Resilient Flooring Flooring Basics Flooring plays an important, often overlooked role in whether a room is cheery or dark, formal or casual, traditional or modern. But there's more to the equation than looks. Select the wrong material, and someone could step out of the shower and slip, or the kitchen floor could go from spotless to visibly spattered and sloppy in just the time it takes to prepare a single meal. With appropriate flooring, however, life can hum along while everyone attends to more interesting things. Each family's criteria are somewhat different—will children or pets increase wear and tear? Is comfort underfoot imperative, or is your heart set on the elegance of natural stone?—so your floor choice should be carefully tailored to the people who use it. Customizing your floor For a floor that looks like no one else's, consider adding medallions, borders, or occasional accents. A vivid floor can be created by cutting linoleum or other sheet flooring into squares of varying sizes and mixing contrasting colors patchwork-style. Curved cuts are also possible. Dress up a wood floor with a border of a contrasting species or the same species placed parquet-style at different angles. Some companies make wood inlays that, while costly, can be removed easily and placed in a new floor if you move. With tile, you might pick plain (and less expensive) pieces for the main expanse, then splurge on a mosaic border of true stone or accents of handmade tile. Solid surfacing Solid surfacing is man-made like laminate, the resemblance ends there. Made of polyester and or acrylic resins and mineral fillers, it's manufactured in sheets (Typically 1/2" thick) and can be formed into a seamless design (say a vanity sink top with an integral sink). It resists bacteria and mold and is easy to maintain. Because color run uniformly through, scratches and stains can be buffed out. Vinyl: The most common choice for kitchen and bathroom floors delivers good looks and easy care at an affordable price. Vinyl comes in a vinyl comes in a variety of textures and colors. The most durable are the inlaid designs, generally worth their high price because the color runs all the way down through so it can't wear off. On a layer underneath a tough "wear layer" of urethane or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).Urethane is more expensive than PVC but easier to keep free of scuff marks. Similarly brands with thicker wear layers last longer, though they cost more initially. Vinyl is sold in both wide sheets and individual tiles, some adhesive-backed for super-easy installation over existing smooth flooring. The seams make tiles less water-resistant than sheet vinyl. Linoleum: Once a kitchen staple, linoleum is enjoying a renaissance because it is made from natural ingredients, including linseed oil, cork, limestone, wood flour, and tree resins. All linoleum now on sale is imported from Europe, which is why this humble-no-longer material is a bit costlier than some people would expect. Manufacturers won't sell to do-it-yourselfers; professional installation is required. The color in linoleum goes all the way through, making it extremely durable. Wood Floors: About 90 percent of wood floors in the US are oak, but more people are choosing intriguing varieties like maple, pine, hickory-even bamboo, which is actually a grass. Solid flooring is cut directly from boards, often milled with tongue-and-groove edges that interlock. Because the narrow strips or wide planks are nailed down one at a time, borders and custom designs are feasible. Engineered wood flooring is created from plywood-type pieces with three or five layers arranged so grain alternates. It expands and contracts less than solid wood as humidity changes, so it's ideal for baths. Both solid and engineered flooring can be purchased with or without a finish. On-site finishing generally results in a flatter floor, but prefinished flooring gets the job done faster and can be more durable. In choosing a finish, the key issues are abrasion and moisture resistance, speed of drying, and ability to be refreshed. Polyurethane finishes coat wood with a tough plastic layer that resists moisture, but can't be refinished except after sanding. Oil or wax finishes, less tough and not water-resistant enough for baths, can be renewed without sanding. Among factor-applied finishes, new ceramic and aluminum-oxide formulas are exceptionally sturdy and water-repellent. Acrylic-impregnated wood (resin is injected into the pores of the wood) is even more durable. This treatment is available in solid parquet and laminated styles. Cleaning and Maintenance: The worst thing for a wood floor is a self-polishing acrylic wax made for sheet vinyl--it makes wood slippery and dull, especially if it has a polyurethane finish. The only remedy then is to sand and refinish. Instead, sweep or vacuum regularly to keep it grit-free, wipe the floor with a barely damp cloth, then towel-dry. Never wet-mop; standing water can cause wood to swell and buckle. Laminate Floors: Originating in Europe, laminate flooring has become very popular in the US because it is relatively inexpensive, quick to install, and easy to live with. Similar to countertop laminate but tougher, it consists of a top layer of plastic resins over a photo image of whatever product it's imitating, an inner core (usually particle-board or fiberboard, and a backing layer for stability. Many laminates resemble wood; others mimic stone or ceramic tile. The flooring comes as planks or squares with interlocking edges that glue together, a job that's straightforward enough for many homeowners to tackle themselves. Because pieces aren't nailed down, the entire floor "floats," expanding or contracting freely as humidity changes. It can be installed over most existing flooring except caret, eliminating the cost and mess of removal. And unlike many types of flooring, laminate doesn't need a subfloor that's perfectly smooth. If water puddles and seeps in at the joints, however, some laminates swell. Cleaning and Maintenance: Dirt doesn't adhere easily to laminate, which resists stains and scratches. To keep it pristine, clean regularly with a vacuum, a dust mop, or a damp cloth. Don't use steel wool or scouring powder; don't wax or polish-acrylic "mop and shine" products and soap-based detergents can leave a dull film. Ceramic Tile and Natural Stone are two materials that give your floor an original appeal, dissimilar to any other household. For more information on these materials, refer to "bathroom and kitchen countertops" above. The Bottom Layer Old floors can often stay in place as new flooring goes in, but the added bulk may cause fitting problems around doors and toilets. If existing flooring is heavily cushioned, textured, or torn, the uneven surface will telescope through new vinyl, cork, or linoleum. Troweling on a floor-leveling product can even an embossed surface. If irregularities are more sever, select a more rigid flooring like laminate or wood; or nail on plywood or particleboard, fill and sand joints, then install the new floor. The final option: Remove the old floor. If you suspect it contains asbestos, common in vinyl flooring before the mid-1980's, have it tested (see "asbestos testing" in the Yellow Pages, then decide whether to cover it or pay for safe removal. Asbestos flooring is no health hazard if left in place.
GPMRemodeling Service · 3207 Benton Street · Santa Clara, CA 95051 (408) 564-4902 · (408) 564-4902 fax · GC Lic #694398