Laminate Flooring Available in Many Styles and Colors

Laminate flooring is a popular choice with many selections of styles and colors mimicking the look of real stone tiles or wood planks.  Laminate flooring is made of a composite material with a top surface that is dent and scratch resistant, unlike real stone or wood.  The versatility and durability of laminate flooring make this an especially appealing selection for new floor installations.

Leading flooring manufacturers such as Mohawk have taken notice of consumer demands to provide beautiful and durable flooring, which is simple to install and easy to maintain.  Providing these properties along with a wide selection of colors and shades has pushed laminate flooring to the top of the wish list for many consumers.

Great Western Flooring Offers Mohawk Laminate Flooring

Great Western Flooring has over 35 years of experience in providing high quality flooring products from the leading manufacturers such as Mohawk Flooring.  Mohawk’s GenuEdge Technology™ is an innovative flooring product which give the look of real hardwood floors in a durable laminate product.  Mohawk’s wide selection of style and color includes the following:

• Aged Barn Oak – Provides an antiquated warm and cozy look
• Barnhouse Oak – A convincing replica of traditional Barnwood Oak
• Sandcastle Oak – Gives a lighter and more rustic look of wood with a modern tone
• Hickory Shadow Oak – Delivers a warm look with traditional Oak floor covering
• Honey Caramel Hickory – This realistic replica provides flooring with realistic wood grain and knots
• Vintage Saddle Oak – Gives a darker tone with a sculped look that goes with any décor

All of these wood replica styles are available in various shades for endless options with wood floor replica laminate flooring. Great Western offers these Mohawk products and many others, with a free design consultation and professional installation.  Laminate flooring is durable and versatile, with options to install either above or below grade, although this type of flooring must be maintained like real hardwood with care to avoid extreme moisture or exposure to water.

Great Western Flooring has been pleasing customers in and around the Chicago area with three design centers in Naperville, Oswego and St. Charles.  We offer complimentary design consultations and professional installation.  Contact us today to discover your dream floor that will provide years of comfort and value.  

How to Clean Laminate Flooring Baseboards

Cleaning your laminate baseboards and quarter rounds is generally accomplished with the same cleaning methods used on your laminate floor.  The products you use will depend upon whether the baseboard is made of wood and what finish is on them.  Wood oils can be used on unpainted wood, but only after some preparation and general cleaning is done.

The first thing to do is to know your material and follow manufacturers directions.  If you are unsure of the type of material or the manufacturer, you could contact a professional floor company for advice.

Once you know what you’re working with, some general steps for safely cleaning the baseboards on your laminate floor include:

• Thoroughly dust your floor and baseboards with a microfiber dust mop
• Use a wash cloth dampened with water to wipe down the baseboards or quarter rounds
• Follow manufacturer’s labels for cleaning laminate flooring quarter rounds
• Use wood oil only on real wood products.  Avoid oil on laminate as a slippery, waxy buildup will occur
• Avoid using any type of bleach product or product with bleach in it
• Avoid using soap and water or soapy detergents
• Apply selected cleaning solution directly to the cloth rather than spraying on the baseboard
• Diluted white vinegar with water is a very common and effective cleaning solution for laminate flooring
• Always spot test an inconspicuous area first to ensure your cleaning solutions will not fade the finish or color of your laminate flooring.

Great Western Flooring Offers Laminate Flooring

Great Western Flooring offers laminate flooring products with baseboards, quarter rounds and all required materials.  We provide a wide selection of high quality floor products from the leading manufacturers.  We offer professional installation with maintenance tips for your specific product.

Great Western Flooring is a leading flooring company serving the Chicago area with three design centers in Naperville, Oswego and St. Charles.  We provide high quality products with professional installation to ensure long lasting beauty and comfort.  Contact us today to learn more about the proper care and maintenance of your laminate floor and baseboards.

Can I Install Luxury Vinyl Tile Over Old Vinyl Flooring?

Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) is a popular choice of flooring due to its durability and wide selection of designs, colors and textures.  LVT will provide beauty and comfort for many years with the proper installation and upkeep.  When replacing an old vinyl floor with LVT, it might be tempting to want to install over the existing vinyl flooring.  

Here are some considerations to help you decide before you make a final decision on your new floor installation.

What is the difficulty level in removing the old floor?  If your existing floor is vinyl tiles, they may be individually glued down to the subfloor which makes them difficult to remove.  If the old floor is sheet vinyl, it is typically attached only along the perimeter, which makes removal a bit easier.  Consider the path of least resistance when making your decision.  

Is the subfloor in good condition? If the subfloor underneath the current vinyl floor is in poor condition, laying LVT on top of the current floor will not yield good results.  You must be working with a sound subfloor before laying new LVT.  Be sure to make any repairs to the subfloor and add a thin underlayment of wood if necessary, ensuring it is securely fastened to the floor beams.   

What is the condition of the existing vinyl floor? The existing floor needs to be examined for cleanliness and top finish. If the current floor has a buildup of dirt or grime, this must be cleaned for proper adhesion of the new floor.

If the finish is still shiny from a polyurethane topcoat, the surface may need to be roughed up a bit to create a rough finish for the new floor to adhere successfully.  If either of these preparations are not met, the new LVT may not adhere to the surface below and your floor could shift and become detached.

Great Western Flooring Offers LVT Installation

Great Western Flooring has been pleasing customers for over 35 years with high quality products and professional installation.  We offer complimentary design consultations at three conveniently located design centers in Naperville, Oswego and St. Charles. 

Great Western Flooring provides a wide selection of flooring products from the leading manufacturers.  Contact us today to speak with an experienced floor technician and with all your questions about vinyl floor installation.