- Use a pH balanced cleaner on hardwood flooring. Don’t use harsh cleaners or ammonia on hardwood flooring, and avoid any type of “oil soap” product. You can dull the finish and it will produce uneven hardwood coloring. Even though a vinegar/water mixture is often a recommended solution for hardwood cleaning, over time it can produce very small scratches in your flooring, ultimately dulling shine and color.
- Always use minimal water in mopping, and don’t let puddles dry on the floor. Water left on hardwood flooring can not only dull the shine and color, but also can create permanent stains. A microfiber mop is most effective for hardwood flooring; make sure you always mop in line with the graining for the most efficient clean.
- In general: always test any sort of cleaning product on a small, inconspicuous area of your hardwood floor before attempting a large scale cleaning. Each type of hardwood floor finish reacts differently to various cleaners, so make sure to always first determine what works best for your hardwood flooring.
- Use floor guards for all furniture. Floor padding is highly effective in protecting hardwood flooring and preventing scratching. Additionally, when moving furniture make sure not to slide or drag across hardwood floors.
- Try not to walk on hardwood flooring when wearing shoes that can scratch or damage flooring, such as cleats, boots, or high heels.
- Area rugs and mats are also highly effective at preventing scratching in high traffic areas, or areas such as kitchens where spills could harm hardwood flooring.
- Ensure that windows are placed so that sunlight is not directly hitting hardwood flooring. Over time, sunlight can fade hardwood. If your hardwood floors are directly in line with strong sunlight, cover windows with drapes or shades as much as possible.
- Make sure that hardwood floors are effectively protected from pets and are thoroughly covered in all higher traffic areas.
- Sweep or swiffer your floor often and thoroughly. This is the most effective way to keep hardwood floors clear of dirt and to protect them against future damage.
- In case of a spill, act fast! The best thing you can do to protect your hardwood flooring from stains and permanent damage is to address any issues as quickly and most efficiently as possible.
In today’s ‘Go Green!’ lifestyle, many homeowners are turning to ethical alternatives to meet their flooring needs. From those who do recycling to those who actively seek to reduce their carbon footprint, choosing flooring materials made from reclaimed wood, bamboo, cork, or linoleum is often the answer. These materials are more than just ecologically friendly; they are also aesthetically pleasing and durable. Homeowners need to simply select which material best suits their needs to create a living space that is stylish and environmental friendly at the same time.
Luxurious Laminate
Laminate flooring presents the homeowner with hundreds of choices. From a stone look to a wooden floor appeal, laminate flooring is an easy way to get a designer decor without impacting the environment. Laminate is exceptionally durable and easy to maintain. The heat and pressure used to create the flooring is not dangerous to the environment. It is also a quality material that will last for years.
Bold, Beautiful Bamboo
For those who are interested in ethical flooring, bamboo is a favorite choice. Bamboo is one of the most eco-friendly materials because it is highly sustainable. Even better, bamboo is a bold, beautiful flooring choice for a contemporary or traditional room. Bamboo comes in a variety of styles and colors – you can even choose engineered bamboo. This type of wood flooring is prized for its easy care and rugged durability.
Reclaimed, Reuse, Reduce
Another excellent option for reducing your environmental impact is by choosing flooring products made from reclaimed materials. These reclaimed floorboards do not only qualify as eco-friendly but also as budget-friendly materials with aesthetic appeal. Often seen in hardwood flooring, the wood — salvaged from another project or from used flooring materials — is reused to construct new floor models.
Quirky Cork
Cork is a beautiful natural material that adds warmth and vibrant touch to any room. The material is also a natural insulator and soundproofer, making it one of the most ideal flooring choices in the market. Cork is easy to maintain. It comes in a wide range of colors and styles, and will help you lower your environmental impact without compromising quality.
Even if you are choosing traditional flooring materials for your home, it is possible to reduce your environmental impact in several ways. Safe removal of old flooring materials as well as proper disposal are two of the many easy ways. Choosing padding that is environmentally friendly is another. Making these choices has another added benefit – they are advantageous to your family. How? Safe removal of old flooring materials and proper disposal prevent dust and allergens from escaping into the air; and, many of today’s better padding are hypoallergenic and help keep your home clean and safe.
Whatever your goals are, ethical flooring is available to meet your needs. From beautiful, sustainable bamboo to healthy padding, it is easy to create a beautiful home with gorgeous and environmentally friendly flooring.
Laminate flooring can be a very cost-effective solution for accomplishing your design goals. Plus, laminate provides a variety of advantages to more traditional flooring while still producing a strong aesthetic appeal. Check out these great reasons below to consider laminate for your next flooring project.
Can you tell the difference between laminate and hardwood?
Pros
- Laminate flooring is exceptionally durable. Laminate is one of the strongest flooring materials on the market, and is highly resistant to staining, scratching, and moisture. Laminate flooring also doesn’t fade, ensuring that it continues to look brand new.
- Laminate flooring requires little maintenance. Laminate flooring has a tough external layer and coating that resists virtually all spills and scratches. It also requires minimal cleaning.
- Laminate flooring installation is very easy. Glueless laminate has revolutionized the installation process, making it easy to install even over a multitude of pre-existing floor types.
- Laminate flooring is extremely economical. Laminate mimics other floor types, producing an equivalent design aesthetic at a more budget-friendly price point. The durability of laminate in comparison to other flooring types makes it a very economical solution.
- Laminate flooring comes in a variety of styles, colors, and patterns, making it perfectly suited for any design project. Commonly laminate floors replicate the natural look of hardwood or stone, but can also be used for an array of other aesthetics and styles.
- Laminate is also an eco-friendly flooring option. Laminate is made from wood and wood by-products, and doesn’t involve harvesting endangered tree species.
Cons
- While laminate flooring is extremely cost-effective, it does not add as much value to your home.
- Laminate can be prone to chipping. Additionally, laminate flooring can be hard to repair. Make sure to use a quality contractor for installation to ensure installation is done correctly the first time around.
- Laminate flooring sounds hollow when walked on.
When trying to decide whether to use laminate for your next flooring project, consider these pros and cons and weigh your options. Determine your flooring priorities and see whether laminate can fulfill your design goals or if you’d rather pursue other flooring installation options.
Eco-Friendly Flooring: Sustainability has moved beyond recycling and green practices to encompass an entire type of lifestyle. Flooring design choices that reflect sustainable practices will be increasingly popular in 2012, with a strong focus on natural floors and neutral, earthy wood tones.
Affordable Luxury: In 2012, color will be a source of added luxury. The current conservative atmosphere has customers focusing less on conspicuous consumption and looking for more practical options that provide added value. Color is a simple and cost-effective way to enhance the luxury of your home, and rich and vibrant color s are being seen through the 2012 palette options. Choosing the right color carpet or shade of hardwood flooring can drastically transform the aesthetic of a room.
Timelessness: In the coming year hardwood flooring trends will revert back to a classic and more traditional look. This includes a wider plank and deep, richer colors. These type of classic hardwood types include: Oak, Cherry, Pine, Maple Hickory, Pecan, Walnut, Birch, and Beech.
New Types of Hardwood Flooring:
- Bamboo presents a variety of new color options and eco-friendly solutions for hardwood flooring. New streamlining processes can now affect the color of wood without requiring the use of dyes and other environmentally harmful materials.
- New hardwood flooring colors include: cinnamon, cherry, and caramel.
- Different wood cuts allow for an updated and modernized approach to hardwood flooring. Slicing and rotary cutting creates new face patterns and produces unique hardwood planks.
- New types of wood are being imported from Asia, Germany, Russia, and South America, producing a wider variety of hardwood options and colors.
Quality care and maintenance is key to ensuring durability and extending the lifetime of your new carpeting. Therefore, it is important to understand best practices for stain removal to assure safeguarding your carpet in the event of a spill. We have gathered some insider tips and know-hows to guide you on how to handle even the toughest stains and to protect your new carpet designs and flooring designs.
Spot cleaning is key. It is important to always use a clean white cloth or paper towel, and blot the area. Next dip the cloth in water or a stain removal solution and apply to the affected area. Repeat this process until the stain fades. Scrubbing the carpet could cause more damage, permanently setting the stain.
A common home remedy solution requires a mix of neutral, pH balanced detergent, two teaspoons of mild dishwasher soap (such as Ivory), and a cup of water. After blotting the carpet with this solution, you can apply a mixture of white vinegar and water to the affected area, let it sit for several minutes, and then blot further using a fresh cloth.
Another popular solution for tougher stains such as coffee, red drinks, wine, tea, or ink requires applying club soda to the stain. Let the club soda sink in for a few minutes, then blot. Repeat these steps until the stain has faded or is removed. For a last resort try applying hydrogen peroxide to the stain and let sit for several hours. The chemical reaction should dissolve stains, allowing you to blot up any excess later on.
Make sure to always test a small spot of carpet with a new solution before applying to a larger and more noticeable area.
And lastly, but most importantly, you need to act fast. The quicker you address a stain the easier it will be to resolve.
Inspiration Nation
Looking for ideas for your next big design project or renovation? Flooring and carpeting tie together design and elemental aspects of every room, and therefore are critical to successfully putting together any aesthetic. We have gathered interior design blogs from across the web to bring the inspiration straight to you. Check them out below to get ideas for your next flooring and carpet project.
http://www.desiretoinspire.net/
http://designedinteriors.tumblr.com/
http://designevolution.tumblr.com/
Let us know what inspires you! Post your favorite blog or interior design inspiration in the comments below.
Next to your walls, nothing in your home is more visible than your flooring designs. Today’s homeowners have access to more new flooring and carpeting installation options than every before, making it possible to design the perfect room from floor to ceiling. From new materials to new designs, the flooring industry has provided homeowners with many exciting and innovative design elements, making the hardest part of designing a room choosing just one new flooring element.
Flooring is as much a reflection of our personal tastes as it is an integral part of our home. While some homeowners are choosing to utilize more traditional flooring options, such as carpet, ceramic tile, vinyl flooring and hardwood flooring, today, it is possible to select flooring that utilizes a wealth of new and recovered materials.
Hot ‘New’ Materials
Today’s hottest new flooring styles, showcased by companies like Contract Carpet One, are anything but traditional. Materials used to create innovative flooring options include:
- Recycled Rubber
- Concrete
- Spanish and Italian Ceramics
- Woven Vinyl
- Carpet Tiles
- Reformulated Linoleum
Of these selections, perhaps reformulated linoleum is the most exciting, as it combines intriguing design elements with a material that is known for its strength and durability. Reformulated laminate offers several benefits to the homeowner:
- Reformulated laminate is rigorously tested to meet environmental and safety standards.
- Reformulated laminate has higher durability standards than traditional laminates.
- Quality reformulated laminate does not mean expensive flooring.
- Installation is easily and quickly performed by a professional team.
- Regular maintenance is easy and will ensure long life for the flooring material.
Perhaps more importantly, reformulated laminate offers homeowners a larger selection of styles, designs, and colors, making selecting the ideal new flooring option simple.
Going Even Wilder
Still, for those interested in a slightly more cutting edge option for their flooring needs, there are other exciting possibilities available. Bamboo flooring is another popular options, particularly for those interested in green or sustainable living practices. Today’s bamboo floors are more durable than ever before and, coupled with clean installations practices, can help ensure a safe and ecological footprint-reducing experience for the home owner.
Slightly more irregular is flooring comprised of leather. These floors are durable and exceptional. Homeowners with a modern design perspective, or those wishing to showcase their eclectic nature, may wish to mix in some leather flooring options along with more traditional features.
Working with a professional flooring and carpet provider, such as Contract Carpet One, will allow you access to not only the latest materials and styles in flooring options, but also professional installation. Selection, innovation, installation, and style are at the heart of today’s newest flooring options.
Today’s new flooring options truly do showcase more than your design aesthetic. Properly chosen and installed, they can seamlessly comment on who you are as a person, what is important to you, and how you have chosen to live your life. Work closely with your flooring and carpet provider to select and install the flooring that is most representative of who you are. From cork floors to leather floors, you’ll easily find just the flooring you need.
