SHOWROOM SPOTLIGHT…
PRODUCT OF THE YEAR!… TuffCore
SHOWROOM SPOTLIGHT…
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH...
Mannington Adura Vinyl Plank
The wow without the worry.
About ADURA® Vinyl Plank
Incredible detail. Stunning style. High performance. You’ll get the wow without the worry when you choose any ADURA® vinyl plank floor. Available in a variety of shapes, sizes, textures, and installation options, any ADURA® vinyl plank will deliver award-winning fashion to your home.
Why Choose Mannington ADURA® Vinyl Plank?
• ADURA® floors are waterproof, scratch-and indentation-resistant and easy to maintain
• ADURA® is perfect for any room where style and performance matters in a new home. Special attention has been paid to style details like realistic wood grains and surface textures, long and wide planks, variable width planks, and ceramic tile looks
• Available in a variety of shapes, sizes, textures, and installation options
• All Mannington floors are FloorScore® certified which means they are independently tested and meet stringent indoor air quality standards. This certification also qualifies all of our floors for low VOCs
WATERPROOF
KID & PET FRIENDLY
EASY TO CLEAN & MAINTAIN
SCRATCH RESISTANT
FADE & STAIN RESISTANT
INDENTATION RESISTANT
FLOORSCORE® CERTIFIED
Meet the ADURA® Vinyl Plank Family
ADURA®MaxAPEX are high-style, statement-making floors for any room, especially those that set the style tone for your home (foyers, living areas, dining spaces).
ADURA®Max dampens sound by 30%, for more peace and quiet in homes with multiple stories, plus those with media rooms, music rooms and kids play spaces.
ADURA®Rigid is strong and durable with superior indentation resistance, ideal for home gyms, kids rooms and kitchens.
ADURA®Flex is a stable and reliable glue-down floor that can be installed in long runs without transition strips, ideal for homes with open floor plans.
Social Buzz…
“When we researched the different products that we could use for flooring we found that this Mannington product stood up better than any other on the market. Not only for the high traffic but also for spill, etc… It is so easy to maintain and also looks beautiful in every room of our home. The different styles and color options were incredible! Jennifer T.”
SAVE THIS MONTH AT
10% OFF ALL MANNINGTON ADURA PRODUCTS
TAKE ME TO THE SHOWROOM!
Heated Floors To Get You Through The Winter…Cozy!
Heated Floors To Help Get You Through The Winter…Cozy!
Electric Radiant In-Floor Heating Systems
Discover the Warmth and Comfort of Radiant Floor Heating
Say goodbye to drafty rooms, chilly wood floors and cold bathroom tiles. The moment you step on a ThermoSoft heated floor, you’ll appreciate the difference it makes to the comfort of your family. Radiant floor heating feels luxurious, but it also has practical benefits: it offers clean, energy-efficient warmth without the allergens or dry air associated with traditional forced-air heat.
Electric floor heating is an affordable upgrade to your home that can be installed under any floor type in any space – from a single room to an entire house. No regular maintenance and long-term dependability mean your underfloor heat will keep you comfortable and happy for years to come.
Exceptional Comfort
Warms rooms, not ceilings: Underfloor heat puts heat near people, keeping extremities warm and the room comfortable.
Uniform, ideal heat pattern: Electric radiant heat applies heat gently with even energy distribution thanks to consistent heating element patterns.
Say goodbye to drafty rooms: Reducing or eliminating the use of forced air heat means no drafts created by blowing fans.
Invisible and silent: No unsightly vents, no audible fans, total comfort with no interruptions.
Individual room control: Take total control of your home comfort with room-specific thermostats.
Cleaner, Healthier, Maintenance-Free
Maintenance-free: No filters, no vents, no moving parts to worry about. Once electric radiant floor heating is installed, it can last indefinitely.
No dirty vents or ducts: Radiant heat is cleaner because it reduces or eliminates the need for vents and ducts actively distributing dust and allergens in your home.
No more drying out your air: Radiant heat doesn’t pump in dry heated air like an HVAC system, which means more comfortable air for your eyes and sinuses.
Energy-Saving
100% Efficiency: With electric radiant heat, our system converts all input energy to heat. No other system matches this.
More comfort, less energy: Radiant heat typically achieves a comfortable environment at a lower temperature than forced air heat.
Use less energy by needing less heat: Radiant heat establishes a feeling of comfort at a temperature lower than what is needed from a forced air system. This lower demand on your home’s heating systems means a more efficient way to stay warm.
Bathroom
Shower
Basement
Kitchen
Bedroom
Foyer
Sunroom
Mudroom
Bonus Room/Den
Garage
Living Room
Blinds Colorado Springs
Solid Wood vs. Engineered Wood
Solid wood flooring, as the name suggests, is made of solid wood throughout its thickness. It is usually made of a hardwood species, such as oak, maple, or walnut, and its major advantage is that it can be sanded and refinished many times over the course of its lifespan. Engineered wood flooring looks very similar on the surface, but it is made from a thinner layer of hardwood bonded over a substrate of high-quality plywood made of hardwood as well. Engineered flooring is somewhat less expensive than solid hardwood, but don’t let that fool you!. The engineered flooring has a factory aluminum oxide or ceramic bead finish that is formulated to not require re-sanding during it’s lifetime. Also, if sanded, you would be sanding out the characters that made you fall in love with the floor in the first place. The clear advantage to one form of wood flooring over the other boils down to the geographic area you live in and your lifestyle. Your choice depends on how much you value the relative benefits of each.
Solid Wood Flooring vs. Engineered Wood Flooring
Solid wood flooring comes in long planks, usually made of a hardwood species. It is milled with tongues and grooves on opposite edges so that the boards interlock when installed. It is always nailed down to the subfloor, a process that requires some skill. Because it is solid wood, this flooring can be sanded down and refinished several times over its life.
| Solid Hardwood | Engineered Hardwood | |
| Lifespan | 30 to 100 years (depending on structure, lifestyle & atmosphere) | 20 to 50 years (most having a 50 year warranty) |
| Cost | $10 to $15 per square foot | $5 to $14 per square foot |
| Sanding, Refinishing | 2 or 3 times over life of floor | 50 Year finish, not required |
| Stability | May warp in humid, damp conditions, too dry or seasonal shrinkage | Great resistance to warping, cupping and seasonal changes |
| Plank thickness | About 3/4 inch | 3/8 to 5/8 inch |
| Plank Width | 2 1/4 to 4 inches | 2 1/4 to 9 inches |
| Plank Length | 12 to 72 inches | 36 to 72 inches |
| Installation Method | Nail down, tongue-and-groove | Nail down, floating, or glue-down |
Appearance
Solid Hardwood Flooring
Solid hardwood flooring boards tend to be narrower than engineered hardwood flooring. Solid hardwood generally has very tight seams between boards, and there is a great range of colors and species. Solid hardwood is available in both pre-finished and unfinished boards. This article mainly compares the unfinished sand & finish solid hardwood.
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Floorboards tend to be wider with engineered hardwood flooring (due to it’s stability.) Some pre-finished engineered hardwood flooring has slightly beveled edges, which creates slight grooves between boards causing a more defined look, while solid hardwood flooring generally has very tight seams between boards. Engineered hardwood flooring is almost always sold pre-finished, and there is a broader range of available colors, character, species and application than with solid hardwood.
Best for Appearance?: Tie
Which version of hardwood flooring you find preferable really boils down to personal preference and which floor fits your needs and lifestyle.
Water and Heat Resistance
Both types of hardwood have good resistance to heat. Neither material is recommended for installation in truly wet locations. Engineered can however be installed over concrete and in basements below grade.
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood is not recommended for installation against concrete slabs, since moisture migrating through the concrete can cause solid hardwood to swell and warp.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood has much better performance in humid locations since its plywood construction makes it more stable and less susceptible to warping. If installation against a concrete subfloor is necessary, engineered hardwood is the choice.
Best for Water and Heat Resistance: Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood flooring comes out the winner here, since its plywood base makes it less susceptible to warping caused by moisture. Engineered flooring is also great over a floor heating system as well.
Care and Cleaning
Solid Hardwood
This flooring is easy to clean with simple sweeping and vacuuming, and occasional damp-mopping with an approved wood cleaner.
Engineered Hardwood
Care and cleaning of this flooring look the same as for solid hardwood: sweeping or vacuuming, and occasional damp-mopping with a wood cleaner.
Best for Care and Cleaning: Tie
Both types of flooring are relatively easy to care for, requiring simple sweeping and cleaning with an approved wood cleaner. Avoid using water or steam to clean any wood floor.
Durability and Maintenance
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood has the disadvantage here, but since it can be sanded down and refinished several times over its lifespan it would be something to consider as a more long term durability.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood can be refinished once, or at most twice, but honestly, should not need any sanding as the engineered floor has a very hard aluminum oxide or ceramic bead factory finish (designed to avoid the need of sanding and refinishing) that will withstand years, if not decades of use before the surface hardwood finish layer is exhausted.
Best for Durability and Maintenance: Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood flooring holds the edge here since it has been designed to be more stable and the factory aluminum oxide finish eliminates the need for sanding and refinishing for many years. All solid-wood floors can benefit from a renewal of the surface varnish coat every few years.
Installation
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood flooring is installed with a tongue-and-groove system, in which each board is blind-nailed to the subfloor down through tongues at the edges of the boards.
Engineered Hardwood
Some engineered wood flooring is also installed with the same nail-down methods used for solid hardwood, but there are also forms with “click-lock” edges that can be installed as a “floating floor.” Engineered wood flooring can also be glued down against a concrete subfloor, yes, even in “below grade” basements.
Best for Installation: Engineered Hardwood
You will find that the click-lock or glue-down forms of engineered hardwood are easier to work with than the nail-down methods used for solid hardwood.
Cost
Solid Hardwood
Sand & Finished solid hardwood averages about $10 per square foot, within a range of $8 to $14 per square foot.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood flooring is slightly less expensive than solid hardwood. The typical range engineered hardwood flooring is $5 to $10 per square foot, with most types falling in the $5 to $8 per square foot range. But, keep in mind it also requires less maintenance due to it’s factory finish.
Best for Cost: Engineered Hardwood
The edge here goes to engineered hardwood flooring. For both types of flooring, installation labor can add $3 to $10 per square foot, depending on prevailing labor costs in your area and the complexity of the home layout. Solid wood sand & finish having the more expensive variables.
Lifespan
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood typically lasts at least 30 years and as much as 100 years, since it can be sanded down and refinished several times.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood flooring generally lasts 20 to 50 years. Most engineered floors having a manufacturers 50 year warranty.
Best for Lifespan: Both Hardwoods
Because its solid wood construction allows it to be sanded and refinished several times, solid hardwood flooring comes out on top when it comes to longevity. Engineered takes the maintenance over time lead because of it’s lack of need for sanding and refinishing. Engineered will also hold up better to humidity issues and will show less seasonal changes.
Sizes
Solid Hardwood
Standard hardwood flooring planks are 3/4 inch thick, 2 1/4-4 inches wide, and sold n various lengths from 12 to 84 inches. Other thicknesses and widths are also available, though solid hardwood flooring is rarely more than about 4 inches wide.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood boards are often thinner, with 3/8- to 9/16 inch-thick boards common. Engineered hardwood is often sold in much wider boards, up to 9 inches, and the lengths typically run 36 to 72 inches
Best for Sizes: Tie
There is no particular winner here, unless you have a particular preference for narrower boards (in which case solid hardwood will be preferable for you), or wider boards (in which case engineered hardwood flooring will be a better choice).
Resale Value
Solid Hardwood
In appearance, solid hardwood is not noticeably different from engineered hardwood, but real estate professionals and potential home buyers may place a premium on a solid hardwood floor for its greater longevity.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood flooring will rarely be a turn-off to prospective buyers, though they may recognize that these floors have a shorter lifespan but excel in character and finish.
Best for Resale Value: Both Hardwoods
Both solid hardwood and engineered hardwood are premium flooring materials that add good real estate value to your home.
The Verdict
Engineered wood flooring was once regarded as a pale imitation of solid hardwood, but improvements in the product quality have eliminated this perception. Solid hardwood may hold a slight edge in prestige for some people, but the lower cost, easier installation and lower maintenance of engineered wood flooring give it the edge for others. Further, engineered wood uses less hardwood trees, a fact that appeals to environmentally conscious consumers.
Top Products:
Visit LifeStyle Floors Showroom Today as we proudly feature the following top of the industry Hardwoods:
Kitchen Projects and Inspiration
You spend more time in the kitchen than any other room in your house. Don’t settle for ordinary. Explore stylish and innovative kitchen solutions from LifeStyle Floors.
New Year!…New Kitchen?
It’s a new year and you are ready for a kitchen that fits your lifestyle!
From new flooring such as Tile, Hardwood, Luxury Vinyl Plank or Tile to Cabinets, Countertops and Backsplash LifeStyle Floors has you covered. Our experts can help you design your dream kitchen and give you the best options available to fit your budget as well as your vision. When you visit our showroom you will soon discover that you are in good hands and your options are endless.
Get Inspired!
Intentionally developed for inspiration.
Get inspired in your space with Floorvana +, a tool designed to help you find the perfect flooring match for your space. Upload images of rooms, see flooring in different installation options and share your design vision with others through a real-time Augmented Reality experience.
Match it. See it. Share it.
MATCH IT
Create a custom color palette by uploading either your own photo or an inspirational photo. Find flooring that matches perfectly with certain colors.
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SEE IT
Make it real. Upload a photo of your space and select an Anderson Tuftex floor to see in that space. Choose from hardwood or carpet and rotate the flooring to see how the direction of planks or patterns changes the look. See how new flooring can transform your space.
Click below to get started!…
DIY: Peppermint Twist Christmas Wreath
Deck your halls with these ingenious embellishments made from everyday supplies
Set a sprightly tone indoors with this high-impact wreath crafted from a sweet seasonal favorite: peppermint candies.
Materials
• White or red duct tape
• 14″ Styrofoam wreath form
• 24″ piece of high-gauge floral wire
• Pencil
• 5–6 bags peppermint candies (like Star Brites Peppermints, $2.99 per bag; Brachs.com)
• Hot-glue gun and glue sticks
• 3 yards ribbon (optional)
• Tape (optional)
Directions
1. Wrap duct tape around wreath form to cover it entirely (to hide the wreath form and protect it from melting when you apply hot glue).
2. Fold floral wire in half, wrap around wreath and tie in a knot, leaving a loop to hang the wreath.
3. Lightly pencil a line onto the middle of the front of the wreath form to create a guide for your first row of candies.
4. Unwrap a piece of candy. Apply a dime-size amount of glue to the wreath form, on one side of the pencil line. Press the edge of the candy into the glue at a 45-degree angle; hold in place until fully dry (about 1 minute).
5. Working in batches, unwrap 10–15 candies (do not stack unwrapped candies as they will stick to each other), then apply a 6″ line of glue to the wreath form, following the pencil line. Press candies into glue one at a time, one in front of the other, until the row goes all the way around.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5, with every other row starting in the opposite direction, until the wreath is covered (we made 6 rows of candies). Let dry.
7. For decorative ribbon: Before hanging, loop ribbon through top of wreath. Hang as you would normally, with the ribbon between the floral wire and the nail. Pull ribbon ends to top of door frame; secure with tape. Let ends hang down, trimming if necessary.
Note: This wreath is quite heavy, so be sure to hang from a sturdy nail. For indoor use only.
A few more Wreath Ideas:
Once the final batch of Christmas cookies comes out of the oven, clean off the cookie cutters for a charming decoration. Or better yet, pick up a cheap set, so you can keep baking cookies all season long.
The vintage Christmas lights stashed away in your attic may no longer work, but this wreath is proof that they are still full of Christmas cheer.
Because your kids don’t really appreciate your gift wrapping skills anyway. Turn your bow stash into a colorful wreath that you can use year after year.
Pick your favorite Christmas classic — “Let It Snow,” perhaps — and wrap the sheet music (music lyrics work too!) around a plain base.
If his collection of patterned ties is getting out of control, have fun with it in the form of a wreath. Added bonus if you can grab a few holiday-themed ties.
Instead of splurging on a fresh evergreen wreath year after year, just wrap shimmery tinsel around a foam wreath and call it a day.
Go for an unexpected look this year with ice skates lined in fur. Spruce up the design with pom-poms and silver ornaments.
Best Flooring for Dogs – Which Type Will You Choose?
Finding the best flooring for dogs is important.
After all, the surface your dog walks on can affect his joints!
Not to mention how easy to clean your house is.
If you are picking out a new floor or carpet for your home, we’ll help you make sure it is dog safe and dog friendly.
Why the best flooring for dogs matters
If you’re considering getting a puppy, you’ve probably already thought about what you’re going to feed them and the best training methods.
But new puppy owners are often unaware of the dangers of raising a puppy on a very slippery surface.
Certain flooring can cause your dog to slip and slide around, possibly crashing into furniture and injuring themselves.
This lack of support can contribute to the development of hip dysplasia, a common skeletal condition that commonly affects larger breeds.
Hip Dysplasia and the best flooring for dogs
There are a few things that contribute to the onset of hip dysplasia in dogs, with genetics being the foundation for the condition; it’s hereditary.
However, it can be exacerbated by environmental conditions like your dog’s weight, nutrition, and even the type of floor they commonly walk on.
As puppies grow, they can slide around on slippery surfaces, not being able to get any traction.
When this happens, their joints are being affected, as they’re taking the brunt of the movements.
When the puppies should actually be using their muscles.
Dogs raised on a slippery surface are 1.6 times more likely to develop canine hip dysplasia.
Adult Dogs and Flooring
Aside from hip dysplasia, different flooring can pose problems for both adult dogs and you.
Adult dogs are prone to slipping and sliding on floors, possibly crashing into furniture and injuring themselves.
Also, depending on the type of flooring, you’ll be faced with more clean-up.
Certain flooring is more prone to attracting hair and mess, and your dog’s nails could cause permanent damage.
Having non-slip flooring is especially important for senior dogs who are more fragile.
When a slip could result in a serious injury, it’s best to take precautions.
With that said, let’s take a look at some common flooring to see which is best for your dog.
Best Flooring For Dogs – Choosing Your Type
So what is the best flooring for dogs?
Let’s break down some of the options.
Carpet
Is carpet the best flooring for dogs, despite the hair and muck?
You probably don’t think of carpet as being a great option for your dog.
Carpet attracts dog hair like a magnet, making it a nightmare to maintain if you have a breed that sheds a lot.
Accidents are also that much more problematic when you have to clean them off of the carpet.
But if it were up to your dog, your entire house would be covered in carpet.
It’s warm, soft, and is the best non-slip flooring for dogs out there.
With carpet, you can rest assured that your dog won’t be slipping and sliding.
Carpet is also great for puppies if you’re worried about hip dysplasia.
It gives them the traction they need to walk and run around.
You know your dog best.
If they don’t shed a lot and aren’t prone to accidents, carpet could work. But for most dog owners, carpet will be a lot of maintenance.
If you’re willing to put in the work, your dog will appreciate it.
Vinyl
Vinyl flooring for dogs might be the best flooring for dogs.
It’s known as resilient flooring.
It is very durable with its scratch resistance and ability to expel water being notable qualities.
It’s also really easy to clean.
Luxury vinyl is thicker than other types of vinyl – it will last a very long time in your household.
All vinyl repels dog hair, meaning all you need is a quick vacuum to get rid of any shedding.
Accidents are also easily cleaned up with a simple cloth – no scrubbing needed.
Your dog will thrive on vinyl too, especially luxury vinyl.
It’s actually softer than hardwood and laminate flooring, and it’s easier for your pet to build traction on.
Luxury vinyl is truly the best flooring for both you and your dog.
With all of that said, vinyl flooring is actually quite affordable.
But you won’t want to skimp on quality if you’re looking for flooring that’ll last you a long time.
Splurge on luxury vinyl – you won’t regret it.
Tile
If combatting pet hair and keeping your home tidy is your number one priority, tile for dogs could work.
It’s stain resistance, tough, and water resistant.
However, tile is quite cold, not to mention how hard it is.
Your dog will probably be uncomfortable if your entire home is covered with tile.
But if you do go this route, make sure to put down plenty of rugs for your pup.
Laminate
Many claim that laminate flooring is the best if you have a dog.
It’s very durable and tough, being pretty much scratchproof.
Clean-ups are effortless.
And it’s cheap!
But while it’s convenient, it’s not great for your dog.
Laminate is extremely slippery.
Puppies and adult dogs alike won’t be able to build any traction on laminate.
Causing them to slide all over the place, this is a hazard.
If you have laminate and can’t replace it, make use of plenty of area rugs.
Hardwood
You probably want to know which hardwood flooring is best for dogs, as that’s what’s in most homes.
However, hardwood isn’t really the best for pet owners.
Wood floors and liquids are enemies.
If your dog were to have an accident, your floor could be seriously damaged.
Liquids can cause hardwood to stain and swell up. They’re also prone to showing scratches.
But if you’re dead set on hardwood, you need the pricier engineered hardwood.
It has a tougher finish and has multiple layers to it, giving it some protection against damage.
A solid hardwood floor can be as durable as vinyl, but it’ll cost you a lot of money.
Flooring for Dogs
With that said, it’s possible to make most types of flooring work for dogs.
If you have a slippery, cold floor like laminate, lay down plenty of rugs for your dog.
Try to give them their own space to play that has a more comfortable flooring.
So they don’t get too playful on the potentially dangerous floor.
Keep your dog’s nails trimmed, too!
This will help them build traction while keeping your floor safe from scratches.
VISIT US TODAY FOR YOUR PET FRIENDLY FLOORING!…
5980 Stetson Hills Blvd #110, Colorado Springs
References and Further Reading
- Burke, Anne. Hip Dysplasia in Dogs. American Kennel Club, 2017.
- Marjan, A. E. et al. Incidence, risk factors, and heritability estimates of hind limb lameness caused by hip dysplasia in a birth cohort of Boxers. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2005.