More About The More

One thing we get a lot, when people are in our showroom for the first time, is "Oh, I didn't know you did that!"  Folks come in expecting to see floors, because, well, that's our name "Enhance Floors and More" but not much thought is given to the "More" part of that. Well, we do a lot more.

We do Bathroom Remodeling and Kitchen Remodeling, and all the component parts involved in these. We also do staircase makeovers,including new balusters, handrails, and newel posts. We offer design consultations, complementary in the store, for a fee in your home. We sell and install Hunter Douglas window treatments.  Countertops, yes, we do that too! We carry an extensive line of tile, for floors, walls, backsplashes, and showers. We carry an assortment of area rugs here in the store, and also offer special order from several different rug manufacturers. 

Up And Down

A common question when a client is updating their staircase is do have to have carpet?  The choice on whether to carpet your staircase or leave it with the wood exposed really depends on how the stairs have been constructed, the materials and the condition. Don't assume that you have usable wood all the way under your staircase carpet.  Many times, what is under the carpet is plywood, or pine, or some other material that is not attractive.  

Sometimes fully carpeting the stairs is the only option. Fully carpeted stairs are the default for many homeowners. They can provide a generally practical and hard wearing surface, comfort underfoot and can offer immediate impact and a visual change for those seeking an update to their interior. And often there is an option to do both---exposed wood with a decorative runner added. There are pros and cons to runners, as well as pros and cons to leaving the stairs bare.

Carpet runners leave the edges of the stairs visible. Runners are ideal when you don't want to fully cover your beautiful stairway. Runners will add some warmth without hiding the flooring. Most homeowners opt for boldly patterned runners to add detail and texture to an otherwise neutral space. Find a unique pattern that blends in with the surrounding décor but still draws the eyes towards the staircase. 

You can also opt for neutral subtly patterned carpeting if you want a plain minimalist style. This is also where you can add some interest with texture. We can create a runner for your stairs from any carpet in the store-- that's a LOT of choices!

Runners can provide safety benefits, especially for those who are more susceptible to falls, such as the elderly and small children. Large dogs, too, are more comfortable on a staircase with a runner. Wood stairs can be more slippery underfoot and the hard surface is likely to cause injury in the event of a fall, making it less desirable for those who are not as steady on their feet. Runners also offer soundproofing advantages, which can be particularly useful for a large household where children and dogs are galloping up and down the stairs. Bare stairs are beautiful, however, and super easy to clean.

Splish Splash

Another one of our favorite "creations" is helping a customer get rid of their old outdated and sometimes impractical shower, and create a beautiful new space. Showers should be beautiful-- that's where most of us start our day! It is part body and hair cleansing, part therapy!  It should be a place that makes you feel happy and grounded, ready to face the world. We have created some really gorgeous showers and bathrooms.  

While the tile is the star of the show in the shower, there's another component that is vitally important, that gets very little attention, because it just stands there and does its job: the shower glass!  The glass is such an integral part of a beautiful shower, but something to which we give very little thought. 

We do offer some alternatives when you are composing your new shower space. You can choose from clear glass, rain glass, or frosted glass, as well as several finishes for your hardware. Lately, almost everyone chooses a silver tone finish, whether it is polished or shiny, nickel, stainless, or chrome.

Replacing your shower curtain with a wall of glass is going to visually enlarge your bathroom, as well as show off your beautiful new tile design inside the shower. It will provide less opportunities for mold and mildew to accumulate. When we finish off your shower with beautiful new frameless glass, it will be perfectly fitted to your space, and the door will meet usually within a sixteenth of an inch. Perfect shower glass cannot be prefabricated, because walls are never exactly square. 

You would be amazed at the difference a new frameless glass shower makes to the look of your bathroom! Come in and let us show you how great your new bathroom can be!

How Much Does It Cost? Part 1

A typical staircase has 13 steps.  The price range for staircase carpet is wide, based primarily on the style and fiber selected.  A "good" quality cut pile carpet, nothing fancy, installs between $600 and $900. Patterned carpets (cut and loop, Berbers) typically install between $1000 and $1400.  A print carpet (think of a Persian rug), usually wool, will install starting around $2000 and go up from there.

How Much Does It Cost? Part 2

Since every shower size is different, and frameless glass shower doors are not prefabricated, there aren't set linear prices for the doors.  Each door is custom made for your shower. Most range between $1600 and $2200 installed.

Design Tip

You keep hearing about bohemian (boho) design.  How to define it--it's artsy, random, eclectic, devoid of structure and order, rooms that are bright, colorful, and patterned. The boho color palette leans heavily on earthy tones: think browns and greens, jewel tones, and metallics. Pattern is also key, as many bohemian textiles come from exotic places around the world, like Persian rugs and Ikat from Southeast Asia.

But bohemian design isn't just about incorporating these elements--it's about not being afraid to mix and layer them. Colors and patterns don't necessarily have to "go" together; what makes it unique is how they are combined and unconventional ways they are used, such as hanging a rug in addition to using one on the floor.  Boho style features textiles that are slightly worn, vintage furniture, items that are natural or handmade, all with a no rules, anything goes attitude.  

I Was Floored By Enhance

Allison in Acworth writes: "We were more than happy! It was excellent work, no complaints, and I'm absolutely 100% likely to recommend them to someone. Enhance did the hardwoods for the whole downstairs, up the stairs, and down the hall.  It was asizable job and they did it quick and clean."

Thank you, Allison.  You have done a lot of work at your home over the past few years, and we are proud to have been a part of the transformation.

In & Out

What's In What's Out The kitchen is the heart of the home, and there has been a lot of heart surgery going on lately. Some of the features that we have loved, and some we have not loved, are going away. Other new trends are moving in. Joy or sorrow? You decide: Pot Racks are over. This was a trend you either loved or hated. And if you loved it, you will probably keep yours, and that is fine. Some kitchens really benefit from having the extra space they provide by freeing up under-cabinet space. To some they say "A serious cook lives here" and other folks feel they make an area look messy.  Tiled countertops are out. Honestly, have they ever been in? Sure they existed, but mostly as a budgetary issue. Countertops take too much of a beating for tile to really work. And the grout? Ugh. There are so many other choices that tile on the countertop, while it may look great with some really special tile (think Mexican Azulejos) it's just not practical in the long term. Regarding the next two trends, one surprises us, and one doesn't--- The over the stove microwave is, well, over. Still seems like a practical place to put it to us, but maybe it is just not pretty enough. As kitchens become really recognized as "the new Family Room" maybe there is not a place for something that is just basically utilitarian. It is not attractive, you don't stand there and watch things become beautiful brown and toasty, or get lulled into a trance from the incredible smells emanating from it. It just does it's job, fast, and it's over. Here's one that surprises no one: the kitchen desk is out. Well known as the place that everything gets put down on and never touched again, the kitchen desk has almost never been used as a de facto desk, just an area that must be cleared up and cleaned up before company comes over. Is ANYONE sorry to see the end of the kitchen desk? We think not. With all of the looks and trends that are on the way out, you may ask, "What is coming in?" Well, there are some fun ones. Let's look- In general, anything "organic" is in, and by this we don't mean grown without chemicals, but organic in form or nature. Shape as well as composition-- cotton and linen, for instance, instead of nylon and rayon. This applies to everything, from sofa cushions and dinnerware to swimming pools. Real plants in the home, carpet fibers that are nubby, lines that are softer, wood floors that are more matte and natural looking versus highly shiny. Handmade pottery and ceramics are SO in.  Wallpaper is back! It is new and improved, and often available in a removable, and even reusable, form. And there are some gorgeous prints and patterns! What could be better? Well, maybe our wall product Vercade, which is a wood or stone look product made specifically for wall applications. Super easy and very attractive. We have a wall of it in the store-- come and see it! But, wallpaper! Mostly available on the internet, and we are happy to see it back on the market! Lastly, arches and other architecturally interesting shapes are BIG! Arches, lanterns, raindrops, hexagons, rhombus, these are all shapes that we are seeing in carpets, and especially in tile. We are swooning over these! Floor, backsplash, accent wall-- wherever you want to put something beautiful and unique, we've got youcovered. Come and see!            What's New In The Design Center We've been busy receiving new products and updating the showroom with new displays.  It's truly "out with the old and in with the new!" If you have not been in lately, you will want to be sure to see beautiful new carpets from Karastan, Tuftex, Mohawk, and DreamWeaver.  The patterned designs are gorgeous! We have a new laminate area featuring the new Mohawk RevWood Plus and RevWood Select waterproof styles. We also have new porcelain and ceramic tiles from Mohawk.  Come in today and replace your outdated floors with these very in floors! I Was Floored By Enhance Samantha in Sandy Springs writes: "Enhance Floors put down some vinyl plank flooring in my kitchen and laundry room. They were very professional. They answered all our questions whenever we had anything. They went the extra mile to make sure we were happy with the job, and we were. They're A+." Thank you for the nice review, Samantha.  And we appreciate the recent referral of your neighbor.  Enjoy your floors and spending your Decorating Dollars! Don't know what Decorating Dollars are? 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.  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 beginning 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!

Countertops Have Come a Long Way Baby!

One of the subjects that we get a lot of questions about is countertops, what kinds there are, how they are different, and what we recommend. Here's the 411:

When kitchens first took the leap of being an actual room as opposed to being the area around a fireplace hearth, countertops were made from either wood or stone, because that was what was available. 

In the earliest days of kitchens, the pantry was in a separate location-- the kitchen was the room where the work was done only, and it was not intended for any other purpose.  There may or may not have been running water, and the heating for cooking was primitive.

This kitchen shows a worktable and the piece that today we call a Hoosier cabinet. The Hoosier cabinet was used for baking preparation, and stored flour in a bin that dispensed it directly into a bowl, and usually had an enameled pullout countertop. These were all the countertop cooks had-- imagine having to make do with that now! 

Fortunately, things have improved a great deal! After the wood and enameled countertops, there was Formica, which was commonly being used in kitchens by 1920. Also, in this same era, kitchen storage had moved more into the kitchen itself, along with cabinets. Kitchens became more a part of the design of a home, evolving into more of a family space, versus a room that was strictly utilitarian. From both of the older pictures featured here, it appears that white has always been a popular cabinet color, and it still is today!

Through the years, we have seen the arrival (and sometimes the departure) of lots of countertop materials. There has been butcher block (still around but less common) and tile, which we see used occasionally, but usually as a budget-saving attempt. Formica laminates are also still available, and are a less expensive choice, but with some definite drawbacks. It does not tolerate liquids well at the seams, and also can be chipped or cut pretty easily. Formica might be a good choice for a couple just starting out in their first home, and can be upgraded fairly easily in a few years. Corian came along in the 80's and is still available, but again, not used very often, as there are much more practical materials at the same price.

We offer Granite, Quartz, Marble, and Quartzite countertops.  Let's look at what these are, and how they differ:

Granite

Granite is a natural stone. It is mined and cut from the earth in huge blocks. Granite is an igneous rock. This means that it is volcanic in origin. Rather than flowing out of a volcano, granite forms underground when magma solidifies gradually without reaching the surface. Because it cools more slowly than erupted magma, it contains distinct and visible crystal patterns. Varied crystal sizes occur when the rock cools at different rates; faster cooling yields smaller crystal sizes.  The various colors of granite are due to the differing proportions of minerals contained in the stone. 

Once mined, large blocks of granite are then further cut down into slabs, usually at the quarry, by giant saws, which have dozens of equally spaced parallel blades. The blocks are loaded into the saw and the entire block is cut into multiple slabs simultaneously-a process that may require 40 to 50 hours.  Slabs are either 3/4 or 1 1/4 inches thick (2 or 3 cm). The slabs are bundled together to ensure that buyers can choose multiple slabs that are similar, because even within one type of granite there can be huge variations. There is a wide range of granite pricing, generally based upon availability/scarcity of the stone and the country of origin.  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. Granite countertops need to be sealed regularly, and are susceptible to stains.  

Quartz

One of the reasons that Quartz is popular is that, being man made, it can be counted on to be more consistent in color and pattern from one piece to the next. Quartz countertops are formed by combining 90% ground quartz (a natural hard mineral) with 8-10% resins, polymers, and pigments. This forms a very hard granite-like surface. The appearance depends on how the quartz is ground: coarsely ground quartz produces a flecked appearance, while finely ground quartz produces a smooth look.

 

Quartz is very easy to live with, as it never needs sealing, is difficult to stain, and is very scratch resistant.   You do need to be careful about placing hot pots and pans directly on quartz, as the resins cannot handle high temperatures; always use a trivet or hot pad.  Quartz is slightly more expensive than granite.

Marble

Marble has long been considered the top-of-the-line of countertops. It is beautiful, and more expensive than most granite. And it is also softer and more porous than granite & quartz. It stains and etches easily, and is best for two types of people: who barely cook or are totally manic about cleaning in the kitchen, or those who are relaxed and easygoing and see a stain or a mark as a memory, like that time Uncle Ernie spilled the bottle of red wine-- oh what fun!

If any of these describe you- go for Marble- it gives the kitchen a look you just can't get anywhere else!

Quartzite

The last type of countertop we sell is Quartzite. Quartzite is a very hard metamorphic rock that originated as sandstone. Through a process of high heating and pressurization sandstone is transformed into Quartzite, an extremely strong and durable natural stone. When heated, individual quartz pieces recrystallize giving it a beautiful and decorative sparkling pattern. Quartzite is harder than granite and marble, but is still a natural stone that must be sealed. It is expensive, but gorgeous! It has some of the prettiest features of both granite and marble:  the crystal-like, dimensional look of granites, and the colors and movement of marble. It really must be seen in person to appreciate its beauty!

It is impossible to say that one type of countertop is better than another. There are so many factors to consider- and we ask questions to try to help you decide which works best for you.

Come in and let us show you our gorgeous countertops!

And remember- if you are hoping to have a beautiful new kitchen to show off during the holidays, NOW is when you should do something about it! Nothing happens overnight, regardless of how it appears on HGTV. So, come on in and let's get started!

How Much Does It Cost?

Ball park price ranges for a medium sized kitchen, not including plumbing are:

Granite $3000 to $4000 installed

Quartz $4500 to $5000

Marble $4000 to $5500 installed

Quartzite $7000 to $8000 installed

The Reason Many Things Are Costing More

How Do The Chinese Tariffs Affect You? Tariffs have been all over the news--- we just reached an agreement with Mexico and negotiations with the Chinese have been going on for months.  The US and the Chinese government are still not happy with each other, so the full tariffs on Chinese imports have now taken effect. For the everyday consumer, what does this mean? By doing a little sleuthing, we find out that the influence of buying Chinese products is everywhere in our lives. If you shop almost anywhere, you are almost certainly buying something produced, or at the very least, processed, in China. Researching goods that are imported into the US was a real eye opener. According to US Census data, in 2018 the US imported from China goods in the amount of $539.5 billion. The items included everything from food to toys to chemicals to furniture, electronics... well, you name it, it was there! And in case you were wondering, that is more than we import from South Korea, the United Kingdom, France, India, Italy, Taiwan, the Netherlands, Brazil, Ireland, and Switzerland COMBINED! We export our products to China as well, but not nearly as much as we import. In 2018, we exported $120.3 billion worth of goods to China.  FYI the goods that we ship to China are heavily taxed (tariffed) by the Chinese government as well. Soybeans, aircraft, and cotton are a few of our leading exports to China. What does it mean, that we have imposed tariffs on each other? In the simplest form, it means that Chinese goods coming into the United States are charged a tariff, or tax, that is paid by the seller, but ultimately drives the price of the merchandise higher. The rationale behind purposely making Chinese goods more expensive is two-fold. First, it will make the Chinese goods a little less desirable, thus hurting sales.   Secondly, hopefully, it will encourage US consumers to buy more American made products as the Chinese made products will no longer be cheaper. Consequently, we Americans will start and support more of our own businesses producing those types of goods (theoretically.) China then took measures to counteract the effect of our tariffs.  In addition to imposing its own tariffs on U.S. imports to China, the country devalued its own currency. That had the effect of making Chinese products cheaper, relative to the U.S.  "Of course, that's going to nullify some of the intended effect, which is to shift American producers and consumers away from Chinese goods," says Menzie Chinn, an economics professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Also, China has aggressively sought to replace American products by going to other countries, such as purchasing soybeans from Brazil and from Russia. This is a global poker game, with the goal of getting China to start buying more of our products. China has the second-biggest economy in the world, and responds to incentives more than to nice words. These tariffs give China an incentive to negotiate, and agreeing to import more of our products is the goal.  China's first reaction was to retaliate. That's just posturing. Remember, this is a high stakes poker game. Once all is hashed out, China will be buying more American goods and WE will be buying more American goods, which is ultimately a good thing. But right now, we are paying more money for many consumer products. What Does This Have To Do With Flooring? Fortunately, almost all of the carpets we carry are manufactured in the US, most of them right here in Georgia, near Dalton, "The Carpet Center of the World".  So-- no impact there! However, about half of our wood products, and almost all of our vinyl products, come from China. This means that prices on these two categories have gotten higher. A LOT higher. They went up some when the original tariffs went into effect in September, but then when the second wave of tariffs went into effect in May prices went up again. Manufacturers and retailers are attempting to soften the blow to the consumer this time by absorbing some of the increase, but average consumers are still going to see and feel the differences. Totally out of our control. We don't like it anymore then you do, but there it is. We do still offer 12 month interest free financing for purchases over $5000, which can be very helpful, while our governments work out the new trade agreements. How Much Does It Cost? Not everything has gone up, and not everything is super expensive.  We just installed a large (almost 1000 square feet) basement in builders grade carpet.  Not top-of-the-line, but perfect for the use these rooms will get. The price was $2200, which included a very nice new pad, pull-up and disposal of the existing carpet and pad, and moving the furniture. Summertime Is A Great Time To Get Things Done Make the most of your summer! For teachers, this is your window of opportunity- and it will snap shut before you know it. We do a lot of work in the summer for teachers who now have the time to catch a breath and spend some time thinking about their home. New floors, kitchen updates, bathroom remodels, these are all easily managed in the next 6 weeks. Yes, that's right- 6 glorious weeks from now, most of our wonderful teachers will be back in the classroom. Cobb County students go back to class on August 1st, as do Cherokee County students. Fulton starts later this year, on August 12. Then their next breaks will be Fall Break, and suddenly it will be Thanksgiving! If you are planning on a family gathering at your home for Turkey Day, the clock is ticking! Whether you are a teacher or not, come on in and see all the wonderful new products we have. The carpets are beautiful, and we have some gorgeous new wood floors for you, low gloss, wide plank. And the vinyls and laminates just keep improving all the time! We'd love to help you with your new floors! Design Tip Looking for a few new accessories to update your décor this summer?  Think ceramic! Organic style ceramics with subtle patterns and an artisanal element are trending. Look for embossed jugs and vases and fill them full of pretty blooms and foliage.  Natural colors (white, cream, bone), blush pink and jet black are the poplar colors this summer. I Was Floored By Enhance One of our very favorite couples ever wrote this nice review: "We highly recommend using Enhance Floors & More for remodeling your home. They installed hardwood floors in our entire downstairs, installed granite countertops and backsplash in our kitchen, and painted our kitchen cabinets. The whole experience was a pleasure. The salespeople were helpful and listened to us. When Don gave our estimates, he gave great suggestions and explained the process well. The work was scheduled seamlessly, and the installers were prompt and did a fabulous job. They paid great attention to detail and were very efficient and professional. The work quality was excellent. Our salespeople who worked with us followed up to make sure we were satisfied. The prices were very reasonable. Our experience was a very positive one! We look forward to working with the Enhance Floors & More again soon." Thank you very much, Mr. and Mrs. Miller.  You were a pleasure to work with and we look forward to your next project!

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!