Flooring Archives - Page 14 of 15 - Tampa Flooring Company

Green Flooring Series: Bamboo floors

November 24, 2013/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

Bamboo flooring will work for any budget and lifestyle.

Bamboo floors look like wood surfaces, but because bamboo is a type of grass, it’s more sustainable and environmentally friendly than other types of flooring, including hardwoods. It’s a popular choice because of its durability and its aesthetic appeal. Bamboo floors are also resistant to insects and moisture, so they work well in any type of climate.

There are several varieties of bamboo flooring that consumers can choose from when planning to build or update their own homes. Most floors are made of moso bamboo. In Southeast Asia, many floors use thin, flat strips of bamboo that are loosely drawn together so air can continue to circulate between them. Common North American floors use bamboo that is more processed. The strips of bamboo are boiled to remove starch and sugar and then dried and planed. They can be left in their natural color or stained and varnished to get different hues. Bamboo floors are easy to install and pieces lock into place.

Growing bamboo is easier and faster than growing wood, which is what contributes to the eco-friendly reputation of bamboo flooring. Instead of taking 20 or more years to mature, as hardwoods do, bamboo takes only a few years to grow. Pesticides are rarely required because bamboo does not attract insects and pests like wood does. Harvesting bamboo creates new growth almost immediately.

Maintaining your bamboo floors is not difficult, but you will want to be careful to avoid any scratches on the surface. Gently dusting and mopping is the best way to keep them clean, and try to keep the mop as dry as possible. While they are resistant to water, you don’t want to change the look of the floor by getting them saturated.

Talk to a flooring expert when you’re picking out bamboo floors for your own property. You have several options that will work for any budget and lifestyle.

This post was written by Thais Sousa. Follow Thais on Google.

Green Flooring Series: Fiberon Outdoor Living Products

November 13, 2013/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

iberon is an environmentally friendly alternative to wood

Fiberon is an environmentally friendly alternative to wood when decking your property. As a composite lumbar, Fiberon is made of efficiently reused resources such as recycled plastics and wood. It is manufactured as a finished product so there is no need to sand, stain or paint it. While it costs a little more than lumber, it lasts much longer. It is engineered to be very light, and its grooved board planks have hidden fasteners, providing easy installation and a smooth surface.

Fiberon is less likely to split, scratch or stain than lumbar; without any organic content, it is both highly moisture and mold resistant. This makes it a low maintenance, easy to clean surface. Fiberon is available in many different hardwood and grain colors. Aesthetically, it looks like real lumber. Fiberon products provide stain and fade resistance warranties. It is also resistant to termites, splinters and decay.

To ensure the longevity of your Fiberon flooring upon installation, make sure there is six inches of ventilation beneath its substructure to avoid a buildup of standing water or organic debris. Generally you will just need a broom or hose to clear your deck of any debris. If debris has built up and mold appears, simply use soap and water to remove it. When installing any kind of fire pit, be sure to install properly, as Fiberon can be warped and damaged by excessive heat.

Most notably it is manufactured in such a way that is sustainable and practically waste free. The recycled products used to create its composite make up include everyday recycled goods that come from your everyday home recycling bin, and they are shipped from no more than 500 miles away. Fiberon diverts more than 40,000 tons of this material from landfills every year. They follow LEED and green standards. By using Fiberon products, you’d not only be contributing to a healthier environment, but you will get to enjoy it for a very long time.

This post was written by Thais Sousa. Follow Thais on Google.

Green Flooring Series: Recycled Carpet

November 7, 2013/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

Recycled carpet is a budget friendly option.

You don’t have to spend an absurd amount of money keeping your floors both attractive and environmentally responsible. Sustainable floors such as bamboo and cork are popular but also expensive. If you like the comfort and appeal of carpet, but you worry about what it does to the earth, you now have the option to purchase recycled carpet. Carpet fibers are constructed from plastics and hydrocarbons, which are easily broken down and reused.

Carpet that has been ripped up from homes and commercial businesses once had only one destination: the landfill. That is not always the case anymore. Companies are doing what they can to reduce the amount of waste created by carpet, and it’s being recycled into new carpet or used for other products such as plastic car parts. It’s better for the earth and it’s also better for companies and consumers.

When old carpet is recycled into new carpet, a number of benefits are present. First, there is no need to get new materials because the manufacturer isn’t starting from scratch. The original materials are present and able to be used again. They are creating more carpet, but they aren’t using what they don’t need. Instead, they are putting the old materials to work. All of the fibers and hydrocarbons in that old carpet are being used again, instead of going to waste and taking up space in a dump somewhere.

Consumers can feel good about carpeting their homes and workplaces with recycled carpet. It will not bust any budget, and it’s socially responsible. It also looks good. You’ll never know you’re getting anything other than brand new carpet on your floors.

This post was written by Thais Sousa. Follow Thais on Google.

Green Flooring Series: Cork Floors

October 10, 2013/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

Green flooring option: Cork

An appealing and comfortable option in flooring materials is cork. It’s also sustainable, which means there is minimal damage done to the environment when you decide to invest in cork floors. In order to create a cork floor, bark needs to be harvested from the cork oak tree. When it’s done properly, the tree is not harmed at all during the process. It’s also easily renewable and the bark will grow back swiftly.

A cork floors provides an elegant and interesting surface. It is naturally anti-microbial, which is a huge benefit if you have allergies or small children crawling around on your floors. It’s also great for insulation. You’ll keep your feet warm while you’re walking through the house, even during cold winters. The cork ensures minimal heat loss and you’ll always feel comfortable barefoot on your floors. It’s a resilient floor as well. Many times, hardwood floors are easily scratched or damaged when heavy furniture is placed on them. Cork floors actually return to their original position because the material is a bit springy.

Cork absorbs noise, so you won’t have to worry about the sounds of small feet or heavy boots echoing through the house. While it might work well throughout most of the house, the bathroom and the laundry room aren’t the best places for cork floors. The material tends to absorb moisture, so you’ll want to choose something a bit more water resistant for those areas of the house. You can choose a number of finishes for your cork floors; just remember that the environmentally friendly floors will see an increase in volatile organic compounds emissions when certain finishes are applied.

This post was written by Thais Sousa. Follow Thais on Google.

Excessive Luxury Flooring

October 1, 2013/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

Beautiful luxury flooring

If money is no object and you really want to put together an impressive house, there’s no reason to settle for the type of flooring that everyone else uses. Why put down a mid-grade carpet or basic hardwood when you can instead enjoy excessive luxury flooring? When your personal design tastes require only the absolute best, and your budget matches those desires, you might want to consider some of the remarkable luxury vinyl tiles that are on the market. You can create a truly unique floor that only belongs in your house. Choose a design, color and feel that matches you and your home. Luxury flooring is opulent, inviting, and very hard to forget. Visitors will probably not be able to stop complimenting your floors.

The luxury flooring you install is nothing short of an investment. While you can easily treat any spills or spots with a little bit of cleanser, make sure you are protecting those floors against unnecessary wear and tear. Place welcome mats at the inside and outside of all your doors so people have the opportunity to wipe their feet before entering. This will prevent gravel, sand, dirt and debris from settling into your luxury floors. Place protective covers over the feet of any furniture pieces you plan to put on your floors. This will increase the lifespan of your floor and it will also make it easier to move that furniture from place to place when you’re cleaning or redecorating.

Talk to your interior designer about what’s available in excessive luxury flooring. You might be surprised at the number of options available, and you’re sure to find something that you quickly fall in love with.

This post was written by Thais Sousa. Follow Thais on Google.

Green Flooring Series: What is VOC?

September 13, 2013/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

Living Room with a Red Oak hardwood floor in Charcoal stain.

VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds and they are organic chemicals found in paints, along with other materials. When the paint dries the solvents get released into the air. This is due to VOCs having a high vapor pressure at a normal room temperature, the result of a low boiling point. These factors cause the molecules to evaporate into the surrounding air. VOCs can also be found in cleaning supplies, carpet, and wood.

When looking for a flooring option that is low in VOCs you can easily skip over vinyl and synthetic carpets due to their high VOC levels. Better flooring options are natural fibers like wool, sisal, and cotton.

If you really love hardwood floors, just know that although they are a breeze to clean, hardwoods also contain formaldehydes and all finishes emit VOCs. If you are a die-hard lover of the hardwood finished look but don’t want to VOCs, opt for alternatives like pre-sealed wood or hardwood sealed with water-based polyurethane.

Other tips to help keep your VOC levels low include choosing a low-VOC or water-based product. It sounds simple, and it is! Also, take a peek at some allergy-friendly floors like bamboo, cork, or recycled glass because they are low in VOC as well.

If carpet strikes your fancy, check out the Carpet and Rug Institute tag to make sure that it is a low-level emission. When choosing your carpet, look for ones that are free of low nap chemicals. Some other tips for carpet are to install the carpet with tack strips instead of adhesive, make sure you have a moisture barrier set before you install the carpet, and avoid having carpet in damp-proned areas such as the kitchen or bathroom.

This post was written by Thais Sousa. Follow Thais on Google.

Green Flooring Series: Reclaimed Hardwood Floors

September 2, 2013/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

reclaimed hardwood floors that are beautiful!

Not only is this a green option that is good for the planet, reclaimed hardwood floors are beautiful! Knowing that the floor had a past brings out the rich colors more than lighting ever could. Instead of putting old, decaying, or dead wood into landfills or leaving it there to rot forever, the wood is being recycled into other products for a second chance at life, such as a reclaimed hardwood floor!

The reclaimed hardwood floor you order can be coming to you from the other side of the world or your own backyard! Due to the many different places and situations the wood can be found in, every piece is unique and offers a different look and feel. Different places of origin can also yield different types of wood. American chestnut can come from a barn in the Midwest, while the Pacific Northwest might be rich in Douglas fir.

With many different woods producing different colors, textures, and overall style, be sure to do your research before selecting a reclaimed hardwood floor so you can make sure that it will shine in your home. They are beautiful and worth investigating!

This post was written by Thais Sousa. Follow Thais on Google.

Water-Based Flooring Adhesives vs. Solvent-Based

August 2, 2013/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

Water-based flooring adhesives are popular because they are more environmentally-friendly

Water-based flooring adhesives are popular because they are more environmentally-friendly. They have a low emission, and they are safe to install. There are no chemicals or harmful and toxic products involved in the adhesives that are water-based. While the water-based adhesives are better from a health and ecological standpoint, they have their limitations. Certain types of wood floors and subflooring do not react well to these water-based adhesives, and the end result is a failure to create the necessary bond.

Solvent-based flooring is used on all types of wood floors and they are compatible with all subflooring products as well. There are several application options and the adhesives that use solvents are durable and long lasting. The solvents that are included in these products evaporate after the first few weeks of installation, but people who dislike using chemicals of any kind usually prefer to avoid them.

Whichever type of adhesive you choose, make sure you apply it properly and pay attention to the spread rate. Prepare the floors correctly and follow all instructions on your water-based or solvent-based flooring adhesive.

This post was written by Thais Sousa. Follow Thais on Google.

Product Feature: Grey Hand Scraped Hardwood

July 25, 2013/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

Grey has become a new favorite in recent years.

Gone are the days of beige and brown neutral tones dominating floors and walls in homes everywhere. Grey has become a new favorite in recent years. Not only are more people choosing gray tones for carpet, tile, and walls, it is rapidly becoming a top choice for hardwood flooring as well. It comes in a vast variety from light neutral tones to deep smoky gray. It’s about time we see a change in terms of color scheme.

Grey may seem like a bland choice, but it can brighten any room with the right combination of décor. Grey has quickly become the new neutral tone of choice because it coordinates well with a variety of color palettes and adds a unique dynamic to a room’s ambiance. Grey hand scraped hardwood sets itself apart from typical wood tones by highlighting the grain and texture of the wood, making it an interesting focal point of any room.

When it comes to making the choice between conventional brown and beige wood tones, many homeowners are requesting that traditional oak floors be sanded and refinished in grey. Not only is it a great choice for breaking away from the norm, but it also sets a unique tone to your décor scheme. So, set your home apart from your neighbors and consider this modern twist on hardwood.

Exotic Flooring Options: Indusparquet

June 21, 2013/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

IdusParquet one of the leading exotic hardwood flooring companies

Founded in Sao Paulo, Brazil by Kiko Uliana and Jose Antonio Baggio, IndusParquet has been providing beautiful exotic, Brazilian hardwood floors since 1970. After 40 years, it is apparent that IndusParquet is a very family oriented company and they pride themselves on having many original employees still with the company.

During the past 40 years, IndusParquet successfully established themselves as one of the leading exotic hardwood flooring companies and that is observed through the fact that IndusParquet is able to export their exquisite hardwood floors to all five continents. Equipped with over 500 employees, three manufacturing plants in Brazil, and distribution centers all over the world, IndusParquet does not disappoint; in fact, their top-notch flooring can be seen in many of the world’s most distinguished settings like Louis Vuitton stores and Ferrari showrooms in Italy.

Each exotic collection includes a plentiful selection of Brazilian woods, ranging from Brazilian Cherry to Brazilian Walnut, allowing IndusParquet to proudly pride themselves on their selection. The woods in the smooth collection offer a silky smooth look that enhances the grain of the wood and the expansive range of colors guarantees that you will find a wood that will compliment your room. The textured collection is where you will find a wood that highlights the different directions of the grains. The grains are a little darker, which really makes them pop against the lighter shade of the wood.

The metallic, mosaic, or wall collections are where you should look if you are searching for something a little different worth a peek. The two metallic options are stunning and the gleam factor is sure to enhance the surroundings to take your room up a notch. The different shades, colors, and the patterned squares found in the four exotic woods of the mosaic collection are one of a kind. The final collection, the wall collection, is where you will locate the checkerboards-style patterns. The smaller wood squares are all different, and placing them all together is very visually thrilling.

All of the different exotic woods are topped off with a durable finish to ensure that they never lose their brilliance and shine.