Month: January 2021

If you’ve ever picked up a tile and had thoughts of visiting your local pottery shop, there’s a reason for that. Most tiles you lay in your home are made from ceramic clay.

Visit a history museum and you’re likely to find tiles from bygone eras. The Chinese created tiles with stunning images painted on each individual tile. This art moved around the globe as trade developed and moved throughout the world.

Tile goes back in time at least 25,000 years. Romans made using clay tiles popular as a roofing option, while the Egyptians loved a white glass tile to adorn their homes.

https://www.thevictorianemporium.com/publications/history/article/history_of_tiles

Of course, there are very good reasons why tile flooring remains ever-popular for many uses inside the home. If you guessed “longevity” to be one of them, you’re correct. If people have been using them for centuries, there’s a good reason for that. It may be the deciding factor for you to install tile flooring in your own home.

Tile works well in many places in your home

One of the best reasons to consider tile is because it’s functional everywhere. Install it in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, even the family room, and you’re going to love the results. That’s because it’s one of the easiest flooring materials to maintain. When installed correctly, it can last for decades. And cleaning it means nothing more than an occasional mopping.

What’s more, you can make your home unique – tile comes in unlimited design potentials, including different colors, patterns, and styles. If you don’t like what you see, create it yourself. By combining different tiles together, you can weave a pattern that is uniquely your own.

Tile also works well starting on the floor, and moving up to the walls, countertops, backsplashes, and more. Some of the most gorgeous bathrooms and laundry rooms we’ve seen incorporate tile in a variety of ways.

Need inspiration? What better way to find it than with a search online. Create a pinboard on Pinterest, and let your imagination go wild. Pin all the sites and photographs you find that motivate you into action. Then when you visit with one of our design consultants, we’ll have a better understanding of what you’re looking for.

Tile is easy to maintain

In today’s world, we have a lot going on in our daily lives. Especially here in the Rocky Mountains, we love being able to come and go throughout the day, enjoying everything the great outdoors has to offer. Of course, that can mean tracking in mud, snow, slush, and other contaminants on any given day. And not all flooring choices are cut out for that amount of abuse.

Tile flooring makes cleanup easy. What’s more, it won’t stain and leave telltale signs of your outside life once you’re inside and ready to relax.

Because it’s a hard surface area, it needs an occasional sweeping to wipe away the dust bunnies and other loose debris. Spot clean as you spill, with an occasional mopping to ensure the entire surface stays clean. Depending on the color of your grout, you might need deeper cleaning with a brush between the tiles to ensure a uniform look.

If you spend a little bit of time keeping the surface clean throughout the year, it’ll mean less wear and tear over time. Clean grout holds its integrity, meaning you’ll have less chance of stains. It’ll also mean you notice when the grout is compromised, which can potentially allow water to seep underneath. Hairline cracks can allow moisture to penetrate down underneath the tile, and start to destroy the integrity of your flooring. Jump quickly, fix problem areas, and you’ll have a floor that’ll last for years.

Tile is great for the DIYer

Want to install the flooring yourself? Tile is one of the most forgiving flooring choices you can make. With small tiles, you can lay them into place, and learn as you go.

Of course, having tile in your home means you can have different levels of DIY projects. Allow a professional to install it the first time. Then keep a handful of tiles on hand for fixing as you encounter problems with individual tiles. Drop a pan and crack a tile? With a little elbow grease, you can lay the new tile into place – and keep your floors looking fresh longer.

Tile is great for keeping your home cool … and warm

When most people think of installing tile, they consider it to be a way to keep the home cool. That’s why you find tile flooring in homes across the southern US. But when temperatures dip well below freezing, many Coloradoans want warmer flooring – something you won’t get from tiles.

Or will you?

Tile is one of the best flooring choices to lay in place over radiant heating. That means your home will feel warm from the bottom up. Imagine walking on floors that are warm to the touch. How would that feel jumping out of bed in the morning?

Of course, you’ll also love the feel in the heat of the summer, when the temperatures climb over one-hundred degrees. We think that’s what makes tile flooring so versatile – and a great choice here in Colorado. What better way to cut down on your air conditioning use than to create an environment conducive to staying cool?

Tile can be a cost effective way to create a great living environment

Using tile for your flooring can save you money. It’s one of the few flooring choices that can last for decades, meaning you’ll have fewer replacement costs over time.

And considering its cost fluctuates from low to high, you can find a great look at a price that fits your budget. If you have an idea, one of our associates can help you find something to suit your needs and desires.

We also like the fact that with tile flooring, one mistake won’t cost you your entire floor. With a few extra tiles on hand, you can easily replace cracked, broken, or stained tiles easily and without a lot of fuss. This can add years to the life of your flooring.

So what’s your desire with your tile flooring? What look do you have in mind? We can help you achieve it, and have it installed in no time.

The post Is This The Year You Install Tile Flooring? first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

There are many types of hardwood flooring available for your home, and it may be confusing when you are looking for hardwood floors for your kitchen, living room or bedroom. You may not be as familiar with engineered hardwood. Here is some information about engineered hardwood floors.

What Is Engineered Hardwood?

Hardwood flooring represents one solid piece of wood that is cut into strips for flooring. Engineered hardwood represents pieces of both hardwood and plywood that is layered on top of each other in thin strips.

Why Might Engineered Hardwood Be Good for My Flooring Choice?

First, engineered hardwood tends to be less expensive than traditional hardwoods, which may make it a more economical choice for you. Engineered hardwood may be the perfect hardwood choice for your large room, such as your living room or great room. Also, engineered hardwoods are great for people who are environmentally conscious. That’s because a lot of engineered hardwoods are made from recycled wood, or wood remainders, so that no piece of wood goes to waste.

Also, engineered hardwoods are more durable and stronger than traditional hardwood flooring. While traditional hardwood floors can be scratched or pitted, it is more difficult to scratch and pit an engineered hardwood floor. They are also moisture and heat resistant, which may make them a perfect choice for your kitchen or sunroom.

One of the best reasons to choose an engineered hardwood floor is because you are able to refinish it again if your taste or colors in your room change. This means an engineered hardwood floor can change as you change lifestyles, tastes, or remodels. If they are properly cared for, your engineered hardwoods can be with you for life.

When you’re ready to order hardwood flooring for your next project, you can give Flooring.org a call at 800-689-9006.

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

Hardwood flooring is available in a range of different plank styles and widths.  Whether you choose a wide or narrow plank is purely down to aesthetics and your personal preference. However, the width of your flooring can have a bit impact on the space it is going into. Read More

There are many factors that go into figuring out how often you should replace your floors.  The Carpet Guys want to give you as much information as possible so you can decide if your ready to have us install your new flooring. Read on to learn more.

What Type of Flooring Do You Currently Have?

Replace Carpet

Carpet is the most frequently replaced flooring material. It’s recommended to replace carpet at least every 7-10 years.  It also happens to be the most inexpensive flooring type.  Depending on what type of carpet you have, may help you decide if it’s time to renew.  If your carpet is made of polyester fibers, it will better resist stains but will show foot traffic patterns sooner.  If you have a nylon style carpet, it will hold up to daily wear and tear but is more absorbent and will show stains and dirt more readily.  So, if you’re tired of looking at that coffee stain by the television, it’s time to replace!

Replace Hardwood

Hardwood is a fairly durable material.  Though it shows scratches and dents immediately, it can be resurfaced to a new luster.  Unfortunately, hardwood is susceptible to moisture and weather changes.  Over time, living in a region of the country that endures climate changes, the boards of your floor will expand and contract possibly leaving gaps and warping.  Resurfacing and replacement are an expensive endeavor with hardwood.  You may want to consider a more durable and less expensive option like Vinyl or Laminate.

Replace Luxury Vinyl Plank and Laminate

These types of hard surface flooring are extremely durable!  There are styles and types that boast waterproof and scratch-proof and can handle many different types of environments if installed properly.  If you’re looking for a flooring style that doesn’t need to be replaced often and is less expensive than tile or hardwood, this is the best option for you.  These types of surfaces can last up to 25 or 30 years, depending on how your household inhabits the space.

If you don’t know what type of flooring you have, or are ready for a change, The Carpet Guys can help you replace your flooring.  One of our expert Design Consultants will bring our showroom to your home and work with you to find the best flooring for your lifestyle.  Our installers can rip out your old flooring, haul it away and install your new perfect floors.  Why not make the change now, so you can enjoy them for years to come!!

Call 855-4-MY-GUYS or schedule a free in-home estimate at www.CarpetGuys.com.  Our representatives are standing by to assist you.

The post How Often Should I Replace My Floors? appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

What will 2021 bring? It’s a question a lot of us are asking daily.

If your thoughts have turned towards remodeling, you’re not alone. According to one study on remodeling, spending increased for the third quarter of 2020 by 9 percent, with a prediction for continued growth in the coming year.

Why? There are many reasons for the sudden uptick in remodeling projects.

To improve functionality – after spending 24/7 in our homes for the last year, a lot of us have paid attention to the bad setups and wasted space. We need rooms that suit our needs. We need private office space that allows for Zoom calls and video conferencing. We need space for each kid to attend classes live each day. We need space to work, space to play, and a sense of functionality for every aspect of who we are as a family.

To increase modernity – while you might have lived with poorly designed spaces and old appliances before, their inefficiencies have now been called out. You’re cooking from home more than ever before. The gym is now a room that sees daily activity. Why not have a sauna in your master bath? Why not make your dreams a reality?

To increase energy and water savings – you can’t help but think about the money running down the drain, especially as each family member takes a little longer in the shower because they have the time. Upgrading poor performing appliances can instantly increase your savings on monthly utility bills. It can also open up space you never had before – a tankless water heater, for example, can be installed by the bathrooms and leave ample space for that wine cellar you’ve added to your wish list.

To boost your home’s value – maybe you aren’t planning a major move … yet. But you’re weighing your options, and you know you’re open to new opportunities. Why not upgrade the kitchen or bath now, and have your home in showroom quality before you list it for sale? According to a survey by Realtor Magazine, 80 percent of homebuyers placed the kitchen as one of the three most important spaces that will make or break a potential sale. Homeowners can recoup as much as 81 percent of the remodel cost, which should give you the motivation you need to dive into your home remodeling project now.

Now that you’ve made up your mind to start your remodeling project, it’s time to start thinking of the basics. Your floors are the largest surface area inside your home. Floors set the foundation for the space, and balance your style and your needs carefully.

While you can repaint your walls if you hate the color fairly easily, your flooring choice is something you’ll probably have to live with for years. How do you ensure your flooring choices for your remodeling project is something you’ll love?

We’ve been tracking what homeowners want. People want flooring that’s flexible, easy to live with, easy to maintain, and looks great now and for years to come. If you’re looking for new flooring that meets all of those requirements and more, consider these flooring options for your remodeling project.

Luxury Vinyl Tile – LVT

Luxury vinyl tile has become one of the most popular products on the marketplace for good reason. It’s waterproof, low maintenance, resilient to anything your family can dish out, and looks great too.

What is drawing people to installing LVT is its classic good looks. If hardwood has been on your radar for years, but you could never see yourself living with it, LVT may be your solution. LVT is designed to replicate the look of the most loved products on the market. Want hardwood planks without having to worry about warping from spills or water damage? Give luxury vinyl tile a look.

If you’re looking to take on some of the remodeling projects yourself, there’s another reason to look at LVT. It’s perfect for the DIYer who wants to save a little money on installation costs. The click and lock systems provided by the top manufacturers make installation a snap.

The biggest draw to LVT flooring is its durability and ease of maintenance. LVT is waterproof – yes, waterproof. While nothing is going to withstand flooding, standing in several feet of water for hours – days – on end, LVT can withstand all the day-to-day living your family dishes out. If your child overfills the tub and doesn’t tell you, you won’t have to worry about the outcome. If you have daily messes in the kitchen, that’s not a problem. Simply wipe it up and continue on with your day.

Hardwood

Maybe you’re weighing your options for new flooring for your remodeling project, and hardwood stays at the top of your list. You’ve wanted hardwood for as long as you can remember, and nothing else will do.

Then install hardwood and be happy with your choice. It’s still at the top of homeowners’ wish lists. Its classic design makes it something you can live with for years. What’s more, with today’s technology and options, there’s a hardwood that suits your needs.

Want traditional hardwood? A classic oak may suit your needs.

Want something more durable? Check out engineered hardwood, made from various layers to give you a more scratch-resistant, durable hardwood flooring option.

No matter what you have in mind, today’s manufacturers can offer you just the style, color, and design you’re looking for. You’ll be pleased with your purchase and love the look as soon as you place it in your home.

Carpet

Are you still dreaming of a plush carpet you can dig your toes into? Do you love the warmth of carpeting in the bedrooms, and have visions of it installed in your new home office? Well you’re in luck; it still tops the list of what homeowners are installing in their remodeling projects.

If you’ve had concerns about installing carpet, put your mind at ease. Manufacturers listen to what homeowners once, and they’ve delivered by producing a variety of lines that people love.

If going green is your thing, check out natural carpet. Wool carpet is plush, warm, comfortable, and offers natural qualities that can suit any homeowner looking for eco-friendly options.

Want stain resistance? You’ll be amazed at what’s on the market today. Your carpet will have natural stain fighters that pull the most common stains away from the fiber, making it easier to clean. That leaves your carpets looking nicer, longer.

What’s your remodeling dream?

No matter what your dream home looks like, the best place to start is at the bottom. New flooring for your remodeling project will set the stage for any design you’re looking for.

The post 3 Of The Most Popular Flooring Choices For Remodeling first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

Here in Colorado, homeowners often have a one track mind: hardwood.

We love hardwood and we want it everywhere.

So we install it on the main floor, in every bedroom, even in the basement. It might take time to transition from using traditional hardwood to things like luxury vinyl planks that match and complement one another, but we get it done. And when you finally see the results, you’re more than happy. You love the look you’ve created, and you’re excited to start decorating.

Hardwood provides a wonderful base for any type of decor. Want light and breezy? Prefer country charm? Want minimalistic and modern? Hardwood can set the stage for each of these settings and look great in the process.

Yet once you get all of your hardwood floors installed and start to look around, you may discover you want a little softening in each room. That’s where a new area rug can add functionality and charm.

Let’s start by talking size and shape 

It won’t take you very long to discover that area rugs come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Want something small for your kitchen or mudroom? Not a problem. Want something that fits your dining room, complete with a large table that seats sixteen? You can find an area rug to suit your needs there too.

Before you start to shop, it’s a good idea to measure your space and decide where you want your area rug to lie before you start settling in on ideas. You can measure and then do a quick search to find out what is available – will you have to order a custom rug, or will a standard size fit into place?

There isn’t a standard guideline for how to fit a new area rug into your home, but there are some general rules you can follow.

Tend to move towards a larger rug than settling for a smaller one. A larger one will make your space look larger, and provide more comfort as you go about day to day living. Smaller ones can leave you feeling shorted, which can be a major issue if you move furniture regularly, such as in the dining room.

It is important to take the size and shape of the room into consideration before you finalize your decision. As much as you love a circular rug, if you’re trying to fit it into a rectangular shaped kitchen space, it’s going to throw your entire decor off. An area rug should mimic the shape of the space, and work to bring cohesiveness throughout the room.

The area rug should fit all of your furniture comfortably without leaving random pieces of furniture hanging off to the side. Leave at least eighteen inches from the baseboard of the room to the area rug. If you do choose a smaller rug than what your furniture demands, ensure cohesiveness by placing the front legs of the sofa on it, for example, to tie everything together.

Think big or small. Either select an area rug that allows all of your furniture to be placed on it, or go small and use it as placement pieces. Runners on the sides of the bed can add a pop of color to a bedroom without requiring you to invest in a large area rug that fits the dimensions of the room.

While there are many different ways to incorporate a new area rug into your home, the key is making it work with your belongings. We often encourage homeowners to visit their favorite decor sites, start a pinboard on Pinterest to save their favorites, and choose a look to mimic in their own homes. This gives you an ever-important starting point for looking for something for your own home.

Color and style are equally important

Have you ever visited your favorite store and found the perfect accent for your home? You love the color and can’t wait to bring it home?

While you can easily change out a vase or even a comforter for your bed, it’s more difficult with something as large as an area rug for your floors. That makes the task of choosing color and style that much more daunting – do you go with the bright patterns you love? Or stick with subdued so you know you won’t grow tired of it in the long run?

Many homeowners stick with a neutral color palette, afraid to go “too wild”. Yet bolder colors can make your room feel alive, motivating you, even giving you more energy each day as you step into the room.

Every year Pantone sets a color of the year to help designers set what is popular. This year the colors are Ultimate Gray and Illuminating. Pantone defines these colors as the union of an enduring gray with a vibrant yellow that sends the message of positivity. It’s a color combination that gives resilience and hope.

Have more subdued furniture in a living room? A gray couch, neutral chairs, even earth tone window coverings? Maybe a pop of color in your living room area rug is just what you need.

If you’re nervous about moving forward with color or a certain style that may seem a bit too “wild” for what you’re used to, work with one of our consultants who can help put your mind at ease. Take the time necessary to ensure you’re happy with your final selection.

The most important thing about area rugs that most people forget

It’s easy to get caught up in the looks, color, and style. After all, that’s what you’ll be living with for the foreseeable future.

However, equally important is the backing material, and how you clean your new area rug.

If you select an inexpensive area rug made from natural fibers such as sisal or jute, there is little you can do with a spill. A dropped bottle of your favorite merlot may be a perfect recipe for requiring you to purchase a new rug.

Also pay attention to the backing. Is it anti-slip? Does it provide a cushion for support? There are many choices, not all of which are necessary in every room in your home. But it is important to understand the properties and what it will give you overall.

Are you ready to install a new area rug in your home? Whatever your desires, we can help you select the right one for your needs. 

The post Change The Look Of Your Home With A New Area Rug first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

When you are installing a new hardwood floor it is imperative that you fully check and prepare the subfloor.  One of the most important things that you must do is to check the moisture of your subfloor.  The subfloor is the existing floor in your property, for example, wooden floorboards, concrete, joists, chipboard, etc. Read More

One of the most important questions that rarely gets asked is: What is the best carpet for stairs?  When you have a multi-level home, with steps up or down to any room or level of your home, that step is going to endure a vast amount of foot traffic and wear due to the weight of each person entering or exiting.  It’s important to keep this in mind when choosing your flooring.  The Carpet Guys can help you choose the best carpet for your stairs.

Choose Stair Carpet with a Flexible Backing

The first thing to keep in mind is that you want a medium weight style carpet.  A heavier weighted style, though soft under foot on a flat surface, is not going to easily bend over the step nose.  This may cause the carpet to sit wide over the step and cause slipping and accidents.  A lighter weight carpet, though it will most likely bend easier over the lip of the step, the sparse nature of the carpet pile will look even more open as the flooring is bent, causing a “bald” look to your stairs.

What Type of Flooring will the Stair Carpet Transition to?

The second thing you will want to think about is what type of flooring the stairs will transition too.  If it is going from your carpeted stairs to a hallway with the same carpet, it will easily make a smooth transition.  But if the steps end on tile or some other hard surface, you want to make sure to choose a carpet style that can easily transition at the riser to the other flooring type.

Get Great Padding

Lastly, you want to make sure that you have a good pad installed on your stairs with your carpet.  Installers will only install pad on the tread (flat surface that your foot lands on) to help protect the carpet from wear and tear.  Remember, that every time you step down onto a landing, that flooring surface is taking the equivalent of almost double your weight.  So, these surfaces must be able to endure a much larger amount of deterioration.  It’s also important for your body to have that exceptional padding underneath.  Your joints also feel the blows of each step and that padding will absorb much of that impact.

If you’re looking to have your stairs carpeted because your old flooring is worn or because you want to ease your joint pain, call The Carpet Guys at 855-4-MY-GUYS or go to www.carpetguys.com.  We can help you choose the best carpet for stairs and any other room in your home. To learn more about flooring on stairs and the difference between a “Hollywood” stair finish and a “Waterfall” stair finish, check out our blog of What is a Waterfall Finish?

The post What is the Best Carpet for Stairs appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

Want a new flooring material in your home? Want something that says “notice me” while at the same time offers durability?

Maybe it’s time to give cork flooring a second look.

We love cork flooring for so many reasons. But one of the top is its eco-friendly qualities. If you have a goal of making your home greener this year, cork flooring is the perfect step to take.

Instead of using a product that takes decades to harvest like hardwood, cork is taken directly from the bark of the cork tree. It is sheared off in layers, allowing the tree to continue growing and producing over the years. Very little goes to waste.

And because it’s a natural product, it also creates a healthier living environment. It resists mold and mildew, meaning it won’t harbor allergies like other flooring materials may do.

While cork may not be on the same purchasing level as traditional hardwood, it is an excellent option for homeowners who are looking for something different.

Does this sound like you? Then let’s dive deeper into the reasons why it may be perfect for you.

People love the way cork feels

You probably have a lot of experience with cork – it’s been used in many ways throughout time. One of the most popular uses is with wine bottles – wiggle the cork out to gain access to what’s inside.

A wine cork is soft and flexible. You might also notice it stains easily, taking on the red tones from your favorite merlot or syrah.

Or how about the bulletin board you used as a kid. Remember pushing pins in to hold up your favorite mementos? The cork didn’t last long, did it?

Don’t worry; cork flooring is nothing like your memories of cork. It’s manufactured to be a flooring that stands up well under pressure while maintaining its softness to your feet. Do you stand for lengthy periods? Are you tired of how tile or hardwood feels over time? Cork flooring may be your solution.

Homeowners also love it because the softness also creates an environment with noise reduction too. It’s a quiet floor, one that won’t sound hollow as someone walks on it. It won’t creak over time. And that can be beneficial if you share home office space, or have babies or small children trying to nap.

People love cork flooring for its warmth

One of the reasons tile isn’t as popular here in Colorado as it is in states with warmer temperatures is because of our cold winters. Stepping on a cold tile when it’s zero outside can be a little intimidating.

You’ll never find cork flooring to be anything but warm. That’s because cork is a natural insulator, one that protects against both heat and cold. You’ll find it comfortable in your living space no matter what the temperature is outside.

Cork is also a natural insulator against noise. Have a home office where you produce podcasts and videos? Cork floors may be a perfect addition to help create the perfect backdrop.

People love cork flooring because it’s non-slip

The softness factor of cork flooring also gives in a natural grip. That makes it a safer flooring product than things like tile or even LVT.

While cork is water resistant, it still needs to have proper sealant installed if you’re using it in places prone to moisture, such as the kitchen or bathroom. Be sure to speak with one of our consultants about what you can expect before you install it.

People love cork flooring because it’s hypoallergenic

Do you or a family member struggle with allergies or asthma related symptoms? You might be remodeling your home to make it a healthier place to live. Cork flooring may be the perfect choice to suit your needs.

Cork contains microbial properties that make it resistant to mold and mildew. It also repels dirt, dust, dander, and other contaminants better than other flooring choices. Simply wipe them away.

If you are worried about volatile organic compounds – VOCs – in the products you choose for your home, cork is a great addition to help improve the air quality. Just be sure to pay attention to the manufacturer you select, and that they’ve received proper certification. Look for things like FloorScore or GreenGuard Gold certification to ensure the manufacturer created a product that is truly beneficial for the environment.

People love cork flooring because it’s durable

It’s worth stressing that cork flooring is a durable flooring product you’ll love for virtually any room in your home.

Cork lies somewhere between carpet and hardwood. It’s not as soft as carpet, but it’s more comfortable underfoot than hardwood.

The biggest enemy of cork can be sand and rocks. If these tiny particles aren’t swept away, they can dig in and grind cork away. But there’s an easy solution; place mats at the door to remove most of the grit from outside off your feet before you come in. Better yet, make your home a shoe-free zone and add extra protection.

Heavy furniture can also create dents. Those tiny legs on chairs and sofas can sink deep into the cork and leave a mark. Use coasters to spread the weight out, and consider shifting your furniture slightly from time to time to avoid pockmarks.

People love cork flooring because it can be refinished

There are many flooring choices that are a one time use. That’s why many turn to hardwood because you can refinish the surface multiple times.

If that has been one of your key reasons for looking at hardwood, give cork another look. Solid cork can also be sanded and restained. The trick is using a palm sander and a fine grit sandpaper. You don’t want to take any more than just the surface of the flooring.

This doesn’t apply to a cork veneer or composite – you can’t sand it when it’s built out of multiple layers. You’ll damage the flooring and have to replace it.

If this is something that motivates you, be sure to speak with one of our representatives about finding the perfect cork floor for your needs.

Is cork flooring in your future?

The post Cork Flooring – An Eco-Friendly Flooring Solution first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

Thinking of remodeling your home this year? You’re not alone.

According to one report, home renovation is at an all-time high. Nearly half of all homeowners are living in their first purchased home. And when they’ve lived there six years or more, 61 percent of them opt for remodeling a portion of their home in some way.

Why are homeowners thinking now is the perfect time for a remodel? The pandemic tops the list.

For the first time, many homeowners are seeing their homes in a different light. While they may have been running from activity to activity before, spending very little of their waking time at home, things have changed. Today people work from home, attend school from home, even take part in their favorite activities all from the comfort of their homes.

But what if that home isn’t as comfortable as you remember? What if you simply don’t have room for everything you do each day? You need better function. You need more flexible space.

What better time to do that than right now?

But there’s another consideration you should pay attention to: the health of your home.

You don’t want to bring in just any building material. After the past year, you now understand just how important your health is.

As you’re building the base for your new space, pay attention to every material you bring through your door. And start it out by choosing eco-friendly flooring that looks great, wears well, and improves your living conditions too.

Eco-friendly flooring is better for the environment

To truly understand how your flooring impacts the environment, you have to start at the point of origination. Where does your flooring material come from? How was it created?

Some flooring is created in a lab, made from all kinds of chemicals and products designed for specific reasons. Plastics can add strength and durability. Binders and adhesives can add to that strength and add longevity.

Yet just because they exist and we have them available to us, doesn’t make them good for the environment.

If you are specifically looking for environmentally friendly flooring products, pay attention to the specifics of how it was made.

Bamboo flooring, for example, is a hard, durable flooring material designed to give you the same appearance as hardwood floors. But bamboo is different from hardwood. Instead of taking decades for harvest, bamboo can be harvested in just a few years. Bamboo is a grass that grows extremely fast, and is woven together to add to its strength and durability. If you looked at bamboo years ago and were leery of its strength, look again. Today’s bamboo is a welcome addition to any home, and may be the perfect choice for your remodeled space.

Of course, bamboo isn’t the only option. How about linoleum? Yes, linoleum has been around for decades, and many homeowners don’t even think to look at this eco-friendly product. But combined with today’s technology has made it a wonderful choice for some rooms in your home. Linoleum is made from tree resin, linseed oil, cork dust, bits of wood, limestone, and pigments. It’s pressed together to make a natural flooring product perfect for some areas of your home. If you’ve wanted a flooring that’s easy to clean, and provides water-resistant benefits, linoleum might be your choice.

Want other options? Look no further than cork. This environmentally friendly material comes from thin layers of a cork tree. To harvest cork, workers sheer off a thin layer of cork, leaving the tree intact. The tree continues growing and can produce multiple layers of cork throughout its life. While most people are leery of cork in the beginning, with pictures of wine corks and bulletin boards floating in their minds, you’ll find cork flooring much different than other types of cork you have around your home. Manufacturers use a process to make cork hard enough to be installed in your home, and wear well under pressure. It has give that hardwood and tile won’t have, yet offers durability that can last for many years to come.

Of course, when you want to install eco-friendly flooring, look beyond the flooring itself to ensure you’re getting what you truly want. Cork floor may seem like a great choice, but if it’s harvested in less than stellar ways, you’re really not getting what you paid for. Look for certifications that ensure it’s an eco-friendly product. Things like Green Label Plus or Forest Stewardship Council have all set up organizations to follow the entire process of the product, and ensure it meets guidelines along the way.

Eco-friendly flooring is better for your home

People usually select eco-friendly flooring for two reasons.

1. They want a product better for the environment.

2. They want a product better for the health of their family.

If you suffer from allergies, if you have a family member prone to asthma or other respiratory illnesses, you may be looking for ways to create a cleaner living environment. Eco-friendly flooring can help with that.

One of the greatest benefits of selecting eco-friendly flooring is the fact that they use fewer chemicals in the production process. Volatile organic compounds – VOCs – are gases that are released from certain types of building products. As they release into the environment, they produce a host of health issues, including headaches, sinus problems, and other respiratory issues. While manufacturers as a whole are working to lower VOCs, they are still higher in some types of flooring than others. Eco-friendly products will focus on creating a product that is environmentally friendly throughout the process, from harvesting to disposal at the end of its useful life.

Eco-friendly flooring is better for you

When you shop for new flooring, or start a remodeling project, what’s the first thing you consider before starting your search? Chances are it relates to your budget.

That’s where eco-friendly flooring can help once again.

Just because you have a budget to stick to doesn’t mean you have to select a flooring product that isn’t a sound investment. Some of the most eco-friendly flooring choices on the market today are also easy on the pocketbook.

Eco-friendly flooring is in demand. And because of that, a lot of manufacturers are producing a wide variety of options.

No matter what your budget is, or what desires you have for your final project outcome, there’s an eco-friendly option for you.

Stop by today – we can help you find the perfect choice to suit your needs.

The post 3 Benefits For Choosing Eco-Friendly Flooring For Your Remodeling Project first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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