Month: July 2022

I was sitting in a reception area the other day, waiting for my appointment, when I looked down and noticed how the hardwood was installed. From the entryway, the hardwood appeared to move vertically into the office space. Yet the hallway back to the individual meeting rooms sat at an angle. The pattern moved into a diagonal flow to keep the flow from the entryway.

I loved it!

But I started thinking about which direction was best when installing hardwood. Are there rules? Do flooring experts provide specific guidance to help homeowners and commercial property managers finalize their decisions before installing hardwood into their spaces?

Where to begin when installing hardwood 

Every space is unique. You can’t start at the front and work to the back – that philosophy can get you into trouble in oddly-shaped rooms.

There are several factors to consider when deciding which way to install hardwood into any room.

Focal point – what’s the first thing you see when you walk into the room? Where is the focal point of the room? If you lay the planks in that direction, it gives your eye a reason to flow towards that focal point. It might be a large fireplace. Or stunning architectural detail that makes the room. Your hardwood plank direction will lead every visitor to the most important aspect of the room.

Overall design – if you have one square space to add hardwood to, laying the planks into place is easy. Yet most people install hardwood into multiple rooms simultaneously, and rarely are they perfectly square. Instead, you’ll have odd shapes and a layout that rarely makes sense when you start to lay the planks into place. To avoid sudden cutoffs and strange designs, it might be time to install them in a diagonal pattern. If you have multiple rooms with distinct cutoffs, you can install a thin wood strip at the threshold to make the transition.

Light source – here in Colorado, we get a lot of natural light flowing in. If you have large windows to take advantage of the view, how does light fall into your home throughout the day? Use that pattern to dictate the direction you install your hardwood planks.

Floor structure – the subfloor and floor joists are installed to add strength and durability to each room. If you lay hardwood planks in the same direction as the joists, you can weaken the overall structure of the flooring. Instead, install them perpendicular to add strength and prevent the planks from sagging or buckling.

Sightlines – in many cases, flooring direction jumps out at you from the moment you walk through the door. Sightlines guide you from the front to the back. It gives you a natural flow. Don’t fight that flow. Work with it instead as you’re looking for which direction to install your hardwood planks.

Directions to run your hardwood flooring planks

We these general installation rules in mind, there are several main design options when it’s time to install your hardwood floors:

Vertical – the most common way to install hardwood is vertically from one end of the room to the other. It flows naturally as you enter the room, providing elegance and a contemporary feel as you move into a room. It’s a go-to pattern because it’s one of the easiest to install. It makes good use of the hardwood planks without having to trim boards to get them to fit.

Horizontal – another popular installation pattern is horizontal, where the boards flow freely from side to side. This is a good choice if your design space is narrow as you walk into the room. Short, vertical planks might make it feel choppy, more closed in. By running them horizontally, it draws the eye side to side, adding more openness to the space.

Diagonal – give any room a classy finish by installing the planks diagonally. Instead of vertical or horizontal placement, kick the planks to a 45-degree angle to the wall as they run across the floor. The look can be stunning and just different enough to add your own personality to your room.

Herringbone – this is another classic design that has been used for decades. It’s a step up from diagonal, creating a zigzag pattern instead. Install each board in a different direction, giving any room a more modern feel.

Parquet – parquet hardwood has been used in homes for centuries. It involves laying planks in repeated geometrical patterns that give the floor visual appeal. Think of it as a checkerboard of intricate patterns, with wood squares dominating the design. They can be quite beautiful, adding richness to any room in your home.

Random – today’s homeowners often look for something unique to bring into their homes. If you’ve had your eye on multiple sizes, colors, and patterns, why not incorporate them all into the final look? A random pattern mixes lengths, widths, and colors to create flooring as unique as you.

Which direction is right for you?

Want new hardwood floors? That’s only the beginning of the choices you’ll make.

Today’s hardwood planks come in many different styles, colors, patterns, widths, and lengths. With so many choices, it’s often difficult to know where to begin narrowing down to your final selection.

We often recommend people spend some time on design sites, or setting up a pinboard on Pinterest. Find different layouts you like, really focusing on why you like them. Do you like the color? The pattern? The flow?

As you find more examples of things you like, you’ll start to see a pattern in your tastes and desires. This is when you know you’ve found a choice that’s right for you.

Bring your ideas in and let’s talk. We can show you a variety of flooring choices that meet your demands. We can help you narrow it down to a final selection, one you’ll love for the life of your floor.

Installing hardwood in different directions can give you classic designs or a modern finish. There isn’t a right or wrong way to lay it into place.

What you settle on will look great on your finished floors.

You’ll love how it accents your home’s decor. 

The post Vertical or Horizontal: Which Direction Should You Install Hardwood? first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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Hand scraped flooring will give you a rustic and textured surface.  This extra definition is added when the planks of flooring are scraped by hand before the protective oils or lacquers are added.  As each plank of Oak wooden flooring is scraped by hand, no two planks are the same, so you get an authentic and aged looking floor.  You are still getting the natural beauty of Oak, with its distinctive grain and knot patterns, but with an added twist of uniqueness. It is a perfect choice for anyone looking for a beautiful hardwood floor with added character and charm. Read More

If you have hardwood flooring in your home, you likely already know that your floors experience wear and tear over time. This wear and tear can make your flooring look dull, boring, and uninspiring. If you want your aged hardwood floors to look like new, you can refinish them. Here is how you know when it is time to refinish your floors:

If your home is old, your floors are probably old too. Old age can cause your flooring to look dull, worn out, and unattractive. Over time, hardwood flooring can lose its shine due to heavy traffic, wear and tear, the buildup of dust and debris, and so on. You can breathe new life into your home by refinishing your floors. The refinishing process helps floors return to their original state and look brighter, more vibrant, and more eye-catching.

Are you feeling uninspired by the flooring in your home? If you are, try refinishing your hardwood. You may have a craving to install carpet, tile, or a new type of hardwood in your home, but doing so is time-consuming and expensive. Instead of getting new flooring altogether, just refinish your floors in a stain that better matches your personal style. There are a variety of stains you can use when refinishing different types of hardwood flooring to get the color you want. Not only is this option more affordable, but it is also more sustainable.

It may be time to refinish your hardwood floors if your floors experienced damage caused by routine wear and tear. Unfortunately, grazes, scratches and marks are part of owning hardwood floors. These scratches and marks can be unsightly and dull the appearance of your flooring. Additionally, these marks and damages can lower the value of your home. To boost your home’s value and improve the appearance of your space, have your hardwood floors refinished. Refinishing helps get rid of scratches, marks, and grazes caused by furniture, pets, children, and accidents.

If you are in need of hardwood flooring or accessories, shop with Flooring.org. You can browse the products on our website and email us at [email protected] with any questions. We hope you will shop with us for all of your hardwood flooring needs.

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We spend a lot of time keeping our homes clean and presentable – after all, our home is our sanctuary, so we want it to be a healthy place to live. Vacuuming our carpets is a task most of us do regularly, but is it enough to keep our carpets clean? Not by a long shot!

Professional carpet cleaning is not just a luxury, it’s a necessity. Homeowners should make professional carpet cleaning a priority to protect their investment, prolong the life of their carpets, and improve their indoor air quality. Whether you just moved into your home or you’ve been living there for years, professional carpet cleaning is a must to ensure that your carpets are truly clean.

New Home, Old Carpets

Are you a new homeowner? The carpets in your new home may look clean, but there are likely to be hidden dirt, mud, stains and allergens present from previous owners. Who knows what they were tracking into the house and onto the carpets! Get rid of those nasty old stains and stinks from past tenants by having the carpets professionally cleaned before you move in. 

If, on the other hand, you’ve been living in your home for several years, you still need to have your carpets professionally cleaned regularly. No matter how often you vacuum, dirt can collect in the carpet fibers, causing unnecessary wear and tear and shortening the life of your carpets. Professional carpet cleaners have the experience and equipment to deep clean carpets, removing all the dirt, dust, and stains that have built up over time. 

Improves Indoor Air Quality

In addition to extending the life of your carpets, professional carpet cleaning can also improve your indoor air quality. Carpets can trap allergens and other airborne contaminants, which can worsen allergies and respiratory problems. Professional carpet cleaning removes these contaminants from your carpets, leaving your home more comfortable and safer for everyone. You’ll be able to breathe easier knowing that your home’s air contains fewer allergens and contaminants!

Professional Steam Cleaning to the Rescue

Nearly all carpet manufacturers recommend having your carpets professionally steam cleaned at least once a year. In fact, many stain-resistant manufacturer warranties require professional cleaning at least every other year. Standard industry guidelines call for using steam cleaning water that is heated to 125 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Here at A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning Services, we go above and beyond the industry standard – we use water heated up to 230 degrees Fahrenheit. This is hot enough to kill 98% of household germs. Your carpets will be super clean and fresh after we get done cleaning them!

Carpeting generally lasts 10-15 years, but with regular care and cleaning, you can extend its life to 20-25 years. You could clean your carpets yourself with a carpet cleaning machine, but why not let us do it for you? We’ll even groom your carpets afterwards and protect them with a Dupont Teflon carpet protector, if you like.

Professional cleanings can restore that new carpeting look and extend the life of your carpets, so don’t wait until they are visibly dirty to call a professional. Schedule regular professional carpet cleanings to protect your investment!

Remember at A Personal Touch, we don’t cut corners, we clean them! 

The post Why Professional Carpet Cleaning Is a Must for Homeowners appeared first on A Personal Touch.

Thinking of remodeling? Want new flooring?

Many homeowners instantly envision their newly redesigned rooms with hardwood flooring. But here’s the thing: Hardwood flooring doesn’t always make sense.

Sure, it looks great. Yes, it’s one of the most popular flooring materials sold.

But hardwood flooring has its positives and negatives. Sometimes hardwood isn’t suitable for your lifestyle. Maybe engineered hardwood or luxury vinyl planks would make a better choice.

What is engineered hardwood?

What makes engineered hardwood so appealing to some homeowners is that engineered hardwood is real wood. Instead of a solid plank of hardwood, engineered planks are constructed in layers.

Engineered hardwood is slightly thinner than solid hardwood. The top and bottom layers are 100 percent natural wood. These layers can come from a variety of species and provide you with the look you’re going for. (This is what makes it look just like traditional hardwood flooring.)

The inside layers are constructed from plywood. The thickness is based on the quality of construction and what the manufacturer chooses to include. Higher quality engineered wood planks will have a thicker top layer, meaning they’ll last longer overall.

This layered construction also provides more stability against environmental changes. If you’ve ever brought traditional hardwood into your home, you know it needs time to acclimate to the surroundings before installation. Engineered hardwood construction eliminates some of the risks associated with expanding or contracting when exposed to humidity, moisture, or temperature variances. That makes it a better choice in rooms where this may be a problem.

One of the drawbacks to engineered hardwood is that it typically can’t be sanded and refinished the way you can traditional hardwood planks. Because the top board is a thin piece of hardwood, smoothing it down may wear through this top board, leaving the plywood showing and vulnerable. Higher quality planks may be thicker and have the ability to refinish it once, but you do have to be careful as you sand the top coat away.

Engineered hardwood makes a good choice when you’re looking to stick with a budget, and traditional hardwood is beyond your reach. Premium engineered hardwood planks can be as much as some traditional hardwood, but will offer better longevity and results.

What are luxury vinyl planks?

Luxury vinyl planks are also known as LVP. It’s a flooring material designed and manufactured to provide hardwood’s look and feel, but it offers characteristics traditional hardwood doesn’t have.

Luxury vinyl planks are available in a wide variety of sizes, styles, patterns, and colors. You’ll find LVP that closely resembles the traditional hardwood you’ve had your eye on, or step beyond the color and pattern you’ve been thinking about and try something a little bolder. LVP manufacturers mimic hardwood so well that you’ll see grain and texture just like in natural wood planks. But you can get the exact color you’re looking for.

Luxury vinyl planks are generally made of highly moisture-resistant PVC, which is what makes the planks so durable. Some are constructed so well they provide waterproof technology. That means you can put them into any room where humidity or moisture may be a problem. This may be the perfect product to include in your bathroom or basement remodel.

The surface is hard enough to be more durable than hardwood, making it better at resisting scratches or dents. Plus, the hard surface area makes cleaning a snap. Just an occasional sweep or vacuum to keep dirt away, and a damp mop to remove surface debris.

The one drawback to LVP is that it’s a petroleum product, manufactured using PVC. Toxins can be off-gassed into the environment, which can be a problem for both humans and pets. This is where it’s important to work with a dealer who understands the risks and can guide you to reputable companies who take every precaution to reduce the risks.

Engineered hardwood or luxury vinyl planks – which should you choose?

Both engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl planks have the look and feel of real hardwood flooring. However, only engineered hardwood is made from real natural wood. If this is important to you, engineered hardwood may be the way to go. Yet keep in mind that hardwood is softer and more susceptible to scratches and dents. If you have an active household, it’s something to consider as you finalize your decision.

Engineered hardwood performs much better in situations where moisture might be a problem. If you want to extend hardwood into a downstairs bathroom and kitchen, engineered hardwood may be the perfect protection you need to ensure those occasional mishaps don’t leave their mark. But keep in mind that water can and will impact engineered hardwood if it seeps between the planks. LVP performs far better in moist situations, even providing fully waterproof product lines that can withstand a lot of moisture. For basements that deal with moisture frequently, or bathrooms where splish-splashing occurs on a regular basis, luxury vinyl planks can offer the protection you desire.

If you’re looking to stay within budget, luxury vinyl planks may be a perfect choice. It’s typically less expensive than hardwood or engineered hardwood, which is why a lot of homeowners choose to install it inside their homes. The technology has increased enough to make even the most knowledgeable flooring experts have to take a second look to ensure it’s not real hardwood.

The bottom line … both engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl planks are beautiful, and look authentic enough to pass for traditional hardwood when that doesn’t meet your lifestyle. Hardwood is aesthetically pleasing, but not always functional to every homeowner. Engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl planks give you the same look and feel with characteristics more beneficial for some people.

Hopefully this article has shed some light between the differences of these two amazing flooring choices. If you want to see either in more detail, stop by today and see our entire selection. With a little bit of guidance, we’ll help you make the perfect selection for your home remodeling project. 

The post Engineered Hardwood or Luxury Vinyl Planks – Which Should You Choose? first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

Once upon a time, residential flooring didn’t offer as many flooring choices as it does today. When it came to hardwood floors, the general rule was to install planks based on the size of the room.

In smaller rooms, evenly spaced planks precisely the same size are placed together to create a refined look. As the rooms grow in size, wider widths may be used to create a fluid look.

People are drawn to wider widths because of the beautiful layout it presents. While narrower planks are created with uniformity in mind, wider widths can bring more of the natural wood to light. It can showcase texture, knots, swirls, and other features that give personality and uniqueness to the overall design.

As homeowners brought wider planks to their main living spaces, their love for wider planks began to grow. They challenged old beliefs and started laying them everywhere.

And that brought out even more opportunities in the way hardwood is used.

What are random width planks?

When you look at hardwood flooring today, you’ll find that the standard plank size is 4 or 5 inches. This standard has grown over time.

Narrow planks will typically run 2 to 3 inches in width. This is where industry standards sat for many years, with it being easier to feed narrow planks into just about any room in the house. Narrow boards are cleaner and have fewer knots or imperfections, creating a cleaner, more uniform look.

Wide planks are gaining in popularity, and start at 6 inches and go up from there. These wider widths create a more rustic appearance because of the features they showcase once in place. No two floors will ever be the same.

Random width planks started appearing to add even more uniqueness to a home. Generally, rooms will have a combination of three widths mixed together – three, five, and seven-inch widths. They are installed in alternating patterns, creating a unique design that adds character. Some say it modernizes the parquet, herringbone, and chevron designs from long ago.

Are random width planks for you?

If you’re new to the concept of random width planks, your first step is to see these designs in action. A quick Google search will bring up all kinds of ideas. You can even Pin some of them to your Pinboard.

You’ll find that homeowners and business owners use random width planks in all kinds of situations. It’s a great way to add beauty to your room, while giving you a modern look you’ll love for years to come.

In truth, random width planks aren’t always random. Rarely will an installer pick up a random board and feed it into place. Instead, they lay out the design ahead of time, to ensure the natural beauty of each board shines through.

If you’re laying new hardwood into a smaller space that often feels tight and closed in, random width planks may be the perfect choice. Homeowners have long since used wide planks to add depth to a closed-in space. Random width achieves the same goals, but provides added aesthetics to the space.

Will you love random width planks for years to come?

This is a common question we receive from homeowners.

When you install new hardwood floors, it’s with the expectation of keeping them in place for years to come. What makes hardwood so appealing is that you can install them today and have them last for decades if well cared for. They give you the opportunity to sand them down and refinish them multiple times,

That applies to any width you install: narrow, wide, or random.

If you want to install the best hardwood floor to suit your needs, it all comes down to preference. The adage “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” applies here.

What do you want your home to look like? What is most appealing to you? If your heart moves to the look created by random width planks, then by all means, move in that direction.

Here are a few tips to help you select which width is best for you.

With larger rooms, open concept design, and high ceilings, wider planks may be a perfect choice. These bigger planks will help keep the flooring from getting lost in the expansive space. It’s not uncommon for installers to lay the widest boards here – six, eight, even ten-inch widths can look amazing in these situations.

The opposite is also true. For smaller rooms, move to the other end of the spectrum. Move towards three or five-inch planks to create a sense of airiness. Don’t go with super skinny widths unless you really love the look.

The busier a room, the more you should work at minimizing the design on the floor. Stick with one or two widths to tone down the aesthetics and keep the eye from moving to the wide variety of design elements you have in place.

Let design be your guide if you’re making your floors the center of attention. Use random widths to create intrigue. Mix lighter and darker shades to add depth. Let your furniture and other decor items accent the pattern of your flooring.

Are you ready for your new floors?

Are you sold on the concept of random width planks? Not sure what to do next?

That’s the easy part.

Again, your best friend is Pinterest, or other decor sites that give you a chance to start selecting what you like. Find examples that speak to you. Then focus on what you want most. Is it the color of the hardwood? The variance in width? The overall look of the room?

That’s your starting point.

Now you can bring your ideas in, and we can make your desires a reality.

We’ll show you your options, help you narrow down your selections, then help you create the layout of your dreams.

A professional installer will help make it a reality, with the knowledge and experience to get the job done the right way the first time.

What are you waiting for? Isn’t today the day you take the next step in finding your perfect floors? If random width planks are appealing, you’ll love the options waiting for you. Give us a call. 

The post Random Width Planks – What You Need To Know first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

We often get asked about how to keep a wooden floor clean, the answer is simple.  Sweep and clean your floor on a regular basis.  Due to the hard surface of the wooden floor, it is easy to keep clean.  Any dust, dirt or pet hair is more visible than on a carpet, which makes it much easier to keep clean and far more hygienic.  By adopting a simple and regular cleaning routine, your wooden floor will be looking clean every day. Read More

Are you in the market for vinyl flooring?

It’s easy to get swept away by the growth in the luxury vinyl market. Luxury vinyl planks or luxury vinyl tiles have brought the beauty of hardwood, stone, and tile at a more affordable price. Through modern technology and sophisticated visual effects, these luxury vinyl planks and tiles look so much like the real thing, you might have to get closer to tell the difference. Luxury vinyl is a great way to add classic good looks to any room in your home, while maintaining your budget.

But luxury vinyl isn’t the only vinyl in the flooring industry. Regular vinyl is still a popular choice amongst homeowners. Many prefer it because of its ease of installation and use. If you’re looking for seamless flooring, regular vinyl may be a better choice. If you’re looking for classic good looks, regular vinyl may be your perfect choice.

What is regular vinyl?

Regular vinyl may bring back memories of the vinyl used in your parent’s or grandparent’s homes. Regular vinyl, also known as sheet vinyl, comes in a roll of flooring material up to 12 feet wide. For smaller rooms, this means the vinyl can be rolled into place from one side to the other, without seams in the middle of the room.

Seams are minimized, which means there’s less risk of them being compromised over time. You won’t have material bumping against one another, adjusting, and causing tripping hazards. You won’t have the possibility of liquid seeping between the cracks, compromising the backing and subfloor.

Vinyl also is flexible, making it very forgiving as it’s being installed. Lay it in place over existing flooring, such as wood, tile, or other vinyl. And because it’s easy to install, you can have your new floor in place quickly.

It’s effective in high-traffic areas where spills and scratches may be a problem. It’s created by embedding color granules right into the vinyl for added durability. This helps resist scratches and wear marks. Its water-resilient surface area means less damage from everyday spills. Simply wipe away the moisture with less impact from damage.

How is regular vinyl constructed? 

Today’s vinyl flooring is a composite of ingredients. It’s made from polyvinyl chloride, often referred to as PVC, plasticizers, and print films. Vinyl is placed onto a backing material, which is also a composite of vinyl and plasticizers or fiberglass. Laid over the top is a print layer, which provides the desired colors, patterns, and images customers want most. Finally, on top of the print layer is a transparent layer of PVC used to provide protection and maintain its good looks.

This top layer is what gives it strength and durability. It’s also what changes from manufacturer to manufacturer. You can see where someone cuts corners by the wear layer in place. The print layer wouldn’t have complete protection without a durable top layer.

Typically this top layer will also be given texture to compliment the print layer. A topcoat or urethane will be applied over the wear layer, to further protect the final finish.

You’ll often see manufacturers guarantee their products for durability and wearability. They may tout coatings, warranties, or even patent-pending technology. But what really matters most is the wear layer. Because once the wear layer is worn through, the pattern will be damaged, and the only way to repair it will be to replace it.

That makes the wreck layer the most important layer. The thicker and more durable this layer is, the longer your floors will last.

Understanding the wear layer

Think of the wear layer as the protector of your floors. It’s measured in thousands-of-an-inch, or what is referred to as mils. The goal is to make this wear layer between the topcoat and the print layer as thick and durable as possible. The more wear you have, the longer your floors will last.

If you start looking around, you’ll find vinyl sheets come in many different mil ratings. But what is good? 0.1 mil? 10 mil? 20 mil?

It seems only natural that more is better. But it’s still difficult to understand how such a slight difference can make a difference.

First off, mil does not equal millimeter. Most vinyl manufacturers are based in Asia or Europe and rely on the metric system for accurate measurement. Yet the few vinyl manufacturers that are American-based have converted it to a unit of measure that makes sense in America. They use mil, which is one-thousandth of an inch. Common wear layers range from 4 to 40 mil, providing different durability standards.

In general, the greater the wear layer, the greater the protection. A higher mil level will last longer and give you better wearability. Of course, there are other things to take into consideration.

What’s important when selecting regular vinyl

Wearability is one of the most important things to consider. A lot of characteristics make certain sheets of vinyl more durable than others.

Before you finalize your selection, consider the application of your project. How much traffic? What type of activity?

Every time you replace your floor, you have to consider:

• Material cost
• Cost of installation
• Additional fees for materials like baseboards, trim boards, etc
• Any other related expenses

Whether this is for a home entryway, a high-traffic kitchen, or a commercial business setting, understanding what the flooring will face should guide you towards the right selection. Why select a 40 mil commercial-grade vinyl when the only traffic your floors will ever see are those who enter your guest bathroom?

Pay attention to the warranty too. Most reputable manufacturers will guarantee their flooring against defects. But they won’t cover labor costs for removal and replacement. Keep this in mind, as installation is the most significant part of most vinyl flooring jobs. Does that make it worth considering a less expensive grade vinyl, and replacing it sooner to gain a new, updated look? Only you can decide.

Is regular vinyl flooring the right choice for you?

In some cases, regular vinyl may be your best flooring choice. Regular vinyl may be the perfect addition for a small bathroom, an entryway where durability is your top concern, or a kitchen where flexibility is everything,.

If you haven’t looked at vinyl flooring lately, stop by today and see our entire line. You’re going to love what it can do for your project.

The post Everyone’s Talking About Luxury Vinyl – Is Regular Vinyl Still a Thing? first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

You’ve finally settled into a remodeling project. Maybe it’s updating the guest bathroom that still looks like it’s out of 1985. Or you’re creating a “wow” factor in your master suite. Now comes the tricky part of design and laying it all out.

When you start looking at tiles, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. It may feel as if there’s a never-ending supply, with tiles in every size, shape, and color you can imagine.

Yet all tiles are not the same. Some are durable enough to act as flooring. Others are more fragile, and are better left in other positions like backsplashes or walls. How do you know the difference?

How to choose the right tile flooring

Choosing tile for a room in your home is based on many things.

• How much foot traffic is there?
• How large is your family?
• Do you have pets?
• How much time do you have for regular cleaning and maintenance?
• What is your budget?
• What are your personal tastes?

Tile is available at every price range, in an almost unlimited supply of colors, patterns, and styles. It can be the perfect flooring choice for entryways, kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms. Thanks to radiant heating, tiling may also be the perfect choice for other rooms in your home, providing a warm flooring on the coldest of winter mornings.

Still, some tiles are better suited for flooring. How do you know?

What makes some tiles work better as flooring than others 

Tiles can be made from many different materials: ceramic, porcelain, glass, marble, stone, and granite, to name but a few. Some materials are harder, more durable, and will provide a better surface area for flooring than others.

Typically, entryways and kitchens have the highest amount of traffic. They need flooring surfaces that can stand up to all kinds of activity. Durability is key.

Bathrooms may be lower in traffic, but they deal with other problematic activities. High in moisture and humidity, it’s important to choose a tile based on durability as well as safety. Slipping and falling occur frequently in bathroom settings.

With all this in mind, what tile makes the best choice for flooring?

Durable tile choices perfect for flooring

No matter where you’re placing tile in your home, if it’s on the floor, durability is essential. Pick wisely and tile can last for decades. Use something weaker, and it can crack and crumble in a very short time period.

You may fall in love with some tile choices, but there may be better uses for it if it isn’t explicitly designed for the floor.

The best choices for tile flooring include:

Natural stone tiles – these materials are quarried right from the earth. Natural stone tiles include things like granite, marble, and limestone. They are extremely durable and come in natural colors that complement any decor. They work well in a bathroom setting, but are equally as functional and stylish in your main living quarters.

Porcelain tiles – porcelain tiles are heavier and less porous than other types of tiles. That makes them the perfect addition to rooms where heavy foot traffic is an issue. They make perfect additions to entryways and hallways, and look just as beautiful in kitchens and living spaces. However, they can crack under extreme pressure – be mindful of the furniture you place on porcelain tile.

 Ceramic tiles– one of the most popular on the market, chances are your home uses ceramic tiles somewhere inside. They are known for their durability, as well as the almost unlimited supply of styles. They provide excellent durability and will continue to look great for years to come. There’s a reason they’ve been popular for decades – they’ll continue to be popular for years to come.

Concrete tiles – if you are looking for non-stop durability, it might be time to look at concrete tiles. Concrete has long since been one of the most durable materials for flooring. Concrete tiles give you the option of bringing them easily into your home. They work especially well in high traffic situations.

Not all tile choices work as flooring

What’s not to love about tiling? It’s easy to fall in love with the styles, patterns, and colors.

Yet not all tile materials make good materials for flooring. The flooring industry regularly uses the Moh’s Hardness Scale to help consumers understand just how hard different flooring choices are, and how well they’ll handle as flooring over time.

The Moh’s Hardness Scale ranks hardness on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the hardest.

At level 1 is resilient flooring. Vinyl tiles would fall under this category, being at the lowest level of durability.

Glazed ceramic tile sits at levels 5 and 6, depending on how it’s made. It works well in a variety of places throughout the home, which is why it continues to be so popular.

Quarry tile and glazed porcelain tile rank at number 7. With its classic good looks, it makes a great addition to your main floor living spaces.

At level 8 comes unglazed porcelain tile. This provides durability that will last in your home for years to come. This also tops the list for tile hardness.

Finding the best tile flooring to suit your needs

If you’re looking for durability, easy maintenance, and classic good looks, look no further than tile. Tile flooring has been in residential homes for centuries, and it will continue to do well into the future. Tiling provides:

Design versatility – very few products allow you to place it just as easily on the floors as you can on the walls. Yet you’ll find many designs that transfer easily from location to location. How about ceramic tiles as a backsplash or shower walls? Or glass tiles above your kitchen counter space? With customizable pieces, the look can be as unique as you desire.

Easy maintenance – cleaning has never been easier. While some tiles require sealants to be in place, once they are, it’s as easy as wiping dirt and grime away. And because tiles are laid individually in place, if one cracks or becomes damaged, simply pull it up and replace it. This gives you longevity you’ll never have with other flooring options.

Durability – we’ve mentioned this continually throughout this piece. That’s because you’ll never find a more durable flooring choice – it’s the perfect choice for longevity. Depending on the tile you choose, it’ll stand up to all your family can dish out. High heels, soccer cleats, and countless traffic from pets and kids. You’ll never worry about how well the floor will handle in all sorts of situations.

Think tiles are your answer to better flooring? All tiles may not be perfect for flooring, but if you select the right tiles, you’ll fall in love with your flooring. How can we help you choose suitable tiles for your home?

The post With So Many Tiles Available, Will They All Work As Flooring? first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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Hardwood flooring is here to stay. The flooring choice has been around for decades with no signs of losing popularity. As the years have gone by, different woods have been used to create flooring. Keep reading to learn everything you want to know about walnut flooring:

Walnut flooring is hardwood flooring made from the walnut tree, which is also known as Juglans major. This tree is actually one of the oldest trees still around, dating back to 7,000 BC. Additionally, walnuts are the oldest tree nut in recorded history.

When you think of walnut trees, you probably think of food. However, walnut trees also provide beautiful wood for flooring. Walnut hardwood comes in a range of looks. American walnut, also known as Eastern black walnut, American black walnut, or plain black walnut, is an easily accessible type of North American wood that is rich and dark in color. The appearance is elegant and sophisticated, making it perfect for a timeless interior design.

The other type of walnut hardwood is English or European walnut. This type of wood is lighter in color with honey tones. You can also find English or European walnut hardwood flooring with orange, red, cream, or gray tones.

No matter your interior design style, there is a walnut hardwood flooring option that will match. You can also easily refinish walnut hardwood flooring if you desire.

In addition to its eye-catching appearance, walnut hardwood flooring is also easy to maintain. To clean walnut hardwood, all you need to do is mop from time to time and spot clean. Walnut flooring is a softer wood than other types of hardwood, but proper maintenance can help the flooring maintain its like-new appearance for years to come.

Are you remodeling your home with the goal to sell? If you are, adding walnut hardwood flooring to your space can boost your home’s value. This investment can pay for itself because home buyers are looking for spaces with hardwood and are willing to pay a larger price for them.

If you want to add walnut hardwood flooring to your home, shop with Flooring.org. You can browse our inventory online and email us at [email protected] with any questions. We are also available by phone at 1-800-689-9006 and we look forward to working with you soon!

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