Making right decisions from the ground, up

AmberIsle Living 

By Irene Scott Thornton

Friday,  October 14, 2005

In this day and age, there are great options available in low maintenance flooring that look terrific. Cleaning is as simple as it can be, requiring only vacuuming and a damp mop, for years of use. So, which choice would be the right one for you?  Let’s look at making the right decision from the ground, up.

To help save the forests as well as decorating dollars, many homeowners are choosing to utilize the new laminate flooring that looks like wood. You may have heard of Pergo however, that is simply the name given by of one of the many manufacturers of laminate flooring.   Laminate flooring is manufactured in a similar manner to laminate countertops.  An extremely realistic photo of real wood is produced onto a melamine product. It then is bonded under high pressure to a substrate material protected by an industrial-strength wear layer that is extremely durable. The result is a product that is difficult to scratch, won’t dent and is nearly impossible to stain.

Each flooring manufacturer has its own version of low-maintenance laminate flooring, and most  offer a variety of styles that look not only just like wood, but also like granite, marble, slate or stone, at different price points and limited warranties. Most installations can be done in a day, and some people do it themselves to save on labor costs. It is not glued to the foundation, but instead is glued only at the joints. 

Laminate floor products literally rests on top of a high density, sound absorbing foam layer, which gives it a slight give underfoot, a feature that is extremely desirable for people seeking the look of a hard surface while requiring something easy on their knees and backs. It is referred to as a “floating floor”, not adversely affected by foundation shifts. 

One of the latest interior design trends for ceramic tile is installations using modular patterns. These are created by using different sized tiles. When the modules are laid next to each other, the pattern cannot be easily detected. The tiles appear to be randomly placed but are, in fact, a very well designed pattern. The look is beautiful and in high demand.

Another great design choice is to have the ceramic tile laid in what is called a broken joint, which is the pattern that is created when bricks or cinder blocks are joined. This will give the tile a modular pattern appearance, and is particularly useful when your favorite tile selection is not available in the different sizes required to create a true modular pattern.

Choice of flooring within your home can greatly affect the feeling of the space. It also provides a background of color and pattern that should complement your furnishings. You can expect many of today’s flooring choices to last a lifetime. Take time to make a wise decision, and you’ll enjoy years of beauty and wear.

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