Winter is coming! Living in Florida, that may not mean too much to you. But it can be meaningful with a little imagination! Make winter known in your home through seasonal coastal décor! In our coastal home, winter becomes less about the hot sunshine and more about the chilled air and holiday spirit!

At Dolphin Carpet & Tile, we love the beach just as much as you do. So we want to give you some tips to carry that coastal love through with seasonal décor!

Color Scheme

When you picture the beach, you think of blues and tans and maybe some yellows. But in the winter, it’s better to focus still on blues but also whites and greys. Of course you can add in some greens and reds especially with the holiday season just around the corner.

To start, you would want lighter washed flooring, nothing too dark. Keeping the floors lighter will keep the rooms brighter, just like you imagine it would be at the beach.

A light Alfredo tile from Dolphin Carpet & Tile would perfectly mock the sand color at the beach creating the perfect start to a coastal décor.

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Another good option would be the Tucana Coretec Plus Enhanced Slim Plank from our Luxury Vinyl catalog.

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At Dolphin Carpet & Tile, we have many more color schemes, designs and styles to choose from that will fit in perfectly to start your winter décor.

To go with the lighter color scheme, some nautical pillows and chairs would be the ideal look for your coastal winter.

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Preparing for the Holidays

Not only is winter a time for lighter colors schemes, it’s also a time to get in the holiday spirit and you can do it all by remaining coastal! From wall décor to area rugs even down to the ornaments on a tree, let’s keep this holiday season at the beach.

Starting with a simple wall décor, a cute and fun palm tree with a sign saying “seas and greetings!” How clever!

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Let your beliefs be known through holiday décor, because I think we can all agree, life is most definitely better at the beach!

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Make your holiday wreath out of all the things you love. With all kinds of beachy items, you can make it super fun and creative.

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Dolphin Carpet & Tile has a plethora of area rugs to choose from that involve the beach and the holiday all in one!

This one’s for dog lovers! Which happens to be most people, I mean who doesn’t love dogs? The Liora Manne Front porch Happy Holidays rug is a warm welcome to all guests and pets!

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Even written in its name, the Liora Manne Front Porch Coastal Christmas mat is perfect for the beachy winter décor we’re aiming for!

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At Dolphin Carpet & Tile we want you to embrace your love for the beach and your hometown all while keeping up with the seasonal décor and holiday fun! We offer so many options for you to browse through and choose whatever flooring or area rug is right for you. We hope you have a fun and festive winter!

Here in South Florida, some residents might think they don’t need to prep their floors for the winter. We don’t get snowstorms, and, in fact, the weather barely ever goes lower than 50 degrees. With temperature highs still in the upper 70s and low 80s, why would Florida residents need to prepare their floors for winter?

Our climate is usually very wet for most of the year, so mainly our flooring is chosen because of the high levels of moisture it has to endure. However, some Florida winters can become so dry that sometimes there are even water restrictions. Therefore, Florida homes need flooring that is durable enough to endure these changes in moisture throughout the year.

At Dolphin Carpet & Tile, we are very familiar with Florida weather conditions throughout the year, and what it can do to your home. That’s why we want to make sure that you are fully prepared for the seasonal changes that are bound to occur in the coming months.

The following are a couple types of flooring that we recommend for South Florida homes that endure high moisture during the majority of the year and go from little to no moisture during the few winter months.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate is a manufactured product that perfectly imitates the look of hardwood, ceramic tile and stone. For more information on laminate flooring itself, learn more here.

Laminate is a great flooring option for Florida homes due to the fact that it does not fade from sun exposure and because of its moisture-resistant qualities. Even in cases of high humidity, which is very common in Florida, the flooring doesn’t expand or curve.

With many different colors and styles to choose from, laminate flooring will not only look beautiful – it also has a lot to offer and is a smarter floor to go for when choosing a floor for your Florida home.

Featured below are a few examples from the laminate flooring options that we have to offer.

Natural Red Oak Strip

Burnished Oak Plank

Vinyl Flooring

At Dolphin Carpet & Tile, we have luxury vinyl tile floors that are durable, affordable and an attractive alternative to ceramic tile, natural stone and hardwood.

Vinyl Flooring is a very popular flooring choice for Florida homeowners because it is another great flooring option that protects against humidity. It is commonly used in areas with high moisture levels, such as bathrooms and kitchens. For more information on Vinyl flooring, learn more here.

A beautiful look that will look great in your home, available in a wide variety of styles, colors and sizes. Vinyl flooring is something you should strongly look into for your Florida home.

Below are a couple Luxury Vinyl products we offer.

Beige Prequel Tile

Coretec Pro Pus Enhanced Endinburg Oak

Both of these flooring options are great for homes with high foot traffic and with any amount of pets. They are both very durable, stain resistant and easy to maintain.

With either of these types of flooring, not much prep has to occur due to their built in strength when it comes to moisture

Lastly, the best tip to give to prepare your home for the winter season is to decorate! Bring the joy of the holidays into your home with some area rugs!

Welcome all of your guests with Liora Manne’s cheerful Winter Welcome mat or Season’s Greetings mat!

Florida may not have a super cold winter, and they definitely don’t have reindeer, but it’s not hard to bring that into your home with a little décor!

As little as it snows here, it’s nearly impossible to build a snowman, but they can still bring joy to the family through decoration!

Bring winter into your home with Dolphin Carpet & Tile area rugs! With many more to choose from at our rug shop, you’ll definitely be able to find something you like! Browse now!

Did you know that HGTV’s popular duo, brothers Jonathan & Drew Scott, now have a brand-new area rug collection in partnership with Karastan Carpet & Rugs? This past July at Las Vegas Market, Karastan announced this exciting new partnership and have brought you 21 new area rug designs to shop across two collections, Artisan and Expressions!  Designed with the consumer in mind, we think you’re going to like what you see.

Twice the fun

If you don’t know Jonathan and Drew Scott, they are well known for their very popular HGTV series, The Property Brothers.  In this show, they help families create their dream homes, all while never breaking those families’ budgets.  Jonathan is a licensed contractor and Drew is a real estate agent.  They are both now recognized worldwide and are known as being architectural, real estate & design experts.  So, when we learned about this partnership, we knew we would love what they designed!

Source: Karastan

Chic + Casual Collections

Let’s talk about these new collections, though.  The Scott Brothers were able to collaborate on their designs with VP of Design at Karastan, Tracy Pruitt.  With the Artisan Collection, you’ll find 4 designs.  This collection will hold more of the classic and luxurious look for your home.  Made with Karastan’s SmartStrand Silk yarn, the upscale art-deco inspired designs are dusted with cream & gold. They truly look & feel luxurious!

Karastan Artisan Celeste Brushed Gold by Scott Living Antique White

If you are shopping for a more casual style, be sure to scroll through the 17 designs that the Scott Brothers offer in their Expressions Collection.  These designs were influenced by coastal California vibes that are made to look more modern and artistic, each crafted using Karastan’s EverStrand recycled polyester yarn.

Karastan Expressions Triangle Accordion Indigo by Scott Living Beige Collection

About Karastan

This year marks Karastan’s 90^th Anniversary of offering high-styled, quality floor coverings!  Quality, beauty and craftsmanship have always been a part of the Karastan legacy, and Karastan is the only premium brand that inspires luxury by fusing the best of the old and the new.  Karastan truly builds products that stand the test of time.

A little more about the fibers though that make up these beautiful Karastan Rugs.  Karastan introduced a new fiber called Triexta under the brand name SmartStrand.  SmartStrand Silk is known for softness, durability and a permanent, built-in stain resistance. Can we just say: this is a softness that you can sink your toes into, and one that only SmartStrand Silk can offer!  You’ll find this fiber in the Scott Living Artisan Collection.

The Expressions Collection, meanwhile, is consciously crafted of Karastan’s exclusive EverStrand fiber, a premium polyester produced from up to 100% post-consumer content from plastic bottles.  These rugs will also offer an irresistibly soft touch, inherent stain resistance and vivid color clarity.

Shop the Collections

Both of these collections are now available to shop: Artisan Collection + Expressions Collection.  When you are thinking about your area rug selection, remember these tips:

• Area Rugs can help define a space for you in your home, especially when you’re working with an open floor concept where it can be a little trickier to visualize natural conversation areas
• Easy to change from season to season
• Area Rugs offer softness, warmth and sound absorption on hard flooring surfaces
• Area Rugs offer another layer of design, luxury and warmth when laid on top of wall-to wall carpeting
• When used with a rug pad, they help protect those new floors you just installed
• There is a rug for every room, for every budget, in many different sizes and any style you’re looking for

You can shop our full assortment of area rugs, here > ALL AREA RUGS.

Greet your guests with some holiday cheer before they even walk through your front door! This Happy Holidays area rug from Liora Manne makes the perfect door mat. Get it online only at Dolphin.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and the winter holidays aren’t too far behind! If you’re expecting holiday guests, it’s good to start preparing your home early for their arrival.

We’ve got some great tips to help you get organized, broken out into 3 phases: Projects & renovations, cleaning & decorating, and week-of final prep!

1. Projects & Renovation

There’s no better motivator to finish up your ongoing home repairs & improvements than an impending holiday gathering! Get enough of a jump and you may even be able to start and finish a big project before family arrives.

Whether it’s a time-intensive task like a partially painted bedroom or a quick and easy fix like installing some new coat or towel hooks to a wall, intentionally block off some time to finish.

For things you can’t do on your own, call a professional well in advance – specialists tend to get booked up close to the holidays! Make sure all appliances, plumbing & heating are working. Then there’s our area of expertise here at Dolphin – home renovation! If your floors have seen better days, it’s entirely possible to get them repaired or replaced in just a few weeks.

Nothing is cozier than warming up by the fire on plush carpet!

New carpet is one great choice for the colder months, adding a cozy comfort that’s perfect for large families who spill off of your limited couches onto the floor. Your nieces, nephews, children & grandchildren will also have a soft place to sit and play.

Another option making its way into just about every area of the home is waterproof flooring, such as COREtec vinyl or even wood-based RevWood+. These floors continue the elegant tradition of wood-look flooring in an affordable way that stands up well to messes & wear. Plus, installation is quick & easy! These floors can be laid and walked on in as little as a day or two.

Looks like normal hardwood, right? This is actually waterproof RevWood Plus from Mohawk, a revolutionary new wood floor that can stand up to all of your family’s holiday messes!

2. Cleaning & decorating

Cleaning is an obvious, but important step in preparing your home for the holidays. Since you know your home better than we do, we’ve made a list of some of the key spaces you may want to focus on in anticipation of family arriving:

• Make space in entryways – these are the first parts of your home that guests will see! Store away your own shoes & coats so that family have a place to put their things when they arrive. Have a clear shoe rack, plenty of hooks, or even a standing coat rack!
• Organize your kitchen – make sure you have a clean microwave, and consider setting up a well-stocked coffee station in a separate common area so that you don’t literally have too many cooks in the kitchen!
• Seasonal décor can be simple. Lay or hang some fall leaves or tinsel, harvest vegetables such as gourds, and simple dining set pieces such as a tablecloth, candles & ornaments. Place some nice seasonal area rugs in hallways, at entryways, under tables & in seating areas.

Add a subtle touch of holiday flair to your floors with a seasonal area rug like this floor mat from Liora Manne!

3. Week-of, Final Prep

It’s finally the week of the holiday, and all that’s left to do is make some last-minute changes to your home’s normal setup.

Make sure you have ample seating for everyone anticipated, bringing out folding chairs if necessary. High-traffic areas such as bathrooms should be stocked with extra supplies, such as towels, soaps, and the all-important toilet paper!

You should also place nightlights throughout your home to guide guests who may wake up to refill a glass of water or use the bathroom in the middle of the night.

The wisdom we shared here today can be applied to your home year-round – no matter what time of year, when you’re planning to have guests, use these tips to get prepared!

In flooring & home improvement, as in many industries, a common misconception is the need to sacrifice beauty for reliability, performance for low-budget.

With Mohawk’s self-described revolutionary woods, RevWood & RevWood Plus, this is most certainly not the case! Designed by Mohawk to make homeowners, builders and designers rethink wood flooring altogether, RevWood is actually not what you may traditionally think of as wood. 

The Benefits of Mohawk RevWood & RevWood Plus

So if it’s not true wood, then just what is RevWood? Put simply, it’s an eco-friendly product that combines the beauty of real wood with the durability of laminate flooring. Let’s break down the benefits:

• Waterproof installation means that, unlike 100% real hardwood, RevWood Plus can stand up to spills and humidity without buckling, warping, or being damaged in any way. Note that RevWood Plus is waterproof, but regular RevWood is not.
• Resistance to stains, scratches & dents is built in to RevWood thanks to a durable wear layer and construction.
• Mohawk’s All Pet Protection & Warranty gives RevWood coverage against messes from any type of pet & pet-related accident, all the time.
• RevWood comes in a variety of trending colors and textures, each with distinctive wood knot and grain patterns. These include time-worn looks and planks in varying lengths and widths.
• RevWood & RevWood Plus are available at outstanding price points compared to their real wood competitors.
• Finally, Mohawk manufactures RevWood & RevWood Plus right here in the USA! 

How does RevWood work?

So RevWood Plus is essentially waterproof wood – but how? It’s the result of two main features – a click & lock tongue-and-groove installation with beveled edges and a water-repellant HydroSeal coating developed by Mohawk. The tightly-locking planks block moisture from entering through the sides, and the coating blocks it from the surface.

One final step – a perimeter sealing of 100% silicone – seals the deal on the cut edges of the floor.

This moisture-resistant surface also makes cleaning up a breeze. These are the first laminate floors on the market that can be safely wet-mopped without worry about peeling or damage to adhesives – because there are no adhesives required in installation!

How & where to use RevWood & RevWood Plus 

RevWood is perfect for any part of your home where you wish you could have hardwood floors, but where it just doesn’t make sense to do so. One of the key benefits of RevWood and RevWood Plus is that they can be installed on any level of your home, over nearly any type of existing subfloor.

Hardwood, being naturally porous and flexible, does not handle moisture and humidity well. In areas like bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and even finished basements, it’s best to avoid installing real wood.

With RevWood, you get the look and feel of natural hardwood in a form that’s suitable for all of these areas and more. With so many great looks and textures from which to choose, you’ll find yourself with far more design freedom than you’d have with hardwood.

Learn more about RevWood & RevWood Plus on our website, or at one of our 10 convenient locations in the greater Miami area!

Congratulations! Your new resilient flooring is installed and looks beautiful! If the flooring you’ve recently installed new is RevWood, RevWood Plus, or SolidTech Luxury Vinyl Tile, from Mohawk Flooring, or Luxury Vinyl from COREtec, then you have resilient flooring.  This type of flooring is great for spaces where moisture is generally an issue. They are pretty simple to care for, but we have put together some easy tips + tricks to share with you on how to care and maintain them so that you can enjoy your beautiful flooring for many years to come!

Basic Maintenance + Care

To remove dust and loose particles from your RevWood + RevWood Plus flooring on a regular basis, use a soft bristle broom, a dust mop or a suction only vacuum cleaner.  Avoid a vacuum with a beater bar. For a slightly damp cleaning, apply Mohawk’s FloorCare Essentials RevWood Cleaner to a cotton or microfiber mop and wipe down your flooring.  We advise to avoid any wet-mop cleaning or using liquid cleaners.  Always remember to wipe up any excess water right away with a clean, dry cloth.

A dry mop is one of the best ways to take care of resilient flooring.

With your Mohawk SolidTech Luxury Vinyl Tile flooring, you may use a soft bristle broom to remove loose dirt.  Go ahead and use a damp-mop when needed but be sure to use a nonabrasive floor cleaner.

Lastly, your COREtec Flooring should be swept, dust mopped or vacuumed on a regular basis.  An occasional damp mopping is also suggested.  Be sure to wipe down your flooring with a clean dry cloth right after though.  If any excessive water is left, your flooring could expand.

Damage Control

When you have new flooring, it’s always key to know what to do when damage or stains could occur.  For instance, with your RevWood floors, if one of your planks is beyond repairing, you can use the Quick-Step UniFix Tool to remove and replace a damaged plank, on your own, in just minutes!  If your flooring becomes stained for any reason, (paint, oil, tar or markers for example) you can use an acetone-base nail polish remover.  You can also use an acetone-based nail polish remover on COREtec flooring stains, like; nail polish, paint, dye and permanent markers.

When you have furry friends running around, toddlers spilling their cups, family get togethers getting messy…with any spills that happen, make sure to wipe them up immediately!  Do not allow any standing water to remain on your flooring though as this may loosen the adhesive.

We love our furry friends – but they can make some big messes!

Dos and Don’ts

Here are some quick do’s and don’ts to CARE for your new flooring:

• DO add A Little Extra Protection! At each of the entrances of your home, place floor mats or doormats, so that they collect all of that dust, dirt, substances and moisture that can be tracked into your home and onto your new flooring!
• DO use protective pads under the footing of any heavy furniture
• DO use pieces of carpet face down under heavy objects to slide across your flooring
• DO spot clean and wipe up any spills immediately
• DON’T wear high heels on your resilient flooring
• DON’T use wax or polish
• DON’T try to refinish or sand your resilient flooring
• DON’T flood your floor with water or cleaner

Don’t cry over spilled milk! Wipe up those spills right away to minimize potential damage.

Avoid These Cleaning Methods

To keep your flooring in tip top shape, here are a few products NOT to use when cleaning your floors.

• RevWood & RevWood Plus: avoid wax, polish, soaps, shine enhancers, varnish and oils. Do not apply any cleaners directly to RevWood and we recommend not using cleaning machines like spray mops or steam cleaners or mops.
• SolidTech Luxury Vinyl Flooring: avoid using a vacuum with a beater bar.
• COREtec: never use vinegar, acetone or lacquer thinner to clean.

If you’re a pet-owner, you’re probably already all too familiar with the wear and tear that our furry friends can cause to your home over time. Scratches, stains, odors and dirt are all common pet-caused hassles that can be especially damaging to floors.

That’s why many pet-owners, whether they’re building or remodeling a home, are cautious about what type of flooring they choose to install in the areas in which their pets live with them.

Before you begin your search, there are 4 common concerns that pet owners should consider when searching for flooring for their next project.

1. Scratch resistance: How well does the floor resist scratches and other marks, commonly caused by dogs’ nails as they walk around?
2. Damage resistance: Does the floor have a natural resistance to damage from things like pet urine and other accidents?
3. Traction & comfort: Does the surface of the floor allow pets to move, walk, run, sit and lay safely and comfortably?
4. Durability & ease of cleaning: How easy is it to regularly clean the floor and return it to its original look?

So, with all of that in mind, which types of flooring fit the bill? You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that you have a lot of options when it comes to pet-friendly flooring.

Modern innovations have led to pet-focused technologies and warranties across the entire spectrum of flooring categories. We’ll dive into each one and give you our top product recommendations.

Pictured: Mohawk SmartStrand Forever Clean carpeting, available at Dolphin Carpet & Tile.

Pet-friendly carpet 

Many people prefer soft, warm carpet in their bedrooms, but it’s probably not your first thought when you’re trying to pick flooring for a home with pets.

Carpet is a soft place to lay, but it can be tough to clean and is prone to easy wear and tear. If you do opt for carpet, consider keeping it in low-traffic areas (such as bedrooms) where your pets don’t spend much time.

To help prevent staining in the event of inevitable accidents, we recommend these two very solid pet-friendly carpeting options:

• Mohawk SmartStrand Forever Clean: This carpet’s innovative fibers feature built-in protection from spills and stains, with 0% absorption. On top of that, Mohawk’s All Pet Protection & Warranty that covers all types of pets and accidents, all the time.

• Shaw Carpet with LifeGuard: Shaw’s cleanest carpet features a spill-proof backing that will help you contain all of your pets’ little messes and accidents. It’s protected from soil for quick & easy cleanup, and stays clean for healthier living at home.

Shop tile flooring from Dolphin Carpet & Tile now!

Pet-friendly tile

Tile is well-suited to homes with pets in the family. Its hard surface and dense makeup makes tile extremely durable and resistant to scratches from toenails.

Note that this isn’t true for all types of tile – specifically, you should avoid installing soft, porous stones such as marble. These are damaged far more easily than other types of stone or glazed ceramic tile.

Tile is also very easy to clean, as soil and pet hair sits on the surface. A routine sweeping, dusting or gentle vacuuming will pick up most solid debris. Wet mop as soon as spills or accidents occur, and you’ll be able to keep your tile looking and smelling as fresh and clean as the day you bought it.

The only significant drawback to having tile in a home with pets is that the surface is relatively cold and hard in comparison to most other types of flooring. You can solve this by laying down area rugs throughout your space, or a soft dog or cat bed or cushion.

Pictured: COREtec by US Floors, available at Dolphin Carpet & Tile.

Pet-friendly vinyl flooring

Vinyl is arguably the ideal choice for pet-friendly flooring. The list of benefits is long. For example, vinyl flooring:

• Is extremely affordable compared to other flooring options
• Can be installed anywhere in the home, on, above or below grade
• Offers great traction with realistic wood textures
• Comes in a variety of beautiful, natural designs that mimic wood and tile
• Is easy to clean and resistant to scratches and stains
• Does not trap or release allergens into the air
• Is comfortable and quiet underfoot

The main potential drawback to vinyl flooring is that it can be susceptible to water or other liquid damage. However, modern innovation has led to a number of waterproof vinyl options that are well-suited to homes with pets. Our top recommendations are:

• Mohawk SolidTech: This brand was specifically designed with busy family life in mind, and to withstand kids and pets running around. It’s 100% waterproof and easy to clean thanks to an engineered finish that also makes it resistant to stains, scuffs and dents. Install SolidTech in bathrooms or basements where real wood cannot hold up.

• COREtec by US Floors: Made with a 1005 waterproof core, each COREtec plank can handle spills, muddy footprints and more without ever warping or buckling – regardless of how wet they get! The cork underlayment also blocks out noise and insulates your home, making it a comfortable surface upon which pets can lay.

Pictured: Mohawk RevWood, available at Dolphin Carpet & Tile.

Pet-friendly laminate flooring 

Laminate is similar to vinyl in many ways. It looks like hardwood, is easy to clean, and it resists water and scratches well.

One drawback to laminate are that it often has a slippery surface that isn’t great for soft paws. You can avoid this by choosing a laminate with a scraped or textured surface. These floors are beautiful and are especially good for active or older dogs.

One product that fits the bill is the new Mohawk RevWood+. It’s made with natural wood, but is also completely waterproof. Affordable, durable, resistant to all types of damage and wear, and easily installed with click & lock joints, RevWood+ is a terrific option for pet owners who want the look and feel of real hardwood floors without the risk.

Now until October 18^th, 2018, save up to $1,000 on Flooring for All Pets at Dolphin Carpet & Tile. Special financing is available!

With Hurricane Florence still underway, the busier-than-usual 2018 hurricane season is officially upon us. If you were fortunate enough to be unaffected this time, you may be wondering what the future has in store.

Luckily, you don’t simply have to wait and wonder. You can take actionable steps now toward preparing your home for the worst. There are many ways in which you can prepare your home for hurricane season, and we’ve gathered together some of the more important tips we’ve gathered over the years living on the Southern tip of Florida.

1. Tighten the lid & secure your roof

Your home’s roof is its lid – underneath is the largest potential opening on your house, which is the last place you want to expose to wind and water.

If you’re re-roofing, it would be wise to invest a little extra in sealant for the roof deck, whether that be waterproof tape to place over the seams or full coverage with a waterproof membrane. Here in Florida, as in a few other states, we’re required to have our roofs attached to the walls of our homes with metal straps. In other places, roofs simply sit on top of homes, held down by gravity alone.

For existing roofs, ensure that all shingles and tiles are securely in place, with none cracked, damaged or missing.

2. Batten down the hatches & seal windows and doors

The next most vulnerable part of your home are the smaller openings – windows and doorways. Some simple protection can prevent breaching, and in some cases earn you a lower insurance premium. Check with your provider to see what measure you can take to lower your payments.

Some common ways to secure windows include:

• Clear plastic hurricane film: This is a non-intrusive way to hold your glass panel in place even if it shatters, and is extremely affordable. The downside? It’s not the sturdiest option.
• Plywood or other panels: This option is also inexpensive, and very effective at keeping your window in place. While you run the risk of blocking out all exterior light in the event of a power outage, you have options – panels can be made from various types of metal, fabric, or other composites. Just be sure to drill holes in advance so you can screw them in quickly!
• Storm shutters: Permanent shutters are your best option – they’re more attractive and can be used year-round, and can let in some light if needed. However, this is your most expensive option, so be ready to invest.

In addition to outer window coverings, invest in some high-impact glass if you’re able. These panes look and act like standard windows, with the benefit of being impact-resistant.

Secure your doors in the same way as you would windows – brace all glass panes, and make sure that they’re securely attached. 3 hinges are better than two, and no screws should be loose or missing.

Mohawk SolidTech flooring installed in a beachside home. These durable waterproof floors are ideal for standing up to ocean moisture and gritty sand.

3. Minimize flood damage with waterproof flooring

Flooding is the most common natural disaster, and can have one of the largest impacts on your property. As much as you do to secure roofs, windows and doors, you may be unable to prevent water from penetrating the interior your home – especially if you’re dealing with a high storm surge.

With that in mind, the best you can hope for is minimal damage to your home’s interior. One key consideration is your flooring – this is where water will sit and get absorbed, saturating past the surface and causing irreversible swelling, mildew and more.

You can minimize this damage with 100% waterproof flooring. A few such products are Mohawk’s SolidTech high performance flooring, Mohawk Revwood+ and COREtec by USFloors. These floors are each waterproof, stainproof, and come in a variety of detailed and realistic wood-look, stone and ceramic tile designs.

Mohawk was able to demonstrate how well SolidTech holds up against real hurricane waters during the unfortunate events of Hurricane Harvey in 2017. A Cooking School in Houston with SolidTech in its kitchen was flooded. However, after the storm the planks were removed, the subfloor underneath was cleaned, and the floor was able to be reinstalled, damage-free.

Taking the steps to invest in a waterproof floor today can save you a fortune on repairs in the future.

Mohawk SolidTech being re-installed after withstanding flood damage during Hurricane Harvey in Houston, 2017.

4. Declutter your outdoor spaces

Once you’ve done all you can to secure the interior and exterior of your home, you shouldn’t forget your yard!

If you’re aware in advance that a heavy storm is approaching, store or tie down any loose objects. This can include, but is certainly not limited to, any of the following:

• Lawn furniture
• Potted plants
• Children’s toys
• Doghouses
• Grills & BBQs
• Bicycles

Any of these can easily be picked up and tossed around by wind, creating deadly airborne missiles that can crash through windows and walls and create openings for water.

The same goes for loose tree branches – keep your trees well-trimmed. Clear any dead sections or broken limbs that could come loose and go flying. If needed, you may want to hire a tree removal service to ensure the job is done thoroughly. Finally, it’s a good idea to clear your gutters of any debris.

As much as you prepare your home, don’t forget to take care of yourself and your family. It may be wise to evacuate once you’ve done all you can to secure your property, and travel to an area more inland until the worst of the storm has passed.

Stay safe this hurricane season! – The Dolphin Carpet & Tile Family

As many know, tile is a very popular flooring choice, especially in areas like the bathroom and kitchen. But why?

This is because many types of tile have a protective layer resting over the material, making them resistant to water and stain penetration. Not to mention they are also naturally resistant to high humidity conditions, which can occur most in the bathroom and kitchen areas.

Although tile sounds like the go-to flooring option, it’s not perfect. If your home life involves heavy foot traffic, pets, kids, or the normal day-to-day clumsiness so many of us experience, it is possible the tile can get damaged. Here at Dolphin Carpet & Tile, we want you to have the perfect tile flooring, so here are some tips to protect your tile from damage.

1. Use grout correctly

When placing tile, you want to make sure that the gaps between the tiles are filled in with grout, or else the sharp edges of the tile will get chipped by shoes, paws, furniture, etc. In doing this, make sure the grout is fully level with the tiles so that it doesn’t have tile sticking out that could be easily chipped.

Another quick tip is to make sure you check the label & use grout with no sand component. This is because the sand in the grout could get loose, which could get picked up by feet and cause scratches on the surface of the tile.

2. Be careful with furniture

No matter what room you decide to put your tile in, it’s pretty much a guarantee that there is going to be some type of furniture going on top. Our best advice is to put furniture protectors on the bottom, whether it’s a table, chairs, cabinets, couch, etc. This will help prevent scratches, especially with chairs and smaller furniture that easily slides around.

Also, try to avoid placing anything too heavy on tiled areas. Sometimes objects are just way too heavy for the tile to handle, which can cause cracks.

3. Clean the tile regularly

Tile is best cleaned by sweeping and mopping. Vacuuming a tile floor can cause scratches. A quick scrubbing of the floors every now and then may get rid of visible dirt, but a lot of bacteria tend to flourish in the grout.

For pet owners whose pets have accidents on the tile, those accidents attract more bacteria. Therefore, pet owners with tile in their homes should stick to a more regular cleaning schedule.

4. Make sure you know the quality of the tile

As you are shopping for your tile, make sure you look for a good quality brand. Cheaper tiles are often able to be scratched, chipped and cracked much more easily than quality brands.

Lucky for you, here at Dolphin Carpet & Tile we know that life happens, and sooner or later your living style will take a toll on any floor covering, whether the floor is busy with high foot traffic or not at all. That’s why we only offer top quality brands and are more than willing to help you pick the perfect tile for your specific home life needs. Here’s an example of one of our top brands, Mohawk Floorscapes.

(Mohawk Bayou)

Whether it’s your first time purchasing carpet, or you just need help tracking down the perfect solution for your home, our sales team is happy to walk you through every step of the buying process.

Step 1: Determine your budget

Renovating and decorating your home is an important investment, and no one knows better than you what budget will work best for your needs. Provide your sales expert with your desired price range, and he or she will be able to lay out the options.

You’ll be able to compare the highest-end options to the cost-saving solutions we have to offer and make a choice that feels right for your situation.

Step 2: Learn about carpet

When you choose a carpet, it is important to understand your options when it comes to construction, fiber, and styles. Come with an understanding of your needs. For example, you may want a carpet with long-lasting durability. You’ll be able to choose between several synthetic fibers, including nylon and polyester.

Your sales expert will match your style preferences with a carpet that will suit your lifestyle. You may like the look of berber, but we don’t recommend it for families with pets due to its tendency to snag on nails and claws.

Whether you’re drawn to patterned, plush or textured pile, each is constructed differently with different weight and density that will impact its performance and function within the space you’re designing. Our team is knowledgeable about all the ins and outs of carpet that you’ll need to learn before making the best possible decision.

Step 3: Get a quote

You may have heard the old adage, “measure twice, cut once!” This holds true especially for carpet.

Once you’ve made a decision, it’s time to have your space professionally measured so that you can get an accurate price quote on the amount of carpet you’ll need to cover your space.

Step 4: Choose your carpet

Large families, pets, young children or single member households will all wear on carpets in different ways. As such, there are different carpets that will work better for certain households.

After you’ve learned about all the different carpet types available to you, narrowed down the best range of options for your lifestyle, and gotten your measurements & quotes, it’s time to select a carpet!

Step 5: Leave room for padding in your budget

Carpet padding provides critical support to ensure that your flooring remains intact and functions fully with minimal wear and tear. You do not want a padding that is too thick or thin, and the most expensive padding may not always be the best option for your specific situation. Padding can be manufactured with a variety of different materials such as rubber or foam. Our team will advise you to ensure that you select the padding that is perfect for the carpet that you’re going to be installing in your space. Padding may be an additional charge on top of the carpet you’re selecting, so we’ll work with you and discuss how different options will ultimately impact your budget.

From just an idea in your head to the reality of your new carpet installation, our team is here to guide you through each part of the carpet buying process. When you look to transform any space in your home with new flooring, it can be a considerable investment.  Our goal is to help you make the best decisions given your decorating ideas and budget. We look forward to educating you along every step of the way.