FloorTalk – for all the latest flooring fashions

Karina Neel talks about her family’s remodeling project. Karina and her husband Ryan own Nor Cal Legacy Builders in California. It is interesting to hear what a builder has to say when talking about their own remodeling project!

1. What was the most enjoyable part of the process?

The final product. It’s so fun to see every thing come together.  I also enjoy picking everything out, because I love shopping.

2. What was the most difficult/challenging part of the process?

Picking the “look”. There are so many directions to go. This time we went with what I call “country meets modern”. We picked some finishes that aren’t “popular” and so that was bold for me. But I knew it would all work out in the end.

3. After the project was over, what advice would you give a fellow remodeler?

Don’t skimp where it matters. If you really want a certain sink or countertop, go for it. It will pay off in the end result.

4. Did you set a budget? If so, did you keep within your original budget?

Yes and yes. We did all IKEA which allowed us not only to say with in the kitchen budget, but also get some extras.

5. Is there any decision you would change?

Not on this project. But I have in the past.

6. What was the most difficult decision to make?

Again, the “look”. I was scared to go with the white cabinets and the butcher block counter tops. It’s so not what people are doing, but I just liked the look.

7. Would you consider another remodel based on this experience?

Of course.

8. Was the timeline of the project the same as you expected?

Yes! We were redoing our entire house, so once we got to this part, it seemed like it went by quickly. That also had to do with some of the finishes we choose.

9. What obstacles came up, if any?

Well, since we went with IKEA I had to design the entire kitchen and order everything myself. I had a few miscalculations. But I was able to return the items and reorder. We had also gone with the butcher block counter top and ordered them well before we were ready to install them. Though we stored them weighted on a flat surface, there was some bowing that occurred. But with my husband’s mastery of the saw, he made it work.

10. What is your favorite room and why?

My kitchen! It’s the highlight of the house. I think it’s because it’s where I allowed the most style to come out

11. What type of floors did you use?

We used laminate by Quick Step, Hickory color
12.  Did you hire a professional installer or install them yourselves?

My husband and I did it ourselves.
13.  If you installed the flooring yourselves, do you recommend this?

We have done this many times. But I have to say, we learn something new every time. A trick of trade. If you are somewhat of a DIYer and have a simple space to floor (ie-not a lot of edges/closets…) you should go for it! Save yourself some mula! It is very rewarding.

For those of you out there that don’t find floor covering fascinating and spend your weekends on Google to learn all you can about floors, here’s a run down of the basics. This information may help you understand about your options and what you need to know when you decide you want new floors.

1. The main categories of flooring are:

Carpet

Vinyl or Resilient Flooring

Hardwood

Laminate

Ceramic or Porcelain Tile

Natural Stone

To learn more about these categories and to see different styles see the information outlined on our parent site or just click on the link above.

2. Technology and design styles have had significant influence on flooring. Other than the basics flooring types listed above, there are also styles of cork flooring, bamboo flooring, glass tiles, stainless and other metal tiles, rubber tiles, natural fibers like seagrass and sisal and many others – even paper!

3. Not all floors are acceptable on all foundation types.  For example, most solid hardwood floors cannot be installed on concrete slabs. Be sure to know your foundation type before you start shopping.

4. Flooring is measured and sold either by the square foot or the square yard. Be careful when comparing prices that you are comparing apples to apples. If a hardwood tag says “$4 per SF” and a carpet tag says “$18 per SY” and you don’t see the one letter than distinguishes the two, you might think the hardwood is less expensive than the carpet.

5. Allow a retailer give you an estimate on your room size to determine how much flooring you will need rather than building your budget from your own measurements. For example, if you have a room that is 13′ x 13′ you will need different quantities for different flooring materials. Some items are sold by the box and carpet and vinyl are sold from a roll that could be 12′, 13′6″ or 15′ wide. Since you have to buy items that are sold by the box by the full box (and take the waste factor, pattern match and pattern repeat into consideration) and items sold on a roll by their given width you could need anywhere from 190 SF over 300 SF for a room that actually measures 169 SF.

6. Different floors are made for different lifestyles. For example: You may love hardwood, but if you have large dogs hardwood may not be the best choice for you. If you have dark hair, white bathroom floor tiles might not be the best choice for you.  If you have small children and pets, white carpet may not be the best choice for you.

7.  Keep transitions to other rooms in mind when choosing flooring. Floors have different finish heights and those heights can vary depending on your subfloor. Floors with different finish heights will need to be treated with a transition strip. Transitioning from a (low) vinyl/resilient floor to a 3/4″ solid hardwood floor can be significant. Transition strips are no big deal, if you know in advance to expect them.

8.  Keep resale in mind. Because floors like hardwood, ceramic tile and natural stone are costly and rarely need replacing due to wear, consider how long you are going to live in your home before choosing your floors.  Your favorite color may be blue, but a house full of blue floors may be a turn off to a potential buyer. If you do choose to express your style with a house full of blue floors, be sure that you won’t tire of looking at the same color after a while. However, I am definitely not suggesting choosing all beige floors for resale purposes!

9. It is important to consider maintenance. If you don’t like to clean, there are flooring options with very little maintenance that also stand up to heavy traffic and pets.

10. Floors come in a variety of different styles and that means that they also come with different budgets. Be careful when shopping that you don’t rule out a particular flooring type because of the first priced sample you see. There are some vinyl floors that are as expensive as a hardwood floor and there are prices ranges within each type of flooring that can be as much as $20 per square foot.

The floors in your home are a big decision. They take more wear and tear than most any other item in your home. Other than your walls, your floors consume the majority of the square footage in your home. Choose a floor type based on the fact that you will probably live with it for a very long time!

In a carpet industry that has seen shrinking market share and endless “me-too” claims among competitors, the No. 3 carpet maker has shown healthier, innovative aspirations with a new technology it dubs Silver Release^TM.

Not too long ago, wall-to-wall carpet was king and a status symbol of upscale suburban living. Carpet still enjoys a slight edge in overall share of floors in the home over trendy hard surface choices in hardwood, tile and vinyl, though its popularity has suffered. This is due, in part, to the perception among some consumers that hard surface floors are healthier than their softer counterparts. Carpet makers and research scientists for the Carpet and Rug Institute (www.carpet-rug.org) have known that this is just an “urban myth”-that with proper installation, maintenance and cleaning carpet is a healthy flooring choice. Beaulieu of America, the No. 3 flooring manufacturer in the world and carpet specialist, determined to address this issue head-on.

In 2007, Beaulieu conducted extensive consumer research about carpet issues in its quest to develop a totally new branded approach to residential carpet. Among the many findings, the company learned that there is still a love affair with carpet among women (responsible for 80+% of all carpet purchases) and a pent-up demand, providing the health concerns could be put to rest.

Sensing the potential for a breakthrough, Beaulieu engineers applied an anti-bacterial technology used in bandages, surgical masks and laundry equipment to their production of carpet. In 2008, Beaulieu unveiled its Healthy Home^TM collection featuring its very own Silver Release^TM anti-bacterial technology under the newly minted Bliss by Beaulieu^TM brand. Beaulieu scored an industry-first and acceptance was overwhelming.

Silver Release is actually based on a home remedy going back to the 14th century. Being “born with a silver spoon in your mouth” comes from the practice of placing silver spoons in mouths of children to combat illness. Hundreds of years later, science proved moms and their silver spoons were on the right track. The molecular ions in silver and copper (also used in Silver Release)

penetrate the membranes of microbes that come in contact with them when activated by humidity or moisture and destroy them. The process is completely natural and harmless but effective.

As Beaulieu discovered, carpet fiber and Silver Release were made for each other. The billions and billions of fiber strands that make up a carpeted room are the perfect host for Silver Release and Silver Release invisibly and tirelessly works 24/7 against the formation of bacteria, moldand mildew. It’s a floor covering dream team.

Beaulieu is quick to point out that Silver Release won’t make you a healthier person. You (or your pet for that matter) can’t roll around on your new Healthy Home carpet and get cured of whatever ails you. You can, however, roll around on your carpet knowing that it’s as healthy, clean and fresh as it can be.

For its inaugural launch, Beaulieu paired its Silver Release technology with its new female-friendly Bliss by Beaulieu brand and Bliss Healthy Home^TM collection. Healthy Home also addresses another top-of-mind consumer issues related to carpet: the environment. To make Healthy Home, Beaulieu annually recycles approximately 1.6 billion plastic bottles diverted from landfills to make its P.E.T. continuous filament polyester fiber. Healthy Home, as well as all other Bliss carpets, also carries the Green Label certification for indoor air quality by the Carpet and Rug Institute.

Orders for Bliss Healthy Home have been brisk. Beaulieu reportsdistribution of displays to retailers is up 30% over any other launch in the 30-year history of the company. Even more remarkable is this is happening in a down economy. After only 8 months since its introduction, Beaulieu is chalking up its Silver Release as a home run. “It clearly touched a nerve with the consumer. Now she can feel more comfortable with the purchase of carpet for her home,” observed Jeff Meadows, Executive VP of Beaulieu. “We’re moving in the right direction.” Consumers can find their nearest Bliss dealer by going the company’s website: www.blissflooring.com.

So what does Beaulieu do for an encore? Already in the works is an even more effective Silver Release formulation to be launched in 2009 utilizing zinc in an expanded Healthy Home collection. Zinc is a widely used ingredient in cosmetics and shampoos and even paints and sealants as an effective anti-bacterial agent. “Carpet has so many unique characteristics that enhance the quality of life, from softness, comfort, quiet and warmth. We don’t think people should feel like they should just give that up,” said Meadows. “Silver Release is one more reason for her to believe in carpet.”

About Bliss by Beaulieu^TM Carpet
Beaulieu of America, Dalton, Georgia, makes the Bliss by Beaulieu brand (www.blissflooring.com). Beaulieu of America employs 6,000 in over 30 facilities and distributes carpet worldwide. It is the third largest floor covering manufacturer in the world and the largest sole producer of carpet. Bliss by Beaulieu was launched in 2008 as the only brand of carpet designed by and for the needs of women consumers.

Bliss Healthy Home^TM is the only carpet in the world to contain Silver Release^TM anti-bacterial protection that inhibits the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew.

For more information, contact:
Patricia Flavin
Sr. VP Marketing
Beaulieu of America

1-800-227-7211
pflavin@beaulieu-usa.com

When shopping for flooring, it seems that people with allergies and concerns for shy away from buying carpet. Most people think that carpet traps allergens making them unsafe for people with allergies to be in the same room as carpet.

The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) is trying to debunk this myth! According to The CRI:

“Gravity causes common household particles, such as dust, pollen and pet and insect dander, to fall to the floor. Carpet fibers trap the particles, reducing their continued circulation in the air. Proper cleaning with CRI-approved vacuums effectively removes dust and allergens from the carpet, locks them in the machine and helps keep them out of the air we breathe.
A misperception is that people with asthma and allergies should avoid carpet in the home. But much of today’s carpet is made from harmless materials found in clothing and other everyday fabrics, such as polyester, nylon and olefin fibers, which don’t trouble most people.

Mold and VOC misperceptions: Other misperceptions about carpet involve mold and the emission of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. In fact, it is very hard to grow mold on carpet. Mold grows in any moist environment where dirt and dust provide nutrients. When carpet is kept clean and dry, mold simply cannot grow on synthetic fibers.
Carpet is also wrongly linked to high VOC levels. Scientific studies show that new carpet is one of the lowest emitters of VOCs into the indoor environment, and that these emissions dissipate very quickly. The low-level VOC emissions and the harmless odor from new carpet disappear within the first 48 to 72 hours after installation and even sooner with open windows or doors.”

So, if you have allergies and concerns for indoor air quality – don’t discount carpet! For more information on carpet and allergies, click here.

Reader Question:

We have 4 kitties.  Last night they got rambunctious and knocked over one of our oil lamps that were sitting on the end table.  They broke the glass and the blue tinted oil spilled all over the table and dripped on the carpet.  We soaked up as much as we could with some paper towels, but there is still a faint blue stain on the carpet.  Is there any way to get this out without using a general store bought carpet cleaner?

Answer:

According to Wear-Dated’s stain removal guide:

Asphalt, butter, calamine lotion, Crayon, furniture polish, gravy, grease, hand lotion, ice cream, ink (ballpoint), ink (Fountain Pen), lacquer, make-up, mayonnaise, milk, oil, paint (latex), paint (oil), Play Dough, rubber cement, salad oil, sauces, shoe polish, shortening, tar, Vaseline, unknown spots

Remove as much foreign material as possible by blotting with a white paper towel or scraping with a dull knife. Apply isopropyl rubbing alcohol to a clean white cloth, white paper towel or cotton ball. If the spot extends deep into the pile, blot until it is removed or no color transfers to the cloth. Do not allow the alcohol to penetrate the backing, as it will destroy the latex bond. If the spot is on the surface only, rub in one direction at a time.

If rubbing removes the spot, blot dry and stack several white paper towels over the damp area. Place a brick or similarly weighted object on the towels to keep them in contact with the carpet. The towels will absorb any stain wicking up from the backing to the carpet surface. Allow carpet to dry, remove the brick and towels, and brush up the pile.

NOTE:  Never use a circular motion to remove a spot as this may destroy the texture.

On May 22, 2008 Congress passed the Lacey Act which prohibits the importing of illegally harvested wood and wood products. This legislation sets a ground breaking precedent for the global trade in wood flooring and other wood related products and was widely supported by environmental, industry and trade organizations.

This new law leads the way in supporting other countries’ efforts to govern their own natural resources to ensure that only legally logged timber for flooring and furniture is sold into the United States. The Act goes a long way to putting in place powerful incentives for timber  producing countries such as China, Russia and Honduras to trade in wood products that come from legally logged sources or risk paying huge penalties . This is the world’s first such legislation and according to a Greenpeace spokesperson “is the most important piece of US forestry legislation passed in the past decade”. According to industry experts there is no doubt that the Lacey Act will have a significant impact on the sales of wood flooring in the United States for many years.

According to Alexander von Bismarck, Executive Director of the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) “Passage of this law marks a new phase in the global fight to transform the timber trade”. The EIA has been actively engaged in the investigation of illegal logging for the past ten years and through their efforts were able to bring the coalition together. The EIA estimated that in 2006 10% or $3.8 billion dollars of US wood imports were derived from illegally logged timber. According to the EIA video “Increasingly China is the first stop for high risk timber” It goes on to state that “China relies on a constant stream of imported material much of this comes from the world’s illegal logging hotspots like the temperate forests of Russian where according the EIA is the location of some of the most lawless logging found anywhere on earth. According to published material enough illegal logs cross the Russia/China border each day to fill 3 ½ football fields.

Some industry officials state that the problem may even be worst in South America where up to 50% of the timber is illegally logged. With this legislation the flow of illegally logged timber will slow and then with tighter enforcement hopefully be eliminated. As Mr. Bismarck stated “the world’s biggest consumer nation has sent a message that will be heard in forest communities around the world”.

The Lacey Act provisions have been in effect since May 22, 2008 however the full impact will be after December 15^th, 2008 when all importers are required to provide a basic declaration. This declaration will accompany every shipment of wood or wood products. The purpose of these declarations is to increase transparency about the wood and wood products trade and enable the U.S. government to better enforce the law. The declaration must contain: 1. The scientific name of any species used 2. The country of harvest, 3. The quantity and measure, and 4.The value.

The new legislation will be enforced by a combination of Federal agencies including the Department of Agriculture (APIS) and US department of the Interior supported by the Department of Homeland Security, which controls U.S. customs and monitors the borders through Customs and Border Protection The Act allows for penalties up to $500,000 for corporation, $250,000 for individual, or twice maximum gain/loss from transaction and possible prison for up to five years. In the case where a buyer unknowingly purchases illegal wood then the penalty would only be a Forfeiture of goods.

So what can flooring retailers protect themselves?  According to Elinor Colbourn, Senior Trial Attorney, US Department of Justice all buyers of wood flooring and wood products must exercise “due care” by asking suppliers questions in order to comply with all relevant laws” .She suggest that “companies should implement solid supply chain principles and where ever possible verify the legality of your wood”. This may involve asking for proof from suppliers that the product was legally sourced and have them provide verification. Another method to ensure compliance is for flooring retailers to purchase FSC certified wood flooring from an approved supplier. All FSC suppliers are Chain of Custody certified meaning that the product is legally logged.

For more information contact the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA).

Peter is the founder and president of Magnum Floors (www.magnumfloors.com), Charleston, SC – one of the Nation’s leading sources for certified green wood flooring products.

Over his 25+ years of International flooring experience Peter has achieved a leading role in developing new markets for muli-national flooring companies. His industry uccesses include:

Under an exclusive agreement with UNILIN DÉCOR’s, Belgium, (US annual sales $80,000,000) Mr. Rundle introduced UNICLIC laminate products to North America. In 2006 Unilin was purchase by Mohawk Industries (Dalton, GA.) for $2.3 billion.

Entered into an exclusive agreement with Mannington Mills (annual sales $500,000,000) to introduce their wood products into Europe and later became the first European distributor.
Acted in the capacity of the senior consultant to Sultan Vicwood (K. T. Chong) to bring their African timber and Chinese manufactured flooring products to the US markets. Vicwood has significant timber holdings in Africa (estimated at 8 million hectares) 4,000 employees in China and commercial real estate in Hong Kong.

Develop the strategy and then arranged for the first shipments of Chinese hardwood flooring to CCA Global (US flooring sales $2 billion annually).

Developed the first North American laminate program with Weyerhaeuser (annual sales $21.9 billion in 2006). First year laminate sales were in excess of $12,000,000.

Owned and developed the Easy Lock Laminate flooring brand which was later introduced to LOWES HOME CENTER and sold to Kronotex

Introduced prefinished solid wood flooring into the United Kingdom and Ireland by establishing relationships with Canada’s largest solid wood flooring manufactures

 Reader Question:

“I am getting my ceramic tiles cleaned and the grout sealed and the professionals are using different methods:

1. High pressure washer w/chemical and a color sealer for the grout.

2. A truck mounted hot water extraction system (also used for carpets) and a grout sealant (tubing)

3. Hand scrubbing w/a grout sealant that claims is good for 5 yrs.

Which method is better to clean my ceramic tile?

The price per square foot is the same for the 3 professionals.

Thanks for your input!!”

Answer:

For this response, I turned to the professionals at The Grout Doctor. Here’s what they said:

Option #1 – In my experience high pressure is not good for grout.  It opens up the natural pores in the grout and allows the grout to collect more dirt, grime and grit.  The color sealer I cannot comment on without knowing the type used

Option #2 – Pretty much the same thing as option #1.  A high pressure truck mount extraction system can open up grouts natural pores as well.

Option #3 – This cleaning method is good and safe for the grout as long as the correct chemicals and dwell time are utilized.

At The Grout Doctor we used hand scrubbing with proper chemicals and dwell time.  Then would color seal with a 3 yr. guarantee.

 Reader Question:

I have vinyl flooring in my kitchen and I have put plastic tips on my wooden chairs.

The problem is there are black marks where the chairs are moved back and forth.  How can I get rid of this problem?  Is it best to have no tips on the chairs or what? I have tried to put felt tips on the end of the chair, but that only last a little while and they come off.  I would appreciate any help you could give me.   Thanks.

Answer:

Thanks for your question. To remove the black marks, rub each mark with a rubber eraser. If that doesn’t work, try mixing a small amount of baking powder and water. Rub the mixture on the scuff marks with a clean, dry, white cloth. Another solution that may work is rubbing non gel toothpaste on the marks with a clean, dry, white cloth.

Although felt is recommended, an alternative to the black plastic protectors, you can try non-pigmented plastic protectors.

The sponsor of this blog is The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) where you will find a website full of flooring solutions for the way you live. Below is a breakdown of all of the helpful tools you will find on the site. Prepare to spend some time and have some fun!

In the Design Center portion of the site, you will find:

• Ask Kerry! – Looking for advice from an expert? Kerry can help you find the right design solution for your flooring project.
• Virtual Room Designer – A tool that helps you envision different floor coverings in different rooms.
• A quiz on how you live – The answers to these questions will play a vital factor in your decision-making process regarding the color, design, and products that you will select for your project.
• Design Styles – An index on different design styles.
• Designer’s Corner – A library of articles written by the design industry’s best and brightest and updated frequently to capture the latest news.
• Gallery of Floors – Room scenes of different floor coverings in different room types.
• What I like quiz - Created by our design and decorating experts, this interactive quiz is just 10 questions that are easy, fun and take just a few minutes to answer.
  There are no wrong answers; just answer as thoughtfully as you can and have fun!
• My workbook – A place to save your design ideas.
  

For each type of flooring, you will find:

• Product Catalog
• How It’s Made
• Styles
• Before You Buy
• Installation
• Care
• Glossary

New to the site, you will find Green Solutions where you can find more about:

How much does it really cost to add decorative tiles to create a custom shower, tub surround or tub  backsplash? You may look at the beautiful examples in magazines or in the tile showrooms and think there’s no way you can afford a shower like that, so you settle for plain tile. All the while, you are wondering in the back of your mind just how much it would cost. Or, you see a tile that you like and see the price tag that each tile is $20 or so per piece and just assume that the total cost will be outrageous. Take a look at the math below and you will see that a custom shower is not so far out of reach!

For example, without looking at installation costs because they vary so much from area to area, let’s look at material only:

• If you have a shower that is 5′x5′ with a shower door on the 4th wall, you will need 15-20 lineal feet or so of a decorative tile to create a decorative band. If the tiles cost $10 each, the total cost is only $150-$200 for the material. If the tiles cost $20 each, the total cost is only $300-$400 for the material.
• If you have a tub surround that is 5′ wide, you will need around the same amount as above.
• You could also buy decorative dots and place them in the intersections of tile installed on the diagonal for around the same price.

Another option: Say you want to use glass tile and you only need 15 lineal feet for an eye level band and your retailer tells you that you have to buy the whole box of glass tiles or glass mosaic tiles. Because glass mosaics come on a mesh backing, different shapes can be cut out of each sheet to create the size you need.

Here are some things you can do with the extra tile in order not to be wasteful:

• Add “dots” or squares in the intersections of the wall tile with the decorative band
• Add “dots” in the intersections of the floor tile
• Frame the bathroom mirror
• Use the extra tiles for a sink splash
• Instead of one decorative band, install more than one to create a stripe effect
• Glue the extra tiles to pictures frames
• Put a cork backing on a square of tiles and make coasters

Before deciding that you cannot afford a custom look in a shower or bath area, have your local retailer price some options for you in a budget that you are comfortable with.

If you are ready to get started and are looking for a local retailer – click here: