You’ve been trying to sell your home and you did everything you thought was expected of you. You connected with a real estate agent, had professional photos taken of your house, and opened your home to numerous strangers as they paraded around your halls on private tours and open houses. But after weeks of your home being listed, not a single reasonable offer has been made. Sound familiar?

Currently, the median number of days a home sits on the market is 41 days. And, of course, the longer your home sits on the market the more control homebuyers have when it comes time for negotiations. So, take your house out of seller’s limbo by adding perceived value (and actual value) to your home. Here are nine easy home improvements you can do that will make your house more appealing to potential home buyers and help sell your home fast.

1. Upgrade Your Mailbox

Upgrading your mailbox might seem like a rather silly thing to do at first, but if we are talking about making a great first impression to potential home buyers, the mailbox is often the very first thing someone sees before pulling in the driveway. It’s also the easiest home improvement you can do.

It could just be a new mailbox that replaces the old, weathered one you’ve had for years. And let’s face it, most homeowners don’t put much thought into what their mailbox looks like, often becoming an eyesore to your driveway. Or, you could upgrade to a “Next Generation” mailbox that allows USPS to deliver large packages to your mailbox instead of your front door. And we all know packages that are apparently visible to any passerby have a better chance of not being taken.

In fact, with more and more consumer products being purchased online and delivered to homes, you may even consider upgrading to a security mailbox that keeps your mail and packages safe from theft altogether.

Either way, upgrading your mailbox is a simple, cost-effective method of bringing perceived value to your home.

2. Paint Your House Inside and Out

This cannot be emphasized enough, but painting the inside of your home with a fresh neutral color goes a long way with potential homebuyers. For example, your kids’ rooms may have very unique colors that they had insisted upon at one time, but not every potential buyer is going to enjoy that purple room as much as your kid does. You’ll want to put a fresh coat of paint on those walls so anyone touring your home can envision themselves living in your space.

In fact, everything you’re doing to prep your home for sale is making your home look its very best and allowing potential homebuyers to envision themselves in every room of your house. You want people touring your house to think, what if I bought this house? This room could be my office, nursery, guest bedroom, etc. However, it becomes hard for potential buyers to envision themselves in a room with purple walls.

Alternatively, painting the exterior of your home may be the best solution to getting your home sold faster. If your home’s color has faded from its former glory, the paint is chipping, or your house has always been that home on the block the neighborhood kids call the orange house, you may want to consider getting your home painted a more contemporary color. Though painting the exterior of your home can be pricey, when done by professionals, the process has a very quick turnaround time and the result will be sure to leave a lasting impression on potential buyers.

3. Enhance Your Curb Appeal

It doesn’t matter if you live in Dallas, TX or Portland, OR, enhancing your curb appeal can go a long way toward making a great first impression on potential homebuyers.

First, you’ll want to look at your landscaping in front of and around your house. How does your lawn, trees, and overall vegetation look? Make sure your lawn is freshly trimmed, all dead debris (like sticks and leaves) are picked up, and 2 to 3 inches of fresh bark mulch is placed around your shrubs, trees, and plants.

Do you have hedges that line your property or some other form of fruit or decorative trees on your property? Having your hedges trimmed and your trees cut back can make your yard go from something that resembles an unruly wilderness to a well-maintained and welcoming paradise.

Also, if you don’t already have decorative plants bringing color to your front driveway and entrance, a few well-positioned potted plants are an inexpensive and inviting sight for newcomers to your home.

4. Clean, Declutter, and Stage Your Home

Nothing turns potential homebuyers away faster than an unkept and cluttered home. If you’re looking to sell your house quickly, it might be a good idea to hire professionals to get your house in order. Decluttering and staging your home is a must if you want to make your home and all its uniqueness shine its best for potential buyers.

If your closets are overflowing with winter jackets, or you have too many large pieces of furniture in your living room, your spaces will not be showcased the way they should be. People touring your home like to look not just at the larger rooms, but also poke around in closets, drawers, and other storage areas to make sure their stuff will fit. If your stuff is in the way, that makes it much harder for buyers to see themselves in your space.

Furthermore, a deep cleaning is a must before any open house or home tour takes place. If you have a cat or dog (or both), you probably don’t smell them anymore. However, people that don’t have pets are acutely aware of homes that do, simply because it’s a scent they’re not used to. If you’re looking for a quick turnaround, a professional can help eliminate odors, stains, and any number of other things you may no longer be aware of and make your home feel brand new again.

5. Fence in Your Backyard and Refinish Your Deck

It’s amazing what a refinished deck or new cedar fence enclosing a backyard can do for a home. Not only is it functional and aesthetically pleasing, but the return on investment is nothing to shy away from if you’re looking for an easy project that will help you get your home sold fast.

In fact, the national average in 2019 for recouping the cost of a wood deck addition on a home is 75.6%. So, although you may take a small hit financially by adding a wood deck onto your house, you would recoup most of the cost and potentially sell your home faster because of the added feature.

Likewise, adding a fence to your property can do wonders for your home in a relatively short period of time. And according to a 2018 survey by the American Pet Product Association,”67% of U.S. households own a pet,” meaning over half the people touring your home have a fuzzy little friend, and a fenced in backyard is a bonus to some homebuyers but a must for others.

6. Fix Your Light Switches and Update Your Fixtures

So it’s true, people touring your home will play with your faucets, open your drawers, and test ALL your light switches. If you have a light switch that doesn’t work (or an electrical outlet), now is the time to get it fixed. Light switches that do not work signify to homebuyers that your house may have electrical issues, when in fact, it may be something much more simple. Nonetheless, at that point, you’ve already lost that potential offer.

You’ll also want to replace all your burnt out light bulbs to make sure every room in your house is bright and inviting. Furthermore, all your interior lights should be the same color temperature for consistent lighting throughout your house.

Updating your light fixtures, ceiling fans, and even your hardware on doors and cabinets is an easy and cost-effective way of increasing the perceived value of your home. If you already have an electrician fixing your light switches, they could also replace your dated brass light fixtures with ones that have a more contemporary feel. Beyond making your interior appear more modern to homebuyers, you can take this opportunity to find fixtures that can help brighten your home and make it stand out among other homes for sale in your area.

7. Upgrade Your Garage Door

Installing a new garage door is one of the simplest and quickest ways to give your home a much-needed facelift and impress potential homebuyers. New garage doors recoup nearly all the money invested into them, and, in some areas like the west coast, a new garage door actually recoups more than its initial investment at 123.8% on average. Meaning your new garage door could actually put money back in your pocket.

There are several styles and designs to choose from, just make sure that you go with a style that fits the look of your house. Especially if you’ve recently painted your home a more contemporary color, a new garage door can be that easy home improvement that pushes home lookers into actual offers.

8. Get a New Front Door

Give others entryway envy by upgrading your front door and transforming the character of your home. Over the years, front doors see a lot of abuse and begin to look worn and tired. Luckily, a new front door is quick to replace and a very cost-effective way of making your entryway unique and aesthetically pleasing to anyone stepping up onto your doormat.

Solid wood doors are always a classic style for homes not to go out of style anytime soon. They’re solid and typically last much longer than alternative materials like fiberglass. Additionally, front doors with inlaid glass can also give your entryway more natural light for the interior of your home. Either way, a new door is a quick and easy way to impress homebuyers.

9. Update Your Kitchen Appliances for a Fresh Look

If you’re looking to sell your home quickly, updating your kitchen with modern and timeless stainless steel appliances is a great way to go. Though this can be costly, new appliances really appeal to first-time homebuyers, and as a result, you could see more competitive offers.

Furthermore, there is a good possibility your appliances probably need to be updated anyway. Typically, larger appliances like fridges and stoves should be replaced every 10 years, while smaller appliances it’s recommended to be replaced every 5 years. Nonetheless, updated appliances are a safe bet if you’re looking to sell your home fast.

Originally published on Redfin

The post 9 Easy Home Improvements to Help Sell Your Home Fast! appeared first on A Personal Touch.

We have an amazing new range of engineered oak flooring.  It’s called the Engineered Charnwood Oak Range and, at the moment, includes three beautiful colours.  All three have a brushed and UV oiled finish.  This means that the surface of the planks of flooring have been lightly brushed to expose the natural qualities and charm of the Oak. Read More

When configuring your space for new flooring, you need to take all the measurements into account.  At The Carpet Guys, we want to educate you on how to measure a room before you pick your favorite flooring.

Measuring the Room

In the perfect world of flooring, every room would be a perfect square.  Unfortunately, not every room is a perfect square and they often have oddly shaped cuts that need to be made.  When you’re figuring out the square footage of your room, remember to consider the doorways, any closets, and odd-shaped walls.

In order to figure out your room size, if it’s a rectangle or square, you can multiply the length measurement times the width measurement.  That gives you the square footage of your room.  If you have a closet or other oddity, you can break those down into smaller rectangles and add that square footage to your larger measurement.  Once you have your total square footage you can figure out how much flooring you will need.  Check out our handy Square Foot Calculator that will do the math for you.

Measuring for Carpet or Sheet Vinyl Sizes

Carpet and sheet vinyl comes in rolls.  The standard roll width is 12 feet. If your room is over 12 feet, you will have a seam.  Also, carpet has a “nap” which is the direction that the carpet fibers go in and should be installed in the same direction for look and durability of the flooring.  Vinyl usually has a pattern that you also want to maintain in the installation.  It is best to place seams in low traffic areas.  So, not in doorways or hallways but in the back of a room or under large furniture.  Also, rolls of a product are sold in square yards, not square feet.  When you have measured and figured out how many total square feet your room is, divide that number by 9 to figure out how many square yards you need.

Measuring for Laminate, Hardwood or Luxury Vinyl Plank / Luxury Vinyl Tile

Hard surface materials are sold in boxes of product.  Every product has a different square foot coverage amount.  A box of 10 planks that are 3 inches wide will cover less square footage than a box of 10 planks that measure 7 inches wide.  Once you figure out your total square footage, you can figure out how many boxes you will need.

Proper Calculations and Installation

The best way to ensure that you have all your calculations correct is to have a professional put in your new flooring.  At The Carpet Guys, we not only measure your room with a state of the art laser tool, but we also take care of every step of the process for you.  Check out our 10 Easy Steps to New Flooring blog.  We use programs that lay out the flooring and create the least amount of waste.  We have an entire department that is dedicated to making sure our cuts are precise and the flooring is laid out in the best possible way before the installers even begin.  And our warehouse crew makes almost 100 cuts a day!  Every step of the process is handled for you.  Be Wise, Call The Carpet Guys at 855-4-MY-GUYS (855-469-4897) or fill out one of our Free In-Home Estimate form.

The post How to Measure a Room for New Flooring appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

Is there a best time of year to upgrade your flooring? Like most home improvement projects, the answer is: yes.

The great thing about flooring is it isn’t something you have to rush to make a decision about. You can weigh your options, compare your choices, and make an informed decision.

Flooring is all about lifestyle. What works for one homeowner isn’t necessarily the best choice for another. Whether you’re thinking of installing carpet, hardwood, or tile, your ultimate goal is to get the best deal possible. That stretches far beyond monetary; it also includes ensuring you get a product that will last, and deliver the results you are looking for.

If you’re ready to renovate your home, and want to know the best time of year to upgrade the flooring, we have a few things to consider:

• When you can get the best deals on flooring
• How the time of year impacts installation
• How installation affects your health

When you can get the best deals on flooring

For most homeowners, there’s a fine line before need and desire. If you have champagne taste on a beer budget, you know what I mean. You have a strong desire to install the best, most luxurious flooring on the market, but your budget tells a different story.

The key to getting the best deal is to focus on what’s most important. Chances are if you’re reading this, you have a strong desire for a particular material. Maybe you want to rip up old carpet and lay hardwood throughout your living space. Or perhaps you want a fresh new color in the bedrooms, carpet that’s plush and soft to the touch.

When you start shopping, don’t walk into the first store and fall in love. Take your time to look around.

Also, don’t shop the big box stores and assume they buy in big quantities and get the best deals. It’s simply not true. They have less selection because they demand certain profit levels on every product they sell. They select products they know they can sell, and charge the most they can get for each selection.

As a flooring expert, we have a wide selection. That means we can help you get the best product for your money, as well as make suggestions based on your needs and desires. We can also steer you to comparable products that provide the same wearability, yet might be easier on your budget.

How the time of year impacts installation

Now that you’re comfortable with the deal you got on your flooring product, what about installation? Is there a best time of year to install your flooring?

In general, spring and fall are the best seasons for adding new flooring to your home for three reasons.

First, installing new floors takes a lot of work on the part of the installation crew. They have to rip out the old flooring before installing the new. They have tools to bring in and out to get the job done. They have to bring the new product into your home.

That means the doors will be open a lot. If you do this on a cold day, your furnace will be running excessively to compensate for the temperature difference. In the summer, your air conditioner will work overtime to keep up with demand.

Next, you’ll want the option of leaving your windows open for ventilation. No matter what flooring choice you select, there will be fumes and odors that come along with the process. Depending on the flooring you choose, you may have offgassing from the materials, floor adhesive odors, fumes from adhesive removal materials, stains, and sealers. Being able to leave your windows open and create cross-breezes for ventilation means you’ll eliminate the smells faster.

Finally, it’s also important to pay attention to temperatures and humidity levels, depending on what flooring you’re installing. While temperature and humidity can impact all flooring installations, it’s especially crucial for hardwood and laminate. Both need to acclimate to the environment before they are installed. This is easier to do when the temperatures stay between 50 and 75 degrees, and you don’t need to turn on the furnace or the air conditioner.

If you install flooring without the acclimation process, it can dry out your flooring. In winter, running your furnace regularly can suck moisture out of the air. In summer, your air conditioner acts as a dehumidifier. When your wood floors dry out, they can crack, shrink, warp, or even pull apart.

A good rule of thumb is to have materials acclimate for 7 to 14 days before the installation process. Rely on your flooring consultant for what’s best for the flooring product you select.

This can impact when you make your purchase, as well. If you’re planning a holiday party, or want your home to look good for a summer event, be sure to give yourself plenty of time.

How installation impacts your health

If you focus on bringing a sustainable, low VOC product into your home, you might think you’re at lower risk for having chemicals released into the air supply. While it is a good idea to make conscious choices for how they impact your health, the truth is all new products produce some offgassing when they are introduced into your home. You can’t avoid that new product smell, no matter what choices you make.

Some of it can dissipate quickly, especially when you can leave doors and windows open. By letting the fumes and odors release out of your home, that means they aren’t accumulating in every room in your home, impacting your health.

For this reason alone, we often suggest the best time of year for installing new flooring is fall and spring. Of course, here in Denver, we can have spring and fall-like weather almost twelve months of the year. It’s always a good idea to let fresh air into your home whenever possible.

So when is the best time to upgrade the flooring in your home? It depends on a variety of things, including the material you select your lifestyle.

If you have any questions about how to select the best flooring for your situation, or just want to compare your options, stop by today. We’ll provide you with honest feedback and help you make the right decision for you.

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

Wood effect laminate is an extremely popular choice of flooring. In recent years the quality of laminate flooring has improved, and the styles and designs look more authentic than ever.  It is important to remember, that although laminate can look like wood flooring, it is not a real hardwood floor. Read More

Buying residential carpet isn’t something a homeowner does all the time. Carpet doesn’t come with an expiration date when you install it, nor does it give off a warning signal when it’s reaching end of life.

But there are signs that it might be time to replace your carpet. Stains, odors, threadbare areas, and stretch marks can’t be taken away with a vacuum or a carpet cleaner. At some point, it will be time to replace the carpeting in your home.

How old is your carpet?

When it comes to making a decision about keeping or replacing carpet, age matters. While you can’t mark a date on the calendar based on when you purchased it, you can use it as a guide for when it’s time to replace.

Carpeting has a lifespan of anywhere from five to fifteen years. The difference comes from the quality of the construction, and the amount of foot traffic it has on it each day. A carpet installed in a guest bedroom that is rarely used will have a longer life than carpet installed in a family room you use every day. Yet even if a carpet isn’t walked on daily, the carpet fibers and padding material start to break down over time. As this happens, you’ll start to feel lumps and unevenness underfoot.

Does carpet fiber matter?

When you start to shop for new carpet, you’ll start to notice the vast selection you have to choose from. Not only are there many colors, styles, and patterns, but fiber and materials are also different between brands.

If you take your hand and rub it over the fibers, you’ll quickly notice a difference. They just feel different. Some are plush to the touch, while others are stiffer, feel a bit more susceptible to damage.

That’s because carpet is designed with different things in mind.

Inexpensive apartment-grade carpet is designed for short lifespans, cheaper costs, and lower quality. Because landlords typically replace carpet in rental properties quickly, they design with lower grade materials that don’t handle well under pressure. You’ll be on the shorter end of the five to fifteen year expected lifespan.

High quality manufacturers put more energy into making the best carpeting possible. They use fibers and construction processes that push longevity towards fifteen years, with some brands increasing potential to up to 25 years or more. It all depends on the quality, the traffic in your home, and how you maintain it over the years.

Carpet is installed as a flooring material to provide a soft, cushiony, warm surface underfoot. To get that depends on the type of fiber used during construction, and the pile – how the loops of fiber are attached to the backing.

In general, types of fibers used to create carpet include nylon, polyester, polypropylene, acrylic, and wool. Nylon is the most popular because it’s inexpensive, resists stains, and is easy to create and dye. If well cared for, you can expect in upwards of fifteen years of life. Wool is at the other end, a natural and luxurious material that can last for years.

You’ll also find loop and cut pile carpet has different expected wearability. Loop pile is created using the entire yarn loop intact. It’s extremely durable, and won’t leave trails from vacuum marks of footprints. Cut pile is leveled off to leave exposed fibers, creating a soft, easy to clean carpet. It comes in different lengths and thicknesses, giving texture to hide wear and dirt. Though it’s more popular than loop pile, it isn’t as durable for the long term, and will have to be replaced more frequently.

Does flattened fiber matter?

It doesn’t matter if you choose loop or cut pile, if your carpet once stood tall but now looks flat no matter what you do to add “life” back into it, it’s a sign it’s past its prime.

It’s often the easiest to see in high traffic areas. You’ll see certain areas of a room looking worn, flat, matted more than others. Even with some of the most durable carpets on the market – Berber, for example – those looped fibers can succumb to matting over time.

When you vacuum, and your carpet won’t bounce back into place, it’s a sign that it’s time for new carpet. If a carpet looks stretched and out of place from its original shape, it’s a sign that it’s time for replacement.

What do threadbare carpets mean?

No matter how high-quality your carpets are, at some point, they eventually wear out. In the most used areas, you’ll start to see the backing through the fibers. You’ll see fraying along the edges. You’ll see thinning areas in different places. This is all a sign your carpet has reached the end of its useful life.

Another sign might be carpet pests. If you notice balding patches, particularly around the edges or in the corners, it could be an infestation of carpet moths, carpet beetles, or silverfish. They eat away at the fibers, lay eggs deep within, and the entire process starts all over again. Eventually, you’ll see these balding spots grow bigger. You may see evidence of them with tiny black or white spots near the carpet. While regular cleaning can ensure this potential problem is kept at bay, it can quickly cause enough damage that the only way to make your carpets look good again is to replace them.

What about how carpet looks and smells?

What’s that odor when you walk into a room? If you notice a musty smell, it might be your carpet. Carpet traps dirt, dust, and allergens, and over time, those smells become more challenging to remove.

Most carpet comes with stain resistance built in. While that might work for the first spill, it becomes harder to hide stains when they happen multiple times. If you’re placing your furniture around your home to keep stains hidden, it’s a sign that it’s time to replace your carpet.

Do you see your carpet in any of these scenarios? If so, stop by today and see our entire selection of carpet. No matter what your desires, what rooms you want to upgrade, or how much carpet you need, we have the perfect choice for your needs.

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

While self-installing laminate flooring is relatively simple, navigating areas such as staircases can be tricky. Thankfully, when it comes to how to lay laminate flooring on stairs, there are a few tips and tricks that make the job easier. Here at Discount Flooring Depot, we’ve created a handy step-by-step guide for you to follow and ensure you’re left with a great end result. 

The Steps to Install Laminate on Stairs

Step 1: Remove Existing Flooring and Underlay

Before you start laying your laminate flooring, the first step is to ensure your staircase is prepped and ready. If you haven’t already, start by removing any existing flooring from your stairs, along with the existing underlay. Once you have a bare staircase, ensure you remove any paint and adhesive and hammer down any protruding nails. Next, give your stairs a thorough brush down to create a clean and even surface to start from.

Step 2: Remove any Overhang

You may find your stairs have an overhang from existing nosing (the protruding edge of the stair). You’ll need to remove this before you can install your laminate and your own nosing (we’ll get to that bit later). To remove the overhang, you can cut it away using a jigsaw, or nail a piece of plywood to the riser to fill in the space underneath.

Step 3: Lay Your Underlay

Underlay shouldn’t be considered an optional extra; as it can help muffle sound, improve acoustics and create a more comfortable feel underfoot, it’s particularly important for areas of high traffic such as stairs. Ensure you choose the right underlay for your laminate, before securing it to your stairway, ready to install your flooring.

Step 4: Cut Your Laminate to Size

For each step, you’ll need three pieces of  laminate: 

• The tread piece, which sits on top of the step
• The riser piece, which sits vertically on the front of the step
• And the stair nosing (or trim), which hangs over the front of the step.

To measure the length you’ll need for your tread pieces, lay your laminate plank across the top of the step, ensuring it fits as snuggly as possible on either side. You may need to trim your board down to size to do this. If a single laminate plank is not thick enough to cover the entirety of your step, cut a second plank to size and glue this tongue-to-groove next to your first plank, leaving some room to accommodate the nosing.

Similarly, when it comes to the riser pieces, ensure these are level with the riser on your stairs and that they sit snugly on top of the tread piece. You may also need to cut these down to size to fit your stair length.

When it comes to your nosing, this simply needs to be the same length as your tread and riser. 

Step 5: Lay the Tread

As laminate needs time to dry before you can walk on it, start your installation at the top of the stairs and work downwards to avoid getting stuck upstairs! Using wood adhesive, glue your tread to your first step, ensuring it lies tightly against the back of the step with the tongue facing outwards.

Step 6: Fit the Riser

Next, glue your riser piece of laminate to the vertical front of the step and hold this in place while it sets. If necessary, you can also nail the very top of the riser in place, as this will be covered by your nosing. 

Step 7: Add the Nosing

Once you’ve secured your riser and tread, the next step is to add your nosing, which acts as an edge trim on each step. Unless you’re using a self-adhesive nosing edge, glue it in place with the tapered end over the thread. 

Step 8: Leave for 12 Hours 

Finally, once you’ve completed your entire staircase, leave your laminate to set overnight and avoid walking on it for around 12 hours.

Now you know how to lay laminate flooring on stairs like a pro, you can ensure yours is fitted to perfection and enjoy the complete transformation of your new staircase. 

Remember, if you’re not confident in your ability to self-install, it’s always recommended to seek the help of a professional.

This post appeared first on https://www.discountflooringdepot.co.uk

There are several ways to fix an old floor that squeaks.  Need to know how to fix your squeaky floor? Here are the best tips from The Carpet Guys.

Unfinished Space Below the Squeaky Floor

If your space is unfinished, you have several options for fixing the squeaky floor.  *Before beginning any flooring remodeling project, be sure to check with your flooring manufacturer’s warranty to make sure you don’t void your warranty.

1. Insert screws into the subfloor, between the joists if the squeak is coming from between the subfloor and your flooring surface.  This will tie the space between the two together eliminating the noise.
2. If you can see a gap between the joist and the subfloor, insert screws at an angle into the joist and through the subfloor.  The screw will tighten that gap and get rid of any creaking.
3. If the sound is coming from missed nails that are rubbing on the joists, cut those with bolt cutters.  This will be a higher-pitched squeak on the floor than if it is a gap between two wooden surfaces.
4. Use a 2” x 4” nailed to the subfloor and then to the joist to offer more stability and close any gaps that may have occurred.
5. Use construction adhesive on a shim and spread between the two wooden surfaces.  Once dried, it will also provide more stability to that open space.  Be sure not to use too much adhesive or it will cause other problems.

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Finished Space Below the Squeaky Floor

1. Use WD-40 and spread between the cracks of your hard surface floor.  This will help lubricate the spaces between and eliminate a squeaking floor.  After you have allowed the lubricant to penetrate the cracks, use a dry towel to wipe up the excess.  Then, use a wood floor cleaner to clean up the WD-40 from the surface of the wood.
2. Use graphite or talc powder between the boards.  Sprinkle between the cracks in the noisy area. Cover with a piece of paper so you don’t spread the powder around the room. Step on the area to force the powder into the spaces.  When finished, vacuum the remaining powder off the floor.
3. Use a tool called “Squeeeek No More” and drive the special “breakaway” screws into the surface of your flooring.  The screw will break off just below the surface of your squeaky floor, so you don’t have screw heads showing.  Use wood filler or wax to fill the holes left behind if it is a hard surface flooring. Holes will not show on carpeted surfaces.

Replace Your Old Flooring

If putting holes in your floors or smelling WD-40 every time you step is not an option, then let The Carpet Guys replace your old, squeaky floors for new fresh flooring.  Our expert installers can install carpet, vinyl, laminate or hardwood. Not only will you have a quieter floor, but a beautiful new floor to enhance your life.  Be Wise, Call The Carpet Guys at 855-4-MY-GUYS (855-469-4897) or fill out our Free In-Home Estimate form and one of our friendly sales support staff will give you a call.

The post How to Fix Squeaky Floors appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

Want to save money on your heating bills this winter? Consider upgrading floors to carpet!

As the weather gets colder, many of us start to think about better ways to warm our homes. With energy bills increasing, relying on heating alone can be an expensive option. Insulating your home better can cut bills and keep you warm and cosy through the colder months. It’s also better for the environment and can improve the long-term value of your home. So how much could a new carpet save you?

New research shows that you could save up to £50 per year from fitting a new carpet & underlay- almost 15 times more than regular fibreglass floor insulation. By trapping air within the fibres, this is by far the most effective form of insulation for your floor. This equals an amazing £500 in a decade- all from just upgrading to a carpet & underlay. By combining the two you create a strong barrier to heat that not only reduces heating costs but provides a comfortable, warm surface on which to walk, even for bare feet.

When shopping for carpet, always pay attention to the ‘thermal overall grade’- or tog- of the product. This is the universal grade for insulation properties in clothes, bedding and floors. Consider your tog rating as a guide to how well your floor will insulate heat and help warm your home. By ensuring you’re using a higher tog rating, you can expect to improve insulation on your floors.

Of course, thick carpets aren’t perfect for every room. High traffic areas and areas prone to spills and mess aren’t always suitable. But bedrooms, living rooms and upstairs hallways and landings can all benefit from the warming effects of carpet & underlay.

To view our wide range of carpet & underlay products, visit out showroom in Sheffield today, or speak to our team for more information.

The post How much could I save by upgrading my carpet? appeared first on Pyramid Carpets – News.

Have you ever wondered why carpet is as thick and plush as it is? It isn’t by accident.

Imagine a carpet with a few scraggly fibers sticking up. You wouldn’t want that in your home. When you purchase new carpet, you expect a certain quality. That’s why, over time, rules and regulations started filtering into the carpet industry to protect you when you finalize your purchase.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) establishes regulations about carpet weight and density, to require manufacturers to create products that meet certain requirements. They’ve created two categories: one for single or multiple family dwellings, and one for elderly or care facilities.

Buying new carpet isn’t an easy endeavor. When you upgrade your carpet, you hope for a long life. If you get anything but the best, it’ll start to fail quicker, and you’ll be more convinced you made a costly mistake.

If you want to make a wise choice about the carpet you have installed, get past the color or pattern and dig deep down to the carpet grade. Your carpet’s specifications are the only way to know you’re installing the right product for the foot traffic you have in your home. The wrong grade will wear out faster, and will show the wear sooner rather than later.

Carpet Weight

Face weight is the weight of the fiber used in the manufacturing of the carpet pile. Face weight refers to the total ounces each square yard of fiber is. This does not include the weight of the carpet backing – that’s included in the total weight.

In general, you’ll find carpet across a full spectrum of face weight, somewhere from 20 to 100 ounces. For residential use, most carpet weight settles in between 35 and 60 ounces. A higher face weight does not equal a better grade of carpet. Higher face weights will not mean you’re selecting a more durable product.

Carpet Density

The FHA also requires fibers in carpeting to meet minimum density requirements, as well. Density refers to how close each fiber strand is at the base of the carpet. It also is determined by how many strands of fiber the carpet contains altogether.

Higher density numbers mean the carpet will have less matting and show less evidence of foot traffic through normal activity. You’ll often find higher density carpet used near doorways or main thoroughfares, where the carpet will get more use.

Keep in mind that once again, carpet density by itself will not tell you about quality any more than carpet weight; it’s all context. Think of it more as a starting point to learn more about quality.

Carpet Height

If you’re trying to find the best carpet for your situation, we have one more measurement you should consider. Carpet height refers to how long the fiber is from base to tip. The longer the carpet height, the more fragile the fibers will be. For high traffic areas, including stairs, pile height is a major determinant.

Calculating Carpet Density

To calculate carpet density, it’s a simple calculation of carpet face weight x 36/ carpet pile height. If you take the carpet face weight number in ounces and multiply that by 36, then divide that number by carpet height, you’ll get the density. Here’s a simple example:

Carpet with a 60 ounce face weight and a .75 inch pile height would be calculated as follows:

60×36/.75 = 2880

This would be a density of 2,880 ounces per cubic yard.

What does this number tell you? It can show you the best placement for the carpet, depending on the final number.

The Carpet and Rug Institute provides specific standards for the carpet and rug industry on carpet installation. When purchasing a carpet for most residential situations, you’ll want to install a carpet with at least a 3,600 density. Of course, higher is always better. Higher values signal a thicker, denser carpet that will handle better under pressure before it begins to show wear. If you’re installing in a commercial location, it’s recommended that you look for density of 5,000 or higher to ensure a long life.

How Carpet Density Impacts Daily Living

If you decide to install a carpet with higher density, it will impact wearability. Denser carpet lasts longer because it withstands impact better. It also makes it more difficult for dirt and stains to penetrate away from the surface and migrate down to the backing. When it’s easier to clean, which means you’ll have better looking carpet, longer.

However, there’s another carpet term to familiarize yourself with that impacts durability even more.

Carpet twist is the number of times a strand of fiber is twisted per inch. Higher twist level of four or more will be less likely to unravel over time, which makes them more durable overall.

Once again, the two are not interchangeable. A carpet doesn’t have to have high density to be durable; if the twist count is high, it might hold up well over time. The opposite can also be true.

Yet as you start to build a picture of the overall quality of a carpet, you can start seeing all of these things work together.

Carpet Padding

When selecting a carpet to install in your home, a lot of emphasis is placed on the carpet itself without mentioning the carpet padding. If you purchase carpet from a less-than-scrupulous source, they may play down the importance of padding, pushing you towards carpet that brings in more revenue. But we’ll tell you the two work closely together, and you should focus on the quality of each.

Carpet padding is what helps stabilize the carpet onto the subfloor. If you purchase the wrong padding for your situation, it can adversely impact the wear of your carpet.

Like carpet, pads also have a density rating. In most areas of your home, you should have a pad density rating of at least a 6 or greater. Pay attention to thickness as well, with 3/8 to ½ inch thick a good level for most locations throughout your home. For high traffic areas including your stairs, opt for a slightly thinner and higher density pad to give you more wearability.

Now that you know more about carpet density and how it impacts wearability, stop by today, and find the right carpet for your home.

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