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Tips & Tricks

The Sun vs. Your Home’s Flooring

Summer may be coming to an end, but one thing that is not ending here in Georgia is the strong sunlight. This not only affects whether or not you wear sunglasses, but it also affects how you work to maintain your flooring. If you are the proud owner of hardwood flooring, sun fading is a concern year-round.

This may all seem overwhelming but don’t worry we are here to help you better understand what it is and how you can prevent it. 

What is Sun Fading?

Sun fading is the process of the sun’s UV rays penetrating through the windows of your home, causing the floor’s color to fade. This process can lead to flooring losing its original color, taking on a lighter appearance, and appearing washed out. Flooring that has the greatest sun exposure has the greatest risk of fading.  

What Does Sun Fading Do to Hardwood Flooring?
Wood flooring showing damage from sun fading

Appearance is the biggest and most noticeable effect sun fading has on hardwood flooring.  This change is not only an eyesore, but can actually affect the integrity of the wood itself. The constant exposure to the sun can cause the wood to dry up, become brittle, and even warp. 

How to Prevent Sun Fading?

To prevent your flooring from fading and everything that comes with it, there are several steps you can take to protect your flooring and keep it looking its best. Here are a few tips to help you maintain the beauty of your flooring:

Sunlight hitting the hardwood flooring and causing sun fading

1. Install UV-blocking window film – One of the most effective ways to prevent sun fading is by installing UV-blocking window film on your home’s windows. This film helps stop the sun’s UV rays before they hit your floors.

2. Use curtains or blinds –  If window film sounds complicated or like a large time commitment, another way to prevent your flooring from fading is by using curtains or blinds. You can keep your curtains or blinds closed during the hottest parts of the day to prevent the sun from shining directly on your flooring. As an added bonus, your home looks beautiful and stylish. 

3. Rearrange your furniture – If possible, try to occasionally rearrange your furniture to minimize the amount of direct sunlight that hits your hardwood flooring. This can help to prevent sun damage and keep your floors looking their best.

Sun fading is a common problem that can affect the beauty of your hardwood flooring. However, by taking the right steps to prevent it, you can keep your floors looking their best for years to come. If you need help determining what the best solution is for your home’s flooring, reach out to us. 

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Projects Tips & Tricks

Red Oak Vs. White Oak Flooring 

Hardwood flooring is a popular choice among homeowners. However, not all hardwoods are the same. Red Oak and White Oak are among the most popular hardwood choices; while they are both Oak, they have significant differences. 

How exactly do they differ from each other? 
Color 

Despite what their names suggest, white oak is darker than Red Oak. White Oak has a mix of browns and tans, and Red Oak has salmon and red tones. While there are differences in their color, this difference is not as noticeable once a stain is applied. If the stain is a medium or dark color, the flooring will look similar. If the desired stain is gray, as this has become a popular flooring trend, White Oak will be the more appropriate choice. 

Durability 

Our home’s flooring is prone to scratches and dents with our busy lifestyles and pets; therefore, the durability of hardwood flooring is an important consideration when choosing new flooring. When determining the durability of a hardwood, its rating on the Janka scale is used to determine the hardness of the wood. According to this scale, White Oak is slightly harder, at 1360, while Red Oak has a score of 1290. 

These scores can also impact how the flooring is used. Hardwood flooring with a higher score on the Janka scale is often used for high-traffic areas or outdoor spaces, as they are more prone to damage. 

Despite their different scores on the Janka scale, both Red Oak and White Oak are great options for high-traffic areas. 

Density 

Wood flooring’s density has a strong correlation with its strength and durability. Therefore, White Oak has a higher density of 47 lbs/ft3 as compared to Red Oak which has a density of 45 lbs/ft3

Flooring Test to determine if flooring is red oak or white oak.
Floor Testing Kit used to determine the type of Oak flooring.

Many homeowners already have hardwood flooring in their homes, but want to refresh it. Knowing the type of hardwood installed is essential to establish a plan. It is often challenging for homeowners to know this if the home’s flooring was installed by a previous owner. However, Verre Flooring’s experts can help you determine the species of flooring in your home with a simple test. If you are considering making the change to oak hardwood flooring or what to refresh your existing floor, Verre Flooring can help you choose what is best for your home! Contact us today! 

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Projects

Prefinished Vs. Unfinished Hardwood Floors

A lot of people wonder what the difference is between prefinished vs. unfinished hardwood floors. We’d love to tell you some of them!

Prefinished Hardwood Floors

Installing prefinished hardwood floors: Installing prefinished hardwood floors is a simple and quick process when compared to installing a traditional wood floor. The wood is already stained and finished so it is ready to use as soon as it is installed.

Types of prefinished hardwood floors: Prefinished Maple Hardwood Flooring, Hickory Prefinished Hardwood Flooring, Prefinished Oak Hardwood Flooring, Prefinished Wide Plank Hardwood Flooring

Prefinished hardwood flooring cost: The average cost runs somewhere between $6-$12 per square foot.

Prefinished hardwood flooring problems: Sometimes subfloor irregularities can show more than with other flooring options. Also, prefinished hardwood flooring has visible seams.

Unfinished Hardwood Floors

Installing unfinished hardwood floors: Unfinished hardwood flooring takes longer to install. Once the planks are installed, they are then sanded, stained, and finished. While this process is longer, it has more opportunities for customization and matching with existing floors.

Types of unfinished hardwood floors: Red Oak Hardwood Flooring Unfinished, White Oak Hardwood Flooring Unfinished, Unfinished Maple Hardwood Flooring, Unfinished Engineered Hardwood Flooring, Unfinished Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Flooring.

Unfinished hardwood flooring cost: The average cost runs somewhere between $3-$15 per square foot.

Unfinished hardwood flooring problems: The biggest problem is the installation process. Each step of the process combined with waiting for the floor to cure means that you will not be able to walk on the floor or move furniture back until it is completely cured. This can be especially difficult when you are trying to remain in the home during installation.

If you are still debating whether prefinished vs. unfinished hardwood floors would be best for your home, contact us today! We’d love to help!

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Projects Tips & Tricks

What is the Best Flooring for Pets?

Our Furry Friends

Pets are an important part of any family. However, with these furry bundles of joy comes a not-so-joyful side effect: accidents. Whether your pet is litter box trained, or flawlessly house trained, there is always a risk of accidents. If you are considering new flooring in your home, an important question to consider is: “What is the best flooring for my pet?” Verre Flooring offers several easy solutions to this question.

best flooring for pets

Solid Hardwood vs. Engineered Hardwood

Of course, the first thought in many people’s minds is “hardwood is the best flooring for pets!’, as hardwood is easy to clean, durable, and not prone to stains. However, in many cases, that may not be true. To further break it down, let’s discuss the differences between solid and engineered hardwood. Solid hardwood (“real” hardwood) is long-lasting, versatile, and durable. It can be sanded down and refinished to remove stains. However, this can be expensive and time-consuming. Don’t let your pet’s stains be the cause of a refinishing project. Opt for something less porous and easy to clean, like engineered hardwood. This is a man-made product consisting of a thin sheet of solid hardwood laid on top of compressed layers of plywood. A budget-friendly option, however, still porous, and if your pet’s waste isn’t cleaned properly, it can lead to smells and stains.

best flooring for pets

So What is the Solution?

A flooring solution that’s non-porous, durable, easy to clean, and liquid-resistant? Sounds like laminate vinyl flooring is the best flooring for pets! A  durable, liquid-resistant option, vinyl flooring is laid down over your existing flooring and creates an airtight seal, removing any chance for pet waste to get into the cracks of your floor. Check out our blog post here for more info about vinyl flooring. If you still desire the wood grain look, our luxury vinyl flooring comes in a variety of wood grains and patterns to give you the same aesthetic.

In Conclusion:

Check out all of the patterns and styles of hardwood, engineered hardwood, and vinyl that we have available. We are passionate about providing excellence in flooring and flooring services. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and to receive your estimate.


best flooring for pets

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Community

Verre Flooring Salutes Our Military this July 4th

A Veteran-Owned Business Salutes Our Military

A veteran-owned business serving its community for 25 years, Verre Flooring salutes our military this July 4th. We are proud to offer military discounts to all active duty and retired military personnel.

salutes our military

Chris Verre, owner, says, “In 1993, after earning my certification as a helicopter mechanic serving in the US Navy during Desert Storm…I still use the morals I learned in the military.  Attention to detail, communicating with the client, and integrity are important attributes in building a successful company.”

salutes our military

Have a very happy Independence Day!

Thank you for your service. 

Categories
Tips & Tricks

Should You Replace Your Hardwood Floors? 3 Signs it’s Time.

If you’re unsure about whether or not it’s time to replace your hardwood floors or vinyl, don’t worry! Here are some things to look for when considering such a large project:


Verre Flooring replace hardwood floors Atlanta GA
High-Gloss Finish

Hardwood floors are extremely durable and long-lasting, making refinishing preferable to pulling up all of the floors. Did you know that quality hardwood floors can be refinished up to 6 times before new boards are needed? Consequently, they can be sanded down and re-stained to change the color. If any planks are damaged or warped, they can be matched and replaced. Knowing all of that, why replace the floors, when refinishing is available?

3 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Hardwood Floors

1. Safety– Structural concerns are a definite reason to replace your hardwood floors. If your floor is uneven or creaks, please contact our flooring experts to evaluate the best plan.

2. Extensive Damage– Has there been flooding or extensive damage to your flooring (fire, staining, holes in the planks, etc.)? Your flooring specialist will assess the situation and give you the best course of action, but replacing the planks may be a better, more cost-effective option than simply re-surfacing.

3. Movement of Planks– Over time, and with warping and multiple resurfacing, your planks may begin to move and creak. When this happens, simply resurfacing will not resolve the issue. Re-flooring the entire space may be your best choice.


What If I Have Vinyl Floors?

Similar to hardwood, vinyl flooring is a more cost-effective, timely way to finish your floors. It is highly durable, trendy, and easy to clean.

But when is it time to start over and redo your vinyl?

Verre Flooring replace hardwood floors Atlanta GA
Before Vinyl Application

1. Rips and Tears– If your floor has significant rip and tears, it’s time to replace the whole space, to avoid trips over the tear, and for cosmetic reasons.

Verre Flooring replace hardwood floors Atlanta GA
After Vinyl Application

2. Water Damage– If water gets up under your vinyl, it will cause mold and bacteria to grow, in which case you will need to pull up the flooring and replace it, for health’s sake.  At Verre Flooring, your vinyl floor is installed with excellence and extreme attention to detail. We leave no space for water to get trapped underneath our flooring, to keep you and your family healthy!

3. Bubbling or Denting– If your floors were installed over an uneven floor that had not been prepped properly, there may be some denting and bubbling. Because of that, It may be time to pull up the whole floor and lay down fresh vinyl. It’s important to speak with one of our team members to decide if this is the best course of action for you and your home.


If you’ve decided to replace your hardwood floors or vinyl flooring, we’d love to help!

Contact us for an estimate and to speak with one of our flooring specialists.