Fred Callaghan Flooring

Carpet and Flooring Center

Click to Call

Blog

Is Porcelain Tile A Good Option Your Kitchen Floor?

By

One thing many homeowners often wonder when creating their dream house, is which flooring material would be best for their kitchen.  For durability and good looks, porcelain kitchen tile flooring is a fantastic option. Plus, today there are a number of designer looks that can be achieved using porcelain tile, from marble look porcelain tile options that can give you the authentic look of marble, to porcelain tiles that look like wood

Porcelain tile can be considered an upgraded version of regular ceramic tile, due to a manufacturing process which makes it harder and less porous. Options include either glazed or unglazed styles. Glazed tiles come with a glass-like coating which can be manufactured in many colors. Unglazed porcelain tiles have a more naturally earthy color of the clays used to make them. And some porcelain kitchen flooring tiles are certified to be slip-resistant by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which can be a safety plus in kitchens where spills may occur.

Here are a few good reasons to select porcelain tile for your kitchen flooring project:

Liquid Resistance

The density of porcelain is what makes it highly resistant to liquid penetration, giving it an edge as compared to other types of flooring. If you opt for a glazed style porcelain tile, the surface becomes almost completely impervious to liquids.

Highly Stain Resistant

Porcelain tiles are highly stain- resistant. Unglazed porcelain is capable of repelling stain penetration better than other flooring options. If you select a glazed product it will be almost impossible to discolor the surface of your tiles.

Durability

Porcelain tiles are considered to be one of the toughest flooring options available on the market. Aside from being solid, porcelain tiles are also hard, dense, and highly resistant to most heavy impact stresses which makes it a perfect selection for both residential and commercial projects.

Working with the design professionals at Fred Callaghan Carpet & Flooring will keep your project moving smoothly and help your find your design style.  Give us a call to make an appointment or stop by our Showroom to take a look at the many options available.

 

Final Days of National Karastan Month

By


NOW THROUGH NOVEMBER 4th

The FINAL days of our Annual Sale on All
Karastan Carpet Broadlooms and Wool Blends.

It’s never been about a single lifestyle or trend.  Karastan rugs and carpets are crafted to be timeless pieces that fit perfectly within your home.  With inspired designs, flawless craftsmanship, and long-lasting materials, Karastan is made for a life lived beautifully.

Karastan carpet and rugs are known for their beauty, quality and resilience.  Follow a few of these care and cleaning tips for your flooring, and you can expect years of enjoyment.

Vacuuming: Regular vacuuming helps extend the life of your carpet or rugs.  Proper maintenance will ensure that your product remains beautiful for years to come.

Cleaning: Karastan’s innovative fibers resist staining, but messes and spills must be properly cleaned in a timely manner in order to preserve your carpet.  To learn more, follow the guidelines on the Karastan Carpet website.

Only one week left to take advantage of our great sale on all Karastan carpets and rugs.  For complete details on all Karastan Carpet sale items, stop by our renovated Showroom today and talk with one of our experienced carpet and flooring designers.

How to Care for Hardwood Floors

By

Hardwood floors are timeless, rich looking and a good investment in your home.  With a few simple rules you can keep your floors looking fantastic for many years. Follow these easy steps and you’ll soon worship the ground you walk on

Tread Lightly

You don’t have to enforce a strict no-shoes policy, but whenever possible, avoid walking on wood floors in high heels, which can easily dent the surface. Furniture can scratch wood, too, so adhere felt pads to the bottoms of all chair and table legs. Put doormats outside every entrance to keep out dirt, sand, and salt. “If you take this precaution, you’ll prevent particles on the soles of your shoes from damaging—and possibly even removing—your floor’s finish,” says Brett Miller, the director of education at the National Wood Flooring Association.

Stay Cool

The ideal temperature for wood floors is 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with a 30 to 50 percent humidity level. Keep the thermostat in that range year-round and you’ll lessen the chance of planks gapping and buckling, which is caused by drastic changes in heat and moisture, says Miller. But don’t sweat slight heat fluctuations: The room temperature has to change radically and stay that way for a prolonged period to affect the wood.

Keep Dust in Check

Debris takes a toll on a floor’s sheen. Sweep or vacuum twice a week—or every day, if you’re up for it. Once a week, use a microfiber mop with a pH-neutral cleaner (like Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner,)or a homemade solution (1 tablespoon distilled vinegar in 1 gallon of water) to wipe up stuck-on dirt. Avoid products that claim to “shine,” “polish,” or “rejuvenate”; they often contain additives, like acrylic wax, which create a buildup, says Josh Frink, the wood-floor chairman for the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification.

Bring in Pros

Properly maintained floors may never require replacement. “Many wood floors on the East Coast are well over 100 years old,” says Frink. But when the wood loses its luster, hire an expert to apply a new coat of finish. If your floors see a lot of foot traffic, food spills, or pet mischief, have the surface sanded every 7 to 10 years or whenever you notice worn areas, loss of stain color, or gouges.

The professionals at Fred Callaghan are experts in on-site installation and professional hardwood floor refinishing of natural or finished hardwood floors with over 90 years of experience and craftsmanship to deliver to you the best possible design options. We will custom finish or re-finish your hardwood flooring offering you choices for stain color and finish preferences with either oil or water-based urethane.  Call today and let us help with your project.

Source : https://www.realsimple.com/home-orga nizing/home-improvement/maintenance-repairs/hardwood-floors

How to Decorate with An Area Rug

By

 

 

Add a modern area rug to a room that lacks excitement, and problem solved. While that alone is a good enough reason to decorate with a rug, there are many others good reasons as well. It completes a room by tying all the different design pieces together visually. A rug can also anchor a room, define it, add warmth, and help layer a room’s decor.

Here are a few ideas on how to decorate with area rugs:

Use Rugs to Define Areas 

Use a rug to define or separate areas, such as seating or dining areas, and foyers. This is especially useful in apartments or larger rooms that need definition.

Create Variety 

You can use rugs to create variety in a space. When you use two area rugs in a room, be mindful that sometimes rugs the same size can visually cut the room in two. Instead consider different sized area rugs to create visual divisions and variety.

Create Harmony 

When using more than one rug, use area rugs that complement each other in style. If not, you could end up with a jarring or unpleasant effect. Too many patterns in a room can create a disconnect and ruin the sense of decorative harmony.

Get Ideas for a Color Scheme 

Start with a favorite rug as the basis of your rooms color scheme. Or, if you add a beautiful area rug after your furniture is in place, use the rug to accent or tie in your existing colors.

Control the Volume 

Area rugs can visually quieten a room or turn up the volume as needed. If your upholstery or wallpaper has an ornate pattern, choose a rug that is more subtle. When walls and upholstery are fairly subdued, you can try a busier pattern or bolder colors to add more interest to the room.

Create a Focal Point 

Area rugs are great when used as a focal point and can make a huge impact. Create contrast by painting your walls a hue that echoes one of your rug’s accent colors.

Try Different Shapes

Not all area rugs need to be rectangular in shape. Let the way you group your furniture dictate the shape of your rug, then select either a square, round or oval shape to complement your furniture arrangement.

Update a Room 

Area rugs can easily be changed out along with pillows to update a room for changing seasons, or as a way to introduce new color trends.

TIP: As a safety measure and to preserve your area rug, always use a liner to keep your rug from slipping or creeping. The rug liner should be appropriate for your floor type, and also be the right size to fully keep the rug from sliding.

Be sure to stop by our updated Showroom and talk with one of our experienced carpet and rug designers.

Excerpts taken from The Spruce.com https://www.thespruce.com/tips-for-decorating-with-rugs-1391114

What Are Today’s Waterproof Flooring Options?

By

 

 

Technical advances in flooring have come a long way.  Today it is possible to find lifestyle friendly flooring that is water resistant or waterproof without sacrificing style.Water resistant flooring options now come in many different materials and types that suit any lifestyle, look or budget.

Water resistant floors are great for high traffic kid or pet friendly spaces or kitchens and baths. When water makes contact and is left to pool on regular wood or non- resistant flooring, moisture can seep into the core of the floor and cause permanent damage to floorboards and mold and mildew.  Not the best scenario for your home flooring.

Instead, homeowners should look to these types of flooring products that can provide either water resistant or waterproofed solutions.

WPC Vinyl

WPC can mean Wood Plastic Composite as well as Waterproof Core.  WPC is the hottest thing to arrive in the vinyl market in years.  It provides you a rich, sought after expensive wood floor loos.  WCP vinyl plank flooring has it all.  High quality visuals, extreme durability, a range of beautiful colors and textures and some even come with attached underlayment.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring

While vinyl is naturally more water resistant than other options, Mohawk features its new SOLID TECH luxury vinyl tile.  SOLID TECH is the only vinyl brand on the market that is a 100 % waterproof product that offers superior performance in wet areas such as basements and bathrooms and provides easy maintenance for spills. It is easy to clean with an engineered finish that makes it stain and scuff resistant, with a rigid core for dent resistance for extreme durability in high traffic areas.  [ nsert link: https://www.mohawkflooring.com/luxury-vinyl-tile/waterproof-vinyl-plank-flooring]

Waterproof Ceramic & Porcelain Tile Flooring

Ceramic and porcelain tile flooring are more commonly used in bathrooms compared to other floors and for a good reason.  This is mostly due to how tile is constructed.  The top surface is made of a durable glaze that will not allow any liquids to seep in along with specific grouts that complete the process. This makes for idea waterproofing your bathroom.

Engineered Hardwood

Engineered wood flooring is made of high quality plywood with a veneer of pre-finished hardwood on top. In the last few years, engineered wood flooring’s stature has greatly increased and it is considered to be on par with solid hardwood.  Due to its dimensionally stable base layers, engineered wood flooring actually stands up better to moisture than solid hardwood.

Waterproof Laminate Flooring

There is a common confusion between laminate and vinyl flooring.  Vinyl has a natural resistance to water, whereas laminate is typically susceptible to damage when moisture is present. While WPC vinyl flooring has been the leading waterproof flooring option, manufacturers are now releasing waterproof laminate options in order to compete. Technically, most “waterproof” laminate is more of a water-resistant laminate flooring than fully waterproof. However, new technologies have opened the way for some new waterproof laminate flooring options.

Be sure to stop by our newly expanded Showroom and a take a look at our latest selection of flooring options.