Which Carpet Fiber is Right for You?

When shopping for carpet, it’s important to think about how your carpet will perform once installed. Two carpet samples may look the same, but there are many differences between the fibers that make up that carpet.

Some carpets look new for a long time, others look old within a short time. The difference is in how well they resist soiling and matting. Most carpets do not wear out. They get soiled, change surface texture, and mat, which makes them look old. Take the opportunity to review the information to help determine which carpet fiber would be best for you and your living space or work space.

FIBER OVERVIEW

Carpet Fiber	Advantages	Disadvantages
Nylon	Nylon carpet wears very well. Nylon provides great style and lots of diversity, it is also the most widely accepted and used carpet fiber. Nylon is easy to clean, extremely strong, resistant to matting as well as moths, moisture, and mildew. Third and forth generation nylon is static resistant and nylon is considered to be a very eco-friendly "green" fiber.	Nylon tends to be more expensive and can be stained by oil and grease. Nylon also degrades and fades in sunlight.
Polyester	Polyester performs and wears almost as well as nylon, and polyester resists stains better than nylon fiber. Polyester is fade resistant and a cost-effective choice for you living/work space. Polyester has a soft luxurious feel, it has excellent resistance to abrasion, and excellent resistance to mildew.	Polyester fiber traditionally does not have the same wear reputation as nylon, but has improved tremendously with new polymers in the last decade. Additionally when polyester has exposure to sunlight, the fiber weakens.
Polypropylene	Very cost-effective The most stain resistant fiber Additionally, polypropylene is colorfast, a strong fiber, soil and water resistant, has good stain resistance, no static problem resistant to moths and mildew, and can be used as an indoor or outdoor carpet.	Polypropylene is limited to mostly loop construction and does have some color limitations.Depending on the carpet construction, polypropylene can tend to mat. Ask your flooring specialist for more information regarding your polypropylene carpet selection to see if this is a factor to consider.
PTT (Triexta)	PTT performs well in high traffic and has a soft hand.	Cannot be stain treated.
Plushes (Cut Piles)	Plush carpet offers timeless style and a great value.	Not as unique as other carpet types.
Cables	Cable carpets are very stylish and have a good hand.	Cable carpet fiber is more costly than other carpet options and has some performance limitations.

Loops	Loop carpet fiber provides excellent performance in high performance areas because it minimizes the appearance of footprints.	Loop carpet does not feel as luxurious to the touch as other carpet fibers.
Friezes	Frieze carpet provides great performance and a soft hand. Frieze carpets are very trendy and offer many stylish options.	Frieze carpets tend to show more footprints than other carpets and can are more costly than other options.

Wool	Wool fiber is crush resistant, has limited pilling problems, wool is very durable, and is very eco-friendly.	Wool soils easily and must be imported because domestic fibers are finer and weaker thus making it more expensive than domestic fibers.
Acrylic	Acrylic fiber has a wool-like appearance with low moisture absorption and cleans easily. Acrylic fiber has good stain resistance and is resistant to moths and mildew as well as  to sunlight damage.	Acrylic fiber is not as strong as other synthetics produced in short fibers and crimped poor resistance to matting stained by oil and grease.

 

Don’t forget that our flooring specialists are always here to answer any questions and concerns you may have regarding your carpet choice. We are available toll free at 866-503-7827 (STAR) or on the web at www.starfloors.com. You can also submit your questions to us at www.facebook.com/starfloors or on twitter @StarFloors_

StarFloors Cleaning Tip of the Month!

At StarFloors, we love to share our tips for keeping your floors as clean and stunning as the first day they were installed. This month's floor care tip features a product that is highly effective but also a staff favorite at StarFloors.

Shaw’s R2X Stain and Soil Remover

If you know Shaw that you have probably heard of R2X before.
R2X is Shaw’s patented carpet protective system, which is applied to most of the carpets they manufacturer. R2X represents a breakthrough in soil and stain resistance technology. Most stain and soil resistance systems are topically applied and provide adequate protection only around the surface of the carpet. Comparatively, the R2X system produces total fiber coverage and protection from the top to the bottom of the yarn. The superior repellency of R2X keeps liquid stains on the face of the carpet where they can be easily removed by blotting.

"Shaw's patented and exclusive R2X system goes beyond conventional repellents that only protect the surface of the carpet. With R2X, carpets are armed with total fiber coverage, offering complete protection from the top to the bottom of the yarn. This total fiber coverage offers unprecedented protection against household spills and everyday soiling. With R2X, spills that reach the base of the yarn don't penetrate and wick back to the top as they do with conventional solutions."
-Shawfloors.com

Fortunately, for us, Shaw also created an effective household cleaner, R2X Stain and Soil Remover, which harnesses this R2X power. To date, this is one of the most effective and convenient ways to clean tough household spills and stains that attack your floors. The best part is that R2X is available for soft and hard surface flooring!

R2X Carpet Stain & Soil Remover for Carpet

Shaw’s R2X Carpet Stain & Soil Remover for Carpet is an extremely effective spot cleaner for most household stains and soiling, and its use eliminates the need for rinsing. With R2X, there is no residue to rise out of the carpet, and the cleaned area has been re-protected to guard against future problems. R2X gets rid of tough household spills and stains on carpet and can be used on all water-safe fabrics and upholstery (including wool). With R2X Carpet Stain & Soil Remover, just clean, blot dry...and forget about it!


R2X Hard Surfaces Flooring Cleaner

Shaw’s R2X Hard Surfaces Flooring Cleaner leaves your ceramic, laminate, pre-finished hardwood, and vinyl flooring sparkling clean. This stain remover is gentle enough for all types of flooring and powerful enough to tackle the toughest stains.

The benefits of using R2X for your hard surface flooring include:

• R2X is a multi-purpose cleaner that removes tough dirt, grease, and scuffs
• R2X will not cause dulling or leave a sticky residue
• R2X does not need to be rinsed


Best of all, R2X Stain and Soil Removers and R2X Flooring Cleaner have been tested and given the coveted Good Housekeeping Seal by the Good Housekeeping Institute. R2X Stain and Soil Remover also earned the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Seal of Approval and the Wool Safe Certificate of Accreditation.

For a rather inexpensive cleaner, R2X really packs a punch.
If you are looking for an effective floor cleaner that will get the job done, use R2X from Shaw.

This cleaner can be purchased at a retailer near you or by visiting: Shawfloors.com

A DuraCeramic Love Story!

I am getting old. I know this because when I visit my parents, we always end up talking about things like the garden, mom's new counter tops, and how they plan to hang a picture on their freshly painted wall in the hallway. Strange. Anyways, one topic of conversation this weekend was their kitchen flooring. After 14 years, they've decided it's time to update. The ceramic tile in their kitchen has several mementos left from my childhood including chips, scrapes, and stains.

My mom was quick to remind me of all the times I would come home after school and rush to the cabinet to get a snack or drink. On several occasions, in the midst of my fury and snack-madness, I managed to drop one my mother's beautiful drinking glasses on our ceramic tile floors. Inevitably the glass broke, which put mom in a bad mood, and left me sweeping and searching for shards of glass throughout our kitchen.

I was thrilled when they mentioned they were ready for a change because I could not wait to talk about my new DuraCeramic floors. When my husband and I moved into our new home, DuraCeramic tile was already installed in our kitchen. At first, I was unsure, given that dear mom had ceramic tile.  Usually, I do everything that mom does, so naturally I planned to put ceramic tile in. However, after spending 3 months on DuraCeramic, I would never switch. So naturally, I told mom she had to use DuraCeramic too!

"Really?!" Mom says. "What do you love about it?"

So I told her: DuraCeramic has so many benefits. First of all, our DuraCeramic is beautiful. It's also QUIET, which is so important, given I have two rambunctious pups.Apparently, it's DuraCeramic's overall construction that absorbs sound, making steps quieter.  Best of all, my husband dropped one of my favorites dishes on the floor last night and I was stunned to find that the dish was left fully intact. Can you believe it?! (My husband was so grateful to escape that storm!) My husband is definitely happy that DuraCeramic is less likely to shatter my precious dishes when he fumbles.

I love my DuraCeramic so much that I met with a StarFloors Flooring Specialist to discuss our options for bathroom flooring.  I was definitely happy to discover that DuraCeramic now features Scotchgard TM Protector built into the wear surface which repels soil and stains. DuracCeramic also had Silver Antibacterial protection to guard against mold, mildew, and bacteria (thank you!!! **reminder** I have two dogs!)

What amazed me the most in viewing the DuraCeramic line-up is how beautiful and natural looking all of their products are. DuraCeramic has the elegant look of upscale ceramic tile without the price. I debated whether I wanted to go with marble or natural stone. Eventually, with my flooring specialists help, I decided on DuraCeramic: Dreamscape Bleached Almond. I loved the color and it fit in our home perfectly. You can see this product on the DuraCeramic website here.

I decided to get my DuraCermic tile installed without grout, just my personal preference, but I should mention that the DuraCeramic in our kitchen is installed with grout and looks fantastic too! My husband's favorite part of our DuraCermic tile is the Lifelong Limited Warranty.  Congoleum made the process so easy for us by posting all of their warranty information online and all of the information my husband needed to feel confident in my buying decision.

I'm proud to say, this story has a happy ending. Mom is meeting with StarFloors next week to talk about DuraCeramic for their kitchen.....maybe I can convince her to update her bathroom floors too! :)

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

The Spotlight Falls on Colorado!

Money's list of America's best small towns recently published Louisville, Colorado as the #1 Best Place to Live in America! We were so happy to see Louisville, along with several other of our favorite cities in America make the list. Congratulations to Louisville, Colorado for being awesome!

In honor of this ranking, StarFloors would like to shine the spotlight on one of our our favorite territories, Colorado. Not only is Colorado beautiful, but it is managed by some of the most knowledgeable and experienced flooring specialists in the nation. Colorado is seriously lucky to have these three individuals, representing our flooring company, and rolling through the majestic Colorado landscape in their own Showroom on Wheels!

At StarFloors, "We Bring our Store to Your Door!" with our Showroom on Wheels. This mean our team will arrive at your door with the finest selection of flooring samples available; giving you the opportunity to choose flooring in the comfort of your own home. Our flooring and design specialists will offer you expert advice and assist you in choosing the flooring of your dreams! Together Erin Watkins, Paul Smith, and Bud Knapton successfully meet the needs of all our Colorado clients and they have fun while doing it!

Find our more at www.starfloors.com or request a quote instantly online!

Introducing the StarFloors Colorado Team!

Our Regional Team:

Erin Watkins

Senior Territory Manager

Paul Smith

Territory Manager

Bud Knapton

Territory Manager

Areas Served:

Our StarFloors Team currently services the Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs Metro, and Grand Junction areas and their surrounding counties.

Below is a complete list of the counties we service in Colorado:

Adams County, Alamosa Count, Arapahoe County, Baca County, Bent County, Boulder County, Chaffee County, Cheyenne County, Clear Creek County, Conejos County, Costilla County, Crowley County, Custer County, Delta County, Denver County, Dolores County, Douglas County, Eagle County, El Paso County, Elbert County, Fremont County, Garfield County, Gilpin County, Grand County, Gunnison County, Hinsdale County, Huerfano County, Jackson County, Jefferson County, Kiowa County, Kit Carson County, La Plata County, Lake County, Larimer County, Las Animas County, Lincoln County, Logan County, Mesa County, Mineral County, Moffat County, Montezuma County, Montrose County, Morgan Country, Otero County, Ouray County, Park County, Phillips County, Pitkin County, Prowers County, Pueblo County, Rio Blanco County, Rio Grande County, Routt County, Saquache County, San Juan County, San Miguel County, Sedgwick County, Teller County, Washington County, Weld County, Yuma County

Popular Flooring Trends in Colorado: 

• GREEN- Coloradoans have a real interest in Green earth friendly products
• Cork is growing in popularity
• Pet Friendly
• Kid and Busy household friendly
• Stain resistant
• Natural Stone look
• Pebble rock and River Rock
• Metallic Accents and Glass
• Patterned Geometric Carpet
• Tractless Carpet looks
• LCL carpet
• Berber
• Wool and Sisal carpet
• Hardwood anything from Rustic Cabin to Modern Loft
• Industrial Modern and Transitional
• Gray is the new beige!
• Neutral is often darker shades of brown and taupe then in other less sunny markets
• Under Floor Heating
• Carpet tiles in commercial
• Snow and Mud resistant

Regional Factors to Consider:

Colorado is HIGH and often DRY. These factors need to be considered when choosing your floors, especially hardwood and tile.

Low Humidity is important when considering wood floors. Exotic and Domestic wood products must offer dimensional stability to perform well in Colorado.
Engineered Wood Floors are popular in the region because they offer added stability.

Specialties:

Meeting the needs of our clients, knowing the right products given the regional environment and 30+ years of industry experience in all product areas. View our client's testimonies>>

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!

Questions about Vinyl? We've got Answers!

Without question choosing new flooring can be a scary experience. Especially when you don't know where to start. Educating yourself on different product types is important, but finding a flooring specialist is probably to most helpful thing you can do to help assist you in making these decisions.

With four generations of flooring industry experience, StarFloors has built its reputation of dependability, fair pricing, superior materials and workmanship. As one of the largest independent flooring dealers in the U.S., we’re able to give our customers the lowest possible prices. Whatever your needs, StarFloors has you covered.

StarFloors takes care of all our customers’ flooring needs. Our services go beyond the details of installing flooring. We also make sure your jobs run smoothly and on time. In addition, every customer is asked to complete a customer satisfaction survey to rate your overall experience with StarFloors. We continually work to improve ourselves and give our customers the best experience possible.

When it comes to choosing your flooring, StarFloors offers a variety of products from the best manufacturers available. Our vinyl selection comes in a wide range of colors, designs, and textures. Vinyl is a durable product that is skid and mar resistant, easy to care for and ideal for high-traffic areas. Vinyl is an ideal option if you are looking for a versatile, durable surface that will withstand your busy family and pets. Vinyl is usually used in bathrooms and kitchens because it’s a material that can handle high traffic and is generally easy to clean.

Vinyl flooring is a great option for busy families because it is practical, functional, and budget friendly. Vinyl is also known to be cushiony and comfortable to walk on. This is because vinyl flooring is a resilient floor, meaning it has “give” when you walk across it.

When choosing a vinyl that is right for you, keep your budget in mind. As you move up in price range you have more colors, patterns, and textures available to you. In addition, today’s wear layers offer superior resistance to stains, scuffs, and scratches. Some wearlayers are enhanced with aluminum oxide to increase their ability to resist scratching.

As with anything, when you move up in price you will see improved construction of the vinyl in addition to the variety of colors, patterns, and textures available to you. We invite you to explore your vinyl flooring options and speak with your StarFloors Professional to decide which selection is best for you.



Things to Discuss with Your Flooring Professional

1. The Wearlayer- Discussing the type of wearlayer on the vinyl of your choice is important because the wearlayer is the actual surface layer of the floor. The wearlayer will determine how the floor will stand up to staining, scuffing and scratching.
2. Foot Traffic- When selecting the right vinyl for you, discuss the traffic patterns and the types of activities that will take place in the room you shopping for. Also take into consideration whether or not pets and children will be using the room.
3. Maintenance/Cleaning
4. Manufacturer’s Warranty

The Construction of Vinyl

Vinyl is created in layers, much like laminate. The layers include: the wear layer, the printed or decorative layer, an inner core-made of foam, and a backing.
Homeowners are offered two types of residential sheet vinyl flooring. The older construction type is called inlaid construction and the newer, more common construction type is called rotogravure construction.
The Inlaid Process-
The inlaid process uses solid colored vinyl chips that are laid on top of a carrier sheet and then bonded together with heat and pressure. The inlaid process has been around for years and generally results in geometric type patterns and designs. Residential inlaid floors have a clear wear layer placed over the top of the chips to make the floor's finish easier to maintain. It is important to note that you are not walking directly on the inlaid chips; instead you are walking on the clear wear layer that was placed on top of the chips. The appearance of your inlaid floor is dependent on how long the clear finish will last.
The Rotogravure Printing Process-
The rotogravure printing process is the most commonly used method for making residential vinyl floors and offers unlimited possibilities in pattern and design. This involves a print cylinder that spins around while the vinyl's core layer (called the gel coat) passes underneath. The cylinder systematically prints various colored ink dyes to create the pattern. After the print dyes are set a clear wear layer is applied to the surface. Like the inlaid the appearance retention of a rotogravure floor is dependent on the durability of the clear wear layer.

The Benefits of Vinyl

1. Easy to clean
2. Stays looking like new
3. Resists staining from normal household products
4. Doesn’t show scratches easily
5. Easy to clean up spills
Preparing for Your Vinyl Installation

At StarFloors we strive to make every install as easy and stress-free as possible for the customer.
StarFloors will move regular household furniture in order to complete the installation*

Listed are some things you can do to help the installation process. In addition, please discuss the details of the installation of your new vinyl with your StarFloors Professional.

1. Disconnect phones, computers, and/or audio and video equipment
2. Clear all desk surfaces. Remove pictures, breakables, valuables, and antiques from any area or furniture that will be affected by the installation
3. Remove linens from the beds
4. Empty China cabinets
5. Pick up shoes and clothing from the floor of your closets
6. Keep water and electricity ON
7. Advise your neighbors that you will be getting work done at your home
8. Keep pets outside or confined during installation- for their safety and the quality of the installation
9. Shut the doors to rooms that are not being installed
10. Turn off Air Conditioning Vents
11. Provide touch-up paint to the installers
12. Check the flooring product before it is installed
13. Check in periodically during the installation
14. Be aware of your HOA’s policies and any issues that may arise during install

*StarFloors does not move billiards tables or pianos and we do not empty water beds.

After Installation: Leave heavy weight on glue down molding for at least 2 days.

Residential Care (Provided by our partners at Congoleum)

IMMEDIATELY AFTER INSTALLATION

• Protect and do not disturb the sealed seams on your resilient sheet flooring for at least 16 hours after seam sealer application to ensure a proper seam bond.
• Keep traffic to a minimum during the first 24 hours to allow the adhesive to harden. Then open to light foot traffic only for the next 24 hours. Resume normal traffic after 48 hours.
• Furniture should not be placed on the floor for 24 hours so the adhesive (and grout, if applicable), have had adequate time to dry.
• Always move heavy furniture and appliances with care to avoid gouging or tearing the floor. First, lay strips of plywood or hardboard panels on the floor. Then roll, "walk" or slide these items on the strips. Do not push or pull appliances and heavy furniture without taking these precautions.
• Wash your floor using Congoleum Bright 'N Easy No-Rinse Cleaner or other suitable resilient floor cleaner 48 hours after installation.
• Immediately after the installation of a Connections floor:
  • Keep the room temperature between 65ºF and 85ºF for at least 48 hours after installation. Maintain the room temperature 55ºF and 85ºF thereafter.
  • Do not wash or scrub Connections flooring for at least 5 days after installation. This allows the adhesive bond to develop by preventing moisture and cleaning agents from interfering with the bonding process. Spot cleaning is acceptable, but do not apply excess moisture of cleaning solution.

Caution: Resilient flooring, like other types of smooth floors, can become slippery when wet. Allow time for the floor to dry after washing. Immediately wipe up wet areas from spills or wet feet. Place mats at outside entrances to prevent water, snow or ice from being tracked onto your floor. Improper polishes or finishes can also cause slipperiness.

PREVENTATIVE CARE

• Make sure furniture legs have large surface, nonstaining floor protectors. Replace small, narrow metal or dome-shaped glides with smooth, flat glides that are in flat contact with the floor. Glides should be equipped with self-adhesive felt pads to avoid scratching the surface of the floor. The pads should be checked periodically for grit and wear and replaced when necessary.
• Heavy furniture or appliances that are not moved often should be equipped with flat, nonstaining composition furniture casters or cups of appropriate size - available square from 1 1/2" to 2 5/8" and round from 1 3/8" to 1 5/8".
• Mobile appliances and furniture should be equipped with easily swiveling casters. They should be at least 2" in diameter with nonstaining hard rubber treads at least 3/4" wide. Do not use ball-shaped casters.
• Place mats at outside entrances to prevent dirt, grit and soil from being tracked onto your floor. Use 100% latex- backed mats, because some rubber-backed mats or carpets may permanently stain your floor.
• To help prevent staining from asphalt tracking, we recommend the use of a latex-based driveway sealer.
• Draw drapes and blinds during peak periods of strong sunlight. Resilient floors, like other home furnishing products, may discolor or fade when overexposed to the sun.
• Heat-producing appliances such as a refrigerator or range, or hot air registers emitting a direct flow of heat in excess of 120º F, even intermittently, can scorch, burn, discolor or fade your floor. Cigarettes, matches and other very hot objects can also damage your floor.
• Avoid wearing stiletto or spiked heels on your floor. These types of heels can indent or damage many types of floors.
• DO NOT USE STEAM CLEANERS ON CONGOLEUM FLOORS, they can permanently damage the floor.

REGULAR CARE (All Products)

• Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove dirt and grit that can abrade, dull or scratch your new floor. Do not use a vacuum with a beater brush, because it may damage the floor's surface.
• Wipe up spills promptly with a damp cloth or mop.
• For a more thorough cleaning, wash your floor with Congoleum Bright 'N Easy No-Rinse Cleaner or other suitable, non-detergent based resilient floor cleaner.

Caution: Avoid one-step "mop and polish" products, dishwashing liquids and oil-based cleaners. These may leave a residue which can attract dirt and dull your floor's finish. Avoid cleaners that contain abrasives or solvents which may permanently damage your floor.

• Remove excess water after washing the floor.
• A copolymer or acrylic grout sealer compatible with acrylic grouts may be used on DuraCeramic grout. Do not use a penetrating silicone sealer on the grout.
• The gloss level may change over time depending on the amount of traffic, care, and maintenance the floor receives. To restore the appearance, first use Congoleum Bright 'N Easy Polish Remover to remove any ground-in dirt and excess polish buildup. Rinse thoroughly. Then apply Congoleum Bright 'N Easy Floor Polish (03002) to obtain a high-gloss finish or Congoleum Bright 'N Easy Satin-Gloss Floor Polish (03007) to obtain a satin-gloss or natural-gloss finish. Do not apply polish to Xclusive, DuraCeramic, DuraCeramic Options, DuraPlank, DuraStone, AirStep Evolution or AirStep Plus.

Visit Congoeum at http://www.congoleum.com/
If you have any additional installation questions, contact us toll-free (866) 503- STAR (7827)