​There are many different kinds of carpet made up of different fibers and materials, and each has varying pros, cons, and qualities. Most people are used to hearing about polyester or nylon when shopping for carpet. Today we’re going to look at a revolutionary fiber you may have never heard of: Mohawk’s Triexta. On March 20, 2009, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) officially announced a new fiber for carpet. They named it Triexta, and it is similar to polyester. Triexta was invented by DuPont, and is produced under the brand name Sorona.
 
While Triexta is similar to polyester, there are some differences. Unlike polyester, Triexta fibers are not made with large amounts of petroleum. Triexta is made with rapidly renewable corn glucose in place of petroleum (up to 37%). This means less gas-offing of VACs from your carpet, making it better for your home. While polyester tends to have more of a sheen, Triexta, like  nylon, has more of a matte finish. Triexta is also highly stain resistant and does not absorb moisture. In fact, it is often used in clothing labeled as “dry fit.” In addition, Triexta resists color fading and exhibits superior softness. Triexta has thus found its way into the flooring marketplace most prominently with Mohawk’s SmartStrand carpet, making it one of the most durable, luxurious, and stain-resistant carpets on the market.
 
You may not be used to hearing the term “Triexta,” but now you know it’s a very renewable high-performance carpet fiber. Triexta is used in one of the best carpets on the market: Mohawk’s SmartStrand. To see all the options SmartStrand has to offer, click here, or stop by our showroom.

​People love natural stone for bathrooms because it’s perfect for flooring, wall Mosaics, vanity tops, and tub surrounds. One natural stone that is particularly popular for bathrooms is travertine. Many home owners choose travertine for its visual features, but it's also popular for its low maintenance and durability. Today we’ll be looking at the design options of DW Tile’s travertine line.
 
When you think of travertine, your first thoughts might be of the typical beige color scheme, but this natural stone comes in more colors and variations than you may realize. DW Tile’s travertine comes in colors like Walnut, a neutral beige and tan colored travertine similar to distressed wood, and a silver, gray-toned travertine perfectly colored for today's modern gray trend in home décor.
 
DW’s Leonardo travertine is one of our favorites. Its slight orange, beige, and even gray variations make quite a visual statement. DW Tile has these and several more travertine styles and options perfect for any décor. All DW’s travertine tile comes in a variety of sizes and finishes for tile used anywhere from showers to vanities. DW Tile also offers beautiful vessel, deep-v, and drop-in sinks, not to mention finishing touches like ledger stone and other beautiful travertine trims.
 
Natural stone continues to be a favorite in homes for its beauty, value, and durability, and DW Tile has a excellent variety of travertine for any project. We also carry many other lines of natural stone and tile to customize your design. Our professional installers can help you build your dream bathroom, including personalized walk-in showers. Call us today to schedule a free measurement and estimate for your renovation. 256.231.0008

Hardwood flooring is one of the most popular floor coverings on the market. The classic wood look has always been a buyer’s favorite, and now there’s more than one way to get that wood look in your home.
Laminate, sheet vinyl, LVT, WPC and even tile are all stepping up their games in wood-look styles and durability. With these new players out there, why does real hardwood remain on top?
 
One reason real wood remains popular is aesthetics. Many floorings come very close to duplicating the textures, stains, and characteristics of real hardwood, but they’re still not the real deal. Home owners know this and often lean toward hardwood for their home because of the beauty and resale value it adds.
 
As far as your options with hardwood, there are solid and engineered planks. Plank sizes can range from 2-1/4 inch to 6-inch planks giving you a variety of looks, including the popular random-width category which mixes plank sizes. Solid hardwood can be stained and refinished many times, while with engineered hardwood, you may only be able to refinish it once. Also depending on your climate, you may need to take into consideration the size of your planks and which hardwood type is less or more susceptible to swelling and shrinking. To learn more about hardwood types, including climate effects, check out this post.
 
These are just a few reasons why hardwood floors remain a very popular and sought-after flooring. So, if your considering hardwood floors or maybe have discovered your home has been hiding them under some other flooring, consider the benefits of wood floors and the beauty and value they bring.

Modern Industrial design encompasses the feel of the city and is often made up of a clean-lined design with brick, metal, and wood textures. Do you have to be in an old brick building in the city to achieve this look? No, let's take a look at how you can use flooring and other fun accessories to turn any space into a city escape.
 
As mentioned, the main components of modern industrial style are brick, metal, and wood textures. All of these textures can be achieved with tile. Specifically, we’re going to look at Daltile's 2”x8” Brickwork Terrace tile and Yorkwood Manor 6”x36” Pecan tile. Brickwork Terrace offers a distressed brick look often seen in traditional metropolitan architecture like factories and lofts. It’s an ideal tile for accent walls and backsplashes. Yorkwood Manor Pecan tile comes in large planks and is most often used on floors for a distressed, reclaimed wood look; however, it can also be applied to walls to really make a statement. Both of these tiles come in various shades and color combinations to suit whatever design you’re going for.