Is Water Resistant or Waterproof Flooring The Best Choice For Your Home?

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.

Hardwood flooring jargon can be difficult to understand if you are not familiar with some of the terminology.  We have put together this jargon buster to explain some of the commonly use terms in the wood flooring industry. Read More

If you look around your neighborhood, chances are most of the homes are multilevel. It’s what we’re used to here in Colorado. Without a lot of space here in the Metro area, we choose to build up rather than out.

And there are a lot of benefits to having multi levels of living.

• It’s the easiest way to gain more square footage in your home.
• You can separate out living space from sleeping quarters.
• It gives you more storage space.
• It keeps you healthy, running up and down the stairs all day.

Chances are you have stairs in your home too. And while you might not think much about them on an average day, when it comes time to add new flooring, they can be one of your top concerns.

Staircases have always presented a challenge to homeowners when designing their decor. Do you match the stairs with the flooring from the first story? Do you use the flooring from the second story and carry it down? Is it important for the upstairs and downstairs flooring to transition well? What if there is carpet on one floor and hardwood on another? Is there a right choice to make when selecting new flooring?

The goal of good flooring is to improve flow. For staircases, that means having the flooring perfectly transition from one to another. If you do it right, all you’ll notice is the beauty of your home – not how out of place the flooring really looks.

Start with the stairs

Before we talk about the perfect flooring to use on your staircase, take a moment to think about how your family uses the staircase. Also, consider the placement of the stairs within your home.

• How much of the staircase is visible from each level?
• Does the staircase make a dramatic visual impact in your home?
• Is safety a big concern?
• How much use do the stairs receive each day?

Some staircases make a grand entrance as you walk into the home. Look and style might be everything in that situation.

While other staircases are more hidden, and play an important role in daily function. You’re up and down dozens of times each day, often with your hands full as you transport things from one floor to the next. Safety would be one of your biggest concerns.

With purpose in mind, it’s easier to make the right choice for transitioning your upstairs and downstairs flooring.

Two separate levels, two separate flooring choices

In most cases, when you’re adding new flooring to a level of your home, you don’t consider other levels.

If you’ve recently renovated the basement, for example, you probably selected flooring based on what’s the best choice for your basement. Hardwood doesn’t work well in a basement environment; it’s damp and runs the risk of moisture. Homeowners often select carpet or even laminate out of necessity. As much as you love your hardwood on the main living floor, it never entered into consideration because you knew it wasn’t the right choice for your situation.

And that’s typically how we approach flooring. We consider the purpose, and choose the right flooring material for the job.

Bedrooms often use carpet because it’s soft, warm, and creates a cozy environment conducive for sleeping. It works.

It’s also the best place to start.

Once you have your ideal flooring in place on each level, only then should you think about transitions. This is how you connect the two to create harmonious living.

Hardwood flooring on both levels

This is one of the easiest choices when deciding on flooring. If both levels use the same flooring, by all means, carry the look onto the staircase too. If both levels use hardwood, for example, carpeted stairs would look a little out of place.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t change things up a bit. How about using a runner for visual appeal? It’s a great way to connect the two, soften things up, and add a pop of color to break up the monotony of everything being the same.

If you don’t want to use a runner, and the thought of any type of carpeting leaves you saying, “no,” try painting a runner in place instead. A painted runner is easy to apply, and if you don’t like the color, repaint it. It’s a great way to be able to freshen up the surroundings with little investment.

Of course, you can always choose to leave them bare. Because you have hardwood up and down, carrying that look to the staircase is one of the easiest decisions you can make. With the finish matching the flooring on both levels, it creates a minimalist, cohesive look.

But even if you’re going with bare wood, consider adding special touches along the way. Landings can always use a different material or painted/stained a different hue. Consider adding a pop of color to the risers to give a different look to your staircase.

Carpeting on one level, hardwood on another

If you have hardwood floors on one level and carpet on another, one of the most common approaches is to carpet the stairs to match. Using the same carpet creates a visual link to what lies above, and gives you a safe way to travel between the two levels.

If carpet on the stairs really isn’t your thing, there are other approaches. Instead of using fully carpeted stairs, consider using a runner in a matching hue. This gives you lead-in lines to connect hardwood to carpet, yet does so in a more sophisticated way. It keeps things crisp and nudges the eye upward and beyond.

If you want to change it up even more, just add more color to the runner. Make sure it coordinates well with the stain from the hardwood, and the hue of the carpet. This can give insight into your personality, and let it shine.

And if you have a staircase with multiple landings, you can choose to play up how you add flooring to the staircase. Maybe you can transition with carpet down to the first landing, then continue with hardwood to match with the different levels.

Options, options, options.

That truly is the name of the game when selecting upstairs and downstairs flooring, and creating the link in between.

How you choose to decorate your staircase is all up to you. And with a little bit of imagination, you can make a beautiful and grand entrance. 

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

Redecorating your home is a fun process. After all, who doesn’t enjoy picking out new decor items and adding new aesthetics into your living space? Whether you select something from Pantone’s color of the year palette, or move forward with a neutral tone, there’s something about new decor that can inspire you in the weeks and months ahead.

As much fun as it is to start with a clean slate, that can also be intimidating. Where do you start? How do you begin? Walk into any paint department and you’ll find unlimited color potential. Combine that with flooring choices and the possibilities are limitless.

Sometimes it feels as if the best place to begin is not to start at all.

Yet you’re here and looking for advice on how to move forward. We’re glad to help.

Because once you get a few things down, you’ll have a much easier time finalizing your decisions.

Matching vs coordinating – which do you choose?

Before we move forward, it’s important to understand the two concepts of matching and coordinating. These are the foundation of good decor.

Matching means identical. It means the two items are from the same set. They belong together. In the case of making your walls match your flooring, it would mean they are identical in color. In your kitchen, you might use oak wood for the flooring, the cabinetry, and even for the woodwork. When you look across your kitchen it would all blend together.

Coordinating, however, is a bit different. Coordinating doesn’t mean a perfect match, but they go well together anyway. They may be different shades, hues, or even textures, but when you put them together, they complement one another.

There is an entire industry built around coordinating. Colors, textures, patterns and more can all be artfully chosen to create a unique space. We’re going to stay a bit simpler for this article, but know you can take this as far out as you desire. (And it really is quite fascinating when you dive deep.)

Now that you know the difference between matching and coordinating, you might already be adjusting your plans. To make your floors match your walls, you can carry tile or wood from one section to the next, or you can focus on harmonizing the two to create a cohesive look. Coordinating will give you more freedom in exploring colors, textures, and designs, all the while creating a look that works together beautifully.

Now let’s start with the floors

Now that you have a better idea of the decor terms of matching and coordinating, let’s explore design elements a bit further.

How would you describe your home? Country? Modern? Spanish hacienda? Minimalist?

See how each of those terms brought a different thought to mind?

A home decor built around a country vibe would bring to mind wood and a lot of homey features. Colors will be softer. Vintage fabrics may be used. It’s like picturing a rustic farmhouse your grandmother may have kept.

Spanish hacienda, on the other hand, invokes an entirely different decor. Tile comes to mind. A specific color palette of whites and reds. Lots of plants, plenty of pottery, and a combination of wood and iron.

While curb appeal may set the stage for what lies inside, it’s the flooring that dictates what the look will be throughout the home. Imagine seeing the traditional Spanish hacienda look on the outside, only to walk into a modern structure on the inside. The two looks wouldn’t blend. And frankly, it would probably be difficult to truly love your home because you aren’t sticking with a plan. It’s confusing, and it shows.

Start with the overall feel. What is your home telling you? What’s the right style based on the overall design? That’s your best place to start. It lays the groundwork for your room.

Wall color for wood floors

Here in Colorado, we love our wood floors. While you might choose tile in the bathrooms or carpet in the bedrooms, we’re willing to bet you’ve selected hardwood for many other areas throughout your home. Why? Because it’s timeless and beautiful.

And if you’re redecorating based on your hardwood flooring, it might be difficult to decide what to do. Can you just slap up any paint color and have it go well with any hardwood finish? There is a way to have it flow naturally.

If your hardwood floors have a lighter hue, they will inherently make the room feel a bit larger. To continue with that trend, it’s important to keep your walls as light and bright as you can. Pure white is often too white for homeowners. Luckily, there are many different options to tone it down. Select an undertone in gray or brown. Use a shade of white that further compliments the look you’re trying to achieve. Pick up a few paint charts and start playing with color. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you gravitate towards a specific look.

If your hardwood floors have a darker hue, it’s usually to make a room feel cozier. Think log cabin. Think rustic ski lodge. That’s a perfect look here in Colorado. Dark floors stand up well to bold, beautiful colors. If you want to make a statement, start the aesthetics off with a dark hardwood floor. Just be sure you stick with a similar tone when making your final selection. Dark hardwoods come with many different shades – they can have undertones of blue, red, tan, or yellow. Pick up on this color trend when selecting your wall color shade. It will set the direction for your decor.

Of course, all of this is just the beginning of what you can do to add color elements into your design. How about the ceiling? Or chair rails? Embellishments? Or molding?

And you don’t have to paint the entire room in one color. How about using different colors to make different sections pop? We love big, bold signature walls complemented by a shade of white throughout the rest of the room. It gives your eye someplace to go. It creates a harmonious look and feel.

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

Worried you’re falling behind on the latest summer décor trends? Well, worry no more. We’ve got the latest 2020 flooring trends to make sure your home makes the grade with this summer interior trends.

 

When it comes to the latest styles and trends, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Interior is subjective after all, and we all have our own unique taste. We have accumulated our favourite summer interior ideas, to help inspire you and keep you on trend this summer. 

• Indoor jungles: a natural, urban effect ambience to your space.
• Herringbone and Chevron Flooring: a timeless style where classic meets contemporary.
• Sustainable flooring: looking amazing whilst playing a part in the conservation of our ecosystem. 
• Panelling is an easy and stand out way to add bold features.
• Rustic décor incorporates period features whilst still having a modern home.
• Fun patterned floors add an engaging attribute to your smaller spaces.
• Beach vibes make the most out lighter tones, creating that refreshing airy feel to your home.
• Bringing a pop of colour into your home is a simple way to make a bold statement.
• Add more texture and depth to your space by injecting a bit of fun to your room with patterns. 
• Abstract décor can be a great way to bring unique features to your home. 
• Black is back and here to make a statement. With the ability to contrast many colours, it allows for daring designs. 

Latest Trends and Styles: 

Interior pages crowd your social media, and the summer sun rays intrude through your windows as we enter the prime periods of heat for the summer. The pressure is on to make our homes current and refreshing. 

 

You want to create an enjoyable space to spend time with your loved ones – right? 

 

Well, here are some summer interior ideas to inspire you to do just that, and breathe new life into your home. 

 

Indoor Jungle

 

Starting to notice the introduction of plant life in the homes of your friends or family? Then you need to catch up! This summer 2020 interior trend incorporates urban décor and dark wood floors, and is achievable in any home. 

 

Further, plant life is a great way to tie a simplistic aesthetic and nature together. This is often a minimalistic setting with little furnishings, enhanced by the emerald tones in greenery that ornament the room, providing a jungle vibe. 

 

To obtain the full effect and draw out the tones of the decorative vegetation, a dark wood flooring is a great way to contrast. This almost replicates the tones and textures seen in a jungle, and is a great way to captivate your guests, giving them a stylish urban vibe to relax in. 

 

A wide range of flooring options are available to allow versatility. When it comes to colours and wood effect, most flooring types, such as solid and engineered wood, laminate, luxury vinyl tiles and EvoCore, will accommodate this look, offering darker shades and tones. 

 

However, to maximise the naturality, engineered wood flooring would provide the full effect having a top layer of real wood with genuine features found in wood. Exposing knots, grains and mineral markings that are caused by the effects of the outdoors. 

Flooring to Compliment This Trend

Farmhouse Golden Smoked Oak Engineered wood	Loft Summer Oak Engineered Wood	Salcombe Smoked Ember Oak Engineered Wood
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Timeless – Herringbone and Chevron flooring

 

Sometimes, some things just never get old; flooring styles such as herringbone and chevron are no exception. These 2020 flooring trends really bring a focal point to your space. And, with so much going on at your feet, the rest of your furnishings and décor don’t have to be over the top. 

 

Herringbone

 

Herringbone flooring refers to the timeless, zigzag pattern parquet blocks are laid in to form a distinctive fishbone style. This gives a classic yet contemporary finish to any room in your home.

 

 

Becoming more and more popular, herringbone flooring can be suited to the styles of many homes due to its timeless appearance. So whether you’re a minimalist or one for retro interiors, this flooring will work with whatever your design aesthetic. 

 

Herringbone flooring can be purchased in an array of colours to complement your space and personal preference, thus making it achievable for anyone to bring this flooring into their décor. 

 

Chevron

 

Another timeless classic flooring style that brings a focal point to any room due to its distinctive pattern is chevron. The chevron pattern shares resemblance to the herringbone style flooring, with one significant difference: the floorboards are facing each other, creating a “V” shape rather than the iconic zig-zag of herringbone.

 

 

Again, with its classic yet contemporary demeanour, this 2020 flooring trend can be introduced into any home, with any aesthetic. 

 

Like an elegant look with Chesterfield sofas and brass framed paintings? How about a shabby chic feel? Not a problem, this summer home décor will go with any style, and its versatility means that if you want to redecorate – great! This flooring trend will still look amazing with whatever interior changes you want to make.

 

Never go out of style with these 2020 flooring trends for your summer home décor. 

 

Sustainability is Stylish

 

With the ever-present importance to preserve the environment, it is important – now more than ever – that we ensure we’re sustainable and environmentally friendly wherever possible. 

 

Well, this 2020 flooring trend achieves just that, whilst looking amazing and offering a tonne of other benefits. Let us introduce you to the EvoCore range.

 

EvoCore flooring is a versatile flooring range that is compatible with any room of the house. Yes, any! Bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms; there are no limits. Additionally, EvoCore designs can be bespoke, and to your taste with mix and match colour and style options. Not forgetting, you guessed it… it’s 100% recyclable and eco friendly; it’s even made from 80% recycled materials!

 

                     

 

EvoCore offers a range of other benefits too, including: 

 

• Waterproof 
• Antislip 
• Hardwearing
• Pet Friendly
• Premium and Essential ranges offer in built underlay 
• Easy installation
• Homewide suitability
• Noise Reduction
• Real Wood Feel
• Hides Subfloor Imperfections

 

Not only are you doing your part in conservation duties, but your home will look amazing and you’ll be up to date with the latest 2020 flooring trends. 

 

Panelling

 

Now they say history repeats itself, and with this summer interior trend, that appears to correct! Wall panelling is on the rise this summer. Previously used to border a wall, this style segments an over the top wallpaper with a wooden panelled section below. You know the style we mean. In fact, watch any 70’s film, and you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about.

 

But, it’s making a comeback. We all love a comeback story, don’t we? 

 

And the beauty of panelling is that you can do whatever you want with it. No more sticking to the norms. 

 

 

Squares, rectangles, zigzags; panelling styles are limitless. This summer interior idea is one that is making a bold appearance when coupled with the right flooring. A contrasting colour helps accentuate the panelled wall, and draw focus to it as a key feature of any room. 

 

Moreover, this look is easily achievable and can be done by anyone at any DIY skill level. With a step by step guide of how to create this look, you can introduce this style into your home in no time.

 

 

Rustic

 

Now, we’ll look at another trend that has had its own comeback story. Rustic.

 

With summer interior trends grasping onto the idea of combining classic with contemporary, this trend has become a hit for those homeowners with period features that they want to highlight. 

 

Got beams in your roof? An old oak mantle piece drawing attention to your log burner? Why not harmonise the room with other rustic furnishings and natural looking flooring? Couple this with whites and natural light, and you have your contemporary vibe, whilst still exposing amazing traditional features that make your house unique. 

This look can be created when buying flooring such as laminate. It offers a real wood feel and striking features and complements the wooden period effects around your home. 

 

Fun Flooring Patterns

 

Next, we’ll look at a trend that shows wacky is the new wonderful, with fun and “out there” patterns emerging in the 2020 flooring trends department.

 

The mismatched floors, the sharp contrasting colours and the aztec patterns, all provide a way of giving your rooms a ‘wow’ factor. 

 

 

Popular in smaller rooms of the home, this 2020 flooring trend is commonly used in kitchens and bathrooms as an easy method of making a small space engaging. 

 

Flooring with more pattern and colour through it tends to work better in smaller rooms. This prevents the patterns becoming overwhelming on the eye. Don’t worry – if you were thinking of transforming a larger space, patterns that don’t appear as “busy” still look amazing in larger spaces. 

 

Get eccentric with fun flooring patterns with this summer interior trend.

 

Beach House

 

With all the summer feels, holiday desires soon set in and we want to be walking barefoot on the sand under a tropical sunset. While that is possible, and offers a brief moment of escape, why not go the extra mile and bring that holiday beach vibe, to you?

 

 

Introducing those white tones through furnishings, floorings and accessories, helps to freshen up your home and create a light and airy feel associated with being at the beach. 

 

Going for white or light grey flooring can help with light reflections around the room, making it feel larger in size and a more space to be in. 

 

Who wouldn’t want to feel like they’re on holiday all summer long?

Flooring to Compliment This Trend

 

Villa Gala Oak White Laminate	Venice Whitewashed Oak LVT	Vintage Chateau Herringbone White Chestnut Laminate
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Pops of colour

 

Noticed those bright and summery colours coming into play? The oranges and the yellows that are used in furnishing like pillows, a feature wall or a rug to embellish your home.

 

They look great, don’t they?

 

That’s because their bright nature makes a bold statement in any room. This is especially true when coupled with softer coloured furnishings such as grey sofas, or floors. 

 

 

This summer home décor trend is SO easy to accomplish as it can be created through the addition of a few bright pillows and furnishings, to add that touch of colour. For this reason, this has become a popular trend this summer!

Flooring to Compliment This Trend

 

Luxury Silk Grey Oak Solid Wood	Farmhouse Grey Laminate	Mayfair Pearl Oak Engineered Wood
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Make a bold statement in your room with a touch of colour!

 

Pattern on Pattern

 

You know that popular saying “less is more”, well not with this summer home décor idea. Dramatic is the new simple when it comes to standards for this summer!

 

Patterns upon patterns is what is gripping the attention in the world of interior design this summer. Add more depth and textures to your rooms with patterned wallpaper, flooring and furnishings. Too much is never enough with this latest summer home décor trend.

 

Flooring to Compliment This Trend

 

Milano Click Black Slate LVT	Valencia Tile Retro Light	Florence Tile Palazzo Slate
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Abstract

 

For summer 2020 typical just isn’t enough. Wallpaper and a one colour painted wall just won’t suffice when it comes to this trend. 

 

Have you been seeing a spiral in, well… Spirals? Dots? Diamond patterns and multicoloured triangles? Don’t be concerned. You’re not crazy.

 

But these patterns are. With this new summer interior trend, anything goes! 

 

With unique patterns on the wall drawing the focus, and a contrasting floor, your space is sure to stand out this summer, being a talking point for those gatherings. 

 

 

Black is the new Black 

 

You heard us! Black has looped back around and is making quite the impression. 

 

With its versatility in contrasting with an array of colours and styles, this trend allows for bold statements to be incorporated in standing out against black walls and dark tone. 

 

Compliment a black room with any white or bright coloured furnishing or light coloured flooring, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the visual appeal created by the juxtaposing tones accentuating your home. 

This look can be achieved with dark paint or wallpaper, followed by the incorporation of a lighter colour. Why not try a feature wall on top of the black using white contrasting wall hangings to allure you to the bold statement made in the dark room? Add more depth by introducing a white floor. 

 

This daring look is easy to create and will bring you bang up to trend in the latest 2020 summer interior trends. 

 

Feeling inspired?

 

Like what you see? Good! Because that means you’re already a step in the right direction to being on trend with your summer home décor. 

 

With some trends offering a timeless aesthetic, you won’t even have to consider whether or not trends will last, and worry about redecorating it again in the near future. 

 

Have any flooring related questions? Get in touch now and our team of experts will be more than happy to help you with all you need to know.

 

The post Summer Style: 11 Interior & Flooring Trends for 2020 appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

When you think of your perfect “forever” home, what does it look like?

Most of us have at least a few ideas of things it would include.

A gourmet kitchen? Yep.

A master suite to make celebrities jealous? You bet.

But when you really sit down and start envisioning every single space, it’s equally important to start with the floors. What do you see on the floor space?

Here in Colorado, a lot of homeowners see hardwood flooring throughout. And we get it – hardwood is beautiful. But do you want hardwood in every room, on every floor?

What if you already have your “forever” home and hardwood is only in a few rooms?

What if you want something different in certain rooms? You “see” your office space different from the bedrooms.

What if you’re trying to match hardwood already in your kitchen, and it’s impossible to find?

Now what?

Can you mix different hardwood flooring and still have a house that looks its best?

The short answer is: Yes! Here’s how.

Divide your house up by rooms

Houses are rarely designed as one large open space. Instead, they are created with individual rooms assigned to separate tasks. Yes, you might love open concept living. Your kitchen, dining, and living space may all flow together. But they still provide separate duties, and function differently throughout the day.

Maybe your kitchen has large south facing windows. Maybe the family room receives streams of sunshine all day long, while the dining space is a little darker, almost cave-like.

Creating flow by using the same hardwood can work. Or you can change things up and choose wood grains according to your room location and size. Large rooms, or rooms with lots of natural light, do well with darker flooring. If you choose something like mahogany or Brazilian walnut, it can provide a contemporary, sophisticated feel.

Smaller rooms – think a mud room or a tiny interior bathroom – those may feel cavernous if you stick with a dark theme. A lighter wood automatically makes it feel larger, brighter. For smaller rooms, woods like white oak, ash, or maple may be the perfect way to lighten things up.

Doorways are the automatic divider when using different woods. Yet be careful how you transition from a hallway to a bedroom, for example. If you run planks parallel to the room’s length, it will give the appearance of being narrower. Changing grain and direction help with the transition. Run the wood in different direction to create visual appeal. It can also create a more dramatic size difference as you move from space to space.

Natural dividers – create each room separately

If you choose to use different wood throughout your home, the natural dividing line is to separate out individual rooms. It’s the easiest way to do it. You can use doorways to separate using wooden borders or even T-moldings to cross over the thresholds. Or spice things up and incorporate tile into place – something that complements your decor and adds to the aesthetics.

The good thing about the times we live in is it’s easier than ever to get ideas. Head to Google or Pinterest and type in “wood transitions.” You’ll find a wealth of ideas at your fingertips. And if you use Pinterest, you can even Pin some of your favorites. That’s a great way to bring your “dream list” into our location and show us your ideas. That gives us a way to understand your desires, and show you great ways to make your dreams come true.

Of course, not all homes have natural dividers between rooms. What if you want to divide out open spaces? Highlight specific areas by using borders. We’ve seen this done in lots of creative ways. Use contrasting wood to section off different spaces. Why not highlight an eating space by defining it with your flooring?

You can even use wood to create dramatic entrances. How about using parquet in the front entryway, before meeting with the rest of the flooring installed throughout the first floor? Complementing colors and shades are key.

Contrasting or matching – which is easier?

Homeowners often come into our showroom hoping to install a matching hardwood floor to something already existing inside their homes. That is very difficult at best because no matter how close you get, the two woods are cut from different materials, were laid at different times, and ultimately take on a different color. No matter how slight it looks when you lay a plank or two together and attempt to match, once it’s in place in your home, the difference becomes even more apparent.

The grain may be off. The color hue simply won’t match.

If it’s important to you to get the same look throughout your home, consider sanding down your existing hardwood, and refinishing it all together to make it the same. That means you can install unfinished hardwood planks in the rooms currently without, and stain them as one entire unit once it’s installed.

Contrasting becomes easier when you think of distinct zones throughout your home. Don’t focus on the look of your flooring from room to room, look up and use other features too.

For example, how about the cabinetry in your kitchen? Homes today often have two-toned wood based on upper and lower cabinets. Maybe you’ve used darker wood floors to set off lighter cabinets. How about playing off the lighter color as you move throughout the rest of your home?

Is your trim boards whitewashed, light, and airy? Mixing it up can give you a new backdrop to play with. Sometimes incorporating new colors into your decor can give you a fresh new outlook.

What does your dream home look like?

Everyone’s dream home looks a little bit different. The best place to start is by envisioning your dream home a little bit deeper.

Think beyond the “gourmet kitchen” and “master bath spa” that can make a celebrity jealous.

Instead, focus in on the things that matter most. The things that make you happy when you walk in from a long day at work. Or when you have guests over for a party.

What impression do you want them to take away? How do you want your home to look and feel?

And if that includes playing with different colors and hues, mixing different hardwood flooring throughout your home, then by all means do it.

You’re going to love the look.

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

You may have heard of our brand new flooring range – EvoCore. Coming in a range of different styles and with home-wide suitability, it’s the next step in the evolution of flooring. Well, we’re excited to announce that, due to popular demand, we’re expanding the range. Introducing the brand new: EvoCore 360.

 

Providing more styles, stability and versatility; undoubtedly, this range proves to be one of our most diverse yet.

 

EvoCore 360 is made to suit any room, any lifestyle, with any design. An innovative 360 click-lock system, allows for a quick and easy installation, as well as bespoke designs. This flooring has something for everyone. 

 

 Let’s take a quick look at just some of the benefits of EvoCore 360:

 

• Suitable in all rooms of the house
• Underfloor heating compatibility 
• Waterproof
• Pet friendly
• Easy to maintain
• Hardwearing 
• Tiled and wood designs
• 360 click-lock fitting system
• Lay in a herringbone pattern
• Seamlessly join wood to tile

 

This versatile range could transform your home and breathe new life into your space.

What is EvoCore 360?

Our EvoCore ranges are designed with home-wide suitability in mind. It caters for all areas of the home and lifestyles that come with them, while providing the ability to design and create your flooring to your own taste. 

 

EvoCore 360 is made up of the following 4 layers:

 

1. Protective PU lacquer
2. Wear layer at 0.55mm 
3. Acoustic vinyl decor layer (with fibreglass)
4. Rigid composite board (RCB) with DreamClick locking elements

 

This put together makes the perfect flooring for your home, while looking flawless.  

 

Mix and Match Designs

 

This range offers a wide variety of colours and styles to suit your aesthetic. In addition, if that wasn’t enough, mix and match the ranges to create a unique look and feel to your home. So, if you like to get creative, then EvoCore 360 will be right up your street. 

 

The number of colours you want to include in your design is completely up to you, and looks particularly impressive in a unique herringbone pattern or when creating a Wood to Tile design.

As each board simply clicks together, it makes for a seamless design when transitioning between effects and rooms. As a result, this allows for different areas of your home to have their own look and feel with ease and finesse. 

EvoCore 360 Bestsellers

The EvoCore 360 range has an array of styles to choose from, but we’ve chosen some of our best sellers to give you some inspiration when it comes to finding your perfect flooring, and transforming your home.

Wood Design Bestsellers

Cinnamon Swirl Oak	Glacier Oak	Light Biscuit Oak
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Tiled Design Bestsellers

Light Cloud	Pebble Beach	Foggy Shore
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EvoCore 360 Benefits

 

With great versatility, comes great benefits. Of course EvoCore 360 is not short of those. 

 

• Suitable in all rooms of the home – Compatible with all rooms in your home where temperatures don’t exceed 27 degrees.

 

• Underfloor heating compatibility – This flooring range is fully compatible with underfloor heating. For electrical underfloor heating, we recommend a maximum of 60W/m².

 

• Waterproof – EvoCore 360 is 100% waterproof, and withstands moisture in high risk areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.

 

• Quick and easy to fit – Fitted with a 360 click-lock system, and able to cover minor subfloor imperfections, this flooring is effortless to fit with an outstanding finish.

 

• 360 click-lock system – Allows for a quick installation, and the ability to mix and match colours and styles for a unique look. 

 

• Easy to maintain – Ease of cleaning for those muddy paw prints or spillages. Just a wipe down with soapy water makes for a stress-free clean up.

 

• Hard-wearing – This range has been designed to be very hard-wearing, holding up to everyday wear and tear. 

 

• Pet friendly – Pets are no issue for EvoCore 360 with ease of cleaning after those muddy walks. As well as that, it has scratch resistant surfaces. So no need to worry about those long nails.

 

• Recyclable – It is made with 80% recycled materials. So, not only are you getting a fantastic floor, you’re doing your bit for the environment too. It can also be fully recycled!

 

• Touch of nature – The EvoCore 360 ranges feature a slightly textured surface, replicating a real wood or tiled floor. 

 

• Wood or Tiled designs – This range comes in a variety of wood colours as well as tiled designs offering slate, stone, and marble effects. 

 

• Lifetime residential warranty – Comes with a lifetime residential warranty. Not only that, but a 10-year commercial warranty too. 

 

EvoCore 360 Suitability

 

EvoCore 360 is suitable in all environments, being a multifaceted product catering to all household flooring needs. 

 

The EvoCore 360 range is 100% waterproof which means you can couple your unique stylings with any room of the house. 

 

YES. Any!

 

Want to spruce up the kitchen with vibrant designs, or accentuate your bathroom with stunning and unique patterns? No need to be limited. 

 

Boasting a slip resistant surface created by it’s slightly textured finish, this provides extra grip for those rooms susceptible to water presence.

 

Got underfloor heating? EvoCore 360 is fully compatible!

 

Pet-Friendly

 

EvoCore 360 caters for pet owners too. No need to worry about wear and tear from long nails on your floor, as EvoCore 360 is scratch resistant. And you can forget about rolling your eyes when the muddy paw prints pattern your floor, because this product is waterproof and easy to clean. So those prints will be mopped away with ease.

 

Easy Maintenance 

 

Children’s activities can often lead to the use of crayons or accidental spillages. But need to panic when this happens. These can be wiped clean with a little bit of soapy water making for a stress-free clean up. 

 

 

EvoCore 360 Installation

 

Uniquely, EvoCore 360 features a 360 fitting mechanism (Omni-Click 360) meaning it can be fitted by both length and width. This gives you the ability to create bespoke flooring designs that accent your home interior and fulfil your style needs. 

 

When it comes to installation, this is a quick and easy process thanks to the 360 click-lock system, designed to use in all areas of your home. This timely process means you’ll not only save time but installation costs will be reduced as well. 

 

This unique click-lock system allows you to fit your flooring in a herringbone pattern, as well as join wood and tile together. Moreover, this is great if you want to create separations in an open-planned kitchen to living spaces, with no need for a transition strip. 

 

Is your subfloor uneven? Fear not! EvoCore 360 has got that covered, too. Literally. With the ability to cover minor imperfections in your subfloor, this range allows for a flawless finish, every time.

 

EvoCore 360 Accessories

Last but not least, this range requires some accessories to make sure you achieve the perfect finish, and get the most out of your floor. 

EvoCore 360 3-in-1 Profile 

 

EvoCore 360 3-in-1 Profile can be used as either a Ramp, T-profile or an End Profile. 

 

These are perfectly colour matched to the range and are available in 2m (6.5ft) lengths – Exact Specification: 2000mm (L) x 49mm (H) x 10mm (W).

Underlay

 

EvoCore 360 underlay is for use with the 360 range only. It is 1.5mm thick and a coverage of 9.60m² per pack; 20 boards at 1.2m x 0.4m per board. It has a thermal resistance rating of 0.6 Tog and provides impact sound reduction up to 19dB. Additionally, the underlay is mould resistant and made with recycled materials. So not only are you getting a fantastic product but you’re helping with sustainability of our eco system.

Get your Flawless Finish 

 

In conclusion, EvoCore 360 is ideal for transforming any room, in any home with options for bespoke designs to suit your unique style and design needs.

 

With a multitude of other benefits that makes it suitable for whatever lifestyle you have, and ease of installation, EvoCore 360 could be the perfect solution to your home revamp. 

 

Take a look at our EvoCore 360 range now to start creating your perfect flooring. Alternatively, if you have any more questions on this flooring range, get in touch and our team of flooring experts will be happy to answer any of your questions. 

 

The post Introducing EvoCore 360 appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

Choosing flooring can be a difficult task. All you have to do is enter a flooring showroom floor and feel the anxiety kick in.

• Where do you start?
• How do you know which is the best flooring to choose?
• Will you like it six months from now?
• Will it wear well over the next decade?

Of course, you may already have specific ideas in mind. If you’re choosing flooring for your basement, and you know hardwood is the right choice for you, it might seem simple. But once you start looking around, you’ll discover it’s anything but.

Basements are problematic. For most of us across Colorado, we can’t imagine having a home without a basement. It adds valuable space.

It’s the perfect place to add more family living, a game room, an extra bedroom, or maybe a media center.

But being below ground gives special challenges. It’s cooler down there. Moisture can be a problem. And because your basement probably sits on a concrete slab, that adds to the potential for damage down the road.

Yet you want hardwood. You love your hardwood flooring through your home, and you want to continue it down into your basement. Is it possible?

The good news is – YES – you can add hardwood floors to your basement. But you have to find the right hardwood flooring to suit your needs.

It’s a basement … it’s going to be damp

Why are basements so problematic?

Cool, moist air is denser than warm. That’s why it tends to sink to the basement where it sits. It condenses as it comes into contact with colder surfaces, such as the concrete used to build the foundation of your home.

Because they sit below ground, basements are also prone to water seeping in from the outside. They can enter through the concrete walls, seep in through cracks in the window casements, all of which impact the functionality of your basement. You have to consider this before you install any flooring.

If you want hardwood floors in the basement … try engineered wood

Here at Pro-Flooring, we recommend engineered flooring as one of the best choices for basements. Why? Because it looks great and does well in cool, moist situations.

Engineered flooring looks like hardwood, but it’s actually made up of multiple layers that give it more strength than traditional hardwood. Engineered floor is constructed using an inner core of anywhere from three to twelve cross layers of plywood, which is what gives it it’s added strength. These layers can be made from various hardwoods, birch, or pine. They are glued and pressed together under strength to give it it’s tight core.

An additional layer is then fused to the top. This top layer is what you’ll see once the flooring is fully installed. This is what gives it its beauty and good looks. It’s commonly referred to the wear layer, and this is where you should concentrate as you make your final decision. Different manufacturers create this product in different ways. It’s the wear layer that will determine how well it stands up over time.

You’ll usually find engineered wood floors are sold based on measurements of the wear layer. The wear layer varies from product to product. You’ll find thicknesses range from a paper thin .6mm to a thicker 4mm wear layer.

Wear layer thickness is important because it dictates how often you can sand and refinish the wear layer.  This isn’t something most homeowners often do. But if you have a thicker layer from the beginning, it’s nice to know that you have the option of sanding it down and refinishing it to go with your new decor. When you’re ready to give your engineered hardwood a facelift, all you have to do is sand it and pick a new finish color. This is especially important in a busy household where you have kids and pets, and the wear layer has a variety of scratches and dents.

Engineered flooring can be glued directly to the subfloor, or nailed or glued to a plywood subfloor if you prefer. Because of their construction, they are also one of the perfect flooring choices to be installed over radiant heating.

Does engineered hardwood look like traditional hardwood? There are still a lot of myths and misconceptions over how this product handles in your home. If you haven’t looked at engineered flooring lately, you haven’t seen the possibilities. Stop by today – you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

There is another option … try luxury vinyl tile

Still, we know that not everyone is sold on engineered hardwood. And that’s okay. There’s another great choice for you. It’s called luxury vinyl tile, also known as luxury vinyl plank, or LVT.

If you love the look of wood plank floors, but want a waterproof option, look no further than LVT. Luxury vinyl planks may be one of the best basement flooring options on the market today.

They give the appearance of plank wood floors, but are made with vinyl construction that provides a waterproof, soft, cushiony, quiet, and easy to maintain floor.

Luxury vinyl planks are created by combining four main layers.

• A wear layer – this is a transparent topcoat that helps the surface from staining, scratching, or fading.
• An image layer – this is what gives your flooring it’s good looks. A realistic image is adhered to the vinyl core.
• A vinyl core – the vinyl PVC material is what gives LVT flexibility and makes it 100 percent waterproof.
• A backing layer – this vinyl backing later further enhances its ability to be waterproof, and prevents mold and mildew.

What makes luxury vinyl plank construction growing in popularity is its DIY flexibility. You’ll find LVT in both glue down and click in place technology. It’s one of the easiest options to use as a basement floor. It doesn’t require many tools or skills, and you can easily have it in place in a weekend.

You’ll love the looks and affordability. And if something does happen to a plank or section of your flooring, be sure to keep a few extras on hand. You can simply click and replace it, and continue loving your floors for years to come.

What’s the right hardwood for your basement? 

With both of these options – engineered and luxury vinyl planks – you’re sure to find the perfect product for your home. Just stop by and take a look.

Either product makes a perfect flooring in a part of your home that might just need a little extra TLC to keep it looking its best year round. No matter which you choose, you’re going to love the look. 

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

If you are deciding on a new floor for your home, you may be considering either hardwood or laminate flooring.  They are very different floor coverings so here is what you need to know before you make your decision. Read More