Flooring
Carpet
An estimated 1.6 billion square yards of carpet is installed annually in the United States, according to the Carpet and Rug Institute. When carpeting your home, the Institue of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) recommends considering:
Location: Choose carpet based on intended use.
Color: Lighter, neutral colors allow more decorating options but may show more spots. Medium and darker colors camouflage soil but show more lint.
Fibers: There are five basic types: nylon, olefin, polyester, acrylic and wool. The fiber helps determine how well the carpet holds up to daily wear.
Budget: Include the costs of proper installation and quality cushion in your final estimate.
To ensure that your carpet retains its fresh, beautiful appearance, have it cleaned professional every 12 to 18 months by an IICRC firm. Find one at or (800) 835-4624.
Source: Lincoln County Journal 06/07
Hardwood Flooring
Wood flooring is timeless. It enhances the warmth of any home and complements the decor of any room.
Like a fine piece of furniture, wood flooring increases in value and becomes more beautiful with time. In a national survey, 90 percent of real estate agents said that houses with wood flooring sell faster and for more money.
Wood is a natural resource, renewable and recyclable. Buildings, barns, ships and other structures made of wood often find a second life in wood flooring, cabinets, walls and ceilings. And leading allergists agree that wood floors are the perfect choice for a healthy home.
The state-of-the-art technology and almost limitless choices of today's stains, finishes, styles and designs make wood flooring one of the most practical, easy-care and versatile floor coverings today. Maintained properly, wood flooring should never have to be replaced.
Care & Maintenance
Most manufactures either make there own maintenance products or have them made to their specifications. It is best to use these products because they have been formulated specifically to the chemical make-up of the manufactures wear surface. Most manufactures warranties are voided if non-recommended maintenance products are used . Always read the instructions to be sure not to void the warranty.
- Mats at all entrances help keep dirt and moisture from being tracked onto the floor.
- Floor protectors under heavy furniture help reduce the risk of indentation by distributing the weight
properly.
- Vacuum, sweep, or dust mop regularly.
- Avoid walking on your floor with worn out stilletto or spike heels (those with exposed metal pins) as
they will damage your floor. Heavy objects should not be rolled or slid directly over the surface of the
floor that may cause scratches or indentation.
- Satisfactory performance of wood floors is greatly influenced by its enviromental conditions.
Favorable temperature and relative humidity for humans is also favorable for hardwood floors.
Important Rule - Almost all wood products will be adversly affected by moisture or water.
Source: becklerscarpet.com