Bad Advice Comes Cheap

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….

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

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

Flooring Basics Area Rugs from Carpet One

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

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

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 Information from Carpet One

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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Schluter Ditra

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.