For questions about wood flooring options, please click here to contact a Monroe flooring specialist.

This is Cumberland Oak, a dark colored, solid
wood floor option from Anderson Flooring.

2. Classics Northern Red Oak Natural
Manufacturer: Lauzon
Estimated Pre-Installation Cost: $10.00 per sq. ft.
Description: Lauzon’s Northern Collection is manufactured from northern forest’s wood and features a very fine grain with subtle color variations.

3. Dundee Plank Natural
Manufacturer: Bruce
Estimated Pre-Installation Cost: $6.00 per sq. ft.
Description: Bruce’s Dundee Plank Natural flooring offers a micro-beveled edge and square end to help enhance the finished look of a custom floor.

4. Solid Bamboo Horizontal
Manufacturer: EcoTimber
Estimated Pre-Installation Cost: $6.00 per sq. ft.
Description: EcoTimber’s flooring products are well-made by an experienced manufacturer using quality stalks, milling equipment, and adhesives.

5. Synergy Wheat Bamboo
Manufacturer: Teragren
Estimated Pre-Installation Cost: $9.00 per sq. ft.
Description: Teragren’s Synergy Wheat Bamboo Flooring is strand woven from solid bamboo, compressed to increase toughness, resulting in a product that is 154% harder than oak.

6. Signature Naturals Flat Natural
Manufacturer: Teragren
Estimated Pre-Installation Cost: $10.00 per sq. ft.
Description: Bamboo flooring from Teragren has a natural affinity to most modern designs, providing a unified background for eclectic elements.

7. Classic Brazilian Cherry Jatoba
Manufacturer: Mirage
Estimated Pre-Installation Cost: $9.00 per sq. ft.
Description: Jatoba wood features a golden luster, not to mention it has textures that range from medium to coarse, and finished pieces have an interwoven grain.

8. Cumberland Oak
Manufacturer: Anderson
Estimated Pre-Installation Cost: $9.00 per sq. ft.
Description: All the elements that make up a sophisticated, durable, and luxurious floor go into Anderson flooring products.

9. Morning Star Strand Natural
Manufacturer: Lumber Liquidators
Estimated Pre-Installation Cost: $5.00 per sq. ft.
Description: Morning Star Stand is made from aged bamboo shoots that are at least 4 years old to increase the hardness of the wood.

10. Bellawood Natural Red Oak
Manufacturer: Lumber Liquidators
Estimated Pre-Installation Cost: $5.00 per sq. ft.
Description: Red Oak is one of the most popular choices for wood floor colors and acts as a benchmark for setting the standards for hardness among tree species in the industry.

Call (734) 243-3502 today to learn more about hardwood flooring products for your remodel project.
– Monroe, Michigan

Below is a description of each flooring type and reasons for why you would, or wouldn’t, want to use each.

Dark colored, solid wood flooring by industry leader
Lauzon Distinctive Hardwood Flooring.

2. Engineered Wood
Looks like solid wood thanks to a thin sheet of veneer as the top layer of this multi-layered plywood flooring option. Engineered wood is relatively easy to install and often comes in a tongue and groove option, allowing the planks to snap into one another, but can also be nailed, stapled, floated, or glued down. Like its solid wood cousin, engineered wood does not do good in bathrooms or other moist areas and is prone to damage from pooled liquids and sunlight. Unlike its cousin, this product is much cheaper per square foot, often ranging from around $6 to $11 before installation.

3. Vinyl
Vinyl is a great option for using in bathrooms and laundry rooms, as moisture does not cause immediate damage. In addition to resisting moisture, vinyl won’t stain, wear, or damage from sunlight easily. Vinyl can come is a variety of patterns and designs, but the natural stone look is a trendy choice. This material is one of the easiest to install and typically comes in either large rolls or small 12-inch tiles. If damaged, vinyl is relatively inexpensive to replace and is the least expensive flooring option for your home at $3 to $8 per square foot.

4. Ceramic
Ceramic is the best choice for using in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, etc., as it won’t be damaged from water pooling or moisture from the shower. In fact, ceramic tile is often used for flooring and walling in showers and around baths. The only disadvantage to ceramic is that is can break if a heavy object is dropped on it. On the same note, if you have extra tile, replacing a broken one is an inexpensive fix for you floor. The cost for ceramic tile can range significantly; however, common pre-installation costs are in the range of $6 to $18 per square foot.

5. Plastic Laminate
Plastic laminate is often in a wood finished plank that is supposed to be an eco-friendly option to using real wood. This material has several advantages over wood, such as it can be made from recycled materials, it is sturdier, plus it can resist spills and moisture better. But that’s not to say it is a good option for bathrooms, as extended exposure to moisture can caused warping or separation in the planks. The cost per square foot for plastic laminate is right around $5 to $10.

6. Linoleum
Linoleum is similar in texture to vinyl and also resists moisture, sunlight, and dents. However, linoleum is considered more resilient. This material works well in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. When shopping for linoleum, keep in mind that different quality materials do exist, and lower quality products may scratch or tear easier than others. The cost for linoleum is typically in the neighborhood of $5 to $10 per square foot.

Call (734) 243-3502 today to learn more about flooring options for your home or business.
– Monroe, Michigan

When it comes to kitchen remodels, the two biggest decisions are commonly what color cabinets to mount and which type of countertop will be installed. Three of the most popular, and best looking, counter materials are ceramic tile, granite slab, and laminate.

Ceramic Tile
Image source: KitchenInstallation.org

Ceramic Tile Kitchen Counters

Ceramic tile is available is thousands of designs, colors, shapes, sizes, textures, and styles, making this choice an extremely popular one for homeowners.

Did we mention that ceramic tile is also very reasonably priced and relatively easy to work with, which means that little experience is needed to install this material.

Granite Slab
Image source: Singerreo.com

Granite Kitchen Counters

While granite is necessarily the most affordable choice when it comes to remodeling, it is certainly the best looking and most resilient. Granite is rumored to be available in 3,000-plus colors, can withstand extreme heat, and it will last a lifetime.

In recent years, the cost of granite has come down quite a bit; however, consumers can expect to pay top dollar for rare colors.

Laminate Finish
Image source: GoPhoto.us

Laminate Kitchen Counters

Laminates are an eco-friendly solution to remodeling your kitchen as this material is often made from recycled plastics and fiberboard.

Homeowners will appreciate the easy maintenance and cleaning that laminate finish offers, plus this is another inexpensive option when compared to natural stone, stainless steel, or natural wood finished counters.

Depending on whether you are attempting to install your new countertops yourself, or decide to hire professionals, you may want to make your material choice differently. For example, granite requires a special saw and a very keen eye to make precision cuts. One mistake can be quite costly, meaning this material is best left to pros. While on the other hand, both ceramic tile and laminate counters can be installed using standard equipment and mistakes are not typically expensive one.

Call (734) 243-3502 today to learn more about kitchen remodeling and countertop options.
– Monroe, Michigan

This wood-finished laminate flooring is
made with recycled plastics, making
this material an eco-friendly option.

Laminate is quickly growing as a favorite flooring option for many interior designers, homeowners, and home builders. Laminate is designed to simulate wood or stone and is finished with a photographic appliqué layer that is covered with a top layer supposed to appear like stained wood or polished stone. This type of flooring is typically made with melamine resin or fiberboard, and is considered to be eco-friendly because it reduces woodlands from being cut down and can be made from recycled plastics.

A few additional reasons that laminate flooring has grown in popularity recently include it being more hygienic than either wood or carpet, plus it is much easier to install than most other types of floors.

Laminate flooring often uses a tongue and groove system of attaching planks. This is nice for installation purposes because when properly connected the planks fit together seamlessly.

Most laminate flooring manufacturers design their product to be installed as a “floating floor”. A term used to illustrate that the laminate is not directly attached to the ground. A floating floor involves installing the laminate on top of a thin foam underlayment that sits on top of the subfloor.

A good tip for installing wood or stone laminate is to leave about an eighth of an inch between the plank and the wall. This will allow for potential expansion of the floor caused be seasonal changes in certain climates. A common practice for installing wood or laminate planks is to take up the baseboards then replace them on top. This way the gap between the wall and the planks will be nicely hidden.

Caring for laminate is relatively easy when compared to carpet or wood. Do keep in mind that small stones, dirt, and even dust particles can scratch the surface. The best approach for maintaining laminate flooring is to use a broom followed by a wet sweeping cloth.

Remember not to let liquids pool on laminate flooring as this can very likely cause warping or swelling, needing portions of the floor to be replaced.

Call (734) 243-3502 today to learn more about laminate flooring and your options.
– Monroe, Michigan

Luxury room with hardwood floors

Both homeowners and designers love it.

A floor of authentic, rich hardwood adds an unmistakable air of elegance and charm to a room. That’s why this choice of flooring for home interiors is extremely popular. Both designers and homeowners love it.

In a recent gathering of designers from California companies Peninsula Floors, Inc., and JPS Surface Solutions, flooring was discussed in general, and hardwood’s praises were sung in particular.

“I have hardwood throughout my whole house,” said Dana Johnson, who’s the Design Center Sales Manager with Peninsula Floors in San Jose. “We’re using wood more in areas of the home where you haven’t previously seen it, like bedrooms and hallways.”

Johnson added that hardwood has been seen in America’s kitchens for several years. When it’s carefully chosen and well sealed, hardwood flooring is a fine choice for this most active area of the home.

Johnson’s colleague, Gaylene Higgins, is another designer partial to hardwood. Working from JPS Surface Solutions’ Corona, CA, office, Higgins is fond of adding extra impact in her interiors through layering and mixing — specifically hardwood and area rugs.

“I do a lot of hard surface in family rooms and use rugs for warmth and a cozy feeling,” she said. “You can roll up the area rug when the kids have a party, and when you get tired of that rug, you can get another one. It’s easy to replace them.”

She pointed out that when hardwood and area rugs are used together, redecorating can be as simple as replacing or switching a rug with something in a different color or pattern. So hardwood makes a wonderful, versatile base for a number of fashionable looks.

In terms of trends, Dana Johnson has noted some obvious directions. “Hardwood is going more toward distressed planks, planks in wider widths, and exotic woods. It’s no longer just plain maple or oak. We’re seeing more mahogany, cherry, teak, walnut. Also, mixing woods is done a lot now.”

With hardwood being used all over the house, durable finishes and solid warranties are more crucial than ever before. Manufacturers like Shaw have stepped up to the plate, developing outstanding finishes that provide long-term abrasive wear resistance and stain and spill protection.

Of course, to some, a scratch here or there is nothing to get concerned about. Robin Phelps, Design Center Operations Manager with Peninsula Floors in San Jose, noted that with all the distressed and hand-planed looks on the market, little dents, dings, and scratches are scarcely noticeable. And even when they are, she doesn’t mind. “When we scratch or dent our hard wood, it adds character,” she said.

Character does seem to be a hallmark of hardwood. This flooring material imparts a sense of longevity, permanence, and lasting appeal. Hardwood simply never goes out of style.

In addition, as if to score one last point for what he seems to consider a nearly perfect flooring material, Dana Johnson said, “And I like the way it sounds when you walk on it!”

Remodeled kitchen with Tarkett FiberFloor

Most people like to update their home decor about every five years, but when it’s time to redo your decorating theme, what comes to mind? A new paint color for the walls? New window treatments? Perhaps some new accessories or different throw pillows for the couch?

How about a new floor? Fiberfloor enables homeowners to replace tired or worn out flooring easily and affordability. An added bonus for renters is that the floor can be lifted up and taken with you.

Tarkett FiberFloor, a new category in resilient flooring offering a new level of decorating convenience combining the comfort of carpet with the easy maintenance of resilient flooring. With its glueless application you can change your floor just as quickly as you change your decorating style.

Material cost, installation, and the potential for sub-floor alterations together often prevent consumers from considering the floor as an option when updating the decor of a room.

“Floor buyers, regardless of whether they’re interested in vinyl, ceramic, wood or carpet, can suffer an extreme level of anxiety because floors are typically viewed as a permanent or semi-permanent investment,”says Chip Braulick, vice president, marketing, Tarkett Residential. “What consumers want today is versatility and freedom; they don’t necessarily want to be married to the same motif for the next twenty years,” Braulick adds. “With more flexible flooring, the entire home can evolve right along with the family.”

Fiberfloor Offers Something For Everyone…

The “Dare to Dream” collection, specifically developed for the youth set, includes whimsical and fashionable designs that adapt perfectly to the changing dщcor of children’s rooms. Kids love the glow-in-the-dark starry night pattern, Blue Heaven, for the nursery or a toddler’s room. a chalkboard pattern called “Graffito Night Train,” another glow-in-the-dark design that replicates drawings on a chalkboard. Other metallic patterns like “Matrix Harvest Sunset” deliver a sleek, contemporary finish that would appeal to an older child or teenager. The unique construction of FiberFloor allows the consumer to change the dщcor of a child’s room as they grow, simply by changing the floor.

The three other groupings, “Sunday Morning Jazz,” “Wood is Good,” and “Back to Nature” offer more traditional and sophisticated designs that are appropriate for a variety of rooms and tastes. Wood and slate/stone looks help create a more upscale, indulgent living space. Textured patterns bring an elegant, classic feel to residential settings, while natural looks offer comfort and warmth.

For more information and to find a retailer near you, visit www.tarkett.com or call (800) 367-8275.