Can You Save Hardwood Flooring After A Flood?

Water. It’s not something we think much about here in Colorado.

When hurricanes ravage coastal communities, or large storms dump record-breaking amounts of water in a community in short periods of time, we may be grateful for our dry climate. Even river damage isn’t a big deal for most homeowners across the Front Range.

But that doesn’t make homes immune from potential damage from a flood.

Many homeowners have walked into their homes and found several inches of standing water. If a pipe freezes and breaks, the water can quickly build. If a dishwasher breaks, water will flood everywhere. Even a simple bucket of water that leaks over time can do extensive damage.

While certain types of flooring fare better than others to water, hardwood can be impacted quickly. If you have hopes of saving your hardwood, speed is key.

What you do in the first twenty-four hours is critical. The longer water stands on hardwood surfaces, the worse the damage will be.

It’s more than water removal. It’s also about proper drying. Only if the hardwood remains intact can you sand them down and refinish them. How do you approach water removal? How do you save hardwood flooring after a flood?

What happens to hardwood as it absorbs water?

Your hardwood floors can get wet from a variety of situations. A leaky toilet. The dog carrying in rain and snow from outdoors. A broken water heater. An overflowing bathtub. A high water table that forces water into your crawl space or basement.

Wood naturally absorbs water. Think of how your trees work outside in your landscaping. A tree soaks up water to live and thrive. It carries that quality even after it’s processed because of its natural fibers and material. When wood gets wet, it soaks in the moisture and starts to expand. With too much water, it eventually starts to warp or cup as it presses up against other planks in the floor.

While your hardwood floor planks come finished, and will take time to absorb the water, depending on how your flooring was installed determines how quickly the water filters through the cracks between the planks. And as it soaks down, it starts impacting other parts of your flooring. The sub-floor. Even deep down into the base of your home’s structure. Water can easily move along joints and connections, snaking over large areas rapidly. What started as a small leak can quickly escalate and impact large areas of your home.

The quicker you remove the problem, the more likely you are to save your flooring. It’s not just the wood, it can be potential mold and mildew problems too. Mold can start forming in as little as 48 hours. And once it takes hold, it can grow steadily throughout the structure of your home.

Just a quick note about insurance

Whether or not your insurance will cover your damage depends on the type of insurance plan you have. Overall, less than 20 percent of homeowners have flood coverage. Especially here in Colorado, it’s not something most homeowners consider. That means if water enters from outside, your insurance probably won’t cover the damage.

If, however, the water damage came from within – a frozen pipe or a broken water heater – there is a good chance you have coverage. Be sure to speak with your insurance agent before you proceed with work.

Steps to take for removing water and repairing the damage caused by the flood

Step 1: Stop the problem at the source

Before you start assessing, it’s important to find the root cause of the problem. If the flood is coming from inside your home, find the shutoff valve and stop the water from flowing. Each major appliance should have its own shutoff valve. Or you can find the water main valve and turn off the water that feeds into your home.

Step 2: Remove all wet items

Clutter and personal assets should all be removed from the area. This includes furniture, plants, stacks of books, area rugs, and anything else that could hold moisture close to your hardwood floors. If the items are wet and you hope to save them, move them to a dryer section of your home. Be sure to put down a waterproof barrier, so you don’t add additional problems to other rooms in your home.

If you have carpets or large area rugs on top of the hardwood, remove that quickly. The fibers will absorb water and tend to get musty and moldy first. If you have tack strips in place holding it down, remove those as well. They can be very sharp and hurt you or others as they work in the area. Plus, they can also be impacted by the water and rust, adding more problems to the situation.

Step 3: Suck up the water

Remove standing water as quickly as possible. If the flood impacted a large portion of a room or your home, it might benefit you to hire a mitigation company. They understand more about looking for problems that settle in deep into your home. They will be well versed in extracting water and ensuring your home is returned to original condition, remaining a safe place for your family to live.

For smaller areas, you might be able to do it with a wet vacuum. Be sure to get all traces of water, spending extra time at baseboards, cracks, and even along plank lines. Wet vacuums can continue to work even after it appears you’ve removed the moisture. You may also have to remove baseboards if the water has soaked beyond the dimensions of your room.

Step 4: Clean and disinfect

Once all water has been removed, you’ll need to clean the area thoroughly. It’s equally important to ensure mold doesn’t form.

Step 5: Dry out the space

Place a dehumidifier in the center of the room. This is where professional mitigation companies might benefit you, especially with larger floods. These powerful pieces of equipment should run for 2 to 3 days or even longer to ensure the moisture is gone from your home. Also install large fans to increase circulation and ventilation, and dry out moisture to stop further impact.

Step 6: Check for signs of damage

Only when everything is dry should you check for visible signs of damage. Remember that problems can occur underneath the structure too. If you have any doubts, it’s better to check with an expert before you move forward with refinishing. Mold and other damage can fester for weeks – months – before turning into a visible problem.

What other questions do you have concerning your hardwood flooring?

The post Can You Save Hardwood Flooring After A Flood? first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

Basket weave isn’t actually a type of hardwood flooring, it is a pattern that you can achieve when installing parquet block flooring.  It is given such name because once the installation process is complete, it looks like the weave of a basket. Read More

When it comes to flooring options for your home or office, your choices are seemingly endless. From carpet to tile to laminate to marble or stone, there are a lot of different ways to go. However, one of the most elegant, classic, and overall best-looking (not to mention easy-to-keep-clean) floors is wood.

From deep and dark stained to diverse plank options, hardwood is always a great way to go. So for those of you who have it (and others who might be thinking about it), your friends here at Florring.org wanted to share a few tips on how to keep it in the best shape possible:

Use Door Mats and Lengthy Rugs

Strategically placing good mats by the most-used entry/exit points, as well as utilizing rugs in high-traffic spots can save your floor a lot of wear and tear.

Don’t Retire the Vacuum Cleaner

A lot of people think vacuuming is only for carpets. However, it is also necessary for hardwood. Dirt, dust, and other debris collect down in every crack and crevice it has. Brooms and mops rarely clean it properly.

Keep the Moisture Down

Pay special attention areas near windows, doors, walls, and other places that commonly come into contact with or are exposed to moisture or humidity.

Use Cleaning Products Specially Formulated for Wood Floors

Using any random product may lead to damage or other negative results on a wood floor. Some cleaners contain chemicals or additives that are destructive to wood.

Use Furniture Pads for Heavy Items

This is always a good idea, especially in the case of hardwood floors. Couches, recliners and lounging chairs, desks, entertainment centers, as well as any large object should always have pads underneath them.

For more information on how to care for your hardwood floors, or if you have any other questions, simply give Flooring.org a call at 800-689-9006. The team here at flooring.com is standing by and ready to help you any way we can.

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

Imagine a home here in Colorado without hardwood. Hard to do, isn’t it? That’s because hardwood flooring’s classic good looks blend in with a Rocky Mountain lifestyle.

Statistics show that sales of hardwood continues to remain steady. Especially for main living spaces, hardwood is the flooring of choice. As you move into bedrooms and other more personal living spaces, homeowners split between hardwood and carpet. Carpet adds softness and warmth that is critical in a bedroom, especially on a frosty, winter morning.

Yet no matter where you’ve installed hardwood flooring, there is still a demand for softness, durability, and even a way to add a pop of color to a room. Because of that, carpet runners and area rugs continue to be popular choices.

What are carpet runners and area rugs? What’s the perfect size? What should you look for before you settle on a choice? Read on for more.

What are carpet runners?

A carpet runner is designed to sit on top of your hardwood, covering your steps. Unlike wall to wall carpet, which covers the entire area from corner to corner, carpet runners cover most of the area while leaving hardwood on either side. They are bound on the sides to create a finished look.

Carpet runners are popular in homes with hardwood stairs for two reasons.

1. They make stairs safer. Hardwood flooring has the ability to be slippery, especially when you’re wearing socks. Imagine your kids flying down the stairs for breakfast, hitting a step wrong, and falling down the stairs. That’s not a good situation for anyone, but especially so if you have small kids or elderly that might be seriously injured in a fall. Carpet runners give your stairs the needed traction to keep them safe.

2. They add a decorative element to your home. While hardwood stairs can be a beautiful addition to any home, there’s just something special about adding a splash of color to a room. Luckily, you can find carpet runners in any style, color, or pattern you desire.

What to consider when selecting a carpet runner

While color and pattern are two obvious things you’ll look at as you shop, there are several other things to consider before making your final selection.

You’ll find runners available in different widths. Which is right for your needs? Start by considering the width of your stairs. For narrower, 3-feet wide staircases, we suggest choosing a carpet runner 27 inches in width. This will provide ample coverage to the stairs, look good and provide pleasing aesthetics, without going too narrow or overpowering the space. For wider staircases, you can move to a wider runner. For stairs 4 to 5 feet in width, consider a runner up to three feet in width. It will provide full coverage for safety, while leaving enough hardwood on the sides to create natural beauty. Of course, the final selection should be based on your tastes and needs. Have something in mind? Pin it on your Pinterest board, and bring it in. We can customize your carpet runner and create any look you desire.

We’ll also mention patterns for your consideration. Depending on your decor, you may want to add a pop of color to your home and select a carpet runner with a pattern. Be aware that patterns can be a challenge to match up as they wind up your stairs. With a straight staircase, it can be easier. But if you have a winding staircase, it will stand out if the patterns don’t match up as it progresses from one landing to the next. It’s best to go small on carpet runners, and stick with shapes that will easily blend no matter how they are positioned.

Decorative rods are also an optional accessory that can add magic to the overall look. A metal rod is placed at the back of the stair where the riser meets the tread. The rod isn’t an integral part of installation, rather it’s for decorative reasons to help you create the look you are going for.

What are area rugs?

An area rug is a carpet that is smaller than the dimensions of the room. While wall to wall carpet stretches across the entire room, area rugs are designed in different sizes to accent the surrounding area and the decor. Are rugs are used to tie a room together, provide softness and warmth to a room with hardwood or tile flooring.

What to consider when selecting an area rug

If you have hardwood flooring and love the look, there are many reasons to bring an area rug into your home to tie everything together. Area rugs:

Make any space quieter – carpet has a sound-dampening effect, which cuts back on the room’s noise levels. That makes it easier for you to relax and recharge, especially if you have rambunctious kids and pets circling your rooms every day.

Offer protection against damage – furniture scraping, pets nails digging in, kids playing and dropping toys – these are just a few things that can impact the condition of your hardwood floors. Area rugs offer a simple way to protect the main living space. They are easy to lift and move, meaning you can change up your decorating style whenever you choose.

Add warmth – in the heart of the winter, as the temperatures dip below zero, you’ll be glad you have an area rug to add warmth to a room. An area rug helps hold heat down at floor level longer.

Should runners match area rugs?

This is one of the most frequent questions we are asked, and for good reason. Homes all across the Front Range have open concept design, meaning the living space is visible from the dining space, which can be seen from the entryway as you walk through the door.

The general rule of thumb is if you can see an area rug or a carpet runner from one room to the next, they should complement one another. That doesn’t necessarily mean they have to match, or be made from the same material. But they should stick with the same color hue, pattern, and texture.

Where you can have some fun is with sizes. Maybe smaller rugs as accents in entryways, while moving to a larger rug that is more functional under your sofas and chairs.

If you need additional help picking out the right carpet runners and area rugs, we’re here to help. 

The post Make This The Year You Install Carpet Runners and Area Rugs first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

And Home Improvement

In the past when your significant other or co-worker says, “I need a vacation!” You laugh and tell them they should go!  Then life happens and the vacation doesn’t.  You’re saving money for the kids college education or for those home renovations that need to be done.  How would you afford to do all that AND go on a cruise?  The Carpet Guys have the answer!

We Want You to LOVE Your Home

As we spend the majority of 2020 in our homes, we noticed all the things we don’t like about our lockdown space.  The stains on the floors and the furniture.  The scratches on the old-fashioned sheet vinyl or the warping of the old laminate. If we are going to be spending more time at home with virtual learning and work from home policies, we need our space to be comfortable and enjoyable. Don’t wait! Transform you home the way you want it NOW!

“I wanted to change up things in the house, to keep up the value. We were looking for a company that could replace my carpet. I called Empire Today and The Carpet Guys. The Carpet Guys called me back and set a time to meet. Our meeting went well, and I thought they were nice. My salesman was very personable, not judgmental at all. I had family members moving in and out when he came over, and he was very nice about all of it. It was a great surprise when I was given a Condo Vacation Voucher. I like to travel, and we have been to Costa Rica and the Caribbean a few times. Once COVID clears up, we plan on using our Condo Vacation Voucher to take a nice vacation.” ~Lori Kester

The Carpet Guys have many flooring options for whatever your busy household needs!  Our knowledgeable Design Consultants will help you decide if you’re not sure.  We will bring our showroom to your door so you can see how the flooring samples look in your homes lighting and next to your furniture.  Not sure you can afford your dream flooring?  We have interest free financing available*.  And if that isn’t enough to make you want to give us a call, we will give you travel vouchers of your choosing!

What Are Travel Vouchers?

Our country has been in a lockdown from Covid-19 for almost a year now.  Life is fragile and we have spent the last 11 months being reminded of how short life can be.  The Carpet Guys will not only help you obtain the home space you desire, but we will also help you get away!  Stop putting off those family vacation plans you wanted to make.  Start crossing sites off your bucket list.  When you make a qualifying flooring purchase, you will get to choose between a future cruise to several amazing destinations or a condo voucher towards hundreds of places you’ve been dreaming of.

“Our neighbors had the carpet in their home replaced by a company named The Carpet Guys. We ended up going to their home and fell in love with their new carpeting so much that we ended up calling them as well. They sent out a salesman who helped us find the perfect carpet for our home. As we started negotiating a price we were greatly surprised when the salesman mentioned that we would receive a Condo Vacation with our purchase. My wife and I have gone to New Smyrna Beach Florida once a year for the past 40 years, so this voucher is going to take care of our costs for our next trip down there. We are still in a bit of shock, as we can’t believe we were gifted with a vacation. Thank you so much, The Carpet Guys for this amazing offer.” ~Paul & Cheryl Campbell

Call 855-4-MY-GUYS to get beautiful new flooring and a relaxing vacation.  If you want more information, check out these links to Destination Motivation and Condo Express Online.  Or set up a Free In-Home Estimate today.

The post Vacation appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

In many ways, home decorating is difficult because there are too many choices vying for your attention.

Even after you’ve settled on a particular type of flooring – carpet? Hardwood? Luxury vinyl planks? – there are so many options even within a specific style. Color, patterns, sizes – how are you supposed to make a decision when it’s something you’ll have to live with for years to come?

If choosing new flooring is leaving you nervous and overwhelmed, take a step back and make it an easier process. We have several steps you can take that will make it easier to choose.

Settle on the type of flooring that makes sense for your rooms

You can fall in love with traditional hardwood, but if you lay it in a heavily used bathroom, you might come to regret your decision not long after installation.

Every room has specific needs. Is it a high traffic room? Does it receive a lot of moisture and humidity? What overall purpose is the room used for?

All of this dictates what flooring is best to suit the function of the room.

Carpet is a great choice in low traffic rooms like bedrooms. It cuts down on noise, and adds warmth to a room. That can be a very good thing on a cold winter morning. It also provides softness that makes it a great choice for a kid’s room. If they lie on the floor playing board games and make-believe, carpet is almost always a great choice.

Hardwood is a great choice for main living space. It functions well under normal living conditions, and looks beautiful as you enter your home. If you pay attention to manufacturers, you can install sustainable flooring that doesn’t harm the environment. With so many choices in species, colors, and patterns, you can find one that suits your tastes as well as your desires.

Engineered wood is another top choice for main living spaces. Homeowners often choose engineered wood because it steps up the durability factor. It looks like traditional hardwood, but it stands up better to moisture. If you spend a lot of time in your kitchen, this may be a perfect choice for flooring for your home.

Ceramic tile is a popular choice for rooms throughout your home. It makes a great addition to entryways, where cleanup will be easy to do. It holds up well to moisture and water, which is why you often find it in the bathroom. And if you want unlimited choices, and have a desire to create a unique look all your own, look no further than ceramic tile. Sizes, textures, patterns, colors – you’ll be pleasantly surprised at all the options waiting for you. Maybe that’s why ceramic tile is often adhered to the walls, countertops, backsplashes, and more, in addition to the floors.

Luxury vinyl is growing in popularity because it offers waterproof flooring options with a look homeowners demand most. Want hardwood but nervous about how it will stand up to your family’s activities? Give luxury vinyl a look. It comes in many formats, but currently, people are excited about LVP and LVT – luxury vinyl planks and luxury vinyl tiles. Both mimic the most popular flooring on the market today in looks, but offer a lot more durability than other choices you can install. The hardwood and stone can look so real, even an expert will have to take a second look to see it isn’t real.

Have your type in mind? Now focus on your style.

What holds a lot of homeowners back from making a choice is their heads and hearts are requesting different things. Maybe you’ve dreamed of hardwood for so long, yet after all the research you’ve performed, you know it might not be the smartest choice given your lifestyle.

We suggest you spend some time seeing a few different choices. When you come into our retail location, we can show you lots of options to suit your needs. Bring in your questions and concerns. We can help you compare and contrast different choices, and make the right selection for your home.

Don’t forget to keep your lifestyle in mind.

We know that many homeowners right here along the Front Range have fur babies as well as kids. When the two combine, it means a house full of love … and the occasional chaos that goes along with it.

Will they chase each other through your home? Of course.

Will they spill and track in things you might not even want to know what it is? You bet.

That’s a part of raising a happy, healthy family.

But isn’t that what you want from a flooring – a product that stands up to all you dish out, without having to worry about how it stands the test of time?

We’re at one of the best times for marrying up functionality with personality. If you really want hardwood, for example, but have reservations about how well it will stand up to the punishment your family dishes out, give luxury vinyl planks a look. Maybe the 100 percent waterproof, durable, pet-resistant, scratch-resistant flooring is just what you need.

Now let’s look at long term value

The last thing you want is to be sorry you installed flooring soon after you purchase it. Flooring is supposed to last for years. You’ll have trouble looking at it if you regret your decision a few months after installation.

That’s why it’s important to take your needs into consideration, and think about how well a flooring will work for you over time. Will it continue to hold its value as your family grows and changes?

Also consider your own goals. Are you fixing up a house you hope to sell in just a few years? Or is this your forever home, one you hope to grow old in?

Homebuyers look for quality, and they know what they want. Hardwood floors continually top their desire lists. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t open to other options. If you install a high quality luxury vinyl plank, and it moves into the bathrooms and offers waterproof features where a homeowner needs it most, that adds value.

The more you focus on what choices make sense in your life, the more a potential homebuyer will see that as added value too.

Ultimately, what flooring you choose is up to you. Spend some time considering your options carefully, and purchase something you can live with now and well into the future. 

The post Easy Steps To Take When Choosing Flooring For Your Home first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

You are probably aware that engineered wood is far more popular that solid wood flooring. It is more readily available and there is far more choice when it comes to engineered species, styles and sizes of planks.  But do you know why it is the favourite choice? Read More

Now that the world is coming slowly out of the pandemic lockdown, a new trend in home décor is emerging.  White cabinets!  So many families are tired of being in the dark, literally, and figuratively.  We want our homes to be bright, inviting, and open.  White cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms and all white built-in cabinetry are all the rage.  Even the whitewash rustic look is a big hit.  So, we find many of our customers asking what floor goes with white cabinets?

How High Contrast Floors go with White Cabinets

So much of the answer to this question will remain in “the eye of the beholder”.  Some people enjoy a high contrast look.  A beautiful contrast would be a dark, warm tone to balance the cool of white.  If in a kitchen or high traffic area, we have beautiful choices in water-resistant and scratch resistant laminates or luxury vinyl planks and tiles.  When you set up your appointment, ask to see samples like this of Mohawk Revelance in the color Tea Time.

Another high contrast option would be to have dark cabinets on the lower half, white cabinets on the upper half to make the room feel more spacious.  The flooring to best compliment this would be a lighter, high contrast hard surface to give a modern look.  If you want a waterproof and easy to clean option (because it’s seamless) ask your flooring company for Mohawk’s Versatech, like this 595T in Cypress Grey.

Grey Floors Compliment White Cabinets

The most popular color for flooring is still grey.  Many interior designers have switched to grey from the old neutral beiges that were popular in the last few decades.  See the above image with grey hard surface flooring.  You could achieve the look below with something less expensive than marble.  Ask to see a grey marble style sheet vinyl.

All Light Floor with White Cabinets

This all-light appearance has been popular in places like Florida and on the East and West coasts for years.  The Midwest is looking to bring some of these light and cheery influences to their homes.  This eating nook area has a beautiful light, rustic feeling.  You could have this same look with Mohawks Vintage Elements Hardwood in Winter Oak.  A color that’s fittingly named for the Midwest!

Or you could choose a light-colored carpet to accent your white cabinets or furniture.  This cozy room could be accomplished with a carpet by Shaw called Subtle Aura and you could choose a light tone like Candlelight to go with the décor.

All the flooring options shown can be purchased through The Carpet Guys.  We’ll send our expert Design Consultant to your home with samples of these or similar styles.  When you call 855-4-MY-GUYS (855-469-4897) to set up your Free In-Home Estimate, tell the scheduler that you want one of these looks and they will make sure to have what you need.  We will make your white cabinets shine bright with a complimentary flooring just for you!

The post What Floor Goes with White Cabinets appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

Are you remodeling your home? Looking for a flooring that will last for years and look great too? Don’t want to follow the Joneses – want something you won’t find in your neighbor’s home?

Maybe it’s time to give bamboo flooring another look.

Bamboo flooring is often considered a category of hardwood, even though it isn’t a hardwood at all. Bamboo isn’t a tree, and isn’t a wood. Instead, it’s a grass native to China. It’s cut down as strips, bonded together and crafted into planks that resemble hardwood. You’ll find colors, styles, and finishes in all spectrums, and often stand out over other hardwood options.

One of the top reasons people turn to bamboo is because of its natural, renewable sourcing. Unlike trees which can require decades of growth before harvesting, bamboo stalks can be harvested repeatedly every five to six years. Most of the bamboo on the market today is sourced from plantation-like applications that approach their farming operations responsibly.

While bamboo farming is a growing enterprise, it is important to understand that if you are looking for a renewable resource, it’s a good idea to pay attention to the manufacturing process. Less than reputable manufacturers are still in abundance in this category, so it’s important to dive deep and understand the product you are purchasing.

If you find inexpensive options online, there is a reason. Ensuring you receive a quality product means doing your research early.

The different types of bamboo flooring

If you decide to install hardwood flooring, you’ll be able to select from a variety of styles: traditional hardwood, laminate, engineered.

With bamboo, it works in a similar manner. Bamboo is constructed in several unique ways.

Stranded bamboo – it’s created by shredding the bamboo stalks and compressing them into sheets using a resin binder and pressurized heat. They are then cut into planks to install in your home. You’ll find both click-and-lock and nail-down varieties.

Horizontal bamboo – is manufactured by cutting the bamboo into thin strips and then glued together to form the planks. With this method, you’ll see the grain from the fibers within the plant. Because it isn’t pressurized when created, it isn’t as durable as the stranded option. But because of its grainy appearance, it can create a striking look.

Engineered – this is created by bonding a thin layer of bamboo onto an MDF core or a piece of plywood. It’s structured similarly to engineered hardwood, and performs  similarly. It’s the least expensive option, and cannot be refinished down the road.

Thinking about installing bamboo? Here are the pros and cons.

Before you settle on flooring for your home, it’s important to think about your lifestyle. An empty nest couple will have different needs than a young growing family. If you live alone, you’ll have different requirements than if you own several pets.

In many cases, what can be considered a “pro” by one household will be a “con” for the next. Bamboo flooring is a great choice for many homeowners, but for others, it can be a mess.

What we like best about bamboo flooring is:

• It gives a luxurious appearance to any room you install it in. It has a look that steps beyond traditional hardwood.
• Like hardwood, if you go with a solid bamboo, you can refinish it and have it last for decades. That makes it worth spending a little more on it upfront.
• Today’s bamboo flooring isn’t what you could purchase even a few short years ago. It’s easy to find articles online that talk about how finicky bamboo can be. Yet today’s bamboo is more water-resistant than ever, and can even surpass the durability of some hardwoods.
• It’s natural. If you care about going green, having a sustainable product inside your home, look no further than bamboo.
• It can be less expensive than exotic hardwood, yet offers a completely unique look and feel. If you don’t want to replicate every other home in your neighborhood, bamboo flooring might just be what you’re looking for.

Still, bamboo flooring isn’t right for everybody. Some of the cons for using this in your home include:

• It’s just as easy to find poor quality bamboo as it is high quality. Don’t select a bamboo flooring online based on cost – less-than-reputable companies will give you a lower quality product. If you install the wrong bamboo, it will be softer and won’t hold up very well over time.
• How it’s created is important too. A less than reputable company can press the strands together using a high VOC adhesive, which can make it more dangerous to your health once you install it.
• It can be a sustainable, eco-friendly option … unless you go with a greedy manufacturer. There are lots of ways to cut costs in this product line. Be careful before you finalize your purchase.
• Flooding, high moisture, or pooling water will damage your bamboo flooring.
• It can be scratched quite easily. It isn’t the best choice with lots of pets who love to run and play.

Still think bamboo flooring is right for you?

Age is everything – select wisely

When manufacturers harvest bamboo, they know the proper age to ensure the highest quality. Again, this is a reason to go with a trusted resource.

With bamboo, age is important. Age determines its durability.

Most of the bamboo used in manufacturing today comes from China, and is created using a species of bamboo called Moso. Moso bamboo takes 5 to 6 years to reach maturity, and will achieve a base diameter of 4 to 6 inches, while reaching a height anywhere from 40 to 80 feet tall.

Maturity gives bamboo its strength. The younger the plant, the weaker the strands, the less durable the end product – your floors – will be.

If you’ve ever heard of homeowners unhappy with their bamboo floors, it’s most likely because they installed a weaker product. That’s when flooring will break apart, split, warp, and crack under pressure.

Talk with a flooring associate about the product line. Do your own research too. Don’t settle until you’re sure you have the perfect product for your home.

Are you ready to install bamboo flooring in your home?

We’re happy to help. Give us a call today, and we’ll be happy to answer all of your questions about bamboo flooring, and help you make the right decision for your home.

The post A Guide To Installing Bamboo Flooring Throughout Your Home first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

With parquet block hardwood flooring you can create amazing parquet patterns.  The small blocks of flooring are uniform in size, allowing them to be installed in a number of different ways.  Parquet block flooring is definitely becoming more and more popular again and we think it’s because of the three stunning designs that can be created: Read More