Sisal carpet is a natural carpet fiber extracted from Agave plant’s long spiny leaves (species Agave sisalana). Sisal is a highly durable carpet often used in heavy traffic areas and higher end homes.  It can be used as a wall to wall carpet, an area rug or runner.  Often, sisal area rugs and runners are bound with a canvas border (about an inch wide) for a more tailored finish.  In Westchester County NY, sisal has been rapidly growing in popularity.

Agave is believed to have originated in Mexico, but it is now grown in Brazil, Florida, the Caribbean, as well as Tanzania, Kenya and parts of Asia.  (There is also a seaport town in Mexico named Sisal).

Sisal is also used for rope, twine, cloth, paper, handicrafts and wall coverings.

Sisal carpet has become very stylish in higher end homes in Westchester County where customers prefer hardwood and environmentally friendly options.  Many prefer sisals because of their earthy tones, their high end “berber” look/feel and they because they hold less allergens.  They also love that they are durable and tend to hide dirt/stains.

Because sisal is made entirely of natural plant fibers, it reflects the irregularity found in nature.  A perfectly uniform floor covering is not possible using natural sisal fibers.  Weaving variations – including knots, slubs, lines and color variances – are an inherent and desirable property of sisal.

How do you pronounce sisal?

There does seem to be a lot of confusion on how to pronounce the word sisal.  According the the dictionary and wikipedia, the “i” is long in the same way that you pronounce “bide.”

More about the sisal plant

The typical life span of sisal is 7-10 years and the plant on average creates 200-250 commercially useable leaves.  Each leaf produces about 1,000 fibers.  The fibers grow up to 3 feet long and are harvested by hand.  They are sustainably harvested.  Sisals grow best in climates that are 75 degrees Fahrenheit or higher and arid environments.  Because sisal is in the agave family, it can be distilled to make a tequila-like liquor.

Renowned for their strength, the long white sisal fibers are sun-dried and then carefully spun into fine carpet yarns.

Benefits of sisal carpeting

• Natural fiber and eco-friendly
• Naturally  stain resistant
• Sisal doesn’t trap dust or allergens
• Heavy duty, durable and good for heavy traffic areas
  
• Does not build up static electricity
• Won’t compress or show wear patterns like a typical wall to wall carpet
• Neutral colored, so sisal carpet goes with most furniture, decors, and paint colors.  Tends to appeal to those with more sophisticated tastes and styles.
  
• Absorbs sound well – the molecular structure of sisal is dense and absorbs sound better than other types of carpets

Disadvantages of Sisal

• Not water resistant – it will absorb water like a sponge
  
• Can be rough on your feet, so it’s not always the best surface for kids to sit and play on.

Places where sisal carpeting works well for your Westchester home

• Area rugs in heavy traffic areas
  
• Steps and hallways
  
• Entry mats
• Living rooms, offices and bedrooms

Places to avoid sisal carpet

• Outdoors
• Wet areas, areas that get a lot of snow, moisture or frequent spills (sisal will absorb air humidity or release it, causing expansion or contraction).  For areas that tend to get spills, you can treat sisal with a topical fiber sealer.
• Avoid near pools, spas, bathrooms, kitchens – areas that tend to have a lot of water or moisture.

How do you install sisal carpeting?

• Ideal to drop off for acclimation before installing
• It’s best to use a thin felt carpet pad, double sided taped carpet pad or glue down sisal directly to floor.   This helps hold the sisal secure in place and eliminates issues with the padding bunching underneath.
• Avoid cross seams as they will show very visibly
  
• Best to have installed by a professional carpet installer – sisal is tricky

Sisal carpet care and cleaning

Sisal carpet is naturally stain-resistant (but not stain-proof) and does not require excessive care. Sisal is easily cleaned, because dirt will not cling to the hard, non-static fibers.  Vacuuming a sisal carpet regularly will keep it clean. Remove the spills promptly by scrapping up solids and blotting liquids. Follow by dabbing with a damp cloth of water (add white vinegar to the cloth to cut grease). Dry with a cloth or hair blow dryer.  Water can dissolve dirt particles and bring them to the surface. This may cause watermarks to form. Therefore spilled water or water from plant containers must be dabbed immediately with an absorbent white cloth and then dried with a hair blow dryer or floor fan. An absorbent powder like Host or Capture can also be used.

If you live in Westchester County and are interested in Sisal carpet, give The Flooring Girl a call at 914-937-2950 and we’d be happy to “bring the store to your door.” (Out of state, please call 914-407-3899)

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What is sisal carpeting? Sisal Carpet in Westchester County

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We get this question often from homeowners that either have/had pets or those that move into a home where the previous owner had a pet.  Those dark black stains can occur either from pet urine and/or water directly on the hardwood itself or from liquid that has soaked through the carpet and carpet pad.

Unfortunately, if the stain is dark black, it will not come out, even when you sand and refinish the floors.

The good news is that there are 2 solutions to fix these pet stains on hardwood flooring:

Option 1:  Remove the stained pieces of hardwood, replace and refinish the hardwood floors.

This is the usually the better solution, but it’s usually a bit more costly.  Assuming that you have a professional and experienced hardwood flooring place, they should be able to removed the damaged pieces and weave in new hardwood.  Then, when you sand and refinish the whole room, it will look good as new and blend in.

This is relatively simple to do if you have oak hardwood floors. provided you have an experienced hardwood installer.  Not only will they do a better job than an amateur, but they’ll be able to match the correct wood for you.  (And, yes, I have seen the wrong species used many times.)

It is more challenging when when you have older pine floors.  It is still fixable, but it requires finding/matching the type of pine you have (and pine is often more expensive and harder to find since it’s used less often since it’s a softer wood) and often the pine is made in different widths nowadays vs. how it was made a long time ago.  Hence, often you have to get pine that is slightly wider than the your width and the installer need to mill it down to the correct size.  This often means a bit more waste and more labor (and sometimes longer lead times and special deliveries to  obtain the wood and more labor).  And, it is also more complicated if you don’t have a plywood subfloor underneath the wood.  If you don’t have a plywood subfloor, longer pieces of wood are required as these need to be nailed into the joists.  Again, it’s still doable, but should be done by a professional, so that you don’t have a “handyman special.”

Option 2:  Chose a dark stain to cover up the pet stains.

Alternatively, another option is to sand and stain the floors a dark color – one that is dark enough to cover up the stains.   Usually, darker hardwood stain colors such as ebony, jacobean, dark walnut or royal mahogany will do the trick. Thankfully, these colors are very stylish so for many homeowners, this is a great option.  If you prefer a lighter or mid toned color floor, I would suggest that you try option 1 (replace the damaged sections of wood) or cover the stains with area rugs or furniture.

If you live in Westchester County NY and are interested in refinishing your floors and need advice on how to handle pet stains, please give The Flooring Girl a call at 914-937-2950.

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How do you get rid of pet stains in hardwood flooring

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Secondly, diagonal adds visual intrigue to the room – it just looks much more interesting than the standard straight lay.

Third, usually, in most layouts, the diagonal draws you in from the entrance to the focal point of the room. I especially love installing hardwood flooring on a diagonal in square rooms.  

Diagonal works beautifully, and it has the largest and most dramatic impact in these types of rooms.  This is one of my favorite design tips.

A diagonal layout will cost a bit more.  That’s because there’s a bit more labor involved and it requires some extra wood, as there will be extra cuts along the edges.  Most customers agree that the incremental cost is worth it.  It looks stunning.

If you live in Westchester NY/Stamford CT and would like advice on your hardwood flooring, please give The Flooring Girl a call at 914-937-2950.  I’d be happy to “bring the store to your door.”

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Hardwood Flooring on a Diagonal | Stylish floors for Westchester

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1.  Hardwood Flooring is the preferred flooring surface.

There’s no contest – hardwood is in baby! It is by far the preferred flooring surface in Westchester County, especially for the main living areas of the home (i.e. living room, dining room, family room and even hardwood in the kitchen! Many also prefer hardwood for the bedrooms,too. Hardwood looks great, lasts long and is easy to clean and maintain.  And, of course, hardwood improves your home’s value.  By having hardwood in all/most areas, it makes your space larger, more continuous and integrated.  It is the preferred choice for decorators and homeowners alike.

2.  Flooring that looks like hardwood is the next best thing

Because hardwood is so in style, anything that looks like hardwood is the next best thing. 

• Laminate flooring:  For those that can’t afford hardwood or those looking for a more scratch resistant surface, laminate flooring is a great alternative for hardwood flooring.  Laminate flooring is less expensive than hardwood and can go on top of concrete floors.  It also tends to hold up well with kids and dogs.
  

• Luxury Vinyl flooring that looks like hardwood:  High end luxury vinyl planks will amaze you, as they really do look very real.  They are individual planks that are usually glued to the floor.  And, they feel and sound more real compared to laminate flooring.  While laminate flooring is NOT waterproof, luxury vinyl will hold up to water and moisture.  So, luxury vinyl is an excellent choice for areas that tend to get some water (e.g. kitchens, basements, bathroom floors).  They can also work when your subfloor is not terribly even or level.
  

• Porcelain tile planks that look like hardwood:  This is a very hot trend, and these porcelain planks look so chic and stylish.  They are perfect when you’re looking for an upscale look and need a surface that will hold up to water. They can be used for bathrooms, entryways and kitchens.  They are a great way to continue the visual looks and color of the hardwood you have in adjoining rooms.
  

3.  Carpet runners for stairs

While hardwood is the preferred surface in most Westchester homes, there is one critical area to add carpet – the steps.  Carpet runners are very stylish and super important for the safety of your household – both people and pets.  You can learn more about carpet runners here – everything you ever wanted to know about carpet runners.  Runners are predominantly found in homes with hardwood flooring.

4.  Tone on Tone Carpet or Loop/cut carpet combos

Among carpets, the fastest growing segment is the tone on tone carpets (sometimes called loop/cut/loop carpets).  These carpets are one color, but parts are cut and parts are looped (often different heights) to create patterns.  Some patterns are geometrical (e.g squares, diamonds), some are floral/free flowing and others are abstract.  These carpets add some visual intrigue to your room without adding another color. They can be used on for wall to wall carpeting, steps/runners as well as area rugs.

5.  Large format tile and rectangular tile (with a brick lay)

Large tile sizes make the room look larger. At a minimum, you should be using 12 x 12 tiles. But, if your space is larger, an 18 x 18 can look very impressive and for very large spaces, 24 x 24 can have a big bold look.

Another benefit with larger size tiles is that there is less grout to clean.  And, thinner grout lines are in style too…and they are easier to clean and last longer.

The rectangular shape and a brick layout is super stylish for Westchester homes. You’ll see it in large entryways and kitchens. This trend started in upscale NYC buildings and it’s stunning. More and more tiles are being made that are 12 x 24 and this longer size and shape elongates your space so it looks larger. I also love to mirror this pattern in kitchen backsplashes with a subway tile – either a classic white or tumbled/honed natural stone. Again, this makes the space look larger helping to enhance the granite and the cabinets and the shape consistency brings the kitchen together.

6.  Green flooring

As the green movement continues to grow, more and more Westchester customers are looking for environmentally friendly flooring.  There are many ways to go green (or greenish) with your flooring, but the 2 types that seem to have the most staying power are 1) wool and sisal carpeting and 2) cork flooring.  These types of flooring are preferred in higher end homes in Westchester county.  While bamboo has been riding the green band wagon, bamboo does not seem to hold up well to scratches/dents nor water, and I continue to hear more and more issues with it, so soon, the customers will catch on to this.

• Wool and sisal carpet are natural fibers.  They tend to hold up better  – both to wear and tear, and to stains.  They also tend to be more expensive.  Sisals (and sea grass) tend to come in natural/earthy colors, and most of the wools tend to come in natural or muted colors (wool absorbs the color differently than nylons and polyesters).  Wool tends to good texture retention and is naturally stain resistant.

• Cork is a wonderful option as it is easier and warmer on your feet. It feels smoother and warmer than other surfaces. The most popular are for cork is the kitchen. Cork now comes in a variety of patterns. You can learn more about cork flooring here – how is cork flooring made?

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6 Flooring Trends for 2013

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1.  Natural Stone or Natural Stone look.

In Westchester County, customers are moving away from shiny/glossy tile towards a more tumbled natural stone look.  Whether it’s a shiny ceramic tile or a polished granite/marble, shiny glossy tiles are challenging to maintain. They show dirt and water spots.  They also require more maintenance (including sealing).  A natural look, especially porcelains that look like natural stone are visually more appealing and practical as they hide the dirt with the color and texture variation.  They are also easier to clean and easier to maintain since you don’t need to seal them as you do with natural stone.

2.  Larger format tiles

Large sizes make the space look larger.  At a minimum, you should be using 12 x 12 tiles.  But, if your space is larger, an 18 x 18 can look very impressive and for extremely large spaces, 24 x 24 can have a big bold look.  Another benefit with larger size tiles is that there is less grout to clean.  (By the way, thinner grout lines are in style too…and easier to clean and the grout lasts longer).

3.  Brick shaped tiles, Brick Lay style and linear patterns

The rectangular shape is so stylish for Westchester homes.  You’ll see it in large entryways and kitchens.   This trend started in upscale NYC buildings and it’s stunning.  More and more tiles are being made that are 12 x 24 and this longer size/shape elongates your space and makes it look larger.  I also love to mirror this pattern in kitchen backsplashes with a subway tile – either a classic white or tumbled/honed natural stone.  Again, this makes the space look larger helping to enhance the granite and the cabinets and the shape consistency brings the kitchen together.

Also, I’ve been seeing more and more linear patterns.  Sometimes, this is in the tile design, sometimes this comes in the form of a border where there are long rectangular shapes.  They look sharp and have an elongated effect on the floor (or walls).  Sometimes, with the linear patterns in the tile, it allow you to add more visual intrigue by quarter-turning the tiles at a 90 angle.

4.  Tile that looks like hardwood

Porcelain tiles that look like hardwood  are so fashionable.  They tend to be a bit more expensive, but they give the place a real modern look.  They are practical for those who want the look of hardwood in the kitchen, entry or powder room, but want something that is waterproof.

5.  Gray tile and a concrete look

Gray has been the hot color for the last several years.  It’s neutral and stylish (and incidentally, it helps hide the dirt which is a similar color).  Grays, metallic looks and industrial concrete styles are clean and modern.  Now, these colors are evolving into hardwood and carpet as well, but this stylish trend started with tile flooring.  These colors also work well in kitchens with stainless steel appliances and brushed nickel hardware, and work incredibly well with white cabinets.

Additional info on Tile Flooring- Ceramic/Porcelain/Natural Stone

Tile flooring that looks like hardwood.

Designing a kitchen backsplash

Ceramic Tile vs Porcelain Tile

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Tile Flooring Trends | Westchester County NY

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Believe it or not, hardwood flooring is currently the most popular flooring choice for kitchen remodels and new construction in Westchester County NY.  We install all types of flooring – hardwood floors, tile, cork, laminate and vinyl.  But, hardwood flooring seems to be the most popular…and we are often ripping up tile floors (that are in good condition) and converting them to hardwood floors.

Reasons that hardwood flooring is so popular for kitchens in Westchester County NY

1. Hardwood flooring is easier on your feet.  This is especially important for those that cook a lot or spend a lot of time in the kitchen.  Tile is much harder on your feet and tires you out faster.

2. Hardwood flooring makes your space look larger.  Most homes in Westchester County have hardwood floors for the main common areas (living room, dining room, family room), so by continuing hardwood into the kitchen, it makes your space more continuous and it just looks larger (and more cohesive).

3. Hardwood floors are in style.  Yes, it’s feature in all the home magazines as well as Houzz and Pinterest.  Hardwood is so en vogue.  It’s timeless, and it is here to stay!

4. Hardwood flooring is warmer.  This is especially important here in the northeast and during the colder months.  Tile absorbs the heat from your feet, and it just feels colder than hardwood floors.

5. Hardwood flooring is usually less expensive than tile.  This is a surprise to many of my customers in Westchester, but it’s a pleasant surprise since most would prefer hardwood anyway.  Most of the homes in Westchester are built on plywood which makes it more cost effective to install hardwood than tile (since hardwood is nailed into plywood.  Tile, on the other hand, should never be directly installed on top of plywood as the tile will crack.  So, tile requires an extra step of either adding a mud job or cement board.  And, of course, if your floors are uneven, tile will require even more subfloor prep. All of these costs will add expense not to mention the labor for installing tile is more expensive than the labor for hardwood.

6. Most believe that hardwood flooring is easier to clean than tile.  With tile, many of my customers get frustrated with how the dirt collects in the grout (and over time the grout gets dirtier and darker).

7. Hardwood floors will last longer and will never go out of style.  As time goes on, and often due to poor and improper tile installations, tile cracks.  Most often it’s due to improper floor prep, but sometimes it’s due to houses settling and sometimes due to customer dropping items on the tile.  Hardwood is much more flexible and there are fewer issues. Yes, over time, you will need to refinish the floors, but when you do, the floors will look good as new!  Even if tile doesn’t crack, over time, styles change and often the tile looks dated.  Hardwood never goes out style. The color preferences may change a bit, but these are easy enough to change during the sanding and refinishing process.

8. New homeowners strongly prefer hardwood, so this will also help you when you are ready to sell your home.  Further, different homeowners have different color preference, and with hardwood flooring, not only are you appealing to a wider audience, but you are also giving the next owner the flexibility to change the color of the hardwood.  Conversely, if you have tile and the buyer does not have the same taste, they need to rip it out completely.

Concerns (and solutions) with hardwood flooring in kitchens

1. Hardwood floors do not do well with lots of water.  This is very true -hardwood and water don’t mix well.  In the kitchen, it’s ideal to have a mat next to the sink.  And, if you have pets with water bowls, it’s best to have a mat here as well.  Also, it’s important to note that if you do have some water damage (assuming you have solid hardwood), you can usually weave in new hardwood, and then sand and refinish the wood, and it looks good as new.

2. Hardwood flooring can scratch and needs periodic maintenance.  Yes, this is very true, but once you refinish the floors, they will look good as new.  And, when you sand & refinish the hardwood, you have the option to change the color as well.

3.  If you have mid tone wood cabinets, it can be challenging to find a good contrast color for the hardwood floors.  White or painted cabinets are usually the most flexible options and will work with dark, light or even mid-toned woods.

Considerations when adding hardwood flooring to your Westchester kitchen

1.  Wider planks – Wider planks are more stylish and tend to make the space look larger.  As long as the hardwood is the same species and color of the adjoining rooms, it will help make the space look more cohesive.  Sometimes, you can also change the direction of wood so that this is a much more natural break.

2.  Diagonal layout can add visual intrigue, and also make your space look larger.  This is also a consideration if you are changing widths as the new layout gives you permission to go wider in the planks.  Diagonal layout tends to look better in spaces that are more square (rather than rectangular).

3.  Refinish hardwood on site (rather than installing prefinished hardwood).  By refinishing the floors on site, the polyurethane covers the entire amount of wood and has more protection vs. prefinished hardwood.  Often prefinished hardwood is missing stain or poly on the micro-beveled edges (often the pieces are either not full coated or get damaged during transit.  Also, for kitchens which get heavier traffic, an extra coat of poly is very helpful.

Which is better for kitchen floors – hardwood flooring or tile?

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Westchester County kitchens: Hardwood flooring for kitchens – does it make sense?

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How long does it take to install hardwood floors for your home in Westchester NY? This is a common question among Westchester homeowners, especially if deadlines are attached (e.g. a move in date) or coordination with a larger project (e.g. kitchen remodel or new addition).

While all projects vary in length, usually the largest factor is whether you are installing Prefinished or Unfinished hardwood. Generally, prefinished hardwood will take longer to arrive, but less time to install, while unfinished hardwood will arrive quickly, but will take longer to install due to the drying time. Every situation is different and sometimes the focus is on meeting a specific deadline; other times the timing is flexible but the customer wants the least interruption time, especially if they are living there during construction.

Time to install prefinished Hardwood for Westchester County

• Often it can take 1-3 weeks for the hardwood to arrive. (Occasionally, it will take longer if it’s a real specialty item or if one of the transition pieces is on back order). Sometimes, one of the hold ups on prefinished hardwood is the matching transition pieces (sometimes these items are on back order an they can really slow the order down).
• Then, the hardwood needs to be dropped off for acclimation, so the wood gets used to the temperature and humidity in your house. This should be done for a minimum of 2 days. For denser woods (e.g. Brazilian Cherry or Brazilian Walnut), it’s best to let the wood acclimate for longer (e.g 5-7 days). There is never any harm in letting the hardwood acclimate longer.  It’s ideal to drop this off on the same floor/level of where the hardwood will be installed.
• Installation will often take about 1-4 days but this can vary on the amount of wood being installed and complexity of the area (e.g. are there cabinets to work around, are there a lot of angles (or curves).  If we are installing on a diagonal, it can take longer as there are more cuts.
• If there is flooring that needs to be ripped up, it can take a bit longer. Generally, ripping up carpet and laminate can be done in the same day.  Ripping up tile can take at least 1 full day (longer if it is over a concrete slab), so if you have that be sure to plan some extra time.  If furniture is being moved, that can also add to the timeline.
• After the hardwood is installed, there is also some trim work involved – either adding in shoe molding or base molding (or replacing your existing base molding).
• If floor prep is needed (e.g. if the floor is uneven) that can also add on some extra time, but this varies greatly and sometimes can not be predicted until after the floor is ripped up. it could take an extra hour or up to an extra 2 days (or not be needed at all).</li>
• There may also be some time involved in coordinating schedules for delivery dates and install dates based on your and the installer’s availability.

Summary time line for Prefinished hardwood flooring:

• Total install time for 1,000 sf or less = 1-5 days (+ extra if floor prep is needed and/or tile rip up)
• Total elapsed time for 1,000 sf or less = 2- 4 weeks

Timeline for installing unfinished hardwood in Westchester County

• Usually, we can deliver 2-3 days later (occasionally 1 day). This usually holds true for standard oak but can take an extra week or so for special orders (e.g. Pine, extra wide boards, extra long boards, herringbone)
• The hardwood needs to acclimate 1-2 days (2 is much better and more days for denser woods)
• Installation time is similar or slightly faster than detailed above.  It’s usually a bit faster to nail in unfinished wood, but not that much different. (extra if floor prep/rip needed – see above)
• Sanding & refinishing often takes 3-5 days (+ extra day drying)pending on size of job, whether a stain color is used/what color (darker can take an extra day), number of coats of poly (assume on day per coat) and humidity (if it’s humid, it can often add an extra day to the process.
• There may be some extra time in coordinating schedules for delivery and install dates as well as extra time if rip out or prep work needed (see above)

Summary Time line for Unfinished hardwood flooring:

• Total install time for 1,000 sf or less = 4-9 days + 1 day drying (+ extra if floor prep is needed and/or tile rip up)
• Total elapsed time for 1,000 sf or less = 1-2 weeks

Of course timelines can vary based on the project scope, unforeseen issues (e.g. after floor is ripped up, if sub-floor is damaged and needs repair), humidity and/or delays due to holidays or customer’s schedule, but I think these are some good guidelines.

Generally, site finished hardwood will take more days in the home/drying, but the project will usually be completed sooner from the time the order is placed as the wood is usually on hand. Homeowners should ask about lead times and coordination with other work that is planned (e.g. painting, cabinets), etc.. Sometimes, there are ways to speed up times (e.g. use a water based poly) but usually these solutions require trade offs (e.g. water based poly dries faster but costs more, doesn’t look as nice and doesn’t last as long. Sometimes, customers don’t realize the ideal order of projects and this can cause delays and extra costs (e.g. Is it better to paint or do the floors first?)  The best plan is to have a plan and not leave it to the last minute. Then, you can choose whichever option works best for you (in terms so what you like, budget and time frame).

If you are moving into a new home, and are going to be on a tight time line, it’s ideal if your real estate agent can let us into your new home to be so we can take measurements and give you an estimate. That way, you’ll know ahead of time how much it will cost and how long it will take. Some of my customers will order the product before closing, so that we can delivered the day after closing to shorten the time line before move in; others prefer to wait until the after deal is closed and place the order that day or the following day.

If you live in Westchester NY/Stamford CT area, and are interested in Hardwood Flooring, give The Flooring Girl a call at 914-937-2950. Let us “bring the store to your door.”

Additional Info on Hardwood flooring

• How long does it take to sand and refinish hardwood floors?
• Is it better to paint or do the floors first?
• Can you change the color of your hardwood floors?
• What types of hardwood floors are good for dogs?

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How long does it take to install hardwood floors?

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What are the benefits of moisture barrier carpet pad?

A carpet pad with a moisture barrier can absorb moisture – both to prevent mold and reduce odors.  These pads are typically ideal for basements with minor moisture (note: if you have a lot of moisture, carpet may not be a good option for your basement, regardless of type of pad used.  A moisture barrier carpet pad can also help alleviate pet accidents so that the liquid does not reach the subfloor (which can be challenging and costly to repair.

We proudly offer Shaw’s Triple Touch moisture guard carpet pad.  This upgraded carpet pad costs more, but it’s well worth its value.

This carpet pad comes with a moisture barrier and it’s hypoallergenic, so it’s perfect for areas that are subject to minor moisture issues such as basements.  Triple Touch moisture guard provides extra cushion and comfort and it really helps the wear of your carpet. In fact, Shaw stands behind their product so much that it doubles the warranty of your carpet life.

The Triple Touch carpet pad contains an antimicrobial treatment which kills mold, mildew, fungus and bacteria.

Shaw’s Triple Touch moisture barrier carpet pad doubles your warranty

Using this pad instantly DOUBLES your carpet warranty.  Your carpet will maintain its texture for the life of the warranty.

Shaw’s Triple Touch is also environmentally friendly.  It’s made with natural oil and its backing uses recycled products.

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When you’re looking for carpet for your basement and if you’re considering a moisture barrier carpet pad, give The Floorng Girl a call at 914-937-2950.

Moisture barrier carpet pad in Westchester NY

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Laminate flooring is imitation flooring made to look like real flooring – usually made to look like hardwood, and occasionally meant to look like tile flooring.  Laminate floors have come a long way and many actually look quite real.  Laminate flooring is made with recycled hardwood, so it’s a “greenish” product, and while it often looks real, it isn’t.  On top, it has a digital picture of flooring, covered with a melamine wear layer which gives it scratch protection.  Underneath, it has a high density core board to give it strength.

Laminate flooring is a floating floor, meaning that is it not directly attached to the subfloor underneath.  Rather, the pieces of laminate click together and lock into place. They are then secured to the floor at the edges with the base molding so that the laminate floor will stay in place.  Underneath the laminate, you install a sound/moisture barrier underlayment both to muffle sound and to prevent the laminate from wearing down by rubbing in the flooring underneath.

Many customers mistakenly think that laminate is waterproof.  Since it’s made with recycled hardwood, it is not waterproof.  You can read more about that here:  Is laminate flooring waterproof?  If you are looking at an area that has a lot of water, moisture or gets humid, it’s best to avoid installing laminate here.  Laminate can absorb moisture easily; it’s kind of like a sponge (think about how cardboard absorbs water), and once laminate get wet, it’s permanently ruined.

Laminate flooring is easy to clean, and it is great for customers with asthma or allergies.  Cleaning and maintenance are the same as hardwood – just use a regular hardwood cleaner.

Advantages of laminate flooring over hardwood floors:

1. Laminate flooring generally costs less than hardwood – both the materials and the labor
2. Laminate floors are more scratch resistant than hardwood, so many prefer this for high traffic areas, or if they are concerned about kids or pets scratching the floor.
3. Because laminate flooring is a floating floor, it sometimes gives you more flexibility as to where you can install it.  Laminate flooring can go on top of tile or concrete floors (if the floor is level), and laminate flooring can be installed below ground level (if there is no moisture issue).
4. You can install a sound barrier (e.g. cork underlayment) underneath laminate, so it can allow you to install laminate flooring in some apartment buildings that may typically require carpet (note: the same can be done with floating hardwood floors).

Advantages of hardwood flooring over laminates:

1. Hardwood flooring is a real product and most customers prefer this as it’s natural
2. Hardwood flooring improves your home’s value
3. Solid hardwood flooring will last longer than laminate flooring.  Some engineered hardwoods will also last longer than laminate, but this depends on what type/brand you get.
4. Solid hardwood flooring can be sanded and refinished. So, if you want to restore floors you can. If you want to change the color of the hardwood – either now or years from now, you can.  If you have some areas that get water damage (or pet stains), you can usually weave in new hardwood to those sections and sand and refinish the floor and it will look good as new.

Other useful laminate articles:

• Is laminate flooring waterproof?
• What is a floating floor?

If you live in Westchester County NY and you are interested in laminate flooring, give The Flooring Girl a call at 914-937-2950.  (For out of state customers, please call 914-407-3899.)

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What is laminate flooring?  Laminate flooring for Westchester County NY

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Cats are a very important part of the household, and my customers know I love cats (as well as dogs).  I “own” 2 cats…or maybe I should say, they own me and allow me to pay the mortgage.  Cats are wonderful, but sometimes they can do number on carpets, so it’s ideal to select a carpet that will co-exist well with your cat.  What types of carpets are best for cats?

The most common issue with cats are that the carpet pulls (especially if they have claws).  But,, there can also be issues with hair balls, vomit, spraying and urine.  Once you have spraying and/or urine in the carpet, it’s nearly impossible to solve short of removing the carpet.  That’s because of 2 things.  First, cats can smell much better than we can.  Second, usually, these items penetrate beneath the carpet into the carpet pad and the backing, so even the best carpet cleaning will never fully solve the issue.  You need to remove all evidence of the smell and start fresh.

Selecting a carpet when you have cats – important items to consider

1.  Cut carpets will hold up better than looped carpets with cats.

Cats love to play with things.  They scratch and stretch and their claws can get into everything – whether intentional or by accident.  With looped carpets, cat’s paws will often pull the loops out and cause the carpet to unravel in sections.  And, once there is a small issue, it almost becomes a game for the cat to pull out the carpet more.  This is especially true for looped wool carpet.  Their backing is often latex and less secure, so by all means avoid looped wool carpets.  Don’t let the price fool you.  These carpets are great, but they will be a disaster with your cat.  So, if you have cats, I would avoid looped carpets (like the one on the right, and instead opt for a cut pile carpet (like the one above).

2.  Avoid carpets that are too light as they will show dirt and fur.

Often, getting a mid toned neutral carpet will do the trick, and even better if you can find a carpet color that is similar to your cat.  Also, if you have kitty litter in the area, and if this tends to get caught in their claws, you may want to consider a gray carpet.

3.  Vacuum carpets frequently

This is actually good advice for all carpet owners regardless of whether they have cats or pets.  Frequent vacuuming will get rid of dirt (which can wear down the carpet fibers), smells and also help with cats.  It will really help make your carpet last longer and make your home nicer and neater. Also, getting your carpet cleaned professionally on an annual basis will also help. But, be sure to inquire about stain protection when you do this.  Some of the steam cleaners extract the stain protection (same goes if you do this yourself), so be sure to reapply a topical stain protection afterwards and perform this annually.

4.  Consider selecting a carpet that has multiple colors in it.

This is really a style choice, but having multiple colors will help hide the dirt as well as any messes.  Sometimes, this can be achieved by selecting a carpet that has some “flakes” of color in there. But, I know that many customers in Westchester are not crazy about this look.  Sometimes, the same effect can be achieved by a solid color carpet from the way the carpet is twisted. You can also select a carpet with a pattern, but these often will cost more.

5.  Select a carpet with great stain protection and consider a polyester and/or solution dyed products.

Polyester and solution dyed products hold color better.  Most carpets these days come with stain protection. When the stain protection is applied before the carpet is tufted (as most are), that is ideal is it is part of the fiber and protects you from root to tip.  As mention above, be careful when you get your carpet cleaned or clean it yourself.  Many of these methods extract some of the stain protection.

6.  Consider Beaulieu’s Bliss with Magic Fresh if you have cats.

Beaulieu has recently launched a line called Magic Fresh.  It absorbs many of the odors in the air, including pet odors, so might want to give this a try.

7.  Clean stains quickly

I think this one is obvious, but yes, it helps to get stains out quickly before they settle and penetrate further into the carpet fiber.

8.  Consider upgrading your carpet pad to one with a moisture barrier.

Shaw makes a wonderful carpet pad called Triple Touch.  It has a moisture barrier on both sides, so it’s great if you carpet is going in a basement where you might have some moisture and it will give you some added protection if you cat has an accident.  In addition, it will provide more cushion and support, doubling the warranty of your carpet.  It does cost more than a regular carpet pads, but it’s often worth it.

Other useful articles:

• What types of hardwood are best for dogs?

If you live in Westchester County NY and you are interested in cat friendly carpets, give The Flooring Girl a call at 914-937-2950.

What types of carpet are best for cats? Cat friendly carpeting for Westchester County.

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