Carpeting, most of us have it somewhere in our homes, but it seems that without proper care we may be putting our health and the health of our loved ones at risk. According to an article by Bill Phillips and the Editors of Men’s Health titled “The 5 Germiest Places in a Bachelor Pad” carpet made the list, here’s what they had to say about it.

“Tierno’s (Philip Tierno Jr., Ph.D., a microbiologist and immunologist at New York University Langone Medical Center and the author of The Secret Life of Germs) research indicates that your carpet probably contains about 200,000 bacteria per square inch, making it 4,000 times dirtier than your toilet seat. "Rugs are botanical and zoological parks," says Tierno, who adds that hundreds of thousands of different types of species live there. These invasions occur because the average person sheds about 1.5 million skin cells every hour; these skin cells hit the rug and serve as food for germs. Add in food particles, pollen, and pet dander, and you have a gratis buffet, he says. And since a vacuum cleaner's suction and rotating beater brush don't usually reach the bottom of the carpet, you're bound to have communities of E. coli, salmonella, staphylococcus, and other bacteria down there. Every time you walk or roll around on your carpet, you disrupt the bacteria, bringing some closer to the surface, Gerba says. (Charles Gerba, Ph.D., a professor of environmental microbiology at the University of Arizona and one of the country’s foremost experts on germs)”

“Your cleanup: Hire a company to do a deep steam-cleaning at least once a year, and consider covering high-traffic areas with machine-washable area rugs.”

This is sound advice and most all carpet manufacturers require routine professional cleaning as a condition of their warranty.

We also recommend that customers use an upgraded stain block carpet cushion (commonly called carpet pad) as this keeps any spills from being absorbed by the cushion or pad, the cushion will not hold the spill like a dirty sponge thus not allowing germs to incubate under the carpet.

Be sure to check out the carpet care tips in the Resource Guide section of our web site.

A number of US wood flooring manufacturers have decided to combine their efforts in a move to have Chinese imports sanctioned. This is the flooring manufacturers’ response to what they insist are distinctly unfair and biased trading practices.

CAHP or the Coalition of the American Hardwood Parity is less than 6 months old but they are already priming for battle and pushing their weight with government officials. The organization has filed a formal complaint with ITC. The allegations in the complaint state that the hardwood flooring being imported from the Chinese market is creating an imbalance in the marketplace.

CAHP also alleges that the Chinese flooring products are sold for prices that are far below the normal rates. As a result the titans of US hardwood flooring manufacturing further state that they are suffering financially and will continue to suffer in the future unless remedies are put in place and appropriate sanctions against these China based imports are enforced.  The complaint even includes statistics showing that the Chinese imports of hardwood flooring products have nearly doubled in just one year.

It will be up to the Department of Commerce to make a final decision about whether or not the below market prices of Chinese imports are detrimental to the financial health of US hardwood flooring manufacturing companies.  At the last committee meeting there was to be a vote that would determine if additional fees would be imposed on the imported flooring products. Some estimates report that a new trade duty of 200-240% could be approved.

The executives of Anderson, Shaw and other leading hardwood flooring producers in the US are adamant that this action is necessary in order to insure the fiscal health of the flooring industry. They insist that Chinese imports could damage the US flooring market beyond the point of survivability if actions are not taken now to level the playing field.

Dumping the cheaper wood flooring products in the US marketplace is one of the major charges that has been alleged by the US flooring companies. This means that they hope to prove that the low prices and high amounts of wood products was intentionally performed. If a practice of dumping can be established there will be numerous fines and penalties as well as heavy duty fees that are all going to be imposed.

It will be a showdown between the Coalition of Asia Pacific Flooring Manufacturers for Free and Fair Trade and the Coalition of the American Hardwood Parity, and the final result pertaining to wood flooring imports is still in doubt.

If carpet floors are what you want installed in your home then you should be familiar with the ratings and terms that are assigned to carpets that are designed for residential use.

 These ratings provide you with some very valuable information about each and every carpet you might be considering adding to the rooms in your home. With plush carpet floors can assume new depth and life while providing your feet with thick, soft comfort. In some situations plush carpets may not be your best choice, especially in rooms where the foot traffic is considerably heavier. If you understand the basic facts about the different carpet choices it will make it much easier to make a wise choice about which carpeting is best suited for each area of your home.

The carpet scale has numerical ratings ranging from 1-5. These numbers provide you with information concerning the amount of wear that each carpets can withstand in a residential setting.

Any carpet rated as a 5 indicates that the carpet material will still look like new even after long periods of normal wear and use.  If you see a rating of 4 or higher it means that these types of carpets can hold up to heavy foot traffic. A carpet rated 4-5 will be a great choice for any room that is subjected to a lot of activity such as a playroom or family room.

Carpets that can be placed in most rooms in your home should at least be rated 2.5-4.0 which means that they can withstand normal amounts of use and foot traffic. If you are going to keep these floor coverings well maintained and regularly cleaned they will provide you with several years of use.

Any carpet that is rated lower than 2.5 on the rating scale is not suitable for heavy traffic areas in your home. These are only to be used in a bedroom or a room that sees very light use over extended periods of time.

Higher density is what you want in a plush carpet that gives you luxury and comfort. The density number tells you about the fibers that are wound together to create the carpet. The tighter the winding of the yarn fibers the higher the density will be.

Face weight is a term that may or may not be readily available on carpet labels. This gives you information concerning how much yarn is used in each square yard of carpeting. When it involves carpets floors will be the proving ground and this is why you need to check out as many of the information features as possible.

The twist in a carpet is related to how many times the individual strands of carpet fiber are twisted in each 1 "piece of yarn. This ‘twisting' feature is responsible for the appearance and the texture found in quality cut-pile carpet fabrics.

Owning a rental property is a big responsibility when it comes to keeping the place in livable condition for your renters. When someone moves out chances are that you will have to replace or update the flooring in the rental in order to get top dollar for the place when you rent it out again. The best way to take care of this situation is to use laminate flooring, or even carpet.

Carpet

Carpet is one of the least expensive flooring options to use in rental properties. You can find great deals on low end carpet, and you can usually install it pretty quickly. Low end carpet will cost you anywhere for less than $5 per yard and even less if you have the time to do some research. Cheap padding will cost you an additional $2- $3 per yard so you are looking at about $6 or $7 a yard for the entire setup. While carpet is one of the more inexpensive flooring on the market, it won't hold up as long as other options such as laminate flooring.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring can be affordable and durable which makes it perfect for a rental property. This kind of flooring holds up well to accidents, scratches, scuffs and stains. Low end options can be almost as affordable as carpeting and it will last a lot longer so it's probably your best bet if you have a little more money to invest. Because laminate flooring does not do well with moisture or water, it's not a good idea to use it in kitchen or bathroom areas. All in all laminate flooring can be had for as little as $7 a yard.

Hardwood flooring, popular in homes, cabins, and lodges, needs to be installed properly. To get the best results from your hardwood floor, call in a professional installer, such as Pilot Flooring, installation specialists.

Several methods can be encountered when installing hardwood flooring. Looking at the different requirements is enough to make anyone glad there are experienced professionals like Pilot Flooring available to do the job.

Tongue-and-groove involves planks with a groove on one side and end, and a tongue on the other side and end. The planks are joined by matching the tongue to the groove, providing a snug fit. Engineered and solid wood can be glued down. Create a floating floor with engineered flooring or nail down solid wood.

"Click" systems involve angling and tapping the curved or barbed tongue into the modified groove. No adhesive is needed, making replacement of boards easier, and creating a floating floor. Although it can be a do-it-yourself project, it is much quicker and easier to have a professional installer like Pilot Flooring  

With a floor connection system, the main planks have grooves on all four sides. The planks are connected with smaller pieces of plastic, wood, or rubber that fit between the grooves. Unique hardwood flooring can be achieved. Mediums can be combined, as long as they have the same connection system.

Solid parquet installations and engineered wood hardwood flooring are often done on concrete sub-flooring, using glue. The installer uses a trowel to put a layer of mastic on the sub-floor. After the wood pieces are in place on top, a 2x4 is placed on top to protect the wood while it is hammered into place with a rubber mallet.

Sanding and refinishing might be needed after the gluing process. A professional installer like Pilot Flooring handles that job, also.

Wood floors are highly sustainable and renewable. They are extremely kind to the environment because they are made from hardwood trees that are harvested from the forest. They grow and live on water from natural resources such as rain, and produced their own food via photosynthesis using sunlight obtained from the sun. Since trees are produced naturally, this makes them renewable resources, and in return, making wood floors environmentally friendly.

There are a number of advantages of using wood floors, particularly in terms of environmental benefits. The average yearly growth of hardwoods is more than their average yearly harvest. This means that trees grow quicker than the time needed to harvest and process them into wood floorings. Wood floors evidently use less energy and water to produce, compared to other types of floorings.

Wood is also a carbon neutral product. It is beneficial to humans and environment as it produces oxygen while it grows, and stores carbon during it service life. This way, hardwood trees help in increasing the amount of oxygen and decreasing the amount of emitted carbon dioxide. Therefore, it helps in reducing greenhouse effect to our planet.

Additionally, wood floorings last for decades and probably centuries, which means that they do not need to be replaced as frequent as other flooring options. Other types of floorings such as carpet and laminate floors will require replacements over the years, due to wear and tear, stain, dirt, dust and mold.

Although most hardwood trees take from 40 to 60 years to mature, most trees that are planted today will not be needed for at least 100 years. The best thing about wood flooring is that once it is no longer used as flooring, it can be recycled or burned as fuel. This means that wood floors are highly reusable and recyclable, making them the perfect flooring choice for homeowners that are concerned about the environment.

When considering carpet flooring, the decision of what to buy often is a result of personal taste and money. There are several other things to consider, though, particularly the type of fiber and qualities that are found in each, and the construction of the carpet.

Wool

Wool carpet flooring has been in existence for over 5,000 years, and seems to last forever. Heavy traffic can wear them down, and they are easier to stain. People with wool carpets often have area rugs and runners to protect the most heavily-used carpet areas. A soft, comfortable carpet fiber, wool is extremely expensive.

Polypropylene

Carpet flooring returned to its glory with the advent of polypropylene fibers. Also called Olefin, its color doesn't fade. This makes it ideal for areas that receive a lot of direct sunlight. Olefin does not absorb water. Instead of dyeing to achieve color, pigment is built into the fiber while it is created. It is mildew resistant. A downside is that is does not have the resiliency seen in other carpet flooring. As a rule of thumb, that problem is resolved by making it a loop pile carpet.

Nylon

Nylon is one of the better-known synthetic fibers, and the most expensive. It's excellent for both loop and cut pile carpet flooring, and accepts dyes readily. Its versatility compensates for the lack of stain resistance. Nylon is usually treated with a stain-resistant formula. Nylon is constantly improved. The flexible, long-lasting nylon fiber is now softer.

Polyester

No manmade fiber compares to polyester for softness, stain and fade resistance, and color. Construction is the key to exceptional carpet flooring with polyester. It is less expensive than nylon and available in cut pile carpet.

Blends

Scientists continue to work with fibers, blending the best features to achieve softness, stain, and fade resistance.

Wood flooring is a choice of many homeowners. Whether you are renovating a newly-purchased home or just changing your old flooring, wood would be your best choice, not only because wood floors are beautiful, but for many other benefits.

There are various types of wood that can be made into wood floors, such as oak, wenge, and even bamboo. Depending on your decorating theme, you can choose the wood in different colors and styles to match the theme. Wood floors also adds warmth to any area of your home. It feels warm to walk on barefoot and it also increases your home value. Many property companies agree that houses with hardwood floors sell faster than those without any wood floors.

Hardwood floors are affordable. If installed by professional wood floor installers, they will definitely last for years. Hardwood floors that are maintained regularly can even last for centuries. These have been evidently found in old homes and mansions, where hardwood floors are still sturdy and in great condition.

Wood floors are easy to maintain. They are easy to clean daily by sweeping and vacuuming. Occasionally, you can also clean your wood floor with water and soap, using a damp mop. This is provided that your wood floors have proper finish that seals and protects the wood from moisture. It is best to use cleaning products recommended by your professional floor installer to ensure the products are safe for wood floors.

Wood floors are also environmentally and ecologically friendly. This is because wood floors are made of wood, which is a recyclable and sustainable resource. It is also safe and hygienic, since wood does not collect allergens and dust. You will have peace of mind when letting your baby crawl on a wood floor as it is cleaner and safer than carpet floors.

If you have finally given up on the current flooring in your house and want a flooring solution you can enjoy for years, hardwood flooring is the most desired option today. 

Modern technology and science together with natural hardwood laminate have taken hardwood flooring to the next level.    Installing an engineered wood floor can give you the hardwood flooring that you have always been wanting without the hassle, mess and high cost of the conventional methods.

Here are a few benefits of professionally installed engineered wood flooring.

1.  Consistency:  

Traditional wooden flooring is not possible in regions that experience frequent climate changes or especially damp places because, after a while, the flooring will start changing shape and losing its structural integrity owing to the effects of heat, moisture and cold. In contrast, when you use engineered wood floors, you will not see these side effects because these floors are designed to withstand these external influences. Engineered wood floors are designed in two components i.e. the core and the outside layer. The outside layer is normal wood but the core is made up of layered plywood which is industrially treated so as to make it able to tolerate any expansion or contraction.

2.  Cost efficiency:  

In the initial stages, you will think that the cost of an engineered wood floor is much more than traditional hardwood flooring. However, where engineered wood floors really show their worth and cost effectiveness is durability. This type of hardwood flooring is much more durable than the conventional forms of wooden floors which require more maintenance and complicated messy installation.

3.  Professional Installation:  

Another area where engineered wood floors save you money is the installation process.    Typically engineered wood floors come with a tongue and groove locking system and are prefinished.   Your professional installer will be equipped and experienced in the three different types of installation modes i.e. the nail down, the glue down and the floating.  They will know which is appropriate for your flooring material and subflooring situation.   A professional installation will protect your warranty and ensure the job is done right.

Nothing adds to the warmth and beauty of a home than hardwood flooring. They are durable and timeless and easy to maintain with just a little tender loving care. When choosing your new hardwood flooring you'll find they come in a wide range of colors and beautiful finishes making it easy to find the perfect fit for your home and lifestyle.

The following are some of the latest trends in hardwood flooring:

Improvements to laminate wood flooring:

Laminate hardwood flooring has become one of the most popular wood flooring choices for homeowners and businesses. It comes in a wide variety of design options – color, width, finish and wood type.

The primary attraction to wood laminate floors is the beauty and impact they have on the design of the room.  The quality, durability and ease of maintenance are the benefits wood floor owners enjoy.

In Home Shopping:

Showroom lights, large warehouse spaces and small sample sizes make it hard to know which floor color or finish is right for your space.   Often, the salespeople in large retail stores are not knowledgeable in the fine points of quality and design trends.  The best trend in recent years is having the samples dome to your home with an expert design professional who will help you see how the samples appear in the room they are intended to go in.  Seeing how the different styles look within the actual lighting and décor of the home helps the homeowner make a more confident choice and prevents any second guessing after purchase.

Seeking a qualified and experience company that offers In Home Shopping will be the best source for learning the current trends, levels of quality and price differences.  Making an informed decision within your own home is the easiest and most cost effective way to add the hardwood flooring upgrade you are wanting.