Looking to furnish your home gym with just the right flooring?

Having home gym can be a great way to save time & money – it’s always open when you want it to be, and it’s a space to work on your fitness in private.

If you’re considering designing a home gym of your own, or simply looking to spruce up your current gym with new flooring, then you’ll want to choose floors that are just the right combination of safe and functional.

There are many options for gym floors, each with pros and cons.  You can tile a gym floor, put down industrial carpet, or even lay hardwood.  Your decision should be based on your space, the type of equipment you use, and how you want your space to fit into the overall design of your home.

Before you make a decision, consider the safety, durability, functionality & maintenance of different gym flooring options so you don’t have to take a leap of faith with your decision.

Safety

When you think about safety, consider the types of exercises are you going to be doing, how experienced you are, and the type of equipment that will be going into your space.

Carpet is one option. A rubber-soled cross-trainer shoe will have a sufficient amount of traction on a carpet surface, greatly lowering your chances of a tumble. Furthermore, the natural cushion of carpeting provides just enough of a barrier between your equipment and the ground to prevent damage.

Be sure to choose a carpet with a lower pile – too much cushion could also result in injury. Commercial or industrial carpet would be your best bet.

There are various hard surface flooring types that we also recommend. Hardwood, laminate & luxury vinyl all  offers a bit of give and can be easier to keep clean. They also feature an attractive, inviting look. You can pair wood flooring with rubber-soled rugs & mats that will grip the floor and give certain areas in your home gym a bit more cushion.

Durability

When considering the durability factor, you have options.

Carpeting provides just enough give in case a piece of heavy equipment is dropped, making it a solid choice. Tile, though durable as well, is also hard and rigid. One slip can cause a serious crack in the flooring, it may not be suited for spaces where you’ll be doing heavier weight training.

Typically your best option is a type of flooring that holds up to lots of movement and deals well with stains. A carpet with a thicker yarn construction will be able to hold up against the pounding and accumulation of sweat that’s inevitable when you’re getting your fitness on! You can also choose from a variety of luxury vinyl tile and laminate options that are designed specifically to resist stains of all kinds!

Both vinyl & laminate flooring are available in attractive wood looks that will give your home gym the warm and welcoming vibe you need to get motivated to sweat!

Functionality

Whether your exercise routine consists of cardio, weight training or calisthenics, you need to consider the functionality of your flooring. Carpet, unlike tile, is inviting. If your program requires you to get down onto the floor it has just enough cushion and support to provide some comfort.

Traditional ceramic can be cold, it is most certainly hard, and is generally much less inviting. A gym space should be a welcoming space to encourage you to work out often. Instead, opt for a softer laminate or luxury vinyl tile in the warm look of natural stone or hardwood.

You may also see real hardwood in your fitness center for aerobics classes, but this type of surface tends to wear easily and could require a special sub-flooring for safety, which adds to your overall cost.

Maintenance

After you have made your choice in flooring, maintaining the cleanliness will ensure an enjoyable fitness space.

To keep bacteria buildup to a minimum, start with a quality dust mop & vacuum cleaner. Weekly cleaning will stave off the accumulation of dust, especially if your routine includes exercises performed on the floor. Be sure to address the nooks and crannies in and around gym equipment as these hard to reach areas tend to accumulate the most amount of dust.

If you go with carpet, shampooing is a less frequent but equally important option. This will also keep any unwanted smells and stains from taking away from the overall experience of working out at home.

Conclusion

When it comes to furnishing your home gym, a carpet with a very short pile is definitely our top recommendation flooring for you. It is safe, durable, functional and relatively easy to maintain. If you’d prefer a hard surface, try a laminate, vinyl or hardwood paired with mats & rugs throughout the room. We carry all types of carpet, hardwood & area rug options to suit your fitness needs!

What is Caribbean heart pine, and why is it so popular?

The heart is the center of the pine tree, where the wood is harder and more durable, and usually a deeper color.  The softer exterior wood, surrounding the heart is known as sapwood.    In the United States, heart pine is only available as reclaimed lumber, since there is a small portion of living longleaf pine forest remaining.  True Caribbean heart pine (botanical name Pinus Caribaea) is native to Central America and Cuba where there is still a substantial living pine forest.

The beauty and luster of Caribbean heart pine makes it a popular choice for hardwood flooring.  It’s available in many different colors, grades and finishes.  Natural heart pine has a tendency to become richer and darker with age, and can feature yellow, red or copper tones.  The “knotted” look of heart pine is also part of its appeal, lending a more natural look to any space.   Heart pine floors will generally show less uniformity of color, especially in a larger space, than other hardwoods, which also promotes a more natural look and feel.

Of course, heart pine can also be used for ceiling beams and wall paneling.  When selecting heart pine flooring, consider the percentage of heartwood vs. sapwood as well as the amount of variegation, including knots and resin streaks, to fit your budget as well as your desired look. Since heart pine is harder than sapwood, it is more resistant to dents and scratches.

Engineered laminate designed to simulate heart pine is another great option for a lower budget.

Heart pine floors are very versatile, and can be used in either contemporary or antique design spaces.

Here are some examples of heart pine floors in a contemporary setting:

Hardwood flooring has been trending in home design for the last few years and can even add value to your home.  We have decided to put together some information and a few tips we think you should know about the different styles and if hardwood is a material that fits your lifestyle.

• The Location: Consider where the hardwood is going to be installed inside your home.  The location may change the grade or type of wood you choose.
• Species: Common wood species are red oak, white, oak, maple, cherry, white ask, hickory, or pecan.  Each wood species has a specific grain and texture to it.
• Color: Each species will have several colors and finish choices for you to decide on.  We suggest picking a color of wood that best fits your lifestyle and coordinates well with furniture pieces you already have.  Darker wood is more formal compared to lighter wood.
• Finishes: There are many different finishes you can have on your floors.  Lower gloss levels are better suited for more active areas because dirt and scratches are harder to see versus higher gloss finishes.
• Width Terms: “Strips” are narrower board widths and work well in smaller areas to help make a room look larger.  “Planks” are wider board widths that work well in a larger space.
• Hardness Wood Rating: Wood is rated based on the Janka Hardness Test.  Basically, the higher the rating, the harder the wood is.

These items are a quick overview of some of the terms or questions you might have when it comes to purchasing your hardwood.  We hope these tips and information helps you in your decision-making.  For more information on hardwood, please visit our website.  If you would like to learn more about specific hardwood flooring topics, leave us a comment below and we’ll be sure to address them in a future post.

Some homes speak to us by saying “hello” and welcoming us with open arms.  What characteristics do these homes have that makes us feel welcome, comforted, and happy?

Below are three simple changes you can do to bring out your personality in your own home to make it feel just right!

• Colors:  Paint your walls, install new carpet, add decorative pillows, or hang new curtains. A color scheme is very important and should flow throughout your home. If you are uncertain how to coordinate your colors, you could purchase a color wheel for guidance. This tool can be a very helpful resource.
• Finishes: Flooring can be the first and easiest fix to change any room or an entire house. New carpet, wood, or tile is a quick fix and you will literally get miles of enjoyment for years to come.
• Textures: Replacing tile on a fireplace can change the aesthetic of the whole room. For added texture use river rock or stone. Don’t be afraid to install tile and wood side by side on your floors; this looks great in the right space, as long as there is a “cut off” between the two rooms.

There is “no place like home” what are you waiting for?

It’s that time again – yep, time for Spring-cleaning. Wash away the winter doldrums and brighten up your house in celebration of the new season. While you may not enjoy Spring-cleaning, there are ways to make it easier and more efficient.

Cleaning goes more smoothly if you have everything you need at your fingertips. The following tips will help ensure that your cleaning efforts go as quickly and easily as possible.

Start off by purchasing a bucket. Look for a stainless steel bucket big enough to hold your cleaning kit. Another bonus – it won’t rust!

Add a multi-purpose cleaner. If you use a concentrate get a great spray bottle that can be refilled many times. You will also need a multi-purpose powder. Mildly abrasive powder works well on ceramic, stainless steel, and porcelain.

Break your paper-towel habit with reusable cloths. Pick some sturdy enough to hold up well in the wash.

You will also need sponges. Try using natural cellulose sponges, as they are soft, pliable and a bargain!

Do you know about the super secret ingredients – vinegar and dishwashing liquid? A good dishwashing liquid mixed with water can clean almost anything, including countertops and painted wood. Diluted with water, vinegar is a household M.V.P. It works!

Protect your hands by using latex gloves. There are some now that have a soft cotton lining.

Don’t forget glass cleaner. Glass cleaner is not just for mirrors and windows it’s also wonderful for polishing fixtures.

By having these tools at your fingertips it will be a breeze to get through your Spring-cleaning checklist!

In design, like life, it is the little things that count. A row of tassel trim on a pillow. A stripe on a rug that coordinates with the sofa and the curtains. These small details are what separate good design from excellent design. Having an eye for detail in a room from floor to ceiling will make the room feel polished and put together, even if it was not decorated by a pro.

Take this wood floor for example. The dark band of inlay or stain creates a border around the room’s perimeter that draws attention to the shape of the room and the architectural details. The stripe also adds an extra bit of design to the room that turns a beautiful wood floor into something even more special.

Adding these little design touches on the floor is a great way to draw the eye around the space. Inlaid or stained patterns can be done on wood floors. Tile floors could have a pattern or a random accent tile; something that is common in traditional white hexagonal tile floors that have a random pattern of black tiles. A solid colored area rug with a contrasting color on the edging or a sisal rug with colored banding are other examples of small design touches for flooring that can have big impacts.

When adding the finishing touches to a room design, don’t forget the floor. Floors are typically 30% of a room and a great place to add special design touches and details.