How to Properly Execute Flooring Transitions

Welcome to our latest blog post! Today, we’re going to discuss a crucial aspect of flooring installations – executing flooring transitions properly. As you venture through a home or office space, it’s essential to ensure seamless transitions between different rooms or areas, especially when dealing with various flooring types or styles. In this blog, we will cover a range of topics, including transitioning through doorways, shifting from one style to another while using the same flooring type, and transitioning between different flooring types altogether. Our goal is to help you achieve smooth and visually appealing flooring transitions that enhance the overall look and feel of your space. So, let’s dive right in and explore the art of perfecting flooring transitions!

Flooring Transitions Through a Doorway

When transitioning flooring through a doorway, it’s essential to focus on the details for a seamless and professional appearance. First, you’ll need to address the door frame and casing. Treat these elements as obstacles that require careful attention, similar to cutting around a cabinet.

Achieving a seamless and professional look when transitioning flooring through a doorway requires attention to detail. One important aspect to consider is undercutting the door jamb to allow the flooring to slide beneath it easily. This method hides cut edges from sight and simplifies the installation process.
- To undercut the door jamb, use an oscillating multi-tool, cutting it by the thickness of the flooring. Doorframes are supported by the surrounding studs and do not rely on the bottom part for stability. This means you can safely remove the bottom part without compromising the door’s integrity. (Source: DIY with Christine)
- An oscillating multi-tool, enables straight plunge cuts, allowing you to remove a piece as thick as your flooring with ease. This extra space created by undercutting the door jamb also provides the necessary gap for laminate flooring to expand and contract underneath the door jamb, hiding it from view.
- Undercutting the door jamb is more efficient than trying to cut the laminate around the doorframe, as it reduces installation time and effort. Without undercutting, you may end up with complicated, precise cuts or unsightly gaps around the doorframe.
- This method is applicable when transitioning from one room to another using the same flooring type and style.
- By following these steps and using the appropriate tools, you can create a smooth and visually appealing transition between rooms through a doorway, ensuring a polished and professional appearance.

Flooring Transitions to a Different Laminate Floor

Reducer Stair Nose

T- Mold End Cap

The first step is to ensure that both floors have the same thickness and locking mechanism. Once that’s established, you can proceed with the installation. Start by positioning the transition strip right in the middle of the doorway, aligning it with the front edge. This will create a gentle punctuation of style from one room to another, giving your space a polished and cohesive appearance. 😊

When transitioning from one laminate floor to another, it’s essential to maintain a seamless look while still accommodating the different styles. One of the most effective ways to do this is to use a transition strip, also known as a T-strip. 🛠️

Flooring Transitions to Other Types of Flooring

Flooring transitions to other types of flooring, such as from laminate to carpet or tile, require a bit more consideration compared to transitions between similar flooring types. To execute these transitions smoothly, it’s important to account for the thickness of each flooring type and choose the appropriate transition strip.

A popular option for these transitions is a reducer strip. The reducer strip serves as a bridge between two different flooring types, seamlessly transitioning from one to the other while minimizing the risk of tripping or catching a toe on the height difference. It’s vital to position the reducer strip correctly, ensuring it slopes away from the door, with the thinner flooring on the same side as the strip.

Flooring Transitions – Patterns and Design

When working on flooring transitions, it’s essential not just to focus on the functional aspects, but also to consider the aesthetics of the transition. The way the flooring pattern flows from one room to another can significantly impact the overall look of your home.

If you’re using the same flooring in each room, it’s generally best to maintain continuity in the pattern. A consistent pattern creates a smooth flow from one room to the next, preventing the design from appearing disjointed. However, if you’re transitioning from one flooring type to another, such as from laminate to tile or a different color or design of flooring, you have more room for creativity in the pattern and design of the transition.

When planning your flooring transitions, remember that a well-thought-out design will enhance the overall appearance of your space, creating a harmonious and visually pleasing flow from room to room.

For more design inspiration and ideas on how to create stunning flooring transitions, check out this article from House Beautiful that showcases some incredible examples of seamless and stylish flooring transitions in various homes.

Perfecting Your Flooring Transitions for a Seamless Look

In conclusion, perfecting your flooring transitions can significantly enhance the visual appeal and functionality of your home. From expertly undercutting door jambs to selecting the right transition strips, every detail matters when creating seamless transitions between rooms.

At Builders Surplus, we take pride in providing top-notch products, services, and design expertise to our clients. With locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Florence, Kentucky, we serve the Cincinnati, Ohio area, offering Ledge Stone, wall tile, backsplash tile, and a wide range of building materials. Our interior design and measurement services come at no extra cost to our clients, making it easy to achieve your dream renovation.

Whether you’re looking for unfinished kitchen cabinets or top-of-the-line Wellborn cabinets, we have something for every budget. We also provide installation services for your convenience. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

We’re passionate about sharing our knowledge on interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. Be sure to check back for our next article and enjoy your renovation journey! Happy Renovation!

Updated by: Todd Bauer

If you are interested in our favorite Oscillating tool a must have for all DIY’rs

Check out this link.

April 7, 2023

Your Guide to Waterproof Flooring!

Introduction to Waterproof Flooring

In today’s world, homeowners are constantly seeking ways to improve the functionality and durability of their living spaces while maintaining a stylish and modern aesthetic. One of the most significant aspects to consider when designing or remodeling a home is the flooring. With a variety of options available, waterproof flooring has emerged as an increasingly popular choice for many households. This type of flooring provides numerous benefits, including resistance to water damage, easy maintenance, and durability in high-traffic areas. Whether you’re on a tight budget, have young children or pets, or simply want a long-lasting and low-maintenance flooring solution, waterproof flooring is an ideal choice. In this blog post, we will explore the two main waterproof flooring options – luxury vinyl flooring and waterproof laminate – and help you understand their unique features, histories, and benefits. By the end of this post, you will have the knowledge needed to make an informed decision about the best waterproof flooring solution for your home.

Two Main Waterproof Flooring Options

When it comes to selecting waterproof flooring, there are two primary options that cater to different preferences and requirements. Understanding the unique features and benefits of each option will help you make the best choice for your home.

a. Luxury Vinyl Flooring (LVT or LVP)

Luxury Vinyl Flooring, also known as Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) or Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP), is a highly versatile and durable flooring option made from multiple layers of PVC vinyl. LVT and LVP are designed to closely mimic the appearance of natural materials, such as hardwood or stone, while providing the added benefits of water resistance, easy installation, and low maintenance. Luxury vinyl flooring is ideal for homeowners who want the look and feel of natural materials without the high cost or susceptibility to water damage.

b. Waterproof Laminate

Waterproof laminate is an innovative flooring option that offers the benefits of traditional laminate flooring while incorporating enhanced water resistance. Unlike standard laminate flooring, which is only water-resistant, waterproof laminate features a surface that is impervious to water, making it suitable for areas prone to spills or moisture. However, it is important to note that only the surface of waterproof laminate is waterproof, and water damage can still occur if moisture seeps into the cracks or underneath the flooring. Waterproof laminate is a good option for those seeking an affordable, stylish, and moderately water-resistant flooring solution.

By comparing the features and benefits of luxury vinyl flooring and waterproof laminate, you can determine the best waterproof flooring option for your specific needs and preferences.

WATERPROOF LAMINATE

Comparing Laminate and Luxury Vinyl Flooring

When choosing between laminate and luxury vinyl flooring, it’s essential to understand their differences in terms of composition, durability, water resistance, and other factors. By examining these differences, you can make an informed decision about the best waterproof flooring solution for your home.

a. Material Composition

Laminate flooring is composed of multiple layers, with its primary layer (the core) made of high-density fiberboard. This provides laminate flooring with rigidity and strength. On the other hand, luxury vinyl flooring is made primarily of PVC vinyl, which makes it dimensionally stable and flexible. Learn more about laminate vs. luxury vinyl flooring in our blog post.

b. Water Resistance

While waterproof laminate has a water-resistant surface, only the surface is waterproof. If water penetrates the cracks or seeps underneath the flooring, damage can occur. Luxury vinyl flooring, in contrast, is entirely waterproof, making it a more suitable option for areas prone to moisture or spills. Discover more about waterproof flooring options on our blog.

c. Durability and Maintenance

Both laminate and luxury vinyl flooring are durable and low-maintenance options. However, luxury vinyl flooring is generally more resistant to dents, scratches, and fading caused by sunlight exposure, making it a more robust choice for high-traffic areas and households with children or pets. Read our blog post on the durability of luxury vinyl flooring for more information.

d. Appearance and Cost

Laminate flooring can closely mimic the appearance of real hardwood floors or slate at a lower cost, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious homeowners. Luxury vinyl flooring also offers a wide range of design options that closely resemble natural materials, often at a competitive price point. Explore our blog on affordable flooring options for more insights.

e. Environmental and Health Factors

Laminate flooring is considered an environmentally friendly choice due to its composition, which often includes recycled materials. Additionally, some laminate flooring options are resistant to chemicals and burns, providing added safety benefits. Luxury vinyl flooring, on the other hand, offers built-in soundproofing and often doesn’t contain harmful chemicals that can impact indoor air quality. Check out our blog post on eco-friendly flooring choices for more information.

By comparing laminate and luxury vinyl flooring across these key factors, you can make a well-informed decision about the best waterproof flooring option to suit your specific needs, budget, and design preferences.

Top Waterproof Flooring Brands to Consider

With numerous waterproof flooring options available in the market, it’s important to choose a reliable brand that offers high-quality products. Here are five top brands for waterproof flooring, each offering exceptional durability, style, and performance

REVWOD WHICKAM GRAY

Mohawk RevWood

Mohawk RevWood is a revolutionary laminate flooring option that combines the beauty of hardwood with the performance of laminate. This waterproof flooring is designed to withstand everyday wear and tear while maintaining its attractive appearance. Check out our Mohawk RevWood collection at Builders Surplus.

ELIPTICAL OAK

COREtec

COREtec is a leading brand in luxury vinyl flooring, offering 100% waterproof planks that are both durable and visually appealing. With innovative core structures and an attached cork underlayment, COREtec floors provide excellent soundproofing and comfort. Explore our COREtec flooring options at Builders Surplus.

PERGO CHANCING SEAFOAM CEDAR

Pergo

Pergo is a well-known brand in the laminate flooring industry, offering waterproof laminate options that are both stylish and functional. Pergo’s waterproof laminate flooring is designed to resist spills, stains, and scratches, making it an excellent choice for busy households. Discover our selection of Pergo waterproof laminate flooring at Builders Surplus.

CYRUS AKADIA

Cyrus from MSI

Cyrus is a popular luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring brand that provides a wide range of waterproof and stylish flooring options. Their LVP products are designed to mimic the look of real wood or stone, offering a durable and low-maintenance alternative to traditional flooring materials. Browse our Cyrus luxury vinyl plank collection at Builders Surplus.

ANDOVER KINGSDOWN GRAY

Andover from MSI

Andover is a premium line of luxury vinyl planks by MSI that offers beautiful, waterproof flooring options with realistic wood and stone textures. These durable LVP products are designed for easy installation and long-lasting performance, making them an excellent choice for any home. Check out our Andover luxury vinyl plank offerings at Builders Surplus.

By considering these top waterproof flooring brands, you can find the perfect solution for your home renovation project. Visit Builders Surplus to explore these brands further and find the ideal waterproof flooring option to suit your specific needs and preferences.

Tips for Choosing and Installing Waterproof Flooring

Selecting and installing waterproof flooring can be a seamless process if you follow the right guidelines. Here are some tips and resources to help you make the best decisions for your home:

a. Assess Your Needs

Before diving into the various waterproof flooring options, assess your specific needs. Consider factors such as your budget, preferred aesthetics, room usage, and moisture levels. This comprehensive guide on how to choose the right flooring from The Spruce can help you get started.

b. Research Waterproof Flooring Types

Take the time to research different types of waterproof flooring, including laminate and luxury vinyl options, to determine which best suits your requirements. This detailed comparison of laminate and luxury vinyl flooring from Flooring Inc. can provide valuable insights.

c. Explore Brands and Styles

Explore various brands and styles of waterproof flooring to find the perfect match for your home’s design and functionality. This roundup of the best waterproof flooring brands from Floor Critics can help you narrow down your choices.

d. Consult a Professional

When in doubt, consult a flooring professional to help you make the best decision for your home. They can guide you through the selection process and provide expert advice on installation. Find a trusted flooring professional near you through HomeAdvisor.

e. Proper Installation

Ensure proper installation of your waterproof flooring to maximize its performance and longevity. This step-by-step guide on how to install luxury vinyl plank flooring from DIY Network can be a valuable resource for do-it-yourself enthusiasts.

By following these tips and utilizing the provided resources, you can confidently choose and install waterproof flooring in your home, creating a durable and stylish space that stands the test of time.

In conclusion, waterproof flooring is a versatile and practical solution for homeowners looking to combine style, durability, and moisture resistance. With various types and brands available, it’s essential to research your options, consult professionals, and follow proper installation and maintenance practices. By doing so, you can create a beautiful, long-lasting floor that stands up to the challenges of daily life and enhances your home’s overall appeal. 🏡✨😊

Don’t forget to visit our website at www.builderssurplus.us for more information and inspiration on waterproof flooring options. Happy renovating! 🛠️🎉 T.B.

If you’re ready to upgrade to luxury vinyl flooring, Builders Surplus offers top brands at unbeatable prices. Click here to explore our extensive Luxury Vinyl collection, and visit our store to pick up your new flooring today!

Schedule your Free Tile or Flooring Consultation Today!

March 26, 2023

Life Is Good When You’ve Got Tile That Looks Like Wood!

I know my father wants wood look tile, he just doesn’t know it yet. My dad constantly gripes about how he has a hardwood entrance to the house but that the rest of it is carpet. He says he’d much rather have hardwood throughout. He also gripes about the cost, and maintenance, and this, that and the other when it comes to the possibility of hardwood. So I’ve come to the conclusion that all he really just wants is the look of hardwood! Well, because I work at Builders Surplus I’ve let him in on the secret. He can have the look of hardwood throughout his home without all of the hassle!

Well, what exactly is this secret stuff?

The secret is Wood Look Tile! It’s made from porcelain or ceramic and can stand up to just about everything that natural hardwood can’t! Thanks to modern technology the detail that is put into the process of creating this style of tile is that it mirrors the look and feel of real hardwood so accurately that even experts are sometimes stumped.

How durable is this ‘wood look tile’?

Wood-look tile can stand up to just about anything that hardwood can and even some things that natural hardwood cannot. For instance, did you know you can put wood look tile in your bathroom and your basement (try that with natural hardwood. Blech.)! Tile doesn’t need to acclimate and it stands up to water much better than other types of flooring, so you’ll never have to worry about it warping or rotting. This stuff is also very easy to clean and maintain! Sure, a well maintained, a real hardwood floor can last you 100 years or more, but on that same note, a tile that is taken care of properly will last you the same timeframe if not longer!

However, porcelain is porous so you will want to clean any spills up quickly or you will run the risk of staining the surface of the tile.

What does it cost?

This is the question that everyone wants the answer to and, actually, it runs fairly comparable to natural hardwood. Some hardwood is less expensive, just like some hardwoods are more expensive than it’s tile doppelgänger. The price of real hardwood will depend on it’s finish and especially on the rarity of the wood being used, with tile you’re main expense is going to be brand and size of the tile.

Will I like the look of tile just as much as real hardwood?

I’m willing to bet that you will! You’ll hear others snicker that wood look tile doesn’t feel like real wood and that the grout that is sometimes used to place the tile ruins the illusion. Daltile wrote a short piece to dispel these myths about wood look tile, check it out if you’re having any doubts.
The other part of this question that isn’t stated is ‘will I like the color(s) offered?’ Again, this answer is yes. Like I said earlier, technology has come so far when creating the look of wood on tile that not only do they use multiple images of wood grain to make sure the pattern isn’t repeated over and over again on a noticeable level, they can make the wood look like just about any color or wood type that you can imagine. There are tiles that reflect a lighter, smooth wood look similar to pine and there are other tiles that have a dark color with a rough texture like distressed barn wood.

Shop around our own selection and you’ll be able to see exactly what I am talking about. We have many styles in stock, ready to take home, as well as other styles of wood look tile that we can custom order for your specific flooring renovation project!

At Builders Surplus, we’re a friendly renovation company that’s here to help you with all your home improvement needs. We’ve got two convenient locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Florence, Kentucky, so we’re never too far away to lend a hand to our friends in Cincinnati, Ohio. Our specialties include interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, and building materials – we’ve got everything you need to create the home of your dreams! Best of all, our interior design services and measurements are always completely free for our clients.

No matter what your budget is, we’ve got building materials that will work for you. From unfinished kitchen cabinets to top-of-the-line Wellborn cabinets, we’ve got something for everyone. And if you’re looking for installation services, we’ve got you covered there too. Our team is always happy to answer any questions you may have, and we’d love to set up a free design consultation with one of our talented interior designers. We’re passionate about sharing our knowledge with our clients and potential home renovators, which is why we regularly write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement on our website. So make sure to check back often for our latest article! We’re here to help you create the home of your dreams, so let’s get started today. Happy Renovation!

Written By: Kat Updated by Todd 2023

October 25, 2019

5 Renovation Mistakes You Cannot Afford To Make

Anyone who has watched HGTV has seen plenty of renovation mistakes. Any renovation is an undertaking–ask every contractor and every homeowner that has been part of a remodel. From the accidents that can occur to the ever-growing budget, taking on a reno project requires time, dedication, sweat, and patience. From our experts to you, we have come up with the list of five renovation mistakes you cannot afford to make!

Low-Balling the Budget

Surprises are going to happen. Sometimes they are good: like finding original hardwood floors underneath the carpet in pristine condition. Sometimes they are horrifying: like finding asbestos in your home’s walls. While installing backsplash, you might damage the wall and have to replace some of the drywall. Peeking inside the drywall, you could find electrical issues. Then, the next thing you know, you’re dealing with more than just installing backsplash. We suggest setting aside 15% of the total project cost (potentially more for older homes) for unexpected expenses. This is your safety net in the event that unforeseen issues occur. This will give you peace of mind knowing that you won’t break the bank at the first sign of the unexpected.

Floor Drains: the Laundry Room Essential

This is one of the renovation mistakes that you may not consider. A laundry room drain is required by code in most areas, but some people still omit it. If there is ever a break in your washing machine hose, you’ll flood your house. A floor drain directs the water into your home’s main drain system. And please, do not try a DIY installation. This can turn into another one of our renovation mistakes. You will absolutely need a professional plumber, but again, you’ll have peace of mind, as flood insurance is not covered by most basic homeowner’s insurance plans.

Granite, Granite, Granite

Of course, it is popular, but granite isn’t the only option for the kitchen. Renovators could choose a different material for the countertops that can save tons of money in the kitchen! Our non-granite picks: butcher block, plate steel, or a nice laminate for those who don’t necessarily have the budget for premium marble or granite. Explore the options that will work best for your family to avoid regret down the road. Don’t break your budget trying to keep up with the Joneses.

Hidden Gems

Just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t useful. A bathroom membrane system (which goes under tile) prevents popping and cracking, and keeps water from getting into the substructure. Think about it: If you’re spending $15,000 on a bathroom, spend an extra $1,000 to ensure you’ll never have a mold problem. This is one of those renovation mistakes that could end up costing big bucks down the line.

Floored: Ultimate Renovation Mistakes

Most contractors typically buy 20% extra flooring since it is prone to cuts and breakage during installation. There’s no guarantee you’ll be able to find an exact match if you need to order more during a long remodeling project. Most retailers often let you return unopened boxes for a refund, so you shouldn’t get stuck with too much material. It’s also nice to have extra in case of damage down the road. If you suffer and water damage (especially in the kitchen) or a pet scratches deeply or has an accident that stains, you’ll be glad you did.

For more tips on avoiding costly remodeling mistakes, download our FREE Home Reno 101 Checklist and sign-up for our newsletter, which has the latest tips and tricks, design trends, special offers, and expert knowledge on renovations!

Builders Surplus is a full-service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: KH

October 18, 2019

Discovering LVP Flooring: A Durable and Budget-Friendly Option for Your Home

If you’re considering a flooring renovation for your home, you might want to take a closer look at Luxury Vinyl Plank or LVP. This type of flooring has been gaining popularity in recent years, and for good reason. Here are some updates on LVP flooring that will help you make an informed decision for your flooring needs.

ANDOVER KINGSDOWN GRAY

What is LVP Flooring?

ANDOVER BLYTHE

LVT stands for Luxury Vinyl Plank or Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT), and it is a type of flooring that is made of PVC vinyl and compressed together to make it durable. A photographic vinyl film is then added to give it a realistic look of wood or tile. LVP is known for its durability and is often used in commercial facilities.

What is LVT Flooring Made Of?

CYRUS AKADIA

You may ask what is LVT or LVP specifically? Well, simply put, each piece of flooring is made of various raw materials, mainly PVC Vinyl, compressed together. This is what gives it it’s intense durability. From there, a photographic vinyl film is added to make the plank or tile have the realistic look that you want in your flooring.

Why LVP Flooring is So Popular

LVP flooring has become increasingly popular for homeowners due to its durability, low cost, and realistic look of hardwood or tile. LVP flooring is also perfect for areas that are prone to water damage, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements, as it is often waterproof. In addition, it is a pet and child-friendly option.

Styles of LVP Flooring

CYRUS STABLE

LVP flooring comes in a wide range of looks, styles, and price points to suit any décor and budget. You can find light, dark, grey-washed, red-toned, and multi-colored planks, as well as skinny planks and wide planks. You can choose from a variety of lengths and widths to fit your specific needs.

Ready to Install LVP Flooring?

Installing LVP

If you’re considering LVP flooring for your home, visiting a flooring store like Builders Surplus is an excellent way to explore the wide range of in-stock and special order LVP styles available. Booking a complimentary flooring consultation with a flooring specialist can make the selection process even easier, as they will guide you through the various options, helping you find the perfect LVP flooring to match your home’s aesthetic and your personal preferences.

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the end of our blog. We hope you enjoyed learning about the many benefits and options in LVP flooring. The best part? All the beautiful LVP flooring styles showcased in the pictures throughout this blog are available for purchase at Builders Surplus! Visit our store or check out our website to find the ideal LVP flooring for your home. Not only will you have access to our extensive collection, but you’ll also benefit from our expert advice and top-notch customer service. Don’t wait any longer – transform your home with the beauty and durability of LVP flooring from Builders Surplus today!

By TB

August 16, 2019

Why Durability is More Important Than Price in a Remodel

Today, I’d like to discuss a pretty important topic in the remodeling experience: Durability vs. Price. Now, as we all know, home renovation & remodeling can be quite expensive, which makes it easy to fall under the “cheap way is best way” mentality, but lets evaluate several ways in which durability actually makes your project cheaper, not more expensive.

Durability: More Bang for Your Buck

Flooring Example

Whether you’re in the process of selling your home or your home is rather outdated and it’s time for a change, the outcome is all the same: Renovation will improve value. For the most part, at least.

For example, ripping up the linoleum in your kitchen or bathroom and replacing it with ceramic tile isn’t going to drive you to raise the price of your home in a significant way. But what it will do is appeal to the home buyer.

I think it goes without saying that when it comes to saying yes or no, to pulling the trigger during your home search, it’s the amenities that can make all the difference.

On the flip side, if you’ve just installed tile flooring in your laundry room, you’ve made a strong, choice. Linoleum has the tendency to stain easily, rip & tear at the edges, and quite honestly, is seen as a “too cheap” option. In essence, that kind of flooring doesn’t last long.

Schedule Your FREE FLOORING INSTALLATION CONSULTATION!

durable

Additionally, if you keep replacing it every two to three years, you’re losing quite a bit of money on the long run. Replacing it with something as strong, durable, and long-lasting as ceramic tile may, yes, be a bit more expensive, but you’ll never have to rip up those floors again. Durability wins.

Kitchen Cabinet example

Another example would be your kitchen cabinets. Let us assume that the kitchen cabinets you open and close day-after-day are the same, ole relatively bland cabinets that you first set eyes on when you walked in. Now, I’m not knocking your cabinets by any means, but perhaps they’re looking a bit rugged (and not in the good way) these days.

Perhaps, the corners are withered from constant usage, the doors slam so hard, waking up the whole house because the hinges & drawer slides are giving way, there are countless spaghetti sauce, grape jelly, and bacon grease stains scattered across the surface.

They’ve had their run, right? It’s time for a change. So you come to Builders Surplus, sit down with one of our professionals and look at your options. Sure, you can go the less-expensive route, grab some in-stock Honey Ash cabinets, and call it a day.

But you’ll be right back in the same spot in five years because the durability just isn’t there in that selection. Again, not knocking Honey Ash cabinets, but let’s call a spade, a spade, yeah?

In the Long Run

The reason they’re our least expensive option is because their craftsmanship, their features, their overall longevity is far inferior to, let’s say, Waypoint or Wellborn cabinets.

Now, alternatively, let’s say you sit down and check out the aforementioned and purchase a beautiful set of kitchen cabinets from Wellborn.

Is the price going to be higher? Yes.

But is the durability there? 100%

Are you going to thank yourself ten years down the road when they look and function as good as they did when they were installed. Absolutely.

That’s the key right there, my friends. It’s understanding that you’ll pay more initially for extreme durability, but in the long run, now only does it pay for itself, you’ve invested in something that could potentially last a lifetime.

The price of that linoleum or those Honey Ash cabinets that you paid for five years ago is not going to be the same when you inevitably have to replace them in a few years. It will be higher, and you will hate it.

Durability wins because it prevails, where price does not — it conquers time.

Schedule Your FREE Kitchen & Bath Design Appointment!

I hope I’ve managed to open your minds up a bit when it comes why durability is more important than price during your remodel. But don’t just take it from, please. I encourage you to do as much research as you can before, during, and after your remodel.

Click here to check out any of our blogs and you’ll be able to research just about anything you can imagine!

And remember, at Builders Surplus we offer FREE KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN CONSULTATIONS, meaning we are more than willing to help you along the way. It can be a crazy process, so it’s always nice to have some professional support to fall back on!

October 15, 2018

Remodeling in Stages: Beat the Budget

Today, we're going to cover an incredible renovation strategy: How to remodel in stages to beat the budget.

If you have a ton you want to do, but not all the funds you need to do it, then this blog is for you.

If you're specifically interested in how to remodel a kitchen on a budget, click here when you're done reading this article.

Schedule Your FREE Kitchen & Bath Design Appointment!

Sit Down & Plan

It's always a good idea to have a game plan, although most people tend to wing it in a remodel. That's something you should NEVER do.

Many homeowners do a project here and a project there, only to realize that their next project requires that they rip up the one they just completed!

Hindsight is, as they say, twenty-twenty.

Once the idea hits that you're ready to remodel, it's time to sit and plan. If you want to beat the budget, this is seriously the first step. Detail exactly what you want, and try not to worry about money or finances. I know that' s easier said than done, but understand that there are several financing options available. First, you need to plan what you want and what you want to accomplish.

You want a kitchen remodel, right? Ask yourself what it looks like in the end and go from there. No one expects you to have every single facet or feature outlined, but it's a good idea to envision your ideal living space and go from there. Think big, narrow down later. Think you'll be surprised on what you can accomplish with a little bit of creativity and open-mindedness.

Beat the Budget: Remodel in Steps

Functionality: What's not Working?

Once you've planned your dream, your dreamscape, if you will..let's look at what's not working. For the sake of this blog post, I'm going to use the remodel approach of one my friends to sort of detail the steps.

So, what's not working in your home? The gutters are leaking, making it sound like Niagara Falls on your front porch, the HVAC is on the fritz and needs to be tended to ASAP, or the guest bathroom toilet doesn't work and you're hosting Thanksgiving in a matter of months. All very pressing things.

While you're jotting these things down, it's a good idea to ask yourself, "What's going to make me the most happy when this gets fixed?"

When people come visit, are you tired of having to show someone the bathroom in the basement or use the master bath every time? Those gutters kinda make it difficult to leisurely read during the incoming rainstorm, too, don't they. These are just, ya know, pains in the butt. Let's attack those before we get to the big things. That's how you effectively beat the budget.

Structural Stuff

Look at the things that you'd like done structurally. Understand, too, that the majority of these things can be done by yourself. The more you can accomplish using your hands without having to bring in more help and hiring a crew, the better. We're trying to keep cost down.

So for my friend, these were things like removing walls, side panels, wall paper, drywall damages...and paint. Little emphasis on paint because it's very, very important to get this done before the next step: Flooring.

All wall work should be done beforehand. The last thing you want is paint drips, drywall mud, scratches and scuff on the brand new flooring you just purchased. This is why it's good to think ahead. It's time to beat the budget, friends!

Flooring

My friend quite simply didn't like the floors in her home. As soon as the two steps above were completed, it was time to get the flooring down. This is where the fun comes in as far as options go, too. There are a vast number of flooring options out there: Hardwood, Luxury Vinyl Tile, Laminate, Ceramic Tile, Porcelain Tile, Wood-Look Tile, Patterned Tile, and Carpet.

Each option has their own advantages and disadvantages, and it's not really a matter of, "which one's better?" Choose the option that best suits your lifestyle. If you have children or pets or both, then you're going to want something durable, scratch-resistant, waterproof, stain-denying, and low-maintenance. You could go with Luxury Vinyl Tile, an option that brilliantly exhibits all of the above.

Cabinets/Countertops

My friend built their countertops, so we can't really go off their experience for this aspect. BUT...if you want different countertops and prefer a low-cost option, go with laminate. It's a lovely, cost-effective option that will undoubtedly give you the look you seek; I'll advise you of something, though.

Your kitchen countertops are an overworked surface. I wrote it that way cause they really are. Reminiscent of Atlas holding up the entire world, that's a lot of stress we put them through. We cook, bake, chop, pound, grind, spill, bang, slice, cut, and cover all through that surface. Just because you go with a low-cost option doesn't mean it's better for you in the long run. I elaborate a bit more on that concept in a blog post right here.

The same goes for your kitchen cabinets, which are easily the most expensive aspect of your kitchen remodel. If you go for the cheap option now, you may find yourself in the same situation 3-5 years from now. Go for something with a more longevity, something durable, long-lasting, and equally as attractive and jaw-dropping.

Backsplash

Now we can get kinda crazy with creativity. Kitchen backsplashes can do absolute wonders to the look of a kitchen. Go with Subway Tile or Mesh Back, maybe even Patterned Tile if you're not a messy cook. Throw in some deco pieces, create a unique design, and you have a cooking space that's as good and appealing as the dishes you may (or may not) create in them.

Time to Finesse

Now that you have the major areas of your home finished, let's tackle the less important areas: Bathroom, Living Room, Study, Dining Room, etc. We leave these last because we should finish the rooms that we, the homeowners, are in. It's okay to be selfish during this time, okay? Aunt Mary will be just fine if there isn't any crown moulding in the guest bedroom.

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And speaking of, of course, this IS the time for those finishing touches. crown moulding, cabinet door hardware, door knobs, paintings, portraits, curtains, all of the decor you can think of. Make it yours. Make it your own. Beat the Budget.

All right, there it is. A way to go about things without stressing over the budget. Sure, put a deadline on when you want it to be done, but give yourself a break. If it takes three years, cool, it takes three years. It's your home.

If you do everything one stage at a time, you'll not only save on money, but you'll do so with low stress, mess, and hassle. Take things one project at a time and know that everything will be just fine. Best of luck, beat the budget!

October 3, 2018

The Lifespan of Your Flooring – Long Term Flooring Costs

Today we’ll be covering long term flooring costs. When purchasing flooring, most people only consider the initial costs – the cost per square foot of the material and the cost per square foot for installation.

However, there are other issues to consider. Sometimes, the cheapest option is not the most affordable regarding long term flooring costs. You need to weigh the life cycle costs, such as price of material and installation, maintenance costs, and how long it’s expected to last.

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In 2009, This LCA study was commissioned by the Tile Council of North America and carried out by Scharf Godfrey in an independently. It shows the different materials and install cost per square foot in the Installed Cost column. Life Cycle Cost will show maintenance and upkeep over the years where Expected Life will show you how many years the flooring type is expected to last (when WELL KEPT).

The final column, Cost Per Year, will show you how much you’re paying per square foot per year, which will give you the best idea of what your most affordable option long term will be.

Keep in mind when you’re looking at these long term flooring costs that the life expectancy numbers are valid when kept up with very well. Flooring of any material, when treated improperly, can be ruined in a year or two. Keep up with your floor to get the best return on investment and keep your costs low.

Lifespan Of a Floor Chart: Long Term Flooring Costs

Floor Finish	Installed Cost USD*	Life Cycle Cost USD*	Expected Life (y)	Cost Per Year*
Quarry Tile	$6.83	$16.13	50	$0.32
Glazed Ceramic Floor Tile	$7.00	$16.30	50	$0.33
Glazed Porcelain	$8.34	$17.64	50	$0.35
Mosaic Tile	$8.20	$17.50	50	$0.35
Unglazed Porcelain	$8.30	$17.60	50	$0.35
Natural Hardwood	$9.31	$20.80	50	$0.42
Travertine-Turkish	$12.50	$21.80	50	$0.44
Marble	$21.00	$30.30	50	$0.61
Laminate	$8.84	$17.77	25	$0.71
Man-Made Hardwood	$9.58	$18.51	25	$0.74
Portland Cement Terrazzo	$14.88	$24.27	30	$0.81
Stained Concrete	$12.40	$24.60	25	$0.98
Carpet	$3.22	$6.50	6	$1.08
Resin Terrazzo	$8.50	$16.53	15	$1.10
Sheet Vinyl	$6.90	$13.90	10	$1.39
Poured Epoxy	$8.18	$15.18	10	$1.52
VCT LVT	$3.91 $4.50	$18.35 $15.00*	10 25	$1.83 $.60

* Per square foot | Cost in USD Table sourced from “Tile is the Natural Choice”, 2009. This LCA study was commissioned by the Tile Council of North America and carried out by Scharf Godfrey in an independently

As you can see, several of the initially more expensive flooring options are actually much cheaper in the long run and you can greatly affect your long term flooring costs by the material you choose. I hope this has been helpful and informative and that you find the best flooring possible for your home and budget!

CLICK HERE TO SHOP ALL FLOORING!

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August 28, 2018

The Best LVT Colors We’ve Ever Seen

What’s going on, everyone!? Hope you’re having an excellent summer! Today, I’d like to discuss some of our favorite LVT, also called waterproof flooring, colors. We’ll take a look at a couple of finishes from CoreTEC, Mohawk, and Featherweight. Keep in mind, too, that all of these are in-stock options in our store. So, if you’ve been thinking about installing some new floors, there’s no better time than the present! Alright, friends, let’s get started.

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CoreTEC LVT Colors

When I was introduced to the technology that is waterproof flooring, CoreTEC was the first brand under my scope. We actually performed a water test experiment, just to eradicate skepticism, ya know? We put a plank in a fish tank filled with water and left it there over the weekend.

Came back on Monday, pulled the plank out, and it was perfect. Mint condition. Even after full submersion in water, the plank kept it’s form. No sign of warping, deterioration, heck, it wasn’t even waterlogged. That’s just a little fun fact about the genetic makeup of LVT, it’s no joke. All right, back to the colors.

Blackstone Oak

So, the color “greige” is an astronomical trend in home renovation & interior design these days, and I can see the appeal. Gray has always been the go-to neutral in a space for a while, so it seems fitting that an extra blend, in this case a light-brown, would be just as alluring. CoreTEC’s Blackstone Oak exhibits this highly sought after look with expertise.

Kingswood Oak

Ah, good ole Kingswood Oak. This color is definitely more on the traditional side, but that doesn’t negate its class. It’s a beautiful option for a, say, traditionally styled kitchen, for example. With a gorgeous grain and hints of a lighter brown, Kingswood makes for an excellent choice of LVT.

Mohawk LVT Colors

You know what else I love about Mohawk’s LVT, besides their color options? The prices. Seriously. You can get waterproof flooring for as low as $1.69/sf. That’s amazing. But as far as my favorite colors, I have to go with this one:

Rockport Gray

I mentioned it earlier: Gray is in, and Mohawk’s Rockport Gray has the perfect, light tone of color. It’s smooth, almost silky, and only $1.89/sf. Just saying. Doesn’t get much better than that.

Walnut Mocha LVT

Gotta love this shade of brown. Whoever gave this piece its name deserves a mocha milkshake cause it’s pretty spot on and pretty on the floor. This will work perfectly in almost any home or with any design style.

Featherweight LVT Colors

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Featherweight’s selection. In my opinion, of the three brands I’ve mentioned, Featherweight’s pieces have the most rustic feel to them. So if you’re going that style, I’d highly suggest looking at this brand first.

Stone Oak

Definitely a grayish hue, but do you see what I mean about it’s old, kinda antiquey approach with the grain? A very positive, yet peculiar guide to this piece, and that’s why it’s one of the best.

Smoked Hickory LVT

I can’t help but to picture this color in a large, open area. A living room, maybe, or a comfy basement, fit with a monstrous rug that’s cornered between plush furniture. Again, with the old-fashioned, classic kind of look, too.

There ya have it, friends. Some of the best LVT colors that we carry. Don’t forget what I said about prices either. Quality flooring at an extremely decent price! Come visit Builders Surplus today and find all of the best LVT colors for the very best prices around!

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Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Bathroom Remodeling, Bathroom Cabinets, Vanity tops and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

July 3, 2018

Flooring Comparison: Luxury Vinyl Vs. Laminate Flooring

Today, I’d like to do a flooring comparison on Luxury Vinyl, also called LVT or LVT, and Laminate. The thing is, people hear about different types of flooring but never really of their benefits, their features, the extra elements that make them a viable flooring solution. Sure, we speak of tile’s durability and carpet’s coziness, but what about the cost-effective laminate? Or the physics-defying luxury vinyl tile (LVT)? We’ll talk about these two lasts, diving into some similarities but also what makes them different. Let’s get to it.

Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring Comparison

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Luxury Vinyl Tile is a beautifully engineered piece of flooring that combines both aesthetics with high functionality. And this is huge reason why LVT has become such a huge hit within households everywhere.

Do you remember when you used to be limited to where you could put certain parts of flooring i.e. bathrooms, any place where water is present? Well, this flooring type switched the game in that respect. But more on that later…

When doing a flooring comparison, you want to look at several things: Price, durability, style, and maintenance such as is it waterproof, etc. We’ll cover these below.

Price: This flooring type generally ranges from an all-time low of $1.79 to just short of $6. Our CoreTEC LVT is absolutely amazing, definitely a “more bang for your buck” kind of product. Check the link, peeps, you’ll see what I’m talking about.

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Waterproofness: If you did a double take at that word, I don’t blame you. I voiced this word out loud, and my boss was like, “Uhhh…yeah, not a word,” but after a simple Google search, I learned that it IS, in fact, a word. Just a little tidbit. Moving on.

This is where the high-functionality comes from in LVT, and also where one of the main differences come in during this flooring comparison. This flooring type is 100% WATERPROOF. Not water-resistant, merely repelling droplets..I mean zero-damage. None whatsoever.

I’ve explained it before, and I’ll do so again. You could pour a jug of water on LVT, leave for a vacation, come back, and the piece would be good as new. It’s that good.

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You could technically put it in your bathroom. That was typically a BIG no-no, and you had to use a wood look tile if your design called for a wood style. The downside there, is that installing tile is much more expensive than installing LVT.

Durability: Another functionality characteristic, LVT doesn’t just Kung Fu the crap out of water, but also scratches. And dents. Plus, it’s strong.

So, the next time you decide to juggle a few cans of green beans, and then time kinda stands still as you watch one go amiss, propelling towards your new floors, remember this blog, remember this passage, don’t forget this sentence — it’s okay.

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It’s going to take a little more than green beans and water to damage this flooring type. A hammer, sure. But I’m sure you’ll find other ways to blow off steam than taking a hand tool to your new floors. But that’s none of my business. *Sips tea*

Additional: I’d also just like to point out, or reiterate rather, that because LVT is water’s nemesis, this flooring is perfect for nearly any space. Bathrooms? Check. Kitchens? For sure. Basements? Have at it. Laundry room? An solid pick. It’s an excellent flooring type for any room in your household.

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Side note: If you’re worried about sound, LVT often has sound muffling cork backing. I’m telling you, LVT virtually has no cons, besides the fact that it’s just not real wood. To learn a little more about LVT, make sure to check out this blog!

Laminate Flooring Comparison

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When some people do a flooring comparison, they sometimes given laminate a bad rap for being cheap or too ordinary. Some laminate is more cheaply made than others, but there is a laminate style for everyone. There are definitely some positive sides to laminate. First off…the funds.

Price: In our stores, Laminate generally stays around $0.99 to $2.89/ sf. Now, in comparison to the other flooring types, you can see how people could regard this as cheaply made or why you here negative comments about the price. But to me, it’s the opposite.

Obviously, these prices are a bit cheaper than Luxury Vinyl Tile, but there’s a reason for it. In this flooring comparison, you’ll see the different benefits of each. If you’re looking for a nice-looking floor at a cheaper price, this is your best bet. But if you’re going for full functionality, the aforementioned will do the trick.

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It’s kind of like when someone is called a lightweight when they’re out socially drinking with their friends, and the person in question fails to see negatory punchline. After all, if three beers gets the job done, who is saving more money in the long run — the lightweight or the pompous friends? Just a little food (libation) for thought.

Waterproofness: As far as complete, 100% water-eradicating measures, no. But, this flooring type is definitely moisture-resistant. Would I trust it in my bathroom, around the shower? No. Absolutely not. Whereas laminate’s opponent in this post completely repels water. Definitely a hard difference there.

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Durability: The haters can say what they want about laminate, but as far as it’s strength, it’s pretty resilient. It is primarily scratch & dent resistant AND extremely long-lasting. There’s a reason, among others, why you may walk into a particularly older home, look down, and see laminate, virtually unharmed.

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Additional: It goes without saying that this is an extremely affordable option compared to the other options. Unlike regular hardwood floors, laminate is pretty pet-friendly and installation is quite simple, as well.

There you have it. The main flooring comparison between Luxury Vinyl and Laminate flooring. A quick recap: They’re both fairly inexpensive, durable and make for a beautiful floor. LVT has a bit more functionality, being completely waterproof BUT laminate is water-resistant. I hope this proves to be a decent reference the next time you’re in store and looking for flooring options. Until next time, everyone, stay safe!

Written By: Chris Chamberlain

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June 25, 2018

Solid Hardwood VS. Engineered Hardwood

Working in a remodeling and building materials company, I've learned that most people don’t understand the differences of solid hardwood vs. engineered hardwood. If you're not looking for real hardwood, check out this article on waterproof flooring that gives you a complete list of differences between the solid hardwood and an engineered hardwood.

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And why would they? No one is really educating them about these differences before they go looking for a new floor, they somehow just expect you to know and make the right decision.

But I’m here to make sure you’re decision is an INFORMED one. Flooring is a big expense, and you want to choose something that you’ll love for the next few decades. Lets’s get ready to compare all of the top questions I hear about solid hardwood vs. engineered hardwood!

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Solid Hardwood VS. Engineered Hardwood on Composition.

Solid Hardwood:

Solid hardwood flooring is constructed with 100% hardwood and each plank is a single solid piece. Solid hardwood is traditionally 3/4″ thick, except for parquet-style floors which are thinner.

Engineered Hardwood:

Unlike solid wood floors that are milled from one solid (surprise!) piece of lumber, engineered hardwood floors are composed of multiple plies of wood with a solid wood veneer. Underneath the veneer, cross layers of plywood are pressed together to a strong and moisture-resistant core. These board typically vary between 3/4” to1/2”, with 3/4″ starting to emerge more frequently.

You’re still getting real hardwood floors; they’re just made differently. The layers typically include a top veneer of hardwood backed by less expensive layers of plywood—although some manufacturers use substrates made from recycled wood fibers mixed with stone dust for improved durability and stability.

Solid Hardwood VS. Engineered Hardwood on Installation

Solid Hardwood:

Solid hardwood used a nail down or staple down installation technique. It can’t typically be installed directly over concrete or radiant heating systems. It’s typically best to install solid hardwood on the first and second floors of your home as opposed to in the basement. Solid hardwood is never installed on a floating basis.

Engineered Hardwood:

Engineered hardwood flooring has multiple installation options: staple, glue or floating, such as click and lock, on some products. It can be used in basements on concrete, or on radiant heating systems.

Solid Hardwood VS. Engineered Hardwood on Style

Solid Hardwood:

Solid hardware comes in unfinished and pre-finished options, and also has a ton of wood species types to choose from! Long and wide planks are also an option.

Engineered Hardwood:

There are fewer wood species choices than with solid hardwood. Some of the most popular are Red oak, hickory, and Brazilian Cherry. Its very uncommon to find unfinished engineered hardwood, as most is pre-finished.

Solid Hardwood VS. Engineered Hardwood on Maintenance & Durability

Solid Hardwood:

Solid hardwood is known for its endurance. Because it is solid through and through, it can be sanded and refinished multiple times during a lifetime. And solid construction holds up well over time. Solid hardwood durability mostly comes down to the wood species and wear-resistance of its protective finish. Harder woods such as Hickory and Oak are more dent resistant, and those with more resilient finishes will perform best against scratches. Well-maintained solid hardwood will last for decades. Moisture is the enemy of this organic product.

Engineered Hardwood:

The durability of solid hardwood vs engineered hardwood is close, but not identical. If your durability concerns are around moisture, humidity or temperature, engineered is the way to go. Its layered construction provides stability against environmental changes. Because the surface is thin, it can become chipped or de-laminated if stressed beyond normal conditions. Yet its ability to hold up to limited moisture helps bring up its durability rating.

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Solid Hardwood VS. Engineered Hardwood on Price & Resell Value

Solid Hardwood:

Solid is the gold standard in flooring, and it’s usually the most price-premium board for board. There are, of course, many variables: solid hardwood collections can vary in price depending on the warranty, protective finish and how many finishing processes have been used to achieve a particular look.

As long as the floor is in good shape, it is on equal terms regarding resell value as engineered wood flooring.

Engineered Hardwood:

As a whole, engineered hardwood tends to be less expensive than solid hardwood, with the exception of premium collections that have a thicker hardwood top layer, uniquely artistic designs and enhanced durability. High-performance engineered products are also more on par with solid pricing.

Engineered hardwood has a GREAT resell value. Because engineered wood floors are real wood, they can be advertised as such in real estate, making them more attractive to buyers.

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Conclusion:

Overall, in the battle of solid hardwood vs. engineered hardwood, they are pretty neck and neck. It comes down to location of installation, and personal preference for the most part. Whether you’re going with solid hardwood or engineered, you’re going to be thrilled with the outcome!

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Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We carry a large selection of solid hardwood and unfinished hardwood flooring, as well as laminate, Luxury Vinyl Tile waterproof flooring, and carpet. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

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March 20, 2018

2018 Remodeling Trends To Watch For

With a new year comes new 2018 remodeling trends. Each year we come up with a list of styles to predict, observe, love or hate. Here is what we've found to be at the top of the list for 2018! Let us know what you think in the comments!

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1. Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops are raining king of countertops. Granite has slowly been losing market share and is not longer in first place on our list of 2018 remodeling trends. Why? Well, quartz countertops offer very little downside. The opening price point of $58/sf FULLY INSTALLED (at Builders Surplus) is comparable to custom granite.

The variety of colors is so much greater than you could get in granite, especially solid white. It's stain proof, scratch resistant and heat resistant. Some brands are also completely antibacterial. Huge benefits, no negatives, at least in my book. We LOVE Quartz Countertops!

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2. Gold and Brass fixtures

Whether you call it gold, or you call it brass, the fact remains: it’s a 2018 remodeling trend. The contrast of gold against colors like black, grey and navy can provide a stunning statement. You can even mix it up and mix metals, like black finishes! Trust me, you won’t regret it.

3. Effective Storage Solutions

Kitchens are one room that become cluttered and dirty fairly easily. In the last few years we’ve seen an increase in cool storage ideas, but we believe that 2018 is going to be the year that the market really embraces them. There are so many amazing ways to organize your kitchen to free up space, make it more functional, and fit more in your cabinets in a way that you weren’t able to do before! Check out all of our ’11 Minutes or Less’ products and see how you can organize your space!

4. Large format tile

One of my favorite 2018 remodeling trends is large format tile. Large format tile is a tile larger than 15″ on any side. This included wood look tile, which has become a huge trend in the last year. Large format time can make a space look bigger and it can be less expensive and time consuming to install that smaller pieces. When you use one style throughout a room, it can add a nice level of uniformity to the space.

5. Concrete Tile Styles

This year, I predict we’ll see more urban and industrial style spaces using tile that imitates concrete! Concrete can be hard to install if you don’t have it already exposed, so this is the perfect alternative! It gives you an upscale, yet rough around the edges look. Greys go with just about anything, so you can’t go wrong!

6. Cabinet Colors: White stays, grey grows, taupe is trending, color is coming!

White kitchen cabinets have been the top cabinet color for several years. It’s not going out completely. White cabinets can do a few things. They make a space look bigger, and give a feel of cleanliness to a sometimes cluttered space. It’s a timeless look that probably won’t EVER go out of style. But it is taking a backseat to some of the other hot colors of the moment.

Grey has been growing in popularity for the last 2 years, and we’ll continue to see that with more dove grey colors, a lighter and creamier grey than we’ve seen a lot in the past. Taupe cabinets are one of my favorite trends of 2018!

Stained wood cabinets have not been on trend in quite a few years, but this gives that natural wood feel, while still being a painted cabinet. You’ll see light taupe as shown below, but there are darker wood stains that are mixed with taupe that bring an elegance back to stained wood that we haven’t seen for a while.

Color is coming, people! Bold is no longer just for the brave. Well, you probably need to have a slightly daring style, but it’s becoming more commonplace to see brightly or boldly colored cabinets. Blues, such as navy, robins egg blue, and cerulean are all colors I’m loving on cabinets at the moment!

7. Dark Flooring

Dark flooring is making a come back in 2018! The rich dark stains contrasted against walls, window frames and furniture give a crisp and elegant style to any room. It feels upscale and sophisticated. While lighter floors still look great, we expect to sell a lot of dark wood this year!

8. Patterned Tile

Patterned tile is one of my favorite 2018 remodeling trends. I love is so much that I’m about to do my master bathroom floor in the tile top right :)! It’s fun, funky, and elegant all at the same time. It adds visual interest, movement and true style! This can go on floors, backsplashes, fireplaces or accent walls! It’s a great way to add pizzaz to any space!

9. Black framed windows

Black framed windows were very common decades ago, but they’re starting to make a comeback, and look darn good while doing it! This gives a more modern vide but can be used on any style home to give an updated feel. Love them!

10. Bold Interior Doors

Interior doors are no longer the boring, standard, 6 panel white doors you’re used to seeing. They’re colorful, they have unique patterns, designs, and materials used on them. Barn doors are used on any doorway and we’re absolutely loving it! It takes a boring necessity and turns it into a focal point in your home.

There you have it, my predictions for 2018 remodeling trends. Let me know which ones you love or those that you don’t in the comments below! We’ll see what happens as the year goes on!

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Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Bathroom Remodeling, Bathroom Cabinets, Vanity tops and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

Written By: Allie Bloyd

January 2, 2018

How to Take Care of Your Flooring

source: www.mooreinnovations.net

If you want your floors to last long, you must take care of them properly. There are three things crucial for keeping your floors in top condition and they are cleaning, maintaining and prevention. The key to healthy floors is routine cleaning, and you should follow some cleaning protocols to prevent damage and maintain your floor’s appearance. Damage can also be minimized with regular maintenance and prevention. Therefore, let’s talk about these three stages in detail.

Regular cleaning is half the work

source: http://www.4earthsolutions.com

The best thing you can do to protect your floors from damage and scratches is dust them every day with a microfiber mop or swiffer. Microfiber cloths are great because they trap dirt, pet hair, particles and other allergens with static electricity. They are not only more effective, but also much safer than a broom, because some brooms have hard bristles that can scratch your floors.
Every week you should vacuum your floors with a soft-bristled floor-brush attachment. Before you begin, dust your floors with a microfiber cloth, and then carefully vacuum them. Be cautious and don’t let the vacuum’s wheels damage the surface.
Also, you can clean your floors every month with a floor cleaner. Use a damp mop with a flat microfiber head. Instead of using water to dampen the mop, use a light coat of cleaner made specifically for your type of floors and be frugal. If you have a hardwood floor, never use a wet mop or a steam mop, because they both can dull the finish and cause damage to your flooring.

Maintenance

source: http://www.bruce.com

If your floors have a surface finish, and most hardwood floors do, you can polish them once in every two or three months. Finishes protect and seal the wood and give your floor that glossy shine. Eventually, the finish on your floors will get worn out, there will be visible scratches, and their surface will start to look dull. Regular polishing will take care of that problem. Polishing is best done with a buffing pad that will even out small scratches and restore your floors’ shine.
If regular cleaning and maintenance no longer help, it’s time to re-coat the surface. This usually needs to be done every five to ten years, depending on the foot traffic and cleaning habits. After re-coating, your floors will look brand new.

Professional touch

source: www.homedit.com

Some floors, if properly maintained and cleaned, can last well over a hundred years. But, when your floors need a little rejuvenation, it’s best you hire an expert. They will apply a new coat of finish or sand your floors. It’s smart to sand all areas where you can see loss of color or deeper scratches. You can try to do some of these fixes yourself, but there’s nothing like a professional touch, so don’t hesitate to invest in this.

Prevention is the best cure

source: www.floorcoveringsinternational.com

As always, prevention is the easiest and best cure. If possible, try to avoid walking on your floors in shoes, especially high heels. Those can easily damage the surface coat. Also, think about sticking felt pads to all furniture legs, because those too can dent and scratch your floors. Different colorful round rugs are another great solution. This way, you won’t bring so much dirt inside. It’s a little-known fact, but your floors are also sensitive to extreme temperature and humidity. The ideal temperature for hardwood floors is 15 to 25 degrees Celsius and the optimal humidity is somewhere between 30 and 50 percent. If temperature and humidity are not within these parameters, your floors can start buckling and gapping. Of course, you don’t have to keep your eyes on the thermometer and follow the humidity all the time. They have to change radically and stay that way for a longer period of time to really start affecting the floor.
As you can see, maintaining your floors doesn’t have to be difficult. If you clean them regularly and apply some basic preventive measures, your floors will be in tip-top shape for many years to come.

October 13, 2017

Home Design Trends at Homearama

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If you’re looking for home design trends, look no further than Homearama. This year’s Homearama was held at Poplar Woods in Goshen Kentucky and it was a truly spectacular event! We’ve already covered blogs on kitchen and bathroom home design trends from Homearama 2017, so this post will cover all the other spaces of the house that you can use to create the masterpiece that is your home.

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This Year’s Top Home Design Trends

LIVING SPACES

High Ceilings and Ceiling Detail

The first thing I noticed in terms of home design trends at this year’s Homearama was the incredible ceiling detail! Here are a few below, but there were so many more. From beams, tile, distressed wood, and intricate trey ceilings, you found yourself constantly looking up. It’s amazing the way a high ceiling seems to add so much more space to the room – not that these rooms were lacking square footage!

Built In Cabinets

I love the look of built in cabinets. It’s one home design trend that can really stand the test of time. It’s a great way to add storage to your space, frame a fireplace, or add a nice furniture style element to a room that may be lacking it. The decorative pieces that you’re able to showcase in built in cabinets also lets you add a touch of personality.

Tiled Fireplaces

There were fireplaces in virtually every homearama home. Some even had more than one! While brick fireplaces or standard wooden mantles may have cut it in the past, that’s no longer the case. The latest home design trend is tiled fireplaces. From ledge stone and intricate mesh back tile shown below to marble and large format, the choice is up to you! No matter what you choose, it will add a unique touch to your home.

Wallpaper

Wallpaper is one of my absolute favorite home design trends, although I can’t seem to convince my husband of it’s awesomeness. It’s such a beautiful way to add texture, pattern, color and style to a space. Your furnishings could be completely neutral or standard, but add some fun wallpaper and you’re room has upped it’s cool factor.

FLOORING

Rich, Rustic Hardwood Flooring

We saw so many beautiful floor coverings this year! One flooring home design trend that really stuck out was the hardwood floors. It was mostly mid toned to dark, with lots of “cracks”, knots and character in it. The modern rustic design style is still very much on trend, and the flooring proved that. If you can’t afford natural hardwood, there are some amazing laminates and LVT flooring which offer the same rustic look!

Wood Look Tile

I love wood look tile! Wood is such an amazing material, but it just doesn’t work well for bathrooms or laundry rooms due to it’s lack of water resistance. Wood look tile is the perfect compromise! The wood look tile’s below resemble real wood so closely but they are so much more durable and suited perfectly for the spaces in which they’re placed. You can barely tell they’re tile!

Large Format Tile

Large format tile was definitly a notable home design trend this year, from flooring, to shower surrounds, kitchen backsplash and fireplace tile, it was EVERYWHERE! Large format tile is anything that is 15″ or larger on any side. It can be heavy and difficult to install, though, so make sure you consult a professional before trying it yourself!

DOORS

Iron and/or Arched Front Doors

Iron and arched front doors are definitly in style. They are a great investment as they can give you an awesome return on investment upon resale. They are also STUNNING and give a great first impression for your home. Not to mention the iron doors are great for keeping intruders OUT!

French Doors

French patio doors are gorgeous. The glass lets the light rain in and brings the outdoors inside your home. This make space look brighter and bigger. I don’t know about you, but even if I’m inside, I still want to feel like I’m outside, and these doors do just that. We saw so many french door patio sets at homearama, making it a new home design trend to emulate!

Two Panel Interior Doors

6 panel doors are not exactly a hot item. The home design trend for interior doors is definitly two panel, with arched or raised detail. This makes your home feel more custom, not builder grade. You can upgrade your interior doors for a relatively small price and it can make a huge difference on the interior vibe in your home. We have TONS of doors like this available for custom order, so ask us about them for your home!

Sliding Barn Doors

Sliding barn doors have been hot home design trends the last two years, and this year is no exception. However, one thing I did notice was that it was less about the stained wooden doors, and more about painted or more modern style doors with glass. While both styles are still very popular, it seems that this style is moving towards modern rustic instead of simply rustic. Either way, I love sliding barn doors! Check out the options here!

Those are our favorite home design trends for 2017 and we were happy to share them with you! What’s your favorite?

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

Written By: Allie Bloyd

Want to learn more about kitchen & bath remodeling?

September 22, 2017

The Best Way to Remodel for Disabilities

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Hello, everyone! So, today, I’d like to talk a bit about how to remodel for disabilities, albeit yourself or precious loved ones that may live with you or maybe visit on the regular. The focus of this blog post will be to adhere and to accommodate to the needs of these individuals to make their daily lives easier to both maneuver and get the items they need in their kitchen. Wellborn Cabinets has a line of accessories, Active Living, that successfully caters to those with disabilities. This is exceptional for a couple of reasons, one being that they’re an extremely well-known and renowned cabinetry company that prides itself on an exceptional product. And with that said, secondly, one can rest assured that these accessories match that extravagance. Let’s begin, shall we?

Wellborn Cabinets Acting Living Accessories

Dishwasher Base Now, we all know that loading and unloading the dishwasher can be a pain in the butt (quite literally) and this is one of the reasons why it is and is widely considered a chore. For those in a wheelchair, Wellborn has implemented what’s known as a dishwasher base, a cabinet set off the ground that allows for easy access in both retrieval and otherwise! Pretty nifty, if you ask me. A perfect fit in your remodel for disabilities.

Drawer Base Pullout This nifty mechanism has an additional cutting board at the appropriate height. So, slice-and-dice away, folks! I also really like this concept because, where it may not seem like much, it gives you more counter space to work on, and that is ALWAYS ideal.

Microwave Base Coolest thing. As you can see, this cabinet is designed to fit the average-sized microwave in its niche. I told you — Wellborn has essentially thought this line all the way through, and we all know the importance of being able to get to the microwave. Outstanding.

Sink Base Fit for the appropriate level, this cabinet design allows those who are wheelchair-inclined complete and total access to their sink. Everything is measured in a height-conscious manner. Now, it doesn’t completely get rid of the tiresome task of washing pots and pans, but still.

Sidenote: If you have an island, make sure the spacing between it and the rest of your cabinets is wide enough for a wheelchair to comfortably get through. It may seem like a silly thing to forget, but it’s best to be conscious of space during this entire process. And to avoid catastrophe!
Kitchen & Bathroom Lifts On Wellborn’s website, they provide a little bit of info, along with some contract information, about Universal Design Products, the North American distributor of accessible kitchen and bathroom lifts designed by Granberg of Sweden.

Here’s what they say about their products: “By installing automatic accessibility lifts, the height of sinks, cabinets, worktops and appliances can be adjusted to accommodate the needs of all users. Most importantly you can design beautiful efficient kitchens and bathrooms that maximize the independence, convenience and changing abilities of all household members.” Personally, I think this is a really cool, really inventive tool that can be used for the disabled, as well as those preparing for the future. A most excellent system in a remodel for disabilities.

Remodel for Disabilities: Flooring

Some people tend to skip over this part of remodeling for those with disabilities, but it is a vital step in the process. Ideally, you want a floor that has a hard, non-porous surface, slip-resistant for obvious reasons, but has decent traction for wheelchairs to roll on. My suggestion?

It’s a hard surface and we definitely carry products that are slip-resistant. Wheelchairs will glide across the perfectly, and you won’t hear the constant “thud” of the wheel sliding over the grout lines. I know that tends to be people’s concern with putting tile in a kitchen.

And if we’re going to get specific, I recommend CoreTEC LVT. It is a 100% waterproof flooring that both pleasing to the eye and well worth it’s very-low price of $2.99/sf, especially from an engineering standpoint. So, if you had cause for concern in putting anything other than tile in your kitchen, worry no more. This stuff is legit.

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are one of the leading providers of kitchen cabinets, tile, flooring, windows and doors in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design comes as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients, home improvement pros & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement, we hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation! Written by: Chris Chamberlain

Want to learn more about kitchen & bath remodeling?

September 19, 2017

Hardwood Flooring: Should you upgrade before selling?

Should You Upgrade to Hardwood Floors Before Selling?

Home sellers can get more money for the sale of their home if they can make their home’s interior and exterior as attractive as possible, such as upgrading to hardwood floors. To boost their property’s value, many homeowners will choose to make small renovations or upgrades before selling their home. In many homes, flooring upgrades are one way that home sellers can make their property more appealing to buyers.

Advantages of Remodeling Before Selling

There are many good reasons to remodel your home before selling it!

Hardwood floors are attractive and therefore make staging easier.
New flooring can boost offers from home buyers.
Hardwood floors are a hot item that can help sell your home more quickly.

ROI of Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors can be expensive to install. For a typical home, installing new hardwood floors can cost around $4,400. However, the majority of home buyers are willing to pay more for homes with hardwood floors, which can make the expense worthwhile. The best ways to maximize the ROI for your hardwood flooring includes:
Have the hardwood floors installed by a knowledgeable, experienced licensed contractor.
Take good care of the hardwood floors after they’re installed. Use rugs and furniture pads to protect the floor from scratches.
Install hardwood floors that look right with the rest of the interior decor.

Which Homes Need A Flooring Upgrade

You’ll know if your home needs a flooring upgrade if:

Your flooring is very dated. Carpet of a dated color or made from a dated style can be a turn off to home buyers.
Your home’s current flooring is damaged in some way. Some home buyers are reluctant to buy a home that has obvious cosmetic defects. Others will buy a home with cosmetic defects, but will use the defects as a negotiating tool, which can result in a reduced profit at the time of sale.
Your home has carpet and you have pets. Carpet can absorb pet hair and pet odors, which can make a home less desirable for anyone with allergies. Hardwood floor is far more hypoallergenic.

Other homes in your area have wood floors. It’s no secret that hardwood floors top the wish lists of buyers. When competing for buyers, it is important to at least match the desirable features of other comparable homes for sale.

Getting Started With Your Remodel

Once you’ve decided to upgrade your home’s flooring, you’ll have decisions to make. Making smart choices at the time of the remodel can help you maximize your return on investment when it’s time to sell.

Pick the right wood stain for your home. You’ll need to choose between a dark, medium or light colored stain in your home. Often dark stains work best in homes with a lot of natural light and light colored furniture. Light colored stains work well in homes with medium or dark colored walls, or in parts of the home with little natural light.
Hire a licensed contractor to get the job done right. Hiring a qualified contractor to install your home’s hardwood floors will help ensure a good quality installation that will maximize your investment.
Meet with many contractors to get the best bid. Meet with a variety of contractors to get bids from several different companies before picking the right contractor for your needs. Shopping around will help you minimize your expenses during the flooring installation, which will help you maximize your profits at the time of sale.

Get started many months before you plan to sell your home. This will help ensure that you have enough time to get the flooring finished before it’s time to put your home on the market.

Consult With A Real Estate Agent

An experienced real estate agent will help you decide whether or not new flooring is right for your home. To find out whether or not hardwood floors are right for your needs before it’s time to sell your property, consult with your real estate agent to find out whether or not your home could compete better or bring in more profits with this change.

By: Preston Guyton
Preston Guyton is the managing partner of CRG Companies, Inc., a custom home design, construction and real estate firm with three locations along the Grand Strand. They offer eco-friendly homebuilding solutions, design services and agents to help with the home buying and selling process.

July 11, 2017

Types of Molding and Why You Need Them

You know you’re just about done with a remodel when it’s time to start installing trim/molding. As we like to call it, you have begun the “finishing stages,” which unfortunately are the most tedious, attention-to-detail tasks that usually end up being very time consuming. But, this is for good reason — think of it as a blending process. Today, I’d like to discuss several types of molding and when and where to use them!

Scribe Molding

Scribe is essentially a thin strip of wood that runs along the edges of your cabinet to cover gaps, blemishes, and other inconsistencies where the cabinet meshes against the wall or the ceiling. It’s usually straight on one end and can be curved fit the contour of the cabinet. It’s used as a finishing touch and quite often makes the job look complete when installed correctly. Having gaps or scuff marks here and there may not seem like a biggie to larger remodels, but if they can be prevented or in this case, solved, the product will look near perfect.

Crown Molding

A very popular finishing touch that’s installed at the top edge of cabinets (hence, the name), but unlike scribe, crown moulding has an abundance of decorative options that can cater to any style or design. You could go with something simple, a piece with a few beveled edges, or something a little more gaudy, with elaborate, inlaid designs. Obviously, the the more intricate the design, the more expensive the crown is going to be. As far its importance, it’s mainly to bring a more sophisticated look to your design. And trust me, it works.

Baseboard Molding

Probably the most important piece on this list, base molding is used to hide the gaps between flooring/tile and the walls encasing it. That is its main function, but as you can see, it definitely adds a certain decor and can be seen as a beautiful transition from floor to the wall. It hides the cracks, gaps, and drywall fringes and give a modern touch to the whole look.

Quarter Round Molding

It’s only fitting that this type is mentioned next after baseboards because they compliment each other. Yes, baseboards are seen as the transition, but installing quarter-round — which is almost like scribe, but thicker — is installed at the very bottom of the your baseboards, so it hides that gap AND the possible nail holes. Functional and decorative, quarter round is a must do if you’re looking for that perfect look.

Chair Rail Molding

This piece of molding acts purely as a decorative and is usually accompanied by wainscoting — wooden paneling that lines the lower part of the walls of a room — but that’s not always the case. It’s also used to break up paint colors, if one is going for the two-toned look.

Casing

I’ll be honest with you, if your doors or windows don’t have casing on them, it’s going to look weird. Out of place. You might as well take the door off the hinges and use it as a beer pong table. It’d look better. Seriously, though, all jokes aside, casing is a pretty mandatory piece of trim. It doesn’t just enhance the look, it makes it. So, I have to say, if there’s any piece on here that you actually NEED, it’s this one.

There ya go, folks. There’s a few very necessary types of molding that are essential to making your remodel legitimately look complete. I do hope I’ve given you a bit of insight into these finishing touches! And remember if you need a little bit of assistance with planning or want to schedule a free kitchen design consultation, click here! Hope to see you all in the store soon, but until then, be safe and stay blessed!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets.
In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Chris Chamberlain

May 12, 2017

Bamboo Flooring Shopper's Guide

So, I probably know what you’re thinking. Bamboo? And just when I thought I’ve seen it all. And, honestly, I’m right there with you in that assessment, but bamboo is actually some pretty legitimate stuff we’re talking about. Today, I’d like to talk to you a little bit about some things you should consider when shopping for this awesome, abstract, type of flooring. So buckle in for a bit, and let me learn you a thing or two!

Why Bamboo?

Right? Like, whoever thought of taking this plant and manufacturing it into something that people can actually walk on is definitely on a completely different mental wavelength than I am, but I applaud whoever did it. So…why?

It’s ‘Green’: Well, for one, it’s environmentally-friendly. If you’re anything like us over here at Builders Surplus, that is definitely something to be valued. To put it in comparison, the trees that are used to make hardwood floors can take 20-25 years to reach full maturity. Bamboo, on the other hand, only takes a mere 5-7 years to reach its adolescence. Then it’s ready to go.

Strength: Secondly, it’s stronger than most of the hardwoods you’ll find beneath your feet. I know this can’t be the first time you’ve heard that bamboo is a rock-solid, so imagine that intensifying strength covering your living or dining room. Pretty cool, right?

Durable: This stuff can take a beating. For example, let’s say it’s Christmas, okay, and you and your cousin are playing your version of “Hot Potato,” with a snow globe. Game’s going good and then one of y’all messes up and the globe passes slips through a set of fingers, descending to your brand-new bamboo floors — everything’s in slo-mo — someone may or may not dive for it, I don’t know. The globe hits the bamboo with a loud ‘thud,’ and you fear the worst. Then you look….and nothing. Nothing at all. Yeah, guys, this stuff is like THAT.

Graphite

Where To Put Bamboo

High-Traffic Areas: This type of flooring was literally meant to be installed in those main areas where people congregate or walk through – living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, and hallways. Because of its strength and durability, you’ll achieve that same look you did when first laid it down, no matter where you put it. I told y’all. This is some long-lasting stuff, for sure. It doesn’t swell. Or contract.
NO Bathrooms: Okay, now this is some pretty excellent material, for sure, but it’s not superhuman, okay? It’s kryptonite is water, and bathrooms simply hold too much moisture for it. You don’t want those kinds of problems. Trust me.

Frosted Pearl

Who Would Love Bamboo Flooring?

People with Allergies: For all intensive purposes, it’s safe to say that this type of flooring is hypo-allergenic. Meaning, it can’t be penetrated by the usual, common allergens such as pet hair, pollen, dust, and the other crap that makes me want to yank my nose off.
Those Who Hate Cleaning: When I say this stuff is super low-maintenance, I mean it. Literally, all you need is a broom and a vacuum cleaner. But, I guess, if you’d like to get semi-fancy, you can grab a Swiffer broom. To each his own.

Obsidian

Colors of Bamboo

At Builders Surplus, we custom order bamboo flooring. It’s available in a variety of stunning colors, fourteen in total. The pictures that you see throughout are just a glimpse of what we have to offer. From darker tones like ‘Obsidian’ to lighter tones like ‘Frosted Pearl.’

Installation and Specs on Bamboo Flooring

Below is a chart that details the type of installation and some specified specs about bamboo flooring. You’ll notice that the installation isn’t any different than putting down regular hardwood floors. The glueless locking system is extremely easy. It also details some of the warranties, which is obviously pretty important.

Well, folks. What do you think? Pretty interesting stuff, isn’t it? I encourage you to not just take my word for it. Come on in to any of our two locations, and we will gladly give you as much info as you’d like on this outstanding product. Until then, stay safe and be blessed!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets.
In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Chris Chamberlain

April 28, 2017

Our Favorite Stains For Unfinished Hardwood Floors

If there’s one thing I know, hardwood floors simply give that feel of class, sophistication, and beauty that can only be described as timeless.
Today, I’d like to discuss one of the aspects of unfinished hardwood floors – its versatility. I am, of course, speaking on the fact that it can be stained to a color of your choosing, and in this blog post, we’ll go over a few of my personal favorites that I’ve come across while working for my father at his home remodeling business.

The Product & Its Many Colors

My father holds the brand, Minwax, with the highest regard. In fact, that’s literally the only stain he uses, no matter what the piece. Now, I can go ahead and tell you that this is for good reason. It just coats SO darn well.
To be specific, the product he uses has been coined Minwax Wood Finish™, and it is available in no less than 26 colors. Talk about a variety, right? Sidenote: Where it does coat beautifully with just one application, for best results you should apply two. It will bring out the richness in the color, and you can just thank me later.

Dark Walnut Stain

There’s something about darker hardwood floors that I really appreciate. To me, Dark Walnut brings out the texture in this style of flooring. It’s rich. It’s long-lasting. It exudes that feeling that I mentioned earlier.
And, let me tell ya, if you’re one to open up the windows on a warm, gorgeous days, the way natural light hits this color is simply mesmerizing. Dark tones, bright smiles with these stains. Outstanding.

English Chestnut Stain

Ah, the traditional approach. Whenever I think of a stained floor, this is what comes to mind because it seems like the “tried and true” approach, if I’m being honest.
Not to say that it’s boring or timid in showing its flavor, but it’s just been known to get the job done — which is simply to accentuate the grain of the unfinished hardwood — much like the “Natural” stain color would, if you know what I mean. A bit of a reddish hue, this color works wonders in colonial-style houses. Lovely.

Ipswich Pine Stain

I have to admit, every time I read the color of this stain, I think of the movie, “The Covenant,” an extremely underrated movie about a batch of brothers who are considered descendants of the “Witches of Ipswich.”
Anyway, sorry for that little tidbit, just sayin’. Back to the blog. This color has a yellowish hue to it that I really admire. It’s nearly like “Natural” because of how light it is, but it exhibits something different, a lovelier feel in my opinion. This stained floor will work wonders underneath darker furniture. Oh, yes.

Jacobean Stain

Ah, my favorite, which is why I saved it for last. Now, remember how I mentioned that I like darker colored hardwood floors? Well, this is IT. No, not the clown. Let’s not go down that road. We’ll stick to these floors.
Number one, how legit is that name? Go ahead and say it, like, three times. Jay-CO-Bean. So cool. I just love how incredibly RICH this color is. The dark swirls, smooth blend of lighter tones, and it’s ability to go anywhere.

Alright, folks, there’s a little insight into some of my favorite stain colors! If it were me, I’d STRONGLY consider the Jacobean if it blends well with the style of your home and everything.
For something a bit lighter, hit up good ole Ipswich, or throw all of my words in the trash and pick from the other 21 colors. But I will say and will suggest once more, Minwax is definitely the way to go. Have fun this Spring, be safe, and stay blessed!

April 25, 2017

Eco-Friendly Flooring Ideas That Get the “Green” Light

There are many eco-friendly products that are made throughout the world that people choose to buy simply because of its roots, that the product they chose shied away from causing the world harm. Plastic bottles, food wrappings, and now, even vehicles have become a part of the side of consumerism that maintains an environmentally-conscious mind. Well, that also extends to home renovation products, as well! Today, I’m going to discuss three eco-friendly flooring options, including CORK, that are apt in both style and functionality, providing a classically unique look. Let’s dig in!

Eco-Friendly Cork Flooring

This material is relatively new to the world of flooring. Seriously, who would have thought that the thing you pop off to pour champagne or a glass of wine could – or – would ever be used to blanket the floors of a household. Fascinating, really. Anyway, cork is taken from the bark of a cork oak tree, which is commonly found in the Mediterranean forests. The best part about the process is that these lovely trees are not cut down to harvest this material – they are simply stripped. But even then, the bark regrows after three years, making cork a – you guessed it – renewable resource.

For this reason, it is undoubtedly my all time favorite as far as eco-friendly flooring options go. Crazy unique, visually stunning, and truly one-of-a-kind. What’s more is of its chemical properties! It has anti-microbial properties that reduces allergens, is fire-retardant, AND it repels insect. Seriously, though, can it get any better? Actually, yeah. With cork, you’re able to stain it, paint it, and make it any color you want so you’re not so limited. Lifespan of this material? It can last for up to 30 years with the proper maintenance, which by the way, is stupid low. Excellent product right here.

Eco-Friendly Bamboo Flooring

If you know anything about bamboo, you’ll know that it’s strong, intensely durable, and not one of those twigs you can just bust over your knee and walk away happily. Similar to wood as far as its species, bamboo has been gaining wild popularity as a flooring option. It’s very, very easy to maintain, as easy to install as regular hardwood, and will last you an exceptionally long time. Best thing is, it’s sustainable and only takes a few years to reach its full maturity. Again, much like the above, this material is available in a variety of colors, so you’re not limited to just one design or one style. Options are pretty endless in terms of bamboo’s versatility.

Along with its color variety, is its grain! You know how would may have a certain grain you like depending on the direction of it, or maybe the pattern of dark knots? Well, bamboo, more or less, acts the same. This is one of the reasons why this type of flooring is on the up-and-up! You’re able to make this flooring your own, customizing it to your wants and needs.

Eco-Friendly Concrete Flooring

Now, I’ve wrote about concrete flooring before, and I still think it’s crazy (in a cool way) that it has has slowly crept its way from commercial properties and into the confines of residential households. Usually, this sort of material is used as a sub-flooring, in which case people would just put tile or linoleum or hardwood for their floor. But, it’s 2017, and there are all kinds of things happening, so let’s run with the innovative ideas, shall we?

In all seriousness, concrete can be polish and tinted to make it look completely different than your standard slab of concrete. You can create tiles from it or design a cool pattern yourself using glass and mosaics to really give your style the emphasis you’d like. In any case, this material is extremely eco-friendly. No chopping up trees to lay these floors down. No. Sir.

It is in my extreme hopes that this post helped you realize that there are in fact some environmentally-friendly flooring options that have been tried and true, proving to be very sustainable, highly efficient, extremely durable in strength, and versatile in style and design to keep the options endless. We also have one of these materials in-store now at any of our two locations in Louisville and Cincinnati! I encourage you to give us a call or stop by soon to check out our Cork Flooring options and see if this eco-friendly material is right for you and your home. Until then, be safe and stay blesssed!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Chris Chamberlain

April 18, 2017

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