HARDWOOD INSTALLATION – LET THE PROFESSIONALS DO IT!

Hardwood Installation – let the professionals do it!

Deciding to put Harwood Floors in your home is a monumental decision that takes time and can wear down even the most solid individuals and relationships!  Once you have chosen the material and look you want to achieve, next comes installing it.  Hardwood Installation can be tricky as there are many factors that the average homeowner would never think of.  Having a professional install your hardwood floors can not only save you money, it might just save your sanity too! READ MORE....

WHY IS DUCHATEAU WOOD FLOORING SO POPULAR?

DuChateau Wood Flooring – Old is new Again

When you look back through the years of all the design trends that have come and gone, one thing keeps coming back around –old is new again.  Vintage style has a way of evoking warmth and that wonderful sense of home we all love.  Nothing says warmth in a home better than beautiful hardwood floors and DuChateau Wood Flooring has mastered the art of old world charm. READ MORE......

CARPET DESIGN CENTERS IN CHICAGO – SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

Carpet Design Centers in Chicago – Something For Everyone.

Chicago has some of the most beautiful architecture in the world.  From the buildings in our majestic skyline to our perfectly preserved historic homes, Chicago is a design dream.  People come from all over to get ideas from this amazing city to implement in their own home or business design, and the first item they look for is flooring. READ MORE......

BACKSPLASH INSTALLATION – ADD SPICE TO YOUR KITCHEN, NOT JUST YOUR COOKING!

Backsplash  Installation – add spice to your kitchen, not just your cooking!

Most people, when they cook, follow a recipe.  If you leave one ingredient out you can totally change the taste of the entire dish.  Designing a kitchen also has its own recipe and if you leave one piece out, it can totally change the look of the entire space.  Choosing the right backsplash tile can be the finishing touch of a great design.  It can pull all the other ingredients together to make the perfect space. READ MORE.....

MARBLE FLOORING FOR KITCHEN

Marble flooring in Chicago and around the world has historically, been associated with opulence. It is a material that has adorned the floors in palaces of kings, not to mention some of the most famous works of art and architecture have been produced in marble. If you choose to install it in a kitchen, marble flooring can create a sense of sophistication that will carry throughout the atmosphere of the room. READ MORE.....

LEAVE CARPET INSTALLATION IN CHICAGO TO THE PROFESSIONALS

Carpet sales and installation is big business. Nearly everyone has carpet installed somewhere in their home or office. Tile, carpet and flooring installations are not merely throwing the materials on the floor and securing it. The process is manually difficult, and if not properly executed can ruin both the flooring material and the design of the room. READ MORE......

LAMINATE FLOORING BASEBOARD CLEANING TECHNIQUES

Laminate flooring baseboard (quarter rounds) cleaning may require the same cleaning methods or techniques as cleaning wood laminate flooring.  If your baseboards or quarter rounds are unpainted wood, then using oils or different cleaning solutions may be the best method.  Generally, you can clean baseboards in the same manner as your new laminate flooring boards. READ MORE.....

KITCHEN FLOOR TILE CLEANING IS ESSENTIAL TO PRESERVE THE TILES BEAUTY

Virtually all tile, carpet, and flooring requires some follow up right after their installation. Living room carpets require that you vacuum to get any loose pile that came loose during installation. Some kitchen vinyl flooring requires you to use a weighted roller after installation. Kitchen floor tile cleaning is required after it has been installed as well. READ MORE.....

WOOD FLOORING – BRING THE BEAUTY OF THE OUTSIDE…IN!!!

Wood Flooring Brings the Beauty of Outside In!

One of the greatest trends in recent years has been the connection of the outdoors to the indoor design of our homes.  There is no longer a separation of these two spaces due to the integration of natural elements, into the building materials and décor of home design.  It creates a strong connection to our environment and provides comfort knowing we are part of the natural world, even while indoors.  For centuries, wood flooring has been used in all sorts of structures because of its durability and strength.  Home design has taken that one step further by showcasing the beauty these hardwoods have to offer. READ MORE.....

STONE FLOORS – TIMELESS BEAUTY

Stone Floors – Timeless Beauty

We’ve all read about the “hottest trends” and seen countless home design TV shows and magazines showing beautiful masterpieces of homes in exotic locations.  Then we look around and wonder how we could possibly make our own home look like a magazine.  Well, there’s one element that stands out in all these designs – Stone Floors.  The natural beauty of using stone for flooring in your home is becoming quite popular these days.  Stone is suitable for use throughout the home, from the kitchen to living rooms.  It is a versatile material that blends well with any décor and actually improves with age.  It can be traditional or modern as the colors are neutral.  Each type of stone is unique so getting the basics right in the beginning is crucial for a successful design.

There are many types of stone to choose for flooring, but a lot depends on where it will be located and if your style is traditional or modern.  Here are some examples of popular choices: READ MORE....https://www.greatwesternflooring.com/flooring-blog/stone-floors-timeless-beauty/

SOME COMMON MYTHS OF HARD WOOD FLOORING

Some Common Myths of Hard Wood Flooring

The flooring in your home can experience more abuse than a herd of wild horses galloping down an open field!  There are things of all shapes and sizes hitting your floor at any time of day.  Between kids, dogs, cats, and sometimes the occasional mindless neighbor, your floors take the brunt of an otherwise normal day of controlled chaos!  Despite what its name implies, Hard Wood Flooring can have its fair share of difficulty handling everything that is, well, thrown at it!  

There are several myths that most people, when looking to have hard wood flooring installed in their home, are surprised to learn.  Here are a few myths that might surprise you: READ MORE.....

IDEAS FOR MARBLE TILE IN CHICAGO

Marble has been around for thousands of years! Some of the most ancient buildings around the world have marble slab floors. Although not as old, you can find exquisite examples of marble tile in Chicago. Chicago has its fair share of exceptional architecture with beautiful examples of marble statues, stair cases and marble flooring. New construction is no different except that marble slabs have made their way up from the floor into marble countertops, marble bathrooms and you’ll find a lot less marble columns. READ MORE.....

MOHAWK LAMINATE FLOORING INSTALLATION COULDN’T BE EASIER

Most of the time installing tile, carpet or flooring should be left to the professionals, but Mohawk laminate flooring installation is so easy even you can do it.

Tools you’ll need for the installation: READ MORE....

HERE ARE YOUR BASIC OPTIONS FOR SONOMA TILE

When choosing between tile, carpet and flooring it’s important to determine what activity is going to take place on or around the material. For instance, carpet would not be a suitable choice for outside, however tile would be. Even then, not all tiles are acceptable for outside use in places that freeze and thaw. Some tile is not even recommended for use on floor. READ MORE....

HAVE THE GLORY OF THE SISTINE CHAPEL IN YOUR KITCHEN WITH GLASS MOSAIC TILES

Of tile, carpet and flooring choices available, perhaps the most lavishly luxurious types of tiles are glass mosaic tiles. When properly installed it can become the centerpiece of a room no matter if the installation is on the wall or floor. READ MORE.....

HARDWOOD VS TILE | TILE OR HARDWOOD FLOORING SOLUTIONS

With so many wood, tile, carpet and flooring options, it’s hard to choose just one. Fortunately for you, there’s more than one room in your house. Your decision is going to depend on factors such as personal preference, where the flooring is going to be placed, your budget and what design you’re trying to achieve. It’s important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of the floor type you’re considering. For instance compare hardwoods v/s tile. READ MORE....

HARDWOOD FLOORING REFINISHING TIPS

Some hardwood flooring doesn’t necessarily need to be completely refinished. Perhaps your hardwood floors just needs a good cleaning and a polish rather than a true refinishing.

To determine if you should you refinish your hard wood floor consider these things: READ MORE.....

HAND CRAFTED TILES, LIKE HANDMADE SUBWAY TILE, ARE A VERY HOT TREND RIGHT NOW

When you’re faced with choosing tile, carpet and flooring, many people choose ceramic tiles for their needs. One popular trend is handmade subway tile. It’s very beautiful, sleek and provides a very clean appearance. However, not just handmade subway tile is popular,  all handcrafted ceramic tiles have seen a resurgence in popularity. READ MORE.....

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SOLID HARDWOOD FLOORING AND ENGINEERED HARDWOOD FLOORING?

Many people understand that their home is an investment. This is why homeowners take steps to ensure the look and quality of the structure is at its best. Also important value factor is the durability of the materials used in the home.

One such way to increase the value of a home is by installing hardwood flooring: solid or engineered hardwood flooring. What you choose will be based on a number of factors. So what’s the difference between them? READ MORE......

CAMBRIA™ QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS ARE THE BOMB!!

Cambria™ quartz countertops are popping up EVERYWHERE. With the feature this year in Better Homes and Gardens™ in May 2014 and Vern Yip’s whole-hearted endorsement of Cambria™, this is a product you are going to want in your kitchen. READ MORE......

HANDCRAFTED CERAMIC TILE MURALS ADD A GREAT DEAL TO THE DÉCOR OF A ROOM

When you’re deciding on tile, carpet or flooring, by far tile will give you more design options. Mass produced tile is a good flooring choice for creating a beautiful design. While not cost effective to use handmade ceramic tile for an entire floor, but for accents they’re great. However, as a mural handcrafted tiles are very unique and can be made to be a permanent piece of art inside, outside or just about any place. READ MORE......

REMOVING SCUFF MARKS ON VINYL FLOORING

The durability and resilience of the latest vinyl flooring is no longer questioned. In fact, it is the “go to” flooring of choice for any high- traffic space or one that needs to withstand the rigors of continual dampness and still remain affordable. Nevertheless, vinyl flooring can be damaged in a number of ways – the most being the relatively commonplace shoe scuff. Here is how to deal with this unfortunate and all but unavoidable situation: READ MORE......

PROS AND CONS OF VINYL FLOORING

In the last decade, vinyl flooring has seen a tremendous rebirth of interest from both residential and commercial customes due to its newest designs and method of manufacture. Here is a quick rundown on its most important pros and cons: READ MORE.....

HOW DO I REPAIR A SCRATCH ON MY LVT FLOORING

Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) has taken some great strides over the last decade in both terms of its looks and its durability. It is now one of the most resilient of flooring finishes and provides a great alternative to stone or wood especially in damp or water-prone areas like showrooms and break rooms as well as bathrooms. Still, it can be damaged – most especially by cutting or scratching. Here are a few things that a business owner will want to know about repairing vinyl flooring: READ MORE.....

CAN LVT BE INSTALLED OVER OLD VINYL FLOORING?

Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) can stand up to a lot of normal “wear and tear” as well as its fair share of unusual abuse. Still, to do so, it must be installed in the proper manner with the appropriate materials. One of the most relevant questions to this process is “Can LVT be installed over old vinyl flooring?” The answer is not altogether straighforward. Here are some questions you need to ask before making a final decision: READ MORE......

GLASS TILE

Glass tile adds a whole new dimension to your design concept. The luminescence of glass when it captures the lighting in your home is truly magnificent. Unlike stone, which is not typically uniform, glass tile can be extremely uniform and symmetric. When the design is planned and executed well, the results can be bold and beautiful, or subtle and earthy like stone tiles. READ MORE....

CARPET FOR STAIRS

Hardwood flooring is without a doubt beautiful. It’s durable, adds warmth and charm to your home, not to mention helps keep allergy symptoms at bay. However, when it comes to some areas of your home, carpeting for stairs might be a good thing to consider. READ MORE....

GREAT WESTERN FLOORING FOR YOUR CERAMIC KITCHEN TILES IN CHICAGO

Great Western has all your tile and carpet flooring needs. They are professional, knowledgeable flooring experts. Ceramic kitchen tile can be tricky. You may have lots of choices for tile and questions, there will be lots of cuts during the installation, and several processes you will go through to install them. It may be too overwhelming for you to do on your own. Having an expert guide you thru the process, you will find very helpful. READ MORE.....

GREAT CHICAGO BATHROOM TILE DESIGN

Did you know that one of the first things new homeowners in Chicago remodel is the bathroom? Bathrooms typically have fairly permanent décor, particularly when you choose to use bathroom tile. You’ll want to choose a bathroom tile design that you will love for a long time; but the design options are endless. READ MORE.....

FLOORING INSTALLATION IN CHICAGO: THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Flooring in Chicago or anywhere else isn’t rocket science. Floor installation is, however, labor intensive, takes planning and often times requires tools that are either not easily found outside of the industry or are too expensive for the average person to justify buying.

Perhaps none of the previous obstacles are a problem for you, but you just don’t want to take on the task of installing flooring yourself. Either way, there are some things you should know about floor installing. READ MORE......

TILL FLOORING FOR MORE DESIGN OPTIONS

When you’re deciding on tile, carpet or flooring, by far tile flooring will give you more design options. Mass produced tile is a good flooring choice for creating a beautiful design. While not cost effective to use handmade ceramic tile for an entire floor, but for accents they’re great. However, as a mural handcrafted tiles are very unique and can be made to be a permanent piece of art inside, outside or just about any place. READ MORE......

CERAMIC TILES

Ceramic tiles are a great choice for interior design. Even with contractor installation,  ceramic tiles  are an affordable option for bathrooms, showers, kitchens, sink backsplash areas, or even for an outdoor porch (provided you have a frost-proof or freeze/thaw stable glass tile.)  With affordable tiles and a wide range of color choices and glazes, ceramic tiles are a flexible-use flooring product that can be used for walls, such as in a shower, as well as for decorative accents. READ MORE.....

HARDWOOD FLOORING SPECIALTIES

Hardwood flooring in a home is warm and inviting in and of itself. Some of the older historic homes have beautiful wood inlays and wooden medallions throughout the home. This is a trend we are seeing more and more as a hardwood flooring specialty.

Some hardwood, tile and carpet flooring specialist are even mixing the materials to create absolutely beautiful designs. While this is not an inexpensive endeavor, it doesn’t have to blow your whole flooring budget either. READ MORE......

POLYESTER CARPET -COULD THE CLEANING BE EASIER

Of all the fibers you can choose for your home or office, polyester carpet is perhaps the easiest to clean. In fact, this is among the top reasons individuals choose polyester fiber carpet. Two other reasons that people choose polyester carpeting is because it’s inexpensive and fade resistant.

It’s important to remember when you’re cleaning the polyester rug or carpet that heat can cause damage to the fiber. Actually when exposed to extreme heat it will actually melt, and there is no repair for that kind of damage.

Here are a few tips for polyester carpet cleaning: READ MORE......

HARDWOOD FLOORING VS. CARPET INSTALLATION

Many homeowners think that hardwood flooring vs. acarpet installation are the main options, but there are a wide range hardwoods, laminates and even different types of carpeting to choose from, and depending on the room, one type of flooring may be a better option than the other choice for your home. READ MORE......

CARPET TILES MIGHT NOT BE EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT

In Chicago, flooring options are limitless. Carpet flooring is a huge part of the selection. It’s warm and relatively easy to clean, but it’s often not a cheap product. Carpet tiles are an inexpensive option for some flooring needs.

Carpet tiles back in the day were considered to be the height of fashion and practicality. For the DIY crowd peel and stick carpet tiles were the “be all end all” flooring solution. Carpet tiles obviously have their advantage, obviously, because they are still available today. But they also have their disadvantage, that’s why not everybody has residential carpet tile flooring. READ MORE......

CERAMIC OR PORCELAIN: WHICH DO I WANT TO USE

Your tile decisions are largely based on three factors: what your budget is, where you’re installing the material, and lastly what your personal preference is. To get the most for your money, you don’t want to choose ceramic tile that will perform poorly where you plan to use it, when you should be using porcelain tile. Some materials lend themselves to being placed in damper areas than others. It’s also best to consult a professional flooring company and let them help you choose. READ MORE.....

CARPET PRICES IN CHICAGO

As I’m sure you’re aware, if you’ve been shopping for carpet in Chicago, there is a lot to choose from. The variances in prices are tremendous. Because there are so many choices, it’s difficult to truly come up with an accurate average cost of carpet per square foot. But we’ll give it a go. READ MORE......

CARPET IDEAS

When it comes to carpet ideas, it’s kind of hard to think outside the traditional box. Normally when we think of carpeting we think of wall to wall flooring. “Back in the day”, wall to wall  was the stuff to have, it signified prosperity and wealth. This was a huge selling point for homeowners. While carpeting is what most people still have in their homes today, there is far more diversity in the styles, fibers, and the way in which we add to our homes. READ MORE.....

OAK HARDWOOD FLOORING: BEAUTIFY YOUR HOME

Nothing can enhance the beauty and elegance of a home more than hardwood floors. Oak hardwood flooring imparts a classic elegance to your home with a beautiful, natural looking appeal that cannot be duplicated with other types of flooring.

Oak is by far the most popular species of wood used in hardwood floors. This is because it is very hard, and it resists wear. With reasonable care, it will last a lifetime, or longer.  There are some different types and widths of oak that you can use. Oak hardwood flooring  can provide you with a red oak that is coarse-grained, and they also have white oak, that is a bit gray or has a light brown color.  You can buy oak hardwood flooring in engineered wood flooring or just solid hardwood . READ MORE......

COUNTERTOPS – IS OUR GRANITE COUNTERTOP LOVE AFFAIR OVER?

If you are one of the millions of people addicted to the HGTV show “House Hunters” you probably know by now that everyone has their wish lists. It usually includes 3-4 bedrooms, 2-3 bathrooms, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. The countertops are a main sticking point.  If it isn’t granite, they don’t even want to see it.  But is our love affair with granite starting to fade?  Granite is still the number one choice for kitchen countertops because of its durability and ease of use, but it seems the mystique is what’s fading.  Granite is everywhere and if a home on the market doesn’t have it, well, it just doesn’t sell.  It’s no longer elite or special it’s just common and expected. READ MORE......

CARPET PRICES – WHY SHOPPING LOCAL CAN BE THE BEST VALUE

Shopping for carpet has become an overwhelming experience for most homeowners.  There are so many choices of style and color, it’s hard to know where to start.  Even more alarming are the carpet prices.  When you go shopping for flooring you can experience a harsh form of sticker shock to the point that the lovely green shag carpeting throughout your house doesn’t seem too bad anymore.  But the reality is carpet does need to be replaced after years of wear and tear.  And as more homeowners are choosing to renovate their homes, the price of carpet becomes a driving force on their choice. READ MORE.......

A COMPARISON OF CARPETS: NYLON VS POLYESTER CARPET

Synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester carpet make up the majority manufactured in the United States. There isn’t one clear choice as to which is a better carpet or which one is not. Each has specific attributes that may or may not be an advantage for you. So essentially, it’s a comparison between them to see what is available that will fit your budget best while fulfilling your needs. READ MORE.....

CARPET STORE REVIEWS – THE GOOD, THE BAD AND HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE

Every day there seems to be another website or “App” that is designed to make our lives easier and less complicated.  And it’s working!! Businesses, like Carpet Stores, can now use their website to reach a wider customer base than ever before.  More importantly, customers now have a voice that can reach a wider audience too.  The most popular and effective form of advertising used to be simply “word of mouth”.  If you had a good experience with your Carpet Store, you told a couple of friends.  If you had a bad experience, you told more friends! READ MORE.......

GLASS TILE: A WHOLE NEW DIMENSION TO DESIGN

Glass tile adds a whole new dimension to your design concept. The luminescence of glass when it captures the lighting in your home is truly magnificent. Unlike stone, which is not typically uniform, glass tile can be extremely uniform and symmetric. When the design is planned and executed well, the results can be bold and beautiful, or subtle and earthy like stone tiles. READ MORE........

BATHROOM FLOORING – BRINGING YOUR BATHROOM INTO THE 21ST CENTURY

Vintage is gaining a lot of traction these days.  Everything that was once old is new again and its popularity is showing no signs of letting up.  But there are those certain instances in home renovations where the past, frankly, needs to be left in the past.  It’s no wonder interior decorating is such a huge industry today because from the look of some bathrooms in older homes, it was obviously nonexistent.  Bathroom renovations account for nearly half of all renovations performed in homes today.  The spa concept has taken over simply because we are actually spending more time in our bathrooms than ever before.  While the steam showers, jetted tubs and vessel sinks are all the rage, tile or stone bathroom flooring is the foundation for the beauty that makes these bathrooms special. READ MORE.......