As more and more designers are looking for eco-friendly materials for their clients, manufacturers have started to step up and give the design most preferred by people. Here are the three most popular eco-flooring options you will be interested in.
- Bamboo: Another sustainable alternative to hardwood is bamboo. Bamboo grows quickly, reaching maturity for harvesting within only three years. Although it’s known for flexibility, it provides a very hard surface. For this reason, it’s often used in commercial settings and other high-traffic areas.
- Linoleum: Cheap, thin versions of this flooring gave it a bad name. What’s more, linoleum and vinyl—not eco-friendly—are often confused. While vinyl’s a synthetic material, linoleum’s organic. Other organic materials are often added, like wood flour, pine rosin, cork dust, and various pigments for coloring.
This high-quality, versatile flooring is making a comeback. One example is Marmoleum, with design options including stone and wood grain styles. The final product is free of toxins, durable, attractive, and comfortable to walk on when combined with a soft underlayment.
- Carpet: If a soft, luxurious feeling is what you like in your home, carpet’s still an option. You might have heard of synthetic-fiber carpets releasing chemicals added during manufacturing. Eco-friendly carpeting is free of those chemicals, making it perfect when air quality is a concern.
Pure wool, manufactured without dyes and chemicals, is a good option. And carpet tacking, like non-toxic glues for hard floorings, will ensure you enjoy great air quality and a good relationship with the environment.
There are even more options for green flooring. Natural stone and brick are two more. Both are highly durable, attractive and easy to clean. With a little research, you can have your dream home, complete with eco-friendly flooring.
To discover more green flooring options, visit S&G Carpet and More at www.sgcarpet.com today.
Lastly, with our present technology and people’s creativity, eco-friendly flooring doesn’t come at the expense of fashion. Choosy and smart customers can have what they want and will enjoy the beauty of eco-friendly flooring option.
Many manufacturers have been producing eco-friendly products because they see the results of the increasing demands for “green” products option. Growing number of architects, developers and contractors are always on the lookout to offering the most suitable eco-friendly flooring options.
If you are looking for a more eco-friendly flooring option, many homeowners and renters are turning to this flooring, also known as “green flooring,” for their homes.
There are many reasons. But the top reasons are that eco-friendly flooring is better for indoor air quality and friendlier to the environment. It’s natural and sustainable.
Not only that, it also looks great. You’ll find it in homes of all sizes and prices. And it’s durable, so it’s perfect for any room in your home. It’s also easy to clean, so you can safely use it in the kitchen or living room and not worry about spills.
The Right Eco-Friendly Flooring Option for You
There are many green flooring options to choose from, but these two are among the most popular:
Hardwood: This is a classic. You can find it in homes from farmhouses to modern condominiums. You’ll want reclaimed, or sustainably harvested, hardwood flooring. It’s a durable, beautiful flooring that goes with almost every interior style. And it can be refinished, which adds to its life and can bring new vibrancy to a room.
Cork: If you want a renewable alternative to hardwood, consider using cork. This non-toxic, soft wood flooring’s harvested from the bark of live cork trees. This sustainable process doesn’t injure the trees.
Cork has more to give than hardwood and you might find it more comfortable to walk on. While its texture is a little softer, it still acts as an insulator and it resists the accumulation of moisture. It can last up to 30 years and more. With tons of patterns and colors to choose from, you are sure to get one that suits your taste.
No matter what type of eco-friendly flooring you wish to install in your home, S&G Carpet has more products than what you need and wants to get your next project successful. You can maintain your budget down from our various affordable flooring options.
One of the best choices in flooring designs is the role of carpets made of natural fibers. That’s because people tend to reject the man-made modern style of home interiors and prefer the style that brings in the real splendor of the natural world.
Yesterday’s carpets were often made, in part or whole, of synthetic materials. They were also treated with chemicals to protect them from spills and increase their life. But those materials and chemicals were bad for people and the environment.
For example, synthetic materials aren’t recyclable and biodegrade slowly. And chemicals often release gasses that harm air quality.
Here are the three all-natural carpet options that are attractive and good for the planet.
Jute Carpet
You might recognize jute from its use in carpet backing and for ropes. Like coir, jute is an inexpensive plant-based carpet fiber. This soft, natural carpeting is best placed in low-traffic areas of your home where comfort is a priority. Keep in mind that it’s prone to tears and wears quicker than heavier fibers.
Seagrass Carpet
Seagrass paddies are flooded annually with seawater, which is where the name comes from. This strong material is highly stain resistant and good at deflecting discoloration and dirt. You’ll want to think of matching its light, wheat colored tone with your room because it can’t be dyed.
Sometimes, you’ll see colored weft added to the weave to add visual variety. Seagrass, like wool and coir, needs to be kept dry to protect it from mold and mildew.
Sisal Carpet
Sisal’s a good middle ground for natural carpeting. Like wool, it’s durable and soft. Unlike other plant-based carpeting material, like seagrass, it will take a dye (though it will also stain easily without proper treatment). Its tough, soft texture makes it suitable for almost any room, from high-traffic living rooms to bedrooms.
You’ll want to be careful to keep sisal carpeting dry. Sisal isn’t cheap—still less than wool. But it’s available in several patterns and colors, so you can easily modify it for your interior design plan. To learn more about all your natural carpet options, visit S&G Carpet and More at www.sgcarpet.com today.
Natural carpet fibers are made up of materials which are found in nature–whether from plants or animal products like sheep’s wool. While these are visibly processed before turning them into carpets, they begin with a natural product, unlike synthetic fibers which are entirely made by man.
While most choices of carpeting are made up of partial synthetic fibers, there are some selections which are completely natural. These are prized for their real natural weave, great textures and the truth that these are made from eco-friendly and renewable resources.
Today, homeowners are increasingly turning to eco-friendly carpets to make their homes healthier and friendlier to the environment. Thanks to advances in manufacturing, natural carpet options are more abundant and affordable.
Here are a couple of creative options which are sure to give attraction and will also be good to the natural environment we live in:
Wool Carpet
Wool is one of the most common, and expensive, natural carpet fibers. This soft, durable material is at home in almost any interior. And it’s surprisingly durable. And thanks to its natural coating, it’s resistant to spills, stains and fire.
Just like wool coats and scarves, its fibers create air pockets, so it acts as a natural insulator. Remember, it performs best in dry areas because of the risk of mold and mildew (a wool-hemp blend will give you a more moisture-resistant weave).
Coir Carpet
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly carpet option for high traffic areas of your home, coir is excellent. This inexpensive material is woven from coconut husks. Because of its abrasive and highly durable texture, it’s best for spaces like foyers and hallways. It’s also popular in rustic environments like cabins and lodges.
Despite it’s rough exterior, you can order it in a variety of patterns, like herringbone and diamond weaves. Be aware that it should be kept dry and stains easily.
There are lots of different natural fibers in the market but only few can be used in carpeting. The choice of natural fibers has great advantages like being eco-friendly since they‘re made of sustainable resources.
Selecting a long-lasting hardwood floor is made easy by using hardwood hardness scale. It is your best guide for a strong and durable floor installation. With this scale, you can figure out different hardness ratings for all hardwood floor species.
A Note About Hardwood Vs. Softwood
As you shop for new flooring, you may find that some species are referred to as hardwood while others are referred to as softwood. It’s logical to assume that hardwoods are harder than softwoods, but that’s not always the case. In fact, the difference between the two has more to do with a tree’s internal structure and origins than with the hardness of the wood. Many homeowners do opt for hardwood species, but don’t be afraid to ask about softwoods such as cedar or pine too.
Choosing the Right Hardwood for Your Home
Choosing the right hardwood flooring for your home is a matter of balancing durability and aesthetics with use needs. Knowing how much traffic your floors will see. Do you have pets or young kids? Do you lead a very active lifestyle? These heavy use demands mean that you’ll need to think carefully about hardness ratings.
However, that doesn’t mean you need to choose the wood with the highest rating possible. Perhaps you like a worn, lived-in looked and want your floors to age with your family. In that case, a softer species might be a good choice. It’s also important to note that some hardwoods with high ratings, such as Brazilian walnut and Brazilian cherry, are more challenging and expensive to install than other woods.
If you want to buy a new wood floor, there might be several things that run through your mind. But with a little time to research, you’ll find a hardwood floor that you will love and will look very attractive for years to come.
No matter what your needs are, working with flooring professionals is key to choosing the right hardwood for your home. If you have questions about Janka ratings or just want to look at your options, come talk with the knowledgeable flooring consultants at S&G Carpet and More.
Both vinyl and laminate are low-budget floor coverings that give the durable quality for a utility or kitchen area. Also both of them can work well in a living area. When manufacturers talk about laminate flooring, they are mentioning about snap-together boards floating over the subfloor. Also, vinyl flooring comes in snap-together planks; however, you can also purchase glue-down tiles or sheet flooring. Some typical characteristics differentiate them from each other.
Choosing the Right Flooring for Your Space
At first glance, vinyl and laminate may seem like relatively comparable options. However, vinyl offers some benefits that laminate just can’t match. These include:
- Superior water resistance. Vinyl planks and tiles crafted with water-extruding cores are particularly water resistant.
- Quick, easy and economical replacement of individual tiles that are chipped, cut, broken or have been badly stained. This is especially beneficial in commercial environments, where heavy foot traffic results in rapid wear and tear of flooring.
- Superior resistance to staining, fading and discoloration caused by sunlight.
- Excellent cushioning and noise insulation.
Despite their similarities, there are a few distinct differences between them, which buyers must consider when shopping for the perfect home flooring. Of course, the pro flooring consultants at S&G Carpet and More are here to help you choose the right flooring for your home, business or facility too. Contact us or drop by one of our Northern California showrooms to talk about your options.
Hardwood flooring offers one of the best home improvements you can do for your home. Aside from being timeless and aesthetic, hardwood flooring is strong and durable. It only means that it can comfortably take the footsteps of your family for generations.
Hardwood is an incredibly popular choice for homeowners who want flooring that boasts a classic look alongside great durability. If you’ve been shopping for hardwood, you’ve likely thought about the species and style you want. While aesthetics are important, it’s essential to remember that there’s more to hardwood than meets the eye.
Understanding Wood Hardness Ratings
The hardness of every wood can be measured using the Janka hardwood test. Testers use force to press a small metal ball into a piece of wood until it is halfway embedded and leaves a mark. The Janka rating is calculated by looking at the amount of force used to make a ding. The higher the rating, the harder the wood.
Red oak, which has a hardness rating of 1290, is the standard against which all other species are measured. Red oak is both resilient and versatile, which makes it a leading choice for homeowners. Of course, other options are available too. With a rating of 3680, Brazilian walnut is one of the hardest woods on the market today. Softer species such as Douglas fir and yellow pine are also time-tested choices popular with many homeowners.
Here at S&G Carpet and More, we want all of our clients to find the right flooring for their needs. That’s why we think it’s so important to understand the hardness ratings for wood flooring.
In terms of performance, what you need is a floor type capable of holding up to scratches, scuffs, dents and the normal wear-and-tear. Selecting a strong hardwood floor can become less difficult with the help of hardwood hardness scale.
Are you looking for vinyl or laminate flooring? Many homeowners who are interested in flooring installation have the confusion between laminate and vinyl flooring. So let’s have a better look at these types of flooring options. Whether it’s vinyl or laminate that makes sense, learning more about its individual features will help you decide which one is better.
There are many decisions to make when shopping for new flooring. One of the first is what type of flooring is best for your home, business or facility. If you’re not in the market for hardwood or carpet, you might be considering vinyl or laminate. At S&G Carpet and More, we love seeing our clients choose floors that truly meet their needs. If you’re debating between vinyl and laminate, here’s what you need to know.
Breaking Down the Differences Between Vinyl and Laminate
Homeowners today enjoy an incredible array of choices when it comes to flooring. While variety is great, it can be hard to narrow down flooring selections unless you have a solid idea of what you want. You likely know the color or pattern that you’re interested in, and you may have seen both vinyl and laminate styles that fit the bill.
Vinyl flooring is available in both sheets and tiles that install easily and provide excellent durability. Vinyl planks, which offer the look of hardwood without the high maintenance demands, are also available. One of vinyl’s biggest selling points is its suitability for wet areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. Products such as CORETec both repel water and resist water damage, which makes them durable, practical and cost effective in areas that can be hard to floor. Such planks are also a viable alternative to traditional hardwood, which looks beautiful but is susceptible to water damage. As you shop, be sure to differentiate between vinyl and laminate too. These types of flooring can look similar, but vinyl tends to be more water resistant.
Laminate is generally offered in sheet form and also has a reputation for being easy to install. It’s made primarily from natural materials, which means that it’s a good option if you want green flooring. However, laminate is more sensitive to cleaners than other types of flooring, and you may need to buy special cleaning products. It also tends to have something called a bloom, or a yellowish cast that occurs during manufacturing. This cast disappears over time as new flooring is exposed to light. Laminate is generally considered to be durable, but you might find that available styles look a little dated.
The best way to know which one is better is for you to hire a professional flooring consultant to help you get an expert’s opinion–based on your floor budget and needs.
With many beautiful styles in hardwood flooring to select from, here are the last two hardwood trends for 2016 to help you get started this year.
Design Goes Upscale Natural
Clean, white-centric designs are favored for bedrooms, guestrooms and great rooms this year. Neutral color palettes are paired with elegant furnishings and accent pieces to make this light-and-natural look come together. Finding the right hardwood for this particular look means shopping blonde and light gray finishes. Hardwood in white finishes are also a natural choice for this style but keep in mind that white floors and white furniture may clash. You can solve this problem by using a large, light-colored area rug that incorporates metallic threads under major furnishings.
High Tech and Distressed Come Together
More consumers are choosing engineered hardwood flooring, which offers the beauty and authenticity of traditional wood flooring with the durability of high-end laminates. Durable and affordable, engineered hardwood is available in an incredible variety of species, stains and styles. This type of flooring is composed of multiple layers of wood that provide for excellent stability without warping. Whatever your style demands, you’ll find engineered hardwood that meets them.
At S&G Carpet and More, we pride ourselves on providing the best in style and value to customers throughout Northern California. That’s why we think hardwood flooring is the perfect choice when you want to pull off an on-trend look that won’t interfere with your home’s long-term value.
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When it comes to flooring trends, classic hardwood is never out of fashion. It’s an elegant choice that meets the style demands of both home and business owners. Of course, that doesn’t mean that hardwood isn’t evolving. Here at S&G Carpet and More, we’re always on the lookout for new, forward-thinking trends in flooring. If you’re looking for inspiration as you remake a room, consider these four hardwood trends that are going strong into 2016.
Classic Heritage Meets Modern Simplicity
Designs that combine rich, classical elements with simpler, contemporary accents are big this year. If you’d like to create a space that incorporates high-quality, modern furniture with antique accent pieces, this is the look for you. Hardwoods finished in espresso, ebony and dark cherry are the perfect choice for a heritage room while distressed styles add a rustic touch to a vintage-inspired space. Throw rugs in deep jewel tones or oriental patterns are ideal if you’d like to accent dark hardwood floors.
Dark Hardwoods Are In
They play prominently into classic designs, but hardwoods in dark finishes are also a trend of their own in 2016. Dark stains are popular for both standard and distressed styles, and you’ll find both classic hardwood and engineered hardwood flooring in dark shades. Black and brown washes are in but don’t discount deep reds or exotic purples. Hardwoods with gray finishes or undertones are also favored right now. These gray shades are perfectly neutral but bring more visual interest than their cream-and-beige counterparts.
Call Today for More Information on our Carpet Variations!
(408) 414-1188