Monday, March 29, 2010

It's Spring Cleaning Time ~ Natural Stone Tile

Natural stone (travertine, marble, etc.) should be cleaned with neutral cleaners. Never clean with any product containing acid, lemon, or bleach. Acids, even a light solution of vinegar and water, will eventually etch and damage natural stone.

At least once a year you need to seal the tile and the grout. Some products are multi-purpose, meaning you can use the same product on the stone and the grout. Others are just for either the stone or the grout; be sure to read the instructions well to make sure you are using the proper product.

TIP: Don’t use generic cleaning products such as bleach, glass cleaner or degreasers. Don’t use vinegar, ammonia, lemon or orange as cleaners. These products that you buy at your local store contain acids, alkalis, and other chemicals that can etch marble and degrade the sealer, leaving the stone more vulnerable to staining. Trying to save money by using these over-the-counter products only ensures that you’ll spend a lot more time and money in the long run!

It's Spring Cleaning Time ~ Ceramic and Porcelain Tile

Ceramic tile and porcelain are very easy to clean. Sweep or vacuum as needed and mop with a mild detergent (like Spic-N-Span or Mr. Clean) or ceramic tile cleaner. Don't use harsh abrasives.

Now it is time to seal your grout. Sealing your grout will make the grout less porous and more resistant to discoloration. Manufacturers recommend sealing your grout once a year to keep it looking its best. You can purchase grout sealer at Enhance Floors & More.

Also check any caulking. Caulking is used where the tile is exposed to water. Caulking prevents expensive subsurface damage. Recaulk wet areas as needed.

TIP: Don’t use bleach or ammonia based cleaners, as these products can discolor your grout.

It's Spring Cleaning Time ~ Laminate Floors

There is not much that you need to do to a laminate floor as part of your spring cleaning. Vacuum thoroughly and clean using the product made or recommended by the manufacturer of your floor. Check the felt tips on the legs of your furniture and replace as needed. If you are moving the refrigerator or other heavy pieces, do not drag or roll the items. This can damage a laminate floor. Replace your exterior door mats if needed, and just enjoy how easy it is to maintain your laminate floor!

It's Spring Cleaning Time ~ Hardwood Floors

First, check the legs of all furniture to see if the floor protectors need to be replaced. Replace as needed. It is now time for a thorough sweeping or vacuuming of your floors. Do not use a vacuum with a beater bar or hard head on hardwood floors. The hard parts (plastic, metal) can scratch the floor. The vacuum head should be brush or felt; a wand attachment is preferable.

Be careful as you move furniture and appliances. Do not drag heavy pieces. You may need to use large pieces of cardboard or something similar to move the heavier items onto to protect the floors underneath. Many people move the refrigerator to clean behind and under it as part of their spring cleaning. Do not merely roll the refrigerator out. The weight of the refrigerator can easily indent the floor. You need to roll the refrigerator onto something so that you are not rolling it directly on the floor. Use a large piece of cardboard, a thin piece of plywood, or a piece of carpet with the fiber side down. We have seen more damage done to hardwood floors from moving a refrigerator than from any other cause.

Damp mop as needed using a hardwood floor mop and approved hardwood floor cleaner (do not use oil, wax, or ammonia based cleaners as they will dull the finish and performance of your floor. These products will also affect the ability to recoat your floor later.)

Since wood naturally expands when it is wet, never wet mop or use excessive water to clean your floor. Large amounts of water can cause the wood to swell and may cause your floor to crack or splinter.

TIP: Just because something says it is for hardwood floors does not mean it should be used on the floor. Read the ingredients carefully. We are amazed by what various internet sources state to clean wood floors with. Do NOT use Orange Glo, Goof Off, steam mops, Windex, ammonia, dish soap, Pledge, vinegar, Pine Sol, Mr. Clean, Mop and Glo, bubble bath, Rejuvenate, tea, Simple Green, or similar products. Only use cleaners made by wood flooring manufacturers like Armstrong, Mohawk, or Bona.

Use good quality doormats at all of your exterior doors. Replace as needed.

Now is also a good time to look closely at your hardwood floors to determine if it is time for another coat of polyurethane. Start with the areas that get the most foot traffic. Are these areas duller than the wood in areas that do not get as much traffic? Do you see light scratches in the finish? If you can see superficial scratches and the traffic lanes are visible, it is time to recoat your wood floors. Most floors are in need of another coat of polyurethane every five years or so; although in some homes, another coat may be needed every 12—18 months. If you wait too long, a simple screen and coat will not be effective; the floors will need to be refinished.

TIP: Dust mop your wood floors frequently. Use a clean, dry, non-treated dust mop. Hardwood floors mops can be purchased at Enhance Floors & More if you do not have one. As we mentioned previously, be very careful if you choose to use a vacuum; worn parts or grit on the wheels will scratch the surface. Do not use a vacuum with a beater bar on the wood flooring.

It's Spring Cleaning Time

Spring is finally here, and for many of us, spring cleaning is on our “To Do” list. There is a lot of incorrect information about cleaning and maintaining your floor coverings, especially on the internet. If you are the one in charge of spring cleaning at your house, please take a few minutes to review what the major flooring manufacturers recommend.

Please be aware that most of the maintenance products and cleaners that you need to take care of your flooring investment are available at Enhance Floors & More.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

A great idea to update your home that will cost you less than a house payment

A quick and inexpensive way to totally change the look of a room is by adding an area rug. Enhance Floors and More features beautiful rugs that are in-stock and available for you to take home that day, or you can custom order the perfect rug designed specifically for you! We have rugs priced as low as $59.

What's New At Enhance

Handscraped hardwood floors! On special while supplies last is a 5" handscraped Maple hardwood. This floor is beautiful and perfect for an "old world" decor. WE have also installed quite a bit of handscraped eucalyptus this year. These floors will camouflage wear very well, and give your castle a distinctive look.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Remodeling Tip

A hot bathroom trend is wall mounted vanities! A suspended vanity takes up less room and will make the bathroom seem larger. (More visible floor space in a room makes the room seem more spacious.) Wall-hung toilets are also available for a sleek, clean, contemporary look. Be sure to ask us about the newest products if you are updating your bathroom.

A great idea to update your home that will cost you less than a house payment

Replace the carpet in your heavy use areas, like your family room or stairs. Today’s carpets are more stain resistant than ever. The new big sellers, frieze carpets, are as beautiful as they are practical. For not a whole lot of money or preparation, you can update the most visible areas of your home with brand new carpet.

Did You Know?

Enhance Floors is a complete decorating store? Once in a while we get a surprised “I didn’t know that you carried that item, or have that service!” Scratching only the surface, we offer. . .
Carpet ~ Vinyl ~ Laminate Floors
Natural Stone,Ceramic and Porcelain Tile
Hardwood Floors—Prefinished and Site Finished
Hardwood Floor Refinishing
Bamboo and Cork Floors
Area Rugs ~ Countertops
Bathroom and Kitchen Updates
Cabinets, Vanities, Islands
Staircase Makeovers
Designer Fabrics (Custom Window Treatments, Bedding, Upholstery)
Design Consultations (FREE In Store)

Friday, March 19, 2010

A Great Idea To Update Your Home That Will Cost You Less Than A House Payment

A new backsplash for your kitchen in subway tiles. What is subway tile? Shiny white tiles that are 3” x 6”, usually installed in a brick pattern. This is a style that goes with everything and will NEVER go out of style.

Design Tip

A coming design trend is black and white kitchens. In the past few weeks, we have installed floor covering in several homes that were updating their kitchen using a black and white color theme. This is a dramatic color scheme that is contemporary as well as traditional, even retro. You can choose black or white cabinets, counter tops, appliances, light fixtures—the combinations are endless. Add a solid white back splash, maybe in a popular subway tile. Most flooring options feature a black and white pattern that ties it all together.

Did You Know?

Enhance Floors & More was recently featured in Angie’s List monthly magazine in the “Question Authority” section. Elisabeth Stubbs, one of the owners of Enhance Floors, was interviewed on how to select the right carpet for your home. What is Angie’s List? It’s an organization the collects and publishes reviews on local companies from consumers. Homeowners like you share their experiences and are asked to grade companies they have used on an A through F grading scale. Enhance Floors & More is proud to have an "A" rating. Visit www.angieslist.com to learn more.

What's New At Enhance

We are pleased to introduce the impressive line of hardwood floors from Mullican Flooring. Mullican wood floors are proudly made in the USA. Mullican Flooring offers top quality products that install problem free. Great quality, great selection, and great prices!

Mullican Flooring is also committed to the environment. The company uses all scrap and waste of the tree. For example, the bark removed from the trees is used as mulch and the wood chips are used in the kiln during the drying process. Mullican is also dedicated to forest management and supports the sustainable, renewable supply of raw materials to ensure that there will be plenty of forests available for future generations.

Most everyone agrees that wood floors add value to your home. Hardwood flooring is beautiful, practical, and an intelligent investment in your home!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

What's Hot At Enhance


Frieze carpets! Our clients are choosing subtly textured frieze carpets, tightly twisted styles offering great durability. Many of our best selling carpets are these subtle friezes, constructed of the newest soft fibers.

Did You Know?

That Enhance Floors & More is open on Sunday afternoons? For those of you who find that the weekend is the only time available for shopping, don't forget that our showroom and professional staff is available to you from 12 until 5 pm on Sundays.

Design Tip


Grey is the new neutral. Gray is calming and dramatic, less severe than black but more interesteing than white. Contemporary homes tend to look good with cooler blue-grays while more traditional settings call for warmer grays with brown or green undertones. Don't forget the Design Consultants at Enhance Floors & More can help you create the perfect new look for your home.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Buying A New Couch For The Family Room?

Be sure to consider the pros and cons of your fabric choices. Sofas for every day use need durable fabric. The experts at Good Housekeeping have tested a wide variety of fabrics and find that cotton and linen are winners for durability, but even when treated for stain resistance aren't as easy to clean. Synthetic microfiber can mimic most fabrics and is stain resistant and durable. Blends of natural and synthetic fiber tend to pill within a year. Wool and leather are handsome and strong but expensive. Silk is sleek but fragile. Fabrics with patterns woven in tend to wear better than those with printed patterns. Be careful with loose weaves-they can snag. Take the time to understand your choices so that you select the best product for your lifestyle and budget.

Did You Know?

Enhance Floors & More has just been named Mohawk's Dealer of the Year for the entire Southeast USA! Enhance Floors & More was selected from over 200 Color Center dealers for this prestigious honor.

What's New At Enhance


Bliss Carpets! Beaulieu of America makes Bliss just up the road in Dalton. This unique carpet was created for and by today's busy women and features built in stain resistance and Magic Fresh technology. Magic Fresh works to capture and absorb common household pollutants from the air (for example, pet odors, cigarette smoke, cooking odors) and destroys them over time. Bliss also features Silver Release antimicrobial technology that imbeds silver and copper ions into each carpet fiber to effectively inhibit the growth of bacteria and resist mold and mildew. These two features keep the Bliss carpet in your home cleaner and fresher for the life of the carpet.
Choose from traditional textures, fashion forward friezes, and elegant pin dots in 68 rich and vibrant colors. You'll love these soft yet super-durable carpets--be sure to ask to see Bliss when you visit our showroom.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

"Decorating Dollars"


Refer Enhance Floors & More to a friend or neighbor, and once the project is installed, you will receive Decorating Dollars equal to 5% of the sale. You can use these Decorating Dollars toward your next purchase -- on anything in the store! Rugs, cleaning and maintenance products, new granite counter tops, flooring, designer fabrics -- whatever you choose! Send enough new customers our way and YOUR next project can be free!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Design Tip Of The Month

What is a spa bathroom? A spa bathroom is a peaceful sanctuary where you can relax, rejuvenate, and revitalize your mind and body. Spa design usually takes a very minimalist approach, using only a few colors. The colors should be calm and neutral and reminiscent of natural elements, such a clouds, beaches, and river rocks. Typical materials used in a spa bath are tumbled stone, exotic woods, and glass mosaics. Other elements of spa baths include multi-jet showers, rain shower heads, steam showers, saunas, whirlpool tubs, heated floors and towel racks, and steam-free mirrors.

Not interested in major makeovers? Simple and inexpensive changes include the use of baskets, candles and soft rugs. Buy thick, plush towels and display them rolled. (These tips are from the most recent Atlanta Home Improvement Magazine. See January/February edition for the complete article.)

Home Design Trends

A recent survey by the American Institute of Architects has found that the most well-liked rooms in today's homes are the home office, mud room and media room. Homeowners also want some combination of kitchen and great room where the family can interact. No longer "hot" are three-car garages, guest rooms, and formal living rooms. In fact, many home buyers are now willing to buy a home without a living room at all.

Another design trend with staying power is spa baths. These over-sized spaces combine several current trends: creating comfortable environments for aging, bringing back the luxuries of travel, and spending more time in our homes. The experts tell us that the spa bathroom is a must-have if you want to sell your home.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Our Clients Are Telling Us

We recently installed wood and carpet for Chris and Joey in Marietta. We received a sweet note that they said we could share with you: "We could not have been more pleased with the process, outcome or quality of your products. Every step of the way was top notch/first class. From the initial meeting with Wanda and Casey to working with the installers--Ricardo and Adriano and the carpet installation staff--every one of them was courteous, knowledgeable, kind and dedicated to getting the job done. We are beyond pleased and have told many people who are interested in getting some flooring done in their homes about you all. Thanks so much for running such a remarkable company and hiring such quality people. We will use you again in the future!" Thank you so much Chris and Joey for the kind words and allowing us to share your comments. Enjoy your new floors!

Did You Know

That Enhance Floors & More was recently announced by Angie's List as a winner of the 2009 Super Service award? This reward goes to fewer than 5% of companies on Angie's List, and it is the highest honor they give. Thanks Angie's List for this great honor!
Angie's List Super Service Award Winner

Flooring Sales, Installation, Repair in Atlanta

What's My House Worth?

Two websites can help you with the information. Visit Realtor.com to get a list of recent home sales near you. Then go to Zillow.com. This site has recent home sales as well as homes that are currently on the market in your vicinity. You'll also see a picture of your house. Home values are finally on the rise again!

What's New At Enhance

Our clients love our new showroom and so do we. If you haven't stopped by, please come in soon and say hello. Great ideas you'll see include a slate-look porcelain tile with a custom bordered insert in the foyer. Our expanded tile area includes real travertine and a walk-in shower with a pebble floor. The handscraped maple wood is attracting attention as well as the high gloss cherry floor. You'll also love the fashion forward soft frieze carpeting. It is now so easy to say "I want that" and in a snap it's installed in your home!

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Countertops and Balusters

What’s New At Enhance
Quartz countertops! Enhance Floors and More features the One Quartz line as well as a huge selection of granite slabs. After much testing, Consumer Reports recently rated quartz as their top choice for countertops, with granite in second place. Most real estate agents are telling their clients that the home will not sell for top dollar if the kitchen does not have stone countertops. Mention our newsletter and we will include a FREE stainless steel undermount sink with your kitchen countertop purchase!

A great idea to update your home that will cost you less than a house payment

Replace your banged-up wooden balusters on your staircase with new wrought iron balusters in the design of your choice. Enhance Floors can change out the balusters or totally redo your entire staircase. Many clients have said that the new balusters made their home feel like it was a model home! Baluster options range from simple (twists, baskets) to elaborate (scrolls, decorator finishes.) Your staircase design allows you to showcase your personality and creativity in what will become one of the new focal points of your home.

Our Clients Are Telling Us
Mary in Marietta says that she is very happy with her new carpet and that she was so pleased with our installers. Kevin and Anita in Marietta told us that we did an excellent job refinishing their hardwoods and that they get a lot of compliments. Charlie in Woodstock (a home stager) loves the carpet we installed for her client, and says that she is referring us to everyone she works with that is in need of flooring. Thank you Charlie!

Special Offer
Print and bring in this newsletter and receive 25% off the original price of any in-stock area rug.