Flooring goes high-tech at Guhde Flooring America
By Mimi Vanderhaven
If you haven’t upgraded to a new cell phone in the past six to eight years, you probably would not be surprised to learn that there have been many high-tech advancements since then. But the same is true of flooring.
If you haven’t upgraded your carpet, tile or hardwood flooring in the past decade or so, you’re walking around on the technological equivalent of a flip-phone.
From the improved locking system of no-adhesive Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) to the dramatic realism of today’s massive, wood-look porcelain planks, the flooring industry has taken giant steps forward in style, convenience, and overall value. Nowhere is that more evident than inside the stunning showroom of Guhde Flooring America, located in Painesville Township, where the local Guhde family has been purveyors of flooring for over 57 years.
“Flooring often comes with a 25-year warranty, so it makes sense to buy from a company you know will be here in the long run,” assures Mike Guhde, the company’s third-generation general manager, and whose grandfather, Donald Guhde, launched the company back in 1957.
Mimi sat down with Mike, along with his sister, Monica Guhde, who serves as the office manager, and her fiancé and company sales manager, Shawn Rosa. Mimi was also joined by their parents, Mike and Diane Guhde, who took over the company from Donald back in the 1970s when deep-pile orange shag was all the rage.
So whether you’re looking to build your dream home or just spruce up a piece of rental property, here’s a quick look at what’s hot in today’s flooring market:
Carpeting vs. Tile:
“There are always trend waves,” explains Monica.
“But carpeting will never go out of style. Homeowners turn to carpet for warmth, comfort and quiet. Yes, we’ve done a lot more hard-surface flooring in the past 15 years, but we still install a lot of carpeting, especially in bedrooms and basements.”
Hardwood:
“Today, there are two basic kinds of hardwood: solid and engineered,” Shawn says.
“But both are hardwoods. Engineered flooring features a base of layered wood to provide greater strength and stability, topped with a wood veneer. The result is a beautiful floor that reacts better to Northeast Ohio’s environmental changes—from hot and humid to cold and dry.”
Laminate:
“Laminate flooring features a highly realistic image of wood, tile, stone or other surface with a center core of a high-density wood composite,” Shawn adds.
“These surfaces are more scratch resistant than wood, and are typically more affordable.”
Luxury Vinyl:
But the most exciting trend in flooring, the family members say, is the explosion in Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) and Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP).
Although both have been around for a few years, an improved, high-tech locking system and enhanced realism have made them even more attractive to homeowners in the past few years.
“Because this flooring system can be floated, there is less preparation and no need for adhesives,” explains Mike.
“This is the flooring we have installed in the 2014 YMCA Dream House. It’s waterproof and perfect for high-traffic rooms. It will easily stand up to the 75,000 people going through the Dream House.”
A more recent development is luxury vinyl planks and tiles that are actually groutable, creating a more permanent, durable and warm experience.
Wood-look Porcelain:
“The popularity of dramatic, wood-look porcelain planks has exploded in the past two years,” Monica says.
“These are stunning ceramic tiles 36 to 48 inches in length, yet they look like large, wood planks. We are installing a lot of it in bathrooms, where customers want the rich look of wood without the maintenance issues that come with combining wood and water.”
Other Trends:
The family says that green, renewable sources of flooring remain popular, including cork and strand-woven bamboo. In addition, even classic sheet vinyl has undergone a high-tech makeover. It’s now available with fiberglass backing, dubbed “cushion vinyl.”
So if you declined sheet vinyl in the past because you thought it was too hard, it’s time to give it a second look. The family also offers custom glass and tile mosaic backsplashes, made popular by recent HGTV programs.
Quality flooring is only half the equation. It also requires proper installation. That’s where Paul Guhde comes in.
“Uncle Paul has been our lead installer for over 30 years,” Mike says proudly. “He is a master at his trade, and he’s created a team of professional, trained, and experienced installers. If there is ever an issue, we take care of it.”
Guhde Flooring America is located at 1880 Mentor Avenue in Painesville Township. Hours are Monday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Tuesday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Call 440-639-1990 or visit GuhdeFlooringAmerica.com.