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Got your super savings head on this November? Waiting for those Black Friday sales to arrive? Well, wait no longer. This month, for the whole month, we have amazing deals on all of our flooring ranges with our Black November Sale! 

Yes! You heard correctly. No more clock watching or setting reminders in your phone. Snap up a bargain any day, any time this November. 

 

Save time and order your flooring today! Our sales won’t change all month. Same offers, same price every day this November. 

 

Amazing Flooring Deals

 

Everyday this November we are offering up to 50% off plus an extra 10% discount. Our sale includes everything from best sellers, Solid Wood and Laminate to our popular EvoCore flooring. Whatever your wood flooring preference, there are savings to be had across the board!  

 

Forget the hustle and bustle of waiting for Black Friday; achieving your dream home has never been easier, or more affordable with Black November. 

 

You can get these amazing deals both in-store or online using code BLACK10 at the checkout. 

 

Speaking of checking out, let’s take a look at some of the fantastic deals you can find in our Black November Sale: 

 

EvoCore Premium Shoreline Grey Oak	Boston Oak Polar White Lacquered Engineered Wood	Chevron Natural Chevron Oak Laminate
Original Price: £59.99/m²	Original Price: £34.99/m²	Original Price: £24.99/m²
Black November Sale Price: 42.92/m²	Black November Sale Price: 26.70/m²	Black November Sale Price: £16.69/m²
Add Samples to Cart	Add Samples to Cart	Add Samples to Cart

 

Stunning right? And these could be yours for a fraction of their usual cost. 

 

Super Savings with Black November

 

We know that renovations can sometimes be a large expense. It all depends on style, room sizes, and desires. For some that dream home, stays a dream home. But it doesn’t have to!

 

Take advantage of our sale today and become a step closer to that perfect kitchen, bathroom or living room. Whatever room you’re wanting to transform, we have flooring to feature. 

 

Not only are you being savvy, but you may be able to use the extra savings on renovating another part of your home, and just in time for Christmas too! 

 

Beat the rush 

 

If your flooring arrives and you think you purchased your flooring in a rush rather than beat the rush, we offer a generous 100 day return policy. If your flooring is not as you’d hoped, you can send it back. 

 

This is an additional benefit to Black November. Need to return your flooring? If you purchased it at the beginning of the month and aren’t so sure it’s the best one for you, send it back and continue to shop the sale! You have the whole month to look. 

 

So what are you waiting for? Make your dream home a reality and take advantage of our Black November Sale today!

 

If you need any more information regarding sales or flooring, get in touch with one of our flooring experts who will be happy to help!

 

The post Black November 2020  appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

What’s the number one flooring request homeowners have when upgrading their homes? If you guessed hardwood, you’re correct.

Real estate agents across the US state that as they show buyers potential homes, they overwhelmingly want hardwood.

But as much as homeowners love hardwood, in some areas, it might not make sense. Traditionally, you’d never install hardwood in a basement, a laundry room, or a bathroom. Moisture and wood simply don’t mix.

With technology changing, upgraded polyurethane, and sealers promising more than ever before, is that still the case? If you’re creating the master bath of your dreams, for example, can you now install wood floors in your bathroom?

Look no further than manufacturers themselves for the answer. While they’ve been making huge strides towards tougher, more durable finishes, most will still caution you when using their flooring in wet spaces.

A good oil-based polyurethane sealer can do wonders for making your flooring more functional. It can seal cracks between the floor boards and make it harder for moisture to seep in. But you’ll never find a hardwood manufacturer adding “waterproof” to their features and benefits. Most will say “water-resistant” and only if you carefully follow manufacturer’s guidelines.

You have hardwood flooring throughout your home. It’s only natural you want to continue the look into your bathroom. You can, with a few things to consider:

• Manufacturers will most likely challenge warranty claims on hardwood installed in a bathroom. Depending on the product you choose, it may even have warnings against it in the fine print.
• If you do install hardwood in a bathroom, you can expect increased care and maintenance to go along with it. At least once a year, plan on reapplying a sealer designed for wet environments.
• If you do have a splash or spill, wipe it up immediately. Take extra caution around areas where splashes or spills are a part of your normal routine.

Hardwood may not be the perfect choice for a family bathroom where kids love to play in the tub, or a space where saunas and moisture is the norm. But in a guest bath, an open concept master bath, or a powder room off the living space, hardwood may be the perfect choice.

Engineered wood flooring? Maybe not

Surprisingly, engineered hardwood flooring takes a backseat to more traditional hardwood for bathroom installation. Here’s why.

Engineered hardwood is created for ease of use. You’ll find it in planks for easy installation, made up of tougher layers to provide you with strength in more high traffic areas.

The problem with engineered wood flooring is the finishing work. You bring it into your home in plank format, lay it in place, and it’s finished. The problem is the boards slide together, without any sealing properties other than how they slide together. In certain areas of your home, that tight connection may be okay. But in a bathroom, the environment changes.

You close the door, humidity builds, and changes can occur in the way the planks come together. They shrink and expand, if only a little. That’s just enough to allow moisture to seep down underneath. It’s the perfect place for water to get down to the foundation and over time, rot out.

Hardwood is a better choice

When deciding between the two, natural hardwood will react in your bathroom spaces better than engineered wood. But pay attention to how it’s laid into place.

Instead of buying finished hardwood in plank format, choose to have unfinished wood, and stain it and seal it after it’s in place. This will allow the sealer to move between the boards, helping to seal every square inch of your flooring against spills and moisture.

As a bonus, polyurethane will also add a texture to your hardwood floors, giving it a slip-resistant feel. That can be an upgrade to a bathroom, where moisture is ever-present.

Again, care and maintenance will be a big part of your life. You should always wipe up excess moisture immediately, and apply more sealant on the boards frequently.

But wait, you have other choices

Luckily, you don’t have to stick with engineered or natural wood to get the hardwood look you love. Thanks to today’s technology, you have other choices waiting for you.

How about luxury vinyl tile? This isn’t the vinyl flooring you grew up with in your parent’s house. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is now one of the fastest growing floors in the flooring industry because of its looks and maintenance-free living.

LVT is waterproof – yep, you read that right. It can stand up to all the water your family dishes out.

And it looks good in the process. So good, that even experts have to take a closer look to determine its authenticity. What’s more, you can find it in a large array of colors, patterns, and textures. You can find one that matches or blends perfectly with your surroundings.

Not quite sure about installing vinyl in your home? That’s okay. We have another option for you: how about stone tile?

The magic of technology has impacted this market as well. You’ll find wood-look tiles cut and shaped to resemble hardwood planks. Yet when you install tile, you’ll get one of the toughest products on the marketplace. What’s more, we enjoy the fact that tile is the perfect flooring choice to sit over radiant heating. How about having a toasty warm floor as you get ready for the day? You’re going to love it.

Final thoughts on wood floors in the bathroom

If you’ve been dreaming about a house filled with hardwood flooring, keep dreaming. It’s possible.

Now it’s up to you to decide what way is best for you.

Should you install hardwood throughout, being careful to seal it properly on a regular basis?

Should you move towards an enhanced product, like luxury vinyl tile?

Should you use one of the latest trends, natural stone tile? Its realistic hardwood look will make you give it another look.

Good luck with your project. And enjoy your new floors! Whatever you choose, you’re going to love the look.

The post Yes, You Can Have Wood Floors In Your Bathroom first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

Oak flooring is traditionally a light brown colour with some golden tones running throughout.  Within our new range of engineered Oak floors we have quite a variety of flooring in different shades of brown. Read More

This is the year millions of us will change the way we work forever.

Instead of driving into the office, spending hours a day commuting, many of us have shortened that drive time considerably. It’s now a matter of walking from room to room.

And while that might give you more hours in the day, it can also lead you to look at your house in an entirely new way. While your three or four bedroom home may have had ample space before, suddenly, you’re fighting for territory as you claim your area for a home office.

The good news is, people are being creative about where they work. While the extra bedroom might not be perfect, it has the space. If you need two home offices, you can always add one in the basement. Or maybe hire a contractor to add an extension. Or convert that old laundry room into the perfect home office suite.

You’re seeing your house in an entirely new way.

Once you select the right place, it’s time to decorate. You can add the personal touch that makes your home office cozier, more you.

And at the base is your home office flooring. Here are a few things to consider.

Carpet

Let’s start with carpet because it’s a great choice for a variety of reasons. It can help your space stay warmer in the winter, and even help with noise reduction. That can be a big plus if you have several people at home, working in front of the computer and talking regularly on Zoom calls.

Because home office space is often separated from other living space, it can have different flooring. If you prefer a more luxurious carpet selection in bedrooms or family living space, you might want to change up your options in your home office. Low pile is ideal for office environments because it’s easier for office chairs on wheels to move around. It also accommodates office furniture, including heavy computer equipment, without damaging the fibers.

A looped berber is ideal for a home office as they have a lower profile than other residential choices. If you select berber, consider a level profile where the loops are all the same size. This will avoid snagging as chairs and other equipment are moved across the floor.

You may also wish to move from residential to commercial carpet applications. Commercial grade carpet is designed for heavy traffic in an office environment. Since they are created with heavy use in mind, they will be a great choice for a work from home office space. They are typically low profile pile that handle well in a variety of situations. You can customize it to match the look and feel of your home, or step out and personalize it to blend with your company brand. This can work well if you have an outside entrance, and in the future, may consider bringing clients into your space.

One final thought about carpet. If you’re building a home office, chances are you’ll bring in computer equipment to help you function. That luxurious pile carpet may be perfect for the bedroom, but can cause problems in a home office. Especially here in Colorado where static can be a problem, it’s important to ensure that the carpet you select has a good anti-static treatment to help you out. While all carpets come with a standard treatment, you can upgrade and ensure it has enhanced anti-static guard. Commercial carpet often comes with added protection, something that may be important if you have an expensive setup or have experienced problems in the past.

Laminate

Maybe you want an upgrade from the look and feel of carpet for your home office floors. Maybe you think hardwood is the only way to go.

While hardwood can be a good choice, depending on what you do, it might also be a good time to look at laminate flooring.

It’s an affordable choice that allows you to create a variety of looks in your home. Laminate can take on the look of any hardwood floor, and even move into other styles and patterns, including stone and marble. That’s because laminate is a human created flooring choice that is built using several layers. It has a strong backing that can stand up well under pressure.

That means no matter how much you roll back and forth in your chair, your flooring will stand up to the pressure.

It’s a relatively maintenance-free flooring choice. With regular dusting to pick up tracked in dirt, and an occasional swipe of a damp mop to take care of more messy problems, your floor will continue to look its best

Luxury vinyl planks

Want the look and feel of hardwood while gaining the benefits of having waterproof flooring? Look no further than luxury vinyl planks.

What makes luxury vinyl planks a good choice is they come in a variety of styles, looks, and colors. Want an exotic dark hardwood? Or maybe a gray whitewash is more your style? You can find it all in luxury vinyl planks.

And the technology makes them so realistic, that even experts have to take a second look to determine it isn’t the real thing.

Yet you won’t trade in looks for functionality. Because of the technology used to create luxury vinyl planks, you can enjoy your flooring without worrying about spills. Their water-resistant backing means they’ll stand up to all you can dish out.

That means you can close the big deal without having to worry about the flooring.

It’s your home office, your style

Having a home office isn’t just about bringing your work materials home. It’s also about creating a warm and inviting space you’ll be happy to spend your days in.

Choose a desk that allows you to be creative.

Select functionality to match your personality.

Don’t forget the lighting; it’s an easy way to brighten your office space even on the darkest, dreariest of days.

And bring in your personal touches; it’s easier than ever before.

This is your workspace. Select your home office flooring to make it the best.

The post Choose The Right Flooring For Your Home Office first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

Grey flooring has become really popular over the last few years, and its reputation is still growing.  Having a hardwood floor that is grey isn’t the norm, as wood isn’t naturally a grey colour.  However, colour stains and coloured oils can be added to Oak flooring to transform its appearance. Read More

When it comes to hard flooring, you want something durable. Durable flooring can withstand traffic, the weight of heavy furniture, and wear and tear. If you’re considering laminate wood flooring for your home and you want to know how durable it is, keep reading.

Laminate wood flooring is a great flooring choice for your home because it is affordable, versatile, and strong. Laminate flooring can last for 15 to 25 years, but its expectancy can fluctuate depending on different factors. In order to get the most out of your laminate flooring, be sure to care for it properly.

Laminate wood flooring is a popular choice in homes across the country. This is because it’s pleasing to look at. Laminate wood flooring can look like hardwood flooring, without the expensive price tag. Laminate wood flooring is also more convenient than hardwood because it is easy to install and clean. It’s even water resistant, so you can use it in a bathroom or kitchen without worry.

If you have pets, you want a flooring option that is strong against scratches. Laminate flooring is scratch resistant, meaning your flooring can hold up against the wear and tear of pets. No flooring is 100% scratch-proof and accidents do happen, but even if your laminate flooring does suffer a scratch, this scratch won’t affect the flooring’s foundation.

Hardwood floors can dent easily or warp when exposed to water. Meanwhile, laminate flooring can hold its own when faced with everyday wear and tear. After installing laminate flooring, all you have to do is care for it to maintain its quality for years to come. If you’re considering laminate flooring for your home, be sure to shop with Flooring.org. You can browse our online selection, or you can contact us by phone at 1-800-689-9006. We are also available via email at [email protected] if you have any questions. We look forward to hearing from you and can’t wait to provide you with top quality laminate flooring for your space.

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

Any time you make a change to your home, it’s exciting. Remodeling can be fun.

If you’re looking for an easy way to change up your decor, and give your home a fresh, new perspective, look no further than your floor. Whether you get your dream floor, add a pop of color, or just want to refresh a tired look, your flooring should top your lists of things to do this fall.

But having buyers remorse from the moment the installation is complete is one of our biggest worries. It stops many homeowners in their tracks, unsure of what to do. Is there a way to ensure you don’t make mistakes when buying new carpet? We have a few tips for you.

Making a decision based on a promotion

Watching home improvement shows can get your creative juices flowing. They often start with a room that’s barely livable, and turn it into something extraordinary. What’s not to love about watching transformation in process?

And tucked in between the hour long show is a variety of commercials to push you towards making decisions for your own home. You’ll often find flooring dealers hawking their wares, promising you a great deal to carpet every room in your home. Should you trust them?

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Companies are in business to make a profit. No matter how they advertise a “deal” in a commercial, they invariably have worked out a way to profit from every job they take.

Let’s say they promise you carpeting for one room for a $99 charge. Sounds good. But what they don’t tell you is all the hidden charges that will be tallied up on your final bill. They’ll charge for tack strips, staples use, seaming tape, and more. But the biggest question of all is: Is the carpet they promise a high quality carpet?

If they give you a deal, they have a specific carpet in mind. You won’t get to choose, except possibly the color. And that means they found a way to get a great deal from the manufacturers. It might not be a quality carpet that will last and look good throughout the years.

To avoid mistakes when buying new carpet, your first tip is to think, and fall in love with your choices only after you know and trust the company you’ll ultimately do business with. That is the best way to ensure you have a reputable company that will ensure you install a carpet you’ll love for years.

Assuming all carpets are the same

This can be difficult to do, especially when you aren’t a carpet expert. It looks the same, doesn’t that make it the same?

Unfortunately, the answer is no.

This is especially true when you compare carpet bids from two separate retailers.

We often field questions like this when homeowners come in and find carpet from reputable carpet manufacturers, and notice they might be priced higher than what they find from the same manufacturer at a big box store. Why is it so?

It may be from the same manufacturer, but it isn’t the same carpet. That’s because manufacturers make a variety of different makes and models, depending on demand.

Carpet manufacturers for big box stores are created in mass. If you look closer, you’ll start to notice their differences. Compare fibers, weight, style, and quality. Look at their warranties, how many years out do they give you? It’s easy to find the differences when you look closely. Then it’s up to you to determine what’s important with your investment.

Focusing on weight

We’re used to focusing on numbers and statistics to help us make the better deal. If something has a higher ratio, a larger number, and greater value, we assume it to be a better deal. However, that isn’t always the case.

As you look at carpet, you may notice that one carpet has a weight of 40 ounces, while the next moves up to 50 ounces. That doesn’t necessarily make the second better than the first.

There are a variety of things to look at when selecting carpet.

Carpet density ratios will tell you how close together fibers are stitched together to the carpet backing.

Fiber twist is determined by the number of times strands of fiber are twisted together within a one-inch length of fiber.

The type of fiber is also important. Is it natural, such as wool or sisal? Or is it synthetic, including nylon or polyester? Each fiber will handle in their own unique way.

While all of the characteristics together will start to paint a picture of carpet quality, if you take any one individually and try and compare it, you’ll miss out on how good the quality really is.

Not paying attention to the carpet pad

What’s more important, the carpet or the carpet pad? If you said both, you are correct.

Yet many homeowners select the highest quality carpet they can afford, and skimp on what’s underneath. This isn’t the best way to go.

It’s hard spending money on something that doesn’t even show. But carpet padding is an insurance policy to help you get the most life from your carpet.

The carpet pad saves wear and tear on the fibers by absorbing the shock of foot traffic, so your carpet doesn’t have to. Instead of letting the fibers take the brunt of the impact, it sends the shock down to the padding. Installing a better grade pad will help your carpet look better, longer.

It also makes your floors more comfortable to walk on. It adds the cushion to your steps.

If you’re trying to stick to a budget, we would recommend that you lower your investment on the carpet and spend a bit more on the padding. You’ll be happy with your investment.

Staying true to your lifestyle

It’s easy to fall in love with a carpet choice in the showroom, only to feel regret from the moment it’s installed. When we hear stories about this happening, it’s almost always because they didn’t consider their lifestyle before finalizing their selection.

That cream color shag may be perfect for individuals who live alone, but large families with kids and pets can turn it quickly into a stained nightmare.

Pay attention to stain resistance. You can also look for carpets that hide dirt easily, especially if you have a busy household. Berbers and Friezes both do the job well.

The carpet you decide to install may not be your dream, the one you saw being installed on the home improvement channel on TV, but it should be the one that works perfectly for your family.

That’s the easiest way to avoid buyer’s remorse, and love your carpet for years to come. 

The post Here Are The Biggest Mistakes When Buying New Carpet first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

The square foot calculator is helpful because it estimates the square footage of a room in several common shapes. Even if the surface is complex in shape, it may be possible to section the surface into simple shapes and add their square footages together. This is a necessary tool to get the correct measurement to get the right amount of materials for your project. 

Using Our Square Foot Calculator

The two measurements you will need are the length of the room and the width of the room. When you are measuring the length be sure to measure the longest side of the area being measured. To find the width, locate the shortest side of the area to be measured. Here is the calculator.

The square foot calculator is a basic measuring tool however, we understand that not all rooms have a simple measurement. Sometimes you will have to account for odd room dimensions and additional areas that do not necessarily connect neatly. What you will want to do is divide the space into smaller sections. Measure each section separately and then use the square foot calculator to calculate the footage of each. Once you have completed all your measurements and calculated them , add up the total square footage.

For example: Say you have a rectangular room with a small square nook or closet attached to it.

Find the length and width of each section

Main room: 12 ft. x 10ft. = 120 sq. ft.

Nook/closet: 3 ft. x 7 ft. = 21 sq. ft. 

Then, add the three values together to get the total square footage you’ll need!

Total: 141 sq. ft. of materials

The square foot calculator is a great tool for when you are short on time and ensure that you will have enough material to get the project done!  The Square foot calculator is a perfect tool to use to get a rough estimate on your potential product. We will give you a free in home estimate and professional measurement for your new flooring project. As always remember to call The Carpet Guys at 855-4-MY-GUYS for all your flooring needs! The Carpet Guys offer a FREE Lifetime Installation Warranty. This peace of mind can not be matched by any big box competitor who offer limited 30 to 90 day warranties. Shop at ease and be wise and call The Carpet Guys.

The post How To Measure for Square Feet in a Room appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

Are you renovating your home to add more space? Instead of a wide open family room, are you trying to find office and school space for every member of the family? Is your open concept no longer working for you?

Welcome to 2020.

Who would have thought last year that our entire vision of home design could change as fast as it has?

Yet as you are focusing on design, as you are coming up with ideas, you might also worry about your final choices. Is the flooring too trendy? Is the color going to fade right out of style? Because flooring is expensive, and once you have it installed, you hope it’ll last for a while.

We get that. That’s one of the biggest reasons homeowners procrastinate on making their final decisions.

Flooring costs a lot of money. The last thing you want is regret just a few short months or years after your flooring is installed.

That’s why we’re sharing this post. We help homeowners every day, just like you, finalize their decisions AND feel more confident in their selections. We know you’ll love your final choice, and keep on loving it for the long haul.

Let’s talk about timeless design

If something is timeless, it holds true for the long haul. The passage of time makes no difference on the results.

It’s no wonder that when a designer talks about timeless design, she’ll incorporate decor items that looked just as good in a home one-hundred years ago as it does today.

That’s why hardwood flooring works well. That’s why neutral colors are ever-popular. Because they’ll look as good today as they do decades from now.

Yet if you go back in time twenty, thirty, or even fifty years ago, certain styles were “in” or “popular” and those choices aren’t necessarily what’s “in” today. Shag carpet might have been all the rage, tile was perfect in certain rooms, even hardwood was used in certain houses, but it was different than it is today.

That’s because even if the concept is equal, our knowledge expands. We have new ways of creating fibers, we’re more adapted to creating “harder” wood. And that gives us a new perspective on what decor we select.

Defining your own classic design

If you want to avoid a flooring that is too trendy, there’s only one way to do it. It’s time to define what a classic, timeless design means to you.

Ultimately, this is all about the way you live, your lifestyle, and what you desire in a design. If you love open, airy, bright spaces, to tell you to install a dark hardwood floor wouldn’t work for you.

How can you tell that? Open up your favorite design magazine. Pull up Pinterest and start searching for decor. Or watch your favorite television show on the home and garden channels. What spaces do you naturally move towards?

Do you prefer light or dark spaces? Whitewash oak or dark cherry? Do you like neutral spaces with only a hint of color? Or are you born with “bright color” as your middle name?

If you aren’t sure what your design style is, it’s time to take note. We love Pinterest for that.

Head over to Pinterest and open an account. Then create a few pinboards to fill with ideas. If you’re remodeling a bathroom, start there. Fill one with kitchen ideas if you’re planning for a gourmet kitchen. And start pinning away. Even with just a few pins, you’ll start to see trends. You’ll see where your eyes gravitate, what your tastes explore. And you’ll quickly start defining your own timeless desires.

Is trendy all that bad?

Let’s head back in time to your parent’s home, filled with shag carpet. Maybe it was gold, brown, or green.

You can still find shag carpet today, and can even find shades of gold, brown, or green.

Yet today’s carpet is different for a variety of reasons. The fibers are treated differently. The padding is improved. While we once had no idea what volatile organic compounds (VOCs) even were, today we’ve put focus on reducing them.

Carpet is only designed to last up to ten years. That means if you purchase and install it today, change your entire decor to fit the space, you’ll have several years of loving the design space you’ve created.

If hardwood is more your thing, even hardwood can be changed. If you went with a more traditional oak a decade ago, you can refinish it today and add an upgrade. Lighten it up. Make it brighter. Add a whitewash. Or make it darker. If you choose a high quality hardwood, you can resand and refinish it up to ten times.

Think long term. Select quality over cost. Because no matter what your final selection, the most regret you’ll ever have is with an inferior product.

If the fibers wear down, if the hardwood cracks, if the vinyl fades and yellows, that’s when you’ll have your most regret.

But a good looking floor will add into your design, even if you paint the walls and bring in a new couch.

A flooring can’t be trendy if you love the look. A flooring offers timeless beauty if it fits your decor. No matter how you change up your space, add a new area rug, or bring in new wall paint, it will continue to create the space you ultimately desire.

Still worried about your flooring being too trendy?

Then we have a few final questions for you.

Is the flooring you are considering adaptable to many design elements? Your flooring should be the base for your overall design. If you can mix and match with ease, you’ve found your flooring choice.

Is it simple? Intriciate patterns and textures can move out of style more quickly. If you keep the design simple, flawless, it will stay in your heart for a long time.

Is this my taste? No matter where you are in life, you have personality and design. Something that makes you sit up and take notice. Something that makes you say YES all the time.

Take the time to define your style. Because once you do, it will shine through in everything you own.

The only way to be disappointed with your purchase is not to trust your gut.

What flooring choices are you leaning towards?

The post What If The Flooring I Choose Is Too Trendy? first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

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

You can smell it from the moment you walk through the doors.

It’s a strong unpleasant odor that can only be described as musty. You know instantly it’s worth more investigation.

Because if it is carpet mold growing inside your house, it can have long-lasting impact on your health. Headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea are only some of the symptoms you may experience.

Carpet mold can be difficult to determine. That’s because it doesn’t always start on top, with the fibers, in a place you can see for yourself. Instead, carpet mold often starts at the base, with the backing where it can’t be seen until it’s too late.

If you’re saying to yourself: “It can’t be in my house. I haven’t had a spill or a flood.” While that may be true, the problem with moisture is it can show up in many ways, including following along baseboards or wallboards, and moving to places where it can’t be seen.

What causes carpet mold growth?

It seems like an easy question. If water is present anywhere in your home, it can start the process of growing mold … right? Not necessarily so.

A study by the Carpet and Rug Institute has studied carpet mold extensively. They found that mold doesn’t start growing just because the humidity levels are rising. New or clean carpets will not support the growth of mold, even at elevated humidity rates. What does cause carpet mold, however, is the presence of dirt.

That’s because carpet isn’t just a random set of fibers put together and sold as carpet. Instead, padding, backing, fibers, and the process used to create them have all been perfected to make a product that does well in your home. It takes high moisture, high humidity, combined with a high soil level within the fibers of your carpet to turn it into carpet mold.

That makes a case for keeping your carpets clean. Vacuum regularly and have them cleaned periodically to ensure your carpets will continue to do well throughout its lifespan. That can be a good thing if you’re considering adding carpet to your basement, with a below-grade installation.

Is carpet mold dangerous?

If you keep your carpets clean enough, they will be highly resistant to mold. Mold only grows in perfect conditions, when moisture meets dirt. Carpet mold grows in two conditions:

• The dirt contains mold spores
• The dirt contains moisture

Your carpet has to have perfect conditions, the dirt and moisture have to combine in order to allow mold to occur. Because dirt is a hygroscopic material, it effectively means it attracts what it needs to thrive. It picks up moisture to allow it to continue to grow. That’s why it’s important to keep dirt at bay.

Once your carpet has mold, it can impact you in different ways. As pathogens are released, they can be inhaled, and impact your health.

Allergies – dust mites are filled with bacteria. They can float, get in your system by inhaling them, and cause a variety of irritations, including watery and itchy eyes, and sneezing.

Asthma – if you are prone to asthma and other respiratory conditions, carpet mold can exacerbate the situation. It can be a hotspot for everything from dust mites to mold, which can increase the conditions you are experiencing.

Mycotoxin – over time, carpets can continue to harbor mycotoxins, which work to further weaken your immune system. If left in place for too long, an abundance of mycotoxin can even lead to death.

Rashes and infections – how many people traipse through your house each day? Is your house the house where the kids play? Do your pets love to tug and play … after they’ve walked the neighborhood? With continuous foot traffic, dirt can easily make its way from outside to inside, and ultimately drop into your carpet. That can easily leave behind bacteria and other contaminants that can contribute to common skin irritations. If that rash won’t go away, if your feet itch and you’re not sure where it’s coming from, look no further than your carpet.

How do you prevent carpet mold?

Luckily, it’s not a difficult process to ensure carpet mold stays away from your home. If you have carpet in basements and other potentially problematic areas, keep a few things in mind.

Watch your humidity levels. Remember, carpet mold only occurs when the conditions are right. Keep a close eye on humidity levels to ensure they stay below 65 percent. You can do so by running a portable dehumidifier, or installing a whole house humidifier system to ensure a comfortable living space. Leave windows and doors open to prevent build up of humidity. And above all, stick to a regular cleaning schedule to avoid dirt accumulation.

Control inside temperatures. As temperatures climb, it can bring on a humid environment. Ensure temperatures stay below 80 degrees by using a portable or central air conditioner, and watching the humidity levels to ensure they stay low as well.

Clean your carpets. While carpet manufacturers won’t provide you with a detailed step by step plan, they will tell you regular vacuuming and professional cleanings are mandatory to keep warranties valid.

Choose synthetic. You have choices when it comes to the carpet you select. For below-grade rooms, it might be better to stick with inorganic or synthetic fibers such as nylon or olefin. They are created specifically to handle better in moisture-prone areas, and won’t attract potential problems as easily as organic fibers such as wool.

How do I know if carpet mold has set in? 

If you have an area in your home that is at higher risk, it’s important to inspect the entire area regularly. Things to watch for include:

Increased allergies or sickness – do you or a family member exhibit increased allergy symptoms that are otherwise unexplainable? Do you have symptoms that just won’t go away? It might be a sign of a problem.

Musty odors – does it smell funny when you walk into the room? Does the stale air linger day and night? It’s worth further investigation.

Damp carpet – any spill that sets for any length of time can lead to carpet mold.

Change in carpet color – walk through each room occasionally and pay attention to corners, along the wallboards, and other areas that may be hidden from view. Does the color or texture of the carpet change? It may be a sign of carpet mold underneath the fibers settling in.

If you believe carpet mold has settled in, it might be time to consider replacing it to give your house a clean slate. Whether you choose to replace it with new carpet, or explore other options – luxury vinyl planks are in high demand – we can help you select the right flooring for your home.

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