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stamford: Should you install tile yourself? Installing tile in Westchester and Stamford. - 09/03/10 06:52 AM
Should you install tile yourself? Tile is the one flooring surface that so many do-it-yourselfers think they can install themselves (or they have a friend who can do it). And, tile is also the one surface, moreso than any other surface, where I see such a wide spectrum of skills and some VERY messed up tile jobs, so this is a big watch-out.
Because tile is so labor expensive, it is the most expensive surface to install. And, because it’s more expensive, it’s one of the areas customers try to save on, especially these days. Sometimes these jobs are … (18 comments)
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stamford: How hard is your hardwood? - 08/29/10 07:21 AM
The Janka hardness test measures the hardness of wood. It measures the force required to embed a 0.444 inch steel ball into wood to half the ball's diameter. It is a good measurement technique to determine the relative hardness across hardwoods.
Red oak is used as the standard and its hardness is 1,290 on the Janka scale. White oak is just a bit harder at 1,360. Bamboo is a bit harder at 1,380 (see my past blog on bamboo flooring - is it hard or soft?) and maple a bit harder than that at 1,450.
But, if you shift toward the exotic … (14 comments)
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stamford: Take your shoes off or leave them on? - 08/27/10 10:24 AM
How many times have you been to your friends' house, ready for an enjoyable evening only to be told at the door by your smiling friend "take your shoes off"? Well, one of the dirty little secret of the carpet industry is just this...keeping your shoes off might actually result in you shortening the life of your carpet when compared to your guests wearing their shoes.Here is why....going shoeless on carpets actually transfers bodily oils into the carpet fibers that over time cause dirt to attach to the carpet fibers, and even regular vacuuming and steam clean won't remove the oils. … (31 comments)
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stamford: Exotic Hardwoods - What are they and what do they look like? - 08/06/10 05:53 PM
I love hardwood. Besides the fact that it's beautiful and can improve the value of the home, I love how it can redefine the house - make it feel all new again. One of the things I really enjoy with hardwood is showing customers the range of options, especially when I show them ones they never even knew existed.
Exotic hardwoods, which are mostly grown in South America (esp Brazil), are rapidly growing in popularity. They are much harder than those grown in the US. For perspective, Red Oak which is the standard of hardness is 1,290 on the hardness scale, … (21 comments)
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stamford: Kitchen Flooring - Things To Keep In Mind - 08/02/10 09:04 PM
I'm reblogging Mark Woodward's post on kitchen flooring. He has some great advice on considerations when choosing floor for this high traffic area.
Many of my customers are surprised that the most common surface I've been installing in kitchens is hardwood. That's because: 1) it's easier on the feet, 2) it's featured in many of the home magazines, 3) it often gives better flow w/ rest of first floor and 4) is often less expensive than tile...yes, usually less expensive. This also seems to be a big surprise.
My 2nd most popular flooring for kitchens is tile - ceramic, porcelain or … (6 comments)
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stamford: Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Flooring - Why do customers love it so much? - 08/01/10 09:26 AM
As the name implies, Brazilian Cherry hardwood grows in Brazil. Due to the climate and growing cycles, Brazilian Cherry is much harder than the typical oak you traditionally see here in the US. On the Janka hardness scale, Red Oak is a 1290 while Brazilian Cherry is 2350 - almost twice as hard.
But, the main reason customers love Brazilian Cherry is its beauty. The redness and depth of color is unparalleled, along with the richness of its smooth graining. Even if you stain oak to be red, you can't get same effect - it's impossible. Take a look.
Brazilian … (26 comments)
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stamford: Carpet Guide - From pile to padding to pricing - 07/29/10 09:52 AM
Below is an excellent post on carpeting from Mark Woodward at Floor Coverings International in New Jersey. He explains the types of fibers and padding.
At Floor Coverings International, we "bring the store to your door." We think it's important to view the samples in your own home and own lighting since it does look different there vs. the store. It's also important to feel the carpets since some are softer than others. And, we love to guide our customers on the selection process so we find the right carpet for your home, your lifestyle needs and your budget. That's much … (4 comments)
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stamford: Things to know before buying a hardwood floor - 07/27/10 06:54 AM
If you or a friend (or client) are in the market for hardwood floors, then this is a must read from Mark Woodward of Floor Coverings International in Rockaway, New Jersey.
If you have any hardwood flooring needs in Westchester/Fairfield Counties, feel free to give us a shout.
Via Mark Woodward (Floor Coverings International):
Hardwood - Before You Buy
OK, you're getting close. If you have been thinking about installing hardwood floors in your home, read on.....
And you probably know by now that, with the wide array of beautiful hardwood choices available today, it's easy to suit your … (2 comments)
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stamford: Bamboo Flooring. Is it hard or soft? - 07/26/10 08:00 AM
One of the most common questions I get is whether bamboo flooring is hard or soft. Of course, this is not a simple answer. While bamboo is technically a grass, It's usually classified as a hardwood. If you search on the web for the Janka hardness (a rating meant to standardize the hardness of wood), you get all sorts of answers.
Janka is a scale based on measurement of the force necessary to embed a .444-inch steel ball to half its diameter in wood. Red Oak is the standard at 1290. I have seen bamboo classified from as low as … (74 comments)
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stamford: Cork Flooring - Why we LOVE it! - 07/24/10 05:39 PM
Cork flooring in Westchester. Can it work? You betcha. Most popular spot for cork flooring seems to be kitchens - much easier on your feet. So, if you cook a lot, or use your kitchen often, cork flooring might be a good option for you. Also, it's much warmer than tile.
Mark Woodward from Floor Coverings International in New Jersey does an excellent job explaining everything you ever wanted to know about cork flooring. His post was featured (psych - my first called shot), so in case you missed it the first go round, here is the reprise.
Via Mark Woodward (Floor … (2 comments)
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stamford: Over 2,000 flooring options - hardwood, carpet, tile - 07/22/10 07:54 PM
I'm so excited about the recent enhancements to our flooring website. We've partnered with Shaw, and now you have the ability to choose from over 2,000 flooring selections on our website - carpet, hardwood, tile, laminate and even area rugs.
Floor Coverings International has over 90 locations across the US and Canada. As a result, we can leverage our scale - we buy direct from the manufacturers and hence we are very reasonably priced.
In this visualization tool, you can find the style and the color. You can see it in a room scene and then switch the color to see … (4 comments)
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Debbie Gartner - Westchester Flooring -Hardwood Floors Carpet Tile Refinish -
White Plains,
NY
More about me…
Floor Coverings International Westchester NY & Stamford CT
Address: Westchester NY and Stamford CT, White Plains, Scarsdale, Larchmont, Chappaqua, Ossining, Yorktown, Stamford, Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Elmsford, NY, 10523
Office Phone: (914) 937-2950
Cell Phone: (203) 231-6193
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