Blog

The sound of power tools is roaring in neighborhoods across the United States.  And all along Chester County neighborhoods, do-it-yourself and home improvement projects have been in full swing.  Once COVID hit, families needed someplace the kids could play and learn. Playhouses went up in the back yard, basements were converted to school rooms, dens were now home offices.

Necessity is one factor driving the building boom. Americans have been forced to use their houses more — and differently. But that doesn’t account for the huge spike in demand documented by Max Anderson, chief economist at Porch.com. The company is an online marketplace connecting homeowners to contractors.”This is all-time highs,” Anderson says. “In terms of like measured history in the United States, this is the, the highest levels of, of home improvement spending we’ve ever seen. “Home improvement spending has been on a long steady rise, so it’s not too surprising that U.S. homeowners are on track to spend more than ever, but the surge in demand is striking.  Anderson measures demand based on searches for home improvement service projects on Porch.com. During the third quarter of 2020, the company tracked 330 million U.S. Google searches for home improvement work — that’s up almost 50% from the same period last year.

Anderson says that just over 3 out of 4 homeowners whom Porch.com surveyed have completed a major project since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and roughly the same percentage have one on the drawing board. Homeowners younger than 40 are the most likely to have completed projects this year, though more than half of baby boomers have done home improvement work too. 

Rock-bottom interest rates also make home improvements more attractive. And he says that in unsettling times, spending on one’s home can be a comforting investment.  People aren’t going on vacations or going out to restaurants, so they’re appreciating their homes more and spending money on them.  Many people have money to spare so they are updating their vacation homes and upgrading their primary homes, too.

More than three-quarters of U.S. homeowners did at least one home improvement since the start of the pandemic, according to a July survey by Porch, a home-services website. While 61% of homeowners did outdoor work to improve their garden, patio or the structure of their home, 58% made interior improvements such as replacing their floors or renovating a bathroom. Homeowners spent a median of $17,140 since the pandemic began on home improvements.

Fred Callaghan Carpet & Flooring invites you to stop by or schedule a consultation with one of our design team professional to discuss ideas for your next carpet, tile, or hardwood flooring project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hardwood flooring continues to grow in popularity and is one of the most preferred flooring types for homes. Ironically, this is followed by all sorts of products trying to mimic the look of hardwood flooring, regardless of whether it’s porcelain tile that looks like hardwood flooring or engineered vinyl planks.

But many homeowners still prefer the real thing.  Hardwood floors are timeless, rich looking and a good investment for your home.  If well maintained, they last for decades.  And you can refinish hardwood floors to update the color or sheen as trends and preferences change.

There are so many options to choose from, it can sometimes be daunting. But a good rule of thumb is to choose something you like rather than only something that is on trend.  However, if you can do both, that is ideal.   Here are a few hardwood floor stain and color trends for 2021.

 Dark and Cool Toned

The trend towards darker tones continues to grow with cool tones preferred. There is a move away from warmer tones with red or red/brown undertones and a preference towards browns that are purer and more natural.  For those looking to go darker, there are blends of ebony and dark walnut to true black.

Gray and Gray Blends

Gray flooring has been on the rise and you can see it everywhere you go in wood, tile that looks like wood and gray vinyl planks that look like wood.  There is a range of hues, from charcoals and greiges to brown grays.

Light, Natural and Muted

The opposite of the popularity of dark woods is the choice of light or natural looking flooring.  But the theme is consistent with dark woods in that homeowners still prefer cooler tones that drown out the yellow hues.

Natural Looking Floor Finishes, Sheens and Textures

Matte and satin finishes are the most popular sheens, while semi-gloss and glossy sheens are dated and a bit more difficult to maintain.  Flatter finishes have become more popular. And mate and satin finishes are practical, easy to clean a and with proper care look better longer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear loyal customers,

It certainly has been an uncommon year for our business, our customers, our customers who are also business owners and our family.  We undoubtedly did not anticipate the often overwhelming disruption caused by the arrival of COVID-19, beginning in March of this year.  Business shut-downs, healthcare concerns and general pandemic fatigue have impacted us all.

Throughout this year’s ups and downs we have relied on our customers to help our business stay afloat and for that we want to offer you our heartfelt thanks.  We look forward to turning the page on 2020 and the arrival 2021 with hope that things will soon return to what was once referred to as ‘normal.’  Yes, moving forward there may be a ‘new normal’ but we hope we see you there.  We will continue our promise to provide excellent customer service in all we do.

From all of us at Fred Callaghan Carpet & Flooring, we wish you a happy, healthy and safe holiday.

Best regards,

Fred Callaghan

-President

 

 

Join us September 24– November 2
During 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.

Here are a few ideas on how to choose the perfect Karastan carpet:

Step 1:  Choose Your Location

Where you plan to put your carpet will help you decide what type of carpet to purchase. Family rooms and stairs are high direct traffic areas so will require denser, more durable carpets with heavier weights, which makes these areas great for wool carpets.  Wool carpets have superior durability and are easy to clean.  If you are looking to upgrade a bedroom or an area that receives less traffic, you can be more flexible in the type of carpet you choose. Consider Karastan SmartStrand carpets because of the silky softness they give to your feet.

Step 2:  Choose A Color

This may seem obvious, but color selection is one of the most important aspects of the carpet you choose. A lighter tone is more resistant to fading that a deeper rich color.  For a sunroom or den with large windows and a lot of natural sunlight, a softer hue is essential. For a fun fall guest room think of using bold colors, like rich orange or golds.  To accent the man cave, go with a distressed carpet that gives the space a rustic look with a luxurious feel, letting your feet sink into the carpet for your personal retreat.

Step 3: Choose A Fiber

When it comes to finding the perfect fall carpet, durability and ease of cleaning should be at the top of your list for things to consider. Wool fibers are extremely durable while also beautiful.  Wool also helps insulate your floor as autumn temperatures continue to drop. Other fibers like Karastan SmartStrand fibers are created with superior durability and extreme softness in mind. These carpets are made to protect against spills and pet stains yet allow the silky fibers feel comfortable beneath your feet.

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.

For complete details on all Karastan Carpet sale items, please call or stop by our renovated Showroom for details.

Many homeowners face the challenges presented by water damage to their floors. But today there are many flooring options to consider that can help overcome these problems. First let’s explain, what the difference is between waterproof and water-resistant flooring. Both terms refer to a material that can prevent or repel water, which is great for bathrooms or kitchens.

Waterproof flooring refers to a permanent material, which means water won’t penetrate the flooring, no matter how much time goes by. It can be installed in any room but is more expensive than water-resistant flooring. A water-resistant floor refers to how flooring material protects flooring substrate from water infiltration.

Waterproof Flooring

 A Good investment: While initially more costly, waterproof flooring can be worth it. For example, if water absorbs into hardwood flooring, the flooring could swell and eventually crack and will require replacement.  It is easier and ultimately a better investment to install waterproof hardwood from the start.

Durability: Waterproof flooring is durable and can prevent the color of the floor from fading and prevent moisture in the air due to climate or flooding from infiltrating the flooring material.

Versatility: Waterproof flooring can be installed in any room in your home and is great for kitchens bathrooms and basements.  However, it is not recommended for outdoor installation.

Water-resistant Flooring

Initial cost: Water-resistant flooring is typically less expensive than warerproof engineered hardwood or luxury vinyl planks and are easier for your flooring company to install.

Absorption Rate: Since water-resistant flooring can handle small spills it will last longer than other flooring options. But you need to keep in mind the amount of time you allow water to sit on top of the floor.  As long as you mop the floor quickly it will not have time to absorb into the floor and impact the material underneath.

Appearance: While hardwood floors have a more natural appearance, they will eventually absorb water and may not be the best option for many rooms in the house.  Water-resistant flooring comes in many shades and textures and closely mimics real hardwood.

At Fred Callaghan Carpet and Flooring we provide the best options in both waterproof and water-resistant flooring options to meet your needs.  Brands we carry include:

• Shaw
• Mohawk
• Armstrong
• corteck
• Mannington
• Masland
• True Core
• Fusion

For questions regarding existing orders or to make an appointment please call 610-647-5566 or email us at  fservice@fccarpet.com