Page 6 - Van WIg & Associates Newsletter - Alamitos Heights Real Estate Edge, June 2019

flooring and landscaping
IN THE HOME

by Kathryn Weber

here’s no denying the
warmth and richness
T of wood floors. But
wood floors require more
care and work to keep them
looking beautiful. In high
traffic areas, like kitchens and
bathrooms, wood shows wear
faster and can’t hold up to
the moist environments. Now
there are alternatives to wood
that look terrific, hold up to
traffic and moisture, and can
be mopped with water.

TILE
There are a number of
choices that will give your
home a wood look without
the cost or care of wood.
One popular option is wood A GUIDE TO ALTERNATIVES
grained tile. Just like regular
tile, wood look tile will give
you the appearance of wood TO WOOD FLOORS
but the ease and care of tile.
Wood look tile stands up to
spills and pet nails, and it is wood, but are more durable come in an array of wood underlayment. Because this make sure to read the
easy to care for with regular and have a hardwood veneer. stains and looks, and they product is extremely thin, installation instructions to
wet mopping. At first blush, these floors look are a fraction of the cost installing these floors over understand exactly how
very similar to standard wood of wood. This flooring can another floor won’t make a the floor is installed and
LAMINATE floors. Engineered hardwood go in a variety of locations noticeable difference in depth what floors it will or won’t
Another alternative is comes in planks that click where wood isn’t ideal, such on your baseboards, but they work on. Some floors, like
laminate floors. These look together, but some need to as kitchens and bathrooms. do require very flat and even click lock flooring can be
similar to wood and are a be nailed into the subfloor. Luxury vinyl plank flooring subfloors. installed by homeowners
fraction of the cost, but many Engineered floors can also be is also waterproof, so clean The other type of luxury easily. Others may require
require an underlayment to refinished if the finish needs up is easy with a wet mop, vinyl plank is a glue-down professional installation. It’s
be placed on the floor prior to to be reapplied. and spills won’t damage it. plank. It can be applied also important that flooring
installation. Laminate floors There are two types of over almost any surface with is purchased in advance of
are not waterproof, but they VINYL luxury vinyl flooring. The adhesive. Applying over tile the installation and allowed
are water resistant, so they For years, vinyl floors first is click vinyl. This requires the application of a to acclimate to your home
offer more water protection have been an inexpensive comes in planks that click self-leveling concrete to cover as temperature variations can
than standard wood floors. flooring option that provided or snap together and are grout lines. affect the installation. n
an array of design choices. easy to install with a simple
ENGINEERED Today, one of those options utility knife. Depending on SHOPPING TIPS ©2019 Kathryn Weber
Engineered hardwood is called luxury vinyl plank the product you choose, you When shopping for any Distributed by Tribune Content
floors are very much like flooring. The vinyl planks may or may not need an type of wood alternative, Agency, LLC.

by Kathryn Weber

our yard and garden are
much more than just a
Y strip of grass and plants.
They create the backdrop for your
home. A well-designed landscape
is a delight to see each time you
drive up to your home, and the
curb appeal of a beautiful landscape
can really set your home apart. But
how do you find and work with a
landscape designer?

DESIGN FIRST
When looking for a landscape
designer it always helps to have a
basic idea of what you’d like your
yard to look like. Drive around HOW TO HIRE
your neighborhood and snap photos
of houses that have the type of
landscaping that appeals to you.
Flip through decorating magazines AND WORK WITH A
or websites and create an idea board.
to keep a list of plants you don’t LANDSCAPE DESIGNER
If there are plants you’d like to
have in your design, be sure to make
note of them. It’s equally important

want. By having an idea of the
kind of landscape and plants you landscapers. Some garden centers even give you addresses where you to understand how your designer may help you DIY your design.
prefer—and can show that to your will even help you with a design if can see the landscape for yourself. works. Is it simply design and Landscape designers or landscape
potential designer—your designer you purchase their plants. This is especially helpful, because you install the planting yourself? architects are usually more costly but
will be able to help you create your Ask around your neighborhood. when you see the landscape and Or, maybe the designer creates their skill level means they can create
new landscape look more easily and
help make your vision come alive. If you have a neighbor with a the house together, you’ll be able to a landscape plan, installs it, and an architecturally sound landscape.
beautiful landscape, ask if they see how their designs hold up—if handles all the details. Complex designs that incorporate
LOCATE A DESIGNER used a designer, or check your the plantings suggested are working Make sure you understand how large plantings, hardscaping, such
Landscape designers can range local neighborhood apps for well, or if the designer’s work is you would like your designer to as walls and paths, may require
in skill from a licensed landscape recommendations of designers in simply a rubber stamp, using the work, what you want them to do, a licensed landscape architect or
architect to a landscaper with a your area. same planting designs and plants at and clarify all the financial details. designer. n
flair for design. Start by visiting Once you’ve found a designer every house. Some landscapers will charge an
your local garden center. A well- or two, ask to see their work. A hourly rate or will double the cost ©2019 Kathryn Weber.
stocked garden center often works reputable designer will have photos UNDERSTAND YOUR DESIGNER of the plants to install them. Other Distributed by Tribune Content
with designers, architects and of projects to share, and some may The last step in the process is designers, like garden centers, Agency, LLC.
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