http://www.flooringhq.com/This is the Flooring Headquarters Showroom BlogCopyright (c) 2012 Fri, 18 May 2012 06:56:58 ESTFri, 18 May 2012 06:56:58 EST5Laminate is sometimes considered an impostor floor, due to it’s incredible ability to replicate wood, stone, brick and tile.  Laminate has it’s own set of benefits though.  It’s easy to maintain, more cost effective than hardwood, easy to install, and can be quite durable depending on the quality you choose. What exactly is laminate?  It’s the result of a direct-pressure manufacturing process that fuses four layers into one durable surface. The layers of laminate are: Back layer: The back is reinforced with melamine for structural stability and moisture resistance.Fiberboard core: Ultra dense core board provides impact resistance and stability....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/how-to-choose-laminate.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/how-to-choose-laminate.htmlTue, 15 May 2012 08:40:00 EST Tile can be a great choice for an outdoor patio, so long as you choose the right tile.  It’s important to know that not all tile is created equally, and laying a slick surface in an area that is likely to see moisture is never a good idea.  So what do you need to look for in a tile that’s suitable for your outdoor space?  Here a few things to consider: Moisture ResistanceEven if your patio isn’t likely to catch rain, you may want to hose it down from time to time to clean it off.  The morning dew may find it’s way onto your patio.  If it’s near a pool, wet little feet may traverse it’s surface....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/best-outdoor-tile.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/best-outdoor-tile.htmlMon, 14 May 2012 01:33:00 EST Carpet is a very popular home flooring choice because it can be more affordable than other types of flooring and is comfortable under foot. According to the Carpet and Rug Institute, the benefits of carpet are that it: provides warmth and comfortadds beauty and stylesoftens slips and fallsreduces noise, andwears well However, advocates of hard surfaces might argue that carpet is prone to staining, more difficult to keep clean than a hard surface, and harbors contaminants.  If you side with the hard surfacers, read Carpet and Your Health.  You might find that carpet is actually better for you than you think....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/choosing-the-right-carpet.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/choosing-the-right-carpet.htmlMon, 07 May 2012 10:22:00 EST Flooring HQ offers wholesale pricing directly to the public.  “How can they do that,” you might be asking.  In order to answer this question, we must first understand what a flooring retailer is. In the flooring industry, specifically, manufacturers sell their flooring products to distributors, who usually sell many manufacturers’ flooring products to various retailers in a given area.  At each point along the way, a mark up is added to the cost of the flooring, so that each seller can cover costs and turn a profit....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/who-wants-to-be-a-flooring-retailer-these-days.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/who-wants-to-be-a-flooring-retailer-these-days.htmlMon, 23 Apr 2012 01:39:00 EST New flooring makes a huge impact in a room and is a great way to change the look and feel of your home.  However, home improvements can be stressful.  Do yourself a favor and prepare as much as possible before taking on an improvement project.  There are a few things you should consider prior to shopping for you new floors.  Thinking about the following before your trip to the flooring store will help you be more prepared to discuss your options with your flooring specialist. Room measurements....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/know-before-you-go.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/know-before-you-go.htmlTue, 10 Apr 2012 12:41:00 EST Tile flooring can be a great choice for many indoor and outdoor spaces and the ease of maintaining it is often very attractive.  One of the questions we frequently get from tile shoppers is “what’s the difference between porcelain and ceramic tile?” And the answer is: all porcelain tile is ceramic tile, but not all ceramic tile is porcelain tile. All ceramic tiles, including porcelain, are made out of clay, some additives (such as feldspar and quartz sand), and water.  Once the tiles are formed they are kiln-fired at high temperatures and often glazed, which is where they generally obtain their color and pattern....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/porcelain-vs-ceramic-tile.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/porcelain-vs-ceramic-tile.htmlFri, 30 Mar 2012 10:19:00 EST Keeping up with trends can be a ton of fun, but it can also be overwhelming.  That said, most people prefer a more classic look when making large purchases like flooring, because it’s easier to change the look of the room with accent pieces than it is to replace flooring.  Luckily, one of the hottest trends is flooring right now is a fresh twist on an old classic.  We now have more neutral options than we’ve had in the past, with greys and taupes trending in everything from fashion, to furniture, to flooring....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/trend-greys-and-taupes.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/trend-greys-and-taupes.htmlTue, 20 Mar 2012 01:02:00 EST Occasionally, even a well-installed wood floor can release from the sub-floor.  There are many reasons which may be difficult to predict prior to installation that your wood floors can cup or buckle.  It may be that the concrete slab underneath the floor wasn’t properly cured.  Or, the flooring could be coming up in places where the adhesive didn’t stick to the subfloor. Most likely the problem will have something to do with moisture or humidity, that there is an excessive amount of either, or the conditions are too dry....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/understanding-why-your-wood-floors-could-be-coming-up.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/understanding-why-your-wood-floors-could-be-coming-up.htmlWed, 14 Mar 2012 09:39:00 EST They say “bigger is better,” but is that always the case? Everything is super-sized these days, including the size of materials we choose for our floors.  Consider your choices in hardwood and tile.  It used to be that wood flooring came in strips, anything less than 3 inches in width, and a typical strip was about 2.25 inches.  Today, you can purchase wood in strips, or planks - anything over 3 inches in width.  In fact, planks are now available in widths up to 7 inches. The size of tile has also increased over the years.  A typical tile size several years ago was 12 inches squared.  However, tiles can be purchased in squares up to 24 inches....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/using-wide-wood-planks-and-large-tiles-in-a-small-room.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/using-wide-wood-planks-and-large-tiles-in-a-small-room.htmlTue, 06 Mar 2012 02:02:00 EST It may make sense to choose multiple flooring surfaces for your home, due to things like traffic patterns, frequency of use, function and style.  If you have a large home, you may want to break up rooms with different types of flooring, or you may want a seamless flow from room-to-room to make your small home appear larger.  When it comes to functionality, you may decide that tile is best in the kitchen, but you’d like wood in the surrounding areas.  There are plenty of reasons that choosing multiple flooring surfaces makes sense, but is it ok to do? Generally, the answer is yes....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/tips-for-choosing-multiple-flooring-surfaces.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/tips-for-choosing-multiple-flooring-surfaces.htmlTue, 28 Feb 2012 07:28:00 EST Practically anything you want can be purchased online, from the convenience of your chair.  Online shopping is particularly useful for price-shopping and finding great deals.  But a great deal on price can come with a great deal of stress. Making a big purchase online can be risky and is something that should be given careful consideration.  If you’re considering purchasing flooring online, here are a few things to consider before you click: 1.  Freight.  Shipping can be very expensive on heavy materials, or items that require special handling.  You may end up paying more to ship your flooring, than you saved buying it online....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/online-buying-dangers.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/online-buying-dangers.htmlTue, 21 Feb 2012 10:54:00 EST We hear the term “local” a lot these days.  Shopping and buying locally is part of a sustainability movement, but also helps to support the community in which you live. Here are a few reasons that buying your new floors from your local flooring retailer is cooler than buying from the big box guys: 1.  Buy local, support yourself.  Several studies have shown that when you purchase from an independent, locally owned store, as opposed to a national business, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses. 2.  Customer service.  Local retailers are one-of-a-kind....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/why-go-big-box-when-you-can-buy-local.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/why-go-big-box-when-you-can-buy-local.htmlTue, 14 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST The impact of what flooring choices you make in your home and how it affects your health and safety is an active area of scientific research.  The recent studies on this subject have revealed some interesting results. While the common belief that carpet harbors contaminants that can cause allergic reactions is true, a well cleaned and maintained carpet may actually work as a filter for these airborne allergens. The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) has a number of very interesting studies that Action Carpet Care thinks you should be aware of....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/carpet-and-your-health.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/carpet-and-your-health.htmlWed, 08 Feb 2012 09:40:00 EST Engineered wood flooring is gaining popularity as a solid wood alternative, partly due to better manufacturing and it’s greener disposition.  For homeowners who want the elegant look of solid wood, but need something a little more eco- or budget-friendly, engineered wood is a great choice....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/engineered-wood-a-solid-alternative.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/engineered-wood-a-solid-alternative.htmlTue, 31 Jan 2012 12:45:00 EST With American unemployment rates at over 9 percent and growing concern over the state of our economy, the “buy American” movement is gaining momentum. One of the often cited problems with buying American-made products is that they are frequently more expensive due to the high cost of manufacturing in the US.  But when it comes to flooring, American-made doesn’t have to cost more.  In fact, it may even cost less....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/american-made-doesn-t-have-to-cost-more.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/american-made-doesn-t-have-to-cost-more.htmlTue, 24 Jan 2012 12:58:00 ESTWood flooring can enhance the beauty, value and warmth of any home and is one of the most sought-after home amenities.  But it doesn’t always make sense to install wood in your home.  So the question arises: should I go with hardwood floors, or laminate?  Let’s explore. Cost Cost is usually a big factor in deciding whether to purchase hardwood or laminate.  Laminate is often significantly cheaper than wood to purchase and is less expensive to install.  Depending on your style preferences, hardwood flooring made of more exotic species of trees can be substantially more expensive to purchase and install....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/laminate-or-harwood-tips-to-help-you-decide.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/laminate-or-harwood-tips-to-help-you-decide.htmlTue, 17 Jan 2012 04:32:00 ESTWe are becoming increasingly aware of our impact on the earth and the way that we use the earth’s resources.  As the world’s population grows, resources become more scarce and more expensive.  As a result, more and more people are seeking out products that have less of an impact on earth and more benefits to their health and their wallets....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/what-type-of-green-flooring-is-best-for-your-home.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/what-type-of-green-flooring-is-best-for-your-home.htmlTue, 10 Jan 2012 08:18:00 ESTLet’s be real.  In 2012, we’re watching what we spend, trying to save more, and seeking products that fit our budget and our style.  We want an expensive look at a cheap rate.  And that’s not all, we expect our purchases to withstand the test of time and be the eco-friendly option.  What we want is value.  As we move into this New Year, our shopping decisions are based on the value we get from the style, functionality and cost of the products we purchase.  Luckily, manufacturers know this about us and have created a variety of low-maintenance, low-cost flooring options that meet our comfort and style preferences....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/2012-flooring-trends.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/2012-flooring-trends.htmlTue, 03 Jan 2012 10:58:00 ESTNylon has a reputation for being the best overall fiber for residential carpet. However, New Generation polyester is giving nylon a good run for its money these days. In years past there has been a negative perception surrounding the performance of polyester carpets. It has had a poor reputation for not holding its texture (crushing/matting), for always being a staple fiber and for not being as soft to the hand. Well, now you can put those concerns to rest. With New Generation polyesters you will find a wide variety of carpet styles that have superior performance.  Texture retention has always been the biggest concern with polyester carpets....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/new-generation-polyester-carpets-perform.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/new-generation-polyester-carpets-perform.htmlFri, 03 Sep 2010 09:43:00 ESTHow to Clean your Porcelain or Ceramic Tile Floor Porcelain and Ceramic tiles are among the most durable floors you can have in your home. As durable as they are they still have to be cleaned on a regular basic. To do this you will need: A dustpan and broom or vacuum cleaner A cloth strip or yarn coil mopA bucketRubbing alcohol and a liquid cleanerA heavy duty cleaner for stains Once you have gathered all your supplies, begin as follows: Vacuum or sweep the floor to remove all the loose dirt.Mop the tile floor with plain hot water using a mop made of coiled yard or cloth strips. This will help you clean not only the tile but also the grout that sits below the level of the tile....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/cleaning-procelain-or-ceramic-floors.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/cleaning-procelain-or-ceramic-floors.htmlWed, 01 Sep 2010 01:47:00 ESTThe 2010 Orlando Fall Home & Garden Show is next weekend at the Orange County Convention Center. The show will be taking place on: Friday, September 10th from 10:00 – 9:00 Saturday, September 11th from 10:00 – 9:00Sunday, September 12th from 10:00 – 6:00 Flooring HQ has a large booth at the show, Booth #(647,649,651) and will be displaying a variety of flooring products including tile, wood, bamboo, cork, carpet and laminate.  Flooring HQ will be raffling off the chance to win 500 square feet of tile flooring including installation....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/2010-orlando-fall-home-and-garden-show.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/2010-orlando-fall-home-and-garden-show.htmlTue, 31 Aug 2010 05:55:00 ESTBamboo Flooring: A “Green” way to cover your floors Bamboo floorings are gaining in popularity owing to their superior aesthetics and functionalities and their low cost as compared with most hardwood flooring. There are several types of Bamboo Flooring available: Horizontal Natural (and Spice / Carbonized)Vertical Natural (and Spice / Carbonized)Strand Woven (Natural and Spice)Stained Bamboo Bamboo is considered “Green” for different reasons. It is a renewable source and, with the standards in manufacturing today, high quality Bamboo Flooring has a low VOC and virtually no Formaldehyde....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/bamboo-flooring-a-green-way-to-cover-your-floors.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/bamboo-flooring-a-green-way-to-cover-your-floors.htmlSat, 28 Aug 2010 01:11:00 ESTThere's nothing more beautiful than clean and polished hardwood floors. Many people are hesitant to put hardwood floors in their homes because of the added cost and maintenance involved (compared to other flooring choices).   Cleaning your floors properly is the single most important thing you can do to protect your investment. In order to clean your floors, you will need to: Use a vacuum cleaner or sweep the floors to minimize abrasive grit and dirt. Note: Do not use vacuum with beater bars.   Use a mild, low pH cleanser (sufficient to clean the surface of the wood and less costly). Always WIPE DRY IMMEDIATELY until there is no moisture visible on the floor....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/cleaning-your-hardwood-floors-properly.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/cleaning-your-hardwood-floors-properly.htmlWed, 25 Aug 2010 08:17:00 ESTThere are many tips and tricks to cleaning and maintaining your carpet. It is always best to vacuum regularly and clean up spills as soon as possible. In addition to regular maintenance, you should steam clean or hot water extract your synthetic fiber carpets like nylon, polyester or olefin at least once a year. Natural fibers like wool, sisal or sea grass should be professionally cleaned as needed. Here are some tips on what to do in the event of a spill. Blot up as much of the spill as possible with a white cloth or white paper towel. Gently press the clean cloth/towel into the stained area to remove moisture. Blot the spot, don't rashly rub or scrub....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/carpet-cleaning-tips-and-tricks.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/carpet-cleaning-tips-and-tricks.htmlTue, 24 Aug 2010 12:37:00 ESTPorcelain Tiles and Installation Porcelain Tiles are considered by many to be the “hardest” tile product on the market. Porcelain tiles are extremely wear resistant, making them an excellent choice for high-traffic areas of the home, especially those regularly exposed to moisture. A tile is considered porcelain if it will absorb less than 0.5 percent of its own weight in water. Typically, porcelain is very dense and strong. It is a material made by heating raw material, which includes clay....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/porcelain-tiles-and-basic-installation.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/porcelain-tiles-and-basic-installation.htmlFri, 20 Aug 2010 09:54:00 ESTLaminate floors have come a long way since they first appeared on the flooring scene. From the once drab almost wall paper looking patterns to what we have to choose from now is an unbelievable transformation.  Piano finish, beveled edges, hand scraped, textured graining are just a few of the choices available to today’s consumer. When you add to that the realistic wood and stone patterns we find in laminates today coupled with durability and scratch resistance it makes laminate flooring a go-to solution for many people.  Along with the great look and value laminate floors afford today’s consumer, you have to add the ease of installation....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/laminate-flooring-a-go-to-solution.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/laminate-flooring-a-go-to-solution.htmlFri, 20 Aug 2010 09:04:00 EST  We’ve all seen the commercials where the Big Box Stores advertise one low price ($97 entire house) for Carpet installation. Beware of Big Box stores that offer one low price for installation. The stores that offer this deal just build the labor into the price in other ways. You have to look at the entire package price and not get caught up in the gimmick of the one low price installation. Usually when a store uses this ploy, they build the labor into the price in other ways. This is done by increasing the pad price and adding on charges like carpet removal fees and furniture moving fees....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/carpet-installation-flooring-hq-vs-big-box-stores.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/carpet-installation-flooring-hq-vs-big-box-stores.htmlThu, 22 Jul 2010 01:20:00 EST  Porcelain Tile - Long Lasting Value  Practically indestructible from normal everyday wear, PORCELAIN Tiles are truly one of the best flooring material available.   Porcelain represents the best overall value in tile because it is: Durable - professionally installed porcelain tile outperforms and outlasts just about every other floor covering material created for a similar application. Easy care - glazed porcelain tiles resist odors, stains & dirt, plus tile can be cleaned easily with a sponge, damp mop, or most ordinary household cleaners like Spic and Span, Mr. Clean, or Top Job....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/porcelain-tile.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/porcelain-tile.htmlThu, 22 Jul 2010 08:32:00 EST  Hardwood Floor Trends June 2010   Wood floors make a beautiful addition to any home because of their timeless beauty and because they are always in style with any décor.  There are many species and varieties of wood flooring available today so there are many options available to fit your home and design scheme.   Handscraped and distressed woods are popular with those who like a wood floor with texture and a rustic and antiqued finish.  Handscraped floors generally come in a matte finish which hides scratches better than a glossy finish and any additional nicks and scrapes that occur only add to the beauty and character of the wood....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/hardwood-floor-trends-2010.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/hardwood-floor-trends-2010.htmlSat, 19 Jun 2010 10:35:00 EST  MAINTENANCE WOOD   Engineered Hardwood Floors are very easily maintained. No wax, no mess. Simply use a cleaner made for use with urethane coated hardwood floors and a terry cloth flooring mop.   STEP ONE: Sweep your floor to remove any particles that could scratch your floor.   Warning: Vacuums with a beater bar or power rotary brush head can damage a wood floor and never should be used.   STEP TWO: Apply hardwood surface cleaner directly to the terry cloth flooring mop, instead of the floor!   STEP THREE: Use a back and forth motion with the mop. When the terry cloth cover becomes soiled, simply replace it with a clean one....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/engineered-hardwood-flooring-care-guide.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/engineered-hardwood-flooring-care-guide.htmlSat, 12 Jun 2010 11:01:00 EST  Laminate Floors Pros & Cons Nowadays, more than ever, people are concerned not only with finding the right floor for their home but also finding one that is economical as well. The two most economical flooring choices today are carpet and laminate. Laminate floors are designed to be less expensive than most hardwoods and natural stones while giving you the same realistic look....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/laminate-pros-and-cons.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/laminate-pros-and-cons.htmlSat, 12 Jun 2010 09:23:00 EST  Carpet Selection Are you looking for a traditional plush carpet? A contemporary loop?  Maybe the visual impact of a pattern or print? After establishing your budget and estimating the footage required, it is time to consider carpet color selection. Carpet color was probably the very first thing that came to mind when you began to think about buying carpet. That’s because color can be manipulated to create nearly any mood or effect you wish. Carpet color also can change the feel of a room. In south facing rooms and in warm climates, a room can be made to feel more comfortable by using cooler shades such as blues, purples, greens and teals....

]]> http://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/carpet-selection.htmlhttp://www.flooringhq.com/blog/posts/carpet-selection.htmlFri, 11 Jun 2010 10:36:00 EST