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Hardwood floors exude elegance and charm, adding warmth and character to any home. However, maintaining their beauty requires proper care and cleaning techniques. Unfortunately, many Austin, TX area homeowners unknowingly make mistakes that can damage their hardwood floors over time. To help you preserve the natural beauty of your hardwood floors, here are five common cleaning mistakes to avoid: 1.    Using Harsh Chemical Cleaners To Clean Your Hardwood Floors: While it may be tempting to use strong chemical cleaners to tackle tough stains, these products can strip away the finish and damage the wood. Avoid using ammonia-based cleaners, vinegar, or abrasive cleaners, as they can dull the shine and leave behind residue. Instead, opt for pH-neutral hardwood floor cleaners specifically designed for wood surfaces. 2.    Overlooking Regular Sweeping And Dusting In Your Austin, TX Area Home: Neglecting regular sweeping and dusting can allow dirt, grit, and debris to accumulate on the surface of your hardwood floors, leading to scratches and abrasions, a very common occurrence in the Austin, TX area. Make it a habit to sweep or vacuum your floors daily to remove dirt and prevent it from scratching the surface. Use a soft-bristled broom or a vacuum cleaner with a hardwood floor attachment to avoid causing damage. 3.    Using Excessive Water Or Liquid Cleaners: Hardwood floors and excess moisture are not a good combination. Using too much water or liquid cleaners when mopping can cause the wood to swell, warp, or cup over time. Instead, dampen a microfiber mop or cloth with water and a small amount of hardwood floor cleaner to gently clean the surface. Immediately dry any spills or puddles to prevent water damage. 4.    Neglecting To Use Protective Pads: Furniture legs, heavy appliances, and high-heeled shoes can scratch and dent hardwood floors if not properly protected. Place felt or rubber pads under furniture legs and appliances to prevent them from scratching the surface when moved. Encourage family members and guests to remove their shoes or wear soft-soled shoes indoors to minimize damage. 5.    Skipping Routine Hardwood Flooring Maintenance In Your Austin, TX area home: Regular maintenance is essential for preserving the beauty and longevity of your hardwood floors, especially in the Austin, TX area. Over time, the protective finish can wear down, making the wood more susceptible to damage. Schedule routine maintenance tasks such as reapplying finish or wax, buffing, and polishing to protect your floors and keep them looking their best. Keep Your Austin, TX Area Home's Hardwood Floors Looking Great For Years To Come! Avoiding these common cleaning mistakes can help you maintain the beauty and integrity of your hardwood floors for years to come. If you have any questions or concerns about proper cleaning and maintenance techniques for your hardwood floors, Door to Door Flooring in Austin, TX, is here to help. Our experienced team is dedicated to assisting homeowners with expert advice and quality flooring solutions tailored to their needs. Don't hesitate to reach out for assistance in keeping your hardwood floors looking their best.

When it comes to upgrading your home with beautiful and durable flooring, the importance of proper subfloor preparation cannot be overstated. Whether you've chosen hardwood, luxury vinyl, or laminate flooring for your Austin, TX home, ensuring a level and well-prepared subfloor is the key to a flawless and long-lasting installation. In this article, we'll delve into the significance of subfloor preparation and how it contributes to the success of your flooring project. 1. The Foundation Matters: Just like a solid foundation is crucial for a building, a well-prepared subfloor serves as the foundation for your flooring. It provides a stable base for the new flooring material, preventing uneven surfaces and potential issues down the line. A level subfloor not only enhances the aesthetics of your floors but also contributes to the overall structural integrity of your home. 2. Avoiding Costly Repairs: Neglecting subfloor preparation may lead to costly repairs in the future. An uneven subfloor can cause your flooring to wear unevenly, leading to premature damage and the need for replacement. By investing time and effort in preparing the subfloor properly, you can save yourself from the headache of unexpected expenses and time-consuming repairs. 3. Enhancing Longevity: The lifespan of your hardwood, luxury vinyl, or laminate flooring is closely tied to the quality of the subfloor beneath it. A level subfloor ensures that the weight and pressure are distributed evenly across the flooring surface, preventing issues like warping, buckling, or sagging. This, in turn, extends the life of your flooring investment. 4. Optimizing for Hardwood Floors: Hardwood floors are a timeless and elegant choice, but they are particularly sensitive to changes in moisture and uneven surfaces. Properly preparing the subfloor is essential for hardwood installations, as it helps to prevent gaps, cupping, and other issues that can arise due to fluctuations in the subfloor. 5. Luxury Vinyl's Resilience: Luxury vinyl is known for its resilience and versatility. However, even this durable material requires a level subfloor for optimal performance. Subfloor irregularities can be telegraphed through vinyl, causing an uneven appearance. Proper preparation ensures a smooth and flawless finish for your luxury vinyl flooring. 6. Laminate Flooring Precision: Laminate flooring relies on a stable subfloor to maintain its integrity. Without proper preparation, laminate boards may not lock together seamlessly, leading to gaps or an uneven surface. Investing in subfloor preparation is a small step that goes a long way in achieving a polished and professional look for your laminate floors. In the world of flooring, the journey to a stunning and enduring result begins with the subfloor. Whether you've opted for the warmth of hardwood, the resilience of luxury vinyl, or the affordability of laminate, subfloor preparation is the common denominator for success. Take the time to invest in a well-prepared subfloor, and you'll reap the rewards of a beautiful, long-lasting floor that enhances the overall appeal and value of your Austin, TX home.

LOOKING FOR FLOORING IN ADVANCE Consider: You want flooring to complement your unique style as well as the function of the room. Throwing dinner parties? Curling up with the Sunday funnies? Dog sitting for the neighbors, yet again? Keep in mind how you will use the room. Imagine: What personality are you trying to create? Smart and sassy? Cool and chic? Moody and mysterious? Maybe you already have some décor to work around, such as your mate’s favorite plaid recliner. Now’s the time to open the door to possibilities (and maybe make some décor updates). Gather: Torn-out magazine pages. Pinterest ideas. Paint chips. Leaves you plucked from a tree on your Bora Bora trip. These are the things dream rooms are made of. Bring your ideas to us, and we’ll help make them reality. LOOKING FOR FLOORING IN THE STORE Request: Use the visual aids you have gathered and ask us for similar flooring samples to see if the color and style are what you’re looking for. Take your samples home. Can you live with them? Or without them? Talk: It really is all about you. Talk to our sales representative about your lifestyle and tastes. Find out what options work best for you, and learn the benefits of each. It has to be a good fit. Narrow: Now that you have all the information, really discuss with us the products you’re considering. Do you prefer a rustic or sleek style? Do you like shag carpeting or dramatic patterns? Cut the contenders down, and think long-term. Question: We encourage you to find out the details of the sale. Our sales rep will talk with you about installation and discuss the basics of how to maintain your floor. Unclear on something? Ask us again. We like it—not only do we think you’re being smart, but you’ll be happy in the long run. And that’s our goal. EXPECT TO ANSWER FLOORING RELATED QUESTIONS When you begin your in-store shopping, your sales representative will probably ask some of the following questions to determine the ideal floor for your home and lifestyle. Even if he or she doesn’t bring up all these points, if you’ve thought through them, you’ll be ahead of the game: Room logistics—How do you use the room? What is its size? Does it stand alone, or does it open to other rooms or to the outside? Aesthetics—How do you want to feel when you’re in the room? What’s the style of the room and its furnishings? Risk factors—Will children play in the room? Eat there? Is there an outside door? Do you have indoor pets? Expectations for the room—Are you looking for style or practicality in your flooring purchase? What’s the first thing you want to notice when you enter the room? Do you plan to sell your home soon? The better you can answer these questions, the easier it will be to choose the right flooring for your home.

Laminate is constructed in layers to create lasting, affordable, beautiful floors. Four layers of material, each of which has its own purpose, are fused together through a direct-pressure process that binds them into one extremely durable material. And this material is today’s laminate—a type of flooring that will endure much wear and tear, performing well for many years. A Closer Look At Laminate Layers: Layer 1: A melamine backing layer that provides a moisture barrier and structural integrity and stability. Layer 2: A dense, strong inner layer—sometimes called core-board—made of compressed wood fiber. Layer 3: A melamine decorative layer that provides the floor's beauty and realism through highly detailed photography—giving laminate the appearance of natural hardwood, ceramic tile, or stone. Layer 4: A melamine wear layer that offers a tough, beautiful finish resistant to stain, fade, and wear. (In some products, it is reinforced with aluminum oxide, an extremely hard mineral compound, to increase resistance to staining, fading, surface moisture, and wear.)

Decorative tile and stone accents add beauty and value to your home. Think of them as the jewelry for the room. You may wonder if we have a style or color that you love. The answer is yes, we do! We have a variety of styles and finish combinations to suit any décor desired. Decorative accent pieces are most commonly used for kitchen and bathroom backsplashes, although you could use these for accent walls in virtually any room. Choose from glass, stone, metal, or if you can’t decide select one of our mixed media options that combine stone and glass. When you are looking to update your space, don’t forget the jewelry! The sky is the limit with our countless style, color and finish combinations available to satisfy any décor preferences you have. So whatever you desire, we’ve got you covered. Visit us today and let us help you select your accent pieces.

Whether ceramic or porcelain, manufactured tiles are a mixture of clays that are shaped and fired at high temperatures. Natural stone tiles, like slate, granite, or travertine, are quarried products—but many ceramic and porcelain tiles mimic the look of stone very realistically. They create beautiful floors for much less than the cost of stone. If you’re wondering which to choose, here’s a summary of ceramic and porcelain key points. Glazed Ceramic Tile Offers excellent value!—typically lower in cost compared to porcelain tile with similar texture/patterns Costs less than solid-surface products and natural stones Very durable—wears well over time on interior floors Available in a variety of stylish designs and colors Has long-lasting, durable surface glaze Fine natural ingredients and well-controlled manufacturing processes are used Has a low rate of water absorption, so it’s suitable for interior floors and walls Offers wipe-clean maintenance Glazed Porcelain Tile Requires a rigidly controlled manufacturing process using the most advanced procedures and technology Is considerably denser and more impervious to liquids Has a much lower rate of water absorption than ceramic tiles and is considered frost-proof—therefore, porcelain is suitable for exterior use in all climates Has a higher breaking strength than most ceramic tiles Is fired at extremely high temperatures, becoming 30% harder than natural stone (like granite and marble) Costs less than solid-surface products and natural stones Available in a variety of stylish designs and colors Offers wipe-clean maintenance

Jumping into a new look for your floor can be daunting. That’s why most people play it safe. But even if you don’t want to show off your wilder side, there are ways to incorporate fun into your floors. You just need to find the look that works with your overall design style. WHAT ARE MY FLOORING PREFERENCES? Here are a few of the possibilities to consider when deciding on the style you prefer. Modern If your style is modern, you likely prefer carpets with bold geometric patterns—such as circles or squares—or the clean, sleek look of light-colored hardwoods and laminates. Both are great choices to offset the chic simplicity of contemporary furniture. Retro A retro gal combines the designs of the past with the flair of today. You might put Country French floral motifs together with modern chrome accessories. Or hang a minimalist painting over an antique sideboard filled with vintage linens. You enjoy mixing it up! Natural You like using elements and colors that help bring the outdoors in. Beautiful stone, natural textures, wood featured in unique ways and places, and the colors of earth and sky—all create a sense of comfort and warmth in a room. Very inviting and nice to come home to. Fashion-Inspired For those who favor the runway over the hallway, this is your look. Whether the newest thing is purple paisley or pink patchwork (not that we recommend either), you’re a trendsetter who loves to take the sleekest looks hitting the stores and bring them into your decor—so it’s as stylish as you are. Tips and Trends There are really no rules when choosing a floor. Just listen to your heart. Unless your heart only likes beige, and then you might want to listen to some experts, too. Embrace color. Burnt ochre, shale green, lemon curry. If it makes you feel good, use it. Color is one of the best ways to spice up a room and create personality. Please the eyes and the feet. Texture is the big story in flooring these days. Think about loops and layering and other ways to create a tactile experience. Layer Up. Layering flooring is as fashionable as layering clothing—specifically using rugs everywhere, even over carpet. Go green—and not just with the color. Today, more and more flooring products are environmentally friendly as well as stylish. Look for carpet and rugs that are recyclable and hard-surface flooring (hardwood, laminate, Vinyl, and tile and stone) that has recycled content. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? These are the basic flooring categories: Carpet—bold and fashionable Textures, patterns, loops, and twists. Carpet offers luxurious comfort in a wide variety of styles and colors. Think of carpet for a family room that invites bare feet or a master bedroom that’s a stylish sanctuary. Hardwood—inviting and classic Add warmth, elegance, and classic style to your home with a new hardwood floor. Hardwood not only lasts for years, it will look even more amazing as it ages. Its versatility, beauty, and strength make it great for most spaces. Area Rugs—dramatic and easy Since the floor is a room’s “fifth wall,” do it up with drama. An area rug can be as expressive as a work of art. Rugs add style over neutral carpet, complement traditional hardwood, or add warmth to a tile, laminate, or Vinyl floor. Tile & Stone—pretty and practical Ceramic, porcelain, and stone tiles are appearing in all sorts of new places. Bring them out of the bathroom and into the living room. Trends include glass tiles, different-sized tiles, specialty glazes, and unique border treatments. Laminate—strong and stylish If you’re on a tight budget, laminate offers the look of hardwood and tile—at a lower cost. Resistant to stains and scratches, laminate is great for busy households with kids and pets. And there’s a huge selection to choose from. Vinyl—classy and comfy Flexible and comfortable underfoot, Vinyl floors certainly feel good. But have you seen how good they look? Incredibly fashionable designs and colors are the hallmark of today’s Vinyl flooring.

Just about any room can use an area rug. It adds instant color and style. And rugs are inspiring! Get your creativity going with the hottest trending rugs—in designs that sparkle with color, pattern, and texture while they spark the imagination! When you shop, expect to see rugs in myriad shapes, sizes, and price ranges—and in every style, from contemporary to traditional. Here are some things to consider on your way to finding your fave: Design: Rug designs usually fall into contemporary, traditional, or transitional categories. Each is a distinctive look, and your choice among the three will be a defining decision, highly expressive of your personal style. Generally, geometrics and simple patterns work well in contemporary rooms, while florals and other organics are nice in traditional spaces. A lot of solid rugs are seen now, lending texture, interest, and a very chic look. But if the activity level is high at your house, keep in mind that patterned rugs are forgiving and less likely to show stains! Color: The color on your floor makes a big impact in the room—so it’s important to give it serious consideration when you’re rug shopping. Of course, your new rug needs to coordinate—but it can either quietly and subtly complement your décor, make a bold splash as a focal point, or become the basis for your entire design scheme. Fiber: Rugs come in both natural and man-made fibers. Wool, silk, cotton, and jute are natural fibers—often prized for their appealing appearance, warmth and, in the case of wool and silk, their luster. But rugs of these fibers are often relatively expensive. On the other hand, rugs of man-made fibers like nylon and polypropylene are usually far cheaper. These rugs can have an elegance that mimics that of natural-fiber rugs. They’re also durable and easy to maintain. Many have recycled content and are even fully recyclable.

Get the traditional look of a hardwood floor, but with a twist. Bamboo floors are environmentally friendly, sustainable, and tough. This wood is rated harder than red oak. Bamboo is a cutting-edge trend that’s also here to stay, and it comes in a range of colors and styles. Take a look at our comprehensive selection today!

An often-overlooked advantage of carpet is its ability to improve a home’s environment, a benefit to people suffering with asthma or allergies. It is simply a myth that carpet contributes to poor indoor air quality. Carpet fibers can be beneficial in trapping and immobilizing potential allergy-causing particulates, preventing them from reentering the indoor air stream. In fact, studies have demonstrated that dust-borne allergens in carpeted areas are always far below levels in the air above hard surface floors. The majority of allergens may be removed from carpet by regular vacuuming (using a high-efficiency filter) and by periodic cleaning with the hot-water extraction or steam-cleaning method. Carpets and allergens—answers to some common misconceptions Some bio-pollutants, such as animal dander, dust mites, and mold, have been linked to allergies and asthma—and many of these substances are commonly found in the home. It’s important to understand that the mere presence of allergens does not pose a hazard. For an allergen to have an impact on human systems, it must be inhaled; and for inhalation to occur, it must be airborne. Carpet acts as a trap for allergens Carpet is capable of holding significant quantities of soil, dust, etc., without appearing dirty. Carpet is quite efficient at keeping allergens and other small particles, such as pollen, out of the air. In fact, data from a Swedish government study indicates that when use of carpet declined, the number of people reporting allergy problems increased. Two key steps—1) regular cleaning using a vacuum with a high-efficiency filter, and 2) periodic cleaning using hot-water extraction (or “steam cleaning”)—remove the majority of allergens from carpet and significantly reduce mite populations. study: airborne contaminants higher over tiled floors than over carpet in 2002, two schools in north carolina were the subject of a study conducted by research triangle institute and university of north carolina investigators. one school had mostly Vinyl tile floors, while the other was 70-75% carpeted. The study found that airborne contaminants, which are possible sources of allergens, were higher over the tiled floors than over carpet. STUDY: PARTICULATE CONCENTRATION FROM FOOT TRAFFIC MEASURED FOUR TIMES HIGHER OVER VINYL THAN CARPET Also in 2002, Professional Testing Laboratory studied the effect of foot traffic on air quality, using commercial carpet and commercial vinyl flooring. Following 16 minutes of foot traffic over both surfaces, the particulate concentration over the vinyl floor was found to be four times that of carpet. MISC. STUDIES: CARPET REDUCES EXPOSURE TO PARTICULATES Other studies, including one using Computational Fluid Dynamics, have reinforced these findings and concluded that carpets actually reduce exposure to particulates and potential adverse health effects. SCIENTIFIC PAPER: CONCLUSIONS DISPEL CARPET MYTHS In a recent paper, “Carpet, Asthma and Allergies—Myth or Reality,” Dr. Mitchell Sauerhoff, Ph.D., DABT, examined numerous scientific studies and other research contradicting some long-held beliefs on carpet’s alleged negative characteristics. Sauerhoff concluded, “…based on the available science, carpet does not cause asthma or allergies and does not increase the incidence or severity of asthma or allergies symptoms. In fact, with respect to asthma and allergies, multiple studies have reported fewer allergy and asthma symptoms associated with carpet.” Provided by shawfloors.com