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What Are Good Flooring Options for Your Basement?

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When it comes to choosing basement flooring, there’s good news. There are many kinds of flooring okay to install in a below-grade basement.  Most professionally installed types of flooring should stand up to damp conditions and high humidity.

Exceptions are solid hardwood flooring and laminate flooring made with a fiberboard core that hasn’t been treated for moisture resistance. Both types of flooring absorb moisture and will warp and buckle.

That still leaves you a lot of basement flooring options, such as ceramic tile, engineered wood, rubber and laminate flooring made with a moisture-resistant plywood core.

But basements can still be troublesome. A concrete basement slab is porous and prone to moisture and water vapor migrating up through the slab. While the flooring itself may be unaffected, you’ll need to make sure that you’re not creating a haven for mold and mildew to grow underneath your basement flooring.

Here are a few good options to consider for your below-grade basement.

Ceramic tile is the designer’s choice, with tons of colors and styles. It’s unaffected by moisture and goes directly onto concrete that’s smooth and free of cracks.

Engineered vinyl flooring gives you the warmth and beauty of real wood with the stability and moisture resistance of laminate construction. Check to make sure the type you choose is rated for below-grade basements.

Carpet is generally the least expensive option so if budget is your top priority this may be a good option for you.  Carpets are flexible, so they can work over all types of sub-floors.  Carpets are also softer and warmer than hard surfaces and work well on steps.

Rubber flooringor interlocking gym tiles are a great option is you want to create a gym in your basement, which has become more and more popular.  Rubber floors are nicely cushioned and also a good choice for basement playrooms.

Be sure to stop by our showroom and talk with one of our design specialists about your next basement flooring project.

How To Care For Your Karastan Carpet?

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How To Care For Your Karastan Carpet?

 

Since 1928, Karastan carpets have been know for their artistry, innovation and craftsmanship.  They offer a selection of sophisticated carpet styles that work equally well with both traditional and contemporary décor for today’s homes and offices.

Keeping your carpet looking it’s best requires a few simple steps that will help protect your investment for many years. No matter what method of cleaning you use, there is one universal recommendation: clean your carpet before it becomes too unsightly. And take immediate action on spills. Natural wool fiber sheds liquid spills, so quick action provides the chance of preventing a stain.

There are several cleaning methods that produce satisfactory results, but each has limitations that should be considered. Here’s a handy reference from Karastanto help you decide which cleaning method is right for you and your carpet:

Dry Foam and Absorbent Pad

Fluffy detergent foam is worked into pile by a variety of machines. Once dry, the residue is vacuumed out. This method uses little water, dries fast, and cleans the surface well. Limitation:  Over-brushing can damage some carpets.

Steam Cleaning (Hot Water Extraction)

Extraction of the cleaning solution and soil leaves little residue and no pile damage. Recommended for all carpet types, this method is most effective when performed by a professional using an external hot water extraction unit. Limitations: Avoid using too much detergent. Follow up with plain water, but caution is required to prevent over-wetting.

Carpet grooming should be incorporated with all professional cleanings. A professional pile lifter vacuum may be effective in restoring matted or ridged carpeting.

Dry Powder

Absorbent particles are worked into the pile with a machine and removed by vacuum. This method uses no water, little skill is required, and the carpet is ready for use immediately. This is a professional or do-it-yourself method. Limitations: It can be difficult to remove all cleaning residue from deep pile. This method also is not that effective for heavily soiled or matted areas.

Caution: Methods and Products to Avoid

The rotary brush wet shampoo method is not recommended for residential carpet as damage may result. Moreover, some do-it-yourself products in aerosol cans may cause rapid re-soiling due to excessive residues. Test on a scrap of carpet first. If the dried product feels sticky, don’t use it. Also avoid all cleaning agents containing an optical brightener (fluorescence) such as those found in many laundry detergents and some carpet cleaning systems.

Be sure to visit our new showroom at Fred Callaghan Carpet & Flooring and find the Karastan style that works right for you!

How To Prevent Scratches In Your Hardwood Flooring?

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How To Prevent Scratches In Your Hardwood Flooring?

Hardwood flooring has continued to be a popular selection by homeowners for a variety of reasons. Hardwood floors are longer lasting and can be refinished many times to freshen the look.  Wood is a sustainable, renewable and a natural material. It is easier to spot spills and debris on wood floors to keep floors clean. Wood does not retain allergens. And hardwood flooring is both a traditional and on trend selection for modern homes.   But let’s face it, all hardwood floors scratch over time.  Here are some tips to minimize the scratches and prolong the life and beauty of your hardwood floors:

DOWN WITH DIRT: The number one culprit of scratches is dirt and grit, so clean regularly to minimize this. Get a vacuum designed for hardwood floors, not for carpets.  The wrong vacuum can actually scratch your floors.

SOCKS ONLY: Take off your shoes.  Especially avoid spikey shoes like stilettos and cleats.  Keep a shoe bin at your entranceway.

AREA RUGS: Use area rugs with an area rug pad.  They are particularly helpful in high traffic areas like around the kitchen sink or dining rooms where chairs are frequently pulled out and moved.

CONSIDER WHEELS: Be careful with chairs, cabinets and entertainment centers with wheels.  If your furnishings have wheels, make sure they are non-marking rubber wheel balls.  Be sure to clean the wheels regularly, as dirt or debris that may adhere to them can cause scratches when the wheels are rolled across the floor.

DON’T PUSH:  Most damage to hardwood floors comes from pushing or dragging furniture across the floor when moving or redecorating. Whenever possible find a helper and pick it up and move it.

USE FURNITURE PADS: Furniture pads and glider pads help cushion the feet and corners of heavy furniture and can also serve to slide furniture around so it does not have to be lifted or on wheels.  For chairs that sit on your wooden floor, stick felt pads on their feet.  If the chairs move when people stand up or move, they won’t scratch your floor.

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

2018 Kitchen Flooring Trends

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2018 Kitchen Flooring Trends

Is there anything more fun that remodeling your kitchen?  Despite the disruption to daily like, a kitchen re-do can be exiting as you select new appliances, countertops, accent pieces and of course flooring.   Plus investing in a kitchen upgrade can impact the bottom line when it comes to resale of your home.

With so many options in kitchen flooring you want to be certain you not only select what is trending today, but also styles that have longevity in the marketplace.  For starters, wood is in!  Or at least floors that look like wood.  With modern technology, just about any floor can mimic the look of real wood, without the maintenance issues.  Based on FooringInc.com, these are a few trends to look for.

Waterproof Vinyl Kitchen Flooring

WPC vinyl planks usually resemble an upscale laminate floor, giving a modern, convincing wood look. Basically, WPC vinyl is the best of all worlds for your kitchen floor. They are durable, low maintenance, 100% waterproof and on trend

Tile Kitchen Flooring

Tile is durable and easy to clean and has been a flooring staple for year. The wood-look tile kitchen flooring trend is very popular right now.Tile manufacturers are keeping up with the times and following the trends of contemporary wood and stone.

Laminate Kitchen Flooring

As technology improves, so does laminate flooring. You will see even more convincing wood looks and all of the current wood trends including hand scraped wood looks, distressed wood looks and even high color variation.

Engineered Wood Kitchen Flooring

Engineered wood is a relatively new kid on the block. A step up in durability and perception from laminate, engineered wood is the only option (aside from solid hardwood, obviously) that is made from real wood.

Blonde Wood and Wood Look

As more homeowners embrace the light, airy feel in their home, you will see a huge resurgence in blonde wood (and wood-look) floors. Blonde floors, in particular, can give you that light and airy timeless feel.

Espresso Wood and Wood Look

Dark floors are still very popular. In the kitchen, you’ll see these dark floors balanced against bright white cabinets, colorful accent walls and contemporary kitchen decor. Dark floors offer a sleeker look that sets the perfect tone for contemporary lines and minimalist decor.

Gray Kitchen Flooring

Gray flooring, particularly gray wood, has grown quickly over the last decade. Although gray tiles, particularly in stone looks, are also very popular in the kitchen. Gray has quickly become the most popular trend,not just for flooring, but also for kitchens and homes in general.

Stop by our newly expanded and renovated showroom and learn about the many flooring options available for your home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BREAKTHROUGH IN SOFT FIBER CARPET TECHNOLOGY

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You are sure to be impressed by The Caress by Shaw Collection. It’s like no other carpet in two specific ways: color and softness.

The Caress by Shaw collection features Shaw’s most innovative colors.  Inspired by such spots as the mesmerizing Mediterranean and Amalfi Coast to the striking Western Painted Desert, Shaw’s renowned designers found a rich source of unique shades and hues from the world’s most beautiful places.  They created 50 timeless colors, offering the essential neutrals, atmospheric blues, verdant greens, quiet grays and earthy browns.  Mimicking nature’s flawless palette, how could Caress by Shaw be anything but striking?

The innovation didn’t stop with color.  The Caress by Shaw collection features Shaw’s softest fiber ever.  You have to feel it to believe it.  Also inspired by the softness of the world’s softest materials, Caress by Shaw carpet styles will win you over with just one touch.

Caress by Shaw nylon achieves an ideal balance of softness, resilience and durability. Products in the collection undergo rigorous testing to ensure this carpet will retain its elegant appearance for years to come.

Caress by Shaw styles are backed with SoftBac Platinum, Shaw’s proprietary backing system that offers a faster, more efficient layer of protection. Softer underfoot, SotfBac Platinum combined with luxurious fibers by Shaw carpets means a softer product from top to bottom.

And because Caress by Shaw was created using Shaw’s premier Anso nylon fiber, this innovative collection features impressive R2X Stain, Soil and Odor resistance system and is backed by Anso nylon’s aggressive lifetime stain & soil and lifetime pet warranty promise.

Stop by our showroom today and see for yourself.