Category: Flooring

How To Clean Engineered Wood Floors

Keep your Engineered Wood Floor smudge and dirt free with this handy guide from the experts. For floors that add immediate warmth to a room without compromising on character, engineered floors are high quality, durable and incredibly easy to clean. Not to be confused with laminate flooring, engineered wood floors are the flooring type for the future: they sport the look and feel of real hardwood, without the disadvantages of cost and restrictions of placement. Engineered wood flooring is made up of a combination of laminate and hardwood, formed of a series of high-density layered fibres. This layering technology gives these floors greater support, meaning that they can tolerate greater fluctuations in temperature and moisture levels. Whether you’ve already taken the plunge, or are just browsing, if you’re are worried about how to maintain your new engineered wood floors, let us put your mind at ease. To keep your wood floors looking like when they were first installed, all you need to do is follow a few simple steps: mop up spills immediately, stick to a regular cleaning schedule and use the right cleaning agents. Go for easily maintained, stress-free engineered wood flooring – one of the many reasons why engineered floors are one of our most popular floor types. Read on to find out how to leave your floors spotlessly clean.

THE BENEFITS

There are numerous benefits to installing engineered wood flooring as opposed to solid hardwood floors, lower cost being a significant one. Engineered wood floors are incredibly budget-friendly, and come in a variety of colours, finishes and board sizes. This means that you often have more options than if you chose a solid hardwood floor type. Engineered flooring is extremely long-lasting, made from multiple solid layers that give the floorboards the strength and finish of solid hardwood. These floors can also be re-sanded up to two or three times, and then re-varnished or lacquered, to remove signs of unsightly stains and scrapes. Engineered flooring has come a long way in the last few years – many people cannot tell the difference between solid and engineered wood. Engineered wood floors look just as good as authentic wood, without the costly disadvantages. This floor type can be laid down more easily, even as a beginner DIY project, and can be placed in bathrooms, kitchens and with underfloor heating as it doesn’t expand or contract. This is an affordable, durable, maintenance-friendly wood floor that will suit every home.

PREVENTING MOISTURE

One of the most common problems associated with wood flooring is moisture. Because wood is a natural material, it expands and contracts in response to levels of moisture in the air. This can lead to unsightly cracks and blemishes in the wood, and even buckling in some cases. While engineered wood flooring does not carry the same risk as solid wood, it still sports a hardwood upper and so care must be taken when it comes to maintenance. If you’re particularly concerned about the problems that high moisture levels can cause – for example, you’re placing new floors in a moisture-rich environment, such as an under-ventilated bathroom or basement – you might consider taking moisture readings of your subfloor for peace of mind. Another easy tip is to leave the planks of wood in the room where they will be laid down so that they acclimatise to the environment, reducing the risk of damage. Prevent stains by watching out for spills. While engineered floors may be laid down in kitchens and bathrooms, it’s important to clean up all spills quickly, particularly when they develop into puddles of standing water. This is even more important for chemical spills, which can cause irreversible staining and damage if not mopped up quickly before they have dried.

REGULAR MAINTENANCE

Keep your floors looking as good as new by implementing a consistent cleaning routine. Sweep floors three or more times a week to remove debris and prevent scratches. Always sweep your wood floors before you mop for ultimate cleaning. Try to properly mop your floors at least once a week. Some experts recommend using a microfibre mop on engineered wood floors to stay ultra-gentle, but using a regular mop is also fine, as long as it remains damp and not soaking wet. Add a few drops of specialised engineered wood floor cleaner to water and submerge your mop, making sure to wring out as much water as possible before you begin. For very hard-to-remove stains, try mixing white vinegar and hot water in limited amounts – though always check with your manufacturer beforehand. It is also possible to carefully vacuum your new wood floors without causing damage. Just make sure that your vacuum is lightweight, with a hardwood-mode or recallable harsh bristle bar that may cause scratches.

 

Know Before You Begin

Hardwood’s arch nemesis is moisture, especially standing liquid that’s allowed to absorb below the surface. This can cause the floor to expand, warp and cup. This should always be your primary consideration when cleaning hardwood. Always wipe up spills immediately and don’t allow liquid to pool. Additionally, you should avoid putting any product on your floor that contains ammonia, wax, solvents, bleach, detergents, polishes or vinegar. Never use steel wool, stiff cleaning brushes or steam cleaners on hardwood.

Tools and Cleaners

Check with the flooring manufacturer before selecting a cleaner, but Bona floor cleaners, made specifically for hardwood, are often a great option. You’ll need a gentle hardwood floor cleaner, a microfiber mop and a vacuum.

 

DO:

• Use walk-off rugs at doorways to help prevent dirt, grit, and other debris which can get tracked in and scratch the floor.
• Immediately wipe up any spills with a slightly dampened cloth. You may want to place an area rug near kitchen sinks to avoid water on the floor.
• Use a wood-cleaning product to remove dirt and oil buildup. If the wax finish on your wood floor is discolored or has a heavy dirt build-up, use a combination liquid cleaner/wax specifically made for wood floors.
• Follow the instructions on the bottle to avoid damaging the surface.
• Avoid wax buildup under furniture and other low traffic areas by applying wax in these spots only every other waxing session.
• Put stick-on felt protectors under the legs of furniture to prevent scuffing and scratching. Replace these often as dirt and debris embedded in the pads act like sand paper on the floor surface.
• Use a humidifier to minimize gaps during the winter months when you are running heating throughout your home.
• Use blinds or curtains year-round to prevent harmful UV rays from discoloring your floors.

DON’T:

• Do not use vinyl or tile cleaning products on wood floors. Similarly, never use self-polishing acrylic waxes on wood floors.
• Do not wet-mop or steam mop your wood floors. For wood flooring in the kitchen, place an area rug at the kitchen sink.
• Do not over-wax a wood floor. If a waxed floor dulls, try buffing instead. If buffing no longer restores shine, you may need to rewax. If so, apply a cleaner and liquid wax specifically for wood floors. Apply the wax evenly, allow the floor to dry, and buff to the desired luster.
• To avoid scratches when moving heavy furniture or other objects, do not slide it on wood flooring.

For polyurethane finished floors

• Dustmop, sweep, or vacuum regularly.
• When cleaning no longer restores shine, recoat the floor with a surface finish. The frequency of recoating depends on the amount of traffic.
• Never wax a surface-finished floor.

 

Solid Wood Floor Maintenance

General recommendations:

1) Keep the temperature and humidity conditions in the room:

• Humidity: 45-55%;
• Temperature: 18-22 degrees Celsius.
• In case of low humidity (during the heating season), the room should be equipped with a humidifier,
• In case of high temperature (in the summer-autumn season) the room should be equipped with air conditioning or a dehumidifier.

2) It is important to avoid aggressive mechanical impact on solid wood floors:

• It is necessary to exclude mechanical impact: sharp supports of furniture, footwear, abrasives.
• It is recommended to furnish the legs of the furniture with special overlays of felted cloth or fabric, and under the furniture on rollers you should put special mats.
• If you notice sand, dust, or traces of dirt on the floor, try to remove them immediately with a soft brush or vacuum cleaner, otherwise they may cause scratches.
• When working with a vacuum cleaner, use a soft nozzle.
• Do not use washing vacuum cleaners or robotic vacuum cleaners.

3) The renewal and colour restoration of the oil-coated flooring is made only with the use of coloured oils identical to the original colour of the design.

4) It is unacceptable to use any detergents for cleaning floors, other than those recommended by the manufacturer.

5) Wet cleaning should only be done with a well-wrung cotton cloth.

 

PREVENTATIVE CARE

Cleaning Dirt & Grit

To avoid dents, vacuum with a brush attachment — don’t use vacuums with beater bars. Dirt, grit and sand are your hardwood floor’s worst enemies. They act like sandpaper on the finish, causing scratches, dents and dulling. Place floor mats at entrances and high traffic areas to trap dirt and prevent damage.

Water & Spills

Standing water can warp hardwood floors and can damage the finish. Simply wipe up all spills as soon as they happen.

Hard Cleaners

Avoid oil soaps as they can build up leaving a film creating a dull look to your floors. Instead, neutral pH cleaners developed specifically for wood floors are recommended.

Furniture

Lift the furniture to move it — avoid dragging. Felt contacts under the legs will help prevent scratches.

Sunshine

Direct sun can discolour your hardwood floor.  Close curtains and blinds or add sheer drapes to protect your floor from the intense UV rays of the sun.

Carpet

Learn About Carpet

Carpet continues to be the most popular flooring option in residential and commercial settings. Why is carpet so popular? For one thing, it offers comfort that is unmatched. Plus, most modern-day carpets offer premium stain and wear resistant technologies meaning they can stand up to everyday challenges in your home

Carpet, especially compared to other flooring options, is one of the most stylish options of flooring available because of its wide range. There are so many different colours, shades, and patterns from which to choose, so no design is considered off limits when you choose carpet. We even use a unique system to help you narrow down your carpet selection based on lifestyle and personal style preferences.

Types of Carpet

Purchasing a new carpet for your home is more than just about what colour you want. You need to take into consideration how you use the space daily to help you determine the type of carpet you will need in your home. Do you need a waterproof carpet that can handle spills and stains? Maybe you need a commercial carpet that will stand up to heavy foot traffic? At the same time, you need to balance performance with style, as your new carpet should fit perfectly into your overall design. You definitely want to make sure to choose a carpet that will look good and last long in your preferred setting.

Types of Carpet Fibres

Carpets piles are fibres that are twisted, and these fibres can come from synthetic or natural materials. Fibres play an important role in carpet and can influence design, durability, and stain resistance. Synthetic fibres include nylon, polyester, olefin, and triexta. Nylon is a popular carpet option because it is durable, long-lasting, and can be treated to be stain-resistant. We also offer carpets made with natural fibres, including wool. Wool is also naturally hypoallergenic, resistant to staining, and can also resist show from wear

Where Can Carpet Be Installed?

Carpets are a great choice to install in bedrooms, dens, or you can even install them in living rooms as well. Our stain, wear and fade resistant carpets can be installed in places around your home that experience a lot of traffic like stairs, hallways, and even children’s playrooms and basements.

 

Carpet: Everything You Need To Know (From Types to Fibres to Price to Installation and Maintenance)

Are you planning on having carpet installed in your home or office? Carpets are a popular flooring option thanks to the feeling of warmth and coziness it gives to a room as well as how it feels to walk on.

There’s a wide range of carpet designs and styles to choose from as well as various types of carpets in terms of the fibres they are made from. If carpet ideas is what you’re looking for, this guide is for you.

In this guide, we’ll reveal everything you need to know about carpet and flooring, perfect if you’re considering new carpet. Find the best carpet, its benefits, to the different fibre types, to professional installation, and price per square metre you can expect when shopping around.

What’s So Great About Carpet?

Carpet has been a popular flooring option for thousands of years (if you factor in that rugs were the first ‘carpet’ of choice in royal and noble palaces in ancient Rome and Constantinople). Modern carpet is popular due to it’s visual appeal, affordability, as well as the warmth it gives to any room in a house or business premises.

Main Benefits of Carpet

1)  Comfort – Compared to hard surfaces such as ceramic tiles and hardwood, carpet is easier to walk on and feels more comfortable because its fibres have amazing flexibility that give better cushioning.

2)  Warmth and Insulation – The thickness and absorbent quality of carpets; regardless of its type of fibre, will keep your room better insulated and warmer.

3)  Better Acoustics – The fibres of a carpet can dampen noise inside a room because it has the ability to absorb sound.

4)  Safety – Carpets are soft and textured which means you won’t slip and fall on them like you could on hardwood or tiles.

5)  Aesthetics – You can transform the look and feel of your room simply by changing the style and design of its carpets.

6)  Low Cost – With carpets, you don’t need to treat and coat the floor as you would with hard surface materials. This lowers the cost of installation and maintenance compared to other flooring options. And hard wearing carpet can provide extra longevity meaning lower cost in the long run.

 

CARPET – BEFORE YOU BUY

Things to know before laying down money or carpet.

It just makes sense that, the more you know about something, the better able you are to make a smarter purchase decision. That goes in spades for buying carpet. Information about the construction of carpet is good, but knowledge about carpet specifics and characteristics, about its traits and subtle differences, can be invaluable.

It’s a fact. Choosing the best carpet is really about knowing the right combination of characteristics, aesthetics, performance and budget to best meet the needs of your lifestyle.

For example, looped Berbers and high twist friezes perform wonderfully in high traffic areas in your home, but an elegant Saxony in the same area may show footprints. Isn’t that good to know? We want you to know all of the important carpet facts and we’ve created this section specifically for that purpose.

UNDERSTAND THIS ABOUT SEAMS.

Carpet is available in 12’, 15’ and sometimes 13’ widths. Unless the room to be carpeted is narrower than these widths, the carpet will be seamed. With looped or low-profile patterned carpet you may have visible or peaked seams. The degree of their visibility depends on texture, color, lighting and furniture placement.

A NOTE ON BACKING AND LOOPS.

Be aware that, as carpet bends over stairs, its backing may show depending on texture, color and density. Plus, you should know that looped carpet can snag, particularly at a seam or at a carpet transition. But never fear, in the Carpet Floor Care section we provide information on how to properly care for looped carpet.

 

Why put carpets in cars, when they’re so hard to clean?

“Carpet is unforgiving. Carpet holds on to crap and dirt and filth and carpet can get stained. It’s just not something that deals well with the filthiness of the outside world.”

“For the most part, we keep our shoes on in our cars, you’re not luxuriating your toes in the thick pile of your carpet,” he said.

“Vacuuming off a rubber mat is no big deal, like all kinds of stuff just goes up,” Torchinsky said. “But carpet grabs … bits of leaves, and bark and bits of paper.”

“It’s just nobody’s really had the guts to go through and make a mainstream passenger car with something other than carpet, at least not recently,” said. “I feel like so much of what stops people from doing that are these ideas that rubber is not premium enough, like I don’t know when we all decided we were royalty worthy of being coddled in every product we have, and everything that we encounter has to be the absolute best, but it doesn’t always. Sometimes the best isn’t the most luxurious; sometimes it’s the thing that just does its job the best.”

Imagine a sewing machine with thousands of needles all in a straight line, and each of those pulling a line of yarn. The needles punch through a base layer, then a row of knives cut the thread so you end up with thousands of bit of yarn sticking up vertically.

 

SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP YOUR CARPETS CLEAN

Simple Ways to Keep Your Carpets Clean

Carpet is one of the biggest investments in your home. At an average cost of $4.50 per square foot, carpet replacement is an expense that most people want to avoid for as long as possible. Keeping your carpet clean and free from dirt, grime, stains, and dust will keep your carpet looking new longer and also increase its lifespan

Stop Dirt and Grime at the Door. The easiest way to keep your carpet and rugs cleaner longer is by keeping dirt and grime from getting on them in the first place. Be proactive, and utilize door mats. Use outdoor and indoor mats, which work together to reduce the amount of dirt tracked into your house. Encourage family and visitors to wipe their shoes before entering your home.

Ditch the Shoes. Want to go a step beyond the doormat? We suggest you stop wearing shoes in the house. A simple Google search shows all the gross stuff shoes track into your home and on to your carpet: bacteria, chemicals, dirt… even fecal matter! Ew! Your carpet and rugs act like a magnet, collecting everything you track in and transferring it all to your floor. And let’s not overlook the wear and tear shoes cause to your carpet and floors. Shoes can literally grind in dirt, damaging carpet fibers and resulting in matting. Don’t be afraid to put a sign up for visitors to remind them “no shoes allowed.” It’s your carpet, and you have the right to protect it!

Change or Clean Your Air Filters. The more dust and particles removed by your air filter, the fewer will fall on your carpet (and tables, chairs, bed, etc). Did you know a dirty air filter causes your HVAC system to work extra hard and use more energy? That’s no good for your furnace or your wallet. It’s recommended you change your air filters every 90 days; and if you have dog or cat in the home, change them every 60 days.

Vacuum Regularly. This seems like a no-brainer, but something as simple as vacuuming is the easiest and most effective way to keep your carpet and rugs clean. Vacuuming has a significant impact on the cleanliness of your home, the air you breathe, and the life of your carpet and rugs. Aim to vacuum once a week and increase the frequency inhigh-traffic or pet areas. And don’t forget to check your vacuum bag or filter regularly. If the bag is too full, the vacuum loses suction.

Treat Stains as Quickly as Possible. The longer a stain sets in, the harder it is to remove. Always blot the stain – never rub! – using a white paper towel or cloth. Beware of using a cloth with color, otherwise you risk transferring dye and creating a bigger problem. Rug Doctor offers various spot and stain sprays that remove stains and odors at the source. Rug Doctor Pet Stain Remover is scientifically engineered to eat away biological pet stains (blood, urine, sweat, etc.), and it discourages remarking

Give your Carpets a Professional-Grade Deep Cleaning at Least Once Every Year. Although vacuuming is important, it only removes dirt from the surface of your carpet. A professional-level clean gets deep below the carpet fibers, pulling out all the gross stuff you can’t see like dust mites, pet dander, pollen and allergens

Tips for Choosing Laminate Flooring

I get excited when it’s time for the flooring to go in when I am doing a flip.

That means we are wrapping up the renovating portion and the fun portion begins. The decorating and staging. The flooring is an extremely important design to make.  I consider several factors when choosing the flooring.  I have a “formula” which I use when choosing the other elements, and it’s not unusual for me to install the same products, such as the appliances.  But, I like to choose different flooring for each home.  I will share my process below.

Have you ever heard that saying which started out “I wish I had a dollar for every ( fill in the blank.)”  That’s what I say when it comes to flooring. I wish I had a dollar for every square foot of flooring I have purchased and installed over the years in both our flip homes and our rental homes.  I could retire tomorrow.

I will say, of all of the types of flooring we have installed, we have used laminate flooring the most.  When laminate first entered the flooring scene years ago, I have to be honest – I was not a fan. I didn’t like the looks and I hated the way it sounded so hollow when you walked across it.  To me, the earlier laminate flooring looked like someone had photocopied and decoupaged cheap images of wood onto thin planks of wood.  Yuck.

Budget:

Ugh!  I really don’t like that word, do you? ?  But, like any DIY or renovation project, it’s one of the first considerations you must keep in mind.  You wouldn’t think there would be a major difference in total pricing between flooring that cost $1.89/sf and $3.39/sf.  I mean, there’s only a $1.50 difference right?  Until you multiply that by 1000+ sf.  Like any project, you need to break down the costs of the total renovation and decide what percentage you can dedicate to each category.  To a new homeowner, it seems logical that you would spend as little per square footage as possible.  I mean, savings is savings.  Here is where I will a huge and loud NO!  Savings is always a good thing, but not when it comes to the item that will receive the most wear and tear in your home.  Don’t be fooled into thinking that flooring is flooring is flooring. Especially when it comes to laminate.  I would suggest spending a little more and getting a better product that is within your budget’s means.

Durability and Use:

Think of all the foot traffic your poor floors will see during it’s lifetime.  Muddy shoes, dogs and cat paws, bouncing balls and legos.  Okay, maybe that’s just in MY home. ?  We learned the learned way many years ago that choosing the right type of flooring for the home was key to how long said flooring would last.  The good thing about much of the newer types of laminate flooring is it is virtually resistant to most scratches and impacts.  Best of all, most manufacturers offer fantastic warranties against stains, fading and moisture damages.  What I love about using wood laminate flooring in our flip homes is the installation is quick and easy and does not require staining, waxing or varnishing once installed.  Manufacturers use an “AC Rating” when it comes to durability, from 1-5.  The higher the AC rating, the more durable.

 

How to Choose Laminate Flooring: A Buyer’s Guide

Laminate flooring is one of the great developments in home improvement of the past 50 years. It’s inexpensive, durable and prefinished, but best of all, an intermediate DIYer can install it with just a few tools. Most of the various styles are installed by just snapping together the planks-no glue or fasteners required. In fact, the trickiest part is choosing the product! That’s what we’ll tell you about.

Types of laminate flooring: Two Styles of Laminate Flooring

There are two types of laminate flooring. Both come in packages of snap-together planks about 1/4 in. thick. But here’s the difference: Engineered wood is made from layers of real wood glued together with each layer perpendicular to the one below and above it for better stability. The top layer is a high-quality thin layer of hardwood coated with acrylic finish. Plastic laminate, on the other hand, is completely artificial, with a layer of melamine on the bottom, a resin-saturated fiberboard center, and a woodgrain print on the top that’s protected by a layer of clear hard plastic. Engineered wood is for purists who prefer the look of natural wood. But you pay for reality. On average, it’s about double the cost of plastic laminate flooring. Its thin top layer of actual hardwood makes it more susceptible to dents, scratches and staining. But unlike plastic laminate flooring, it can be rejuvenated up to three times with careful sanding and refinishing. Because of that, you can expect it to last longer than plastic laminate—if you locate it away from water-prone and high-wear areas. If you’re planning to sell your house in a few years, consider that buyers may appreciate and pay more for the look of real wood. Plastic laminate is for those who want the look of wood flooring in a place that gets wet or seriously abused. The bulletproof topcoat and plastic internal components make laminate floors extremely durable. They stand up to moisture, pet claws, in-line skates and sand-infested flip-flops much better than engineered wood floors. Manufacturers have come light-years in making the wood-grain print look very realistic. Most people can’t even tell it’s not real wood.

Don’t Forget LV Flooring!

Laminate floors aren’t the only option for durability and ease of installation. Next time you’re at the home center, take a gander at luxury vinyl (LV) flooring. There’s luxury vinyl tile (LVT), which looks like ceramic tile, and luxury vinyl plank (LVP), which mimics wood (shown here). Both types are extremely resilient, about the easiest flooring in the world to install and completely waterproof. Since luxury vinyl is so pliable, it’s a great choice over uneven subfloors.

Don’t Forget the Underlayment

All laminate flooring needs foam underlayment. Don’t skip it. Underlayment prevents the floor from clicking on the subfloor as you walk across it and makes it feel a bit softer. It also makes the planks easier to install because it evens out small inconsistencies in the subfloor. Some underlayment has self-adhesive tape to join one row to the next. Others call for separate tape. Be careful to use whatever is required. Go ahead and buy the special laminate and wood flooring installation tool as well. You’ll need it to pull together flooring ends where each row abuts a wall.

Choose a Finish Based on Lifestyle, Not Just Looks

If you lead a quiet life, choose whatever flooring style appeals to you. But if you have one of those crazy households with kids, pets and lots of visitors, be a bit more careful. Flooring with a varied grain pattern, a low-gloss finish or distressed or hand-scraped patina will look much better, much cleaner, much longer than flooring with a glossy, monolithic grain pattern.

 

The Complete Buyer’s Guide To Choosing Laminate Flooring

When it comes to choosing laminate flooring, we know that it can feel overwhelming. What style to choose, what colours will look best, do you need underlay and how long it will last are all questions that will be going through your mind when trying to choose the perfect laminate flooring for your home.

What is laminate flooring?

Laminate flooring is a type of floor covering that is made from several layers of material to form a firm and durable type of flooring. It usually has at least 4 layers.

What are the different types of laminate flooring?

Laminate flooring comes in a variety of different types. There are 2 main styles of laminate flooring: plastic laminate and engineered wood laminate. Read more about the differences between laminate and engineered wood

What are the different finishes for laminate flooring?

With hundreds, if not thousands of different finishes on the market, choosing the look of your laminate can be a daunting task.

Is laminate flooring waterproof?

There are some laminate flooring planks on the market which are water resistant or waterproof. They need to be installed very carefully and include 100% silicon sealant and a foam backer road around the entire perimeter of the room.

 

TIPS TO CHOOSE THE BEST LAMINATE FLOOR AND MAKE IT LAST FOR LONG

If you are thinking of moving to a laminate floor, that may be the best choice for your home. Not only is laminate more convenient than hardwood, but it’s also easy to lay (thanks to floating installation and reduced thickness), and can reproduce the same effect of real wood, but with a better performance.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE CHOOSING A LAMINATE FLOOR

When choosing a laminate floor, an expert seller will be able to ask the right questions to help you find the perfect fit. However, here are five questions you should think about beforehand, so you won’t be caught unprepared

How intensely will it be used? Pets, foot traffic, objects falling and liquids can put a floor to the test. An intense usage will then require a more resilient surface. Make sure you pay particular attention to AC (Abrasion Classes) and IC (Impact Classes) ratings of the product.

What visual effect would you like to obtain? Size and tonality of the slats can help create a particular visual effect. Size will be the main factor, if you are aiming at enhancing an environment by improving its space. The choice of tonality on the other hand, will have to match the furniture, to create a unique and enveloping environment, whether with a modern, rustic, or classic style.

What décor? Laminate has a great variety of décors. In the wood category, oak and walnut are the most popular ones. Skema’s Vision range however, offers alternatives such as cement, metal and resins

 

TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE BEST LAMINATE FLOORING FOR YOUR HOME

Considering laminate flooring for your home? Check out this essential guide.

A top-quality laminate floor is a great option for busy families: It offers the same great look of real hardwood, without all the hassle. Not only is it easier to maintain (read, next to no maintenance required), it’s also easy to install thanks to floating installation.

How much daily traffic will the floor face?

Pets, kids, entertaining, and even spilled milk can put a floor to the test. More intense use requires a more resilient surface. The durability of laminate flooring products is rated by Abrasion Classes from one to five (one for light traffic, five for heavy traffic).

Will the floor be on the main level or an upper level?

The Impact Class of a flooring product determines how much sound is transferred when an object is dropped. Flooring with a high IC rating helps to minimize impact sound transmission to lower levels, thus reducing or eliminating bothersome noises.

How to Clean Carpet: Cleaning Tips for Long Lasting Carpet

1. Set the vacuum at the right height

If your vacuum is set too low, you can damage the carpet as well as the vacuum’s roller brush and drive belt. If it’s set too high, you won’t pick up any dirt. To set the vacuum’s ideal height, raise it to its highest setting, turn it on and lower it until you can feel the vacuum trying to tug itself forward as you begin a how to clean carpet project.

Dirt is like thousands of little blades that cut carpet fibers. When you walk across a dirty carpet, you grind sharp dirt particles against the yarn, making tiny nicks in the fibers. All that fuzz mixed in with the dirt in your vacuum cleaner bags is your beautiful carpet headed out the door one bag at a time. When dirt scratches the fibers, it dulls the sheen, which is why high-traffic areas appear duller than the rest of the carpet. Over time, grinding dirt wears away the fibers too, which mats them down and makes them stain more easily. Follow these how to clean carpet tips to keep your carpet as dirt-free as possible.

2. Vacuum often

To protect your carpet, vacuum entrance areas and high-traffic areas twice a week and the rest of the carpeting at least weekly. Oily soils attract oily soils, and frequent vacuuming will reduce soil buildup.

3. Start with a clean bag or filter

A dirty bag, dirt cup or filter can cut a vacuum’s suction power in half. The main reason bagless vacuums stop working is that the filters aren’t changed often enough. Replace or wash (if possible) the filters on bagless vacuums every three months. Replace vacuum bags when they’re three-quarters full.

4. Vacuum at the right speed

Vacuum slowly enough to get out as much dirt as possible. Make one quick pass over low-traffic areas and two slow passes over high-traffic areas. Two slow passes removes ground-in dirt more effectively than several fast passes.

5. Use walk-off mats

Use walk-off mats inside and out to keep dirt off the carpeting. Coarse-textured mats outside your doors remove soil and will make a how to clean carpet project easier. Water-absorbent mats inside prevent wet shoes on the carpeting.

 

The Seven Benefits of Carpet

• Style

Despite hard surfaces, such as hardwood, taking up many pages of interior design magazines over recent years, carpet has a style all its own. From luxurious and elegant to casual and comfy, carpet can give a space an entirely different feel, just by changing the style of carpet. Consider a short-pile, patterned carpet for a formal room or a long frieze for a more casual space.

• Comfort

Have you ever noticed that after a period of time spent standing or walking on ceramic tiles or concrete, your body is sore and achy? Hard surfaces are just that: hard. They offer no flexibility underfoot, so they lack the ability to act as shock absorbers for your footsteps. So what does this mean? Basically, it means that as you walk across a hard surface floor, your body gets a bit of a jolt each time you take a step because your body rather than the floor absorbs the force of your impact.

In addition to feeling nice to walk, sit and lay on, carpet provides shock absorption thanks to its flexibility and cushioning. This effect is increased dramatically if there is underpad beneath the carpet. So, not only is carpet more comfortable to the touch, but it is also easier on the body when standing or walking on it over a long period of time.

• Warmth

Carpet provides excellent insulation value to a space, much more than hard surface flooring materials. In a study conducted by the Georgia Institute of Technology School of Textile Engineering, results indicated that a thicker carpet provides a higher insulation factor (“R-value”) regardless of the fiber type of the carpet. Also, underpad has its own R-value, and the use of underpad in conjunction with carpet combines the R-value of each material, giving greater overall insulation.

Reducing heat loss means that carpet can help you save on the costs associated with heating a home, such as electricity or natural gas. For regions that experience cold winters, this could amount to big cost savings every year.

Source: The Carpet and Rug Institute.

• Health

There has been a long-running debate about whether carpet aggravates or alleviates health problems such as asthma and allergies. For years, people with such respiratory concerns were advised to rip up all of the carpets in their homes and replace it with hard surface flooring. However, numerous studies over recent years have consistently shown that carpet is actually more beneficial than hard surface floors for those with breathing difficulty.

• Quiet

Sound carries much further when there is no carpet in the space. You’ve probably, at some point, been in a room that is bare of carpet and noticed that sound tended to bounce off the walls and create an echo in the room. This is because hard surfaces can’t absorb sound the way that soft surfaces – such as carpet – can. Carpet contributes to a much quieter space.

• Safety

It goes without saying that hard surfaces can be slippery, and they’re not much fun to land on when slips and falls do happen. Carpet not only provides a soft landing surface – which can be especially helpful in baby’s rooms – it also helps to prevent some falls in the first place, particularly on stairs. Hardwood stairs present a safety concern, especially when there are very young or elderly residents in the home or occupants with mobility issues. Properly selected carpet increases safety by preventing many slips and falls. Carpet for stairs should ideally be in the 50- to 60-ounce range to provide durability without being too thick.

• Cost

All products have a range of qualities and price points. Therefore, there is no particular floor covering type that is guaranteed to always be more or less expensive than another. However, in general terms, carpet often costs much less than hard surface floors.

Many hard surface flooring products, such as solid hardwood and vinyl floor, require special preparation before they can be installed. Specific sub-floor requirements must be met, or existing flooring must be coated before installation can occur. Carpet typically eliminates these concerns, as it can be installed over a variety of sub-floors, with far less stringent requirements. This saves a great deal of cost.

Additionally, carpet itself can be less expensive than other materials such as hardwood. So, while of course there are exceptions to every rule, carpet is generally more cost-effective than hard surface flooring

 

Clean Up Pet Accidents

If your pet has an accident on the carpet, act fast. Urine can damage fibers and even change the color of carpet.

• First, soak up the urine with white paper towels. Printed patterns can bleed color into the carpet. Press hard to soak up as much as possible. Then add about a quarter-teaspoon of dishwashing liquid to a cup of lukewarm water. (Don’t use the detergent you use with your dishwasher.)
• Next, apply the soapy water. Soak the area thoroughly with paper towels. Then blot the area with dry paper towels and repeat this wet-and- dry process at least once. Follow up with clear water to rinse out the detergent and blot the carpet dry again.
• Finally, apply one part white vinegar mixed with two parts water and blot the carpet one last time. Cover the damp area with about 20 layers of paper towels and a heavy stack of books. Change the towels again and again until they no longer absorb moisture.
• If your pet has frequent accidents on the carpet, buy a “carpet extractor,” a small handheld vacuum designed to suck liquids out of carpets.

 

The Best Carpet Color to Hide Dirt – Keep Your Home Looking Clean

Red Colored Carpet

Red is a favorite color among many people. When you see red, your breathing increases, preceded by a rapid heart rate. This shows that red stimulates different feelings and emotions which are depended on the context. For instance, it can trigger love or hunger. Therefore, if you love red, buy a red colored carpet for your dining room. Red would not be the best choice for hiding dirt because it can look dirty quickly.

Orange

Orange is a great color for anyone looking for something that’s energetic, warm and welcoming. And if you have anything in your living room with different shades of orange, don’t be surprised if you get unexpected guests from time to time. While orange can come in various shades, it’s best to avoid using it to hide dirt because the difference in the carpet and dirt’s orange will be noticable.

Gold/Tan

Gold/tan is an energetic color which is closely associated with money. Having a gold/tan carpet in your home symbolizes extravagance. This is going to be the best option to hide dirt, especially if you get a carpet with multiple shades of tan. The tan mixture will help the dirt not be noticable if you skip a day of cleaning. Therefore, it will fit excellently in an entertainment room as a welcoming color or an office room as motivational color.

Green

The green color is associated with different emotions. For instance, yellow-green is associated with sickness and jealousy, darker green with money, and lighter green and true greens with renewal, nature, and health. With that in mind, you can use true greens or lighter greens anywhere you want a refreshing and natural vibe. Again, this isn’t a color that can hide dirt, rather the dirt will make green carpet appear to have more wear-and-tear than it really does.

Blue

Color blue symbolizes sea and sky which represent trust, loyalty, and wisdom. Many people view blue as a soothing color because it slows the metabolism of the body helping people to calm down. This means that if you are the kind of person that gets angry very quickly, use a blue carpet either in your master bedroom, living room or any other place you’d want to feel relaxed. Avoid blue in kitchens and dining rooms because it can reduce your appetite.

Purple

Being a mixture of blue and red, purple is closely associated with wealth, luxury and power. Darker purple signifies sadness while lighter purple enhances nostalgia and romance. Therefore, blue will be perfect in a master bedroom anytime you get in with your spouse, the room will be filled with love. You can as well as have a purple-pink in your office to signify power and wealth.

Black

Black signifies mystery, power, and emptiness. However, it’s a perfect color to put it in high traffic areas such as living room or child’s room because it’s excellent in hiding dirt.

White

White means pure and symbolizes innocence and cleanliness. Generally, a white carpet will not hide dirt and because it can be hard to clean, it will be a great idea to have it in fewer traffic areas or areas away from pets or children such as a master bedroom.

Bottom Line

From the above information, it is evident that choosing the right carpet for your home or office is not a walk in the park. However, it could be easy to make an informed decision based on your home’s interior, the color you love the most and the level of traffic expected in the intended areas. Overall, the best carpet color to hide dirt is going to be carpet colors such as black, tan, and gray.

 

How to Choose a Carpet to Make Your Small Room Look Bigger

If your room is small, choosing a wrong kind of flooring will make you feel that the walls are closing in on you. There are a number of decorating tricks you can adopt to make the room bigger than it actually is. These visual tricks start with selecting the right kind of carpet.

Carpet patterns

When you are in a small room, the busy patterns in the carpet need sufficient quantities of visual processing. The brain’s consequent visual activity makes the room appear smaller. The good choice of a carpet is to choose one with a clear unobtrusive pattern. An example of these is the tone-on-tone carpeting. Such patterns have subtle shading methods which are not too busy and do not distract from the room’s other features.

You can also select a cut-loop and structured grid pattern. This involves the selective cuts of a few of the loops without changing the color. Texture variation in carpeting has the result of visual interest which enhances the appearance of small spaces.

Enlarging a space

Subdued carpets are ideal for smaller rooms. These kinds of carpets blend seamlessly with the furnishings and the walls so that a feeling of larger space is created. Subdued carpets make an excellent choice for home offices and small dens which receive a large amount of foot traffic. If you have a tiny bedroom, go for a textured and plush carpet. These kinds of carpets are known in the trade as cut and pile and can be laid all over the house. Use identical carpeting to make the space look larger and coordinated too.

Carpeting colors

After you have selected the carpeting style for the concerned room, it is now time to select a color. Choose neutral or light colors for small rooms. Unlike dark colors, light colored carpets do not soak in light, but reflect it. This results in the appearance of bigger space. The carpet selected must match the wall covering or paint. This will make the room appear much bigger. Lighter shades of blue or green make for relaxing colors- making them perfect for bedrooms. When it comes to living rooms, choose neutral tones like sandstone, beige or light gray colors. They will make the space seem larger than it actually is.