Knowledge is Power

Find the answers to your Flooring, Stairs and Railings, Kitchen, Bathroom or Basement Renovations here.

Month: June 2015

Engineered Hardwood Flooring Defined

Engineered hardwood flooring represents more than an excellent alternative to solid hardwood flooring, especially when you’re about to install below grade or on concrete. Engineered hardwood floors consist of a top layer of a real hardwood species and a core made of multiple plywood layers laminated together to form a durable . . . Read more

Vinyl flooring underlayment

Before admiring your new kitchen floor, there are a few things you need to know about the installation process which will provide a smooth and stable finish for your floors. Flooring underlayment is important to consider because of the advantages like absorbing the sounds of people walking and enhanced comfort . . . Read more

About slate tile

Slate is a slip-resistant, hard and durable surface, with features as varied colors. This choice is suitable for both indoors and outdoors since it is wide known that slate satisfies many natural stone flooring needs. From tough beginnings Slate is a famous choice for practical and decorative uses. Slate is created . . . Read more

Is Travertine Right For Me?

The travertine stone has become one of the most appreciated stones in home decorating, thanks to its similarity to limestone and to its density that makes it to be considered more like marble. Having a rustic yet elegant look, it proves out to be ideal for decorating your house in . . . Read more

Carpet Types and Grades, Styles, Colors, and More

The buyers can be easily overwhelm by the number of carpet choices available. Taking a second to break it down and learn about the styles and types available will make the purchase decision easier. You have to take second of brake to learn about the styles and types available. That will make your decision much easier. In this way you`ll be able to chsose the best carpet for the situation. Styles and Types of Carpet Carpet is basically found in two types of construction: cut pile and loop pile. Each construction offers various styles to choose from. Cut Pile:gets its durability through the fiber used, the density of the tufts, and the twist of the yarn.This type has great durability. There are four popular styles to choose from: textured plush, saxony, frieze, and cable. Plush: has a smooth and even finish, providing a more formal look. Textured:uses low density fibers of uneven heights. The resulting look hides dirt. It is not suited for high traffic locations. Saxony: has a smooth finish, but the fibers are longer than a textured plush. This is the most world wide known style of carpet. It has a tendency to show footprints and other marks more than other carpets. Frieze:features long fibers with more twists, so the resulting texture is informal. It hides foot prints and other marks easier than other carpets, but is generally not suited for high traffic areas. Cable: is made with thicker and longer fibers. Provides a “cozy” feel to the carpet. Loop Pile: Loop pile carpets have the loops visibile because the yarn tips are uncut do. They are durable in construction. You can pick from: level loop, patterned multi-level loop, and cut and loop. Level Loop or Berber:features packed short looped fibers. This provides a durable surface for high trafficked areas with an informal appearance. Some color flecks in the fiber may make it easier to hide dirt, but the height of the fibers may make the seams more visible. Patterned Multi-Level Loop:features loops of varying heights to create a texture and or pattern. Cut and Loop:is a mixture between cut pile and loop pile fibers. The variant makes for a textured appearance that is ideal for highly trafficked areas. This type of carpet also hides dirt and stains. Quality of Carpet Carpet quality is determined by aspects like: the fiber type, the fiber construction, weight, density, and twist. There is no universal grade system in place for carpet, but there are some manufacturers that refer to carpet by grade. Those are generally used as a marketing tool. Though traffic ratings are important, one company’s “high traffic” rating may be better than another. Weight The weight shows how many fibers are present. The more fibers, the heavier the carpet. The face weight of the carpet is usually provided when selecting the right carpet for a home or business. Fiber Types . . . Read more