Area Rugs are the perfect accent for your new Hardwood!
Accent your Hardwood with Area Rugs.
More and more of us are choosing hard surface products for our homes. Harwood and Tile make up the bulk of most purchases for new homes. Why not accent those floors with Area Rugs? You can use Rugs for warmth and color. If your find your new floors are a little louder then you care for Rugs can help reduce the noise factor.
Determining the proper size for a rug is just as important as finding the right color and pattern. At ProSource we can help you with the dimensions for your particular area as well. Keep in mind that we also offer custom-sizing for hard-to-fit areas and these can be made from every product we sell from High End Wool, Sisal, Cut and Loop Patterns or even Shag.
Here are some dimensions to keep in mind for the Dining Room, First measure the length and width or diameter of the table. The recommended allowances are 30″ for side chairs and 36″ for armchairs. Rugs should extend beyond the chairs in the pulled out position to allow room to get in and out of the chair comfortably.
Define your spaces within your Living Room. The size and shape of your rug can help determine and define furniture groupings as well as intended areas of use, such as conversation areas.
Rugs can help define your area.
Multiple rugs can link one room to another. Furniture can be centered on the rugs or positioned off the rug depending on the size of the room and feeling you are after. Companion rugs can be of different patterns, but should share a similar color palette.
Custom Rugs help with the ability to flow from one room to the next.
In bedrooms, one large rug is luxurious, but the bed will cover most of it. Smaller equal-sized rugs used around the bed are another option. The soft comfort of a rug is most appreciated when stepping in and out of bed.
Don’t let your bed cover your Area Rugs!
In hallways, the length is optional. Try to place a runner rug so it does not end in the middle of a doorway. In a very long hall, several small runners can work. They do not have to match but the colors should coordinate.
Wool Carpet has innate stain/soil resistance so that chemical stain resistance treatments are not necessary. Wool’s unique fiber structure of overlapping, hard, microscopic scales (much like roof shingles), make it durable and hard wearing while inhibiting dirt adhering to the fiber and giving significantly better soil release than other fibers. Wool is one of the most forgiving and easiest fibers to clean and maintain. It does not attract lint so vacuuming is easier. In wet cleaning, the fiber swells and releases dirt particles.
A simple pattern that creates the perfect combination of style and beauty. The simplicity of this merino wool product relates well to all design statements.
Godfrey Hirst a top manufacturer of fine carpet chooses WOOL is its fiber of choice for the North American market. The wool fiber production process consists of The Natural Elements…Sun, Rain, Grass and Sheep. No artificial ingredients needed, no artificial ingredients added.
Wool is natural..
Wool shorn from sheep is completely natural. It is composed entirely of amino acids, the building blocks of life.
Wool is sustainable..
It is produced from a totally renewable resource – grass – and is thus environmentally sound
Wool is renewable..
Sheep can be shorn every 9 – 12 months. New Zealand sheep are renowned for producing the best carpet wools available.
Wool is biodegradable..
In soil, wool readily biodegrades to produce nitrogen, sulfur, carbon dioxide and water, which are all plant nutrients.
Wool carpet is naturally stain and soil resistant..
The wool fiber’s structure consists of overlapping scales, arranged much like roof shingles. These scales inhibit dirt from adhering to the fiber and help fleck it away. Wool has significantly better soil release than any other fiber. Wool cleans better, making stain protection unnecessary.
Wool carpet is naturally crush-resistant..
The wool fiber is naturally curly, and it has more crush resistance than any other fiber.
Wool carpet is hypo-allergenic..
Wool is non-allergenic and does not promote the growth of dust mites or bacteria.
Wool carpet by Godfrey Hirst is affordable..
Godfrey Hirst is one of the largest wool manufacturers in the world, so it can provide an exceptional selection of value priced carpets.
Wool will last throughout the years. Its superior properties assure quality, function and design.
IT’S NOT NICE TO FOOL MOTHER NATURE
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WOOL AND SYNTHETIC FIBERS
Wool is a natural product while synthetics are manufactured from man-made chemicals. Wool is the only authentic naturally sustainable carpet fiber.
Wool fiber is not only renewable and very durable, it is also low toxic and biodegradable. These are rare qualities in carpet fibers considering most petrochemical based fibers can include over 100 chemicals and be a source of indoor air quality problems.
Natural wool is one of the most durable carpet materials, lasting 25 to 50 years.
The soft look and rich feel of wool is still unmatched by any man made fiber and can be more affordable than you think.
Wool carpet is indeed a long lasting luxury carpet.
Wool production compares favorably with the manufacture of man-made fibers in regards to energy consumption utilizing under one-fifth of the energy of nylon manufacturing.
Wool is a natural fiber that synthetics strive to emulate.
Wool resists and releases soil more easily, is crush resistant, absorbs noise and noxious gases from the air, resists odor, and resists fire more than other fiber choices.
Wool carpet is safe for your family.
Merino Wool is the perfect blend of science and nature, not only as a high performance fiber, but also
because it is luxuriously soft. The softness that Merino wool brings to carpet in no way diminishes
performance. As in all wool, Merino wool is natural,sustainable, renewable and biodegradable. Merino
wool carpet is naturally stain, soil and crush resistant. Enjoy the uniqueness that Merino Wool brings to your carpet.
A truly renewable source for flooring comes from the environment.
A Brief History of Merino Wool
The history of Merino wool dates back to the 1200’s, when the Moors crossbred Spanish sheep with Berber sheep to produce the first Merino sheep. By the 1600’s wool from Merino sheep was recognized as the world’s finest wool, as it is still today. Merinos of all types were introduced into Australia in the late 1700’s. Through selection and crossbreeding, and with particular attention to the impact of the environment on both animal and fleece, the Australian Merino that we now know evolved.
Carpet and Rug Care Guide available here –> Carpet and Rug Institute (this will open a PDF Document)
This is a question I rarely hear while helping people decide which floorcovering is the right one for them. I will bring maintenance and cleaning into the discussion but it rarely seems to be a huge concern. Maintenance and floor care should be the first concern and color and aesthetics should follow. I have lived on many different flooring products and I believe that Ceramic or Porcelain Tile is the easiest and require the least amount of effort to maintain. Let’s look at different types of flooring and the maintenance involved.
We will tackle the hardest first. Carpet. Most people don’t even want to look at carpet because they are never taught how to care for it. If proper care and maintenance id followed for carpet it can be the greatest floor product. Abuse it, neglect it, and you will become frustrated and aggravated and change it out sooner then you should have. By price, carpet should be your most affordable option so a little extra cleaning by Professionals would be a wise investment. Your local ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings Store probably has many Members that are the finest in their field when it comes to getting Carpet Cleaned or stubborn stains removed. Also when purchasing new carpet, consider investing in a Prime Urethane Padding with a moisture proof barrier, this is some of the cheapest insurance you can take out on your new purchase.
It’s nice to be able to sit on soft inviting, clean carpet.
What about Pets?
Even with pets, proper cleaning makes carpet easier to live on
General care
Regular vacuuming is the key to keeping carpet beautiful and new-looking – for heavy-traffic areas vacuum every day if possible and once a week for the rest of the carpet.
Many types of cleaners are available when needed, including dry cleaners, spray-on foam cleaners and wet shampoo. Whichever you choose, make sure it is made for carpets. Always test a cleaner on a small inconspicuous area of the carpet first. Avoid anything meant for hard surfaces such as wood or tile. When choosing a professional carpet cleaner, ask for a reference and/or a firm estimate.
Treating spills
Act immediately! Don’t let the spill set or it might never be removed. Remember these three steps:
Apply-a damp white paper towel soaked in a cleaning solution to the spot (see list of solutions below); never wet the carpet through to the backing.
Blot-press straight down with a white paper towel-DO NOT RUB; place a 1/2″ thick pad of white paper towels with a weight on top and leave overnight if necessary
Scrape-from the outside edge of the spot toward the center
Cleaning solutions to be used to treat spills include:
Detergent-mix 1/2 tsp. clear dishwashing detergent with one cup warm water
Pre-soak-mix 1 tsp. enzyme laundry product (such as Axion or Biz) with one cup water
Hydrogen peroxide-mix 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide (3% strength, available in drug stores) with 1 tsp. household ammonia. Use within two hours.
Ammonia-undiluted household ammonia
Dry powder cleaner
Dry cleaning solvent-non-oily, non-caustic type sold for garment spot removal (caution: may be flammable)
Again, test on a small inconspicuous area first.
When you know your specific stain and need extra help follow the guidance from this Stain Removal Guide. Using the proper method always produces the best result.
Porcelain tile is resistant to germs and bacteria and it is also among the easiest of flooring materials to clean. You can clean your porcelain tile with a damp sponge mop. A solution of 1/4 cup of white vinegar to 2 gallons of water works best – allow time for drying. You can also sweep or vacuum.Although porcelain tile is by definition impervious, it is still possible for its surface to discolor. The following instructions explain how to clean porcelain tile surfaces.
Glazed Tile:
For glazed porcelain tiles, use the following instructions for general cleaning:
Sweep or vacuum loose dirt and dust from the floor. An untreated dry dust mop is recommended instead of a broom.
Mop the floor with a mild cleaning solution (do not use wax, oil-based, or abrasive cleaners).
Rinse the tile thoroughly with clean and clear water.
Drying is also recommended – to increase the shine and to prevent water spots.
Textured Tile:
A textured porcelain tile surface requires additional cleaning procedures. A standard wet-mopping will not effectively clean a textured surface. For cleaning textured surfaces, follow these instructions:
Sweep or vacuum dust and debris from the floor. When sweeping, use a soft-bristle broom and sweep in 2 directions. First follow the direction of the tile, and then sweep diagonally. This will ensure the removal of all foreign material that might be residing in the texture.
Saturate the tile with a neutral cleaning solution, such as vinegar, with hot water and stir. Allow the cleaning solution to remain on the floor 5 – 10 minutes. Scrub the floor with a brush; again using a two-direction method.
Rinse the floor with clean, clear water to remove the cleaning solution.
For high traffic locations, it is recommended to clean the floor at least once per day and wet mop at regular intervals.
Always Remember:
Do not clean porcelain tile flooring with ammonia or with cleaners that contain bleach and/or acid. Acid and ammonia based cleaners may modify grout color.
Do not use wax, oil-based, abrasive cleaners, or sealants.
Agents that contain any dyes or colors are not recommended.
Use rugs at entrances to prevent dirt and grit from being tracked onto the tile flooring from outdoors.
Do not use steel wool pads, because loose steel particles may create rust stains in the grout.
What about dirty or stained Grout Joints?
My favorite products for cleaning tile are made by: Custom Building Products. Your local ProSource should have access to all their products. They are very easy to use and by following their instructions you should be able to solve all your cleaning woes.
STRIPPING OR HEAVY SOIL BUILDUP: Mix 1 part cleaner to 2 partswater.Apply solution to surface with mop or sponge. Allow to dwell 3 to 5minutes for cleaning, or 5 to 10 minutes when stripping waxes orfinishes. Agitate with synthetic mop, scrub brush, or scrub machine. Donot allow solution to dry on surface. Mop up dirty solution. Rinsethoroughly with clean water.
Laminate has been the rave for durable flooring for a long time now. Remember, dirt and dust are the enemy. The small particles will act like sandpaper between your feet and the flooring surface. A good dust mop and regular vacuuming will help keep your floors looking beautiful much longer then anything else you do.
Mannington Elmhurst Alabaster Laminate Flooring
How to clean Laminate Flooring:
Use a damp cloth to blot up spills as soon as they happen. Never allow liquids to stand on your floor.
For tough spots, such as oil, paint, markers, lipstick, ink, or tar, use acetone/nail polish remover on a clean white cloth, then wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove any remaining residue.
Sweep, dust, or vacuum the floor regularly with the hard floor attachment (not the beater bar) to prevent accumulation of dirt and grit that can scratch or dull the floor finish.
Periodically clean the floor with cleaning products made specifically for laminate floor care. For optimum results.
Do not wash or wet mop the floor with soap, water, oil-soap detergent, or any other liquid cleaning material. This could cause swelling, warping, delamination, and joint-line separation, and void the warranty.
Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or strong ammoniated or chlorinated type cleaners.
Do not use any type of buffing or polishing machine on your laminate floors.
For spots such as candle wax or chewing gum, harden the spot with ice and then gently scrape with a plastic scraper, such as a credit card. Be careful not to scratch the flooring surface. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
A more frequent dust-mopping or vacuuming schedule may be required in very sandy areas such as a beach home.
Armstrong’s Canyon Slate – Available through your local ProSource
Here are some ideas I borrowed from Armstrong to help keep your Laminate looking good for a long time.
The versatility of laminate flooring is what makes it a favorite with homeowners who want a beautiful floor that’s long-lasting and easy to clean. To get the performance you want from your laminate floor, follow these simple steps.
Routine cleaning for your laminate floor
Your scratch resistant laminate floor is extremely durable, but everyday dirt and grit could eventually lead to fine scratches that can dull the surface. Regularly dust mop or vacuum laminate flooring with a soft brush or wood floor attachment to pick up dust and grit. You can also use a slightly damp mop for spot cleaning.
Clean up liquid spills as soon as they occur with a cloth or sponge. Don’t allow excess liquids or wet areas – including your pet’s water bowl – to pool on the floor or they may stain or damage your floor’s protective wear layer.
For occasional thorough cleaning, use a well-squeezed mop dampened with Armstrong Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner or Bruce® Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner. A light mopping is all you need!
Don’t use soap-based detergents or “mop and shine” products as these can leave a dull film on the surface of your laminate floor.
Caring for your laminate floor
Your beautiful Armstrong laminate floor is extremely scratch- and impact-resistant, but it’s not indestructible. Maximize the durability of your laminate floor by following these care and maintenance tips.
Place a natural material mat or a mat that won’t fade or bleed color at outside entrances to collect tracked-in dirt and absorb excess moisture.
Use protective felt pads under furniture legs and appliances. As a general rule, the heavier the item, the wider the floor protector should be to prevent indentation.
Avoid wearing high heels or shoes with cleats on your laminate flooring, and keep your pets’ nails trimmed.
When moving furniture, don’t slide pieces across a laminate floor. If possible, carefully lift heavy items when repositioning them. Or use a wheeled dolly after first placing a clean sheet of smooth plywood or large, heavy cardboard over your laminate floor to protect it.
If you expect an area of your laminate floor will be subjected to heavier than normal foot traffic, use an area rug.
Occasionally, rearrange furniture to avoid indentation.
Make minor nicks or scratches disappear with a color-matched correction kit, such as Armstrong’s Laminate Floor Touch-Up Kit.
Be sure to check the manufacturer’s warranty for additional care instructions and recommendations.
As you can see, it doesn’t take much time or effort to ensure your beautiful laminate floor will look and perform its best year after year.
Staircases always seem to pose a difficult point in deciding flooring options for a home. There are a lot of things to consider when choosing the flooring for a staircase. One of my most popular options is to choose a carpet from one of the thousands of options in the showroom and custom make a stair runner with coordinating Area Rugs and Hall Runners. At ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings you can choose products from 250 top manufacturers – Great products from brands your clients ask for by name, like Masland, Fabrica, Stanton, Milliken, just to name a few.Usually when planning a Staircase with a Carpet we have to order more carpet then needed because of waste and the Area Rugs cost practically nothing more then the binding charge.
A beautiful pattern carpet runner on this staircase is complimented by the area rug in the dining room.
When ever I start with a Client in the Showroom, my first question is usually, “Who will be using the Staircase?” If it is younger children or older adults safety becomes my chief concern, stairs can be very slippery with the wrong product on them. If your stairs have not been built yet, here are some ratios for safety when planning your staircase:
Safety First
The horizontal distance from the front to back of the tread is called the run, and the vertical distance is the rise. As you will have noticed from the staircases you’ve walked on, the rise and run can vary. Rise-to-run ratio. The total of the rise and run should add up to 17 inches. Practically speaking, this means that as the run gets shorter, the rise should get steeper for the stair to feel comfortable as you walk. There are limits, of course. A rise of more than 8¼ inches is going to be too steep for many people.
Matching your existing hardwood with a painted riser gives a very clean visual.
Another concern is what products do the stairs meet at the top and bottom of the staircase? In my own home I have two different tiles at each end of the stairs, a darker tile is in my Kitchen upstairs and lighter tile downstairs in our Family Den. I chose a dark hardwood and I am in the process of looking for the perfect runner to incorporate down the middle.
The bound edges of a classy carpet make a nice runner and landing on hardwood.
Design and color always play one of the largest concerns when planning your stairs. Why not have a little fun? I have always liked hardwood on the tread with decorative hand painted tiles on the riser. It adds life to any staircase.
Hand Painted Tiles add spice to any staircase
One of my favorite options when budget is a large concern is for a Patterned Carpet. It gives the staircase a clean and elegant look and holds up well under traffic.
A tight nylon, patterned carpet will hold up well on a busy staircase.
When thinking about what flooring choices you have for your project why not consider carpet? Too often Clients want to do Hardwood throughout their home, really? How boring!! Carpet is warm and inviting and always feels more welcoming then hard surface products like Hardwood or Tile.
Carpet is more Family Friendly!
Do you want to get get down on the floor and play?
Experience the huge selection of residential commercial carpet that only a leading carpet distributor like ProSource can deliver. Each of our carpet Showrooms features a huge selection of residential and commercial carpet spanning a wide range of colors and styles. From traditional and simplistic designs to the most elegant and luxurious offerings available, select the carpet flooring that best suits your needs – all at reasonable wholesale prices. Visit our carpet Showrooms to see custom colors and quality products from carpet manufacturers all over the world.
A Pattern Carpet always adds a unique and personal touch!
There are many styles, patterns, and colors when chosen correctly can make any room come alive! You can use carpet for certain themes and ideas you may have for a particular room or area of your house.
What a perfect way to set the theme of this room!
What About My Closet?
What a place to have fun. Usually when I am helping Clients select flooring for their Remodel Job or New Construction Home we use this as an opportunity to go crazy. Define yourself or your particular space just for you. Throw caution to the wind and have some fun, from Animal Prints to Bold Colors their is no Faux Pas here.
A subtle pattern with the right color hues just makes this closet so elegant!
It’s your closet, let loose and see what happens!
A bold pattern in a striking color is so dramatic!
The Nursery is the perfect room for Carpet!
Another area of the home where I think carpet is overlooked is in the Nursery. Carpet is warmer and quieter then any other product you could select.
Warm and Quiet ~ Carpet is the perfect option!
Carpet is much softer for play time.
Why does Carpet have to be boring all the time?
When choosing the right carpet let your imagination run free. We get so locked in to boring beige plush carpet, it doesn’t need to be that way.
Bold Diagonal Stripes make an awesome statement!
A nice subtle pattern is the perfect anchor for this Living Room. Choose colors that blend and patterns that accentuate other pieces of furniture in the room.
The wood tones in the furniture just tend to pop on this beautifully patterned carpet.
There is a perfect pattern just for you, get out their and find it!
Pattern Carpet says more then Hardwood ever could.
Not many stores would have this many selections with the multiple Styles, Colors and Patterns. Check with your Contractor,Builder, Interior Designer and see if you could use the Showroom at ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings. With over 140 Locations surely you have one near by?
There are lots of things we can do to make our world cleaner, greener and healthier. And that includes the choices we make in flooring – and your choice to visit ProSource.
Whether you and your clients are looking for energy efficient solutions, saving natural resources or simply looking toward the future and wanting to make greener choices now, ProSource has taken the lead to offer a wide selection of eco-friendly flooring choices – and always at the lowest wholesale prices guaranteed.
In fact, we offer an entire line of Green Select private label floors. To earn a Green Select label, the product must be recyclable, contain a minimum of recycled material or be made from a natural, sustainable, quickly renewable resource.
Cork
Cork is environmentally correct as well as improving health and comfort for human indoor living. In our homes, cork floors create a warm, comfortable, resilient surface that is gentle underfoot, and is anti-microbial.
From harvest to production to installation, cork is environmentally sustainable, non-toxic, and healthy. Cork is a truly sustainable “green-building” material. Trees are grown and the bark is harvested in the centuries old tradition without harming either the trees or their habitat. Bark is initially sent to a factory to create stoppers for wine bottles. Cork flooring is then created from post-industrial by-product of the bottle-stopper industry. This ‘waste’ material is ground up and then formed into sheets using minimal amounts of adhesive to bind the particles together under high pressure.
CORK AS A FLOORING OPTION
The ability to use cork in flooring applications was not discovered until the 19th century when American, John Smith, discovered agglomerated cork. Today, cork flooring is created from the post-industrial by-product of the bottle-stopper industry. This ‘waste’ material is ground up and then formed into sheets using minimal amounts of adhesive to bind the particles together under high pressure. The size, quantity, and type of cork granule in conjunction with varying degrees of pressure make the difference between “bulletin board” material and material suitable for flooring applications.
Historically, cork floors were finished in the same manner as any other wood flooring, i.e. with a paste wax buffed into the surface. However, the labor-intensive nature of this maintenance routine was seen as a real drawback when rolled sheet vinyl and similar ‘modern’ resilient surface options came on the market in the mid 20th century. Cork flooring fell out of favor and for perhaps 30 years was not readily available to the general public.
New finishing techniques and improved technologies have revived interest in cork over the past decade. Though still a small fraction of the overall floor coverings market, Natural Cork is enjoying a resurgeance in popularity driven in large part by consumer demand. What does cork have to offer that sets it apart from other flooring choices? Quite a bit it turns out. In fact, no other floor covering can match the combined benefits of cork.
USFloors takes eco-friendly resources such as bamboo and cork, and turns them into beautiful floors.
USFloors is the only flooring supplier that offers Lifetime Residential Wear and Structure Warranties for the Natural Cork® and Natural Bamboo®,products in its Eco-Floors Collection. In addition Eco-Floors Collection products are back by a 5 Year Light/Medium Commercial Wear Warranty and the ultra-durable and dense Strand Woven Bamboo products carry a 15 Year Heavy Commercial Wear Warranty – a testimony to the extreme performance provided by Strand Woven Bamboo.
Bamboo
Bamboo is another green option that clients and trade professionals enjoy because bamboo matures quickly and regenerates without planting. Our leading supplier of bamboo flooring, US Floors, is known for maintaining the highest environmental standards. Most bamboo flooring is manufactured with adhesives that contain a urea formaldehyde resin. Lower priced bamboo flooring can have formaldehyde emissions around 0.237ppm. Bamboo makes a beautiful, warm, environmentally friendly floor that can be enjoyed for many years. Since the manufacturing of bamboo flooring has so many variables, quality will vary between manufacturers.
What is Natural Bamboo?
Natural Bamboo grows in many regions of the world especially in warm climates where the earth is kept moist with frequent monsoons. Throughout Asia, from India to China, from the Philippines to Japan, Natural Bamboo thrives in natural forestlands. Twenty percent of the world’s Natural Bamboo grows in China, much of that in the wild. Today, due to increasing demand, it is being cultivated more and more in managed forests. In this region, Natural Bamboo is emerging as an important agricultural crop of increasing significance to struggling economies.
Natural Bamboo is a member of the grass family. This fact goes a long way toward explaining several of Natural Bamboo’s unique characteristics. We are familiar with grass as a rapidly growing invasive plant, as is Natural Bamboo. Maturing to a height of 20 meters or more in a mere four years, Natural Bamboo is ready to harvest. And, like grass, cutting Natural Bamboo does not kill the plant. An extensive root system remains intact, allowing for rapid regeneration. This quality makes Natural Bamboo an ideal plant for areas threatened with the potentially devastating ecological effects of soil erosion.
There are many species of Natural Bamboo. Tall and straight, Moso Natural Bamboo is the species of choice for flooring fabrication. Natural Bamboo uses only exclusive and proprietary Moso6® Premium 6 Year Moso Bamboo with 6 years of maturity, selecting the base of the stalk for its superior strength and hardness. The remainder of these stalks become consumer goods such as chopsticks, plywood sheeting, furniture, window blinds, and even pulp for paper products. Nothing is wasted in processing Moso6® Natural Bamboo.
When it comes to the environment, cork and Natural Bamboo are a perfect combination. Both are renewable, are harvested with no harm to their natural habitat, and produce materials that promote a healthy human environment.
US Floors Expressions Strand
Hardwood
Many shoppers don’t realize, but properly certified hardwood with its renewable and recyclable properties is also a recommended “green” flooring choice. We carry leading suppliers of hardwood flooring as well and you can find their certification at Forest Stewardship Council.
FSC is an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests.
ProSource works with suppliers like US Floors, Armstrong, Mannington and Anderson who verify that their wood comes from sustainable, managed forests.
Compare Castle Combe’s Natural Oil Finish to a UV-Cured Urethane Finish
Why Castle Combe Floor & Wall?
The distinctive character of each Castle Combe plank is achieved using a variety of antiquing and aging techniques and finished with natural oils to preserve the original beauty of the wood.
Castle Combe’s natural oil process provides a warmth and refinement to the floor that cannot be achieved with modern day acrylic or polyurethane coatings. The rich patina of each Castle Combe floor is only enhanced with age and use – the more it is walked on, the more beautiful it gets. The natural oils in Castle Combe floors penetrate the grain and become part of the floor, while the surface film of acrylic and polyurethane detracts from the natural beauty of hardwood and degrades with age and use.
Castle Combe floors feature a distinctive and sophisticated range of distressed, sculpted, and antiqued visuals. Each Castle Combe floor is meticulously crafted to ensure lasting beauty for generations to come. A solid oak hardwood top layer rests on a multi-layered, dimensionally stable core giving each Castle Combe floor the strength to withstand decades of use.
Compare Castle Combe’s Natural Oil Finish to a UV-Cured Urethane Finish
Castle Combe ~ Gloucestor
Carpet
Carpet is finally making progress in the recycling of materials. 70 Years ago Nylon was introduced to the Nation as the New “Miracle Fiber” and now thanks to groups like CARE we are seeing great strides to reducing carpet in our landfills and increasing our recycling efforts of carpet across the United States. When we are choosing new carpet and want to make sure we are looking at “Green” Products, The Carpet and Rug Institute has a Logo that all “Certified Green Carpet” will have on it’s Literature.
We can all make an effort to do more for our environment. Check out the pages at CARE to find a recycler of your housing waste products.
The mission of CARE is to advance market-based solutions that increase landfill diversion and recycling of post-consumer carpet, encourage design for recyclability and meet meaningful goals as approved by the CARE Board of Directors.
What flooring products will give me the best re-sale value for my home?
With the housing market on the rebound I am getting a lot of questions about which flooring gives the best resale value when people are fixing their home to put it on the market.
When deciding which flooring is right for your home so that you get your best value for your money, let’s look at some options. When deciding which floor will impact buyers the most we need to spend our money wisely.
Style of your home?
What fits with your decor?
Who will be looking at your home?
What is your budget?
All of these will play a factor on the right flooring. I have a pretty good pulse on what is happening in the housing market since I work with Realtor’s, Home Builders, Remodelor’s, Restoration Companies, etc. and with the clients of these Members, I probably sell more Hardwood than any other product in our store, Tile would be second and Carpet third. As I have said in past posts, I am a carpet fan when and if you choose a quality carpet. If you spend as much on carpet as you do hardwood you can get an awesome product. Knowing how to care for Carpet is critical to having a good experience.
That being said, Hardwood is a great choice for your Den or Living Room area but we need to look at a couple of options there. Do we want a casual feel or a more formal feel? Here are a couple of options for either:
For a more formal look I like a 5″ Cherry with a smooth face.
Cherry can give you a formal look.
Hand-scraped Hardwood can give a little more casual look. I have found furniture will also have some impact on a casual feel to hand-scarped Hardwood as well. In the hand- scraped series of Hardwood there are some that have what I call more chatter and look more Rustic. Below is what I would call a soft scrape and can be dressed up or down depending on the furniture.
Here is a more casual look using an hand-scraped Cherry.
Mannington’s Mayan Pecan is one of my favorites for a rustic look.
If you have existing carpet and it looks dirty or has odors you definitely want to get that replaced as well. In bedrooms most people seem to prefer carpet still, it’s warmer and quieter. There is no need to go over board on quality because most consumers wouldn’t know the value of one carpet over another. When I show carpet to people in the Fifty Plus group, I generally show a Cut & Loop Pattern or a Plush carpet and for younger families I show a Frieze or Textured Plush. When selecting carpet it important not to go too dark, lighter colors help your rooms look larger, brighter and more inviting.
A dressier more formal look is a Pattern.
A Pattern Carpet will help dress up any bedroom.
Frieze carpet is a little more kid friendly and easier to keep for young families that are always on the go. With the mixture or texture and colors it has great hiding qualities. It helps hide some of everyday life’s crumbs and fibers that we drop along the way.
Frieze – The Kid Friendly Carpet Choice.
The Twist of a Frieze gives it great hiding ability of everyday dirt and soil. Let’s face it, camouflage is the best friend of a young family.
When selecting floors you only have to make one stop, ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings. You can get advise from a Professional who has their finger on the pulse of your neighborhood and knows what products will work best for your situation.
How Do I Choose New Flooring? Choosing new floors can be overwhelming and a bit confusing. Where do I start? There are virtually thousands of choices and just as many colors. We watch all the Television shows and it looks so easy and then we start the process and become confused and indecisive.
Don’t be confused, take your concerns to ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings
Where do we begin?
If I have more then one area I start with the largest area to get floored.
When we have decided on which area we will start with, we begin the process with a few simple questions:
What is my budget?
What do I like?
How do we use the area?
Who uses the area most?
What are my greatest concerns for this room?
Let’s look at my budget first:
What is the total amount I want to spend? Let’s say that our budget figure is $3000.00 and I have a room that measures 15 x 23, which is 345 square feet.
Now divide your $3000.00 by your room size of 345 square feet and you find that you can spend $8.69 per square foot, (installed& Taxed)
What do I prefer ?
I am going to use Carpet and Hardwood as our option because they seem to be the ones I sell the most of.
To answer this I like to know how you use the room.
I personally prefer carpet, it’s warmer, softer, more quiet and I believe vacuuming is easier than dusting. My wife on the other hand, prefers Hardwood, she thinks dusting is faster and looks cleaner, so naturally we have a lot of hardwood in our home.
How we maintain and clean each product may become a concern for us as well. hardwood requires regular dusting and occasional use of a hardwood floor cleaner like:
Regular dusting is appealing to some who choose hardwood, while others don’t want to see dust bunnies gather on the smooth surface of hardwood so they might choose carpet.
How do we use the area?
If I know that my children and I will be on the floor a lot, I would prefer the softness of carpet and pad.
What are my greatest concerns for this room?
Looks, ease of cleaning, comfortable?
Is it a formal room? A play room? A media room? How I use it generally defines what I product I should select.
Kids and pets? I might want the ability of Resista Carpet with odor reducing qualities, (it’s like having a continual Renuzit® in your carpet) and it also comes with a No Exclusions Stain Warranty.
Sold by the square foot, carpet always gives you better bang for the buck, Period!
And if more than one product will fill our needs then we need to evaluate which product gives us the best bang for our Dollar.
Let’s Compare Carpet to Hardwood:
RESISTA SOFT STYLE No Exclusion Warranty On All Food and Beverage
Average Price for Frieze Carpet for My Zip Code
What product gives you the best bang for your buck?
Average Price for Handscraped Hardwood for My Zip Code
The numbers I used for the comparison of prices are from the same webpage using the same zip code. And I usually find that these facts are true, I could replace my carpet twice for the same price as Hardwood. Now, these figures all depend on which products you choose. A high dollar nylon carpet and an inexpensive oak hardwood should normally come pretty close to the same price. The figures above seem pretty good for products I show and that I have sold over the past couple of years.
Why Choose Carpet for Your Home?
With its many styles, textures and types of construction, carpet is the right choice for everyone, from first-time homeowners, to retirees, to families with kids and pets. Plus, carpet will maintain its beauty and durability for many years when it is properly chosen, installed and cleaned. Carpet actually improves indoor air quality.
Most people that have stains in their carpet because they don’t know how to clean them. this handy chart ~ Spot Solver has always worked for me and when it fails I call a Professional. If you don’t know a quality carpet cleaner call your local ProSource, they have many Members who they would love to send you to.
Do you like the new softer feel that carpet provides? You might want to check out Tigressá SoftStyle available through your local ProSource Store.
One fact I like about about most Carpet, is that it’s American made. I like keeping our people employed.
Carpet is good enough for our Commander and Chief.
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Most consumers when they come to the store don’t even want to look at carpet. Why is that? They have had a bad experience with carpet and they do not want to repeat that mistake. But, if I were to sell you carpet in the same budget as the hard surface flooring you want to look at – Hardwood, Tile, Luxury Vinyl Tile, Laminate, etc. I think you would be equally pleased with it’s performance. Most people end up with a Sales Person who doesn’t know the difference and often takes the path of least resistance. Let’s see what a good carpet looks like.
San Jose from the California Collection by Stanton
The way that your Carpet is constructed plays an important role in it’s performance and life expectancy. Before you start to select a flooring for your home it would help to understand a little more about carpet and it’s advantages. You need to know how stain resistant the fiber is; how resilient (how well it bounces back after repeatedly being walked on) the carpet is; Your carpet’s performance are all influenced by carpet fiber type, carpet dye method, and carpet construction. The construction of your carpet is critical. You can take 30 ounces of carpet fiber and construct Poor to Excellent carpeting.
I was reading an article recently by Warren Tyler which I completely agree with. “Salesmanship: The lost carpet fiber” and from the article I want to borrow a couple of quotes: Bob Shaw once stated in front of over 200 retailers: “My 28-ounce Stainmaster carpet is guaranteed to walk out in four weeks.”(for those not in the Business, Bob Shaw grew the largest carpet manufacturing business in the World before selling it to Warren Buffet).
Warren Tyler commented in return: Why did he say this?Because cheap carpet can’t look good for very long—it may never wear out, which is why those warranties are so useless, but after a few years (maybe less) consumers wish it would wear out so they could purchase new carpet.
Let’s examine some choices when it comes to a quality carpet
A magnificent patterned cut loop product presented in a wide array of high fashion colors. Unlike multicolor patterns, Chenille’s traditional floral pattern is created by texture, making it easy to incorporate in any design theme and manufactured using 100% Advanced Generation BCF Nylon 6,6, with Advanced Soil and Stain Protection.
There are many options when it comes to quality Carpet and like many things in life we need to make an informed decision. When we are remodeling we choose to upgrade our shingles, get better windows, spend a little more on our front door and when we get to the most abused piece in our home, the floors, we want to cut corners, Why? The old adage that we get what we pay for is true in flooring as well as any other product you buy. But, let’s compare our carpet price to the other products we will choose instead of carpet, Hardwood, Porcelain Tile, Luxury Vinyl Tile or Plank, and we will see that the value of carpet is equal to or better than the aforementioned products.
Villa Maria is a unique combination of texture, color play, and pattern. Using a technique where colors ebb and flow throughout the carpet, Villa Maria has a random striation-like appearance that creates visual intrigue. Offered in 9 natural neutrals, and made of 100% New Zealand wool, Villa Maria makes a lasting impression of beauty and quality in your home.
With carpet there are many choices and it all gets a little confusing. Every Sales Person has a different opinion. My favorite fibers are either Nylon or Wool. Now that being said, you can manufacture a poor piece of flooring with these fibers as well. Get the factsabout any flooring you purchase. If your Sales Person is unsure or unable to provide with the facts, go somewhere else. Here is an helpful link to the technical side of what factors go into making a quality carpet: DETERMINING DURABILITY
Many things play a part in performance and you need a “Qualified Sales Person” to guide you in your decision making.
FIBERS
The starting point of carpet is the fiber, a fine thread-like unit that is converted into yarn then tufted or woven into carpet. There are only four primary fibers used in carpet today: Wool, Nylon, Polypropylene (Olefin) and Wool Blends. The terms “carpet” and “rug” are sometimes used interchangeably. Rug generally means a textile floor covering that is not fastened down and that does not extend over the entire floor. Carpet usually refers to a floor covering that is installed and fastened down from wall to wall. Rug fibers would include these fibers and many others.
When you are ready to make an investment in your home, consider the following facts about Wool Carpet:
OUTSIDE
BIODEGRADABLE
Wool is a biodegradable natural fiber and one of the most environmentally forgiving flooring products.
RENEWABLE
Wool is a renewable product and therefore has less impact on the environment.
SUSTAINABLE LIFE CYCLE
Wool has a longer life cycle than other fibers resulting in a smaller environmental footprint.
INSIDE
NON ALLERGENIC
Wool is a non-allergenic fiber and does not promote the growth of bacteria and dust mites, or give off harmful emissions.
STAIN-RESISTANT
Wool cleans better and won’t soil quickly due to its natural soil resistance, making chemical stain protection treatments unnecessary.
AIR PURIFYING
Wool fibers absorb and neutralize polluting gases such as formaldehyde, sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxides.
The Natural Choice … Environmentally Friendly.
“WOOL is the traditional fiber used to make rugs, and it’s no big mystery why. Besides being luxurious to the touch, wool can be dyed to beautiful rich colors, is fire-resistant, stain resistant, non-allergenic and holds up well over time. Also, wool is biodegradable and a renewable resource, making it a green choice as well as an elegant one.” (Stantoncarpet.com)
Rugs and Stair Runners make a great addition to any home.
NATURAL ADVANTAGES OF WOOL
SHAPERETENTION:
Natural elasticity of wool fiber allows it to stretch up to 40% beyond its original length and return toits original size. Wool carpet not only retains its shape, even under heavy traffic, but also resists furniture crush.
REPELS WATER AND STAINS:
Wool fibers repel water and stains due to a unique membrane covering the fiber core. Water and
other spills remain on the surface, repelling stains and allowing spills to be blotted up with a clean
and dry white cloth.
EASY TO CLEAN:
The natural membrane found on wool fibers also allows for ease in cleaning. The membrane
prevents dirt and dust from sinking below the surface, permitting regular vacuuming to keep wool
carpet looking clean and new.
FIRE SAFE:
Wool carpet has many natural fire safe characteristics, including flame retardance, high ignition
temperature, low flame spread and ability to self-extinguish.
IMPROVES INDOOR AIR QUALITY:
Wool naturally resists static and mildew – static by wool’s natural moisture retention up to 30%, and
mildew by its naturally low pH. Wool also improves and maintains indoor air quality by absorbing
contaminants without re-emitting them.
NATURAL INSULATION:
Wool carpet absorbs sound and reduces noise levels, as well as insulates the indoor environment
against outside elements.
Clearwater by: Stanton
What about Carpet made from Nylon?
DuPont first introduced nylon in 1938, since then; nylon has been developed further and improved. Nylon is a petrochemical synthetic fiber made from carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen. Today’s greatly improved ‘treated nylon fibers’ are sometimes referred to as ‘sixth generation’. This started the era of modern synthetic fibers for apparel, industrial applications and tufted carpet. Nylon has good resilience, soil resistance, abrasion retention, durability, and color retention. With issues such as soiling and cleaning, nylon performs very well and is resistant to staining if it receives a stain-resistant treatment. This enable enhanced removal of soil and most common household food and beverage stains through professional cleaning.
Nylon has been the most commonly used carpet fiber since the early 1960’s. In overall performance characteristics, nylon is the most versatile of all fibers, providing excellent flexibility in creating a variety of carpet styles. Nylon can be found in a wide range of both cut pile and loop pile styles. It is durable, resilient, and receptive to dyeing for color versatility and uniformity; many new nylon yarn systems are also exceptionally soft. Though not inherently stain resistant, most nylon carpets feature a stain-resist carpet treatment for protection against household spills and stains.
Anso nylon, the premium branded nylon from Shaw Fibers, has received the coveted Cradle to Cradle Silver Certification from McDonough Braungart design Chemistry (MBDC). MBDC is a third-party product and design firm founded by William McDonough and chemistDr. Michael Braungart.
MBDC’s Cradle to Cradle certification processalso looks at a number of factors that contribute to a suitability, such as the use of environmentally safe and healthy materials, design for recycling, water and energy effiency, and social responsibility.
DURABLE
Nylon has superb abrasion resiliency and displays less pile compaction in comparison to other synthetic yarns.
CLEANABILITY
Nylon has good cleaning characteristics and may be the better choice if exposed to grease, cooking oils, or household lubricants, and holds-up to staining and soiling well if treated and solution dyed.
COLOR RETENTION
Nylon fibers retain their color very well and display good resistance to indirect sunlight fading.
ANTI-MICROBIAL
Like all synthetics, Nylon shows excellent resistance to mildew resulting in less bacterial growth.
FIRE RETARDANT
Nylon is difficult to ignite and produces little or no smoke making it the ideal choice for CHILDREN’s room, playroom or family room.
ALLERGIES
Another comment I frequently hear is carpet is worse for allergies, nothing could be further from the truth. Carpet actually traps allergens and lets you vacuum them away.
In closing, as consumers we need to make informed decisions on what to purchase. If you are not in the trade and you would like to purchase your flooring from a knowledgeable Professional, Contact your local ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings Store and they can guide you to a Professional that can get you the right answers. If you are in the Trades and don’t have a ProSource Account, click the link below and follow the instructions. It’s quick, it’s easy and it’s affordable.
Best Flooring Choices 