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What’s the Difference Between Solid Hardwood and Engineered Hardwood?

Sun, 12 May 2024 13:00:00 GMT

Plus: the pros and cons of each

You’re putting new floors in your house – and you know you want hardwood. You come to the store, ready to choose the hardwood that matches your space, but the sales associate stumps you with his very first question: “Solid or engineered?”

You blink. “What’s the difference?”

At Paragon Flooring, we’re happy to educate our clients – both in the showroom and online.

So let’s discuss: What, indeed, is the difference between solid hardwood and engineered hardwood in flooring?

Solid hardwood is a thick slab of natural wood. That’s all. It’s cut into planks of varying thickness and sold either in its raw state or with a finish on top.

Engineered hardwood is also real wood – however, it’s made of various layers perpendicularly fused together. The top, and thickest, layer is solid hardwood. Underneath that layer of solid wood are multiple layers of plywood that are compacted to provide a dense, stable core. The bottommost layer is typically a thin piece of solid wood for durability.

Most engineered hardwood is factory-finished with many different surface effects available. Engineered hardwood is rarely sold in its raw state.

As you can see, both are real hardwood. When installed properly, both types of flooring can be beautiful and impressive.

But they are not created equal in all situations. Let’s break down the different aspects, point by point.

Stability –

Solid hardwood is extremely durable. So is engineered hardwood. However, solid hardwood is more susceptible to high humidity and moisture, which can make it warp or swell over time. On the other hand, the layered, plywood-like construction of the engineered wood increase its density, making it less likely to shift or erode.

Basements? Engineered hardwood. House near the sea? Engineered hardwood. Installation over an in-floor heating system? Engineered hardwood.

Refinishing –

Let’s say your floor gets scratched, and you want to have it sanded down and re-stained. Or maybe you are just tired of your cherry-red floor and want a lighter, airier color for your living room. With solid hardwood, that’s no problem at all. Because solid hardwood is comprised of one thick slab of wood, it can be sanded down numerous times without negatively affecting the core.

But if you have engineered hardwood, think about your decision carefully. You can only sand down engineered wood a couple of times before the top layer of solid wood is gone and you’re left with only the layers of plywood underneath.

Yes, you read that right. Solid hardwood can be refinished many times. Engineered hardwood? Three times -- if you’re lucky.

Cost –

Let’s talk money. Generally, solid hardwood will be more expensive than engineered. However, this can vary greatly, depending on the quality of the engineered hardwood that you choose. A premium engineered wood floor, with a unique design or thicker top layer, can be just as costly as its solid counterpart.

Species –

Most solid hardwood planks are available in oak, maple, pine, and hickory. These species are durable, ranking high on the “hardness” scale, and very resistant to wear and tear.

Engineered hardwood, on the other hand, comes in many different species, such as more exotic or softer woods that are then stabilized with the requisite layers of plywood compacted underneath. Additionally, engineered hardwood offers almost limitless possibilities, such as specialty-size planks, unique finishes, and unusual textures.

And there you have it. Now you know that there’s no need to turn up your nose at engineered hardwood. Now you know that if you’ll want to re-stain your floor multiple times because you like to follow trends, your best bet is solid hardwood. Now you’re an educated consumer.

You may be wondering, What do you prefer?

The answer is simple. At Paragon Flooring, we like the option that best suits our clients’ needs. For example, if you’re looking for a hardwood floor for your lake house, we’ll do everything we can to talk you out of a solid hardwood floor that will shift and warp. We’d recommend the best engineered floor that fits your lifestyle, budget, and aesthetic.

We don’t have personal preferences, as every circumstance is different. And we tailor our expert guidance to the specifics of each situation.

Looking to purchase a new floor for your home?

We’ll be happy to help. Solid wood or engineered wood, we do it all. Visit us in our Jackson showroom today, email us, or give us a call, and we’ll advise you on the choice that makes the most sense for you.

Area Rugs: To Bind or to Serge?

Tue, 07 May 2024 17:22:35 GMT

The edge of your custom-made rug makes a difference.

A huge trend in the decorative world today is the area rug – a striking carpet cut and laid down a top a pristine hardwood or vinyl floor. It can serve as a design statement, a way to ground and separate a space, a cushion for tired feet, or a means of noise control. And yes, sometimes it does all of those jobs simultaneously.

There are hundreds of retailers where you can buy a ready-made rug; just walk into your nearest Home Goods or click through thousands of stock options on Wayfair .

However, nothing compares to the quality and experience of custom-making a rug. That is the ultimate luxury – and oftentimes, it’s not as expensive as you’d think.

The advantages are enormous: You get to choose the exact shade, pattern, shape, dimensions, and edging. You are in total control of the end product, and no one else will be able to duplicate your exact masterpiece without asking you for all the details. It’s a unique piece, one designed by you and your impeccable taste.

The process is simple.

Walk into the showroom and tell the salesperson that you are looking for an area rug. They will show you their selection of carpet, and you can choose any pattern that you fall in love with. Maybe it will be the silky, shimmery fibers of a high-end Kane carpet that will catch your eye, or maybe it will be the durable yet chic woven nylon threads of a Prestige Mills offering. Stanton’s line of luxurious shag carpets add a touch of whimsy to any room, so perhaps that will be your choice for your daughter’s bedroom. For a sophisticated wool look, you may wish to check out Masland’s gorgeous 1866 collection… The options are endless.

Then you specify what shape you’d like the rug to be, as well as the measurements.

Unsure of the proper dimensions?

No problem. That’s what our design associates are there for. They can advise on the size of the rug based on the other furniture in the room and the rest of your décor.

Once you’ve chosen the pattern, color, shape, and size, there is one last part. Edging .

You get to decide how you would like to “seal” the edges of the rug.

And now, a little education goes a long way. So here we go.

T here are two ways to edge a rug: Binding and Serging.

Binding is the look of taking a strip of fabric or other material – like leather or jute – and wrapping it around the raw edges of the cut carpet. That strip of fabric is selected by the customer from an array of options to highlight the tones of the carpet that the client prefers.

It allows you to create a custom border effect around your rug to finish off the look.

Serging is the look of taking a well-matched thread that is stitched continuously around the periphery of the carpet. Usually, the finished width is about three-eighths of an inch. It typically evokes a higher-end look that a bound edge.

Ultimately, the choice will come down to personal preference (or your designer’s preference!). Both options are durable and can be executed beautifully.

Price-wise, a serged edge can be more expensive, but not always. If you choose an expensive fabric to use to bind your rug, that can easily top the cost of a serged edge.

At Paragon Flooring, we recognize the importance of properly finishing off a rug, and we’ll be glad to offer you a price quote for both options. Whichever way you decide – bound or serged – we’ll be happy to bring your vision to life.

That stunning area rug you’re dreaming of is well within reach. Just visit our showroom, make your choice, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Should I Walk Barefoot On My Carpet?

Sun, 05 May 2024 16:04:23 GMT

Debunking a common misconception...

One of the main reasons that people choose carpet for their homes is because it is soft and comfortable to human skin.

Answer this question: Would you rather step out of bed in the morning and set your feet down on cold stone, or would you prefer to feel plush carpet beneath your feet?

For most of you, carpet is the obvious choice. It’s like a warm hug for your bare feet.

But don’t let your bare feet hug it back. Why not?

The soles of your feet contain sweat glands, which release moisture and natural oils. These stick to the carpet fibers and attract dirt, dust, and soil. In fact, these natural oils and droplets act as magnets to the dirt, which embeds itself deep into the carpet strands. Once embedded, the dirt can’t be easily removed through vacuuming.

Over time, the accumulation of grime in the carpet will wear down the carpet’s appearance, durability, and luxurious feel.

So no, we don’t recommend walking barefoot on carpet.

On the other hand, wearing regular shoes on carpet is also a no-no. This is because the bottoms of your shoes track in mud, dirt, moisture, bacteria, and other undesirable things from all the other places you’ve been. Also no good for prolonging the lifespan of your carpet.

The solution?

Clean socks. Or soft-soled slippers.

Walking on your carpet wearing clean socks instead of going barefoot will naturally help your carpet stay clean. The same is true for wearing soft slippers that stay only indoors and are not worn outside. In fact, some homeowners keep a pair of soft slippers at the door and ask guests to don them before stepping inside.

And don’t worry, your carpet will still feel wonderful under your feet, even when you’re wearing socks.

Don’t believe us? At Paragon Flooring, we carry a huge selection of the softest, plushest carpets you’ve ever seen. With beautiful designs in many different colorways, there’s something there for even the most sensory client. Call, email, or stop by our showroom today so that we can help you out.

What Are Carpet Remnants?

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 17:02:19 GMT

Plus: Why You Should Want Them

You see carpet stores advertising their carpet remnants, but you don’t know what they are nor why you would want to buy one.

At Paragon Flooring, we’re here to clear up the confusion.

First off, let’s discuss what carpet remnants are not:

Carpet remnants are not pieces of carpet left over from other jobs. If there is extra carpet from a different installation, it would be the property of the owner, not the flooring store. It would also mean that the flooring store didn’t take accurate measurements because if they did, there wouldn’t be so much carpet left over afterward.
They are also not lower quality or uglier pieces of carpet that nobody wanted to buy. On the contrary, many remnants are beautiful, high end pieces that can sell for a lot of money.
Remnants are usually not patterns or colors that have been discontinued by the manufacturer.
And they are not huge rolls of carpet that we able to purchase at a rock-bottom price and then mark up for you, the consumer.

So what are carpet remnants?

The simple answer is that carpet remnants are the ends of large rolls of carpet that are too small to be used for a big carpet installation.

Carpet is manufactured in rolls. When a flooring company sells or uses up most of the carpet roll, they are often left with smaller pieces that can’t be used for a large job. Those remains of the roll are what we call “remnants.”

Since these are smaller pieces of carpet that take up space in a warehouse, flooring stores want to use them up. Therefore, they offer these pieces to consumers at a very low price point. In fact, at Paragon Flooring, we sell high-end carpet remnants from Shaw, Kane, Masland, and Prestige Mills for over 60% off the retail price.

Carpet remnants are great for area rugs, which we can bind for you, as well as stair runners and single rooms. Another advantage of using remnants is that they are in stock, possibly for same-day installation. You don’t have to wait for the store to get it from the manufacturer.

The only drawback to using remnants is that you may not be able to find the exact color or pattern that you want because stock is limited to the remainders of the rolls. However, if you do find a remnant that you love, it’s a no-brainer. You’ll get a beautiful carpet at a significantly lower price than you would normally pay.

If you want to choose a remnant for your next carpet job, come on in to our showroom at 2275 West County Line Road in Jackson, New Jersey. We have a huge selection of designer remnants ready to be installed the next day!

You can dress up your staircase, add a gorgeous area rug to your living room… the options are endless. And with remnants, you don’t have to break the bank to do it.

The Best Way to Clean Your Hardwood Floor

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 01:01:04 GMT

All your questions, answered:

So you have a beautiful hardwood floor in your home, and now you want to keep it beautiful. You’re even prepared to go all out and purchase a steam mop in order to clean it, but don’t.

Rule number one in taking care of your hardwood floors is:

Hardwood Floors Hate Moisture!

With this rule in mind, here are Paragon Flooring’s tips for cleaning your hardwood floors:

Mop your hardwood floor no more than twice a week. Once a week is even better.
When you mop, avoid using cleaners that are scented and contain a polishing agent. Instead, use combine one part distilled vinegar and ten parts warm water. This will remove stains from your floors without diminishing its luster.
After mopping, use a soft microfiber cloth to dry the floors so the water doesn’t sit.
If something spills on your hardwood floor, clean it up with a soft cloth and dry it immediately.
Sweep, dust-mop, or vacuum using the bare-floor setting daily. This will keep dirt and dust from wearing down the finish of your floor and scratching its surface.
Once a month, you may want to use Bona’s Hardwood Floor Cleaner, available at Amazon , Walmart , Lowe’s , Home Depot , and other retailers. It will give your floor a temporary protective coating without chipping away at its shine.

And that's all there is to it!

Have any more questions?

We'd be happy to help! Give us a call today or send us an email. Or better yet, stop by our showroom in Jackson, NJ to meet us in person and see what other flooring needs we can assist you with.