What Wood You Like To Know About Wood?

Hardwood floors are a very popular flooring choice and have been throughout the decades, except for the 1960's and 1970's when it was trendy to cover your wood floors up with carpet. (It is worth noting that we have to specify the 1960's and 70's, because wood floors were also the flooring of choice in the 1860's and 70's!)

Wood floors are also a smart purchase. Robert Wright, national president of the American Society of Interior Designers advises "When it comes to your money, I always would advocate wood because it's a good return on your investment and it's a product that everyone responds to. A nice hardwood floor -- that's pretty much always been a sign of quality. It invokes a good feeling in people."

According to a 2011 national survey conducted by the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), 99 percent of real estate agents say that houses with hardwood floors are easier to sell. Of those surveyed, 90 percent believe homes with hardwood floors sell for more money and 82 percent say they sell faster.

Wood Flooring 101

If you are shopping for new wood floors, one of the first things to understand is the difference between site-finished and prefinished hardwood floors. Site-finished hardwoods are installed raw (unfinished) and then sanded, stained, and coated with multiple coats of polyurethane finish in your home. You are able to select the stain color and the gloss level of the floor. Prefinished hardwood floors are fully manufactured and finished in the factory. A prefinished floor offers a quicker and more convenient installation, but you have fewer choices in stain color, etc. Both types of wood flooring (site-finished and prefinished) are available in solid and engineered wood.

Many clients ask us if prefinished floors are real hardwood floors or are engineered floors real hardwood floors. Yes, both are composed of 100% hardwood. Most engineered wood floors can be sanded at least once, except veneers. All ¾" solid prefinished wood floors can be sanded numerous times.

Now you may be wondering what is solid wood and what is engineered wood? Solid wood is exactly as it sounds: a solid piece of wood. Solid wood is usually ¾" thick. Engineered wood is thinner and is made in plies (layers) with the actual species of wood on the top layer. The bottom layers utilize other species of wood for stability. Engineered wood was developed for glue down installation, but some can be nailed down or floated. Engineered floors can be ¼", 3/8" (most common), ½", or even 9/16" thick. If the area being installed has a plywood subfloor, either type may be used. If your substrate is a cement slab, you will almost certainly choose engineered wood. Solid wood floors can only be installed on cement if special (and expensive) installation techniques and adhesives are used.  

Why Is The Price Of Wood Flooring Going Up?

The major hardwood floor manufacturers have announced their third price increase of 2013 (and the year is not even half over yet!) Why? It is a simple supply and demand issue. Demand is increasing as new home builders are building again and remodeling activity is on the increase. When the demand is increasing more quickly than the supply, prices go up.

And this is not going to be an easily remedied situation. There are fewer logging operations now than five years ago, and the lumber mills have decreased from more than 700 to less than 200 over the same time period. We do not expect wood prices to go down, as we are being told by our vendors that "there is no end in sight" to the price increases, and to expect back orders and delays in getting material.

And it is not just hardwood flooring that is going up. We check the plywood prices at Home Depot weekly. Plywood has gone up over 21% in the past three months. Wow

If you are planning on investing in new wood flooring for your home, please do not keep putting it off. Now is truly the time to buy to get your best deal.   


We Wood Be Wrong

if we did not wish all the mothers reading this a very happy Mother's Day! In the words of George Washington:

"My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her."

Thank you, Mothers! We appreciate you!


Final Days
The Mohawk Love Your Floor Sale with 31 Month Interest FREE Financing ends this Monday, May 13. We have access to this super-long-term financing only in the fall and spring, so if you miss out on this deal, we will not be able to offer multi-year financing again until October. Great sale prices, plus great financing-----you will definitely love your new floor if you buy during Mohawk's Love Your Floor sale!

Spring Cleaning DON'Ts

It's Spring Cleaning Time

and there are definitely some things you should NOT do as part of your cleaning routine. Let's make the job easier, not harder!

DON'T make yourself sick. Literally. Do not mix bleach with toilet bowl cleaners, vinegar, or ammonia. These mixtures can result in toxic, potentially deadly fumes.

DON'T skimp on tools. Have plenty of microfiber cloths (while other cloths push dust around, microfiber grabs and removes dust) and change out when they get dirty. Have an extension wand to help you reach high ceilings and hanging light fixtures, and a vacuum with attachments that allows you to clean upholstery and tight spaces

DON'T work harder than you have to. Start from the top and work your way down. This is just the law of gravity - clean from the top of the ceiling to the floor. Knock all the dusty cobwebs from the corner, wash the curtains, clean the windows, dust the furniture, vacuum the furniture and finally vacuum the floor.
In the kitchen, circle your way around: Always begin on the right side of your stove, then move clockwise around the room. The stove is typically the dirtiest part of the kitchen, so ending with it keeps you from spreading dirt and grease. (First, soak drip pans and knobs in warm soapy water. By the time you've worked your way around, they'll be easier to clean.)

DON'T ruin your hardwood floors! We spoke with a client today who had her hardwood floors ruined by a cleaning person using a "hardwood floor finish." She is going to have to refinish the floors to remove this product, at a cost of $3000. There are many products that say "for hardwood floors" that you should NOT use!

Please read the labels carefully before you use a product on your hard surface floors. Words and phrases to watch out for are:

~Polish ~Finish ~Glo or Glow ~Fills in scratches
~Shine ~Protects from water damage ~Refresher, Rejuvenator
~Leaves a long-lasting brilliant shine ~Oil soap ~Wax

These words and phrases are telling you the product is more than a cleaner. There is some type of wax or dressing in the product which will almost certainly cause problems. Either it will not adhere (will peel or flake off) or there will be an unattractive residue on the surface of the floor. Please only use cleaners made by wood flooring manufacturers like Armstrong, Bona, or Mohawk

DON'T think that do-it-yourself carpet cleaning is the same as a professional cleaning. And if you have relatively new carpet, the manufacturer warranty requires hot water extraction cleaning by a professional at least every 18 months.

DON'T use the wrong products on your granite countertops. Do not use bleach, glass cleaner, degreaser, vinegar, ammonia, lemon or orange cleaners. You can cause damage (etching) to the stone with these acid or alkali cleaners. Use neutral cleaners made specifically for granite and stone. Now is also a good time to see if water beads up on the stone. If it doesn't, that means it is time to seal the stone.

DON'T ruin your wood or vinyl floor when you move the refrigerator out to clean behind it. First lay down a sheet of plywood and roll the refrigerator onto the plywood.

DON'T forget your trash cans: Remove the bag and sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the can before adding about two inches of water. Allow the mixture to sit and then swish it with clean water. Wipe down the sides and rinse. Dry it with an old towel or let air dry.

DON'T forget the pantry. Spring is the perfect time to get rid of perishables and expired foods that have been in the pantry for too long. Check the less obvious stuff, like spices that have been around awhile or the cereal you haven't eaten since 2003. Even canned goods don't last forever.


BONUS ~ BONUS ~ BONUS ~ BONUS

The average income tax refund in the U.S. is $2900. We want to do our part to help you spend your refund wisely. Check out our current series on Facebook of home improvement projects you can complete for less than $2900. See pictures and prices of actual installations we have recently completed and get inspired!

Spring, Soon But Not Now

What's New This Spring

Good bye winter, hello spring. Out with the old and in with the new! Popular fashion colors that you will be seeing in the stores this spring include:
~~orangey red/poppy red. Use as a pop of bright color with neutrals (beige, cream, black, navy
~~cool mint---this pale pastel is everywhere
~~electric yellow. A little goes a long way---maybe a tank top under a blazer or a handbag
~~black and white or black and cream

And the trends we are seeing in home décor:

~~lots of lanterns and candles
~~beach and coastal accessories
~~romantic, feminine
~~stripes and geometrics (chevrons are particularly popular)

~~botanicals: natural objects, rustic wood, ceramics, paired with simple plaids

Remember the colors you see in fashion become the colors you see in your home. Two of our most popular Pinterest boards are Black and White and The Color Green. Click above to check them out if you need ideas on how to use these colors in your home.

Sneak A Peak

Today is the very first day of our huge Love Your Floor sale. There are great prices on Mohawk floors, including soft and durable Silk carpet, beautiful hardwood floors (oak, maple, and hickory) with a 50 Year warranty, and porcelain tile that is just your style. We also have 32 month (that's almost three years!) interest free financing on Mohawk floors. Our Spring Sale is one of the biggest sales of the year, which means now the perfect time to make your dream home a reality.

What's New At Enhance

We are excited about all the new styles and products that have just arrived. If you have not been in lately, please stop by. We have so much to show you!

 One of our most popular new carpets is the WearDated Embrace line from Mohawk. This is a super soft nylon carpet that is as durable as it is comfortable and beautiful. Our best sellers are the pindot and the textured styles. We also love the new print "Essentials" carpets from Stanton. These carpets are great for custom area rugs, as well as staircase runner and wall-to-wall installations.

We just got in the new American Scrapes hickory hardwoods from Bruce. These floors are distressed and "soft scraped." The soft scraping makes them a great choice for our clients that do not like the strong undulating scraping of some of the first generation hand scraped styles. The American Scrapes are totally made in the USA, plus a portion of all sales are being donated to Homes For Our Troops, a national organization that builds homes for injured returning warriors. Choose from stain colors like Amber Grain, Cajun Spice or Grand Canyon Sunset. One is sure to be perfect for your décor.

We are in love with the newest Armstrong laminate styles! Favorites include the Coastal Living Patina and Rustics Premium styles. Many of us want a hardwood floor, but know that with our kids and pets and busy lives that wood may not be a smart choice. These new laminates are so realistic that they will fool a flooring expert.

If tile is your style, you'll want to see the brand new Mohawk porcelain and ceramic styles. Bogerra is a beautiful travertine-look porcelain tile, rectified, that is available in both matte and high gloss finishes. If you love the look of travertine but worry about the sealing and maintenance, be sure you consider Bogerra. Southbourne is another porcelain tile filled with movement and is offered in four sizes, including the popular 12" x 24" and 24" x 24" formats. Colors include Oyster Cove, Coral Reef, Pelican Bay, and Copper Shore.

And we have totally updated our rug selections. We have brand new styles including some of the best looking outdoor rugs that we have ever seen. These outdoor styles look so good you may not want to put them outside, but you can. And we are still having our area rug Buy One Get One free promotion, so now is a great time to quickly update your home with new rugs----two for the price of one!

It's Like Free Money

Do you know about Enhance Decorating Dollars? This is a great program where we reward you for referring your friends, family, and neighbors to us, and you get a certificate for 5% of their total purchase. Just this month Meg used $221 in Decorating Dollars on her carpet purchase (this was like getting an additional 10% off our already great prices) and another client received almost $300 off on new hardwood floors for their living room because she had Decorating Dollars. Christine came in Friday and got a $150 area rug for free because she had $149.29 in Decorating Dollars.

It could not be any easier to get in on this---no coupons to clip, no loyalty cards to sign up for, just refer Enhance Floors to people you know that are in the midst of home improvement projects! And there is no limit to how many Decorating Dollars you can receive. Keep referring us until YOUR next purchase is free!

Join The Conversation

Did you know Enhance Floors was on Facebook? We are currently running a very popular series called "How Much Does It Cost." We are also posting pictures of the floors we are installing that day. Please check out our page and like us and join in on the conversation!

I Was Floored By Enhance

Connie in Marietta, one of our favorite repeat customers, told us that our Installers were great and everyone was wonderful to work with. Carie, a first time client in Kennesaw, says that her carpet and vinyl installation was "professional and fast" and that she will refer us and use us again. Kristina in Marietta loves her new hardwood floors and can't wait to call us with her next project. Thank you, everyone, for helping to spread the word about Enhance Floors & More. Remember, we want you to be our customer for a lifetime, not just one time, so we work very hard to make sure you are totally thrilled with your experience.

What's New In Decorating

Spring is coming---a time of renewal and rebirth. And the change in season has many of us thinking about making changes in our homes. Before you go shopping, here's a quick list of some of the most popular decorating trends for 2013:

~~Stripes and chevrons. Pillows, fabrics, even for painting---these subtle geometrics work in almost every space

~~This year's "it" colors are Emerald Green and Monaco Blue. Try them out first in small throw rugs, vases and pillows, and small pieces of furniture like an ottoman

~~Flowers and floral patterns as long as the design is not heavy or overbearing

~~A fun update is to add a specialty area like a small bar or wine or coffee station to a corner of a room

~~Eye catching light fixtures---pendant lights or unique chandeliers

~~Grass cloth wallpaper adds coziness and texture to a bare wall almost instantly, while the natural fibers provide a home with that perfectly imperfect look

~~Black and white is a timeless color combination, and always works with a bold new hue for a needed punch of color

~~Down to earth motifs featuring bamboo, shells, stained glass and stone-framed elements. Unfinished wood tables and surfaces made of stone show off natural grains and help bring the rustic look of the outdoors into the modern home

~~Metals such as gold and brass (not too shiny) are stealing the spotlight from silver. Look for aged patinas and names like antiqued and oil rubbed. Designers love how these metallics ooze warmth and pair well with almost any color

~~Some bigger and more involved projects include adding French doors to the bedroom or patio and exposed architectural elements like exposed wooden beams

~~If you want to get ahead of a trend, think art deco. From the popularity of the television show Boardwalk Empire to the newest version of The Great Gatsby hitting the big screen this summer, it's clear that the 1920's are making a comeback. Expect a resurgence of Roaring 20's art deco in homes, influencing everything from walls to furniture

What's New At Enhance

New products are arriving almost daily! In just the past few days we have added some fun new Shaw area rugs, new SmartStrand carpet styles, and new hardwood flooring options, including some new distressed exotic woods and an engineered wood floor with a super thick top ply. And we love our new Stanton print carpet collection. There are some great patterns for a men's den, your media room, or the family room. Durable and different, in contemporary and traditional looks, there is something for every décor in these new patterns. Come by today and let our Design Consultants make your dream home a reality!

A Popular Week

Spring break is the week of April 8 in many of our local school systems. This is a popular week for our clients to get projects done, for some because they will be at home, and for others because they will be gone. If refinishing your hardwood floors or a big staircase makeover is on your "to do" list, this is a great time to have this type of work performed because you can go away and not have to worry about keeping the kids off the still wet polyurethane. If you need your installation that week, please get your project finalized soon, because we always book up quickly during school break weeks

It's Getting Better!

Many, many real estate experts are saying that the recovery in real estate has begun, particularly in North Atlanta. In many areas there is only a three month supply of homes on the market, which constitutes a seller's market. And the spring buying season is almost upon us!

If you are thinking about putting your house on the market, here are some tips to get your home sold quickly and for top dollar.

Make sure your home is in move-in condition. Buyers in today's market are picky and do not want a project house. Your house needs to be in excellent condition, remodeled and already updated. The top finished projects buyers want to see are, as always, kitchen and bath makeovers. Buyers today want to move right in and settle down---not spend six months and a lot of money on contractors.

And if you do not have the budget to make big changes, find a less expensive way to get the same effect. Old laminate countertops can be painted. A colorful new rug can cover worn wood floors. Give your floor and wall tile a facelift with grout stain (an easy do-it-yourself project) to cover up dingy old grout. Appliance paint can give new life to an old refrigerator or dishwasher. If you can't replace your carpeting, have it professionally cleaned and deodorized. Consider replacing your old glass shower doors with a stylish fabric shower curtain.

More Inexpensive Updates:

~~Add a tile backsplash in the kitchen for a burst of new style.

~~Paint. This is a quick and inexpensive way to refresh a room
~~Replace your hardware---drawer pulls, electrical switch plates, door knobs, faucets. Switch from brass (so 80's!) to nickel or antique bronze.

~~Replace a dated bathroom mirror with an inexpensive framed one, or build your own frame with strips of molding and rosettes.

~~Clear out the clutter. This costs you nothing and makes your rooms seem larger.

~~Don't ignore your yard and the value of the first impression. Put in fresh mulch or pinestraw, trim the bushes, and have a blooming plant by your front door.

~~Clean, clean, clean! If the house is spotlessly clean, prospective buyers assume it has been well cared for.

Make your house bright and cheerful.

Bring the outdoors in with lots of light and windows. Remove old blinds and window treatments and replace with inexpensive sheer curtains. Update an older home with new ceiling lights and under-cabinet lighting.

Meet Christi Trombetti

We are excited to introduce a new feature to our newsletter---a column written by our friend and local Realtor, Christi Trombetti. Christi has been a professional Realtor since 2002, selling homes full time since 2007, and works from the East Cobb office of Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage. She will share with us her thoughts and updates on what is going on in real estate. We will all eventually sell our current home; her tips will help you make smart decisions about what is probably your largest investment, your home.




Where Are All The Good Deals?
By Christi Trombetti

I have been asked that question several times in the past few months. First time buyers, investors, and move up buyers alike are wondering what happened to "all the good deals". As for sale inventory is shrinking, the housing market is becoming more balanced and homes are selling faster and for more money than even a year ago. It appears that the "bottom" has passed. Unfortunately for deal seekers, it's hard to recognize that until we are again on the upswing.

Local statistics show that the foreclosure numbers in Cobb County are down 33.4% this year. I wonder if it's because fewer homeowners are in distress or if the banks are waiting longer to foreclose. I believe that banks are working with homeowners on short sales where possible.

In addition, many homeowners who would consider a move are still underwater on their mortgages and have decided to continue to wait, especially now that the market is showing improvement signs. Whatever the reasons, right now, there are not enough homes to meet the needs of many buyers across all price ranges.

As always, homes that are in the best condition and have been updated over time to today's cosmetic standards will sell the fastest (as long as the price is correct). We will see if the Spring brings enough inventory to meet the buyer needs. All real estate is local, so if you have questions about a specific area, it's best to call me or another full-time Realtor that you trust.

www.TrombettiTeam.com

Our Clients Are Telling Us

Bruce in Marietta is very satisfied with his new carpet. "The carpet is great, the Installers were wonderful, everybody was very helpful. I love the carpet and am looking forward to many years of enjoying the carpet." Allen in Roswell says his new wood floors are "perfect in every way" and the Installers are great! And Bob and Mary in Marietta love their new carpet. Thank you, everyone, and keep spreading the word about your great experience with Enhance Floors & More.

What Is Travertine Tile?

Some of the most popular pictures on Pinterest and Houzz are of travertine tile installed in kitchens and bathrooms. You may be wondering exactly what is travertine?

Travertine is a natural stone and is a popular building material that is used in everything from floors, countertops, backsplashes, fireplace surrounds, showers, and sinks. It can even be used outdoors. Travertine is a sedimentary rock that is close in chemical composition to limestone. It is warm, elegant and durable, but as with most stone surfaces, it requires a degree of extra care to maintain its natural beauty.Travertine is a medium-density, porous material with a pitted surface that is usually filled and sealed for increased durability, though it can be left unfilled for a more natural look. The finish can be polished, honed or textured. Much of the travertine commercially available in the U.S. comes from Italy, Turkey, and Mexico.

There are some definite pros and cons of travertine tile. This is a quick overview of what you should know if you are considering travertine for your home:

Pros:
~~Aesthetic appeal: travertine tile has a luxurious appearance that many people like. The stone has natural veining that makes each piece of travertine unique in appearance. There are also a variety of colors to choose from: muted neutral shades of tan and gray to bright bold shades of coral.

~~Ageless appearance: travertine already looks old and weathered. Travertine is not trendy and has in fact been around for centuries. The Colosseum in Rome is composed mostly of travertine.

~~Cost: if you like marble, travertine has similar durability and aesthetic appeal but at a lower price.

~~Impervious to temperature extremes: travertine withstands temperature extremes of hot and cold and stays cool even in direct sunlight.

~~Nonslip: The natural non-slip texture of travertine is another reason that makes travertine tile a good choice for floors.

Cons:

~~Porosity: travertine is a very porous stone. In its natural state, travertine has numerous holes. The holes can range in size, with most travertine pieces having a mix of large and small holes. In most cases these natural holes are filled in at the factory during manufacturing. That being said, the materials used to fill in the holes can wear down over time.

~~Acid sensitivity: travertine is composed of calcium carbonate, which is highly reactive to vinegar, orange juice and other weak acid food substances encountered in the kitchen. Because of this, travertine may not be suitable for kitchen countertops where it may be exposed to acidic foods on a regular basis. A good sealer will protect it to a certain extent, but if it is not sealed adequately or often enough, or the sealer is scratched or worn off, regular kitchen use will ruin the travertine surface. If it is used in the kitchen, a filled travertine tile is preferable to an unfilled surface.

~~Lack of uniformity of appearance: as travertine is a naturally occurring stone, not all the tiles in the shipment may look exactly like the sample. The colors and patterns in the appearance may not be uniform. Care must be taken in arranging the tiles to ensure the desired result. A premium grade of travertine tile will have more uniformity and less imperfection than a lower quality travertine.

~~Maintenance: as with other natural stone, travertine is subject to staining. It also retains a degree of softness that makes it susceptible to etching. Special products and sealers are required to clean and maintain its surface.

One final note: expect to find a wide range in prices for travertine stone, between $3 to $10 per square foot, plus installation and sealing. The price is based on quality and includes factors such as consistent coloration, the amount of fill, and the actual color (the lighter the color, the more expensive.) We have a nice selection of travertine in the Enhance Design Center.

Wood Floor Prices~~~Up, Up, and Away

We just updated an estimate from June, 2011 for a client. The price of her wood flooring has gone up 9%. And we have been notified of another industry-wide price increase coming March 1. We are told to expect an average increase of 10%. If you plan on purchasing new hardwood floors for your home this year, please buy now and lock in your price. Prices are not going to go back down as this is a supply and demand issue---limited supply and increasing demand. As the economy and the housing market continue to improve, demand is guaranteed to keep growing.

Thinking about updating your staircase

with wrought iron balusters?

Our Design of the Month below features;

Single Knuckle, Double Knuckle and Double Scroll Balusters.