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We love how our customer has used our Oak parquet block flooring in his elegant and traditional style home.    The flooring has been installed in a herringbone pattern and runs throughout the ground floor of his home. Read More

People choose different flooring options for a variety of reasons.

Some want something new, something durable, sustainable.

Some have been dreaming about a certain material for years. It’s their dream flooring.

Others look for the latest trends.

Do you see yourself in any of those? For all those reasons and more, now may be the time to give bamboo flooring another look. It’s growing in popularity, and makes an excellent flooring choice anywhere in your home.

How bamboo flooring is made 

People love hardwood flooring. But one of the downsides to using hardwood is its sustainability. It can take decades to grow a tree. Depending on the species, there may be other risks associated with harvesting, such as deforestation issues.

While bamboo looks like hardwood, it isn’t harvested from trees. Instead, bamboo flooring comes from the stalks of a bamboo plant, which can be harvested in a matter of years, with the added benefit of being able to produce stalks again and again, without being chopped down at the core.

The bamboo plant is cut into thin strips, then bonded together in layers using an adhesive resin. These layers can be layered horizontally to reveal the plant’s natural shape, or vertically to reveal a striated pattern. Another option is to shred the stalks into fibers, pressing them together with adhesive into “strand woven” bamboo flooring, which is one of the most durable bamboo products on the market.

Like hardwood, you can select solid bamboo made from one of the three mentioned processes above. The planks will be made entirely from bamboo fibers. Or select engineered bamboo, which offers a thin solid strip of bamboo placed on the top of a plywood or fiberboard core. Like engineered hardwood, engineered bamboo has the benefit of being easy to install, as the planks can be floated into place using click and lock technology. No glue. No nails.

People love bamboo’s sustainability

Green living. Eco-friendly design. Sustainable materials and production.

While homeowners once paid attention only to how products looked, they are now looking beyond to determine how they are made.

And in some cases, flooring materials are created from less than earth-friendly resources.

It’s hard to ignore the sustainability factors of using bamboo flooring.

To start, bamboo grows and reaches maturity in a fraction of the time it takes a tree to reach maturity. While a bamboo stalk can be harvested in just a few years, trees can take decades to reach the same point.

Once you chop a tree down, your only option is to plant a new one. The growing process starts all over again, with decades to move from seed to maturity. But a bamboo plant starts to regrow new stalks from the moment it’s been harvested. This means you won’t have to replant a bamboo plant every time you cut down a stalk.

This process is also more earth-friendly to everything around it. Because you’re only taking the stalk and not the entire plant, it leaves the forest more intact. Less disruption for the wildlife in the area that depends on it. It also leaves the forest floor more stable, meaning it’s less likely to cause soil erosion and other environmental damage.

Bamboo is stylish, versatile, and showcases its own unique beauty

While many homeowners pay attention to sustainability first, a product wouldn’t grow in popularity if it didn’t look good too.

Luckily, bamboo checks all the boxes a homeowner looks for when selecting new flooring. The bamboo stalks give bamboo flooring a unique beauty that many homeowners are demanding. Yet because it looks and feels like hardwood, it’s a flooring choice that can easily be laid into place and enjoyed for years to come.

https://pro-flooring.com/not-all-bamboo-floors-are-created-equal/

Like traditional hardwood, bamboo flooring comes in a wide range of colors and styles. From there, it extends to unique patterns that can only be found with bamboo. If you’re looking for a specific color choice, a certain texture, or a look that screams your personality, we think you’re going to love bamboo flooring.

Bamboo is durable too

When bamboo first hit the market, there was some question about its durability. It was softer than some hardwood, and didn’t stand up to an active family home life.

No more. With today’s technology, you’ll find bamboo floors can be just as hard, if not harder than some hardwood choices. Strand woven bamboo flooring is woven together and compressed to be even harder than oak flooring.

Are you looking for a flooring product to lay over radiant heating? Bamboo flooring fits the bill there too. The stability of strand woven technology means it has the right structure for laying into place.

With a hardness factor that moves up the Janka rating, you can install it in commercial applications if you select the right bamboo flooring. It stands strong to even heavy footfall, making it a reliable choice in some office settings.

Low maintenance makes it an even better deal

We all lead busy lives. That means when it comes to selecting the right flooring, it’s important to do so with daily upkeep in mind.

Do you really want to be fussing over your flooring when there are better things to do? Luckily, that’s another reason bamboo flooring will meet your needs.

Because of bamboo’s durability, it requires little more than an occasional sweep to remove dust and debris from the surface. Wipe up spills right away, and it will continue to look great throughout the year.

Bamboo also provides moisture resistance. As long as you wipe up spills in a timely manner, they shouldn’t penetrate the floor. That makes it a good choice for areas you’ve been leery of installing hardwood before. While it’s not waterproof, it still does a pretty good job of keeping moisture on the surface, and not having it impact the individual planks.

Is bamboo flooring the right choice for you? 

To see our entire line of bamboo flooring, stop by today. We can answer your questions, show you which lines meet your specifications, and help you select a new bamboo floor you’ll be happy with for years to come.

The post Why The Popularity of Bamboo Flooring Is Growing first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

Hardwood flooring is one of the most preferred flooring options for homes across the Front Range.

A National Wood Flooring Association survey found that just over 50 percent of homeowners had wood in their homes. But when they were asked what kind of flooring they would install in their dream home, 66 percent said hardwood.

We love hardwood. And right here in Colorado, we love it even more. Maybe it’s because we love being outdoors, enjoy all the Rocky Mountains have to offer. And when we want flooring that stands up to both our summer fun and winter activities, what could be better than having hardwood flooring?

But all of that activity can sometimes take a toll on hardwood. If you’ve been enjoying your hardwood floors for years, maybe it’s scratched, looking a little dull, and in need of repair.

You were excited when you moved into your home because you knew hardwood would last for years. But now, all you can do is see age, and signs of wear. What should you do? Is it time to replace your hardwood flooring? Here are a few ways you can tell.

There are deep scratches and marks across the floor

Hardwood holds up great to a variety of family activities. But every once in a while, something impacts the flooring, and there’s nothing you can do to change it. You see it all across the floor.

• The place you drug the chair across, and it made a deep gouge.
• The area where the dog loves to scratch and play.
• The space where the Christmas tree goes each year – it’s clearly marked by a ring.

A few scratch marks might not be of concern. But it might be time to replace it when you start to notice the scratches more than you do the flooring. If a scratch is deep enough to move through the stain and finish and into the wood, the surface area is more vulnerable to staining and water damage. This is especially true in the kitchen or near entryways where it’s more likely to receive moisture.

The wood is soft and spongy

When you walk across a hardwood floor, it should be hard without give. When you hit soft or spongy spots in your floor, it’s a sign the wood underneath is starting to decay.

This impacts your entire hardwood floor. It’s a sign there’s something underneath the flooring, something that may affect the subfloor as well as your hardwood floors. You can’t buff out rot. The only way to fix your flooring is to get to the root of the problem. And most often, that means taking up the hardwood flooring materials, and fixing the subfloor before installing something new.

Certain sections have water damage 

One of the drawbacks to installing hardwood throughout your main living space is that water damage quickly shows up on the flooring. While engineered hardwood does a better job of staving off water damage, wood and water generally don’t mix.

When spills occur on hardwood, wiping up the moisture quickly prevents it from soaking into the wood. If you have hardwood near outdoor entrances, placing a rug at the entrance can help soak up moisture before it’s tracked onto the floors.

But if water settles in, even in small amounts, you’ll begin to see it over time. You might see warping or separating between the planks. This is something refinishing can’t correct. If you begin to see water damage in separate places, it’s time to replace it.

Nailheads are peeking through

As the years roll by, and wear starts to take its toll on your hardwood floors, a common occurrence is nail heads peeking through. This is especially common in high traffic areas such as living rooms, family rooms, or kitchens.

One or two nails might not be of concern. A lot depends on where they start to appear. Do you consistently snag your socks when you walk over them? Do they injure you or a family member if you step the wrong way?

If you’re starting to find more nailheads peeking through a larger section of your floors, it might be time for replacement. Sanding the surface area will only make the nailheads more pronounced.

You’ve already tried refinishing

The average lifespan of hardwood varies according to species and household activity. Homeowners live installing hardwood because you can refinish the flooring when it starts to look worn, and then years later, finish it again.

How many times have you refinished the floors? If it’s been a few times, it might be time to consider a total replacement. Refinishing makes the floorboards thinner. If they become too thin, the structure of the floorboards may be compromised, making them even weaker. They won’t stand up to your daily activities even after refinishing. You’ll notice scratches and dings more frequently even after they are redone.

Why spend the time or energy needed for refinishing flooring that will look dull and dingy in a short period of time?

There’s movement every time you walk across the floor

If walking across your hardwood floors becomes a sporting event, wondering which boards will creak and which will move underfoot, it’s time to replace your hardwood floors.

When boards creak as you apply pressure, it’s a sign the wood is rubbing against another plank or the subfloor. This often comes with aging hardwood, but it can also be a sign of compromised integrity. The only way to get to the root of the problem is to start taking up boards and finding the heart of the problem.

Movement in floorboards is also a sign of integrity problems within the hardwood. It can be something as simple as water damage to one or two boards, or a compromised structure to the entire subfloor. Usually, a flooring expert can help you analyze the situation, and help you make the right choice for replacing your flooring. If you fix it early enough, you might be able to save your flooring.

Or maybe it’s time for something new

You don’t always need to find a problem with your hardwood in order to change out your flooring.

Maybe you’ve lived with your hardwood for years, and it’s time for something new. A new species. A warmer tone. Or wider planks.

Changing out your hardwood flooring is the perfect way to transform your home.

How can we help you with your flooring?

The post Notice These Signs? It’s Time To Replace Your Hardwood first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

What is carpet tracking and how can I avoid it?  An age-old question that has been around as long as wall-to-wall carpet.  The Carpet Guys can steer you in the proper direction to avoid tracking on your new floors.

What is Tracking?

Tracking is a term used for the flattening or crushing of a cut-pile style carpet.  If often occurs in high-traffic areas or with new carpet that has not sprouted yet.  Sprouting is the process where cut carpet fibers open and untwist to allow a more uniform appearance.

The most common type of carpet that this occurs on is a dark or medium-dark, single color, long, cut pile, plush carpet.  When the fibers are bent (from walking, vacuuming, moving furniture, etc.) it is reflected in the light differently from the non-crushed fibers.  This makes it appear lighter than the surrounding fibers.  It is sometimes referred to as shading, pile reversal or even pooling.

How to Avoid Carpet Tracking

Some people like the look of the vacuum lines in their new carpet.  If you are not one of those people, there are a few other options.

Choose a loop style carpet like Berber.  The loop styles are low height and will not show any foot traffic.  They are great for high-traffic areas for this reason. Or make a selection of a textured carpet with various loops and cut-loop patterns. Textured carpets are an elegant choice and will not show any traffic patterns.

Choose a multi-colored carpet like a frieze that has different color fibers twisted together.  So, when the fiber is laying down, it shows less of the shade variance and more of the color selection.  Another thing to remember when choosing the color of your new carpet, lighter colors show less tracking than dark colors.

Another great option is to make sure you choose a low-cut pile with a dense weight.  The higher the weight of the carpet, the more fibers that are packed into a small area.  This higher density of fibers will be less likely to crush or lay down when walked on.  If it is a shorter length cut fiber, it will not have room to bend like a longer, more plush carpet.

We also recommend, vacuum your carpet every day for a week after it is installed.  This will help your carpet fibers sprout, as mentioned above, which will hinder the appearance of tracking.

Call The Carpet Guys

If you’re looking for a carpet that is less likely to show tracking, our knowledgeable Design Consultants can help you.  They are well-versed on our vast selection of styles and colors.  Make sure to tell them what you are looking for when you schedule your appointment so they can have the proper samples with them.  Schedule your free in-home estimate today and we may be able to get your new flooring in before the Holidays.

The post What is Carpet Tracking? appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

Shopping for new flooring can be an overwhelming process. Enter a flooring store, and you’ll walk into thousands of choices. Even after you select material, color, pattern, and style choices can leave you thinking and comparing for days.

But once you make a decision, flooring associates will dive in deeper into material selections. It’s not just what flooring you choose that determines longevity. Your subfloor materials impact lifespan too.

Subflooring? Do you really need to understand subfloor materials? There are many advantages to selecting the right subflooring. Choose wisely, and it can improve energy efficiency, make your living space more comfortable, and make your flooring choice look better, longer.

So what do you need to know about subfloor materials before you start shopping for flooring?

Your flooring is multi layer

When you walk across the floor, you tend to focus on the top layer – the layer you can see and feel. But there are one or two other layers as well.

Many flooring choices need an underlayment. Underlayment is put into place to provide a sturdy, durable layer for your flooring to sit on. Underlayment can be made of many different materials, but the goal is to provide added support for your flooring.

The subfloor lies beneath the underlayment. A subfloor is the foundation of the entire flooring structure. It’s secured to the baseboard joists to provide structure to your flooring. Subfloors are usually made from plywood, particleboard, or oriented strand board (OSB).

Though the different types of subfloors are often treated similarly in building, they are quite different. Plywood is made from thin strips of wood veneer, layered at 90-degree angles, glued, and hot pressed together. Particleboard is composed of small wood particles that are glued and pressed together, and formed into sheets. OSB consists of 3 to 4-inch strands of wood layered and configured into a cross pattern, then glued and pressed together.

OSB is the newest entry to the market, and has a lot of benefits, depending on what flooring material you are using.

OSB is considered to be more structurally sound as it uses smaller strands of wood than plywood. Because plywood is pressed sheets of wood veneer, if any one sheet is weak or compromised, it can leave a soft spot in the flooring. OSB creates a denser product because of the smaller strips of wood.

OSB is better at warding off moisture. Once wet, plywood does a better job at drying out. This makes OSB weaker at the edges, where moisture has a better chance of seeping through.

OSB often costs less than plywood because of its method of construction. Because plywood depends on larger pieces of wood, it can fluctuate in price depending on the wood market.

Concrete subfloor is also an option in some cases. Tile and stone flooring can be installed directly over concrete, but most other flooring materials require some kind of underlayment, as well as a waterproof barrier for added protection.

Ensuring is subfloor is the right thickness

Depending on what material is used for the subfloor, ensure the proper thickness for the right support for your flooring choice.

The minimum suggested thickness for plywood is about ⅝ inch. OSB won’t hold fasteners as well as plywood, so it’s recommended to increase the thickness level to ensure a quality subfloor. These are minimum suggestions. When making a final decision, it’s important to consider the flooring materials selected to provide the proper support.

Joists are the horizontal structure beams used to frame in the open space beneath the floor. They serve to provide the stiffness and structural support that lies just beneath the subfloor material. The farther apart these supports are, the greater thickness needed in the subfloor material to ensure a durable floor.

For example, if the joists are 16 inches or closer, the contractor may have installed a ½ inch plywood subfloor. This will handle well with many different flooring options. In an older home where the joists are farther apart, using a thicker plywood of ⅞ or more may be required for the same stability.

The stiffness of the subfloor also matters. While you might have more wiggle room when laying carpet into place, tile and wood planks need a flat surface to ensure a smooth, even flooring once everything is laid into place.

Selecting flooring material thickness will also provide an R-value, or insulating qualities for your home’s comfort level. R-value is the ability to keep heat from escaping through the floor in the winter, while preventing it from seeping up into the home during the summer. A thick, wool carpet would have high R-value, while a thin laminate would have lower R-value.

This also applies to subflooring. Plywood has a lower R-value than OSB because of the way the subfloor is structured during production. While you can often get by with a thinner subfloor, it may make sense to increase the thickness for more warmth and protection to ensure insulation qualities.

Select the right subfloor material for your needs

It’s easy to ignore what’s underneath your flooring choice, and let contractors install the cheapest option out there. But that may not be the best choice to keep your home safe and comfortable.

With a basic understanding of subfloor materials and how they contribute to better insulating your home, you can take the next step in ensuring you select the right flooring materials for your home. An experienced flooring associate can help you select the right floors for your personality and living space. With that step chosen, you can make a more informed decision about what goes underneath – and helps with both structure and insulation of your home.

Whether you know exactly what you want for your home remodel, or aren’t quite sure about how to change things up, we have a wide variety of options that will make perfect additions to your home.

Stop by or give us a call. We can help you select the right floors, and the right subfloor material, for your needs.

The post Is Your Subfloor Made From The Right Materials? first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

According to the National Safety Council:

• Over 1 million injuries occur each year as a direct result of falling down the stairs
• Falling down stairways or staircases is the second leading cause of injury, just behind motor vehicle accidents
• Over 12,000 deaths occur from accidentally falling down the stairs

If you have a two-story or multi-level home, stairs are a part of your normal routine. If the stairs are covered with the wrong material, they may be slippery and dangerous. If carpet is worn, they could be tripping hazards putting you at greater risk.

When was the last time you took a long, hard look at your stairs? Is it time to make them safer?

Start with material

The reason many people leave stairs carpeted is that it’s one of the safest materials for staircases. If you get the right carpet, it can provide safety and reduce slippage, while looking great at the same time.

Stairs are synonymous with high traffic. How many times do you go up and down each day? Multiply that by every member of your family. That makes the carpet you add to your stairs. That makes it even more important to focus on material, and ensure you select a fiber that can stand the test of time.

Carpets come in many materials. Synthetic is one of the most popular choices, and offers many benefits for covering staircases. This includes nylon, polyester, triexta, olefin, and more. Of these, nylon is a top choice to increase safety, stain resistance, and durability on stairs.

Want something more natural? Wool is always a good choice anywhere in your home, including the stairs. If you want the best of both worlds, consider a blended carpet for the stairs, one with both wool and synthetic to give durability and resilience.

Pay attention to how the carpet is made

Carpet is constructed in one of two ways: bulked continuous filament (BCF) and staple.

When you look at cut pile and loop carpets like Berber, you’re looking at BCF construction, which means an entire section of carpet is woven from one long piece of fiber. It offers more versatility because the fibers will be tighter, won’t shed, and will be more durable over time.

To make stairs safe, choose a low pile – ¾ inch or less to ensure resilience and stable grounding underfoot. It will also stand the test of time with high traffic moving up and down several times a day.

A synthetic plush style with twisted or cut pile is always a good bet. Depending on your family, Berber is also a good choice, though the short loops can be a problem with pets if they catch their nails as they travel up and down.

Rather than relying on sight alone for the height of the fiber, pay attention to the carpet density rating. This tells you the fiber thickness and how tightly the strands are woven together. Face weight will tell you the amount of fiber in ounces per square yard. In most cases, a higher face weight will give you a better quality carpet, all other things being equal. Look for a 35 ounce face weight or higher combined with a lower pile height.

You should also pay attention to the number of tufted rows per inch, which tells you how compact the pile is. The higher the number the better, which signals the carpet will handle well in high traffic situations.

Tuft twist ratings give you how many times fiber twists are in a one-inch length of carpeting. High fiber twists hold its shape longer, so select one with a five or higher rating.

When you have a good piece of carpet, select color for even more durability 

Homeowners often start by selecting color first. We recommend starting with quality, and following up with color choice. Because when you have a high quality fiber and construction, selecting the right color further enhances how well it will handle once it’s installed on your staircase.

While you may love neutral creams and beiges for the rest of your house, for a staircase, it won’t do. With high foot traffic every day, light colors will show wear quickly no matter how well you care for them.

Staying neutral is a good choice, but move to medium tones like taupe or coffee. This may be the time to look at blends of several colors to further camouflage dirt and high wear marks.

Have hardwood throughout your home and not sure about carpet on the stairs? How about a stair runner? These highly durable carpets can add durability and safety to your staircases without taking away looks. Plus, with the color choices, you can add a pop of color to your interior, bringing out your personality in any way you choose.

It’s not just about the carpet

While it’s easy to get caught up in the color and style, there’s another part of carpet selection that’s equally important to the process – choosing the right padding. What’s underneath the carpet will enhance durability and longevity as much as selecting the right carpet in the first place.

While we’re happy to help you select the right padding for your needs, be aware that for stairs, a thin, firm carpet pad will handle better than a thick, spongy one. You won’t feel the softness or bounce you do when you lay carpet into a bedroom, for instance, but it will handle better over time. Your goal is to create a stable surface that makes it safe to go up and down at all hours of the day.

Experts state that for stairs, ⅜ inch thickness should be maximum, with an 8 pound density to compliment the low profile carpet you install on the stairs. Choose a high grade – this is going to be one of the highest wear areas in your home. You can also follow manufacturer’s guidelines for the carpet you select, which usually makes recommendations for the perfect pad to use in different situations.

You can also focus on warranties. Look beyond the large numbers you see attached to the front of the samples. A manufacturer may promise a 25 year warranty, but what does that really cover? In some cases, they only cover defects for the full time period, and won’t cover normal wear and tear. Ensure you select a carpet that will leave you covered at least for the first few years you have your carpet installed.

Are you in the process of selecting carpet for the stairs? What’s the right choice for your needs?

The post The Only Guide You’ll Need To Select Carpet For Stairs first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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Updating your flooring? If so, you are likely already familiar with the extensive range of options available to you, but are you familiar with engineered wood floors? Discover the details on engineered wood floors.

No matter what room in your home you are working on, engineered wood flooring is an excellent choice. This type of flooring combines the look of solid wood floors with the durability of laminate floors. If style and quality are important to you, you will love what engineered wood floors have to offer.

There is an engineered wood floor for every budget. Some engineered wood flooring is cheaper than solid wood, while more premium options are more expensive. Depending on the look, feel, and durability you’re going for, the price can range from about $6 to $15 per square foot.

Buyers can find engineered wood flooring in several species, including tigerwood, mahogany, walnut, cherry, birch, hickory, maple, and oak. You can also find engineered wood planks in a range of sizes, thicknesses, and finishes. Whether you desire something exotic or classic, you can find the look you’re going for as you shop for engineered wood. It’s easy to find engineered wood that matches the design style of your space.

Engineered wood is more stable than solid wood, meaning it’s less likely to shift, contract, or expand when exposed to moisture and humidity. That means you can use this flooring in your bathroom or kitchen, in addition to your living room, bedroom, office, and entryway.

Shop for high-quality engineered wood floors with Flooring.org. Shop our selection online or give us a call at 1-800-689-9006 with any questions.

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

It’s hard to deny the look and functionality of a tile floor. Tile floors can be a beautiful addition to any room in your home.

But if you’ve ever had a tile floor, you understand that they aren’t a DIY flooring choice.

Traditional tile must be laid into place using mortar across the subfloor. A thin layer of mortar is dragged across the underlayment using a trowel. If done correctly, it leaves a thin layer of mortar for the tile to be securely laid into place. The mortar adheres the tile into place, while filling in any cavities between the subfloor and the tile. When dried and finished, it creates a hard surface area that can last for years.

It may work well, but there’s an art form to getting it right. DIYers may try it, but if you get it wrong, you can leave pockets of air, or uneven surface areas that can put the tile at risk for cracking and shifting.

And that means replacing it sooner than you’d like.

That’s why floating tile stands out as an improvement over traditional tile.

Floating tile requires no mortar. Instead, tiles are pre-attached to durable rubberized track bases that interlock with one another. This simplifies the installation process as there’s no need to ready the subfloor and smooth mortar into place. Once the tiles are interlocked, it creates a uniform grout line across the entire floor.

These tiles are referred to as floating tiles because they do not attach to the subfloor. They “float” over the subfloor and create a smooth flooring that looks and functions well when installed correctly.

When traditional tile is laid into place, the installer must space the tile evenly, following up with grout lines to further hold the tile in place. Cross-shaped tile spacers can help an installer create properly sized seams. These spacers are later removed as the grout is sealed into place.

With floating tiles, these spacers are already a part of the product, creating the plastic trays used to snap the tiles together and into place. The teeth snap together to create a perfect spacing between each tile.

Think floating tile may be the perfect choice for your home?

Pros and cons of floating tile floors

Like every type of flooring, there has been advancement in the industry to create the product line you’ll find in the market today. When floating tile was first introduced, many products cracked easily and separated from the bases to leave a disaster wherever it was installed. Manufacturers took what they learned, when back to the drawing board, and created a product that functions well today.

Pros

• You won’t have to mix and use mortar – one of the most difficult things about laying tile.
• You’ll have perfectly even spacing between tiles – the grout lines will be an asset to the flooring.
• Floating tile can be laid into place over a variety of subfloors, including concrete or existing products like vinyl or linoleum. As long as the floor is level, floating tile can be forgiving.
• You’ll never have a tripping hazard. If tile laid in the traditional manner isn’t put into place properly, the top edges may not always be level. The click and lock technology assures tiles are always level.

Cons

• Because floating tile is a small subsection of the tile market, you won’t find the color or pattern choices in abundance like traditional tile. If you have a specific design in mind, you might not be able to create it using floating tiles.
• Installation does require cutting the plastic backer when you fit the floating tile into place. It’s important to have the right tools for the job before starting.
• Floating tile uses a standard grout seam. You won’t be able to have wider or thinner seams.
• Floating tile is more expensive than many traditional tile choices.

Is floating tile installation for you?

What gives floating tile its edge over other products comes from its ease of installation. Some studies say floating tile can be installed as much as 75 percent faster than traditional tile.

The key to a successful installation process is ensuring your subfloor is in great shape. Floating tile hovers above the subfloor, but if the subfloor isn’t even, has bumps or imperfections, it can impact the wearability of your floor over time.

If you’re using floating tile as a DIY project, ensure you understand the job before beginning.

• Be sure to remove molding before installing so you can create a finished look once the tiles are installed.
• Establish your laying pattern before you begin. You can use a chalk line snapped to the center of the room as your starting line, or start with the longest wall away from the door. Be aware of where you’ll need to make cuts to the tile, and how it will look when completed.
• Have the proper tools on hand. You will need to cut tiles to fit them into place. Don’t attempt it with the wrong saw.
• Follow manufacturer’s guidelines and use products they recommend to complete the job.
• Seal gaps along the edges with a finishing flooring caulk.

Maintain floating tile according to manufacturer’s guidelines

While tile is one of the easiest flooring choices to maintain, it’s important to consider the product’s guidelines as you establish your weekly routine.

Cleaning spills quickly will always ensure best results. Ensure you do so with a mild floor cleaner designed for your flooring product.

Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove dirt and debris.

Mop when needed using an approved floor cleaner. Don’t just pick one up at your favorite big box store, as many of the chemical cleaners on the market today can do more harm than good. Be sure it’s gentle and won’t stain your floors. Avoid steam mops as they may damage grout lines and seep between tiles.

Is floating tile right for you?

If you would like to explore all of your flooring options, stop by today and see our complete line of floating tile.

Whether you’re looking for a DIY project, or want full service, we can help you select the right flooring for your home.

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When you decide to accent your home with a new rug, you have a lot of choices.

• How big or how small?
• Do you prefer bright colors or natural tones?
• What type of fiber do you prefer?
• Is eco-friendly important?

Stylish is a given. You want it to blend in with the rest of your decor, and showcase your individual personality.

For many homeowners looking for all that and more, they narrow their decision down to a sisal or jute rug. Natural rugs are growing in popularity because of all they have to offer. If you want green living, sisal or jute make good additions. They’re affordable, stylish, and provide neutral, earth-tone fibers that match decor in any room.

But if you’ve settled on sisal or jute, and aren’t sure which to select, we have a little advice for you. Either will make a great addition to any room, but each has its own list of pros and cons. Here’s our advice on each.

What is sisal?

Sisal is harvested from the Agave plant. While it is native to Mexico, because of its popularity, it can be harvested from many different countries around the world. Tanzania is one of the leading exporters of the Agave plant, and its fibers are used to make a variety of products, including:

• Twine
• Rope
• Macrame
• Baskets
• Mats
• Even mattresses and handbags

And of course, it’s a versatile fiber that can be used to create rugs.

Sisal began making its way into homes in the 1980s, and the design trend has continued ever since. Part of its appeal is it can be used in a casual way in the places you spend a lot of time, or change out the decor, and it instantly takes on a more sophisticated feel.

Sisal is a stiff fiber that is spun into a yarn-like fiber. Alone it has a natural white hue that makes it perfect for dying any color. It is one of the strongest fibers available, which makes it an ideal choice for high traffic areas such as hallways or entryways.

Sisal can be used alone, or combined with other fibers such as wool, to create a stunning appearance that works on both visual and functional levels. You’ll love the softness and durability if you move towards a sisal rug.

What is jute?

Jute is created from jute plants, with several different botanical varieties for different types of fiber. While cotton may be the most produced plant-based fiber, jute runs a close second. Jute creates a variety of everyday products, from burlap, bags, ropes, and canvas, to carpet, rugs, sweaters, and more. You’ll find jute out in the open and on display as often as you’ll find it in packing and agricultural uses.

If you want natural fibers, you’ll never go wrong with jute.

Like sisal, jute entered homes back when moving towards natural, earth-friendly designs became fashionable. India is currently the largest producer of jute rugs, with Bangladesh being a close second. In addition to being multipurpose, perfect for many different rooms in your home, they are also completely biodegradable, making their entire lifespan eco-friendly.

While sisal creates a stiff fiber, jute is on the other end as one of the softest fibers. It has a natural brown hue that also takes well to being dyed, yet you’ll find it just as often left in its natural shade. Although it’s soft to the touch, it’s still durable material. It looks great in a variety of places throughout your home, and can handle light traffic well.

Pros for using a sisal or jute rug in your home

As you learned more about both sisal and jute rugs, you may be gravitating towards one or the other. Here are some additional things to consider as you’re finalizing your choice.

When it comes to placing a natural fiber rug in your home, both sisal and jute can’t be beat. Sisal often in higher traffic areas, while jute makes a great addition to the lower traffic rooms in your home.

One of the biggest reasons people select sisal or jute is due to cost. Both are budget-friendly and give you the opportunity to change out your rugs on a frequent basis.

Because both sisal and jute are plant-based fibers, they are non-toxic and are a good choice if anyone in your home suffers from allergies or asthma.

Sisal and jute are both considered green products, which means they are earth-friendly from beginning to end. When you’re through using your rug, they are biodegradable and will not live for an eternity in a landfill.

Because of their weaves, sisal and jute are both relatively low maintenance. Regular vacuuming is recommended to keep dirt away from the fibers. They are both considered to be natural dehumidifiers as each fiber is naturally absorbent. This can help keep your home cool on the hottest days of the year.

Cons for using a sisal or jute rug in your home

While sisal and jute have a wide array of advantages, because they are natural fibers, they also have a few disadvantages.

Because they are good at soaking up moisture, they don’t make a good choice for bathrooms or laundry rooms. You should never wash or steam either rug because added moisture can make them prone to mildew or mold.

While the fibers are sturdy enough for both indoor and outdoor use, you should place them in covered areas when used outside. They should never be allowed to soak when there’s rain in the forecast, or if your sprinkler system gets the flooring wet.

Neither sisal nor jute is known for its soft, cozy feel. If you combine sisal with another fiber such as wool, it will improve the softness.

Both sisal and jute have many similarities. When it comes to making your final decision, many often do so by looks. Consider your choices and lay them next to one another. Natural fiber rugs hold up well in many situations. So choose based on your preferences and what style will blend well with your personality. Whichever you choose, you’ll love the effect.

The post Sisal or Jute, Which Rug Is Best For You? first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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