in color, and stained to achieve the dark wood look. When a scratch is placed on the surface, it takes away the dark pigment, allowing the lighter wood to shine through.

If you want dark floors, understand they will take more maintenance. Instead of pushing out the timeframe to refinish the color, with dark wood, it may need recoating every three to four years.

No matter what color finish you have, you can consider buying a stain marker. They make them in all kinds of colors, and help camouflage the scratch until you can refinish the entire floor. This is an easy way to mask imperfections and keep your floors looking good.

Are dark floors or light floors better for a small home?

In general, dark floors will make any space look a bit smaller, and light floors will make the space a bit bigger. However, there’s more to it than that. Color is often an optical illusion, and you can play with color on both the floors and walls to change the way a room looks and feels.

When you see layouts with dark floors, they tend to showcase well in larger homes or homes with open concept living. If you’re worried about your space being too enclosed, you can change up the look by adding in lighter colored walls, and increase the amount of overhead lighting. Don’t block out the natural light with heavy shades or drapes. Let the natural light flow in.

Let’s talk costs – is one more expensive than the other?

When you’re shopping for new hardwood floors, you’re going to find all colors across the various price points. No matter what color of stain you choose, there’s going to be a product for you to choose from.

That said, you should always focus on quality as it will help with both upkeep and maintenance down the road.

Costs also are determined by whether you install prefinished floors, or will be handling all of the finishing work after installation.

If you’re finishing on site, more natural colors are often easier and will be less expensive to stain. If you have a specific color, are trying to go with a gray or whitewash color, it can take more coats to achieve the desired results. It may also be more expensive for a specific type of polyurethane. Specific flooring often requires different coatings depending on traffic and use. Talk with one of our flooring specialists if you have specific concerns.

How to select the right color you’ll fall in love with

The world is now being driven by technology in every aspect of our daily lives, renovations included. Maybe you’ve found flooring in a magazine you love. Or maybe you’ve pinned a bunch of samples, and one color of flooring keeps surfacing again and again.

Yet when you see it in person, you’re just not sure it’s you.

It’s good to know that what you see in print or online isn’t always the way it appears in person.

It’s okay to like something online, and change your mind on it once you see it in person. Better yet, take a few selections home with you, and lay them out in your room. Which looks better with your design? Which makes you feel happier when you enter the room? Be sure to see it in all lighting conditions, morning, noon, and evening.

Bringing home samples can also help you choose undertones of a particular color. If you have red-toned furniture, it might not look right with yellower hardwood. After setting up one sample near your favorite sofa, you may settle on a color quickly.

And don’t forget, you can further change the impact of a room by adding an area rug. You can bring out the color of the hardwood, and blend it with your furniture.

Which is right for you: dark floors or light floors?

We can help you make a choice, install it, and love it for years.

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The Easiest Ways To Save Money On Your Hardwood Flooring

Homeowners often dream of adding hardwood flooring to their homes for good reason. It’s one of the best investments you can make, especially if you’re thinking about selling. It looks good. It wears great. It can add a touch of class to any living space.

But when you start to price hardwood for your home, it can send your dreams spiraling downward.

We’re not going to lie; hardwood flooring is expensive. Depending on your final selection, it can be one of the highest costs in your home renovation.

But what we often see is homeowners attempt to get the dream while taking shortcuts too. They find a “good deal” and think they’ll have a great quality flooring. That’s rarely the case.

If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

But there are still ways you can save on hardwood flooring, and love it for years to come. It doesn’t mean sacrificing in terms of quality or labor to get what you want.

A look at how much it costs for hardwood floors

The Easiest Ways To Save Money On Your Hardwood FlooringWhen people decide to install hardwood floors, they focus on the price of the hardwood. But there’s more to it than that. If you get an estimate on how much it will be to add hardwood flooring to different rooms in your home, it will contain several costs.

Materials – this is the one place where the homeowner has the most flexibility in controlling the costs. You can stick with a more standard hardwood and keep costs low. Or bump it up to an exotic species, and you’ll spend more. You can even move into engineered wood, where prices will vary widely, depending on the veneer top layer and the plywood underneath.

Labor – contractors typically charge for labor based on the square footage of the space they’ll be working in. They also charge based on the amount of work it takes to lay the flooring into place. Hardwood will take longer than engineered wood. You’ll also pay more if your space includes irregular shapes, or you’ll be combining it with other materials for a unique look.

Other –  there are always unexpected costs that can arise during the project. Is your subfloor in good shape, or do the contractors find a problem? Costs are always based on what they can see at the time of the estimate. If something else arises during the process, it’ll cost more in the process. Plus, there may be costs for removing old flooring and hauling it away.

All of that can make your estimate a little shocking when you finally receive it. If you see hardwood planks on an endstand at your local big box store for a low price, and your estimate jumps up the cost significantly compared to what you calculated, these reasons are why.

If you want to install new flooring, and have the desire to save where you can, getting a handful of estimates will result in a variety of different bids. Why is one so much higher or lower than the others? How do you compare and make a selection?

Ultimately, it comes down to the materials. Every installer will have virtually the same amount of labor. They’ll have the extra costs of removing materials and dealing with unseen problems. Which means where they control costs is the final product they sell to you.

That’s why this is where you should put your attention. Look at the species, plank size and width, whether it’s solid hardwood or an engineered variation. Look at manufacturers and warranties. Understand the quality of the product.

And if you aren’t sure about something, ask. A reputable dealer will provide you with an answer that makes sense.

The easiest ways to save on hardwood flooring

If you’re getting closer to narrowing your choices down and installing hardwood flooring, here are few things that will help you save money and get the best product at the same time.

Adjust your desire for type or grade of wood

If you come into our showroom floor with one specific type of hardwood flooring in mind, you won’t have choices. It’s better to come in with a concept, and ask for variations around it.

For example, maybe you want dark hardwood floors. One of our associates can give you a variety of options. They can show you the differences between solid and engineered, as well as differences in species and color. They can let you feel different grades of hardwood. They can even give you advice on what’s worked for other customers.

Not every homeowner is the same. Maybe you like a little color variation throughout the planks. Maybe a narrower plank suits your needs. If you come in with an open mind, we can give you a wider array of options.

Install the hardwood yourself

This might not be a perfect solution for everyone, but for some, it is an option. If you have experience in home building and are an experienced do-it-yourselfer, installing hardwood can cut your costs in adding a new floor. Just keep in mind that hardwood is one of the most challenging flooring choices to install and get it right.

It’s important that you get everything in correctly, or you risk breaking the warranty. We don’t recommend installing unfinished and attempt sanding and staining yourself.

But if your goal is a DIY project, there are still lots of options. Instead of a traditional wood floor, maybe you move to a floating floor with click-in-place technology.

There are always options depending on your desires.

Split the work into multiple projects

If you find that your budget doesn’t get you everything you desire, you can always adjust the scope of work now, and add in other rooms later.

The good thing about hardwood is it lasts for a very long time. You can start with rooms in your main living space now, and add the rest as you save up.

If you’re going to do this, it’s wise to talk with a flooring dealer who understands the industry. Choose hardwood that stands the test of time, and will be there when you’re ready to add it to your home. They can also help you budget and select wisely, so it makes the most sense to your living space. They can make the entire process efficient, helping you save even more money in the long run.

What next?

It’s time to make your choice. How will you save on hardwood flooring, and get the home you truly desire?

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Is Water Resistant or Waterproof Flooring The Best Choice For Your Home?

Why do you buy new flooring? We suspect you purchase it to enhance the look of your home for many years to come. Yes, you have to fall in love with your final choice today. But if it doesn’t look good for years, what’s the point?

That’s what pushes many homeowners to start researching water resistant and waterproof flooring choices. After all, if you’re installing new flooring in the parts of your home you use the most – kitchen, bathrooms, living space – it only makes sense it can take all your family can dish out.

Water resistant or waterproof flooring

The words sound similar, don’t they? In fact, you’ll find water resistant and waterproof are often used interchangeably as you read product descriptions. But we’re here to tell you that they are not the same, not when it comes to flooring.

Let’s say you drop an entire pitcher of water.

Water resistant means that your flooring will stand up to the spilled water for a short time. As long as you jump on it and clean it up immediately, your flooring should be fine.

Waterproof means it can withstand all that water and more, and be just fine.

The longer the water sits on top of your floor, the bigger the problem with water resistant flooring. Waterproof flooring should still be fine, providing the water doesn’t penetrate down through cracks, under wall boards, and seep below the surface.

Let’s talk about certain flooring choices

It’s easy to think of flooring choices that don’t mix well with water in any condition.

Carpeting might be able to take an occasional spill, but only if you clean it up immediately. If allowed to penetrate the fibers and remain wet for any length of time, water damage can quickly occur. A soaked carpet will often generate mold in 24 to 48 hours.

Is Water Resistant or Waterproof Flooring The Best Choice For Your Home?Hardwood, another Colorado favorite, does not mix with water, even for a short period of time. Hardwood flooring is porous, which means moisture can easily be absorbed into the material. Even with small spills, it can cause extensive damage almost immediately, especially if left to sit for any length of time.

You might have already known that those two choices aren’t right for the rooms in your home. If you have a busy household, filled with pets and kids and lots of activity, installing a more resilient flooring is high on your wishlist.

Does that mean laminate? Or maybe vinyl flooring?

We get it. We love our hardwood here in the Rocky Mountains. We’ve talked with many homeowners that are very skeptical about installing anything else.

But there are other great options that can offer both water resistance or waterproof flooring.

Laminate flooring

Let’s start with laminate flooring. Laminate is made out of recycled hardwood. Because of its hardwood core, it can never be waterproof. But laminate is built using multiple layers to give it its strength, and the melamine wear layer will make it water resistant. If you spill water onto the floor, and wipe it up promptly, the floor will suffer no damage. However, if flooring occurs, laminate will quickly saturate with water, which will cause it to warp quickly. It can also allow mold growth.

Luxury vinyl planks

One of the newest wood-look products on the market is luxury vinyl planks. These realistic planks often look so real, you have to get closer to them to determine they aren’t hardwood.

What’s more, luxury vinyl planks offer something you’ll never get with hardwood. They are one-hundred percent waterproof. That means you can enjoy the look of hardwood with the ease of care and maintenance of vinyl. And what makes it even more attractive is the price; it’s an affordable option that will allow you to put it anywhere in your home, especially moisture-prone areas like the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry room.

Luxury vinyl is created with several layers that are fused together under heat and pressure. Four separate layers include:

  • The vinyl backing
  • A vinyl core
  • A print layer which gives the planks their classic good looks
  • A clear protective layer, also known as the protective layer, that combines a polyurethane coating with a reinforced layer from ceramic bead, silica bead, or aluminum oxide

The wear layer is one of the most important layers. It determines how well the product will handle under pressure, and how long of lifespan you can expect from your tiles.

Wood-look tile

For some homeowners, a step up might lead them to wood-look tile. Wood-look tiles are any tile that resembles hardwood. Ceramic or porcelain, clay and other materials are compressed together into plank format to resemble different shades of hardwood. They look like hardwood with the care and maintenance friendliness of tile.

Because it’s tile, it’s more scratch-resistant. Do you have pets? You won’t have to worry about scratches from their nails.

Do you suffer from allergies? Tile is a good option because the installation process can keep your indoor air quality in better shape than other flooring options, and you’ll be able to sweep surface dirt away easily.

Another benefit tile brings is that you can install it over radiant heating. In Colorado, cold tile is one of the biggest reasons homeowners look at other options. But if you install it over radiant heating, it can be a great way to keep your room comfy and cozy all year long.

Just be aware that tile is water resistant instead of waterproof. With proper installation, water will never reach the subfloor below the tile. A pro will ensure every tile is properly laid into place, the grout is correctly installed, and the tile is sealed, if necessary.

What’s important to you, water resistant or waterproof flooring?

The good news is, there are many options for finding a good looking floor and combining it with either the water resistance or waterproof base you’re looking for. You don’t have to put up with ugly flooring to get a base your family can live with.

Understanding the differences between water resistant and waterproof is your first step in making the right choice for your home.

Are you ready to see all of your options?

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Do Your Upstairs and Downstairs Flooring Have To Match?

If you look around your neighborhood, chances are most of the homes are multilevel. It’s what we’re used to here in Colorado. Without a lot of space here in the Metro area, we choose to build up rather than out.

And there are a lot of benefits to having multi levels of living.

  • It’s the easiest way to gain more square footage in your home.
  • You can separate out living space from sleeping quarters.
  • It gives you more storage space.
  • It keeps you healthy, running up and down the stairs all day.

Chances are you have stairs in your home too. And while you might not think much about them on an average day, when it comes time to add new flooring, they can be one of your top concerns.

Staircases have always presented a challenge to homeowners when designing their decor. Do you match the stairs with the flooring from the first story? Do you use the flooring from the second story and carry it down? Is it important for the upstairs and downstairs flooring to transition well? What if there is carpet on one floor and hardwood on another? Is there a right choice to make when selecting new flooring?

The goal of good flooring is to improve flow. For staircases, that means having the flooring perfectly transition from one to another. If you do it right, all you’ll notice is the beauty of your home – not how out of place the flooring really looks.

Start with the stairs

Before we talk about the perfect flooring to use on your staircase, take a moment to think about how your family uses the staircase. Also, consider the placement of the stairs within your home.

  • How much of the staircase is visible from each level?
  • Does the staircase make a dramatic visual impact in your home?
  • Is safety a big concern?
  • How much use do the stairs receive each day?

Some staircases make a grand entrance as you walk into the home. Look and style might be everything in that situation.

Do Your Upstairs and Downstairs Flooring Have To Match?While other staircases are more hidden, and play an important role in daily function. You’re up and down dozens of times each day, often with your hands full as you transport things from one floor to the next. Safety would be one of your biggest concerns.

With purpose in mind, it’s easier to make the right choice for transitioning your upstairs and downstairs flooring.

Two separate levels, two separate flooring choices

In most cases, when you’re adding new flooring to a level of your home, you don’t consider other levels.

If you’ve recently renovated the basement, for example, you probably selected flooring based on what’s the best choice for your basement. Hardwood doesn’t work well in a basement environment; it’s damp and runs the risk of moisture. Homeowners often select carpet or even laminate out of necessity. As much as you love your hardwood on the main living floor, it never entered into consideration because you knew it wasn’t the right choice for your situation.

And that’s typically how we approach flooring. We consider the purpose, and choose the right flooring material for the job.

Bedrooms often use carpet because it’s soft, warm, and creates a cozy environment conducive for sleeping. It works.

It’s also the best place to start.

Once you have your ideal flooring in place on each level, only then should you think about transitions. This is how you connect the two to create harmonious living.

Hardwood flooring on both levels

This is one of the easiest choices when deciding on flooring. If both levels use the same flooring, by all means, carry the look onto the staircase too. If both levels use hardwood, for example, carpeted stairs would look a little out of place.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t change things up a bit. How about using a runner for visual appeal? It’s a great way to connect the two, soften things up, and add a pop of color to break up the monotony of everything being the same.

If you don’t want to use a runner, and the thought of any type of carpeting leaves you saying, “no,” try painting a runner in place instead. A painted runner is easy to apply, and if you don’t like the color, repaint it. It’s a great way to be able to freshen up the surroundings with little investment.

Of course, you can always choose to leave them bare. Because you have hardwood up and down, carrying that look to the staircase is one of the easiest decisions you can make. With the finish matching the flooring on both levels, it creates a minimalist, cohesive look.

But even if you’re going with bare wood, consider adding special touches along the way. Landings can always use a different material or painted/stained a different hue. Consider adding a pop of color to the risers to give a different look to your staircase.

Carpeting on one level, hardwood on another

If you have hardwood floors on one level and carpet on another, one of the most common approaches is to carpet the stairs to match. Using the same carpet creates a visual link to what lies above, and gives you a safe way to travel between the two levels.

If carpet on the stairs really isn’t your thing, there are other approaches. Instead of using fully carpeted stairs, consider using a runner in a matching hue. This gives you lead-in lines to connect hardwood to carpet, yet does so in a more sophisticated way. It keeps things crisp and nudges the eye upward and beyond.

If you want to change it up even more, just add more color to the runner. Make sure it coordinates well with the stain from the hardwood, and the hue of the carpet. This can give insight into your personality, and let it shine.

And if you have a staircase with multiple landings, you can choose to play up how you add flooring to the staircase. Maybe you can transition with carpet down to the first landing, then continue with hardwood to match with the different levels.

Options, options, options.

That truly is the name of the game when selecting upstairs and downstairs flooring, and creating the link in between.

How you choose to decorate your staircase is all up to you. And with a little bit of imagination, you can make a beautiful and grand entrance. 

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