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The Importance of Professionally Cleaning Your Tile and Grout

Written by adventures-Editor on . Posted in Blogs.

If you want your home to be as welcoming and as beautiful as the day you moved in, then you know many chores need to be done regularly to keep it that way. One of the most challenging and often most forgotten chores is cleaning the tile and grout. Maintaining the cleanliness of your tile and grout is more important than people realize. Many people also need to recognize that it is best to have your tile and grout professionally cleaned. Here are a few reasons why.

Improves the Lifespan of Your Floors

When you have your tile and grout professionally cleaned, it saves you money in the long run. The debris and dirt that stain the grout and tile can also damage it. If the tile and grout are not cleaned correctly, they will begin to crack, fade, and discolor, causing them to lose their shine and luster. Without proper cleaning, they will also wear down faster. Save money on tile replacement by having the tile and grout professionally cleaned.

Prevents Dangerous Mildew and Mold Growth

If your grout and tile are dirty, they become a perfect spot for breeding mold and mildew. Your home will not only look dirty, but it will begin to smell musky. Not to mention the spores from the mold and mildew can get sucked into the ventilation system and blow around the house. We are sure it is your priority to keep your family from getting sick. Mold and mildew spores can cause serious issues with the respiratory system, so keep things clean AND safe by hiring a professional tile and grout cleaner.

Keeps Your Home Looking New 

Let’s face it. It is not easy to clean tile and grout. You may try running a cloth over it and scrubbing till your arms are sore, but you are only reaching the surface. Tile and grout are porous, which means they are made up of little rocks with holes through which air and liquid can pass through. This means the cleaning done by you isn’t as effective as a professional cleaner with the proper tools and solutions to clean tile and grout. They will inevitably look dull and dingy if you wait too long.

Professional Cleaning is Better for the Grout

There are products sold that try to get you to believe that cleaning your tile and grout can be a DIY project. However, many of these cleaners are corrosive or too abrasive, and you may unintentionally damage your grout. You will end up having to pay someone to repair the grout. If you use a professional to clean the tile and grout, you will not have to worry about accidental damage.

We recommend having your tile and grout cleaned when you notice they are looking dingy. This could be every few months for some people or more often for people with pets and large families coming and going. Contact us today for a consultation. We can get your tile and grout back to their pristine shine quickly and efficiently.

Hardwood vs. Engineered Wood Flooring

Written by admin on . Posted in Blogs.

Hardwood floors seem to hold transcendent and mystical power over people. They ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ at them. Some people buy a home exclusively for its gorgeous hardwood floors. Well, now we have a new player in the game with engineered wood flooring. There are pros and cons to both types of flooring. If you are unfamiliar with the engineered wood flooring craze, here are a few explanations. 

What is Engineered Wood Flooring? 

Engineered wood flooring is a type of wood flooring that is made up of layers. The top and bottom layers are made with 100% natural wood. The core consists of layers of plywood pressed together in a crisscrossed pattern. On the surface, the engineered wood flooring is designed to look and feel exactly like hardwood floors. 

What are the Critical Differences Between Engineered Wood Flooring and Hardwood Floors? 

Hardwood flooring is made up entirely of different types of wood. Some of the most popular wood styles include oak, cherry, maple, and walnut. Besides the makeup of the flooring, there are several other differences. Here are a few: 

  1. Cost: Hardwood floors are twice as much as engineered wood flooring. For hardwood, plan on spending $8 to $15 per square foot, depending on the wood – the engineered wood ranges between $4 to $7 per square foot. 
  1. Adaptability to Moisture: Hardwood floors are water-resistant but not waterproof. In comparison, engineered wood flooring is more water resistant than hardwood but still not completely waterproof. 
  1. Lifespan: One of the reasons hardwood floors are so sought after is because they have a lifespan of 30-100 years. Homeowners can rest assured that they will likely not have to replace their hardwood flooring unless disaster strikes. Engineered wood flooring has an impressive lifespan of 30 years, considering the material that makes up this flooring. 
  1. Size: Hardwood size is as follows – Length 12-84 inches, thickness around ¾ of an inch, and width 2 ¼ to 4 inches. Engineered wood flooring size is – Length 12-60 inches, thickness-3/8 to 9/16 inches, width 2 ¼ to 7 inches. So, while engineered wood flooring may not get as long as hardwood floors, its width and thickness makes up for it. 
  1. Maintenance: Both hardwood floors and engineered wood flooring are easy to maintain. They only need vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping with a hardwood cleaner, never water! Many people recommend the Bono cleaning solution for cleaning hardwood floors. However, hardwood floors are better for long-term maintenance since they can be sanded down and refinished several times over their lifespan. 
  1. Installation: Hardwood flooring installation involves the wood planks being nailed to the subfloor. It requires skillful craftsmanship to install hardwood floors properly. The engineered wood flooring is much easier to install. Some say it is DIY-friendly since it comes in glued or interlocking panels. 

Overall, both flooring solutions have more similarities than differences, so your choice of flooring will be a personal decision. It boils down to your style preferences and budget. At Like Nu Flooring, we are happy to help you decide. Contact us today for a consultation or visit our showroom.