Understanding Your Hardwood Flooring Options

If you are considering a home flooring project, it is likely that hardwood has popped up on your list of options.  Made entirely of genuine wood, hardwood floors can add value and décor to any home.  However, the quality of different types of flooring can differ.  Consider these components when selecting your hardwood floors:

FORM:  Hardwood flooring comes in two types – solid and engineered.  Solid hardwood flooring is made of one solid piece of wood, rather than layers of wood. An ideal choice for most areas of your home at the ground level or above, it is usually nailed or stapled to a wooden subfloor. Alternately, engineered hardwood flooring is a hardwood that has been engineered from multiple layers of solid wood pressed together, in a cross-ply (layer) construction with the grains running in different directions. Engineered hardwood flooring is particularly stable and sturdy.  As suck it is very versatile and suitable for direct gluing over subflooring or concrete.

WOOD SPECIEIS & ORIGIN: Both the species and origin of the wood used in your chosen floor boards can impact the price, aesthetic, and functionality of your hardwood floor.  For example, planks made from an exotic wood will be harder to come by than that made from a maple.  However, the wood from a Brazilian cherry tree is nearly four times harder than the wood from a fir tree.  In addition, the location in which your planks originated can impact the hardness.  For example, because the growing season is longer for trees grown in the north, planks that originated in the north will have grown slower, resulting in a harder, denser wood.  Alternately, wood grown in the south will have grown more quickly, resulting in cheaper, but also softer and weaker wood.

MILLING TECHNIQUE: A high quality mill will cut their planks with the goal of finding a strong and aesthetically pleasing grain pattern, even if this means sacrificing some of the wood in the process.  After cutting, a premium mill will allow their planks to air dry for weeks, or even months, in order to produce straight, flat boards.  Alternately, mills can kiln dry their planks, stabilizing the wood’s moisture level in a temperature controlled oven.

Each of the factors noted above can influence the quality of your hardwood floors. If you’d like to learn more about all your different flooring options visit ProSource’s website, that’s where we order all of our flooring materials from.  Keep these in mind the next time you consider your flooring options or contact us today for a no-cost in home consultation!

Home Gym Design Ideas

Are you health conscious but hate going to the gym?  Who can blame you!  The inconvenience of getting dressed and driving to an often overcrowded facility to fight with other gym-goers for the most coveted piece of equipment can leave even the most fitness oriented among us burnt out.  Instead, consider building or adding a personal gym to your home.  You can work out in your grubbiest sweatpants, have first dibs on your favorite machines, and enjoy your best workout jams without having to worry about other guests.  The best part?  Your home gym won’t come with a hefty annual membership fee.  Ready to get started?  Use these tips and tricks to get your home gym underway.

• Use Your Space Wisely: When you think of a home gym, floor to ceiling mirrors and vast open space may come to mind.  But in actuality a gym can be quite space conducive.  A small spare bedroom or a basement bump out may be all you need to get your groove on.  Start by determining what kind of space you need.  If cardio is your main concern, plan your room around a few key pieces of equipment such as a treadmill or an elliptical machine.  If your room will most likely be used for pilates or yoga, open floor space and a serene environment will take priority.

•  Create A Mood Boosting Space: Workouts don’t need to take place in a sterile environment.  Instead pick a mood boosting color palette!  Use shades of blue or green – both which have been found to have motivational properties.  And what is a workout without a great soundtrack?  Install a high quality sound system, complete with iPod deck to blast your favorite tunes.  Or consider installing a flat screen television to help keep boredom at bay.

•  Add Amenities: You will use your space the most if it has everything you need in one place.  Install a small refrigerator for chilled water or post-workout protein drinks, consider a towel warmer for workout wipe ups, and rely on custom cabinetry to create storage solutions for each of these appliance needs.  A ceiling fan will help to move air and will provide a pleasant reprieve in the middle of your routine.  And that mirror we mentioned above?  Probably not a bad idea – install a mirror to check your form and keep your workout on track.

Laundry Room Makeover Tips

Few people will list laundry as one of their favorite things to do.  And yet, do it we must.  If laundry is an inevitable part of life, you may want to consider spicing up your space with these laundry room makeover tips:

Functional Folding: Save time and avoid wrinkles by folding your clothes fresh out of the dryer.  Make a functional space for this task by building a folding station into your laundry room.  A custom cabinet or shelving until installed at counter height will provide the perfect solution!  Short on space?  Consider installing a pull out shelf to better maximize your available area or installing a laminate countertop over the length of your front-loading washer and dryer.

Iron It Out: Clothes still not wrinkle free?  Install a wall-mounted ironing board in your laundry room to tackle leftover wrinkles or quick touch-ups.

Cleaning Supplies: Keep all of your laundry supplies – detergents, stain removers, and fabric softeners – easily organized and within arm’s reach by storing them on a lazy Susan.

Lighten Up: As most laundry rooms lack natural light, consider a way to brighten up your space.  Install ample indoor lighting and paint the space a bright color to help liven up your laundry!  And don’t forget to utilize high-gloss paint for a durable, washable finish.

Don’t Floor Foolishly: Consider your flooring carefully.  Carpet or wood will not hold up well to damp towels or other common laundry room maladies and the all too common exposed cement floor can create a cold and gloomy space.  Instead we recommend tile flooring that can be easily wiped clean and left looking fresh and friendly for your next laundry room visit.

Drying Dilemma: With limited floor space, a drying rack is likely not on the agenda for most laundry rooms.  However, don’t give up on your dream of indoor drying just yet.  Consider installing a wall mounted pull-out drying line for a retractable drying option.  Or utilize wall space by mounting an accordion style drying rack – perfect for dying delicates!

Family Friendly Home Design

Let’s face it – family friendly homes are meant to be lived in! But just because you have an active family does not mean you need to throw in the towel when it comes to home design.  Instead, strive for a comfortable and attractive space able to hold up to your family and all the loving fun your brood can dish out!  The best place to start?  Choose family friendly foundations:

Walls: Walls often see the brunt of family beatings.  Whether its sports gear being tossed against the baseboards or white walls serving as your young artist’s newest palette, walls have to stand up to a lot!  Above all, opt for wipeable paint such as eggshell, satin, or semigloss.  Another great option – designate an art acceptable zone by painting one wall with chalkboard paint.  Just be sure to install a frame around your application to ensure the designations are clear!

Furniture: Opt for heavy furniture fabric – the better to protect your seating.  Safe, stain-friendly bets include vinyl, leather, or ultrasuede.  Still, invest in a stain-resistant finish for your all custom ordered pieces and take the time to scotchguard those that come right from your local big box store.  When possible, invest in a slip cover or cushion covers that can be removed, washed, and replaced as need.

Also, invest in the best quality furniture pieces that you can afford.  While your instinct might be to purchase cheap items that can be easily broken, disposed of and replaced, a high quality couch or chair should be able to withstand some beatings and carry your family through more easily than lightweight disposables.

Flooring: Choose floors that can be easily wiped clean with a damp mop.  Family friendly choices include tile, wood, laminate, or linoleum.  If you are looking for a carpeted option – perhaps for a new crawler – opt for an area rug as opposed to wall to wall carpet.  Not only can it be more easily replaced, it can also be sent to the cleaners for a quick fix.  Choose one with easy to clean low pile for simple maintenance.

Bathroom Remodeling Trends

Expecting summer company?  Now is as good a time as any to take on a bathroom renovation!  Check out these popular bathroom remodeling trends before you get started:

Go Green: Conservation is cooler than ever and there is a slew of new products on the market to help you stay on trend.  To make sure you’re buying the most energy efficient products, look for the WaterSense label – the EPA’s water saving equivalent to Energy Star – on any new shower heads, sinks, faucets, or toilets.

Add A Pop Of Color: According to the color gurus at Pantone, Tangerine Tango – a reddish orange – is the color of the year.  Use it to add an energizing pep to your bathroom.  Are you looking for a more serene sense?  Go with a relaxing blue or green color – both are on trend for 2012 bathroom paint preferences.

Relaxation Vacation: Our homes are our havens, so why not turn yours into the perfect retreat?  Large, airy showers are replacing the compact, space saving ones of yesteryear.  For the ultimate in rejuvenation, opt for multiple shower heads, a rain shower, or a steam option.  Is a relaxing bath more your thing?  Consider replacing your noisy Jacuzzi with a soothing soaking tub instead.

Storage Solutions: Homeowners are recognizing the need for storage in all areas of the house, but particularly in the bathroom.  Not only are we seeing a trend towards additional storage – we’re also seeing smarter storage solutions.  For example, more homeowners are taking advantage of vertical space by building up in the form of stacked cabinets or storage towers.  Custom made cabinet solutions are also increasingly popular since they allow one to take advantage of previously underutilized nooks and crannies.

Share Free Zone: Everything your kindergarten teacher told you about sharing does not apply to the bathroom.  Couples and families alike are opting for dual vanities, allowing everyone to have their own prep space.

Are you ready to begin your bathroom remodel?  Contact us today to get started!

Bedrooms That Will Age With Your Child

How do you decorate when your child’s taste seems to change with the wind? While we unfortunately can’t help you get them to give up their love of Dora the Explorer, we do have some tips on creating a bedroom that will age with your child!

Avoid Themes: While your child might love Thomas the Tank right now, he might not be quite as enthusiastic of a fan in a few years. Instead of decorating with a specific character in mind, choose a few colors, textures, or prints from the desired trend to convey your child’s passions in a less permanent way. For example, instead of a themed wall mural, bold stripes in a primary color could provide the perfect background for themed prints and bedding, yet still be neutral enough to carry over into a teen’s room with different accessories and styling. When choosing paint for a child’s room, we recommend a washable finish – like a pearl or eggshell – that will hold up to any necessary wipe-downs but won’t show flaws like semi-gloss or high-gloss finishes will.

Invest In Items That Will Survive The Test Of Time: If chosen wisely, your child’s furniture can carry them through several room transformations. Invest in pieces that can age with your child. We recommend multifunctional furniture – cribs that convert into toddler beds or changing tables that evolve into dressers. Bookcases and storage units are also timeless features that can be used in the rooms of children young and old. If your child simply must have something themed on a large-scale, check out this furniture line from Nickelodeon Rooms. Featuring beds, dressers, mirrors, and desks, all the furniture in this line comes with interchangeable panels that can age with your child. Options range from fun characters and funky patterns to plain white.

Avoid Permanent Features: Another great way to play to your child’s interests while still avoiding permanently altering your space, is with the use of removable wall art. Easily taken on and off as your child’s taste change, vinyl decals are available in variety of styles.

Choose Easy To Alter Add-Ons: One thing that will surely change over the years is your child’s style. Take your kid’s bedroom easily from toddler to teen with easy add-ons. For example, festive and kid -friendly drawer pulls can easily doll up a young child’s space. These same drawer pulls can just as easily be replaced with modern, more stylish alternatives when your child is ready for an upgrade. Create the perfect drawing area for you little one today by painting a square of chalkboard or dry erase paint on the wall and framing it in a bright, bold frame (all the better to keep the crafting to the designated area!). That same creation station can easily be converted into your  teen’s to-do list or football practice calendar area with a different, more grown-up frame.