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Cork Flooring: The Cold Weather Floor

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:52:17 +0000

Now that we’re entering winter, many of us are thinking of new ways to keep warm. And believe it or not, the type of flooring you choose can greatly affect the insulation of your home.
Many of us have chilly basements or rooms that experience a lot of heat loss through the floor. This is especially the case in older homes with crawlspaces or even those who live in mobile homes. This is often why cork flooring can be a sensible choice for any of these scenarios.

Cork flooring has a lot of benefits, but perhaps what most notice, at least when compared to other floors, that cork floors feel warmer to the touch than hardwood floors, laminate floors, tile floors and even vinyl floors. Plus, cork is just a little softer feeling underfoot.
The reason that it feels warmer is because of the air trapped inside. This more porous flooring material traps more air and helps act as a barrier for heat loss and even cooling loss in the warmer season.

As the cork tree grows its bark, air gets trapped inside its cellular structure which becomes some sort of shock absorber. The result is a floor with a soft cushioned feel that can relieve stress especially in places where you tend to stand for longer periods such as in the kitchen. The shock absorbing mechanism of the cork flooring also works as a ‘noise absorber’ especially in high traffic areas.

As it’s getting colder, this may be a greater concern. And if you’re shopping for new floors and the area you’re installing your new floor has inferior insulation, cork flooring can help insulate a room and will help limit heat loss in a home.

Also, many cork floors are made using a wear layer of cork attached to an HDF core, usually made from recycled materials. On the underside is a layer of cork underlayment that adds additional impact resistance. Ultimately what you have is two layers of one of the eco-friendliest natural flooring materials sandwiching a core made of 100% recycled materials. All of this combines to give you better thermal insulation and acoustics.

**Hypoallergenic and insect-repelling
Suberin is a waxy substance normally found in cork trees. It has properties that can repel molds, insects, and mites. Furthermore, suberin is hypoallergenic, fire-resistant and unlike other wood products, does not release any toxic off-gassing when it burns. When covered with coating, it ultimately becomes long lasting and healthy and safe for use for the family.

When at one time cork floors were offered in largely natural cork looks and were mostly used in glue down floor installations, many of today’s cork floors are click cork floors. They are primarily used in floating floor installations and can be installed over most types of subfloors. Many choose cork for their basements to warm a naturally chilly room, while others install cork flooring in a bedroom to make that first step in the morning a warmer, more comfortable one.

Cork flooring addresses many issues that bother us about our current floors, from the way they feel, to the way they sound and even how they perform. And now that they’re available in several types of looks, we’re no longer limited to a natural cork or even stained cork look. Many cork floors now look more like other floors; from cork flooring that looks like hardwood to cork that has a bamboo floor feel.

The flooring consumer now has a lot more choices and can find the perfect cork floor that adds comfort, function, style and performance to any space.

Cold, squeaks…solving your flooring problems

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:45:54 +0000

Squeaks, cold, moisture—the flooring challenges in your home may seem insurmountable. But any experienced flooring expert knows to prescribe just the right underlayment. Problem solved.

If your house has any of the following conditions, talk to your flooring installer about a cure:

• Your kids’ bathroom floor is always awash in water and you suspect it may be affecting the floor.

• Too much noise on floors upstairs can be heard downstairs.

• The house was built on a concrete slab and you have reason to expect cracks will soon appear in the concrete. In turn, cracks would impact your wood, laminate, stone or tile floor.

• Wearing socks and slippers throughout winter is the only defense against frostbite from cold floors.

• The subfloor in your home is more like a roller coaster of hills and valleys.

All these conditions and more can be corrected with the proper underlayment. Tell a flooring professional all about your concerns. Only by full disclosure can you get the right type of material to solve the problem.

You’ll be introduced to several product choices. There is usually a good, better and best solution to consider. A good solution should do a reasonable job at a low price. A better solution will almost always be a total cure. And the best solutions offer a combination of characteristics that promise impressive results. For instance, you may just want to have warmer feet, but the best underlayments may add moisture control and great sound deadening in addition to superior insulation against heat loss.

Carpet Fiber Charisma

admin — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:56:07 +0000

Carpet Fiber Charisma

By Annette Callari, ASID; CMG

It’s been a while since we’ve talked about the nuts and bolts of carpeting—the fiber carpets are made from. Fiber technologies continue to evolve and amaze us as to performance. So I thought I’d put together a little refresher course on the different types of fibers available for you.

Although wool carpets have the longest history of use in carpets, nylon fiber carpets have been around for decades. They came into high fashion during the 1950’s when it was a luxury to have wall-to-wall carpeting. You have no idea how many hardwood floors went undercover for years with the advent of that trend. Manufacturers tried round fibers, triangular fibers, and then finally found that a rounded trilobal fiber was the best configuration for performance and soil-hiding.

Two types, Nylon 6.6 and Nylon 6, are typically used in carpet. Nylon can claim the ability to produce a stunning array of color harmonies; a luxurious soft “hand”, excellent resiliency, durability, abrasion resistance and texture retention. Just as importantly, consumers benefit from nylon’s significant resistance to stains and soils. As a matter of fact, it has become an expected feature for carpet to have superior stain resistant properties–and mills continue to deliver on those expectations. Solution-dyed nylon, in particular, has proven to offer excellent color fastness and increased stain ‘clean-ability’.

More recently, nylon fiber developments have focused on soft-handed luxury. Stainmaster Tactesse and Shaw/Anso Nylon’s Caress are leaders in soft-engineered carpets. At the same time, manufacturers have been attentive to sustainability and recyclable polymers–a significant direction that continues to gain momentum. In this instance, consumer consciousness is driving this direction of R & D, demanding responsible manufacturing and post-use accountability. Sustainability is a multi-faceted frontier and it will be extremely interesting to see where R & D takes fiber technologies over the next decade. Overall, when you weigh the advantages of nylon’s durability and resilience against other fiber types, it’s not surprising that nylon still claims the largest percentage of carpet sold in the United States.

It’s a fact that forward-thinking R & D is a necessity for mills to bring something unique to the marketplace. As a result, we have seen some creative fiber types emerge. Mohawk Carpet Mills introduced SmartStrand® carpet with DuPont™ Sorona® renewably sourced polymer about eight years ago. In a partnership with DuPont, this carpet offers fiber made with Bio-PDO™ (the key Sorona® ingredient, also known as TriextaÒ). SoronaÒ is produced from corn sugar. By utilizing this new ingredient, 37 percent of Sorona® is being made from renewable resources. The end result? A luxuriously soft carpet that offers durability and stain protection, while making less of an environmental impact. The Carpet and Rug Institute had this to say about TriextaÒ: “…Features include a luxurious soft “hand”, excellent colorfastness, bright colors, inherent and permanent stain resistance… durability, resistance to fading, clean-ability, texture retention and resiliency.”

Mohawk’s Karastan division features SmartStrandÒ products in their Color Choicesdisplay unit. Color is the key magnet attracting consumers to this display, but the “hand” of the carpet and the warranties that back SmartStrandÒ are the features that close the sale. Even though SmartStrandÒ is still in its infancy compared to nylon, it has made a strong impact in the marketplace.

It would be impossible to write about fiber types and not dedicate a paragraph toOlefin (polypropylene) carpets. Olefin has especially found its niche in the realm of commercial carpeting. Its versatility in styling and amazing colorations accounts for a big part of its popularity. Just as attractive is the competitive pricing olefin carpets offer. Turn key installations benefit from both the aesthetics and affordability. Olefin features include permanent resistance to water-based stains, colorfastness, and resistance to static electricity. It’s inherently resistant to moisture, making it the primary fiber used in indoor/outdoor carpets. We are seeing these well-styled carpets transitioning from the commercial world to residential, as consumers are embracing more tailored, well constructed styles.

Polyester carpets have always garnered mixed reviews. The luxurious hand and incredible face weights make this fiber type a strong draw. 70 oz., 80oz. and even 90 oz. face weights are not uncommon, and compared to their nylon counterparts, these hefty polyester carpets are very reasonably priced. Other attractive characteristics include inherent and permanent stain resistance, the ability to produce colors with superior clarity, good abrasion resistance, fade resistance, and clean-ability. Polyester does not have as good a reputation for abrasion resistance as nylon, but evolving technologies continue to deliver an ever-improving fiber.

Let’s turn the focus to wool. Wool carpets seem to have a unique status quotient all their own. This natural fiber brings luxury and performance to the floor in equal parts. Its features include a naturally soft hand, high bulk, good color options and inherent flame-retardant characteristics. That’s a credible menu of features for a fiber with the longest history of use in carpeting. The naturally low luster level of wool is a strong draw, and other fiber types do their best to emulate it.

Without a doubt, fiber selection ultimately affects carpet aesthetics and end-use performance. We, as consumers are the benefactors and owe manufacturers a vote of thanks. It’s their call as to which fiber types will perform best in certain constructions. So far, I’d say they are making very wise calls. We continue to see striking, well made carpets spicing up the floor covering market, pairing exactly the right fiber with the right construction!

The Unexpected Floor Covering

admin — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:49:57 +0000

The Unexpected Floor Covering

Submitted by Annette Callari, A.S.I.D.; CMG

Most of you have toured professionally designed model homes in your area. Designers turning out those models all seem to have something in common: they have been successful in integrating an element of surprise. What makes a room or a home memorable is the application of materials in a way you might never have thought of. Some of my most seasoned design associates cruise Home Depot in search of novel materials to adapt to home environments. Crazy? Maybe. But when you see the finished product, it appears more ingenious than crazy. The fact that they get requests to replicate what’s been done in the models is testament to the fact that this brand of “craziness” seems to have broad appeal.

If you are among an elite set of homeowners who definitely want something extremely unique for your floor coverings, read on–this article is for you. Before I tell you what this flooring material is, let me outline some of its features:

This resource is renewable and sustainable
No matter how much foot traffic it endures, or how long furniture stands on it, it retains its shape and elasticity
It’s a natural fire inhibitor
It insulates against heat and cold and maintains a warm floor temperature in your home
It has excellent acoustic properties, as it absorbs ambient sound
It is naturally anti-static
It has an inherent cushioning nature
Its properties prevent the cultivation of mold and resist dust mites and insects
This material is resistant to moisture penetration
It is an excellent choice of flooring for rooms used by children or the elderly

Have you been able to guess what flooring material this is? I will give you one more factoid: it became popular in the United States when renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright chose CORK flooring for many of his home designs. I kept you in suspense long enough, so there you have the answer.

Today’s cork floors offer selection, performance, and beauty and can be manufactured as tiles, planks, or even sheets in various thicknesses. The cork goes through a baking process that increases its durability, and is then sealed with polyurethane or wax. One very impressive fact to note is that there is practically no waste–from the harvesting of the raw material–to the finished floor, making it highly desirable as a “green” product. The bark is taken from a cork oak tree and harvested without any negative environmental impact. In fact, the bark actually re-grows and can be harvested again in nine to twelve years! So how do you account for different colorations if this is an all-natural product? It’s the amount of time the cork is baked (in specially designed ovens) that contributes to its light, medium, or dark coloration. The manufacturing process prior to baking is not so different from the manufacture of cork wine-stoppers.

Cork floors are, more or less, synonymous with comfort and gentleness underfoot. This might be your material of choice if you have toddlers and small children at home who seem to be always prone to falls. Homes for the elderly often incorporate cork as the flooring of choice for its unique level of comfort and warmth. If you stand for long periods of time, cork underfoot helps relieve back stress and leg fatigue. But, as adaptive to residential use as this material is, cork has been utilized in commercial settings for quite some time. Conference rooms, libraries, churches, and banks are just a sample of its unique applications. Dating back to the turn of the century, two famous installations included the First Congressional Church in Chicago and the old Toronto Stock Exchange.

Knowing the facts about cork flooring isn’t quite enough. Understandably, your next question will be, “how do I care for a cork floor?” Here are some of the recommendations, according to one of North America’s finest manufacturers of cork flooring, TORLYS Inc., a Canadian company known internationally for its European styling and design-driven collections:

Wipe away spills at once
Damp mop the floor occasionally
Vacuum and sweep regularly to clean dirt and grit that can cause abrasion to the floor
Place breathable mats and rugs at entrances to prevent dirt and debris from being tracked in
Use a mat in front of the kitchen stove and sink to prevent wear due to excessive use
Use felt pads under furniture legs to prevent scuffs
If the finish is appearing dull, have your floors recoated to protect the cork
As with any floor covering material, use window coverings to prevent excessive exposure to direct sunlight

What NOT to DO:

Don’t wet mop a cork floor. Avoid excessive moisture
Don’t use mats with rubber backings. (They trap moisture and affect the finish of the floor)
Don’t walk on cork floors with stiletto heels
Don’t drag heavy furniture across a cork floor. Better to lift and place to protect the floor

There you have a quick and easy “manual” on how to care for cork floors: fairly easy maintenance with a good measure of common sense. Given all the wonderful attributes you’ve just learned about this product, the most impressive of all still lies in the fact that it is one of the most environmentally responsible floor coverings available. That extends from the harvesting of the material to the lifespan of the product and its recyclability! One additional benefit to choosing a cork floor: yours will be one of a kind. Each batch of cork is unique and patterns encompass a wide range, from classic looks to burled designs. Pictured with this article is TORLYS pattern, “Florence”, which is a 4-sided micro bevel tile with TORLYS’ Uniclic® system. Visit TORLYS, Inc. on line for more information.

Any way you look at it, cork is making a name for itself, and that would be over and above what it has always done to top your favorite wine.

What You Should Know Before You Buy Carpet

admin — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:48:23 +0000

You’ve decided on new carpet, but you want to shop smart. You already know how carpet is made and the difference between carpet styles, but what else is there to know before you buy? Lots.

Here are some tips to give you the upper hand on what will soon be underfoot!

Seams

Unless your room is narrower than 15 feet, you’re going to have seams. Most carpet comes in widths of 12 feet and 15 feet — and on occasion, 13 feet. The degree of visibility of your seams depends on the texture and color you choose, as well as the lighting and furniture placement in your room.

Bending

When you carpet your stairs, its backing may show on the bends. And if it’s a looped carpet, it can snag — especially at the seams or transitions.

A carpet’s nap runs in a single direction, making pile reversal or the shading you see from a vacuum trail, completely normal for most cut pile styles. If you’re not a fan, window treatments and furniture placement can minimize the effect.

Quality

Let’s face it. You get what you pay for. If you want your carpet to have a great pile density and tighter twist construction (which leads to improved durability), then you’re going to want to go with a higher quality (and more expensive) product. New carpet adds value to any home, so it’s an investment worth making.

Color

Carpet covers a large part of any room, so it’s vital that you consider some basic rules when selecting its color. First off, know that once your carpet is installed, it’s going to look lighter in color than the sample you saw in the store. Don’t ask us why, that’s just the way it is — kind of like losing a sock in the dryer.

Next, recognize that color can affect the apparent size of a room. Call it a visual illusion or a trick of the light, but lighter carpet makes a room look larger and darker colors make a room look smaller and more intimate.

If you like to redecorate often or plan to move soon, go neutral. It’s much easier to imagine furniture in a room that is decorated with neutral colors.

Stains

It’s going to happen, no matter how long you hold out from sipping wine or munching on chips and salsa in your freshly carpeted room. Stain protection is an important consideration when buying carpet. Products come with various levels of protection and warranties. As the quality of a carpet increases, so does its stain protection level and warranty coverage.

Padding/Cushion

Padding or cushion is the layer of spongy material between carpet and floor. It’s the padding — not the carpet — that determines whether the carpet feels good or great under your feet.

A quality padding can help preserve a carpet’s look and can extend its life and comfort by providing tougher protection against wear and tear.

Padding is sold using quality specifications, not color specifications. The color of the sample you see in the store may not be the same color as what’s installed in your home. But as long as it feels good, who cares?!

Warranty

It’s a good idea to read the product specs and warranty coverage on the back labels of your carpet prior to purchasing. Doing so will give you the information you need to protect your investment — and eliminate any surprises down the road.

Cost

“Cost per square foot” is just one component of the overall price tag for new carpet. Ask your retailer to calculate the total cost of your floor covering project. Here’s what he or she may include beyond the cost of the carpet, itself:

Furniture removal/replacement
Some retailers or installers may charge to remove (and then replace) furniture in the room to be carpeted.
Demolition/disposal of old floor covering
Unless your home is brand new, there’s probably an old floor covering that is going to need to be removed and properly disposed of.
Sub-floor preparation
Depending on its condition (after removal of the old floor covering), your subfloor may need to be prepped for carpet installation.
Product delivery
Delivering your carpet and padding may not be included in the “cost per square foot” price.
Installation
There will most likely be a “cost per square foot” or “square yard” to install your new carpet and padding.
Materials required to complete the installation
Additional materials, like adhesives, moisture barriers, stair nosing and baseboards may be required to properly install your carpet.
Financing
Many retailers offer financing as an option of payment. Be sure to check the interest rate, minimum payment due and any finance charges if you choose to pay your purchase off over time.

In addition to your total project cost, annual cleanings are also recommended to maintain the beauty and life of your new carpet. Ask your retailer and/or consult the manufacturer’s warranty and care guide for directions on cleaning and maintenance.

Exotic Hardwood Flooring

Andrew Denny — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 20:37:17 +0000

With beautiful names and exciting origins, the use of exotic hardwood flooring has continued to grow. Exotic hardwood is a very interesting alternative to traditional domestic hardwoods for several reasons, but most noticeable is the way it looks. Typically, exotic hardwood flooring is only sealed and not stained, so the color variation is the natural color and shading of the wood. Exotic hardwood is also typically a more dense wood than typical domestic species.

Beautiful and sleek

I love the color variation

Maybe a tad more contemporary

Really cool Parquet

I love the fact that the natural tones are present with the exotic flooring, but be weary if you do not like variation.

I love the brown and red tones in merbau

Tigerwood!!!

Rosewood, heavily dominated by the reds

A few of the names these woods are sometimes sold underare Jatoba, Merbau, Zebrawood, andIPE but more Americanized names have been created including Brazilian Cherry, Brazilian Maple, African Walnut, and Patagonian Pecan.

Enjoy these beautiful floors, but make sure if you are interested in having one of these that you know the history of the wood. Responsible forestry is very important and some of the manufactures may not be as reputable as others.

Create a Spa experience in your home

Andrew Denny — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:12:01 +0000

World class Spa’s are about the most wonderful place to relax and rejuvenate imaginable. Unfortunately for many of us going to a Spa happens about once every 1-3 years. Although that time is refreshing, I wish I could experience it much more often. A Spa has great design and just the aesthetics and design are enough to let the stress relief begin.

The Spa at Cesar's Palace in Las Vegas-- A World Class Spa!!

A beautiful Turkish Steam Room-- Notice the lighting and tile everywhere

Common design components that you will find in a Spa are lots and lots of stone and tile, great lighting that is soft and subtle and light natural earth tones. Also, tile can be used everywhere. I encourage tiling the walls and even ceiling.

Notice the tile from floor to ceiling, good earth tones too.

Very clean and relaxing-- contemporary sty-lings with a more masculine feel

Marble and travertine, great selection of tile sizes too. 3x6 tiles can offer a very good feel

Hit the nail on the head-- total relaxation, a true place to refresh and rejuvenate-- notice all of the components at work here, the softness of the fabrics, lighting and colors.

I love this shower-- perfect example of simplicity

Consider Mosaics, and go big. By that I mean to use it everywhere, try not to break things up by alternating to larger tiles, keep it clean

Best Shower Head-- Notice the Rainfall head in the dome, with corresponding tiles. Great look and very natural feel. They diffused the whole look by using curves. I love this!!

Great remodel-- travertine to the ceiling and very peaceful-- this is a smaller space and it works perfect!! Can you imagine this in your home?

Ultra Modern, but so soothing-- blue is a great color to unwind to

A very cool tile-- Circles are perfect for a bath, be careful though this is not for the faint of heart

If the budget allows, I recommend a "human car wash" -- these get pricey and require to expensive plumbing, but oh so worth it

Well, I hope you were able to find some ideas and inspiration. Let me know what you think and if you would like to share a picture of your bath we would love to see it.

Seagrass for flooring, great choice!!

Andrew Denny — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 20:47:12 +0000

Many people wonder what Seagrass flooring is. Seagrass is a natural plant that grows in many coastal regions around the world. Seagrass beds are highly diverse and productive ecosystems, and can harbor hundreds of associated species from all phyla, for example juvenile and adult fish and many kinds of algeas and single cell organisms.

Beautiful in the Sea!! Bring nature into your home!!

Few species were originally considered to feed directly on seagrass leaves (partly because of their low nutritional content), but scientific reviews and improved working methods have shown that seagrass herbivory is a highly important link in the food chain, with hundreds of species feeding on seagrasses worldwide, including crabs, turtles and manatees.

Great looking

Typically, Seagrass used in flooring is from Southeast Asia. After drying, seagrass can be woven into beautiful rugs and other floor covering. Also, seagrass absorbs colors very poorly so it can be resistant to staining. That said, I know first hand that it is not “bullet-proof”.

Comes in great patterns

Traditional and more durable than Sisal

This is the natural color of the rug, a slight green tint

Seagrass is light green and brown in color and has a wicker type feel. It is not the most comfortable floor covering, but for areas where shoes are worn it is great. Neutrality is a great to describe the look. Over time the material will become more brown and mellow.

Great places for Seagrass would be in an office, under a table, living room and kitchen. It can be installed wall to wall for a great alternative to carpet or hardwood flooring. Rugs can be made to any size and be bound in different colors. You can have a border as wide as 5 inches and in a variety of fabrics, from Chenille to canvas.

My bedroom at my vacation home, not really

Cool entry, a real pro has to do the install though, not Hack and his pal Slash.

Caring for seagrass is easy. Just vacuum regularly or sweep with a stiff broom, If a stain happens scrub the material with a stiff brush and a bit of water. This may not remove the spot, but will help. Spills, which are still moist, are the easiest to remove. Remove the spills promptly by scrapping up solids and blotting liquids. Follow by dabbing with a damp cloth of water (add white vinegar to the cloth to cut grease). Dry with a cloth or hair blow dryer.

Green made easy

Andrew Denny — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:32:50 +0000

In this video Beth Haley shares some wonderful insight on how to go green easily.

The three R’s in Green

admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:47:24 +0000

“Going Green” can mean many different things. There are now lawyers, architects and consultants that have made green buildings their entire business. The “Three Rs” can help anyone get started to understanding the environmental impact of their flooring selections:

Recyclability – The floor made with post-consumer or post-industrial recycled material. Ideally the materials can even be recycled again into additional products, such as certain carpet fibers.

Rapidly Renewable – Floors are considered “green” if they can be quickly replenished. Bamboo is cut and then grows back from the same stump; sometimes at four feet per day. Wool carpets obviously come from sheep. There are durable, attractively priced carpets made of corn fibers.

Regional – Is the material made or distributed close to home, defined as a 500 mile radius of your location? In the Tennessee area, that might be oak floors, certain tile products or carpet products out of Georgia.

That’s the “Three Rs”; basics to being green. Textures Flooring is a good source for more specific green product ideas.