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A Basic Guide to Caring for Your Oriental Rug

November 23, 2013 by

Home decorating comes as a passion for many homeowners. Both men and women love knowing they live in a place that feels like “home” and can claim it as their own. While it can sometimes be tedious to find the perfect décor for the home, with enough research and dedication to the project, the home goes from blank walls to a home fit for a king (or queen as the case may be).

A Basic Guide to Caring for Your Oriental RugAre part of your decorating plans to include an Oriental Rug? Great investment choice. But before you find the perfect design for you, here is what you’ll need to know over the life of your rug.

Caring for Your Oriental Rugs

Oriental rugs offer functionality and aesthetic appeal. They tend to be the sturdiest of rugs and resist wear and tear, stains and aging easily. In order to keep the oriental rugs in pristine condition, proper care needs to be taken on a regular basis.

Add quality padding.

Padding makes your Oriental rug more comfortable to walk on and will actually help extend its life. Moreover, the padding will minimize the wrinkling made by movement when you or your guests travel on it.

Avoid any water or spills.

Rugs, in general, absorb water moisture and can leave a lingering smell. However, with Oriental rugs, water causes even more havoc than traditional rugs since they are crafted of a heavy, hand-woven cotton material. Humidity, a form of moisture, causes rugs to shrink and will degrade the carpet fibers. If water spillage occurs, ensure to blot the moisture area with a white cloth or towel to help pick up any excessive water. Pick the Oriental carpet off the ground and carefully wipe underneath it as well.

Clean all spills immediately.

If food or drink stains, outside of water, occur it will be pertinent to clean up the stains immediately. The way you care for these stains can be the difference between a ruined carpet and a pristine carpet. Blot the area gently with a white towel to remove the excess liquid stain. Using a mild dish detergent with cool water, carefully scrub the stains – ensure not to scrub too far to prevent spreading the stain. Blot with a towel afterward.

Vacuum Periodically

Like any carpeting, vacuuming will help your Oriental rug withstand wear and tear and have a long lifespan. When vacuuming, never use a rotating beater brush attachment. They will cause excessive wear and tear on the rug and in some cases damage the Oriental rug.

For additional questions or concerns, just ask. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have, and show you new Oriental rugs that will add to the décor of your home.

For all of your Denver Hardwood Flooring needs visit our site today.

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Selecting Carpeting Based On Performance

November 20, 2013 by

Carpeting is one of the most actively sought out flooring plans. In a cold climate like Denver, warm carpeting under foot is just what you need after a day outside. But over time, carpeting wears out and its time to replace that once plush carpeting with something new. Yet if its been awhile since you’ve looked at carpeting options, you may be surprised at what’s on the market today. Start by getting to know what performance you can achieve with each type of carpet.

Selecting Carpeting Based On PerformanceWhat to Look For In a Carpet

  • Flame Resistance

All carpet should be flame-resistant, as it is a requirement for carpets. When sampling carpet, each should state the standards the carpet meets with fire-safety requirements. Some carpets melt slowly while others melt swiftly – know the difference.

  • Indoor Air Quality

When selecting a carpet, ask questions about the overall affects your carpet will have on your health. Yes, in today’s world, there are many options available to you, especially if you have chronic health problems such as asthma. Different types of emissions arise from different types of carpeting. They will be able to point you to the most health friendly options.

Also remember its not just about the carpeting. Adhesives can have an impact too; get carpeting adhesive that has low-emitting qualities to protect you better.

  • Appearance and Its Ability to Retain Form

One of the most basic attributes that should be considered when purchasing carpet is its appearance retention. Carpet is made of fiber, which makes it more susceptible to a “crushing” look, where feet push the fiber downwards as people step on it. The fiber type, height and overall density are all consistent with how well a carpet can keep its shape.

Dirt and debris buildup occurs easily on carpet – but buildups occur quicker on certain fiber types varying on their property. Ask your carpet retailer for information on which carpet will cause the least amount of soiling.

Ask about abrasion. While all carpets are manufactured to resist abrasion, it occurs occasionally on a carpet. Varying on the fiber type, you might realize that certain carpet types incur more deterioration and abrasion than others will do over time.

Increasing Carpet Performance

  • Place a high-quality padding underneath the carpet you purchase. Padding extends the life of the carpet by adding resistance under the foot, taking a lot of damage away from the carpet and adding it elsewhere.
  • Vacuum frequently in high-trafficked areas to prevent dirt and debris from piling up. When dirt and debris are left on the surface too long, the traction from feet pushes in further downward, causing more damage on the carpet.
  • Prevent excessive direct sunlight on your carpet. The heat from the carpet causes fading and wear the fiber tightness down, causing premature threading. Blinds, awnings and curtains should be placed in places where sunlight is in abundance.
  • Hire a professional carpet cleaner once a year at a minimum to help deep clean the carpet fibers. Carpet cleaning gives the carpet a longer lifespan than it previously would have had.

For all of your Denver Hardwood Flooring needs visit our site today.

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The Difference Between Pre-finished And Unfinished Wood Flooring

November 16, 2013 by

When considering hard wood flooring for your home or office, you will find yourself bombarded with choices. Wood flooring comes in a plethora of sizes, shapes, colors, designs, durability’s, prices, etc. As you are working your way through the maze of decisions, one choice that will drastically impact your flooring experience is whether your choose pre-finished or unfinished wood flooring.

The Difference Between Pre-finished And Unfinished Wood FlooringSo, what is the difference between the two options? Are there times when one option is better than the other? How do you choose between pre-finished and unfinished flooring?

Pre-finished wood floors have several advantages. Pre-finished floors are treated (finished) in a factory before they are installed in your home. This makes them less labor intensive, which in turn reduces the overall price. Since the flooring is finished before it is laid, the installation crew will not need to sand and treat the flooring after installation. This drastically reduces the mess and inconvenience in your home.

Pre-finished floors are a good choice when cost is a factor. Pre-finished floors are also good for homes with pets or small children, since they cause less mess and dust. And they are an excellent option for high traffic areas, since the finish tends to be more durable.

Unfinished wood floors have several advantages of their own. Unfinished flooring is a better choice if you currently have wood flooring in your home that you want to match. The installation crew will be able to match the flooring type better than if you used a pre-finished option. Unfinished wood floors are also a good choice for multi-room flooring projects. This allows for a greater unity and uniform staining/color of the final product.

Pre-finished and unfinished wood floors each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Knowing ahead of time what you want and what these flooring options can offer will allow you to make the best choice possible for you and your home.

For all of your Denver Hardwood Flooring needs visit our site today.

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What Is Parquet Flooring?

November 13, 2013 by

Wood flooring has grown to be the norm in Colorado households. We love the rich look and the warm feel it gives to every room in the home.

But sometimes its good to step away from the norm, and give your house a unique look that’s all your own. If you don’t want to stray too far from wood, consider parquet flooring instead.

What Is Parquet Flooring?Parquet flooring is made up of wood pieces that are joined together to create a mosaic-like effect. Original parquet flooring was made from blocks of different wood. It was laid over tie bars in patterns and nailed into place. This type of flooring became very popular among the wealthy in the 1700s. It sometimes replaced a patterned marble floor, and it was useful because it did not trap moisture or encourage rotting joists.

Designing with parquet flooring

Parquet flooring is more than lying a few pieces of wood together. Instead, designers use geometric formations to create a truly beautiful floor. Popular parquet flooring patterns include basket, herringbone, chevron, and brick. The more you are willing to spend, the more intricate and original the design can be.

Parquet flooring can utilize one wood type, or can combine woods for an even deeper and richer design. Popular woods for solid parquet flooring include oak, walnut, cherry, and pine. Rare woods such as mahogany, ebony, and rosewood can also be used for very special floors. The style of wood determines the richness of color; therefore if you move into tropical hardwoods, you’re more likely to have rich and vibrant colors. But keep in mind that will add into the cost as well.

Most parquet flooring will use geometric designs with lines and angles. The use of curved shapes is known as marquetry. While curves can add an entirely new sense to a floor’s design, curves are more difficult, and therefore are not used on a regular basis. If you have something specific in mind, ask your flooring expert. They can achieve almost any look you are looking for.

Caring for parquet flooring

Luckily, parquet flooring is easy to maintain. The surface should be vacuumed and/or swept every other day. The floor should also be mopped at least once a week to pick up any other dirt that did not swept up. Never saturate parquet flooring with water or allow water to puddle on the floor – it is wood and will be damaged with extensive exposure to water.

Like hardwood flooring, parquet flooring is essentially low-maintenance. Yet after years of wear, it may need a little help now and then.

If your parquet flooring gets scratched, you should sand it down. Then, apply a generous coating of floor wax to repair it. For extensive damage, see an expert with knowledge of parquet flooring. Because parquet is pieced together, in some cases an expert can repair damage without an extensive overhaul to your flooring.

For all of your Denver Hardwood Flooring needs visit our site today.

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Are Linoleum and Vinyl Flooring The Same Thing?

November 9, 2013 by

One of the most frequent questions we are asked is “Are linoleum and vinyl flooring the same thing?” And its easy to see why its confusing.

The answer is no.

The only similarity between the two is that both linoleum and vinyl come in sheet format – on a roll versus in tile format.

Are Linoleum and Vinyl Flooring The Same Thing?The differences start during the manufacturing process.

Linoleum is made from natural components like linseed oil, tree resin, wood and cork flours, limestone and pigments, and jute for the backing. Linoleum was created by sheer accident back in the 1800s when linseed oil oxidized into a skin on a paint can. Because linoleum is the traditional flooring used in many kitchens and commercial locations like schools in the past, it can easily evoke memories from childhood experiences.

Vinyl is made from vinyl, felt, fiberglass and dyes. Therefore overall vinyl will not be as eco-friendly as its linoleum counterpart. Also, vinyl is made using a chemical process – different brands offer different pros and cons – if VOC (volatile organic compounds) or of concern to you, make sure you ask for vinyl flooring choices with low VOCs.

When it comes to care and maintenance, linoleum will require a bit more care. Both linoleum and vinyl are easy to clean, yet require different cleaning products. Linoleum is more sensitive to cleaners and strippers, so always look for neutral detergents. Linoleum also needs occasional polishing when the flooring begins to dull and regular cleaning no longer works. Vinyl is more resilient, and does just fine with regular cleanings.

Vinyl offers a wide variety of colors, patterns and styles, but in the overall spectrum, linoleum wins out on color choices. Linoleum does take on a yellowish cast to the floor that is formed during manufacturing process. This tint is temporary and will disappear over time as it is exposed to light.

If you have any questions about how a color or style will look in your home, bring home a sample and see how it blends in with your décor. Which ever you choose, linoleum or vinyl are two choices that you and your family will love.

For all of your Denver Hardwood Flooring needs visit our site today.

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Tips For Buying Carpet Remnants

November 6, 2013 by

Looking to buy carpet for a small room in your home? When it comes to finding an inexpensive way to makeover a room, your perfect choice may be to look at carpet remnants.

Tips For Buying Carpet RemnantsCarpeting comes in roll format. When a customer purchases carpeting in large quantities, one or multiple rolls of carpeting may be used. Yet in many cases there will be leftover carpeting that stretches beyond what the customer purchases. Because its not enough to cover an entire home, it goes back into stock as a carpet remnants and in many cases is the perfect size for smaller areas of your home. Because they can’t be used for large projects or sold to cover your entire home, they are also sold at a discounted price.

Remnants can be found in a full spectrum of colors and styles. If you’re trying to stick with certain hues or match colors from one room to the next, chances are you’ll find the perfect match waiting for you. Yet before you buy a carpet remnant, keep these tips in mind.

1. Before you start shopping for carpets, measure your room and get the exact dimensions of the space you’ll be carpeting. The ideal piece of carpeting should be slightly larger than your room size. If you allow at least 6 inches in both length and width, you’ll have plenty of carpeting to fit wall to wall.

2. If you have an add size room – one that is substantially longer than its width – be patient in your carpet search. If you can find a carpet that provides you with a long enough piece where you won’t have to have a seam, it will last longer and provide better wear coverage.

3. When buying carpet remnants, most people are looking at cost savings. But there is one area where you shouldn’t cut corners; that’s in your padding. Padding is what gives your carpet its wearability. Ask about remnant padding – you may be in luck. But if not, spend wisely and invest in a quality pad to extend the life of your flooring.

4.Will you be using the carpet remnant as a rug instead of wall to wall carpeting? Have the edges professional finished or bound in order to prevent them from fraying and becoming a problem down the road.

5. Shopping for carpet remnants means you can’t be choosy about what you purchase. Its all based on availability and what customers have purchased recently. If you have something specific in mind, talk with the salesperson about potential – they may be able to give you an idea of what normally comes through and what they expect. They can even watch for specifics if they know what you need.

For all of your Denver Hardwood Flooring needs visit our site today.

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Maintenance Tips To Keep Your Hardwood Floors Looking New

October 30, 2013 by

Installing hardwood floors is one of the easiest ways to bring beauty and elegance to your home. The appearance of hardwood flooring is unlike any Maintenance Tips To Keep Your Hardwood Floors Looking Newother type of flooring – it just naturally adds an air of sophistication to your home. When you have hardwood floors installed, you want to make sure they look beautiful for many years to come. The following maintenance tips will help you keep your hardwood floors looking like new.

  • Use floor protectors under all of your furniture. The feet of your furniture will scratch and gouge your beautiful new floors, so make sure you always use protectors to keep your flooring safe from damage.
  • Avoid mopping. Too much liquid on your hardwood flooring will cause damage, such as the swelling and warping of boards. If you must clean your floor, try dry mopping or using a mop that is just barely damp. Then, immediately dry your floor after to ensure that the moisture is not absorbed into your flooring.
  • Clean up any spills immediately! The reason for this is the same reason why you should avoid mopping – the liquid will damage the flooring.
  • Sweep and vacuum your flooring often to remove surface dirt that not only diminishes its luster, but can also damage the flooring.
  • Use rugs in high-traffic areas to protect the flooring from wear and tear. Rugs will also provide an additional layer of warmth and comfort under foot.
  • Keep your pet’s nails clipped and clean up any accidents immediately. Your pet’s nails can scratch your flooring, and their accidents can damage the flooring.
  • Sand and re-finish your flooring when it starts to look damaged and worn. Yes, this can be a process, but it will be worth it to have floors that look brand new once again.

With the right care and maintenance, your hardwood flooring will bring many years of beauty to your home.

For all of your Denver Hardwood Flooring needs visit our site today.

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Tips for Transitioning One Floor into Another

October 27, 2013 by

Have you ever walked into a home and immediately sensed something was wrong? The tile entryway fed into a wood hallway, which fed into a vinyl kitchen and a carpeted family room. The floor wound up looking like a mismatched patchwork quilt. It was too much and simply through the rooms off balance.

Tips for Transitioning One Floor into AnotherIt all comes down to proper transitioning of one floor into another. And there are ways you can do it and make it aesthetically appealing as well.

Don’t mix up too many different types of flooring. Instead of focusing in on each room as a separate entity, look at it by floors instead. Standing from your front doorway, what rooms can you see? With an open floor plan you may be able to see entryways, hallways, dining rooms, kitchen and even family rooms. The patchwork feeling comes when you can take in to much contrast at one time. The more the rooms flow together, the more uniform you should make your flooring choices.

Use two different kinds of wooden flooring. They can work together if they are different in color, and on different levels of the house. For example, you can use a darker wood floor in one room and a lighter wood in an adjoining room. The lighter shade will pull out some of the deeper shade, creating a nice contrast. This also works beautifully on two different levels and areas of your house.

Use materials that have similar hues. Coordinating colors in different flooring gives a seamless feel that makes the transition to different floors pleasant on the eyes. If your tiling has grey undertones in the kitchen, continue with the grey theme into the family room carpeting.

Create flow in the flooring. A good example of this is using wooden flooring in one area of a room and stone and wood flooring that flows into each other seamlessly. This creates flooring that works together rather than abrupt changes in material and color.

Remember that you don’t need to use the same flooring in every room in your home in order to make it look and seem bigger. When you coordinate flooring, you can make transitions that will allow your floor to flow from room to room for a gorgeous look!

For all of your Denver Hardwood Flooring needs visit our site today.

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Kitchen Floors: Dark or Light?

October 24, 2013 by

When planning out the flooring in your home, prepare yourself for some difficult decisions. Choosing flooring might sound easy, but with so many available choices, it can be easy to get overwhelmed.

Choosing the right flooring is especially important in your kitchen because this is the heart of the home. You want your kitchen to be perfect, you want it to be a warm and welcoming room inside your home.

Kitchen Floors: Dark or Light?Before you start stressing over patterns and colors for your kitchen floor, you need to make one basic decision – light or dark. Once you make that decision, the rest will fall into place.

When deciding between dark and light flooring, you have to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Dark flooring is always a beautiful choice. It provides an elegant look to any home. For instance, dark wood flooring can make a kitchen look and feel sophisticated without being overwhelming.

However, it is also important to remember the disadvantages of dark flooring. It may be beautiful, but dark flooring requires upkeep. Dust will quickly show up on a dark floor, along with light-colored hair, like those from a shedding pet. Are you prepared to stay on top of the dust and grime that can diminish the beauty of a dark floor?

When it comes to white flooring, there are several advantages. White flooring helps make a room lighter and brighter. It also adds to the overall feeling of sterility and cleanliness that you want in your kitchen. White flooring looks pure, bright and elegant. However, just like dark flooring, it requires careful maintenance. While dust and light-colored fur may blend in with white flooring, dirt and mud tracked in on the bottoms of shoes is quickly going to create an eyesore.

When choosing between dark and light flooring, make sure you are prepared for the maintenance. Then, decide the kind of ambiance you want to create – crisp, clean and pure or warm, rich and comforting.

For all of your Denver Hardwood Flooring needs visit our site today.

Filed Under: Flooring, Wood Floor Tagged With: ,

Tips for Adding New Kitchen Floors for the Holidays

October 21, 2013 by

The holiday season is right around the corner and replacing your floors is on the top of your “To Do” list. The arrival of family members, close friends and colleagues in the upcoming months frightens you since you want your home to be in tip-top shape.

So how can you quickly prepare yourself to get a new kitchen floor before your guests arrive?

Research Flooring Types

PTips for Adding New Kitchen Floors for the Holidaysreparation beforehand will be necessary for you to get the kitchen floor of your dreams promptly. Whether you intend to make it a DIY project or hire a contractor, this step of the process will be vital.

While you may already have an idea in mind, if you haven’t looked at flooring in a while, a little research can go a long way. There are many options available to you in today’s marketplace. Begin online and view all of your options with general pricing per square foot for each material. Consider going through model homes to see what they are using. Then stop by the store and look through an array of options.

Natural wood, laminate, linoleum, tile and natural stone will be amongst your top choices.But even with each of these categories comes a variety of options, styles, sizes and colors. Don’t be afraid to stretch a bit from your original expectations. Wood flooring can quickly merge into bamboo or even cork – both with have many benefits in a kitchen environment.

Get Your Kitchen Measured

While it may seem like an easy step to take – just measure the dimensions of the kitchen – there are many aspects to replacing a kitchen floor. For instance, do you have a center island that will have to be removed to remove old flooring, thereby increasing the amount of new flooring you’ll need?

While a contractor is in your home measuring for your new kitchen floor, you can also discuss other options. What will you do with thresholds into other rooms? How will you blend two flooring options together? By actually seeing your location, a contractor may have viable options you would never think of in a flooring store.

Visit the Flooring Store

When you’re picking out flooring options, rarely will you visit the store for a quick tour and select the perfect choice for you. Instead, plan on spending some time going through your options. You may even wish to take a sample or two home to compare. Make sure the color matches your cabinets. Or the style matches your furnishings.

While you make a new flooring choice every 10, 15 even 20 years or more, the flooring contractor makes decisions several times a day. They can give you advice on what will wear the best, and what most people enjoy the most over time. They can assess your wants and needs and help you make the right decision for you.

Install New Flooring

Ideally, hiring a contractor to do the job will get the job done quicker and ensure it is ready by the Holiday season, especially if the holidays are only a few weeks away. You need to be prompt in your decision, but be concise. Ensure the person being hired is capable of doing the job correctly. Have them send you references ahead of time to ensure quality and efficient work.

For all of your Denver Hardwood Flooring needs visit our site today.

Filed Under: Flooring Tagged With: ,
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