Flooring is no longer limited to wooden planks and porcelain tile. Each room or area requires different types of flooring, based on function, code requirements and aesthetics.
Hardwood floors have a timeless beauty that adds value to a home. They are durable, easy to clean, and age beautifully with sunlight.
Hardwood
Hardwood floors have a timeless beauty and add tremendous stylistic value to a home. They’re durable, versatile, and easy to maintain with regular sweeping and dusting. They’re a great choice for high-traffic areas and work well with radiant heating systems. We offer solid and engineered hardwood floors in a variety of styles, from warm minimalism to transitional modern. You can also select surface effects such as hand-scraped for a rustic look, distressed or wire-brushed.
Domestic and exotic species are available, each with a unique color and grain pattern. We have many options to complement your decor, including white oak flooring for a classic look or walnut wood floors for a rich look. Hardwood floors are not ideal for homes with a lot of moisture because they can damage from water intrusion. Water-based polyurethane or oil-based wax refinishing can protect your floor from moisture and help it resist stains, but they won’t completely prevent it from occurring.
Solid wood flooring is made from planks milled from a single piece of timber and can be sanded and refinished multiple times. It is often installed perpendicular to wooden support beams called joists. Engineered wood is made with layers of real hardwood veneer bonded with adhesives to plywood or other high-density fiberboard cores. The layers are cross-hatched to improve dimensional stability and reduce the tendency for your new wood floors to swell or split if exposed to moisture.
Laminate
Laminate is one of the most common flooring materials you’ve likely walked on, from residential spaces like busy kitchens to commercial lobbies and waiting rooms. And for good reason: it’s cost-effective and downright durable compared to some of its common competition. Plus, today’s laminate comes in tons of looks that can mimic more expensive materials like natural hardwood and stone, allowing you to elevate your style without breaking the bank.
Laminate’s layers are fused together with heat and high-pressure in a process known as lamination. It starts with a durable, clear plastic wear layer above a decorative paper design that can reproduce photorealistic wood grain, stone or tile patterns. Underneath, a core layer of hdf (high density fiberboard) is used to provide durability and water resistance. This core is often reinforced with melamine resin or aluminum oxide particles for added strength.
Finally, a top decor layer can be printed or embossed to further enhance the floor’s appearance. Using digitally enhanced images and embossing techniques like wire-brushing or hand-scraping can create realistic textures for even greater visual impact.
This decorative paper layer is then sealed with a protective melamine layer to protect the surface from scratches, chips and stains caused by pets’ claws, kids toys, furniture legs and vacuum cleaners. It also protects the color from harmful UV rays that would cause it to fade over time.
Vinyl
Vinyl is a durable, affordable flooring option with many design possibilities. It performs well in areas with moisture, is easy to clean and hygienic, and comes in an almost limitless number of styles. It can imitate wood, ceramic, and stone floors in terms of appearance and even feel like them underfoot. It is resistant to stains, scratches, and dents and can withstand heavy furniture and appliances. It is, however, prone to fading from sunlight. This can be avoided by laying down rugs and placing felt pads under furniture.
Sheet vinyl is available in wide rolls that have few seams, which makes it ideal for large rooms or bathrooms and laundry areas. It is made with a digital graphics layer of PVC bonded to a base layer of fiber or felt. This is then covered with a protective outerwear layer, which determines how durable your floor will be.
Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP) are growing in popularity because of their high-end look and durability. They have an attached underlayment pad that can eliminate the need for a separate substrate or damp basement flooring, and can also help muffle sound. Some brands offer a core such as urethane, which can hold up to heavy furniture and appliances; others use a stone plastic composite or SPC core.
Some LVPs are indistinguishable from real hardwood, while others feature concrete wash and marble designs. They are generally low in VOCs, formaldehyde and UK allergy certified, making them a healthy option for homes. They can also be resurfaced for long-term performance. When landfilled, it can leach phthalates (commonly added to vinyl for flexibility) and when incinerated, it produces polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls and other toxic chemicals.
Carpet
Carpet offers a warm, cozy feeling underfoot and a variety of aesthetic options. A popular choice for living rooms, bedrooms, and stairs, carpet is available in a wide range of styles and colors.
Most modern carpet is made from synthetic fibers. Nylon, polyester, and olefin are the most popular and widely used fibers. Each one has its own unique characteristics and benefits. Wool fibers are natural and hypoallergenic. They are also incredibly durable, resisting mildew and mold, and retaining color well. It’s important to consider the different fibers and styles of carpet before choosing the best one for your home.
The softness of the carpet can help reduce fatigue and provide a comfortable place to stand or sit for longer periods. It also acts as an insulator, helping to retain warmth in winter and cool air in summer. In combination with proper carpet padding, this feature can significantly lower energy bills and contribute to a healthy living environment.
Carpet flooring is safer than other hard floors, especially in households with children or elderly family members. Its slip-resistant surface can help prevent accidents, and in the event of a fall, the soft surface of the carpet absorbs impact and lessens injuries. This feature is particularly beneficial for seniors who are more likely to sustain severe injuries from falls.