You’ve chosen your new flooring. It may be beautiful luxury vinyl planks or another type of flooring, but it needs to be installed. At this point, you may be debating: “Do I need to go with a professional flooring installation or can I do it myself?”

DIY Flooring Installations Save Money, But There May Be Unexpected Costs

A do-it-yourself flooring installation saves money, although perhaps not as much as you’d think. In addition to the flooring, you’ll need to purchase or rent tools you’ll need and don’t own. You’ll also have to dig deeper into your pocket to cover the cost of any repairs.

Some home DIY projects can be redone fairly easily if you’re not happy with the final result. After all, you can always repaint if the color you chose just isn’t right. Installing a floor, however, is a job that must be done right the first time or you’ve wasted a lot of money and time.

Factors to Consider Before Installing Your New Floor Yourself

You’re probably fairly handy with home maintenance projects or you wouldn’t even be contemplating installing new flooring yourself. Installing a new floor, however, requires a substantial commitment of time, energy and hard work. Consider these factors when deciding between a professional or DIY installation.

• Are you experienced using tools, especially power tools, and routinely take care of home maintenance projects?
• Have you ever done any flooring installations?
• Are you able and willing to do physically demanding work that will be tough on your knees and back?
• Are you able to remove the old flooring safely and do you have a disposal plan?
• The subfloor must be prepped. Will you be able to identify any problems with the joists or subflooring? Unexpected mold or water damage, for example, must be repaired before the new floor can be installed.
• When different flooring levels require a transition, do you know what to do?
• Some rooms, such as laundry rooms, need a certain amount of slope. Do you understand how to handle this during the installation?
• Measure twice, cut once.
• Last, but certainly not least, do you really have the time? If you’re like most people, DIY projects you don’t do very often take longer than it would take a pro who does it every day. Furniture and possibly appliances will need to be moved and then moved back. Unpleasant surprises such as a water-damaged subfloor can add to the costs and extend the expected installation time. If the worst-case scenario happens and the installation takes twice as long as expected, will your day-to-day schedule allow you to take as much time as needed to complete the job?

New flooring must be properly installed in order for you and your family to enjoy maximum benefits for many years. DIY flooring installation isn’t for everyone.

If You Choose a Professional Flooring Installation

• Make a detailed sketch to scale of the work you want done to ensure contractors clearly understand the details of the project before submitting a bid.
• As always, get more than one bid and check references.
• Make sure you and the contractor are on the same page and communicate as needed.

Read the Installation Guides

At Stone Barn Floors, we want you to thoroughly enjoy your beautiful new floor. Whether you’re DIY or a contractor, we have detailed installation guides for each type of flooring we offer, whether luxury vinyl plank and tile, wood plastic composite or stone plastic composite.

Feel free to contact us with any questions about our flooring or the installation process. We’re very proud of the beauty and quality of our flooring.

There are so many flooring options available today that it can be difficult to choose the perfect flooring for your home or business. Technological advances have made it possible to have a floor with the beautiful look and feel of natural wood – but better. REALFEEL Flooring enhances your style, but is easy to care for, long-lasting and safe for your family and pets.

Knowing a little bit more about the various types of flooring, how they are manufactured and each type’s strengths and weaknesses should be helpful when making a decision. After all, if you decide to change the color of a room, repainting is fairly easy. However, replacing cheaply made, disappointing flooring is expensive and a major hassle.

All Vinyl Flooring is Not Alike

Vinyl flooring is a general term that can be used for everything from cheap, poorly constructed sheet vinyl flooring to REALFEEL, Stone Barn’s technologically advanced top-of-the-line luxury vinyl flooring.

If you ever shopped for diamond jewelry or an engagement ring, you know that all one carat diamonds are not alike. One diamond might have defects that dramatically lower its value while another is perfect and far more desirable. It’s the same with vinyl flooring – quality matters. Our REALFEEL Flooring is the highest quality, like a perfect diamond.

The Difference Between Vinyl Flooring and Engineered Hardwood

Both engineered hardwood and vinyl flooring are laid as “planks” using a tongue and groove system.

Engineered hardwood has a series of base layers topped by a very thin slice of natural hardwood and a protective coating.

Luxury vinyl flooring also has a series of base layers. However, the top layer is a photo of natural wood or stone covered by a protective coating. Today’s digital photography technology makes good vinyl flooring look very much like natural wood. Best of all, these floors are super easy to take care of and they remain beautiful for many years.

How flooring is manufactured determines how durable it will be. Heat and pressure are used to bond the layers together. Vinyl floors are rated according to how much heat and pressure was used, from AC1 to AC5.

• AC1 flooring is the cheapest and least durable.
• For most home use, AC2 or AC3 are best, having both durability and a beautiful finish.
• AC5 flooring is the most durable, typically used in commercial, high traffic areas. The finish tends to be a little rougher.

Embossing Adds Texture to Flooring

Embossing can be added during the heating process. A metal plate containing a pattern is pressed into the surface layer, creating ridges similar to the ridges in stone or wood. Texture is added to the flat photo layer that may or may not match the grain of the photo of the real wood or stone.

There are four categories of embossed vinyl flooring: small, middle, large and Embossed in Register – the top grade.

• 1. Small: An even, uniform, small pattern used to mimic fine grain woods
• 2. Middle: A larger, deeper and wider pattern
• 3. Large: The largest and deepest pattern, resembling larger grain woods

Small, medium and large patterns DO NOT match the grain of the underlying image. It looks better than perfectly smooth vinyl, but doesn’t seem natural since the pattern doesn’t match the grain of the photo layer.

• 4. Embossed In Register (EIR): REALFEEL EIR flooring is the the highest quality flooring – the Hope Diamond of luxury vinyl. The texture perfectly lines up with and matches the wood portrayed in the image layer.

The Benefits of REALFEEL Flooring

• The embossing matches the visual layer – looks and feel right, like real wood
• Very easy to maintain – damp mopping is usually all that’s needed
• Safe for family and pets – manufactured without any dangerous chemicals
• 100% waterproof
• Slip-resistant, unlike perfectly smooth flooring
• Resilient – comfortable to walk on
• Pet-friendly
• Long-lasting – Warrantied for wear
• Quick, easy installation by professional installers

Stone Barn’s REALFEEL Flooring uses the most advanced Embossed in Register technology. EIR flooring has the look and feel of real wood with all of the benefits and easy care of the best vinyl flooring. REALFEEL flooring is truly the best of both worlds – combining the gorgeous appeal of high end hardwood flooring with all of the benefits of a top quality floor.

Contact us today to learn more about beautiful REALFEEL flooring.

Stone plastic composite (SPC) flooring brings a new dimension to luxury vinyl flooring. Centerstone is a remarkable, beautiful new type of luxury vinyl flooring that stands up to sizzling summers and frigid winters without developing the unsightly gaps and instability of some other types of flooring. You will be able to enjoy your beautiful new floor for decades under the toughest conditions.

The Importance of Dimensional Stability

If you’ve ever had a wooden door that expanded and contracted as the seasons changed, you understand the importance of dimensional stability. In the summer, your door swelled and was hard to open. In the winter, the wood shrank, leaving a small gap.

The same principle applies with many vinyl flooring products. As the ambient temperature changes, the flooring expands and contracts. As it shrinks in the winter, gaps form. Hot temperatures cause instability in the flooring’s structure. As you can imagine, this expansion and contraction has a cumulative and negative effect on the appearance and expected life of the floor.

The primary benefit of Stone Barn’s innovative Centerstone flooring is that this expansion and contraction doesn’t happen. Even under the extreme use of a commercial installation, the floor remains sturdy and beautiful year after year without needing to be replaced.

Additional Benefits of Centerstone Luxury Vinyl Plank and Tile

In addition to Centerstone’s long life and dimensional stability, you’ll enjoy many other benefits.

• 100% Waterproof: Essential in any home or business.
• Pet-friendly: Accidents are easy to clean up – Centerstone is engineered and warrantied to resist pet stains and odors.
• Eco-friendly: Centerstone is produced in an eco-friendly manner as are all other Stone Barn products. This flooring is non-toxic and free from formaldehyde, a dangerous chemical used in many flooring products that can cause respiratory issues, irritate the eyes, nose and throat and can even cause cancer.
• Hypoallergenic: Since all of Stone Barn’s luxury vinyl flooring is produced from inert materials, cleaning with water and a mild detergent is all that is needed. This also reduces the likelihood of allergic reactions.
• Resistant to: Fading, peeling, cupping, indentations and mildew.
• Built-in Safety Features: Our flooring is manufactured with safety as a priority, meeting requirements for slip resistance, commercial flammability and other safety codes.
• Multi-layer construction: 5 Layers for strength and stability
• Easy to install: 2G+5Gi Floating Click-Lock

Stone Plastic Composite (SPC) vs. Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) Flooring

Stone Barn’s Centerstone SPC flooring and our Brandywine Valley and Coastal collections of WPC flooring are both beautiful and long-lived. Centerstone expands the options when installing a new floor.

Understanding the differences between SPC and WPC flooring will help you decide which will be best to use in your next project.

The Core

Both SPC and WPC luxury vinyl flooring have a rigid core.

Centerstone and other SPC flooring has a core normally comprised of 60% limestone (calcium carbonate), PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and plasticizers, added to reduce brittleness and increase flexibility.

Brandywine Valley and other WPC flooring typically have a core consisting of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), limestone (calcium carbonate), wood-like plasticizers and/or wood or wood-like materials such as wood flour and a foaming agent.

As you can see, the two types of core are fairly alike. The primary difference is that Centerstone and other SPC flooring has much more limestone, giving it more of a stone composition, while Brandywine Valley and other WPC flooring are more wood-like.

Appearance

Both SPC and WPC flooring are similar in appearance. Stone Barn’s REALFEEL technology beautifully replicates the natural appearance and texture of stone or wood. You’ll be proud to display these floors in your home or business.

Stability and Durability

The limestone core of SPC flooring has a higher density than the wood-like core of WPC flooring. This higher density is responsible for Centerstone’s dimensional stability, protecting the floor from damage caused by temperature variations. This feature is also responsible for a greater resistance to scratches and indentations that could be caused by heavy furniture.

Suitable for Both Commercial and Home Applications

Although SPC flooring was originally created for commercial applications that required very tough flooring, homeowners appreciate the benefits just as much. After all, no one wants to have to replace their floor.

Stone Barn’s Centerstone luxury vinyl plank and tile is a dream come true. You’ll love this beautiful, easy to clean, durable floor that is adaptable to either formal or casual settings.

Today, most people recognize the potential health risks of many everyday products and choose  to avoid them whenever possible. Flooring is no exception. The potential danger of chemical gases released from many floors can be overlooked. Thankfully, there are certifications in place that ensure flooring products are as clean and safe in style and wear as they are for your family.

What is FloorScore® Certification?

All products bearing FloorScore Certification are in compliance with California’s strict criteria regarding volatile organic compound emissions. Whether or not you live in California, it’s reassuring to know your new flooring won’t be harmful to anyone’s health. Essentially, the certification is important to anyone who cares about maintaining good indoor air quality (IAQ) in their home or business.

FloorScore certification is granted by SCS following unbiased testing and auditing. They are a trusted third-party group dedicated to driving environmentally sound, science-based standards. Certified flooring products contribute to preserving the quality of the air you breathe.

What are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)?

Volatile organic compounds are released as gases from many materials as they gradually degrade over time. They’re released from carpeting, unsealed wood, paint, caulking, household and industrial cleaning supplies, pesticides and many other common products. While it’s impossible to eliminate VOCs entirely from your environment, you still want to prevent as much exposure to dangerous chemicals as possible.

Flooring is a particular concern simply because it takes up so much space. Paint cans and cleaning supplies can be stored in cabinets or the garage, but your flooring is literally always underfoot. The kids and pets lay on it. Everyone walks on it. Its harmful emissions are constantly being released throughout the home.

One example you may be familiar with is new car smell. Some people love it, others hate it. It’s actually the smell of gases being emitted from the plastic components in the car’s interior. Thankfully, certifications like FloorScore help ease the minds of new flooring buyers.

Reduce Your Family’s Exposure to Dangerous Chemicals

The EPA publishes a list of the health risks associated with many chemicals. Formaldehyde, for example, is often found in flooring that doesn’t qualify for FloorScore Certification. The EPA considers formaldehyde to be a probable human carcinogen and a source of other health risks.

In general, VOCs can cause a wide range of health issues including headaches, respiratory and gastrointestinal problems, liver, kidney and nerve damage and cancer. Many people are or become allergic to one or more of the VOCs releasing gases into the air they breathe at home or work.

Exposure symptoms can be subtle, such as constant fatigue, occasional dizziness or even memory problems. As is often the case, the young, old and those in poor health are most at risk.

While not all VOCs have been thoroughly studied, enough is known about the dangers presented by many of the most common, such as formaldehyde, that it’s worth doing all you can to reduce everyone’s exposure to dangerous chemicals.

FloorScore Certification Benefits Businesses

Contractors, architects and others benefit from green tax credits for qualifying projects by specifying and installing FloorScore certified flooring, underlayments and adhesives. Since FloorScore is the most recognized certification for these products, building projects will qualify for many green building schemes such as WELL, LEED v4, CHPS and BREEAM. Employers benefit by protecting the health of workers and customers when installing FloorScore products.

FloorScore Certification could even help you avoid potential lawsuits. Formaldehyde in laminate wood flooring, especially flooring coming from China, has generated class-action lawsuits against Lumber Liquidators, Floor & Decor, Lowe’s and Armstrong. Lumber Liquidators settled for $36 million.

Flooring with the FloorScore Certification is not only beautiful and durable, but promotes good indoor air quality. It’s safe for families, pets, employees and consumers. You’ll be glad you went the extra step to protect the health of others.

Stone Barn Floors is FloorScore® Certified

If you’re wondering why we told you about the all the harmful effects of certain toxic chemicals being released from flooring, it’s because ours is different. We’re proudly FloorScore certified and we take pride in our ability to provide exceptional quality flooring while keeping your family and pets safe.

Learn more about our qualifications and certifications here.

We love our pets just as much as you do. At times, however, dogs, cats and other pets do things we’d really rather they didn’t. They leave their  hair all over the couch (or your favorite black pants) and sometimes create other messes….you know what we mean.

Removing Pet Stains From Carpet or Hardwood Can be Difficult

If you’ve ever tried to get cat or dog stains out of your carpet, you probably discovered that cleaning products that promise to remove pet stains and smells don’t always work. Hardwood floors can also be stained or absorb unpleasant odors;  fixing them can involve refinishing or replacing part of the floor.

Pet Friendly Flooring is the Solution

Our pet friendly flooring makes life a lot easier. Stone Barn’s luxury vinyl, wood plastic composite, and stone plastic composite flooring, looks and feels like beautiful, natural wood, but is much easier to take care of. If your pet has an accident, it’s super easy to clean with water and a mild detergent. Of course, all stains should be cleaned as soon as possible, but if you come home from the grocery store to find an unwanted surprise, you can feel good knowing our flooring is engineered and warrantied to resist pet stains.

The Benefits of Pet Friendly Flooring

Stone Barn’s luxury vinyl flooring provides many benefits, especially for pet owners.

• Durable and resilient: You’ll enjoy this luxurious flooring for many years. Check our warranties.
• Environmentally friendly: Manufactured without formaldehyde, so you, your family and pets won’t be exposed to its adverse health effects
• Hypoallergenic: Because of the floor’s closed surface structure, there is little or no dust adhesion – great for dogs (or people) with allergies or asthma
• 100% waterproof: Knock over the dog’s water dish? No problem
• Slip resistance: One of the built-in safety features of our floors

All of our flooring has several layers that contribute to the durability, beauty and pet-friendliness of Stone Barn’s luxury vinyl flooring.

WPC (Wood Plastic Composite Flooring)

WPC is our premium luxury vinyl flooring, combining hardwood’s strength with virgin PVC’s resilience, easy maintenance and affordability. It is produced with several layers including a printed wear layer and a wood composite core. Underneath is a high density iXPE foam backing that inhibits the growth of bacteria and is wonderful to walk or stand on.

LVP (Luxury Vinyl Planks)

Our LVP floors are nothing like the vinyl flooring of the past. These floors look and feel like natural wood. Multi-layer construction enables LVP flooring to stand up to the wear and tear of your family and your pets. Durable and beautiful – perfect for you and your pets.

We believe you’ll love your pet proof flooring so much that you’ll wish you had it years ago. Best of all, you won’t be settling for an inferior product because of your pet. You’ll be living with gorgeous floors that just happen to be pet proof.

Contact Stone Barn Floors today to learn more about our pet-friendly flooring!