PHOTO SUBMITTED
Hommerding Plumbing
Heating & Air Conditioning
apprentice Dan Walz insulates water pipes
Winter coats for pipes, hibernation for hoses
Aug. 29 in Holdingford. Walz has worked with Hommerding Plumbing
Heating & Air Conditioning since high school.
Hommerding Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning offers winterization tips
BY SARA EISINGER | STAFF WRITER
Keith Hommerding might be a second-generation plumber at Hommerding Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning, but, when discussing winterizing homes for colder temperatures, the Holdingford Fire and Rescue Chief prioritized safety first.
“Make sure your heating system is properly
maintained by a professional,” said Hommerding, who took over the family business from his parents, Ron and Val, in 2005. Aside from dirty blowers and condenser coils using increased energy, dust, allergens and pollutants can lead to poor air quality. When ducts do not receive enough air-
What’s Inside
flow, they clog with dirt, grime and dust. Mold and mildew can form.
To sustain the efficiency and longevity of any furnace, filters should be changed every 30 days or as needed, Hommerding said.
“It is a step that can save you money in the long run and avoid issues mid-winter,” he said.
Hommerding page 3
Hommerding from front
Hommerding compiled a list of other important winterization tips and tricks to help keep homes cozy, keep pipes from freezing and save people hard-earned money.
He advised checking thermostats.
“Make sure the thermostat maintains a constant temperature,” Hommerding said. “Big swings will use up energy.”
Increased energy consumption means more money out of the pocketbook. Hydronic heating systems have increased in popularity in recent years due to in-floor heating installations.
“Check glycol levels to make sure you don’t have issues,” Hommerding said.
Glycol, or antifreeze, is a chemical that protects hydronic heating systems from freezing in cold conditions by decreasing the freezing point of the water inside. When levels are off, water within floors could freeze.
Winterizing plumbing is an important step to preparing any home for colder temperatures.
“Remove your outdoor hoses,” Hommerding said. “Check to make sure the outdoor faucets are not dripping. They will freeze up and burst. Most new homes have a separate shut-off valve.”
Another inexpensive winterizing tip is to insulate water pipes.
“You will gain efficiency with hot water,” Hommerding said. “Over the past few years, the plumbing code requires us to insulate pipes.”
Consumers have a variety of options to choose from, such as foil pipe wrap, fiberglass pipe wrap, foam pipe insulation and rubber insulation. There is also wall insulation and outdoor faucet covers.
“Simple things — like flushing the hot-water heater before winter — save energy,” Hommerding said. “The hot-water heater doesn’t have to heat as hard. Septic system insulation is another thing.”
It could be a good idea to take a stroll around the house.
“Check for window cracks, windows that do not close properly and anything that might let hot air out or cold air in,” he said.
When outdoors, inspect vents.
“Any cracks could let the cold air in,” Hommerding said. “Caulk breaks down over time. Check anything protruding through walls to the outside. It (caulk) will keep out rodents and bugs, too.”
When indoors, ceiling fans may be turned to rotate counterclockwise
needed or an emergency ignites.
“Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors,” Hommerding said. “Visually, check what year they were installed. A CO (carbon monoxide) detector is good for five to seven years. Gas is probably the most widely used source of energy in our area. Although industry standards have made HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) equipment, gas piping and supply methods very safe, things can still go wrong.”
Carbon monoxide is a clear, colorless, odorless gas emitted when fuel is burned.
“Mercaptan is used as a gas odorant,” Hommerding said. “It is that unpleasant smell in gas, because gas is odorless.”
during winter months..
“Heat rises, so you want to push it down from the ceiling,” Hommerding said.
Snowbirds traveling south have a few extra steps to take, some of which could be wise for permanent dwellers, as well.
Wi-Fi thermostats have become increasingly popular, allowing people to automatically program temperature settings according to weather conditions, daily activities or needs.
“This allows you to modify and monitor the temperature of the house
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The added source of energy contributes to the root system of the lawn during the dormant winter season. Adding compost will help decompose thatch, making it a healthier environment.
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from a distance,” Hommerding said. “Some customers have their Wi-Fi (thermostat) set up to go to me. We will have something set up before they leave. When on vacation, people don’t always have phones.”
Technologies have expanded in recent years, even into plumbing alerts. “There are now water pipe sensors to alert people about their pipes,” Hommerding said. “Another cheap thing for people is a Winter Watchman. They are in hardware stores. It is a little reverse thermostat you plug in. Put it in a window. If it
comes on, your neighbor will know something is wrong.”
Some sinks are located along outside walls.
“If gone and not using water, they still receive a constant infiltration of air,” Hommerding said. “Open cupboard doors. If you are gone for a period of time, leave the house at 55 degrees. If it is turned down lower, there is more chance that something will go wrong.”
Hommerding suggested letting someone know where an extra key is located. That way, someone can get into the house in case an adjustment is
The rotting scent of mercaptan often indicates a potential gas leak, in which case Hommerding recommended evacuating the home, shutting off all electrical devices, leaving the doors open and calling both 911 and the gas company.
Hommerding Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning services include plumbing, heating, cooling and electricity.
“Although we cannot control the weather, you can rely on HVAC professionals to make your home as comfortable and healthy as possible,” Hommerding said.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Hommerding Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning electrician Ryan Sowada and owner
Keith Hommerding stand at a job site Aug. 29 in Holdingford. Sowada is Hommerding’s nephew, representing the third generation of his family’s plumbing, heating and air conditioning business.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Flower bulbs are prepared for planting Oct. 28, 2023, at Pine Hollow Farm LLC in rural Melrose.
Flower bulbs can be planted as close as eggs sit in a carton.
Resurface
Bulbs
in the ground in the
Follow these tips for planting flowers this fall
BY SARAH MIDDENDORF STAFF WRITER
Fall is the perfect time for planting flowering bulbs that will bloom in the next growing season.
Sam Rasmussen, owner of Pine Hollow Farm LLC in rural Melrose, grows many flowers, including tulips, daffodils and alliums, which are planted in fall.
She offers the following tips on planting fall bulbs that will provide beautiful blooms in the next growing season.
Rasmussen said people generally describe bulbs as having a top and bottom. The “top” is the pointy side and the “bottom” is the flat side; planting the bulbs with the bottom on the soil is the preferred way.
Bulbs can be planted a couple of inches apart or more densely — as if planting them in an egg carton — to create a thick forest of flowers.
“It kind of depends on how you want it to look,” Rasmussen said.
“I have just chucked them in the ground, and it’s worked like that, too.”
When digging holes for a bulb, be sure the hole is twice the depth of the bulb’s height.
Making sure the soil type is right for bulbs is important.
Some soils may be too heavy and rot out the bulb, and others may be too light and dry out the
bulb. Rasmussen recommends testing the soil before planting any bulbs to make sure the location is a spot the bulbs will thrive in.
“I would (also) say to water them in,” Rasmussen said. “Some people forget that, and that’s when they are starting to put roots out,
Bulbs page 5
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A tulip plant lays on soil April 16 at Pine Hollow Farm LLC in rural Melrose. After planting bulbs, it is recommended to water them a couple times before the end of the season.
be planted after the frost sets in.
Bulbs from page 4
so they need a lot of water. I usually do (it) once or twice.”
Rasmussen said to refrain from planting in low spots, where excess rainwater may pool in springtime. Pooling water may lead to flower bulbs rotting and never blooming.
“You can actually plant tulips after frost,” Rasmussen said. “As long as you can work the ground, … you can get them in. Usually, it’s like
mid-September through October. If people are behind, I tell them ‘Just get them in the ground, and it should be fine.’” As for other bulbs, Rasmussen recommends planting them in the ground before the frost sets in.
If the flowers do not bloom or look different than they are supposed to, there may be a disease in that location. If there is a disease in a certain area, avoid plant-
ing in that same spot for five to seven years, Rasmussen said, as the disease will remain in the soil for an extended period.
“They (tulips) are very touchy with the diseases,” Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen said tulips should not need to be covered with any sort of mulch even if they are on an exposed hill because of the snow cover.
“Minnesota is nice with tulips and fall bulbs because we get cold,” Rasmussen said. “They like the cold and aren’t super touchy.”
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Blooming flowers beam in the shade May 10 at Pine Hollow Farm LLC in rural Melrose. Tulips can
Duct cleaning from page 7
Supplies like brushes, screwdrivers, paper towels or rags and dampened, lint-free cleaning cloths will likely be necessary. It is recommended that air filters get changed out. Vent covers might need to be changed, as well.
“Air constantly blows through ducts,” Austin said. “Why not breathe cleaner air in your house? It cuts down on dusting, and they claim it helps make HVAC systems more efficient. If something is dirty, why not clean it?”
said. “It is standard to get air ducts cleaned every three to five years. There’s a fair (number) of one-and-done jobs, and people are happy with that.”
The cost of air duct cleaning services could depend on system size, accessibility, climatic region and contamination level.
“Not everyone can wrap their heads around how an HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) system operates,” Austin said. “We have yet to see two identical systems. It really is a specialty service only professionals can provide.”
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, homeowners should consider air duct cleaning if substantial visible mold growth is found inside hard-surface ducts — like ones made of sheet metal — or on heating and cooling system components, or if air ducts are clogged by dust and debris.
Additional research referenced by the EPA suggests cleaning heating and cooling system components like cooling coils, fans and heat exchangers could improve an HVAC system’s efficiency. However, the EPA does not claim cleaning air ducts alone will save energy.
The EPA recommends air ducts get cleaned as needed.
“Austin’s Cleaning service suggests to clean what is dirty,” Austin said.
Austin and his family are qualified to help customers determine such needs.
“We are seeing repeat customers,” Austin
It is recommended that customers research air ducts and sealants before cleaning.
Organizations concerned with air duct research include The HVAC Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Association, EPA, NAIMA, and Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association.
“To those reading this, be sure to call someone who knows how to clean, and cleaning is what they do,” Austin said. “We clean things, and we clean them well.” Austin added that he and his family have seen the difference air duct cleaning can make in a home environment.
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
(Left) An air return sits dirty November 2023 at a home in Sauk Centre. Austin’s Cleaning Service added air duct cleaning a year ago to its long list of cleaning services.
(Right) Abe Austin, Austin’s Cleaning Service’s go-to guy for air duct cleaning, stands during late spring in Sauk Centre. Austin’s Cleaning Service offers air duct cleaning and other professional cleaning services.
Equipment
from page 11
“Your gasoline is going to be crucial, whether you drain it or add a stabilizer of some sort to it,” Silver said. “Gasoline is going to break down and go bad over the winter, and that’s tough on the engine. If you are going to leave fuel in, have the tank full; otherwise, condensation builds up and you get water in the fuel.”
“Your gasoline is going to be crucial, whether you drain it or add a stabilizer of some sort to it. Gasoline is going to break down and go bad over the winter, and that’s tough on the engine. If you are going to leave fuel in, have the tank full; otherwise, condensation builds up and you get water in the fuel.”
Silver has worn many hats since starting at the family business when he was 16. From repairing diesel and gasoline engines to customer service and computer work, Silver has seen pretty much everything when it comes to small engine repair.
- Adam Silver
Leaving untreated gasoline over winter usually causes gelling in the carburetor, meaning it will need to be cleaned for the gasoline to reach the engine. Typical carburetor cleaning at a repair shop costs about $100 for a typical push mower. That number can increase to $300$400 for a larger riding mower.
For riding lawn mowers, Silver said disconnecting the battery and making sure tires are filled before cold weather arrives can increase tire life.
For weed whips, leaf blowers and chain saws, which have a gasoline-oil mixture in the tank, Silver still recommends draining the tank dry during winter to be on the safe side.
A longer lasting longer lasting
path
Schmeez Concrete talks surface care
BY BEN SONNEK | STAFF WRITER
Schmeez Concrete has been in the business of concrete, brick, stone and epoxy for about 13 years, helping people with the installation, care and repair of their driveways, sidewalks, floors, patios and more.
“There are no forsures in concrete other than it’s going to get hard and nobody’s going to steal it from you,” said Scott Schmiesing, founder and owner of Schmeez Concrete in Sauk Centre.
In Schmiesing’s ex-
perience, concrete is like asphalt inasmuch as there will always need to be maintenance.
In spring, Schmiesing said, it is important to clean concrete and spray off salt from the previous winter.
“In the summer and fall, you technically should reseal your concrete, and nobody does,” Schmiesing said. “Even your normal-grade driveways, you can reseal them once every year or every other year. It really helps
with water not penetrating the top. Concrete is porous, … and sealers nowadays have a salt prohibitor in it. It doesn’t eliminate the salt damage from the roads, but it helps slow it down.”
Cracks in concrete are all but inevitable, especially in a state like Minnesota which has large temperature variations throughout the year. Schmeez Concrete and other contractors try to
guide the cracks by adding relief cuts.
“If anyone tells you, ‘I will pour this concrete and guarantee you it will never crack,’ especially in Minnesota, don’t hire them, because nobody in the world can do that,”
Schmiesing said. “Concrete and Minnesota go together, but it’s a love-hate relationship.”
Schmiesing tries to avoid pouring concrete late in the year, as it takes
Serving Todd, Pope & Stearns Counties
Septic Pumping and Maintenance
PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK Scott Schmiesing and his dog, Stella, show samples of stone and epoxy Aug. 16 at Schmeez Concrete in Sauk Centre. Schmiesing founded Schmeez Concrete in 2011.
concrete about 28 days before it is fully cured. If water freezes in the concrete before then, it may cause damage.
Schmeez Concrete page 15
Schmeez Concrete has worked with epoxy for about eight years so far. Schmiesing likes working with it because it can be placed inside or outside, has a mostly dust-less installation, has varying levels of coarseness and can be used to reface old concrete.
“It’s one of the toughest things I know,” he said. “I’ve had good success with it.”
Epoxy needs less maintenance than concrete, generally only requiring cleanups in spring and fall.
“Salt doesn’t hurt the epoxy; it won’t eat it like (it does) concrete, which is one huge bonus,” Schmiesing said. “Once that stuff is applied, I want to say you’re pretty much good for life, but
PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK
Scott Schmiesing (left) and his son, Nolan, stand on their driveway Aug. 16 in Sauk Centre. Scott recommends cleaning concrete, especially to prevent salt damage after winter, as well as resealing it at least every other year.
there are some variables. … I can buff it, put a new top coat on it and bring it back to life. … This is a great alternative to tearing the old floor out and putting a new one in.”
“Concrete’s your boss,” Schmiesing said.
While concrete may be tricky sometimes, Schmiesing does his best to help customers through installation and maintenance.
“When you lay it down, it goes at its own pace, … (and) as far as the maintenance, you keep it clean and seal it.”
SPECIALISTS IN MANY SERVICE AREAS
for the head, heart Houseplants Houseplants
Albany Floral Shop & Gifts offers care tips
BY BEN SONNEK STAFF WRITER
A houseplant is more than just a roommate that needs watering. If properly cared for, it can bring a touch of nature to improve the quality of people’s air, eyes and emotions.
Albany Floral Shop & Gifts sells potted houseplants, most of which are annuals if kept outside. Owner Amy Hennen and her husband, Clayton, purchased the nearly 50-year-old business in November 2023. The couple typically sources houseplants from wholesalers in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
In Hennen’s experience, some of the main benefits of houseplants include air quality and clarity alongside the obvious aesthetic enhancements they provide
to their environments.
“We have a number of teachers and businesses where they can’t allow fragrance for diffusers or the noise or energy pull of air purifiers, so they
use (plants) as an alternative to clean the air,” Hennen said.
Most plants do not require daily maintenance. In fact, Albany Floral Shop & Gifts has
often seen people lose their plants by giving them too much water or attention.
For houseplants, the seasons are usually only a factor if they blos-
som, Hennen said. Most require light — but not direct light, which could overheat them.
If someone moves a houseplant that is doing well, Hennen’s main
advice is to watch it and keep it stable.
“Any time there’s a large transition of a plant, be a little sensitive to what that is,” she said. “If it looks like it is liking that new spot after a few weeks, leave it there. We always recommend that, at the first sign of yellow or brown tips or wilting look, research what those things are; it could be a disease, it could have a bug or (be) water-related.”
While people used to rely on books or relatives for plant advice, Hennen finds the internet to be a helpful source of recommendations.
“There are a lot of natural treatments, plant food options and … differences in opinion when it comes to how to treat issues,” she said.
Houseplants page 19
PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK
Amy Hennen carries a plant through Albany Floral Shop & Gifts Sept. 3 in Albany. Clayton and Amy Hennen have owned the business since November 2023.
Home energy UPDATES
Finding relief with monthly expenses can seem impossible. However, homeowners making energy-efficient improvements this year will see ts when they are filing their 2024 income taxes.
There are two forms of relief homeowners can take advantage of: tax credits and rebates.
Tax credits are tied to money spent and, in the end, reduce the amount of income tax owed. A purchase made in 2024 is claimed on taxes filed in 2025.
A rebate, on the other hand, is an upfront discount. Oftentimes, rebates are more quickly recovered than tax credits. Energy rebates may include ranges tied to income levels.
Credits and rebates can be stacked depending on eligibility.
“The overall limit for (efficiency) tax credits have increased to $3,200,” said Shaylyn Bernhardt, a representative from Clean Energy Resource Teams, a statewide partnership that aims to connect people with resources needed to implement clean energy projects.
The $3,200 annual limit falls into two categories.
An annual limit of $1,200 is for basic energy-saving home improvements, which include windows, doors, insulation and electrical. This can also include eligible furnaces, boilers and air conditioners. The remaining amount can be assigned to specific qualified uses.
Robert Olson is an enrolled agent and staff accountant with Anfinson Thompson & Co. in Melrose.
“There’s a special $2,000 annual credit limit that applies to qualified expenditures for specified heat pumps, heat pump water heaters and biomass stoves and boilers — any stuff that tends to be a little more expensive to put in, but a lot cheaper to run,” Olson said.
BY SHALON WILBER | STAFF WRITER
Bernhardt said many homeowners are not aware of the benefits available. Prior credits had a lifetime limit, and once used, there was nothing remaining to be claimed.
“If you bought a furnace, that would eat much of it up; now it’s annual,” Bernhardt said.
Olson said homeowners need to make sure the purchases made are actually qualifying purchases for IRS reimbursement.
“You can always go to the IRS website and just search for energy-efficient home improvements,” Olson said.
Homeowners may also visit with employees at home improvement stores. Olson said oftentimes, employees know what products qualify for reimbursements, and they can help guide purchasers to the most cost-effective path.
John Pantzke, manager of energy services at Stearns Electric Association, works closely with energy efficiency legal operation and government regulation. One component of his job is overseeing efficiency conservation and optimization.
“(Homeowners should) be aware of what’s in (their homes) today,” Pantzke said “You can actually do your own energy inspections.”
Pantzke said homeowners can do simple inspections inside their homes, looking for cracks, gaps and drafts around windows and doors. Similar inspections can be done on building exteriors. Homeowners can search for cracked or missing silicone and caulking, as well as cracks in foundations. A final place to assess, Pantzke said, is basements and attics to check for missing or settled insulation.
A professional home energy audit can help homeowners ensure smart decisions. Bernhardt said audits provide a road map for any updates and help homeowners get the best “bang for their buck.”
“That (home energy audit) really gives guidelines for what you should do,” Bernhardt said.
Living in a 1925 Craftsman-style stucco and brick 1.5 story home, Bernhardt thought she needed to address its insulation. However, after the home energy audit, she discovered the previous owners had insulated the attic to the values the auditor recommended.
Similarly to Bernhardt, Olson recently made improvements to his home; but had he taken into
account the new annual credit limits, he could have taken advantage of more tax relief.
“I (replaced) four doors at once in our house,” Olson said. “Had I known this was coming, I would have waited a year and done two doors. You can plan it out a little bit and maximize your credits.”
When making purchases, homeowners should remember to save documentation for filing taxes. Olson shared a few ideas so there is no scrambling during tax season.
“Save receipts and invoices and take a picture of the box that has the numbers on it, pictures of the energy yellow sticker (and) the Energy Star sticker,” Olson said. “Electronic copies are wonderful. They’re perfectly acceptable to the IRS, and you can keep them all right on your phone.”
Both Olson and Pantzke stressed the importance of asking the right questions up front in the process.
Pantzke said people often overlook calling a tax professional to ask before starting a project.
“I don’t know any of them who wouldn’t look at spending 15-20 minutes answering a few questions for their clients,” Olson said. “I know I certainly don’t.”
For Pantzke, the entire conversation about tax credits boils down to “the why.”
“Energy is not an unlimited resource,” he said. “Use it wisely.”
Shaylyn Bernhardt
John Pantzke
Luke Herdering, owner of Herdering Lawn Care in Albany, mows a commercial property Aug. 26 in Melrose. Herdering said maintaining a continuous lawn cutting schedule is important heading into fall months.
lawn care lawn care
should include aeration plan
Tracking grass growth is important heading into fall
BY TIM HENNAGIR STAFF WRITER
It is important to schedule lawn care maintenance during times that match the life cycle of the turfgrass.
In fall, grass shoots start growing again, and nutrients are stored in long roots for the coming winter.
Aerating and dethatching are two common tasks currently occupying homeowners’ minds, said Luke Herdering, owner of Herdering Lawn Care of Albany.
Both lawn care practices have seasonal benefits.
“Aerating is a good idea, but dethatching is
something you could delay until spring,” Herdering said. “It mitigates winter kill. If you do dethatching in spring, it leaves a little layer underneath the grass (over winter).”
That practice can help prevent younger grass from dying, Herdering said.
Homeowners can put down seed later in the fall season, but the challenge with that strategy is waiting until the ground freezes.
“By the time everything starts thawing, you should have an extra, new seedbed coming out,” he said.
Herdering said maintaining a continuous
lawn cutting schedule is important heading into the fall months.
He recommends keeping lawns cut to 3 inches or 3.5 inches — don’t cut it too aggressively, he said.
Once people determine it is likely to freeze, they should keep a close eye on the lawn. Grass does not die with the first frost, Herdering said.
People may cut the grass a little while longer, he said, but when the first really hard freeze of the year arrives, that means people are done mowing for the year.
Lawn care page 24
PHOTO BY TIM HENNAGIR
“If you are cutting after that, you are killing grass, Herdering said. “If you see growth slowing down or stopping, make that final cut and make it look pretty for next spring, and you can call it good.”
He said mulching can help replace lost nitrogen when people have bagged grass clippings and watered lawns consistently.
Herdering warns against over-thatching to the point of seeing dirt. A good rule of thumb, he said, is having a half-inch of thatch.
One way to do a quick measure is by using the index fingertip as a measuring tool.
“If you can see that deep or shallower, you are good,” he said. “Beyond that, it’s time to start dethatching.”
Herdering said if there is a freeze without snow for a couple of weeks, that is a good time to put seed down. People can also seed in spring when it is really wet.
People should give new grass a couple of weeks’ worth of growing time before they consider cutting, he said.
“It’s going to look ugly for a couple of weeks, but it will develop into some beautiful grass later,” he said.
Herdering said he likes seeing the end result when hard work in fall produces a gorgeous lawn later.
“If you take extra time doing the physical
labor with the trimming and seeding versus just doing a quick cut and calling it good, you get a better result,” he said. “That’s satisfying for me and the customer.”
PHOTO BY TIM HENNAGIR
Luke Herdering, owner of Herdering Lawn Care in Albany, takes a break Aug. 26 while mowing a commercial property in Melrose. Herdering said his
Facts
Borgerding provides insight on latest trends
BY HAILEY HOKANSON STAFF WRITER
When the time comes to replace or renew flooring in a house, it can be hard to know what to purchase and what the trendiest flooring is at the time.
Thankfully, flooring expert Holly Borgerding, of Hennen Floor Covering in Freeport, can help homeowners with the latest flooring information.
Borgerding has a background in interior design and has been working with Hennen Floor Covering for 18 years.
This year, according to Borgerding, natural wood flooring with a little bit of a wider plank has been popular.
“People like more of the natural look because it’s kind of light and airy”
- Holly Borgerding
ing industry for those who like to add texture to their homes.
“Pattern carpets are great,” Borgerding said. “Or otherwise, to add a touch of coziness, people can put a nice rug on top of their wood flooring.”
Rustic farmhouse styles continue to be popular as well, allowing buyers to have some imperfection in their wood.
“People like more of the natural look because it’s kind of light and airy,” Borgerding said. “There are ways to incorporate a lot of the grid tones with it — so the beiges, but there are still some light grays that way.”
Borgerding said pattern carpets have also been popular in the floor-
As for colors, natural tones, especially clean earth tones, continue to be on the rise, Borgerding said.
The popularity of specific trends in flooring varies based on years, Borgerding said, and a lot of that has to do with different styles and colors that are on the rise.
“A lot of it has to do with new colors that
are in style,” Borgerding said. “If the darker tones are in, then it reflects more of the flooring choices, too.”
While styles trend in and out, there are many flooring options that have always been good choices, especially for families.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Rustic flooring styles have been popular and they pair well with shades of gray and blue, according to Holly Borgerding, a flooring expert at Hennen Floor Covering in Freeport. Borgerding said natural tones also continue to be on the rise.
Pattern carpets can add a touch of coziness as both stair runners and accents to hardwood floors. There are websites where buyers can upload a picture of their space to try flooring types.
Flooring from page 26
“One of our most common flooring choices is the luxury vinyl plank because it is really great for busy families,” Borgerding said. “These are more of a long-lasting material and are extremely durable for households with kids or pets.”
The luxury vinyl plank’s durability is one of the main reasons it is especially utilized in
large spaces. Sheet vinyl flooring is also common because of its cost, how easy it is to take care of and its durability. For convenience, there also are websites that allow buyers to upload a picture of their space and try flooring types on a digital visualizer, Borgerding said. However, the most
important key when it comes to flooring for homeowners, she said, is to purchase something that will be enjoyed in the long run.
“You for sure want to get something you know you’re going to love for a long time because it’s something you don’t change out very often,” Borgerding said. “When you’re looking at flooring, just keep in mind whether you only like it now or if you will enjoy it for years to come.”
