Carpet One Floor & Home Panama City

Best of Bay

2011-04-25T16:13:00.000-05:00

Dear Sir or Madam,

A couple weeks ago I sent you an email asking for your vote. Apparently that was just the nomination process. Now I’m currently running for top flooring company in Panama City. If you don’t mind, please follow this link AGAIN and vote for me. The main category is “Company”, and you have to scroll down halfway through everything to get to “Company” and then the subcategory “Flooring”, and then of course, Carpet One J: http://www.newsherald.com/sections/bestofbay/

It’s the last time I promise!

Thanks,

John Shepard, Carpet One Floor & Home

Bad Advice Comes Cheap

2011-04-10T23:40:00.001-05:00

A friend of mine picked me up from the airport the other day, and the conversation eventually ended up about flooring. Imagine that. It seems like every conversation I end up in turns to flooring at some point or another…

Before I knew Ken, I guess he bought and installed some travertine on his own which is no surprise because he seems like a real do-it-yourselfer. Prior military myself, like Ken, I can say confidently that most of us are the same way, and we like to have straight answers as well, which is why we research the devil out of something.

In Ken’s case, he definitely sought advice, but the problem came when his advice was incorrect. My question is how can you know the advice is correct if you have no basis from which to judge it? In other words, if you are a complete novice, how do you know the person giving you the advice is any more knowledgeable?

Ken’s story was just fine, and it sounded like he did a great job. He said he lucked out by finding a guy who knew everything about tile installation at Home Depot or Lowes. He even told him how to decrease sag in the thin set by adding Styrofoam insulation beads to the mix. WHAT??????? What a great way to void your warranty and eliminate the longevity of the installation! My gosh, you may as well install it using Elmer’s Glue or construction adhesive.

Here’s the scoop. You do not use thin set to install travertine (a natural stone) in the first place. Thin set is just that—it is thin set! When you set stone, you have to use a medium bed mortar, or stone setting materials. Come on people. You big box guys give me a ton of work; unfortunately, it is always cleaning up your messes and bad advice. Thin set mortar is used under ceramic and porcelain where thinner layers of mortar are required because the weight of the tile is nominal compared to stone. When setting stone, you have to have a mortar that does not sag; otherwise, you end up having major difficulties as you move along keeping them level.

Adding Styrofoam beads to a mortar, against the manufacturer’s directions, does nothing but interfere with the chemical bonds created by the Portland cement once you add the water and the curing process begins. You can throw candy in some whip cream, but it doesn’t make a milkshake. In this case, if Ken had followed the directions on the bag, he would have realized he was using the improper setting materials in the first place because thin set states very clearly that it can only be used to set ceramic tile.

You can see from this story that bad advice really does come cheap. Cut a corner, save a dime, reap a lifetime of unhappiness, sometimes….

The problem with showers…and the right fix…

2010-09-13T20:31:00.001-05:00

OK, so what is all the fuss about getting a custom shower? It is a fair question, not without merits. A custom shower is an investment, and it is not one to be taken lightly. Did you know that in comparison to a rain forest, your shower receives more water on a yearly basis? In fact, the dishwasher in your home probably does not process as much water as your shower. Given these facts, ask yourself how much it is worth to ensure you have the right materials first and, not least importantly, the right technician second.

Have you ever seen an improperly assembled, custom shower? When you do, you will never forget it because behind the wall is a black, nasty mess. If you are on an upper floor, the first people to realize you have a leak will be the people below you, but if you live on the ground floor, you stand a good chance of never knowing it unless the mold starts infiltrating the inside of the shower or you decide to replace the existing tile.

You may wonder how anyone can install a leaky shower. The correct answer is that no one installs a leaky shower if they do it right! Properly installed, a moisture membrane prevents all water from penetrating the surrounding walls and touching the studs. The problem some tile mechanics have is that they never learned to properly prepare a shower for tile. Many installers continue to believe that the materials used in the shower are actually waterproof when in fact they are not.

Most installers believe that concrete board and backer boards are waterproof. This is an extreme misconception. The boards are designed to stay together in water and not fall apart, but they absolutely do not keep water from passing through it. There are a few water proof boards on the market. Georgia Pacific makes one call Denshield, and it actually has a moisture membrane on the front of the board. When you use the other boards though, you have to install a moisture barrier between the board and the studs. Many installers are ignorant of this fact.

Another tool for you to think about is a shower system. Shower systems are sold and marketed by certain companies to integrate with your tile in any set of circumstances. The two main ones that I know of are Schluter Systems and Wedi. Since our work involves Schluter extensively , I will spend my time talking about it.

The Schluter System comes with a preformed tray to place in the bottom of the shower. Since one of the hardest tasks for an installer is providing the proper gradient to the drain in order to prevent puddling, Schluter Systems rectified this with a pre-sloped pan. You would not believe the amount of people who overlook the necessity of a pre-slope underneath the normal shower pan. In fact, since it is not part of the building code in some parts of the country, it is not done at all most of the time. The pre-slope that I am talking about actually includes filling the place where the shower is located with a sloped bed of rocks or cement prior to the plumber’s installation of the rubber pan. The rubber pan actually sits on top of the bed, and once the pre-slope is installed, water actually will run down the face of the pan into the drain. Done without the pre-slope, the water will sit in the pan creating a moist donut shaped area around the drain where fungus and mold will love to hang out.

Once you install the tray, the Schluter kit comes with a special integrated bonding flange for the drain as well as a slip in drain that is square for ease of integration into the tile floor. Once the tray and flange are in place, the installer simply applies the Kerdi on the walls, floor, and curb to produce an orange looking shower before tile goes in. The key to the entire system is Kerdi which is an orange polyethylene film bonded to a layer of fleece on the front and back. The fleece provides a bonding surface to stick to the wall and to stick to the tile. The polyethylene layer provides 100% water tightness, even in an overlap situation. Schluter tested their system with a four to six inch overlap and documented no seepage; therefore, they do not require you to use entire sheets of Kerdi at one time. You simply seal it by overlapping the sheets a minimum of four inches.

Once the Kerdi is installed, the shower is ready for tile. Place the tile in position, install the drain, grout the tile, and you are ready to take a shower. The Schluter System really is the best on the market. For more information on Schluter Systems, visit www.CarpetOnePanamaCity.com or www.schlutersystems.com. Sign up for more information and to be on our mailing list.

You can buy these products at Carpet One Floor & Home which is an authorized reseller of Schluter Systems.

Professionalism, or the lack there of….

2010-09-05T23:15:00.001-05:00

I received a call the other day from a fellow consultant in the California area working for a national chain store who is looking to open a several thousand square foot store in our community. He consults via retainer for the company about all flooring issues, and they asked him to conduct moisture testing to ensure adequate environmental conditions prior to the installation of their floor covering. He called me to assist.

I realized after I got off the phone with the gentleman how little emphasis gets placed upon testing for moisture by local contractors. Even more shocking is the fact that it seems like only the largest companies apparently concern themselves with it. Examining a national chain store, I see that they have the proper view that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

In my business I work with numerous contractors and talk with them day in and day out, and I can tell you that the level of professionalism in areas such as moisture remediation is extremely poor. In fact, most general contractors do not even know what it is, and when you mention the need for it, they complain that you are too hard to work with. It seems that their experience in working with other companies, who do not care, gave them a cavalier attitude that moisture and other such issues are menial. They have yet to experience a catastrophic failure because of it. The odd part of the matter is that when they do experience a catastrophic failure, their business will not live to tell about it.

Moisture issues on the whole are among the most insidious around, but more profound is the fact that they are preventable with relatively simple testing procedures. Further, no construction project is immune because even the smallest house can be affected by an unseen moisture problem. Moreover, the more important questions appear to be where it comes from and what does it affect. Both answers are rather lengthy and less than finite.

Moisture testing gathers information quantitatively about subterranean moisture (coming from underneath the substrate). While numerous testing methods exist, the most prevalent at this time is the Calcium Chloride test performed on top of concrete substrates. As you might have guessed, concrete subfloors are the most common type in our region, Panama City, FL; therefore, I will tell you a little bit more about them.

Where does it come from? Moisture comes from beneath the concrete itself as it migrates up from the ground into the structure. Since no structure is perfectly air tight, moisture migration is a constant process, is normal, and is to be expected as long as it is controlled and not extreme. The most typical kind of control used in concrete subfloors is the use of a plastic membrane underneath the concrete slab. Slightly less well known is the tendency of concrete workers to poke holes in the plastic barrier to decrease drying time. Shocking, perhaps, but yes, it happens!

When moisture reaches the surface of the concrete in acceptable quantities, it off gasses into the air and maintains normal humidity in a house. In greater quantities, the moisture will cause problems such as dissolution of adhesives use to hold a floor down like hardwood or vinyl, rotting of floor materials such as carpet or hardwood, growth of mold in cushion or hardwood, and even worse things than these. Found early enough, disastrous problems can be diverted, so why would you not want to know ahead of time what could happen to your hardwood, laminate, carpet, or vinyl because of unseen moisture?

The answer most general contractors seem most willing to give is that they have done it this way for years and never had a problem. One thing I can say for certain is they do have problems, but the problems usually come after the warranty is expired. I know this because I inspect floors and see these problems regularly, and I experience push back from general contractors all the time as they persist in trying to maintain the status quo. As a whole, they prefer to shove their heads in the sand instead of dealing with potential problems head on.

As for me and my store, we will continue to press forward with completing our installations in accordance with industry standards. Our integrity is too valuable to sacrifice for a few measly dollars.

For more information on this and other topics, go to our website: www.CarpetOnePanamaCity.com. In the meantime, insist your flooring company follows the legal boundaries set forth by the industry. Do your due diligence in checking out their background, and you may be surprised by what you find. I recently found that a certain company in our area who claimed to be the oldest has actually gone out of business twice, and reopened. A simple visit to http://sunbiz.org gave me that information. It never ceases to amaze me at what some people will do to make a dollar…

The Truth About Laminate Flooring

2010-08-27T11:59:00.000-05:00

I was talking to a woman the other day about laminate floors, and the topic of thickness came up. She asked, “Aren’t the thicker boards higher quality?” Her question centered around how the thickness of a board of laminate affects the quality of the product. It is a great question which deserves more than a cosmetic “yes” or “no” answer. In fact, at first glance, one may say that the thicker one is better, there is more board there, but does that really matter?

It pays to look first at how laminate is made. While laminate may look the same on the surface, it is made primarily in one of two ways. Direct Pressure is the most prevalent method in the industry and is used to mass produce millions of feet of laminate every year. High pressure laminate is a much more refined process taking longer to create and costing more money to achieve. While the two processes are entirely different, the construction and layers are parallel.

All laminate has a backing that is the same thickness as the finish layer, and likewise, every laminate has a core board that gives the laminate board its structural stability as well as the ability to having a locking system by which to connect the boards together. The core board consists of wood pulp mixed with resin and compressed. Both the finish layer and the backing layers adhere to the core board in their respective positions

What is in the finish layer? The finish layer consists of a photograph of an actual piece of wood, or stone, with various layers of melamine, aluminum oxide, or any other proprietary blends which give laminate its legendary scratch proof reputation. The process through which the three parts bond together brings us back to the two processes discussed earlier: direct pressure versus high pressure.

Most manufacturers use direct pressure for a reason: It is highly cost effective to create thousands of feet of product in a cycle very quickly. The energy used to create direct pressure laminate is substantially less as it is done at lower temperatures than the high pressure processes, and the materials used to make the direct pressure laminate are also less in that the high pressure layers are two to three times thicker than its direct pressure counter part.

In the direct pressure process, the layers of laminate come together in a continuous process through a set of rolling presses that apply the backing and photo finish layers simultaneously. In the high pressure process, workers stack each layer of backing and photo finish layers by hand much like a quilt or blanket. You can see these layers in the photograph above. Once the workers finish the blankets, they stack them together, sandwiched between metal plates, in a hydraulic press. They roll the presses into an oven, and the laminate bakes at high temperatures under constant pressure until completion. Once completed, the layers of laminate are adhered to the core boards and cut into individual planks. The result of the high pressure process is a highly durable product. In fact, although you would not know it, countertops are the most widely used recipient of high pressure laminate, and currently, Wilsonart is the only manufacturer to product high pressure laminate for floors.

High pressure laminate is rare in the flooring industry, and it becomes more rare everyday. In fact, Wilsonart announced recently that they intend to exit the flooring business entirely by December 2010 due to market conditions. As you can imagine, high pressure laminate costs substantially more to produce: more materials, more energy, and more labor. While Wilsonart pioneered the use of laminate in commercial applications, they could not effectively parlay the success into the residential sector primarily because of the cost, and even though a home owner stands a higher chance of having a floor that will last a lifetime with a high pressure design, it is a difficult concept to grasp when cheaper home center laminate is available. Direct pressure laminate rolls out of facilities at a rate of thousands of feet at a time, and as the supply increases the price naturally comes down.

All of this leads us back to the original question: Does the thickness of a core board determine the value or durability of the laminate? What do you think? The answer still is not that simple, and sometimes the answers are definitely mutually exclusive. The cheapest laminates certainly come thinner than normal. I have never seen a 6mm laminate of high quality. Alternatively though, I see many direct pressure laminates with 12mm core boards, and when compared to an 8mm High Pressure laminate, the 12mm laminate is certainly not high quality. Why make something so thick if it does not affect the quality? Because customers sometimes like to see thicker….Sometimes thicker just looks better I suppose. I am also sure that it may make a difference in sound under foot; however, I have never noticed a difference. As always, buyers must beware of every marketing technique by reading the information, looking at the warranties, and asking plenty of questions.

As always, for more information, check out our website for more information about anything involving floors.

Good Things are Happening At Carpet One!

2010-08-09T17:08:00.000-05:00

Hello ,

I wanted to give you a brief update on some really great things happening recently here at Carpet One Floor & Home in Panama City. First, and this one is a great achievement for me personally, I published an article in Hardwood Floors Magazine—the national publication of the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA). As you may or may not know, I achieved a certification as Certified Wood Floor Inspector (CWFI) with the NWFA a few years ago. Please check out the article: “Steamy Situation: Uncontrolled Moisture Doesn’t Agree With This Beech Floor”.

Second, the Panama City Beaches Chamber of Commerce presented us with the Small Business Award for the Quarter last month during their membership meeting. I am honored to receive this for our company, and we will proudly display it with our many other awards for service, ethics, and business practices.

As you can imagine, we owe all of this to our strong staff of dedicated employees who are accustomed to going the extra mile and leaving no stone unturned.

Thanks for your support!

John E. Shepard

President

Carpet One Floor & Home

www.CarpetOnePanamaCity.com

www.facebook.com/carpetonepanamacity

www.twitter.com/carpetonepc

Best of Bay

2010-04-29T06:51:00.000-05:00

Hey,

I’m spreading the word about a contest my company entered called Best of Bay. Here’s the link, and if you don’t mind, please vote for me! http://www.newsherald.com/sections/bestofbay/

I am halfway down the page in the third category: COMPANIES (subcategory: flooring), and my logo is on the right hand side. You have to scroll past FOOD & BEVERAGE and ENTERTAINMENT & LEISURE. You can vote once per dayJ!

I appreciate it, and thanks very much!

John E. Shepard

President
Carpet One Floor & Home

2804 W. 23^rd St.
Panama City, FL 32405
850.785.4938
www.CarpetOnePanamaCity.com

Click on a link below, and see what we're doing on the web...

American Cancer Society’s Response to updated recommendations for mammography…

2009-11-18T13:06:00.000-06:00

“The American Cancer Society continues to recommend annual screening using mammography and clinical breast examination for all women beginning at age 40. Our experts make this recommendation having reviewed virtually all the same data reviewed by the USPSTF, but also additional data that the USPSTF did not consider. When recommendations are based on judgments about the balance of risks and benefits, reasonable experts can look at the same data and reach
different conclusions.

“In 2003, an expert panel convened by the American Cancer Society conducted an extensive review of the data available at the time, which was not substantially different from the data included in the current USPSTF review. Like the USPSTF, the Society’s panel found convincing evidence that screening with mammography reduces breast cancer mortality in women ages 40-74, with age specific benefits varying depending on the results of individual trials and which trials were combined in meta-analyses. And like the USPSTF, the American Cancer Society panel also found that mammography has limitations – some women who are screened will have false alarms; some cancers will be missed; and some women will undergo unnecessary treatment. These limitations are somewhat greater in women in their forties compared with women in their fifties, and somewhat greater in women in their fifties compared with women in their sixties. We specifically noted that the overall effectiveness of mammography increases with increasing age. But the limitations do not change the fact that breast cancer screening using mammography starting at age 40 saves lives.

“As someone who has long been a critic of those overstating the benefits of screening, I use these words advisedly: this is one screening test I recommend unequivocally, and would recommend to
any woman 40 and over, be she a patient, a stranger, or a family member.

“The USPSTF says that screening 1,339 women in their 50s to save one life makes screening worthwhile in that age group. Yet USPSTF also says screening 1,904 women ages 40 to 49 in order to save one life is not worthwhile. The American Cancer Society feels that in both cases, the lifesaving benefits of screening outweigh any potential harms. Surveys of women show that they are aware of these limitations, and also place high value on detecting breast cancer early.

“With its new recommendations, the USPSTF is essentially telling women that mammography at age 40 to 49 saves lives; just not enough of them. The task force says screening women in their 40s would reduce their risk of death from breast cancer by 15 percent, just as it does for women in their 50s. But because women in their 40s are at lower risk of the disease than women 50 and above, the USPSTF says the actual number of lives saved is not enough to recommend widespread screening. The most recent data show us that approximately 17 percent of breast cancer deaths occurred in women who were diagnosed in their 40s, and 22 percent occurred in women diagnosed in their 50s. Breast cancer is a serious health problem facing adult women, and mammography is part of our solution beginning at age 40 for average risk women.

“The American Cancer Society acknowledges the limitations of mammography, and we remain committed to finding better tests, and currently are funding a large study to improve the accuracy of mammography. In fact, data show the technology used today is better than that used in the studies in this review, and more modern studies show that mammography is achieving better results than those achieved in these early experimental studies that go back as far as the mid-60’s. And as scientists work to make mammography even more effective, the American Cancer Society’s medical staff and volunteer experts overwhelmingly believe the benefits of screening women aged 40 to 49 outweigh its limitations.”

Dr. Otis Brawley
Chief Medical Officer
American Cancer Society
Statement on USPSTF announcement

Tips from Carpet One Floor & Home in Panama City: Moisture and Hardwood in your home

2009-10-26T13:15:00.000-05:00

Few things will ruin your day than coming home to find your brand new wood floor buckled and broken off your floor. Regretfully, the only cause for it is moisture, and it didn’t come from installation, unless of course, the installer didn’t place enough expansion space between the wall and the wood.

Water comes from many areas, and few people even think about it until it becomes a problem. Unfortunately, by that time, it is too late. They should have planned ahead. A professional hardwood reseller knows how to look for problems before they become issues. I’ll give you a personal example from yesterday.

I had a customer who came to my store to purchase hardwood, and she knew what she wanted before she visited me. She had hardwood installed by us over ten years ago, and she wanted to match the product. I happened to recognize the product on the floor immediately and was able to satisfy her product requirements immediately. After conducting a measure and estimate, she was satisfied with the price and wanted to move forward. Now, I told her that I needed to do a moisture test prior to completing the work, but mind you, most people take a look at the two existing rooms with wood and decide that since no issues happened with the existing wood, what could possibly happen? HA!

I took my moisture meter to the home, picked a corner of the room on an exterior wall, pulled the carpet back to expose the concrete, and immediately saw a problem. Not only was the concrete visibly wet, underneath the carpet and pad, but the tackstrip was black and rotten. Needless to say, it pegged my meter. I found the same situation on the back exterior wall in another room, but not nearly as bad.

Hardwood is not for the faint hearted, and neither is it for the inexperienced. I had to find the source because believe it or not, I’d still like to give the customer what they want: hardwood in all rooms. A quick look around the house revealed several things to me: landscape mulch piled against the house, sprinklers hitting the home, no gutters, poor drainage, and the list goes on.

By doing this simple inspection, I found some good information for the customer. Regardless of what she does with me and my hardwood product, she needs to fix her problem lest she find bigger ones later on: rotten walls, termites, etc…

I am glad I know what I know, but I am not happy with how I had to learn sometimes. I made many mistakes, but I swore not to let them happen again. If you are interested in hardwood in your home, take a look at your home to ensure you are not welcoming moisture indoors: affix gutters to your roof with downspouts leading several feet away from the home, ensure the ground slopes away from the home and the foundation is clearly above ground level, look for visible signs of moisture damage inside the house around baseboards, and hire a professional to check the moisture in your subfloor. It will save you an arm and a leg…

Resista Carpet @ Carpet One Floor & Home® |Panama City,FL

2009-10-23T12:59:00.000-05:00

Resista™ SoftStyle
Silky smooth comfort with a twist … repels stains like water off a duck’s back! Treat yourself to the superior softness, stain resistance, and lasting beauty of Resista™ SoftStyle carpet. Special soft-to-the-touch yarn technology gives it an extraordinary silky soft feel, while tighter twists and heavier weights offer exceptional toughness.
Made to look beautiful no matter how you live, Resista™ SoftStyle features a 10-YEAR NO EXCLUSION STAIN WARRANTY against ALL food and beverages, which covers most accidental household stains that most other warranties exclude such as coffee, red wine, and fruit punch. Plus, with over 60 coordinating colors in three different themes, Resista™ SoftStyle is designed to complement and enhance your lifestyle throughout your home. Trust Resista™ SoftStyle for soft comfort and lasting beauty that’s a step ahead of anything else.

Carpet One Floor & Home® |Panama City,FL

BBB announces 2006 local Torch Award winners - BBB News Center

2009-10-21T12:56:00.000-05:00

I excerpted this article from a press release by the Better Business Bureau. One of our proudest achievements, we won the Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics in 2006, and we continue to strive harder to achieve better results every time. Please come check us out online!

The Better Business Bureau of Northwest Florida has announced the winner of its inaugural BBB Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics held October 24 at the Holiday Inn Select. The BBB Torch Award honors outstanding organizations committed to promoting ethical business practices.

The winning organization for 2006, based on management practices, customer relations, advertising practices and industry reputation was Carpet One Floor and Home of Panama City.
“This organization exemplifies exceedingly high standards of business practices, truthful sales and advertising, and a reputation of giving back to the community,” said Norman Wright, BBB president. “Each day many businesses like Carpet One Floor and Home work to grow our area economy and uphold a fair marketplace.”

In addition to business awards, three high school students were recognized as BBB Student of Integrity Scholars and awarded $1,000 scholarships to the college of their choice. Winners were Luke Seaman, A. Crawford Mosley High School, Jared Crittenden, Panama City Christian School, and Justin McCoy, Altha Public School.
Sponsors of this year’s event include Landrum Companies and Copy Products Company
For more information, contact the Better Business Bureau at (850) 429-0002 or visit www.nwfl.bbb.org.

BBB announces 2006 local Torch Award winners - BBB News Center

Installation Professionals—Five Diamond Professionals, Carpet One Floor & Home® |Panama City,FL

2009-10-19T12:49:00.000-05:00

Our installers undergo regular training to achieve the highest levels of technical and customer service expertise. In fact, check around, and you will see that our store has the only certified installers in Panama City, FL. It is not because we are satisfied with what we do that our people achieve excellence--it is because we care about doing more for our customers. We demand the best from each installer, and we match their skills with each job to ensure the best possible performance. When new products come out, we ensure proper training is received, and we pass on the newest industry information and standards to ensure that the customer receives the very best possible job the first time, every time. Come in our store, and you will see for yourself the hard work and dedication demonstrated by our Installation Team on our Wall of Fame.

Carpet One Floor & Home® |Panama City,FL

Carpet One Floor & Home® and the American Cancer Society|Panama City,FL

2009-10-12T12:20:00.000-05:00

American Cancer Society
John Shepard, the owner of Carpet One Floor & Home in Panama City, serves on the Operating Board for the Bay Unit of the American Cancer Society. Fully involved with the American Cancer Society, we enjoy the opportunity to serve and give back to the community. Through many efforts, we assisted in recruitment efforts in the community for several events as well as to fill Board positions. The fight against cancer is a cause we chose because it helps humanity. Click on our links to find out more!

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Carpet One Floor & Home® and National Green Select Day |Panama City,FL

2009-10-05T11:21:00.000-05:00

National Green Select Day
Carpet One Floor & Home locations throughout North America have teamed together to clean up and beautify communities, and you're invited to join in!
So put National Green Select Day on your calendar for April 2010, and stop by a participating Carpet One Floor & Home store to sign up and take the pledge to make a difference! Getting out in our communities and actively making the world a cleaner and healthier place is an important part of being responsible citizens. National Green Select Day is an opportunity to come together with your local community and make a difference.

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Earthscapes Flooring from Carpet One Floor & Home |Panama City,FL

2009-10-02T03:20:00.000-05:00

Earthscapes
Strong and beautiful with a soft touch … the perfect floor for today’s living!
Imagine flooring with the beauty of natural hardwood or tile, yet with all the resilient durability and maintenance-free convenience of vinyl - that's Earthscapes. With its revolutionary construction, it offers unmatched dimensional stability and protection against everyday wear and tear. A unique combination of luxurious cushioning and an easy-care top layer that’s amazingly comfortable to walk on, Earthscapes is also water-resistant, reduces impact noise, and feels warm underfoot. And that makes it ideal for your kitchen, family room, laundry room or anywhere you spend a lot of time on your feet. While its attractive designs and patterns mimic wood or ceramic, easy-care Earthscapes costs much less and is easy to install. Plus, it’s backed by outstanding warranties.
Step up to Earthscapes vinyl ... and discover a whole new level of beautiful flooring!

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Top 10 Pink Items for Your Home – Panama City, FL - Zabitatz: Inspiration for YOUR home

2009-10-01T13:38:00.001-05:00

It’s October again and the pink ribbons are popping up everywhere. Here’s our list of favorite pink products that support the breast cancer cause. We’ll give you the scoop on the cool pink products for your home and what’s actually being donated.

Pink Snuggie. Not looking forward to another chilly winter? Saving some cash while keeping warm can be tricky, but here comes Snuggie to the rescue and a beautiful shade of pink. Stay warm and support the cause. Allstar Products Group, the maker of Snuggie, will donate $50,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) based on pink Snuggie sales. For only $14.99, you could be enjoying the coziness of your own beautiful Snuggie.
Carpet One Floor & Home Welcome Mats. We loved the last year and we’re still loving them. Now they have more new designs. Our favorite for fall….Harvest Welcome. Find your favorite at your local Carpet One Floor & Home Store. For $24.99, you get a fun indoor/outdoor welcome mat that’s machine washable. Plus a full 25% of the purchase price goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society depending on where the mat is sold.
KitchenAid. Not only do they have a line of pink appliances, but they also host events across the nation to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. You can also get involved with Cook for the Cure by hosting your own party. Visit the Cook for a Cure website for your party planning kit.
Cuisinart. Cusinart has a whole line of pink appliances. They’ll be donating $30,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation so if you love pink, you have to check out
these fun appliances. Don’t miss the EasyPop popcorn maker. It gives old-fashioned air poppers a new look. More at Cuisinart.com.
Tomboy Tools. Tomboy Tools will be donating proceeds from specific pink products, like the Impact Drill, to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. You can also find them joining the walkers in Wellness Village in the "Tool School 101 Tent". They will be doing various "How To" demonstrations. You will learn such things as the basics of tool knowledge, how to repair drywall in Find Your Stud, how to operate power tools in Power Up and more! Don't be shy! The Tomboy Tools women encourage hands-on training and want you to gain the experience you need to walk away with the confidence to complete your own home projects.
Earth Totes. You can be “green” and “pink” all at the same time with these roomy multipurpose totes. Use them for groceries, books, or anything you need to carry. $5.00 from the sale of every bag will be donated to the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade. Large totes are $18.00 and be purchase through the Earth Totes website.
Culinary Arts: Tea Party Dinnerware. Set a charming table with this set of earthenware in a mix and match hand-painted pattern. The dishes are available at target.com for $49.99. $2 of each set sold will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Available at Target.
Yankee Candle. Enjoy the fresh sent of Mandarin Cranberry in this beautiful pink candle. Yankee Candle supports the National Breast Cancer Foundation in their mission to fund mammograms for those in need. Give a light of hope to those affected by this disease. Plus, enjoy the wonderful Mandarin Cranberry fragrance which is bursting with the vibrant, fruity sensation of sweet, sunny oranges and crisp, tangy cranberries.
Teleflora: Pink Hope Bouquet. This adorable pink bouquet arrives in a delicate pink satiny cylinder bursting with pink lilies and roses. It will make a perfect centerpiece for the next dinner you host. The arrangement is $49.95 and 15% will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Available at teleflora.com.
Floral Sculpted Nesting Bowls. The centerpiece is not the only place to make a statement with flowers. Check out these flower shaped nesting bowls in durable Melamine. Not only does Spoonsisters.com donate ten percent of sales of these pink beauties to the Continuum Cancer Centers of New York, but the manufacturer also donates 5% to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Top 10 Pink Items for Your Home - Zabitatz: Inspiration for YOUR home

Relax, It’s Lees Stain Proof Carpet |Panama City,FL

2009-09-30T02:54:00.000-05:00

LEES®
Relax, it’s Lees® … a carpet like no other with a warranty to match!
Discover the perfect combination of beauty and worry-free toughness. Lees® carpet is designed to fit the world you live in with ground-breaking stain protection and lasting construction. Available in a range of styles and colors for every taste and need, Lees® carpet features Ultra 25® with Scotchgard™ Protector – stain protection so strong it’s backed by the exclusive “NO EXCLUSIONS” ULTRA 25® STAIN WARRANTY which covers stains other carpet warranties don’t: pet stains, grease, mustard, coffee, cola and more. That’s beauty with peace of mind.
In addition, the patented ExtraLoc® backing has double the density of standard carpet construction for extraordinary stability and strength. Count on Lees® carpet for unmatched beauty and performance in your home.

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Carpet One Floor & Home® and Animal Welfare |Panama City,FL

2009-09-28T11:19:00.000-05:00

Animal Welfare
Our pet-friendly Lees products led us to partner with animal welfare charities through the Muddiest Buddies campaigns. Most recently, we partnered with the Delta Society, a leading international resource on the human-animal bond. A core program is Pet Partners, in which over 10,000 volunteers are trained and registered so they can safely and effectively share the healing power of their pets with hospitalized patients, seniors in assisted living care centers, patients in hospice care, children learning to reading, and so much more. Other programs include the Service Dog Referral Center and the web-based Human-Animal Bond Resource Center. To learn more, visit www.deltasociety.org

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A Little About Carpet One Floor & Home

2009-09-25T03:14:00.000-05:00

WHY CARPET ONE FLOOR & HOME?

With over a thousand stores worldwide, we not only have enormous buying power, but we have partners in all of the major brands, mills, and manufacturers. We've done the research for you. Just tell us your needs, and we'll satisfy them beyond your expectations. We offer the largest selection of carpet, hardwood, laminate, ceramic tile, vinyl, area rugs and more - and you'll always find the best products and great savings... everyday.

ONLY THE BEST IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU.

Our exclusive brands like Relax, it's Lees® , Bigelow®, Good Housekeeping™, Hanover Hills™ Hardwood, Rustic River Hardwood, Bellisima Tile, and Mirror Lake™ Laminate set the industry standard for beauty, style, and quality. In fact, every floor we offer has more than surpassed our own high standards of performance and comfort.

WE'RE YOUR PERSONAL ASSISTANT WHEN IT COMES TO FLOORING.

Expertise is what we offer you on so many levels. Our sales professionals are trained to ask the right questions, guide you through our easy-to-understand selection systems, and work with you to create exciting solutions. Flooring is our first language.

SELECTAFLOOR™ DOES MOST OF THE WORK FOR YOU.

Wait until you see our SelectAFloor™ system. It's the perfect tool to navigate through the many flooring products, warranties, and colors to find what ultimately fits your needs and lifestyle. If your hectic home or work schedule still won't let you come to the store, you can purchase a beautiful new floor right online using the easy navigation. Request samples to see how they look in your room, have your rooms professionally measured for free and have a certified installer come to your home to have your new floor installed. The entire process can be completed without even entering the store

PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION WITH A PERSONAL TOUCH.

We believe in flawless execution every step of the way, so our work continues even after you've left the store. We are experts in flooring installation, and we stand behind our work with a "Life of Floor" warranty. After all, this is your home we're talking about.

WE ARE YOU AND A PART OF YOUR COMMUNITY.

Each Carpet One® Floor & Home flooring store is locally owned and operated. We are your neighbors. We work and live in your community and understand your needs. So you can expect integrity, the very best personal service, value, and warranties.

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Fall Cleaning Checklist, Carpet One Panama City- Zabitatz: Inspiration for YOUR home

2009-09-24T09:18:00.001-05:00

Fall Cleaning Checklist

Added on September 16, 2009 at 8:05am

Fall is just around the corner and there’s lots you can do to get your home clean and organized for the winter hibernation. Don’t know where to start? Zabitatz is here to help with a checklist of tasks for your fall cleaning. Check them off one project at a time and before you know it, you’ll be enjoying a cozy winter in a clean and organized home.

Let’s start off simple…

Thoroughly dust all the rooms in your house taking everything off of shelves and getting every corner.
Vacuum/Sweep all floors moving furniture out of the way as you go so you are cleaning every inch. Make not of any areas that will need extra cleaning
Wipe down walls and closet doors.
Wash or dry-clean curtains and drapes and wipe down blinds and shades.
Pull out those heavy blankets and bedding and make sure they’re fresh and clean.
Clean and air out area rugs.

Step it up a notch…

Clean all your outdoor furniture and store it in your garage or basement to protect is during the winter months.
Pull out dead annuals from outdoor flower pots and store them for next year.
Clean out the gutters. You’ll want to wait until after all the leaves have fallen off the trees so you don’t have to do it again. While you’re up on the ladder, take a look at the roof and make sure it’s ready for winter.
Rake the leaves and clean up any debris in the yard to protect your lawn and help it come back strong next spring. .
Clean the windows inside and out, change out your screens for storm windows.

The nitty gritty…

Rotate summer to winter wardrobes in your closet. Get rid of any summer clothes that you didn’t wear over the summer.
Clean the grill and put it in the garage or make sure it is covered securely.
Have your chimneys cleaned and clean out any wood stoves or fire places.
Clean out the refrigerator including the coils on the back. Pull the refrigerator away from the wall and clean underneath.
Have your heating system checked. Change any air filters, dust baseboard heaters and clean vents.

Fall Cleaning Checklist - Zabitatz: Inspiration for YOUR home

Bigelow Carpet Since 1825 |Panama City,FL

2009-09-23T14:52:00.000-05:00

Bigelow®
Big Heritage. Big Style. Big Value. The perfect combination to fit your needs.
Want a big reputation for quality? America’s carpet brand since 1825, Bigelow® has earned generations of trust for ingenuity and expertise in making top quality carpet that will enhance your home.
Want big fashion that’s in step with your tastes? Bigelow® delivers with great designs and innovative textures that give you beautiful, trend right style. Bigelow® is classic but with a twist - taking tradition to the next step.
Want a big deal? With outstanding guarantees for long wear and performance, all at a price that makes sense for your busy world, Bigelow® is value without sacrifice. See why Bigelow® is the big name in carpet you can choose with confidence.

Carpet One Floor & Home® |Panama City,FL

Carpet One Floor & Home® Breast Cancer Welcome Mats|Panama City,FL

2009-09-21T11:16:00.000-05:00

Breast Cancer Research
Because support for breast cancer research is so essential to eradicating the disease, Carpet One Floor & Home has made a commitment to contribute funds through our Carpet One Floor & Home Welcomes Your Support campaign. Carpet One Floor & Home donates 25% of the purchase price of our exclusive pink ribbon welcome mats to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (US) and the Canadian Cancer Society (CAN) in support of breast cancer research.
The spring 2009 campaign ran from March 1 to May 31 and featuref 10 new designs for spring and summer. Look for new designs hitting the stores this fall.

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Flooring Basics Area Rugs from Carpet One

2009-09-18T15:08:00.000-05:00

Fashionable. Functional. Versatile. Area rugs serve a wide variety of purposes in home décor. They can be used to tie the look of a room together much as a scarf pulls an outfit together. They can help define separate spaces within a larger room or add a touch of warmth and color to a hardwood or tile floor. They can also serve as a link between rooms. And these are just some of the possibilities.

Because they serve such a wide variety of roles, area rugs come in all shapes, colors, textures, and sizes. Be it wild or subtle, extravagant or simple, these rugs are an easy way to express your decorative flair.

While there's no installation per se, larger area rugs usually require the movement of furniture. The amount of care needed to help maintain the beauty of these rugs will vary according to rug's material and construction as well as the specific usage.

Recommendations
The first rule of choosing an area rug is to understand that really are no rules per se. Since much of the selection process is based on your own personal taste and sense of style, we simply offer some general guidelines instead.

Size Guidelines

Room size rugs should leave a border of 18" to 24" on all sides.
Dining room rugs should measure at least 4' longer and wider than the dining room table, so chairs will not fall off the rug when pushed back from the table.
Hallway rugs should leave be approximately 2" to 4" narrower and 18" to 24" shorter than the hallway.
Other area rugs will vary in size according to need.

Design Guidelines

Try using different patterns that use some common colors in the same room for a coordinated look that is also fresh.
Don't get boxed in by traditional rectangular or square rugs. Consider oval and round shapes as a way to inject new life in a room.

Wear Guidelines

Consider traffic patterns, exposure to spills and other wear factors when choosing area rugs.

We have a huge selection of area rugs in varying sizes, styles and colors. Fill out the form below and we'll contact you to set up an in-store appointment to help you find your perfect rug! Or, simply stop by the store at your convenience. Click here for directions

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Flooring Basics Area Rugs from Carpet One

2009-09-18T03:08:00.000-05:00

Size Guidelines

Room size rugs should leave a border of 18" to 24" on all sides.
Dining room rugs should measure at least 4' longer and wider than the dining room table, so chairs will not fall off the rug when pushed back from the table.
Hallway rugs should leave be approximately 2" to 4" narrower and 18" to 24" shorter than the hallway.
Other area rugs will vary in size according to need.

Design Guidelines

Try using different patterns that use some common colors in the same room for a coordinated look that is also fresh.
Don't get boxed in by traditional rectangular or square rugs. Consider oval and round shapes as a way to inject new life in a room.

Wear Guidelines

Consider traffic patterns, exposure to spills and other wear factors when choosing area rugs.

rooms. And these are just some of the possibilities.

Size Guidelines

Room size rugs should leave a border of 18" to 24" on all sides.
Dining room rugs should measure at least 4' longer and wider than the dining room table, so chairs will not fall off the rug when pushed back from the table.
Hallway rugs should leave be approximately 2" to 4" narrower and 18" to 24" shorter than the hallway.
Other area rugs will vary in size according to need.

Design Guidelines

Try using different patterns that use some common colors in the same room for a coordinated look that is also fresh.
Don't get boxed in by traditional rectangular or square rugs. Consider oval and round shapes as a way to inject new life in a room.

Wear Guidelines

Consider traffic patterns, exposure to spills and other wear factors when choosing area rugs.

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Good Housekeeping Carpet Featuring Resista |Panama City,FL

2009-09-16T02:49:00.000-05:00

Good Housekeeping™ featuring Resista™
Tough stain resistance with beautiful style … durable carpet never looked so good!
Looking for an exceptional value in carpet you can count on to bring lasting beauty to your home? You’ve found it in the revolutionary stain resistance and unparalleled performance of Good Housekeeping™ carpet featuring Resista™ fibers.
The latest in advanced generation stain repellency, Resista™ gives this Good Housekeeping™ carpet a 10-YEAR NO EXCLUSIONS STAIN WARRANTY against ALL food and beverages. Plus Good Housekeeping™ carpet featuring Resista™ is made to the high standards of a name you know and trust. Evaluated and tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute, it has earned the Good Housekeeping Seal. For beauty, performance and value, depend on Good Housekeeping™ carpet featuring Resista™.

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Carpet One Floor & Home® and Marine Corps Toys For Tots |Panama City,FL

2009-09-14T11:13:00.000-05:00

Marine Corps Toys For Tots
Marine Corps Toys For Tots has been our passion since 2003 when we established the local chapter as a presence in Panama City and Bay County. As Chairman, John Shepard assisted in building a program that has raised over 20,000 toys for children that otherwise would not receive toys for Christmas. We are tremendously proud to assist the Marine Corps in this yearly opportunity!

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Flooring Information from Carpet One

2009-09-11T03:02:00.000-05:00

Flooring Information You Can Rely On

Quality flooring is the hallmark of a refined home. We are committed to bringing our customers flooring information about the finest brands in the widest selection of colors and styles available to fit your specific flooring needs. Turn to Carpet One Floor & Home to deliver the look you desire at a price you can afford.

If you are in the market for new flooring, look at Carpet One Floor & Home for flooring information solutions. Carpet One Floor & Home has been in business for over twenty years and with over one thousand locations throughout the United States and Canada there is sure to be a Carpet One Floor & Home near you to suit your needs. As the name implies, Carpet One Floor & Home is a retailer of carpet but we also have flooring information on hardwood, laminate, ceramic tile, resilient flooring and area rugs. Not only does Carpet One Floor & Home provide quality flooring but we also pride ourselves in superb customer service.

Carpet One Floor & Home's dedication to excellence is evident in our customer service policies and convenience. If you are one of the many who don't have time to shop several different stores, rest assured that you are getting flooring information that includes the best possible price for both the flooring and the installation. You can even get samples, purchase your order and schedule installation without ever coming into the store, an incredible convenience when shopping for carpet, tile or hardwood flooring.

First, you need to determine which flooring options will best suit your room. You can pick out samples of tile, carpet, vinyl or laminate flooring and place them in your home to see how they would look. Once you make a decision, their flooring professionals will come into your home for a free estimate and an accurate measurement. Their professionals are highly trained and experienced so you can expect a professional installation of the flooring you choose. In addition, all Carpet One Floor & Home's flooring is 100% guaranteed. If you are not satisfied with the installation of your flooring, Carpet One Floor & Home will replace it completely free of charge.

Pricing is a factor in everything and Carpet One Floor & Home has you covered there. Because of our size, we have enormous buying power with some of the largest carpet, tile, hardwood and other flooring manufacturers in the world. The savings then gets passed on you for the best value in flooring solutions. You can even get financing options to ensure you get the flooring of your dreams and it's easy on your budget.

There are over one thousand convenient locations throughout the United States and Canada, we are sure to have a store near you. However, you can also choose carpet, tile and hardwood flooring by contacting the store and speaking with a design professional who will help you navigate the process of choosing the ideal flooring for your home.

When looking for flooring information you want the best selection possible all in one place. Carpet One Floor & Home delivers. For carpet you can choose from a variety of styles and designs. Hardwood flooring is available in various grains and wood choices. Laminate and ceramic tiles can be found in different colors and patterns. For those high traffic areas, resilient flooring is the ideal solution and no matter what you choose, area rugs are a great accent pieces.

For the best in flooring options, price and quality, Carpet One Floor & Home is the answer. Not only will you get an abundance of choices, it's backed by a guarantee that will ensure your satisfaction. We are dedicated to providing excellent customer service and will assist you in picking out the flooring that is best for you.

Below is a list of some of the products and services Carpet One Floor & Home offers. Products and services will vary by location.

Information on Types of Flooring

Area Rugs

Bamboo Flooring

Carpeting

Ceramic Tile

Concrete Flooring

Congoleum Flooring

Cork Floors

Hard Wood Flooring

Laminate Flooring

Linoleum Floors

Vinyl Sheet Flooring

Commercial Flooring Information

Commercial Flooring

Commercial Flooring Installation

Residential Flooring Information

Residential Floor Installation

Bathroom Floors

Kitchen Floors

Flooring Services Information

Floor Tile Installation

Hard Wood Flooring Installation

Flooring Underlayment

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Bigelow Prestige |Panama City,FL

2009-09-09T12:27:00.000-05:00

Bigelow® Prestige
Reinventing the classics … performance with an elegant twist!
Building on the big quality, style and value of the trusted Bigelow® brand, Carpet One Floor & Home is proud to offer you an extraordinary development in beautiful carpet for your home -- Bigelow® Prestige.
Bigelow® Prestige is the ultimate collection of artistic patterns, beautiful wovens, warm wools, and natural fibers from a timeless favorite. Far more than just carpet, it is a masterpiece of superior craftsmanship and fashion designed to transform any room into something quite special.
Step up to Bigelow® Prestige carpet and dress your home in exceptional elegance.

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Great Tips for Fall Gardening - Zabitatz: Inspiration for YOUR home

2009-09-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

Fall is just around the corner but you don’t give up on your garden just yet. Believe it or not, it’s actually a great time to do some work on your gardens. Fall yard work can go way beyond raking leaves. There are many jobs you can do to help your yard look great and lighten the workload next spring. Here are some ways to keep your yard looking great this fall and come back strong next spring.

Don’t forget to water. Just because the flowers are fading and the leaves are changing, it doesn’t mean your plants don’t need water. Your plants, especially evergreens, trees, and shrubs still need water. Going into the winter well hydrated will help your plants come back strong next spring. Most winter damage to evergreens isn’t caused by cold, but from the drying effects of late winter sun and wind. Water all woody plants and evergreens well until the ground freezes, and especially diligent if you are having a dry fall. Your plants will need the equivalent of one inch of rain per week so if you’re not getting that through rain, be sure to water.

Do some prep work. Now is the perfect time to create new flower bed so that they are ready for your spring planting. When it comes to flower gardening and growing vegetables too, good bed preparation is the key to success so get out on those cool fall days and do the heavy lifting, digging, and building necessary to have a great bed ready for planting in the spring.

Build it. This is a good time to plan or work on structural landscaping projects, such as walls, walkways, patios, and decks. Enjoy doing the hard work in the cool fall weather and you’ll emerge from spring with a fresh canvas to plant in.

The annuals are done. Put them out of their misery. Pull or dig out those annuals that are withering away. If you’re not ready for empty beds yet, try planting mums and colorful kale for some fall color and interest.

Think about the future. Take a look at your gardens and think about what you might want to change next spring. If there is something you want to change you have plenty of time to research new plants you may want to add. If you like the way things are looking, make note of any annuals that will need to be replaced for an easy shopping list in the spring. It’s a lot easier to visualize changes while your gardens are still alive and in good shape as opposed to what you might see after winter has taken its toll.

Plant or transplant perennials: Now is the time to divide and move certain perennials that have thrived this summer. Peonies and irises take especially well to fall division. Make sure that any plants you divide in the fall will have six to eight weeks of root growth before a hard frost. Before digging plants up, cut their foliage back to within two to three inches of the ground. Use mulch to insulate the plants before frost and reduce the risk of frost heaving (when the frost pushes the newly planted roots out of the ground).

Think spring bulbs. Now is the time to buy your spring-flowering bulbs. You’ll want to buy early while the selection is still good, but be certain not to plant them too early. Spring-flower bulbs should be planted about six weeks before the soil freezes hard. To store your bulbs before planting, put them in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.

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Carpet One Floor & Home® |Panama City,FL

2009-09-07T11:12:00.000-05:00

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
Since 2003, Making Strides has been a central focus for our company. Having been a Presenting Sponsor for two consecutive years and a Flagship Sponsor for a year, we believe that breast cancer, more than any other disease, affects our customers, our community, and ourselves so mercilessly. We field a team every year, and we have been recognized as Bronze Striders for two years, raising over $2500 in addition to our sponsorship money.

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Green Select…For the Environment |Panama City,FL

2009-09-04T02:58:00.000-05:00

Carpet One Green Select
Helping protect our environment is everyone’s business!
At Carpet One, we care about more than just floors. We care about the community and its environment. We know there are lots of things we can all do to make them cleaner, greener, and healthier.
Today we face numerous environmental challenges, including global warming, energy deficiency and the depletion of our natural resources. Though we may not see the effects today, we must always be thinking to the future.
Our Green Select initiative represents our commitment to making our environment better through our relationship with our communities, our customers, our suppliers and our employees. One key example is our Green Select Labels. We’re continually working with our vendors to produce flooring that meets our strict eco-friendly standards.
To earn a Green Select label, the product must currently be recyclable, contain a minimum of recycled material and/or be made from a natural, sustainable, quickly renewable resource. A key example is our Montado Cork flooring. Beautiful and durable, MontadoTM is 100% natural cork flooring made from a naturally sustainable resource, so it’s good for the environment.
Look for other exclusive Green Label flooring at Carpet One, including Mirror Lake laminate. Plus, ask about green select tips to practice every day. Join us in trying to protect our environment.
Working together we can make a difference.

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Wilsonart Flooring—Panama City, FL

2009-09-03T07:13:00.000-05:00

High Pressure Laminate Story

Laminate – the Wilsonart Difference. (HPL) is manufactured at 1400 PSI of pressure. In comparison, Direct Pressure Laminate (DPL) is manufactured at 300-500 PSI. Even though both laminate types are made of the same basic materials, the pressure used in the manufacturing process helps determine both hardness and performance. HPL Advantages:

Superior wear resistance – fewer scuffs and scratches
Superior static load capacity – no dimpling
Superior impact resistance – no denting
Superior design clarity – higher sheen levels
High in-carton product integrity – less damage in handling, less damage during installation, no chipped corners

Tap-N-Lock Installation System
The Dent Test

The following test was used to show the difference between Direct Pressure Laminate (DPL) and High Pressure Laminate (HPL). Laminate flooring planks were laid on Wilsonart 2-In-1 Pad and placed on concrete. A simulated can weighing 396g (the weight of a 14 oz. can of soup) was dropped vertically from a height of 36 inches (standard countertop height) onto the floor’s decorative surface. The resulting damage was cross-sectioned and photographed at 10x magnification.

Beauty, Durability & Details

The world waited a long time for laminate flooring and now that it is here, homeowners are finding it has many important performance advantages over other types of flooring:

Wood
    * Easily damaged by sunlight
    * Susceptible to scratches, burns, dents
    * Swells, warps and spots with prolonged water exposure
    * Requires routine waxing and/or finishing

Vinyl Tile
    * Easily damaged in high traffic areas
    * Requires regular waxing and buffing
    * Yellows and discolors with age
    * May require extensive subfloor preparation prior to installation
    * Limited range of designs and colors

Carpet
    * Signs of wear and traffic patterns become visible over time
    * Retains odors, mold, mildew and other allergens
    * Difficult to clean, easily stained

Ceramic
    * Costly, labor intensive installation
    * Difficult and expensive to repair/remove
    * Grout is easily stained, requires regular maintenance
    * Hard, unforgiving surface increases injury risks

Sheet Vinyl
    * Yellows, dents, curls and tears
    * Easily stained and scratched
    * Requires careful subfloor preparation
    * Even minor subfloor imperfections telescope through to surface
    * Limited design options 600

Three Great Collections, One Great Installation System!
Laminate flooring has become an increasingly popular choice for homeowners. Yet not all climates or home environments are conducive to laminate flooring installed without a bonding agent.

Wilsonart Flooring’s BlueFusion® Adhesive is a critical part of any residential installation where there are extreme or wet conditions, or in lieu of acclimation:

Extreme Conditions: In areas with relative humidity below 35% or above 65%, BlueFusion provides extra protection against shrinkage or expansion and helps minimize the effect of climate conditions.
Wet Areas: BlueFusion is the perfect solution for areas where there is a greater chance of moisture exposure. A Type 2 PVA Adhesive, it is water resistant and will prevent seams from swelling.
No Acclimation: BlueFusion eliminates the need for flooring to be acclimated prior to installation. And you can use your floor immediately after installation, so there’s less disruption to your household!

BlueFusion – A Whole New Dimension of Strength and Moisture Resistance
Installing Wilsonart Flooring with BlueFusion Adhesive results in up to four times stronger seams and up to 10 times the moisture resistance of other leading laminate flooring installation systems – yet it adds virtually no time to the installation process. Plus, other products may require up to two days of curing time – while Wilsonart Flooring is ready to be lived on immediately.

“An “A+” On Every Test
The TONKA® Truck Test
TONKA® Toys are meant to last, even at the expense of every surface they come in contact with. We make our floors with high-pressure laminate which is manufactured at 1400 PSI of pressure, so they are less inclined to dent, scratch or otherwise suffer from rough play. Take that, TONKA.

The Crayon Test
Children don’t always color inside the lines – nor would you want them to. So when young Rembrandt’s art strays off the paper, don’t despair. Just dampen a rag with Wilsonart Flooring Cleaner and wipe it away!

The Puppy Test
Kids and puppies go hand-in-hand. Fortunately, with Wilsonart Flooring on duty, keeping things neat and tidy couldn’t be easier. Spills and spots disappear simply by spritzing with cleaner and wiping them away. And because the floor is scratch resistant, tough puppy toenails are not a problem either.

The Scooter Test
It doesn’t matter how many times you say, “Don’t…” Kids will be kids and scooters will find their way into the house. Not to worry, though. Wilsonart Flooring just rolls with the punches.

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Resista Soft Style

2009-09-02T12:24:00.000-05:00

Silky smooth comfort with a twist … repels stains like water off a duck’s back! Treat yourself to the superior softness, stain resistance, and lasting beauty of Resista™ SoftStyle carpet. Special soft-to-the-touch yarn technology gives it an extraordinary silky soft feel, while tighter twists and heavier weights offer exceptional toughness.
Made to look beautiful no matter how you live, Resista™ SoftStyle features a 10-YEAR NO EXCLUSION STAIN WARRANTY against ALL food and beverages, which covers most accidental household stains that most other warranties exclude such as coffee, red wine, and fruit punch. Plus, with over 60 coordinating colors in three different themes, Resista™ SoftStyle is designed to complement and enhance your lifestyle throughout your home. Trust Resista™ SoftStyle for soft comfort and lasting beauty that’s a step ahead of anything else.

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Carpet One Floor & Home® Cares|Panama City,FL

2009-08-31T11:04:00.000-05:00

Carpet One Floor & Home Cares
Carpet One Floor & Home Cares is our commitment to our customers and our communities. It represents our belief in serving our employees, customers and communities by giving back. It is our way to reach out, give back, and make a difference.
Carpet One Floor & Home Cares encompasses all our good deeds from local efforts up to national campaigns. Our stores support their local communities through volunteering, product and financial donations, sponsorship of youth athletic teams and much, much more. Nationally, Carpet One Floor & Home Supports several worthy causes, learn more by reading more below.

Carpet One Floor & Home® |Panama City,FL

The Beautiful Guarantee™ for Vinyl

2009-08-28T04:02:00.001-05:00

Vinyl flooring products with a Titanium, Platinum, or Gold SelectAFloor™warranty carry The Beautiful Guarantee™ Replacement Warranty. If at any time after installation and during the terms of The Beautiful Guarantee™ Replacement Warranty you wish to change your new vinyl for a different SelectAFloor™ style or color, your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer will replace it free with another SelectAFloor™ vinyl floor style or color of equal or lesser value.Should you wish to replace your flooring with a SelectAFloor™ vinyl upgrade, you may do so by paying the difference in retail price. No monetary compensation will be paid if a lower priced vinyl is selected.

This is a one-time only replacement. Simply call your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer within the time frame of the warranty and indicate you wish to choose another SelectAFloor™ vinyl floor under The Beautiful Guarantee™ Replacement Warranty. This is a replacement warranty and does not apply to matters covered by other warranties.

Replacement includes material and labor. Labor to move furniture,permanent construction (built-ins such as cabinets and bookcases),equipment, or electronics is the responsibility of the customer.

No replacement will be made with respect to vinyl that has been subjected to abuse, improper maintenance, vandalism, alteration, or damage caused by smoke, fire, flood, wind, lightning, or any other casualty event. This warranty applies only to the original purchase of a Carpet One Floor & Home® style vinyl floor that has been professionally installed by a Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer or Carpet One Floor & Home® authorized independent installer.

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Bay Medical: A New Hope for Ending Neck Pain

2009-08-25T09:13:00.000-05:00

Cervical spinal stenosis—the narrowing of the spinal column in the neck—is a common condition that can cause pain and weakness in the extremities and alter the way a person walks.

Generally caused by age-related changes, cervical spinal stenosis may cause pain, stiffness, and numbness in the neck, arms, shoulders, and legs. A study appearing in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery estimates that as many as nine percent of American adults over age 70 and approximately five percent of adults overall suffer from the condition. It generally develops gradually and usually only starts causing symptoms after middle age. “There is not a single cause for cervical spinal stenosis, but there are a variety of reasons a patient might develop symptoms,” says Cyril C. DeSilva, M.D., neurosurgeon on staff at Bay Medical. “Some patients have cervical spinal stenosis caused by a traumatic injury such as a herniated disk. Other patients who come to us with these problems have primary cervical spinal stenosis, meaning the spinal canal is already narrow. Minor accidents and age can exacerbate the symptoms and create the need for surgery.”

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Flooring Basics Vinyl

2009-08-24T03:31:00.000-05:00

Practical. Modern. Flexible. Depending on grade, resilient vinyl flooring can fit any style and budget. Relatively inexpensive, yet durable and easy to maintain, vinyl is available in an amazing selection of colors and patterns to complement virtually any decor.

Vinyl is offered with three different types of wear surfaces —vinyl no-wax, urethane and enhanced urethane. Once a breakthrough flooring technology, no-wax is now basically an entry-level surface which still offers some resistance to scuffs and stains, but lacks the durability and low maintenance properties of urethane. And for even tougher resistance to black heel marks, dirt and most household chemicals, enhanced urethane is the solution. In addition to choices in wear surface and grade, vinyl comes in both individual tiles and sheets.

Vinyl can be installed over most any surface and is especially well popular in kitchens and bathrooms (if moisture rated by the manufacturer). Most vinyl just requires routine sweeping and mopping.

Recommendations
Highly affordable, easy to maintain and available in an endless variety of patterns and colors, vinyl is the most popular flooring choice. While typically not recommended for formal rooms, vinyl is an excellent flooring option for many other areas of the home.

Easy to clean and maintain, durable vinyl is right at home in high traffic areas such as kitchens, baths, playrooms, mudrooms, and entranceways. In most cases, it also has a high degree of moisture resistance to spills, which reinforces its suitability for kitchens and baths.

Generally, we would suggest an enhanced urethane wear surface due to its tougher resistance to black heel marks, dirt, and household chemicals, which all tend to accompany high traffic.

Another consideration, when comparing is that tile is resilient flooring. This means it gives a little bit, which can be much easier on the back and legs than hard materials like tile if you are on your feet a lot, such as in the kitchen for instance.

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The Beautiful Guarantee™ for Laminate

2009-08-21T03:59:00.001-05:00

Laminate flooring products with a Titanium, Platinum, or Gold SelectAFloor™ warranty carry The Beautiful Guarantee™ Replacement Warranty. If at anytime after installation and during the terms of The Beautiful Guarantee™you wish to change your new laminate for a different SelectAFloor™style or color, your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer will replace it free with another SelectAFloor™ laminate style or color of equal or lesser value. Should you wish to replace your flooring with a SelectAFloor™laminate upgrade, you may do so by paying the difference in retail price.No monetary compensation will be paid if a lower priced laminate is selected.

This is a one-time only replacement. Simply call your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer within the time frame of the warranty and indicate you wish to choose another SelectAFloor™laminate floor under The Beautiful Guarantee™ Replacement Warranty.This is a replacement warranty and does not apply to matters covered by other warranties.

Replacement includes material and labor. Labor to move furniture,permanent construction (built-ins such as cabinets and bookcases),equipment, or electronics is the responsibility of the customer.

No replacement will be made with respect to laminate that has been subjected to abuse, improper maintenance, vandalism, alteration, or damage caused by smoke, fire, flood, wind, lightning, or any other casualty event. This warranty applies only to the original purchase of a Carpet One Floor & Home® style laminate floor that has been professionally installed by a Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer or Carpet One Floor & Home® authorized independent installer.

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Sow some seed for fall plants

2009-08-20T08:07:00.000-05:00

By Theresa Friday (Theresa has her own blog as well, and you should check out her tips and advice at http://www.gulf1.net/Columns/Friday/FridayFrame.htm!)

Even though it's still hot and humid, August is the time to start thinking about fall planting. Now is the time to begin sowing seeds for fall transplants. By starting now you can have ornamentals such as pansies, petunias, calendulas and snapdragons ready to plant in the garden in early October. If you are a vegetable lover, now is the time to start seeds of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and other cool season vegetables.

According to William Adams, a retired Horticulture Agent at Texas A&M, if starting your own transplants has been disastrous for you in the past, especially in the spring, then take heart because starting fall transplants is easier. Since the soil is not as cool as it is in spring, there is not much damping-off disease. Gardeners are able to start the transplants outside where they can get plenty of sunlight. But, it is best if the transplants don't get too much sun - morning sun and afternoon shade make a good combination.

There are many different types of containers that can be used to grow seeds. Even foam coffee cups, discarded by people whenever they take a coffee break, can be used simply by poking three or four holes in the side at the bottom of the cup. If you are reusing containers, be sure to clean and sterilize them prior to planting. Typically, a washing with soap and water followed by a 15 minute soak in a 1:10 dilution of bleach and then a thorough rinse is all that is needed.

In order to ensure success, use a good potting soil mix. Many standard potting soils will work fairly well, or you can make your own. If you decide to make your own, do not include garden soil. Garden soil can harbor weed seed, fungus diseases, insects and nematodes.

Most seeds should be barely covered with the soil mix, but some tiny seeds like lettuce should not be covered at all. Once planted, water them in thoroughly. Allow the containers to drain and then put them in a plastic bag out of sunlight. Within a few days the seedlings will begin to grow. As soon as this happens, take the containers out of the bags and put them in a well-ventilated area. As the seedlings begin to make growth, use any soluble houseplant fertilizer to keep them growing vigorously.

Before you know it, you'll have a container full of tiny seedlings that can either be transplanted into individual containers, or if there aren't too many in the pot, held until time to go into the garden. Perhaps the simplest technique is just to plant two or three seeds in each pot, thinning them to one plant after a few weeks.

If you opt for transplanting, be sure that you handle the young seedling only by the leaves. If you grasp the stem and damage it to any extent, the young seedling will be stunted. Pots for transplants should be filled to within 1/4 inch of the rim. A pencil can be used to make a hole in the center of the potting soil mixture. This is where a little moisture is critical; dry soil won't allow the hole to stay open. Carefully lower the seedling roots into the hole and then use the pencil again in a lever-like action to firm the soil against the root system. Be sure to water the plants carefully, picking up any that get knocked into the soil.

So peruse the seed catalogs and see what's new. Just be sure to know which flowers and vegetables are recommended for fall planting. For recommendations of cool-season annuals and vegetables for Florida, review the University of Florida online publications at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/VH021 and http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG319.

Flooring Care & Maintenance Laminate

2009-08-19T03:18:00.000-05:00

Laminate flooring brings the beauty of a natural wood floor and the easy maintenance of a resilient floor together so you can have the style you want and the carefree maintenance you need. While laminate flooring is remarkably durable, there is of course no such thing as an indestructible flooring material. By observing the following precautions, you can expect years of beauty from your laminate floor.

For general cleaning, use a dust mop or wipe occasionally with a damp cotton or cloth mop. If heavier cleaning is needed, an occasional damp mopping with a mild cleaning product is suggested. Do not use soap or detergent-based cleaners, wax-based products, or any type of polish as they leave a dull, filmy residue. Do not flood your floor with water.

To help eliminate fine particles of dirt and grit that act like sandpaper and will scratch any floor, vacuum or sweep daily. The vacuum head must be a felt or brush type. Be certain that the wheels of the vacuum are clean and do not damage the finish. DO NOT USE A VACUUM WITH A BEATERBAR HEAD.

Remove spills promptly using a soft cloth and cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer. Be sure to keep pet nails trimmed and paws clean and free of dirt and gravel that may scratch your floor.

Place protective pads beneath furniture legs, tables, and other easily movable furniture to reduce scratches. Replace plastic casters on chairs with rubber wheels, and lift rather than slide heavy objects across the floor.

Remove shoes with spiked or damaged heels before walking on the floor. Spiked or stiletto high-heel shoes may cause damage to laminate floors due to the extremely high compressive force they generate. Such footwear can produce dynamic loads in excess of 1000 pounds per square inch, even when worn by someone of slight or average build.

As added protection, use dirt-trapping walk-off mats at all exterior doors to help keep sand, dirt, and grit off your laminate floor.

General Terms and Conditions may apply, see warranty section for details

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Flooring Basics Laminate

2009-08-17T03:28:00.000-05:00

Decorative. Durable. Affordable. Offering the beautiful, true look of real wood, tile or stone at an often substantially lower cost, easy care laminates have emerged as one of today's hottest and most versatile flooring options.

Laminate flooring is actually a four-layer sandwich constructed of a protective wear layer over a decorative sheet containing the pattern, which is supported by a rigid core and a bottom balancing layer to help prevent warping. The result is one tough flooring that resists fading, stains, scratches and moisture. In fact, laminates frequently outlast real hardwood, tile or stone floors.

Simple and easy to maintain, laminates are an excellent choice for high traffic areas like hallways and family rooms, plus moisture areas such as kitchens and baths.

Recommendations
As a more versatile, durable and affordable alternative to virtually any other flooring material except carpet, laminate flooring continues to grow in popularity. In fact, there's hardly any room in the house where it's not a smart choice.

In formal rooms such as dining rooms and living rooms, laminate duplicates the look of more expensive natural flooring materials at a fraction of the cost, while also offering more resistance to scratches and stains.

Laminate also brings the look of hardwood to rooms where the natural material couldn't be used due to moisture concerns. However, because laminate offers better moisture and stain resistance than many natural materials and at a lower cost, it creates exciting, new decorative possibilities.

With its exceptional durability, Laminate is also excellent for use in virtually any high traffic areas. It's also suitable for below grade installation in basements.

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Nicaragua Mission Trip Part 5

2009-08-15T12:12:00.001-05:00

Hey there!

Sorry that I didn't update this morning- our internet connection was very low.

We had a great day yesterday, visiting two schools. One was a special needs school. The children there were precious and made us laugh with their joyous spirits. If you know Amy Ezell be sure and ask her want she learned about the differences between American Sign Language and Nicaraguan sign language! : )

In the afternoon we travelled out into the country to a Catholic girls' school. The children were sitting in chairs outside waiting for us to arrive and clapped for us as we got off the bus. Then they presented a song to us. They loved our VBS and also the hair ribbons that we passed out to them. Their favorite color was white because it matched their school uniform. While we were there, we met an American who is serving in the Peace Corps. He was very happy to see other Americans and I hope we were a bright spot in his day.

In the evening, we presented all of the El Ayudante children with personalized pillowcases, which they loved. Then we had time to just play with them! They are so fun and I can't guarantee that one or two of them didn't sneak into our suitcases for the ride home. Unfortunately though, we did have to say our goodbyes to them. Always a sad thing but hopefully we will see them again soon!

Today we packed up and left El Ayudante. We went to Managua and most of the team (excluding myself) went on a zipline over a volcanic lagoon. Don't worry, it's not as scary as it sounds. I've done it twice and just decided to pass this time- I was the videographer. Strother and Ty both rode upside down on the zipline part of the time and a lot of the team went superman style. They had a blast. After a trip to a food court we headed to the market to buy souveniers.

We are now settled into our hotel (just 5 minutes from the airport) and relaxing. We will have a time of debriefing this evening and will eat dinner in the hotel.

We are headed home bright and early tomorrow- even though everyone is sad to leave this place, I think most are ready to be home with you all! Our plane in Panama City lands at 4:57pm in case those of you picking us up were wondering.

This will be the last update. I hope you have enjoyed hearing about our trip and that you will continue to ask the team about their experiences once we are home. It has been a joy to share it with you and I open some of you will be with me on the next trip we take!

Blessings, Katie and the Nicaragua team

Nicaragua Mission Trip Part 4

2009-08-15T12:09:00.001-05:00

Buenos Dias! Good Morning!

This morning the porch is full of the hustle and bustle of getting ready for another day of VBS. Crayons and construction paper, cd player, and skit props are being packed. It is our last day of ministry here in Nicaragua.

Yesterday was a hot one but a day full of new and great experiences. The team headed out early morning to Cerro Negro- a local, active volcano. Tom and I stayed behind since we were meeting our Compassion child in the morning. The team worked together to hike up the volcano. It is quite a hike but worth every step. There's no real way to explain what it's like getting back down the volcano so you'll just have to come next time and experience it yourself! : ) Unfortunately when they got to the bottom of the volcano, the bus was not waiting for them as it should have been. After waiting there for a while, the translator said, "This isn't right, something's wrong." That's not something you want to hear where you're in the middle of a foreign country at the bottom of an active volcano. They later learned, as the driver came walking up to them, that the bus was stuck in the volcanic rocks. They eventually got the bus "unstuck" and were on their way home.

While they were at the volcano, Tom and I headed into town to meet up with our Compassion International representative. We had an amazing morning spending time with Fabiloa, the child we sponsor. She is 7 years old and she was beautiful! Her shy demeanor was sweet and kind. It is clear she is very smart and she wants to be an artist when she grows up. We got to spend time with her extended family as well as with her mom, who is pregnant. We took them out for lunch and then went back to the Compassion center to look at Fabiola's file. They keep excellent records of the children's progress. It was a joy to spend they morning with them!

In the afternoon we went into downtown Leon to walk through a cathedral and tour the local farmer's market. From there we headed to the Pacific for dinner oceanside. It was beautiful and the food was good. At the restaurant you can order a whole fish, and I do mean WHOLE. Tom ordered one and Strother took the dare to eat they eyes. Y-U-M-M-Y!! I played it safe and stuck with my delicious steak.

Today we are headed to a special needs school in the morning and a Catholic girls' school in the afternoon. The supplies everyone donated are almost all distributed- what a joy to see the contributions you all made become a blessing to these children.

This evening we will spend time with the El Ayudante children one last time and will be giving each one of them a personalized pillow cases made by a crafting service project group I am in back home in Panama City/Lynn Haven.

Thank you for your continued prayers!

Blessings, Katie and the Nicaragua team

The Beautiful Guarantee™ for Ceramic Tile

2009-08-14T03:55:00.002-05:00

Our Titanium, Platinum, and Gold SelectAFloor™ exclusive ceramic tiles carry The Beautiful Guarantee™ Replacement Warranty. If at any time after installation and during the terms of The Beautiful Guarantee™ Replacement Warranty you wish to change your new ceramic tile product for a different SelectAFloor™style or color, your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer will replace it free with another SelectAFloor™ style or color of equal or lesser value from the same ceramic tile display. Should you wish to replace your flooring with a SelectAFloor™ ceramic tile product upgrade, you may do so by paying the difference in retail price. No monetary compensation will be paid if a lower priced ceramic tile is selected.

This is a one-time only replacement. Simply call your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer within the time frame of the warranty and indicate you wish to choose another SelectAFloor™ ceramic tile product from the same display originally purchased under The Beautiful Guarantee™Replacement Warranty. This is a replacement warranty and does not apply to matters covered by other warranties.

Replacement includes material and labor (removal of old floor, disposal,and reinstallation). Labor to move furniture, permanent construction(built-ins such as cabinets and bookcases), equipment, or electronics is the responsibility of the customer.

No replacement will be made with respect to ceramic tile product that has been subjected to abuse, improper maintenance, vandalism, alteration, or damage caused by smoke, fire, flood, wind, lightning, or any other casualty event. This warranty applies only to the original purchase of a Carpet One Floor & Home® style ceramic tile product that has been professionally installed by a Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer or Carpet One Floor & Home® authorized independent installer.

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Nicaragua Mission Trip Part 3

2009-08-13T09:32:00.000-05:00

Good morning!

This morning the birds are getting brave and have joined me on the porch- looking for their own breakfast (beetles). Yum!

Yesterday was a hard day and our team is waking up weary today. Sleep does not come easy when there is so much to think about. Please pray for us as we process the extreme poverty we are seeing and for strength to continue in our work here.

Our morning Tuesday began with a 45 trip out to La Majada- a school with 130 children. The school recently received 400 chicks which have quickly developed into adult chickens. This chicken farm will help the school become more self sufficient. El Ayudante has made a huge impact on their school/community and this is just the next step. The children enjoyed VBS and were very well behaved. The children presented us with a table full of fruit they had brought for us from home. How amazing that they gave to us so generously when they have so little.

In the afternoon we went to a very poor area of town. The situation we encountered is the worst of the worst. The people in the community used to work in the landfill scavenging for food and plastics they could sell. Even though it was difficult, the landfill helped the people survive. Last month, the landfill closed and a new one has open up about 5-6 kilometers away. Not only is the landfill farther away, the people are not supposed to be in the landfill and said they have very limited time that they are allowed in. So, these people that were able to survive are now relying on teams from El Ayudante and the ministry of Pastor Felix and his church for their food. This is my third time in Nicaragua and my fourth central America mission trip and I have never seen anything like what I saw in this community. Pastor Felix took us around to various homes to pray with the families and to deliver food, shampoo/conditioner, soap, toothbrushes, etc. Over and over, the story was the same. Prayers are needed for jobs, for health, for food. One lady said something I don't think I'll ever forget. She said, "I know you didn't ask, but these children, they only eat once a day."

Needless to say our hearts our broken for these people and our minds our challenged as we wonder about how to provide them hope of an escape from a very difficult situation. In the midst of it all, they were able to praise God. Their faith is astonishing.

Today will be a much needed break from the intensity of the trip. The team will be headed to Cerro Negro volcano this morning to hike up it. Tom and I will stay behind because we have the incredible opportunity of meeting our Compassion (www.compassion.com) child, Fabiola, this morning! In the afternoon the team will go on a walking cultural tour of downtown Leon and then head the the Pacific for a meal on the beach. It is important for our team to learn about the culture of Nicaragua and to experience it's beauty. We also support the local economy by supporting these businesses and our team gets a chance to rest. I pray it will be a day of rejuvenation for the team!

Thanks for your continued support and prayers!!

Blessings,

Katie and the Nicaragua team

Nicaragua Mission Trip

2009-08-13T06:18:00.000-05:00

Hello again family and friends!

I am sitting here on the porch in a rocking chair with a full belly and an full spirit! It is a beautiful morning! The team is out here with me, rocking in the porch chairs, watching yellow butterflies flutter around, and waving adios to the kids headed to school.

Yesterday, we were greeted warmly at the local United Methodist Church. Plastic chairs, an open air sanctuary, and Spanish praise songs are very different from our 9:40 service. But the Lord we serve is the same and praising Him together with the people of Nicaragua is indescribable. We presented a gift to Pastor Juan Carlos for his baby girl, due in mid-September and introduced our team to the congregation. We headed out with the children for children's church where we told them the story of Moses and the burning bush, sang some songs, and passed out a snack. The children also sang us two songs, complete with adorable hand motions (something about a frog from what I could tell). After church we handed out stickers and many of the children passed the stickers on to the pastor as a birthday gift. We ended our morning at church with a group picture and a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday".

After lunch (an amazing chicken dish and rice) we rested for a little while before taking the El Ayudante children on an open air bus tour of the city. Imagine a double decker bus in London- only it was a old yellow school bus, raised up, with the top cut off. Better yet, just download the attached picture. It was fun to sit with the children and even more fun to hear them "make fun of" our bald team members. "Pelon! Pelon!" they would shout! And they should have many years of good luck for all the rubbing of the bald heads they did!

The tour dropped us off at a local chain restaurant, Tip Top, for fried chicken, coleslaw, a roll, and fries for the children. Our team just got some nice cold drinks and sat with the children while they ate. After that we headed back to the team house for dinner, devotional/processing the day and bed!

Today we are headed to a preschool to do VBS and provide a snack. After lunch back at the team house, we will be taking the El Ayudante swimming.

We are continually reminded here that we are part of a bigger story. People have been here before us and people will be here after us- all party of the mission of spreading the Love of Christ. Even more importantly, God has been here before us, He is here with us, and He will be here after us. Last night, as part of our devotional, we listened to "Rewrie this Tragedy" by Sara Groves and it really hits on our mission here. As you read it, please pray that God's will be done in our hearts and in the hearts of the people we encounter today.

Rewrite This Tragedy- Sara Groves
Tonight I forgot a line in the play that you and I
Have been rehearsing since the day we met
It made me put down my script, made me look around a bit
And wonder how we came to play these roles
I'm here to re-write this tragedy
One line at a time
Hold on, I'm changing all the scenery
It's okay we'll be fine
Cause we know how this ends
Sometimes it's hard to tell what to keep and what to kill
What of this makes us who we are
All that we love the most, all that we cannot let go
How much of change can we survive?
I'm here to re-write this tragedy
One line at a time
Hold on, I'm changing all the scenery
It's okay we'll be fine
Cause we know how this ends
We know there's a better story
There's a better story
Of true love of true grace
There's the hope of glory
And our first chance to be truly brave
It's the place we're going
When we can't stay where we are
I'm here to re-write this tragedy
One line at a time
Hold on, I'm changing all the scenery
It's okay we'll be fine
Cause we know how this ends
We know there's a better story
[ Rewrite This Tragedy Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]
Blessings,
Katie and the Nicargua Team

Nicaragua Mission Trip Part 2

2009-08-12T18:40:00.000-05:00

Good morning!

This morning we are listening to the sound of of fireworks, dogs barking and the usual sound of birds chirping. It doesn't get much better than a lazy morning on the porch in rocking chairs. It is cool and refreshing- not like many of our Panama City mornings. I smell breakfast cooking and am waiting for the breakfast bell to ring for us to gather up to pray before our meal. Have I convinced you yet to join our next trip? : )

Yesterday was a full day and our best one yet. After breakfast the team loaded on to the truck and headed to the Little Garden Preschool. It is an "adventurous" ride out to the school- a short 6 kilometer trek that takes at least a half hour. Upon our arrival at the preschool we were greeted by Ms. Ramona with warm hugs and kisses on the cheek. The children had prepared several songs for us. The chorus of tiny Spanish speaking voices singing praises to the Lord is a tiny taste of His Kingdom come on Earth!

We started our VBS by playing follow the leader to introduce how Moses was called to be a leader. They enjoyed the game and we enjoyed the chance to walk with them around their school. The well behaved preschoolers sang with us the songs we taught them, and listened intently to the Bible story. We even had several of the children help us act out the story. In the story, God tells Moses to take off his shoes because he is standing on holy ground. I was reminded as the little boy who was playing the part of Moses,took off the "way too big for him" sandals we provided for the "skit", that we are truly standing on Holy ground and that God is doing a might work here.

The kids liked the craft and we handed out pictures that our Woodlawn UMC children had colored for them. The day ended with a snack and some pictures in their classroom. It was a wonderful morning!

After lunch we took the El Ayudante children swimming at a local pool. They had a blast and we got a lot of exercise chasing, holding, and "gently tossing" children through the water! : )

Today is an intense day as we head to a school with 130 children this morning and then to a ministry near the old landfill. We will be delivering packages of food and other survival items to the families in that area. I have never been to someones home here so I am both excited and nervous at what we will encounter. Please pray for our eyes and hearts to be opened.

Blessings, Katie and the Nicaragua Team

Flooring Care & Maintenance Ceramic Tile

2009-08-12T03:14:00.000-05:00

Ceramic products, for the most part, require minimal maintenance.Glazed and unglazed tile, under normal residential situations, can be cleaned using clean water and a tile cleaner recommended by the manufacturer. Always follow up with a rinse of clean water to completely remove all the cleaning solution. Regular maintenance is recommended to avoid build-up of dirt, residue, grease, soap, detergents, or other external contaminants.

Improper maintenance and improper cleaning products can result in a build-up on the surface, causing the tile to be slippery. Wax cleaners and oil-based detergents may decrease the slip resistance and are not recommended for use on your ceramic tile.

For basic cleaning, the following procedures are recommended:

Sweep or vacuum surface
Mix water with tile and grout cleaner per manufacturer's instructions and apply to surface
Allow solution to sit for three to five minutes
Agitate with sponge or mop
Mop up solution
Rinse mop and change cleaning solution at least every 500 square feet
Rinse thoroughly with clean water
Dry mop floor to remove moisture or pick up residue with a wet-vac
Wipe the floor dry

For tile with coarse or abrasive type surfaces, maintenance will need to be performed more frequently. Agitation will need to be more vigorous and water changes more frequent. Proper cleaning of these types of tile is necessary for the slip resistance value to be maintained. Grease or water accumulation may create slippery conditions. Be careful to avoid introduction of grease from dirty mops to your floor surface while cleaning.

Because the grout on your ceramic tile needs time to thoroughly dry after installation, we recommend you do not scrub or wash your ceramic tile for five days after installation. We also recommend protecting your floor against abrasive dirt at entrances to buildings with dirt catching floor mats.

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Schluter Ditra

2009-08-11T07:51:00.000-05:00

Schluter Ditra is a product used to provide a membrane that prevents the transmission of cracks up through the surface of your ceramic tile installation. It is a great solution where doubt exists about the stability of the tile setting surface. It is authorized for use by the Tile Council of North American (TCNA) as a cleavage membrane and is a foolproof solution to prevent the wholesale failure of your tile floor in that it provides a stable, lasting foundation for many years to come.

I like the product so much that I used it on my back porch, and the product’s promises have been kept for over three years without cracks in the tile. I say this knowing full well that there were cracks already in my porch; therefore, I had a reason to install Ditra first. As an add on to your tile purchase, it adds cost, both in materials and in labor, but consider the cost of not using it should your foundation shift.

The most common tile complaint that I see is from movement of the substrate upon which the tile is installed. A customer may ask, “Isn’t there something the installer can do? Did he use cheap materials?” The answer is an unqualified no in that, he could have installed a cleavage membrane, if it was paid for. The tile industry recognizes the reality that substrates shift and cause cracking; therefore, there are many methods on the market to address the problem and mitigate its effects. Ditra is just one of the answers.

Measured against the value of long term performance of the floor, versus short term cost, Ditra may be an option worth pursuing, but there are other less expensive options. Just keep in mind that you frequently get what you pay for when you decide which product to choose. A good company will be able to give you a good, better, and best style option for you to choose from in order to keep you within your budget. Just ensure you ask plenty of questions, and watch the video below to learn more about what causes cracks in tile.

Flooring Basics Tile

2009-08-10T03:27:00.000-05:00

Versatile. Beautiful. Distinctive. With its wide range of materials and colors, tile's offers endless possibilities for creating your vision for a room. In addition to it's variety of decorative design options, tile is very durable and easy to maintain.

There are a number of common tile materials, which each offer their own unique characteristics. Natural stone, such as granite or limestone, is naturally formed so no two pieces are exactly alike. This helps create floors that are elegant and distinctive floors. In either glazed or unglazed styles, ceramic tiles are a popular choice for attractive, long-lasting floors. Glass, mosaic and metal tiles provide opportunities for fresh creative expression in flooring design.

While it requires careful installation, tile is a preferred choice for high traffic areas, like entranceways, and places where moisture is an issue, such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Recommendations
Durable, easy to maintain, and water resistant, tile flooring offers a number of advantages for use in practically any room in your home and even outside. While the choices are nearly limitless, there are a few key things to consider.

Natural stone tiles
Granite —its high density resists bacteria and moisture, which makes it ideal for kitchens, outdoors and high traffic areas.

Marble —not as tough as granite, it's best suited for bathrooms and lower traffic areas.

Limestone — this softer stone is decoratively versatile, but not recommended for high traffic areas.

Slate — Naturally slip resistant, it's hard and durable which helps make a good looking, long lasting floor for any room.

Ceramic, Glass and Metal
These tiles are all versatile and can be used in a variety of rooms, although glass and metal are primarily recommended as accents.

Tile floors are heavy, so it's critical to make sure the sub-flooring is sturdy enough to support the weight. In addition, tile floors can also be chilly (not a bad thing in warm climates) and sometimes slippery.

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The Beautiful Guarantee™ for Hardwood

2009-08-07T04:58:00.000-05:00

Titanium, Platinum, and Gold SelectAFloor™ floors carry The Beautiful Guarantee™ Replacement Warranty. If at any time after installation and during the terms of The Beautiful Guarantee™ Replacement Warranty you wish to change your new hardwood for a different SelectAFloor™ style or color, your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer will replace it free with another SelectAFloor™ hardwood style or color of equal or lesser value. Should you wish to replace your flooring with a SelectAFloor™ hardwood upgrade, you may do so by paying the difference in retail price.No monetary compensation will be paid if a lower priced hardwood is selected.

This is a one-time only replacement. Simply call your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer within the time frame of the warranty and indicate you wish to choose another SelectAFloor™ hardwood under The Beautiful Guarantee™ Replacement Warranty. This is a replacement warranty and does not apply to matters covered by other warranties.

Replacement includes material and labor. Labor to move furniture,permanent construction (built-ins such as cabinets and bookcases),equipment, or electronics is the responsibility of the customer.

No replacement will be made with respect to hardwood that has been subjected to abuse, improper maintenance, vandalism, alteration, or damage caused by smoke, fire, flood, wind, lightning, or any other casualty event. This warranty applies only to the original purchase of a Carpet One Floor & Home® style hardwood floor that has been professionally installed by a Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer or Carpet One Floor & Home® authorized independent installer.

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Small Business Health Insurance Update

2009-08-06T11:33:00.001-05:00

Well, there is hope for the business owner. I received this update from WJHG via twitter yesterday, and it addresses the ability for self employed people to get health insurance without respect to pre-existing conditions.

If you have any experience with health insurance, then you know what a debacle it can be sometimes. For one, it is expensive, and second, it is sometimes unattainable, especially if you are unhealthy. What a system we created for ourselves. Without getting into the who’s and what for’s, I’ll just say that I’ve experienced our current system first hand, and I know that it is barely affordable in its current state.

In the State of Florida, insurers are required to provide individual policies to self employed people without respect to pre-existing conditions. Of course, no one says how much that will cost, but I suppose any element of protection can be worth the price, given the opportunity. Previously, the only way to have insurance and not eliminate your pre-existing condition was to get on a group policy, but they don’t give group policies unless you have a minimum amount of people. If you owned your own business, and it was just you, you pretty much had no way to insure yourself against illness if you have exhibited the symptoms before, or at least had it treated.

I am curious to see what the cost will be for a typical policy because I am fairly certain it will be exorbitant. It is not really a surprise though; someone has to pay for it don’t they?

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The Advantages of Buying From a Brick and Mortar Store Versus the Internet Bohemoth

2009-08-06T04:50:00.000-05:00

I’d like to say that the brick and mortar store holds all the cards in the match up against the big box stores and internet clearing houses, but it just isn’t so. Unlike the internet mavens, the brick and mortar locations have things like real people and real overhead. Take all that out, and you have one good looking price, but is it the only thing?

Brick and mortar stores are one of my favorite topics because inevitably it comes up when we are talking about price. Generally, the conversation starts because the customer is concerned that they can buy product X over the internet at so much less than in a real store. It may be true, but is there more than meets the eye? I suppose if you plan on doing everything yourself, and you don’t mind accepting responsibility for the entire process, then the deal may be much closer to stopping there. What happens with all of the unknowns? For instance, what if the product never comes, what if it’s not what was promised, what if there is a problem with the color, what if there is a problem with the quality, what if there is a problem during installation, what if the flooring gets damaged during installation and you need more, what if you mess it up while you are cleaning it, and the list of questions goes on and on…

I certainly acknowledge that internet mavens have the price advantage, if indeed they are buying the same things, but are they??? It is a funny question, because we as individuals believe the best in everyone. We automatically assume that the person on the other end of the computer is who he says he is, and the product is what he says it is. In fact, when it comes in the boxes, and the manufacturer’s label is on the outside, doesn’t that tell you everything you need to know? Perhaps, but not necessarily. Do you know the conditions in which it was stored, and what has the flooring been subjected to in a warehouse half a country away? And what about the phone tech who took your order? Does he even know what he’s doing, and is he trustworthy with personal financial data? In the internet society where we buy millions everyday this way, these questions are almost moot…

One thing you cannot get from an internet company that you can from a brick and mortar store is service. Without a doubt, when you have a problem, you will have an easier time getting support from a brick and mortar store, because you can camp outside with a picket sign if you can’t get resolution to your problem. Most often, you will find that most brick and mortar companies want to preserve their reputations enough to satisfy all their customers. Individual reputations in a marketplace are invaluable, and those with poor reputations rarely stick around for more than a year or so.

When completing your installation, if there are problems with the material or the installation, a local company has relationships with the suppliers and installers to hold them accountable, and they can efficiently fix them. They know who to call, and they have the numbers. Have you ever tried to get an installer you hired directly to come back and fix something? If you have, it is a tricky operation because most of the time, they are doing another job that is actually going to get them another check at the end of the week.

The local store is going to provide more control over the material, and it is a place that you can walk into and see. Products like hardwood are very particular with where they can be stored, and at what temperatures as well. Who says the internet company is even telling the truth? Nowadays, there is no shortage of them out there, and they can close and set up shop in a matter of minutes, and you never know it…

I can relate a couple of instances from my own personal inspection experience. One job I went to look at involved a customer who purchased the wood over the internet to save her money. She hired an installer based on the recommendations of her condominium maintenance guy. The installer left her job a mess, she couldn’t get him to come and fix it, and when she called me to inspect it, she had puddles of water sitting on top of the wood from the condensation from the windows. Was moisture test even done? Of course not. The installer left no expansion spaces and left huge gaps between the wood and subfloor because the floor was not flat enough in its current state to accept a hardwood floor, let alone dry enough.

In another case, a man called to have his floor inspected because he thought the wood was defective. It wouldn’t go together properly. Upon arrival, I read the instructions, showed him how to do it, and the floor was fine. Lastly, and my favorite by far, I received a call about wood from a major internet retailer who actually has brick and mortar stores as well. They purchased it from the branch store and attempted to glue it down. The problem was that the glue down method was not a recommended method for their 3/8” solid hardwood product. Further, when they ordered the product a second time, the branch told them yet again to glue it down, but to use a moisture vapor barrier first, and sold them the wood and glue. After beginning the second installation, they discovered that the floor was cupping, not only on the floor, but also out of the box. Well, hmmm. Defective material combined with defective advice, a deadly combination. It’s been three weeks with no resolution. One angry homeowner and a very frazzled contractor trying to finish the home.

The best solution for all the issues above is to hire a local person with a local reputation. Even when a national company has a branch store, they are not the most knowledgeable, mainly because they have no training. Find a company with a lengthy history, call the Better Business Bureau, check with the Chamber of Commerce. I’m sure you will find that once you do your research, you will be much happier with your results….

Flooring Care & Maintenance Hardwood

2009-08-05T03:15:00.000-05:00

Like any floor covering, real wood floors will show signs of wear overtime, depending on the size and lifestyle of your family. But by observing a few precautions, and using the cleaning and maintenance program recommended by the manufacturer, you can expect years of beauty from your wood floor.

Never clean or mop your hardwood floor with water. Do not use any wax or cleaner that must be mixed with water such as oil, soap, or paste wax products; or other household cleaners that contain lemon oil, tung oil, or ammonia as this may damage your floor and result in a loss of warranty.

Water can dull the finish and permanently damage the floor. To help eliminate fine particles of dirt and grit that act like sandpaper and will scratch any floor, vacuum or sweep daily. The vacuum head must be a felt or brush type. Be certain that the wheels of the vacuum are clean and do not damage the finish. DO NOT USE A VACUUM WITH A BEATER BARHEAD.

Remove spills promptly using a soft cloth and cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer. Be sure to keep pet nails trimmed and paws clean and free of dirt, gravel, grease, oil, and stains. Place protective pads beneath furniture legs to reduce scratches and dents. Use a dolly and protective sheets of plywood when moving heavy objects, furniture, or appliances. Some objects may be too heavy to move across a hardwood floor under any circumstances.

Certain types of casters on furniture may damage hardwood flooring.Barrel-type wheels (a minimum 1" continuous width is recommended) or wide, flat glides are best for protecting your hardwood floor.

A humidifier is recommended to prevent excessive shrinkage of wood floors due to low humidity levels. Wood stoves and electric heat tend to cause very dry conditions. In damp conditions, proper humidity levels can be maintained with an air conditioner or dehumidifier, or by periodically turning on your heating system during periods of high humidity in the summer months.

Exposure to the sun and its UV rays accelerates the oxidation and aging of wood and fabrics. This causes the stain and/or wood to fade and/or change color. It is recommended that you rearrange rugs and furniture periodically so the floor ages evenly.

Remove shoes with spiked or damaged heels before walking on the floor. Spike or stiletto high-heel shoes may cause denting and related damage to hardwood floors due to the extremely high compressive force they generate. Such footwear can produce dynamic loads in excess of1000 pounds per square inch, even when worn by someone of slight or average build.

As added protection, use dirt-trapping walk-off mats at all exterior doors to keep sand, dirt, grit, grease, and oil off your hardwood floor.

General Terms and Conditions may apply, see warranty section for details

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Glass Block Flooring

2009-08-04T08:58:00.000-05:00

Glass block floors flood dark interior hallways with light, infuse old spaces with new ideas, and add a unique accent to traditional flooring materials.

Picture: A glass block floor panel creates an unexpected accent on a traditional wood floor.

Glass block floors add a unique accent to wood, tile, stone, and concrete floors. Consider them a dual purpose floor: Glass block panels enhance a living space by illuminating both the walking surface of a room as well as the ceiling surface of the room below. While typically found in contemporary residential and commercial designs, properly planned they also add a modern touch to more traditional homes.

Options

Glass block panels are bought either as a kit that includes hollow glass pavers and an aluminum or pre-cast concrete frame, or as prefabricated and ready to install panels. The framework for the panels is available in standard shapes (usually square or rectangular designs), or can be custom ordered in unique configurations. In general, glass panel kits are more appropriate for interior applications where weather and water will not be constantly encountered. Prefabricated panels are factory sealed against moisture, and are better suited for use in decks or other exterior-facing applications. The glass pavers (the glass block portion of the floor) must be specifically designed to serve as a flooring material. Home center-stocked glass block used for windows and walls does not have the proper strength for flooring applications.

To install a glass block panel, an opening must be cut between floors. Here, a panel from Circle Redmont has been secured to a specially made framework of 3/16-inch by 1 1/2-inch angle iron.

To assemble a floor panel, the glass blocks are set into the concrete or aluminum framework and sealed against moisture (each manufacturer has its own assembly process). The panels are designed to act as load bearing system, and properly installed can easily withstand the day-to-day rigors of family traffic. When used in an exterior facing application, glass block panels are thermally efficient, with an insulating R-value equal to that of double pane glazing on high-performance windows.

The glass pavers are available in a range of sizes, usually from 6-inch to 12-inch squares. Many manufacturers suggest that glass block pavers be bought in a sandblasted finish. This improves slip resistance and diffuses light sources for a glare-free surface. Additionally, when used in private areas like bedrooms and bathrooms, sandblasting the glass blocks ensures privacy.

Light from above illuminates rooms below. The low profile of the glass block panel requires additional finish work around the ceiling opening.

Installation

Glass block floor panels are manufactured by a handful of companies in the United States including Circle Redmont and IBP Floor Systems. While the panels come with detailed installation instructions, proper assembly and mounting is a job best left to professionals. Because a glass block floor panel will not generally fit in between existing floor joists, the joists must be cut and a support frame built into the floor. Glass block panels are extremely heavy; a 4-foot by 4-foot panel can weigh up to 300 pounds, making installation at least a three person job.

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Flooring Basics Hardwood

2009-08-03T03:25:00.000-05:00

Elegant. Tradition. Adaptable. Since colonial days, hardwood flooring has been prized for its color, grain and lasting beauty. Find out more about why this flooring choice is always in fashion.

Rich in appeal, hardwood flooring enhances virtually any decor style with its sense of natural strength and its variety of finishes. Casual or formal, modern or classic, hardwood is right at home in any home.

Generally, there two types of hardwood flooring— solid or engineered. Whether it's a strip or plank, solid hardwood flooring is a single piece of wood, which can easily be customized and can be re-sanded to change finishes. Engineered hardwood, on the other hand, is made of 3 to 5 layers laminated together with grains running at different angles. While engineered hardwood looks like solid hardwood, it is actually more structurally stable and can be used anywhere, even places like basements where moisture may be an issue.

Properly installed and sealed, hardwood flooring requires minimal care to maintain its good looks. Simply vacuum regularly and wipe weekly with a damp mop. And, since it's sealed it can't absorb spills, so it won't stain.

Recommendations
While you can add an elegant appeal to most any room with the rich, traditional color and texture of hardwood flooring, there are some guidelines to follow in deciding which type of hardwood to select or whether to choose hardwood at all.

Since colonial times, solid hardwood has been a preferred choice for enhancing formal rooms and hallways with a beautiful, inviting ambiance. It's also an excellent choice for areas where you may want to change looks at a future date, since it can sanded and refinished to meet changing tastes.

However, solid hardwood is not recommended for installation below grade (basements) or in rooms where excess moisture is present, such as kitchens, baths, saunas, and enclosed porches. It also tends scratch easier than engineered hardwoods, so careful consideration should be given to use with large pets.

Engineered hardwood is a perfect alternative virtually any place solid hardwood is used, except where you might want to change the look since engineered hardwood generally cannot be sanded and refinished. In addition, engineered hardwood is especially recommended for use below grade in basements and other areas where scratch resistance and added longevity are important. While it tends to resist moisture better than solid hardwood, it still may not be the best choice for kitchens and bath.

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The Beautiful Guarantee™ for Carpet

2009-07-31T03:35:00.001-05:00

Carpet flooring products with a Titanium, Platinum, or Gold SelectAFloor™warranty carry The Beautiful Guarantee™ Replacement Warranty. If at any time after installation and during the terms of The Beautiful Guarantee™ Replacement Warranty you wish to change your new carpet for a different SelectAFloor™ style or color, your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer will replace it free with another SelectAFloor™ carpet style or color of equal or lesser value. Should you wish to replace your flooring with a SelectAFloor™ carpet upgrade, you may do so by paying the difference in retail price. No monetary compensation will be paid if a lower priced carpet is selected.

This is a one-time only replacement and does not include replacement of cushion. Simply call your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer within the timeframe of the warranty and indicate you wish to choose another SelectAFloor™carpet under The Beautiful Guarantee™ Replacement Warranty. This is a replacement warranty and does not apply to matters covered by other warranties.

Replacement includes material and labor. Labor to move furniture, permanent construction (built-ins such as cabinets and bookcases), equipment, or electronics is the responsibility of the customer.

No replacement will be made with respect to carpet that has been glued down, subjected to abuse, vandalism, alteration, or damage caused by smoke,fire, flood, wind, lightning, or any other casualty event. This warranty applies only to the original purchase of a Carpet One Floor & Home® style carpet that has been professionally installed by a Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer or Carpet One Floor & Home® authorized independent installer.

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Pizza Hut ran out of pizza

2009-07-30T08:30:00.000-05:00

Okay, have you ever gone somewhere to do something, or talked to somebody about anything, or heard something so outrageous, and just not know what to say because what you saw, or what you heard, just defies all human comprehension? Well, try walking into the Pizza Hut in Augusta, GA tonight and you might just find that Charmin lost its squeeze, or Downy lost its bounce, or Pepsi lost its fizz. First I ordered a Pizzone only to find out a few minutes later they didn't have any left. Okay, a little out of the ordinary, how about some pizza, wait let me be honest with you, we're out of most everything, well what do you have, do you have pasta, yes, ok I'll take some of that.

Hmmm, I say. Pizza Hut ran out of pizza. I'll say this for the waitress, she was great, and positive, and she didn't let it spoil the meal. She comp'd me out on the salad, the drink, and some breadsticks. This was a nice, clean place too, so I got to talking with her. Apparently the manager forgot to order the dough. Crazy, huh? Can you imagine that? Pizza Hut has to have dough I think. Not having dough in Pizza Hut is like a lumberjack going to work without an ax or a saw.

Hey, bottom line, good customer service trumped it all. I know I learned that a positive attitude in the face of unchangeable circumstances certainly goes a long way in changing a potentially bad customer experience into a good one. I look at it this way: I wanted to try the Tuscani Pasta anyway, so I had to do it when I didn't ordinarily intend to. So what, I got good service, and a good discount to boot. Plus, I'm so full right now I can barely walk, and they promised to have crust tomorrow night!

Flooring Care & Maintenance Spot Removal Chart

2009-07-29T03:06:00.000-05:00

The best cure for a spill is a fast response. If a spill is allowed to become a stain, it will be much more difficult to remove. Here are some tips for eliminating stains and spills.

Stop Stains Before They Start

There are three important steps that you must use to treat a stain, hopefully before it has a chance to set in your carpet:
Apply: Wet a clean, white (not printed) paper towel with a cleaning solution. Then dampen the carpet with it. Avoid wetting the carpet through to its backing.
Blot: Absorb the excess liquid from the carpet by pressing straight down with a clean, dry, white paper towel. Do not rub. Place a half-inch thick pad of clean, dry, white paper towels with a weight on top and leave overnight if necessary.
Scrape: Gently scratch the soiled area with the blunt edge of a spoon. Scrape from the outside edge of the spot toward the center.

Click on your problem spot below to be directed straight to the removal method…

Asphalt
Beer
Berries
Blood
Butter
Candle Wax
Candy
Catsup
Chalk
Chewing Gum
Chocolate
Coffee
Cooking Oil
Dyes
Excrement
Foundation Makeup
Fruit Juice
Furniture Polish
Grease - Food
Grease - Auto
Glue - White
Glue - Hobby
Ice Cream
Ink - Ball Point Pen
Ink - India
Ink - Marking Pen
Juice Drinks - Artificially colored
Kool-Aid
Lemonade
Lipstick
Mascara
Mayonnaise
Mercurochrome
Methiolate
Milk
Mixed Drinks
Mud
Mustard
Nail Polish
Paint - Latex
Paint - Oil
Pet Food
Paper-Mache
Shoe Polish
Shortening
Soft Drink
Tar
Tea
Urine - Dry
Urine - Fresh
Vomit
Wine - Red
Wine - White
Unknown

Flooring Care & Maintenance Spot Removal Chart from Carpet One

Retailer of the Year Award for Leadership (ROYAL)

2009-07-28T03:05:00.001-05:00

Last year we received an award from the Florida Retail Federation that went a long way in demonstrating the effort that we have put into moving our company ahead in the marketplace. Through the work of many people, we achieved what many said could not be done.

For the last couple of years, we worked to set ourselves apart from the competition through technical expertise, training, and product knowledge. Beginning in 2004, we did this in a couple of ways. First, we embarked upon a journey to become Installation Excellence Five Diamond Certified. Installation Excellence is a Carpet One Floor & Home program that measures the ability of our sales and installation team to satisfy our customers, and we achieved it in a record setting six months. Most please to us was the absolutely high marks we received from our customers via the surveys we sent out with every job.

In conjunction with the Installation Excellence Program, we began a long certification process for our sales and installation personnel through a variety of industry resources. Carpet One Floor & Home has a robust training program mixing online, on site, and off site educational curriculum. When combined with the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), we certified two sales personnel as Certified Flooring Sales Consultants (CFS) and one person as a Certified Flooring Executive (CFE). All of the certifications are available online at the WFCA website. What achieved the certifications through WFCA? Hours of dedication on the part of our personnel taking product knowledge, design, decoration, colors, and all sorts of other courses to demonstrate a level of learning beyond the industry standard.

In addition to the learning programs, we had one individual attend a graduation two inspection programs through industry recognized leaders in their respective product categories: the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) and the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA). Through the TCNA sponsored educational organization Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF), we graduated the Ceramic Tile Inspector Course, and through NWFA, we have a Certified Wood Floor Inspector on staff. Click here to find out more about the NWFA certification.

Adding to our list of technical qualifications, we recently added the ability to install the Ardex Moisture Control System, an industry leading in concrete preparation for flooring installation. We achieved a technical certification from Certified Flooring Installers (CFI) as well.

Other courses and training include Wilsonart, the American Plywood Association (APA), Earthscapes, and Florida Retail Federation (FRF) Retail Masters.

In addition to our professional efforts, we made tremendous strides and inroads into the community through many charitable endeavors: Marine Corps Toys For Tots (TFT), American Cancer Society (ACS), Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (MSABC), Delta Society, Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), and many other local schools and organizations.

In recognition of our endeavors, several organizations recognized us for our endeavors. Carpet One Floor & Home presented us with the National Community Service Award in 2005 and 2007. The Bay County Chamber of Commerce awarded us the Small Business of the Year in 2005. The Better Business Bureau of Northwest Florida presented us with the Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics in 2006. The Panama City Jaycees awarded us the Community Leader of the Year in 2008. The Florida Retail Federation gave us the Retailer of the Year Award for Leadership (ROYAL) for 2008. As you can see, we are very active in the community, and we take it very seriously.

We hope that you will give us a chance to demonstrate what separates us from the competition. As a store, we commit to providing you the best service that money can buy with a product that is premium in quality, choice, and selection. Please stop by and learn about us or visit us online to find out more.

Click to watch a video about our efforts...

Flooring Basics - Carpet

2009-07-27T03:22:00.000-05:00

Comfortable. Colorful. Versatile. There are many reasons why carpet is one of the most popular types of floor covering. Learn more about this fashionable and affordable flooring choice.

There's nothing like the soft feel of a nice carpet. Warm in winter and cool in summer, it makes any room more inviting as a place to relax with friends … a place for the kids to play … a cozy, yet stylish place to feel at home. Plus, with so many styles and colors to choose from, it's easy to find the right carpet for every décor and every taste.

There are three basic types of carpeting — Cut Pile, Loop Pile, and Cut & Loop Pile. Pile refers to the fiber yarns which are tufted or sewn into the backing. How these yarns are cut and twisted helps determines the texture and durability of the carpet. In addition, most of the fibers are either synthetic or natural wool, which offer varying degrees of wear and stain resistance.

Carpet is also one of the easiest types of flooring to install and maintain. The easy-care features of today's advanced stain resistant carpets allow you enjoy a beautiful floor for many years. Simply vacuum regularly, clean up spills promptly, and have your carpet professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months.

Recommendations
Formal or casual, carpet can add a warm feel to any room. Of course, not every style of carpet is designed for every type application. Read below to help select the best styles for your needs.

For formal settings, both Plush (Velvet) and Saxony carpet styles have a smooth texture with a luxurious look and feel. Saxony is more resilient than Plush, so it can be used in higher traffic areas.

For versatility in casual situations, durable carpet styles like Textured Saxony, curly textured Frieze and popular Berber wear well in playrooms, workrooms, basements and other active areas.

Although Shag carpet offers a relaxed, informal style, its deep, twisted yarn texture tends to mat easily and should only be used in lighter traffic areas.

And for family rooms or other casual rooms where people are on the floor a lot, Cable carpet has a thick, soft texture that wears better than regular shag.

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When Did Good Enough Become The Standard?

2009-07-24T22:07:00.001-05:00

OK, so I'm walking through a brand new development on the beach tonight at a business function, and as always, my eyes are drawn to the floor like magnets. It seems that everywhere I go now, I critique the floors, like some kind of obsession. I can't help it, it's what I do. To top it off, I'm a Marine, and Once a Marine, Always a Marine! So I have an eye for detail. I couldn't help but notice that one of the most expensive developments on the beach had some very shoddy workmanship.

Last week, we were up in Virginia, and I had the opportunity to walk in a mall that was huge. The Fair Oaks Mall on the west side of Washington DC has so many wings and levels that it would take a GPS probably to navigate all the way around. Once again, critiquing what I saw, I couldn't help but notice they had the prettiest floors of any commercial job that I had seen. The floor was gorgeous, no high or low spots, the grout was even, the transitions were professionally done. I've also been in quite a few hotels on business travel lately, and like always, I'm seeing the floors for what they are. The thing is that in larger areas, the jobs are so much more professional, and yet, what makes the difference?

I honestly do not know why anyone would pay the prices they do in this town and not demand the best for what they get. Every development on the beach ought to be luxurious, yet when you walk into them, the amenities and finishes frequently leave much to be desired. I know because we have gone into them for individual condo owners after their purchase to replace the brand new materials installed by the developer.

Lack of quality angers me, and so I've taken it upon myself to learn more and more about this profession so that we can do a better job. I was up in Maryland last week for a carpet certification class where I worked with installers of carpet who had been doing it for over 30 years. The critical thing that I learned is that the ability to do a job right is more a frame of mind than a reality. For instance, take two installers, both having installed for 30 years, and one chooses to do everything by the book, even helping to create the "book", yet the other has developed shortcuts throughout the years and made due with what he has been given. The one who has made due may produce a quality product, and he can tell you why he does every detail, yet his product does not last as long. Why? If he were in a different environment, or if his customer knew the difference, or if there was a standard to be upheld, or if he even knew the standard, then he would produce a better product because he wanted to. The only difference in the two installers is the environment in which they were brought up, and the professional atmosphere where they learned their skills.

It amazes me that both have 30 years of experience, and one tells you something is possible to be done right, yet the other denies it. I see it everyday. I learned early in my business to categorize installers by their capability and to allow only those willing to follow the rules to complete the most technical jobs. It doesn't work any other way because an installer who works over his head always finds himself in trouble. Put a man in a job that fits him, and you will be satisfied every time.

For the time being as I look around our community, I will remain puzzled as to why we can't see a professionally accomplished commercial jobsite.

The Difference Between Savings and Investing - Summer 2009

2009-07-24T15:50:00.001-05:00

The Difference between Savings and Investing
- Tiffany Vongpukkeaw, July 2009
This may seem like a simple a topic to some, but recent economic events have proven that we should not get too complacent about understanding the difference between saving and investing. First, let’s define each term.

Savings account, is an account maintained by a customer with a depository institution for the purpose of accumulating funds over a period of time. Funds deposited in a savings account may be withdrawn only by the account owner or a duly authorized agent, or on the owner's nontransferable order. The account may be owned by one or more persons. Some accounts require funds to be kept on deposit for a minimum length of time, while others permit unlimited access to funds. Earnings may be in the form of dividends, as in the case of a share type savings account, or interest as in the case of a deposit type account.

Investing, is the purchase of a financial product or other item of value with an expectation of favorable future returns. In general, terms, investment means the use of money in the hope of making more money. Lightly said, with savings you are putting money away for later use, usually in a stable and secure environment with little to no risk. With investing, you are also putting away money for later use, but usually much later, and so are willing to take on the potential for greater risk in return for the potential future reward of greater growth.

Financial advisors will usually tell you that it is a good idea to first start with savings and then move to investing. Build your financial foundation on a strong base, starting with security and moving toward great risk when you are ready for the potential of loss as well of reward.

With savings, a good general rule of thumb for consideration is having at least 3 months worth of your income in an emergency fund. This money would cover any unexpected medical bills, unplanned car repairs, unexpected job loss, etc. It should only be used for an emergency, not for impulsive shopping sprees.

Also, consider having a reserve fund, used to pay for the planned necessities of your life. This would include rent or mortgage payments, car insurance, student loans payments, life insurance premiums, etc.

Lastly, having a reward fund doesn’t hurt. In this fund, you could save for that new car you want, your special vacation, the new designer bag you have had your eye on, or even to plan for the holiday gifts you know you will be buying every year.

There was a time when people preferred to hide their money under their mattresses rather then trust a bank, but even though we have had some real problems in the baking industry this year, a savings account is probably still a better bet since you will earn some interest. Some of the other savings tools you can use to your benefit are Certificates of Deposit (CD’s), Money Market Accounts, and U.S. Savings Bonds.

Moving on to Investing

After you have covered your basic living expenses and saved for both the seen and unforeseen expenses, you may want to consider using any extra money for investments. Remember, investments usually have longer-term goals, like paying for retirement or children’s college.

Note to self: you shouldn’t invest more than you are willing or able to lose.

There are many ways to invest your money, whether you want to invest in hard assets like property, precious metals or antiques, or equity investments through stocks and bonds or mutual funds. Which choice is best for you really depends on the time frame and what you are looking to accomplish.

Stock: is actual ownership of a part of a company, so how your investment will perform depends on how the company performs. If it flies high, you will likely make money, if it goes under, you could lose everything you put in. Depending on which stocks you choose, you may be very aggressive and experience growth rapidly or look for slower progress.

Bonds: instead of being an owner, you are a lender. You have loaned the company money and it pays you back with fixed interest in a certain amount of time. The company may provide the opportunity to earn a stream of income over time. This is often the reason that those needing stable income look to bonds to pay out regularly as they mature.

Mutual Funds: provide professional management by a company that pools investors and invests their money in a diverse portfolio, ranging from stocks, to bonds, and other securities or a combination of investments.

Here are a few great websites that offer their services to help you save and invest!

www.finra.org - FINRA Broker Check is a free tool to help investors check the professional background of the current and former FINRA-registered securities firms and brokers. It is a resource many investors turn to when choosing whether to do business with a particular broker or brokerage firm.

www.google.com/tipjar - Tip Jar is a tool that helps you discover and share new and useful tips for saving money in your daily life. With this tool, users find new ways to cut down on utilities bills, plan more cost-conscious vacations, and save money one everyday activities like commuting to work and grocery shopping. Tips are ranked by the web community with the most helpful receiving the highest rankings.

www.fdic.gov - Read FDIC’s free publications to become a better-informed customer. Site also includes a consumer complaint on-line form if you have a question regarding FDIC deposit insurance coverage, or an inquiry or a complaint regarding your financial institution.

The Difference Between Savings and Investing - Summer 2009

Is Cheaper always less expensive ?

2009-07-22T10:38:00.003-05:00

Is Cheaper always less expensive?

In today’s economy, I see many people who are comparing prices, and my job, while much more difficult at times, has become very interesting is seeing the many items that are available in the marketplace. As every person is different, everyone has something that they want, something that take precedence, something that causes them to buy. Nowadays, price seems to be the biggest driving factor in many people’s decision to do anything to their home anymore, and many times, people go with the “cheaper price” simply because they feel like it is a better deal.

About six months ago I had the pleasure of working with a nice couple on a tiled bathroom and shower. I sold them the materials however they chose a different company for the installation because they were $300.00 dollars cheaper. Last week this nice couple came back into my store to ask me to order some more tile for their shower and what it would cost to tear out and replace what the other company installed. Apparently, the shower was not installed properly and leaked, causing moisture and mold to get into the interior walls. They tried to call the company that installed it, but they were “out of business”.

My only point is that cheaper is not necessarily less expensive. For instance, if this couple would have contracted with us to complete the job from the beginning, they would not be out of the thousands of dollars it took to replace it. We would have fixed the problem, that we created, and replaced the tile at no charge.

When shopping for best price always consider several things. Reputation of the company, guarantee of the product and installation, as well as the ability and product knowledge of the company with whom you are contracting.
Here at Carpet One Floor & Home we take pride in every job we do. Our Sales staff and installers are always being trained on the best products to fit your needs with warranties that are the best in the industry, and we have been doing this for almost 30 years. We may not always be cheaper; however in the long run we are less expensive

Carpet – Care and Maintenance

2009-07-22T06:55:00.000-05:00

A regular maintenance program extends the life of the original appearance of your carpet. Today's carpet fibers are designed to hide dirt and reflect light and have the ability to resist soiling and stains. However, the lack of apparent soiling does not eliminate the necessity of regular cleaning.†

You will need to vacuum your heavy traffic areas, such as hallways, stairs,and exterior entryways at least twice a week. Vacuum less heavily used areas weekly. For best results, use a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar or rotating brush and with a strong enough airflow to penetrate to the carpet backing.

Carpet with thick loop pile construction, particularly wool and wool blend styles, may be sensitive to brushing or rubbing of the pile surface and may become fuzzy. For these products, and those styles with a combination thick or thin or cable yarn, a suction-only vacuum is recommended or a vacuum with an adjustable brush lifted away from the carpet so it does not agitate the pile. A vacuum with a beater bar or rotating brush can be tested for excessive fuzzing in an inconspicuous location before regular use.

Carpet One Floor & Home® does not recommend a vacuum brand.There are brands that offer adjustable beater bars or even a feature to turn the beater bar off in some cases. The Carpet and Rug Institute(www.carpet-rug.org) also offers information and ratings of vacuums.

Most dry soil has razor-like edges that abrade carpet fibers, causing light to reflect differently and give carpet a dull appearance. Soil can damage the fibers permanently if allowed to remain in the pile.

No matter how often you vacuum, your carpet will still need heavy-duty cleaning from time to time. Professional cleaning is required to maintain your Carpet One Floor & Home® warranty. We would be glad to advise you about which cleaning method is best for your particular carpet. Hot water extraction, either alone or in combination with cleaning, is required to maintain most warranties.* Some styles, however, must be cleaned in other ways. Be sure to check with your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer for the recommended cleaning method for your particular carpet. A trained professional should perform this service at least every 18-24 months to refresh the texture and rejuvenate the fibers in your carpet.† Have the cleaning professionals come to your home for a visual inspection, and obtain a written agreement before the work is started. You must retain your receipts for proof of maintenance service should a warranty claim arise.

When you and your cleaning professional choose a cleaning method,fiber content is the most important concern. Most carpet today is constructed with synthetic fibers such as nylon, polyester, or olefin and may be cleaned with most cleaning methods. Natural fibers such as wool, cotton, silk, and sisal may require specialized care. Use a cleaning method recommended by the carpet manufacturer to maintain their warranty, and if you should have any questions or concerns about your new carpet, just call your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer.

† Courtesy of the Carpet and Rug Institute, Copyright 2006.
* If you purchased the Everguard® Stain Protection Plan with your carpet, contact the 3M Service Center (1-800-352-6789) for spot removal instructions prior to using the following spot removal methods.

Flooring Care & Maintenance Carpet from Carpet One

Carpet One Green Select

2009-07-21T14:54:00.000-05:00

Helping protect our environment is everyone’s business! We care about more than just floors. We care about the community and its environment. We know there are lots of things we can all do to make them cleaner, greener, and healthier.

Today we face numerous environmental challenges, including global warming, energy deficiency and the depletion of our natural resources. Though we may not see the effects today, we must always be thinking to the future.

Our Green Select initiative represents our commitment to making our environment better through our relationship with our communities, our customers, our suppliers and our employees. One key example is our Green Select Labels. We’re continually working with our vendors to produce flooring that meets our strict eco-friendly standards.

To earn a Green Select label, the product must currently be recyclable, contain a minimum of recycled material and/or be made from a natural, sustainable, quickly renewable resource. A key example is our Montado Cork flooring. Beautiful and durable, MontadoTM is 100% natural cork flooring made from a naturally sustainable resource, so it’s good for the environment. It doesn’t stop at cork though, we have endless options of bamboo, reclaimed hardwood, river wood, etc.

Beyond that, I want to hear from you. Tell me what these products mean to you. Do they matter? What interests you the most??

More Info...

Marine Corps Museum

2009-07-15T21:24:00.001-05:00

Today we visited the US Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, VA primarily because my oldest son remembers the last time we visited and wanted to see it again. I recommend this trip to any who like history along with any veteran. If you want to see the foundation of one of the country's greatest military services, then this is your museum!
Only three years old, opened in 2006, the Marine Corps Museum is impressively appointed with granite from head to toe. Built to resemble the Iwo Jima Memorial, the top of the memorial is topped with a spire that reaches sideward to the sky likening to the flag raising atop Mt. Suribachi.
Inside the circular structure is a grand room etched with some of the most historic quotes in the Marines' glorious history. Suspended from the ceiling is a gull winged Corsair and inside is a old helicopter along with a tank, both impressively set in life size dioramas from their respective pasts.
The gallery surrounds the main room and runs chronologically clockwise around the building. Each war has its own section and most have a lifelike interactive area matched to the climate of the theater of combat. The Iwo Jima portion puts you in a briefing room to listen to the combat orders issued prior to the invasion before shipping you out the front of a Higgins boat. In much the same way, in Vietnam, you walk through a loud, thunderous tail section of a troop transport helicopter into a hot stuffy terrain complete with calls for fire. In the frozen Chosin, you stand in a cool environment while listening to the sounds of gunfire, mortars, and radio traffic as it may have occurred during one of the nights.
Many tanks, artillery pieces, medium and small arms are placed throughout the gallery along with the first flag that was raised atop Suribachi. I never fail to get goose bumps walking through the place, and unlike most museums, it does an outstanding job of putting you in realistic scenarios to give you the best understanding of what the Marine Corps is all about: its experiences, traditions, and successes.
I recommend you make a trip to see it whenever you are in the Washington DC area.

John Shepard

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone with Nextel Direct Connect

IMG00053-20090715-1010.jpg

2009-07-15T10:12:00.000-05:00

We're here at the Marine Corps Museum today!

John Shepard
President
Carpet One Floor & Home

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone with Nextel Direct Connect

Vinyl – Care and Maintenance

2009-07-15T06:57:00.000-05:00

With the easy maintenance of a resilient floor, there is no cause for concern when it comes to spots, spills, or scuffs left by shoes. By observing a few precautions, and with proper care and maintenance, you can ensure that your vinyl floor always looks its best.

The adhesive under your floor needs time to thoroughly dry after installation. Therefore, we recommend that you do not scrub or wash your floor for at least three days after it is installed.

For general cleaning, sweep your floor regularly (at least once a week) and be sure to wipe up spills promptly. Occasional mopping with the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning solution may be needed when dirt builds up and sweeping alone is not sufficient. Please note that soap or detergent products are not recommended for resilient floors as they will leave a dulling film on the surface. The Flex Floor products, however, can be cleaned with a damp mop and mild detergent or soap.

Caution: Vinyl floors can be slippery when they become wet. Use extreme caution when walking on a wet floor. Use doormats outside each entrance to your home to prevent dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, and driveway sealer from being tracked onto your floor. Use non-staining mats on your floor. Do not put rubber-backed, latex-backed, or coco fiber mats on your floor because they may stain or damage the surface.

Close your curtains or blinds where extreme sunlight hits the floor. A combination of heat and sunlight causes most home furnishings, including vinyl floors, to fade or discolor.

Support furniture with wide-bearing, non-staining floor protectors. Ideally, the protectors should be at least 1” in diameter, made of non-pigmented hard plastic, and rest flat on the floor.

Non-staining felt protectors are also acceptable. Casters with a minimum 3/4” flat surface width or greater are recommended for all moveable furniture. Make sure any floor protectors made of metal are rustproof. Replace your narrow dome furniture rests with wide-bearing ones.

Cleaning Stains and Other Problems
The overall stain resistance of vinyl is excellent and most spills will wipe off quickly and easily with a clean white cloth. Removing certain substances may take a little extra effort. Always use a clean, white cloth for wiping up stains, and turn it frequently to avoid spreading the stain. Rinse with clean water and allow area to dry. Repeat if necessary.

Make sure you check your warranty before attempting to clean.

More Info...

USAA / Become a Member / Eligibility

2009-07-14T09:59:00.000-05:00

USAA is all over the airwaves right now hunting for customers, and for good reason. I’ve been a member since 1996, and I have all my insurance through them because they have the best customer service that I have ever experienced, not to mention rock solid stability.

I believe in this company because everything they do is for the customer, and when you call, you get answers. Not only do they service on the phone, but they were servicing on the internet before most seemed to know it even existed. Everything from posted paid envelopes for your deposits to fee reimbursements for ATMs that you utilize make them tops in the service arena.

At a point in time when companies like State Farm and Allstate are cancelling people left and right in the state of Florida, USAA has not cancelled one person—they actually stated that they would never cancel me in fact. Further, they haven’t taken a cent in federal bailout money which is all the more reason in my book to patron them. Self sufficiency is their mantra apparently, and in an apparent era of “what’s in it for me”, I find them to be a refreshing source of responsibility. To top it all off, they give me a refund of premium every year on my insurance because they do so well—and they already have premiums 20% below anything else I’ve check out there, including GEICO.

Do yourself a favor and see if you are eligible. USAA is a great institution.

USAA / Become a Member / Eligibility

Moisture and Your Home—Part 2

2009-07-13T10:00:00.000-05:00

Previously, we touched on how to determine if you have moisture in your home, now we need to cover some of the ways to correct the moisture issues you found. First and foremost, many are cut and dried and very simple, while some are more difficult and involved. With leaky windows, drafty thresholds, and dripping pipes, the answers are simple, and most can be fixed by you. The answer to resolving vapor in the home is somewhat more complex and involved.

The first prevention most homes normally employ is installed when the home is built, in the form of a plastic barrier underneath the foundation, if the home is built on concrete. The problem comes when the concrete contractor pokes holes in the plastic to speed up the drying time—yes, it happens. When the holes that ordinarily would not be there now are, all kinds of moisture issues can occur, almost none of which are immediate. How do you know, and how do you fix it?

Before you install floors in your home, a moisture test is key and can be completed with the use of a simple moisture meter. Increased levels indicate the need for another moisture barrier besides the one beneath the concrete foundation. They come in various forms (roll on, paint on, peel and stick, etc.) and are rated for varying levels of vapor protection. All vapor barriers allow a minimal amount of moisture vapor to come through, and your properly working air conditioning system will be capable of regulating it from there.

In a crawlspace type home where the house is elevated about the ground, ventilation is always required. In cases where the moisture continues to migrate from the ground into the home unchecked, plastic can be placed on the ground in the crawlspace to reduce the moisture levels. It does not eliminate the need for ventilation, however, and the general rule is to have at least 1.5 square feet of ventilation for every 100 square feet of your home. When installing hardwood floors in your home, plastic must cover the ground in the crawl space, and if the minimum requirements are not met for ventilation, a mechanical ventilation system would need to be installed. In the picture, an unidentified fungus is growing in a crawlspace with excessive moisture due to inadequate ventilation. The humidity was above 70% and had caused the wood floors to cup throughout the entire home.

Whenever you look to put money into your home in the form of renovation, ensure you use a qualified contractor who will not shortcut the basic essentials of providing you a working product that will not give you trouble in the long run. Ensure you are protected against moisture by knowing the signs of its presence, and do not ignore it. Its negative impact upon your health and investment in the long run are incredible.

Crawl Space Moisture and How to Fix It

Make a Cow Happy and Head to Chic-Fil-A Friday!

2009-07-10T02:00:00.000-05:00

Yes, here is a company who knows how to entertain while they feed you. Chic-Fil-A made the cow a cool animal, and they did it without sacrificing values. They shoot for a wholesome meal, are the only fast food restaurant with table service, and are still closed on Sundays! Wow, that is a breath of fresh air in today’s never stop environment.

For the company that invented the chicken sandwich, I have to give some thanks for showing us all how to have fun while we eat. We appreciate the great play areas that make the restaurant family friendly and place where kids can have fun. My boys even call it “Chic Play”, and I’m not sure they even know the name is actually “Fil-A”…

Mr. Cathy did a great job preserving a family style environment with traditional values, and I’m certainly glad to see them rewarded for their accomplishments. So, dress up like a cow and go get some free sandwiches today!

Make a Cow Happy and Head to Chic-Fil-A Friday!

Moisture and Your Home

2009-07-09T08:34:00.001-05:00

Few things can be as unwelcome in your home besides moisture. As a medium, it allows growth of many organisms like mold, mildew, and fungus, and it changes the very structure of your home, probably your biggest investment. How do you know if you have moisture in your home; what are the signs to be aware of; and how do you correct the problem? I hope to answer the first two questions while leaving the third for later.

Moisture usually exists in two states in your home: liquid and vapor (or gas). Hopefully, your insulation, thresholds, and windows have done their job to keep the liquid out so that your only water source exists in your sinks, toilets, and bathtubs or showers. In the same way, if your air conditioning system has done its job, then the vapor will be kept at a manageable level as well. What if they do not though? While the signs of moisture problems are not always obvious in the beginning, usually over time, they become very apparent.

Moisture intrusion in the home comes from many common places. Ineffective door thresholds, leaking windows, dripping pipes, etc. allow water to get places where we do not want it to go. Less obvious are the areas like your floor where water vapor passes up through the concrete from the ground below to get into your home. Water is all around us and our home, and believe it or not, in the proper amounts, it is a necessary stabilizing element in the environment. It is only a problem in excessive amounts, but also a problem when there is not enough…

Several tell tale signs exist to let you know that you have a problem with moisture:

Discoloration of surfaces
Dampness to the touch
Rust or corrosion
Softness of wooden trims or moldings, esp. change in color or blackness
Change in form or shape of your flooring
Musty smells
Visible mold growth anywhere…
And many others

While the list above is not comprehensive, it goes a long way in pointing you in the right direction. Excessive moisture can cause many problems if not corrected, and so can not enough moisture, but the problems vary widely. I will tackle the corrections for moisture problems in a later post. In the meantime, check out the link below for a good elaboration of everything I've written so far.

A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home from the US EPA

The Tile Letter

2009-07-07T15:27:00.000-05:00

If you like to complete home projects yourself, particularly ceramic or porcelain tile, then you should appreciate a magazine such as this one. I find it to be highly informative about both installation techniques, problems, issues, and products, and as the saying goes, “You can learn a lot from a dummy.” Believe me, there is no shortage of learning from the mistakes of others, and frequently you will find a write up in the magazine that will talk about a disaster and how to prevent it in your own home, or place of business.

In my time in the business, I have seen numerous issues, and through numerous schools and training, I have learned how to prevent them from happening as well as fix them after they occur. Perhaps the largest problem that I see on a regular basis is improper coverage of thinset on the back of the tile, insufficient to provide both a bond as well as support for the tile. Both are critical. Without good bond, the tile will release from the substrate, and without good support, the tile can collapse to the floor under normal weight conditions.

The biggest problem for the do-it-yourselfer is the ability to do the job right utilizing all the tips of the trade that come from years of experience. If you are brave enough to try it yourself, I recommend that you study the process before conducting the actual installation. Oh, and I forgot to mention, the second most common issue that i see all the time: failure to read and follow directions. It works every time…

The Tile Letter, June 2009 edition

Florida Brave Fund

2009-07-07T14:25:00.002-05:00

I learned of The Florida Brave Fund (FBF) of The Community Foundation of Jacksonville while speaking to the Operations Manager at the Naval Support Activity in Panama City, FL. I happened to be there that sunny morning representing the Navy League and watching a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Midway. Very motivating as well as moving…

I cannot say for certain if FBF is government supported, but whatever the case, it sounds like an excellent solution, or partial solution at least, for certain military families negatively impacted by extended deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. Families may apply for grants by simply going to the website to find out the information. I included the website address here for your ease of access.

One of the many benefits that I enjoyed while being a part of the military was the numerous support mechanisms resident within our armed services. Beyond having access to many of the same private and non-private agencies that the general population accesses, we also had great agencies like this one as well as Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR), etc. Our military is the best funded and supported organization in the world, and it is something to definitely be proud of!

North Region

Breathe For Clarity

2009-07-06T14:14:00.005-05:00

When you find yourself in a challenging situation, whether it's dealing with an unhappy client on the phone or feeling overwhelmed by a bad tee shot, this exercise will help you stay grounded and positive.

You can do this exercise either seated or standing:

1. Think of someone, something or someplace you love.

2. Experience the joy that accompanies thinking about that person, thing or place.

3. Close your eyes. (Yes, you can do this at your desk! It only takes a few seconds).

4. With your mouth closed, take a deep breath in through your nose. As you inhale, feel the breath extending down all the way to the base of your spine.

5. Picture the person, thing or place. Keeping your mouth closed, release the breath slowly through your nose.

6. Repeat this exercise three times.

This breathing exercise will help you think and see more clearly, while increasing the positive feelings to help move you through your day with ease. You can even make this a habit. Practice it whenever you feel stressed or overwhelmed.

NFT (National Floor Trends) June 2009 Digital Edition

2009-07-03T17:49:00.002-05:00

A decent industry magazine worth looking at. Sometimes they have some good product info, or maybe you just want to learn a little bit more about what we do…

NFT (National Floor Trends) June 2009 Digital Edition

We Salute Those Who Protect Our Freedom to Celebrate

2009-07-03T10:14:00.002-05:00

I’ve been a member of the US Military, and I’m currently the President of the Navy League. As a Marine (there’s no such thing as an ex-Marine), I take a lot of pride in the Fourth of July!

Last night, I had the privilege of taking my family to the Navy Base for their fireworks celebration, and it was interesting to hear my oldest son, seven years old, ask so many questions about what the celebration was all about. As I explained to him, it’s our country’s birthday, and he quickly asked how old we were:)! It took me a few seconds to calculate the 233 years, and I think his response must have been “Wow” or “Oh” or something…

If you stop to think about how old this country is, I think you must be in awe of how far we have come, yet the journey has only just begun. Like our lives, the country lives one day at a time, and it is a living breathing organism with so much vibrancy and life that each generation exudes their own personality in the metamorphosis of our nation into something new every day.

Take time on the Fourth of July to remember those who went before and those who gave their lives for this country. Remember the Founding Fathers and the principles that the country was founded upon, so that even though our behavior changes, the principles will always be our compass to shape the way we are and what we become.

We Salute Those Who Protect Our Freedom to Celebrate

Benissimo Systems - Granite Solutions™ Modular-Slab Granite Tile

2009-07-01T10:55:00.002-05:00

If you like the look of slab granite, but you’re looking to save money, Granite Solutions is a prime example of having your cake and eating it too. Most impressive are the looks that the granite pieces provide, and because of the pre-engineered bull nose pieces, Benissimo sacrifices no style.

The website is great too, especially if you are a do-it-yourselfer, in that it has tons of info about installation instructions as well as installation pictures taken at each step of the process. All this being said, you can have a granite countertop for as low as $14 per square foot which I believe is an amazing price considering slab granite runs about three times that price! Any way you slice it, Granite Solutions enables the do-it-yourselfer to complete an installation of elegant, professionally mitered granite with all the ease of a standard porcelain or ceramic tile installation.

All things considered, I love the on site pictures that they took the time to post in just about every customized situation you can think of, with every angle possible, and even instructions on how to accommodate an under-counter sink mount. Check it out, it is beautiful!

Benissimo Systems - Granite Solutions™ Modular-Slab Granite Tile - Benissimo Systems Website

Part Two of our Vacation: SeaWorld Aquatica

2009-06-30T11:47:00.001-05:00

Last week, we wrapped up our time in Orlando with a quick trip to Aquatica. I only say quick because we were not able to go to the park until around 2pm, and we stayed until 6pm. While the park is only one year old, we had a blast on their rides, and some of the slides were crazy. They have an eight lane slide that is 300 foot long; it feels like your sledding down a mountain! We took our five year old on that one, and while I had to start him with a push, he enjoyed it:)!

Their kids area looks like something off of Nickelodeon with hundreds of fountains, squirters, bowls that fill up and splash down, etc. In this part, several slides are available for kids to go down. While we were there, we didn’t see a single height requirement except one requiring life jackets. They have a large beach with real sand in front of two gigantic wave pools, one kid friendly, and the other with bigger waves. One of the kids favorites was an upgraded version of the lazy river in which you float around without a tube, and the kids wear life jackets. They placed various obstructions and turns to create rapids that you race through periodically, and both of our kids had a ball!

If you get a chance to visit Aquatica, I say do it because it is well worth the trip, and you can do plenty even in a few hours:)…

Welcome to SeaWorld Aquatica

SeaWorld Vacation

2009-06-29T11:31:00.003-05:00

I feel like I took vacation for the first time in a very long time last week, even though we were actually in the Orlando area on business...Thankfully, the business part was slightly endurable, mostly because it came to an end rather quickly, and soon enough for me to meet my family at SeaWorld. I can tell you the park is still alot of fun.

While the shows were packed, the rides were not, and we found a never ending supply of short lines, even for the best rides! Let me tell you something, the kids' areas are wonderful, with plenty of bright colors and nooks and crannies to explore. Our favorite, and the kids' too by the way, is the multilevel playhouse with cargo nets for floors. Because of the netting, you can see clear to the top and keep an eye on your kids while they play, and they have an endless supply of tunnels and ladders integrated into the complex.

The newest ride is called Manta, and it is a monster. I didn't see one person leave the ride with a dazed look on their face! As it starts out, you rotate upward in the car so that you actually face the ground. Going through loopdyloops like that is a crazy feeling, and your stomach feels like it just turned a hundred somersaults. Rounding out the day, we saw the Shamu Rocks show which provided live guitar performance as well as plenty of big splashes.

If you were not aware, these parks are owned by Anheuser Busch, and with their purchase by the Belgians, some things have changed. While the service and hospitality is still there, there are no more free beer samples, but I still highly recommend this place for family vacations!!

Inspiration for a Rainy Day

2009-06-27T11:32:00.001-05:00

If you follow the link to USAA Magazine, you will find an article on page 6 about Capt. Sullenberger, and if you remember, he is the one who completed a successful landing of his jumbo jet on the Hudson River a few months back. Due to his skill and ability to remain calm under pressure, 155 people walked away from a crash landing who might otherwise not have had the chance.

Reflecting on his experience, and preparing to go back into the cockpit in the late spring, Capt Sullenberger had this to say,

Something about the zeitgeist, the time this happened in the history of civilization, brought some hope to the people around the world. People wanted to be reassured that even in these difficult times all the things we value are still there, that if you work hard and take your profession seriously then you can make your part of the world a little better.

What can I say but that he is an inspirational person and a consummate professional. One more thing, if I have to be on a plane, I’d much prefer to fly with this gentleman.

Living for the Moment, USAA Magazine

Floor Covering Gallery

2009-06-26T14:47:00.001-05:00

Check out this site on the World Floor Covering Association's website that includes room scenes of floors of all types. They definitely have done a great job of representing all the choices available in today’s market. They are a great independent third party resource with no obligation to look through their site and collect design inspiration…

Floor Covering Gallery

National Wood Flooring Association - Design a Room

2009-06-24T15:56:00.001-05:00

Have you ever wondered how different types of floors might look like before they are actually installed?? We get these questions all the time in our store, and tools such as this one give you that ability! I believe you can use this in much the same way that you can use a paint demonstrator like those available in paint stores. Pick a room and a floor and click the button to see how it appears. In fact, you can even compare two different species at a time through the side by side comparison.

If you are not familiar with the National Wood Flooring Association, they are a good resource because they are an independent third party, and they are recognized and respected nationally within the industry. They set the standards for the industry to ensure the customers and end users of wood products receive both quality and satisfaction.

National Wood Flooring Association - Design a Room