Month: June 2024

What does your home office space look like? Do you hang out in the kitchen? Pull up a chair at the dining room table?

Work-from-home numbers were low before 2020; that all changed when people stayed home. According to a recent Pew Research Center poll, around 22 million employed adults in the US work from home all the time. That’s roughly 14 percent. By 2025, Upwork predicts that number will increase to 22 percent.

If you’re working from home full-time, maybe it’s time to break away from the kitchen island and create a place that works for you instead. Maybe an extra bedroom. Or maybe a redesign that gives you the space you desire.

No matter where your new home office space goes, the best place to start is with the flooring.

Flooring – The Best Place To Start With Any New Design

When you’re starting any new remodel or design, it’s easy to start with what you love. Cabinets in the kitchen. Showerheads in the bath.

For new home office space, it might be the gorgeous desk you’ve had your eye on. Or shelves to place all of your books.

Before you get to the details, we suggest you look down at your floors instead.

Flooring sets the tone for the entire room. It provides a base color and texture palette from which you can build the rest of your design.

Starting with the floor ensures that the overall look of the room remains cohesive, as other elements like furniture, wall colors, and accessories will be chosen to complement the flooring.

It also sets the foundation for function. The type of flooring chosen directly impacts the room’s functionality. For a home office, considerations like durability, ease of maintenance, and comfort are crucial, as the space needs to withstand daily use. The right flooring can enhance comfort, which is particularly important in a workspace where you spend long hours. Options like carpet or cushioned vinyl can reduce fatigue and make standing or moving around more comfortable.

Or maybe you’ll be recording podcasts, or hosting regular video calls. Flooring can significantly affect the acoustics of a room. Carpet or engineered wood can help absorb sound, reducing noise levels and creating a quieter, more conducive work environment.

Then there’s the consideration of practicality. Flooring should typically be installed first to avoid damaging newly painted walls or furniture. It’s easier to lay flooring without obstacles and ensures a clean, professional finish. Installing flooring can be a disruptive process, often involving moving furniture and potentially creating dust or debris. Completing this step first minimizes the impact on other finished elements of the room.

Creating a Flooring Plan – A Step-By-Step Guide

Start searching for flooring and you can quickly move into overwhelm. There are so many choices! Yet if you dig deep, you probably have a few ideas in mind.

Don’t fall in love from the start. Instead, assess your needs. Consider the amount of foot traffic the office will see. Higher traffic areas need more durable flooring. Think about comfort underfoot, especially if you’ll be standing a lot or using a chair with wheels. Decide on the style and look you want to achieve, ensuring it complements the rest of your home decor.

This is about looking at your day-to-day life. Build a home office that’s functional and can offer you what you need most.

This will help lead you to what flooring materials to choose.

• Hardwood: Classic and durable, hardwood is long-lasting and adds value to your home. It’s ideal for a professional look.
• Laminate: A cost-effective alternative to hardwood, laminate is durable and comes in various styles that mimic natural wood or stone.
• Vinyl Plank: Highly durable and water-resistant, vinyl plank flooring is ideal if you want the look of wood or stone without the maintenance.
• Carpet Tiles: Good for sound absorption and comfort, carpet tiles can be easily replaced if damaged.
• Engineered Wood: Combines a real wood veneer with a plywood core, offering the look of hardwood with added stability.

As you look through this list, does something move to the top of the list? Do several have appeal? This is when it pays to start searching. Use Pinterest or do a search. Look at home offices and see what you like. This can be your best guide to finalizing your decision.

From here, you can continue narrowing down your selection by thinking about how you’ll use your office.

Choose materials that are easy to clean and maintain. Consider scratch-resistant options if you have office chairs with wheels.

Flooring like carpet or luxury vinyl can help reduce noise, which is beneficial if you need a quiet workspace or have frequent virtual meetings.

Determine your budget and find a balance between quality and cost. Remember, investing in higher-quality flooring can pay off in the long run with durability and maintenance savings.

Then once you have your ideas in mind, it’s time to consult with a flooring expert to get professional advice tailored to your specific needs and preferences. We also suggest to ensure proper installation that you hire experienced professionals to avoid issues like uneven surfaces or improper fitting.

As you visit our store, take home samples of different flooring options to test them out in your space. Live with them for a few days to see them in different lighting conditions and see how they feel underfoot. You may not have your office furniture in place, but you can see what feels right every time you walk into the space.

One will call out to you. One will say, “pick me.”

That’s how you know you’ve found the right flooring for your home office space. That’s when you can say “yes” to the right flooring.

No matter where you are in your planning, we feel the best place to start is at the foundational level. Build your space to work for your business dreams. Install quality flooring to establish the aesthetics.

We’re here to help you along the way.

The post Revamping Your Home Office Space with Stylish and Durable Flooring appeared first on PRO! Flooring.

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

You have allergies. You can guess the season simply by how you feel.

So when you decide it’s time for a flooring remodel, you think twice about the flooring you’ll install. A quick search online screams headlines at you:

• Carpet Causes Allergies
• Allergy-Proof Your Home By Removing Carpet
• Allergies Bringing You Down? Get Rid of Carpet

But you love carpet. It adds warmth to the bedroom, and is a friendly addition to your media space. The basement always felt cold and damp before you installed carpet.

Do you really need to get rid of carpet flooring if you’re building up allergen resistance? Or are there alternatives?

Allergens – What are they?

According to the CDC, more than 60 million people in the United States experience allergies each year. Allergies are an incurable condition that adults and children alike are faced with, leading ultimately to the 6th leading cause of chronic illness.

Knowing that, it’s no wonder more homeowners are struggling with ways to clean up their indoor environment, finding ways to “allergy-proof” their homes.

An allergy is a reaction within your immune system to a foreign substance in or coming into contact with your body. These substances are called allergens.

Allergens can be eaten, inhaled into your lungs, injected into your body, or simply come in contact by touch. The reaction can cause coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, a runny nose, and a scratchy throat. In more severe cases, you might find rashes, hives, low blood pressure, breathing trouble, asthma attacks, and even death.

The most common allergens include dust, dust mites, pet dander, pollen, dirt, grass, leaves, mold, mildew, and chemicals. In other words, the things you come in contact with every day.

They can live anywhere: indoor plants, bedding, mattresses, furniture, on pets, stuffed toys, basements, kitchens, and bathrooms. Oh yeah, your flooring too.

It kind of makes sense – what goes up, must come down. Allergens may come into your home in a variety of ways, but a good deal of them eventually settle onto your floors.

That’s why so many people look at flooring options as a way to clean up indoor air quality. It’s a good starting place.

What makes a flooring allergen-resistant?

Allergen-resistant flooring choices are easy to predict.

• They’ll have a smooth surface that’s easy to clean and does not provide a place for allergens to hide.
• Is made from non-porous material that doesn’t absorb moisture, which helps prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
• Is easy to clean with regular sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping.
• Has low to zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are a leading contributor to poor indoor air quality.
• Has antimicrobial properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew.
• Is sealed and finished to help create a barrier against allergens.

All of this may seem to lead to harder surface flooring, yet don’t eliminate carpet yet. Carpet manufacturers have continually been faced with this growing trend. People love carpet; you’ll find it in homes and commercial locations throughout your community. So there must be options … right?

Finding the right hypoallergenic and allergen-resistant carpet

Carpet is a growing industry. The global carpet and rug market sat at $50.29 billion in the US in 2022, and is projected to grow to $106.01 billion by 2030.

Carpet manufacturers understand what people are looking for, so they consistently adjust their products to give them more of what they want. That includes allergen-resistant carpet.

Like anything, if your goal is to install hypoallergenic carpet into your home, you’ll need to do your research first. Become more educated on the topic. Walk into a flooring center with these facts in mind. Then open up and prepare to be further educated by someone who understands carpet. Allergen-resistant carpet is out there – you just have to compromise on what that means to you.

We suggest you start by understanding materials.

Certain carpet fibers enhance hypoallergenic performance. Synthetic fibers like nylon, olefin, and polypropylene are naturally mold and mildew-resistant. That means for rooms where water or high humidity might be an influencer, it’s a great choice.

If you go this route, also be aware you’ll need to select synthetic carpet that’s also low VOC, as this can contribute to indoor air pollution. VOC chemicals are often one of the leading causes of bad smells and allergy issues, so you’ll need a well-versed sales associate to point you in the right direction.

We believe wool is one of the best hypoallergenic carpet solutions. Its natural hypoallergenic properties absorb most allergens inside a home, pulling them down and absorbing them into the fibers. They are also incredibly resistant to bacteria, mold, and mildew, and remains dryer, longer because of its moisture-resistant properties.

Look for carpets that are certified by organizations like the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) or the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) for their Green Label Plus program. These certifications indicate that the carpet has been tested and proven to be low in allergens and emissions.

No matter what carpet you focus on, we suggest tight weaves, and low piles. Carpets with a low pile (short fibers) are easier to clean and less likely to trap dust and allergens. Carpets with a tight weave structure do not trap allergens as easily and are more resistant to dust and dirt penetration.

In both cases, these carpets are easier to clean. Buy a quality vacuum cleaner with a powerful motor and HEPA filtration system, then vacuum regularly depending on your lifestyle. The Carpet and Rug Institute offers a Green Label/Seal of Approval program to alert consumers to vacuums that have undergone testing. This certification means it’s better at picking up debris and keeping it contained until it’s removed from your property.

Love Carpet? You have options!

In some cases, carpet makes sense. It’s a beautiful solution to many rooms in your home. And with a little investigating, you can find a quality carpet that works hard at improving your indoor air quality. It provides you with a base that fits your lifestyle, and provides you with allergen resistance where you need it most.

Want more information? We suggest you stop by today, and see our complete line of carpeting. We’ll show you carpet flooring you’ll be proud to bring inside your home.

The post Can Carpet Flooring Have Allergen Resistance? appeared first on PRO! Flooring.

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

Choosing the right flooring for your home can be a daunting task. Each room has its own unique requirements, and the flooring you select should cater to those needs while also complementing your home’s overall aesthetic. In this guide, we’ll explore the best flooring options for each room, helping you make informed decisions that combine style, comfort, and practicality.

Living Room: The Heart of Your Home

Best Flooring for Each Room: Living Room

The living room is often the central gathering place in a home, so the flooring needs to be both durable and attractive.

• Hardwood Flooring: Real hardwood flooring is a timeless choice that adds warmth and elegance to any living room. It’s durable, easy to clean, and can be refinished if it gets scratched or worn.
• Carpet: For a cozy, inviting feel, carpet is an excellent choice. It provides warmth underfoot and helps to reduce noise, making it perfect for family gatherings.
• Laminate Flooring: If you love the look of hardwood but want something more budget-friendly, laminate is a great alternative. It’s durable and comes in a wide range of styles and finishes.

Kitchen: High Traffic and High Function

Best Flooring for Each Room: Kitchen

Kitchens are high-traffic areas that require flooring that can withstand spills, stains, and heavy use.

• Vinyl Flooring: Vinyl is a top choice for kitchens because it’s water-resistant, durable, and easy to clean. It comes in a variety of styles, including designs that mimic wood and stone.
• Laminate Flooring: For those who want the look of hardwood in their kitchen without the maintenance, durable laminate flooring is a practical and stylish choice.

Bedroom: Comfort and Tranquility

Best Flooring for Each Room: Bedroom

The bedroom is your personal sanctuary, so the flooring should be comfortable and conducive to relaxation.

• Carpet: Plush carpet is the ultimate choice for bedrooms due to its softness and warmth. It’s perfect for creating a cozy and quiet space, ideal for rest and relaxation.
• Hardwood Flooring: For a luxurious and elegant bedroom, hardwood is a fantastic option. It’s durable and adds a touch of sophistication.
• Vinyl Plank Flooring: If you want a combination of durability and comfort, vinyl plank flooring is a great choice. It’s softer underfoot than hardwood and can mimic the look of more expensive materials.

Bathroom: Moisture and Style

Best Flooring for Each Room: Bathroom

Bathrooms require flooring that can handle moisture and provide a safe, non-slip surface.

Vinyl Flooring: Vinyl is a perfect option for bathrooms because it’s water-resistant and can handle the high humidity levels typical of these spaces. It’s available in many styles, including those that resemble tile and wood.

Home Office: Professional and Practical

Best Flooring for Each Room: Home Office

In a home office, the flooring needs to combine comfort with a professional appearance.

• Hardwood Flooring: Hardwood provides a polished, professional look that’s perfect for a home office. It’s durable and easy to clean, making it a practical choice.
• Carpet Tiles: Carpet tiles offer the warmth and comfort of carpet with the added benefit of easy replacement if one section gets stained or damaged.
• Vinyl Plank Flooring: Luxury vinyl plank flooring  is a durable and cost-effective option that can mimic the look of more expensive flooring types, providing both style and practicality.

Finding the Best Flooring for Each Room

Choosing the best flooring for each room in your home involves considering the specific needs and functions of each space. Whether you prioritize comfort, durability, or aesthetics, there’s a flooring option that fits your requirements. By understanding the unique benefits of different flooring types, you can create a cohesive and functional home that suits your lifestyle.

Why Choose The Carpet Guys?

At The Carpet Guys, we offer a wide range of flooring options to meet the diverse needs of your home. Here’s why you should choose us:

1. Expert Advice: Our team provides personalized recommendations to help you select the best flooring for each room.
2. Quality Products: We offer top-quality carpets, hardwood, vinyl, and laminate flooring to suit any style and budget.
3. Professional Installation: Our experienced installers ensure your flooring is installed perfectly for maximum durability and beauty.
4. Customer Satisfaction: We are committed to providing exceptional service and ensuring you are delighted with your new floors.

Contact The Carpet Guys today to schedule a FREE in-home estimate and view  our extensive selection and find the perfect flooring solutions for every room in your home. Let us help you create a beautiful and functional living space that you’ll love for years to come.

The post The Best Flooring Options for Each Room in Your Home appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

Commercial Flooring in Derbyshire: Choosing the Best Carpets for Your Business
Derbyshire, nestled in the heart of England, is known for its beautiful landscapes and thriving local economy. From bustling market towns to serene countryside settings, the region is home to a variety of commercial establishments, including offices, shops, restaurants, and hospitality venues. When it comes to creating a welcoming and functional business environment, choosing the right flooring is essential.

In this blog, we’ll explore the key considerations for selecting the perfect commercial carpets in Derbyshire, along with the benefits of different carpet options for various types of businesses.

1. Durability and Longevity
Commercial spaces in Derbyshire see high foot traffic daily, making durability a top priority when selecting flooring. Look for carpets made from robust, wear-resistant fibres such as nylon or polypropylene. These materials withstand heavy use while retaining their appearance over time.

2. Stain Resistance and Easy Maintenance
Spills and stains are inevitable in commercial settings, so it’s important to choose carpets that are easy to clean and maintain. Opt for carpets with stain-resistant treatments to prevent discolouration and ensure your flooring remains fresh and professional-looking.

3. Acoustic Benefits
Carpets help reduce noise levels in commercial spaces, creating a more comfortable and productive environment for employees and customers. This is especially important in open-plan offices and retail settings where echoes can disrupt activities.

4. Safety and Comfort
Carpets provide a safer and more comfortable walking surface, particularly in businesses where employees and customers spend extended periods on their feet. Carpets also offer better traction than hard flooring, helping reduce the risk of slips and falls.

5. Aesthetic Appeal
The look of your flooring contributes significantly to the overall ambiance of your commercial space. Choose carpets that match your brand’s identity and interior design preferences. From modern patterns to timeless neutrals, there’s a wide variety of styles to suit your business’s aesthetic.

Carpet Options for Different Commercial Spaces

Offices: Opt for loop pile or low-pile carpets that are durable and easy to maintain. Neutral tones and subtle patterns create a professional atmosphere.
Retail Stores: Choose vibrant colours and bold patterns to enhance the shopping experience and guide customer flow. Consider durable materials that can handle frequent traffic.
Hospitality Venues: In hotels, inns, and restaurants, plush carpets add a touch of luxury and comfort. Stain-resistant options are crucial for these high-traffic areas.

Conclusion
When it comes to commercial flooring in Derbyshire, finding the right carpets can elevate your business environment and enhance your brand image. At our carpet company, we offer a wide selection of high-quality commercial carpets tailored to your specific needs. Let us help you transform your commercial space into a welcoming and functional setting for your business!

Are you contemplating new flooring? Are you wondering what’s the right choice to survive Denver’s weather? You’re not alone.

Denver homeowners love playing in the great outdoors. Unfortunately, the great outdoors often makes it back inside with you, meaning your flooring can take a beating. Dogs can track in mud, debris, and snow. Kids bring in toys and sports equipment, along with whatever happens to be on them. And you’re left with flooring you have to clean. What should you choose?

We suggest digging a bit deeper into each season, and evaluating what your family likes to do. It will guide you in deciding how much care you’re willing to bring to each season … which in turn will help you select the right flooring for each room.

What Winter Brings to Denver Homeowners

If you’ve experienced a Denver winter, you know it can bring about anything. Record-breaking heat followed by record-breaking cold. Still, Denver winters are usually characterized by cold temperatures, snowfall, and occasional ice storms. These conditions present unique challenges for homeowners, especially if you like playing outside.

• Snow and Ice: Snow and ice are tracked in on shoes, boots, and pet paws, melting into water that can damage flooring.
• Salt and De-icing Chemicals: These are used on sidewalks and driveways to prevent ice buildup but can be abrasive and corrosive to flooring surfaces.
• Mud and Dirt: Mixed with snow and ice, mud and dirt are often brought inside, leading to potential scratches and stains on floors.

Do you see each of these inside your home? Then you already know the damage they can do.

• Water Damage: Melting snow and ice can seep into flooring, causing warping, swelling, or mold growth, particularly on hardwood and carpet.
• Scratches and Abrasions: Salt and dirt particles can scratch the surface of hardwood, laminate, and tile floors.
• Staining: De-icing chemicals and mud can leave stains, especially on carpets and lighter-colored flooring.

Winter seasonal flooring care tips start by making the right choice for flooring inside your home. Look for:

• Ease of Cleaning: Choose flooring that is easy to clean and maintain. Tile, LVP, and sealed hardwood can be quickly mopped or wiped down to remove water and debris.
• Stain Resistance: Opt for materials that resist stains from salt and mud. Consider sealed or treated surfaces that repel moisture and dirt.

Choose:

• Tile: Ceramic or porcelain tiles are highly resistant to water, scratches, and stains, making them ideal for entryways and high-traffic areas.
• Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): LVP is water-resistant, durable, and easy to clean, making it a good choice for areas prone to moisture and dirt.
• Engineered Hardwood: More stable than solid hardwood, engineered hardwood can better withstand changes in humidity and temperature, reducing the risk of warping.

What Spring Brings to Denver Homeowners

Sometimes spring can feel like summer one day followed by winter. Our snowiest month falls in spring. Still, spring in Denver is characterized by fluctuating temperatures, increased rainfall, and the beginning of the thawing process from winter. These conditions lead to unique challenges and considerations for homeowners, particularly concerning their flooring.

• Mud and Dirt: There’s a never-ending supply of mud and dirt. With the melting snow and increased rainfall, and new interest in getting your lawn ready for summer, mud and dirt are commonly tracked indoors on shoes and pet paws.
• Water and Moisture: Water’s always a problem, isn’t it? It can be brought in on footwear, outdoor toys, and from playing in the yard. It creates potential for moisture damage.
• Allergens: Pollen and other allergens can be brought inside, particularly affecting those with allergies.

Once again, Denver’s outdoor living has the potential to impact your floors.

• Moisture Damage: Water and mud can seep into flooring, causing warping, swelling, and mold growth, especially in wood and carpeted areas.
• Stains and Dirt: Mud and dirt can leave stains and embed in carpets, requiring more intensive cleaning.
• Increased Wear and Tear: The transition from winter to spring can lead to higher foot traffic as people spend more time outdoors.

Flooring care starts by thinking about your maintenance tolerance.

• Ease of Cleaning: Select flooring that is easy to sweep, mop, and clean to manage the increased dirt and mud. Tile, LVP, and sealed hardwood are excellent choices.
• Stain Resistance: Consider flooring materials that resist stains from mud and dirt. Sealed surfaces help repel moisture and prevent staining.

We suggest durability when finalizing your flooring choices.

• Tile: Ceramic or porcelain tiles are water-resistant and easy to clean, making them ideal for entryways and high-traffic areas during the wet spring months.
• Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): LVP is highly durable, water-resistant, and easy to maintain, suitable for areas prone to mud and moisture.
• Laminate Flooring: Choose high-quality, water-resistant laminate for durability and ease of cleaning.

What Summer Brings to Denver Homeowners

Summer in Denver is characterized by hot, dry days and occasional thunderstorms. These weather conditions create unique challenges for maintaining and protecting flooring.

• Dust and Dirt: Increased outdoor activity and open windows can lead to more dust and dirt being tracked indoors.
• Moisture: Sudden thunderstorms can result in wet footwear and outerwear being brought inside.
• Heat and Sunlight: Intense sunlight and heat can cause fading and warping in certain types of flooring.

That means you’ll be dealing with a lot as you maintain your flooring.

• Dust and Debris: Dust and dirt can scratch and dull the finish of hardwood and laminate flooring.
• Moisture Damage: Quick summer storms can introduce moisture that can lead to warping, especially in wood flooring.
• UV Damage: Prolonged exposure to sunlight can fade and discolor flooring, particularly wood and some types of vinyl.

We suggest:

• Tile: Ceramic or porcelain tiles are ideal for areas prone to moisture and dirt, as they are durable and easy to clean.
• Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): LVP is water-resistant and can withstand the heat and dust, making it a good choice for areas with high foot traffic.
• Engineered Hardwood: More stable than solid hardwood, engineered hardwood can better withstand changes in temperature and humidity.

What Autumn Brings to Denver Homeowners

Autumn in Denver features mild temperatures, decreasing daylight, and an abundance of fallen leaves. These seasonal changes bring specific challenges for maintaining and protecting flooring.

• Leaves and Debris: Fallen leaves and outdoor debris are frequently tracked inside on shoes and pet paws.
• Mud and Moisture: Occasional rain and early snow can bring mud and moisture indoors.
• Dust: Cooler weather and closed windows can result in the accumulation of indoor dust.

That means you’ll see more things that can impact your flooring:

• Scratches and Stains: Leaves and outdoor debris can scratch and stain flooring, particularly wood and laminate.
• Moisture Damage: Rain and early snow can cause moisture-related issues like warping, especially in wood flooring.
• Increased Wear and Tear: The transition period with variable weather can lead to higher foot traffic indoors, increasing wear and tear on floors.

With this in mind, we suggest several different types of flooring:

• Tile: Ceramic or porcelain tiles are durable and easy to clean, making them ideal for entryways and high-traffic areas.
• Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): LVP is highly durable, water-resistant, and easy to maintain, suitable for areas prone to mud and moisture.
• Engineered Hardwood: More stable than solid hardwood, engineered hardwood can better withstand changes in temperature and humidity.

Flooring Care Tips by the Season – What’s Your Choice?

Do you see trends when you evaluate how your family approaches each season? Are you more active in some, stay indoors more for others?

Whatever your lifestyle, it’s important to consider your maintenance and care goals before you finalize your flooring choices.

Choose wisely, and you’ll love your flooring no matter what the weather is like outside.

Can we help you finalize your selection?

The post Seasonal Flooring Care Tips for Denver Homeowners appeared first on PRO! Flooring.

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