Guhde Flooring America introduces Tigressa H2O Carpeting to their expansive line of flooring options
By Patricia Nugent
About 80 percent of any liquid you spill on your carpet seeps through to the padding underneath…and it stays there.
If you just said to yourself, “Eeeeeeeuw,” then you’d be in the majority of the general population who will appreciate the new Tigressa H2O carpet being introduced this month at Guhde Flooring America in Painesville.
Sales manager Shawn Rosa and his new bride, Monica Guhde, are thrilled to bring this next-generation product technology to the area. They even perform a nifty little trick of making a “boat” out of a carpet sample, pouring water into it, and then dropping a little rubber ducky in for a swim.
“We’re not here to sell people carpet in hopes they’ll need to replace it within a year or two,” he says.
The Guhde Flooring America team
“We want to give people the best value in durable, beautiful, long-lasting carpet. Carpet is a huge investment for any homeowner and we respect how important it is to only offer the finest carpet that fits within their budget.”
Flood-Worthy Flooring
They say Tigressa H2O is truly pet-proof, child-proof, and also flood-proof.
“With the kind of crazy weather Northeast Ohio has been having with floods the past few years, this carpet is well worth the slightly higher price tag,” Monica says.
“It’s theoretically salvageable in a flood, you just need to remove it, get rid of the padding underneath, and have it cleaned then reinstalled. It’s that easy.”
Not only will it repel stains, but the carpet also will not retain pet or smoke odors after cleaning.
“Tigressa comes in a wide variety of designer colors, in 15 patterns and textures to work in any room,” says Monica.
For those who favor the look of hardwoods, the Guhdes are also introducing—exclusive to them—a waterproof-enhanced vinyl plank and tile, Downs H2O.
“Being able to offer people waterproof options in carpet and flooring is a game-changer in our business,” says Monica. “And it’s part of what our family has stood for and kept us growing since being founded by my grandfather in 1957.”
Monica and Shawn are part of a family team which includes her brother, Mike, and parents, Mike and Diane Guhde.
New Styles of Vinyl
In addition to the new waterproof options, every imaginable type of flooring is featured in the stunning Guhde showroom, including a variety of luxury vinyl tile with an improved, no-adhesive locking system.
Some vinyl planks and tiles are actually groutable, she says, creating a more permanent, durable, and warm experience.
Monica reports that the demand for wood-look porcelain planks has also exploded in the past two years.
“These are gorgeous 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 introductions the family stays on top of are green, renewable sources of flooring, 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.”
The family also offers custom glass and mosaic tile backsplashes, tile on walls, and “whatever it takes to design a space people will love,” says Shawn.
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.