News - PRO! Flooring

Carpet
November 23, 2017

The Best Time To Buy New Carpeting

Do a search online, and you’ll find all kinds of advice. For example, if you want to purchase airline tickets, you’ll find the best day to buy is Tuesday.

But what about carpeting? Is there a day of the week that’s better to shop than others? Or a specific time of the year where you’ll get a better deal?

A little education can go a long way. Instead of jumping at the first deal because you have a coupon, or going to the big box in town because it’s easy, do a little investigative work instead. What you find out can save you money.

Many homeowners shop at the big box hardware stores for ease. But their selection isn’t great, and their deals are often not quite the deal you would expect. They buy in bulk, which means you get what they choose to deliver. A few choices may seem like enough. But how do you know if you’re getting the right choice for you?

Turning to a flooring company doesn’t always mean you’ll pay more for the product. Instead, it means you’ll have more variety to choose from, a better selection, and higher education on what the differences really are.

There are also different kinds of flooring companies. Some are nationwide companies; others are local companies working hard to give you what you need. The shop at home services or door to door are often independent contractors; be careful you’re working with legitimate companies.

People usually buy carpet at specific times of the year.

People use their tax refunds for major home purchases, which makes the middle of February until the end of April high purchase times.

People also install new carpeting in July and August, when school is out and flexibility is increased because the kids are out of school.

People often decide to redecorate for the holidays, especially if they are planning parties and family events. From mid-October to mid-December, you’ll find a lot of requests for upgrading flooring.

That means if you shop outside of these times, you’ll have more options available to you as you look around.

The key to getting the best deal possible is taking your time. If someone rushes you into a quick decision, it’s time to find another flooring company.

This is a long-term addition to your home. Be sure to select the right flooring option for you.

Flooring, Vinyl Floors
November 17, 2017

Do I Really Need To Acclimate My Laminate Floors?

You want the look and feel of hardwood floors. But laminate floors will serve you better. They’re more durable. They’re easier to care for. And they’re easier to install.

But that doesn’t mean you can purchase them from your local flooring shop and install them the same day. Like hardwood flooring, laminate floors need a little TLC along the way. From the moment you finalize your purchase, there are a few things you need to do to ensure quality installation.

Sadly, some flooring dealers will tell you that you don’t have to acclimate laminate floors. They will tell you that laminate isn’t real wood, so it doesn’t matter. However, what they don’t tell you is that by not acclimating it to your space, you may actually be voiding the warranty.

Why do you need to acclimate laminate flooring when it isn’t a hard wood product? Like hardwood, laminate is made from materials that can change in different climate situations. If you take laminate from a warm, dry warehouse and install it in a cool, moist basement, there is a chance the humidity will cause the laminate to expand. It might not be extensive change, but even small amounts can cause your floors to buckle.

The opposite can happen too. If you take laminate from a cool, moist warehouse and install them in a dry, warm home in the middle of winter, the floors could cause gaps that pull apart. This can make your floor uneven, even unsightly depending on the width of the gaps.

And all of this could be avoided if the contractor simply applied acclimation times to the materials before installation.

Acclimation times vary based on manufacturers, but you’ll find most list between 48 and 72 hours. This means the materials have to brought to your home and placed in the room in which it will be installed at least 48 to 72 hours before work is performed.

If you are trying to find the best flooring company for purchasing laminate floors, you should always lead with this simple question before you lay down your credit card.

Do you need to acclimate laminate floors before installation? The answer is always yes.

If they try and tell you otherwise, leave and find a flooring company you can trust.

Flooring
November 14, 2017

Getting Your Floors Ready For The Holidays

How are your holiday plans coming along? Are you hosting parties all season long?

It’s one of the most popular times of the year to have family and friends over, entertaining, cooking, baking.

That’s a lot of foot traffic across your floors.

Your floors are the first thing your guests will notice. If they’re dirty, dingy, or drab, it can take away a little of the excitement they feel as they walk through the doors. If they’re clean, they’ll admire your beautiful home.

Where do you begin?

Give your floors a deep clean

Not only do you want your floors to look their best before guests arrive, but you also want them to look great after they leave. By deep cleaning first, you can protect your flooring from stains, scratches, and dirt. Sometimes when dirt and debris builds up, it can cause scratches as shoes walk across the floor or a table or chair slides into place. Deep cleaning can remove that layer of dirt that will most likely cause damage. While you can find mild cleaners at your favorite store, we recommend checking with the manufacturer before you use a solution. Sometimes natural is the best way to go. A mixture of one part vinegar and three parts water works well every time.

Invest in extra rugs

Rugs can help you prevent scratches and stains before they occur. Mats work well in hallways, entryways, and around the kitchen. Be selective of where you lay them. Consider the flow of your home as well as where your guests are likely to gather. And while you can invest in large rugs to be a part of your room’s decor, don’t shy away from smaller rugs that accent the room just for the holidays. Just be sure they are high quality and won’t be dangerous, adding into the potential for slips and falls.

Add felt pads under your furniture

Guests often spend the most time in your kitchen, breakfast nook and dining room. Chairs are often slid back and forth over and over again. They may also be spending more time on your sofa, plopping down for a movie or a video game with the kids. Every time they move around, your furniture has the potential of moving just a bit. And those sudden movements can scratch the finish and move deep into the wood. If you don’t have a rug underneath, invest in high quality felt pads and attach them to the legs of your furniture. They’re easy to superglue into place.

Invest in a repair kit

Scratches might occur, and when they do, there is a solution. Most hardware stores have repair kits to hide the scratches and scuff marks, and prevent them from getting worse. If you have one on hand, you can touch up any problem areas from the moment they occur. You can quickly hide the blemishes as you’re getting ready for your next big party.

It doesn’t take much to have your floors looking their best this holiday season. So relax. With just a little bit of planning, you can enjoy your time with family and friends without worrying about your flooring after the events.

Carpet, Flooring
November 9, 2017

Why Indoor Air Quality Matters When Selecting A Floor

Indoor air quality – or IAQ – has become somewhat of a buzzword in the home improvement industry. You’ll hear it referred to with just about any product you buy.

And with good reason. We’re just starting to realize the importance of the air we breathe in and its effect on our health for the long term.

Studies show that Americans spend up to 90 percent of our time indoors, whether at work, school, or at home. And when you consider all of the harmful compounds and even carcinogens that go into building materials, you can see how the impact can really add up.

Volatile organic compounds – VOCs – are commonly found in many things. And if you look down at your flooring, you can find VOCs in just about any type of flooring – carpets, vinyl, wood, glues, paints, and finishes. If you finish a floor with a poly finish and you smell a noticeably strong scent, you’re essentially smelling chemicals being offgassed from the finish. And that’s not good for your health.

Although offgassing is the strongest at the time of application, it doesn’t stop there. Offgassing occurs months, years after the initial installation, though the amount decreases over time. Things can also trigger it back into action, such as water damage from a flood.

Approximately 7 million American children suffer from asthma. And children, in general, are more susceptible to the effects that can trigger asthma-like symptoms. That includes the effects of harsh chemicals.

That means whether you’re looking at replacing flooring in a residential or commercial location, it’s worth a little extra time to consider the impact of how it will affect your IAQ. Especially if you are bringing young children into your location on a regular basis.

It doesn’t take much to find safer, healthier alternatives to whatever flooring choice you desire. We can show you options you’ll love for any location, work or home.

Flooring, Tile Floors
November 5, 2017

Natural Stone: It’s Not Just For Flooring Anymore

When people think of natural stone, they tend to think of flooring. And we’ll admit that it’s one of our favorite materials to install as flooring. Nothing is as beautiful as the one of a kind look natural stone provides.

But natural stone is so much more. It can be used in any room in your home, on virtually any surface, for a multitude of uses.

It’s easier than ever to create a dramatic statement by including it just about anywhere. A backsplash. A shower wall. A fireplace. A bathroom.

And while many people associate natural stone with kitchens and bathrooms, we’ve seen them installed in every room in the home with dynamic results.

That’s the benefit of working with stone. It’s versatile no matter where you choose to install it.

How about a living room wall behind your television?

Or incorporate it into your home gym and create the luxurious look of a day spa?

We also love the look when you incorporate into unexpected places in your kitchen. Move it out from the backsplash and cover an entire wall. When you mix it with different materials for the countertop and cabinets, you can create a look that is uniquely your own.

And while you can find a wide range of inspiration from searching online, an easier way is to stop by our showroom. As your partner in home design, we can show you what works for different rooms in your home. Our design consultants are knowledgeable and can guide you through a wide selection of products. We can offer our expert installation team to ensure a professional experience from beginning to end.

We know your home is an expression of your style. Let us help you create rooms you’re not only excited to come home to each day, but ones that you’ll love showing off to your family and friends too.

Flooring
November 3, 2017

Flooded Floors? Will Homeowners Insurance Help?

Had water damage to your flooring? A lot of homeowners face water damage every year.

Water damage can happen for a number of reasons – too many to list here. But not all water damage is the same. Depending on the cause, your homeowner’s insurance may or may not cover the damage.

And while we aren’t the experts on whether or not your insurance will cover the damage, we have discovered that many homeowners start the replacing process without realizing what is covered – and more importantly, what isn’t.

In theory, insurance should compensate for like flooring. That means whatever you have in place before the flood occurred is what will be replaced after the flood. You’re entitled to the same type of flooring that you had in place, or something of equivalent value. This is how many insurance policies work – but not all. That’s why it’s important to understand your policy before it comes into play.

Most insurance companies will provide you with a report of what you are entitled to. An inspector will assess the damage and take samples of what is in place, use that for final analysis, and then compensate for the same sort of quality. For example, if you had an inexpensive laminate, you will be compensated for today’s costs of an inexpensive laminate. You might not be able to find the exact color, style, or materials. But you will be able to replace it with something equivalent to what is in place.

Then if you choose to upgrade, you would get an allowance for what materials are in place, and you would be required to pick up the difference.

In most cases, the estimate is forwarded to your insurance company where they use national rates for their estimates. It may or may not be based on your geographic region, depending on the company. But in general, if they see a legitimate estimate from a reputable company and the price is justified, they will cover the cost. Likewise, if there are additional items that come up during installation – if the subfloor is damaged after the original flooring is ripped out – they will usually replace this as well. (Again, you’ll have to work with your insurance company to find out the details.)

Keep in mind that it’s not always just the flooring that will be covered.

Furniture – Furniture often needs to be moved to install the flooring. Some homeowners choose to do this themselves. But if it requires help to have it moved, it’s often covered as a part of the estimate.

Baseboards – Often baseboards need to be refinished or painted, especially when putting in different types of flooring. Your homeowner’s insurance may cover the costs, depending on the circumstances.

Hotel – If you have extensive flooding, it may require a hotel stay to complete your flooring, especially if adding new hardwoods throughout. If it blocks basic living – bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchen – your insurance company will often pay.

Have additional questions? We can often provide you with answers based on our experience. But keep in mind, a call to your insurance agent can help you discover the best way to handle your flood.

Area Rugs, Flooring
October 30, 2017

Tips To Extend The Life Of Your Area Rug

Nothing creates a more elegant look that an area rug accenting your hardwood floors. You’ve invested a lot of money in both your hardwood and your rug; how do you keep it looking good for years to come?

To extend the life of your area rug, the most important part is vacuuming it frequently. Dirt and dust can quickly settle into the rug fibers, especially if your rug is in a high traffic area.

Today’s vacuums promise powerful cleaning. But that cleaning can overwhelm delicate fibers of some rugs. To preserve your area rug, use vacuum attachments and a gentler setting, especially around the binding or outer edges. You can also use a carpet sweeper for everyday cleaning, which is manual and lighter to the touch.

Keep in mind that during the first few months you own your area rug, some shedding is normal.

Clean Spills Immediately

The most important thing you can do to preserve your area rug is to clean spills as quickly as possible. Carpet fibers can pull any moisture that lies on the top of the pile and draw it within. If the spill has time to dry, it can permanently stain the fibers. So the cleaning process may vary depending on the type of rug and stain itself.

Always blot, never rub. Use water sparingly to keep the spill moist while you work on the spill. Use clean, dry cloth to blot at the spot until it fades away. It’s also a good idea to get your area rug professionally cleaned once or twice per year, depending upon its use.

Rotate Your Rug

Depending on the use of your area rug and what environment it is placed in, it’s a good idea to rotate your area rug on a regular basis. Turn your rug 180 degrees once or twice a year to prevent certain spots from fading or wearing out where traffic is heaviest.

Always Use A Rug Pad

Just like padding is essential for the life of your carpets, so too is a rug pad for the life of your area rug. A rug pad acts as a buffer between the hard surface and your area rug. It prevents fibers from being crushed. The rug wear will be kept to a minimum because it acts as a cushion against the flooring. It also keeps the rug from slipping on a hard surface.

And that’s it. With just a few tips, your area rug will stay looking its best for years to come.

Flooring
October 25, 2017

Waterproof vs Water Resistant Flooring: What’s The Difference?

In some areas of your home, moisture can be a problem. Which is why it’s important that you install the right flooring for the conditions of your room.

Manufacturers often state their products are “waterproof” or “water resistant”, but what is the difference?

Waterproof Flooring

Waterproof flooring will not degrade when it is submerged in water for extended periods of time. When we think of waterproof flooring, luxury vinyl is the first flooring to come to mind. If it sits in water, the color of the print film will not fade. It also means the wear layer will not curl up at the edges of the planks. Furthermore, the vinyl will not break down as it continues to sit in water.

Waterproof flooring can be installed in every room in your home. But many prefer it in places where moisture may be a problem: the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, or the basement. Every once in awhile we are asked about installing it on patios, in rooms used as inside/outside entertaining areas. While the flooring may be waterproof, it isn’t warrantied for outdoor elements. That means cold, sun damage and other elements can impact it quickly. There are other options much more fitting these outdoor rooms.

Water Resistant Flooring

Water Resistant flooring will not be impacted by water in the short term, providing the water or other spilled liquid is mopped up in a reasonable amount of time. Water will not begin to penetrate the material from the moment it is spilled, like hardwood often does.

If a flooring is marked water resistant, it means issues can develop if water pools for extended periods of time. On vinyl planks, for instance, you may see discoloring or curling at the edges.

If you are installing a glue down water resistant flooring, we also recommend taking extra precautions and applying a moisture barrier to the subfloor. This barrier controls the moisture vapor emission rate from concrete slabs. It protects your floor coverings from moisture vapor and will ensure the integrity of the adhesive. For a floating system, an underlayment with attached moisture barrier is recommended.

Which is right for your situation: waterproof or water resistant? We have a wide array of options available whatever your needs.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
October 22, 2017

Want The Look Of Hardwood Flooring Without The Cost?

Here in Colorado, hardwood flooring continues to take top billing in what homeowners choose for their homes.

And while hardwood always looks beautiful in every setting, it doesn’t always make sense for every home. Hardwood requires more maintenance than other flooring choices. It is more susceptible to water damage.

If the look of hardwood is something you desire, there is an alternative. Vinyl plank flooring is a popular option for residential use when a more durable alternative is needed. In addition to durability and low cost, there are a few other things you should consider before selecting vinyl planks for your home.

Flooring Quality

Like every type of flooring on the market today, there are good manufacturers and the not so good. Selecting one simply because of price can leave you regretting your decision from almost the moment it is installed.

The quality of vinyl planks is dependent upon thickness and wear surface. You’ll find vinyl planks come in 2 millimeters on the low end to 6 millimeters and above on the high end. Look at warranty as an indicator. You should also pay attention to the scuff and stain resistant options for the urethane wear layer. Lower models may use a covering that mimics a urethane finish, but you want one that will continue to give you wear resistance for many years to come.

Flooring Installation

Vinyl planks can be installed by either gluing them down or floating them in place. Some have adhesive strips that overlap and secure the planks together during installation. Others click together and install like laminate flooring. Commercial grade is usually glued down with pressure sensitive adhesives, which makes them easy to replace if damaged. Select one that works best for the wear factor of your living arrangements.

Vinyl planks can offer you the look and feel of hardwood flooring without the maintenance that goes along with it. The key is in selecting a high quality vinyl plank that will give you years of wear. We can help you select the right one for you.

Tile Floors
October 19, 2017

Keeping Your Grout Clean

Tile is an ever-popular choice in home decorating. Tile makes a good addition to just about any room in your home.

But when you install tile throughout your home, you’ll also have to select grout to go along with it. And that can cause worry in many homeowners’ minds.

Grout can be tricky to clean without wearing it away. It can discolor and begin to fade. It can turn from white to yellow, making it look like you haven’t cleaned in a while. And what about sealing?

Cleaning grout doesn’t have to be difficult. All you need is a little elbow grease and a few tools at hand: scrub pad, hot water, a multi-purpose cleaner, and safety razors.

Using the safety razor flat against the tile, remove any layers of soap that are usually found right below the soap dish. Spray multi-purpose cleaner to the grout and use the hottest water you can stand to scrub away any stains.

Work in sections, scrubbing and rinsing as you go. By doing this on a regular basis, you should be able to retain grout close to the original color. If there is any missing grout, it’s a good idea to keep a little extra grout for small repairs. If you don’t have extra on hand, find some as close as possible to the original color of the existing grout. Finally, seal the grout with a sealer when it’s clean.

Grout lines should only contain grout. If you substitute with caulk, mold will grow in the grout lines. Caulk should only be used at the joints where the tub and wall, or where two walls meet.

If your tile shifts and appears to be popping out or is out of position, it may be a problem with the way the tile was attached. Knock on the tile with your knuckles. Do you hear a rattle or a hollow sound? The tile has pulled away from the backboard, and there is a bigger problem than missing grout.

If a lot of grout is missing, it may be time to bring your grout back to life. A layer of grout should be removed, and the section should be regrouted. Do not use premixed grout. Instead, use only dry grout that is mixed with water before installation. This will ensure a long life and high quality work that will be durable too. Be sure to seal whatever work you do to ensure your work lasts.