FLOORING REMODEL

Pacific Coast Home Solutions www.pacificcoasthomesolutions.com

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CA License No. B742935

REMODELING YOUR FLOORS There are many options available when selecting the material for your new floors. Pacific Coast Home Solutions has hand selected affordable, eco-friendly products for you to choose from bringing you quality, lasting, beautiful results while contributing to GO GREEN with your home remodel projects, one remodel at a time. Depending on your budget and the area of remodel, the two items of choice are hardwood or laminate flooring. Both can endure high traffic, pets, messes with easy clean-up, and last for years and years. However, there are a few advantages and disadvantages to either choice. Usually the main reason for choosing one over the other is budget. Laminate is the economical choice. We use high grade, eco-friendly laminate products that have all the features to the look of hardwood flooring without the higher cost. If your budget permits hardwood floors there is no reason not to make that choice.

HEALTHY CHOICES, HAPPIER FAMILIES

Laminate & Wood Floors: The Healthy Option Mites, dust, allergens and other irritants thrive in traditional carpeting and flooring. Yet allergists and homeowners have come to realize that wood and laminate floors can improve air quality by maintaining a healthy, allergen-reduced home. Leading allergists agree that wood floors are the perfect choice for a healthy home. According to the American Lung Association wood floors in your bedroom and other main living areas can drastically improve air quality. This is not surprising when a large American company that recycles old carpet has stated that most used carpeting it receives for processing contains at least 35% of its weight in household dirt. A report by the Healthy Flooring Network draw’s information from several reports and experiments carried out by leading health groups worldwide. It draws broad conclusions on the role fitted carpets play in determining the total allergen load in the home and the importance of this on the severity of allergic disease. Detailed studies in the UK have found that 50-70% of asthma suffers are allergic to house dust mites. With up to 100,000 dust mites living in just one square meter of carpet and it being reported that 98% of UK homes have fitted carpets it is clear to understand why the UK has the highest prevalence of asthma symptoms in 13-14 year olds in the world at 19.8%, along with the second highest prevalence of eczema. When tested 3 out of 4 carpets that were listed as being treated against dust mites contain chemicals of a hazardous nature. Theses chemicals included organotins, phthalates, permethrin, triclosan, brominated flame retardants and formaldehyde. The World Health Organization has recommended that they are substituted with less hazardous alternatives. One study showed that the mite allergen concentration in dust from carpets could be 6-14 times higher than that from wood & laminate flooring.

PET ALLERGENS: Pets are the second most important cause of domestic allergy and over 50% of asthmatic children are sensitized to allergens of cats and/or dogs. Once again the presence of fitted carpets is particularly strongly associated with high pet allergen levels. Even when a pet is removed from a house the allergen levels can remain significantly high. POINTS TO NOTE: Carpets can contain the largest reservoir in total amount of mite allergens in the house The presence of carpets in a home can dramatically increase the total mite allergen load compared to having laminate or wood flooring. Up to 100,000 mites may live in one square meter of carpet. Carpets can harbor 6-14 times more dust mite allergens than laminate or wood flooring. The presence of fitted carpets is particularly strongly associated with high pet allergen levels.

OUR CONTRIBUTION TO YOUR PROPERTY

Environmentally Friendly Products PCHS is not only a leader in the home improvement industry, we are now the environmentally conscious leader. We have committed to bringing consumers quality, eco friendly products at affordable costs in our efforts to beautifying your property with the environment in mind. Of course, the most important consideration in purchasing any floor covering is the level of quality it provides. With PCHS and Shaw, you can be assured that you are getting the finest floor coverings.

LAMINATE VS. WOOD

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Laminate wood floors are photographed image with repeating patterns while hardwoods are natural or milled from trees and no one piece is alike. LIFESPAN: Laminate is limited with less than 20 years while hardwood floors will last 20-100 years depending largely on maintenance, care, and type of style chosen (engineered/solid). MAINTENANCE: Laminate wood is easier to maintain while hardwood floors are harder. Some clean obsessed people complain about the presence of foot prints after cleaning laminate wood. Nowadays, hardwood floor maintenance has improved greatly compared to 20-30 years ago with the emergence of pre-finished wood which does not require waxing the way it used to. REFINISHING: Laminate floors cannot be refinished or stained while hardwood floors can be. So in case you decide one day you like a darker stained wood, you cannot apply new finish to laminate while with hardwood it can be done. REPAIRS: Laminate floors are more difficult to repair compared to hardwood floors. With laminate, you have to almost remove several planks before you can fix one, but with hardwood, depending on the way they were installed, you can cut one piece with a saw and put in another without removing the other planks. You can attempt to do this with laminate, but it will not look as good in the end.

FACTS TO CONSIDER

OVERVIEW ON LAMINATE

One of the most attractive attributes of laminate flooring is the price. Although this type of flooring looks just like hardwood flooring, it is much cheaper. Laminate also doesn't require the maintenance of hardwood or carpeting. Hardwood floors have to be refinished every so often, and carpets must be cleaned regularly. The low price of laminate flooring also usually includes an extensive warranty. Laminate flooring is extremely durable. These floors are engineered to last for years and years. They are extremely resistant to moisture, stains, and fading. Laminate flooring is also not as susceptible to scratching and denting like traditional hardwood floors are.

LAMINATE FLOORS ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

In the case of laminate flooring, there are several advantages. Laminate flooring is durable and strong. The flooring is also designed to withstand heavy traffic without being damaged or scratched easily. Laminate flooring is also easy to clean and maintain. Sweeping or vacuuming, then damp mopping with warm water will keep your laminate floors looking as new as possible. It is versatile and available in a variety of colors, shades, and styles.

No matter what type of décor is in your home, laminate flooring is available to match it. Laminate flooring is less expensive than hardwood flooring, but it gives the same beautiful look. These floors are also a healthy choice for those who suffer from allergies. Dirt and dust cannot be trapped in laminate flooring as it can with carpeting, so allergy sufferers do not have symptoms as much or as often as those in homes with carpet in bedrooms and common areas.

DISADVANTAGES

These floors do have a few disadvantages. Laminate flooring is not the most environmentally friendly product available today. With rising concerns about the environment, global warming and energy conservation, there are “greener” choices on the market than laminate floors. The least expensive laminate floors will probably only last between 10 and 15 years, which is sometimes less than the life of a typical homeowner’s mortgage. On the contrary, hardwood floors can last around 40 years or longer if they are properly maintained.

In addition, if laminate floors are installed in wet areas such as bathrooms, many manufacturers will not honor the warranty if something goes wrong with the flooring. Laminate floors cannot be sanded and refinished if they are damaged. They must be replaced altogether when the flooring wears down. The last disadvantage is that if the proper sub-floor is not installed underneath laminate floors, the sound of walking on laminate flooring can become loud and hollow.

ADVANTAGES

LAMINATE IS CONSTRUCTED OF FOUR LAYERS

The back is reinforced with melamine for structural stability and moisture resistance OptiCore™ - Shaw's laminate core board that's strong, stable, and moisture-resistant. Providing the floor's beauty, the decorative layer is actually a highly detailed photograph that

gives the laminate the appearance of wood or tile

Melamine wear top layer is a tough, clear finish reinforced with aluminum oxide, one of the hardest mineral compounds known to man, to resist staining, fading, surface moisture, and wear

Shaw Laminate flooring is incredibly durable and stain resistant. Such problem spills as nail polish, grease, and mustard simply wipe off.

Patented tongue-and-groove locking technology eliminates unsightly gaps at the seams.

LAMINATE FLOORING CONSTRUCTION

Scratch Resistance You c an wa l k on l am ina te f l oor i n g w i thou t f e a r o f s c r a t ch in g . Wh i l e t he f l oor i s no t s c r a t ch p roo f , ne i t he r h i g h hee l s nor o f f i c e cha i r s on whee l s a re a p rob l em . I t i s re commended to pu t f e l t p ad s o r p l a s t i c c ap s under cha i r l e g s o r f u rn i t u re f e e t . Environmentally Friendly L am ina te f l oor i n g i s e co - f r i end ly a nd reu sab l e . I t i s e a sy to i n s t a l l a nd e a sy to t a ke i t i n to p a r t s a nd re i n s t a l l i t a g a i n . Th i s make s l am ina te f l oor i n g a pe r fe c t reu sab l e ma te r i a l .

Chemical Resistance C l a s s i c co l l e c t i on l am ina te f l oor i n g i s a l so re s i s t a n t to pene t r a t ion by mos t househo ld chem i c a l s a nd or g an i c so l ven t s ( a ce tone , red w ine , co f f e e , t e a , ma rke r s , e t c . ) . Burn Resistance A burn i n g c i g a re t t e t h a t f a l l s on to a l am ina te f l oor and con t i nue s to bu rn fo r a f ew seconds doe s no t l e ave the s l i g h te s t ma rk or d i s co lo r a t ion on the f l oor. The s ame c i g a re t t e wou ld h ave a neg a t i ve impac t on o the r f l oor i n g su r f a ce s such a s c a rpe t o r v i ny l .

Wear Resistance L am ina te f l oor i n g re s i s t s a g re a t dea l o f wea r w i thou t show ing any t r a ce . Th i s i s due to the ove r l ay, t he top l aye r o f t he l am ina te f l oor, wh i ch con t a i n s m i c roscop i c corundum pa r t i c l e s .

Impact Resistance Due to i t s h a rd HDF (H i gh Dens i t y F i be rboard ) core boa rd , l am ina te f l oor i n g c an w i th s t and sudden and l oc a l i zed knock s such a s t hose c re a ted by s t i l e t to hee l s , f a l l i n g ob j e c t s , e t c . The f l oor c an a l so w i th s t and l ong - t e rm loc a l s t r a i n c au sed by cha i r s , c upboa rds , t a b l e l e g s , bed l e g s , e t c .

LAMINATE FLOORING BENEFITS

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DISADVANTAGES • Vulnerable to moisture and humidity • Higher Cost over other flooring options • Require sanding/ refinishing to ensure the last of shine • Cannot be installed in bathrooms or laundry rooms where spills are inevitable.

HARDWOOD FLOORS ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

ADVANTAGES • Low maintenance • Ability to look new with sanding and refinishing • Increases the value of the home • Versatile to any home décor or style • Allergen free, best for those who suffer allergies • Durability and longevity over other flooring options

EPIC DEFINITION Surpassing the usual or ordinary, particularly in scope and size. Heroic and impressive in quality. That aptly describes Epic®, Shaw's breakthrough engineered hardwood with ScufResist Platinum™ finish. It easily surpasses the ordinary, and it's truly impressive in quality ... of performance, installation, style, and environmental friendliness. But heroic? We don't think the term is too strong. Here are the facts—see what you think: ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERRED • Uses 50% less newly harvested wood than conventional engineered flooring. • Made in the USA from well-managed domestic forests. • Qualifies for LEED credits. • Greenguard certified. • Certified as an Environmentally Preferred Product.

PEAK PERFORMANCE • Harder—substantially more impact-resistant than engineered than solid wood flooring • Denser—there is more solid wood fiber per cubic inch than solid wood flooring, and it's much more responsibly used • More dimensionally stable—substantially less expansion and contraction when compared to traditionally engineered and solid wood flooring • Tougher—Epic with ScufResist Platinum™ resists wear and scuffing up to 6X better than the competition COMPLETE PRODUCT OFFERING 6 species available—oak, hickory, maple, birch, cherry and walnut; 3 1/4" & 5" widths Multitude of finishes, from traditional to rustic to distressed to hand-scraped; Pinnacle of style, design and leading-edge color

HARDWOOD FLOORS

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All hardwood floor installations include the quarter round base shoe molding. However, nothing says timeless beauty like adding that extra final touch to your newly gorgeous floors like a decorative baseboard!

LONGEVITY So l id -wood f loors can l as t for hundreds o f years . There are ver y few f loor ing mater i a l s that have been around as long as wood . COZINESS AND WARMTH Not on ly i s hardwood more p leasant to wa lk on than l aminate but i t i s natura l ly warm. Wood i s an exce l l ent insu l a tor, thanks to i t s thousands o f t iny a i r chambers .

HYPOALLERGENIC Unl ike carpets , wh ich are breed ing grounds for mold , mi ldew, and dust mites , a l l o f which can be tough on anyone with a l l erg ies , wood f loors don ' t g i ve po l len , an ima l dander, mo ld , e tc . any p l ace to h ide and thr i ve

EASY TO CLEAN A l i t t l e sweep ing and a l i t t l e mopping , and your hardwood f loors wi l l keep look ing n ice for a long t ime to come .

INCREASE HOME VALUE Unless you 're go ing to be l i v ing in the same house for the rest o f your l i fe , you should th ink about how the f loor ing cho ices you make today wi l l a f fect the pr i ce you can get for your home when you se l l i t . Carpet wi l l look o ld and used in just a few years , whereas wood f loors l ast a long t ime and add va lue to a home .

WOOD FLOORING BENEFITS

Wood flooring is the most abundantly renewable flooring material available. The trees used to make wood floors are produced in a factory called a forest by a renewable source of energy called the sun. Sustainable forest management makes it possible to harvest wood without any serious impact on the environment, because trees are a renewable resource that can be replaced time and time again. 1. Average annual net growth for hardwoods is greater than average annual removals (Source: US Department of Agriculture Forest

Service)

2. Indoor air quality if better with wood floors (Source: US Environmental Protection Agency)

3. Wood is a carbon neutral product that produces oxygen during its growth cycle and stores carbon during its service life (Source: University of Wisconsin Wood Products Program Solid Wood Flooring Life Cycle Analysis)

4. Wood floors use less water and energy to produce that other flooring options (Source: University of Wisconsin Wood Products Program Solid Wood Flooring Life Cycle Analysis)

5. At the end of its service life, wood flooring can be burned as fuel or recycled (Source: University of Wisconsin Wood Products Program Solid Wood Flooring Life Cycle Analysis)

6. Wood floors last hundreds of years, so won’t need to be replaced as often as other flooring options (Source: National Association of Home Builders)

7. While it takes most hardwood trees 40-60 years to mature, the inventory planted today won’t be needed for 100-plus years (Source: National Wood Flooring Association)

FACTS ABOUT WOOD

Being a responsible corporate citizen is an integral part of environmental stewardship.

ENJOY YOUR NEW FLOORS!

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