Thursday, August 27, 2015

Your Flooring Can Help with Allergies!

There are so many things in life that cause allergies, don't let your home be one of them! Unfortunately, your flooring can help attribute to the allergens in your home, but with a few changes, you can improve this drastically! Here are a few flooring options we offer that can help improve the air you breathe.


Allergens That Invade the Home

There are several different allergens in your home, and if you know what they are, you'll be better prepared to fight them.

Dust Mites - Droppings, body parts, and husks can be found in any kind of fabric in the home, including your carpet. These little invaders are microscopic and you can't see them, but that doesn't change the fact that they are around...everywhere.
Mold - This can grow on any surface where there is moisture. This is especially true in areas that are frequently damp, such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Warm Blooded Pets - They shed animal dander, and can contribute to allergies by salivating, urinating, and carrying things in from the yard. We love our furry friends, but to live peaceably with them we have to make a few changes sometimes.

Cork Flooring

Cork flooring is a wonderful option on many different levels. It's antimicrobial because of suberin, a naturally occurring substance that can reduce mold growth, mildew bacteria and other allergens. The hard surface makes it easier to clean with a dust mop, and even though it is a porous material, the finish prevents pockets where allergens can collect.


Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring in Madison is the most beautiful and desirable of flooring. It's a great choice for people with sensitivities to allergens. The hard surface leaves no room for dust mites to hide, and it cleans like a breeze - leaving a dust and hair-free surface.


Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is easy to clean, and does not harbor or hide dust and dander, this makes it a great option when you're looking to rid your home of allergens. One thing to watch is that some laminate floors can have emissions from the adhesives used during the manufacturing process that can trigger allergies. If you have any concerns about this, ask our salesmen and they'll be able to help you.


Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo is an awesome choice for anyone with allergies for many reasons. It offers the same hard surface that protects from mites making a home in your floor, as well as being water proof to help with the mold and mildew. Not to mention bamboo floors in Madison homes are extremely beautiful!


Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) Flooring

With similarities to cork, LVT flooring can be a wonderful option if you struggle with allergies. The easy care and cleaning, plus the hard surface make it a fabulous choice for your family!



Not only are these flooring options absolutely beautiful, but you'll find that they can help with the allergies you may be suffering from. Of course, flooring isn't just for helping with your allergies! A beautiful floor can add so much beauty to your home, as well as help with the value of your home. If you're looking to upgrade the flooring in your home, either for your health, or the beauty it can add to your home. Visit our flooring showroom in Madison and let our team help you choose a flooring that will add life to your home.



For all your flooring needs, contact the BEST flooring company in Madison, WI


1017 Applegate Rd., Suite 200
Madison, WI 53713
Phone: 608-442-1200


Thursday, August 20, 2015

How to Pet Proof Your Floors

Your flooring will always receive a lot of wear and tear as you live life on it. Between kids, spills, dirt, shoes and food your floors are always needing to be cleaned and cared for, but throw a pet in the mix and now you'll need to be even more cautious. Some flooring types are better than others when you have pets, and there are ways to protect them! Here are a few tips for pet-proofing your floors!


Different Floors - Different Cleaners

Carpet - Carpet and rugs are probably going to show the most wear and stains if not cared for properly. Stains and smells can soak all the way to the padding, which can make them a challenge to clean. Some carpets do come with a sealant on them, and this can help repel stains. Your best friend will be a shampooer and a vacuum. You can get pet stain removers to get the stain out, and then we recommend a scheduled shampoo of the carpets and rugs to keep them looking nice, and reduce the chances of having to replace the entire thing.

Wood - If your wood floors are finished, you'll have less of a problem than with floors that are unfinished. The goal is to get the messes cleaned up as quickly as possible. Putting rugs down will help with protecting your floors, and always be sure to clean under the rug when messes happen. Untreated messes that seep through the rug can be disastrous.

Laminate - The coating on these floors can dissolve from urine, and moisture can make the laminate warp. Your best bet is to get the mess cleaned up immediately. Laminate isn't sensitive to cleaners, but it is to acidic messes.


Ways to Protect Your Floors

Carpet - A temporary way to protect your carpet, which can be a bit unsightly - but very effective, is to put a heavy plastic covering that sticks on one side over the carpet. If you are getting ready to install carpeting, a good solution is a moisture proof pad! You can also spray something such as Scotchguard on your carpet to create a barrier. You'll probably have to reapply it monthly at least.

Wood - Vinyl tablecloths with a fabric backing can help when covering a large area. For absorption you can try newspapers or paper towels on top. If you're looking for something more permanent, you can use a water based coating to create a barrier that will help repel messes. Even with a barrier, you will still want to clean messes up immediately.

Laminate - You won't be able to apply a coating to laminate, but you can utilize the tips from above to help save your laminate from wear and tear.


These are a just a few tips that can help you protect your floors from your favorite, fuzzy family members! After a certain amount of time, some flooring just needs replaced - and when that day comes, we're here for you! Our flooring showroom in Madison is stocked full of flooring options that will leave your home looking beautiful! From carpet, LVT tile, laminate, hardwoods, bamboo and cork, we have MANY options for you and your family. We have the best flooring selection in Madison, and we can't wait to help you improve your home. Come visit the best flooring store in Madison and let us show you how beautiful your home can look!

For all your flooring needs, contact the BEST flooring company in Madison, WI


1017 Applegate Rd., Suite 200
Madison, WI 53713
Phone: 608-442-1200


Thursday, August 13, 2015

What Do You Do With Water Damage?

It happens. Whether you left the kitchen sink on and forgot, or your water heater leaked, sometimes you will have to deal with water damage in your home. There's no use crying over spilled water though, your floors can be repaired or replaced. Here are a few things things you need to figure out before starting the repairs.

Are Your Floors Damaged?

Wood & Laminate Floors: When wood floors are damaged, you will notice cupping, with dips and raised edges in the planks. Dark spots may also be found in your floors; sometimes it's just part of the natural pattern, but it could also be mold. Your floor planks may bubble upward creating a crown shape, or there could also be buckling, with the planks being completely removed from the floor underneath. Be aware and pay attention to your floors after water damage.

Vinyl Flooring: If you notice any stains or discoloration that were not there to begin with, you could have damage and mold happening.

3 Steps to Repairing Your Floors

1. Remove Water - The first thing you'll want to do is remove all of the excess water. For large pools of water, you can use a wet vacuum. After you've taken care of those, you can point fans towards the area to assist with the drying. You may even use dehumidifiers to help remove the water from the air, and the floors. Sometimes just getting the area dry is all you need, but usually more work will be necessary.

2. Remove Damaged Flooring - After you've dried the area completely and have decided there is water damage, you'll want to remove the damaged flooring. With laminate, you can remove the boards starting at the nearest wall. Hardwood floors are a little more complicated; you'll use a saw to cut into the floor and a pry bar to remove the damaged planks. With your vinyl, flooring you'll use a utility to cut out the damaged area and then find something you can pry it off the floor with.

3. Inspect the Subfloor - After you've removed the damaged flooring, you'll want to inspect the subfloor. If it's plywood, it will likely have to be replaced. If it's concrete then you'll check if there is any remaining moisture. If you still find moisture, continue drying it with the steps from above and then reinstall new flooring.

Floors For Less

We certainly hope that you won't have to deal with water damage, but mistakes happen, and sometimes you can't prevent a flooded floor. Whether you're looking for a new flooring due to water damage, or because you're upgrading your home, we have the best flooring in Madison! We would love to help you choose a flooring that will compliment your home and be very functional as well.  Come visit our flooring showroom in Madison and let our experience make your home look better!

For all your flooring needs, contact the BEST flooring company in Madison, WI


1017 Applegate Rd., Suite 200
Madison, WI 53713
Phone: 608-442-1200

Thursday, August 6, 2015

5 Flooring Types For Your Climate

When choosing a new flooring for your home, there are many things to consider: wear and tear, maintenance, ease of installation, and finally - your climate! Sometimes where you live can have a direct impact on the flooring you select. When choosing flooring in Madison, you may need to consider the cold weather as a factor in your flooring, though that doesn't have to be your MAIN consideration. Here are a few flooring varieties and how they can be influenced by your climate.


Comfy Carpets

Carpet is always a wonderful selection. It can come in rolls or tiles, and short or fuzzy fibers. There is a carpet to suit practically any of your needs! Everyday cleaning requires vacuuming, and you will find that carpet stains worse than other flooring options. You can steam clean your carpets regularly to help keep dust and dirt from inhabiting your carpet. You can also use a spray on carpet cleaner to help with stains. Whether you live in warm or cold climates, carpet is a great option. If you live in a wet, damp climate, be aware that carpet can harbor mold and mildew much easier than other flooring options.


Luxurious Laminates

This flooring is up and coming in the world! Modern technology allows for laminate to duplicate the look and texture of wood in such a way that you can hardly notice the difference between it and the real deal. The upkeep of laminate is very similar to wood, you have to take care when using water and liquids to clean it, and keep moisture to a minimum. A dust mop will definitely help you maintain the luster of your new floor. As for your climate, laminate could seem chilly, and in warm climates that would be very welcome! If you live in a cooler climate, heating elements can be installed underneath, and there is no greater feeling than walking across a warm floor on a cold morning. If you experience a lot of moisture, beware that the edges can swell and you'll have to replace the panel.


Trendy Vinyl Tiles

Luxury vinyl tile can stand up to wear and tear. So you can mop this flooring to your hearts content! Vinyl tile is suitable for any climate. It can be chilly, so if it's warm outside, you will love that! The tiles are easily replaced if you damage one, and this product is eco-friendly! This flooring is a great option no matter where you live.


Honest Hardwoods

This is such a tried and true option for flooring. It has been around for hundreds of years, through many different climates. It will be cool underfoot which makes it a great option for warm climates. You can also install heaters underneath some wood floors, which will make it absolutely magnificent in the colder climates! Damp and dry conditions can cause issues for hardwood flooring, as the dampness will cause swelling and the dryness will cause shrinking, but high-quality sealers will help guard your floor against these cracks. Another great option is engineered wood flooring, which is great for all climates!

Our showroom has many beautiful flooring options for your home, no matter where you live!  If you have any questions you can visit our flooring showroom in Madison and let our team assist you with any concerns you may have. You can generally make any flooring work in any climate, but sometimes it's a good idea to double check first. When looking for great flooring options in Madison, we have some great styles in our showroom! You will also find many of our flooring options are very compatible with heating elements under your floors, which will make your Wisconsin winters SO much more bearable! Come visit our showroom today and let our expertise help you make your home beautiful.

For all your flooring needs, contact the BEST flooring company in Madison, WI


1017 Applegate Rd., Suite 200
Madison, WI 53713
Phone: 608-442-1200