All Laminate Flooring is NOT the Same

There are so many choices when it comes to laminate flooring today. When laminate flooring was first marketed in the USA in 1994, there were few manufactures and limited choices. Back then, everything was glued together at the edge joints and problems were frequent. Through the years, major innovations and improvements have occurred including easy to install locking joint systems. So what is the difference between all of these brands? Are they all basically the same?

There are two distinct varieties of laminate flooring: Low or Direct pressure (DPL) and High Pressure Laminate (HPL). Wilsonart High Pressure Laminate (HPL) Flooring features a surface that is 3–5x thicker than Low/Direct Pressure Laminate (DPL). This extra thickness means extra protection against: • Dropped cans or dishes that dent • Toys, scooters, pets that scratch or mark • Furniture, high heels or appliances that dent.













As a leading U.S. manufacturer of high pressure laminate for decorative countertops for more than 50 years, Wilsonart is world-renowned for quality. Wilsonart's high pressure laminate flooring uses that same proven technology…which is why it’s consistently voted #1 for quality by flooring retailers.
Wilsonart Flooring has been making high quality, high pressure laminate flooring since 1996. While lots of other laminate flooring manufacturers have come and gone, they've remained true to the basic principles their flooring has always stood for - style, quality and great value. When you buy our flooring, you get more than just a floor. Wilsonart promises that your floor will meet and exceed your expectations for years to come. There is a difference.

• Founded in 1956, Wilsonart International is now a leading manufacturer of High Pressure Laminate (HPL) for decorative surfacing and countertops.

• Wilsonart Flooring uses that same proven HPL technology

• Pioneers in HPL Flooring for computer rooms and bowling alleys

• Voted #1 for quality by floor covering retailers

• The only HPL Flooring brand manufactured in the U.S.A.

• North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) Certified

New Stock Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles

For 2010, Home Plus has greatly increased our selection of in-stock ceramic and porcelain tiles. Here are a few of the highlights.

From Emser, we have Genoa which beautifully interprets the look of travertine in glazed porcelain. Its unique subtle veining and soft chiseled edges bring out the rustic undertones found in travertine. We stock 13" x 13" and 20"x20". Priced at $1.55 sf for 13" and $1.72 sf for 20".

Emser Genoa Luca

Another new tile from Emser is Madrid, a glazed porcelain series that replicates the look of Turkish travertine. Its deep blends of color are named after famous Spanish beaches including Brava, Sevilla and Costa. Available at Home Plus in 13"x13" and 20"x20" sizes. The 13" tiles are $1.92 sf and the 20" tiles are $2.05 sf.

Madrid Sevilla

From Marazzi USA comes Arctic Bay. This ceramic tile exemplifies the free-spirited outlook and independent attitude favored by modern homeowners, designers and contractors. The robust tile stakes its claim with native earthen colors, boldly structured surfaces and distressed edges. Available in 12"x12" and 18"x18" in three colors: Rankin, Arviat, and Grise. A great value at $1.15 sf for 12" and $1.32 sf for 18".

Arctic Bay Arviat

Sealer & Natural Stone Basics 101

Sealer & Natural Stone Basics 101
Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should I Seal My Natural Stone?
This is a question we get quite often about natural stone. Although we think of stone as a hard surface, it is also porous and porosity varies by the type of stone. If left unsealed, natural stone can be stained and soiled. A protected, sealed stone will be easier to clean, resist staining, and provide a safer and healthier environment.

How can I tell if my stone has already been sealed?
Apply a drop of water at least ½-inch in diameter to the top of the stone and let stand for at least 15 minutes. Cover with a glass to inhibit evaporation. If the stone did not darken then your stone is probably sealed against water-based stains. Testing for oil repellency is not as simple because if your stone is not sealed, you will have an oil stain.

What brand of sealer does Home Plus recommend?
Home Plus Longview carries a full line of natural stone sealers in both solvent and water base, enhancers, and cleaners for natural stone products. Our perferred brand is Dupont StoneTech because of the quality and innovation that Dupont has always been know for..

How much time between coats of sealer?
Always follow your label directions. Most sealers require waiting only one hour between coats. Be patient, a little extra time can produce excellent results.
How often do I need to seal my stone?
If you sealed your stone with a quality sealer like StoneTech® Professional sealers and have maintained it with the correct cleaners, your sealer should last up to 3-5 years. Usage and maintenance greatly affects sealer durability.

Is one coat of sealer enough for natural stone?
When sealing a very dense stone, one coat will be sufficient. Most stones and grout will require two coats. A few of the more absorbent stones may need additional coats to be properly sealed. Home Plus can assist you in determining your needs.

What is a sealer?
A sealer is a penetrant applied to prevent the absorption of liquids or other debris. Natural stone sealers work like a protective coat for your stone, tile or grout. Our sealers will decrease the opportunity that anything can stain or harm your surface. We believe that you should always use an impregnating sealer allowing you to retain the natural beauty of the surface.
Will my natural stone look glossy after sealing or enhancing?
No, unless you selected a topical, high gloss sealer such as High Gloss Finishing Sealer . If properly applied, impregnating sealers will leave your surface looking natural. Enhancing sealers are designed to darken the stone while retaining the original polished, matte or honed look.


What is the difference between StoneTech Heavy-Duty Sealer and Impregnator Pro Sealer?
Stone-Tech Heavy-Duty sealer is a water-based product and Impregnator Pro is a solvent (oil) based product. Typically, solvent based sealers will allow varied and deeper penetration into the stone than water. Water is hydroscopic and will hold out on the surface. The protection cannot penetrate any deeper than the water will. For many dense surfaces, like porcelain tile and polished granite, water will not penetrate very deeply (if at all) and the protection is left at the surface with poorer durability over the long term.
Water-based products are typically lower in toxicity and have little or no smell as compared to similar solvent-based products. Contrary to some beliefs, water-based products are no easier to use or apply than comparable solvent-based products. Solvent based products are generally more expensive than water-based sealers.


When are transforming enhancing products recommended?
Enhancers can transform the stone surface by deepening the color. Most enhancers give some level of protection by including sealers in the product. Like sealers, there are solvent (oil) based products and water based products. Enhancers are almost impossible to remove, so test a small area first.

Resilient Flooring History

Origins

The first rubber floor tiles can be traced back to the 12th to 13th centuries and declined in popularity toward the end of the 17th century. Linoleum was invented and patented in 1845 and first manufactured in the U.S. in 1872.

Cork

The first cork tile floor was introduced in 1904, and became the most popular type of resilient flooring in the 1920s. It was available in a limited range of colors and designs, but was expensive and porous. Armstrong was once known as the Armstrong Cork Company.

Linoleum

Linoleum, sold as rugs, came in a wide variety of colors and patterns and was attached to the perimeter of the floor with tacks. It was sold through mail-order catalogs like Sears, Montgomery Wards and local general merchandise stores. During this time, it was used on countertops as well as floors. Linoleum remained popular until after World War II, when easy-to-maintain and durable vinyl flooring was introduced.

Asphalt Tile

Asphalt tile arrived on the scene in the 1920s, and by the 1950s, was the most widely used floor tile on the market, fueled by low initial cost and easy installation. These tiles were tough, durable, highly resistant to abrasion and moisture, and fire resistant, but the styles and patterns were limited.

Vinyl

In 1933, vinyl made its big splash when a vinyl composition tile was displayed at the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago. Because of the scarcity of vinyl during the war years, vinyl flooring was not widely marketed until the late 1940s, but then quickly challenged its competitors. Originally used only in high traffic areas, vinyl flooring eventually became the most popular choice for flooring in just about any hard-surface application.

In the 1950s demand for resilient flooring grew due to its superior performance characteristics when compared to flooring alternatives.
During the 1960s cushioned vinyl floors and "no-wax" resilient floors were introduced to provide underfoot comfort and ease of maintenance. During the last thirty years, specialty resilient floors which provide enhanced slip resistance and static conductivity have been developed to meet the needs of the marketplace. As late as the early 90's, customers still came in asking for rugs and meaning resilient.

Armstrong 1980's Rhino Vinyl commercials
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4VzHq76GDs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX9kGQU7T_w

Today

At one point, resilient flooring was second only to carpet in floor covering sales in the United States. Although in recent years, it has been surpassed by ceramic and wood, resilient flooring continues to be a popular choice in almost any application because it is durable, easy to intain, available in many different colors and patterns and is easy to install. Recent developments include floating, fiberglass backed floors and vinyls warranteed against rips, tears, and gouges. Home Plus Longview offers Armstrong, Congoleum, and Stainmaster resilient.

Travertine Tile: What is it?

Recently, we had a customer come into the store and ask about travertine tile. She had older ceramic tile down and was hating it. After listening to her questions, we realized that she misunderstood just what travertine was. According to Wikipedia , "travertine is a terrestrial sedimentary rock, formed by the precipitation of carbonate minerals from solution in ground and surface waters, and/or geo-thermally heated hot-springs". Well, what does all of that mean for flooring? Travertine is a natural stone product formed by sediment and used for construction, walls and flooring surfaces. The Colosseum in Rome is made of travertine. It is sometimes called travertine marble or travertine limestone, but it is neither true marble or limestone, although they are related. Travertine naturally has holes and pits in the surface caused by gas bubbles during formation. These holes they can be filled and tiles are sold filled or unfilled. Travertine can also be brushed or tumbled to give it a more worn appearance or honed for a smooth surface. It comes in a variety of colors depending on the type and variety of sediments that formed it and it's cut into various sizes.

Throughout history, travertine has been very popular as a building and flooring material and recently it has enjoyed a resurgence because of it classical rustic look. It is being utilized for flooring, counters, walls, and backsplashes. It is a beautiful, durable surface, but must be kept sealed to prevent soil build up and staining. Like all natural stone products, each piece is unique and can be used to create a variety of looks.

New measure vehicle for Home Plus Longview

We just got our new measure vehicle for our long-time estimator, Charles Jenkins. This odd looking little car was exactly what we were looking for. It is easy to drive, gets great gas mileage, and had plenty of space for a Home Plus wrap. It's a Ford Transit Connect. Home Plus has always offered free estimates to our customers and for many of those years, Charles has been the one to come to your home and draw out the floor plan so our salespeople can figure the job correctly. If Home Plus Longview has ever done any flooring for you, most likely Charles measured it. He's very proud of his new transportation, so if you see him around the East Texas area, give him a honk and a wave.

Home Plus Power Point

Check out this SlideShare Presentation by Raegan Quesenberry:

Home Plus Power Point

View more presentations from Home Plus Longview.

Waterproofing Ceramic Tile Showers

Several years ago, when tile showers became very popular once again, I began to research the best ways to install them. I learned everything I could about showers. I quickly discovered that tile mastic was a no-no because it would mildew in the humid conditions, cement board was not waterproof, and green-rock would leak as well. I knew that the shower pan was a critical area because they could leak. We were always getting calls from people who had older showers with leaking pans wanting repairs (not ones we had installed). At that point, showers just scared me and I was determined that we wouldn't touch one unless we could do it right. I had seen too many done wrong and the risk just wasn't worth it.

Potential customers called and we were not in the shower installation business. That is until I ran across the Schluter-Kerdi product at a trade show. What caught my eye was a cardboard box filled with water that was not leaking. The wasn't just an inventive way to make a cheap drink cooler. This orange stuff made this cardboard box completely waterproof. I had to know more about it so I asked the representative every question I could think of about using Kerdi on showers. Schluter-Kedi is a waterproof, resistant to most chemicals encountered in humid showers and it won't rot. They also had kits with pre-sloped pans and curbs. This was it, a way to be in the shower business without a chance of leaking showers.

I scheduled John, the Schluter rep, to come out to Longview and train our installers on how to use the product. John came and built a small scale shower which we still have in our showroom. We have been installing tile showers ever since. We will not install a shower without Kerdi waterproofing, even though we have lost jobs to others who don't take care to eliminate future leaks. If we can't do it right, we don't want to do it.

Floors Don't Wear Out, They Ugly Out

I'm back on ugly floors again. The tired old saying in the flooring industry is that floors don't wear out, they ugly out. Apparently, there is some truth in that as evidenced by these and other photos. What was once stylish, can soon become that hideous floor of yesteryear. Those beautiful greens and oranges that were hip in the 70's never really came back in style. I'm still curious to know who still has these floors now considered ugly. Send me your pictures at: timholland@homeplustx.com.

SmartStrand Carpet Challenge Results

Last Saturday, we held the SmartStrand Challenge during the East Texas Builder's Assciation's Home Products Show out at Maud Cobb Convention Center in Longview, TX. We hosted several rounds of staining by registered participants and this is what the carpet looked at by the end of the day. We supplied the "stainers" with red Kool-Aid, grape juice, ketchup, mustard, barbecue sauce, grape jelly, dirt, bleach, cola, and chocolate syrup and let them try and stain the SmartStrand carpet. On Monday, we moved the challenge ring back to Home Plus and had Cathy's Carpet Care come out and attempt to remove the stains.


The results: The SmartStrand performed much better than anyone had imagined. Except for a few remnants of mustard that will have to be spot cleaned, the carpet came clean. We had only one side cleaned to show just how bad the entire carpet was stained. The remaining side smells kind of like the dumpster behind a McDonald's, so I'm not sure how long we will leave it on display, but if you're in the area, stop by and see the results for yourself.

The SmartStrand Challenge Ring is ready!

The ring is complete for the SmartStrand Carpet Challenge on Saturday. If you want to help trash the carpet at the Home Products Show at Maud Cobb Convention Center in Longview, be there on Saturday and sign up. We will supply a Home Plus t-shirt, plastic gloves, and all of the staining products like coffee, mustard, Kool-aid, grape juice, chocolate syrup and dirt. We'll have standard 3-minute rounds every hour throughout the day on Saturday only beginning at 10:30am. On Monday, we'll bring the carpet back to Home Plus and have it professionally cleaned by Cathy's Carpet Care. Stop by and see if the stains come out.

Ugly Floor Contest

Are you still wondering why Floor Matters? Ugly floors are one really good reason why they matter. Sure, they can still be functional, but once a floor goes ugly, they're hard to look at. Think Elvis' Graceland and the Jungle Room. Avacado green, oranges, browns, blah. The 60's and 70's were a good time to be color blind. Most of the older, ulgy floors have mercifully been covered up, but not all of them. Do you currently have a floor that can be called ugly. Upload your best ugly floor in East Texas photos to our Facebook page (Home Plus Longview). We'll let everyone vote on who has the most awful, ugly floors. The winner will receive something special.

SmartStrand Carpet Challenge

Last fall, Mohawk tested their SmartStrand carpet against a 2,800 pound Rhinoceros named Ricko at the Birmingham Alabama Zoo. They installed SmartStrand carpet in Ricko's cage and let him do his thing for two weeks. You can only imagine what he could do to it. At the conclusion of the two weeks, they had the carpet cleaned and the SmartStrand carpet stood up to Ricko the Rhino's challenge and came clean.
Here at Home Plus, we kept up with the challenge and even received pieces of the carpet. It was impressive, but my skeptical nature makes me want to put SmartStrand to a more relevant test against real household stains. With our Home Products show coming up soon, I decided to incorporate it into our display booth out there. I'm thinking challenge, fight, throwdown so what better way than a boxing ring. We built a 10'x10' scaled down boxing ring and we will set it up at Maude Cobb Convention Center for the ETBA Home Products show starting on February 12th. We'll invite people to help us trash this piece of carpet with the stuff that really happens to carpet. No Rhino waste, but mustard, red wine, red Kool-Aide, grape juice, snack crackers, and bleach. Those are the real enemies of carpet. If SmartStrand to stand up to these stains, it will hold up in anyone's home. I will post updates as they happen