Category Archives: Reader Questions

Question 5 In the Series Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Flooring

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IMG_0795Today we are answering the fifth question in the 1o part series: Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Flooring.

Question: Can I pick out the pieces of travertine or slate that I want to use so that they all look like the sample?

Answer: Technically, you could try………..but it would be extremely wasteful, costly and BORING! I realize that it is hard to look at one or two samples of stone and imagine what it will look like when its installed, (especially when you know the costs!) but what makes stone so beautiful is the fact that no two pieces will look the same.

Reasons to consider why you want every piece of stone to NOT be the same:

  • Your floor will be uniquely yours and you won’t ever see it at your neighbors house.
  • The floor will show character that can only be found in natural stone so there will be no mistake that it is ceramic or porcelain.
  • The more each piece of stone is different and the more movement and range of color a floor has – the more it hides dirt!

In my opinion, the fact that no two pieces are the same makes it easier to justify paying the price for natural stone! It’s like buying a rare antique or piece of antique handmade furniture – sure it costs more, but you can rest assured that no one else has the same one.

Keep these thoughts in mind when shopping: When considering a stone floor, be sure to ask to see multiple samples so you will know what kind of range of color and pattern to expect. Know that the floor you receive may not look the same as the samples you saw in the store. If you still aren’t comfortable, ask your sales associate if you can preview the material before it is installed. This may not be possible. If it is, you may have to pay a significant restocking fee to send it back, but that price may be worth it to you. Also, don’t discard pieces that have character such as a vein or crystallization. Celebrate these and let them tell the story of natural stone!

Do you have a floor with unusual veining, color range or movement? If so, send us a picture! We love to see examples of Mother Nature’s handywork!


Question 4 In the Series Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Flooring

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2009-10-12_125154Today we are answering the fourth question in the 1o part series: Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Flooring.

Question: Will small tiles help a small room appear larger?

Answer: The opposite is actually true. The larger the tiles in a small space, the larger the room will look. The less lines (grout lines) there are for your eye to dissect, the better.

Other points worth mentioning:

  • When the grout color blends with the tile it helps the floor look more uniform and less choppy.
  • Turning smaller or larger tiles on the diagonal for installation will help make the room look larger.
  • Lighter colors with a more consistent texture will also help visually increase the space.
  • If using a large tile in a small room, especially when installing on the diagonal, at least 2 full tiles should be able to fit across the room.

A great way to test the answer to this question is to use a tool like our virtual room designer tool so that you can see the impact of different applications such as the use of small tiles laid straight, larger tiles laid straight, small tiles laid on the diagonal and larger tiles laid on the diagonal in the same room. The image here is an example of a room in the virtual room designer that you can change the flooring in.

Question 3 In the Series Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Flooring

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NatureFormPlank_LToday we are answering the third question in the 1o part series: Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Flooring.

Question: Is laminate a good choice for homes with kids and pets?

Answer: Laminate flooring is an excellent choice for homes with children and pets. Laminate is a manufactured product that simulates the look of hardwood, ceramic tile, natural stone and many other types of flooring. In the past, laminate floors have been easy to spot, but today’s technology allows manufacturers to create realistic visuals and textures for an elegant and quality floor.

Laminate characteristics:

  • Extremely durable
  • Moisture resistant
  • Scratch resistant
  • Easy to maintain
  • Many color ranges to choose from (more grain and movement hide dirt!)
  • Less likely to fade in sunlight
  • Great impact and indentation resistance
  • Easy to replace if damaged or desired

Considerations:

  • Some styles can be slippery for children in sock feet – use area rugs here
  • Pet urine needs to be removed as quickly as possible
  • Walk off mats should be used at every entrance to minimize dirt that can scratch the floor
  • Using area rugs will reduce the noise of children playing

Do you have a home with children or pets where you have used laminate flooring? What have your experiences been?

Question 2 In the Series Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Flooring

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IMG_0892Today we are answering the second question in the 1o part series: Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Flooring.

Question: What type of floors should I use?

Answer: The type of floor you should use depends on your taste, your lifestyle, your budget, how long you plan to live in your home, the area it will be installed in and what type of floor your subfloor will accept.

Things to consider:

Lifestyle

  • Homes with children: floors that are easy to clean and soft. Suggestion: Looped pile carpet or tightly twisted textures with stain resistance.
  • Homes with wheelchairs: floors that can withstand the pivoting motion of a wheel chair turning. Suggestion: Ceramic tile or natural stone.
  • Homes with pets: floors that can withstand pet nails, hide pet hair and pet accidents. Suggestion: Laminate flooring. (pet accidents need to be cleaned as soon as possible to avoid moisture damage)
  • Active households: areas such as family rooms, hallways, stairs etc. would benefit from a durable floor that will help disguise the appearance of footprints. Suggestion: Carpet such as a textured, frieze, loop, berber, cut and loop or pattern. Be sure to also select a color that will minimize the appearance of dirt.

Budget

  • If you have budget considerations the best thing to do is visit your local flooring dealer and ask them to measure the areas you are considering. Then, share your budget with them and ask for suggestions based on those measurements that will fit into your budget. Don’t assume that any products are within or outside of your budget without a complete installation price. If you are remodeling, plan to budget for furniture removal and replacement as well as disposal of the old materials.

How long you plan to live in your home

  • If you plan to live in your home for many years, I suggest choosing a floor that does not need replacement and one that fits your design style and lifestyle. If you do not plan to live in the home for an extended period of time, think about what will be best for resale.

Area of installation

  • Bathrooms: floors that are slip resistant and water resistant. Suggestion: Vinyl or ceramic tile with texture.
  • Playrooms: floors that are comfortable to play on the floor. Suggestion: Soft carpet or cork flooring.
  • Home office: floors that absorb sound. Suggestion: Cork flooring. Always use chair pads under rolling office chairs.

Type of subfloor

  • It is best to consult with your contractor, installer or floor covering dealer about which products are best suited for your type of subfloor.

What products do you find that work well for specific rooms or lifestyles? For flooring suggestions for specific circumstances, leave us a comment and we will be happy to share a recommendation with you.

10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Flooring

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PLS-00013318-001I began writing today’s post to talk about dark floors and whether or not they make a room feel smaller and I began by saying that I get this question almost  as often as I get the question “What type of floors should I use?”. So, I thought it would be fun to do a series on the top 10 most frequently asked flooring questions. Below is a list of questions that we will be posting answers to over the next 2 weeks. Your job is to tell me if you’ve had this same question or if I didn’t include a question that you would like the answer to!

10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Flooring and Design

1. Will dark floors make my room look smaller?

2. What type of floors should I use?

3. Is laminate a good choice for homes with kids and pets?

4. Will small tiles help a small room appear larger?

5. Can I pick out the pieces of travertine or slate that I want to use so that they all look like the sample?

6. Does carpet cushion really matter?

7.  How can I tell what my flooring will look like when it’s installed in my home?

8. Is carpet a bad choice if I have allergies?

9. Should I use the same floor that my mother/neighbor/best friend used because it sure looks good in her house?

10. Won’t it be cheaper if I buy my floors and install them myself?

There are dozens more questions out there and we will address those in future posts, but for now, enjoy learning the answers to those questions that you and many others have had!

Cork Flooring- Reader Question

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Cork1Question: I have been hearing a lot about cork flooring, but am hesitant to put it in my home without knowing more about it. Can you tell me some of the features and benefits of a cork floor? I am considering putting it in my home office and in my childrens playroom. I want a floor that will be good for both areas and that is durable enough to stand up to my kids.

Donna from Franklin, TN

Answer: Thanks for your question! Cork is a wonderful flooring product that I think gets overlooked because everyone thinks of a bulletin board when they think of cork! Did you know that cork floors are actually made from the waste of wine cork stoppers?

Some features and attributes of cork are:

  • It’s GREEN! -It is a harvested resource and a recycled product
  • Extremely durable – it is often used in many commercial applications because of its durability
  • Excellent sound absorption – it is often used in churches for this reason (great for the office and the playroom!)
  • Great insulator – it can actually help reduce heat loss in a room
  • Natural fire inhibitor – because of a substance called suberin, upon combustion cork does not release any toxic gasses
  • Hypo-allergenic- cork floors do not absorb dust and are very useful for people with asthma and respiratory diseases
  • Resilient – cork can return to its original shape even when exposed to heavy weight and pressure
  • Repairable – cork floors can be repaired if damaged. (always consult a professional)

When shopping for cork, there are many different styles and even colors. You will find planks, tiles and mosaics. You also have the choice of different installation types such as glued, glueless and floating.

Maintenance is simple for cork floors, just keep the floors free from dirt by sweeping and vacuuming and use a neutral PH cleaner or one that is recommended by the manufacturer. Walk off mats at every entrance help make the floors easier to keep clean.

If you use cork in your home office be sure to use chair mats under the office chair and protectors for chair feet. In the playroom, be sure to wipe up spills as soon as possible.

If you have more questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. If you would like to view samples from a retailer in your area, the folks at Carpet Den Interiors in Franklin are a great resource.

Using Colored Tiles – Reader Question

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IS4094RF-00004119-001Question:

I am thinking about putting new tile in the main living areas of my house. I am wondering if I should choose a neutral colored tile or choose one that is my favorite color – blue.  Are there any guidelines about decorating with colored tiles? What should I do?

Suzanne from Columbus, Ohio

Answer:

There is no right or wrong answer here, only some things to consider to help make the decision that is right for you. Ultimately, you are the person that will live in the space, so with all things considered, you need to be happy in the end.

  • You may have always loved a color when it comes to clothes or decorating fabric, but consider the amount of area you will be tiling and that it will be there every single day. A shirt you can change or not wear for a while, but your floors will be there for a very long time. Consider that your taste may change when you look at a lot of the same color every day.
  • Ask yourself. How long will you live in the home? Should resale be a consideration? If you are planning on only living in the house for only a few years, it may be best to choose a neutral tile.
  • If resale is a consideration and you choose to go with a neutral tile, you can still add accents of blue into your decorating scheme. A rug that incorporates blue would be a great addition and could be changed if you grew tired of it.
  • If one of the reasons you are choosing a colored tile is because the room is currently void of color and needs some life, try using items like paint, artwork or fabric to bring that color in.
  • As with any tile, the more color range (regardless if the tile is neutral or blue) and movement a tile has, the easier it will be to keep clean.

I hope this information helps. If you are looking for a flooring retailer in the Columbus, Ohio area, give America’s Floor Source a try! Click here for their website.

Laminate Flooring – Reader Question

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lambefore02Question:

I am considering putting new flooring in my family room. I have 2 small dogs, a cat and 3 small children that are all very active. Would laminate flooring be a good choice for my home? I like the look of wood, but prefer the cost of laminate. Also, what happens is the floor is damaged, can it be repaired? Thanks!

Betsy from Yuma, AZ

Answer:

Betsy,

Laminate flooring would be a great choice for your home, especially if you are on a budget and have active children and pets in your home. Laminate flooring is a great choice because it is extremely durable, stain resistant and does not need to be varnished or waxed so it is very easy to keep clean!

Today’s laminate styles offer products that look exactly like real wood. You can choose from narrow strips or wide planks in a variety of species and colors. There are even some styles that have texture to feel like real wood.

With an active household, be sure to choose a laminate flooring with a good warranty.

In the event that you damaged your floor with scratches or indentations, these can be repaired using color fill kits. Since you need to purchase these from your retailer, be sure to keep a record of the style and color floor you purchased. If a board is damaged beyond what a fill kit can do and needs to be replaced, this is the  time to call in a professional. It can be done, but it’s not something you want to attempt yourself.

I hope this information helps! If you are looking for a retailer in your area, try Big Bob’s Flooring Outlet. Click here for their website.

Using Multiple Floor Types – Reader Question

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TETRRF-00003273-001Question:

Is it acceptable to use several different flooring types in a home or should all of the carpet match and all the tile match, etc? I have found several different tiles I like and am hoping that it is ok to use them in different areas.

Answer:

Absolutely it is acceptable to use several different flooring types in a home. In fact, I encourage it! For example, if you have an elegant master bath with natural stone floors, you don’t need to spend the money putting a product like natural stone in your child’s bath. Another reason would be the style of the room. A master bath can have a completely different feel, such as an elegant one, where a child’s bath might have a whimsical feel that calls for a fun ceramic tile. Each room can have its own personality expressed through the type of floor covering you choose.

Another design point to keep in mind is how much of what type of product such as tile you are using. If you are using a decorative or extremely colorful tile, you don’t want to use it in too many places. One reason is that it can lose its uniqueness. My aunt (and fellow designer) always says, “You don’t want it to look like they had a fire sale and you bought everything they had!” If your plan is to keep your floors neutral so that you can incorporate color in other areas such as the walls and you want to use  a neutral product in your home in every room, you may want to use the same product for better buying power.

If you are looking for continuity, there is certainly nothing wrong with using the same flooring throughout your home. Just be sure to use the right product type for the type of room the flooring will be installed in. Just because carpet is in the living room that is adjacent to the kitchen doesn’t mean that the kitchen should have carpet, too.

Using the same type of flooring product can help some open areas look larger by not changing color, pattern or texture. However, changing flooring products in an open area can help define each area such as seperating a dining area from a kitchen and living area.

A good idea in the planning phase is to color code your blue prints with different colors for each type of flooring. This can give you an idea of how things will flow when the floors are installed. Keep in mind that when you have an area that can be completely closed off with a door, it can have a standalone look and feel.

Cambria Special Request – Reader Question

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cambria-farmstylesinkpalmspringscaQuestion: I would like to know if you have any information regarding making a farm sink out of the same Cambria countertop material I am using for my counters.

My architect made a farm sink out of the same limestone she used for her countertops. I really like the look and was just wondering if you had any experience with it.

Answer: I contacted Cambria for this special request and was pleased to find out that you can in fact have a farm sink made from Cambria. It is a special / custom order that can be done. Each order is priced on an individual basis. Other information that Cambria will need includes, your location, where you plan to purchase Cambria and an estimated size of your sink.

For more information, contact

Angie Hilgenberg

Director of Marketing Promotions

Angie.Hilgenberg@CambriaUSA.com

If you are not familiar with Cambria – see below for some of the benefits of Cambria:

  • Strength & Durability- Cambria Natural Quartz Surfaces™ are twice as strong as granite. Cambria is a surface that is truly everlasting.
  • Maintenance Free – No sealing, polishing or reconditioning is needed. Simply wash with warm water. It’s that simple. Plus, unlike granite, Cambria will resist stains from common food items such as wine, coffee and tea.
  • Food Safe – Unlike granite, Cambria has been certified by NSF International as safe for use as a food preparation surface. Cambria is nonporous; therefore, food and moisture cannot penetrate the surface — the main source of growth for harmful bacteria.
  • All Natural – Cambria is created from pure natural quartz, an extremely hard stone. In fact, quartz is the hardest non-precious stone that can be found in the earth’s surface.
  • Everlasting Value – With its beauty and performance advantages over granite, a Cambria kitchen countertop or bathroom vanity will add value to your home.
  • Guaranteed – As the only producer of quartz surfaces in the United States, Cambria is covered by a Lifetime Limited Warranty.

The closer you look, the more you’ll discover the benefits of Cambria over other surfaces. With Cambria, you’ll add warmth and beauty plus the strength and durability that can only be found in natural quartz. Your dream home begins with Cambria!