The Latest Styles in Formica Laminate

For homeowners who are looking to breathe new life into their laminate countertops, Portland experts recommend resurfacing them in a more current color or design. Here’s a look at what’s available nowadays:

Faux natural stone. Natural stone is all the rage in home décor these days, but not everyone can afford high-end stone countertops. Portland homeowners can achieve the look for a fraction of the price, however, by simply resurfacing their laminate countertops. Portland, Oregon countertops can be revamped to mimic the look of either marble or granite.

Faux metal. Laminate countertops can also be resurfaced with a copper or bronze finish to create the appearance of a metal countertop.

Faux concrete. Concrete is another popular choice for contemporary kitchen countertops. Portland homeowners can achieve this look by pouring a thin layer of concrete over existing countertops.

How Laminate Countertop Resurfacing Works

There are several different methods of resurfacing your Portland laminate countertops, depending on the look you want to achieve. For most techniques, the process begins by thoroughly cleaning and sanding the countertops, then applying a layer of adhesive and covering the old surface with a layer of new material. However, the type of material you use can vary.

Formica laminate. One of the simplest techniques is to lay a new layer of Formica on top of the existing countertop. Today’s laminate comes in a variety of modern colors and designs and can even provide the illusion of quartz and other high-end materials. Choose a piece of laminate that is slightly larger than the surface you are covering to give you some room for error when positioning the new countertop; you can cut the excess off with a router saw once the adhesive has dried.

Decorative chips. To create the appearance of natural stone countertops, Portland residents can sprinkle the surface with decorative vinyl or mineral chips, which are then covered with a protective coat. This technique results in a durable countertop that has the coveted speckled look of granite.

Concrete coating. Another way to achieve a customized marble, concrete or stone appearance is to cover your countertops with a thin coating of concrete, which can then be colorized with pigments to create a natural, custom look.

Resurfacing is both a simple and affordable way to transform your laminate countertops. Portland, Oregon homeowners can attain a trendy and stylish kitchen for a fraction of the cost of a full-on remodel.

Countertop Design Consultation Available at Area Floors Locations

Sweep and vacuum regularly. Dirt is your bamboo floor’s biggest enemy, as it can damage the finish. Sweep with a soft, fine-fiber broom every two or three days, and vacuum occasionally to remove any dirt the broom may have missed.

Minimize water exposure. Clean up all spills immediately to prevent liquid from soaking into your bamboo flooring. If you must mop, use only a lightly dampened mop and a wax-free cleaner, such as a small amount of dish soap.

Protect from sunlight. Bamboo flooring can fade when exposed to daily sunlight. To prevent discoloration in their hardwood flooring, Portland residents should minimize sun exposure inside the home by investing in curtains or blinds.

Control humidity. Too much humidity can cause bamboo flooring to crack; too little humidity can cause it to shrink. To extend the life of your bamboo flooring, it’s helpful to maintain a stable indoor environment with 30-50 percent humidity.

Minimize scratching. As with any other hardwood flooring, Portland homeowners should take a few extra measures to avoid scratching their bamboo flooring. Place no-skid mats at every entrance of the home to remove outside dirt; use floor protectors under the legs of heavy furniture; and avoid wearing high heels indoors. Scuff marks can be removed by moistening a cloth with wood floor cleaner and gently rubbing the scuffed area.

View the bamboo flooring by DANSK available in Area Floors Showrooms

THE EDGE COMPLETES THE LOOK

Pre Formed Laminate Countertops are a low budget option for your counter tops that will get you a sleek look with a special edge.  These Pre Formed Laminate countertops come in a large variety of patterns using laminates available from Formica and Wilsonart with numerous edge options.

Visualization – Use this tool to help visualize what  pre-formed laminate counter tops will look like in your home.

• Build your own Countertops  choose your kitchen, edge, color counters, wall color and cabinetry color.

Tile. Portland, Oregon residents who are interested in incorporating tile in the kitchen or bathroom can find design ideas for backsplashes, flooring and other creative ways to use tile. Portland, Oregon designers will often use a mosaic tile design behind the range or kitchen sink, for example. Look through our online “inspiration board” for photos of unique and beautiful tile designs.

Wood flooring. Portland, Oregon living rooms, bedrooms and other parts of the home are increasingly being outfitted with gorgeous wood floors, which lend a timeless and classy feel to any indoor space. While lighter tones have long dominated the market for wood flooring, Portland Oregon residents are now catching on to the appeal of darker woods. Visit our photo collection to find ideas for incorporating dark hardwoods into your décor.

Fireplaces. A fireplace makes an amazing focal point for any room, but in many homes the beauty and appeal of the fireplace is often overlooked. The right colors and design elements can really make a fireplace pop. To find ideas for emphasizing a fireplace using materials such as tile, Portland Oregon homeowners should check out our idea page.

When it comes to designing your living space, you really are only limited by your imagination. If you’re planning a home remodel, begin your brainstorming with a trip to our idea board.

[ Image Source: re-nest.com via AreaFloors on Pinterest ]

Decorwood by Quickstep

 What makes this laminate different?

It’s HiDef Color Fusion Technology.  Unlike traditional laminate flooring this laminate doesn’t use a paper picture to create a wood look.  HiDef Color Fusion Technology allows for the color to fuse directly onto an eco-friendly substrate resulting in a floor with unparalleled clarity, brilliance and depth of color. This also allows for a high shade variation,  so your floor will have unique planks creating very few repeats in your room.

• The worlds rarest exotic wood looks on long beautiful sustainable planks without endangering the exotic tree.
• Natural color variation, depth and clarity typically found only in hardwoods
• Durable semi-gloss urethane finish that wont fade or stain.
• Created from impact resistant recycled wood that preforms well in any climate.
• Uniclic glueless technology for fast and easy installation.
• Resistant to sunlight and wont fade and discolor like hardwood.
• 35 year Warranty
• Length : 80-23/32″
• Width : 6-1/8″
• 3/8″ Thick
• Semi- Gloss fisnish, Kissed Edge, High Shade Variation, 1 carton = 6 planks, 20.65 sq ft.

Need help envisioning this in your home? Here are some tools to get you started:

Designer Tips from Quickstep     Quickstep Deign a Room   Get Inspired with Quickstep Favorites

]]> http://www.areafloorsonline.com/2012/02/product-spotlight-quickstep-decorwood/feed/ 0 http://www.areafloorsonline.com/2012/02/click-bamboo-flooring-why-builders-like-it/ http://www.areafloorsonline.com/2012/02/click-bamboo-flooring-why-builders-like-it/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:00:33 +0000 admin http://www.areafloorsonline.com/?p=4408 Bamboo flooring has long been popular as a sustainable alternative to other flooring materials. Not only is it made from a renewable resource, but bamboo flooring is also elegant, contemporary and durable. As bamboo floors have grown in popularity, manufacturers have developed new ways to make these eco-friendly floors more affordable and easier to install. One of these innovations is click bamboo flooring, available from manufacturers such as Kentwood and DANSK Hardwood.

Click bamboo flooring comes with locking edges, which snap into place without the need to use nails or glue. Here’s a look at some of the benefits of click bamboo flooring over other bamboo flooring options:

View click bamboo flooring by Kentwood available in Area Floors Showrooms

Easy to install. The biggest benefit of click bamboo flooring is that it’s a cinch to install – just cut the boards to length and snap them into place. This means minimal cleanup and no waiting for glue to dry, making this an ideal project for do-it-yourselfers.

Reduced labor costs. Even if you have a professional install your click bamboo flooring, the job will go much faster than with regular wood flooring, which helps you save money on your flooring installation.

Easy to repair. Click bamboo flooring can be taken apart as easily as it was put together, which makes it a breeze to replace severely scratched or damaged boards.

Installing a bamboo floor doesn’t have to be a complicated or expensive undertaking. Click bamboo flooring makes the sustainability of bamboo more easily available to homeowners on a budget.

[ Photo by: Gavin Tapp, on Flickr, via CC License ]

Lower cost. Remodeling is an expensive undertaking, and keeping your project within the allotted budget is a challenge. When installing pre-finished wood flooring, Portland homeowners often discover it’s less expensive than unfinished. That’s because having the finish applied at the factory reduces the labor costs required to install the flooring. That makes pre-finished wood floors a clear winner for upgrading an existing home.

Enhanced durability. A much more durable finish can be achieved at the factory than is possible with an on-site job. With pre-finished wood flooring, Portland Oregon residents can obtain floors that will last longer under heavy wear and tear – particularly in high-traffic areas of the home. Additionally, pre-finished wood flooring resists warping and buckling and is ideal for rooms that are exposed to high humidity or temperature changes.

Less mess and fumes. Finishing wood flooring on-site is a messy job, and the products used can release toxic fumes and other byproducts into the home. With pre-finished hardwood flooring, Portland homeowners don’t have to worry about their families breathing harmful fumes.

Unfinished flooring has its uses, especially when you’re renovating a historic home or attempting to match existing floors. For most remodeling projects and home upgrades, however, pre-finished wood floors offer many advantages.

CaesarStone countertops are manufactured using quartz bonded together with pigments and resin to ensure strength and create a stunning natural stone appearance. For homeowners who are looking to update their countertops to something more contemporary, here’s a look at the benefits of selecting CaesarStone over other stone countertops:

January 2012 CaesarStone Installation Special Now at Area Floors Showrooms

Durability. The biggest benefit of choosing quartz for your countertops is durability; CaesarStone is resistant to heat, chemicals, mold, mildew and scratching. In a comparison between granite and CaesarStone kitchen countertops, Portland residents will find that manufactured quartz is far less porous than granite, which means doesn’t stain as easily, never needs to be sealed and won’t be damaged by cleaning products. CaesarStone countertops also perform better than granite in impact and pressure tests, proving they’re less prone to cracking and breaking.

Style. Many different colors and styles are achievable with CaesarStone kitchen countertops. Portland homeowners can customize their countertops to match any décor style, from contemporary to traditional.

Lifetime warranty. Because they’re manufactured and therefore less prone to defects than other natural stone options, CaesarStone countertops come with a lifetime warranty on both the product and installation.

Before you remodel your countertops, it’s a good idea to explore all of the options and compare the pros and cons of each one. While granite is still a trendy and prized material for kitchen countertops, Portland residents are discovering that CaesarStone has many advantages to offer, as well.

1. Add an Area Rug

Whether or not you keep your current carpet floors, an area rug can take any space from boring to intriguing in mere minutes. Here are a few design approaches to help you maximize the impact of new area rugs:

Protect high-traffic areas. Use runners and other smaller area rugs to protect areas that receive plenty of traffic. For instance, if your hall could use a little design help, add a long, rectangular rug that will prevent scratches while beautifying the space.

Match your rug to your décor. Braided rugs complement country styles, while natural jute, wool or sisal rugs are excellent materials for creating a cozy feel. If you’re aiming for a sophisticated, modern look, consider a plush, thick area rug.

Don’t go overboard with patterns. Just as a plaid suit is hard on the eyes, too many patterns can overwhelm a room. Therefore, if your wallpaper, furniture, or other accessories feature lots of patterns, it’s probably best to choose a minimalist or even solid-toned rug. On the other hand, if the rest of your décor seems bland, a patterned rug can help jazz up the space.

Oftentimes, people who have wall-to-wall carpeting feel that they are stuck with the stuff for a lifetime, since the flooring underneath is often hard, unwelcoming concrete. Well, here’s an unusual way to tweak this situation: Remove the old carpeting, dye and polish the underlying concrete floor to give it a modern flair, and then select an exciting area rug from one of your local carpet suppliers. Chances are you will be able to find a rug that can cover nearly the entire room. And that polished concrete floor will be stunning, assuming you dye it a striking tone that matches the rest of your décor.

2. Go Green with Recycled Carpeting

Carpet suppliers are rarely included on lists of green flooring material providers. However, some modern carpet manufacturers are finding ways to reduce material use – namely by utilizing recycled materials. For instance, Anso carpeting, by Shaw, is recycled from existent nylon carpeting, thus preventing 100 million pounds of carpeting from entering landfills every year. And best of all, you don’t have to sacrifice style or performance when you choose to install Anso carpeting. It’s beautiful and durable, just like traditional carpet.

Other carpet suppliers are moving away from petroleum-based nylon carpeting and toward innovative solutions such as carpet fibers made from corn sugar. That might sound impossible, but the carpet company Mohawk Greenworks has created its SmartStrand carpeting with DuPont Sorona, which is indeed produced from renewable crops such as corn. Mohawk also recycles PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles into carpet fibers.

Installing earth-friendly carpet floors will not only spruce up your home; it will also bring you the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping to save the planet with your home design choices.

3. Create a Pattern with Carpet Tiles

Considering how long most carpeting lasts, it may have been quite some time since you last reviewed carpet suppliers’ offerings. Carpet tiles, for instance, are a fairly new development in the carpeting field.

Carpet tiles are just what they sound like – square tiles of carpet that can be placed together to create unique patterns. The edges of the tiles are finished, so you don’t have to worry about unraveling. Sticky discs adhere each tile to the underlying wood, linoleum or tile flooring. A huge benefit of this approach is that individual squares can be replaced when damaged. Another advantage is the creative license granted by carpeting tiles.

Just think: You can combine solid and complementary colors to create the perfect design for your space. Maybe a checkerboard pattern would suit your living room. Or perhaps you’ll outline a certain feature with a line of matching carpet tiles. When it comes to creating a unique, fresh look, your carpet company representative will report that carpet tiles make it easy.

Flooring Customization

Business visionaries such as Joseph Pine and Stan Davis have spent the last decade predicting that manufacturing will soon undergo a shift toward customization. Pine and Davis predicted that manufacturers would use software technology to adjust product variables on a customer-by-customer basis. Today, the flooring industry is moving toward mass customization by offering nearly unlimited flooring materials, finishes, designs and textures.

Indeed, the theme for this year’s DOMOTEX was “Customized Living.” Use your knowledge of this trend by asking your tile or hardwood flooring provider to show you the many personalization options available. You can definitely find a combination of materials and designs that will make your floors completely unique.

Porcelain Tile Flooring

Designers love how porcelain tile multi-tasks: it’s beautiful, durable, and easy to maintain. When compared to ceramic tile flooring, porcelain tile is less likely to become scratched or dinged. That’s because sand-based porcelain is denser than clay-based ceramic tile flooring. Additionally, porcelain tile is available in nearly any look you desire, and at an affordable price.

Many homeowners and designers are using porcelain tile as a less expensive way of achieving a classic marble flooring look. Designers can actually digitally scan marble patterns onto tiles, producing a timeless style for a fraction of the real cost of marble tiles. Porcelain tiles are even available in wood textures! For those who want to the look of hardwood flooring without the scratches of actual wood flooring, wood-textured porcelain tiles are perfect. They won’t scratch, break, stain or require future coats of sealant.

The Hand-Scraped Wood Flooring Look

There’s another way to stop worrying about scratches in wood flooring: Make the scratches an intentional part of your design. Hand-scraped hardwood flooring will continue to enjoy popularity in 2012 and beyond. Consumers and designers like the rich character that scraping lends to wood flooring, and homeowners love that it will shine in even the roughest household.

However, all that physical labor does raise the price of hand-scraped wood flooring. For a less expensive alternative, consider laminate alternatives. Today’s laminate flooring can be textured to expertly mimic the feel of hand-scraped wood flooring.

Wood and Ceramic Tile Flooring: Think Big

Another movement in the flooring arena is toward larger interlocking pieces. For instance, porcelain and ceramic tile flooring is now available in large pieces, some as big as 36 inches by 36 inches. That means you’ll have fewer grout lines and less work over time. Larger tiles can also make a space appear larger.

Similarly, hardwood flooring manufacturers are finally recognizing that many consumers prefer longer, wider floor boards. Some floorboards are available in widths exceeding 7.5 inches and lengths as long as 7 feet! Floorboard and tile size is certainly a trend that will grow in 2012.

Outdoor Flooring

Although recent indicators, such as the increase in new homes being built, suggest that the economy is slowly improving, many consumers are still unable to expand their living areas as they’d like. This explains the continued interest in outdoor living. By adding a patio, deck or tiled area outdoors, you can expand your living space without draining your bank account.

Outdoor flooring is usually composed of tiles that snap together quickly to create a beautiful, durable surface.

Engineered Wood Flooring

Until recently, builders had to grapple with the natural expansion and contraction of wood when installing hardwood flooring. Well, no more. Today’s designers and contractors can instead install engineered wood flooring, which features bonded plywood and finished wood. Before, humidity concerns prevented designers from installing wood floors in high-humidity areas, such as kitchens and bathrooms. However, since engineered wood flooring doesn’t twist or warp with moisture, it can be used in any room and any climate.

[ Image Source: etsy.com via Area Floors on Pinterest ]