FloorTalk – for all the latest flooring fashions

 This week is all about beautiful showers and baths and the details that make them unique or give them their beauty.

Things to notice about this shower:

• The large format tile is used to make the shower appear larger
• The tile is turned on the diagonal to give an added design element and make the shower appear even larger
• The seat is made from a solid surface slab. This is important because it does not have grout lines that will crack from water constantly hitting the surface.
• The seat being a solid surface also helps with the design on the shower. It would be difficult to keep all of the grout lines together if the seat were to be laid with tile or a different size tile would have to be used creating unnecessary distractions from the overall design.
• There is not only one decorative metal band, but there are two. This makes it appear as though there is one larger design element (decorative band)
• The soap dish and corner shelf are not white. They are made of a resin material made to look like stone. This helps the accessories blend into the shower more rather than take away from the overall design and beauty of the shower.
• This shower also shows off a tile gorgeous range of color. This is a good example of why you want to ask to see more than one sample of a tile like this so that you get an idea of how much range of color is in the tile before it is installed.
• The hardware on the shower door handle blends nicely with the earth colors in the tile and the door being frameless removes any extra metal trim that would detract from the design of the shower.

This is a well done shower installation with a simple yet stunning tile design. This shower will give the owners of the home a bath with a beautiful design that is not so busy that they will grow tired of it quickly.

This image is of a beautiful slate floor. The purpose of sharing this floor with you is to show you the natural beauty and range of color in natural stone. Slate happens to be one of the best examples of a large range of color.

When shopping for slate, some retailers might show you one piece of tile. It is very important to ask to see more samples so that you will know what kind of range of color to expect. If you see only one tile, you might think that your whole floor will be that one color instead of the myriad of colors that are characteristic of a slate floor.

Even though this floor has a lot of different colors, you may hear that slate floors are neutral colored floors. This is because there are so many colors in the floor that it goes with everything! One great feature about these floors and floors with a lot of range of color are that they hide dirt and traffic really well!

Not all slates have this much range of color – some are more uniform in color.

Also note the grout color: since there are so many colors in the floor a neutral gray grout was chosen. For more tips on choosing a grout color, click here.

Flooring samples come in all different shapes and sizes. For example, carpet samples come on what are called deckboards (left) in order to showcase as many color ways as possible. Hardwood samples generally come a little larger with several boards on each sample. and tile samples come in the form of one piece of tile with each piece being its true and actual size. These samples are all assembled for a particular reason – all are designed to help give you the most accurate representation of what the actual product will look like when it is installed in your home.

Here are some important things to know about flooring samples:

Carpet:

• Carpet samples that are on deckboards are meant to showcase the many colors offered. Larger size samples are intended to be used in conjunction with this type of sample.
• The smaller swatches on deckboards are to show the general color field. The larger swatches that are available (usually 13.5″x18″ and 27″x18″) will give a more accurate color representation.
• With neutral colors, the smaller swatches will appear darker on deckboards than the actual product when it arrives and is installed.
• As with all samples, they are made at different times than when you order your flooring material. Because of  the different environmental conditions during the time the product is made, the samples will not always “match” what you order exactly.

Hardwood and Cork:

• Hardwood and cork are natural products. Therefore, they will have ranges of color and graining.
• Multiple boards or planks are usually shown on sample boards to give you an idea if that particular hardwood will have ranges of color and visible grain.
• As with all samples, they are made at different times than when you order your flooring material. Because of  the different environmental conditions during the time the product is made, the samples will not always “match” what you order exactly.

Tile:

• Tile samples are usually shown by the piece. It is a good idea to look at several different tiles together to see if the tile has any range of color.
• Some showrooms show grouted panels of tiles so that you can see the range of color. Know that the grout color chosen for these samples is not the only choice and different grout colors can make the overall installation look different.
• As with all samples, they are made at different times than when you order your flooring material. Because of  the different environmental conditions during the time the product is made, the samples will not always “match” what you order exactly.

Vinyl and Linoleum:

• Larger sheets of the actual product are generally used for samples. Some are smaller and some are larger. Larger samples are helpful for patterned goods.
• Look for catalogs to show pictures of the floor installed in a room so you can see how the overall pattern will look.
• As with all samples, they are made at different times than when you order your flooring material. Because of  the different environmental conditions during the time the product is made, the samples will not always “match” what you order exactly.

Equally as important to know, samples will appear differently in the flooring showroom than they will in your home. A showroom is likely to have florescent lights where your home is likely to have incandescent lighting. Ask if you can check the samples out from the flooring showroom and take them home to look at them with your surroundings.

When looking at samples, it is best not to look at the sample only a few inches from your face. Set the samples of the floor (where it will actually be) and walk away at least a few feet to get a good look at the product. Very rarely will you spend your time with your face only a few inches from the floor!

Don’t be shy – ask for larger samples. Ask for samples to be ordered that you can take home or samples that can be checked out from the showroom.

Zodiaq® Terra Collection is a countertop series with the natural beauty and durability of quartz offered by DuPont. DuPont remains committed to the environment by creating this product that is composed of at least 50% pre-consumer recycled glass. It is easy to care for and has a variety of modern, up to date colors.

The newest colors are: Calm Springs, Warm Taupe, Mossy Green and Moroccan Morning.

Like all DuPont™ Zodiaq® colors, the Terra Collection can help contribute towards U.S. Green Building Council LEED® points for Materials and Resources (MR) Building Reuse, MR Regional Materials, Environmental Quality (EQ) Low Emitting Materials – Adhesives and Sealants.

DuPont™ Zodiaq® is 93% pure quartz crystal, which gives Zodiaq® a natural depth and radiance without the imperfections common in unimproved stone. And because quartz is one of nature’s strongest materials, Zodiaq® is also incredibly durable and resists both heat and scratches. Custom-fit to your exact specifications and virtually maintenance free—Zodiaq® is perfect for your home, naturally.

DuPont was one of the first companies to publicly establish environmental goals nearly 20 years ago, and since then, they’ve broadened their commitment beyond internal footprint reduction to market-driven targets. They’re excited about the future of sustainable design and hope to be a part of your next sustainable design project. For more information on the sustainability goals of DuPont, please
click here.

Mohawk Key Contributor to “Extreme Makeover” Going Green

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Atlanta, GA, September 16, 2008–Instead of “move that bus,” it was “move that Mohawk truck!”

In a scene that could have been right out of “Extreme Makeover:  Home Edition,” Brock Built Homes, WSB-TV, Mohawk Industries, and others celebrated the construction of Brock Built’s Going Green “The Green House,” with an open house for participating companies.  Attendees lined up across the street and were treated to their first look at the home when a Mohawk tractor-trailer moved out of the way, revealing the unique charity project.

Going Green “The Green House” features a variety of green and environmentally sound building technologies.  The home was constructed by Brock Built of Atlanta and will be showcased in WSB-TV’s ongoing “Going Green Georgia” series, which shows viewers the things they can do to live a green lifestyle.

The Brock Built “Green House” will be the subject of a WSB-TV (Atlanta’s highest rated station and ABC affiliate) special primetime television program on September 17 (7-8 PM EST).  The TV special will kick off an online auction for the house, with the proceeds going to benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.  Bidding will begin at $350,000, and bids will be taken online from September 17 through October 3.

Mohawk Industries is a long-time supporter of WSB-TV’s “Going Green Georgia” initiative, sponsoring awards for the “Green Champion of the Week.”  Mohawk contributed SmartStrand® carpet made with DuPont™ Sorona® renewably sourced polymer to “The Green House,” while DalTile, a Mohawk sister company, contributed the ceramic tile.

“We are proud to support Brock Built in this project, and we are continually delighted at the interest in green building that WSB-TV has created with its ‘Going Green Georgia’ program,” said David Duncan, Vice President of Marketing for Mohawk.  “We think it is especially important that this home project is teaching people new ways to protect the environment while raising needed funds for a very important organization.”

Going Green “The Green House” home is now open for tours.  Tours are available on Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 until 5pm, and on Saturdays from 11am until 5pm.  For directions to the home, and to learn more about the home auction, visit www.brockbuilt.com or www.wsbtv.com.

To learn more about other Mohawk green programs, visit www.mohawkgreenworks.com.