Blog

Carpet Satisfaction Warranties

5/27/2021

Zoe Eisele

(Pictured: A carpet set from our showroom)

‘Stain’, ‘Soil’, ‘Texture Retention’, and ‘Abrasive Wear’ are all common warranties seen on carpet. These are great warranties to have, but what do you do if your carpet comes in and there's a different issue?
In the event that you are not completely satisfied with your carpet, some manufacturers have 30-Day Satisfaction Warranties in place for certain carpets. In order for replacement to occur, there are a few things that you need to have/have done.

First and foremost, make sure you keep your receipt and all other documentation related to your carpet purchase/installation. You must have your carpet installed by a professional to ensure proper installation. Within 30 days of the installation, a claim must be made, then a dealer from the manufacturer in question will conduct an inspection. After you are cleared to pick a new carpet, you will typically choose one of equal or better value; if upgrading, you must pay the difference to the retailer. After the new carpet has arrived, you will be responsible for the labor costs involved. There will only be one replacement allowed per original carpet purchase.

Although the process above is standard, every manufacturer’s warranty will look different. Below I have listed the carpet manufacturers we show in our store that offer 30-Day Satisfaction Warranties, along with some information about their products, and a link to their warranties.

Mohawk

There are several lines of Mohawk carpeting, which focus on everything from superior stain resistance to being hypoallergenic. Half of Mohawk’s lines offer a 30-Day Satisfaction Assurance Guarantee. To view this information, and read more about what is covered under this guarantee, refer to pages 3 and 9 of the Mohawk Carpet Warranty Brochure.

Shaw

Shaw houses a lot of great cut & loop, and all loop patterned carpets. Their 30-Day Satisfaction Warranty covers all of their 5-Star carpet styles. To view this information, and read more about what is covered under this guarantee, refer to the Shaw 30-Day Customer Satisfaction Warranty.

Tuftex

Tuftex is a popular choice for stair runners and nonstandard colored carpeting. Their 30-Day Satisfaction Warranty covers their Anso Caress nylon and Anso nylon carpets. To view this information, and read more about what is covered under this guarantee, refer to page 13 of the Anderson Tuftex Care + Warranties Brochure.

What is All the Rage with Faux Wood Flooring?

5/12/2021

Terry McDowell

Did you join the fake or faux wood flooring craze…?

Understanding the terms and differences of this broad category will help you determine if this is the perfect product for you. There are three main categories: Laminate (picture under plastic coating) faux wood, Porcelain (pressed and fired glass) faux wood, and Luxury Vinyl (4 k Photographic images overlaid with plastic and scratch resistant materials) faux wood.

Porcelain

(Pictured: Daltile - Acacia Valley - Ark)

Porcelain fake wood has the strongest finish, is by far the most scratch resistant surface, and is ultimately truly waterproof. The downside is that porcelain does have some of the least realistic faux wood visuals. If durability and easy maintenance is what you require, then select from one of these top manufacturers: Daltile, Happy Floors, or Interceramic. Some of the best porcelain faux wood floor visuals include Happy Floors, Interceramic, Daltile, and Casabella.

Laminate

(Pictured: National Floors - Monticello)

Laminate fake wood floors have gotten a bad wrap especially when it comes to having water issues. While these floors are water resistant, not waterproof, laminates do have the toughest and most durable plastic coated finished surfaces of fake wood flooring, along with having a long life span of consistent durability. The best faux wood laminate flooring includes National Floors, Mohawk, Casabella, and Timeless Designs.

Luxury Vinyl

(Pictured: Proximity Mills - Yukon River - Rapids)

Proximity Mills is the leader in Luxury Vinyl Tile faux wood flooring. With superior color clarity, dense core materials, and an attached backing, this is hands down the best choice when it comes to LVT. Other top manufacturer choices for fake wood luxury vinyl flooring are COREtec, Paramount, Happy Floors, Pergo, and Casabella. Over the last five years this has become the dominant choice for faux wood looks and with its total waterproof material we find the widest range of colors and styles.

COREtec Vinyl Spotlight

3/3/2021

Zoe Eisele

(Pictured: One of Our COREtec Displays)

If you’ve heard about luxury vinyl flooring, chances are you’ve also heard about COREtec.

For those of you who are familiar with luxury vinyl and COREtec, but not necessarily what they are or why they’re important, here is a little background information.

What is Luxury Vinyl?

Vinyl plank flooring, popularly known as luxury vinyl (or LVP), is a cost-effective flooring choice with some amazing benefits. These floors are highly durable, give realistic visuals of hardwood and stone floors, and most importantly, are waterproof.

While LVP is a great option for flooring, and can be installed practically anywhere in your home, there are a few things to keep in mind when considering to purchase it.

Disadvantages of LVP

Replacement: Replacing LVP is not the most difficult thing to do, but if you manage to scratch a board, it isn’t as easy as just using a stain pen to fix it up. Vinyl is not a natural material, so if you somehow scratch through the visual you will be unable to fix it and will need to replace the entire plank. If you glued down your vinyl, it could also be more difficult to remove, we recommend using something like a hair dryer to try and loosen the adhesive to solve this issue.
VOCs: Much like carpet, vinyl will emit some level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). If VOCs are of major concern to you, it is worth asking your flooring supplier if they will hold on to your material for a week or two to ‘air them out’ a bit.
Eco-Friendliness: While there are a lot of LVP manufacturers that get different ‘green’ certifications, vinyl is not inherently eco-friendly. Most samples will show their certifications along with their other specs, but if not, it never hurts to ask and make sure.

What is COREtec? Why Does it Matter?

From their humble beginning operating out of their founder’s spare bedroom, to now, COREtec has been one of the leading innovators of modern vinyl flooring.

COREtec has a patented construction that makes it highly durable when faced with high traffic or commercial areas. A lot of work has also been put into this product to make it pleasing to the eye, with both wood and stone looks available. COREtec vinyl has the added bonus of being easy to clean and maintain.

Talking further about durability, COREtec has advantage over engineered hardwood. First and foremost, engineered hardwood is not waterproof, and the cost of replacing damaged wood is far greater than a luxury vinyl. The wear layer on top of vinyl is also more scratch resistant than hardwood

Source:
“Our Quest For A Better Floor.” Our Story | COREtec Flooring, COREtec, 2021,
coretecfloors.com/en-us/our-story.

Types of Carpet Fibers

12/2/2020

Zoe Eisele

Over the past few months I’ve written about carpet several times. Colors, patterns, styles, twists, we’ve even discussed carpet off-gassing. With all of those subjects covered, what comes next?

I thought it’d be nice to dive into the types of carpet fibers so you can learn more about what your carpet is and what it can do.

There are two categories of carpet fibers: synthetic and natural. Today we’ll be discussing the five most common fibers and what they have to offer.

Synthetic

Nylon:
- This is by far the most popular carpet fiber.
- Thanks to its strength and durability, nylons are great at resisting crushing and fading.
- These fibers have a waxy base, and chemicals for stain resistance, as they are not naturally resistant to staining.

Polyester:
- These fibers are hydrophobic and resist stains because nothing can penetrate them.
- Polyesters offer vibrant color options and are softer than nylons.
- Polyester fibers can fade, and are generally less durable than nylon fibers.
- P.E.T. - enhanced technology

Triexta:
- This is a newer type of polyester.
- These fibers are similar in appearance to nylon fibers, but are much softer.
- They are naturally hydrophobic, so they repel stains and moisture.

Olefin (Polypropylene):
- These fibers are similar in appearance to wool, so they are a common choice for berber style carpet.
- Olefin is water-resistant, making it a suitable option for basements and outdoor areas.
- Olefin carpet tends to be less expensive as it is not as durable as other synthetic fibers.

Natural

Wool:
- These fibers have a soft and luxurious feel.
- Wool has natural stain and fire resistance, and is very durable.
- Wool needs to be cleaned and maintained properly to keep its appearance. These fibers absorb liquids, so stains and chemicals in stain removers can damage the fibers if not removed quickly.
- Because wool is natural, it is renewable, and has the added bonus of not emitting VOCs.

Carpet VOC Off-Gassing

10/28/2020

Zoe Eisele

If you’ve ever had carpet installed in your home, you may be familiar with that “new carpet smell”, but where does it come from?

Off-gassing is the process by which chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released into the air. This may sound intimidating at first, but VOCs are released from many common household products. When it comes to carpet, the VOCs are primarily associated with the backing.

Potential Health Risks

Off-gassing affects everyone differently. Most people won’t notice anything, while others may be bothered by the smell for a few days. Unfortunately, others may develop mild to severe health problems from VOCs.

VOCs carry the potential to irritate your eyes, cause headaches, nausea, or dizziness. More severely, your respiratory or central nervous system could be affected. In extreme cases, the chemicals could lead to cancer.

How Long do VOCs Last?

Once your carpet has been unrolled and installed, the odor from off-gassing should subside within a few days or a week. The odor is a byproduct of latex backed carpets, which account for the vast majority of carpet backings. Carpets can emit VOCs for months or even years after they have been laid unless you take some preventative measures.

Solutions

While VOCs will eventually leave on their own, there are a few ways to remove or get rid of most of the VOCs from your new carpeting. Practicing proper ventilation the first few days after install will help kickstart the process. You could also vacuum and follow up with hot water extraction (steam cleaning) to remove a good portion of those VOCs.

An effective way to limit exposure to VOCs is to get a carpet that does not use a latex backing. Dream Weaver has one of their carpet displays safe for everyone by using no latex, keeping the VOCs emitted to a minimum.

It's All In The Twist

9/21/2020

Zoe Eisele

(Pictured: Our DW Select Display)

Every carpet begins with loose fibers. Those fibers are twisted together to create bundles, and finally, those bundles are twisted together.

Typically, there are 8-10 fibers in a bundle, with two bundles being twisted together to create your cut pile carpet. The twist number is determined by the number of turns in a one-inch length of carpet; this can also be known as TPI (turns per inch).

Why Does Twist Matter?

The higher the twist, the tighter the twist. The tighter the twist, the more durable the carpet, it's that simple. When you combine tight twists and higher density, you’ll get a carpet that’ll last and maintain its appearance for years to come.

How to Determine Twist

Twist can be determined by isolating a strand of the fibers. You will want to measure a one-inch length and count the number of twists. If the strand is less than one-inch, measure half an inch and double the twist count.

New Advances: Dream Weaver

Dream Weaver, a brand of Engineered Floors, has recently released a line of carpeting called DW Select. This new line utilizes a 3-ply yarn system known as twistX, as opposed to the traditional 2-ply system mentioned earlier.

The addition of a third ply increases the security of the twist and makes the bundle sizes 33% higher, significantly increasing the density of the carpet. This floor comes in a variety of patterns and colors, and is also stain and soil resistant.

Hardwood: Choosing Your Sheen

8/31/2020

Zoe Eisele

(Pictured: A sand & finish job by Ryan, one of our installers!)

There are so many different types of hardwood. Engineered vs Solid, Textured vs Smooth. Then you have the different types of wood, including but not limited to: oak, walnut, hickory, and maple, some of which have more specific subspecies, and all of which have different grains and color variants. With all of these options to choose from, it can be easy to overlook the sheen, the amount of shine or gloss your floor shows.

Here are the different types, and what you can expect from each.

Matte

Easy to Clean/Maintain
Easier to Hide Scratches/Dents
Casual, Natural Look
No Shine

Satin

Easy to Clean
Happy Medium Between Matte and Gloss
Most Popular Look, “New” Look
Even Shine

Semi-Gloss

Need to Clean More Often
Easy to Notice Scratches/Dents/Dirt
Formal Look
Strong Shine - makes rooms appear larger and brighter

Glossy

Need to Clean More Often
Easier to Notice Scratches/Dents/Dirt
Formal Look
Stronger Shine - makes rooms appear larger and brighter

As a general rule of thumb, your hardwood should be cleaned at least once a week in active areas, or monthly in lower traffic areas, depending on the amount of residents, pets, and overall movement in your space. A dust mop should be sufficient for daily living, but alternate methods of cleaning may be necessary for spills or other less common incidents.

As for gloss floors, a typical active family will need to re-coat their floors every 2-5 years, but as soon as you see the gloss starting to dull, you should look into re-coating. You have the option to either coat the entire floor, or just the high traffic areas, just be aware that the overall appearance of the floor will differ if not fully re-coated.

Backsplash Tile Designs

8/18/2020

Zoe Eisele

Backsplashes are commonly found behind sinks and counters in kitchens and bathrooms.
We will be focusing on some different design options for backsplashes today, but before that, I wanted to point out that they have practical uses as well:

Protection: backsplashes can protect your kitchen and bathroom walls from water damage, as well as other liquid and food debris
Easy to Clean: you can get backsplashes made of tile, stone, glass, or metal, all of which are pretty easy to clean
Stain Prevention: as mentioned above, any foods or liquids that could potentially splash on the wall and stain will be caught and can easily be removed

Now that you know the practical uses for backsplashes, let’s look into some examples of designs ranging from some of the most simple to some truly unique options.

Simple Designs:

When you think of backsplash you probably think of subway tiles. These tiles are smooth, and mostly square in shape. We’ve all seen them, so I omitted them from this article.

Pictured here we have some rectangular pieces varying from stone or tile to a mixture with glass and metal. Still a very simplistic design, but with more character, definitely a popular choice for many homeowners.

Here is another pretty simple design. Some basic squares with a nice square/rectangle border. More going on with this design, but still simple enough to draw a nice crowd.

Middle Ground Designs:

Now we get into some more interesting designs. This sample is actually my favorite backsplash that we have in our store. I think that the colors in the tile are easy enough on the eyes to not make the flower pattern too extreme, and I think there is a welcome amount of contrast.

The design of this backsplash isn’t too out of the ordinary, but the variance of colors make it stand out much more than solid tiles which is why I included it in this section.

Complex Designs:

So for this section I wanted to focus on our busiest backsplash design. There's a lot of movement in this design and chances are you’ll never get bored looking at it. If you’re a fan of steampunk, chances are this design was made for you.

Obviously this article only touched on five specific examples of backsplashes, but within each range of complexity there are thousands of designs to choose from, you just have to figure out what you like and what you can see yourself enjoying for a while.

Styles of Carpet: What You Need to Know

7/27/2020

Zoe Eisele

There are two main styles of carpet: cut pile and loop pile. Within these two broad categories are several specific styles that have been created and expanded upon as technology has advanced over the past couple decades.

Cut Pile

This carpet is sheared, exposing the ends of the fibers. Cut pile carpet is known for the twist of its fibers, which help resist matting. The tighter the twists, the more durable your carpet will be.
There are four popular styles of cut pile to choose from: cable, frieze, Saxony, and textured plush.

Cable: This carpet's fibers are longer and thicker than others, making it softer to walk on. This style is recommended for rooms without heavy foot traffic however, as the longer fibers will take less time to mat than shorter fibers.

Frieze: This is by far the most popular carpet style. These carpets are tightly twisted with two-toned yarn. They are soft and good at hiding footprints. When a longer pile is used, this style becomes known as a shag.

Saxony: This is another extremely popular carpet style. With an even finish, this carpet is also twisted for durability. It is very smooth to the touch, but this also makes the appearance of traffic more apparent than other carpets.

Textured Plush: This carpet is made of fibers with slightly uneven heights. Regular plush is made with smooth and even fibers.

Loop Pile

This carpet is not sheared, making the looped fibers visible.
There are three popular styles of loop pile to choose from: all loop, patterned multi-level loop, and cut and loop.

All Loop: Also known as level loop and berber, this carpet is made up of short looped fibers. These carpets are very dense and perfect for high traffic areas.

Patterned Multi-Level Loop: This carpet style is made of multiple loop heights to create more texture and patterns.

Cut and Loop: Also known as patterned or sculpted carpet, this style is a mixture between cut and loop pile carpet. This style offers a lot of texture and subtle patterns, adding some liveliness to the space.

A Third Option

Print: These carpets offer limitless design possibilities. Dye is injected directly into the carpet fibers, making for high resolution patterns. These patterns can be as small as half an inch, or as big as your desired space.

As you can see there are styles for everyone, each with their own set of benefits. There is no wrong answer when it comes to carpet, you just have to find the right answer for you based on your personal style and needs.

Matte or Gloss Finish? Picking Your Perfect Tile

7/9/2020

Zoe Eisele

Tiles are a popular flooring choice for many people. They can be used anywhere, but are mostly popular in kitchens and bathrooms. With so many colors and styles to choose from, there is the additional choice of tile finish. You may already have an idea of what you like, but what are all the differences between a matte and gloss-finish?

Basic Difference

Gloss tiles are finished with a coating of liquid glass, making them shiny and smooth to the touch. Matte tiles do not receive this treatment, so they lack that shine and feel.

Here is a breakdown of some pros and cons for these types of finishes.

Gloss

Pros

Reflective Surface - makes rooms appear larger and brighter
Easy to Clean
Modern Look

Cons

Imperfections are easier to spot
Slick when wet

Matte

Pros

Slip-Resistant
Low Maintenance - conceals stains and smudges
Versatile Style

Cons

Non-Reflective - better used in a larger room as it can make small spaces appear even smaller
Can be difficult to remove stains

Now that you’ve seen some of the differences between the two, maybe your mind has changed or has been made up. Both floors are great for different reasons, but depending on your space or lifestyle, one may be more suitable than the other.

If you still can’t choose, no worries! You could pair a matte floor with a gloss wall, or you could even select a semi-matte finish. This finish gives you a shiny surface, which while not as reflective as pure gloss, is not as slippery.