FloorTalk – for all the latest flooring fashions

Submitted by: Steve Cooper

There are few greater annoyances—more than annoyances, really—than discovering scratches, scuffs, dents and other damage to new wood flooring. Makes you feel like beauty has become the beast.

Fortunately, avoiding damage is possible. It’s a matter of taking a smart first step when you buy flooring. Look for products made to resist everyday assault from dog claws, grains of sand, dining room chairs, high heels, and such. Brand-name companies continually work to harden their finishes.

Anderson Hardwood has built its reputation on floors that stand up to punishment while also attracting attention through the natural appeal of wood. Specializing in popular dark floors, the company offers exquisite products in oak, maple, hickory, cherry and birch. The company makes planks up to seven inches wide and some are hand-scraped, which makes for a memorable finish.

Homeowners can be confident that these will stand up to abuse because Anderson floors are made from the hardest part of the tree. Compared to wood flooring sold strictly on price, this makes their pecan planks 102 percent harder, maple planks 77 percent harder, and oak planks 41 percent harder.

Not strong enough for you? Anderson has now added a new finish called Luster-Lock Ultra, a proprietary smooth, glossy surface. This formula makes the floor six times more scuff- and abrasion-resistant than competing finishes.

Based on performance of the new finish, Anderson is doubling finish warranties on their 3/8-inch, 5-ply products to 30 years and their 1/2-inch products to 50 years. Smooth-faced products also get 30-year finish warranties and solid-textured floors get 50-year warranties.

No more beast. Just beauty.

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There’s more late-breaking news about Anderson Hardwood flooring:

1. All Anderson flooring is now GREENGUARD Children & Schools certified, which guarantees products will contribute to good indoor-air quality. For certification, flooring was tested for the presence of more than 10,000 different volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and to make certain that formaldehyde is present only in exceedingly small amounts (less than 13.5 parts per billion). To maintain the certificate, flooring is regularly retested.

Go big green!

2. Flooring in the Tropical Reflections collection features Anderson’s exclusive PermaColor natural aging process. This process creates a deep, high-gloss finish without the use of stains, solvents or chemicals.

Breath easy, people.

Annette Callari, Allied ASID

This is the story of how a product started out as one thing, and evolved into something entirely different.  Back in 1943, a family-owned company named Richlite produced materials strictly for industrial purposes:  aerospace applications, fiberglass reinforcements for marine industries, and materials for commercial food industries. But in the late 1990’s architects and designers discovered Richlite and began specifying it for high-end residential and commercial countertops, as well as reception areas.  And, to date, this story just keeps getting better and better.

Richlite is made primarily from paper purchased from FSC-Certified sources.  The paper is treated with resin, then pressed and baked to create solid sheets of material with exceptional strength. Because of its blend of waste paper, corrugated cardboard, soft woods and wood fibers, Richlite is able to create Herculean surfaces that satisfy aesthetics as well as function. (And brings “Green” specification to a new level.)  If you are wondering just how strong Richlite could possibly be, it’s a fact that the action sports industry has successfully used this material for outdoor skate ramps!!!  Enough said.

These countertops have earned GREENGUARD certification for indoor use residentially, but are also approved for school and institutional environments.  The material has a natural appeal and matte finish that gives it a clean, architectural look–very urban chic by nature.  Its strength is inherent for the life of the product and enables the surface to accommodate long spans and cantilevers without extra support.  No wonder designers and architects love it.  Its uses, of course, are not limited to countertops.  The product can be used for interior wall cladding, wainscots, work surfaces, wall caps, stair treads, and even free-form architectural features. 

If you happen to be intrigued by this chameleon product, log on to www.richlite.com to find out more.  There you can also see the color choices, which include dark green, rich chocolate tones, deep blue, golden amber, light maple, and even a deep red.

I love bringing versatile, innovative products to your attention, especially when they further the cause of sustainability.  I’ve given you some interesting applications as food for thought.  But its uses are limited only by your imagination.  Now it’s up to you to get creative!  Let me know what you create and I’ll share your story with our readers in future blogs.

World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) Provides Trend Report from Premiere Floor Covering Show

Anaheim, CA (PRWEB) March 11, 2009 — If the devil wears Prada, then the fashion-conscious demon must walk on animal prints, nude tones, layered looks and leather. For these are just some of the hottest trends in flooring uncovered by the World Floor Covering Association’s fashion scouts at this year’s Surfaces – one of the home market’s top international trade shows – which took place in Las Vegas in February this year.

WOOD AND BAMBOO TRENDS
There were no limits at Surfaces when it came to treatments in wood. High-gloss piano-finish floors that reveal your reflection were seen. As were innovative wood tiles in a surprising variety of whimsical shapes and sizes, including Tetris patterns, puzzle pieces, bricks and even fish scales! New wood surface stains now offer 0% VOC, no off gassing, are non-toxic and of all things, are even edible. Another new process extends the lifespan of hardwood floors with stains that run throughout the wear layer resulting in a highly durable floor that offers everlasting beauty that can be enjoyed for a lifetime.

Bamboo floors were also a hit at the show with one company presenting an assortment of oil-finished “woven” bamboo floors infusing cork strands for added dimension, anti-bacterial properties, soundproofing and insulation.

CARPET TRENDS
Carpet and area rugs were all about texture this year — from shag to loops to contemporary felt discs. Also fashionable are rugs and carpets bound with a hint of metallic fiber just to catch the eye. Animal and nature-inspired looks are also the rage, including panther and leopard skin, tropical leaf and flower patterns, tree textures and tribal designs.

In addition to eco-friendly products, manufacturers were paying close attention this year to allergen reducing products and manufacturing methods. One new line includes a broad selection of carpets that incorporates silver and zinc release, which offer the strongest anti-bacterial technology on the market. Another company debuted new friezes using dye-accented color choices achieved through an eco-friendly solution that saves water and is zero-effluent into streams.

One earth-friendly standout at the show was a new shag carpet made with 80% bamboo fiber yarn and 20% cotton. It has the look and feel of silk without the price tag.

TILE TRENDS
As in the wood and laminate categories, high sheen and transparent shine were the hot trends in the tile category. Long, thin rectangular tiles reminiscent of flowing streams were seen, as well as tiles made from authentic crystal and semi-precious stones. New heat slumped glass tiles impart a sculpted, embossed effect giving the illusion of raindrops on the surface, linen textures, crinkled fabric, sand and slate effects.

LAMINATE TRENDS
The hottest trend in laminates this year was highly reflective, glossy finishes in exotic wood formats, as well as stone looks with “natural” embossed patterns and beveled edging. A brand new introduction includes a hybrid product containing natural cork, leather and linoleum surface-treatments that are stabilized on planks.

RESILIENT TRENDS
New resilient products, including vinyl, cork, leather and linoleum, offered not only environmentally friendly introductions, but product launches that were also easy to clean and offered healthful benefits.

One new launch in the linoleum category achieved the Asthma and Allergy Friendly certification mark — which has never been given to a flooring product before. Another debut was a cork and linoleum hybrid called Corkoleum. It is an eco-friendly alternative to vinyl and laminate flooring that is resilient, warm, scratch and abrasion resistant, and easy to clean and maintain. 100% recycled leather planks were also presented in a broad spectrum of natural shades and textures — from glossy bright red crocodile to supple lizard.

“With today’s economic challenges, people everywhere are focusing more on their home environments and creature comforts,” said Christopher Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer of the WFCA. “Manufacturers across the globe have listened to customers and have delivered an array of introductions that are certain not to disappoint.”

The WFCA’s website – WFCA.org — offers detailed information about these flooring categories. In addition, the website provides answers to the most common floor covering questions. Visitors can also find detailed information and practical tips on every flooring category available, including carpet, hardwood, laminate, ceramic, porcelain, resilient, vinyl, cork, stone and area rugs. An overview of each category provides the pros and cons, a product catalog, manufacturing details, varieties and styles available, things to consider before purchase and how to prepare for installation.

When it’s time to buy floors, WFCA.org offers a searchable database of reputable WFCA retail members across the country. All a user needs to do is enter their zip code to receive a list of suppliers in their area.

The WFCA, official sponsor of Surfaces, is the floor covering industry’s largest advocacy organization, representing floor covering retailers, contractors and allied service providers throughout North America. For more information about the WFCA, visit WFCA.org and WFCA-PRO.org.

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:

For more information:

• rebuildingcenter.org
• nativeart.net
• oldegoodthings.com
• Building with Reclaimed Components and Materials: A Design Handbook for Reuse and Recycling by Bill Addis. (Earthscan Publications Ltd., April 2006)

Patronize local artisans. “If your area is known for any kind of particular artwork or culture, it would be worth examining to see if there is a way to incorporate that into a project,” Connors says. For example, she recommends seeking out Native American artisans in the area. “You usually think of that as part of the Southwest, but there were tribes all over the country that have a lot of artists who do beautiful work.” In addition, if you can find local artists who create art out of recycled or salvaged materials, your green quotient skyrockets. A little research into your region’s history and culture — past and current — may yield a wealth of accessories, art and furnishings.

Look into deconstruction or architectural salvage shops. Thanks to the modern green movement, deconstruction companies are more in demand than ever. If a home or another building is being razed to make room for a new structure, deconstruction workers will be called in to carefully disassemble the facility, thus significantly reducing the amount of construction waste heading to the landfill.

Many times, deconstruction companies will sell the items they’ve retained; lumber, windows, stained glass, trim and doors are popular products for sale. Architectural salvage shops operate similarly but are more likely to offer fireplace mantels or unique tiles. “If you can get flooring that comes from a local bank, school or house that’s being demolished, you’ll have something really beautiful because it’s from your area,” Connors notes. “And you will be recycling, reusing and bringing something with character back to its best.”

Peruse garage sales, estate sales, antique stores and flea markets for accessories. A keen eye can find a potential gem amid seemingly unusable items. In fact, restoration is one of the easiest ways to go green while introducing a unique piece into your design. If you plan to refinish furniture, for instance, use an upholsterer in your town — and request that he or she use recycled fabric for the project.