Month: February 2022

For some homeowners, white is the ultimate color in home decor. White cabinets. White walls. White furniture. White floor.

That’s just one of the reasons why whitewash flooring is growing in popularity.

According to Pantone, the leading authority on color, white is the expression of “quiet calm.:

“White is a symbol of calming influence in a frenetic society that is rediscovering the value of measured consideration and quiet reflection.”

In our fast-paced, chaotic world, sometimes it’s nice to come home to peace and serenity. Loud colors can be too bright. Patterns can add more chaos to an already busy life. But white offers peace and tranquility, a place to sit back and relax.

No wonder whitewash flooring is making a comeback.

What is whitewashing?

Whitewashing has been around for a long time. Originally, whitewashing was a way to protect wood from moisture, mold, and mildew. Homeowners would whitewash the wood around the homestead to give it protection from the elements throughout the year.

It’s similar to painting wood. Instead of paint, whitewashing is a combination of lime and water. Lime is antibacterial, antimicrobial, and resists mold and mildew. Once mixed, it can be applied directly to wood, producing a chalky white liquid that smooths on.

You’re likely to see whitewash flooring in colonial homes, or homes on the seaboard. The whitewashed look is also a mainstay in Scandinavian design.

What makes whitewash so popular is the light, bright appearance it gives to any room. If you’re trying to open up space and make it appear larger than it actually is, whitewash is a great look.

Are whitewashed floors popular?

You may remember Tom Sawyer whitewashing the fence in the beloved book by the same name. Whitewashing was ever-present during that time period because of its protection to homestead design features. It preserved wood and made it last longer, giving homeowners freedom and flexibility to spend time on other things than floor maintenance.

But over time, we as a society began inventing new flooring materials, and implementing new processes that made flooring more durable and easier to maintain. Why add whitewashing to your to-do list when a floor could remain in good condition for years without the process?

But there’s still something about the whitewash look that brings back classic charm.

• If you want a traditional design, whitewashing may be your best choice.
• If you want light, minimalist looks, whitewashing may give you what you desire.
• If you prefer shabby chic, whitewashing may enhance your design by incorporating your own personality into your home.

Luckily, whitewashing flooring of today isn’t anything like it was one hundred years ago. You can choose to paint your existing hardwood flooring to achieve the look. Or you can install whitewash prefinished flooring for a classic look without the fuss.

The problem with DIY whitewashing techniques

If you do a quick search online, you can find a wide variety of sites showing you ways to achieve a whitewashed look using do-it-yourself strategies. There are a variety of resources you can find that will show you ways to complete the look with a bit of elbow grease on a small budget.

The problem with a lot of these strategies is they don’t work, and they may cause permanent damage to your hardwood floors.

A lot of sites recommend painting your floors to achieve your desired results. In theory, it sounds like a good idea. How many home projects have you completed with a bucket of paint? But there are many reasons why this is a bad idea.

Paint covers up the wood, which separates the wood from the top coat you’ll ultimately apply. Whereas stain penetrates the wood, paint creates a protective covering. Without the proper sealants, it’ll be easy for your painted floors to chip and peel, meaning you’ll be repairing your flooring more frequently.

Paint also has the right consistency to run and move anywhere it can. Instead of sitting on the top surface, it’ll seep between the cracks and move to the sides and underneath the planks. When you decide to refinish your floors again in the future, you won’t be able to sand this trace paint away. You’ll be able to see the white paint no matter what you do. This means the only way you’ll ever eradicate it is to rip them out and install new hardwood flooring.

Best options for whitewashing floors

If you already have hardwood flooring in place, and are interested in achieving a whitewashed look, your best course of action is to select a white stain. You can also use a white tinted sealer, which gives you added protection for your floors.

If you’re looking at remodeling your home and want to install new whitewashed floors, there are a number of ways you can do this.

If traditional hardwood is a priority, work with your flooring consultant to purchase a light hardwood that will work well with a white stain. Keep in mind that different materials will provide different results. Do you prefer red tints or yellow? Are you looking for as light as possible, or do you want other tones shining through? White oak, pine, or elm all start with classic light hues that will only be further enhanced by a whitewashing look. But don’t discount darker materials – even walnut can lighten up dark undertones to provide a unique look.

Other flooring materials can also give you the classic whitewashed look.

Today’s luxury vinyl planks come in many different colors and hues. Plus they add durability and waterproof qualities that make it a perfect choice where traditional hardwood may be more problematic. Want it in your basement, bathrooms, or renovated home office? Luxury vinyl planks may be just what you’re looking for.

Laminate can also give you the appearance of hardwood with more durable qualities. Think of this as an easy way to get the look you love, while adding durability to your home design too.

Are you ready for whitewash floors?  

Whitewash flooring may be the perfect addition to your home. Easy to achieve, easy to live with, easy to clean, you’re going to love the look.

Are whitewash floors the right choice for you?

The post Whitewash Flooring – Choosing The Right Level of White first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

Modern homes have so many wonderful options to choose from when it comes to your floors. For our part, we offer everything from Herringbone to vinyl and even bamboo flooring. There are some floor materials, like laminate flooring, which have become very popular since they provide superior protection against moisture and heat.

Why Laminate Flooring?

Flooring.org wants to suggest a few reasons why you should consider laminate flooring for your next home renovation.

There are several advantages to choosing laminate floors.

Less Expensive Than Hardwood

Hardwood floors might cost you anywhere from $6 to $23 per square foot, whereas laminate flooring ranges from $1 to $12 generally. Also, since hardwood floor is harder to install (see bullet point #3), you’re likely to incur higher labor costs as well.

Durable Material

Not all laminate is made the same, which is an advantage for homeowners who want to spend more on a durable version with a higher Abrasion Criteria (AC). Laminate comes in different strengths, including the kind with the highest ratings of AC4/AC5.

Easier to Install/Repair

Many homeowners choose to install laminate flooring themselves, which is a lot more feasible than it is with other materials. We also think the cleaning and maintenance are easier. You’ll have less difficulty trying to control the dust as well as handle spills as laminate doesn’t stain as badly.

Several Styles

Do you want your laminate to resemble stone, wood, or other textures? It’s all possible and you can probably do it with fewer defects. Sometimes, the imitation approach is better, especially since you have a wider range of colors to choose from as well.

Versatility

Whether you choose to install laminate flooring in a living room, kitchen, bedroom, or basement, it looks good everywhere. This is true even in humid climates where other materials run the risk of moisture damage in certain areas of the house.

Laminate Floors from Flooring.org

Flooring.org is your leader in everything flooring, and that goes for laminate flooring too. We can help you take advantage of something that’s just as nice, more durable, and less expensive than real wood flooring. Check out this beautiful example, the Mannington Laminate Flooring, which comes from 70% recycled content.

Flooring.org supplies and services flooring supplies across a wide spectrum of materials, including laminate. If you need help selecting good flooring or don’t know how to do an installation, we’re here to help. Call us to learn more at (800) 689-9006.

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

When working on home improvement plans, the 2022 Colors of the Year can help with inspiration. Though The Carpet Guys specialize in flooring, we want to share some inspiring colors that may transform your space. Read on to see some great ideas.

While we are reviewing these amazing new 2022 Colors of the Year, we are also going to recommend flooring options that we believe would complement these beautiful hues.

Pantone 2022 Color of the Year

Pantone is the leader in all things color.  When fledgling companies are just setting up, many refer to Pantone. It helps them choose the color scheme that will best represent what their company stands for.  In Pantone’s words, “A new color whose courageous presence encourages personal inventiveness and creativity.” Very Peri is representative of the transformative times we are entering after a long and arduous journey with Covid.

And what better flooring to accentuate this peaceful tint than Shaw’s COREtec luxury vinyl tile in the color Libra?! It maintains the cool tone of the Very Peri and supports Libra’s desire for balance and harmony.

Sherwin-Williams 2022 Color of the Year

The warm, earthy neutral of Evergreen Fog is a subtle accent for any room in your home.  It can straddle the gap between cool greys and warmer neutral shades like beige or even dark coffee.  This is why we recommend Mohawk’s RevWood Plus Crest Haven Prairie House Oak. It’s a warm, rich coffee-colored laminate that will bring warmth to any room it’s installed in.

Krylon’s 2022 Color of the Year for Our DIY’ers

For all our do-it-yourselfers out there, Krylon chose Satin Rolling Surf as their spray paint 2022 Color of the Year. This vibrant teal hue embodies Krylon’s own color marketing manager Sue Kim’s quote. “The depth of this blue taps into mental well-being, connecting with optimism and hope, and helping set a sense of stability and balance through refreshed DIY projects.”

If you are a proficient DIY’er, come to The Carpet Guys and check out our vast selection of cash and carry carpet remnants. Like this Phenix Flooring’s Tempt Allure to accentuate whatever refinished furnishings you have created with this beautiful Krylon color. You won’t be disappointed with our prices or our options.

We recommend calling 1-800-PAINTERS (1-800-724-6837) if you want any of these colors added to your home decor in paint form.

If you are looking for flooring installation to accent your 2022 colors, call 855-4-MY-GUYS (855-469-4897). We will bring our showroom to your home.  Our Design Consultants can help you decide what colors and styles will best suit your household needs and budget.  Or go to our online in-home schedule page and we can set up an appointment day and time that is convenient for you.

The post 2022 Colors of the Year appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

One of the most high-traffic areas in your home is the kitchen. That’s probably why you hear so many experts tell you hardwood flooring in the kitchen isn’t a good idea.

But is that true?

Think about all the action that happens in the kitchen. You cook. You bake. You eat. Food and liquid hit the floor on a regular basis.

At dinnertime, it’s one of the busiest, dirtiest places inside the house.

That’s why flooring choice is so important.

You want to couple durability with aesthetics, giving you a room you’ll love to spend time in, and one that functions well too.

Hardwood is one of the most popular flooring choices. According to a National Association of Realtors Remodeling Impact Report, 78 percent of consumers who installed wood flooring had a greater desire to be in their home. And as an investment, new wood flooring had 106 percent cost recovered when selling a home.

So why not the kitchen?

If you dig deep into what designers really think, you’ll quickly discover that hardwood in the kitchen isn’t as taboo as you might think. In fact, there are many benefits to using hardwood in the one spot your family spends countless hours in.

Create a uniform floorplan

A lot of homes across Colorado utilize an open concept floorplan, which has been popular for many years. Instead of closing off every room with a door, openings and entries allow you to flow naturally from room to room. Living rooms, dining space, kitchens – they all flow together to allow easy living. And as such, it only makes sense to install the same flooring throughout.

If using hardwood in other areas, only to transition to tile or vinyl in the kitchen has left you cold in the past, now is the time to rethink your flooring strategy. With the advancements made in hardwood flooring technology, there’s no reason to stop hardwood at the starting point of your kitchen. It disrupts the flow and creates a choppy design – that’s not the way to create appealing aesthetics throughout.

Hardwood is one of the most durable floors you can install

Why do so many people install hardwood flooring? Because it can last for decades if well cared for.

People are even seeking out reclaimed wood that was recovered from old barns and structures, refurbishing them and using them to add personality to their homes.

When you bring hardwood into your home, and use a protective seal to protect it, you’re giving your floors strength to withstand all your family can dish out.

In the kitchen, that can include dropped pans, leaky containers, and the occasional food spill that causes a sticky mess. Today’s sealers offer enough defense to make any cleanup easy, and prevent it from doing further damage.

Think hardwood can’t stand up to all your family can dish out? Check the warranties of many of today’s top lines. They offer years worth of protection. If they provide the warranty, isn’t that one more reason for you to consider hardwood in the kitchen?

It’s easy to clean

Kitchens get messy. There’s no avoiding it.

It isn’t a place to worry about every time you drop a spoon. Luckily, you don’t have to.

Today’s finishes and sealers protect against a variety of daily mishaps. With a damp cloth and quick action, you can prevent staining and damage just by wiping it up. That’s all it takes for daily maintenance.

You can vacuum the floor weekly to ensure all crumbs are picked up and pushed from the corners. If you prefer to mop, do so with it carefully wrung out – excessive moisture isn’t good for hardwood, especially if it’s allowed to sit.

And when the time is right, hardwood gives you another advantage – it can be refinished multiple times. A professional can come in and sand it down, fix any damage, and apply a new coat of stain and sealer. Then you’re ready to go once again, and can enjoy your hardwood flooring all over again. It’s the one floor that keeps on giving throughout the years.

It’s easy to install

Hardwood flooring has been used in homes all across the world for decades. That means installers have a lot of experience with installing hardwood, and understand how to blend it with other flooring materials inside your home. Whether you choose to match it up with hardwood already in place, or remove old flooring and start with a clean slate, a hardwood specialist will be able to create the look you’re striving for.

It’s environmentally friendly

Going green may be a buzzword in the home renovation business, but if you’re striving to make your home cleaner, more chemical-free, hardwood may be just the thing to install.

Natural versus human-made – the closer you can get to nature, the more assured you’ll be of the impact it has on your family. Pay attention to the entire life cycle; does the manufacturer use sustainable processes throughout? This included production, manufacturing, and what happens to materials at end of life.

Is hardwood flooring in the kitchen right for you? 

We’ve had clients wait years to install hardwood throughout their living space out of fear of what would happen in the kitchen. They installed vinyl and hated it. They’ve laid tile into place only to turn around and tear it out. When they finally settled on hardwood, matching it to the floors in their living room, dining room, and family space, that’s when they felt their homes were complete.

If you’ve been stalling on adding new flooring to your home because you weren’t sure if hardwood was the right choice for your kitchen, put your doubts aside.

Hardwood is more than doable in any kitchen with today’s product lines. And you’ll love the results.

Isn’t that what home design should be?

The chance to let your personality shine, and create the look that’s perfect for your tastes.

Don’t be afraid of hardwood. It might just be the best material you’ve ever installed in your kitchen space.

The post 5 Reasons Why Hardwood Flooring Is Perfect For The Kitchen first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

Whether you need an underlay depends on three main things.  Firstly, which flooring you have. Secondly, where you are going to fit it. Thirdly, how you are going to install it.  Generally, you will need to use one if you are using engineered wood flooring and you want to float it in your home. Read More

Are you ready to add new floors inside your home? Have you been dreaming of hardwood for years, and are finally ready to have them installed? Before you make your final selection, there’s another decision: Do you want prefinished or site finished hardwood flooring?

While it might seem better to select prefinished, picking out what you want inside the store, each choice has pros and cons. Before finalizing your decision, pay attention to the differences to discover what truly is the right choice to suit your needs.

What is prefinished hardwood flooring?

Prefinished hardwood flooring takes the “what you see is what you get” philosophy to flooring design. It allows you to shop manufacturers and supplies inside the store, knowing exactly what you’ll get once you bring it into your home.

When prefinished hardwood planks are created in manufacturing, they are cut to size, stained, and sealed with a polyurethane topcoat before being shipped to your local flooring dealer. The boards come fully intact with a highly durable and scratch-resistant coating.

Because this method is ever-popular, you’ll be able to find prefinished hardwood planks in many different materials, stains, finishes, and sizes, all ready for you to take home and start installing.

What is site finished hardwood flooring?

While site finished flooring may have been the norm years ago, it’s making a comeback among homeowners and designers. Site finished hardwood flooring is precisely what it sounds like – it installs hardwood on your floors before the finishing process, with staining and sealing performed after the planks are installed.

Installers will lay unfinished wood planks down first, sand the floor, and then apply stains and sealants to finish the flooring. While this is historically how hardwood has been laid into homes for generations, there are still benefits to doing so today.

The pros and cons of prefinished hardwood flooring

For some homeowners, only prefinished hardwood flooring will do. There are lots of benefits to selecting prefinished hardwood.

What you see is what you get – if you’re a visual person, selecting prefinished hardwood planks is the perfect choice to suit your needs. You can pick the material – oak, hickory, or maple – and select the stain – light, medium, dark. You don’t have to visualize it from a tiny square on a paint chart. Instead, you can get sample planks, bring them home, and live with them for a few days. See how the different styles feel with your surroundings, and choose the right look for your lifestyle.

Faster installation – Because the boards have already been stained and sealed, you won’t have to wait for the sanding, staining, and sealing process. Once the boards are laid into place, you’ll be able to move your furniture back in and get on with life.

Durable – prefinished hardwood has the advantage of being created in a plant, meaning they have perfect controls to ensure every hardwood plank is curated according to specific specifications. The top layers can have one of the most durable sealants applied – no worries about how fumes and chemicals will impact those around during the processing. They can also use UV lights for curing, making the topcoat one of the most durable on the marketplace.

More options – because prefinished hardwood is growing in popularity, you’ll have a wide array of colors, styles, and sizes to choose from.

Less customizable – while prefinished hardwood may give you an array of colors and styles to choose from, you’ll never be able to match what site finished offers. If you have a specific color in mind, finishing the flooring on-site allows the installer to mix and match products to achieve exactly the look you’re going for. No more choosing between a too light and too dark stain – you can mix it to your specifications.

More difficult to sand and refinish in the future – while prefinished makes your first install a snap, it can increase the difficulty for future refinishes. Hard coating installed in the factory can be more difficult for refinishing in the future. It can also be tougher to fix damage without ripping up the entire floor.

The pros and cons of site finished hardwood flooring

While prefinishing gives you a variety of options, site finished makes just about anything possible.

Customize to your heart’s content – if you’ve ever walked into a paint store and looked at your options, you know there are many different colors for you to choose from. Prefinished planks are created based on customer preferences. They select the colors and stains that people buy the most of. That can lead you to accepting something less than perfect. With site finished planks, any color goes. You can get richer, deeper color combinations. You can mix and match and come up with any style you choose.

Solid surface and no beveled edges – prefinished planks are designed for quick production and installation. They have beveled edges to make installation a snap. Not sure if you like the look? Then site finished will give you a smooth look. This means it can be sanded to a smooth surface with little or no separation between the planks. This also gives you better coverage, with stain and sealer spreading across the entire surface, meaning even the seams will have protection.

Refinishing is easier in the future – because stain and sealant are installed across your entire flooring, the smooth surface will make it easier to refinish down the road. Solid wood floors last for years. But knowing you can sand it down and start over whenever you choose to update your look makes it even more worth it today.

Timing – the biggest drawback to site finished hardwood flooring is its time for installation. Every piece of production is performed inside your home. Installing the planks, sanding it for uniformity, staining it your desired color, and adding sealant and topcoat for protection – it’s all performed on site. With curing and drying times, be prepared to wait between each step. This isn’t a process that can be rushed.

Which is the right choice to suit your needs? 

Prefinished or site finished – what’s best for you? Luckily, both options are available to allow you to select what’s right for you.

Both can give you the floors of your dreams. It’s just a matter of which is better suited for your lifestyle.

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

The post Prefinished or Site Finished Hardwood – Choosing What’s Best For You first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

Wooden flooring has a real beauty and charm.  It can add character and sophistication to any size or style of room.  Wood is a natural floor covering which can look amazing in any style, shape or size of room.  A hardwood flooring not only looks stunning, but it is also easy to care for and can last for decades if looked after properly. Read More

Did you know, Colorado has 2,882 preschools and childcare centers? 1 Lots of kids are being cared for outside of their homes every day. If you own or manage a daycare center, you understand it’s even tougher to keep our kids healthy this season when families are facing colds and flu as well as various strains of Covid-19.

Our kids need all the help they can get!

Steam cleaning for health

In our last blog, we covered important ways we can all stay safe indoors this winter. Washing our hands, cleaning surfaces and staying home when we are sick all help to minimize germs.

Though our kids and daycare workers are being careful and following guidelines, bacteria, viruses and allergens can end up in daycare center carpets and on upholstered surfaces. Regular cleaning with an effective vacuum cleaner helps keep that load down. A bag vacuum system with a High Efficiency Particulate Air Filtration System works best.²

But vacuuming isn’t enough.

Over the years, A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning has helped area day care centers go the extra mile and incorporate monthly steam cleaning into their cleaning protocols. The anecdotal results amazed us:

After they began monthly steam carpet cleaning, these centers reported that fewer kids were absent due to illness.

Fewer sick little ones resulted in happier, healthier families overall. Healthier children at the centers also equaled more kids attending daycare consistently and paying for that care. Of course, steady attendance positively affected the centers’ bottom lines.

Monthly carpet cleaning seemed to pay dividends all the way around, resulting in healthier kids and busier daycare centers.

How is this possible?

A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning uses a professional, truck-mounted cleaning system. Our cleaning water is heated up to 230oF. Even in the cold winter months, the water used to clean carpets is at least 180oF. According to our industry guidelines, just 125oF kills 98 percent of household germs including colds, flu and bed bugs.

Regular steam carpet cleaning also removes common allergens like dust, pollen and mold spores that can impact some kids’ immune systems and make them feel miserable.

Your cleaning partner

Have questions about regular carpet cleaning? We are standing by to answer them. Colorado State Rules and Regulations also recommend keeping your daycare center carpeting in good repair and steam cleaning carpeting after hazardous fluid spills.3 Our technicians can help!

Don’t wait, call A Personal Touch for a consultation to see how regular carpet cleaning and maintenance can help your center thrive and keep kids at your daycare facility safer. Our service area encompasses a wide swath of neighborhoods including Denver, Castle Rock, Centennial, Highlands Ranch, Sedalia and Jefferson County.

Sources

1 https://childcarecenter.us/state/colorado#:~:text=With%202%2C882%20preschools%20and%20child,option%20is%20waiting%20for%20you
2 How Your Vacuum Cleaner Can Help You Ward off Colds & Flu – House of Vacuums
3 The Colorado State Rules and Regulations Governing the Health and Sanitation of Child Care Facilities in the State of Colorado

The post Regular carpet cleaning is a must for day care centers appeared first on A Personal Touch.