PRODUCTS

Hardwood
CeremaicTile
Carpet
Laminate
Stone
Other

Installation Options
Nail Down - Mostly used with 3/4" solid wood products, though we have adapters for thin flooring sizes too. 2" nail cleats are installed with a mallet and flooring nailer for attaching the floor to a sub-floor. Solid Strip and/or Plank flooring is installed to on-grade sub-floors, or to above grade.

Staple Down - 1 & 1/2" - 2" staples instead of nailing cleats are used to attach flooring to subfloors. A pneumatic air gun is used to drive staples into the wood and subfloor -- a good technique for do-it-yourself projects.

Floating - With this procedure, the floor isn't fastened to a sub-floor (mechanically). However, a thin padding is positioned between the sub-floor and flooring material. The pad reduces noise and protects the floor from moisture; it also offers cushion to your feet while providing some insulating "R" value as well. Many engineered floors and every Longstrip type floor can be floated. The floating installation method is fast, clean and easy.

Wooden Floor Care Tips
• Sweep, or vacuum regularly to remove debris and accumulated dirt from the floor.
• Never use a wet mop, or attempt cleaning a hardwood floor with water.
•  Water can dull your floor's finish and permanently damage the wood.
• Although hardwood floors can be scratched, any scratches to the finished top layer are usually easy to repair.

Over time, sunlight will change the color of most stained hardwood flooring to some degree. Hardwood floor finishes can be restored to their original luster. Many hardwood manufacturers have their own brand of formulated cleaners for wood floors.

We always suggest that our customers follow the manufacturer's recommended care procedures for their floors. We can also provide you with more suggestions and helpful information. Call, or visit our hardwood flooring outlet soon. BACK TO TOP
 

Ceramic Tile

Practically indestructible from normal everyday wear, ceramic and porcelain tiles are truly one of the best flooring materials available. Both these tile types offer the remodeler almost unlimited possibilities in residential and commercial applications.

Ceramic tile is created from clay, natural minerals & water. Glazed tile carries a ceramic coating giving the tile its finish and color. Glazed ceramic tiles are naturally an excellent choice for interior floors because they are:

• Durable - professionally installed ceramic tile outperforms and outlasts just about every other floor covering material created for a similar application.

• Easy care - glazed ceramic tiles resist odors, stains & dirt, plus tile can be cleaned easily with a sponge, damp mop, or most ordinary household cleaners like Spic and Span, Mr. Clean, or Top Job.

•  Scratch resistant - Grade III & Grade IV ceramic glazed tiles are very resistant to scratches and scuff marks.

•  Environmentally friendly - manufactured with natural materials, ceramic tile doesn't retain any allergens, bacteria, or odors.

•  Versatile and Beautiful - technology in today's ceramic manufacturing has created an almost unlimited choice of colors, styles, sizes, textures and shapes to add beauty and character to any room's decor.

•  Resistant to Fire - ceramic tile will not burn or give off toxic fumes.

•  Water Resistant - glazed ceramic tiles will not absorb moisture, meaning common liquid spills in the kitchen are of little concern.

Ultimately, ceramic tile is a functional and practical choice for floors, countertops, or walls. Tile offers versatility in application as well as beauty from its design potential.

Classifications - P.E.I (Porcelain Enamel Institute) Wear Ratings:
Group I - Tiles suitable for residential bathroom installations where the foot traffic is light. Wall tiles are in this category; some can be used on floors.

Group II - Tiles appropriate for use in moderate traffic areas, except on floors having lots of traffic like in foyers, kitchens, a laundry room, etc.

Group III - The category of tile products which are suitable for most all residential installations.

Group IV - Tiles suited for light to medium commercial installations as well as all residential applications.

Group V - Tiles that can be used for heavy traffic areas; they're also recommended for damp areas where safety is necessary such as food service facilities, exterior locations, swimming pools, shopping malls, etc.

Types
Glazed - This is the most common type used for today's floors and walls in both residential & commercial applications. Glazing is a liquid glass applied to the tile's surface which is then heated to a high temperature.

The glazed body is non-porous and very hard, resulting in a flooring surface that is:

•  Resistant to stains
•  Resistant to scratches
•  Fire resistant
• Not faded by sunlight
• Resistant to slipping
•  Easy to keep clean

Shiny glazes can be somewhat softer and are more easily scratched. They are also more slippery than rustic, or satin tile finishes.

Unglazed - No glazing, or coating is applied to this type of tile. Colors are uniform throughout the tiles which results in a durability that resists the effects of heavily trafficked areas. Red quarry tile and/or ceramic porcelain tiles are today's most commonly used, unglazed tile types. BACK TO TOP

Just a few of the many advantages to using carpet in your home:

• Carpeting adds warmth and since it's soft, it's easier on children's knees.

• Carpet is less noisy than a hard surface floor.

• Carpeting is available in a wide spectrum of color tones and hues.

• Carpet colors easily compliment rooms with patterned wall coverings.

• Carpet can conceal sub-floor irregularities, which is something that can't be done with hard surface flooring.

• Carpet can be applied to a wide variety of substrates on all grade levels, even basement concrete slabs.

• Carpeting is economical compared to many hard surface products with total installation costs being much less.

Carpet Fibers
Nylon - By far, this is the most popular synthetic carpet fiber in use today. It offers homeowners tremendous value, ease of maintenance and performance. Nylon carpeting provides a choice of brilliant colors plus it hides soil and traffic spots well.

Olefin - Also known as polypropylene, this fiber is very popular in Berbers and level loop weaves. Olefin carpets are highly stain, mold, static and mildew resistant. They can be used for indoor or outdoor carpeting, as well as outdoor turf, though their resistance to crushing and matting are not quite as good as nylon fibers.

Polyester - This fiber excells in color clarity along with having a soft feel to the carpet, however it lacks the superior durability of nylon carpets.

Acrylic - Has the look and appearance of real wool. It's used mostly in level loops, bath mats and some velvet style carpets, plus it offers good mold and mildew resistance; it also provides low static electricity levels.

Wool - For larger budgets, the somewhat more expensive wool fiber will give floors greater bulk and mass, long-wearing performance, in addition to an elegant look.

Carpet Buying Tips
Most homeowners choose carpeting because it's soft and warm. When you select a carpet you usually purchase with the expectation that your new carpet will look just like the store sample for many years to come. While our staff can help you make the best decision, having some general knowledge about the different characteristics of carpeting will assist you in choosing the best carpet to meet your needs.

Here's a few points that explain why some carpets will perform better:

• Yarn Twist - For carpeting, a tighter weave is better. Generally, the tighter a yarn's twist, your carpet will last longer before it starts to matt up and crush. The process of spinning fiber strands (filaments) into a tight-twisted yarn, then locking the fibers together by heat yields a more resilient carpet yarn.

• Shorter Nap - Carpet nap height, or the lower the carpet's yarn stands over the backing, is important to the carpet's overall performance. It's much easier to make a carpet more crush & matt resistant when the pile's height is shorter -- plus with a shorter pile your carpet will retain its like-brand-new appearance much longer.

•  # Stitches per Inch - Carpeting with more yarn & more stitches per inch will have superior resistance to crushing and matting than carpets with less-dense weaves.

• Carpet Cushions - A good carpet cushion can extend your carpet's useful life. Carpet cushions serve as both shock absorbers and springs which in turn help improve your carpet's performance overall. Be sure to always read the carpet manufacturer's cushion recommendation before purchasing.

• Continuous Filament Nylon (CFN) - Labels on the back of a carpet samples named "CFN" means the carpet is constructed of continuous filament nylon. CFN begins as a single, continuous strand before its crafted into yarn and is superior to another filament type, known as staple nylon. The latter begins as only a 7 inch long strand before it's spun into yarn & tufted into carpets. Shorter, unsecured pieces of staple nylon can eventually come loose resulting in stray piling deposited on top of the carpet's surface. This is avoided with CFN (continuous nylon carpet).

Toxic Carpet Emissions
We'd like to remind you that many home furnishings are created from synthetic chemicals. The Environmental Protection Agency, the Carpet and Rug Institute and the Carpet Cushion Council have entered into an agreement to establish a program to lower the volatile chemical emissions from carpet and rug under-padding.

For the most part, emissions are usually low, however, this program ensures that technological steps are taken to reduce emission occurrence indoors and help avoid irritation by people who are sensitive to their environment.

To ensure you're buying carpet products with low emission levels, look for carpets, cushions and paddings that display the "Green Label." This provides assurance that the product you purchase is endorsed by the Air Quality Testing Program. BACK TO TOP
 

Laminate Flooring = Superior performance at a budget price

Experience the timeless beauty of real hardwood floors at a lower, discount cost. Our laminate faux wood flooring will resist years of wear & tear from children and pets, plus it's easy to clean, quick to install and looks just like natural wood.

Homeowners, builders, even remodeling do-it-your-selfers are discovering the many benefits of laminate flooring. Castle Floors sells and installs quality, brand name wood laminate flooring such as Pergo, Wilsonart and Witex.

The perfect alternative to real hardwood flooring, laminate floors have been installed in homes for over 25+ years. Most laminate floors are currently imported, though several brands are manufactured in the U.S.

Laminate wood floors exhibit excellent performance and even resemble real hardwood floor installations, though they're not wood. The cross-section diagrams at left illustrate the differences between laminates and real wood.

Laminate floors offer the homeowner many benefits, including:
• Exceptional durability
• Easy to clean surface
• Superior stain resistance
• Superior fade resistance
• Install on all grade levels, even below grade
• Install over many different types of subfloors
• Great impact and indentation resistance
• Exceptional realism at affordable costs
• Easy to replace later on, if desired

The majority of laminate floors can be installed anywhere in your home, including bathrooms and kitchens. Laminate floors never need waxing or polishing. While a laminate floor can be somewhat noisy when people walk on it, special underlying paddings are used to reduce noise levels. Laminates also resist sunlight damage.

Laminate Flooring Installation
Laminate floors are intended to be floated over many types of subfloors; they're never actually attached to any substrate directly. That is, the floor lays right on top of the subfloor, which can be concrete, wood, or an even existing floor. This allows for the laminate floor to contract and expand freely as the environment of the room changes. Laminate flooring comes in squares and planks of different shapes and sizes. Each plank has tongue & groove edges for connecting the planks together.

The "floating floor" install means that the laminate flooring is not anchored to a subfloor. A polyurethane underlayment is laid before the new laminate flooring is installed. Some underlayments offer additional benefits such as reducing noise vibrations, or acting as a moisture barrier. Tongue and grooved edges of laminate floors are sealed to prevent moisture from damaging the inner core structure.

General Care Tips
Vacuum and sweep your floors regularly in order to remove any debris or dirt accumulation. An occasional damp mopping will help too, though always follow the flooring manufacturer's suggested care instructions.

Laminate floors can give you years of reliable performance if you follow regular maintenance procedures. Even though they're extremely durable, laminates can be scratched. It's important you protect your flooring from grit, or other sharp objects.

To prevent scuffing, use felt padding, or wide casters under chairs and furniture legs. Be careful when sliding a heavy object across the floor too. Vacuum regularly with a soft brush attachment, but do not wax or polish a laminate floor.

Never attempt to sand or refinish laminate floors and don't use steel wools or chemically abrasive cleaners. For additional care and maintenance, be sure to refer to your laminate flooring manufacturer's specific instructions and recommendations. BACK TO TOP

Natural stone flooring integrates the infinite beauty and strength of earth elements with your home's decor in a way that few materials can match. Our design team can explain different textures and hardness plus assist you with choosing colors.

Here are some basic facts and information about our flooring stone products:


Marble
Marble is a metamorphic stone (metamorphic means physical change in form). Essentially, marble is the recrystallization of limestone that formed when a limestone strata was softened due to tremendous sub-surface heat and pressure.
Marble comes in many colors and can be heavily veined. One of the greatest assets of marbles is the large number of available colors.

Marble can be used on floors, walls, vanity tops, fireplaces, backsplash and furniture.

Variations in color and texture are inherit in all natural stone materials. Marble should be blended from box to box, or pallet to pallet as it is being installed to provide a balanced blend of color.

Marble must be sealed to resist staining.
*Note: Not all marbles are appropriate for floor applications.

Slate
Slate is also a metamorphic stone. It's composed of sediment from decomposed organic matter and stone that was hardened by the earth's heat and pressure.
Slate can be used for residential floors and commercial applications.

Slate is used in both interior and exterior applications. In exterior applications, you'll want to make sure the environment won't be too harsh, that is, freeze & thaw, or constantly wet conditions.

All slate should be sealed to aid in cleaning and to resist staining.

Variations in color and texture are inherent in all natural stones. Slate should be blended from box to box, or from the pallets during installation to give a uniform distribution of color and texture. Slate can be used for flooring, backsplash, fireplace and furniture.

Limestone/Sandstone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock produced by the compacting of loose particles such as mud, sand, pebbles and the remains of plants and animals that become bonded by the extreme pressure of the earth, or by the crystallization process of certain minerals causing a bond. It is composed primarily of calcite, or dolomite and is often rich in fossils. Limestone and sandstone typically have a smooth surface with very little veining or crystalline structure.
All limestone and sandstone should be sealed before or after installation to prevent staining.

Sandstone and Limestone can both be used for flooring, walls, fireplaces as well as furniture.

Limestone should be blended from box to box, or from pallet to pallet as it is being installed to show a balanced color blend.

Travertine
Travertine is a sedimentary stone formed by calcite accumulation from mineral-rich, hot springs. Travertine contains irregular pits and holes formed by boiling water and sulfur bubbles rising up through the limestone slurry. The holes can be filled with a synthetic resin or cement. Once the travertine is filled, the stone is referred to as a filled travertine. The stone itself will take a polish -- the fill will not. A more rustic appearance can be achieved by leaving these imperfections and holes unfilled.

Travertine presents a delightful variation in color and texture. All travertines should be sealed after their installations in order to be resistant to stains.

Travertine has a wide variety of uses including floors, walls, fireplaces, countertops and furniture. The material should be mixed well from box to box, or pallets during the install so the final application has a balanced combination of colors.

Granite
Granite is an igneous rock (formed by the cooling down and solidification of the molten magmas and lava). As they cool, crystals form and grow upon one another until the entire molten body has turned to stone. This group of rock is said to be the earliest to form on the planet and today comprises up 95% of the earths crust. Granite is the parent rock of all other rocks and primarily composed of quartz and feldspar. Granite provides a heavy granular, crystalline appearance with variations in shading and colors of its mineral grains.
Granite is the hardest natural stone for floor covering.

Granite is well suited for many high performance applications in food service areas such as cooking tops, islands, butler's pantry, bar tops and kitchen countertops.

Granite is an excellent material for floors as well as bath area applications, including high performance elements such as steam showers.

Granite should be sealed. Granite is resistant to most acids. Granite pieces need to be blended together as they're installed so the final application will coalesce into a balanced mixture of shades and colors.

Onyx
A semi-precious sedimentary stone, onyx has an extremely fine crystalline composition. Onyx is valued for its translucent quality and is often installed where it can be illuminated from behind, producing a very dramatic effect. Onyx tiles are used for flooring and wall applications.

Onyx can be used for residential floors and commercial applications.. BACK TO TOP

Sustainable, renewable flooring has come a long way.
Hard surfaces such as Bamboo, Palm, Mulberry, Cork, Marmoleum and softer surfaces such as Sisal, Reed, Coir, Mountain Grass and Wool carpeting offer beauty, durability and sustainability.

Renewable flooring comes from natural resources that are replaced by natural processes in a reasonable amount of time. Soil, water, forests, plants, and animals are all renewable resources as long as they are properly conserved.

Bamboo
Considered an exotic alternative to other hardwoods, bamboo is an eco-friendly, renewable flooring product suitable for a variety of remodeling applications and room decors. Best results are obtained from the harder, more mature 5 - 6 year old bamboo plants and by using materials that arrive from the same supplier shipment to avoid coloration differences in the floor installation.

Palm
Palm wood is considered a great choice for an alternative to bamboo because it is harvested from already existing plantations, and unlike bamboo, it is not cultivated on land where nothing else is grown. In effect, palm wood is a by-product of coconut production and therefore it has Forest Stewardship Council approval.

Mulberry
Strand Woven Mulberry flooring is highly appealing both for its rare elegance and its being a reclaimed resource. This product consists of recycled branches that produce a natural, luxurious look you will not find in other products. Extremely durable, Mulberry flooring has just enough variation to work in nearly any style or type of room while keeping environmentally friendly.

Cork
Comprised of a renewable natural material, cork is environmentally friendly, as much as it promotes improved health and comfort for human indoor living. Cork is a completely renewable resource harvested as bark from living cork trees, never harmed by the harvest. Also, cork flooring is a by-product of the wine industry.

Marmolium
Marmolium is natural linseed oil linoleum that is not derived from petroleum and is ecologically produced. Linoleum is produced from renewable materials: linseed oil, rosins, wood flour, jute and ecologically responsible pigments. The harvesting or extraction of these raw materials consumes relatively little energy. Therefore, this material is an environmentally friendly choice with the versatility to enhance your existing interior spaces with more than 160 colors to choose from!

Natural Fiber
Natural fibers such as Sisal, Reed, Mountain Grass and Coir are great choices for replacing hard surface floors. Many fibers are easy to clean, with low maintenance and high performance. Also naturally colorfast, and stain resistant.

Natural Wool Carpeting Wool
Natural Wool Carpeting Wool is good for the environment as a renewable fiber source that is biodegradable at the end of the productÕs life span. This product offers durability and beauty while at the same time being sustainable. Wool is Warm and comfortable in winter because of its natural insulating attributes while it is dry and clean in the summer because it naturally regulates air moisture content.

Recycled Tile
100% natural tiles do not release toxic V.O.C.Õs into your interior. Sources of clay and stone are not renewable, however they are abundant. Recycled tiles help decrease the demand on natural resources and make use of natural materials that would otherwise be thrown into landfill sites. There are various styles and colors of recycled tile that offer durability and beauty while at the same time reusing an existing product so that it does not go to waste.