Choosing the Right Carpet Cushion

Selecting the right carpet cushion (pad) is an important component in buying new carpet. For most residential carpets a 7/16" 6 pound pad will provide adequate comfort, resilience, insulation, and the needed firmness to protect the carpet backing from breaking down. The Carpet & Rug Institute recommends 3/8" thick cushion for berber or low cut pile carpets. Most cushions are made from a bonded foam product called "rebond," but there are also fiber and rubber options available.

When buying new carpet ask your salesperson what type of carpet cushion is included in the price. Since there are many cushion options, let the salesperson know about your needs, concerns, and how you will "live" on your new carpet. In other words, do you have pets and if so, do they ever make accidents? Is eating and drinking allowed in carpeted areas? Do you have kids? Are there any high traffic areas? What is the manufacturer's recommendation for carpet pad? The answers to these types of questions will narrow down the choices and help in selecting the best cushion for your situation.

Our next discussion is on specific carpet cushion options.

For more information about the Carpet & Rug Institute, go to http://www.carpet-rug.org/

Mason City Home Show---This Weekend!

The North Iowa Home Show in Mason City is this weekend starting Friday February 26th. Stop by the Flooring Gallery booth (B18) and check out newest flooring materials for 2010. We'll also be offering special discounts & deals during the show.

Show Hours are:

Friday February 26th 3:00 pm-9:00 pm

Saturday February 27th 10:00 am-8:00 pm

Sunday February 28th 11:00 am-4:30 pm

Pattern Perfect

We love this Master Bathroom created by Interior Designer, Ginger Miller at our Ankeny location. By mixing & matching two stone colors, using multiple tiles sizes, and using patterns she accomplished a beautiful high end look.

The Skinny:

Shower Pan-Stone Pebbles

Shower Walls-Two Sizes of Natural Stone in two different colors; the upper portion is an 8x16 light colored brushed & chiseled natural stone installed on a brick lay. A multi-color accent strip separates the upper & lower shower walls and wraps onto the jacuzzi surround and on the jacuzzi deck. On the lower shower walls, a darker color 16x24 brushed & chiseled stone is used that wraps around onto the jacuzzi face.

Floor-The floor is the same natural stone material in a Versailles pattern.

2009 Plummer Homes Home Show House

A lot of customers have asked us what wood Plummer Homes put in their 2009 Home Show House. It is a 5" Prefinished Natural Asian Walnut hardwood. It is a stunning floor with rich browns and honey tones. The coloring is warm & cozy and the look is unique!

Visit Us at the Home & Garden Show!

We are getting ready for the Home & Garden Show this weekend, Thursday February 11- Sunday February 14th. Our booth is #244 at the Hy-Vee Hall directly across from the Celebrity Rooms! We have some fantastic show specials, and are excited to talk with customers about their upcoming projects!

2 More Weeks to SAVE!

Flooring Gallery's Mohawk Anniversary Sale is going on now! SAVE BIG on carpet, tile, hardwood, laminate and more. Plus we're offering 36 mos FREE Financing, and of course we always offer FREE Measures! Now is a great time to get your inside looking perfect before the holiday guests arrive. Let us help you Bring Your Designs to Life, and now for less!

Mohawk "Green" Story

Mohawk Industries was recently named a leader in "Green" companies, according to Newsweek's"Green Ranking 2009" list. Each year 500 of the largest US companies are evaluated for their green practices. The companies are scored based on their total environmental impact, the environmental policies and procedures, and lastly for their corporate social responsibility. For Mohawk, this proves their Green Works commitment to continually find ways to recycle, reuse, and renew are proving successful.

Carpet Care-Protecting Your Investment

Keeping carpets beautiful for years to come is easy simply by vacuuming and having carpets periodically cleaned!

Dirt and airborne dust tend to settle on carpet fibers and accumulate in highly trafficked areas. These particles soil the carpet leaving it dirty, worn, and discolored looking. The best way to lift these dirt and dust particles from the carpet is by vacuuming. The question is "how often do you have to vacuum?" The answer depends of how many people live in the house and how much foot traffic the carpet is exposed to. A rule of thumb is that for every living thing in your house (people & pets), is the number of times the carpets should be vacuumed per week. While this may sound a bit excessive, it is especially important to do this in those high traffic areas such as entrances, hallways, or any area that is a common pathway. Since every carpet manufacturer has different care recommendations, talk with your salesperson or visit the manufacturer website to find out the best care & maintenance plan for your carpet.

Another important way to prolong the life of carpet is to have them professionally cleaned by hot water extraction. In fact, carpet manufacturers require this to support their carpet warranties. The frequency of cleanings may differ from household to household depending on the amount of people, pets, and overall traffic in the home. Generally speaking every 12-18 months is sufficient, but review the carpet manufacturer recommendations. Also, be sure to save the receipts since the manufacturers require proof of professional cleaning in case there is every a warranty issue.

Learning to Speak Tile

Unlimited in color and shape, tile lends itself to highly creative custom installations for just about any surface of your home. It’s very cleanable, durable and hypoallergenic, and it lasts virtually forever with proper care. (Early Roman specimens still grace many historic places and appear like new.)

Aside from their timeless, natural beauty, tiles technically are any piece of clay mixture or stone used for decorative, sometimes structural purposes. Stone pieces are also known as tiles.

Knowing tiles’ differences will make you a savvy shopper.

Ceramic tile, the most familiar, usually is a shaped clay body, fired at high temperature, often finished with a glass-based glaze. Terra cotta is a form of unglazed tile. Ceramic tiles mostly are used indoors and strength-rated for walls, floors, etc.

Porcelain is a form of ceramic tile with a homogenous color throughout the body and fired at very high temperatures. Glazed or unglazed, porcelain is tough enough for indoor or outdoor use and can be made to resemble stone.

Mosaics are very small ceramic, glass or metal tiles usually 1- to 2-inches square, often applied to a mesh backing. They provide a very textured look and the opportunity for very artistic designs, even in small spaces.

Natural Stone tiles are as the name implies. They can be fragile and may require a sealer.

Decoratives are complementary or specialty-decorated tiles. They can be stone, glass or metal. Decoratives are painted with designs or scenes, then glazed. Complementary tiles can be used as trim, as with a chair rail. Use one as an inset or several in a special design.

Listellos are a form of small decorative tile, typically rectangular with carved or molded 3D designs. They are excellent for the kitchen, where you can create a special statement or that unique custom look to complement your floor.

Format is simply the size and shape of your flat pieces in a variety of geometrics. As American homes get bigger, so does the format. Up to 20 inches is popular.

Layout is your installation pattern. Start with herringbone, running bond, hopscotch, weaves, diamonds or insets, or go totally creative. This is another place we, as an independent retailer, really shine! Let us help you create something special, with our design skills and signature craftsmanship.


© Copyright Sonna and Company 2006

2009 COLOR TRENDS

Color trends are just that...trends! Every season new color palettes will emerge influenced by what is happening in the world whether it's the economy, technology, the environment, or social issues. The 2009 color palette was chosen as a reflection of what is happening in our country right now. The color yellow is thought to bring inspiration and energy to people, soft neutral shades of beige, gray, and white are calm and relaxing, the color purple is a mix of predominant political colors-red & blue, while blue is the new green. Color is a very personal choice and it's a reflection of who you are as a person, your personality, and can have a significant impact on how you feel. A good way of incorporating the color trends without a full commitment is to buy throw pillows and blankets. Don't get too caught up in the trends. Choose a color on what you like.