Month: August 2020

If we’ve learned anything so far in 2020, it’s that everything can change on a dime. Where once everyone was selling their big homes and selecting a smaller, urban dwelling instead, today we’re realizing that might be a thing of the past. One article stated that as much as one-third of Americans are considering moves to less densely populated areas. Urbanites are twice as likely to have surfed real estate websites, dreaming of changing homes.

Whether you’re looking for a new home, or are considering remodeling the one you currently own, open concept design is still as popular as ever. And there are many reasons for that.

Open concept design allows:

• Better traffic flow – without doors, people can move throughout the space unhindered
• Improved communication – family members aren’t isolated in their own spaces
• Shared light – you’ll have fewer dark spots in your living space
• Easier with kids – ever tried to watch small children while cooking dinner? It’s much easier in an open concept design
• Flexibility – without predefined walls, you can use the space however you choose – whatever works best for you

Chances are if you’re reading this, you’re already sold on the concept.

But there’s something a little more difficult about it when it comes to decorating. How do you install flooring in an open concept design?  Are you resigned to staying with the same flooring throughout? Or is there a way to section off space and incorporate different materials?

Should flooring be the same throughout the house?

This is probably one of our most asked questions. And our response is always the same: it depends.

There isn’t a design rule that says you have to use the same flooring throughout. It’s a personal choice.

• What do you prefer?
• What is lifestyle like?
• Are you creating your forever home?
• Do you care about resale value?
• What about functionality?
• What does your gut tell you to do?

That said, we do have a few design rules we share with all of our customers.

Stick with one material wherever possible 

We’ve all seen (or possibly lived in) a house with patchwork flooring. You enter to tile, follow the path to a different floor in the kitchen, wood in the family room, and carpet in the living space. Some homes love carpet so much, it’s everywhere. But to save on wear marks, they create pathways made of tile, using it to meander throughout the home.

It rarely works.

Whenever possible, stick with one flooring. The more open concept your house is, the more you should focus on using one flooring material.

And it’s not that difficult to choose. Here in Colorado, you can’t go wrong with hardwood. And the great thing with hardwood is you have unlimited options. Hardwood comes in more traditional styles like oak, or move to exotic with something like Brazilian cherry. If you’re worried about using hardwood in an active home, there are solutions for you. Try laminate. Today’s laminate offers a variety of pros that will make you fall in love with this product. If you want something even more care-free and durable, try luxury vinyl planks. They look so real, thanks to technology, even experts in the industry have to get up close and personal to see it’s not real.

But I really want to separate flooring materials

There may be instances that call for using two different types of flooring. In these cases, even with an open concept design, you’ll probably transition flooring due to different activities on each space. Maybe you need the durability of tile, mixed with the beauty of hardwood. Look for natural divisions of spacing, and use the material to showcase that specific space.

Yet we also invite you to dig a little deeper. Why are you hesitant to using the same flooring throughout?

One of the biggest reasons we’ve noticed is when families question using hardwood in kitchens. People almost always love hardwood throughout the living space. But they understand how difficult hardwood can be near moisture and water. With small kids, messes can be an every day occurrence. Do you really want to worry about warped wood just a few weeks after it’s installed?

Only you know your family. And if you have concerns over the durability of a material, you won’t truly be able to enjoy your living space. Voice your concerns and we can show you alternatives.

The key to transitioning well is to create a uniform look as much as you can. Stick with the same colors and hues. Luckily, with today’s product lines, you can do so, creating a similar look with tile that you can get with hardwood. We’ll show you how.

It’s about looks, it’s about lifestyle

At the end of the day, this is your home, and only you can decide your decor options.

Still, we encourage all of our customers to think about harmony as they finalize their decision. Choosing a neutral color palette allows you to play with color using other design elements. It’s easier to repaint than it is to install new flooring. It’s less expensive to buy a new chair than new flooring.

If you select neutral flooring in an open concept design, it gives you the perfect foundation you need to create any look you desire. You can be as wild and crazy as you like with rugs, furniture, and artwork, knowing you can change your mind easily at any given moment.

We also know that in every home, you’ll have some areas you use a lot, and other areas that are used infrequently. That means heavier wear in areas like the kitchen, while a formal dining room may see feet only once a week at most.

Some homeowners want two separate flooring products. They know it’s important for the way their family lives. And if that’s your case, by all means select the products that work best for you.

Other homeowners choose to use one product, and strategically place area rugs to minimize potential problems. That works too. But again, it depends on your needs.

It’s about getting the right flooring for your open concept design

We get that you only pick out new flooring a few times in your lifetime. We help homeowners just like you every day.

If you need more guidance in order to create a living space you love now and years into the future, let’s chat. Our knowledgeable team can help you choose the right flooring product for your needs.

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

Flexible flooring adhesive is a type of glue that you would use when bonding your wood or bamboo floor down to the subfloor.  It has been specifically designed to be used with both solid wood and engineered wood floors.  Read More

Are you in the market for new carpet? There are many places you can go to finalize your purchase.

Head online, and you can find some great deals. Order it, have it delivered, you can even find a handyman ready to save you money.

Or maybe you should visit your local big box store. After all, you visit there all the time. You picked up gardening supplies a few months ago, and were up there just last week for a can of paint. It truly is one-stop shopping. They have a few racks of carpet, why not go with what they have?

All of these may seem tempting. Replacing your flooring can be a significant investment. Why not save a little money where you can? But the thing is going with an expert will reveal key things you should know before you make your final selection, things places like a big box will never tell you.

But you’ll find out in the end.

Here are a few things to keep in mind before you buy new carpet.

Larger rooms will have seams

Seams – they can be problematic if not placed correctly inside your room. Yet if you don’t work with an installer with a lot of experience, this can be a nightmare down the road.

Standard carpet rolls come in standard sizes, usually 12, 13.6, or 15 feet wide. If your room is wider than 12 feet, you will have a seam running somewhere in the room. That’s where it’s important to have an expert help you, to minimize the effect.

First, if you don’t want to have a seam showing, select a darker carpet. Dark carpet colors are much better at hiding seams within the fibers.

You should also plan on where a seam would work out best. Place it away from windows, doors, skylights, and other light sources, as they shine light on where the seam is.

Do you have a specific room layout in mind? If you can put a seam under a bed or sofa, it won’t be noticed as much throughout your daily routines.

Remember, where you place the seam matters. It can impact how much carpet you buy. We can help you decide the best location, and order your carpet based on your decisions.

Looking for longevity? Focus on the padding

Many homeowners come in wanting to spend the majority of their budgets on the carpet. And we get it, it makes sense.

But there’s a secret some in the flooring industry won’t tell you. If you want to ensure a long life for your carpet, invest a little more in the padding.

Padding is sold by weight, so you’ll look for the pound rating as a guide. A higher pound rating gives you a denser pad, which allows your carpet to wear more evenly.

The good news is carpet pad is the economical part of your purchase. To upgrade won’t cost you much more, but it can give you years more life. Some carpet warranties even require you to install certain rated padding if you don’t, your warranty is null and void.

Will some carpet retailers tell you that?

There are different ways to carpet your stairs

Installing new carpet isn’t something you do on a regular basis. Which means there are a variety of things you simply don’t know to ask for.

Like how carpet will be installed on your stairs.

Some installers will drape the carpet over each step before attaching it to the next. This gives it a waterfall appearance. But if you ask, you can also have carpet installed in a “French cap” method where the carpet is tucked under and stapled to each of the risers below. This creates a neater, crisper edge.

Let’s talk about furniture

You’ve lived in your house for years. You have sofas, and chairs, and tables, oh my. All of that furniture looks great as you enter the room, but your carpet installer will only look at it as a challenge.

In order to make the installation go smoothly, move as much of the furniture out of the room as possible. Carpet installers aren’t furniture movers, and most will charge you extra if they have to do it.

That also means some furniture may be at risk – grandfather clocks, baby grand pianos, or your grandmother’s china cabinet may all be damaged in the process. When in doubt, move it out before your installer arrives.

Installers need electricity

Are you having a section of your home remodeled? Is the electricity off for construction? Be sure to tell your installer your plans.

While installing carpet is a manual job, they will use compressors, seam irons, vacuums, and other power tools throughout the process. They can bring in a generator if they know they may be without electricity. But if you don’t warn them ahead of time, it can cost you time in the installation process. And that can be an extra charge to bring them out.

Carpet removal is not the same thing as carpet installation

Before a carpet installer lays the new carpet into place, they have to pull the old carpet out of the space, including the pad.

And while you’ve tried to keep it clean, invariably a lot of stuff gets buried into the fibers and pad that will resurface while being carried out.

If you want other rooms in your home to stay clean during the process, close them off. And if you’re going to have other rooms cleaned, it might be a good idea to wait until after the installation.

You should also check with the installer to see how they handle the removal. Some will charge for carrying your old carpeting away.

Understanding stain-resistant carpet

Carpet is made from fiber, and over time, fiber can be stained.

Carpet manufacturers have come a long way in the past few decades, creating carpet that can withstand a lot of daily activities. But in the end, carpet is stain-resistant. It’s never stain-proof. That means how you care for it will determine how well it looks from this day forward.

If your carpet comes with something like Stainmaster built into the fibers, it might require new applications every few years to maintain its effectiveness. Check with the manufacturer at the time you buy to ensure you follow their guidelines.

It can also make a difference in ensuring your warranty stays valid.

Are you ready to buy new carpet?

We can help. Stop by today, and we can help you make the right choice for your home.

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

There is nothing like the pandemic to make you want to invest in your home since we are all spending a lot of time at home these days. If you are looking for ways to invest in your home, you may want to look into hardwood flooring. Here are some reasons investing in hardwood flooring pays off.

Great for Resale Value

If you are thinking about selling your home in the future, you can’t go wrong by adding hardwood floors. That’s because the current trend is to move away from carpeted flooring. Instead, hardwood flooring is one thing that prospective buyers look for when they search for homes. Hardwood flooring goes great with many different house styles, such as farmhouse, Victorian, contemporary, and mid-century modern.

Durable

Although hardwood flooring is expensive, it pays for itself in the long run. When hardwood floors are properly cared for, they can last for decades. Think about how many beautiful old houses you’ve seen on TV that are a couple of hundred years old. We bet these houses have hardwood flooring. Once you pay for the floors, you’ll be able to enjoy them for years to come.

Variety

While you might be limited in choices with vinyl flooring, hardwood floors come in a variety of colors and styles. You can find hardwood floors in many different sizes and textures as well. No matter what kind of hardwood floors you want, you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for.

We think that hardwood flooring is the most economical, beautiful choice for your flooring. Hardwood flooring can give your house the perfect touch to all of your hard home improvement work. When you are ready to buy some new flooring, we hope that you’ll think about giving Flooring.org a call. You can call us anytime at 1-800-689-9006!

This post appeared first on http://www.flooring.org

Maybe you run a large commercial space, with offices on several floors.

Maybe you run a medium sized medical facility, where cleanliness is everything.

Maybe you have a small business, and a fresh, clean appearance attracts people to your location.

Whatever type of facility you’re operating, you have a desire to match carpet to your facility’s needs.

And that’s important. But even in your own facility, you may have different needs throughout the building, on every single floor. How do you know what type of carpet to invest in?

Profiling your facility to determine what it needs

The first step in any project is to define your needs. And when it comes to selecting carpet, the more clearly you define specific requirements, the more you’ll be happy with your selection.

We have a few things for you to consider:

What type of facility do you operate? 

Different businesses require different needs. A medical building might have cleanliness as one of their top concerns. A large financial institution may make aesthetics a priority – they want to shine anytime a client comes to visit. Consider your priorities and decide what’s most important for you.

What activities take place inside? 

Some facilities depend on durability and maintenance-free functionality. Others are more concerned with how it looks to the general public. Heavy foot traffic will track in more dirt and debris. If you use a lot of liquids, or have a manufacturing process of any kind, it may be more important to focus on toughness.

Where will the carpet be laid into place? 

Carpet installed in entryways will require more maintenance than carpet in a conference room on the twentieth floor. Coordination may be a factor if you’re trying to tie every room together, but you should still pay attention to the daily living the carpet will be receiving.

How much of a life cycle do you expect? 

Do you change out the carpet frequently, or do you want the carpet to last? Some facilities rotate carpet regularly and have a budget for it each year. Others want to select wisely so their carpet choice will last for years.

What is tracked into the facility? 

Here in Colorado, ice and snow is a given? But if your tenants are from the construction industry, for example, will dirt and mud also show up regularly? It’s not only what the visitors will be wearing as they walk across the carpet, but also what exists on the bottom of their shoes as they move around.

Are you replacing or adding something new? 

If you’re moving from tile to carpet, for example, the subfloor could also need to be changed out. Or maybe the subfloor will have to be accessed from time to time – does maintenance need to get under the floor? That can make the difference between needing carpet tiles or bringing it in on a roll.

What type of furniture will be in the build out?

Different facilities house different levels of business. Will you place heavy office furniture and leave it set for years? Or will the furniture and supplies be under constant rotation, moving around your facility from time to time? Carpet squares may work well to prevent wear marks and replace small sections as you change out the space.

Finding the right carpet for your facility’s needs

People’s knowledge of carpet almost always stems from what they install in their homes. And residential carpet is entirely different from commercial-grade carpet. Yes, you’ll still have a wide variety of choices in style, fiber, pile, color, and patterns.

Just like residential choices, carpet in the workplace will give you personality. If you want a formal look for a bank or financial institution? There’s carpet for you. If your needs are solely based on maintenance and ease of use, there’s a carpet for you too.

 

There are so many different options when deciding which carpet to choose. You should consider:

Carpet construction – what it’s made of will ultimately determine how well it handles over its lifespan.

Color selection – you can go with natural to blend in, or dye it your corporate colors to stand out.

Style – carpet tiles make it easy to change out sections as needed. Of course, more traditional carpet can be laid into place and provide an elegant look and feel.

Performance – a high-quality carpet will give you years of service. In commercial carpet, it’s always better to focus on functionality and how it will handle under the stress your facility will give it.

Insulation and sound absorption – carpet is a natural noise reducer. How much depends on the carpet chosen and the backing or padding added underneath. It’s a great way to help reduce noise where you may need a quiet environment, such as a sound recording studio. Just pay attention to anti-static properties as well.

Cushion – standing on wood or tile all day can be hard on the feet and back. But with the right carpet, you can avoid workplace injuries and keep your tenants or salespeople doing their best.

Other considerations when matching carpet to facility needs

Depending on the goals of your business and what you’re trying to achieve with your facility, green building may be high up on your list. Green building is more than using materials that help the environment; they are designed so they won’t harm health too. Research now suggests that if people work in green environments, possibly LEED certified, they are more productive and healthier than working in buildings that aren’t.

There are many options available if this is something you’re striving for. The key is going into the purchase process with these goals in mind. Carpet tiles and more traditional carpet options are all available in green-friendly options. Ask from the beginning, and you’ll achieve the look and quality you want.

Impressions matter

When it’s time to choose new carpet for your facility, keep in mind that first impressions matter. The look you’re trying to achieve says it all from the moment anyone enters your facility.

If you skimp and downgrade your selection, you’ll pay in both looks and quality. By keeping aesthetics and overall design top of mind, you’ll install a carpet that is sure to please.

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

When it comes to interior design, accessibility is a key consideration. It’s important to ensure safety and ease of mobility around any home. In this blog, we’re going to offer advice on the best flooring types for wheelchair users with reduced mobility, to help make the most of living spaces.

There are a range of suitable flooring’s for wheelchair users which allow ease of mobility. These include: engineered wood, EvoCore, and LVT to name a few, with thick pile carpets, low quality vinyls and slippery tiled surfaces being amongst the few that are less suitable. 

There are key factors to consider to ensure safety and mobility are optimal as possible:

 

1. Durability
2. Grip
3. Comfort
4. Room Type
5. Transitions

 

Firstly though, we’re going to look at the different flooring types, and their suitability for wheelchair users.

Flooring Types

 

Different types of flooring will cater for wheelchair use better than others, with them being made with materials. Real wood, laminate and vinyl planks are the most suitable flooring types for ease of movement when it comes to wheelchairs users, and below we’ll look into why. 

 

 

Real Wood Flooring

 

Wood flooring, such as engineered wood and solid wood, provide a great surface for wheelchair users. 

 

With a hard surface, this allows for smooth and comfortable movability, avoiding any restrictions and slipping. These surfaces are highly durable, and solid and engineered wood can also be refinished if any cosmetic damage occurs. Scuffs or scrapes are no problem; the flooring can be brought back to life with ease.

Laminate

 

Laminate flooring is a top contender when it comes to manoeuvrability, and header-wearing construction. 

 

However, we recommend buying a high grade laminate to ensure flooring’s longevity, which also prevents the need for early replacement.

 

An AC rating of AC3 or above would make a suitable flooring for wheelchair users, with a recommended rating of AC5 for bathrooms and kitchens to ensure they meet suitability needs. 

Vinyl Planks 

Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)

 

LVT makes for one of the best flooring options for wheelchair users. It’s highly durable, and suitable for any room of the home. For ease of movement and access around the home, Luxury Vinyl Tile is a great option. Click LVT features a thicket board which aids in providing more durability. 

 

EvoCore

 

EvoCore is another one of the best flooring’s for wheelchair users. This eco friendly option offers durability and home-wide suitability, meaning safety, confidence and mobility are optimal, as well as providing bespoke eye catching designs. EvoCore features scratch resistant surfaces and high durability. Perfect for facilitating the motions of a wheelchair. 

Flooring Types to Avoid

 

• Thick pile carpets – reduces or halts movement.
• Tile – Glossy finish tile can present slippery surfaces, leading to skidding, alteration of speed, or reduced effect of a brake.
• Vinyl Roll – Whilst not all vinyl roll should be avoided, lower grade options should be avoided where possible, as durability may provide future cosmetic issues resulting in the need to replace. 

 

Key Flooring Considerations for Wheelchair Users

Safety and manoeuvring will be front of mind when choosing the best flooring.. 

 

Whilst design and appearance are nice-to-haves, they may be secondary to ensuring you’re confident in mobility in your own home.

1. Durability 

 

First on the list is durability. As expected, wheelchairs can often be heavy on flooring, particularly motorised ones. 

 

Flooring should be practical in its ability to cater for this, as well as being able to handle manoeuvring to prevent cosmetic damage such as scuffs, scratches and lifting. 

 

Considering safety first, flooring wouldn’t be practical in its purpose if it did not cater for these needs. 

 

Damage to its appearance as a result of wheelchair presence is avoidable by considering high-durability flooring options. Experiencing comfort within an interior, as well as having mobility without the need for constant caution, sounds like a win-win scenario. 

 

This can be achieved with flooring such as EvoCore or engineered wood, being easy on the eye and offering extremely high durability. 

 

EvoCore

 

EvoCore Essentials and Premium are both made of a combination of 7 different layers to create an extremely resistant and durable flooring. It’s scratch resistant surface and textured surface makes for a great foundation for wheelchair users, whilst looking amazing in any room of the home, offering a wide array of designs and styles. 

 

 

Whatever range opted for in terms of compatibility for wheelchair users, EvoCore can withstand the test of time offering wear resistance, the ability to manoeuvre with ease whilst looking amazing in the process.  

 

Engineered Wood 

 

With engineered wood, this can be finished with a lacquer or oil, adding not only a natural charm but a protective layer to aid in durability. 

2. Slippery Surfaces

 

Another key consideration when it comes to the best flooring for wheelchair users is slippery surfaces. Traction is an important part of offering ease of movement, and this is something that smoother surfaces don’t tend to account for. 

 

Glossy finishes and ceramic tile are just some of the surfaces that can reduce wheelchair movement, alter speeds, or affect the efficiency of a brake due to the lack of traction. 

 

To allow safe and easy movement around a home, flooring options such as LVT, engineered wood, or a low pile carpet that isn’t too dense, usually loop piles rather than twist or Saxony as it offers smoother traction.

3. Comfort 

 

Where comfort is concerned, there are multiple flooring options for wheelchair users. Comfort is an each to their own factor, and when it comes to those who rely on the use of a wheelchair, there are physical factors to consider. 

 

With some wheelchairs being manual, this can have a physical effect on the body. Physical comfort should not be disregarded, and flooring can impact this. 

 

To prevent making mobility a strenuous activity, laminate flooring, LVT or engineered wood will make manoeuvring around your home a breeze. 

 

Thick carpet is another surface that will affect comfort. For more reasons than one. 

 

Carpets can cushion any falls and slow down speed, however thick-piled will reduce movement, and more energy and strength to push and rotate the wheels of the wheelchair. It’s important to consider which of these are most important before making a decision.

 

4. Room Type

 

Certain flooring’s go better in certain rooms, that’s just a fact. 

 

With different requirements for different rooms of the home, needs coupled with suitability can make options more limited as a wheelchair user.

 

In bathrooms and kitchens, popular choices for these rooms of the home are tiled flooring’s. However, some tile flooring’s are finished with slippery surfaces that could affect mobility. If this is your desired design, not to worry. Some flooring’s offer slip resistant surfaces and tiled patterns, providing the design you want with the suitability you need. Flooring’s such as slip resistant vinyl and EvoCore 360 will do the job perfectly. 

 

 

Kitchens

 

When it comes to kitchen flooring’s, a popular choice is tile. However, some tile flooring’s are finished with slippery surfaces that could affect mobility. If this is your desired design, not to worry. If this is your desired design, not to worry. Some flooring’s offer slip resistant surfaces and tiled patterns, providing the design you want with the suitability you need. Flooring’s such as slip resistant vinyl and EvoCore 360 will do the job perfectly. 

 

Bathrooms

 

Bathrooms are another room of the home that tiled flooring’s are often desired in. Similarly to kitchens, this room of the home requires flooring that will need to suit the everyday functions that occur there, as well as catering for wheelchair access. Again, like the kitchen, flooring’s such as slip resistant vinyl and EvoCore will suit these needs. 

5. Transitions

Transitioning between rooms in a wheelchair is another thing to consider when it comes to finding the best surface for wheelchairs. This is because when moving from room to room, surfaces can alter. Laminate to carpet, carpet to solid wood, whatever the surfaces of your home, having varied surface textures can cause exhaustion, especially if transitioning from surfaces that allow ease of movement, to ones that don’t. Where possible, having the same or similar flooring types that offer ease of wheelchair movement such as laminate or LVT, is something to consider when it comes to creating the flooring suitable for wheelchair users. 

 

Another thing to consider is keeping room transitions level to prevent getting stuck. Mini ramps can help with this. 

 

All Flooring Types and Their Suitability

 

Flooring Type	Suitability
Solid Wood	Suitable due to durability, however not suitable for kitchens and bathrooms due to temperature fluctuations.
Engineered Wood	Home-wide suitability and highly durable makes for a suitable flooring for wheelchair users.
Laminate	Laminate with an AC rating AC3 or above would make a suitable flooring for wheelchair users, with a recommended rating of AC5 for bathrooms.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)	LVT makes for one of the best flooring’s for wheelchair users, being highly durable, and suitable for any room of the home.
Vinyl Roll	Vinyl roll is suitable providing you have ensured it comes with slip resistance. However, durability in some cases isn’t always a strong suit.
Tile	Whilst some tiled flooring can be used, ensure the slip resistance where possible as certain finishes such as glossy, or ceramic tile can cause skidding and slipping.
Carpet	Low pile carpets can make a great flooring for those confined to a wheelchair. However, carpets with a thicker pile can hinder movement and be strenuous.
EvoCore	EvoCore is another one of the best flooring’s for wheelchair users. Again offering durability and home-wide suitability.

 

Hopefully this blog has answered your questions on recommendations when it comes to suitable flooring for wheelchair users. However, should you need more information, our team of experts would be more than happy to answer any questions, get in touch now. 

The post Best Flooring For Wheelchair Users appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

The year 2020 will go down in history as the time when everything changed. Working remotely is becoming the new norm. Shopping moved almost completely online. And cleaning – we look at that in an entirely new way.

It’s no longer acceptable to run a dust cloth over your personal items and call it a day. What else lurks in the corners of your room? We’ve taken cleaning to a whole new level.

It’s one thing to wonder how to clean a shelf in your living room. But what about the floors? They have to be the dirtiest places in your home, right?

If you have laminate flooring, you might be wondering what to do. You installed laminate for all the right reasons. You wanted a flooring that looked as good as hardwood, but stands up better to everyday living. And the coronavirus has definitely challenged what “everyday living” means.

 

How do you clean it? Better yet, how do you disinfect laminate flooring to ensure it not only looks good, but is safe for your family to live with?

Taking precautions with your laminate flooring

When you install new floors, you do so mostly for the beauty of the floors. You have a certain style in mind. You are creating aesthetics that will blend with your personal decor.

You might even take a second look at how well your flooring choices will do under pressure. Are they easy to clean? Are they easy to maintain over the years?

There’s a difference between cleaning and disinfecting. We’ve also become manic about ensuring everything is safe, sanitized, and doesn’t harbor germs that can make our families sick.

I was doing a few searches the other day in Google. Did you know people right now are searching things like:

• How do you kill germs on laminate floors?
• Can you use Lysol on laminate floors?
• What cleaners are safe for laminate floors?

Yep, this is front and center of every homeowner’s mind.

So what is the answer?

It starts with paying attention to what the manufacturer suggests.

When the manufacturer created the product currently residing in your home, they did so knowing it could sustain certain types of wear. It depends on what the laminate is made of, what topcoat is put into place, how it’s installed in your home. If you do things according to guidelines, it’ll wear well for the life of the product. If you follow the rules, whatever warranty is in place will ensure you are covered for the entire time frame.

The manufacturer knows best.

Some tips hold true no matter what product you choose:

Less water is better. Laminate might be better than hardwood when it comes to standing up against moisture, but it still isn’t made to have standing water in place. Water can soak in and cause extensive damage. It can peel and separate the layers. And it takes surprisingly less than you would imagine.

Never use bleach. Bleach may be the king of getting rid of germs, but it’s not a friend to laminate flooring. Laminate is porous. That means the bleach will soak in and cause a wide array of problems. It will often take the shiny finish off the floors first, before soaking into the color layer and dulling the look of your laminate. As it penetrates deeper, it can warp and curl your floors.

Avoid “promise” products. There are a lot of floor cleaners on the market today that make an array of promises. “Protected shine,” for example, promises to keep your floors radiant no matter how much your family can dish out. But what it’s really doing is filling in the tiny scratch and scuff markets with a filler product. Over time, this product can build, dull the finish, and create a filmy residue that’s difficult to get clean. It may make your floors look good in the beginning, but it will quickly disappear.

Your first step: Keeping dirt at bay

The key to great looking laminate flooring is to keep it clean and dirt-free. Dirt builds over time. By removing the dirt quickly, it means your flooring will stay cleaner naturally.

That means quick clean up when things happen. That’s why you should keep the proper tools right at hand, to be able to get rid of dirt quickly. Swiffer products make it easy to pick up messes fast. Invest in a small vacuum you can use whenever needed. Dust mops are good at picking up surface dirt and pulling them off of your floors. Use a dust mop daily at a minimum, more if your family is busy.

Always have a mop at hand

Sweeping and dusting are your first line of defense in keeping your flooring clean. But even if you dust daily, you aren’t removing the hidden grime that settles into your floors. And that’s where bacteria can live.

Dusting is your starting point. But from there, mopping provides you with a deeper clean.

Always use a soft mop so you won’t hurt the finish on your laminate floors. Not all mops are the same, so it’s wise to find one that works well with the product you have in place.

Keep a towel handy to dry any wet spots that remain after mopping. Excessive moisture – even small residue – can be enough to damage the finish. That means your floors may be impacted by things like swelling or warping.

And always pay attention to the chemicals in the floor cleaner you are selecting. Chemicals might promise to kill bacteria, but many do more harm than good. Avoid harsh chemicals, and refer to your warranty to ensure you’re using products the manufacturer recommends.

You should never use detergent-based cleaning products, as they will leave behind a sticky residue. And never pour any type of cleaning product directly on your floors. Make sure the mop or rag you use is thoroughly rung out, so it’s damp, and rub gently over the surface, ensuring no moisture is left behind.

Now it’s time to disinfect

Cleaning your floors is half the battle. The key to ensuring your floors are disinfected is to use an EPA-approved cleaning agent.

The CDC has issued guidance on what to use on porous materials. Use these guidelines to find a product that works well for your needs.

As always, before trying anything new, use a small amount of product in an inconspicuous place, to ensure it doesn’t leave a mark. If you’re getting down on the floor, be sure to wear gloves to keep your hands safe from harm, and dispose of them after, or wash them and hang them to dry.

All disinfectants can be harmful or fatal to people and animals, so keep the products away from your kids and pets.

Clean floors can give you peace of mind during these trying times. How have you been disinfecting your laminate flooring?

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

Laminate flooring is an old faithful in the flooring world. Though new patterns and designs are in the running for favoured foundations in a home, laminate is a go-to for a great flooring that does the job and suits your design taste, with tonnes of designs to choose from. It’s the perfect cost-effective alternative to real wood flooring too. Whilst its reputation speaks for itself, we’ll look into a list of pros and cons of laminate flooring to answer your questions as to whether or not it’s the flooring for you. 

 

There are many pros of laminate flooring. These include: 

1. Ease of maintenance
2. Highly durable depending especially with a high AC rating (AC5)
3. It’s an affordable alternative to solid or engineered wood
4. Installation is quick and easy
5. Available in an array of colours and styles
6. Lifespan on average of 15-25 years
7. Suitable with all rooms of the home. AC5 is recommended for bathroom use
8. Suitable for furniture presence
9. Suitable for underfloor heating

 

With alternative cons consisting of:

1. Can’t be refinished if experiencing damage
2. Not as quiet as carpet, but can be resolved with underlay or T profiles
3. Can provide a slippery surface if AC level is lower

 

Pros of laminate flooring

1. Maintenance

 

A key factor to consider when buying any flooring is maintenance. This is because flooring is a noticeable feature, provides the foundations of your home, and can often be on the larger side of your interior investments. 

 

For these reasons, caution is often taken when it comes to things like cleaning and caring for your flooring. 

 

With laminate flooring, maintenance is a breeze. When cleaning laminate, a micro fibre spray mop, with a specialist floor cleaner, is a great way to remove dust, dirt, or grime. 

 

Too much moisture exposure will cause cosmetic damage and lifting over time. A versatile all-in-one cleaning kit will provide everything you need to have your floor gleaming and cleaned properly. 

 

 

2. Durability

 

Another benefit of laminate flooring is durability. Laminate flooring comes with an AC rating that defines how strong and durable the laminate is. The higher the number, the more durable the floor. Though a higher AC rating doesn’t always mean the best as they all serve a different purpose and suit different needs. 

 

Laminate Flooring AC Ratings

 

AC1

Suitable for moderate traffic. Best suited to use in bedrooms or guest rooms.

AC2

Suitable for general traffic like Dining or living rooms.

AC3

Suitable for heavy traffic. Generally suitable for all areas, especially areas such as hallways.

AC4

Suitable for moderate traffic in commercial spaces. Think small offices, cafés or smaller retail outlets.

AC5

Suitable for heavy traffic in commercial spaces. Large department stores, public buildings and large offices.

 

As well as having varied levels of durability, being able to withstand a high dosage of foot traffic, laminate also features a scratch-resistant wear layer. 

So for those busy family, homes where your laminate planks become lanes in a monster truck rally, scratches and cosmetic damage doesn’t have to be a concern. 

 

3. Cost

 

Where budgets are concerned, laminate flooring offers a wide variety of designs, and needs. Generally, the bigger the requirement in terms of durability and wear, and lifespan, the more expensive the laminate. 

 

If you’re looking for that real wood look, but at a more affordable price, then laminate is the perfect option for you. Giving all the luxury and rich textures of a real wood flooring, whilst providing durability, at a budget-friendly cost. 

 

4. Installation is easy and DIY friendly 

 

Here’s one for those DIY enthusiasts; Laminate is extremely easy to install!  So get out your tool belt, and pen at the ready to cross off another skill, because our click-lock fitting mechanism makes it quick and easy to lay laminate. No qualms, just clicks, and your flooring is laid. 

 

Floating floor installations are the recommended option when it comes to installing laminate flooring. This means that your flooring isn’t fixed to the subfloor with any kind of adhesive. 

 

Though one thing to be cautious of is the condition of your subfloor. If you have an uneven subfloor, or you’re laying on top of concrete, ensure you use appropriate underlay to prevent issues such as damp and movement in the flooring. If you’re laying over concrete, we recommend an underlay with in-built damp proof membrane (DPM).

How to fit your Laminate flooring

 

For an easy how to guide on how to fit your laminate flooring, check out the video below.

4. Offers an Array of Styles 

 

Got an eye for design? Laminate comes in an array of colours and designs, so whatever you style, there will be an option for you. Dark wood? Light wood? Grey? Whatever your style preference, there is something for everyone. 

 

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Loft Dark Grey	Valencia Tile Retro Blue	Herringbone Pearl Oak
More Info	More Info	More Info
Add to Cart	Add to Cart	Add to Cart

 

5. Long Lasting

 

The lifespan for laminate flooring varies, with the average being between 15-25 years.

 

Some lower grade laminates may need replacing after around 10 years, with higher grade potentially lasting around 30 years. 

 

These estimated life spans mean your flooring can follow you through the decades and be ready to change when new design eras come into play, so you’re not spending unnecessary money on premature replacements.

 

If you do want to keep your laminate for even longer, it’s also easy to repair or replace damaged boards.

 

 

5. Room Suitability 

 

Home-wide suitability is another pro on the list when it comes to laminate flooring. 

 

As well as your high-traffic areas of the homes such as living rooms and hallways, laminate can also be used in rooms serving a purpose that needs a little more consideration. 

Laminate is also compatible with kitchens and bathrooms providing you use an AC level of AC4 or AC5. To ensure confidence in functionality in a bathroom, AC5 is the recommended option as these tend to be more water-resistant. 

 

Some AC4 laminates also come with a water resistant feature. However, though this is not always the case, so ensure this is clarified before purchasing. Our Villa, Residence Narrow and Supreme 12mm Long Board ranges offer this feature.

 

6. Suitable for furniture

 

Laminate flooring is capable of withstanding the presence of furniture.

 

When moving furniture, ensure its moved correctly, lifted rather than pushed along your flooring to ensure maximum reduction of cosmetic damage. 

 

Dropping the furniture may result in chips or cracks, so as long as it’s handled with care upon manoeuvring, your furniture can sit comfortably on a laminated surface, furnishing your room to your liking. 

 

To further ease your mind and aid in the protection of your flooring, felt furniture pads can be used to put under the legs of furniture to create a barrier between the furniture and flooring. This will aid in scratch prevention. 

 

7. Suitable for use with underfloor heating

 

Underfloor heating is becoming a more and more popular addition in the family home, adding comfort warmth and homely essence. To add to the list of pros, laminate is suitable for use with underfloor heating. 

 

So you can have this appealing, durable flooring in your home, complementing your underfloor heating system perfectly. 

 

Cons of laminate flooring

 

1. Can’t be Refinished

 

Unlike some other types of flooring, laminate can’t be sanded down and refinished. Once it’s worn or cosmetic damage shows, your flooring will need to be replaced or repaired.

 

However, the lifespan of laminate flooring is 15-25 years on average. By the time enough wear is present to the point of notice, it may be time to replace your flooring anyway.

 

2. Not as quiet as carpet  

 

Laminate flooring is quite rigid and installed directly on the subfloor, which means walking on laminate can be noisy underfoot. Whilst this can be an issue, it doesn’t have to be left unresolved. 

 

T profiles

 

One way to reduce noise produced by laminate flooring is using transitions between rooms. Using T profiles between rooms in arches or doorways, can reduce noise by taking pressure away from the mid section of the flooring area. 

 

Underlay for Laminate Flooring

 

Another way to reduce noise is by using an appropriate underlay. Additionally, this adds a cushion between the subfloor and the laminate, creating a barrier between the flooring and subfloor, giving added comfort underfoot. 

 

Underlay comes in variations depending on flooring type and needs. Check out our blog on underlay for wood, laminate and other hardwood flooring, to make sure you get the best underlay for your needs. 

 

3. Can be a slippery surface

 

With busy family homes comes little footprints that are often followed by thud, thud, thud!

 

Laminate flooring may provide a slippery surface in certain rooms. This could lead to things such as falls, which means extra caution needs to be taken if you have little ones. 

 

However, this caution can however be thrown to the wind, as there are preventative measures that can be taken to reduce slipping. 

 

AC Rating

 

One thing to aid in slip prevention is AC ratings. A higher AC rating offers a textured surface giving better slip resistance so this will ease your mind when it comes to those little feet running in socks. 

 

Underlay for Laminate Flooring

 

Another thing to consider is underlay, so even though we can’t fully rule out slips and falls, underlay can cushion these mishaps, reducing injury. 

 

Is laminate flooring for you?

 

As you have probably picked up, the pros and cons of laminate flooring are unbalanced in the favour of pros. 

 

Whilst there are some cons to laminate, they’re outweighed by the many benefits laminate can bring to your home. Its practicality, affordability and adaptability to design aesthetic are just some of the reasons laminate flooring makes for a great contender in any home. 

 

Have more questions regarding laminate flooring? Not a problem, get in touch with one of our flooring experts today for further assistance. 

The post Laminate Flooring: Pros and Cons appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

Many Americans have made the move to hardwood floors, and we can’t blame them. There is something about the beauty of a hardwood floor that makes any home look amazing. Hardwood floors also cut down on allergens and dust mites, which helps people with allergies and asthma. If you are thinking about hardwood floors, which kind of hardwood flooring should you choose? We have a guide for you.

Types of Wood Flooring

There are two different types of wood flooring. Engineered hardwood is composed of several different layers of wood, each going in a different direction. The top of the wood plank is a solid wood veneer. Engineered hardwood comes in lots of different tree species. Solid hardwood is one solid piece of wood throughout the plank. It is more expensive, but it can last for decades.

Styles of Wood Flooring

You may want to select strip hardwood flooring. Strip flooring comes in strips which are between 1 ½ inch and 2 ½ inches wide, and 5/16 up to ¾ thick. When you think of traditional wood flooring, this is what you are thinking of. Plank flooring has wider strips of wood that are between three and eight inches wide. People who like a rustic look or want to preserve a historic home look may choose this type of flooring. If you are into the antique or rustic look, you might also want to opt for hand-scraped wood flooring, which looks much older than it is, and is finished with urethane for perfect preservation and to guard against stains and spills. Wire brushed floors are also distressed, but not as much as the hand-scraped flooring.

When you’re ready to buy new hardwood flooring, give Flooring.org a call at 800-689-9006! We’re always ready to help you pick out your new flooring.

This post appeared first on http://www.flooring.org

Are you thinking of changing the flooring inside your home? One step into a flooring center can leave you overwhelmed and confused.

Maybe you planned to replace what’s currently installed. You have carpet, and want to stick with carpet.

Or maybe you’ve been uttering “hardwood is the only way to go” for years. Now is your time – you can’t wait to install traditional hardwood.

But even that is turning into a massive headache. The more you learn about hardwood, the more you’re wondering if it’s the right choice for you. You have a busy household, after all. Dogs, kids, football parties on the weekends, potluck always seems to be at your house on Friday’s. Is hardwood really the right choice?

Maybe it’s time to consider laminate flooring instead.

We get it, laminate might cause your eyebrows to come together in puzzlement. You’ve heard a lot about laminate, and not a lot of it’s good.

We’re here to tell you that you shouldn’t believe everything you read. With today’s technology, laminate flooring has undergone massive change since its inception. And it really might be the right choice for your home.

What is laminate flooring?

People often stop by our retail center and say:

We love hardwood and really want to install them inside our home. But we’d like it to be a little more maintenance-free, easy to care for, and have resiliency against everyday mishaps like a spilled glass of water. What hardwood floor can do that?

They are surprised when the answer is: laminate flooring.

Laminate flooring is a multi-layer product designed to give you the good looks of hardwood, with the resiliency of other flooring choices like vinyl.

Laminate starts out with a backing layer designed to keep moisture out and prevent water from seeping in and ruining the floor. Think of this as the insulation that provides protection against everything your family can dish out.

Next, laminate floors have a fiberboard core that provides structure, stability, and impact resistance. This is what gives your flooring overall strength, and helps it hold up well throughout the years. The core layer is made from a high density fiberboard (HDF) or medium density fiberboard (MDF), which is created typically from recycled wood fibers.

The decorative layer sits on top of the core layer. This is what gives the laminate its good looks. Because technology has increased so much over the years, today’s laminate flooring can take on just about any look, come in a plethora of color, grain, and texture options.

Finally, the top layer is smoothed over the decorative layer to add protection. It’s a thin coating of aluminum oxide, which helps give it shine, protect it from scratching, and even provide UV protection from natural sunlight.

Why laminate is the right choice for today’s homes

When most people think of laminate, they judge it off of what they learned in the 1970s, when laminate first hit the marketplace. The new product may have looked like hardwood, but it was a lower quality by far. This is what created the stereotypes that are still in existence today.

By the 1980s, the dominating company produced a product called Pergo, which took off quickly across Europe, and slowly penetrated the US market during the 1990s. It was an easy way for homeowners to enjoy the beauty of hardwood floors at a more affordable price. But they rarely passed for hardwood. There was no mistaking the look and feel.

Fast forward to today, and there are many more advancements in laminate flooring. Pay attention to manufacturers’ quality; you won’t be able to tell the difference between traditional hardwood and laminate.

Each layer has seen advancements to make stronger, better looking, and more resilient than ever before. One of the most recent developments is an increase in water-resistance. Where traditional hardwood often fails in places like kitchens and basements, you can now install laminate, knowing you’ll love your choice for years to come.

Are you sold on the idea of laying laminate flooring throughout your home? You’re going to love the results.

This is how you care for laminate flooring

To ensure you love your flooring for years to come, we’ve put together a few care tips to keep your laminate flooring in top shape and looking good throughout your busy days.

Dust can be the enemy – in a gas-forced heated home, which is prominent all over Colorado, dust is something you learn to live with. But dust and laminate flooring aren’t a good combination. Invest in a vacuum that works well on hard surfaces; use it regularly. Consider investing in a Swiffer and pick up the dust each day. Dust has the ability to get between the spaces and deteriorate the laminate boards faster. Avoid using steam or water as that can also seep in and harm the base of the flooring.

Stop the dirt in its tracks – With any flooring, it will remain looking its best if you stop dirt at the front door. Invest in high quality mats to wipe your feet off before entering. Consider a “no shoe” rule and have each family member take off shoes before moving through the rest of the house. The cleaner you can keep your house, the less dirt will settle onto the flooring. That also means you can avoid using abrasive cleaners that can further harm your floors.

Protect with padding – your home is all about living comfortably. While laminate does have scratch-resistance built into the top layer, it’s equally important to help withstand scratching from some of the most common items inside your home. The kitchen chair can be a lethal weapon to your flooring. Luckily, you can invest in padding and covers that will allow you to freely move your furniture around while adding a little more protection for your floors.

Say YES to laminate flooring

A lot of homeowners come in looking for the perfect flooring to suit their needs. And in the back of their minds, they also question resale value – will people be interested in buying their homes if laminate is installed?

Increasingly, the answer is yes.

Laminate flooring works well in places hardwood traditionally does not. And it carries the look to places where you might have installed something else.

Laminate flooring may be the right choice for your home. The best way to find out is to give us a call today.

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