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Christmas is prime time when it comes to cleaning. Your friends and family coming over means you have a lot more foot traffic than normal, which could mean disaster for your flooring. Glitter from Christmas decorations, dirty shoes and possibly even snow are all culprits for creating an unclean floor in your home. 

A thorough Christmas clean is needed, and we’re here to help! This blog will help you in looking after real wood, laminate, LVT, and EvoCore flooring during the festive period. Family, friends and pets are the usual culprits for making your flooring dirty, or even causing damage in some cases.

 

Whatever your flooring type, it’s important to know what cleaning products and methods you should be using for the perfect clean. We’re going to walk you through step by step on protecting flooring, as well as tackling mess caused by a real Christmas tree. 

Preventing Damage

The first step for preparing your flooring for Christmas is always prevention. It’s always best to make sure your floor is the least vulnerable it can be, otherwise, you might be stuck trying to mend it. There are a number of different precautions and steps that can minimise the risk of damage and dirt this Christmas.

 

Shoes

Christmas time is the most dangerous time of year for flooring; there are bound to be high heels and wet shoes around your home throughout December and into the New Year.

 

Don’t be afraid to set some rules for your guests. Not letting shoes past the front door is an easy and effective way of keeping the mud out of your home. Alternatively, if you want to be a little more lenient, ask your guests to not wear high heels. High heels can seriously damage by leaving small holes, scratches and dents as they walk across your flooring. 

 

Use a shoe rack for your guests when they take off their shoes. This keeps things organised and prevents your front door from being cluttered with shoes. If you want to be a little more subtle about your no-shoes policy, try a festive-themed sign that gives your guests a gentle reminder your home is a shoe-free zone!

 

Moisture and dirt

If you’re worried about moisture or grime finding its way into your flooring, joint protector is a great way of protecting it. Joint protector is a water-based sealant that works as a waterproof protective layer for the joins between your planks, which increases the lifespan of your flooring. This is perfect for keeping those outside elements from making their way in, and can really come in handy if you’re expecting a lot of guests. Additionally, the joint sealant is completely odourless and transparent.

 

Cover your floor

To prevent any scratches or bumps from appearing on your flooring, something as simple as covering certain problem areas of your floor with a protective film can make this less of a worry. While it may not work to cover your entire floor, this works well in doorways where dirt is more likely to be an issue. This is a very common hack that a lot of people do for parties or get-togethers. It’s cheap and easy, so give it a try.

 

If you’d rather keep with the aesthetics of your home, using a large floor mat of your choice will look stylish and inconspicuous. Make sure to look for a nice thick mat for the best results.

 

Vacuum regularly

Make sure to vacuum your flooring throughout the day. This removes any chunks of dirt, litter, or any sharp objects that come off your tree. Keeping your flooring clean removes the chance of any sharp objects scratching the surface of your wood, laminate, or LVT, as well as preventing any liquids from setting into your flooring.

 

Preventing furniture damage

At Christmas time, it’s likely your furniture will be moved around to accommodate guests at parties. It’s the same when finding the spare chairs to squeeze everyone around the table. Using furniture pads protects floors from unsightly scratches while you chop and change your home’s layout for the festive celebrations. Furniture pads apply easily to the legs of your furniture, and allow them to glide easily without causing damage to your floor.

 

So, now we’ve focused on preventing damage, let’s move onto keeping your flooring clean and how to deal with dirt in your home this Christmas.

Real Christmas Trees

Real Christmas trees are a different beast compared to the fake trees you commonly see.

 

Before you bring your tree inside, make sure to give it a good shake to get rid off all the loose pine and dirt that may be on it; this means there will be less of a cleaning job in the long run.

 

If you are able to, be sure to water your tree regularly. Keeping your tree regularly hydrated will make it shed less of its pine leaves, therefore causing less of a mess for you to clean up.

 

 

 

Pine leaves on a real Christmas tree have a tendency to fall off and be a real nuisance.

To keep on top of things, it’s best to remove any loose debris or grit that may have fallen off the tree. We recommend using a vacuum with a brush attachment to get rid of any pine leaves or muck. 

 

If you’re struggling to keep on top of that regular vacuuming, using a decorative blanket to cover the floor from the tree is a great option. The blanket will look right at home while simultaneously protecting your flooring from any pine leaves or dirt.

 

When removing your tree, lay some spare blankets or sheets across the path that you plan to take your tree through. This will catch any last bits of debris that might fall off, saving the job of vacuuming up the mess after.

Use the Right Cleaning Equipment

Our Impero Elite Wood Flooring Kit professionally cleans and protects your wood flooring, restoring solid and engineered wood back to life. The advanced spray mop mechanism results in only a small amount of water being used, which is very beneficial for your flooring, as a high amount of water may cause long-term damage.

 

Our Impero cleaning kit includes: 

•         1 x Spray Mop
•         4 x Microfibre Cloths 
•         1 x Universal Floor Cleaner: 1L
•         1 x Reviving Wax for Wood Flooring: 1L
•         1 x Graduated Measuring Cap
•         1 x Detachable Cleansing Brush
•         1 x Instructions & Assembly Guide
•         1 x Wood Flooring Care & Maintenance Guide

 

For Laminate, LVT, and EvoCore flooring, we recommend using our Impero All-In-One Cleaning Kit. This floor cleaning kit is suited to all types of flooring and offers a professional, thorough clean. This cleaning kit also does a very effective job of removing greasy marks off your flooring. 

 

Included in the Impero All-In-One Cleaning Kit is:

• 1 x Spray Mop & Bottle
• 2 x Machine Washable Microfibre Cloths
• 1 x Litre of Concentrate Floor Cleaner
• 1 x Measuring Cup
• 1 x Brush

 

This cleaning kit does a very effective job of keeping your flooring clean and stain-free for long periods. This makes that post-cleaning session much more bearable.

Cleaning Your Flooring

Real Wood, Engineered Wood, and Parquet

For any kind of solid wood, engineered wood and parquet, the cleaning process is the same.

 

We recommend our Impero Elite Wood Flooring Kit. Firstly, use a microfibre cloth to remove any dust before cleaning. This kit is fantastic at dealing with stains and marks that may accumulate during Christmas time. Our kit uses a small amount of water as to not damage or warp the wood during cleaning. This results in an equally clean flooring. What’s more, our Reviving Wax is included in the kit and will help minimise the appearance of any damage and help to further protect your flooring. 

 

When cleaning your wood floor, it is vital that you do not use high amounts of water. Wood absorbs moisture, and the moisture can cause the wood to lift, warp, and in some extreme cases, the wood can even crack. Therefore it is highly recommended that you don’t use a lot of water, for your flooring’s sake!

 

Laminate

A Christmas clean of your laminate flooring is fairly simple and doesn’t differ from regular cleaning. Simply brush off any large bits of debris and mop the surface down with a slightly damp mop (although we recommend a flat-headed spray mop instead). For those slightly tougher stains, scrub the surface with a slightly damp cloth and some floor cleaner.

 

LVT

LVT is very easy to clean and requires little more than a sweeping brush and a mop. This particular type of flooring is water-resistant and offers great durability, which are both great features for flooring, especially during Christmas time. 

 

To clean LVT, Simply get rid of any large pieces of dirt and debris using a sweeping brush and mop. For tougher stains, similar to laminate, use a cloth and some floor cleaner and the stain should come right off.

 

EvoCore

Our EvoCore flooring is extremely durable and hard-wearing, this coupled with the addition of a completely waterproof surface means that you can clean this flooring extremely thoroughly if needed. 

 

Cleaning Evocore flooring is simple: sweep away any large pieces of debris, this is followed by a thorough mop down. 

 

For laminate, LVT and EvoCore, our All-in-One Cleaning Kit contains a spray mop and floor cleaner, perfect for any flooring type. 

 

What to Avoid

Wood Flooring

For any kind of wood-based flooring, as mentioned previously, it’s important to avoid water. If your wood flooring is exposed to a high amount of moisture, the flooring can curl, warp, or crack. Also, be sure to avoid any kind of DIY cleaning liquids that you may find guides on. Any kind of DIY cleaning product can damage your floor if you aren’t careful. As previously mentioned, it’s also important to avoid anything that can cause a bump or scratch on your wood floor.

 

Heating is used more regularly for the winter months, so it’s important to be mindful of not using the heating constantly. The constant heat can actually dry out your wood flooring and cause shrinking and cracks in some extreme circumstances. 

 

If you’re worried your floor may be drying out, there are ways to treat it. Keep a close eye on the humidity of your home; the air will be drier during the winter months, which means it’s worth using a humidifier. Be sure to introduce moisture into the air, not the flooring. For a simple fix, Close your curtains in the room with the flooring you want to keep from getting dry.

 

Laminate & LVT

As for laminate and LVT, be sure to not use excessive water on the surface when attempting to remove stains. Using anything abrasive on your laminate or LVT will create marks and scratches, so be sure to avoid this too. It’s also worth being mindful of not using soap-based polishes or detergents. Using soap-based detergents or polishes can leave a dull film on the laminate. This can lead to the need to replace your flooring if you don’t take the appropriate cleaning approach.

 

Although EvoCore Flooring is extremely durable, be sure to not use anything abrasive to remove stains. Constant heavy use of an abrasive object to clean the floor, such as steel wool, will eventually create unsightly scuff marks.

Prevent Future Damage

Preventing any future damage is as important as protecting and cleaning your floor. Our Impero Elite Reviving Wax provides optimum protection for your flooring. It creates a protective layer that will prevent any wear and tear from appearing on your flooring, and revives your floor and further protects it from any future damage. Perfect for once the festivities have ended!

 

Using Felt Adhesive Pads is a simple and effective way of protecting your flooring from abrasive damage. Place the pads on the contact points that your furniture or decor makes with your floor. This helps massively with preventing any scuffs or scratching, especially if you will have chairs and other furniture moving around your home. 

 

If you’d rather not use felt adhesive pads, placing a blanket or rug underneath your tables and chairs can do an effective job at protecting your flooring. Using a rug or blanket that matches your décor will make it more seamless, so you don’t need to worry about sacrificing your aesthetic.

Fix Any Damages

Fixing damaged wood and laminate flooring can be made much easier with our Floor Repair Kits. We offer many different colour variations to suit the shade of your flooring. These include:

 

• Grey
• Dark Wood
• Light Wood 
• Medium Wood

 

Simply give your flooring a clean down with a cloth and a small amount of water before using our kit. It works by filling in small sections of damage with colour-matched wax, and works on solid and engineered wood as well as laminate floors. 

 

For more serious damage, which is sometimes unavoidable, you may need to sand and refinish your floor. Note however, this is only for solid and engineered wood – if you have laminate, you can repair or replace laminate planks fairly easily. Sanding down the surface of your flooring and adding any range of our Osmo Oils can get the job done and makes your flooring look brand new. Sanding down the surface of your wood flooring can also open up new possibilities different shades.

We recommend you add 10% of the flooring onto the amount of LVT and laminate you buy. This extra amount of flooring accounts for any tiles that have been wasted during fitting. The extra flooring can also account for any damage that a tile may receive and needs replacing.

Conclusion

After these useful tips, your annual Christmas cleaning panic should be a little less stressful. Small and helpful tips can go a long way, especially when some problems can be so regular. These tips may even come in handy once the festive period is over

The post Christmas Clean: Protect Your Flooring This Christmas appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

If you’re a trend-setter, always ahead of the curve, The Carpet Guys want to share with you the Color of the Year for 2020.  We have compiled several decorating inspirations for you to progress into the coming decade.

Pantone Color of the Year 2020

Pantone is the expert in all thing’s “color”.  Each year, industries around the world anxiously await the color that will be picked to be Pantone’s color choice.  Due to international uncertainty, coming political changes, and a constant feeling of instability, Pantone chose a color that epitomizes calm, connectedness and security.  Classic Blue! Best communicated in “Pantone chooses a classic for its 2020 Color of the Year” blog, by Kirsi Goldynia of CNN, New York:

Expect to see plenty of Classic Blue elements in fashion, paper products, flooring, and household goods.

Certainly, you can stylize your home to include the feelings that Classic Blue invokes, try these simple tips:

Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2020

Because paint and flooring are staples to any home renovation, we wanted to include Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year “First Light,” a soft blush that is light and airy.  According to Benjamin Moore regarding their Color Trends 2020 palette, “…delivers modern paint color pairings that combine optimism with understatement, a timeless way to lighten up.”  Another company trying to invoke peace of mind for the coming year.

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The Carpet Guys can enhance your flooring to go with these beautiful, new color schemes.  Check out our other 2020 Trends in Flooring blog for more inspiration. Of course, our experienced Design Consultants have appointments 7 days a week and in the evenings.  We will come to your home to accommodate your busy schedule.  Be Wise, Call The Carpet Guys at 855-4-MY-GUYS (855-469-4897) or fill out our Free In-Home Estimate form.

The post Color of the Year 2020 appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

When you’re ready to take on a remodeling project in your home, it’s easy to get lost in design. After all, that’s the fun part. Picking out colors, styles, patterns, and materials are things you can touch and feel.

But once your new flooring is installed, that’s where the problems begin if you cut corners in the wrong places. Cutting corners can mean different things. It can mean buying inferior products. It can mean selecting something based on price alone. It can mean turning your tiling project into a do-it-yourself project, even when you know you don’t have the skill.

In fact, according to one recent survey, after surveying over 2,000 Americans that have attempted DIY projects, floor tile installation was the most regretted project of all.

Why? Because it can be much more complicated than it seems. You need the right skills and tools, something most homeowners just don’t have. And that can lead to big problems.

If a tile is misplaced, for instance, it can throw the entire project off. It has a ripple effect on the rest of the project. In many cases, the only way to fix an error is to rip up the entire flooring and start all over again.

Want it done the right way the first time? Hire a tile contractor to ensure the flooring is installed the right way. While it’s a good idea even with a simple project, where tile is lined up in a relatively square room, it’s an even better decision to hire as the job becomes more complicated. Looking for an intricate pattern? Want special edging? Have a living space that is anything but square? Hire a tile contractor and know it’s installed correctly.

So how do you find a good tiling contractor? How do you know they’ll do a good job? Consider these five things as you make your final selection.

Start with experience

No matter how big or small your remodeling project is, cost matters. You only have so much funding budgeted for your project. The more you can save in certain areas, the more you can spend on others.

Resist the urge to cut on the most critical projects, like flooring. Your flooring is the base for your entire room design. Imagine carpet that wears quickly, or hardwood that buckles or warps. Instead of being proud to show off your room, you’ll have to spend time and money correcting the problem to make it livable again.

Don’t hire the handyman who tells you he’s tiled a floor several years before. Don’t rely on your next door neighbor who’s trying to earn a few extra bucks. You’ll never save money when you have to repair problems almost as soon as the flooring has been laid.

Ask about experience. Ask to see referrals. Focus on finding someone who’s laid tile in rooms similar to your own. If you want an intricate design, for example, ensure they can show you photographs that show off their artistic abilities.

Talk with professionals

When people are already in the business, they know other people who have skills and talents in doing what you want them to do. Don’t be afraid to ask contractors, architects, designers, and even our own sales staff for recommendations. We have experience working with professionals, and know who is the most qualified for the job you’ll be hiring for. We’ll give you the people we trust enough to recommend on a regular basis.

Also, ensure you look for the right contractor for the job. Tile laid in residential is different than commercial environments. And while laying tile is somewhat similar, commercial tile will need more wearability overall. Commercial tile installation is a growing field because of the demand.

Ensure contractor is properly licensed

If everything goes right with the job, licensing and warranties might not matter. But without them, you could face many problems in the future. Always ask about certification, incensing, and if they have current insurance. A reputable contractor will always be happy to share the information. One who is less than reliable will give you reasons why it’s not important.

Also, look for membership to professional organizations such as the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA). This tells you that the contractor is in business for the long haul, and cares about the image he displays to his prospects and customers.

You can also ask about training. Have they trained through organizations like the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF)? Organizations like this provide their own certification programs to ensure students have the proper training and are equipped with the latest techniques using today’s technology. It’s the best way you have to ensure you’ll receive service that will last.

Ask questions

The hiring process should never be one sided – don’t let a contractor do all the talking. By asking questions, you can start to determine just how knowledgeable a contractor really is. Key questions should include:

• How do you determine how much tile the project needs?
• How long will the project take?
• Who will be working on the project?
• Are they all properly trained?
• Have you ever worked on projects like this before?

Be specific. Remember, no question is ever too dumb. You don’t have new flooring installed every day. It benefits you to fully understand the project long before the contractor steps foot into your home. Ask your questions, then ask some more. It’s the only way you’ll ensure you get the right flooring you’ll enjoy for many years to come.

Ask to see pictures

Many people will tell you to ask for recommendations. And while it is a good idea to talk with people that have used a contractor’s services before, there could be a world of difference between their project and your own.

When you ask to see pictures of final projects, you can determine skill level and how well they perform. Don’t look at it for the big picture, ask to see details too. Look for tiles evenly spaced, and finishing work to complete the look. Pay attention to how tiles are cut all the way around the room. A good tile contractor knows how to handle every situation. They know how to make a room look good, and how to finish a job for an elegant look.

When in doubt, go with your gut. Don’t trust just anyone; look for someone who will do a good job for you. Your flooring can last years – decades if done right. When you hire the right tile contractor, you’ll be ensured you’ll get the very best service, and the job will be done the right way the first time.

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

If you are remodeling or renovating your home on your own, there are several projects you will have to tackle. One of the most important steps is installing hardwood floors. Learn how to install hardwood flooring by reading on.

The first step in installing hardwood floors is gathering the proper materials. You will need a pneumatic flooring stapler, an air compressor with a 15-foot hose (or longer), a 6-pound rubber mallet, a claw hammer, brad nailer, tape measure, miter saw, table saw, jigsaw, straight edge, chalk line, speed square, angle finder, pencil, sheet plastic, moisture retarder paper, a hand stapler, utility knife, wood glue, matching wood putty, hardwood flooring adhesive, a trowel, concrete moisture vapor barrier, tapping blocks, adhesive remover, rags, and a nail punch. You may have several of these tools laying around if you’re working on a remodeling project. If not, you can easily rent or buy these materials at a local hardware store.

Once you’ve gathered everything you need, you need to prepare the subfloor for wood flooring installation. Prepping the floor is one of the most important steps because failure to do so can result in uneven spots and loose boards. If your subfloor is concrete, you will need to sand areas that are risen too high. You will also need to fill spaces that are too low. If your subfloors are wooden, tighten down high spots with screws or sand these spots. Low spots will need to be filled with spare wood or paper.

Next, lay your underlayment. Put down your vapor barrier or padding. Depending on the product you have, you will either need to nail, glue, or simply lay down the underlayment. Overlap the pieces to be sure there are no gaps.

Finally, it’s time to install your floors! Each floor is unique, so be sure to take it one board at a time. Using a chalk line can help you plan everything out before laying your boards down. Be sure to use your tape measure to make sure your boards are even.

Now that you know how to lay floorboards, you’re ready to visit flooring.org! Check out our inventory to find the perfect flooring for your home. If you have any questions, please give us a call at 800-689-9006.

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

All types of hardwood floor are extremely easy to look after and keep clean. We often get asked, ‘What is the easiest way to clean my hardwood floor?’.  Especially from people with a new hardwood floor. Once it has been installed, you will want to keep your floor looking fresh and new. Read More

Now that you have your appointment set up, you can expect Step 4 – the installation call. The Carpet Guys want to break down the process for 10 Easy Steps to New Flooring and this is Step 4 in detail.

It’s early in the morning.  The sun isn’t even breaking on the horizon. Most people are still snuggled in bed, under the covers.  But our warehouse crew has already arrived, put the coffee on, and are unplugging the forklifts from the charging stations.  All carpet or sheet vinyl cuts are complete.  Boxes of laminate, hardwood or LVP/LVT are on pallets and ready to be acclimated to your home.  Our dispatcher has printed out every work order and has coffee in hand as she turns the space heater on in her office.  When that first installers van rolls into the warehouse at 7am, we are ready to roll!

The installer arrives and receives their scheduled work
orders from our dispatcher.  She has
already coordinated how many installations can be scheduled for that day.  This is dependent on many factors:

• How many square feet of product will be installed
• Which product is being installed
• If the space for installation is a simple square or has many cuts and objects to contend with
• Is there furniture to move and how much
• If the installer is pulling out an old floor or laying overtop
• How many assistants the installer has on their crew or if they work alone

Coverage Area

The installation crew knows who the customer is and where
they are going for their installation, based on their paperwork.  The Carpet Guys currently cover southeast
Michigan.  We go as far north as
Interstate 69 and west as U.S.-127.  This
includes locations like:

• Memphis
• Fowlerville
• Manchester
• Milan
• Flat Rock

Once the crew knows where they are going, they load your specific flooring into their van.  They check the work order for any transitions, seam tape, or other tools they may need to load before leaving.  This is when they pull out of the warehouse and make the call to the customer.

Installation is on the Way

When scheduled, you’re given a day for your installation.  It is difficult to be exact about the arrival time since it depends on factors outside of our control.  How far the home is from our warehouse? What the weather and driving conditions are for the day?  If you’re scheduled in the afternoon, the installer may have encountered difficulties during his morning job.  This could push the arrival time out a bit further than expected.  Rest assured that our professional installers will work from 7am to 7pm to make sure every aspect of your installation meets your highest expectations!

So, if you need carpet in Ann Arbor or laminate in Detroit, Be Wise, Call The Carpet Guys!  We handle all your flooring needs.  855-4-MY-GUYS (855-469-4897) or fill out our Free In-Home Estimate form and one of our specialized Design Consultants will come to your home.

The post Step 4 – Installation Call appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

When you’re ready to start a home remodel, most people start with the floors. Your flooring choice sets the stage for all of your home decorating ideas. Hardwood provides a different air than carpet, while tile takes it in an entirely different direction.

If you’re looking for a flooring choice that’s as durable as it is beautiful, you can’t ignore porcelain tile. Though it’s made from similar materials as ceramic tile, they are, in general, considered more durable and better made. Of course, like every flooring choice, porcelain tiles have their benefits and downsides; only you can decide if they are the right choice for your home improvement project.

What is porcelain tile?

Before we get into the pros and cons of porcelain tile, it’s important to understand what porcelain tile is. Porcelain tile is created from a very dense clay that is fired at higher temperatures than standard ceramic tiles (2000 degrees Fahrenheit and higher.)

This process removes nearly all of the water, creating a highly uniform in construction, non-porous product. This makes it a better flooring choice in rooms that can fluctuate greatly in temperature, or in areas where you choose to integrate radiant heating into your area.

Porcelain tile is denser and harder than many other building products, including ceramic tile. Many can withstand freezing temperatures, making it perfect for indoor/outdoor living. Unless they have a polished finish, they are also slip-resistant.

What are the benefits of porcelain tile?

We find a lot of people come in with a couple of predetermined beliefs about porcelain tile, and are leary of using them in their home.

• They think they’re cold
• They think they’re more expensive than other options

Both are relative. Porcelain tile can be cold to the touch. It’s also one of the best choices for use with radiant heating. Porcelain tile is more expensive than other choices. But it’s also a flooring product that can last for decades if well cared for. That can make the higher price tag worth it when you know your flooring will last for years. Of course, there are many other reasons you should take a look at porcelain tile.

Wearability

Some flooring choices can be accidents waiting to happen. The first glass of wine knocked onto a light colored carpet, for example, can quite literally take your breath away.

You won’t have that if you install porcelain tile. It’s highly resistant to wear, and tends to last longer than a standard ceramic tile does. That’s because of the way porcelain tile is designed. It’s denser, has fewer air pockets, and is more uniform in consistency. It’s harder and thicker than other tile formats.

Because they do last for so long, they aren’t just a great choice for homes, but also for busy commercial locations. If you have an office space where you meet clients regularly, porcelain tile may be the perfect choice for years of wearability. Of course, what makes it good for lots of foot traffic, also makes it great for wearing well with pets. They’re less prone to breaking, scratching, and can’t be dented.

Low maintenance

What good is a new floor if you can’t sustain your normal lifestyle out of fear you’ll spill and stain it? No worries with porcelain tile. Porcelain tile looks great, they’re tough, and they’re easy to maintain.

Because of their hard surface area, they don’t need special sealants to keep out moisture like other tile choices do. They’re easy to clean – just water and a mild detergent will keep them looking their best. That’s why you’ll see them being used in the most difficult rooms in a home – like your kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, entryways, or basement. Keep in mind they aren’t completely waterproof, but resist water enough that if you clean up messes quickly, they won’t be harmed.

Great in high traffic areas

After reading about the other benefits, you’ve probably determined porcelain tiles would be great in high traffic areas. You’re correct. That’s what also makes porcelain tile in-demand for business use.

No matter how much you dish out, they deliver. They don’t scuff, break, or wear down easily. They repel moisture and are easy to clean. What else do you want in a floor?

Whether you have a family that is always coming and going, or like to throw dinner parties every weekend, you’re going to love the look and durability of porcelain tile. It holds up to the use and abuse any family member can dish out.

Beautiful

One of the biggest reasons to consider porcelain tile is their looks. They come in a full spectrum of appearances, and add aesthetics to any room in your home. No matter what your taste or personality, there is a porcelain tile waiting for you.

Even better, porcelain tile can take on the look of many other products. Want to lay a flooring that gives the appearance of marble, granite, hardwood, or even limestone, but is more durable and easy to care for? Porcelain tile can create those looks. And in many cases, by comparison, using porcelain tile instead will give you a more cost effective way of installing new floors. If you haven’t looked at porcelain tile lately, it’s time you did.

Let’s talk about the disadvantages

There are always two sides to every discussion. And while porcelain tile is the right choice for many, it does bring its own disadvantages to the table too.

They are difficult to install. This isn’t a do-it-yourself project unless you have a lot of experience laying porcelain tile. It’s more difficult to lay into place, hard to cut, and even harder to create the perfect layout that will wear well throughout your home.

It’s heavier than other flooring choices. And while that’s what makes them more durable, it can make it more problematic in certain homes. If you want to lay it in a second floor bathroom, for instance, you have to be sure your home can sustain the added weight.

It’s more difficult to repair. Once a tile is broken, you’ll have to replace it with a new tile. That means you’ll have to order multiple extra tiles and keep them on hand. You’ll also have to have a professional come in to replace it and ensure it looks good with the rest of your flooring.

And as we already mentioned, it’s costlier than other flooring choices. If you’re on a pretty tight budget, the price can be a sticker shock. Don’t forget it’s not just the material price; you also have to plan for installation, and possibly subfloor upgrades to ensure your porcelain tile is laid perfectly into place.

Is porcelain tile the right choice for your home?

We love porcelain tile. It can be a great choice, depending on your needs.

If you’re attracted to porcelain tile and think it would be a great addition to your home, why not stop by and look at our full line and selection? We think you’re going to fall in love with porcelain tile as much as we have. You’ll love what it can do for your home.

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Engineered wood flooring is a great alternative to real wood flooring, in terms of both price and practicality. In addition, engineered wood can offer more variety in styles and colours.

In this blog, we’ll cover the different styles of engineered wood flooring, as well as the species of wood, the different plank widths available, varying thicknesses and finishes. Using our advice, you will be able to find the perfect wood for you.

What is engineered wood flooring?

While solid wood is made from one piece, engineered wood flooring is made up of a combination of different layers:

• A bottom layer; this layer is used as a supportive backing to the rest of the flooring.
• A central layer; usually consisting of plywood, this makes up a large portion of the flooring.
• A top layer; this layer is made of hardwood veneer and is what is shown when the flooring is installed. 

The benefits of engineered wood flooring

Firstly, engineered wood flooring is very affordable. While engineered wood uses less real wood compared to the real thing, it has a very authentic wood look and feel at a much friendlier price.

 

Engineered wood flooring is also extremely durable. The multiple layers of plywood, coupled with a protective surface, makes for a highly resistant choice for high-traffic areas of your home and is a great benefit to having engineered wood flooring in your home.

 

You will be able to find very similar, if not identical, engineered wood flooring styles when comparing to solid wood flooring. This is because the surface layer of engineered wood flooring is a real wood veneer. The wood grains and patterns, as well as stains and colours, create a truly authentic look and feel to your flooring.

 

You can also sand down the veneer on the surface, which can then be refinished to your desirable stain. This can be done a number of times during your flooring’s lifespan, which makes it a very long-lasting option. 

 

If you’re looking at laying your flooring in a kitchen, engineered wood is an ideal choice. Engineered wood is extremely strong and durable, which means it won’t flex or change shape from the changing temperatures or moisture in your kitchen. This means it’s also compatible with underfloor heating.

 

In fact, engineered wood flooring is a great option for almost any room. Its durability and strength make it a top candidate for busy family homes. The ranges available also mean you don’t need to compromise looks for practicality.

Colours

Here at Direct Wood Flooring, we offer a range of engineered flooring styles, these include black, grey, white, brown, golden and natural colours as options for our engineered wood flooring.

 

Our selection of golden engineered wood flooring goes with both modern and traditional interiors, it also fits into more rustic interiors. additionally, this can fit in well with the “farmhouse” style that’s so popular right now.

 

Grey engineered wood flooring is one of our most popular engineered wood flooring styles. It goes very well with similarly grey interiors, while white or light-coloured walls help complement a contemporary interior. 

 

White engineered wood flooring complements pastel-coloured walls and makes the most of natural light, as the bright tone reflects the light around your interior effectively.

 

Natural engineered wood flooring is very versatile and can go with anything. It’s timeless, yet trendy appearance makes for great all-round colour and tone, whether you want to keep it traditional or go for something more contemporary.

 

Brown and black engineered wood flooring go hand in hand, as both colours compliment lightly coloured walls and furniture. You can spice up your interior even further by adding dark highlights to your furniture. 

 

Shades

As well as a variety of colours, we also offer different shades to suit the exact engineered wood flooring styles that you’re after.

 

Our various options of light engineered flooring make the most out of the natural sunlight that makes its way into your home, creating a welcoming atmosphere. This type of flooring is available in a wide variety of colours. 

 

Although many people see grey as a fairly dark option for flooring, we offer a range of lighter grey options that couple great with modern interiors.

 

Our range of medium engineered wood flooring styles offer a similar versatility to the natural colour range we offer. The neutral shade, coupled with dark wood grains and knots, means that this range can fit into both light and dark interiors. Natural coloured flooring is always a great option for any interior. Our ranges of medium, natural shades offer that classic wood flooring look.

 

Dark shaded engineered wood offers a rustic, warm tone. Dark engineered wood flooring brings out the colour in lightly coloured interiors, or for a little less contrast they’re just as at home in homes with a darker colour scheme. Our range of colours within our dark engineered wood range all offer a high quality, each having their own different aesthetic appeals.

 Styles

Our engineered flooring styles offer a wide selection of designs:

 

Herringbone flooring is an extremely popular choice among other engineered wood flooring styles; the layout design achieves a timeless look. The angled planks create a beautiful pattern, aptly named after the bones of herringbone fish, which you can pair with a modern or classic interior. A huge selection of colours and shades to choose from means you can add your own personal preference to a beautiful design.

 

Distressed wood is also a popular choice when it comes to engineered wood flooring styles. This specific style offers a rustic, raw appearance, perfect for both modern and classic interiors. We offer this type of engineered wood in a range of different shades and colours, so you can find the flooring that suits you best.

 

If you’re wanting a flooring that’s all your own, look no further than our unfinished engineered flooring styles. As the name implies, this particular type of flooring is completely unfinished, this means you can stain this flooring with your desired oils. We offer a wide selection of Osmo oils, to create different shades for your flooring. 

Plank width

Engineered wood comes in different widths. The width you choose comes down to personal preference the different thicknesses of planks can offer different visual effects.

 

Standard width engineered wood flooring offers the classic flooring look. The width of each plank will be around 130mm. If you are looking for the simple, go-to width, standard is a great choice.

 

Narrow width engineered flooring styles are great for making your room look bigger. The small width of each plank results in a higher number of joins which cover the surface of the floor. This creates an elongated, linear look. Narrow boards are commonly found in a herringbone design. Narrow flooring is usually around 90mm in width.

 

Wide width engineered wood flooring works great in big rooms, making the room appear smaller and cosier. Wider flooring results in a smaller amount of joins in each plank, which gives the illusion that the room appears smaller. Wide engineered wood flooring is usually around 190mm in width.

 

Extra-wide engineered wood flooring is our widest variant, ranging between 220mm and 300mm in width. These planks work very well with large rooms, similar to wide width floors. Our ranges of different colours and shades make this a great option for versatility in terms of style.

 

Engineered woods commonly start off at a standard width of 120mm, however, we offer a narrow plank width witch comes in a herringbone style.

Wood species

Engineered wood flooring can come in a wide variety of different species. The species refers to the solid wood veneer which creates the design of the flooring. Two of the most popular are oak and walnut.

Oak is our most popular and common choice. This species of flooring is widely available due to its popularity and quality. Our oak is sustainably sourced, strong and resilient. Oak provides a very attractive natural grain which is great for flooring. Additionally, oak is very easy to sand down and re-stain, so you can change your flooring to whatever shade or colour you like using one of our Osmo Oils. If you’re looking for a classic wood look and feel, oak is a great choice. 

Our other option is walnut. This particular wood species is of high quality while remaining budget-friendly and easy to find. Our walnut is also sustainably sourced. Walnut flooring is considered a classic choice as it has been used for centuries, similar to oak. Walnut flooring is also excellent at absorbing shock and reducing noise levels in your home.

Different finishes

The different finishes that you can find on engineered wood flooring alter both the look and feel of the flooring. It’s important to know the difference between them so you can choose the right flooring for your needs.

 

Brushed and Oiled flooring means that the flooring has been lightly brushed to expose more of the natural qualities of the surface. It is then layered with coats of oil to protect the wood from daily use.

 

Unfinished Flooring simply means the wood has not been touched in any way with any kind of oil. The surface can be sanded and stained with an oil of your choice to create a unique style.

 

Brushed and Lacquered floors have been lightly brushed to expose some natural quality of the wood surface, then a thin resin is applied over the surface. This resin allows for the woods natural grains and knots to be defined while being protected from regular wear and tear.

 

Oiled floors have been lightly covered in layers of oil, this oil helps protect the surface from daily use. The protective oil is effective and can come in a different range of colours and shades. A clear oil is also used if you want a natural look to your floor.

 

Lacquered floors have been covered in a thin, protective resin. This resin defines the woods natural grains and textures, while simultaneously acting as a great protective layer to keep the flooring in good condition against daily use.

Thickness

Choosing a thin or thick Engineered wood is down to personal preference as well as practicality. In order to choose the thickness that suits you, it’s important to know the differences. The overall thickness of an engineered wood plank refers to the entire plank, including the layers and veneer.  A thicker wood plank results in thicker layers and a thicker veneer

 

10mm is the thinnest thickness that we offer, the veneer surface, as well as the plywood layers would be a little thinner compared to the thicker options, but still offers a similar amount of strength. This is no problem for low traffic areas of your home such as guest bedrooms. However, we suggest going for thicker, more durable engineered wood for other rooms.

 

14mm flooring offers more versatility in terms of practicality and strength. You Can place 14mm flooring in areas with higher traffic, such as kitchens and living rooms.

 

15mm flooring, although just a millimetre thicker, offers more durability overall. Similar to 14mm flooring, you can place 15mm flooring in high-traffic areas of your home, due to its added strength.

 

18mm thickness is considerably more dense and resistant, with a larger amount of material. Wood this thick is a great choice for commercial areas, as the density and thickness of the plank offers a high amount of resistance to wear and tear.  

 

20mm is the thickest option that we offer. This particular thickness makes for a thick, strong plank. The strength and thickness of 20mm flooring means subfloors are not a necessary requirement, unless the floor it is being laid on is uneven.

Although there are many different engineered wood flooring styles, colours, widths and thicknesses, the process can be made a lot easier when you know exactly what you’re after. We hope you’ve gained a little more knowledge of the different options that we offer, and remember, you can order your free samples and take a closer look at our engineered wood flooring.

The post Engineered Wood Flooring Styles appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

If you have chosen Oak flooring, you may want to think about which solid oak wood trims you may need to finish your flooring.  All of our Oak trims are made from solid Oak.  They will match and complement any choice of engineered or solid natural Oak flooring. Read More

With over 30 years of experience in the flooring industry, The Carpet Guys want to share how carpet is made.  Check out this simple, informational blog to help you understand the process.

Creating the Fibers

First, the fibers made.  Nylon and/or polyester pellets are melted and smoothed out. The synthetic fibers go through several machines to straighten them, gather them into neat rows, and create large bands.

These bands are combined and stretched to create a thread.  Next, these threads are rolled onto spools.  Two threads are twisted to create one stronger, thicker thread. Then, two of those threads are twisted together to make a 2-ply yarn.  This 2-ply yarn goes through a heat-setting machine to ensure it doesn’t come untwisted.

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Tufting

After the 2-ply yarn is set, 1440 spools of yarn are used to create a standard-sized roll of carpet.  The yarn feeds into the tufting machine through plastic tubes.  These tubes deliver the yarn to 1440 tufting needles.  At last, the tufting needles push the yarn through a canvas-type backing to produce a loop. Cut loops are “plush” carpet. Un-cut, it’s a “loop” style, like Berber.

Dyeing

Following the production of the base, they dye the carpet.  Also called piece-dyeing, there are a few different methods.

• For intricate designs, a “printer-like” machine forces streams of dye onto the fibers of the carpet.
• Or they soak the carpet in a dye bath at approximately 100 degrees Celsius for four hours.
• Another dying option is using an autoclave.  This machine uses heat and pressure to dye the fibers in a fraction of the time it takes with other methods.

In contrast to piece-dyeing is solution-dyeing. This is when the dye is added to melted polyester or nylon pellets.  For that reason, the color goes all the way through the fiber, rather than just on top.

To learn more about dyeing, check out our other blog The Carrot and Radish Diagram

Adding the Backing

Finally, they add the carpet backing.  Water-Based glue is applied to the back of the canvas, “marrying” the glue and canvas in a special machine.  This lock’s the carpet fibers in place.  The machine evaporates the water in the glue so the carpet can be rolled and cut.

The Carpet Guys Get Factory-Direct Pricing

The Carpet Guys order straight from the manufacturer.  As a result, we get a bigger discount.  In addition, we can offer our customers next-day installation from our stocked warehouse.  In order to get carpet at discount prices, Be Wise, Call The Carpet Guys at 855-4-MY-GUYS (855-469-4897) or fill out our Free In-Home Estimate form.

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