Wednesday, July 15, 2015

3 Tools YOU Need for Cleaning Laminate Floors

The day has finally come, you have done your research and picked out the best laminate flooring in Madison. You brought it home, spent time installing it, and now it's time to clean it. You want to make sure you have the right tools to accomplish this. Laminate floors are easy to clean, but doing it the wrong way can cause some serious problems. Here are three basic, but important, tools you want to keep in your closet for cleaning your beautiful investment.

Vacuum Cleaner

You would think a broom would be the best way to clean your floors, but they leave a lot of particles behind. Then when you go back to mop, you'll end up smearing dust and water across your floors, ending with a streaky look on your floors. The first effective way to get your laminate flooring clean is to set your vacuum on the the "bare floor" setting and get all of the dust trapped in your vacuum.

Dust Mop

The dust mop will pick up the final pieces of dirt that the vacuum didn't get. Run across the floors with the dust mop, and if you have a pile of dirt you can use the vacuum hose to clean the rest of it up. You can also spray a laminate floor cleaner on the dust mop before going across, but do NOT spray the cleaner on the floor, only the mop.

White Vinegar, Water, and a Bucket

You can mix 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar in 1 gallon of water, and if a vegetable oil polish has ever been used on the floor, double the amount of vinegar. You can dampen an old towel in the mixture and wring out ALL of the excess moisture. You can wrap the towel around a sponge mop head and clean the floors. The towel allows you to wring out more moisture than just the sponge mop. When too much water is applied, the moisture will work it's way in between the boards, then causing them to warp. So the goal is to use as little water as possible.

There are many different cleaners on the market that will work as well as the vinegar, but whatever you decide, remember to keep moisture to a minimum. Laminate floors are an excellent way to bring in the look of hardwood without all of the cost, and installation hassle. Depending on the size of the room, you can have your laminate installed in a day, and fairly hassle free! Our storefront has many varieties of different and beautiful flooring in Madison, and we'd love for you to come in a take a look! Whether you're looking to upgrade to laminate, wood or tile, we have the best flooring in Madison. Let us help you choose a new flooring that will 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





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Wednesday, July 8, 2015

5 Considerations for Purchasing Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors bring a beauty to a room that cannot be contested by any other flooring. The warmth it affords, along with the stylish appearance, and durability are what makes it stand apart. When choosing hardwood floors for your home, the first place to start is by visiting the best hardwood flooring dealer in Madison. We would love to walk through the process and show you some beautiful samples in our showroom! Hardwood floors are an investment that will last you an extremely long time, and when chosen properly will never be a regret. Here are 5 things to consider before you start your flooring remodel to make sure you make a good purchase.

Types of Wood Flooring

There are two primary types of wood that you'll see - solid hardwood and engineered hardwood. Solid wood flooring is made from solid wood logs that are joined together with tongue and groove. Solid wood can be purchased in pre-finished or un-finished planks and they will range in thickness. Engineered wood flooring consists of multiple layers of plywood and composite materials and then topped with hardwood. While both types of floors are wonderful, they are ideal for different parts of the home. Hardwood floors will expand and contract with weather changes, so the best place to use them is on the ground floor or above grade. Whereas engineered wood flooring is more stable because of the layers, and can be installed on many levels of the home such as your bathrooms and basements.

Wood Species for Your Home

With many different types of wood on the market, you'll need to know the differences. The harder the wood the more durable it will be. When putting wood in a high traffic area, you will want to be sure that you are selecting a harder wood. Red and White Oak set the benchmark for hardness in the U.S. and are very popular for domestic wood floors. There are many other popular choices of hard wood such as Hickory and Maple. Though Walnut is a softer wood, it is also just as popular. Many other exotic woods are top sellers as well; you will find Brazilian Cherry, Brazilian Koa and Cumaru are some of the hardest species available. The harder the wood, the better it will be for the those high-traffic areas in your home.


Grain, Color and Style

Wood flooring comes in so many colors, styles, species and finishes that it will be pretty easy for you find something that will fit the style of your home. From a rustic country home to a modern and classy cottage there are styles that will fit your home and taste. We have many beautiful selections in stock and our staff would love to help you find the best wood floor in Madison. There are many different widths varying from 2-1/4" to 3-1/4", the plank width can make a big difference in the final look of your home.

Finishing Touch

The finish is the determining factor in the look of your wood floors. The same wood species will look entirely different with a clear gloss versus a wire scraped, distressed or hand scraped finish. There are also many different gloss finishes that can change the look of your wood. Some wood comes with one to three coats of sealant, while others have up to eight. The number of coats will determine how glossy it looks. With pre-finished hardwood, the urethane finish is applied under factory controlled conditions using multiple thin coats. The urethane is instantly cured, first with UV lighting and then a ceramic based material. It is mixed into the urethane which in turn makes the water-based urethane much more rugged and abrasion resistant. The result is a floor that will hold it’s original beauty longer than a job-sanded-on-site application.

Installation

Wood floors are generally installed by nailing, stapling or gluing the planks to a sub-floor. There is also a new variety of "click" engineered flooring that can be installed easily and "floated" above the sub-floor. Installation can be intimidating and sometimes an expensive proposition, but don't let it scare you. Whether you are hiring someone to install your floors, or you are an adventurous DIYer, the joy you will get from this beautiful flooring can't compare.

Hardwood flooring is such a wonderful investment for you and your home. Upgrading the flooring in your home can offer the biggest return for your home value. When looking for the best flooring dealer in Madison, we are the place to come! We have a wide variety of flooring, not just hardwood, and can help you find the best flooring for your home. We would love for you to stop by and check out the great selection we have. Let us help you create the home of your dreams with just one change!

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



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Thursday, July 2, 2015

Fourth of July Fun Facts!

Fourth of July is finally here! This holiday is always full of so many fun traditions and events. Your Madison flooring outlet would like to wish you and your family a wonderful Fourth of July weekend! May it be spent with lots of food, fireworks, family, friends and GREAT flooring! To celebrate we're giving you 10 fun facts about the holiday.

1. The first recorded fireworks in England were at the wedding of King Henry VII in 1486.

2. A rocket can reach speeds of 150mph, but the shell can reach as high as 200 meters.

3. The record for the largest firework display consisted of 66,326 fireworks and was achieved in Portugal in 2006.

4. Dreaming about fireworks means that you like to be the center of attention and are showing off to others. It also symbolizes enthusiasm and exhilaration.

5. The earliest documentation of fireworks dates back to 7th century China. They were invented more than 2000 years ago in China.

6. Queen Elizabeth was so fascinated with fireworks that she created an honorary title, "Fire Master of England" for the individual who created the best fireworks.

7. A sparkler burns at a temperature over 15 times the boiling point of water. Three sparklers burning together generate the same heat as a blowtorch. When your sparkler goes out, put it in a bucket of water to insure that it is completely put out.

8. Firework sounds can be determined by different chemical combinations within the tubes. Cylindrical tubes can create whistling sounds, aluminum flakes make hissing noises, and flash powder creates the big, loud "booms."


9. Walt Disney World may just love fireworks the most. The resort consumes the largest amount of fireworks in the U.S. per year, thanks to nightly firework displays over the Magic Kingdom.

10. Americans LOVE their fireworks! The American Pyrotechnics Association says that U.S. consumers purchased 163.6 million pounds of fireworks last year alone and firework displays used another 23.1 million pounds.

Now you know 10 random facts about fourth of July that you can share with your friends this weekend! We hope your weekend is fun and safe, filled with lots of food and fireworks. If you are using your three day weekend to catch up on some house projects don't forget to stop in a check out our selection! We have the best flooring in Madison and we would love to introduce you to our products. We also have some beautiful options for eco friendly flooring in Madison, so when you want your projects to be good for your home and good for the planet, we would love to assist you!


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



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Wednesday, June 24, 2015

What is LVT Tile?

LVT stands for Luxury Vinyl Tile. This product is the hidden gem of flooring! It's not as famous as hardwoods and laminates, but it has so many benefits that we think it's high time to pull it from hiding. There are many flooring options to note, but LVT tile is a beautiful option, with some extremely practical uses. Whether you're looking for tile, laminate or wood, we're the best flooring supplier in Madison.


Set-Apart Difference

What makes LVT Tile so unique? It has the ability to look like your favorite stone, ceramic, granite and even wood! The realistic, photographic replication is incredible, and the texture is so similar to it's natural sources you won't notice the difference. There are no sacrifices with LVT tile, and many benefits! With any stone or ceramic, you are risking the life of your glassware. I'm sure we've all gasped in horror as our favorite dish slips from our fingers, and we watch it break into thousands of pieces. When using LVT tile, you aren't taking that risk. The tiles are four distinct layers that are fused together, giving you the final product! A resilient vinyl backing, a vinyl color layer, a photographic film layer, and a urethane or aluminum oxide top layer. These four layers add to the cushion and resiliency, which is great for your feet and your dishes! When looking to upgrade the flooring in your home or business, we have the best high quality flooring in Madison!


Installation & Benefits

LVT Tiles are a direct glue-down tile and are rated for commercial use. Whether you want to use it in your bathroom, basement, laundry room, commercial areas and water problem areas, this product will work great for them all! The product is made from 100% recycled LVT, so when building or refinishing your home or business you can guarantee that your are giving back to the earth with this Green Product! LVT tile meets the requirements of commercial flammability codes. It also meets slip resistant requirements and a variety of other safety codes. With the multi-layers of vinyl, as well as a resilient backing for the foundation, LVT tiles are more resilient under foot. They are easier to stand on for longer periods of time and are much warmer underfoot than ceramic!

These are just a few of the benefits that LVT Tile can bring into your home or office space! LVT Tile has the strength and durability you need, with the comforts you won't have to sacrifice. You can't go wrong with this flooring option! Floors for Less is the best place to buy LVT Tile in Madison. We can assist you with any questions you may have about this flooring for your home. We would love to have you come in and see why our flooring is the perfect fit for you and your family!


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


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Thursday, June 18, 2015

What To Know About Cork Flooring

Isn't it enough that we have to wake up in the morning? But then we have to walk across a cold floor too?! Make your mornings nicer by installing a floor that will soak in some warmth and keep your tootsies toasty. Puttering around on a cold Wisconsin morning never sounded so good as when you cruise across a beautiful Cork Floor! Floors for Less provides the most beautiful selections on Cork flooring in Madison, Wisconsin. When looking for a unique and beautiful floor, cork is the way to go!


Harvest History

Our cork flooring is harvested from the Cork Oak in Portugal. This region is noted for it's higher cork density and longer life. The tree is not harmed in the process removing the bark, so when looking for Eco-Friendly flooring, this is a great option. Properly harvested, cork recycles itself in 12 years, a great renewable material. When produced, cork bark and other cork waste from manufacturing is ground into small pieces. During the manufacturing process, all the raw materials are used, either for the finished floor, or for an energy source. Any waste created in the production, such as dust and tree trimmings are burned in furnaces that then supply heat to bake the cork. The waste from the process is extremely low, and when looking for the perfect eco-friendly flooring in Madison, Wisconsin, Floors for Less has the perfect option for you!

The Stylish Difference

At Floors for less we have three different color options: Artimus Brown Cork, Artimus Natural Cork, and Amore Natural Cork. This flooring is a snap together, floating floor. The unique colors give you several choices for your home. And the beautiful Urethane wear-layer gives a beautiful glossy finish to this floor. A cork floor can add a beautiful, Green, and warm atmosphere to your home, that cannot be compared to any other wood flooring out there. Among the visual differences, cork floors are also great with acoustics.


The Durable Difference

Cork Flooring is a very durable option when looking for your flooring. It stands up to foot traffic and the spongy character makes for a more cushioned walking surface. Cork also stays warmer than most hard floors, and in Wisconsin, that is a HUGE bonus. Cork is naturally resistant to invasive organisms like mold and mildew. Being a more hypoallergenic flooring than it's competitors makes it great for anyone suffering with allergies. If that isn't enough, cork floors are naturally fire resistant and don't release toxic gases when combusting. When properly maintained it's a very durable option. All of our corks also have a water based Urethane wear-layer, so they are safe and easy to maintain.

When you're looking for a beautiful flooring that will make a difference in the world, but also a difference in the all around look of your home, be sure to contact us! We have some beautiful selections for economical flooring in Madison, Wisconsin, and we would love for you to come in and take a look. Our prices are competitive and our service is exceptional!

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



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Thursday, June 11, 2015

Laminate Flooring FAQs

If you've been dreaming about Wisconsin hardwood floors, but can't seem to justify the cost, consider laminate flooring. Laminate is a very popular alternative to actual hardwood floors that is about half the price. If you've never gotten up close and personal with laminate, you may have some questions and concerns about it. Floors for Less brings you some of the most frequently asked questions about laminate flooring:

1. What is Laminate Flooring? 


Laminate flooring is a multi-layer synthetic flooring product fused together with a lamination process. Laminate flooring can simulate tile or stone, but most commonly looks like wood. The layers are topped with a high-resolution photographic image of a natural wood floor. It's then finished with an extremely hard, clear coating made from special resin-coated cellulose to protect it from wear and tear.

2. What's the Difference Between Laminate and Hardwood Flooring?  


Hardwood flooring is made from natural, durable woods, such as oak, maple or hickory. While laminate may closely resemble this hardwood flooring, it is actually composed of wood residues, such as sawdust, shavings and wood chips. This material is ground into a pulp to which a melamine-urea-formaldehyde resin is added. It is then dried and pressed into panels. While hardwood lasts longer than laminate, hardwood in not necessarily superior.

3. What are the Advantages of Laminate Flooring? 


The most obvious advantage of laminate flooring over hardwood is the price. Laminate is typically half the cost of traditional hardwood flooring. Laminate is easier to install than solid hardwood and many people can even install it themselves. In many cases, laminate can be more resistant to stains, scratches, moisture and even general wear and tear than actual hardwood.

4. Where can Laminate Flooring be Installed? 


Laminate flooring is extremely versatile and can be installed in almost every room of your home. Along with basements and living rooms, laminate flooring is recommended for areas that are regularly used by children and pets. Laminate can even be used on steps with special installation. While very versatile, laminate should only be used in climate controlled rooms that avoid extreme temperature swings and excessive humidity. You should also avoid areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, saunas and enclosed porches.

5. Which Direction Should Laminate be Installed?


When choosing which direction to lay your new Madison laminate flooring, you should consider incoming light. Typically, it is best to install laminate flooring with the planks running parallel to light coming in windows or glass doors. The starting wall should be as long and straight as possible.

6. How Do You Clean Laminate Flooring? 


Laminate flooring is pretty low maintenance. For the most part, you can keep it clean by simply dust mopping or vacuuming with a soft brush or wood floor accessory to remove dust, dirt or grit. A damp cloth can be used if needed, but be sure not to saturate it. Make sure to clean up an spills or water immediately, don't let excess liquid sit for an extended period of time. Don't use abrasive cleaners, or steel wool or other scouring pads that could harm and scratch the flooring.

Now that you know a little more about laminate flooring, you'll be able to make an informed decision when you visit our Madison flooring store. Floors for Less offers many different flooring options, including a variety of laminates. Stop by our showroom to take a look today!

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

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Thursday, June 4, 2015

12 Grout Cleaning Tips and Solutions

Tile, whether on the floor or as a backsplash, can add beauty to your home. However, keeping that grout clean can sometimes be tricky. With the right cleaner and a little scrubbing though, you can get it looking fresh and new. While bathroom grout is typically affected by mold and mildew, kitchen grout could be subject to a combination of food stains, general household traffic and grime, and mildew. No matter what the cause of your dirty grout, start with a simple solution and only move up to the harsher chemicals if you're having trouble getting it clean. Floors for Less brings you a few grout cleaning tips along with some ideas of solutions to use!

Grout Cleaning Tips

  1. Start by just using warm water, this will remove any loose surface debris. Allow it to dry before proceeding with cleaners. 
  2. Never use bleach on colored grout, as it can become discolored. 
  3. Use a stiff brush for scrubbing the grout. While old toothbrushes are too soft, metal bristles can wear away the grout, so find a happy medium. 
  4. When using any chemicals to clean, make sure the room is well ventilated. 
  5. Use gloves and protective eye wear when working with any chemical-based cleaners. 
  6. Test your grout cleaning method in an inconspicuous spot first to make sure it will not erode or damage the grout. 
  7. Never mix cleaners together because chemical reactions can cause noxious fumes or burns if the mixture touches the skin. 

Grout Cleaning Solutions

  1. Simple Household Solutions - Use vinegar diluted with an equal amount of water, or make a paste of baking soda and a bit of water to clean the grout with. 
  2. Generic Household Cleaners - Mr. Clean, Lysol, or powder-based cleaners can also work on tile grout.
  3. Steam Cleaning - If you own or have access to a steam cleaner, try using it on your grout. The pressure of the steam cleaner can loosen debris and stains that cleaners can't dissolve.
  4. Commercial Cleaners - Try to find a cleaner that is pH balanced so that the chemicals in the product won't erode the grout with continued use. To get the best result from a commercial cleaner, spray it on and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing.
  5. Bleach - For heavy duty stains, use even stronger products such as oxygen bleach powder, hydrogen peroxide, or chlorine bleach. These products should be well diluted before use. Be sure to read labels carefully and follow directions to the letter.

By following these tips above, you'll have your Madison tile floors and backsplashes looking as good as new in no time! However, if you're looking for some new flooring, stop by the showroom of our Wisconsin flooring company. We have many different tile, laminate, wood and carpet options to fit your individual needs!

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

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