Infloormation

Question:

I am about to start a remodeling project and I was wondering if you could give me some advice about what to choose first. I need to replace my kitchen cabinets, countertops, flooring in three rooms, wall colors and some furniture in those same rooms. There are so many things to choose – is there any strategy as to what should be chosen first? I am already overwhelmed at the thought of all of the choices I have to make!

Cecile from Bozeman, MT

Answer:

This is a great question, Cecile and one that comes up often. There are several points and variables to consider when tackling a remodeling project. The most important thing to take into consideration is whether you are doing the remodeling yourself or working with a contractor. If you are working with a contractor or remodeler, they will have a very specific schedule and you should consult with them first on what deadlines need to be met and when. They will also handle which items are installed in what order. As far as where to start the selection process in terms of choosing the things you like, here are some other considerations that may help you determine where to start.

Regardless of what makes more sense to choose first, it is more important that you love all of your choices in the end. Sometimes, the easiest place to start is by falling in love with one item and letting that be your focal point. This can be a decorative item such as a plate or vase, a pillow or other piece of fabric, a sentimental object or a piece of hardwood flooring that is so spectacular that everything else should revolve around it.

Another important consideration is the number of choices you have. Think of it this way, there are hundreds of thousands of paint colors to choose from, but how many cabinet choices or hardwood or tile choices do you have? It’s better to start with an item that has a limited number of options in order to focus on the remaining choices. Starting with a paint color can lead to too many options.

Along those same lines, it’s a lot easier and less expensive to change a paint color down the road than it is to change the look of a floor, cabinet or countertop choice. When choosing these items, make selections that will last long term.

Some people find it helpful to start from the bottom up, meaning choose the floors first. From there you can build up. For example, in the kitchen, if you start with the floors you can then choose the cabinets that sit on the floor. Then, choose the countertop that sits on the cabinet. Then, the backsplash that sits on the countertop and so on.

Don’t forget about lead times. Items like furniture can have long lead times and therefore need to be ordered in plenty of time to arrive according to the remainder of the schedule.

Because of the number of items you have to choose, try to gather as many samples as you can when visiting different stores. We can provide you with flooring samples, but be sure to ask other for samples as well. Having items from different sources all together in the same place when making a selection is invaluable.

We hope this advice helps you. We will be happy to give you further advice when it comes time to start your project. Our sales staff has years of experience that can save you some of the headache that can come with remodeling.

Sincerely,

Your friends at Pierce Flooring

Tile countertops are one of today’s popular design choices and have several benefits that you should be aware of! Below are some of the advantages of tile countertops as well as solutions for two of the most common concerns about tile countertops.

Tile countertops often have a bad reputation for two main reasons. First, people comment on the potential for the grout to stain. Second, people comment that the grout joints make the surface uneven to cut on. There are two very simple solutions to these concerns. To avoid grout staining, simply use an epoxy grout or a penetrating sealer. To avoid cutting on an uneven surface, a cutting board should be used. In fact, a cutting board should be used anyway!

Some advantages to using tile countertops:

• More durable than laminate
• Long lasting
• Easy to maintain
• Can coordinate with the floor or backsplash tile
• More cost effective than solid stone slabs
• Multiple options for edge treatments (matching or coordinating tile, wood, decorative tile)
• Multiple design options such as modular installation, diagonal installation or offset joint installation

This photo shows how you can use a larger floor tile, but still coordinate the countertop and backsplash with the same tile – just using different sizes and installation techniques. This image also shows how well tile trim pieces finish off the edge of the countertop. (Be careful when shopping, not all tiles are offered in sizes suitable for countertops nor are trim pieces available for all tiles)

Don’t forget about using granite tiles on the countertop. This is a great alternative to a natural stone slab and even has smaller grout joints if that is a concern for you. The pieces can be cut down to form the finished edge of the countertop.

What other advantages do you find that tile countertops offer? Leave us a comment!

Reader Question:

Is rug padding necessary for all area rugs?

Answer:

Area rug pads have many different functions. You might think they are only there to make the rugs more comfortable to walk on. Their most important role is for the protection of the floors and for your protection. They protect the floor from the rough backing on the area rug as well as color transfer and staining and they keep you from slipping on hard surfaces. If you’ve ever stepped on a rug over a hardwood floor with no padding you will never wonder about the function of area rug padding again! Other reasons to use area rug pads include keeping rugs in place when there is no furniture to weigh down the rugs, wrinkle prevention, easier vacuuming and they can actually extend the life of your rug by preventing wear.

When shopping for area rug pads, be sure to tell your Pierce Flooring representative what type of floor your area rug will be on top of, what type of rug you have, the size of the rug and if the rug is indoors or outdoors. If you are looking for added comfort as well as protection, be sure to mention that, too.

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.