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Erin

The Best Flooring for Colorado

ASK THE EXPERT | Brittani Bailey, Director of Operations


Here in Colorado, there are a lot of options when it comes to flooring, and I want to discuss a little bit about the pros and cons to the different flooring options that are available to you and what I see in Colorado.

One of my top picks for flooring in Colorado is Hardwood flooring.

The reason why I chose hardwood floors is because it is a 100-year floor. So, you could put down a hardwood floor and it could last you a lifetime or two. The pros to hardwood, especially here in the Colorado dry climate, would be the versatility in the species. You can also get different widths, which add character and visual interest to a space. On the con side, you also have the lack of humidity here and that does mean the floor will react.

You need to understand if you are going to have a hardwood floor, that there will be some gaps in your floors, and it is a little bit more prone to scratches with the pebbles and rocks that we have in our landscaping out here. I like hardwood floors because if you understand that those are characteristics of the floor, it builds character. Over the years, this may be a great floor for you. It’s something that you can put down one time and you could possibly refinish depending on the type of floor you choose in hardwood. We carry both hardwood and engineered hardwood floors.

One other flooring that is available would be a luxury vinyl plank. Luxury vinyl plank is one of the most commonly used products here in Colorado Springs.

Luxury vinyl plank floors are great because they are waterproof. The floors we carry also have a pad attached. But I do know that there are a lot of people who believe that they are a scratch proof floor. That’s not 100% true about luxury vinyl plank. Luxury vinyl plank is built to have multiple layers of protection on the floor. So, the wear layer of the floor will scratch. You will have some scratches or indentation in the wear layer. But the image will not scratch because they have put so many protective layers on top. (We do recommend following the manufacturers care instructions)

A luxury vinyl plank floor is a cost effective flooring. It’s something that you could put in a rental property or something that’s long term as well.

Tile is another great option of flooring. I do find that not as many people use tile here in Colorado as it is cold underfoot. It can be pricey to add heating systems underneath a tile, but it is possible.

Typically anyone who is using tile throughout the main living spaces outside of the bathroom and kitchens, either has really large dogs or they are trying to prevent scratches.

Did you know tile is the only floor that does not truly scratch? Tile gets micro abrasions on the top, but it’s not a deep scratch that prevents you from having a beautiful floor. You would have to really get down on your hands and knees, kind of look at it in direct light to see those micro abrasions in the tile.

The other option when it comes to floors here in Colorado would be carpet. Carpet is going to be your most cost-effective flooring throughout all the flooring options that we have at Lifestyle Floors.

Carpet comes in a wide range of colors, variations and textures.

You could use different types of pads to get a different feel. It’s truly up to you what you would like to see in a carpet. It’s a great option. We keep carpet in stock here in our showroom because we find the value in carpet.

If you want to find out more about any of the floors that we have discussed today, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us here at 5980 Stetson Hills Boulevard, suite number 110, you can ask for myself or Kevin and we will be happy to assist you with what floors work best for your home.

Our goal is to help you find the BEST FLOORS FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE!

Spring Trends in Home and Flooring

10 Spring Trends for Your Home and Flooring

Get inspired with these spring trends. 

1. Outdoor Tile – many tiles can be used in both your interior and exterior spaces. Create a cohesive look in your home by adding tile to your outdoor spaces. You can use the same tile that is in your interior space or a coordinating tile to enhance your outdoor living. Simply check to make sure the tile is manufactured for exterior spaces. 

2. Pair Painted Tile – painted tiles add character to your home. We can help you coordinate a room that looks great with vibrant painted tiles. 

3. Engineered Hardwood Floors – engineered flooring is a fantastic alternative to traditional solid wood flooring. It is designed to self stabilize when the grain layout is alternated. This will reduce swelling and gapping. 

4. White Oak – White Oak flooring and European White Oak are popular due to their clean look. They are not completely free of knots, but typically offer a minimal look and feel. 

5. Spa Inspiration – the spa look is becoming popular. You can use muted colors and textures that are calming and minimal. Carpet is an easy way to change the look of your flooring at lower costs. Use texture or simple geometric patters to create a spa look and feel. 

6. Room Visualizers – take a picture of your room and use our website room visualize to virtually change the flooring so that you can view several options and love the final look. Visit mylifestylefloors.com and find the visualizer on the bottom left. 

7. Wide Plank Flooring – get less lines and a simple clean floor by using wider planks. Wide planks are available in laminate, luxury vinyl plank and wood flooring. You can also mix wide planks with smaller planks. 

8. Statement Rugs – add texture or bold patterns by adding statement rugs. You can customize your rugs with 4 unique edge options in custom colors. Rugs help define the area. 

9. Moroccan Tile – add bold tile to small spaces. 

10. Layering Rugs – this is a simple way to add either color or texture to your space. 

Our design team is available to talk through your home and flooring options so that you love your final look. 

Visit our showroom near Powers and Stetson Hills in Colorado Springs to browse our large selection of flooring and tile. 

In case you missed it. View our FACEBOOK LIVE – “10 Spring Trends for Your Home & Flooring” at the link below. 

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What is a Mil Wear Layer?

What is a flooring mil wear layer?

 
A mil wear layer is 1/1000th of an inch. It is similar in thickness to a standard household trash bag.
 
It is used to measure the thickness of the protective surface on a luxury vinyl plank or LVP floor.
 
For comparison, a credit card has an estimated wear layer of 30 mil.
 
At Lifestyle Floors our minimum standard is 12 mil.
 
For reference a commercial grade floor typically starts at 20 mil plus.
 
We often select floors based on color and style but understanding wear layer will help you make the best flooring decision for your home.

 

If you have any flooring questions, we are your local Colorado Springs flooring resource.

DIY FLooring Colorado Springs

The Best Flooring for DIY Projects

Many homeowners tackle home improvement projects to save money or because they enjoy remodeling.
  1. LUXURY VINYL PLANK (LVP) Vinyl plank flooring is a popular choice for homeowners that enjoy renovation projects because LVP can be cut without using a saw. All that is necessary is a sharp utility knife. This makes LVP a top choice for DIY projects.
  2. LAMINATE Laminate flooring is another great option. Laminate flooring is a harder product and must be cut with a saw during installation.
LVP and laminate are both good options for homeowners because they are floating floors. They do not require nails or glue. There is other information that will help your project look great and hold up over time.
  1. Floor prep – you must install a floor on a level surface in good condition.
  2. Baseboards – removing the baseboards will allow the flooring to have a finished look and since LVP and laminate are floating floors they need some extra room under the baseboards to move.
  3. Underlayment – some laminate flooring is manufactured with underlayment attached to the back of the board. Check the install instructions and purchase underlayment if necessary.
  4. Transitions – planning out your transitions will help ensure you have the correct materials to finish the job and stay on budget.
There are many other things to consider when selecting and installing your own flooring. The knowledgeable staff at Lifestyle Floors is always available to answer your questions and help you with your flooring needs.  
Laminate Flooring Benefits

7 Benefits of Laminate Floors

7 Benefits of Laminate Flooring

Why do people choose laminate flooring?

Knowing the different options in flooring helps you make the best decision for your home.

  1. HARDNESS

    Laminate flooring feels similar to hardwood under your feet.

    Laminate flooring is harder to scratch than luxury vinyl plank floors.

  2. DURABILITY

    Many laminate floors are water resistant. (There is a difference between water resistant flooring and waterproof flooring. You can evaluate how you will use your flooring to make the best decision for your home. If you are looking for a waterproof flooring, one option to consider is a waterproof luxury vinyl plank.)

  3. COLOR & STYLE

    Laminate flooring comes in a wide variety of styles and colors to coordinate with your decor. In our Colorado Springs showroom, we carry hundreds of the latest styles as well as a range of traditional styles.

  4. COST

    Laminate flooring is less expensive than hardwood or engineered hardwood flooring. The cost is similar to luxury vinyl plank flooring.

  5. EASY TO CLEAN

    Cleaning is simple, sweep and dry mop. NEVER wet or steam mop a laminate floor. Each floor manufacturer will provide a detailed list of cleaning and maintenance information.

  6. MAINTENANCE

    Clean as above and do not drop heavy objects on flooring.

    Use furniture pads when moving furniture.

  7. EASY TO INSTALL

    No gluing or nailing. The planks are cut lengthwise with a saw and fit together snuggly. Lifestyle Floors offers full installation if you do not want to tackle the installation yourself.

PRO TIPS:

  1. Level Floors – a level floor will help your floors hold up and look great. We offer floor leveling when needed.

  2. Space Under Baseboards – a laminate floor is a floating floor and having a little space under the baseboards for movement will help your floors look great over time. Baseboards should be removed before installation when possible and re-installed after completion.

If you have any flooring questions, we are your trusted Colorado Springs resource.

laminate and vinyl plank floors

What is the Difference Between Laminate and Vinyl Plank Floors?

What is the difference between Laminate and Vinyl Plank Floors?

It can be difficult to tell the difference between laminate and luxury vinyl plank (LVP) floors.

While the products look virtually identical, there are many key differences.

Both types of flooring are made in a wide variety of colors, designs and quality. Knowing the differences can help you select the best flooring for your home and avoid regrets.

Construction

The biggest difference between laminate & LVP is in the construction. LVP is a vinyl product. The vast majority of LVP (including the LVP we carry at Lifestyle Floors) is waterproof. It can be installed in the entire home including bathrooms and kitchens.

Laminate flooring is a wood-based product. Some laminate floors are “water resistant.” At Lifestyle Floors we care about the longevity and practicality of the flooring we sell and we only carry “water resistant” laminate floors. Since standing water can damage “water resistant” floors over time we encourage our clients to consider how much water the floor will be exposed to before selecting.

Hardness & Thickness

Laminate floors are typically thicker and have a more rigid feel. If you are looking for a floor that is softer to walk on an LVP is a good option.

Impact Resistance

All flooring can be dented and scratched, even cement. Typically, a laminate floor is harder and more impact resistant than a LVP.

Most people want to prevent scratch marks on their floors. One option that can reduce scratch marks is to select a floor with a thicker wear layer.

We use the term “scratch resistant,” not “scratch-proof” because we want to help our customers understand how to select a quality floor for their lifestyle and protect their floors.

Heat

If a floor gets direct sunlight from a window, especially a southern facing window, the floor may increase in temperature. Vinyl floors are particularly susceptible to expansion under direct sunlight or heat. The floor can potentially deform. A laminate floor is more stable but can still respond to temperature and humidity changes.

It is recommended to use blinds or window coverings to protect both vinyl and laminate floors.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Let’s be honest, we all want an indestructible floor. However, the best protection is basic cleaning and maintenance to help your floors look beautiful long-term.

We recommend similar care for both laminate and LVP floors.

  1. Use furniture pads when moving furniture and refrain from dropping heavy objects on the floors.

  2. Sweep and dry mop with a neutral PH hardwood cleaner.

  3. Steam mopping can damage a laminate floor and we recommend refraining from steam mopping LVP floors as well.

Both laminate and LVP floors are good options for homes in Colorado.

We welcome you to visit our showroom or call 719-203-4094 to talk with a design specialist and discuss all your flooring projects in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Family Owned Flooring Store Colorado Springs

Family Owned and Operated Flooring Store in Colorado Springs

Family Owned Flooring Store Colorado Springs
Matt & Jenny and boys

Flooring Runs in the Family

Matt started installing floors when he was 14 with his father. He helped his father and quickly learned how to install all types of flooring. As an adult, Matt opened his open company Rial Exquisite Floors where he served the Colorado Springs area and started a family.

$100 OFF your project when you allow   us to visit your home for a FREE measure and consultation. Simply click the box.