Reclaimed Hardwood look for less....

Crested Butte Rustic Hardwood Flooring Project

Rustic look for Crested Butte, Co. Remodel

This home located South of Crested Butte Colorado was a complete

gut and remodel. The home was a foreclosure property purchased as a

vacation home for two families. It became a much bigger and more

expensive project then initially anticipated. By the time the homeowners got

to the flooring stage funds were tight. They had originally selected a

reclaimed oak flooring but at $15 a square foot it was just too expensive.

Us Floors Direct came to the rescue with a Radial Sawn Douglas Fir at less

then a third of the cost. The expert team of installers did an excellent job

working with the designer to achieve a custom stain color that was just

right. The homeowners were able to achieve the rustic old world look they

were going for at a price they could afford.

Radiant Heat Floors

One of the most luxurious things you can do in your home is add in-floor heating to your tile or hardwood. Radiant heating systems make hard surfaces much more comfortable to walk across and can actually warm your home.  In floor heat, or warm wire, can warm your flooring up to 15 degrees higher than it would be normally.

We've installed radiant heat under almost every type of surface, and for every kind of room.  We've used radiant floor heating for tile floors in bathrooms, stone floors in kitchens, and hardwood floors in family rooms and hallways.  We've even installed it under existing floors (we had access to the joists under the floor in the unfinished basement).

Radiant Heat or Hydronic

Hydronic radiant systems are most often installed in Whole House applications in New Construction, not remodels.  Preparations must be taken to leave space in the floor (up to 1-1/2″) for the tubes.  Hydronic systems use a Boiler, pumps, manifolds, valves, an expansion tank.  Never mind the mechanical room needed to house this equipment. Radiant heat warm wire or mats are used most often in small remodel environments (less than 1,500sf) and are simpler than hydronic, takes up less space, goes in faster and for smaller areas, the per square foot cost is much lower. Once the system is installed, your floors will feel wonderful regardless of the approach you choose.

We would be happy to answer all your questions about radiant heat or heating under floors.  Call us today!

(719) 391-9319

Luxury Flooring

Travertine, Custom Mosaic Tile, Handcrafted Hardwood, Pattern Theater Carpet

The video below shows a home, located in Flying Horse Ranch in Colorado Springs,  that US Floors worked on from beginning to end. We worked on the design, budget, supply, and installation of the flooring and tile. Our master craftsman are not satisfied with substandard work.  Our installers are some of the best tile, hardwood, and carpet installers we could find in the state of Colorado, and we're proud of them! See for yourself.

This home is a wonderful example of how beautiful natural products are in a home. You can see how warm and elegant the hardwood and travertine tile are in this home. US Floors Direct can replicate the look of this travertine and custom hardwood in your home for less money than you think! Call us today. We would be happy to give you an estimate to prove just how far we can stretch your dollar.

Responsible Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is one of our favorite things in the whole world.  The beauty, timeless appeal, visual warmth, and durability makes it a great choice in almost any setting. The problem we run into when dealing with hardwood companies, is the environmental impact that logging has on the forests.

Eucalyptus Wood

One of the products that we believe in is called Lyptus, a eucalyptus product.  This product comes from a partnership between Weyerhaeuser, Fibria, Cerflor, and the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).  Lyptus features a rich grain that is versatile enough to take a wide range of stains and finishes – for a lighter or darker look to complement nearly every décor.  Best of all, Lyptus hardwood flooring is competitively priced and comes from non-tropical, certified plantations from fast-growing eucalyptus trees that are ready to be harvested within 14 to 16 years of planting.  In contrast, tees in temperate forests may take 80 to 100 years or more to mature.

Fast Growing and Sustainable

As previously stated, Eucalyptus trees grow quickly and can be harvested within 14-16 years of planting.  In addition to this quick turn around, these plantation trees are manually pruned during their growing years, ensuring that the logs coming into the mill are uniform and have few knots.  This results in a high conversion rate of logs to clear lumber, minimizing waste.  Weyerhaeuser mills use virtually every portion of the log, converting it to lumber and other usable by-products (residuals are used as bio-energy for the kiln drying operations).

One acre of planted eucalyptus can produce about the same volume of wood as 30 acres of native forest, which means that, for every acre of forest that Fibria plants, 30 acres of native forest are preserved.  On top of that, Fibria works to introduce original species, native to the area over 100 years ago, back into the ecosystem in South America.

Lyptus® Flooring Products

Lyptus solid hardwood flooring is harder than oak, less expensive than walnut, and as beautiful as Brazilian cherry. Available unfinished or in six pre-finished colors, it complements the most stylish interiors.  Its tongue-and-groove construction, natural hardness, and aluminum-oxide finish yield long-standing durability, while its low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) levels makes it a healthier choice for your household than many other flooring options.

Lyptus is also available in 3 ¼" and 5” wide engineered flooring –perfect to withstand the moisture changes of the dry Colorado air.

For more information or to get a quote on Lyptus® Flooring Products

Call US Floors Direct, Inc. at (719) 325-7539

How often should I replace my carpet?

A question I am often asked is “how often should I replace my carpet?”  Not to be too facetious but I like to pose the question back, “how often should you replace your favorite shirt?”  Although it’s not exactly a perfect parallel, it is important to realize that carpet is a type of textile and, therefore, has similarities with your favorite shirt.  The follow are a few things to consider when deciding whether or not it is time for some new carpet.

Carpet Stains or soil that will not come out.

Although stain removal technology has come a long way in recent years, certain substances can permanently attach themselves to the carpet fiber leaving a stain.  Professional cleaning can often resolve stain problems but depending on your carpet’s color and the color of the stain, it can really be an embarrassing eye sore.

Carpet Color Fading in Colorado

Outdated Carpet: Style and/or Color

Pet Damage or Odor

Carpet Quality Factors

What to look for when shopping for a quality carpet.

Yarn Material

As discussed in a previous article about carpet fibers, nylon is considered to be the most versatile carpet fiber.  However, your fiber choice might change depending on the application.  For example, if you are less concerned about the damage a carpet will receive due to traffic and more concerned about stains, polyester may be the better choice. You might also consider polyester if you are concerned about a carpet growing mold in an area that may be exposed to prolonged moisture (i.e. a porch) or you have a limited budget.  If you are looking for a carpet that will remain attractive for more than a decade, wool is a fantastic choice.

Yarn Twist

Heat setting is the term used to describe a thermal process, either a steam or a dry heat process, which gives fibers and yarns dimensional stability.  We like to refer to the heat set twist as the backbone of a the carpet pile. Heat setting works well with staple yarns and bulked continuous filament (BCF) yarns.  Generally speaking, the more twists per inch, the higher quality the carpet.

Carpet Backing and Density

Density, along with twist and yarn type, will also determine how well a carpet endures wear from surface abrasion (wear and tear from walking on the carpet).  Density is measured at the carpet backing, not on the surface of the pile.  A poorly twisted carpet tuft may appear to be thick and full on the surface, but when you dig your fingers in you can feel how sparse the tufts really are.  When examining the backing, look for the nice white color of the silicon sealants and adhesives.  Low quality adhesives can be grey or brownish.

Carpet Texture and Style

Style not only determines the look of the carpet, it also has a lot to do with how well it performs.  A shaggy frizee berber carpet,which is very popular in Colorado, does a great job of hiding lint, foot prints, vacuum tracks, and dirt or stains.  A short, dense loop-pile carpet will perform extremely well in high traffic areas.  Formal plush and saxony carpets look great in a living room or sitting area, but are not very forgiving.  Plushes and saxony carpets tend to show all vacuum tracks, foot prints, dirt, stains, and will "ugly out" more quickly in high traffic areas.

US Floors likes to empower our customers.

We'll give you the information you need to make an educated decision about what products will best fit your home.

Call us today for a free in-home estimate.    (719) 391-9319

Nylon Carpet Fiber

At US Floors, we believe their are several factors that determine a carpet's overall quality: Fiber, Style, Yarn Twist, Backing, and Pile Density.  In this brief article, I will be discussing carpet fibers with an emphasis on Nylon.

99% of all carpet in the United States is made from synthetic materials.  The most common are Nylon, Polyester, Olefin (polypropylene), PTT (Polytrimethylene Terephthalate) and Acrylic.  Nylon is by far the most popular and, in my opinion, the most versatile.  Nylon wears fairly well, which means it is resistant to abrasion and overall wear and tear.  When it is shampooed or cleaned, it seems to bounce back and look almost like new.  It is not inherently stain resistant like polyester, but it can be effective at resisting stains when anti-stain treatments are applied.  The most popular treatments are Scotchgard®, Stainmaster®, Teflon®, and R2X®, and they can either be applied, during or after the manufacturing process.  It is also important to discuss the varying quality factors of the two types of Nylon; Type 6 Nylon, and Type 6-6 Nylon.

Type 6 Nylon

Type 6 Nylon is identified as 100% Nylon, BCF Nylon, or CFN Nylon.  It has an open molecular structure, which means it receives dye stuffs more readily.  This also means that it receives dirt and stains more readily.  The most obvious features are that it is less soft and less expensive than type 6-6.

Type 6-6 Nylon

Type 6-6 Nylon is manufactured by the two major yarn companies Stainmaster® (Tactesse®) and Wear-Dated® (DuraSoft®, ThermaSealed®, and Traffic Conto®l).  Type 6-6 has a smaller, tighter molecular structure.  This makes it more difficult to dye. However, once dyed, Type 6-6 Nylon is more colorfast, more dirt resistant, and much more stain resistant than Type 6.  It is also more soft to the touch.  These enhanced features make it a more durable, longer lasting carpet fiber.  This means it is also more expensive.  While the other types of carpet fibers have their strengths, US Floors Direct almost always recommends Nylon, particularly Type 6-6.

Have more questions about which Carpet Fiber is right for your home?  Call us!

We'll get you in touch with one of our friendly flooring specialists.

(719) 391-9319

Ask about our current flooring specials and sales.

Porcelain vs. Ceramic Tile

We get these questions all the time:

1. Why do we refer to certain tiles as porcelain and others ceramic?
2. Aren't porcelain tiles a type of ceramic tile?
3. Which kind of tile is better: Porcelain or Ceramic?

The short answer is that a porcelain tile is a type of high quality ceramic.  Porcelain tiles are more pure and refined and usually have a higher resistance to stains and freezing temperatures.  When we say "ceramic tile," what we mean is that the tile is a non-porcelain ceramic.  More confused than you were before?

Porcelain Tile: The Bottom Line

Porcelain tile is more durable and of a higher quality than other ceramics.  Porcelain is typically fired at a much higher temperature than regular ceramic tile, which makes it much harder and more dense.  It's great for use on the floor, even in high traffic areas.  Simply put, it is a more versatile and higher quality product.  However, because it's more resilient, it's more expensive.

Ceramic Tile: The Bottom Line

Ceramic is a non-porcelain fired tile.  Ceramic tile is typically used in very low traffic areas, such as a residential bathroom or on counter tops, backsplashes, and showers.  Ceramic tile is derived from a variety of clay, porcelain, sand, and natural mineral mixtures.

Have more questions?

If you live in Colorado and are interested in more information on which tile is best for you, call us!

We'll get you in touch with one of our friendly flooring specialists.

(719) 391-9319

Ask about our current flooring specials and sales.

Laminate Flooring: What is it good for?

Laminate flooring has many practical applications.  It is typically made from synthetic materials, such as melamine resin, or from recycled composite materials in multiple laminated layers.  It is most often manufactured to have the look of hardwood, tile, or natural stone, but sold at a lower cost.  So, what is it that REALLY sets laminates apart from other flooring options?

Laminates are Strong

Laminate flooring is incredibly resilient and durable. The aluminum oxide finish commonly used on the surface of laminate planks is extremely hard.  I have seen a handyman drop a hammer on a freshly-laid laminate floor.  The terror on his face was priceless!  But to his relief, he could not find so much as a dent when he bent over to retrieve his hammer.

The hard finish on Laminate floors performs well against pets, children, office chair casters, and heavy traffic in general.  The finish is UV resistant, which means it will not bleach or fade in the sunlight.

Laminates are Easy

Easy to prep for, easy to install, easy to clean and maintain, and easy to remove and replace.  Laminates are often installed as a floating floor, which means they are not fastened to the subfloor, but merely snapped together. This makes it easy for do-it-yourselfers to install it without a lot of construction experience.  The everyday cleaning and maintenance is also simple.  For most laminate floors, a simple dust mop once a day is all that is needed.  In kitchens and bathrooms the floor can be mopped much like tile or vinyl.

Additional Pros and some Cons

As mentioned before, high quality laminates are often less expensive and easier to install than hardwood or tile. They can often perform better over radiant heat than solid wood floors and usually require less maintenance (no re-sanding and finishing every 5-10 years).  They also perform relatively well in wet areas, although they are not considered to be waterproof.  So, why doesn't everyone buy laminate?  1. They can be noisy; when walked across, they create a distinct clicking sound that is undesirable (special padding installed under the floor can reduce this noise significantly).  2. Upon closer inspection, one can often tell that the floor is man made and not a natural product. 3. When damaged, they can be much more difficult to repair than a wood or tile floor.  While repair kits are available, they are often hard to find and seldom hide the damage completely.

Have more questions?

If you live in Colorado and are interested in more information on laminate flooring, call us!

We'll get you in touch with one of our friendly flooring specialists.

(719) 391-9319

Ask about our current flooring specials and sales.

Colorado Springs Real Estate

Local Economy in 2010

A UCCS College of Business and Administration report in their Quarterly Updates and Estimates publication gives me some cautious optimism.  According to Fred Crowley, Senior Economist for the college,"Sufficient time has passed to be able to say the local economy definitely bottomed out in February 2009. Since then, the BCI (Business Conditions Index) increased from 68.8 to 81.3, an increase of 18.2 percent."

That's great news for Colorado Springs!  Crowley writes that their are some especially good signs in the local real estate market.  The National Association of REALTORS® reports that the national average increase in year to date homes sales from 2009 to 2010.  Compare that national number to the 5.9 percent increase we've experienced in El Paso county year to date home sales.  El Paso County is also experiencing a more than double the national average home price increase this year over 2009.

If my fellow Southern Colorado businessmen continue to attract Californians to Colorado Springs, we might have an even better 2011!  Let's build some more houses!

What can you do to stimulate the local economy?  Buy your flooring from us!  :)  All the proceeds of the sale go toward local Coloradans who, in turn, like to spend their profits on goods and services from other Coloradans.  Let's KEEP IT LOCAL!

Call US Floors Direct today for a flooring estimate!

(719) 391-9319

Ask about our current specials