Renting But Want to Make your Home Look Great?

Smith Bros. Floors Ltd.

For many, renting a home or apartment is much easier than purchasing a home at this point in life. Even if you’re renting, however, it can be advantageous to make your space feel as cozy and comfortable as possible.

If you’re someone that likes to entertain guests on a fairly regular basis, the appearance of your rental space is of the utmost importance. Many older rentals have outdated carpet that can hold unsightly stains and unpleasant odors.

While investing in new solid hardwood floors for a property you don’t own might not make much sense, there are still ways to improve the look of your apartment’s flooring. Here are a few factors that should make you consider TORLYS click-together flooring for your apartment or other rental property:

A Permanent Look with Temporary Flexibility

When you’re renting a property but you want visitors to feel comfortable when they set foot in your home or apartment, it can help to create the impression that your residence in that particular space is more permanent. Regular guests are likely to take notice of the beautiful new hardwood floors you’ve installed.

Due to the Uniclic® joints and TORLYS Smart Tape technologies used with click-together EverWood & EverTile, these flooring solutions give the user a much greater degree of flexibility than other, more permanent hardwood flooring options.

Important Features

TORLYS EverWood and EverTile are both click-together flooring options that allow you to avoid settling for floors that won’t last. The top layer and core of these engineered floors are both designed to be 100% waterproof to prevent water damage. The CorkPlus™ attached underlay that comes with EverWood and EverTile floors will also keep noise in the room in which the floor has been installed, as well as the room below, peacefully quiet.

This underlay also keeps your click-together floors warm during winter, and the durable, .5mm wear layer on each floor plank is designed to handle even the most damaging commercial environments. TORLYS EverWood and EverTile are also designed to be both dent and stain resistant, and unfortunate spills or messes will be easily wiped up with a damp towel or mop.

Easy Installation Process

The great thing with TORLYS cork flooring is that we take care of the your needs from start to finish. From help with deciding on the style, coordinating a time for measurements, installation and clean up, our professional team takes care of everything!

It’s important to note that some TORLYS floors, such as the Acoustik and Safe and Sound, require the use of cork or foam underlay before the floor itself is installed. The use of foam or cork underlay is option for a number of TORLYS floors that already come with a built-in cork backing.

At Smith Bros, we are proud to offer quality products from some of the most innovative flooring companies in Canada. Working with TORLYS is a no-brainer because of their commitment to beautiful, long lasting, and environmentally friendly flooring solutions. If you’d like to know more about our selection of TORLYS floors, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 403-917-0847 today!

Carpet vs. Wood Floors: Why Choose Hardwood

Smith Bros. Floors Ltd.

The debate between carpet and hardwood flooring is inevitable. Many homeowners in colder climates prefer carpet for its’ insulating properties while those that prefer ease and convenience when it comes to maintenance are more likely to choose hardwood.

Hardwood flooring technology continues to improve on a yearly basis, and there are a variety of different types of wood flooring that fit just about every situation. If you’re in the midst of a large home renovation this summer, and you’re trying to choose what type of flooring to install, the sheer number of options can often feel overwhelming.

At Smith Bros, we’ve been providing quality flooring solutions for residents throughout the Calgary area for more than 100 years. We are proud to serve this beautiful community and help each and every one of our clients find the right floor for their home.

Many spec homes in Calgary were outfitted with carpet because, at the time they were built, carpet materials may have cost less and been easier to install. However, if you’re considering what type of flooring to install in your home, you should know a few reasons why we believe hardwood is a better choice:

Improving Resale Value

Hardwood floors are widely recognized for their ability to increase the value of your home, making it more attractive for potential buyers if, and when, you do decide to sell.

In addition, a recent survey of real estate agents showed a nearly unanimous preference for hardwood flooring over carpet. While some older homes have oak flooring underneath carpet, which gives the buyer freedom to switch from carpet to wood relatively easily, the risk in these types of homes is that carpet has trapped excess moisture and, therefore, compromised the integrity of the hardwood underneath.

Investing in the Long-Term

On average, the highest quality carpet flooring typically won’t last more than fifteen years, even if the homeowner is extremely diligent and consistent with cleaning and care. Solid hardwood flooring, on the other hand, can last up to 100 years if properly installed and maintained. Engineered hardwood typically has a lifespan that lasts up to 75 years.

When carpet is worn or beginning to rot, you must invest in completely replacing your floors. With hardwood, however, most floors can be refinished several times throughout their lifespan, which can actually increase the character and attractiveness of your floors.

Creating an Environmentally Friendly Environment

Another thing to keep in mind if you’re looking for an environmentally friendly option is that carpeting is made out of fossil fuels. To date, fossil fuels cannot be recycled and end up taking space in landfills.

In addition to a longer life span, most hardwood flooring options are sustainable and come from federally regulated forest and mills (FSC).

If you care about the environment, as most people should, this is an important thing to keep in mind when making your decision. Remember, green is good!

Alleviating Allergy Issues

Hardwood floors simply require a regular once-over with a damp mop to make sure excessive dust, dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens don’t build up. Carpet can unfortunately hold allergens until you sit or lay down on the carpet, these allergens are released, and you inhale them. If you don’t have a HEPA vacuum, the allergens trapped in your carpet are likely to be blown around the house every time you try to clean.

At Smith Bros, we believe in helping our clients find the best flooring solutions for their home, but we also firmly believe in the advantages of wood flooring over carpet. If you’re hoping to install new hardwood floors in your home, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 403-917-0847 to discuss your needs today!