The Floor Guide

You have seen the commercials and you may think “What a deal” or “I can’t afford to miss this.” Well you would be wrong! What I am I talking about, the Lowe’s $199.00 whole house installation promotion. Intuitively, you would think that a company the size of Lowe’s could command such a discount. However, this is just sophisticated marketing designed to get you in the store.

The devil is in the details. A friend of mine redecorated his basement and bought from Lowe’s strictly for the $199 installation. He called local retailers and asked how much they charged for installation. (WRONG QUESTION) Afterwards, he knew that Lowe’s was the best deal he was going to get. Saturday, as I stood in his newly appointed basement, I asked him where he got his carpet. He informed me of the great deal at Lowe’s. After admonishing him for not discussing his purchase with me, I told him that his great deal probably cost him hundreds of dollars. He told me that he did due diligence and that I was wrong. So, I bet him a round of golf and yesterday we went shopping.

We went to 3 stores to get quotes and then back to his house to compare the bids. On average, he would have saved $400 by not buying from Lowe’s. The key is not to be blinded by the perceived great deal. You should compare the bottom lines. When, you read the fine print in the Lowe’s deal you will find a host of other charges not advertised that actually increase the price of what a retailer would normally charge. Remember, Lowe’s has shareholders that demand a return. Whenever, they have an offer, like this one, rest assured Lowe’s is making up the discount in another area of the transaction.

Now I have to run, we tee off at 10.

Here is a warning for all of you that are considering a carpet purchase. A significant price increase on carpet pad is imminent. With the reductions in manufacturing in the auto and furniture industries, the scrap pad market is vanishing. Therefore, carpet pad manufacturers are forced to use virgin pad, which drives their costs up. I have been told that the increase will be between 15 and 20 percent.

I recommend to you to buy now for a price reduction will not come anytime soon. Save 15% and buy now. Your local flooring retailer will be forced to pass this along to you.

In past articles, we have discussed various ways of saving money when buying flooring. Given the economy, this topic is even more prevalent. So, today I would like to give you advice on how you can save money by just choosing the right place to shop. Yes, that’s right, choosing the correct flooring retailer can directly impact your price.

In today’s marketplace there are dealers who will tell you that they belong to a national buying group and that gives them buying power, which creates savings for you the customer. Sounds logical, right? After all if the retailer has the volume to drive purchase costs down, then your list price should be lower, ultimately saving you, the customer money.

WRONG!

Here is the insider scoop on how these “buying groups” work. The group negotiates a price with the manufacturer. Next he adds to the price what is called a “load.” This load ranges any where from 1 to 4 dollars a yard dependent on the type of flooring and is not disclosed to the retailer. Then, the loaded price is given to the retailer and he marks it up to create the list price. Finally, in walks the unsuspecting consumer.

For example:

Buying Group Negotiated Price: $3.00
Buying Group Load: $2.00
Price given to the dealer: $5.00

This simple example illustrates the problem. As you can see, the retailer is paying five dollars for something that really costs three. In turn, the increased cost is passed right along to the customer. I know a retail chain that was brought into a buying group and their costs went up as high as 60% in some caterigories to account for the load.

There are other factors that drive the costs up with these “buying group” retailers. Through contractual obligation, the retailer agrees to take on the display systems, new products, etc. from the group. Generally, the cost for these goods is deducted directly from the rebate the dealer gets from the manufacturers, which is distributed by the group. In any given year, rebates can represent as high as 10% of revenue for a retailer. What do you think happens when the group mandates a purchase of new displays and the retailer loses his rebate? Correct, the prices go up to recover this lost revenue.

Now you are armed with insider information that will save you money before you even begin to shop. Good Luck.

One flooring option that we have not discussed is stone. Now I know that since it is winter and those of you in Chicago, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Denver, New York, or Boston, may think that stone with its cool touch is not an option. I have two words for you: Area Rugs.

Seriously though, stone flooring, with is natural patterns and colors provide a warm rich texture to any home. The majestic finish of terrazzo, granite, or marble is incomparable to other flooring caterigories. Stone is a great long term value for a homeowner. Unlike wood, it is moisture and bacteria resistant and most stone is scratch proof. Also, stone is the easiest flooring option to clean.

Here are four of the more popular varieties of stone to make your choice easier:

Marble: Marble is a beautiful flooring choice. It is comprised of calcium carbonate and its colors and patterns are due to impurities. Marble adds a rich and almost regal ambiance which is why it is expensive. Also, marble must be maintained with regular cleaning and sealing. Your choice here is simple; is the beauty worth the cost and effort?

Granite: Granite is perhaps the hardest stone of all, and is equally good looking. Granite finishes very well and is available in a wide variety of colors. The current rage in color is from jet black to light gray.

Slate: This stone flooring is perhaps the least expensive. It provides that same beauty as marble at a fraction of the cost. Slate has a rich, almost rustic look that provides warmth. Slate flooring is moisture-resistant, so it is good for bathrooms, kitchens and basements. It is also very easy to maintain.

Terrazzo: Terrazzo is quite unlike any other flooring. Because of the unique way that terrazzo flooring is made, every terrazzo floor that you might see will be different. No two floors that will be exactly alike, so your floor will be unique. It is most often used in entryways, kitchens and bathrooms. Terrazzo is so durable it is probably the only floor you will ever have to buy. So, factor that fact in your thinking when considering the price. Also, it is completely recyclable, making it an eco-friendly choice.

When having your stone floor installed, make sure that you use contractors with experience in stone. If you want to do it yourself, I would caution you to take your time and evaluate your skills before you tackle this type of installation. It is not for the feint of heart.

By the way, if you do not like area rugs, you can use underfloor heating. So, I guess I had four words for our friends in the snow belt. My bad!

A dear friend of my just had to replace the flooring in his basement due to water damage. Unfortunately this is not the first time. He has experienced two different issues that brought water and sewage, in one case, into his basement costing him thousands of dollars in flooring replacement costs. I advised him to purchase a product called Konecto. I have been watching this product for about a year and since I have not seen claims I felt comfortable recommending this product.

Konecto is a high-quality resilient floor with both wood and tile looks. This product is glueless and floating, which allows it to tolerate imperfections in the subfloor. Its unique locking system makes it easy for a homeowner to install the floor themselves. Both qualities save you money. The best feature is that Konecto is waterproof. Saving someone with basement issues thousands of dollars, since all you have do to his tak up the flooring, let the subfloor dry and reinstall the Konecto floor. In the case of my friend, if he had installed Konecto the first time, he would have save $4200 dollars. Konecto is also a great product for mudrooms, laundry rooms, and bathrooms.

If like my friend, you are faced with replacing your floor, check out Konecto. It will save you money.

In many parts of the country, snow has fallen and the salt trucks are out keeping you safe. Unfortunately the salt is harmful to your carpet in both your home and your car. Here are some tips to remove salt stains from your carpet. According to the Carpet and Rug Institute, calcium chloride and magnesium chloride are the agents in the Rock salt that cause the stains. The issue is the solubility of the agents, especially calcium chloride. First, vacuum all loose, dry salt particles. Next, use a cleaning solution of cool to warm water and a tiny amount of carpet shampoo. Do not use hot water since sodium chloride is more soluble at lower temperatures. Never scrub the soiled area. Always blot. Then rinse with clean lukewarm water and blot again. You may have to repeat this process several times to remove the stain.

On the odd chance that this does not work, use a 50/50 solution of clean water and vinegar. Heavily saturate the salt and allowing it to stand for 15 minutes and then rinse with clean water. Again, only blot the area until the salt is removed. You may have to do this a couple of times before the entire stain is removed.

In 2009, hard surfaces will continue to be the flooring of choice. Whether in San Diego, Miami, Chicago, New York, Boston, or all points in between, consumers are attracted to the fashion and durability that wood, tile, laminates, etc offer. Additionally, in these dire economic times, the long term value of hard surface plays a key role as well.

This year experts predict that laminate will replace hardwood as the hard surface leader. Laminate flooring manufacturers have made significant strides in recent years to improve the look and feel of these products. In fact, when lined up side by side, most consumers can not tell the difference between laminate and real wood. Also with the shift to DYI, the improved locking systems have made it much easier to install.

Regarding carpet, 2009 will mark a movement toward colors and patterns. With homeowners not buying new homes, they are focused on making their home more that just a neutral palate. This year we will see builder beige move over to more bold and inviting colors. I read a great article on colors for 2009 that said it best, “…more evolution than revolution in color trends for the coming season.” In short have fun with your decorating project.

I wish everyone a healthy and prosperous 2009.

With the holiday’s season upon us, I thought it would be appropriate to pass along tips for keeping your floor clean after all the spills and muddy boots. In this report, I am focusing on Carpet and Hardwood since these surfaces require extra maintenance when cleaning holiday spill and stains like gum or crayon. With tile and vinyl, the cleaning procedures generally remain the same.

To be prepared for all stains your carpet could endure this holiday season, you should have the following:

White cloths or white paper towels so you can see the stain transfer

A detergent solution mix of mild liquid detergent with water; no more than 1/4 teaspoon of detergent to 32 ounces of water is recommended. For the detergent, a clear, non-bleach liquid dishwashing detergent is the proper choice. Clear detergents rinse clean from the carpet fibers.

Non-oily nail polish remover

Chewing gum remover (freeze or solid type)

Spot Remover: Use spot removers designed specifically for grease, oil, or tar.

Now that we have our stain and soil fighting weapons in place, let’s look at how to apply them.

Soda, Beer, Wine, Egg Nog, etc…

You will want to absorb as much as possible with white towels. Then blot the stained area with white towels dampened with cool water until there is no more transfer of the stain onto the towels. If any of the stain remains, use the detergent solution. Apply lightly onto the spot and blot repeatedly with white towels. Rinse thoroughly by spraying with clean water, and then blot or extract. Do not use too much detergent because the residue will contribute to rapid re-soiling.

Gum, Candle Wax, etc…

Freeze things or stains, such as chewing gum and candle wax, with ice or a commercially available product in an aerosol can. Shatter with a blunt object and vacuum before the chips soften.

Then proceed with the following: Blot as much as possible with white paper towels. Apply the special oil and grease spot remover to a paper towel and repeat blotting. Do not pour or spray the spot remover directly on the carpet pile, as damage to the backing or adhesive underneath could result; use the towels to transport the solvent to the carpet. Repeat as often as necessary.
Also use the detergent solution. Then, rinse with clean water and then blot.

Crayons

Blot as much as possible with white paper towels. Apply the special oil and grease spot remover to a paper towel and repeat blotting. Do not pour or spray directly on the carpet pile, as damage to the backing or adhesive underneath could result; use the towels to transport the solvent to the carpet. Repeat as often as necessary. Then use the detergent solution. Finally, rinse thoroughly by spraying with clean water, and then blot or extract.

Hardwood

For cleaning, make sure you…
Use a damp cloth to blot spills and spots as soon as they happen. For tough spots, such as oil, paint, markers, lipstick, ink, tar, or cigarette marks, use acetone/nail polish remover on a clean white cloth, then wipe with a damp cloth. Always avoid allowing liquids to stand on your floor.

Candle wax

When candle wax drips on your hard floor, it can seem impossible to get every last bit. However, it really isn’t that difficult. If the wax is still wet, use an ice cube to cool and harden it. Then use a plastic spatula, or dull knife to remove the wax. Finally, spread at least a dozen layers of paper towel over the affected area and run a warm iron over the towels. The wax will soften and seep into the towels. If the paper towels saturate through, be sure to change them to prevent damage to your iron.

Here is another insider tip that will help you save money when buying flooring.

Save on padding.

You can save significant money with one simple tip: You do not need the same amount of pad as carpet.

Retailers will try to charge you for the same amount of padding because no one ever questions them. After all, if you are buying 100 yards of carpet is logical to think that you need 100 yards of pad. However, you do not. Carpet must always be laid out in the same direction and this creates some unavoidable carpet waste. This is not the case with pad. Pad can be installed in any direction thus minimizing or eliminating waste. The installer can even piece together pad without any negative impact. The rule of thumb is that you need only 75 % of the carpet yardage.
Let’s look at the financial impact. For our example, let’s assume you purchase 100 yards of a mid grade carpet at a price of $2.50 per foot. You would only need 75 yards of pad. In a typical transaction, the retailer would charge you for 100 yards of pad at a cost of $1.00 per foot or $9.00 per yard. The total pad cost would be $900.00. Now since you truly need only 75 yards, the real cost should be $675.00; giving you a net savings of $225.00. So, tell the retailer that you will only pay for the actual amount you need. If they will not comply, then you should take your business elsewhere.

When you couple this tip with the other money saving tips in this guide, your savings will be significant. As always, we are here to be a resource by giving you information so you can make wise flooring decisions. In light of the economy, we feel more compelled than ever to help. Let us know if you have questions or need additional information.

I am putting an addition on my house, and recently needed to make a decision on some flooring for these rooms. The addition will be a heavily-used mud room, laundry room, storage area and part-time guest room. For these reasons, we needed flooring that could withstand lots of use, lots of wet feet, but still retains its dimension and color, and would also be easy to clean. We also wanted to have a product that was reasonably environmentall friendly, and could be completely recycled.

We chose a luxury tile by Metroflor called Solidity 40. It was fairly expensive but simple to install so is similar in cost to a mid-tier tile after installation. I never would have installed vinyl before finding out about its benefits while comparing different products. It provides us a lifetime warranty and can withstand the surface wetness due to kids and dogs trapsing in and out constantly. Also, it has a special surface that lasts much longer than standard vinyl, so it resists scratching and staining - the major culprits of visible wear and tear of lower performing standard vinyl flooring.

While this type of flooring is not the best when it comes to helping the environment, many of the manufacturers of luxury vinyl are taking steps to improve the environmental effects of their flooing. We could not find an environmental policy or substantive statement for Metroflor, but one of their competitors, Mannington has a comprehensive statement about the environment plus a “good neighbor” policy, which includes some language regarding improving the environment.