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What’s the cheapest flooring option available? You’d be surprised at how many times that question is asked.

There are a lot of reasons people want affordable flooring. They are:

• Adding flooring to a rental property
• Fixing and flipping a home
• Living on a budget
• Looking for quick fixes for a problem room
• Wanting to change out decor frequently

Of course, the reasons are endless – sometimes as homeowners, we just don’t want to break the bank by putting in new floors.

Still, if you’ve ever asked yourself that question, you might avoid looking for the answer, worried about the quality of flooring you might get. Thanks to technological advances, there are many inexpensive flooring options available to suit your needs.

Want a do-it-yourself option to save even more money? We can help with that.

Want something that’s as easy to take out as it is to lay into place? We can help with that too.

Whether you’re looking for a DIY project for a bathroom project, or are redecorating a basement on a budget, there are many commonly used flooring materials that are going to give you long-lasting results with a budget-friendly price tag. Here are our favorite “cheap” flooring options.

Vinyl 

By far, vinyl brings the most to the table when looking for affordable options.

Vinyl flooring comes in sheets, tiles, and planks. It’s primarily made from PVC, which helps provide a durable, water-resistant flooring material that works just about any place inside your home. Want waterproof? With today’s technology, that’s available too.

Vinyl is easy to care for, easy to clean, and can stand up to anything your family can dish out. It provides a softer surface than other flooring options, making it a good choice if you’ll be standing for extended periods of time. While it’s one of the most affordable flooring options, it can also provide you with 25 years or more of life, depending on how well you care for it.

Sheet vinyl is one of the easiest to lay into place. You’ll typically find sheet vinyl in 6-foot and 12-foot widths. It can be difficult to handle as you bring it into your home, so it’s recommended you leave installation up to the professionals.

If you want a do-it-yourself option, consider vinyl tile. It gives you the same look and feel you’ll achieve with sheet vinyl in convenient smaller format tiles. Some provide stick-in-place technology, meaning you can have your room finished in just a few hours. No prior experience needed. It’s an easy project for homeowners to take on themselves.

Want to upgrade the look of your space? Consider luxury vinyl planks. It gives you the look of real hardwood or stone without the expensive price tag. Unlike sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl planks come in workable sizes similar to hardwood planks. Many come in peel-and-stick or click-and-lock systems, making installation fairly easy for those looking to do the work themselves.

No matter your budget, you’ll find one of these vinyl products perfect for home improvement projects.

Laminate

For some homeowners, only hardwood will do. They love the look and feel of traditional hardwood, yet the price tag can quickly scare them off. If you’ve been putting off your home improvement project because you think you can’t afford your dream flooring, take a look at laminate.

Laminate mimics the look of traditional hardwood, yet gives you a more affordable flooring option you’ll love. Laminate is created from a composite of materials, and uses a highly refined photographic image of hardwood embossed on its surface. It is finished with a protective top layer that creates the perfect structure for your busy lifestyle.

Laminate is installed as a floating floor, which means the planks click together and lock in place. Without having to be glued down, they are easier to install. If you want a do-it-yourself project, laminate offers user-friendly installation. Floating floors also offer the benefit of being able to be installed over some existing floors. Trying to hide old vinyl? Laminate may be your new flooring of choice.

Carpet

Carpet continues to be one of the best flooring investments you can make. If you’re focused on budget, carpet may very well be a great option.

Like vinyl, carpet offers you a variety of different options. Have one of our professionals install wall-to-wall carpet, or select a do-it-yourself option with carpet tiles. Depending on which you choose, with regular maintenance, you can easily expect ten years or more of wear.

People love carpet because of the warmth it adds to a space. Walk across it, and you’ll feel the warmth between your toes. Carpet also adds noise-canceling qualities. Carpet is a great addition to an upper floor living space where echoing below may present a problem.

Carpet brings added safety too. Install carpet on stairs to create a safer walking environment. If you have elderly at home, carpet can also cushion in the event of falls.

Carpet does not work well in areas where moisture is an ongoing problem. Avoid putting it in places like bathrooms or laundry spaces. It can be a problem with prolonged moisture, which can eventually lead to mold.

Tile

Ceramic tile is available in an almost unlimited color, pattern, size, and style range. If you can dream it, you can complete your floor design with ceramic tile.

It has the added benefit of being at the lower end of flooring material costs. Look for manufactured tile that’s rated at least a three on the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PCI) scale. Too thin and it will be brittle, and won’t stand the test of time when you use it as flooring material.

You’ll also have to take into account labor costs. Tile needs adhesive and grout to be laid into place. That means your cost will increase for installation. But when well cared for, tile can last for decades. That makes it a great choice for places you might not want to frequently remodel, like bathrooms or laundry rooms.

What’s your flooring of choice? 

Just because you start searching for cheap flooring options, doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality. Find an affordable flooring material that suits your needs, one you’ll love now and for years into the future.

The post Want Cheap Flooring? We Suggest These first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

If the time has come for you to order a new wooden floor, you will need to know how much flooring to purchase. Below we have outlined some top tips and advice on how to measure your room for flooring. Read More

You bought the new-to-you home for its quirkiness and charm. The flooring … that has to go. It’s a nightmare. But the thought of ripping it out leaves you shuddering almost as much as the thought of leaving it in place.

Can you lay vinyl over other flooring options? Or will it shorten its life and make you regret your decision?

Why vinyl flooring

If you’re looking at new flooring, it’s hard to ignore vinyl. Today’s vinyl isn’t what your mother or grandmother installed. Today’s vinyl is a whole lot more.

The global vinyl flooring market is expanding at a rate of 7 percent per year. A lot of that is thanks to the newest segment, luxury vinyl. Luxury vinyl planks and tiles currently make up more than half the total vinyl market share, and are ever-popular because of the looks they create inside a home. Want a waterproof version of your favorite hardwood? Want a softer version of concrete? You’ll find it with luxury vinyl planks and tiles.

Vinyl is the perfect choice for remodeling kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms. Vinyl is both economical and durable. If you have a problem with moisture, vinyl is the go-to choice.

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, vinyl is also a great choice because of how easy it is to install. Even if you’ve never done it before, you can generally have a small room completed in a day or two.

As with any remodeling project, preparation is everything. If you ensure the base or subfloor you’ll be laying vinyl over meets the criteria laid out by the manufacturer, your vinyl flooring will give you a long life. Checking with the manufacturer’s guidelines is your important first step to ensure a job well done.

If you’re installing vinyl over wood flooring, it’s essential to ensure you have a smooth surface area. If there are excessive gaps between the boards, these must first be filled. If the hardwood is cupped, bowed, or swollen, it may need to be pulled out or have another underlayment laid over the top to ensure your flooring remains stable over time. A professional can look at your floors to help you make the right choice before installation.

If you’re installing vinyl over laminate flooring, the same rules apply as with hardwood. If the laminate is cupped, bowed, or in any way damaged, you might need to fix the area before the vinyl is installed. If your laminate isn’t glued down, and was installed using a click and lock system, you will have better results if you pull it up first. Having a click and lock vinyl plank installed over other click and lock technology may cause trouble in how the product handles over time.

If you’re installing vinyl over tile, it can be installed directly over the ceramic or porcelain tile. If you have cracks, missing tiles, or large gaps or uneven spaces in the flooring, it’s better to fill those in to create a smooth surface. Starting with a smooth underlayment will ensure the quality of the vinyl flooring, and ensure that it continues to look good for the life of the floor.

The most important characteristics for a floor that lasts for years

What makes vinyl flooring a popular home improvement product, especially for do-it-yourselfers, is that you can lay it over existing flooring. Generally, as long as the flooring material underneath is in good shape to act as a subfloor, you won’t have any problems with your new vinyl floors.

Keep in mind that vinyl planks and tile may appear hard, but they are a thin, soft, flexible material. If you have major flaws underneath, they will eventually be reproduced in your vinyl floors. That means cracks, holes, bridge gaps, uneven seams, or other major structural issues in the floor you are laying on top of should be smoothed out before installing your new flooring.

When it comes to laying luxury vinyl over existing flooring, you should ensure the flooring underneath is:

Height

Before you install vinyl flooring over the top of your existing flooring, be sure you won’t have height issues after installation. Measure out transitions between the room you’re installing vinyl in and other spaces around it. Will your new floors be too high for cabinets and vanities? If you have any questions, a professional can help you make the right choice about installations methods, to ensure you have a uniform flooring method throughout your home.

Imperfections

If you’re replacing your current flooring because of imperfections, they can easily show up in your new vinyl flooring if they aren’t dealt with first. They may start to appear over time as more pressure is placed on the vinyl flooring.

Moisture

It’s important to have a dry surface area before you install your new floors. Depending on the vinyl you choose, it can offer you water-resistant or even waterproof features. By laying this new product over water-damaged subfloors, you will lock in the moisture problem underneath. This can allow mildew or mold to fester and grow, with no means of escape.

Seamless

While uneven grout lines or seams between hardwood planks may seem minor to you, they can be exacerbated once your new vinyl flooring is installed. An easy way to solve this is by laying a substrate of large format boards over the top to give you a smooth surface. Installers often use MDF particleboard sheets or 4 by 8 foot plywood sheets to provide a smooth surface and reduce the problems associated with an uneven floor. Don’t lock in problems. If your flooring is suffering from water damage, for example, it’s best to clean the surface area and get rid of the problem before installing the new flooring.

Sturdy

This is your biggest indicator of success. If you are replacing your existing flooring because of unevenness, gaps in the boards, or cracks in the tiles, you’ll only replace one problem for another if you lay your luxury vinyl over the top. Consider removing the flooring if it’s in bad shape and is difficult to repair. Also consider what the subfloor is like underneath your existing flooring. If it isn’t in good condition, is rotted, or cracked, it too could become a problem in the future, reducing the lifespan of your vinyl flooring product.

As a do-it-yourselfer, vinyl can be one of the easiest flooring materials to install inside your home. Without the need to pull out an existing flooring product, you can have your new floors installed in a short period of time.

Is vinyl the right flooring choice for you? Stop by, and we’ll answer all the questions you have about this ever-growing, ever-popular flooring choice.

The post Can You Lay Vinyl Over Other Flooring Options? first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

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These days one of the first places we go for inspiration is Instagram and have a look at what others are doing. Our collaboration with @house_of_holcroft is a perfect example of why Instagram is a great place for home inspiration. 

 

If you’re one for stopping scrolling when you see a beautiful herringbone flooring with a stunning surrounding then you will love this one. 

 

Let’s take a look at why @house_of_holcroft chose the flooring she chose and why…

 

Which Product Did You Choose and Why? 

 

“Vintage Chateau Herringbone White Chestnut for its contemporary look”

This flooring has been a popular contender making it a customer favourite, so it is no surprise that @house_of_holcroft chose this beautiful laminate.

 

Which room of the home did you transform and how did your flooring impact this?

 

“We transformed the downstairs of my home. It has brightened up the area hugely and the flooring is easy to maintain and hard wearing. It gives the downstairs a lovely modern look and the colour works perfectly with our theme.”

 

What Interior Styling Were You Wanting to Achieve? 

 

“A modern, contemporary look that won’t date”

 

That is certainly what she achieved with this stunning white, light and bright modern space.

 

How Would You Describe the Quality of the Product and Service? 

 

“Excellent quality and endless choices. Fabulous customer service from start to finish – even helping calculate square footage and wastage.”

 

Would You Recommend Direct Wood Flooring?

 

100% I have already purchased additional flooring and have been very happy with the cost, delivery and quality. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend DWF to anyone.

 

If you have any questions on flooring, get in touch with one of our experts today! 

 

The post Herringbone Flooring Inspiration With @house_of_holcroft  appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

Hardwood flooring is one of the most popular choices for homes all across the Front Range. If you’ve hesitated having it installed in your own home, worrying about durability, your search might lead you to engineered floors.

Where hardwood flooring is made from a solid wood plank, engineered wood flooring is created from a wood veneer wear layer that sits on a multi layer core. One isn’t necessarily better than the other; they offer differences that provide benefits in different situations.

Hardwood can be sanded down and refinished again and again. Engineered wood can only be refinished a handful of times. Engineered wood’s core gives it more stability against warping than traditional hardwood, especially in areas prone to higher humidity levels. Engineered wood may be your flooring choice if you’re looking for wider plank width and varying color choices.

Homeowners and contractors alike turn to engineered hardwood flooring because of its durability, affordability, and better moisture resistance. Where hardwood is a solid piece of wood, engineered hardwood is created using a variety of core materials. These materials continue to change with new technology, making today’s engineered flooring one of the most durable on the market.

Of course, different manufacturers will use different core materials. That’s where it benefits you to pay attention. Some may include plywood. Others use a high-density fiberboard (HDF). What are the advantages of using an HDF core?

What is an HDF core?

On the surface, a high-density fiberboard may seem weaker than plywood. HDF is created from recycled wood materials, such as excess hardwood veneer and other hardwood not used in production. These materials are ground up into sawdust, mixed with resin, and pressed together using high pressure into an ultra-dense core.

This high pressure process can create a floor core density of up to 60 pounds per cubic foot. The resin used gives it moisture resistance, making it more repellent to water than traditional hardwood. It’s this process that also makes an HDF core higher on the Janka hardness scale than plywood. Some HDF cores reach a rating of 1700 or higher. Compare that to plywood made from poplar that may only reach 500.

What’s the purpose of an HDF core?

An HDF core is designed to provide added benefits to what you already love about traditional hardwood. It’s designed to remedy the problems associated with many hardwood floors.

Moisture

Let’s start with moisture. Homeowners often take a step back and think twice about hardwood, especially if they have a busy household with kids and pets. Accidents happen. And if you don’t wipe up a juice spill, if pet accidents go unnoticed, or you’re worried about wet paw prints tracking across your floors each day, you may fall out of love with your hardwood floors as quickly as you fell into it.

Moisture and hardwood simply don’t mix. If left without wiping it up, spills can easily seep into the grain, between the boards, causing warping and cracking.

By adding an HDF core to engineered wood, you’ll have better protection against moisture problems. While it’s still not waterproof, it can stand up to higher humidity levels, which gives you a longer life with fewer potential problems. It also means you won’t have an unsightly floor with boards that pop up from being dry, brittle, warped, and worn out.

Dent resistance

Engineered wood with an HDF core also provides more dent resistance. That higher Janka rating means the core provides better protection against all of the daily activities your family dishes out.

If you prefer the look of a softer wood, the HDF core increases hardness levels, making your wood floors more durable over time. It’s no longer about what hardwood you select. That means you can pay attention to the look and feel of the product, and still get the durability you’re seeking. Engineered wood will stand up better under many different conditions.

Installation

Engineered wood flooring also brings more flexibility to the way it’s installed. Traditional hardwood needs room to expand and contract with the varying conditions inside your home throughout the year. To ensure hardwood looks good spring, summer, winter, and fall, a hardwood floor will have to be nailed into place. If you don’t have suitable subfloor material, that will be an added expense at the time of installation.

Engineered wood floors have more installation options. Engineered wood can be placed over many different subfloors, including concrete. They can be glued into place. Or purchase engineered wood floors with click and lock technology.

The HDF core gives engineered floors more flexibility no matter how you choose to install them.

Additional benefits of engineered wood floors

Traditional hardwood is uniform in the way it’s produced. That can be both a positive and negative, depending on your home. While we all like to assume our homes were built with strict guidelines, careful measurements, that rarely is the case. Because hardwood flooring comes in a standard size, you may have difficulty fitting it into certain spaces.

Do you have interior wood doors that hug closely to the ground? Engineered wood is more flexible in how high the flooring is from the subfloor. Do you have cabinets or appliances that were retrofitted into place? Engineered wood can be more forgiving with the way it lays into place.

Have you always wanted hardwood in your basement? If you’ve ever researched possibilities, you know hardwood isn’t recommended.

Engineered wood can be installed below grade. If you have a moisture issue, you might still think twice about installing engineered wood in the basement. The wood veneer and HDF core are still constructed out of wood. That means that while it’s more stable, moisture can still be an issue.

Engineered wood with an HDF layer is often stronger because the layers are laid perpendicular for less expansion and contraction. This means the fit will be tighter, which is better as the weather changes throughout the seasons.

Are engineered wood floors the right choice for you? Look for an HDF core, and you’ll have one of the most durable flooring choices for your home.

The post Why Your Engineered Floors Should Have an HDF Core first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

When choosing a hardwood floor for your living room you will want something that looks incredible, feels amazing underfoot and complements your colour scheme.  We have a wide range of hardwood floors in different colours and styles that are sure to catch your eye. Read More

When trying to find the best flooring prices in southeast Michigan, The Carpet Guys are your “Guys”!  We have maintained our low prices and we’re here to tell you what you get for that one low price.  Read on to find out more.

Who Are The Carpet Guys?

The Carpet Guys have been in business for over 11 years.  Joe Zago, the owner of the company, started going door-to-door to sell his few carpet choices.  He understands having nothing and built his company into the thriving business it is today.  The Carpet Guy’s team was all willing to sacrifice during the pandemic to get the installation vans rolling right away.  Now, we have hundreds of carpet, sheet vinyl, and hard surface (hardwood, engineered hardwood, laminate, and luxury vinyl) products stocked in our warehouse.  Joe also established the “Shop in Home” process for buying flooring.  He wanted his customers to see samples in the lighting of their own homes. They could match it to their furniture. This way, they would have perfect flooring and the best flooring prices. It was a huge success!

White Glove Service for the Best Price

Coined as our customer service mantra our “White Glove Service” means that you get everything you could possibly need for one low price.  If you go to other competitors or big-box chains, the hidden fees and upcharges are astronomical. Frequently, the person that comes to measure isn’t knowledgeable on flooring and misses important factors that may cause installation issues like a bowed floor or important transitions. For one low price, The Carpet Guys provide:

• Free In-Home Estimate by a professional Design Consultant
• No upcharge for measurements of the space to be installed
• Free furniture-move
• Rip up of old flooring and we haul it away
• Free lifetime installation warranty

While the world is recovering from the pandemic and companies are struggling to make ends meet, they are raising their prices.  Shipping, construction supplies, and even wages have increased because of Covid.  But at The Carpet Guys, we maintain our all-inclusive pricing and a vast selection of products.  We also have the best installers in the industry.  So if you’re looking for the best flooring prices in southeast Michigan, call The Carpet Guys at 855-4-MY-GUYS (855-469-4897) or click HERE for your Free In-Home Estimate.  We can’t wait to share our Carpet Guys family with you.

The post Best Flooring Prices in Southeast Michigan appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

Resilient flooring has seen tremendous growth over the past two years for two reasons: the pandemic and the current housing market. As more people stayed at home, they looked around and discovered they needed different space. Whether they chose to move or remodel, one of the first places they started renewing was the flooring, and resilient floors just make sense in many situations. With an increase of more than 21 percent over the past year, that makes resilient flooring the industry leader.

Flooring is a multi-purpose product with many requirements, depending on what room it’s installed in. It should be durable to stand up to anything your family can dish out. It should be long-lasting – who wants flooring that needs replacing soon after it’s installed? It should also be attractive, matching your decor, and giving the room a sense of your personality.

More and more, people are finding that in resilient flooring.

What is resilient flooring?

Resilient flooring is an umbrella term that describes a variety of different flooring products, including rigid core, flexible luxury vinyl, vinyl tile, vinyl sheet, linoleum, rubber, and cork. It gets its name because it’s built to endure daily life, with the ability to spring back into shape under most situations. Depending on the quality, it makes a perfect addition to residential and commercial applications.

The Resilient Flooring Covering Institute (RFCI) originated in 1976 to bring the highest quality manufacturers of resilient flooring together and set standards for the industry. If you select a manufacturer that abides by RFCI guidelines, you can ensure the resilient flooring you choose is good for other reasons too. RFCI:

• Seeks out recycled or upcycled materials – manufacturers look for replenished natural resources, and can repurpose it at end of life too.
• Uses low emissions – they certify that their flooring produces as little off-gassing as possible.
• Prioritizes a low carbon footprint – reducing global impact is everyone’s business.
• Assesses durability – natural resources like wood have a global impact beyond production. RFCI manufacturers look for ways to impact the environment in a good way.

Types of resilient flooring

When many of today’s homeowners think about new flooring, the term “vinyl” might not be the picture of durability. It brings back soft, dated material used on your mom’s or grandmother’s floors. It yellowed, scratched, dented, ripped, and in general, doesn’t bring back fond memories.

But times are changing thanks to the introduction of luxury vinyl flooring. One of the leading resilient flooring options on the market falls into the vinyl category. This includes luxury vinyl tile (LVT), luxury vinyl planks (LVP), solid vinyl tile (SVT), and vinyl composition tile (VCT). You don’t have to go very far to find these products, as they seem to be popping up everywhere.

It’s not your only option. Linoleum has also made a comeback for homeowners looking for a natural product. Linoleum is a natural product created from linseed oil, wood, limestone, cork, and resins. You can find it in large sheets, glue-down tiles, or click-and-lock planks.

Cork is another option for homeowners looking for organic flooring. It’s made from thinly sliced cork from a cork oak tree. It’s considered an eco-friendly product because the cork is sheared from the trunk without killing the tree. The tree reproduces cork over and over again.

For gym, studio, or even garage settings, rubber is often a good option to create a soft, padded surface area. While rubber was once made from rubber trees, it is now mainly constructed from synthetic rubber.

Why homeowners rave about resilient flooring

Homeowners turn to resilient flooring for a variety of reasons. They often come in with specific problems they are trying to overcome:

• Cracked tiles
• Warped wood planks
• Ruined hardwood from flood damage
• Smelly carpet with mold and mildew embedded in the fibers

Resilient flooring offers style and personality combined with features homeowners love.

Durability – resilient flooring can be installed just about anywhere and will stand up to all a homeowner can dish out. It’s created with a combination of wear layers that are designed to minimize scratching, stains, and scuffs, as well as prevent wear and tear.

Maintenance – resilient flooring is easy to maintain. Its protective coating means you can wipe up spills with ease. Daily sweeping with periodic mopping is all you’ll need to maintain its good looks. Plus, its moisture-resistance and waterproof core means it can stand up in places where other flooring materials can’t. If you have moisture issues in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, or basement, resilient flooring will be your flooring of choice.

Flexibility – with some flooring choices, paying attention to the subfloor can create headaches. Resilient flooring is capable of being installed over other products, and doesn’t need a perfectly level floor to create lasting beauty. You won’t find this cracking or pulling away with minor imperfections underneath.

Comfortable – while tile may be beautiful, it can be hard and uncomfortable if you’re standing on it all day. Resilient flooring is soft enough to take pressure off and provide comfort if you’re standing on it for longer periods of time.

Cost – you’ll find resilient flooring to be one of the most economical options for your home remodeling needs. If you have a budget in mind, you’ll find options well within your budget.

Looks – all you have to do is stroll down an aisle, and you’ll fall in love with the way resilient flooring looks. If you have a design in mind, you’ll find options with resilient flooring. Manufacturers understand the benefits of this product, so they’ve put more resources into creating options homeowners will love. Whether you have a specific style, look, color, or pattern in mind, you’ll find it with resilient flooring.

Is resilient flooring the right choice for your needs? 

The best place to start is by coming in and seeing your options. Start with a specific product, a color choice, or a design style. We’ll point you in the right direction to help you narrow down your choices. Take a few samples home and see them in your home’s ambiance. When you finalize your choice, you’ll be sure it’s the perfect one for you. 

The post Why Resilient Flooring Is Becoming More Popular first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

As a homeowner, you might spend time dreaming about your perfect kitchen. You see it in vivid color. You have specific details laid out in your mind.

However, once you make plans to remodel and create the kitchen of your dreams, it’s an entirely different story. Where do you begin?

One of the most important features of any kitchen is the flooring. With so many kitchen flooring options, starting at the bottom can help you lay the foundation for what you install in the rest of your space. It might not be as exciting as choosing cabinets or decor, but if you select the wrong floors, you’ll never be completely happy with your space.

The right kitchen floors have a big effect on the appearance. And, of course, how much time you’re going to have to spend in the kitchen cleaning. Kitchens are spaces where people congregate. Whether you’re grabbing a snack for the big game, or whipping up a five-course feast, spills are part of the process. That makes your final choice important for aesthetics, strength, and durability.

Do a search online, and you’ll find every flooring choice has an array of pros and cons. Here’s our list of recommendations on what we see homeowners installing in their own kitchens.

Hardwood

Whether it’s living in the Rocky Mountains, or simply built into Coloradan’s psyche, homeowners all across the Front Range have requested hardwood throughout their living spaces for years.

That’s because hardwood makes a great flooring choice, and has done so for centuries. Hardwood is durable, warm, stylish, and can stand up well to all that goes on in the kitchen. When laying hardwood in the kitchen, be sure to select a flooring product that is sealed and provides ample protection against moisture and spills.

While no hardwood will ever be waterproof, today’s manufacturers have made great strides in creating products that do well in a variety of situations. If your family is tough on floors, you might consider engineered hardwood or laminate.

Because hardwood has been popular for so long, you’ll find many different design options waiting for you. Current trends lean towards lighter finishes. You’ll find hardwood in colors like blonde and honey, as well as whitewash and grays. But if darker wood is still your thing, you’ll never be disappointed with deep walnuts and cherry finishes. They are considered classic and timeless, and stand the test of time.

You can also move into different patterns, or select hardwood that’s reclaimed, recycled, or has sustainability features. It’s driving the industry right now, and you’ll easily be able to create any look you’re going for.

Porcelain tile

If you spend a lot of time in your kitchen, or you’re not sold on the features hardwood brings to the table, porcelain tile may be more suitable for your needs. It’s long been a popular choice for kitchen designers because of its resistance to damage and waterproof features.

Unlike ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles are better suited for the needs of a kitchen. They’re harder than ceramic tiles, and depending on the sealant, can offer waterproof features to your design.

If you have a color, style, or texture in mind, you’ll find it with porcelain tile. Lay large tiles across your surface for a cohesive look. Or piece together intricate designs that showcase your personality.

The kitchen is often a place where friends and family gather. You can give the space added warmth by installing your porcelain tile over radiant heating. No more worrying about where vents and registers will be installed.

While porcelain tiles offer a lot to kitchen design, keep in mind that it’s one of the hardest surface areas you can choose. If you’re on your feet all day standing at the counter, you may notice it by the end of the day. That hard surface area can also be damaging to your glasses and dishes; they most likely will break if you drop them.

Vinyl

So you love hardwood, but are concerned with its durability. You’re not sure if it’s the right choice because spilling is second nature. You like the idea of porcelain tile, but you had in mind something warmer. Why not give vinyl a second look?

While you can still install sheet vinyl reminiscent of bygone years, today’s vinyl is anything but blase and dull. Often referred to as luxury vinyl tiles or luxury vinyl planks, this product looks so much like the most popular flooring choices on the market, even experts need a second glance. It’s designed to look like hardwood, marble, or stone. But it’s softer, more durable, and more comfortable than other surface areas.

Plus it’s waterproof. Yes, waterproof. Just be sure to mention it to your sales associate that waterproof features are high on your desire list. And if you’re trying to match other design features, you’ll have an easier time with luxury vinyl. The colors, styles, and patterns are almost unlimited.

Just keep in mind that with any luxury vinyl product, there is a shorter lifespan than both hardwood and porcelain tile. Hardwood can be refinished multiple times. And porcelain tile can withstand decades of use. Not so with luxury vinyl. But for the cost and durability, you’ll be impressed with the results for many years to come.

3 great choices … How do you pick which one?

Do you have a kitchen flooring choice in mind? Have you gravitated towards one, convinced it’s the right flooring for you? Then it’s time to shop.

But if you’re still debating between your options, ask yourself what the most important attributes are.

Do you want a long lifespan? Hardwood can be refinished multiple times.

Are you looking for a softer flooring choice? You can’t go wrong with luxury vinyl.

Or maybe warmth is important. Radiant heating under porcelain tile can leave your feet warm even on the coldest days.

How big is your budget? Vinyl is at the lower end, while hardwood costs can escalate.

Whatever flooring you choose, learn about maintaining it, and build a maintenance schedule into your normal routine. It’ll ensure your flooring looks its best from day one throughout its lifespan.

What’s the right kitchen flooring for you?

The post Redoing Your Kitchen? Consider One Of These Flooring Options first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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This is a more complex question than you might think. Choosing dark vs. light hardwood floors can depend on several factors including the size of the room, the availability of natural/artificial light sources, and what would complement your furniture. Discover some of the pros and cons associated with both colors of flooring.

PROS & CONS For Dark Colored Hardwood

The best aspect of dark-colored floors, aside from their sophisticated appearance, is their ability to mask many of the imperfections that build upon the floor. Since it’s already dark it won’t fade and if there are gaps between planks, they tend to be less noticeable on a darker hardwood floor. On the downside, it probably won’t hide the fur from your pets all the time. Neither will it obfuscate footprints or light-colored filmy stains. Dark colors on floors and walls also have the tendency to make rooms feel smaller.

PROS & CONS For Light Colored Hardwood

Lighter-colored woods tend to have a more modern appearance and they don’t shrink the size of the room psychologically. It might not hide imperfections as well, but you’ll be able to see them and clean them easier. The con to light-colored hardwood is that it might make your room too light, which could be great for a kitchen, but not so much for a den or bedroom. There also tend to be more furniture styles that blend in better with darker colored hardwood floors.

At the end, which color or shade you choose will depend on personal preferences and what matches the rest of your home. Eric Hurst and Flooring.org have been helping homeowners install and care for their floors since the late 90s, so you can count on us to guide you in the right direction on hardwood floor options. We have several featured varieties of flooring such as this darker variety, IndusParquet, as well as a lighter kind like this red oak flooring.

Learn more about Flooring.org by calling us at 800-689-9006. Thank you for trusting us with your flooring needs.

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