Month: December 2021

When you select a new flooring for a residential space, it’s all about taste and personalization. But when you’re shopping for commercial flooring, there are other things to keep in mind.

What commercial flooring will be the best choice for functionality? Will it be an appropriate choice for the activities that take place within the space?

What commercial flooring will give the look and feel needed to complete this space? Will it enhance the branding associated with the commercial space?

What commercial flooring will be sustainable and cost-effective? Will it help me reach other goals, such as achieving LEEDs status?

What commercial flooring will best fit into my budget? At the end of the day, everything you do has to git into your financial plan. Luckily, there are always options when it comes to selecting new flooring.

Selecting your purpose for your commercial space

What tops the list for needs and demands when it comes to installing commercial flooring? Only you can decide. But after years of experience, we know functionality trumps all other factors most of the time.

Why? Ultimately, a commercial space needs to have suitable materials for the building occupants. You’d never install carpet in a hospital. Or slippery tile in a caregiving facility.

Durability also becomes a factor. Will your selection stand up to regular cleaning and maintenance? Will it meet building codes, ADA compliance, and provide appropriate acoustics for the tenants or employees inside?

Choosing the right flooring for your space may seem like an overwhelming process. Luckily, we can provide you with solid advice. Consider the pros and cons of the top flooring choices, and come in with an open mind. We’ll help you find the right flooring choice to meet all of your needs.

Hardwood flooring

Hardwood flooring has been one of the top flooring choices for years. People love the look and feel in both residential and commercial environments. It’s hard to deny it comes with classic good looks. When well maintained, hardwood flooring can last for years – decades – and bring a quiet sophistication to any place it’s installed. That’s why it’s the preferred choice for boardrooms and financial institutions across the country.

Yet despite it being renowned for quality, hardwood can also be quite finicky to care for. In residential applications, homeowners are aware of activities that will compromise the quality. You can’t ask visitors to check their heels at the door to counter the risk of scratching or denting the floor. Hardwood is also not the best choice in moist or humid conditions. It can be quite particular if humidity levels aren’t kept between 35 and 55 percent, increasing the likelihood of it warping or buckling. And if moisture seeps underneath, you’ll be installing new floors.

Laminate flooring

For the same reasons homeowners turn to laminate, it can be a great choice for commercial properties too. It’s often considered the low-maintenance alternative to hardwood because it’s easier to care for and has the look and feel of hardwood. Laminate is made from layers that give it strength and durability at an economical cost. Its tough top layer ensures it won’t scuff, especially in high traffic areas.

People love hardwood because you can refinish it multiple times. Not so with laminate – it’s a material you’ll have to replace when it’s time. Many laminates come with click and lock technology, meaning they float over the subfloor. While this makes it easy to install, it also can create a hollow sound. And that can be noticeable in large, open spaces. That can also cause bigger problems if you’re moving heavy rolling loads through the space.

Vinyl flooring

One of the newest products to market includes luxury vinyl tiles and planks. These products are made to mimic many of the most popular flooring choices, including hardwood, marble, and stone tile. But unlike the materials they mimic, they offer something else that’s a crowd pleaser: they can provide you with a hard surface area that’s completely waterproof too. These scratch-resistant, water-resistant floors are so close to the real thing, even experts have to take a second look.

While vinyl can be the perfect flooring choice in many situations, the key is ensuring it’s installed correctly to give you all the benefits it promises. This isn’t something you hand over to your handyman for weekend installation. Ensure it meets the code and guidelines of the manufacturer, and you could have a flooring choice you’ll enjoy for years.

Tile flooring

While vinyl may be the appropriate choice in some situations, in some cases, nothing will be better than tile flooring. If you’re renovating messy water-prone areas like bathrooms, breakrooms, or entrances, tile may be the perfect choice to stand up to the pressure. They won’t absorb moisture, and fight bacteria like no other flooring can. And when you clean them, you won’t think twice about digging in and giving it a good clean – it won’t hurt the structure of the tile, providing you install the correct tile for your unique situation.

While the tile itself may be stain-resistant and resist bacteria, you’ll have to be more careful with the grout you choose to install. Grout can and will stain unless well protected by a sealant. Epoxy grout won’t stain, but its cost will add to the bottom line of your installation. Tile also takes the longest to install, meaning this isn’t an overnight project. It requires many hours to ensure every piece is laid correctly, and the curing process ensures it’s tightly sealed.

Which is the right commercial flooring choice to suit your needs?

There isn’t a right choice when it comes to selecting a commercial flooring material. Instead, it takes careful consideration, weighing your options, and considering your needs.

Whether you’re still considering your options, or have made up your mind, the best place to start is by giving us a call, so we can help you select from your choices.

How can we help you select the right commercial flooring material for your space?

The post The Only Guide You Need To Select The Right Commercial Flooring first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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It’s been unseasonably warm in Colorado this December. Coming in your back patio door from the sunny outdoors, have you looked down and noticed your carpet is a little worse for wear? 

Perhaps you want to refresh your home before the snow flies, but you have questions. Would it be better to repair the carpet, maybe restretch it, or tear it out and start all over? 

Carpet repair

Let’s start with carpet repair. Look at your carpeting again. Is it fraying a bit? Do you have a couple of burn holes from a kid’s chemistry experiment gone awry? Is it torn from the time your cat was having a hard day? 

Our professionals can cut out the area around holes and tears and patch it with identical carpeting. If you have leftover carpet from installation, and the area is small, we might be able to make your repair almost invisible. Larger areas might be more difficult to conceal, but we can usually make a repaired area look much better than the burned or torn area. 

If your carpet fraying is near a seam, we may be able to fix it by resealing the seam and power stretching your carpet to close any gaps. Carpet repair is always more economical than total carpet replacement and it can help you maximize the years of wear left in your carpeting.

Carpet restretching

Loose carpeting and rippling is most often caused by poor installation. Those bumps, bubbles and waves in your carpet are not only ugly, they can be dangerous trip hazards. Rippling can make it impossible to open doors or navigate through your home with a walker or wheelchair. It’s best to get any bumps in your carpeting repaired immediately to save your carpet from further damage and to promptly remove hazards.

We use a “power stretching” method to remove the bumps from your carpeting and ensure your carpet lies flat over your carpet pad. Our experts can determine if you can refresh your carpet with a bit of judicious restretching rather than carpet replacement.

Carpet replacement

Carpet replacement should be your last resort. Many times you can get years of wear from your carpet by starting with a good, deep cleaning. We use a powerful, truck-mounted cleaning system to remove stains and odors. After cleaning, we can protect your carpet with Dupont Teflon carpet protector. 

Your carpet may have years of life left in it. Cared for carpet can last for decades! We can help you save money and make your carpet look like new again. Protect your original investment with carpet cleaning, repair and restretching from A Personal Touch. 

Every question is a smart question when it comes to beautifying and protecting your home. At A Personal Touch, we are happy to answer any carpeting questions you might have and give you a free, written estimate without cost or obligation. Contact us at 720.344.2870 or use our online form to schedule a free consultation.

The post Should I repair, restretch or replace my carpet? appeared first on A Personal Touch.

Bubinga. Purpleheart. Bloodwood. Sandalwood.

If you’ve been looking at high-end hardwood flooring, you may be stretching for something beyond the standard oak or maple.

Whether you’re designing a home or business interior, sometimes only the best will do. If you want something that stands out from the norm, that takes people entirely by surprise when they enter the space, high-end hardwood flooring may be just the thing you’re looking for.

Hardwood flooring has been around for centuries. It hasn’t lost its popularity even with many new entries to the marketplace. It’s still one of the most sought-after flooring choices because of its classic good looks, and easy maintenance.

Still, why settle for just the “norm” when you’re designing your dream space?

What is high-end hardwood flooring?

If you shop for hardwood, you’ll quickly notice the wide variance in looks and price. What sets hardwood apart is the accessibility of the wood. High-end hardwood flooring in either residential or commercial grade is made from more refined materials with a higher concentration on the details. High-end wood flooring isn’t always created from newly crafted wood. A popular choice right now also includes reclaimed hardwood, which is salvaged from a variety of places.

What you’ll notice with high-end hardwood is the difference in the details. High-end hardwood adds personality and character you won’t find in standard materials.

While high-end hardwood flooring can be created from a variety of resources, you’ll also find them in various sized planks up to 20 inches in width. These wider boards allow the personality of the wood to shine through, putting more emphasis on the individual grain patterns. If you want to make a statement from the bottom up, this is a great way to do it.

Reasons why high-end hardwood may be the right choice for you

People invest in hardwood flooring for a variety of reasons. Whether you prefer a different look from what you see in other homes, or you’re looking for a way to increase the value of your home, a high-end hardwood may be the right choice for you.

High-end hardwood flooring can:

Let your personality shine – let’s face it, the reason most of us turn to hardwood is because we love the classic design. Hardwood just looks good inside your home or business. But sometimes you want to stretch past what everyone else is installing, and create a look as unique as you are. That’s when high-end hardwood materials shine. If you can dream it, you can achieve it when looking towards higher end products. Whether you stick with one material, or incorporate several different materials for dramatic effect, you’ll find rich color and pattern combinations that will set the stage for any room you’re remodeling.

Make maintenance even easier – just because you install something different from the norm, doesn’t mean you want to spend more time cleaning and maintaining it. Depending on the hardwood you select, it may be even easier for your weekly cleaning routine. Hardwoods are ranked according to hardness based on the Janka rating. Select one at the harder end of the scale, and your routine may include daily sweeping and occasional deep cleaning to keep it looking its best for years to come.

Make your home more valuable – if you are building your forever home, selling it may be the last thing on your mind. But it is nice to know that when you install certain features, they hold up well over time. Hardwood flooring is seen as an upscale feature that buyers want. Studies show that you can expect up to 80 percent return on investment when you install hardwood, and increase the market value of your home by as much as 2.5 percent. If you use an exotic hardwood that sets your house apart from others on the market, that price bump may continue to rise.

Create a healthier environment – many families turn to hardwood because it creates a hard surface area. Dust bunnies can’t hide. You sweep or vacuum away problems that may exacerbate allergies or asthma attacks. In today’s environment, it’s nice to know that a solid flooring choice allows you to reach the nooks and crannies easier, ensuring your floors are as clean as you can get them.

Ensure you use environmentally friendly materials – hardwood most often comes from trees. [Materials like cork and bamboo are the exception.] High-end hardwood comes from trees that are rarer, or more difficult to harvest. As such, it can lead to problems in the supply chain, and less than stellar harvesting practices. No matter what hardwood flooring choice you settle on, be sure to do your research to ensure it’s harvested ethically and meets guidelines of regulatory organizations such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Provide durability for years – when you install hardwood flooring, it’s nice to know that clean up will be easy. Another thing to think about is how durable the materials will be throughout the years. Durability comes from standing up to all your family can dish out. If it scratches easily, or dents when you drop something on it, you may fall out of love with your hardwood flooring choice just as quickly as you fell for it. Overall, hardwood is a great choice because it stands the test of time. When it begins to wear and show marks, you can sand it down and refinish it, making it truly a flooring choice you can enjoy for decades.

Are you ready to give high-end hardwood flooring a try?

People turn to hardwood flooring for a variety of reasons – what’s yours? But sometimes you don’t want “normal,” but prefer to select something that says “wow” instead.

High-end hardwood can give you the color, pattern, style, or personality you’ve been longing for. It can give you a chance to create a room you’re happy to come home to, and equally as happy to share with family and friends.

Are you ready to install high-end hardwood flooring in your home? Stop by today and see our full selection.

The post What Is The Most Luxurious, High-End Hardwood Flooring? first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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Christmas is right around the corner. Whether you’re hosting guests and want to make improvements to your space or you want to give yourself the gift of home improvements this holiday season, upgrade your home for Christmas with Flooring.org.

Hardwood flooring can elevate the appearance of any space. Hardwood is both timeless and trendy. It’s also easier to clean and maintain than carpet. You may be interested in switching to hardwood flooring if you want to please your guests this holiday season, or maybe you want to boost your home’s value for your New Year’s resolution.

Did you know installing hardwood flooring in your home can increase your property value by 1 to 10%? Homebuyers are looking for hardwood flooring because hardwood is more universally attractive, durable, and valuable. If you plan to sell your home one day, adding hardwood floors can help you turn a profit.

Another perk to hardwood flooring is it holds up well when faced with high traffic volume. During the holiday season, you may be having a lot of friends and family over to celebrate. Other types of flooring may experience noticeable wear or irreversible damage from the wear and tear of guests. However, hardwood is more durable and better suited for heavy use.

Whether you want to improve the appearance of your home, invest in long-lasting flooring, or boost the value of your home, hardwood is the way to go this holiday season. Update your home this Christmas with Flooring.org. Browse our website to discover our selections and give us a call at (800) 689-9006 with any questions. We look forward to working with you during this Christmas season!

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

Homeownership. It’s something Americans have treasured for generations.

The thought of buying a house and making it your own has been a right of passage. To get in, personalize each room, starting with flooring renovations and moving up to wall color, cabinet choices, and tasteful decor is what turns a house into a home.

And we’re valuing home like never before. Thanks to a tumultuous two years, home prices have skyrocketed beyond expectations. It’s causing a divide between the generations – Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, and Millennials all vying to find the perfect home.

While many think Baby Boomers would stick close to home, they’ve turned to buying up property even faster than other generations. With more money to spend, relocation a top priority, and looking for their “dream home” to age in place in,

Getting the perfect home is only the start of the process. No matter if you’ve moved or not, chances are you’re looking at your home a little differently these days. A recent report by Houzz shows renovation spending has increased by 15 percent this past year.

What do people want?

• Modern, multitasking kitchens
• Private sanctuaries inside the bathroom space
• Defined living spaces that give definition for different activities
• Rethinking wasted space and turning it into something extraordinary – a game room, media room, or office space
• Personalization – if we have to be at home, it better have the features we most dream about
• A better base – instead of dreaming about new floors, flooring renovations often start the process

Of course, even those concepts change based on age.

Baby Boomers

Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1963 have topped the list of home renovations. Almost half of this generation is making major changes to their living space with the thought of aging in place.

Many people have faced making quick decisions for relatives or loved ones based on functionality of a home. If a loved one can no longer climb stairs or make it through a doorway, choices have to be made as to what the next step is.

If a homeowner plans for that early, it decreases the anxiety of emergency situations.

For many Baby Boomers, that means changing out design, widening hallways, and making bathrooms more accessible. It also means taking a second look at flooring.

According to the CDC website, 3 million falls occur in the elderly population each year due to falling. Those falls cause broken bones and head injuries, and often are the start of more serious problems.

Many of those falls are inside the home. With many of those being caused by the layout of the home. Piles of stuff, loose rugs, uneven flooring transitions, and dark spaces can all increase potential injury.

Where to start? Look at the flooring from the front of the house to the back. Find the right products. Pay attention to transitions. Be sure they work well in a variety of situations. Luxury vinyl planks are increasing in popularity because they are softer than tile, offer waterproof flooring that stands up better in a variety of situations, and creates modern looks people want and love.

Gen X

When combined with Baby Boomers, these two generations account for 81 percent of today’s renovations.

Gen Xers were born between 1964 and 1980. They have a lot of discretionary money, and they aren’t ready to step down into retirement. They’re moving to better their careers, get closer to family. Or even to find their dream location, and lay down roots before they retire.

Generation X is facing empty nests for the first time. As their kids move to college and beyond, they are redefining what “home” means to them. They’re upgrading their personal spaces, not necessarily how much square footage they need. They aren’t afraid to put money to the best things money can buy.

When renovations start, they know just what they want. Flooring renovations mean selecting top quality products that look as good as they function. They are building new lifestyles, and they want their flooring to reflect everything they have in place. The same Houzz study from above found that improving design and flow was top priority for this generation, with updating functionality a close second.

Resale value? Not a top priority. Because Gen Xers are creating spaces they love, they intend to live there for a long time. Flooring renovation to them means selecting high quality surface products that will look great for years to come. It’s no wonder high grade wood and stone top the list.

Millennials

Millennials are just starting to venture into the homeownership arena. Born between 1981 and 1996, these consumers are buying starter homes and thinking about growing families. They want living spaces that reflect their current tastes and needs.

That’s why you’ll find millennials not afraid to take on DIY projects, especially when they can get higher quality products at lower costs. Flooring renovations to them mean creating adaptable spaces that allow multiple functions within the same room. Waterproof flooring is a big plus, especially with growing a family in mind.

They want high functionality and smart technology. They care about health, and the future of our planet. They aren’t afraid to branch out when selecting flooring for their renovations, as long as it gives them an advantage. Luxury vinyl tile is piquing interests. It looks like hardwood and stone, but offers 100 percent waterproof features, as well as being softer underfoot.

It’s time to renovate!

No matter where you fall on the generation scale, chances are you’ve been bit by the renovation bug these past two years. Whether you’re ready to tackle DIY projects, or are investing in high grade flooring that will last for years to come, we have the perfect product to suit your needs.

Stop by our retail location today, and take a look at the products topping wish lists all across the Front Range.

The post Flooring Renovations For Each Age and Stage of Life first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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If you have a wooden floor, you will find it really easy to clean and look after.  The key to maintaining the beauty and elegance of your wooden floor is keeping it clean and dirt free. Hardwood floors are fairly resilient, although can accidentally be scratched and dented if you allow dirt, grit or stones to lay on the surface.  We would recommend a quick sweep every day, especially if it is a busy are like a hallway or living room. Read More

Joe Zago and The Carpet Guys Family gave their time and funding to help support the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease. Check out this amazing video testimonial from our leader Joe Zago as he and our employee’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

The Carpet Guys Giving

The list of charities, fundraisers, and groups that Joe Zago and The Carpet Guys family have donated their funds and time to is vast (check out our blog “You Have to Give to Get” to learn more about the great charities that are close to Joe’s heart). Everything from small school groups to creating The Glove to support local businesses during the Pandemic. Joe cares deeply about so many causes.

Every year Joe Zago and his companies give to The Salvation Army Toy Drive because once upon a time, Joe was homeless, and The Salvation Army helped him.

He cares about Know Resolve and The Shed because they help youth who are dealing with depression and suicidal thoughts to connect with people and programs that can help. Joe remembers a time when he thought death was the only solution.

And even The American Red Cross and MIAS – Sound the Alarm initiative because Joe’s God-daughter’s family was lost in a tragic house fire.

Joe and The Carpet Guys Take a Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Now, a man that has known sadness and great loss is watching his beloved parents slip away into the abyss of Alzheimer’s Disease. But Joe Zago is not one to take a backseat while life throw’s him another curveball.

On October 30^th, 2021, Joe brought his family and many of The Carpet Guys team members to The Walk to End Alzheimer’s at The Detroit Zoo. Please watch the video below to hear Joe’s firsthand experience with being a caregiver and his plea to help end this horrible disease.

We have all known hard times but agree that solving the problems of this affliction is paramount! If you’re still looking for ways to help Joe and The Carpet Guys fight Alzheimer’s, please donate at this link here.

If you need help with finding amazing flooring with White Glove service, don’t hesitate to click here and set up a FREE in-home estimate today, or call us at 855-4-MY-GUYS (855-469-4897) and one of our friendly representatives will help you.

The post Walk to End Alzheimer’s appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

Think about your dream home for a moment. What does it look like? What kind of decor is on the inside? What materials do you use to finish off each room?

According to a study done by Hardwood Floors Magazine, two-thirds of homeowners stated their dream home would include hardwood floors.

Especially here in Colorado, we take our outside living seriously. Hardwood isn’t just a wishlist item; it’s a way of life. And while we use hardwood in the main living space, we also wish we could use it in every room in the home.

Yet if you’ve done any research, you know hardwood and water don’t mix. How can you use hardwood in bathrooms? Is it possible? Or is it a recipe for disaster?

Done properly, hardwood can be a welcome addition to any room. If you want a continuous look as you move from room to room, hardwood may be a suitable choice for your bathroom. Before you install it, take into consideration the advantages and disadvantages of using hardwood flooring in the bathroom. Consider your options, and you’ll love your flooring for many years to come.

Advantages of hardwood flooring in the bathroom

Before you install hardwood throughout, the first step is taking your lifestyle into account. A half bath off the living room might not be a problem for hardwood. Hardwood in a child’s bathroom where bath playtime is a daily event might have you regretting your decision. Despite the aesthetics of having one flooring material throughout, there are other considerations to keep in mind.

Warmth

Tile is one of the most popular flooring choices in bathrooms. Yet if you’ve ever stepped on a cold tile on a dark, winter’s morning, you know it has its drawbacks. That’s why many homeowners are attracted to adding hardwood to the bathroom. Hardwood gives a comfort factor not found in other flooring products. It also provides a natural soothing sensation, making you feel like you’re a part of nature. Who doesn’t want that for a room, especially if you’re trying to create a spa-like atmosphere?

Aesthetics

Speaking of aesthetics, very few flooring choices offer the beauty of a hardwood floor. That’s its biggest advantage. It’s also why many of today’s top flooring products do whatever it takes to mimic the look. What further enhances the use of hardwood is the fact that no two rooms will ever look the same. Each board is handcrafted to draw out the natural beauty of the material being used. That makes it a classic choice to allow your own personality to shine.

Longevity

Hardwood flooring is one of the oldest materials used in home construction. It comes from a natural resource that can last for decades if well cared for. And when you do have a problem with the top layer, you can sand it down, smooth it out, apply a new finish, and guarantee yourself many more years of use. Even if you spend a little more on the initial installation, you’ll know it can be with you for as long as you own your home if it’s well cared for.

Disadvantages of hardwood flooring in the bathroom

If you’re reading this article, chances are you already have concerns about installing hardwood flooring in a bathroom. There are good reasons for that. Hardwood is a porous material that allows moisture and other liquids to seep in, even through finishes. Technology is changing that, but it can still be of concern. Especially in a bathroom.

Water

Water is the biggest problem hardwood will face in a bathroom. If you’re continuing your flooring from a living space to a half-bath, the water can be more easily contained. But water in a place where you take daily showers and baths will present issues. Water droplets can splash out at bath time. Shower spray can hit the floor every time you open the door or slide the curtain into place. To protect wood from water damage, you’ll need to wipe up all water spills quickly. That’s difficult when it’s a constant barrage of water.

Floods

Droplets from showers and tubs present issues. Floods from broken pipes and overflowing toilets are disastrous. No matter what finish you apply to hardwood, that much water will have an impact on the integrity of the floor. Chances are you will be replacing the flooring if and when this happens. Regular maintenance for all of your bathroom appliances should be on your to-do list, as well as paying extra attention to the way you move around while getting ready.

Humidity

While standing water and floods can cause problems, the humidity that appears when you bathe or shower adds a new level of wreaking havoc on your hardwood floors. When bathrooms get steamy, the effects of the humidity can settle in everywhere. It gets between the boards and settles in along the baseboards. Over time this can cause a variety of issues, from cupping to warping. Once damaged, you can’t just refinish the planks. It requires starting over with new floorboards.

Chemicals

Think of the variety of products you use in a bathroom: toilet cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, hairspray, body lotion, and other personal items. As these settle onto the floorboards, they can impact the hardwood in many ways. It can stain the wood, lighten the color, or even penetrate through the finish. This leaves the planks more vulnerable to other potential problems.

Other bathroom flooring options

Hardwood flooring in the bathroom isn’t something you necessarily have to avoid. It’s up to you and your lifestyle. Just be aware you will have additional maintenance requirements if you decide to install it.

Luckily, there are many other options to give you the look and feel you desire. Engineered hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl planks, and even wood-look tile can all give you the look you desire coupled with easier maintenance.

Want hardwood flooring in the bathroom? Open to other options? No matter what your preferences are, we can help you find the perfect flooring option to suit your needs.

The post What I Really Want Is Hardwood Floors In The Bathroom first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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It’s cold outside. Trouble is, it’s cold inside too.

You turn the heat up, trying to warm up your room. And the minute the furnace turns off, signaling it’s reached your desired temperature, you feel a chill run through you.

How can it possibly be warm?

It might not be your furnace that’s the problem. Instead, it might be your floors.

Cold floors are quite common during the winter months when the temperatures continue to drop. And while cold floors can leave you feeling chilled, it can also lead to sickness, including respiratory illness.

Proper heating is important if you want to keep your family warm and comfortable all year long. But getting rid of cold floors doesn’t mean you have to live with ugly flooring. There are many things you can do to love the look and feel of your flooring, and stay warm too.

Flooring’s purpose

Certain flooring types are warmer than others. As you live in your home and start to get a feel for how each room functions, you can change up your flooring to match your desired results. It might make more sense to install warmer flooring in the bedrooms, for example, to ensure it stays warm while you sleep.

If you’re thinking of installing new flooring, consider the properties of each option before you finalize your decision.

Carpet – it’s one of the warmest flooring options, and is often placed in rooms where you spend the most amount of time. If you install carpet with longer, thicker fibers, it will have more benefit of keeping the cold away from your feet, as well as help eliminate the chill from the air. A good carpet pad is also needed to help improve resistance and create a barrier between you and the living space below.

Cork – consider how cork works in a wine bottle. It’s effective at holding moisture inside, while being soft to the touch on the outside. That’s because of the numerous tiny air pockets that fill the cork structure. It works in a similar manner in flooring. It acts as an insulator between what’s laid below the surface and what you see and walk on from above. It’s a great flooring choice for preventing warmed air from slipping outside your home.

Laminate – laminate can be warmed up depending on how the boards are created. A layer of dense padding in the underlayment can warm the surrounding area and help keep the wood strips from being too cold. You can also lay laminate over radiant heating to provide additional warmth underfoot.

Tile and stone – these are some of the coldest flooring choices you can install. That’s why you find them in abundance in warmer climates, where they help keep a house cool. That said, tile and stone are also some of the best flooring products to pair with radiant heating systems because of their heat retention. That makes tile and stone the perfect choice for bathrooms and laundry rooms, where its water-resistant features are also beneficial.

Vinyl – today’s vinyl comes in a variety of formats. Sheet vinyl is very thin, and will have a harder time holding heat in place. But newer luxury vinyl planks and tiles are combined with other materials to create a more functional, insulating product. These products are often combined with things like radiant heating, which can work together to create a warm living space.

Sometimes it’s not just about the flooring 

If you’re trying to create a warm environment, it’s easy to focus on the flooring you choose. But it’s not always that simple. Sometimes the problem isn’t associated with the flooring, but instead is based on what lies beneath the surface.

Insulation – a constantly cold room can almost always have a finger pointed at improper or poor insulation. You can have a home audit performed to help you find out where insulation is inefficient. This isn’t just a problem in the attic or crawlspace. Often, you’ll find a lack of insulation behind wallboards and below the surface. It can also be a problem on the surface of your floors. Are there spaces between boards allowing heat to escape? Are there problems between joints, gaps between wood, or problems with the underlayments? All of these can leave your flooring feeling cool to the touch.

Underlayment – certain types of flooring like laminate, linoleum, and vinyl, will take on the temperature of the surface. In the winter, that means it will drop in temperature and be cool to the touch. One way to warm up the surface is to pay attention to the underlayment installed between the flooring and the subfloor. In addition to helping create a warmer floor, it will also increase the R-value of the home, which means it will help control energy costs too.

Sub-room – if you find the main living space cold, and your flooring is always cool to the touch when it’s chilly outside, chances are there’s a problem with lies underneath. Does the main level sit on top of a crawlspace or basement? If the floor is about the same temperature as it is below level, the solution is simple. Insulating the floor area will seal the heat loss occurring between the two levels. A professional can help seal up cracks and leaks between floorboards and joists, as well as ensure the entire area underneath the flooring is well insulated.

Check windows and doors – do you notice it gets colder near windows and doors? Now maybe a good time to check for drafts and install weatherstripping. Warm air is lighter than cold air, meaning if cold air is slipping in around a window or door, it may hover just above the flooring and feel colder to the touch. You’ll benefit from adding insulation around doors and windows by increasing the R-value of the home’s envelope, which in turn will help with your energy bills.

Are you tired of cold floors? 

The answer might be a simple fix. It may also be a reason to consider installing new flooring, one that gives you a warmer surrounding area for whichever room you spend the most time in.

Is your home prepared for cold winter months? Maybe new flooring is the perfect home improvement project for you this year. 

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