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  • Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
  • December 9, 2015

Is Your Hallway In Need Of A Flooring Upgrade?

Thinking of replacing the flooring in your home? For many homeowners, they start the process by wanting a big change. They want a new look in their kitchen. Maybe hardwoods in their living space.

Is Your Hallway In Need Of A Flooring Upgrade?Yet in some cases, the boldest statement you can make is by upgrading the flooring in your hallways and entryways. These are the most heavily used (and abused) areas of your home. Even subtle changes to these areas can leave your home looking its best now and for many years to come.

What are some of your options?

  • Ceramic tile – with vast amounts of options available, you can create any style or pattern you choose. Ceramic tile is one of the most versatile flooring choices around for heavy traffic areas.
  • Stone tile – stone tile can create a powerful, dramatic effect wherever it is installed. Light colors can help create the illusion of open spaces, while dark colors can add depth and warmth.
  • Vinyl tile – the perfect choice when looking for a classic yet modern appearance. Vinyl comes in many styles and colors, and can mimic just about any look you desire.
  • Rustic stone – if you are looking for a dramatic, natural look that has a slightly rougher, and more primitive feel, look no further than rustic stone.
  • Hardwood – with many different styles and types of hardwood, there is a perfect choice to match your living style.

Choose flooring that matches the theme and décor of the rest of your home. Blendability is key. Because this is usually a smaller project than a full floor restoration, a hallway or entryway is an upgrade that is budget friendly while giving you a lot of bang for your dollar. It’s a great way to upgrade your home and increase the property value without a lot of hassle.

Find out today how a hallway flooring choice can give your home new life. Stop by and see the many options available to you.

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  • Carpet
  • December 6, 2015

Repair or Replace Your Carpet: What Should You Do

Some home maintenance items take on more expense than others. When it comes to your flooring, it can be one of the most expensive projects you take on.Repair or Replace Your Carpet: What Should You Do

The life span of carpet is anywhere from ten to twenty years, depending on the style and maintenance schedule. And while regular vacuuming, cleaning, and the occasional repair can extend the life, there are a few factors to keep in mind when debating whether it’s time to repair or replace.

Start with the life span
How old is your carpet? If your carpet has little life left, repairing it could be a waste of money. A ten year old carpet in a high traffic area, for instance, can actually cause more damage if you attempt to stretch it. Truly look at the condition of your carpet, and use how old it is to judge how much life is left. If replacing is in the near future, maintain it as best you can without investing in a lot of repair work now.

Appearance
Is your carpeting showing its age? Is the appearance anything but picturesque? In many cases you can assess possibilities by knowing your carpet. Will a thorough cleaning help remove stains and make it attractive once again? Is it threadbare and worn? Is it fixable? Is there age left in your carpeting? If there are possibilities, then simple repairs may be just the thing.

Future wear
How much abuse does your carpeting take daily? Do you have kids and pets that constantly use it? Will situations change in the near future? In some cases it may be better to wait until the heaviest of abusers change their patterns and give your carpeting more opportunity for looking good. If you’re adult children will be moving out into their new home soon, that may be a reason to wait, and a reason to celebrate with new carpeting once your home is your own once again.

Cost
If your budget allows for new carpeting, it may be just the thing to provide your home with a new look and feel. Carpeting is a great way to create a fresh, new look. Change up the look with a new style or color. It’s one of the easiest ways to remodel your home and give your décor a boost.

Longevity
Are you planning a move soon? Choose repair or replace according to the saleability of your home. New homeowners love to move into turnkey places where everything is up to date and requires little maintenance to move in and start living. If they know they have to replace carpeting, it decreases the value of your home. New carpet can not only add value, it can be the selling point that makes them say yes to your home over a similar one down the street.

Whether you install it yourself, or hire a professional to replace it for you, stop by to see the latest carpeting options. You’ll love the looks.

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  • Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
  • December 2, 2015

How To Find Out What Wood Your Floors Are Made From

Moved into a new-to-you home lately and wondering what kind of wood your floors are made from? You can often tell what type of wood simply by looking at it. Many species – oak, pine, fir – are easily recognizable.

But it also goes beyond. From looking at the surface, you can’t tell if a floor is solid or engineered, which is an important factor if you are considering sanding and refinishing it in the future. Moreover, a quick look may leave you thinking you have one type of wood, when in reality a stain has given it the appearance of another.How To Find Out What Wood Your Floors Are Made From

To get an accurate assessment of the wood flooring you currently have installed, it may take a little work.

Determine if your floor is a softwood or hardwood by pushing your fingernail into the surface. It will make a dent if it is a softwood such as pine or fir.

Find an inconspicuous part of the floor – in the corner or under a cabinet – to scrape the finish off of part of the board. This will remove stains or paints and get down to expose the original board.

Determine if the boards are solid or engineered by examining a cross section. This works well at a threshold or transition. You can also pry off a baseboard and use a mirror between the boards and wall to determine if it’s solid.

Once you’ve reached the core wood sample, use online wood guides to help pinpoint the type of woods used in your home.

Oak is the most common type of hardwood used throughout the US.

Maple is slightly harder than oak, but often has light graining and a smoother, sleeker look.

Pine is softer and more easily dented. But does have character and is used a lot in older homes.

Fir is a beautiful vertical grain that was used a lot around the turn of the 20th century.

If you have questions about your current flooring, the best way to find out more is to stop by. We can help you determine what is currently installed, and the best way to move forward to create the perfect look for your home.

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  • Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
  • November 30, 2015

How To Remove Scratches From Your Hardwood Floors

Do you remember the first scratch in your hardwood floor? Most people with hardwood floors do. It may have been from a piece of furniture that was dragged across the floor. Or from pet claws as they slip and slide as they run and play. Or even high heeled shoes as you walk out the door on your way to work.How To Remove Scratches From Your Hardwood Floors

That first scratch is cringe-worthy. But it won’t be the last. And when scratches occur, you won’t have to refinish the entire floor to make it look new again. Most scrapes can be sanded and filled, then repaired so that it is often unnoticeable when the repair is complete.

Start by sanding the impacted area with a fine grit sandpaper. Remove the surface abrasions as well as the floor finish. Make sure you run in the direction with the wood grain, not against it.

Clean the area and make sure to remove all sanding and grit. Make sure the area is dry before moving forward.

Apply wood filler that matches the shade of your floor. Do not use wood putty instead of wood filler, as putty will not stain and will be lighter than the rest of your flooring. Use a plastic putty knife as a metal one may create more scratches.

Smooth the filler into the scrape and make sure it is level with the floor. Wipe away all excess filler.

Sand the scrapes smooth so it matches up with the rest of the flooring.

Restain the floor to match the existing color. Let dry thoroughly before applying a finish. Do not move furniture over the area for at least 24 hours.

You can find touch up kits at flooring centers or at most hardware stores. When installing new hardwood floors, talk with your contractor about colors, stains and options for when accidents occur.

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  • Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
  • November 25, 2015

Removing Stains From Hardwood Floors

Removing Stains From Hardwood Floors

Love your Colorado hardwood floors? Chances are if there are children and pets in your life, your hardwood floors may be an occasional thorn in your side.Removing Stains From Hardwood Floors

What do you do if your child spills juice … and you don’t notice it for over an hour?

Or your pet has an accident … and you don’t notice it until the next day?

Yes, if you have hardwood floors, you understand the way to keep them looking their best is to catch spills and accidents as quickly as possible. But if you leave any kind of fluids on the floor for any length of time, it can soak down into the wood and cause a problem.

Clean Up Messes Quickly

Although hardwood floors often come with some water resistance built in, hardwood floors are rarely infallible if liquid stands for a period of time. Therefore the best way to keep your hardwoods looking their best is to clean up all messes as soon as they happen. Even with prompt removal, some fluids, such as wine and dye, can leave a mark almost from the moment it touches the floor. Even in this case, by removing as much as you can quickly, you’ll prevent the liquid from soaking into the wood. If the liquid penetrates the wood, it becomes a bigger problem.

Using The Correct Cleaning Process

In some cases you may not be able to identify the stain and what caused it. In some cases each stain produced needs a different remedy. Which means you should keep on hand a variety of cleaning products available to be on hand for any type of mess.

Starting with a soft rag dampened with water is the best place to start, as water will remove everything from ink, to candy, juice, even blood. If you still see the stain after removing it with water, step up your game and use white vinegar instead. White vinegar can help you remove stubborn stains, such as a wine spill or darker fruit juices.

Ammonia will remove stubborn stains like iodine, while chlorine is effective in removing more stubborn dyes. However, never use ammonia and chlorine together, as they will create toxic fumes.

Bleaching The Wood

In many cases hardwoods will quickly react to water and other fluids by turning gray. Bleaching the wood with a solution of oxalic crystals and water will remove the gray color. To perform this process, you will need to sand the finish off of the stained area with a palm sander. Bleach the affected area. Then restain the exposed flooring before you recoat it with a clear finish.

With extensive staining, it may be time to bleach and refinish the entire floor.

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  • Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
  • November 20, 2015

Flooring Layers: Is Your Floor Sound?

When you glance down at the floor, it’s easy to forget that there are multiple layers. After all, all you really see is the carpet or wood or tile that adds to your décor.Flooring Layers: Is Your Floor Sound?

But almost every floor has multiple layers to give it stability, support, a comfortable and potentially noise free environment.

A stained concrete floor will have just one layer. But if you’re installing hardwoods throughout your home, or laying tile in your bathroom, it might include up to fouror five layers.

A typical floor is made up of the following layers.

Finished Floor

The finished floor is the flooring you choose to compliment your décor. It might be laminate, tile, natural stone, engineered wood, carpeting or hardwoods.

Underlayment

Underlayment can be made up of many materials, and take on different characteristics depending on the finished floor you choose. If you’re installing carpeting, padding is important to protect your carpeting. Dry materials, such as hardwood, will require an underlayment of plywood to give it more stability. For wet floors, such as mortared applications for tile and stone, cement board will offer the best results.

Subfloor

A subfloor is typically made of plywood ranging from 1/3” to 1 1/8” thick. This provides structure to your floor. It will help hold together all other layers of your foor. It also provides strength and stability for everything in the house, such as furniture, peopleand pets.

Joists

Joists are made of engineered wood or dimensional lumber. Working together with the subfloor, it provides structure and helps support heavy items.

Depending on needs and the floor in question, you may find one, two or all four layers to your floors. And in some cases, if your home is poorly remodeled or has been around for decades, you may find layer upon layer. Laminates are often laid one on top of another, possibly with tiles or hardwoods laid over that.

To ensure proper alignment for your flooring, and to give proper stability to whatever floor you’ve decided to install, make sure it is properly supported and has the proper layers in place to give you the longest life possible.

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  • Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
  • November 18, 2015

A Guide To Subfloor For Wood, Tile and Other Flooring

With every flooring you install, there is another layer – a subfloor – that provides stability and strength. Without a proper subfloor in place, the longevity of your flooring can be decreased substantially. But what is subflooring and what works best for each kind of floor?A Guide To Subfloor For Wood, Tile and Other Flooring

If you were to look at your flooring from the side, you would see your floor is comprised of multiple layers sandwiched together. It can include:

Joists – the bottom layer that provides stability and strength the entire floor. Concrete floors will not have joists, instead relying on the support of the cement.

Subfloor – a structurally sound layer of plywood to add stability.

Underlayment – will vary depending on the final flooring chosen. It can be padding, plywood, or cement board.

Finish floor – the decorative floor that you walk on.

The types of subfloor can vary substantially.

Plywood – plywood is the mainstay of flooring construction. You will find it used in many different thicknesses.

OSB – oriented-strand board is similar to plywood and is used in as much frequency as plywood.

Cement board – this board is used when installing tile, and must be laid over a solid surface such as concrete or plywood.

Foam or cork padding – this helps cushion your step and is used when installing things like carpeting or laminate.

Radiant heating – radiant heating is a thick subfloor with grooves cut into the surface to accommodate tubing in which heated water is run. It provides warmth to the floor.

Subfloor for Hardwood – plywood is the best subfloor for hardwood installation. Plywood from ½” to ¾” will provide support and stability for your floors.

Subfloor for Tile – tiles can easily crack if they are not affixed to a straight and properly laid subfloor. Be sure plywood is level, and consider cement board for added strength.

Subfloor for Laminate – laminate floor is installed in much the same manner as hardwood. Laminate is a fairly thin material and is not forgiving when it comes to dents, ridges and grooves. It’s important to provide a well leveled, smooth subfloor for best results. You may also consider a foam padding to further reduce noise.

Subfloor for Basements – one of the trickiest places in your home is the basement. In most cases, you will have no joists and you may have moisture concerns. Concrete floor can feel dry to the touch, but any residual moisture can quickly damage your floor. Consider adding vapor barriers underneath the subflooring to help prevent damage.

Have additional questions about the right subfloor for your new flooring? Give us a call today.

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  • Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
  • November 14, 2015

What To Expect When Installing Hardwood Flooring For The First Time

You’ve been living with your old floors for ages. You’re tired of the worn out carpeting in the living space, vinyl in the kitchen.

You want the seamless look of hardwoods flowing through every room of your home.

Just think how much your home will change once your hardwood flooring is installed.What To Expect When Installing Hardwood Flooring For The First Time

Yet if you have never lived with hardwood flooring before, are you sure you’ll love the results?

Having hardwood floor installed in Colorado your home is a major purchase, one you probably won’t be able to change if you aren’t happy with the outcome. And if you’ve never had hardwoods before, you may be a bit edgy about the process, wanting to make sure every phase runs as smooth as possible.

First is the estimate phase. This is where we find out what type of wood floor is best for the way you live. If we are matching wood to existing flooring, we will help you compare color, styles and patterns to ensure a close match. If you will be replacing existing flooring with wood for the first time, we will help you select the right style for the way you live.

Then we will determine which way to lay the floor. Most homes are built with a plywood subfloor. When we lay your new hardwood floor perpendicular to the floor joists, it adds strength and stability. We can also lay the floor at a diagonal, which gives the room an entirely different look and feel.

It’s also important to check the floor’s moisture content, humidity levels, and temperature of the room. Hardwood must acclimate to your existing surroundings before it is installed, meaning the hardwood will sit in your home to adjust for a few days before installation. There should never be more than 4 percent difference between the subfloor and strip flooring, or 2 percent difference for planks.

Before your contractor arrives, make sure the room is cleared of furniture and household items. Because a lot of work will be done both with removal and installation, you may also wish to remove shelves and decorations from walls to avoid further damage.

Wood floor installation means a lot of sawing and cutting. While we like to minimize the mess this process causes, be aware that it is a labor intensive process. Keep pets and kids away from the equipment and workspace to avoid accidents.

Once the subfloor is prepped and ready to go, the floor is laid out to ensure board joints are at proper distances and the overall appearance is pleasing to the eye.

When we are finished, we will walk you through your home and call out small details to ensure you know the best way to live with your flooring from this point forward. Hardwood flooring is as enjoyable to live with as it is pleasing to the eye. And by being prepared for the process from beginning to end, you’ll enjoy your new floors from the moment you start the process.

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  • Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
  • November 11, 2015

Do You Believe These Myths About Engineered Flooring?

What do you think of when you hear the words “engineered flooring?”

There have been many myths circulating about engineered floors, making it a misunderstood flooring option. And if you believe any of these, it may be holding you back from using this in your home.

Read on to change your mind about this practical flooring choice.Do You Believe These Myths About Engineered Flooring?

Myth #1: Engineered wood flooring is fake

Engineered wood is not the same as laminate. Laminate floors are made of compressed mdf backing with a wood picture laminated to the face of the plank. Engineered flooring is comprised entirely out of real wood. The face layer is actual hardwood in a variety of different thicknesses, depending on the product you select. It is attached to various plys of hardwood backing.

Myth #2: Engineered wood doesn’t look like real hardwood

When engineered wood is installed, there is no telling which is a hardwood floor and which is engineered. Both can be installed prefinished or unfinished. Both can be sanded and refinished several times.

Myth #3: Engineered wood won’t last as long as a solid hardwood floor

Because an engineered wood floor can be sanded and refinished several times just like its real hardwood counterpart, the life spans of the two are virtually equal. With proper maintenance, your engineered flooring can last a lifetime.

Why should you select engineered flooring over hardwood?

Because engineered wood is created using multiple layers of wood, it settles against itself as temperatures and environment changes. There is less chance of board movement between rows, and less chance of cupping in wider plank floors. Engineered wood can be installed below grade applications such as in basements, which makes it a viable alternative to Colorado homes. It can be floated over concrete floors, and can be floated over subfloors that have a layer of particle board installed over them. Since it can be floated or glued, it is beneficial when you wish to decrease sound transfer to rooms below.

What should you look for?

The easiest way to see the quality of engineered wood is to stop by and see the product for yourself. As with anything, there are varying degrees of quality based on manufacturer. Focus you attention on the surface thickness, the overall thickness of the planks, how many plies there are, what the plies are made of, the length of the planks, and how best to install. You should also look for a good warranty, as that will indicate how well the manufacturer trusts its own product.

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  • Flooring, Vinyl Floors
  • November 7, 2015

Vinyl or Laminate, Which Is Best For You?

Ready to give your home hardwood floors throughout?

Not so fast.

While Coloradans love hardwood flooring, your holdback may be with performance. If you’ve ever had hardwoods warp because of too much water and humidity in the kitchen, bathroom or entryways, should you really try it again?Vinyl or laminate which is best for you

There is an alternative to using hardwood flooring. You can still have the same look and feel, but without the risks.

Vinyl, especially vinyl plank flooring, and laminate flooring are both widely touted as durable, economical, and easy to install, easy to maintain. And both can be great additions to your home. But which one is the best for you?

Vinyl flooring has been around for decades. And because of that, many associate it with the look and feel of past generations. Yet with new technology and the introduction of better looking flooring, vinyl flooring can be the workhorse in any room in your home. Now vinyl comes in plank shapes that mimics real wood. It has “click” qualities that allows you to snap boards together for the same look and feel of real wood.

Laminate flooring has also undergone significant changes throughout the past few years. By using stronger technology, more insulating qualities, and real look and feel, laminate gives the ability to have wood look throughout your home, with the ease of being able to install it yourself.

What to choose in the bathroom?

The deciding factor in the bathroom is water. If you have kids that like to play in the sink or tub, if you have a lot of action from family and guests, if you want easy to maintain flooring that you don’t have to worry about, vinyl is the choice for you. Vinyl beats laminate hands down in high water, high moisture situations.

What to choose in the kitchen?

No one knows your kitchen like you do. While you don’t expect water to frequently pool on the floor, the kitchen can be subjected to water around the sink and dishwasher. If you have a history of spills and messes, vinyl may be the way to go. If you’ve always maintained a neat and orderly kitchen, laminate may suit your needs just fine.

Which one offers the best pricing?

When it comes to cost, vinyl planks and laminate are fairly equal. You can find both vinyl and laminate in a wide range of costs, everything from budget friendly and affordable all the way to luxury styles.

Which is the easiest to install?

Traditional vinyl in large rolls can be difficult for a homeowner to handle, and cut and lay into place. But today’s vinyl comes in plank format to resemble real wood. It’s even easier to lay than vinyl tiles because there are fewer of them to lay in place.

Laminate requires a foam moisture underlayment that can be quickly rolled out and taped into place. Some laminate comes with underlayment already pre-attached to the back. While laminate is easy to lay into place, you will have to cut pieces with a saw in order to customize. But all in all, both are easy enough for the DIYer to bring into their homes.

Looking for resale value?

Depending on your home’s value and neighborhood, people may perceive vinyl and laminate in different ways. Buyers look for ease in the bathroom and may welcome vinyl planks for their ability to withstand daily activity while looking good in the process. However, laminate is a close substitute for hardwood flooring, and as such holds a moderately good value for buyers looking for modern style.

What’s the best choice for you? Stop by today and compare the differences.

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