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Laminate Flooring History

August 9, 2016/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

Unlike the history of hardwood, laminate flooring history is relatively easy to trace. It is a product of modern technology thanks to the genius of the Swedes. A Swedish company called Pergo branded it under their own name in 1977. If you are old enough, you would have identified it as Pergo before calling it laminate.

Laminate Flooring History is a Short History

Originally called Pergo in 1977, it quickly became very popular throughout Europe.

The Pergo formula took a simple type of decorative laminate, which had previously only been used to make kitchen countertops and brought it to the living room floor. Needless to say, it went over in a big way. Learning Center

Laminate flooring (Pergo) was introduced to the American market in 1994. Back then we called it “floating floors!” Ask a baby-boomer person about it, and they surely will share a story with you about how easy it was to install. Some people confuse laminate flooring with other types of wood. Remember, don’t confuse the type or style with the name of a manufacturer. Some don’t even make countertop laminates. The brilliant Swedish craftsmen pioneered the laminating process which fuses various materials and covers it with a protective coating.

Laminate Flooring is Here to Stay

Some have enough extra money that they can afford the luxury of hardwood flooring. The question for home owners or business owners alike is,

Why not spend much less for laminate flooring that most people cannot distinguish from hardwood?

Because of the widespread popularity of laminate flooring, the answer is obvious. In a mere 39 years it has come to dominate the flooring business worldwide. And even older laminate floors still compare favorably with real hardwood floors. Also we ought not overlook that more advanced technologies since 1977 have resulted in more variety of grains, tougher materials, and easier to maintain floors.

Oh, by the way, Swedish people don’t like being called Swedes. It is derived from the Proto-Indo-European reflexive pronominal root!

Cost Efficient Vinyl

July 26, 2016/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

Cost Efficient Vinyl is a wise choice for rental units, storage facilities, or house flipping. If you own multiple residential or business properties and want to rent them out, you have a dilemma. Should you install the best hardwood flooring and spend a fortune, or should you save money by installing vinyl? Years ago the vinyl option was far less attractive than it is today.

Vinyl has been a popular flooring choice in American homes for decades. But today’s vinyl flooring – as many of the big-name manufactures are quick to point out – is not your grandmother’s kitchen flooring. – World Floor Covering Association

What has changed in the vinyl industry? Well, some things haven’t changed, and some things have.

Cost Efficient Vinyl is Cost Efficient Flooring

Again, I am being redundant; some things are just worth repeating! It is good news that vinyl flooring is very affordable. It makes staying under budget a realistic goal. You could invest thousands more on the best hardwood, but the question is, “Is it necessary?” In many cases, it would be overkill and will inflate your budget.

Cost Efficient Vinyl is Quality Flooring

We live in a different world than the past. Things have drastically changed in every industry. Educate yourself to understand the types and variations of vinyl on the market today. It is worth your time to find out about current trends in the vinyl flooring industry. Look into resilient, printed, and inlaid vinyls. Explore options such as sheet vinyl, solid vinyl tile (SVT), and luxury vinyl tile (LVT).

Vinyl flooring can now realistically mimic the look and textures of real ceramic, stone and wood grain patterns. These amazing replicas have such incredible realism it is difficult for most people to tell whether it’s the real thing or not. Who needs to know, right? – Great Floors

Although vinyl flooring is generally less expensive than wood or stone, there is also a range of qualities of vinyl options. It comes in sheets on a roll, square tiles, and planks. Other variables to consider are the quality of coating and the thickness of the material.

Consider cost efficient vinyl when you rent a house or a business space. Staying under your budget does not mean you have to sacrifice quality. As to my exhortation above to educate yourself, please know that we at Go Mobile Flooring are here to help you in that quest.

Laminate Upkeep

July 12, 2016/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

In this short article we will discuss the simply amazing ease, quickness, and lack of stress that comes with laminate upkeep! Laminate flooring is an excellent choice and often hard to distinguish from hardwood. However, it is much less expensive and one of the best choices if you want to make your life easier.

Laminate Upkeep is Easy

Laminate upkeep is very easy. Basically you just need to sweep it with a light broom or vacuum cleaner. Also a regular pass over with a Swiffer or similar cleaning product works fine. Although it is water resistant, you don’t want to do heavy duty washing with laminate upkeep.

Most homeowners love hardwood floors – they’re beautiful and provide a home with a unique look. Unfortunately, they can also be costly and difficult to keep in good shape. This is why laminate has become so popular in recent years, as it can bring a home all of the benefits of hardwoods without bringing along the price tag. If you’re looking for new flooring in your home, you might want to take one of the most valuable floor tips of recent years to heart and make sure that you choose laminate floors for your next remodel. – Panel Town & Floors

Laminate Upkeep is Time Saving

It is not necessary to gather a large bucket, a heavy wet mop, strong detergents, and other tools for laminate upkeep. Just thinking about gathering these items makes me feel tired already. But like everything in life, there is the preparation, the job, and the clean-up. When it comes to laminate upkeep, it’s a win-win option for the home or office.

One of the biggest advantages of laminate floors is that they are made to look good for many years with a minimum of effort. Most laminates come with a 10 to 25 years residential warranty against staining, wearing and fading, depending on the brand. All you really need for cleaning are a vacuum cleaner, a dry mop and a damp towel for more difficult stains. – Atriumloghomes

Laminate Upkeep is Nearly Effortless

Am I repeating myself? I suppose I am because I am a raving fan of laminate flooring.

Best Ways to Create Beautiful Stairways

June 14, 2016/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

If you are old enough, you may recall the way stairs were used in homes in the past. They were simply a functional thing to get to the upper level or to the basement. Builders made them to take up as little floor space as possible. Hence, they were dangerously steep, almost like a ladder. The most common modern day example would be a hatch drop-down foldable ladder for access to small attics or crawl spaces. But newer homes have built-in staircases that are much safer and more beautiful. Often they serve as a central focal point of the home. With a little thought and effort, you can have beautiful stairways.

Beautiful Stairways – The Flooring Obvious

Whether you choose to use carpet, laminate, or hardwood for your stairway, it will beautify your home. Often parents with small children use carpet for safety reasons or for noise reduction. Contrary to popular belief, it is not overly expensive to go with hardwood or laminate. Whatever the extenuating circumstances, the flooring on your steps is an important element of the interior design.

Be sure to DESIGN your space with the color, texture, and type of flooring to match or compliment the over-all look and feel of your home or business.

Beautiful Stairways – The Walls

Often, stairways are viewed simply as a way to get from Point A to Point B, and not much thought is given to the space thereafter. However, I’ve noticed that stairways provide an ideal place to exhibit one’s design style and interests or to even be useful. The ceiling may be taller on your stairway, the view direct (from other prominent rooms), and/or the possibilities endless. Homedit

Back in the day, with ridiculously small and steep stairways, the walls were of no consequence. It would be about the same as decorating a wall behind a ladder. Today, homes often have multiple levels or alternating directions in a stairway. This can be the ideal area to dramatically enhance the charm of the home.

Beautiful Stairways – The Rails

In some cases stairways have railings. Unlike the olden days, railings are not used merely for safety purposes. In older business buildings there are usually regulations to have hand railings. Current day architecture has taken it to another level. Railings can now match the surrounding decor, and there is a plethora of options that are magnificent.

Don’t overlook the treasure in the center of your home. Surprise yourself and be sure to create beautiful and safe stairways!

Porcelain Floors – The New Tile

May 26, 2016/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

In the modern era, porcelain was produced as far back as 1843. (About.com) There were even more ancient versions all the way back to the late Greek and early Roman periods. However, it has only become affordable in recent years. Today mass production and technologies have made it an option for homes and businesses.

Porcelain is a denser, more porous, and harder option that offers greater stain and water resistance than ceramic tile. – HGTV

Porcelain is harder than Ceramic

Porcelain is actually a form of ceramic that has been heated to temperatures as high as 1400 ºC. This greatly increases the strength of the material. Also it allows for more creativity with the design patterns on the tiles. In some cases the tiles are beautifully glazed. The investment is a long-term wise choice.

It is more difficult to Install

Due to the hardness of the material, cutting and shaping requires professionals with the right tools and expertise. Regular ceramics can be installed by most handy men. The higher cost for porcelain, along with its hardness, demands the best craftsmanship. Why take chances? Hire experienced pros to do the job.

It can be be Polished

Unlike many materials, due to its strength, porcelain can be glazed or polished. The result of polishing is stunningly beautiful. There’s a reason some artists use porcelain in their masterpieces.

This is an excellent choice for providing the best floors in your home or office. It is better than ceramic and offers more creative designs. Whether it is glazed or polished, this material is a great investment. The options are unlimited.

In your home you want guests and visitors to be impressed with the environment. In your business the same holds true, maybe even more so. Let your friends, guests, and associates feel first class under their feet.

Best Matches for Grout, Color and Texture

May 12, 2016/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

As mundane as it sounds, the workman’s terms for beautiful flooring needs to be considered. Grout, color, texture and other terms, if understood, will help you pick the best over-all flooring. Let’s examine the basics to better understand how they all work together.

Let’s think about GROUT.

Here is a basic definition for this weird sounding material:

Grout is a particularly fluid form of concrete used to fill gaps. It is used in construction to embed rebars in masonry walls, connect sections of pre-cast concrete, fill voids, and seal joints such as those between tiles. – Wikipedia

Grout comes in and can be mixed to different consistencies depending on the application. Experienced tradesmen know how to carefully and quickly get the job done.

Let’s think about COLOR.

The great news is that grout comes in any color. In fact, you can have it colored to match your tiles, cabinets, or any other feature in the room. It would seem that this is the easiest feature to decide upon, but it still requires a professional eye. Anyone can tell you of a neighbor that painted their house fluorescent green because they love that color. But is that really the right choice to paint a house? Same goes for cars and floors!

Let’s think about TEXTURE.

Texture is one of those tricky features that you may not notice up close or at a glance but often has a drastic effect from a distance. If your selected room is modern with polished veneers, a smooth floor with shiny tiles may be perfect. If the room is rustic with a natural look, you may prefer to have rough flooring stones installed. Of course the three features we are discussing (grout, color, texture) need to compliment one another.

In SUMMARY:

Imagine how grout, color, texture and other features relate to each other. It has been said that there is no wrong answer, but in design that’s really not true. Professional installers and designers have the expertise you need to make the best choices for your space. Personal preferences sometimes are best trumped by options that elevate the over-all appeal of the room and of course the resale ability.

If resale value and general appeal doesn’t matter, then you have the freedom to mix and match grout, color, texture and any additional components you prefer. After all, it is the space you live or work in. Do what you want!

Top Carpet Choices in a Business

April 27, 2016/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

The top carpet choices in a business may not be the driving force of your organization, but you do want to create a more attractive and healthier environment in the workplace. When it comes to carpeting, there are actually more things to consider than you might think. Let’s think about a few of those right now…

APPEARANCE

Good carpeting can make your workspace look more appealing. It has been proven that employees are affected by the environment they work in. They like coming to a beautiful workplace every day. Also in many businesses, it will appeal to customers. If the flooring is plain and boring, will it encourage them to come back? It is wise to leverage every aspect of your business to be more successful.

Carpet Comes in All Colors

ACOUSTICS

Carpeting helps control sound acoustics. Many work areas are hectic because numerous people are talking, walking, and working on hard surfaces that amplify sounds. In some cases it may be preferable to have hardwood flooring but when it comes to controlling the acoustics, carpet is a better choice.

Carpet absorbs sound, is soft, slip-resistant and often quite beautiful. These qualities make it a common choice as a floor covering for homes and office spaces alike. EPA Sustainable Marketplace

ENVIRONMENT

It is a good thing to have a a clean place to work in. People appreciate cleanliness, and it helps the environment. It is too common that businesses do not care. Taking care of your work space is an important responsibility. It is the right thing to do. These top carpet choices in a business are provided to help you choose wisely in creating the best flooring possible while at the same time being a good steward of your property.

These suggestions are just a starting point. Different types of carpeting also need to be studied. Perhaps later we will examine the subject from a more technical viewpoint. There are different qualities of carpeting and a variety of cushions that we can think about next time.

Hardwood Floor History

April 12, 2016/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

Having a hardwood floor means different things to different people. Most of us would think that a hardwood floor is very classy and expensive. Many home buyers today prefer hardwood floors. But there was a time when flooring in a home was simply cut boards or planks. It was not particularly considered special, even though they used solid wood. (For the sake of brevity, this very short hardwood floor history will only cover hardwood flooring in America since the late 1800’s.)

Technological advancement, the economy, and war all played a role in the development of the modern hardwood floor industry.

Hardwood Floor History: Technology’s Effect

Prior to the 20th century, the labor demands were extreme to create a hardwood floor.

Hand Scraping Harwood Floor

The first wooden floors in colonial America were wide, thick planks cut from the continent’s abundant old-growth forests. Old House Online

In 1885 they developed tools to make tongue and groove flooring. This greatly reduced the labor requirements of installing hardwood flooring. Of course, everything changed drastically after power tools were invented, especially circular saws.

Hardwood Floor History: Economic Effect

In the 1800’s and early 1900’s, wood to be used for flooring was all hand-cut. The time required for laborers to install hardwood floors meant that most people could not afford it.

For centuries, wood floors were the domain of only the wealthiest people in the world. Expert craftsmen labored for years on the same floor, meticulously cutting each intricate inlay or pattern by hand. The only other wood floors in existence were the rough, hand-hewn planks that formed the surface of some commoners’ residences. Either way, each wood floor was the result of a painstaking hand-cutting process. – Hardwood Floors / nwfa

Hardwood Floor History: The Effect of War

In the 1920’s many people had an abundance of money. The flooring industry was growing and advancing. But everything stopped when America entered World War II. All efforts were directed at winning the war. It was a matter of necessity and survival. If we had lost the war, today we would likely be speaking German and using German technology. Woodworkers were assigned to provide wood flooring for barracks and vast factories to help the war effort. Fortunately, the result of the war allowed our free enterprise to grow.

Today there are more options than ever to install beautiful hardwood flooring. Modern technology and tools make it more affordable for most Americans. The labor is still intensive but what used to take months or years to install, can now be done in days.

Hardwood Floor Maintenance

February 18, 2016/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

Your hardwood floors are the most used part of your house or apartment. Think about the daily usage of your floors. Without even thinking about it, you and your family uses floors constantly every day. It would be foolish not to pay attention to hardwood floor maintenance in your home. When your floors begin to show wear and tear, you have three options to consider: REFINISH, REPAIR, or REPLACE.

Hardwood Floor Maintenance Usually Only Requires A REFINISH Project

Refinish, refinish, refinish. In almost every case it is preferable to refinish your floors rather than replace them. MacWoods.com

A prestigious salon in the Orlando area set up business in a second floor unit in an old building. The place was a mess. It was filthy, paint was peeling from the walls, and the floors were drab and stained. But the owner noticed they were hardwood floors and the rooms had crown molding. He saw potential. After a few weeks of work the space was beautiful and the salon clients love the environment as much as the services!

Refinishing can be accomplished at various levels:

SIMPLE: clean & wax
MODERATE: clean, re-stain, and wax
COMPLEX: clean, strip, re-stain, and wax

Depending on the condition of the floors, any of these options will do the trick. Almost anybody can do the first one, your Dad can do the second one, and (with help from a home improvement store) Dad can probably do the third one as well.

BEFORE & AFTER

Hardwood Floor Maintenance Occasionally Requires REPAIRS To Be Made

In some cases the erosion and wear and tear may have caused serious damage to hardwood floors. In this case you may not be able to do it yourself, and it might even be over Dad’s head. The worst-case scenario is if the underlying floor is ruined. This would require a construction project to replace the sub-flooring or even the wooden beams. Fortunately, in most cases that won’t be the case.

Minors repairs can be done rather easily. Sometimes a board is loose or bulging and glue or nails could solve the problem. Often corners and edges can be fixed simply by replacing the baseboards.

Baby Room Floor: Safe and Practical Ideas

February 2, 2016/in Flooring /by Thais Sousa

Are you thinking about providing a safe and enjoyable baby room floor? Do you have a child? Are you expecting one soon? Now is the time to make a place for a remarkable space for the baby.

Laminate Flooring History