Blog

The Backbone of Your Floor: Understanding Laminate Backing Types

Laminate flooring backing in Simi Valley, CA from Flooring 101

When you walk into a Flooring 101 showroom in Oxnard or Santa Maria, the first thing you’ll notice is the stunning “wear layer” of our laminate collections—the beautiful wood-look finishes and textures. But as flooring experts with 50 years of history, we always tell our customers: “The beauty is on the top, but the quality…

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The Perfect Transition: Matching Existing Hardwood Flooring to New Wood-Look Flooring

One of the most common design challenges we face at Flooring 101—whether we are working in a historic home in Ventura or a modern estate in Thousand Oaks—is the “addition” project. Perhaps you have beautiful original oak floors in your entryway, but you’re ready to update your kitchen or bedrooms with something more waterproof or…

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Buying Local vs. Shopping at a Big Box Store: The Flooring 101 Difference

Shop local | Flooring 101

It’s a Saturday morning in Simi Valley or Bakersfield, and you’ve decided it’s time for new floors. It’s tempting to head to the nearest orange or blue “Big Box” warehouse. They are convenient and they have everything from garden hoses to lumber. But when it comes to flooring—the largest permanent surface in your home—shopping at…

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Do Carpets Fade? Understanding UV Exposure in Southern California

We are blessed with over 270 days of sunshine a year on the Central Coast, but that beautiful California sun can be a silent enemy to your interior finishes. One of the most common questions we hear at Flooring 101—from Bakersfield to Thousand Oaks—is: “Will my new carpet fade over time?” The short answer is…

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Bringing the Central Coast Landscape Indoors via Pattern with Karastan

Karastan Patterned Carpet in Ventura, CA from Flooring101

The Central Coast of California offers a visual palette unlike anywhere else in the world. From the rugged cliffs of Santa Maria to the golden hills of Simi Valley and the serene blue horizons of Goleta, our local landscape is defined by organic movement and rich, earthy textures. In 2026, interior design is moving away…

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Understanding the Longevity of Laminate Flooring in Central California

laminate flooring lifespan in Ventura, CA from Flooring 101

When homeowners across Ventura, Kern, and Santa Barbara Counties consider a flooring upgrade, the conversation usually starts with style but quickly pivots to a more practical question: “How long is this actually going to last?” At Flooring 101, we’ve been answering that question for over 50 years. Under the leadership of our founder, Jimmy Poulos,…

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Experience the Radiance of Different Maple Hardwood Floor Types for Your Thousand Oaks, CA Home

Maple hardwood flooring options from Flooring 101 in Thousand Oaks, CA

In the 50 years that Flooring 101 has served the Central Coast and Kern County, few materials have remained as consistently popular as Maple. While Oak is often celebrated for its bold grain, Maple is the choice for homeowners in Thousand Oaks, Ventura, and Santa Maria who want something a bit more refined, luminous, and…

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Tips on Laying Laminate Flooring in Rooms with Large Windows

how to lay laminate flooring and which direction in Santa Maria, CA from Flooring 101

When you walk into a room with a massive floor-to-ceiling window or a wide sliding glass door, your eyes are immediately drawn to the view—and the light. At Flooring 101, we know that these architectural features are the crown jewels of California homes. However, large windows also pose a unique design challenge: they act as…

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How Hardwood Grain Patterns Impact Your Ventura, CA Home’s Aesthetic

hardwood flooring grain patterns in Ventura, CA from Flooring 101

When homeowners visit a Flooring 101 showroom in Ventura, Thousand Oaks, or Bakersfield and inquire about our hardwood flooring, they usually start by picking a color. They look for that perfect “Coastal White Oak” or a deep, rich “Bakersfield Walnut.” However, there is a second, often overlooked factor that determines how a floor actually feels…

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New Year, New Floors: Why Right Now is the Perfect Time to Upgrade Your Home

New Flooring in Ventura, Kern, & Santa Barbara Counties from Flooring 101

As we step into 2026, the “New Year, New Me” mantra usually applies to gym memberships or diet plans. But at Flooring 101, we believe the best way to start the year is by refreshing the foundation of your home. Whether you are in the coastal breeze of Ventura and Goleta, the heart of Bakersfield,…

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