Laminate Flooring Trends 2021 

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Considering buying Laminate Flooring but not sure what style to opt for? 2021 has a fantastic variety of Laminate Flooring trends for you to take inspiration from for your home this year! From popular colours to timeless patterns, we’ve picked some of our favourites from an abundance of Laminate trends. 

• Popular Colours
• Patterns
• Waterproof Laminates 
• Distressed Wood Look 

What is Laminate Flooring 

 

Laminate is a popular household flooring type, famous for being practical, budget friendly and excellently replicating real wood flooring in a wide range of colours and styles. 

Laminate is manufactured from multiple layers of high-density fibreboard (HDF). A digitally printed top layer covers densely-packed wood fibres to create a stable core. High-quality wood image is printed, which is often paired with authentic-feeling bevels and grains, to create a hyper-realistic wood effect.

Benefits of Laminate Flooring 

 

Firstly, before we jump into the latest trends in Laminate Flooring, let’s take a look at the benefits.

 

• Manufactured to be highly durable
• Easier and cheaper installation
• Scratch and water resistant
• Hygienic, easy cleanable surface.
• Realistic design
• Available in a wide range of styles
• Available in a wide range of budgets 
• Pet-friendly 

 

If it’s practicality you’re looking for, as you can see from the list above, Laminate could very well be your answer! 

 

Now for the reason you’re really here; tips and tricks on keeping up with the latest and greatest in the world of Laminate Flooring!

Popular Colours 

 

Where interior design is concerned, colour is everything. Mood boards, inspiration pages and home décor magazines are a great source of idea generation for your home renovation. However, does this match up to what’s on trend in 2021?

 

Grey Laminate 

 

Grey Laminate has been a staple in Laminate trends for the last couple of years, and this year is no different. With a sleek and neutral appearance, this colour has unmatched versatility in complementing a wide range of colour palettes incorporated into your room design. 

Whether you’re one for a bold aesthetic, or a subtle design, grey Laminate will perfectly set off the design. This will help to deliver a beautiful contemporary finish.

 

Light Wood Laminate 

 

Additionally, another popular colour trend is one you surely expected to see in this list. The beginning of 2021, a neutral minimalistic aesthetic has been unavoidable in the interiors industry. 

 

Neutral walls, pampas grass, and light wood coloured furnishings have seen a rise in the trend department. 

Laminate flooring is no exception. Further adding to the neutral minimalistic interiors, Laminate is available in a wide variety of warm earthy tones to brighten up your space and feature a touch of nature. 

 

Introducing these tones can create a warm and welcoming space for the whole family to sit back and relax in. Sound like something you want out of your space? Then be inspired by the light wood Laminate look. 

 

Dark Laminate

 

Classic. Luxury. Sophistication. These are often all words that spring to mind when you picture a room with dark wood flooring. 

 

If it’s a touch of timeless charm you’re looking to achieve with your flooring, then a dark Laminate should turn your head. 

 

This popular colour has always been among the more favourable shades when it comes to Laminate. However, it has recently seen a rise, complementing bold designs. Contrasting well with bright colours, this helps to accentuate colourful pieces and furnishings making them stand out in your space. 

This trend as a whole has been largely adopted this year, with dark Laminate being the perfect component. If you’re opting for that real wood look on a budget, this is definitely an option for you, as Laminate replicates real wood exceptionally, for a fraction of the cost. 

 

Being no stranger to a minority of timeless classics in the flooring industry, opting for your Laminate in this shade will mean you can count on it standing the test of time. Additionally, it gives peace of mind that you can easily change your interiors around it over time without concern if it will match the flooring. 

Patterns / Styles

 

Who doesn’t love a pattern? Clothes, furniture, accessories and wallpaper can often be desirables we seek to find striking patterns in. And your flooring doesn’t have to be an exception.

 

Herringbone, chevron and wide plank designs are all eye-catching patterns available to purchase as a Laminate within the flooring industry. 

 

Undeniably, these designs are well established when it comes to real wood, offering that extra essence of elegance. This can however be a pricey investment. 

 

With these captivating patterns being available in a Laminate, you can get these amazing finishes for a fraction of the cost.

 

Herringbone 

 

Where trending patterns are concerned this one has taken the interior industry by storm! Herringbone flooring is a form of parquet flooring. 

 

Herringbone arranges wooden blocks in a zig-zag pattern to produce beautiful results. This is how parquet flooring is defined – using wooden blocks to create geometric patterns.

Herringbone flooring comes in many different colours and variations. Whilst some lend themselves to contemporary interiors, others will look just as at home in older interiors – just as they did when herringbone wood flooring first made its way into homes in the late 16th Century.

 

So if you want to acquire a compliment or two with your interior design, this timeless classic is certainly a contender for that!

 

Chevron

 

Another amazing pattern, not far behind the whirlwind that is herringbone, is chevron. 

 

The chevron design utilises a zig-zag pattern that’s similar to Herringbone. However, rather than being laid in a staggered pattern, they’re more uniform and are laid to form a true point. The regularity of a chevron pattern means it creates a simple and much cleaner look. Due to the pattern’s features, it also helps to make rooms look more spacious. 

 

Incorporating this into your home is a great way to add a feature piece to your space. With a pattern like this found throughout your flooring, you can make this a stand out element in your design, keeping the rest of your room design minimalistic. 

 

Wide plank 

 

Lastly, another one to watch out for in the Laminate trends department is wide plank Laminate. 

 

You may be thinking “what’s so stylish about a wide plank?” Well, you’ll be intrigued to know that a wider plank provides the opportunity to show off more of the natural grains and knots in the wood, delivering a stunning authentic wood design. 

 

Moreover, wider planks also mean that you’ll use fewer boards. This result in a more seamless finish, as well as it will save you money on the amount of packs needed for your installation. 

 

To conclude, if it’s a natural wood design you want, Laminate is available in wide planks. This offers a larger surface of more natural imperfections in the wood and supplies a rustic charm to your home. 

Waterproof Laminates

 

Next up is another type of Laminate that has hit the trends in 2021. Waterproof Laminate. 

 

Yes, you heard us! Waterproof Laminate. 

 

Previously, Laminate has been renowned for its practicality, ability to replicate real wood and appealing price points. However, its downfall was in its ability to survive the pressures of moisture. 

 

We’re pleased to inform you that this is no longer an issue. With a wide range of waterproof Laminates approved for use in bathrooms, you can acquire that endearing real wood look in even the most demanding rooms of the home. 

And people are acquiring it! Being one of the latest trends in Laminate, we’re seeing an abundance of stunning bathroom transformations featuring this versatile Laminate.  

 

Valencia Tile Retro Blue Grey	Supreme Everest Oak Bronze	Residence Narrow Dark Peterson Oak
Valencia Tile – Add Samples to Cart	Supreme Everest – Add Samples to Cart	Residence Narrow – Add Sample to Cart

 

Without reservation, you can now don’t need to miss out on the opportunity to feature a real wood look in your bathroom.

Distressed Wood Look

 

The last trend we’ll be showcasing is the distressed wood look. 

 

Shabby chic, vintage chic and upcycling are all popular interior stylings in recent years. These styles tend to feature a mix of beauty and distressed pieces within the design.

 

Whether this is translated through furniture or flooring, this narrative gives off an appealing rustic charm.

 

Why not introduce a distressed wood look? This can add an enchanting authenticity to the design. The composition of Laminate includes a printed design. There are no limits to what wood effect designs are available. 

 

There are a wide variety of distressed wood looking Laminates available. As a result, you aren’t limited when it comes to getting the desired look for your space. 

 

 

Amazing right? 

 

Overall, it’s clear to see why these trends have taken the interior industry by storm. Laminate is extremely versatile and is a great contender to pair with a wide range of interiors.  

If you have any questions regarding Laminate flooring, get in touch with one of our flooring experts today who will be happy to assist you. 

The post Laminate Flooring Trends 2021  appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

For many homeowners, remodeling and renovation are at the top of their lists this year. And for good reason.

After the changes we’ve made to our lifestyles over the past year, we want homes that allow more flexibility. We want space so we can enjoy the activities we do best.

Above all, we want space that’s easy to clean and healthy for our families.

For all those reasons and more, hard flooring is a logical choice.

Does flooring affect your health?

At the base of your home decor sits your flooring. It takes the brunt of everyday activities. If you drop food and don’t fully clean it, particles start accumulating. If you walk across it with your shoes on, trace contaminants can lodge into place, and impact your health.

The type of flooring you have underfoot matters. It sets the stage for how well your floors handle under normal everyday living. It’s also about how well the flooring can be cleaned.

Hardwood is one of the oldest and most widely used materials for flooring because it’s durable, easy to clean, and creates pleasing aesthetics at the same time.

People also associate the surface of harwood with being healthier than other types of flooring. If something spills, it’s easier to wipe away. If dust or other particles accumulate, you simply sweep them away.

If things like pet dander, hair, pollen, mold, and other pollutants accumulate, they have the potential to put your health at risk. It most often starts by triggering allergic reactions. If you find coughing, sneezing, and itchy eyes extend beyond the typical cold, it might be allergies.

Reducing these triggers is the most effective way to reduce allergy flare-ups. Based on many different studies, hard flooring is easier to control, and therefore is easier to manage and keep allergic reactions at bay.

In many cases, however, the focus should be put on keeping floors clean more than what material the flooring is made from. If hardwood floors, for instance, are rarely cleaned, they have an accumulation of pollutants from indoor and outdoor messes, they can still affect your health.

Beyond hard and soft – materials matter too

Reducing exposure to triggers is the most effective way to keep your family healthy. To do that means creating a surface that’s easily cleaned, and remains free of particles that increase the chances of flare-ups.

Studies show that hard surfaces are able to do that easier. Carpets, for example, can act as storage for allergens. One of the most troublesome areas is in the bedroom, where you can be exposed to these allergens every night while you sleep.

For people with asthma and other respiratory problems, it can easily exacerbate the situation. Like any flooring material, keeping it clean is the key to avoiding problems. That goes beyond regular vacuuming, and includes steam cleaning it regularly too.

When many homeowners think about carpet, they automatically assume it aggravates allergies and asthma symptoms. That’s not always the case. Like hardwood, carpeting has been around for centuries in various states. Instead of selecting synthetic materials, jute, wool, and other natural fibers can make a significant impact in keeping your home clean.

Because natural fibers aren’t created in a lab, and don’t use chemicals to create barriers between spills and your floors, you’ll have to take extra precautions to keep it looking its best. That may mean vacuuming frequently and using a steam cleaner regularly too. You might be more careful with where you place them, and change your daily habits accordingly.

But will a natural carpet be better than some hard flooring choices?

Synthetic flooring has been known to off-gas, which, when tested, have been shown to be as bad or worse than what carpets may harbor. Synthetic floors may contain volatile organic compounds – VOCs – that can aggravate symptoms and release these VOCs continually into the air supply, especially as it’s newly installed and settling into the surroundings.

It goes beyond the flooring material itself

Carpet or hardwood? Tile or laminate? Vinyl or linoleum?

If you’ve shopped for flooring, you know there are thousands of options available to you. It can be overwhelming selecting what type of flooring, and once you do, the options compound by giving you style, color, and pattern choices.

While most homeowners focus on the material and the aesthetics it creates, there’s another concern as well: installation.

Carpet gives you a soft, warm, comfortable flooring that works well in bedrooms. Carpet padding sets the stage for how well the carpet performs, so it’s equally as important as the flooring you choose.

Tile comes in a variety of sizes, colors, and patterns, but it’s the glue that holds it in place that will ultimately determine wearability and how long your tile functions and looks good.

Hardwood can be securely glued to the subfloor, or use click and lock technology, so it floats above the subfloor.

Flooring choices are important, but equally important is how the flooring is secured to the subfloor.

If you use adhesive, it can contain just as many VOCs as synthetic flooring, making your natural flooring choice just as volatile. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has stated that the key to creating a healthier home is to pay attention to everything that goes into creating the home you live in. Pay attention to what triggers symptoms, and reduce their use. That includes keeping your home clean, and paying attention to the products you use to clean it with.

Everything matters in creating healthy indoor air quality. From the materials you use to build your house, to the personal items you bring into your home. Question anything that can be considered toxic, and make wiser choices.

Is hard flooring healthier for your family?

Hard flooring is only healthier if you pay attention to how you’re introducing it into your home. Synthetic hard flooring may be more symptomatic than natural carpet, for example. In this case, it would come down to your cleaning patterns, and how well you care for your home.

Only you can make the right choice for your home. To create a healthy environment for your family, stop by today and see the many different flooring choices available to help you create the environment that keeps you happy and safe for years to come.

The post Why Hard Flooring Is A Cleaner, Healthier Choice For Your Home first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

This post appeared first on https://pro-flooring.com

When a lot of homeowners decide to upgrade their interiors, the first place they start is with the flooring. After all, it’s one of the easiest ways to make a big impact in your home.

Here in Colorado, hardwood remains ever-popular. It’s where many homeowners start, especially for the main living spaces inside the family home. But if you have the desire to improve the sustainability of the materials you choose, and to reduce your carbon footprint, you start paying attention to the material and how it’s sourced. You love hardwood, but is it your best choice?

That may just give you a push to look at other sustainable products. You’ll find both bamboo and cork have many of the same qualities as hardwood, yet either can give you even more environmentally friendly aspects you’ll love bringing into your home.

Which should you consider? Start by understanding the pros and cons that each offers to your home.

What does environmentally friendly mean?

Before we get into what material is the most environmentally friendly for use in your home, it’s important to have a greater understanding of what it means to be environmentally friendly.

To live eco-friendly means to focus on preventing as much harm to the environment as you can through your daily intentions. It means selecting eco-friendly products that promote green living and prevent air, water, and noise pollution. They don’t drain the resources in the environment, while at the same time prevent human health deterioration.

To build a life around eco-friendly choices, it takes time to learn what’s out there, discover how it impacts the carbon footprint you create through your daily life, and support others who are also working to reduce emissions and create a more sustainable lifestyle.

The reason the three materials mentioned here – hardwood, bamboo, and cork – are closely associated with eco-friendly living is because of how they are produced as well as their popularity in the marketplace.

Bamboo and sustainability

One of the reasons bamboo has grown in popularity is its ability to mimic the looks of hardwood. It’s available in a wide array of colors and patterns. Leave it in its natural state to bring out aesthetically pleasing qualities. Or look for a broader range of options to match any design preferences.

One of the things that attracts people to bamboo is its sustainability. Bamboo isn’t actually a hardwood, and isn’t a product made from trees. Instead, it’s created from a rapidly growing grass that rejuvenated itself regularly from rhizome stock.  It can be harvested annually once the plant reaches full maturity, which can occur within five to seven years.

If bamboo is well managed, it grows rapidly in areas that require little work to create a dynamic stock. It requires neither pesticides nor fertilizers to grow, and works to prevent runoff into rivers and lakes. It’s important to check out the supplier carefully, to ensure the manufacturer is sourcing the product from well managed resources. This ensures they care about the material they are selecting, the process used in manufacturing, as well as creating the best product for your home.

If you select wisely, bamboo will be just as durable as other hardwood options. Bamboo can be as hard as red oak, and offer moisture-resistance that makes it a great choice for many rooms in your home. Care for it well,  and it can easily give you 20 to 25 years of life or more.

Cork and sustainability 

What do you think of when someone mentions cork? For many, it brings up wine bottles and bulletin boards they may have used in school. But cork flooring doesn’t resemble either of those. Instead, it’s a different flooring alternative with a lot of benefits you’ll find in other choices, such as hardwood or bamboo.

Cork flooring is sourced from the cork tree that is native and abundant in Portugal. Instead of chopping down the tree to use the internal wood, cork is taken from the tree’s bark, ground up, and processed into large sheets. It’s then baked in a kiln to achieve hardness, and brought into homes or commercial buildings for use.

Like bamboo, cork isn’t a “once only” product. Instead, cork can be harvested once every nine years from mature trees over 25 years old. When you remove the bark, it doesn’t harm the tree; it simply grows back. That means you can continually harvest it for years to come without destroying the crop.

Cork flooring has been used for hundreds of years and is found in homes throughout time. It’s both a sustainable and renewable resource that captures large amounts of carbon dioxide. If well cared for, cork can last for decades, meaning you won’t have to replace it multiple times as you update your home.

Hardwood and sustainability 

Hardwood has been a popular flooring choice, and continues to be one of the most in-demand on the market today. But is it sustainable?

Wood is a renewable resource if you select from a manufacturer that focuses on sustainable practices. Like other crops, wood can be harvested without damaging the environment if its carefully managed with sustainability in mind. Hardwood growers realize that it can take a tree up to 60 years to mature, so they manage their resources by planting more trees than they harvest. That ensures a growth rate that can always step up to date with demand. You can use the American Hardwood Export Council’s interactive map to learn more about the types and locations of where wood is harvested from.

Being environmentally friendly isn’t just about where the product is sourced from. It’s also about lifespan. If a product lasts for 60 years, it can be more environmentally friendly than one that needs changing out every 20.

It also depends on recyclability. Can the product be used again after removal? Can it be recycled into something else, without being deposed into the landfills?

Hardwood is a product that can continue to be used again and again, for projects like furniture, decorative features, or even accent walls.

What’s your preference?

What’s the best choice for environmentally friendly living – hardwood, bamboo, or cork? They each have their own unique characteristics that make them a great addition to any family home.

What’s your preference?

The post What’s Better For The Environment – Hardwood, Cork, or Bamboo? first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

This post appeared first on https://pro-flooring.com

Hardwoods are often a go-to for homeowners and thankfully, there are variants to choose from so you are not stuck with one choice as a homeowner who fancies hardwood. After all, variety is the spice of life and in this case, the spice of your home flooring. We have identified four domestic hardwood options for your home flooring. Go through each of them and take a pick.

Domestic Hardwood Options to Choose From

American Cherry

This dark and warm colored domestic hardwood comes with a luxurious and stylish finish. However, its luxury state is tender and we recommend installing it in the rooms in your home where you and your folks are less likely to pass through all the time; bedrooms are one of those rooms and a home office space or the study/game room in your home could be another.

Black Walnut

The Black Walnut, also known as the American Walnut, is a hardwood with a color range for you to choose from. From light brown to dark brown, the black walnut hardwood is usually laced with a red undertone or a gray undertone thereby making its experience richer on the eyes. Add the swirls to the undertones it comes with and you have a marvel on the floor of your home.

Oak

You can customize the oak hardwood more than you can customize either the American Cherry or the Black Walnut. Because of its abundance in the United States, it is one of the more popular choices and one hardwood floor you can easily maintain. Colors are available such as White Oak or Red Oak and within each color choice, there are choices to be made from different shades.

Maple

Present-day looks are what /Prefinished-Solid-Maple-Flooring are made for. So if you are looking for a hardwood flooring with a contemporary look, this is it.
Though they give you modern-day looks, they are prone to somewhat losing their color from constant exposure to sunlight, therefore, we recommend flooring dimly lit rooms in your home with this type of hardwood.

Have you picked one of these domestic hardwoods already? Let us deliver the hardwood of your choosing to your doorstep, and have it installed for you.

Contact us at Flooring.org by calling our toll free number at 1-800-689-9006!

This post appeared first on http://www.flooring.org

If you are thinking about having a new floor in your kitchen then you will want something strong, durable, water resistant and able to cope with changes in temperature and humidity. Your kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in your home, so you need something both practical and that will look great. Read More

Are you remodeling a home with aging in place in mind? Do you have a family member with a disability, and finding friendly flooring isn’t just an option, it’s a necessity?

Before you make your final purchase, there are a few things in mind.

ADA and flooring

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a ruling that went into effect in the 1990s that guarantees equal opportunity accommodations for people with disabilities. The standards created through this act apply to all building materials, including flooring. The ADA states flooring should be:

• Slip resistant – there should be adequate traction for wheelchairs and other mobility devices to gain a firm grip on the floor without slipping or skidding
• Firmness – the flooring should dent or compress from the weight of the mobility device
• Stability – it shouldn’t slip, slide, detach, or fold as one moves over it
• Smoothness – it shouldn’t be bumpy or uneven, or cause hurdles that are difficult to navigate
• Softness – it should provide give in the case of falls or accidents

When creating a space for aging in place, it’s important to consider many different options. Some people may need assistance walking and do well with the air of a cane or walker. Others may require full-time assistance from a wheelchair.

Aging in place is about ensuring you have the products and materials in place to ensure transitions. Focus on:

• Ease of movement – ensure you can walk or roll freely from one room to the next without bumpy transitions of loose material that can be a tripping hazard.
• Cushion for potential falls – falling is the number one risk of injury for people as they age. To ensure cushion, pay attention to both subfloor and flooring.
• Ease of maintenance – choosing the right flooring also means creating an environment that’s easy to clean and maintain with little effort.
• Comfort – at the end of the day, flooring should create an environment you want to live in. Choose the right flooring that gives you the base you need as well as the looks that allow you to call your house a home.

What disability friendly flooring choices should you consider?

With so many different types of materials on the market today, there are a variety of choices that can suit your needs.

Tile

For wheelchair use, tile is considered one of the best choices on the market for a number of reasons.

Tile is hard and durable, meaning it won’t change or wear with a lot of use. They come in a wide variety of sizes, styles, and textures, so that you can optimize your living quarters for better traction. The ideal tile surface would have a grain or stone texture, rather than a smooth surface that would be a little more slippery. Smaller tiles also provide more opportunities for grout lines, offering traction for better grip for wheels.

But what’s good for wheelchairs might not make it the best choice for other mobility disabilities. Smaller tiles with more grout lines can create a tripping hazard for people with canes and walkers.

Tile is also one of the hardest surfaces available. Tile won’t give in a fall, meaning there’s a greater chance of injury.

Vinyl

Today’s vinyl is growing in popularity because of its good looks and easy maintenance. You can find vinyl in many different styles – sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl planks, and luxury vinyl tiles. They create a sturdy, level surface area that supports disability friendly flooring options in all kinds of situations. If you go with a commercial-grade, it’s designed to stand up in all kinds of situations, and can make a good addition to a home where walkers and wheelchairs are in constant contact with the floor.

With sheet vinyl, a wear mark or tear might mean replacing the entire floor. With newer options, such as luxury vinyl planks, you can replace smaller spaces to avoid the expense of replacing the entire living space. It’s available in a variety of colors and patterns, and can mimic anything from stone to tile to wood, giving you both aesthetics as well as functionality.

Laminate

Laminate gives a homeowner the look and feel of real hardwood with more durability as well as ease of maintenance. It can be a great candidate for flooring when mobility issues are a part of your daily living.

What’s more, laminate is also budget-friendly, meaning it’s easier on the wallet when you decide to make a change inside your home.

Laminate comes with a rating scale known as the Abrasion Class (AC) to help you determine how much wear and tear it can handle. Err on the side of heavy use, selecting heavy residential or even commercial grade ratings when you’re selecting the flooring materials. A rating of at least an AC3 will give you maximum efficiency for moderate traffic at the commercial level, and will have more properties to resist scuffing and scratching, as well as regular wear and tear.

Engineered hardwood

Hardwood remains at the top of homeowner’s wishlists. To ensure the flooring you install handles well in all kinds of situations, engineered hardwood may be the perfect choice for your needs. Engineered wood comes with a real hardwood veneer that makes it tough enough to handle all kinds of traffic, including wheelchairs and walkers. Its grain texture provides some traction and slip-resistance as well.

When choosing an engineered hardwood floor, look to the Janka rating to help select a hardwood species that will do well under pressure. This rating gives you an indication of the hardness of the wood species, with woods like oak, hickory, and maple being higher up the list. This makes them more durable than softer woods like pine, will hold up better over time against things like scuffs and dents.

Low pile carpet

For many homeowners, carpet is still up high on their wishlists. It makes a great choice for both softness and warmth. Yet for mobility issues, it’s important to select a carpet that isn’t too thick or plus, and that won’t resist when wheelchairs move across it.

Avoid carpets thicker than ½ inch and look for something shorter, commercial-grade, with compact fibers. Avoid a thick carpet pad as well as this will show more wear over time.

Ensure it is glued or tacked into place, so it doesn’t move and bunch up as a wheelchair passes over it. You should never use peel and stick tiles as they aren’t strong enough to hold up over time.

What’s your choice for a disability friendly flooring?

The post Disability Friendly Flooring first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

This post appeared first on https://pro-flooring.com

Stone effect laminate flooring is a synthetic floor covering that has been designed to look like stone or tiles.  Laminate flooring is essentially a high-quality photograph of another floor, in this case stone or tiles. Your range of choices are almost endless, so you are sure to find something to suit your room and style of décor. Read More

Every year brings about all new changes.

We make resolutions to try and move towards new habits and patterns. We clean up our diets, our homes, and sometimes our lives.

When you shop, you’ll find colors that are fresh and new. Pantone selects new colors each year, and for 2021, it’s Ultimate Gray and Illuminating, a bright and cheerful yellow. You’ll see these colors popping up everywhere you shop.

But maybe you’re looking beyond new paint for the walls and a new pillow for the sofa. Maybe you’re thinking of a more significant change – new flooring for 2021. New flooring sets the stage for new aesthetics throughout your home. Whether you make a small change by replacing carpet with something similar, or going wild and selecting an exotic hardwood, it can have a big impact on your lifestyle.

What do we see as the growing trend in flooring for 2021 and beyond? Natural flooring. Experts agree it’s what homeowners want as they freshen up their homes.

What is natural flooring?

When most people refer to natural flooring, what they really mean is flooring that comes from a renewable resource. This includes materials such as cork, bamboo, linoleum, wood, resin, stone, porcelain, glass, concrete, and some fibers.

Natural flooring has many benefits.

Sustainable – this is one of the top reasons people are moving towards natural flooring: it’s sustainable and not as taxing on the environment. The materials can be extracted from nature without harming the world we live in. Not only is the material from a renewable resource, but it’s also readily biodegradable and can be recycled or returned to nature without harming the earth.

Durable – if well maintained, natural flooring can last for many years and look good in the process.

Resilience – natural floors exist within your home without damaging indoor air quality. They have hypoallergenic attributes, can be insect and pest repellant, and can adapt to their surroundings. Natural flooring isn’t made in a lab, nor does it require harmful chemicals to install it or keep it looking its best. It naturally shines, which makes it a choice that can work well in your home for years to come.

Beauty – it’s hard to deny the classic good looks of natural flooring products. Because they’ve been around for years – centuries – people never tire of their looks.

With all of that in mind, what are our top choices for natural flooring this year?

Grained hardwood

Hardwood is a flooring choice many homeowners want. Studies continually show that hardwood flooring stays at the top of homeowners’ wishlists.

Yet because hardwood has been around for decades, installing the “same old wood” can be a little boring for some homeowners. They want something fresh, new, exciting. For all these reasons and more, grained hardwood is growing in popularity.

Instead of smooth, clean lines associated with some hardwood choices, grained hardwood is installed with bold textures that can’t be ignored.

Smooth – over half of all hardwood is smooth. It gives classic elegance, and has been the most in-demand product for generations. It highlights the grain by providing an overall appearance that is soft and delicate. But if you want other options, try:

Open grain – instead of sanding it smooth, wood is cut to add texture to the floor. Open grain species such as elm, oak, or hickory are considered “ring-porous” and have large pores and distinctive grain patterns visible to the eye. They create rifts and valleys that are apparent when the floor is laid into place.

Wire brushed – this finish is created by running a wire brush over the planks to create a soft grain textured surface. It showcases the natural beauty of the wood.

Handscraped – each plank is handscraped and handcrafted to create an aged, worn look. It gives old-world charm that makes a perfect addition to some homes.

Distressed – distressed hardwood is manufactured with both a wire brush and handscraping to give a rustic appeal with a dimensional texture.

No matter which you choose, adding grained hardwood to your home will give your home personality and charm that lasts for years.

Natural carpet

While most carpets are created using some type of synthetic material, there are a few carpet choices prized for their natural fibers and eco-friendly renewable resources.

Wool is the most common fiber choice because it’s strong and resists pilling, stains, and fire damage. It also has natural lanolin that causes spills and moisture to bead up rather than soaking in. Wool can make an excellent addition to any home because the fibers trap air, creating an environment that’s both soundproof and insulated against extreme temperatures.

Jute is another carpet choice that is made from fibers from plants in the Corchorus genus, which are grown in abundance in Asia. The plant is soaked in water and stripped of its fibers. It is an especially soft fiber that can make a good choice in low traffic areas such as bedrooms.

Sisal is made from fibers from Agave sisalana plants. These fibers are easy to dye, and can make a versatile addition to any home. It stands up in high traffic situations, but it can be slippery in certain situations. It’s not a good choice for stairs. It can break down with too much moisture, so place it in rooms accordingly.  

Eco-friendly flooring lifespan

While we often consider specific types of flooring material when making our final selections, it’s also important to note that to truly be concerned about the overall carbon footprint of a flooring product, look at the entire life cycle when making a selection.

Selecting a natural carpet like wool can be a good choice for your home, but if you rip it out every few years and it winds up in the landfill, it’s defeating the purpose of being a carbon neutral selection.

Homeowners rarely think about vinyl when it comes to making a natural selection, but some products on the market today are made from recycled materials. And when it reaches the end of life, it can also be recycled and used in other ways.

How about cork or bamboo? Both products grow rapidly in nature, and when sourced ethically, can be a welcome addition to any home.

If you’re looking for natural flooring to install in your home here in 2021, the possibilities may astound you. Stop by today and take a look at all the different materials and products we have available, and find the right flooring choice for your home.

The post Why Natural Flooring Is The Rage in 2021 first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

This post appeared first on https://pro-flooring.com

When you’re creating a home for your family, you pay attention to the little things that will keep everyone safe. You install smoke detectors. You ensure the blinds are cord-free and don’t pose a safety risk. You select cleaners that don’t use harmful chemicals that can make your family sick.

But what about the laminate you install on your floors? Do a little research and you’ll find laminate contains formaldehyde. Or at least that’s what a quick Google search will have you believe.

Is it true?

Is laminate safe?

Or should you pull laminate out of your home, and never consider it again?

Let’s talk about formaldehyde

If you want to learn more about formaldehyde and its impact on health, it’s best to go to a respected resource such as the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, which is a division of the CDC.

According to the ATSDR:

• Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas that has a distinct, strong smell
• Formaldehyde can be quickly broken down in the air, usually within hours
• The emissions put out by formaldehyde will decrease as the product ages
• Formaldehyde dissolves easily but dissipates quickly in water
• Formaldehyde will not build up in the human body
• The primary way humans are exposed to formaldehyde is by breathing it in if it’s in the air supply
• Indoor air is more susceptible to carrying formaldehyde than outdoor air

In general, people won’t show reactions from small amounts of formaldehyde entering their systems. Low exposure may irritate eyes, nose, throat, skin, or airways. Of course, it depends on a person’s sensitivity as to how much of a reaction they have. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions, the very young, and the very old may produce more severe reactions.

Prolonged exposure can give rise to sensitivities, and create chronic conditions over time. Formaldehyde is also linked to certain types of cancers, including leukemia.

If you’re attempting to keep your home as free of chemicals as possible, the thought of introducing formaldehyde into your home can be unnerving – why bring something potentially harmful into your house? If laminate contains formaldehyde, wouldn’t you be better off to select something else?

There’s more to the story than that.

Laminate and formaldehyde – what’s the story?

Back in 2015, 60 Minutes ran an expose that revealed through investigative reporting, laminate from Lumber Liquidators’ contained dangerous levels of formaldehyde. They eventually agreed to pay a $33 million penalty for misleading investors about formaldehyde-laced laminate flooring from China.

With this history, it should be easy to find safer laminates. In many cases, it is. But it’s still a marketplace filled with buyer beware. If you buy based on price alone, you may not get the product you think it is. Without a little research first, you could be installing something in your home that puts your health at risk.

Protect yourself when buying laminate – and make sure it’s free of formaldehyde

When you purchase flooring based on price alone, you’re often getting an inferior quality product that was mass produced for selling in large quantities. You’re less likely to know where the material is sourced from, and run a greater chance of having problems with the product at some point in the future.

These mass produced laminates are often for sale at online resources that contain discounted flooring materials. You may also find them at local big box stores that sell one product for an extremely reduced price.

There’s a reason it’s such a good deal. Is that what you want as you’re flooring for the next decade or more?

When buying laminate flooring, the best way to make your final selection is to follow guidelines set up by the EPA. Only buy products that are labeled or stamped with compliance from one of the major organizations that check for safety, including the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and California Air Resources Board Air Toxics Control Measure (CARB ATCM).

Why laminate?

Laminate is more susceptible to using chemically-laden materials in production because it’s constructed from multiple materials. Laminate flooring is a multilayer product that contains:

• A plywood base layer
• A realistic photo image layer that mimics the look of real wood
• A hard, durable plasticate wear layer

Some laminates have a built-in underlayment attached for easy installation.

People choose laminates over other wood types for a variety of reasons.

Laminate is traditionally more budget-friendly than most other types of hardwood. It also has a durable wear layer that makes it more durable than hardwood, able to resist scratching far more than a softer flooring. It’s also more resistant to moisture, making it an even better choice for the multi-purpose rooms in your home, such as the kitchen, laundry room, and the basement.

Learn to shop for non-toxic products

Laminate is created from multiple resources. That means depending on which laminate you select, there might be more than formaldehyde that lurks inside.

Laminate is made up of multiple layers. It takes adhesive and other products to put them all together. And that’s where other chemicals can creep into the production line and be in the final product you select.

VOC means volatile organic compounds. Have you ever noticed a “new car smell”? That’s VOCs, and you smell it as it goes through a process of off-gassing. This is where it releases chemicals back into the air supply as it settles into place. VOCs can contain a variety of chemicals, including:

• Benzene
• Ethylene glycol
• Tetrachloroethylene
• Toluene
• Xylene
• And yes, formaldehyde

Can you find non-toxic laminate? Yes. Pay attention to the manufacturer, and look at your labels. GreenGuard Certified is just one organization that checks for harmful chemicals, and pays attention to what is released in the off-gassing process.

Also pay attention to the installation process. If an installer uses harmful chemicals to attach the laminate to the floor, you’re defeating the process of trying to reduce exposure. Choose a click-in-place laminate that floats and isn’t directly attached to the floor.

What other questions do you have about laminate flooring? If you’re ready to choose the safest product for your home flooring, we can help you make the best selection for your family’s needs.

The post Does Your Laminate Contain Formaldehyde? first appeared on PRO! Flooring.

This post appeared first on https://pro-flooring.com

Oak style laminate flooring is just as it sounds. It is laminate flooring that has been designed to look like planks or blocks of Oak. As laminate flooring is essentially a photograph of a wooden floor. The choices are almost endless, so there will definitely be something to suit your needs and requirements. Read More