Not All Granite is Created Equal

In today’s market, when granite companies are a dime a dozen and prices are all over the spectrum, you may wonder if there is really a difference.  Is granite granite, and if you’ve been to one granite company, have you been to them all?  Trust us when we say– you get what you pay for.  A poor granite job can result in a whole host of problems; including unsightly seams, uneven edges, unstable sinks that could potentially fall out, and lesser quality, un-reinforced stone that could fracture around seams or sinks.

At Pizazz Floors & Interior Design, we work with the leading granite fabricators in Metro Atlanta and the industry, and offer the most up-to-date equipment and technology to ensure the highest quality job.  Here are some of the technologies you can find assurance in when you partner with Pizazz:

SlabSmith- this software takes high resolution pictures of your selected slab and shows what it will look like on your countertop layout.  This allows for patterns in your granite to be matched for smooth seams and the most visually pleasing layout.  View a brief SlabSmith video for more information.

Digital Templating & Cutting of the Stone- a template of your countertops is programmed into a CNC (computer numerical controlled) machine, and the stone is then cut using a water saw controlled by the computer.  This ensures a precise cut, as opposed to cutting by hand with a grinder (a common practice among granite companies), which can lead to imperfections and uneven edges.

Superior Seam System- To minimize the size of your seam, a technology known as Gorilla Grip is employed, which uses air pressure to pull the seam together.  Once the seam is as small as possible, we use a special under mount stitching method with high-quality glue and Corian blocks to ensure the seam will stay in place.  An industry-approved specialized paint mixture is then applied to match the color of the seam as closely as possible to your countertops.

In addition to these technologies, when you select Pizazz for your new granite countertops, you can also expect:

- Premium, 3cm stone (no seconds, 2cm stone, or remnants pieced together from different lots)

- Steel-rod reinforced cutouts

- PermaShield stain protectant and sealant

- Certified, licensed, English-speaking installers that have been background checked and drug tested

You may also have been hearing a lot lately about granite resurfacing.  This procedure places a manufactured overlay on top of your existing countertops.  As this is an engineered product, you do not have the character or movement of natural granite, it is less durable, and it does not add the same value to your home as solid granite.

With countless colors and styles of stone available, there is sure to be a granite countertop for you and your budget.  And with Pizazz, you only pay for the square footage of your job, not the whole slab.  Your Pizazz “Granite Concierge” (as we like to call it), can help you select the perfect granite for your kitchen renovation, educate you on the entire process, and answer any questions you may have along the way.  For more information on granite countertops, please call us at 678-687-6893.

What’s the Difference between Laminate and Engineered Wood?

Laminate, engineered, unfinished, prefinished…oh my!  With all of the options in hardwood available today, selecting the right wood for your home can be a little overwhelming.  The classics, unfinished and prefinished solid wood, are no longer the only type of flooring that falls under the hardwood umbrella.  Two new players, engineered and laminate floors, have entered the hardwood arena in recent years, giving more homeowners the ability to afford and enjoy the style and sophistication of hardwood floors.  If you’re considering one of these flooring options, but aren’t quite clear on the difference, here’s some information that might help.

Let’s start by giving a brief overview of traditional solid hardwood.  With this flooring, each plank is made from a single piece of wood and is generally ¾” thick.  Solid hardwood floors tend to expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity.  In summer, increased humidity causes the planks to expand and buckle.  While in the winter, when humidity decreases, the planks contract, leavings gaps.  For this reason, solid hardwood is not recommended in basements or on top of concrete floors.  While solid hardwood is the most expensive option, it also adds the most value to your home.  Homes with hardwood sell faster and at higher price points.  Not to mention, it looks beautiful in any room and can be refinished to change the look. Solid hardwood also offers the widest selection, with many different wood species available (ex. bamboo, Brazilian cherry, maple, etc.) and endless color options.

Laminate flooring is produced by attaching a photograph to a high density fiberboard through the use of heat and pressure.  The photograph is covered with a layer of polyurethane to protect the floor from scratches, fading, and wear.  Higher quality laminates use a form of urethane infused with aluminum oxide, which further increases its resistance to scratches.  Laminates are often textured through an embossing process for a more realistic look and feel.  Higher end laminates can also use high definition imaging for more authenticity.  Laminate floors offer several advantages to homeowners.  First, they are extremely versatile and can be installed on virtually any solid surface.  Because of laminate’s construction, the concern of buckling and gapping is nonexistent.  They are also significantly less expensive than solid hardwood.  Laminate floors never have to be refinished (and in fact cannot be refinished).   They are incredibly durable and have a greater scratch resistance than most hardwood and engineered floors.

Engineered flooring refers to multi-layer, cross grain constructed hardwood.  Despite its somewhat misleading name, engineered hardwood is 100% real wood.  It is made by taking multiple layers of hardwood (between 3 and 5 layers, depending on quality) and fusing them together at 90˚ angles to create a strong, durable hardwood.  The top layer of engineered floors is made from the species of wood that defines its look (ex. oak or cherry).  The inside layers are made from hard, but less expensive, species of hardwood.  The advantages of engineered wood are that it is often less expensive and more stable than traditional hardwood.  Because of the multiple layers, it is also less likely to expand and contract with changes in temperature, decreasing the likelihood of it warping or buckling.  This also allows it to be installed on concrete and below grade subfloors.  Engineered wood can be refinished up to 3 times, depending on the quality.

No matter what your flooring needs, a Pizazz design consultant can help you choose the type of hardwood that is perfect for you and your lifestyle.  For more information on laminate, engineered wood, or any other hardwood inquiry, call Pizazz Floors at 678-687-8693.

How to Keep Your Carpet Looking Its Best

There is nothing like the softness and comfort of carpet.  But there is also nothing as frustrating as trying to keep it free from dirt and stains.  Between the kids, pets, and husbands (just kidding guys!), it can be a tough job keeping your carpets clean.  We’d like to offer a few tips that may ease your carpet cleaning troubles:

1. Choose a Stain-Resistant Carpet. If you are still in the carpet selection process, consider a stain-resistant carpet.  Most carpet manufacturers produce quality, stain-resistant carpets that do a good job of keeping soil at the surface.  When choosing your carpet fiber, Polyester is naturally very resistant to stains and fading, and nylon, while not inherently stain-resistant, can be solution-dyed to make it resilient to stain.  Stainmaster is a premium stain-resistant applicant that does not wear off, like some comparable stain applicants.
2. Avoid Light Color Carpets. It only stands to reason that the lighter the carpet, the more soil you will see.  If you are selecting new carpet for a high-traffic area, you may want to stay away from white, beige, or other light colors.  Carpet comes in a wide variety of hues, so even going just a couple shades darker can make a big difference in the amount of dirt you’ll be able to see.
3. Use a Quality Pad. A good carpet pad not only adds comfort, but can also extend the life of your carpet.  This especially holds true on staircases.
4. Take Off Your Shoes. You would be amazed how much this simple step can affect the life of your carpet.  Just by keeping your kicks at the door, you can save your carpet a tremendous amount of dirt and wear.  If you don’t feel comfortable asking visitors to remove their shoes, keeping your shoes off is a good place to start.  If you really aren’t a fan of the practice of shoe removal, at least be sure to put a mat at each entrance and wipe your feet well before entering….but trust us, this one really does help!
5. Vacuum Regularly. While it’s probably not your favorite weekend activity, vacuuming is something you just have to suck up and do (literally).  Vacuum cleaning is considered the most important step in caring for your carpet, and it can actually extend the life of your carpet, We recommend vacuuming at least weekly to remove the everyday soil and prevent it from compacting and sinking deeper into your carpet.  Change direction when you vacuum to reduce matting.
6. Get Your Carpets Professionally Cleaned. While vacuuming is good for removing the dirt from day-to-day living, you’ll want to really give your carpets a good cleaning every12-18 months.  There are plenty of carpet cleaning professionals that can help, or you can even rent a carpet cleaning machine (Home Depot, about $25/day) and do it yourself.  However, keep in mind that professionals know exactly the best technique for cleaning your carpet and have cleaning equipment with more extraction power than rental equipment.
7. Avoid Prolonged Sun Exposure. Try to reduce periods of direct sun exposure with curtains and blinds.  While most carpets have a good fade-resistance, you still want to avoid direct sunlight if possible.
8. Use Area Rugs. Area rugs are great for keeping your carpet clean in high-traffic areas, like foyers and walkways.  While it once wasn’t popular to place area rugs on carpet, it’s now considered a perfectly acceptable design technique.  Just don’t forget to still clean the carpet under the rug as well.
9. Follow the Warranty Guidelines. If your carpet has a warranty, there are likely guidelines that you must follow in order to stay under warranty.  Many warranties require that you show proof of regular professional carpet cleaning and use only approved cleaning products, or your warranty could be considered void.
10. Remove Stains with Care. There are a plethora of ideas out there about the best way to clean a carpet stain, but here is the method we, at Pizazz, have found works best. First, absorb wet spills quickly by blotting with white paper towels or a wash cloth. Always blot; never rub or scrub abrasively, which can create a fuzzy area in the carpet. When blotting, work from the outer edge in toward the center of the spot to avoid spreading the spill. To remove the stain use one of the cleaning items below.  After cleaning, rinse the area with water to remove detergent residue that may become sticky and cause re-soiling. Absorb any remaining moisture.

• Detergent solution: Mix mild liquid detergent with water (no more than 1/4 teaspoon of detergent to 32 ounces of water). A clear, non-bleach liquid dishwashing detergent such as Dawn, Joy, or clear Ivory is recommended.  Cloudy or creamy detergents are not recommended because they may leave a sticky residue.
• Vinegar solution: Mix 1 part white vinegar to 1 part water.
• Non-oily nail polish remover
• Ammonia solution: Mix one tablespoon of ammonia to one cup of water. (Do not use on wool or wool-blend carpets.)
• Spot Remover: Use spot removers designed specifically for grease, oil, or tar, such as Carbona or Energine.
• Specialty Spot Removers: Several specialty spotting products are available from cleaning industry suppliers to remove difficult stains such as Betadine, food dyes, mustard, etc.

With these steps, you’ll be able to enjoy your carpet for years.  When you are ready to replace your carpet… you know who to call!

Spotting the PizazzFloors.com Truck Could Be Worth up to $250!

Where’s Waldo?  Who cares?!  But spotting the PizazzFloors.com truck could save you up to $250!   After just getting our new work truck wrapped in vinyl lettering from In-Depth Wraps, we are ready to show it off!   To get our customers involved, we’re going to make it worth your while to find this new cherry red F-150.   If you spot the PizazzFloors.com truck anywhere around town, just post exactly when and where you saw it on our Facebook wall, and we’ll give you $150 off your next design project with us.  To sweeten the deal, if you snap a picture of the truck and post it, we’ll make it $250 off!   Use your discount towards hardwood, carpet, tile, granite, kitchen & bath remodeling, or whatever your home design need might be.  We realize you may not be ready to do a home renovation right now, so your discount will be good for up to six months from the time you spotted the Pizazz truck.

Plus, check our Facebook page often for updates, because we are also going to be giving away gift cards to local restaurants just for finding the Pizazz truck with no purchase necessary.

With all the driving we do around Metro Atlanta, it won’t be hard to find us.   Just keep an eye out, and you could save some cash!

Rules:  Does not apply if Pizazz truck is in your driveway for consultation.  Pizazz must verify that the time and place the truck was spotted is accurate.  Limit one discount per household.  Not valid with any other offers or for previously contracted jobs.  Project must total $2500 or more.

Pizazz Does Usher’s Hardwood Floors

Who doesn’t love Usher? With seven Grammy Awards and nine number-one hits, Usher is nothing short of amazing. So needless to say we were like “OMG” when asked to do his floors. Pizazz was hired to refinish the hardwood floors in his Atlanta home. We refinished his keeping room, which was about 30’x30’ (not your average size keeping room) with an ebony stain and high gloss finish. We also did a custom hardwood design in his master bedroom. The design was a 4”x4’ hand-scrapped, herringbone pattern. Both rooms turned out phenomenal, and that will be one job we will never forget!

By the way, Usher was just as great in person as he is on TV!

Eric Standing on Hardwood Floors that Pizazz Refinished in Usher's Atlanta Home

Top 6 Home Improvements that Pay Off

Are you ready to upgrade your home but are worried about sinking money into investments that may never see a return?  Well here are a few home improvements that experts say will pay off now and in the future:

                

1.  Kitchen & Bath Remodeling

Kitchen and bathroom remodeling is a sure-fire investment that often returns more than 100 percent of the cost.  People spend a significant amount of time in kitchens and baths, so you want to make them inviting and tranquil for yourself and future buyers.  Buyers are beginning to expect upgraded kitchens and baths now more than ever before.  Upgrades to consider include: tile or hardwood flooring, granite countertops, new or resurfaced cabinets, and stainless steel appliances.  For the master bath, floor-to-ceiling, walk-in showers are a hot commodity (literally).  Sleek, walk-in showers have actually replaced whirlpool tubs on buyers’ wish lists, so if you have to pick one or the other, go with the shower.  Keep in mind, if your home only has one bath, the upgrade you’ll want to make is adding an extra bathroom.  While buyers are still charmed by older homes that may only have one bath, functionality and practically may be a concern.  If you have a three or four bedroom home with one bath, it will certainly pay to add a second bathroom.  For more budget-friendly upgrades, try adding a tile backsplash, updating light fixtures, or replacing cabinet hardware and faucets.

2. Home Maintenance

While not the most glamorous of home improvements, this is one of the most important.  Buyers won’t be enamored by your beautiful new kitchen if there is a musty smell coming from the basement or the siding is rotting.  A top priority should be making sure your home is structurally sound on the inside and out.  Essential home maintenance projects include repairing the roof, replacing the siding, and correcting water leaking from the foundation, just to name a few. 

3. Curb Appeal

Before you can get buyers inside to see your interior improvements, your home has to be appealing on the outside.  Upgrades can range from simple, such as pulling weeds, to more complex, like building a front porch to add interest and charm.  You may also consider planting shrubs and flowers, pressure washing your driveway, painting the exterior, or adding walkways and extra parking space.  If you have outdoor living space (deck, patio, or porch), stage the area with comfortable seating and dining furniture.  In a nutshell, your exterior should convey a sense of welcome.

4. Paint

Painting is an affordable home improvement that can give any home a facelift.  Paint makes a home look and feel younger and better taken care of.  When selecting paint colors, go towards the warmer, more neutral tones in order to appeal to a wider range of buyers.   Try textured or faux paint in a focal space like the dining room for a distinctive, unique touch.

5.  Adding Extra Living Space

According to a study by the National Association of Realtors, every 1,000 square feet added to a home can increase the sale price by 30 percent.  This can include adding a sunroom, bathroom, attic bedroom, or even a deck for outdoor living and entertaining space.  Or if your home has a basement, you may be able to take advantage of a whole extra level of living.  Basements are great for game rooms, guest suites, bars, or play areas.  For some of the more trendy, high-end housing markets, there is a demand for the luxury of home theaters, wine cellars, and yoga rooms, but be sure to consider your housing market and neighborhood before embarking on one of these upgrades.

6. Flooring

Flooring is one of the first things that will be seen (and felt underfoot) by a potential homebuyer.  The most in-demand flooring choice is hardwood floors, which is a proven resale value booster.  A classic like red oak is always a good choice, while trends are also moving towards exotic woods like bamboo and wider-planked boards.  If you already have hardwood, refinishing your floors is a great way to bring back their luster and brilliance.  Tile is also a popular flooring solution for bathrooms, kitchens, foyers, and laundry rooms, and should replace any existing vinyl flooring.  Lastly, the softness and comfort of carpet or areas rugs is perfect for bedrooms and play areas.  If new flooring is not in the budget, be sure to have your carpets cleaned before putting your house on the market.

When considering all home improvements, be sure to keep in mind a few key factors.  What you'll get back on your investment is dependent on how soon you sell after making improvements, the value of your house, the value of houses in your neighborhood, the housing market in which you live, and the quality of the project itself. 

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Mission Accomplished: Custom Georgia Office Is Complete

One of our most fun design projects has come to an end.  The custom Georgia Bulldog office was completed earlier this week.  The floors have been refinished, the ceiling painted, and now it’s just time to enjoy the room.  The centerpiece of this office  is a 5′x3′ University of Georgia logo installed into pre-existing hardwood floors, composed of African wenge, hard maple, and blood wood.  The logo was surrounded by an intricate French knot border also using the same select, exotic woods.  The room also boasts a red and black, octagon-shaped coffered ceiling with rope recessed lighting.

The room is definitely something to be seen and is sure to excite any Bulldog fan.  Pizazz Floors can create a custom collegiate or pro themed room in your home, no matter what team you support.  Call us at 678-687-8693 or visit www.PizazzFloors.com for more information or to schedule a free consultation.