Monthly Archives: December 2015

How the Holidays Can Affect Flooring

The winter and holiday season ushers in a new era of decorating. Nutcrackers go up, along with all the lights, garland, and other various figurines. Lane Sales appreciates the hard work and dedication that go into preparing and then decorating a home to look wonderful for holiday parties and get-togethers.

One of the most overlooked aspects of holiday decorating is how it can affect the flooring of a home. The holiday color scheme will not necessarily match the flooring and furniture of the most frequented rooms in a home. If a real tree is used, it may shed on the carpet, posing a danger to the cleanliness and organization of the home. There could also be an unusually high amount of traffic across a home, posing a potential danger to wool carpet and other sensitive floors.

How to Ace the Holidays

Plan Color Schemes

One key aspect to remember during the winter months is that certain residential carpeting is going to be better for decorating purposes than others. Choosing a shade for the flooring color scheme that goes well with colors that are planned to be used during a holiday decorating extravaganza is always a good idea. Hardwood floors go well with all colors, so investing in hardwoods can pay off in the winter when the holidays roll around.

Consider Foot Traffic

Wool carpet is known for its elegance and comfort, but is also a more delicate flooring option that does not do as well with a lot of foot traffic as some other more durable flooring does. When investing in wool carpet, it is best to install it away from areas where folks may gather in the home, as well as away from any fir trees, as the shedding of the tree would require more cleaning and vacuuming of the delicate wool carpets.

Keep the Floors Clean

A benefit of hardwood floors is, unless they are very dark, they do a great job of hiding dirt and dust that may be hiding along the surface. But they not only hide dirt well, they are easier to clean than a lot of carpet as well. That is a definite advantage of hardwoods and stone and tile flooring options, their durability means they will last, but they also clean up quite easily after a gathering. The business of the holiday season means that the floor will be getting dirtier regardless of what type it is, so it is important to keep them thoroughly swept or vacuumed.

Each season has its own advantages and disadvantages, even when it comes to flooring and decorating the home. Keep these tips in mind when venturing into the holiday season, and for flooring needs in New York City, Connecticut, and New Jersey get in contact with Lane Sales today at (800) 731-3483!

How Hardwood Flooring Can Increase a Home’s Value

hardwood flooringHardwood floors are known for being luxurious and being beautiful in any home. But many people aren’t aware of just how much a hardwood floor is capable of increasing the value of a home. Adding hardwood floors increases the value of a home because generally those in search of a new home are willing to pay more for a home with a kitchen or living room with hardwood flooring.

While some people do prefer residential carpet or tile for various reasons, hardwood floor is definitely appealing to homeowners, homebuyers, and even real estate agents. The best part about having hardwood floors is that even if a house isn’t going on the market anytime soon, they will still add enormous aesthetic appeal to a home, especially here in New Jersey and NYC.

Benefits of Hardwood Floors

Add Elegance to a Home

Hardwood flooring adds a degree of elegance and prestige to a home or kitchen, especially when paired nicely with granite countertops and the color of the cabinetry.

Easy to Clean

These floors are easy to clean, one of the favorite benefits of homeowners with small children. Spills and messes are also cleaned up easily on these durable floors, and it can be easier to walk upon than stone or tile.

Allow for Use of Area Rugs

Hardwood floors go marvelously with area rugs that contrast with the rustic color and feel of the hardwood floors and can be placed to add color. Many are unaware that area rugs actually help a hardwood floor by reducing the amount of sound that echoes around the room, as the rug will absorb some of the sound. Pairing an area rug with hardwood floors also

Are Expected in Certain Areas

In certain areas in New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York City hardwood floors are going to be expected because they are the norm for an area. This means that while having hardwood floors is going to be what a buyer is looking for, not having hardwood floors can decrease a home’s value. If the market-value is a concern or a factor, then upgraded a part of the house to hardwoods may be a necessity.

Whether installing hardwood floors adds value to a home can depend on the home’s location, other aspects of the home, and many other factors. However, installing beautiful new hardwood floors will definitely add appeal to any home, and increase the amount of people interested in it if it is on the market. Even if a house isn’t going on the market anytime soon, hardwood flooring adds appeal to a home that is going to last.

Lane Sales Inc. represents quality flooring manufacturers in New Jersey, Connecticut and New York City. For residential and commercial flooring needs get in contact with Lane Sales at (800) 731-3483!

What Type of Carpet is Right for You?

squarecarpetAs a premier commercial carpets manufacturers representative, Lane Sales knows a thing or two about quality carpets.Today we’ll be going over a few differences between the types of fibers that are used to make carpet. There are many other types of floors to choose from like laminate and hardwood flooring, but today we’ll focus specifically on the differences between wool and synthetic carpeting, and also a couple of the main differences between residential carpet and commercial carpet and what to expect in those.

Carpet is made of up very small individual fibers that come together to make a whole. What makes carpets different is the type of fiber used. Some are long and provide a lot of cushion, others are short and provide a firm surface that does not wear down and is good for withstanding lots of traffic. Carpets come in all colors and patterns that can be made to fit any room or setting. Let’s look at a couple different types of fibers.

Wool Carpet

This is the most luxurious and premier option when it comes to carpet choices. It has a soft, elegant vibe and feel. A couple drawbacks of wool carpeting are that bald spots can sometimes occur in spots where it sees heavy foot traffic, so put wool carpeting in a den or a more quiet location where it will be seen but not treaded on constantly. Also, wool carpeting is less resistant to sunlight than nylon and other synthetic carpets, making it a poor choice for a spot right next to a window or an area that receives heavy sun during the day.

Nylon Carpet

A very popular choice because of its balance between durability and beauty, nylon carpeting is the strongest fiber and an excellent choice for commercial flooring or for areas in a home that receive heavy foot traffic. Nylon fiber is also very stain resistant, especially when it is coated with stain treatment. 65% of the carpet in the United States is made of nylon fiber, and it is so popular because this material does a wonderful job of blending elegance, durability, and is able to fit into many people’s price range.

Commercial Carpet

Commercial carpeting is used mostly in environments that are going to be very busy and have a lot of floor traffic. For this reason, commercial carpeting’s biggest strength is its durability. This style of flooring is designed to withstand the heavy footsteps of a hectic atmosphere.

Another strength of commercial carpeting is its affordability. Generally, commercial carpeting can be obtained at a reasonable price and be a good investment because of its durability and how long this style of carpet tends to last.

 Residential Carpet

Unlike commercial carpets, residential carpeting focuses on and has its greatest strength in its aesthetic appeal. There are very professional looking commercial choices, but this is what to look into when elegance and style are your biggest concern.  Residential flooring also tends to be more comfortable to walk on. With more cushion and padding in these styles, it makes for a softer landing for your feet and for a nicer walk from the den to the kitchen. It may not have the durability of commercial flooring, but that won’t be a major issue in a home or another place that is going to get less traffic.