Posts Comments

Choosing Fire Resistant Flooring

May 10, 2014 by

Living in Colorado has its benefits. How great is it to be close in to anything you need in Denver, yet also have a short drive to all the Rocky Mountains offer throughout the year?

For many of us, we choose to live in an area that provides the benefits of both. Castle Rock, Boulder, Evergreen – many cities give you the convenience of big city living while giving you the feeling of living in a remote area surrounded by trees. While you may love the feeling most of the year, when fires rip through various communities around the state, you are reminded of the dangers.Choosing Fire Resistant Flooring

A lot of what prevents your home from burning is based on the outside construction and landscaping. But if you are thinking of replacing your flooring, keep in mind that some floors are more fire resistant than others.

Porcelain Tile – Tiling is always a great choice for kitchens and bathrooms. Porcelain tile can stand up to heavy foot traffic, is easy to maintain, and will last for years with normal wear and tear. Because porcelain is crafted from fine clays and minerals fired at extremely high temperatures, it makes it resistant to bacteria and odors, and one of the most fire resistant materials available for flooring.

Concrete – Concrete is one of natures toughest building materials, so much so that many insurance companies offer lower fire policies on homes constructed of concrete versus traditional wood. When it comes to flooring, concrete doesn’t have to be reminiscent of the old basement floors. Today’s concrete provides a smooth, strong, heat and scratch resistant surface that can be molded to fit any shape, and is available in a wide spectrum of colors.

Bamboo – Bamboo floors is one of the fastest growing trends in residential homes. Bamboo takes on a hardwood-like look and feel that people love, yet offers many benefits hardwoods simply don’t offer. Like being made from a sustainable resource. And having a natural fire resistant attribute perfect for our Colorado homes.

Cork – Like bamboo flooring, cork is also growing in popularity. It’s the perfect choice for many rooms in your home. In kitchens, it provides a comfort factor especially if you like to spend hours in the kitchen designing your next meal. Its easy to maintain, and has a natural fire resistant quality as well.

Redesigning your living space to be more fire resistant? Come in today and see all the flooring choices that would be a perfect addition to your home environment.

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

Filed Under: Flooring Tagged With: ,

Q&A For Cork Flooring

May 6, 2014 by

Is cork flooring good for my kitchen?

Yes. Cork has a natural softness to it that makes it comfortable to stand on for extended periods of time. However, cork isn’t made for excessive moisture, so be sure to place a rug or mat in front of sinks or other appliances where water spillage or food spills are common. Use felt pads under furniture to avoid marks.

Is cork flooring good for my bathroom?Q&A For Cork Flooring

If you choose to use cork in the bathroom, extra precautions are needed. Because cork absorbs moisture, its important to caulk the perimeter of the room prior to installing moulding or baseboard. This will prevent spills from damaging the sub-floor or walls. Also make sure joints are completely sealed, and use only recommended products for care and maintenance.

Why should I consider cork flooring?

Cork floors are as durable as many of the other choices you may be considering. And it has the added bonus of being environmentally friendly as well. Cork is produced from a renewable resource: from the bark of a cork tree that when peeled off, won’t damage the tree. Cork is antistatic, sound absorbing, insulating, and hypoallergenic, making it the perfect choice for many rooms in your home.

Does cork flooring come in colors?

Yes, like many other flooring choices, you will have a vast array of choices when you decide to install cork flooring. The easiest way to see your options is to stop by and look at our samples.

I’ve done a little research and seen WRT by cork floors. What does that stand for?

WRT is wear resistance technology. It’s a multilayer UV cured finish on a cork floor that provides high resistance to abrasion, scratches and stains without changing the natural texture of the flooring.

Is cork good for a home with pets?

Only you can know your pets behavior. For the average pet, cork flooring will uphold its natural beauty just fine. Cork floors are coated with a finish that could be scratched with heavy use. Keeping your pet’s nails trimmed will help retain your flooring natural beauty for years.

Is cork flooring new?

While cork flooring is only recently seen a rise in popularity here in the US, cork has actually been used in homes throughout the world for more than a century. It has many attributes that are perfect for home use, including comfort, warmth, easy maintenance and a look that blends in with any style.

Stop by today and see our full selection of cork flooring. It may be the perfect choice for your home.

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

Filed Under: Flooring, Wood Floor Tagged With: ,

Laminate Flooring – The Perfect Choice For Your Commercial Location

May 3, 2014 by

Thinking about upgrading the flooring in your commercial location?

A versatile option that was developed to meet a homeowner’s need of having a durable flooring choice can also be a great option for commercial locations: laminate flooring.Laminate Flooring – The Perfect Choice For Your Commercial Location

Laminate flooring is a great option when you’re looking for a material that withstands heavy traffic, requires minimal maintenance, and looks great in the process. With a look and feel of wood, yet more durability than traditional wood can offer in heavy traffic situations, laminate is an affordable alternative worth considering.

Start with your choices. When it comes to look and feel, your choices are in abundance. Because laminate flooring is designed to replicate some of the hottest looks in flooring, you can choose from a variety of styles and colors to fit with your needs. Tile, wood, stone – its all possible with easy installation.

Consider the AC rating. Laminate flooring is subjected to AC ratings designed to provide you with how durable the flooring is and how much traffic its designed to take. Laminate flooring is rated from AC1 to AC5.

  • AC1-AC2 laminate flooring is better suited for residential applications and is designed for moderate traffic. Dining rooms, bedrooms, and other areas with smaller amounts of traffic is best.
  • AC3 laminate flooring is designed for heavy home traffic or moderate traffic in a commercial location. In a residential design, major hallways, entryways and kitchens would all do well with an AC3 laminate. In commercial locations, hotel rooms or small offices with minor traffic throughout the day will keep its look for many years to come.
  • AC4-AC5 laminate flooring is perfect for heavy traffic in commercial locations. Think restaurants, offices, public buildings and department stores.

When making your final selection, always lean towards durability. It will give you the best results, especially if your commercial location is one in which you’ll see fluctuations in the amount of traffic it receives.

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

Filed Under: Flooring, Laminate Tagged With: ,

10 Reasons Why Laminate Wood Flooring Is Right For You

April 29, 2014 by

Is laminate wood flooring the right choice for you?

Laminate wood flooring is being selected for homes all across Colorado because of its look and feel, which replicates real wood, yet has the added benefits of being durable and requiring much less maintenance than its traditional wood counterpart. Here are a few reasons why laminate wood flooring might be the perfect choice for you.

10. Laminate wood flooring is not made of real wood, giving you a perfect look every time. With traditional wood flooring, people often contend with different patterns and looks depending on the wood selected. With laminate, you’re assured a perfect look with uniformity throughout.10 Reasons Why Laminate Wood Flooring Is Right For You

9. Laminate wood flooring is scratch resistant and also resists wear. It’s the perfect choice for highly active families with kids and pets that use each room in your home for a variety of activities.

8. Laminate wood flooring is stain resistant. This can be especially important in a kitchen that is heavily used, or an entertainment area that sees activity regularly with the many sports events on TV every weekend.

7. Laminate wood flooring will not fade with exposure to sunlight. And in Colorado, if your south facing walls have the beautiful windows you love, yet your floors never have, this could be a big advantage.

6. Laminate wood flooring is versatile and can be used almost anywhere in your home. However, keep in mind that laminate flooring does not do well in extreme wet or humid situations. If your basement is consistently subjected to water from flooding or other underground problems, you may want to choose another type of flooring.

5. Want warmth no matter what the weather is like outside? Laminate flooring can be installed over radiant heating, giving you warmth where you want it most.

4. Laminate floor planks can easily be replaced and installed if you use a common glue-less floating method of installation. Perfect for higher traffic areas where accidents can and will happen.

3. Laminate flooring never needs waxing or polishing like its real wood counterparts. This can save you money and time over the years as you avoid hiring someone for the project.

2. Laminate flooring is a very forgiving material, meaning there is an option that can be installed over many of the problem areas throughout your home. If you have questions about an area, wondering what choice is right for you, just ask. We can provide you with a variety of options.

1. With a special underlayment, laminate wood flooring can reduce the foot noise often associated with wood or laminate flooring options. Making your house a quite place to do what you do best.

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

Filed Under: Flooring, Laminate Tagged With:

Cork Flooring Throughout Your Home

April 26, 2014 by

Cork flooring is one of the best kept secrets around. But its quickly losing its secrecy – here’s why.

Cork flooring has a unique look that makes it look like a hardwood floor. Until you step on it. That’s when you’ll know its different as the surface beneath your feet gives way, providing your with a soft, cushiony feeling that’s surprisingly comfortable for walking on, standing on, and even sitting on.

In addition to the feel, there are many more benefits to cork flooring. After you weigh the odds, come in and feel it for yourself. Then consider it for some of the main rooms in your home.Cork Flooring Throughout Your Home

Temperate Flooring

If you’ve ever had tiles in a kitchen, you know how they feel under your feet on a cold winter morning. The only way to solve the coolness is to install radiant heating under the tiles to get rid of that fridged feeling. But with cork tiles, you won’t have that feeling. Cork has an insulation quality because cork is made up of tiny air pockets that act as a cushion to insulate the surface. That means heat will be retained instead of seep out of the room, making your room more energy efficient.

Sound

The same insulation properties that make a cork floor retain heat and coolness will also help block out unwanted noise. If you live in a multilevel home, it can help block out noise filtering to the rooms below.

Maintenance

Cork flooring is a softer material than hardwood, which means it will show wear over time. Maintaining it means regular sweeping and vacuuming to remove dust and debris that can scratch the surface. A damp mop can also be used to remove stains. Keep in mind that furniture legs, high heels, or other sharp objects can cause chunks of material to rip from the surface. If you are thinking of installing cork in a high traffic, high entertaining area, this may be something to consider.

Cork flooring can be refinished to remove scratches and dents every few years. However, unlike hardwood, it can only be refinished a few times before the thickness wears thin. Refinishing every 5 to 10 years with a polyurethane finish will accent the natural features while creating a strong protective coating over the surface. With proper maintenance and refinishing, a cork floor can last upwards of twenty five years.

Which rooms are best?

Cork flooring is soft, hypoallergenic, antimicrobial and in general a great choice for many rooms throughout your home. Living rooms, bedrooms, family rooms and even kitchens are a great place for cork. However, because of the humidity and water in a bathroom, cork typically won’t hold up well in these rooms. Also think twice about installing cork in a room where you’re kids will be playing with toys and roughhousing.

But if you’re looking for a soft alternative that looks beautiful too, cork can be a welcome addition to any room in your home.

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

Filed Under: Flooring, Wood Floor Tagged With: ,

Colorado Pro Flooring Celebrates Earth Day 2014

April 22, 2014 by

In April 1970, the very first Earth Day was celebrated as a way of launching a movement that began to look at our environment in different ways. It brought about action such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act and much more.

This year its focus is on Green Cities. As we as a population move from countryside to cities, we bring about a whole host of issues in the process. Living in such close proximity to one another means we need to rethink everything we do, from our transportation to our energy and water usage.

In order to help celebrate Earth Day, we would like to provide you with a few tips to think about as you transition into new flooring materials for your home or office, and different ways to use green and sustainable products.Earth Day

What is sustainable flooring?

Sustainable flooring is produced from sustainable materials that reduces demands on our ecosystems during its life cycle. To be sustainable, it must see reductions during the harvest, production, use and disposal process.

What qualifies as sustainable flooring?

Really, flooring options that meet sustainable requirements are vast. If you have a preference, you can probably find a sustainable option.

Wood is obviously at the top of the list. Trees absorb carbon, taking it out of our environment. Once its harvested and used as flooring, the carbon stays in the wood, meaning it continues to stay out of the atmosphere. When looking for wood flooring options, choose products made from specific environments that are maintained and reused over time. You can also look for reclaimed wood floors in which the wood was taken from a different source and is now used as flooring.

Bamboo is an up and coming source that is making its way into homes across America. Bamboo is a fast growing grass that is natural, water resistant, anti bacterial, and durable throughout your home. If considering bamboo, make sure you choose one with a backing made without formaldehyde, a toxic substance.

Like bamboo, cork flooring is also moving into the limelight. Cork is made by removing the bark without hurting the tree, meaning you can continue to get product without hurting the environment in the process. It is naturally anti microbial and has excellent insulation properties. Cork also has low VOC emissions, but make sure you check the finish applied to ensure it is truly sustainable.

Finally, if you love the feel and warmth of carpeting, it still makes the list. The key is to look for natural or recycled carpets using natural fibers such as cotton, wool, jute or coconut husk, or made from recycled food/drink containers. To make it sustainable, make sure you use adhesives that and non toxic, and it does not contain added finishes for stain or fireproofing.

Happy Earth Day!

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

Filed Under: Flooring Tagged With: ,

How To Choose Tile For Your Kitchen

April 19, 2014 by

When its time to update your kitchen, even little projects can have a huge impact.

If you don’t have the desire to do a complete remodel, even something simple like changing out your flooring can set the stage for an entire new look. A dulling vinyl switched to a beautiful tile, for instance, can add appeal and value to your kitchen area.

Typically people choose tile in the kitchen for two reasons: it looks great and its one of the easiest flooring to maintain. If you have dogs and cats, or children of any age, maintenance is a big deal. With tiling, whatever they can dish out, your floors will take and keep looking great in the process.

How To Choose Tile For Your Kitchen

Your first task when choosing kitchen tile will be to decide what type of tile to install: stone or ceramic. Stone is a natural product that is taken directly from the earth. The three most common types of stone are granite, marble and limestone, with granite being the hardest.

In all circumstances, stone is a porous product, which means it is easily stained in its natural form. In order to resist staining and discoloring, you will have to seal and maintain it over time to keep its beautiful, natural look. Because the color runs all the way through, scratches won’t expose a different color. Yet the more polished the surface is, the more it will show marks and scratches. Something to keep in mind when installing on walls and countertops.

Ceramic tile is made from clay either sun baked or dried in a kiln. There are hundreds of options when it comes to choosing clay, each with their own characteristics and performance. Color is applied as a glaze at the time of sealing, so every color you could ever want is an option. Because color is surface only, it will show scratches that move through the color and down into the clay itself.

What tile is best for you and your family is usually based on personal preference, and ultimately your lifestyle.

  • Do you entertain a lot?
  • Do you have pets, children and all ages moving in and out of the kitchen daily?
  • Do you have large windows with lots of light?
  • Do you want easy maintenance?

With so many choices, its easy to find the perfect style for you. Yet the key is to listen to advice as you are making your final selection. Many clients have come in and chosen with their hearts, only to be disappointed because of the maintenance required       – something they weren’t expecting. If maintenance is a big deal – bigger than the final look – make sure you make a selection that fits your lifestyle first. With so many choices, you can find the perfect look and make your home liveable at the same time.

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

Filed Under: Flooring, Tile Tagged With: ,

How To Choose Tile For Your Bathroom

April 15, 2014 by

Like any home improvement project, remodeling your bathroom usually starts when you see something new. Maybe you’ve watched a home improvement show on HGTV. Or you’ve looked through the latest edition of Better Homes & Gardens. And there you see it; the perfect bathroom.

Except what you see in the magazines or on TV isn’t what you’ll find for your own bathroom. Instead, when you walk into a tile showroom, the first thing you usually feel is overwhelm.

With so many styles, colors, options, materials and finishes, where will you begin?

How To Choose Tile For Your Bathroom

Before you start your project, take a step back and start your planning process. What motivated you to want to redo your bathroom in the first place? What images or samples spoke to you? Do they fit within your current home décor?

There are many options available; some will be more traditional, some will help you keep historic perspective, some are sleep and modern. While they all look good on their own, if you begin combining looks in your own bathroom, things will quickly look out of place.

Create a portfolio of colors and styles you like. Print images from online, or cut pages from magazines and include them in your file. Then take pictures and draw out the thoughts for your new space. Will you keep the structure the same, or will you be moving things around and changing things up? Have you always dreamed of a steam shower, and now is your time to add one to the master bath? Whatever your dreams, make sure you include them in your concepts.

Then determine where you will include your new tile. Bathroom tile is usually in one of three places: the floor, the walls, and the counters. If you will be tiling walls, its usually at a wainscot height of 36 to 42 inches tall, shower height, or floor to ceiling. Take full measurements so you know how much tiling will be required in each area. This will also help when choosing tile, as patterned

Tiling doesn’t have to be the same in every location. However, it does have to match and blend. And if you are tiling the wall, it has to match and blend in with your fixtures as well. For instance, in the shower, fixtures should be centered within the tile layout for optimum effect.

There are lots of details to keep in mind as you select and finish your bathroom. Don’t worry, as a tiling expert, we can offer lots of solutions for you as you move through the process. Come in today and let us show you are complete line of tiling, and how it will look in your finished bathroom. You’re going to love the look.

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

Filed Under: Flooring, Tile Tagged With: ,

How To Find The Perfect Company To Install Your Hardwood Flooring

April 12, 2014 by

We’ve all heard the horror stories of hiring the wrong contractor. He took the money and ran. He used less than reputable products. He spent weeks longer doing the job. The problems began within weeks of the finished job.

The list of complaints goes on and on.

When it comes to finding the perfect company to do business with, especially for a major project that will heavily impact your home, where do you start? How do you make sure you don’t hire a “shady” contractor, and have stories to tell for the rest of your life?

How To Find The Perfect Company To Install Your Hardwood Flooring

Start by looking for a company that specializes in one thing. If you want a new hardwood floor, make sure they are specialists in flooring. A jack of all trades may spend one week on drywall, the next on flooring. Sure they can do it, but do they know the intricacies to make it perfect? A flooring contractor does nothing but floors, and knows how to watch for the little things that will impact your final product the most.

Look for a company that goes the extra mile. Many of the horror stories start by hiring a “local company that operates out of the back of a truck”. Look for a company that has stood the test of time. Do they have a retail location? How long have they been in business? Are they licensed, bonded and insured? Do they have connections with other organizations around the community? Reputable people work hard to build their reputation, and it should be fairly easy to verify.

Be specific about your needs. If you want a wood floor extended into areas that are currently carpeted, say so. If you have a kitchen island that may be a problem, talk about it. If you have wood floor that is currently warped, mention it. The more a flooring company knows about your current situation, the more they can direct you to the perfect product that will provide you with the results you are looking for.

Pricing should not be your determining factor. Many people have theories about pricing – throw out the lowest and highest bids and select from there, for instance. The problem with that is in many cases, the bids aren’t equal in the first place. Make sure you get detailed quotes, and ask questions so you understand the differences. In some cases companies use different products, or may not include things they will try and charge you for later. Make sure you understand everything from beginning to end before you make your decision.

Finally, this is a short term relationship. Once you hire a contractor, he will be in your home for a short period of time for installation purposes only. Make sure you meet the contractor upfront, and go with your gut feeling. Do you connect? A lot can be said for connection.

Then welcome into your home, let them do the job you paid them for, and enjoy your final results.

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

Filed Under: Flooring, Wood Floor Tagged With: ,

What’s The Best Flooring for Commercial Common Areas?

April 2, 2014 by

Commercial common areas need to have durable flooring that can withstand wear and tear and plenty of foot traffic. When it comes to the type of flooring, which is best: Carpet or bare floor? There are various advantages and disadvantages of choosing between commercial common area carpets and bare floor. Here are some comparisons for both:

What’s The Best Flooring for Commercial Common Areas?Style

In terms of style, carpets come in many colors, materials, and design. This adds flexibility and variety in choices in aspects of color schemes and textures. Floors made of tiles, wood, or parquet on the other hand gives a rather bare effect making the area look more spacious.

Quality

Quality of carpets depends on the manufacturer. There are high end carpets that are made of organic materials while the low-end varieties are usually made from synthetic materials. It is expected that durability of carpet depends on how it is used, but on the average, specifically wall to wall carpeting will need to be replaced within five years. Floors made from tiles, wood, or parquet on the other hand are expected to last for decades.

Maintenance

Common area carpets need more maintenance care than bare floors. Regular vacuuming and disinfection is required to avoid accumulation of dust, dust mites, and molds, especially when there is heavy foot traffic in the winter months. Bare floors do not require as much care as that of common area carpets with the exception of wooden floors, which require layers of polyurethane coating to protect wood from scratches and warping.

Cost

Wall to wall carpeting or common area carpets cost less than installing tiles, wood, or parquet on floor. When choosing wall to wall carpeting for your commercial common areas, request for an initial quote hat includes the total area to be covered, the cost of installation, and maintenance costs.

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

Filed Under: Flooring Tagged With: ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »