FloorTalk – for all the latest flooring fashions

As of right now, 106 of you have cast your vote on the laminate flooring poll.

36% think it is cheap.

Some laminate floors can be cheap, but keep in mind that there are laminate floors available that are very high quality and can cost even more than regular hardwood. I think laminate got a bad reputation when it first came out, but through consumer awareness and new product introductions, laminate is proving itself to be a worthwhile flooring purchase.

11% think it is loud and clicky

Again, in the past this could be said about some laminate floors. Since the introduction of laminate, improvements have been made in the underlayment used for laminate floors. With some of the newer laminate floors it is almost impossible to tell whether you are walking on laminate or hardwood.

11% think it scratches easily and will not hold up to your family and traffic patterns.

Laminate floors have learned alot from the laminate countertop industry. Considerable amounts of resin have been added to the wear layer that allow some manufacturers to brag that their floors are no 10 to 20 times harder than laminate countertops. Since the resin filled wear layer is so dense, that makes it extremely difficult to scratch or stain.

42% think it is a great product that will give you the look of hardwood for less money and is more practical for your family and traffic patterns.

This happens to be the vote I cast. Laminate floors are designed to be less expensive than most hardwoods while giving you the same realistic look. These floors can be more practical for your family and traffic patterns.

If you are interested in learning more about laminate flooring, click here. If you are interested in purchasing laminate floors and need to find a retailer in your area, click here.

Earlier this month we talked about the color trends shown a Surfaces and what’s hot for 2009, Among the colors that were shown were greens, blues, oranges neutrals and warm earthy colors. Here are some tips on where you can use these colors in your home. You can make big changes like changing out the floors or you can make small temporary changes like changing out accessories.

• Choose hardwoods that are warm, rich and earthy in color. If you are considering changing hardwoods, keep these trends in mind
• Choose carpets in warm neutrals or these colors with lots of texture
• Use area rugs on top of those hardwoods that have greens, blues and rich oranges for accent color
• Use accent pullows on the sofa that have these colors
• Change out lamp shades to incorporate these colors
• Change out bedding or using accent pillows on bedding
• Use colorful candles

You can go overboard by using too many of these tips and hints – use these tips wisely! If you decide to make smaller accessory changes you don’t have to make a huge investment to have the current trends represented in your home. Give some of these a try and see  how you like being a trendsetter!

Cork Oak is currently one of the most fashionable new flooring trends used by internationally renowned interior designers, and is quickly becoming a favorite option for environmentally conscientious builders today. The remarkable properties of sustainable Cork Oak have been well cherished in the Mediterranean for centuries. Take a minute to behold the amazing natural insulating, silencing, and health benefits of beautiful Cork Oak Floors.

Amorim, based in Portugal, has been the world leader in Cork Oak for over 130 years, and is proudly introducing Wicanders brand of naturally unique Cork Oak Flooring. Years of research and development performed exclusively for Wicanders have produced patented Noise Reduction Technology (NRT), Wear Resistance Technology (WRT) and High Performance Surface (HPS) which dramatically enhance the remarkable natural benefits of beautiful Cork Oak Floors. Wicanders is the only brand that extends decades of attentive dedication to each Cork Oak Floor, from seedling to installation and preservation. Behold the beautiful benefits of Cork Oak Floors for yourself. An array of innovative, alluring collections are presently being unveiled across the globe.

The WicCork and WicWood Collections represent stories collected from generations dwelling deep within the Mediterranean forestland. Nurturing, innovation, and creative design are themes ingrained within each of Wicanders Collections. Combined with the hottest international interior designers, WicCork and WicWood Collections define the latest in timelessly fashionable, timelessly functional flooring.

The richly textured WicCork Originals Collection with names such as Rhapsody, Accent, Symphony, Harmony, and Dawn, deeply draw you to their astonishing striking beauty. Nightshade, Cool Crimson, Caramel, and Champagne define the smooth elegance of WicCork’s Personality Collection. The Vintage and Classics Collections of WicWood in shades of Cherry, Beech Plank, Maple and Mahogany are as breathtaking as the forests from which they are born. Unlike other floor brands, Amorim’s Wicanders Collections of Cork Oak Floors truly are nurtured from seedling.

While Wicanders Cork Oak Floors are natural insulators from the noisy hustle and bustle of everyday life, they insulate your space from the cold chill of the outside world as well. Cork Oak Floors are truly nurturing soles! WicCork and WicWood Floors decrease thermal transfer by astonishing amounts. Natural Cork Oak Flooring seems to have the warmth of its Mediterranean roots locked into every cell. This unique cushion of Cork Oak has the ability to warmly nestle each room better than any conventional flooring on the market.

Wicanders Cork Oak Floors are safe for your family… and for their families! By choosing WicCork and WicWood Collections you are supporting an environmentally friendly, renewable, recyclable, sustainable material whose source will prosper throughout generations to come.

Click here for a retailer near you:

Tuftex, a division of Shaw Industries is color…style fashion. In a word lifestyle. Call it California or simply casual elegance its a lifestyle that appeals to your senses. Fair and warm, open, airy, and sunny. Tuftex creates colors, textures, and images that are in harmony with this lifestyle. This lifestyle is the essence of their fashion, the inspiration for their colors. It is the Tuftex style unobtrusive, soft, casual, elegant, and a complement to the scenic beauty of its surroundings.

Their new 2009 introductions are in keeping with California lifestyles. There are 18 exciting new product offerings………soft, sink your feet into friezes, luxurious patterns in both solid colors and subtle tonal effects, unique patterned loops and of course and uptown California shag with a lot of pizazz!

Some facts from Tuftex:

• Tuftex uniqely offers 3 tone heathered products that have been the top sellers for the past 5 years. Style names include Travertino and Cararra.
• For the past 3 years, patterns are the only category to grow 30%.
• In the pattern category, a product called Crystal Visions is the #3 seller overall.
• All Tuftex products are available in their custom rug program.

Look for a specific Tuftex display called Pattern Destination that offers tri-tone patterns, a combination of heathers and patterns that have never been done before in all different price points.

No wonder their motto for 2009 is “Creating The Trend”!