Featured | Home Makeover Diva

Should I Buy Formica Laminate Flooring?

09.18.2019 by Amanda Hartley //

A reader forwarded this video on to us and asked what we thought of Formica laminate flooring and whether or not he should buy Formica Laminate Flooring.

Clearly, buyers remorse is something to keep an eye out for when looking at flooring. While it can be changed, it will not likely happen without a fair amount of time, expense and of course…extra hassle.

According to the video’s description, it seems that a flooring salesman had sold them something without fully disclosing what all one needs to consider when wanting to buy Formica laminate flooring.

Like most products out there, we know of people who are both satisfied and dissatisfied with their floors from Formica and every type of laminate flooring in between. The above video isn’t in the best light or quality, so it is hard to tell exactly what is going on with that floor. Perhaps it was installed incorrectly, maybe that batch was flawed, it is impossible for me to tell.

I have heard some great things about Formica Laminate flooring and personally, I love the beveled look they give to each one of the boards for that real wood flooring look. But that aside I think it’s more important to take a moment to mention a few key facts about picking out ANY laminate flooring.

#1 – Don’t expect the flooring to look consistently like the little piece you see as a sample. There may be a large or darker grain pattern. If it is distressed looking, some boards may be more or less distressed than others. A laminate flooring’s goal is to look like real wood (or tile) and in order to help achieve that they print it with these variations. That is the beauty of natural hardwood flooring, that is why it is being imitated.

#2 – Test how scratch resistant it is before installing it in your home! It is very simple, no matter what the manufacturers warranty happens to be, give it a try anyway. Do the key test: take a sample of the flooring and place it on the floor. Then hold your keys out at shoulder height and drop them onto the board. Now pick up your keys and the sample. Inspect the board for scratches and/or dents. If you live in a home with kids and dogs go for the board that withstands the key test!

#3 – Dark colors and shiny finishes are hard to keep clean. Darker boards show everything light colored so if you have a white dog or cat, you will see their hair and will probably need to sweep daily. Shiny finishes show smudges. Especially those caused by bare feet, so if seeing those smudge marks will bother you don’t picky a glossy surface.

#4 – All boards are not created equally. The thicker the board the better it resists dents. Look for a board thickness of at least 7mm. The core of laminate boards are made out of MDF (medium density fiberboard) or HDF (high density fiberboard). High Density boards can take a beating better than medium density. So, once again if you have kids and pets or you drop a lot of stuff, get a laminate with a thicker high density fiberboard.

When it comes to any major purchase if you do your research you will get more bang for your buck. These are just four quick tips on what to look for when buying laminate flooring. Stick to these guidelines and you will be happier with your laminate flooring in the long run.

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

Hard To Reach Window Treatment Solutions

09.16.2019 by Amanda Hartley //

Several of our readers have expressed frustration and anxiety about how to deal with hard to reach window treatments once Spring comes and the sun is out again. Many of who, mentioned feeling like they are living in a cave because they pull the shades down for the sunny months and only open them in the winter. Others are tired of hauling a step ladder behind them from window to window. All of them asking “Isn’t there a better way?” Yes there are! In fact there are three different options for those hard to reach windows when you custom order your window treatments.

1) – Remote Control Window Treatments – Remotes are great in those hard to reach areas where you don’t feel like risking life and limb just to let some light in. Remote control window blinds are the most expensive option and come with several different options. You can either get a remote or a wall mounted switch. You can also choose a battery pack that sits in the head-rail and is invisible or an AC/DC adapter that plugs in the wall. The video below, shows off an alternative power setup and installation that might work for you as well.

2) – Cordless Window Treatments with Optional 6′- 9′ Pole – This option is a little more economical than the remote window treatment solution, but you are still paying extra for the cordless mechanism though. Cordless window treatments are available on almost all styles of custom ordered blinds and shades, including cellular shades, Roman Shades, Roller Shades, Aluminum Blinds, Pleated Shades and CordlessWood Blinds. The handles to push the window treatment up and down have a small hole that the hook on the pole fits into making it easier to line up and push or pull the window treatment open. The hook on the end of the pole is similar to the ones they use at clothing stores to get the hangers down from up high.

3) – Request Longer Cords and Wands – When you custom order your window treatments, most manufacturers will ask if you need to have custom length cords and wands. Simply measure how long each would need to be to comfortably reach and voilà, problem solved. If it’s a cord and you can’t reach the top to measure, guess over. You can always cut it down to what you need later.

To decide what option works best for you, consider your function and your budget. Also make sure to ask plenty of questions before committing to any one window treatment option, because some window treatments may not provide the functionality that you’re used to. But above all else, stop living in a cave or dragging a step ladder through out your house — we’re not in the dark ages anymore!

Mohawk Smartstrand vs. Shaw R2X Carpet

09.15.2019 by Amanda Hartley //

Recently I found a series of videos on YouTube that reminded me of the Mac vs. Windows commercials we’ve all seen on TV. The difference however, was that these videos were for Mohawk Smartstrand vs. Shaw R2X Carpet! Needless to say I was intrigued. With the exception of Armstrong, I’ve found that most flooring commercials are pretty boring! I think it just goes to show that in today’s economy everyone is fighting for their share of the market. The video’s I’m talking about are by Smartstrand carpet.

Check it out:

So as you can see, even the flooring industry can be very “dog eat dog” in their quest for the customer’s business. Now to be honest, I don’t think either carpet is really “better” than the other one. Smartstrand hasn’t been around long enough for me to really judge the wear from this new PTT polyester fiber. But if I were purchasing new carpet with children and pets in the home, its “stain resistance” to most stains would definitely get my attention.

Though what is stain free if the carpet fibers are matted? Just like with Shaw’s R2X it appears to be great with water based stains, repelling most moisture, but how is it on the other types of stains? Because what is a carpet that looks new against wear, but is stained? I say choose which is more important to you and your family and go for it. Both carpet choices are pretty darn great.

Healthy Carpet Choices

09.14.2019 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Pamela writes,

Hello Diva, Please help me as I’m confused on which eco-friendly/healthy carpet to choose for my bedroom! I know wool is good but I cannot handle the idea of bugs leaving eggs in it. After reading the blog I know my choices are: Mohawk Smartstrand vs Dupont Sorona vs Beaulieu’s Bliss. I even read there was a product SmartStrand with DuPont Sorona but I’m still a bit confused! I do not have pets or children and no allergies however I am a cancer survivor and want to make sure I do not breathe in anything unhealthy/carcinogenic. Please help! Thank you!

Pamela, I can definitely understand being wary of wool carpet. Yes it’s an all natural choice, but when left to its own devices it does attract bugs. So to counter this they add an anti-moth treatment and now you’ve just added VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). Typically speaking people who choose wool carpet are purchasing it because it is eco-friendly, not just because it’s one of the healthy carpet choices. Also I think wool is more popular for an area rug choice than wall to wall carpeting. At least that is when I usually opt for wool!

Carpet Padding

When you are looking at healthy carpet choices, don’t forget the padding. Because another thing that will help keep the VOC’s down is to go for a carpet pad that is low VOC’s as well. Depending on where you are looking for carpeting at, ask the salesperson to see their healthy choicer or eco-friendly carpet pad.

This will definitely NOT be a rebound Pad. Rebound pads are made up of recycled foam. And that is how it looks, like a bunch of different colored pieces of foam fused together. Typically speaking low VOC padding is one solid color and either green or white or feels like memory foam. So don’t forget to include low VOC padding in your carpet buying process.

Mohawk SmartStrand and SmartStrand with DuPont Sorona

When it comes to Mohawk SmartStrand and SmartStrand with DuPont Sorona, it’s easy to get confused. However it really is only one carpet! Mohawk is the brand, while SmartStrand is the line of carpeting. And all of the SmartStrand line is made out of DuPont Sorona fiber. Hopefully that makes more sense! I know that it’s a lot of names for just one carpet style.

Both SmartStrand and Bliss brands fall into the category of healthy carpet choices. Both are certified Green Label Plus by the Rug & Carpet Institute. What this means is that they are tested and have been proven to emit a very low amount of VOC’s. As far as which carpet brand to choose? Both are good. I can’t see any overwhelming reason to go with one over the other. It will just depend on what features you like best.

Personally, I like the SmartStrand because it is also eco friendly (made from 37% corn sugar) and very stain resistant. However the Bliss has some nice features as well, such as Magic Fresh and Silver Release. These two features probably aren’t as big of a deal for you, since you said you don’t have pets. But in our “two dog house”, I could use some help with pet odor! I know for a fact that Magic Fresh helps with odors in the home, I just don’t know if it actually makes the air cleaner to breath.

Carpet Indoor Air Quality

Since both of the carpet brands offer the indoor air quality you need, I’d choose your carpet based on what you like best. What feels the best? What is the best color? And what style do you like the best? Because your most important concern is having a healthy carpet! The rest is just what appeals to your sense of style!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog

Refinishing Or Replacing Your Bathroom Vanity Cabinet

09.13.2019 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Carissa writes:

Dear Diva, I’ve lived in my house for 4 years now and I can’t take my master bathroom any longer! It’s fixtures are old and I’m ready for a re-do! Problem is, my budget isn’t very big. I have given it a lot of thought, and I think if I change the bathroom vanity I can get the biggest bang out of my buck! Problem is, I don’t know what to do. How do I decide whether I need to completely replace the vanity or if I can get away with just refinishing it? Any help would be gladly accepted!

Carissa, depending on the age of your home, this question may be easier to answer then you think. If you live in an older home or the fixtures in the bathroom are ancient, you may need to figure out what needs to be replaced first. To quote my grandmother; “If it won’t last the winter, then you need to replace it!” The reason I’m pointing this out is because I’ve seen countless home owners refinish items on the outside that were aesthetically displeasing, and then run out of money to replace the internal items that actually needed to be addressed. For example: refinishing the outside of an outdated vanity cabinet is nice, but if your plumbing is leaking or problematic, you won’t be able to use it.

Your first step should be figuring out what really needs to be replaced. Put aesthetics aside for a moment, and consider the state of the plumbing in your existing bathroom vanity. Is anything internally leaking, cracked, or just unusable? If you can answer yes to any of these, then you need to fix that item first before you move onto the cabinet portion of the vanity. If the answer is no, and you just don’t like the look of your bathroom vanity, then check out the pros and cons list below to help you decide on your next step.

Refinish your bathroom vanity cabinet

To refinish your vanity cabinet, you’ll need to first remove the old hardware. This means removing all vanity handles and pulls, as well as the hinges. The logic behind this is that you’ll have an easier time painting the doors and cabinet once they are removed. Next, wash the cabinet with a good household cleaner to remove any surface residue and dirt. For vanities that have been previously painted, I’d recommend sanding off the existing paint before applying a new coat.

For cabinets that have been stained on the other hand, I’d recommend using a deglosser before applying a primer. Watch this video on how to paint old cabinets to learn about Deglosser and go over the basics of refinishing a bathroom vanity cabinet. Once you’ve sanded or deglossed your vanity, apply the primer, and wait the recommended time for it to dry. Then apply your paint. Read the instructions on the paint can for best results. Typically, you’ll apply a minimum of 2 coats of paint. Then apply the new hardware and you’re set!

If you are new to painting cabinets, have multiple cabinets to paint, or just like having everything you need paint-wise in one handy kit, you might want to check out Rust-Oleum’s Cabinet Transformations painting system. It’s DIY friendly, comes in a variety of colors and helps simplify the process. I’ll admit it would be a little spendy if you’re working on only one tiny vanity cabinet since it starts at around $75 per kit. But for newbies and larger projects, I think it’s well worth the extra money.

One quick additional note, not all bathroom vanities are created equally. For example, a solid wood cabinet will be easier to refinish then a particle board one. Not to mention, that as life happens in your bathroom the new paint on the particle board will scratch and crack much easier than a painted piece of solid wood. For vanity cabinets that are made of particle board or have laminate veneers, I strongly suggest going the replacement route instead.

Refinishing Pros: Inexpensive, easy to do, and versatile – you can make the cabinet any color you choose!

Refinishing Cons: Doesn’t work well on particle board or laminate veneers, will not fix functional concerns, or increase storage space.

Replace your bathroom vanity cabinet

To replace your vanity cabinet, you’ll need to remove the old one and replace it with a new one. Keep in mind, you will also have to uninstall and reinstall all of the plumbing, as well. Depending on your DIY skill level, you may want to consider hiring someone to do this project for you. Watch this video on how to install a bathroom vanity to help you decide if you are up to the task. Plumbing is one of those home improvement projects that I warn people to only do if they’re confident in their DIY abilities and they can follow directions closely. I’m not trying to scare anyone, rather warn them that if it isn’t done correctly you could be creating a bigger problem for yourself – like a water leak or mold issue down the line.
Bathroom vanities come in a wide range of colors and styles, so you should be able to find the right vanity for your home. Not to mention, a wide range of prices, starting at as little as $39 and going up in the thousands of dollars. Because of this, I recommend waiting to choose a new cabinet until you’ve had a chance to sit down and go over your budget. This way you’ll have enough money to get the entire project done and won’t spend it all on the new vanity. Another important tip to mention, is to make sure you measure your old vanity or the space you have for a new vanity before going shopping. There is nothing worse than falling in love with and purchasing something that won’t work in your space!

Replacing Pros: Choose a whole new style, get more storage and increased functionality.

Replacing Cons: There are many steps involved in the installation process, and it can be expensive to have someone do it for you.

Whether you replace or refinish your existing bathroom vanity, I’m confident that you’ll make the right decision based on your own personal needs, style and budget!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!