TOP 6 QUESTIONS OUR CUSTOMERS ASK … AND THE ANSWERS

1. Can I get the same products that you sell at a “big box” store for a lot less?

• No.
• We carry everything from entry level products to top of the line, highest quality products. So if you compare price, be sure to also compare quality.
• We offer a knowledgeable sales staff. Someone will greet you when you walk into our showroom. You don’t have to hike out to the warehouse to find someone from the garden center to answer your questions about carpet.
• We can connect you with a professional installation crew if you need. We stand behind the skills and work of the licensed and bonded installers that we use.
• We will not be undersold.

 2. Does size really matter? In other words, should I use large tiles or smaller tiles to make my floor appear bigger?

 We get this question a lot! There is no “one-size-fits-all” answer. Let’s look at a few of the benefits of each.

 Small Tiles:

• Usually require fewer cuts when installing.
• Can be easily replaced when one is damaged.
• Won’t be too overwhelming in a small room.

 Large Tiles:

• Less grout lines, causing the room to appear larger.
• Usually easier to install.
• Usually easier to clean.

 Ultimately, don’t let size be your determining factor. Several other things to consider are safety, cost, function, durability, and of course – overall look and feel of the room.

 3. How do I clean my carpet?

• ·         VACUUM
• ·         The first line of defense is vacuuming.
• ·         Prolong the life of your carpet and minimize the buildup of “stuff” in the fibers by vacuuming regularly.
• ·         Don’t hurry the vacuum and be sure to linger on the spots where people rest their feet when they sit and in the main walkways.

• ·         SPOT CLEAN
• ·         For spot cleaning we recommend Shaw’s R2X Carpet Stain & Soil Remover.
• ·         Shaw is proud to offer R2X Stain & Soil Remover as the only carpet and rug cleaning product to carry the Good Housekeeping Seal. 
• ·         Because of the patented process, it’s even easier to use than most spot cleaners. 
• ·         With carpets and rugs, just clean, blot and dry…and forget about it! 

• ·         COMMERCIAL CLEANERS
• ·         Hot water extraction vs. Steam cleaning vs. Dry cleaning? If your carpet is in good shape and does not need to be replaced but needs a deep commercial cleaning, we recommend a few commercial cleaners. Call us or stop in for a referral.

4. How should I clean my laminate flooring?

• Dust mop or vacuum the floor regularly with the hard floor attachment (not the beater bar).
• Then we recommend you use a dry soft mop (like Swiffer type) with Shaw R2x hard surface cleaner.
• Be sure to mop up spills right away. As well as water tracked in from wet feet. Do not allow excess liquid to remain on the surface of your laminate floor.
• Do not use steel wool or scouring pads, wax, polish, soap-based detergents, abrasive cleaners, or combined “clean and shine” products on your laminate floor.
• Do not steam clean.
• For spots such as candle wax or chewing gum, harden the spot with ice and then gently scrape with a plastic scraper, such as a credit card. Be careful not to scratch the flooring surface. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
• Periodically clean the floor with cleaning products made specifically for laminate floor care. We can help you with determine which product will work best for your floor.

5. How should I clean my tile floors?

·         Sweep or vacuum but do not use a beater bar to avoid dulling and scratching the tiles. Vacuum cleaner attachments work great to suck up dirt along edges or in between tiles.

·         Use doormats. Shake them out often.

·         Use the manufacturers recommended tile and grout cleaners and a damp mop. We can help you with the right product.

·         For heavy cleaning, mild scrubbing with a soft brush may be required for textured tiles. After cleaning with a mild, recommended cleaning agent, rinse thoroughly with clean, warm water to remove leftover residue. Wipe the tile dry with a clean towel to remove any film.

6. Do I have to seal my tile countertops or floors?

Yes and no. There are two parts of a tile countertop or floor…the tile and the grout.

 TILE

·         Most glazed tiles should not be sealed. They will not absorb the sealer and when it dries it will just leave a white haze that is NOT fun to remove.

·         If your tile is stone (slate, marble, granite, travertine, etc.) then yes, it will need to be sealed. Stone is naturally porous and can absorb spills and stain.

GROUT

• Grout is porous and will stain easily and so it needs to be sealed. A sealant will provide a great defense against stains and erosion of grout.
• Most tile installers do not seal grout, because grout has to cure first. You’re better off waiting 30 days to ensure that it’s fully cured. Then, apply. It’s something you should do to keep your grout looking its best.
• Sealants are usually applied with a thin sponge applicator or a brush.
• Keep a damp cloth handy to wipe off any sealant that gets on the tile surface.
• Let the sealant sit for a day before resuming use of the area.

ONE OTHER OPTION – StarQuartz QuartzLock Grout

• This is a PRE-MIXED, READY-TO-USE URETHANE and colored quartz-based grout
• Can be used for ceramic, porcelain, glass and natural stone tiles on floors and walls.
• QuartzLock Grout requires no sealing and is resistant to typical food stains and most household chemical products.
• For more information on this product go to our Products page and click on “Other Products”

If you have any other questions us at 503-763-6417
Or come into our showroom here in Salem at 1763 13^th Street SE.

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!”

Click here to learn more about Shaw Hardwoods Flooring

Design Tip Ideas that you can use

“For a space-enhancing effect, paint the trim to match the walls. When you eliminate contrast between the walls and other architectural features, you increase the apparent size of the space.”

Recently a group of designers from the California-based flooring companies, Peninsula Floors, Inc., and JPS Surface Solutions, gathered to discuss flooring options. It wasn’t long before they were extolling the virtues of hard-surface tile.

“I think for a certain group of buyers, tile is always their choice,” said designer Mary McMurrin of JPS Surface Solutions in Newport, CA. “Especially in areas where they have hygienic concerns — kitchens and baths — they will always choose tile.”

There’s no denying the crisp, cool beauty of ceramic, porcelain, and stone. Or the cleanability and easy care these natural products afford.

“I find that because homebuyers are so busy these days, they want a maintenance-free floor,” commented Gaylene Higgins, who’s with JPS Surface Solutions in Corona, CA. “Tile tends to require the least amount of maintenance of the flooring types.”

Tile is also no problem to repair. If one breaks, it’s an easy matter to pop it out and replace it. If water spills, even a lot of water — no problem there, either. If a tile floor is installed and maintained properly, and the grout is a darker color, sealed to repel soil and stains, maintenance is a breeze.

Ceramic and porcelain tiles provide some of the most versatile interior design possibilities, sporting an almost limitless array of sizes, colors, textures, and designs. Most of the materials used in making them are from the earth itself, while stone tile is actually quarried — so each of these tiles tends to create an immediate natural ambience, a quality of timeless beauty, and a look that’s decidedly upscale.

Like nearly every other category in home fashion — furniture, fabric, decorative accessories — flooring has lately felt the impact of the trend toward surfaces that are antique, distressed, and worn. Many ceramic and porcelain products have a vintage look that conveys a sense of history and almost ancient beauty.

According to Robin Phelps, Design Center Operations Manager with Peninsula Floors in San Jose, size variations are also being seen these days. There’s everything out there from tiny tiles for mosaic applications to large, rather sheet-like squares of ceramic. “I would say that the larger tiles are very popular right now,” said Phelps. “18X18 and 20X20 — these seem to be the most significant trend.”

And yet another important direction has been noted in this popular flooring segment. “What we’re seeing is that more tiles are being made of porcelain,” said designer Doreen Gaul, VP of Design Centers, JPS Surface Solutions in Westlake Village, CA. “It is a lot more durable. Consumers are getting wind of the fact and asking for it. Porcelain is also much more affordable than it used to be. Those qualities — that it’s durable and affordable — make it a good buy for a consumer.”

Gaul went on to expand the notion of what porcelain is and does, and its benefits: She described, for example, porcelain that looks like stone but doesn’t have to be sealed to avoid stain and odor absorption, so it’s especially easy to maintain. Another excellent buy for the consumer, said this designer, noted for taking superb care of her clients.

The consumer who’s intrigued by a handsome array of flooring choices that includes the look of rustic stone, slate, travertine, or marble, or who’s elated by the idea of easy upkeep, has every reason to consider ceramic and porcelain tile with enthusiasm. And she’ll be in the company of some very fine designers.

So, you’ve decided to invest in new carpet for your home – excellent!

Let’s get you started. Here are some things to consider insuring the right fit.

How will the room be used? Is there lots of traffic? Is it the center of activity? Is it an office? Hallway? Bedroom?
Is there an entrance from outside that leads to the room?
Do you have pets?

Answering these questions can help to determine which style of carpet would best meet your needs. Speaking of style, let’s take a look at the main styles of carpet there are to choose from.

Berber Carpet

Berber is carpet with loops. It’s an excellent choice for hallways and stairs because it’s very strong, will not show footprints or vacuum marks and doesn’t show wear as quickly. A standard Berber carpet consists of repeating tightly looped fibers of the same length.

A multi-level Berber, as you probably guessed is just a Berber with different loop heights resulting in different patterns and textures.

And let’s not forget the cut loop/ Berber carpet! As the name suggests, it has loops and cut pile. It’s a good blend of soft and durable.

Cut Pile Carpet

You’ve probably seen this carpet everywhere! From mansions to condos to apartments this carpet covers the whole spectrum. It’s a common choice for bedrooms because it’s so soft. This carpet is made with yarns that are cut instead of looped. If you want to hide vacuum and footprint marks, consider a textured cut pile with alternating lengths of fibers or a cable cut pile carpet.

Frieze Carpet

Pronounced   frizz-ay   most people call this shag. But it’s not your mothers shag.  It’s much softer and more durable. This type of carpeting is made by knotting the pile through a stiff, backing and then shearing it to ensure that it is all the same length. It’s a twisted cut-pile. The fibers are lightly twisted then crimped so that they are springy but strong. But don’t let that description fool you – frieze is luxuriously soft too.

One more thing, most carpet is typically made from nylon, polypropylene or wool. Super stain resistant and soft under foot make nylon the popular choice. You might consider checking out our Shaw AnsoNylon Carpet – 80 colors and 3 different weights provide affordable, luxurious durability. One of the best features of these “green” or eco-friendly carpets is their part in Shaw’s carpet recycling program. AnsoNylon carpets can be recycled over and over again. AnsoNylon has been designed to be recycled; however, this process does not affect the carpet quality, performance, or style.

Obviously this doesn’t cover everything you need to know about carpet, but hopefully it’s enough to get you going. Come into our showroom and we’ll answer any other questions you may have and help you with the selection process. Carpet – an insulating investment adding beauty, comfort and style.