From the Floors Up

Understanding Your Flooring: Hardwood

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Adding hardwood flooring is a luxurious upgrade that homeowners absolutely love.  The authentic nature is a timeless remedy that can transform any space. Not to mention, hardwood is highly praised for its raw beauty and elegance that it can bring to any atmosphere. While functionality, affordability, and durability can all be determining factors in your flooring, we want to help give you a better understanding of hardwood and see if it is best suited for your needs. Let’s take a look!

Hardwood floors are a very durable option for the home. They can be sanded and refinished several times and allow the flooring to continue to look brand new. That being said, be careful because softer woods will be more capable of scratching and gouging.
Different hardwoods will have different levels of scratch resistance. While no wood is scratch proof, you can find harder woods to prevent damage.
While a quick spill on the floor is not going to be detrimental, wood and water are not compatible. Hardwood flooring can expand and contract with water causing boards to warp, crack, and split. Keep hardwood away from wet areas or basements where moisture may come through the subfloor!
Hardwood is not “typically” chosen for the comfort it offers. While hardwood is not considered soft, it will add warmth and energy to the room. Hardwood is more of an investment on the beauty it adds to the space, not necessarily the comfort it adds.
If a stain penetrates the hardwood, it will be nearly impossible to remove. However, unlike carpet, you have more time before a spill will break into the flooring causing a stain. With hardwood, it is important to clean a spill as soon as it happens to prevent unwanted damage to the flooring.
Hardwood is a beautiful flooring. If you fear your animals or children may damage the floor, you should probably wait on the investment or put it in areas that will not see heavy use.
Hardwood is not the most expensive flooring, but it is a luxury flooring. Installation may require special tools and can up the cost. However, hardwood can increase your home’s real estate value and is a powerful home improvement to help move your home up on the market.
Hardwood’s beauty is unmatched. It is an incredible asset to any home. Not only does it increase market value, but it can last a lifetime with proper care.

Remember that not all hardwoods are the same. With engineered and solid floors, you may be able to get away with a little more in the right application. Make sure to check with your flooring representative to see if hardwood will work in your home. For more insight on different flooring types, make sure to subscribe and check out more of our series!

What is Engineered Tile?

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What is engineered tile? You have probably heard of it before, but are unsure how it differs from traditional tile. To help expand on the topic, we dove deeper into discussing what it is and why you should choose it.

What is it? 

You may be wondering how engineered tile differs from traditional tile. What exactly is the difference? Engineered tile is built on a stone composite base to help deliver it with incredible durability and resilience. This tile differs from your traditional ceramic and porcelain tile options because of its strength. 

Why choose it? 

	1. Stylish. 

Engineered tile comes in a wide selection of designs that have been inspired by elements found in nature. You can find anything from a wood-like finish to classic tile. If you choose a class tile look, you can have your engineered tile installed with grout to create a more authentic look. Otherwise, you have the option to work without grout for a more seamless and aesthetically-pleasing look. 

	2. Durable.

Like we mentioned before, the resilience found in engineered tile is outstanding. If you were to drop something hard on your traditional tile floors, you would often find a crack. With engineered tile, you will find a more resilient and durable flooring that can handle drops and accidents. This attribute helps to make engineered tile a greater investment. Plus, if damage were to occur in your engineered tile, it is easier to replace than traditional tile. 

	3. Comfort. 

You will find that traditional tile floors are often hard and cold. It can feel uncomfortable to stand on for hours at end, especially in kitchens when prepping meals. With engineered tile, you can receive the natural tile look with more warmth and comfort. Engineered tile offers a softer underfoot to help your feet feel at ease during meal preparation. 

	4. Quick Installation.

You will find that engineered tile comes with a fast and easy installation process. Helping to make your remodel process go by faster for more enjoyment. 

	5. Easy-to-Maintain. 

With engineered tile, you are guaranteed an easy to clean and maintain flooring option. Plus, this flooring is extremely resistant to stains and scratches helping to make accidents less tragic. 

	6. Versatile. 

Amongst the vast selection of styles, engineered tile can be installed on your walls for a transitional look in bathrooms and kitchens. 

 7. Long-Lasting. 

Engineered tile is long-lasting with high performance and beautiful features. It truly is an incredibly flooring choice for your home.

What are your thoughts on engineered tile? We would love to hear your thoughts below in the comment section.

Tips for Increasing The Lifespan of Your Hardwood Floors

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Understanding how to properly care for and maintain hardwood floors is essential in order to lengthen their lifespan. Just like your much-loved automobile, you may look at your hardwood floors in a different light because they are a home investment. To help readers secure their investment, we encourage proper maintenance and care. By caring for your floors as you would a car, you will find that they will be cherished for their beauty as well as their longevity. Let’s take a look at the different ways you can maintain your floors.

Clean Flooring – This is the most basic task for maintaining and extending the life of your floors. Simply sweep and dust mop the floors daily to prevent dust and dirt from spreading. This will also eliminate allergens from your home and prevent the floors from becoming scratched. For additional maintenance, only clean floors with products recommended by the manufacturer.

Sunlight Exposure – Do not forget that sunlight can fade the color of your hardwood floors. During the peak hours of the day, use window coverings to eliminate the sun directly hitting your hardwood floors.

Floor Coverings – Area rugs are another great way to prolong the life of your floors while adding comfort, texture, and even a pop of color.

Rearrangement – Another helpful tip is periodically rearranging the furniture to allow the flooring to age naturally. By doing so, you will not have one area of your hardwood floors more aged than another area. It will help keep consistency in your floors.

Avoid Dulling Objects – High heeled shoes can scratch and potentially damage hardwood floors. We recommend encouraging shoe removal when guests enter your home. You can do so by placing in a designated storage area of the foyer. Also, if you are a pet owner, keep your dog’s nails trimmed for their health as well as your floor’s.

Floor Protectors – Invest in inexpensive floor protectors to place under furniture to prevent scuffs and scratches. These protectors are also excellent for moving around large pieces of furniture. They not only prevent scratches but make it so easy for one person to move furniture, especially for cleaning.

Accidents and Spills – Clean spills immediately with a dry, white cloth or paper towel to prevent staining and discoloration of the natural color. Again, only use cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer to guarantee effectiveness and safety.

By properly caring for your hardwood floors, you are securing your investment. It is essential to take all of these steps into consideration for long-lasting floors. For more expert tips and tricks, visit us at From The Floors Up.

Must-Haves for a Bathroom Remodel

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Remodels are the perfect time to change the things you dislike about your current space. This includes its functionality, design, and flow. To help create the perfect space, we have included six must-have ideas for your bathroom. Let us take a look!

 

Must-Haves for a Bathroom Remodel:

Double-Sink.

If you ever have two people getting ready at the same time in the morning, a double sink is a necessity for you. Double-sink vanities are efficient and beautiful. They provide the homeowner with more space to get ready while adding elegance to your space. When in doubt, go double.

Bathtub.

Expert designers encourage homeowners to have at least one bathtub in their home. But if your heart is not set on solely having a bathtub, you could get a shower + tub combination. Most homeowners find the combination more appealing and this option tends to work well for families.

Extra Storage.

There is nothing that a little extra storage cannot fix. When remodeling your bathroom, remember the amount of storage that you currently have and how you want to advance it. Believe us, there is no such thing as having “too much” storage. You can always find an item to put there.

Kid-Friendly.

If you have a family, you want to make sure that your bathroom remodel is kid-friendly. By making it kid-friendly, you can accommodate your little one’s needs. Things like shorter countertops, pitch-free drawers, and rounded corners can be a life-saver when your little one is getting ready for bed.

Easy-to-Clean.

While you are deciding on your bathroom materials, you want to take into consideration how easy it is for you to clean. Now that you have the choice to make things easier on yourself, why would not you? Choose easy-to-clean floors and countertops for your bathroom. If you need help, we would love to assist you! Just ask one of our expert sales staff.

Plumbing.

Remodeling costs can skyrocket if a homeowner decides to change the plumbing. Moving your toilet to a different wall may ultimately be the best idea, but keep in mind that your budget will increase. If you are trying to keep costs low, try to keep your plumbing where it is.

 

Get the best quality floors for your bathroom! With excellent customer service and satisfaction, we will not disappoint you. Give us a call today and find out why we are the best. 

Four Tips for a Kitchen Renovation

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Kitchens are one of the most important rooms in a resale. Aside from bathrooms, kitchens will play a big role in a buyer’s decision process. Whether you are renovating for yourself or a future resale, updating your kitchen can be a fantastic idea. To help you, we have created four tips for you to use during your renovation. Let us get started! 

 

4 Tips for a Kitchen Renovation: 

Tip #1: Lit. 

    • The lighting you use in your kitchen can be more important than you might think. You want the lighting to be focused on your specific “work areas.” Areas like the sink, stove, and island will be your focus. 
    • When you choose the lighting for these areas, you want it to provide a significant amount of light. Since you are working with knives and hot tools, it can be imperative for you to see what you are doing. To help avoid injury and make life a little easier, we recommend “spotlighting” these important areas.

Tip #2: The Backsplash.

Your backsplash can be very diverse. Typically, a backsplash is used to add design and style to your space, but it can also help protect our walls from food splashing. Not only is it beautiful to look at, but backsplash provides a layer of protection for our kitchen surfaces. Be sure to add a gorgeous backsplash to your kitchen during the renovation. 

Tip #3: Island. 

An island can be an incredible space for prep-work. They provide extra kitchen counter space while adding to the overall look of the room. If you are planning on using your island for prepping, be sure to add a sink. The sink will add ease of mind when prepping and cooking your favorite meals. Plus, consider adding storage on the outside walls of the island. A little bit of storage can go a long way! Be sure to talk to your contractor about all of the kitchen island possibilities. 

Tip #4: Convenience. 

During a remodel, you can add those special features that you wish you always had. Items like a pot-filler, wine cooler or lazy-susan can transform your space and personalize it to your taste. Be sure to mention your interests to your contractor and see what you can add to your space. 

 

With a kitchen renovation underway, you will need new flooring from a company that you can trust! Rely on us to be your number one flooring provider! We will work hard to transform your space in a timely matter. Contact us today for information on our pricing and services. 


 

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

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