Diamond Certified Resource Flooring Guide
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Read MoreSAN RAFAEL — It’s often assumed that carpet diminishes indoor air quality, but this isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, studies conducted by The Carpet and Rug Institute show that carpet may actually have the opposite effect and improve indoor air quality. There’s a good explanation for carpet’s positive effect on indoor air quality: it provides a place for airborne particulates to land, making them easier to remove during cleaning. More than that, carpet actually attracts airborne particles and traps them on the floor. By contrast, in homes with hard floors, particles like mold spores, dander and dirt can remain airborne for up to 45 minutes before settling. While carpet’s ability to capture airborne particles can benefit those with allergies and respiratory issues, Read more
SAN JOSE — When it comes to choosing a flooring product, today’s consumers are as concerned with attributes like practicality and performance as they are with aesthetics. For this reason, many are eschewing stain-prone materials like carpet in favor of options like hardwood, ceramic tile and luxury vinyl tile. However, thanks to modern innovations, there are now carpet products on the market that address common functional drawbacks, which means consumers don’t have to sacrifice comfort underfoot for functionality. One attribute that makes today’s carpet products superior to those of the past is increased fiber resilience. Whereas old carpet fibers would pack down, crush and matt easily, today’s fibers are more pliable, which means they’re able to bounce back and hold their shape and appearance for a longer period of time. Read more
OAKLAND — When it comes to adding legal living space to a home, it sometimes makes more sense to go vertical than horizontal. The question is: Do you go up or down? Each house will have a different answer for that question, so it’s important to consult a professional. If you decide to go down, this will mean taking your existing lower level and digging down two or three feet to create enough height for livable space. Going up, on the other hand, will consist of lifting your home to convert your crawl space into a livable area. Either way, you’ll need to achieve a minimum height of eight feet to make the space a legal living area. Read more
When selecting new stair treads for your staircase, you’ll want to make sure they’re built to last.
OAKLAND — Do you have groundwater issues on your property? Not everyone understands the impact that groundwater can have on a home. For example, water that collects around and/or beneath the home can cause the foundation to settle unevenly and even rotate outward, resulting in problems for both the foundation and the home above. Likewise, groundwater that gets into the crawl space can lead to increased humidity and mold issues within the home. To prevent these problems, you’ll need to take steps to mitigate groundwater issues. One common solution is to install a French drain, which consists of a perforated pipe that’s installed a foot or more below the affected area. By collecting water and transporting it elsewhere, Read more
