When it comes to tile flooring for kitchens, there are so many choices available that it can become quite a daunting task to choose just one.

Your kitchen floor takes a lot of beatings, so it’s important to choose a tile floor that suits your household traffic well. You may also want to incorporate some design features with your flooring to match the colors and textures already in your kitchen.

Don’t make a drastic decision. Learn more about choosing tile flooring for your kitchen here:

Marble

Marble is unique because it comes in such a wide variety of colors with distinct patterns. Each natural stone is different, creating extraordinary effects in any room it is used in. It’s important to note that marble can scratch and stain easily, so if you have children or pets, you’ll need to consider your options heavily.

Marble is more expensive than other tile options and requires periodic maintenance.

Ceramic

Perhaps one of the most popular types of tile available is the classic ceramic tile. It is an affordable and attractive option for just about any home because it’s durable and easy to clean.

Ceramic tile is a common option for use in kitchens and bathrooms but it’s becoming more popular in other spaces because of its renowned versatility. You can also select patterned tiles to create geometric or other fancy designs on your floor.

Porcelain

Porcelain is a subtype of ceramic. Perhaps the most popular porcelain tiles includes printed tiles that are replicated to show the appearance of hardwood or other natural materials.

Porcelain is harder than ceramic, therefore, better suited for heavy use.

The cost per square foot is comparable to ceramic. But specialty porcelain tiles, like those that have been manufactured to look like wood, will run more expensive than the basic porcelain tiles.

Slate

Slate is one of the strongest and most durable materials available for use in tile flooring projects. It is resistant to breaks and chips and scratches. When properly maintained, slate can last for decades. Slate is a natural stone that can be polished or left alone for a more rustic effect.

Granite

Use granite tiles to achieve a classy finish that is also durable and reasonably priced. Each granite tile will provide long-lasting effects on your interior design features with unique veins and natural earthen tones. It is more resistant to scratching and with routine cleaning, it can withstand years of abuse.

Another thing about granite is that its naturally reflective surface will light up any kitchen.

Choosing the Right Tile Flooring

It’s important to think about what kind of cleaning supplies you’ll be using on your new tile floor. Some cleaners are not recommended and others should be avoided completely, depending on the floor type and design. Mild soap and water are sufficient for natural stones.

Making a decision on tile flooring for your kitchen can be a difficult process with all the factors to consider for each different type.

When you’ve decided what type of tile is right for you, or if you still need help making a selection, contact us for superior products and service. Think of us as your tile flooring experts in Milwaukee and Racine!

Hardwood flooring is simply unmatched in terms of beauty, durability, and timeliness in modern homes. A hardwood floor installation adds value to your home, a warmth to your indoor spaces, and an authenticity that can’t be replicated by manufactured flooring types. My Affordable Flooring is your local expert in hardwood floor installation in Milwaukee, Racine and Chicago, and we would enjoy the opportunity to beautify your home with hardwood flooring.

There are many questions to ask before you go ahead with your hardwood floor installation, and My Affordable Flooring can answer them all. One of the most common questions is regarding the species of wood that are available for use as hardwood flooring. The following information is designed to help you make your decision and choose the perfect species of wood for your home.

Domestic hardwood flooring wood species like Red Oak, White Oak, Maple and more have long been used for hardwood flooring in homes across the United States. These domestic species are perfect for traditional settings or for complementing existing cabinets or furniture. Natural Red Oak  is still one of the most sought after wood species, due to its hardness, beautiful grain pattern, and durability. For this reason, the hardness of any wood species are usually compared to the Janka hardness rating of Red Oak. With some exceptions, domestic wood species, unless stained a particular color, have a tendency to have lighter color tones. My Affordable Flooring installs many styles of domestic wood species, including solid, engineered, click-locking, handscraped, character grade, distressed, natural and stained.

Even the best wood flooring will react to the presence of moisture. In the dry winter heating months, moisture leaves the wood causing the floor to contract, which can leave unsightly gaps between each plank. In the summer months, when the humidity is higher, the wood will absorb excess moisture and expand, eliminating the gaps. Too much moisture may cause the wood planks to cup, or buckle, distorting their appearance and ruining the smoothness of your floor. This is why it is important to properly acclimate wood materials to the home when installing a wood floor, and to leave the proper expansion gap around the perimeter and at all fixed objects. It is also important to keep the home’s relative humidity level at between 30 – 50% or what the manufacturer recommends. Doing this will help minimize any movement within the wood flooring later.

At My Affordable Flooring, our 20 plus years of experience means we know the right way to install every hardwood flooring species, in every type of home to fit every lifestyle. We draw on our deep experience and skill to ensure that you get the right floor for your home, and have the knowledge necessary to get the most out of your investment.

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My Affordable Flooring is your hardwood flooring expert in Milwaukee, Racine and Chicago! Call us today at 262-653-1120 for a free, no-obligation estimate, or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, in-home visit.

Once upon a time, homeowners avoided laminate flooring due to it’s cheap appearance and unforgiving feel underfoot. Today, laminate flooring comes in a much wider variety of textures, patterns, and quality, and is able to get closer to the look and feel of real wood. Most importantly, laminate flooring is quick to install and inexpensive, giving you a great looking floor quickly and at a price you can afford. For many homeowners and business owners, laminate is just the right fit. My Affordable Flooring is your best bet for quality laminate floor installation in Milwaukee, Racine and Chicago.

Laminate flooring has the beautiful and prestigious look of hardwoods but are tougher and more wallet-friendly. Due to new manufacturing techniques, laminate is available in patterns and textures that can replicate nearly any type of hardwood. Different sheens create many options to fit any preference. New types of underlayment and designs allow for a better feel underfoot as well.

If you are considering laminate flooring for your home or business, you will want to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of laminate floors before you make a purchasing decision. Laminate floors are one of the more durable choices you can make for your flooring. They resist stains, water and impact exceptionally well. Ease of installation reduces costs and time, and maintenance and repair is a snap with laminate flooring. Cleaning and maintenance are simple, and laminate flooring can often be installed right over existing hard surface flooring.

Laminate flooring is not without drawbacks, however. Many types lend themselves to a unpleasant and hard underfoot feeling, and laminate doesn’t insulate and deaden sound in your home the way that carpet, and even hardwood, can. Laminate is also not a highly prized flooring material, so it does not add value to your home and likely won’t do much to impress potential buyers.

In many situations, however, laminate flooring is an exceptional choice. Its variety of styles, ease of installation, and low cost often trump many of the drawbacks associated with laminate. Drop by My Affordable Flooring’ retail sales location in Racine, or contact us anytime to learn more about the variety available to you in laminate flooring.

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My Affordable Flooring is your carpet expert in Milwaukee! Call us today at 262-653-1120 for a free, no-obligation estimate, or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, in-home visit.

Carpet has come a long way in terms of sheer variety as well as quality and durability. In 2017, carpet is more affordable than ever, and it’s a sure way to give your home a renewed sense of warmth, beauty, and comfort. My Affordable Flooring is your carpet installation experts in Milwaukee, Racine and Chicago, and we’re always up on the latest trends in carpet. Read on to learn more about what’s hot in carpet today.

At one time, your carpet choices were limited to basic beige and not much else. Designers and homeowners alike treated carpet more as a neutral background for room furnishings, and less like a focal point of the room. Carpet was meant to recede into the background. Modern interior design trends dictate that carpet is indeed a focal point of the room, with numerous textures, patterns, and colors available.

However, need for neutral carpet has not gone away. Berber remains a very popular carpet type due to its durability and easy care.  Unlike the plain Berbers of the early 1990s, today’s versions have more texture and pattern, creating a much more high-end look. Variation in height and sculptured effects offer a bold, edgy look, and even more traditional Berbers offer more visual interest with extreme differences in pile cut and thicker, deeper loop textures. When it comes to neutral carpet, the trend is to add more interest with texture, subtle patterning, and flecks of colors. The dimension added by these effects also increases durability by helping to mask dirt. Although modern Berber is also far more stain resistant than previous incarnations, many homeowners choose to extend the life of their carpet by choosing patterns and styles that make it easy to live with evidence of life’s little accidents.

Layered color and soft texture in carpet is very popular currently. This distinctive styling and fashion appeal has proven favorable by many homeowners looking for something different in their floor coverings.

Applied and woven patterns, sometimes offering designs of leaves or flowers, offer organic shapes that coordinate easily with patterns in other furnishings. Strong colors are also in fashion, offering a bold look to a room and offsetting more subtle furniture designs. In the current trend direction, the carpet itself is the focal point, rendering furniture a secondary consideration to the overall design of the room.

Call Today for a Free Estimate!

My Affordable Flooring is your carpet expert in Milwaukee! Call us today at 262-653-1120 for a free, no-obligation estimate, or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, in-home visit.

With every new year brings new technology and processes that lead to innovative new styles of tile flooring, as well as changes in consumer preferences that demand manufacturers and installers keep up. As your best bet for tile flooring installation in the Milwaukee, Racine, and Chicago areas, My Affordable Flooring is here to give you some insight into the newest trends and styles in tile.

Perhaps the most eye-catching innovations in tile flooring are the new styles that realistically mimic countless natural and man-made materials. This trend dominated the industry in 2017 and is likely to continue for many years. These styles are remarkable because their popularity isn’t limited to kitchens and bathrooms, this is truly a whole-house flooring material. Many homeowners who have recently undergone a hardwood floor installation are eyeing the new tile equivalents and wishing they had waited, due to the amazing durability of tile combined with a convincing hardwood look.

Tile isn’t only matching the look of hardwood in 2017, it’s disguising itself as brick, marble, cement, and even fabric and metal! Brick-look tile started gaining popularity as a wall tile and is now expanding and being used as a flooring option as well. While we see this trend as very specific to certain installations and customers, it is a trend that has shown some longevity. Long-term, we believe that brick tile will be more popular as a wall tile, but it is interesting to watch this unique trend develop.

The timeless look of marble has and always will be, a sought-after flooring material, and in 2017 it has seen a boost in popularity. The problems inherent with real marble flooring have homeowners turning to this new tile option that closely resembles real marble. The look of marble is elegant, classy, and expensive, so you can expect to see this upscale trend last for decades to come.

In recent years, the look of poured cement flooring has been popular as well, as business owners and homeowners alike desire its unique aesthetic and the feel that it brings to a room. Tile is now closely replicating that feel, with a more finished and polished look that is a perfect touch for some customers.

While fabric and metal may seem odd choices for a flooring type, that hasn’t stopped homeowners in 2017 from embracing the unique look of fabric-styled tile, as well as metallic-look tile. While these looks may not stay popular for long, they are a unique and bold statement that is highly desired by those with a decorating style that speaks to the “now”.

It is exciting to see the new innovations and trends in flooring of all types. Stay tuned for our next post, as we continue to explore the newest trends in tile!

Call Today for a Free Estimate!

My Affordable Flooring is your tile flooring expert in Milwaukee! Call us today at 262-653-1120 for a free, no-obligation estimate, or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, in-home visit.

As time marches on, consumer preferences and environmental concerns lead to changes in every market, and hardwood flooring is no different. Rising consumer preference for wider and longer planks, increased domestic manufacturing and a move to sustainable production are only a few of the major changes to take place in the hardwood industry in recent years. In the Milwaukee, Racine, and Chicago areas, My Affordable Flooring is your hardwood flooring expert, and we’re always on top of the newest trends in the industry.

The move in consumer preference from shorter, narrow planks to wider and longer planks is possibly the most significant change in the industry, a change which continues to take the hardwood industry by storm. It came as a surprise to many in the industry, but this new consumer preference has become clear as many homeowners choose long, wide planks for their new hardwood installations. The majority of American hardwood flooring products hitting the market fit into this trend, and continue to gain traction because they look great in the open floor plans currently seen in home design. Less seams in these larger spaces is seen as a more sophisticated, modern design, creating a cleaner and more inviting pattern on the floor.

This move to longer, wider planks has also contributed to a shift from solid to engineered wood, the platform offers more design versatility than solid wood. It is much more difficult and expensive to manufacture wide planks in solid wood, and engineered wood allows cost savings in wider planks while retaining a natural look.

Along with larger and longer sizes comes a consumer preference for more natural, authentic flooring products free from harmful chemicals and emissions, fueling a move to more domestic manufacturing. All the major flooring manufacturers are much more concerned about ensuring that their products meet health standards than even just 5 years ago. The consumer trend here is for locally-sourced, safe, and authentic materials for their homes, and American-made products fit the bill.

At My Affordable Flooring, we expect these trends will continue, and we’re prepared to serve our customers’ needs no matter what the newest trends are. You can expect our expert work, quality materials, fantastic customer service, and affordable value on each and every job.

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My Affordable Flooring is your hardwood flooring expert in Milwaukee! Call us today at 262-653-1120 for a free, no-obligation estimate, or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, in-home visit.

A well-finished hardwood floor gives a room a warmth and beauty that is unmistakable and unmatched by any other flooring material. It is no wonder that hardwood floors have stood the test of time, and are as in demand today as they were many decades ago. Through the years, many hardwood floors were covered with carpet, only to be uncovered a few years later and refinished to restore their former glory. When you’re looking for expert hardwood floor refinishing in the Milwaukee, Racine, and Chicago areas, look no further than My Affordable Flooring!

Although finished hardwood is simply gorgeous, many homeowners demand a unique look for their home to express their personal style. Hardwood flooring is typically oak or maple, both beautiful woods but commonplace. These woods may not present the uniqueness desired by those who seek a level of detail that is out of the ordinary. For this reason, My Affordable Flooring offers our excellent installation of medallions and in-lays to our great customers.

Be sure to visit our online gallery to see stunning examples of our work. These works of art require a skilled hand and many years of working in the medium that is hardwood flooring. Our medallions and in-lays are typically comprised of geometric shapes or other icons that have significance to the customer. Our artists will work with you to design the look that expresses your unique taste, and deliver an execution of that vision with amazing results. While My Affordable Flooring takes pride in all the flooring work we do, these unique challenges allow us to really spread our wings and create a beautiful work of art embedded into a gorgeous hardwood floor.

If you’re looking for a signature piece to add style to the floors in your home or office, wood floor medallions and in-lays offer you the flooring accent you’ve been searching for. Our wood medallions can be installed in new construction or in existing floors as part of the repair and refinishing process. My Affordable Flooring has the quality, selection and design you’re looking for with unparalleled service. We can customize your floor medallion and in-lay order to fit your needs, and add a touch of genuine uniqueness to your home or office.

Call Today for a Free Estimate!

My Affordable Flooring is your hardwood flooring medallions and in-lays expert in Milwaukee! Call us today at 262-653-1120 for a free, no-obligation estimate, or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, in-home visit.

The most common reason for homeowners to postpone refinishing their old hardwood flooring is the immense inconvenience that comes along with it. The idea of moving all the furniture out of a room so the refinisher can sand, clean, and apply finish, and then having to wait several days before the room is ready for light usage simply doesn’t fit into a busy family’s lifestyle. On top of that, the realization that the job will have to be done again in just a few short years can cause a homeowner to throw up his or her hands, and just learn to live with an eyesore of a floor. My Affordable Flooring is happy to present a new way to finish hardwood flooring, one that takes seconds to cure, and results in a much more durable, longer-lasting floor finish. We are your best choice for UltraViolet (UV) Floor Finishing Service in Milwaukee, Racine, and the Chicago areas!

The advanced science and technology behind UV floor finishing provide not only an exceptional level of durability, but also an environmentally friendly floor finishing option for homeowners concerned with their impact on the environment. UV cured floors are also odor-free and produce zero VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

UV finished floors are nearly twice as hard as pre-finished floors and floors cured with non-UV finishes. Because they’re harder, UV finished floors are more scratch-resistant, scuff resistant, and resistant to marks from shoe heels and soles. They also resist stains and chemical intrusion better than non-UV floors.

When you hire My Affordable Flooring for your floor refinishing job, you get high-quality work based on our experience and knowledge of best practices, our quality equipment such as our world-class belt sanders and ultra-efficient HEPA vacuums, and our excellent materials, installed for an affordable price. While our traditional hardwood floor refinishing is the best in the business, our UV floor finishing service takes our offerings to the next level, allowing an exceptionally durable and long-lasting finish to be installed and ready for use within hours. You’ll be thrilled our work on your new floor, and you’ll experience a minimum amount of disruption to your lifestyle.

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My Affordable Flooring is your UV floor finishing expert in Milwaukee! Call us today at 262-653-1120 for a free, no-obligation estimate, or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, in-home visit.

In the past few years, a new material has quickly risen to the top to become one of the hottest flooring choices available: Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT). LVT is being installed in new homes and apartments, in commercial applications such as healthcare, schools and hotels, and anywhere else flooring is used. Always on top of the latest in flooring trends, My Affordable Flooring offers full-service luxury vinyl tile installation in Milwaukee, Chicago and throughout both areas, as well as retail sales of luxury vinyl tile.

Although we consider ourselves hardwood flooring experts, we understand and appreciate the beauty and ease of a quality luxury vinyl tile floor. Home and business owners turn to LVT installations because they can mimic expensive-looking stone patterns like marble, slate and travertine, or even wooden planks. This allows the flooring to have a high-end, unique look without the expense, difficult installation, and challenging upkeep of some traditional flooring types. The wide selection of colors and styles to choose from in LVT offers endless design and decor possibilities, and opens homeowners and designers up to a whole new world of options for flooring looks.

There’s no question that LVT makes a great looking floor, but it’s also easy to maintain. Exceptionally durable and resistant to damage from spills, stains and abrasions, LVT outperforms most other flooring materials. Luxury vinyl tile is extremely easy to care for and requires little ongoing maintenance. To keep your LVT floor looking great for many years, simply sweep regularly with a soft brush to remove dirt and debris, and occasionally use a gentle, non-abrasive floor cleaner.

It’s the innovative construction of luxury vinyl tile that makes it so durable and beautiful. A base layer, comprising about 65% of the entire tile, provides flexibility, dimensional stability, and resistance to damage from moisture and dents. This eco-friendly material allows the top layers of the tile to give and bend a small amount, retaining their appearance for years, even with heavy traffic. The next layer is the visual layer, which provides the “look” of the tile, such as French Gray Stone or Gray Marble. With a wide variety of looks, colors and textures, the visual layer is what gives LVT its unique appeal. Finally, the top layer is the finish layer. This special top coat gives the tile its durability. The finish layer makes the tile resistant to wear, stains, abrasions, mold and mildew. It also adds texture, giving the tile an authentic stone- or ceramic-like feel.

It’s plain to see that this new and exciting material is anything but plain. If you’re looking to add a unique and high-end look to your home or office, luxury vinyl tile is a great choice!

Call Today for a Free Estimate!

My Affordable Flooring is your luxury vinyl tile experts in Milwaukee! Call us today at 262-653-1120 for a free, no-obligation estimate, or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, in-home visit.