Flooring

The Do’s and Don’ts of Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Have you been toying around with the idea of replacing your current commercial flooring with engineered hardwood flooring? Engineered hardwood flooring is both a stable and striking choice.

Commonly known to lend a sense of durability to interiors, it has been a popular commercial flooring choice for centuries as it portrays a variety of benefits, including:

• A sustainable long-term investment
• More resistant to moisture and humidity than solid hardwood
• Allows for expansion and contraction of wood to be minimized
• Complimentary to a variety of interior designs
• Easy to clean
• Environmentally friendly
• High value look
• Strength and durability

Although a versatile flooring choice, engineered hardwood has necessary requirements that are not always apparent to consumers. Business owners who don’t research the installation and maintenance of engineered hard wood flooring often face a loss of time, money and overall investment when executed poorly.

Below are some of the most vital hardwood flooring do’s and don’ts:

The Do’s

• Do consider the environment in which your engineered hardwood flooring will be installed. Assess the humidity and level of foot traffic within your facility and choose the right flooring species accordingly.
• If you have little to no experience installing engineered hardwood flooring, do hire a professional.
• When cleaning the floors within your facility, only utilize vacuums and dry or damp mops and cloths to keep the flooring clean and clear of debris.
• From the point of installation, do wipe up all spills on your engineered hardwood flooring as soon as possible to avoid permanent stains and water damages.
• To minimize as much tracked in dirt as possible, do place wide mats or rugs by all entrances and high traffic areas.
• To avoid permanent scratches and scrapes, do place protective pads under all furniture legs including chairs, tables, couches, desks, filing cabinets, etc.

The Don’ts

• Don’t apply other coats of stain / polyurethane finishes on already finished engineered hardwood flooring.
• When cleaning your new hardwood flooring, ensure that you don’t use any wax-based cleaners or harsh detergents that will dull the finish of your flooring.
• Although more resistant to water than solid hardwood flooring, it’s important that you don’t use excessive water when cleaning your flooring, as it can cause damage to your finish.

 

Where to lay solid wood flooring?

Anywhere with a relatively consistent humidity. Particularly in hallways and living areas where you can show it off.

Pros of solid wood flooring

• Has a classic look and feel
• Appealing to buyers/tenants if you decide to sell or let your home

Cons of solid wood flooring

• Solid wood flooring swells in damp conditions and shrinks in dry
• It’s tough to install because it has to be glued or nailed down. Fitting the individual boards together can be difficult because they change shape after they’ve been manufactured
• New solid wood flooring has a more expensive starting price than other wood flooring options Solid wood floorboards can amplify sound, so rugs are a good option if you have boards upstairs

 

Floating Installation

Only engineered styles with 5 plies or more are approved for floating installation. Anything thinner could buckle or become damaged while floating.

1. Lay Down Underlayment

Any floating floor installation requires the use of underlayment. Use underlayment designed for engineered hardwood floating floors, with a minimum thickness of 1/8″ and a 2.0# density.

2. Leave Enough Room For Expansion

An expansion space of at least 1/2″ must be maintained around the perimeter of the room, all pipes, counters, cabinets, fireplace hearths, doorframes and any other fixed vertical objects in the room. This allows the floor to expand and contract normally. Not leaving an expansion gap can cause your floor to buckle.

3. Apply Glue To The Grooves (Optional)

• If you would like to add extra strength to your engineered hardwood floors, you can use recommended floating floor glue for use with engineered hardwood floors for installation.
• Glue placement is very important. The glue must be placed along the topside of the groove the full length of the grooved side and end.
• This can be accomplished by inverting the plank and applying a bead of glue to the topside of the groove, the side of the groove nearest the face of the plank.
• When the plank is turned back over the glue will run down the back of the groove giving total coverage.
• Apply only a 3/32” bead of glue; if the groove i s filled with glue it will be difficult to close the seam will not allowing a tight fit.

4. Installation

• The installation begins in the left hand corner of the room with the long direction parallel to the longest wall of the room.
• Install three rows of flooring glued together and held in place with blue painter’s tape with the groove side facing the wall.
• If the floor’s installation guide recommends for it, tap boards together with a hammer and tapping block against the tongue side only.
• Spacers must be used to establish the minimum 1/2″ expansion space from the walls. Place spacers against the wall every 2 – 3″ and at each plank end joint connection.
• The three rows must be straight, square and in rack because they establish the alignment for the rest of the floor. After putting these three rows together, allow the glue to set (15 to 45 minutes) before proceeding with the installation.
• With the tongue facing out, the planks can be tapped together with a tapping block on the tongue to make a snug fit.
• After installing 8 or 10 rows of flooring, stand back and check for crowning or heaving due to tension strapping or any damage caused by improper tapping.
• If you applied glue in step 3, clean up any glue that squeezes out of the seam between the planks, wipe away with a damp cloth immediately, as dried glue is more difficult to remove. If glue has dried, then lightly scrape it away with a plastic scraper or other method recommended by the glue manufacturer.

 

Glue Down Installation

Caution: Whether you choose to install using the dry or wet method, follow all guidelines set by the adhesive manufacturer and the instructions below. By not adhering to the guidelines the warranty on the floor can be voided.

1. Select A Starter Wall

It is recommended to start the installation along an exterior wall because it’s more likely to be straight and square with the room. Measure out from the wall the width of two planks and mark each end of the room and snap your chalk line.

2. Spread The Adhesive

• Spread the moisture cured urethane wood flooring adhesive from the chalk line to the starter wall using the recommended trowel size specified by the glue manufacturer.
• It is important to use the correct trowel at a 45° angle to get the proper spread of adhesive applied to the subfloor, which will produce a proper and permanent bond. Improper bonding can cause loose or hollow spots.

Note: Change the trowel every 2,000 to 3,000 SF due to wear down of the notches. This assures the proper spread of adhesive.

3. Begin Installing The Flooring

• Install the first row of starter planks with the tongue facing the starter wall and secure into position.
• Alignment is critical and can be achieved by securing a straight edge along the chalk line, or by top nailing the first row with finishing nails (wood subfloor), or sprig/pin nails (concrete subfloor). This prevents slippage of the planks that can cause misalignment.
• Note: The planks along the wall may have to be scribed and cut to fit in order to maintain a consistent expansion space since most walls are not straight.
• Once the starter rows are secure, spread 2 1/2″ to 3 feet of adhesive the length of the room. Never lay more adhesive than can be covered in approximately 2 hrs.
• Place tongue into groove of plank or strips and press firmly into adhesive; never slide planks or strips through adhesive.
• Note: Do not use a rubber mallet to butt the ends of the material together as it can burnish the finish and cause marring. Use a tapping block to fit planks snugly together at side and butt ends.
• Clean any adhesive off the surface before it cures using clean terry cloth towels, mineral spirits or adhesive manufacturer’s glue removal product.
• Use straps to hold planks securely in place as you are installing and continue the process throughout the installation.
• Note: Never work on top of the flooring when installing.
• Light foot traffic is allowed after 12 hours but wait 24 hours after installation to remove straps.

 

What if I need or want to change the color or finish?

Maybe five years from now, you decide to put your home on the market and the buyer says the color of your floor is a deal-breaker.  Or, after your children have grown and moved out, you want a fresh and different visual.  No worries, there are several solutions, depending on the construction of your hardwood.

Pre-finished solid hardwood can be sanded, re-stained, and refinished multiple times, over many years, to bring a worn floor back to life, or completely change the color to complement a fresh, new room design.

An engineered “face” or “wear layer” thickness can vary and correlate with the method of milling.  A thicker wear layer on an engineered product can actually permit full sanding for a refresh and complete color change.  Consult your dealer to determine if your engineered selection will allow full sanding and re-staining, and refinishing.

All engineered and solid hardwood flooring can be refreshed with a fine sanding, referred to as “screen and recoat.”  This process removes the worn urethane coatings to allow a new finish application.

Be prepared to lose most distressing, wire brushing or scraping if you choose to fully sand and refinish any hardwood flooring.

Carpet Vs. Hardwood Floors: What’s Best For Baby

As a new parent, the list of things you have to update in your home to prepare for your newborn never seems to end. Some of the changes are small, and as easy as baby proofing vacation homes. Others are difficult and potentially expensive, such as switching out your carpet for hardwood flooring, or vice versa. There isn’t an obvious answer when it comes to this important decision. Each option has its own list of benefits and drawbacks. Let us do some of the thinking for you with this list of pros and cons for carpeting versus hardwood floors.

Carpet Has More Cushion

Let’s start with the obvious differences. Carpet has more cushion than hardwood. Babies will be safer crawling or taking those first steps. They’ll also be more comfortable playing. Some parents do note that energetic babies might be more susceptible to nuisances like carpet burn. However, most parents would trade carpet burn for any minor head injury on hardwood. If you have old carpet in your home and can’t justify making the switch to hardwood floors, consider changing your carpet’s padding. Padding wears out quicker than the top layer of carpet. If you’re moving into a house that claims to have installed new carpeting, be advised that the previous owners might not have replaced the padding to cut costs.

Hardwood Is Easier To Clean

Hardwood floors are typically easier to clean. It’s just simpler to sweep than vacuum, and it’s also quieter. Everyday spills and accidents from baby will be easier to make disappear on hardwood floors. Another reason why parents appreciate hardwood floors is the fact that little things have less room to hide on hardwood. All those small spills you might miss can blend into the fibers of the carpet. Potentially harmful things can get lost in the carpet or absorbed over time, making it more probable that baby will stumble upon something they shouldn’t or get an allergic reaction before you have a chance to get out one of your trusty floor sweepers or do your daily vacuuming.

For Families With Pets

Whether you have carpet or hardwood floors, keeping the floor sanitary for baby can be a daily struggle. It can get even more complicated if you already have dogs or cats living in your home. The process of introducing baby to dogs or cats can be painless, but keeping baby away from all that pet hair and dander that builds up around the home takes extra effort. Carpet traps pet hair and can sometimes be more difficult to completely get rid of. But if you have animals that shed, keeping any type of floor hair-free is a chore, even if it might be easier to see on the hardwood.

Planning For The Future

Generally speaking, in today’s housing market, well-maintained hardwood floors are much more desirable than carpet. Not only will they last longer than carpet, even the most traditional styles are trending toward choosing hardwood over carpet. Still, hardwood isn’t universally preferred, and there is no guarantee that making the expensive switch will be worth it when the time comes to resell. Furthermore, if you’re considering the switch for resale purposes, pay attention to what type of hardwood, linoleum or tile you’re installing. Hardwood floors are preferred, but there are also several rooms that many home buyers would rather have carpeting, such as the bedrooms.

 

Carpet or wood? Experts lay out the pros and cons of each

What is the first thing your toes touch in the morning, hardwood or carpet? Flooring is one of the biggest decisions a homeowner makes. Some love the softness of carpet, the way it muffles footsteps and cushions little tushies when they take a tumble.

Some people champion hardwood’s natural beauty. It’s easy to clean and can look new for decades if cared for properly. “The floor is the first thing you decide on,” said

“Does the family remove shoes at the door? Are the pets house-trained? Does the family take dinners into the family room?” Justice said in an email. “All of these living habits will have an effect on the life of the product they buy.”

If you’re choosing flooring for a new home, or musing whether to replace a tired carpet with wood (or vice versa), there’s a lot to consider. We talked to experts in various fields for their opinions in the carpet vs. wood debate.

A floor-installation professional says:

Hardwood floors are longer-lasting and can be refinished many times to freshen the look. Hand-scraped wood flooring, with deeper grooves, hides the small dents and wear that can come from active families and pets.

 

What Kind of Flooring Increases Home Value?

Flooring is one of those things sellers overlook when bogged down with the intricacies of a home sale. But let’s just be clear from the get go — flooring matters. Buyers will walk away from homes with bad flooring the same way they’ll walk away from homes that smell bad, or have little to no curb appeal.

And while there are kinds of flooring that increase home value more than others (like hardwood versus carpeting), the real challenge in selling an imperfect home is knowing which remodeling projects will increase value, and which will decrease value

What Floors Do Buyers Look For?

It’s no surprise— hardwood flooring has long been the top choice for buyers and agents alike, and remains so in today’s market. According to a survey conducted by the National Wood Flooring Association, real estate agents agreed that homes with hardwood floors are easier to sell and sell for more money — up to 10% more than an identical home without wood floors.

But although many buyers would be relieved to find hardwood over carpeting, not all hardwood floors are equal, with the current trend gearing towards wood floors in rustic-chic applications.

Hardwoods absolutely reign supreme, with a few styles making it to the top of everyone’s list; but you can still make a great sale on your home even if it isn’t fully decked out in the materials of the moment.

 

Hardwood Flooring Guide

hardwood flooring has brought the beauty of the forest into our indoor living spaces, adding strength and beauty. While décor trends have changed with the times, the lure of hardwood still beckons. These days, there are more hardwood flooring options than ever before, and new products are frequently being introduced to the market.

Since hardwood flooring can represent a significant investment, choosing the right one for your space isn’t a decision that should be made in haste. Simply put, hardwood floors aren’t necessarily the best option for every home, but that being said, there are definitely more options for would-be hardwood enthusiasts. Different wood species, finishes, and compositions are available to fit a full array of budgets, lifestyles, and tastes. There are finished hardwoods and unfinished hardwoods, as well as solid hardwoods and engineered hardwoods. All can present excellent options for today’s modern homeowners.

What You Might Want to Think About When Buying Hardwood Floors

Congratulations, you have made the decision to install hardwood floors. Carpet, vinyl, ceramic tile, and all other various types of flooring were considered, but in the end hardwood was the best choice for your needs. The decision-making process does not end there though; there are still factors to consider when selecting your hardwood flooring. These factors will influence your floor’s appearance, function, and durability

Here are some things you will want to consider while selecting your hardwood floor:

Wood Type: The species of wood you select will affect your floor’s natural colour, grain pattern, hardness, and the amount of expansion/contraction the wood will undergo as it is exposed to temperature and moisture changes.

Wood Finish: Do you want to stain your floor to dramatically change the colour of the planks? Do you want to make the grain “pop” with a natural finish? Do you want the natural look of the wood to change at all? One species of wood can take on many appearances, so think about what kind of finish you would like for your room.

Board Width: A lot of people don’t think about this, but you can select the plank width of your flooring. Wide 5 inch planks can be selected for a more traditional, old fashioned feel, or thinner 2 inch boards can be selected for a more contemporary look. Edges of the boards can also be beveled to leave a groove between each board, or made square so that each board lies flush with each other for a smooth, flat surface.

Board Texture: Do you want your floorboards to be smooth and flat, or would you prefer a textured look? You can have either option, with some higher-end planks even having a hand-scraped texture, just like the olden days.

Solid or Engineered Hardwood: Unsure about what types of hardwood floors best suits your home? Come by our showroom at 454 Veterans Drive, Unit 18, Barrie, ON to speak with our talented staff.

Solid vs Engineered Hardwood

Today’s shoppers are generally presented with two major types of hardwood flooring to choose: solid hardwood and engineered hardwood. Although it’s difficult, and sometimes even impossible, to tell the difference between the two upon first glance, there’s a lot going on beneath the surface.

 

TIPS FOR CHOOSING HIGH QUALITY ENGINEERED WOOD FLOOR

You might be considering hardwood flooring for your new home or renovation project. An engineered wood floor is a popular choice. You want to make sure your floors are done right. To that end, you want to be sure you’re choosing the highest quality wood flooring for your home. These tips will help you do just that.

Double-Check the Lengths of Your Engineered Wood Floor

The first thing you want to do when you’re selecting engineered wood is check the lengths. Most people understand the plank width is quite important when it comes to flooring

Consider the Species for Your Floor

Another consideration in picking the right hardwood flooring is the species. Different species have different qualities. One species might offer certain advantages, depending on the room or even the climate you live in. White Oak for instance readily takes a custom stain color.

Select Unfinished Flooring to Create the Perfect Match

It used to be that you could only buy engineered hardwood that was pre-finished. Today, you can buy unfinished planks for your wood floor

Look for a High-Quality Core

You will never see the underside of your engineered wood floor, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important. In fact, the plywood core is one of the key factors in determining the quality of wood flooring.

Laminate Flooring Buying Guide

Laminate in an incredibly popular flooring choice for homeowners across North America. Offering durability and a wide range of style options at wallet friendly prices, laminate flooring will help you transform the look of your home or place of business. Still, deciding on the right laminate is a big decision—and one you don’t want to get wrong. Check out our laminate buying guide to better understand everything you need to know about this type of flooring

There are two types of laminates . One, known as DPL, or Direct Pressure Laminate, the other known as HPL, or High Pressure Laminate. With the HPL process, the backing and top wear layers are treated separately and then fused directly onto the core, creating a very strong floor suitable for very heavy traffic.

HPL laminates consist of the same four layers as in Direct Pressure Laminate, with the fifth layer being a special high-strength paper. HPL flooring is generally more expensive than DPL flooring but many residential applications won’t require this type of floor. To better understand which laminate is right for you

You’ll need more than just the planks of laminate to complete your floor. Underlayment, moldings, transition pieces, trim, even adhesives will need to be part of your installation. Make sure your vendor has all these pieces ready for your job.

You’ll need the right moldings and trim to finish your floor. Ask your flooring retailer if they have pieces that match the laminate you are purchasing. At BuildDirect, many of our laminate flooring options have coordinating moldings available. Paying attention to the smaller details will make your new floor look even better

 

Laminate Floor Buying Guide

Durable laminate flooring looks like real hardwood (without the cost), and is available in many different styles, including oak, walnut, hickory and maple. Laminate is also a great do-it-yourself floor project.

Laminate flooring is a synthetic product made of several layers that are sealed together in the lamination process. Designed to be affordable and durable, laminate flooring consists of four distinct components

Wear Layer

The wear layer helps resist scratches from daily wear, creates an easy-to-clean surface and maintains a fade- and stain-resistant appearance

Décor Layer

The décor layer is a printed image that recreates the natural look of wood, tile or stone.

Core Layer

The core layer gives laminate its structure and dent-resistant properties. Laminate flooring is much more resistant to dents than real hardwood flooring

 

How to Determine Laminate Floor Quality

Laminate floors are designed to look, feel and even sound like real hardwood without the hardwood price tag, and many laminate products also last longer and wear better than the real thing. The wide range of laminate flooring materials on the market can seem overwhelming, especially if you have never installed a laminate floor. To select a new floor that will serve you and your family well for years to come, don’t be afraid to look closely and ask questions. The more you know about the material you choose, the more likely you are to get a good-quality product.

Ask the salesperson about the product’s grade. Laminate floors are graded for quality on a three-level scale: good, better and best. Products with higher grades are likely to be more expensive, so you might not be able to make your decision on this factor alone

Look at a sample of the floor installed in the store. Check the alignment of the boards and look for gaps or unevenness. Good-quality laminate floorboards should lock together seamlessly and create a flat surface

Examine the floor sample to see if you can spot the repeating pattern. Higher-quality laminate floors have patterns with enough variety that they look natural. If the floor looks machine-made, it is of lower quality

Ask the salesperson if the material is direct- or high-pressure. While both processes create functional flooring, high-pressure laminate is a newer technology and often of better quality.

 

Pro Tips and Tricks for Installing Laminate Flooring

Taper both sides of the room

When figuring out the size of your starter row, you also have to make sure the walls are parallel. You may find yourself installing laminate in a room that is 6-inches narrower at one end than at the other. That means you’ll have to rip a severely tapered last row and it’ll look ugly. Unless one side of the room will be forever covered with furniture, you’re better off splitting the difference and tapering both the first and the last rows so neither side will be so noticeable.

Which tape should you use?

All underlayment seams need to be taped. It’s tempting to use whatever tape you find in the pickup, but don’t do it. Some packing tapes and house wrap tapes are too rigid and may cause an annoying crinkling noise when they’re stepped on. Use whatever tape is recommended by the underlayment manufacturer, or buy an underlayment that has built-in seam tape.

Start with a smooth subfloor

Laminate floor systems do not function well on uneven surfaces. Before starting any flooring work, inspect the subfloor. Crawl around with a straightedge to find any areas that are more than 1/8-inch high or low. Subfloor seams are the usual suspects

How to cut laminate flooring

Cutting laminate with a miter saw is a noisy and dusty affair. And walking back and forth to your miter saw isn’t very efficient. Why not cut the planks with a laminate shear—quietly and cleanly—right where they’re going to be installed?

Where to start installation

Installing flooring around doorways is one of the thorniest issues you’ll deal with. Simplify it by starting on the wall that has the most doorways. Of course, you’ll still have to undercut jambs and trim, but it’s a lot easier starting at a doorway than ending up at one.

 

How To Choose Laminate Flooring: A Buyer’s Guide

When it comes to flooring, there are several materials that will confront you, each with a promise of being a good choice. Among others, however, one of the options that can be taken into consideration would be laminate flooring. The latter is popular not only because of its aesthetic appeal, but also because of its durability, versatility, ease of maintenance, and affordability. However, these benefits can be enjoyed only if you choose the best option available on the market. With this, keep on reading and we will provide you with more insights on how to choose laminate flooring.

Types Of Laminate Flooring

The first thing that you have to do is to choose which type is preferred. Engineered wood is the perfect choice if you have the budget and if you prefer a natural appearance. It has a thin hardwood on the top, which might make it prone to dents and scratches. Through sanding and refinishing, however, its original appearance can be restored. This makes it longer-lasting compared to its counterpart. The second option is a plastic laminate. This is lower priced and the ideal choice in an area that often gets wet. They can withstand moisture, as well as high traffic areas.

Thickness Of Laminate Flooring

This is one thing that is often ignored by many people, in spite of its importance. It is better to choose a thicker laminate, which means that it is going to withstand wear and tear. It can also resist bending and can reduce noise. Take a look at the AC rating of the laminate flooring to decide which one is best for your needs. AC1 is ideal for bedrooms and other spaces where you expect minimal foot traffic. AC2, on the other hand, is for medium foot traffic. AC3, meanwhile, is for high-foot traffic portions, such as the kitchen. AC4 and AC5, on the other hand, are ideal for commercial areas

Aesthetics Of Laminate Flooring

The design and overall look of laminate flooring will also be an essential consideration. In this case, consider the colour that you want, which should complement the interior of the space where it will be installed. More so, you also have to take a look at the texture, which will greatly impact the way it looks. You can choose high-gloss if you prefer it to have a mirror finish. You can also consider hand-scraped, which is pressed and looks like true hand-scraped wood.

Where To Buy Laminate Flooring

At the end of the day, the most important thing that should be taken into account would be the reputation of the seller of laminate flooring. Make sure to read reviews and consult with what other people are saying. By choosing a reputable seller such as The Floor Shop, you can be confident about the quality of the product being offered, as well as installation. They should also have an extensive warranty coverage, which can provide you with peace of mind. You should look at multiple sellers and do your research thoroughly before coming to a final decision

Types of carpet

Carpet

Carpet needs no introduction or explanation. It is an attractive option for many builders because it comes in so many colors and styles, it installs quickly, and it looks great when it’s new. Carpet is also warm, soft, and quiet, which is why it’s preferred by many homeowners for bedrooms and living and family rooms. Carpet’s quiet also makes it a great choice for upper-level rooms in multistory homes.

Carpet should never be used in bathrooms or kitchens, where it is quickly ruined by frequent moisture, spills, and stains and is generally unsanitary. When choosing a carpet for a home for sale, consider the color and style carefully.

The color should be neutral and appropriate for the house, and the weave and material should be suitable for versatile use. Carpet can be a good option for rental properties because it can be professionally cleaned, but it’s also prone to permanent damage from stains and pets.

 

What is Carpet Made of Anyways?

Carpet is made of woven nylon, polyester, olefin, or wool fibers. To ensure a long-lasting and quality carpet, consider a higher twist number of the fibers and a higher density volume of the tufts.

• Each of these fibers offer individual benefits.
• Choice of fiber depends on what you would like to achieve in your space.

What Are the Different Types of Carpet Fibers?

There are four types of carpet fiber; nylon, polyester, olefin, and wool. In order to select the perfect carpet fiber, you will want to consider the function of each room, and how you live in it.

• Nylon is the most durable and stain resistant carpet fiber, and is ideal for homes with pets and children. Nylon is perfect for heavy traffic areas, such as hallways and stairs.
• Polyester offers a luxurious look and feel, and is ideal for rooms that see a normal amount of traffic.
• Olefin has great stain and moisture resistance, and is recommended for commercial use.
• Wool is well constructed, has natural soil resistance qualities, and looks great for a long period of time. If appearance is important, make note that wool is favored for its beauty!

 

What Are the Benefits of Carpet?

• Carpet offers amazing softness and beauty to a room.
• There is a wide variety of colors and patterns to choose from.
• Carpet is made in a variety of fibers, each one offering different qualities that are suited for your space.

 

Disadvantages of Carpet

1. Maintenance: Depending on your lifestyle, carpet often requires a high level of maintenance, such as occasional deep carpet cleaning and regular vacuuming.
2. Sensitivity: Carpet is a very sensitive floor covering material, due to its ability to easily attract dirt and stains.
3. Allergies: Carpet is highly susceptible to allergens such as mold, dust mites and pet dander. If you or a family member have an allergy or respiratory problems, hardwood or tile are other suitable flooring options.
4. Longevity: Most carpets are manufactured synthetically, which tend to have a shorter lifespan than other flooring choices. Unlike carpet, flooring such as hardwood can last multiple generations.
5. Style & Trends: While carpet remains a popular flooring choice, hard-surfaced floors continue to rise in popularity – also adding increased value to homes.

 

Environmental Benefits

Carpet Is A Sustainable Choice

The carpet industry is minimizing carpet’s impact on the environment through the “3 Rs” – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. When carpet reaches the end of its long life, it is reused to make new carpet or is recycled into a variety of products, including roofing shingles, railroad ties, and automotive parts.

Following NSF/ANSI 140

The industry supports NSF/ANSI 140, the Sustainability Assessment for Carpet (NSF/ANSI 140). NSF/ANSI 140 was created for designers, facility managers, and government purchasers who want to ensure their carpet purchases have the best sustainability performance.

Taking extra CARE

Environmental stewardship is also seen through the work of the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE). With over 400 industry members, CARE has helped divert over 4 billion pounds of carpet from landfills since the group organized in 2002.