Flooring | Home Makeover Diva

Luxury Vinyl Flooring Planks And Tile

08.09.2016 by Amanda Hartley //

The most popular and fastest growing flooring type on the market today is Luxury Vinyl Plank or Tile. LVP (wood look) and LVT (tile look) for short. But why has this type of flooring gained so much of the market and does it deserve it? In this article, we will examine what makes luxury vinyl products so popular, as well as it’s pros and cons.

Choosing The Right Luxury Vinyl

Luxe Plank™ Luxury Vinyl By Armstrong – Two types of vinyl tiles available from Armstrong, Alterna and Alterna Reserve. Both styles offer a great natural stone look. However Alterna Reserve boasts a more stunning overall appearance that you would find with higher end stones. Luxe Plank™can be installed without grout if you prefer. Another consideration is that this luxury vinyl is available in tiles or planks. This allows you the option of using tiles in one part of your home while installing planks in another area. If you want a realistic looking floor that is modern and durable, Luxe Plank™might be right for you.
Floorte™: Luxury Vinyl Flooring By Shaw – Floorte™ offers you authentic luxury vinyl floors with a bright, impactful color palette. This vinyl flooring is waterproof, flexible, and durable. This vinyl flooring is a great idea for bathrooms, basements or anyplace else where exposure to water might take place. Floorte™is easily installed using its FOLD N GO™ locking system for easier flooring installation.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring Popularity

So why is Luxury vinyl so popular? After all, isn’t Vinyl a bad word? Many clients have told me, “All the vinyl flooring, I’ve ever seen looks cheap.” It’s time to lose your preconceived notions and stop thinking about the vinyl flooring of yesteryear folks! Just in the last 15 years alone, the manufacturing technology has changed so much.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring Offers Realism

Today’s vinyl flooring looks amazing. I’ve seen plank vinyl that looks like REAL wood. And vinyl tile I’ve had to feel with my own two hands before I could tell if it was porcelain or vinyl. And I’ve been doing this for 15 years. I used to be able to walk into a room and tell immediately what type of flooring is. Now I have to look closer, and often times feel it for warmth or texture before I can tell. On a few occasions, I’ve even had to pull up a flooring vent to see the cut edge of the flooring before I knew what it was. At first, I was so embarrassed that I couldn’t tell by just looking. After all, I’m the Home Makeover Diva. I should just know, right? Lol. Instead of being embarrassed, I’m ecstatic that vinyl looks so darn realistic. That means the flooring industry is doing something right and continues to innovate.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring is Waterproof

I strongly believe that the biggest reason Luxury Vinyl Plank is so popular is because it gives you the look of hardwood, but in a nice waterproof package. Meaning that people with kids and pets can finally have ‘nice things’. Want to put hardwood in the bathroom, but afraid of it swelling because the kids take baths in that room? No worries, luxury vinyl has you covered. Want hardwood in your kitchen, but afraid your Golden Retriever will get more water on the floor than in his mouth? That’s okay, water cleans up easy, and won’t cause the vinyl to swell under the water dish.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring is Durable

Luxury Vinyl comes in a variety of thicknesses with a range of warranties. Some are recommended for residential use only, but many have light to heavy commercial warranties. The reasoning for this is because most luxury vinyl products have the same type of finish as laminate flooring. Aluminum Oxide finishes are tough and help keep your flooring looking newer longer. Add this to a floor type that isn’t easy to dent and you have something that can take a beating but keep on ticking.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring Pros And Cons

Writing out a separate list of pros seems redundant. The above items that make the flooring so popular are biggest reasons to purchase luxury vinyl. Add to that, the wide range of colors, styles and price points and it’s easy to see why anyone would choose luxury vinyl over another type of flooring.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring Is Durable, But Not Bulletproof

Let’s not forget that while luxury vinyl is very durable, it’s not bulletproof. It’s important to remember that no matter what a sales person tells you, luxury vinyl isn’t invincible. Any type of flooring is susceptible to damage. This is true of Luxury Vinyl, even the commercial rated stuff. If you drag a piece of furniture across it, it will scratch. If you have a large dog and never clip its nails, it can leave marks. If you don’t put door mats at exterior doors and track in pieces of gravel and debris it will scratch or dent your flooring. If you don’t use felt pads under your furniture legs, especially dining room chairs, you will scratch it. But these are all easily avoidable issues. And rules you should follow for any type of flooring. By simply using common sense you can avoid most of these issues.

Luxury Vinyl Flooring Isn’t For Excessive Amounts Of Water

As for the flooring being 100% waterproof, if your fridge has a slow leak for days or weeks, it could damage the flooring. The fact is no flooring is warrantied for a water leak or excessive water. Let me repeat that, NO FLOORING IS WARRANTIED FOR A WATER LEAK. That doesn’t mean Luxury Vinyl will be damaged if you catch the water leak immediately. It just means it will probably fail if you go on vacation and come home 3 days after your water heater floods, and an inch of water has been sitting on it the whole time.

The Bottomline With Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Luxury vinyl is a solid flooring choice. This vinyl performs exceedingly well when common sense practices are used. If I had a dollar for every bad comment I’ve read online, about a product that ‘failed’ but was really an easily avoidable mistake, I’d be writing this article while sunbathing on a tropical island.

I would gladly put luxury vinyl in any room of my house. I have two older dogs, and my goal is to replace the flooring in the entire house with Luxury Vinyl Plank. My biggest reason, being because it’s waterproof. While pet accidents don’t happen very often, I’d love the peace of mind in knowing that I can easily clean up any mess.

Is This Good Carpet For My Stairs?

02.28.2015 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Camille writes:

Hello, I am purchasing a remnant of Shaw carpeting from a local carpet store (to be installed by them) for the stairs from my main to second floor. I have never purchased carpet and I am a bit confused regarding proper type. The carpet is synthetic – polyester and a Texture with a slight Frieze in style It is a medium to medium high thickness. Is this a good carpet for my stairs? I live alone with a westie terrier. In other words no kids or elderly folks.

Camille, thank you for providing all of the information needed to assess your carpet choice! That makes my job so much easier! Choosing the best carpet for stairs is never easy, especially if it is your first time. I am speaking from experience here, because the first carpet I ever selected was a terrible choice! But that’s because I knew nothing about carpeting and went strictly by price and color. The carpet I picked out was very thin and because of this, it looked terrible on the stairs. You, however, have made a great choice of carpeting for the stairs. Here’s what you did right:

First of all, you picked a carpet fiber that is a good fit compared to the amount of traffic in your home. Because you don’t have a busy household, polyester is a great choice. It allows you to get the most bang out of your buck and should hold up nicely for many years to come. And if there were any pet accidents on the carpet from your westie terrier, it would be easy to clean up and is less likely to stain.

Good Carpet For My Stairs — Click to enlarge

Second, the style of the carpet is perfect for the traffic on the stairs. The texture style with a slight frieze, and will hold up nicely in traffic areas. This is because both elements will help keep the carpet from matting down. Frieze carpet in particular, is great for this because you aren’t walking on the tips of the strands, rather the sides. Texture carpets are also better for stairs because they don’t have a uniform appearance. This helps to camouflage wear patterns.

And lastly, you picked a thickness that will hold up on the stairs and shouldn’t show the backing where it bends over the edge of a step. This is the most common mistake people make when picking out carpets. They think they need a thin carpet to bend around the steps, but in reality, all this does is make it easier for the carpet to get matted down and show wear. So by picking a carpeting in the medium density range, you are making sure that it will “stand” up to use and not mat down.

Camille you’ve already chosen a good carpet. However if you were still in the market for new carpeting here’s a tip I would have suggested:

Take a sample of the carpet or a corner of the actual remnant and bend it at almost a 90 degree angle. Be aware that the sample will be harder to bend if it has a labeling piece of paper glued to the backing. Don’t try to fold the carpet over like a piece of paper, because you don’t want to crack the backing. You just want to simulate what it would look like on a step. Once you’ve bent it the correct amount, look to see how much of the backing shows.

I’ve included images of what a good and bad carpet will look like bent over the edge of a step. The first photo is of a carpet that would be a great choice for stairs. You can hardly see any backing material at all. The carpet fibers fan out slightly, but you would have to push fibers aside to see the actual backing material.

The second photo is of a carpet that is very thin. You can easily see the line of backing where the carpet is bent. You want to avoid getting a carpet like this as much as possible. Not only will the carpet mat down quicker, but you will be stuck looking at the exposed backing every time you walk up the stairs. This probably won’t bother you as much as it did me, but just in case, I thought it was worth mentioning!

Choosing the right carpet for stairs doesn’t have to be a daunting process. You’ve just got to arm yourself with a trick or two before going to the carpeting store. Then you’ll be better equipped to pick out something that will hold up to everything your household can dish out.

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.

How to Repair Lifting Edges On Vinyl Tile

02.27.2015 by Amanda Hartley //

Vinyl peel and stick tiles are an easy do-it-yourself friendly type of project, but what do you do if the edges start lifting up? Simple re-glue them. If you aren’t sure how to do this then read on for step by step instructions on how to repair lifting edges on vinyl tile.

First step. You’ll need to make sure the area is clean by sweeping and mopping the area to be fixed. Making special care to remove any dust or debris near the lifting edges. By taking care of this first, you will be making sure that everything is working as it should be. Not removing dust and dirt, will translate into this vinyl repair not working and eventually will mean you’ll need to repair the lifting edges on the vinyl tile again.

Second step. If the area of the vinyl tile that’s lifting up is bigger than the size of a quarter, use a slightly damp rag or sponge to clean out under the area where the tiles are lifting. Then wait until it is fully dry, about 15-20 mins. You’ll want to take special care not to bend the vinyl tile in the process. Some tiles are extremely thin and can break with too much pressure. So when it doubt, take things slowly. It’s better to be overly careful than bend the tiles and leaving a bigger problem than when you started.

Third step. At this point, you’ll want to use a construction strength adhesive out of a tube to re-glue the area. Slide the tip under the lifted tile edge. Be sure you don’t over glue the area. Make a small bead of glue in the center of the area, keeping in mind that when the tile is flat it will smooth out and cover more area. Take extra care to be careful with how much glue is being applied here. Too much glue is just going to create problems, so remember that you only need to apply a single bead of the glue — nothing more.

Fourth step. Press the tile edge down firmly and apply pressure. Don’t be afraid to apply plenty of pressure to the area. Just try to make sure the pressure you’re applying is done with an even hand as not to bend the vinyl tile or anything like that. When in doubt, just be careful and take things slowly. While you want to be firm with your application of pressure, you certainly don’t want to be overly forceful.

Fifth step. Immediately wipe off any excessive glue with a damp rag. There isn’t really any technique to this, other than making sure all of the excess glue is in fact, being removed completely. The reason for this is that it prevents you from ending up with a mess in the near future. Remember, it’s easier to remove the glue before it dries, than after. At least once it’s oozing the vinyl tiles, that is.

Sixth and final step. Now you will need to go ahead and apply a heavy object directly over the affected area to hold it down until the glue dries. Leave over top of the affected area for a minimum of two hours, preferably overnight if possible. By leaving an appropriate amount of time to dry, you’re ensuring that the vinyl tile won’t begin showing lifting edges once again. But it is critical to allow both an appropriate amount of drying time along with hard, flat surfaced objects that will be helping the drying process along.

Are In-Floor Heating Mats Worth It?

02.25.2015 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Margaret writes:

Dear Diva, I live in a very cold climate and I am tired of my feet getting cold! Do you think those in floor heating mats are a good idea? Because they sure sound nice! What brand would you recommend and do you have any install suggestions? Thanks

Margaret, you are definitely not alone in wanting to keep your feet warm this winter! Now that summer is officially over and fall has begun, a lot of people have started to think about the impending cold weather and what they could do to keep their homes just a little warmer. The most common winter insulation and maintenance that people perform this time of year are only temporary solutions; from indoor window insulation kits to outdoor faucet covers. While the in-floor heating mats you are talking about are a much more permanent heating solution.

So, the first thing I’d point out is that the in-floor heating mats are only cost-effective if you are going to replace your existing flooring, as well. Because in most cases, you cannot just tear up your existing flooring, install the heating mats and then lay the old flooring back down like nothing happened. If this is the case, and you have no plans on installing new flooring, I would consider other options to keep your toes warm this winter. Like space heaters, area rugs and slippers. I know none of these options are the same as having a heated floor, however they are the best options to consider if replacing your existing flooring is not an option.

If you are planning on replacing your existing flooring however, then I would definitely suggest adding in floor heating mats to the install. They’ll keep your toes warm this winter and can help to lower your heating costs as well. As far as which brand I would suggest, the only brand I’ve ever used is Suntouch. While I can’t provide in-depth information comparing Suntouch to other brands of floor warming mats, I can tell you that Suntouch has never failed me or any of my clients. Plus, they offer some pretty comprehensive information on their website and their installation guide is very thorough. So, with over twenty separate installs to compare to, I’d say they make a pretty solid product and if I were installing in floor heating in my own home, that’s the brand I’d choose. Plus, Suntouch floor heating mats are reasonably priced and come in convenient sizes.

Here are a few things you should know about in floor heating mats and where they can be installed:

If you are estimating the cost of in floor heating, don’t forget the price of the thermostat and all needed materials. You will need one thermostat for each room you are installing the mats in and depending on which model thermostat you choose, this could cost an additional $150 per room.

Suntouch mats can be installed under almost any floor type, though it will warm floors with the maximum amount of heat by being installed under tile, stone and laminate flooring. In floor warming mats can be installed under carpet, vinyl and wood flooring but would first have to be installed using a polymer-modified cement-based mortar. Also, you should be aware that carpeted floor will not feel as warm as tile or laminate because the pad and carpet itself insulates against it.

If you were thinking about installing the mats yourself, you should read their online install specifications guide first. Do this before purchasing any material to find out whether or not your skill level is up to the task. Because floor warming systems have to be installed under your flooring, if you are not comfortable with the install specs, hire a trained professional. Additionally, Suntouch Floor Warming Mats are DIY friendly, but you must have an electrician hook them up to the thermostat and connect the mats together.

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!

How To Buy Carpet For Your Home

02.24.2015 by Amanda Hartley //

As we continue winding our way through the season, many of you are thinking about the home improvements that need to take place in your homes. But one home improvement that tends to be put off until the last-minute has to be changing out old carpeting. Why the procrastination? Most of the time it stems from not knowing how to buy carpet for their home. This is understandable, as the entire process can indeed be seen as a bit overwhelming.

To address this challenge, I’ve decided to offer a round-up of articles along with one additional resource that I think will help to ease the burden of learning how to buy carpet for your home.

Home Depot Carpet Installation: In an article dating back to April of this year, a reader asked what she needed to know about Home Depot carpet installation prices and whether or not it’s a good place to buy carpet. Pricing, expectations and other considerations were explained at length. There was also suggestion to the reader for them to be very proactive when dealing with a carpet order. This tip, is among one of the many considerations to remember when shopping around for new carpet for your home.

Carpet Buying Tips

From carpet type to carpet color, this article will prove helpful in offering some worthwhile carpet buying tips. Great, general advice is offered to anyone wanting to get the basics of carpet shopping. By no means does this cover all of the bases, but it’s a pretty good place to start. Considerations explored include texture, style, color, padding, moisture barriers and stain resistance.

So what’s missing then?

A lot of things are missing here, actually. The underlying problem is no matter how much I attempt to cover in one or two articles, there’s bound to be something that will be missed. What is needed to handle situations such as learning to effectively buy carpet from home is using a guide that will ensure you’re doing the following.

Tricks of the trade – You need to learn how to avoid common, misleading sales tactics used by some unscrupulous salespeople. There are factors you need to be aware of, in order to prevent being hosed for hundreds of dollars.

Selecting the best carpet for YOUR needs – Despite offering some fantastic articles here at the Home Makeover Diva, there are going to be instances where you need to know how to handle very specific circumstances.

I’d like to share an e-book with you that will not only prevent you from feeling “in the dark” when shopping for new carpet, it will ensure you aren’t being misled, sold the wrong kind of carpet/padding or other common issues you’ll find when carpet shopping.

This e-book guide will show you step by step how to purchase the best carpet and padding for the best possible price. Unlike the salespeople you end up dealing with, the e-book’s author isn’t on commission. For a small one time purchase, you could end up saving yourself hundreds of dollars in carpet buying mistakes. Not buying this guide, is absolutely not using any commonsense. Don’t buy new carpet without getting all of the facts, first!

The best part about using this guide is that it comes with a money back return policy. If you hate the advice offered, return it. And considering how much you’re about to spend on carpeting for your home, the tiny cost for this guide pays for itself instantly. After all, why gamble with the entire cost of a carpet install when you could very well save yourself from a terrible mistake with a cheap little e-book instead? Don’t go into a carpet emporium without getting all of the facts first.

Remember, unless you’re already a flooring expert, buying carpeting without understanding the type of carpeting you’re actually going to end up with is simply unwise. Play it safe, read the articles linked above and please, use the resources that have been provided to you. Better to be safe, than sorry and by playing it safe, you’ve lost nothing.