From the Floors Up

Winter Weather Flooring Tip

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With the arrival of winter comes the arrival of cold weather and SNOW. For those of you that live in snowy areas, your floors may need some special attention this time of year. When most people think of snow, they think PURE and WHITE. Most people don’t think about when you are out running errands in that snow and all of the chemicals used to keep the roads and parking lots clear ending up on the bottom of your shoes. Naturally, what happens? You run inside from the cold not stopping to take the time to get the snow out of your shoes or take those warm shoes off your feet at the front door. The excess chemicals and dirt that can build up on the soles of your shoes can scratch floors such as hardwood and leave difficult to remove film on other flooring surfaces. So what can you do?

When coming inside from the snow:

  • Use walk off mats at every entrance to remove the excess snow and dirt.
  • Keep these mats as clean and free of snow deposits as possible.
  • Remove your shoes as soon as you enter the door. It would also be helpful to have an additional mat inside the door to collect excess moisture.

Taking these precautions will not only help protect your floors, but also make them easier to keep clean and safer to be on. When that snow melts on your floors it can cause moisture problems as well as a slip hazard.

Enjoy the snow!

Holiday Reminder

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With the holidays approaching, there are so many things going on to prepare that we just wanted to give you a friendly reminder……If you are planning on a holiday party or having the entire family over for the big meal – don’t wait until the last minute if those plans include adding, changing or replacing any flooring. (even area rugs)

Year after year, we see retailers scrambling to try to meet unrealistic deadlines of customers trying to get their homes just right before company comes. Just remember, you aren’t the only one that had that great idea so floor covering dealers can be extra busy at this time! There are also other things to consider like general delays and back orders for special order materials. There are a lot of dealers out there that can handle next day installations, but why temp Murphy’s Law and wait until the last minute? Save everyone all of the pressure that comes with waiting until the last minute and make your plans to shop for holiday flooring projects as early as possible. I promise you’ll thank us for it when you hear about someone else with a half installed floor right before their party starts. It happens.

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

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

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

Answer: It certainly can be cheaper to install flooring yourself, but there are a few things to keep in mind about the overall decision.

Some flooring installation require specialized tools. These tools can be expensive to buy and / or complicated and dangerous to use if you are not familiar with them.

If a floor type such as ceramic tile is installed improperly, often the only way to repair it is to remove the floor and start over in which case you end up buying the material twice! In other cases, it can cost more for a professional to repair damage done during a DIY installation that it would have to have it professionally installed from the beginning.

Improper installation techniques can also result in the warranty being voided.

If you are typically a handy person and are comfortable with tools, a do it yourself installation may be for you. Just be sure to weigh all of the possible consequences before making that decision!

Question 9 In the Series Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Flooring

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

Question:

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

Answer:

You should only have the same floor as someone else if you have the same floor plan, on the same lot, with the same lifestyle, the same taste and the same budget. Not a likely situation, right?

Choosing the right flooring for your home depends on a variety of factors such as:

  • Room size and layout
  • Amount of light available in the room
  • Lifestyle (kids, pets, elderly parents)
  • Amount of time you plan to spend in the home
  • Personal design style and taste
  • Style of the home
  • Budget
  • Activity planned for the room
  • Other design elements in the room such as wall color, furniture, art, etc.

It can seem like such a good idea when you see a floor in someone else’s home that looks really nice and to just assume that because it works for them that it will work for you. You may very well need or want the exact same type of flooring as someone else, but please be sure to consider the factors above before making that decision and also be sure not to expect the floor to look exactly the same in your home.

Avaire Interlocking Floating Porcelin Tiles

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That’s right – you read it correctly….. interlocking floating porcelain tiles.

Avaire, made in Omaha Nebraska, began with a vision 5 years ago to provide consumers with a floor that is much easier to install than traditional, difficult and time consuming methods and a floor that will perform much better when faced with inevitable and natural structural shifts and environmental changes. After extensive research and testing, their vision because a reality with Avaire interlocking floating porcelain featuring their patent pending SnapSys Interloc technology. They are determined to provide the most user friendly, highest quality and best performing floor products.

These real porcelain tiles are designed utilizing the most advanced screen technologies available. What does this mean to you? A real, natural looking stone product at a remarkable price! Also, the installation process is faster and easier. The installation system floats rather than being fixed to the subfloor. (the tile is permanently bonded on an interlocking tray and rubberized base)  This eliminates the need to purchase thin set or backer board that can release dust into the air and allows for easy replacement of tiles should you damage a tile after it is installed. AND YOU CAN GROUT THE SAME DAY saving you time and getting your living conditions back to normal faster. You can even install over existing floors keeping your existing floors out of the landfill or remove it and reuse it later.

If that’s not enough, the tiles are less moisture absorbent than traditional tile which makes it easier to clean.

For those of you that didn’t stop reading at “….which makes it easier to clean.” to go purchase these tiles you may be wondering what the catch is. Are there different styles? Colors? Sizes?

There are different collections giving you a variety of colors,sizes and styles to choose from with 15 coordinating grout colors and transition and trim pieces to complete the job.

Interested in seeing the product? You can order samples here or locate a dealer here. To see what others are saying about Avaire, check out their testimonials. To learn more about their warranty, click here.

If you have used this product in your home or office, send us some pictures and let us know how easy the installation process was!

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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