Infloormation

Even though natural stone is very hard and strong, it can also be very porous. Because of this feature, you want to protect your natural stone investment by using a quality sealer.

If left unsealed, stains can penetrate deep into the stone. Using a sealer allows the sealer to penetrate deep into the pores of the stone, filling them so that stains cannot penetrate  those pores.

There are different types and qualities of sealers on the market. At Pierce Flooring, we recommend and use Miracle Sealants. They offer a variety of products including cleaners, color and gloss enhancers, abrasives, penetrating sealers, water based sealers, natural look sealers and one step sealers and enhancers. Everything you need to protect your stone floor, countertop or backsplash.

Keep in mind that not all sealers are the same. There are topical sealers and penetrating sealers. To get the best job, you want to use a penetrating sealer.  A penetrating sealer fills the pores of the stone so that when a stain tries to fill those pores it can’t because the sealer is already there blocking the pores.

How can you tell if you need to reseal your natural stone? Simply pour some water on your stone. If after half an hour your stone does not turn dark, then your sealer is still working.

Protecting your investment is easy. Call us today at 877-525-0066 or stop by to discuss your project so we can help you determine what product is right for you.

There are so many tile and stone choices out there to choose from. From plain and neutral to colorful with lots of movement and range. When shopping for tile or stone it can seem very easy just to pick the most neutral tile in the bunch and call it a day. Before choosing a plain neutral tile, here are some things to consider about tiles with color range and movement. This is particularly important because hard surfaces like tile and stone are purchases that you generally don’t change – so you want to get all you can out of it the first time.

Tile or stone with color range can:

• Help tremendously with hiding dirt and dust (what else do you need to know!?!) The more color and movement in a tile, the more types of dirt and dust it can hide!
• Give a floor more dimension and life – instead of looking like a flat solid floor, tiles with color range and movement can make a floor appear to have more dimension
• Make the floor the focal point of the room – this is helpful if your furnishings are solid or plain and the room needs a focal point
• Give you colors to define your color scheme – the colors or different shades of the same color can give you a starting point for your design scheme
• Give you more options to change other areas of the room such as wall color or fabrics – with multiple values of color you have more choices to pull from

Don’t be shy when it comes to choosing a tile with color range or movement. One important hint: when choosing a tile that has range of color and movement, look at several pieces of tile together (and look at them in the area they will be installed if possible) to get an idea of what the overall look will be. One single tile will not give you an accurate representation of that the whole floor will look like. Also, when looking at several pieces of tile, walk back from the samples a few feet. This will give you a better overall idea of what the floor will look like.

To look at a room scene with plain tiles versus tiles with color range and movement, try our Virtual Room Designer!

Have you used a floor that has color range and movement? Send us a photo to share with others!

If you are looking for a way to add some pizazz to your kitchen while being practical at the same time, you might just need a backsplash. Most people forget about the actual function of a backsplash and just think of them as a desigin option. Backsplashes SAVE your walls from kitchen splashes, splatters and accidents. As a bonus, they can add style and a design element to your kitchen.

Design considerations:

• Tile size – layout the size of the tiles and the amount of space you have to work with before committing to a backsplash design
• Multiple tiles – if you are using more than one size tile or implementing a design, be sure to consider the placement of the electrical outlets
• Focal point – consider adding more decorative tiles and patterns to the area behind the stove or sink with a  picture frame design or simply changing the pattern of the tile installation
• Match or coordinate – the backsplash can either match the countertop or be a coordinating color or finish
• Countertop backsplash – it is optional if you want to keep/use the backsplash that comes with the countertop

Other considerations:

• Don’t forget about those outlets and outlet covers.  Consider changing at least the outlet covers to a color that compliments the color of the tile you chose for the backsplash
• Pay attention to where the tile will stop. If the tile does not end into a wall and ends into an area where the edge is exposed, that edge will need to be treated with something like bullnose or other edge treatment
• If you are using a light colored stone or grout, sealing the stone and / or grout is a must to protect those light colored items from kitchen stains like spaghetti sauce

Your Pierce Flooring representative can help walk you through all of design options and considerations for your particular project. If possible, bring pictures of your backsplash area. This will help your Pierce Flooring representative know what design options to show you as well as what other considerations need to be kept in mind during the design phase.

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!

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!

Besides the many color and size choices for tile and stone, there are also many design installation options that can enhance the look of a tile or stone floor. Not all tile or stone floors have to be laid straight! Adding a pattern to your tile or stone installation will give you a more unique look and in some cases can even make a room appear larger. Other reasons to use a tile pattern include separating one area from another area and creating a focal point for the entire room.

Before planning a tile or stone installation pattern, you should always consider the size and shape of the room in relation to the size and shape of the tile or stone. If you are going to use a pattern for your tile installation, you always want to make sure that there is enough space in the room for the pattern to repeat. Your Pierce flooring sales consultant can help you with this.

Some commonly used tile and stone installation options:

• Turn the tile on the diagonal or on a 45 degree angle
• In addition to turning the tile on the diagonal or 45 degree angle, add a smaller tile such as a 2×2 or 4×4 in the intersections of the joints to create a “dot” (shown above)
• Set the grout lines with an offset or brick joint
• Use multiple sizes of tile (if available – not all tiles are available in multiple sizes) to create a modular pattern
• Use a border tile or decorative listello piece to create an area rug look
• Alternate multiple colored tiles to create a checkerboard effect
• Combine a larger tile and a smaller tile together to create a pinwheel pattern (for example: a 12×12 and a 4×4 tile)

For more tile and stone installation patterns, ask your Pierce flooring sales consultant.

These are just some of the options you can choose from to set your tile installation apart from a standard straight installation. Keep in mind that if you choose a pattern for your tile or stone installation that you may be required to purchase more tile and there may be  additional installation charges to install the pattern. The more complicated the pattern, the more tile it can take and the more the installation cost can be.

To get some pattern and design ideas, click here to view our gallery of floors. To try different tiles in different room scenes, use our Virtual Design Tool. These tools can be very helpful  in determining if a pattern is right for you as well as which type of pattern is right for you!

Have fun! Be creative! Put your signature on your tile floor installation today!