Could you please tell me if I can use a steam cleaner on my laminate or hardwood floor?

Answer:

We cannot find a manufacturer of either laminate flooring or hardwood flooring that will recommend the use of this type of equipment on their floors.  To clean and maintain your hardwood or laminate flooring, sweeping and/or using a vacuum cleaner (without the beater bar used for vacuuming carpet) should be sufficient. Occasionally clean with a mop (micro-fiber or terrycloth hooded for laminate floors) slightly moistened with a cleaning product recommended by the flooring manufacturer. Wipe up spills quickly. NEVER flood either of these floors with water. Also on the “no-no” list are soap-based detergents, abrasive cleaners, scouring powder, wax or any type of polish. Also, use “walk-off” mats at entrances and exits so people and pets might lose some of those things that sometimes stick to feet prior to stepping onto your floors.

For more information on cleaning and care for your floors contact the flooring manufacturer or visit www.wfca.org.

Answer:  I understand why you had a hard time narrowing in on a linoleum with a floral pattern.  Current styles are moving in a different direction, but there are several options in sheet vinyl that might suit your needs.  The designs include florals, in a subtle, updated look.  You should log on to www.armstrong.com/flooring/products/sheet vinyl.  When you arrive at that page, you will find a box for an advanced search.  Type in “floral” and you should see eight selections to choose from.  I found Floral Medallion, Floral Blossom, and Floral Diamond to be very attractive.  Good luck and thanks for turning to Floor Talk for help.

Annette

Question:

What type of flooring do you recommend for a beach house to prevent scratching from sand and warping from dampness?

Answer:

You posed a very good question. Beach houses are unique in their flooring requirements. You have multiple conditions to consider: sand being tracked in, excessive moisture in the air, and possible ground moisture from below. The fact that you’ve ruled out stone or ceramic is interesting, because either one of those choices would actually have been a great solution. Before you rule out porcelain or ceramic all together, did you know that new tile designs include leather-simulated looks, and even some wood parquet looks? Unglazed tiles offer slip resistance as well. Care and maintenance of a porcelain floor for a beach home would be minimal, and that would be a huge plus.

But here are some other options to consider: Historically speaking, real hardwood floors have not been ideal for beach climates because the moisture in the air can cause excessive expansion of the wood. Expansion and contraction of hardwood floors can result in warping and splitting–never a good thing. However Shaw Industries has a line of hardwood floors called “Epic” that have been engineered to overcome extreme climate conditions. It is a tightly milled product line that has a 5-ply, cross-core construction. This gives the product excellent stability. It’s important to note that only oak is used in the core (for its exceptional hardness), as the core is compressed under extreme heat to produce the stability you are looking for. That process should eliminate entirely the problem of expansion and contraction. If you are environmentally conscious, an added benefit is that Epic hardwoods take half as many freshly cut tress to produce. Look for a wood within this line that has an aluminum oxide top coating to guard against scratching, and always place walk-off mats at each entrance to the house to capture as much dirt and sand as possible. Choosing a lighter toned wood with a low sheen will do well against sun-fade.

One more alternative: laminate floors give the look of real hardwood, but are much more family-friendly. If you like the look of wood for your home, this may be the solution for you. You need to be sure that you choose a laminate that has a moisture resistant core (your local flooring retailer can help guide you) so that it is dimensionally stable. Laminate needs to be installed as a floating floor, with a moisture barrier material beneath, to protect it from ground moisture seeping up. With minimal care, laminate floors will look good for many years to come AND they have superior stain and fade resistance. I hope this helps.

Annette Callari, ASID; CMG

SOME READER QUESTIONS INCLUDED:

Cleaning laminate with vinegar – can vinegar be used safely to clean laminate floors?

Area rug padding – what types of area rug padding are out there and why it’s important.

Flooring for extreme temperatures – a reader wants a floor that can withstand extreme temperature changes.

Rubber Flooring – a cake decorator is looking for a soft flooring alternative for her business.

NOTEWORTHY NEWS INCLUDED:

Warmly Yours – introduces radiant heating for showers.

Wilsonart introduces laminate tile – a new lineup of classic high pressure laminate flooring that reflects the hottest style trends in both residential and commercial interiors.

WFCA color trends report - latest flooring designs take inspiration from fashion runways.

Shaw education on allergens and energy - this post talks about Shaw’s efforts to educate and debunk the many myths  about carpet regarding allergies and indoor air qualities.

OTHER POSTS INCLUDED:

Fabulous Find: Waterworks and Walker Zanger tiles - noteworthy products from Waterworks and Walker Zanger tile companies.

Highlight of rug info site called Rug Rag – the premier destination for information about area rugs.

Leather tiles – features, design options, durability, installation, maintenance and benefits of leather tiles.

Beaulieu’s Bliss carpet – get a cleaner feeling home with Bliss carpet by Beaulieu.

The meaning of colors - color were broken down into what they mean from a decorating standpoint as well as their tie to emotions.

How to deal with carpet issues – this post covered carpet issues such as crushed pile, shedding, snags and footprints and what should be done about them.

Top 10 things your housekeeper should know about your floors - tips such as why you should not drag furniture across the floors, what types of mops should and shouldn’t be used on hard surfaces, why walk off mats are important and more.

Do you have a topic that you would like to learn more about. Leave a comment!