Category: Flooring General

Signs Of An Improper Flooring Installation

July 29, 2019

You’ve done the research, viewed countless different flooring options, and chosen the perfect fit for your space. Changing up your floors can breathe new life into any home and give you years of enjoyment to look forward to. Now all that’s left to do is installation! Proper installation will not only ensure your floors look their best, but are best prepared to stand the test of time. Below are 3 warning signs of a poor flooring installation to keep an eye on.

1. Large Gaps Between Planks Or Tiles

While different types of flooring will vary in the space required between each plank, large gaps are a key sign that your floors have not been placed with the proper technique. Gaps can increase your odds of water damage, warping, and buckling.

2. Lifting Corners

If planks are placed too closely together, they not be able to seal or adhere properly, leaving them prone to lifting from the foundation or cracking.

3. Premature Signs of Wear

While factors like water damage, excessive dirt built up, use of the wrong cleaning chemicals and more can accelerate the wear and tear on your floors, if you’re taking excellent care of your space and still seeing rapid deterioration, something is amiss.

What To Do

If your floors are displaying any of these issues, it’s best to have them looked at by a qualified team of experts sooner than later. Depending on the root cause, repairs may be easy to facilitate, or may require the floor to be reinstalled. Either way, the sooner you treat the issue, the better chance you have of minimizing lasting damage.

Wondering if your floors need some extra TLC? Need to find a new fit for your home? Ashley Fine Floors can help. Contact our team today to learn more!

Traditional Hardwood Vs Engineered: What You Need To Know

July 23, 2019

Hardwood floors are often seen as the ultimate luxury by homeowners looking to elevate their space and add value to their property. Fully of timeless elegance and style, hardwood flooring give your home an undeniable flair and serves as a worthwhile investment. If you’re considering adding hardwood to your space, check out a few basic facts below.

Engineered Vs. Traditional

An important aspect you’ll want to keep in mind as you begin your search for the best fit for your home is that there are two kinds of planks available: solid (or traditional) and engineered. While both look stunning, there are slight differences you should be aware of.

Solid Hardwood is crafted from a single piece of wood and thicker than its engineered counterpart. This thickness helps allow for resanding over the years, which keeps the planks looking fresh and eliminates minor wear and tear. Solid hardwood is fairly durable, but is particularly vulnerable to water damage, scratches, and shrinking and expanding due to humidity exposure.

Engineered Hardwood is comprised of several layers of high-quality plywood that are fused together, then coated with a hardwood veneer. The finished product is slightly thinner than traditional planks and only allows for planks to be renamed a few times. Contrastingly, engineered hardwood is less susceptible to humidity fluctuations and has more flexibility when it comes to where it can be placed in the home, including over concrete or radiant heating.

Which Works Best?

When it comes to deciding on any flooring materials, it’s always best to keep the unique needs of your space in mind. Depending on the area you’re looking to finish, there are a wide variety of factors to consider, including:

  • Purpose of the space
  • Environmental challenges
  • Exposure to moisture and humidity
  • Potential external damaging factors

It’s also important to bear in mind that while solid hardwood may be more expensive upfront, the ability to resand multiple times will grant extra longevity, whereas engineered hardwood may allow you to outfit more rooms in your home.

Have more questions about Hardwood? Ashley Fine Floors is your first choice team of flooring experts in the Capital region. Contact our team today to learn more.

Keep Your Home Cozy With Cork Flooring

July 19, 2019

Are you looking for a stylish, durable, and eco-friendly flooring solution for your home? As one of the newer additions to the flooring world, cork flooring offers a wide range of benefits to property owners. Learn more about the benefits of cork below!

Designed To Last

One of the main benefits of cork is the fact that, as a compound, it is incredible flexible. This makes tiles resistant to cracking, scratches, abrasions, and even less vulnerable to liquids and gases that may otherwise cause damage. For spaces that experience heavy foot traffic, households that include pets or children, or even those that are required to stand for long periods of time, cork is ideal

Bacteria Resistant

Are you sensitive to dust and other allergens? Cork is naturally resistant to much of the bacteria that causes mould growth or sustains other allergens. This makes it ideal for use in nurseries, homes with pets, kitchens, or any space that wishes to reduce the presence of dander for health reasons.

Built In Insulation

Cork is perfect for keeping your home warm during long, cold, winters due to its natural insulation qualities. The flexible nature of its makeup means that cork retains heat far better than many other flooring options, and since it can also be installed over radiant heating, you’ll never have to worry about cold toes again!

Sound Absorbing

Looking to minimize the transfer of sound between rooms or floors in your home? Much like cork’s insulation advantage, the build of the material easily helps absorb extra vibrations throughout your home, helping to create a quieter environment for everyone.

Environmentally Friendly

If you prefer to have a home that actively reduces its carbon foot print and focuses on sustainability, cork flooring is the perfect fit. Unlike hardwood, or even synthetic options like vinyl, cork is created without harming tress and is easy on the environment as a whole

Stylish

Cork is available in a wide variety of patterns, making it easy to integrate into any space!

Learn more about the benefits of cork by contacting our team today!

How To Choose The Best Materials For Your Basement Flooring

June 28, 2019

Finishing your basement can be a wonderful way to add value to your home, while also creating a functional space for the whole family to enjoy. Selecting the right flooring will help ensure your space is stylish, well insulated, and designed to stand up to the test of time. Basements can pose a unique challenge for homeowners when it comes to choosing the best option for flooring, and require a certain degree of planning to ensure the longevity of your insulation. Learn what factors you need to take into considering while choosing, as well as what types of flooring may work best for your space below!

What You Need to Know

Generally speaking, the number one challenge faced by any property owner looking to install flooring in their basement is preventing moisture build up, as well as adding insulation to the lower level of your home. Lower levels of the home or building are often damper than other spaces in the home, more susceptible to fluctuating temperatures from the ground freezing or warming, and are at a higher risk for flooding than other areas. The right flooring will take both of these factors into account and will be able to stay in place regardless.

What Options Should You Consider?

While every home is different and your foundation may have specific considerations that need to be taken into account, there are a few common options that tend to fair well in the majority of basement spaces. These options include:

Vinyl Planks

Stylish, durable, and particularly resistant to moisture, vinyl flooring is a great option for many basements. Vinyl is affordable, easy to install, and provides a natural sound absorbing/insulating layer for your home. With hundreds of patterns available, planks will seamlessly blend with any environment.

Tile, Ceramic, Or Porcelain

All three of these options are waterproof, making them suitable for basements, and durable enough to stand the test of time. One aspect you may want to consider however, is that tile will be relatively cold on the feet during the winter. Adding rugs will help to offset any coolness, as well as add extra insulation to the area.

Cork

Cork flooring is warm, stylish, and best of all, eco-friendly! For those planning on spending considerable time in their basement, cork can provide amble under foot cushioning for play spaces, workout areas, hobby shops, and more.

What To Avoid

As mentioned, when selecting flooring for your basement, you’ll want to avoid materials that are susceptible to moisture damage. These include planks made out of hardwood, carpet, and more.

Find out more about selecting the perfect option for your basement by contacting Ashley Fine Floors today!

​​Choosing the Best Flooring for Your Bathroom or Kitchen

April 15, 2019

Adding new flooring to your home can be the perfect way to breathe fresh life into your space and complete the finishing touches of your vision. Choosing the right option for each room helps ensure a long lasting life cycle for your floor, as well as an aesthetic you’re proud to show off. For certain areas of the home, particularly those more likely to feature increased moisture or humidity on a regular basis, selecting flooring materials that are designed to handle the unique demands for rooms like bathrooms or kitchens is key.

Finding flooring that is both stylish and functional can be a breeze with the right information on hand. Learn what to look for in moisture resistant flooring below!

Why Do I Need Consider Moisture?

Moisture can be one the most challenging foes for even the toughest of flooring to stand up to. Over time, moisture can leech into wood, carpet, and other materials, causing them to warp, rot, or worse. While it may be easier to avoid the build up of moisture in many areas of our homes, certain rooms come with this as an inherent hazard. Daily showers, endless loads of laundry, and course, the many evenings spent cooking up a storm in the kitchen can take a toll on our flooring, leaving them susceptible to damage if we don’t have the right materials in place.

What Do I Need to Look For?

Overall, the best option for environments more prone to exposure to liquids and moisture are flooring selections made with water resistant materials. It’s important to note that very few options are truly waterproof, and thus you should always endeavor to promptly clean up spills or leaks as quickly as possible, regardless of what you choose. Two common options for bathrooms and kitchens, for example, are laminate and vinyl tiles.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate is an increasingly popular option among those searching for an eco-friendly and cost effective solution for their home that also offers moisture resistance. With warmth retaining and sound dampening qualities, laminate flooring can also help make the home more energy efficient, and is designed to withstand considerable daily foot traffic.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring tends to be even more water resistant, and are similarly cost efficient. With hundreds of style options available, vinyl is able to easily mimic the look of other materials like wood that are less suited to moist environments.

Proper Care Matters

Once you’ve made your selection, it’s important to use proper care techniques to ensure your floor’s protective barrier is left undamaged. Always use caution when buying cleaning products and double check to make sure they are properly suited to your type of floor specifically, promptly clean up spills, and routinely sweep your floors to remove debris.

Want to learn more? Contact our team to learn about flooring solutions for kitchen and bathrooms today!

Spring Care For Luxury Vinyl Tile

April 3, 2019

Spring is in the air!

With longer days full of sunshine on the way, it’s time to say goodbye to winter and embrace warmer weather. While the changing of the seasons is an exciting time, property owners know that battling the changing elements can often pose a unique challenge when it comes to keeping your flooring in top shape. Fortunately for those with vinyl tile, springtime maintenance can be easy. Learn how to keep your vinyl looking its best all season long with our tips below!

The Springtime Challenge

Keeping your floors looking their best requires specific care from season to season, but springtime in particular can be challenging. With sudden swings in temperature and climate a staple of this time of year, it can be hard to predict what kind of environment you’ll face on a day to day basis. In general, the biggest culprits that can cause damage to your floors are:

Mud

You guessed it! As the snow begins to melt, mud becomes an unfortunate factor to contend with, and can easily enter the home if you’re not careful. Help avoid build-up by placing mats at entry points to your home, removing shoes, and wiping the paws of any furry family members.

Moisture

Increased moisture on the ground means that your floors can be at risk if you don’t take proper care when entering or leaving your home. While vinyl tile is fairly moisture resistant, it’s still important to remember to promptly mop up any spills and avoid prolonged exposure to liquids as much as possible.

Grit and Debris

Despite being scratch resistant, the increased presence of grit, particularly sand leftover from the roads, can put your tile at risk of developing scratches. Sweep or vacuum once a week to reduce your chance of damage, as well as keep your floors looking their best.

Rest Easy

One of the best parts about having luxury vinyl tile in your home is knowing how low maintenance it is to maintain. While you may have to put in a little extra work during the spring season, you’ll be back to your regular routine in no time!

Looking to bring your dream space to life? Ashley Fine Floors is Edmonton’s leading provider of solutions for your home and business. Learn more about how we can help by contacting our team today!

​Are Your Carpets “Spring Ready”?

Spring is here! With winter on its way out and warm, sunny days just around the corner, our homes are faced with a familiar seasonal challenge. Keeping your carpets clean as the weather begins to warm up can be a tricky task, and without the proper care, you may find yourself stuck with muddy stains or water damage in your home. Learn how you can protect your carpet against grime and damage below.

Know Thy Enemy

When it comes to protecting your carpets against spring hazards, the first step is to know what presents the biggest threat to your floors. While every season has its own challenges for any space to contend with, spring can be particularly tricky to navigate due to sudden swings in temperature wreaking havoc on the landscape. In general, the main culprits to keep in mind during the spring are:

Mud and Grime

As months of snow that had built up begin to melt, you will find that sidewalks, parking lots, and other heavy traffic areas quickly become encased in mud and dirt. Avoid tracking this inside by placing mats at entrance points in your home, always removing your shoes, and regularly vacuuming to catch any grit that may have found a way in.

Moisture

Moisture can present a significant hazard to your carpets, and it can be deceptively easy to cause damage by forgetting to remove wet shoes or items of clothing before walking across the floor. You’ll want to be extra diligent during the spring to stay on top of moisture control, especially if you have pets or little ones in the home. Act on any wet spots you see immediately, using towels to gently “blot” up any spills and to remove excess liquid as quickly as possible (remember not to rub! This can spread stains and cause the moisture to go deeper into the fabric).

Dander, Grit, and Debris

As nature “springs” back to life after a long winter of rest, it’s easy to find your home covered in sand, pollen, and dirt if you’re not careful. Avoid the introduction of allergens into your space, as well as the build up of dirt in your carpets by removing shoes, having mats at all entrances, and committing to a light vacuum schedule on a weekly basis. Your nose and eyes will thank you!

Keeping your carpets clean during the spring can feel like a bit of a chore, but with a little foresight your floors will look their best for years to come!

In need of a carpet refresh? Ashley Fine Floors is Edmonton’s leading carpet store of solutions for your home and business. Learn more about how we can help by contacting our team today!

The Beginners Guide to Traditional and Engineered Hardwood

January 10, 2019

Looking to add a touch of timeless elegance to your home and increase your property value? Hardwood flooring demands attention and holds an undeniably classic style that is sure to enhance your home. If you’re contemplating making the investment of hardwood floors, before are a few fast facts you’ll want to keep in mind.

There Are Two Different Kinds

Despite being sold under the “hardwood umbrella” there are two distinct types of planks available on the market: solid and engineered.

Solid (or Traditional) Hardwood is made of a single piece of wood, and is thick enough to allow for multiple resandings over the years. Solid hardwood is durable, but can be vulnerable to scratches and shrinking and expanding due to humidity exposure.

Engineered Hardwood is crafted from several layers of high-quality plywood that are melded together and then coated with a hardwood veneer. Slightly less thick than traditional hardwood and therefore only able to be sanded a few times, engineered hardwood is less susceptible to humidity fluctuations and can be placed in areas where traditional hardwood cannot such as over concrete or radiant heating.

Which To Choose?

As with any kind of flooring, both traditional and engineered hardwood have unique benefits. While traditional hardwood may be a little more expensive upfront, the ability to be sanded multiple times gives extra longevity and the thickness of the boards certainly makes them sturdy. Contrastingly, engineered hardwood is a little more flexible in its placement and can afford the same style in rooms that you may not be able to place traditional planks.

At Ashley Fine Floors, we carry the leading brands for both traditional and hardwood flooring. Visit our store or chat with our experts now to learn more about which type of planking is best suited for your space!

Explore Eco-Friendly Flooring Solutions

December 11, 2018

Are you looking for eco-friendly, green flooring solutions that’s built to last? Cork and linoleum tiles are a fantastic way to add style and flare to your home, all with the environment in mind. Learn more about both products below!

Cork Flooring

As a relatively new addition to the flooring world, cork flooring is often an under-utilized option. Made from the cork oak tree by material removed from bark, cork is one of the most sustainable products on the market. Relatively cheap in nature, cork floors offer plenty of benefits to owners, including:

Durability

Cork is extremely flexible as a compound, making it resistant to cracking, abrasions, and less vulnerable to gas and liquids. It is also able to withstand the demands of regular foot traffic, even offering a softer surface for those standing for long periods of time. Once installed, cork flooring can easily stand the test of time!

Fantastic Insulator

Dying to keep your toes warm? Look no further. Cork’s ‘squishy’ interior makes it an excellent insulator that holds heat well, especially when placed over radiant heaters.

Noise Dampener

Along with insulating heat, cork’s make up is also well suited for naturally dampening and absorbing sound. If you’re looking to reduce the transfer of noise between floors or even from room to room, cork can help significantly.

Linoleum

Better known than its cork counterparts, linoleum flooring remains one of the most popular sustainable flooring options. With plenty of style choices and a reputation for long lasting (the lifespan is between 20-40 years!) durability, additional benefits of linoleum include:

Low maintenance

Linoleum’s durable makeup also means it is easy to care for. Even with heavy foot traffic, minimal effort is all it takes to keep your floors looking their best. Naturally water, scratch, stain, and warp resistant, your tiles are designed to withstand heavy demand while staying stylish. Simply sweep off any accumulating dust or debris and mop up spills as needed and you’re covered!

Cost Effective

If you’re looking at a large installation (several rooms or more), linoleum’s price point can be extremely attractive, even after the cost of installation is factored in.

Versatile

While linoleum has an unfortunate rap for being “boring”, the truth is actually quite the opposite! With plenty of styles to choose from, there’s no shortage of eco-friendly options at your fingertips!

Learn more about eco-friendly flooring solutions with Ashley Fine Floors by contacting our team today!

Benefits of Professional Flooring Installation

November 5, 2018

New floors are a fantastic way to breathe life into a tired space and improve the overall value of your property. Once you’ve selected the flooring and style that perfectly fits your home, the next step is planning a hassle-free installation.

While some DIY enthusiasts opt to place planks and tiles themselves, many homeowners opt for professional flooring installation. At Ashley Fine Floors, our experts offer customers all of the benefits of worry-free placement, a few of which include:

Experience

Even the most detail oriented handyman can have a difficult time properly installing floorboards their first time. With hundreds of jobs under our belt, the Ashley team is able to handle any kind of placement, even in tricky spaces.

Time Saver

Simply put, time is money. The last thing most homeowners want to do after a purchase is spend hours on their hands and knees clicking boards into place. Our experts are quick, efficient, and ensure that your installation is done in no time!

Peace of Mind

Whether you’re finishing up a new build or completing a renovation, home alterations can be stressful. Adding in a DIY element for a major component like floors can be overwhelming for many, whereas partnering with professionals eliminates the vast majority of installation concerns.

Perfect Results

Flooring plays an important role in the overall visual appeal of our homes, which is why proper placement is vital. Working an experienced team means your planks or tiles will be installed carefully, reducing your chance of avoidable cracking, warps, or other types of damage that may be caused from poor placement. As the foundation for your home, your floors should never be a point of stress!

At Ashley Fine Floors, we make flooring installation a breeze! Contact our team to learn more.