Scroll down for a photo of what this fireplace looked like before LBJ Flooring remodeled it.

Brent Johnson, the “B” in LBJ Flooring, talks about why a flooring company can remodel your fireplace:

“When you’ve been doing flooring for as long as I have, you become familiar with all types of home-remodeling projects. You start to realize that other remodeling projects in the home or office need similar skills to the ones you need to install flooring. Take fireplaces for instance. Many of them use the same matching tile used for the floors in the same exact room. So why use two different companies to do the same job?

We at LBJ Flooring have the skill set necessary to install and fabricate tiles on both the floor and on the fireplace. In addition, we can do moldings, create stains and finishes, as well as install baseboards, legs and mantles.

Are you ready to turn your fireplace from drab to fab? This is what the fireplace looked like before we remodeled it.

We have discovered our skill in fireplace remodels because of our customers. Having met with many of them personally and discussing what they envision for their home, we have realized that we can create a win-win situation for both parties.

This is because we can eliminate using multiple contractors to do both projects: The flooring and the fireplace. By doing both projects, we shorten the time needed to complete the jobs and allows us to utilize the manpower we have to start projects early and finish them quickly. Before, we would have to wait on the fireplace contractors to finish their task before we could even start, setting the project back a few weeks, and even a month in certain cases. But now we are in full control of the timeline, and can offer a better price for the remodel because we can make less trips and the customer is only paying for one contractor.”

Just remember that our mission is to take your dreams and turn them into a reality. If you are looking for a traditional fireplace, a Victorian style, or even a contemporary look, we can create it for you. Let us jump into your remodeling plans together and see what solutions we can find to make your home beautiful within your budget. Call us now for an estimate: (866) 317-2779.

Does your staircase look this good? If not, give us a call.

Our customers are always looking for better and more cost-effective ways to improve the look and appeal of their home. At LBJ Flooring, we are constantly tailoring our services to meet the needs of our customers so that their dreams can be made into reality. That has always been my mission and standard for the company, and whether you have a clear and concise design in mind, or absolutely nothing at all, we will accomplish that vision through a thorough consultation with you personally.

Even though our name says “flooring”, that doesn’t mean that’s all we do. Staircase resurfacing and redesigning has become one of our more popular services over the years. Suited for every budget, we can help turn your rustic old staircase into a dramatic centerpiece for your home, especially for an entryway. In fact, most of these staircase makeovers can be done by simply touching up three to four items on the staircase itself.

Here's what the staircase looked like before the "makeover"...

...and here's the finished product after the "makeover"!

To begin with, we leave the staircase frame alone and move the existing balusters off to the side. From there we have the option of touching up the surface of the stairs, the staircase caps (which are used to mount the balusters into the staircase), or the staircase skirt (which includes the lower half of the stair that descends).

The easiest and most cost-effective way to add flair to your stairs is to install carpet or carpet runners down the length of the stairs. The carpet material is really easy for us to cut and measure while still sticking to your budget and beautifying at the same time. The next option would be to install prefinished tile flooring. Each material differs in terms of labor and cost to install, but overall, is still a very cost-effective option. If you’re looking for a very elegant finish, then you can start getting into solid wood treading and the different stain options that come with it.

After you have selected your surface for the staircase, we can take a look at the caps, balusters and skirts. Choose from wooden balusters, either stained or painted, or you can choose to have beautiful wrought-iron balusters—it all depends on the style of your home and your budget! If you are looking for something more unique, we have worked with other third parties in the past to accommodate for custom set pieces, such as glass and hand-crafted metalwork.

So the next time you go to remodel the floors in your house or office building, be sure to take a look at the staircase to see if it complements your new flooring. We would hate for you to have to spend more money hiring multiple companies to work on your house when all your remodeling could be summed up into one neat little package. Give us a call with the new ideas you have for your entryway and we will do our best to make your dreams a reality! Call us now for an estimate:  (866) 317-2779.

What we don’t want them to do is to throw good money at a bad problem.

There’s a lot of misinformation out there, and we try to help people understand the real issues. We usually spend a good deal of time with people until they feel comfortable with the purchase—we’re not looking for the quick “turn and burn” sale. That’s not the LBJ way at all.

For instance, many people who call us about wood have had others trying to sell them on laminate, saying that hardwood is high maintenance and not a good idea. We find that some people get talked out of something that they want by a persuasive salesperson, but we try to pass along the facts to our customers instead so that they can make an informed decision on what’s best for them.

Sometimes we have to help the client put together a complete job. There have been times where clients have chosen a mixture of flooring types for their home that really isn’t going to work in their environment. We try to keep the continuity of the floor—for design, comfort and aesthetic reasons, it’s not always good to go from tile to laminate to hardwood to carpet. When there does need to be a transition point between two types of flooring, we are happy to advise the client and design a layout solution for them. In fact, many people are not sure where to start or end one flooring and move to the next, and we’re happy to help.

And we don’t help just with layout: We help with color, texture and styles of tile and flooring, and how it all works together. Some people just don’t have a knack for any kind of interior decorating, and we have the experience, especially with flooring, kitchen design and bathroom design, to help our customers come up with attractive choices that fit their budget and needs.

Some of our clients hand us examples of their ideal flooring, kitchen or bathroom that they’ve taken from an interior design magazine, and it’s not a problem. We are experts in determining what it is that the customer truly likes from the example and applying it to the real-life situation.

One of our biggest challenges is explaining the difference between engineered hardwood flooring and solid hardwood flooring—what some people consider “true” hardwood flooring. When we’re working with a concrete slab floor, we need to glue the flooring down; we can’t use nails. If we use glue instead of nails, we can’t use solid hardwood because it won’t adhere properly and eventually will buckle and warp.

But people assume that it needs to be a thick chunk of wood to be “real” hardwood flooring. Although some customers do confuse engineered flooring with laminate flooring, many are just concerned that the wear layer of engineered flooring will not thick enough to last through the years and be eligible for resanding. In truth, it can last longer than solid hardwood, as the layers of engineered flooring create a more durable floorboard.

It’s a fact that 90 percent of hardwood flooring is engineered flooring, and there’s a good reason for that—it’s part of an evolution of hardwood flooring that works best for modern homes, commercial properties and sporting arenas.

We also make sure to offer our customers a maintenance program that suits their floor, especially those with oiled floors. Oiled floors have not been coated with polyurethane and need special care and upkeep every six months to a year to remain beautiful.

For stained floors, we recommend a “screen and recoat”, a clear topcoat finish that allows us to go back and buff out surface scratches every five years—it’s like a facelift for the floor!

Tile floors may need the grout steamed, and natural stone floors often need a sealant applied periodically to keep them looking their best, and we offer maintenance programs to keep every floor in tip-top shape.

Proper daily maintenance is important for every type of floor from tile to hardwood, and we make sure that our customers are trained on how to clean and care for their new floor. As we like to say: “It may be your house, but it’s our floor”, and that means we want it to always look spectacular!

If you are tired of pushy salesmen and looking through hundreds of samples that you don’t know are right for your home, call LBJ Flooring. We will give you real information, not a sales pitch, and walk you through the right options for your needs and your budget. Our flooring is superb, but our customer service sets us apart from the rest. Call us on (866) 317-2779 today.

An example of porcelain tiles by Arizona Tile Company.

As with many floor covering options, there can be a dizzying array of choices when it comes to picking out the perfect tile. And LBJ Flooring is here to help! If you are struggling with deciding between porcelain and ceramic tile, here’s the second part in our blog post covering installation, cleaning and suitability:

1. There are significant differences in installation and costs between the two tiles. Ceramic tile is smaller, easier to install and the most cost-effective solution out of all the tiles. That is because the tile is cut at a minimum of ¼-inch thickness with the sides measuring 4-6 inches, and is the most forgiving in corrective situations as well as consistent in appearance between any two tiles. The consistency of porcelain tile is dependent on the type and style that you use. The labor and installation is more expensive because the tiles are larger and heavier than ceramic, measuring at a 3/8-inch thickness and a minimum of 12-inch sides. The density of the material also requires the use of expensive and professional tools to counteract its natural abrasion resistant properties. But, if the tile is installed properly by a professional, it should not matter to the end user as to the difficulty of installation.

2. When it comes to health and maintenance, both are easy to clean (if the ceramic tile has a non-porous coating) and do not absorb fumes, smoke, odors, antigens or allergens. Porcelain also has the added benefit of looking brand new with the occasional re-polishing. For both ceramic and porcelain tile, there are some simple steps to take to keep your flooring looking its best:

• Use a broom first to remove dirt, and only use vacuums that do not have a beater bar so you avoid dulling and scratching the tile
• Check with the tile manufacturer for their recommended grout and tile cleaners
• Try to avoid using bleach or ammonia-based cleaners as they can damage your grout
• Put felt pads on the legs of furniture to prevent scratches
• Don’t use steel wool, scouring powders or other abrasives that will scratch the tile finish

3. What type of tile is best for my project?

Most tiles come with a PEI rating or a class number. PEI stands for Porcelain Enamel Institute, and their ratings are more applicable for floor tiles and measure the abrasive resistance of the tile’s glaze on a scale of 0-5. Please note that this test is only for glazed tiles and does not apply to unglazed porcelain tile or other unglazed types of tile.
Class 1 (PEI 1) Recommended for wall use
May be used both on interior walls or bath floors without direct access to outdoor elements and is generally suitable for residential bathrooms with light barefoot foot traffic.  Some wall tiles may be used on the floor.
Class 2 (PEI 2) Light Residential Use
May be used where abrasive foot traffic is minimal – such as bathrooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms, and sunrooms. Tiles can be used in residential areas, but not recommended for areas with high foot traffic such as kitchens or hallways.
Class 3 (PEI 3) All Residential Floors
For residential floors subject to normal foot traffic and usage, including kitchens, outdoor entryways and hallways.
Class 4 (PEI 4) All Residential Floors and Light to Medium Traffic Commercial Floors
Suitable for light to medium commercial applications. Will withstand light to moderate foot traffic in many commercial areas, including commercial kitchens, hotel rooms and small offices.
Class 5 (PEI 5) All Residential and Busy Commercial
Ideally suited for all residential and heavy-traffic commercial areas under normal foot traffic conditions such as shopping centers, hotel lobbies, hospitals, and industrial applications. For very high traffic areas, consider an unglazed, through-body color porcelain.

Still not sure which tile is appropriate for your home or business? Overwhelmed by all of the choices, style and colors? Don’t worry! Please call LBJ Flooring right away—we’re happy to answer any and all questions you have about flooring. Our experts are at the ready. Call us today: 866-317-2779 or you can use the form on our website and send us an email.

Ceramic tile is incredibly versatile, and can be used on more than just floors.

When it comes to decorating your home or business, tile flooring has many unique characteristics that can improve the visual appeal of any room. Using features such as color, patterns, and textures, ceramic and porcelain tile can be installed to make a room appear more spacious, glamorous, or even easier to clean. However, there are some key differences between ceramic and porcelain tile that can help you decide which type to use, and where. Here is some vital information you should take into account when considering installing ceramic or porcelain tile.

1. Traffic: First off, you should consider your desired location in the building and how much traffic that area is likely to get. Porcelain tile is much denser and heavier than ceramic tile, and can endure more punishment without showing as much wear. However, if the traffic will be lighter or have a medium flow, then ceramic tile can do the job all the same.  In fact, some glazes offered for ceramic tile are slip- and abrasion-resistant, and have a special composition that reduces wear. The slip-resistant glaze is especially useful when you need to take children, the elderly or the disabled into consideration when remodeling your home.
2. Heat and Cold: Next, if you are planning to install tile either outdoors or in wet areas, you need to know which tiles are frost-proof and which are waterproof. For ceramic tile, there are specialty glazes that seal the tile body from frost or water. However, ceramic tile is porous and will absorb water through the grouting if a spill is not cleaned up right away, or if the grout was not sealed properly. Should the ceramic tile reach a moisture level of 3%, it has a high probability of freezing and causing frost damage if outside. Luckily, if you do plan on installing tile outdoors, porcelain tile is both frost and waterproof. Its absorption rating is less than 0.5% and proves to be the safest bet for backyards, bathrooms and outdoor patios. In the opposite direction, if you are looking for fireproof tile to use in barbecues or fireplaces, ceramic tile is your best bet, because it has already been fired once in the kiln when created and will not catch fire again.
3. Color: Once you have decided on location and purpose for the tile, you can start looking at color, patterns and composition. Ceramic tile gets its color and patterns from the glazes that are used and thus, have infinite possibilities to choose from. Porcelain tile, on the other hand, gets its color from the entirety of its clay-pressed body and is much more limiting in the styles and colors available. Also, since the ceramic tile’s glaze is fired into its body, the color cannot fade, but if the tile gets chipped it will show the white or red clay underneath. Since porcelain’s color is the same throughout, chips will not be as noticeable. Ceramic tile is offered in glazed and unglazed styles, while porcelain can be crafted as matte, glazed, or high polished.

We will continue our explanation of the differences between these two fantastic flooring options next week, when we will discuss cost and installation. If you have any questions about ceramic, porcelain or any other type of tile, please call us right away—we’re happy to answer any and all questions you have about flooring. Our experts are at the ready. Call us today: 866-317-2779 or you can use the form on our website and send us an email.

Installing hardwood flooring is not an easy task and requires the expertise of a professional!

With the availability of the Internet and supposed wholesale retailers, it can be tempting to try to tackle the world of hardwood flooring on your own in the name of saving money.  But, if you are not fluent in flooring, you may want to consider working with a company to provide you with the materials and services.

Often, inexperienced home owners will try to go through the process of buying and installing hardwood flooring on their own, only to encounter many obstacles and setbacks, both in regards to time and finances, along the way. These problems could have been easily avoided if they had worked with a professional.

Here are the top four reasons why you should work with a company for your hardwood flooring needs:

1. Accountability: Working with a flooring company ensures that if something were to ever go wrong, you would only have to deal with that company and not with the hassles of trying to communicate with third-party vendors.  If you have problems with your material warranties or installations, the professional company you hired will guide you as necessary and help you along the process.
2. Licensed: A truly professional hardwood installation company will be licensed, bonded and insured. What if you get your brother-in-law to help you, and he accidentally breaks an antique or the front window? Is he insured? Probably not. There’s a reason there’s laws about contractors being licensed and insured—it’s because accidents can happen, even with the professionals, and those licenses and insurances are there to protect you, the homeowner.
3. Guidance: The world of flooring can be vast and intimidating, but a professional can help you navigate the waters and select quality products backed by manufacturers that will suit your taste and needs.  At LBJ Flooring, we have very high standards and don’t distribute products that don’t meet our criteria, guaranteeing the best to our clients.
4. Value: You can’t put a price on the guidance a professional will provide you, but also the time the money that you’ll save with that guidance. A professional company will help you with your project from beginning to end, from product selection and installation, all the way to maintenance.

If you’re thinking about venturing into the hardwood flooring buying, selecting or installing process alone, let us help! LBJ Flooring has been serving homeowners, business owners, interior designers and architects in Orange County for over seven years. We aim to provide expert, hands-on service to each of our customers, ensuring their complete satisfaction and happiness with their flooring experience.  Call us today at (866) 317-2779 for contact us via our online form or a free estimate today!

1. Avoid Waxes and Water on Prefinished Polyurethane Floors: Back then, prefinished floors were coated with a waxy protective layer used to protect the surface.  However, the wax finish is very prone to unsightly damage from scuffing or residual water spots.  Maintaining prefinished wax floors required a routine buffing and re-waxing—what a pain! Nowadays, prefinished floors are finished with a polyurethane coating, making the floors more durable and scratch resistant. Don’t use waxes or water to clean your prefinished floors; Use only recommended hardwood floor cleaning products. For product recommendations, contact us!
2. Always Use Pads on Furniture Footing: Heavy furniture can shift and scuff your floors, damaging the top surface layer.  You can purchase pads to stick on your furniture’s feet for a non-abrasive solution to preventing marks and scuffs on your hardwood flooring.  Or, you can also place your furniture on a decorative rug.
3. Re-oil Floors with Tung Oil Finishes:  Tung oil is a hardwood flooring protectant that preserves wood while also enhancing its color and creating an unparallel beautiful shine.  Initial application of tung oil is usually two coats, each done two weeks apart.  After that, remember to re-oil your floors with tung oil once every year to maintain its luster.
4. Screen and Recoat Your Polyurethane Floors: Over time, the plastic in the polyurethane finishing erodes due to day-to-day wear and tear.  The polyurethane coat protects the wood below from damage.  Since it wears down over time, it needs to be recoated in order to continue protecting the wood. Before recoating, the polyurethane floors need to be lightly sanded (“screened”) in order to reveal a new surface that will maximize its adherence to the new coat of polyurethane.

For more hardwood flooring care advice, you can contact LBJ Flooring by calling us at 966-317-2779 or sending us a message via our online contact form here. We’d love to share with your our favorite tips and products to keep your floors looking their best!

A beautiful example of an Armstrong laminate floor.

Many people insist that solid or engineered hardwood flooring is the only type to install, but we disagree. If you want the look of hardwood without the budgetary requirements, then there’s a lot of great laminate choices out there. It’s come a long way from the laminate that first arrived on the market, and many customers are surprised at the variety and quality that are available on the market. Here’s our top tips as to why laminate flooring could be the choice for you:

1. It’s affordable: Laminate is usually dollars cheaper on the square foot than hardwood flooring, and that’s usually the best reason to choose it. If you want the look of natural wood (or stone!) at an affordable cost, you can have it with laminate. Laminate is actually a photograph of wood sandwiched between fiberboard and a clear plastic covering.
2. It’s durable: When they first came on the market, laminates were very susceptible to scratches and moisture damage, but they’ve improved dramatically over the last 18 years. Now they are incredibly durable and water resistant, which makes them great for high traffic areas (especially those with pets and children!) and rooms that deal with a lot of water, like kitchens, bathrooms and utility/laundry rooms.
3. Selection: Many companies, including Armstrong, provide a wide range of looks to choose from, and they look just like the real thing—in fact, most people won’t even know your floor is laminate! There are laminates that are “embossed in register”, which means they have tiny lines imprinted on the surface to mimic real wood products’ grain. Ask us for your favorite stain and species in hardwood, and we probably have it in laminate too!
4. Installation: With laminate, installation is incredibly easy and it can be installed right on top of concrete without preparation. That said, we do recommend choosing a product with a sound-dampening underlayment to alleviate the “hollow” sound that some laminate can produce. Some people try to install laminate by themselves, but we still advise using a professional to ensure the best result the first time around.

Do remember that with laminate, you’re choosing an affordable price over longevity—laminate floors cannot be refinished like hardwood flooring and only have a life of about 20 years, if you take excellent care of it. But if you want the look of hardwood for a shorter amount of time, for instance until your kids grow up and move out, then laminate is a great choice.

Do you have any more questions about laminate flooring, and if they could be right for you? Call LBJ Flooring and we’ll be happy to help you. (866) 317-2779

Why choose engineered hardwood flooring? Read to find out.

Many people feel that the only “true” hardwood floor uses solid hardwood only. Solid hardwood floors can be refinished much easier than engineered hardwood flooring, and that’s the most consistent reason that people use to make that claim, unless they’re just being traditionalists.

But solid hardwood flooring is not perfect, and is certainly not the be-all and end-all of flooring options. Solid hardwood is much more susceptible to pests, and is not as resistant to moisture as engineered hardwood flooring. Also, some of the most beautiful wood for hardwood flooring comes from trees that take a very long time to mature, which not only makes it more expensive, it also reduces its eco-friendly status.

So, how do you decide which floor to get? You’re more than welcome to call us for a detailed conversation or for a free in-home consultation, but we have explained the pros and cons down below for your convenience.

Pros for Engineered Hardwood Flooring:

• Engineered hardwood flooring has more structural integrity than solid, and moves less. This means you don’t get cupping, warping or bowing because it is precision-milled.
• If you’re considering under-floor heating, engineered is the way to go because of that structural integrity and stability
• It takes less time to get acclimatized to the temperature before installation.
• It can be glued down directly on top of concrete, unlike solid hardwood which needs a plywood subfloor installed for correct installation.
• Contrary to popular belief, it can be sanded and refinished.
• It is more resistant to moisture than solid hardwood, and can be installed in basements, wet rooms, laundry rooms or kitchens.
• It’s easy to install and takes less labor than solid hardwood.
• They come in a wide range of species and finishes.
• Engineered hardwood is usually more budget-friendly than comparable solid hardwood floors.

Pros for Solid Hardwood Flooring:

• Because it is one solid piece of wood, it can be sanded and refinished four to five times, as engineered can only have this done two to three times (and only if it’s the thickest type), because the top layer is all you have to work with. Therefore, if taken care of properly, a solid hardwood floor will last longer.
• A solid hardwood floor will resist the damage caused by pets and children better than engineered.

Buyer beware! Engineered hardwood flooring is becoming extremely popular, so make sure you look at the reputation of who is selling the floor as much as you compare prices. We recommend that you find a place to see and feel the exact flooring brand and type you plan to choose before ordering, especially if you are thinking of ordering online.

With LBJ Flooring, you get the best advice, the best floor, the best installation and the best price. We have solid and engineered flooring for you to choose from—call us to have a personal consultation at your home or office, or visit our showroom in Corona, California.

Please call us if you have any questions, or use our online form: (866) 317-2779.

How can you keep your hardwood floor looking pristine during these busy times? It’s not like we’ve all got the time to be Martha Stewart. That’s why LBJ Flooring has compiled a few tips to get you through the season with your beautiful floor as unscathed as possible:

1. Christmas Tree: You’ve probably had your decorations up for a while, and some of you may have a live Christmas tree in your living or family room. The fire departments all recommend highly that you keep these well watered, but you may not be following those instructions because you’re worried about damaging your hardwood floor!

If you haven’t already, you may want to get a plastic sheet or mat under the tree and carefully hide it under the tree skirt. Once those presents start getting pulled from under the tree in a few days, that tree is going to get some serious knocks! The plastic will stop the moisture from getting to your floor, as water is one of the worst enemies of true hardwood.

And if you have laminate or engineered flooring, you’re not safe either! Water can easily get down between the cracks and start creating mold in as little as 24 hours. And you won’t be taking that tree down until after New Year’s, right? How much mold do you think will have grown by then? Take the time and effort and get that plastic down!

2. Parties, Friends and Children: If you’re hosting a party in the room where your hardwood flooring is, you might want to pick up a large area rug, or a few smaller ones, to cover up as much of it as possible. Yes, you love to show that stunning floor off, but you also want it to last. Keep the show-and-tell for intimate dinner parties, and protect your wood floor from shoes, especially stilettos, at your holiday party. You don’t want to be crass and ask your guests to take their shoes off, as much as I’m sure you want to.

And someone is bound to spill something—it may even be you! Between the fabric on your sofa and the hardwood floor, there’s no good choice for where food or drink may be spilled, although you can pray it will just be sparkling wine or club soda. (If you’re lucky!) Have some dry or slightly damp cloths on hand to wipe up any mess; it’s best not to use overly wet cloths. Try not to get hysterical when you see a mess, but do insist that you clean it up yourself so you can mitigate any potential future damage (like someone using bleach they found under the sink!) and clean it properly.

Presents are exciting for children; you probably won’t have to worry about your 45-year-old brother riding a new bike around the living room, or rollerblading down your hardwood staircase. But those little kiddos can rarely contain themselves when presents are opened—be it Chanukah, Kwanzaa or Christmas. We recommend putting a fleece blanket or flat sheet down in front of the tree or gift-giving area so that you can watch the kids open their presents with abandon and not worry about scratches being made.

If you are left with a few scratches or dents when all the smoke has cleared in January, don’t despair. Just call us at LBJ Flooring and have one of our experts come out to do their magic. We’re always happy to help you keep your floors beautiful! As you know, we want them to look extraordinary at all times.

And Happy Holidays from all of us at LBJ Flooring!