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Flooring
June 12, 2017

What Is LEED Flooring?

LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – is a green program administered by the US Green Building Council. LEED certifies buildings, not actual products or manufacturers. You can’t specifically buy and install a flooring material that is LEED certified. But what you can do is invest in a flooring that will earn you a certain number of LEED credits or points.

Each point or group of points relates to a different environmentally friendly material or technology. The more your building accumulates, the higher your LEED rating can be – LEED Certified, LEED Silver, LEED Gold, or LEED Platinum.

A flooring product might help a building qualify for one or more LEED points, but a single product alone will not be enough to award certification. A single product such as a flooring, will also not ensure ratings because the certification process looks at the product as a whole and how it integrates with the rest of the materials throughout the building.

Wood floors, for example, will only be awarded points if all wood throughout the building meets certain standards. It can earn LEED points if all wood going into the building is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as sustainably harvested, and other points if none of the engineered or composite wood products are adhered using formaldehyde adhesives. So a single product works to contribute to your LEED point score only as much as it adds to the overall design of the building.

With wood flooring, FSC certification and no added urea-formaldehyde are the two key attributes needed for becoming a LEED certified project. A building may still use products without these two things attached, but they will miss the points gained in these two areas.

For LEED certification for commercial interiors:

Two points are available if a building reuses salvaged building materials. Choosing eco-friendly hardwood flooring made of salvaged wood can help contribute to this credit.

Two points are available if you choose your flooring materials sourced and manufactured within a 500 mile radius of the installation site. By using a hardwood flooring that is manufactured using locally resourced materials, you can receive the credits that contribute to this certification.

One point is available for using wood products that come from forests that are responsibly managed. It must be certified by the FSC.

Trying to attain your LEED certification? Ask us how to choose flooring that will help in the process.

Flooring, Tile Floors
June 9, 2017

Choosing Tiles With Your Pets In Mind

Love tile? Love your pets too? There’s a perfect choice for you.

When you have pets, you probably find yourself cleaning up messes frequently. Of course, their unconditional love makes it all worthwhile. Still, if the messes become more frequent and you see the flooring surface continue to decline over time, it can add stress.

Which is why many turn to tile for both the ease and beauty.

Not only are tiles one of the most practical surfaces you can use in a home with pets, but they also resist scratches, and are non-absorbent, meaning they are great from puppy to elderly stages with easy clean up in most cases.

Materials like carpet stain easily. And once those stains soak through to the backing and the padding, it can take a toll on longevity of your flooring choice. With cats, often cleaners won’t remove all the scent so that you may have your fluffy friend returning to a spot over and over again.

With no fibers, there’s no worry of staining and continual cleaning. It’s as easy as wiping it up.

Even wood floors or laminate can absorb moisture, which eventually leads to warping or discoloring. And repeated moisture in wood or laminate can cause swelling and staining, which is more easily scratched and dented.

Using tile is a practical choice for pet owners. Because they are easy to maintain, they will look good year after year. Porcelain tiles can last decades. Even natural stone tiles like slate can last indefinitely if properly sealed after installation.

What are the best places to install tile?

How about the mudroom? If your pet goes in and out regularly, it’s important to have flooring that’s easily wiped up on rainy or snowy mornings when they track in mud and debris.

The kitchen is another great place to lay tile. Pets invariably spend a lot of time in the kitchen with you. They often are the center of your home, leading in all directions. And with an entrance to your backyard, they may often wander in and out all day long. If you place water and food bowls in the kitchen, moisture will be a part of your daily life. Tile can handle all of that with ease and grace.

Have a pet in your home? Maybe it’s time to consider how tile could benefit you.

Flooring, Tile Floors
June 6, 2017

How To Select Just Right Tile Sizes

Walk into a flooring center with many different sized tiles on display, and you’re likely to fall in love many times over. There’s so much to choose from!

But falling in love with a look and feel in the store is different than loving it for years on your floors or your walls. What you loved about it may soon translate to being annoyed or even hating it once you live with it every day.

Determining tile size depends on a few factors. Your desires and personality come into play at the top of the list. Additionally, floor space should also be a factor too. Here are a few tips to help you make a decision you’ll love.

Let the size of your room dictate the size of your tile

One of the most basic rules in laying tile is to let the size of your room dictate the size of the tile you install. So a really large area – perhaps a kitchen or great room – could handle really large format tiles. A medium size bathroom would work well with a medium sized tile to suit the surrounding area. And a petite hall or entryway, backsplash, or closet would work well with smaller tiles, such as subway tile or mosaic.

Don’t forget about grout

Tile isn’t the only thing to consider. Tiles can be placed close together, or spaced wider apart with grout lines showing in between. The more grout lines you have in place, the busier a floor may look. This can have a tendency to make a small room look a little chaotic. Moving up to a medium sized tile instead can reduce grid-like appearances and give a smoother, cleaner look.

Consider the functionality of your room

In the bathroom, you may have a lot of tight corners to cover, angles to blend in, and appliances to work around. A larger tile may need a lot of cuts to fit into place, giving the room a cut up look if a lot of larger tiles are continually cut down to size. Even in larger bathrooms, smaller tiles may work better, especially if you’re working a lot of decor into place.

Color matters too

Don’t just stop with the color of your tiles, consider grout color too. You can make your room look larger by using a similar color with both tiles and grout, so the look blends together. This makes the grid display disappear, and you’ll have a more seamless look and feel.

Grout adds traction

Safety and bathrooms go hand in hand. Which is why you’ll often find mosaic tile laid into place in a bathroom. Grout provides better traction and less slipping, so using it in a place already prone to slippage can improve the safety of your room. And because it’s easy to find tiles that blend together, using different sizes, types, and styles throughout the space can create a dramatic look sure to please even the pickiest decorators.

What tile size is best for you? Stop by today and start considering your options.

Flooring, Tile Floors
June 2, 2017

Cleaning Tips For Your Porcelain Tile

Are you as tile-crazy as we are? Nothing is more beautiful in your home than newly installed porcelain tile. They come in beautiful colors, lots of sizes, and plenty of styles and patterns. You can create a look that’s uniquely your own, one you’ll love for years to come.

But it’s easy to worry about keeping them clean, especially if you’ve never installed porcelain tiles in your home before. Do a search online and you can find “horror stories” abound.

Envisioning a bright, clean atmosphere is how you start. Watching them be installed adds to the excitement. But the moment you drop a glass of wine, or the dog tracks in a pile of mud, things head south quickly.

Cleaning porcelain tile isn’t like cleaning other surfaces. Porcelain tiles are fired at higher temperatures than other ceramic tiles, which creates a stronger surface structure. Porcelain tiles are also created with a unique set of ingredients, making it extremely water resistant. Because of this, porcelain will absorb very little moisture, helping it become more stain resistant, as well as keeping it cleaner on the surface level from dirt and grime.

However, it still requires a regular maintenance routine to keep it looking it’s best.

Daily Upkeep Is Easy

Depending on the size of your family and your normal routine, maintenance is easy. Use warm water to keep your tiles looking their best, avoiding any harsh chemicals or cleaners. If you catch most spills immediately, warm water works every time.

Keep Dirt Away

If loose dirt or debris is spilled, use a soft broom or mop to brush it away. A vacuum may be the perfect way to remove unwanted dirt. If dirt is caked on, using a nylon-grit brush and scrub slowly to penetrate all the way through.

Stains

If a happen to get a stain, use a mild cleaner diluted with warm water and scrub per manufacturer’s guidelines. Avoid oily cleaners with can produce an oily layer over your porcelain tiles.

Avoid Acid

Adding acidity into your cleaning will only remove color from your grout. And in severe cases, acid can also penetrate the tile and reduce the surface level of the tile, which in turn makes it more difficult to clean.

If you have any questions, the best place to start is with your flooring representative. We can offer advice on how to keep your porcelain tiles looking their best for many years to come.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
May 31, 2017

Pros and Cons of Exotic Hardwood Flooring

Love your hardwood flooring, but want something more?

Maybe it’s time to consider exotic hardwood instead.

There are many options to choose from, and they each have their own advantages. Before you make your final decision, however, it’s equally important to be aware of their drawbacks. It can impact whether you love or hate your new flooring choice.

Benefits

The biggest benefit is the look itself. Exotic hardwood often has unique grain patterns that you simply can’t get from any other type of flooring. You’ll find colors are richer, typically in deep browns, rich reds, and light blondes that are the perfect accent to your home’s decor.

What’s more, most exotic hardwoods are extremely hard and durable. Which means they can handle all of the abuse your family can dish out. They are perfect for high traffic areas of your home, and will stand up well in a variety of conditions. Teak, Brazilian Cherry, and Acacia flooring are all great examples of durable exotics. You’ll find they have the ability to last for generations, and stand up to moisture, humidity, and general wear and tear.

Drawbacks

Probably the biggest drawback is the price. Because they are exotic, they are harder to get, and as a result are at the upper levels of pricing. In addition, some homeowners have found the rich colors, patterns, and textures to be a distraction once they are installed. These flooring choices aren’t boring or easily ignored. They are meant to be the focal point of your room. Because you’ll find distinctive graining, the flooring will “pop” rather than provide subtle, relaxed ambiance throughout the room.

Many exotic hardwoods are sustainably harvested. Some are not. Be sure you know where your flooring comes from, and ensure it is sustainably sourced. Labeling should show that it meets the standards for sustainable forestry practices and is safe for the environment. If you have any questions, we can assist you in making the right choice for your home.

Also be aware that some exotic hardwoods require more maintenance than standard hardwood flooring. Teak will lose its sheen every two to three years and must be regularly oiled if you want to retain its shine. Brazilian walnut must be regularly swept and mopped because every crumb and bits of dirt will stand out.

What flooring choice is right for your home?

Flooring
May 26, 2017

Flooring Tips To Make Small Rooms Look Bigger

We’ve all been there. We’ve all had space that feels completely overwhelmed. We walk into the room and feel closed in, like the walls are caving in.

The answer doesn’t always lie in moving to a larger space. In some cases, selecting new flooring can be the start of creating the illusion of more substantial square footage.

Select Lighter Colors

Choosing a lighter color palette can expand the perceived size of any room. Start with the floor and select light beige or cream carpets. Or select a light wood or tile to set the stage. Then move up from there, using light paint, furniture and window treatments to finish the look.

Use light colors to make the most of great rooms and open concept spaces to create sleek lines. Wider plank sizes can help maximize the space enhancing effect. Think subdued rather than wild. If flooring looks too busy, the pattern can contract the space. Tile flooring should feature tiles at least 12 inches square, using light colored grout to help maximize the size.

Divide Rooms For Creativity

Many homes today play on the open concept. For large open spaces or studio apartments, you can give the appearance of the space being larger by breaking it up in artful ways. Plan out each area: living room, office, bedroom, dining room. Then select a different area rug to help with the division. More subtle color transitions can create a gentle flow, especially with a lighter tile or hardwood flooring choice underneath. This will also allow you more flexibility and creativity to create space throughout the year.

Creating Illusions

Your floor plan contains valuable real estate that you can use to build the look you desire. By starting with a light flooring choice as you enter, and using darker tones in receding spaces, you can create the illusion of having more space than you actually have. Alternating solid colors with tasteful patterns in others can help brighten and open up a home while preventing it from looking too homogeneous.

Bring It All Together

No matter how your rooms are split up, remember that the final goal should be one conclusive look. Consider furniture and design accent pieces to complement your flooring color to help enhance space enhancing objectives. Long floor to ceiling window treatments in a similar shade can also help a space to look its largest. Floor to ceiling cabinetry or shelving has the same effect. Make sure your lighting is bright as well to avoid shadows and bulky shapes that close down the space.

Carpet, Flooring
May 21, 2017

So You Want To Carpet Your Basement

For many of us throughout Colorado, a basement isn’t just a place to store your extra things; it’s an extension of the space in your home.

We use basements for just about everything: living space, bedrooms and bathrooms, entertainment areas, game rooms, movie theaters, even a wine cellar. And with all of that extra space, sometimes you want to reach beyond the standard flooring we think of in a basement.

Concrete and tile only go so far.

What if you want carpet in the bedrooms to keep it warm? What if you want carpet in the movie theater to absorb the sound?

Any finished basement space is going to require eliminating an existing water problem that may be present in the home. Yet even basements that don’t have obvious water problems can still suffer from high moisture situations. Standing water around a foundation can cause water to build up around the basement concrete, allowing moisture to seep in. Over time, that can wreck havoc on your flooring.

That doesn’t have to turn you away from carpet. It just means extra steps are needed to ensure you create a dry, airy environment that will keep the room at its best throughout the year.

Pay attention to the carpet padding. Select a carpet pad that has an anti-microbial built into it to help keep the carpet from supporting mold or mildew.

Also, pay attention to carpet fiber. Consider carpet made from Olefin. This product is chemical-resistant and will help retain its looks even with an aggressive cleaning solution. Make sure the entire carpet is constructed of synthetic materials – no jute-backed carpets. Jute backing is similar to a potato sack, and won’t withstand moisture.

It also pays to know your home. If you have moisture problems in certain areas of your basement, it may be wise to mix and match your flooring choices. Carpet may work well in the bedrooms, but a stone alternative may be better for the living space. Consider area rugs to help warm the space.

Wondering what to choose for your basement flooring needs? Stop by today and let us show you your options.

Carpet, Flooring
May 18, 2017

Carpet Ratings – Should You Pay Attention?

In some industries, you’ll find standardized ratings that can help you compare and contrast products from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Not so with the carpet industry. Some companies may generate their own internal carpet ratings to distinguish between the different carpets in their lines, or to show how they compare to different companies in the marketplace. While it may give you a starting point, keep in mind that they are subjective at best.

Asking questions is your best line of defense. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Carpet Pad

Carpet padding is one of the most critical components to installing new carpet. A carpet pad has the ability to create a long life, or reduce it significantly. Which means paying attention to what’s underneath your carpet is vitally important. Carpet padding has a couple of statistical measures that will tell you how well it will perform. The key is in the density. A thinner, denser carpet cushion will absorb foot traffic, which ultimately will prevent the carpet fibers from detaching from the cushion. Select the best padding you can afford to ensure the longevity of your carpet choice.

Carpet padding may also have different insulation values. This is important if you are laying carpet over not so traditional materials, such as over a concrete slab. Fiberboard insulation is made from recycled newspaper, which can provide an insulation value of 3.0 or greater. This will ensure your room stays warmer, as well as giving the longest life possible to your carpet.

Carpet Fibers

Carpeting is made from a variety of different materials. An Olefin or polyester carpet fiber is strong and will hold up in high traffic conditions, but it’s also more difficult to clean and can show dirt easier than other alternatives. Wool or acrylic fiber are softer, plusher in feel, but are also more easily worn down. They are often better in lighter traffic areas, such as the bedrooms.

Carpet Warranties

While warranties are important to help you avoid future problems, it’s important to realize that some carpet damage may void the warranty. Warranties are also often just an indicator or a carpet’s characteristics. It can give you a general idea of the overall performance of your carpet. For most homeowners, they replace the carpeting long before the warranty wears out, due to normal lifestyle situations, kids, pets, and general wear and tear.

The best place to start with carpet selection is to stop by and see what your options are. With just a little education, we can lead you to the perfect carpeting choice for your home.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
May 15, 2017

3 Reasons To Vacuum Your Hardwood Floors Every Day

You probably installed hardwood flooring in your home for two reasons.

One, nothing is more beautiful than hardwood flooring throughout your home. It’s a flooring choice that is timeless and will provide never ending beauty for years to come.

Two, ease and maintenance. Hardwood is durable, and can last for decades if treated properly.

Did you know the best way to keep your hardwood floors looking their best is to vacuum them every day? Regularly cleaning them is one of the easiest ways to keep your home and your hardwood floors in top shape. With that in mind, here are a few reasons why vacuuming should be a part of your regular routine.

1. Dirt acts like sandpaper

As you track dirt, grit, and dust into your home, it settles over your floors. It doesn’t take long for dirt to settle over the surface and build up, acting like an abrasive material when it comes in contact with feet, furniture, rugs, or other things you move in and out of your rooms every day. When dirt builds up, it begins to act like sandpaper, wearing down the finish of your hardwood floors and causing scrapes and dulling. Vacuuming picks up dirt and grit and stops it from accumulating anywhere on your floors.

2. It picks up what you can and can’t see

If you can see the dirt on your floor, it’s been there for far too long. Dirt and debris can start as tiny specks of sand. A small strand of hair, a tiny dust bunny, even a grain of sand can get underneath the heel of a shoe and start to wear on your hardwood. When it comes to the beauty of your hardwood, out of sight is never out of mind. By vacuuming daily, you pick up everything that may have been dropped and might have an impact on your flooring.

3. It picks it up rather than spread it around

Sweeping and mopping may be good in some circumstances, but one of their side effects is merely spreading the dirt around. Have you ever swept up a pile only to discover a tiny line of debris still on the floor? Yep, a broom rarely picks everything up. Vacuums don’t twirl the dirt around. Instead, they suck up everything in its path, creating a far cleaner room than you had before. Make sure you remove the beater bar before you vacuum or turn it on a hardwood setting to avoid scratching the flooring with moving parts.

How clean are your hardwood floors?

Flooring
May 11, 2017

Flooring Choices That Stand Up To Stilettos

What’s the most strenuous thing a floor comes in contact with? If you said a stiletto heel, you are correct. Stilettos are notoriously dangerous to flooring, having the ability to scratch, scrape and dent your floors. While you may love them for the way they make you look, every time you walk on your flooring, you risk damaging it beyond repair.

Love your stilettos? Never want to give them up? Then it might be wise to change out the flooring in your home to create a harder, more wear-resistant surface to ensure your heels don’t damage the floors. Here’s what you can choose.

Laminate Flooring
If you want the look of hardwood flooring with a harder surface area to stand up to more abuse, laminate flooring may be the way to go. Many manufacturers offer twenty-five-year warranties against wear and tear, knowing they can easily stand up to the punishment your heels can put out. Plus, laminate flooring is just as good to the abuse caused by pet claws, which means you can dance the night away with your dog or cat happily dancing right alongside you.

Vinyl Flooring
Like laminate flooring, vinyl flooring has come a long ways over the years. It’s a synthetic flooring material that can mimic the look of just about any other flooring option out there. While it may be slightly softer and more resilient than laminate, it’s a great budget-friendly option that provides beauty and easy living to any room in your home. In comes in sheets or tiles, so it’s easy to place in all of your rooms.

Natural Stone Flooring
Natural stone flooring is growing in popularity because of its beauty and endurance. It will hold up against any high heel you can think about wearing. You’ll find natural stone flooring in materials like marble, granite, limestone, travertine and slate. While it may be the priciest of the options, its durability will more than make up for it by giving you a flooring that will last for many years to come. And if you’re worried about the coldness of stone flooring in the winter time, consider radiant heating – it’s a great option underneath stone floors.

How durable is the flooring in your home?