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·Decorating Ideas

One of the most sought-after amenities in a home is wood flooring. Because of its natural appearance and warmth underfoot, wood is beautiful and timeless.
Original hardwood floors are among the benefits of older traditional homes. Newer homes that have a lower price point but that still want the natural look of wood often use laminate to win over homebuyers.
No matter your preference, there are pros and cons when it comes to hardwood versus laminate wood flooring.   If you are interested in getting free quotes on floor installation, call us at the store or file in request form.

Price
The reality of flooring costs and what you can afford may be miles apart. Take into consideration the cost of laminate and hardwood flooring to determine what is best for you.

• Hardwood: CONS – Hardwood flooring is made of harvested trees; pricing depends on how exotic the trees are. In general, hardwood is considerably higher to buy and to install.
• Laminate: PROS – Laminate wood flooring is made from composite wood pressed together at high temperatures. The image of hardwood is then placed over the composite wood, covering it to form the laminate. Not only are the materials themselves cheaper, but laminate wood installation cost is, on average, 50 percent less than hardwood installation.

Durability
Assess the traffic load and wear and tear on flooring in your home. A durable surface will make maintenance easier and will look great for years to come.

• Hardwood: CONS – Hardwood is susceptible to scratching, can get damaged from excessive moisture and will show wear, especially in heavily trafficked areas. PROS – Hardwood is the real deal; it is gorgeous and, depending on the type of wood, can add considerable value to your home.
• Laminate: PROS – Since laminate is made from pressed wood, it is more durable and resists scratches, moisture and wear and tear. Laminate flooring is also easier to clean. CONS – Even though laminate is more durable, it is not as visually appealing. Lower qualities of laminate may have artificial-looking wood grain textures.

Repair
Flooring is one component of your home that will have to be repaired at some point. From minor accidents to excessive wear and tear, laminate and hardwood have advantages and disadvantages.

• Hardwood: PROS – Hardwood can be repaired by sanding imperfections and refinishing. This gives it the edge over laminate, in that it will last for years.
• Laminate: CONS – Laminate flooring doesn’t repair easily. If you buy flooring that comes in individual pieces and snaps together, you may be able to replace individual boards — although, depending on sunlight and age, the new piece may not match properly.

Your home will benefit from the look of wood flooring; deciding whether to use hardwood or laminate is up to you.  Review the pros and cons, and be realistic about your lifestyle; if you have pets, young kids or high traffic, that may influence your decision.
If you have a lot of sunlight in your home, hardwood can fade because it is a natural product, while laminate wood flooring has UV protection integrated into the surface. Consider all the factors — and enjoy how the warmth of wood will improve your home’s aesthetic, appeal and value.
Here at The Floor Store, we will assist you in finding the best product for your project, including all the right ancillaries, accessories and installations, for anything domestic and commercial.

Disclaimer: This column is offered as advice only. All care has been taken to ensure that information is correct at time of publishing.

Regular vacuuming can literally extend your carpet’s life. The type of vacuum cleaner and vacuum floor head you use is important. A vacuum’s performance will vary based on the carpet’s fibre type and construction. A good vacuum cleaner typically has features that allow you to adjust the height, beater bar rotation and fan speed.
We only give general advice about vacuum cleaners as there are so many good brands or models. We forward you to consumer review websites for more detailed information.
Beater bar
Manual adjustable height of the beater bar is the most important feature because this enables the machine to be used on a wide variety of carpet types. If your vacuum is set too high above the carpet surface, the vacuum can’t attract the gritty soil below. If the setting is too low, the vacuum’s beater bar or brushes can damage the carpet’s surface, causing it to look worn and frayed.

• For carpet with a loop pile vacuum cleaners without a beater bar are recommended.
• For carpet with a cut pile an adjustable, rotating brush will help loosen deep rooted dirt and particles.

HEPA, High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance
Use a vacuum cleaner with a good and efficient HEPA-microfilter system in order to be able to remove fine dust and maintain a good indoor climate. The HEPA filter system extracts 99,97% of pollen, dust, animal scales and other particles.
Do I need an expensive vacuum cleaner?
No, invest in a good vacuum cleaner to get the dirt you can't see. There are many affordable vacuums on the market today effectively cleaning carpets.
Do I choose an upright or cylinder vacuum cleaner?
Both types are suitable for carpet cleaning. You should base your choice on the area you will be vacuuming and your individual preferences. 
Upright vacuum cleaners deliver great performance for carpet, help combat pet hair with their beater bar and typically have large heads to cover more surface area and reduce vacuuming time.
Cylinder vacuum cleaners are smaller and lighter, making them ideal for smaller houses and are more suitable for cleaning a wide range of surfaces, including hard floors, rugs and carpets.
Additional advice

• The suction of the vacuum cleaner should be sufficient enough to go through the backing of the carpet and pick up any dust and dirt settled there.
• Keep the suction hose and attachments free from foreign bodies.
• Examine the suction head for rough, sharp edges or bent metal which could damage the carpet.

The Floor Store recommends the Bissell Power Lifter Pet, an upright traditional vacuum cleaner, and also the Bissell Battery Powered beater vacuum for smaller areas. We use both in our showroom and stock them both for sale to our clients.
Disclamier: This column is offered as advice only. All care has been taken to ensure that information is correct at time of publishing.