News - PRO! Flooring

Flooring
November 4, 2015

A Guide To Linoleum Flooring

When you look for flooring that provides durability and ease of use, people think of everything from tile, to vinyl, to linoleum.

Linoleum first came into production in the mid 20th century, but has largely been associated and confused with its vinyl counterpart. The word linoleum is used interchangeably with vinyl, but the two are very different products.

Linoleum is made from natural materials like recycles wood flour, linseed oil, limestone, mineral pigments, resin and cork dust. Its backing is created from jute, also a natural product. This combination makes linoleum a sustainable, eco-friendly, biodegradable flooring option.

Which also means linoleum is once again coming into favor as a flooring option.

With today’s modern technology, linoleum can take on just about any pattern, color or style you choose. It can be custom cut and installed to match any expectations. Similar to tile flooring, you can cut and piece linoleum together to create a wide array of patterns.

Linoleum has many advantages for the homeowner.

Color is extended the whole way through linoleum, as opposed to sitting on the surface like vinyl, giving it a vivid color pattern that will last and last. It won’t show wear as quickly as vinyl, and will sustain scratches and other marks for longer periods of time. It also makes linoleum easier to repair blemishes and other marks by using shavings from scraps and gluing them into place. Be sure to keep extra for this process.

Linoleum flooring also has a long life span, with the ability to last forty years or more with good maintenance. By choosing a style that is neutral and blends well with all your décor, you can instant add value by knowing your flooring will keep on giving for years to come.

Linoleum is also a good choice for people with allergies. Since it is under constant oxidation from linseed oil, there are no micro-organisms in the linoleum. It contains anti-static properties, making it the perfect choice for our dry winter conditions. It’s also warm and soft underfoot, making it the perfect choice for households with small children or elderly at risk of falling.

While linoleum is easy to maintain on a day to day basis, keep in mind that linoleum will need to be resealed with an acrylic sealer each year. If exposed to direct sunlight, it does have the likelihood of fading. Which also means that flooring underneath appliances and furniture may also appear different over time.

If linoleum seems like a good option for your home, stop by and see your options today.

Flooring, Tile Floors
October 31, 2015

How Will Your Tile Floor Be Installed?

So you’ve decided to have tile floor installed in your home. For most homeowners, they focus in on the tile itself. What color, what size, what material, what pattern. Yet the tile floor itself is only half of the process.

It can be confusing to talk with several different tile companies and have each contractor give you different quotes and different possibilities for the same job. It’s not the tile that leaves you confused, it’s the process of installation. After all, there are many ways to install tile, each with its own benefits.

Mortar and Wire
Mortar and wire requires the most work, is the most time consuming and is usually the most expensive. Yet it’s also the most preferred method to assure a solid, level installation for both horizontal and vertical surfaces. Wire is stapled into place over the surface area. A layer of mortar is applied, and once it hardens, glue is spread to bond to the mortar and the tile. The tile is cured before grout is mixed and applied.

Mortarboard
Mortarboard are pre-made sheets or mortar that can be quickly laid into place. They save time and money because they eliminate the step of laying wire and allowing wet mortar to harden. However, mortarboard can be tricky to use because horizontal surfaces are rarely level, and vertical surfaces are rarely true to plane. This can allow cracks to easily form underneath the mortar once its in place.

Glue
Glue alone is the easiest and least expensive method to use. Depending on the surface, glue will react differently in different situations. Wood can expand or contract, especially when subjected to varying environmental conditions. Hot and cold conditions can allow wood to expand and contract. Wet conditions can lead to cracks and failure.

Make sure your contractor understands your families lifestyle, and any nuances that may make a difference in the way your tile is laid.

Uncategorized
October 29, 2015

Upgrade Your Rental With New Flooring

There’s a lot of competition in Colorado for rental units. People are moving into the Denver Metro area at record speeds. Which means if a good rental unit comes on the market, it has the chance of being rented quickly for top market dollars.

Yet people who move in are usually coming here for great jobs and better opportunity. They don’t want to rent something old and outdated. They want something sleek, modern, and showcases their unique style.

They don’t want 80’s outcasts; they want today’s top of the line.

Why not give yours a much needed update and become more in demand in the process?

Modern and sleek doesn’t necessarily mean fragile and pricey. You might be worried about using today’s most in-demand flooring options, like hardwoods, bamboo or cork. Yet even if you don’t have the desire to install these in your rental units, you can create the look with other sophisticated options

Stone and Tile

Today’s tile isn’t primitive and medicinal. In fact, today’s tile options can help you create any look and feel you desire. Try natural stone. Or travertine. Or even stone designed to give you the appearance of wood floors. And because stone is long wearing, durable, and will take almost any kind of abuse your tenants can dish out, it can be a wise investment for the long term.

Laminate

Laminate flooring is designed to give you the look and feel of real wood, while offering a more durable and less maintenance option. Laminate is easy to install and can be added in a matter of days – perfect for quick turnaround places. And if you use a basic laminate, you can easily replace sections that may be damaged by a tenant. Laminate doesn’t require waxing and sealing like hardwoods do, which your new tenants will appreciate over time.

Have additional questions about how you can upgrade your rental unit in an affordable way? Give us a call today.

Flooring, Tile Floors
October 24, 2015

Will Wood-Look Tiles Hold Their Value?

Each of us can think back to something in our lives that screamed “trendy”. Maybe it was the pink shag carpet you had in your home as a kid. Or those burnt orange appliances that graced your kitchen’s décor.

And while they may have been the “in” thing for a while, just as quickly they turned into the biggest eyesore in your home.

And you couldn’t get rid of it fast enough.

Unfortunately those mistakes cost a lot of money. And when you have to remodel and redecorate every few years, spending thousands of dollars in the process, just to achieve a look you can live with, its normal to want to make sure every dollar you spend is money well spent.

Do you really want to live with the next pink shag carpet for years?

That’s why when something new comes to market, its easy to doubt if it will last.

With today’s technology, we’re seeing a wide variety of looks and feels show up in flooring choices that before were considered outdated and boring. If you’ve noticed wood-like tiles popping up in both ceramic and porcelain tile, you know what I mean.

But is wood-look tile a passing trend? Or is it something you can rely on both for its looks and durability, and for its resale value in the marketplace?

Sources indicate that this is a trend that is here to stay. Tile has all the makings of a flooring choice that is perfect for every home. Tile is easy to maintain, is cost effective for every budget, and has a green factor that consumers increasingly desire.

Wood-look tiles look like actual wood. You can get them in any color, from dark finishes to whitewash and more. You can find them in finished in any manner, to resemble elegant dark stained walnut, to giving the appearance of a beach shack in your favorite location. And as technology continues to expand and consumers begin seeing the possibilities, this will only increase desire for this durable product.

Wood-look tiles are cost effective. Budget is always a consideration when installing new floors. And if you are looking at a flooring update, what it will cost you today is equally important as to how soon you’ll have to update your flooring again in the future. With tiling, you can meet both requirements in an effective way. With so many choices available, you can meet any budget requirements today. And because tiling is one of the most durable products on the market, you won’t have to replace your flooring anytime soon.

Wood-look tiles add practicality to your home. Many people have concerns about adding certain flooring to different rooms in your home. You would never add carpet to a bathroom. And hardwood can be a concern for the kitchen. With wood-look tiles, you can create continuity throughout your home and never worry about the long-lasting effects of your flooring choice. Tile will withstand all the punishment your family dishes out, and look great in the process.

And because your choices are almost limitless, wood-look tiles are the perfect choice for anywhere in your home.

Want to see all the choices available to you? Stop by today. We promise you that you will be amazed.

Flooring, Tile Floors
October 21, 2015

The Pros and Cons of Tiling Your Floors

Remodeling and changing out the flooring in your home can be an overwhelming process. Where do you start? What materials should you choose?

And while your heart can quickly lead you in many different directions, your gut quickly tells you to be sensible in your choices. Choose materials that will take a certain level of wear and tear. Choose a material that you won’t have to replace in a few short years.

All of those thoughts can lead you to one of the most versatile materials available today: tile.

Tile is the perfect choice for virtually any room in your home. Not only does it provide a clean and elegant look, it’s also durable and easy to maintain.

However, here in the Rocky Mountains, tile in every room may not be for everybody. Before you decide if it’s the perfect choice for your room remodel, keep these pros and cons in mind.

The Pros Of Tiling Your Floors
Ask any real estate agent about what sells in today’s homes and they will quickly point to items that can stand the test of time. Tiling has the same timeless appeal as do hardwoods, especially when classic earth tones are used that can be mixed and matched with any decorating style.

A growing trend is to install a radiant floor heating system, to have warm floors on those cold, winter mornings. Tiling is a perfect choice and its already increasing in demand.

Depending on the tile selected, its beauty will last for years with very little extra maintenance. Tiling requires little more than regular sweeping and dusting, other than wiping up spills as they occur. As long as tile is properly grouted, properly sealed and glazed, it will withstand any kind of living your family can give it.

Tile flooring is the perfect choice for homes with pets, as accidents can quickly be cleaned, and most tiling can withstand a dog’s nails. They are also perfect for family members that may be prone to allergies. As long as non-toxic grout is used, tiling provides all natural materials that can leave a home chemically reduced.

The Cons Of Tiling Your Floors
While a popular choice for any room in your home, tiling may not be perfect in all cases.

Tiles can be cold in the dead of winter if not installed over radiant heating systems. And when the winter chill takes over your home on cold mornings, tiles can make it seem even colder.

Unlike carpet or cork flooring, tile has no insulation properties and is therefore one of the noisiest flooring choices you can lay. You can solve the problem by strategically laying area rugs and runners.

Not every tile is the perfect choice for a room. Glazed tiles are easy to maintain, but they are also more slippery when they get wet. This can be a big problem in heavy moisture areas, such as the kitchen or bathroom, or near entryways where rain and snow can come in. New innovations have made tiles with anti-slip surfaces to help solve the problem; be aware of what you are purchasing and that it matches your expectations.

Tile is also a very hard substance, meaning it can crack and break if heavy items are dropped on them.

To Tile Or Not To Tile?
Tiling is a smart choice for any home in Colorado, because of its timeless appeal and durable nature.

If you want an elegant look that will be both easy to care for and give you longevity for many years to come, tiles may be the perfect choice for any room in your home. And with today’s tiling options, you can achieve just about any look you are going for. Stop by and see your options today.

Flooring
October 19, 2015

Is There Asbestos In My Flooring?

So you’ve purchased a charming little bungalow and can’t wait to let your creative juices flow. You have big plans for the kitchen, the bedroom, the bathroom, even the attic will become something grand in the coming months and years.

And while your new home has a certain allure that comes from buying it from a family that lived in it for decades, you know it will become so much more with a little elbow grease and TLC.

Let the projects begin!

But wait. What are the risks? While that vinyl flooring gives the kitchen an old-fashioned flair, there might be quality wood underneath screaming to come to light. Why not peel up the old, fraying vinyl tiles and take a look?

In the early 1900s, vinyl became widely used in building and housing materials. A plastic resin manufactured from ethylene and chlorine, the product became sturdy yet flexible, versatile and inexpensive.

Unfortunately they often mixed asbestos into vinyl as well to improve the product’s strength and insulating properties.

Asbestos wasn’t phased out until the 1980s, which means many older homes that have escaped remodeling over the last few decades may in fact have asbestos vinyl somewhere in the house.

If vinyl has asbestos and is in good condition, it doesn’t pose a health risk. Risks are associated with materials that are disturbed, broken or damaged, allowing the fibers to escape. Keep in mind that during its high point, asbestos wasn’t used in vinyl alone; it was also used as part of the adhesive used to attach it to the floor.

If you are considering a DIY project to replace your vinyl and modernize it into something more appealing – laminate for instance – it’s always best to assume manufactured material before the 1990s contains asbestos. Proper personal protective equipment should always be used when handling these materials. And always have a licensed abatement professional remove the material and make sure the space is free of hazardous material and ready to move forward.

Have additional questions? We’d be happy to help you evaluate your vinyl and decide the best way to move forward with new and improved flooring.

Carpet, Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
October 14, 2015

Carpet or Wood? What Should You Do With The Stairs

Hardwood floors are the flooring of choice in many homes throughout the Denver Metro region. Yet as much as we love hardwood in our living space, carpeting remains a top choice for the bedrooms to provide warmth and comfort.

What’s the best way to connect the two? Should you carpet your stairs … or use hardwood instead?

There are many pros and cons to both decisions; there is a different answer for everyone.

Carpeted vs Wooden Stairs

Stairway safety: carpet is safer for children and the elderly

Wood stairs can be slippery and dangerous especially when liquid is present. Likewise, hardwood stairs make for hard landings if someone does slip, and can cause more accidents and injuries than carpeting. In homes with elderly or small children, carpeting may be a safer choice to avoid slipping and falls.

Cleaning wood vs cleaning carpet

Carpeting on stairs is automatically going to accumulate more dust and dirt than hardwood. Carpeted stairs require regular vacuuming and an occasional cleaning to keep them in top shape. Hardwood stairs are easy to clean and maintain with a broom and a mop.

Noise: wood is louder than carpet

Carpets insulate against noise. Hardwoods tend to produce more noise, especially if a person moves around your house with shoes on their feet. You will hear the difference between the two especially on the stairs. If you have a family that moves around the house at different times of the day, or kids that run around and play on different levels, carpeting may be a better choice to muffle the sounds.

Damage: carpet is good if it’s permanent

Installing carpet on your stairs requires the use of wires, industrial staples, or adhesive glue that can cause permanent damage. If you decide to remove carpet in the future and move back to wood stairs, it may require refinishing each step to remove the damage.

Flooring cost: wood costs more upfront, capret needs replacing periodically

Quality carpet can be expensive depending on your final selection. Installations also take time. If you replace carpeting regularly, it can add up to a larger overall cost that leaving your stairway with wood.

Ultimately the choice should come down to the way you live and the look you prefer. The great thing about home improvement is there is always the opportunity to change and refinish later. If the right choice is carpeting for while the kids are little, you can always refinish them into a more elegant wood stair down the road. The key is in creating the right living arrangements for how you live today.

About Pro Flooring Brokers

We are a one stop shop for all of your flooring and installation needs. Located in Denver, CO, we have been family owned and operated for over 30 years! Our passion is your project.

Have a Flooring Project in the Denver Area?

Commercial and residential customers love our huge selection of carpet, hardwood, porcelain tile, natural stone, luxury vinyl tile/planks, laminate flooring, and sheet vinyl flooring. Check out our products to learn more. Visit our showroom, meet our team, and let’s start your flooring project together. We offer:

Complimentary on-site measuring
Flooring estimates based on floor plans or blueprints
Installations performed by trained and qualified installers
Full one-year guarantee on all workmanship (in addition to manufacturer’s warranty)

Flooring and installation are made easy with the PRO! Flooring Brokers. Contact us, visit our showroom, or call today at 303.788.0113. We look forward to helping you.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
October 10, 2015

When Winter Weather Damages Your Hardwood Floors

It happens every year. The sun rises a little later. The sun sets a little earlier. The mornings turn cold. The snow begins to fall. And winter is in full swing.

Here in Colorado, that may mean warm, sunny afternoons with heat falling across your hardwood floors. Then you wake up to two feet of snow, another snow day off from school, and kids and pets bringing in enough snow to build a small snowman in the center of your room.

Yes, Colorado winters can be rough on you and your floors.

Hardwood floors are porous. They absorb the moisture. They expand and contract.

Expansion is normal. That is the reason hardwood floors are installed with the ability to move and settle as the environment changes all around it. If a gap isn’t placed between the tiles and the baseboard, there is a chance of buckling of the floors. Which isn’t an easy thing to fix.

Winter is hard on hardwood flooring, especially here in Colorado. When it’s cold outside, you shut the doors and windows and turn up the heat. Heating the air also dries the air. And when there is very little moisture in the air to begin with, your hardwood floors shrink.

You may notice sudden gaps between the tiles or along the floor boards, gaps that have never been there before. Then just as suddenly, the gap may disappear.

The same thing happens when too much water or humidity is introduced to a room. If you install hardwood in your bathroom, every day showers can cause hardwood to expand. Carrying water and snow in from the outside and letting it pool on the floor can also take its toll. Expansion is normal. But if the expansion is too great and goes beyond the gaps or wallboard, shifting and buckling begins to occur.

And once buckling occurs, the only way to fix it is to replace the warped floor boards.

Hardwood make a great addition to any home. And here in Colorado, hardwood is one of the most popular home flooring choices. With just a little maintenance and a little extra care, you can keep them looking their best, no matter what the weather is outside.

Flooring
October 8, 2015

Bringing Comfort and Beauty To Your Commercial Flooring Remodel

When you are designing a space where you’ll meet customers on a regular basis, you have to think differently. The atmosphere has to be engaging but comfortable. It has to be functional yet inviting.

First impressions mean everything in a relationship, business or personal. And if your customer walks in and has any doubt, they will leave sooner rather than later, and take their business with them.

Those worn out old chairs, the cheap second hand desk, even the bare walls make a big impression. But even before they consider the décor, they start with your floors.

When someone opens the door to your business, the assessment begins. They see the worn marks as they enter. The see the dirt and stains. They see the faded carpets that should have been replaced years ago. They see the warped hardwood floors. And their opinion is instantly formed.

If you’ve been waiting to a sign a new lease, or waiting until business is a little better before taking the plunge, don’t wait. Investing in a new floor may be the first step in improving your business.

And right now, there are many options available to you. No matter what your budget, your business, or your needs entail, there is a perfect commercial flooring choice for you.

Commercial Cork
Cork flooring has been steadily growing in popularity over the years for both residential and commercial applications. It’s soft and warm, and can add visual appeal in a similar way as hardwood floors. When used in high traffic areas, it is important to seal the flooring to protect it from scratches and stains.

Carpeting
A commercial grade carpet is always a good choice in a commercial location. It gives the environment a comfortable look, and can instantly put a customer at ease. And because the choices in color, style and design are almost never-ending, you can dress your space up or down to evoke any mood. Carpets do attract dirt and stains, so it is important to adhere to a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule. And if you are using carpet squares, it may benefit you to invest in extra to replace accidents along the way. As one of the most economical choices in flooring, its also easy to change out your flooring on a regular basis to keep your space in top shape all the time.

Vinyl
Vinyl is one of the most versatile flooring options available. It’s durable and stands up well in all kinds of traffic conditions. It is scratch and dent resistant. Its also stain and water resistant. Maintenance is also an easy chore and can be handled with a mop and a broom. And thanks to today’s technology, you can find it in any color, style or pattern you desire.

The above flooring choices aren’t just functional, they are good looking as well. No matter what style of flooring you choose, you can give your commercial space a much needed face lift, and begin telling your customers you are the company to do business with.

Flooring, Hardwood Flooring
October 2, 2015

Should Your Next Choice In Flooring Be American Cherry?

When it comes to buying things for you home, do you prefer to buy American whenever possible?

While that can be difficult in many industries, flooring has viable options that are perfect additions to your home. And one of our favorites is American Cherry wood flooring.

American Cherry wood is rich in culture here in the US. You can’t think of a cherry tree without imagining a young George Washington picking up an ax and chopping one down, creating a story that continues to be passed down from generation to generation. Yet even though the story is probably more fiction than factual, the American Cherry tree is as American as, well, cherry pie.

And while the American Cherry tree produces one of the sweetest resources we all enjoy each year, it also provides another resource used in many homes across the US – it’s one of the best sources of hardwood.

American Cherry is a heartwood with a light pinkish brown to deep golden brown color. While it may be softer than a red oak, it provides a stability factor that is better. There are many different species of cherry tree. The American black cherry is native to the eastern regions of the country. Individual trees have been known to live up to 300 years or more, yet it is a fast growing tree that produces seeds in as little as ten years after planting.

Because they are easily grown and located in many regions throughout the US, they have long been harvested for more than their fruits. In addition to fruit and hardwood, cherry trees are also used to make wood chips, which provide excellent smoking materials for meats and vegetables. Their seeds are also a primary source of the poison cyanide – you’ll never find cherry trees easily accessible to farms that keep livestock on site.

Although cherry wood isn’t the hardest of hardwoods, it is extremely durable. That’s why you’ll find it in use not only on floors, but in furniture too. It resists warping over time, making it a perfect choice for handling all the abuse your family can give.

While many American cherry floors are lighter in color, taking on a slightly pinkish hue, you can achieve deeper shades as well. The wood naturally darkens with exposure to light, and can darken as much as 25 percent over the course of its lifetime. It can be stained easily, and when sealed is easy to maintain.

Renewable, beautiful, and available in many different shades, the American cherry tree may make the perfect hardwood flooring choice for your home.