​Enclosed porches are comfortable spaces perfect for drinking your coffee and taking in the outdoors while, basements make great game rooms or even guest rooms. Enclosed porches and basements are very different spaces, but when it comes to flooring, one thing they have in common is that these spaces need durable flooring. Let's take a look at some options for both.
 
Enclosed porches are comfortable spaces that bring the outdoors in. Depending on how exposed your porch is, it could contend with intense sunlight, moisture from rain, and even freeze-thaw cycles. Porcelain tile will stand up to most of the abuse the outdoor elements can dish out. Porcelain tile comes in many sizes and styles like wood looks, stone, and even hand- made ceramic looks. Keep in mind if your porch isn't fully heated and protected from the elements, you need to choose a tile that is rated for outdoor use in your climate.
 
Another choice for the enclosed porch is engineered wood. Engineered wood does not have the cold-to-the-touch feel of tile and adds the appeal of real wood that many love. Engineered wood can usually be installed over a concrete subfloor, but your porch should be weatherproofed and heated. Keep in mind how “enclosed” your porch really is before choosing engineered wood. Engineered wood requires a more controlled environment than porcelain tile.
 
The basement is used for many different things: game rooms, man caves, guest rooms, or even apartments. However you use this space, all basements are exposed to moisture. Concrete subfloors, especially below grade, might be damp constantly, and these spaces may be subject to flooding.  Because of the moisture issues basements often have, vinyl and WPC are excellent flooring options. Sheet vinyl, vinyl tile, and WPC come in almost any look you can think of: wood, stone, slate, ceramic tile and many more. What makes vinyl and WPC great for the basement is that they’re made mostly of plastic, making it very water resistant.
 
A runner-up to vinyl and WPC for the basement is laminate. Laminate is dense fiberboard topped with an image sealed under clear plastic. Many of today's laminates are also water resistant, but keep in mind that laminate, because of its fiber board material, is not as water resistant as vinyl and WPC. Laminate has beautiful wood looks and plank sizes for an authentic wood look. Laminate is also a very affordable choice.
 
Every room in your home deserves beautiful, functional flooring that’s just right for your space. Make sure to consider the amount of exposure to the elements and moisture your porch or basement will have and choose accordingly. Porcelain tile and engineered wood are excellent for enclosed porches, while vinyl and WPC products are great for basements exposed to a lot of moisture. 

Dining, living, and family rooms are the main gathering places of the home. Since you and your guests likely spend a lot of time in these rooms, a lot will be asked of your flooring in both style and durability. Let's take a look at two popular hardwood flooring options that meet the needs of these spaces well: prefinished and engineered.
 
Furniture feet, pet claws, and lots of foot traffic are just some of the abuse your dining, living, and family rooms endure almost daily. Despite its greater potential for damage from scratches and moisture, hardwood still takes the cake for one of the most popular floor coverings for these spaces. There’s a reason real estate ads mention wood floors too. Hardwood adds timeless value and aesthetic appeal to your home. While hardwood isn’t the most durable flooring, there are some hardwood options that can help you get the most out of your wood floors.
 
When it comes to solid hardwood, prefinished has a hand up over unfinished wood flooring. Prefinished hardwood is sanded and stained in factory, and the factory stain and finish comes with a warranty you won’t get with unfinished hardwood. Factory-applied finishes are also significantly tougher-wearing than what a contractor would likely apply. When you have prefinished hardwood installed, you can go back to walking on your floors shortly after installation. Unfinished hardwood takes a sufficient amount of time to dry before you can get back to your regular routine.
 
Engineered wood floors have a veneer of finished wood attached to the substrate, but it has all the beautiful wood looks of solid hardwood with some advantages. Engineered hardwood is often cheaper than solid wood flooring. Because of this, exotic wood species such as Brazilian walnut or tiger wood are often more affordable. These woods also make a good choice because they are more durable than oak or maple. Although all wood is effected by moisture, engineered wood floors are less susceptible to seasonal shrinking and swelling. In addition, engineered wood floors are more flexible in that they can be installed directly over concrete sub floors and even sometimes over existing flooring.
 
Dining, living and family rooms take a lot of foot traffic, spills, and scratches, but also are the most seen and used parts of the home. Hardwood is still a popular choice for these spaces for its timeless look and the value it adds to the home. Prefinished hardwood floors are a more durable choice than unfinished wood, but engineered wood floors are a more affordable and durable wood flooring option.

This is the first blog in our series on "Top Flooring Choices for Every Room." Today's post is all about bathrooms, kitchens, mudrooms, and laundry rooms.

Every room in your home has different needs and functions depending on the traffic and use of the space. For instance, carpet isn’t the best choice for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms or high-traffic areas like mudrooms and laundry rooms that are often subject to outdoor elements. All of these spaces endure a lot of wear, moisture, and scratches. Two of the best-suited flooring options for these areas are porcelain tile and vinyl.
 
Why porcelain tile? Porcelain tile is denser, less porous, harder, and more stain and water-resistant than ceramics or stone. In addition to being very water-resistant, porcelain tile outperforms other flooring materials in its resistance to scratching and denting. Whether it’s stomping muddy boots, dropping dishes, or spilling liquids, porcelain tile stands up to the beatings. It also comes in so many styles and sizes! Porcelain tile can mimic natural stones like granite, limestone, and slate and is also available in stunning wood looks. Newer designs draw inspiration from exotic locales and fashion runways, with surfaces that evoke leather, fabric, even animal print. Another perk is that porcelain tile is low maintenance, only requiring sweeping and a damp mopping.
 
Why vinyl? Today's vinyl continues to evolve in trends and technology. It’s water resistant, scratch resistant, and easy to maintain—requiring only sweeping or vacuuming and the occasional damp/dry mopping. Vinyl comes in several forms like vinyl plank, vinyl tile, and sheet vinyl. Vinyl plank and tile are available in beautiful wood and stone looks, but if you’re wanting a less “traditional” look, sheet vinyl has endless styles and patterns. In addition to wood and stone looks, sheet vinyl beautifully displays patterns and vintage tile looks making it easy to use your floor as your “canvas” to express your unique style.
 
Don’t forget: flooring functionality and durability are just as important as style when it comes to kitchens, mudrooms, bathrooms and laundry rooms. You can get the best of both worlds with porcelain tile and vinyl. Both flooring options offer stylish looks and durability that stands up to the challenges of everyday life in your home.

​Getting new floors is exciting! It adds beauty and value to your home, but many worry about the installation process being a hassle. It doesn’t have to be! There are many benefits of having your flooring professionally installed.

1. Free and accurate measurements and estimates
One of the first steps in purchasing flooring is getting accurate room measurements. At Ted’s Abbey Carpet & Flooring (or Floors to Go) we do complementary measurement and estimates. It's quick, easy, and accurate. With one call, a flooring professional will come to your home and calculate square footage and cost in minutes.

2. Furniture Removal and Tear out
When installing your own floor, you’re responsible for cleaning out your space, moving furniture, and removing old flooring. However, when you let us do the work for you, all you have to do is remove small items and breakables like photos and heirlooms, and we will do all the heavy lifting! We even remove your existing floor that’s being replaced.

3. Professional and Efficient Installation
When you’re doing your own installation, it can take more time than you planned for and cause stress on you and your household. Our installers work quickly and efficiently, with some jobs being finished in as little as a day. When completed, we haul away any waste left from the job.

4. Satisfaction Guarantee
When our professionals install your flooring, any mistakes made are repaired free of cost to you. All of our installations come with a Lifetime Installation Warranty. We even have a 60-Day-No-Questions-Asked Warranty: if you don't like your floors for any reason, we will replace them!
​
Having your floors professionally installed is affordable and takes the stress out of your flooring installation. Our crews ensure the job is done right with the correct tools and equipment. Installation is done in a timely manner, letting you enjoy your new floors as soon as possible. Call us or stop by any time and schedule a free measurement and estimate!

​The traditional style is one of the most popular styles used to decorate homes. It incorporates design elements from a variety of centuries (namely Victorian and Colonial) which come together for a classic, elegant, and comfortable look. The style usually boasts a neutral color palette mostly of beiges, whites, and some pastels. Let’s explore how you can create this look in your home.
 
In the living area, most furnishings and accessories should be neutral colors with the exception of ottomans, throw pillows, rugs and other accessories. This is where you'll bring in color, pattern, and texture. Wood accents and textures such as leather are what you should shoot for. A textured rug and floral or striped throw pillows will bring some added style to the traditional living room with its beige or neutral walls and white trim.
 
You can achieve a traditional look in your kitchen with light-colored granite counter tops that pair well with either white or dark cabinets. White subway tiles make a beautiful statement in a traditional kitchen, or a white geometric tile can add interest. Need a little more color? Try a pastel tile like light green or blue. Travertine tile also continues to be a classic, popular choice both for floors and backsplashes. Larger tiles will make the space feel more open and add to the clean, traditional look of your space.
 
When it comes to flooring, wood or wood-look is the obvious choice. Dark or medium wood looks work best. Dark wood will make the space feel warm and rich; but remember, if you’re working with a small space, the medium wood look will keep it feeling open. If you’re worried real wood won’t stand up to your family or lifestyle, wood looks are available in waterproof or water-resistant tile, LVT, WPC, laminate and vinyl.
 
The Traditional style can best be described as “classic.” It’s a style easily accomplished in any home with the right color, décor, and furnishing choices. The use of neutrals with textured or colored accents creates a warm, comfortable environment and an inviting home.