A Night of Giving...

Last night, StarFloors and Starpower employees gathered together at ReMax Premier's Hero Happy Hour and Silent Auction for the Texas Sentinels Foundation of Collin County. The Collin County Texas Sentinels Team, led by Mal Smith, is made up of over 30 real estate professionals and concerned citizens who are already working hard to make the home of Texas Sentinels Sergeant Justin Feagin a reality.

The Hero Happy Hour and Silent Auction took place at Hexter-Fair Title Company in Plano, Texas. Star Companies was honored to be a part of the event and ecstatic to see so many people excited about the the plethora of silent auction items donated to the cause. Friends, colleagues, and contributors gathered in Plano with their check books open and ready to bid on silent auction items for Sergeant Feagin and his family.

Starpower donated a 24" flat screen TV, which had auction attendees excited and ready to bid! StarFloors contributed a large room of carpet with a choice of 6 different styles and textures. The room of carpet included installation and pad, and flooring consultation with StarFloors' Phil Kenton.

Anne-Marie Hosler and Paige Haga from StarFloors and Starpower

"The best part of the evening was getting to meet Mal Smith and his team. The dedication that this group of individuals displays is truly inspiring. I think it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day routine of our lives and forget about the brave individuals who have fought, and are still fighting, for our country. I was so impressed with the overall event and proud to be a part of something so great! I am also so thankful to work for Star Companies. Starpower and StarFloors are generous is so many facets of the word, but getting to see how their generosity directly benefits this cause was truly inspiring. I was honored to represent StarFloors last night."

 - Anne-Marie Hosler, Marketing Manager - StarFloors



The Texas Sentinels Story:

"RE/MAX of Texas has taken a leadership role in the development of a Scholarship Program designed to support our severely wounded and injured members of the Armed Forces returning to Texas.

The Texas Sentinels Foundation Scholarship was created to benefit qualified members of the U.S. Armed Forces severely injured in the line of duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001. The program helps them readjust to civilian life and prosper in their hometowns ornew communities.

Through their personal sacrifice and heroic dedication, we enjoy the freedoms and security of this great nation. The Texas Sentinels Foundation is an opportunity for all citizens to help create a better life for wounded veterans and their families. It’s an opportunity to say ‘Thank You’.

The Texas Sentinels Foundation provides qualified wounded veterans and their families with new debt-free homes in Texas in conjunction with our Texas Sentinels Foundation life scholarship, job placement and ongoing mentorship, enabling returning veterans to realize their families’ dreams." - Texas Sentinels Foundation

Daltile Interior Design Scholarship Competition!

Given our love for Interior Designers (including our own designers) we were really inspired by this remarkable scholarship offered by Daltile in partnership with the American Society of Interior Designers.
This competition is an awesome opportunity for all young designers looking for their "break-out moment"! It doesn't hurt that Daltile has an awesome product line up either!

In fact, Daltile product are some of the most popular among our customers. AND....part of the grand prize is a trip to the Surfaces Convention in Las Vegas, which is amazing! Daltile always has an impressive display, and who doesn't love VEGAS!

WARNING: You might also see a few of our StarFloors staff running around like kids in a candy store!!!

The information from the Daltille Interior Design Scholarship Competition was taken from their website which you can visit here.

Find out more about the Surfaces Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada here.

Now back to the good stuff!

Competition Overview

Your challenge is to design an interior space, inspired by an artistic style, using Daltile products as the key element.

Prizes

Grand Prize - $10,000+ 13 other prizes

For students preparing for a career in the world of interior design, a chance to demonstrate their creativity and skills to the entire design community is invaluable. The Daltile Interior Design Scholarship competition, presented by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Foundation, gives you that chance.

For your entry, you may choose to design any residential space - a kitchen, bath, bedroom, living room, even an indoor/outdoor living space. Commercial spaces are also acceptable.

A Grand Prize of a $10,000 scholarship will be awarded to the student whose design is chosen as the overall winner. In addition, that student's design will be displayed in the Daltile exhibit at SURFACES 2012, and the student will be Daltile's guest at SURFACES 2012, January 24-26 in Las Vegas.

First-, Second- and Third-prize winners will each receive a $5,000 Scholarship, and ten Merit Winners will each receive $2,500 in Scholarships.

Your entry should include one (1) design or concept board, which should include a rendering of your design. There will be space provided in your entry form to submit a written statement describing the space, your approach to the design, a list of Daltile products used and how they are incorporated into the design.
The board may also include a color palette, tile swatches, and other information necessary to judge the entry. Your entry should also follow best practices of interior design, sustainability, and the leading issues impacting the profession.


Project Overview

• The space you design is not restricted by any square footage limitation.
• Your project must use Daltile products as a featured design element. You can choose from Daltile's complete product portfolio. Use of multiple product lines is encouraged.
• Your project must be inspired by an artistic movement or style (abstract, Art Nouveau, cubism, expressionism, impressionism, modernism, neo-classicism, etc.). Inspiration of a specific work of art is encouraged.
• The tile you choose must be used appropriately according to its installation and application guidelines (e.g. wall tile not suitable for the floor should not be used in flooring applications).
• You determine the type of space and the functions that take place in it- (examples may include but should not be limited to: a private residence, office, hospitality/restaurant, institutional, government, healthcare, corporate, etc.)
• You determine the context and location of your space.
• You determine all interior structural parameters for the space and all other related components.
• Your design must comply with all applicable codes for the building type and context you develop. These codes may include, but should not be limited to: IBC, UBC, NFPA, ADA, NEC.

Submission round	August 1, 2011 @ 12:00 AM (CDT)	November 1, 2011 @ 11:59 PM (CDT)
Judging round	November 2, 2011 @ 12:00 AM (CDT)	December 1, 2011 @ 11:59 PM (CST)

For more information about this awesome contest you need to visit Daltile's Scholarship site here!

Everything You Need to Know About Wool Carpet

The staff at StarFloors is going back to college! Wool College that is....

Godfrey Hirst recently allowed us to participate in their Wool College program which educated salespeople and team members wool fiber. So now that we are the "experts" we are here to share everything you need to know about wool carpet.

Wool is a natural fiber, shorn from the coats of sheep usually native to either New Zealand or the United Kingdom. It's biodegradable as well as recyclable so it won't spend centuries taking up space in a landfill like a synthetic carpet will. It also takes less energy to produce than synthetic carpets.

Wool carpeting typically falls well behind synthetic carpets in terms of quantity of sales. One reason might be the cost but another could just be better marketing by the synthetic carpet makers.

Regardless of the reason however, wool offers a number of benefits as a floor covering that deserves some attention when considering carpet options. A closer look at those benefits might be enough to sway you toward this environmentally friendly carpet choice, even if wool's prices tend to be more than nylon or polyester.

Not only is it good for our world as a whole, wool also helps your home's environment too. It can absorb about 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp which make it a cheap but efficient humidifier (and dehumidifier too). In warmer humid conditions it absorbs some of the moisture in the air making it feel cooler. When the air dries out it releases the moisture helping to humidify the air.

Wool carpeting has also been shown to be an effective 'filter'. It's natural fibers can absorb and retain chemicals such as formaldehyde (present in certain wood products and other building materials) and nitrogen dioxide, a by-product of smoking and combustion (think heaters, fireplaces, stoves, etc.).

Wool fiber has an overlapping "scaly" outer structure which looks and acts somewhat like roof shingles. This helps repel dirt and liquids by shielding the inner part of the fiber. It also helps hold the dirt and spilled liquids near the top surface of the carpet giving you a better opportunity of cleaning dirt and spills.


Wool fiber's protein-based chemical makeup readily accepts dyes and locks in the color for superior intensity and color fastness. Carpets made from New Zealand wool, which is naturally white, make an easy pallet for applying color.


Overview Why Wool Carpet?
Wool is durable, resilient, affords comfort and safety - and wool is a renewable resource! Wool fibers are naturally superior to synthetic fibers, as well as longer lasting, inherently flame retardant and resistant to dirt and crushing.

Performance

• SUPERIOR TEXTURE RETENTION & RESILIENCE
• SUPERIOR WEAR
• NATURALLY SOLID & STAIN RESISTANT
• SUPERIOR DYE FASTNESS
• NATURALLY FIRE RETARDANT & SELF EXTINGUISHING

Value

• Slightly higher initial cost massively offset by product longevity and ease of maintenance. WOOL CARPET ACTUALLY COSTS LESS!!!!
• WOOL CARPET ADDS VALUE and is the ULTIMATE STATEMENT OF STYLE, SUCCESS, AND COMFORT.
• WOOL IS WARMER IN THE WINTER AND COOLER IN THE SUMMER. Wool naturally feels better, is more resilient, and helps moderate temperature and humidity in the home by absorbing and releasing moisture as needed.
• Wool's natural soil and stain resistance allows for wool to require LESS CLEANING THAN SYNTHETICS.
• Wool is a renewable resource and is biodegradable. Wool is a way to be kind to Mother Earth. WOOL IS GREEN AND IS RECYCLABLE.

Comfort

• WOOL'S SOFT & NATURAL FEEL to the hand and beauty underfoot simply cannot be achieved with any synthetic fiber.
• Wool is a NATURALLY DELUSTERED FIBER that is appealing to the eye and allows for a soft and comfortable appearance on the floor.
• Wool's natural luster and gentle light reflection characteristics give a home or office an ELEGANT AND PEACEFUL BACKGROUND.

Quality

• All HIBERNIA WOOL CARPETS ARE CAREFULLY TESTED for consistency, performance, and overall adherence to strict product specifications.
• Our yarns are TRIPLE SCORED to enhance soil resistance and extend the life of the carpet.
• HIGH TWIST YARNS equal higher performance and all HIBERNIA fabrics utilize higher than normal twist multiples to insure customer satisfaction.
• All HIBERNIA carpet products are PERFORMANCE TESTED and TRAFFIC RATED to insure performance and proper utilization (see product sheets).

Drawbacks

As we know, nothing is perfect. Wool carpet has its drawbacks and we feel its important to share what you can expect.

Wool fiber is by nature a staple fiber. Staple fibers are shorter filaments wound into yarn that's made into the carpet's pile. This is in contrast to synthetic fibers that are manufactured in very long continuous filaments.

Carpets made from staple fibers sometimes have the tendency to shed some of the filaments as they naturally work themselves loose from the yarn that makes up the carpet. They usually lie on top of the carpet and/or get caught up on your clothes if you've been down wrestling with the toddler or family pet.

This usually isn't a big deal and you shouldn't see continued large-scale loss of carpet pile but it may be a nuisance and something you want to consider.


In addition, highly alkaline substances like certain detergents, soaps and household cleaners can damage the wool fibers and mar the carpet.


It is important to review all of your options with a flooring specialist to weigh your options and get more specific information about your carpet choice.
You can instantly request a free quote from our website.
A flooring specialist will give you an in home consultation and help you choose the perfect carpet for your project.




One of our recommended vendors for wool carpet is Godfrey Hirst.

About Godfrey Hirst

Godfrey Hirst Carpets combines the latest colors, patterns and textures to provide you with the classic beauty, and practical beauty you expect from a versatile line of flooring that can coordinate with today's home environment.
Godfrey Hirst predominantly uses New Zealand wool for its carpets. With some 40 million sheep grazing on beautiful, lush green pastures, use of New Zealand wool ensures an environmentally sustainable fiber that is the cleanest and whitest wool in the world.


The Wools of New Zealand Brand represents the standard of excellence in wool carpets. Godfrey Hirst USA and Godfrey Hirst Carpets of Canada are proud licensed partners with Wools of New Zealand, requiring our products to meet demanding quality standards and fiber content requirements.
The name and trademark, used exclusively on products containing at least 80 percent wool, with the majority (60%) being New Zealand wool, are applied only to carpets and rugs that have met the highest performance and environmental specifications.


Find our more about Godfrey Hirst here.

Refernce for article: Godfrey Hirst



Adventures with Swamp People!

It's always entertaining to be on the road with the StarFloors team. Since we are a nationwide flooring company, our team has to travel all over the United States making sure our processes and installations are going perfectly....or to the Star Standard!

During one of his trips, Chris C., our Quality Control Manager, found himself in the company of some feisty friends..... and we're not talkin gators!

Does the guy on the right look familiar? He should if you are a fan of the hit History Channel show, SwampPeople. Chris had the chance to hang out with Mike Kliebert from Season 1 of Swamp People.

Mike was literally raised among the gators, growing up on the alligator and turtle farm his father founded about 50 years ago. He still lives there with his wife, two sisters and brother-in-law, Bruce Mitchell. While many similar establishments breed alligators indoors, the Kliebert Farm takes a more natural approach, keeping its resident animals in outdoor ponds. Some of the gators who live there are 50 years old and up to 12 feet long.
Tending the farm is backbreaking work, so Mike takes every opportunity to hunt wild gators in rivers, bayous and marshes. A man of many talents, he spends the little free time he has building boats, repairing engines and brewing his own beer and wine.*

Thanks for sharing Chris!

A happy bunch!

*Mike Kliebert. (2011). The History Channel website. Retrieved 4:28, July 25, 2011, from http://www.history.com/shows/swamp-people/bios/mike-kliebert.

The Hottest Flooring Product of 2011....LVP

Dear StarFloors,

      I am looking to replace my floors. I've had hardwood floors for 13 years and I've considered refinishing them and making them look like new again. Here's the problem....Refinishing floors is expensive and I would have to move out of my house for a few days. This is not really something I want to do.  I feel like my hardwood floors can't withstand the elements of my house. I have grandchildren and they are really hard on my floors. My grandkids spill food, leave scratches and play rough!I love having my grandchildren over, but sometimes the messes they leave, give me a headache. There are only so many cleaning products I can use on my hardwood, and sometimes the cleaners just don't do the trick!

      Besides my grandkids, I have an 80 lb. black lab that  loves to play, scratch and chew everything in sight. If that's not bad enough, he won't go outside in inclement weather. Do you know what that means? YEP!.....He goes inside! ...On my hardwood floors!!! The ammonia from his urine has literally stripped my floors of their finish. Gross I know. But True. This place is a circus and my floors are taking all of the abuse!!!

      StarFloors, I need help! I need a product that is durable, reliable, and can withstand the environment of my crazy household. I'm trying to retire, so if you could keep it light on the pocket book that would be ideal. HELP!

Sincerely,

Caroline V.

Caroline-

Thanks for writing us. We're sorry to hear that your floors have taken such a beating, but your home sounds like the center of a lot of action and floors are an important role in keeping everyone happy. The good news is we have a product that your family will love! Not only your family, but  YOU will love it because you can keep the hardwood floor "look" that you currently have, but you will gain a durable, scratch resistant floor that is easy to maintain and clean.

The product we're talking about is Luxury Vinyl Plank.

Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring (LVP) is considered by many to be the perfect blend of style and functionality. Current styles by major manufacturers have never looked better or more realistic. LVP also offers, in many cases, a more durable, tougher floor especially when it comes to handling scratches and water issues. If you are one of the many consumers considering luxury vinyl wood looking planks there are some things you will want to think about.

Design trends and engineering strategies for vinyl plank flooring are always evolving and adapting to consumer taste. As vinyl plank flooring continues to evolve it becomes easier to install for do-it-yourselfers and contractors. LVP is also more durable and versatile (as mentioned earlier).

LVP is engineered to protect your floor with a seamless and continuous surface that adds value to your home, and provides an option that is low-cost, low maintenance, and can easily adapt to your living space and decor.

There are also several finishes available in luxury vinyl planks. A smooth finish is what most consumers are familiar with. However, you can get a more realistic floor by using a plank that has ribbed, hand scraped or a finish with registered embossing.

 

Features and Benefits of DuraPlank II

• Aluminum Oxide Plus ScotchGard
  Aluminum oxide plus ScotchGard protector with built-in stain and soil repellent makes your floor durable and simple to maintain
• 100% Water Resistant
  The perfect flooring solution for bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements
• Looks & Feels Like Real Wood
  With authentic hardwood textures on every plank you can create a beautiful hardwood look in any room of your home
• Installation Choices
  DuraPlank II can be installed alone or in combination with Duraceramic tiles creating a custom look.
• Lifelong Limited Warranty
  Congoleum DuraPlank II is so durable that is is backed by a Lifelong Limited Warranty

For more information on DuraPlank II visit www.congoleum.com


A StarFloors representative would be happy to show you the full line up for DuraPlank products and other LVP products available.
Visit www.starfloors.com for more information.


Sincerely,
The StarFloors Flooring Guru

Looking For A Flooring Company You Can Trust?

About Us

For four generations, StarFloors has been providing customers with the highest quality flooring products available and outstanding customer service.
From the time we knock on your door to the moment you are standing on your new floor, our team provides the most pleasurable and positive experience possible. Our flooring specialists are the best at what they do and with our elite Showroom on Wheels we “Bring the Store to Your Door!”
With corporate offices in Dallas, Texas and flooring experts strategically located nationwide, StarFloors is one of the fastest growing flooring companies in the world.

Why We’re Different
StarFloors is a rock-solid company you can rely on. We’ve built our reputation on dependability, fair pricing, superior materials and workmanship.  Our strategically located facilities provide StarFloors managers with the ability to procure products and schedule expert installation for consistent, on-time delivery anywhere your properties are located.

Our unique business model and nationwide buying power allows us to provide a rare combination of competitive prices with the highest quality materials and personalized customer service. At StarFloors “We Bring our Store to Your Door!” saving the customer time and money and allowing customers to see what flooring works best with their existing décor.

Our turn key installations give peace of mind and offer the ultimate convenience. In addition to years of experience, our technicians undergo rigorous training, installing according to our exacting specifications and under our direct supervision. Installers clean up after every installation, removing old flooring, debris, vacuuming carpet and hauling away trash.

Our experienced flooring specialists are experts in the flooring industry. More importantly our territory managers are locals who know your housing market, the dynamics of your region (humidity, temperature, etc.) and design aesthetics. StarFloors’ territory managers are experts in their field and are prepared to exceed every expectation with their knowledge and expertise.

Customer service always comes first!  We ask each client to complete our online customer survey at the conclusion of every project and use the information to continually improve our products and services.

Our Products:
StarFloors takes care of all of its customers’ flooring needs. This includes replacing existing flooring with any grade of carpet, wood, ceramic and porcelain tile, natural stone and vinyl, as well as restoring hardwood floors and stone.

Harwood: From complete installations to repairs of worn and buckled wood flooring, StarFloors offers onsite installation of pre-finished and solid wood flooring in a range of hardwoods, finishes, sizes and patterns. We also sand and finish existing hardwood floors, restoring them to their natural beauty.
Vinyl: Our Company has a variety of versatile vinyl flooring available in a range of colors, designs and textures, including the look of traditional and distressed wood, natural stone and decorative and geometric patterns. This durable product is skid and mar resistant, easy to care for an ideal for high-traffic areas.

Carpet: StarFloors offers a range of carpet options, from Berber to Frieze. Whether you’re changing out the carpet in an entry-level home or adding plush texture and rich color to the master bedroom in a luxury home, we offer quality products and installation at the lowest possible prices.

Natural Stone: We install natural stone flooring, countertops, backsplashes and showers in any room of the home. Whether you’re replacing a travertine entry or restoring a granite tile countertop, StarFloors provides the highest quality material, installation, and restoration.  We do our own fabrication to ensure quality and reject slabs that are substandard due to fractures or fissures. Natural stone selections include granite, marble, limestone, travertine, slate, onyx and more.

Ceramic & Porcelain Tile: StarFloors offers quality ceramic and porcelain tile in a range of colors, textures and patterns. Our factory-trained installers understand the importance of correctly laying tile. We use appropriate underlayment materials under tile installed over subfloors and proper edging to ensure clean, solid connection, as well as remove and reinstall toilets.

Window Treatments
Star Floors carries a full line of high quality window treatment products uniquely engineered for value and fashion, and custom built to fit each window perfectly.  We carry everything from Faux Wood Blinds to Real Wood Blinds, Vertical Blinds, Honeycomb Shades, Shear Shades, Vertical Soft Sheers, Woven Woods, and Roller Shades.  Many of these products are available with motorization via wall control panel, remote control, or they can be integrated in to a home automation system.  

Media Rooms/Entertainment Centers
StarFloors’ brother-company StarPower provides clients with the finest experience in high-end custom installations of audio, video, security, and electronic automation. StarPower features the finest brands of equipment, some of which are rarely seen outside of Hollywood’s top studios.  StarFloors professionals work in conjunction with StarPower’s electronics and media room specialist to provide you with a custom designed media room to fit any space in your home. When we look at the word “customer”, the first word we see is “custom”. At StarCompanies, we put the customer first in every custom installation. We listen carefully to make sure to understand what a client is hoping for in their entertainment and media room. We pay close attention to a client’s budget, so we both know we can give them the maximum value for their price point. Our team of entertainment system and flooring experts create the highest quality entertainment rooms available- leaving no detail untouched. Our job is to create a one-of-a-kind theater environment without disrupting the existing home or business.
For more information on StarPower visit their website http://www.star-power.com/

http://www.starfloors.com/

Everything You Need to Know: Carpet Pad

What is Carpet Pad?

Carpet pad is a supportive padding placed under carpets and area rugs. The pad absorbs sound and cushions the surface so it feels more comfortable underfoot. When buying carpet padding, you’ll notice that it comes in a variety of thickness levels and materials. Foam rubber pads are a popular choice that work well in homes. Sponge padding is slightly stronger and is good for high-traffic office and commercial environments. Fiber pads are the strongest of the three, and are commonly used in manufacturing plants and other buildings with concrete floors.

Carpet Pad. Who Cares? We do!

A firm and resilient carpet pad is necessary to form a good foundation for your carpet, increasing its comfort and extending its life by acting as a shock absorber when someone walks on the carpet. The cushion, or pad, helps buffer sound and provides increased insulation, making a room quieter and warmer.

When selecting pad, discuss the best option for your carpet selection with your StarFloors Flooring Professional. A StarFloors professional will review requirements for thickness and density. Improper selection of carpet pad can negatively affect carpet appearance, cause wrinkling and buckling, cause separation of the carpet seams and can cause a breakdown of the carpet structure itself. Improper cushion selection also may void any applicable carpet manufacturer's warranties. A general rule of thumb for most residential carpet applications is to choose cushion no more than 7/16 inch thick and no less than 1/4 inch with 6 pounds per cubic feet density. If the carpet is a Berber or a low profile carpet, choose a cushion no more than 3/8 inch thick with 8 pounds density.

What is Carpet Pad Made Of?

Carpet pad is made primarily from polyurethane foam, fiber or rubber and is available in a variety of styles and constructions to fit your needs. The type and thickness of cushion you need varies according to traffic levels and patterns. For example, bedrooms, dens, lounge areas and other rooms with light or moderate traffic can use thicker and softer cushion, while living rooms, family rooms, hallways, stairs and other heavy traffic areas require thinner, firmer cushion.

Match the cushion to the carpet

Residential cut pile, cut- loop, or high-level loop carpet requires a resilient, firm cushion with a thickness of 7/16 inch and no less than 1/4 inch with 6 pounds per cubic feet density. Types of cushion may be various polyurethane foams, including the very common bonded foam product often referred to as “rebond,” fiber, or rubber.Berber carpet or thinner loop or cut pile carpet is made with large, wide loops, and it has been found that a stable, low-flexing, cushion foundation is necessary. A thicker, softer cushion is not acceptable. Cushion thickness should not exceed 3/8 inch for these type products

StarFloors Professional: Phil Kenton

"I only use a ½ inch “superstep” pad for our carpets. It is difficult to find a 5/8 thick pad anymore, and I would avoid using it anyways, because all of the mills void warranties with it.

If I were purchasing carpet for my own home and want comfort I would choose the “superstep.”

- Phil, StarFloors Territory Manager

For more information on carpet, carpet installation, carpet pad and your flooring inquiries contact a StarFloors Professional today!

http://www.starfloors.com/

(866) 503- STAR (7827)

For more detailed inforamtion visit: http://www.carpet-rug.org/   

Consider this our love letter to In-N-Out Burger!

Consider this our love letter to In-N-Out Burger!

In honor of the In-N-Out Burger going in next to our corporate office in Dallas, Texas, we've decided to dedicate today's blog to the hamburger institution that is sure to change our lives... soon enough!

Did you know that there is a whole secret menu you can order off at In-N-Out? If you are familiar with the legendary burgers from In-N-Out then I am sure you know, but for those of us who are just days from getting to taste the awesomeness that is In-N-Out---it's time for an education!

Once you've decided how much meat & cheese you feel like consuming, you can decide the add-ons you want on your delicious burger.

Know that a standard In-N-Out Burger will include the following:

• a spread similar to thousand island dressing.
• one slice of tomato (two if one won't cover the entire bottom bun)
• a portion of lettuce
• Onions are always offered when you order. They come as a fresh slice by default, but chopped and grilled onions are available by request. The amount is constant regardless of the number of meat patties unless you ask for extra or lite of a condiment.

StarFloors and In-N-Out have one major thing in common- customer satisfaction comes first!

 

Keeping customers happy means giving them exactly what they want!

So, beyond the regular menu items, In-N-Out  also has a not-so-secretive menu available on their website

http://www.in-n-out.com/secretmenu.asp

The secret menu is not exactly a "secret," it's just a compelation of some of the most commonly made request by In-N-Out customers.

Below are several off-menu ordering options to keep in mind to make your burger completely your own!

1. First of all you can order up to 4 hamburger patties, per bun! If you want a piece of cheese per hamburger patty call it a 4x4. Change up the hamburger to cheese ratio by calling it a 4x 2 , 3x2, or WHATEVER YOU WANT!

2. In-N-Out cooks the burgers medium-well by default. Ask for medium and enjoy a pink center in your hamburger patty!

3. You can flavor your patties by asking for mustard grilled- you hamburger patty will be grilled with a squirt of mustard so that the flavor is grilled into your burger.

4. You also have tons of options when it comes to onions. You can get the traditional chopped onions. Pump up your burger with grilled onions, chopped or whole! You can also get extra pickles, lettuce...whatever you want!

5. It doesn't stop at onions- you can add some scrumptious chopped chilies to add some heat to your favorite In-N-Out burger! If you really love the chilis- ask for them on the side.

6. We don't know why anyone wouldn't love the melted cheesy goodness of the In-N-Out burger.
However, if you love your cheese cold- as for unmelted.

7. OUR FAVORITE:

Drum roll please.............ANIMAL STYLE!

Animal Style is no secret, unless you've been living in a cave. Order your In-N-Out burger Animal Style and you'll get a delicious burger with double spread, grilled onions, mustard grilled hamburger patties, and extra pickles.

If Animal Style is not for you, Check out these options!

No Meat?

In-N-Out respects the non-carnivorous consumer by offering a grilled cheese. You can deck out your grilled cheese with lettuce, tomato, onions, and sauce.

If you want a lighter choice go with the "wish burger." The wish burger is a toasted bun filled with lettuce, onion, pickles, and spread.

Low Carb?

Skip the bun and get your favorite burger delivered between two leafy bunches of lettuce.

They call this burger "Protein Style"

No Carb?

Order the "Flying Dutchman" and get two meat patties with 2 pieces of melty cheese in the middle. The is is the most Atkins Diet friendly item on the menu!

There are also many options for customizing your fries and milkshakes at In-N-Out.
You'll have to wait for our follow-up blog or you can visit http://www.in-n-out.com/.

It's inevitable that In-N-Out and StarPower/StarFloors Offices will have a long love affair on the Dallas Parkway together. We are confident that our dedicated staff will keep this establishment busy all times of day!

Welcome to Dallas In-N-Out!
We're happy you're here!

Love,

www.starfloors.com

The Great Debate: Solid Hardwood vs. Engineered Hardwood

Without question Hardwood floors create a feel of elegance and simplicity in your home. Hardwood floors are stunning and can easily create whatever feeling you are hoping to evoke when someone enters into your home.

A hardwood floor will provide decades of beauty in your home, but when it comes to budget, many people for-go a solid hardwood floor and opt for the more economical choice of engineered hardwood floors. However Solid hardwood floors can be refinished for changing tastes or excessive wear. It may initially cost more, but as trends evolve, your floors can too.

StarFloors hopes to help you make an informed decision about whether solid or engineered hardwood floors are best for you.


Types of Hardwood Finishing:

Pre-Finished Wood- Pre-Finished solid hardwood flooring is just that- Pre-finished hardwood is already sanded and sealed, by the manufacturer, with at least four coats of ultraviolent-cured urethane resin. This finish offers consistent quality, quicker installation and immediate gratification, meaning you can walk on it as soon as it is laid. Installation is quick and easy and you can live in your home while the installation takes place.

Unfinished Hardwood Flooring- Unfinished solid hardwood flooring must be sanded and sealed on-site. While it does offer more color choices, it requires a lot of preparation. The sanding process is messy; significant drying time is required after each sealing application requiring up to five days for completion. Often times occupants of the home will have to move our during the installation process.



Engineered Flooring- Consisting of a plywood base that’s covered with 1 1/16 to 1/8 inch thick layer of wood, works well in bathrooms and basements where light moisture might be a concern. Engineered flooring is pre-finished and because the wood layer is so thin it can usually only be sanded and refinished once.

Solids vs. Engineered

Solid Wood:
Solid wood floors are manufactured as one complete piece of solid wood, generally 3/4" thick and board widths are generally 2 1/4" and 3 1/4" wide. The length of the boards may vary from 9" to 72", with an average of 32" long. Solid wood floors react to the environment in which it is placed. In the winter heating months, the moisture content of the wood reduces causing the floor to contract or leave gaps between each board. In the summer months when humidity enters the wood, it will cause the wood to expand and if there is too much moisture, it can cause the floor to cup. Solid wood floors are most commonly installed by nailing down to a wood subfloor.

Solid hardwood flooring comes in many different wood varieties, including exotic woods. It's slightly more expensive than an engineered wood flooring, but if you are a diehard wood enthusiast, then you may want to stick with a solid hardwood flooring.

Solid hardwood can't be installed (or isn't recommended) in high moisture rooms, like the kitchen, bath and basement. This is because the higher moisture content in the air -- or even on the floor -- can cause the wood to ripple or buckle, which will destroy the flooring.

Because you can refinish a solid wood floor more times than you can an engineered wood floor, this flooring type lasts longer, helping balance some of the environmental problems associated with some wood floors.

If you have children or pets, then you may want to consider the durability factor of solid hardwood flooring in your decision. Most solid hardwood flooring will need to be professionally installed, so if you are a do-it-yourselfer, then this is something that you will want to keep in mind.

Deciding between engineered vs solid hardwood flooring is a decision that should be made carefully. In some cases, your budget will be the determining factor, but if at all possible, it is better to let other considerations make your decision for you. Consider the rooms that you will be installing the flooring in, the people who will be walking on and enjoying the floors, and what your dream flooring is to help you determine the winner between engineered vs. solid hardwood flooring.

Engineered Wood:

If you’re not sure hardwood flooring is best option for you, consider engineered hardwood. It is just as beautiful as natural hardwood, but it will maintain its shape much better.

ed wood floors refer to products that have multiple layers of wood veneer glued and pressed together. Engineered wood floors have layers of wood veneer that are cross-laminated for dimensional stability. These floors will be less affected by moisture than solid wood floors. Engineered wood floors can be installed on grade, below grade, or above grade in almost any room in the home. Engineered wood floors have several options of installing; nail down, staple down, glue down, and some can even be floated.

Engineered hardwood flooring is less expensive than solid hardwood. It made of a wood layers, but the layers below the surface are often composed of less expensive, stronger wood layers. The top layer is the decorative wood you have chosen for your home or office. Engineered hardwood flooring is also more environmentally friendly than solid hardwood floors because the sub-surface layers are made from "junk" or "scrap" wood, not the ornamental wood. This approach saves more forests because each tree of the desired ornamental wood can go further than it does with solid wood flooring.

Unlike solid hardwood flooring, engineered flooring can be installed in any room that you choose, even a basement, because it can withstand moisture due to the layers of flooring that withstand buckling and rippling. Engineered flooring can also be installed over radiant floor heating, which can keep your feet warm during those cold winter months. It's also easy to install and looks just as beautiful as hardwood flooring at a much better price that will fit almost anyone's budget.

You'll be able to get three to four resurfacings from most engineered hardwood floors. So it's not as long lasting as solid wood flooring, but it's a durable floor during its lifetime.


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StarFloors primary manufacturers for hardwood floors are: Mohawk, Mannington, Anderson, and Trinity Hardwood. However, StarFloors can get any hardwood you desire.

Thank you Anderson for the stunning pictures in today's blog!

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