Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Joe Zago and The Carpet Guys Family gave their time and funding to help support the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease. Check out this amazing video testimonial from our leader Joe Zago as he and our employee’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

The Carpet Guys Giving

The list of charities, fundraisers, and groups that Joe Zago and The Carpet Guys family have donated their funds and time to is vast (check out our blog “You Have to Give to Get” to learn more about the great charities that are close to Joe’s heart). Everything from small school groups to creating The Glove to support local businesses during the Pandemic. Joe cares deeply about so many causes.

Every year Joe Zago and his companies give to The Salvation Army Toy Drive because once upon a time, Joe was homeless, and The Salvation Army helped him.

He cares about Know Resolve and The Shed because they help youth who are dealing with depression and suicidal thoughts to connect with people and programs that can help. Joe remembers a time when he thought death was the only solution.

And even The American Red Cross and MIAS – Sound the Alarm initiative because Joe’s God-daughter’s family was lost in a tragic house fire.

Joe and The Carpet Guys Take a Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Now, a man that has known sadness and great loss is watching his beloved parents slip away into the abyss of Alzheimer’s Disease. But Joe Zago is not one to take a backseat while life throw’s him another curveball.

On October 30^th, 2021, Joe brought his family and many of The Carpet Guys team members to The Walk to End Alzheimer’s at The Detroit Zoo. Please watch the video below to hear Joe’s firsthand experience with being a caregiver and his plea to help end this horrible disease.

We have all known hard times but agree that solving the problems of this affliction is paramount! If you’re still looking for ways to help Joe and The Carpet Guys fight Alzheimer’s, please donate at this link here.

If you need help with finding amazing flooring with White Glove service, don’t hesitate to click here and set up a FREE in-home estimate today, or call us at 855-4-MY-GUYS (855-469-4897) and one of our friendly representatives will help you.

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Think about your dream home for a moment. What does it look like? What kind of decor is on the inside? What materials do you use to finish off each room?

According to a study done by Hardwood Floors Magazine, two-thirds of homeowners stated their dream home would include hardwood floors.

Especially here in Colorado, we take our outside living seriously. Hardwood isn’t just a wishlist item; it’s a way of life. And while we use hardwood in the main living space, we also wish we could use it in every room in the home.

Yet if you’ve done any research, you know hardwood and water don’t mix. How can you use hardwood in bathrooms? Is it possible? Or is it a recipe for disaster?

Done properly, hardwood can be a welcome addition to any room. If you want a continuous look as you move from room to room, hardwood may be a suitable choice for your bathroom. Before you install it, take into consideration the advantages and disadvantages of using hardwood flooring in the bathroom. Consider your options, and you’ll love your flooring for many years to come.

Advantages of hardwood flooring in the bathroom

Before you install hardwood throughout, the first step is taking your lifestyle into account. A half bath off the living room might not be a problem for hardwood. Hardwood in a child’s bathroom where bath playtime is a daily event might have you regretting your decision. Despite the aesthetics of having one flooring material throughout, there are other considerations to keep in mind.

Warmth

Tile is one of the most popular flooring choices in bathrooms. Yet if you’ve ever stepped on a cold tile on a dark, winter’s morning, you know it has its drawbacks. That’s why many homeowners are attracted to adding hardwood to the bathroom. Hardwood gives a comfort factor not found in other flooring products. It also provides a natural soothing sensation, making you feel like you’re a part of nature. Who doesn’t want that for a room, especially if you’re trying to create a spa-like atmosphere?

Aesthetics

Speaking of aesthetics, very few flooring choices offer the beauty of a hardwood floor. That’s its biggest advantage. It’s also why many of today’s top flooring products do whatever it takes to mimic the look. What further enhances the use of hardwood is the fact that no two rooms will ever look the same. Each board is handcrafted to draw out the natural beauty of the material being used. That makes it a classic choice to allow your own personality to shine.

Longevity

Hardwood flooring is one of the oldest materials used in home construction. It comes from a natural resource that can last for decades if well cared for. And when you do have a problem with the top layer, you can sand it down, smooth it out, apply a new finish, and guarantee yourself many more years of use. Even if you spend a little more on the initial installation, you’ll know it can be with you for as long as you own your home if it’s well cared for.

Disadvantages of hardwood flooring in the bathroom

If you’re reading this article, chances are you already have concerns about installing hardwood flooring in a bathroom. There are good reasons for that. Hardwood is a porous material that allows moisture and other liquids to seep in, even through finishes. Technology is changing that, but it can still be of concern. Especially in a bathroom.

Water

Water is the biggest problem hardwood will face in a bathroom. If you’re continuing your flooring from a living space to a half-bath, the water can be more easily contained. But water in a place where you take daily showers and baths will present issues. Water droplets can splash out at bath time. Shower spray can hit the floor every time you open the door or slide the curtain into place. To protect wood from water damage, you’ll need to wipe up all water spills quickly. That’s difficult when it’s a constant barrage of water.

Floods

Droplets from showers and tubs present issues. Floods from broken pipes and overflowing toilets are disastrous. No matter what finish you apply to hardwood, that much water will have an impact on the integrity of the floor. Chances are you will be replacing the flooring if and when this happens. Regular maintenance for all of your bathroom appliances should be on your to-do list, as well as paying extra attention to the way you move around while getting ready.

Humidity

While standing water and floods can cause problems, the humidity that appears when you bathe or shower adds a new level of wreaking havoc on your hardwood floors. When bathrooms get steamy, the effects of the humidity can settle in everywhere. It gets between the boards and settles in along the baseboards. Over time this can cause a variety of issues, from cupping to warping. Once damaged, you can’t just refinish the planks. It requires starting over with new floorboards.

Chemicals

Think of the variety of products you use in a bathroom: toilet cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, hairspray, body lotion, and other personal items. As these settle onto the floorboards, they can impact the hardwood in many ways. It can stain the wood, lighten the color, or even penetrate through the finish. This leaves the planks more vulnerable to other potential problems.

Other bathroom flooring options

Hardwood flooring in the bathroom isn’t something you necessarily have to avoid. It’s up to you and your lifestyle. Just be aware you will have additional maintenance requirements if you decide to install it.

Luckily, there are many other options to give you the look and feel you desire. Engineered hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl planks, and even wood-look tile can all give you the look you desire coupled with easier maintenance.

Want hardwood flooring in the bathroom? Open to other options? No matter what your preferences are, we can help you find the perfect flooring option to suit your needs.

The post What I Really Want Is Hardwood Floors In The Bathroom first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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It’s cold outside. Trouble is, it’s cold inside too.

You turn the heat up, trying to warm up your room. And the minute the furnace turns off, signaling it’s reached your desired temperature, you feel a chill run through you.

How can it possibly be warm?

It might not be your furnace that’s the problem. Instead, it might be your floors.

Cold floors are quite common during the winter months when the temperatures continue to drop. And while cold floors can leave you feeling chilled, it can also lead to sickness, including respiratory illness.

Proper heating is important if you want to keep your family warm and comfortable all year long. But getting rid of cold floors doesn’t mean you have to live with ugly flooring. There are many things you can do to love the look and feel of your flooring, and stay warm too.

Flooring’s purpose

Certain flooring types are warmer than others. As you live in your home and start to get a feel for how each room functions, you can change up your flooring to match your desired results. It might make more sense to install warmer flooring in the bedrooms, for example, to ensure it stays warm while you sleep.

If you’re thinking of installing new flooring, consider the properties of each option before you finalize your decision.

Carpet – it’s one of the warmest flooring options, and is often placed in rooms where you spend the most amount of time. If you install carpet with longer, thicker fibers, it will have more benefit of keeping the cold away from your feet, as well as help eliminate the chill from the air. A good carpet pad is also needed to help improve resistance and create a barrier between you and the living space below.

Cork – consider how cork works in a wine bottle. It’s effective at holding moisture inside, while being soft to the touch on the outside. That’s because of the numerous tiny air pockets that fill the cork structure. It works in a similar manner in flooring. It acts as an insulator between what’s laid below the surface and what you see and walk on from above. It’s a great flooring choice for preventing warmed air from slipping outside your home.

Laminate – laminate can be warmed up depending on how the boards are created. A layer of dense padding in the underlayment can warm the surrounding area and help keep the wood strips from being too cold. You can also lay laminate over radiant heating to provide additional warmth underfoot.

Tile and stone – these are some of the coldest flooring choices you can install. That’s why you find them in abundance in warmer climates, where they help keep a house cool. That said, tile and stone are also some of the best flooring products to pair with radiant heating systems because of their heat retention. That makes tile and stone the perfect choice for bathrooms and laundry rooms, where its water-resistant features are also beneficial.

Vinyl – today’s vinyl comes in a variety of formats. Sheet vinyl is very thin, and will have a harder time holding heat in place. But newer luxury vinyl planks and tiles are combined with other materials to create a more functional, insulating product. These products are often combined with things like radiant heating, which can work together to create a warm living space.

Sometimes it’s not just about the flooring 

If you’re trying to create a warm environment, it’s easy to focus on the flooring you choose. But it’s not always that simple. Sometimes the problem isn’t associated with the flooring, but instead is based on what lies beneath the surface.

Insulation – a constantly cold room can almost always have a finger pointed at improper or poor insulation. You can have a home audit performed to help you find out where insulation is inefficient. This isn’t just a problem in the attic or crawlspace. Often, you’ll find a lack of insulation behind wallboards and below the surface. It can also be a problem on the surface of your floors. Are there spaces between boards allowing heat to escape? Are there problems between joints, gaps between wood, or problems with the underlayments? All of these can leave your flooring feeling cool to the touch.

Underlayment – certain types of flooring like laminate, linoleum, and vinyl, will take on the temperature of the surface. In the winter, that means it will drop in temperature and be cool to the touch. One way to warm up the surface is to pay attention to the underlayment installed between the flooring and the subfloor. In addition to helping create a warmer floor, it will also increase the R-value of the home, which means it will help control energy costs too.

Sub-room – if you find the main living space cold, and your flooring is always cool to the touch when it’s chilly outside, chances are there’s a problem with lies underneath. Does the main level sit on top of a crawlspace or basement? If the floor is about the same temperature as it is below level, the solution is simple. Insulating the floor area will seal the heat loss occurring between the two levels. A professional can help seal up cracks and leaks between floorboards and joists, as well as ensure the entire area underneath the flooring is well insulated.

Check windows and doors – do you notice it gets colder near windows and doors? Now maybe a good time to check for drafts and install weatherstripping. Warm air is lighter than cold air, meaning if cold air is slipping in around a window or door, it may hover just above the flooring and feel colder to the touch. You’ll benefit from adding insulation around doors and windows by increasing the R-value of the home’s envelope, which in turn will help with your energy bills.

Are you tired of cold floors? 

The answer might be a simple fix. It may also be a reason to consider installing new flooring, one that gives you a warmer surrounding area for whichever room you spend the most time in.

Is your home prepared for cold winter months? Maybe new flooring is the perfect home improvement project for you this year. 

The post Tired of Cold Floors? Flooring Tips Might Help first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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The holidays are all about gathering with friends and family. If you have hardwood flooring in your home, you want to prepare your floors for the eventful holiday season. Here is how to care for your hardwood during the holidays:

First, routine maintenance is key. Be sure to regularly dust, mop, and sweep your floors before your holiday events. This provides a good base going into the festive season. Additionally, it reduces the risk of scratches from dust and debris.

If you’re throwing a party with pets, kids, or drinks, spills are possible. If a spill happens during your holiday gathering, clean it as soon as it happens. This prevents long-term damage that discolors or warps your floors.

Rugs and mats are a great way to preserve your floors. Be sure to put a welcome mat at your front door for your guests to either wipe off or remove their shoes. Additionally, place rugs in your most high-traffic areas, such as your living room or walkways.

Moving your furniture to accommodate your guests? Make sure your floor is protected first. Attach felt pads to the feet of your tables, chairs, and couches to reduce the risk of scratches. You can also put a rug underneath your furniture for protection.

Consider establishing some rules in your home during the holiday season to keep your floors protected. For one, you can establish a “no shoes” rule for visitors. You can also trim your pet’s nails and avoid wearing heels in your home to prevent damage.

Follow these tips to keep your floors safe and protected this holiday season. If you’re looking to remodel your space, shop for hardwood flooring at Flooring.org. For assistance with your order, give us a call at (800) 689-9006 or email us at [email protected].

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Laminate. When you hear that word as a homeowner, certain thoughts pop into your mind. Whether you’ve had experience with it or not, chances are you’ve formed an opinion about it.

Laminate flooring has only been around for a few decades. Like other home products, laminate flooring was created after a century-old company’s sales began waning, and they looked for other ideas to bring to market. The Perstorp Corporation created the first high-pressure laminate in the late 1970s, and the rest, as they say, is history.

The industry continued to morph and change, increasing strength, durability, and attractiveness. In 1994, Pergo launched its first marketing campaign in the United States, adding its click-and-lock technology as well as more sound insulation by 2000.

How today’s laminate is made

Today’s laminate flooring is a hard surface floor that offers homeowners versatility, durability, and aesthetics to match any decor. People love hardwood. Yet hardwood isn’t always the perfect choice. Laminate is a flooring product meant to give homeowners the look and feel of hardwood, yet provide a few things that hardwood can’t.

Laminate flooring consists of multiple layers, including:

• Top layer – a clear coat of extremely durable resin and cellulose designed to give the product strength while increasing the natural beauty of the visual layer
• Visual layer – a high-resolution photographic image used to replicate the texture and style of hardwood
• Core layer – a high-density fiberboard that helps provide stability and water resistance
• Bottom layer – a melamine back layer that provides a foundation for the laminate planks and increases its water resistance

When many people recall the laminate of yesteryear, they think of the hollowness sounds created once it was laid into place. It didn’t have the warmth of hardwood; instead, a hollow sound echoed as you walked across the floor.

Laminate has changed drastically over the years. A part of that is due to the underlayment that is laid into place underneath the laminate flooring of your choice.

What is underlayment?

Underlayment sits below laminate flooring. It’s created from a composite of filaments and fibers, laid together with a vapor barrier on top. These layers are designed to insulate the floor and make it warmer, protect the flooring from moisture, mold and mildew, as well as reduce the clicking noise that is commonly associated with laminate flooring.

Underlayment is a layer between the subfloor and the laminate flooring. It covers up the imperfections in the subfloor, giving the laminate more strength and durability. In some cases, laminate comes with underlayment already attached. Check with the laminate you select to see how it was produced.

However, if the laminate doesn’t have underlayment, or you simply want additional support, you might choose to consider purchasing and installing an additional product. There’s a lot to consider when making your final selection. With several different choices, which is the right product for your home?

Start with your subfloor – it’s what matters most

There are several different types of underlayment created for use with laminate flooring. The best way to determine which underlayment is suitable for your situation is to start with your subfloor.

The two most common subfloors in homes are cement and wood. They each have unique situations when laying flooring over the top.

Wood subfloors provide strength and durability underneath your flooring. It may be a little uneven or even creak from small separations between the boards, depending on the age. Underlayment should complement laying laminate over wood, and provide more benefit to handle well with age. Moving up and getting premium underlayment can increase softness and cushion, as well as provide a stronger moisture barrier.

Cement subfloors provide an additional set of concerns. Cement subfloors present a greater chance of moisture problems. That’s why it’s important to install an underlayment that has a vapor barrier attached. Vapor underlayments protect your laminate flooring from any moisture that could seep up through the cement, and potentially cause floor problems.

While most people spend time looking and finding the perfect flooring to suit their needs and decor, it’s the underlayment and subfloor that set the stage for success. Without a proper subfloor and underlayment combination, the wear and stability of whatever floor you put in may have problems shortly after installation.

Three types of underlayment

In general, there are three different types of underlayment: foam, cork, and felt.

Foam is the most basic format. Foam underlayment comes in a variety of thicknesses, and comes in rolls of varying widths and lengths. Because it’s the most popular choice, you’ll find the best selection of products to complement your laminate flooring.  Many foam underlayments come with a moisture/vapor barrier already in place. It’s also one of the easiest to install, even for people who are new to laying underlayment into place.

Cork provides a natural product that’s made from the bark of a cork tree. It’s available in several thickness levels, and offers a natural moisture barrier. One of the biggest reasons people select cork underlayment is because of its natural sound absorbency. If you’re installing laminate in an upper floor room or space, a cork underlayment makes an excellent choice for absorbing footsteps. It’s sustainable, economically sound, and offers hypoallergenic properties to people wanting cleaner living space. Its antimicrobial nature also prevents the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew.

Felt is considered the premium choice in underlayment. It’s made from recycled fibers, and is significantly heavier and easier to smooth into place. This heaviness of the felt material gives it excellent sound absorption. It can muffle the sound of footsteps, and create a quieter environment. Felt also works well to add insulation to your home. If you’re worried about heating and cooling, felt can make your floors feel warmer.

What’s the best underlayment for the laminate you’ve chosen?

Different laminate manufacturers suggest different types of underlayment.

Now that you’re aware there’s more to installing laminate than simply selecting color and style, come in and ask questions about creating your perfect living space. There’s a combination of laminate and underlayment that will help you create the home of your dreams. 

The post Scared of Laminate? You Won’t Be After Learning More About Underlayment first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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It’s almost time to feast on Thanksgiving delicacies. For most families, that means welcoming guests into your home to celebrate. You may have gotten the turkey and cranberries, but is your home ready?

Your carpet lends warmth to your home environment and really does tie your décor together. You want your carpets to last and look great every time you gather with family or friends. Treat your carpets well by getting them professionally cleaned, it’s totally worth it.

In fact, without even trying too hard, we can name at least 5 benefits of professional carpet cleaning. It:

1. Extends the life of your carpet: Home carpeting will last 5-7 years on average. However, your carpeting is an important investment. You’ll want it to last much longer! Keeping your carpets dirt free is the single best way to extend the life of your carpet. Vacuum twice a week to remove non-soluble dirt. Get your carpets professionally cleaned once a year to remove the soluble spots. Your carpet needs weekly as well as professional cleaning to keep it fresh, restore its life and its original beauty.
2. May prevent illness: Our professional extraction process can help prevent seasonal allergies by removing pollens which settle into your carpet. We use 180-degree water to clean your carpeting which can kill germs and help prevent colds and flu. Our truck-mounted steam cleaning extraction method is incredibly powerful which means your carpets will also dry more quickly once the bacteria, dirt and pollens are gone.
3. Lifts tough stains: A Personal Touch carpet cleaning pre-sprays all of your carpet or upholstery with a low pH enzyme cleaning solution. The solution breaks down dirt and oils so that they can be easily flushed out as your carpets are cleaned. We apply specific spot lifting formulas to remove special stains such as ink, grease, urine, rust, tar and more.
4. Brings high-traffic areas back to life: The best way to protect your high traffic areas is to keep them clean with a bi-weekly vacuuming routine. You cannot over-vacuum your home’s carpeting. Then, once a year, you should get your carpets professionally cleaned. Most carpeting warranties require a professional cleaning at least every 18 months. Keeping up with both kinds of cleaning will revive and refresh your carpeting. To further protect your carpet, we can apply a Teflon carpet protector.
5. Eliminates stubborn odors: We all love our pets, but messes are inevitable. If your pet has an accident, blot any liquid and clean your carpet promptly to prevent the mess from soaking through to your carpet pad. It can require a lot more work from your cleaning professional to remove spills that have soaked through to the pad or been left untreated for a long period of time. Our general enzyme pre-spray and 180-degree water break down all kinds of spills and get rid of the odor they cause. Our specialized pet spill pre-spray takes the bite out of animal urine and fecal odors.

Keep your home fresh!  Vacuum weekly and keep your carpeting looking, feeling and smelling new with a professional carpet cleaning every 12 to 18 months. A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning Services uses cleaning methods that won’t void your carpeting’s warranty. Call us today at 720-344-2870, or use our online contact form to ask us questions or to receive a free quote.

Call us today at 720.344.2870 or use our online contact form for any questions you may have or to receive your FREE quote.

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Caring for your wooden floor in the winter months is an important part of looking after it properly. If you want your hardwood floor to last for years to come, then you really do need to follow some simple steps. Read More

High traffic areas in homes and businesses have special needs.

Have you ever walked into a lobby or entryway where the flooring is scratched, dented, and unappealing? It sets the stage for the experience. You enter warily. You question what you’ll find as you continue to walk further. Is it clean? Is it well kept?

Is it a place you truly want to be?

If your flooring is old and outdated, your floor may simply be showing its age through wear and tear.

But if you replaced your flooring not that long ago, you might be questioning what went wrong?

It may be you picked the wrong floors for the area. Some flooring choices handle better than others. If you want longevity, selecting the right materials will make all the difference. If you want your floors to look good for years to come, be sure you choose the right flooring specifically for high traffic areas.

High traffic areas need durability and easy maintenance. Selecting water-resistant or waterproof flooring for entryways, kitchens, and other moisture-prone areas is also a plus.

But there are many things to consider before you make your final decision. This article is designed to give you the top flooring choices that will handle well no matter what type of traffic you can dish out. It’s the best way to ensure your flooring stands up to all the traffic that comes through your doors.

Defining what to look for in a high traffic floor

A lot of people start shopping based on looks without thinking about how well the floors will handle after they are installed. That’s putting the cart before the horse.

If you have a high traffic space, consider selecting flooring specifically built to handle the traffic. Focus on:

Durability – high traffic areas take more abuse because of the amount of action they receive. Pets running and sliding across it. Kids playing and dropping heavy objects. Moisture as you walk across it with wet and sloppy shoes. All of that adds up to scratches, dents, and other problem marks.

Maintenance – high traffic areas get dirty faster, which means you’ll be cleaning them on a more regular basis. Can the flooring look good with just a simple swipe of a mop? Or does it take more action?

Water-resistance – high traffic areas are almost always adjacent to entrances. That means dragging in every element that happens on the other side of the door. If flooring isn’t water-resistant – or waterproof – damage can quickly start to show.

Warmth – here in Colorado, warmth is always a factor. If you select the wrong flooring, it may handle okay, but you’ll always notice a chill in the air.

Aesthetics – many people start with style. While it’s important, be sure to combine it with functionality to truly enjoy the space you create.

Cost – what’s more important, budget or aesthetics? For different people, the choice may encourage one choice of flooring over the other. Just remember that if you select the wrong material for high traffic areas, you’ll be replacing it more frequently than other choices. That can add up to a lot more financing over time.

What type of flooring should you consider? 

As you keep all of those characteristics in mind, it’s time to shop. We’ve been helping homeowners select the right flooring for their needs for years. If you are worried about the final product you install in your high traffic areas, we suggest you look at the following:

Tile

Tile is one of the oldest and most effective flooring choices you can install inside your home. That’s because of its durability. Tile creates a hard surface area that is scratch resistant, and best of all waterproof, as long as you install it correctly. That’s why you’ll find this in entryways and surface areas in some of the busiest places in the world. Tile truly stands the test of time.

If you take care of tile, it will be around for decades looking brand new. It’s easy to clean, easy to maintain, and when you spill something on it, it’s easy to wipe away. Tile won’t develop mold or mildew, though you will have to give the grout in between a little TLC to keep it looking and functioning well. But this too is easy to clean with a mild detergent and water. And when you need a deep clean, a steam cleaner will do the job quickly.

Tile is also eco-friendly. Tile isn’t made with harmful chemicals, and it won’t leak VOCs once they are installed inside your home. Just pay attention to the grout and adhesive you use for complete installation to ensure they remain safe once inside your home.

Luxury Vinyl

A lot of changes have happened in the luxury vinyl market these past few years. If you’re looking for new flooring, you won’t be able to ignore luxury vinyl. Luxury vinyl comes in planks and tiles designed to mimic the most popular flooring choices on the market today. If you’re looking for a versatile flooring that is durable, affordable, easy to install, easy to clean and maintain, and is comfortable underfoot, look no further than luxury vinyl.

Plus, it’s waterproof. Pay attention to the manufacturer you select, and you’ll find a high quality product that is resilient in all sorts of conditions. If you, your family, or your clients drag in ice, snow, and mud on a regular basis, you’ll love how easily luxury vinyl cleans up.

You can find luxury vinyl mimicking your favorite flooring. Want traditional hardwood, a whitewash design, or even reclaimed wood? You’ll find it with luxury vinyl. Want stone, marble, or granite, without the fuss of actually installing it? Luxury vinyl can help you create those aesthetics too.

Laminate

People love hardwood. If you can’t get hardwood out of your mind, yet you know you’ll regret your decision the moment it’s installed, give laminate another look. While it’s not recommended for areas where extreme moisture may be an issue, it does very well in high traffic areas that will take a lot of abuse. Plus, it looks good while being durable, affordable, and comfortable underfoot.

Laminate has a reputation for being ugly and noisy. Not so anymore. With today’s technology, it can take on the appearance of any wood you choose to install. Just be aware of where your laminate was made, as some cheaper manufacturers may have used chemicals and VOCs in the process. That’s why it pays to go with a reputable flooring dealer to ensure you get the highest quality flooring products.

Laminate is durable, affordable,  and will handle well under all kinds of pressure. Laminate is not the best choice in moisture situations. Laminate may buckle and warp when subjected to too much water over time. But if you want the look of natural wood in an area with lots of foot traffic or even where your pets will romp and play, laminate may be your flooring of choice.

What’s your choice? What flooring will you install in your high traffic area?

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Sometimes the easiest way to change the look of your decor is to start with one project at a time. With a coat of paint and new flooring, you’ll be surprised at how different your home will look.

Are you looking for a do-it-yourself project? Painting the walls is easy; you’ve probably done it a few times yourself. But flooring – that sounds a bit trickier. Is there an affordable flooring option that’s easy for do-it-yourselfers?

Do a little bit of research and you’ll quickly find the concept of floating floors. Is it the right choice to suit your needs?

What is a floating floor?

Floating floors aren’t a particular type of flooring. Instead, it’s a way of installing flooring. With most flooring, there’s a lot of prep work to ensure the flooring stays put. You’ll have to:

• Ensure the subfloor is even, clean, and dry
• Buy or rent necessary tools for installation
• Select the right adhesive
• Or learn to use a nail gun
• Ensure underlayment is in place
• Carefully install the new flooring
• Live with the consequences if any part of the process didn’t go as planned

That’s why many homeowners leave floor installation to the professionals.

But that didn’t take away the desire for a DIY project. And that’s where floating floors came into play. Floating floor floats above the flooring beneath it without having to be permanently attached. The planks or tiles click and lock together to create a solid flooring structure over the flooring beneath. It provides you with an easy way to have new flooring quickly, in an economical way.

Because the floor isn’t nailed or glued down, each board is constructed in layers to add stability and strength. The top layer is the color or finish you’re looking for, while the layers underneath give it core strength and durability. And in some cases, water-resistance or even waterproof features.

What finishes are available?

The good news is that floating floors have grown in popularity over the past few years. Today you’ll find floating flooring created from a variety of different materials. If you have a color, style, or pattern in mind, you’ll find it in a floating floor.

The basic floating floor materials include:

Laminate

This is by far the most popular floating floor. Laminate planks are designed to imitate the most popular hardwood flooring choices at a fraction of the cost. It’s easy to install, and provides good stain-resistance. However, if you’re looking for water-resistance, think twice before installing laminate. Laminate isn’t made for bathrooms or laundry rooms, and can quickly wear down from too many spills in the kitchen.

Engineered wood

While some people have problems with the sound and look of laminate, they may easily prefer engineered wood to create a more cohesive look. Engineered wood looks like traditional hardwood because it has a hardwood veneer as its top layer. Yet it’s priced lower and easier to install because it’s designed with several core layers that increase durability. Want a click and lock system for a DIY project? You’ll find many options with engineered wood. Because of its popularity, you’ll even find the latest trends, such as recycled or reclaimed hardwood.

Luxury vinyl planks and tiles

Luxury vinyl has been growing in popularity because of all it offers. Want marble flooring? Want hardwood? Love the look of natural stone, but don’t want the time or mess it takes for installation? Look at tile floating floors instead. This can be the perfect choice for areas where you want a little elegance, but might not be conducive for tile. Worried about a less-than-perfect subfloor? Floating floors won’t be impacted. Plus, floating tile flooring can be the perfect thing to install in your bathrooms over radiant heating. If you choose a brand that’s waterproof, it’ll last for years without giving up on its good looks.

Cork

Cork is increasing in popularity because of what it can add into your home. Want something that absorbs sound? Want something that’s soft underfoot? You’ll love what cork has to offer. It’s also popular because it’s natural and offers sustainability improvements to your home. Install cork flooring, and you’ll feel the difference right from the beginning.

Tile

Some homeowners love the look of tile, but don’t want the mess that normally comes along with it. If that describes you, you’re in luck. Floating tiles look and feel like their counterparts, but they are easier to install than conventional tiles. You won’t need mortar. They come with automatic tile spacing guides, so you won’t have to worry about spacing problems. Pricing may be a little higher than traditional tiles; go with a cheaper option, and you may pay the price with an inferior product. But if you want a DIY approach with the classic good looks of tile, this may be the right choice.

Are floating floors the right choice for you?

If you’re looking for an easy floor to install, whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring a professional, floating floors ensure you’ll have a quality floor installed in less time. The interlocking system means there’s no fuss with getting the subfloor perfect, adding adhesive, or nailing the flooring in place.

What’s more, fixing problems is easy too. Invest in extra flooring and if you have a problem – a spill, a stain, a dent, or a scuff – you simply remove the old boards and replace them with new. This can eliminate the need of having to replace the entire floor for one damaged floorboard.

Floating floors are also less expensive than other flooring options, meaning you’ll be able to replace or remodel without having to worry about the cost.

And if you’re looking for style, color, or pattern choices, you’ll be amazed at your options with floating floors. In many cases, the color ranges extend way beyond what you’ll find with traditional products.

If you want water-resistant, stain-resistant, or even waterproof flooring, the options are almost endless in floating floors.

Want to view all your options? Stop by today.

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