From the Floors Up

Understanding Your Flooring: Luxury Vinyl Planking (LVP)

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LVP has come a long way over the years. Now being the fast grossing floor in the industry, this versatile option has many beautiful planks available that can replicate wood or tile. It is an excellent solution for rooms that you want hardwood, but the application would not work. While functionality, affordability, and durability can all be determining factors in your flooring, we want to help give you a better understanding of LVP and see if it is best suited for your needs. Let’s take a look!

LVP and LVT are both extremely durable flooring options. Typically, these floating floors are a substitute option for areas that you would like a hardwood or tile look. With high-quality replica flooring, which is more durable, this is an excellent option for any room in your home.
Vinyl planking flooring is very durable; however, it is not “scratch proof.” That being said, most mills would consider most LVP floorings a commercial grade flooring, so it should hold up great in most homes.
One reason LVP has taken over the flooring industry is not just for its durability but for that fact that most LVP’s today are 100% waterproof. This means you can install these floors in basements, mudrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens without hesitance.
Hard surface flooring is not typically considered “comfortable.” Some LVPs may be equipped with an attached backing or underlayment. This may dampen sounds and make the floor a tad softer, yet you probably will not want to kneel or lay on this kind of flooring for long periods of time.
LVP is an excellent stain resistant flooring option. If you are afraid of staining carpet, consider installing LVP in your home.
Spill-proof, accident proof, and pet-proof: LVP tends to claim it all. Remember, it can still scratch under extreme circumstances, and it may not be the softest floor for your child to crawl around on when they are young. Yet, this floor is excellent for messes and accidents.
While not as affordable as carpet, LVP will last longer. If you consider yourself to be “handy,” you may be able to save some money and install these flooring systems yourself.

LVP is one of the most versatile floors on the market. It has proven itself in many applications and has passed the test of time. LVP can be installed in any room in your home. It is great for children, heavy traffic, aesthetics, and much more!

For more insight and analysis on different flooring types, make sure to subscribe and check out more of our series here!

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!

Understanding Your Flooring: Carpet

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As most homeowners already know, not all floors are made equally.  From hardwood to carpet, every flooring option gives you a list of different pros and cons.  While aesthetics is an excellent quality in flooring, understanding which floor is best tailored to your needs is the most important aspect.  You would not want to put a floor in an environment if it is not suited for its traffic and lifestyle. 

With a variety of different flooring options on the market, carpet will always be an excellent option for any home. With so many diverse patterns, textures, styles, and looks, you can tailor any carpet to fit the design theme of your room. Not to mention, carpet is highly desired for its affordability and comfort. While functionality, affordability, and durability can all be determining factors in your flooring, we want to help give you a better understanding of carpet and see if it is best suited for your needs. Let’s take a look!

Generalizing all types of carpet is difficult.  Please note that some carpet will be more durable than others.  Different fibers and pile can all result in your carpet’s performance.  If you are looking for a more durable carpet, ask your flooring sales associate to direct you to one. Their expert knowledge of the product line will help you find one that is suitable for your traffic level and environment.
Your carpet cannot scratch; however, you may be able to tear your carpet with enough force.  Some carpet can also lose its resilience and bounce back which will show traffic patterns.
It is not recommended to install carpet in wet areas.  In doing so, it could lead to unwanted molding.
Carpet is considered one of the most comfortable flooring options available on the market. With the right padding, it is excellent for children in case of falls.  It makes the flooring a more comfortable surface to play on as well.  However, in case of accidents or spills, carpet may not be the best for recovering unwanted stains.
While many carpets are treated with premium stain resistors, carpet is not best for rooms you anticipate frequent spills or mishaps.
Carpet is soft, so this can make for a great play area for kids; however, stains and accidents can happen. If not treated promptly, the liquid can penetrate down to the pad, and this can lead to unwanted lingering odors in your home.
Carpet prices will fluctuate from low to high depending on what quality you invest in for your home.  If you are looking for a quick and affordable option, carpet is your best choice.  However, understand the “cheaper” you go, the less durable and longevity you will get from your carpet.

Remember, carpet can be made of different fibers, thicker pile, and even treated with different chemicals. This is a very general and broad view of carpeting. There are carpet solutions with higher durability, less comfort, and even more water resistance. Make sure to check with your carpet representative to discover which options may be best for you. For more insight on different flooring types, make sure to subscribe and check out the rest of our series!

Your Design Forecast for 2019: Trending or Here to Stay?

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Design is unique; it provides us with specific guidelines yet encourages us to break the rules. It allows the creativity to be artsier than being grounded in science. We can create beautiful, original designs when we incorporate some imagination to help expand the interior design field. New styles and trends constantly flood the industry. Some ideas and trends are hot, while let’s be honest; some are not. Take a look at some of the latest trends and give us your opinion in the comment section below if these are just fading trends or revolutionary marks in design.

Mismatch Flooring

Traditionally, flooring has been uniform in homes. Sometimes a home features tile in the bathrooms, carpet in the bedrooms, and LVP solutions in the kitchen and living room. The rooms would have a type of transition in the doorway or where the rooms connect to give a clean, aesthetical line. Recently though, people have been going nuts over eliminating the clean transition and having flooring “spillover” into the next room. For example, let us say you had a half bath with tile flooring connected to a foyer with hardwood. Instead of a clean transition in the doorway, the tile will come out into the foyer a little bit to make an asymmetrical connection between the two grounds. Rooms have also been made with very mismatch flooring patterns and tiles to create a unique design. While these are incredibly eye-catching, how long do you think this will stay in the industry?

Copper and Brass Accents

A couple of metals have become very common in the design industry over the last couple of years. Stainless steel appliances entered the market in the early 2000s and stayed as a timeless look for homes. Later around 2015, rose gold became a favorite accent piece and people were thriving to have in their lives. From phones to jewelry to décor, rose gold was marketed hard and became quite trendy. Now, copper and brass are both coming back as classy accent pieces to add to your home. Where traditional sinks, lamps, handles, and décor have gone through metal phases, copper and brass seem to be making a stand. Homeowners are loving these two metals and adding them into their homes as a strong accent piece. Copper and brass were commonly used a couple of decades ago but came and went. Do you think they are here to stay this time?

Wallpaper

If you suggested wallpaper in a design five-plus years ago, you would seem crazy. Wallpaper has been out of style for decades, right? Well, wallpaper with high-quality designs has been coming back into style. Floral designs, geometric patterns, and even agate wallpaper seem to be very trendy lately. Even making their way into many model homes and becoming an option for homeowners to require during builds. Wallpaper may be making a big comeback. What do you think?

Are some of these things just trending or making a strong comeback? What do you think? We would love to hear your opinions and predictions in the comment section.

What is Hygge?

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Have you heard of the term hygge (pronunciation: hoo-gah)? It is a Danish word that does not translate well to English, but the concept is very intriguing to design. Dictionary.com defines hygge as “a Danish cultural concept and value of warm, happy coziness and togetherness, which people make time for in everyday life.” In essence, it is a lifestyle and the pursuit of coziness and comfort throughout life. When this is put into a design, it takes on an incredible feeling that floods your atmosphere. With hygge, you are not concerned solely on aesthetics or functionality of the room, but more the “feeling” the atmosphere provides. Still confused? Let us explore a little deeper into how hygge can be used in your own home:

Warmth

Hygge is affiliated with warmth. We often associate warmth with fireplaces, warm foods, and even cozy blankets. While these all help with captivating hygge, they are not solely what creates the warmth. Think of the words “warmth” and “inviting” as interchangeable concepts. Have you ever went to a friends house and the hospitality is so incredible that you feel at home? This is a warm feeling we feel when we are there; a moment of happiness we experience. Warmth is the beginning of the experience, yet so much more is in this lifestyle than just the materialistic matters.

Comfort

Think to yourself, have you ever been happy to be home? Perhaps, you are just cozied up in a blanket, watching television, drinking your favorite cup of tea? Maybe, this can better help you understand hygge. That feeling of “home” and comfort is hygge. Things in your environment can all have influences on how you feel: cozy blankets, comfortable couches, soft rugs, warm slippers, and your favorite robe. However, it is not the investment in these products that create the environment. It is your actual outlook on the surrounding. It is developing this style of happiness with the little things in life. Enjoying the simple delights, and the wonders that the world has to offer. Maybe you feel most comfortable in an old pair of pajamas–this may have no value to someone else, but to you, these old linens provide the feeling of hygge.

Experience

You cannot buy hygge–this is what makes developing this kind of environment unique. It is about the experience the room has to offer. Hygge is a lifestyle! Hygge is an unforced comfort. You need to make your experience feel welcoming and inviting. It can simply be through a fireplace, blankets, teas, or just plain old hospitality that creates this atmosphere. You may already have an idea of what creates warmth and coziness in your home. Apply these characteristics to help create hygge.

Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and the Netherlands are reported to be some of the happiest countries in the world from a study released in 2019. Perhaps, this found happiness is through the lifestyle choice of hygge. Find happiness in the little things. Time with your friends and family, relaxation, and comfort in your own home. Today stresses force us to comply and live a hectic lifestyle. We challenge you, enjoy the little things. Enjoy hygge.

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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