Month: April 2022

A lot can go into selecting flooring for your home. You might start with a specific material in mind. Or have a certain color you prefer.

Thanks to the pandemic, we’re seeing more homeowners start with another request: clean flooring. Hard floors produce a healthier living environment. And that shows up in preferences. Studies consistently show hardwood tops the list of what buyers want for their homes.

Whether you’re designing a home, or remodeling your existing one, starting with a hard floor surface area provides the basis for a clean, healthy place to live.

Why are more homeowners turning to hard floors?

They’re easy to clean, disinfect, and sanitize

Homes get messy. Gravity ensures that.

But if you start with a base that’s easy to clean, those messes your family makes won’t bother you. You’ll simply wipe them away.

Hard floors give you a clean surface area that’s easy to sweep up dirt, hair, and other debris that accumulates. It’s easy to swish it away, reaching every corner effortlessly.

For a deeper clean, you can use antibacterial cleaners approved by your flooring’s manufacturer to ensure the surface area is free of pathogens and other germs. Just ask; we can provide you with the best care solutions to ensure your flooring stays looking good for years. You can also check online with your flooring manufacturer for their list of suggested cleaning products. Stick with their guidelines to ensure your flooring continues to look great, and remains under warranty.

They don’t trap dust or allergens

The smooth, hard surface area of hard flooring ensures dust, dirt, pet dander, pollen, and other debris sits on top of the surface and doesn’t burrow down into the material. It’s easy to wipe it away. A clean environment reduces your allergy symptoms, and may lessen other respiratory issues.

They provide better air quality

Right now, Americans spend, on average, 90 percent of their time indoors. Studies show that concentrations of some pollutants can be 2 to 5 times higher than what you’ll typically find outdoors.

Pollutants can be found in a lot of places inside your home:

• VOCs in building materials
• Harmful chemicals in cleaning products
• Chemicals released in the cooking process

These are just to start.

Yet your flooring is the basis for your home design. It can trap and harbor dust mites, allergens, and other debris as it enters and settles onto your floors.

Many hard flooring surfaces are a natural byproduct, which means they are created using healthier materials. Because they are hard, they are easier to keep clean, meaning they won’t trap the particles that can make you sick. For many, the basis of home aesthetics starts with hard floors.

Which hard floor is healthy?

As you browse through different flooring options, it’s easy to get confused by the sheer number of choices. How do you know which to pick? Which direction should you go?

We have three healthy flooring choices that give you clean living options while ensuring you love the results.

Hardwood

If you search through our site, stop by our store, or chat with one of our associates, you’ll find hardwood flooring moves to the top of the list for all sorts of reasons.

And if you’re looking for hard floors to produce a healthier living environment, hardwood remains at the top of the list. Why? Because it’s a natural product that provides classic good looks to any room in your home.

If you are considering hardwood, look for manufacturers that care about the production process. Select solid hardwood that comes with the Forest Stewardship Council, or FSC, seal. With this seal in place, you’ll ensure that the forest is properly managed according to FSCs rigorous social and environmental standards.

It stretches beyond the materials used for hardwood flooring. It also applies to the glue used to adhere hardwood to the subfloor, and the stains and seals used to keep your hardwood planks looking good for years. Many products use certification programs like GREENGUARD to reduce indoor air pollution and the risk of chemical exposure.

When a manufacturer uses these labels, you can feel better about the products and materials you’re bringing into your home.

Natural linoleum

While hardwood may work well for most rooms in your home, linoleum can be an option in moisture-prone areas like bathrooms. Both water-resistant and resilient, natural linoleum can be a great choice for bathrooms, laundry rooms, and even kitchens.

Linoleum is made from linseed oil, pine resin, wood flour, cork flour, limestone, and pigments, pressed and held together by a jute backing. This affordable, low-maintenance option can be installed over both concrete or wood subfloors, and only requires an occasional coat of natural wax for care and upkeep. With proper maintenance, this flooring choice can last for years.

Ceramic, Porcelain, and Glass Tile

If you’re looking for more water-resistance in your bathrooms and kitchen, ceramic, porcelain, and glass tile may be the solution. Tile can be a sustainable choice. You can look for options made from recycled materials to bump up the environmental-friendliness of the product.

To ensure it’s the healthiest on the market, focus on low-VOC production, adhesives, and sealants. GREENGUARD-certified products can point you in the right direction. Also, use cement-based grout, which doesn’t emit harmful VOCs.

Hard surfaces last longer

For many homeowners, it’s a constant juggle of keeping the aesthetics fresh and new, while ensuring updates and care fit within your budget.

If you don’t want to be replacing your flooring every few years, hard surfaces give you the longest life possible.

Ceramic, porcelain, and glass tiles can last 20 years or more. The grout may need scrubbing and resealing every five years or so, but with proper maintenance, it’ll continue looking good for years.

Linoleum can last for decades with proper care. Keep the surface clean from dirt and debris, as this can mar the surface area. Moisture, spills, and harsh chemicals can be hard on the surface. Be sure to use manufacturer-approved cleaners, and wipe up messes quickly to avoid damage.

Hardwood has the added bonus of being refinished. Depending on the hardness and size of each plank, you can refinish it several times. This adds to its longevity. Instead of replacing the entire flooring, refinish it to make it look brand new. You can update based on trends, or as your preferences change.

Is now the time you update your flooring for a healthier living environment?

Start with hard floor surfaces. You’ll love the results.

The post Why Hard Floors Produce a Healthier Living Environment first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

If you are looking for options for your kitchen flooring, then we have some advice on the best choice for you.  You will want a kitchen floor that is durable, hard wearing and able to cope with heavy footfall. Your kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in your home so you will ideally want something that is practical and stylish. Read More

With the last vestiges of winter dissipating, the feeling of springtime fills the air. This is a time for rejuvenation and rebirth, not to mention thoughts of sprucing up the homestead with the chore of spring cleaning and other various DIY projects. Of these, the thought of installing a new floor might be on your mind. A new floor can create an aesthetic that instantly turns your house into a home and gives you that warm, comforting feeling that so many homeowners want to experience.

One of the many choices you’ll be faced with is what material to use. While some are pricier than others, the quality you receive in return is well worth every penny spent. Two options that present themselves during any replacement are engineered wood flooring or laminate. Both have their individual advantages and understanding what makes them both unique can help you make a proper and informed decision.

Engineered Flooring

Based on the name alone, one might assume that engineered flooring is just that — man-made and engineered in a factory somewhere. However, this is not the case. Engineered flooring is composed of several strands of authentic hardwood creating a durable substance. It’s three times stronger than a normal hardwood floor and can last much longer. They tend to be more durable in damp conditions and high traffic areas. Engineered flooring can be installed in a variety of ways and last several decades.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring sometimes has the appearance and consistency of a hardwood floor but is artificial in its composition. Normally made of various fibers and resin, the planks are coated with a protective layer to prevent scratches and abrasions. They tend to be popular with people undertaking various DIY projects because they’re relatively easy to install. However, laminate flooring tends to be easily damaged in damp conditions and scuff marks cannot be smoothed out like in hardwood and engineered materials.

Choosing the Flooring That’s Best for You

Choosing between laminate and engineered flooring is a choice that tends to depend upon if your plans are for the short term or long term. Engineered flooring can last for several decades, so if you plan on selling your home at some point, it can greatly increase the resale value. Laminate flooring is ideal for DIY projects and can be very fun to install over the course of a weekend. However, you might need to replace it at some point.

Flooring.org

Choosing the proper materials for your new floor can sometimes be a difficult choice. At Flooring.org, we can make it easier and provide the supplies you need. Prefinished or unfinished, we have it all. Visit our page at www.flooring.org for all your flooring needs.

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

Colorado weather can be so unpredictable. In the spring, the sun comes out, crocuses poke their little heads above the earth, tulips brighten our yards with pops of color and we get lulled into thinking that summer is here.

Oh, but wait, we’re on the high plains. That means Chinook winds, air flowing from the Pacific over the Rockies’ western slopes, can blow harsh conditions in seemingly from nowhere.

Yup, snow or torrential rains may be waiting in the wings! And with each comes wet ground and, unfortunately, mud.

Maintenance matters

Ugh. Mud. Worse, still, it’s complicated mountain mud!

Most Colorado residents know that there is clay, or Bentonite, mixed in with our beloved soil here. The sticky stuff not only creates issues for avid gardeners, it can wreak havoc on indoor carpeting.

That’s why it’s more important than ever to make sure you’re vacuuming your rugs and carpets regularly (once or twice a week) to remove the clay before it degrades your carpet fibers.

It’s also best time of year to refresh your carpeting and upholstery with professional steam cleaning.

Why? Not only is steam cleaning great for your carpet’s health, and your family’s health, chances are people will soon be coming to your house to see you. You’ll want to greet them with a tidy home.

How do we know? Are we clairvoyant? Nope, we just read a lot.

A study in the New York Post revealed the average American is 31% more likely to socialize in the summer than in the winter. During the colder months, we hunker down inside, binge shows and eat hot meals from the crock pot like irises gathering nutrients into our rhizomes.

Then spring comes, and boom, we bloom. To get untwisted from the metaphor, that means we want to see people again. And you want to be ready to bloom, right?

Court the clean

Yes, ok. Enough with the flower imagery. There are issues with the comparison. After all, unlike flowers, most people really don’t like to be surrounded by dirt!

We like our houses to smell fresh and be deeply clean.

Professional carpet cleaning with powerful truck-mounted steam is the only way to go. It’s the easiest, best way to get rid of deep stains in your carpets and upholstery.

Steam cleaning also sanitizes your surfaces to neutralize germs and banish allergens that become trapped in your carpet fibers.

Your home’s carpeting is an important investment. Home carpeting can last 10-15 years on average. With tender care, it can last longer.

A Personal Touch can sanitize your chairs, ottomans and couches as well. Our trained technicians are knowledgeable about many different kinds of upholstery

Spring into action

The takeaway? Get your carpets professionally steam cleaned at least once a year to remove the soluble spots. Vacuuming weekly as well as cleaning your carpets professionally will keep the weather at bay and ensure you have a welcoming, happy house for friends and family to enjoy.

Call A Personal Touch, the best carpet cleaning company in Denver, at 720-344-2870, or use our online contact form to ask us questions or to receive a free quote.

The post Got mud? Your carpet may need professional cleaning appeared first on A Personal Touch.

Need some ideas for your upcoming home improvement project?

Get over to the Novi Home & Garden Show at the Suburban Collection Showplace this April!

Anything that deals with the home can be found here.

What is the Novi Home Show?

The Novi Home and Garden Show is a way for businesses to showcase their services and products to homeowners.

Visitors walk through multiple aisles lined with exhibits by companies specializing in home improvement, gardening, and much more.

We have been a part of the show for a while, and it is a great way for customers to see who they will work with before calling. It also allows us to answer any questions you have before you set up an estimate.

The show will be taking place at the Suburban Collection Showplace on the following dates:

April 8-10, 2022

Friday, April 8: 2-8 p.m.
Saturday, April 9: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sunday, April 10: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The show’s location is 46100 Grand River Avenue in Novi, Michigan, 48374. It’s south of 1-96 between Novi Road and Beck Road.

Admission prices are as follows:

Adult admission (ages 13 and over)—$10
Senior admission (ages 55 and over)—$9
Children 12 and under—free!
Parking is not included with ticket purchases and can be purchased prior to the event at www.suburbancollectionshowplace.com/parking.
Special “$5 after 5” admission pricing Friday and Saturday.

For a coupon for discounted admission, go to this Novi Home Show link and scroll to the bottom of the page, and click on the coupon there.

To see a full overview of the show, take a look at their seminar schedule.

Also, make sure to keep up with the Suburban Collection Showplace event calendar. They host awesome events all year long, so stay in the loop!

Stop by and Visit The Carpet Guys

While you are making your way through the show, make sure to come to visit us.

This is your chance to meet some of the people that make up The Carpet Guys. We want to meet you.

We would love to talk to you and give you a little gift.

If you are in need of carpeting, we will set you up for an estimate right then and there; no phone call is needed.

Don’t feel like waiting for the show? Book a free in-home estimate with us today. In no time, new carpet will be yours.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

The post Come see us at the Novi Home Show! appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

Are you trying to create a toxic-free living space? Are you working hard to eliminate VOCs by making better choices? As you remodel or build, your flooring tops the list as one material that can make a big difference in the environment you create.

What are VOCs?

VOC is short for volatile organic compounds. VOCs are chemicals that have been proven to affect health either in the short or long term. Some of them are carcinogenic, and have been proven to harm health.

Thousands of common, everyday items used throughout residential and commercial spaces have high levels of VOCs. As we become more aware of what they are and how they impact us, we’re working hard to reduce them in the things most likely to affect us.

Still, some materials have high VOC levels, such as cleaning products, paints and finishes, and other building materials. Once in place, they “off-gas” and release chemicals into the air supply. Depending on the conditions, that may expose all around it to high pollutant levels. VOCs off-gassing may include chemicals such as:

• Formaldehyde – found in pressed wood, plastics, lacquers, paneling, flooring, finishing products, and furniture.
• Phenol – found in some vinyl flooring and wall coverings.
• BTEX – found in petroleum-based products.
• Methylene chloride – the most common of all VOCs, it’s in flame retardant chemicals. It’s common in adhesives.

Living with VOCs

Unfortunately, our lifestyle of modern conveniences dictates that VOCs will be a part of our lives for the foreseeable future. When thousands of chemicals come together indoors to form a toxic soup, the results can include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Long-term exposure can lead to serious illness, including damage to the central nervous system, or cancer.

A study by the EPAs Office of Research and Development found about a dozen common organic pollutants to be two to five times higher inside homes than outside, regardless of whether the homes were located in rural or highly industrial areas.

With so many toxic chemicals inside your home, many homeowners are taking the step to learn more about VOCs, what it takes to eliminate them, and make better decisions when selecting home items such as flooring choices.

How to find the safest, greenest flooring choices for your home

As you tackle different home improvement projects, pay attention to the materials or substances used for each product you bring into your home. This may sound like an overwhelming task at first, but this is something you can start paying attention to over time.

The EPA provides a complete list of known VOCs, what they are, and how they may be listed on the materials or products you purchase.

You can also look for certification programs listed on the products you purchase. The most common certifications for assessing a product’s effect on indoor air quality include:

GreenGuard – it has two levels of certification that measure VOC levels in products. The GreenGuard Gold certification is often considered the most useful for determining healthy products on the market today.

Floorscore – Floorscore certification provides a standard certification process for all types of hard surface flooring materials, underlayment, and adhesives. Floorscore complies with the legally allowable limits in California, which does mean it’s not as comprehensive as GreenGuard. But it’s still a starting point to finding cleaner, less toxic flooring.

Green Label Plus is the carpet industry’s VOC certification process. They test for 35 compounds listed in California guidelines for VOCs. This includes carpet, padding, and adhesives.

There are other organizations that offer advice on what VOC limits are allowed in the production of the flooring material. If you have any questions, you can ask one of our flooring consultants, or do a little research yourself to get more comfortable about the product you’re considering buying.

What flooring choices should you consider?

It’s difficult to make one specific recommendation for flooring in an article like this because the advice would be subjective at best.

One of the greenest options can eliminate VOCs and be a great flooring choice for your home, yet have specific qualities that might not be conducive for the way your family lives. Another option may have low VOCs and be installed in such a way that it poses little risk to your living environment.

What’s the best flooring to suit your needs? Only you can make that decision.

However, as recommendations for low or zero VOCs, we often suggest:

Hardwood

Natural hardwood flooring is quite often at the top of the list as a safe option for eliminating VOCs from your home. There are, of course, things you’ll have to watch out for as you make your final selection.

Wood contains natural terpenes that are considered safe in most circumstances. If you have a high sensitivity, especially aromatic wood choices may trigger more than other products.

All wood goes through processing from forest to final installation. Some of the chemicals that flooring products go through can harbor chemicals that may impact highly sensitive people. This is where it pays to stay alert as to the product you buy and what processes the manufacturer used to bring the flooring to market.

Wood also is a porous material, which means it has a higher probability of harboring mold. Follow all guidelines to ensure your hardwood is properly acclimated to your home before installation.

Finishes and adhesives can also change one of the greenest products into one of the most dangerous. There are many low and no VOC options for both. Just be sure your installer is aware of your desires, and helps you select the best of both.

Tile

Another natural product that can be a great addition to your home is tile.

Marble tile is a great choice for both good looks and low VOCs. Because marble is quarried from nature, you will be bringing a natural product inside your home. Like wood, you’ll have to pay attention to the production process to ensure the overall product has low or no VOCs once it’s installed inside your home. And sealants, finishes, or adhesives should be checked to ensure they meet your expectations on VOC levels you wish to bring inside your home.

Slate is also a good choice. A resin is often used in manufacturing to fill in tiny pits and holes to make it a smoother surface. Be sure the products used are low VOCs. This is where it pays to go with a well-known manufacturer, one you can research thoroughly before you finalize your purchase.

If you’re ready to eliminate VOCs and find the right flooring choice to suit your needs, these are just a few of the products that may make good additions to your home.

The post Want To Eliminate VOCs? Check Out These Flooring Choices first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

When deciding on a new floor you may be thinking of either real wood or LVT.  A real wood floor is made from real wood (usually Oak) and will look elegant and sophisticated.  LVT is a luxury vinyl tile, which can mimic the appearance of with wood or tiles.  The beauty of LVT is that it looks like a natural product but is more cost effective and can be waterproof. Read More

Thanks to technology, whatever you want from your flooring is possible.

• Want an easy to clean, dependable surface area?
• Want strength and durability?
• Want waterproof flooring that won’t buckle under pressure?

Look no further than rigid core flooring.

What is rigid core flooring? Read on to find out why it just maybe what you’re looking for.

What does rigid core flooring mean?

The luxury vinyl tile (LVT) market has grown in strength and numbers these past few years. As homeowners wanted maintenance-free, durable flooring choices, they’ve responded through the products in the LVT market.

Rigid core flooring is a type of luxury vinyl flooring composed of a solid, rigid core for added durability. Rigid core flooring doesn’t require adhesives or glue. It uses a click and lock installation system instead.

Within the rigid core flooring category come two types of products: Stone Plastic Composite (SPC) and Wood Plastic Composite (WPC). While both have similar traits, their differences should be considered carefully before finalizing your decision.

What is SPC?

SPC stands for Stone Plastic Composite, or Stone Polymer Composite. It consists of a core that features limestone, polyvinyl chloride, plasticizers, and stabilizers. When compressed together, they provide a stable, water-resistant material that’s most often found in luxury vinyl planks.

What is WPC?

WPC stands for Wood Plastic Composite, or Wood Polymer Composite. It consists of a core that contains wood or wood-like materials such as wood flour, polyvinyl chloride, plasticizers, and stabilizers.

What are the core differences between SPC and WPC?

While SPC and WPC are similar, SPC consists of more calcium carbonate, otherwise known as limestone. That can provide added strength, making SPC more popular than WPC with some manufacturers.

There is not much difference in the way the two products present as final output. What makes them so popular with homeowners today is they can take on any look, yet give the advantages luxury vinyl brings to the market. Rigid core flooring can resemble wood, stone, ceramic, marble, or other unique materials that give your home pleasing aesthetics. They can be crafted into many sizes and shapes, which allows you to let your personality shine through.

Because SPC uses limestone, it tends to be a bit thinner than WPC. Both are created with multilayer construction, which includes.

Underlayment or base layer – the base layer of many rigid core flooring products is designed to make installation easier and more affordable. Higher quality products will also come with vapor and sound barriers to give you more protection.

Rigid core – this is where the SPC or WPC layer resides to provide the substance of the rigid core. It’s super dense, water-resistant, and offers support to ensure the final planks or tiles hold their shape.

Vinyl layer – this is the layer that determines the physical appearance of the final product. Vinyl prints are designed to look like the most popular flooring products on the market today, including hardwood, stone, and tile.

Wear layer – this protects the vinyl layer from being damaged. It comes with varying thickness layers, so it’s wise to pay attention to how much traffic your flooring can sustain without noticeable damage.

UV coating – some surface areas provide protective coatings to help fight everyday damage such as discoloration.

The SPC core layer consists of limestone, which adds strength to the product. If you have heavy furniture, this added strength can prevent scratches and dents as you use it every day.

An important thing to note is that many rigid core flooring products are touted as waterproof. Keep in mind that waterproof is relative based on the situation. Will a rigid core floor react to a spill? Rigid core flooring’s surface layer can provide complete protection from modern day bathroom and kitchen messes. Will rigid core flooring stand up in a massive flood where the water saturates for hours? That type of damage will impact most building materials.

As long as you have reasonable expectations of what your flooring will provide, rigid core flooring can be a welcome addition to just about any room in your home.

Why people love rigid core flooring

Although we’ve alluded to it throughout this article, there are a number of reasons homeowners turn to rigid core flooring when they design or remodel their homes.

Looks and versatility top the list. What holds people back from hardwood or even stone tile is the upkeep. They look great inside your home … until they don’t. Once they are scratched, cracked, or damaged, it can be a long process to fix the problem. It might even require fully replacing the floor.

Rigid core flooring uses click and lock technology, which gives you flexibility throughout the design and upkeep process. You don’t even have to worry about what you install this product over. It can be installed over just about any subfloor, including existing vinyl, hardwood, laminate, tile, concrete, or plywood. You won’t need special equipment to install it. It’s a perfect choice if you’re considering a do-it-yourself project. Because the underlayment is already attached, it’s an easy process where you click the planks or tiles into place, and you can start using your new floors immediately.

And the looks are short of spectacular. In some cases, it even requires experts to take a second look. Because of how the print layer is created, you may find a wider array of colors and patterns, making it easier than ever to match your decor.

What’s more, rigid core flooring is one of the most affordable products on the market today. It won’t require a new subfloor. It doesn’t take adhesive, glue, or grout. With its click and lock technology, it can be in place in a shorter timeframe. It can even be a do-it-yourself project.

Is rigid core flooring right for you?

Everyone has different wants and needs when it comes to selecting new flooring. If you’re looking for:

• A water-resistant product
• A product to sit over problematic subflooring
• An affordable floor that won’t sacrifice good looks
• A product you can install yourself

Rigid core flooring may be the flooring for you.

What questions can we answer for you about rigid core flooring?

The post Rigid Core Flooring May Be Just What You’re Looking For first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

When you think about selling your home, you look at every room in a different light. What can you do to make it show better? What can you add to increase your home value? Should new flooring be at the top of your list?

While it’s easy to pack up some of your personal items in boxes, or paint the walls to freshen the space up, installing new flooring can be an expensive maintenance item, especially as you’re planning a move. Is it worth it? Is it something you should consider?

According to one survey by the National Association of Realtors, new flooring can make a difference in what a buyer is willing to pay. But the results may surprise you. If a buyer is under the age of 54, one in four said hardwood floors are very important. But as people age, those statistics change. Older homeowners like carpet for warmth and comfort.

What’s most important? Cleanliness. People don’t want to walk in and see a maintenance item from the moment they enter. Dents, scuff marks, wear marks – they are all indicators of flooring that needs to be replaced.

Know your home. Know your area. What do people expect from a neighborhood like yours? Then adjust accordingly.

Hardwood – it’s the easiest path to increasing home value

It’s impossible to ignore that people love hardwood floors. In a survey conducted by the National Wood Flooring Association, just over half of respondents stated they currently have hardwood inside their homes. When asked what kind of flooring they would have in their dream home, two-thirds said they would have wood.

Wood has been a staple in residential homes for centuries. Raw lumber, geometric patterns, painted wood – we’ve come full circle in the flooring we install inside our home.

Today it’s all about natural finishes and smooth designs. Minimalist may be what we ask for, but the finished results can be dramatic and aesthetically pleasing. And more than half of those surveyed are willing to pay for it – $2,080 extra for homes that include hardwood flooring.

As a homeowner, hardwood can be a good investment no matter when you plan to sell. Hardwood is more durable than flooring like carpet because you can refinish it when it starts to wear. Sand it down, fix any problem areas, and refinish it in a fresh new color. Most hardwood floors can be refinished multiple times. It can last for decades when well cared for.

Of course, keep in mind that staying simple is always better if you want an easy sell. When you shop for hardwood, you’ll find an array of different cuts, wood varieties, thicknesses, and finishes. Some will be more appealing to the masses than others.

Hardwood doesn’t quite fit in with your neighborhood or budget … but there are options

Not every home is meant for hardwood. But that doesn’t mean you can’t install a floor that provides what people love about hardwood, and combine it with other advantages.

How about water-resistant flooring? If you have a busy household and are worried about the impact on traditional hardwood floors, take a look at today’s luxury vinyl planks. They look like hardwood, create a surface area that looks like hardwood, yet offer benefits hardwood can’t.

What’s more, luxury vinyl comes in click-and-lock format, which makes it easy to install over many existing floors. Concrete, vinyl, linoleum, even tile can be left in place while moving your new flooring into the space. That can be a big benefit if you’re trying to check off items on your project list, and quickly get your house on the market.

Not sold on vinyl? How about tile? You’ll be impressed with the detail tile can bring to your home. Sold in plank format, they mimic hardwood so closely, you won’t be able to tell unless you get down closer to the floor. Because it’s water-resistant, it makes a great addition to moisture-prone areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Choose the right floors for the situation

While homeowners may love hardwood, the simple truth is hardwood doesn’t make sense in every room in your home. Install it in the bathroom and you’ll quickly regret your decision.

Entryways, kitchens, and basements need a flooring material that makes sense based on the situation.

Entryways deal with moisture, dirt, and debris. Install the wrong flooring and you’ll find yourself worrying every time the door enters.

Kitchens can also be a problem, especially if your family is prone to creating messes. Hardwood doesn’t do well with constant spills and messes. It can stain, fade, warp, and lose its “new” feel quickly in this circumstance.

Basements bring on their own problems. Sub-level moisture problems can cause wood to warp. And if movement is prevalent, warping and buckling may also be a problem.

Select the type of flooring that makes sense for the room in question. Then work to ensure that each room in your home blends together.

Flow is important

If you do choose to replace flooring to increase your home value, pay particular attention to the flow you create throughout the house. See your home through the eyes of a potential buyer. What would they want?

Buyers don’t like the patchwork approach to updating. Instead, they want a visibly clean surface as they move from room to room.

That’s where our associates can help. We can help select suitable floors for a smooth transition from room to room. It might mean keeping existing hardwood in place, installing new, and finishing it together for a color that matches well.

Be especially mindful in open living spaces. You don’t want to walk into an entryway and see a mishmash of textures and colors as far as the eye can see.

Are you moving soon?

Congratulations. Adding new flooring is a great way to increase your home’s value. Upgrading to present a cohesive environment to prospective buyers can give you what you need as you move forward to a new home.

What questions do you have about upgrading your flooring?

The post Will Upgrading Your Flooring Increase Your Home Value? first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

With your beautiful new carpet installation, you may be wondering will carpet seams go away.  Unfortunately, you can’t eliminate seams altogether, but The Carpet Guys have good news on how to minimize them. Read on to find out how.

Why are Seams Noticeable?

When a carpet is first installed by a professional installation team like The Carpet Guys, it is the most taught it will be.  Installers will stretch the carpet to help eliminate future wrinkling. Also, the high pile carpet still has tightly twisted fibers. This is when carpet seams are the most noticeable. Fortunately, in small rooms, seams may not be necessary.  Carpet rolls come in rolls of 12 or 15 feet.  So, a room that is 11 feet 6 inches or smaller won’t need a seam. Anything larger than that in length and width of the room will need seams. There are ways to help those seams go away.

Seam Placement

The first way a good flooring installer will take care of the seam in your carpet is to put it in a low-traffic area or under furniture that will not be moved.  Often, they will place a seam in the back of the room for this purpose. Seams in doorways or closets can be handled by using transition pieces so you can’t see the seam. They will also use strong seam tape and a good iron to seal the pieces together with heat.

Style of Carpet

The style of carpet being installed will also have an effect.  Berber and patterned carpets are the hardest to seam.  Berber’s loops and low pile make it very difficult to hide.  With proper installation, patterned carpet can be made to line up at seam placement. The best flooring to choose to hide a seam is a shag or twist style plush.

Proper Care and Maintenance for Seams

When a good installer has completed the job, they will vacuum the carpet. This is not only to clean their area but to also help tightly twisted fibers “sprout” which will hide the carpet seam.  With each weekly vacuum, the fibers will open and cover the seam with a fuller plushness. As the flooring endures wear and tear, it may be necessary to have the carpet re-stretched to eliminate peaking.  This happens as the 2 pieces stretch and start to overlap. Moisture can also cause peaking.  Make sure to maintain proper humidity levels in your home.  If your carpet needs re-stretching, The Carpet Guys have a lifetime installation warranty.  We can make sure your flooring stays beautiful for years to come.

If you’re looking for the proper seam repair, call The Carpet Guys at 855-4-MY-GUYS (855-469-4897) or go to our scheduling page and set up a Free In-Home Estimate. We will make sure that seams are placed in the proper location and kept from peaking!

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