Ruff Life: Training Your Dog to Walk on Slippery Surfaces

Here at Hometown Flooring, we love our dogs. It’s a simple fact that brings a lot of joy to our lives. And much like any other dog person out there, it breaks our hearts when we see our pups struggling in any kind of way. For some dogs, they struggle to walk on slippery surfaces, making life “ruff” for all parties involved. Here are some helpful tips for you to aid your dog in overcoming their fears of slippery surfaces.

Exposure at an Early Age

The best way to help your dog master the art of walking on any surface is to start them out young. If you have a puppy, their prime learning period is in the first three months you have them, so this is the time to really focus on the tricks of the trade. And even if you have a dog that’s older, it’s possible to train them out of their fears with dedication and persistence in teaching them how to walk on all kinds of flooring. The first, and most important step, is committing to teaching this skill right off the bat.

Diagnose Reason of Fear

Should you notice that your dog is having issues walking on slippery floors, one must ask herself, “What is the root of the problem?” This isn’t always the easiest answer to acquire, as you may not have been around when the defining incident occurred. Maybe your dog had a bad wipeout when you weren’t home or even before you had him, or perhaps there is an illness (like arthritis) that makes it painful to walk on floors with little traction. There could be one or many reasons, but doing your best to diagnose where the stem of your dog’s fear is coming from is a vital part of this process.

Practice Makes Perfect!

The old saying rings true here. The best way to break a bad habit is to create as many positive experiences as possible so that they begin to override the fear that manifests in your dog’s subconscious. Do not force the experiences until your dog has built up enough trust with you, such as dragging him onto a slick floor or holding him there. This increases the risk of deepening the fear and dissolving trust between you and your dog, which can create a higher level of aggression in dogs. We promote patience, practice, and a reward system to let the dog know that they are doing something right by walking across slick surfaces.

We want you and your dog to experience any kind of flooring you choose from us at Hometown Flooring. To see our selection of flooring options, you can visit our website or give us a call at (304)-841-6526.

Lamenting Your Flooring? Choose Laminate.

The month of October- filled with horror, gore, and trick-or-treating, may just be the perfect month to start remodeling your floors after scary amounts of scratches, stains, or water damage. Afraid of picking a flooring that will come back to haunt you years down the road? You may want to look at investing in laminate flooring. Yes, that’s right, it’s still around with a new-and-improved look.

The Pros

The list of pros is long when it comes to choosing to install laminate flooring in your home. It’s extremely easy to install with a click/lock or fold/lock design, and there’s no extra maintenance in keeping it clean. Sweeping and vacuuming will do the trick!

If you’re worried about durability, laminate flooring is a great choice due to its “wear layer” that protects against dents and scratches. This kind of flooring is also resistant to certain levels of moisture, so you shouldn’t have to worry about leakage or mold. Stains are also no match for laminate flooring; with a simple mop or swish of a wipe, your floors will still look good as new.

Laminate flooring can be made to look like any natural surface that you’re looking for, including wood and stone as its most popular choices. Every piece is manufactured to be the same in appearance and quality, so you never have to worry about having faulty pieces mixed in the bunch.

The Cons

While we’re huge fans of this particular kind of flooring, we think that it’s only fair to talk about the not-so-glamourous side of laminate flooring to help you make a fully educated decision. While laminate flooring can resist some levels of moisture, if too much seeps through, it can cause swelling of the boards. This can be problematic in bathrooms and kitchens should a water leak ever occur.

While its durability is one of its biggest selling points, the inability to sand or refinish the flooring can cause some problems if you are looking to do some upkeep. Laminate flooring can only be replaced instead of refinished like hardwood flooring.

Finally, the resale value for a home with laminate tends to be lower than homes with hardwood flooring. While functionality is important, you should also think of what is going to add to your home in the long run and what will help you get your money’s worth.

At Hometown Flooring, we know that committing to a flooring type can be terrifying. Let us help you take the scare factor out and help you pick a flooring that you won’t be lamenting a few years down the road. For a full list of our flooring choices we provide, you can visit our website or give us a call at (304)-841-6526.

Hardwood Floors: Relief for Allergy Sufferers

As the seasons change, so does the way our bodies adjust to the temperature and climate. With those changes come the dreaded allergies. As some allergens are already inside of homes, those who suffer from seasonal allergies are severely affected during the springtime as the weather shifts. Here are some great reasons as to why you should invest in hardwood floors if you suffer from allergies.

Hardwood Floors Can’t Store Allergens

If you invest in hardwood floors, you reduce the environment for allergens where they can collect and embed within the flooring. While carpet has benefits of its own, it can host a number of allergens within its fibers if not properly taken care of, causing problems for those who suffer from allergies.

Hardwood Floors Cannot Hold Mold Spores (And More)

A British study was conducted on what lies in your carpet, and the results were surprising, and frankly a bit frightening. Along with bacteria breeding within the fibers of your carpet, there’s mold, dirt, food debris, hair and dander. All of these factors can be contributing to upper respiratory issues and allergies in individuals, and unfortunately a simple vacuuming of the floors is not the easy fix for this problem. If you invest in hardwood floors, you cut down on the breeding areas for dangerous mold, bacteria, and other substances to stay and put yourself and others at risk.

Hardwood Floors Are Easy To Keep Clean

With springtime comes tracking in pollen, animal dander, mud, and all kinds of things from outside than cause problems internally. With hardwood floors, it’s extremely easy to keep your floors clean with the swipe of a mop and some cleaning solution. You won’t have to worry about the hassle of time-consuming carpet cleaning if you invest in hardwood floors.

At Hometown Flooring, you can trust the professionals to help you pick the best kind of flooring for you. Whatever you’re looking for, we do our best to accommodate your needs and leave you happy with your flooring choice. For more information on our services and products we offer, you can visit our website or give us a call at (304)-622-6099 today!

The 411 On Vinyl Composition Tile

When it comes to choosing the right kind of flooring, a lot of factors come into play. What kind of durability are you looking for? What’s your budget? What kind of style are you looking for?

The flooring business is expanding with new products and new ways to meet the customer’s needs. We rely heavily on Vinyl Composition Tile as one of our primary commercial flooring options.

What Is VCT?

Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT) is a type of finished flooring material that is typically installed in commercial environments. On average, the floor tiles are cut into 12” x 12” squares or 12” x 24” rectangles, helping to create a simple floor layout plan that is easy to install. The secret behind VCT being such a great choice is the specially formulated vinyl adhesive or tile mastic that is used during installation, helping the flooring to remain pliable.

Why Should You Invest In It?

VCT has many benefits as choosing it as your flooring option. Since it’s used so often in commercial applications, it has proven time and time again because of its durability in high-traffic areas. The low cost also is a huge factor when people are deciding on a flooring option, because you really get the best bang for your buck. This flooring style also has easy maintenance, so you never have to worry about stressing over keeping up with your flooring.

What Kinds Are There? 

As time has gone on and more time and energy has been invested into VCT, there are now several types of tiling to choose from. They are available in a variety of colors from our flooring manufacturers, and some have even created vinyl tiles that look like wood, stone, terrazzo, and concrete, among other textured styles.

When choosing a flooring option, vinyl composition tile is a smart choice with its high resilience to scuffing and impact damage, which means they can be repeatedly refinished if necessary. At Hometown Flooring, we provide a plethora of options for residential and commercial flooring. Let us help you create the perfect aesthetic for your space. Visit our website to see our options or give us a call at (304)-622-6099 today!

Why You Should Choose Laminate Flooring

Your floor can help create the perfect atmosphere for your space, and it’s an important decision to make that you want to pay off in the long run. Paint color, furniture, and decorations are usually at the forefront of putting a room together, but choosing the right kind of flooring is just as important. If you’re unsure of where to start looking or what kind of flooring may be best for you, consider the option of laminate flooring.

Longevity

There are many benefits to having laminate flooring as your choice of floor. It is one of the more durable and long-lasting choices which makes it a popular pick for a customer to want and enjoy. And because of its extremely easy process to maintain, clean, and repair, your laminate floors will look like new for years to come.

Durability

This style of flooring is known for its resistance to water and fading when exposed to sunlight and artificial light. It’s also a popular choice for those who have pets or children, or for anyone who is prone to making messes! If you’re looking for a formidable floor against stains, scratches, and surface damage, then laminate is an excellent choice. An added bonus - laminate usually comes with a 15-30 year warranty depending on the brand and model.

Affordability

One of the biggest reasons laminate flooring is so popular is its affordable pricing. The style of natural wood is in high demand but the hefty price tag and maintenance demands make it a slim option for most. Laminate flooring has the look of natural wood, yet is a cheaper and easier type of flooring to take care of. It also is one of the easiest types of flooring to install, which can cut down on the costs of manual labor.

Here at Hometown Flooring, we offer many types of stylish and durable laminates. To learn more about their outstanding protection and remarkable charm, visit our website or give us a call at (304)-622-6099.

The Benefits of Carpeting

In addition to being soft and decorative, carpet has many advantages compared to hard flooring materials. For many years, hardwood floors saw a resurgence of popularity, and while the appeal of hardwood floors is timeless, carpeting is now making its comeback in a big way. While it ultimately boils down to personal preference, this blog takes a look at some of the added benefits of choosing carpet.

Interior Decorating

Carpeting is often a bold decorating statement. Offering a nearly endless array of colors, textures, and styles, carpeting speaks volumes about a room. A light or vibrantly-colored carpet can brighten a room, while a darker color can make a room warmer and feel more intimate. A thick carpet with high pile and padding gives a luxurious feel, and styles can emphasize the function or character of an office, child’s bedroom, meeting room, and more.

Air Quality

Many who suffer from asthma and allergies find their symptoms are alleviated with carpeting. Carpeting traps allergens in its pile until they can be removed by vacuum or professional cleaning. In this way, it acts as a passive air filter. With hard floors, there is the risk that allergens will sink only to be stirred up again from its nonporous surface, unless they are properly cleaned often.

Insulation and Comfort

Carpeting is a popular choice in cold climates because it acts as an additional layer of insulation. They are also warmer to sit or lie on in the winter months than hard floors. The look of carpet alone is said to create a feeling of warmth and coziness. In this way, carpets create not only physical comfort, but a sense of overall wellbeing, especially in cold weather.

Noise Reduction

Carpeting muffles noise, and in this sense, is similar to having additional insulation. Adding a layer of padding enhances this feature even further. Carpeting can muffle sound not only between rooms, but in hallways, on stairs, and of course, between the floors of a home or building.

Safety

Carpeting provides cushioning for falls, and is much harder to slip on than hard floor material. While this is important for all people, it is especially beneficial for children, the elderly, and those with certain medical conditions.  

Hometown Flooring, located in Nutterfort, West Virginia, is a family-owned and operated business with over 20 years of professional flooring expertise. We strive to provide the highest level of customer satisfaction and an outstanding selection, all at an affordable price, for our commercial and residential customers. Visit our showroom today to see hundreds of carpeting, laminate, and hardwood samples, or call (304) 622-6099 for your free consultation!

Cleaning Your Laminate Floors

Laminate flooring a popular choice for those who desire the style and durability of hardwood floors at an affordable price. Laminate floors also tend to be easier to clean than hardwood, and are more resistant to moisture and scratching. Keeping laminate floors clean is simple, and will extend the life of their structure, finish, and appearance. However, there are few simple tips and tricks to keep in mind when cleaning laminate.

Although laminate floors resist moisture, they can still become stained by excess water. Water can also seep into the cracks between the edges and warp the structure of flooring. For these reasons, it is important to wipe up any spills right away, avoid using a soaking wet mop or steam cleaner, and use the appropriate cleaning products in spare amounts.

Laminate is harder to scratch than hardwood, but it is still possible to scratch or tear, which is why running a vacuuming cleaner over the laminate floors should be avoided unless it is a multi-floor or a hard-floor vacuum. Some examples can be found here.

Grit like sand, dirt, and other debris on the flooring can, over time, cause it to lose its luster or even put scratches in the material. Keeping the floor clean of these particles will maintain the integrity of the surface.

Here are the steps to cleaning laminate flooring:

• Start with clearing the floor of dust, debris, and pet hair by using a dry microfiber mop, dry dust mop, or by gently vacuuming the floor with a multi-floor or hard-floor vacuum.
• Spray your cleaner (see here for recommendations) onto a microfiber mop or cloth, and wipe the floor down. Alternatively, you may spray a fine mist of cleaner on each section of the floor and let it sit for a couple of minutes before wiping it up. There is usually no need to scrub or apply strong pressure.
• Use cleaner sparingly, to reduce the amount of moisture applied to the floor.
• Avoid using water, bleach, scratch pads, wood polish (unless recommended by the manufacturer), wax, or harsh cleaners on laminate.

Hometown Flooring, located in Nutter Fort, West Virginia, is a family-owned and operated business drawing on 20 years of experience and expertise to serve our residential and commercial clients’ flooring needs. Offering hundreds of samples, including carpet, hardwood and laminate flooring, and vinyl, our goal is to meet and exceed all of our customers’ expectations. Visit our showroom today, or call(304) 622-6099 for your free consultation! 

Luxury Vinyl Tile

If you’ve been researching flooring, you’ve probably considered options like carpet, hardwood, ceramic tile, vinyl, and laminate. If what you’re looking for is a hard surface, durable, affordable, and aesthetically appealing, Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) might be the flooring choice for you. LVT has the look of ceramic tile without the price tag, but is heavier duty and better quality than standard vinyl flooring. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of Luxury Vinyl Tile. 

Pros

●      Design Choices - LVT comes in a variety of colors and patterns. You can also choose different tile sizes and you have the option to grout between individual tiles to make it look more like ceramic.

●      Quick Installation - Another plus side of choosing LVT over ceramic is that it can be installed in half the time! You also have the choice to make LVT a floating floor or glue it down. No padding, underlayment, or sawing is needed. Dust-free, score and snap install!

●      Durability - Luxury Vinyl Tile is highly durable, scratch resistant, and moisture resistant. LVT is the best option for flooring that has excessive movements or cracks, and heavy foot-traffic areas.

●      Easy Maintenance - LVT is easy to clean and maintain. You don’t need to do anything special to care for these floors. Just sweep and/or vacuum, and mop regularly. That’s it!

●      Feel - For all the pros of real ceramic tile, one of the downsides is that it is very cold and very hard—not ideal flooring during the winter or for anyone with babies and toddlers, who could take a nasty spill on the unforgiving surface. Luxury Vinyl Tile feels warmer and more comfortable underfoot, and is also better at absorbing sound than ceramic tile.

There are few downsides to LVT, but it’s important to note that although the word “vinyl” evokes ideas of cheap or inexpensive flooring, Luxury Vinyl Tile is considerably more expensive than standard vinyl. It’s not quite as expensive as ceramic tile, but if you’re expecting low prices similar to those of vinyl flooring, you may end up surprised.

If you’re interested in learning more about LVT and whether it’s a good flooring option for your home, contact
Hometown Flooring LLC! We’ll be happy to answer your questions and discuss your ideas. Give us a call today at 304-622-6099!

Top Quality Starts At The Bottom

One of the easiest ways to enhance and update the appearance of your property is with new flooring. With so many types and materials available, shouldn’t you choose a flooring provider you can trust? Located in Nutterfort, Hometown Flooring is dedicated to providing customers with high quality flooring products and service at an honest price. Whether you are building a new home or remodeling your business, the professionals at Hometown Flooring can help you achieve your dream floor. We believe that top quality starts at the bottom. Which is why we offer a wide variety of flooring products from the best brands in the industry including Armstrong, Beau Floor, Chesapeake, Bruce Hardwood, Eastern Flooring Products and more.

From classic hardwoods to unique carpet designs, Hometown Flooring has hundreds of residential and commercial flooring options for customers to choose from. You can find a list of flooring products and services we offer below. Check it out!

Residential Flooring

• Carpet
• Indoor/Outdoor Carpet
• Vinyl
• Luxury Vinyl Tile
• Hardwood
• Laminate

Commercial Flooring

• Carpet
• Carpet Tile
• Sheet Vinyl
• VCT Tile

Stop into Hometown Flooring and browse our large selection of carpeting, hardwood, vinyl tile, laminate flooring and more. Our showroom is conveniently located at 1627 Buckhannon Pike in Nutterfort, West Virginia and is open from Sunday through Friday. Our experts are sure to provide you with superior customer satisfaction, quality craftsmanship and honest pricing that you can trust. For a free consultation, give Hometown Flooring a call at (304)-622-6099 or visit our website for more information.