Category: Uncategorized

Interior trends come and go. As summer fades, and the colder months hit, we want to ensure our homes are as comfortable and aesthetically pleasing as possible; the days of being outdoors in the sun are now just a mere memory until next year.  Let’s look at some of this year’s autumn interior trends, and how you can introduce them into your home. 

Walnut Wood

 

The first autumn interior design trend on our list focuses on the introduction of walnut wood. As wood is a material that makes up many interior components, this helps to facilitate walnut wood being introduced in more ways than one.

 

Coffee tables, chairs, ornaments, flooring. You name it; the luxurious, rich tones walnut wood delivers adds character and expense to any room of your home. 

 

 

This trend sees your home brought to life with a natural charm and beauty embracing the elements, and allowing a setting made beautiful with plant life, and warm furnishings. 

 

In a bathroom, the likely use of walnut wood would be flooring. Utilising sharp colours to decorate the other areas of the room, such as white tile, aids in a sleek contrast and brings out those dark inviting tones in the flooring. 

Flooring to Suit this Trend

 

As this particular trend features a species of wood, there are plenty of wood flooring types to cover the ground and keep up to date with this interior design trend of 2020.

 

To achieve the most authentic finish, you need to aim for dark, rich tones.

 

The brand new range EvoCore Nature would make for a great option. Featuring real wood layers, with natural aspects such as knots and grains from exposure to the outdoors. Pulling out those coffee undertones, this high-end flooring option adds a certain element of grandeur to any room. 

 

Engineered wood is extremely durable, taking the pressures of busy family homes, as well as looking amazing. Walnut engineered wood offers the perfect blend of style and practicality.

 

EvoCore Nature is another flooring that offers home-wide suitability, has a built-in cork underlay, and is highly durable. With those being just a few benefits the EvoCore Nature range has to offer. 

 

Laminate flooring is another flooring type option available in a walnut tone. This is one of the more price friendly options and will have a wider range of options to choose from. It’s extremely durable, scratch resistant and is long lasting. 

Chalky Pink

 

Next on the list we’ll focus on making your living space a place of peace and tranquillity with this autumn interior design trend: chalky pink!

 

2020 has seen a rise in the need of looking after our minds. With pandemics, lock-downs and health being part of the collateral, it is important to look after your mind amongst all of the chaos. Having a peaceful place to kick back and relax can help you do just that. 

 

Pink is being introduced more and more across all areas of the home, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms. 

Creating this desired autumn interior design trend is easy because of the versatility involved. 

 

With the trend being colour-related, it means that this can be introduced with paint, accessories or furnishings. 

 

However you wish to bring in those calming tones, you won’t be disappointed with the end result. 

 

Flooring to Suit this Trend

 

With this trend, as a calming environment is aimed to be achieved, the suited flooring types come from those offering lighter tones. Opt for a light grey, or light oak colour flooring. This gives a light and airy feel, providing that serene setting to unwind in. 

 

With this flooring trend being commonly adopted in bathrooms, a flooring suited both practically and stylishly, is EvoCore. 

Available in a variety of ranges, EvoCore will certainly have a flooring suited to contrast your chalky pink decor.

 

EvoCore Essential and Premium ranges offer a wide range of benefits including: In-built underlay, high durability, waterproof, anti-slip surface, easy to install and is pet friendly. To name a few!

 

EvoCore 360 offers a host of benefits that will aid in adding an authenticity to your autumn interior design trend. Tiled and wood design, 360 click lock system can lay in herringbone pattern, and homewide suitability are just some of the benefits EvoCore 360 offers. 

 

Not only have you got a host of colours to choose from, with your light greys, and natural light oak shades to suit your chalky pink haven, but you’ve got amazing practical benefits too. 

 

EvoCore Nature again is suitable homewide, easy to maintain and has a real wood veneer, so you can bring a touch of the naturality of outside in. 

 

Another flooring type to complement this chalky pink style is laminate. Laminate is available in a range of styles and colours, including those needed to achieve this look, as well as being durable and hard wearing for those high traffic areas of the home!

Emerald Green

 

Our next autumn design trend that has made the list is bringing in the colour emerald green. While we’re about to tell you how to best fulfill this design trend, don’t worry, we aren’t about to suggest you go pick up the yellow bricks to form a road in your living room. 

What we are going to suggest, however, is that you get the paint brush out and lather your walls in this opulent complexion. 

 

This autumn interior trend has taken off, and really comes into its own when coupled with darker surroundings such as dark wood floors, seaweed coloured plant life and black framed images. 

 

Another tip to get the full effect of this affluent emerald green tone is to include luxurious textures. Velvet soft furnishings such as couches furnished with pillows of a darker scheme all aid in completing the look. 

 

Flooring to Suit this Trend

 

The emerald green tones bring ease in introducing wood flooring into this design as the emerald green echoes the outside world with natural colours. 

 

Bringing the dark wood flooring into the mix continues to replicate this feel, and as we already know from beautiful outdoor landscapes and scenery that these colours affiliated with nature look amazing together, we already know these will work in the home. 

 

Because dark wood tones would make an exceptional pairing with this design, EvoCore and engineered wood flooring offer a significant amount of benefits, and offer those luxurious forest tones. 

 

Solid wood however, needs a moment to shine. With a luxurious finish, low maintenance, the ability to sand down and refinish when damaged and a long lifespan, solid wood is a great option. 

However, where kitchens and bathrooms are concerned, solid wood should be avoided due to temperature and moisture fluctuations resulting in the possible expansion and contraction of the flooring due to it being made from natural materials. 

 

Alternative options to solid wood include laminate or EvoCore. Both of these flooring types offer an array of styles to choose from including in the darker wood tones needed to achieve this look, as well as having the suitability essential for these rooms.

 

Fun Bathroom Designs

 

Moving on to one of the more colourful trends on the list of autumn interior design trends of 2020: fun bathroom designs!

 

Now this one is a subjective matter, which is why we’ve included a few fun bathroom designs to give your creative side a kick in the right direction. 

 

Brace yourself for a whole lot of colour, patterns and funky designs. 

 

Patterns

 

This fun bathroom trend sees patterns fill our bathrooms and en-suites, and the quirkier the better. 

 

Complemented with typical, simple white bathroom furnishings, these patterns are made to stand out even more given the contrast of plain to patterned.

 

Bringing patterned accessories, wallpaper and flooring into the mix will give you the desired look.

 

Flooring to Suit this Trend

 

Where patterns are concerned, why not opt for the full package and add more patterns! Vinyl flooring is a great way to do this, available in a range of colours, styles and designs, including the popular tiled option, for bathrooms.

Vinyl is perfect for bathrooms in terms of practicality, too. It’s highly durable, waterproof, comfortable underfoot and doesn’t have to break the bank. 

 

Prints, prints and more prints!

Prints are another autumn home interior trend that have changed the game when it comes to creating a feature in your home. 

 

They started in larger rooms of the home, bedrooms, living rooms, and have now made an appearance in smaller rooms such as bathrooms, en-suites and downstairs toilets. 

 

Prints can be added to your taste level, whether you want to go for the more contemporary feel and go for just a few, or you want to opt for lots. And lots. And lots. The choice is yours.

 

Either way they made for a great addition, and focal point in a space that can often be hard to decorate due to their practical nature. Finding designs to fit around your bath tubs, showers and sinks can be hard. But not with this fun design idea.

 

Flooring to Suit this Trend

 

For this trend your flooring is dependent on the content of your prints. 

 

Quick tip: contrast the frame to other colours in your bathroom, and then match the flooring to the frames. 

 

Should you have darker frames, go for a darker flooring. Think rich wood tones. Avoid the greys and whites and rely on those coffee shades. 

 

Alternatively, if you have lighter coloured frames, white for example, flooring of a white, light grey or light oak would make for a great pairing. 

 

The EvoCore ranges are great options to consider when it comes to bathroom floorings. Their durability and waterproof features, among a host of other benefits, make it fully functional in withstanding the pressures of the bathroom. 

 

EvoCore is also available in an array of styles and designs, so this will help when finding a flooring working to your contrast. Both lighter coloured flooring is available to match your lighter frames, as is darker shades, to match darker coloured frames. 

 

Vinyl is another great option. As previously mentioned its practicality meets the needs of the bathroom, as well as being available in a range of colours, designs and patterns. So if you want to opt for further contrast, those tiled black and white floors are a great choice.

 

Pop of colour. Or two.

Adding a pop of colour is another great autumn interior design trend we’re loving!

Bright colours are a great way to achieve that wow factor in your bathroom. Typically, bathrooms are not the largest rooms in the home. So adding those bright summer colours to lighten up the place means it hits you as soon as you walk in. 

 

These colours also complement the features in the bathroom well, with them being white, it adds to the contrast, further brightening the pops of colour. 

 

Flooring to Suit this Trend

 

Flooring to complement this interior design trend of 2020, similar to other trends we’ve mentioned, work best relying on contrast. 

 

Often a darker wood flooring achieves the best option with brighter colours such as orange and yellow. Whereas darker vibrant colours such as greens, and blues would contrast better with lighter wood floorings.

 

But as we’re referring to a host of possibility colour wise, we’ll focus on the suitability for bathrooms. As previously mentioned, vinyl and EvoCore are great flooring options for this design idea, with a host of both practical and personal benefits suited to the pressures the bathroom delivers. 

 

So for bathroom designs, you’re definitely not short of interior design options.

 

Multi-functional Spaces 

 

Moving on to a more versatile autumn interior design trend of 2020. Multi-functional spaces. 

The last few years have seen a rise in open plan living spaces, thus creating a rise in multi-functional spaces. From living and dining areas, to kitchen and dining areas, or all three. 

 

With this home design, many more people are opting for segmentation. Whilst they desire the open plan living, a differentiation of the areas in the space is still desired. 

 

For instance, a different flooring type, colour or style in the kitchen space is used to what is being used in the living or dining area. 

 

Flooring to Suit this Trend

 

A great flooring option for this is EvoCore 360.

 

EvoCore 360 is the most versatile flooring on the market, featuring a 360 omni-click system, it allows for not only an easy installation, but the ability to lay in a herringbone pattern, mix and match colours and fit wood to tile together seamlessly. 

These abilities make segmenting these areas easily attainable. 

 

Not only that, EvoCore 360 has practical features that make it perfect for these types of living space. With kitchens often being a prime component of these open plan, multi-functional spaces, EvoCore 360’s being suitable home-wide, waterproof, easy to maintain, this not only makes a great flooring for segmenting areas, but it works well in all areas of the home. 

 

Orange

 

Finally, we’ve saved the most autumnal design trend for last. Obvious maybe, but introducing those crisp warm tones into your living space can produce a welcoming, cosy space to spend those colder evenings. Amber, rust and burnt orange tones naturally associate with autumn, supplying warm vibes that give the desired, comfortable setting. 

 

This autumn interior design trend can be delivered by introducing these colours in painting your walls with these autumnal shades, accessorising with pillows and ornaments of these shades, or hanging prints featuring these colours. 

Flooring to Suit this Trend

 

With this trend, to further enhance the cosy theme, bring in a darker wood floor. This will aid in darkening the room slightly, further adding to the snug, homely space. 

 

Usually actioned in living rooms where this trend can be appreciated to its full extent; lamps on, feet up and hot drink in hand, you have a range of flooring options to couple with it. 

 

With the better flooring options being colour-dependent, laminate, solid wood, engineered wood, LVT or EvoCore would all be ample options. 

 

These floorings all offer a range of colours and styles to match this design. 

 

Fallen For Fall Trends?

 

So you’re up to date with the latest autumn interior design trends and know how to achieve them. It’s now up to you to implement them!

 

Get started with choosing the perfect flooring to match your design by ordering free samples today. If you have any questions regarding your flooring purchase, get in touch with one of our experts now. 

 

 

The post Autumn Interior Design Trends appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

Yes, you can use LVT in your bathroom.  It is a great choice for any rooms that are prone to excess water and moisture, like bathrooms and utility rooms.  LVT or Luxury Vinyl Tiles are becoming increasing popular with homeowners.   The flooring is durable, waterproof and has very authentic and realistic designs. Read More

Did you know carpet is only truly made to last 5-15 years from its first installation? The fibers can even become frayed or matted in just 3-5 years! Is it time to replace your carpet? Having a hard time convincing your significant other that it is time to replace it? Here are eight signs that it is time

1. Water damage or mold 
2. Stains
3. Smell
4. Wear & Tear
5. Aesthetics
6. Age
7. Allergies
8. Old Padding Beneath

The Carpet Guy’s make it an easy process for the customer to get old carpet replaced with new carpet. The Carpet Guys want to help you restore your old carpet with brand new carpet to make your rooms beautiful in your home.  We will be taking out the old flooring and replacing it with brand new carpet and pad which we then give you a lifetime installation warranty with all new flooring installations. Then we will plan a maintenance program and tips to maintain the lifespan of the carpet.

Time to replace your carpet? Get a free estimate today! We offer a wide variety of styles and colors to specifically meet the needs of your home. Our experts are always ready to answer all your questions and help you decide which carpet is best for you! With many types of carpet to choose from we know it can be a bit hectic. That is why we offer our customers the ability to shop at home and bring all the samples directly to you! It’s the best way! Call today! 

The post How Often Should You Replace Carpet? appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

If you want to change the look and feel of your home, where do you start?

While a new couch or even a new shade of paint can make a big difference, the best place to start is with your flooring. Flooring sets the tone for your entire living space. And depending on whether you select dark floors or light floors, it will create a canvas you can continue to play up.

What’s the best choice: dark floors or light floors? Luckily, there isn’t a right answer. No flooring is perfect, each has its pluses and minuses. Only you can decide what’s suitable for your family.

But, if you’re trying to decide between the two, we’re here to help. We can offer some friendly advice, to help you make the best decision for your situation. Start with a few questions:

• What do I prefer, dark or light floors?
• What is the style of my home?
• Do I have a busy household that makes maintenance-free living a necessity?
• Do I have pets that add to the equation?
• How often will I have time to clean?
• How big is my home? How open are my rooms?
• What flooring choice will go best with my decor?

Even with simple questions like these, you might start seeing one choice pull away from the other.

Let’s compare cleaning

Nobody enjoys cleaning – wouldn’t you rather spend time with your family and friends? If that’s the case, there’s a distinct winner in which type of flooring you should choose.

Light floors have a distinct advantage over dark. Light floors show less of the dirt on your floors than dark. If you have a large, messy household, light can help you conceal it longer.

If you still prefer dark floors, consider lightening the shade you choose. Satin finishes are also better known for showcasing dirt on the floor.

Of course, you can always just clean more. Make it a part of the family chores, and buy the appropriate tools so you can make cleaning a snap.

What about scratches?

If you’ve ever had hardwood flooring in your house, you know scratches are unavoidable. Its soft surface means that the more wear, the more you’ll have slight imperfections, dents, and scratches showing through the wood.

Yet dark hardwood tends to show scratches even more. This is because most hardwood species are lighter in color, and stained to achieve the dark wood look. When a scratch is placed on the surface, it takes away the dark pigment, allowing the lighter wood to shine through.

If you want dark floors, understand they will take more maintenance. Instead of pushing out the timeframe to refinish the color, with dark wood, it may need recoating every three to four years.

No matter what color finish you have, you can consider buying a stain marker. They make them in all kinds of colors, and help camouflage the scratch until you can refinish the entire floor. This is an easy way to mask imperfections and keep your floors looking good.

Are dark floors or light floors better for a small home?

In general, dark floors will make any space look a bit smaller, and light floors will make the space a bit bigger. However, there’s more to it than that. Color is often an optical illusion, and you can play with color on both the floors and walls to change the way a room looks and feels.

When you see layouts with dark floors, they tend to showcase well in larger homes or homes with open concept living. If you’re worried about your space being too enclosed, you can change up the look by adding in lighter colored walls, and increase the amount of overhead lighting. Don’t block out the natural light with heavy shades or drapes. Let the natural light flow in.

Let’s talk costs – is one more expensive than the other?

When you’re shopping for new hardwood floors, you’re going to find all colors across the various price points. No matter what color of stain you choose, there’s going to be a product for you to choose from.

That said, you should always focus on quality as it will help with both upkeep and maintenance down the road.

Costs also are determined by whether you install prefinished floors, or will be handling all of the finishing work after installation.

If you’re finishing on site, more natural colors are often easier and will be less expensive to stain. If you have a specific color, are trying to go with a gray or whitewash color, it can take more coats to achieve the desired results. It may also be more expensive for a specific type of polyurethane. Specific flooring often requires different coatings depending on traffic and use. Talk with one of our flooring specialists if you have specific concerns.

How to select the right color you’ll fall in love with

The world is now being driven by technology in every aspect of our daily lives, renovations included. Maybe you’ve found flooring in a magazine you love. Or maybe you’ve pinned a bunch of samples, and one color of flooring keeps surfacing again and again.

Yet when you see it in person, you’re just not sure it’s you.

It’s good to know that what you see in print or online isn’t always the way it appears in person.

It’s okay to like something online, and change your mind on it once you see it in person. Better yet, take a few selections home with you, and lay them out in your room. Which looks better with your design? Which makes you feel happier when you enter the room? Be sure to see it in all lighting conditions, morning, noon, and evening.

Bringing home samples can also help you choose undertones of a particular color. If you have red-toned furniture, it might not look right with yellower hardwood. After setting up one sample near your favorite sofa, you may settle on a color quickly.

And don’t forget, you can further change the impact of a room by adding an area rug. You can bring out the color of the hardwood, and blend it with your furniture.

Which is right for you: dark floors or light floors?

We can help you make a choice, install it, and love it for years.

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

When it comes to providing flooring for your home, you have a lot of options. Two of the most popular options are 1-800-689-9006 and wood flooring. To learn about the advantages of laminate vs. wood flooring, keep reading.

One of the reasons people pick laminate flooring over hardwood flooring is because of the cost. Laminate flooring is a more affordable option for several reasons. One reason is because laminate flooring is made from synthetic materials and wood by-products. Laminate flooring includes a photo layer and a plastic protective surface. These materials are cheap, as is the installation process. If you opt for laminate flooring, expect to spend half as much money on installation as you would for hardwood flooring.

Another reason people lean towards laminate flooring is because of its durability. Solid hardwood flooring is susceptible to scratches and abrasion, while laminate flooring can hold up against routine wear and tear. Laminate flooring is made from pressed wood, making it harder and stronger than solid hardwood.

The third reason people pick laminate flooring over hardwood flooring is maintenance. Laminate flooring is simple to clean and maintain. All you need to do is sweep or vacuum the floors from time to time to remove any debris, dirt, or dust that collections. If there’s any spills, a damp cloth or mop will do the trick.

If you are hands on with your home upgrades and remodeling projects, laminate flooring is for you. Laminate flooring is one of the most DIY-friendly choices you can make for flooring in your home. In order to install this flooring, you will need a tapping block and pull bar, but these tools are affordable and easy to find.

To find the best laminate flooring, shop with Flooring.org. You can connect to our sales staff by phone at 1-800-689-9006 if you have any questions. You can also email us at [email protected]. We hope to provide you with flooring for your home!

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

Homeowners often dream of adding hardwood flooring to their homes for good reason. It’s one of the best investments you can make, especially if you’re thinking about selling. It looks good. It wears great. It can add a touch of class to any living space.

But when you start to price hardwood for your home, it can send your dreams spiraling downward.

We’re not going to lie; hardwood flooring is expensive. Depending on your final selection, it can be one of the highest costs in your home renovation.

But what we often see is homeowners attempt to get the dream while taking shortcuts too. They find a “good deal” and think they’ll have a great quality flooring. That’s rarely the case.

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

But there are still ways you can save on hardwood flooring, and love it for years to come. It doesn’t mean sacrificing in terms of quality or labor to get what you want.

A look at how much it costs for hardwood floors

When people decide to install hardwood floors, they focus on the price of the hardwood. But there’s more to it than that. If you get an estimate on how much it will be to add hardwood flooring to different rooms in your home, it will contain several costs.

Materials – this is the one place where the homeowner has the most flexibility in controlling the costs. You can stick with a more standard hardwood and keep costs low. Or bump it up to an exotic species, and you’ll spend more. You can even move into engineered wood, where prices will vary widely, depending on the veneer top layer and the plywood underneath.

Labor – contractors typically charge for labor based on the square footage of the space they’ll be working in. They also charge based on the amount of work it takes to lay the flooring into place. Hardwood will take longer than engineered wood. You’ll also pay more if your space includes irregular shapes, or you’ll be combining it with other materials for a unique look.

Other –  there are always unexpected costs that can arise during the project. Is your subfloor in good shape, or do the contractors find a problem? Costs are always based on what they can see at the time of the estimate. If something else arises during the process, it’ll cost more in the process. Plus, there may be costs for removing old flooring and hauling it away.

All of that can make your estimate a little shocking when you finally receive it. If you see hardwood planks on an endstand at your local big box store for a low price, and your estimate jumps up the cost significantly compared to what you calculated, these reasons are why.

If you want to install new flooring, and have the desire to save where you can, getting a handful of estimates will result in a variety of different bids. Why is one so much higher or lower than the others? How do you compare and make a selection?

Ultimately, it comes down to the materials. Every installer will have virtually the same amount of labor. They’ll have the extra costs of removing materials and dealing with unseen problems. Which means where they control costs is the final product they sell to you.

That’s why this is where you should put your attention. Look at the species, plank size and width, whether it’s solid hardwood or an engineered variation. Look at manufacturers and warranties. Understand the quality of the product.

And if you aren’t sure about something, ask. A reputable dealer will provide you with an answer that makes sense.

The easiest ways to save on hardwood flooring

If you’re getting closer to narrowing your choices down and installing hardwood flooring, here are few things that will help you save money and get the best product at the same time.

Adjust your desire for type or grade of wood

If you come into our showroom floor with one specific type of hardwood flooring in mind, you won’t have choices. It’s better to come in with a concept, and ask for variations around it.

For example, maybe you want dark hardwood floors. One of our associates can give you a variety of options. They can show you the differences between solid and engineered, as well as differences in species and color. They can let you feel different grades of hardwood. They can even give you advice on what’s worked for other customers.

Not every homeowner is the same. Maybe you like a little color variation throughout the planks. Maybe a narrower plank suits your needs. If you come in with an open mind, we can give you a wider array of options.

Install the hardwood yourself

This might not be a perfect solution for everyone, but for some, it is an option. If you have experience in home building and are an experienced do-it-yourselfer, installing hardwood can cut your costs in adding a new floor. Just keep in mind that hardwood is one of the most challenging flooring choices to install and get it right.

It’s important that you get everything in correctly, or you risk breaking the warranty. We don’t recommend installing unfinished and attempt sanding and staining yourself.

But if your goal is a DIY project, there are still lots of options. Instead of a traditional wood floor, maybe you move to a floating floor with click-in-place technology.

There are always options depending on your desires.

Split the work into multiple projects

If you find that your budget doesn’t get you everything you desire, you can always adjust the scope of work now, and add in other rooms later.

The good thing about hardwood is it lasts for a very long time. You can start with rooms in your main living space now, and add the rest as you save up.

If you’re going to do this, it’s wise to talk with a flooring dealer who understands the industry. Choose hardwood that stands the test of time, and will be there when you’re ready to add it to your home. They can also help you budget and select wisely, so it makes the most sense to your living space. They can make the entire process efficient, helping you save even more money in the long run.

What next?

It’s time to make your choice. How will you save on hardwood flooring, and get the home you truly desire?

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

Hardwood flooring is available in both a plank style or parquet block. The main difference is the size of the planks or blocks. Hardwood planks are long and thin planks of flooring, whereas parquet blocks are much smaller and uniform in size.  If you are trying to decide between the two, have a look at our information below.  Hopefully this will help you to make the right decision. Read More

Homeowners are spending more time at home than ever before. And when you spend hours shuffling from room to room, you start to notice the little details you’re missing.

Maybe it’s time to add new decor, something that makes your rooms feel homier.

Or maybe it’s time to get rid of the synthetic look, and select something more natural instead. Natural area rugs are growing in popularity for a good reason. It’s a great way to bring style and sustainability back into your modern home.

Both sisal and jute are eco friendly, sustainable, and biodegradable. We’ve seen them added into homes and bring on a country, minimalist, or even modern look, one that has homeowners raving about it for years.

There’s just something about bringing natural fibers into your home. And both sisal and jute rugs can do the job quite nicely.

Yet before adding a sisal or jute rug into your home, it’s important to understand the differences. They may have a similar appearance, but they are distinctly different in durability, softness, and texture.

What is sisal?

Have you ever toured the tequila farms in Mexico? Sisal is created from the agave leaves used in tequila production. The leaves are spun into a yarn-like material, and then weaved into fibers, rope, and twine. If you have a natural scratching post for your cat, in many cases, it’s made from sisal.

Sisal isn’t soft, but has a more coarse texture. It’s one of the strongest fibers you’ll find in nature, which is why they’re perfect for the busiest place in your home. Use sisal in entryways, hallways, and stair steps, and you’ll have a long-lasting effect.

Sisal fibers are woven together, bound by a cotton canvas that helps continue sustainability. You’ll usually find it sticking close to nature, with colors ranging from cream, wheat, beige, and greys. Sisal does hold pigment better than jute, so that the occasional color may be mixed in.

Because of the rough texture, they are not well-suited for areas where you spend a lot of time. If young kids play or crawl around on sisal, it can be rough on hands and knees.

They also tend to absorb moisture, so you should avoid areas where they will be in constant contact with moisture.

And you should never place them directly on hardwood, or any other surface that is easily scratched. Even with an underlay, sisal is rough enough that it will eventually wear through the pad, and possibly damage the floor as you walk on it.

Yet in the right place, they are simply stunning. Every single sisal rug is unique in its own way. You’ll find traditional textures and patterns such as herringbone, basketweave, and zigzag patterns. Select the right color for your home based on your needs. Lighter colors will show dirt easier. A mix of dark and light color patterns will wear better over time.

What is jute?

Like sisal, jute is made of natural fibers derived from Jute plants. Jute is grown mainly in Bangladesh and India from a tall, spindly plant that is also used to produce burlap. It comes with a natural light brown hue that can be dyed. But because of the color and texture, the hues will take on a more muted, earthy tone.

If you’re debating between sisal and jute for living spaces, you might move towards jute because it’s softer to the touch. Because jute comes from a plant stalk rather than leaves, it’s more flexible, softer, and has a cozier feel. You can walk barefoot across it and not feel a thing. That makes it a better choice in a busy household, for adults, kids, and your furry friends.

Because of both its texture and feel, it works well in all kinds of living spaces, including bedrooms, dining rooms, and family rooms. You won’t have to worry about jute scratching hardwood floors. And because of the natural earth tone, it can be a beautiful contrast against darker hardwood.

What we love the most about jute is it’s imperfect look. You’ll never find two rugs that look exactly the same, and it will give you a down to earth feel. Whether you create a rustic cabin in the woods, or prefer a beach house vibe, a jute rug may just be the perfect choice.

Is sisal or jute the right choice for your home?

Sisal and jute are both created from different parts of the plant. They are also harvested differently, resulting in different degrees of softness.

Sisal is derived from a stiff plant, its fibers are going to be significantly rougher and more durable than its counterpart, jute.

If you’re looking for softness, jute will meet your expectations. That’s why you’ll find it used quite commonly in decor materials for your home. It has a way of creating a cozy feel that homeowners love. Plus it has a soft texture, and equally creates a warm and comfy look and feel.

If you want rugged beauty in your living space, you’ll never go wrong with sisal.

If you prefer coziness and ease when you walk upon it, look more towards jute.

Of course, you can use both in different areas of your home, and love the results from both. Both are a great way to bring natural good looks to any room in your home.

It’s impossible to say which material is best. Because they are distinctly different, and it’s up to your preferences and needs that can push you towards one or the other.

Sisal rugs are durable and stiff, the perfect choice for high traffic spaces. If you want to install them onto stair steps, it can be the perfect way to make your home a little safer.

Jute rugs add a certain finesse to any living space. We love how the soft look yet bold designs give a sense of richness and depth wherever it’s laid into place.

Plus, both offer you a way to remove synthetics from your home once and for all. Both are eco-friendly, safe, healthy options you can use on your quest for greening up your home.

What’s the right choice for you: sisal or jute?

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

Call the Carpet Guy’s today for $375 off* vinyl flooring- 30 square yards or more!

The Benefits of Vinyl Flooring

Why vinyl you ask? It is an exceptionally durable option that stands up well to heavy foot traffic. It also does not require immediate attention to spills or wet foot traffic as it is waterproof! There is also a reduction of noise with vinyl. Which is important when it comes to kids and pet traffic. Vinyl is comfortable under your feet and easy to maintain!

Scratch resistant! We all love those words! Our homes are our sanctuaries and we want to be able to live in them without worry! Having the benefit of vinyl being scratch resistant is an amazing benefit. For instance, vinyl flooring is ideal for any basement, kitchen, bathroom, or pet room! In conclusion, it is a great option for pets who still are prone to have accidents.  

Why do people choose The Carpet Guy’s? The Carpet Guys is a Better Business Bureau accredited company with an A+ rating. Similarly, we are the only flooring company in southeast Michigan that holds the distinction of sitting on the Angie’s List Honor Roll.

We take pride in being there for all your flooring needs. Our company has maintains a exceptional reputation in Metro-Detroit as your leader in flooring and carpet installation since 2010! 

Contact The Carpet Guy’s today and we would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our flooring! Similiarly, you can use this link to schedule a FREE in-home vinyl estimate! Let us help you find the perfect style for your home!

• Free In-Home Estimates
• Free Design Consultation
• Appointments Available 7-Days a Week and Evenings
• Lifetime Installation Warranty
• Interest-Free Financing Options †
• Free Furniture Moving
• Professional Installation and Expert Service
• Quality Brand Name Products
• And so much more!

$375 Off Vinyl Flooring*

*30 sq yd or more. Includes basic installation, does not include extras. Valid only at the initial consultation. Offers may not combine any other discounts or special promotions. Cannot be applied to current or past orders. Some restrictions apply. See sales consultant for details. Sale ends 09/30/2020.

† Offer is for new applicants only and cannot be combined with other promotional discounts or special offers. Special financing subject to credit approval. Not all applicants will qualify. Minimum purchase and monthly payments required. Some restrictions apply. See sales consultant for details. Sale ends 09/30/2020.

The post September Vinyl Flooring Sale! appeared first on The Carpet Guys.

Fix and flips have become a popular pastime for many, thanks to the shows you can currently find on TV. The concept is simple enough. Find a great deal on real estate that may be a little rough around the edges. Purchase it at a very low cost. Then put some muscle into fixing the place up, and sell it for a nice profit.

Of course, once you buy it and start making decisions, you can see your profit margin slipping away. Every problem needs a fix, and the fix is often more expensive than you planned for.

So you try and cut corners where you can.

But cutting corners on important things may reduce your profit even more. Buyers want certain things in a new house, and if you don’t provide it or go for “cheap” instead of quality, it will impact the bottom line.

And the flooring is one of the prime examples where this process comes to light.

When you see a bargain in flooring, you might be tempted to install it. Will it really matter?

What is the best flooring for flipping a house? The answer might surprise you.

What is the best flooring for flipping a house?

We wish there was a simple answer to this question. But like every question out there, the answer for this one is: it depends. Before you settle on a particular type of flooring, ask yourself a series of questions.

What neighborhood is the house in? Your goal is to sell the house to a potential buyer who wants to live comfortably inside this new neighborhood. They want to fit in. They have the desires of other people currently living in this community. You wouldn’t want a Mercedes in a community that thrives on pickup trucks. Likewise, exotic hardwood wouldn’t appeal to a homeowner in certain neighborhoods.

What are your pricing goals? How much did you buy the house for? How much do you hope to sell it for? That’s your sticking point for the work you’ll put in it. If you blow the budget on flooring, it means other upgrades in the house will be lacking. Look at the overall project to determine how much you can put into each room and material.

What is your budget? Before you ever purchase your first tool or appliance, it’s important to determine how many individual projects you’ll be completing throughout the home. Assess how much of your budget you wish to spend on each room, each material or application. It’ll help you make wise choices as you make your selections.

Stick with flooring principles – they’ll win buyers every time

It’s easy for a “fix and flipper” to focus so much on profit, they forget that in the end, this is a home a family will love and want to come home to. Think logically with your choices, settling in on things you would want for your own family.

In the end, when it comes to selecting flooring, homeowners have a few principles they stick to across the line.

1. Consistency is most important. You don’t want a hodgepodge look. You should never have more than three styles of flooring in a home, and transitions matter most when creating flow.

2. Select hard surfaces over carpet wherever possible.

3. Carpet is for bedrooms only. You can install it in the basement if you’re adhering to a budget. But in all other cases, keep carpet at a minimum.

Let’s start with your main living spaces. As you walk in from the front door, cohesiveness is important. Start here with the flooring material you want to install, and use it on the main level as much as possible. Use the same flooring, the same color, the same pattern.

You will see a better ROI by making everything the same.

Next, think hard surfaces. Hardwood is preferred by most homeowners. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find the hardwood look in other products. Look at luxury vinyl planks. Consider laminate. There are amazing products in the marketplace today that can create a beautiful look at a reduced cost.

The smaller the home, the more you should consider using the hard surfaces throughout. If you do want to fall back on carpeting because of costs, add it to the bedrooms only.

A few flooring options for flipping a house

With all of these ideas in place, it’s time to select the right flooring for the home you’ll be putting on the market soon.

Hardwood

Hands down, hardwood is always a good choice. In every neighborhood, every price range, it’s the flooring people want.

Luckily, there are many ways to install it. You can stick with the standard materials, such as oak, and have the planks laid into place. You can choose finished or unfinished, having it stained after installation.

Hardwood is what people want, because it offers years – decades – of enjoyment. Homeowners know they can refinish it in the future and still have lasting effects.

Carpet

We’ve mentioned it several times, while carpet is economical, that doesn’t mean you should install it throughout the home. Presentation is everything when it comes to maximizing your profits. If you want to get all you can from the home, leave carpet in the bedroom.

Engineered hardwood

If you’re looking for a more economical hardwood, consider engineered hardwood. It gives the same look and feel of hardwood because it is real wood.

Engineered hardwood planks are created in layers to increase durability and moisture resistance. That makes it a great choice for laying throughout the home because it works well in basements and kitchens.

Plus, the potential homebuyers will love the look.

Luxury vinyl planks

There’s another entry in the marketplace that is catching decorators’ eye. Luxury vinyl planks are resilient, waterproof, and the perfect addition in many situations.

Because technology has increased so much in recent years, it’s often difficult telling this product apart from the real thing. But because it handles better in all situations, it’s a great choice for putting into bathrooms, laundry rooms, and below grade rooms like basements.

Plus it gives a crisp, modern look any homebuyer will love.

Are you fixing and flipping a home?

Then make the right choice for your situation.

What’s the best flooring for your fix and flip remodel?

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