7 Things Many Carpet Retailers Won’t Tell You

Are you in the market for new carpet? There are many places you can go to finalize your purchase.

Head online, and you can find some great deals. Order it, have it delivered, you can even find a handyman ready to save you money.

Or maybe you should visit your local big box store. After all, you visit there all the time. You picked up gardening supplies a few months ago, and were up there just last week for a can of paint. It truly is one-stop shopping. They have a few racks of carpet, why not go with what they have?

All of these may seem tempting. Replacing your flooring can be a significant investment. Why not save a little money where you can? But the thing is going with an expert will reveal key things you should know before you make your final selection, things places like a big box will never tell you.

But you’ll find out in the end.

Here are a few things to keep in mind before you buy new carpet.

Larger rooms will have seams

Seams – they can be problematic if not placed correctly inside your room. Yet if you don’t work with an installer with a lot of experience, this can be a nightmare down the road.

Standard carpet rolls come in standard sizes, usually 12, 13.6, or 15 feet wide. If your room is wider than 12 feet, you will have a seam running somewhere in the room. That’s where it’s important to have an expert help you, to minimize the effect.

First, if you don’t want to have a seam showing, select a darker carpet. Dark carpet colors are much better at hiding seams within the fibers.

You should also plan on where a seam would work out best. Place it away from windows, doors, skylights, and other light sources, as they shine light on where the seam is.

Do you have a specific room layout in mind? If you can put a seam under a bed or sofa, it won’t be noticed as much throughout your daily routines.

Remember, where you place the seam matters. It can impact how much carpet you buy. We can help you decide the best location, and order your carpet based on your decisions.

Looking for longevity? Focus on the padding

Many homeowners come in wanting to spend the majority of their budgets on the carpet. And we get it, it makes sense.

But there’s a secret some in the flooring industry won’t tell you. If you want to ensure a long life for your carpet, invest a little more in the padding.

Padding is sold by weight, so you’ll look for the pound rating as a guide. A higher pound rating gives you a denser pad, which allows your carpet to wear more evenly.

The good news is carpet pad is the economical part of your purchase. To upgrade won’t cost you much more, but it can give you years more life. Some carpet warranties even require you to install certain rated padding if you don’t, your warranty is null and void.

Will some carpet retailers tell you that?

There are different ways to carpet your stairs

Installing new carpet isn’t something you do on a regular basis. Which means there are a variety of things you simply don’t know to ask for.

Like how carpet will be installed on your stairs.

Some installers will drape the carpet over each step before attaching it to the next. This gives it a waterfall appearance. But if you ask, you can also have carpet installed in a “French cap” method where the carpet is tucked under and stapled to each of the risers below. This creates a neater, crisper edge.

Let’s talk about furniture

You’ve lived in your house for years. You have sofas, and chairs, and tables, oh my. All of that furniture looks great as you enter the room, but your carpet installer will only look at it as a challenge.

In order to make the installation go smoothly, move as much of the furniture out of the room as possible. Carpet installers aren’t furniture movers, and most will charge you extra if they have to do it.

That also means some furniture may be at risk – grandfather clocks, baby grand pianos, or your grandmother’s china cabinet may all be damaged in the process. When in doubt, move it out before your installer arrives.

Installers need electricity

Are you having a section of your home remodeled? Is the electricity off for construction? Be sure to tell your installer your plans.

While installing carpet is a manual job, they will use compressors, seam irons, vacuums, and other power tools throughout the process. They can bring in a generator if they know they may be without electricity. But if you don’t warn them ahead of time, it can cost you time in the installation process. And that can be an extra charge to bring them out.

Carpet removal is not the same thing as carpet installation

Before a carpet installer lays the new carpet into place, they have to pull the old carpet out of the space, including the pad.

And while you’ve tried to keep it clean, invariably a lot of stuff gets buried into the fibers and pad that will resurface while being carried out.

If you want other rooms in your home to stay clean during the process, close them off. And if you’re going to have other rooms cleaned, it might be a good idea to wait until after the installation.

You should also check with the installer to see how they handle the removal. Some will charge for carrying your old carpeting away.

Understanding stain-resistant carpet

Carpet is made from fiber, and over time, fiber can be stained.

Carpet manufacturers have come a long way in the past few decades, creating carpet that can withstand a lot of daily activities. But in the end, carpet is stain-resistant. It’s never stain-proof. That means how you care for it will determine how well it looks from this day forward.

If your carpet comes with something like Stainmaster built into the fibers, it might require new applications every few years to maintain its effectiveness. Check with the manufacturer at the time you buy to ensure you follow their guidelines.

It can also make a difference in ensuring your warranty stays valid.

Are you ready to buy new carpet?

We can help. Stop by today, and we can help you make the right choice for your home.

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

There is nothing like the pandemic to make you want to invest in your home since we are all spending a lot of time at home these days. If you are looking for ways to invest in your home, you may want to look into hardwood flooring. Here are some reasons investing in hardwood flooring pays off.

Great for Resale Value

If you are thinking about selling your home in the future, you can’t go wrong by adding hardwood floors. That’s because the current trend is to move away from carpeted flooring. Instead, hardwood flooring is one thing that prospective buyers look for when they search for homes. Hardwood flooring goes great with many different house styles, such as farmhouse, Victorian, contemporary, and mid-century modern.

Durable

Although hardwood flooring is expensive, it pays for itself in the long run. When hardwood floors are properly cared for, they can last for decades. Think about how many beautiful old houses you’ve seen on TV that are a couple of hundred years old. We bet these houses have hardwood flooring. Once you pay for the floors, you’ll be able to enjoy them for years to come.

Variety

While you might be limited in choices with vinyl flooring, hardwood floors come in a variety of colors and styles. You can find hardwood floors in many different sizes and textures as well. No matter what kind of hardwood floors you want, you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for.

We think that hardwood flooring is the most economical, beautiful choice for your flooring. Hardwood flooring can give your house the perfect touch to all of your hard home improvement work. When you are ready to buy some new flooring, we hope that you’ll think about giving Flooring.org a call. You can call us anytime at 1-800-689-9006!

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

Maybe you run a large commercial space, with offices on several floors.

Maybe you run a medium sized medical facility, where cleanliness is everything.

Maybe you have a small business, and a fresh, clean appearance attracts people to your location.

Whatever type of facility you’re operating, you have a desire to match carpet to your facility’s needs.

And that’s important. But even in your own facility, you may have different needs throughout the building, on every single floor. How do you know what type of carpet to invest in?

Profiling your facility to determine what it needs

The first step in any project is to define your needs. And when it comes to selecting carpet, the more clearly you define specific requirements, the more you’ll be happy with your selection.

We have a few things for you to consider:

What type of facility do you operate? 

Different businesses require different needs. A medical building might have cleanliness as one of their top concerns. A large financial institution may make aesthetics a priority – they want to shine anytime a client comes to visit. Consider your priorities and decide what’s most important for you.

What activities take place inside? 

Some facilities depend on durability and maintenance-free functionality. Others are more concerned with how it looks to the general public. Heavy foot traffic will track in more dirt and debris. If you use a lot of liquids, or have a manufacturing process of any kind, it may be more important to focus on toughness.

Where will the carpet be laid into place? 

Carpet installed in entryways will require more maintenance than carpet in a conference room on the twentieth floor. Coordination may be a factor if you’re trying to tie every room together, but you should still pay attention to the daily living the carpet will be receiving.

How much of a life cycle do you expect? 

Do you change out the carpet frequently, or do you want the carpet to last? Some facilities rotate carpet regularly and have a budget for it each year. Others want to select wisely so their carpet choice will last for years.

What is tracked into the facility? 

Here in Colorado, ice and snow is a given? But if your tenants are from the construction industry, for example, will dirt and mud also show up regularly? It’s not only what the visitors will be wearing as they walk across the carpet, but also what exists on the bottom of their shoes as they move around.

Are you replacing or adding something new? 

If you’re moving from tile to carpet, for example, the subfloor could also need to be changed out. Or maybe the subfloor will have to be accessed from time to time – does maintenance need to get under the floor? That can make the difference between needing carpet tiles or bringing it in on a roll.

What type of furniture will be in the build out?

Different facilities house different levels of business. Will you place heavy office furniture and leave it set for years? Or will the furniture and supplies be under constant rotation, moving around your facility from time to time? Carpet squares may work well to prevent wear marks and replace small sections as you change out the space.

Finding the right carpet for your facility’s needs

People’s knowledge of carpet almost always stems from what they install in their homes. And residential carpet is entirely different from commercial-grade carpet. Yes, you’ll still have a wide variety of choices in style, fiber, pile, color, and patterns.

Just like residential choices, carpet in the workplace will give you personality. If you want a formal look for a bank or financial institution? There’s carpet for you. If your needs are solely based on maintenance and ease of use, there’s a carpet for you too.

 

There are so many different options when deciding which carpet to choose. You should consider:

Carpet construction – what it’s made of will ultimately determine how well it handles over its lifespan.

Color selection – you can go with natural to blend in, or dye it your corporate colors to stand out.

Style – carpet tiles make it easy to change out sections as needed. Of course, more traditional carpet can be laid into place and provide an elegant look and feel.

Performance – a high-quality carpet will give you years of service. In commercial carpet, it’s always better to focus on functionality and how it will handle under the stress your facility will give it.

Insulation and sound absorption – carpet is a natural noise reducer. How much depends on the carpet chosen and the backing or padding added underneath. It’s a great way to help reduce noise where you may need a quiet environment, such as a sound recording studio. Just pay attention to anti-static properties as well.

Cushion – standing on wood or tile all day can be hard on the feet and back. But with the right carpet, you can avoid workplace injuries and keep your tenants or salespeople doing their best.

Other considerations when matching carpet to facility needs

Depending on the goals of your business and what you’re trying to achieve with your facility, green building may be high up on your list. Green building is more than using materials that help the environment; they are designed so they won’t harm health too. Research now suggests that if people work in green environments, possibly LEED certified, they are more productive and healthier than working in buildings that aren’t.

There are many options available if this is something you’re striving for. The key is going into the purchase process with these goals in mind. Carpet tiles and more traditional carpet options are all available in green-friendly options. Ask from the beginning, and you’ll achieve the look and quality you want.

Impressions matter

When it’s time to choose new carpet for your facility, keep in mind that first impressions matter. The look you’re trying to achieve says it all from the moment anyone enters your facility.

If you skimp and downgrade your selection, you’ll pay in both looks and quality. By keeping aesthetics and overall design top of mind, you’ll install a carpet that is sure to please.

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

When it comes to interior design, accessibility is a key consideration. It’s important to ensure safety and ease of mobility around any home. In this blog, we’re going to offer advice on the best flooring types for wheelchair users with reduced mobility, to help make the most of living spaces.

There are a range of suitable flooring’s for wheelchair users which allow ease of mobility. These include: engineered wood, EvoCore, and LVT to name a few, with thick pile carpets, low quality vinyls and slippery tiled surfaces being amongst the few that are less suitable. 

There are key factors to consider to ensure safety and mobility are optimal as possible:

 

1. Durability
2. Grip
3. Comfort
4. Room Type
5. Transitions

 

Firstly though, we’re going to look at the different flooring types, and their suitability for wheelchair users.

Flooring Types

 

Different types of flooring will cater for wheelchair use better than others, with them being made with materials. Real wood, laminate and vinyl planks are the most suitable flooring types for ease of movement when it comes to wheelchairs users, and below we’ll look into why. 

 

 

Real Wood Flooring

 

Wood flooring, such as engineered wood and solid wood, provide a great surface for wheelchair users. 

 

With a hard surface, this allows for smooth and comfortable movability, avoiding any restrictions and slipping. These surfaces are highly durable, and solid and engineered wood can also be refinished if any cosmetic damage occurs. Scuffs or scrapes are no problem; the flooring can be brought back to life with ease.

Laminate

 

Laminate flooring is a top contender when it comes to manoeuvrability, and header-wearing construction. 

 

However, we recommend buying a high grade laminate to ensure flooring’s longevity, which also prevents the need for early replacement.

 

An AC rating of AC3 or above would make a suitable flooring for wheelchair users, with a recommended rating of AC5 for bathrooms and kitchens to ensure they meet suitability needs. 

Vinyl Planks 

Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)

 

LVT makes for one of the best flooring options for wheelchair users. It’s highly durable, and suitable for any room of the home. For ease of movement and access around the home, Luxury Vinyl Tile is a great option. Click LVT features a thicket board which aids in providing more durability. 

 

EvoCore

 

EvoCore is another one of the best flooring’s for wheelchair users. This eco friendly option offers durability and home-wide suitability, meaning safety, confidence and mobility are optimal, as well as providing bespoke eye catching designs. EvoCore features scratch resistant surfaces and high durability. Perfect for facilitating the motions of a wheelchair. 

Flooring Types to Avoid

 

• Thick pile carpets – reduces or halts movement.
• Tile – Glossy finish tile can present slippery surfaces, leading to skidding, alteration of speed, or reduced effect of a brake.
• Vinyl Roll – Whilst not all vinyl roll should be avoided, lower grade options should be avoided where possible, as durability may provide future cosmetic issues resulting in the need to replace. 

 

Key Flooring Considerations for Wheelchair Users

Safety and manoeuvring will be front of mind when choosing the best flooring.. 

 

Whilst design and appearance are nice-to-haves, they may be secondary to ensuring you’re confident in mobility in your own home.

1. Durability 

 

First on the list is durability. As expected, wheelchairs can often be heavy on flooring, particularly motorised ones. 

 

Flooring should be practical in its ability to cater for this, as well as being able to handle manoeuvring to prevent cosmetic damage such as scuffs, scratches and lifting. 

 

Considering safety first, flooring wouldn’t be practical in its purpose if it did not cater for these needs. 

 

Damage to its appearance as a result of wheelchair presence is avoidable by considering high-durability flooring options. Experiencing comfort within an interior, as well as having mobility without the need for constant caution, sounds like a win-win scenario. 

 

This can be achieved with flooring such as EvoCore or engineered wood, being easy on the eye and offering extremely high durability. 

 

EvoCore

 

EvoCore Essentials and Premium are both made of a combination of 7 different layers to create an extremely resistant and durable flooring. It’s scratch resistant surface and textured surface makes for a great foundation for wheelchair users, whilst looking amazing in any room of the home, offering a wide array of designs and styles. 

 

 

Whatever range opted for in terms of compatibility for wheelchair users, EvoCore can withstand the test of time offering wear resistance, the ability to manoeuvre with ease whilst looking amazing in the process.  

 

Engineered Wood 

 

With engineered wood, this can be finished with a lacquer or oil, adding not only a natural charm but a protective layer to aid in durability. 

2. Slippery Surfaces

 

Another key consideration when it comes to the best flooring for wheelchair users is slippery surfaces. Traction is an important part of offering ease of movement, and this is something that smoother surfaces don’t tend to account for. 

 

Glossy finishes and ceramic tile are just some of the surfaces that can reduce wheelchair movement, alter speeds, or affect the efficiency of a brake due to the lack of traction. 

 

To allow safe and easy movement around a home, flooring options such as LVT, engineered wood, or a low pile carpet that isn’t too dense, usually loop piles rather than twist or Saxony as it offers smoother traction.

3. Comfort 

 

Where comfort is concerned, there are multiple flooring options for wheelchair users. Comfort is an each to their own factor, and when it comes to those who rely on the use of a wheelchair, there are physical factors to consider. 

 

With some wheelchairs being manual, this can have a physical effect on the body. Physical comfort should not be disregarded, and flooring can impact this. 

 

To prevent making mobility a strenuous activity, laminate flooring, LVT or engineered wood will make manoeuvring around your home a breeze. 

 

Thick carpet is another surface that will affect comfort. For more reasons than one. 

 

Carpets can cushion any falls and slow down speed, however thick-piled will reduce movement, and more energy and strength to push and rotate the wheels of the wheelchair. It’s important to consider which of these are most important before making a decision.

 

4. Room Type

 

Certain flooring’s go better in certain rooms, that’s just a fact. 

 

With different requirements for different rooms of the home, needs coupled with suitability can make options more limited as a wheelchair user.

 

In bathrooms and kitchens, popular choices for these rooms of the home are tiled flooring’s. However, some tile flooring’s are finished with slippery surfaces that could affect mobility. If this is your desired design, not to worry. Some flooring’s offer slip resistant surfaces and tiled patterns, providing the design you want with the suitability you need. Flooring’s such as slip resistant vinyl and EvoCore 360 will do the job perfectly. 

 

 

Kitchens

 

When it comes to kitchen flooring’s, a popular choice is tile. However, some tile flooring’s are finished with slippery surfaces that could affect mobility. If this is your desired design, not to worry. If this is your desired design, not to worry. Some flooring’s offer slip resistant surfaces and tiled patterns, providing the design you want with the suitability you need. Flooring’s such as slip resistant vinyl and EvoCore 360 will do the job perfectly. 

 

Bathrooms

 

Bathrooms are another room of the home that tiled flooring’s are often desired in. Similarly to kitchens, this room of the home requires flooring that will need to suit the everyday functions that occur there, as well as catering for wheelchair access. Again, like the kitchen, flooring’s such as slip resistant vinyl and EvoCore will suit these needs. 

5. Transitions

Transitioning between rooms in a wheelchair is another thing to consider when it comes to finding the best surface for wheelchairs. This is because when moving from room to room, surfaces can alter. Laminate to carpet, carpet to solid wood, whatever the surfaces of your home, having varied surface textures can cause exhaustion, especially if transitioning from surfaces that allow ease of movement, to ones that don’t. Where possible, having the same or similar flooring types that offer ease of wheelchair movement such as laminate or LVT, is something to consider when it comes to creating the flooring suitable for wheelchair users. 

 

Another thing to consider is keeping room transitions level to prevent getting stuck. Mini ramps can help with this. 

 

All Flooring Types and Their Suitability

 

Flooring Type	Suitability
Solid Wood	Suitable due to durability, however not suitable for kitchens and bathrooms due to temperature fluctuations.
Engineered Wood	Home-wide suitability and highly durable makes for a suitable flooring for wheelchair users.
Laminate	Laminate with an AC rating AC3 or above would make a suitable flooring for wheelchair users, with a recommended rating of AC5 for bathrooms.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)	LVT makes for one of the best flooring’s for wheelchair users, being highly durable, and suitable for any room of the home.
Vinyl Roll	Vinyl roll is suitable providing you have ensured it comes with slip resistance. However, durability in some cases isn’t always a strong suit.
Tile	Whilst some tiled flooring can be used, ensure the slip resistance where possible as certain finishes such as glossy, or ceramic tile can cause skidding and slipping.
Carpet	Low pile carpets can make a great flooring for those confined to a wheelchair. However, carpets with a thicker pile can hinder movement and be strenuous.
EvoCore	EvoCore is another one of the best flooring’s for wheelchair users. Again offering durability and home-wide suitability.

 

Hopefully this blog has answered your questions on recommendations when it comes to suitable flooring for wheelchair users. However, should you need more information, our team of experts would be more than happy to answer any questions, get in touch now. 

The post Best Flooring For Wheelchair Users appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

The year 2020 will go down in history as the time when everything changed. Working remotely is becoming the new norm. Shopping moved almost completely online. And cleaning – we look at that in an entirely new way.

It’s no longer acceptable to run a dust cloth over your personal items and call it a day. What else lurks in the corners of your room? We’ve taken cleaning to a whole new level.

It’s one thing to wonder how to clean a shelf in your living room. But what about the floors? They have to be the dirtiest places in your home, right?

If you have laminate flooring, you might be wondering what to do. You installed laminate for all the right reasons. You wanted a flooring that looked as good as hardwood, but stands up better to everyday living. And the coronavirus has definitely challenged what “everyday living” means.

 

How do you clean it? Better yet, how do you disinfect laminate flooring to ensure it not only looks good, but is safe for your family to live with?

Taking precautions with your laminate flooring

When you install new floors, you do so mostly for the beauty of the floors. You have a certain style in mind. You are creating aesthetics that will blend with your personal decor.

You might even take a second look at how well your flooring choices will do under pressure. Are they easy to clean? Are they easy to maintain over the years?

There’s a difference between cleaning and disinfecting. We’ve also become manic about ensuring everything is safe, sanitized, and doesn’t harbor germs that can make our families sick.

I was doing a few searches the other day in Google. Did you know people right now are searching things like:

• How do you kill germs on laminate floors?
• Can you use Lysol on laminate floors?
• What cleaners are safe for laminate floors?

Yep, this is front and center of every homeowner’s mind.

So what is the answer?

It starts with paying attention to what the manufacturer suggests.

When the manufacturer created the product currently residing in your home, they did so knowing it could sustain certain types of wear. It depends on what the laminate is made of, what topcoat is put into place, how it’s installed in your home. If you do things according to guidelines, it’ll wear well for the life of the product. If you follow the rules, whatever warranty is in place will ensure you are covered for the entire time frame.

The manufacturer knows best.

Some tips hold true no matter what product you choose:

Less water is better. Laminate might be better than hardwood when it comes to standing up against moisture, but it still isn’t made to have standing water in place. Water can soak in and cause extensive damage. It can peel and separate the layers. And it takes surprisingly less than you would imagine.

Never use bleach. Bleach may be the king of getting rid of germs, but it’s not a friend to laminate flooring. Laminate is porous. That means the bleach will soak in and cause a wide array of problems. It will often take the shiny finish off the floors first, before soaking into the color layer and dulling the look of your laminate. As it penetrates deeper, it can warp and curl your floors.

Avoid “promise” products. There are a lot of floor cleaners on the market today that make an array of promises. “Protected shine,” for example, promises to keep your floors radiant no matter how much your family can dish out. But what it’s really doing is filling in the tiny scratch and scuff markets with a filler product. Over time, this product can build, dull the finish, and create a filmy residue that’s difficult to get clean. It may make your floors look good in the beginning, but it will quickly disappear.

Your first step: Keeping dirt at bay

The key to great looking laminate flooring is to keep it clean and dirt-free. Dirt builds over time. By removing the dirt quickly, it means your flooring will stay cleaner naturally.

That means quick clean up when things happen. That’s why you should keep the proper tools right at hand, to be able to get rid of dirt quickly. Swiffer products make it easy to pick up messes fast. Invest in a small vacuum you can use whenever needed. Dust mops are good at picking up surface dirt and pulling them off of your floors. Use a dust mop daily at a minimum, more if your family is busy.

Always have a mop at hand

Sweeping and dusting are your first line of defense in keeping your flooring clean. But even if you dust daily, you aren’t removing the hidden grime that settles into your floors. And that’s where bacteria can live.

Dusting is your starting point. But from there, mopping provides you with a deeper clean.

Always use a soft mop so you won’t hurt the finish on your laminate floors. Not all mops are the same, so it’s wise to find one that works well with the product you have in place.

Keep a towel handy to dry any wet spots that remain after mopping. Excessive moisture – even small residue – can be enough to damage the finish. That means your floors may be impacted by things like swelling or warping.

And always pay attention to the chemicals in the floor cleaner you are selecting. Chemicals might promise to kill bacteria, but many do more harm than good. Avoid harsh chemicals, and refer to your warranty to ensure you’re using products the manufacturer recommends.

You should never use detergent-based cleaning products, as they will leave behind a sticky residue. And never pour any type of cleaning product directly on your floors. Make sure the mop or rag you use is thoroughly rung out, so it’s damp, and rub gently over the surface, ensuring no moisture is left behind.

Now it’s time to disinfect

Cleaning your floors is half the battle. The key to ensuring your floors are disinfected is to use an EPA-approved cleaning agent.

The CDC has issued guidance on what to use on porous materials. Use these guidelines to find a product that works well for your needs.

As always, before trying anything new, use a small amount of product in an inconspicuous place, to ensure it doesn’t leave a mark. If you’re getting down on the floor, be sure to wear gloves to keep your hands safe from harm, and dispose of them after, or wash them and hang them to dry.

All disinfectants can be harmful or fatal to people and animals, so keep the products away from your kids and pets.

Clean floors can give you peace of mind during these trying times. How have you been disinfecting your laminate flooring?

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

Laminate flooring is an old faithful in the flooring world. Though new patterns and designs are in the running for favoured foundations in a home, laminate is a go-to for a great flooring that does the job and suits your design taste, with tonnes of designs to choose from. It’s the perfect cost-effective alternative to real wood flooring too. Whilst its reputation speaks for itself, we’ll look into a list of pros and cons of laminate flooring to answer your questions as to whether or not it’s the flooring for you. 

 

There are many pros of laminate flooring. These include: 

1. Ease of maintenance
2. Highly durable depending especially with a high AC rating (AC5)
3. It’s an affordable alternative to solid or engineered wood
4. Installation is quick and easy
5. Available in an array of colours and styles
6. Lifespan on average of 15-25 years
7. Suitable with all rooms of the home. AC5 is recommended for bathroom use
8. Suitable for furniture presence
9. Suitable for underfloor heating

 

With alternative cons consisting of:

1. Can’t be refinished if experiencing damage
2. Not as quiet as carpet, but can be resolved with underlay or T profiles
3. Can provide a slippery surface if AC level is lower

 

Pros of laminate flooring

1. Maintenance

 

A key factor to consider when buying any flooring is maintenance. This is because flooring is a noticeable feature, provides the foundations of your home, and can often be on the larger side of your interior investments. 

 

For these reasons, caution is often taken when it comes to things like cleaning and caring for your flooring. 

 

With laminate flooring, maintenance is a breeze. When cleaning laminate, a micro fibre spray mop, with a specialist floor cleaner, is a great way to remove dust, dirt, or grime. 

 

Too much moisture exposure will cause cosmetic damage and lifting over time. A versatile all-in-one cleaning kit will provide everything you need to have your floor gleaming and cleaned properly. 

 

 

2. Durability

 

Another benefit of laminate flooring is durability. Laminate flooring comes with an AC rating that defines how strong and durable the laminate is. The higher the number, the more durable the floor. Though a higher AC rating doesn’t always mean the best as they all serve a different purpose and suit different needs. 

 

Laminate Flooring AC Ratings

 

AC1

Suitable for moderate traffic. Best suited to use in bedrooms or guest rooms.

AC2

Suitable for general traffic like Dining or living rooms.

AC3

Suitable for heavy traffic. Generally suitable for all areas, especially areas such as hallways.

AC4

Suitable for moderate traffic in commercial spaces. Think small offices, cafés or smaller retail outlets.

AC5

Suitable for heavy traffic in commercial spaces. Large department stores, public buildings and large offices.

 

As well as having varied levels of durability, being able to withstand a high dosage of foot traffic, laminate also features a scratch-resistant wear layer. 

So for those busy family, homes where your laminate planks become lanes in a monster truck rally, scratches and cosmetic damage doesn’t have to be a concern. 

 

3. Cost

 

Where budgets are concerned, laminate flooring offers a wide variety of designs, and needs. Generally, the bigger the requirement in terms of durability and wear, and lifespan, the more expensive the laminate. 

 

If you’re looking for that real wood look, but at a more affordable price, then laminate is the perfect option for you. Giving all the luxury and rich textures of a real wood flooring, whilst providing durability, at a budget-friendly cost. 

 

4. Installation is easy and DIY friendly 

 

Here’s one for those DIY enthusiasts; Laminate is extremely easy to install!  So get out your tool belt, and pen at the ready to cross off another skill, because our click-lock fitting mechanism makes it quick and easy to lay laminate. No qualms, just clicks, and your flooring is laid. 

 

Floating floor installations are the recommended option when it comes to installing laminate flooring. This means that your flooring isn’t fixed to the subfloor with any kind of adhesive. 

 

Though one thing to be cautious of is the condition of your subfloor. If you have an uneven subfloor, or you’re laying on top of concrete, ensure you use appropriate underlay to prevent issues such as damp and movement in the flooring. If you’re laying over concrete, we recommend an underlay with in-built damp proof membrane (DPM).

How to fit your Laminate flooring

 

For an easy how to guide on how to fit your laminate flooring, check out the video below.

4. Offers an Array of Styles 

 

Got an eye for design? Laminate comes in an array of colours and designs, so whatever you style, there will be an option for you. Dark wood? Light wood? Grey? Whatever your style preference, there is something for everyone. 

 

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Loft Dark Grey	Valencia Tile Retro Blue	Herringbone Pearl Oak
More Info	More Info	More Info
Add to Cart	Add to Cart	Add to Cart

 

5. Long Lasting

 

The lifespan for laminate flooring varies, with the average being between 15-25 years.

 

Some lower grade laminates may need replacing after around 10 years, with higher grade potentially lasting around 30 years. 

 

These estimated life spans mean your flooring can follow you through the decades and be ready to change when new design eras come into play, so you’re not spending unnecessary money on premature replacements.

 

If you do want to keep your laminate for even longer, it’s also easy to repair or replace damaged boards.

 

 

5. Room Suitability 

 

Home-wide suitability is another pro on the list when it comes to laminate flooring. 

 

As well as your high-traffic areas of the homes such as living rooms and hallways, laminate can also be used in rooms serving a purpose that needs a little more consideration. 

Laminate is also compatible with kitchens and bathrooms providing you use an AC level of AC4 or AC5. To ensure confidence in functionality in a bathroom, AC5 is the recommended option as these tend to be more water-resistant. 

 

Some AC4 laminates also come with a water resistant feature. However, though this is not always the case, so ensure this is clarified before purchasing. Our Villa, Residence Narrow and Supreme 12mm Long Board ranges offer this feature.

 

6. Suitable for furniture

 

Laminate flooring is capable of withstanding the presence of furniture.

 

When moving furniture, ensure its moved correctly, lifted rather than pushed along your flooring to ensure maximum reduction of cosmetic damage. 

 

Dropping the furniture may result in chips or cracks, so as long as it’s handled with care upon manoeuvring, your furniture can sit comfortably on a laminated surface, furnishing your room to your liking. 

 

To further ease your mind and aid in the protection of your flooring, felt furniture pads can be used to put under the legs of furniture to create a barrier between the furniture and flooring. This will aid in scratch prevention. 

 

7. Suitable for use with underfloor heating

 

Underfloor heating is becoming a more and more popular addition in the family home, adding comfort warmth and homely essence. To add to the list of pros, laminate is suitable for use with underfloor heating. 

 

So you can have this appealing, durable flooring in your home, complementing your underfloor heating system perfectly. 

 

Cons of laminate flooring

 

1. Can’t be Refinished

 

Unlike some other types of flooring, laminate can’t be sanded down and refinished. Once it’s worn or cosmetic damage shows, your flooring will need to be replaced or repaired.

 

However, the lifespan of laminate flooring is 15-25 years on average. By the time enough wear is present to the point of notice, it may be time to replace your flooring anyway.

 

2. Not as quiet as carpet  

 

Laminate flooring is quite rigid and installed directly on the subfloor, which means walking on laminate can be noisy underfoot. Whilst this can be an issue, it doesn’t have to be left unresolved. 

 

T profiles

 

One way to reduce noise produced by laminate flooring is using transitions between rooms. Using T profiles between rooms in arches or doorways, can reduce noise by taking pressure away from the mid section of the flooring area. 

 

Underlay for Laminate Flooring

 

Another way to reduce noise is by using an appropriate underlay. Additionally, this adds a cushion between the subfloor and the laminate, creating a barrier between the flooring and subfloor, giving added comfort underfoot. 

 

Underlay comes in variations depending on flooring type and needs. Check out our blog on underlay for wood, laminate and other hardwood flooring, to make sure you get the best underlay for your needs. 

 

3. Can be a slippery surface

 

With busy family homes comes little footprints that are often followed by thud, thud, thud!

 

Laminate flooring may provide a slippery surface in certain rooms. This could lead to things such as falls, which means extra caution needs to be taken if you have little ones. 

 

However, this caution can however be thrown to the wind, as there are preventative measures that can be taken to reduce slipping. 

 

AC Rating

 

One thing to aid in slip prevention is AC ratings. A higher AC rating offers a textured surface giving better slip resistance so this will ease your mind when it comes to those little feet running in socks. 

 

Underlay for Laminate Flooring

 

Another thing to consider is underlay, so even though we can’t fully rule out slips and falls, underlay can cushion these mishaps, reducing injury. 

 

Is laminate flooring for you?

 

As you have probably picked up, the pros and cons of laminate flooring are unbalanced in the favour of pros. 

 

Whilst there are some cons to laminate, they’re outweighed by the many benefits laminate can bring to your home. Its practicality, affordability and adaptability to design aesthetic are just some of the reasons laminate flooring makes for a great contender in any home. 

 

Have more questions regarding laminate flooring? Not a problem, get in touch with one of our flooring experts today for further assistance. 

The post Laminate Flooring: Pros and Cons appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

Many Americans have made the move to hardwood floors, and we can’t blame them. There is something about the beauty of a hardwood floor that makes any home look amazing. Hardwood floors also cut down on allergens and dust mites, which helps people with allergies and asthma. If you are thinking about hardwood floors, which kind of hardwood flooring should you choose? We have a guide for you.

Types of Wood Flooring

There are two different types of wood flooring. Engineered hardwood is composed of several different layers of wood, each going in a different direction. The top of the wood plank is a solid wood veneer. Engineered hardwood comes in lots of different tree species. Solid hardwood is one solid piece of wood throughout the plank. It is more expensive, but it can last for decades.

Styles of Wood Flooring

You may want to select strip hardwood flooring. Strip flooring comes in strips which are between 1 ½ inch and 2 ½ inches wide, and 5/16 up to ¾ thick. When you think of traditional wood flooring, this is what you are thinking of. Plank flooring has wider strips of wood that are between three and eight inches wide. People who like a rustic look or want to preserve a historic home look may choose this type of flooring. If you are into the antique or rustic look, you might also want to opt for hand-scraped wood flooring, which looks much older than it is, and is finished with urethane for perfect preservation and to guard against stains and spills. Wire brushed floors are also distressed, but not as much as the hand-scraped flooring.

When you’re ready to buy new hardwood flooring, give Flooring.org a call at 800-689-9006! We’re always ready to help you pick out your new flooring.

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

Are you thinking of changing the flooring inside your home? One step into a flooring center can leave you overwhelmed and confused.

Maybe you planned to replace what’s currently installed. You have carpet, and want to stick with carpet.

Or maybe you’ve been uttering “hardwood is the only way to go” for years. Now is your time – you can’t wait to install traditional hardwood.

But even that is turning into a massive headache. The more you learn about hardwood, the more you’re wondering if it’s the right choice for you. You have a busy household, after all. Dogs, kids, football parties on the weekends, potluck always seems to be at your house on Friday’s. Is hardwood really the right choice?

Maybe it’s time to consider laminate flooring instead.

We get it, laminate might cause your eyebrows to come together in puzzlement. You’ve heard a lot about laminate, and not a lot of it’s good.

We’re here to tell you that you shouldn’t believe everything you read. With today’s technology, laminate flooring has undergone massive change since its inception. And it really might be the right choice for your home.

What is laminate flooring?

People often stop by our retail center and say:

We love hardwood and really want to install them inside our home. But we’d like it to be a little more maintenance-free, easy to care for, and have resiliency against everyday mishaps like a spilled glass of water. What hardwood floor can do that?

They are surprised when the answer is: laminate flooring.

Laminate flooring is a multi-layer product designed to give you the good looks of hardwood, with the resiliency of other flooring choices like vinyl.

Laminate starts out with a backing layer designed to keep moisture out and prevent water from seeping in and ruining the floor. Think of this as the insulation that provides protection against everything your family can dish out.

Next, laminate floors have a fiberboard core that provides structure, stability, and impact resistance. This is what gives your flooring overall strength, and helps it hold up well throughout the years. The core layer is made from a high density fiberboard (HDF) or medium density fiberboard (MDF), which is created typically from recycled wood fibers.

The decorative layer sits on top of the core layer. This is what gives the laminate its good looks. Because technology has increased so much over the years, today’s laminate flooring can take on just about any look, come in a plethora of color, grain, and texture options.

Finally, the top layer is smoothed over the decorative layer to add protection. It’s a thin coating of aluminum oxide, which helps give it shine, protect it from scratching, and even provide UV protection from natural sunlight.

Why laminate is the right choice for today’s homes

When most people think of laminate, they judge it off of what they learned in the 1970s, when laminate first hit the marketplace. The new product may have looked like hardwood, but it was a lower quality by far. This is what created the stereotypes that are still in existence today.

By the 1980s, the dominating company produced a product called Pergo, which took off quickly across Europe, and slowly penetrated the US market during the 1990s. It was an easy way for homeowners to enjoy the beauty of hardwood floors at a more affordable price. But they rarely passed for hardwood. There was no mistaking the look and feel.

Fast forward to today, and there are many more advancements in laminate flooring. Pay attention to manufacturers’ quality; you won’t be able to tell the difference between traditional hardwood and laminate.

Each layer has seen advancements to make stronger, better looking, and more resilient than ever before. One of the most recent developments is an increase in water-resistance. Where traditional hardwood often fails in places like kitchens and basements, you can now install laminate, knowing you’ll love your choice for years to come.

Are you sold on the idea of laying laminate flooring throughout your home? You’re going to love the results.

This is how you care for laminate flooring

To ensure you love your flooring for years to come, we’ve put together a few care tips to keep your laminate flooring in top shape and looking good throughout your busy days.

Dust can be the enemy – in a gas-forced heated home, which is prominent all over Colorado, dust is something you learn to live with. But dust and laminate flooring aren’t a good combination. Invest in a vacuum that works well on hard surfaces; use it regularly. Consider investing in a Swiffer and pick up the dust each day. Dust has the ability to get between the spaces and deteriorate the laminate boards faster. Avoid using steam or water as that can also seep in and harm the base of the flooring.

Stop the dirt in its tracks – With any flooring, it will remain looking its best if you stop dirt at the front door. Invest in high quality mats to wipe your feet off before entering. Consider a “no shoe” rule and have each family member take off shoes before moving through the rest of the house. The cleaner you can keep your house, the less dirt will settle onto the flooring. That also means you can avoid using abrasive cleaners that can further harm your floors.

Protect with padding – your home is all about living comfortably. While laminate does have scratch-resistance built into the top layer, it’s equally important to help withstand scratching from some of the most common items inside your home. The kitchen chair can be a lethal weapon to your flooring. Luckily, you can invest in padding and covers that will allow you to freely move your furniture around while adding a little more protection for your floors.

Say YES to laminate flooring

A lot of homeowners come in looking for the perfect flooring to suit their needs. And in the back of their minds, they also question resale value – will people be interested in buying their homes if laminate is installed?

Increasingly, the answer is yes.

Laminate flooring works well in places hardwood traditionally does not. And it carries the look to places where you might have installed something else.

Laminate flooring may be the right choice for your home. The best way to find out is to give us a call today.

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

Why do you buy new flooring? We suspect you purchase it to enhance the look of your home for many years to come. Yes, you have to fall in love with your final choice today. But if it doesn’t look good for years, what’s the point?

That’s what pushes many homeowners to start researching water resistant and waterproof flooring choices. After all, if you’re installing new flooring in the parts of your home you use the most – kitchen, bathrooms, living space – it only makes sense it can take all your family can dish out.

Water resistant or waterproof flooring

The words sound similar, don’t they? In fact, you’ll find water resistant and waterproof are often used interchangeably as you read product descriptions. But we’re here to tell you that they are not the same, not when it comes to flooring.

Let’s say you drop an entire pitcher of water.

Water resistant means that your flooring will stand up to the spilled water for a short time. As long as you jump on it and clean it up immediately, your flooring should be fine.

Waterproof means it can withstand all that water and more, and be just fine.

The longer the water sits on top of your floor, the bigger the problem with water resistant flooring. Waterproof flooring should still be fine, providing the water doesn’t penetrate down through cracks, under wall boards, and seep below the surface.

Let’s talk about certain flooring choices

It’s easy to think of flooring choices that don’t mix well with water in any condition.

Carpeting might be able to take an occasional spill, but only if you clean it up immediately. If allowed to penetrate the fibers and remain wet for any length of time, water damage can quickly occur. A soaked carpet will often generate mold in 24 to 48 hours.

Hardwood, another Colorado favorite, does not mix with water, even for a short period of time. Hardwood flooring is porous, which means moisture can easily be absorbed into the material. Even with small spills, it can cause extensive damage almost immediately, especially if left to sit for any length of time.

You might have already known that those two choices aren’t right for the rooms in your home. If you have a busy household, filled with pets and kids and lots of activity, installing a more resilient flooring is high on your wishlist.

Does that mean laminate? Or maybe vinyl flooring?

We get it. We love our hardwood here in the Rocky Mountains. We’ve talked with many homeowners that are very skeptical about installing anything else.

But there are other great options that can offer both water resistance or waterproof flooring.

Laminate flooring

Let’s start with laminate flooring. Laminate is made out of recycled hardwood. Because of its hardwood core, it can never be waterproof. But laminate is built using multiple layers to give it its strength, and the melamine wear layer will make it water resistant. If you spill water onto the floor, and wipe it up promptly, the floor will suffer no damage. However, if flooring occurs, laminate will quickly saturate with water, which will cause it to warp quickly. It can also allow mold growth.

Luxury vinyl planks

One of the newest wood-look products on the market is luxury vinyl planks. These realistic planks often look so real, you have to get closer to them to determine they aren’t hardwood.

What’s more, luxury vinyl planks offer something you’ll never get with hardwood. They are one-hundred percent waterproof. That means you can enjoy the look of hardwood with the ease of care and maintenance of vinyl. And what makes it even more attractive is the price; it’s an affordable option that will allow you to put it anywhere in your home, especially moisture-prone areas like the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry room.

Luxury vinyl is created with several layers that are fused together under heat and pressure. Four separate layers include:

• The vinyl backing
• A vinyl core
• A print layer which gives the planks their classic good looks
• A clear protective layer, also known as the protective layer, that combines a polyurethane coating with a reinforced layer from ceramic bead, silica bead, or aluminum oxide

The wear layer is one of the most important layers. It determines how well the product will handle under pressure, and how long of lifespan you can expect from your tiles.

Wood-look tile

For some homeowners, a step up might lead them to wood-look tile. Wood-look tiles are any tile that resembles hardwood. Ceramic or porcelain, clay and other materials are compressed together into plank format to resemble different shades of hardwood. They look like hardwood with the care and maintenance friendliness of tile.

Because it’s tile, it’s more scratch-resistant. Do you have pets? You won’t have to worry about scratches from their nails.

Do you suffer from allergies? Tile is a good option because the installation process can keep your indoor air quality in better shape than other flooring options, and you’ll be able to sweep surface dirt away easily.

Another benefit tile brings is that you can install it over radiant heating. In Colorado, cold tile is one of the biggest reasons homeowners look at other options. But if you install it over radiant heating, it can be a great way to keep your room comfy and cozy all year long.

Just be aware that tile is water resistant instead of waterproof. With proper installation, water will never reach the subfloor below the tile. A pro will ensure every tile is properly laid into place, the grout is correctly installed, and the tile is sealed, if necessary.

What’s important to you, water resistant or waterproof flooring?

The good news is, there are many options for finding a good looking floor and combining it with either the water resistance or waterproof base you’re looking for. You don’t have to put up with ugly flooring to get a base your family can live with.

Understanding the differences between water resistant and waterproof is your first step in making the right choice for your home.

Are you ready to see all of your options?

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

You know what they say; the kitchen is the heart of the home. Which is why its foundations deserve a bit of TLC. Your kitchen flooring is a key element to making your kitchen look amazing. With thousands of colours, styles and materials to choose from, we’ve made choosing the best kitchen flooring for you, a breeze – with a selection of kitchen flooring ideas. 

With kitchen flooring, there are now more options than ever before. With engineered wood, laminate, LVT, EvoCore, and vinyl being amongst the best kitchen flooring options. 

 

Moreover, the wide range of kitchen flooring options offer a range of prices to cater for all budgets, designs and styles; so choosing your kitchen flooring has never been more personal. 

 

The range of options on offer provide the opportunity to try something a little different in your kitchen, with patterns, or even zoning if you have an open-plan space.  

 

Functionality is another important consideration when it comes choosing your kitchen flooring, with factors such as:

 

• Water resistance, ability to withstand temperature fluctuation to prevent distortion
• Underfloor heating compatibility if necessary
• Durability to prevent wear damage 
• Ease of maintenance in a kitchen environment

 

When it comes to the installation, DIY is an option with some flooring’s offering a click system for an easy installation. Alternatively, a professional is another option for fitting your flooring, though will incur an installation charge. 

 

Quick Links

 

Which Flooring Can You Use?

• Carpet
• Solid Wood Flooring
• Engineered Wood Flooring
• Laminate Flooring
• Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)
• EvoCore Essentials and Premium
• EvoCore 360
• Vinyl Flooring

Budget

• Flooring costs

Design Ideas

• Find a Colour Palette
• Modern or Traditional?
• Wood, Tile, or Something a Little Different?
• Create Flooring Zones
• Trending Kitchen Floor Designs

Think About Function

• Water Resistance
• Temperature Fluctuation
• Durability
• Underfloor Heating
• Maintenance
• Installation

 

Which Flooring Can You Use?

There are many different types of flooring. You’ve got your laminate, your engineered wood, your LVT and so many more options to choose from. 

 

Like anything, the suitability for flooring can differentiate room to room.

 

So, we’re going to focus on what is the best kitchen flooring, while hopefully inspiring some kitchen flooring ideas for the heart of your home. 

At a Glance

 

Kitchens are frequented rooms of the home, most commonly used for cooking, washing, laundry and sometimes entertaining. 

 

Kitchen flooring has to handle a lot of activity, from general wear and tear of high-traffic, to the effects of moisture exposure. Some types of flooring are compatible with a kitchen, and some aren’t. Below is an overview of these. 

 

Flooring type	Suitability
Laminate
Solid Wood
Engineered Wood
LVT
Carpet
EvoCore
Vinyl

  With all flooring types, we recommend underfloor heating systems, don’t exceed 27°C to protect the longevity of your flooring.

Carpet

 

Whilst it’s doable, carpet is arguably the most unsuitable flooring for your kitchen. 

 

Meal preparation and cooking can often be a messy task. Spillages and residue mishaps are inevitable in a kitchen environment, and often your kitchen flooring can bear the brunt of such accidents. 

 

For this reason, it is beneficial to have an easy to clean flooring such as laminate, solid wood or EvoCore, where those mishaps are solved with quick wipe. 

 

Of course the answer to this could be a darker shade carpet, so those spillages are easier to hide. However, you must take into consideration that with food, comes odours. 

 

Spillages could leave lingering smells if unable to clean fully, and whilst that may cause hours of curiosity for the dog, it could result in a premature flooring change due to unpleasant smells. Though if you’re familiar with young children and play dough, this just be another clean up on the to-do list.

 

Being a high traffic area of the home, a kitchen floor also needs to be durable to ensure it lasts. A carpet will wear down a lot more in this environment, as opposed to hard flooring. 

 

When it comes to kitchen flooring ideas, we’d leave carpet out of the conversation and opt for a more suitable alternative.

 

Solid Wood Flooring

 

Solid wood is another flooring option that is usable as a kitchen floor. However, we would advise against using it for this purpose. 

 

This type of flooring is exactly what the name suggests. It’s solid wood. This means that it is susceptible to natural movements and distortion from exposure to heat and moisture. 

 

Though this type of flooring looks the part, it doesn’t necessarily mean it can play the part. But that’s okay, because there are plenty of other options; solid wood can still be used in other areas of your home to spruce up your living areas. 

 

Engineered wood flooring offers a similar effect to solid wood, whilst holding the capability to withstand the demands of your kitchen environment. We’ll talk more about that next. 

 

Engineered Wood Flooring

 

Engineered wood is a good option when it comes to best flooring options for your kitchen, providing it’s well maintained. For those of you who have your heart set on the solid wood look, but don’t want the possible movement and distortion issues, then engineered wood is most likely the choice for you.

 

Engineered wood flooring is multiple layers of timber combined with a solid wood veneer. This allows for wood expansion and has a higher moisture tolerance level, meaning you get all the compliments from the appearance of a natural solid wood floor, without the concern of having to replace it from expansion deformation.

 

Additionally, this type of flooring comes in a range of styles, species and finishes. Whatever your style, there will be something for you.

 

Though this flooring can be used in a kitchen, this is under the conditions that spillages are cleaned up immediately to prevent altering the appearance of the floor, and to maintain that natural essence. Because a ketchup stain doesn’t always compliment even the highest quality wood flooring.

 

Laminate Flooring

 

Next, we’ll look at laminate. This product is a perfect alternative to real wood or tile. 

 

Coming in different styles, sizes and thickness, this type of flooring can deliver the needs of any room of the home, with a range of budget options, too. It really caters for everyone, and everything.

 

Laminate offers a wide variety of designs in comparison to other flooring because it uses a printed image to get the wood effect. Therefore, whatever your style preference, or colour schemes, laminate flooring will have an option to suit and makes for great kitchen flooring ideas.

 

One thing to consider with laminate flooring is AC ratings. Standing for “abrasion class”. AC refers to a floor’s durability against a number of key factors. The higher the AC rating, the more durable the flooring is. 

 

AC1	Suitable for moderate traffic areas with little foot traffic
AC2	Suitable for general traffic areas such as dining rooms
AC3	Suitable for heavy traffic areas. Generally usable in all areas of the home.
AC4	Suitable for moderate traffic in commercial spaces
AC5	Suitable for heavy traffic in commercial spaces

 

When used in a kitchen, we recommend an AC rating of AC3 or above. This is because this will cater for the high traffic within this area of the home, protecting from wear more so than AC1 or AC2 laminate flooring.

 

Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)

 

Another possible kitchen flooring idea is Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT). There are two types of LVT flooring: Click LVT and Gluedown LVT.

 

Both types of LVT are similar in their quality, though there are distinctive differences between them both. 

 

Click LVT Flooring:

 

This type of flooring requires underlay and is laid as a floating floor. It clicks together to ensure the flooring is firm and connected. 

 

• Easy and quick to install
• More expensive, although thicker, than gluedown
• Cheaper to fit than gluedown
• No glue needed
• Best for DIY 

 

Gluedown LVT Flooring:

 

While click is laid as a floating floor, with gluedown LVT the flooring is glued to the subfloor with an adhesive, aiding in the prevention of lifting and movement. 

 

• Cheaper product than click
• Needs a flat subfloor for installation 
• Use feature strips to create borders
• More expensive to fit than click 

 

In terms of being a best kitchen flooring option, LVT makes for a great option. With click LVT, comfort will be optimal from thickness and underlay.

 

Alternatively, gluedown is less likely to move, as well as feel the effects of high traffic in the kitchen as it’s attached to the subfloor. 

 

Moreover, both types of LVTare durable, water-resistant and has the appearance of real wood or tile, as well as being compatible with underfloor heating. Therefore making for a great option for kitchen flooring ideas.

 

So, when it comes to an all-rounder in the kitchen department, LVT is a perfect option. 

 

EvoCore

 

Next, we’ll look at the most versatile flooring on the market: EvoCore. Offering benefits such as durability, stability and versatility amongst many others. It’s home-wide suitability means it is an ideal option for your kitchen flooring. 

EvoCore Essentials and Premium

 

The EvoCore ranges – Essentials and Premium boast many benefits that make them one of the best kitchen flooring options. 

 

These benefits include: 

 

• EvoCore is 100% waterproof
• Built-in underlay backing
• Anti-slip surface
• No expansion or contraction when exposed to heat and cold
• Pet-friendly
• Durable and hard-wearing
• No glue needed for installation, due to its easy click-lock installation feature
• Real wood look and feel
• Scratch-resistant
• Compatible with underfloor heating
• Hides subfloor imperfections
• Can be laid over existing flooring
• Eco-friendly

 

Though both suited for kitchens, the ranges differentiate in their quality, with the Premium range being classed as more luxurious out of the two. Furthermore, EvoCore Premium range are embossed so that the texture on the surface matches the printed design, giving a realistic wood look. 

 

This means you can have a flooring suited to the practical needs of your kitchen whilst reaping the benefits of style and luxury. 

 

Just look at that list of benefits. How could this not be a possibility in your kitchen flooring options?

 

EvoCore 360

 

Having seen major success with the Essentials and Premium ranges, EvoCore has evolved further, giving you even more choice when it comes to one of the best kitchen flooring options. 

 

Another extensive list of benefits are coming your way, because EvoCore 360 whilst possessing most of the advantages as the Premium and Essentials ranges, also has its own outstanding features. 

 

For instance, those patterns commonly desired in kitchens, such as herringbone and tiled designs, are now available in EvoCore 360. And not just that. These designs can be mixed and matched too. Not sure on which colour herringbone? That’s fine. Use them all. With both wood and tiled designs there’s plenty to choose from. 

 

This range allows for intricate designs, so not only do you have flooring that plays the part, it also looks the part with bespoke options to maximise creativity and uniqueness in your kitchen. EvoCore 360 caters for mixing and matching colours for a unique look as well as joining wood to tile seamlessly.

 

Still need more kitchen design ideas, don’t worry. We’re not finished yet. 

 

Vinyl Flooring

 

Now, we’ll look at vinyl flooring. This type of flooring comes in rolls, with various designs such as tile and wood effect. This is a common option for kitchens as it offers durability, it’s easy to look after and is suitable for all rooms of the home. 

 

Offering a wide range of styles, colours and thicknesses, vinyl flooring provides the style you want, to the budget you have. 

 

Ordinarily, vinyl flooring is stain resistant and water resistant, which means it’s perfect for a kitchen. With all the potential for spills and thrills, the easy clean up that accompanies this flooring is a bonus. 

 

As well as this, vinyl has a cushioned backing for more comfort underfoot, giving a luxurious feel with every stride. 

 

Budget

 

Different flooring has different costs. Style, quality and material are just some of the factors that affect cost of flooring. 

 

One thing to note: Depending on the type of flooring you choose, there is always the potential to fit it yourself which could reduce costs in installation. However, you can also hire a professional to do the job. 

 

	Laminate	Solid Wood	Engineered Wood	LVT	Carpet	EvoCore	Vinyl
Price Range	From £8.74/m²	From £33.74/m²	From £34.99/m²	From £12.59/m²	From £7.00/m²	From £44.99/m²	From £8.99/m²
Ranges	See More	See More	See More	See More	See More	See More	See More

 

Design Ideas

 

With every interior, you need to consider the design as a whole. 

 

Colours, patterns and furnishings are just some of the factors that need to be incorporated in your vision of the finished product. Starting from the bottom up, flooring is another one of these considerations. 

 

Being the surface of the entire space, this needs to complement everything else in the room. However, this can be a long task given that we’re pretty spoilt for choice when it comes to colour schemes. 

 

To help inspire you with possible colour schemes for your kitchen, we’ve constructed some popular schemes. Give your inner interior designer a head start when it comes to planning with these ideas…

 

Possible Colour Palette For Kitchens 

 

One look that’s proven popular in recent times is grey tones with a hint of mustard. 

This gives a stylish tone with a pop of colour to draw the attention. Whilst this offers a simplistic vibe, a complementary flooring comes in the form of something more stand out such as a patterned wood or tiled effect. 

 

Below are some possible flooring options we think would look amazing with this colour palette. 

 

Valencia Tile Blue Grey	Herringbone Palazzo Oak

 

Another colour scheme that has made its way to the top of the kitchen trends is blush pink coupled with black and silver tones.

 

This is another sleek colour scheme that allows for a rustic element to be brought in, coupling a modern and vintage vibe, giving a new contemporary look. 

 

Flooring’s that could couple with this design include:

 

Loft Bavarian Oak Engineered Wood	Brushed Grey Chevron Oak

 

Modern or Traditional?

 

When it comes to kitchen flooring ideas, the design of your kitchen as a whole plays a big part. 

 

For instance, a traditional kitchen interior often bears the need for darker wood or tiled flooring designs to add to the authenticity of the look. 

 

On the other hand, a traditional design is often best complemented with greys or white flooring tones. Light and airy is currently on-trend, making for a more welcoming space.  

 

Though there are certainly types of flooring that cross over the modern and traditional boundaries. These make for great kitchen flooring ideas, as you have the freedom to curate your own style. 

 

For instance, herringbone flooring, whilst offering a traditional design, bringing it into contemporary settings gives a modern twist on timeless classic, thus modernising this style. 

 

Let’s take a look at possible flooring ideas to parallel your traditional and modern designs:

 

Traditional

 

As previously mentioned, traditional flooring usually requires darker wood to give the bona fide classic aesthetic. Using rich colours such as browns, golds or even charcoal tones can add a luxurious feel to your kitchen.  And with colour, comes style, texture and materials to consider. Below are some possible design ideas to help inspire you with your kitchen flooring ideas. 

Modern

 

Designs that fall into the contemporary aesthetic are seeing a lighter flooring, commonly white and grey, bring finish the room with a stylish foundation. 

 

Open planned, light and airy spaces are all the rage, and white and grey flooring’s are a perfect match to home designs such as these. 

 

Of course we couldn’t leave you uninspired, so below are some possible options to give you some kitchen flooring ideas for your modern kitchen design. 

 

 

Wood, Tile, or Something a Little Different?

 

Deciding on a style can be a tough decision when there are so many to choose from. But in this case, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes, more is more. 

 

There’s never been so many options when it comes to flooring!

 

LVT, laminate and EvoCore 360 all come in both wood and tiled designs so your options are endless. 

 

Looking for something a bit different?

 

What about trying a herringbone or chevron pattern to add more depth and texture to your kitchen? 

 

Or what’s more, have all eyes down and make your flooring the feature of your kitchen, with something a little more out there. 

 

 

 

Create Flooring Zones

 

Some homes have multi-use spaces. One of these uses often being the kitchen with desired modern designs typically compromising of an open-plan layout creating a light and airy vibe, as well as adding a social aspect. 

 

Flooring zones can often be a way to create distinctive areas depending on usage and distinguish between areas whilst still housing them in one space. 

 

Take an open plan kitchen diner for instance. Zoning can be a great way to separate the two, having defined areas with their own vibes. In addition, adding a tiled flooring in the kitchen, flowing to a wood flooring in the dining space of the room could be just one of the many kitchen flooring ideas that could enhance your space. 

 

Trending Kitchen Floor Designs

 

On the topic of trends, one flooring we’re loving at the minute is our EvoCore 360 range. 

 

When it comes to really making your house your home, with your own touch, this is the way to do it. It allows for bespoke designs, zoning, practicality in the kitchen and looks amazing.

 

EvoCore 360 Tudor Oak	EvoCore 360 Stormy Sky	EvoCore 360 Fossil Oak
More Info	More Info	More Info
Add Free Sample to Cart	Add Free Sample to cart	Add Free Sample to Cart

 

Think About Function

 

When it comes to kitchen flooring, while we want it to look amazing, functionality plays a part in your decision. 

 

We’ve briefly touched upon which flooring’s cater for which functions, however we will cover the whole range of functionalities to consider when making your kitchen flooring purchase:

 

• Laminate
• Engineered Wood
• LVT
• EvoCore
• Vinyl

Water Resistance

 

Water resistance is a big consideration when in relation to kitchen flooring ideas. 

 

Kitchens are hubs for moisture, being a place people cook, clean, do laundry and wash dishes. 

 

With certain types of flooring, this moisture can cause expansion, movement and sometimes lifting. As a result of this, it can often cause the need for a new flooring to be installed. 

 

For this reason, water-resistant flooring in the kitchen should be top of the list when it comes to functionality. 

 

Temperature Fluctuation

 

As well as excess moisture, kitchens see fluctuating temperatures too. Cooking or even making your cup of coffee on a morning can cause the temperature in your kitchen to rise. 

 

When this action is complete,  this heat will disperse and the temperature will drop again. Though these aren’t too significant, extreme temperature fluctuations can result in damage to flooring such as solid wood. 

 

Solid wood flooring, being made of natural materials, sees the effects of heat and moisture. It can distort, move and expand more so than any other flooring. This makes choosing a more reliable flooring such as: EvoCore, laminate, LVT or engineered wood a more compatible option.

 

Many kitchens feature underfloor heating which also aids in temperature fluctuation, and therefore needs to be catered for with the correct flooring type, but we’ll talk more about that, next. 

 

To aid in preparing your flooring to get used to the temperature of the room it will be installed in, acclimatising your flooring is a way to prevent some of the issues caused by temperature fluctuation. This is a great technique to use with the exception of EvoCore as this doesn;t require acclimatisation.

 

This gives the flooring time to adapt to the room’s natural temperature and moisture levels, and can prevent warping, buckling and splitting in the long run from it contracting and expanding through heat. 

 

Durability

 

Another functionality factor to consider is the durability of your flooring. Kitchens tend to be high-traffic areas of the home, and with a large family this is all the more true; the need for a more durable flooring is greater. 

 

Durability plays an important part in choosing the right kitchen flooring for your kitchen. Your flooring needs to take the wear of this foot traffic to prevent altering the appearance and premature replacement. 

 

Flooring such as EvoCore, engineered wood, LVT and laminate (AC3 and over) are just some of the most durable kitchen flooring’s out there and therefore, are some of the best kitchen flooring ideas when it comes to durability. 

 

Underfloor Heating

 

Got underfloor heating and not sure on what kitchen flooring is best? We can help!

 

Underfloor heating is growing more popular, and so is the need to know which flooring is compatible with it. 

 

In terms of kitchen flooring types that are compatible with underfloor heating, we recommend:

 

• Engineered Wood
• Stone and Tile
• Laminate
• LVT
• Vinyl 
• EvoCore

 

These floors are great contenders when it comes to what flooring to choose with underfloor heating because they’re able to withstand temperature fluctuation, are efficient in conducting the heat so the benefits of underfloor heating are achieved and their appearance isn’t affected by it. 

 

On the other hand, flooring types we don’t recommend using with underfloor heating are:

 

• Solid Wood
• Carpet
• Cork

 

In relation solid wood, it’s ability to withstand temperature fluctuation is not great, often resulting in damage to the appearance of the flooring. 

 

With thick carpet (over 2.5 tog), the heat of the underfloor heating can struggle to transfer, so the benefits of underfloor heating are non existent when it comes to this flooring. If you were to use carpet with underfloor heating, ensure it’s under 2.5 tog.

 

Finally, cork is a natural insulator and could therefore lessen the impact of your underfloor heating. 

 

Answer your question?

 

We hope so, however, if you need to know more, we’ve got a whole blog dedicated to the best suited floors to underfloor heating to help you further. 

 

Maintenance

 

When it comes to floor maintenance, certain floors require instant cleaning to protect from these mishaps. 

 

Generally, laminate and real wood flooring need to be cleaned with caution because they can be prone to lift with excess water presence, as well as possibly scratch if care isn’t taken when cleaning.

 

 

However, hard flooring is incredibly easy to clean making maintenance an easy job. All it takes is a brush of any dirt, followed by a clean with a slightly damp mop. Or alternatively, for real wood flooring you can use an all in one maintenance kit that includes reviving wax, making your flooring look amazing for longer. 

 

Installation

 

So you’ve found your perfect kitchen flooring? Now it’s time to install it. When it comes to installation, flooring can be a difficult job if it’s not something you’re experienced in. 

 

However, there are flooring types that offer an easier installation if you care to try your hand at fitting your flooring yourself. 

 

Laminate, click LVT and EvoCore 360, these all have click systems,  providing an easier and quicker installation. As a result, those of you DIY experts should have no trouble installing these types of flooring, and those of you who aren’t experienced shouldn’t have too much trouble.

 

Your flooring can be fit at the ‘click’ of your fingers.

 

Glue-Down LVT is also another option when it comes to recommended kitchen flooring’s, providing the correct adhesive is used. 

 

For those of you who aren’t confident in installing your kitchen floor, hiring a professional fitter is an alternative option.

 

Though this will have an installation cost, you will have the assurance your flooring is fit correctly. But trying your hand at a new skill never hurt anyone. In fact, it makes for a great boast when completed!

 

Wrapping it Up

 

To conclude, there is more than meets the eye when it comes to choosing the best kitchen flooring for you. 

 

Whilst appearance, colour and style are all initial considerations, there are practical elements such as temperature fluctuation and water resistance, to account for when it comes to this room of the home. 

 

Though these practical elements may be a lot to take in, it’s better to know the right kitchen flooring to invest in now, before purchasing something you’ll have to replace in the near future. 

 

After all, the heart of the home deserves all the love you can give it, so you can love the time spent there. 

 

Hopefully you’re now an expert in the field of kitchen flooring and are filled with plenty of kitchen flooring ideas, however should you have any more questions, get in touch with our flooring experts, and they will be more than happy to assist with your flooring needs. 

 

The post Kitchen Flooring: Which is Best for You? appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.