Infloormation

You may think that carpet cushion or carpet padding is not something you need to make a choice on when you are choosing new carpet, but it is more important than you may think. Carpet cushion not only determines how your carpet feels when you walk on it, but it helps maintain your carpets original appearance and help it last longer. Since carpets are so durable these days, carpet cushion doesn’t necessarily keep carpet from wearing out, (which is not a major concern because today’s carpets rarely wear out) but it does help prevent premature matting and crushing.

When shopping for carpet cushion, you will want to look for the warranty, comfort and performance that’s right for you. The best test is actually placing the carpet cushion sample under the carpet sample and walking on the two. If you really want to see how it’s going to feel, take your shoes off and walk on the samples in your bare or sock feet! Your feet will tell you everything. You may want to consider a softer cushion in living areas or master bedrooms and a cushion with more support in areas with more active use.

Like any foundation, you want a good, high quality choice. When you choose a higher quality cushion, you get added benefits such as absorption of moisture, stain and odor control and minimal sound transfer between rooms. With some of the newer cushions, you can get name brand odor and spill protection. Leading brands include Odor-Eaters®, Arm & Hammer® and STAINMASTER®. These products last the life of your carpet cushion.

Ask your Pierce Flooring representative today about the different grades and choices of carpet padding. Come in and feel for yourself!

Dear Customers,
I wanted to share this recent testimony from one of our most satisfied customers. This situation has to do with a product that failed and that we agreed to replace. The customer’s name is Tom Klein from Bozeman. Thank you.

Will Osborne
Pierce Flooring and Design

Testimonial from Mr. Tom Klein:

“Just a note of appreciation for your company’s strong integrity. Your willingness to replace the floor speaks volumes for your customer service ethic. Allowing the Vidmar brothers to do the work is another measure of Pierce’s (Carpet Mill Outlet) commitment. They will do an excellent job. It is a bit scary to think of the entire floor being removed with all the trim issues but I have confidence in both parties to make the home new again. You can rest assured that we will sing Pierce (Carpet Mill Outlet) praises at every function we hold there. Thanks for caring about your customers, a rare thing these days.”

Have you ever started your day with a good cup of coffee and then thought your day was ruined when you spilled coffee on your carpet? It’s happened to all of us, but all of us probably did not know how to properly treat a coffee stain on carpet!

Here’s how to solve the problem:

First, blot the stain with a clean white rag or paper towel to absorb as much of the liquid as possible.

You can use a detergent solution of 1/4 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent and 1 cup of lukewarm water. You might be tempted to use a stronger solution to be sure that you remove the stain, but this is not necessary. What is necessary is a thorough rinse. This is important because you need to remove all of the detergent residue that may cause rapid soiling. You will need to rinse with warm water several times to ensure that you completely remove all of the residue. You also may be tempted to use the closest detergent that is near you, but you should NOT use laundry detergent. These detergents can contain fluorescent dyes that can dye the fiber. Another detergent to avoid is automatic dishwashing detergent because it may contain bleach that can destroy dyes and som fibers. To completely remove all of the moisture, weigh the towels down with a brick and allow it to dry. When the carpet is dry, remove the brick and brush the pile back up.

If you are not sure if the detergent you have is safe, you can use a vinegar solution. For this, mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water.

When in doubt -call a professional. If you do not want to take the chance of making any stain worse or ruining the chances of completely removing a stain, using a professional is never a bad idea. They have the knowledge, tools and equiptment to handle all types of stains and spills.

For video on carpet and other flooring maintenance, click here.

Have other spills? Send us a comment on what type of spill you need to remove and we will give you a solution!

If you are considering flooring for a child’s room or playroom there are some points to keep in mind. Kids spend a lot of time playing on the floor so you want it to be as comfortable as possible, but also as durable as possible.

Comfort is important criteria when considering flooring for areas with children. Carpet is a natural choice, but which type of carpet? You will want to choose a carpet with high soil and stain resistance, tightly twisted yarns and density of a minimum of 35-30 ounces. Frieze’s are a great choice because they hide traffic, wear well and are available in soft yarns that kids can play on for hours.

If you are considering hardwood floors, choose a floor with a naturally occurring grain such as oak, pecan, cherry or hickory that will minimize the appearance of dirt and scratches. Also, a satin or semi-gloss finish will help reduce the appearance of scratches or dents.If you already have hardwood floors, consider placing area rugs or bound pieces of carpet over the hardwood floors for added comfort.

When considering tile, you will want to choose larger size tiles in order to minimize grout joints and also consider placing area rugs or bound pieces of carpet over the floors for added comfort.

As far as durability, there are 2 things to consider when thinking about carpet versus hard surfaces. Carpet has a less expensive upfront cost, but may need to be replaced after several years of wear, tear and staining from children where hard surfaces have a higher upfront cost, but can handle more wear, tear and staining from children in the long run.

Call or visit your Pierce Flooring representative today to discuss what options are best for your home and your lifestyle. Or, feel free to browse our website for options before you call or come in.

Come into Pierce Flooring today to see the latest in hardwood trends and the latest from Mannington. One product in particular to watch is Mannington’s American Craftsman Antique Amberwood Hardwood.

With a distinctive “crackle” finish for a look that is both rustic and refined, Antique Amberwood is a sophisticated, yet down-to-earth floor. Its subtle finish is accented by knots and splits which add character and charm. Antique Amberwood is available in four warm colors – Burnished Gold, Hammered Steel, Polished Bronze, and Etched Copper.

Mannington is a story of a family. A family determined to be the best manufacturers of flooring and the best employer possible. A family set on living by their values and staying true to the mission of always doing the right thing. In a world today where only 2 in 10 family-owned companies make it to the second generation, and fewer than 2 in 100 make it to the third, they are on their fourth generation of leadership. With a fifth ready to come into their own. They believe that with continuity comes stability and opportunity. This is the vision that started back in 1915 and lives today.

When shopping for hardwood flooring there are several options that you should be aware of in order to make your purchase decision. There are colors, sizes, widths and different types of construction to consider. Knowing all of these options will make the selection process easier and more enjoyable.

Here are some things to consider:

Board width (Strips or planks): Hardwood comes in different widths. Boards that are 3″ or less are called strips. Boards that are wider than 3″ are called planks. Most hardwoods are available in 2 1/4?, 3?, 5?, 7? and now even wider widths. Most companies offer floors in each species in different widths.

Grain: Different woods have different grain patterns. Some wood like oak have more pronounced graining while woods like maple can show very little grain. When shopping for wood floors, be sure to look at more than one board in order to see the true graining pattern.

Stain: All flooring species come in different stain colors. If you choose a sand and finish installation, you can custom create a stain for your wood floors. If you choose pre-finished hardwood floors, the manufacturers pre-select stain colors for you to choose from. These stains can range from natural (no stain) to dark or black stains.

Texture: Wood floors are no longer all smooth and plain. Options are available such as antiqued, distressed or hand-scraped for more character and texture. Depending on the style of your home or project, there are different textures available to choose from.

Construction: Because there are different types of subfloors, hardwood floors are constructed differently. Ask your Pierce Flooring representative if your home needs solid wood flooring or an engineered construction.

Which type of wood flooring is right for you? Call or come in to see your Pierce Flooring Representative today to look at all of the different options available.

The decision to purchase new flooring can be a major decision. Not only do you have to find a floor that you love the look of, but you also have to consider what type is right for your home as well as keep budget considerations in mind. If you have made the decision to shop for new flooring, the process can sometimes be overwhelming. There are so many things to consider……..If you are pressed for time, you may start your shopping process on the internet or in a big box store. This is ok to get your feet wet, but below are some reasons to consider shopping with  us.

• All we do is flooring. We spend a lot of time keeping up with the latest trends, newest products and finding the best prices. We are not told what we can offer you by some big corporate box store.
• We work closely with all of our manufacturers to offer you the best pricing in the market.  We even offer NO PAYMENTS, NO INTEREST FINANCING.
  Our special financing programs allow you to enjoy beautiful flooring now while making easy payments later.
• We are well versed in the right way to install every type of flooring so we won’t sell you a floor that is not right for your type of subfloor.
• We’re here for you before and after the sale. We take a great deal of pride in offering you many tools on our website and in our stores. Our professional sales staff is here to help educate you on the different types of flooring available and what you need to know before you purchase. Should you have any concerns after your floor is installed – we are still here to help.
• We offer professional installation with a satisfaction guarantee and warranty programs.
• We have over 75 years of customer satisfaction. We care about every detail of your project and are here to ensure your satisfaction.

Call us today to start enjoying the benefits or working with a Pierce Flooring professional. It’s our job to simplify the process for you all while finding the perfect new floor for your home or office at the right price. Don’t get overwhelmed or ignored at a big box store or get misinformation on the internet. If you are not ready to come in, but are ready to start doing your homework, visit our website today! Buying new flooring can be a fun experience rather than a daunting one!

At Pierce Flooring, we want to make sure that our customers and readers are kept up to date on flooring industry news and happenings. Below is the latest from Armstrong.

On the 100th anniversary of Armstrong linoleum’s introduction to North America, Armstrong introduces an expanded color line of five patterns and 126 colors of linoleum flooring, combining the timeless beauty of its most sustainable product with the superior performance of its exclusive NATURCote™ UV-cured, low-maintenance coating. All colors are designed in a new, organized tonal step system trademarked as Color Continuum™, which unites hue, value and chroma.

More than a century ago, Armstrong ceased discarding post-industrial cork waste and began recycling it – first into corkboard insulation, and soon afterwards into the green product on which its modern flooring business was built: linoleum. Armstrong® linoleum is still made of the same renewable raw ingredients, including cork powder, linseed oil, limestone, organic pigments and jute backing. Armstrong’s line of linoleum has expanded by more than 50%, with MARMORETTE™, LINORETTE™, COLORETTE™, GRANETTE™ and UNI WALTON™ coming together as a collection of inspiring choices.

Armstrong linoleum is a sound choice that supports the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) building rating system. It contributes to three LEED® Credits: MR6.0 (Rapidly Renewable Resources—linoleum contains 36% rapidly renewable content); MR4.1 and MR4.2 (Recycled Content – 10% & 20% post-consumer + ½ pre-consumer) and also is compliant with EQ4.3 (Indoor Air Quality). It is independently tested and certified as a low-emitting product under the FloorScore™ program and is compliant with California Section 01350 for low VOC emissions, recognized as the strictest in the country. NEOCON Booth # 7-4042

For more information on Armstrong linoleum, visit http://www.armstrong.com/commflooringna/.

Reader Question:

I am looking to replace my flooring in my living room and dining room. I really like the look of dark hardwood or tile but I am concerned that they will make my room look smaller. Do you  have any advice?

Answer:

There are several factors that contribute to how small or large a room will feel.

Things to consider:

How much natural light and artificial light the room receives- A room can have white walls and white floors, but with poor lighting and no natural light the room will still feel small. With the right amount of natural and/or artificial lighting a room can have very dark floors and not feel small at all.

The color of the walls and ceiling – If a room has light to medium colored walls, you can afford to have darker floors without affecting how small or large a room feels. If a room has dark walls, this will make the room feel small regardless of what’s on the floor. (unless you have a lot of natural light!) Of course, if the walls are dark and the floors are dark without a lot of light – you can bet the room is going to feel smaller. Darker colored ceilings are going to give off a more intimate (a.k.a. smaller) feel.

The pattern of the floors – The pattern of a floor can affect the size of a room. Wider plank hardwood floors and larger format tiles will create the illusion of a room being larger because there are less visual lines for the eyes to intercept.

Being  a huge fan of dark floors, I must admit there are other things to consider. Darker wood floors tend to show scratches more and darker floors, in general, tend to show lighter soil like sand, sock lint and some pet hair.

It is important to take all of these factors into consideration when determining the best floor choice for your area. A helpful tool that you might find useful is the Virtual Room Designer found on our website. This tool allows you to change the floors and walls in different room settings in order to see what different combinations will look like. It’s a lot of fun to try darker walls with lighter floors, lighter walls with darker floors, neutral walls with neutral floors, etc.  To try it out, click here. You can even upload a photo of your room to try on different floors! When you’ve finished playing, save your rooms to your workbook so you can review them with your Pierce Flooring sales representative.

There are many different flooring types to choose from. How do you know which one is right for you? Below are some advantages, disadvantages and characteristics of different types of floor coverings. Hopefully, these can give you an idea of the types that are better for your lifestyle. For more specific information contact your Pierce Flooring representative today!

Carpet

• Ideal for kids rooms and play rooms
• Great for noise control
• Helpful in rooms with subfloor irregularities
• Creates a warm and cozy feel
• Installs quickly
• Offers wide variety of styles and colors

Hardwood

• Great long term investment to prevent replacement costs down the road
• Adds warmth and character to any room
• Able to be installed over a wide variety of subfloors
• Easy to maintain and care for
• Not ideal for homes with large pets with sharp nails
• Not meant to be used in areas with high exposure to water

Tile and Stone

• Great long term investment to prevent replacement costs down the road
• Easy to maintain and care for
• Ideal for homes with high traffic
• Endless design and installation options
• Can be uncomfortable if you have joint trouble or stand in the same area for long periods of time

Laminate

• Great for homes with pets – extremely scratch resistant
• Ideal for areas with high moisture content
• Can give you the look of real stone or hardwood without the costs associated with the natural product
• Less maintenance than the natural products its designed to look like
• Easier on joints than other hard surfaces
• Can be installed below grade

Vinyl

• Resistant to moisture /ideal for kitchens and baths
• Cost effective solution
• Easy to maintain and care for
• Many styles and colors to choose from
• Can tear and gouge more easily than hard surfaces
• Potential to yellow with sun exposure and age

There are many more advantages and disadvantages for each type of flooring. These are just a few to give you an idea about each type of product. Giving your Pierce Flooring representative more information about your lifestyle and needs will enable them to give you more specific advice. You may also find our “How I live” questionnaire and FAQ section helpful, click here for frequently asked questions and answers. Start shopping today!