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Using Area Rugs To Accent Your Home

June 21, 2014 by

Using Area Rugs To Accent Your HomeLooking for a great way to accent your home’s décor, while protecting your flooring in the process? With unlimited possibilities in color, style, texture and sizing, an area rug is the perfect way to bring out the beauty in your home.

  • If your home is vibrant and bold, an area rug can bring out the art deco look with bright color blocks in the hues perfect for your decor.
  • If your style is simplistic and clean, look for earth toned colors with a natural look. Focus in on finding natural materials, such as sisal, jute or other natural fibers.
  • For a retro flair, look to shag carpeting in any color of the rainbow. Those fluffy, long fibers will make any room pop with style.
  • For high traffic areas, such as the dining room, food and drinks may spend as much time on your floors as they do the table. Choose busy patterns that can hide those pesky stains that simply won’t come out. And choose darker colors with a tight weave that will keep dirt and grime from sinking in faster, giving you time to remove it completely before it becomes permanent.
  • If your goal is to add style, elegance and a touch of sophistication, stick with the traditional Oriental rug and you won’t be sorry. Their patterns are intricate and the ever-popular floral motifs will never go out of style.

Choosing color, style and texture is all a part of the fun. But don’t forget there are many other choices to be made.

  • What room is the rug for?
  • How much wear will it receive?
  • Is it in full sunlight?
  • Will it get wet on a regular basis?

Think hallways. Think entrance areas. Think staircases.

Each of these areas in your home have to survive unique conditions on a daily basis. A rug in front of a sliding glass door to the backyard, for instance, may deal with streaming sunlight and a wet dog coming in and out of snowy conditions.

For these conditions, focus in on choosing patterns and colors that won’t easily fade, and will accept wet conditions without losing their looks. Make sure they are easy to clean, and do so on a regular basis to maintain their look and feel.

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

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Flooring and the Low VOC Home

June 18, 2014 by

If you have allergies, asthma, a chronic condition, or are simply aware of things around you that can lead to a less-than-healthy lifestyle, remodeling to make your home safer and chemical-free may be at the top of your list. If that’s the case, one of the best places to start is at the bottom … with your flooring.Flooring and the Low VOC Home

With many flooring options, you’ll find the bad with the good. From synthetic fabrics, to toxic chemicals, there are many things you will find that aren’t appealing, and just as many that are. Here’s what to look for.

Wood

Wood flooring will be at the top of your list as an option for your home. Wood is a natural product that’s easy to maintain, easy to keep clean. If you are worried about chemical sensitivity, make sure you choose a natural wood that doesn’t include aromatic oils. You can find many non-toxic, wood finishes that will keep it looking good without the toxic and high VOC fumes. Keep in mind that wood is prone to mold if kept in high concentrations of moisture. Make sure it is kiln-dried and kept dry from production to laying inside of your home. Also, if you have a concrete slab under the area that you will be laying the wood, make sure the installer doesn’t use glue. Use formaldehyde free plywood for installation instead.

Tiles

Ceramic tiles are a natural product that will also give you a low VOC flooring option. Tiles automatically come as a chemical free option; where you have to spend your time is in the installation and maintenance process. When laying tiles, make sure you ask about grout, glues and the sealers that will be used for installation. Depending on the type of tiling – slate, marble, or any porous tile – re-sealing will be an ongoing process to maintain its clean look and feel. Choose a non-toxic tile sealer to keep your home chemical free with low VOCs.

Stone

Where tiles are manmade using natural products, stone takes the concept of natural to the next level. Depending on the stone selected, you will need to be concerned about the installment process in the same manner as with tiling. Be sure to choose natural grouts, clues and sealants. Focus in on finding non-toxic options, and your stone will remain a top quality option for years to come.

Other Options

There may be many other options available to you, depending on your tolerance level for chemicals and your desire to have a low VOC home. Natural linoleum can be a great product for some, though it does require yearly maintenance with a linseed oil application, which has naturally occurring VOCs. Cork is a natural product, but does require frequent waxing. Look for a natural wax and this could be a great option for your home. Also focus in on how the cork floor will be laid, as some glues are more toxic than others. Bamboo is also an option for many of the same reasons as cork. Just be conscious of how the bamboo flooring will be adhered to the floor during installation, and what products can be used to maintain it throughout its life.

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

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Thinking Of Refinishing Your Hardwood Floors?

June 14, 2014 by

One of the greatest benefits of installing hardwood flooring throughout your home is its longevity. With a little love and TLC, it can last for decades.

As a part of the maintenance process, hardwood flooring will on occasion need refinishing. The problem begins when most homeowners don’t plan for the process, and therefore forgo it for when they have more time. Without planning for it in advance and making the time, refinishing is often one of those things that gets put off indefinitely, until the wood is too forgone to save. Then it becomes an even more expensive task as the only way to make it look great again is to replace it.Thinking Of Refinishing Your Hardwood Floors?

If you are wondering how long it will take to refinish your hardwood floors, here are some key points to keep in mind as you plan.

First, you need to decide if you will be using an oil based polyurethane or a water based polyurethane. Typically oil based polyurethane takes longer and lasts longer, but more people typically like the looks of oil based.

In general, it usually takes anywhere from three to five days to use oil based polyurethane to refinish hardwood flooring.

If you are going with a natural look with no stain, often three coats or polyurethane will do. After a coat is applied, it must have 24 hours to dry, assuming the weather is dry and humid conditions are not present. So for three coats of polyurethane, three days should complete the project.

If you will be staining the wood, it will depend on how dark of stain you will be using and how many coats will be needed. Dart stains typically need longer drying time, and your flooring should be dry before the polyurethane is applied. A dark stain may need anywhere from 24 to 48 hours, and when you add in the three days for the three applications of polyurethane, a full five days will typically complete the job.

Another factor that will add into your time frame of refinishing will be the square footage of your home. A 1000 square foot living and kitchen area can easily be sanded in one day. An entire home with 3000 square feet or more, plus adding in detail work like hallways and staircases, can add into the time needed for sanding and repair.

When the dry time is complete, its still a good idea to continue letting the polyurethane cure for as long as possible. Consider taking shoes off and only wearing socks for a number of days following the refinishing. Keep furniture off the floors for a few extra days, especially if it has tiny legs that will put intense pressure directly onto your flooring.

Water based polyurethane will cut your time both in application and in drying time. If you are in a huge rush, this can sometimes be a solution that will work for the shorter term. You can usually move furniture back onto the flooring within 24 hours,

Whether you are thinking of refinishing your current wood floor, have questions about your existing flooring, or are looking to replace your flooring, we can provide you with answers. Stop by or give us a call today.

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

Filed Under: Flooring, Wood Floor Tagged With: ,

Improve Your Flooring And Sell Your Home

June 11, 2014 by

Putting your home up for sale? Every realtor will tell you the best thing you can do is spend a little time cleaning and decluttering your home before the for sale sign goes up, and in some cases a little maintenance and remodeling may add value as well.

In today’s market, depending on your price point, homes are selling quickly. Yet by giving your home an edge over others on the market, it may boost your chances of a quick sale even more.Improve Your Flooring And Sell Your Home

People can paint a room themselves, and can imagine their artwork hanging on the walls. But one thing that’s hard for most people to remove from their minds is a floor that is anything but clean and ready to move in. Yes, those dirty carpets that won’t come clean no matter how hard you try will have an impact.

Yet you are moving. Do you really want to spend money improving the flooring? And if you do, will you recoup what you put into it?

The short answer is … it depends. Again it depends on the market, and the market is always changing.

If changing out the flooring is a priority, and you know you will have a lot of friction from potential buyers if you don’t, here are a few things to consider.

Don’t go too cheap

You’re moving. You would rather invest in something nice in your new home. Why not head to the cheapest place in the store and choose the least expensive flooring you can find? Its tempting. Yet put yourself in a buyers shoes. Sure, it may look better than what you had in before. But is it really what a buyer will truly want? This will be their new home, and they want looks, style and longevity. Make sure they see value, and will find something that will both look nice and last well into the future as they put their personal touch in other areas.

Stay neutral

That bright red tile is on sale for a reason. While some homeowners can use color well when remodeling their homes, its not something you should try when your intent is to sell. The more color you have, the more difficult it becomes to find a buyer that has the same tastes. Instead, a neutral color will appeal to almost anyone, as they know they can add their own style with paint color and by adding accessories.

Improve the main living areas for most impact

Instead of redoing the flooring throughout your home with the lowest quality, lowest priced choice you can find, consider upgrading and improving the main living areas for most impact. A wood floor, even if its laminate, will have a huge impact if it stretches from front door to back, throughout the living room, family room and kitchen.

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

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Kitchen Flooring For Aging In Place

June 7, 2014 by

What’s the most popular, most used room in your home? The kitchen. And while we all want a kitchen that is well put together and beautiful at the same time, more important is that it meets safety requirements for every member of the family.

As baby boomers age, remodeling no longer means modernizing the décor; in many cases it means upgrading rooms so that they can age in place, staying in their homes for as long as possible.Kitchen Flooring For Aging In Place

If you are upgrading your home’s kitchen, and want modern design along with lifelong functionality, the best place to start is at the bottom: your flooring.

As people age, their bodies begin to lose muscle tone, bone mass, and things like inflammation of the joints may occur. Balance can be thrown off even by ordinary tasks. Add in reduced vision or eyesight problems, and even the most subtle things that never impacted us before can turn into monumental problems.

One of the most popular flooring choices has always been tile. Ceramic tiles are beautiful and functional. Yet they are also made of clay and baked until they are very hard. The problem with hard flooring is it has no give, no absorption. This creates fatigue and discomfort for people with joint problems as they stand and prepare even the simplest of meals. And when fatigue sets in, risk sets in. All of a sudden there is higher risk for falls, and if you go down on a hard floor, risk of injury skyrockets as well.

A better option is something softer with more give and flexibility. And luckily there are many beautiful alternatives in every style and price range.

  • Cork flooring
  • Bamboo flooring
  • Laminates
  • Vinyls

These floorings all have some give or bounce, and will help alleviate some of the discomfort from prolonged standing or activities.

Another thing to keep in mind is the slip factor. Ceramic tiles can have potential slip hazards when liquid is spilled on the floor. By choosing other flooring products that have a bit of a texture to them, you can still have traction even if you miss or overlook the spill.

If you want to be friendly to the environment as well in your upgrade, cork, laminates and engineered flooring all have a green factor, as well as low maintenance requirements. If you’ve always used tiling because it was the “in” thing to do, stop by today and consider the main options you have with your kitchen flooring. In the long run, you’ll be happy with your choice, and feel good about it too.

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

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Flooring Guidelines For Aging In Place

June 3, 2014 by

Aging in place … we’re hearing the term more and more. With baby boomers moving into their 60s and 70s, and aging parents demanding more attention, one of the concepts we’re spending even more time thinking about is well being. How can we live comfortably at home for as long as possible?Flooring Guidelines For Aging In Place

In most cases, what prevents the elderly from staying in their home is safety. If they can’t access all necessary rooms without taking stairs, if they have rooms that are a risk for falling and functioning, the only option is to move to a safer place. But if you plan early on before the risk factors set in, and redesign your home with the age-in-place concept, its much easier to remain in the comfort of your own home for a much longer period of time.

Where do you start? The most obvious place is at the bottom: the flooring. If you can’t move around safely and comfortably from room to room, it’s the first reason you’ll have to move to some place you can.

Things to consider:

  • All flooring should be smooth, non-glare, slip resistant surfaces, both on the interior and exterior of your home.
  • Carpets should be low density, with a low pile of ½ inch or less, with firm pad that makes walking on it easy.
  • Be careful of tripping hazards as one room changes into another. Many homes have rooms divided by different flooring choices – hardwoods in living areas, carpet in bedrooms. When transitions are different elevations, it can cause tripping hazards for shuffling feet.
  • Color and texture can throw off perception, especially in low light situations. Make sure transitions are well lit and easy to see as you move from one room to another.
  • Consider wheel chair access. While you might not need it now, how easy would it be to move from room to room, especially with significant changes in flooring? The smoother you can make the transitions, the better functionality you will have.
  • Also consider entryways from the outside in. What materials are used as you enter the home from the front, back, and garage doors? How large of a transition is it? Is it easy to maneuver both walking, using a walker or cane, as well as a wheelchair?

The more time you spend looking and planning now, the easier it will be when you reach the point of needing a little extra help. Talk with your flooring consultant about the best products available for your age in place needs.

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

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What Do You Do When Your Tile Is Cracked

May 31, 2014 by

Tile floors can be an elegant addition to any home. Yet one of the things that will ruin the look is a crack.

If you’ve noticed a crack in your tile flooring, the first step is to find out why its there.

In some cases, it may be caused by dropping something heavy. In other cases, it may be a mystery, having occurred without your knowledge of how it got there. Houses settle over time. If you’ve had the tile installed for a long period of time and a crack suddenly appeared, its probably due to a shift in the foundation that made your floor no longer level.What Do You Do When Your Tile Is Cracked

Other causes could be the wrong materials were used during the installation process, something we see occurring frequently in do-it-yourself projects gone wrong. If you don’t lay the tile with proper backing, the tiles can move and settle, leaving space for a crack to occur.

If the crack or chip isn’t too badly damaged, you can try and fill it in and paint over it. Buy a tile epoxy or adhesive, then apply it to the crack and let it dry. Using a paint color uniform to the tile color, touch up the crack to make it blend in as much as possible.

If the damage is too big to fill, you can remove the tile entirely and install a new one in its place. To get rid of the old tile, place a protective cloth over the tile and shatter it with a hammer. Then clean the tile away leaving a clean surface for the new tile to be installed. Match both the tile and the grout as close as possible for a smooth look.

Depending on the extent of the tile damage, you may wish to bring in a professional to repair your tile. One or two tiles may be easy to fix; repairing large areas of damage, or areas with intricate detailing can be difficult to repair and still have it look uniform throughout. They can help you match tile and grout effectively, bringing your flooring back up to the original look and feel.

There is a reason tiles have been used throughout homes since Roman times. They are durable and attractive, as well as easy to maintain. With a little TLC when damage occurs, you can continue enjoying your tiles for years to come.

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

Filed Under: Flooring, Tile Tagged With: ,

3 Questions To Ask Before Installing Carpet

May 28, 2014 by

Nothing says home like changing the flooring in your living area. And in many cases, the warmth of a room can be traced to the carpeting installed on the floor.

Yet choosing which carpeting is best for you and your family can sometimes be a daunting task. When it comes to flooring, asking the right questions from the beginning can make all the difference in a successful room makeover.

1. How can I find the best carpet for my home?3 Questions To Ask Before Installing Carpet

Everyone has a budget for their flooring upgrade. The best place to start is there. When you work with a flooring expert, share your budgeted allowance up front. Keep in mind that a complete room will involve the cost of the carpet, the padding, and any labor that is involved for installation plus improvements if needed to repair the area being carpeted. Look to warranties on both the padding and the carpeting for longevity. Also consider how much it will be to remove old carpet, and haul it away.

Then share as much as you can about the area you will be carpeting. Bedrooms have different wear patterns than family rooms. Colors, patterns and styles can all be used to create a warm living environment while giving you the wearability you expect.

2. How can I make my installation process smooth?

Installing carpeting involves more than bringing in new carpet and stretching it to the length of your room. All furniture must be removed, making way for the installation process. Your installer will also need to have a level subfloor to work with once old flooring is removed. Will you be switching from tile or hardwoods to carpets, or simply replacing existing carpeting? Have you had any problems that have required your floor removal, such as a flood? The more your contractor knows up front about what to expect, the fewer surprises you’ll have during the entire process.

3. How can I love my carpets for years to come?

Carpeting is relatively easy to maintain – regular vacuuming and professional cleaning will keep it looking new for years. Yet during the installation process, you can also work with your contractor to give you added benefits. Talk about where doors are located to make sure you have adequate clearance if the carpet comes up to or moves from room to room. You can also talk about options for seam replacement; placing it inconspicuous areas, or areas covered by furniture will cause less wear and showing down the road.

Are you ready for new carpeting? Stop by today and see the many options we have ready for your new flooring project.

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

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Choosing Bathroom Tiles

May 24, 2014 by

Where are you most likely to find tiles? In a bathroom. This is largely because bathroom tiles make the room hygienic, water resistant, and easy to maintain.

In addition, choose the right tiling and you’ll add value to the bathroom. Who doesn’t like a well put together bathroom, especially when its one of the busiest rooms in your home?Choosing Bathroom Tiles

Bathrooms can accommodate all types of tiling: ceramic, porcelain, travertine, slate or stone. Ultimately it comes down to the look you are trying to achieve at a price you are willing to pay.

Hygiene

When most people think bathrooms, they think tile because they give a fresh appearance and at the same time are easy to clean. Although tiles are water resistant, they aren’t waterproof. Which means in areas they will withstand constant moisture, such as the tub and shower areas, its important to waterproof the area after tiling. This process will prevent potential water damage from occurring behind the tiling itself.

Size

Tiling is a personal choice. However there are a few basic tips to keep in mind. Avoid using large bathroom tiles in a small bathroom. It will dwarf the room and cause a closed in feel. If you choose too small of a tile, the continual grout lines can cause a somewhat sterile atmosphere. Which of course leads many people to choose medium sized tiles to create a visually pleasing look. You should also consider how much space you have between walls, windows and fixtures.The less you have to cut tiles, the more appealing the look will be.

Color

Light color tiles (whites, creams, tans) will give your bathroom a larger appearance as they reflect the light. Dark colors absorb the light, making your room smaller in appearance, yet at the same time giving it a dramatic look. If you combine floor tiling with wall tiling, keeping the grout similar hue, you can create a spacious look and feel that will please everyone.

Is tiling cold?

Many people worry about installing tile in a Colorado home because of our cold winters. Won’t the room be cold under these conditions? Tile naturally retains heat, so overall tile will not cool the room. However, it does matter what subflooring you have in place. Wood allows the space to breathe, keeping it warmer year round. If its placed on concrete, you may wish to consider undertile heating to provide instant heat whenever you choose.

Need ideas for your bathroom remodel? Stop by and see everything we have on display. Plus talk with our design experts to begin putting your concepts in place. You’ll quickly find things you gravitate to, and find the perfect choice to make your bathroom your favorite room in your home.

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

Filed Under: Flooring, Tile Tagged With: , ,

How To Choose Tile And Grout

May 20, 2014 by

Ready to add tile to a room in your home? The first place most people start is with the tile itself. What color do you prefer, light or dark? How big of tile do you prefer?

Its easy to focus in on the tile, but there is one more thing you should start planning for before you visit your tile flooring center to make your final selection: the grout.How To Choose Tile And Grout

Grout color has a huge impact on the aesthetic value of the design. It can turn your tile selection from “ho-hum” to “wow” just with a simple change in color. Yet choosing grout color can be a bit confusing. How do you know which direction to go?

First, start with your tile selection. Do you prefer solid color or printed patterns? Will you be using porcelain or ceramic tiles, or are they natural stone? Will you be using large squares in uniform pattern, or different sized tiles in a mosaic pattern? All will help you determine how the grout will play in to the overall effect you are trying to create.

Then decide if you want the grout to blend in, putting more emphasis on the tile, or have it stand out, adding to the overall color scheme of your room. Each option offers different advantages. Its not always about the tile; consider all the color and fixtures you will use in the room to help you determine how subtle or dramatic you want your floors to be.

If you want the grout to blend in, choose a grout color that closely matches the edges of the tile. When grout and tile colors are similar, the installation has a more uniform look. The grout joints are less visible from a distance, making the overall flooring blend into one unvarying pattern. Keep in mind that a blended look will require more maintenance, especially if you select lighter colors, to ensure the colors continue to match and blend over time.

If you want the grout to stand out from the tile so the tile pattern is more visible, choose colors that contrast with your tile. Color differences between the tile and the grout can create striking patterns. Both the grout joints and the tile edges will be more visible, and the tile layout pattern more apparent. The greater the difference, the more noticeable the pattern will be.

When choosing contrasting colors, be sure to pick colors that complement each other to avoid an off balanced look. Also consider caulk colors to ensure they match your overall design as well.

When in doubt, spend some time with one of our tiling consultants to help you choose the right look for you. And as with any flooring choice, you may wish to bring small samples home to get a better idea of the finished look in your room, in different lighting situations.

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

Filed Under: Flooring, Tile Tagged With: ,
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