From the Floors Up

Measuring for Flooring and Its Variables

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Many companies will come out and measure before installing flooring – this is not because you are naïve and do not know how to measure a room. In fact, it is to ensure they order enough flooring for your project. Every room will come with its own variables, and in many situations, you need to know more than the square footage of a room. While linear footage can help give your flooring company a general idea, there are still many variables to consider. Here is a brief look at why measuring flooring can have many variables:

Carpet

When carpet is manufactured, it is typically created on a large roll. These rolls are traditionally 12-feet in width and can be up to 300-feet in length. The size of your room determines how much length you will need. So, if your room is below 12 feet in width, you will just order for the length.

  • Example: 11×11 Bedroom will call for a 12×11 roll of carpet
  • Example: 10×14 Bedroom will call for a 12×14 roll of carpet

However, what happens when you have a room that is 16×14 can completely change the equation. A room over 12-foot will need to be seamed. Carpet is directional, which means it needs to run the same way to be installed correctly. So, a room that is 16×14 could be complete with two 12×16 piece rolls; however, there would be a substantial amount of wasted product! So, these areas are created by making cross seams.

Carpet can also be calculated out differently depending on how many rooms or the shape of the rooms being done. Some rooms may be L-shaped. There are several variables that can go into the exact measurement needed for carpet.

Tile, Hardwood, & LVP

Prepackage flooring that comes in boxes can be a little simpler to figure out the measurements. If a box says it contains 27 square feet of material and you are doing a room that is 100 square feet, you will need four boxes. Unfortunately, the problem arises when you have an area that is just over a box amount. Let us say you have a box of LVP that covers 20 square feet, and your room is exactly 100 square feet. Would this mean you need five boxes of LVP? Not quite because you need to calculate waste. In these situations, you will most likely need to invest in six boxes of flooring. Also, some products may come damaged from the manufacturer with a broken tile or a splintered piece of hardwood. Calculating a little heavy is always a safe bet.

If a company asks to come out and measure, it is best you have them do so to help keep your quote exact. With many variables from transitions to installation, a trained eye is best. This can help assure that you are getting just the right amount of flooring.

The Best Flooring Materials for Contemporary Homes

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When searching for flooring materials for your contemporary home, there are a few options that stand out among the rest. They are the type of materials that are very desirable to homebuyers in the market for an up-to-date look that is move-in ready. If you want to be sure you have made the right choice, check out some of the best choices for contemporary settings.

Hardwood/Engineered Hardwood

Hardwood is one of those materials that has stood the test of time. These floors are endlessly versatile with a variety of furnishings and are valued for the quality look they bring to a living space. While more expensive and timely to install, hardwood floors are always going to be a good investment. If your budget is not as high as you would like, you could still achieve the look you want through the installation of engineered hardwood. Engineered hardwood has a thinner top layer of hardwood with additional wood layers fused beneath it. It is a quicker process to use the engineered version of this material, and you can still enjoy the warmth and class it provides to the room. In fact, there are very few engineered wood disadvantages at all.

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is another excellent choice for a contemporary home that is always sought after by homebuyers. Tile gives the room a clean look and is easy to maintain. The variety of different types of floor tiles on the market today makes it easy for anyone to create a complementary look to any of their decor. Textures, patterns, and shapes can all be used to add a bit of customization to the space while still being able to enjoy the stain- and mold-resistance properties that it provides.

Carpet

Carpet is always going to be appealing for homebuyers who want a space to provide a warm and welcoming retreat from other more formal areas of the house. Carpet is an excellent addition to the living room or bedrooms. Its padding will provide comfort underfoot and help reduce noise, which is a desirable trait if you have children or pets. It is also a safe space in the event of a fall, so both young and old can feel secure when they are standing on a carpeted area.

All in all, contemporary designs can have a very versatile flooring selection. From carpets to hard surfaces, contemporary design is able to gracefully master any of these flooring types.

Different Flooring Types for Pets | Pros and Cons

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Pets are members of our family, and we treat them as such. We need to pick our flooring accordingly so that any damage to a new floor is not the pet’s fault. One of the best questions to ask yourself is if you had it to do over again, what would you do differently regarding pets and your current flooring? We have listed the following pros and cons of pet flooring choices that you should find very helpful when in the market for new flooring.

Carpet

Pro

Carpet is a favorite option for homeowners since it creates a soft and warm floor for pets to stretch out.

Con

Carpet requires high maintenance, especially if your pet has accidents, like training a new puppy. You must have it professionally cleaned or invest in a carpet shampooer.

Hardwood

Pro

Hardwood floors are durable, but not immune to pet accidents and scratches due to large, active dogs running through the house. However, if you find the accident quickly, it can be cleaned, and no damage will occur. Also, hardwood floors last for years and years and can be refinished over time, resulting in the look of a brand new floor.

Con

The cons are accidents and scratches from the dog’s nails while running through the house.

Laminate Flooring

Pro

Laminate flooring is often a choice by homeowners due to its cost compared to hardwood floors. There is a protective covering on the top layer of laminate flooring that will help protect against scratches.

Con

Laminate floors will show scratches, especially if you have a smooth glossy finish. If your pet has an accident and you are not home to clean it up quickly, the moisture will damage the flooring, especially if left for several hours.

Tile Flooring

Pro

Tile flooring is often a favorite of homeowners with pets. It is resilient to accidents, and no matter how active your dogs might be, their nails will not damage the flooring. You can put down an area rug so that pets have a softer surface to sleep.

Con

The main con for tile floors and pets is that tile is cold and hard. Often times, in the winter months, tile floors are extremely cold unless you have an area rug or heated floors.

Natural Stone

Pro

Stone flooring’s pros and cons are very similar to tile flooring. Stone flooring is known for its undeniable beauty and durability. It is resilient to bathroom accidents, and no matter how active your dogs might be, their nails will not damage the flooring. You can put down an area rug so that pets have a softer surface to sleep.

Con

The main con for stone flooring is it is not warm and soft for pets. Again, during cold winter months, stone floors are very cold unless you have heated floors or an area rug.

Luxury Vinyl

Pro

In many cases, luxury vinyl is the best option for homeowners with pets. Pay careful attention to LVF because many brands are 100% moisture-proof and are competitively priced compared to hardwoods, laminate, tile, and stone flooring.

Also, many brands have a thick cork backing that is great for standing on for long periods of time. Also, if you buy a hand-scraped plank or tile/stone flooring with a less smooth finish, you will not see any dents or scratches from your pet’s nails.

Con

As far as the cons go for LVT, the least likable fact is that due to its elastic contents, the manufacturing process is not as environmentally friendly as other options.

We hope that you found this list helpful, and be sure to check back weekly for more flooring advice.

Three Unique Flooring Ideas

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Flooring can transform a space while adding character and value. When designing your home, you will explore many different flooring options. Finding the best one to make your home feel unique can be challenging. However, simple tricks for installing floors in unique ways can really make your design pop. Think outside the box and use some of these unique tactics in your own home for optimal design results:

Backsplash on Stair Risers

When adding flooring to your stairs, you probably will consider staining, carpeting, or runners, but have you considered adding tile? This concept is beautiful when done right. Allow the elegance of tile and wood to make your home remarkably stunning. Stain or paint each step and on the back of the stair risers, install a backsplash. While tile can be expensive, this project can range around the price of doing a backsplash in the bathroom or kitchen, and it can really transform your stairwell.

Herringbone Pattern

Not all hardwood and tile flooring can accommodate this style, but some flooring options can be installed with the unique herringbone look. Herringbone is a 90-degree, alternating patterned sequence which can be used on the floor or in backsplashes. It is a classic look that can really add a new appeal to the room. While it may take a little more time to prep and install, the end results are fantastic! It is an instant focal point in any room with this catchy pattern!

Carpet Tile in Residential Space

Carpet tiles are an excellent alternative for wall-to-wall carpet. Typically, carpet tiles are used in a commercial application. They come with the benefits of comfort, sound dampening qualities, and help insult a room. Carpet tiles are great because worn or damaged tiles can be easily replaced. With moderate to extreme, carpet tiles come in all sorts of patterns and colors. Consider adding carpet tiles to your home gym or basement!

Having a different perspective of options available may influence you in a new way. These unique trends and styles are great for any home. Which one is your favorite? Let us know below in the comment section.

Pro’s and Con’s of Hardwood Floors | Part Two

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Hardwood flooring is aesthetically pleasing, low maintenance, durable, and it can be refinished multiple times. With so many benefits, why should you not invest in hardwood throughout your whole home? Well, every up has its downs, but that does not mean these beautiful floors are not worth the investment. Hardwood may be the perfect solution your home is missing, yet having a better understanding of the product never hurts. Join us as we explore the other side of the coin and see some of the cons in hardwood flooring.

CON’s

Cost

Home investments can be pricey, and hardwood is no exception. The cost of the product, specialized tools, and installation can make hardwood flooring a more costly investment. However, the durability of this flooring and return on investment in real estate may be worth the long-term investment. And not all hardwood floors are equally expensive, either. For instance, the cost to install engineered hardwood floors is often lower than the cost to install solid hardwood floors.

Noise

Hardwood reduces hollow sounds and can improve the home’s acoustics. Therefore, hardwood is installed in dance studios. However, this allows the sound waves to travel very easily and does not dampen unwanted noise. To reduce sound, you may want to invest in a cork underlayment or area rugs.

Water

Water is not hardwood flooring’s friend. The planks will expand and contract and become damaged. It is not a good practice to put hardwood near watery areas in the home like bathrooms or laundry rooms.

Subfloor

Unfortunately, hardwood floors cannot be installed over any surface. Hardwood is an organic material and even the best hardwood floor brands can expand and contract due to temperature and moisture levels. Concrete retains a lot of moisture and can damage the floor. While some engineered hardwoods can be installed over concrete by gluing the planks down, it is not recommended.

Remember, not all hardwood flooring is created equal. All woods have different scratch resistant level, stain different, and come engineered or solid. While the pros may outweigh the cons, it is essential to understand if hardwood is the best suit for you. If you missed part one, where we talked about the pro’s, visit it here.

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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