Hardwood flooring

Laminate flooring  is the perfect way to achieve the look of natural wood or stone at a more affordable price point.  Laminate floors offer value because not only do they look like the real thing, but also offer added durability and resistance to everyday wear and tear.  They are appropriate for nearly every space in the home, including moist or damp areas like bathrooms and basements, where solid hardwood is not recommended. 

Hardwood surface treatments such as distressed and hand-scraped floors are very popular and laminate can offer many flooring choices in these areas.  Before modern manufacturing methods, floors were scraped and sanded to lie flat.  As a result, hand-scraping added texture to the floor surface.  Distressed floor surface markings are the result of a machine run over the flooring and creating texture. Today’s laminate hand-scraped floors are actually scraped prior to applying the wood looking laminate visual, thus creating a realistic look and texture.

Another  of the new flooring trends introduced this year are long plank floors which offers the longest laminate floor boards to date – over seven feet.  In addition to the length, add a hand-scraped, oiled finish hardwood look and you have Armstrong’s Rustics Premium™ New England Long Plank collection. Called ‘New England Long Plank’ because it emulates the look of single plank, centuries-old reclaimed hardwood, the floor’s real-life counterpart would be expensive.  The collection was inspired by today’s demand for a time worn look with a matte finish, minus the high price tag. These textural surfaces have the depth, feel and realistic looks of a well-worn floor.  From the installer’s viewpoint, laminate long planks are a better choice than the real wood version. Long planks in real wood can be a challenge to install because of the potential for warping.

Flooring styles range from traditional strip floors (under 3 inches) to plank floors with widths over 4 inches. Hardwood flooring has increasingly trended towards wider width floors and laminate floors are no exception.  Strip flooring has been increasingly replaced by wider widths from 4 to 7 inches by homeowners in the past several years with 4 to 5 inches widths the most preferred. Wider widths expand the look and size of a room while giving it a rustic or country style. High-end styles also increasingly feature wider width floors over smaller widths that can be associated with commodity based design.

As trends in hardwood flooring continue to change, laminate floors will continue to imitate hardwood through precise visuals that continue to say “it only looks like the real thing”.

America’s Floor Source  is a proud supplier of Armstrong Flooring. Check out the laminate section of our website or give us a call at 877.237.2317.

We just did some redecorating in our Columbus, Ohio location on Trabue Road. Check out this huge collage we installed on the entry wall. What do you think of it?

If you  live in the Columbus area, you should come check it out for yourself! We’re located at 3657 Trabue Road, Columbus, OH 43204.

Reader Question:

I have a guest bath that is both small and dark. How do I liven up the space?

Answer:

Decorating small spaces can be fun and easy. You can do more because the small square footage allows you to splurge. If you’ve always wanted to try something daring, you can also get away with more in a small space.

Move from small and dark to tiny and special. Think of your bath as a jewel box. Fill it with lovely, shiny things, or take a theme that is special to you and make the space reflect that. Check out the unique tile options available. Just because the floor space is small, don’t hesitate to use a pattern, but scale the tiles to the space. Replacing a vanity sink with a pedestal also makes the space feel bigger, because more flooring is visible.

Think about creating an accent wall. Place it opposite the entry door, so it’s visible from the hall, making that space more interesting too. How about layering an exciting paint color, wallpaper and/or tile? Consider a panel of dramatic tile running to the ceiling behind your sink. Finish the wall up with a beautiful mirror that matches the color and style of your room.

Finish up with an interesting lighting fixture. Add some shine with a small chandelier, or choose an exciting modern light. Because the space is small, make sure your walls, floor, mirror, light and any accessories blend in style and tone.

Take your bath from dark to a dramatic, jewel box room. We hope this information will help you!

Interested in wall tile or new flooring to spice up your jewel box? Call us at 877.237.2317 for more information or visit the America’s Floor Source website.

Today, we are officially launching the “Designer Diaries”. For the next several months, we will be featuring monthly posts written by our own in-house designers, Jill Dick and Carla Porter. These lovely ladies will offer lots of useful advice and design tips, but more importantly, they’ll give you a sneak peek into the life of a professional designer. 

Enjoy today’s first post, “Meet Jill”.

So, you’re nervous about making decisions regarding the décor of your home?

Trust me; I share your anxiety!

Very recently, for reasons we are still questioning, my husband and I took advantage of that darn, incentive the government dangled and bought our first house.  Along with all the moving, unpacking, lawn mowing, weeding and everyday life events, we are anxious to turn this into “our home” as quickly as possible.  The previous owners made beautiful decisions.  But, you know, we want this to be a reflection of us.

Guess who gets the job of putting that together????

My husband tells me he doesn’t feel qualified to make these decisions.  Not because I’m female and he’s male.  Nope, he’s too much of a modern man for that sort of chauvinistic reasoning.  He tells me it’s because my job is assisting & advising people everyday on making choices for their homes.

Truth is, making decisions on decorating or remodeling a home is always easier when it’s not your own!

I have told my clients this for years.  Now I get to really live my own words!  (And it’s a little un-nerving, I can tell you!)

Until two months ago, we were happy renters playing the “If” game.  On a regular basis, he & I would discuss the many things we would change “if “ the townhouse had been ours.  I would grumble about the inefficient kitchen layout; rant & rave when a stain refused to come out of the cheap carpet; and the lack of efficient storage space just made me nuts!

Instead of making permanent changes to the property I made furniture choices, linen & artwork selections.  I placed accessories around and changed a room’s layout as the mood struck me.  I focused on planning our parties; created and cooked wonderful menus for all the dinners we threw; and juggled our social calendar.  Decisions were simple, life was good.

We loved it.

Today, we have a new challenge that is both exciting and gives me the heebie-jeebies all at the same time.  I now have a huge box filled with great bones but enormously creamy, bland rooms.  <Yea!!!> Big, blank, empty slates to work on.  But, <cringe> I have rooms that have no furniture in them at all.  I have an electronics system I can’t figure out how to house, let alone use! <Nausea is setting in> And don’t even get me started on the landscaping!  That’s a whole nother project all on it’s own!  <I don’t think I can breathe!!>  My head spins as I go from room-to-room or front porch to back patio with all the ideas I have rolling around my brain.  Where to start first???

Yikes!

 So, take a deep breath with me and rest assured.  I am certain we will be meeting in our travels to lighting stores and garden centers.  I’ll be right beside you picking out granite, new plumbing fixtures and fretting over paint colors for each and every room.  I’ll be racing you thru “Home Goods” and nudging you out of the way at antique stores and re-sale shops as we each look for that great find. 

And, certainly, you’ll be able to spot me at the furniture stores!  I’ll be the one making my husband lay down on each and every couch that could possibly go in front of our TV ~ wrapping his arms around me to make certain we can both fit comfortably without a body part going to sleep or hanging on for dear life!

Visit the Design Resources section of our website  for more design tips, or call us at 1.877.237.2317 and get some advice from one of our designers.

What is the design look that you picture for your room?  The species and finish of the hardwood you select can set the atmosphere for your whole room.  If you prefer a more traditional style for your space, oak and ash are popular picks.  Their grains are classic and timeless and they come in a variety of stains and finishes.  Those who gravitate toward modern or contemporary styles will appreciate the smooth, almost monochromatic look of maple or the unusual pattern of an exotic hardwood like tigerwood or sapele.  If your style is more cozy and rustic, you might want to consider hickory or cherry hardwoods.  Finally for a worldly approach to a space, walnut is a great wood-type to consider.  

Finish is the next aspect of design to consider.  Armstrong offers its hardwood floors in a huge array of finishes and stains.  If you prefer contrasts, then consider a dark finish on your floors with light furniture or vice versa.  You can also try to match your floors to other elements in your room.  For a modern look, think about an ultra-sleek, high gloss, dark stained floor.  Traditionalists will want rich colors like mahogany or honey hues.  Rustic lovers will be drawn towards antiqued or even hand-scraped hardwoods  in a variety of colors.

No matter what your design preferences, Armstrong has a selection of hardwood flooring that will match the look you are achieving.  

America’s Floor Source is a proud carrier of Armstrong products. Check out our Virtual Room Designer for more inspiration, browse hardwood products on our website, or come visit us at one of our Columbus locations.

Take a few minutes to check out the medallions and listello options in our showroom. With the addition of a central medallion or inlaid border, a foyer becomes a little lovely room in itself. Add a small table or bench, and possibly a piece of art, and you’ve set the tone for the rest of your home.

If your home doesn’t have a defined foyer, you can still use flooring to set the opening apart. Consider a tile or stone rectangle set as you walk in your front door. If you are on a tight budget or want less of a break, how about a contrasting tile or stone incorporated into the entryway? Ask us for help to make your entryway dramatic and one to remember!

Experts estimate that people make decisions about other people based on first impressions within the first two seconds. What message does your home provide in that first two seconds? Step outside, open your door, and make sure your home sends the impression you want.

If you’re interested in shopping for new flooring for your foyer, visit our website or give us a call at 877.237.2317.

Whole House Installation for $10

In celebration of our 10th year of business, we are offering you the most amazing carpet installation deal in our history.

Whether you need carpet for one room or your entire home, we will install it for just $10.

Whether you buy the carpet from one of our showrooms or from our Mobile Floor Source in the comfort of your own home, we will install it for just $10.

Whether you buy our least or most expensive carpet, we will install it for just $10.

To learn more about our 10th Anniversary Sale click here. If you live in the Columbus area, come to one of our stores and celebrate with us! Or you can give us a call at 614.237.3181.

Well, it depends on who or what lives in your house and how many of these “whos” or “whats” are spending time on your carpet. The more kids and pets you have, the more cleanings your carpet will require. If you live in a household with members who have allergies or respiratory issues, then the necessity for cleanings is even greater. Then add smokers to the mix, and you might require cleanings every 3 to 6 months. In addition, most carpet manufacturers recommend having your carpet cleaned at least once a year in order for your warranty to remain valid.  

You should check out this handy chart from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (I.I.C.R.C.). They’re the official carpet and upholstery cleaning experts on this side of the universe. 

After reading this post, you’re probably feeling a bit self-conscious about your carpet. That’s okay, just contact the nearest certified IICRC cleaner in your area. As a matter of fact, we have an IICRC Master Cleaner on our payroll, and he knows EVERYTHING about carpet cleaning. If you live in Columbus, Ohio, schedule a cleaning with us by calling 614.237.3181.

*Chart provided by the IICRC

 Why consider rubber flooring you ask? Well, it has its fair share of benefits.

 Rubber floors are:

• Durable
• Easy to clean
• Flexible and comfortable – Great for children and elderly adults as they can minimize injuries as well as joint aches and pains
• Sound absorbent
• Slip resistant
• Resistant to mold, fungi and bacteria
• Fire retardant
• Safe for people with allergies (hypoallergenic)
• Environmentally friendly and recyclable

 They also come in a variety of colors and patterns, and solid -colored, speckled, and marbleized floors are popping up in homes all over the country. 

 Where should you install it? Rubber floors are most commonly installed in play rooms, garages, home gyms, kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms, but they can work just about anywhere. They can add a little extra flair to your living space.

 Now, I must warn you. Rubber is not the cheapest flooring option, but its durability and long life will more than make up for the extra cost. 

 To learn more about rubber flooring check out FindAnyFloor or TheFlooringGuide. American Essentials is a great rubber flooring manufacturer, and we’re proud to sell their products. If you’d like to purchase American Essentials brand rubber flooring for your home or explore any other flooring options, call us at 1.877.237.2317.

Summer time is barbecue time. You’ve been firing up the grill most weekends, inviting your friends over, and cooking up tons of burgers, hot dogs, or anything else that’s “grillable”. Unfortunately, after everyone has headed home and you’ve started cleaning up the mess, you begin to notice some terrible stains in your carpet. And they’re not just any stains, they’re charcoal stains!

Well lucky for you, we’ve got some tips straight from Stainmaster on how to get rid of those icky spots on your carpet.

Charcoal –

1) Vacuum thoroughly to remove as much of the dry particles as possible. Use vacuum with beater bar and good suction.

2) Prepare a sudsy foam solution :

1. Mix ¼ cup of liquid dish detergent in 1 cup of warm water.
2. Using wisk or beater whip the solution until you’ve created a sudsy foam.
3. Use only the foam on the carpet.
4. It may be necessary to increase the amount of detergent to get enough suds to create a foam.

3) Pretest the sudsy foam on an inconspicuous spot of carpet to ensure it doesn’t discolor or damage the carpet.

4) Using only the foam, apply to surface of carpet where stain is.

5) Allow the cleaning solution to remain on the spill for at least five minutes. Do not rub foam into carpet.

6) Vacuum area thoroughly using a wet vacuum.

7) Rinse with cold water.

8) If you can still see the stain, repeat the process until stain is removed or it no longer transfers to the cloth.

9) Once the stain is removed, place layers of white paper towel on the site to absorb any moisture. Weight down the towels with a non-staining glass or ceramic object. You can let them sit overnight.

10) When the carpet is dry, vacuum to restore the texture.

11) If the stain remains, contact a professional cleaner.

For more carpet cleaning tips check out the Stainmaster Stain Removal Guide, or the Carpet Care and Maintenance section of our website.

If you need a professional cleaner to take care of the stain, you can call our Floor Care Service at 1.877.237.2317 or visit the Floor Care section of our website for more information.

Now, back to grilling!