What suggestions do you have as to the best types of flooring and why they should be used?
Answer: There are all kinds of flooring these days that endure the kinds of hard wear we subject it to. I wouldn't rule out quarry tile. I didn't install it in our present kitchen - the previous owners did - but it has withstood about 12 years of people and dogs and, when we bother to wash it, looks just as good as the day we bought the house 10 years ago.
Wood flooring also is very popular. In times past, few builders and remodelers recommended wood because of fears of warping caused by excessive moisture, but preservatives have all but eliminated that concern. There's a lot of hardwood flooring - Brazilian cherry seems to be popular - in the new construction I tour as real estate writer, but people with environmental concerns steer clear of it in favor of composite lumber or bamboo.
There's always low-cost vinyl, but, from my experience, if you are going to sell your house, and are looking for a high-end look, you may want to choose something else.
Readers may have other suggestions, and, as always, I invite you to send them along.
Paying the piper: If you are like me, you are waiting less than eagerly for this month's utility bill. We've been trying to find ways of reducing the opportunity for the air conditioning to kick on as often, such as keeping the thermostat at 76 on the first floor all the time and 78 on the second floor during the day.
We also keep the shades closed all the time, which, coupled with energy-efficient windows and doors, seems to reduce the indoor temperature.
The people at Hunter Douglas recommend setting your thermostat as high as possible without sacrificing comfort. The less difference between outdoor and indoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.
