Carpet? Laminate? Vinyl? Hardwood? Ceramic and Stone? Decisions, decisions, decisions! Choosing flooring that best fits your client's lifestyle is really what it's all about. The following is a quick rundown of products, their characteristics, and what they're best suited for.
CARPET
Comparing Carpet Fibers |
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Fiber Type
|
Wear Resistance |
Stain Resistance |
Resilience |
Cleanability |
Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
wool |
very good |
low unless treated |
excellent |
good |
The standard by which other fibers are judged; low resistance to static unless treated; expensive
|
nylon | excellent |
most are treated to enhance stain resistance |
very good | very good |
The most popular fiber, has good static control; suitable for almost any application |
polyprobylene olefin | very good |
excellent inherent stain resistance |
low |
responds well |
The second most popular fiber, best suited to loop pile constructions or high, very dense, cut piles
|
polyester |
very good |
built-in-stain resistance to certain types of acid dyes |
fair |
good |
Better suited to low traffic areas, such as bedrooms and living rooms
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LAMINATE
CERAMIC AND STONE TILE
Creates an elegant, natural look. Ceramic and stone are almost indestructible and easy to maintain. Ceramic tile can be glazed or unglazed. Stone tiles vary in texture and color for a distinctive look. Both tiles are suitable for moisture-prone and heavy-traffic areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, foyers,and laundry rooms.
VINYL
Vinyl is easy to maintain and very durable, making it suitable throughout the home.
Sheet Vinyl - Available in 6 foot and 12 foot widths, as well as any length
needed.
Tile Squares - Available in rich, luxurious squares, perfect for the finest interiors.
Colors and Styles - From warm, subtle colors to bold brights, today's vinyl has
it all. Vinyl comes in an extensive variety of patterns, designs and textures available in a stylish palette of color combinations.
Performance - Vinyl is great for active families. It can withstand heavy household traffic, children and pets, providing years of carefree beauty. Quality vinyl is available in good, better and best categories, enabling you to plan your flooring investment according to your budget.
HARDWOOD
Many people prefer the natural, rich beauty of genuine wood floors. Upscale and elegant, they create a warm, inviting look. You can choose from two categories: Solid wood and engineered wood.
Solid Wood - The most common wood flooring consists of solid, one-piece boards. Solid wood flooring is usually nailed to a subfloor of wood. Solid wood is not recommended below-grade or for basement installation.
Engineered Wood - Consists of two or more layers of wood laminated together. The top layer is usually a hardwood veneer of varying thickness. The lower layer is a softwood backing.
Installation - Most engineered wood floors are glued down, rather than nailed down. Some are installed as "floating floors", meaning the edges of the panels are glued together but not attached directly to the subfloor. It can also be glued directly to a concrete slab which means it can be used below grade.
Variety of Styles - Most wood flooring is available in three formats, the most common being the familiar wood strip. It is also available in wider width planks or as parquet squares.
Finishes - Unfinished floors, installed on-site, allow you many choices for colors and types of finishes. Most solid wood flooring is unfinished, while most engineered floors are prefinished.
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