Top Tips for Tile Maintenance

February 28, 2017/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

Tile is one of the most versatile floor coverings you can choose for your home. The variety of colors and patterns, different options when laying and cutting the tile, and choosing a coordinating grout color, all make it easy to use tile as a true design element. However, one key to long-lasting tile is tile maintenance. While it’s not difficult to keep your tile neat and clean, there are a few tips you should always keep in mind so you’ll be able to enjoy your flooring for years to come.

Top DO’s for Tile Maintenance

Do use hot water with a mild detergent. Hot water prevents residue from forming on your tile, while a mild detergent will help to reduce the risk of a cloudy or dull finish.
Do address spills quickly. Depending on the spill, it’s possible that simply wiping down your tile will address the issue. However, in the case of liquids or materials that could stain your tile floor, it’s a good idea to tackle those spills fast, using detergent and a warm cloth to wipe down the tile. Fast action on clean-up can also help to avoid grout stains.
Do use more powerful cleaners when necessary. To maintain your tile floor, it might be necessary to employ a powerful cleaner, especially in high traffic areas. To avoid damage to your flooring, make sure the cleaner is expressly formulated for tile.

Top DO NOT’s for Tile Maintenance

Do not use acidic or ammonia-based cleaners. These harsh chemicals have a better chance of not only damaging your tile, but discoloring the grout. That can create a very unseemly sight.
Do not use abrasive brushes or scrubbers. Your tile is fairly durable, but these abrasive cleaning products can easily scratch the surface of your floor and leave behind a dull finish.
Do not use acid or vinegar to clean your floor. These everyday household chemicals might be convenient, but they are not meant for tile maintenance. Harsh cleaners can easily discolor or erode grout; they also tend to leave a film on your floor’s surface. This can make everything dull and even encourage mold growth.

For more tips and tricks on tile maintenance, visit Go Mobile Flooring today. As your mobile flooring showroom serving the Tampa Bay area, we can provide expert advice on how best to manage your flooring investment.

Manufacturer Spotlight: Parkay Flooring

February 17, 2017/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

Laminate flooring was once considered a budget-friendly alternative for suburban households that just didn’t have the money to truly invest in genuine hardwood or tile flooring. However, with today’s advancements in materials and manufacturing, laminate flooring, like Parkay Flooring, offers a sleek, well-heeled look for anyone’s home. And it’s still budget-friendly.

Waterproof Flooring – Introducing the XPS Waterproof Parkay

XPS Waterproof flooring gives homeowners the chance to have a waterproof flooring option that looks great. Its locking system helps complete the illusion that you have real hardwood flooring by keeping seams clean and uniform.

Waterproof Flooring at its Best

XPS Waterproof flooring is durable and scratch resistant. It comes with a 15-year warranty providing homeowners peace of mind when investing in Parkay flooring. The flooring can also be used in a variety of tight spots, including around corners, at wall joints, and on and around stairs. XPS Waterproof floors are perfect for any space, no matter the layout.

Parkay Flooring Installation Made Easy

XPS Waterproof flooring is best installed over a completely dry and firm floor, such as concrete. It can be used to cover other flooring types like linoleum or PVC. However, it is not recommended to install Parkay flooring on floating or textile floors. Additionally, it’s extremely important to make sure your installation area is clear of all debris; even a pebble can easily disrupt the smooth, laminate surface.

Expert Advice on Parkay Flooring

When embarking on any home improvement project, it’s always a good idea to get advice from the experts. The floor installation team at Go Mobile Flooring is ready to help you make the right decision when choosing the perfect laminate floor. Whether its XPS Waterproof flooring, or another type of Parkay laminate, we provide all of our customers with knowledgeable advice.

Visit our site now for a free quote or to request a free measurement by our expert staff. At Go Mobile Flooring, we bring our showroom to you and service Pasco and Pinellas counties, New Tampa, South Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, Brandon, and Clearwater.

Porcelain Tile: Bathroom Trends

February 10, 2017/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

Deciding to update your bathroom tile is a large undertaking. You will want to be sure that the design and materials you choose will be in style for years to come. Since design trends can be fickle, it’s important to be aware the many different porcelain tile options that are trending.

Porcelain Tile Bathroom Trends

Let’s review some of the most popular current porcelain tile bathroom trends. That way, you can make an informed decision for your home:

1. Details Matter

A primary trend that has been gaining traction are the little things – details. Using accent porcelain tiles to highlight necessary features like drains and built-in niches is recommended, as is experimenting with different types of techniques like mosaics. Consider using various color or sized tiles throughout your bathroom in unexpected places. It gives you a chance to make the mundane stand out in the best possible way!

2. Go Big

While bathroom tiles used to be small 4-inch by 4-inch squares (or smaller), it seems the trend has shifted in recent years to using larger format tiles. This trend is actually effecting both wall and floor bathroom tiles, and gives the space a more expansive look by limiting the number of grout lines. Tile sizes can now range from 18×18 to 10×26. It’s also on trend to mix small and large tiles for a more interesting look. So don’t be afraid to combine trends for your own unique tone.

3. Take the A train

Subway and hexagon tiles have always been a key trend in bathroom design. Part of the art deco craze of the late 1940s and 1950s, colorful porcelain subway tiles – or even just black and white repeating patterns – were used in part to make bathrooms look more contemporary. Now, this trend offers the chance to make your bathroom just a bit retro.

Regardless of the porcelain tile trend you decide on for your bathroom, you want to make sure you’re using the best materials, and that you receive the best advice on how to proceed. Request a free quote and start making your bathroom redesign a reality.

DIY Pitfalls

January 19, 2017/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

There are countless ways a handy person can save money by doing-it-yourself projects (DIY), but we also need to beware of DIY pitfalls, and writer Kevin Stevens came up with a very complete list for general DIY projects . . .

Underestimating Project Complexity

Unrealistic Budget

We didn’t plan for that

Scope Creep

Lack of Tools or Skills to Use Them

Material Selection / Over Build, Under Build

Aggressive Timeline

Improper Sequence of Tasks

I want it now

Oops, I changed my mind Care2 Website

Several of his points are particularly true in the flooring industry, so let’s focus on four of them:

“Underestimating the Project Complexity” is one of the DIY Pitfalls

Flooring is the area you really use the most, so it’s smart to think about the fact that your whole body weight walks all over it every day. It needs to be LEVEL, SOLID, STRONG, and DURABLE every day without end. It’s a common mistake for home or business owners to overlook many details as they take on the floors.

Professional flooring companies like Go Mobile Flooring understand this, and therefore approach this work with the advantage of years of experience and training.

“Lack of Tools or Skills to Use Them” is one of the DIY Pitfalls

The reason carpet, laminate, or hardwood installers do such beautiful and precise work because they have the right tools. Many of these tools are too expensive for a DIY one-time project. But because of the finest tools, along with skill training to use them, our installers consistently get rave reviews. It’s a fact of life that if you lack the proper tools, it’s nearly impossible to produce a satisfactory result.

“Improper Sequence of Tasks” is one of the DIY Pitfalls

“Oh, did I need to put padding under that carpet,” is the terrified comment of a DIY’er who got it wrong, and even worse scenarios are when glue or finish comes into play. Neglecting to get the floor level can result in an expensive and complete do-over. Underlayment or structural repairs need to happen first, but we know that and that’s why we get it right the first time, and our faithful clients happily refer us to their friends and associates.

“Material Selection” is one of the DIY Pitfalls

At Go Mobile Flooring, we have learned the wisdom in using only the best materials. It may be possible for you to save a few pennies per square foot by picking up sale items at a local big-box store but in the long run, however, you are compromising the end result and the longevity it provides.

You can save a lot by painting (sorry painters) your own rooms but when it comes to flooring, why risk it? And do you have the time? Call Go Mobile Flooring today, and we would love to plan out your next project with you.

Waterproof Laminate Flooring

January 10, 2017/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

Many people are under the impression that all laminate flooring is waterproof. That’s not true, and neither is hardwood. These wonderful floorings are susceptible to damage from excessive exposure to water. That’s why installing waterproof laminate flooring is a good idea.

During the rainy season and winter, the most annoying part of all is to get home wet or covered in snow and make your flooring wet. Some flooring such as wood will probably have some trouble if its getting wet often, especially if you use them as your bathroom flooring. So, that is why using a waterproof laminate flooring is very recommended. They can keep your flooring from getting rotten because of the wetness and also it can make your flooring look even better. – FlooringMagz.com

In Florida snow isn’t a problem, but humidity and rain or proximity to a beach can bring a lot of wetness and moisture onto your floors.

There are some laminates that claim to be “splash proof” (which is not an industry term and they do still warn you not to leave any standing water on your laminate floor). If laminate floors become really wet, they will get ruined and buckle. Unlike hardwood flooring, laminate floors can not be sanded or refinished. If they get wet, they can not be repaired.
– The Flooring Girl

Waterproof Laminate Flooring is Affordable

As with everything else, you get what you pay for!

You never want to get the cheapest products on the market, and usually it’s best to scrutinize the most expensive product. But waterproof laminate flooring is a wise choice. It costs much less than hardwood, although slightly more than regular laminate.

Waterproof Laminate Flooring is Durable

A major consideration when evaluating the cost of your flooring is longevity. Waterproof laminate flooring guarantees your floors will hold up and maintain the value of your home. Hardwood is the most expensive option, but even the best hardwood will suffer damage if regularly exposed to water. As mentioned by “The Flooring Girl” above, there is good news. With hardwood, it is possible to repair small areas when water damage occurs. It can be sanded down and refinished. Regular laminate is worse because when damage occurs the only option is to replace it.

It would be wise to ask one our specialists at Go Mobile Flooring about waterproof laminate flooring. They can give you the specific details and costs to help you make the perfect decision and of course, our team can install it ahead of schedule. And depending on your plans, probably under budget as well!

The Speed of Installing Laminate Flooring

December 13, 2016/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

What’s the hurry? Why is it important to have our floors done quickly? Well, usually the obvious answer is the right one, and in this case it’s “TIME IS MONEY.” Installing laminate flooring saves time. Companies and professional installers do have to pay their specialists and the longer it takes, the more it will cost. That does not in any way suggest corners are being cut or the work is done in a careless manner. It’s just that certain installation processes require less time and effort. Laminate rules this kingdom!

The Fast Install: Laminate

There are two obvious reasons laminate is a great choice:

Installing Laminate is EASY

There’s a lot to love about laminate floor, and high on that list is the ease of installation. For weekend DIYers looking to trim their decorating budget without sacrificing style and quality, laminate gives you the option to install a beautiful new floor in any room with confidence and success – and fewer costs.

Bruce

The idea is not that it’s easy because something harder to install will be better. To the contrary – laminate is a quality product that takes advantage of modern science with precision manufacturing and foresight. It takes the trained eye of a professional to distinguish the difference between real hardwood flooring and laminate flooring! And the money you save can go into other things.

Installing Laminate is FAST

The vast majority of today’s laminate floors come with “click-lock” design systems (also sometimes referred to as a Uniclic system). This means that you simply install the laminate boards as a floating floor over a sub-floor and foam underlayment. One edge of the board will have a “groove” into which the other edge that has a “tongue” which clicks and locks into place. Some manufacturers infuse the grooved and tongued edges with dry adhesive that you simply dampen before clicking into place to add an extra level of locking. And because of this click-lock system, laminate flooring is one of the easiest floors to remove when it’s time for an update.

Home Flooring Pros

Oftentimes a handy home owner or business owner takes on laminate installation with fear and trepidation, only to realize it’s a done project ahead of schedule! That’s a nice feeling. Who doesn’t like that dictum,

AHEAD OF SCHEDULE – AND UNDER BUDGET!

Laminates come in every color, texture, pattern, and feel you can imagine. We can not possibly cover all benefits of having laminate throughout your business or home in one article. Call today and we’ll be happy to send out our mobile showroom or have one of our specialists speak with you.

Flooring Trends and How to Interpret Them

November 29, 2016/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

Tracking modern trends is similar to political polling – it depends who you ask! Our country just learned that on a massive scale. However, when looking at flooring trends in a scientific and broad manner, certain major concerns repeatedly emerge. We’ve identified three areas that are nearly universal for people researching flooring for homes or offices.

ANTIQUITY in Flooring Trends

The current trend in solid hardwood flooring is for products that have an antique or old world charm. Wider planks, hand-scraped finishes, and stressed wood designs are appearing with more regularity.
Home Flooring Pros

Don’t think of “old” when you see the word “antiquity.” Think of “enduring value and quality.” Diametrically opposed to dated looks and designs, antiquity always has a strong appeal. The worst thing a visitor could say when they walk into your home and see the floor is, “How 80’s!”

TECHNOLOGY in Flooring Trends

There is so much going on in the flooring industry right now but if you ask me, tile is where it’s at. There are tons of modern, stylish tile trends to choose from, but tile itself is trending in a big way. Solid, durable tile flooring has always been a staple in American homes, but it is coming back stronger than ever. Due to advancing technologies, tile can now mimic not only the look of natural stone but hardwood, fabrics, and more.
Flooring, Inc.

What in world does technology have to do with flooring? EVERYTHING. Because of modern technological advances, composite materials can be created that are so close in appearance and durability to real wood that most people cannot tell the difference, even up close! Any color, pattern, or texture you can think of has been produced in a tile or laminate format, even that “old world charm” if you prefer.

ENVIRONMENT of Flooring Trends

I anticipate an increase in the demand for affordable, local, sustainable flooring products. Local wood reclamation, whether that wood is being salvaged from old barns or rescued from underneath old and outdated carpeting, is going to be popular across the country. I also imagine we will see an increase in popularity of lighter wood flooring, even softer wood like pine and cork, and lighter stains on wood flooring, as lighter color floors pair well with trendy bright and bold paint and wallpaper colors.
Cindy Weinstock / The Flooring Lady

There’s a special feeling that comes from taking something old and using it in something new. It is good for nostalgia and for the carbon footprint. Re-using something means it doesn’t need to be created from new resources. It represents a healthy view of preserving and conserving the earth we are blessed to share. Maybe you aren’t the type who gets excited about telling your friends that your floor was once a 19th century cabin built by pioneers, but you probably are happy about saving the planet.

Combining Flooring Types

November 1, 2016/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

If you surveyed 100 people about their artistic views, you would get 100 different responses. It’s the same thing with tastes about flooring types. Some like the appeal and class of hardwood, some like the warmth and comfort of carpeting and when it comes to color, texture, sheen, durability, and costs, it would be nearly impossible to arrive at a consensus. That is why combining flooring types is a valid consideration.

Personal taste and a home’s design ultimately guide the decor’s direction. When you want to mix flooring types, however, you will need to think about continuity and flow. By chopping up the flow of a space haphazardly with different flooring materials, you will make it appear disjointed or broken up. A home should flow effortlessly without being too bland or too mismatched. So, go ahead. Use a mix of wood, tile and carpet. Just do it in a way that makes practical and decorative sense.
Homeguides SFGATE

Here are a few examples of combinations that are commonly used:

Combining Flooring Types: HARDWOOD AND CARPET

The natural beauty of hardwood is amazing, but it lacks the warmth and coziness of carpeting. By sectioning off a special area for carpeting, this can produce the best of both worlds. If the colors and patterns work together, the result will be dramatic.

Combining Flooring Types: CARPET AND TILE

Similarly, tile and carpet can achieve the same thing. Metal strips are available to make the transition from one to the other seamless. Tile is flexible and is great in kitchen areas where spills are likely. In a home with a great room, there may be no clear barrier between the kitchen area and the living room area. Going from tile to carpeting can be the perfect way to maintain the openness while at the same time providing a different feel in each area.

Combining Flooring Types: TILE AND HARDWOOD

There is no reason to rule out combinations that do not include carpeting. Hardwood and tile can work well together as well. Remember to consider texture, color, patterns, and sheen when mixing tile and hardwood. If the colors are close, it may turn out like a mismatch. If they are too contrasting, it may seem gaudy or unattractive.

So in summary, let’s keep all options open. There are wonderful and affordable choices available. Go Mobile Flooring can bring our mobile showroom to you so you can see a plethora of possibilities. If you have an eye for design, the challenge of combining floor types ought to be a great opportunity to use your skills. If you don’t have that ability, no problem, we can give you expert advice.

Best Flooring for Commercial Use

October 24, 2016/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

When choosing the best flooring for commercial use, you must factor in certain variables of your business. Obviously a big box home improvement store can get away with the minimalist cement floor with a smooth coating. This would not work in a nice restaurant or an office setting.

Every work space is different and the needs for flooring vary. Of course, the personal tastes of the business owner or decision maker will ultimately guide the outcome, but here are a few considerations to help you make a wise choice:

What is the Best Flooring for the Optics of the Business?

A beautiful and shiny floor may not be desirable for every commercial setting. In fact, some people work better on a nondescript plain surface. (Welding shops, repair centers, art studios, etc.) On the other hand an upscale men’s clothing store would prefer an impeccable hardwood floor. Even in large retail stores where most of the store is polished cement, you will notice in the clothing sections they have embedded hardwood or quality laminate in that area.

When anyone is looking to buy commercial flooring, there are two main priorities that everyone shares. First and foremost; your flooring should reflect your business and like the design for the rest of your business, your flooring choice must reflect a sense of professionalism.

UKFlooring Direct

What is the Best Flooring for the Function of the Business?

Carpet would best serve the needs of a sound studio where unwanted resonating sounds might hinder production. Hard cement serves a shop where tools and heavy equipment are used. Beautiful laminate patterns and colors may be helpful to influence the workplace in an office setting to increase a relaxing environment. Car dealership showrooms would want a strong hard surface to highlight new vehicle models, perhaps stone or granite tiling would be best. (For a plethora of detailed research click the Consumer Search link below.)

Which type of flooring is best depends on where you want to put it, how much you can spend, and what kind of wear it will get. For this buyer’s guide, we consulted magazines like This Old House and Consumer Reports, in addition to buyer’s guides at Lowe’s and Better Homes & Gardens. Below is a comparison of types, along with pros and cons for each. We also considered each type’s DIY possibilities and other costs.

Consumer Search

What is the Best Flooring for the Budget of the Business?

Flooring is very important, and it is something that should not be ignored but sometimes large work spaces need flooring that will keep the business under budget. This is a balance wise owners and managers understand. Fortunately, there are excellent laminate and carpet options that are good quality and still very affordable.

Good luck with your flooring decision. Spend some time researching the option and enjoy the process! Feel free to call us at Go Mobile Flooring, and we would be happy to bring samples to you with our mobile showroom. Our flooring technicians know every option completely and can help you make a wise decision.

Selling or Flipping a Home

September 27, 2016/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

When you are ready to sell or flip a home, common sense needs to kick in. Pretend you are the potential buyer. You have likely viewed a number of homes in your lifetime. How impressed were you as you pulled onto a property, and the grass looked like a sahara? Or does crabgrass adorn the home? When selling or flipping a home, you need to be prepared.

Then on the inside, how impressed were you if the seller hasn’t even bothered to arrange the clutter on the floor? These things are extremely counter-productive in selling. A beautiful home can lose its appeal by the seller not making the effort to spruce it up for the market. What if the town Mayor was coming for dinner? The Governor? The President? Most people would work very hard to make their home fresh and clean and uncluttered with such a visit.

The experts say this . . .

Highlight your home’s strengths, downplay its weaknesses and appeal to the greatest possible pool of prospective buyers . . . HGTV

Hardwood is the Best SELLER When Selling or Flipping a Home

When entering a home with a gorgeous hardwood entry, it impresses all visitors. The natural appeal and golden hue works magic in the eye of the beholder. It mesmerizes like a fine oil painting, except it’s virtually everywhere! People want a home that gives them this feeling every time they walk through the door. Wise investors want that too because they know it will sell better because of the hardwood effect.

Top 10 Home-Staging Don’ts

Rationalize that a higher asking price means you will have more wiggle room. You could wind up sitting idle on the market with a house full of wiggle room.

Respond to lowball offers with a counter — instead, respond with an invitation to re-submit.

Refer to a leaky foundation as a central humidifier.

Make your house smell like a cherry orchard or a department store perfume counter.

Air your dirty laundry. This includes leaving bills and private papers out, or of course, actual dirty laundry.

Take your prospects on A Complete History of The Kopecki Repairs & Renovations Tour.

“Clean up” by stuffing all the closets.

Leave unfinished DIY jobs for the buyers’ honey-do list.

Defer yard work. Your house only gets one chance to make a first impression. Overgrown shrubs and broken gutters are the real estate equivalent of dandruff.

Think licks from Rex the Bulldog will help generate more offers. Designed to Sell

Hardwood Adds VALUE When Selling or Flipping a Home

A wise person wants to earn the highest return on the sale of a home. Conventional thinking has always been that the kitchen and bathroom, the living room, and patio offers great return on the dollars spent on upgrading. All of these spaces can vastly increase the selling value with hardwood flooring. You may spend $2,000 on hardwood flooring, but it would increase the sale price by $5,000. Similarly, repairing or refinishing old hardwood has the same positive result.

As you prepare your home or investment property for sale, take the time to think about these things. You won’t regret it, neither will your healthy bank account.