This might be one of the most asked questions we receive. Kitchen flooring receives more foot traffic, more spills, and is generally cleaned more often. It used to be a foregone conclusion to install linoleum, vinyl, laminate, or ceramic tile, but that's no longer the case.

The world has changed its thinking and you'll see a more diverse selection of kitchen floors than has ever been the case. Green floors like bamboo and cork are becoming extremely popular and the design possibilities are now limitless.

Can I install hardwood in the kitchen?

You certainly can, just be careful about leaving spills for long periods of time. Engineered wood flooring absorbs less moisture and can be an ideal choice for kitchens. Those worried about dishwashers overflowing or pipes bursting shouldn't be too concerned about the damage to the floor. When events like these happen, a homeowner's claim is the best course of action and it's likely there will be more damage than just the floor.

Can I install bamboo in the kitchen?

You certainly can. In fact, bamboo is less absorbent than wood and harder than Red Oak. An ideal choice for kitchens is strand woven bamboo, a floor that's made from shredded bamboo and re-bonded using intense heat and resins. Many of these floors are even commercially rated and very, very tough.

Solid strand woven bamboo that's been carbonized to this beautiful range of caramels.

Can I Install cork in the kitchen?

You certainly can. The nice thing about cork is how it feels, especially after hours spent slaving over a hot meal and standing over a seemingly endless pile of dishes. Cork flooring is naturally resistant to mold and mildew, only requires light sweeping and is very comfortable. It feels warmer than other hard surface floors while also compressing slightly under your weight. It absorbs shock and springs back into place when you move on. This is great for when heavy objects like dishes (which are less likely to break) slip out of our hands.

Like computers, phones, and televisions, flooring is evolving and making tremendous strides in both quality and value. Manufacturers are becoming more efficient and more scientific about how flooring is engineered. More thought than ever before goes into long term durability, ease of maintenance and ease to install.

If you're looking for a new kitchen floor, don't settle for what used to be considered the norm. There's a new norm, and there are a lot more options than the old one.

If one of your New Year's resolutions is making more of an effort to be green, then maybe it's time to start checking out green floors for your home. Most flooring manufacturers have taken great strides in producing more environmentally friendly floors. That includes using more sustainable, renewable resources and changing a variety of manufacturing techniques.

One type of floor that has immensely grown in popularity is bamboo. It grows incredibly fast (up to 125 ft in only a few years) and it's also harder than red oak flooring. Some would argue that it's better-looking, but this is a matter of personal taste. If you've been considering a wood floor, you owe it to yourself to take a look at bamboo flooring before you make your final decision.

Another step off the beaten path is cork flooring. Cork floors are made from the bark that's been harvested from a cork tree, so the tree itself is never cut down and continues its natural life cycle.  Cork is a sustainable and renewable resource with a ton of properties that make it excellent for use as flooring.

A relatively new type of green flooring is click engineered HDF flooring. A premium layer of real wood or bamboo is adhered to a HDF core comprised mostly of recycled sawdust produced form the manufacturing of other floors. They are usually finished with a water based, solvent free finishing system that adds to their eco-friendly appeal.

If taking steps for a greener home or a greener lifestyle, there's no reason you have to sacrifice style or durability. The above listed floors have an amazing look, are very easy to maintain and engineered to last.

Buying at the end of the year can be very advantageous for a variety of purchases, especially if they aren't your typical holiday gift. Outside of Black Friday, many items go up in price when the holidays approach. As demand increases for an item (like is the case now), there's really no need to mark it down. It's after December 25th when you'll get the best deals on the smaller things people usually buy as gifts.

Flooring is a little different. When this time of year approaches, most are getting ready for the big day, putting up their trees, preparing for family and shopping like crazy. Their focus is on other things besides new flooring. This is the time when our deals are getting better, because we have to move inventory before the end of the year.

iFLOOR buys in bulk purchasing large containers, truckloads, and overstocks. We do this because it's how we get the best price and also gives us the ability to offer the lowest prices. These shipments constantly bombard our warehouses and never more so than at the beginning of a new year. And we're not the only ones trying to get rid of extra inventory. Everyone is trying to remove their excesses by the end of the year, and this is our best opportunity to buy those items. This is why we have so many new shipments in January.

Sorry if I'm boring you, because this is pretty boring stuff. I just wanted to shed some light on the real reasons the end of the year is a great time to buy flooring. Demand is lower, markdowns are often higher and some of the best deals can be found this time of year.

Does this mean you won't get a good deal in January or February? Not at all. We're always buying and selling huge amounts of flooring and offering great discounts. But today, you'll likely have a lot more items to choose from in our flooring clearance section because we have a greater urgency. When we say it has to go, we really mean it.

Bamboo flooring is highly popular due to its beauty and environmentally-friendly production process. Regular maintenance and cleaning can prevent these floors from losing their beauty and quality. Here are a few of our bamboo maintenance and care tips that will keep the flooring looking great and prevent unnecessary damage.

Bamboo floors cannot handle excessive amounts of moisture. We suggest the use of a microfiber or dust mop for daily cleaning of the floors. Vacuums designed for use on wood floors or have soft brush attachments are also good for cleaning the floors. If floor cleaners are used, use a one that is recommended for us on this type of flooring. Do not use oil soap or wood polishes on the floor. The use of the substances causes the floor to become sticky, attracting dirt to the bamboo.

Protect the floor to reduce the chances of scratching and denting. Dragging furniture across the floor can damage the wood. If the furniture needs to be moved, lift it off the floor. Add pads to the bottom of furniture legs to reduce scratching. Clean the bottoms of the pads regularly and replace when necessary.

Pay extra attention to the flooring that is located in high-traffic areas. While bamboo is a durable material, it can sustain some damage. Using rugs will help to prolong the appearance of the floor. The rug should be cleaned regularly to prevent and dirt from wondering onto the floor.

Shoes and pets can also have an adverse effect on wood floors by leaving scuff marks and scratches. We suggest removing shoes and keeping pet’s nails trimmed. If walking around without shoes in not an option, place a mat outside of the exterior doors. The mat will remove dirt and debris that may be on the bottom of shoes. Should the floor become scuffed, use a soft cloth and appropriate floor cleaner to remove the scuff marks.

Wood flooring can create an amazing aesthetic in any room. Bamboo flooring is durable, beautiful and available in a variety of finishes. To find out more about our selection of bamboo and discount laminate flooring visit www.ifloor.com.

Vinyl flooring can be a great accessory for many homes and businesses. While a discount flooring product can be a great choice for many homes, it can be difficult to keep it clean under some circumstances. The following guide provides simple tips and tricks on how to deep clean a vinyl floor.

Many homeowners will use floor cleaners to maintain a vinyl floor. However, some types of vinyl floors can accumulate dirt and grime in-between different tiles. To eliminate these types of issues, it's a good idea to use a steam cleaning unit every six to 12 months.

Steam cleaning can be an effective way to remove dirt and grime that has embedded itself deep into the material of a vinyl floor. In addition, most steam cleaners don't require the use of chemicals. This can make steam cleaning a great choice for homes with young children. Since some strong floor cleaning liquids can be hazardous to human health, it's important to look for effective ways to minimize their usage.

In addition, steam cleaning can sanitize a floor quickly and effectively. When an individual use a steam cleaner, a very warm jet of steam will be forced into the fine nooks and crannies between different vinyl floor tiles. This will kill any bacteria and other germs that may be lurking in the hidden recesses of a floor.

Steam cleaning is also an environmentally friendly option for homeowners and their families. Since a steam cleaning unit doesn't require the use of chemicals, there's no need to worry about the production of dangerous chemicals. Since the production of some chemicals can use lots of natural resources, it's important to find effective ways to limit their usage. In addition, this can be a great way to promote a healthy environment for oneself and one's family.

Since steam cleaning units can be expensive, it may not be a viable option to buy a new unit for a home. Instead, it's often possible to rent a steam cleaning unit from a high volume discount store.

Many people are not familiar with the benefits of having cork flooring in their home. With an increased interest in environmentally friendly products for homes, we have seen the demand for cork flooring also increase. Only the bark is taken from the cork tree, about once in every 10 years. The cork is primarily used to make stoppers for wine bottles, and the byproduct is then used to make flooring. Many of our customers value the fact that cork trees live and continue to produce bark for centuries, so no trees die to make this great flooring material available.

Cork flooring is very comfortable, and modern manufacturing practices make it tougher than ever before. The original cork flooring was available in tiles or sheets, but it is now available in planks with beveled edges. Cork is a natural insulator, and this quality is responsible for the high comfort factor valued by our customers. A cork floor in the kitchen can reduce the feeling of fatigue some people experience when they stand or walk as they cook. A cork floor in the bath provides a comfortable surface for bare feet, even during the coldest months.

Our store offers cork flooring in a wide range of designs that will match the taste of nearly any customer. We offer discount cork flooring in designs that range from a solid palate to patterns that imitate wood flooring. Some of our customers choose cork flooring because they suffer from allergies, and the hypoallergenic quality of cork meets their needs. The cost of our discount cork flooring compares favorably to the cost of discount hardwood flooring.

We have seen no problems with installing cork floors over radiant heating systems. Because of the natural insulating properties of cork, the floor may take somewhat longer to heat, but it also retains heat longer. Floors that are installed over radiant heating systems need to be floating floors, and cork flooring easily meets this requirement.

A grass that can renew itself in a single growing season, bamboo is an eco-friendly choice for flooring. Available as a solid bamboo product or as engineered flooring, when processed properly, bamboo can be as strong as oak. Installing wood or bamboo flooring in a kitchen or in other high water usage rooms requires taking a few extra precautions to ensure that moisture doesn’t impact the material’s durability.

Bamboo planks for flooring are made by slicing strips of the grass, boiling them and then gluing them together under extreme pressure. Solid bamboo floors are made entirely of these pressurized strips. With engineered bamboo flooring products, the processed product is sandwiched around a layer of wood. Because engineered flooring is more stable, it may be a better choice for the kitchen. The key to success is shop wisely. While cheap laminate flooring can be a tempting option, quality is important when choosing bamboo floors for your kitchen.

If you're laying down bamboo flooring over cement, it’s necessary to install a waterproof underlayment first to keep moisture from seeping up under the base of the floor. Before installing any type of wood or bamboo flooring in your kitchen, it’s important to allow the product to acclimate to the room’s environment for a few days by spreading the planks out in small piles. Engineered bamboo flooring that is prefinished with a water-proof seal will help keep moisture at bay. You will likely want to apply an additional coat of a polyurethane finish to help guard against water damage.

Bamboo flooring benefits from frequent sweeping or dusting. The floors can be damp mopped, but you’ll want to avoid pouring water directly onto the floor. Spills should be cleaned up quickly and thoroughly. Like wood floors, bamboo flooring can be sanded and refinished as necessary. With proper installation and maintenance, it’s possible to enjoy the beauty of bamboo flooring in every room of your home.

Home improvements can make your life at home more convenient, comfortable and stylish. Done right, they can improve your home's market value too. Setting a realistic budget for your renovation is one of the first steps you should take during the planning and preparation stage. Because renovations can also encounter unexpected obstacles, experts recommend that you set aside 15 to 20 percent of your remodeling budget to cover unforeseen expenses.

Establishing a realistic budget provides parameters for your entire renovation and helps set guidelines for each purchasing decision along the way as well. In a kitchen remodel, for example, cabinets typically account for around 30 percent of the renovation. By establishing a firm budget beforehand, you’ll know whether you should shop for custom or stock cabinets. A firm budget sets boundaries for your remodeling team as well.

A firm budget can also motivate you to shop smarter. With limited funds for hard wood flooring, for example, you’ll be more likely to comparison shop for the best value. If your heart is set on comfortable and cozy cork flooring, you'll take the time to hunt down the best cork flooring prices. You’re more likely to appreciate and enjoy your newly remodeled space when you know you’ve gotten the best value for your hard-earned dollars.

Setting a budget will also help you keep resale value in mind. Because homebuyers want kitchens and bathrooms with modern amenities, too much cost-cutting in kitchen and bath renovations can actually decrease the market value of your home. Even if you’re planning to remain in your home for some time, your renovation can still affect the price when it comes time to sell your home.

While every remodel comes with a few surprises, you'll be prepared to take unanticipated expenses in stride with an established budget. You'll be motivated to meet obstacles with creativity, and you'll be more likely to enjoy the entire process, knowing that you’ve done everything that you can to ensure success.

Laminate wood flooring can be a great accessory for many homes and businesses. While laminate wood flooring can enhance the appearance of many rooms, it can be challenging to refinish it. Since some refinishing techniques can damage the underlayment, it's important to be careful when dealing with a laminate wood floor. The following guide provides simple tips and tricks on how one can refinish a laminate wood floor.

It's important to make sure one understands the type of flooring that is in a home before starting any refinishing project. Some types of flooring can not be safely refinished. For example, some laminate floors consist of particle board with a thin printed layer of printed wood on the top. This top layer is designed to look like a regular hardwood floor but is usually just an embedded photograph.

If this type of flooring is sanded, it may expose the particle board hidden underneath. If this happens, it may be necessary to replace some parts of the floor.

In most cases, it won't be possible to refinish this type of flooring. However, it is possible to apply an additional layer of laminate to this type of floor.

When adding an additional layer of laminate, it's important to make sure that the flooring is free from all dust and debris. If there is any debris left on the flooring, it may become embedded underneath the laminate when it is installed. To avoid this, it's extremely important to make sure that a floor is very clean. In some cases, a steam cleaning unit can be a great way to make sure that a floor is very clean.

When applying a new layer of laminate, it's important to make sure that it is compatible with one's current type of flooring. If it isn't, the laminate may come off in layers. This can result in a very ugly appearance. In addition, this may increase the risk of water damage and other serious problems.