What Your Blinds Say About You

by Erica A.

Window blinds can be windows to the soul. If you don’t believe it, look into the choices that your friends and neighbors have made in terms of blinds, and you may begin to see a pattern. Of course, the pattern is bound to be either vertical or horizontal, but when you read between those lines you may detect particularly revealing clues about each homeowner’s personality.

While the concept may seem opaque at first glance, once you have read through the following mini tutorial on window blind profiling, it will become clear as daylight. So roll up your eyelids, pull back the shutters of disbelief and prepare to indulge in some blind insight.

Venetian Blinds

Venetian blinds are the grandparents of modern-day mini blinds. With wider metal slats than minis, Venetian blinds tend to bend out of shape if you pull the wrong strings, and often refuse to raise or lower on the level, calling for a bit of finessing. While their name may sound exotic, conjuring up images of muscular gondoliers in striped jerseys, they are in reality as American as Arnold Schwarzenegger. With an actor’s quirks, a politician’s tendency to hedge, old-fashioned brawn and a hint of a foreign accent, Venetian blinds and the former governor of California share a lot in common.

Mini Blinds –

Once hailed by the decorating industry as a fresh new concept in window dressing, mini blinds have become the poster child of overkill. Mini blinds are
ubiquitous, sold in every variety store and squatting in every apartment window. Tired, worn-out mini blinds may fall from a decorator’s good graces, only to be replaced by new, identical blinds in an updated color, accented perhaps with a valance to disguise a dated appearance. If you had to put a face on mini blinds, Brittney Spears would be looking back at you.

Roll-up Shades

Roll-up shades have been around for just as long as Venetian blinds. These old-style, pull-down accessories feature a spring-loaded roller that seems to resist precise adjustment. Usually operating behind-the-scenes to add a room-darkening aspect in concert with draperies that, while eminently more presentable than the roller blinds, are essentially mere window-dressing, roll-up window shades operate in the background. They have their own hidden agenda. They can snap at the slightest touch and spin angrily when you least expect it. A roll-up shade is the Dick Cheney of the window-dressing world.

Honeycomb Shades

A softer silhouette with airy pockets that diffuse light, honeycomb shades are the choice of homeowners who wish to whisper good taste and suggest a sophisticated aesthetic preference. Honeycomb shades mute harsh dark and light with layers that soften and refine. Sensitive to the slightest touch, honeycomb shades add nuances that the homeowner can easily adjust to taste. New age musician Enya embodies the aesthetic behind honeycomb shades.

Wood Shutters

Wood shutters make a non-ambiguous statement whether open or closed. When flung wide, shutters invite a world of sound, color, and light to flood the room with a flurry of activity. When closed and latched, shutters proclaim a need for
privacy and quiet. People who shutter their windows tend to be all-or-nothing
types who vacillate between feast and famine, like artist Vincent Van Gogh or
Dickens’ Pip in Great Expectations.

While window blind selections seldom present a definitive character profile of
the purchaser, they do bring certain personality traits out of the shadows. Remember, however, when putting your new-found detective talents to the test,
that sometimes a person selects a blind style simply because it costs less, comes in just the right color, or fits a window with unusual dimensions.

Completely Painless Flooring is Now a Reality (Part 1 of 5)

Are you among the countless American home-owners who, despite wanting or even needing new floors, delay selecting them or even put this experience off indefinitely because you’re concerned about making a mistake?

Completely Painless Flooring is Now a Reality

If you want to be certain you are pleased with your next floor, your wait is over.  Follow these simple steps to the floor you’ve always wanted…

Many of us assume selecting a new floor must be a painful experience, one second only to having a root canal.  It’s true…  Finding the right floor poses us with an array of concerns so daunting that this process can actually become overwhelming and, in the extreme case, incapacitating.  So let’s start by considering some of these concerns.  Then, as we will understand them better, we can consider how to overcome them so we can actually have that new floor after all!  (… And maybe we’ll even enjoy choosing it.)

Many of us fear we lack the ability, knowledge and experience to make this considered purchase in an informed way.  We actually let this worry dissuaded from choosing new flooring.  But really, we don’t lack any crucial information or experience; we lack the confidence, and we lack confidence for good reason!  But, believe it or not, we know everything we need to know to select wonderful new floors confidently.  We just don’t realize it yet.

Let’s face the facts…  We don’t purchase flooring often.  On average, Americans
replace their floors once every ten years; so, many of us may never even have tried to select a new floor.  When we do, we start to think about all the options.
Should we choose carpet, hardwood, ceramic tile, porcelain tile, natural stone tile, sheet vinyl, vinyl tile, or laminate flooring?  Which type of carpet…?  What color?  What effect will our flooring choice have on the look of our home?  What impact will we have on our floor?  With so many options that raise so many questions, how does anyone ever decide on a floor?  The flooring we select has a long-term and far-reaching effect!  Our floors finish around a ¼ of our home’s interior.  They have a more profound effect on the style and feel of our home than even paint.  And, our floors absorb all the most intense use and the worst kinds of abuse we and our families dish out.  We literally walk all over them!  Then we must reconcile ourselves to the cost!  Our floors can (and should) represent the single most costly investment we make inside our home, furniture and appliances notwithstanding.  Picking new flooring really may demand a great deal of thought, but all is not lost…  We already know everything we need to know to make the best flooring choices.  So, we  really can and should have the floors we want; and, believe it or not,  choosing can be easier done than said!  All you need is take the first step…

(Continued in 2 of 5)

Healthier Flooring Installation Is Now A Reality!

May  is “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.

If you suffer from allergies, you won’t need me to tell you that May is a peak season for asthma and allergy sufferers.  What you may not know is that each year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has declared May “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.”  We want to take this opportunity to educate ourselves, our families, and our friends about these diseases, things that we can do to help, and make you a very special offer.

Asthma & Allergy Awareness

While most of us may understand allergies are – “diseases” that cause our immune system’s to react in an exaggerated way to contact with certain foreign substances termed allergens.  How many of us really know what we can do to best to treat them and minimize the symptoms?

According to the AAFA, allergies can be managed.  After first consulting a physician, they suggest developing, “A plan that includes medical treatment and control of environmental triggers.”  This becomes a really important consideration for us because many of these environmental triggers reside in our homes!  Moreover, Baltimore ranks 46th in AAFA’s list of the “the 100 most challenging places to live with allergies” this year.  We who live with allergies or who live with family or friends who suffer with allergies know all too well how seriously allergy symptoms impact our quality life and that of our loved ones…  Especially when it comes to our children.

According to Dr. Don Shifrin with the American Association of Pediatrics, 1 in 6 children suffer from indoor allergies.  In fact, allergies (and asthma) are the most common chronic childhood diseases.  For these kids, whose “ immune systems overreact to substances that don’t have an effect on most  people,” allergy symptoms can range from nuisance to life-threatening.   In “A Minute for Kids,” Dr. Shifrin suggests that symptoms  range from runny noses, sneezing, and itchy eyes to skin rashes, difficulty breathing, and a feeling of a permanent cold.  What’s more concerning to parents of children with allergies is that allergens can trigger asthma.  He suggests that dust, mold, and animal dander are among the most common indoor allergens.  Among his tips for protecting allergic children (and we could add adults) from indoor allergens, Dr. Shifrin recommends consulting your doctor but then working to addressing the causes by doing things like changing filters for heating and cooling systems at least once a month, keeping pets (whose dander can trigger allergic reactions) out of bedrooms, and vacuuming dust regularly.  According to the American Association of Pediatrics, it is crucial for family members of the nearly five million American children affected by asthma to learn how to, “Identify and avoid asthma and allergen triggers; recognize and present asthma attacks, understand medications, and help manage symptoms.”  Clearly there is great hope for those of us suffering with allergy symptoms and asthma.  The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee offers encouragement that people who have allergies can live healthy and active lives…  But how can we help?

We can give you Flooring Installation That’s Better for Your Health and Home

Our Healthier Living™ Installation System (HLI) is the most revolutionary innovation in flooring installation technology and standards in more than a half century. It represents a change in installation technology and standards that provide for a healthier flooring installation that ensures a superior level of care and health benefits, cleaner, healthier installation practices designed to minimize irritants, dust and odors and to encourage better air quality and higher ecological standards.

An Industry-First Flooring Installation System Promotes Better Indoor Air Quality By Minimizing Mold, Mildew, Dust & Irritants.

HLI offers you the most radical flooring installation innovation in 60 years: it actually enhances the fundamental process, procedures and principles of flooring installation in order to address our clients growing demand for cleaner, healthier indoor air in response to the rising tide of concern about indoor pollutants and allergies.  HLI utilizes the most advanced technology to clean the air of dust, odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew that can trigger allergic reactions during and after home-renovation projects. We’ve designed this system to dramatically reduce your exposure to irritants that can provoke serious allergy and allergy-like symptoms. Our HLI System provides the highest quality and performance flooring installation available and offers a superior level of care; cleaner, healthier installation practices to help minimize irritants, dust and odors and to encourage better air quality and health benefits. Plus, our 100% recyclable Healthier Living™ Carpet Cushion allows the planet can breathe a little easier as well.  And… During the entire month of May we will give you free HLI, in honor of National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month!

Healthier Living™ Installation System

Healthier Living™ Installation (HLI) represents an entirely new approach to flooring installation that provides a cleaner and healthier installation. The HLI System applies a 3-pronged approach to improving the conventional flooring installation. First HLI protects your home’s indoor air quality by implementing our dust-reducing and dust minimizing HomeGuard Care System™ , a combination of active and passive measures designed to minimize dust and dirt exposure. Next, prior to installation our expert craftsmen installer applies our HealthinEx antimicrobial treatment directly to the sub-floor. This kills existing bacteria and viruses that may be present and become airborne during the installation, thereby maintaining your home’s air and surface quality. Then with carpet installation, the last (but not the least) component of the HLI System is the use of our premium antimicrobial cushion which provides continued protection from indoor air pathogens and enhanced comfort under foot. These three major initiatives contribute to a better, healthier, more responsible installation.

HealthinEx™ is an exclusive antimicrobial agent used to treat the subfloor prior to flooring installation. It disinfects, protects and diminishes mold, mildew and bacteria. Healthinex™ also traps microorganisms on the surface so they cannot become airborne, and so it also provides a lasting, clean surface that resists mold growth. Healthinex™ Pre-Installation treatment is registered with the EPA and has proven safe and effective in over 30 years of use in other industries like the furniture, medical, marine, and construction. This treatment contributes to making flooring installation healthier when applied to the sub-floor to kill any remaining bacteria, germs or mold after old flooring removal and vacuuming and prior to installation of the new floor covering. This treatment also prohibits microbes from becoming airborne during the installation and provides a cleaner start for the new installation.

• Destroys harmful bacteria, germs, viruses, and molds on the sub-floor
• Prohibits microorganisms on the surface from becoming airborne during the installation
• Helps to diminish, but will not eliminate pet odors
• Preserves the home’s indoor air quality for the duration of the installation

When used as directed, is proven safe for use in all residential areas of the home

Throughout the installation, our HomeGuard Care System™ ensures that dust and particulates are contained to and removed from the work area. We will use a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum that will not release dust back into the home before and after we install your new flooring. The HomeGuard Care System features HEPA vacuuming of the sub-floor prior to us installing your new flooring and  your new flooring after installation because this process minimizes the dust and particulate matter in that can trigger allergy, asthma, and other symptoms and generally keeps the indoor air cleaner than a standard vacuum. HEPA vacuums trap large amounts of microscopic particles that other vacuum cleaners re-circulate back into the air of the home, resulting in cleaner indoor air. HEPA vacuums stop 99.97% of all particles 0.3 microns or larger from becoming airborne. A conventional vacuum cleaner removes particulates down to about 35 microns or larger in size.

The HomeGuard Care System also provides for the use of surface protection shoe covers that are used over shoes to prevent dirt and grit from being brought inside inadvertently. In addition, the HomeGuard Care System utilizes a dust containment barrier during flooring removal and installation when the work environment allows for the practical and safe use of a barrier. A simple barrier consisting of poly sheeting is taped over doors and other openings in the room and can “contain” the work area dust and debris throughout the duration of the installation.

Finally, for carpet installations, we use a premium antimicrobial carpet cushion that blocks spills from seeping through and inhibits growth of mold, mildew and odor causing bacteria. The premium Healthier Living™ antimicrobial cushion provides continued protection from mold, mildew, and odor-causing bacteria, as well as provides enhanced comfort underfoot. The exclusive Spill Block technology repels liquid and prevents spills from soaking through the pad and the antimicrobial treatment controls mold and odors. The cushion is formulated to reduce the presence of allergens and eliminate problems resulting from moisture. It is also 100% recyclable, so even satisfies our environmental conscience. In addition, Healthier Living™ premium cushions feature a Forever Warranty, which guarantees the cushion will never lose resiliency during the life of the home, or George’s Carpet One Floor & Home will replace the cushion and the carpet-no questions asked. Furthermore, when you use the HLI cushion we double your new carpet’s wear and texture retention warranties.

By minimizing dust and odors, the cleaner, healthier practices of the Healthier Living™ Installation promote better home air quality, especially for families in which allergies and dust sensitivities present a concern. The system also ensures that the subfloor under the carpet is sanitized. During the Healthier Living™ Installation, extra precautions keep dust, bacteria and particles from becoming airborne and moving throughout the home when old flooring is removed, and new is installed. Coupled with these high-tech steps to remove and prevent mold, mildew and bacteria growth under the carpet, this system is one-of-a-kind!

And, we also offer an complete array of flooring solutions to help diminish allergens and improve indoor air quality.

And remember, to make it even easier for you to use our HLI service, in honor of National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, we will give you HLI FREE for the rest of  May!

And,, let’s not forget about our guarantees:  As always…

• We guarantee you’ll love your floor or we’ll replace it.
• We guarantee your installation for more than twice as long as anybody.
• We guarantee well give you your best price or we’ll beat it.
• We give you the most comprehensive selection anywhere!

Call, email, go online, or visit our store for more information or to get started  making your home healthier.

George’s Carpet One Floor & Home

• WEB  http://www.georgesc1.com/
• EMAILcontact@georgesc1.com
• FACEBOOK  http://on.fb.me/GC1Facebook
• TWITTER Follow @mdfloors

George’s C1′s photostream

George’s C1′s photostream on Flickr.

We just uploaded progress photos from a georgous mixed- tile and hardwood installation. Check ‘em out. Some explaination to follow…

Healthier Living™ Installation System

•      20 million Americans suffer from asthma
•      That’s 1 out of every 15 people in the US
•      Nearly 5 million asthma sufferers are under age 18.
•      It is the most common chronic childhood disease, affecting more than 1 child in 20.

 Finally Consumers Have A Healthier Flooring Installation Option

 

For the first time in 60 years, the fundamental process, procedures and principles of carpet installation have been enhanced.  Healthier Living™ Carpet Installation system represents the first carpet installation system to address growing consumer demand for cleaner, healthier indoor air.  In response to this rising tide of concern about indoor pollutants and allergies, Healthier Living™ Installation utilizes the most advanced technology to clean the air of dust, odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew that can trigger allergic reactions during and after home-renovation projects.  This system has been designed to dramatically reduce exposure to irritants that can provoke serious allergy and allergy-like symptoms.  The Healthier Living™ Installation System provides the highest quality and performance flooring installation available and offers a superior level of care; cleaner, healthier installation practices to help minimize irritants, dust and odors and to encourage better air quality and health benefits.  Plus, with our 100% recyclable Healthier Living™ Carpet Cushion, the planet can breathe a little easier as well. 

 An Industry-First Carpet Installation System Promotes Better Indoor Air Quality By Minimizing Mold, Mildew, Dust & Irritants

By minimizing dust and odors, the cleaner, healthier practices of the Healthier Living™ Carpet Installation promote better home air quality, especially for  families in which allergies and dust sensitivities present a concern. The system also ensures that the subfloor under the carpet is sanitized.  During the Healthier Living™ Installation, extra precautions keep dust, bacteria and particles from becoming airborne and moving throughout the home when old carpet is removed, and new carpet is installed. Coupled with some high-tech steps to remove and prevent mold, mildew and bacteria growth under the carpet, this system is one-of-a-kind.

Healthier Living™ Installation System

Healthier Living™ Installation represents an entirely new approach to flooring installation that can provide a cleaner and healthier installation.  The Healthier Living™ Installation System applies a 3-pronged approach to improving the conventional carpet installation.  First, Healthier Living™ Installation protects the home’s indoor air quality by implementing our dust-reducing and dust minimizing HomeGuard Care System, a combination of active and passive measures designed to minimize dust and dirt exposure.  Next, prior to installation an expert craftsmen installer applies our HealthinEx antimicrobial treatment directly to the sub-floor.  This kills existing bacteria and viruses that may be present and become airborne during the installation, thereby maintaining the home’s air and surface quality.  The last (but not the least) component of the Healthier Living™ Installation System is constituted by the use of our premium antimicrobial cushion which provides continued protection from indoor air pathogens and enhanced comfort under foot.  These three major initiatives contribute to a better, healthier, more responsible installation.

HealthinEx™

HealthinEx™ is an exclusive antimicrobial agent used to treat the subfloor prior to carpet installation.  It disinfects, protects and diminishes mold, mildew and bacteria.  Healthinex™ also traps microorganisms on the surface so they cannot become airborne, and so it also provides a lasting, clean surface that resists mold growth. Healthinex™ Pre-Installation treatment is registered with the EPA and has proven safe and effective in over 30 years of use in other industries like the furniture, medical, marine, and construction industries.  This treatment contributes to making flooring installation healthier when applied to the sub-floor to kill any remaining bacteria, germs or mold after old flooring removal and vacuuming and prior to installation of the new floor covering.  This treatment also prohibits microbes from becoming airborne during the installation and provides a cleaner start for the new installation.

• Destroys harmful bacteria, germs, viruses, and molds on the sub-floor
• Prohibits microorganisms on the surface from becoming airborne during the installation
• Helps to diminish, but will not eliminate pet odors
• Preserves the home’s indoor air quality for the duration of the installation
• When used as directed, is proven safe for use in all residential areas of the home 

HomeGuard Care System™

Throughout the installation, our HomeGuard Care System™ ensures that dust and particulates are contained to and removed from the work area. This includes using a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum that will not release dust back into the home before and after the cushion and carpet are installed.  Plastic sheeting is used to keep dust out of other rooms. And protective booties prevent tracking of dirt, grit and contaminants in the home.

HomeGuard Care System features HEPA vacuuming of both the sub-floor prior to installing the cushion and the new carpet after installation.  This process minimizes the dust and particulate matter in the carpet that can trigger allergy, asthma, and other symptoms and generally keeps the indoor air cleaner than a standard vacuum.  HEPA vacuums trap large amounts of microscopic particles that other vacuum cleaners re-circulate back into the air of the home, resulting in cleaner indoor air.  HEPA vacuums stop 99.97% of all particles 0.3 microns or larger from becoming airborne.  A conventional vacuum cleaner removes particulates down to about 35 microns or larger in size.The HomeGuard Care System also provides for the use of surface protection shoe covers that are used over shoes to prevent dirt and grit from being brought inside inadvertently.   In addition, the HomeGuard Care System utilizes a dust containment barrier during carpet removal and installation when the work environment allows for the practical and safe use of a barrier.  A simple barrier consisting of poly sheeting is taped over doors and other openings in the room and can “contain” the work area dust and debris throughout the duration of the installation.

 Healthier Living™ Antimicrobial Cushion

An antimicrobial premium carpet cushion that blocks spills from seeping through and inhibits growth of mold, mildew and odor causing bacteria is used during the installation. The premium Healthier Living™ antimicrobial cushion provides continued protection from mold, mildew, and odor-causing bacteria, as well as provides enhanced comfort underfoot.  The exclusive Spill Block technology repels liquid and prevents spills from soaking through the pad and the antimicrobial treatment controls mold and odors.  The cushion is formulated to reduce the presence of allergens and eliminate problems resulting from moisture.  It is also 100% recyclable, so even satisfies the highest standards for the outdoor environmental.  In addition, Healthier Living™ premium cushions feature a Forever Warranty, which guarantees the cushion will never lose resiliency during the life of the home, or Carpet One Floor & Home will replace the cushion and the carpet—no questions asked.  Furthermore, using the HLI cushion will also benefit you by doubling the wear and texture retention warranties.

 Finally Flooring Installation for Our Home’s Health

The Healthier Living™ Installation System represents the most revolutionary innovation in flooring installation technology and standards in more than a half century.   It represents a change in installation technology and standards that provide for a healthier flooring installation system that ensures a superior level of care and health benefits, cleaner, healthier installation practices designed to minimize irritants, dust and odors and to encourage better air quality and higher ecological standards. 

For more information see our website www.georgesc1.com or email.

Tigressa has Finally Arrived!!!

It’s finally arrived:  Tigressá SoftStyle Carpet features exceptional softness and ultimate strength. Advanced yarn engineering provides superior durability with a pleasant, luxurious touch while its unique geometric fiber shape protects Tigressá’s color and maintains a pristine, smooth appearance. Plus, Tigressá’s HTD technology features precision-engineered, high-tensile denier filaments half the size of a human hair, for an ultra-soft texture. Densely tufted, resilient mircrofibers show less matting, crushing, and wear than other nylon carpets and super-strong precision nylon fibers allow more filaments per square inch to spread out daily abuse.
 

…And we’ve teamed up with The Save the Tiger Fund.

 

It’s a sad fact: Tigers are on the brink of extinction. It’s estimated that there are now less than 4,000 wild tigers in Asia. Human welfare and economic development in Asia depends on the same clean water, clean air, natural flood controls and other forest resources that tigers need. If we can maintain healthy tiger populations in Asia’s wild lands, we can ensure that there are healthy habitats and prey populations to support them.

 

We want to help.

For all Tigressá sales made between May 16 and August 20, 2010, we’ll donate a portion of the proceeds to the National Fish and Wildlife Federation’s Save the Tiger Fund (STF). STF sponsors effective efforts to stop the killing of wild tigers, enabling them to recover and flourish, and empowers local people to live in balance with natural resources, providing tangible benefits to them whenever possible.  That’s right purchase Tigressá SoftStyle Carpet now and we will donate a dollar to the Save the Tiger Fund!*  And for every #Tigressa contest tweet, we we will donate a dollar to the Save the Tiger Fund!*  bit.ly/cpK8oa

 

Save the Tigers

The Save the Tiger Fund sponsors effective efforts to stop the killing of wild tigers. It not only helps enable wild tigers to recover and flourish, but also helps empower local people to live in balance with natural resources, and provides tangible benefits to them whenever possible. The Save the Tiger Fund is a natural match as we celebrate the launch of Tigressá in this Year of the Tiger.

Purchase Tigressá SoftStyle Carpet, Save A Tiger!!!  And…  Enter the Tigressá Sweepstakes for a chance to win!

One grand prize winner will receive a trip for two to India to see the tigers, a $12,000 value! Three first prize winners will receive a $1,500 gift card for Tigressá carpet, and five second prize winners will receive a Nikon COOLPIX camera. Enter now for your chance to win!

Increase your odds of winning by sharing on both Facebook and Twitter. For every entry on Twitter, we will donate a dollar to the Save the Tiger Fund to help support the efforts to save this regal creature from extinction*.  (See bit.ly/cpK8oa for details.)

Tigressa™ Softstyle Carpet Introduction

Soft and Strong Make One Amazing Carpet

We are so excited about the Tigressá SoftStyle Carpet launch beginning in April that we just couldn’t wait to spill the beans.  The Tigressá line will include several of the heartiest and coziest styles available.  And the color pallet is out of this world.  You’ll have to see it (and feel) it to believe it. 

Sources tell us that Tigressá Softstyle Carpet collection will feature the strength and resilience of precision nylon fibers with a soft touch unlike any other carpet.  

While the most obvious feature of this revolutionary product may be its softness, as we understand it, it  is Tigressá’s strength and durability in that really sets it apart from other carpets.  We are being told that its super-strong, nylon fibers are packed so tightly (actually twice the number of fibers per square inch compared to standard nylon carpet) that they will stand up better to daily carpet abuse.  While this advanced yarn engineering allows for microscopic fibers that result in hearty yet pleasant, luxurious feeling pile, they have utilized a unique geometric fiber shape designed not only to withstand force but to allow Tigressá to maintain pristine color and appearance. Where other carpets begin fading and matting, Tigressá has been engeneered to stand firm, remains supple, and retains a deeper color texture.  (Pretty exciting stuff!!!)

“The key to Tigressá’s strength is a type of nylon that holds the twist better and longer, which allows the carpet to hold its new appearance much longer than other carpets.” explains Charlie Dilks, Chief Product Officer for CCA Global Partners. “Tigressá’s soft feel means our customers no longer have to choose between soft and strong.”

…  And, we can’t wait!  We will have more to come as more information becomes available or check our our website for this and other soft carpet options: www.georgesc1.com.

“Marines Helping Marines” recognizes George’s Carpet One Floor & Home

George’s Carpet One Floor & Home receives Certificate of Appreiciation in recognition of outstanding support to “Marines Helping Marines” program.  “Marines Helping Marines” aids wounded and injured Marines.

WOOL AND ALLERGIES

A recent Wools of New Zealand informational segment provides food for thought for those allergy sufferers among us considering the most suitable flooring surfaces for ourhomes.  There is so much to talk about when it comes to wool; it’s always hard to decide where to begin. Initially, I considered writing about the beautiful land where wool sheep are raised or detail the many natural attributes of the wool fiber. But, with the approach of winter and spring on our heels, I decided it could be more helpful to address one of the bigger concerns folks have with wool: that is allergies.

This Wools of New Zealand article describes an incident that occurred in 1973 when the Swedish government banned the use of carpet based on the premises that carpet contributed to allergy concerns.  Ironically, instituting this policy actually exacerbated incidence of allergies among Swedish people.  The anecdotal evidence from this incident suggests that, contrary to popular belief, carpet actually diminishes the potential allergens and sheds light on this concern many people have with wool carpet. 

People think they are allergic to wool because they’ve worn a sweater that’s made them itch when what they’re really feeling is the “tickle and prickle” (WNZ) of the coarse fibers against their skin, much like the itchiness felt after a haircut. This happens when coarse wool is blended with fine apparel wools to reduce cost (WNZ). Coarse fibers of any type would cause the same problem if used in apparel.

The reality is that wool is a non-allergenic fiber and does not promote the growth of dust mites or bacteria. What’s more, wool fibers are too long and too coarse to be inhaled and therefore do not affect asthma sufferers. (WNZ)

Unfortunately, many doctors routinely recommend carpet removal due to allergy concerns. They believe that if all possible places where allergens can be held are eliminated, allergic reactions will disappear.  According to Wools of New Zealand:

In 1973, The Swedish government shared this viewpoint and banned the use of carpet in all public facilities. Carpet was replaced with hard surface flooring materials in homes, commercial environments and government buildings. Follow-up studies by the Swedish Central Statistics Bureau indicated a dramatic increase in reported allergies by the Swedish population following carpet replacement. As carpet was removed and hard surface flooring was installed, the incidence of allergies increased among the Swedish population. This alarming increase was in direct proportion to the amount of hard flooring materials installed. After 17 years, the allergic reactions were finally confirmed and the ban was removed.  (WNZ)

Medical commonly professionals agree on the fact that people prone to respiratory problems are most affected by airborne particles.  The irony twist on the story above is that these airborne particles are more easily disturbed in an environment of hard surfaces. Carpet holds dust in its structure, preventing the whirling up of particles that irritate hay fever and asthma. “Unlike synthetics, wool actually goes a step further to purify indoor air by absorbing pollutants and gases” (WNZ). 

So, counter to the commonly held belief, carpet in general and wool carpet in particular, may actually prove to improve indoor air quality and reduce potential airborne allergens.  What do you think about that?

Bamboo Flooring Installation

This installation presented us some challenges and required a great deal of technical ingenuity above and beyond that normally required, such as: a correcting an epoxy floor pour previously botched by another contractor, leveling a severely irregular concrete floor, addressing concerns with a radiant heat system, just to name a few; but, I think you’ll agree that the finished floor turned out beautifully.   

Our customer selected Teragren‘s Synergy™ strand bamboo flooring in the Wheat color because she was looking for a more unique and contemporary aesthetic, one that would coordinate with her home’s architecture and her personal style.  She also needed a floor that was durable and hard enough to stand up to her dogs.  She chose this floor because she felt the finished floor Teragren achieves by fusing bamboo fibers together into boards would result in a very special look, and the durability of the finish and hardness of the floor absolutely won her over.  Plus, the colors really complimented her home’s stone work and knowing this floor was more ecologically friendly was the icing on the cake.    

 This first image shows the great room completed.  This choice really complemented her home magnificently!

 

 

 These images are, unfortunately, the best before shots we have. You can see the original poured floor and the way the edges were finished around the stairs. Yipes!

 

 

 

 

Another image of what we had to work with!

This sequence of images perhaps best demonstrate the dramatic transformation we achieved by this flooring installation. Compare the original images above to these. We used the manufactures pre-finished stair-nose to frame the steps.

What an enormous improvement!

The rough flagstone walls throughout this space demanded quite a bit of attention. We scribed each board so that it would contour neatly to the stonework and our customer loved it! The floor fit against the variegated stone and mortar joints like a well tailored suit!

This image also allows a slight glimpse of the near mirror smooth and flat flooring that resulted of our K15 pour.

(And yes, that is John in the background, surveying his handy work—not posing.)

 The finished floor was stunning. The paint job—not so much. (We do not paint walls only trim!)

This view from the bedroom, down the hall and into the great room shows the longest run of flooring and the expanse of this project.

For more information on Teragren’s
Synergy™
strandbamboo flooring; other flooring options, colors, pricing, etc.; flooring design, installation, or maintenance; feel free to read on in our blog or go to our website.