Check out the Floor Care Blog of Bode Floors

By MicheleSarsitis@cbflooring.com | February 3rd, 2021

General Flooring Archives

Vinyl flooring is a high-performance, inexpensive, and versatile alternative to traditional flooring options like wood, carpet, and stone. When properly maintained and protected, vinyl planks and tiles can retain their original appearance for years, even in areas of the home that endure heavy foot traffic. Follow this simple floor guide for maintaining and cleaning vinyl.

Take Precautions

The best way to keep vinyl flooring clean and looking like new is to take a few precautions against everyday dirt, grime, and damage. Those entering the home should always wipe their feet on a doormat or remove their shoes entirely to avoid tracking in damaging debris and oils. Felt or nylon floor protectors can also ensure that furniture doesn’t wear away the vinyl over time, and heavy furniture should only be moved using a dolly or protective mats.

Dry Cleaning and Wet Cleaning

Before breaking out the mop and bucket, it’s important to dry clean vinyl flooring. Use a floor duster and a vacuum without a beater bar or rotary brush head (these may scratch the floor) to safely remove dirt, dust, hair, and debris that can damage the vinyl if dragged around with a mop. To wet clean vinyl flooring, use a mop and warm water. Manufacturer-approved cleaning products or solutions can also be added.

Getting Rid of Stains and Scuffs

Although vinyl is quite durable, it can take on stains and scuffs over time. Stains can be removed with either a pH-neutral floor cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and water, but the cleaning should only be done with a soft rag or non-abrasive sponge. Minor scuffs can be buffed out with a melamine pad or sponge, but deep scratches may require that the whole plank or tile be replaced.

Long-lasting and simple to maintain, vinyl flooring is available in a wide variety of styles, colors, and textures. At Bode Floors, we offer a large selection of vinyl options as well as hardwood, laminate, and tile. Call us at 410-381-5900 to schedule an appointment in our Columbia showroom today.

By MicheleSarsitis@cbflooring.com | January 13th, 2021

General Flooring Archives

Minimalism has been a popular interior design trend across the country. By maintaining clean spaces, adding light or cool colors, and showing off a few staple pieces of furniture, minimalist designs evoke a sense of peace and simplicity. While flooring may seem insignificant to minimalism, it can enhance the cleanliness aspect of the space and complement the features of the home. Here are some flooring options that can fit any minimalistic aesthetic.

Classic Hardwood

Hardwood flooring is as practical as it is inviting; the simple look is timeless and pleasant in any space. Hardwood flooring comes in a wide variety of colors, shades, and finishes, providing an array of options. Using white wood grain flooring with white walls can give the space an open and proper look while using darker finishes with lighter furniture can add a pop of color.

Contemporary Laminate or Vinyl

Laminate and vinyl flooring are attractive and affordable options that resemble ceramic, tile, or wood materials. These low maintenance floors can bring a luxurious, clean finish to help enhance a minimalist home, but without the upkeep of more costly options.

Comfortable Carpet

Although considered old-fashioned by some, carpet offers just as many chic design opportunities as other flooring types. Modern, patterned carpets can serve as a room’s main focal point when paired with minimal, subdued furniture. Adding carpet in certain areas of the home can give it a cozier feel as well as accent the lighter tones of the room. For a more traditional minimalistic touch, stick to neutral colors like gray or cream to ensure the space gives off an open and polished look.

Flooring options for a minimalist home are anything but minimal—when choosing flooring for each room, remember to let it balance out the furniture for a calming, welcoming space. Bode Floors offers numerous flooring options to the Columbia, MD community. Call 410-381-5900 to schedule an appointment at our expansive showroom.

By MicheleSarsitis@cbflooring.com | November 25th, 2020

Hardwood

Upgrade your home’s interior design with this guide to pairing wood floors with wood furniture. Combining pieces with similar features can seem like a challenge, but with a little practice, you’ll feel more confident about incorporating several wood accents into the same room.

Factors That Impact the Appearance of Wood

Before browsing Pinterest for inspiration, you should familiarize yourself with the defining elements that impact the overall look and feel of wood:

• Stain: Wood is often stained to produce a different color or emphasize its natural texture and fibers (grain).
• Grain: This is the arrangement of wood fibers on a piece of lumber that creates a unique pattern and reflects the tree’s growth patterns.
• Wood species: The species of lumber is determined by the tree it comes from. Each species has different characteristics that impact the wood’s color, durability, and quality.

Tips for Shopping for New Wood Pieces

Although you might be tempted to make all of the wood pieces in a room match, this often creates a space that isn’t interesting to look at. Contrast is a key part of creating a compelling final result, but there’s a fine line between an interesting accent and a piece that looks out of place. Because wood flooring or furniture is often a significant investment, you should start with smaller wood pieces. Picture frames and end tables are easy starting points. If you’ve recently bought a home and would like to switch to hardwood floors, remember that they don’t have to match your wood furniture perfectly.

Choose a Dominant Finish

Flooring and wallpaper are dominant features that tend to set the mood for the entire space. If the room you’re working on has hardwood floors, the room’s larger pieces should complement them. For rooms with tile or other types of flooring, the dominant finish of the room’s wood items should follow the largest piece of furniture. However, taking an occasional risk with a daring color or texture can really make a room stand out. Prioritize creating balance with different elements like materials, size, and arrangement to make the space feel connected.

Quality flooring can elevate the aesthetic of any room. At Bode Floors, we carry a wide selection of hardwood floors and other materials at our showroom in Columbia, MD. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with one of our flooring experts, call 410-381-5900 or contact us online.

By MicheleSarsitis@cbflooring.com | November 16th, 2020

General Flooring Archives

Heated flooring, already quite popular in Asia and Europe, has been gaining popularity in the U.S. This unique system operates quietly and helps promote better indoor air quality since it doesn’t involve ductwork and vents while remaining out of sight. Before deciding if it’s right for your home, see the advantages and disadvantages of installing heated floors.

Ideal for Cold Climates

Having heated floor panels across your home gives you uniform heat, even during those frosty Maryland winters. Unlike normal HVAC systems that kick on once your house hits a certain temperature, heated floors provide subtle heat that lasts all day without the annoyance of temperature changes or a loud system.

Efficient Heating

Because heat rises, having heated floors may be the most efficient way to keep your house warm during cold months. Plus, since the heat is coming from the floor, you’re not losing warm air to ceilings or corners. On average, heated floors can help you save about 15% on your heating bill. If you’re considering installing heated floors, porcelain, stone, and ceramic are the best tiles to retain heat and help keep costs done.

Large Upfront Cost

After purchasing the floor, you’ll still have to hire an electrician to connect the floor system to a power supply, which will be costly. If you want to install heated floors in an already built home, consider electric-based floors over water-based floors. Water-based floor systems usually cost about three times more than electric systems and are often installed in new construction or renovation projects.

Raised Floor Height

Heated flooring systems can raise your floor height by one inch with the combined floor system and insulation boards installed underneath the floors. This may sound insignificant, but this height difference can cause a potential trip hazard, as well as call for modifying your doors to fit the new floor height.

Whether you decide to install a heated floor system or not, you can count on Bode Floors for beautiful flooring options. We offer an array of styles, including hardwood floor, carpet, vinyl, and more to customers throughout the Baltimore metro area. We sell directly to the public from our showroom, so schedule an appointment at our showroom today!

By MicheleSarsitis@cbflooring.com | October 7th, 2020

Carpet

There’s nothing worse than coming home after a long day to a carpet that smells. Whether it’s from a pet or spilled food, numerous sources can cause lingering odors. Learn more about a few techniques you can use to remove smells from your carpet.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is one of the most widely used remedies for smells that are trapped in a variety of carpet fibers. Use pure baking soda as a spot treatment by sprinkling a generous amount on the area with the worst odors. Rub the baking soda into the carpet and let it sit for a few hours or overnight if the smell is especially strong. Baking soda should absorb the odors and any excess liquids from the carpet. Vacuum the area to remove the baking soda and repeat as necessary.

Essential Oils

Some essential oils act as natural and environmentally friendly antimicrobials that can be used alone or with other cleaning solutions to help with spot treatments. Mix some oil with baking soda and warm water to form a natural cleaning paste. If you’re looking for something that doesn’t smell like a cleaning product, lemon is a great essential oil for covering up strong odors with a natural scent.

Vinegar-Based Solutions

For pet-related odors, consider making a cleaning solution with vinegar. Spraying vinegar mixed with warm water on pet stains should neutralize the odors in just a few hours. If you have a carpet steamer, vacuum the solution up to remove the smells more thoroughly.

If you’ve tried several cleaning methods but the smells won’t go away, it might be time to consider a carpet replacement. At Bode Floors, our showroom has a wide selection of carpets and other flooring options. We’re a locally owned business that has decades of experience serving people in the Baltimore metro area. You can trust our experts to help you find high-quality flooring that will last for years. To schedule an appointment with our team, call 410-381-5900 or contact us online.