Blog : Hard Surface Flooring | Flooring Supply Shop Blog - Part 3Flooring Supplies

Tips to Save Energy and Money on your Flooring

Every homeowner strives to make the most of available flooring solutions to save energy and money. As flooring is an important aspect of every home, selection of a suitable floor becomes a critical decision. The all-important decision of flooring should be suitably addressed after assessment of all the requirements and constraints so that the money is invested in the right flooring option.

Moreover, flooring issue needs to be addressed separately for different sections of the house. For home flooring, different sections include kitchen, bathroom, living room, dining room, bedroom, hallway and stairway. All the sections need different flooring solution due to the different applications these are put to. Kitchen being the busiest area of the house and vulnerable to food spills and stains need flooring that can be cleaned easily and can handle high foot traffic. Vinyl flooring, tile flooring and laminate flooring match all criteria of such a section and prove beneficial in the long run.

Bathroom is another section that needs special attention while laying a floor. The floor of the bathroom needs to be waterproof. Easy to wash and dry, along with being slip resistant are some of the other attributes that are necessary to ascertain safety of users. Vinyl and ceramic tile flooring are the most preferred option for bathroom flooring. Besides, affordable laminate and wood flooring with waterproofing also work for bathrooms.

Bathroom design Project

Living room being the center of the house is considered as the reflection of the entire home. One must consider all the factors, including preference and budget, while installing floor to enhance the aesthetic appeal. Hardwood flooring is one of the popular options which is available in variety of colors and patterns. Depending upon the preference, homeowners can choose among natural or engineered hardwood flooring option, which adds value to the home.

Dining room floor, identical to kitchen floor, is a heavy traffic area within the house. Being prone to food and drink spills, one has to choose flooring option carefully to counter the same. Wood, laminate and tile flooring options are often preferred by homeowners for dining rooms. Bedrooms can also be exquisitely decorated by hardwood flooring. Hallways and stairways are other areas that receive heavy foot traffic and are exposed to dirt and moisture. Thus, durable flooring options like ceramic tiles are preferred for these areas.

Warmup Radiant Floor Heating

For saving energy, homeowners should opt for flooring solutions like wood during winters that keep the house warm. Additionally, homeowners can install Warmup Radiant Floor Heating to keep the house warm. Likewise, homeowners living in areas with hot climate must opt for flooring options that keep the house cool. This simple measure would ensure less dependency on the electrical appliances like AC or heater and thus, save energy as well as money.

Choosing the right flooring option, as per the preference and budget, not only will help enhance the appearance of the house but will also prove beneficial in saving money and energy. Thus, it is advisable for homeowners to do a proper research and if need be, seek professional guidance to select the right flooring option.

Special offers from Dr. Fred

One system revolutionizing the way surface restoration and maintenance is done!

To each of our valued customers,

Thank you and we have witnessed great and supportive acts from every different industry with the growing issue of COVID-19. We have been talking to many of you and we know that everyone is affected.

As a result of this many have lost jobs or they have been postponed, while some areas that have not been hit as hard are taking the opportunity of empty facilities to perform deep cleaning and restoration project. We want to help where we can and so does everyone at this time. See below for generous offer from Dr. Fred Hueston!

Many of you reading this know, or know of, Dr. Fred Hueston. He is a very respected member of the industry and has generously offered his correspondence course at 50% off!!

If you are not familiar with Dr. Fred and his professional experience, Click here to read Fred’s CV.

As you know we have always promoted training and education. Knowledge, know more than ever, is power! Until the Corona virus crisis has passed many of you will be unable to work your regular jobs and schedules. Take advantage of this time to get that education you have been putting off.

****Coming soon…. Many of you have asked us for a correspondence option and we are working hard to provide you with one during this time! We will keep you posted when this becomes available****

Special offers from Dr. Fred:

“I have put together a number of self-guided voiced-over power point presentation that you can view and listen to. All classes listed below are completely downloadable and you only need to purchase one time. For more information or to order any of the classes below, please contact me at fhueston@gmail.comor give me a call at 321-514-6845.

Iknow times are tough and for this reason I am going to cut all the prices in half until this crisis is over. I will also be hosting some round table discussions to discuss various subjects in the stone and tile business. If you have an idea, please contact me and let me know what you would like to learn. Fred Hueston

Stone Forensics Correspondence Classes

The following are the current classes available:

Stone and Tile Inspection and Troubleshooting – $1500 – now $750
Stone Restoration 101 $499.00 –now $249.50
Advanced Stone Restoration $499.00 – now $249.50
Historic Stone Restoration $599.00 – now $299.50
Stain Removal for Stone and Masonry $299.00 –now $149.50
Sell More Stone- For distributors etc who sell stone and tile $299.00 – now $149.50
Designing a Sustainable Stone Terrazzo Rest. Procedure-$299.00 –now $149.50
Engineered Stone Repair Restoration $299.00 –now $149.50
How to Turn Your Profession, Skill or Trade into a Major Cash Machine
By becoming an Expert Witness $299.00 – now $149.50

We are grateful to have you all as partners during these challenging times! Thank you for your patience and loyalty, and we look forward to continuing to provide you with the amazing products and service you’ve come to trust from us.

We have full inventory and are practicing safe operations and can supply you with any Monkey Pads or Cheetah Pads at www.flooringsupplyshop.com that you may need as well as our incredible tech support.

Stay safe and healthy!! We will all get through these challenging times!!

With Regards,

The Innovative Surface Solutions Team

1-800-280-0333 or email us at customerservice@innovativesurfacesolutions.com.

Cheetah Pads — The professional and Eco Friendly Solution

Buy now at www.flooringsupplyshop.com

How to Care for Your Hardwood Flooring

The beauty of a new hardwood floor is undeniable. This creates all the more reason to care for it in order to preserve its quality. Looking after your hardwood floor doesn’t need to be difficult. A few simple steps and some know-how and it’ll stay good as new.

Preventive

There are a few simple preventative measures that can be maintained throughout the life of your hardwood floor. The main goal of hardwood floor maintenance is to prevent damage and scratches. This can be done by placing felt stickers on the base of furniture legs and picking furniture up to move it, as opposed to dragging it across the floor. A well-placed mat at sinks in the kitchen and bathroom will prevent water damage and mats at the doors of the house will stop scratches from dirt. Furthermore, if you live in an area with humid summers or dry winters, you may notice bulging or spaces between the floorboards. This can be rectified by using a humidifier or dehumidifier if so desired.

Daily

There are also some daily, weekly, and monthly tasks that can go a long way in maintaining the wood. Daily dusting or sweeping will stop particles from scratching the surface. Dusting can be done with any microfiber cloth. Alternatively, sweeping with a soft bristle brush will keep your floors beautiful.

Weekly

Vacuuming can be done on occasion. Use a bare floor setting or the vacuum wand and avoid the beater bars. Vacuuming will also remove all those unsightly dust balls and make your stunning wood floors look even more appealing.

Monthly

In order to keep that sparkling clean appearance, washing your floors monthly is best. Make sure to use a wood floor cleaning product. Avoid oil, wax, detergent, vinegar, and bleach as these can harm the wood. It is very important to note that water tarnishes the flooring. Only use a damp mop and wipe up any spills as they occur.

There you have it, only a few simple steps and an occasional clean will allow you to easily maintain your hardwood floors.

How do you take care of your floors? Share your hardwood floor maintenance tips with us in the comments section below.

An Introduction to Natural Stone Flooring

Stone flooring is sourced straight from the Earth so there is nothing more natural than that! But that is not the only reason we love natural stone flooring. Since it’s not artificially made, each piece of stone is unique and unlike any other. Stone flooring keeps your feet cool in the summer, and with the help of heated floors, it expertly transmits heat in the winter. Stone is also fire and water resistant, providing safety to you and your loved ones, and because of its texture, stone leaves no space for nasty dust or allergens to hide. And, did we mention how beautiful it looks?

Stone flooring is an environmentally conscious purchase

Current advances in stone quarrying have significantly reduced the negative environmental impacts of sourcing stones. Because stone is taken from the Earth, it doesn’t require other materials or chemicals to produce it. When it’s available locally, it reduces the need for further transportation and supports local businesses, and its incredible durability will see to it that it lasts for years to come. Some say their floors will outlive them! Stone is also reusable and recyclable so you needn’t fret about where it will end up.

Granite

Advantages: Granite is the hardest and most durable option. It can be polished smooth or left as is, depending on your preference. Furthermore, it is highly resistant to stains and scratches and absorbs very little water, not to mention that there are so many colors, textures, and patterns to choose from!

Disadvantages: It must be properly sealed or else it will wear quickly.

Slate

Advantages: Although not as hard as granite, slate remains very tough against breaks. Slate’s strength comes from its numerous layers that have been pressed together during its formation. Slate is available is a number of dark, rich colors giving it a very clean and crisp look when installed.

Disadvantages: It is possible to break slate; however, this remains unlikely because slate is often stronger than anything it encounters. As with granite, it too must be properly sealed.

Marble

Advantages: Often seen as the most luxurious of stone choices, marble provides homeowners with a sense of elegance due to the timeless beauty of the stone. It is available in unique colors with stunning patterns that often resemble graceful waves.

Disadvantages: Despite its beauty, marble is far softer than other options and can be prone to scratches. That being said, tiles can be replaced if needed.

Limestone

Advantages: Limestone is like a fine wine; it only gets better with age. When properly cared for using limestone-specific products, over the years limestone begins to take on a gorgeous antique appearance, setting your floors apart from the rest. Used for centuries to build timeless monuments, this stone will surely look ravishing in your home or business.

Disadvantages: Limestone is a relatively soft stone so it is not recommended for outdoor, kitchen, or bathroom use. Its tendency to scratch and stain makes it more delicate than other stones on the market.

Are you planning on using natural stone flooring for your renovation or new construction? Share your experience with stone flooring with us by commenting below!

What do you use for the sub-level? A guide to basement flooring

Flooring usually goes by some rules but when it comes to basement flooring, most of those rules are thrown out of the windows. The reason for this is that basements usually are subject to completely new environmental threats. Even in spaces were weather isn’t an enemy, at least not in the usually way, basements can produce a rather moist environment where certain floors don’t prosper.

So what should be done in this situation? That’s what we’re here to help you with, as we will go over the fundamentals of basement flooring so that you have a better idea of what you should use for your own instance for example. Of course, each individual might have unique circumstances which would make the entire operation more complex for them. For example if you have a basement heating oil tank, you might have to consider other flooring options simply because of the potential leaking and whatnot. Although the best course of action in such a scenario would be to call some oil tank experts and maybe tway lifting to help you get it out so you can enjoy your basement properly.

What is the grade and what does it mean to be below or above it?

You might be confused if you talk to a constructor and they start talking about below grade or above grade materials. They are not referring to material quality and they aren’t suggestion that you should invest in cheaper or more expensive supplies. They are simply stating whether or not the material in question is designed for below or above ground level.
The former category isn’t safe from water vapors and similar threats whereas the latter, above ground level category can withstand such dangers.

Understanding the necessities of basement flooring

When you’re talking about below grade materials for your basement you have to abide by a different rule set if you’re going to get a long lasting job done. It’s important to keep these things in mind when proceeding with the flooring of your basement or otherwise you will most likely have to revisit it in the not so distant future.

Look for the hardest materials

The hardest materials prosper best in environments such as the basement. Tile will always outperform carpeting for the basement, but there are also other options out there such as concrete. It also depends on what your design or style plan may suggest, so that it’s not just efficient but also in tune with everything else in the basement.

What happens when there’s a flood?

Flooding is one of the permanent concerns that you will face regarding your basement, regardless of your flooring option. Yes, flooring helps one way or another but it won’t stop actual flooding from happening in the eventuality of there being one. When it comes to flooring, ceramics are great because they dry out in the eventuality of a flood.

You can also go for a laminate or wood approach but this implies a while other cause and effect. It is possible to install laminate flooring in the basement with the help of a foam underlayment, so if you really aren’t a fan of tiles or plain concrete, you can do that too.

Flooring your basement remains a tricky job simply because of how many things you have to keep in mind at the same time. However, it is far from impossible to pull off. It is however very important that you do it right the first time so you don’t have to come back and revisit the project every so often.

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Category: Hard Surface Flooring