Home Flooring Trends 2018 – The Home Flooring Pros Guide

It’s that time of the year again where top home and fashion magazines are making predictions for which colors and styles are going to be the “hot new thing” for 2018.

And whilst we at Home Flooring Pros would advise against homeowners going all out and investing tons of money in some potentially short-lived trend, there are always some recurrent themes that pick up on the zeitgeist of the time. These are the trends that are worth considering as they are more likely to hold their value in the fullness of time.

Here are the 2018 flooring trends we expect to see next year and that we’d recommend you consider for your next flooring project…

We are seeing three overarching themes in the home décor arena for 2018: exploring the possibilities of innovative technologies, celebrating alternative and organic materials, and looking to make more personalized and unique designs.

Eco-Friendly Marmoleum and Cork

In flooring this will translate into a resurgence of eco-friendly, organic materials such as marmoleum, linoleum and cork . Often considered as more of a commercial flooring material, marmoleum and linoleum have seen a resurgence in the residential market as manufacturers exploit the desire for clean, minimalist décor with new patterns and styles that don’t immediately remind you of a hospital or school corridor!

Source: studio853.ca

This mottled marmoleum pattern cleverly mimics the soft veining of limestone tiles.

Source: www.tierneyconner.com

A very on-trend combination of marmoleum and cork penny mosaics, finished with dark grout to match.

Meanwhile cork is being re-imagined too – away from the orangey/tan blotchy, square tiles from 70s hippy-dom to striated patterns that add texture to contemporary design; pretty penny mosaics boldly detailed with solid grout; and whitewashed corks that are ideal for adding softness underfoot without cluttering the visual field.

Source: www.kcsdesignservices.com

The striated pattern on this cork flooring adds texture to this modern interior.

Source: www.grapevinedesigns.ca

White cork flooring is the perfect compliment for this light and airy teen’s room.

Smart and Stylish Terrazzo

Terrazzo tile is also starting to see renewed interest as it offers a clever mix of natural and contemporary materials. Of course this composite flooring material has been with us for centuries – even the ancient Egyptians used it – but it is now having a moment in stylish interiors everywhere with the development of epoxy terrazzo which allows it to be produced in a large selection of colors and make it less prone to cracking.

Source: www.pulltabdesign.com

The textured pattern of this fine grain terrazzo is a good counter to the busy foliage patterned wallpaper.

Source: www.dynanconstruction.com

Terrazzo flooring in this modern living room gives the clean and slick look of concrete, but with an added level of texture.

In some ways terrazzo is taking the place of cement flooring . This is in part due to the fact that the chips of aggregate mixed into the binding material give the floor an attractive dimension of texture – almost like a smooth, polished carpet. Plus, you can create truly customized flooring as a number of interesting materials can be added into the mixture such as mother of pearl, abalone shell, glass, marble and even metal.

Source: windowsdoorsmelbourne.com.au

Larger chips of aggregate are used in this terrazzo flooring to create a bold look.

Source: www.premierhomestaging.net

Red toned terrazzo blends into this contemporary, red bathroom.

Hardwood gets Personal

Trends in hardwood flooring remain fairly constant, and for a long time know have seen a general move towards using wide planks that are reminiscent of reclaimed, antique hardwood planks. In 2018 this trend for wider planks will continue, as we look towards creating spaces that blend rustic and contemporary elements, a logical expression of mixing the organic with the technological.

Source: dinesen.com

The extra wide planks here give this space a balanced, harmonious feel – perfect for a workspace.

Source: hamiltonking.com

Extra wide planks and exposed bricks add a touch of rustic chic to this slick, modern kitchen.

As well as wide planks, we are likely to see more designers using planks with different widths to give a less uniform, more individual feel. Again it’s this nod to the idea of rustic and antique – without necessarily having to search out actually reclaimed hardwood planks . Matching rustic-style planks with a matt finish is the ideal.

Source: www.armstrongflooring.com

An all out country cozy décor here, with rustic random width planks finished with a warm, chocolate, matt stain.

Source: janekimdesign.com

Vintage meets industrial and a touch of glam in this loft bathroom – nicely finished with different width planks.

Get inspired with with our Hardwood Floor Colors guide – design ideas and trends.

Vibrant Rugs – Front and Center

Finally, carpets and rugs are already seeing a resurgence in popularity, and for 2018 this will become even more the case as they offer homemakers the chance to really showcase strong design statements – especially in vibrant colors or bold patterns. Key color trends for 2018 are bright yellow, lime green, cherry tomato red, sky blue, bright purple and fuchsia. There will also be an emphasis on handmade rugs that are truly one-of-a-kind.

Source: www.manhattanrugs.com

This overdyed oriental rugs ticks all the boxes: hand knotted, hand dyed and a gorgeously dramatic shade of fuchsia.

Source: www.meltondesignbuild.com

This bold geometric rug definitely adds the wow factor to this otherwise plain kitchen.

Choosing rugs with added texture inherent in its structure will also be popular – especially in simple, unfussy, modern interiors. Whilst opting for unique, hand-braided rugs speak to that desire to give your home interior the personalized touch.

Source: www.wayfair.com

No two exactly the same: a braided rug like this one adds handmade charm.

Source: www.loloirugs.com

The subtle pattern woven into this deep blue rug is exactly what this unfussy interior needs to bring the look together.

The article or page: Home Flooring Trends 2018 – The Home Flooring Pros Guide first appeared on the Home Flooring Pros website. Please update your links and bookmarks accordingly.

Originally posted as http://customorderflooring.com/post/167975506081 on www.customorderflooring.com

Maple Flooring: Pros & Cons, Reviews and Pricing

Learn about Maple hardwood flooring, including engineered and laminate Maple flooring, colors, stains, hardness, grades and cost.

Quick Links: Types | Options | Colors | Durability | Pricing & Reviews | Pros & Cons | Other Considerations

In this installment of our hardwood species articles, we’re going to have an in-depth look at the beautiful options available in maple hardwood flooring. With its delicate grain and creamy-blonde tones, maple has always been a strong favorite for home flooring in the USA, and is becoming an even more popular option in recent years with a swing towards Scandinavian and Mid-Century Modern inspired interior design – both styles that look to optimize natural light paired with clean, uncluttered décor. So if that’s a style you’re interested in, then maple flooring is a good hardwood option – however, there are other points to consider to ensure that maple floors are the ideal choice for your space.

See our other Hardwood Species posts including: Walnut flooring and Acacia Flooring

Types of Maple

If you’re looking to buy maple, then be aware that there are in fact two broad terms used when describing maple hardwood: hard maple and soft maple.

Hard Maple is used to describe two types of maple tree: Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) and the Black Maple (Acer nigrum). Both of these maple trees are used for making maple hardwood flooring and many wood furniture products. The Sugar Maple is, of course, also where we get all our delicious maple syrup!

Soft Maple is used to describe four other types of maple trees: Silver maple (Acer saccharinum), Red maple (Acer rebrum), Boxelder (Acer negundo) and Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum). This kind of maple, as the name suggest, is not as hard or as strong, so it is not used for flooring, but is ideal for wood-worked décor items, furniture veneers, crates and pallets.

Maple Buying Options

As with most other hardwood flooring, there are different maple floor options available on the market:

Solid Maple flooring is usually 3/4” thick, but comes in a large variety of widths and lengths depending on the manufacturer. Different brands offer solid maple in either pre-finished and unfinished states. Pre-finished hardwood  means that the planks have been treated already with a stain or sealant, and with some kind of textured surface.

Engineered Maple flooring tends to come in much thinner thicknesses, from as little as 1/4” thick. Again widths, length and finishes vary depending on the manufacturer. However as with engineered hardwoods generally, there is usually a much larger range of color finishes than with solid hardwood.

Laminate Maple flooring is another option – especially if you have a tight budget. Plank widths in laminate flooring tend to be the more standard 5”, but the range of colors and styles on offer tends to be quite wide.

A Note About Maple Flooring Grades

Certain manufacturers, particularly for solid hardwood flooring, will carry different grades of maple. Grades refers to the quality of the wood , which is usually qualified by how it looks. Grade 1 maple planks have a uniform color with very few – or no – visible knots; grade 2 maple has a bit more “real wood” character with some knots and more variety in color tones; grade 3 maple flooring has a much knottier, rustic aspect. Grade 1 is the most expensive and grade 3 is the best to maximize your budget.

You can add an extra level of interest to subtle Maple flooring by laying short planks in a herringbone parquet pattern.

Maple Flooring Colors, Stains and Textures

In my opinion, a classic American maple hardwood floor is best left in its natural state, with a clear sealant finish to allow the pretty grain and buttery tones to shine through.

However, maple hardwood is also porous enough to accept stains fairly well, so you can in fact change the color to suit your tastes, from deeper tawny brown tones to sleek grays. Having said that, DIY maple floor staining can be tricky, and often best left to the pros. Luckily, many brands already offer pre-stained maple hardwood planks, so you don’t really need to go down the DIY staining route, unless you really have a very unique or custom-blend color in mind.

Also bear in mind that there are many different texture finishes on offer including hand scraped/ distressed, wire brushed, and smooth, each giving a different feel to compliment your interior design.

Check out our Hardwood Flooring Types post for an in-depth look at hardwood options

Will Maple Flooring Turn Yellow?

This is a tough question to give a straight answer to, because it depends on several factors. It is true that natural light tones woods, like maple and oak, can turn a shade of amber with age. This is unavoidable as it is partly down to the oxidation of the natural oils in the wood. However, the change of patina can be exacerbated by oil-based polyurethane sealants reacting to sunlight. Note that oil-based sealants already give light colored wood a yellowy tone from the first application.

The solution is to opt for a water-based polyurethane finish in the first instance, which will simply enhance the natural beauty of your maple flooring without adding a yellow tint. If you have installed maple flooring that has already been pre-finished with an oil-based sealant then you should consider adding blinds, gauzes or tinted glass to your windows to avoid too much harsh, direct sunlight discoloring your floor over time.

Maple Hardness and Durability

Maple flooring has a Jenka hardness ranking of 1450 which is a good bit harder than oak flooring, the industry standard for hardwood. This means that maple flooring is quite hard, less prone to dents and is very durable (it’s a popular choice for bowling alleys for this very reason). However, if maple flooring isn’t coated in a strong polyurethane finish it will scratch – and its smooth grain makes the scratches seem more visible.

Overall maple is a sound flooring choice for most active households; nevertheless, we advise that you ensure your maple floors are properly sealed and that you invest in area rugs and runners for high traffic areas such as hallways to keep your flooring at its best.

Here the Maple floor has been pre-stained an attractive, on-trend gray-brown tone.

Maple Flooring Costs and Brands

If you’re opting for maple, then there’s good news: there are a lot of great brands to choose from, which also means that you’ll likely find a maple floor to match your budget. On the other hand, there is such a thing as too much choice! Narrowing things down to type of construction, texture finish and color finish will make your search a lot easier! Here are some of the best brands to look out for:

Solid Maple flooring : top brands include Bruce, Armstrong, Mohawk, Somerset and BuildDirect (who have their own in-house brands such as Jasper and Walking Horse but also carry other brands too). Prices for solid maple can be a little higher than for engineered – expect to pay from around $3 to $10 per square foot.

Engineered Maple flooring : a good deal of choice here from brands such as Somerset, Mohawk, BuildDirect , Armstrong, Mannington and Kährs. Prices for engineered maple are a little lower than solid; expect to pay between $2.50 to $9 per square foot depending on the finish.

Laminate Maple flooring : Pergo are of course the kings of laminate, and have some nice maple ones in their catalog, but also have a look at Mannington, BuildDirect, Home Decorators at the Home Depot, and Shaw Floors for a wider variety of maple laminate floors. Laminate is the budget-friendly option with prices ranging from $1 to $5 per square foot.

Here the Maple flooring has been whitewashed to blend into the overall décor scheme.

Maple Flooring Pros and Cons

Maple Flooring Advantages

One of the biggest advantages for maple is that it is widely available and there is plenty of choice; plus, because it is sourced locally and responsibly in the USA, it is better for the environment than exotic hardwoods.

As mentioned above, maple is widely available and very affordable ; different grades and types of maple are available to suit most budgets.

Maple has a fine grain that gives each plank a fairly uniform look; maple floors therefore offer a clean backdrop that will work for most interior designs. This makes it a good option if you like to change your décor often; or as an investment to appeal to a wide audience.

The natural light tone of maple is perfect for Scandi-inspired, contemporary, clean and airy décor – it’s a very popular choice for today’s home owner.

Maple is relatively high on the hardness scale, making it less prone to denting and more durable.

As with most hardwood floors, maple flooring that has been properly finished is easy to keep clean and maintain.

Maple Flooring Disadvantages

As with many hardwoods, maple floors can react badly to environments with fluctuating humidity levels, swelling and compacting as the levels shift. This sometimes results in warping and cracks. We recommend using engineered maple flooring in areas prone to damp – such as basements and bathrooms – because engineered hardwoods are more stable and better suited to areas with high humidity. You can also counter severe humidity by investing in a dehumidifier.

Maple does scratch easily – but you can minimize this with a good protective sealant, and the addition of strategically placed areas rugs.

Whilst you can stain maple, it can turn out a bit patchy. It’s a job that is best left to professionals, or you can opt for pre-stained planks.

Maple flooring will turn a deeper shade over time, and if it is finished with oil-based polyurethane then it can react badly to direct sunlight and yellow. Using water-based sealants and taking precautions against sunlight damage can help minimize this.

Maple is not the right choice for you if you want a flooring with an interesting grain – the fine grain in maple wood gives a much more uniform, subtle look.

Final Maple Flooring Points to Consider

American maple hardwood flooring is a classic, and is a solid investment as it has great longevity – not just in actual terms because of its durability – but because it is a popular choice that is unlikely to go out of fashion.

But as with all hardwood flooring, your investment is only as good as the installation. Make sure that you have a good subfloor and underlayment before installing your maple planks, and do the research to find a trustworthy and experienced installation team .

To keep your maple flooring at its best, you should plan for regular refinishing (every 3 to 5 years for solid maple flooring); if you’re opting for engineered maple flooring then choose one that has the thickest wear layer which will allow you at least one decent refinishing during its lifetime.

And finally – a no brainer really – as with any large investment, check that your manufacturer offers a good, long and comprehensive warranty!

A true American classic – Maple in its natural state is still ideal for today’s modern homes.

The article or page: Maple Flooring: Pros & Cons, Reviews and Pricing first appeared on the Home Flooring Pros website. Please update your links and bookmarks accordingly.

Originally posted as http://customorderflooring.com/post/167772466761 on www.customorderflooring.com

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Walnut Flooring: Solid, Engineered and Laminate Walnut Floors Reviewed

Learn About Walnut Wood: A Versatile Flooring, with Unique Style at an Affordable Price

Continuing our series on different hardwood flooring species, let’s now look at a true classic: walnut flooring.  Walnut has been used as a flooring material for centuries in America, Europe and Asia, mostly chosen for its wonderfully deep, rich brown tones that gives your space an elegant feel. Whilst not as dark a wood as mahogany or ebony, walnut floors should definitely be in the running if you’re a fan of darker toned hardwood.  But there are other aspects to consider, so read on to decide whether walnut hardwood flooring is the best option for your home.

Different Types of Walnut Wood

The first thing you need to know about walnut wood flooring is that there are three different types:

Common Walnut flooring , also known as the American Walnut, has a warm almost purplish-brown color at its heart mixed with lighter tones on the outer layers.

Black Walnut flooring , also known as Gunwood has a dark colored heartwood with deep grains that is particularly beautiful.

Brazilian Walnut flooring is also known as Ipe and is very dark and much harder than the other two, and also more resistant to damage from insects and mold.

Finally, you may also hear the term Asian Walnut used, but this is more commonly known as Acacia and has a very distinctive grain and honey toned coloring.

Walnut Flooring Options

As with the majority of popular hardwood flooring, there are different walnut flooring options, these include:

Solid Walnut flooring is almost always 3/4” thick with a great variety of plank widths from 2 1/4” up to 5” wide. Different brands offer different finishes, but usually you will find both hand scraped and smooth options from most brands.

Engineered Walnut flooring comes in a variety of thicknesses from as little as 1/4” thick. Generally speaking engineered walnut plank widths are between 3” and 5” inches wide, but there are some brands that go up to 7” wide. Different finishes are available and care should be taken to check that your engineered walnut has a good thickness wear layer.

Laminate Walnut flooring is also available, with the advantage of having a greater range of colors and aesthetics due to the way the laminate is created. Laminate flooring usually come in standard 5” width.

Source

Deep chocolate, almost purple tones are typical in Walnut flooring

Walnut Flooring Colors and Stains

Walnut flooring is available in different colors depending on the stain and finish.  For example you can put a bleach treatment on walnut to make it lighter – almost whitewashed in appearance, or add a dark stain to make it even darker. Using an oil finish will give a richer more luxurious feel, whilst polyurethane varnishes can add a high gloss or matt finish.

Thinking of a dark hardwood floor? Check out Dark Hardwood Floors – Can You Make Them Work?

Walnut Hardness and Durability

When it comes to hardness of a walnut floor, you need to be clear about the different types of walnut as the levels of hardness are strikingly different. Whilst American Walnut and Black Walnut floors aren’t that hard, rating 1010 on the Janka scale , Brazilian Walnut is much harder with a rating of 3684. To put this in context, Red Oak, which has a Janka rating of 1290, is the industry benchmark for comparing the relative hardness of different wood species.

This means that American Walnut flooring will scratch and dent more easily than Brazilian Walnut flooring, and so you will need to consider what measures you’ll take to maintain your flooring in a good condition – being careful not to wear sharp heeled shoes indoors, and adding area rugs and doormats in high traffic areas are sufficient protection for most households.

You will also need to be willing to commit to a schedule of sanding and refinishing your solid American Walnut flooring – usually every 3 to 5 years – in order to keep it at looking its absolute best. This could be considered a frustrating added cost, but in the long run it makes financial sense over and above having to rip out and replace the entire floor.

Source

American Walnut often comes in tonal mixes of the darker heartwood and the lighter sapwood.

Walnut Flooring Costs, Brands and Where to Buy

As with most flooring products, walnut flooring comes at different price points depending on the type of product and finish. Generally speaking walnut flooring is more expensive than others, but if you take care to keep your walnut floors well maintained it will give you a great return on investment as it has a great reputation for being a high quality product that is highly sought after by property buyers. Here are some further details on costs and brands:

Solid Walnut flooring : recommended brands include Somerset Flooring, Mannington, BuildDirect (Walking Horse, Jasper and Tungston) with prices starting around $4 per square foot and up to $12 per square foot depending on style and finish.

Engineered Walnut flooring : a lot of great brand choice in engineered walnut including Armstrong, Bruce, Mohawk, Kährs, BuildDirect , Home Legend from HomeDepot, Mohawk and Somerset Flooring. Prices are usually a little less than solid walnut from as little as $2 per square foot up to $10 with an average of around $4 or $5 per square foot.

Laminate Walnut flooring : a good deal of options here too with brands such as Pergo, Traffic MASTER, Armstrong, Bruce, Home Legends, Mannington and Shaw Floors all offering laminate walnut options starting as low as $1 per square foot and up to $8 for top of the range brands.

Where to Buy: Although you can find walnut flooring at the big bow stores like Home Depot and Lowes there’s not much in the way of choice beyond their own store brands. There is a wider selection online and here are two online stores with a wider selection.

BuildDirect – As well as selling their own store brands, BuildDirect also sell well known brands like Armstrong, Kahrs and Mohawk. You can see all their walnut flooring options here .

Wayfair – The huge online home retailer has a surprisingly large range of flooring including plenty of walnut hardwood floors from popular brands like Armstrong, Bruce, Mannington,Mohawk and Shaw. They also have a respectable selection of laminate walnut floors from equally established brands.

Source

Here solid Black Walnut planks have been bleached to create a lighter, caramel color.

Walnut Flooring Pros and Cons

Now let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of walnut flooring so that you can decide if it’s the right choice for your home.

Walnut Flooring Advantages

A major advantage of walnut flooring is that good quality options are locally harvested and manufactured in the USA – a lot of American Walnut on the market is grown in California – meaning it has a better environmental footprint than exotic hardwoods.

With its deep, warm chocolate tones, walnut floors give a lovely sumptuous feel, that is often interpreted as being more high-end.

Walnut comes in lots of different plank sizes, finishes and colors, which means it can work with just about any décor, from traditional to modern, farmhouse chic to slick minimalism.

Whilst walnut flooring is a bit more expensive than some hardwood options , it’s not the most expensive type of hardwood, making it an excellent choice for a mid-range budget.

Walnut is a durable and resilient wood that makes it a great investment. Solid walnut is a particularly sound choice as it can be sanded and refinished many times over, and will last a lifetime if you take care to maintain it regularly. For greater lifespan with an engineered walnut floor, opt for one which has a thick wear layer.

Walnut is a stable hardwood so it can be used with radiant heating .

Because walnut is not as ubiquitous as oak, choosing walnut will give you a flooring that is less common and more desirable.

Walnut Flooring Disadvantages

American walnut is not that hard – in fact it is quite soft – so it is easier to dent or scratch than other hardwoods. If you have an active lifestyle, young children or pets this might not be the best hardwood option for you. Brazilian Walnut would be a much better option.

Darker woods like walnut do tend to show up dust and dirt more, though this can be mitigated against by carefully placed doormats and rugs.

Dark wood flooring can make rooms look smaller than they really are; in this case try opting for walnut with a lighter stain or bleached finish.

As with most hardwoods, walnut flooring is not as sound proof as alternatives such as carpeting, cork or rubber. However, having a soft shoes or socks only policy will minimize this problem.

Further Walnut Flooring Points to Consider

Walnut is a very stable type of hardwood, so there’s no reason not to have a great result if you choose a good brand and use experienced installers to get the best finish.

A few things to consider, which are largely true of all hardwood flooring choices, is to check the fine print and detail when it comes to warranties – some brands will offer warranties for up to 50 years or a lifetime, whilst others for just 15!

It’s worth also taking stock of both the different width sizes but also length sizes of the walnut planks you choose. Some manufacturers mainly stock walnut flooring in short strips, whilst others have bigger ranges with lengths of up to 6 foot.  Opting for a brand that offers planks in random lengths will help create a more traditional feel, whilst uniform short planks are more modern.

Finally, if you’re choosing engineered walnut flooring then be sure to choose the one that has the thickest wear layer and which can be sanded back – this way you will be able to maximize your investment by refinishing the planks if or when they get scratched and dented.

Source

Walnut is a lovely, sumptuous wood – perfect for an elegantly decorated space.

The article or page: Walnut Flooring: Solid, Engineered and Laminate Walnut Floors Reviewed first appeared on the Home Flooring Pros website. Please update your links and bookmarks accordingly.

Originally posted as http://customorderflooring.com/post/166261492021 on www.customorderflooring.com

Flooring Sale Newcastle, NSW

Drying Wet Carpet: Ask The Home Flooring Pros

In this edition of Ask the Home Flooring Pros we tackle the daunting question of how to dry wet carpet after a water damage event, whether it be a burst pipe or external flooding. Although the sight of saturated wet carpet can be overwhelming there are steps you can take to rescue the situation.

When you come home and find wet carpets, the most important thing to do is to react quickly to fix the problem. Getting the water out of your carpets as fast as possible can help prevent further damage to furniture, subflooring and walls, as well as prevent the growth of dangerous mold. Prompt water extraction and removal is key to the health of your home and family.

Here are the steps you need to take:

1. Locate the source of the water leak (if that is the cause of your wet carpet) and turn it off if possible. If, for some reason, you can’t, get a professional to help as soon as possible. Emergency call out costs are high but will save you money in the long term.

2. Remove any furniture or household items from the wet areas. Getting furniture out of the way makes it easier to deal with wet carpeting, and it also prevents further damage to both the furniture and to the carpeting.

3. If the wet area is small, you can start by using towels to absorb the water. Put it over the area and walk over the towel. Wring out or replace the towel as necessary.

4. If it’s a larger wet area, such as in a basement, a wet vacuum can begin to get some of the water out. Use large commercial fans and dehumidifiers to help with water extraction. The drying process can take between 24 – 48 hours if the carpet padding has gotten wet but not soaked. Commercial sized fans and water extraction vacuums can be rented to help remove most of the water.

5. Diatomaceous earth , which is also referred to as cat sand, can be applied generously to carpeting in order to aid water extraction. This substance, which is natural, is non-toxic to humans and pets and will absorb much of the water. Once you lay a liberal amount of it down, you can use a rake or a large broom move it around until the area is no longer wet. Diatomaceous earth can be swept up, dried, and used again as long as there is no other debris in it.

6. To help inhibit mold growth , you can sprinkle the laundry additive borax over the carpet. This substance is also natural and tends to be gentle on most carpets.

7. Here’s the test to see if your carpet is dry. If you hear a sloshing sound or feel wetness or squishiness under your feet, there is still water present beneath the carpet in the padding or even in the subfloor. Both of these can cause damage and mold when left untreated. If in a small area, you can lift the corner of the carpet and use fans to dry the padding and sub flooring. If the soaking is extensive, then the carpeting and padding must be removed to either dry or to be completely replaced.

8. In many cases, the best course of action is to call in a professional to help deal with wet carpets instead of doing it yourself. Many homeowners’ insurance policies will cover such a service depending on how your carpet got wet in the first place. A homeowner’s policy may cover the price of the service and the cost of replacing the carpet, padding or baseboards if necessary.

A company specializing in water removal will know just how to dry a wet carpet, as well as floors, walls and other areas, safely and prevent any future mold growth. Before making a choice of who to go with, be sure to check to see if their service is guaranteed to dry the carpet, padding and floors. It’s a good sign if they are bonded, affiliated with any professional organizations in their industry, have testimonials on their website, or will offer references.

Remember, wet carpets left untreated will lead to mold growth! For the safety of your home and family, dry wet carpet as soon as possible.

Have you got a question for the Home Flooring Pros? Get in touch and let us know.

Today’s advice comes from water and flood damage pro Michael at www.serviceproslocal.com

The article or page: Drying Wet Carpet: Ask The Home Flooring Pros first appeared on the Home Flooring Pros website. Please update your links and bookmarks accordingly.

Originally posted as http://customorderflooring.com/post/165578570006 on www.customorderflooring.com

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How to lay carpet
Looking for more flooring ideas? Visit https://www.carpetone.com.au/

Originally posted as http://customorderflooring.com/post/165561255296 on www.customorderflooring.com

How to Remove Baseboards – Ask the Home Flooring Pros

There’s more to installing your own flooring than the actual laying of the floor itself. Preparing the subfloor, dealing with floor transitions and, today’s topic, removing baseboards are all skills you will need if you plan to do the work yourself. As ever, we recommend that you get a couple of free estimates from local contractors to give yourself a clear idea of the cost and time advantages (or disadvantages) of a diy installation.

So today on Ask the Home Flooring Pros  we’re going to take you through the step by step process of baseboard removal…a skill which will ensure you don’t end up making more work for yourself due to damaged walls.

How to Remove Baseboard

We’ll assume that you will reuse the baseboard once you’ve installed your new flooring. If you’ve got new baseboard planned, you can be much more aggressive in tearing out the old. Here’s how to remove baseboard without damaging the wall or the trim.

Tools for removing baseboard:

Utility knife

Trim puller or small prybar

Claw hammer

Pliers

Permanent marker

Follow these step-by-step baseboard removal instructions for a quick, easy job.

Step One: There’s a good chance the painted drywall is stuck to the baseboard trim, and it will tear if not cut first, creating a patch-and-paint task. Instead, score the wall using the utility knife. Hold it at a slight downward angle, so that the cut you make into the wall will be behind the baseboard when reinstalled.

Step Two: Start near a corner, and insert the teeth of the prybar or trim puller behind the top edge of the baseboard. It might require a light tap from a hammer or mallet. Gently rotate the handle downward to pry the baseboard away from the wall from that point to the next fastener. A common mistake is to push the handle toward the wall to force off the board. That technique will dent the wall above where the baseboard will cover requiring more patching and painting!

Step Three: This step is for those planning to reuse the baseboard. When a full piece of baseboard comes off the wall, number the back of it with the marker for easier re-installation.

Step Four: Move to the next nail, and pry the baseboard off it. In most cases, the nail will remain secure in the stud and its head will pull through the baseboard. Repeat the techniques of removing and numbering pieces until all the baseboard is off.

Step Five: Use the claw hammer or pliers to remove the old nails (preferred) or drive them into the studs so that the head is not left sticking up at all.

Remember that you will be replacing the baseboards after you have installed your flooring so you will need new nails and quite possibly more paint for retouching damaged paint work. If after removing the baseboards you find that they are damaged in anyway then now would be a good time to buy and install new baseboards as they aren’t expensive.

The article or page: How to Remove Baseboards – Ask the Home Flooring Pros first appeared on the Home Flooring Pros website. Please update your links and bookmarks accordingly.

Originally posted as http://customorderflooring.com/post/165543854221 on www.customorderflooring.com

Best flooring options for family homes...

Best flooring options for family homes http://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/home/renovations/renovating-these-are-the-best-flooring-options-for-families

Originally posted as http://customorderflooring.com/post/165540415831 on www.customorderflooring.com

Best Dyson Vacuum: Choose the Best Dyson for your Home 2017/2018

If you’re looking for a new vacuum cleaner, the chances are that you’ve come across the Dyson brand – since it’s humble beginnings in the heartland of rural England, this brand has become a global leader in vacuum cleaning technology that continues to innovate the industry.

So what exactly makes a Dyson vacuum so very different from any other kind? Well, that would be the cyclonic vacuum technology that James Dyson developed back in the early 1980s. Using a cyclonic vacuum allowed for much more efficient suction and meant that vacuum bags were no longer required. Dyson was the first to introduce bagless vacuum cleaners to the market, a novelty that has now been copied by countless other vacuum brands.

But whilst there are now many other bagless vacuum cleaners on the market, the Dyson models stand out for their distinct industrial design and continued commitment to innovation, recently demonstrated by the new Ball series of cleaners that pivot on a sphere for more fluid movement.

Dyson also offer a full range of different vacuum cleaners including cordless, handheld, upright or canister models with some that are specifically designed for households with pets and for dust allergy sensitivity. So which Dyson is the best for your home and your particular cleaning needs?

Best Dyson Vacuum Cleaner Overall:  Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister Vacuum

The Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister Vacuum gets our vote as the overall number 1 best Dyson vacuum. Note that our users generally prefer the Dyson canister models over the upright models as they found them easier to maneuver and better for getting into the corners of the room. Users also liked the fact that the cord retracted into the unit for storage, unlike the Dyson upright vacuums where the cord is wound around two hooks on the neck of the cleaner. Other pros for the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal include:

The cinetic cyclone technology means that there is no filter so you never, ever have to replace or clean a dusty, yucky filter!

Superior suction: this vacuum comes with an extra turbine tool attachment that is excellent for removing pet hair, and will not tangle or snag on upholstery.

The Ball technology has improved stability so that it will not topple over – even if you’re going at full speed whizzing around your house in emergency clean-up mode!

The carbon fiber turbine head automatically adapts to every floor type – hardwood floors, tiles, carpets or rugs – without you having to flip any switches.

Suction control button on the handle makes it easy to ease suction strength if needed.

Ability to attach two extra tools to the wand.

Decent capacity bin – 0.42 gallons to be precise, means you don’t have to empty it that often.

Best Cordless Dyson:  Dyson V8 Absolute

The best selling Dyson V8 Absolute is the latest version of the Dyson cordless models and has a few upgrades on the old V6 model, the most useful being that it has a longer run time of 40 minutes. Users also said that the improved system for emptying the vacuum bin did make it easier to use.  It was also appreciated that the vacuum comes with two different head types – one for carpet and the other for hard floors. Other pros for the V8 Absolute include:

You’re actually getting 2 items for the price of 1 as the additional tools mean you can transform it to a small handheld vacuum cleaner – great for cleaning stairs, inside your car and tricky items like computer keyboards!

Integrated HEPA filtration means it captures allergens and makes the air cleaner.

Ability to switch to max power mode for higher suction (note that this mode only lasts up to 7 minutes)

It’s worth noting that a cordless Dyson is not necessarily better than a more “traditional” upright or canister models, especially as it only has a bin volume of 0.14 gallons. Some users felt that this machine would not be their go-to option for vacuum cleaning the whole house, but they would use it as an addition to traditional vacuum cleaners, rather like a motorized broom.

Best Upright Dyson:  Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 Upright

Whilst our users preferred Dyson’s canister vacuum cleaner, the consensus was that if they had to choose an upright they would go with the Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 because, at 15.6 pounds, this is the lightest standard size Dyson upright (the Small Ball is lighter, but also has smaller bin capacity).  One other feature that was welcome was that the hose and wand combo behind the bin did allow users to vacuum room corners as well as reach up to ceilings to remove cobwebs. Some other advantages of this model include:

The Ball technology makes it easy to turn corners and get into difficult places.

The cleaning head adjusts automatically to suit different flooring types – it can be used on carpets, wood, vinyl and tiled floors.

As with all Dysons the bin is super easy to empty – just push a button and the end releases.

However, many users complain that the overall design is a bit clunky and not that seamless swapping from upright use to hose use; and some people do not like having to wind the power cord by hand around the back hooks – they would rather there were a retractable cord option.

Best Dyson for Pets

As cited above, the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister vacuum is our overall favorite Dyson, for its superior maneuverability and suction – numerous customer review attest to the fact that it has no problem with cleaning up any amount of pet hairs and the supplied extra turbine tool is great on upholstery.

If your mind is set on an upright, then the Dyson Ball Animal 2 upright is the next best option (see image right) – it has a mega 270 air watts of suction power, which can handle even the stickiest of pet fur. This is actually a bit more than the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal canister vacuum, but the upright loses points for not being as easy to maneuver.

Best Dyson for Allergy

Families who suffer from allergies should serious consider the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Plus Allergy vacuum cleaner.  It is the one Dyson that has been specially designed to deal with both airborne allergens and pet dander – the two most common sources of allergies. The machine’s main feature is that it has a whole-machine HEPA filtration system that ensures allergens cannot be expelled back into the home during vacuuming.

And as well as the upholstery tool this vacuum cleaner also comes with some well-thought through tools to help clean tricky places where allergens can get trapped, including: a mattress tool, a dusting brush, a stair tool, and a two tools designed to reach under into crevices, or above onto the top of shelves.

It is worth noting that Dyson also has cordless vacuums and canister vacuum with HEPA filtration for allergy sufferers too.

Best Dyson for Wood Floors:  Dyson V6 Fluffy Pro

The cordless Dyson V6 Fluffy Pro vacuum cleaner has been specifically designed for hard floors made of wood or tile. It can deal with both large dirt particles and fine dust and as well as the direct-drive cleaner head for carpets, it has a soft roller cleaner head that is much kinder on wooden floors.

The downside with the V6 is that it only runs for about 20 minutes before needed to be recharged, so not ideal if you have a large home with wooden floors.

You can also read our post for the best vacuum for tile floors .

The article or page: Best Dyson Vacuum: Choose the Best Dyson for your Home 2017/2018 first appeared on the Home Flooring Pros website. Please update your links and bookmarks accordingly.

Originally posted as http://customorderflooring.com/post/165539679301 on www.customorderflooring.com

Cheap Flooring in Penrith, NSW

Best Dyson Vacuum: Choose the Best Dyson for your Home 2017/2018

If you’re looking for a new vacuum cleaner, the chances are that you’ve come across the Dyson brand – since it’s humble beginnings in the heartland of rural England, this brand has become a global leader in vacuum cleaning technology that continues to innovate the industry.

So what exactly makes a Dyson vacuum so very different from any other kind? Well, that would be the cyclonic vacuum technology that James Dyson developed back in the early 1980s. Using a cyclonic vacuum allowed for much more efficient suction and meant that vacuum bags were no longer required. Dyson was the first to introduce bagless vacuum cleaners to the market, a novelty that has now been copied by countless other vacuum brands.

But whilst there are now many other bagless vacuum cleaners on the market, the Dyson models stand out for their distinct industrial design and continued commitment to innovation, recently demonstrated by the new Ball series of cleaners that pivot on a sphere for more fluid movement.

Dyson also offer a full range of different vacuum cleaners including cordless, handheld, upright or canister models with some that are specifically designed for households with pets and for dust allergy sensitivity. So which Dyson is the best for your home and your particular cleaning needs?

Best Dyson Vacuum Cleaner Overall: Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister Vacuum

The Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister Vacuum gets our vote as the overall number 1 best Dyson vacuum. Note that our users generally prefer the Dyson canister models over the upright models as they found them easier to maneuver and better for getting into the corners of the room. Users also liked the fact that the cord retracted into the unit for storage, unlike the Dyson upright vacuums where the cord is wound around two hooks on the neck of the cleaner. Other pros for the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal include:

• The cinetic cyclone technology means that there is no filter so you never, ever have to replace or clean a dusty, yucky filter!
• Superior suction: this vacuum comes with an extra turbine tool attachment that is excellent for removing pet hair, and will not tangle or snag on upholstery.
• The Ball technology has improved stability so that it will not topple over – even if you’re going at full speed whizzing around your house in emergency clean-up mode!
• The carbon fiber turbine head automatically adapts to every floor type – hardwood floors, tiles, carpets or rugs – without you having to flip any switches.
• Suction control button on the handle makes it easy to ease suction strength if needed.
• Ability to attach two extra tools to the wand.
• Decent capacity bin – 0.42 gallons to be precise, means you don’t have to empty it that often.

Best Cordless Dyson: Dyson V8 Absolute

The best selling Dyson V8 Absolute is the latest version of the Dyson cordless models and has a few upgrades on the old V6 model, the most useful being that it has a longer run time of 40 minutes. Users also said that the improved system for emptying the vacuum bin did make it easier to use.  It was also appreciated that the vacuum comes with two different head types – one for carpet and the other for hard floors. Other pros for the V8 Absolute include:

• You’re actually getting 2 items for the price of 1 as the additional tools mean you can transform it to a small handheld vacuum cleaner – great for cleaning stairs, inside your car and tricky items like computer keyboards!
• Integrated HEPA filtration means it captures allergens and makes the air cleaner.
• Ability to switch to max power mode for higher suction (note that this mode only lasts up to 7 minutes)

It’s worth noting that a cordless Dyson is not necessarily better than a more “traditional” upright or canister models, especially as it only has a bin volume of 0.14 gallons. Some users felt that this machine would not be their go-to option for vacuum cleaning the whole house, but they would use it as an addition to traditional vacuum cleaners, rather like a motorized broom.

Best Upright Dyson: Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 Upright

Whilst our users preferred Dyson’s canister vacuum cleaner, the consensus was that if they had to choose an upright they would go with the Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 because, at 15.6 pounds, this is the lightest standard size Dyson upright (the Small Ball is lighter, but also has smaller bin capacity).  One other feature that was welcome was that the hose and wand combo behind the bin did allow users to vacuum room corners as well as reach up to ceilings to remove cobwebs. Some other advantages of this model include:

• The Ball technology makes it easy to turn corners and get into difficult places.
• The cleaning head adjusts automatically to suit different flooring types – it can be used on carpets, wood, vinyl and tiled floors.
• As with all Dysons the bin is super easy to empty – just push a button and the end releases.

However, many users complain that the overall design is a bit clunky and not that seamless swapping from upright use to hose use; and some people do not like having to wind the power cord by hand around the back hooks – they would rather there were a retractable cord option.

Best Dyson for Pets

As cited above, the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Canister vacuum is our overall favorite Dyson, for its superior maneuverability and suction – numerous customer review attest to the fact that it has no problem with cleaning up any amount of pet hairs and the supplied extra turbine tool is great on upholstery.

If your mind is set on an upright, then the Dyson Ball Animal 2 upright is the next best option (see image right) – it has a mega 270 air watts of suction power, which can handle even the stickiest of pet fur. This is actually a bit more than the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal canister vacuum, but the upright loses points for not being as easy to maneuver.

Best Dyson for Allergy

Families who suffer from allergies should serious consider the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball Animal Plus Allergy vacuum cleaner.  It is the one Dyson that has been specially designed to deal with both airborne allergens and pet dander – the two most common sources of allergies. The machine’s main feature is that it has a whole-machine HEPA filtration system that ensures allergens cannot be expelled back into the home during vacuuming.

And as well as the upholstery tool this vacuum cleaner also comes with some well-thought through tools to help clean tricky places where allergens can get trapped, including: a mattress tool, a dusting brush, a stair tool, and a two tools designed to reach under into crevices, or above onto the top of shelves.

It is worth noting that Dyson also has cordless vacuums and canister vacuum with HEPA filtration for allergy sufferers too.

Best Dyson for Wood Floors: Dyson V6 Fluffy Pro

The cordless Dyson V6 Fluffy Pro vacuum cleaner has been specifically designed for hard floors made of wood or tile. It can deal with both large dirt particles and fine dust and as well as the direct-drive cleaner head for carpets, it has a soft roller cleaner head that is much kinder on wooden floors.

The downside with the V6 is that it only runs for about 20 minutes before needed to be recharged, so not ideal if you have a large home with wooden floors.

You can also read our post for the best vacuum for tile floors.

The article or page: Best Dyson Vacuum: Choose the Best Dyson for your Home 2017/2018 first appeared on the Home Flooring Pros website. Please update your links and bookmarks accordingly.

Originally posted as http://customorderflooring.com/post/165538677801 on www.customorderflooring.com

Cheap Flooring in Penrith, NSW

Laminate, Vinyl & Timber Flooring Newcastle, NSW

newcastlecarpetone:

Check out our latest specials on Laminate, Vinyl & Timber Flooring in Newcastle, NSW. Shop online, buy in-store.
https://www.carpetone.com.au/adamstown-heights/

Newcastle Carpet One
122 Garden Grove Parade, Adamstown Heights NSW 2289
(02) 4952 1466

https://plus.google.com/106097478800875012305

Carpet One, your floor and home specialists. Family friendly floors installed from $34 per square metre. Great value, hard-wearing floors full installed from $49 per square metre. Live beautifully for less! See our specialists in-store or visit carpetone.com.au

Laminate, timber and vinyl flooring can be a terrific new look for your home. View our complete range on our website.

The best flooring in Newcastle, NSW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yiv3ecW0VVM

View all Newcastle Carpet One videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwOsN7HVDvfiXqsdUf0nS8l4-k4xZZc3k

Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7nfReXtynoNv3B4xSqKCNg

Originally posted as http://customorderflooring.com/post/165501905921 on www.customorderflooring.com

Three Things to Remember When Choosing New Carpet

For a durable, quiet underfoot and well insulated floor covering, you can’t go past carpet. But buying carpet is not as simple as walking in, choosing one and then walking back out. It’s generally not a cheap item to buy and install, but armed with the information below we believe you can avoid making an expensive mistake and end up with a carpet you’ll love.

Know your fabrics

Size of the area, budget and traffic of the space will factor into which fabric you choose, but we believe that also knowing the pros and cons of each fabric matter too. Wool carpet is the it’s warm, durable and naturally stain-resistant. Nylon is a hard-working, cheaper alternative that resists cleaning and sunlight staining and is ideal for children and pets and if you find a well made one, it can look luxurious. Polypropylene / polyester is synthetic and cheap and it looks it, but it’s good for playrooms that are likely to end up covered in stains and mess anyways or investment properties. Wool/Nylon blends are a slightly more budget-friendly option that are durable and high quality.

Pick your colours wisely

Show rooms like Newcastle Carpet One have a wide range of colour options to choose from and while your aesthetic should definitely be taken into account, there’s other factors to consider. Lighter colours make small rooms look larger, but show stains more easily, while dark colours hide stains but show lint. Speckled carpets hide stains and lint but people often complain that they always look dirty. We highly recommend visiting a showroom and trampling across carpet samples a few times, as online colours aren’t always true to life and won’t show you what lint or stains will look like on your chosen colour.

Need more info?

Visit our flooring showroom today and speak with a Carpet One flooring consultant at:

Address: 122 Garden Grove Parade, Adamstown Heights NSW 2289

Phone: (02) 4952 1466

This post was originally published on http://blog.newcastlecarpetone.com.au/