As A Business Owner, Would Commercial or Residential Flooring Work Best?

If you’re searching for new flooring, you may notice that there are two broad categories of flooring: commercial and residential. The two may look similar enough that it’s difficult to tell the differences.

Do the two cross over? Can you use one in another setting? Or should you stick with what the guidelines say, and install based on guidance?

What is commercial flooring

As the name implies, commercial flooring is built for high-traffic, more arduous conditions. It’s created to stand up to heavier use. In general, it’s more durable, easier to clean and maintain, and provides a smarter investment over the long run. Whether retail, commercial, or industrial, a more durable flooring product means longer wearability and longevity. Typically, commercial flooring is needed for:

Strength and durability – higher foot traffic impacts the product’s wear and tear. From employees to customers to suppliers, a constant shift of movement can affect the flooring. Additionally, there may be business equipment, office furniture, and vendor supplies that create added wear on the flooring.

Cleaning and maintenance – commercial flooring often moves beyond standard cleanings with a damp mop. Frequent cleanings and sanitizing may be daily occurrences, including the use of harsh chemical products. Where residential flooring would wear down quickly, commercial flooring is built specifically for this level of treatment. It stands up to all of this and more without damage. And it can do so with resistance to other harmful substances that can form with water or chemical damage, such as rot, mold, or mildew.

What is residential flooring

Residential flooring is designed to provide aesthetics in a home environment. Typically, homeowners like individuality and modernization, and are looking for ways to create a pleasing environment while building resale value at the same time. Homeowners want:

Variety – homeowners often use several different products throughout the home. They can do so based on traffic levels in each room, giving a wider array of possibilities in design. Residential flooring is built for style, and to allow homeowners to develop their own personality in each room as they design.

Maintenance – am empty nest requires different levels of maintenance compared to a growing family of four. Having many different residential flooring options allows each homeowner to select flooring based on their needs and desires. Some may wish to exchange durability for practicality. Today’s manufacturers provide options to assure no matter what desires you have in mind, aesthetics is something you’ll never have to compromise on.

What is the difference between commercial and residential flooring?

From reading the two descriptions above, it’s easy to determine that the two types of flooring have vastly different requirements. This impacts the way each are constructed.

Whether commercial or residential, you can find flooring in every category: hardwood, laminate, vinyl, or carpeting. The differences lie in how it’s constructed: commercial-grade or residential-grade. Depending on which you select determines the materials it’s made from, how it’s constructed, how durable it is, and how it’s installed.

Some of the differences include:

Characteristics – while you may think your kids sometimes resemble little tornados moving through your home, they still don’t create the environment that many commercial applications take on. Commercial floors will have far more characteristics to stand up to daily pressure:

• Waterproof
• Heat-resistant
• Soundproof
• Slip-proof
• Corrosion-resistant
• Moisture-repellant

Looks are often underlying in requirements in a commercial setting. It’s often solely about durability. And while you want your residential flooring to be durable, extremes may be limited to certain rooms in your home. The kitchen may have a lot more activity than a guest bedroom, for instance.

Selection – residential flooring is built around personalization and customization. That’s why you’ll find much wider style selections. Manufacturers know residential homes need several different styles of flooring to complete their entire home application. Residential flooring buyers often like change to complement their new styles and aesthetics. It’s more about design.

Commercial spaces keep personalization out of the equation. They look more for simple, neutral designs and styles to put the emphasis on business, not on the aesthetics of flooring itself. Luxury and plush flooring choices are almost always out of the equation when designing for high-traffic environments. Simple, durable products win every time.

What type of flooring is most cost effective?

When looking for commercial flooring, a few materials jump to the forefront as high-quality, durable, yet cost effective too. Today’s vinyl products offer unmatched durability, something more business owners are installing as time goes by. Or consider resilient flooring. It offers many of the same advantages as luxury vinyl products, including noise-reduction, which is often necessary in business environments.

If you haven’t seen luxury vinyl lately, you’re missing out on one of the fastest growing flooring products on the market. Luxury vinyl comes in many formats, including planks and tiles, giving it the classic good looks people want. Yet luxury vinyl provides something you can’t achieve with classic hardwood – you will have a waterproof flooring.

When you move to a commercial grade luxury vinyl plank, you’ll have one of the strongest materials available today. From customers and employees to vendors and suppliers, this flooring will stand up to everything dished out. Plus it has the added bonus of being softer on the feet, a good feature if you’ll be standing on your feet all day.

Resilient flooring is especially appealing because its stronger materials help muffle sounds. If you’ve ever heard the click-click of more traditional tile work, you’ll appreciate this product, especially in larger areas like atriums and entryways.

Residential flooring won’t receive nearly as much traffic as commercial locations. That makes grade issues more lenient, requiring thinner materials and less durability than commercial applications.

Can you cross over between the two? Of course. If you have a busy household with lots of kids and pets, commercial applications may make sense. If you’re building an online business where the only foot traffic is you, residential flooring may be the perfect choice.

No matter what your business needs, when you’re ready for new commercial or residential flooring, look no further than our showroom floor. We have the perfect solution for all of your needs, and can help you no matter how big or small your project is.

We’re here to help you find the perfect flooring solution for you. 

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When trying to find the perfect flooring choice for your home, it’s about weighing aesthetics and durability with cost effectiveness and longevity.

Do you have your heart set on a specific design, no matter how long it will last? Or is longevity your top concern, wanting flooring that will last for decades?

No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll run across a flooring product called luxury vinyl planks. This flooring product is designed to give you what you love about classic materials like hardwood, and combine it with other features you desire, such as being waterproof. It’s growing in popularity because of all the features it has to offer.

But what good is a product if it won’t last? Hardwood promises decades of use with proper maintenance and care. Tile can offer similar promises with proper care.

What about vinyl? What is the lifespan of luxury vinyl planks? Should you consider it in your next flooring upgrade?

Look at brand names for the highest longevity 

This is where brand name manufacturers win every time. If you go with one of the most popular flooring manufacturers, you’ll likely get the best results. That’s because they set the standards within the industry, and build a product that will stand the test of time.

Looking for terms like “high quality” won’t always speak the truth. Instead, pay attention to the details, ensuring it’s installed correctly and properly maintained. Most manufacturers will require it to keep warranties valid.

If you follow guidelines with proper maintenance and care, many of the top manufacturers will tell you to expect a lifespan of 25 to 30 years.

What should you consider?

Look at construction

Luxury vinyl planks are a multi-layered product. Two of the areas you should focus on include the vinyl thickness and the wear layer.

Luxury vinyl planks are created with four separate layers:

• Backing layer – the first or bottom layer, used as a stabilizing backing layer specifically formulated for durability and stability.
• Core layers – this inner core provides thickness and durability. It builds the strength of the product and ensures longevity.
• Print layer – this is the visual layer that provides realistic visuals. No matter what style you’re looking for, the print layer controls how good it looks. Pay attention to the process, as it determines how deep the construction of the visuals goes into the core.
• Wear layer – this is the clear protective coat applied to the top, giving it color stability, depth of design, and overall wearability.

When you see a product list a thickness value, it’s usually measured in millimeters, and refers to the vinyl core. Luxury vinyl planks are typically between 2mm to 9mm for a higher quality product line. If you’re looking for a long lifespan, focus on getting a thicker product. The thinner the product, the more often they require specific underlayment in place before the installation. Thicker planks will often include the subfloor built in, and provide a more authentic look and feel.

The wear layer is measured in mil, and typically ranges between 8mil and 12 mil for residential products, and 20mil to 40mil for commercial applications. The thicker the wear layer, the more protection you’ll have from impacting the visual layer. This is when scuffs, scratches, and dents really start to show.

Consider your wear before settling on a product lifespan of luxury vinyl planks is contingent on how well it handles over time. High traffic areas like kitchens and entryways should err on the side of being as durable as possible. In lower traffic areas – possibly a guest bathroom – can do well with a lower quality product.

Focus on care

When homeowners select flooring material such as hardwood, they also look at ways to extend the life of the product, to ensure the best results.

Luxury vinyl planks are no different.

If you want to extend the lifespan, start by selecting a product that can withstand all your family will dish out. In higher traffic areas, select a higher quality product. In lower traffic areas, it may make sense to go with a different product, focusing on looks and aesthetics rather than durability as your top choice.

With the planks in place, provide proper care. Luxury vinyl planks are surprisingly easy to care for. Since they are water-resistant, or in some cases waterproof, they can withstand all your family dishes out. Simply wipe away messes as soon as they occur.

Stick with manufacturer’s suggested cleaning products. Some cleaners on the market today have harsh chemicals that can strip and damage the wear layer. Skip using these, and focus on mild cleaners instead. They will give you lasting results over time.

To provide further protection, consider using area rugs in the heaviest used areas. Rugs made from jute, cotton, or woven backings are better than with plastic latex in place. Plastic can easily scratch the surface as it moves.

You can also make a rule of no shoes in the house. When you remove shoes first, you’re less likely to bring in damaging particles that can scratch and dent floors. It also stops germs at the door instead of tracking them deep inside your home.

Think about your floors as you take everything in stride. If shoes can scratch and dent the floor, imagine what’s happening when an office chair slides across the floor. Consider using a chair mat to prevent damage.

You can also reduce the chances of sharp objects hitting the planks. Be cautious of where you place damaging items. Can you keep them in spaces where they are better contained? Use area rugs underneath dining room tables, or in a home office underneath the desk. Place soft pads underneath furniture legs. Awareness is the first step in prevention.

Are you ready for luxury vinyl planks?

It’s growing in popularity. It makes a dynamic flooring choice. Is luxury vinyl planks suitable for your needs? They may be the perfect choice.

While the lifespan of luxury vinyl planks may differ from other flooring choices, with care and maintenance, it will give you years of enjoyment.

Are you considering luxury vinyl planks for your next remodeling project?

The post What Is The Lifespan of Luxury Vinyl Planks? first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

With parquet flooring styles you can be fun and creative.  There are various different patterns that you can create to make your flooring truly unique to you.  The patterns you can make depend on the size of the parquet block.  For some of the patterns the width of the block needs to be divisible into the length.  This will give you the range of more patterns and styles. Read More

Humans have long since realized the advantages of using tile.

Thousands of years ago, the first tiles were fired and created in the Holy Lands, weaving their way through history as the Romans and other civilizations brought them inside their homes. Individual clay tiles were pressed and imprinted by hand until the first machine made it possible to mass produce.

The Victorian era pushed tile even more into popularity with their demand for cleanliness and public health. Tile is one of the best surface areas to clean and sanitize with little effort. What they fell in love with was the almost unlimited color and design possibilities, as well as its durability.

Those are the very reasons that tile remains popular today. You don’t have to look very far to see the advantages of using tile in almost every room in your home. (Inside and out!)

If you’re finalizing your next home improvement project, and you’re considering tile, here are just a few of the advantages for finalizing and selecting this popular flooring choice.

Unlimited design potential

What captures most homeowners’ attention is the unlimited design potential tile brings to possibilities. No matter what color or pattern you’ve been dreaming of, you’ll find it with today’s tile selections. They can be made from a variety of materials:

• Cement
• Ceramic
• Glass
• Marble
• Porcelain
• Slate
• Travertine

Because there are so many options, you’ll find them at just about every price point you can imagine. Whether you’re looking for an affordable option, or want the finest luxury, there’s an option for you.

Durability

There’s a reason why digs in ancient civilizations find tile in various shapes and formats – it stands the test of time. While we’re not saying your tile floor will last thousands of years, with care and maintenance, it can last for decades. You’ll grow weary of the design and color long before the tile itself wears out.

If you’re looking for flooring in a high-traffic situation, tile will always be one of the flooring choices that tops the list. If water, moisture, dampness, or other messy situations will be a constant in the room, tile will again work its way up the list of possibilities. That’s why you’ll see tile recommended in almost every room:

• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Entryways
• Hallways
• Basements
• Even in outdoor living spaces like patios and porches

Keep in mind that every material will function differently. If you have specific needs, be sure to research thoroughly and select the right material for you. There are even waterproof choices if that’s important to you.

Low maintenance

With the right tile in place, it can be one of the easiest flooring choices to maintain. That’s why you’ll find tile in residential as well as commercial settings. There’s a reason restaurants, supermarkets, and even hospitals use this popular flooring product.

It just takes a regular routine of some water and a mop for cleaning up quick messes. For something deeper, there are many household cleaners that will do the trick. You can keep this process as eco-friendly as you desire, or turn to industrial strength cleaning if that’s more your style. Just ensure the tile you select can take the chemicals you apply, and won’t harm the finish.

Low cost

One of the biggest advantages of using tile is their affordability. Because certain types of tile are produced on a mass scale, you can find high quality tile at a price that suits every budget.

Yet if you want uniqueness and you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind look, there’s a tile for you too.

Keep in mind that installation costs will also include preparing the subfloor, adhesive costs, as well as grout and possibly a sealer.

One of the advantages of using tile in a room is it’s easy to fix potential problems. Keep a few extra tiles on hand for replacement. That way you won’t have to rip up a floor with one problem area, and can simply replace the tile that’s broken or cracked.

Environmentally friendly

Going green is on everyone’s minds these days. And there’s a good reason why tile continues to make the list. A lot of tile materials provide you with some of the most eco-friendly flooring materials. Think sand, glass, stone, and clay. These materials are found readily in nature, and take very little processing to create the finished product.

Tiles can also make it easier to heat and cool your home. Tile is naturally cool to the touch. In the heat of the summer, they can feel cool on your feet, and make it easier to keep your home feeling cool no matter how high the temperatures climb.

Colordoans are often leery of installing tile because of the coolness in the dead of winter. Don’t let that hold you back. Radiant heating is one of the most energy efficient heating systems around. Because it uses water to heat a space rather than air, it will be more energy efficient. That means it can improve your utility bills as well as stay warm and toasty under feet. Imagine that when you step out of bed in the morning and head into your master suite.

Cleaner, healthier living space

Tiles can also create a healthier living space. Because they have a hard, smooth surface area, they won’t attract dirt, pollen, or other allergens the way other flooring products will.

Most tiles are fired in kilns at high temperatures, removing toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the mix. If you’ve ever said “no” to other flooring products because you’re nervous about what they’ll do to your air quality, say “yes” to tile and you’ll love the results.

Plus, when it comes to cleaning and sanitizing, you’ll be able to swish away dirt and germs whenever you please. And that’s more important now than ever after all we’ve lived through in the past couple of years.

Are you ready for the advantages of installing tile flooring?

The benefits of tiles are almost never-ending. That’s why they remain one of the most popular choices for a home.

Whether you’re remodeling a room, or looking at replacing the flooring in every room in your home, there’s a tile that will work for you.

Stop by today and view our entire selection.

The post Advantages Of Using Tile In Your Next Home Improvement Project first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

The sky is a brilliant blue. The fragrant lilacs and roses are in full bloom. You’ve cleaned the barbecue and restocked your ceramic briquettes or loaded up on conventional charcoal. You’ve worked hard on your yard or patio and want to host a barbecue or friend get-together and have the family over for dinner.

It’s truly summer in Colorado!

As you celebrate the bounty of our glorious state with gatherings, make sure the inside of your house looks and smells as good as the outside. 

Cushion patrol

What do you usually do to usher in the freshness? Perhaps you air out the house, vacuum, dust, or give the windows a vinegar rinse?

As you vacuum your floors, don’t forget to vacuum your upholstered furniture as well. Loads of odors and dirt can be trapped there. Remove cushions from couches and loveseats. As you do this, take note of which side of the cushion was facing up and what part of the couch or loveseat it occupied. We’ll circle back to this later.

If it’s been awhile since you’ve cleaned the couch, have a small trash bag and box handy as you go. Place change, lost jewelry, socks (yes, sometimes that’s where they went!), and toys in the box. Throw away large food debris like popcorn and chips or wrappers in the bag. No shame! It happens to all of us. 

Vacuum underneath the cushions thoroughly. Next, vacuum the arms, back and sides of each piece of furniture. If you have a sofa bed, this might be a good time to vacuum the mattress and check to see if used sheets need to be replaced for the next guest. Vacuuming the throw pillows is a great idea too.

Once everything is clean, vacuum and replace the cushions, making sure to flip them over and rotate their positions as you go. This will ensure more even furniture wear and tear and prevent the dreaded “sofa divot,” that deep, broken down spot on Uncle Larry’s couch where you can tell he sat for 23 years!

If you have upholstered dining room chairs or easy chairs, don’t leave them out. Entertainment room leather chairs can also be a treasure trove of leftover snack crumbs and coins.

Now that you’ve done your summer spruce up (it feels good, doesn’t it?), you’ve likely become more acquainted with your upholstered furniture. Did you notice a particular couch or chair was pretty dingy or dull? Did getting your face close to the recliner make you want to gag because of an unpleasant, uh, odor?

If so, consider regular professional upholstery cleaning. Professional cleaning can remove layers of dirt and brighten used furniture. Regular upholstery cleaning can also protect your health and safeguard your family from molds, bacteria, fungi, pollen, pollutants and tobacco smoke residue.

Professional upholstery cleaning can even extend the life of your furniture and keep it looking newer. 

Guest management

Everything looks and smells great. Now you’re ready for the party, barbecue or book club. But what happens if Veronica decides to bring her beloved Schnauzer, Bowser, the night you are all supposed to discuss All the Light We Cannot See?

Don’t let Bowser lounge on the sofa or the chairs you just cleaned. No. Down boy. Allowing pets on furniture, whether your own or Veronica’s, can further break down and soil your upholstery.

The next time you host a barbecue and guests come in from the inevitable afternoon rain, make sure to clean up any spills that happen immediately. Blot the stain with a clean cloth, and if you’re not sure how to treat the particular stain, call A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning. We can give you phone advice that might just save your favorite chair. Click here for more spot removal advice.

Certain types of stains like red wine, blood and oil can require professional cleaning for removal. 

A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning services Parker, Castle Rock, Englewood, Littleton and more. We are happy to help with any kind of carpet cleaning or upholstery cleaning and offer emergency stain advice. We have serviced the Denver metro area for more than 30 years. Several of our employees have worked with us for over a decade. Contact us at 720.344.2870 or use our online form to schedule a free consultation.

The post Tips to keep your furniture and upholstery fresh appeared first on A Personal Touch.

A wooden floor with honey tones can enhance your room by adding warmth and depth.  The honey tones are just a twist on an Oak flooring.  You will still see the beauty of the Oak, but a colour stain gives you the caramel and honey shades throughout your floor.  It is a great alternative to traditional Oak flooring, and you will find that the colour will match most interiors. Read More

Updating or replacing commercial flooring can be an overwhelming task. That’s why many people forgo the process for as long as possible.

But your commercial flooring sets the stage for your entire business.

• What do people think when they enter?
• What aesthetics is it creating?
• Are you putting people at risk with worn out floors?
• Are you harming other materials like subfloors?

Flooring may be the first thing people notice when they enter, either consciously or subconsciously. If it’s time for you to make a selection, choosing flooring that will last for the next several years, we have a few tips for you to keep in mind.

Shop with a purpose in mind

No matter what type of flooring you’ve had in place before, before installing something new, it’s a good idea to consider your specific requirements to help you determine the right choices to suit your needs. Ask yourself a few questions:

• What is the purpose of this area?
• How much foot traffic will it have to sustain?
• Is it serviceable by customers, employees, or both?
• What layout will be used?
• How durable should the material be?
• Will you have to sanitize or sterilize?
• Will it withstand heavy loads?
• Will color or patterns be a part of the final design?

While all commercial flooring applications are quite durable and can withstand a lot of use, choosing the right layout will ensure it continues to look good for many years to come.

We often suggest property managers start with a goal in mind. The questions above will help lead the way. By starting with a goal instead of a specific flooring choice, you might find better options you’ve never considered before.

A corporate boardroom may function well with commercial-grade hardwood flooring. It may just as easily create a sleek and sophisticated design with well-branded commercial carpeting in corporate colors. By seeing both choices up close and personal, you’ll be able to visualize the right choice for your overall design.

Select the right materials

Once you’ve settled on a particular material, then you can explore commercial materials. Commercial product lines are built stronger for higher traffic situations, more cleaning, and more wear and tear.

This isn’t a time to skimp on quality. Superior materials may cost a bit more upfront, but often provide many more years of service.

For example, many office buildings select hardwood flooring because it’s cost-effective and offers the opportunity for several refinishes. It’s a product that can withstand years of use, while providing the ambiance many companies are looking for.

If hardwood is your top choice, many items impact your final cost:

• Quality and grade of the wood
• Core structure – solid core or engineered hardwood
• Subfloor maintenance or installation
• Prep work and cleanup required

Again, staying open during this process can alert you to flooring concepts you may never have considered before. If you’re set on hardwood, have you looked at commercial-grade luxury vinyl planks? They offer durability and can even be waterproof. That can be a great addition to an office building if ice and snow are often dragged in on shoes.

Special circumstances

We understand that every property manager and business owner has different long-term goals. What are you trying to achieve in both the short and long term?

We work with a lot of commercial properties that are looking for eco-friendly materials. Some are working towards LEED certification, and are focused on creating a healthier environment.

If that’s the case, we can steer you in the right direction. There are many options for you to consider.

How about carpet? While carpet hasn’t been the most green-friendly option over the years, it is changing. Knowing there was a problem with both production and disposal, many manufacturers have prioritized green practices. Carpet tiles may be a perfect solution. Some manufacturers build padding into the backing, meaning you can place it directly over the subfloor. Because it’s tile-based, if damage occurs to one tile, you simply peel it up and put a new one in place. That’s a lot more efficient than replacing an entire carpet area. Less waste in the landfill over time. Or even better, is recycled and made into other products.

Is sustainable hardwood right for you? Hardwood is often considered an eco-friendly choice, but you do have to pay attention to the entire process. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a non-profit organization that certifies forests have sustainable management practices. It ensures the hardwood isn’t taken from regions that are over harvested. You should also look at the entire production process to ensure the manufacturer doesn’t use harmful chemicals during processing – avoid wood that has been processed with harsh chemicals such as formaldehyde.

Or maybe earth-friendly bamboo is the right choice for you? Bamboo is another great choice commercial properties are leaning towards. Its greatest feature is how fast it grows, and its sustainable growing patterns. Bamboo groves don’t require fertilizer, pesticides, or even much water. A grove of bamboo can be harvested about every seven years. Compare that to the growth pattern of trees, which takes 30-50 years. Less space and more product – that’s a win/win for manufacturers and consumers.

Find the right provider

There are many ways to go about installing commercial flooring to suit your needs. Have a maintenance team on staff? Want them to do the installation?

Yet before you move towards the installation process, it’s important to select the right flooring dealer. Yes, it matters. You can get discount products online, but you’ll end up with discount materials that don’t stand up over time.

To ensure a long life, select a reputable flooring dealer who knows how to find the highest quality commercial flooring options. They have experience in weeding through the different manufacturers, and only showcasing the ones who provide products that have long wearability.

We suggest you look at their reviews online. You can quickly piece together how well they are received in their community. You can’t hide bad reviews, any more than you can ignore finding a reputable company that stands behind their work.

We’ve been in business as a reputable commercial and residential flooring dealer for many years. Right here in the Denver-Metro area, we’re proud to be a part of this community.

How can we help you find the right commercial flooring to suit your needs?

The post This Is How You Choose The Right Commercial Flooring For Your Business first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

Ready to install a new floor? Among the many decisions you’ll be making includes the installation system.

Whether you’re leaning towards traditional hardwood or engineered plans, these floorings have come a long way since the early days when freshly cut boards were nailed together to create a uniform walking path. Today’s wood surfaces are smoother than ever before, partially because of the production that goes into the product long before it makes it through your door.

Tongue and groove flooring is quite easy to install. Its wood planks are all created with both protruding and concave parts that ultimately fit together like pieces of a puzzle. These tongue and groove floorboards make it easy to install. One tongue fits firmly into the groove of the adjoining board, creating a flat surface with little vertical movement between them. It creates just enough space to allow for expansion and contraction as environmental conditions adjust based on seasons and weather.

What is tongue and groove flooring 

Tongue and groove flooring isn’t a new concept. It was developed back in the late 1800s as manufacturers started mass-producing hardwood planks. As hardwood grew in popularity, creating a system for easy production as well as installation began to undergo transformation. Exposed nail heads were always a problem. Tongue and groove flooring hides or forgoes nails, thus creating a smoother surface.

One side of the board has a protruding tongue, while the other has a concave groove. During installation, the ridge of one side of the board is fitted into the groove of an adjacent board, creating a tight and well-fitted seam. As the floor is fitted together, you can use adhesive, secret nailing, or a floating system to hold it in place.

Tongue and groove or non-grooved planks

If you’re new to tongue and groove technology, you might be asking: what if you install non-grooved planks?

Non-grooved planks would simply be hardwood planks the same height and width on every side of the board. Tongue and groove flooring was introduced because of the problems it solves:

• Shrinkage
• Warping
• Working loose over time
• Nail heads showing and creating uneven surfaces

Because the individual floorboards interlock, they’re less likely to heave or show gaps as they expand and move based on shrinkage and swelling, which wood has a tendency to do as the environment changes over time. The grooves are enough to keep planks in place, and handle well over time.

That makes them the preferred choice in hardwood planks, one that is used almost exclusively for both traditional and engineered hardwood.

Tongue and groove or click and lock – what’s the difference?

Click and lock technology is much newer to the marketplace. It takes the puzzle layout of tongue and groove one step further, and gives you the ability to lock the individual planks together, creating a smooth surface area that holds together.

You won’t need any other mechanism for holding the planks in place. Adhesive, nails, even staples won’t be necessary. The individual planks lock together as they feed across the surface, from one side of the room to another.

Click and lock is a do-it-yourselfer’s dream. It has a similar layout to the traditional tongue and groove mechanism. It differs because it has an interlocking profile around the edge that makes it easy to click and lock together. Because it holds together without attaching to a subfloor, it makes it easy to install, even over existing flooring.

It can be installed directly over many other flooring products, which means you won’t have the added expense of ripping out old flooring. This only works with flooring with a smooth surface area already in place. Carpet still must be ripped out, as well as uneven problematic flooring.

Click and lock has been extended beyond traditional and engineered hardwood to include laminate and vinyl planks that resemble hardwood. That gives do-it-yourselfers many options.

Advantages of tongue and groove flooring

Why did tongue and groove become the standard in the hardwood plank industry? Because of the smooth surface area created once the planks are fitted together.

The biggest advantage to a tongue and groove floor is the tight fit created as the boards come together. This tight seem lessens the chance of seepage in between, meaning the floor will hold up and look newer longer.

This tight fit also means the installation process is easier. It will require a minimal amount of nailing or gluing to ensure the floorboards stay in place.

Because tongue and groove planks are the norm, you will find them in both pre-finished and site-finished plank flooring products. If you opt for site-finished, the sealant will provide a protective coating over the entire surface area, blocking out potential problem areas between the planks. This can make many hardwood flooring surface areas water-resistant, standing up better to all your family can dish out.

Disadvantages of tongue and groove flooring

As you’re weighing your options for what flooring choice will best suit your needs, keep in mind that tongue and groove flooring does have a few disadvantages.

Before you install it, it’s essential to properly acclimate it to your home’s surroundings. If the boards are swollen due to humidity or moisture, the tongue and groove system can be difficult to implement. The boards might not join together.

When you push, trying to force the joints together, the tongues can easily break off. This renders them useless, and will require you to purchase more material to finish the installation.

The tongue and groove system is almost always considered one-time use. After the tongue and groove mechanism is joined, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to pull them back apart. If you attempt to force them apart, you will almost always experience significant breakage.

Is tongue and groove flooring right for your home?

Whether you select traditional or engineered hardwood flooring, tongue and groove mechanism will most likely be in place. This creates a smooth, functional surface area that will provide you with the best results over time.

Have additional questions about flooring? Stop by, or give us a call today.

The post What Does Tongue and Groove Flooring Mean? first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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It’s every homeowner’s goal to turn their house into a home. Turning the ordinary into the extraordinary can sometimes be as simple as having a new floor installed. While carpet tends to be relatively inexpensive, it has a habit of attracting dirt and bacteria and requires quite a bit of work to maintain and keep clean. If you have a house that contains both kids and pets, then the amount of traffic and foreign material that gets tracked in can be quite astronomical. An alternative to this situation can be found in having a hardwood floor installed.

Advantages of Hardwood

Hardwood floors have many advantages over carpeting. And while the reasons for this could be an entire article itself, we’ve taken the time to list a few of them.

• While carpeting is known for accumulating a lot of dirt and allergens, hardwood floors actually improve the quality of air in any room that they’re installed in.
• Hardwood is much easier to clean than carpet and doesn’t require vacuuming, shampooing, or expensive treatments. Keeping the dirt outside where it belongs is a lot easier.
• A hardwood floor adds to the property value of your house, should you ever decide to sell.
• If you’re trying to create an ideal aesthetic for your home, a hardwood floor can provide that rustic feel and necessary warmth to make your house feel more like home.

Upkeep For Your Hardwood Floor

As we previously mentioned, taking care of a hardwood floor takes a lot less work than a carpeted one. While the use of a vacuum isn’t necessary for one, some people opt to utilize one to remove the dust that tends to accumulate in hard-to-reach places. For general upkeep, you’ll need a dust mop and broom, and going over it once every two weeks is advisable to keep it looking good.

Many homeowners consider hardwood floors an investment, and it’s easy to see why. While general upkeep of sweeping is part of ownership, there’s no need for the expensive treatments that accompany owning a carpeted floor. A simple matter of keeping your pet’s nails trimmed and not wearing boots or high-heeled shoes on the floor can prevent scuff marks and noticeable abrasions.

Flooring.org

A hardwood floor can greatly improve your home’s aesthetic and quality of life. If you’re considering making the change and abandoning the carpet, visit www.flooring.org to see what direction is best for you. To speak with us directly, please call 800-689-9006.

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A distressed wooden floor is one that has added texture to the surface.  This means that the planks or blocks of wood have been intentionally aged, which adds imperfections to enhance the charm and appeal of the floor.  The distressed floors have already had a surface finish added so provide protection from daily wear and tear. Read More