FloorTalk – for all the latest flooring fashions

As a former designer that used to work with other designers, I have come to realize that designers almost need continuing education when it comes to floors. What I mean by that is, times change and with it comes change in technology. Not staying on top of that technology can cause a designer to make an expensive mistake that costs them their reputation.

Examples are:

• Finishes on Products- New finishes are available that need to be maintained differently from older finishes.
• Installation Techniques- These techniques are being updated and improved all the time. Knowing what is most current will keep your clients happy and satisfied. Suggesting an improper technique can cost you a client.
• Colors and Styles- Colors and styles change as often as the fashion industry. Keeping up with these trends will help ensure that your current designs are in fact current.
• Discontinuation of products- We all have our favorites. There is nothing worse than selling a client your very favorite product, designing a space around it, only to find out that it is discontinued.

Your flooring consultant should keep you informed of new products, new trends, discontinued products and supervise installation techniques, but in reality, this doesn’t always happen. Staying on top of new flooring trends will keep your designs current and your customer satisfaction rate high. Use the tools and the advice on the WFCA site to help with those issues in conjunction with a local retailer.

Bentley Prince Street Provided All-Star Game Red Carpet

Friday, July 18, 2008

New York, NY, July 18, 2008– Bentley Prince Street provided one of the longest–and greenest–red carpets ever for the 2008 Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Game Red Carpet Parade. The eco-friendly carpet that stretched across 18 blocks of Manhattan and made from 100% recycled fiber content and 100% of the electricity used to produce the carpet is made renewable through an on-site solar array and the purchase of Green-e certified renewable energy certificates.

The carpet is part of a series of initiatives MLB has implemented in partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to make the 2008 MLB All-Star Game the greenest event in MLB’s history. MLB and NRDC have partnered together since 2005 on a league-wide environmental initiative, both for League events and also to help individual Clubs build on the good environmental work they have been doing for years.

“Major League Baseball takes great pride in showcasing these environmentally-friendly practices on one of the biggest stages ever – All-Star Week in New York City,” said John McHale, Executive Vice President, Administration and Chief Information Officer, Major League Baseball. “With the guidance of our partners at the NRDC, these efforts surrounding the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium are Major League Baseball’s grandest demonstration of our commitment to going green.” (more…)

Natural Fiber Floorcoverings – Sisal and Seagrass

Of all the natural fiber materials, sisal and seagrass are the most widely used and well known.

To spruce up your home for spring or summer, try changing out your area rugs to sisal or seagrass. This will lighten and brighten your home for the spring and summer months. You can even use area rugs over your existing wall to wall carpet. There are many different patterns within each category of natural floorcoverings, including colors other than the natural color.

These products can be installed wall to wall, (seams are very noticeable and are simply a characteristic of the product and are to be expected) area rugs and even on stairs. They can also be installed in wet areas such as bathrooms and kitchens provided water is not continuously splashed and left standing.

For installation on stairs, the longitudinal weave must be 90 degrees to the riser and fixed securely. This installation is more labor intensive and may cost more to complete.

Most natural fiber floor coverings can be installed by gluing directly to the floor or with padding. It is important to check with the manufacturer’s guidelines before making these decisions.

The beauty of these products being installed as area rugs is the different binding options that can be used. These products can be bordered with fabric, leather, and many other textile choices.

The latex backing makes these products easy to care for because the latex prevents the build up of dirt underneath. They can be vacuumed with a regular vacuum with a beater bar. Like any flooring material, spills should be wiped up as soon as possible and treated properly. For a natural fiber stain removal chart, click here.

Most natural fiber floor coverings are very durable and will wear as well as or better than conventional carpeting as long as they are properly maintained. Many are rated for commercial use!

Warning: If your sisal carpet or area rug stand between you and your coffee pot in the morning, you may want to invest in slippers. Part of the beauty of sisal is its texture. That comes with a price. This is not a product that is soft and soothing under your feet. Although some say your feet will get used to the texture in a few days.

There are sisal and seagrass carpet alternatives that have a similar look that is more comfortable underfoot.

Another great reason to choose a natural fiber rug is that they are eco- friendly and sustainable. These products are 100% bio degradable and made from real grasses making them an earth friendly choice you can feel good about making.

So, go to your local floorcovering store and check out some samples of natural fiber floorcoverings and see if there is one that is right for your home’s style or lifestyle.

Hakatai Launches the Emperia Series

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Do you know someone in the flooring business? Have you even been in a social setting where you meet someone in the flooring business, say at dinner at a mutual friends house or restaurant and had questions about how much it might cost to add flooring to your home?

Don’t be surprised if you don’t get very far when asking for price ranges for flooring in a social setting! There are many many factors that determine the cost of flooring so even if this person could tell you $12 per square foot – that still doesn’t tell you at all how much your project will cost. In the end, it will only end up leaving you disappointed.

Here are some of the factors that prevent someone from being able to give you a price for flooring on the spot.

• Existing flooring removal
• Furniture removal and replacement
• Floor prep
• Underlayment depending on your foundation type
• Direction of installation (more complicated patterns cost more to install)
• Transitions to other rooms
• Options within a category such as type of finish coat on site sand and finish wood flooring
• Size of the room. Just because a room is 14×14, that doesn’t mean that it needs 196 square feet of flooring.

There are other factors, but this gives you an idea of how each flooring project is different and that there are many factors in determining the price of flooring.

For a flooring retailer in your area, click here.

For more detailed information on what to expect when you are expecting floorcovering installation, click here.