The Durability of Vinyl Plank Flooring

When you are struggling with which flooring type to get, you may want to consider vinyl plank flooring. Vinyl plank flooring is an amazing type of flooring for many different areas of your house. Here is a little more information about the durability of vinyl plank flooring.

Is It Durable?

Actually, vinyl plank flooring is one of the most durable flooring options. One of the best reasons to choose vinyl plank flooring is its water resistance. Plank flooring is very water resistant. If you frequently spill water in the kitchen or laundry room, or you are looking for a type of flooring for your bathroom, you may want to choose vinyl plank flooring. Also, pet owners love plank flooring, because with a puppy who isn’t house trained, you’re going to want vinyl plank flooring.

Vinyl flooring is a multilayered flooring that is genetically engineered to withstand heavy foot traffic and consistent wear. If you have high traffic areas, vinyl flooring is perfect for those areas in your house. Also, vinyl flooring is hard enough to withstand drops, crashes and breaks that happen in any house with children or pets. Vinyl flooring is scratch resistant as well. Vinyl flooring is a great way to put down gorgeous flooring that will last for many years to come.

Another reason people rave about vinyl flooring is because the flooring is reasonably priced, especially when compared to hardwood. There are many types of vinyl that look a lot like hardwood, which may give you the look you want at a price that won’t make you shudder.

When you are ready to select flooring for your next project, Flooring.org is here to help. Give us a call today at 1-800-689-9006. We look forward to helping you with all your project needs.

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

Thinking of installing a new floor in your home?

The fun part may be deciding what flooring to install. Hardwood or tile? Carpet or laminate?

And once you decide on the type, the colors, styles, and patterns can leave you breathless.

Who knew so much was available? How will you ever decide?

Eventually, you whittle down your selections and make a final decision.

But your options aren’t over yet.

Will you do-it-yourself? Will you hire a contractor?

Who will you trust to install one of the most important building materials in your home? If you get this part wrong, you’ll have a flooring that simply doesn’t work with your lifestyle. Hardwood may warp or cup. Tile may come loose. Carpet may buckle, creating waves across your floor.

Selecting the right flooring for your needs is only a part of your decision process. An equally important decision should come with hiring the right flooring contractor, one that will ensure the work is done correctly and will give you floors you can live with for years to come.

Where do you start to find the right flooring contractors to suit your needs?

Make sure the flooring contractor is licensed and insured

Anyone can install flooring. Not everyone can install flooring correctly. There is a difference, and yet homeowners often forget that when finalizing their decisions.

And we get it. It’s easy to break the budget upgrading to the material you’ve fallen in love with, then look for ways to cut corners on things you can’t see – like installation. Yet installation is one of the most important parts of the entire project. Get it wrong and you’ll pay for it from the start.

When you hire a contractor who is licensed and insured, you have guarantees if something goes wrong with the installation. It also protects you in the case of a contractor that doesn’t finish the job or damages the property in the process.

Get at least three quotes – don’t fall for the “good deals”

It’s easy to get excited and fall in love with a material you’ve been dreaming about for years. If you’ve looked online, you might even notice a “really good deal” and have a strong urge to jump at it. They even offer installation at a “low cost.” What could be better than that?

That’s how many homeowners fall for scams and pay the price dearly in the long run.

Companies don’t stay in business by offering unbelievable deals. They look for easy ways to pull people in, and charge exorbitant fees on the backend when you’re frustrated, panicked, and a little overwhelmed. What choice do you have at that point?

When you see things in writing, you can start to ask questions. And when you ask for at least three quotes, you can start comparing. This gives you a chance to thoroughly understand all the pieces that go into installing your new floors, and make an informed decision in the process.

Ask questions

Speaking of asking questions, we can’t recommend this enough. Before you start the process, create a list of questions that apply directly to your project. Keep adding to it. Then bring it with you when you start looking for flooring.

A reputable flooring contractor will answer all of your questions with care. They want you to be happy with the final results, and will take the time to ensure you’re happy with your purchase.

A less-than-reputable flooring contractor will get agitated quickly, try and spin the answers into something you can’t understand, and will try and press you for the sale, cutting you off in the process to do so.

Need a few ideas for great questions to ask? Start with these:

• How much work is involved in this project, beginning to end?
• How long will it take?
• What problems may occur along the way?
• How can I best be prepared on the day of installation?
• What are your recommendations for the best flooring?
• How should I maintain my flooring choice?
• What problems could arise during this process?

Now think of a few questions based on the type of flooring you’re considering, and the rooms where you’ll be installing the product you choose.

Do a little sleuthing online

This is the age of the internet, after all. If a flooring contractor is in business for the long term, they know enough to pay attention to creating a viable internet presence that helps them reach out to potential customers.

They care about the presence they are creating online.

When you search, you’ll find a bunch of information in a variety of places. They may have a website, a Facebook page, and an Instagram account. They may have reviews on Google and Angie’s.

But when you’re looking, don’t make rash decisions based on one bad review. Get a feel for what the contractor brings to the table. After all, we all have bad days. We all have bad experiences, where our needs just don’t mesh with the person we’re doing business with. One bad review never sets the stage. It’s the overall feeling you get by doing your research well.

If a company has been in business for a while, you’ll easily piece together a picture of who they are. Couple that with the feeling you get by talking with them, and you’ll quickly be able to finalize your decision.

Experience, experience, experience

There is something to the phrase: Jack of all trades, master of none. Installing click and lock laminate, or rolling out carpet in the bedroom may seem like an easy task. What about creating patterns with tile, or installing exotic hardwood flooring?

There’s a right way, and a way that will leave you vulnerable to living with problem flooring for a very long time.

If you know exactly the type of flooring you want installed, ensure the flooring contractor understands the little nuances of installing that type of floor. Do they have the appropriate tools? Have they worked with different manufacturers of this type of product?

In some cases, manufacturers may even require you to go with an experienced contractor to ensure the flooring is correctly installed. That keeps your warranty valid.

Installing new flooring?

Finding the right contractor doesn’t have to be difficult. Follow these simple rules, and you’ll fall in love with the results. And live happily ever after with a flooring that meets all of your needs.

The post How Do You Find The Right Flooring Contractors? first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

Spring has sprung and with it comes the real estate boom.  Read on to find out what are the most important things to do before selling your home.  It will maximize your resale value and minimize the strain on your wallet so you can put more into the new home of your dreams.

1 – Start Packing to Remove the Knick-Knacks and Clutter

The items in your home that make it “homey” are specific to your taste.  They may not appeal to a potential buyer.  Also, collectibles and mementos are interpreted as clutter in a buyer’s mind.  It’s important for the buyer to notice the home, not your collections or family travel keepsakes.  This includes clothing in your closets.  You want the closets and rooms to look spacious and overcrowding gives the illusion of a smaller space.  Packing these things away make a room look more spacious.

2 – Paint and Repair Walls

Make sure to repair walls from any holes or dents. Painting the walls, a neutral shade like white, cream or gray is important. A potential buyer is more likely to envision their furniture and family in a neutral-colored room. Don’t have time to paint? Call a company that specializes in painting and repair to make your life easier.  The Carpet Guys recommend 1-800-PAINTERS

3 – Fix Broken Appliances and Fixtures

It is not recommended that you purchase new appliances if you’re planning on selling your home.  It does not increase the value of your home enough to recoup that cost. If you are taking all appliances with you, note it on the sale contract. It is important that the things you are planning on leaving behind are in good working condition.  The heating and cooling system should be clean and functional.  All pipes and faucets should work well and not leak.  If you have any extras like an invisible fence, sprinkler system or wet bar, these should all be working and in good shape.  Most real estate agents will recommend that you leave any receipts and manuals that you may have for the appliances, as well.

4 – Replace Broken Windows and Roof

Inspectors and appraisers are focused on major features including foundation, walls, exterior structures, roof, windows, heating, and air conditioning.  These things should be in good repair when choosing to sell your home.  In most of these cases, especially roof and windows, you can recoup up to 70% of your costs for new in the value of the home at sale.  When buying a home, most families do not want a home that will require major repairs like the roof and windows.

5 – Change Dated Light Fixtures and Flooring

The bathrooms and kitchens are an area homeowners’ value. Nothing dates a bathroom or kitchen more than the light fixtures.  It’s safe to go with something simple and timeless and make sure to have all working lightbulbs.  Fixtures are easy to replace.  And if you want to keep your fancy new fan or chandelier, you need to replace it before selling.  Otherwise, it is considered a fixture of the home and must stay when you leave. Also, make sure all outdoor lighting is functional and renewed.  Many potential buyers will drive by the home at night to see the neighborhood before making a final purchase decision.  Equally, you’ll want to make sure your flooring is not damaged or worn.  Hardwood gives the highest return on your home’s resale value, but if it’s scratched and dented, it can hurt your chances of finding a buyer quickly.  The same goes with carpet.  If it’s outdated shag or has wrinkles, a potential buyer may turn away.  The Carpet Guys recommend if you replace flooring, go with something practical and inexpensive.  Also, make sure it’s a neutral color like cream, tan or gray.

Once you have completed this initial checklist, make sure to keep the home clean and ready for walk throughs. It helps to have your landscaping trimmed and some flowers planted. It may seem daunting, but it will pay off.  And when you decide where you are going to live after you move, don’t forget to call The Carpet Guys to refresh your new home with the flooring of your dreams.  We provide an installation warranty that will last for the life of your home ownership!  Set up an appointment today for a Free In-Home Estimate or call us at 855-4-MY-GUYS (855-469-4897).

The post Top 5 Things to Do Before Selling Your Home appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

Creak. Squeak. What’s that sound?

If you hear a noise when you walk on certain floor boards throughout your home, they might be trying to tell you something.

Although noise floors are most common in high traffic areas, they can be caused by a variety of things, and exist anywhere where you have flooring. They may be most common in older homes, but if a house wasn’t built right, you can find it in brand new homes that you’ve just moved into.

There are several things that could be making floor boards squeak.

Movement

When every piece is placed into your home during construction, it’s like a giant puzzle where every piece should fit snugly into place. For your flooring, that means each wood piece fits closely together. Floor joists are the large wooden beams that exist as a part of your subfloor, and they bear the weight of the suspended floor boards that sit beneath your flooring. They run perpendicular to give it strength, and are secured using nails. When there is a gap between the joist and the subfloor board, it allows movement to occur. That pressure can cause that creak or squeak sound you hear.

Subfloor … or floor?

It might not be your subfloor that’s doing the talking. If you have hardwood in place and haven’t provided proper maintenance over the years, it could be your hardwood planks telling you they need a little attention. Over time, hardwood can move, expand, and contract many times. That can create small gaps between the planks, and as they move they can squeak and creak. Remember that hardwood flooring does best with little change in the surrounding area. Keep your home at a comfortable temperature, somewhere between 60 and 80 degrees is ideal. Hardwood also likes a comfortable relative humidity between 25 and 55 percent. If you notice a lot of creaks and squeaks, it might be time for a little TLC, and possibly refinishing work.

Change in weather

Suddenly, the temperature spikes to well over 100 degrees. Or maybe it plunges to 10 below, with wind chill moving well past that. So you run the air conditioner or furnace more. A lot more. That can change both the temperature and humidity levels inside your home. In the peak of winter, your floor will naturally be drier. More dry air circulating through your home means drying out would, which creates shrinkage and gaps between the planks. If you haven’t updated your HVAC equipment in a while, and haven’t installed a whole house humidifier, it could make your home dryer than it should be. Pay attention to the inside conditions. It’s impacting your floor boards more than you know.

When two boards meet

Every single day, your house settles just a bit. The subfloor might move. The wood planks might adjust. The sun streams in from the windows. You turn up the heat to feel warm. Life impacts the way your house sits, moves, and adjusts. It’s just a fact. What didn’t exist yesterday may very well be there today. And that can mean two boards suddenly touch and make a sound. Creak. Squeak.

Of course, you can put up with it. That squeaking sound is a sign of age and longevity. It’s the way your house changes over time. It might not impact your home at all … for a while.

But that creak or squeak in your floor boards is trying to tell you something. There’s a difference in the way your house sits, and it’s causing a problem. Please fix me – because it will be a problem over time.

Ultimately, what’s causing your creak or squeak comes down to one of several things:

• An incorrect nail or screw was used to secure the floor boards to the joist
• The nail or screw weren’t fitted correctly and have wiggled out of place
• A gap exists between the joist and the subfloor
• There’s an issue with the way the supporting joists connect with the boards underneath

There might be a simple solution, or it could be the impact of several. If a nail comes loose, for example, it might cause a gap between the boards.

In any of these circumstances, hiring a professional will allow them to get to the heart of the problem, and fix it at its root cause.

How do you find out what’s causing the creak or squeak?

The first step is in pinpointing where the squeak originates. You might notice it as you walk across the floor, but spend a few minutes pressing down and determining exactly where it is. Look for movement in the floor. Listen to where the sound is the greatest.

Once you have determined the exact location, you can assess what might be causing it. Look for loose floor boards. If you have access to the space underneath, from a basement or crawl space, you can see if there is movement or shifting.

Keep in mind that if you don’t get to the root cause, and attempt to fix something yourself, you could make the squeak or creak worse.

The best way to ensure a tight fit

Homes today are built to be safe and secure from all kinds of elements. But even in the best of situations, everyday events cause things to break down.

Your best course of action as a homeowner is to always ask questions.

Make sure you understand the best method for installing new items into your home. When you bring in new flooring, for example, it takes a bit to acclimate before you can install it. Hardwood expands and contracts, especially when it moves from a warehouse to your home. Placing it in your home for a bit will help it get ready for your environment.

Maintenance can also mean regular cleaning. Things like vacuuming, dusting, and mopping may seem simple to keep your home in pristine condition. But don’t forget to ask questions about the products and services you select. Will they do more harm than good? What chemicals are used in the formulas? How will it impact your home?

Do you have additional questions about the flooring in your home? We’re here to help. Just ask.

The post Why Floor Boards Creak and Squeak first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

Imagine getting out of bed on a cold winter morning and having it be warm to the touch.

That’s why many homeowners select carpet for the bedroom. Plush fibers hold their warmth better, and make it more comfortable on your feet, even if the rest of you feels the coolness of the air.

Thanks to technology, there are other ways to feel warmth no matter what type of flooring is underneath your feet.

Imagine stepping out of the shower to warm tile. Or standing in front of the mirror getting ready, and the flooring keeps you warm.

Or maybe the kitchen has always been a bit chilly. Not if heat radiates from the floor above. Your feet stay toasty warm as you whip up a batch of cookies for the kids to enjoy when they get home from school.

Sounds great, right? That’s why more people are turning to radiant heating.

But you can’t put radiant heating underneath everything. Certain flooring materials have better thermal conductivity than others, meaning they generate heat better as it moves through the flooring.

You don’t want to wait for heat to move up and through the flooring material. You want good conductivity to allow the floors to heat up quicker, giving you more warmth from the moment it moves into operation.

How underfloor heating works

Before we get into flooring choices, let’s talk about how underfloor heating works. It’s a growing source of heat in homes throughout the Rocky Mountain region.

Underfloor heating works in one of two ways.

Using a water-based underfloor system, pipes are installed underneath the flooring and connected to your boiler. When you switch on the system, the pipes are filled with low temperature warm water, which in turn heats the flooring. Heat rises, which means the heat from the floor continues to rise and heat the air.

Using an electric-based underfloor system, electric wires are fitted underneath the flooring and connected to your fuse box. When the system is turned on, electricity flows into the wires and produces heat to warm the flooring material.

The benefits of underfloor radiant heating are many

Heat rises. It only makes sense to get your heating source as close to the ground as possible to keep your home warm and comfortable. You can’t get much closer to the ground than with radiant heating. But there’s more to it than that.

Think of how your gas-forced air furnace works. On a cycle, it releases heated air through a series of vents in each room. It blows a considerable amount of air through to fill up the room and make it warm. With radiant heating, it’s spread evenly between all corners of your room. Then it moves evenly up from there. That keeps more of the heat at foot level, where you notice it most. That means circulation is also more even as it fills the room with warmth.

It’s also more cost effective. It can run at a much lower temperature and still keep you feeling comfortable. That means less energy use, and a lower utility bill each month. Many radiant heat households report seeing an immediate drop in their monthly energy use.

It can save on space. Radiant heating exists where you don’t see it – underneath your floors. It doesn’t take as much space as other heating units, especially if you use blowers and radiators. Even vents and registers may no longer be needed, meaning you can shirt your floorplan just a bit, and put your sofa where you truly want it to go.

Are you concerned about your health? Do you cough and sneeze more when the dust blows through the ductwork? No more airflow problems with radiant heating. That means particulates don’t flow freely throughout your home every time your HVAC unit turns on.

Are you sold on the idea of radiant heating? Then let’s get to the run part – figuring out which flooring choice is best.

In many cases, the flooring materials seem obvious. But in others, the choices may surprise you. Here are our favorites for installing with radiant heating.

Tile and Stone

We would be remiss if we didn’t start with the most apparent – tile and stone. They have a high thermal conductivity, which means they are a perfect choice for heating up the floor quickly. They also retain their heat well, giving them the perfect qualities for keeping your home warm no matter what the temperatures are outside. That’s why you often find them in saunas, sunrooms, and any place where you want to retain heat. They can easily be heated into the 80s and beyond.

The thicker the tile, the longer it takes for heat transfer. Installers often recommend sticking with a tile ¾” thick or less for the most responsiveness to the radiant system. But don’t think that will limit your choices. With so many tile and stone options on the market today, you’re sure to find one you love.

Wood

Love your hardwood? You’re not alone. People all across the Front Range have a hard time thinking of anything else inside their homes. Different types of wood have different thermal properties. That’s why it’s a good idea to work with a consultant that truly understands hardwood properties. The more dense a wood is, the thinner the board, the better they are at conducting heat.

When you heat the floor from underneath, it can change the moisture content of the wood, so it’s important to choose wisely. You’ll find engineered wood is one of the best to install with a radiant heating system. Always check with a manufacturer before you settle in and make your final selection.

Vinyl

If you’ve been shopping for flooring lately, you’ve noticed the vinyl market is changing. Luxury vinyl planks imitate hardwood so well, even the experts have trouble seeing the difference.

Vinyl has another positive – it works well with radiant heating. Keep in mind that there are often heat restrictions that come along with working with radiant heating. In many cases, radiant heating will max out around 80 degrees. Anything higher will impact the flooring.

Vinyl also heats up quickly, and cools down equally as fast. That may be important to you in places you spend small amounts of time – your master bathroom, for example.

What’s your choice?

With so many choices, you’ll be amazed at what you can do to create the right aesthetics in your home.

If you have your sights on using radiant heating inside your home, select the right flooring to create the warmth you’re looking for in your home. We can help you make that choice. Give us a call today.

The post Selecting The Right Flooring For Radiant Heating first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

There are a few different types of underlay, so you need to be sure that you use the correct one for the type of flooring that you have. It is basically a thin layer of material. It sits between the subfloor and your choice of floor covering.  The most popular types are either for sound proofing or thermal resistance. Read More

If you’re wondering how to move furniture on carpet; The Carpet Guys have a trick for you!  Read on to learn tricks of the trade for protecting your carpet from moving furniture.

Move Furniture to Protect from Crushing Carpet Fibers

To maintain your warranty on your newly installed carpet, the manufacturer requires you to vacuum weekly with a certified vacuum cleaner (List of Certified Vacuum Cleaners by the Carpet and Rug Institute) and have it professionally cleaned once every 12-18 months.  This will keep your carpet plush and looking new for years to come.  We also recommend that you change where your furniture sits in the room about every 6 months.  Furniture feet crush the carpet it sits on and over time, it’s hard to bring that carpet back to life.  If you can’t move the furniture to a new location, you can shift the piece two inches to the left or right.  This will allow the previous location to raise back up during vacuuming.

Don’t Slide the Furniture Feet Across Your Carpet

When you’re ready to move the furniture, make sure not to slide unprotected furniture feet across the carpet.  Because of sharp edges on most furniture, it may snag the carpet fiber.  Once pulled, that fiber may begin to “run” causing the fiber to pull through other fibers.  This would give the appearance in your flooring like a snag or “run” in pantyhose. 

There is an old invention that has been improved upon for sliding furniture safely across carpet.  They are called Sliders.  It’s a heavy-duty plastic disk, approximately the size of a coaster, that is smooth on one side and has foam on the other.  You gently lift one leg of the furniture piece to be moved and place the furniture foot onto the foam side of the disk.  Once you have a disk under each foot, you can easily slide the furniture around the room to reposition.  There are long, oval shaped ones for dressers or desks that have a solid panel instead of feet, as well.

If you need to move furniture across hardwood or other hard surface flooring, you can purchase a “sock” to put onto the disks so you can still easily slide the furniture across the floor without risk of scratching it.

Check out these Sliders & Socks on Amazon for moving your furniture on hard surface flooring.

If you are in need of new flooring, The Carpet Guys will go one step further, we will move your furniture for you!  If you set up a Free In-Home Estimate Online or call 855-4-MY-GUYS (855-469-4897), our professional Design Consultant will bring our showroom samples to your home and can explain everything The Carpet Guys do for you during installation, including moving your furniture for you. Call Today!

The post How to Move Furniture on Carpet appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

Looking to purchase flooring but not sure on the perfect colour to match your design? Sometimes you can be left deciding between two, three or even four different shades that are completely different. So how do you choose the right one?

In this blog we will look at design tips that account for other factors you can consider that may help you decide on the perfect colour for your home.

• Room Size: Opt for a lighter flooring in a smaller sized room to give a light and airy feel.
• Lighting: The colour of your flooring will alter when natural or artificial light hits. Test your samples in the room you’re laying your flooring over 24 hours for a realistic view of appearance in all lighting.
• Décor: Create a mood board compiled of colours and textures to fit your décor to see if your flooring will complement this.

 

Room Size

 

One factor that will affect your flooring colour is room size. Different colours of flooring have different impacts depending on space and how you want your room to feel. 

 

Whether it’s a cosy feel you’re opting for, or you’re trying to open up the space, the colour of your flooring can make all the difference and give you the desired effect you’re wanting.

 

Smaller Rooms 

 

If you have a smaller space to work with the most common recommendation is to opt for lighter, natural tones in your room, and flooring. This is a great way to open up your room and add an airy feel to the space. This in turn makes it feel bigger. 

 

Rooms that are often typically smaller such as hallways, bathroom and offices, are great places to exercise this illusion. 

 

 

 

There are a wide range of flooring options available that offer lighter tones that you can incorporate. So you’re definitely not limited and budget shouldn’t be an issue when it comes to wanting to open up your room. 

 

If you’re reading this and thinking, I didn’t want to opt for a light floor when choosing the right colour of your flooring, whether it be for preference or practicality, don’t worry.

 

There is a way to make your room look bigger with darker flooring too. Using a dramatically darker wood with lighter coloured walls and accessories, also gives the illusion your room is bigger, with a sophisticated twist. 

 

 

Similarly, to the lighter coloured illusion, you’re not limited when it comes to options when choosing a darker shade. 

 

The majority of flooring types have a darker option you can opt for. So whether it is EvoCore, Laminate, Solid Wood, Engineered Wood or LVT, there will be a darker flooring option for you. 

 

So when it comes to colours, room sizes and the overall look and feel can be affected by the colour of the flooring you opt for. Knowing the tone you want to set in your room before buying your flooring is important so you know how to work with the size of your space.

 

Lighting

 

The next consideration when it comes to choosing the right colour flooring for you, will spark some discussions in your home. Lighting!

 

Lighting is another factor that can affect your decision when it comes to choosing the colour of your floor. Both natural and artificial light will play a part in the overall appearance of your installation. 

 

With natural light, this is something that changes throughout the day as the sun moves across the day, allowing different amounts of light in throughout the day. 

Ensuring you have ordered samples and laying them out where you plan to install your flooring is a great way of getting a true representation of what your flooring will look like throughout the course of the day as the sun moves around your home. 

 

This will allow you to determine whether the shades and tones the light pulls out in your flooring is something you would be happy with once installed. 

 

The same consideration should be taken for artificial lighting. On a night when you are relaxing with your family with the lamps on, this again will alter the appearance of your flooring. 

 

Placing your samples in this setting too will give you the most realistic view of how it will look once installed. 

 

Décor

 

Next on the list of design tips to take into account when choosing the colour of your floor is the décor you plan on filling your room with. 

 

Furniture, accessories and colour schemes are all great ways of judging what shade of floor will best suit your space. 

 

 

Ordering samples and holding these against your furniture, or making a mood board using images, tones, colours and textures that will be in your space is a great way to get a feel for how the finished overall look will pan out. 

 

Top Tip: If accenting specific pieces is something you’re looking to do, then neutral tones will definitely do the job. 

 

If you’re replacing your floor in a room that already has the furniture you’re planning on replacing, room visualisers are a great tool to use. These are a modern way of giving you a realistic perspective of different floorings once installed into your space, available on lots of flooring sites. 

 

All you have to do is take a picture of the space you’re expecting to install your floor. Then upload this to the site and choose the flooring you wish to see in your space. Innovative, we know!

 

Hopefully this blog has offered some handy tips and tricks to choosing the perfect colour floor for your space judging different factors you may not usually think to consider. 

 

These factors allow you to go the extra mile in making sure you’re overly confident in your decision. If you have any more questions regarding choosing the right colour flooring, get in touch with one of our flooring experts today. 

 

The post Design Tips for Choosing the Right Colour Flooring appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

When choosing flooring for a family home, you have a wide range of options.  No doubt, you will want something that is easy to clean, beautiful to look at and will stand the test of time. Here are our top 5 flooring choices for a family home. Read More

Have you ever walked through a home or commercial space and wondered why their hardwood floors look a bit different? They might have texture added to their hardwood floors.

When most homeowners shop for hardwood, they pay attention to color, style, or pattern. But there’s another option you should think about that will impact both looks and longevity over time.

Texture is all about how your hardwood floors will feel once they are installed. When you reach down and touch, is it a smooth surface?

This also lends to how your hardwood floors look. Any type of texture can dramatically change the appearance, which in turn can change the aesthetics of your room. This is especially important if you have different ideas for your living space or kitchen, when compared to the bedroom.

Hardwood floor texture – what’s available?

When you visit a flooring dealer, you’ll find several different types of wood floor textures available.

Smooth – this is the most basic form of hardwood. This is where all discrepancies have been sanded away to make a smooth piece of wood. Smoothness gives it uniformity in appearance, and gives you a solid look from one side of the room to another. This is often what designers mean by giving your home a clean look. It’s also what gives a floor a somewhat unrealistic wood look. Wood without knots and blemishes? For some people, it’s not the best look.

Aged – aged wood floors have the appearance and charm of wood that has aged through time. It highlights imperfections rather than covering them up. However, this look isn’t created with age. Instead, it’s carefully manipulated, with the effects being placed in the wood floor planks either by hand or machines. The wood isn’t old, but instead is cut recently and carefully crafted to have an old-world appearance. The difference is it’s made with today’s technology and resources in mind. It’s a great way to go if you love old-world charm but want safety and security from the newest technology.

Reclaimed – want one of the most eco-friendly wooden floor options on the market today? You can’t ignore reclaimed wood. Reclaimed wood flooring uses wood from old buildings and structures, repurposing them as material for use in remodels or new homes. It’s a stunning way to get a one-of-a-kind look. What gives this wood a unique look is no two boards are ever the same. They are battered, dented, and worn through years of use. This can be an inviting look in some homes, especially if you’re going for a vintage or historic look.

Brushed – a brushed wood floor is created by using a metal brush on every board to develop deep, pronounced grain. This also makes wood floors a little more resistant to scratches as it already has natural blemishes. If you want uniqueness and character, give brushed wood a second look. This type of texture will be aesthetically pleasing in more traditional or classic homes.

Adding texture to hardwood floors – why should you do it?

The problem with having hardwood flooring grow in popularity is you’ll find it everywhere. It’s one of the most popular flooring choices you can make, and statistics show it will continue to rise in popularity in the coming years.

Hardwood looks great in just about any room in your home. It adds beauty, character, and has an appeal everyone loves. No matter what your taste in decor, hardwood floors are sure to complement it perfectly.

But when everyone selects the same finish, houses start to take on a replicated feel. One home is like another, and you lose some of that personalization you might be looking for.

If you use a textured look like brushed or reclaimed, it can give you an authentic look. Depending on your other design choices, that can add resale value, giving it a higher class look.

Another advantage is giving yourself wiggle room on damage control. With brushed wood, for example, the deep grain hides scratches better than other hardwood choices. If you have a busy family where action is the norm, this may be the perfect compromise to satisfy your sense of design along with your maintenance-free lifestyle. If you have pets or kids, this may be the perfect way to go.

Yes, there are drawbacks to using textured wood

Are you sold on installing textured wood flooring in your home? We agree; it’s a great way to add your own character to your final design. But we would be remiss if we didn’t go over a few of the drawbacks to help you finalize your choice.

One of the biggest potential issues is the fact that textured floors are more difficult to clean. Textured grain can collect dust, dirt, and other debris much easier than a smooth floor. If you obsess over clean floors, or if you hate cleaning regularly, you might want to think twice before installing textured floors.

Another disadvantage is maintenance. If you have a potential problem on most hardwood flooring planks, you can sand it out, repair it, then apply finish and have your old floors back. Textured wood isn’t smooth. If you sand out a problem spot, you’ll create a smooth finish that will no longer mesh with the rest of your flooring. That can make small repair work difficult at best, and give you more reason to either sand the entire floor, or replace it with something new.

If you choose the sanding route, keep in mind that you might have to take the wood down a lot to achieve a uniform look. Especially with brushed wood where the indents may be fairly deep, it will cut back a lot of the wood within each plank. That means the lifespan of this type of flooring will be much shorter than a more traditional hardwood floor.

What’s your choice?

It’s difficult to ignore the beauty of textured wood floors. It’s one of our favorite looks.

But like any flooring, this is a personal choice. If textured wood floors are calling to you, stop by and take a closer look.

The post Adding Texture To Your Hardwood Floors first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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