What would you say are the most heavily-trafficked rooms in your home? The majority of you would probably agree that it’s the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room. These rooms are the troopers. They handle the dirty work, so it’s important that they have a flooring that can stand up to spilled food, overflowing bath tubs, pet messes, and dirt and grime. Today, we’re going to take a look at the best flooring choices for these rooms. 

​Tile

Both porcelain and ceramic tile are resilient and long-lasting when they’re installed and cleaned properly. Tile won’t expand and contract with changing temperatures, and it’s impervious to moisture and stains when properly sealed. Food, dirt, water, and pet messes clean up easily, and many grouts are now stain-resistant. Tile is also green and promotes good air quality because it contains no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). And yet another reason to love tile is that design innovations allow tile to mimic just about any surface, whether it’s wood, marble, or slate. So, you can create whatever look you desire. There are also plenty of decorative tiles with patterns and shapes ranging from retro to modern to help you really personalize your space.

​Waterproof Flooring (WPC)

The WPC (wood-plastic composite) flooring category is the hottest thing in the market today. WPC is luxury vinyl tile (LVT) taken to the next level. WPC flooring has all the beautiful looks, durability, and ease of installation of LVT, but with a secret weapon: a waterproof core. YES, it’s completely waterproof! It will not buckle, bow, mold, or split from water damage. The layers of WPC are what make it so effective. In addition to its waterproof core, WPC has a “printed layer.” This is the pretty part. WPC is known for its realistic wood, tile, and stone looks. All of these layers are protected by a wear layer that prevents scratches, dents, and beatings. WPC is also very low-maintenance. 

​Sheet Vinyl

​Sheet vinyl is also low-maintenance and water-resistant. If installed correctly, vinyl is one of the most durable flooring materials. It is scratch and stain resistant due to a clear wear layer. This wear layer allows vinyl to be more flexible and softer underfoot. Keep in mind not all vinyl is created equal and some brands will be more susceptible to scratches and stains than others. Vinyl has almost every style in wood, tile, and stone you can think of. Vinyl is also easy on the wallet, generally costing considerably less than other options.

So many designs, looks, and patterns are at your fingertips to make your home your own. Come by our showroom or visit online at shopfloorstogo.com. 

​2018 was quite a year! From hardwood and tile; to carpet, laminate, and vinyl; and all the way to waterproof flooring and countertops, we installed it all! Bathrooms, living rooms, kitchens, hallways, laundry rooms, and bedrooms galore! Here’s a look back at some of our projects from 2018. 
If 2019 is the year to get your project going, give us a call at 256.231.5600 for a free estimate, or check out more projects and products online at shopfloorstogo.com.

In today’s home buying market, the biggest selling points are often kitchens and bathrooms! Whether you’re buying a home or looking to upgrade your own, installing granite countertops in these spaces is one of the best ways to add beauty and long-term value to your investment. Let’s look at what makes granite so desirable.

Granite is a natural stone available in an extremely wide variety of patterns, shapes, and tones. Each slab of granite is unique, ranging from soft and neutral to dark and dramatic. Some slabs feature subtle flecks of color. Others features large, dramatic veins or designs throughout the slab. Variation can also occur in the same slab, such as one end may have more color, pattern, or design than the other. Some people prefer uniformity in the countertops, but others like a statement piece. With granite, there’s something for everyone!

Granite is also extremely tough. Typically, the only thing that can scratch it is another piece of granite or rock. It’s so tough, in fact, that using a cutting board in the kitchen is recommended to protect your knives. If you slice food directly on the surface, you run the risk of dulling your knives. Granite is also tough against heat. It won’t bubble or blister if a hot pan or pot is placed on it.

To take care of your granite, first and foremost, make sure it’s professionally sealed when installed. Granite is porous, so it must be sealed to keep liquids from seeping in and staining or harboring bacteria. Once sealed, granite can be easily cleaned with warm, soapy water. Glass cleaners, bleach, and abrasive pads and cleaners are not recommended as they may cause the sealant to weaken. It’s also a good idea to have your countertops professionally sealed every two to four years to keep them in top shape.

​So, are you ready to get going with granite? At Floors to Go, we offer a wide selection. Don’t see what you want in our store? We can even take you to our supplier to help you pick out your own slab. Stop by our showroom today, and let’s get started! shopfloorstogo.com

Slate is a natural stone made by the compression of certain minerals and has been making its way into home for centuries. Slates has been used for roof tiles, fireplaces, walls, showers and floors. Let's look at were slate comes from and some of its qualities as flooring.
 
Like mentioned above, slate is a natural stone made from the crust of the earth. As is the case with most natural products, not all slate is created equal; the deeper the slate is in the ground, the better the quality. This is due to how our earth makes slate. The earth’s natural elements compact and compress the minerals that make slate, so the deeper the slate, the denser and more compact the slate will be. Higher quality slate is more expensive than slate mined closer to the surface because of the cost to harvest it. Slate in general is a high-quality stone with good durability.
 
Since slate is a natural product, its colors will vary, and no tile will be exactly the same. Slate does not come in as wide of variety as manmade products like porcelain and ceramic tile. Cleaning and maintenance for slate is pretty easy. It requires general sweeping and mopping (*note do not use harsh cleaners or vinegar to clean natural stone) and periodic sealing with a stone sealer.