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Fayetteville NC Flooring
Fayetteville NC Flooring
We walk around all day on every type
of flooring material imaginable - yet we hardly ever give a second glance to the
flooring beneath our feet. Unless, that is, it stands out and grabs us by the
eyeballs and shouts "Look at me!" If you are considering your flooring options,
below is a summary of each of the main flooring materials.
Spend a little time getting to know
the different types of flooring materials available here before making any
decisions - you will never regret it!
Fayetteville NC Laminate Flooring
Laminate Flooring started off life
years ago as a cheap alternative to solid hardwood flooring and although there
are still some misguided apprehensions about using this particular type of
flooring, the truth is that just like any job you attempt, the end result will
always depend on the amount of planning and preparation you do.
Manufacturers of laminate flooring
have now realized its potential and products incorporating designs made to be
durable and practical are now the norm. Just about any surface finish is
available, such as stone, cork, wood, marble, bamboo and special handcrafted
varieties.
The best laminate flooring can be
installed over most sub-floor surfaces, the main criteria being that the surface
is flat and bump free. Ease of fitting is a positive for these floors, most
consisting of a 'snap-together' mechanism whereby no glues or other adhesives
are necessary in order to give a no-gap professional looking finish.
Flooring Facts
Being 'flat'
does not mean being 'level'. Although many people refer to the floor
being 'level', the important thing is flatness. Being level is not
nearly so important.
In many unit developments these days,
noise is a factor that must be considered when installing any type of flooring,
but especially with laminates. Using the correct type of underlayment for your
flooring can dramatically reduce noise transmission. Other benefits of good
underlayment's are its properties as a moisture barrier and as an insulator.
Laminate is also a popular choice
when there is a height restriction to consider. Unless your base floor needs a
considerable amount of self-leveling compound (and it might!), doors may not
have to be trimmed. See our article on Directions for Installing Laminate
Flooring for more information.
Laminate is available with a
pre-finished look, where the timber has had a high or semi-gloss finish applied
at the factory before delivery. Either way, you are free to finish your laminate
floor with your own lacquer finish if so desired.
Advantages:
Looks like the real thing
Easy to install / Easy to maintain
Extremely cost efficient
Huge range of realistic simulations
Disadvantages:
Not suitable for very damp areas
Not as durable as wood, vinyl or Lino
Can sound hollow underfoot
Not as warm as real wood
Fayetteville NC Carpet
There is nothing quite like carpeting
to really transform a room from a simple living area into a focal point for
family and friends to gather. Apart from the obvious aesthetic values of carpet,
they all feel great to walk on and these days even with children and pets to
worry about, today's stain protection is extremely good. Even stains caused by
the dreaded red wine are no longer a worry.
When considering a new carpet, give
some thought to where it is going to be used and what the traffic flow will be
like over it. You may wish to consider using area rugs over an otherwise plain
tile or wood floor, instead of all carpeting.
There is a performance rating guide
that you can use that goes from 1 to 5, 5 being the highest rating and best for
high-traffic areas.
Carpet Types
Before you choose your carpeting you
should know what the various carpet types are. First, there are the various
types of fibers available - what your carpet is actually made of. The main types
are;
Fiber
Characteristics
Hard wearing
Dries easily when wet
Does not easily create static
Chemical resistant, resistant to mold
growth
Stain and soil resistant
Resistant to fading in sunlight
Is the lightest of all the fibers
Acrylic
Fiber Characteristics
Flexible aesthetics for wool-like,
cotton-like, or blended appearance
Dries easily when wet
Resistant to moths
Chemical resistant, resistant to mold
growth and oils
Stain and soil resistant
Resistant to fading in sunlight
Nylon
Characteristics
Extremely strong fibers
Flexible
Resistant to wear by abrasion
Resistant to oils and chemicals
Does not easily absorb moisture
Very soft material
Polyester
Fiber Characteristics
Very strong fibers
Resistant to chemicals
Dries easily when wet
Resists mold growth
Resistant to wear by abrasion
Easy to clean
Wool
Characteristics
Very hard wearing and durable
Fire resistant
Very warm underfoot
Easy to clean
Does not easily absorb moisture
Resistant to wear by abrasion
Next, consider the way the fibers are
constructed - the pile.
There are several different
construction types of pile but in order to simplify things it is easier to
mention only the main four - Cut Pile, Level Loop, Multilevel Loop and Textured.
Each of these construction techniques can be combined to create variations in
carpet flooring texture.
Cut
Pile
Cut Pile Saxony Carpet.In cut pile carpet the usual loops are cut,
resulting in a flat, plain finish. The density of the pile, what fiber
is used in construction and amount of twist in the pile will determine
the quality and durability of the carpet.
Level
Loop
Level Loop Pile Carpet. This carpet features loops of pile that are of
the same height, hence the name. Again, density of the fiber and type of
fiber used will determine the quality and durability.
Multilevel
Loop
Multilevel Loop Pile Carpet This carpet has loops of pile at different
heights, thereby allowing interesting patterns to be created in the
carpet.
Textured
(or "Frieze") Frieze Pile Carpet
Textured carpet is cut and twisted to form a patterned carpet design.
The twist in the pile gives the carpet a hard wearing surface that
resists marks from vacuums and footprints well.
Fayetteville NC Wood Floors
Wood flooring is without doubt the most popular
choice when it comes to installing a new flooring option. Available in a
wide range of hardwoods and softwoods, wood will last forever and needs
little maintenance in order to keep its appeal and beauty. A modern
addition to today's range of floors is laminate floors. Laminates have
brought look-alike flooring options to consumers that may not be able to
afford a real wood floor - and the good news is that they look great!
Many people discover an old wood floor underneath old carpet and wonder
whether they can restore it to its former glory. The answer is almost
always "Yes", unless it is suffering from a serious rot problem or some
form of boring beetle. Even then, it is always worth getting a second
opinion from an expert before consigning your floor to the garbage tip.
If cost is a prime factor in the choice between laminate or solid wood,
consider the fact that there is a ready market in second-hand flooring.
This is available from specialist dealers or individuals who can't spare
the time and effort it takes to prepare an old wood floor. Nails may
need to be removed and there may be a few bumps and dents in it - but if
cost is an issue, don't overlook it.
Another important issue you should consider when buying any new solid
wood product is where it comes from. There are unfortunately suppliers
who aren't too bothered whether their supplies are purchased from
sustainable resources or not, so always look for a properly accredited
supplier. In the US, the Forest Stewardship Council (fscus.org) offers
certification that consumers can trust when it comes to purchasing
timber products. Some popular solid hardwood flooring are Oak, Cherry,
Maple, Bamboo Flooring, Walnut, Beech and Ash.
For each of these flooring options there are different grades of floor
available. Grading refers to the quality of a floor with regard to its
color and grainy appearance. Sometimes what you see in the supplier's
brochure isn't quite what you get when the product is laid. You should
always make sure that you are viewing at the showroom is what you will
get at home, but always remember that wood is a natural product and no
two pieces will be the same - one of the beauties of natural wood floor.
Fayetteville NC Stone Floors
Some of the most beautiful
and perhaps the oldest type of floor covering are stone floors. It was
the only known type of flooring in medieval times when resilient
flooring or mosaic tiles simply did not exist. Even Cleopatra is known
to have made extensive use of stone in her palace! Why Is Stone So Popular?
There are as many numbers of reasons for its popularity as there are
lovers of flooring! Add to that the countless variety of stones
available all over this world. Here are some of the reasons that are
most compelling to choose stone for your floor:
►Completely natural patterns and colors,
regardless of their variety, that enchants owners and guests alike.
►The cool feel. Stone loses heat faster than other flooring materials.
►The exquisite finish of stone is virtually unmatched by any other
flooring types. Stone has a rich and expansive look.
►Stone is very hygienic because it is smooth and non-porous, making it
moisture and bacteria-resistant.
►Stone is very easy to clean – simply wipe with a damp cloth or mop.
►Most stone is scratch-proof.
Types of Popular Stones Used In Stone Flooring
There are countless varieties of stone used for
flooring that are popular in every region of the country. However, there
are some that are extremely popular because of their majestic look and
wide variety of colors.
Marble:
Marble is regarded as a royal stone by
nearly everyone. Nearly every homeowner has secretly wished to have
his/her home laid with marble flooring. Marble is chiefly quarried
in India, Italy, and Egypt. Marble is composed of calcium carbonate
and its colors and patterns are due to what are called “impurities”.
Marble is among the softer stones.
Granite: Granite is perhaps the hardest stone
of all, and is equally good looking. Granite finishes very well and
is available in a wide variety of colors. The current range in color
is from jet black to light gray.
Limestone:
This stone is a recent hit with many
popular hotels and resorts. Even new corporate buildings prefer
Limestone flooring. Limestone flooring has a shiny finish, and the
colors available make it ideal for public establishments.
Sandstone:
A close
relative of limestone, but usually with a more rustic finish,
sandstone is used to give a cool, slip free surface that is hard,
durable and with a small amount of care and maintenance will last
forever.
Slate:
This stone flooring is perhaps the
least expensive. It is easier to handle than the other types of
stone flooring. Slate flooring is moisture-resistant, making it good
for bathrooms and basements. Your best bet is to use thin cut tiles
if installing a slate tile floor in your home, because in slab form,
as with the other types of stone flooring, slate flooring is very
heavy.
Terrazzo:
Terrazzo is a produced or manufactured
finish whereby hard stone chippings (especially marble or granite)
are mixed with concrete, and the concrete mixture is poured on site,
similar to laying a concrete slab. When the concrete has set, the
next stage is to grind the surface back then highly polish it to
form a durable and unique surface finish. One thing about Terrazzo
is that you will never see two floors exactly the same.
All stone flooring materials
are available as slabs and tiles of different sizes, but the standard size for
tiles is 2’ by 1’.
Six popular textures of
stone flooring are:
Honed texture with medium sheen
Polished texture which is the glossiest and smoothest surface finish
Flamed texture that is porous and has the roughest look
Semi-rough texture
Textured by sand blasting under high pressure with water
Tile Traditional Tiled Floor - Traditionally used in bathrooms and kitchens,
floor tiles are beginning to be used in other areas such as living rooms and
bedrooms to create stunning areas of color and texture. Today's floor tiles can
be created to look like many other materials too, and there really are no limits
to the effects that can be created. Quite often all that is needed is a bit of
creative thought and imagination, whether you are tiling yourself or are hiring
a tradesman to do the job for you, to create a room that has that "wow" factor. Mosaic Patterned Tile - Mosaic Tile can be laid in a completely random
fashion or, more commonly, in a pattern or even represent an image or picture.
You are free to use mosaic floor tiles in any way you choose. For instance, if
you are creating a mosaic on a small table, you my want to create your own by
using smashed and broken ceramic tiles. If you have a large area to cover, you
may wish to use mosaic that has been created for you - on a mesh backing. All
you have to do is to lay the entire sheet of tiles on your flooring surface. Terracotta Tiled Floor - Terracotta Tiles are traditionally used in their
unglazed but sealed state, and produce floors that have a beautiful hand-crafted
look about them. They don't always have to be a standard 8" or 12" tile either.
Octagonal and other shaped tiles can be contrasted with other types of tile,
like ceramic, to create a subtle contrast in the finished look and texture. As a
natural material, each Terracotta floor tile is subtly different from the next
so you can be sure that your floor will be unique. Ceramic Floor Tile - Ceramic Tile can be a great replacement for more
expensive materials like marble and granite, at a fraction of the cost. If you
have a favorite photo you can have it embedded in a ceramic tile, or create
realistic floors that look like water. The possibilities are endless. This is a
traditional type of flooring that has had a whole new range of looks added to
increase its appeal and usability. Of course, it is perfect for walls, too, and
in a similar variety and range. Glass Floor Tiles - Glass Tiles are made from recycled glass pieces Glass
Tiles are available in various shades and textures, not just the usual glass
blocks that we used to see. From mosaic patterns to brick shapes, they are
different from any other material in the quality of finish that they bring to a
room. Difficult and expensive, so get an expert to assist or fit for you - it
will probably save money and your nerves! Porcelain Floor Tiles - Porcelain Tiles are the most expensive of the
tiling options you have, and are man made by compacting dust at very high
pressures. They have a low water absorbency rate of around 0.5% and are
extremely dense, meaning that if required, they do not have to be glazed.
Porcelain can easily be made to mimic other materials, like stone, and hence is
a very cost effective flooring material. One advantage of porcelain is the wide
availability of larger than average sizes, making floor tiling even easier for
the DIY person. On the subject of DIY, you will need to use a diamond wheel for
these tiles, as they are extremely hard. Steel Floor Tiles - Metal Tiles can be stainless steel, industrial
grating or anything in between. Traditionally used in commercial applications,
it is now available for residential use including tiles replicating other metals
like bronze, brass or plain steel. It can be used alone or embedded in floor
tiles to create unique looking points of interest. Stainless steel floors are
expensive and will probably require the help of a skilled fitter who is used to
working with material, but the end results are worth the effort. Specialty Tile
In addition to the more common types of flooring materials, specialty flooring
offers homeowners a wider choice for those looking for different ways of
decorating their homes. Using non-standard flooring materials is one way to
completely change the look of a room. Why Consider Specialty Flooring?
Many people want their homes to look different to those of their neighbors’.
Using non-standard flooring options is one way to do this. New technologies and
techniques have made it possible to manipulate different materials to make
viable flooring options. Now, the characteristics of certain types of materials
can be made to really stand out and create a stunning floor. Common Types of Specialty Flooring Concrete Flooring
Concrete flooring is now available in a variety of sizes, designs, patterns,
textures and colors. Concrete can be quite heavy, so you must be careful during
installation. There is a special chemical procedure for aging concrete so that
it looks very beautiful and luxurious. Using concrete instead of another pricey
material, such as marble or granite can save you quite a bit of money.
Additionally, the rooms laid with concrete will look very unique... Metal Flooring
Metal flooring has become very versatile. Not as popular as other types flooring
material, it was once used only in commercial and industrial buildings.
Difficult to install but virtually maintenance free, metal flooring can be
manipulated to simulate bronze or brass. In addition, metal tiles can be
interspersed with other types of flooring materials to make a very interesting
and stunning floor... Leather Flooring
Leather is not something that only your grandmother would have as a flooring
material. Leather has an unmistakable rich and luxurious look. It is also
relatively expensive, but the expense is well worth it. Leather tiles come in
different colors, shades and textures so it is easily customizable to any room.
Leather is also very soft and warm, making a leather floor very comfortable and
inviting to walk on...
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