Molding for transition from one flooring material to another appears inconsequential. It hardly seems worth a blog post. That is, until you walk barefoot over a threshold that has been poorly designed. How does a bad transition make you yelp or squirm? Let’s count the ways.

1. Too narrow

2. Too high

3. A too-sharp edge

4. Splinters

5. Nails

You’ll know what’s wrong the minute you step on it. Your foot may glide across the transition but get creased by a sharp back edge. A nailhead may snag your stocking. Or the width will be so narrow that it’s slightly painful if the molding is stepped on squarely.

Wood-molding remedies are easy as long as the design gets attention prior to installation. Don’t let one be made so tall that you can stub your toe on it. Instead, have it built at least 3 inches wide, tapering down at each side. A 6- to 8-inch-wide transition may seem excessive, but it provides comfort. All nails should be set and the holes filled. For screws, countersink holes to eliminate a potential hazard.

If you are using metal or any other material for the thresholds, check for comfort before installtion by testing it with bare feet. Make sure no screw heads will be sticking up.

Let your installer know that you are concerned about comfort at transition points. This often goes unmentioned and, since molding is the last item during installation, it does not always get the attention it needs.

For more information on flooring visit the World Floor Covering Association’s Consumer Carpet & Flooring Guide.

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.

WarmStep from ThermoSoft International Corp., a manufacturer of do it yourself radiant floor heat systems, is specially designed for installation not only under the usual floor coverings: ceramic tile, marble, porcelain and stone, but it can also be installed under all types of laminate, engineered wood and wood floors.

WarmStep installs on virtually any subfloor and under any floor covering. WarmStep is so versatile that this one system can meet the heating demands of almost any floor. WarmStep can even be installed under carpet, vinyl tile and glued down floors under a layer of self-leveling cement, for heated floors anywhere throughout the home.

“Most radiant floor heating systems must be embedded in cement mortar before laying laminate and other floating floors,” said Dr. Eric Kochman, President of ThermoSoft International Corporation. “But not WarmStep! WarmStep is installed above the underlayment pad and directly under floating laminate, engineered wood or wood floors — without cement! This can save consumers expensive installation costs in addition to reducing their energy costs.”

WarmStep also reduces installation time. WarmStep’s standard sizes can be stocked for easy on-site fitment to any floor; its heating cable is factory mounted on rolls of fiberglass mesh which can be rolled out and the mesh can be cut so that WarmStep can be turned in any direction to fit the floor. No on-site splice connections or special tools are necessary.

WarmStep’s construction-grade fiberglass mesh provides an anti-fracture membrane that strengthens and prevents floor cracks in ceramic tile and other cementious floors. ThermoSoft also provides an InstAlarm(R)monitor that that will sound an alarm if the floor warming mat is damaged resulting in a short or open circuit, ensuring contractor and installer peace-of-mind, trouble-free installation and perfectly heated floors and warm tile.

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.

Floor Talk! is celebrating its 1 year anniversary!

The mission of the floor Floor Talk! blog is to offer another valuable tool from the WFCA (World Floor Covering Association) that helps consumers make informed and smart choices when it comes to flooring.  Our goal is also to help those that have made flooring purchases learn more about what they have purchased as well as how to maintain their purchase.

Over the past year, Floor Talk! has offered:

• Answers to reader questions
• Maintenance tips and hints
• Advice on color trends for the year
• Findings from trade shows
• Green products and information

The most popular blogs of the past year have been:

• How to choose a grout color
• The right way to clean ceramic tile
• 2008 color trends
• The difference between vinyl and linoleum
• How to maintain hardwood flooring
• Exotic hardwood

We have thoroughly enjoyed finding the latest products to share with you, reporting on what’s hot and what’s not, sharing pictures of beautiful floors from around the world and more. We love hearing from you and writing about what you want to know -so keep the comments and questions coming!

Thanks for all of the support for a wonderful year and we look forward to another great one!