Box Store Undercover

Posted on September 15, 2010 by Just Ask Al

I operate under the assumption that if something sounds too good to be true then it probably is.  So with the economy in the dumps, and every consumer scrambling for the best deal possible; most retailers are advertising too good to be true deals.  The biggest culprit is the box store.  So I decided to check it out myself; on a few different occasions.  These are the best of the best stories that came out of my multiple field trips to the box store. 

A few years ago, a customer came into our store wanting a quote on a piece of carpeting they found and fell in love with at a box store.  Most consumers will start looking at a box store because they feel it is less threatening, but when the get serious about buying they will shop a smaller local store they can trust.  So we went into this particular box store to look for the ‘Shaw’ piece of carpeting.  Anyone that has spent any amount of time in the flooring industry knows that there are 3 major carpet mills in America and 98% of all carpet comes from them; Mohawk, Shaw, and Beaulieu.  When we finally found a sales associate in the flooring department, we asked.  “Where is your Shaw carpeting?”  She looked at us and said “Shaw don’t work here no more.”  Turned around and walked away.  We had a good laugh and left. 

More recently, one of my customers brought in a coupon from a box store advertising carpeting we have.  We do not traditionally except competitors coupons, but this one intrigued me.  It was for a product that I wasn’t aware they carried and still is one of our best sellers.  I wanted to check it out.  So I again took a field trip to the local box store, and played dumb.  The sales associate would not get out of her chair when I asked her to direct me to the display I was looking for.  When I finally found the display from her pointing to the general vicinity, the selection of carpeting was minimal compared to our selection in our store.  Then when I returned to the desk to as the sales associate questions about pricing and how to get an estimate, she never looked up from her computer when answering and finally just handed me a sheet with the labor costs because she was tired of answering questions.  I turned and left.  I was happy to report to my customer that even with her coupon discount our price was more affordable then the box store and we had a larger selection. 

On another random trip to a local box store to pick something up for myself, I decided to take a quick trip through the flooring department.  As I was walking past, I heard a young sales associate explaining to a man and his son; “and this is berber, this is really great stuff.”  I could barely contain myself.  I had to resist the urge to interrupt him and give a more accurate explanation of what berber really is and how it will perform in a home, and that while it was wildly popular in the 90′s there have been huge advancements in flooring that may more suit their needs.  I am proud to say I walked away, although I do feel bad for that particular consumer if they purchased flooring from that sales associate. 

My last and favorite story is from my aunt and uncle who live in Indiana.  They have a very nice large home where they have lived for many years and all my cousins are grown and out of the house.  So they decided it was time to replace the flooring.  They saw an advertisement for $39 whole house installation with purchase of carpet and pad.  They figured it wasn’t worth asking Al to drive all the way to Indiana if they could get that great of a deal.  So they took their measurements into the box store, picked out carpeting, and got a quote; $9,000.  They both looked at each other and decided it was time to take a trip to Illinois to talk to Al.  When they came in with the same measurements, and picked out a far better piece of carpeting and pad, Barb worked up a quote (first quote was not giving the ‘your Al’s brother discount”).  Our total was $7,000.  Moral of the story is to get your bottom dollar price before you decide where you are going to purchase your flooring from. 

Box stores are great for something things, but when you are making a major purchase for your home it is more advisable to speak to an expert.  They may advertise that they have ‘expert advice’ but they are still sales associates that are getting paid around minimum wage to show up do their job and go home.  Traditionally when it comes to flooring, box stores will offer 5 or so products at bottom dollar price (where it is actually less then they pay for it), but they make their money back up in pad and labor.  Or they know that while you are there you will also be picking up other ‘home improvement items’.  So at the end of the day they make a profit because it all evens out.  Also, box stores will buy up huge quantities of left over, discontinued inventory, or else 2nd quality goods (meaning they didn’t pass the manufacturer’s tests to make sellable 1st quality goods).  These they can sell for ridiculously inexpensive.  

Many consumers will still choose to purchase from a box store, and some will be very happy and satisfied with the service and products they purchase.  That is great!  As someone who has spent her entire life in the flooring industry, I want my consumers to be educated as to what they are getting and what they should be paying.  I want them to be happy with the end result, and not get tricked or mislead by creative advertising.

Categories: Information | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Buyer Beware!!!

Posted on August 19, 2010 by Just Ask Al

Did you know that new flooring for your home is the 3rd most expensive purchase you will make?  So when you are choosing new flooring you want to be sure that you are getting the Quality and Service you paid for!  With the market so saturated with companies claiming to have the best prices, best sales, best products, best deals around; how do you choose?! 

As an intelligent consumer we all know there is no such thing as FREE. Do you work for free?  Of course not! And either does anyone else.  Free is built in somewhere. Unless the Manufacturer is actually discounting or rebating the product you are paying for it somewhere.  So how do you tell if you are getting the best value for the price you pay?  

1st: make sure that you are comparing apples to apples.  This is hard to do because so many companies have private label products or products that are exclusive to them.  So make sure you are comparing an equal ounce weight of the same fiber for carpeting.  For hard surface make sure the products are made comparable in finish and quality.  Right now Mohawk does have the best Laminate and Hardwood on the market.  Dal Tile is still the largest manufacturer of great quality tile, however, Mohawk owns Dal Tile. 

2nd: get a bottom dollar price.  Have the company come do their own measurements and give you a quote.  Make sure that this is the final quote with the final price, and that it includes ALL sales tax and any miscellaneous items that you may be charged for.  There are companies that will give you a price but half way through the job, they tell you that there was something else that they forgot and at the end, they tack on an extra $200 or more.  The ONLY reason a consumer would have to incur additional costs would be if there was something wrong with the current condition of their home that was hidden by your original floor.  (i.e….if your sub-flooring was rotting away due to water damage or the like.)  

3rd: Check out the company’s credentials.  The Better Business Bureau is the best place to start.  Ask your friends, family, and co-workers for a referral.  Check out the company’s website or ask the company for references.  Also, use your gut feeling.  If you feel pressured or uncomfortable about your in store experience, then you will feel uncomfortable about letting that person into your home.  

4th: Ask questions.  You need to be educated about your purchase.  This is a big decision, and every person has different needs and lifestyles.  So a floor that is perfect for one person could be completely wrong for someone else.  That is why there are SOO many choices when it comes to flooring. 

5th: Make sure you are getting a qualified installer, and that the store stands fully behind their installation.  Some stores have a list of ‘approved sub-contractors’ that you can choose from.  Be cautious of this.  Other’s have sub-contractors that they have qualified and are dependable and truly are experts.  Just because you hear the word sub-contractor does not mean they don’t ‘work’ for that store.  Make sure that the company will stand behind any work a sub-contractor does.  (ie, if the sub-contractor no longer works for the store in the future and you have a problem with the floor that sub-contractor installed, MAKE SURE the store will stand behind and take care of the problem.) 

6th: Get everything in writing.  Make sure you have a correct copy of your purchase invoice.  Make sure you have a printed copy of the company’s policies, and warranties.  And if you have a question about any of it, ask!

7th:  Most consumers have sticker shock.  Understanding how to calculate square footage (length times the width of your room) plus the fact that there is an average of 10% waste on most jobs help with that.  If you do experience sticker shock, or the flooring you picked out is more then you want to spend, ask for an alternative, less expensive floor.  Most customers choose to save up for the floor that they really love or some even choose to take advantage of 0% financing.  However, some choose a completely different option for flooring.  Carpeting is less expensive than hard surface, but hard surface traditionally lasts longer and wears better then carpeting. 

8th: Always ask about maintenance on your new floor.  The best place to be educated on how to maintain your new floor is from where you purchased your new floor from.  All manufacturers have qualifications that you must meet for maintenance in order to keep the warranty valid and to get optimum performance from your new flooring. 

9th: MOST IMPORTANTLY! You get what you pay for.  You cannot expect to receive the absolute cheapest for a high quality product and excellent customer service.  

At Al’s Carpet we pride ourselves on the high level of customer service, honesty and integrity that we provide.  Our first goal is to educate our customers so that they are getting the correct product for them.  We also have an A+ rating with the BBB.  90% of our business comes from referrals from our current customers.  We offer a true life-time labor warranty, whether it is Al himself doing the work or one of our other qualified installers.   We have been in the business for over 30 years and we know that there are other quality stores out there, but we also know there are a lot of other stores trying to take advantage of the consumer.  We have a huge selection of floors to fit any budget and lifestyle.  But you don’t have to take my word for it!  Ask around! 

We are more than happy to offer free, no obligation estimates for you.  Please contact us for further information.

Categories: Information | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Choosing the Right Hardwood for You!

Posted on August 13, 2010 by Just Ask Al

Taniya’s tips for picking your perfect Hardwood Floor!

 taniyapic1

Color

Lighter woods create a more casual and relaxed environment while darker woods add intensity and sophistication to a room

 

Texture

In a room with mainly solid colors, add a visual statement by choosing a flooring that has a deeper textured grain.  If the room has a lot of pattern in the textiles and walls, a smoother finish on your floors will balance it off.

 

Grain

Various grains can add a tremendous visual pop to a space.  If you want to make your floors the “accent wall” in the room; try a heavier grain.  For a more subdued look that will not upstage your furniture, go for a lighter more blended grain.

 

Width

Wider planks create a more streamlined and rather minimalist appeal while narrow planks add some more movement to the room.

 

Stop into Al’s Carpet today and see our huge selection of hand picked Hardwoods from Mohawk!

Categories: Design Tips, Products | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Just Ask Al

Posted on July 21, 2010 by Just Ask Al

Have you ever heard of Shell the Answer Man?  In the late 1970′s Don Morrow, an American Actor and Announcer, landed a job as “The Shell Answer Man”, spokesman for a series of free booklets on automobile and household tips from Shell gas stations.  Random piece of knowledge right; but what does this have to do with Just Ask Al?  Al Clements is the owner and founder of Al’s Carpet Flooring & Design Center.  He is a Rockford Area native, and for years his friends and family came to ‘Ask Al’ for advice on just about any subject!  His expertise lies in flooring.  Al has been in the flooring industry for over 30 years.  He prides himself on teaching the consumer about their flooring purchase and installation instead of just selling.  But before I get ahead of myself, let’s take a step back…back about 30 years ago!

 Like I said before, Al is a Rockford Area native.  He was born and raised in Loves Park.  He is the youngest of 6 boys, and a Harlem High School Graduate.  He enjoys outdoor activities, gardening, traveling, working out, and supporting Harlem Athletics.  He also enjoys watching the drum and bugle corps, Phantom Regiment.  His parents were hardworking Midwesterners.  His mother, Kay Clements; while the raising 6 boys, worked in the cafeteria at Marshall Middle School.  His father, Jim Clements, worked as a machinist at Ingersoll; he also served as a cook in the United States Army during World War II.  Al began installing carpeting when he was a teenager with his 2nd oldest brother to earn extra cash.  After he married his wife, Barb, and had their first child, Erica, he fell back on installing carpeting full time.  All was fine and dandy; Al and Barb decided to grow their family and had a baby boy, Jared.  After some time Al’s reputation as a knowledgeable, dependable, hardworking carpet installer grew.  He decided that maybe he should open a store of his own!  So in 1994 Al and Barb incorporated. 

 Today Al’s entire family is apart of the business.  Al and Barb instilled in their children the hard work ethic and strong family values they grew up with as a part of the working class Midwesterners.  They also believe as a family it is important to be involved in the community and give back.  They are active members of the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, The Roscoe Chamber of Commerce, The Rockton Chamber of Commerce and the Belvidere Chamber of Commerce.   They also support and volunteer for organizations like The Arc, an organization that helps disabled individuals secure employment; Zonta, a woman’s organization that works together on local service projects as well as awards scholarships to young women; Habitat for Humanity, an organization that builds affordable homes; MELD, an organization that houses young mothers and their children; and Girl Scouts of America…Just to name a few.

 This is where the slogan “Just Ask Al” came into play.  As Al’s reputation and circle of influence grew; friends, family, and the community trusted Al and his family’s opinion; not just on flooring, but in other facets.  If Al doesn’t know the answer, he knows someone who does! 

 So when you have conundrum you need an answer to; don’t be afraid to Just Ask Al!

family1

Family Photo by Kathleen Bentley – http://www.katebentleyblog.com/

Categories: Information | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hardwood Flooring Trends

Posted on July 14, 2010 by Just Ask Al

For years in the flooring industry Hardwood floors have been the flooring of choice.  Wood consumer connoisseurs were always interested in something unique to stand out in the crowd of typical wood floors and express their style.  Hardwood floors offer endless opportunities to create a true piece of artwork on the floor.  Perfect examples of this are shown in this year’s National Wood Flooring Association’s Wood Floor of the Year.

woodflooroftheyear1

 

But let’s be realistic…with the economy in the downturn we have been experiencing everyone is cutting back.  Conservative is in and so is Tradition.  For years traditional hardwood floors have been domestic oak strip; beautiful, practical, and inexpensive.  Today oaks are still your least expensive species of hardwood.  They are still durable and beautiful. 

traditionaloakfloor

 

However, many are choosing to do tradition with a twist.  Consumers are doing a plank instead of a strip (3 inch width or more verses a 2 inch width).  Instead of getting an oak floor they are choosing a domestic Ash, Maple, or Hickory.  All beautiful but still allowing you to express your individualism and again create the new ‘Traditional”.  Another great option is a distressed or hand scrapped look; this can transform your room anywhere from country to contemporary.  Others that have more of a taste for flair are choosing to add a simple wood boarder around the room instead of an intricate design or wood medallion.  Others are choosing to install the traditional floors at a 45% angle.  All of these allow the consumer to be conservative and traditional and but get the design look and feel they are after.

tradionwatwisthardwood

 

Mohawk Hardwood Floors offer consumers all of these options at affordable prices!  Contact or Stop in to Al’s Carpet today and let their design experts help you express your style through Hardwood!

Categories: Design Tips, Products | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Cleaning Tips for Hard Surface

Posted on June 22, 2010 by Just Ask Al

Flooring is like your vehicle, for optimum performance it must be maintained properly.  You wouldn’t drive your car for 5 years and never get the oil changed, or have a tune up; so why would you walk on your flooring for 5 years and never clean it?  And when you do get an oil change you always use the proper oil for the make and model of your car.  So knowing HOW to maintain your floor is just as important as doing it. 

 

Hardwood Flooring:

  • Never use a steamer on your floors, of course the maker of the machine says it works great, but moisture and wood never are a good combination. No manufacturer of hardwood floors suggests steam cleaning.
  • Never use Murphy’s Soap or Vinegar on your floors. They will both leave a residue on the flooring and not truly clean it. Vinegar is acidic, and it will eventually wear away at the surface of your wood leaving it looking etched.
  • Do not use a Swifter wet mop or any other type of ‘wet mop’ solution on the floor. These chemicals again are acidic and will etch away the wear layer of your floor; they are streaky and will void your warranty.
  • The best products to use are the ones recommended by your manufacturer. Two of the best products on the market are Bona, or Mohawk Floor Care Essentials.
  • Bona is a Swedish company and has been in the Hardwood Care Industry since 1919. They have great environmentally friendly products that will keep your hardwoods looking like new for many years. They also have a great product called a Hardwood Refresher. It is a waterborne urethane maintenance coating for unwaxed polyurethane finished wood floors. It brings life to dull, scratched, or worn hardwood floors. It is an alternative to getting your floors refinished.
  • Mohawk’s Floor Care Essentials are a great environmentally friendly floor care products. They are easy to use and will maintain your floors according to manufacturer specifications.

 

Laminate Flooring:

  • Never use a steamer on Laminate. Moisture is its enemy!
  • All ‘wet’ spills must be wiped up with-in 24 hours. Depending on the quality of laminate you have in your home, it will cause water damage. Remember a plank replacement can always be done!
  • Only use manufacture approved floor cleaners, you can check online. Most companies make their own cleaner.
  • Again, never use a swifter wet mop or any other type of ‘wet mop’
  • Anything acidic used on your laminate will dull and ruin the finish. Once a finish is damaged on the laminate you cannot repair it. If it is an isolated area of your floor, we can do plank replacements.
  • Mohawk Floor Care Essentials are made for laminates; they clean your floor while leaving a streak free finish! They are environmentally safe and easy to use!
  • Laminate floors are very durable, the most important thing is to use the proper chair protectors and keep it swept. Most laminates are damaged from things being drug across an un-swept floor.

Ceramic Tile Flooring:

  • Again, never use a steamer. Although Tile is the hardest and most durable of all hard surfaces; a steamer will break down the grout and cause it to chip.
  • Any type of acidic cleaner will etch the surface, so make sure the type of cleaner you use is a neutral solution.
  • A damp mop will clean the floor just fine with a neutral non-rinse cleaner.
  • Mohawk Floor Care Essentials makes a tile & grout cleaner, and uses a dry mop.
  • Grout seams to be the biggest pain for most people, after your tile is installed (one week after to be specific) you should seal your grout using a one time use silicone sealant. Miracle Sealant Company has some of the best products on the market!
  • Sealing your grout keeps the maintenance much easier, however if your grout becomes dirty you can use a toothbrush with a little bleach, or else a ‘grout eraser’. It is hard work, but your grout will look good as new when you are finished cleaning!

 

For more cleaning tips or specific questions, please Just Ask Al or One of Al’s Gals today!  With over 30 years in the flooring industry there aren’t many things Al hasn’t seen!

Categories: Cleaning Tips | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Art of Tile

Posted on June 14, 2010 by Just Ask Al

All over the country the most popular flooring of choice is Tile.  It appeals to the masses because of its durability and sustainability in different climates.  Tile is extremely durable in any application in your home.  It is great for heavy traffic areas, and very simple to maintain.  There are so many styles and colors that you can create a truly unique look or keep a simple classic look in your home.  There are different types of tile for different applications, Glazed Ceramic Tile, Glazed Porcelain Tile, and ColorBody (or through) Porcelain Tile.

Glazed Ceramic Tile is made in an age-old creation process, clays are mined, ground to fine powders, blended with water, pressed together to form the body of the tile and finally dried to reduce moisture content.  After being coated with glass-forming minerals and stained with a colored glaze, the tile is fired in kilns at approximately 2000° Fahrenheit to form the finished product.

tileboarderGlazed Porcelain Tile, although similar to our Glazed Ceramic Tile in surface, is the blend of fine-grain clays and other minerals that compose our Porcelain; this translates into a more dense body. As a result, these styles are highly resistant to moisture, staining and wear.

ColorBodyTM Porcelain Tile is strong enough for exposure to freeze/thaw cycles. Outdoor use of our Glazed Porcelain should be confined to covered areas ColorBodyTM Porcelain, the densest of all Mohawk tile types.  With a through-color body and water absorption rate of less than 0.5%, these styles are created with your heavy traffic area in mind.  Whether making a restaurant patron-proof or turning your own patio into a fine-dining establishment, ColorBody Porcelain is ideal for any indoor or outdoor, commercial or residential location.

tilemedalionObviously the most popular rooms in your home for Tile are the Kitchen, Bathroom and Entry Way; though it is not a room it is the perfect place to make a statement.  But, how do you make the right choice for your home?  Remember there are no strict rules when you are choosing tile; but there are a few simple guidelines to remember.

  • When doing a floor, the larger the tile, the larger the space will look. The grout lines create a gridline on your floor, and the more there are the more it will shrink the room. NEVER use anything smaller then a 12×12 on the floor, UNLESS you are using a patterned mosaic.
  • ALWAYS use the appropriate underlayment for your project. Subfloors can be great, but remember they are affixed to your floor, so as the foundation shifts (whether your home is 1 year old or 100 your foundation will shift) a more permanent solution to consider is the Schluter System. It absorbs the movement and shifting to keep your tiles and grout from chipping.
  • You can do floor tiles on the wall but NEVER wall tiles on the floor.
  • Your grout should coordinate with your tile as much as possible, choosing a grout that it too many shades lighter or darker then your tile will create an eye sore, as well as choosing a colored grout that isn’t in your tile.
  • ALWAYS seal your grout, this will make it easier to clean and keep it from permanently discoloring.
  • Even though you LOVE all of the coordinating accents, make sure not to make your design too complicated; especially in a smaller room.
  • When doing a shower ALWAYS use the Schluter System. It is the only product out there that guarantees a completely waterproof barrier. If your shower or tub surround is not properly waterproofed it will allow water to seep through and cause rotting and mold damage.
  • Always use the proper setting materials recommended by the manufacturer. This will insure optimum performance of your floor!
  • Installing tile is an expensive and time consuming process. Often the labor costs are twice the cost of actual tile and setting materials. (Making it one of the most expensive floors) If you are a handy individual, the Schluter System and tile can be a great do it yourself project!
  • If you are not a handy individual, make sure you are getting an experienced installer. Ask for references, photos, and proof of insurance. Or make sure they are backed by a reputable store like Al’s Carpet!

 

Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles are not your only choices, they are just the most reasonably priced, as well as offer the most options.  You may also choose to use a natural stone, slate, travertine, marble, or granite.  These are beautiful but often at least two or three times more then man made tiles.  A lot of man made tiles are made to look like the real thing, as well as use the real materials in their coordinating accents.  A great way to add some bling to a floor is to put in a natural stone boarder;  in a shower, backsplash, or fireplace use some glass tile.glassfireplace  They also make a number of metal accents that can be used in any application.  To make a bold statement, you can choose to use a medallion in your floor.  Your design choices are endless, and your room will be timeless.  Talk to one of Al’s great designers today for a free tile consultation!  The end result will be amazing!

Categories: Design Tips, Products | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Design Tips

Posted on May 24, 2010 by Just Ask Al

You Don’t Live in a One Size Fits All Home, so why design like it?

Trends and fads come and go, but you don’t want your home stuck in 1972.  Let’s face it, not all of us have it in our budgets to redo a room in our homes every time a new trend hits. You need to find the balance and your home should be a direct expression of your personality.  Whether you rent or own, there are simple design tips that can truly make your house a home!

For some people, design can be overwhelming.  Commitment to a color can be a hard decision for a person to make; so whether you are doing your whole home or just a room, always start with an idea board.  Compile pictures, swatches, and sketches of things you have seen or ideas you love.  Not everything has to coordinate just yet; it’s a rough starting point!

Decide which approach you are going to take with your home or the room.  Are you an individual that changes your mind often?  Or are you an individual that makes a decision and sticks to it for a long time? 

If you change your mind often, like to change up the look of your room from time to time, or are a renter; here are some great tips to doing it on a budget! 

  • 1. Pick a neutral color for your floors and walls….whether is taupe, beige, tan, or even a cream. A neutral back drop will allow a blank canvas for you to change, and every color in the color wheel will go with it!
  • 2. Paint is inexpensive, and most people can do it themselves. (Most landlords don’t mind if you paint a color as long as you change it back before your lease is up.) Pick an accent wall and paint it a color. One wall is easier to change then the whole room. It also adds depth to a room.
  • 3. Area Rugs are a great way to change the entire look of the room! Whether you have a hard surface or carpet, an area rug with a lot of color or pattern will pop. There are also endless choices, so you can always find a unique rug to fit your style!
  • 4. Accents! Art work, vases, and potted plants are easy to change out, and make a huge impact in a room. Check out local artists or even purchase a blank canvas and paint an abstract piece yourself. Vases are great in a room, you can get something small or oversized depending on the look you are going for! A great personal touch is to pick things up on your travels and incorporated them into your room. Even if it’s a clear vase filled with rocks or shells you collected on your last trip.

If you prefer more of a permanent design approach, take your time and think about what you really want out of the space.  Do you want a calming effect, or do you like bold colors?  Remember that Blue, Green, and Yellow are also considered neutral colors and coordinate with almost every other color.  Above ALL else, remember it’s YOUR room.  You have to live with it every day for the next 10 plus years. 

  • 1. Choose flooring that is made to last, and make sure it’s something you LOVE. Finding a harmonizing floor will help the direction of your design.
  • 2. Even though paint is an easy fix, stick with a color that makes you feel good. And don’t be afraid of color. Most of us have had the same favorite color since we were little. If you like a certain color now, chances are really good that you are still going to like it 10 years from now.
  • 3. Take your time collecting accent statements for your room. Make sure they have personal value. A painting you are in love with, or a piece of furniture that has been in your family for generations. These pieces can coordinate to your design and you will have a deep attachment to them.
  • 4. Patterns and texture help give dimension to a room. Just because you want this look to be classic and last a long time, doesn’t mean you have to play it safe. Tone on tone can get boring, so add a chair, or pillow, or window treatment that has some pattern and texture. This will make a great statement in a small way.

No matter what type of approach you take on the design in your room there are some other key factors to remember! 

  • Consider the lighting in your room. If you are having a problem with a color you love not looking right, try switching out your light bulbs or changing out your fixtures. Different types of bulbs cast different lighting.

 

  • Always consider scale when designing a room & picking out furniture. You don’t want your furniture to overwhelm and dominate your space, and with a balance, you don’t want your furniture to be so scarce it has no impact. A piece you love just may simply be too large or too small in your room.

 

  • Don’t forget simple aspects in your room that can be played up and make a huge impact on your design. By putting a dramatic tile on a fireplace or backsplash, choosing the proper window coverings for a beautiful picture window, accenting great architectural features like vaulted ceilings, crown molding, French doors or chair rails properly will increase your design impression.

Above all please remember, Design should be FUN!  It is an expression of you, and you have to live with it and love it every day.  If you want more tips, or simply want help with your project, contact Al’s Gal’s (link)!  We offer free in home design consultations no matter how big or small the project is!

Categories: Design Tips | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Laminate – Can you show me your Prego?

Posted on May 17, 2010 by Just Ask Al

Laminate flooring is quickly becoming the do-it-yourselfer product of choice. PERGO (often confused with the popular pasta sauce Prego) is the Swedish company that invented laminate in 1977, and did not introduce it to the United States until 1994. But since its conception there have been vast improvements on the original concept. Laminate is artificial flooring comprised of wood by products. It is made to simulate wood or stone. It is a purely floating, glueless floor. Quick-Step quickly became the true leader in the Laminate industry, and was purchased by Mohawk.

claim3

When choosing a laminate flooring you need to take into consideration three very important components; the core, the wear layer, and the locking system. A laminate with an inferior locking system will be very inexpensive in price, but the over-all after installed appearance will not be pleasing. The end joints will not click together smoothly, and you will eventually see chipping on the edges (as illustrated in above picture). The core is important because it will determine how much moisture your laminate can handle. If your laminate core is very absorbent of moisture it will swell and can become ruined. The wear layer is critical because it is the part of the product that is most aesthetically appealing. If it is not a strongly rated layer, it will scratch easier and not hold up as well or long.

schafer3Mohawk’s Laminate flooring is superior in all of these ways, while keeping the cost down. The surface textures are intentionally designed to add depth, authenticity, and character; but they are also resistant to heat, burns, scuffs, scratches, fading and abrasions. Mohawk’s patented Uniclic® Technology simplifies laminate installation, while making it the best and most durable locking system on the market. The system is a glueless locking system, with ingenious tongue-and-grove design. They slip together at any angle with ease. Joints are designed to withstand 1,000 pounds of pressure. Superior strength and stability eliminate potentially unstable, uneven floors. Lifetime warranty backs every Uniclic laminate locking system! Their wear layer is just as amazing. Each wear layer is comprised of enhanced Aluminum Oxide. What this means for you as a consumer is a better scratch resistant surface (20 years or Limited Lifetime Wear Warranty) depending on level of product. Each product also comes with a 5 year commercial wear rating (AC4). So it will definitely stand up to your busy lifestyle! The core is comprised of recycled wood by product. Mohawk actually uses scrap from lumber mills in the south. It is compressed together so as not to allow more then 7% moisture absorption. This doesn’t mean that you can give your floor a bath, but it does mean that it will stand up to everyday messes and liquid spills.

Laminate flooring installation is perfect for a do-it-yourselfer. There are detailed instructions with every carton, and you can purchase a handy installation kit. The underlayment, which is essential to the performance of every job, should never be forgotten. It helps with the sound of walking on the floor, keeps moisture away from the flooring, as well as providing extra insulation. Although, it’s purpose has nothing to do with cushioning your step. It comes in easy rolls with peel and stick adhesive strip. It is also safe to use with most underfloor heating systems. Every style also comes with coordinating transitions. Transitions are essential to laminate to keep it in place, as it is a floating floor. Where ever the floor meets an opening, or another flooring surface, there must be an appropriate transition. The laminate is held into place by the walls (there should be a 5/16 to 3/8 gap left around the entire perimeter) by the trim work (baseboards or the proper way to do it is install quarter round or base shoe). Following proper installation techniques will not only insure your products warranties, but also will allow the product to perform to its full potential.

So whether you are a first time do-it-yourselfer or a seasoned veteran, laminate is a great product to work with and will enhance the beauty of your home!  Contact Al’s Carpet Flooring & Design Center today for great pricing on laminate flooring!

Categories: Products | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bamboo & Cork

Posted on May 11, 2010 by Just Ask Al

Renewable resources, sustainability, and environmentally friendly…these are all HOT words right now in every industry. Consumers are very aware of these factors whether they are buying sheets or vehicles; but what about flooring? Bamboo and Cork are perfect examples! My manufacturer; US Floors has a line of EcoFloors. These floors meet all LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) qualifications. LEED Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. Bamboo and Cork that is produced by EcoFloors is low in VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions resulting in better indoor air quality. EcoFloors products also meet stringent E0 and CARB (California Air Resources Board) standards for low formaldehyde emissions. Now that all of the technical stuff is out of the way, what does it mean to you as a consumer? EcoFloors provides the perfect balance between environmental responsibility, trendsetting style, and superior durability and performance!

bamboo-flooringThe best benefit of Bamboo and Cork is their true sustainability. Bamboo is a grass, but offers the performance attributes of hardwood. It can be harvested every 6 years. This is when it reaches its maturity level. If a bamboo is harvested before peak maturity, it will not be has hard or durable; however it is much less expensive (this is how other companies can advertise such low prices on bamboo). All of EcoFloors’ bamboo is harvested from reputable plantations or managed forests, and never uses material from clear-cut forests in the wilderness. Natural Bamboo floors are finished with multiple coatings of water based UV-cured aluminum oxide, free of solvents and harmful VOC’s. Bamboo also regenerates without replanting, and requires minimal fertilization or pesticides. Bamboo also releases 35% more oxygen than trees. Did you know that Thomas Edison used a carbonized piece of bamboo as a filament for one of the first electric light bulbs?

naturalcorkCork is the bark of a Cork Tree. Portugal has the largest concentration of cork trees. They can be harvested every 9 to 11 years. Removing the bark does not harm the tree in any way. Cork floors are extremely dense, yet resilient, warm, and comfortable underfoot. Clean ups are a breeze and maintenance is the same as traditional hardwood floors. Natural Cork floors have inherent thermal and acoustical insulation properties to help keep noise down and reduce power use. Cork is also a natural fire inhibitor and does not spread flame. They are also naturally resistant to mold and mildew.

Both of these types of flooring offer a very distinct patterns, colors, and textures for wide range of choices. Bamboo can be stained a color, strand woven, or hand scrapped to create a rustic appeal. Cork is available in many different patterns and colors. Both products are also backed with Lifetime Warranties, and can be installed above or below grade. Bamboo is either glued or nailed to your floor (just like hardwood) and bamboo has a state of the art locking system for a floating floor.  Both products are quite affordable.  They price out very comparable to oak hardwood flooring, so you won’t have to break the bank! This offers great design appeal, and flexibility to meet your taste. You can also be reassured that you are making environmentally responsible purchases that will last a life time!

Categories: Products | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 55 Comments