Viscobond carpet underlayment… memory foam for your feet

Have you seen the TempurPedic mattress commercials? Well, I’ve got one of their mattresses and I love it. Know what could be better? How about one for your feet!
I’ve got that too!
In fact, as I step out of my office each day I step onto a wonderful wool carpet by Godfrey Hirst, installed over ViscoBond memory foam cushion. It feels… fabulous and it’s not because of the carpet, although the carpet is exquisite.
Following is a primer on carpet cushion in general. We hope it helps and look forward to talking with you about any flooring project you may be considering.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CARPET CUSHION:
Why is Quality Cushion Important?
Cushion, not your carpet, plays the largest roll in determining how carpet feels when you walk on it, and helps maintain your carpet’s original appearance. It also affects your carpet’s warranty in that most wear and texture-retention warranties are void if you choose the incorrect pad.

How Does Cushion Work?
Cushion absorbs foot traffic and makes carpet feel better, last longer. Better quality cushion blocks moisture, fights stains and odors, minimizes sound transfer between rooms, provides thermal insulation and increases air flow between the floor and your carpet for better, more efficient vacuuming.

Will Cushion Protect My Carpet From Wearing Out?
Today’s carpet rarely wears out. Selecting the correct cushion helps resist “uglying out” due to premature matting and crushing – and now soiling and staining.

How Do I Know What To Buy?
Decide based on comfort, performance and a warranty that’s right for you. Typically, softer, luxurious cushion is found in living rooms or master bedrooms, and cushion with more support is used for certain precision-loop (berber) carpets and areas with active use.

Who Determines What’s the Best Cushion – The Manufacturers or My Retailer?
You do, and we can provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision. Place different cushions under a piece of carpet you plan to buy. Walk on it. Cheaply made cushion just doesn’t feel good underfoot. Next, check out the warranty and the extra functions like moisture barriers and odor and stain control.

What About These New Spill and Odor Technologies, and How Effective Are They?
Spill and odor fighting capabilities are the latest advancements in carpet cushion. Leading brands include Odor-Eaters®, Arm & Hammer® and STAINMASTER®. They are exceptionally effective, and they work for the life of your cushion. We carry them.

Every day we answer questions about pad for many different applications. Feel free to call or email and you can be sure you’ll get the best information.
All the best,

Chris - Email

Martha Stewart endorses SmartStrand carpet… a green choice and a great endorsement

Click HERE to see the video

I’ve said it myself, but it looks like Martha has more clout.  In the video, you see Martha actually pour red wine onto the carpet and blot it out… that’s taking a chance. Between Martha Stewart and HGTV’s endorsement of SmartStrand fiber, I can understand why we are so busy selling this great carpet.
Not only is it incredibly stain-resistant, it’s quite green, requiring much less energy to produce than its nylon contemporaries. I’ve installed a large section in my showroom and it’s held up amazingly well. Stop by and check it out!
All the best,

Chris

Beautiful flooring options for your home

by Chris Moline, LEED AP

Some homes can make you stop in your tracks. And there is an entire industry based on giving you just that look for your home… just ask Martha Stewart. But how do you describe the look you want if you are dealing with someone who has no concept of style or even seems to be focused solely on performance?

The answer? Speak up and don’t waste your time. In our showroom, we have many different experience levels and senses of style reflected in our people. If at any time you don’t feel comfortable, be gracious and ask the manager to step in (unless you get the perfect sales person who realizes it first and offers to direct you towards someone with a vision more in-line with yours. It’s more than “ok,” it’s the best way.

The manager should know the people on the floor well enough to discern who will work best with whom. If you can answer a few questions, you can make sure you get just the right service. And it will only make your shopping experience more pleasant.

If you are not getting this kind of service, call or email me. It’s what we do here, it’s our pleasure.

Chris

Now, here are some pictures of beautiful homes we’ve had the pleasure of working in.

My own sunroom with cork flooring installed over radiant subfloor heat.

Stunning treads, white risers and railing.

DISCOUNTED VCT – Vinyl Composition Tile – Special Inventory

Below is a listing of our must-go vct inventory as of June 30, 2009.
The final number is the quantity of cartons we have in-stock and ready to go at phenomenal prices.

Manufacturer  Name            Desc                 Item #                                                     Avail CTN
ARMSTRONG CANVAS PREMIUM EXCEL DESERT TAUPE 50307-CA……………..13
ARMSTRONG IMPERIAL TEXTURE3/32 BUTTERCREAM YELLOW A51800-A ……………..13
ARMSTRONG IMPERIAL TEXTURE 1/8 CAMEL BEIGE A51805-A…………….. 3
ARMSTRONG IMPERIAL TEXTURE 1/8 LEMON YELLOW A51812-A ……………..6
ARMSTRONG IMPERIAL TEXTURE 1/8 SOFT WARM GRAY A51861-A ……………..1
ARMSTRONG IMPERIAL TEXTURE 1/8 SERENE BLUE A51882-A ……………..4
ARMSTRONG IMPERIAL TEXTURE 1/8 SANDY BEACH A51929-A ……………..16
ARMSTRONG IMPERIAL TEXTURE 1/8 WILLOW GREEN A51938-A ……………..14
ARMSTRONG IMPERIAL TEXTURE VCT 51942 A51942-A ……………..12
ARMSTRONG STONETEX PREMIUM EXC STONE WHITE A52127-A ……………..6
ARMSTRONG STONETEX PREMIUM EXC CHALK WHITE A52140-C-A ……………..53
ARMSTRONG IMPERIAL TEXTURE 1/8 CARNIVAL WHITE A52500-C-A ……………..16
ARMSTRONG MULTICOLOR PREMIUM CAROUSEL TAUPE A52501-A ……………..20
ARMSTRONG MULTI-COLOR JUBILEE A52514-A ……………..6
ARMSTRONG MULTICOLOR PREMIUM FAIRE WHITE A52520-A ……………..21
MANNINGTON BRUSHWORKS ECRU B703-CA ……………..8
MANNINGTON BRUSHWORKS CANVAS B707-CA ……………..13
MANNINGTON BRUSHWORK 12X12 GESSO BRUSH711-C-A ……………..14
MANNINGTON BRUSHWORK 12X12 BALTIC GREEN BRUSH715-C-A ……………..2

MANNINGTON ESSENTIALS STONE GRAY E102-A ……………..7
MANNINGTON ESSENTIALS BISQUE E107-A ……………..5
MANNINGTON ESSENTIALS BISQUE E107-CA ……………..6
MANNINGTON ESSENTIALS FAWN E117-A ……………..7
MANNINGTON ESSENTIALS FAWN E117-A ……………..11
MANNINGTON ESSENTIALS SILVER PINE E125-A ……………..25
MANNINGTON ESSENTIALS LILAC 134 E134-CA ……………..7
MANNINGTON ESSENTIALS WOODROSE E138-A ……………..6
MANNINGTON ESSENTIALS COOL WHITE E141-CA ……………..11
FORBO MARMOLEUM DUAL TILE BURGUNDY 20X20 MD598-CC-A ……………..27
FORBO MARMOLEUM DUAL TILE ROSATO MDT3120C-A ……………..9
AZROCK STONE GRANADA QUARRY SG330-A ……………..13
TARKETT STANDARD EXPRESSIONS 1314 WHITE/GRAY T1314-C-A ……………..14
TARKETT STANDARD EXPRESSIONS 1320 REFIND WHT/MLTI T1320-A ……………..4
TARKETT STANDARD EXPRESSIONS 1323 PLYFUL WHT/MLTI T1323-A ……………..6
TARKETT STANDARD EXPRESSIONS 1328 BLACK/WHITE T1328-A ……………..22
TARKETT STANDARD EXPRESSIONS 1336 YELLOW T1336-A ……………..14
AZROCK THRU QUARTZ WARM WHITE TQ224-A ……………..11
AZROCK THRU QUARTZ TILE TQ284 TQ284-A ……………..25
AZROCK THRU QUARTZ TILE PEWTER TQ288 TQ288-A ……………..6
AZROCK AZROCK 12 X 12 TILE V310 MIDNIGHT V310-A ……………..1
AZROCK AZROCK CORTINA FLURRY V-788-A ……………..16

These cartons will not last long since we are simply moving out this inventory. Please make sure you mention you found it on the blog and you’ll get the best rate possible.

Christopher Moline, LEED AP
Residential Group Manager
Commercial Carpets of America
703-370-0000
Email Blog Facebook Twitter

LEED Gold Ultra-Luxury Hotel – Montage Beverly Hills

Does this look ultra eco-friendly to you?

I’ve been convinced for years that to be green does not mean you have to fit any “granola” stereotype (although there is nothing wrong with Birks and bio-diesel).  This hotel is just one more feather in the green-is-for-everyone cap. I’ve been seeing it in our clients’ requests for green luxury flooring and, as a LEED AP, am heartened by it.
But this is downright dreamy!
Pardon me whilst I swoon…

Here is a short breakdown of the credits achieved by the Montage team that led them to the project’s Gold certification:

Each project certified under LEED for New Construction V2.2 rating system earns credits for factors that are assessed by the USGBC against desired performance goals in six environmental categories.

Montage Beverly Hills earned a total of 39 credits in these environmental categories:
8 credits for Sustainable Sites, including offering public transportation access, bicycle storage and carpooling van parking for employees
1 credit for Water Efficient Landscape, installing an irrigation system that reduces potable water consumption by 54%
12 credits for Energy & Atmosphere, including selection of highly efficient heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems that minimize or eliminate emission of compounds that deplete ozone or contribute to global warming
5 credits for Materials & Resources, including effective construction waste management, use of recycled building materials and use of materials from within 500 miles of the project site
8 credits for Indoor Environmental Quality, including use of eco-friendly and low-VOC paints, sealants and adhesives; efficient lighting systems, and specific seasonal temperature and humidity controls that ensure personal comfort
5 credits for Innovation in Design, including adopting an Environmentally Preferred Purchasing Plan, locating all parking underground and developing a Green Housekeeping Program

And when you look at their website, the LEED information is quietly tucked away under the “Hotel Overview” tab. It’s not in-your-face, it’s quite classy as one would expect.

Christopher Moline, LEED AP
Residential Group Manager
Commercial Carpets of America
703-370-0000
Email Blog Facebook Twitter

Wholesale Flooring in Northern Virginia, Pro Source Rockville

Your answer to Lumber Liquidators (not iFloors because they just went bankrupt!)

Ever do a Google! search on Lumber Liquidators or the now-defunct iFloors complaints?  It’s a pretty eye-opening experience.
Our team is ready to work with contractors on a wholesale-to-the-trade basis. We’ve got your price… and your service team!

BEWARE - Before you buy from anyone else, ask the following questions:

What is the return policy?
How much will you be charged to re-stock if they accept returns at all.

What is the sales and use tax policy?
Are you ready to break the law by ordering out-of-state and not paying your state’s taxes? Odds are, you may not like the result.

How much is shipping… really?
Shipping needs to be factored into your total price. $1.99/ft isn’t really $1.99/ft if you have to pay $99 to get four 20 square-foot boxes of hardwood delivered. In fact, that little addition brings your price to $3.22/ft. Then, add your tax (or penalty if you get caught trying to skirt the law). In addition, are you aware of your state’s laws governing use tax and sales to non-profit or tax-exempt end-users?  Fact is, you as the provider are responsible for paying use tax on the materials unless you’ve paid tax on them when you purchased them… or thereabouts. Obviously, this is just food for thought, but it goes to show that you need to get the facts straight.

How do they handle warranties?
Do you have a real, live person you’ve met who you can turn to if there is a problem? Or, have you been sent to a call center in xyz-country to speak to someone named “Mike”?  Or, worse yet, is it all by filling out a form and paying with your credit card, only to be relegated to email or voicemail hell when you try to reach someone with an issue?

What is the complaint resolution process like?
Or, better yet, is there one? We live in the real world, and real things do happen. We’ll be there for you… will they?

Check out our site and give us a call
Virginia-Carpet.com
Phone: 703-370-0000

Chris

And now for some words that may have brought you here:
hardwood flooring, hardwood floor, hardwood floors, hardwood flooring, hardwood, Bellawood hardwood, Schon hardwood floors, dreamhome hardwood, bellawood floor, bellawood floors, bellawood, bellawood hardwood floors, bellawood hardwood floor, how to install hardwood floors, how to install a hardwood floor