Which Floor is Best for Allergies?

My Child Has Allergies! Should I Pull Up My Carpet?

The good news is that people with allergies and asthma can have carpet. Most fibers used in mass-produced rugs and carpets today are harmless materials like polyester and nylon, the same stuff clothes and bags are made from. These synthetic blends are constructed out of lab-developed fibers that repel allergens, in part because they are nonorganic and offer an inhospitable climate. For example, mold has nothing to eat and particulate (pollen, dander, etc.) can be easily vacuumed.  Wool should be avoided because allergens and mold can thrive in it. Regardless of material, avoid shag -- the longer the strands, the more places the pollen can go. Also choose carpet that is tightly woven for the same reason.

But no matter which carpet type you choose, dust, pollen and other allergy-aggravators are still in there, so get rid of them.  Vacuum regularly and have your carpets professionally cleaned (hot water extraction) on a regular basis.  Invest in a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter, which traps allergens; some vacuums are even equipped with them.

Allergens sink into the carpet and out of the air, but even with frequent vacuuming, they're still down there. Hard floor coverings offer no haven for allergies -- they just sit on the surface.  They're easier to clean than carpets -- a simple sweep and vacuum quickly gets rid of allergens.  If you opt out of carpet, however, note that hard surfaces require more frequent cleaning. If not maintained, the result will be a dusty, sneezy environment that is inferior to the allergen-trapping properties of a carpet-covered room.

In short, if you want to sweep/vacuum more frequently, a solid surface may be better. But, if you aren't able to maintain the flooring almost daily, carpet may actually serve you better.

  

Party Animals!

If you attended our latest event, you already know how much fun they are! We had a great time, with good food, fun games and prizes, and tons of useful information from our vendor reps. We LOVE getting to play and have fun with our customers! We are so proud of our new Rug Shoppe and Bathroom Gallery. If you couldn't make it to the Grillin' Up A Good Time Event, please drop by to have a look at what's new. And plan to come to our next event- The Flooring Fiesta- where we'll have Tacos and Margaritas and Mischief!

What? Are You Speaking My Language?

There is lots of new "language" flying around: LOL, BTW, IMHO, OMG have become common everyday abbreviations for many of us. Sometimes we need an interpreter (usually under the age of 20) and the world of luxury vinyl flooring is no different. We have our own acronyms- LVT, LVP, WPC, to name a few. Here's a handy dandy little explanation to help you navigate these terms:

LVT: Luxury Vinyl Tile

LVP: Luxury Vinyl Plank

WPC: Wood Polymer Composite

Huh? Still lost and confused?  Well, you're in good company! This industry is evolving so fast, even some insiders get tongue-tied and twisted up remembering the differences.

LVT stands for luxury vinyl tiles and LVP stands for luxury vinyl planks. Sometimes you will find LVT/LVP that are also waterproof/WPC, but not always. They mean two different things.

Typically, all WPC products will be considered luxury vinyl tiles or luxury vinyl planks, but not all luxury vinyl is WPC. Kind of like how all golden retrievers are dogs, but not all dogs are golden retrievers. It's a specialty in the luxury vinyl market.

The term "luxury" can be a little misleading. While it can be more expensive than traditional sheet vinyl, LVT/LVP is not only affordable, it can be an incredibly far-sighted smart purchase.  Usually, a luxury vinyl product consists of multiple layers, realistic 3D printing, a tough wear layer, a textured surface, and sometimes, an attached underlayment (pad.)  Planks typically are 5 to 7 inches wide and 24 to 72 inches long, resembling a plank of wood. Tiles are more square or rectangular, and usually mimic a stone look.

WPC stands for Wood Polymer Composite.  It's 100% waterproof. This is the trademark of WPC vinyl.  Coincidentally WPC is also called Water Proof Core.  The only other floor that can claim to be 100% waterproof is glazed manmade tile. Also, because WPC vinyl is so thick and durable, it can minimize pull-up charges and imperfect subfloors.

There are beautiful wood and stone images to choose from.  These top-end vinyl floors are able to more realistically mimic natural materials better than ever before. WPC vinyl is the best of the best, which means the looks are usually incredibly convincing and beautiful. It is more comfortable than tile. It's true, you could just get a wood or stone look tile and it would also be waterproof. But tile is hard. Standing on a tile floor all day isn't great for your joints or feet. Vinyl is more resilient and much more comfortable. And finally, easy maintenance. All you need is the occasional vacuum and damp mop to keep your WPC looking fabulous.

Rigid Core Technology is another term that you will hear when vinyl shopping.  This refers to a rigid composite core with an acoustic backing, and a locking technology that secures the planks together.  Again, all Rigid Core is WPC, but not all WPC is Rigid Core.

If you think luxury vinyl is the right choice for your home, the Enhance Design Consultants will help you find the perfect look and style for your décor, lifestyle, and budget.

How Much Does It Cost?

We recently installed luxury vinyl plank (LVP as you just learned!) in a large Marietta family room and hall for $3400.  We installed Shaw Floorte---a premium quality line, and this price included removal of the old carpet/pad/tack strip, moving furniture, and new shoemold and transitions.  Our client is thrilled with this beautiful, easy care floor!

Design Tip

A few easy summer projects:

~If you have hydrangeas blooming in your yard, bring a few indoors and enjoy the splash of summer color!

~Replace your heavy winter bedspreads and comforters with thin throw blankets.

~Give you bathroom a refresh with new towels and a fun shower curtain.

~String lights are functional and add an element of coziness and whimsy to your space. String lights up and around trees or over your patio, garden and other outdoor space. They can also be easily stored away or repurposed for holiday décor later in the year. Candles and glass lanterns cast a warm glow over your patio or backyard that will last late into the summer night.

I Was FLOORED By Enhance

From John in Marietta:

"Enhance just refinished a floor for us.  It's been a great job. I'd recommend them to anybody. As a matter of fact, they corrected a lot of errors from the last time we had these floors finished by a different company. The Enhance guys are friendly, and they're very helpful. They take their time to explain things and do good, quality work. They're professional. Excellent work."

Thank you for the review, John.  Call us anytime with questions about how to take care of your wood floors. 

Tip: Vacation time is a great time to have time consuming work like refinishing done in your home.  You're out of the house anyway, so consider getting some not-so-convenient projects completed while you are away.

Summer's A Great Time To

School's Out for Summer! Well, almost

Are you counting down the days? Who is wishing harder for the end of the school year: students, teachers, or parents???

Either way, summertime will soon be here, and life will take on a more relaxed pace. We'll all take it easy, spend time at the pool, or sleep in a little later, or plan a trip somewhere fun. And BOOM! The summer will be over and we'll be talking about the three R's again.

But, while you have some downtime this summer, you may want to take advantage of the freedom to have some work done on the house: sanding and staining your current wood floors while you are on vacation, updating that staircase, new carpet, or possibly even remodeling a bathroom. Enhance Floors is booking appointments now for June, so don't delay- let's get started!

Sale! Sale! Sale!

We currently have a great sale on Mohawk wood, laminate, tile and carpeting, in addition to some wonderful introductory pricing from Versini hardwoods and Neptune waterproof luxury vinyl. In our newly remodeled Bathroom Gallery, Interceramic and Daltile both have brought in some wonderful new tiles that we are able to promote at special prices this month.

Unfortunately, manufacturers have notified us that the summer will bring price increases, so come in now and lock in your carpet, tile, or wood at today's pricing.

Wood 101

We have customers come in every day asking about "wood laminate". We know that all the different flooring materials can be confusing, so here are the Cliffnotes on solid wood, engineered wood, and laminate:

 ~~Solid wood is just that-- a solid plank of wood. Usually 3/4" thick, plank widths vary from 2 ¼" up to 5" and wider.

~~Engineered wood is ALL wood, but is several thin layers compressed to make a plank. There are different qualities of engineered wood available, mostly determined by the "wear layer" or top piece of wood, the one you actually see. Plank widths vary from 3" up to 8" or more.

~~Laminate is not wood. It is composed of MDF(Medium-Density Fiberboard- a product made by breaking down wood residuals, combining it with wax and a resin binder, and formed by applying high temperature and pressure) or HDF core onto which a digital photograph is then laminated.  A clear super tough top coat is added for durability and scratch resistance.

You can have us install pre-finished wood floors, which means that the planks have already been stained and finished with polyurethane, including an aluminum oxide coat, and will look like the sample you see in our showroom. There is limited "down time" with a prefinished installation.  Or you may opt for a site-finished wood floor, which means we deliver the raw planks to your home, install them, sand them on-site, and then stain them to the color of your choice.  Multiple coats of polyurethane are then applied over the next few days, again, in your home.

All of these products have their own specific advantages and disadvantages and best uses. Come in and let us help you decide which one best fits your needs.

Monogram Your Floor

Did you know? One of our prefinished wood suppliers will actually personalize your floor! HomerWood aspires to make every floor a work of art that's sure to make a statement. There's no better way to achieve this than by giving consumers the option to add a more personal touch to their floor. Homeowners that order a minimum of 250 sq. ft. are able to request a custom engraved plank to be installed with their floor, free of charge!

What Will You Win?

You already know that we have a new Bath and Shower Gallery. Here's what you don't know: We'll be hosting an event in June to show it off! Another fun Enhance event, with games and prizes, lots of reps on hand to answer your questions, and we'll be lighting up the grill and serving food and adult beverages! Look for an email coming your way soon with the date and details.  See you in June!

How Much Does It Cost?

Luxury vinyl is a practical choice for active families that is also beautiful.  Some of the premium collections offer such realistic hardwood and tile visuals that you will not know it's not real wood or stone.  We just installed Mannington Adura Max in a large kitchen with breakfast area, family room, foyer, and dining room (over 1200 square feet) for a little over $9000.  This included new shoemold, transitions, and moving all the furniture. 

This is a floor that will look great for years and years.  Adura Max features a waterproof core, premium Ultra-Quiet attached pad for superior sound reduction and greater comfort underfoot, and patented ScratchResist with aluminum oxide surface protection.  Adura Max offers the industry's best wear, scratch and stain resistance and is backed with a stress-free limited, lifetime residential and 10-year light commercial warranty against wear through, staining, fading, delamination and joint separation.

Design Tip

To make a room feel larger, use a round rug on the floor.

I Was FLOORED By Enhance

From LuAnn in Canton:

"It was great work. The guys who put the carpet in were very accommodating. They were clean and really nice to work with, and they did an excellent job. They put carpet in the whole upstairs. They took carpet out and put carpet in. We were very pleased with them. We'd recommend them one hundred and fifty percent. I'd give them an A+."

What's Hot? What's New?

We have been hard at work over the past couple of months. The  Design Center has been updated and remodeled, it's ready and it's beautiful!  We can't wait to show you what is new.  Here's a sneak-a-peak until you can stop by and see it for yourself:

 

Bathroom remodeling is BIG right now, and promises to continue being one of the most popular and investment-worthy home updates. In accordance, we have "enhanced" our bathroom showroom and design area. With beautiful new tile displays from Daltile and Interceramic, the design variations are almost infinite. Come and see the beautiful marble looks, the elegant freestanding tub, the vinyl wall, and the curbless shower. You'll leave with wonderful visions for your own new bathroom!

 

We have also introduced a new rug line into our Rug Shoppe. Nourison is an elegant rug and broadloom line reknowned for their customizations of almost any shape and size. Their looks are sumptuous, with embossing, carving, and hand finishing. So many choices- we are in love!

 

New wood floor introductions include Versini, a traditional look with engineered woods, and Azalea Lane, a line that features diversity and has a budget friendly focus. Mohawk Woods also has brought some new looks to us: Vintage Vintique features natural variations and character, evoking an old world look and feel. Modern Vision is an all oak line with dense, open grain looks.

 

A booming area in floor coverings is Luxury Vinyl. We carry several brands of luxury vinyl, and have recently expanded our selections in response to the demand for this versatile and beautiful performer.

In addition to Armstrong Vivero and Luxe Plank,  Floorte',  Palmetto Road Tidewater, and US Floors CoreTec, we now feature Mannington AduraMax, Mohawk SolidTech, and Neptune Rigid Core. Most of these lines are Waterproof- yes Water PROOF! and so make an excellent choice for various installations- the basement, the kitchen, the mud room, the pool house. Come in and see what the excitement is all about.

 

How Much Does It Cost?

Confession time:  we don't usually write about our high-end products, because we don't want you to think all floors are very expensive, because they aren't.  But Chalmers is one of the prettiest and most unique wood floors in our Design Center, and we all know that sometimes something is exactly what we want, we can afford it, and it makes us happy!

 

Chalmers by Palmetto Road is a gorgeous collection of custom-crafted wide plank French Oak and Hickory hardwood floors, filled with character, every board unique.  But what makes this floor really beautiful is the dual staining process:  one stain color applied to (and enlivening) the wood grain and the second tone lying underneath. Each shade stays true, never mixing, eternally

unique in clarity, transparency and hue, yet complementing one another to produce a stunning visual effect.

 

Our client chose Hickory Ginger, ½" thick and 6 ½" wide, installed in the Family Room, Living Room, Dining Room, Hall and Foyer.  750 square feet installed for $9100.  This includes removal of parquet flooring, carpet and pad, moving furniture and a piano, new shoemold, and floor prep.  The floor really complemented their home and décor, and is a truly beautiful installation.

 

Design Tip

Every space should have a little moment of unexpected.  A moment of weird, if you will, to keep people on their toes, and add another layer of interest.  It could be an unexpected family memento framed on the wall, or an odd sculpture that speaks to you on the bookshelf.  It doesn't have to be much, but it should be interesting and tell its own story.

 

I Was FLOORED By Enhance

Annette is Mableton tells us:

"I'm very happy with Enhance Floors. I just can't rave about them enough. They were fantastic to work with, and they had a very nice selection of materials. Their workmanship was really, really nice. They laid my carpeting and did the tile in my bathroom. I would definitely recommend them, 100 percent. They were wonderful. A+."

April Showers Bring A New Bathroom?

April Showers

Enhance Floors and More is preparing to introduce our newly created Bath and Shower Gallery.

 

In response to the recent overwhelming number of requests for Bathroom remodels, we have upped our bathroom display game, and will soon be opening to the public, for the first time, our Bath and Shower Gallery.

 

We will be showing off new ideas in bathroom aesthetics, including new and updated tile displays, a freestanding tub, a multi-showerhead unit with running water so that you can experience different showerheads, and some ideas for creating an aging-in-place bathroom.

 

Each Enhance Design Consultant was given a different section of the space to design, and we have all had fun bringing our ideas together and helping to make the different sections work well as a unit.

 

Our Tile and Stone Vendors, including Interceramic, Mohawk, Daltile, and Happy Floors, have been enthusiastic participants in the refurbished gallery, and we are showing off some new floors as well, including a gorgeous faux marble and a cork floor from US Floors.

 

We plan to reveal our "bathroom remodel" in April- with a Shower-what else? so stay in touch and we'll be announcing the exact "due date" soon!

 

Let There Be Light

In other remodeling news, there are some very quick and easy ways to freshen up a room. The absolute easiest: new lighting! Lighting can be changed as easily as placing a new lamp or even relocating existing lamps to new places. There are four basic lighting types: Task lighting, accent lighting, decorative lighting, and ambient lighting.  Task lighting, obviously, is for specific work or activity: cooking, homework, personal grooming. Accent lighting is lighting that draws the eye to an item or place, such as artwork or an architectural feature. Ambient lighting is general lighting, that fills an entire space overall. Decorative can fall into any of these groups, and fills two purposes. A chandelier, for instance, is decorative lighting and ambient lighting.

 

You always want to layer light in a room, and avoid over-lighting and glare. When you are planning lighting for a room, remember to take into account the natural light the room will receive, and plan lighting for day and night use, as needed. Mirrors are an efficient and beautiful way to increase the benefit of natural and manufactured light, by bouncing the light and multiplying it. Dimmers can also be helpful when a room has different lighting needs at different times of day.

 

Back to that natural light idea- more and more people are investing in solar power. Have you considered it? There is currently (see how I did that?) a federal tax credit available towards the installation of rooftop solar panels, but it is due to start being phased out in 2019. There are also solar water heaters, which are very efficient here in Georgia. While these changes are rather expensive, not only would you be reducing your dependency on non-renewable resources, you would be shrinking your home's carbon footprint.

 

No Shoes Please

Speaking of footprints, where do you and your family stand on wearing shoes inside the house? For many cultures around the world, shoes are never worn inside the home, and here in the US, a growing number of people seem to be dropping them at the door. There are several good reasons to adopt this habit:      

 

~Bacteria- We all know that shoes are loaded with bacteria and germs. A test conducted at University of Arizona showed that new shoes, within two weeks of first use, had accumulated 440,000 units of bacteria, including E. coli, various strains of pneumonia, and C. diff, which is highly resistant to antibiotics.

~Toxins-   Herbicides tracked in on shoes exceeded those brought into the home on non-organic fruits and vegetables. Toxins from herbicides can cause skin rashes and gastrointestinal upsets.

~Dirt- just plain old dirt. Who wants that on their floors? And grit is the major factor in damaging both carpets and wood.

~Wear and tear on floor coverings-  shoes are harder on carpets and wood than 

bare feet, again meaning they'll need to be replaced sooner than later.

~Comfort and foot health- going barefoot promotes foot health and helps develop stronger ankles, and feels better.

 

So create a place at the garage door, or just inside the main entry, where everyone can drop their shoes as they come in. You'll be surprised how quickly it can become a habit, like hanging your keys on the key rack. And ask your guests to do so as well- they won't mind, and will think how smart you are!

Design Tip

Patterned carpet is IN.  And there are lots of patterns to choose from-subtle and barely there or big and bold and attention getting (look at me!) The pattern can be sweet and delicate, or full of pizzazz. They can blend in or stand out. A large design can cut your oversized room down to size, while a minimal pattern can make your room appear to grow in size. A bright floral design can make a room that doesn't get much natural light more welcoming than before. Patterns can also hide a multitude of sins, camouflaging the little spills and mishaps that come with life at home.  Need help choosing a patterned carpet for your home?  The Enhance Floors Design Consultants are here to help!

 

How Much Does It Cost?

We recently installed a pin dot (very subtle pattern) carpet for a client in Woodstock.  Almost 1400 sq. ft. (living room, dining room, four bedrooms with closets, hall and staircase) of a Mohawk SmartStrand carpet was installed with an upgraded pad with moisture barrier for $4600.

 

I Was FLOORED By Enhance

From Susan in Woodstock:

"I loved Enhance Floors. Everything went well, and they were amazing. They went above and beyond what I signed up for. They've done some tile work, and they did my granite countertops. They did a great job. If I had questions, they answered them. They're a grade-A company."

Home Improvement DON'Ts

If you are one of the growing number of Baby Boomers, born between the years 1946 and 1964, you are likely in a home where you have raised your children, welcomed grandchildren, and now are finding is more than you need or want. If so, you may be thinking of moving and down-sizing sometime in the next few years?  If you are like most of us, there are a few things in your home that need addressing. Plan it out, do a couple of projects a year, as your budget permits, so it is not overwhelming.

 

Some of the common issues that need work are: making sure the AC and heating units are in good condition, installing a new, efficient (tankless?) water heater, make sure sidewalks and driveways don't have crumbling and cracked areas, does the roof need to be replaced? These are all "Do's." We are also going to give you a list of a few "Don'ts" for these next few years:

 

---DON'T over-improve one area. An upgraded kitchen with everything new may be wonderful, but don't improve it to the extent that the other rooms look old and shoddy by comparison. Instead, do a minor refresh in the kitchen and all the bathrooms, with new lighting, fresh paint, new granite or quartz countertops.

 

---DON'T install a swimming pool. This never enhances the value of a home. To the contrary, many buyers exclude homes with pools from their searches. They don't want the added labor of upkeep, the expense, and/or the potential danger and liability. Instead, make sure all the landscaping is full, but not over-grown.

 

---DON'T add a sunroom. If a sunroom is not heated and cooled, it can't be counted in the home's square footage. And if you do add heating and cooling, statistics say the cost will not be recouped. Instead, be sure all the windows are clean, in good condition, and that the view to all that nice landscaping is unimpeded.

---Lastly, DON'T over-personalize. Keep any remodeling classic and neutral.  New homeowners will want to make the space theirs immediately, not be reminded of the previous owner (you!)

 

As Seen On TV

If you are going to be doing some remodeling in your home and you've been watching all the shows on TV about remodeling, you may have the misconception that these makeovers happen overnight. These guys and gals are almost magical in what they can accomplish while the commercials are on!

 

The truth is, there are teams of people working on these makeovers, and they are filming over the course of several weeks, not minutes.  There is a lot that happens that is not captured by the camera. A lot that is not glamorous or fun. A lot that will involve a lot of nothing perceptible happening. A lot that is dirty, especially the demo part of the project. You will have multiple workmen in your home over the course of the project, and it is also more than likely going to be very disruptive to your home life for most of the process.

 

Be realistic about the entire job. The timing, the disruption, it's all going to be more than you anticipate. Any contractor is going to need some lead time before he can start the job. (If he can start immediately, you need to question why.) Product has to be ordered, and sometimes it comes in wrong or damaged. If you haven't had any remodeling done in a few years, be prepared for a bit of sticker shock. And don't take the cheapest quote if you get several, as you should. Again- why is one much lower than the others? And sadly, you need to be prepared for surprises. When tile gets pulled up, or vanities get removed, sometimes there are issues that no one anticipated. Always leave a little wiggle room in your budget for just such as this.

 

In short, remodeling can be a difficult and frustrating process. Enhance Floors & More will be working to get your job done as quickly as possible, but not at the cost of quality. Be patient with the planning process as well as the actual work. As a reward, you will have a beautiful new kitchen or bathroom to enjoy for years and years to come.

Countertop Comparison

Are new countertops something your home needs? Corian is dead and gone, Formica is a thing of the past, and tile countertops never should have happened! The two best choices currently are granite and quartz.  What are the differences?

 

Granite is a natural material- it is mined, and like any natural mineral or rock, there are variations in the appearance of the slabs, even within the slabs. It can stain or crack if care is not taken, and it must be sealed periodically. It is an eco-friendly surface, and requires less energy to produce than quartz.

 

Being a manufactured product, quartz has a more consistent appearance than granite, and can come in a wider variety of colors. Quartz is made from quartz dust and resin, so it is non-porous and requires no sealing. We are also seeing a migration away from granite; some clients tell us "everyone has granite, I want something different."

 

The starting price point on granite is lower than on quartz, however there is a much wider price range on granite.  Why?  Granite pricing is generally based upon availability/scarcity of the stone. Where the stone is quarried also affects the pricing.  For example, blue-toned granite is said to come from deeper beneath the earth's surface, making it rarer and more costly.

 

You may be wondering about marble.  Marble is much more porous than most granites, and therefore requires more vigilant maintenance and sealing.  Today's quartz offers an extremely realistic marble visual and is much easier to take care of in a heavy-use area like a kitchen, so most of our clients choose quartz.

 

How Much Does It Cost?

A smallish kitchen needing one slab of granite normally costs $3500 to $4500 installed, including plumbing.  Quartz runs a little more, starting around $4000 installed with plumbing.  Of course, prices vary based upon the actual stone you selected.

 

Design Tip

New stone countertops add value to your home, but if your lighting is bad, it is hard to appreciate any selection. When choosing colors, consider the kitchen's lighting. If your kitchen has little or no natural light, select granite that has a significant amount of white or gold, or lots of light-colored specks. Dark colors like deep blue, mahogany and black look best in areas that receive substantial light. Under-cabinet and pendant lighting make good lighting options to enhance the beauty of the stone.

 

I Was FLOORED By Enhance

From one of our all-time favorite clients in Alpharetta:

"Since moving to the Atlanta area back in 1994 we have used Enhance Floors and More numerous times over the years to up-date and/or install hardwood floors and new carpeting. We've had them not only do our kitchen flooring but also coordinate an entire updating of our kitchen and kitchen dining area. While recently installing a new hardwood floor in our family room they also updated our fireplace setting. The reasons we keep coming back to them is that they: are creative in their approaches, cost conscious in not trying to over sell anything; have real talented, skilled professionals available; stayed in time frames given; personally involved themselves in all facets of the job; followed-up on the completed job; go out of their way to be sure the customer is thoroughly satisfied with the finished product. We'll be seeking them out to re-do/update our bathrooms. We would give them a 5++++ rating if available!"