Flooring 101

After a Maryland spring filled with rain, rain and more rain it’s no surprise people are ready for warm weather, the beach, pool parties, visits to waterfront parks and more. Unfortunately, these fun activities can also serve as ingredients in a recipe for disaster for your floors.

Not to fear! Keep your floors in tip-top shape this summer by following our tip list.

Sticks and Stones Can Hurt Your Floors

Who doesn’t love to kick off their shoes in the summer? Whether you’re dangling your toes in the pool or walking along the sandy waterfront at the local park, it feels so refreshing and free. Unfortunately bare feet can pick up an array of debris, from sand and grass to small pebbles and sticks, that can be highly abrasive to floors. Activities such as gardening and sports can also track in unwanted dirt.

So how can you protect your floors?

The easiest way is to place mats with non-slip pads by entryways. Choose rugs with a pop of color to help add a summer feel to your home. Be cautious in using certain rubber or foam-backed rugs, as they may lead to discoloration on your floor. When you do clean your floors, vacuum (do not use the beater bar) or sweep – avoid using wet mops or oil-based cleaners.

Hardwood Floors and Water Don’t Mix

We all know about the skin damage the sun’s rays can cause, so we lather ourselves and the kids with sunscreen, lotion and tanning oil. Unfortunately those products coupled with dripping wet swimsuits and hair can lead to slick conditions on any type of flooring. To help prevent slips and falls, advise children, their friends and guests to thoroughly dry off before entering the house. Also use walk-off mats just outside the entrance to your home to help catch water and debris.

Between thirsty pets sloshing water, stray melting ice cubes and condensation, water has a way of showing up on hardwood floors during the summer. Be sure to wipe up spills ASAP with a soft cloth or towel and use a towel or protective mat under your pet’s water bowl. Water left sitting can warp or otherwise damage floors.

Shade is Your Friend

In case you missed our Put Hardwood Floors Where the Sun Don’t Shine blog post, we’ll remind you that hardwood floors and bright sunlight don’t mix. We know it’s tempting to let all that sunlight pour in, but when it comes to rooms with hardwood floors, less is best! Be sure to close blinds and even close the slats facing upward so the sunlight is redirected to the ceiling and walls instead of the floor.

Keep Humidity Under Control

With summer, comes humidity. Floor manufacturers recommend keeping humidity levels at 35-55%. To help control levels, be sure to use a humidifier in your home as well as air conditioning during summer months.

Want a chance to win new floors for your home this summer? Enter our $2,500 Summer Flooring Sweepstakes.

The sun is shining. The birds are chirping. The air feels warmer. Life is good! Unfortunately, while Spring’s arrival might be wonderful for you and your family, the prolonged sunlight doesn’t spell happiness for your hardwood flooring.

While hardwood floors add warmth, beauty and value to your home, they are also photosensitive. This means any direct exposure to sunlight can have an impact – causing either a fading or darkening of the floors. Some species of wood are more likely to react to sunlight than others, such as Brazilian Cherry, American Walnut or Tigerwood.

The sun’s UV light can also react with the finish used to seal the floor.

So what does this mean for homeowners? What can you do to protect your flooring from sun exposure?

To help delay the impact, the first step is to limit the amount of sunlight reaching your floors. Shut blinds and curtains during the day. If you have blinds with horizontal slats, try angling them upward so that sunlight is directed to the walls and not the floors. In addition, try to rearrange furniture and move carpets so different parts of the floor will be exposed to the sunlight and the floor won’t fade or darken too much in any one spot. Some people use special window films or tints to also help block the sun’s damaging rays.

The good news is that if the floors do become severely damaged, they can be refinished.

Interested in more flooring tips our the pros or want to learn more about your hardwood flooring options? Check out the one of our six convenient Baltimore flooring stores.

Can pets and carpet exist in harmony? At Next Day Floors, we believe the answer is, “Fur-sure!” That being said, there are, of course, steps you can take to make sure you’re choosing the very best option for your pet-friendly household.

For starters, you’ll want to select the right type of carpet. Make sure to avoid loop carpet, where pet nails have a tendency to catch and pull at the carpet, creating a zippering effect. Berber carpet is an example of carpet using a loop pile cut.

When it comes to the brand of carpet you select, make sure to use a brand that offers a stain-resistant line, such as Mohawk’s SmartStrand Forever Clean or Stainmaster’s PetProtect. These carpets are protected by Nanoloc Spill and Soil Shield, which repels dirt and stains before they reach the carpet fiber.

Once you’re set on the carpet type, it’s important to select a moisture-proof cushion.

The number one benefit of carpet cushion is that it helps prolong the life and performance of the carpet. And a moisture or waterproof backing can help absorb liquids from pet accidents to help them from reaching the concrete or wood subfloor.

Remember to choose a carpet color or pattern that can help hide dirt particles and pet hair. To lengthen the life of your carpet, vacuum frequently to remove trapped pet dander and particles.

If your furry friend has a particular patch of carpet on which they like to lay, it’s best to place a pet bed in this location so that oils from your pet’s fur are not absorbed into the carpet, creating a soiled area.

Have any questions or want to check out your options in person? Visit one of Next Day Floor’s six Baltimore showrooms or schedule an at home appointment and we’ll bring samples to you.

Have you ever wondered what the top request by home buyers or tenants is when looking at a home? Maybe it’s great curb appeal or new stainless steel appliances. Perhaps it’s a garage or a swimming pool?

Not so, according to HGTV. According to Home and Garden Television, the number one request is hardwood flooring. A USA Today article using data from the National Association of REALTORS® found 54% of home buyers were willing to pay more for hardwood floors.
Here are some of the reasons why this may be:

• Hardwood floors add long-lasting warmth and beauty to any home interior. There’s something to be said when you walk into a room and see a gleaming hardwood floor.
• They’re durable and easy to clean and maintain.
• Have allergies? Having hardwood floors can help. The hard surface doesn’t hold dirt, which helps cut down on the amount of dust and other contaminants for people who suffer from allergies.
• Traditional hardwood flooring is available in many colors and species. Oak is among the most common in the region, but with so many options, you’re guaranteed to find a wood that suits your home’s look and feel. Maple, Hickory and Brazilian Cherry are some other popular options.
• While some flooring may need to be replaced when damaged or as it nears the end of its lifespan, hardwood can be re-sanded and refinished to restore its luster.

While these are all wonderful reasons for selecting hardwood flooring, all is not lost if purchasing hardwood floors doesn’t fit into your budget just now.

Engineered hardwood is a more cost friendly option. Engineered wood is hardwood flooring that has been reinforced with multiple ply layers that are cross layered, glued and pressed together to provide extra protection, especially in high moisture areas. Benefits of this structurally sound wood include durability and the ability to be installed in basements, as well as concrete flooring or below-grade installations. This wood will not buckle, gap or cup. It’s available in all the traditional offerings such as Oak, Cherry, Birch, etc.

Have any questions or want to check out your options in person? Visit one of Next Day Floor’s six Maryland showrooms or give us a call at 1-800-916-6112.

It’s a new year and you’re ready for a new look. Rearranging furniture can be a fun project that brings new life to a room. There’s just one problem as you stand on your plush carpet and take in your handiwork.

Dents.

Everywhere you look, there are impressions left in the carpeting – from the sofa, the coffee table, even chairs.

Don’t fret! We have a simple life hack that can eliminate those dents and keep you smiling.

Editor’s Note: We read about this handy tip on numerous sites. But we didn’t want to take anyone’s word for it, so we put it to the test ourselves, using a Next Day Floor’s sample of Shaw Floors’ Natural Look carpet in Asian Sand. This carpet is stain resistant and has a 10-year quality assurance warranty. It has a high performance rating for withstanding foot traffic.

How it works

To remove the carpet impressions, you simply need to cover the area with ice cubes. Then allow the cubes to melt. This might be the hardest part! We started melting the cubes at 9:50 a.m. and it wasn’t until about 2 p.m. or so that the cubes finally melted. It may take even longer depending on various circumstances – but patience is key!

Once the cubes are melted, you can use a paper napkin to lightly blot the area and then use your finger or even a spoon to help gently lift up the carpet threads. Then let the area dry completely for another couple of hours and “Presto!” the carpet dent has vanished. Check out our time lapse video to watch it in action.

Have any household tips that you apply to your flooring? Let us know in the comment section below!

For so many things in life, laying a good foundation is essential. Carpet is no exception! Carpet cushion or padding is the foundation that’s going to make all the difference in the performance of your carpet.

As a quick overview, carpet padding adds value because it:

Prolongs the life of the carpet
Adds cushioning underfoot
Dampens sound
Provides insulation
Helps reduce moisture damage or staining to sub flooring

What is carpet padding?

The simple explanation is that it’s the cushiony/spongy layer that goes underneath your wall-to-wall carpeting.

Now for the more complex:

Bonded Urethane (Rebond) is recycled cushion or padding that originally comes from the furniture industry. The premium foam is ground up and put together with adhesive. It is then peeled to the desired thickness and density. This carpet padding is then typically stapled onto the floor, and the carpet is placed overtop. Rebond is measured in pounds per cubic foot and ranges from 3 to 10 pounds.

While you definitely want a padding density of at least 6 pounds, and carpet retailers such as Next Day Floors typically won’t sell anything less, more doesn’t always mean better. The denser the padding, the stiffer it will feel. Paul Allen, a district manager for Next Day Floors who has some 30 years of experience in the flooring industry, explains that customers might think a 10-pound density would be best. However, he said that, while it is extremely durable and is expected to last for the life of the carpet, it’s also “very, very dense.”

“I personally don’t like it,” Allen said. “It’s like walking on a hard carpet.”

“Obviously our customers want a quality product,” said Allen, who typically recommends an 8-pound density rebond carpet padding.

Check the carpet manufacturer recommendations to see what they suggest as well.

What are the benefits of carpet padding?

The number one benefit of carpet padding is that it helps prolong the life and performance of the carpet. The padding protects the back of the carpet from wearing out against the sub floor, and it also absorbs the brunt of the foot traffic, enabling the carpet to “bounce back.”

Vacuuming is more efficient when you have padding, because your vacuum cleaner can raise the carpet slightly and remove more dirt.

Once nice perk of carpet padding is that it creates a softer walk.

Carpet padding also acts as a barrier to the sub floor below. Moisture-proof pads are available, which are 8 and 10-pound spill-guard. Allen said the advantage with the moisture-proof pads, especially when pets urinate on the carpet, is that there’s a moisture barrier on top of the pad so the liquid will not go through to the sub floor or wood flooring.

Most carpet retailers will not install carpet without padding, as it would void any of the carpet’s warranties.

Have more questions about carpet padding or ready to order? Give us a call at 1-800-916-6112 or visit one of our six showrooms to talk to one of our certified flooring professionals.

It’s the holiday season – a time of house parties, feasts, the pitter patter of children’s feet scurrying through the house and friends bustling indoors to escape the flurries of winter in exchange for a toasty fire.

This joyful holiday time spent with family and friends may sound wonderful to you, but, if unprepared, it can wreak havoc on your beautiful hardwood floors.

Guests arriving in fancy high-heeled attire or heavy duty snow boots dripping with melted snow can spell trouble for floors that, while durable, are subject to damage from moisture, damaged shoes and scuffing from various footwear.

The best defense is a good offense.

When it comes to salt and slush, which can eat away at your floor’s finish, it’s best to be in prevention mode from the moment guests approach your home. Be sure to place durable door mats both inside and outside the entrance of your home. These mats absorb much of the moisture from wet footwear right from the beginning.

If salt does make it past your entrance barrier, its high pH level and abrasiveness can affect your floor’s finish. To clean, mix a few ounces of white vinegar with several gallons of warm water. Apply with a soft cloth to affected areas and be sure to wipe floors dry of any excess moisture in order to prevent warping.

To help keep excess moisture away from the floorboards throughout the winter, keep some soft cloths or towels by the entrance so wiping up any puddles can be done right away.

Dance the night away – in your stockings

Did you know that a woman wearing a shoe with a spiked or high heel exerts so much pressure per square inch that it has been compared to that of an elephant or to crushing concrete? If the heel is damaged or in disrepair, the damage will be even worse. In an effort to protect your floors from dents caused by guests dressed in their holiday best, it’s best to either utilize protective mats or runners or simply ask your friends and family to kindly place their shoes in a special area by the front door. Already have divots in your floor? Here are some tips for removing them.

For more tips on caring for your hardwood floors, click here. We would love to talk to you about purchasing new flooring for your home. Please click here and a representative will contact you shortly. Happy Holidays!

Should you purchase hardwood floors or laminate flooring to enhance the natural beauty of your home?

While both can be a great option, here are a few things to take into consideration as you decide which is the better fit for your lifestyle and budget.

First let’s define the two options. Laminate flooring is created by pressing composite wood together at high temperatures and then imprinting a textured image designed to look like real wood. Laminate offers versatility in that it can capture the appearance of real wood or materials such as stone, concrete, metal or weathered wood.

Hardwood floors are all natural, offering unique grain and color patterns that are impossible to replicate. There are two types of hardwood flooring – solid and engineered. Engineered wood floors are three to nine plies glued and laminated together with domestic or exotic wood specie as the top finish veneer.

When it comes to durability, scratch resistance and ease of cleaning, laminate flooring wins the battle. However, there’s no getting around the fact that hardwood flooring is the real deal. It’s beautiful to look at and can add more value to your home.

Looking down the road, while hardwood flooring may be more susceptible to the wear and tear of pets and high foot traffic, it can be sanded down and refinished, so it can last a lifetime. Laminate flooring is harder to replace. It can be done in sections, but a new piece may not be an exact match.

Determine your budget. Laminate flooring is very durable, and its price and installation can have a softer impact on your wallet, costing as much as 50% less than hardwood. Hardwood, especially the more exotic the wood, can be pricier to purchase and install. However, the warmth of hardwood floors is unmistakable and can be well worth the value it adds to your home.

Either flooring option will benefit your home. We would love to walk you through your options and answer any questions you may have. Please visit one of our six showrooms, or schedule an in-home appointment to discuss your next project with one of our flooring experts.