Choosing Floors With Children in Mind

Choosing flooring options that are both aesthetically pleasing and child-friendly, can be a tough decision. The trick is to find the perfect balance between safety and budget-constraints.

While stone and ceramic tile flooring have a classic look about them, they offer no cushioning for falls or dropped items (such as your child’s favorite toy). Even with their beautiful look, these floors are not child-friendly and will not absorb the inevitable tumbles and spills children take daily.

Kid-friendly carpeting from Heritage Floors, Inc.

Wood floors are an option when considering flooring. The convenience about wood floors is that you can have them installed, and then easily place an area rug over floors in the rooms where your children spend the most time. One downside to wood floors, though, is that any messes/spills that happen have to be cleaned up immediately so the liquid does not penetrate into the flooring.

Finally, another option is wall-to-wall carpeting.  The idea of a soft, cushioned, padded floor is perfect for children to sit and play, and even take the occasional tumble.  As a very forgiving floor, it’s important to remember to color-coordinate your carpeting to match paint/furniture, while also taking into consideration the possible spills on the carpet and the best color necessary to cover those up.

While all floors have pros and cons connected to each, ultimately it is your decision as to which floor will work best for you and your family!

Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is a “forever” favorite.  With a luxurious look, wood flooring is a timeless selection, and the latest hardwood flooring technologies make it easier than ever to maintain.

Featured Product – American Olean

American Olean Natural, Tumbled Stone

Bring the character of timeworn natural stone into your home with American Olean Natural Stone – Tumbled Stone. A tumbling process is used to soften the edges of these luxurious natural stone tiles, giving them an Old World flavor reminiscent of fine European homes from centuries past. Available in a broad range of sizes, including one-foot squares consisting of pre-mounted mosaic-sized pieces, Tumbled Stone can be used for everything from walls and floors to countertops and fireplace surrounds. Beautiful accent borders in multiple colors complement its natural warmth and inherent elegance.

Shown is Tumbled Stone Azteca 12 x 12 field tile on floor with Mocha 2 x 2 dots.

Walls feature Azteca 4 x 4 field tile, 1 x 1 Mosaic and coordinating Azteca 3/4 x 12 Pencil Rail and 2 x 12 Chair Rail with Azteca/Mocha 2 1/2 x 11 1/2 Diamond Accent.

Click here for more information on all of our Featured Products.  Click here for more information on American Olean products and design inspiration.

Your Life – Your Carpet

Every room in your home has its unique function and personality. To make finding the perfect carpet for those rooms easy, we’ve broken out our carpet selections the same way. Click here to find the lifestyle that matches your room…

Featured here, Hollytex® Iconic Influential, Bliss Carpet Beaulieu® Solution-Dyed carpet fiber, for deep, beautiful and vibrant color that lasts. The harshest sunlight won’t fade them and Solution-dyed carpet fiber is also perfect when you’re carpeting an area that will get a lot of wear and tear. The color simply doesn’t wear out. Amazingly, should a spill occur, it can be cleaned with a 50/50 mixture of water and bleach with no effect on color. Whether you prefer nylon or polyester, Bliss Carpet is as durable as it is beautiful!

Visit our showroom or www.heritage-floors.net for more beautiful carpeting options.

7 Unique Ideas for Bathroom Floors

Bathroom floors have come a long way since good ‘ol laminate and vinyl tile. There are so many options available today. Just be sure to pick a flooring material that’s non-slip, repels water, and is easy to clean and you’re good to go.

Let’s look at 7 materials that can add a distinctive look to your bathroom floor:

1. Ceramic – one of the best materials to choose if you’re watching your budget. As far as colors and styles go, your options are never-ending.
2. Marble – this material is quite strong and adds a luxurious style to any bathroom. However, it’s porous and can stain so proper sealing and treatment is required.
3. Concrete – a nice alternative if you’re looking to create a smooth, consistent look.
4. Cork – soft on the feet and resistant to moisture and humidity. It’s also a good choice if you’re looking for a “green” alternative.
5. Bamboo – like cork, bamboo is an environmental-friendly option that provides a look similar to a hardwood floor, but with more durability.
6. Slate – if you’re considering a stone tile, slate will provide a rougher, textured surface that will help prevent slipping.
7. Recycled Rubber – another “green” option that’s slip resistant and sound absorbent. It’s also comfy on the feet and easy to install.

If you plan to use one of these materials for your bathroom flooring, remember that each material has its own set of rules when it comes to installation, prepping/sealing, cleaning, and maintenance. Make sure your flooring specialist is knowledgeable in these areas (we are!)

Stop by the Heritage showroom to see samples and to get some great ideas for your bathroom. We’re open Mon through Thurs from 8am to 5pm; Fri from 8am to 8pm; Sat 8am to 1pm.

Tile with Style: Part III

Welcome to our third and final post about tile and style. Previously we talked about specific tile styles (Mexican and Italian) and the unique design characteristics and uses for each. We’ll shift gears a bit and talk about glazing which is a finish that can be applied to ceramic tile.

What is a glazed tile?

Glazed ceramic tile has been finished with a protective topcoat which gives the tile a matte, semi-gloss or high-gloss finish. This finish prevents the tile surface from scratching, staining, and fading.

Here are the top reasons why glazed ceramic tile can be a smart choice for your home:

• Slip resistant – even though it has a glossy look, it’s safe
• Easy to clean – glazed tile seals out stains, making any type of clean-up simple and fast
• Water resistant – its ability to repel water makes it perfect for kitchens and bathrooms
• Long lasting – because of the durable glaze topcoat, the tile lasts a very long time and resists scratches and stains. It also holds its shine and won’t fade over time.

Choosing the right surface glaze is an important step when selecting tile. There are also other factors to consider, and you can get the details on our website by checking out the ceramics tile products page.

Tile with Style: Part II

Time for our second of three posts about tile and style!
Today’s stop – Italian tile.

According to the Ceramics of Italy association, which represents over 150 manufacturers of Italian tiles, Italy is the world’s leading manufacturer of ceramic tile, producing 43% of the tile in international commerce. Use of Italian tile began in the Middle Ages when it became a popular medium for walls and floors in religious and other public buildings.

Italian tile has evolved greatly since its beginnings. A style which once focused on large, decorative historical and Biblical scenes shifted to the use of repetitive, geometric patterns. This style is still very prevalent in today’s Italian tile.

Characteristics of modern-day Italian tile include:

• Elegant, polished looks that convey a level of sophistication and “high-style”
• Available in variety of materials like porcelain, ceramic, marble, and glass
• Popular in both commercial and residential spaces
• Very versatile – use indoor and outdoor on floors and walls. Italian tile is also popular in the creation of wall murals.

Earlier this year, the Ceramics of Italy association unveiled the latest trends in Italian tile at Coverings 2012, the industry’s largest expo for ceramic tile and natural stone:

Monolithic tiles – these are perfectly squared tiles that are frost and skid-resistant and easy to clean. They can also be easily dry laid over dirt, pebbles, grass, or gravel and without the need of specialized installers.

Mixed materials – many companies are mixing materials to create brilliant tiles that incorporate alabaster, marble, metal, and wood. Advancements in the technology used by tile manufacturers make it possible.

Concrete, resin & terracotta – Italian tile companies are incorporating other new materials into their designs, like smooth resins and industrial-style cements. Terracotta, a popular tile material from Italy’s past, is making a comeback and being reintroduced in modern sizes, colors, and finishes.

If you’re looking to add a modern, sleek, sophisticated look to your home then Italian tile may be the style for you. Give the Heritage Floors team a call at 717-687-7906 and we’ll get you started!

Tile with Style: Part I

Welcome to the first of three posts about tile and style! We’ll highlight different styles of tile and briefly explore their history, unique characteristics, and how they’re used not only in today’s flooring designs, but in other areas of the home as well.

Our first stop – Mexican tile

Bold and bright, Mexican tile is rooted in the cultural heritage of its country. The practice of making the handcrafted ceramic tiles dates back to the late sixteenth century, when the Spanish brought their knowledge of pottery and tile making to Mexico. For anyone who has visited the country, it’s clear that their distinctive tiles have played a pivotal role in Mexican architecture – from their public fountains and churches to private hacienda home exteriors and interiors.

Characteristics of Mexican tile include:

• They’re hand-painted, so no two tiles are the same
• They have a concave shape and are not perfectly flat
• High level of design detail and intricacies
• Bold, vibrant colors with a rustic beauty

If the style of Mexican tile suits your taste, there are many ways to incorporate it into your home:

Bathrooms – use on your floor or walls to create ornate designs. The vibrant colors add variety and make it fun to coordinate with other bathroom accessories.

Kitchens – Mexican tile offers lots of versatility in the kitchen. According to Karen Gosnell, president of Mexican Tile Company, tiles can be used almost anywhere – floors, countertops, backsplash, tabletops, and wainscoting.

Fireplaces and more – add a bold statement to a fireplace or other unique area of your home, like stair risers and door and window surrounds.

As far as color goes, the options are many. Mexican tiles were traditionally made in blues, yellow and greens but are now offered in endless amounts of colors. So if you’re ready to make a bold statement that’s reflective of Spain, Latin America, or the Mediterranean, think about incorporating Mexican tile into your homescape! Contact us for more information and tile inspiration!

Wood Floor Myths

When considering a new flooring option for their home or office, customers sometimes shy away from wood floors, thinking it’s too expensive or difficult to maintain. Not so! Take a look at these myths about wood flooring and you’ll see that you really can’t go wrong with wood.

They easily damage and are hard to maintain.
Not true! Unlike some other types of floor coverings, you can keep wood floors looking like new with little effort. Just dust mop regularly and use a suitable floor cleaner. Many wood floor options are manufactured with stains and finishes that make them more durable, and products like Performance Plus™ hardwood floors from Armstrong are designed with a superior level of hardness that makes them more scratch and stain resistant.

They can’t be used in a kitchen.
Another myth. In fact, wood flooring can be a smart choice for kitchen floors and is becoming increasingly popular as more and more options make their way to the showroom. Now is a better time than ever to consider wood flooring for your kitchen.

They’re cold.
Nope! Wood is an excellent natural insulator, so wood floors will do a nice job of keeping the cold out and the warmth in. The look of wood floors also brings a warm, comfortable feel to any home or office.

They’re expensive.
Wood floors are an investment that pays off in the long run, and they can greatly increase the value of your home. Wood floors offer durability that lasts for decades (even over 100 years) and they should not need to be replaced. Other flooring coverings such as carpet will need to be replaced about every 10-20 years.

Another great feature of wood flooring is that it’s hypoallergenic and cleaner than other flooring options. It won’t trap pet hair, dust, pollens and other allergens.

Now that you know the facts, don’t forget to consider wood floors as a viable option! We offer over 20 quality brands of wood flooring.

Wood floors in this dining area give warmth to the space while tile in the kitchen area adds to the aesthetics and is also utilitarian.