Why You Should Consider Laminate Flooring

Modern homes have so many wonderful options to choose from when it comes to your floors. For our part, we offer everything from Herringbone to vinyl and even bamboo flooring. There are some floor materials, like laminate flooring, which have become very popular since they provide superior protection against moisture and heat.

Why Laminate Flooring?

Flooring.org wants to suggest a few reasons why you should consider laminate flooring for your next home renovation.

There are several advantages to choosing laminate floors.

Less Expensive Than Hardwood

Hardwood floors might cost you anywhere from $6 to $23 per square foot, whereas laminate flooring ranges from $1 to $12 generally. Also, since hardwood floor is harder to install (see bullet point #3), you’re likely to incur higher labor costs as well.

Durable Material

Not all laminate is made the same, which is an advantage for homeowners who want to spend more on a durable version with a higher Abrasion Criteria (AC). Laminate comes in different strengths, including the kind with the highest ratings of AC4/AC5.

Easier to Install/Repair

Many homeowners choose to install laminate flooring themselves, which is a lot more feasible than it is with other materials. We also think the cleaning and maintenance are easier. You’ll have less difficulty trying to control the dust as well as handle spills as laminate doesn’t stain as badly.

Several Styles

Do you want your laminate to resemble stone, wood, or other textures? It’s all possible and you can probably do it with fewer defects. Sometimes, the imitation approach is better, especially since you have a wider range of colors to choose from as well.

Versatility

Whether you choose to install laminate flooring in a living room, kitchen, bedroom, or basement, it looks good everywhere. This is true even in humid climates where other materials run the risk of moisture damage in certain areas of the house.

Laminate Floors from Flooring.org

Flooring.org is your leader in everything flooring, and that goes for laminate flooring too. We can help you take advantage of something that’s just as nice, more durable, and less expensive than real wood flooring. Check out this beautiful example, the Mannington Laminate Flooring, which comes from 70% recycled content.

Flooring.org supplies and services flooring supplies across a wide spectrum of materials, including laminate. If you need help selecting good flooring or don’t know how to do an installation, we’re here to help. Call us to learn more at (800) 689-9006.

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

When working on home improvement plans, the 2022 Colors of the Year can help with inspiration. Though The Carpet Guys specialize in flooring, we want to share some inspiring colors that may transform your space. Read on to see some great ideas.

While we are reviewing these amazing new 2022 Colors of the Year, we are also going to recommend flooring options that we believe would complement these beautiful hues.

Pantone 2022 Color of the Year

Pantone is the leader in all things color.  When fledgling companies are just setting up, many refer to Pantone. It helps them choose the color scheme that will best represent what their company stands for.  In Pantone’s words, “A new color whose courageous presence encourages personal inventiveness and creativity.” Very Peri is representative of the transformative times we are entering after a long and arduous journey with Covid.

And what better flooring to accentuate this peaceful tint than Shaw’s COREtec luxury vinyl tile in the color Libra?! It maintains the cool tone of the Very Peri and supports Libra’s desire for balance and harmony.

Sherwin-Williams 2022 Color of the Year

The warm, earthy neutral of Evergreen Fog is a subtle accent for any room in your home.  It can straddle the gap between cool greys and warmer neutral shades like beige or even dark coffee.  This is why we recommend Mohawk’s RevWood Plus Crest Haven Prairie House Oak. It’s a warm, rich coffee-colored laminate that will bring warmth to any room it’s installed in.

Krylon’s 2022 Color of the Year for Our DIY’ers

For all our do-it-yourselfers out there, Krylon chose Satin Rolling Surf as their spray paint 2022 Color of the Year. This vibrant teal hue embodies Krylon’s own color marketing manager Sue Kim’s quote. “The depth of this blue taps into mental well-being, connecting with optimism and hope, and helping set a sense of stability and balance through refreshed DIY projects.”

If you are a proficient DIY’er, come to The Carpet Guys and check out our vast selection of cash and carry carpet remnants. Like this Phenix Flooring’s Tempt Allure to accentuate whatever refinished furnishings you have created with this beautiful Krylon color. You won’t be disappointed with our prices or our options.

We recommend calling 1-800-PAINTERS (1-800-724-6837) if you want any of these colors added to your home decor in paint form.

If you are looking for flooring installation to accent your 2022 colors, call 855-4-MY-GUYS (855-469-4897). We will bring our showroom to your home.  Our Design Consultants can help you decide what colors and styles will best suit your household needs and budget.  Or go to our online in-home schedule page and we can set up an appointment day and time that is convenient for you.

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One of the most high-traffic areas in your home is the kitchen. That’s probably why you hear so many experts tell you hardwood flooring in the kitchen isn’t a good idea.

But is that true?

Think about all the action that happens in the kitchen. You cook. You bake. You eat. Food and liquid hit the floor on a regular basis.

At dinnertime, it’s one of the busiest, dirtiest places inside the house.

That’s why flooring choice is so important.

You want to couple durability with aesthetics, giving you a room you’ll love to spend time in, and one that functions well too.

Hardwood is one of the most popular flooring choices. According to a National Association of Realtors Remodeling Impact Report, 78 percent of consumers who installed wood flooring had a greater desire to be in their home. And as an investment, new wood flooring had 106 percent cost recovered when selling a home.

So why not the kitchen?

If you dig deep into what designers really think, you’ll quickly discover that hardwood in the kitchen isn’t as taboo as you might think. In fact, there are many benefits to using hardwood in the one spot your family spends countless hours in.

Create a uniform floorplan

A lot of homes across Colorado utilize an open concept floorplan, which has been popular for many years. Instead of closing off every room with a door, openings and entries allow you to flow naturally from room to room. Living rooms, dining space, kitchens – they all flow together to allow easy living. And as such, it only makes sense to install the same flooring throughout.

If using hardwood in other areas, only to transition to tile or vinyl in the kitchen has left you cold in the past, now is the time to rethink your flooring strategy. With the advancements made in hardwood flooring technology, there’s no reason to stop hardwood at the starting point of your kitchen. It disrupts the flow and creates a choppy design – that’s not the way to create appealing aesthetics throughout.

Hardwood is one of the most durable floors you can install

Why do so many people install hardwood flooring? Because it can last for decades if well cared for.

People are even seeking out reclaimed wood that was recovered from old barns and structures, refurbishing them and using them to add personality to their homes.

When you bring hardwood into your home, and use a protective seal to protect it, you’re giving your floors strength to withstand all your family can dish out.

In the kitchen, that can include dropped pans, leaky containers, and the occasional food spill that causes a sticky mess. Today’s sealers offer enough defense to make any cleanup easy, and prevent it from doing further damage.

Think hardwood can’t stand up to all your family can dish out? Check the warranties of many of today’s top lines. They offer years worth of protection. If they provide the warranty, isn’t that one more reason for you to consider hardwood in the kitchen?

It’s easy to clean

Kitchens get messy. There’s no avoiding it.

It isn’t a place to worry about every time you drop a spoon. Luckily, you don’t have to.

Today’s finishes and sealers protect against a variety of daily mishaps. With a damp cloth and quick action, you can prevent staining and damage just by wiping it up. That’s all it takes for daily maintenance.

You can vacuum the floor weekly to ensure all crumbs are picked up and pushed from the corners. If you prefer to mop, do so with it carefully wrung out – excessive moisture isn’t good for hardwood, especially if it’s allowed to sit.

And when the time is right, hardwood gives you another advantage – it can be refinished multiple times. A professional can come in and sand it down, fix any damage, and apply a new coat of stain and sealer. Then you’re ready to go once again, and can enjoy your hardwood flooring all over again. It’s the one floor that keeps on giving throughout the years.

It’s easy to install

Hardwood flooring has been used in homes all across the world for decades. That means installers have a lot of experience with installing hardwood, and understand how to blend it with other flooring materials inside your home. Whether you choose to match it up with hardwood already in place, or remove old flooring and start with a clean slate, a hardwood specialist will be able to create the look you’re striving for.

It’s environmentally friendly

Going green may be a buzzword in the home renovation business, but if you’re striving to make your home cleaner, more chemical-free, hardwood may be just the thing to install.

Natural versus human-made – the closer you can get to nature, the more assured you’ll be of the impact it has on your family. Pay attention to the entire life cycle; does the manufacturer use sustainable processes throughout? This included production, manufacturing, and what happens to materials at end of life.

Is hardwood flooring in the kitchen right for you? 

We’ve had clients wait years to install hardwood throughout their living space out of fear of what would happen in the kitchen. They installed vinyl and hated it. They’ve laid tile into place only to turn around and tear it out. When they finally settled on hardwood, matching it to the floors in their living room, dining room, and family space, that’s when they felt their homes were complete.

If you’ve been stalling on adding new flooring to your home because you weren’t sure if hardwood was the right choice for your kitchen, put your doubts aside.

Hardwood is more than doable in any kitchen with today’s product lines. And you’ll love the results.

Isn’t that what home design should be?

The chance to let your personality shine, and create the look that’s perfect for your tastes.

Don’t be afraid of hardwood. It might just be the best material you’ve ever installed in your kitchen space.

The post 5 Reasons Why Hardwood Flooring Is Perfect For The Kitchen first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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Whether you need an underlay depends on three main things.  Firstly, which flooring you have. Secondly, where you are going to fit it. Thirdly, how you are going to install it.  Generally, you will need to use one if you are using engineered wood flooring and you want to float it in your home. Read More

Are you ready to add new floors inside your home? Have you been dreaming of hardwood for years, and are finally ready to have them installed? Before you make your final selection, there’s another decision: Do you want prefinished or site finished hardwood flooring?

While it might seem better to select prefinished, picking out what you want inside the store, each choice has pros and cons. Before finalizing your decision, pay attention to the differences to discover what truly is the right choice to suit your needs.

What is prefinished hardwood flooring?

Prefinished hardwood flooring takes the “what you see is what you get” philosophy to flooring design. It allows you to shop manufacturers and supplies inside the store, knowing exactly what you’ll get once you bring it into your home.

When prefinished hardwood planks are created in manufacturing, they are cut to size, stained, and sealed with a polyurethane topcoat before being shipped to your local flooring dealer. The boards come fully intact with a highly durable and scratch-resistant coating.

Because this method is ever-popular, you’ll be able to find prefinished hardwood planks in many different materials, stains, finishes, and sizes, all ready for you to take home and start installing.

What is site finished hardwood flooring?

While site finished flooring may have been the norm years ago, it’s making a comeback among homeowners and designers. Site finished hardwood flooring is precisely what it sounds like – it installs hardwood on your floors before the finishing process, with staining and sealing performed after the planks are installed.

Installers will lay unfinished wood planks down first, sand the floor, and then apply stains and sealants to finish the flooring. While this is historically how hardwood has been laid into homes for generations, there are still benefits to doing so today.

The pros and cons of prefinished hardwood flooring

For some homeowners, only prefinished hardwood flooring will do. There are lots of benefits to selecting prefinished hardwood.

What you see is what you get – if you’re a visual person, selecting prefinished hardwood planks is the perfect choice to suit your needs. You can pick the material – oak, hickory, or maple – and select the stain – light, medium, dark. You don’t have to visualize it from a tiny square on a paint chart. Instead, you can get sample planks, bring them home, and live with them for a few days. See how the different styles feel with your surroundings, and choose the right look for your lifestyle.

Faster installation – Because the boards have already been stained and sealed, you won’t have to wait for the sanding, staining, and sealing process. Once the boards are laid into place, you’ll be able to move your furniture back in and get on with life.

Durable – prefinished hardwood has the advantage of being created in a plant, meaning they have perfect controls to ensure every hardwood plank is curated according to specific specifications. The top layers can have one of the most durable sealants applied – no worries about how fumes and chemicals will impact those around during the processing. They can also use UV lights for curing, making the topcoat one of the most durable on the marketplace.

More options – because prefinished hardwood is growing in popularity, you’ll have a wide array of colors, styles, and sizes to choose from.

Less customizable – while prefinished hardwood may give you an array of colors and styles to choose from, you’ll never be able to match what site finished offers. If you have a specific color in mind, finishing the flooring on-site allows the installer to mix and match products to achieve exactly the look you’re going for. No more choosing between a too light and too dark stain – you can mix it to your specifications.

More difficult to sand and refinish in the future – while prefinished makes your first install a snap, it can increase the difficulty for future refinishes. Hard coating installed in the factory can be more difficult for refinishing in the future. It can also be tougher to fix damage without ripping up the entire floor.

The pros and cons of site finished hardwood flooring

While prefinishing gives you a variety of options, site finished makes just about anything possible.

Customize to your heart’s content – if you’ve ever walked into a paint store and looked at your options, you know there are many different colors for you to choose from. Prefinished planks are created based on customer preferences. They select the colors and stains that people buy the most of. That can lead you to accepting something less than perfect. With site finished planks, any color goes. You can get richer, deeper color combinations. You can mix and match and come up with any style you choose.

Solid surface and no beveled edges – prefinished planks are designed for quick production and installation. They have beveled edges to make installation a snap. Not sure if you like the look? Then site finished will give you a smooth look. This means it can be sanded to a smooth surface with little or no separation between the planks. This also gives you better coverage, with stain and sealer spreading across the entire surface, meaning even the seams will have protection.

Refinishing is easier in the future – because stain and sealant are installed across your entire flooring, the smooth surface will make it easier to refinish down the road. Solid wood floors last for years. But knowing you can sand it down and start over whenever you choose to update your look makes it even more worth it today.

Timing – the biggest drawback to site finished hardwood flooring is its time for installation. Every piece of production is performed inside your home. Installing the planks, sanding it for uniformity, staining it your desired color, and adding sealant and topcoat for protection – it’s all performed on site. With curing and drying times, be prepared to wait between each step. This isn’t a process that can be rushed.

Which is the right choice to suit your needs? 

Prefinished or site finished – what’s best for you? Luckily, both options are available to allow you to select what’s right for you.

Both can give you the floors of your dreams. It’s just a matter of which is better suited for your lifestyle.

How can we help you make the right choice for your home remodel?

The post Prefinished or Site Finished Hardwood – Choosing What’s Best For You first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

Wooden flooring has a real beauty and charm.  It can add character and sophistication to any size or style of room.  Wood is a natural floor covering which can look amazing in any style, shape or size of room.  A hardwood flooring not only looks stunning, but it is also easy to care for and can last for decades if looked after properly. Read More

Did you know, Colorado has 2,882 preschools and childcare centers? 1 Lots of kids are being cared for outside of their homes every day. If you own or manage a daycare center, you understand it’s even tougher to keep our kids healthy this season when families are facing colds and flu as well as various strains of Covid-19.

Our kids need all the help they can get!

Steam cleaning for health

In our last blog, we covered important ways we can all stay safe indoors this winter. Washing our hands, cleaning surfaces and staying home when we are sick all help to minimize germs.

Though our kids and daycare workers are being careful and following guidelines, bacteria, viruses and allergens can end up in daycare center carpets and on upholstered surfaces. Regular cleaning with an effective vacuum cleaner helps keep that load down. A bag vacuum system with a High Efficiency Particulate Air Filtration System works best.²

But vacuuming isn’t enough.

Over the years, A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning has helped area day care centers go the extra mile and incorporate monthly steam cleaning into their cleaning protocols. The anecdotal results amazed us:

After they began monthly steam carpet cleaning, these centers reported that fewer kids were absent due to illness.

Fewer sick little ones resulted in happier, healthier families overall. Healthier children at the centers also equaled more kids attending daycare consistently and paying for that care. Of course, steady attendance positively affected the centers’ bottom lines.

Monthly carpet cleaning seemed to pay dividends all the way around, resulting in healthier kids and busier daycare centers.

How is this possible?

A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning uses a professional, truck-mounted cleaning system. Our cleaning water is heated up to 230oF. Even in the cold winter months, the water used to clean carpets is at least 180oF. According to our industry guidelines, just 125oF kills 98 percent of household germs including colds, flu and bed bugs.

Regular steam carpet cleaning also removes common allergens like dust, pollen and mold spores that can impact some kids’ immune systems and make them feel miserable.

Your cleaning partner

Have questions about regular carpet cleaning? We are standing by to answer them. Colorado State Rules and Regulations also recommend keeping your daycare center carpeting in good repair and steam cleaning carpeting after hazardous fluid spills.3 Our technicians can help!

Don’t wait, call A Personal Touch for a consultation to see how regular carpet cleaning and maintenance can help your center thrive and keep kids at your daycare facility safer. Our service area encompasses a wide swath of neighborhoods including Denver, Castle Rock, Centennial, Highlands Ranch, Sedalia and Jefferson County.

Sources

1 https://childcarecenter.us/state/colorado#:~:text=With%202%2C882%20preschools%20and%20child,option%20is%20waiting%20for%20you
2 How Your Vacuum Cleaner Can Help You Ward off Colds & Flu – House of Vacuums
3 The Colorado State Rules and Regulations Governing the Health and Sanitation of Child Care Facilities in the State of Colorado

The post Regular carpet cleaning is a must for day care centers appeared first on A Personal Touch.

If you have noticed the skyrocketing inflation rates and need financing options for home improvement, The Carpet Guys have some suggestions.  There’s even one with 0% interest for the first 48 months† for those who qualify! Read on to find out more.

Should I Use Financing for Home Improvements?

Obviously, the best way to pay for anything is to save your money and use the cash to pay in full.  Overextending finances is not ideal. Unfortunately, emergency situations or larger projects make that difficult. If you can make regular monthly payments and pay the balance in full, then financing has its benefits. Often, as you make regular, on-time payments, there is no interest charged for a period. In the accounting world, we call that free money. There’s no reason not to use someone else’s money to pay for a project while keeping your hard-earned cash in the bank.

Is it Hard to Apply for Financing?

In the past, if you needed financing for a home renovation, you had to go to a loan officer and hope for the best. Now, applying is easier. The Carpet Guys can help you apply for financing while providing you with your free in-home flooring estimate. You don’t even have to have stellar credit. When you provide some basic information, the application process takes about 10-15 minutes. Our Design Consultants can provide the application process while they are measuring for your flooring needs.  It’s a seamless process we provide to all our customers that qualify.

The Carpet Guys Offers Financing

If you’re looking for some great deals, check out our specials page.  Our financing specials and coupons are updated regularly. If you have more questions about our financing options and how to apply, call 855-4-MY-GUYS (855-469-4897) and one of our customer service representatives can assist you. Or make an appointment for a free in-home estimate and one of our Design Consultants can start the application process and measure for your flooring at the same time. We will bring our showroom of samples to your home.  We offer financing for carpet, sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl plank or tiles, hardwood, laminate, or engineered hardwood.  Options for every room in your home.

48 MONTHS INTEREST-FREE†

†Some restrictions may apply. Offer is for new applicants only and cannot be combined with other promotional discounts or special offers. Special financing subject to credit approval. Not all applicants will qualify. Minimum purchase and monthly payments required. See sales consultant for details. Sale ends 2/28/2022.

$45/month flooring sale

Offer is for new applicants only and cannot be combined with other promotional discounts or special offers.  Special financing subject to credit approval.  Not all applicants will qualify.  Minimum purchase and monthly payments required.  $45 per month for 48 months with equal payments based on a purchase of $2160.  Actual payments will vary based on the final purchase and terms of financing.  See sales consultant for details.  Some restrictions apply.  Sale ends 2/28/22

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T&G flooring is a wooden floor that has a tongue and groove fitting profile.  Each plank of wood has a tongue that fits into the groove of the adjacent plank.  It provides and tight and secure fit and has been around for decades. Once fitted, the T&G floor looks no different from any other.  The tongues and grooves cannot be seen as they are hidden away between the planks. Read More

We like to keep our finger on the pulse of the flooring industry, and we can’t help but notice that bleached hardwood is trending.

But what is it exactly?

When people express interest in bleached hardwood floors, what they really are looking for is hardwood void of color. They want a white, natural look without the dark colors or stains.

Is bleached hardwood flooring for you? Let’s dig a little deeper into this trend.

Bleached, whitewashed, and natural – what’s the difference? 

When homeowners visit our retail location, they will describe this look in several ways. However, it’s a good idea to understand the different nuances of lighter wood floors to ensure you get what you’re looking for.

Bleached hardwood completely takes out the color. This will bring the hardwood down to a white color, and strip away the browns. It’s best performed with an already light wood, such as white oak floorboards. If you use it on stronger, more prominent patterned wood such as exotics, it can cause discoloration, which may not produce the look you’re trying to achieve.

Whitewash is created by using a white wood stain. Whitewash or white stain will seep into the wood and change its appearance. White stain will lighten the hardwood, but won’t hide color from hardwood such as red oak or exotics. You may still have brown color tints shining through.

Natural hardwood brings out the beauty of whatever hardwood flooring planks you’re installing. You apply a clear sealer and several coats of natural polyurethane to bring out the natural beauty in the quality of the wood.

Do-it-yourself bleaching 

Do a quick search online, and you’ll find many sites that instruct you through the process of bleaching out your flooring. Take note: this is more difficult than it seems. And it can damage the hardwood.

Bleach has become a staple in cleaning. But when used to strip down to the surface of hardwood planks, it can do more than clean the surface area.

Chlorine bleach destroys lignin. This is the part of the wood structure that hardens and strengthens the cell walls. It’s what gives hardwood its integrity.

If you use too much bleach and it seeps into the wood, it destroys the integrity of the hardwood plank, making it resistant to whatever you put on the surface area.

Even with bleached flooring, you still need surface coats to protect it from day-to-day living. And without having a bondable surface, you’ll never be able to use it as flooring.

How do you achieve a bleached hardwood flooring look? 

The simplest and most effective way to create a bleached hardwood floor is to buy prefinished hardwood already bleached to the color you prefer.

Prefinished is as the name implies – it’s prefinished and ready to install. When you select a prefinished hardwood plank, you can settle on the exact color you’re looking for. Keep in mind that with most prefinished hardwood planks, they’ve achieved the look through whitewashing or color enhancement. But what you see is what you get – and it can allow you to select exactly what you want for your home.

Prefinished is produced and sealed, topped with a polyurethane coat before it’s boxed up and delivered to your home. That means it’s one of the strongest hardwoods you’ll be able to install for your flooring. Plus, if you order an extra box, it’s easy to replace damaged planks if the situation arises. You won’t have to try and achieve the same look with a bottle of bleach and a scrub brush. You’ll have the planks ready for replacement.

What about site bleaching? 

For many homeowners, they prefer hardwood to be sealed and finished after installation. This ensures sealant gets between the floorboards, and creates a more water-resistant topcoat that protects against daily living. If that’s the case, site bleaching will be done after your hardwood is installed. This process is best left to the professionals to ensure you achieve great results.

Professionals can perform several different processes to achieve the results you’re looking for. Lime washing can give the appearance of a seaside beach house. Ammonia bleach removes the stains and dyes but will not alter the original hardwood color. It brings out the natural beauty of the wood.

What’s the right choice for you? It depends on what look you’re trying to achieve. Create a pinboard of ideas and options to see what truly motivates you in your final design.

Once your bleached hardwood floors are in place

Integrity is everything. No matter which method you choose for getting the right color hardwood for your home, maintaining the proper finish is what gives you longevity over time.

Hardwood can be one of the most durable flooring choices you’ll install inside your home. But quality matters.

First, ensure you select hardwood that stands the test of time. By choosing a high-grade hardwood, you’ll have the ability to refinish the surface area multiple times, changing the look based on your current desires.

Pay attention to Janka ratings. What matters most to hardwood is the hardness of the species itself. No matter what manufacturing process is used, if you don’t start with quality wood species, you’ll never end up with a durable hardwood plank.

Janka ratings run from zero to around 4,000 pounds. Balsa wood is extremely lightweight, and is often used for crafts. Moving to the other end would be Brazilian walnut, which is often used in decks and furniture. Once crafted, it can take a high degree of wear and tear before it starts to show its mark.

A good ranking often falls in the middle. A popular choice is oak – both the red and white varieties do well under normal living conditions. With a specific species in mind, selecting the one that will perform best for your desired effects will create a flooring choice you’re happy to live with for years.

Once you’ve achieved the color you desire, sealing and protecting it will create a surface area that works best for your lifestyle. This will protect it from stains, spills, and accidents that are a part of daily living.

Are you ready for a change? Are you remodeling your home, with new flooring at the top of your list?

Bleached hardwood flooring may be the perfect choice to set the backdrop for your new furnishings.

What questions can we answer about bleached flooring?

The post I Like Bleached Hardwood – Is It The Right Choice For Flooring? first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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