Ah, the basement. No longer the dark, low-ceilinged brother of the garage, recently the basement has made a comeback. It used to be where you’d send the kids after dinner to blow off some steam but now it’s where the adults want to hang out, enjoy the home theatre, get some exercise, or soak in the hot tub. In some houses the basement is the most used area after the kitchen, and for that reason how to floor the basement becomes an important decision.

While there are several popular choices for basement flooring you should consider a few important factors before making a decision – appearance, cost, and the room’s intended use. Also, an unfinished concrete slab floor lets in moisture, so any flooring choices should be made with that in mind.

Carpet

Carpeting is a popular choice for basements as it’s durable enough for almost any use, whether it’s a home gym, living room, guest bedroom, rec room or home theatre. Also, the carpet and underlay padding will insulate against the cold concrete slab floor making the basement much more comfortable. Depending on the type of carpet chosen, this option for basement flooring can be quite affordable.

Laminate

Laminate is an attractive basement flooring choice, but it is also very durable for high traffic areas. Also, laminate is cost efficient, making it a great option for less used rooms in the basement like a guest room.

Tile

Ceramic tile can be very attractive if done properly. And if you’re concerned about moisture coming through the underlying concrete slab, then tile flooring is a great option, as it’s virtually impervious to moisture damage. Ceramic tile is also very resistant to wear, and if it does become damaged it is relatively easy to replace a few tiles. You might want to consider also using an area rug over a tiled floor so that your feet stay nice and warm.

No matter what material you choose for your basement floor make sure it fits your budget and is suitable for the intended use of the room. In the end it’s all about choosing a flooring material that you like and will work best for you and your family.

Have you renovated your basement recently? Tell us about your experiences and choice in flooring.

An annual event at Nufloors Langley is our “Ladies Night” and it once again filled the store with people anxious to take part in the special evening of speakers and entertainment. Winning some very special door prizes was an added bonus for a lucky 15 of the 100 guests.

The September 29^th evening  brought  a large group together to see Jennifer Hoyt from Stainmaster give a presentation on the use of “Colour and Style” in home decorating.  Kevin Gilbert and Tony Fun from Dansk Hardwood were a hit with their explanations on the mysteries of hardwood. The question period produced a notable response from the group….. lots of Q & A .

Our Ladies Night also included entertainment by Rick Valiant. Rick is recognized as one of the best tribute artists in North America. His “Songs of Sinatra” was a grand hit. Rick performs in Las Vegas and other venues across the U.S. and Canada to audiences that enjoy the “Crooning” style.

Did we mention door prizes?  Through the support of partner/sponsors we were thrilled to award merchandise throughout the evening:  a 50” Big Screen TV, an ipad2, $1000 Gift Certificates and more. All guests went away saying, “We can’t wait for next year…we’ll be back to shop for floors soon.”  Other remarks were: “Wonderful evening…the food and the program were fantastic.”, “We had a good time, Nufloors has once again risen to the top.”, and “I came with one of my girlfriends…I did not know Nufloors…but I sure do now.”

Of special note, we were very happy to have some special Nufloors guests in attendance. Lars Martens (Nufloors Kelowna) and Peter Denroche (Nufloors Coquitlam/North Vancouver).  Also attending was Jason Xin of Pontek Hardwood…we hope you had a good time!

And our thanks to all the guests who attended our Ladies Night – we hope you learned a little more about Nufloors and flooring in general and had a good time.   All of us at Nufloors Langley truly enjoyed hosting the evening!

Vinyl Floors, also called resilient or sheet vinyl, remains a great option for families with kids and or pets. A great combination of beauty and function, vinyl is a durable and easy-to-clean floor type that can be installed anywhere in the home.    Let’s explore the  3 different  type of vinyl floors:  Sheet Vinyl, Linoleum and the newest addition to this flooring type, fiberglass vinyl flooring.

Many people think Linoleum and Vinyl are the same thing but they are in fact quite different.  Different in care, cost, maintenance and durability.  Linoleum is more environmentally friendly than vinyl, although some progress is being made by some mills to contain recycled content in sheet vinyl.

Mannington Napoli Sheet Vinyl Flooring

About Vinyl (no longer your Grandma’s floor)

Vinyl was first introduced at the 1933 Century of Progress Exposition held in Chicago. Vinyl was not readily available during World War II, and the production and marketing of it was put on hold until the late 1940s, after World War II. In the next few decades, it quickly became a popular choice for flooring and became a major competitor in the market.   It’s made using a printing process known as ‘rotogravure’, which prints a pattern on the flooring substrate via an engraved cylinder.

Vinyl  is a flooring favourite for utility areas, kitchens, mudrooms, bathrooms and playrooms. It is a good choice if you are interested in a quick and easy room makeover. Vinyl  is not meant for stairs, but for any and all flat, level surfaces.

About Linoleum (the Grand daddy of flooring types)

The word “linoleum” is defined as a durable, washable material made in sheets by pressing a mixture of   natural materials like linseed oil, recycled wood flour, cork dust and limestone. Linoleum is naturally anti-bacterial and biodegradable. If you are looking for a “green” floor for your home, linoleum is one of the best choices!   Tip:  Installing linoleum can be complicated, in part, because linoleum is stiffer and harder to work with than vinyl sheet and other flooring types.  Consider hiring a professional installer.

Armstrong Linoleum - Marmorette, colours: Aleutian Green, Parchment Beige & Yellow Straw

About Fiberglass Vinyl (the new kid on the block)

Also called flex floor, glass-backed or glueless, this new category in resilient flooring gives you a new level of decorating convenience. This latetst development in vinyl resilient flooring is the addition of a fibreglass layer to the core of the material.  The fibreglass adds strength and cushion to the floor. This vinyl combines the comfort of carpet with the easy maintenance of resilient flooring.

Mannington Sobella - Fiberglass flooring - ALT101 Ardesia

Benefits of a Fiberglass Vinyl Floor :

Water Resistant – dimensionally stable and virtually impervious to moisture, it can be used in bathrooms and kitchens.  Easy on the feet – made with thick dense layers of foam backing, this floor is soft and comfortable underfoot.    Easy to Install - it can be installed with full-spread adhesive or modified loose lay which uses tape to secure the vinyl under appliances and at doors.   Easy to Maintain – sweeping and an occasional damp mop will do.  Durable – resistant to common household abuse and stands up to the wear and traffic of today’s busy families.

The more expensive vinyl sheet flooring have better resistance to staining, scratches, gouges and tearing and offer better warranties.    The higher quality vinyl floors also have improved styling and more textural realism.  Today’s consumers can explore the huge selection of vinyl floors with realistic designs that look like real wood, stone and other natural materials.  A beautiful and practical flooring solution for many homes.  The leading vinyl flooring manufacturers in North America are Armstrong and Mannington.

Sheet vinyl, not your grandma’s floor anymore!

Mannington Sheet Vinyl - Chesapeake Gunstock

Ceramic Tile  is a durable material that requires little maintenance and looks beautiful.  Tiles have a glazed surface which resists staining. It’s the grout lines between the tiles that can become stained as it is a porous material and should be protected with a sealer.

Example of dirty grout lines

A NOTE ABOUT GROUT LINES: The size of the grout joint can dramatically change the way your overall tile installation looks. It is important to use the right size grout line for technical reasons and also for aesthetic reasons.  Often, the size of the grout line is left up to the home owner or the tile installer. Consult with your flooring expert as with their experience, they generally know the appropriate size grout joint for each different tile. Larger grout lines are needed for tiles with less than perfect edges so sometimes you can ask for a certain size grout joint.  There is no right or wrong answer for what size your grout line should be, obviously the wider the grout line; the more susceptible it will be to staining.  Here are some guidelines:

• Natural stone – 1/16″ or 1/8″
• Tile with a rectified edge – 1/16″ or 1/8″
• Regular tile – 3/16″, 1/4″ (safest bet) up to 3/8″ or 1/2″
• Saltillo or Mexican tile – 3/4″, 1″, 1 1/4″

Know also that there are two different types of grout: sanded and unsanded. Sanded Grout is usually used for any size grout lines 1/8″ and wider.   Sanded grout has fine sand added to it. This prevents the grout from shrinking too much as it cures. That’s why it is used for larger grout lines and should be used for the majority of tile installations. Unsanded grout is made specifically for grout lines smaller than 1/8 inch wide.  Unsanded grout (all grout to different degrees) will shrink as it cures. The reason for only using unsanded in smaller grout lines is the wider the grout lines, the more grout must be used to fill them. The more grout you have, the more it will shrink. Your tile installer will make sure that the application for which you are using it is correct.

Let the Grout Cure ~  Unless a special stain-proof grout was used on your floor when it was installed, the grout lines should be sealed after the grout has fully cured (usually 30 days or more) to prevent future staining.  Mop the floor and rinse with clean water to remove any residue. Allow the grout to dry thoroughly before applying a clear sealer.

Time to Seal Those Grout Lines ~  Clear liquid sealer can be found at most flooring and tile retailers. If the sealer doesn’t come with a built-in applicator, purchase a separate applicator bottle and pour the sealer into it.  Applicator bottles usually come with interchangeable rollers to accommodate grout lines of different widths.  Follow the manufacturer’s application directions.

TIP: If your grout lines are already stained and will not come clean, you could try using a grout stain pen which contains both a sealer and stain to add a uniform colour to the grout lines while sealing it at the same time.

The life of your grout sealer is determined by the traffic your floor gets and the frequency with which you clean your floor. Obviously the more traffic and the more you clean, the more you wear on the sealer.  In medium to high traffic areas you may have to reapply the grout sealer a couple of times a year – especially with light coloured grouts.  You can usually walk on the floor 2-4 hours after sealing but it should take 24-48 hours to fully cure.  Various manufacturers have different wait times and instructions for their products. Always read the directions on your product before using.

An ounce of prevention goes a long way in keeping your ceramic tile floors (and grout) looking beautiful for years to come.  When you change the clocks back and forward twice a year, let that be your reminder to seal the grout on your tile floors.    Another task to add to your ‘honey do’ list!

You’re thinking of re-doing the flooring in your home and you’ve always wanted beautiful hardwood floors.  Hardwood is always a great flooring choice as it is timeless, adds value to your home, and always looks beautiful.  As you begin your journey, you learn there are really two types of hardwood, Solid and Engineered.  There are pros and cons to both and the reality is that nobody can tell the difference in the look once the floor is installed.  Let’s explore each of these options.

Engineered vs solid hardwood image courtesy of Shaw Floors

Both Solid and Engineered are made from real wood, but they are manufactured differently.  When deciding which type to use, consider the location of the hardwood flooring in your home:

• On Grade – ground level
• Above Grade – any 2^nd level or higher
• Below Grade – any floor below ground level (ie:  sunken living room/basement)

Solid hardwood flooring is not recommended for below grade installations due to potential for moisture.  As engineered hardwood is constructed differently, specifically enhanced structural stability, it is recommended for installation on any grade level, and if used below grade, a moisture barrier should be used during installation.

For the record, it is not advised to use any type of hardwood flooring in a bathroom as continuous moisture is likely to occur.

Solid hardwood flooring

Classic solid hardwood comes in many different wood varieties including exotics.  It is a little more expensive than engineered wood.  Solid hardwood is milled from solid lumber and works well in almost any room – but is not recommended for bathrooms or basements (below grade) as there is potential for damage from ground moisture.  Because of its thickness, solid hardwood can be sanded/refinished numerous times.

As solid wood flooring is a natural product, it should be expected to expand and contract in response to seasonal changes in moisture. During dry, winter months, the lack of moisture in the air causes the moisture in the wood to escape. This causes the wood to contract creating small gaps between each plank of wood. However, in the summer months, humidity is higher giving more moisture retention to the wood causing it to expand making the winter gaps disappear.   Professional installers compensate for this movement by leaving an expansion gap between the floor and the wall.  Base moulding can be used to hide the extra space.   It is recommended that the humidity in your home be maintained between 45 and 55 percent to decrease the effect of expansion and contraction, which will cause the floor to contract and gap under 45% and cup and split over 55%.

Shaw Hardwoods - Solid - Style SW357 - Red Oak

Engineered hardwood flooring

Engineered wood flooring is typically manufactured with multiple (2-5) thin sheets of wood that are laminated together to form one plank, with the top layer being the actual hardwood surface. These sheets of wood are laid on top of one another in opposite directions or, otherwise known as, “cross-ply construction.” This allows for a dimensionally stable floor that is less affected by moisture than a solid floor as mentioned above. This cross-ply construction allows the thin sheets to counteract each other which prevents the planks from growing or shrinking with the changes in moisture.  Engineered hardwood can only be refinished once or twice so its not as long lasting as a solid hardwood floor.  Engineered hardwood floors can be glued down directly to concrete, floated or stapled and can be installed over radiant floor heating, to help keep your feet warm during the cold winter months.

Shaw EPIC LEGENDS Engineered Hardwood - Style SW392 - American Cherry

Deciding between solid vs engineered flooring is a decision that should be made carefully and with the help of your flooring consultant.  In some cases, budget could be a determining factor.  Consider the rooms you will be installing the flooring in and where they are located in your home.

Hardwood floors will likely outlast the home they’re in and will increase their beauty with age.  To learn more about hardwood floors, visit our Nufloors website:  http://www.nufloors.ca/flooringchoices/hardwood

These days we spend a great deal of our time in our kitchens. The kitchen is the heart of the home. Indeed, no matter how nice the family room is, how comfortable the sofa, you’re sure to find a gathering of friends and family hovering around the kitchen whenever they’re over.   It has become the social hub of the home.  Whenever you walk into a kitchen, the area that is most visible to your eye is the backsplash.  An easy update to your kitchen is to add or change the backsplash.    Back in the day, backsplashes were 4” high and were used primarily behind the stove and sink for protection from moisture and grease.  Now they are used anywhere there is a counter and have become an important design feature.  With so many choices available:  natural stone, metals, glass, mosaics and ceramics, you can create a unique and individual style of your own.

UNIFY YOUR KITCHEN DESIGN

Consider matching the flooring to the backsplash on the walls, many tiles are available in both floor and wall format.  Usually the wall format is slightly smaller.  While it seems odd, using the same coloured or textured tile helps unify your kitchen design.

Example of floor matching the tile backsplash

EXQUISITELY MODERN

Stainless steel has come a long way.  With appliances available in stainless steel, a simple stainless steel back splash complements the design.   It is eccentric and beautiful, but mostly it is extremely effective. Choose a stainless steel mosaic backsplash and add some creative accents, for this will draw the attention to the backsplash.

GLASS GLASS BEAUTIFUL GLASS

If you think glass tiles might be right for your kitchen design, consider these tips when selecting them:

• Choose the backsplash colours after you’ve selected your other room finishes (unless you plan to base the entire design around the tile). That way you can incorporate shades that compliment your wall colour or countertop materials.
• If you have a small kitchen, opt for lighter and more transparent tiles, which reflect the most light and will make the space feel larger.
• Mosaic glass tiles typically are mounted on a mesh backing, making them easier to install for do-it-yourselfers.
• Buy extra tiles because a few may be broken in the installation process.
• If on a budget, incorporate a band of glass tiles as an accent among cheaper tiles such as ceramics.

Glass tiles make a dramatic statement in any kitchen.  Notice the tile on the floor which compliments the striking blue theme:

The glass tiles in the backsplash alternate between glossy and etched which compliments the stainless steel appliances and wood cabinets.

GO SMALL

Tile is available in intriguing shapes, including 5/8-inch-by-5/8-inch squares, 1-inch-by-1-inch squares, 5/8-inch-by-2-inch rectangles, tiny “penny-rounds,” ovals, or even “shards” of thin, long tiles resembling mineral crystals, these pretty wonders are usually sold as 12″ by 12″ “tiles” adhered onto mesh backing for easier application.

So have fun, mix it up and get creative.  Seek help and advice from friends, designers, the internet, magazines and flooring store consultants.  The sky is the limit – be imaginative and create your own unique look in the most important room in your home.

We’ve all done it – over time things pile up and before you know it… you can’t find anything and you’re feeling stressed because things are unorganized and cluttered!  Clutter can be a time and energy drain.  When things are cluttered, we spend extra time every day looking for items like keys, shoes, phones, etc.

Here are some tips on how to reduce the clutter in your life:

Do I need it? Do you really need the item? Even by just asking this question we can help to decide whether we really need it. We often accumulate things over time, without questioning whether we really need them.  If you cannot justify its use, donate it to a charity.
Don’t be overly sentimental. Do you really need to keep your school notes from elementary school?  It’s not as if you were any good at Math anyway. Unless you are likely to reread elementary geometry in the next 12 months, you can probably chuck out these painful memories of old school days. This doesn’t mean you have to throw everything away.  Keep things of great sentimental value, but don’t feel guilty about not keeping everything.

Clear up as you go. Don’t wait for the day when you have “loads of time” – that day never seems to come. Try to keep on top of your living space all the time. Once it is tidy and spacious, it provides its own incentive to avoid cluttering it up.  Use the 30-second rule: if a job takes around 30 seconds to do, do it immediately. This applies to putting away your shoes, sorting mail, and other small jobs.  The best way to tame clutter is to take 10 minutes every day to clear the clutter.  A little here and there goes a long way!  10 minutes won’t take a big chunk out of your day… and its way better then devoting a whole day to cleaning the clutter – who wants to do that?

Organization. Sometimes it is not just a matter of throwing things away, but, being organized. Items which are rarely used can be put in the most distant storage space like a garage or attic.  Also, try to adopt the habit of:  “when you take something out, just make sure you put it back.”  Bonus, next time you need it – you’ll know where to find it!

Getting overwhelmed just looking at the clutter is one of the greatest excuses not to start. Take a deep breath and focus on one small area. Once that area is done move on to the next. Listening to cheery, upbeat music while you’re organizing will help keep you moving.  The end result will be worth the effort!

Here at Nufloors, we meet a lot of people desperate for new floors – and we know how you feel! With the busy lives that we all live it’s sometimes hard to prioritize what home project to take on first. So, we thought we’d help you out by creating a list of what signs to look for in your home that might mean ‘time to update.’

Yes…that’s a stain.

You know it’s time to think about replacing your kitchen floor if the pattern on the linoleum didn’t used to be there. ‘That’s a flower not a red wine spill from 4 years ago!’

Oweee!

You know you can’t keep ignoring the never ending splinters your poor feet get whenever you shuffle across the hardwood floor.

Back in my day.

Perhaps you can start thinking about updating after your grandma comments that she loves the décor because it reminds her of when she was growing up!

Not so groovy, baby.

If your big toe gets caught in the 70’s shag rug and you always spill your coffee in the morning, it’s time to consider a lower pile carpet.

It’s timeless.

If you have said on numerous occasions ‘I love this pattern because it’s come back in style three times since we put it in – it’ll be back in style soon…I think’ it might be time to look at a new ‘timeless’ option!

Do your makeup in the bathroom.

If you have run out of red nail polish because you’ve had to cover up chips in your bathroom tiles one too many times.

If you’re thinking about getting new floors and one or more of these apply to you, then we suggest you come and give us a visit! We’d love to hear about your epiphany when you realized ‘yes…definitely time for an update!’.

It’s finally summer, and while the living may be easy there’s some important work to be done if you want to fully enjoy your patio. A little hard work goes a long way in making your outdoor space look great and feel comfortable. A patio is basically an outdoor floor, so it needs the same amount of care as any hardwood, stone, or tile flooring inside your house.

1. Get Prepped

The first step is to remove all of the furniture, BBQ, planters, and anything else from your patio.  Next give it a good sweeping (a push broom is best) to remove any dirt or other material that has accumulated over the winter. If you have a brick, stone, or tile patio pay special attention to the spaces between the blocks as dirt has a tendency to build up in these areas. Avoid using a pressure washer, or at least use a lower-pressure setting. The hard spray can damage wood decking, and knock loose bricks or mortar joints.

Next you should carefully inspect the surface for any damage, rot, or mould that may have accumulated over the winter. You may have loose tiles that need repairing, broken bricks that need replacing, or dry rot in the decking planks. Replace both the rotten boards and surrounding planks, as dry rot spreads quickly and may be present inside the wood before it makes its way to the surface.

1. Wash It Down

After making any necessary repairs wash your patio thoroughly to remove dirt, mildew, and any other grime that has built up.

After scrubbing the patio surface rinse it thoroughly with a garden hose or pressure washer set to a lower-pressure setting. Allow it to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

1. Painting, Staining, and Sealing

If you have a wooden deck you may need to re-paint or re-stain if the paint is peeling or the stain has worn down over the years. Using 80-grit sandpaper on a random orbital sander sand down the wood until you’ve reached new wood, or as new as possible.

After sanding and the majority of cracks and splinters are gone it’s time to seal the wood before painting. Since wooden decks need more than an external finish, look for more than just “external durability” on the sealing product label. Larger cracks in the wood limit your options for finishing, so a soak-in, semi transparent stain is probably your best choice in this case. If painting, proceed as normal after applying the sealer and letting it dry.

For brick, stone, concrete, or tile patios a sealer is recommended for weatherproofing. It will also help maintain the colour and finish of the patio material, as well as preventing dirt from penetrating below the surface. Make sure you buy a sealer that’s formulated for exterior masonry surfaces. It will likely be oil-based and dry to a matte finish.

Brushes, rollers, or pump-style garden sprayers can be used to apply the sealer, depending on the size of area being sealed. Brushes are best for smaller or more detailed applications, sprayers are good for larger areas with vertical or uneven surfaces, and rollers are best for large, flat areas.

Apply the sealer at a time of day when the air temperature is within the range recommended on the product label. If it’s too cool or too warm the sealer may dry too slowly or quickly.  Also choose a day when it’s not going to rain, as the sealer needs to remain dry during the entire drying and setting process. When in doubt, follow the instructions on the label and everything should work out fine.

Don’t forget that there are also indoor/outdoor area rugs to add that little something special to your outdoor décor.

Whatever you choose to do with your patio, what’s important is that you enjoy it, just like with any floor inside your home.

On May 13^th of this year, a number of staff members at Nufloors Langley participated in what has become an annual event: The Extreme Home Renovation Project sponsored by the Acts of Kindness Foundation based in Aldergrove, B.C.

Acts of Kindness (AOK) is a charitable initiative which aims to build community and cultivate better lives for residents of the BC Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland.

Established in 2004, the Extreme Home Repair project annually transforms the home of a local individual or family facing difficult circumstances related to their housing and resources.

The project brings together over 200 volunteers, dozens of community-minded businesses, friends, family, and neighbours, to give the selected recipients a fresh start in a safe and comfortable environment.

This year’s repair began on May 13^th with completion ten days later on May 23^rd. The homeowners made alternate living arrangements during this time so that the workers had much needed elbow room, and the stage was set for a jaw-dropping reveal when the family returned home.

Nufloors Langley was proud to participate in what is now their 6^th project with AOK. This year our sales staff became even more involved than previous by contributing an afternoon of labour. As one of our folks said “Getting in there and doing some installation brings you closer to the project, working hand in hand with the other volunteers was camaraderie at its best”.

The reveal was a real “Tug at your heartstrings” session. The family and most everybody present were drawn into an incredible atmosphere that is not easily described – tears, handshakes and some passionate speeches made it a day to remember.

To learn more about the Acts of Kindness Foundation, click here.