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By Will Hudson, Laminate and Vinyl Plank Flooring Merchant, The Home Depot

In any residence, the floor is a haven for creativity that sets the home’s overall tone. Thanks to new material design and application innovations, remodelers and clients have a wealth of options available to pursue a luxurious, yet affordable floor revitalization. In turn, it’s essential to pay close attention to the latest flooring trends and techniques to guide client conversations and bring imaginative ideas to life.

The following five trends in particular are a great foundation when mapping out any upcoming floor remodel, and ultimately can enliven any property.

REFINED APPEAL AT REDUCED COST

State-of-the-art flooring design technologies blur material divides and offer flexibility to implement a customized, sophisticated look. In particular, digital printing can produce sharp and realistic tiles and planks in a variety of styles, colors and finishes. As a result, clients can select comparable materials to achieve the eye-catching allure of a natural wood or marble floor without the higher costs.

Beyond the primary benefits, new-age digital printing delivers compelling visual variety by creating tiles and planks with minimal repeat designs. By preventing the same pattern from appearing in multiple locations, this randomized printing gives rooms a more natural feel and makes it more difficult for your clients to detect material sourcing differences.

A BIGGER IMPRESSION

For some clients, a remodel is an opportunity to create more open and inviting spaces. As replica wood and stone increase in popularity, so has the demand for large-format tiling and planks. As you’ve likely seen first-hand, flooring materials continue to increase in size, with planks now running as long as four feet in length, squares maintaining widths of up to 16 inches, and rectangles hitting sizes as large as 18 x 36.

While larger tiles and planks are bulkier and require more intricate planning, they are more time-friendly than smaller, higher-volume alternatives. When performing such a specialized installation, use a mortar specifically engineered for heavier materials. Custom Building Products’ Natural Stone and Large Tile mortar, for example, reduces lippage and produces a seamless, gap-free implementation.

LONG-LASTING LAMINATE

Much like its wood and tile counterparts, laminate flooring has evolved into a more durable and attractive form in recent years. Thicker and sturdier laminate planks can better deter scratching and maintain a pristine appearance even in the most highly-traveled areas of the home. These laminates also deliver stability for clients who plan to sell their property during the next few years.

Previously, certain laminate flooring materials struggled to endure the rigors of water contact in bathrooms, kitchens and other exposed home locations. To combat these risks, The Home Depot worked closely with Pergo to develop Outlast Plus, a next-level laminate capable of withstanding water for up to 24 hours. This creates new opportunities to bring wood-look flooring into rooms previously considered off limits. Available exclusively at our stores, this product also includes an attached underlayment that reduces sound and makes installation faster, simpler and more affordable.

THE VINYL RESURGENCE

Modern design innovations have additionally given new life to vinyl flooring, elevating a material previously deemed outdated into one that is both trendy and coveted. Today’s vinyl is waterproof and more versatile than its previous sheet-tile format. As an added advantage, your clients also now can personalize vinyl designs and colors to match any coveted aesthetic.

Vinyl flooring’s easy to apply and maintain composition also is beneficial, with tiles and strips able to go directly over existing vinyl, tile or laminate surfaces without the need to remove the subfloor. The Home Depot’s exclusive Lifeproof vinyl planks use drop and lock end joints that fall perfectly into place and reduce installation cost and time. Featuring an innovative rigid PVC core that is both strong and lightweight, Lifeproof planks are an excellent choice to offer your clients a durable and attractive floor.

A FLOOR FOR ALL REGIONS

The scope of flooring trends varies greatly by geography, with homes in each region maintaining a unique local flair. Sources ranging from social media channels to feedback from clients and fellow pros can help you stay on top of emerging local tastes and regional identities.

At The Home Depot, we’ve seen preferences for different styles of flooring across the country. Texas and the Southwestern region tend to prefer darker grey and brown flooring with a more distressed tone. Properties in more oceanic regions, such as the East and West coasts, not surprisingly go more for lighter grey, white and cream colors that feel cool and casual. Likewise, areas more susceptible to colder winters, such as the Northeast, feature subtle accents ranging from beiges to tans.

The exact dynamics of any flooring remodel will vary depending on your clients’ budget, plans for their property, and desired look and feel. However, awareness of the latest flooring trends can simplify planning conversations, and ultimately align creativity and efficiency to produce an attractive, low-maintenance floor that adds value to any home.

As flooring technologies evolve, The Home Depot remains committed to driving innovative new ideas. Our merchants work with leading manufacturers to develop durable and advanced laminate, vinyl and porcelain tile. This includes amplifying realism – if your clients desire a true-to-life appearance, look no further than rich designs ranging from knots and ripples in wood to wavy colors in marble.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As the Flooring Merchant, Will Hudson is responsible for merchandising the Laminate Flooring and Laminate Installation businesses for all U.S. stores and http://www.homedepot.com. He has been with The Home Depot for 13 years, serving in various merchandising roles.

  ‘Floor’ Your Clients: Five Trends to Consider For Your Next Remodel By Will Hudson, Laminate and Vinyl Plank Flooring Merchant, The Home Depot In any residence, the floor is a haven for creativity that sets the home’s overall tone.

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History Can Repeat Itself

History Can Repeat Itself

What does a home that used to house a family of two parents and nine boys look like 90 years later? This 1920 historic home was strategically placed on two acres of exquisite land in Santa Barbara, with stunning views in all directions. By 2010, the house had seen better days. Water damage, sunken floors and overall time had done its damage, but Allen Construction remodelers were up for the…

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Coaching Excellence Delivers Project Success

Coaching Excellence Delivers Project Success

When Ken Connor first saw the home in 2008 it was the Milwaukee Breast Cancer home. The three-story house was sold to the current owners shortly thereafter. A beautiful 1918 historic home overlooking Lake Michigan, this house had great bones. Connor Remodeling and the homeowners have had a long-standing relationship and worked on many remodeling projects over the years. Imagine Ken’s surprise…

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Hemingway and Truman would have loved small-duct AC in Key West

Hemingway and Truman would have loved small-duct AC in Key West

By Scott Intagliata, Marketing Director, Unico, Inc.  When Hurricane Irma slammed into Key West, Florida in early September, thankfully it left two historic properties intact and largely unscathed. The island is host to both President Harry S. Truman’s vacation getaway and the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum – two places that exemplify the allure of tropical living, preserve noteworthy moments in…

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Stop, Drop & Roll: Fire Safety Must-Haves for Remodelers

Stop, Drop & Roll: Fire Safety Must-Haves for Remodelers

By Julia Buerger, Electrical Merchant, The Home Depot A fire ranks among a homeowner’s worst fears. Presenting protective measures at the start of remodeling planning can build confidence with customers and demonstrate your interest in their needs and safety. With October’s Fire Prevention Month observance underway, there is no better time to catch up on the latest fire-related home innovations…

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Why Are Industry Awards Important?

Why Are Industry Awards Important?

By Katelyn Wujciga, Marketing Manager, National Association of the Remodeling Agency Think about when you are looking to hire someone to do a service. What’s the first thing you research? Having a seal of approval from a recognized association validates your findings and automatically builds the trust and credibility of that company. A prospective client’s first impression is everlasting. Take…

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How to Outsmart the Labor Shortage: HomeAdvisor shares how one of its members turned a creative staffing idea into a million-dollar business model you can use for your own company

How to Outsmart the Labor Shortage: HomeAdvisor shares how one of its members turned a creative staffing idea into a million-dollar business model you can use for your own company

By Megan Alderton, HomeAdvisor Is your business struggling to find and keep the talent needed to service a growing customer base? If so, you’re not alone. And you may be looking at an opportunity to develop your business differently — and more profitably — than you’d ever imagined. Just take a cue from the HomeAdvisor pros at Reliant Roofing. When they first started their Jacksonville,…

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Bring Buzz to Your Business! Why You Should Enter the 2018 CotY Awards

Bring Buzz to Your Business! Why You Should Enter the 2018 CotY Awards

By Katelyn Wujciga, Marketing Manager, National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Each year, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) honors our outstanding members with the prestigious National Contractor of the Year Award (CotY). Judged by a diverse and impartial panel, these winners have demonstrated exceptional results in remodeling projects. With 45 categories,…

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New NARI Certificants

NARI’s certification is synonymous of a dedicated professional and industry leader. It takes commitment and hard work to achieve that next level of practice to distinguish yourself from your peers.  NARI is proud to congratulate 19 of our members for taking their passion for remodeling and elevating their careers. Learn more about how you can achieve NARI Certification here. Congratulations to…

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Support the Texas Gulf Coast Recovery

Support the Texas Gulf Coast Recovery

735,000 Have Applied for FEMA to Date. Help is Needed. Donate today and support the recovery effort in the Texas Gulf Coast The aftermath of the hurricane and recovery effort is still being tallied. Final estimates are yet to be determined. To date, we think that approximately 735,000 have applied for FEMA. Of that, approximately 407,000 are from Harris County, and includes the greater Houston…

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Update on OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica Rule

Update on OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica Rule

This blog post is an excerpt from NARI on the Hill  The Construction Industry Safety Coalition (“CISC” or “the coalition”) has been vigorously challenging OSHA’s respirable crystalline silica rule in court and oral argument is set for Tuesday, September 26th.  The below list of judges were chosen for oral argument and because of their previous rulings, we feel the outcome is questionable at best:…

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Disaster Recovery – EPA Lead Rule Update

Disaster Recovery – EPA Lead Rule Update

Lead Paint Requirements Waived for Certain Renovations by EPA An extremely active hurricane season this year has created widespread property damage impacting many states including Texas, Louisiana and Florida. Since the work is considered an emergency renovation, defined as one that results from a sudden, unexpected event, certain certification and lead-safe work practices are waived. But other…

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By Katelyn Wujciga, Marketing Manager, National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) 

We had a great turnout at this year’s Fall Leadership Summit in Boston, MA, at the Boston Sheraton Hotel. On Wednesday, September 6, 2017, attendees were transported to Westwood, MA, for an engaging joint tour sponsored by Marble & Granite, Inc. and Metropolitan Cabinets & Countertops to learn about the history of the stone industry, and fabrication of stone and cabinetry.

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The first stop on the tour was Marble & Granite, Inc. Upon arrival, the group enjoyed lunch, and took part in a History of Stone class before touring the facility.

“I found the History of Stone class informative and will be better prepared to service our clients needs. It was also impressive to tour the fabrication facility to see how many technological advances have been made in the manufacturing process,” said NARI member Leo Lantz of Leo Lantz Construction, Inc.

“The staff at Marble and Granite, Inc. did a great job of explaining the different types of natural stones available and how they are formed.  We buy stone, but I found it very enlightening to learn how it comes about. Then, we had a tour of their inside warehouse and the different stones available for their customers to choose from. I found it fascinating to learn about how manufacturers add color to Onyx or some other natural stone,” said NARI member David Caputo of G&L and Sons Renovations, LLC.

Next, the group headed to Metropolitan Cabinets and Countertops, where they toured the showroom and fabrication facility to view stone fabrication and cabinet manufacturing.

“Metropolitan has a beautiful showroom with some really cool new products.  I really enjoyed the fabrication part of this tour and seeing up close the different pieces as they went through the fabrication process.  The eye for detail that is required to make some of the closer tolerance cuts for their countertops was impressive,” said NARI member Jessie Cannizzaro of Milestone Plumbing, Inc.

“The tour of the Cabinet factory was wonderful. The owner and his daughter really showed their passion for what they do. Seeing a live, in-action operating factory making cabinets was great, as well as the new technology to make the product better was super. I will always try to attend anything demonstrating the science or engineering of our industry,” said NARI member Laurence Carolan of House of Laurence.

The joint tour was a great way to kick off our 2017 Fall Leadership Summit!

“I thought both tours were very well done. I never knew there was so much to know about the different types of natural stone. They did an excellent job of presenting the information in the conference room, and the tour was very well done. The lunch was also very good.  We also appreciated the opportunity to tour Metropolitan’s shop. The cabinet shops in our area rarely allow us to see their shops because of restrictions their insurance providers lay down, so it was very nice to see a working facility. It was very impressive!” said NARI member Gary Fassbender of Distinctive Renovations.

Please like our Facebook page to see more pictures from the Summit.

About Marble & Granite, Inc.

For over 25 years, Marble & Granite has been importing first-class stone from around the world. With team members in South America and Europe—and ownership travelling around the globe to source and hand-select material—they are always on the leading edge of design, and strive to satisfy the most discriminating tastes. 

About Metropolitan Cabinets & Countertops

Since 1984, this family run business has been providing high quality products to the trade. As the largest manufacturer of cabinetry & countertops in the Northeast, Metropolitan designs stylish & functional spaces for residential homes & apartment buildings. Cabinets are milled and countertops are fabricated in their newly expanded 145,000/sf Norwood, MA factory.

Both tour sponsors are members of the Marble Institute of America (MIA) and Building Stone Institute (BIA). Together, MIA and BSI, known as MIA+BSI: The Natural Stone Institute, serve more than 1900 members in 55 countries who represent every aspect of the natural stone industry, offering them a wide array of technical and training resources, professional development, regulatory advocacy, and networking events. MIA+BSI is a 501C-6 not for profit organization, dedicated to the natural stone industry. To reach MIA+BSI: The Natural Stone Institute directly, please send them an e-mail.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Katelyn Wujciga is the Marketing Manager for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). She has been a marketing professional for over 10 years and came to NARI with both Association and construction experience. If you would like to reach Katelyn, please e-mail her at kwujciga@nari.org. 

2017 Fall Leadership Summit: Joint Tour Recap By Katelyn Wujciga, Marketing Manager, National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI)  We had a great turnout at this year's Fall Leadership Summit in Boston, MA, at the Boston Sheraton Hotel.

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Innovative and Efficient Bath Remodel Projects to Try This Fall

Innovative and Efficient Bath Remodel Projects to Try This Fall

By Paul West, Divisional Merchandise Manager, The Home Depot As we approach the end of summer, it’s time to start preparing the home for fall entertaining and guests. For clients in need of a bathroom remodel, now is the perfect time to get the project underway. Bathroom remodels topped the list as the most common remodeling job at 81 percent in 2015, making it vital for remodelers to stay on top…

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HVAC Study Shows Homeowners Rank Comfort, Energy Efficiency Over Price (Better IAQ also rates higher than installation cost)

HVAC Study Shows Homeowners Rank Comfort, Energy Efficiency Over Price (Better IAQ also rates higher than installation cost)

By: Scott Intagliata, Marketing Director, Unico, Inc. When it comes to heating and air conditioning, your customers are less concerned with price than you might think. NARI platinum partner Unico, maker of The Unico System small-duct central heating and air conditioning, recently surveyed homeowners regarding their thoughts about their current HVAC systems and what they would like to see from…

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By: Scott Intagliata, Marketing Director, Unico, Inc.

Homeowners and remodelers have many choices when it comes to retrofitting central heating systems.  Many of the same advantages found with small-duct central cooling, like that available from The Unico System, can be experienced on the heating side as well – with some additional features that aren’t available from conventional forced air systems.

Here are 7 reasons to consider retrofitting homes with Unico System small-duct heating.

Small-duct systems fit where others can’t and don’t require extensive home remodeling.

With small modular air handlers and main ducting that is one-third the size of conventional systems, small-duct systems simply fit where traditional systems can’t.  Attics, crawlspaces, underfloor cavities and small closets are tight spaces that easily accommodate small-duct systems.  With these smaller systems, there’s no need for dropped ceilings, soffits or other design-altering concealments.

Homeowners can be more comfortable.

With conventional forced air or hot water systems, occupants feel warmest when they’re nearest the heating source – vents or radiators.  Naturally, the temperature is chillier when they move away from the heat source.  Forced air systems exacerbate this problem of hot and cold spots by creating drafts through dumping conditioned air into rooms.  In contrast, small-duct systems work on the principle of aspiration.  Aspiration occurs when conditioned air is rapidly introduced through a smaller opening, creating a vacuum that draws the existing room air into itself and evenly mixes with it, eliminating both drafts and hot and cold spots.  Temperature variations with small-duct systems are less than 2°F no matter where the outlet is located.

Check out these videos to see how aspiration works:

Airflow from Conventional HVAC Ceiling Vent   Airflow from Unico System Duct

HVAC doesn’t have to be ugly.

Small-duct system outlets are smaller than conventional forced air registers. Unlike conventional rectangular registers, small-duct outlets come in round (3.5” outer diameter) or slotted (1” x 8”) configurations that blend more easily into a room’s décor.  These outlets come in a variety of finishes and can be painted, stained or wall-papered to almost disappear entirely.

HVAC doesn’t have to be noisy.

The very design of Unico System supply tubing has an added benefit of being of a sound-dampening construction.  We call the last runs of these supply tubes – the ones that actually deliver air into a room – “sound attenuators.”  Small-duct HVAC systems are much quieter than their conventional counterparts and even other common household appliances.

Check out these sound comparison videos:

Conventional A/C Decibel Meter   Dishwasher Decibel Meter   Unico System Decibel Meter

Slotted outlets complement this modern home’s sleek, linear design

Round outlets are wallpapered and virtually disappear in the wall of this historic bed & breakfast.

  Small-duct systems save more energy.

The biggest problem homeowners face with conventional forced air systems is the amount of air lost from leaky metal ducts.  Leaky ducts can actually compromise overall system efficiency by as much as 25%, leading to high heating bills.  In contrast, the dual insulation layers in The Unico System’s main and supply ducts result in almost zero percent duct leakage.  With virtually no energy being wasted through duct leakage, homeowners only pay for the conditioned air they actually feel.

Small-duct systems offer better indoor air quality.

With the high velocity of the supply air stream, dust and other allergens can’t build up or recirculate within the supply ducting as they can with conventional systems. Unico is the only manufacturer fully compliant with ASHRAE 62.2 ventilation standards. Additionally, The Unico System removes 30% more moisture than traditional systems, and with filtration options, can capture 85% of all mold spores with MERV 11 filters.

Small-duct systems are complementary to in-floor radiant systems.

In-floor radiant heating systems have become more popular in recent years, especially in the custom and “new old house” markets.  While this method of heating is both comfortable and efficient, it lacks the “on-demand” quality often needed by homeowners, especially during the spring and fall months when heat may only be needed at certain times during the day.  Pairing The Unico System with these types of heating systems provides homeowners with the very best option available: quiet, comfortable and instantaneous heat when it’s needed without the wasted efficiencies or uncomfortable period of waiting for the radiant system to fire up.

More details about The Unico System can be found at www.UnicoSystem.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Scott Intagliata is the Marketing Director for Unico, Inc. Learn more about Unico, Inc. here.

7 Reasons to Heat with a Small-Duct System By: Scott Intagliata, Marketing Director, Unico, Inc. Homeowners and remodelers have many choices when it comes to retrofitting central heating systems. 

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Leo Lantz Construction Receives NARI Accredited Remodeling Certification (ARC)

Leo Lantz Construction Receives NARI Accredited Remodeling Certification (ARC)

By: Leo Lantz, CKBR, CR, CGR, UDCP, CAPS, President of Leo Lantz Construction, Inc. A few months ago, we proudly announced our Certified Remodeler certification through the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Now, we are announcing something even better. We have become an Accredited Remodeling Company! What does it mean to be an accredited remodeler with NARI? Well, as part of…