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How to Successfully Plan a Home Improvement Project

Achieving a Successful Plan for Your Home Improvement Project

At Go Mobile flooring, we strongly encourage using our high quality materials to create the home of your dreams. The question is, how can you determine what the home of your dreams is? Many homeowners can have a hard time achieving a successful plan for their home improvement project. For example, they may experience uncertainty when it comes to choosing the right materials. There are many questions every homeowner asks themselves during the planning process. Which type of flooring is the most suitable? Which materials are the most convenient? Where exactly should these materials go? If you are looking for a change but are having trouble planning, we are here to help! Overall, there are many steps you should consider to carry out a successful plan for home renovation. The more secure your plan is beforehand, the smoother the process will be as a result.

Do Your Research

The primary basis of your home improvement project is knowing exactly what you want. The best approach to determine this is through research. Part of a successful plan involves understanding different materials as well as its texture, shape, size, patterns, durability, etc. Depending on which part of your home you plan to renovate, it will be easier to narrow down your options. As far as flooring, Go Mobile Flooring offers hardwood, laminate, vinyl, tile, and carpet. If you want to renovate a kitchen or bathroom space, we have a great selection of tiles to install for backsplashes, showers, and more. Learn more about how flooring adds value when building a new home. This will also help you determine your best fit.

Create a Successful Plan Budget

Preparing a budget is one of the most important steps when achieving a successful plan for renovation. Within your budget, prepare for contingency expenses, including both expected and unexpected costs. Decide how much money you are willing to spend, and set aside an amount for unexpected costs. Budgeting benefits people of all ages in all circumstances. It’s not solely for those struggling financially. Some of the key benefits are that a budget:

  • Allows you to understand your relationship with money.
  • Helps construct a suitable saving and spending plan
  • Avoids bad money habits and encourages smart spending.
  • Helps prevent future debt and inspires organization
  • Relieves financial stress

Overall, the goal of budgeting is to take control of your money. With the help of budgeting, you can be sure that you’ll achieve a successful plan for your next home improvement project.

Get a Reference

Requesting references is a great way to narrow your options. Having an idea of how certain materials or projects worked out for someone you trust can give you the clarity and direction you need. When it comes to a successful plan, it’s beneficial to do extensive research on materials and how they look together. This gives you clarity to envision your home renovation project. At Go Mobile Flooring we constantly post images on social media of past projects and also featured materials.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzyBOv6DiId/

Finalize Successful Plan

Once you’ve gathered all the necessary information, you can have every step laid out and begin executing it. When planning for a project, consider how long the labor will take. Being prepared for every step will prevent any unwanted surprises. Once you are sure of your plan and renovation desires, it’s time to contact a contractor to help bring it to life. Good news is that Go Mobile Flooring’s experts will help you every step of the way.

Hire an Expert

For homes in the Tampa area, Go Mobile Flooring is the ultimate way to achieve a successful plan. In fact, we are Tampa’s #1 flooring company! Our dedicated team brings you 50 years of combined, service-driven experiences that target your home improvement desires. As a mobile flooring company, we bring our mobile showroom, which includes all of our quality materials, right outside your front door! From the memories you create with family, to the quality and value that comes with every experience, your home is your greatest investment! Working with a contractor who will execute your dream plan is a must. As far as homes in the Tampa area, Go Mobile Flooring is your best bet.

Get Started Today

Go Mobile Flooring is always on the way to provide our best service. We are here to help homeowners build the home of their dreams, especially those who struggle to create a successful plan for an upcoming project. Before we install your desired materials, we want to be sure you are certain about your plan. Contact us today to begin your next project.

Flooring Options to Reduce Noise on Your Second Floor

Flooring Options to Reduce Noise on Your Second Floor

We’ve all heard footsteps and other ruckus on the floor above us at least once or twice. Not only is it disruptive, but it’s just straight up irritating. It’s no wonder some people prefer one story homes or to be put on the last floor of an apartment complex. Even still, there are those whose dreams are to have a two-story home, and many who currently live in one. If that’s you, you’re probably thinking of ways to reduce noise and avoid the commotion from above. Lucky for you, there are flooring options you can consider to help get rid of the noise on your ceiling. This will provide a better environment for your family as well as guests.

Flooring to Reduce Noise

While hardwood is an all-time favorite, it may not be the best option for your second story to reduce noise. One alternative is laminate flooring. In addition to being less noisy than hardwood, it is also warmer underfoot. With laminate, you can customize it to your style preference. With wood-look laminates, you can still carry out your favorite hardwood design with the quality of laminate flooring. Improvements in the structure and design of laminate have led to a variety colors and finishes. Additionally, laminate flooring provides durability and easy maintenance. To achieve maximum comfort and peace, investing in padded underlay will provide yet another layer of protection against noise and damage.

Carpet

Probably the most famous and widely known for its comfort is carpet. It is not only a great option to block out noisy footsteps, but it will most likely be the most comfortable underfoot. Installing padded underlay will only add to that comfort. Another benefit of carpet is that it is good at absorbing sound. This averts any irritation from footsteps and commotion to those below. Carpet is available in various colors and textures. There are four main types of carpet constructions:

  • Cut Pile
  • Berber (Loop)
  • Patterned Loop
  • Freize

Among the four, you can decide on your preference of color, design, and texture. The majority of carpet styles are plush and loop. Depending on preference, homeowners can choose between smooth, textured, twisted, and shaggy carpet. All serve their unique purposes. But if your goal is to level down on noise, the thickest carpet available will be a great match and better yet, more comfortable to walk on barefoot. It’s a win-win!

Soundproofing to Reduce Noise

Underlayment options are a great one to consider. Although it is an extra step in the installation process, you’ll be glad about your decision in the long run. The primary purpose of underlayment is to make your flooring surface more smooth and even for any installations above it. In addition to that, they also make for a softer platform underfoot and help to reduce noise. Some underlayment materials include foam or cork, which are typically installed underneath carpet or laminate flooring. The softer kinds of underlayment, which often come in rolls of foam or cork, are great choices to block noise. Quite the contrary, there are also cement underlayment options that sustain harder materials such as ceramic, hardwood, or porcelain tile.

Call Your Flooring Experts

Go Mobile Flooring is Tampa’s #1 flooring company! We bring you 50 years of combined, service-driven experience. We created Go Mobile Flooring to offer a flooring experience focused on you, your family, and your home! It all starts here. Contact us today to get started on your next design project.

A Parent's Guide to Kid-Friendly Flooring Options

A Parent’s Guide to Kid-Friendly Flooring Options

When it comes to flooring options, one must consider many things. As important as it is to install flooring that blends well with your style and home ambiance, comfort is just as crucial. Especially if you have little ones roaming around the house. For rooms that get a lot of activity from children, it is essential to know which kid-friendly flooring options to choose from. Consider flooring that is durable enough to withstand constant usage without damage. The following kid-friendly flooring options will be great preferences for your home.A Parent's Guide to Kid-Friendly Flooring Options

Carpet

The soft and comfortable benefits of carpet make it an easy option for kid-friendly flooring. With all their playing and falling, your young ones will be safer as opposed to other hard surface flooring. As forgiving as carpet can be, make sure to regularly clean your carpets to avoid accumulated dirt and dust from forming. The cleaner the environment, the healthier your child will be. Whether you are decorating a nursery or living room, consider carpet flooring for your home.

Hardwood

Although certain hardwood flooring can be non-scratch resistant and subject to wear and tear, there are many routes you can take to ensure a safe and complacent environment for kids. The benefits of hardwood flooring are its abilities to last long and be easy to clean. Though the surface may not be the safest kid-friendly flooring option, you can consider purchasing stylish rugs or play mats to do the job. Also, some hardwood have natural dents and scratches which makes accidental scratches less obvious.

Laminate

Being abundant in styles and colors, easy to clean, and durable, laminate is another possibility for kid-friendly flooring options. Laminate provides stylish luxury to your home while still granting safety and scratch-resistant benefits for areas that undergo constant movement. Laminate flooring is also very easy to install and goes well in just about any room of your home! If you’re stuck between hardwood and tile, laminate is an alternative. Laminate has a more comfortable surface than pure hardwood, is often times more affordable, and most importantly, is safer for young children to play on. Consider laminate and have some fun choosing your design.

Visit Go Mobile Flooring

At Go Mobile Flooring, we have many selections you and your family can choose from. We also bring our mobile showroom to neighborhoods in the Tampa Area. Visit our website and explore your options today. Contact us and get started on preparing your kid-friendly flooring space.

Best Kitchen Flooring Options

Best Kitchen Flooring Options

The kitchen is often the highest trafficked area in your home. Depending on the layout of your home, it might be the room that everyone passes through to get from the back porch to the living room to the second floor. Regardless of the layout, however, kitchens are busy; it’s where the food is, after all. Therefore, finding a durable, attractive flooring option for the kitchen is key. Let’s review some of the best kitchen flooring options available.

Best Kitchen Flooring Options

Hardwood

Hardwood flooring has many benefits, including being:

  • More stylish, easier on your feet, and longer-lasting
  • Easier to refinish and re-style to fit with changing interior home decor trends
  • Hardwood flooring often increases a home’s re-sell value

Tile

Tile flooring has similar benefits to hardwood, including durability and increased re-sell value. In addition, tile flooring also has:

  • More color options, including lighter choices like white, cream, and gray
  • Scratch-resistant and waterproof durability

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is one of the most flexible kitchen flooring options and offers more design choices at a lower price point. Additionally, vinyl flooring offers benefits such as:

  • It is easy-to-clean and durable
  • It is stain resistant, scratch resistant and fade-resistant
  • Different forms that give more design options, such as sheets for a seamless look, tiles, and planks to emulate the look of ceramic flooring or wood

Other Considerations for Kitchen Flooring

One of the other primary concerns when choosing kitchen floors is cost. High-end, luxury flooring can be cost-prohibitive for some families. The trick is to choose flooring that will last longer and is neutral enough to fit in with your design choices even as they change.

Additionally, it’s important to consider your climate – climates with high humidity or a tendency for more rain should look for waterproof options like tile. Hardwood flooring is much more conducive to dryer climates. However, if you are determined to have hardwood and you live in a wet climate, it’s important to note that water damage is relatively easy to repair.

Explore Options with Go Mobile Flooring

To find out more about flooring options for your kitchen, contact Go Mobile Flooring today. We are happy to bring our mobile showroom to your Tampa neighborhood including  Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco county communities.

 

Flooring Adds Value When Building A New Home

Flooring Adds Value When Building A New Home

The flooring in your home or business is very important. Of all features or structural components in a building, flooring adds value and ranks at the top for the beauty, durability, and functionality it provides.

Ed MacDonald, on the Quora research site, said:

The floors of a house take the brunt of our everyday activities and are usually the first surfaces to reflect wear and tear. It’s important to invest in floors which will keep pace with your daily life and add value while simultaneously infusing your home with a touch of class.

Flooring Adds Value When Building A New Home

Why Flooring Adds Value To Your Home

For a kitchen area, you need to consider how the room is used. Obviously, it is where food is prepared and served so you need to think through the daily routine. There is no question that the flooring adds value to kitchens. Some people rarely use the kitchen while others practically never leave it. Hardwood or laminate are great choices that stand up to the challenges.

When shopping for your kitchen flooring, there are two aspects you need to pay attention to:

Durability: because there will be a lot of walking in the kitchen at all times of day (and even night)
Ease of cleaning: because out of all the rooms in your house, the kitchen floors are the most prone to get messy

For a bathroom, the usage is different. With water constantly on the floor, plus high traffic, it is important to select the appropriate materials.

Alicia Garceau of HGTV says it best,

The bathroom, with its wet surfaces, high temperatures and even higher humidity, demands a lot from a floor. While most people are drawn to a material based on looks, it’s important to choose flooring for its ability to weather the room’s harsh conditions.

She goes on to recommend five options: tile, wood, green (cork or bamboo), laminate, and vinyl. Any of these choices will work, but be sure to verify the quality. Again, flooring adds value to bathrooms. Tile is considered the best whether it is ceramic, stone, slate, or marble. Certain materials will cost more, but installing the best kitchen floors is always a good idea.

Why Flooring Adds Beauty To Your Home

The flooring in your home creates beautiful spaces. If it’s damaged or of low quality, the room will seem gloomy and low class. It will seem cheap, and that’s not what you want.

On the other hand, quality flooring enhances the home and increases the value. A beautiful entryway with a gorgeous stone tile floor will impress visitors and greatly improve the looks of the home.

Why Flooring Adds Longevity To Your Home

Most people would not put this as the top priority until they decide to sell. But when considering the over-all value of a home, it is crucial.  Hence, flooring must last. It must endure. Cheap or poorly manufactured materials will not last, and it lowers the value of the home.

The ideas shared in this article are common-sense but often overlooked by homeowners. Our purpose is to help you make the best decision as you build your home FROM THE FLOOR UP! Please give us a call, and one of our specialists at (813) 605-1188 will gladly answer any of your questions.

Flooring equals big investment, so you want to make sure you choose a long lasting, high quality product. Your flooring choice means combining your personal style with your needs, thus creating a warm atmosphere in the entire house.

 

Flooring Trends and How to Interpret Them

Flooring Trends and How to Interpret Them

Tracking modern trends is similar to political polling – it depends who you ask! Our country just learned that on a massive scale. However, when looking at flooring trends in a scientific and broad manner, certain major concerns repeatedly emerge. We’ve identified three areas that are nearly universal for people researching flooring for homes or offices.

Flooring Trends and How to Interpret Them

ANTIQUITY in Flooring Trends

The current trend in solid hardwood flooring is for products that have an antique or old world charm. Wider planks, hand-scraped finishes, and stressed wood designs are appearing with more regularity.
Home Flooring Pros

Don’t think of “old” when you see the word “antiquity.” Think of “enduring value and quality.” Diametrically opposed to dated looks and designs, antiquity always has a strong appeal. The worst thing a visitor could say when they walk into your home and see the floor is, “How 80’s!”

TECHNOLOGY in Flooring Trends

There is so much going on in the flooring industry right now but if you ask me, tile is where it’s at. There are tons of modern, stylish tile trends to choose from, but tile itself is trending in a big way. Solid, durable tile flooring has always been a staple in American homes, but it is coming back stronger than ever. Due to advancing technologies, tile can now mimic not only the look of natural stone but hardwood, fabrics, and more.
Flooring, Inc.

What in world does technology have to do with flooring? EVERYTHING. Because of modern technological advances, composite materials can be created that are so close in appearance and durability to real wood that most people cannot tell the difference, even up close! Any color, pattern, or texture you can think of has been produced in a tile or laminate format, even that “old world charm” if you prefer.

ENVIRONMENT of Flooring Trends

I anticipate an increase in the demand for affordable, local, sustainable flooring products. Local wood reclamation, whether that wood is being salvaged from old barns or rescued from underneath old and outdated carpeting, is going to be popular across the country. I also imagine we will see an increase in popularity of lighter wood flooring, even softer wood like pine and cork, and lighter stains on wood flooring, as lighter color floors pair well with trendy bright and bold paint and wallpaper colors.
Cindy Weinstock / The Flooring Lady

There’s a special feeling that comes from taking something old and using it in something new. It is good for nostalgia and for the carbon footprint. Re-using something means it doesn’t need to be created from new resources. It represents a healthy view of preserving and conserving the earth we are blessed to share. Maybe you aren’t the type who gets excited about telling your friends that your floor was once a 19th century cabin built by pioneers, but you probably are happy about saving the planet.

GMF-Laminate-Flooring-History

Laminate Flooring History

Unlike the history of hardwood, laminate flooring history is relatively easy to trace. It is a product of modern technology thanks to the genius of the Swedes. A Swedish company called Pergo branded it under their own name in 1977. If you are old enough, you would have identified it as Pergo before calling it laminate.

GMF-Laminate-Flooring-History

Laminate Flooring History is a Short History

Originally called Pergo in 1977, it quickly became very popular throughout Europe.

The Pergo formula took a simple type of decorative laminate, which had previously only been used to make kitchen countertops and brought it to the living room floor. Needless to say, it went over in a big way.   Learning Center

Laminate flooring (Pergo) was introduced to the American market in 1994. Back then we called it “floating floors!” Ask a baby-boomer person about it, and they surely will share a story with you about how easy it was to install. Some people confuse laminate flooring with other types of wood. Remember, don’t confuse the type or style with the name of a manufacturer. Some don’t even make countertop laminates. The brilliant Swedish craftsmen pioneered the laminating process which fuses various materials and covers it with a protective coating.

Laminate Flooring is Here to Stay

Some have enough extra money that they can afford the luxury of hardwood flooring. The question for home owners or business owners alike is,

Why not spend much less for laminate flooring that most people cannot distinguish from hardwood?

Because of the widespread popularity of laminate flooring, the answer is obvious. In a mere 39 years it has come to dominate the flooring business worldwide. And even older laminate floors still compare favorably with real hardwood floors. Also we ought not overlook that more advanced technologies since 1977 have resulted in more variety of grains, tougher materials, and easier to maintain floors.

Oh, by the way, Swedish people don’t like being called Swedes. It is derived from the Proto-Indo-European reflexive pronominal root!

GMF-Blog-Image-Laminate-Upkeep-Maintenance (1)

Laminate Upkeep

GMF-Blog-Image-Laminate-Upkeep-Maintenance (1)In this short article we will discuss the simply amazing ease, quickness, and lack of stress that comes with laminate upkeep! Laminate flooring is an excellent choice and  often hard to distinguish from hardwood. However, it is much less expensive and one of the best choices if you want to make your life easier.

Laminate Upkeep is Easy

Laminate upkeep is very easy. Basically you just need to sweep it with a light broom or vacuum cleaner. Also a regular pass over with a Swiffer or similar cleaning product works fine. Although it is water resistant, you don’t want to do  heavy duty washing with laminate upkeep.

Most homeowners love hardwood floors – they’re beautiful and provide a home with a unique look. Unfortunately, they can also be costly and difficult to keep in good shape. This is why laminate has become so popular in recent years, as it can bring a home all of the benefits of hardwoods without bringing along the price tag. If you’re looking for new flooring in your home, you might want to take one of the most valuable floor tips of recent years to heart and make sure that you choose laminate floors for your next remodel.  – Panel Town & Floors

Laminate Upkeep is Time Saving

It is not necessary to gather a large bucket, a heavy wet mop, strong detergents, and other tools for laminate upkeep. Just thinking about gathering these items makes me feel tired already. But like everything in life, there is the preparation, the job, and the clean-up. When it comes to laminate upkeep, it’s a win-win option for the home or office.

One of the biggest advantages of laminate floors is that they are made to look good for many years with a minimum of effort. Most laminates come with a 10 to 25 years residential warranty against staining, wearing and fading, depending on the brand. All you really need for cleaning are a vacuum cleaner, a dry mop and a damp towel for more difficult stains.  – Atriumloghomes

Laminate Upkeep is Nearly Effortless

Am I repeating myself? I suppose I am because I am a raving fan of laminate flooring.

Best-Ways-to-Create-Beautiful-Stairways

Best Ways to Create Beautiful Stairways

Best-Ways-to-Create-Beautiful-Stairways

If you are old enough, you may recall the way stairs were used in homes in the past. They were simply a functional thing to get to the upper level or to the basement. Builders made them to take up as little floor space as possible. Hence, they were dangerously steep, almost like a ladder. The most common modern day example would be a hatch drop-down foldable ladder for access to small attics or crawl spaces. But newer homes have built-in staircases that are much safer and more beautiful. Often they serve as a central focal point of the home. With a little thought and effort, you can have beautiful stairways.

Beautiful Stairways – The Flooring Obvious

Whether you choose to use carpet, laminate, or hardwood for your stairway, it will beautify your home. Often parents with small children use carpet for safety reasons or for noise reduction. Contrary to popular belief, it is not overly expensive to go with hardwood or laminate. Whatever the extenuating circumstances, the flooring on your steps is an important element of the interior design.

Be sure to DESIGN your space with the color, texture, and type of flooring to match or compliment the over-all look and feel of your home or business.

Beautiful Stairways – The Walls

Often, stairways are viewed simply as a way to get from Point A to Point B, and not much thought is given to the space thereafter. However, I’ve noticed that stairways provide an ideal place to exhibit one’s design style and interests or to even be useful. The ceiling may be taller on your stairway, the view direct (from other prominent rooms), and/or the possibilities endless.  Homedit

Back in the day, with ridiculously small and steep stairways, the walls were of no consequence. It would be about the same as decorating a wall behind a ladder. Today, homes often have multiple levels or alternating directions in a stairway. This can be the ideal area to dramatically enhance the charm of the home.

Beautiful Stairways – The Rails

In some cases stairways have railings. Unlike the olden days, railings are not used merely for safety purposes. In older business buildings there are usually regulations to have hand railings. Current day architecture has taken it to another level. Railings can now match the surrounding decor, and there is a plethora of options that are magnificent.

Don’t overlook the treasure in the center of your home. Surprise yourself and be sure to create beautiful and safe stairways!

Cleaning Your New Floors

Floor Maintenance Essentials in Florida

Certain climate issues affect Floor Maintenance in Florida. Humidity, moisture, heat, and sand are a few things that make it a challenge.

Floor Maintenance - cleaning

Floor Maintenance: CLEANING

It is very important to keep your floors clean. Regardless of the type of floor, keeping it clean ought to be a regular activity. The time invested is well worth the reward of beautiful floors.

VACUUMING

Modern technology has made it easy and fun to vacuum your floors. The iRobot is affordable and makes vacuuming nearly effortless.

(For more information go to: irobot.com)

CLEANERS

  • Liquid

(For more information go to: bona.com)

  • Dry or wet

(For more information go to: swiffer.com)

Floor Maintenance: REPAIRS

Oh no! We damaged our floors!

Think when you bought your first car. It was perfect. Shines bright in the sun. Looks great under the stars at night. Then you got your first ding. Or your first scratch from someone in the grocery store parking lot that didn’t care about letting their cart roll free. This can be agonizing. However, when it comes to your floors, you have two good options:

Contact your installer

There might be a way where they will fix or replace the floor section at no cost. Again depends on your warranty and your agreement. This is great for any floor type.

Do It Yourself

If you have hardwood floors, and it is a small nick you can pickup a Minwax marker and cover up a blemish. The Minwax® Wood Finish™ Stain Markers are ideal for that small scratch on floors or furniture.

Carpets

Bissell carpet cleaner makes cleaning up spills and stains relatively simple, either by hand or with a Bissell carpet cleaner. (For more information go to: bissell.com)

Floor Maintenance: USAGE

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of care.  – Benjamin Franklin

This is common sense. If you want to continue having beautiful and functional floors, you need to be thoughtful about what you allow to happen on them. Allowing the kids to roller blade on hardwood floors in the living room would not be wise. Moving furniture without smooth footing would also be a mistake.

These are choices the responsible home owner needs to make. If you regularly control the manner in which your flooring is used and faithfully maintain it, you likely will never have to think about repairing it. Then you can enjoy your beautiful flooring without stress or worry.