Should You Invest In Extra Flooring?

When you install new flooring, the inevitable will happen. You’ll drop a heavy pan and put a dent in the wood. You’ll move furniture and scrape the surface of your vinyl floors. You’ll drop red wine on your light carpet.

You’ll either be grateful you invested in extra flooring. Or you’ll cringe inside knowing you’re one step closer to replacing your flooring.

To save yourself the feeling of dread, as you’re finalizing your decision on what flooring to install, plan ahead and purchase extra flooring to have on hand for when you need it.

Buying extra flooring is a smart decision

Rarely is a room perfectly square. You’ll almost always have little areas that need flooring too. Like the coat closet near the front entrance. And where the floor curves slightly near the front window. Walk around your room and notice these nooks and crannies.

That means when you invest in new tiles or luxury vinyl planks, you’ll have to cut a few to create a harmonious look. You’ll need extra hardwood for the bottom of the closet.

Now let’s talk about installation methods. Rarely do installers move perfectly from start to finish without a mishap. Again, rooms are seldom perfectly sized. Even if you’re using a roll of carpet or vinyl, your room will invariably need seams to complete the project. That requires skill to cut and align it so the seam blends in.

Patterns and textures play a role in it too. You may need to cut your planks or tiles to get colors and shapes to match up. You’ll have more waste with intricate patterns.

It’s also wise to consider future needs. Extra flooring material will give you a chance to fix and replace damaged areas. Dented hardwood, stained carpet, or ripped or scuffed vinyl will be easy to fix when you have extra material.

How much extra flooring is enough?

As a general rule of thumb, flooring experts recommend:

• Up to 15 percent extra for ceramic tiles
• Up to 10 percent extra for vinyl planks
• Up to 20 percent extra for solid hardwood
• Up to 15 feet for wall-to-wall carpet

Of course, this is only an estimate. Your situation will determine the exact amount you should buy. A well-versed flooring expert can help you assess your needs. Consider the space you’re installing the flooring, your lifestyle, and the material. In almost every circumstance, homeowners are always grateful to have a little extra rather than running short.

Wastage is normal

With many home improvement materials, you’ll buy just enough to complete the project. Not so with flooring.

While an experienced installer will be efficient when laying your new flooring, there are always obstacles during the process. Wastage is normal.

It comes from the unanticipated problems that happen during installation.

• There might be a flow in the fibers of the carpet
• There may be tiles that aren’t a perfect match
• The grain in wood planks may need shifting and moving
• The pattern in the vinyl must match up

Unexpected things happen too:

• A tile drops to the floor and shatters
• A tile snaps when trying to cut it
• The surface of the vinyl rips while laying it into place
• You discover a box of hardwood with a defect

Hardwood has one of the greatest numbers of rejects due to defects. Staining is an inexact science, and depends on the color mix as well as how the hardwood takes to the color. Color change is often noticeable when you place two planks side by side.

What if you run out of flooring material?

While we highly recommend investing in extra flooring material as a part of your original purchase, there may be a time when you run out before you finish your project. There are a few things you can do:

• Save all flooring material until the end of the project. This gives you scrap pieces to play with as you finish your project. You may find the perfect piece to lay into a corner or closet.
• Keep the original detail of your flooring at hand. This includes the manufacture date, lot number, color, and model number. You can work with your flooring retailer to see if they have additional material in their storeroom. They can check with the manufacturer or other retailers to see if they can find the same lot.
• If you can’t find your specific lot number, you can always try and match it up with another lot. In some cases, the colors and patterns may be close enough that it blends well without standing out.
• If the new material stands out enough to be noticeable, you may have to rethink your flooring and purchase new material. Consider mixing and matching with your existing material to blend it. Or you may have to start over from scratch.

The specifics – what you should know

How much extra flooring material should you buy? It depends.

While we’ve given you a variety of tips to consider, it ultimately depends on the flooring material you’re buying and the project you’re completing.

Carpet usually is sold in 12 foot rolls. That means if you have a 15 foot room, you’ll need a seam somewhere in the room. The grain of the carpet must run the same way or you’ll notice it in the appearance. A knowledgeable carpet installer can make suggestions to ensure a long life, and it doesn’t hinder the way you move throughout the room.

Sheet vinyl is similar to carpet, only it comes in 6 foot rolls. Sheet vinyl has the added need of matching grains, patterns, colors, and textures. It’s important to create a seamless look, and place the seams in places that receive less traffic. A flush seam creates a flawless look.

Tile is often used in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens, so it has a variety of obstacles to go around. You’ll need extra for cutting to place around sinks and toilets, and to wedge underneath vanities. Consider buying extra for breakage during installation.

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Think carpet is waning in popularity? Think again. It currently makes up almost half of the flooring space, and it’s growing.

Is there an advantage to having carpet in some rooms of your home? Of course. It helps warm up a bedroom. It’s soft underfoot in a playroom. And it adds noise control in a media room. Carpet may be the perfect addition to your next remodel.

What is broadloom carpet?

Carpet is sold in two formats: broadloom (wall-to-wall) or tiles. The term “broadloom” comes from the process of a carpet woven on a loom, made big enough to fit inside a room. It’s sold on rolls usually 12 feet wide, but they can also be 13 feet 6 inches, or 15 feet in width.

Historically, people would hand weave carpets on a loom. A loom is a device to aid in weaving carpet, holding fibers in place on one side while fibers going the opposite direction are woven in. As manufacturing took over, they created a broader loom – broadloom – to handle carpet production on a much bigger scale.

Because broadloom is a larger size, more options are available. You’ll find rugs in a variety of shapes and sizes. And you’ll find wall-to-wall carpet in a variety of styles and patterns. Looms today are operated using technology, with precise movements that create some of the most durable, long-lasting carpets available.

What are broadloom textures?

Broadloom carpet is manufactured and sold in large rolls. What it looks like depends on the fiber texture you choose.

Loop – loop carpet is often referred to as Berber. The fibers consist of short loops woven into the carpet backing. Once in place, the loops remain uncut, adding strength for high-traffic situations. You’ll find loop fibers in commercial-grade carpets because of their ability to hide dirt well.

Cut pile – cut pile is most commonly used in residential settings. Cutting fibers make the surface smooth to the touch, giving it a softer feel people like in bedrooms, family rooms, or anywhere where they sit down and play. Its soft texture will leave footprints behind, which makes it less than ideal in high-traffic situations.

Frieze – while Frieze carpet is a subcategory of cut pile, it adds a twist to the fiber to make it more durable. Many homeowners choose Frieze because it keeps softness while adding durability.

Cut and loop – a cut and loop broadloom carpet combines the features of both cut and loop fibers. As the carpet is manufactured, some fibers remain looped while others are cut. This creates a distinct surface pattern that adds variety and texture to your home. Keep in mind that this texture will need to be matched if you’ll need a larger format carpet.

Installing broadloom carpet

Broadloom is almost always sold to install as wall-to-wall carpet. In residential situations, it sits on top of padding to give it more flexibility and lifespan. In commercial applications, it may be glued into place for added strength.

Broadloom is designed in specific widths. If your room is bigger or smaller than the carpet width, it will need to be fitted into place. Smaller rooms will be trimmed to fit. You’ll have leftover carpet remnants you can keep for emergencies. Larger rooms will have to be seamed together. You may have to purchase extra carpet to ensure the pattern remains throughout the room.

If you want to carpet a small space, you can ask about remnant carpet. Dealers often have extra pieces from the end of the roll that are smaller than the average room.

The benefits of broadloom carpet 

Technological advances have made today’s broadloom carpet some of the best on the market. While the benefits are many, here are a few things to keep in mind as you shop for new carpet.

Stain-resistance – what holds many homeowners back from wanting to install carpet is the possibility of staining it from the moment it’s laid into place. Red wine on a light carpet will be an eye-sore, and be noticeable from the moment it occurs. Today’s technology means the fibers are pretreated with stain-resistance products that won’t soak up liquids when spilled onto the floor. Acting quickly will pull problems away from the fibers before they have a chance to set in. If stain-resistance is a top concern, be sure to bring it up when shopping for carpet.

Eco-friendly – worried about what carpet is doing to the environment? Carpet wears out faster than other types of flooring, making it necessary to replace it more frequently. Manufacturers recognize that, and are doing what they can to produce more sustainable products. Many carpets today are made from recycled plastic bottles or fishing nets, giving you a way to make your home a little greener and reduce your carbon footprint.

Padding – while carpets are built to be softer, stronger, and more durable than ever before, don’t forget it’s the padding that can make your broadloom carpet last even longer. Some carpets take out the step of buying additional padding by having it already attached. Padding cushions the footsteps, gives the fibers extra support, and ensures the fibers can handle all you dish out.

Waterproof – is waterproof a thing? You’ll be pleasantly surprised that waterproof carpet is an option for busy households. These fibers are specially treated to make it easy to blot away any moisture that appears on the surface. The waterproof backing ensures moisture doesn’t soak through the padding and onto the subfloor. This gives you added protection against mold and mildew.

Is broadloom carpet right for you?

Still trying to decide if broadloom carpet is the right choice for you? With so many technological advances, it’s a flooring choice you’ll be proud to bring into your home.

It provides a seamless look for most rooms. Need something bigger than the average roll? Experienced carpet installers do an amazing job of creating a seamless environment.

It also gives you softness you can’t find in any other flooring. That makes it the perfect choice for bedrooms or media rooms. It helps insulate it from cold, and stops sound from traveling throughout the room.

Are you convinced broadloom carpet is the right choice for you? Stop by today and see our complete selection.

The post What You Need To Know About Broadloom Carpet first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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It is really easy to keep your LVT floor clean.  LVT is short for Luxury Vinyl Tiles.  In recent years they have become really popular due to their durability, authentic appearance and easiness to keep clean.  You won’t need any expensive cleaning products or a lengthy maintenance process. Read More

There are hundreds of different floor types that homeowners can choose between, but in recent years, luxury vinyl flooring has become incredibly popular. This is primarily because luxury vinyl flooring is durable, easy to maintain, and incredibly versatile, according to industry experts like Flooring.org.

Yet, it’s important to note that not all luxury vinyl flooring is made equal, so it’s important to learn all you can about this flooring product. Fortunately, you needn’t look too far because our team has put together this luxury vinyl floor guide that discusses everything you should know, including what it is, where it can be used, and how much it usually costs to install.

What Exactly Is Luxury Vinyl Flooring?

Before you can understand what luxury vinyl flooring is, it’s important to know what standard vinyl flooring is so that you can tell the difference. Have a look below to learn about their differences:

Standard Vinyl Flooring

Most standard vinyl flooring has four layers of materials, with the bottom layer consisting of foam or cork. The bottom layer is typically regarded as the underlayment, so no other material must be laid underneath the vinyl flooring. This underlayment also functions as a cushion to keep sound at bay and make walking on it more comfortable.

Above the underlayment layer is a waterproof layer that absorbs moisture without compromising the integrity of the flooring since it doesn’t swell. This layer can either be made out of WPC, made from wood and plastic deposits or SPC, made from plastic and stone deposits.

The third layer is a design layer because it features a high-quality image of your choosing (most people choose a wood grain, stone, or marble image). On top of this design, the layer is a wear layer. This final layer protects the flooring from wear and tear and ranges in thickness.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Luxury vinyl flooring is similar to standard vinyl flooring, with the main difference being that it usually has six to eight layers instead of four.

For example, luxury vinyl flooring could have a cushion layer made from foam or felt that has been specially designed to make it more comfortable.

Luxury vinyl flooring could also have a clear top coat to give it a sheen and provide extra protection against wear and tear. This flooring could also have a fiberglass layer that helps it lie as evenly as possible with minimal movement.

What About Luxury Vinyl Planks and Tiles?

Luxury vinyl planks and tiles have more layers than standard vinyl floors, which is why they are about five times thicker. Besides providing better wear and tear, this additional material adds a realistic look to the flooring – especially if you want to mimic stone or wood.

Unlike other flooring, luxury planks and tiles are created using a 3D printer which is why this flooring material can almost perfectly replicate naturally occurring flooring materials. Additionally, since luxury vinyl planks and tiles are more durable, they have an incredible lifespan of about 20 years.

Where Can Luxury Vinyl Flooring Be Used?

Now that you know what it is and how long it lasts, you’re likely eager to learn where luxury vinyl flooring can be used. Ultimately, to determine if your home or business should use final flooring, you need to consider your needs and preference alongside your budget.

However, if you have children or pets or are in an environment where there are always spills, you need to look at luxury vinyl flooring because it’s waterproof and moisture friendly. Most people install luxury vinyl flooring in entryways, kitchens, basements, bathrooms, and other high-traffic areas that require durable but comfortable flooring.

How Much Does Luxury Vinyl Flooring Cost on Average?

How much you pay for luxury vinyl flooring depends on the type of floor you want. For example, if you’re looking for planks, you should expect to pay between $2.5 and $12 per square foot.

In contrast, luxury vinyl tiles are typically a cheaper alternative, with the average cost at $1 and $10 per square foot. However, you need to remember that these are only material costs, and you will have to pay labor, which usually costs upwards of $1000.

Now you know significantly more about vinyl flooring and why it’s one of the best flooring options for a home or business. If you’re interested in this material and want to learn more, you can speak with an expert at Flooring.org.

Our team has years of experience installing luxury vinyl flooring and can answer any questions you might have. So contact us at 800-689-9006, and we’ll be in touch.

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

What does your dream home look like?

One simple question. Yet it floods your mind with ideas.

For many, they see a modern home design with clean lines, natural materials, and neutral color palettes that make you enter and say: ahhh. It takes advantage of natural light, letting it stream in and wash over the room nicely. It’s all about an open concept with as few walls as possible, letting furniture lead the way to each space.

Are you starting to see your dream home come alive? If you’re in the planning stages of a home remodel, taking modern home design as your queue, the best to start is by considering your flooring options. It’s what gives you structure to build and plan the rest of your home.

What is modern style? 

When you start doing your research on style, it’s easy to get confused. Modern, contemporary, mid-century – what’s the difference?

Modern style refers to a designated time period. It began early in the 20th century, influencing modern design and architecture for decades. The original style was influential around the turn of the century as we moved into the industrialization period. Mid-century changed looks and patterns, referring to the 40s to 60s. Contemporary refers to modern day. It doesn’t refer to any specific era because it’s constantly evolving, always changing.

Modern home style is built around a specific era. It includes Art Deco, modernism, and minimalism. Contemporary is influenced by everything around us. It may take a few modern elements, and sprinkle them with today’s lifestyle. Contemporary doesn’t mind adding copper or chrome, adding stainless steel, and mixing natural furnishings with a pop of color.

Do today’s homeowners mix a little of both into something they truly love? Of course.

What many homeowners prefer is to start with flooring options, use a modern approach, then mix and match their furnishings to create a look they love.

3 modern flooring options you’ll love

Ask a designer what flooring options encompass a modern design, and you’ll likely hear three types: hardwood, tile, and carpet.

Hardwood

Hardwood is often the flooring of choice because of its natural aesthetics and earthy color palette. When you shop for hardwood, you’ll find an array of options all built around what modern style calls for. You can mix hardwood flooring with virtually any furnishings you choose and create a home and a lifestyle that works well in all circumstances.

Modern hardwood doesn’t mean standard shades. What gives it a modern appearance is its sleek lines and classic good looks. Want to go light – try whitewash. Prefer dark – how about mahogany? How you define your modern style home is entirely up to you. Still, one of the most common hardwood looks is a light, natural wood floor, from light oak to a warm honey wood, where you can see the natural grain that shows off its classic good looks.

While we say hardwood here, a lot has changed in the flooring industry. Do you love hardwood’s classic looks, but know it will never work with your lifestyle? There are still many options for you to choose from that wear differently from traditional hardwood.

Engineered hardwood adds strength and durability by using a hardwood veneer on top of a durable core.

Laminate provides an economical option that gives you the look and feel of traditional hardwood at a budget-friendly price.

Luxury vinyl planks mimic traditional hardwood in a believable way, yet offer waterproof qualities that make sense for some homeowners.

How about porcelain tile planks designed to mimic hardwood, yet give the functionality of stone? It’s growing in popularity for those who want indoor/outdoor living. It works well with radiant heating too.

Tile

Because modern style incorporates natural materials into its aesthetics, tile tops the list for many modern home designs. Tile creates clean, beautiful lines that work well in any situation.

https://pro-flooring.com/using-the-perfect-tile-for-every-room-in-your-home/

What’s more, you’ll find an almost unlimited supply of tile options. Have something specific in mind? You can create it with tile.

Natural stone is a good place to start. You’ll find natural stone tile flooring is simple and minimalist, leaving an open color palette for the rest of your decor.

While most choose to go with a smooth tile look, you’ll be able to choose from many types, including slate, marble, limestone, travertine, granite, and sandstone. Each has its own characteristics and durability features – shop around to find the best solution to suit your needs.

If you’re thinking of small, square tiles, you’ll be surprised at what’s available. Today’s manufacturers offer a world of options for you to choose from. How about tile planks that resemble hardwood? It gives you the look of traditional hardwood with the effortless maintenance of tile.

Or maybe you’re ready to go big and bold. Large format tiles offer more tile, less grout. With thin grout lines between large tiles, it gives a seamless look that emphasizes natural beauty.

Carpet

Before you settle on one of the previous two choices, don’t forget about carpet as you finalize your selection. Carpet is still one of the most popular flooring choices because of its looks, comfort, and warmth.

To stick with modern floor design, think of natural materials, simple color palettes, and low pile.

In modern design, you’ll find low-pile carpet that creates seamless transitions from room to room.

Stick with natural colors – earth-toned carpet that’s beige, gray, or brown. It provides a neutral baseline for which you can liven up the room with your furnishings and decor.

If you choose to stick with hardwood and tile, area rugs can soften up the look, and provide warmth to a room. Modern area rugs move towards natural materials such as wool or jute. Leave the color in other decor – stick with natural beiges or grays, with light patterns and textures that help take the stress away.

What’s the right modern style flooring option for you?

With so many choices to consider, sticking close to your style is your first step. Think clean. Think minimalist. Think natural and beautiful.

What’s the right flooring option for you? Only you can decide. No matter which you choose, you’ll love the look. 

The post 3 Flooring Options That Work Well With Modern Home Design first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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If you’ve ever done any remodeling or redesign in your home, you know there are lots of decisions that must be made. Paint colors, furniture styles, cabinetry, plumbing fixtures…the list goes on! And if you’re thinking of replacing your carpeting (or adding carpeting to a room), there are decisions to be made there, as well.

Six Carpet Styles to Choose From

First you need to decide what carpet style you want. There are 6 basic carpet styles to choose from:

Textured: This carpet style features alternating twists of yarn, resulting in a two-toned appearance. It’s durable, hides footprints and vacuum marks, and is a great choice for anywhere in the home, especially high-traffic areas.

Plush: This style is similar to the textured carpet style, but the fibers are generally longer, and it has a “velvety” look. It also shows footprints and vacuum marks more readily than the textured style, so while it’s still a good choice, it’s better for low-traffic areas (think bedroom or dining room).

Frieze: This carpet style features a high-cut pile with a twist that curls at the end; it’s sometimes referred as the “modern shag” carpet. It’s durable, resists showing footprints or vacuum marks, and is a great choice for high-traffic areas.

Cable: This style features long, thick yarn, and is best for low-traffic areas, since it can become crushed with lots of foot traffic or heavy furniture on it.

Berber: This carpet style features bulk yarn that is looped but not cut, and it tends to be shorter than other styles. It’s very durable and is perfect for high-traffic areas (it’s also the easiest to keep clean!).

Cut-and-Loop: This style is made of a combination of cut and looped yarns, which can be used to create a wide variety of patterns in the carpet. It’s quite durable and is great for areas that get a lot of traffic.

Carpet Fiber Material Options

In addition to choosing the carpet style, you’ll also need to choose the pile height, color, and carpet fiber material. Here are some of your options for fiber materials:

Acrylic: This synthetic material offers the look and feel of wool, but without the high price tag. It’s a great choice if you have family members with allergies, as it is also hypoallergenic.

Nylon: This synthetic carpet material is extremely durable, making it perfect for high traffic areas. Like acrylic, it’s also quite affordable. 

Olefin: This synthetic fiber is created from melted plastic, and is mold and moisture resistant. It also resists staining – great for areas where you tend to have accidents!

Wool: This natural material can last for years if cared for properly, but it will cost you quite a bit more than carpeting made from synthetic material.

No matter what type of carpeting you choose, you need to take care of it properly – that means following the manufacturer’s instructions. Typically you’ll want to have it professionally cleaned at least once a year – that’s where A Personal Touch comes in! We’ll have your carpeting looking as good as new in no time, so that you can enjoy it for years to come.

If you’re in the Denver area and are ready to schedule a professional carpet cleaning, contact us!

The post Carpet Styles – What’s Best for Your Home? appeared first on A Personal Touch.

In a perfect world, you would install all new flooring throughout your house at the same time. Yet most of us don’t live in a world where that’s possible. Instead, we take it one remodel at a time, hoping we can match up the flooring between rooms well enough that it won’t be noticeable.

If you’ve ever walked into a home where the flooring doesn’t coordinate, you know there’s more to it than a simple install.

You’re ready to remodel the kitchen. You want it to flow into the living space you renovated last year. How do you ensure the flooring looks great from room to room?

The difference between matching hardwood and coordinating

There are two basic concepts in design: matching and coordinating. While similar in principle, they are slightly different when put into practice.

Matching is a concept we learn early in life through matching games. We put things together based on color, shape, and size. A red square goes with a red square. A right gray shoe goes with a left gray shoe. We look for things that appear to be the same, and fit together nicely in a set.

Coordinating puts items together that might not be a perfect match, but somehow fit together anyway. The color is the same, but the texture is different. Or the shape is the same, and the pattern is different. They may not be identical, but they go together anyway. You’ll find this every day in the way you dress. A light pink silk shirt coordinates well with a dark burgundy skirt.

How matching and coordinating helps you with flooring

Now let’s return to selecting flooring. You installed hardwood in a room last year, and this year it’s time for a new remodel. You have a space in mind. You’ve picked out the decor, and the paint has been purchased. But what to do with the floors?

Matching would give you the same flooring as you flow from one room to another. Matching would mean that with every installation, the new floor is the same color, texture, and size. Planks would be the same width. The stain would match in color. When everything is installed, it would appear that it was all done simultaneously.

Coordinating would allow you to create harmony throughout your home in different ways. It may contain hardwood in one room, vinyl in another, and laminate in a third. What ties them all together is the ability to live in harmony. Comfort instead of chaos. The colors would blend, the shades would go together, and you’d tie it all in with the decor.

Matching hardwood to hardwood

One of the most common requests we receive is installing hardwood in a new room and matching it to another already in place.

The existing hardwood has been installed for a while. It’s been walked on, worn, even faded from the sun. If you placed a new plank on top of it, you’d be surprised at the color change. Is there any way to match the two up?

If this is the case, it’s best to try and match the tones from one floor to another. Ensure you purchase new hardwood that is closest to the color. It might not be the exact same shade. You may have to select a slight variation to ensure it flows freely. Consider your decor as well to ensure it coordinates well. If you have red undertones, for example, you wouldn’t want to introduce grays.

Custom staining is also an option. Instead of trying to select prefinished hardwood, the installer would custom-mix the stain to match the flooring already laid. Be sure to use a professional with experience in custom mixing colors, and understands how to match colors already in place.

Matching hardwood to vinyl

Hardwood is a great choice for living space. When you move to the bathroom, it may not be your best choice.

When considering your options, it’s hard not to fall in love with vinyl. Today’s luxury vinyl planks mimic hardwood so closely, it often fools even professionals who work with it regularly.

What makes luxury vinyl planks so impressive is they are durable, and can be waterproof. That makes them the perfect choice for moisture-prone rooms like the bathroom.

But is it possible to install vinyl against hardwood?

That’s where coordinating comes into play. The key to great flooring is to pay attention to the transition. Transition strips connect two different types of flooring together, so they blend well as you move from one to another. It’s a board between the two floors for a smooth transition. It can be nailed in, screwed in, or laid with adhesive.

This is where coordinating comes in handy. Select colors that coordinate well, have the same tones or qualities. This is where a color palette can help. Stick with the same undertones – grays, reds, or browns. Think of the lighter shirt complementing the darker skirt.

Matching hardwood to laminate

Laminate provides a different quality than traditional hardwood. Many homeowners prefer laminate in places like the kitchen because they stand up to heavy traffic better, and won’t be impacted by moisture in the same way as hardwood. Want to match your hardwood and laminate for a cohesive look? Make sure the appearances are similar so the transition will be seamless as you move from one to another.

To coordinate the two effectively, a lot of professionals use transition strips. This is where it pays to have a professional who has done this many times. They’ll understand how to blend colors, and ensure a seamless look.

What’s the best flooring for your remodel?

What’s holding you back from installing new floors? If you know hardwood isn’t right for your space, but you want it to look good with the hardwood already in place, why not coordinate it with vinyl or laminate? Each type of flooring offers different benefits and options. Why not pick the right flooring to suit your needs?

https://pro-flooring.com/a-step-by-step-guide-to-choosing-flooring-for-your-remodel/

Transitions are easy when you work with a professional. You can have the best look, working together with different products and textures.

What’s the best flooring choice to suit your needs?

The post How To Match Vinyl, Laminate, and Solid Hardwood first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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When most homeowners shop for new flooring, they come in with a goal in mind. Maybe they’ve dreamed of hardwood, and have a vision of it throughout their living space.

Yet starting the process may be more difficult than it seems. Suddenly, multiple samples are available to you. And the more you look, the more they appear the same. Should you choose Golden Oak, Colonial Maple, Golden Brown, or Red Mahogany?

Don’t think it gets any easier once you have a hue. Coming in with “dark” or “light” in mind can still leave you scratching your head when you start to lay samples side by side.

This one has a little more red. That one has a little more gray.

Which choice should you make?

Choosing the right hardwood floor color – where to begin

Installing hardwood is a great choice for homeowners. It’s a flooring choice you’ll enjoy now and for many years to come. Hardwood is durable, easy to clean, easy to maintain, and you’ll fall in love with it a little more each day.

With any flooring you choose, your ultimate goal is to set the stage for aesthetics and decor. Your flooring is the baseline for whatever else you bring into your room.

For most homeowners, they choose a maximum of three flooring choices to use throughout the home.

• Hardwood for all main living spaces
• Carpet for bedrooms
• Tile for bathrooms

This is one of the most common game plans for remodels and renovations. There’s a reason for this: it creates a cohesive look, and offers functionality where you need it most.

You can use your current decor to help point you in the right direction. What color are your cabinets? What choices have you made with furnishings? What ambiance are you trying to create?

Whether you move towards dark, light, or middle of the road, color choices appeal to what’s deep inside of each and every one of us. When we see our “dream” home, it usually comes predetermined by colors, tones, and hues.

Middle colors of hardwood flooring

When homeowners first venture into hardwood flooring, they usually start with middle of the road colors. Think oak or pine. It’s popular and classic, and looks good no matter what aesthetics you prefer.

It won’t be so dark that you worry about the color. It won’t be so light that you’ll worry about brightness and seeing everything that accumulates in the nooks and crannies. It’s durable. And you’ll find middle colors just about everywhere you go.

What’s more, middle hues go with just about any decor. It complements almost any furniture genre, and will coordinate well with whatever color furnishing you desire.

Middle hues also give you the possibility of playing with your flooring in other ways. Want to add a bit of gray to your hardwood? Or how about moving toward reds? You’ll be amazed at how much you can change your surroundings just by moving a shade or two away from a “classic”. You might even consider mixing, selecting multi-color wood with side-by-side planks in slightly different shades. This works well, especially if you have lighter furnishings, as it will give you depth and allow the rest of your aesthetics to pop.

Dark colors of hardwood flooring

Dark hardwood floors are on-trend and have been popular in some homes for as long as hardwood flooring has been around. The old plantation-style homes are often reminiscent of dark flooring and equally classic furniture. But don’t think you need a country home to utilize this dark color hue. You’ll find it equally as appealing in a condo thirty floors up in the heart of Downtown Denver.

That’s because dark hardwood flooring works great with a variety of colors and fabrics. They’re a great choice if you’re trying to create something formal and contemporary. They’re also a great choice if you’re moving more toward rustic and casual. Because there are so many choices, you’ll find one that works well with your style and mood.

We find dark hardwood flooring works exceptionally well when you have an open concept floorplan that lets the beauty of the hardwood shine through. It may be a bit too dark for small rooms, giving them an even smaller look and feel. They also work better with larger planks – fewer seams show off the dark flooring. If you have your heart set on dark hardwood, the best way to select your color is to narrow it down to a few choices, and bring them home to see how they feel.

Light colors of hardwood flooring

Light is in abundance here in Colorado. Why not play off that light and add even more light to your home! Light hardwood floors have many favorable design aspects that homeowners love. Because their light color stands the test of time, it’s not unreasonable that light hardwood will give you decades worth of wear.

Floors with lighter finishes go with just about anything. It gives you a great choice when you’re in love with white furnishings, without truly installing white flooring. Oak and Maple maybe two of the most popular choices, but there are many more options. Ash and Hickory bring light flooring with new hues and tones, something that may be more appealing to your sense of decor.

There aren’t many spaces that aren’t created with light floors in mind – they look good everywhere. While some may feel light flooring will be harder to clean and maintain, the opposite is almost always true. It’s often harder to see dust and debris, and if a spill does occur, it’s easy to see and to clean.

What’s your shade – selecting the perfect hardwood color

Do you prefer to stick with trendy colors, giving your home a popular look and feel? Black stains, natural-looking hardwood, or planks with gray undertones are sure to meet your expectations.

Love classic good looks? You’ll never go wrong if you stick with mid-range colors, even if you move a little toward grays, whites, or reds.

Start with your gut – most homeowners have a feeling for what they want almost from the beginning. Narrow it to a few selections, and live with samples for a few days.

You’ll find yourself leaning towards one or the other.

Stop by today, and we’ll help you find the perfect selection to suit your needs.

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Fix and flip. Income property. Retire on passive income. Every media channel you watch nowadays is filled with advice on average people investing in rental property that will drive revenue into their pockets. And for good reason.

Renting statistics show that the nationwide average for rental properties is $2,016 a month, with the current asking rent 77.1 percent higher than the median gross rent was pre-pandemic. With 35 percent of households living in rental properties, the desire for family rental property is at an all-time high. And if you’re an aspiring property owner with the desire to make passive income from your investment, now may be the time to fix it up and get it into shape to maximize your revenue stream.

Where do you start? What home improvement projects offer the best investment? And how do you find the best flooring for maximum return? Read on to find tips to help you turn your rental property into a place renters would love to call home.

Renting – It’s still home

When you’re looking at furnishings for a rental property, you approach it differently than you would your own home. For flooring, landlords must consider how durable a product is, how easy or difficult it is to maintain, and how attractive it is when a potential renter walks through the front door.

It’s a careful balance of weighing the options to ensure a home looks like a home, yet won’t be easily damaged by renters who may not care for the flooring as you would inside your own home.

What are the best flooring materials you should consider?

Luxury vinyl – it’s one of the best things for a rental property

Luxury vinyl is an attractive flooring option that mirrors some of the best loved floorings across Colorado. Homeowners love hardwood and tile … but that doesn’t always make sense in a rental property. Luxury vinyl makes it possible to create the look and feel of expensive hardwood and tile, with a more affordable price tag that won’t cut into your rental profits.

What makes luxury vinyl so popular is current technology. Luxury vinyl is designed to mimic traditional hardwood planks and tiles that even the most discerning homeowners use in their own homes.

Luxury vinyl planks (LVP) have several layers:

• The coating layer – this gives the product its strength and durability to stand up to all your family can dish out. It protects all other layers from daily wear.
• The wear layer – the thicker the wear layer, the more durable the vinyl plank will be. The wear layer lies at the top between the printed design layer and the coating to provide overall protection to the luxury vinyl plank.
• The printed design layer – this layer is all about visual appeal. It’s the print film that gives the luxury vinyl planks their classic good looks.
• The core layer – luxury vinyl planks have either a wood plastic composite (WPC) or stone plastic composite (SPC) core. WPC is softer, warmer, and insulates better for a quieter surface area, but can dent easier. SPC is harder and provides a more durable surface area, but will be louder and less comfortable.
• Underlayment layer – this provides the insulation, moisture barrier, and stability of the overall product. The lowest end products may cut back on the underlayment layer in order to drive the cost down. This balancing layer can be especially important in areas that may see increased humidity or moisture, such as bathrooms or kitchens.

Luxury vinyl planks are a great investment because it’s a marriage between what both landlords and renters are looking for. It gives renters a desired look and feel, while landlords love the low cost and maintenance. If you haven’t looked at luxury vinyl for your rental property, stop by and see it for yourself.

Carpet – it’s still a great option for a rental property

There’s a reason carpet remains one of the most popular flooring materials available to homeowners: It’s just a great flooring material.

That makes it an especially attractive option for rental properties because of its classic good looks. Of course, that’s not the only benefit it brings to the table. Many landlords lean towards carpet because:

• It’s comfortable. That makes it attractive to renters of all ages, and works especially well in properties where you want to keep the flooring transitions to a minimum. Carpet works great in living rooms, dining areas, bedrooms, hallways, and bonus rooms.
• It’s sound absorbent. This is a great feature if you’re adding flooring to multi-units with multiple floors. If you’re trying to cut down on noise complaints, a quality carpet and carpet pad can help muffle sound.
• It’s affordable. Because of its popularity, you’ll find quality carpet at every price point. If you want to make your home more appealing to renters, replacing the carpet is a good way to earn bonus points. And with a low cost, you’ll find it easier to replace between tenants, and won’t balk over flooring issues when tenants spill or damage the fibers.

If you’re looking for an affordable, easy to replace flooring option for your rental properties, give carpet another look. It really is a great choice for single and multi-family dwellings.

Laminate – it’s the next best thing to hardwood for your rental property

Home dwellers love hardwood. It tops every list of “dream home” wishes, whether people rent or buy. But for many landlords, it’s difficult to justify installing hardwood in rental properties because of the cost and maintenance.

For some of your rental units, laminate may make perfect sense. Laminate is beautiful and relatively maintenance-free. It perhaps isn’t quite as durable as luxury vinyl, but it comes in a close second.

Laminate is a hybrid floor covering created from a particleboard wood base topped by an image layer mimicking the look of traditional hardwood. They are a popular floor covering perfect for living spaces, dining areas, kitchens, bedrooms, hallways, and other areas not subject to excessive moisture.

As an added benefit, laminate is an easy flooring option to install. It can often be installed directly over an existing flooring product, saving landlords money on having to rip out and dispose of old flooring.

Which is the best flooring for your rental property?

With several of the best flooring options to choose from, which will be the right choice for you?

From luxury vinyl to carpet, to laminate flooring, select any of these for easy installation, maximum durability, and increased cost savings. You’ll love what any of these best flooring options do for your rental property.

The post Give Your Rental Property The Best Flooring first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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Choosing flooring is a critical decision for both design and functionality. When a homeowner decides to remodel a room or renovate an entire house, flooring sets the stage for personality and lifestyle.

Of course, you have different options. You may love the stone tile you’ve seen in your local decorating magazine. Or have loved the new carpet installed in a friend’s new media room. But is it the right choice for you? Will it serve all of your needs?

For homeowners today, there are a plethora of choices when it comes to buying and installing new flooring. But only one stands above the rest as one of the most requested and well-loved flooring choices: Hardwood.

If you’re dreaming of new hardwood floors in your home, the choices don’t stop once you’ve set your eye on the target of hardwood. All hardwood flooring isn’t created equally. Yes, color will be an essential choice. Yet durability and performance are equally important.

Where do you start? And what’s the best season to complete your flooring project? What should you know before you say “yes” to new hardwood floors?

Let’s start with when – What’s the best season for new hardwood floors?

Ask four people about the best season for installing new hardwood floors, and you’ll likely hear four different answers. And in most cases, they’d all be right.

For many reasons, fall is the best season to install new hardwood floors. That’s because autumn is the start of new beginnings. Most homeowners wind down their outdoor summer projects, and start looking for indoor activities. You have weeks until holiday festivities begin, which means a little more downtime. The kids are in school, projects at work seem steady and stable. Autumn is a great time for getting your rooms fixed up and ready for holiday company.

If autumn doesn’t work for you, don’t let timing hold you back. The main thing to watch out for is dry environmental conditions. Colorado tends to be dry throughout the year, which means humidity levels can be low inside your home. No matter when you decide to install new floors, it’s important to introduce the hardwood planks before installation day, and let them acclimate to your indoor environment. That ensures they are properly conditioned before they are placed inside your home.

Choosing new hardwood floors

Now that you’ve settled on the ideal time to install new hardwood floors, it’s time to choose the right materials.

Traditionally, hardwood floors were created from thick solid planks of timber. Today, you’ll have a variety of choices when selecting your final flooring.

Solid hardwood is still widely acceptable – it’s a choice many homeowners can’t imagine living without. Still, solid hardwood isn’t always the best choice for your situation.

Many companies now offer engineered hardwood that is equal to more traditional flooring choices. Engineered hardwood is created from planks with a thinner top layer of hardwood, bonded to other layers that provide strength and durability. It also offers options when hardwood flooring might not be the most logical choice.

Colorado homes almost always have basements. If you’ve ever had a flooring expert talk you out of hardwood planks, it’s for a good reason. Basements, condos, and apartment buildings are often built with concrete flooring. Traditional hardwood planks are typically installed over one or two subfloors, which raises the height of the flooring and can interfere with doors. Engineered flooring can be glued directly to concrete, meaning you won’t have to raise the existing flooring in order to have a subfloor to lay traditional planks down.

Engineered hardwood is also perfect for radiant heating. If you’re looking for a new way to heat your rooms, radiant heating is an efficient way to keep heat near the flooring. It’s also perfect for rooms where you might be hesitant on hardwood because you worry about stepping on it and bare feet in the cold winter months.

If you choose engineered hardwood, be careful with the width of the top layer. Some manufacturers create the top veneer level so thin that it can’t be sanded and refinished in the future. While engineered will never give you the longevity of traditional hardwood planks, higher quality engineered planks can be sanded and refinished several times, giving you a flooring choice you’ll be able to live with for many years.

Prefinished or site finished

Hardwood planks can be purchased in one of two ways: prefinished or site finished.

With prefinished planks, what you see is what you get. You’ll select the type, style, and color based on what you find on the showroom floor. You’ll be able to choose the finish with the stain and topcoat already in place, which means no surprises with a finished look you didn’t plan on.

By going with prefinished, your project will be completed in a shorter time period. Once the prefinished planks are installed into place, you’ll be able to get back to living immediately.

With site finished, unfinished hardwood planks will be installed. Then the stain and finish will be applied once all of the hardwood planks are installed into place. The advantage of site finished is the entire surface area receives stain and finish after installation. Because an installer can mix different colors together, the possibilities are endless for how your finished floors will look. This is the perfect way to do it if you’re trying to match another color.

Site finished also gives you the advantage of installing sealant after all planks are in place. This creates a tighter seal, protecting between the planks as well as the planks themselves. This can be especially important in a busy household where more messes become commonplace. While hardwood will never be waterproof, with the proper sealant, it can offer years of protection, keeping your floors looking good no matter what you or your family members dish out.

It’s here – the perfect season to install new hardwood floors

If you’re ready to install new hardwood floors, make today the day you move forward and do something about it.

While some would argue there’s a perfect season to install new hardwood floors, we’d say that the best time is when you’re ready for a change in your home.

How can we help you select the perfect hardwood floors?

The post Fall Is The Best Season To Buy and Install New Hardwood Floors first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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