Sturdy upholstery, soft surfaces, easy to clean flooring, and no hard edges. When using carpet, consider looped pile or tightly twisted textures with Stain Resistance.

No. Once the carpet cushion has been installed, you will never see it again. What is more significant is how it performs.

Tile, vinyl, and any other flooring that is slip-resistant.

A threshold cover is applied when there are height changes in the flooring. Consult with your flooring professional about a more decorative transition that can be designed depending on your specific type of flooring.

How the vinyl flooring patterns impacts the overall home décor style

Vinyl flooring has come a long way…there are a myriad of patterns that look very much like natural stone and even hardwood flooring. Rather than making a quick selection by thinking your choices are limited, take your time and sit with your flooring expert to choose one of the latest “designer” styles to complement your space.

According to the Carpet and Rug Institute, no. All types of carpet have extremely low emission levels, regardless of whether they are natural or synthetic fibers.

The backing latex on broadloom carpet is not natural latex. The latex that bonds carpet fibers and the backing fabrics together is made from a synthetic latex, “SB latex,” or styrene-butadiene latex. SB latex is a synthetic, water emulsion made from compounds different from those present in natural latex. Latex allergies are the results of protein enzymes found in natural latex. SB latex used in carpet does not cause the allergic, dermatological reaction linked with natural latex.

No. Removing carpet flooring will not reduce the number of airborne allergens that produce allergic reactions; in fact, removal of carpet may essentially increase the amount of airborne allergen, since other surfaces do not offer the capability of holding allergen. Removing allergen materials from a carpet is as easy as regular vacuuming and routine cleaning.

While most people commonly refer to loop style carpets as Berber, the term Berber typically means a flecking of color that originates from the natural flecking found in wool.

A Saxony carpet with its plush velvet appearance would be the best carpet style to achieve your formal look. A pattern carpet can also add additional style to a formal space.

Areas in the home that have a high activity or high traffic such as family living rooms, hallways, stairs, etc. would benefit from a durable carpet such as a textured, berber, cut, frieze, loop, and loop or pattern. These styles will also help disguise the appearance of footprints. Be sure to also select a color that will lessen the appearance of dirt.

Typically, the color of your carpet will look lighter once it is installed. Most carpet selections are made from smaller carpet samples, so seeing the color in a large amount in an entire room or home will make it appear lighter. This is especially true if there are bare walls, windows, and no furnishings.

The shedding that you are referring to results from the type of fiber used in the manufacturing of the carpet. Carpet that is manufactured with staple fiber has shorter fibers in the yarn and will shed for a short time depending on the amount of foot traffic and how often you vacuum. BCF or Bulked Continuous Fiber is the other type of fiber used in the manufacturing of carpet. In terms of durability, there is little difference between the two. Wool is naturally a staple fiber; nylon and polyester can be either staple or BCF, and olefin is usually BCF.

Hardwood floors are not recommended for high moisture areas such as a bathroom with a shower or tub.

No

Maintaining your ceramic flooring.

Use a non-staining vinyl backed mat or woven rug that is colorfast. Manufacturer’s labels will usually note if a rug is colorfast. Rubber or latex backed mats are not recommended because they can permanently stain your floor.

Ceramic tile is a very durable flooring product when installed correctly. What will most likely happen is the item you drop, a plate or glass, will break while the tile may just suffer a chip or crack.

Yes. Porcelain tile is more expensive because it is a higher quality product. Porcelain is a robust and nonporous product. It has a water absorption rate of less than 0.5 percent, making it very stain resistant.

Yes, you can use a semi or high gloss ceramic tile on your countertop, but be aware that scratches will be more visible with a semi or high gloss finish.

Yes, but be sure to select a tile that is unglazed, frost-proof, and has an absorption rate of less than 0.5 percent. Unglazed tiles offer greater resistance to slippage.

I would recommend using a breathable rug underlay that is specifically designed for use on hardwood floors. Typically, these come in mesh or grid patterns and will help “grip” your floor and hold the rug in place.

I strongly recommend that you seal all of your natural stone to provide maximum stain protection. Select a high quality penetrating/impregnating sealer. These sealers will provide a natural, no-sheen look and are good for interior and exterior use.

“COF” stands for Coefficient of Friction.” COF is a test used to measure the friction or slippage of a tile. The measurements are important factors to consider when evaluating a tile’s slip resistance. However, other factors can also affect slip resistance, such as a person’s type of shoe, the degree of wear on that shoe, and the presence of water or dirt on the tile’s surface.

Sealing your grout with a penetrating/impregnating grout sealer will help prevent moisture absorption that can cause stains. Sealing your grout will also make your regular cleanings easier. Grout sealer will need to be reapplied, so check the manufacturer’s specific directions.

Sanded grout is used on tile with a grout joint width equal to or greater than 1/8 of an inch. Unsanded grout is used on tile with a grout joint width less than 1/8 of an inch and is recommended for use with polished natural stone products due to the narrow grout joints customarily preferred.

You may save on your initial carpet cushion purchase, but you’ll pay for it in the end by shortening the life of your carpet. Plus, you may be giving up some of the benefits that keep your investment looking and feeling good.

Most Carpet Cushions are made either from recycled materials or materials that are recyclable. And, many cushions meet the Carpet and Rug institutes Green Label for Indoor Air Quality, as they don’t emit hazardous levels of VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds). Some carpet cushions contain antimicrobial treatments to fight against environmental elements such as odor-causing mold, mildew, and bacteria.

In areas of high traffic, select a thinner, denser carpet cushion to better protect your carpet from wear and tear.

Consider a thicker, plusher carpet cushion for a luxurious feel in bedrooms, dens, and living rooms, where comfort is a priority. Higher weight or higher density products will help your carpet look newer longer. And, many carpet cushions are available that combine the best of both worlds – durability and ultra-plush comfort.

Appliances that have been labeled and endorsed as “Energy Star” products.

Tile, vinyl, and flooring that is slip-resistant.