Halloween has changed a lot since I was a kid.  Getting anything other than chocolate bars was a huge disappointment back then.  My aunt used to give out apples and snack size raisin boxes.  B O R I N G.  Nowadays getting certain kinds of candy bars for some children can be a matter of life or death with all the food allergies that have become so prevalent.  I was so interested in the Teal Pumpkin Project when I heard about it from one of my colleagues.  What a terrific idea and, I'm sure, a relief to those parents of children with food allergies.  We will be giving out both candy and non-candy treats this year in consideration of all trick-or-treaters.

Bring your child to Action Carpet of Windsor, CT in the Target plaza and Action Carpet of Simsbury, CT in Holloways Plaza for trick-or-treating between the hours of 10:00 AM and 5:30 PM.  While you're here, shop our store for floor covering ideas for your home and/or schedule a FREE estimate!  Mention our participation in the Teal Pumpkin Project and receive a 10% OFF coupon to use toward a future floor covering purchase or professional cleaning service!

Action Carpet & Floor Covering wishes you and your little goblins a Happy & Safe Halloween this year!

Honestly, there are pros and cons to just about every type of floor covering that's generally used in residential kitchens. Porcelain tile is hard, durable and easy to maintain but, cold to the touch and can be brutal to stand on for long periods of time. Cork is a renewable resource and warm and comfy under foot but, it may not withstand the weight of heavy furniture and appliances, and is not impervious to the damage that dogs and cats can cause. Carpet is soft but for obvious reasons may not be the best choice for a kitchen. Hardwood has its own set of pros and cons but, in my opinion, its beauty, feel and look far outweigh the negative aspects.

When choosing hardwood flooring for your kitchen, its important to pay attention to the species of wood.  Woods like pine and cedar are probably not the best choices for kitchens as they are softer and less dense.  Hardwoods like hickory, oak, maple and bamboo rank much higher on the Janka scale, which measures the resistance of a sample of wood to denting and wear.

Prefinished hardwood flooring has a much more durable finish than the finishes applied on-site.  You can find factory-applied finishes with finish warranties of 25 years or more.  That's NOT to say that on-site finishing isn't a good option.  In both cases -- prefinished hardwood and hardwood finished on-site -- they can be refinished when wear shows.

Regardless of the type of hardwood floor finish, no finish will hold up to tracked in dirt and grit.  Taking shoes off at the door will most definitely help preserve the life of your wood floors.  If grit from the outdoors is left on the floor, it will act as sandpaper and scratch and wear down the finish.  It is strongly recommended that you use walk-off mats at exterior entrances and non-skid throw rugs at high-wear areas inside the home, like the access doors and in front of the stove and sink.

Not many types of floor covering will hold up well to standing water and hardwood is no exception.  If you have a liquid spill, clean it up immediately.  Unless it's minor, expect that flooding as the result of a faulty appliance or ground water will most likely permanently damage your wood floor.

Hardwood has been used in kitchen applications for years and years.  With proper care they are a practical and beautiful choice for kitchens that will last for years to come.