Today's flooring customer has more than one motivation to look for carpet, hardwoods, tile, laminate, luxury vinyl and even area rugs that are made in the United States. Along with the desire to support domestic production, homeowners also want to optimize the sustainability and environmental impact of what they buy. Once the term "carbon...
Where do you start your remodeling plans? Open a web browser and search for "Flooring trends," and you'll find a seemingly endless array of options, ideas and suggestions. After a while, you may feel as if you're reading the same article over and over again – and if you glance back at equivalent stories...
When you prepare to update flooring in an existing home, you look at seemingly endless sets of samples to determine what to put where. New carpet in the living room? Great idea. Tile in the bathroom? That's a no brainer. Laminate in the kitchen? Wonderful choice. You've mapped out all your selections and you're...
Among the stylish looks you can add to a room – or to your entire home, for that matter – hardwood or laminate flooring in varied plank widths and lengths can help you make a statement. From rustic hardwoods that reveal all the knots and character of natural wood to not-so-faux floors...
Rather than chase trends when it's time to renew your flooring, look to traditional choices for lasting designs that never fall out of favor, including checkerboard patterning, terracotta tiles and poured or tiled concrete. If your notion of these options hearkens back to mid-20th-century implementations, freshen up your expectations and prepare to get excited...
"Waterproof" and "water resistant" may sound almost the same, but the two terms define very different capabilities. Water can't penetrate waterproof flooring, period. From outer surface through the core of the material, waterproof flooring won't buckle, swell or warp in response to liquid or humidity. It's a more-expensive option than water-resistant flooring,...
If you've lived with forced-air heat, you know that even in a home with an efficient system, your rooms can develop hot and cold spots. Parents with small children worry about little feet near hot registers in the floor – and no one wants to step into a cold bathroom floor while barefoot....
Before you admire the gleam of freshly installed flooring, plan how you'll protect this enduring asset with proper maintenance and care. In some cases, you may need to modify your habits to ensure that foot traffic and furniture don't damage your floors – and instead of your old go-to floor cleaning methods, you...
Dark hardwoods offer a rich depth of color, and add contrast – along with a formal touch – to the décor of your room, especially paired with light-colored walls and furnishings. Unlike lighter hardwoods, deeper-toned options prompt some decision making to assure a harmonious interior, successful color scheme and easy cleaning. If...
You want beautiful floors that express your style and complement your décor. If you have children, suffer from chemical sensitivities or allergies, or simply want to use the most environmentally friendly options on the market, you can take flooring to a new level with certified products that help create a home that's as healthful...
