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Multi-Layer Flooring: WPC, SPC, & LVF

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Multi-layer flooring is not as complex as the name makes it sound. In fact, you can picture the flooring in layers, much like a sandwich, to help you visualize the product. As the name suggests, it is composed of multiple layers to form one flooring material. There are three categories within the multi-layer flooring family: WPC, SPC, and LVP.

Wood Polymer Composite

WPC (Wood Polymer Composite) is an extraordinary type of vinyl flooring. While traditional vinyl floors use a PVC backing, WPC flooring uses a WPC backing. This bottommost layer is composed of a variety of materials like wood pulp and foaming agents to create a soft underfoot.

Stone Polymer Composite

SPC (Stone Polymer Composite) is created with a limestone core, PVC dust, and a stabilizer. With a more heavy focus on the limestone, homeowners will discover that SPC has a dense core, making it the most impact-resistant of the three multi-layer flooring options.

Luxury Vinyl Planking

LVP (Luxury Vinyl Planking) may be the multi-layer flooring product in which you are most familiar. It is an incredibly diverse and well-loved flooring product. From Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) to Luxury Vinyl hardwood, luxury vinyl planking offers a wide variety of styles and designs. Plus, it does not fall short in durability. It is waterproof and scratch-resistant, making it the perfect choice for active households.

Why Homeowners Love Multi-Layer Flooring

Easy Installation – The installation process of MLF is incredibly simple and straightforward, giving even novice DIY homeowners the chance to install their own floors.

Waterproof/Water-Resistant – You can now have the beautiful look of hardwood without the worry of warping since MLF can be installed in areas that are exposed to moisture.

Design Versatility – MLF offers a wide variety of styles to match a homeowner’s design preferences. From wood-like to stone-like floors, you can have the look of hardwood or stone with the durability of a rigid core.

Affordability – MLF comes in a variety of different prices, each to match a different budget. The simplicity of the install helps to keep the overall price down, giving homeowners more flexibility.

Easy Care & Maintenance – While the installation leaves behind a little mess, homeowners can also rest easy that their new floors are easy to maintain and clean.

All in all, multi-layer flooring is an exquisite choice. If you would like to learn more about our MLF selection at ICC Home, please call or visit us for more information.

How to Pick Hardware for Your Cabinets

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You have begun your kitchen remodel, and every design element has fallen into place. Your new countertops look amazing with your new floors that complement your cabinet selection. But all of a sudden, you realize that you have forgotten to choose your cabinet’s hardware. While it is not the biggest decision, you have been dreading making it. Luckily, you remembered this article, and all of your stress went away – okay, well, maybe not all of it.

The hardware you select for your kitchen cabinets can help complete the overall design; therefore, it can often be a challenging decision for homeowners to make. From modern, sleek pieces to more elaborately-designed pieces, you have a wide selection when it comes to styles. Fortunately, the decision does not need to be difficult. At ICC Home, we strive to make all of your design selections easy. Today, we are going to help you choose the right hardware for your cabinets with six easy steps. Let’s get started!

Where There Is a Design, There Is a Way

When you are designing your kitchen, it is important to keep within a design theme. If you do, it will help you make more accurate decisions. For example, if you have a Modern kitchen, you will want to look more toward Modern hardware, especially if your cabinets have clean lines. Ideally, you want to complement the overall design theme you have chosen by selecting cabinet hardware within its design family.

The Finishing Touch

Another great tip to remember is that all finishes should match within your kitchen. For example, if you have a stainless steel faucet, you would want to select stainless steel hardware.

Color Me Inspired

If you do not decide to match your kitchen’s finishes, your kitchen cabinet’s colors should help you decide on a color. For example, if you have gray cabinets, you may decide to go with black hardware since it is within the same color family.

Don’t Go Overboard

A lot of homeowners are incorporating the trend of mixing metals; however, it is important to set a limit for yourself. While this may currently be a trend, you want to try creating a kitchen design that is timeless. For example, if you have stainless steel appliances, you may want to opt for hardware that complements stainless steel rather than opposes it.

Quality, Quality, Quality

The most inexpensive option is not always the best option, especially when it comes to hardware. When designing your kitchen, you will want to choose quality pieces that will last a lifetime. They may have more of a price tag, but they will be able to stand up against daily tasks.

Mix and Match

When deciding whether to choose a knob or a pull, you can explore the idea of mixing and matching the two throughout your kitchen. Pulls can be more useful for areas that you frequently use, whereas knobs can hold a lot of decorative potential.

A Realm of Possibilities

Designing a space is your chance to express yourself and your creativity. It can always be fun to try something new and bold. Explore your options before you commit to the simplest design.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, ICC Home has you covered. We have a beautiful showroom filled with inspiring room scenes to help you during the design process. Plus, we have expert designers ready to answer any and all of your questions. Do not hesitate; visit us today to make all of your dreams a reality.

Countertop Care & Maintenance

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Countertops, whether inside of the kitchen or bathroom, are not only great for functional purposes, but they also add a beautiful design element. To help your kitchen countertops stay beautiful, it is important to keep up on a regular care and maintenance routine. That being said, countertops and their characteristics can differ, so it is important to understand your countertop’s needs. Today, we are going to take a look at ICC Home’s countertop selection, and let you know how to care for them properly. Let’s get started!

Ceramic Tile

Fortunately, ceramic tile is a low-maintenance countertop solution. On a daily basis, you will want to take a sponge or a soft washcloth and wipe down your countertops and backsplash. With a manufacturer-recommended cleaner, you will want to clean the tile and grout.

When deep cleaning, you will want to consult with your manufacturer to guarantee you are using approved products. After using an approved cleaner (i.e., one to remove soap scum, hard water deposits, and mildew stains), you will want to wipe down and rinse off any leftover product thoroughly.

Things to Remember:

  • You will want to clean spills right away, so your tile and its grout do not become stained.
  • Never use abrasive cleaners or steel wool since they can scratch the surface.
  • Always use a cutting board.
  • Do not sit or stand on your ceramic tile countertops.
  • You can use a soft brush when deep cleaning your countertops.

Laminate

With the way that it is made, the color and/or patterns you see on your laminate countertops are not consistent through the entire product, which means scratching can occur. Homeowners will want to avoid any scratches on their laminate counters because the scratches cannot be repaired. Additionally, laminate is a non-porous material; however, its seams are not non-porous. It is important to clean the seams to eliminate bacteria growth. To clean your laminate countertops, simply take soap and water with a clean sponge or washcloth. Afterward, be sure to completely dry the seams as well as your counters.

Things to Remember:

  • Never use abrasive cleaners on your laminate countertops.
  • Normal wear and tear are normal on laminate counters; however, heat will cause damage. Always use a trivet with hot pans.
  • Avoid acidic or vinegar cleaners.
  • Always use a cutting board.

Slab Stone

To clean your slab stone countertops, we recommend going with a manufacturer-approved cleaner, specifically made for their stone countertops. If you are unable to get the approved cleaner, you can use a neutral pH dish soap or pure, dye-free soap for daily cleaning. When cleaning, be sure to rinse the countertops thoroughly and buff them dry with a clean, soft cloth.

Things to Remember:

  • Each natural stone is a different level of porous; therefore, it may be wise to seal your countertops annually.
  • Sealing also helps slow down the staining process.
  • Too much cleaner or soap on your countertops can leave a film or even streaks.
  • Never use products that contain vinegar, abrasives, or any ammonia-based cleaners.
  • Do not use retail grout cleaners or bathroom cleaners on your stone countertops.
  • Avoid acidic foods on your countertops since they can change the color of your stone countertops. Avoid oil-based products since they can stain your countertops.

Solid Surface

Solid surface countertops are loved for their low-maintenance properties, as well as their ability to be resurfaced. For everyday cleaning, simply take soap and water or an ammonia-based cleaner. For deep cleaning, you can use a damp washcloth with a household detergent. To remove more stubborn stains, you can use fine sandpaper to resurface your countertops. Just be sure to reference your manufacturer’s guide for the correct sanding process.

Things to Remember:

  • Always use a cutting board.
  • Be sure to use a trivet for hot pots and pans.
  • Never use nail polish remover, oven cleaner, drain cleaners, lacquer thinner or paint removers on your countertops since they will stain or discolor the surface.

Quartz

Quartz is one of the most beautiful countertop solutions and is practically maintenance-free. Fortunately, there is no sealing, buffing, polishing, or reconditioning required with quartz. For daily cleaning, all you need is soap and water.

Things to Remember:

  • Quartz countertops are non-porous; therefore, they do not need to be sealed in order to prevent staining.
  • Quartz can tolerate moderate temperatures for a short amount of time; therefore, you will want to use a trivet when dealing with a hot pan or pot.
  • Always use a cutting board with quartz countertops.
  • Avoid strong chemicals, solvents, oven cleaners, and floor strippers on your quartz countertops.
  • Continuous long-term exposure to direct sunlight may result in slight discoloration of natural quartz surfaces.

As always, if you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to leave us a comment.

Appreciation Post for Our Wonderful Installers

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Mere words can never be enough to admire your actions because your work always meets our highest expectations.”

At ICC Home, we are incredibly grateful for our installers. Without them, we would not be able to service our customers. They are a significant part of our team, and we could not do it without them. Plus, installing floors is not always the easiest task. They spend long hours, making sure our customers have the best experience and install. We wanted to say “thank you” to each and every one of the ICC Home installer family. Thank you for being a part of our team, and thank you for working hard each day to ensure the best product for our customers. We would not exist as a company without your hard work and ability to make customers’ dreams come true. So thank you.

*Photographs from our 2nd Installer Appreciation Breakfast of the Year.

NoteWorthy Technology Trends in Kitchen & Bath

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With technology ever-changing and continually improving, we find an incredible amount of technological advancements in the average American household. In fact, we see an increase in smart homes that feature unreal technological developments to make everyday tasks a little simpler. In particular, we see these developments in the kitchen and bath world. Today, we are going to take a close look at those kitchen and bath technology trends.

Veil Lighting

Veil lighting adds instant elegance to your bathroom landscape. It simply lines an object (i.e., a bathtub or bathroom mirror) with gorgeous, soft lighting, giving a space warmth and dimension. Additionally, it provides the added benefits of voice activation, motion control, and color that mimics the temperature to help promote sleep and wellness.

Wi-Fi Enabled Kitchen Appliances

With Wi-Fi enabled kitchen appliances, you now have the ability to multi-task during meal prep. From speedy oven cleaning in under ten minutes to cooking meals at different temperatures, you can make cooking easier than ever. Plus, there are a wide variety of products that feature Wi-Fi capabilities, meaning you can start dinner right from your tablet.

Pop-up Power Outlets

You can finally have a smooth, uninterrupted backsplash design with a pop-up power outlet. These discrete outlets are able to be utilized at a moment’s notice and put away for later use. They are incredibly sleek and stylish, giving kitchens a clean look.

Heated Floors

Nothing says luxury quite like heated floors in your bathroom. Where tile floors can typically be cold to the touch, heated floors provide an alternative elegant and warm feel for homeowners.

Steam Showers

Steam showers have become all the rage in luxurious bathrooms and for a good reason. They give homeowners a chance to unwind and relax with warm steam in the comfort of their own home. In fact, they bring the tranquil feel of a spa right to your bathroom design.

Digital Showers

Did you ever imagine a day where an electronic screen would be in your shower? With digital shower controls, you can use a variety of different functions from the comfort of your shower. From the ability to change the water pressure to adjusting the water’s temperature, digital shower controls offer homeowners a sleek and luxurious shower.

Which trend was your favorite? Do you foresee any new trends coming to the market in 2020? Let us know your thoughts below in the comment section.

What’s Trending in Kitchen Cabinetry?

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The wonderful thing about cabinetry is that it is not solely meant for storage. Whether it is the kitchen or bathroom, cabinets add a stylish element that can complete an entire design. And while cabinets are needed for storage purposes, the overall design of your kitchen and bathroom can rest on your cabinetry decision. Today, we are going to focus on five trends in kitchen cabinetry. These trends range from simplistic to daring, so be sure to keep reading and let us know below which style was your favorite.

Open Cabinetry

Last year, we saw a significant focus on open shelving in design. This year we see more of a shift to the entire cabinet being open. While insanely beautiful and sleek, this style of cabinetry may not be ideal for everyone. In fact, if you do not want your dishes out on display every day, you may already be opting out of this idea in your head. That being said, you can incorporate this look on one or two cabinets in your kitchen. In those two cabinets, you could put decorative utensils, spice jars, and mugs (items you use less frequently).

Modern Wood Cabinetry

Kitchens with light wood grain cabinets used to be a trend of the past. In fact, we have not seen a lot of these types of cabinets since the ’90s. That being said, all-wood cabinetry has made its way back into the game with Modern homes. The sleek, neutral look has become a fan favorite for households that focus on clean lines and simplicity.

Minimalistic Cabinetry

Since a lot of homeowners have recently shifted their lifestyles to minimalism, it only seems fitting that their kitchen cabinetry would follow the same rules. As a current trend, we see a lot of homeowners using sleek, minimalistic cabinetry. These cabinets have little features that “define” them, which makes them minimalistic. We love this sleek and chic look for kitchens that want to add a wow-factor in another area of the kitchen.

Two-Tone Cabinetry

You may be familiar with the popular two-tone cabinetry trend. This alluring and beautiful look instantly creates a statement piece in any kitchen. It uses two different colored cabinets in one kitchen design for a flawless finished look. The key to mastering this trend is to find colors that complement one another without overpowering or taking away from the other color.

Matte Cabinetry

Our last trend is matte-finished cabinetry. While high-gloss cabinetry is all the rage in Modern designs, we still absolutely love the look of a matte finish. Matte cabinetry provides a soft take on a classic look. It blends seamlessly into any kitchen design and is incredibly beautiful.

At ICC Home, we work hard to provide high-quality products at a reasonable price, and that includes beautiful cabinetry. Be sure to stop in today to view our cabinet selection, and let us help you create your dream kitchen.