Low Down On Basements

Lowdown on Your Basement

Happy Summer Everyone! Even though it isn't officially summer yet, it sure feels like summer already, with temperatures in the 90's! The kids are out of school, and we are all happy about that. Traffic will be better, and lifestyles will be more relaxed for the next couple of months.  Meals are easier, our days can start a little bit later, and we'll all spend more time at home in general.

Some items around the house that may need attention to start off the summer right are on the outside: Do you need a new patio umbrella? How about the chair cushions out there? And is your grill cleaned and ready to go? Do your outdoor lights need new bulbs? It is time to check your outdoor potted plants, too, and maybe buy a few new hanging baskets to perk up the deck.

This may the time of year that you all spend more time in the basement, if this is your "hang out" area. We install a lot of basement floors all year long, but in the summer when the kids are home, this is when you really want a basement. What kind of floor do you prefer in the basement? Does your current basement floor serve its' purpose successfully?

There are many great options for a basement floor. Your choice depends on how the basement is being used, and your budget, of course. For starters, do you want a hard surface, or carpet?

Carpet is softer and feels warmer. So, if you have toddlers who spend a lot of their time on the floor playing, carpet may be your better choice. It will cushion their inevitable falls as well as muffle some noise. But if they are carrying snacks and juices down there, the carpets are gong to need regular cleaning.  For older children, the noise factor may be an important consideration as well, but in general, hard surface floors are going to serve you longer and be more durable, albeit more expensive.

In hard surfaces, you have several choices. You can install everyone's newest darling, luxury vinyl. LVP or LVT is great and is very good looking. It comes in so many different styles, there is something for every taste. We even have a new luxury vinyl from Pergo that looks like Terrazzo! LVP has the added benefit of being practically waterproof, so if spills are going to be your issue, you should definitely consider vinyl.

Another great option for the basement floor is laminate. Laminate looks have improved by leaps and bounds recently, and we here at Enhance love laminate. If you have larger dogs and/or teenagers, laminate is very cost efficient and incredibly durable. It is incredibly scratch resistant, and looks so realistic, people will think you have installed wood! Most laminates will tolerate spills that are cleaned up in a reasonable amount of time, but we have recently brought in Restoration Laminate from Mannington that is Water Resistant for up to 72 hours, with SpillShield technology. Great new product, and we are impressed!

You can install porcelain floors in the basement, but this is probably your most expensive alternative. Most basement floors require extensive work to make them level, and other types of floors may be more forgiving of imperfections. That combined with the fact that tile will give you a floor that always feels cool make it less desirable in a basement. (Unless you have a dog with a heavy coat- he's going to love it!)

Your last option on the basement floor is engineered wood. Wood is beautiful! It looks warm and feels good underfoot. If you will be having more adult gatherings in the basement, then by all means, use wood. Engineered wood has the stability needed to be installed over a concrete slab, unlike solid wood, and it looks and feels great. Just ask the ladies to leave their stiletto heels at home, as wood can be damaged by those.

When you come in to shop at Enhance, whether it is for floors, a bathroom remodel, window treatments, or something else, we do ask you a lot of questions. We want to help guide you to the best choices for your specific needs. There is no universal best type of flooring for everybody.  Different types of floors will hold up differently depending on factors such as traffic, pets, kids, etc. Knowing your family's lifestyle and picking a flooring that fits into that lifestyle is something that a lot of people don't consider. All floors have their pros and cons. You need to take the time to determine which product will best meet your needs (lifestyle, budget, appearance, maintenance, etc.) while creating the fewest concerns.  Spend time talking with us. Be open to products you have not considered or did not know existed. We love showing off our products!

Design Tip

Feeling inspired?  Ready to turn your musty junk-filled basement into a warm livable space? Or maybe you are already using the basement but want to style it up a notch? Basement design ideas are limitless. Whether you want a cool chic look or a more dramatic themed basement, the choices are endless. But before you start decorating, you need to decide what you want to use your basement for.   This will greatly determine your design plan. A living area needs to feel warm and cozy, a bedroom needs to have a quiet and relaxing finish. A game room needs some exciting colors and an easy-to-clean floor. A theater room needs sound muffling fabrics and fibers and comfortable seating. Once you determine the function and use of each area, your plan comes together much more easily.

How Much Does It Cost?

We just installed top-pf-the-line Tarkett LVP in a large Marietta basement.  The price tag was $8000. This is a floor that will look great for years, and is as beautiful as it is practical.

And Now For The Bad News

You have been hearing about tariffs and trade wars on the news.  Many consumer products are being impacted with tariffs and higher costs.  While we don't know exactly what the ultimate resolution will be of this negotiation between our country and China, we do know that by the end of this week we will be paying an additional 15% tariff on all of our products that are imported from China, including luxury vinyl, hardwood flooring, and ceramic tile.  

Enhance Floors & More and our suppliers have no control over these tariffs.  We will be updating our pricing as soon as specific costs are made available to us.

We appreciate your understanding.

Did You Know

That we have given away two Roomba's to clients that wrote a review about Enhance Floors & More?  Someone wins every month. If you want to win a Roomba (and spend less time on housekeeping chores) all you need to do is write a great review about your experience with us and post it on Google, BBB, Houzz, Facebook, or Yelp.  Then email us where you wrote it and you will be entered in the monthly drawing. You could be a winner!

Guacamole Doesn't Belong on the Carpet

Guacamole Doesn't Belong on the Carpet! What's the best way to take care of stains on your carpet? Prevent them from happening, of course! Well, as wonderful as that sounds, and don't we all wish we lived in that world, that is about as unrealistic as a good traffic day in Atlanta! So, instead, here are some realities and suggestions for living in the real world. First, try to avoid having the following on your carpet: Colored drinks, wine and sodas, the worst. If there should be a spill, immediately blot the spill with a dry towel, pulling up as much moisture as you can. Make sure you're blotting, not scrubbing. Scrubbing will only spread the stain. Once you've absorbed as much liquid as possible from the area, mix white vinegar, soap and water in a misting spray bottle and spray on the spot. Let it soak for about 10 minutes and then blot again with a clean, dry towel. Our Mohawk SmartStrand carpet cleans up with only water, so if you are carpeting, and have a child who cannot be separated from colored drinks, consider SmartStrand! Chocolate. Who doesn't love chocolate? But not on the carpet!  If you do get a chocolate stain, scoop up and blot as much as possible, then vacuum any dry particles. Afterwards mix 1/4 teaspoon of mild liquid dish soap with one cup of warm water and apply it to cloth. Gently work the fabric on the carpet from the outside of the mark towards the center. Let the solution stay for about 5 minutes and then blot it dry. Chewing gum, not really a stain so much as a glob, but still a problem. When gum gets stuck on a carpet, it's nothing but an eyesore. To remove it, dab an ice cube on the gum and let it sit there for 1 minute, which will make the gum hard. Once hard, you should be able to pull it off the carpet carefully. You may need to do a little scraping, but if you do, be sure to use something with an edge that is not sharp enough to cut the carpet. You can also use peanut butter to separate the carpet form the gum, but then you have to remove the peanut butter from the carpet! Blood. First, try to act as quickly as possible to remove the stain. Remember to use cold water instead of hot, mixing it with a grease-fighting dish detergent in a spray bottle. Then follow the same steps as described for colored drinks. Ink. Kids and dogs are both terrors when it comes to pens! And sooner or later, one will end up leaking on your carpet. Act fast and blot the spill with a clean towel and some rubbing alcohol. No rubbing alcohol in the house? Try Vodka or hairspray.  Let it sit there for about 30 minutes and then rinse it with warm water and vinegar. Pet Stains. We love our four-legged children, but they are not perfect, and there are going to be accidents! When there are, first remove any solids, as quickly as possible. For urine, blot, blot, blot! Mix ¼ cup of vinegar with a quart of warm water and spray onto the stain. Allow to soak for a few minutes, then blot some more, until dry. We always suggest that you upgrade your carpet pad to one with a liner to prevent any spills from going into your pad and subfloor. Spills are relatively easy to get out of carpets, butalmostimpossible to remove if they go deeper. Of course, if you want to avoid carpet stains altogether, install hard surfaces. Have you looked at flooring lately? The choices are amazing! Wood floors are classic, and now are more stain and scratch resistant than ever.  Tile floors are hardworking, durable, and beautiful, but can tend to be a little cold to the touch in the winter months. We have some incredibly beautiful stone looks in both porcelain and budget friendly ceramic, and there are some wood look tiles that will fool you unless you touch them! Laminate is a great alternative for families with active children and dogs, and we will be adding even more styles in laminate this month. Vinyl is currently the superstar of the flooring world. We are installing it everywhere- living rooms, bedrooms, basements, playrooms, kitchens- everywhere! More beautiful styles and colors than you can imagine, and they are waterproof. We just received our new display of Pergo luxury vinyl, and have a new floor installed in the showroom with Pergo- fabulous! If you haven't seen vinyl in the last two years, it is a whole new world out there! Come in and see! You can see all our great floors when you attend our Flooring Fiesta on Tuesday, May 14, from 4 until 7. Have fun while sipping a margarita and learning at these informative seminars:  5:30     If You Spill Your Margarita Make sure it's on a waterproof floor like Revwood Plus Speaker:  Holly Dysart with Mohawk Flooring or luxury vinyl!  Learn more about these popular floor covering options.   6:00    Salsa Resistant Carpet SmartStrand Carpet is the perfect carpet for active families, durable enough to hold up to all of your fiestas! Speaker:  Holland Kercher with Mohawk Flooring   6:30           Nacho Traditional Ceramic Tile See what's new in this flooring workhorse---tiles that are tough, stain resistant, with unlimited design possibilities! Speaker:  Chris Schmidt with Daltile We will have a taco buffet catered by Moe's and the margarita machine will be cranked up.  All compliments of Daltile! There will be prizes, too---a gas grill, heavy duty cooler, and a $100 VISA gift card.  All you have to do is attend one of our seminars to be entered in the drawings. But try not to spill on the Carpets please! See you on May 14!

Area Rugs & Other Pretty Things

Did you know that we sell area rugs? Area Rugs have been making a big come back in the last couple of years. As more and more of us opt for hard surface floors, we still want a bit of softness here and there. In different spaces, we have different needs from our area rugs. In our bedrooms, we want them to be soft and cozy. On the stairs, we need them for safety's sake. In our Family Rooms, we like them for their attractive looks, and for their durability (if there is a mishap, it is easier and less expensive to replace an area rug than a whole room of hardwoood floors) and in the basement, area rugs also serve double duty: to look great, and to soften the noise of play (kids and grownups!) Also, with rugs, you can think a little more out of the box, because it is probably not a "forever" purchase. If you are into green this year (very popular) then you can make a big impact in a room with a bold green area rug. Most of us would hesitate to do this with wall to wall carpet. Enhance offers lot of options for area rugs. We carry Nourison, Karastan, and Dalyn in stock. While we only stock up to a 5 x 8, we can always order a larger size for you, when available. If you are really feeling unsure about whether you like the carpet color or softness, consider ordering a small entry mat (e.g. 2 ft x 3 ft). That way, you can see and feel the "sample" without spending a lot of money.  And, worst case, you can use it as an entry mat at one of your doorways. There is a seemingly limitless selection of area rugs available in virtually any color or pattern you can think of. If you are purchasing a pre-made area rug, you are limited by the sizes offered in the style you like. Plus, most standardized area rugs are patterned. You may not want a patterned rug or may prefer a pattern that is more subtle.   By using broadloom to make your area rug, you have an incredibly vast selection of colors and styles, in both patterned and non-patterned looks. Broadloom tends to have more subtle patterning than area rugs; for example, solid colors of berbers and loop/cut/loops that feature geometric or abstract patterns. The solid color helps to keep the carpet from appearing too busy, while the pattern provides some visual interest. If you are looking for a very specific color for your rug, you have only to walk into our store and let us show you the samples - chances are you will find the perfect color in at least one carpet style that we can make into a custom rug. And it goes without saying that if your room is an irregular shape or size, you will likely have a difficult time finding a pre-made rug that suits your requirements.   Obviously, when customizing an area rug out of broadloom, you can have the rug made into almost any size or shape. For extra-large rooms or open concept floor plans, you may choose to use a broadloom that comes in 15' widths, allowing you to have up to 15' of a seamless rug. In the event that you require a rug that is larger than the width of the carpet in both directions (i.e., bigger than a 15' x 15'), you can choose to have the size made by seaming two pieces of material together. With properly selected carpet, such as a long, thick pile or a carpet with a linear pattern, the seam will likely not be noticeable. Perhaps you have a room or hallway with unusual angles and would like to have a rug that follows the floor plan of the space. Again, a benefit to an area rug made from broadloom is that it can be customized to the exact shape you require. We can create a rug made from carpet to your specifications. Learning Can Be Fun! Have fun while learning at these informative seminars at our Flooring Fiesta:   5:30           If You Spill Your Margarita Make sure it's on a waterproof floor like Revwood Plus or luxury vinyl!  Learn more about these popular floor covering options. Speaker:  Holly Dysart with Mohawk Flooring    6:00           Salsa Resistant Carpet SmartStrand Carpet is the perfect carpet for active families, durable enough to hold up to all of your fiestas! Speaker:  Holland Kercher with Mohawk Flooring   6:30           Nacho Traditional Ceramic Tile See what's new in this flooring workhorse---tiles that are tough, stain resistant, with unlimited design possibilities! Speaker:  Chris Schmidt with Daltile We look forward to seeing your Tuesday, May 14, 4 til 7 pm Design Tip Cozy, curvy and comfy are three words that describe what to look for in interior décor. Maybe the current polarized state of our country has caused a need to have our homes become a sanctuary. We want to shelter at home among plush, soft furniture that pleasures the senses.  You will be seeing lots of soft velvets and textured nubby fabrics. Fringe on furniture, pillows, even lighting. Curved sofas and round or oval coffee and end tables. Indulge your sense of touch and if it feels good---buy it! How Much Does It Cost? Inspired?  Ready for a new rug or two?  Stop by and check out our in-stock rugs that you can take home with you today.  We have outdoor rugs starting at $ 99 and 4 x 6 indoor rugs also as low as $99 and 5 x 8's ranging from $99 to $1,100.  Come look at our pretty things! I Was FLOORED By Enhance Tanya in Marietta writes: "Enhance installed LVP, repaired and refinished hardwood floors, and carpeted stairs for us. Their crews did excellent jobs and were very professional. The owners are business people who seem to care about their customers' satisfaction."   Thank you, Tanya, for the nice review.  You totally transformed your home and we appreciate the opportunity to help you with it!

What's the Word on Wood?

There are so many misconceptions about wood floors. We almost always have to hold a mini-seminar on all the different options that are available to anyone wanting a wood floor. Here is what you need to know.  First, there are two basic ways to buy wood floors that concern the finish: Prefinished hardwood flooring has been finished - sanded, stained, and coated with polyurethane -- in a factory.  All you need to do is install it (cut and nail or glue it to the subfloor) and it is done. Prefinished floors can be used immediately after installation is completed. Unfinished, or site-finished, flooring is raw hardwood that must first be installed and then sanded, stained & urethane coated on site. Site finishing is a multiple day process, and the floors must be allowed to cure after the actual work is completed before they can be used. Site finished accounts for about 25% of all installations today. The next category that needs definition is Engineered Hardwoods versus Solid Hardwoods. Many people believe that solid wood floors are better than engineered wood floors, but it's important to note that both are made using real wood. In addition, once installed, they will look the same. As the name implies, solid hardwood is one solid piece of wood, all the way through.   It is almost always 3/4" in thickness. Engineered hardwood flooring is done in layers. The top layer is a hardwood veneer and then beneath that, there are layers (or plies) of wood.  Generally, these plies are perpendicular in direction and laminated together (similar to plywood), and generally (but not always), these plies are made of wood, although they are not necessarily the same species as the top layer.  The thickness of the top veneer can vary, and generally higher quality engineered woods have a thicker top layer, and cheaper ones have a thin one. Engineered wood floors are real wood floors. They are manufactured using multiple layers of wood or wood composite. With engineered wood flooring, the only non-wood components used to make them are the adhesives used to bind the layers together, and the finish that is applied to the top veneer to protect the wood. Depending on the thickness of the veneer that tops the flooring, the quality of flooring used, and how well you maintain your floors, engineered hardwood can last a lifetime. All 3 factors play a big role in determining the longevity of any floor in your home. Solid wood floors are just that: They are a solid piece of wood. Solid wood can be installed prefinished or site finished, just like engineered floors. Solid floors can be sanded and stained multiple times, until you actually reach the level of the nails used to install them. We find, however, that with normal wear and good maintenance, most wood floors do not NEED to be sanded but about every 20 years. You may WANT to sand and stain in a shorter time frame, according to color trends and your taste. Neither floor type can be called best in a global sense. But each has strong points and a few deficits in individual categories. Refinishing--- is one of the greatest differences between engineered and solid wood flooring. Engineered wood can be sanded only until the upper layer wears away, normally once or twice. Solid wood can be sanded numerous times. Eventually, even solid hardwood will become too thin after years of sanding, compromising its structural integrity. Installation--- Engineered wood is easier than solid hardwood as you have a greater range of installation methods, including stapling or nailing, floating, or glue. Solid wood flooring is nailed or stapled down.  Resale Value--- Because engineered wood floors are real wood, they can be advertised as such in real estate marketing materials, making them more attractive to buyers. As long as the floor is in good shape, it is on equal terms with solid wood flooring in terms of resale value. Durability--- Engineered wood floors are durable, but not comparable to solid wood over a very long period of time. Yet its ability to hold up to limited moisture helps bring up its durability rating.Well-maintained solid hardwood flooring will last for decades. Moisture is the enemy of this organic product. Wood floors do stand a chance of being salvaged after flooding, but they will never perfectly return to their former shape. Moisture--- Engineered wood is better than solid hardwood at dealing with moisture. Its core is more dimensionally stable, meaning that it warps and expands less easily upon contact with moisture than solid wood. Solid hardwood is never recommended for bathrooms, basements, or other areas where moisture is prevalent or even expected. Still, solid hardwood can resist some moisture.  Hardness--- Exotic hardwoods tend to be the most durable, including many of the South American or Indonesian exotics, as well as maple and walnut. Hardness ranges from extremely soft and appropriate only for very light traffic area to extremely tough hardwoods (for example, Brazilian Walnut). Be aware that most wide plank hardwoods (6" or wider) are engineered, not solid.  Also know that if you are interested in a distresses or scraped floor, the cost will be significantly lower in engineered than in solid construction. Something New In Store! We are now carrying 2 lines of Oil Finish wood floors. Should you choose oiled finish hardwood floors? Selecting the appropriate finish for your hardwood flooring is not only essential to enhancing the natural beauty of the wood, but to ensuring that the floors remain protected from the wear and tear of everyday living. It is important to distinguish the difference between wood stain and wood finish.  Wood stain simply refers to a color element, typically liquid, that is applied to the wood that dyes the wood a particular color.  It contains absolutely no protective barrier for your wood flooring. Wood finish, on the other hand, protects a floor from damage by providing a "shield" on the top layer. Now that we know the difference between staining and finishing, which finish is the best for your application? Historically, urethane finishes have been tremendously popular due to their extreme durability.  Whether site finished or factory finished (prefinished), urethane finishes are the most damage resistant. However, this durability comes with several noteworthy drawbacks.  Firstly, they are difficult to re coat because the finish is so hard. Secondly, urethane finished floors look the best the day they are installed and continue to get scratched, scuffed and worn over time until they have to be re coated or refinished. Damage to a urethane floor is easily identifiable by the highly visible white scratches that will inevitably appear.  In order to repair the finish, you must remove all furniture from the space to apply an even uniform fresh coat of finish. Oil finishes have increased in popularity recently mainly due to a movement towards a low-sheen, chic and natural matte aesthetic. Oil finished floors are excellent for bringing out the natural beauty of your selected wood specie.  Unlike polyurethane finished floors, oiled floors are very easy to repair if damage is done. When scratches occur on oiled floors, you can buff and blend them away very easily without removing the furnishings. Because of the flexibility to repair damages on oiled floors, if you are someone that does a lot of entertaining, an oiled floor is an excellent selection as it is easy to return the floor to pristine condition.   Maintenance is another key in extending the product life cycle of your wood floor.  Urethane and oiled floors are maintained in different ways. When specifying the finish type, be sure to understand what kind of cleaning and maintenance will be required. A urethane floor finish should be dry mopped or vacuumed. Seldom will it ever be damped mopped. With excessive damp mopping, it is possible for contaminants to create a haze on the finish.  Additionally, these contaminants may present adhesion issues when it becomes time to re coat. In contrast, oil floor finishes may be damp mopped with a soap and water solution.  In conclusion, oiled finish hardwood floors offer a beautiful matte look, with less headache when it comes time to repair the inevitable scratches that will occur during your floor's lifespan.  Come in and see our gorgeous new oil finish floors! We hope this has clarified a few points in wood floors, and that we have helped make your wood floor shopping experience easier. Save The Date Mark your calendar now for our next event on May 14 from 4 till 7 pm-- a Flooring Fiesta. We'll have informative seminars plus our vendor representatives here to answer your product questions. The Margarita Man will be here too along with a taco buffet. As usual, there will be prizes, and as always, there will be fun!

Clean Up This Spring

Ring a ding a ding time! The birds are chirping, grass is growing, trees are beginning to bud, it's finally spring! It's time to store away those winter shoes, the same winter shoes that have been walking all over your beautiful floors all season long through the long, dirty, cold, and unforgiving months of winter. Winter not only pummels the outdoors, but mud and dirt are tracked all over your home, leaving a mess on your floors. With spring comes everyone's favorite spring time activity, spring cleaning.

Here are some spring cleaning tips to get your floors back in tip-top shape. Break out the dust rag, broom, mop, and vacuum for the annual deep-clean. We know it can be overwhelming to face all the dust and clutter that has accumulated over the cooped-up winter months--simple maintenance care can help make this spring cleaning easier.

 

Help your floors keep their beautiful looks with these spring cleaning tips for carpet, hardwood, laminate, vinyl, and tile!

  

Freshen Up Your Carpet

Regular maintenance throughout the year can help make spring cleaning a breeze, but it's ok if you didn't. We've got you covered. First, choose a good quality vacuum and keep your vacuum's filter clean-it can help make all the difference when tending to your carpet. If spot cleaning is needed, try to remove the stain by using water before moving on to harder cleaning solutions-remember to blot rather than rub the stain.

No matter what type of carpet you have, prompt attention to spots and spills is vital.

 

Here are a couple tips for cleaning your carpet:

~~Vacuum at least once a week and more often in heavy traffic areas, paying special attention to areas where people sit and move their feet.

~~Be prepared with the proper tools to clean up accidents quickly and that you know the right way to spot clean. Otherwise, you may cause more harm than good to your carpet.

~~Place mats at the entrances of your home's carpet areas - this can help absorb moisture and help prevent soiling.

~~Have your carpet cleaned regularly. Spring is a great time to plan for a professional cleaning. We recommend a hot water extraction method or "steam cleaning." The manufacturer warranty that comes with your carpet requires that it be cleaned by a certified professional. Most carpet manufacturers stipulate a specific schedule for this in order to keep your warranty valid.

Keep Hardwoods Beautiful

Typically, sweeping and vacuuming can be enough to refresh your hardwood floors. However, when it comes to spills and stains, you may need to use an only slightly damp mop.

 

Here are some other helpful cleaning tips to keep your hardwood floors looking great for longer:

~~Wipe up wet spills and tracked-in dirt should be wiped away immediately.

~~Sweep, dust, or vacuum using a hard floor attachment at least once a week. If you use a vacuum cleaner, be sure to either use the hard surface attachment or turn off the beater bar.

~~Use a cleaner made for hardwood flooring, such as Bona, to help clean more stubborn soil.

~~Add protective pads to furniture legs.

~~Don't use buffing machines as they can damage hardwood floors.

~~Never use a steam mop on wood floors. The high temperature of the steam will damage the wood.

~~Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for optimal cleaning tips.

~~For sticky substances, harden the spot with an ice cube and lightly rub with a dull plastic scraper. Do not apply too much pressure as this could damage or scrape the floor's finish.

 

Long Lasting Laminate

Laminate pairs the beauty of natural wood with easier maintenance. However, it requires proper regular maintenance not only during spring cleaning, but throughout the year as well.

 

When cleaning for spring, keep these simple tips in mind:

~~Only use soap-free cleaners.

~~Remove loose dirt with a dust mop or a gentle vacuum without a beater bar.

~~Wipe up any spills immediately.

~~Use a quality laminate floor cleaner.

~~Do not use excessive water, as it could cause buckling or separation.

~~Never wax, polish, or use buffing machines.

~~Don't use steam mops. The high temperatures can cause damage to laminate.

~~Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions.

You can get years of beautiful performance from your laminate floor with a little preparation and understanding of proper cleaning methods.

 

Durable Tile

Ceramic and Porcelain are beautiful, durable and easy to clean, but daily maintenance is needed to keep your floors looking great.

 

When beginning your spring cleaning, here are some simple instructions to help you care for your tile floor:

~~Always sweep or vacuum first to get up loose dirt and grit, then:

~~Clean with a damp mop to avoid buildup of mold, mildew, and grime.

~~Dry tile thoroughly with a clean towel or cloth.

~~Never use detergent or soap-they can dull the tile's surface.

~~Place mats at doorways to help trap soil and other substances.

~~Avoid steam mops. High temperatures can cause damage to grout.

~~Read the manufacturer's instructions before cleaning.

Versatile Vinyl

Vinyl is an up and comer in the flooring world. The product known as LVP, or Luxury Vinyl Plank, is great looking and most are waterproof. It is laid in planks like wood, or occasionally in tiles like porcelain or ceramic.

 

Pointers for keeping it clean are similar to other hard surfaces: 

~~Sweep or vacuum frequently to get rid of grit, the worst enemy of all finishes.

~~Use a barely damp mop, with a cleaner made for vinyl.

~~Vinyl will scratch, so use protective pads on furniture legs.

~~Steam mops are not recommended for vinyl floors.

~~Check manufacturers recommendations before using wax or other finishing products on vinyl.

Whether you have carpet, hardwood, laminate, vinyl or tile flooring, it is important to understand how to properly care for your floors.

There are some universal "rules" no matter which floor works best for you. Use doormats outside every exterior door. Keep the grit and dirt swept or vacuumed up.  Heed the manufacturer's instructions regarding regular professional cleaning. For porcelain and tile, use an upgraded grout to prevent mold, mildew, and stains (We STRONGLY recommend Pro Fusion Grout with our tile installations), and the best tip off all- no shoes inside the house!

 

What are you waiting for? Get started with YOUR Spring Cleaning!

Design Tip

Painting your cabinets is a way to totally change the look of your kitchen without breaking the bank. White is the color most often chosen, but also look at shades of blue, green, and black.  Using two different colors for your cabinets is also worth considering, either lighter upper and darker bottom cabinets, or your island a different color than the wall cabinets.

How Much Does It Cost?

Every kitchen is different, but most cabinets can be professionally painted for $3500 to $4500.  Antiquing and glazes add to the cost. If your cabinets are in good shape and the footprint works for you, painting is a great option to update your look.