MarilynKelvin

Miyerkules, Disyembre 23, 2015

Are Hardwood Floors Waterproof?

Dear Bob and Betsy,

For Christmas, my husband is giving me a new pool! I’m so excited but there’s just one problem. Before we planned on the pool, we decided to get new hardwood floors leading in from the pool to the house. Are hardwood floors waterproof? Will this be a problem if our kids run inside with wet feet after being in the pool? Thanks! Natalie C.

Dear Natalie,

What a great Christmas present from your husband! We are sure you will enjoy your brand new pool once it is built.

Not to be a downer, but hardwood floors are not waterproof. In fact, lingering moisture can cause them to buckle or cup. It’s important to keep moisture away from your hardwood floors – even while cleaning.

We typically do not recommend putting hardwood flooring in where there is a high likelihood that it can get wet, such as by an entryway from a pool.

Protecting Your Hardwood Floors From Water Damage

If your heart is set on the hardwood floors (or if you’ve already ordered the materials) there are a few things you can do to protect them from water damage.

First, you will need to make some strict house rules. If anyone runs inside, the puddles of water must be cleaned up immediately. If spills are cleaned up fast, the risk of permanent damage is greatly reduced.

For your kids, you can turn this into a game by having them shuffle across the floor on an old dry towel. Be sure to follow behind them to make sure anywhere they drip dry is cleaned up and not pooling on your floors.

You can also get some protective mats to put out, especially on pool days. Make a path to the bathroom. This is another fun way to make a game with your kids while keeping your floors safe from water damage.

A Possible Alternative?

If it’s the look and feel of hardwood flooring that you’re after, you might want to consider luxury vinyl flooring. This type of flooring is water resistant and still maintains the same luxurious look of hardwood flooring. You can also get hand scraped vinyl flooring to create a similar texture as real hardwood floors.

Need any extra help? We’re here for you! Contact any of our flooring experts for ideas on how to keep your floors safe from water damage.

Learn More:

The post Are Hardwood Floors Waterproof? appeared first on Passion for Home - Bestlaminate Blog.

Martes, Disyembre 22, 2015

Meet the Manufacturer: Mannington Residential

Are you considering hardwood floors, luxury vinyl tile or laminate for your home? Make sure you consider Mannington Residential! We love their commitment to high quality, customer satisfaction, sustainability and innovation. Their philosophy of, “Do The Right Thing,” can be seen throughout their business, which is why they’re a manufacturer we’re proud to partner with at San Jose Hardwood Floors.

About Mannington Residential’s Hardwood Floors

Mannington’s hardwood floors offer the homeowner timeless beauty and durability in addition to a variety of options that reflect the latest trends in style and design. Select from their American Classics like oak, maple, walnut and hickory available in a wide variety of shades and hues. Or, if you want a more rustic look, their Hand Crafted hardwood floors offer authentic hand-sculpted and hand-finished beauty. The choices don't end there, though! Mannington’s Exotics provide an international flair to your home, with unique color and design your family will fall in love with.

About Mannington Residential’s Luxury Vinyl Tile

Do you prefer a material that will withstand moisture? Consider Mannington’s luxury vinyl tile! Easy to maintain and perfect for homes with kids and pets, this material can be designed to look like slate, stone or wood. Mannington offers three different performance levels:

Platinum is extremely durable and includes a ScratchResist(TM) HP wearlayer and lifetime warranty
Gold is perfect for active families and also comes with a ScratchResist(TM) wearlayer as well as a 20 year warranty
Silver is more cost-effective, but still includes a 10 year warranty and urethane wearlayer

From the entry way and living room to the kitchen and restroom, luxury vinyl tile is a fantastic option for any room of the house.

About Mannington Residential’s Laminate

Manninginton’s laminate flooring combines the beauty and warmth of hardwood floors with easy maintenance and durability. With six different collections to choose from, you’re sure to find a laminate option that fits with your family’s lifestyle and personality.

The Restoration Collection blends the manufacturer’s award-winning technology with the look and feel of rustic hardwood floors.
The Diamond Bay Collection provides a more exotic look and feel, with a combination of sleek and contemporary wood patterns.
The Revolutions Plank Collection uses state-of-the-art technology to blend realism, durability and texture, providing laminate options in a wide variety of styles, from rustic to exotic.
The Revolutions Tile Collection is reminiscent of real tile, offering the same beauty and durability homeowners can expect from laminate flooring.
The Coordinates Collection features Mannington's beautiful NatureForm finish and is available in a wide variety of textures, colors and styles.
The Value Lock Collection provides a cost-effective option for homeowners that still offers high quality and style in a variety of classic and trendy options.

Want to know more about Mannington Residential or hardwood floors, luxury vinyl tile and laminate? Come to our showroom and talk to our experts! They’re happy to help guide you toward the perfect flooring for your home. Make sure you contact us for an in-home estimate right away, too!

Photo Credit: Mannington Floors Blue Ridge Hickory

Loving Legrand Adorne Switches & Outlets!

I was so excited to have Legrand Adorne switches and outlets installed in my showhouse room.

Amy Collier, our local rep, provided these for some of the spaces in the showhouse, and we’re all loving the sleek and high-end appearance they give our rooms.

Legrand was also installed in the kitchen under the upper cabinetry. It features outlets, charging stations, and undercabinet lighting.

Let me show you how beautiful these nuts and bolts of good design fit into an interior...

Below is the type of switch that was installed in the foyer and main open areas of the house. It blends so well with the walls, and it has a sleek design that’s so easy to use.

Below is the switch that was installed in my closet.

I had navy blue walls in there, and we used the magnesium finish that blended right in.

Below is the system used under the cabinetry in the kitchen designed by Donna Vining.

It shows the cool holders for your devices. How handy it is to have your iPad right there (charging) with your recipe from Pinterest handy. There’s no chance of the iPad getting knocked off on the floor when cooking, or having it buried under a dishtowel only to leave it exposed to possible damage on the countertop. It’s up out of the way, yet still exactly where you need it.

Kitchen outlet with iPad stand

Outlets are up and out of the way of the backsplash and readily accessible.

Now, for my fave piece of Legrand Adorne….

My custom switches and outlets that were covered by my beautiful Cole and Son wallpaper. Fabulous, isn’t it!

Thanks again to Legrand for providing these gorgeous products for our Showhouse!

They helped make everything a huge success. ;-)

Lunes, Disyembre 21, 2015

Get Your Floors Ready for the Holidays

You’re the host with the most and this year, so you’re expected to entertain many guests. Your in-laws are coming, your friends plan to stop by, and all you can think about is keeping your house looking beautiful with all the foot traffic.

You need to get your floors ready for the holidays!

Your floors are the first thing your guests will notice. If they’re dirty, your guests will cringe subtly behind their festive smiles. If they’re clean, your guests will admire your stunning décor and beautiful home.

Give Your Floors a Deep Clean

Not only do you want your floors to look great when your guests arrive, but you also want them to look great after they leave. By giving your floors a deep clean before guests walk through your door you can protect them from scratches. Sometimes, when dirt and debris builds up on the flooring it can cause scrapes when something like a chair leg is dragged across the floor. A deep clean will remove that damage-causing layer of dirt.

We suggest cleaning your floors with Alloc Free & Clean laminate floor cleaner. It’s safe on laminate and makes your floors look great!

Floors Ready for the Holidays

Lay Down a Few Extra Rugs

Mats work well in hallways, entryways, and around the kitchen. The mats not only add cozy decor, they also prevent against damage from spills and scuffs.

Laminate flooring is incredibly durable, but, like any material, it is still at risk for damage with more usage. When an influx in traffic puts your floors to the test, using mats or carpets can help ensure that your floors stay in tip-top shape.

Craftsman Entry by Redondo Beach General Contractors LuAnn Development, Inc.

Add Felt Pads Under Your Furniture

Your guests will be sliding into and away from your dining room table. They’ll plop down on the sofa after a delicious meal. Every time they move around on your furniture, your furniture might move. Keep your floors safe from scratches from the sliding of your furniture with felt pads. If your furniture didn’t come with protective pads you can buy felt from your drugstore and superglue it to the bottom of your chairs and couch.

Traditional Dining Room by Alpine Building Designers and Drafters Piccadilly Design

Touch Up Scratches with Repair Kits

Scratches might occur and when they do, there is a solution. Use a color-matched pen or repair kit to hide your scratches and scuffs before they get worse. Have this on hand so that if damage does occur, you can quickly hide the blemishes and get your floors looking like new again. Robert's Repair Kit

You may feel nervous about guests coming over this holiday season and ruining your new floor. By following these very simple tips, you should be in good shape to receive guests into your home. So, relax! Enjoy your time with your family and friends!

Learn More:

*This post was updated from 2014 to give you a better reading experience and better tips on how to keep your floor looking good this holiday season!

The post Get Your Floors Ready for the Holidays appeared first on Passion for Home - Bestlaminate Blog.

Favorites Under $50: Calendars for 2016

I’ve been on the hunt for a calendar this month, it’s a little ritual I go through each year. I keep a paper calendar in my kitchen and also in my office, I picked up a scenic one in Australia for the kitchen but went in search of another smaller one for my office.

I love beautiful stationery especially letterpress in modern prints, and with some calendars you can use them to create inexpensive unique framed art. I picked this Kate Spade one for my office but rounded up 15 others too, perhaps you’ll find one you love among the group.

From top left: 1. floral illustration / 2. cavallini vintage maps / 3. homegrown goodness / 4. botanical by Modern Printed Matter / 5. be yourself inspirational calendar / 6. modern watercolor / 7. coffee & tea / 8. loose leaf mini cardstock / 9. abstract by Tina Carroll /10. watercolor flora / 11. floral appointment calendar / 12. vintage travel poster wall calendar / 13. that’s what she said inspirational calendar /14. darth vader and friends / 15. block desktop calendar

Hard to believe 2016 is less than two weeks away!

Sabado, Disyembre 19, 2015

What can happen to laminate flooring without the proper expansion gap?

Are you installing laminate flooring soon? Then you should know you need to leave an expansion gap around the perimeter of your room, right? Because you know that things like this picture below can happen. This is called buckling and this is the most common thing that happens when you don’t leave the proper expansion gap.

What is Buckling?

Buckling occurs when laminate flooring does not have enough space to contract and expand with temperature changes. Since it is a floating floor, the planks tend to contract when it is cool and expand when it is warm. Therefore it is crucial to take precautions to prevent buckling.

Buckling Diagram from Kronotex

How Can I Avoid Buckling?

In order to achieve a proper and successful installation you must leave an expansion gap between the installed planks and the wall. Typically expansion gaps are about 1/4″ to 1/2″ and are left around all vertical obstructions; this includes walls, permanent cabinets, pipes, etc. If the proper expansion gap is not left during installation, and the planks on the sides push up against the wall, the pressure will cause planks elsewhere in the room to buckle. Buckling floors are repairable, however, they are a major inconvenience and can be tricky. To achieve the right expansion gap with your floating floor, cut the tongue off planks where they meet the wall, and use spacers to ensure that you are leaving a uniform gap. Take extra care when installing under door jambs to make sure you undercut them deep enough.

Have more questions? Leave us a comment below and we will help you!

Learn More:

The post What can happen to laminate flooring without the proper expansion gap? appeared first on Passion for Home - Bestlaminate Blog.

Biyernes, Disyembre 18, 2015

How to Keep Your Laminate Floors Clean This Holiday Season

This time of year, it seems like keeping your house clean is impossible. Kids track mud and dirt into your house after playing in the snow. Guests bring in salt into your home from the sidewalks. Your crafts, gift-wrapping, and decorations leave glitter, glue, and tape on the floors.

You could keep sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping your way to cleaner floors. Or you could follow these tips for how to keep your laminate floors clean during the holiday season.

Don’t Let the Dirt In

Not letting dirt into your house is the easiest way to keep your floors looking clean. That might not be as easy with so many guests and kiddos running around so you’ll have to get creative.

Make a basket filled with socks and slippers and put it by your front door. When your guests walk in, ask them to remove their shoes and get comfortable in your home. With slippers on hand they won’t be self-conscious of taking off their shoes and they’ll feel at ease in your house.

Rustic Entry by Charlestown Architects & Building Designers Giambastiani Design

Rearrange Some Furniture

That might seem like a drastic measure to take, but rearranging your furniture will help keep your floors looking great!

First, move your furniture to accommodate your Christmas tree and entertaining needs. Then, move all furniture to the outer parts of the room whenever possible. This will make it faster and easier for you to clean up spills, dirt, and debris on a moments notice. Instead of having to work around tight corners and get into small cracks to clean up potentially damaging spills, your floors will be open, inviting, and easy to clean.

Contemporary Living Room by Edmonton Interior Designers & Decorators AMR Interior Design & Drafting Ltd.

One Spot at a Time

Don’t try to overwhelm yourself with cleaning all of your floors every day. Spot cleaning is an easy alternative to keeping your floors looking great without the fuss.

If you notice a spill, clean it up right away. Not cleaning it quickly will cause your laminate floors to warp or get damaged.
If you notice dirt or dust, clean those up right away too. Leaving debris lying around your room increases the risk of scratching your floors. It also looks bad.

Clean things up fast and you won’t have to worry about your floors later!

Traditional Living Room by Saratoga Springs Kitchen & Bath Designers Teakwood Builders, Inc.

Solicit Some Help

This time of the year is harder than ever to get your kids to help you clean. They have friends to play with, new toys to enjoy, and lots of other distractions to keep them out of cleaning mode.

Solicit a little bit of help with your cleaning regimen. Turn the floor cleaning into a game! Get thick, microfiber socks, and have your kids clean the floors with their feet. They’ll have fun slipping and sliding around, and you’ll get the dust cleared off the floors in no time.

Eclectic Kids Christmas on Houzz.com

Keeping your laminate floors clean doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With these tips, you’ll keep your sanity this holiday season and have a house that’ll leave your guests saying, “How does she do it?”

Learn More:

*This post was updated from 2014 to give you a better reading experience and better tips on how to keep your floor looking good this holiday season!

The post How to Keep Your Laminate Floors Clean This Holiday Season appeared first on Passion for Home - Bestlaminate Blog.