Month: December 2019

Engineered wood flooring is a great alternative to real wood flooring, in terms of both price and practicality. In addition, engineered wood can offer more variety in styles and colours.

In this blog, we’ll cover the different styles of engineered wood flooring, as well as the species of wood, the different plank widths available, varying thicknesses and finishes. Using our advice, you will be able to find the perfect wood for you.

What is engineered wood flooring?

While solid wood is made from one piece, engineered wood flooring is made up of a combination of different layers:

• A bottom layer; this layer is used as a supportive backing to the rest of the flooring.
• A central layer; usually consisting of plywood, this makes up a large portion of the flooring.
• A top layer; this layer is made of hardwood veneer and is what is shown when the flooring is installed. 

The benefits of engineered wood flooring

Firstly, engineered wood flooring is very affordable. While engineered wood uses less real wood compared to the real thing, it has a very authentic wood look and feel at a much friendlier price.

 

Engineered wood flooring is also extremely durable. The multiple layers of plywood, coupled with a protective surface, makes for a highly resistant choice for high-traffic areas of your home and is a great benefit to having engineered wood flooring in your home.

 

You will be able to find very similar, if not identical, engineered wood flooring styles when comparing to solid wood flooring. This is because the surface layer of engineered wood flooring is a real wood veneer. The wood grains and patterns, as well as stains and colours, create a truly authentic look and feel to your flooring.

 

You can also sand down the veneer on the surface, which can then be refinished to your desirable stain. This can be done a number of times during your flooring’s lifespan, which makes it a very long-lasting option. 

 

If you’re looking at laying your flooring in a kitchen, engineered wood is an ideal choice. Engineered wood is extremely strong and durable, which means it won’t flex or change shape from the changing temperatures or moisture in your kitchen. This means it’s also compatible with underfloor heating.

 

In fact, engineered wood flooring is a great option for almost any room. Its durability and strength make it a top candidate for busy family homes. The ranges available also mean you don’t need to compromise looks for practicality.

Colours

Here at Direct Wood Flooring, we offer a range of engineered flooring styles, these include black, grey, white, brown, golden and natural colours as options for our engineered wood flooring.

 

Our selection of golden engineered wood flooring goes with both modern and traditional interiors, it also fits into more rustic interiors. additionally, this can fit in well with the “farmhouse” style that’s so popular right now.

 

Grey engineered wood flooring is one of our most popular engineered wood flooring styles. It goes very well with similarly grey interiors, while white or light-coloured walls help complement a contemporary interior. 

 

White engineered wood flooring complements pastel-coloured walls and makes the most of natural light, as the bright tone reflects the light around your interior effectively.

 

Natural engineered wood flooring is very versatile and can go with anything. It’s timeless, yet trendy appearance makes for great all-round colour and tone, whether you want to keep it traditional or go for something more contemporary.

 

Brown and black engineered wood flooring go hand in hand, as both colours compliment lightly coloured walls and furniture. You can spice up your interior even further by adding dark highlights to your furniture. 

 

Shades

As well as a variety of colours, we also offer different shades to suit the exact engineered wood flooring styles that you’re after.

 

Our various options of light engineered flooring make the most out of the natural sunlight that makes its way into your home, creating a welcoming atmosphere. This type of flooring is available in a wide variety of colours. 

 

Although many people see grey as a fairly dark option for flooring, we offer a range of lighter grey options that couple great with modern interiors.

 

Our range of medium engineered wood flooring styles offer a similar versatility to the natural colour range we offer. The neutral shade, coupled with dark wood grains and knots, means that this range can fit into both light and dark interiors. Natural coloured flooring is always a great option for any interior. Our ranges of medium, natural shades offer that classic wood flooring look.

 

Dark shaded engineered wood offers a rustic, warm tone. Dark engineered wood flooring brings out the colour in lightly coloured interiors, or for a little less contrast they’re just as at home in homes with a darker colour scheme. Our range of colours within our dark engineered wood range all offer a high quality, each having their own different aesthetic appeals.

 Styles

Our engineered flooring styles offer a wide selection of designs:

 

Herringbone flooring is an extremely popular choice among other engineered wood flooring styles; the layout design achieves a timeless look. The angled planks create a beautiful pattern, aptly named after the bones of herringbone fish, which you can pair with a modern or classic interior. A huge selection of colours and shades to choose from means you can add your own personal preference to a beautiful design.

 

Distressed wood is also a popular choice when it comes to engineered wood flooring styles. This specific style offers a rustic, raw appearance, perfect for both modern and classic interiors. We offer this type of engineered wood in a range of different shades and colours, so you can find the flooring that suits you best.

 

If you’re wanting a flooring that’s all your own, look no further than our unfinished engineered flooring styles. As the name implies, this particular type of flooring is completely unfinished, this means you can stain this flooring with your desired oils. We offer a wide selection of Osmo oils, to create different shades for your flooring. 

Plank width

Engineered wood comes in different widths. The width you choose comes down to personal preference the different thicknesses of planks can offer different visual effects.

 

Standard width engineered wood flooring offers the classic flooring look. The width of each plank will be around 130mm. If you are looking for the simple, go-to width, standard is a great choice.

 

Narrow width engineered flooring styles are great for making your room look bigger. The small width of each plank results in a higher number of joins which cover the surface of the floor. This creates an elongated, linear look. Narrow boards are commonly found in a herringbone design. Narrow flooring is usually around 90mm in width.

 

Wide width engineered wood flooring works great in big rooms, making the room appear smaller and cosier. Wider flooring results in a smaller amount of joins in each plank, which gives the illusion that the room appears smaller. Wide engineered wood flooring is usually around 190mm in width.

 

Extra-wide engineered wood flooring is our widest variant, ranging between 220mm and 300mm in width. These planks work very well with large rooms, similar to wide width floors. Our ranges of different colours and shades make this a great option for versatility in terms of style.

 

Engineered woods commonly start off at a standard width of 120mm, however, we offer a narrow plank width witch comes in a herringbone style.

Wood species

Engineered wood flooring can come in a wide variety of different species. The species refers to the solid wood veneer which creates the design of the flooring. Two of the most popular are oak and walnut.

Oak is our most popular and common choice. This species of flooring is widely available due to its popularity and quality. Our oak is sustainably sourced, strong and resilient. Oak provides a very attractive natural grain which is great for flooring. Additionally, oak is very easy to sand down and re-stain, so you can change your flooring to whatever shade or colour you like using one of our Osmo Oils. If you’re looking for a classic wood look and feel, oak is a great choice. 

Our other option is walnut. This particular wood species is of high quality while remaining budget-friendly and easy to find. Our walnut is also sustainably sourced. Walnut flooring is considered a classic choice as it has been used for centuries, similar to oak. Walnut flooring is also excellent at absorbing shock and reducing noise levels in your home.

Different finishes

The different finishes that you can find on engineered wood flooring alter both the look and feel of the flooring. It’s important to know the difference between them so you can choose the right flooring for your needs.

 

Brushed and Oiled flooring means that the flooring has been lightly brushed to expose more of the natural qualities of the surface. It is then layered with coats of oil to protect the wood from daily use.

 

Unfinished Flooring simply means the wood has not been touched in any way with any kind of oil. The surface can be sanded and stained with an oil of your choice to create a unique style.

 

Brushed and Lacquered floors have been lightly brushed to expose some natural quality of the wood surface, then a thin resin is applied over the surface. This resin allows for the woods natural grains and knots to be defined while being protected from regular wear and tear.

 

Oiled floors have been lightly covered in layers of oil, this oil helps protect the surface from daily use. The protective oil is effective and can come in a different range of colours and shades. A clear oil is also used if you want a natural look to your floor.

 

Lacquered floors have been covered in a thin, protective resin. This resin defines the woods natural grains and textures, while simultaneously acting as a great protective layer to keep the flooring in good condition against daily use.

Thickness

Choosing a thin or thick Engineered wood is down to personal preference as well as practicality. In order to choose the thickness that suits you, it’s important to know the differences. The overall thickness of an engineered wood plank refers to the entire plank, including the layers and veneer.  A thicker wood plank results in thicker layers and a thicker veneer

 

10mm is the thinnest thickness that we offer, the veneer surface, as well as the plywood layers would be a little thinner compared to the thicker options, but still offers a similar amount of strength. This is no problem for low traffic areas of your home such as guest bedrooms. However, we suggest going for thicker, more durable engineered wood for other rooms.

 

14mm flooring offers more versatility in terms of practicality and strength. You Can place 14mm flooring in areas with higher traffic, such as kitchens and living rooms.

 

15mm flooring, although just a millimetre thicker, offers more durability overall. Similar to 14mm flooring, you can place 15mm flooring in high-traffic areas of your home, due to its added strength.

 

18mm thickness is considerably more dense and resistant, with a larger amount of material. Wood this thick is a great choice for commercial areas, as the density and thickness of the plank offers a high amount of resistance to wear and tear.  

 

20mm is the thickest option that we offer. This particular thickness makes for a thick, strong plank. The strength and thickness of 20mm flooring means subfloors are not a necessary requirement, unless the floor it is being laid on is uneven.

Although there are many different engineered wood flooring styles, colours, widths and thicknesses, the process can be made a lot easier when you know exactly what you’re after. We hope you’ve gained a little more knowledge of the different options that we offer, and remember, you can order your free samples and take a closer look at our engineered wood flooring.

The post Engineered Wood Flooring Styles appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

If you have chosen Oak flooring, you may want to think about which solid oak wood trims you may need to finish your flooring.  All of our Oak trims are made from solid Oak.  They will match and complement any choice of engineered or solid natural Oak flooring. Read More

With over 30 years of experience in the flooring industry, The Carpet Guys want to share how carpet is made.  Check out this simple, informational blog to help you understand the process.

Creating the Fibers

First, the fibers made.  Nylon and/or polyester pellets are melted and smoothed out. The synthetic fibers go through several machines to straighten them, gather them into neat rows, and create large bands.

These bands are combined and stretched to create a thread.  Next, these threads are rolled onto spools.  Two threads are twisted to create one stronger, thicker thread. Then, two of those threads are twisted together to make a 2-ply yarn.  This 2-ply yarn goes through a heat-setting machine to ensure it doesn’t come untwisted.

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Tufting

After the 2-ply yarn is set, 1440 spools of yarn are used to create a standard-sized roll of carpet.  The yarn feeds into the tufting machine through plastic tubes.  These tubes deliver the yarn to 1440 tufting needles.  At last, the tufting needles push the yarn through a canvas-type backing to produce a loop. Cut loops are “plush” carpet. Un-cut, it’s a “loop” style, like Berber.

Dyeing

Following the production of the base, they dye the carpet.  Also called piece-dyeing, there are a few different methods.

• For intricate designs, a “printer-like” machine forces streams of dye onto the fibers of the carpet.
• Or they soak the carpet in a dye bath at approximately 100 degrees Celsius for four hours.
• Another dying option is using an autoclave.  This machine uses heat and pressure to dye the fibers in a fraction of the time it takes with other methods.

In contrast to piece-dyeing is solution-dyeing. This is when the dye is added to melted polyester or nylon pellets.  For that reason, the color goes all the way through the fiber, rather than just on top.

To learn more about dyeing, check out our other blog The Carrot and Radish Diagram

Adding the Backing

Finally, they add the carpet backing.  Water-Based glue is applied to the back of the canvas, “marrying” the glue and canvas in a special machine.  This lock’s the carpet fibers in place.  The machine evaporates the water in the glue so the carpet can be rolled and cut.

The Carpet Guys Get Factory-Direct Pricing

The Carpet Guys order straight from the manufacturer.  As a result, we get a bigger discount.  In addition, we can offer our customers next-day installation from our stocked warehouse.  In order to get carpet at discount prices, Be Wise, Call The Carpet Guys at 855-4-MY-GUYS (855-469-4897) or fill out our Free In-Home Estimate form.

The post How is Carpet Made? appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

Those commercials you see on television promising several rooms of carpet for one low price sound enticing, don’t they? Yet you know there must be a catch.

There is.

Those commercials have a catchy ring to them. You want new flooring; they have a great deal. But when they show up at your home ready to complete the purchase, the fees start adding up. They push for upgrades. They discover special needs in your living space. And by the time you sign on the dotted line, you’re wondering where the “deal” really was.

Don’t be fooled by those special promotions. If you want new flooring, give yourself the advantage by learning all you can before you make a final decision. The best place to start is with a flooring estimate.

Understanding the flooring process

Flooring isn’t something you upgrade in your home on a regular basis. If you choose wisely, it can last for years – decades – depending on the material. There are two parts to the selection process: selecting the flooring material, and having it installed.

But in between is the estimate process. It’s important to ask the right questions to ensure you get the best flooring product for your money. While surprises can be a good thing, they never are when you discover you have to spend more money to get the flooring of your choice.

If you’re in the market for new flooring, the best place to start is with a little education. Don’t walk into a big box store and expect to find what you’re looking for. Instead, take the time to visit several places. Consider this your flooring education session. Talk to the salesperson. Find out what they know about each flooring type you’re considering. Get comfortable with the terms and technology.

Then ask yourself another question. Who do you trust? Very quickly, you’ll start to discover some people sell flooring because it’s in their job description – they have to work 40 hours somewhere. Others do it because they truly love the industry.

What questions should you ask as a part of the flooring estimate process?

Is this the right flooring for my lifestyle?

You love hardwood. You’ve dreamed of installing hardwood. But is it the right choice for you?

We’ve all made purchases we’ve regretted not long after we laid down our credit cards. While it’s not such a big deal when you purchase new shoes or a blouse, it is when you’re investing in new flooring.

Talk with the sales team and ask what your options are. If you have small kids and pets, an inquisitive salesperson may steer you away from hardwood and show you laminate or even resilient flooring made to look like hardwood. Their goal isn’t to sell you any flooring, it’s to discover what will work best on a daily basis inside your home. They will give you options, and let you make your final decision based on a thorough understanding of how each product performs.

Can I take home samples?

A reputable flooring dealer will always let you take home samples. Colors, styles, and patterns look great in pictures online, might even look great sitting on a showroom floor. But those lighting conditions don’t match your own home. The only way to see if something looks good in your home is to bring it into your home.

Asking for a sample allows you to avoid making a big mistake. It’s the only way you’ll discover which sample is too gray, which has too much brown in it, or which is simply too dark. It’s how you determine which blends well with your kitchen cabinets, and which one works well with your decor.

If you have trouble, that’s where our expertise can come into play. Narrow it down as much as possible, then we can provide you with the benefits of each of your final selections.

Is there a cost for an estimate?

Don’t assume flooring estimates are free. Not all flooring companies offer estimates for free. If you schedule a time for an estimator to come to your home and measure your rooms, the last thing you want is a surprise bill at the end of the meeting. Ask about costs every step of the way. Separate out what’s included in a flooring company’s service, and what you pay for along the way.

What are the hidden costs?

Don’t think you’ll be offending a salesperson by asking about hidden fees. They understand there are less-than-scrupulous companies within the flooring industry. If they do get angry at this question, isn’t it nice you weeded them out of consideration before you laid down your credit card?

Depending on what type of flooring you’re having installed, and what kind of flooring currently exists in your home, you could end up with a variety of fees above materials and labor. Delivery fees, costs for clean up, costs for moving furniture, padding, subfloor work – there are many different areas that might incur additional charges along the way.

When can my flooring choice be installed?

In most cases, you can’t walk in, select flooring, and have it installed the next day. There are lead times for most of the products you’ll choose from.

Take hardwood, for example. Depending on what choice you make, the hardwood might have to be ordered to ensure you receive the same product to install throughout your home. Hardwood also needs to acclimate to your home before installation. That means the product will be delivered and stored in your home for a series of days or even weeks before installation, to ensure it has adjusted to your home’s environment before it is installed.

Ask “when can you start” at the very beginning to ensure your deadlines are met. If you have a specific time you want the work completed by, tell us. It’s the best way to ensure we’re all on the same page throughout the process.

What about warranties and guarantees? 

Different manufacturers have different warranties. Different companies offer different guarantees for the products they install. In most cases, you’ll have two separate guarantees – one from the manufacturer of the product, another from the company that provides the installation. What happens if the flooring isn’t correctly installed? What does it take to ensure manufacturers’ guidelines are met throughout the process? Don’t be afraid to dig a little to find out more about the final product being installed in your home.

No question is too dumb

The more questions you ask, the more you may think of. Don’t stop until you’re comfortable with your final purchase.

Flooring estimates are designed to help you feel sure about your final purchase. It’s a way for you to get to know the flooring company you’re choosing to work with. If you don’t like an answer as a part of the estimate process, chances are you’ll have problems somewhere else in the process.

How can we help you make the right flooring choice for your home?

This post appeared first on https://pro-flooring.com

Kids have many adorable qualities, but cleanliness isn’t one of them. Our carpet cleaning company serving Denver and the metro area has seen more kids’ room carpet than we can count, and we know what kind of carpet works best for the youngsters. Trust A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning to provide the best carpet advice, services, and repairs for your kid’s room.

Choosing The Right Carpet Material

Like pretty much everything else that goes into decorating a home, choosing carpet is a subjective matter. Different people have different tastes in terms of color, fiber, thickness, etc. That said, in this particular case we can all agree that the most important criteria for carpet in a kid’s room are stain resistance and durability. With this in mind, branded nylon is the best choice in terms of carpet fiber. Not only is it more durable than any other fiber, it also offers exceptional stain protection. Similarly, you can’t go wrong with Smartstrand. Our nearby carpet cleaners suggest comparing the two and deciding which one ticks the most boxes.

Wool is another common choice. The fact that it’s usually all-natural is a big selling point for parents who rightly want to avoid carpet containing synthetic chemicals. Wool also possesses good stain resistance, and it’s soft and forgiving, so you don’t need to worry about your kids skinning their knees during impromptu wrestling matches. On the downside, wool is expensive and subject to matting, which contributes to premature aging. Also, despite its stain-resistant qualities, wool is hard to clean and is known to attract oils. This leads to a wool carpet quickly appearing dirty and staying that way unless you stay on top of things.

Picking The Perfect Carpet Style

The title here is a bit misleading, because perfection is impossible when subjectivity exists. That said, certain carpet styles definitely work better than others in kids’ rooms – for example, a traditional cut pile carpet, which is reliable and inexpensive. A frieze carpet is another top choice due to their relative inexpensiveness and their high construction quality thanks to a high twist rate. A third style to consider is multilevel, a great pick when you want to hide spots and other imperfections.

Styles to avoid are velvet, plush, Saxony, and the like. These more elegant options (the names alone give them away) are expensive and best served in low-traffic places like offices and guest bedrooms. By all means you also want to steer clear of Berber or any kind of looped carpet. These loops have a propensity for snagging, especially when exposed to small toys and curious little fingers, and it won’t be long before you have an unraveling carpet on your hands. The “looped” quality of such carpets makes them pricey to repair, but the alternative (an unsightly carpet) is less preferable.

A Quick Word On Color

There are by far more truisms associated with color than with style and material. For example, white or light-colored carpet in a kid’s room is a no-go. Dark colors are definitely better, but prone to showing lint. The optimum color for disguising dirt and stains is something medium-toned and marbled.

Talk With Us Today About Carpeting a Kid’s Room

From carpet cleaning and carpet repair, to tile & grout work and upholstery cleaning, A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning does it all. Plus, we’re always happy to assist homeowners with buying the right carpet, whether it’s for a kid’s room, a den, or a basement. Contact us today and take advantage of our expertise. Remember at A Personal Touch, “We don’t cut corners, we clean them.”

The post Don’t “Kid” Around With Your Carpets appeared first on A Personal Touch.

Making the appointment is Step 3 in the series of What to Expect From The Carpet Guys. Making your appointment for flooring installation should be fun and exciting. For some people, it can cause anxiety. Let The Carpet Guys make it simple with this step-by-step process.

Next-Day Installation or Special Order

Now that you have hand-picked your flooring, the Design Consultant will set up your installation day and time.  If you pick in-stock carpet, you can have next-day installation.  If it’s not in stock, the Order Entry department will let your Design Consultant know the estimated delivery of your custom flooring.  Once we have received it in our warehouse, one of our professional Customer Service Representatives will give you a call.  At this time, installation day and time will be set up. 

Flooring is Prepared for Delivery

Then our warehouse will cut your carpet to the specifications.  If you want to know how we cut our carpet, check out this blog and video of How We Cut Your Carpet.  If you have a hard-surface install (hardwood, laminate, or LVP/LVT), the warehouse will deliver the flooring to your home in advance.  This allows the flooring to acclimate to the temperatures and humidity levels of your home before installation.

Preparing Your Room(s) for Installation

When deciding the day and time for your installation, remember that you may need to prepare your room(s).  Give yourself time to have gas, water, and electronic equipment disconnected.

How Long Does it Take for Flooring Installation?

Remember, flooring installation of any kind falls under the home improvement category and takes time to do it right!  Depending on how many square feet are being installed, it may take more than one day to complete.  We do have install appointments in the morning when the kids are at school or on weekends.  If your installation is on a weekend, you won’t have to take time from work.  Less square footage means the install may take only a few hours.  If there is a previous flooring that needs to be removed before installation, that also takes time. The installer will then have to prep the subfloor to receive the new flooring.  The Carpet Guys installers want to make sure all facets of the installation are handled properly so your flooring will stand the test of time!

Keep your eye out for even more reasons to call The Carpet Guys in our step-by-step blogs.  With over 30 years of experience in the flooring industry and exceptional teams, making your appointment will be as easy as 1-2-3!  Be Wise, Call The Carpet Guys at 855-4-MY-GUYS (855-469-4897) or fill out our Free In-Home Estimate form.

The post Step 3 – Making Your Appointment appeared first on The Carpet Guys.