Carpet

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.

SEAMS

• available in 12', 15' and sometimes 13' widths
• carpet will be seamed unless room is narrower than above widths
• seams visible with looped or low-profile patterned carpets
• degree of visibility depends on texture, color, lighting and furniture

Backing and Loops

• backing may show when carpet bends over stairs depending on texture, color and density.
• looped carpet can snag at a seam or transition

Carpet Nap

• pile reversal, or shading, is a normal
• consider window treatments and furniture placement to minimize

Durability

• higher quality carpet = greater pile density
• tighter twist construction results in better durability
• easier to replace or update decor with carpet rather than hard surface products
• adds value to any home
• feels warm underfoot
• reduces household noise

Color

• once installed it will often look lighter than the sample
• color affects the apparent size of the room
• lighter colored carpet visually expands the size of the room
• darker carpeting brings the walls closer together, creating intimate feelings
• neutral colors are best for frequently changing the decorating schemes
• neutrals are good for rooms with a lot of existing furniture
• neutral colored, good carpet is good for resale

Warranty

• check warranty for stains
• stain protection is an important consideration
• carpet products have with different stain protection levels
• warranties help guard against stains
• with quality comes increased stain protection and warranty coverage
• it is important to understand what is covered by the warranty

Carpet cushion

• determines how a carpet feels underfoot
• not just about feel
• quality helps preserve the look
• can extend the life and comfort
• provides protection against wear and tear
• sold using quality specifications, not color specifications
• color of the sample in the store may not be the same as installed

Reading the label

• become familiar with product specs warranties on the labels
• protect your investment today and tomorrow

Know the entire cost of ownership

• this is one component of the entire project cost
• ensure there are no budget surprises with final cost
• ask for the total cost of the project to be calculated

Potential additional expenses

• furniture removal/replacement
• demolition/disposal of old floor covering
• sub-floor preparation
• product delivery
• carpet installation
• materials required to complete the installation

In addition to the total project cost, be sure to also consult the manufacturer's warranty and care guide for directions on how frequently the carpet should be cleaned and the cost to clean it.

Hardwood

Knowing what to expect and being prepared will also be a lot less stressful on you, your family and your home.

get a recommendation

• installing hardwood flooring is hard, exacting – detailed
• have it done by our seasoned professionals

Before installation day

• relocate furniture
• empty china cabinets and closets
• consider removal and disposal of old floor covering
• remove it yourself and leave 1 day before install
• for carpet, leave tack strips and pull out staples

TRIM

• moldings and baseboards removed for additional costs
• installers not responsible for breakage
• painted baseboards, woodwork and paint may need retouching (your responsibility)

Sub flooring

• may need to be prepared
• new sub floor may be required
• a job best left to the professionals

Door plan

• possibility that doors may not clear the new floor and swing free
• installers may remove doors and re-hang for an additional cost
• for clearance issues, arrange for a qualified carpenter to shave or cut down

Clean-up

• waste will be produced
• waste collected and disposed of by installers at an additional cost

Installation day

• be home and available
• be prepared for questions
• presence insures the right wood is installed in the right areas
• exact time of arrival cannot be guaranteed, only a time frame

Safety

• installers use tools and techniques that can be hazardous
• make sure that children and pets are out of the work area
• follow through with a walk-through
• prior to completion walk through to ask questions and be clear on any final details

After installation day

• establish good ventilation for 48 to 72 hours

Laminate

Knowledge about laminate specifics and characteristics, about its traits and subtle differences, can be invaluable. Choosing the best laminate flooring for your home is really about knowing the right combination of characteristics, aesthetics, performance and budget to best meet the needs of your lifestyle.

• remarkably durable surface
• stain resistant
• does not need to be varnished or waxed
• easy to maintain
• for busy households, with children and high traffic

Pricing

• you get what you pay for
• high quality gives you better visuals and performance
• cost factors: unique textures, exotic varieties and species, and high pressure manufacturing

4 forms of installation

1. Glueless laminate flooring

• quick and easy
• thin underlayment seals out moisture
• floors float over subfloors
• vapor barrier can be added for noise

2. Laminate flooring with attached underlay

• several different types of tongue and grooved locking systems
• attached underlayment to reduce noise levels

3. Glued laminate flooring

• the original laminate floors
• require a special formulated glue
• offered in planks and tiles

4. Pre-glued laminate flooring

• no mess, glue already applied to the tongue and grooves
• quick and easy-to-install
• thin, plastic underlayment needed to seal out moisture and prevent glue from sticking

Moldings

• important because they cover the space allowed for flooring to expand and move naturally
• helps with the transition to an adjacent floor
• manufacturers offer coordinating moldings for all styles and colors
• moldings are designed to coordinate, not be an exact match
• moldings for laminates are slightly larger than wood or tile counterparts

Vinyl

Everyone knows how important it is to investigate all of the flooring options before making a purchase. The floor covering in your home impacts interior beauty, decor, comfort, livability and upkeep. Any floor can make or break a home. Take your time and learn all you can before buying vinyl flooring.

Choosing the best vinyl flooring is really about knowing the right combination of characteristics, aesthetics, performance and budget that best meet the needs of your lifestyle.

• products that are both durable and affordable offered
• patterns today are inspired by nature
• some imitate the look of natural stone
• new methods of texturing the surface
• very realistic vinyl available
• constructed of several different layers: the wear layer, the printed or decorative layer, an inner core consisting of a foam and vinyl layer, and a backing
• thicker is not always better
• density of the inner core resist rips, tears, gouges and indentations
• urethane wearlayer will help with stain resistance
• consider the room’s foot traffic and the types of activities
• extended warranties are often available with upgraded products

What you need to know

• found in the kitchen, bath or laundry room areas
• practical, functional and fashionable
• for active households
• known to be cushiony and warm underfoot
• easier to remove than a grouted ceramic tile or natural stone floor
• potentially save you time and money if and when replacement is due

Grades

• you get what you pay for
• more expensive gets you more versatile patterns, colors and textures
• premium wearlayers offer superior resistance to stains, scuffs and scratches
• premium wearlayers are enhanced with aluminum oxide providing resistance to scratching
• better wearlayers make it easy to clean
• better products = better performance

Size of the pattern

• consider the size of the room and the size of the pattern
• lighter colors will make a smaller room appear larger
• darker colors will absorb the light for a more intimate setting
• smaller pattern works well in small areas or in rooms where the pattern will be visually interrupted with pieces of furniture
• larger patterns can sometimes actually visually expand a room

Other considerations

• consider any printed fabric on your furniture or wallpaper in the room
• if fabric or wallpaper is a large-scale print, use smaller patterns for the floor
• small-scale pattern in the fabric or wallpaper, use a larger pattern for the floor
• selection of gloss levels to suit your needs
• the lower the gloss level, the more forgiving your floor will be

Seams

• most vinyl comes in 6’ and 12’ widths
• seaming may be necessary depending on the area to be covered
• certain patterns will hide seams better
• tile patterns with grout lines are better able to mask seams
• seam sealers may be visible in contrast with different vinyl textures and finishes
• your responsibility to maintain caulking in heavy water use areas

Potential additional expenses

• furniture removal/replacement
• demolition/disposal of old floor covering
• subfloor preparation
• product delivery
• vinyl installation
• materials required to complete the installation

LVT

Luxury vinyl flooring is a layered product construction. The base layer is made primarily of PVC vinyl, which offers flexibility as well as dimensional stability. The decorative PVC film is laid on top of the base layer. The wearlayer is typically a clear vinyl wearlayer and may or may not include a urethane coating that provides superior protection from everyday wear and tear.

There are many advantages to using Luxury Vinyl Tile products. They include the following:

• softer and quieter underfoot
• easy to clean and maintain
• available in a wide variety of styles, colors and sizes
• commercial and residential use
• realistic wood, tile and stone looks
• some tiles have the option of grouting for even more realism
• easier installation than ceramic or stone
• able to replace an individual tile or plank

Luxury vinyl tile comes in a variety of styles, shapes and colors. The different types of styles include:

• planks
• tiles
• wood looks
• decorative borders
• geometrics
• tile and stone looks
• grout option or no grout option
• overall patterns

An advantage to Luxury Vinyl Flooring is the ability to install modular patterns. Different tiles can be combined, different planks can be combined as well as tiles and planks can be combined.

• these floors should not be installed over existing resilient floors
• when using radiant heat flooring, the substrate should not exceed 85 °F
• if not installed properly, the floors can look unsightly and not wear properly
• these floors can scratch and indentations can be made
• it is recommended that these floors not be exposed to too much sunlight
• drapes and window coverings are recommended during peak sunlight hours
• hot items like cigarettes and matches can burn the floors

Area Rugs

Quality area rugs offer a positive and lasting effect on your home. Area rugs are products that beautify your home, enhance design and decor, are easy to care for, stand the test of time and meet your specific comfort, performance and budget needs. Area rugs can transport your rooms from ordinary to extraordinary. The fastest way to change a mood or character of a room is to add an area rug.

• goes over any flooring type with proper pad
• starting point for room decor
• can be a design centerpiece
• delivers a colorful finishing touch
• can define a space
• creates a conversation area, designates an eating space, welcomes you or ushers guests down a hallway

Other unique capabilities:

• only flooring that you can pick up and move
• change each season or as your style changes
• offer softness, warmth and sound absorption
• can be laid over carpet
• cost spectrum is as wide and varied as the type
• can be very inexpensive (cotton and synthetic)
• can last hundreds of years
• can be an investment and heirloom or disposable
• "machine made" rugs mimic handmade rugs at reduced costs
• color is more affordable than ever
• generally made out of wool, silk, (or a blend of wool/silk), olefin (polypropylene), nylon, or cotton (bathmats)
• wool and silk dominate the high end market
• heat set olefin rugs look like wool, easy to clean, and are moderately priced compared to wool

Learn all you can before buying flooring, including area rugs. Knowledge about rug specifics, characteristics, and traits can be invaluable. Choosing the best area rug for your home is really about knowing the right combination of characteristics, aesthetics, performance and budget to best meet the needs of your lifestyle.

1. Size and shape

• made in different sizes and in different shapes
• most common sizes are 2’x3’, 4’x6’, 5’x8’, 6’x9’, 8’x10’ and up
• shapes - rectangle, round, square, oval, octagon or runners
• most are rectangular and have standard sizes
• choose the correct size depending on the dimensions of the room or space
• measure the size of your room
• measure the space you want covered
• place pieces of paper where each of the corners will fall
• adjust the “corners” as needed to make the space larger or smaller
• re-measure the area
• to cover the majority of the room, leave a 12”-15” border
• under the dining table- select a rug that is large enough so that when seated at the table the back legs of the chairs are on the rug with enough space to push back and get up from the table

2. Color

• think outside the box
• vital element- machine made or handmade
• combination of colors
• select a rug with colors to visually enhance the decor
• colors don’t have to match other colors in the room
• choose colors that either contrast or compliment a color scheme

3. Pattern

• helpful elements in narrowing down rug selection
• pattern is the way lines are used to form shapes on a rug
• divided into three categories: curvilinear, geometric, and pictorial
• woven with curving lines (curvilinear) or straight lines (geometric)
• pictoral -refers to rugs that portray people and/or animals

4. Style

• defined as the way different motifs, colors and patterns give character
• range from floral to contemporary to traditional
• can also reflect a season or a theme (nautical, birds, water)
• most important styles of handmade rugs: Persian, Chinese, Turkoman, Caucasian, European, Anatolian, Tibetan, Indian, Baluchi, North African, Native American, and East Turkestan
• these styles have different designs
• Tabriz design is considered a Persian style
• styles or sub-styles are made in their place of origin and other countries
• a Tabriz style may be made in Tabriz or India