Fashionable & Durable

Resilient flooring has come along way in it's residential evolution. Advanced finishes, with many visuals, stone and wood being the current trend. Strong manufacturer warranties coupled with low maintenance, vinyl flooring is very practical for today's active families.

Durability

Resilient is a very durable substance and is an excellent choice for high traffic areas or in areas with moisture, such as bathrooms or laundry rooms. Now, Resilient Flooring replicates the most realistic textures of ceramic, stone and wood ever seen in a resilient floor. So, resilient flooring can be both surprisingly fashionable and indisputably durable. Ask us about floors that are guaranteed not to rip, tear, or gouge for the life of the warranty.

What is the difference between Resilient and Vinyl flooring?

Resilient and Vinyl flooring are the same, they are different terms used to describe the same type of flooring.

Maintenance Tips

Cleaning, maintenance and care of vinyl flooring are very easy. Some industry innovations make floor cleanup a breeze. Just sweep as needed and occasionally mop with an approved cleaning agent or an equivalent no-rinse floor cleaner.

Sophisticated or Super-Modern

Nothing beats a beautifully restored, antique hardwood floor for a traditional, elegant look. Hardwood is tremendously versatile in its decorative ability. It can look ancient and sophisticated or super-modern and cool. It all depends on two things, the type of wood and the finish. You can have an oak floor, stained to look dark and daring, or a high glossed new maple floor that will look fresh and warm at the same time. Even an old country home with bare old barn-board flooring can be refinished to look stylish and chic. The possibilities are almost limitless, if you have the resources.

Durability

The technology of modern protective finishes has come a long way, making wood flooring more practical than ever. Urethane finishes are the most popular today because their ultraviolet light-cured finish allows for easier maintenance and longevity. Most finishes also contain aluminum oxide that enhances durability. Still, because of the nature of the material, wood is susceptible to scratches, dents and dings from high heels, household accidents and such. In this day and age, there is little need for sanding and refinishing a wood floor. Instead, you can just reapply the urethane finish every ten to fifteen years - which will revitalize the shine and make the floor appear new again. Wood floors should only be sanded or refinished if they suffer severe damage, or if you desire a new color.

What are the advantages of wood flooring?

Wood flooring adds value to your home and is an investment, not an expense. Look at the real estate ads and count the number of times hardwood flooring is mentioned as a selling point. Now compare that to carpet or laminate. Carpet and plastic laminate are disposable floors, whereas wood flooring lasts for centuries if properly maintained, and can be returned to brand new condition. Wood flooring does not harbor allergens like animal dander, fleas, ticks, mites, or hold dirt like carpet. After a few years, nearly half the weight of carpet is accumulated trapped dirt. Wood is a naturally renewable and biodegradable material, and is probably the only material in your home that satisfies those criteria (unless you live in an igloo). We also think it is more beautiful and individual than any other flooring material. What lifestyle criteria are important in choosing a wood floor? If you have six children and three dogs and anticipate extra wear-and-tear, a harder wood may be more suitable. If you take your shoes off at the door, you can expect to keep that “brand-new” look forever regardless of the hardness of the wood. Even the softest of woods have survived over 300 years of use and abuse, and you’ll never walk through a wood floor. Most every accumulation of “history” is cosmetic, and one of the major advantages of wood flooring is that it can be returned to new condition. Even severely damaged pieces or areas can be repaired or replaced without compromising the rest of the floor.

What design criteria are important in choosing a wood floor?

It's hard to make a mistake with natural wood, and the ultimate advice is to choose something you like. Wood is compatible with any décor or design statement. We've sold knotty woods to modern hi-rise apartments, and rich dark exotics to log cabins. Different woods do not "clash" with one another in the same way as paint and fabric. I have never had the experience of walking into a home and thinking "...boy, that Walnut looks ugly...why didn't they use Maple instead?" Wood is an ancient part of our surroundings and always creates a harmonious environment for people.

Maintenance Tips

• Sweep wood floors often with a soft, fine bristle broom.
• Vacuum once or twice a week to remove dirt and sand. Use a soft brush attachment to minimize scratching.
• Since water is one of a wood floors worst enemies, get rid of water right away! Remove wet spills ASAP with soft towels or a wet/dry vacuum, then dry thoroughly.
• Use a very dry damp mop when mopping polyurethaned wood floors, since excess water can seep into seams and ruin a wood floor.
• Consider using carpet runners (with non-skid pads) over wood floors in high traffic areas.
• Vacuum area rugs and runners often so dirt doesn't filter down through the weave and scratch the wood underneath.
• If possible, do not wear heavy shoes or high heels on hardwood floors, as some heels can cause dents.
• Never drag furniture or other objects across a wood floor. Instead, clean the floor thoroughly to remove dust and grit, then use "gliding" furniture pads underneath the piece to aid sliding it across the floor.
• Install floor mats at each entrance so you don't track in dirt from the bottoms of shoes.
• Be sure to follow manufacturer recommendations to treat flooring scratches and dents. If an area of the finish is damaged by water, it may be difficult to fix it.
• Use furniture pads to place under table and chair legs and on the feet of dressers and armoires. They can be purchased at a local hardware store or home center.
• Some floors may require periodic waxing and buffing. Get recommendations from the manufacturer for the specific procedures for your floor.
• Hardwood must be kept in a room with a constant humidity level year round. Doing this one thing with prevent the #1 cause of finish failure which is the boards changing size due to fluctuations in humidity.

Formal, Casual, Contemporary or Classic.

Home Fashion and durability seem to be the factors influencing consumers in today busy world. Carpet can be many things to the selective consumer. It provides sound reduction, thermal insulation, non-slip and comfort underfoot for that rich feel.

How do I know what style of carpet is right for me?

Formal? Casual? Contemporary? Classic? No doubt you already have an idea of the look and feel that's right for the room or rooms you want to carpet. It could be a formal, luxurious look or your decor may be better suited to a contemporary style designed for a casual setting. Don't worry about the latest trend, but concentrate on creating your own personal style. Start by determining your lifestyle - A busy family? A lot of entertaining? Homes a haven? Empty nest? Your lifestyle will determine the level of performance you require. Busy homes require a practical, durable carpet and state-of-the-art stain resistance is important if you entertain a lot or have small children. Many people are looking at innovative, high-performance commercial styles for their homes. Natural colours, like forest greens, oceanside blues and sandy beiges will also have longevity and wide ranging appeal.

Wall to Wall

There are so many different types of carpeting that it deserves an article all on it's own. The beauty of a wall-to-wall is simple to see. It's comfortable underfoot, warm and soothing, and it can be used quickly and easily to tie a room together. The price of wall-to-wall varies greatly depending on the size of your room, the quality of the carpet and of course the style that you choose. In most cases you will also require a foam underlay. Wall-to-wall carpets are great to use in a child's bedroom or playroom and also use a more industrial variety in a finished basement.

Maintenance Tips

Vaccuming

Regular vacuuming is required so that soil does not become embedded in the pile, causing accelerated wear by grinding at the base of the tufts. Generally speaking, an electrically-powered vacuum cleaner is much more efficient than a carpet sweeper, which is adequate only for taking up surface dirt, fluff and crumbs in between regular vacuumings. For a long pile shag it is best to fluff up the pile daily with a light-weight rake especially bought for the purpose. A suction-type vacuum should be used for weekly vacuuming.

Wet Shampoo

It is important to use a neutral shampoo on wool carpets - certainly not one that is alkaline. Never use house hold detergents, and don't use shampoos which smell of ammonia. To check proprietary carpet shampoos, leave a bit in a saucer overnight, pour off excess and allow to dry to see if it leaves a sticky residue to which house dust could cling.

Absorbent Powder

There are a range of cleaning powders available which are either solvent-saturated or detergent-saturated. After vacuuming, the powder is sprinkled liberally on the carpet, brushed into pile and then vacuumed out although it is virtually impossible to remove all the powder from the pile. The powder method does not clean as thoroughly as the wet shampoo but it does freshen-up a carpet. It also distorts the pile less and, because the carpet is not wetted, the room is ready for re-use sooner.

Aerosol Foam Shampoo

For light cleaning of small areas, aerosol foam shampoos can be used. It is advisable to test the shampoo first for stickiness as with ordinary carpet shampoos. The foam is usually sprayed sparingly on to the carpet and worked into the pile with a moistened sponge or brush. After the carpet is dry, which takes less time than with wet shampoos, the carpet is vacuumed.

Hot Water Extraction

In the hot water extraction method, sometimes incorrectly referred to as steam cleaning, the carpet pile is injected with a hot water and shampoo solution under pressure so that the soil is suspended in the water which is extracted almost at once by a high suction wet vacuum system. This method is particularly useful for very dirty carpets because it gets deep-seated dirt out but it does not clean the surface as well as other method. It is also useful for removing excess detergent from successive wet shampooings - and together the two methods can restore a very dirty, flattened carpet. Although hot water extraction machines can be rented, it is best to have this type of cleaning done by a professional cleaner because a certain amount of care is needed not to over-wet the carpet and, thus, distort the pile and backing.

Factory Cleaning

Professional factory cleaning is ideal for rugs and carpet squares because all the dirt can be effectively removed. Although it is not as suitable for wall-to-wall carpet as an on-site cleaning because of the inconvenience and expense of removing and refitting the carpet, it does get the carpet cleaner.

Endless Possibilities

When it comes to tiled floors, the possibilities are truly endless. The durability of hard surface flooring like ceramic and porcelain tile combined with their permanence, means consumers tend to be more personal in their design and selection, and they should be. Their final decision with proper installation could last the life of their home. With the option of in floor heat, tile can have the same underfoot comfort as traditional floors.

Ceramic

Pick from thousands of colours, shapes, sizes, patterns...you name it you can get it. You can get them handmade for a charming, less-than-perfect look, or machine made for accuracy and precision. Ceramic tiles are extremely durable, but you should consider that they are very cold to the touch, hence, perfect for hot climates. In cold climates, a ceramic floor can be heated from below giving the room a wonderful warmth and elegance. Downsides? Your dishes will certainly shatter if dropped and a ceramic floor can be dangerously slippery when wet.

Porcelain

Porcelain is a tile that is generally made by the dust pressed method from porcelain clays which result in a tile that is dense, impervious, fine grained and smooth, with a sharply formed face. Porcelain tiles usually have a much lower water absorption rate (less than 0.5%) than non-porcelain tiles making them frost resistant or frost-proof. Glazed porcelain tiles are much harder and more wear and damage resistant than non-porcelain ceramic tiles, making them suitable for any application from light traffic to the heaviest residential and light commercial traffic. Full body porcelain tiles carry the color and pattern through the entire thickness of the tile making them virtually impervious to wear and are suitable for any application from residential to the highest traffic commercial or industrial applications. Porcelain tiles are available in matte, unglazed or a high polished finish.

Mosiac

Possibly the most intricate flooring style available, mosaic tiles offer a flooring option that can be closer to fine art than simply a place to put your feet. These tiny tiles can be made from materials ranging from glass to marble and are normally laid into a stunning pattern to create a dramatic and beautiful look. There are ways around the seemingly honed skill one needs to lay a mosaic floor. Today the mosaic look is available in sheets with a peel-off backing, but for the real thing, expect to pay a lot and expect long waits before your masterpiece is complete. One cannot rush art.

Durability

Ceramic, Porcelain, Mosaic & Marble Durability is defined by both the hardness of the glaze and the density of the ceramic tile body. Glaze hardness, often called wear resistance, is measured in numerical hardness grades ranging from 1 to 5, with 5 being the hardest. The raw material of the tile combined with the firing process determines the density of the tile body. The density is measured by a tile water absorption capacity, less porous tiles being denser. Porcelain tiles have the greatest tile body density.

Maintenance Tips

Ceramic, Porcelain, Mosaic & Marble

Cleaning and maintenance of ceramic tiles is easy, if it's done on a regular basis. Avoid using abrasive or oil-based cleaners. It's as easy as sweeping followed by damp mopping. Grout should be sealed after installation with a special sealer that can be purchased. This will minimize grout maintenance.

In these times of increased concern for the environment, cork remains the only tree which can regenerate itself after each harvest. The cork bark is stripped off 2/3 of the tree. The first harvest does not occur until the tree is approximately 20 years old. A thin layer of protective inner bark gives the cork oak its unique ability to survive and regenerate itself after the debarking process. Stripping the bark requires great skill, as the inner bark must not be damaged. A specially designed hatchet is used for the stripping process.

Cork is a natural product with remarkably unique qualities unmatched by any other natural material. One cubic inch of cork consists of not less than 200 million completely enclosed air cells each measuring 1/1000" in diameter. Each minute cell is 14 sided which virtually eliminates empty spaces between the cells.

Advantages of Cork

BUOYANCY

Light weight: Due to the fact that more than 50 % of the cell volume of a cork piece consists of air, cork is one of the lightest solid substances, with a specific gravity of .25

COMPRESSIBILITY

A cubic inch of cork can withstand as great a pressure as 14,000 lbs. per square inch without breaking, and retains 90% of its original form after the pressure is released. Less or more normal pressure increase return to original form from 97% to 100%.

RESILIENCY

Because heavy pressure does not break down or destroy the tiny air cells, but compresses the air within the cells, the cork begins to spring back when the pressure is removed. A roll or sheet of composition cork can be compressed in one direction without losing its dimensions in the other direction. This is of great importance for many applications of composition cork.

RESISTANCE TO MOISTURE AND LIQUID PENETRATION

While cork is not completely impervious to moisture penetration, its cellular structure gives it a high resistance to penetration by water which with the addition of the proper binder can be proofed.

FRICTIONAL QUALITY

Cork is a highly frictional material, both in its natural form as well as in cork composition. Even when wet or coated with oil or grease, cork retains this quality which surpasses that of leather, rubber, and many other products used for frictional or non-skid purposes.

LOW THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY

Next to a vacuum, a "dead" air space minutely divides one of the most efficient non-conductors of heat. The cell construction of cork provides this property for which cork is so famous.

ABILITY TO ABSORB VIBRATION

Cork, with its 200 million air cells per cubic inch; of which 50% is air, essentially acts as an "air cushion", absorbing vibrations and direct impacts.

STABILITY

Cork is a tough, durable substance with remarkable capacity for retaining its initial properties wherever recommended. The high degree of stability under varying conditions is paramount to the continuing success and use of cork in the world today.

What is Luxury Vinyl Tile?

Luxury vinyl tile, commonly referred to as LVT is the newest product to hit the floorcovering industry. The idea was to take a great looking and performing product like Resilient and make it easy to install like laminate. This fusion of ideas has created the fastest growing category in flooring today. With LVT you can create your own custom designed floor which can incorporate visuals from a number of different flooring genres. Would you like a complex tile pattern? Perhaps you would like to add a wood border around the room? The sky is the limit with this product so let your imagination run wild!

How do I maintain the floor after installation?

LVT should be treated the same as a resilient floor. Sweeping and regular cleaning with a rinse free vinyl cleaner will keep your floor looking its best. As with any hard surface flooring, its best to put pads under the feet of any object moving on the floor.

Ease of installation

LVT is designed to be a do it yourselfer's dream %u2013 the adhesive is pressure sensitive which means that if you make a mistake, or want to change out a piece down the road, you can do it with ease. If you happen to make a mistake on a cut you haven't ruined any more than one piece of material, unlike sheet vinyl. It requires just a utility knife to cut which means no power tools and messy sawdust to clean up! We would be happy to do your installation - but if you want to do it yourself we are happy to give you some pointers and provide you with what you'll need to do the job right.