Green Flooring Options

Going green can take some extra work on your part. Begin by finding a retailer who is knowledgeable about green flooring products. He or she can help identify products that are certified as environmentally friendly, assist in ensuring the installation meets healthy environmental standards and provide information about the various programs that promote the use of green products. Communities often have tax or other financial incentives to encourage green living.

Eco-Friendly Flooring

Cork

Cork isn’t just for wine bottles, anymore. It’s actually the bark of a tree known as Cork Oak. Once a Cork Oak tree reaches the age of about 25, its bark can be stripped without hurting the tree. It can then be split every nine to 12 years, making cork a renewable resource. Cork Oak is native to the Mediterranean region, where Portugal produces 50% of the world’s supply. And cork trees normally live 250 years or more. Did you know that some cork flooring is actually made from the pre-consumer waste generated in making wine corks? Learn more about cork flooring in our Designer's Corner.

Green Benefits of Cork:

Renewable resource

Recycled and recyclable product

Tree is not damaged when harvested

Can be finished using water-based products and installed with low-VOC adhesives

Bamboo

Bamboo is a rapidly renewing resource that matures in three years. Most bamboo flooring available in the North American market is made in China with bamboo harvested from natural and plantation groves. Bamboo certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) meets criteria for environmental sustainability and social responsibility. Several flooring products are available with this option. While transportation from China to the United States is a consideration, most tankers are fairly efficient.

Green Benefits of Bamboo:

One of the fastest growing plants on earth makes it rapidly renewable

The whole plant is not harvested, so there is no need to replant

Requires minimal fertilization or pesticides

Can be finished using water-based products and installed with low-VOC adhesives

Carpet

According to the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), the carpet industry is working hard to minimize carpet’s impact on the environment. The Green Label and Green Label Plus programs from CRI were instituted to improve indoor air quality by lowering or eliminating VOCs. The Green Label ensures that customers are purchasing carpet, adhesive and cushion products with the lowest VOC emissions currently possible.

In addition, more and more of the five billion pounds of carpet that is replaced annually are being recycled to make new carpet or other products.

Green Benefits of Carpet:

Greener manufacturing processes and CRI certification

Can be made from recycled materials

Can be recycled at the end of its life

Can be made from natural materials that are renewable: wool, cotton, hemp, sisal, seagrass, bamboo and jute

New fibers in the marketplace are completely recyclable or made from renewable resources

Stone

In the past, there was little generally accepted data studying the environmental impact of using stone as a building material. However, in the fall of 2009, the Natural Stone Council completed a three-year study on the environmental impact of using stone. The report included a look at water and energy consumption in quarrying and processing stone, yields from raw materials and reuse and recycling of stone.It’s clear there are certain advantages to using stone.

Green Benefits of Stone:

Natural material

Enduring lifecycle

No VOC emissions

Easy to maintain

Recyclable and salvageable

Hardwood

Hardwood is a natural, renewable and recyclable material. Not all hardwoods, however, are automatically environmentally sound choices. To make the decision easier, there are a variety of programs that certify which hardwood products are green. The most common product certification programs are the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). All certify wood from sustainable managed forests.

When shopping for hardwood flooring, look for certification and understand that most of the flooring will be imported. Only 4% of the United States’ own native, old growth forests are still standing.

Green Benefits of Hardwood:

Managed, sustainable, natural resource

Renewable

Recyclable

Low or no VOC emissions

Can be finished using water-based products and installed with low-VOC adhesives

Article taken directly from WFCA.org

Americarpet sells the floor mentioned in the article, for more information go to www.americarpetfloors.com or visit us at 364 N.E. 167 St. Miami, FL 33162.

Designing with Stone

You walk on it every day. You lay on it. You play on it. But where does it come from? Do patient old women in exotic countries spend months sewing each strand of those little fibers together until they have enough to fill a whole room?

That would be a no.

There are two primary ways to make carpet today. The first is called tufting. The second is called weaving.

Tufting is a technique in which computers direct machines to construct specific densities, patterns and styles of carpet using synthetic yarn materials.

Step one is to weave the fibers into the backing material, which is there to keep the fibers in place. The tufting machine is like a giant sewing machine where 800 to 2,000 needles work together to pull the yarn through. Most tufting machines are about 12 feet wide. As its needles penetrate the backing, a small hook called a looper grabs the yarn and holds it in place. This process results in what is called loop pile construction. For some styles, the looper rocks back

against a knife, allowing the small loops of yarn to be cut, creating a cut pile carpet.

Step two is to dye the carpet. Sometimes this is done before the final few processes — and sometimes it’s done afterwards. Carpets dyed prior are usually a single color without a pattern or style. Carpets dyed after typically go through one or more silk screens to obtain the pattern or style that the computer had in mind.

In step three, a coating of latex is applied to both the tufted, dyed carpet’s primary backing, and also to secondary backing. The secondary backing is often made of a woven synthetic polypropylene material. The two parts are squeezed together in a large heated press, where they are held firmly to preserve their shape. Some manufacturers also apply stain protection during this step — a good idea now that red wine has become a new food group.

The final steps are shearing (to remove all the little loose ends) and inspection (to ensure both quality and accuracy to the digital design).

Weaving, on the other hand, can be done by machine on massive looms or by hand. In either case, fibers (called “warps”) are placed vertically on a frame and pulled tight enough to maintain tension while yarn is being woven over, under or around them.

After the weaving is complete, new fibers (called “wefts”) are laid horizontally across the yarn, locking the warps into place.

Woven carpets tend to be more luxurious and higher quality than tufted carpets — a fact reflected in their price.

Ninety percent of today’s carpets are made of synthetic fiber, comprised of one of three materials: nylon, polypropylene or polyester. All three are created by a chemical process that uses oil and natural gas.

The rest is natural fiber — most commonly wool, which is the most durable (and expensive), as well as silk and bamboo.

Which manufacturing process is right for you? That depends on your desired look, the level of expected foot traffic and your budget. A good quality carpet can last a long time — so consider amortizing the cost across the many years that you and your family will enjoy this both timeless and timely choice of floor covering.

Article taken directly from WFCA.org

Americarpet sells the floor mentioned in the article, for more information go to www.americarpetfloors.com or visit us at 364 N.E. 167 St. Miami, FL 33162.

Cork Flooring and Tile

With the increasing focus on environmental friendliness more and more people are looking towards natural, renewable materials for their flooring options. One of the most popular choices is cork, which is incredibly eco-friendly and one of the most easily Renewable Resources in the world. It also has a host of wonderful qualities which make it an ideal flooring choice in many situations. So here are some frequently asked questions about cork:

What is Cork?

Cork comes from the outer bark of the cork oak tree, which is indigenous to Portugal, Spain, Italy, Southern France and Northern Africa. This tree is unique in that the outer bark (cork) layer can be stripped off several times in a 200 year lifespan with no harm to the tree, thus providing a steady supply and a completely renewable resource of raw material.

What is so Special About Cork?

Cork is unique in so many ways: it is light, buoyant, compressible and elastic, rot-resistant, fire-resistant (in its natural state), impermeable and yet soft. Yet it is a completely natural material which cannot be emulated by any synthetic material. It is no surprise that it is highly sought after in a variety of applications, in particular stoppers and floats, due to its honeycomb structure, flexible membrane and lightweight properties.

Why is Cork Suitable as Flooring Material?

In many respects, cork is the perfect floor, in particular for families with pets and children:

• It is soft and warm.
• It is durable enough to handle wear and tear and heavy traffic. In fact, cork floors are more durable than many other flooring types. One reason is because of its elasticity and its ability to recover well from compression. This means it has the ability to spring back and regain its original size and shape. Having said that, the use of furniture pads is recommended and a polyurethane finish will help protect the cork floor further and make it easier to maintain.

• It insulates against both temperature and noise: the honeycomb structure of cork provides tiny cell-like compartments which seal bubbles of air; these in turn provide a layer of insulation which means low conductivity for heat, sound and even vibrations. This makes cork one of the best insulating substances in the world.
• It is easy to clean and maintain and beautiful to look at.
• Ideal for people with allergies as it does not absorb dust and is also anti-static.
• It is environmentally-friendly and cost-effective.

Can you use Cork in Kitchens and Bathrooms?

Yes, cork can be used in all rooms and in both residential and commercial settings. In fact, kitchens are one of the most common rooms to install cork floors, in particular because it is comfortable to stand on and very easy to clean. Although cork is absorbent, Surface Spills will not penetrate cork floors and can wiped off, in the same way as any other type of hard flooring. Cork can be used in the Bathrooms and is especially good for providing a warm surface underfoot, compared to tiles. However, if there is likely to be heavy water spillage (e.g. children splashing in the bath), then special precautions are needed during installation to make sure that the room perimeter is caulked before installing the moulding or base boards.

Is it True that Cork Does not Rot?

Yes, cork contains a natural substance called suberin which enables it to be impermeable to gases and liquids. It is therefore also naturally anti-bacterial.

Can you Still have a Choice of Colours with Cork?

Of course – cork can be available in its natural honey tones (and remember, as with all natural products, some variation in shades or texture is normal and part of its inherent beauty) or stained in a variety of colours, from red to green to chocolate to black.

How do I Install Cork?

You can call upon a professional manufacturer and installer or for DIY enthusiasts, cork tiles are easily installed using any water-based contact cement. For cork floating floors, normal carpenter glue will suffice. These types of cork flooring will usually come with detailed manufacturers’ instructions for installation.

Where can I use Cork?

Cork can be used anywhere in the home, from the child’s bedroom to the kitchen, living room to the bathroom. Because it is so abrasive-resistant, anti-allergenic, insulating and resilient as well as being naturally anti-microbial, cork is frequently used in public buildings, such as schools, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, shops and even offices.

Cork has been used since the early 1900's, with Europe having a long history of using this product as flooring while North America and Australia are more recent converts. The popularity of cork has now spread around the world.

Article was taken directly from http://floortalk.wfca.org/
Americarpet sells the floor mentioned in the article, for more information go to www.americarpetfloors.com or visit us at 364 N.E. 167 St. Miami, FL 33162.

Designing With Stone

If you are in the market for natural stone flooring or counters for your home, this brief compilation of stone factoids is going to be very helpful. Just a little knowledge, before you narrow in on what’s right for you, may point you in the right direction. You’ve all studied the types of rock the earth renders, but it could be you haven’t had need for that information in a long time. So here is a brief refresher.

SEDIMENTARY – Igneous rocks make up the majority of the earth’s crust and are covered by a thin veneer of loose sediment. It’s this loose sediment that gets compacted and cemented together to give us sedimentary stone. Travertine and limestone fall into this category. Natural, unfilled travertine has tiny holes throughout the surface, indicative of sedimentary formations. Both travertine and limestone are very porous and will require continuing maintenance to keep them looking their best. Keep in mind, because they are so porous they are prone to staining so may not be the best choice for countertop applications. For floor applications, Torrean travertine is less porous and gives a more uniform surface texture.

METAMORPHIC – The metamorphics get their name from “meta” (change) and “morph” (form). Any rock can become a metamorphic rock. All that is required is for the rock to be moved into an environment in which the minerals which make up the rock become unstable. Extreme temperature and pressure are the catalysts in forming metamorphic rocks and produce stones with exceptional beauty, such as slate, marble and quartzite.

IGNEOUS – Igneous rocks are crystalline solids which form directly from the cooling of volcanic magma. This is an exothermic process (it loses heat) and involves a change from the liquid to the solid state. The earth is made of igneous rock – at least at the surface, where our planet is exposed to the coldness of space. Granite is an igneous rock and you can tell how near to the earth’s surface (or how deep within the earth) the granite was formed, based on its composition. Smaller particulates in the granite indicate it was formed closer to the surface. Larger particulates are the clue that it was formed deep beneath the earth’s crust. Given the process by which granite is formed, it is an extremely hard stone, second only to diamonds. It does well for countertops or flooring.

The inherent beauty of natural stone is what draws us to it. Every piece of granite is a unique work of art. The unpredictable range of colors in slate makes every installation a masterpiece. Marble transforms surfaces into statements of timeless beauty. I’d say Mother Earth wears a mantle of treasures, and it’s always a privilege for us to have a small piece of that treasure grace our homes.

Article was taken directly from http://floortalk.wfca.org/
Americarpet sells the floor mentioned in the article, for more information go to www.americarpetfloors.com or visit us at 364 N.E. 167 St. Miami, FL 33162.

Best Flooring Options For Children's Playroom

If you are creating a children’s playroom in your home and you have free reign in thinking about a new floor, you could really have some fun with it. There is a wide range of options available – and you don’t have to settle for just one of them. Instead, be a little creative in your approach.

Playroom Uses
It may be obvious that a children’s playroom will be used for playing but this is not such an unusual consideration when you think about it in the context of the rest of the house. So, for example, will children be snuggling down to watch DVDs or television in the room? Will there be a space in which they could do painting or messy play? Perhaps the room is large enough that they might be riding indoor bikes or scooters in it or it is sizeable enough for you to consider setting a small trampoline or other such piece of equipment from time to time? Or will some of these other activities be taking place in their bedroom, in the garden or in the kitchen?

Playroom Position
Consider the position of your playroom in the house as well. In many cases a playroom will be on the ground floor or perhaps even in the basement. If, however, you plan to set up your playroom upstairs or you live in an apartment then you may well have to opt for some sort of Carpeting to help dampen the sound from the room. Noise from singing, dancing, playing musical instruments and general jumping about will be magnified if you have a hard floor. Have a look at easy clean carpets or consider Carpet Tiles which can be replaced individually if there is a spillage.

Messy Play
If you are expecting messy play to happen in the room, then a wipe-down flooring option is preferable. Think about having a Vinyl or Linoleum Flooring laid. For extra comfort under foot, particularly if you have little ones, try a padded or cushioned lino. Stone or tiles would be an easy-clean option but are not the safest option for a playroom. Remember, anything dropped on them will just shatter and little ones could hurt themselves if they fall – a stone floor will also be very cold underfoot. Wood could look fantastic but if you choose a new solid floor you are likely to worry about stains and spillages. For a wood-look, a Laminate Flooring could well be the best option.

Have Fun
If you are converting a garage or basement in to a playroom, or you have an old hard floor in the room that you no longer wish to keep, why not have a bit of fun? Use floor paints to create a space that is brightly colored underfoot – you could opt for one color, paint a pattern or even paint games like snakes and ladders and hop-scotch on to the floor. Alternatively, if you can afford it, book a mural artist to come and create a wonderful under-foot image for your children – soon they could be imagining themselves on the beach, on a ship or in the wilds of the jungle…

This article was taken directly from http://www.floorideas.co.uk. Americarpet sells all the flooring mentioned in this article, so visit www.americarpetfloors.com for more information.

Area Rugs Define “New Age” Design

Every professional interior designer is required to study the History of Furniture and Art History as part of their college curriculum. This is the best way to gain a long-term perspective and respect for design evolution. Well, guess what? Design evolution is not a done deal. With all due respect to historic design modes, these styles are being modernized and stylized to bring a new breed of interiors to consumers. It’s exciting and somewhat startling, but decades from now, students will be studying ‘American Modernism’ as part of their design curriculum.

This is not to say that we have thrown out Classical, Contemporary, Country or Transitional design styles. We are taking the best of each and giving them a fresh look. Nobody does it better than Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams. In my opinion, as a veteran interior designer, their interpretations of classic design modes have stunningly redefined interiors.

This furniture manufacturer headquartered in North Carolina designs furniture with a holistic approach to design. Here is how they represent their philosophy:

“Furnishings from mid-Century to the 1970’s truly inspire us. We love to bring these wonderful designs from our past into the present… making sure they are clean lined as well as comfortable; reassuringly familiar, yet up to the moment. …With these pieces, we create rooms in a relaxed modern style—a soothing mix of soft hues and layered textures, accented by pops of color. Rooms that are simple to update over time. Easy, uncomplicated, and eco-friendly.”

It is so exciting to see in print exactly the formula I prescribe for every design I create—for both residential and commercial interiors. If you have followed FloorTalk and Designer’s Corner, then you have read that design is meant to be timeless with a “less is more” theme. Quality pieces that will become the foundation of your design are meant to be kept for the long-term. Accent pieces, accessories, toss pillows, and backgrounds can be changed for a minimal investment to keep your rooms fresh. But it will be the timeless furnishings, well-made and comfortable, that become the cornerstones of your design.

Gold + Williams understands this concept thoroughly, as you can see for yourself on their website www.Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.com. Classic Modern, Modern Farmhouse, Mid-Century Modern, Modern English and Classic Country are all a part of the new chapters being written in the book of design. And very interesting to see that each design setting pictured on the website or in their catalog includes rooms underscored with exactly the right area rug. It defines the space and the “message” the room is meant to convey—via color-rich, textural rugs. As I see design transitioning, area rugs are becoming significant players in every style of design. From tailored good looks to over-the-top shaggy styles, area rugs are the superstars in pulling the entire room together. Whether it’s the last item you add, or the launch point for the entire room design, find that perfect area rug to make your personal design statement come to life!

Article was taken directly from http://floortalk.wfca.org/
Americarpet sells many different area rug styles at www.stylishrugs.com and has many different area rugs at their physical location (364 N.E. 167 St. Miami, FL 33162).

New Floor Fashions

It’s time to talk about the trends shaping the color palettes for 2012 and 2013. Working closely with Color Marketing Group International provides great insight as to what designers are seeing across the country as to color “drivers”.

1. “The Good Old Days”
The post World War II era represented a period of growth and patriotism for Americans. Happier times and bluer skies are associated with the colors from that time. With positive associations tied to them, colors popular from the 1940’s through the l960’s are selectively reappearing in the coming palette.

2. “Eco-Friendly Lifestyle”
We’ve already established that personal recycling and preserving the earth’s natural resources are high-priority choices for most Americans. Now a lifestyle (rather than a trend), colors will reflect our commitment to sustainability. Natural hues in their purest form will influence the new color palette. Aqueous blues, botanical greens, earthy browns will anchor the palette and convey the “green” message.

3. “Caution and Care”
We are barraged daily with economic news that is enough to make you want to hide your head in the sand. Hard-working Americans are not to blame for the economic messes our country needs to clean up, but just the same, politicians are laying the sacrifices to be made on our shoulders. No wonder there is such low consumer confidence. No wonder the stock market has resembled an out-of-control roller coaster for weeks on end. And no wonder we are searching for colors that will stabilize our psyche and give us some comfort. Beautiful, tailored shades of gray will be a staple in the color palette for that very reason. It is just the prescription we are looking for as we swing towards conservatism on all fronts.

4. “A Global Perspective”
Most of us are proficiently cruising the internet on a daily basis. We are also devouring HGTV programs with a vengeance. With that said, we are being exposed to color like never before. Global fashions, exotic destinations, luxury interior designs are all available to us now. Because of that, we have developed an appetite for stronger colors. The new color palette will be a genuine mix of safe, comfort colors, punctuated with these global stunners.

5. “The Affordable Luxury”
So maybe we aren’t “trading up” our homes, or buying new cars every two years. Maybe the wardrobe has to last a little longer, and our vacations are closer to home. But we can afford a can of paint or a bolt of fabric, and that means our luxury du jour is COLOR!!! The immense satisfaction we get from surrounding ourselves with a new color goes a long way in making us feel happy. Color in times of stress and economic down-turns is a huge refuge for all of us. So roll up your sleeves, put down those drop cloths, and create something colorful!

That’s where we are headed as to the key color drivers for 2012 and 2013. If you had any doubt that color trends reflect exactly what is happening in our lives, our country, our world, we (CMG) can safely attest to the fact that color is historically the mirror of our society. We are headed for better times (albeit ever so slowly), but we can start the process ourselves, at home, with paint brush in hand.

This article was taken directly from http://floortalk.wfca.org/. Visit us at www.americarpetfloors.com, www.americarpetcommercial.com, www.stylishrugs.com and http://www.alfombrasypisosamericanos.pe/